Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Red-TE Homozygous Alleles of MdMYB10 Confer Full-Red Apple Fruit Skin in a High-Temperature Region

Apple is a major fruit crop grown worldwide and provides humans with an essential diet and health benefits. One of the health benefits is related to the accumulation of fruit anthocyanin, which also provides fruit with an attractive red colour. It is known that an MdMYB10 allele containing a transposable element (TE) insertion in its promoter (termed Red-TE allele) underlies anthocyanin accumulation and red colouration in the fruit skin of cultivated apples. However, the distribution of this Red-TE allele in wider Malus germplasm accessions is not clear. In this study, we showed that MdMYB10 RNA in fruit skin was specifically expressed from the Red-TE allele by using allele-specific expression analysis of transcriptome data. Apple cultivars and hybrids with homozygous Red-TE alleles showed stronger red colour than those with heterozygous alleles after analysing 65 cultivars and 337 hybrids. Furthermore, both hetero- and homozygous plants growing in the same high-temperature conditions had different colourations. However, the Red-TE allele was not detected in 16 wild apple accessions showing red skin, indicating that the red skin colour of these wild apples was not conferred by the Red-TE allele. These findings provide guidance for selecting cultivars able to develop consistent red colouration under high growth temperature conditions and open the opportunity for identifying novel genetic variants underpinning fruit red colouration in wild apple species.
Gsmtx4 Alleviated Osteoarthritis through Piezo1/Calcineurin/NFAT1 Signaling Axis under Excessive Mechanical Strain

Excessive mechanical strain is the prominent risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA), causing cartilage destruction and degeneration. However, the underlying molecular mechanism contributing to mechanical signaling transduction remains unclear in OA. Piezo type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 (Piezo1) is a calcium-permeable mechanosensitive ion channel and provides mechanosensitivity to cells, but its role in OA development has not been determined. Herein, we found up-regulated expression of Piezo1 in OA cartilage, and that its activation contributes to chondrocyte apoptosis. The knockdown of Piezo1 could protect chondrocytes from apoptosis and maintain the catabolic and anabolic balance under mechanical strain. In vivo, Gsmtx4, a Piezo1 inhibitor, markedly ameliorated the progression of OA, inhibited the chondrocyte apoptosis, and accelerated the production of the cartilage matrix. Mechanistically, we observed the elevated activity of calcineurin (CaN) and the nuclear transfection of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFAT1) under mechanical strain in chondrocytes. Inhibitors of CaN or NFAT1 rescued the pathologic changes induced by mechanical strain in chondrocytes. Overall, our findings revealed that Piezo1 was the essential molecule response to mechanical signals and regulated apoptosis and cartilage matrix metabolism via the CaN/NFAT1 signaling axis in chondrocytes, and that Gsmtx4 could be an attractive therapeutic drug for OA treatment.
Multilayer In Vitro Human Skin Tissue Platforms for Quantitative Burn Injury Investigation

This study presents a multilayer in vitro human skin platform to quantitatively relate predicted spatial time–temperature history with measured tissue injury response. This information is needed to elucidate high-temperature, short-duration burn injury kinetics and enables determination of relevant input parameters for computational models to facilitate treatment planning. Multilayer in vitro skin platforms were constructed using human dermal keratinocytes and fibroblasts embedded in collagen I hydrogels. After three seconds of contact with a 50–100 °C burn tip, ablation, cell death, apoptosis, and HSP70 expression were spatially measured using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. Finite element modeling was performed using the measured thermal characteristics of skin platforms to determine the temperature distribution within platforms over time. The process coefficients for the Arrhenius thermal injury model describing tissue ablation and cell death were determined such that the predictions calculated from the time–temperature histories fit the experimental burn results. The activation energy for thermal collagen ablation and cell death was found to be significantly lower for short-duration, high-temperature burns than those found for long-duration, low-temperature burns. Analysis of results suggests that different injury mechanisms dominate at higher temperatures, necessitating burn research in the temperature ranges of interest and demonstrating the practicality of the proposed skin platform for this purpose.
A cyber‐physical management system for medium‐scale solar‐powered data centers

The effort to reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of data‐center operations has led to the emergence of “green” data centers, which are designed to reduce energy consumption and to increase their use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). Despite the advances demonstrated by hyper‐scale facilities in energy efficiency and the use of green energy, small and medium‐scale data centers, which contribute to over 50% of the total electricity consumption and carbon emissions of the sector, face significant challenges in the adoption and exploitation of RES. In this article, we present the steps taken to transform a medium‐scale, academic data center into a “green” one that uses solar power. In particular, we describe the design and implementation of: (i) a collocated photovoltaic facility and (ii) a cyber‐physical system comprising IoT sensor devices, a microservices platform, and a visualization and analytics dashboard that supports the configuration and monitoring of the infrastructure. Using data collected from the platform and dashboard, we show the environmental and financial advantages derived from this transformation, and the potential that arises from the availability of integrated operational data.
Relationship Between Drug Resistance Characteristics and Biofilm Formation in Klebsiella Pneumoniae Strains

