Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of quantitative trait loci for seed traits and floral morphology in a field-grown Lolium perenne · Lolium multiflorum mapping population

Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass), and Lolium multiflorum Lam. (annual or Italian ryegrass), differ in several traits related to seed yield. Generally, L. multiflorum spikes are larger than L. perenne spikes, and have more spikelets, more florets per spikelet, larger seeds and awns. The greater number of spikelets and florets and larger seeds are associated with higher seed yield in L. multiflorum. Ryegrass (Lolium sp.) cultivars are produced by seed multiplication and understanding the genetics of seed production traits would aid in plant improvement. A total of 30 QTL for seed production related traits were identified in this study. The QTLs were primarily located on linkage groups 2 and 4 which appear to be the most important for distinguishing L. multiflorum and L. perenne. These QTL will be used to develop molecular markers for marker-assisted breeding and screening of L. perenne seed lots to detect seed contamination with L. multiflorum.
Power voltage characteristics and global mppt algorithms for any severe partial shading condition

The power-voltage curves of conventional series-parallel photovoltaic (PV) arrays under partial shading conditions show multiple peaks. The multiple peaks make the classical algorithms of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) ineffective. Thus, Global MPPT (GMPPT) algorithms are needful to track those curves global maximum power point (GMPP). Initially, this paper presents a statistical simulations study of the P-V characteristics of series-parallel arrays for any PS condition in a range of usual temperatures. This study has as contributions a set of GMPP distribution characteristics graphics and a set of P-V curves that exposes as false the continuously decreasing behavior of the power peaks in both sides of the GMPP, since this hypothetical behavior is claimed by several papers in literature to build GMPPT algorithms. Furthermore, as several GMPPT algorithms in literature have been also built and tested for simple, in a second moment this paper presents a comparative of two GMPPT algorithms found in literature that can track the GMPP in any PS condition. For this, simulations and experiments of these algorithms tracking the GMPP of three series-parallel arrays are carried for several severe PS condition in a range of usual temperatures and performance parameters as tracking time and voltage track are evaluated.
Endoradiosondes for pressure telemetering.

Two miniature radio transmitters have been developed for telemetering pressure values from internal body cavities. The large sonde has a volume of 4.1 cc and has a lifetime of up to three months when a mercury battery is used. It is employed for physiological studies on animals, and is attached to the wall of the gastrointestinal canal or other body cavities by sutures at operation. The small sonde has a volume of 1.0 cc and a lifetime of three weeks. It is used for gastrointestinal investigations on humans. The transducer in both sondes responds to a pressure variation of 300 cm H20 which gives a 30-Kc deviation of the 300 to 400 Kc carrier frequency.
Excitability of human muscle afferents studied using threshold tracking of the H reflex

In human peripheral nerves, physiological evidence has been presented for a number of biophysical differences between cutaneous afferents and α motor axons. The differences in strength‐duration properties for cutaneous afferents and motor axons in the median nerve have been attributed to greater expression of a persistent Na+ conductance (INa,P) on cutaneous afferents. However, it is unclear whether the biophysical properties of human group Ia afferents differ from those of cutaneous afferents. The present studies were undertaken to determine whether the properties of human group Ia afferents can be studied indirectly using ‘threshold tracking’ to measure the excitability changes in the H reflex, and to determine whether the excitability of group Ia afferents differs from that of cutaneous afferents. The strength‐duration properties of the soleus H reflex and soleus motor axons were measured at rest and during sustained voluntary contractions. Similar experiments were performed on the median nerve at the wrist to study the strength‐duration properties of cutaneous afferents, α motor axons and H reflex of the thenar muscles. In addition, the technique of ‘latent addition’ was used to determine whether there was a difference in a low‐threshold conductance on soleus Ia afferent and motor axons. The present findings indicate that the strength‐duration time constant (τSD) for the H reflex is longer than that for α motor axons, but similar to that for cutaneous afferents. There were no differences in τSD for the soleus H reflex at rest and during contractions, suggesting that τSD for the H reflex is largely unaffected by changes in synaptic or motoneurone properties. Finally, the difference in latent addition suggests that the longer τSD of the soleus H reflex may indeed be due to greater activity of a persistent Na+ conductance on Ia afferents than on soleus α motor axons.
Targeted Delivery of Carbon Nanotubes to Cancer Cells

