Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular and morphometric characterization of Thelohanellus caudatus (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) infecting the caudal fin of Labeo rohita (Hamilton)

Thelohanellus caudatus infecting the caudal fin of carp Labeo rohita was characterized morphologically and by 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Infection of Myxobolus spp. and Thelohanelus spp. was more common in L. rohita gills with the parasitic frequency index of 66.67% and 50.00%, respectively. The prevalence of fin infecting Thelohanellus was 12.50%. The infection rate was low to moderate. The plasmodia on the caudal fin were small, white to pale yellow, elongated and 0.5–0.7 mm in length. The caudal fin of infected fish had up to 3 plasmodia, which contained about 50–60 spores each. Morphologically, Thelohanellus species closely resembled Thelohanellus caudatus. The comparison of 18S rRNA gene sequences of T. caudatus to other Thelohanellus spp. available in GenBank revealed only 72–78% homology. The T. caudatus (accession number KC865607) was clustered phylogenetically with the clade of freshwater myxosporeans. In the phylogenetic tree, T. caudatus formed dichotomy with T. hovorkai with low node support. This communication is the first report on molecular characterization of T. caudatus.
Exploration of psychosocial risk and the handling of unsafe acts and misconducts in the workplace

The aim of this article was to investigate the psychosocial risk environment influencing employee behaviour, and subsequently the trust relationship between employer and employee. The unique nature and commonness of negative acts, such as unsafe behaviour, human errors, poor performance and negligence (also referred to as unsafe practices) are explored in this article. Pertinent literatures were reviewed on the nature of negative acts or unsafe behaviour. The findings of this study were used to draw comparisons between unsafe behaviour/misconduct and accidents in the workplace and finally recommendations were made on how the problem can be addressed from a labour relations perspective. The results indicate that a relationship between unsafe practice/misconduct and occupational injuries and accidents exist, owing to system flaws, human error or psychosocial risk.
Combination of Deep and Shallow Networks for Cyclic Alternating Patterns Detection

The cyclic alternating pattern can be seen as an electroencephalogram marker of sleep instability. This pattern consists of alternations between activation and quiescent phases. An automatic cyclic alternating pattern detection method is proposed, having the advantage, over other previously proposed methods, of being featureless. Therefore, there is no need to handcraft features and employ a feature selection procedure. A Deep Auto Encoder is used for automatic feature extraction and classification of the activation phases. A shallow Artificial Neural Network is then employed for cyclic alternating pattern classification using the output of the Deep Auto Encoder. These two-cascaded networks are connected by a memory buffer. Both networks are optimized using a heuristic approach and Kolmogorov's Mapping theorem. A public database with 14 subjects is used to test the methods. For the activation phase classification, a 2 seconds raw EEG is used as an input of the Deep Auto Encoder. For the cyclic alternating pattern classifier, the whole memory buffer is used as input. The accuracy of activation phase detection is 67.2% and the accuracy of cyclic alternating pattern detection is 61.5%.
Study of vitamin-D receptor (VDR) gene start codon polymorphism (Fok I) in healthy individuals from North India

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene Fok I polymorphism represents a strong positional candidate susceptibility gene for different diseases like Prostate cancer, Urolithiasis, Inflammatory bowl disease and Osteoporosis. This genetic variation has also been of great interest due to its possible association with polygenic diseases. Allelic frequencies of the F/f start codon polymorphism of VDR gene vary among populations but there is no data regarding its distribution from India. The present study was carried out to determine the normal distribution of VDR gene Fok I polymorphism by using a PCR-based restriction analysis in unrelated normal healthy individuals from North India. We obtained an allelic frequency of 71.5% and 28.5% for (F) and (f) allele and the percentage of genotypes FF, Ff and ff as 46%, 51% and 3% respectively. Our results suggest that the frequency and distribution of this polymorphism in Indian population is substantially different from other populations and ethenic groups.
Detection of a colonizing, aquatic, non‐indigenous species

Detecting the presence of rare species has interested ecologists and conservation biologists for many years. A particularly daunting application of this problem pertains to the detection of non‐indigenous species (NIS) as they colonize new ecosystems. Ethical issues prevent experimental additions of NIS to most natural systems to explore the relationship between sampling intensity and the detection probability of a colonizing NIS. Here we examine this question using a recently introduced water flea, Cercopagis pengoi, in Lake Ontario. The species has biphasic population development, with sexually‐produced ‘spring morphs’ developing prior to parthenogenetically‐produced ‘typical’ morphs. Thus, this biphasic morphology allows distinction between new colonists (spring morphs) from subsequent generations. We repeatedly sampled Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario for the presence of both spring and typical morphs. Probability of detection was positively related to both the number of samples taken and animal density in the lake; however, even highly intensive sampling (100 samples) failed to detect the species in early spring when densities were very low. Spatial variation was greatest when densities of Cercopagis were intermediate to low. Sub‐sampling, which increased space between adjacent samples, significantly decreased the number of samples required to reach greater, calculated detection probabilities on these dates. Typical sampling protocols for zooplankton have a low probability (< 0.2) of detecting the species unless population density is high. Results of this study suggest that early detection of colonizing, aquatic NIS may be optimized through use of a risk‐based sampling design, combined with high sampling intensity in areas deemed most vulnerable to invasion, rather than less intensive sampling at a wider array of sites.
Preservation of quantum nonbilocal correlations in noisy entanglement-swapping experiments using weak measurements

