Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomic Scans across Three Eucalypts Suggest that Adaptation to Aridity is a Genome-Wide Phenomenon

Widespread species spanning strong environmental (e.g., climatic) gradients frequently display morphological and physiological adaptations to local conditions. Some adaptations are common to different species that occupy similar environments. However, the genomic architecture underlying such convergent traits may not be the same between species. Using genomic data from previous studies of three widespread eucalypt species that grow along rainfall gradients in southern Australia, our probabilistic approach provides evidence that adaptation to aridity is a genome-wide phenomenon, likely to involve multiple and diverse genes, gene families and regulatory regions that affect a multitude of complex genetic and biochemical processes.
Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children with Down Syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To evaluate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a large cohort of children with Down syndrome (DS), and to investigate which patient- related factors correlate with disease severity. METHODS We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study in children with DS referred for full overnight polysomnography in a tertiary care center. RESULTS Polysomnographic data are available for 122 children (70 boys), age 5.0 y (2.8-10.5), and body mass index (BMI) z-score 0.7 (-0.3 to 1.7). The overall prevalence of OSA was 66.4%. In almost half of these children severe OSA was diagnosed (obstructive AHI [oAHI] ≥ 10/h). In children with parental reports of snoring or witnessed apneas (group A), OSA was significantly more common (75.7%) than in those without these symptoms (group B) 53.8% (P = 0.019). Children in group A had more severe OSA, oAHI 5.7/h (1.7-13.8) compared to those in group B 2.2/h (0.8-8.0) (P = 0.018). A significant inverse correlation between age and oAHI (P = 0.028) was found. Sex and BMI z-score were not significantly correlated to oAHI. CONCLUSIONS Based upon full night polysomnography, an overall 66.4% prevalence of OSA was found in children with Down syndrome. Even in those with a negative history for OSA, the prevalence was 53.8%. Younger age was associated with more severe disease.
Lagrangian Strain Tensor Computation with Higher Order Variational Models

The reliable estimation of the Lagrangian stress tensor from an image sequence is a challenging problem in mechanical engineering. Since this tensor involves first order motion derivatives, it appears tempting to estimate the optical flow field with a highly accurate variational model and compute its derivatives afterwards. In this paper we explain why this idea is inappropriate due to lower order smoothness assumptions and the ill-posedness of differentiation. As a remedy, we propose a variational framework that performs higher order regularisation of the optical flow field and directly computes the Lagrangian stress tensor from the image measurements. Due to its recursive structure, this framework is very generic. It can incorporate smoothness assumptions of arbitrary high order and allows to compute derivatives of any desired order in a stable way. With a biaxial tensile experiment with an elastomer we demonstrate that our novel approach gives substantially better results for the Lagrangian stress tensor than computing derivatives of the optical flow field. Moreover, it also outperforms a frequently used commercial software that marks the state-of-the-art for Lagrangian stress tensor computation.
Augmenting Lexicons Automatically: Clustering Semantically Related Adjectives

Our work focuses on identifying various types of lexical data in large corpora through statistical analysis. In this paper, we present a method for grouping adjectives according to their meaning, as a step towards the automatic identification of adjectival scales. We describe how our system exploits two sources of linguistic knowledge in a corpus to compute a measure of similarity between two adjectives, using statistical techniques and a clustering algorithm for grouping. We evaluate the significance of the results produced by our system for a sample set of adjectives.
Synthesis of Ordered Mesoporous CuO/CeO2 Composite Frameworks as Anode Catalysts for Water Oxidation

