Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecological genetics of floral evolution

Outline The diversity of floral forms in nature can be explained largely as adaptations to the diversity of biotic and abiotic selective agents with which different plant species interact. Ecological genetics is the study of the process of adaptation, and therefore is an ideal approach to understanding floral adaptations. Here I review work on selection and genetic variance and covariance of floral traits, as these are the principal determinants of adaptive evolution. Early work focused on simple floral polymorphisms, because they were amenable to study, but more recent work has used their simplicity to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying adaptation in unprecedented detail. Because most floral adaptations are not simple polymorphisms, I also review studies that have measured selection and the G matrix (additive genetic variances and covariances among traits) for quantitative floral traits. I present new results from my research group on highly correlated traits in wild radish flowers, showing how these traits can evolve independently despite the constraint caused by the genetic correlation. A study of the same traits across the Brassicaceae suggests that macroevolution may be guided by the G matrix, but that independent evolution of highly correlated traits can also occur during these longer periods. I close by reviewing some topics for future study that have been opened up by recent technical advances, and which have the potential to expand our understanding of the mechanisms of floral adaptation greatly.
A Study of Various Job & Resource Scheduling Algorithms in Grid Computing

In 1990’s, the term ‘Grid’ was coined to denote a proposed distributed computing infrastructure for advanced science and engineering. Grid is a system in which machines are distributed across various organizations. Grid computing is a form of distributed computing. It involves sharing of resources that are heterogeneous and geographically distributed to solve various complex problems and develop large scale applications. As to develop applications, resources are required and so job and resource scheduling becomes one of the key research area in the Grid computing. The goal of scheduling is to achieve highest possible system throughput and to match the application need with the available computing resources. In this paper, we will review the various job and resource scheduling algorithms that will benefit the researchers to carry out their further work in this area of research. Keywords— Grid computing, Job Scheduling, Resource Scheduling
Regionalization and lateral diffusion of membrane proteins in unfertilized and fertilized mouse eggs

The unfertilized mouse egg has a round and highly villated main body and a "nipple" that is unvillated and buds off on fertilization to form the second polar body. Fluorescent markers stain the body more intensely than the nipple, which has been assumed to result from surface amplification due to microvilli. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and microfluorescence photometry, we have measured the membrane protein diffusion and concentration on the main body and nipple region of unfertilized and on fertilized CD-1 mouse eggs. Two general membrane protein labels were used: rhodamine-labeled succinylated concanavalin A and trinitrobenzene sulfonate visualized with a rhodamine Fab fragment of a sheep anti-trinitrophenyl. We found that while the diffusion coefficient was the same on the nipple and main body, considerably higher recovery was observed on the nipple for both probes. The ratio of intensity of fluorescence on the nipple to main body was significantly lower for the concanavalin A stain than for the trinitrophenyl stain, indicating that true concentration gradients exist beyond those that result from surface amplification. The effect of fertilization was not general. No effect was observed for the concanavalin A stain for either diffusion coefficient or percent recovery. For the trinitrophenyl stain, percent recovery decreased approximately twofold while diffusion coefficient increased approximately threefold.
Adaptive Bayesian Estimation via Block Prior

A novel block prior is proposed for adaptive Bayesian estimation. The prior does not depend on the smoothness of the function and the sample size. It puts sufficient prior mass near the true signal and automatically concentrates on its effective dimension. A rate-optimal posterior contraction is obtained in a general framework, which includes density estimation, white noise model, Gaussian sequence model, Gaussian regression and spectral density estimation.
Investigations into the association between cervicomedullary neuroschisis and mirror movements in patients with Klippel-Feil syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our purpose was to investigate the association between cervicomedullary neuroschisis and mirror movements in patients with Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS). METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of 23 patients with KFS who were seen at our institution during a 10-year period. Sixteen of the 23 patients had undergone adequate axial view cross-sectional imaging of the upper cervical spine. The degree of neuroschisis was assessed for each patient, using an objective scoring system. Twelve patients were evaluated for the presence or absence of mirror movements. RESULTS A high percentage of female patients with KFS was noted (17 [74%] of 23 patients). Adequate cross-sectional images were available for 16 of the 23 patients, six (38%) of whom had some form of cervicomedullary neuroschisis. Five of the six patients had been clinically evaluated, and all were shown to have mirror movements. One patient with Chiari II malformation, which obscured evaluation for neuroschisis, also had mirror movements. Of the remaining nine patients without cervicomedullary neuroschisis, six were evaluated, and none of the six had mirror movements. A review of the theoretical neuroanatomic basis of mirror movements is presented herein, and neurosurgical management concerns for patients with KFS are discussed. CONCLUSION A strong association exists between cervicomedullary neuroschisis and mirror movements in cases of KFS. Screening of patients with mirror movements may help identify clinically unsuspected KFS and may also help stratify risk within this patient population, identifying patients who might benefit from early neurosurgical intervention.
Quantitative evaluation of synsedimentary fault opening and sealing properties using hydrocarbon connection probability assessment

