Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Shapelet Discovery for Time Series Classification

Time-series shapelets are discriminative subsequences, recently found effective for time series classification (<sc>tsc</sc>). It is evident that the quality of shapelets is crucial to the accuracy of <sc>tsc</sc>. However, major research has focused on building accurate models from some shapelet candidates. To determine such candidates, existing studies are surprisingly simple, e.g., enumerating subsequences of some fixed lengths, or randomly selecting some subsequences as shapelet candidates. The major bulk of computation is then on building the model from the candidates. In this paper, we propose a novel <italic>efficient shapelet discovery</italic> method, called <sc>bspcover</sc>, to discover a set of high-quality shapelet candidates for model building. Specifically, <sc>bspcover</sc> generates abundant candidates via Symbolic Aggregate approXimation with sliding window, then prunes identical and highly similar candidates via <italic>Bloom filters</italic>, and <italic>similarity matching</italic>, respectively. We next propose a <italic><inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$p$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>p</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="li-ieq1-2995870.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-Cover algorithm</italic> to efficiently determine discriminative shapelet candidates that maximally represent each time-series class. Finally, any existing shapelet learning method can be adopted to build a classification model. We have conducted extensive experiments with well-known time-series datasets and representative state-of-the-art methods. Results show that <sc>bspcover</sc> speeds up the state-of-the-art methods by more than 70 times, and the accuracy is often comparable to or higher than existing works.
A modified FCR test to evaluate pollen viability in Juniperus communis L.

Pollen viability of Juniperus communis L. and other gymnosperms with taxoid type pollen cannot be assessed with the more common viability tests because the thick sporoderm prevents reagents from penetrating into the cytoplasm. Here we describe a technique for pre‐hydration of pollen that overcomes this problem so that the common FCR test can be used to assess its viability. Pollen of J. communis must be re‐hydrated by suspending in water. This re‐hydration causes the splitting of the exine and a huge swelling of the intine. The sporoderm becomes permeable to fluoresceine diacetate and the FCR‐viability test can be applied. The FCR result is supported by scoring the germination percentage in vitro.
The Effect of the Age of the Assay Bird on the True Metabolizable Energy Values of Feedingstuffs

Abstract Two experiments were made to measure the effect of bird age on the true metabolizable energy (TME) values of four diets. The diets consisted of a basal supplemented with 10% of beef tallow, rapeseed oil, and wheat shorts. In the first experiment broiler chicks aged 24, 38, and 58 days were used as were adult Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) roosters. The second experiment was similar, but the birds used were SCWL males aged 29, 43, and 57 days together with adults. The diets used in the two experiments had the same formulations but were prepared from different lots of ingredients. Most of the variance within the TME data was associated with the differences between the diets. Significant age effects were observed within certain diets but they were not consistent. A simple trend with age was apparent in only two instances; these occurred only in the second experiment. Many of the age effects could be explained by the atypical value of a single treatment group within the diet group. It was observed that TME values for adult birds on the same diet were less variable than those for chicks. It seems probable that TME values obtained with adult roosters can be used in the formulation of diets for younger birds; however, additional confirmatory work is required.
In-Depth Structural and Optical Analysis of Ce-modified ZnO Nanopowders with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity Prepared by Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Method

Pure and Ce-modified ZnO nanosheet-like polycrystalline samples were successfully synthesized by a simple and fast microwave-based process and tested as photocatalytic materials in environmental remediation processes. In an attempt to clarify the actual relationships between functionality and atomic scale structure, an in-depth characterization study of these materials using a battery of complementary techniques was performed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), high-angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy-scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM-XEDS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy were used to evaluate the effect of Ce ions on the structural, morphological, optical and photocatalytic properties of the prepared ZnO nanostructures. The XRD results showed that the obtained photocatalysts were composed of hexagonal, wurtzite type crystallites in the 34–44 nm size range. The SEM and TEM showed nanosheet-shaped crystallites, a significant fraction of them in contact with bundles of randomly oriented and much smaller nanoparticles of a mixed cerium–zinc phase with a composition close to Ce0.68Zn0. 32Ox. Importantly, in clear contrast to the prevailing proposals regarding this type of materials, the STEM-XEDS characterization of the photocatalyst samples revealed that Ce did not incorporate into the ZnO crystal lattice as a dopant but that a heterojunction formed between the ZnO nanosheets and the Ce–Zn mixed oxide phase nanoparticles instead. These two relevant compositional features could in fact be established thanks to the particular morphology obtained by the use of the microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The optical study revealed that in the ZnO:Ce samples optical band gap was found to decrease to 3.17 eV in the samples with the highest Ce content. It was also found that the ZnO:Ce (2 at.%) sample exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), when compared to both the pure ZnO and commercial TiO2-P25 under simulated sunlight irradiation. The kinetics of MB photodegradation in the presence of the different photocatalysts could be properly described using a Langmuir–Hinshelwood (LH) model, for which the ZnO:Ce (2 at.%) sample exhibited the highest value of effective kinetic constant.
Scientific progress in ruminant production in the 1st decade of the XXI century