Cerium-rich metal oxide materials have recently emerged as promising candidates for the photocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this article, we report the synthesis of ordered mesoporous CuO/CeO2 composite frameworks with different contents of copper(II) oxide and demonstrate their activity for photocatalytic O2 production via UV-Vis light-driven oxidation of water. Mesoporous CuO/CeO2 materials have been successfully prepared by a nanocasting route, using mesoporous silica as a rigid template. X-ray diffraction, electron transmission microscopy and N2 porosimetry characterization of the as-prepared products reveal a mesoporous structure composed of parallel arranged nanorods, with a large surface area and a narrow pore size distribution. The molecular structure and optical properties of the composite materials were investigated with Raman and UV-Vis/NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Catalytic results indicated that incorporation of CuO clusters in the CeO2 lattice improved the photochemical properties. As a result, the CuO/CeO2 composite catalyst containing ~38 wt % CuO reaches a high O2 evolution rate of ~19.6 µmol·h−1 (or 392 µmol·h−1·g−1) with an apparent quantum efficiency of 17.6% at λ = 365 ± 10 nm. This OER activity compares favorably with that obtained from the non-porous CuO/CeO2 counterpart (~1.3 µmol·h−1) and pure mesoporous CeO2 (~1 µmol·h−1).
Container Services for High Confidence Software

For high-confidence systems, substantial effort is expended to ensure that the system will behave in an expected manner. This paper presents the position that a commercial off the shelf Enterprise JavaBeansTM (EJBTM) container can be extended to constrain the behavior of high confidence software. These extensions are based on techniques that are not new; developers of high confidence software use these techniques already. We discuss how adding services to the container allows verification and validation of high confidence properties to be performed at the container level where they will require less revalidation when business logic changes. We present two examples of container augmentations, one based on communication mediators and one based on application monitors. These examples illustrate how method-level preconditions and postconditions, and application-level invariants can be asserted by an EJB container.
Agent-based decentralized traffic signal timing

In this paper we discuss a multi-agent cooperative approach for decentralized, coordinated traffic systems. Intersection controllers are equipped with agents, i.e., autonomous software systems which are capable of communicating and cooperating with one another to achieve an individual or global goal. Our approach is based on real-world traffic parameters and constraints, and is meant to be implemented in existing traffic systems with minimal changes. Experimental results show that the agent-based approach outperforms the traditional pre-timed and actuated modes when traffic is heavy.
COPPER, CHROMIUM AND ARSENIC IN SOIL AND PLANTS NEAR COATED AND UNCOATED CCA WOOD

For many years, Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) was widely applied as a wood preservative, and though its use for most residential uses has been phased out, concerns about CCA leaching into soil from existing structures remain. In this study, we determined the effects of coating CCA wood on reducing such leaching. Ten boxes were constructed, six of which were coated with opaque film forming (FF) or penetrating finishes (PF), filled with soil, and weathered for two years. The soil was periodically sampled up to two years, and then romaine lettuce, arugula, basil and chives were grown under greenhouse conditions in these boxes. After two years, average amounts of arsenic (As) in the soil 2 cm from the CCA wood was 29 mg/kg, dry weight, 27 from wood coated with PF finishes and six in those coated with FF finishes. Soil As in all samples 6 cm from the wood were near the background value of 3.4. The average amount of As in arugula grown 2 cm from the edge of the CCA wood was 60 mg/kg, dry weight, 61 in wood coated with PF finishes and 24 in those coated with FF finishes. Similarly, in chives the amounts were 75 in CCA, 75 in PF, 12 in FF, in lettuce they were 5 in CCA, 5 in PF, in 1.4 FF and in basil they were 6 CCA, 10 PF, 3 FF. The amounts of As in plants grown in the control boxes were all <1. Compared to uncoated CCA wood, there was no reduction in As in plants grown along the edge of CCA wood coated with penetrating finishes, while the reduction in plant As ranged from 50-84% in plants grown next to the opaque finished wood. The reduction in arsenic in samples grown 6 cm from the wood compared to 2 cm from the wood ranged from 55-84%. The amounts of arsenic in the arugula and chives exceed the British limit for plant As of 1 mg/kg (fresh weight). As a result, gardeners should avoid growing certain vegetables in soils near CCA wood.
Stochastic Configuration Networks: Fundamentals and Algorithms