Objective To conduct epidemiological analysis of Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) with hypervirulence, and to investigate its drug resistance phenotype, Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) gene, virulence factor, capsular serotype and biofilm formation, so as to provide theoretical basis for further understanding of the drug resistance mechanism of K. pneumoniae with hypervirulence. Methods K. Pneumoniae were isolated from clinical samples collected from inpatients. All strains were identified by VITEK2 Compact using fully automatic microbial analyzer, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics was determined by microbroth dilution test. The double disk diffusion method was used to detect the production of ESBLs, modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) was used to detect the production of carbapenemase, and hypermucoviscosity phenotype was detected by wire drawing test. PCR was used to detect ESBLs gene, virulence factor and capsular serotype. Crystal violet staining was used to detect the ability of biofilm formation. Results The ESBLs genes detected in this study included strains blaTEM 35 (36.5%), blaSHV 51 (53.1%), and blaCTX-M 49 (51.0%). Most strains carried multiple ESBLs genes, but not all of them produce ESBLs. K1 and K2 accounted for 14.6% and 11.5% respectively. Most (91.7%) strains carried the fimH gene, and the other virulence genes were ybtS (53.1%), entB (46.9%), rmpA (41.7%), aerobactin (32.3%), allS (15.6%), kfu (15.6%). Of all the Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, 33 (34.4%) exhibited ESBLs phenotype, 16 (16.7%) were carbapenemase-producing, and 20 (20.8%) with ESBLs phenotype tested were resistant to all four drugs. The correlation between ESBLs-producing strains and biofilm formation was significantly increased compared to strains without ESBLs phenotype (P=0.035). Conclusion Compared to hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP), classical Klebsiella pneumoniae (cKP) has a tendency to acquire antibiotic resistance. Our study showed that genes encoding rmpA, K1 or K2, and kfu were highly associated with hvKP.
Whole Exome Sequence Analysis for Inborn Errors of IL-12/IFN-γ Axis in Patient with Recurrent Typhoid Fever

Background The IL-12/IFN-γ axis pathways play a vital role in the control of intracellular pathogens such as Salmonella typhi. Objective The study is aimed at using whole exome sequencing (WES) to screen out genetic defects in IL-12/IFN-γ axis in patients with recurrent typhoid fever. Methods WES using next-generation sequencing was performed on a single patient diagnosed with recurrent typhoid fever. Following alignment and variant calling, exomes were screened for mutations in 25 genes that are involved in the IL-12/IFN-γ axis pathway. Each variant was assessed by using various bioinformatics mutational analysis tools such as SIFT, Polyphen2, LRT, MutationTaster, and MutationAssessor. Results Out of 25 possible variations in the IL-12/IFN-γ axis genes, only 2 probable disease-causing mutations were identified. These variations were rare and include mutations in IL23R and ZNFX I. Other pathogenic mutations were found, but they were not considered likely to cause disease based on various mutation predictors. Conclusion Applying WES to the patient with recurrent typhoid fever detects variants that are not much important as other genes in the IL-12/IFN-γ axis. Results of the current study suggest that a large population sizes would be needed to examine the functional relevance of IL-12/IFN-γ axis genes with recurrent typhoid fever.
Drought priming mechanisms in wheat elucidated by in-situ determination of dynamic stomatal behavior

Stomata play a critical role in balancing photosynthesis and transpiration, which are essential processes for plant growth, especially in response to abiotic stress. Drought priming has been shown to improve drought tolerance. Lots of studies have been done with the response of stomatal behavior to drought stress. However, how the stomatal dynamic movement in intact wheat plants response to drought priming process is not known. Here, a portable microscope was used to take microphotographs in order to in-stiu determination of stomatal behavior. Non-invasive micro-test technology was used for measurements of guard cell K+, H+ and Ca2+ fluxes. Surprisingly, the results found that primed plants close stomatal much faster under drought stress, and reopening the stomatal much quicker under recovery, in relation to non-primed plants. Compared with non-primed plants, primed plants showed higher accumulation of ABA and Ca2+ influx rate in guard cells under drought stress. Furthermore, genes encoding anion channels were higher expressed and K+ outward channels activated, leading to enhanced K+ efflux, resulting in faster stomatal closure in primed plants than non-primed plants. During recovery, both guard cell ABA and Ca2+ influx of primed plants were found to be significantly reducing K+ efflux and accelerating stomatal reopening. Collectively, a portable non-invasive stomatal observation of wheat found that priming promoted faster stomatal closure under drought stress and faster reopening during post-drought recovery in relation to non-primed plants, thereby enhancing overall drought tolerance.
Large-Eddy Simulation of Complex Geometry Jets

