Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implications of biodiesel-induced land-use changes for CO2 emissions: Case studies in Tropical America, Africa, and Southeast Asia

Biofuels are receiving growing negative attention. Direct and/or indirect land-use changes that result from their cultivation can cause emissions due to carbon losses in soils and biomass and could negate any eventual greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction benefit. This paper evaluates the implications of land-use change emission on the climate-change mitigation potential of different biofuel production systems in 12 case studies in six countries. We calculated carbon debts created by conversion of different land-use types, ranging from annual cropland to primary forest. We evaluated case studies using three different biofuel crops: oil palm, Jatropha, and soybean. The time needed for each biofuel production system to pay back its carbon debt was calculated based on a life-cycle assessment of the GHG reduction potentials of the system. Carbon debts range from 39 to 1743.7 Mg C0 2 ha -1. The oil palm case studies created the largest carbon debts (472.8-1743.7 t C0 2 ha -1) because most of the area expansion came at the expense of dense tropical forest. The highest debt was associated with plantation on peatland. For all cases evaluated, only soybean in GuarantA£ do Norte and Alta Floresta, Brazil needed less than one human generation (30 years) to repay the initial carbon debt. Highest repayment times were found for Jatropha (76-310 years) and oil palm (59-220 years) case studies. Oil palm established in peatlands had the greatest repayment times (206-220 years). High repayment times for Jatropha resulted from the combined effects of land-cover change and low CO 2 emission reduction rate. These outcomes raise serious questions about the sustainability of biofuel production. The carbon implications of conversion of (semi-)natural systems with medium to high biomass indicate that, in order to generate climate benefits, cultivation of biofuel feedstocks should be restricted to areas that already have low carbon content. Â© 2011 by the author(s).
EVOLUTIONARY-NEURAL HYBRID AGENTS

Neural Architecture Search has recently shown potential to automate the design of Neural Networks. The use of Neural Network agents trained with Reinforcement Learning can offer the possibility to learn complex patterns, as well as the ability to explore a vast and compositional search space. On the other hand, evolutionary algorithms offer the greediness and sample efficiency needed for such an application, as each sample requires a considerable amount of resources. We propose a class of Evolutionary-Neural hybrid agents (Evo-NAS), that retain the best qualities of the two approaches. We show that the Evo-NAS agent can outperform both Neural and Evolutionary agents, both on a synthetic task, and on architecture search for a suite of text classification datasets.
The effects of target discriminability and criterion placement on accuracy rates in sequential and simultaneous target-present lineups

Abstract Participants attempted to select previously studied faces from lineups that were administered either sequentially (test faces presented one at a time) or simultaneously (test faces presented altogether). Target discriminability was manipulated by varying the number of facial features that could be used to distinguish the study face from the other test faces (foils) or by varying study face exposure duration. In addition, decision criterion level was manipulated via an instruction manipulation. Results indicated that sequential participants adopted a stricter decision standard under high criterion instructions compared to simultaneous participants. Under liberal criterion setting instructions, the rate at which the target was selected was comparable across lineup procedures. Target discriminability affected target selections to a greater extent in simultaneous compared to sequential lineups. We discuss the applied implications that these findings have regarding correct identifications from lineups.
Diffraction analysis by periodic structures using a method of coupled waves

The coupled-wave method (CWM) has been used to analyse diffraction on some periodic structures, i.e., on relief gratings including metallized ones having sinusoidal relief as well as on one-dimensional and two-dimensional photonic crystals. Exact boundary conditions were taken into account in numerical calculations. Grating polarizers have been analysed, properties of dielectric gratings wherein coupled-mode resonance occurs have been studied, diffraction efficiency has been calculated for sinusoidal relief metallized gratings. Calculations were carried out for TE and TM polarizations. Band structure of a two-dimensional photonic crystal has been calculated using CWM.
COMPARISON BETWEEN SPECTRAL, SPATIAL AND POLARIMETRIC CLASSIFICATION OF URBAN AND PERIURBAN LANDCOVER USING TEMPORAL SENTINEL – 1 IMAGES

