Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide scan for runs of homozygosity identifies potential candidate regions associated with growth traits in beef cattle

Background: Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are continuous homozygous regions that generally exist in the DNA sequence of diploid organisms. Identifications of regions of the genome lead to reduction in performance can provide valuable insight into the genetic architecture of complex traits. Here, we evaluated genome-wide patterns of homozygosity and their association with growth traits in a commercial beef cattle population.Results: We identified a total of 29,271 ROH segments with an average number of 63.36 and an average length of 0.98 Mb in this commercial beef cattle population, representing ~2.53% (~63.36Mb) of the genome. To evaluate the enrichment of ROH across genomes, we initially identified 280 ROH regions by merging ROH events identified across all individuals. Of these, nine regions were significantly associated with six growth phenotype traits (body height, chest circumference, fat coverage, backfat thickness, ribeye area, carcass length; P<0.01), which contain 187 candidate genes. Furthermore, we found 26 consensus ROH regions with frequencies exceeding 10%, and several of these consensus overlapped with QTLs which are associated with weight gain, calving difficulty and stillbirth. To precisely locate locus within each ROH for every studied trait, we further utilized loci-based methods for association analysis among these identified regions. Totally, we obtained 9,360 loci within ROH, and 1,631 loci displaying significant association (P<0.01) for eight traits. In addition, we found that 67 genes embedded with homozygous loci. Several identified candidate genes, including EBF2, SLC20A2, SH3BGRL2, HMGA1 and ACSL1, were related to growth traits.Conclusions: This study assessed genome-wide autozygosity pattern and inbreeding level in a commercial beef cattle population. Our study identified many candidate regions and genes with ROH for growth traits in beef cattle, which can provide important insights into investigating homozygosity across genome in other farm animals. Our findings may further be unitized to assist the design of selection mating strategy.
Scenario-based multi-zone approach of wind power for steady-state network studies

The installed wind power capacity has increased rapidly over the last decadesand wind power now has a strong impact on the European electric system. Thedevelopment of wind power is expected to continue in the coming decades andit is therefore crucial to correctly take it into account in network simulations ofthe future system.Metrix is a model used at EDF R&D for technical and economical simulationsof the European electric system. It uses a multi-scenario approach thataims at calculating different possible states of the network for a chosen momentin the future. Until this master thesis, the generation of the wind farms wasthe same in all the scenarios. This does not reflect the high variability of windpower generation and does not allow to correctly simulate the effects of windpower on the system.The goal of the project presented in this report is to integrate a multiscenarioapproach of wind power with spatial variations in Metrix in order torepresent a range of wind power situations that is representative of what mighthappen at a simulated moment in the future. The chosen method consists ofusing wind scenarios from the past, applying them to the future wind park andintegrating them in the scenarios used in the simulations. The database of windsituations used in this project allows to have 13 wind zones over Europe.An analysis of the seasonal and diurnal cycles of wind power generation isperformed for the abovementioned purpose. The methodology is applied to thestudy of the winter peak and leads to the choice of up to 1092 suitable windpower scenarios. Then, statistical methods are used to estimate the numberof scenarios that is necessary to reach the desired accuracy in the simulationresults. Finally, the benefits of the proposed approach of wind power are demonstratedby showing how it allows to analyse the impact of wind power generationon different system quantities and components.
The Hero - Leader Myth questioned! How to go further?

Certainly, the myth of the sole heroic leader who is governing, giving orders, planning and controlling still is a strong idea in several minds and media in our world. It is enough to open a newspaper and read about all the problems that the leaders should solve. However, a critic against hero leadership has gained growing interest. Mintzberg states that “we have become enamoured of a heroic view of management” and what we get “is not management, but hubris” (in Kavanagh & Leary, 2004). Yukl writes about a heroic bias in leadership research (2002). Consequently, other models have been discussed and developed in our post industrial world. A perspective called relational leadership argues that instead of focusing on the decisions of one single leader, the actions in a work team should be viewed as something which the whole work team is responsible for (Dachler, Hosking & Gergen, 1995; Uhl – Bien, 2006). There is also a growing body of texts concerning postheroic leadership which suggest that leadership would be based on shared or distributed practices ( Fletcher, 2004; Gronn, 2002; Pearce and Conger, 2003). However, to act as a relational leader is not always easy, although a person in a leader position would have the knowledge of the principles and the will to enact them. In practice a lot of meaning making in organizations occurs as everyday negotiations and small talk where both the leaders and co-workers participate, and where different kinds of issues are purged. These events don’t tell about good, harmonious relations, only, they can be contrary, too. Based on interviews with some people in formal leader position, the aim of this text is to study how the interviewees handle different kind of negotiations, resistance and controversies as a part of construction of their “relational leader role”. How these “negotiations” are understood highlights the importance of aesthetics in knowledge creating processes (BiehlMissal, 2010; Ladkin & Taylor, 2010; Soila-Wadman & Köping, 2009; Strati, 1998; Welsch, 1997).
Pharmacological inhibition of APP processing and knock-down of APP in primary human macrophages impairs the secretion of cytokines