A tripartite quantum network is said to be bilocal if two independent sources produce a pair of bipartite entangled states. Quantum non-bilocal correlation emerges when the central party which possesses two particles from two different sources performs Bell-state measurement on them and nonlocality is generated between the other two uncorrelated systems in this entanglement-swapping protocol. The interaction of such systems with the environment reduces quantum non-bilocal correlations. Here we show that the diminishing effect modelled by the amplitude damping channel can be slowed down by employing the technique of weak measurements and reversals. It is demonstrated that for a large range of parameters the quantum non-bilocal correlations are preserved against decoherence by taking into account the average success rate of the post-selection governing weak measurements.
Social bots in a commercial context - A case study on SoundCloud

Recently, automated communication on social media has seen increased attention. Social bots, social media accounts controlled by algorithms that mimic human behaviour, have been found to attempt to influence users in several political contexts. However, their use in a commercial context, e.g. to boost sales of a product by aggressively promoting it with thousands of messages, has so far been neglected. To address this shortcoming, this paper examines the case of the social media music platform SoundCloud. We gathered a dataset of six months of activity, comprising 15,850,069 tracks and 12,125,095 comments. We then calculated a comment uniqueness score for highly active accounts to assess the variability of their comments. First analyses show that some accounts post suspiciously repetitive comments. These accounts also frequently repost existing content, but contribute little original content. An analysis of the commenting network further underlines that these accounts differ clearly from regular users. We conclude that the comment uniqueness metric can be used as an indicator to distinguish bots from humans, and that a considerable proportion of SoundCloud comments are likely to emanate from bots or semi-automated accounts. The implications of these findings and future plans are discussed.
Strong Coupling in Semiconductor Hyperbolic Metamaterials

Nanoscale light-matter interaction in the weak coupling regime has been achieved with unique hyperbolic metamaterial modes possessing a high density of states. Here, we show strong coupling between intersubband transitions (ISBTs) of a multiple quantum well (MQW) slab and the bulk polariton modes of a hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM). These HMM modes have large wavevectors (high-k modes) and are normally evanescent in conventional materials. We analyze a metal-dielectric practical multilayer HMM structure consisting of a highly doped semiconductor acting as a metallic layer and an active multiple quantum well dielectric slab. We observe delocalized metamaterial mode interaction with the active materials distributed throughout the structure. Strong coupling and characteristic anticrossing with a maximum Rabi splitting (RS) energy of up to 52 meV is predicted between the high-k mode of the HMM and the ISBT, a value approximately 10.5 times greater than the ISBT linewidth. The predicted strong coupling can be experimentally verified through the angle resolved spectroscopy of the multiple high-k modes which form a series of high-k-ISBT polaritons. The scalability and tunability of the RS energy in an active semiconductor metamaterial device have potential applications in quantum well infrared photodetectors and intersubband lightemitting devices.
2 The Robust Counterpart 2 . 1 Reformulation to ARO

Robust Optimization is a widespread approach to treat uncertainty in optimization problems. Finding a computationally tractable formulation of the robust counterpart of an uncertain optimization problem is a key step in applying this approach. Although techniques for finding a robust counterpart are available for many types of constraints, no general techniques exist for problems requiring maximizing functions that are convex in the uncertain parameters. Such constraints are, however, quite common. In this paper, we treat these hard problems and provide a systematic way to construct a safe approximation to their robust counterpart given a polyhedral uncertainty set. We use convex analysis as well as adjustable robust optimization techniques to obtain these approximations. We demonstrate the quality of the approximations by performing numerical experiments. ∗Corresponding author: e.j.roos@tilburguniversity.edu
Genome-wide Analysis of the ATP-Binding Cassette A ( ABCA ) Gene Family and their Expression Profiles in High and Low Oil Cultivars of Brassica napus

