Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single-Step Genome-Wide Association Study for Resistance to Piscirickettsia salmonis in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

One of the main pathogens affecting rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farming is the facultative intracellular bacteria Piscirickettsia salmonis. Current treatments, such as antibiotics and vaccines, have not had the expected effectiveness in field conditions. Genetic improvement by means of selection for resistance is proposed as a viable alternative for control. Genomic information can be used to identify the genomic regions associated with resistance and enhance the genetic evaluation methods to speed up the genetic improvement for the trait. The objectives of this study were to i) identify the genomic regions associated with resistance to P. salmonis; and ii) identify candidate genes associated with the trait in rainbow trout. We experimentally challenged 2,130 rainbow trout with P. salmonis and genotyped them with a 57 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. Resistance to P. salmonis was defined as time to death (TD) and as binary survival (BS). Significant heritabilities were estimated for TD and BS (0.48 ± 0.04 and 0.34 ± 0.04, respectively). A total of 2,047 fish and 26,068 SNPs passed quality control for samples and genotypes. Using a single-step genome wide association analysis (ssGWAS) we identified four genomic regions explaining over 1% of the genetic variance for TD and three for BS. Interestingly, the same genomic region located on Omy27 was found to explain the highest proportion of genetic variance for both traits (2.4 and 1.5% for TD and BS, respectively). The identified SNP in this region is located within an exon of a gene related with actin cytoskeletal organization, a protein exploited by P. salmonis during infection. Other important candidate genes identified are related with innate immune response and oxidative stress. The moderate heritability values estimated in the present study show it is possible to improve resistance to P. salmonis through artificial selection in the rainbow trout population studied here. Furthermore, our results suggest a polygenic genetic architecture for the trait and provide novel insights into the candidate genes underpinning resistance to P. salmonis in O. mykiss.
Associations of the intestinal microbiome with the complement system in age-related macular degeneration

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of severe vision loss in the aged population. The etiology of AMD is multifactorial and includes nutritional factors, genetic variants mainly in the complement pathway, environmental risk factors and alterations in the intestinal microbiome. However, it remains largely unexplored whether there is an interdependency of these factors leading to the development of AMD. To investigate this issue, a comprehensive shotgun metagenomics analysis of 57 AMD and 58 healthy controls as well as of 16 complement C3 deficient mice and 16 wildtypes was performed. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the complement factors were assessed with pre-designed TaqMan® SNP genotyping assays. Results: The composition of the intestinal microbiome differed significantly between AMD patients and controls. Whereas the class Negativicutes was more abundant in patients, the genus Oscillibacter and Bacteroides species had a significantly higher prevalence in persons without AMD. While SNPs within the complement factor B gene were more abundant in controls, SNPs within the high temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1 and complement factor H (CFH) genes were associated with AMD. Using a classification model, Negativicutes was identified as a potential biomarker for AMD and furthermore, it positively correlated with CFH. In addition, similar taxonomic features were identified that distinguished wildtype mice from C3 deficient mice. Conclusion: The composition of the intestinal microbiome differs between AMD patients and controls as well as between C3 deficient mice and wildtype mice. Moreover, since the phylum Firmicutes has been identified as potential biomarker for AMD and positively correlates with the genetic risk factor CFH, the study suggests an association between the intestinal microbiome and the complement system in AMD.
Solar Wind Protons in the Diamagnetic Cavity at Comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko

