Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The early environment and its evolution on Mars: Implication for life

There is considerable evidence that the early climate of Mars was very different from the inhospitable conditions there today. This early climate was characterized by liquid water on the surface and a dense atmosphere composed predominantly of CO2. The duration of these warm initial conditions on the surface of Mars is uncertain, but theoretical models suggest that they could have persisted for hundreds of millions up to a billion years. From studies of the Earth's earliest biosphere we know that by 3.5 Gyr ago, life had originated on Earth and reached a fair degree of biological sophistication. Surface activity and erosion on Earth make it difficult to trace the history of life before the 3.5-Gyr time frame. If Mars did maintain a clement environment for longer than it took for life to originate on Earth, then the question of the origin of life on Mars follows naturally. The fossil evidence of early life on Earth provides clues as to what form fossils on Mars might take. Of particular interest are stromatolites, macroscopic layered structures that result from the anchoring of sediments by microorganisms living in the photic zone. Since over two thirds of the Martian surface is more than 3.5 Gyr old, the possibility exists that Mars may hold the best record of the events that led to the origin of life, even though there may be no life there today.
Transcriptome analysis reveals regulatory networks underlying differential susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea in response to nitrogen availability in Solanum lycopersicum

Nitrogen (N) is one of the main limiting nutrients for plant growth and crop yield. It is well documented that changes in nitrate availability, the main N source found in agricultural soils, influences a myriad of developmental programs and processes including the plant defense response. Indeed, many agronomical reports indicate that the plant N nutritional status influences their ability to respond effectively when challenged by different pathogens. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in N-modulation of plant susceptibility to pathogens are poorly characterized. In this work, we show that Solanum lycopersicum defense response to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea is affected by plant N availability, with higher susceptibility in nitrate-limiting conditions. Global gene expression responses of tomato against B. cinerea under contrasting nitrate conditions reveals that plant primary metabolism is affected by the fungal infection regardless of N regimes. This result suggests that differential susceptibility to pathogen attack under contrasting N conditions is not only explained by a metabolic alteration. We used a systems biology approach to identify the transcriptional regulatory network implicated in plant response to the fungus infection under contrasting nitrate conditions. Interestingly, hub genes in this network are known key transcription factors involved in ethylene and jasmonic acid signaling. This result positions these hormones as key integrators of nitrate and defense against B. cinerea in tomato plants. Our results provide insights into potential crosstalk mechanisms between necrotrophic defense response and N status in plants.
Testdroid: automated remote UI testing on Android

Open mobile platforms such as Android currently suffer from the existence of multiple versions, each with its own peculiarities. This makes the comprehensive testing of interactive applications challenging. In this paper we present Testdroid, an online platform for conducting scripted user interface tests on a variety of physical Android handsets. Testdroid allows developers and researchers to record test scripts, which along with their application are automatically executed on a variety of handsets in parallel. The platform reports the outcome of these tests, enabling developers and researchers to quickly identify platforms where their systems may crash or fail. At the same time the platform allows us to identify more broadly the various problems associated with each handset, as well as frequent programming mistakes.
Piezoelectric Parylene-C MEMS microphone

There has long been a strong interest in the use of thin-film piezoelectric materials for MEMS microphones and actuators. However, well-known thin-film piezoelectric materials all have different degrees of technological difficulties for MEMS integration. Here, we demonstrated the first piezoelectric Parylene-C (PA-C) based MEMS microphone with a diaphragm 6mm in diameter and 30μm in thickness. The dynamic range spans from less than 30 dB to above 110 dB SPL and the open-circuit sensitivity is 1-110 μV/Pa over an audio frequency 1-10 kHz. The total harmonic distortion of the device is less than 20% at 110 dB SPL and 1 kHz.
Effective simulations to support academics in inclusive online learning design

Accessibility simulations can give an understanding of the effect a disability may have on the way students access online materials. This paper briefly describes the evaluation of a prototype set of accessibility simulations. The purpose of the prototype was to establish the specification for a second, revised version, which would incorporate the simulation into a learning activity that could be used in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training for academics. The cognitive overload simulation - part of the second application - has been developed and is subsequently described in detail. In conclusion, this paper discusses planned evaluation of this and similar simulations as an awareness raising tool in workshops for academic staff in Higher Education.
FRAME-BASED FAIR QUEUEING: A NEW TRAFFIC SCHEDULING ALGORITHM FOR PACKET-SWITCHED NETWORKS