Computations are made for chevron and coflowing jet nozzles. The latter has a bypass ratio of 6:1. Also, unlike the chevron nozzle, the core flow is heated, making the inlet conditions reminiscent of those for a real engine. A large-eddy resolving approach is used with circa 12x10(6) cell meshes. Because the codes being used tend toward being dissipative the subgrid scale model is abandoned, giving what can be termed numerical large-eddy simulation. To overcome near-wall modeling problems a hybrid numerical large-eddy simulation–Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes related method is used. For y 60 a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes model is used. Blending between the two regions makes use of the differential Hamilton–Jabobi equation, an extension of the eikonal equation. For both nozzles, results show encouraging agreement with measurements of other workers. The eikonal equation is also used for ray tracing to explore the effect of the mean flow on acoustic ray trajectories, thus yielding a coherent solution strategy.
Searches for millisecond pulsations in low-mass x-ray binaries

Coherent millisecond X-ray pulsations are expected from low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), but remain undetected. Using the single-parameter Quadratic Coherence Recovery Technique (QCRT) to correct for unknown binary orbit motion, we have performed Fourier transform searches for coherent oscillations in all long, continuous segments of data obtained at 1 ms time resolution during Ginga observations of LMXB. We have searched the six known Z sources (GX 5-1, Cyg X-2, Sco X-1, GX 17+2, GX 340+0, and GX 349+2), seven of the 14 known atoll sources (GX 3+1. GX 9+1, GX 9+9, 1728-33. 1820-30, 1636-53 and 1608-52), the 'peculiar' source Cir X-1, and the high-mass binary Cyg X-3. We find no evidence for coherent pulsations in any of these sources, with 99% confidence limits on the pulsed fraction between 0.3% and 5.0% at frequencies below the Nyquist frequency of 512 Hz. A key assumption made in determining upper limits in previous searches is shown to be incorrect. We provide a recipe for correctly setting upper limits and detection thresholds. Finally we discuss and apply two strategies to improve sensitivity by utilizing multiple, independent, continuous segments of data with comparable count rates.
Existence and Relaxation Theorem for a Second Order Differential Inclusion

In a separable Banach space we consider a three point boundary value problem for a second order differential inclusion of the form We investigate the existence of solutions, when the multifunction F is unbounded-valued and satisfies a pseudo-Lipschitz property. Then, a Lipschitz case is derived and the associated relaxed problem is studied.
A Critical Comment on the Taylor Approach for Measuring World City Interlock Linkages

In the study of economic-geographic structures, the shifting focus from the national state to the city and its region has highlighted the lack of reliable interurban data sets. The abundance of usable data sets on international structures and ? ows has no counterpart when studying interurban relations, which makes it hard to draw any extensive conclusions regarding the structure of world city networks. Instead of relying on available data sets, Peter Taylor has developed a method for generating data sets that, it is argued, can be used in research on the structure of the world city network. In this approach, actors are defined as cities with internal attribute service values, values reflecting the presence of different transnational service- producing corporations in each city. The structural values between each pair of cities are then established by a mathematical formula based on the service value of each firm in each pair of cities. This procedure can be criticized on two accounts. First, although internal attributes on exceptional occasions can be used as a proxy and as a rough estimate for structural values, such studies must have a firm theoretical underpinning in order to be valid from a network-analytical perspective. If not, such generated structural values become nothing more than a function of internal attributes, thus losing the whole basic idea of social network analysis. Second, the Taylor function used for generating structural values can be questioned. Why should a large presence of TNC offices in a pair of cities imply a larger city interlock link than would be the case between a high-ranked city and a low-ranked city, as the city with the larger service value probably serves cities with a lower service value with economic command, control, and support functions? (Less)
Sliding Mode Control of a Three-dimensional Overhead Crane

This paper deals with the sliding mode control of a three-dimensional overhead crane. The model of the crane consists of five highly nonlinear second-order ordinary differential equations. The crane is an underactuated system, which makes the design of its controllers intricate. A sliding mode control scheme is proposed for the crane. This scheme, which guarantees the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system, has two objectives: position regulation and anti-swing control. The performance of the closed-loop system is simulated using MATLAB. The simulation results indicate that the proposed control scheme works well. In addition, the robustness of the controller with respect to uncertainties in the crane parameters is investigated through simulations. It is found that the controller is robust to changes in the parameters. Moreover, since some of the states of the system are not measurable, a Luenberger-type observer is proposed. Simulation of the controlled system using the observer-based sliding mode controller produced good results.
Integrated optical waveguide polarizer based on photobleaching-induced birefringence in an electrooptic polymer