Abstract : The current antitumor strategies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, naked and/or conjugated monoclonal antibody (MAb) therapy or combinations of these have major limitations ranging from insufficient cytotoxicity to severe side effects. A potential solution is the use of targeted nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNTs have been demonstrated to possess unique properties including the ability to emit heat when exposed to either near-infrared (NIR) light. The proposal test the possibility to use targeted CNTs to selectively ablate tumors by the local heat generated by cell-bound CNTs under NIR light exposure. The present study describes the preparation of conjugates with MAbs indirectly or directly coupled to CNTs and the characterization of the chemical and biological properties of the resulting MAb-CNT conjugates. We, thus, prepared MAb-CNT conjugates with stable chemical structure. The CNTs preserved the key spectral properties, are not toxic and are stable in physiological buffers. They show a high tumor cell specificity and selective thermal depletion of tumor cells in cultures or in mouse models. This study will test the hypothesis that chemically stable nanoparticles, such as CNTs, might represent an alternative strategy to the current antitumor agents and provide a proof-of-principle for the therapy of at least a number of skin tumors.
Measuring phase shifts and energy dissipation with amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy

By recording the phase angle difference between the excitation force and the tip response in amplitude modulation AFM it is possible to image compositional variations in heterogeneous samples. In this contribution we address some of the experimental issues relevant to perform phase contrast imaging measurements. Specifically, we study the dependence of the phase shift on the tip–surface separation, interaction regime, cantilever parameters, free amplitude and tip–surface dissipative processes. We show that phase shift measurements can be converted into energy dissipation values. Energy dissipation curves show a maximum (∼10 eV/cycle) with the amplitude ratio. Furthermore, energy dissipation maps provide a robust method to image material properties because they do not depend directly on the tip–surface interaction regime. Compositional contrast images are illustrated by imaging conjugated molecular islands deposited on silicon surfaces.
Combined transmit antenna diversity and chip equalization for the downlink of SS/TDM systems

Most of the traffic carried by future wireless systems will be data-oriented. The majority of data applications have bursty and asymmetric traffic. Hybrid spread spectrum/time division multiplexing (SS/TDM) is a promising scheme for the air interface of future high bitrate wireless data networks, especially for the downlink. In SS/TDM systems, while spread spectrum transmission provides implicit path diversity, the diversity gain reduces considerably if the delay spread of the channel is less than one chip or if the arriving paths are highly correlated. This may result in unsatisfactory bit error rates. In this paper, we combine transmit antenna diversity with chip equalization to achieve both robustness against fading and interference suppression in the downlink of SS/TDM systems. We show through chip-level simulations that the combined scheme performs better than simple chip equalization. The improvement is significant at high SNR (signal to noise ratio) levels.
Spatial data quality of herbarium datasets and implications for decision-making on biodiversity conservation in Brazil

Instituto de Pesquisa Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão 915, 22460030, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. The present level of biodiversity depletion and loss makes quality datasets important for biodiversity conservation. However poor data quality is still critical and limits the usefulness of these datasets. Thereby, data quality assessments are important to ensure a responsible use of those datasets. The Brazilian National Centre for Flora Conservation was created with the objective of assessing the extinction risk of plant species, enabling conservation action planning. In this context, a dataset was created after the compilation of occurrence records of threatened species. The present study aims to assess quality of the dataset and records, and to test quality improvement after data cleaning efforts. We have used the five-component scheme for assessing dataset quality. Significance of the differences between expected and observed proportions were tested using the degree of confidence between them. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare errors between the original dataset and the cleaned out one. Results indicate poor quality, not only for dataset (p<0.10) but also for records (p<0,10). Only 54,306 records (22.30%) were considered of good quality. Logical inconsistencies in the dataset were present in 8,237 records (3.37%).
Influence of heme oxygenase 1 modulation on the progression of murine collagen-induced arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) can be induced by inflammatory mediators as an adaptive response. The objective of the present study was to determine the consequences of HO-1 modulation in the murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. METHODS DBA/1J mice were treated with an inhibitor of HO-1, tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), or with an inducer of HO-1, cobalt protoporphyrin IX (CoPP), from day 22 to day 29 after CIA induction. The clinical evolution of disease was monitored visually. At the end of the experiment, joints were examined for histopathologic changes. Cytokine levels in paws were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of HO-1, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were determined. Effects of treatments on the early phase of disease and after prophylactic administration were also assessed. RESULTS CoPP strongly induced HO-1, resulting in the inhibition of cartilage erosion accompanied by extensive fibrosis in the joint. Levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and IL-10 were inhibited by CoPP, whereas levels of vascular endothelial growth factor were increased. Treatment with SnPP significantly reduced the severity of CIA, with inhibition of joint inflammation and cartilage destruction. The levels of PGE2, IL-1beta, and TNFalpha were also significantly reduced by SnPP treatment, which did not modify COX-2 protein expression. SnPP was more effective than CoPP in preventing the development of CIA (prophylactic administration). CONCLUSION HO-1 is induced during CIA. Although overexpression of this protein causes some beneficial effects, strategies aimed at HO-1 overexpression cannot slow the progression of the chronic inflammatory disease, whereas treatment with SnPP, which inhibits HO-1, exerts prophylactic and therapeutic effects.
Locating Façades using Single Perspective Images , Cube Maps and Inaccurate GPS Coordinates

