Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selfing and correlated paternity in relation to pollen management in western red cedar seed orchards

We used microsatellite genetic markers to evaluate the mating system of western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) under various seed orchard pollen management schemes. We primarily examined whether supplemental mass pollination (SMP) can reduce the observed selfing rates. Pollen blowing and “hooding” were also examined in smaller tests. Only SMP was consistently effective in reducing the selfing rate, from 30% to 20%. The correlation of paternity was quite high (60%–90%) in two of three orchards, and in these two orchards the application of SMP reduced this correlation by about 10% as well. The correlation of paternity is the fraction of full-sibling vs. half-sibling progeny, and unbiased estimates can be obtained with few loci, even single loci, in contrast to other types of paternity analysis. We also find the microsatellite amplicon sizes should be pooled into “bins” of 2–4 nucleotides, owing to unintended errors of assay; otherwise the estimates are biased. This new feature of mating system estimation was incorporated into the computer program MLTR.
Surrogacy-Based Maximization of Output Power of a Low-Voltage Vibration Energy Harvesting Device

The coreless microgenerators implemented in electromagnetic vibration energy harvesting devices usually suffer from power deficiency. This can be noticeably improved by optimizing the distribution of separate turns within the armature winding. The purposeful optimization routine developed in this work is based on numerical identification of the turns that contribute most to the electromotive force and the elimination of those with the least contribution in order to reduce the internal impedance of the winding. The associated mixed integer nonlinear programming problem is solved comparatively using three approaches employing surrogate models based on kriging. The results show very good performance of the strategy based on a sequentially refined kriging in terms of the ability to accurately localize extremum and reduction of the algorithm execution time. As a result of optimization, the output power of the system increased by some 300 percent with respect to the initial configuration.
An Active Z-Source DC Circuit Breaker Combined With SCR and IGBT

SCR-based solid-state dc circuit breaker (SCR-DCCB) topologies have been widely studied for replacing the traditional expensive insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) based DCCB. Yet, the existing SCR-DCCB cannot be actively turned-off since SCR is a half-controlled device. In this letter, an active Z-source DCCB (AZ-DCCB) is proposed by the combination of IGBT and SCR. The proposed AZ-DCCB has advantages of simple and compact topology, economical design, low conduction losses, and active and bidirectional current breaking capacity. The operation process of the proposed AZ-DCCB is discussed in detail, and the designing principle of circuit parameters is also presented. Experimental results verified the effectiveness of the proposed AZ-DCCB.
A taxonomy of validation strategies to ensure the safe operation of highly automated vehicles

Abstract Self-driving cars are on the horizon, making it necessary to consider safety assurance and homologation of these autonomously operating vehicles. In this study, we systematically review literature that proposes new methods for these areas. The available methods were categorized into a novel taxonomy, dividing them into the strategies of combinatorial testing, robustness testing and search-based testing. We analyzed the literature in regard to modeling capabilities, targeted automation subsystem, targeted driving task level and the metrics used for criticality evaluation and coverage of the scenario space. We found that there are significant differences and shortcoming in the modeling capabilities of the existing research and that methods of each strategy usually target a specific driving task level. Additionally the criticality assessment of scenario-based validation methods was examined, revealing the need for more comprehensive metrics to assess complex scenarios. The developed taxonomy furthers the understanding in different scenario-based testing approaches for automated vehicles and serves as a guide for future research.
Sensory processing disorder: Key points of a frequent alteration in neurodevelopmental disorders

Abstract Altered neurological sensory integration results in Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), also known as Sensory Regulation Dysfunction, Sensory Integration Dysfunction or Sensory Dysfunction Disorder. Under this condition, the brain doesn’t process sensory inputs correctly, following inappropriate behavioral and motor responses that affect learning, coordination, behavior and language. SPD may lead to stress, anxiety or even depression, and represents a risk of psychopathology. Epidemiological studies carried out in western lifestyle populations have shown a high prevalence of SPD among children (5-15%); however, a large number of health professionals still do not know this condition, giving rise to unattended children and frustrated families. This review aims to provide an updated starting point about some of the most relevant aspects of SPD.
Proteins: Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Preface Protein structure Protein sources Protein purification and characterization Large-scale protein purification Therapeutic proteins: blood products and vaccines Therapeutic antibodies and enzymes Hormones and growth factors used therapeutically Interferons, interleukins and additional regulatory factors Proteins used for analytical purposes Industrial enzymes: an introduction Industrial enzymes: proteases and carbohydrates Additional industrial enzymes Non-catalytic industrial proteins Index
Microaggressions experienced by adoptive families and internationally adopted adolescents in France

