Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Parasitoids Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) and Lariophagus distinguendus (Förster) on Three Pests of Stored Rice

Simple Summary Various pest species cause significant damage to stored rice, and polyphagous parasitoids could offer an appropriate biological control strategy. Among the beneficial species colonising silos and warehouses of rice, the generalist pteromalid parasitoids Anisopteromalus calandrae and Lariophagus distinguendus have been found to be prevalent in samples collected in the northeast of Spain. In this study, the Spanish strains of both parasitoids have shown that they may play important roles in controlling three coleopteran pests of stored rice: Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica and Lasioderma serricorne. They reduced the number of pests that emerged due to effective parasitism (parasitoids reaching the adult stage and emerging from the grain), combined with other sources of host mortality, such as parasitoid immature mortality and parasitoid host feeding. Both parasitoids preferentially attack S. oryzae, which is a key pest of stored rice, but they also play an important role in the control of R. dominica, a less important pest. Although both parasitoids could consume L. serricorne larvae, their efficacy is low, and more specific natural enemies should be evaluated for the control of this pest. Abstract This study evaluated the ability of pteromalid parasitoids Anisopteromalus calandrae and Lariophagus distinguendus reared on Sitophilus zeamais to control stored product coleopteran pests Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica and Lasioderma serricorne. In trials of parasitoid treatment with A. calandrae, fewer pests (S. oryzae and R. dominica) emerged than in the control. Parasitoid reproduction was highest with S. oryzae as a host, followed by R. dominica and L. serricorne. In trials of parasitoid treatment with L. distinguendus, fewer pests (S. oryzae, R. dominica and L. serricorne) emerged than in the control treatment. Sitophilus oryzae was the host with the highest rate of parasitoid reproduction, although the greatest level of reduction was seen in R. dominica (i.e., host feeding levels were higher for this host species). For L. serricorne, no L. distinguendus progeny was produced. For both species, parasitoids with significantly longer bodies and tibiae emerged from S. oryzae. These results suggest that both parasitoids have potential for use as biocontrol agents for different coleopteran species that attack stored rice.
Random Telegraph Noise in Analog CMOS Circuits

Flicker noise, or 1/f noise, is known to increase as devices scale down. However, as the scaling of MOS transistors advances, the effect of individual oxide defects, which originates flicker noise, becomes apparent through distinguishable discrete fluctuation in current. In such cases, flicker noise is recognizable as random telegraph noise (RTN). Another typical characteristic of RTN is that seemingly identical devices have different noise characteristics, as RTN variability from device to device also increases with scaling. Due to the large variability of RTN in highly-scaled devices, circuit yield must be evaluated during noise analysis. This work proposes a model to analyze the effect of RTN in analog circuits and to evaluate circuit yield. The model can be used in the traditional workflow of noise analysis. The model estimates the distribution of RTN power from the distribution of the noise spectral density. Then, quantiles from the power distribution are used for predicting current/voltage fluctuations for a given yield. This work shows how to use the proposed model to calculate random decision errors in comparators, jitter in oscillators and phase-locked loops, and the impact of RTN in correlated double sampling circuits.
Nonparametric estimation of the mode of a distribution of random curves

Motivated by the need to develop meaningful empirical approximations to a ‘typical’ data value, we introduce methods for density and mode estimation when data are in the form of random curves. Our approach is based on finite dimensional approximations via generalized Fourier expansions on an empirically chosen basis. The mode estimation problem is reduced to a problem of kernel‐type multivariate estimation from vector data and is solved using a new recursive algorithm for finding the empirical mode. The algorithm may be used as an aid to the identification of clusters in a set of data curves. Bootstrap methods are employed to select the bandwidth.
Feynman relation of Bose-Einstein condensates with spin-orbit coupling

We find that the Feynman relation of Bose-Einstein condensates with spin-orbit coupling, which relates the energy of excitations, the static structure factor in condensed phase, and the dispersion of free bosons, is not satisfied in the whole momentum space. The dispersion is highly anisotropic and more divergent in the infrared limit compared to that without spin-orbit coupling because of spontaneous breaking of the O(2) symmetry of the ground state. And the dispersion also exhibits time reversal asymmetry for plane-wave condensates, which is condensed on a momentum with a finite value. We also find that larger spin-orbit coupling makes the excitations out of condensates more coherent.
Efficacy of Π-Gate in RF Power Performance of Thin GaN Buffer AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

