Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
- CTP-3613 hep-th / 0503149 Dimer models and toric diagrams

Abstract: We propose a duality between quiver gauge theories and the combinatorics of dimer models. The connection is via toric diagrams together with multiplicities associated to points in the diagram (which count multiplicities of fields in the linear sigma model construction of the toric space). These multiplicities may be computed from both sides and are found to agree in all known examples. The dimer models provide new insights into the quiver gauge theories: for example they provide a closed formula for the multiplicities of arbitrary orbifolds of a toric space, and allow a new algorithmic method for exploring the phase structure of the quiver gauge theory.
Lateral Hypothalamic Orexin/Hypocretin Neurons That Project to Ventral Tegmental Area Are Differentially Activated with Morphine Preference

Orexin (or hypocretin) is synthesized exclusively in dorsomedial, perifornical, and lateral hypothalamus (LH). These neurons are implicated in several functions, including reward processing. We examined the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as a possible site of orexin action for drug preference during protracted morphine abstinence, and studied functional topography of orexin projections to VTA. Male Sprague Dawley rats were used to investigate whether orexin cells that project to VTA exhibit Fos activation with morphine conditioned place preference (CPP), and whether these cells exhibit increased Fos with morphine CPP during protracted abstinence. Unilateral injections of a retrograde tracer (WGA-Au, 350–400 nl) were made into the VTA or a nonreward area, locus ceruleus, and morphine or placebo pellets were implanted for 14 d. Approximately 2 weeks after pellet removal (post dependence), CPP conditioning and testing were conducted. Triple labeling for WGA-Au, Fos, and orexin revealed that the percentage of VTA-projecting orexin neurons Fos activated on the CPP test day significantly increased in post-dependent (vs nondependent) rats, and was exclusive to LH orexin neurons (not dorsomedial or perifornical). Post-dependent animals showed a positive correlation between CPP scores and percentages of Fos-activated, caudal VTA-projecting LH orexin cells. Unlike afferents to caudal VTA, percentages of rostral VTA-projecting, LH orexin cells that were Fos activated showed a positive correlation with CPP only in nondependent animals. Fos in LC-projecting orexin cells was not correlated with CPP in any group. These results indicate that VTA is a heterogeneous and functionally significant target of orexin neurons for morphine reward during protracted abstinence.
Flexible leadership in obstacle environment

Leader-following formation is one of the common used formation strategies, but when using this method, behavior of the leader will certainly influence behavior of other team members. In obstacle environment, a fixed leader may experience maneuver and this will destroy formation shape and increase energy consumption while not necessary. In this paper, some evaluation factors are discussed to judge formation performance, and at this basis, a flexible leader formation method is proposed. In this new strategy, leader is not confined to a single robot, but may be changed or to be arranged using several of the robots. With this new strategy, formation process can be less influenced by obstacles. Simulation is done to test performance of this method, and from the results, it can be seen that the flexible leadership method gains better performance than the fixed leader one.
Pipeline for Efficient Mapping of Transcription Factor Binding Sites and Comparison of Their Models