Hydraulic behaviors of faults in sedimentary basins have been paid close attention in studies of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation because of their important functions in basin hydraulic circulations. In previous studies, however, the function of faults in hydrocarbon migration is characterized by the sealing capacity of faults. In fact, sealing is only an impressive and time-dependent aspect of the hydraulic behavior of faults, which may act as seals during some periods and as pathways some time later. Therefore, in hydrocarbon migration studies, sealing indices may successfully be used in some cases but not in others. In this article, we introduce an empirical method (termed the fault-connectivity probability method) for assessing the hydraulic connecting capacity of a fault for hydrocarbon migration over geological time scales. The method is based on the recognition that observable hydrocarbon in reservoirs should result from the opening and closing behavior of the fault during the entire process of hydrocarbon migration. In practice, the cumulative petroleum migration through a segment of the fault zone is identified by the presence (or not) of hydrocarbon-bearing layers on both sides of the segment. Data from the Chengbei step-fault zone (CSFZ) in the Qikou depression, Bohai Bay Basin, northeast China, were used to develop this method. Fluid pressure in mudstones, normal stress perpendicular to fault plane, and shale gouge ratio are identified as the key factors representing fault-seal capacity. They are combined to define a nondimensional fault opening index (FOI). The values of FOI are calculated from the measured values of the key factors, and the relationship between FOI and fault-connectivity probability on any fault segment is established through statistical analysis. Based on the data from the CSFZ, when the FOI is less than 0.75, the fault-connectivity probability is 0; when FOI ranges from 0.75 to 3.25, the corresponding fault-connectivity probability increases from 0 to 1 following a quadratic polynomial relationship; when FOI is greater than 3.25, the fault-connectivity probability is 1. The values of fault-connectivity probability can be contoured on a fault plane to characterize the variations of hydraulic connective capacity on the fault plane. The applicability of this concept for other oil fields (in particular, the quantitative relationship between FOI and fault-connectivity probability) has still to be ascertained.
Continuous Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol over Pt/SiO2 and Pt/H-MFI-90

Hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol in the presence of 1-octanol was studied in a fixed-bed reactor under mild conditions (50–250 °C) over platinum particles supported on silica (Pt/SiO2) and a zeolite with framework type MFI at a Si/Al-ratio of 45 (Pt/H-MFI-90). The deoxygenation selectivity strongly depended on the support and the temperature. Both guaiacol and octanol were rapidly deoxygenated in the presence of hydrogen over Pt/H-MFI-90 at 250 °C to cyclohexane and octane, respectively. In contrast, Pt/SiO2 mostly showed hydrogenation, but hardly any deoxygenation activity. The acidic sites of the MFI-90 support lead to improved deoxygenation performance at the mild temperature conditions of this study. Significant conversions under reaction conditions applied already occurred at temperatures of 200 °C. However, during long-term stability tests, the Pt/H-MFI-90 catalyst deactivated after more than 30 h, probably due to carbon deposition, whereas Pt/SiO2 was more stable. The catalytic activity of the zeolite catalyst could only partly be regained by calcination in air, as some of the acidic sites were lost.
Workings of a City: Location, Education, and Production

We examine the implications of local externalities in human capital investment for the size and composition of the productive labor force. The model links residential choice, skills acquisition, and production in a city composed of several communities. Peer effects induce self-segregation by occupation, whereas efficiency may require identical communities. Even when some asymmetry is optimal, equilibrium segregation can cause entire 'ghettos" to drop out of the labor force. Underemployment is more extensive. the easier it is for high-skill workers to isolate themselves from others. When perfect segregation is feasible, individual incentives to pursue it are self-defeating, and lead instead to a shutdown of the productive sector.
Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation of heat transfer in carbon nanotubes - verification and model validation

Currently there is a lot of ongoing research towards estimation the thermal conductivity of carbon nanotubes (CNT). In the current paper thermal conductivity of SWNT were studied by using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations (implemented in Materials Studio software, Accelerys Inc.). The NEMD technique is a direct approach which includes the computation of heat transport coefficients from flux-force relations, analogous to the macroscopic definition in irreversible thermodynamics. Simulations in nano- and atomic-scale can cause problems with model validation and with algorithm verification. The novel approach based on simulation of known material such as silicon were applied. The current paper focuses on the obtained results of model validation and verification of simulation algorithm.
Nonsyndromic X-linked intellectual deficiency in three brothers with a novel MED12 missense mutation [c.5922G>T (p.Glu1974His)]