Background The amyloid precursor protein (APP) and amyloid β (Aβ) peptides support the innate immune defense as an immune receptor, an antimicrobial peptide and an opsonine. In APP-deficient mouse models, a reduced secretion of cytokines has been observed. It is unclear whether this can be attributed to the lack of APP or to the missing secretion of Aβ peptides.Methods In primary human monocyte derived macrophages the secretion of Aβ peptides was inhibited by the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT or by the β-secretase inhibitor GL-189, applied as a tripartite substance. Alternatively, APP was knocked down by transfection with siRNA. TNFα, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by ELISA and the phagocytotic activity was evaluated by flow cytometry.Results Reduced concentrations of TNFα and IL-6 were observed in the media of APPk/d macrophages and after inhibition of the β-, or γ-secretase, especially after additional immunological activation with LPS. Secretion of IL-10 was increased after pharmacological inhibition of APP processing when the macrophages were not immunologically activated but was decreased during LPS-induced inflammation in APPk/d macrophages. No changes of the phagocytotic activity were observed.Conclusion We conclude that macrophage APP and Aβ peptides support the initiation of an immune response and are involved in the secretion of TNFα, IL-6 and IL-10.
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of the Parental lines of Hybrid Japonica Rice in Northern China Revealed by 8K SNP-Chips

BackgroundThe hybrid rice varieties have made a significant contribution to food security. Although there has been rapid development of hybrid indica rice variety, the development of hybrid japonica rice has been relatively slow. This study aimed to understand the genetic background of representative parental lines of hybrid japonica rice in northern China that were beneficial for increasing efficiency to find a superior breeding combination using a restorer line and a sterile line. ResultsWe selected 137 parental lines of hybrid japonica rice, including 90 restorer lines, 47 sterile lines, which broadly represented the recent rice breeding trends in China. These lines were genotyped using 8K SNP-Chips (China Golden Marker Biotechnology Co. Ltd.) to understand the genetic diversity, population structure, phylogenetic evolution, and indica blood content. The genetic diversity of total parental lines averaged 0.264, with values for the restorer line and sterility line as 0.287 and 0.148, respectively. Based on the model-based population structure analysis and distance-based clustering, these 137 lines were divided into 14 groups, including seven independent restorer lines groups and seven mixture groups. There were 70% restorer lines in the above-mentioned seven independent restorer lines groups, and the indica blood content was 0.348, while 30% restorer lines were genetically similar to the sterile lines and constituted the other seven mixture groups, where the indica blood content in the restorer lines and the sterility lines was 0.142 and 0.121, respectively. The results of distance-based clustering revealed that the restorer lines, Group 1 and Group 2 (containing only restorer lines), had longer genetic distances with groups containing mainly sterile lines (the genetic distance ranged from 0.672 to 0.788), which served as a potential heterotic for hybrid rice breeding. This observation was consistent with the breeding strategy of high yield hybrid japonica rice.ConclusionsThe typical japonica sterile lines were crossed with the restorer lines containing high indica components indicating a strong heterosis pattern was a feasible scheme for heterosis utilization of indica-japonica subspecies. Thus, the effective ways to further improve the rice quality of hybrid japonica rice in northern China included maintaining moderate genetic distance and indica components between the parental lines along with the excellent quality of both the parental lines.
Design of compact wideband LTCC filter using pentagonal-shaped SIR

A compact wideband bandpass filter with a pentagonal-shaped open-loop folded step-impedance-resonator (SIR) using low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology has been designed and fabricated. The filter is composed of three pentagonal-shaped open-loop SIRs embedded in multilayer thin ceramic to produce a compact size. The proposed topology is demonstrated with a design operating at 4.3 GHz with 44.2% bandwidth. More than 20 dB of spurious suppression from 6 to 11 GHz is demonstrated in the experimental results.
Perspectives on Free and Open Source Software