Search for information about monuments, business establishments and façades is a recurring task for travelers and citizens of large cities. However, even when the person is in front of the place of interest, the language and the inaccuracy of the GPS receivers integrated in mobile phones may make it difficult the precise identification of the site. We present a tool that is capable to identify the correct geographic coordinates of the place of interest. Given a picture of the place and inaccurate geographic coordinates provided by a smartphone, the building is located in a web mapping service (e.g., Google Maps) by looking for the image of its façade into panoramic views of the streets (e.g., Google Street View) nearby the given geographic coordinates. We demonstrate the proposed approach and algorithms by building a prototype of the application. Our solution employs graph traversal algorithms, computer vision and image processing techniques such as ASIFT, panoramic projection, triangulation, and histogram analysis. The effectiveness of our solution was asserted by automatically retrieving the geographic coordinates of façades in our hometown. Keywords-façade; ASIFT; mobile device; virtual map; visual identification; GPS coordinates.
Design and Performance of an Ultra-Narrowband Superconducting Filter at UHF Band

A stepped impedance spiral resonator suitable for high-temperature superconducting (HTS) filter with bandwidth narrower than 0.5% is presented. An eight-pole demonstration HTS filter is developed with a central frequency of 650 MHz and a bandwidth of 0.3%. The measurements show that the insertion loss is less than 0.3 dB, and the return loss is better than 16 dB. The filter has out-of-band rejections of 65 dB at 2 MHz below the passband and 80 dB at 2 MHz above the passband, respectively.
Pulse-Shaping Numerical Procedures for Ultrawide Bandwidth Systems

This paper deals with the radiation produced by ultrawide-band (UWB) impulse radio transmitters. A numerical procedure is first proposed in order to define the ideal UWB pulse able to be compliant with the FCC emission mask, taking into account the effect of the UWB radiating antenna. The obtained ideal UWB pulse is then decomposed in a linear combination of Gaussian pulses. A numerical procedure for electromagnetic field calculation is finally applied to verify the compliance of the generated pulse with the FCC emission standards
Preterm delivery: an overview

Preterm delivery is the leading factor causing neonatal mortality and morbidity. We have conducted a PubMed literature search to obtain an update on the etiology, diagnostic problems and therapeutic considerations of preterm delivery. Approximately 5–10% of all births are premature. Preterm labor is associated with preterm rupture of membranes, cervical incompetence, polyhydramnion, fetal and uterine anomalies, infections, social factors, stress, smoking, heavy work and other risk factors. The diagnosis is made on the patients presenting symptoms, clinical findings and of progressive effacement and dilatation of the cervix. Biochemical markers of preterm delivery are of minor importance in daily clinical work. Measurement of the cervix, however, is a practical and valuable tool to predict preterm delivery. Cervical cerclage can be useful in selected cases. Antibiotics may help to prevent preterm labor in cases of known etiologic agents (e.g. preterm rupture of membranes and urinary infection). The use of tocolytic agents such as β‐sympathetic receptor stimulators can be advocated for a few days. There is evidence that their long‐term use is not beneficial and could even be harmful to the fetus. Calcium channel blockers (nifedipine) and a new selective oxytocin receptor antagonist, atosiban, appear to be as effective as β‐sympathomimetic drugs on uterine contractions with fewer side‐effects. Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors such as indomethacin may prevent uterine contractions and can be used prior to the 32nd week of pregnancy. A single course of corticosteroid treatment in two doses of 12 mg betamethasone or 6 mg of dexamethasone is important for the prevention of respiratory distress between the 24th and 34th weeks of pregnancy. Multiple doses may be harmful and should be avoided. In these cases management should depend on gestation age (fetal maturity). Uterine contractions after 34 weeks' gestation are not an indication for tocolytic treatment.
Learning from Uncertainty for Big Data: Future Analytical Challenges and Strategies

This article will focus on the fourth V, the veracity, to demonstrate the essential impact of modeling uncertainty on learning performance improvement. Low veracity corresponds to the changed uncertainty and the large-scale missing values of big data. Sometimes, along with the growing size of datasets, the uncertainty of data itself often changes sharply, which definitely makes the traditional processing tools unavailable. Except for the changed uncertainty of data itself, the uncertainty in data modeling and data processing are also changing very notably.
Integration of gene amplification and capillary gel electrophoresis on a polydimethylsiloxane‐glass hybrid microchip

