Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The B2 flowering time locus of beet encodes a zinc finger transcription factor

Significance Flowering must be strictly avoided in crop plants whose vegetative parts (such as leaves or roots) are harvested. A new flowering time regulator has been cloned from a root crop (sugar beet) which acts epistatically to a recently identified bolting gene. Mutations in each of the two genes resulted in a loss of competence to flower without vernalization. This offers a perspective to breed “never bolting” hybrids by combining two mutations in each of both genes. Those cultivars would have a higher yield potential because they could be grown over winter or early in spring. Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) is a biennial root crop that grows vegetatively in the first year and starts shoot elongation (bolting) and flowering after exposure to cold temperatures over winter. Early bolting before winter is controlled by the dominant allele of the B locus. Recently, the BOLTING TIME CONTROL 1 (BTC1) gene has been cloned from this locus. BTC1 promotes early bolting through repression of the downstream bolting repressor B. vulgaris FLOWERING LOCUS T1 (BvFT1) and activation of the downstream floral activator BvFT2. We have identified a new bolting locus B2 acting epistatically to B. B2 houses a transcription factor which is diurnally regulated and acts like BTC1 upstream of BvFT1 and BvFT2. It was termed BvBBX19 according to its closest homolog from Arabidopsis thaliana. The encoded protein has two conserved domains with homology to zinc finger B-boxes. Ethyl methanesulfonate-induced mutations within the second B-box caused up-regulation of BvFT1 and complete down-regulation of BvFT2. In Arabidopsis, the expression of FT is promoted by the B-box containing protein CONSTANS (CO). We performed a phylogenetic analysis with B-box genes from beet and A. thaliana but only BvCOL1 clustered with CO. However, BvCOL1 had been excluded as a CO ortholog by previous studies. Therefore, a new model for flowering induction in beet is proposed in which BTC1 and BvBBX19 complement each other and thus acquire a CO function to regulate their downstream targets BvFT1 and BvFT2.
Severity of obstructive airways disease by age 2 years predicts asthma at 10 years of age

Background: Predicting school-age asthma from obstructive airways disease (OAD) in early life is difficult, even when parental and children’s atopic manifestations are taken into consideration. Objective: To assess if the severity of OAD in the first 2 years of life predicts asthma at 10 years of age. Methods: From a nested case control study within the Environment and Childhood Asthma study, 233 2-year-old subjects with recurrent (⩾2 episodes) bronchial obstruction (rBO+) and 216 subjects without bronchial obstruction (rBO−) underwent clinical examination, parental interview, treadmill test and metacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) measurement at 10 years. A severity score at 2 years was calculated by frequency, persistence of bronchial obstruction and hospital admissions because of OAD. Main outcomes: Current asthma at 10 years (asthma with symptoms and/or asthma medication during the past year and/or positive treadmill test). Secondary outcome was metacholine BHR at 10 years. Results: Compared with rBO− subjects, adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of current asthma among rBO+ was 7.9 (4.1, 15.3), and among rBO+ with a severity score of >5, 20.2 (9.9, 41.3). In receiver operated characteristic analysis, positive and negative predictive values demonstrated the applicability and value of the score, with an optimal cut-off at severity score 5. Children with severity score >5 had severe BHR more often (PD20 metacholine <1 μmol) than children with a lower or 0 score (p = 0.0041). Conclusion: Using a simple scoring system, a high severity score of OAD by 2 years of age is a strong risk factor for, and may predict, current asthma at 10 years of age.
A Single-Inductor Multiple-Output Auto-Buck–Boost DC–DC Converter With Tail-Current Control

