Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproductive isolation driven by the combined effects of ecological adaptation and reinforcement

Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in the process of speciation but few studies have elucidated the mechanisms either driving or constraining the evolution of reproductive isolation. In theory, the direct effects of reinforcing selection for increased mating discrimination where interbreeding produces hybrid offspring with low fitness and the indirect effects of adaptation to different environments can both promote speciation. Conversely, high levels of homogenizing gene flow can counteract the forces of selection. We demonstrate the opposing effects of reinforcing selection and gene flow in Timema cristinae walking-stick insects. The magnitude of female mating discrimination against males from other populations is greatest when migration rates between populations adapted to alternate host plants are high enough to allow the evolution of reinforcement, but low enough to prevent gene flow from eroding adaptive divergence in mate choice. Moreover, reproductive isolation is strongest under the combined effects of reinforcement and adaptation to alternate host plants. Our findings demonstrate the joint effects of reinforcement, ecological adaptation and gene flow on progress towards speciation in the wild.
K-Means Clustering Algorithm based on Entity Resolution

resolution is the problem of recognizing which entry in database refers to same cluster.in this we have to run the ER in order to reduce the running time and to obtain good results. This paper investigates how we can reduce the running of ER with minimum amount of work using k-means clustering algorithm. In this, clustering can be done according to the matching of entries. We introduce a concept of technique called as k-means clustering to maximize the matching of entries identified using a limited amount of work. We illustrate the potential gains of this entity resolution approach using k-means.
Memristors can implement fuzzy logic

In our work we propose implementing fuzzy logic using memristors. Min and max operations are done by antipodally configured memristor circuits that may be assembled into computational circuits. We discuss computational power of such circuits with respect to m-efficiency and experimentally observed behavior of memristive devices. Circuits implemented with real devices are likely to manifest learning behavior. The circuits presented in the work may be applicable for instance in fuzzy classifiers.
Collimation of Highly Variable Magnetohydrodynamic Disturbances around a Rotating Black Hole

We have studied nonstationary and nonaxisymmetric perturbations of a magnetohydrodynamic accretion onto a rotating (Kerr) black hole. Assuming that the magnetic field dominates the plasma accretion, we find that the accretion suffers a large radial acceleration resulting from the Lorentz force and becomes highly variable compared with the electromagnetic field on the rotating black hole. In fact, we further find an interesting perturbed structure of the plasma velocity with a large peak in some narrow region located slightly inside of the fast-magnetosonic surface. This is due to the concentrated propagation of the fluid disturbances in the form of fast-magnetosonic waves along the separatrix surface. If the fast-magnetosonic speed is smaller in the polar regions than in the equatorial regions, the critical surface has a prolate shape for radial poloidal field lines. In this case, only the waves that propagate toward the equator can escape from the super-fast-magnetosonic region and collimate poleward as they propagate outward in the sub-fast-magnetosonic regions. We further discuss the capabilities of such collimated waves in accelerating particles due to cyclotron resonance in an electron-positron plasma.
Motor overflow and children's tracking performance: is there a link?

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of skill performance, motor overflow, and hand linkage in the form of mirror movements in a visual-manual tracking paradigm across practice trials. We hypothesized that both the amount of motor overflow and the degree of hand linkage would be linked in an inverse way to the quality of task performance. Furthermore, we expected a short-term decrease in both of these factors as children practiced and improved their task performance. Sixteen right-handed, 6-year-old children tracked a visual target with their right hand by pinching two parallel steel bars instrumented with strain gauges. The left hand was also positioned by similar instrumented steel bars to measure overflow/mirroring. At both the beginning and end of practice trials, a cluster analysis was used to determine relationships among performance, overflow, and hand linkage variables. In general, the results support the main hypothesis that the amount of motor overflow and the degree of hand linkage are linked to the quality of task performance, but the relationships between these variables across short-term learning are nonlinear.
Promoting safe infant feeding practices – the importance of structural, social and contextual factors in Southern Africa

There has been significant progress towards the goal of eliminating vertical transmission of HIV by 2015. However, a question that remains is how we can most effectively prevent late postnatal transmission of HIV through infant feeding. Guidelines published by the World Health Organization in 2010 have been widely adopted. These guidelines place strong emphasis on exclusive breastfeeding, in some countries over‐turning a prior emphasis on formula feeding. Where available, provision of antiretroviral treatment for HIV‐positive mothers or prophylaxis for infants offers additional protection against vertical transmission through infant feeding. However, merely changing guidelines is not sufficient to change practice, particularly with regard to culturally sanctioned forms of feeding, such as mixed feeding. This commentary highlights structural, social and contextual barriers to effective implementation of the guidelines and suggests ways to address some of these barriers.
Formalizing Communication Protocols for Multiagent Systems