Scientific advances in nutrition of dairy cows in the first decade of the XXI century have occurred. This paper will review the most common additives fed to transition cows to decrease the incidence of metabolic disorders, which will be discussed separately with emphasis on their mechanisms of action, utilization and efficiency. Some changes on protein in the 2001 updated version of the Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle to reach better precision of the nitrogen and amino acid requirements of lactating cows also are presented. Many of the advances in nutritional manipulation of milk fat concentration are related to fat supplementation, then the relationship between the action of rumen microbes on biohydrogenation of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and milk fatty acid profile are discussed as well as the main factors identified as being responsible for milk fat depression.
Collision Modes of Two Eccentric Compound Droplets

A compound droplet with its single inner droplet appears in a broad range of applications and has received much attention in recent years. However, the role of the inner droplet location on the dynamical behaviors of the compound droplet is still not completely understood. Accordingly, the present study numerically deals with the eccentricity of the compound droplet affecting its colliding behaviors with the other droplet in a simple shear flow. The solving method is a front-tracking technique that treats the droplet interface as connected elements moving on a rectangular fixed grid. Initially, two compound droplets assumed circular are placed at a distance symmetrically to the domain center and they come into contact, because of the shear flow, when time progresses. During the collision process, the inner droplet that is initially located at a distance to its outer droplet center circulates around this center. It is found that this rotation also contributes to the formation of the collision modes including the reversing, passing-over and merging ones. Starting from a passing-over mode, a transition to a reversing mode or a merging mode can appear when the inner droplets, in terms of their centroids, are closer than their outer droplets. However, the location of the inner droplet within the outer droplet only has an effect when the value of the Capillary number Ca is varied from 0.01 to 0.08. For Ca < 0.01 corresponding to the merging mode and Ca ≥ 0.16 corresponding to the passing-over mode, the inner droplet position has almost no impact on the collision behaviors of two compound droplets.
Self‐perception of overweight and obesity: A review of mental and physical health outcomes

The obesity crisis is one of the largest public health challenges of the 21st century. Population‐level adiposity has increased dramatically in recent times, and people not recognizing that they have overweight or obesity is now common. It has been widely assumed that not recognizing oneself as having overweight is detrimental to weight management and long‐term health. Here, diverse research is reviewed that converges on the counterintuitive conclusion that not recognizing oneself as having overweight is actually associated with more favourable physical and mental health outcomes than recognizing oneself as having overweight. Drawing on existing models in social psychology and weight stigma research, an explanatory model of the health effects of self‐perception of overweight is outlined. This model proposes that self‐perception of overweight triggers social rejection concerns and the internalization of weight stigma, which in turn induce psychological distress and negatively impact health‐promoting lifestyle behaviours. How self‐perception of overweight may in part explain progression from overweight to obesity, and the public health implications of self‐perception of overweight and obesity are also discussed.
SURVIVAL, PAIR BOND RETENTION AND NEST-SITE TENACITY IN BULLER'S MOLLYMAWK*

Summary. Adult Buller's Mollymawks Diomedea bulleri banded in 1948 and 1961 at the Snares Islands south of New Zealand have been recovered between 1961 and 1971. Survival curves are presented which indicate the existence of a constant annual mortality rate of not more than 11.1 % with a mean expectation of further life at the time of banding of not less than 8.5 years. Breeding birds show a strong tendency to retain both the pair bond and the nest-site. One pair was still breeding in 1971 at the same nest at which it bred 23 years earlier. No re-matings were recorded while the original partner was known to be still alive. The dimensions of eggs laid over the years by particular females are presented. These enable some general indications to be given of the effects of the age of the female on the dimensions of the eggs which she lays.
Bacterial Cellulose as a Versatile Platform for Research and Development of Biomedical Materials