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins exist widely in plant cells and ABCA was a subfamily in ABC superfamily. AtABCA9 mediates acyl-CoA/Fatty acids import into Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) in Arabidopsis. However, the characterization of ABCA genes in Brassica napus L remains unknown. In the present study, 32 members of ABCA gene (BnABCAs) families were identified in the B. napus through homology screening. We performed the analysis of gene structures, chromosomal distribution, phylogenetic relationships and motifs. Meanwhile, we also predicted the subcellular localization and 3D models of partial identified BnABCA members. Furthermore, the expression patterns of most identified BnABCA genes were examined in seeds of different stages of B. napus by RNA-Seq. The result revealed that BnABCA9-1 and BnABCA9-2 were mainly expressed in the seeds during seed oil accumulation stages. Furthermore, the expression levels of BnABCA9-1 and BnABCA9-2 genes were analyzed in seeds of different stages of two high/low oil content cultivars of B. napus by qRT-PCR assays. The results imply that the BnABCA9 may be involved in the acyl-CoA export from ER or lipid degradation, which is different from the role of ABCA9 in Arabidopsis. © 2019 Friends Science Publishers
Closing in on mass-degenerate dark matter scenarios with antiprotons and direct detection

Over the last years both cosmic-ray antiproton measurements and direct dark matter searches have proved particularly effective in constraining the nature of dark matter candidates. The present work focusses on these two types of constraints in a minimal framework which features a Majorana fermion as the dark matter particle and a scalar that mediates the coupling to quarks. Considering a wide range of coupling schemes, we derive antiproton and direct detection constraints using the latest data and paying close attention to astrophysical and nuclear uncertainties. Both signals are strongly enhanced in the presence of degenerate dark matter and scalar masses, but we show that the effect is especially dramatic in direct detection. Accordingly, the latest direct detection limits take the lead over antiprotons. We find that antiproton and direct detection data set stringent lower limits on the mass splitting, reaching 19% at a 300 GeV dark matter mass for a unity coupling. Interestingly, these limits are orthogonal to ongoing collider searches at the Large Hadron Collider, making it feasible to close in on degenerate dark matter scenarios within the next years.
A NEW TEST FOR DENSITY-DEPENDENT SURVIVAL: THE CASE OF COASTAL COD POPULATIONS

A new test based on the generalized additive model is proposed to investigate density-dependent mortality in the juvenile cohorts of cod. Density dependence implies that the function linking the count of a cohort in one year to the count in the succeeding year is convex. The method estimates (without functional assumptions) the function linking the two counts and provides a level of significance for any convexity. We investigate the power and bias of the new test on the basis of simulated data. The power compares well with a test of unit slope in a log-log plot (although it is usually somewhat lower). However, in contrast to the latter method, the test for convexity is much more resistant to measurement error. We applied the model to long-term survey data from two areas of the Norwegian Skagerrak coast. In both cases, the variance is intermediate between the Gamma (variance proportional to the squared mean) and the Poisson (variance proportional to the mean) distributions. A negative binomial (with k - 3.5) describes the variance well. The variance is interpreted as resulting from sampling errors, spatial heterogeneity, and environmental stochasticity. Incorporating this error structure, the optimal models linking the two main juvenile stages are, for each area, nonlinear and significantly convex (P < 0.05). The full models are highly significant (P < 0.001), and the examination of the residuals does not reveal any remaining structure. We conclude that the survival of juvenile cod along the Norwegian Skagerrak coast is density dependent, probably because of cannibalism, com- petition for habitat, and food limitation. The functional form of density-dependence in the per capita survival rate is estimated to be approximately log-linear.
On cumulative nonlinear acoustic waveform distortions from high-speed jets

Abstract A model is proposed for predicting the presence of cumulative nonlinear distortions in the acoustic waveforms produced by high-speed jet flows. The model relies on the conventional definition of the acoustic shock formation distance and employs an effective Gol’dberg number $\Lambda $ for diverging acoustic waves. The latter properly accounts for spherical spreading, whereas the classical Gol’dberg number $\Gamma $ is restricted to plane wave applications. Scaling laws are then derived to account for the effects imposed by jet exit conditions of practical interest and includes Mach number, temperature ratio, Strouhal number and an absolute observer distance relative to a broadband Gaussian source. Surveys of the acoustic pressure produced by a laboratory-scale, shock-free and unheated Mach 3 jet are used to support findings of the model. Acoustic waveforms are acquired on a two-dimensional grid extending out to 145 nozzle diameters from the jet exit plane. Various statistical metrics are employed to examine the degree of local and cumulative nonlinearity in the measured waveforms and their temporal derivatives. This includes a wave steepening factor (WSF), skewness, kurtosis and the normalized quadrature spectral density. The analysed data are shown to collapse reasonably well along rays emanating from the post-potential-core region of the jet. An application of the generalized Burgers equation is used to demonstrate the effect of cumulative nonlinear distortion on an arbitrary acoustic waveform produced by a high-convective-Mach-number supersonic jet. It is advocated that cumulative nonlinear distortion effects during far-field sound propagation are too subtle in this range-restricted environment and over the region covered, which may be true for other laboratory-scale jet noise facilities.
iNSightS frOm a Back-arc SpreadiNg ceNter