Abstract France receives a relatively large number of international adoptions. However, little is known about the frequency and types of microaggressions experienced by adoptive parents and internationally adopted adolescents in France. Unusually, France functions legally as a colorblind society, where race is not officially recognized. Therefore, we surveyed adoptive parents and adopted adolescents regarding their feelings of difference and experience of prejudice – related to both adoptive status and country of origin. Some respondents reported that special needs represented an additional area of stigma. Family belonging, adoption identity, and adoption visibility all impacted the experience of microaggressions by French internationally adopted adolescents and their parents.
Research on the Combined Control Strategy of Low Temperature Charging and Heating of Lithium-Ion Power Battery Based on Adaptive Fuzzy Control

A low temperature environment will lead to the decrease of chemistry reaction rate and increase of the internal resistance of the lithium battery. In addition, the excessive charging current will cause the lithium to separate out and even the permanent attenuation of battery capacity. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a low-temperature charging heating combined control strategy, which takes the temperature acceptable charging current of the battery at low temperature as the charging current constraint and the maximum output power of the system as the power constraint. Firstly, a scheme of combined charging and heating control system is put forward. Secondly, the low temperature charging control strategy based on adaptive fuzzy control is established and then the model is simulated and analyzed in MATLAB software. At last, a Chroma 72,001 charge and discharge tester is used to conduct a low temperature test on 18,650 lithium iron phosphate battery monomers. The results show that the low-temperature charging control strategy proposed in this paper has a more stable temperature control effect on the battery, the constant current charging time of the battery is reduced by 14% compared with the traditional threshold control method, and the overall charging energy consumption is reduced by 5.6%.
Neuronal K-Cl Cotransporter : Transcriptional Mechanisms of KCC2 Gene Regulation

K-Cl cotransporter 2 (KCC2) maintains a low intracellular Cl concentration required for fast hyperpolarizing responses of neurons to classical inhibitory neurotransmitters aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine. Decreased Cl extrusion observed in genetically modified KCC2-deficient mice leads to depolarizing GABA responses, impaired brain inhibition, and as a consequence to epileptic seizures. Identification of mechanisms regulating activity of the SLC12A5 gene, which encodes the KCC2 cotransporter, in normal and pathological conditions is, thus, of extreme importance. Multiple reports have previously elucidated in details a spatio-temporal pattern of KCC2 expression. Among the characteristic features are an exclusive neuronal specificity, a dramatic upregulation during embryonic and early postnatal development, and a significant downregulation by neuronal trauma. Numerous studies confirmed these expressional features, however transcriptional mechanisms predetermining the SLC12A5 gene behaviour are still unknown. The aim of the presented thesis is to recognize such transcriptional mechanisms and, on their basis, to create a transcriptional model that would explain the established SLC12A5 gene behaviour. Up to recently, only one KCC2 transcript has been thought to exist. A particular novelty of the presented work is the identification of two SLC12A5 gene promoters (SLC12A51a and SLC12A5-1b) that produce at least two KCC2 isoforms (KCC2a and KCC2b) differing by their N-terminal parts. Even though a functional Rb assay reveals no significant difference between transport activities of the isoforms, consensus sites for several protein kinases, found in KCC2a but not in KCC2b, imply a distinct kinetic regulation. As a logical continuation, the current work presents a detailed analysis of the KCC2a and KCC2b expression patterns. This analysis shows an exclusively neuron-specific pattern and similar expression levels for both isoforms during embryonic and neonatal development in rodents. During subsequent postnatal development, the KCC2b expression dramatically increases, while KCC2a expression, depending on central nervous system (CNS) area, either remains at the same level or moderately decreases. In an attempt to explain both the neuronal specificity and the distinct expressional kinetics of the KCC2a and KCC2b isoforms during postnatal development, the corresponding SLC12A5-1a and SLC12A5-1b promoters have been subjected to a comprehensive bioinformatical analysis. Binding sites of several transcription factors (TFs), conserved in the mammalian SLC12A5 gene orthologs, have been identified that might shed light on the observed behaviour of the SLC12A5 gene. Possible roles of these TFs in the regulating of the SLC12A5 gene expression have been elucidated in subsequent experiments and are discussed in the current thesis.
Heterogeneous formation of particulate nitrate under ammonium-rich regimes during the high-PM2.5 events in Nanjing, China