In this paper we introduce and analyze frame-based fair queueing, a novel traffic scheduling algorithm for packet-switched networks. The algorithm provides end-to-end delay bounds identical to those of PGPS (packet-level generalized processor sharing), without the complexity of simulating the fluid-model system in the background as required in PGPS. The algorithm is therefore ideally suited for implementation in packet switches supporting a large number of sessions. Implementations of the algorithm are described for both general packet switches supporting variable packet sizes, and ATM switches supporting fixed-size cells. In addition, we prove that the algorithm is fair in the sense that sessions are not penalized for excess bandwidth they received while other sessions were idle. Frame-based fair queueing belongs to a general class of scheduling algorithms, which we call Rate-Proportional Servers. This class of algorithms provides the same end-to-end delay and burstiness bounds as PGPS, but allows more flexibility in the design and implementation of the algorithm. We provide a systematic analysis of this class of schedulers and obtain bounds on their fairness.
Improved WWW Cache Updating For Rapidly Changing Objects

In e-commerce applications and financial market services, information contained in the objects delivered by the web and database servers to the clients can rapidly change with time. Therefore, the challenge is not only to locate a cache that contains the required object but also to select the location of the most current version of the object. While there are few approaches to locate the cached objects in the Internet, extension of these methods to rapidly changing objects is not straightforward. As such, the researchers are attempting to provide a solution using active networking concepts. In this paper, we present a new method to improve cache updating in the Internet. In our approach, we calculate the mean of the update interval of the objects and group the objects into object groups with associated time slots. Then we use the time slot values to locate the best possible version of the object. We believe that our method would reduce the response time in obtaining the best updates of the objects and also reduce network traffic and cost.
Omnivariate Decision Trees

Univariate decision trees at each decision node consider the value of only one feature leading to axis-aligned splits. In a linear multivariate decision tree, each decision node divides the input space into two with a hyperplane. In a nonlinear multivariate tree, a multilayer perceptron at each node divides the input space arbitrarily, at the expense of increased complexity and higher risk of overfitting. We propose omnivariate trees where the decision node may be univariate, linear, or nonlinear depending on the outcome of comparative statistical tests on accuracy thus matching automatically the complexity of the node with the subproblem defined by the data reaching that node. Such an architecture frees the designer from choosing the appropriate node type, doing model selection automatically at each node. Our simulation results indicate that such a decision tree induction method generalizes better than trees with the same types of nodes everywhere and induces small trees.
The role of haptics in immersive telecommunication environments

This paper explores the role of haptics in immersive telecommunication applications and analyzes the contribution of haptics to the sense of presence in a variety of applications. Based on the concept of embodied presence, a new construct, resonance between the human cognitive-body system and the streaming sensory information from the environment, is suggested to be a principal factor in "presence. " Resonance is defined as the level of mutual synergy between sensory information and action, relative to the physical environment. It occurs when the sensory flow supports action. Since the human haptic system is unique in that it both perceives sensations from the environment and acts on the environment, it has a central role in resonance and in presence. Haptics in the natural world supports efficient bodily action and, in a tacit way, supports development of higher reasoning skills. This requires resonance and embodied presence. The current visual-haptic gap between levels of technological development creates a bottleneck in developing fully tele-immersive applications.
Evaluation of Platelet Function Using the in vitro Bleeding Time and Corrected Count Increment of Transfused Platelets: Comparison between Platelet Concentrates Derived from Pooled Buffy Coates and Apheresis