This paper contributes to the development of randomized methods for neural networks. The proposed learner model is generated incrementally by stochastic configuration (SC) algorithms, termed SC networks (SCNs). In contrast to the existing randomized learning algorithms for single layer feed-forward networks, we randomly assign the input weights and biases of the hidden nodes in the light of a supervisory mechanism, and the output weights are analytically evaluated in either a constructive or selective manner. As fundamentals of SCN-based data modeling techniques, we establish some theoretical results on the universal approximation property. Three versions of SC algorithms are presented for data regression and classification problems in this paper. Simulation results concerning both data regression and classification indicate some remarkable merits of our proposed SCNs in terms of less human intervention on the network size setting, the scope adaptation of random parameters, fast learning, and sound generalization.
Prevalence of Soy Allergies and Use of Genetically Modified Soy

There is a growing trend of both genetically modified food consumption within the U.S. population and increasing food allergies among children in the U.S. This paper discusses whether a correlation exists between the number of children in the U.S. who have developed soy allergies and the increased use of genetically modified soy over time. Genetic modification and food allergies may be linked to each other, as certain proteins introduced to genetically modified food may lead to allergic or toxic reaction in some people. During the past 20 years, the use of genetically modified food has increased significantly. It can be assumed that children are experiencing more food allergies because their immune systems are still immature. They are being exposed to foods that may cause allergies, such as soy, at an earlier age because it is in staple foods, such as baby food, breads, baking mixes, crackers, breakfast cereals, canned broths, low fat peanut butter, and more. Soy allergies are many times outgrown in children, as determined through periodic skin prick tests. However, studying a possible correlation between soy allergies and increased use of genetically modified soy is important clinically, so that children can be accurately diagnosed and symptoms can be relieved as early as possible. Further research needs to be done to analyze whether the cross of genes from proteins introduced to genetically modified food creates a significant increase in soy allergies within children. Corresponding author: Teramoto, M. Department of Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA. Tel: +1267-359-5718; Fax: +1-267-359-5722; E-mail: Masaru.Teramoto@drexel.edu Received Date: March 02, 2015 Accepted Date: March 31, 2015 Published Date: April 04, 2015 Citation: Teramoto, M. et al. Prevalence of Soy Allergies and Use of Genetically Modified Soy. (2015) J Food Nutr Sci 2(2): 1-3. Int J Food Nutr Sci | Volume 2: Issue 2 www.ommegaonline. com
A highly manufacturable low power and high speed HfSiO CMOS FET with dual poly-Si gate electrodes

For 90 nm node poly-Si gated MISFETs with HfSiO (1.8 nm) insulator, a nearly symmetrical set of Vths for NFET and PFET: (0.38 V and -0.46 V, respectively) have been realized for low power device operation. The key technology is the suppression of Vth instability in PFETs arising from oxidation of the poly-Si/HfSiO interface, combined with channel engineering for the PFET. Our poly-Si/HfSiO gate-stacked CMOSFETs realize low I/sub off/ (N/PFET: 4.8/3.6 pA//spl mu/m) and high I/sub on/ (N/PFET: 469/140 /spl mu/A//spl mu/m) at V/sub DD/=1.2 V. Further, for SRAM cell using this CMOS, normal operation has been achieved.
Updating the Vibrio clades defined by multilocus sequence phylogeny: proposal of eight new clades, and the description of Vibrio tritonius sp. nov.

