Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gravity theory with a dark extra dimension

We set up a vacuum theory of gravity with an extra dimension of vanishing proper length. The most general solution to the field equations are presented. This formulation is free of Kaluza-Klein modes and does not allow the propagation of gravitons along the invisible fifth direction. Apart from a vacuum energy and radiation, the associated emergent theory exhibits a nonpropagating vector-tensor multiplet which has no analogue in standard Einstein gravity. It is naturally inert, obeys a bounded equation of state and has coupling properties radically different from ordinary matter. Based on these distinctive features, we propose that this geometric multiplet could supercede the hypothetical ``dark matter''. As further evidence in support of this possibility, we show that the galactic rotation curves are predicted to be asymptotically flat.
Knee Point Identification Based on Trade-Off Utility

Knee points, characterised as their smallest trade-off loss at all objectives, are attractive to decision makers in multi-criterion decision-making. In contrast, other Pareto-optimal solutions are less attractive since a small improvement on one objective can lead to a significant degradation on at least one of the other objectives. In this paper, we propose a simple and effective knee point identification method based on trade-off utility, dubbed KPITU, to help decision makers identify knee points from a given set of trade-off solutions. The basic idea of KPITU is to sequentially validate whether a solution is a knee point or not by comparing its trade-off utility with others within its neighbourhood. In particular, a solution is a knee point if and only if it has the best trade-off utility among its neighbours. Moreover, we implement a GPU version of KPITU that carries out the knee point identification in a parallel manner. This GPU version reduces the worst-case complexity from quadratic to linear. To validate the effectiveness of KPITU, we compare its performance with five state-of-the-art knee point identification methods on 134 test problem instances. Empirical results fully demonstrate the outstanding performance of KPITU especially on problems with many local knee points. At the end, we further validate the usefulness of KPITU for guiding EMO algorithms to search for knee points on the fly during the evolutionary process.
How to Build a Graph-Based Deep Learning Architecture in Traffic Domain: A Survey

In recent years, various deep learning architectures have been proposed to solve complex challenges (e.g. spatial dependency, temporal dependency) in traffic domain, which have achieved satisfactory performance. These architectures are composed of multiple deep learning techniques in order to tackle various challenges in traffic tasks. Traditionally, convolution neural networks (CNNs) are utilized to model spatial dependency by decomposing the traffic network as grids. However, many traffic networks are graph-structured in nature. In order to utilize such spatial information fully, it’s more appropriate to formulate traffic networks as graphs mathematically. Recently, various novel deep learning techniques have been developed to process graph data, called graph neural networks (GNNs). More and more works combine GNNs with other deep learning techniques to construct an architecture dealing with various challenges in a complex traffic task, where GNNs are responsible for extracting spatial correlations in traffic network. These graph-based architectures have achieved state-of-the-art performance. To provide a comprehensive and clear picture of such emerging trend, this survey carefully examines various graph-based deep learning architectures in many traffic applications. We first give guidelines to formulate a traffic problem based on graph and construct graphs from various kinds of traffic datasets. Then we decompose these graph-based architectures to discuss their shared deep learning techniques, clarifying the utilization of each technique in traffic tasks. What’s more, we summarize some common traffic challenges and the corresponding graph-based deep learning solutions to each challenge. Finally, we provide benchmark datasets, open source codes and future research directions in this rapidly growing field.
Integrative models of the heart: achievements and limitations

The recently completed draft sequence of the human genome provides access to a vast database of information, containing of the order of 30 000–40 000 genes. These are understood to encode some 250 000 proteins. Understanding how the information in the genome is used to create this ‘proteome’ is a major challenge, not least because predicting the functionally important three–dimensional structure of proteins from their amino–acid sequences is very difficult. But even these formidable challenges pale into insignificance when we consider the complexity of the next stage: understanding the interactions of tens of thousands of proteins as they generate biological function. This is the task of quantitative analysis of physiological function, which in its entirety is now referred to as the ‘physiome’. Bioinformatics and computational cell and organ modelling will play an increasingly important role in all these stages of unravelling the way in which the information contained in the genome is ‘computed’ to create living systems. Here, we address all but a small fragment of the physiome project: the development of integrative models of the heart.
An examination of the manipulation hypothesis to explain prevalence of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in gastropod intermediate host populations

There are many examples of parasites that manipulate intermediate host behaviour facilitating transmission to the definitive host. We examined this hypothesis as a possible explanation for the observed prevalence of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, a nematode parasite of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in eastern North America. The prevalence of this parasite in deer populations is typically high compared with its prevalence in its gastropod intermediate hosts. It is unclear how high levels of prevalence are maintained, given that the transmission of this parasite to deer is considered to occur by the accidental ingestion of infected gastropods. We tested the manipulation hypothesis by comparing the vertical climbing behaviour of infected and uninfected individuals of a known intermediate host species, Mesodon sayanus. Snails climbed higher at dawn than during the rest of the day and adults climbed higher than juveniles, but no differences were found between infected and uninfected snails. These res.
Discard Mortality Estimation of Yellowtail Flounder Using Reflex Action Mortality Predictors