The functional capacity of transfused platelets was evaluated with in vitro bleeding time (IVBT) and corrected count increment (CCI) in order to compare platelet concentrates (PCs) derived from pooled buffy coats (BC‐PCs) with PCs collected by apheresis (A‐PCs). The suspension medium in the BC‐PCs was 30% CPD plasma and 70% of an additive solution (containing sodium and potassium chloride, sodium citrate and phosphate, mannitol), and in the A‐PCs the medium was 100% CPD plasma. IVBT was evaluated using a Thrombostat 4000/2. BC‐PC and A‐PC were transfused 57 and 41 times, respectively to 36 patients with chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia. PCs transfused within 2 days of donation were considered fresh, and those transfused within 3–5 days were considered stored. IVBT was determined before, as well as 10–30 min and 24 h after transfusion; CCI was determined 10–30 min and 24 h after transfusion. The median pretransfusion IVBT value was 486 s. It was measurable in 21 of 98 (21%) of the transfusions, i.e. below the cutoff limit of 486 s. Ten to 30 min after transfusion, the IVBT showed a measurable reduction in 90% of the transfusions with fresh BC‐PCs, 92% of those with fresh A‐PCs, 63% of those with stored BC‐PCs and 79% of those with stored A‐PCs. After 24 h, the corresponding values were 63% for fresh BC‐PCs, 50% for fresh A‐PCs, 26% for stored BC‐PCs and 38% for stored A‐PCs. The median value of CCI 10–30 min after transfusion was 20 for fresh BC‐PCs, 17 for fresh A‐PCs, 16 for stored BC‐PCs and 14 for stored A‐PCs. The difference in IVBT between fresh and stored BC‐PCs was significant (p = 0. 032), unlike that between fresh and stored A‐PC. After 24 h the corresponding values were 7 for fresh BC‐PCs, 4 for fresh A‐PCs, 4 for stored BC‐PCs and 3 for stored A‐PCs. When all transfusions with fresh PCs (BC‐PCs+A‐PCs) were compared with all transfusions with stored PCs, a statistical difference was demonstrated in both CCI (p = 0.027) and IVBT (p = 0.043). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs) was ‐0.41 between CCI and IVBT486 s 10–30 min after transfusion, and 4.55 between the posttransfusion plateled count and IVBT, indicating a relatively poor correlation between CCI and IVBT, and a slightly better correlation between platelet count and IVBT. In conclusion, BC‐PCs showed a slightly higher CCI and a better response in IVBT than A‐PCs. No statistical difference was demonstrated between BC‐PCs and A‐PCs transfused within 2 days after donation, with respect to function and recovery in vivo. BC‐PCs stored for 3 days or more showed about the same CCI and IVBT as stored A‐PC but significantly lower CCI and higher IVBT than fresh BC‐PCs. This may indicate that the preparation and/or storage conditions were not optimal. IVBT seems to be a useful possibility to test the in vivo behavior of transfused platelets.
Long-term eclipse timing of white dwarf binaries: an observational hint of a magnetic mechanism at work

We present a long-term programme for timing the eclipses of white dwarfs in close binaries to measure apparent and/or real variations in their orbital periods. Our programme includes 67 close binaries, both detached and semi-detached and with M-dwarfs, K-dwarfs, brown dwarfs or white dwarfs secondaries. In total, we have observed more than 650 white dwarf eclipses. We use this sample to search for orbital period variations and aim to identify the underlying cause of these variations. We find that the probability of observing orbital period variations increases significantly with the observational baseline. In particular, all binaries with baselines exceeding 10 yr, with secondaries of spectral type K2 – M5.5, show variations in the eclipse arrival times that in most cases amount to several minutes. In addition, among those with baselines shorter than 10 yr, binaries with late spectral type (>M6), brown dwarf or white dwarf secondaries appear to show no orbital period variations. This is in agreement with the so-called Applegate mechanism, which proposes that magnetic cycles in the secondary stars can drive variability in the binary orbits. We also present new eclipse times of NN Ser, which are still compatible with the previously published circumbinary planetary system model, although only with the addition of a quadratic term to the ephemeris. Finally, we conclude that we are limited by the relatively short observational baseline for many of the binaries in the eclipse timing programme, and therefore cannot yet draw robust conclusions about the cause of orbital period variations in evolved, white dwarf binaries.
Multistep Prediction of Physiological Tremor Based on Machine Learning for Robotics Assisted Microsurgery

For effective tremor compensation in robotics assisted hand-held device, accurate filtering of tremulous motion is necessary. The time-varying unknown phase delay that arises due to both software (filtering) and hardware (sensors) in these robotics instruments adversely affects the device performance. In this paper, moving window-based least squares support vector machines approach is formulated for multistep prediction of tremor to overcome the time-varying delay. This approach relies on the kernel-learning technique and does not require the knowledge of prediction horizon compared to the existing methods that require the delay to be known as a priori. The proposed method is evaluated through simulations and experiments with the tremor data recorded from surgeons and novice subjects. Comparison with the state-of-the-art techniques highlights the suitability and better performance of the proposed method.
Power-law scaling for the adiabatic algorithm for search-engine ranking

An important method for search engine result ranking works by finding the principal eigenvector of the "Google matrix. " Recently, a quantum algorithm for preparing this eigenvector and evidence of an exponential speedup for some scale-free networks were presented. Here, we show that the run-time depends on features of the graphs other than the degree distribution, and can be altered sufficiently to rule out a general exponential speedup. For a sample of graphs with degree distributions that more closely resemble the Web than in previous work, the proposed algorithm for eigenvector preparation does not appear to run exponentially faster than the classical case.
The Role of Thoracic Medial Branch Blocks in Managing Chronic Mid and Upper Back Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Control Trial with a 2-Year Followup