Protocols structure interactions among communicating agents. A commitment machine models a protocol in terms of how the commitments of the various parties evolve. Commitment machines thus support flexible behavior while providing a meaningful basis for compliance with a protocol. Unfortunately, current formulations of commitment machines are not sufficiently general or rigorous. This paper develops generalized commitment machines (GCMs) whose elements are described generically in terms of inferences, and whose computations are infinite (thus supporting nonterminating protocols). This paper shows how a GCM can be understood as a nondeterministic Buchi automaton (BA), whose acceptance condition accommodates infinite as well as finite executions. Deterministic BA are readily emulated by conventional software, e.g., a script running in a Web browser. In general, nondeterministic BA may have no equivalent deterministic BA. However, under well-motivated technical conditions, a GCM yields a deterministic Buchi automaton that, although not necessarily equivalent in automata theory terms, is sound (produces only computations allowed by the GCM) and complete (produces the effect of any computation allowed by the GCM).
Cytogenetic abnormalities in multiple myeloma: poor prognosis linked to concomitant detection in random and focal lesion bone marrow samples and associated with high‐risk gene expression profile

The clinical significance of cytogenetic abnormalities (CA) present in randomly sampled (RS) or focal lesion (FL) bone marrow sites was examined in 419 untreated myeloma patients. Among 290 patients with gene expression profiling (GEP) data generated from RS sites, GEP‐defined high‐risk was present in 52% of the RS+/FL+ group but in only 9% of the remainder (P < 0·001). The RS+/FL+ constellation (18%) was an independent predictor of poor survival, also after adjusting for GEP‐derived risk and TP53 status (Hazard ratio = 2·42, P = 0·004). The prevalence of high‐risk myeloma in the RS+/FL+ group may reflect a dissemination‐prone condition not shared by the other three groups.
Long period gratings in highly birefringent microfibers

We report the fabrication of long-period gratings (LPGs) in highly birefringent (Hi-Bi) microfibers. The LPGs were fabricated by using a femtosecond infrared laser to modify the surface or a CO2 laser to induce micro-tapers periodically along the Hi-Bi microfibers. These LPGs have pitches from tens to hundreds of micrometers and very strong polarization dependent resonances. A LPG fabricated on a Hi-Bi microfiber with a major-diameter of ~2.8 μm and an ellipticity of ~0.7 demonstrated a refractive index sensitivity of ~4623 nm/RIU in water.
Genetic diversity, parasite prevalence and immunity in wild bumblebees

Inbreeding and a consequent loss of genetic diversity threaten small, isolated populations. One mechanism by which genetically impoverished populations may become extinct is through decreased immunocompetence and higher susceptibility to parasites. Here, we investigate the relationship between immunity and inbreeding in bumblebees, using Hebridean island populations of Bombus muscorum. We sampled nine populations and recorded parasite prevalence and measured two aspects of immunity: the encapsulation response and levels of phenoloxidase (PO). We found that prevalence of the gut parasite Crithidia bombi was higher in populations with lower genetic diversity. Neither measure of immune activity was correlated with genetic diversity. However, levels of PO declined with age and were also negatively correlated with parasite abundance. Our results suggest that as insect populations lose heterozygosity, the impact of parasitism will increase, pushing threatened populations closer to extinction.
Measurement of size‐dependent glass transition temperature in electrospun polymer fibers using AFM nanomechanical testing

The glass transition temperature (Tg) of individual electrospun polymer polyvinyl alcohol fibers of varying diameter was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) based nanomechanical thermal analysis. Indentation and bending of individual electrospun fibers using AFM allowed the calculation of the elastic modulus of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers across a range of different temperatures. The elastic modulus of electrospun PVA fibers was observed to decrease significantly when passing through Tg, which allowed accurate determination of Tg. The Tg of electrospun PVA fibers was shown to decrease for smaller fiber diameters especially for fiber diameters below 250 nm. This size-dependent glass transition behavior of electrospun PVA fibers is indicated as being due to polymer chain confinement. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011
The Formation of Galactic Bulges