Abstract The southern New England mid-Atlantic stock of yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea has a history of substantial discards, and the current stock assessment assumes 100% discard mortality. A controlled experimental trawl was used to test seven reflex actions, which in combination make up the reflex action mortality predictors (RAMPs), from stressed and unstressed yellowtail flounder. Tow time and air exposure were tested to identify their effects on mortality. Mortality was significantly related to reflex impairment. Exposure to air was the more influential stressor in the survivability of yellowtail flounder, suggesting that discard mortality in the fishery could be reduced by limiting the duration of on-deck air exposure for the fish. An example application of RAMP monitoring demonstrates a 42–73% range of discard mortality estimates from the southern New England trawl fishery. The reflex impairment–mortality relationship enables the estimation of discard mortality aboard commercial fishing ve.
Is there variation in the response to contact call playbacks across the hybrid zone of the parrot Platycercus elegans

Learned vocal signals could be important in the formation of prezygotic isolation between two hybridising taxa. This study examined whether vocal variation in the parrot Platycercus elegans facilitates the separation of individuals from two subspecies, P. e. elegans (CR) and P. e. flaveolus (YR). CR and YR have very different plumage coloration, respectively deep crimson and pale yellow, but hybridise where they meet creating an intermediate population (WS). In a factorial design playback experiment, we conducted 108 playback trials on three focal populations (YR, WS, CR), in and around this area of hybridisation, to test if they respond differently to contact calls from their own or another population. We also analysed whether differences in acoustic variables of the stimulus calls predicted the response to the call. We did not find any indication that individuals from the three focal populations responded differently to calls sampled from their own or another subspecies. We did find an effect of two of the five acoustic variables that we used to describe and classify contact calls from the three source populations. Specifically, duration of the stimulus call positively affected the response from individuals from WS and negatively the response from CR, and CR responded more to stimulus calls with a lower peak frequency. Overall, we found no indication that acoustic variation in contact calls on a subspecies level is involved in maintaining plumage colour differences between P. e. elegans and P. e. flaveolus subspecies.
Nitrogen-15 Uptake by Pinus contorta Seedlings in Relation to Phenological Stage and Season

This study measured the amount of uptake of labeled nitrogen (15N) of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm) seedlings, at three different phenological stages, in a growth chamber experiment. Thirty days after 15N application, the amount of 15N recovered in seedlings as a percentage of the total 15N fertilizer applied was 4% in early spring, 43% in summer and 33% in autumn. The total 15N recovered in the plant–pot system ranged from 80 to 96%, and is higher than reported in other studies. Total 15N recovered from the pot compartment alone ranged from 48 to 95%, suggesting that substantial pools of N remain in the soil. Results suggest that low 15N uptake in the spring was associated with limited development of new root as a result of low spring soil temperatures. The lack of unsuberized roots in spring could be a key factor decreasing the effectiveness of early spring fertilization in the boreal forest.
Microbial Diversity and Community Structure on Corroding Concretes

The objective of this study was to analyze bacterial diversity in two different concrete samples to understand the dominant types of bacteria that may contribute to concrete corrosion. Two concrete samples, HN-1 from the sunny side and HN-2 from dark and damp side, were collected from Zijin Mountain in Nanjing and genomic DNA was extracted. The partial bacterial 16S rRNA gene fragment was PCR amplified and two clone libraries were constructed. Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) was performed by digestion of the 16S rRNA gene and each unique restriction fragment polymorphism pattern was designated as an operational taxonomic unit (OTU). Phylogenetic trees of bacterial 16S rDNA nucleotide sequences were constructed. Sample HN-1 and HN-2 contained 21 OTUs and 26 OTUs, respectively. Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes were the predominant bacteria in both samples, and they are distributed among Herbaspirillum, Archangium, Phyllobacteriaceae and Planctomycetaceae. Cyanobacteria and Rubrobacter sp. are dominant in HN-1; while Acidobacteriaceae, Adhaeribacter sp. and Nitrospira sp. are predominant in HN-2. This distribution pattern was consistent with local environmental conditions of these two samples. The inferred physiological characteristics of these bacteria, based on relatedness of the DNA clone sequences to cultivated species, revealed different mechanisms of concrete corrosion depending on the local environmental conditions.
Effect of level of dietary soy oil supplementation and concentrate to forage ratio on feed intake, methane production and rumen fermentation variables of beef steers