A single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) auto-buck-boost dc-dc converter with proposed tail-current control to achieve fast and robust reference tracking of inductor current is proposed in this paper. Moreover, the proposed backward-Vx1 control algorithm and frequency-control loop enable the proposed SIMO dc-dc converter to operate at a fixed switching frequency and achieve high power-conversion efficiency in both the buckdominated and boost-dominated cases. The proposed SIMO auto-buck-boost dc-dc converter has four output channels and is implemented in a standard 0.35-μm CMOS process. Measurement results show that the proposed dc-dc converter achieves a peak efficiency of more than 91% at a total output power of about 0.5 W and load transient response time of less than 80 μs.
A compact wideband sierpinski antenna loaded with metamaterial

In this paper, an effort has been made to use the metamaterial structure in union with the Sierpinski fractal pedal antenna, which resonates at six different frequencies covering C, X, K and Ka bands. It is designed and simulated using Ansoft HFSS which is proposed for SHF (Super High Frequency) applications. Metamaterial used in design increases gain and efficiency of antenna systems, as 90 percent of the input signal is reflected back to the antenna design and Sierpinski fractal antenna provides multiband and high frequency. Antenna is etched on an FR4 epoxy substrate whose dielectric constant is 4.4. It radiates at 10 GHz, 21.7GHz, 24.5GHz, 25.8GHz and 29.6 GHz covering wide range of applications. The overall size of an antenna is 35 × 52 × 1.57 mm3.
Transition From Chronic Compensated to Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Pathophysiological Insights Obtained From Continuous Monitoring of Intracardiac Pressures

Background— Approximately half of all patients with chronic heart failure (HF) have a decreased ejection fraction (EF) (systolic HF [SHF]); the other half have HF with a normal EF (diastolic HF [DHF]). However, the underlying pathophysiological differences between DHF and SHF patients are incompletely defined. The purpose of this study was to use echocardiographic and implantable hemodynamic monitor data to examine the pathophysiology of chronic compensated and acute decompensated HF in SHF versus DHF patients. Methods and Results— Patients were divided into 2 subgroups: 204 had EF <50% (SHF) and 70 had EF ≥50% (DHF). DHF patients had EF of 58±8%, end-diastolic dimension of 50±10 mm, estimated resting pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (ePAD) of 16±9 mm Hg, and diastolic distensibility index (ratio of ePAD to end-diastolic volume) of 0.11±0.06 mm Hg/mL. In contrast, SHF patients had EF of 24±10%, end-diastolic dimension of 68±11 mm, ePAD of 18±7 mm Hg, and diastolic distensibility index of 0.06±0.04 mm Hg/mL (P<0.05 versus DHF for all variables except ePAD). In SHF and DHF patients who developed acute decompensated HF, these events were associated with a significant increase in ePAD, from 17±7 to 22±7 mm Hg (P<0.05) in DHF and from 21±9 to 24±8 mm Hg (P<0.05) in SHF. As a group, patients who did not have acute decompensated HF events had no significant changes in ePAD. Conclusions— Significant structural and functional differences were found between patients with SHF and those with DHF; however, elevated diastolic pressures play a pivotal role in the underlying pathophysiology of chronic compensated and acute decompensated HF in both SHF and DHF.
Insider view of rationing down under

EDITOR —Bridgewater gave an outsider's view of the assessment and treatment of patients requiring coronary artery bypass grafting in New Zealand,1 particularly since the introduction of a priority scoring system.2 Several points need clarification. Firstly, his example of a 50 year old man with class II angina and triple vessel disease who scores 34 points is typical of many who would receive bypass surgery in other developed countries.3 Bridgewater commented that acceptance for surgery at our hospital in these circumstances …
Investigating one-handed multi-digit pressure input for mobile devices

This paper presents initial results from the design and evaluation of one-handed squeezing of a mobile phone: the application of force by each individual digit, and combinations of digits, of one hand as a means of interacting with a mobile device. As part of the evaluation we also consider how to alter the size of the interaction space to best suit the number of digits being used. By identifying which digits can accurately apply force both individually and in combination with others, we can then design one-handed, multi-channel input for mobile interaction. The results suggest that not all digits are equally accurate, and that some are more accurate when used in combination with others. Further, increasing the size of the underlying interaction space to suit the number of digits used improves user performance.
Dwell Time Effect in Peeling PSA Laminates