The plasma environment at a comet can be divided into different regions with distinct plasma characteristics. Two such regions are the solar wind ion cavity, which refers to the part of the outer coma that does not contain any solar wind ions anymore; and the diamagnetic cavity, which is the region of unmagnetized plasma in the innermost coma. From theory and previous observations, it was thought that under usual circumstances no solar wind ion should be observable near or inside of the diamagnetic cavity. For the first time, we report on five observations that show that protons near solar wind energies can also be found inside the diamagnetic cavity. We characterize these proton signatures, where and when they occur, and discuss possible mechanisms that could lead to protons penetrating the inner coma and traversing the diamagnetic cavity boundary. By understanding these observations, we hope to better understand the interaction region of the comet with the solar wind under nonstandard conditions. The protons detected inside the diamagnetic cavity have directions and energies consistent with protons of solar wind origin. The five events occur only at intermediate gas production rates and low cometocentric distances. Charge transfer reactions, high solar wind dynamic pressure and a neutral gas outburst can be ruled out as causes. We suggest that the anomalous appearance of protons in the diamagnetic cavity is due to a specific solar wind configuration where the solar wind velocity is parallel to the interplanetary magnetic field, thus inhibiting mass‐loading and deflection.
Improved Micropositioning of 2 DOF Stage by Using the Neural Network Compensation of Plant Nonlinearities

This paper describes the system for micropositioning of a 2 DOF mechanism with piezoelectric actuators (PEAs) called a piezo actuated stage (PAS). The PAS is fabricated by a photo structuring process from photosensitive glass and PEAs are built-on to meet the request for its precise movement. The PAS is designed as a general 2 DOF stage. It can be used for different micropositioning or micro-assembling tasks according to the selected end-effector. The other components of the closed-loop control system for micropositioning of PAS are the high voltage drivers, the incremental position sensors and the control processing unit. Due to the nonlinear behaviour of the system for micropositioning, the precise position control of PAS with traditional PI controller is aggravated. Concerning the plant nonlinearities, the feedforward neural networks (NN) are used as a tool for their compensation. After the training procedure with the back-propagation (BPG) algorithm, the trained NN inverse model of plant nonlinearities is used as a feedforward part of the proposed controller. The experiment results have shown that the NN compensation improves the control performance of traditional PI controller.
Figuring Out Preference or Balancing Out Effort: Do Inferences From Incentives Undermine Post-Incentive Motivation?

Do financial rewards undermine motivation by prompting people to infer from theirincentivized choices that they only did a task because of the incentive? We examine thisprediction of the overjustification hypothesis by manipulating the salience and availability ofinitial (i.e., pre-incentive) task attitudes in repeated choices between tasks. While remindingpeople about their initial task attitude prior to the incentive arrested post-incentivedisengagement, we fail to find persistent disengagement after an incentive ends, when initialattitudes are not salient. Contrary to the prediction of overjustification that the negative longerterm effects of incentives will be magnified when all of a person’s initial choices to do a taskwere incentivized, we also find no evidence of any post-incentive reduction in that case. Overall,our results contradict inferential accounts of post-incentive behavior and instead point to the roleof perceived effort and justification. We discuss implications for dynamic consumer responses topromotions.
Improved sliding window detector in UWB-SRR system for vehicular applications

A novel ultra-wideband short range radar (UWB-SRR) system for measuring a target maximum range of 15 m and relative velocity of 150 km/h is proposed. The conventional detector has less detection performance if the reflected echo signals from the target are more distributed because the detection performance depends on a particular range bin only. However, the proposed detector's detection performance is increased when the reflected echo signals from the target are combined using the proposed sliding window. According to the presented simulation and theoretical analysis, the proposed detector is superior to conventional detectors when the target echo signal is more distributed against a background of additive white Gaussian noise.
Teaching Folder Management System for the Enhancement of Engineering and Built Environment Faculty Program

A strong, systematic and well-executed management system will be able to minimize and coordinate workload. A number of committees need to be developed, which are joined by the department staffs to achieve the objectives that have been set. Another important aspect is the monitoring department in order to ensure that the work done is correct and in line with the Washington Accord’s requirements. A strong academic management system consists of four main sections namely activities organization and evaluation, documentation system, ongoing improvement and information sharing. This paper focuses on the importance of the third aspect, which is the documentation system. It is crucial to establish a systematic and efficient documentation system that reflects all the efforts that have been done in the program courses. The Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ( The National University of Malaysia ) has taken a number of measures in upgrading its document management. The performance of teaching folder submission has increased significantly for all departments.
Inhibition of Jiawei Foshou San on invasion and metastasis through MMP/TIMP signaling in endometriosis

