Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of Canalization and Evolvability by Hsp90

Partial reduction of Hsp90 increases expression of morphological novelty in qualitative traits of Drosophila and Arabidopsis, but the extent to which the Hsp90 chaperone also controls smaller and more likely adaptive changes in natural quantitative traits has been unclear. To determine the effect of Hsp90 on quantitative trait variability we deconstructed genetic, stochastic and environmental components of variation in Drosophila wing and bristle traits of genetically matched flies, differing only by Hsp90 loss-of-function or wild-type alleles. Unexpectedly, Hsp90 buffering was remarkably specific to certain normally invariant and highly discrete quantitative traits. Like the qualitative trait phenotypes controlled by Hsp90, highly discrete quantitative traits such as scutellor and thoracic bristle number are threshold traits. When tested across genotypes sampled from a wild population or in laboratory strains, the sensitivity of these traits to many types of variation was coordinately controlled, while continuously variable bristle types and wing size, and critically invariant left-right wing asymmetry, remained relatively unaffected. Although increased environmental variation and developmental noise would impede many types of selection response, in replicate populations in which Hsp90 was specifically impaired, heritability and ‘extrinsic evolvability’, the expected response to selection, were also markedly increased. However, despite the overall buffering effect of Hsp90 on variation in populations, for any particular individual or genotype in which Hsp90 was impaired, the size and direction of its effects were unpredictable. The trait and genetic-background dependence of Hsp90 effects and its remarkable bias toward invariant or canalized traits support the idea that traits evolve independent and trait-specific mechanisms of canalization and evolvability through their evolution of non-linearity and thresholds. Highly non-linear responses would buffer variation in Hsp90-dependent signaling over a wide range, while over a narrow range of signaling near trait thresholds become more variable with increasing probability of triggering all-or-none developmental responses.
The American Homeless Family Shelter "System"

A significant increase in homelessness among families during the past decade has led to the establishment of an extensive family shelter system. Because the number of shelters has grown so quickly, there is little systematic information that describes them. In this study, we examine general characteristics, services offered, and common practices of 646 family shelters. Data are drawn from a mail survey of family shelters in the database of a nonprofit organization devoted to research and action on homeless families. Analysis revealed that the system of family shelters is not a coordinated system but rather a diverse group of loosely connected programs, organized primarily by private sponsors, and that shelter practices often exclude the neediest families.
The effect of a healthy school tuck shop program on the access of students to healthy foods

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a healthy school tuck shop program, developed as a way of creating a healthy and nutritional school environment, on students' access to healthy foods. Five middle schools and four high schools (775 students) participated in the healthy school tuck shop program, and nine schools (1,282 students) were selected as the control group. The intervention program included restriction of unhealthy foods sold in tuck shops, provision of various fruits, and indirect nutritional education with promotion of healthy food products. The program evaluation involved the examination of students' purchase and intake patterns of healthy foods, satisfaction with the available foodstuffs, and utilization of and satisfaction with nutritional educational resources. Our results indicated that among of the students who utilized the tuck shop, about 40% purchased fruit products, showing that availability of healthy foods in the tuck shop increased the accessibility of healthy foods for students. Overall food purchase and intake patterns did not significantly change during the intervention period. However, students from the intervention schools reported higher satisfaction with the healthy food products sold in the tuck shop than did those from the control schools (all P < 0.001), and they were highly satisfied with the educational resources provided to them. In conclusion, the healthy school tuck shop program had a positive effect on the accessibility of healthy food. The findings suggest that a healthy school tuck shop may be an effective environmental strategy for promoting students' access to healthy foods.
Seismic Fracture Detection: Ambiguity And Practical Solution

It is becoming popular to extract fracture information from wide-azimuth P-P reflection seismic data. The extracted crack density is not influenced by the phase of the seismic data. The extracted fracture orientation is sensitive to the phase of seismic data and the nature of the rocks. Other information besides the amplitude and NMO velocity of seismic data is needed in order to uniquely determine the fracture orientation. This paper discusses the ambiguity of the fracture orientation and how it can be resolved. Todorovic-Marinic et al (2004) discussed the stabilization of crack density.
Scanning Probe Microscope-Based Fluid Dispensing

Advances in micro and nano fabrication technologies have enabled fabrication of smaller and more sensitive devices for applications not only in solid-state physics but also in medicine and biology. The demand for devices that can precisely transport material, specifically fluids are continuously increasing. Therefore, integration of various technologies with numerous functionalities in one single device is important. Scanning probe microscope (SPM) is one such device that has evolved from atomic force microscope for imaging to a variety of microscopes by integrating different physical and chemical mechanisms. In this article, we review a particular class of SPM devices that are suited for fluid dispensing. We review their fabrication methods, fluid-pumping mechanisms, real-time monitoring of dispensing, physics of dispensing, and droplet characterization. Some of the examples where these probes have already been applied are also described. Finally, we conclude with an outlook and future scope for these devices where femtolitre or smaller volumes of liquid handling are needed.
Using Business Intelligence in College Admissions: A Strategic Approach