long chain fatty acids SO supplementation ruminal methanogenesis of beef a high concentrate is whether it is consistent across lower concentrate to forage ratio (C:F) to investigate the effect of dietary SO inclusion and C:F ratio on feed intake, CH 4 emissions, rumen fermentation variables and rumen microbial measurements in dietary SO inclusion (0 v 60 g/kg dry matter (DM)). Diets were offered at 95% of voluntary DMI and formulated to be isonitrogenous (140 g/kg DM). Feed intake was measured daily, with CH 4 determined using the sulphur hexafluoride tracer (SF 6 ) gas technique on d 21 - 25 of each period on the 8 non-cannulated steers. Rumen fluid was sampled from the ruminally cannulated steers on d 27 and 28 for analysis of ruminal VFA, ammonia and microbial profile. The mcrA gene and 16S rRNA gene were quantified using specific genomic primers and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for both liquid and solid phases of rumen digesta. Data were analysed using the MIXED procedure (PROC MIXED) of SAS.
Optimizing an Injectable Composite Oxygen-Generating System for Relieving Tissue Hypoxia

Oxygen deficiency resulting from bone fracture-induced vascular disruption leads to massive cell death and delayed osteoblast differentiation, ultimately impairing new bone formation and fracture healing. Enhancing local tissue oxygenation can help promote bone regeneration. In this work, an injectable composite oxygen-generating system consisting of calcium peroxide (CaO2)/manganese dioxide (MnO2)-encapsulated poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microparticles (CaO2 + MnO2@PLGA MPs) is proposed for the local delivery of oxygen. By utilizing a series of methodologies, the impacts of each component used for MP fabrication on the oxygen release behavior and cytotoxicity of the CaO2 + MnO2@ PLGA MPs are thoroughly investigated. Our analytical data obtained from in vitro studies indicate that the optimized CaO2 + MnO2@PLGA MPs developed in this study can effectively relieve the hypoxia of preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells that are grown under low oxygen tension and promote their osteogenic differentiation, thus holding great promise in enhancing fractural healing by increasing tissue oxygenation.
An Artifact Evaluation of NDP

Artifact badging aims to rank the quality of submitted research artifacts and promote reproducibility. However, artifact badging may not indicate inherent design and evaluation limitations. This work explores current limits in artifact badging using a performance-based evaluation of the NDP artifact. We evaluate the NDP artifact beyond the Reusable badge's level, investigating the effect of aspects such as packet size and random-number seed on throughput and flow completion time. Our evaluation demonstrates that while the NDP artifact is reusable, it is not robust, and we identify architectural, implementation and evaluation limitations.
Resistance in the wild crop relatives Avena macrostachya and Hordeum bogdani to the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi

In previous screening tests the two wild crop relatives Avena macrostachya (Bal., ex Coss. et Dur.) and Hordeum bogdani (Wil.) demonstrated a high degree of resistance to the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.). In a choice situation using wild and cultivated oats and barley, alate aphids settled in lower numbers on the wild species. The results were, however, variable in the Avena combination. Nymph production was significantly higher, development time shorter and adult weight higher on the cultivated varieties. From the third instar and onwards the excretion of honeydew was significantly lower on the resistant plants. In general the honeydew contained less than 1% free amino acids although excreta from H. vulgare contained 3.5%. The percentage of free amino acids found in the honeydew was similar for all plant species (5.2–7.6%) except for H. vulgare, on which the aphids excreted 22% of the amounts ingested. Amino acids excreted in high proportions on all plants included asparagine, γ‐aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid, and glycine. Tissue sectioning did not reveal any obvious mechanical barriers to stylet penetration. The potential use of these wild species as sources for aphid resistance breeding in oats and barley is considered.
The CORDIC Method of Calculating the Exponential Function

Abstract This article presents a modern method of calculating the exponential function exp(x) based on the CORDIC iterative algorithm. The proposed solution is implemented in the form of a single iterative equation, which results in the simplification of the electronic version of this algorithm, thus reducing the cost of the device. It is important to point out that the accuracy of the calculation of the analysed function is not lost.
Additional notes on stomach contents of sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus stranded in the north-east Atlantic