A TE-pass waveguide polarizer is fabricated by utilizing the photobleaching-induced birefringence at room temperature in an electrooptic polymer. The polarizer consists of the photobleached waveguide supporting only TE mode, which is integrated in the middle of the etched rib waveguide supporting both TE and TM modes. It has a simple structure and requires no high temperature process like poling. The measured polarization extinction ratio is about 21 dB at the wavelengths of 1.3 and 1.55 /spl mu/m, and the estimated excess loss is about 0.4 dB.
Evaluation of cement grouted bituminous macadam technology: a laboratory study

ABSTRACT Cement Grouted Bituminous Macadam (CGBM) is a composite pavement that can offer sustainability in the pavement construction sector. The main objective of this study emphasises designing and evaluating the CGBM mixes prepared with different cementitious grouts and aggregate gradations. Compressive strength (7 and 28 days), Flexural strength (28 days), Marsh cone flow, and Initial and final setting time were considered for optimising the cementitious grouts. The details of several investigations on CGBM that include Marshall stability, Compressive strength, Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), Resilient Modulus (Mr), Fracture energy, and Cantabro abrasion test were reported. The experimental results showed that sand and micro silica influence the mobility of grout to a greater extent. Percolation of grouts into Open Graded Friction Course (OGFC) mixes was a critical concern for grouts with flow time longer than 35 s. A reduction in the pore volume and reduced interconnected links in finer gradation resulted in improper full-depth penetration (FDP) characteristics. Mixture level tests for CGBM revealed that Mr of CGBM improved by about 6 times compared to the bituminous mix. In addition, CGBM showed high tensile strength with rapid crack propagation behaviour. Further, pavement design demonstrated a 35% of thickness reduction and cost reduction due to CGBM implementation.
Transparent composite with the unit refractive index

Optical properties of a three-dimensional composite medium consisting of an amplifying matrix with inclusion of silver nanoparticles of various shapes are investigated theoretically. Considering the case of an effective refractive index equal to one, condition for a transparent material, the amplification coefficient needed for compensating the losses is studied. It is shown that for the composite material with ellipsoidal inclusions the required gain coefficient is significantly less that for a composite medium with spherical inclusions.
Accurate modeling of light trapping in thin film silicon solar cells

An attempt is made to assess the accuracy of the simplifying assumption of total retransmission of light inside the "escape" or "loss" cone which is made in many models of optical confinement in thin-film silicon solar cells. A closed form expression is derived for the absorption enhancement factor as a function of the refractive index in the low-absorption limit for a thin-film cell with a flat front surface and a lambertian back reflector. Numerical calculations are carried out to investigate similar systems with antireflection coatings, and the investigation of cells with a textured front surface is achieved using a modified version of the existing ray tracing computer simulation program TEXTURE.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of a Non-Axisymmetric Strut Based Ejector

Tests were performed in a non-axisymmetric, single nozzle, strut-based ejector to investigate mass flow entrainment, choking mechanisms and stream mixing as a function of primary (strut nozzle) to secondary (duct inlet) flow stagnation pressure ratio. Experimental results show a mass flow choke in the mixing duct rather than a traditional aerodynamic choke in the strut gap. The stream mixing length was constant for lower primary flow pressures, whereas mixing length varied with pressure at higher values. A companion numerical study was performed using Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes solutions to investigate several turbulence models. Based on both 2-D and 3-D simulation results, compressibility correction to conventional incompressible twoequation models was required for capturing the supersonic ejector mixing phenomena. The Baldwin-Lomax and the SST two-equation models were capable of capturing the essential flow features. Even with compressibility correction, the k-Σ model could not reproduce wall-domin.
A logical framework for reasoning about logical specifications

We present a new logic, Linc, which is designed to be used as a framework for specifying and reasoning about operational semantics. Linc is an extension of first-order intuitionistic logic with a proof theoretic notion of definitions, induction and co-induction, and a new quantifier ∇. Definitions can be seen as expressing fixed point equations, and the least and greatest solutions for the fixed point equations give rise to the induction and co-induction proof principles. The quantifier ∇ focuses on the intensional reading of ∀ and is used to reason about over λ-terms which makes it possible to reason about encodings involving co-exist within the same logic, allowing for expressing proofs involving induction and co-induction on both first-order and higher-order encodings of operational semantics. We prove the cut-elimination and the consistency results for Linc, extending the reducibility technique due to Tait and Martin-Lof. We illustrate the applications of Linc in a number of areas, ranging from data structures, expressive power of the full logic is demonstrated in the encoding of π-calculus, where we show that the notion of names in the calculus can naturally be interpreted in the quantification theory of Linc.