Higher education often lags behind industry in the adoption of new or emerging technologies. As competition increases among colleges and universities for a diminishing supply of prospective students, the need to adopt the principles of business intelligence becomes increasingly more important. Data from first-year enrolling students for the 2006-2008 fall terms at a private, masterâ€™s-level institution in the northeastern United States was analyzed for the purpose of developing predictive models. A decision tree analysis, a neural network analysis, and a multiple regression analysis were conducted to predict each studentâ€™s grade point average (GPA) at the end of the first year of academic study. Numerous geodemographic variables were analyzed to develop the models to predict the target variable. The overall performance of the models developed in the analysis was evaluated by using the average square error (ASE). The three models had similar ASE values, which indicated that any of the models could be used for the intended purpose. Suggestions for future analysis include expansion of the scope of the study to include more student-centric variables and to evaluate GPA at other student levels.
Bootstrapping Trajectory Transfer from Multiple Demonstrations with Applications to Deformable Object Manipulation

Deformable object manipulation remains a challenging task in robotics. Continuous, high dimensional, state and action spaces make standard model-based approaches to manipulation planning intractable. Recent work has shown progress on this task by learning from demonstrations through trajectory transfer [21], [20]. This approach avoids planning in the state space of a deformable object by finding a spatial warping that can be used to apply an expert demonstration to a new scene. We propose a method for improving trajectory transfer that makes use of bootstrapping examples through simulation. Given a simulator and a way to detect success, we augment our trajectory library with example states and transferred trajectories that have succeeded in simulation. We apply this approach to a simulated overhand knot-tying task. The approach described in Schulman et al. [21] achieves a success rate of 59%. We demonstrate performance of up to 85%.
Improved Margin in Long-Haul 40 Gb/s Systems Using Bit-Synchronously Modulated RZ-DQPSK

We demonstrated a substantial improvement in FEC margin at 40 Gb/s using bit-synchronously modulated RZ-DQPSK. We transmitted 28×40 Gb/s CRZ-DQPSK channels over 6,550 km with ~2 dB of actual FEC margin, without any PMD compensation.
Creating an α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Recognition Domain from the Acetylcholine-binding Protein

Background: The homo-pentameric α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is an important target in design of selective drugs for disorders involving this prevalent receptor family. Results: α7/Ac-AChBP structured chimeric protein resembles binding characteristics of native receptor. Conclusion: Soluble mutant templates can be used in the design of novel α7-selective drugs. Significance: Crystallographic structures of surrogates can guide therapeutic development for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands. Determining the structure of the ligand-binding domain of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) has been a long standing goal in the design of selective drugs useful in implicated diseases for this prevalent receptor family. Acetylcholine-binding proteins have proven to be valuable surrogates with structural similarity and sequence identity to the extracellular domain of the nicotinic receptor, yet these soluble proteins have their unique features and do not serve as exact replicates of the nAChRs of interest. Here we systematically modify the sequence of these proteins toward the homomeric human α7 nAChR. These chimeric proteins exhibit a shift in affinities to reflect α7 binding characteristics yet maintain expression levels and stability conducive for crystallization. We also present a pentameric humanoid nAChR extracellular domain with the structural determination of the α7 nAChR glycosylation site.
Designing Mobile Technology to Promote Sustainable Food Choices

This paper is an experience report based on challenges encountered when designing scalable mobile persuasive HCI applications to help users make informed choices over their food consumption. We recently developed Tagliatelle, a social tagging system to help users to accurately monitor and assess their dietary behaviour and to promote healthier food choices. In this paper we propose a similar system in order to help users understand the sustainability of their food choices. We discuss the challenges inherent in doing so, and extrapolate some important issues that need to be addressed by technological developments that aim to persuade users to adopt more sustainable behaviours.
Elementary pull‐out program for the intellectually gifted‐boon or bane?