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Hydraulic Transients used for Leakage Detection in Water Distribution Systems

The current paper focuses on leakage detection and location in pipe networks based on a recent and novel approach, known as inverse transient analysis. The main idea behind this methodology is the identification of leaks location in pipe networks using observed pressure data, collected during the occurrence of transient events, and the minimisation of the difference between observed and calculated parameters. This approach is presented conceptually and implemented in a software tool. The methodology is tested and verified with laboratory data collected in an experimental facility at Instituto Superior Tecnico (Technical University of Lisbon). Based on this preliminary data analysis, the main practical difficulties of the implementation of this methodology in field network systems are outlined.
Discerning the Linear Convergence of ADMM for Structured Convex Optimization through the Lens of Variational Analysis

Despite the rich literature, the linear convergence of alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) has not been fully understood even for the convex case. For example, the linear convergence of ADMM can be empirically observed in a wide range of applications arising in statistics, machine learning, and related areas, while existing theoretical results seem to be too stringent to be satisfied or too ambiguous to be checked and thus why the ADMM performs linear convergence for these applications still seems to be unclear. In this paper, we systematically study the local linear convergence of ADMM in the context of convex optimization through the lens of variational analysis. We show that the local linear convergence of ADMM can be guaranteed without the strong convexity of objective functions together with the full rank assumption of the coefficient matrices, or the full polyhedricity assumption of their subdifferential; and it is possible to discern the local linear convergence for various concrete applications, especially for some representative models arising in statistical learning. We use some variational analysis techniques sophisticatedly; and our analysis is conducted in the most general proximal version of ADMM with Fortin and Glowinski’s larger step size so that all major variants of the ADMM known in the literature are covered.
Propagation and Interactions of Ultrahigh Power Light: Relativistic Nonlinear Optics

Abstract : We present the results of our research on the study of the propagation and interaction of ultrahigh-power light. We implemented new techniques to characterize, control, and optimize the spectral and spatial characteristics of a high-power laser leading to diffraction-limited and transform-limited pulses on target. We simultaneously optimized the on-target characteristics of two pulses at different wavelengths (800 and 400 nm). These improvements resulted in breakthrough scientific applications. We demonstrated tunable laser-driven wakefield acceleration of electron beams with minimal dark current. A novel electron accelerator with separate injection and acceleration stages was developed. It produces electron beams with high charge to ensure the electron beam parameters (charge, energy spread, and divergence) remain constant as the central energy is tuned over 50-300 MeV. Another significant achievement was the development of a tunable (50 keV 10 MeV), narrowband x-ray source with brightness 3 to 4 orders of magnitude higher than conventional sources. Detailed numerical simulations were performed to understand the physics of these processes. The advances described in this report lend themselves to our planned research in nonlinear Compton scattering
Linking habitat use to range expansion rates in fragmented landscapes: a metapopulation approach

Temperature increases because of climate change are expected to cause expansions at the high latitude margins of species distributions, but, in practice, fragmented landscapes act as barriers to colonization for most species. Understanding how species distributions will shift in response to climate change therefore requires techniques that incorporate the combined effects of climate and landscape-scale habitat availability on colonization rates. We use a metapopulation model (Incidence Function Model, IFM) to test effects of fine-scale habitat use on patterns and rates of range expansion by the butterfly Hesperia comma. At its northern range margin in Britain, this species has increased its breadth of microhabitat use because of climate warming, leading to increased colonization rates. We validated the IFM by reconstructing expansions in five habitat networks between 1982 and 2000, before using it to predict metapopulation dynamics over 100 yr, for three scenarios based on observed changes to habitat use. We define the scenarios as ‘‘cold-world’’ (only hot, south-facing 1502508 hillsides are deemed warm enough), ‘‘warm-world’’ in which 1003008 hillsides can be populated, and ‘‘hot-world’’, where the background climate is warm enough to enable use of all aspects (as increasingly observed). In the simulations, increased habitat availability in the hot-world scenario led to faster range expansion rates, and to long-term differences in distribution size and pattern. Thus, fine-scale changes in the distribution of suitable microclimates led to landscape-scale changes in population size and colonization rate, resulting in coarse-scale changes to the species distribution. Despite use of a wider range of habitats associated with climate change, H. comma is still expected to occupy a small fraction of available habitat in 100 yr. The research shows that metapopulation models represent a potential framework to identify barriers to range expansion, and to predict the effects of environmental change or conservation interventions on species distributions and persistence.