Air, trapped interfacially between the adhesive and the substrate, can have a detrimental effect on the peel strength of bonds formed by a PSA and relatively impermeable adherends. If the adhesive wets the substrate surface so that the contact angle is small then the forces of the surface tension within the adhesive can lead to the gradual expulsion of these pockets of air and thereby to the enhancement of the peel strength–the dwell-time effect. Using a high-performance PSA transfer tape it has been found that this strengthening effect may operate over many thousands of hours. With increasing hydrophobicity of the surfaces, this effect can be suppressed and a poor peel strength remains essentially constant with time. The observed rates at which the peel strength increases are quantitatively consistent with diffusion of entrapped air out of the interface.
CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY AND OPHTHALMIC APPLICATIONS

The goal of this paper is to present an overview of drug delivery from polymeric therapeutic lens to the anterior segment of the eye. Mathematical models that describe in vitro and in vivo drug delivery, from different types of lens, are presented. Healthy and pathological situations are addressed. Numerical simulations are included and compared with experimental results.
Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein and C-reactive protein levels as indicators of insulin resistance development.

BACKGROUND Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (aFABP) has recently been identified as a potential circulating marker for metabolic syndrome. C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of inflammation, is increased in individuals with diabetes and metabolic syndrome due to the development of subclinical inflammation. The study uses logistic regression models to analyze the relations between aFABP and CRP along with other parameters of insulin resistance. The objective was to investigate the potential use of aFABP and CRP levels as tools in the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS The following groups were studied: healthy individuals (A, n=122), obese individuals (B, n=213) and patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (C, n=79). Obese persons in Group B had parameters suggestive of early insulin resistance: hypertension, hyperglycaemia, QUICKI (0.305) and higher aFABP levels as compared with the healthy subjects. Group C individuals were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, as evidenced by the QUICKI markers for insulin resistance (0.293), high aFABP levels (35.3 mg/l). CRP concentrations were lowest in Group A healthy individuals (0.67 mg/l), higher in Group B obese subjects (2.65 mg/l) and highest in Group C patients with metabolic syndrome (3.62 mg/l). Logistic regression models showed an association of aFABP and CRP with BMI (OR 1.12 and 1.39, compared Group A vs C). An association of aFABP and CRP with the QUICKI index showed OR 1.48 and 1.37 (Group A vs C); with triglyceride levels showed OR 1.68 and 1.52 (Group A vs C). An association of aFABP and CRP with glycaemia showed OR 1.48 and 1.51 (Group A vs C), with insulinaemia showed OR 1.44 and 1.38 (Group A vs C) respectively. CONCLUSIONS AFABP levels were higher in obese individuals and highest in those with metabolic syndrome. CRP concentrations were increased in obese persons whereas individuals with metabolic syndrome were found to have high-risk CRP levels. Logistic regression models showed an association of aFABP and CRP with BMI as well as an association of aFABP and CRP with parameters of insulin resistance, namely the QUICKI index, triglyceride levels, glycaemia and insulinaemia. Both methods are of diagnostic benefit for predicting metabolic syndrome, especially in previously untreated patients.
A Comprehensive Performance Comparison of CUDA and OpenCL

This paper presents a comprehensive performance comparison between CUDA and OpenCL. We have selected 16 benchmarks ranging from synthetic applications to real-world ones. We make an extensive analysis of the performance gaps taking into account programming models, ptimization strategies, architectural details, and underlying compilers. Our results show that, for most applications, CUDA performs at most 30\% better than OpenCL. We also show that this difference is due to unfair comparisons: in fact, OpenCL can achieve similar performance to CUDA under a fair comparison. Therefore, we define a fair comparison of the two types of applications, providing guidelines for more potential analyses. We also investigate OpenCL's portability by running the benchmarks on other prevailing platforms with minor modifications. Overall, we conclude that OpenCL's portability does not fundamentally affect its performance, and OpenCL can be a good alternative to CUDA.
ENGINEERING PLASMONIC COLORS IN METAL NANOSTRUCTURES

