Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Variability of Functional Connectivity and Network Measures in Source-Reconstructed EEG Time-Series

The idea of estimating the statistical interdependence among (interacting) brain regions has motivated numerous researchers to investigate how the resulting connectivity patterns and networks may organize themselves under any conceivable scenario. Even though this idea has developed beyond its initial stages, its practical application is still far away from being widespread. One concurrent cause may be related to the proliferation of different approaches that aim to catch the underlying statistical interdependence among the (interacting) units. This issue has probably contributed to hindering comparisons among different studies. Not only do all these approaches go under the same name (functional connectivity), but they have often been tested and validated using different methods, therefore, making it difficult to understand to what extent they are similar or not. In this study, we aim to compare a set of different approaches commonly used to estimate the functional connectivity on a public EEG dataset representing a possible realistic scenario. As expected, our results show that source-level EEG connectivity estimates and the derived network measures, even though pointing to the same direction, may display substantial dependency on the (often arbitrary) choice of the selected connectivity metric and thresholding approach. In our opinion, the observed variability reflects the ambiguity and concern that should always be discussed when reporting findings based on any connectivity metric.
Towards Large Intelligent Surface (LIS)-Based Communications

The concept of large intelligent surface (LIS)-based communication has recently raised research attention, in which a LIS is regarded as an antenna array whose entire surface area can be used for radio signal transmission and reception. To provide a fundamental understanding of LIS-based communication, this paper studies the uplink (UL) performance of LIS-based communication with matched filtering. We first investigate the new properties introduced by LIS. In particular, the array gain, spatial resolution, and the capability of interference suppression are theoretically presented and characterized. Then, we study two possible LIS system layouts in terms of UL, i.e., centralized LIS (C-LIS) and distributed LIS (D-LIS). Our analysis showcases that a centralized system has strong capability of interference suppression; in fact, interference can nearly be eliminated if the surface area is sufficient large or the frequency band is sufficient high. For D-LIS, we propose a series of resource allocation algorithms, including user association scheme, orientation control, and power control, to extend the coverage area of a distributed system. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms significantly improve the system performance, and even more importantly, we observe that D-LIS outperforms C-LIS in microwave bands, while C-LIS is superior to D-LIS in mmWave bands. These observations serve as useful guidelines for practical LIS deployments.
Pragmatic information in translation: a corpus-based study of tense and mood in English and German

Grammatical tense and mood are important linguistic phenomena to consider in natural language processing (NLP) research. We consider the correspondence between English and German tense and mood in translation. Human translators do not find this correspondence easy, and as we will show through careful analysis, there are no simplistic ways to map tense and mood from one language to another. Our observations about the challenges of human translation of tense and mood have important implications for multilingual NLP. Of particular importance is the challenge of modeling tense and mood in rule-based, phrase-based statistical and neural machine translation.
Planck intermediate results. LVII. Joint Planck LFI and HFI data processing

We present the NPIPE processing pipeline, which produces calibrated frequency maps in temperature and polarization from data from the Planck Low Frequency Instrument (LFI) and High Frequency Instrument (HFI) using high-performance computers. NPIPE represents a natural evolution of previous Planck analysis efforts, and combines some of the most powerful features of the separate LFI and HFI analysis pipelines. The net effect of the improvements is lower levels of noise and systematics in both frequency and component maps at essentially all angular scales, as well as notably improved internal consistency between the various frequency channels. Based on the NPIPE maps, we present the first estimate of the Solar dipole determined through component separation across all nine Planck frequencies. The amplitude is ($3366.6 \pm 2.7$)$\mu$K, consistent with, albeit slightly higher than, earlier estimates. From the large-scale polarization data, we derive an updated estimate of the optical depth of reionization of $\tau = 0.051 \pm 0.006$, which appears robust with respect to data and sky cuts. There are 600 complete signal, noise and systematics simulations of the full-frequency and detector-set maps. As a Planck first, these simulations include full time-domain processing of the beam-convolved CMB anisotropies. The release of NPIPE maps and simulations is accompanied with a complete suite of raw and processed time-ordered data and the software, scripts, auxiliary data, and parameter files needed to improve further on the analysis and to run matching simulations.
SacreROUGE: An Open-Source Library for Using and Developing Summarization Evaluation Metrics