2 The thesis of Wail Ba alawi is approved by the examination committee. The control of genes in every living organism is based on activities of transcription factor (TF) proteins. These TFs interact with DNA by binding to the TF binding sites (TFBSs) and in that way create conditions for the genes to activate. Of the approximately 1500 TFs in human, TFBSs are experimentally derived only for less than 300 TFs and only in generally limited portions of the genome. To be able to associate TF to genes they control we need to know if TFs will have a potential to interact with the control region of the gene. For this we need to have models of TFBS families. The existing models are not sufficiently accurate or they are too complex for use by ordinary biologists. To remove some of the deficiencies of these models, in this study we developed a pipeline through which we achieved the following: 1. Through a comparison analysis of the performance we identified the best models with optimized thresholds among the four different types of models of TFBS families. 2. Using the best models we mapped TFBSs to the human genome in an efficient way. The study shows that a new scoring function used with TFBS models based on the position weight matrix of dinucleotides with remote dependency results in better accuracy than the other three types of the TFBS models. The speed of mapping has been improved by developing a parallelized code and shows a significant speed up of 4x when 5 going from 1 CPU to 8 CPUs. To verify if the predicted TFBSs are more accurate than what can be expected with the conventional models, we identified the most frequent pairs of TFBSs (for TFs E4F1 and ATF6) that appeared close to each other (within the distance of 200 nucleotides) over the human genome. We show unexpectedly that the genes that are most close to the multiple pairs of E4F1/ATF6 binding sites have a co-expression of over 90%. This indirectly supports our hypothesis that the TFBS models we use are more accurate and also suggests that the E4F1/ATF6 pair is exerting the control over these genes.
On almost unbiased ridge logistic estimator for the logistic regression model

Schaefer et al. [15] proposed a ridge logistic estimator in logistic regres- sion model. In this paper a new estimator based on the ridge logistic estimator is introduced in logistic regression model and we call it as almost unbiased ridge logistic estimator. The performance of the new estimator over the ridge logistic estimator and the maximum likelihood estimator in scalar mean squared error criterion is investigated. We also present a numerical example and a simulation study to illustrate the theoretical results.
Visual tracking of objects for unmanned surface vehicle navigation

This paper presents a method which detects and tracks objects for navigation of a maritime surface vehicle. The method uses stereo vision system which finds saliency map, calculates disparity and distance from the stereo vision image. The method adopts frequency-tuned saliency map and finds dissimilar area in the image with the template which is found by the salient region detection. It is possible to find the absolute distance using the information of baseline, characteristics of the camera such as focal length, and the disparity which is affected by the difference of viewpoints between the cameras. The algorithm works in real time and the performance is tested through experiments surface of maritime environment.
Aging and radiation: bad companions

Aging involves a deterioration of cell functions and changes that may predispose the cell to undergo an oncogenic transformation. The carcinogenic risks following radiation exposure rise with age among adults. Increasing inflammatory response, loss of oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium, ongoing telomere attrition, decline in the DNA damage response efficiency, and deleterious nuclear organization are age‐related cellular changes that trigger a serious threat to genomic integrity. In this review, we discuss the mechanistic interplay between all these factors, providing an integrated view of how they contribute to the observed age‐related increase in radiation sensitivity. As life expectancy increases and so it does the medical intervention, it is important to highlight the benefits of radiation protection in the elderly. Thus, a deep understanding of the mechanistic processes confining the threat of aging‐related radiosensitivity is currently of foremost relevance.
Muscle organization in Caenorhabditis elegans: localization of proteins implicated in thin filament attachment and I-band organization

The body wall muscle cells of Caenorhabditis elegans contain an obliquely striated myofibrillar lattice that is associated with the cell membrane through two structures: an M-line analogue in the A-band and a Z-disc analogue, or dense-body, in the I-band. By using a fraction enriched in these structures as an immunogen for hybridoma production, we prepared monoclonal antibodies that identify four components of the I-band as determined by immunofluorescence and Western transfer analysis. A major constituent of the dense-body is a 107,000-D polypeptide that shares determinants with vertebrate alpha- actinin. A second dense-body constituent is a more basic and antigenically distinct 107,000-D polypeptide that is localized to a narrow domain of the dense-body at or subjacent to the plasma membrane. This basic dense-body polypeptide is also found at certain cell boundaries where thin filaments in half-bands terminate at membrane- associated structures termed attachment plaques. A third, unidentified antigen is also found closely apposed to the cell membrane in regions of not only the dense-body and attachment plaque, but also the M-line analogue. Finally, a fourth high molecular weight antigen, composed of two polypeptides of approximately 400,000-D, is localized to the I-band regions surrounding the dense-body. The attachment of the dense-body to the cell surface and the differential localization of the dense-body- associated antigens suggest a model for their organization in which the unidentified antigen is a cell surface component, and the two 107,000-D polypeptides define different cytoplasmic domains of the dense-body.
Association of Leukocyte Telomere Length With Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Mass: The Framingham Heart Study