We summarise some recent results about nearby galactic bulges that are relevant to their formation. We highlight a number of significant advances in our understanding of the surface brightness profiles, stellar populations, and especially the very centers of spiral galaxies. We also view our own Milky Way as if it were an external galaxy. Our main conclusions are that bulges of early-type spirals (S0 -- Sb) contain central nuclear components, just like late-type spirals and most other types of galaxies. The luminosities of these central components correlate best with total bulge luminosity, and not as well with morphological type. Bulges of early-type spiral galaxies follow the fundamental plane and the colour/line strength vs. luminosity relations of elliptical galaxies. Although we have a reasonable idea about bulges of early-type spirals we know much less about late-type bulges. However, the close resemblance of our Milky Way Bulge to bulges in external disk galaxies makes us suspect that bulges of late-type spirals might be very similar as well.
OPTIMIZING GLASS COATING LINES : MIP MODEL AND VALID INEQUALITIES

Abstract Glass coating is a specific transformation aiming at improving glass performance. The work presented here deals with the determination of the optimal configuration of the production lines used to perform this operation. The resulting optimization problem can be formulated as a mixed linear integer Programm. Several enhancements of this initial formulation are then introduced. The computational study carried out shows that, with the enhanced formulation, good solutions can be obtained within reasonable computation times using a commercial solver.
Comparison of Growth Hormone Pulsatile Secretion and Serum Metabolites in Growing Taihu and Landrace Pigs

In this paper we compared growth performance, growth hormone (GH) pulsatile secretion and serum metabolites in growing Taihu and Landrace gilts at the same age. The results showed that compared with Landrace gilts, Taihu gilts decreased by 45.48% (P<0.05), 25.25% (P<0.05) in average daily gain and carcass muscle percentage, and increased by 52.44% (P<0.05), 69.50% (P<0.05) in feed/gain ratio and carcass fat percentage, respectively. While, average daily feed intake was not affected by breeds. Serum basal GH level, mean GH level and GH pulse amplitude were decreased by 26.67% (P<0.05), 20.00% (P<0.05) and 18.81% (P<0.05), respectively, but GH pulse frequency and pulse duration remained unchanged (P>0.05). Serum urea nitrogen concentration in Taihu gilts was 32.04% (P<0.05) higher, whereas, total protein level was 17.73% (P<0.05) lower than that of Landrace gilts.
Association Between Individual PM2.5 Exposure and DNA Damage in Traffic Policemen

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the association between individual PM2.5 and DNA damage in traffic policemen. Methods: The participants included 110 traffic policemen and 101 common populations. The continuous 24-hour individual PM2.5 measurement was performed in participants. BPDE (benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide)-DNA adducts and 1-OHP were detected. Results: The average concentration of 24-hour personal PM2.5 for traffic policemen was significantly higher than that in the control group. PM2.5 exposure is associated with a 1.1% increase in 1-OHP and 0.8% increase in BPDE-DNA adducts after adjusted for body mass index, educational time period, and alcohol intake. Exposure group has 2.04 times higher of 1-OHP and 1.25 times higher of BPDE-DNA adducts when compared to the control group. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that traffic policemen have been a high-risk group suffering DNA damage because of the high PM2.5 exposure.
Evolution of olfaction in non-avian theropod dinosaurs and birds

Little is known about the olfactory capabilities of extinct basal (non-neornithine) birds or the evolutionary changes in olfaction that occurred from non-avian theropods through modern birds. Although modern birds are known to have diverse olfactory capabilities, olfaction is generally considered to have declined during avian evolution as visual and vestibular sensory enhancements occurred in association with flight. To test the hypothesis that olfaction diminished through avian evolution, we assessed relative olfactory bulb size, here used as a neuroanatomical proxy for olfactory capabilities, in 157 species of non-avian theropods, fossil birds and living birds. We show that relative olfactory bulb size increased during non-avian maniraptoriform evolution, remained stable across the non-avian theropod/bird transition, and increased during basal bird and early neornithine evolution. From early neornithines through a major part of neornithine evolution, the relative size of the olfactory bulbs remained stable before decreasing in derived neoavian clades. Our results show that, rather than decreasing, the importance of olfaction actually increased during early bird evolution, representing a previously unrecognized sensory enhancement. The relatively larger olfactory bulbs of earliest neornithines, compared with those of basal birds, may have endowed neornithines with improved olfaction for more effective foraging or navigation skills, which in turn may have been a factor allowing them to survive the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.
Molecular basis of chill resistance adaptations in poikilothermic animals