Abstract. Landcover is the easiest detectable indicator of human interventions on land. Urban and peri-urban areas present a complex combination of landcover, which makes classification challenging. This paper assesses the different methods of classifying landcover using dual polarimetric Sentinel-1 data collected during monsoon (July) and winter (December) months of 2015. Four broad landcover classes such as built up areas, water bodies and wetlands, vegetation and open spaces of Kolkata and its surrounding regions were identified. Polarimetric analyses were conducted on Single Look Complex (SLC) data of the region while ground range detected (GRD) data were used for spectral and spatial classification. Unsupervised classification by means of K-Means clustering used backscatter values and was able to identify homogenous landcovers over the study area. The results produced an overall accuracy of less than 50% for both the seasons. Higher classification accuracy (around 70%) was achieved by adding texture variables as inputs along with the backscatter values. However, the accuracy of classification increased significantly with polarimetric analyses. The overall accuracy was around 80% in Wishart H-A-Alpha unsupervised classification. The method was useful in identifying urban areas due to their double-bounce scattering and vegetated areas, which have more random scattering. Normalized Difference Built-up index (NDBI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) obtained from Landsat 8 data over the study area were used to verify vegetation and urban classes. The study compares the accuracies of different methods of classifying landcover using medium resolution SAR data in a complex urban area and suggests that polarimetric analyses present the most accurate results for urban and suburban areas.
The Feature Extraction to Determine the Wave’s Peaks in the Electrocardiogram Graphic Image

The electrocardiogram (ECG) will create the characteristic in the form of the wave’s peak pattern. The first peak and the next one in one ECG wave have their own value and names, namely PQRST peaks. The process of feature extraction is very significant to determine the certain pattern. The use of feature extraction will be useful to help to detect certain case, including the determination of PQRST peaks according to the ECG print-out. This study makes a method to determine the ECG peaks (PQRST), the heart rate, and ST-deviation according to the ECG graphic image. The input data is in the form of ECG graphic image which is derived from the ECG 12 lead record. This study employs segmentation method (grayscale and binary), morphology (dilation and erosion), and produce the graphic image which is read as the ECG signal in the pre-processing stage, and use the Pan-Tompkins algorithm for the feature extraction method. The result of the peak determination is validated by cardiologists. The validation shows that the result of up and down deflection computation from the isoelectric of each P, Q, R, S, and T wave has represented the ECG calculation clinically; including the calculation to determine the R-R interval, heart rate, and STdeviation.
In-silico approaches in comparative genomics, structure prediction and functional characterization of secondary metabolite proteins of Mentha sp.

Mentha species are the main source of a number of natural aroma chemicals. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study some important Mentha species, viz., M. piperita, M. canadensis and M. arvensis. In-silico approaches were used for EST assembly, comparative genomics, homology modeling, molecular threading, domain and fold recognition, secondary structure analysis, physicochemical and functional characterization. Totally, 164 different proteins were reported from contigs which were subjected to modeling. Detailed functional and structural characterizations were carried out for 53 different secondary metabolite proteins of Mentha. Physicochemical characterization of the proteins revealed their aliphatic index instability index and extinction coefficient values. These findings will help in further annotation of Mentha from EST level to protein level.
Spiking Neuron Model for Wavelet Encoding of Temporal Signals

Wavelet decomposition is a widely used method to preprocess temporal signals before they could be analyzed by Artificial Spiking Neural Networks (ASNN). This study proposes a biological plausible way to encode the temporal signals into spike trains with wavelet amplitude spectrum represented by the delay phases during each encoding period. The encoding method is presented in the form of a spiking neuron model for easy implementation in ASNN. The proposed neuron model is tested on encoding of human voice records for speech recognition purpose, and compared with results from continuous wavelet transform. The nonlinearity properties and choices of biological plausible wavelet kernels for the proposed encoding method is discussed for the generality of its application.
- 1-A Novel Orphan Nuclear Hormone Receptor TRR : A Close Relative to Testis Specific Receptor 21

Orphan receptors belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily of liganded transcription factors, whose ligands either do not exist or remain to be identified. We report here the cloning and characterization of the novel avian orphan receptor TRR (for testis specific receptor 2 (TR2) related receptor). The TRR gene encodes a protein of 569 amino acids which shows approximately 72% overall identity with TR2 and 95% identity in the DNA binding domain (DBD). The TRR gene is expressed in almost all adult tissues and embryonic stages examined unlike its mammalian relative TR2, which is specifically expressed in testis. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrate that TRR binds the canonical direct repeat DNA recognition sequences spaced by one, four and five nucleotides (DR1, DR4, DR5), and in consistence with the results with canonical DNA binding sequences, TRR forms specific DNA-protein complex with chicken phenobarbital response elements containing DR4 motifs. Both in vitro and in vivo interaction studies demonstrate that TRR forms homodimer. Finally, transient transfection studies reveal its capability to transactivate canonical DR1, DR4 and DR5 sequences and the constitutive activity of TRR is mapped to the N-terminal region of this orphan receptor.
Turbulent diffusion and mixing in non-homogeneous environments