X‐linked intellectual deficiency (XLID) is a large group of genetic disorders. MED12 gene causes syndromic and nonsyndromic forms of XLID. Only seven pathological mutations have been identified in this gene. Here, we report a novel mutation segregating with XLID phenotype. This mutation could be in favor of genotype–phenotype correlations.
Genetic Structure of Graphocephala atropunctata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Populations Across Its Natural Range in California Reveals Isolation by Distance

ABSTRACT The genetic structure of 23 populations of Graphocephala atropunctata (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae), a vector of the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al., was investigated using ribosomal 28S and mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I gene sequences. The 28S sequences were identical across all G. atropunctata specimens and populations, but 16 mitochondrial haplotypes were detected and significant interpopulation differences were found in the distribution of these haplotypes. Pairwise estimates of Fst correlated positively with geographical distance between populations, a phenomenon known as genetic isolation by distance. Thus, despite potential for widespread movement of G. atropunctata through nursery and agricultural industries, isolated populations of G. atropunctata have remained genetically distinct, suggesting that negligible numbers of G. atropunctata are actually transported or population interbreeding rarely occurs. The phylogenetic relationship between G. atropunctata and two additional congeners, Graphocephala cythura Baker and Graphocephala flavovittata Metcalf, which have overlapping distributions with G. atropunctata, also was investigated. Although 28S sequences of G. flavovittata were strikingly similar to those of G. atropunctata, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) suggests that both species are genetically distinct from G. atropunctata.
Helicobacter pylori Genotyping from American Indigenous Groups Shows Novel Amerindian vacA and cagA Alleles and Asian, African and European Admixture

It is valuable to extend genotyping studies of Helicobacter pylori to strains from indigenous communities across the world to better define adaption, evolution, and associated diseases. We aimed to genetically characterize both human individuals and their infecting H. pylori from indigenous communities of Mexico, and to compare them with those from other human groups. We studied individuals from three indigenous groups, Tarahumaras from the North, Huichols from the West and Nahuas from the center of Mexico. Volunteers were sampled at their community site, DNA was isolated from white blood cells and mtDNA, Y-chromosome, and STR alleles were studied. H. pylori was cultured from gastric juice, and DNA extracted for genotyping of virulence and housekeeping genes. We found Amerindian mtDNA haplogroups (A, B, C, and D), Y-chromosome DYS19T, and Amerindian STRs alleles frequent in the three groups, confirming Amerindian ancestry in these Mexican groups. Concerning H.pylori cagA phylogenetic analyses, although most isolates were of the Western type, a new Amerindian cluster neither Western nor Asian, was formed by some indigenous Mexican, Colombian, Peruvian and Venezuelan isolates. Similarly, vacA phylogenetic analyses showed the existence of a novel Amerindian type in isolates from Alaska, Mexico and Colombia. With hspA strains from Mexico and other American groups clustered within the three major groups, Asian, African or European. Genotyping of housekeeping genes confirmed that Mexican strains formed a novel Asian-related Amerindian group together with strains from remote Amazon Aborigines. This study shows that Mexican indigenous people with Amerindian markers are colonized with H. pylori showing admixture of Asian, European and African strains in genes known to interact with the gastric mucosa. We present evidence of novel Amerindian cagA and vacA alleles in indigenous groups of North and South America.
GABA-induced chemokinesis and NGF-induced chemotaxis of embryonic spinal cord neurons

During CNS development, neuroblasts proliferate within germinal zones of the neuroepithelium, and then migrate to their final positions. Although many neurons are thought to migrate along processes of radial glial fibers, increasing evidence suggests environmental factors also influence nerve cell movement. Extracellular matrix molecules are thought to be involved in guiding neuronal migration, and molecules such as NGF and GABA exert trophic effects on immature neurons. The nature of the signals that initiate and direct neuroblast migration, however, is unknown. In vitro, NGF and GABA promote neurite outgrowth from cultured cells, and NGF induces axonal chemotaxis (directed migration along a chemical gradient). At earlier developmental stages, these molecules could influence neuroblast movement. Therefore, we investigated whether these molecules induce embryonic neuronal migration. Using an in vitro microchemotaxis assay, we show that rat embryonic spinal cord neurons migrate toward picomolar NGF and femtomolar GABA beginning at embryonic day 13 (E13). Cells exhibit chemotactic responses to NGF while GABA stimulates chemokinesis (increased random movement). GABA effects are mimicked by muscimol and inhibited by bicuculline and picrotoxin, suggesting GABA motility signals are mediated by GABA receptor proteins. Expression of GABA receptors by embryonic cord cells has been previously reported (Mandler et al., 1990; Walton et al., 1993). We used polymerase chain reaction analysis to demonstrate the presence of NGF and trk mRNA in E13 and E14 cord cells, indicating the cells express message for both NGF and high- affinity NGF receptors. Immunohistochemistry of E13 spinal cord sections indicates that NGF and GABA colocalize in fibers close to the target destinations of migrating neurons, suggesting diffusible gradients of these molecules provide chemoattractant signals to migratory cells. Thus, in vitro, neuroblast migration is induced by specific signaling molecules that are present in the developing spinal cord, and may stimulate migration of embryonic neurons prior to synaptogenesis.
Transmission Characteristics of Ultra-Wide Band Impulse Signals