This brief investigates the influence of a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Pi $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-shaped gate in extending the microwave performance of a thin GaN buffer AlGaN/GaN HEMT. A well-calibrated simulation deck based on the in-house fabricated thin GaN HEMT demonstrates better reliability when a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Pi $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-shaped gate is coupled with a thin GaN buffer. The sample has been investigated under different operating conditions with a specific focus on RF power performance. The modification in the gate architecture results in the enhancement of both the OFF-state breakdown characteristics and thermal reliability for continuous wave (CW) mode operation. The pulsed characteristics of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Pi $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-gate demonstrate a lower degree of current slump thereby improving the pulsed mode operation of the devices under test (DUT). This opens up the bottleneck for the GaN HEMT device to be operated at a higher voltage and exhibit higher power densities when benchmarked against their conventional counterparts all the while ensuring modest tradeoffs to the current and device gain metrics. The results presented point toward the possibility of further mitigating the dispersive trapping effects on the RF performance of a GaN HEMT by coupling a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Pi $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-shaped gate with a thin GaN buffer.
Targeting IgE and Th2-Cytokines in Allergy: Brief Updates on Monoclonal Antibodies and Antibody Gene Therapy

The search for an effective treatment of allergic conditions is an ongoing global health challenge due to the high prevalence of allergies. Epinephrine and glucocorticosteroids remain the oldest and most widely used treatment regimen for allergy, and these medications are for short relief. In extreme allergy manifestations, the current treatment options aim to use monoclonal antibody (mAb) to target pathological pathways of inflammation involving mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils. These cells have the propensity to induce an allergic-inflammatory response. Studies have shown that they are responsible for several allergic diseases, such as allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis. Studies evaluating monoclonal antibodies against serum IgE (Omalizumab), Th-2 cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-13 (dupilumab), and IL-5 suggest an attenuation of allergic symptoms and improvement in patients’ overall well-being. However, several factors such as cost of production (i.e., antibody purification), host immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy have hindered the availability of purified mAb in developing countries. Gene therapy is a promising tool for treating allergy, and emerging studies have suggested that antibody gene therapy may be the future for treating extreme cases of allergy manifestations. This paper describes the use of purified monoclonal antibodies for treating severe allergic responses and the associated limitations. It explores the prospects of antibody gene therapy for modulating allergy episodes.
Genetic diversity of the threatened Saussurea dorogostaiskii (Asteraceae) in the Khuvsgul region of Mongolia

Saussurea dorogostaiskii Palib. (Asteraceae) is a critically endangered medicinal plant in Mongolia and Russia. We studied the genetic variation of S. dorogostaiskii from three mountains of northern Mongolia. The genetic profile was assessed in 70 individuals from eight populations using five inter-simple sequence repeat markers, producing 53 loci with 96.4% polymorphism across all bands. Shannon’s index (I) and Nei’s gene diversity (H) value at the species level of S. dorogostaiskii are 0.25 and 0.17, respectively. An AMOVA showed high genetic variation among the populations (22% of populations and 32% of mountains), consistent with the high genetic differentiation (GST = 0.49) and low gene flow (Nm = 0.51) in S. dorogostaiskii populations. Eight populations were clustered into two groups, corresponding to their geographic locations. The low within-population genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation among S. dorogostaiskii populations factor into their endangered designation. This genetic analysis reveals that all populations are equally threatened, and community-based conservation is appropriate for these species.
ICA Gives Higher-Order Functional Connectivity of Brain

Previously, only pairwise temporal correlation and Principal Component Analysis have been exploited for functional connectivity of the brain, which were based on second-order statistics. In this work, we developed a new concept of functional connectivity in the higher-order statistical sense and used Independent Component Analysis (ICA) for detecting connected brain regions. The fMRI datasets from resting brain were processed with eigenimage analysis and ICA, respectively, which showed an accordance with previous observations. The patterns of functional connectivity from both techniques were also compared. The applicability of ICA was demonstrated by finding higher-order functional connectivity with more number of components and less noisy imperfection. Keywords-Functional connectivity, higher-order connectivity, eigenimage analysis, Independent Com- ponent Analysis
Nanocomposites of Silicon Oxides and Carbon: Its Study as Luminescent Nanomaterials

In this work, hybrid structures formed by nanostructured layers, which contain materials, such as porous silicon (PSi), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), and silicon-rich oxide (SRO), were studied. The PSi layers were obtained by electrochemical etching over which CNTs and GO were deposited by spin coating. In addition, SRO layers, in which silicon nanocrystals are embedded, were obtained by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) technique. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra were obtained from the hybrid structures with which a comparative analysis was completed among different PL ones. The SRO layers were used to confine the CNTs and GO. The main purpose of making these hybrid structures is to modulate their PL response and obtain different emission energy regions in the PL response. It was found that the PL spectra of the CNTs/SRO and GO/SRO structures exhibit a shift towards high energies compared to those obtained from the PSi layers; likewise, the PSi/CNTs/SRO and PSi/GO/SRO structures show a similar behavior. To identify the different emission mechanisms originated by PSi, GO, CNTs, and SRO, the PL spectra were deconvolved. It was found that the Psi/CNTs/SRO and Psi/GO/SRO structures exhibit a PL shift in respect to the PSi layers, for this reason, the modulation of the PL emission of the structures makes these hybrid structures promising candidates to be applied in the field of photonic and electroluminescent devices.
Estimation of the radial size and density fluctuation amplitude of edge localized modes using microwave interferometer array