Background— Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) decreases over the adult life course owing to the cumulative burden of oxidative stress, inflammation, and exposure to vascular risk factors. Left ventricular (LV) mass is a biomarker of long-standing exposure to cardiovascular disease risk factors. We hypothesized that LTL is related inversely to LV mass. Methods and Results— We related LTL (measured by Southern blot analysis) to echocardiographic LV mass and its components (LV diastolic dimension and LV wall thickness) in 850 Framingham Heart Study participants (mean age 58 years, 58% women) using multivariable linear regression with adjustment for age, sex, height, weight, systolic blood pressure, hypertension treatment, and smoking. Overall, multivariable-adjusted LTL was positively related to LV mass (β-coefficient per SD increase 0.072; P=0.001), LV wall thickness (β=0.053; P=0.01), and LV diastolic dimension (β=0.035; P=0.09). We observed effect modification by hypertension status (P for interaction=0.02 for LV mass); LTL was more strongly associated with LV mass and LV wall thickness in individuals with hypertension (β-coefficient per SD increment of 0.10 and 0.08, respectively; P<0.01 for both). Participants with hypertension who were in the top quartile of LV mass had LTL that was 250 base pairs longer than those in the lowest quartile (P for trend across quartiles=0.009). Conclusions— In contrast to our expectation, in the present community-based sample, LTL was positively associated with LV mass and wall thickness, especially so in participants with hypertension. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that longer LTL may be a marker of propensity to LV hypertrophy.
Joint Design of Frequency and Power Adaptation in FHSS Systems Based on Cognitive Radio

From cognitive radio (CR) conception, a novel joint design of frequency and power adaptation for frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) system is developed based on truncated interference inversion algorithm. In the adaptation scheme, the interfering carrier frequencies are removed from frequency hopset firstly. Then the transmitter adjusts its power to compensate the effect of interference and maintain a constant received SINR in the carrier frequencies with low interference level. The interfering carrier frequencies detection algorithm based on Bayesian theory is proposed. Average process time of interfering carrier frequencies is also analyzed. Simulation results verify that the proposed scheme can maintain the target BER performance under intensive interference.
A Framework for Collective Open Innovation

The actions of collectives who primarily meet on-line have recently captured the attention of the media, general public, business executives, and academics. File-sharing, open-source, and computer viruses are all carried out by loosely bounded collectives, rather than by firms or other formal organizations. These collectives operate in concert to accomplish innovation goals that may have great economic significance. Despite their importance, empirical work is scarce, and theoretical work has taken either the self-interest or the communal view to explain contributions. We point out the logical deficiencies and continue empirically through original data on a collective devoted to the sharing of digital music, which does not fit neatly in either explanation. To account for the survival and effectiveness of these collectives, we offer a four legged framework that draws on research in economic sociology and behavioral economics. We argue that the survival of cooperation despite known free riding has to do with the nature of the exchanged good--economic goods that are non-rival are more likely to be exchanged in an open system, and the (non) identifiability of (defectors) beneficiaries encourages cooperative behavior and discourages costly punishments. Further, we argue that the efficiency in production is achieved through the mode of exchange--generalized exchange is more conducive to innovative work than direct exchange, and by institutional mechanisms allow these collectives to enjoy some of the benefits of formal organizations, while preserving their unique advantages. The suggested framework fits more phenomenon than previous explanations and can easily produce refutable propositions.
Towards a new format for image coding

AAOur aim is the coding of image with XML text, the decoding of such descriptors and the reconstruction of the corresponding shapes. The image is assumed segmented into regions and each one is considered as shape. We present firstly a review of the textual format (LWDOS: Language for Writing Descriptors of Outline Shapes) proposed in the literature to write the geometrical description of parts and separating lines obtained by shape decomposition. In this paper we propose an XML format for writing these descriptors. and an algorithm for shape reconstruction from its descriptor. We show also how to use this result for image reconstruction. Our approach has been implemented and the obtained results encourage us to improve them in order to succeed to an XML format for image coding.
Challenges for Brain Emulation: Why is it so Difficult?