Chill and freeze represent very different components of low temperature stress. Whilst the principal mechanisms of tissue damage and of acquired protection from freeze-induced effects are reasonably well established, those for chill damage and protection are not. Non-freeze cold exposure (i.e. chill) can lead to serious disruption to normal life processes, including disruption to energy metabolism, loss of membrane perm-selectivity and collapse of ion gradients, as well as loss of neuromuscular coordination. If the primary lesions are not relieved then the progressive functional debilitation can lead to death. Thus, identifying the underpinning molecular lesions can point to the means of building resistance to subsequent chill exposures. Researchers have focused on four specific lesions: (i) failure of neuromuscular coordination, (ii) perturbation of bio-membrane structure and adaptations due to altered lipid composition, (iii) protein unfolding, which might be mitigated by the induced expression of compatible osmolytes acting as ‘chemical chaperones’, (iv) or the induced expression of protein chaperones along with the suppression of general protein synthesis. Progress in all these potential mechanisms has been ongoing but not substantial, due in part to an over-reliance on straightforward correlative approaches. Also, few studies have intervened by adoption of single gene ablation, which provides much more direct and compelling evidence for the role of specific genes, and thus processes, in adaptive phenotypes. Another difficulty is the existence of multiple mechanisms, which often act together, thus resulting in compensatory responses to gene manipulations, which may potentially mask disruptive effects on the chill tolerance phenotype. Consequently, there is little direct evidence of the underpinning regulatory mechanisms leading to induced resistance to chill injury. Here, we review recent advances mainly in lower vertebrates and in arthropods, but increasingly in genetic model species from a broader range of taxa.
Evaluation of cell-mediated cytotoxic reactivity against tumor associated antigens with 125I-iododeoxyuridine labeled target cells.

An in vitro lymphocyte cytotoxicity tissue culture assay utilizing 125I-iododeoxy-uridine (125IUdR) labeled target cells is described. Because of the labeling characteristics of 125IUdR this isotope appears to offer advantages over previously used labels. Toxicity of the isotope is a factor to be evaluated with each cell line. The method of calculation of cytotoxicity lends some insight into the spontaneous cell death rate of tissue culture systems as used for cytotoxicity. This assay is of value in detecting tumor-associated antigens in both animal and human tumor systems.
A quantum logic array microarchitecture: scalable quantum data movement and computation

Recent experimental advances have demonstrated technologies capable of supporting scalable quantum computation. A critical next step is how to put those technologies together into a scalable, fault-tolerant system that is also feasible. We propose a quantum logic array (QLA) microarchitecture that forms the foundation of such a system. The QLA focuses on the communication resources necessary to efficiently support fault-tolerant computations. We leverage the extensive groundwork in quantum error correction theory and provide analysis that shows that our system is both asymptotically and empirically fault tolerant. Specifically, we use the QLA to implement a hierarchical, array-based design and a logarithmic expense quantum-teleportation communication protocol. Our goal is to overcome the primary scalability challenges of reliability, communication, and quantum resource distribution that plague current proposals for large-scale quantum computing. Our work complements recent work by Balenseifer et al. (2005), which studies the software tool chain necessary to simplify development of quantum applications; here we focus on modeling a full-scale optimized microarchitecture for scalable computing.
An Improved LCL Filter Design in Order to Ensure Stability without Damping and Despite Large Grid Impedance Variations

With the smart grid revolution, there is a growing interest in the use of power converters associated to LCL filters to interface between the main utility grid and loads or renewable energy sources. LCL filters are commonly used mainly due to their low cost and high filtering performances. To achieve these performances, it is necessary to meticulously pick out the LCL filter parameters, taking into account grid code requirements and grid configuration and/or conditions. Several methodologies for LCL filter design have been presented and discussed in the literature. The main goal of this paper is to propose a simple, robust and systematic design methodology for LCL filter parameter tuning. The considered design methodology is aimed to overcome the shortcomings of classical design methodologies, namely, stable operation under different grid configurations and conditions. Compared to previous works, the proposed design methodology allows the achievement of robust LCL filter design with regard to large grid impedance variations without the use of any damping method. Also, it takes into account accuracy of capacitor standard values and proposes a simple design method for the converter side inductor that avoids saturation problems. An example of LCL filter design is presented and discussed. The obtained filter parameters were firstly tested using a Matlab-Simulink software tool. After that, they were tested through the development of an experimental set-up. The obtained simulation and experimental results show the reliability and efficiency of the proposed design methodology.
Residential proximity to main roads during pregnancy and the risk of allergic disorders in Japanese infants: The Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study

Miyake Y, Tanaka K, Fujiwara H, Mitani Y, Ikemi H, Sasaki S, Ohya Y, Hirota Y. Residential proximity to main roads during pregnancy and the risk of allergic disorders in Japanese infants: The Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 22–28. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S