A novel technique to estimate the range of radial size and density fluctuation amplitude of edge localized modes (ELMs) in the KSTAR tokamak plasma is presented. A microwave imaging reflectometry (MIR) system is reconfigured as a multi-channel microwave interferometer array (MIA) to measure the density fluctuations associated with ELMs, while electron cyclotron emission imaging (ECEI) system is used as a reference diagnostics to confirm the MIA observation. Two dimensional full-wave (FWR2D) simulations integrated with optics simulation are performed to investigate the Gaussian beam propagation and reflection through the plasma as well as the MIA optical components and obtain the interferometric phase undulations of individual channels at the detector plane due to ELM perturbation. The simulation results show that the amplitude of the phase undulation depends linearly on both radial size and density perturbation amplitude of ELM. For a typical discharge with ELMs, it is estimated that the ELM structure observed by the MIA system has density perturbation amplitude in the range ∼ 7 % to 14 % while radial size in the range ∼ 1 to 3 cm.
Development of Cyclic Peptides Targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Mesenchymal Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Subtype

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by the lack of expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and amplification of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Being the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) highly expressed in mesenchymal TNBC and correlated with aggressive growth behavior, it represents an ideal target for anticancer drugs. Here, we have applied the phage display for selecting two highly specific peptide ligands for targeting the EGFR overexpressed in MDA-MB-231 cells, a human TNBC cell line. Molecular docking predicted the peptide-binding affinities and sites in the extracellular domain of EGFR. The binding of the FITC-conjugated peptides to human and murine TNBC cells was validated by flow cytometry. Confocal microscopy confirmed the peptide binding specificity to EGFR-positive MDA-MB-231 tumor xenograft tissues and their co-localization with the membrane EGFR. Further, the peptide stimulation did not affect the cell cycle of TNBC cells, which is of interest for their utility for tumor targeting. Our data indicate that these novel peptides are highly specific ligands for the EGFR overexpressed in TNBC cells, and thus they could be used in conjugation with nanoparticles for tumor-targeted delivery of anticancer drugs.
ECOSSISTEMA DE INOVAÇÃO SOCIAL E PRESERVAÇÃO DA MATA ATLÂNTICA NO SUL DO BRASIL: O CASO ARAUCÁRIA +

Objetivo: Explorar as controvérsias entre os atores mapeados no projeto Araucária + para entender as questões que impedem um avanço mais rápido na preservação da floresta com Araucárias no sul do Brasil na direção do ODS 15. Método/abordagem: Estudo de caso qualitativo e interpretativo que considera o contexto cultural, histórico e político da região e observa as tensões na dinâmica e gestão das interações dentro do ecossistema de inovação social estudado. Principais Resultados: A pesquisa apresenta os atores, seus papéis e relações, revelando duas controvérsias principais: (1) ausência de consenso sobre a necessidade de proteger a floresta e, (2) a questão da pecuária e seu impacto nas florestas remanescentes. Contribuições teóricas/práticas/sociais: Este estudo contribui para problematizar e avançar em relação a modelos teóricos normativos, estáticos e predeterminados que descrevem modelos de ecossistemas de inovação social ideais, sem trazer à tona as particularidades e controvérsias existentes em ecossistemas específicos. O artigo contribui, assim, para a compreensão da complexidade de um ecossistema de inovação social destinado a proteger a Mata Atlântica no Sul do Brasil, a partir da literatura sobre Ecossistema de Inovação Social. Originalidade/relevância: Ao contribuir para a compreensão de uma rede de atores específica voltada para a preservação da Mata Atlântica sob a perspectiva da abordagem dos ecossistemas de inovação social, o artigo fornece insights sobre a complexidade dessa rede que foge dos modelos ideais encontrados na literatura, assim como traz luz a uma importante experiência voltada para a preservação de florestas, em conexão direta com o ODS 15 e indiretamente com os demais ODSs.
Linear Regression for Quantity Quantiles

