Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transpiration Response and Growth in Pearl Millet Parental Lines and Hybrids Bred for Contrasting Rainfall Environments

Under conditions of high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and soil drying, restricting transpiration is an important avenue to gain efficiency in water use. The question we raise in this article is whether breeding for agro-ecological environments that differ for the rainfall have selected for traits that control plant water use. These are measured in pearl millet materials bred for zones varying in rainfall (8 combinations of parent and F1-hybrids, 18 F1-hybrids and then 40 F1-hybrids). In all cases, we found an agro-ecological variation in the slope of the transpiration response to increasing VPD, and parental line variation in the transpiration response to soil drying within hybrids/parent combinations. The hybrids adapted to lower rainfall had higher transpiration response curves than those from the highest rainfall zones, but showed no variation in how transpiration responded to soil drying. The genotypes bred for lower rainfall zones showed lower leaf area, dry matter, thicker leaves, root development, and exudation, than the ones bred for high rainfall zone when grown in the low VPD environment of the greenhouse, but there was no difference in their root length neither on the root/shoot index in these genotypes. By contrast, when grown under high VPD conditions outdoors, the lower rainfall hybrids had the highest leaf, tiller, and biomass development. Finally, under soil drying the genotypes from the lower rainfall accumulated less biomass than the ones from higher rainfall zone, and so did the parental lines compared to the hybrids. These differences in the transpiration response and growth clearly showed that breeding for different agro-ecological zones also bred for different genotype strategies in relation to traits related to plant water use. Highlights: • Variation in transpiration response reflected breeding for agro-ecological zones • Different growth strategies depended on the environmental conditions • Different ideotypes reflected rainfall levels in specific agro-ecological zones
A Mass Conserved Reaction–Diffusion System Captures Properties of Cell Polarity

Cell polarity is a general cellular process that can be seen in various cell types such as migrating neutrophils and Dictyostelium cells. The Rho small GTP(guanosine 5′-tri phosphate)ases have been shown to regulate cell polarity; however, its mechanism of emergence has yet to be clarified. We first developed a reaction–diffusion model of the Rho GTPases, which exhibits switch-like reversible response to a gradient of extracellular signals, exclusive accumulation of Cdc42 and Rac, or RhoA at the maximal or minimal intensity of the signal, respectively, and tracking of changes of a signal gradient by the polarized peak. The previous cell polarity models proposed by Subramanian and Narang show similar behaviors to our Rho GTPase model, despite the difference in molecular networks. This led us to compare these models, and we found that these models commonly share instability and a mass conservation of components. Based on these common properties, we developed conceptual models of a mass conserved reaction–diffusion system with diffusion–driven instability. These conceptual models retained similar behaviors of cell polarity in the Rho GTPase model. Using these models, we numerically and analytically found that multiple polarized peaks are unstable, resulting in a single stable peak (uniqueness of axis), and that sensitivity toward changes of a signal gradient is specifically restricted at the polarized peak (localized sensitivity). Although molecular networks may differ from one cell type to another, the behaviors of cell polarity in migrating cells seem similar, suggesting that there should be a fundamental principle. Thus, we propose that a mass conserved reaction–diffusion system with diffusion-driven instability is one of such principles of cell polarity.
Electroactive polymers as soft robotic actuators: Electromechanical modeling and identification

Biologically inspired robotic applications have recently received significant attention due to developments in novel materials and actuators with an operation principle similar to the natural muscles'. Electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators, also known as artificial muscles, possess extraordinary properties such as low efficiency consumption, compliance, bio-compatibility and ability to be miniaturized. Although several methodologies have been proposed for modeling and identification of their quasi-static bending behavior, a negligibly small attention has been given to their dynamic behavior. In this paper, we, therefore, report on their electromechanical modeling and parameter identification. We model the tri-layer EAP actuators as a soft robotic actuator consisting of a significant number of rigid links connected with compliant revolute joints. The experimental and numerical results presented suggest that the soft robotics approach is an effective way to model the EAP actuator and subsequently identify its dynamic parameters accurately. We have previously employed the same soft robotic approach to estimate the whole shape of the EAP actuator as a function of time.
Transposable Elements: Targets for Early Nutritional Effects on Epigenetic Gene Regulation

ABSTRACT Early nutrition affects adult metabolism in humans and other mammals, potentially via persistent alterations in DNA methylation. With viable yellow agouti (Avy ) mice, which harbor a transposable element in the agouti gene, we tested the hypothesis that the metastable methylation status of specific transposable element insertion sites renders them epigenetically labile to early methyl donor nutrition. Our results show that dietary methyl supplementation of a/a dams with extra folic acid, vitamin B12, choline, and betaine alter the phenotype of their Avy/a offspring via increased CpG methylation at the Avy locus and that the epigenetic metastability which confers this lability is due to the Avy transposable element. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation, long presumed to be purely beneficial, may have unintended deleterious influences on the establishment of epigenetic gene regulation in humans.
Ultracompact TM-Pass Silicon Nanophotonic Waveguide Polarizer and Design