A simplified analytic solution for UWB impulse signal transmitting through a finitely conducting slab is proposed in this paper. To obtain the impulsive transmitting field, either for vertical or horizontal polarization, approximations to the refraction coefficients and propagation loss are made. Thereby, it permits simplified closed-form expressions in the time domain for both terms. The resulting transient response for the transmitting impulse field is then given by convolution of the time domain refraction coefficients and time domain propagation loss. The simulations of incident monocycle transmitting through slabs of different materials and thickness are presented by applying the simplified time domain analytic solution to illustrate the characteristics of transmission and give some results in simplification of transmission field analysis in indoor channel modeling.
A Visual-Perception Layer Applied to Reactive Navigation

Environment perception is a major research issue which is very important in the field of robotic system. In order to identify the horizon line and the drivable region, we have proposed a visual-perception system based on an automatic image discarding method as a simple solution to improve the system performance. In this paper, all these previous methods are organized in a visual-perception layer which also includes a method for estimating the risk-of-collision based on Pearson's Correlation Coefficient and an evolution of the Threshold and Horizon Finder (TH Finder). These methods were successfully evaluated from real data.
Bayesian Logic Networks ( Extended Version ∗ )

This report introduces Bayesian logic networks (BLNs), a statistical relational knowledge representation formalism that is geared towards practical applicability. A BLN is a meta-model for the construction of a probability distribution from local probability distribution fragments (as in a Bayesian network) and global logical constraints formulated in first-order logic. An instance is thus a mixed network with probabilistic and deterministic constraints. We provide the formal semantics of BLNs and explain their practical realization as implemented in the open-source software toolbox ProbCog, which supports learning and a wide range of inference algorithms.
Genome Sequence of a Novel Reassortant H3N2 Avian Influenza Virus from Domestic Mallard Ducks in Eastern China

ABSTRACT The H3 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) can provide genes for human influenza virus through gene reassortment, which raises great concerns in terms of its potentia threat to human health. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a novel H3N2 AIV isolated from domestic ducks in the Jiangsu province of eastern China in 2004, which is a natural recombinant virus whose genes are derived from H3N8, H5N1, H5N2, H11N2, H4N6, and H1N1 AIVs. This genome will help to understand the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of H3N2 influenza virus in eastern China.
CRF Based Region Classification Using Spatial Prototypes

This paper proposes a probabilistic model using conditional random field (CRF) for region labelling that encodes and exploits the spatial context of a region. Potential functions for a region depend on a combination of the labels of neighbouring regions as well as their relative location, and a set of typical neighbourhood configurations or prototypes. These are obtained by clustering neighbourhood configurations obtained from a set of annotated images. Inference is achieved by minimising the cost function defined over the CRF model using standard Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique. We validate our approach on a dataset of hand segmented and labelled images of buildings and show that the model outperforms similar such models that utilise either only contextual information or only non-contextual measures.
Modified classification of spinal cord vascular lesions.

The literature on spinal vascular malformations contains a great deal of confusing terminology. Some of the nomenclature is inconsistent with the lesions described. Based on the experience of the senior author (R.F.S.) in the treatment of more than 130 spinal cord vascular lesions and based on a thorough review of the relevant literature, the authors propose a modified classification system for spinal cord vascular lesions. Lesions are divided into three primary or broad categories: neoplasms, aneurysms, and arteriovenous lesions. Neoplastic vascular lesions include hemangioblastomas and cavernous malformations, both of which occur sporadically and familially. The second category consists of spinal aneurysms, which are rare. The third category, spinal cord arteriovenous lesions, is divided into arteriovenous fistulas and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Arteriovenous fistulas are subdivided into those that are extradural and those that are intradural, with intradural lesions categorized as either dorsal or ventral. Arteriovenous malformations are subdivided into extradural-intradural and intradural malformations. Intradural lesions are further divided into intramedullary, intramedullary-extramedullary, and conus medullaris, a new category of AVM. This modified classification system for vascular lesions of the spinal cord, based on pathophysiology, neuroimaging features, intraoperative observations, and neuroanatomy, offers several advantages. First, it includes all surgical vascular lesions that affect the spinal cord. Second, it guides treatment by classifying lesions based on location and pathophysiology. Finally, it eliminates the confusion produced by the multitude of unrelated nomenclatural terms found in the literature.