After defining a pull‐out program for the intellectually gifted, its advantages are summarized. Offered are seven basic principles 01 criteria that all programs for the intellectually gifted should meet. The pull‐out program is evaluated using these seven principles and criticism of the program follows. The special class is recommended as a substitute since it meets all seven principles. Also recommended are classes for intellectually above average students.
An integrated-circuit-based speech recognition system

A high-performance, flexible, and potentially inexpensive speech recognition system is described. The system is based on two special-purpose integrated circuits that perform the speech recognition algorithms very efficiently. One of these integrated circuits is the front-end processor, which computes spectral coefficients from incoming speech. The second integrated circuit computes a dynamic-time-warp algorithm. The system can compare an input word with 1000-word templates and respond to a user within \frac{1}{4} s. The system demonstrates that computational complexity need not be a major limiting factor in the design of speech recognition systems.
Emergency cricothyroidotomy

Dear Sir, I read with keen interest the article 'The laryngeal mask airway in ENT surgery' by R. E. Daum and B. J. O'Reilly {Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 1992; 106: 28-30). They concluded from their work that they would advocate the introduction of laryngeal masks to improve safety and speed as well as to economize. The use of largyngeal masks is not without its problems. In a prospective study of 122 routine adult ENT surgical procedures (excluding tonsillectomies and palatal surgery), laryngeal masks were used in eight cases, there was injury to the soft palate/uvula in two cases (awaiting publication). In one case a catgut stitch had to be inserted into the soft palate at the base of the uvula. Both these two patients had to remain in hospital for a further two days for adequate pain relief. There has been at least one other case report of injury to the uvula due to improper use of a laryngeal mask. Great care has to be taken with the use of laryngeal masks in ENT surgery, but in experienced hands I am sure they are safe, quick and economical. Yours faithfully, Art A. P. Connolly, F.R. C.S. , ENT Department, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 OQT.
Intramedullary devices fixation versus plate fixation for adult displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures : an update meta-analysis

Nowadays, the exact efficacy of intramedullary devices fixation and plate fixation for adult displaced midshaft clavicle fractures (DMCF) is still debated. This study aims to re-assess the functional outcomes and complications of the two optimal surgical approaches. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMABASE, and PubMed databases were searched for the literature that studied the efficacy of intramedullary devices fixation versus plate fixation for acute DMCF before August 2015. This meta-analysis focused on the Constant Shoulder Score, Oxford Shoulder Score and the incidence of infection, implant irritation, implant failure and nonunion. Revman 5.2 was used to analyze the difference between two approaches. Six trials altogether including 335 fractures were eligible, in which 163 clavicle fractures were treated with intramedullary repair and 172 with plates. The final results of our study indicate that the Constant Shoulder Score is significantly higher (MD, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.42 to 3.87; P<0.05) and the infection rate is slightly lower (RR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.96; P<0.05) in intramedullary devices fixation group than the plate fixation group. And the occurrence of other adverse effects remains the same. The present meta-analysis indicates that intramedullary devices fixation could improve the functional recovery and reduce the infection rate. The intramedullary approach does not yield the irritation rate significantly.
Explorer Robust TTS Duration Modelling Using DNNs

Accurate modelling and prediction of speech-sound durations is an important component in generating more natural synthetic speech. Deep neural networks (DNNs) offer a powerful modelling paradigm, and large, found corpora of natural and expressive speech are easy to acquire for training them. Unfortunately, found datasets are seldom subject to the quality-control that traditional synthesis methods expect. Common issues likely to affect duration modelling include transcription errors, reductions, filled pauses, and forced-alignment inaccuracies. To combat this, we propose to improve modelling and prediction of speech durations using methods from robust statistics, which are able to disregard ill-fitting points in the training material. We describe a robust fitting criterion based on the density power divergence (the β-divergence) and a robust generation heuristic using mixture density networks (MDNs). Perceptual tests indicate that subjects prefer synthetic speech generated using robust models of duration over the baselines.
Capitalism and Conservation: The Production and Reproduction of Biodiversity Conservation

His Royal Highness rightly says that our rainforests are worth more alive than dead. This is absolutely true. Leaving aside the immeasurable value offered by our rainforests’ diversity and water conservation functions, we are facing an almost unfathomably large business opportunity, one which we can share with the Rainforest nations of the world . With an estimated 610 billion tonnes of CO2 sequestered by our tropical rainforests, a vast $18 trillion business opportunity is before us . [I]t is increasingly clear that the solution to this problem lies not only within a free market system but also within our field of expertise. What the people of Rainforest nations need is a system that values the services locked up in their land . The rainforests are at the very centre of these countries’ identities; they seek to preserve them even as they struggle against them . With capitalism at the centre of OUR identity, we must be bold enough to see the world at its widest, even as we struggle in our own way . To seize this $18 trillion business opportunity, valuing the services of our rainforest will not only require innovation in market-based mechanisms but also unprecedented global cooperation between the brightest minds of the nations of our world. Many structures and mechanisms will need to be created, but it should be our expertise that defines them, and our appetite for these markets that forces political support for them.1
A pedagogy of place. Outdoor education for a changing world