Abstract. Particulate nitrate (NO3-) not only influences regional climates but also contributes to the acidification of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In 2016 and 2017, four intensive online measurements of water-soluble ions in PM2.5 were conducted in Nanjing City in order to investigate the potential formation mechanisms of particulate nitrate. During the sampling periods, NO3- was the predominant species, accounting approximately for 35 % of the total water-soluble inorganic ions, followed by SO42- (33 %) and NH4+ (24 %). Significant enhancements of nitrate aerosols in terms of both absolute concentrations and relative abundances suggested that NO3- was a major contributing species to high-PM2.5 events (hourly PM2.5≥150 µg m−3). High NO3- concentrations mainly occurred under NH4+-rich conditions, implying that the formation of nitrate aerosols in Nanjing involved NH3. During the high-PM2.5 events, the nitrogen conversion ratios (Fn) were positively correlated with the aerosol liquid water content (ALWC; R>0.72 and p<0.05). Meanwhile, increasing NO3- concentrations regularly coincided with increasing ALWC and decreasing Ox (Ox=O3+NO2). These results suggested that the heterogeneous reaction was probably a major mechanism of nitrate formation during the high-PM2.5 events. Moreover, the average production rate of NO3- by heterogeneous processes was estimated to be 12.6 % h−1 (4.1 µg m−3 h−1), which was much higher than that (2.5 % h−1; 0.8 µg m−3 h−1) of gas-phase reactions. This can also explain the abrupt increases in nitrate concentrations during the high-PM2.5 events. Utilizing the ISORROPIA II model, we found that nitrate aerosol formation in Nanjing during the high-PM2.5 events was HNO3 limited. This indicated that control of NOx emissions will be able to efficiently reduce airborne particulate nitrate concentrations and improve the air quality in this industrial city.
Is/Are Customer Satisfaction and Trust Mediating Factors of Loyalty for OTA---from China’s Case?

The author studies the influencing factors of OTA customer loyalty by taking Qunar and Ctrip as an example. Based on the relevant theories, the author constructs a SEM model that affects OTA customer loyalty, including information ease of use, products and services, risk, switching costs as independent variables, satisfaction and trust as intermediate variables, and loyalty as dependent variables. Through questionnaire survey, data collection and analysis show that product and service, switching cost have a significant positive impact on customer satisfaction, trust and loyalty. Among them, the switching cost has the biggest effect on customer loyalty and trust. Products and services have the greatest impact on customer satisfaction. Satisfaction and trust have a significant positive impact on loyalty. As intermediary variables, pre-variables can indirectly affect OTA customer loyalty through satisfaction and trust.
A molecular phylogeny and a revised classification of tribe Lepisoreae (Polypodiaceae) based on an analysis of four plastid DNA regions

Phylogenetic relationships within the palaeotropical tribe Lepisoroideae (Polypodiaceae) were investigated by studying sequence variation of four plastid DNA regions: rbcL, rps4 plus rps4-trnS IGS, trnL intron plus trnL-F IGS, rbcL-atpB IGS plus part of atpB. In total, over 4000 nucleotides were sequenced for 39 species. Seven well-supported clades were found in the analyses of the combined data set. We provide a new classification of Lepisoroideae by integrating phylogenetic results and known variation of morphological characters. The two small genera Neocheiropteris and Tricholepidium are supported as monophyletic, the genus Paragramma is resurrected and the genera Lepisorus, Neolepisorus, Lemmaphyllum and Lepidomicrosorium are re-circumscribed. We proposed 14 new combinations, among which Caobangia is treated as a synonym of Lemmaphyllum. A key for identifying the recognized genera is presented. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 162, 28‐38.
Measurement of internal dark current in a 17 GHz accelerator structure with an elliptical sidewall

A 17 GHz single cell, standing wave, copper accelerator structure with an axisymmetric elliptical central cell sidewall was tested for internal and downstream dark current as a function of gradient up to 93 MV/m. The elliptical sidewall was predicted to suppress the internal dark current and the lower order multipactor modes as compared with a previously tested structure having a straight sidewall. During the conditioning phase of the elliptical sidewall structure, strong internal dark current generated by an N = 1 multipactor mode was observed at gradients in the 10 to 20 MV/m range. After conditioning with 2.2×10 pulses to 93 MV/m, the N = 1 mode was completely suppressed and no multipactor resonances were observed. The internal dark current was reduced to a comparatively low level, much smaller than in the previously studied, straight sidewall structure, in good agreement with simulations. The energy spectrum of the electrons colliding with the sidewall was measured using an isolated side dark current monitor and a bias voltage. As the conditioning progressed, the electron energy spectrum showed an increase in the concentration of lower energy electrons, also in good agreement with simulations. Studies of internal dark current may help to understand the rf conditioning and ultimate performance of high gradient accelerator structures.
Freely orientable microstructures for designing deformable 3D prints

Nature offers a marvel of astonishing and rich deformation behaviors. Yet, most of the objects we fabricate are comparatively rather inexpressive, either rigid or exhibiting simple homogeneous deformations when interacted with. We explore the synthesis and fabrication of novel microstructures that mimic the effects of having oriented rigid fibers in an otherwise flexible material: the result is extremely rigid along a transverse direction while being comparatively very flexible in the locally orthogonal plane. By allowing free gradation of the rigidity direction orientation within the object, the microstructures can be designed such that, under deformation, distances along fibers in the volume are preserved while others freely change. Through a simple painting tool, this allows a designer to influence the way the volume reshapes when deformed, and results in a wide range of novel possibilities. Many gradations are possible: local free orientation of the fibers; local control of the overall material rigidity (structure density); local canceling of the effect of the fibers, obtaining a more isotropic material. Our algorithm to synthesize the structures builds upon procedural texturing. It produces a cellular geometry that can be fabricated reliably despite 3D printing walls at a minimal thickness, allowing prints to be very flexible. The synthesis algorithm is efficient and scales to large volumes.
Risk Convergence of Centered Kernel Ridge Regression with Large Dimensional Data