Background: The new formula Jiawei Foshou San (JFS) is consisted of ligustrazine, ferulic acid and tetrahydropalmatine designed from Foshou San . Previously JFS inhibited the growth of rat autograft endometriosis with unclear mechanism. To uncover the effect of JFS on invasion and metastasis in endometrial cells and xenograft endometriosis. Methods: In vitro , cell viability assay was performed for IC50 measurement in hEM15A and HEC1-B cells after treating JFS. Effects of JFS on invasion and metastasis were analyzed in scratch wound and transwell assay. In vivo , effect of JFS was evaluated in xenogeneic transplantation of endometriosis model. The gene and protein expression of MMP/TIMP signaling were inspected in vitro and in vivo . Results: Inhibitory effects of JFS were investigated with dose-dependent manner in hEM15A and HEC1-B cells. JFS significantly inhibited the invasion and metastasis in dose- and time-dependent manner. In xenograft endometriosis, JFS reduced the volume of ectopic endometrium. In-depth study, inactive MMP/TIMP signaling expressed the lower MMP-2/9, higher TIMP-1 by JFS in vitro and in vivo . Conclusions: JFS prevent invasion and metastasis via inactivation of MMP/TIMP signaling in endometrial cells and xenograft endometriosis. It reveals the potential mechanism of JFS on endometriosis and the benefit for further application.
A demonstration of useful electric energy generation from piezoceramics in a shoe

The feasibility of harnessing electric energy using piezoelectric inserts in a sport sneaker has been demonstrated. Continuing in that spirit, this thesis compares regulation schemes for conditioning the electric energy harnessed by a piezoceramic source imbedded in a shoe insole. Two off-line, dc-dc direct converter hybrids (buck and forward) are proposed and implemented to improve the conversion efficiency over previously demonstrated conditioning schemes. A rigid, bimorph piezoceramic transducer was developed and integrated into an off-the-shelf orthopedic insert. The insert consists of two THUNDER PZT unimorphs connected in parallel and mounted on opposing sides of a Be-Cu backplate. The bimorph absorbs the energy of the heel strike and lift during walking, thereby inducing a charge differential across the faces of the PZT. The energy stored in this charge is removed at its peak and converted into a useful form using a high-frequency switching technique. The power conditioning circuitry consists of the following stages: Rectification, high-frequency switching (and step-down transformation), CMOS “555” timing and switcher control, low-side output filtering, load stage on/off control, and output regulation. Finally, it is important to note that, although the proposed conditioning scheme was designed for the transducer developed herein, it could be applied to any similar low-frequency, piezoelectric source. Thesis Supervisor: Joseph Paradiso Title: Principal Research Scientist and Technical Director, TTT, MIT Media Lab C. S. Draper Laboratory Supervisor: Paul Rosenstrach Title: Program Manager
Should we risk it? : exploring environmental, health, and technological problem solving

How dangerous is smoking? what are the risks of nuclear power or of climate change? What are the chances of dying on an airplane? More importantly, how do we use this information once we have it? The demand for risk analysts who are able to answer such questions has grown exponentially in recent years. Yet programmes to train these analysts have not kept pace. This book addresses that problem. The authors draw together, organize, and seek to unify previously disparate theories and methodologies connected with risk analysis for health, environmental, and technological problems. they also provide a variety of case studies and worked problems.
Planning in the Real-Time City: The Future of Mobile Technology