We present SacreROUGE, an open-source library for using and developing summarization evaluation metrics. SacreROUGE removes many obstacles that researchers face when using or developing metrics: (1) The library provides Python wrappers around the official implementations of existing evaluation metrics so they share a common, easy-to-use interface; (2) it provides functionality to evaluate how well any metric implemented in the library correlates to human-annotated judgments, so no additional code needs to be written for a new evaluation metric; and (3) it includes scripts for loading datasets that contain human judgments so they can easily be used for evaluation. This work describes the design of the library, including the core Metric interface, the command-line API for evaluating summarization models and metrics, and the scripts to load and reformat publicly available datasets. The development of SacreROUGE is ongoing and open to contributions from the community.
Slow propagation of 2 GHz acoustical waves in a suspended GaAs phononic waveguide on insulator

Optoelectronic oscillators have dominated the scene of microwave oscillators in the last few years thanks to their great performances regarding frequency stability and phase noise. However, miniaturization of such a device is an up to date challenge. Recently, devices based on phonon-photon interaction gather a lot of interest thanks to their extreme compactness and working frequency directly in the GHz. In this frame, a still missing element to obtain long-term frequency stability performances is an on-chip delay within the feedback loop. Here, we experimentally show filtering and slow propagation of 2 GHz acoustic waves on a Gallium Arsenide membrane heterogeneously integrated on silicon wafer. By engineering the dispersion of an acoustical waveguide, we evidence a group velocity below 1000 m/s for the mode able to propagate. Thus, an integrated delay implementation is at reach for potential improvement of opto-acoustic devices such as optomechanical oscillators or wireless applications.
Identifying Habitat Linkages for American Black Bears in North Carolina, USA

Abstract Understanding landscape structure and the role of habitat linkages is important to managing wildlife populations in fragmented landscapes. We present a data-based method for identifying local- and regional-scale habitat linkages for American black bears (Ursus americanus) on the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula of North Carolina, USA. We used weights-of-evidence, a discrete multivariate technique for combining spatial data, to make predictions about bear habitat use from 1,771 telemetry locations on 2 study areas (n = 35 bears). The model included 3 variables measured at a 0.2-km2 scale: forest cohesion, forest diversity, and forest–agriculture edge density, adequately describing important habitat characteristics for bears on our study area. We used 2 categories of unique habitat conditions to delineate favorable bear habitat, which correctly classified 79.5% of the bear locations in a 10-fold model validation. Forest cohesion and forest–agriculture edge density were the most powerful predictors of black bear habitat use. We used predicted probabilities of bear occurrence from the model to delineate habitat linkages among local and regional areas where bear densities were relatively high. Our models clearly identified 2 of the 3 sites previously recommended for wildlife underpasses on a new, 4-lane highway in the study area. Our approach yielded insights into how landscape metrics can be integrated to identify linkages suitable as habitat and dispersal routes.
Information-Theoretic Approach to Navigation for Efficient Detection and Classification of Underwater Objects

This paper addresses an autonomous exploration problem in which a mobile sensor, placed in a previously unseen search area, utilizes an information-theoretic navigation cost function to dynamically select the next sensing action, i.e., location from which to take a measurement, to efficiently detect and classify objects of interest within the area. The information-theoretic cost function proposed in this paper consist of two \textit{information gain} terms, one for detection and localization of objects and the other for sequential classification of the detected objects. We present a novel closed-form representation for the cost function, derived from the definition of mutual information. We evaluate three different policies for choosing the next sensing action: lawn mower, greedy, and non-greedy. For these three policies, we compare the results from our information-theoretic cost functions to the results of other information-theoretic inspired cost functions. Our simulation results show that search efficiency is greater using the proposed cost functions compared to those of the other methods, and that the greedy and non-greedy policies outperform the lawn mower policy.
Study on catalytic conversion of cellulose to 5-Hydroxymethyl furfural by directional degradation in deep eutectic solvent

The direct conversion of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) degrading into 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF) was studied using four synthetic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as solvents and choosing four metal chlorides as catalysts. The factors that affected the yields of the products, such as the type of DESs, the type and dosage of catalysts, the ratio of DESs to MCC, and reaction temperature were researched. It was found that the DES synthesized from oxalic acid and choline chloride (O-DES) and SnCl4 showed the better performance. The highest 5-HMF and glucose yields of 11.0% and 22.0% were obtained, respectively, for a reaction carried out at 160 °C for 90 min in O-DES (the ratio of it to MCC was 25:1) using 1.42 wt% SnCl4 as the catalyst. As a new type of dissolution and catalysis system, the DESs were not only cheaper but also easy to obtain. Most importantly, the realization of the concept of green chemistry was achieved in this study.
Endophytic bacterial systems governing red clover growth and development