To date 142 species have been described in the Vibrionaceae family of bacteria, classified into seven genera; Aliivibrio, Echinimonas, Enterovibrio, Grimontia, Photobacterium, Salinivibrio and Vibrio. As vibrios are widespread in marine environments and show versatile metabolisms and ecologies, these bacteria are recognized as one of the most diverse and important marine heterotrophic bacterial groups for elucidating the correlation between genome evolution and ecological adaptation. However, on the basis of 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, we could not find any robust monophyletic lineages in any of the known genera. We needed further attempts to reconstruct their evolutionary history based on multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and/or genome wide taxonomy of all the recognized species groups. In our previous report in 2007, we conducted the first broad multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) to infer the evolutionary history of vibrios using nine housekeeping genes (the 16S rRNA gene, gapA, gyrB, ftsZ, mreB, pyrH, recA, rpoA, and topA), and we proposed 14 distinct clades in 58 species of Vibrionaceae. Due to the difficulty of designing universal primers that can amplify the genes for MLSA in every Vibrionaceae species, some clades had yet to be defined. In this study, we present a better picture of an updated molecular phylogeny for 86 described vibrio species and 10 genome sequenced Vibrionaceae strains, using 8 housekeeping gene sequences. This new study places special emphasis on (1) eight newly identified clades (Damselae, Mediterranei, Pectenicida, Phosphoreum, Profundum, Porteresiae, Rosenbergii, and Rumoiensis); (2) clades amended since the 2007 proposal with recently described new species; (3) orphan clades of genomospecies F6 and F10; (4) phylogenetic positions defined in 3 genome-sequenced strains (N418, EX25, and EJY3); and (5) description of V. tritonius sp. nov., which is a member of the “Porteresiae” clade.
Electrical and dielectric properties of foam injection-molded polypropylene/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites

A combination of high dielectric permittivity (e′) and low dielectric loss (tan δ) is required for charge storage applications. In percolative systems such as conductive polymer composites, however, obtaining high e′ and low tan δ is very challenging due to the sharp insulation-conduction transition near the threshold region. Due to the particular arrangement of conductive fillers induced by both foaming and injection molding processes, they may address this issue. Therefore, this work evaluates the application of foam injection molding process in fabricating polymer nanocomposites for energy storage. Polypropylene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PP-MWCNT) composites were prepared by melt mixing and foamed in an injection molding process. Electrical conductivity (σ), e′ and tan δ were then characterized. Also, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) was used to investigate the carbon nanotube’s arrangement as well as cellular morphology. The results showed that foam injection-molded comp.
Novel Conception of a Tunable RF MEMS Resonator

This paper presents a new monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) based on coplanar waveguide (CPW) design for a tunable resonator based on RF MEMS. This RF structure, which can be used for system on chip (SOC), is constituted with MEMS Bridge placed between two meander inductors and the tenability is controlled by a variable applied DC voltage. Moreover, this device presents a compactness characteristic and the possibility to operate at high frequencies. The resonant frequency and the bandwidth can be changed easily by changing the bridge gap of the RF MEMS. The numerical simulations of this novel structure of a tunable RF MEMS resonator were performed with the electromagnetic solvers CST MWS (Computer simulation Technology Microwave Studio) and validated by the more accurate electromagnetic solver HFSS (High Frequency Structural Simulator). The simulation results, for three different spacing of the bridge gap, show that the tunable frequency band are between 10 and 40 GHz with the two electromagnetic solvers and exhibiting three resonant frequencies (21, 23.1 and 24.6 GHz). The simulation results of the return loss using CST achieves 29 dB with an insertion loss less than 1 dB; However, the HFSS simulation shows similar performance in the resonant frequencies and in the bandwidth giving better results in terms of the return loss (about 35dB instead of 29 dB) and showing a good adaptation.
Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Intake Levels During Pregnancy and Infant Performance on a Novel Object Search Task at 22 Months

This study investigated maternal prenatal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake and infant cognitive development at 22 months. Estimates for second- and third-trimester maternal DHA intake levels were obtained using a comprehensive Food Frequency Questionnaire. Infants (n = 67) were assessed at 22 months on a novel object search task. Mothers' DHA intake levels were divided into high or low groups, with analyses revealing a significant positive effect of third-trimester DHA on object search task performance. The third trimester appears to be a critical time for ensuring adequate maternal DHA levels to facilitate optimum cognitive development in late infancy.
Heterogeneity in localization of isoforms of TGF-beta in human retina, vitreous, and choroid.