The mobile phone has transformed life in the city. Using them, individuals can both receive information about their surroundings through location-based services and contribute to the city as a system. They can participate by sharing location, text, photos, or video about the conditions of the city. This article explores the literature surrounding mobile phone technology in urban planning and city life. Specifically, it explores the potential of mobile phones in sensing, documenting, and exploring the city. This article draws on literature from a wide variety of fields to create a overview of the issues surrounding mobile phones in the city. This article review what we know and what has been speculated about the influence of mobile phones and similar devices on urban life. There is evidence that they alter our sense of individuality, our mobility, our interactions with others, our capacity to participate in and document public life, and our senses of privacy and publicness. The implications and meanings for planning are open, as they were when the mails, the telegraph, and the telephone were first introduced.
Final Report: Retrofit Aeration System (RAS) for Francis Turbine

Osage Plant and Bagnell Dam impounds the Osage River forming the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Since it is nearly 100 feet deep, the lake stratifies during the summer months causing low DO water to be discharged into the Osage river below the dam. To supplement DO, the turbines are vented during the low DO season. AmerenUE is continually researching new methods of DO enhancement. New turbines, manufactured by American Hydro Corporation, were installed in Units 3 & 5 during the spring of 2002. Additional vent capacity and new nosecones were included in the new turbine design. The retrofit aeration system is an attempt to further enhance the DO in the tailrace by installation of additional venting capability on Unit 6 (not upgraded with new turbine) and refining design on special nosecones which will be mounted on both Unit 3 (upgraded turbine) and Unit 6. Baseline DO testing for Units 3 & 6 was conducted mid August, 2002. This data wascompared to further tests planned for the summer of 2003 and 2004 after installation of the retrofit aeration system.
Design and Construction of a Microcontroller-Based Driver Alcohol Detection System (MDADS)

Aims: Vehicle accidents on most highways had caused a lot of losses. Many sustained injuries that marred them and left families helpless. Nigeria highways are not exempted. Drunk-driving increases tendency, severity and causality of crashes. Effects of auto crash damage to lives and properties necessitated the development of the Microcontroller-based Driver Alcohol Detection System (MDADS). Study Design: The system employed ATMega328p microcontroller (CU) which coordinated operations of 7 units that made the MDADS. The units are: Sensor Unit (SU), Switch (S), Power Unit (PU); LCD Indicating Unit (LIU), Alarm Unit (AU), DC motor (Ignition) Unit (IU) and Liquid Crystal Display Unit (LCDU). Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted for 7 months in the Department of Computer Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji (FEDPOLEL), Nigeria. It was conducted between October 2020 and July 2021. Methodology: Once the MDADS is ON, it assesses presence of alcohol in the endogenous alcohol molecules from the driver with the help of the SU. The SU sends signal to CU to control and sends signal to trigger the IU, AU and the LCDU of the MDADS, if the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) exceeds the stipulated threshold 0.29ml/l. 60s tolerance was given to driver to switch OFF the ignition. If driver refuses to comply by switching OFF the ignition, the CU sends a “SWITCH OFF” signal to the IU, the LCDU displays “Drunk” and the buzzer continuously sounds alarm. The designed system was tested and parameters for evaluation were taken. The parameters among other includes True Acceptance Rate (TAR), False Acceptance Rate (FAR), Unable to Accept Rate (UAR) and Detection Accuracy (DA), Results: TAR were 0.81, 0.79, and 0.77 for man, alcoholic drinks and herbal mixture respectively. FAR were 0.03, 0.00, and 0.00 for man, alcoholic drinks and herbal mixture, respectively. For human being, Precision (P) and Recall concept (R) were 0.04 and 0.15 respectively while for P and R for others were negligible. Conclusion: The results reveals that the system can be profitably employed for and improved safety on the highways through precise warning before “switching off” of car engine. A further design should be done to differentiate vividly between drunk drivers and presence of other alcoholic substances such as drugs that contain some alcoholic contents, petrol, methylated spirit and alcoholic drinks.
ALCOHOL USE AMONG DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS FATALLY INJURED IN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS : CANADA, 1996