Study Design. A randomized, double-blind, active-control trial. Objective. To determine the clinical effectiveness of therapeutic thoracic facet joint nerve blocks with or without steroids in managing chronic mid back and upper back pain. Summary of Background Data. The prevalence of thoracic facet joint pain has been established as 34% to 42%. Multiple therapeutic techniques utilized in managing chronic thoracic pain of facet joint origin include medial branch blocks, radiofrequency neurotomy, and intraarticular injections. Methods. This randomized double-blind active controlled trial was performed in 100 patients with 50 patients in each group who received medial branch blocks with local anesthetic alone or local anesthetic and steroids. Outcome measures included the numeric rating scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), opioid intake, and work status, at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results. Significant improvement with significant pain relief and functional status improvement of 50% or more were observed in 80% of the patients in Group I and 84% of the patients in Group II at 2-year followup. Conclusions. Therapeutic medial branch blocks of thoracic facets with or without steroids may provide a management option for chronic function-limiting thoracic pain of facet joint origin.
Ecological awareness and education of the society in the light of sustainability idea – selected aspects

Abstract The 20th century has left in its inheritance not only magnificent technological inventions, but also deteriorated environment of human life. Changes caused by human activity deteriorate the condition of our environment at the intimidating pace. “Mountains” of rubbish become a frequent sight, we begin to lack clear water and air, animal species become extinct, forests are thoughtlessly cut down. Human health and life gets more and more endangered. Contemporary civilization, due to the unusual pace of transformations undergoing within it, acts negatively and destructively on natural environment. Ecological crisis deepens. No one today will claim that ecological education is pointless. What the Earth will look like in the future, depends exclusively on us and the ideas we will pass on to our children. Therefore, undoubtedly developing ecological awareness and the active attitude of care towards nature can and should be done in the earliest years of a child’s life. Small, seemingly insignificant experiences that involve children, attitudes they encounter, messages they accumulate, everything that the child meets and experiences, shapes their relationship to nature. Under the guidance of parents, teachers and other older people, as well as under the influence of peers, child’s interests, knowledge and attitudes should take into account the needs of time and the conditions in which he or she lives and which will be their future Streszczenie Wiek XX pozostawił w spuściźnie nie tylko wspaniałe wynalazki techniki, ale również zniszczone środowisko życia człowieka. Zmiany powodowane działalnością człowieka, w zastraszającym tempie pogarszają stan naszego środowiska. Częstym widokiem stają się „góry” śmieci, zaczyna brakować czystych wód, powietrza, wymierają gatunki zwierząt, wycina się bezmyślnie lasy. Coraz bardziej zagrożone jest zdrowie i życie ludzkie. Współczesna cywilizacja, ze względu na niezwykłe tempo przemian w niej zachodzących, działa ujemnie i niszcząco na naturalne środowisko. Kryzys ekologiczny się pogłębia. Nikt dzisiaj nie stwierdzi, że edukacja ekologiczna jest niecelowa. To jak będzie wyglądała nasza Ziemia w przyszłości, zależy wyłącznie od nas i od tego, jakie idee przekażemy naszym dzieciom. Dlatego też niewątpliwie kształtowanie świadomości ekologicznej i czynnej postawy opiekuńczej wobec przyrody może i powinno odbywać się już w najwcześniejszych latach dziecka. Drobne, zdawałoby się nic nieznaczące doświadczenia, jakie są udziałem dzieci, postawy, z jakimi się spotykają, wiadomości, jakie gromadzą, wszystko to, z czym spotyka się dziecko i co przeżywa, kształtuje jego stosunek do przyrody. Pod kierunkiem rodziców, nauczycieli i innych starszych osób, a także pod wpływem rówieśników, jego zainteresowania, wiadomości i postawy powinny uwzględniać potrzeby czasu i warunki, w których żyje i które będą jego przyszłością.
Controller design of a grid-tie inverter bypassing DQ transformation

This paper proposes a novel approach for the controller design of a three-phase grid-tie inverter. First, the paper analyzes the input-output map of the system consisting of the cascade connection of a diagonal transfer function pre- and post-multiplied by DQ (direct-quadrature) and inverse DQ transformations which are prevalently used as a controller for systems with a rotating axis. It shows that the input-output map is time invariant when the angular velocity of DQ transformation is constant and derives the transfer function. It extends the result when the angular velocity is not constant, and derives an LPV state-space representation of the input-output map. Second, the paper analyzes the input-output map in terms of the positive and negative phase sequence components. Finally, the paper applies the analysis to the controller design for a grid-tie inverter bypassing DQ transformation. The efficacy of the proposed method is verified by a simulation and an experiment.
Notes on the Skull of Youngina Capensis Broom

A new skull of Youngina capensis, in which the palate, brain case, and quadrate region are preserved in excellent condition, is figured and described in detail. Several previously unknown features of the skull strengthen the conclusion that this form is on or near the line of ancestry of the Squamata and Rhynchocephalia.