What is the status of the Free and Open Source Software (F/OSS) revolution? Has the creation of software that can be freely used, modified, and redistributed transformed industry and society, as some predicted, or is this transformation still a work in progress? Perspectives on Free and Open Source Software brings together leading analysts and researchers to address this question, examining specific aspects of F/OSS in a way that is both scientifically rigorous and highly relevant to real-life managerial and technical concerns. The book analyzes a number of key topics: the motivation behind F/OSS—why highly skilled software developers devote large amounts of time to the creation of "free" products and services; the objective, empirically grounded evaluation of software—necessary to counter what one chapter author calls the "steamroller" of F/OSS hype; the software engineering processes and tools used in specific projects, including Apache, GNOME, and Mozilla; the economic and business models that reflect the changing relationships between users and firms, technical communities and firms, and between competitors; and legal, cultural, and social issues, including one contribution that suggests parallels between "open code" and "open society" and another that points to the need for understanding the movement's social causes and consequences.
Real-time observer model for Kraft wood digester.

At SAPPI-Tugela a continuous Kraft wood chip digester operates in EMCC mode (extended modified continuous cooking). Chips are initially exposed to a NaOH / Na2S liquor at high temperature in the top section. The chips move downward in plug flow passing circumferential screens used to draw liquor for various circulations. About midway down the spent black liquor is removed and the chips enter the cooler bottom section where some further reaction and washing occurs. Liquor level and chip level are maintained close to each other near the top. Chips require 8-12 hours to pass through the digester, depending on the chip feed rate. The key parameter of interest at the digester exit is the Kappa number, which is a measure of the extent of delignification which has occurred. Different board and paper products require different Kappa number pulp feed. (Final properties such as tensile, tear and bursting strengths will also depend on the way fibres have been modified in the digestion). The objective of this investigation is to predict the Kappa number of the product pulp in real-time, thus facilitating quicker reaction than the present dependence on laboratory analysis permits, possibly even allowing closed-loop control. The extent of delignification depends on liquor strength, temperature and exposure time, with final Kappa number also depending on the properties of the chip feed (wood type and moisture content). Compensation to maintain a steady Kappa number is made difficult by the long and varying residence time, and the fact that any changes apply to the whole profile held up in the digester. A number of static models for Kappa number prediction have been developed by previous workers, but these do not compare well with plant measurements. The collection of data from the Sappi-Tugela reactor, and the pulp quality reports, have been used to determine an efficient model. This step required a considerable data collection exercise, and similar results to the quality reports have been obtained using a simple linear model based on this data. The problem of model error is being reduced by arrangement as a Smith Predictor, in which the model is intermittently corrected by available laboratory analyses. At the same time, an interface was created, in order to synchronise measurement data for the chips presently leaving the reactor. In order to deal with the dead time, each parcel of chips entering the reactor is effectively tracked, and the changes in Kappa number integrated for reaction time under the varying conditions in transit. Knowing the present inventory of the reactor, this model can also be run forward in time as a predictive controller, to determine optimal control actions for maintenance of the target Kappa number.
Fueling performance: Determining the efficacy of low-carbohydrate diet models for athletic populations

Advocates of low-carbohydrate (LC) diets assert that these diets help lessen dependence on sugar while aiding in the metabolism of fat tissue. Additionally, it is believed that lipolysis helps dieters feel more energetic, lose weight, and improve physical performance. For these reasons, many athletes and active people are drawn to diets such as the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, the Paleo Diet, and the Zone Diet. According to current evidence, excessive weight loss, ketosis, reduced glycogen availability, dehydration, and increased stress hormone levels make LC diets that severely limit carbohydrates disadvantageous for athletes. Although LC diets are widely followed, their long-term effects are still not thoroughly understood. The purpose of this review is to examine the current research on substrate utilization during exercise as well as the diet patterns in question to determine whether they are appropriate for athletes and active people.
Symbolic approach in regional analyses

Regional studies cover a spectrum of diversified phenomena and problems including social, economic and environmental ones, which refer to territorial units. Owing to their specific characteristics they are most frequently of both multivariate and complex nature. Conducting regional research is associated with the need to consider such difficulties as large data sets, insufficient precision of phenomena description, disregarding territorial diversification of a given phenomenon, as well as incomplete description of problems. The objective of the paper is to suggest solutions to these problems by means of symbolic approach application which basically consists in presenting phenomena in the form of symbolic data. The first part of the paper discusses specific nature of symbolic data, methods for collecting symbolic data and methods for these data analysis. The second part presents an empirical example referring to the assessment of labour market situation in Polish regions (NTS-2) using symbolic data and cluster analysis.
MULTICRITERIA DIAGNOSIS OF SYNCHRONOUS MACHINE USING MCSA