The unique pool of features found in intracellular and extracellular bacterial biopolymers attracts a lot of research, with bacterial cellulose (BC) being one of the most versatile and common. BC is an exopolysaccharide consisting solely of cellulose, and the variation in the production process can vary its shape or even its composition when compounding is applied in situ. Together with ex situ modification pathways, including specialised polymers, particles or exclusively functional groups, BC provides a robust platform that yields complex multifunctional compounds that go far beyond ultra-high purity, intrinsic hydrophilicity, mechanical strength and biocompatibility to introduce bioactive, (pH, thermal, electro) responsive, conductive and ‘smart’ properties. This review summarises the research outcomes in BC-medical applications, focusing mainly on data from the past decade (i.e., 2010–2020), with special emphasis on BC nanocomposites as materials and devices applicable in medicine. The high purity and unique structural/mechanical features, in addition to its capacity to closely adhere to irregular skin surfaces, skin tolerance, and demonstrated efficacy in wound healing, all stand as valuable attributes advantageous in topical drug delivery. Numerous studies prove BC compatibility with various human cells, with modifications even improving cell affinity and viability. Even BC represents a physical barrier that can reduce the penetration of bacteria into the tissue, but in its native form does not exhibit antimicrobial properties, therefore carious modifications have been made or specific compounds added to confer antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory properties. Progress in the use of BC-compounds as wound dressings, vascular grafts, and scaffolds for the treatment of cartilage, bone and osteochondral defects, the role as a basement membrane in blood-brain barrier models and many more are discussed to particular extent, emphasising the need for BC compounding to meet specific requirements.
Animal Models for the IGF-1 Signal System in Longevity

Longevity is an exciting but difficult subject to study because it is determined by complex processes that require the coordinated action of several genetic factors as well as physiological and environmental influences. Genetic approaches have been applied to animal models to identify the molecular mechanism responsible for longevity. Several experimental model organisms obtained over the last decades suggest that the complete deletion of a single gene by gene targeting has proven to be an invaluable tool for the discovery of the mechanisms underlying longevity. The first discovery of long-lived mutants came from Caenorhabditis elegans research, which identified the insulin/IGF-1 pathway as responsible for longevity in this worm. IGF-1 is a multifunctional polypeptide that has sequence similarity to insulin and is involved in normal growth and development of cells. Several factors in the IGF-1 system have since been studied by gene targeting in the control of longevity in lower species, including nematode and fruit fly. In addition, significant progress has been made using mice models to extend the lifespan by targeted mutations that interfere with growth hormone/IGF-1 and IGF-1 signaling cascades. A recent finding that IGF-1 is involved in aging in mice was achieved by using liver-specific knockout mutant mice, and this clearly demonstrated that the IGF-1 signal pathway can extend the lifespan in both invertebrates and vertebrate models. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms for the control of longevity are not fully understood, it is widely accepted that reduced IGF-1 signaling plays an important role in the control of aging and longevity. Several genes involved in the IGF-1 signaling system are reviewed in relation to longevity in genetically modified mice models.
Gradual and sudden forest canopy gaps in Allegheny northern hardwood forests

To determine the importance of gradual tree death to gap dynamics in Allegheny northern hardwood forests, line transect surveys of gaps and gap makers were conducted in three mature forests in central New York. Of the total number of gaps, 71.7% were classified as gradual gaps, meaning they were partial openings in the canopy caused by either trees with greater than 50% branch loss or standing dead trees. Sudden gaps, caused by trees that had fallen, constituted 9.7% of the total number of gaps. Another 18.6% of the gaps had mixed causes. American beech (Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh.), which is subject to beech bark disease in the study area, was the predominant gap maker, representing 52.4% of the gap makers compared with 25.6% of the canopy trees. It is suggested that future studies of forest gap dynamics include measures of gaps forming over a period of time, particularly in forests subject to decline and biotic diseases and in other forests where gradual tree death and standing dead trees are known to be imp.
Pleiotropic effect of the dwarfing gene d18-k on cool tolerance at booting stage under the genetic background of an extremely cool-tolerant line Norin-PL8 in rice

Norin-PL8 (‘PL8’) is an extremely cool-tolerant line of rice in Japan that contains genes for cool tolerance originating from a javanica landrace. It was investigated to see whether the dwarfing gene d18-k (kotaketamanishiki dwarf) exerts its pleiotropic effect on enhancing the cool tolerance at the booting stage in the genetic background of PL8. The d18-k isogenic line of the recurrent parent PL8 (D8), PL8, and two commercial cultivars ‘Hayayuki’ and ‘Kirara 397’ were used. For each line/cultivar, the 12°C-5-day treatment was conducted at various times during the booting stage. In addition to spikelet fertility, the ratio (%) of the fertilized-spikelet number of each treated panicle to the varietal mean of fertilized-spikelet number per panicle in the control (FS-T/C) was adopted to estimate cool temperature damage. For FS-T/C, the lines-cultivars ranked in the order of D8 > PL8 > ‘Hayayuki’ > ‘Kirara 397’, reflecting their cool tolerances. D8 exceeded PL8 in both pollen grain number per anther in the control and as an indicator of pollen fertility after the treatment, as a result of the effects of d18-k. Consequently, d18-k can be used to develop super-highly cool-tolerant cultivars for cool-weather areas.
Regulation by nicotine of its own receptors