SUMMARY Endophytic competent bacteria capable of promoting both beneficial and detrimental growth responses in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) were recovered from three adjacent areas of farmland each having a different cropping history — continuous red clover, continuous potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) or a 2 yr rotation of red clover and potatoes. The population composition of these rhizobacteria was altered by the various crop sequences. The greatest instance of significant growth responses (beneficial or detrimental) occurred with those bacteria derived from the clover-potato soil, suggesting increased interactive ‘competition’ among bacterial populations at the ‘interface’ between different crop rotations. Whether bacterial strains promoted or inhibited growth appeared to depend on the cropping history and prior exposure of pre-bacterised clover plants to the natural microflora in the peat-based growing media. The interaction between bacterial colonists influenced plant trait expression to the degree that some characteristics were completely masked. Improvements in plant growth were interpreted as an allelopathic side-effect of the competition between endophytes for the same ecological niche, from which the plant inadvertently benefits.
Relationships between Flowering Phenology and Functional Traits in Eastern Tibet Alpine Meadow

Abstract Flowering phenology is a key life history trait that strongly influences reproductive success. We investigated the relationship between flowering phenology and functional traits of 48 alpine herb species using the Leaf-Height-Seed (LHS) scheme developed by Westoby (1998) to quantify the ecological strategy of the plant species. Phenological data were obtained by weekly observation of fifty 0.5 × 0.5 m2 quadrates. Specific leaf area (SLA), height, and seed size of 48 alpine herbs were measured. Comparative generalized estimating equations and generalized linear models suggested that flowering peak date was positively correlated with size of maternal plant (biomass and height) and negatively correlated with seed size. Species with a longer flowering period were smaller and produced bigger seeds than those with a short flowering season. Flowering peak date and duration were negatively correlated, although this correlation was mainly present in annuals, which are relatively rare in the alpine meadow. Relationships between flowering phenology and specific leaf area (SLA) were weak. There were only weak effects of phylogeny on the relationships between flowering phenology and functional traits. Wind-pollinated species flowered earlier than insect-pollinated species. Annuals flowered longer than perennials. Relationships between flowering phenology and functional traits indicate that there is a tradeoff between maternal and reproductive growth, and flowering time may underlie the correlation between plant height and seed size.
The significance of β-carotene, α-tocopherol and the xanthophyll cycle in droughted Melissa officinalis plants

Diurnal variations in pigment composition, α-tocopherol and photosynthesis were measured during the summer drought and recovery after autumn rainfalls in Melissa officinalis L. grown under Mediterranean climate. Summer drought caused a drastic decrease in relative water content and water potential of leaves to ca 35% and −3 MPa respectively, indicative of severe stress. Chlorophyll levels decreased progressively in drought, associated with the inability to increase total carotenoids, and especially s-carotene. In contrast, α-tocopherol increased by ca 60% in response to drought and showed a significant decrease at midday in severely stressed plants. The intrinsic efficiency of PSII photochemistry remained unchanged at predawn throughout the experiment and decreased up to ca 65% in plants exposed to the interaction of high light and drought, associated with an enhanced de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle. Although droughted M. officinalis plants showed a significant decrease in the endogenous levels of photosynthetic pigments, the antioxidant function of a-tocopherol and the dissipation of excess excitation energy by the xanthophyll cycle may help to avoid irreversible damage to the photosynthetic apparatus.
Phytophthora Root Rot of Blueberry Increases with Frequency of Flooding