Plasmonic nanostructures hold immense potential for structure-based color engineering at the subwavelength length scale. In this paper, we will review representative works that demonstrate promising strategies to exploit the rich mechanisms of surface plasmons for color engineering across the visible spectrum. By varying the structural design and material composition of plasmonic nanostructures through chemical synthesis or lithography, these approaches can achieve highly controllable and tunable colors for a wide variety of applications. We will also critically discuss the applications of these state-of-the-art technologies in color filtering, color printing and color-based chemical and biological sensing.
Reconfigurable, fast AFC technique using code estimation and binary search algorithm for 0.2–6GHz software-defined radio frequency synthesis

This paper proposes a reconfigurable automatic frequency calibration (AFC) module for software-defined radio (SDR) application which is designed for 200MHz∼6GHz communication standards. A 6-bit capacitor array controls VCO output frequency from 3.05–6.12GHz. A fast locking technique featuring code estimation and binary search algorithm is proposed and verified by transistor-level simulation in 0. 13µm CMOS. Multi-configurable thresholds are also adopted for GSM/EDGE, LTE, DVB-H, WiMAX and WLAN standards. The code estimation and binary search algorithm can be customized for dual band/dual path VCO to meet the settling time requirements. Reconfigurable counters in the AFC module can further reduce control bit searching time. The proposed AFC implemented with customized logic achieves the settling time less than 80µs with 13MHz reference frequency.
The reversible transformation between Cu2(In, Sn) and Cu(In, Sn)2 compounds during solid-state aging

In this study, phase transformations at the interfaces between two nearly mutually insoluble elementary substances, In-48Sn solder and Cu, were investigated during serial solid-state aging process. The reversible phase transformation between Cu2(In, Sn) and Cu(In, Sn)2 compounds were observed, which are extremely rare to occur in one and the same system. The corresponding interfacial reactions were discussed according to physicochemical approach in detail. It was concluded that the diffusion ability of Cu and In, Sn atoms dominated different transformations at different temperatures. When the diffusion ability of In/Sn atoms is stronger than that of Cu, Cu2(In, Sn) transforms into Cu(In, Sn)2, while when the diffusion ability of Cu atoms is stronger than that of In/Sn, Cu(In, Sn)2 transforms into Cu2(In, Sn). The diffusion coefficients of Cu and In atoms at different temperatures on Cu substrate can be estimated by the growth kinetics of the compound layers.
Author ' s personal copy Production constraints on learning novel onset phonotactics

Three experiments addressed the hypothesis that production factors constrain phonotactic learning in adult English speakers, and that this constraint gives rise to a markedness effect on learning. In Experiment 1, an acoustic measure was used to assess consonant–consonant coarticulation in naturally produced nonwords, which were then used as stimuli in a phonotactic learning experiment. Results indicated that sonority-rising sequences were more coarticulated than -plateauing sequences, and that listeners learned novel-rising onsets more readily than novel-plateauing onsets. Experiments 2 and 3 addressed the specific questions of whether (1) the acoustic correlates of coarticulation or (2) the coarticulatory patterns of self-productions constrained learning. In Experiment 2, stimuli acoustics were altered to control for coarticulatory differences between sequence type, but a clear markedness effect was still observed. In Experiment 3, listeners’ self-productions were gathered and used to predict their treatment of novel-rising and -plateauing sequences. Results were that listeners’ coarticulatory patterns predicted their treatment of novel sequences. Overall, the findings suggest that the powerful effects of statistical learning are moderated by the perception–production loop in language. 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Determination of Cell Adhesion Sites of Neuropilin-1