Many experimental and field studies have been devoted to the understanding of non-homogeneous turbulent dynamics. Activity in this area intensified when the basic Kolmogorov self-similar theory was extended to two-dimensional or quasi 2D turbulent flows such as those appearing in the environment, that seem to control mixing [1,2]. The statistical description and the dynamics of these geophysical flows depend strongly on the distribution of long lived organized (coherent) structures. These flows show a complex topology, but may be subdivided in terms of strongly elliptical domains (high vorticity regions), strong hyperbolic domains (deformation cells with high energy condensations) and the background turbulent field of moderate elliptic and hyperbolic characteristics. It is of fundamental importance to investigate the different influence of these topological diverse regions.
LIQUID CRYSTAL SURFACES

The use of specular reflection of X-rays to study the structure of the liquid-vapor and liquid crystal-vapor interfaces along the direction normal to the surface is described. If RF(O) is the theoretical Fresnel reflection law for x-rays incident on an ideal flat surface a t an angle 0 and R(8) is the measured reflectivity from the true surface, the ratio R(B)/RF(B) is a measure of the electron density along the surface normal: i.e. where p, is the electron density far from the surface, a<p(z)>/Jz is the gradient of the x-y average of the electron density along the surface normal and QZ=(4dX)sin(8). For the surface of simple liquids like H20, the principal observation is that the electron density profile from the bulk to the vapor is dominated by thermally excited capillary waves. For both the isotropic phase and the nematic liquid crystal phase, structure is observed in R(8) due to surface induced local smectic order. Depending on the material, layering transitions a t the surface of isotropic phases are observed to be either sharp or gradual functions of temperature. The possible interpretation of this in terms of wetting and roughening effects will be discussed. On approaching a 2nd order nematic to smectic A transition, the number of layers diverge in a manner that can be described as critical absorption. Other examples to be discussed include the surface structure of a lytropic liquid crystal and the appearance of surface layers of the tilted hexatic smectic I phase on freely suspended films of a smectic C phase.
Differential Expression of Heat Shock Proteins and Inflammatory Changes in Preeclamptic Placental Explants

Preeclampsia, pregnancy related disorder is associated with increased OS leading to exacerbated inflammation and lipids alteration. Preeclamptic placentas are more susceptible to ROS mediated apoptosis causing preterm delivery due to enhanced oxidative stress. Explant culture is a process of tissue which reflects the status of stress in entire placenta in-utero. Apart from anti-apoptotic function, heat shock proteins sustain fetal development during preeclampsia by acting as anti-inflammatory protein. Thus the purpose of this study is to explore oxidation of free radical (4-HNE), cytokines expression, lipid profile and expression of HSP70 and HSP90α in both normotensive and preeclamptic placental explants for first time. Level of 4-HNE, NFκB, TNFα, HSP70 and HSP90α were significantly increased with significant decrease in total cholesterol, TG, VLDL, LDL in preeclamptic placental explants. There was an insignificant change in HDL level between preeclamptic and normotensive placental explants. Increase in HSP70 and HSP90α expression indicates the existence of protective mechanisms initiated against generated ROS produced by altered lipid profile and may promote live fetal delivery during preeclampsia. Thus the study emphasizes the understanding of inflammatory and lipid profile changes during preeclampsia. This may provide substantial insight into the nature of preeclampsia and to prevent progressive maternal and neonatal complications.
nestcheck: diagnostic tests for nested sampling calculations

Nested sampling is an increasingly popular technique for Bayesian computation - in particular for multimodal, degenerate and high-dimensional problems. Without appropriate settings, however, nested sampling software may fail to explore such posteriors fully; for example producing correlated samples or missing significant modes. This paper introduces new diagnostic tests to assess the reliability of both parameter estimation and evidence calculations using nested sampling software, and demonstrates them empirically. We present two new diagnostic plots for nested sampling, and give practical advice for nested sampling software users. Our diagnostic tests and diagrams are implemented in nestcheck: a publicly available python package for analysing nested sampling calculations which is compatible with results from MultiNest and PolyChord.
The Role of Maternally Acquired Antibody in Providing Protective Immunity Against Nontyphoidal Salmonella in Urban Vietnamese Infants: A Birth Cohort Study

We found a high transfer ratio of anti-nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) antibodies from mothers to infants. Furthermore, despite a high seroincidence of NTS in infants, maternally acquired antibodies provided protection from seroconversion. Therefore, we propose prenatal immunization against NTS as a possible strategy for protecting infants from NTS disease.
Sadism Among Sexual Homicide Offenders: Validation of the Sexual Sadism Scale