Accompanied by 6 computer disks placed in plastic sleeves containing tables and figures. This report describes the conduct of a project to compile data on alcohol use by persons fatally injured in motor vehicle accidents occurring on or off public highways in Canada. Data are obtained from two sources: (1) police-reported information on the characteristics of the victim and details of the fatal motor vehicle accident; and (2) coroners' and medical examiners' files for objective, toxicological data from body fluid samples (mostly blood) on alcohol use among victims. The primary focus of the report is on alcohol in fatally injured drivers because this group of road users is of greatest interest to traffic safety officials, and the rate of testing for alcohol is consistently higher among drivers than other groups of road users. A secondary focus is on alcohol in fatally injured pedestrians because walking on or by highways after drinking is extremely risky and the testing for alcohol especially among those over 16 years of age is reasonably high. The report contains (1) general descriptive information on the frequency and quantity of alcohol found in drivers and pedestrians fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions in Canada during 1995 and (2) trends in alcohol detected among fatally injured operators of automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, vans, and tractor-trailers and among fatally injured pedestrians. As well, data on alcohol use by fatally injured drivers are presented separately for each province and territory. General descriptive information on the incidence of alcohol among fatally injured drivers are first presented; then, trends in alcohol involvement among fatally injured drivers are examined. An historical overview of the Fatality Database Project and a more detailed description of the design of the project are provided in an Appendix
Compact Tri-Band Planar Monopole Antenna with ACS-Fed Structure

In this paper, a compact asymmetric coplanar strip (ACS)-fed printed monopole antenna for tri-band WLAN/WiMAX applications is presented. The proposed antenna is composed of a simple monopole with the high resonant mode at 5.8 GHz, an open-ended slot embedded on the ground plane with the low resonant mode at 2.4 GHz, and a meander trip shorted to the ground with the middle resonant mode at 3.5 GHz. The three resonance frequencies of the antenna can be controlled by adjusting the geometries and the sizes of the monopole, the slot and the strip. The antenna occupies a very compact size of 22 × 12 mm 2 including the ground plane, has nearly omnidirectional radiation characteristics and reasonable gain in the operating bands. The simple feeding structure, compactness and uniplanar design make it easy to be integrated within the portable device for wireless communication.
The application of the damage & fracture material model to crashworthiness evaluations for Aluminum cars.

In an evaluation of crashworthiness for the cars made of aluminium alloys, the evaluation considering fracture phenomenon comes to be needed because conventional aluminium alloys have low fracture strain (10-20%). In case of the development of a B-Pillar made by die cast, if crack occurrence, furthermore, separation of a part can be estimated by using CAE in crashworthiness evaluations, we can reduce the number of prototype makings and the cost of development using expensive dies. Therefore, we performed crashworthiness evaluations by CAE using some sort of a damage and fracture material model. It is known as "Orthotropic damage & fracture model". (A) For the covering abstract see ITRD E121867.
Cover crop residues effect on soil structural stability and phosphatase activity

ABSTRACT Good soil aggregate stability and soil enzyme activity are strictly necessary for the proliferation of plants growth and soil resistance against erosion. In this study, the goal was to investigate the effect of different cover crops on the soil aggregate stability and soil phosphatase and their relationship. A laboratory pot experiment was established in which four cover crops were grown (Secale cereale L., Fagopyrum esculentum L., Brassica napus L. and Hordeum vulgare L.) for 33 days in sandy loam soil. Afterwards, the above-ground biomass was cut and incorporated in equal quantities (0.2 g C kg–1 of soil or 176 kg C ha–1) in the same soil and incubated for 30 days. The soil aggregate stability increased significantly with barley before harvesting and rye at day 30 after cover crop residues incorporation. The cover crop plant growth did not influence the soil acid phosphatase activity (APA) before biomass harvesting. Instead, the cover crop residues increased the soil APA only for a short period. The negative correlation between soil aggregate stability and APA can be explained by the variability in soil moisture. While the low cover crop residue quantity might have not been sufficient to increase and maintain the microbial activity.