This paper carries out a large dimensional analysis of a variation of kernel ridge regression that we call centered kernel ridge regression (CKRR), also known in the literature as kernel ridge regression with offset. This modified technique is obtained by accounting for the bias in the regression problem resulting in the old kernel ridge regression but with centered kernels. The analysis is carried out under the assumption that the data is drawn from a Gaussian distribution and heavily relies on tools from random matrix theory (RMT). Under the regime in which the data dimension and the training size grow infinitely large with fixed ratio and under some mild assumptions controlling the data statistics, we show that both the empirical and the prediction risks converge to a deterministic quantities that describe in closed form fashion the performance of CKRR in terms of the data statistics and dimensions. A key insight of the proposed analysis is the fact that asymptotically a large class of kernels achieve the same minimum prediction risk. This insight is validated with synthetic data.
The putative reader in mass media persuasion – stance, argumentation and ideology

This article explores a framework for analyses of what has variously been termed the ‘implied’, ‘imagined’, ‘virtual’ or ‘putative’ reader/addressee – the effect by which ostensibly ‘monologic’ texts, such as news media commentary, political pronouncements and academic essays project particular attitudes, beliefs and expectations on to the reader/addressee. The framework is demonstrated in being applied to an examination of the construal of putative addressee positioning in a selection of mass media texts concerned with the Israeli military’s invasion of Gaza in 2014. The framework is novel in the way in which it mobilises the account of the options for dialogistic positioning offered by the appraisal-framework literature, combined with some insights from Toulmin’s notion of the argumentative ‘warrant’. Conclusions are offered as to how such analyses of the readers being ‘written into the text’ can extend insights into the rhetorical workings of such texts and their ideological functionality in naturalising particular value positions.
POLIQUETOS BENTÓNICOS SUBMAREALES DE FONDOS BLANDOS DE LA REGIÓN DE AYSÉN, CHILE: CLADO TEREBELLIDA (ANNELIDA, POLYCHAETA)* BENTHIC SUBTIDAL POLYCHAETES ON SOFT BOTTOMS OF THE AYSÉN REGION OF CHILE: CLADE TEREBELLIDA (ANNELIDA, POLYCHAETA)*

Results from a taxonomic analysis of benthic polychaetes of the clade Terebellida, obtained during the CIMAR 7 and CIMAR 8 Fjords research cruises are presented. Synonymy, geographical distribution, morphological remarks, and illustrations for each species are included. The samples were obtained in the region of Aysen (43 o 45' S-46 o 28' S), on the southeastern Pacific coast off Chile, from silt-clay bottoms using an Agassiz trawl, between 20 and 444 m depth. A total of 133 specimens of polychaetes from the clade Terebellida were collected. These specimens consisted of 14 species, grouped into 13 genera and seven families. Tubes of Lanice sp. recovered were included only for the taxonomic record. The samples analyzed included a total of seven species of Terebellidae (50% of total abundance of all samples), two species of Ampharetidae (14.3% abundance) and one of Flabelligeridae, Cirratulidae,
Balanced Scorecard: Is It Beneficial Enough? A Literature Review

Purpose of the Research: This study reviews and evaluates the development of research on the balanced scorecard. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: This is a literature study of71 articles from 21 Scopus Q1 indexed journals. The issuance year was ignored, yet the search area was restricted to business, management, and accounting. The analysis is grouped into three parts, namely BSC in private sectors, BSC in public sectors, and criticism for BSC. In private sectors and SMEs, the theme is divided into benefits of BSC, implementations of BSC, limitations and other tools to improve BSC. Research finding: Although a large number of academics are sceptical about the relationship between BSC and organisational outcomes, BSC is widely used. Practitioner-oriented literature shows that it has useful values especially in improving organisational performance and strategy attainment. Based on the findings of empirical results in the private sector, SMEs, and the public sector, it can be inferred that the implementation status of the balanced scorecard shows a high level of success and minimal failure. Theoretical contribution/ Originality: The BSC has limitations, yet these findings show that BSC is beneficial enough. Practitioner/ Policy implication: The BSC remains worth considering for a performance management system. Limitation/ Implication: This literature review is limited to specific quality ratings of the academic journals. Type of article: Literature review Keywords: Balanced Scorecard, Kaplan and Norton, Management Accounting, Literature Review JEL Classification: M21, M41