An ultracompact transverse magnetic (TM)-pass polarizer based on silicon nanophotonic waveguides is proposed, which contains two tapered waveguides sandwiching a narrow waveguide section only supporting TM-mode propagation. A full-vectorial eigenmode solver is employed to determine the appropriate cross section of the silicon nanophotonic waveguide. The device is first designed in a 2-D approximate model using a wide-angle beam propagation method, and numerical verification is carried out afterward using a parallel full-vectorial 3-D finite-difference time-domain simulation. Both approaches indicate that the finite thickness of the buried SiO2 layerand the reflection at the substrate play important roles on the extinction ratio of the device. A designed numerical example shows an extinction ratio of ~26 dB for the waveguide polarizer with a length of ~10 ¿m, while the insertion loss for the TM mode is negligible.
Dialogue Strategy Learning in Healthcare: A Systematic Approach for Learning Dialogue Models from Data

We aim to build dialogue agents that optimize the dialogue strategy, specifically through learning the dialogue model components from dialogue data. In this paper, we describe our current research on automatically learning dialogue strategies in the healthcare domain. We go through our systematic approach of learning dialogue model components from data, specifically user intents and the user model, as well as the agent reward function. We demonstrate our experiments on healthcare data from which we learned the dialogue model components. We conclude by describing our current research for automatically learning dialogue features that can be used in representing dialogue states and learning the reward function.
Stigma by association: Perceptions of the dating partners of college students with physical disabilities.

In an investigation of stigma by association, 179 nondisabled students gave free-response and adjective checklist responses in one of four experimental conditions: stimulus person as dating partner of a disabled male, of a disabled female, of a nondisabled male, or of a nondisabled female college student. Adjective checklist results indicated that, as compared with the partners of nondisabled individuals, the partners of disabled individuals were perceived as significantly more trustworthy and nurturant. Content analysis of the free-response item showed that the partners of disabled individuals were more likely to be described as having nurturant qualities than the partners of nondisabled individuals and were less likely to be described as intelligent, sociable, or athletic. Discussion focuses on the significance of these results for understanding disability stigma by association and on the implications of these findings for interaction between individuals with and without disabilities.
Spotlight on blisibimod and its potential in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: evidence to date

B cells in general and BAFF (B cell activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor [TNF] family) in particular have been primary targets of recent clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In 2011, belimumab, a monoclonal antibody against BAFF, became the first biologic agent approved for the treatment of SLE. Follow-up studies have shown excellent long-term safety and tolerability of belimumab. In this review, we critically analyze blisibimod, a novel BAFF-neutralizing agent. In contrast to belimumab that only blocks soluble BAFF trimer but not soluble 60-mer or membrane BAFF, blisibimod blocks with high affinity all three forms of BAFF. Furthermore, blisibimod has a unique structure built on four high-affinity BAFF-binding peptides fused to the IgG1-Fc carrier. It was tested in phase I and II trials in SLE where it showed safety and tolerability. While it failed to reach the primary endpoint in a recent phase II trial, post hoc analysis demonstrated its efficacy in SLE patients with higher disease activity. Based on these results, blisibimod is currently undergoing phase III trials targeting this responder subpopulation of SLE patients. The advantage of blisibimod, compared to its competitors, lies in its higher avidity for BAFF, but a possible drawback may come from its immunogenic potential and the anticipated loss of efficacy over time.
Routine multidisciplinary cerebrovascular meetings do not reduce aneurysm clipping case load: a cohort study

Structured multidisciplinary care is an increasingly popular tool in the management of many complex disease processes; however, there is little published data regarding the effects of such a process on management of intracranial aneurysms and neurosurgical case loads. There is some resistance in the neurosurgical community to routine involvement of interventional neuroradiologists in the care of patients with intracranial aneurysms due to concerns regarding maintenance of neurosurgical case loads and training capabilities. At our tertiary Australian hospital, we have implemented a weekly multidisciplinary cerebrovascular meeting (MDCVM) facilitating routine discussion of these cases between neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists.
Cytological features of malignant metastatic ameloblastoma: A case report and differential diagnosis