This paper discusses the detection of internal faults in the stator and rotor windings of synchronous machine. The motor current signature analysis, allows using low cost equipment to detect the faults by monitoring the coils currents. The process of detection is fully optimized, to predict the faults in machine before damage. It was shown, how using the stator current harmonic spectrum of the healthy machine as a reference data, the detection of faults can be reliable performed.
Cost calculation algorithm for stand-alone photovoltaic systems

Photovoltaics are the technology that generates direct current (DC) electrical power measured in watts or kilowatts from semiconductors when they are illuminated by photons. Photovoltaics are the technological symbol for a future sustainable energy supply system in many countries. A considerable amount of money is invested in research, development and demonstration; several governments set up substantial market introduction programs and industry invests in larger production facilities. Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) is an economic method of project evaluation in which all costs arising from owning, operating, maintaining and ultimately disposing of a project are considered to be potentially important to that decision. Doing a LCCA gives the total cost of a PV system-including all expenses incurred over the life of the system. LCCA is particularly suitable for the evaluation of building design alternatives that satisfy a required level of building performance, but that may have different initial investment costs; different operating, maintenance and repair (OMR and possibly different lives. In this study, a software computer program for educational purposes is designed to determine initial, life cycle and unit energy costs of a stand-alone photovoltaic system in Turkey. Depending on the selected location, material and criteria, the proposed software implements the life cycle analysis of the system. The database and fixed constants of proposed software can be updated and new elements can be added at any time. Present value algorithm is described in previous section is used for cost calculation. Inappropriate selection of components is blocked by the software. Also, too large selection of particular elements such as inverter and batteries is blocked for optimal sizing of the system. As a result of the calculations were performed using software designed, in terms of lifetime cost and unit energy costs of PV systems most suitable provinces are Mersin, Antalya, Adana, Mardin, Van, Adiyaman, Aydin and Kilis respectively. In the opposite, the highest costs are in Gumushane, Yalova, Aǧri, Cankiri and Kastamonu provinces.
Development and Innovation in Curriculum Design in Landscape Planning: Students as Agents of Change

Landscape educators are being asked to address the needs and aspirations of a wide diversity of students in increasing class sizes in Australian universities. A method to identify the philosophical positions of landscape architecture students in landscape planning may offer educators some insight into alternative learning experiences appropriate for different types of students in large classes. We draw on the rhetorical approach of Kenneth Burke to describe the pedagogic discourses of students’ drawings in landscape planning as a way of exploring the dominant perspectives within a class. This work forms part of a doctoral study undertaken to document practices and orientations of students in relation to landscape planning prior to their transition into the workplace. Visual representations of ‘landscape planning’ in drawings and text formed the basis of a typology of five philosophical positions used in identifying how this subject should be considered by the reader. The findings suggest that many students took two dominant philosophical positions when confronted with the complex work of landscape planning. Some students shifted their position during the semester and it is argued that emerging practitioners may hold a range of positions in relation to landscape planning over a period of time.
Ultra-precision optical metrology using highly controlled fiber-based frequency combs

Optical Frequency combs can be used as a tool for fully controlling the phase and frequency information of light waves, i.e., “optical synthesizer”. It provides powerful tools not only in frequency metrology as “ultraprecise frequency ruler” but also in broad area since light wave can be used to its full extent with an extremely wide dynamic range. Frequency-traceable length measurement using frequency combs provides direct realization of the definition of meter, remote calibration using a GPS technology, and precise measurements of wide range of lengths by taking advantage of high dynamic range in frequency measurements. In this paper, ultrahigh-precision length metrology using fiber-based optical frequency combs are presented. By precisely controlling the frequency and phase of the combs, self-correction of air refractive index and noise cancellation in fiber path in interferometer are demonstrated. Heterodyne interferometry of 61- m path-length based on two-color optical frequency combs is developed for air-refractive-index correction. Measured two-color optical-path-differences agreed with calculations with 10−11 for 10-hour. Corrected distance variation agreed with thermal expansion of base-plate. A fiber-based optical frequency comb interferometer with 168-m-length reference path was stabilized to nm-level with fiber noise cancellation technique using a single frequency CW laser. Extremely wide range interferometric fringe scanning of 3.3-m path length