The stomach contents of seven male sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus (Odontoceti: Physeteridae) from the north-east Atlantic were examined. One animal was stranded on 27 November 1997 near Wassenaar (the Netherlands). Four became stranded the following day, 28 November 1997, on the island of Ameland (the Netherlands); three of these had food remains in the stomach. Samples were also examined from a whale stranded in August 1998 at Bettyhill (Scotland) and one live-stranded in March 1996 at Tory Island, Co. Donegal (Ireland). Finally, a sample of the stomach contents from a whale stranded near Terneuzen (Scheldt Estuary, the Netherlands) in February 1937 was also examined. All samples consisted almost entirely of cephalopod beaks. Some fish remains were also found in the stomach of the Wassenaar and one of the Ameland whales. The cephalopod prey were mainly oceanic species: Gonatus sp. (probably Gonatus fabricii, Oegopsida: Gonatidae) was the main prey for all the animals stranded in the Netherlands. The specimen stranded in Ireland had consumed a wider range of prey, mainly Histioteuthis bonnellii (Oegopsida: Histiotetuhidae), but also Architeuthis sp. (Oegopsida: Architeuthidae), Chiroteuthis sp. (Oegopsida: Chiroteuthidae), Teuthowenia megalops (Oegopsida: Cranchiidae) and the octopod Haliphron atlanticus (Incirrata: Alloposidae). The fish remains from the Wassenaar whale were saithe (Pollachius virens, Gadiformes: Gadidae), while remains of monkfish (Lophius sp., Lophiiformes: Lophiidae) and an unidentified fish were recorded from one of the Ameland animals.
Service Quality Evaluation and Improvement of Bank Based on the Servqual Method and Process Capability

With the rapid development of China, foreign banks have entered China, and banking service industry is facing intense challenges and huge opportunities. Compared with foreign banking enterprises, the service quality of domestic banks is relatively poor. In the banking service industry, the application and research about service quality is relatively lacking. In this paper, SERVQUAL method, process capability analysis and queuing theory are applied to analyze the service quality of a branch bank of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and the improvement plan is put forward to improve service quality and customer satisfaction.
A User-centric Security Solution for Internet of Things and Edge Convergence

The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming a backbone of sensing infrastructure to several mission-critical applications such as smart health, disaster management, and smart cities. Due to resource-constrained sensing devices, IoT infrastructures use Edge datacenters (EDCs) for real-time data processing. EDCs can be either static or mobile in nature, and this article considers both of these scenarios. Generally, EDCs communicate with IoT devices in emergency scenarios to evaluate data in real-time. Protecting data communications from malicious activity becomes a key factor, as all the communication flows through insecure channels. In such infrastructures, it is a challenging task for EDCs to ensure the trustworthiness of the data for emergency evaluations. The current communication security pattern of “communication before authentication” leaves a “black hole” for intruders to become part of communication processes without authentication. To overcome this issue and to develop security infrastructures for IoT and distributed Edge datacenters, this article proposes a user-centric security solution. The proposed security solution shifts from a network-centric approach to a user-centric security approach by authenticating users and devices before communication is established. A trusted controller is initialized to authenticate and establishes the secure channel between the devices before they start communication between themselves. The centralized controller draws a perimeter for secure communications within the boundary. Theoretical analysis and experimental evaluation of the proposed security model show that it not only secures the communication infrastructure but also improves the overall network performance.
Heterologous Expression of Laccase From Lentinula edodes in Pichia pastoris and Its Application in Degrading Rape Straw

Rape straw cannot be efficiently degraded and utilized by ruminants due to its severe lignification and complex cross-linked structure between fiber and lignin. The laccases can catalyze the inter-unit bond cleavage in lignin substrates. Therefore, this study investigated the recombinant laccase from Lentinula edodes (LeLac) and its application in degrading rape straw. The LeLac was expressed using Pichia pastoris. It had the maximum activity at 60°C and pH 3.0 using ABTS as substrate and at 50°C and pH 4.0 using o-tolidine as substrate. The LeLac exhibited preferential oxidation of ABTS and featured resistance to high temperature, but relatively poor thermal stability. The LeLac activity could be strengthened by Cu2+ in dose-dependent manners. The LeLac could tolerate 15% of ethanol and methanol. The optimal pH for the lignin degradation of rape straw acid detergent fiber (ADF) by LeLac was 4.0. The LeLac could improve the cellulose enzymolysis of rape straw ADF by degrading its lignin. Relatively fewer lignin but more soluble phenols from original rape straw were removed by LeLac. The enhancement of enzymatic hydrolysis in original rape straw should be a combined result of polyphenols removal and lignin degradation caused by LeLac. This study demonstrated that the LeLac could improve the utilization of rape straw by degrading its lignin, meanwhile it’s worth noting that removing the soluble phenols by LeLac might also play an important role.
Gender Bias in the Evaluation of Teaching Materials

Gender differences in university teaching evaluations are well established, showing less favorable assessments of female instructors. It has also been shown that these differences cannot be linked to differences in students’ course performance, which would justify differences in evaluations. The less favorable assessments are thus either due to differences in aspects that do not affect student performance, but do affect their class experience (e.g., likability of voice tone), or due to evaluation biases unrelated to any actual differences in class experience. We find support for the latter mechanism when any differences between instructors are excluded by having respondents judge identical teaching materials prepared by either a male or a female instructor. In two studies, we find that female instructors receive worse ratings than male instructors from male respondents. In one study, we also find that female instructors receive higher ratings from female raters. Gender bias vanishes for non-academic subjects in our data.