Sexual sadism is assumed to be a crucial factor in sexual homicide. Prevalence estimates vary greatly due to differences in the definition of sexual sadism. A nationwide sample of 350 male perpetrators who had committed a sexual homicide offense against a female 14 years of age or above in England or Wales was assessed based on archival records. Sexual sadism was assessed using the Sexual Sadism Scale (SeSaS). Item response theory (IRT) analyses were conducted focusing on the 2-parameter logistic model. The single-factor structure of the SeSaS Part 1 was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. Estimates of both internal consistency and interrater agreement were satisfactory to substantial. IRT analysis showed that the Part 1 items captured moderate to severe levels of the latent construct (i.e., theta levels >0). Based on the Posterior Probability of Diagnosis index, the prevalence of the disorder was estimated at 37% in the sample. The substantial correlation between the SeSaS Part 1 total score and original clinical diagnoses of sadism confirms the criterion validity of the scale. Exertion of control and infliction of torture were among the more informative items. In sum, the results support the usefulness of the SeSaS instrument for assessing forensically relevant forms of sadism.
Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulation Prevents and Reverses Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Male Mice

Medication for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an unmet need. Glucocorticoid (GC) stress hormones drive fat metabolism in the liver, but both full blockade and full stimulation of GC signaling aggravate NAFLD pathology. We investigated the efficacy of selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulator CORT118335, which recapitulates only a subset of GC actions, in reducing liver lipid accumulation in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice received a low-fat diet or high-fat diet mixed with vehicle or CORT118335. Livers were analyzed histologically and for genome-wide mRNA expression. Functionally, hepatic long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) composition was determined by gas chromatography. We determined very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) production by treatment with a lipoprotein lipase inhibitor after which blood was collected to isolate radiolabeled VLDL particles and apoB proteins. CORT118335 strongly prevented and reversed hepatic lipid accumulation. Liver transcriptome analysis showed increased expression of GR target genes involved in VLDL production. Accordingly, CORT118335 led to increased lipidation of VLDL particles, mimicking physiological GC action. Independent pathway analysis revealed that CORT118335 lacked induction of GC-responsive genes involved in cholesterol synthesis and LCFA uptake, which was indeed reflected in unaltered hepatic LCFA uptake in vivo. Our data thus reveal that the robust hepatic lipid-lowering effect of CORT118335 is due to a unique combination of GR-dependent stimulation of lipid (VLDL) efflux from the liver, with a lack of stimulation of GR-dependent hepatic fatty acid uptake. Our findings firmly demonstrate the potential use of CORT118335 in the treatment of NAFLD and underscore the potential of selective GR modulation in metabolic disease.
Breaking the Cycle of Abusive Supervision: How Disidentification and Moral Identity Help the Trickle-Down Change Course

Studies show that abusive leader behaviors “trickle down” to lower organizational levels, but this research ignores that many abused supervisors do not perpetuate abuse by harming their own subordinates. Drawing on social-cognitive theory and related research, we suggest abused supervisors might defy rather than emulate their managers’ abusive behavior. Specifically, we predicted that some abused supervisors—namely, those with strong moral identities—might in effect “change course” by engaging in less abuse or demonstrating ethical leadership with their subordinates to the extent they disidentify with their abusive managers. Across 2 experiments (n = 288 and 462 working adults, respectively) and a field study (n = 500 employees and their supervisors), we show that relations between manager abuse and supervisors’ abusive and ethical behaviors were carried by supervisors’ disidentification, and that the direct and indirect effects of manager abuse were stronger for supervisors with comparatively higher moral identity levels. We discuss our findings’ implications and avenues for future research.
Differential expression profiles of long noncoding RNAs in synchronous multiple and solitary primary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas: A microarray analysis

As a unique subtype of esophageal cancer, synchronous multiple primary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) mostly occur in Asian patients with alcohol and/or tobacco abuse, or with a family history of cancer. Multiple ESCCs are associated with poor clinical outcomes. Growing evidence has addressed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the carcinogenesis of various malignancies. We compared the lncRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) profiles between solitary and multiple ESCC tissues through microarray analysis, aiming at studying their different mechanisms in tumor development. As a result, in multiple ESCCs, a total of 5257 lncRNAs and 3371 mRNAs were consistently differentially expressed compared with solitary ESCC, including 2986 upregulated and 2271 downregulated lncRNAs, and 2313 upregulated, and 1058 downregulated mRNAs. We validated the results in four differentially expressed lncRNAs using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. There were 38 and 20 pathways significantly related to up‐ and downregulated transcripts. The pathways associated with mostly enriched up‐ and downregulated mRNAs were hsa01200 (carbon metabolism) and hsa05221 (acute myeloid leukemia‐ homo sapiens [human]). Gene ontology analysis suggested that upregulated and downregulated mRNAs were mainly enriched in bounding membrane of organelle involved in the cellular component and positive regulation of transport involved in the biological process. Further analysis identified 189 differentially expressed paired antisense lncRNAs and relative sense mRNA, as well as 2134 differentially expressed long intergenic noncoding RNAs and their adjacent mRNA pairs. In conclusion, the aberrantly expressed lncRNAs might play a role in the carcinogenesis of multiple ESCCs and could be candidates as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.