Neuropilin-1 is a type 1 membrane protein with three distinct functions. First, it can mediate cell adhesion via a heterophilic molecular interaction. Second, in neuronal cells, neuropilin-1 binds the class 3 semaphorins, which are neuronal chemorepellents, and plays a role in the directional guidance of axons. Neuropilin-1 is expected to form complexes with the plexinA subfamily members and mediate the semaphorin-elicited inhibitory signals into neurons. Third, in endothelial cells, neuropilin-1 binds a potent endothelial cell mitogen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)165, and regulates vessel formation. Though the binding sites in neuropilin-1 for the class 3 semaphorins and VEGF165 have been analyzed, the sites involved in cell adhesion activity of the molecule have not been identified. In this study, we produced a variety of mutant neuropilin-1s and tested their cell adhesion activity. We showed that the b1 and b2 domains within the extracellular segment of neuropilin-1 were required for the cell adhesion activity, and peptides with an 18–amino acid stretch in the b1 and b2 domains were sufficient to induce the cell adhesion activity. In addition, we demonstrated that the cell adhesion ligands for neuropilin-1 were proteins and distributed in embryonic mesenchymal cells but distinct from the class 3 semaphorins, VEGF, or plexins.
Calculating distortion levels in sampled-data circuits using SPICE

This paper presents an analysis technique that can be used to compute the harmonic and intermodulation distortion levels of a sampled-data circuit directly from a SPICE transient analysis. It is useful for analyzing the nonlinear behavior of switched-capacitor and switched-current circuits at the transistor level. The approach is valid for all input signal levels, makes no assumption of the underlying nonlinearity, and its accuracy is limited only by the numerical accuracy of SPICE.
Novel framework for data collection in wireless sensor networks using flying sensors

This paper proposes a novel framework for data collection from a sensor network using flying sensor nodes. Efficient data communication within the network is a necessity as sensor nodes are usually energy constrained. The proposed framework utilizes the various entities forming the network for a different utility compared to their usual role in sensor networks. Use of flying sensor nodes is usually considered for conventional purpose of sensing and monitoring. Flying sensing nodes are usually utilized collectively in the form of an aerial sensor network, they are not expected to function as a data collection entity, as proposed in this framework. Similarly, cluster heads (CHs) are usually expected to transfer the aggregated data to an adjoining CH or to the base station (BS) directly. In the proposed framework the CH transfers data directly to the flying sensor node, averting the need for energy intensive multi-hop inter-cluster communication to relay information to the BS. The flying sensor node is referred as sensor fly. The limitations of a conventional sensor network deployed on ground surface, in respect to the near ground path loss, and communication hindrance due to undulating terrain are avoided in this framework. The proposed framework is therefore highly suitable for sensor network deployment in inhabitable harsh terrain. Fuzzy logic based inference of the clusters (referred as cluster-hops) that could be covered by the sensor fly, governed by the input parameters has been presented.
Concrete composites in the construction field

Many new concrete composites are now being used in the construction field. In this report, the lessons learned from the development of cement and concrete composites reinforced with short fibers and continuous fibers, fiber reinforced plastic reinforcements, and concrete polymer complexes used as construction materials, are discussed along with future perspectives of concrete composites.
Design and development of an on-line vending system for selling prepaid electricity via the Internet

The vending of prepaid electricity is finding widespread use in South Africa. STS (Standard Transfer Specification) specifies the way that tokens are used in the vending of prepaid electricity. This paper describes the development and implementation of an on-line vending system based on the Internet, aimed at enhancing the current off-line CVS (Common Vending System) specification that is used to generate the tokens. The proposed enhancements allow existing and readily available TCP/IP network infrastructure to be used as a transport mechanism for the sale of tokens. The physical security of the system is also improved, since it is no longer necessary to provide vendors with security modules at the point of sale. The proposed on-line system is compatible with the large number of installed EDs (Electricity Dispensers). This paper further describes the PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) required to implement the system, as well as the set of interactive exchanges required for the communication over the Internet.