In this report, the cytological features and differential diagnosis of the metastasis from and subsequent local recurrence of an unusual case of malignant (metastatic) ameloblastoma are described, with histological confirmation. Characteristic cytological findings included fibrovascular central cores surrounded by palisading crowded basaloid or columnar cells or both and rosette‐like structures of tumor cells with central fibrillary material. Keratin debris in the background and cystic cavities were prominent components of the metastatic ameloblastoma. The basaloid cells showed scant‐to‐absent cytoplasm, round‐to‐oval to tear‐shaped nuclei, rare longitudinal nuclear grooves, single or multiple nucleoli, and smooth‐to‐clefted nuclear contours. No features to predict malignant behavior were identified (abundant mitotic activity, necrosis, nuclear pleomorphism). The cytological features of ameloblastoma appear to be characteristic enough to allow definitive diagnosis. However, since the cytology of this tumor is underreported in the literature, the unwary observer could easily misdiagnose it, especially at metastatic sites. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998; 18:125–131. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hmm State Clustering Based on Efficient Cross-Validation

Decision tree state clustering is explored using a cross validation likelihood criterion. Cross-validation likelihood is more reliable than conventional likelihood and can be efficiently computed using sufficient statistics. It results in a better tying structure and provides a termination criterion that does not rely on empirical thresholds. Large vocabulary recognition experiments on conversational telephone speech show that, for large numbers of tied states, the cross-validation method gives more robust results
A site-specific DNA inversion in Bacteroides plasmid pBF4 is influenced by the presence of the conjugal tetracycline resistance element

pBF4 is a 42-kb R plasmid from Bacteroides fragilis which transfers clindamycin resistance (Clr) independently of the chromosomal tetracycline resistance (Tcr) transfer element. We have found that this plasmid exists in two nonequimolar conformations, A and B. These forms differ by an inversion of approximately 11.5 kb which does not involve the repeated DNA sequences previously mapped on the plasmid. The presence of chromosomal tetracycline resistance conjugal elements influences the relative amounts of the two conformations: induction with tetracycline shifts the dominant form from B to A.
The predictive validity of the learning disabilities index (LDI): A six-year longitudinal study

The present investigation examined the long-term predictive validity of Lawson and Inglis's (1984) Learning Disabilities Index (LDI) as it relates to achievement outcomes for a heterogeneous population of school-identified learning-disabled children. Results indicated that successive LDI scores at ages 7, 10, and 13 were capable of differentiating among children who had been identified as belonging to good, moderate, and poor outcome groups on the basis of FSIQ and WRAT scores obtained at age 13. A significant age by outcome group interaction emerged, in which the good outcome group displayed consistent but low LDI scores, the moderate group displayed an increase in LDI scores between the ages of 10 and 13, and the poor outcome group displayed a significant increase in LDI scores between ages 7 and 10. Rules for predicting increased risk for poor outcome status were evaluated, with results suggesting that the LDI may best serve as a “rule in” sign for increased risk of poor outcome.
Responses to Lonely Hearts Advertisements

This study employed lonely hearts advertisements to investigate the effects of reported physical appearance on interpersonal attraction. The personal advertisements in a local Columbus magazine were coded in terms of the individuals gender, height, weight, hair color, eye color, and evaluative self-description of his or her own appearance. The magazine recorded the number of responses each ad received, and this constituted the dependent measure. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that more responses were received by women and by individuals providing nonnegative, evaluative self-descriptions than by their counterparts. Also, tall male advertisers and light female advertisers received more responses than their shorter and heavier counterparts. Finally, advertisers with red or salt and pepper hair received more responses than blonde and brunette advertisers. Discussion focused on the relations between these findings and those of past research and on the utility of lonely hearts advertisements in psychological research.
Energy Control Strategy of HEB Based on the Instantaneous Optimization Algorithm

In order to solve the problems of high gas consumption and low battery power in hybrid electric buses, the logic threshold control strategy is optimized by the key technology research of driving conditions, control strategy, and so on. First, driving condition data of hybrid electric buses are collected and analyzed, and three typical working conditions are selected. Second, the torque distribution control strategy is investigated based on the instantaneous optimization algorithm. The objective function of the instantaneous equivalent fuel consumption is derived. The process of solving the objective function is attributed to linear programming problem of the nonlinear objective function. The SIMULINK model of instantaneous torque distribution strategy is established based on equivalent fuel consumption. On this basis, the SIMULINK model of the function which can be integrated into the vehicle control model is established. Then, considering the actual driving conditions of the bus, the vehicle control strategy model is established in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment, and the vehicle model established by the cruise software. Finally, the vehicle model is simulated under three representative working conditions. The main contribution of this paper is the optimized torque distribution control strategy to control hybrid electric bus’s energy distribution and reduce emissions. The strategy can be obtained by combining the logic threshold torque distribution control strategy, along with the optimal engine torque and motor torque, which can be obtained by solving the objective function of instantaneous equivalent fuel consumption. Results show that compared with the logic threshold value torque distribution control strategy, the energy control strategy of the instantaneous optimization algorithm can further reduce gas consumption and maintain the state of charge value balance of the power battery.
10–40 Gb/s I/O design for data communications