A pedagogy of place. Outdoor education for a changing world Brian Wattchow & Mike Brown (Eds), 2011 http://www.publishing. monash.edu/pp $34.95 (pbk), 214 pp.+Xxix ISBN 978-0-9806512-4-9 Dilemmas in.
Impact of experience-dependent and -independent factors on gene expression in songbird brain

Songbirds provide rich natural models for studying the relationships between brain anatomy, behavior, environmental signals, and gene expression. Under the Songbird Neurogenomics Initiative, investigators from 11 laboratories collected brain samples from six species of songbird under a range of experimental conditions, and 488 of these samples were analyzed systematically for gene expression by microarray. ANOVA was used to test 32 planned contrasts in the data, revealing the relative impact of different factors. The brain region from which tissue was taken had the greatest influence on gene expression profile, affecting the majority of signals measured by 18,848 cDNA spots on the microarray. Social and environmental manipulations had a highly variable impact, interpreted here as a manifestation of paradoxical “constitutive plasticity” (fewer inducible genes) during periods of enhanced behavioral responsiveness. Several specific genes were identified that may be important in the evolution of linkages between environmental signals and behavior. The data were also analyzed using weighted gene coexpression network analysis, followed by gene ontology analysis. This revealed modules of coexpressed genes that are also enriched for specific functional annotations, such as “ribosome” (expressed more highly in juvenile brain) and “dopamine metabolic process” (expressed more highly in striatal song control nucleus area X). These results underscore the complexity of influences on neural gene expression and provide a resource for studying how these influences are integrated during natural experience.
E-government in India: modelling the barriers to its adoption and diffusion

In a vibrant Indian economy, Electronic Government (e-government) is seen as a sign of more transparency and better service to its citizens by the government. But there exist several barriers to the adoption and diffusion of e-government in India. These barriers prevent e-government initiatives to reach the larger populace for which they are designed and implemented. Using Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM), this paper has developed a hierarchy of these barriers. This classification provides a useful tool to e-government strategists to differentiate between independent and dependent variables and their mutual relationships that would help them to focus on those key variables that are most important for effective e-government.
Human Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater Treatment Processes

The presence of human pharmaceutical compounds in surface waters is an emerging issue in environmental science. In this study the occurrence and behavior of human pharmaceuticals in a variety of wastewater treatment processes is reviewed. Although some groups are not affected by sewage treatment processes others are amenable to degradation, albeit incomplete. While water purification techniques such as granular activated carbon could potentially remove these pollutants from wastewater streams, the high cost involved suggests that more attention should be given to the potential for the optimization of current treatment processes, and reduction at source in order to reduce environmental contamination.
Type D hepatitis: The clinical significance of hepatitis D virus RNA in serum as detected by a hybridization‐based assay

Hepatitis D virus is a defective human pathogen that requires hepatitis B virus for its replication. A hybridization‐based assay for the 1.75 kb RNA genome of hepatitis D virus was developed using as probe a radiolabeled transcript of a cloned cDNA fragment (pKD3 hepatitis D virus DNA). Sera from 120 chronic carriers of HBsAg with confirmed hepatitis D virus infection were analyzed for the presence of hepatitis D virus RNA. Serum hepatitis D virus RNA was detected in 43 of 74 (58%) patients with chronic liver disease; some patients were positive for hepatitis D virus RNA in multiple samples over a period of several years. Serum hepatitis D virus RNA was present in 17 of 28 (61%) patients during the acute phase of clinical hepatitis and was not detected after recovery from acute disease or in 18 asymptomatic chronic HBsAg carriers with antibody to hepatitis D virus. The presence of hepatitis D virus RNA correlated with other known markers of active hepatitis D virus replication; all chronic active liver disease patients with serum hepatitis D virus RNA were positive for antihepatitis D antigen IgM, and 34 of 37 (92%) had hepatitis D antigen in their liver biopsy specimens.
Microgrid Planning Under Uncertainty

This paper presents a model for the microgrid planning problem with uncertain physical and financial information. The microgrid planning problem investigates the economic viability of microgrid deployment and determines the optimal generation mix of distributed energy resources (DERs) for installation. Net metering is considered for exchanging power with the main grid and lowering the cost of unserved energy and DER investments. A robust optimization approach is adopted for considering forecast errors in load, variable renewable generation, and market prices. The microgrid islanding is further treated as a source of uncertainty. The microgrid planning problem is decomposed into an investment master problem and an operation subproblem. The optimal planning decisions determined in the master problem are employed in the subproblem to examine the optimality of the master solution by calculating the worst-case optimal operation under uncertain conditions. Optimality cuts sent to the master problem will govern subsequent iterations. Numerical simulations exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed model and further analyze the sensitivity of microgrid planning results on variety levels of uncertainty.