Phytophthora root rot is a severe disease on blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in poorly drained soils. Little is known about how mulching and frequent waterlogging affect disease severity in blueberries. Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands was grown on rice hulls, which were incorporated into the soil at the rate of 10% (v:v). Waterlogging conditions were imposed for 48 hours 1 week after planting on mulched and nonmulched blueberry plants at weekly, biweekly, and monthly intervals for a total of 3 months. Control plants were not subjected to flooding. The severity of Phytophthora root rot increased with time. Significant linear relationships were found between flooding interval and disease severity rating of shoot, percentage of root infection, and shoot and root dry weights of plants. Disease symptoms were minimal in control plants, but shoot disease rating and percentage of root infection were high in mulched and nonmulched plants that were flooded every week. Shoot and root dry weights were higher in 1997 than in 1996. In 1996, mulched plants had higher shoot dry weights than did nonmulched plants. Disease incidence was higher with weekly and biweekly flooding than with monthly or no flooding. However, mulching did not affect root infection.
Identification of PATZ1-Targeting miRNAs in thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies of the endocrine system, and its incidence is predicted to become the fourth leading cancer diagnosis by 2030. In spite of the progressive knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in thyroid transformation, its prognosis remains unpredictable and the identification of new biological markers are needed in addition to already known molecules, to correctly stratify patients at risk of recurrence and progression, eventually providing new targeted therapies. We recently showed that the transcriptional regulator PATZ1 is constantly down-regulated in human thyroid cancer and acts as a tumor suppressor in thyroid cancer cell lines by targeting p53-dependent genes involved in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and cell migration. The aim of the present work was to elucidate the upstream signaling pathway regulating PATZ1 expression during thyroid transformation. We first identified miR-23b and miR-29b to specifically target PATZ1 expression, which was inversely correlated to their expression in rat thyroid cells stimulated to proliferate with Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Next, using an inducible cell system, we found that miR-29b was up-regulated by oncogenic Ras during transformation of FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells toward an undifferentiated phenotype resembling that of anaplastic carcinomas and characterized by the acquisition of a migratory and invasive behavior. Conversely, PATZ1 was down-regulated, with an inverse correlation compared to miR-29b expression, and was specifically targeted by miR-29b in untransformed FRTL-5 cells. Restoration of PATZ1 expression in FRTL-5 cells stably expressing oncogenic Ras inhibited cell proliferation and migration, indicating a key role of PATZ1 in Ras-driven thyroid transformation. These results confirm the tumor suppressor role of PATZ1 in thyroid cancer and suggest that its downregulation in thyroid cancer requires the activation of Ras GTPase signaling via miR-29b.
Geomorphological disturbance is necessary for predicting fine‐scale species distributions

Disturbances related to geomorphological processes are frequent, widespread and often intense at high latitudes and altitudes, affecting the fine-scale distribution of many plant species. While the inclusion of physical disturbances into models of species geographic ranges is widely recommended, no studies have yet tested the utility of field-quantified geomorphological disturbances for terrestrial species distribution modelling. Here we apply generalized additive models and boosted regression trees to examine if the explicit inclusion of terrestrial and fluvial geomorphological variables alters species distribution models for 154 vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen species in north European mountain tundra. The inclusion of these disturbances significantly improved both the explanatory and predictive power of distribution models, with consistent results for all three species groups. Spatial distribution predictions changed considerably for some species after the inclusion of disturbance variables, with fluvial disturbances generating strongly linear features for species influenced by erosion or sediment deposition. As a consequence, models incorporating geomorphological variables produced markedly more refined distribution maps than simpler models. Predictions of species distributions will thus benefit strongly from the inclusion of fine-scale geomorphological variables, particularly in areas of active earth surface processes, enabling more accurate forecasting of future species ranges under changing conditions.
Nitrogen distribution within wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) after flowering: a dynamic model based on a functional-structural approach

Nitrogen is an important resource for plant growth and crop pathogens. The objective of this study is to propose a process-based modelling of N dynamics within a wheat plant after anthesis. To achieve that, a functional-structural approach was used. Experiments were performed to quantify the spatio-temporal nitrogen dynamics within a wheat culm after anthesis. Nitrogen mass per unit surface area of laminae and sheaths decreased with canopy depth, but was homogeneously distributed across lamina and sheath surfaces. In addition, nitrogen dynamics were synchronous for each phytomer and similar except for a scale factor. In the period of no root nitrogen uptake, those dynamics followed first order kinetics. Based on these results, a functional-structural model of nitrogen dynamics within the culm botanical structure has been developed. Model main assumptions are: (i) the lamina nitrogen content is determined by the turnover of the proteins of the photosynthetic apparatus; (ii) the different entities of the culm share a common pool of mobile nitrogen. The model has been validated for a contrasted range of experimental conditions with a unique set of six parameters. The nitrogen - light relationships are an emerging property of processes described at a local scale. This work paves the way for simulating the regulation of nitrogen dynamics in individual-based models of plant population.
Inheritance of Resistance to Crown Rot Caused by Phytophthora capsici in Cucurbita

The various disease syndromes caused by Phytopthora capsici Leonian can be devastating to squash (Cucurbita spp.) production areas of the United States. In some growing seasons, yield loss has been reported up to 100%. A recently developed University of Florida Cucurbita breeding line, #394-1-27-12, resistant to the crown rot syndrome ofP. capsici, was used to determine the inheritance of resistance to this disease. Data from F1 ,F 2, and backcross progeny from crosses of a P. capsici-susceptible butternut-typewinter squash(C. moschata) with#394-1-27-12indicated that resistanceis conferred by three dominant genes. The introgression of P. capsici crown rot resistance from #394-1-27-12 into morphologically diverse domesticates withinCucurbitawill aid in the management of this economically important pathogen.