Riassunto: La regressione dei quantili introdotta da Koenker e Basset (1978) (cfr. Koenker, 2005) puo essere vista come estensione al contesto della regressione della definizione del quantile campionario come soluzione ad un problema di minimo. In questo lavoro si mostra come, seguendo una procedura del tutto analoga, sia possibile definire anche i quantili di quantita di una variabile non negativa come soluzione ad un problema di minimo e come i risultati ottenuti possano essere estesi nell’ambito della regressione lineare.
Block Tridiagonal Matrices in Electronic Structure Calculations

A method for the inversion of block tridiagonal matrices encountered in electronic structure calculations is developed, with the goal of efficiently determining the matrices involved in the Fisher–Lee relation for the calculation of electron transmission coefficients. The new method leads to faster transmission calculations compared to traditional methods, as well as freedom in choosing alternate Green’s function matrix blocks for transmission calculations. The new method also lends itself to calculation of the tridiagonal part of the Green’s function matrix. The effect of inaccuracies in the electrode self-energies on the transmission coefficient is analyzed and reveals that the new algorithm is potentially more stable towards such inaccuracies. 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. PACS: 71.15. m; 02.70. c
A study of infrared spectroscopy de-noising based on LMS adaptive filter

Infrared spectroscopy has been widely used, but which often contains a lot of noise, so the spectral characteristic of the sample is seriously affected. Therefore the de-noising is very important in the spectrum analysis and processing. In the study of infrared spectroscopy, the least mean square (LMS) adaptive filter was applied in the field firstly. LMS adaptive filter algorithm can reserve the detail and envelope of the effective signal when the method was applied to infrared spectroscopy of breast cancer which signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is lower than 10 dB, contrast and analysis the result with result of wavelet transform and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD). The three evaluation standards (SNR, root mean square error (RMSE) and the correlation coefficient (ρ)) fully proved de-noising advantages of LMS adaptive filter in infrared spectroscopy of breast cancer.
Determination of Paraquat in Arabidopsis Tissues and Protoplasts by UHPLC-MS/MS

Paraquat is a cost-effective herbicide, widely used in many countries, that can induce severe oxidative stress in photosynthetic tissues. Studying plant herbicide resistance or antioxidant stress mechanisms requires determining the cellular paraquat level when plants are treated by paraquat. The traditional isotopic labeling method has the potential risk to cause problems to both human health and the environment. For radioisotope manipulation, special operation spaces and strict environmental inspection are also required. In addition, the radiolabeled paraquat is increasingly hard to buy due to the extended production cycle. Here, we describe a nonradioactive method to determine the paraquat level in a small number of Arabidopsis tissues or protoplasts, using a high resolution ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS method. This method is highly selective and sensitive, and more environmentally compatible and technically feasible than the isotope detection method.
Manifold preprocessing for laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy under Mars conditions

Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is currently being used onboard the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity to predict elemental abundances in dust, rocks, and soils using a partial least squares regression model developed by the ChemCam team. Accuracy of that model is constrained by the number of samples needed in the calibration, which grows exponentially with the dimensionality of the data, a phenomenon known as the curse of dimensionality. LIBS data are very high dimensional, and the number of ground‐truth samples (i.e., standards) recorded with the ChemCam before departing for Mars was small compared with the dimensionality, so strategies to optimize prediction accuracy are needed. In this study, we first use an existing machine learning algorithm, locally linear embedding (LLE), to combat the curse of dimensionality by embedding the data into a low‐dimensional manifold subspace before regressing. LLE constructs its embedding by maintaining local neighborhood distances and discarding large global geodesic distances between samples, in an attempt to preserve the underlying geometric structure of the data. We also introduce a novel supervised version, LLE for regression (LLER), which takes into account the known chemical composition of the training data when embedding. LLER is shown to outperform traditional LLE when predicting most major elements. We show the effectiveness of both algorithms using three different LIBS datasets recorded under Mars‐like conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent Modifications of the Emanuel Convective Scheme in the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System

Abstract The convective parameterization of Emanuel has been employed in the forecast model of the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) since 2000, when it replaced a version of the relaxed Arakawa–Schubert scheme. Although in long-period data assimilation forecast tests the Emanuel scheme has been found to perform quite well in NOGAPS, particularly for tropical cyclones, some weaknesses have also become apparent. These weaknesses include underprediction of heavy-precipitation events, too much light precipitation, and unrealistic heating at upper levels. Recent research efforts have resulted in modifications of the scheme that are designed to reduce such problems. One change described here involves the partitioning of the cloud-base mass flux into mixing cloud mass flux at individual levels. The new treatment significantly reduces a heating anomaly near the tropopause that is associated with a large amount of mixing cloud mass flux ascribed to that region in the original Emanuel .