In recent years, half a dozen major research groups have simulated or constructed sizeable networks of artificial neurons, with the ultimate goal to emulate the entire human brain. At this point, these projects are a long way from that goal: they typically simulate thousands of mammalian neurons, versus tens of billions in the human cortex, with less dense connectivity as well as lesscomplex neurons. While the outputs of the simulations demonstrate some features of biological neural networks, it is not clear how exact the artificial neurons and networks need to be to invoke system behavior identical to biological networks and it is not even clear how to prove that artificial neural network behavior is identical in any way to biological behavior. However, enough progress has been made to draw some conclusions and make comparisons between the leading projects. Some approaches are more scalable, some are more practical with current technologies, and some are more accurate in their emulation of biological neurons. In this paper, we examine the pros and cons of each approach and make some predictions about the future of artificial neural networks and the prospects for whole brain emulation.
Peptide Neuromodulation of Synaptic Dynamics in an Oscillatory Network

Although neuromodulation of synapses is extensively documented, its consequences in the context of network oscillations are not well known. We examine the modulation of synaptic strength and short-term dynamics in the crab pyloric network by the neuropeptide proctolin. Pyloric oscillations are driven by a pacemaker group which receives feedback through the inhibitory synapse from the lateral pyloric (LP) to pyloric dilator (PD) neurons. We show that proctolin modulates the spike-mediated and graded components of the LP to PD synapse. Proctolin enhances the graded component and unmasks a surprising heterogeneity in its dynamics where there is depression or facilitation depending on the amplitude of the voltage waveform of the presynaptic LP neuron. The spike-mediated component is influenced by the baseline membrane potential and is also enhanced by proctolin at all baseline potentials. In addition to direct modulation of this synapse, proctolin also changes the shape and amplitude of the presynaptic voltage waveform which additionally enhances synaptic output during ongoing activity. During ongoing oscillations, proctolin reduces the variability of cycle period but only when the LP to PD synapse is functionally intact. Using the dynamic clamp technique we find that the reduction in variability is a direct consequence of modulation of the LP to PD synapse. These results demonstrate that neuromodulation of synapses involves complex and interacting influences that target different synaptic components and dynamics as well as the presynaptic voltage waveform. At the network level, modulation of feedback inhibition can result in reduction of variability and enhancement of stable oscillatory output.
Identification of QTL for Early Vigor and Stay-Green Conferring Tolerance to Drought in Two Connected Advanced Backcross Populations in Tropical Maize (Zea mays L.)

We aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for secondary traits related to grain yield (GY) in two BC1F2:3 backcross populations (LPSpop and DTPpop) under well-watered (4 environments; WW) and drought stressed (6; DS) conditions to facilitate breeding efforts towards drought tolerant maize. GY reached 5.6 and 5.8 t/ha under WW in the LPSpop and the DTPpop, respectively. Under DS, grain yield was reduced by 65% (LPSpop) to 59% (DTPpop) relative to WW. GY was strongly associated with the normalized vegetative index (NDVI; r ranging from 0.61 to 0.96) across environmental conditions and with an early flowering under drought stressed conditions (r ranging from -0.18 to -0.25) indicative of the importance of early vigor and drought escape for GY. Out of the 105 detected QTL, 53 were overdominant indicative of strong heterosis. For 14 out of 18 detected vigor QTL, as well as for eight flowering time QTL the trait increasing allele was derived from CML491. Collocations of early vigor QTL with QTL for stay green (bin 2.02, WW, LPSpop; 2.07, DS, DTPpop), the number of ears per plant (bins 2.02, 2.05, WW, LPSpop; 5.02, DS, LPSpop) and GY (bin 2.07, WW, DTPpop; 5.04, WW, LPSpop), reinforce the importance of the observed correlations. LOD scores for early vigor QTL in these bins ranged from 2.2 to 11.25 explaining 4.6 (additivity: +0.28) to 19.9% (additivity: +0.49) of the observed phenotypic variance. A strong flowering QTL was detected in bin 2.06 across populations and environmental conditions explaining 26–31.3% of the observed phenotypic variation (LOD: 13–17; additivity: 0.1–0.6d). Improving drought tolerance while at the same time maintaining yield potential could be achieved by combining alleles conferring early vigor from the recurrent parent with alleles advancing flowering from the donor. Additionally bin 8.06 (DTPpop) harbored a QTL for GY under WW (additivity: 0.27 t/ha) and DS (additivity: 0.58 t/ha). R2 ranged from 0 (DTPpop, WW) to 26.54% (LPSpop, DS) for NDVI, 18.6 (LPSpop, WW) to 42.45% (LPSpop, DS) for anthesis and from 0 (DTPpop, DS) to 24.83% (LPSpop, WW) for GY. Lines out-yielding the best check by 32.5% (DTPpop, WW) to 60% (DTPpop, DS) for all population-by-irrigation treatment combination (except LPSpop, WW) identified are immediately available for the use by breeders.
A New Development Paradigm Domestic Demand-Led Growth WHY IT IS NEEDED & HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN By

Proclivity to crisis is one fundamental problem of the Washington consensus. A second fundamental problem is its failure to deliver economic growth. This is evident in Table 1, which shows how world growth has systematically slowed during the period of Washington Consensus dominance, especially in lowand middle-income countries. World growth in the period 1990-96 was slower than the period 1980-89, which in turn was slower than the period 1965-80. A third fundamental problem is the tendency of the Washington consensus policy configuration to worsen income distribution, be it in the industrialized or developing worlds. Thus, not only has growth slowed during the period of Washington consensus ascendancy, but there has also been an increase in income inequality within and between countries (Denninger and Squire, 1996; Milanovic, 1999; Lustig and Deutsch, 1998).
Application of Neural Network Trained by Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization to Fault Diagnosis for Steer-by-Wire System

A new particle swarm optimization algorithm with dynamically changing inertia weight and threshold value based on improved adaptive particle swarm optimization is proposed, in which the inertia weight of the particle is adjusted adaptively based on the premature convergence degree of the swarm and the fitness of the particle. The diversity of inertia weight makes a compromise between the global convergence and local convergence speed, so it can effectively alleviate the problem of premature convergence. The algorithm is applied to train neural network and a model of fault diagnosis for steer-by-wire is established, compared with particle swarm optimization algorithm and genetic algorithm, the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the training efficiency of neural network and obtain good diagnosis results.
RF CMOS circuits for ad-hoc networks and wearable computing

Wireless ad-hoc networks are gaining interest for medical, sensing, wearable computing and other applications. The industry is at a critical juncture now where the maturity of RF CMOS can enable these networks. All of these applications, if deployed successfully, results in the proliferation of wireless devices like we have never seen before. The end result is that these devices need to be very low cost, which fits in well with the CMOS paradigm. The challenge going forward is how to make CMOS RF circuits that consume ultra-low power in a compact form factor.
Matrix transpose methods for SAR imaging system

Matrix transpose is a very crucial procedure in the synthetic aperture radar(SAR) imaging system. This paper analyzes the existing matrix transpose methods in the signal processing of SAR imaging and proposes two new matrix transpose methods, meanwhile, the implementation steps of new methods are also introduced. Finally, an example which uses the matrix transpose methods described in this paper is given as a demonstration and the results and analysis are also presented.