PURPOSE The purpose of this work was to investigate further the immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 to photoreceptors, which we had previously observed, to elucidate the cell types of origin for TGF-beta 1, and to determine sites of localization for TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 in the posterior segment of the human eye. METHOD Streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry was used to localize TGF-beta antibodies in sections from cryopreserved human posterior segments from six adult donors. Two recently described polyclonal antibodies to TGF-beta 1 (anti-CC[1-30] and anti-LC[1-30]) and antibodies against TGF-beta 2 and beta 3 were employed in this study. Other studies suggest that anti-LC(1-30) antibody recognizes pre-pro-TGF-beta 1 and therefore sites of production, while anti-CC(1-30) recognizes secreted forms of TGF-beta 1. RESULTS Regional labeling of choriocapillaris was observed in all eyes using anti-LC(1-30) (anti-pre-pro-beta 1). Anti-CC(1-30) (anti-secr-beta 1) was localized predominantly in photoreceptor inner and outer segments in all eyes. Outer segment localization appeared identical to anti-opsin localization, indicating that this form of TGF-beta 1 is most likely intracellular. TGF-beta 2 was observed predominantly in the connective tissue of long ciliary arteries in choroid and in photoreceptor outer segments in all eyes. TGF-beta 3 was observed in isolated individual cells in choroid and retina. Vitreous hyalocytes were the only cell type examined that were immunoreactive for all four forms of TGF-beta studied. CONCLUSION The heterogeneity in localization of TGF-beta s in the human posterior eye suggests that TGF-beta s are produced, used, and degraded locally. TGF-beta 1 produced by the choriocapillaris may be stored or used by photoreceptors.
Methodology, birth order, intelligence, and personality.

Conclusions about the effects of birth order on intelligence, personality, and other psychological and behavioral domains depend on the research designs used to study those effects. There are two key research designs, between-family designs and within-family designs. Rodgers, Cleveland, van den Oord, and Rowe (June 2000) used both designs to assess the relationship of birth order to intelligence. The results of the within-family design revealed that birth order is unrelated to intelligence. The results of the between-family design, in contrast, revealed a negative relationship between birth order and intelligence. Rodgers et al. concluded that the belief that birth order affects intelligence is a product of research using between-family designs and the presumption that large families produce low-IQ children. According to Rodgers et al., within-family tests of the relationship between birth order and any behavioral outcome decrease variation from variables extraneous to the family and, therefore, are preferable to between-family tests of these relationships. Rodgers et al. claimed that their "primary methodological point applies equally to any psychological or behavioral domain" (p. 600). According to Rodgers et al. (2000), appropriate tests of the relationships between birth order and personality require a within-family design. In contrast to the null results of within-family tests of the relationship between birth order and intelligence, within-family tests document significant relationships between birth order and personality (Paulhus, Trapnell, & Chen, 1999). Using a within-family design, Paulhus et al. (1999) found that firstborns are reported to be higher achievers and more conscientious, whereas laterborns are reported to be more rebellious, agreeable, and liberal. These findings are not obtained when the same relationships are assessed using a between-family design (Freese, Powell, & Steelman, 1999; Michalski & Shackelford, 2000). These different patterns of relationships between birth order and (a) intelligence and (b) personality require explanation. There are several differences in the logic predicting birth order relationships with intelligence and personality. For example, Sulloway's (1996) claims regarding personality were constructed around the influence that an older, dominant sibling can exert over a younger, submissive sibling. Predictions regarding birth order differences in intelligence do not necessarily reflect this sibling competitiveness. Instead, these predictions rest largely on parental willingness and ability to invest in a child, which tends to decrease as the number of siblings increases (Blake, 1987). To the best of our knowledge, no research has systematically addressed how sibling interactions affect intelligence.
EM-based sparse channel estimation in OFDM systems

In this paper, we address the problem of estimating sparse communication channels in OFDM systems. We consider the case where carrier frequency offset is present. The problem of estimation is then approached by maximizing a regularized (modified) likelihood function. This regularized likelihood function includes a new term accounting for the a priori probability density function for the parameters, represented by a Gaussian mean-variance mixture. The maximization of the regularized likelihood function is carried out by using the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm. We show that the E-step in the proposed algorithm has a closed-form solution, and in the M-step, the cost function is concentrated in one variable (carrier frequency offset).