We report on the development of a hybrid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)‐glass microchip for genetic analysis by functional integration of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE), and on related temperature control systems for PCR on a PDMS‐glass hybrid microchip. The microchip was produced by molding PDMS against a microfabricated master with comparatively simple and inexpensive methods. PCR was successfully carried out on the PDMS‐glass hybrid microchip with 500 bp target of λDNA and the amplified gene was subsequently analyzed by CGE on the same PDMS‐glass microchip. The chip could be considered as an inexpensive single‐use apparatus compared to glass or silicon‐made microchips for the same purpose.
Wage bargaining with discount rates varying in time under different strike decisions

We present a non-cooperative union-firm wage bargaining model in which the union must choose between strike and holdout if a proposed wage contract is rejected. The innovative element that our model brings to the existing literature on wage bargaining, concerns the parties' preferences which are not expressed by constant discount rates, but by sequences of discount factors varying in time. First, we determine subgame perfect equilibria if the strike decision of the union is exogenous. We analyze the case when the union is committed to strike in each disagreement period, the case when the union is committed to strike only when its own offer is rejected, and the case of the never strike exogenous decision. A comparison of the results is provided, among the cases of the exogenous strike decisions. Next, we consider the general model with no assumption on the commitment to strike. We find subgame perfect equilibria in which the strategies supporting the equilibria in the exogenous cases are combined with the minimum-wage strategies, provided that the firm is not less patient than the union. If the firm is more impatient than the union, then the firm is better off by playing the no-concession strategy. We find a subgame perfect equilibrium for this case.
Utilization of preoperative cerebrospinal fluid drain in skull base surgery.

OBJECTIVE Retrospectively assess the efficacy of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage placed preoperatively in skull base operations in decreasing the incidence of postoperative CSF fistula. METHODS A retrospective review of 150 patients undergoing a posterior fossa craniotomy from 1989 to 2000 was conducted. Patients were divided into those receiving preoperative lumbar drains and those that did not. The rates of postoperative CSF leakage were compared between the two groups. Patient data were analyzed to determine if there were other comorbidities affecting the postoperative incidence of CSF leakage such as smoking, diabetes, or hypertension. RESULTS Between 1989 and 1994, 25/72 (35%) patients with no preoperative lumbar drain had a postoperative CSF leak. From 1995 to 2000, 9/78 (12%) patients with a preoperative lumbar drain had a CSF leak. This was a 23% decreased incidence of postoperative CSF leakage and a significant decrease in the probability (p < 0.001) of CSF leakage in patients treated with a preoperative lumbar drain. The comorbidities of diabetes, smoking, or hypertension did not increase the probability of a CSF leak (p = 0.43). CONCLUSIONS A preoperatively placed lumbar drain can significantly lower the rate of postoperative CSF leakage after skull base surgery. The drain is a well-tolerated adjunct to dural closure and helps increase surgical exposure of the posterior fossa. The comorbidities of diabetes, smoking, or hypertension do not contribute to an increased rate of CSF leakage.dagger Lyal Leibrock M.D., F.A. C.S. is Deceased.
In vitro evaluation of Ficoll‐enriched and genipin‐stabilised collagen scaffolds

Polysaccharides are frequently incorporated into scaffolds for tissue engineering applications to improve mechanical and biological properties. We evaluated the influence of a Ficoll® scaffold on collagen films, a scaffold that is extensively used for soft and hard tissue repair. To avoid cytotoxicity issues associated with chemical reagents, the influence of genipin, a naturally occurring crosslinking agent, was assessed. Ultra‐structural level collagen films formed with and without Ficoll showed a fine fibrillar structure whereas genipin crosslinked films showed a coarse fibrillar and partially nodular structure. In contrast, glutaraldehyde crosslinked films lost their fibrillar pattern. Crosslinking significantly increased denaturation temperature (p < 0.001), stress (p < 0.0001) and force (p < 0.0001) at break. Collagen/Ficoll and collagen/Ficoll/genipin films showed the highest WI38 fibroblast attachment than any other scaffold (p < 0.003) and significantly greater WI38 fibroblast metabolic activity than other scaffolds (p < 0.001). By day 6. collagen/Ficoll/genipin films also induced higher and more aligned fibronectin matrix deposition than other scaffolds. Overall, this study indicates the suitability of collagen/Ficoll/genipin for tissue engineering applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intention for healthy eating among southern Appalachian teens.

OBJECTIVE To describe the intention for healthy eating and its correlates among southern Appalachian teens. METHODS Four hundred sixteen adolescents 14- to 16-years-old were surveyed with self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS About 30% of the adolescents surveyed had definite intentions to eat healthfully during the next 2 weeks. The scales for perceived behavior control, attitude, perceived eating habits of significant others, and social support were shown to be fairly reliable (Cronbach's alpha=0.60 to 0.88). Perceived behavior control and attitude were positively associated with the intention for healthy eating. CONCLUSIONS Better behavior control and more positive attitude may lead to a stronger intention for healthy eating.