The importance of I/O data rates beyond 10Gb/s is growing rapidly. Supporting these data rates introduces new challenges beyond those faced at lower data rates. The objective of this forum is to present both electrical and optical I/O approaches to meeting these challenges at the architecture and circuit levels. This forum commences with two talks offering an overview of circuits and systems issues in CMOS technology. They are followed by two presentations focusing on the challenges of 20Gb/s+ over electrical backplanes and very lossy electrical channels. The next talk compares conventional analog equalization versus digital (data converter based) approaches from a system perspective. The final two talks focus on optical solutions, highlighting the relative strengths and weaknesses of electrical and optical approaches. The forum concludes with a panel discussion providing the opportunity for participants to give feedback and ask questions. The forum is aimed at circuit designers and engineers working on high-speed wireline transceivers.
Edge Position Detection of On-line Charged Vehicles With Segmental Wireless Power Supply

Online charged electrical vehicles (EVs) with segmental wireless power supply obtain energy from power tracks without a physical cable contact while traveling. When a vehicle moves from one segmental track to another, the power supply coils should switch accordingly to provide energy continually at various positions. As the secondary coil fixed in the vehicle moves along the primary coil mounted in the segmental track, the mutual inductance of these two coils changes accordingly, which results in the varying of the phase angle that the current lags the voltage in the resonant circuit at the primary side. The paper presents a method to decide the power switching time through detecting the changing of the phase angle. A higher phase angle varying range (PAVR) is preferred to achieve a better position judgment. Quality factors at the primary and secondary sides, as well as the mutual inductance between two sides for the higher PAVR, are analyzed. The phase angle change can be detected in the circuit at the primary side when an EV leaves the energized coil region. Besides that, a detecting signal is introduced to find the approaching of EVs for those de-energized coils. The system robustness and magnetic saturation are also analyzed. A scaled-down laboratory prototype is set up to test the proposed method. Within parameter drifts of ±4% of the rating inductance or capacitance, the prototype works perfectly under the rated operation frequency and switching threshold angle. Experiments show that the position detection method can detect not only the approaching but the leaving of vehicles as well.
Solving Hard Computational Problems Efficiently: Asymptotic Parametric Complexity 3-Coloring Algorithm

Many practical problems in almost all scientific and technological disciplines have been classified as computationally hard (NP-hard or even NP-complete). In life sciences, combinatorial optimization problems frequently arise in molecular biology, e.g., genome sequencing; global alignment of multiple genomes; identifying siblings or discovery of dysregulated pathways. In almost all of these problems, there is the need for proving a hypothesis about certain property of an object that can be present if and only if it adopts some particular admissible structure (an NP-certificate) or be absent (no admissible structure), however, none of the standard approaches can discard the hypothesis when no solution can be found, since none can provide a proof that there is no admissible structure. This article presents an algorithm that introduces a novel type of solution method to “efficiently” solve the graph 3-coloring problem; an NP-complete problem. The proposed method provides certificates (proofs) in both cases: present or absent, so it is possible to accept or reject the hypothesis on the basis of a rigorous proof. It provides exact solutions and is polynomial-time (i.e., efficient) however parametric. The only requirement is sufficient computational power, which is controlled by the parameter . Nevertheless, here it is proved that the probability of requiring a value of to obtain a solution for a random graph decreases exponentially: , making tractable almost all problem instances. Thorough experimental analyses were performed. The algorithm was tested on random graphs, planar graphs and 4-regular planar graphs. The obtained experimental results are in accordance with the theoretical expected results.
Palm Vein Identification and Verification System Based on Spatial Energy Distribution of Wavelet Sub-Bands

A novel personal verification and identification system using the near-infrared (NIR) images of palm veins patterns is presented in this paper. Anew approach to extract features is proposed depend on the Spatial Energy Distribution of Wavelet Sub-bands. The proposed algorithm focuses on the coefficients' values of the wavelet detail sub- bands (which, mainly reflects the edges' directions distribution in the studies region of interest). The average of the energy distribution of each sub-band is utilized to establish the feature vector. Each wavelet detail sub-band is divided into overlapped blocks, then, the coefficients' average energy is calculated for each block be used as an element in the established feature vector. The system was tested over a database collected from 250 volunteers, where 24 images are taken for the 2 palms of each person. In total, the whole database contains 6,000 images belong to 500 different palms. The attained recognition rate was excellent (100%) and the achieved minimum equal error rate (EER) is 0.068%with the high matching speed.