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are diverse members of the ligand‐gated ion channel superfamily of neurotransmitter receptors and principal biological targets of nicotine action. Different nAChR subtypes play critical roles in chemical signaling throughout the brain and body and represent ideal targets for the modulation of nervous system function. Available evidence suggests that acute nicotine exposure activates function of all nAChR subtypes. However, more chronic exposure to nicotine, as would occur during long‐term use of tobacco products, might have different effects on nAChR that could contribute to other changes in nervous system function. Our studies suggest that chronic nicotine exposure has some common effects on numbers and function of all nAChR subtypes examined. In model cell lines, numbers of muscle‐type (α1β1γδ‐nAChR), ganglionic (α3β4‐nAChR), neuronal curaremimetic neurotoxin‐binding (α7‐nAChR), and central nervous system nicotine‐binding (α4β2‐nAChR) nicotinic receptors are increased on chronic exposure to nicotine. However, functional activity of muscle‐type and ganglionic nAChR is lost through a process that is distinct from reversible desensitization of nAChR. Nevertheless, there is diversity in the magnitude, rate of onset, and nicotine dose dependence of these effects across nAChR subtypes. Moreover, the ability of other nicotinic ligands to mimic or block effects of chronic nicotine exposure differs across nAChR subtypes. These findings suggest that distinct nAChR subtypes, perhaps expressed in different quantities and/or sites of the nervous system across human individuals or animal strains, have unique sensitivities to chronic nicotine treatment, possibly helping to explain individual differences in responses to, and during recovery from, chronic nicotine exposure. Drug Dev. Res. 38:136–148 © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experimental evaluation of the effect of spatial position on the power of a 5W LED

This experiment evaluates the effect of the spatial position on the power of a 5W LED which was obtained using a radiometer. For this purpose, the radiant flow emitted by the LED was arranged, taken at different positioning angles and the distance from it from the sensing equipment. Statistical analysis for the validation of the obtained data was checked against the values provided by the manufacturer according to the specification sheet. Finally, the increase in tilt angle and distance resulted in a loss of radiant flow emitted by the LED by 99%.
Life History Pattens of the Littoral Gastropods Shaskyus Festivus (Hinds) and Ocenebra Poulsoni Carpenter (Prosobranchia: Muricidae)

Monthly recaptures of marked individuals in intertidal populations of the predatory gastropods Shaskyus festivus and Oceanebra poulsoni for 39 months near La Jolla, California, show annual variation in growth, reproduction, and recruitment rates consistent with the conclusion that the snails experienced only 1 successful year in 3. Eggs are deposited in capsules from March through July, and free—swimming veligers are released in 3 to 4 weeks. More than 99% of the mortality occurs in the plankton or during settlement. The major predator on the adults, the crab Cancer antennarius, annually destroys less than 1% of the adults Shaskyus and less than 2.5% of the adult Ocenebra. After settlement, Shaskyus can expect to live for more than 10 years, and Ocenebra for more than 9 years. The adult mortality rate was generally highest during the reproductive season but lowest in 1969, when the greatest reproductive effort was observed. Marked individuals of both species have been found in breeding aggregations in more than one season, suggesting iteroparity. Shell growth rates decreased and mortality rates increased as shell length increased in both species. The sex ratio of Shaskyus from 25.0 mm to 44.9 mm did not differ significantly from 1:1. The proporations of female Ocenebra longer than 14.9 mm increased as shell length increased. The determination of sex in smaller size classes was uncertain because many smaller males were probably immature and lacked penises. Sexual differences in growth and mortality rates were probably responsible for the paucity of males in the larger size classes. No evidence for sex reversal was found in repeated sex determinations of marked snails.
Effects of nonylphenol and 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl on in vitro oocyte steroidogenesis in redlip mullet, Chelon haematocheilus

We investigated the in vitro effects of nonylphenol (NP) and 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) on steroidogenesis in redlip mullet, Chelon haematocheilus, oocytes. In experiment 1, we investigated the effects of NP and PCB126 on steroid production from exogenous steroid precursors. Vitellogenic oocytes (0.75 mm in diameter) were incubated with 10 and 100 ng/ml NP or PCB126 with [3H]17α-hydroxyprogesterone as a precursor. The major metabolites produced were androstenedione, testosterone (T), estrone, and estradiol-17β (E2). Both NP and PCB126 increased T production and decreased E2 production, except for 100 ng/ml PCB126. In experiment 2, oocytes (0.65–0.75 mm in diameter) were exposed to NP and PCB126 at different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL). After the incubation, T and E2 production was measured by radioimmunoassay. NP inhibited E2 production at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.1 ng/ml in 0.75-mm-diameter oocytes. NP at 1 and 100 ng/mL stimulated T production, but had no observable effect on E2 production. PCB126 treatment did not affect E2 production at any of the concentrations tested. NP alone at 0.1 ng/mL resulted in a significant decrease in E2 production in 0.65-mm-diameter oocytes. PCB126 did not show any significant effects on either T or E2 production at all concentrations tested. These results suggest that NP acts like an antiestrogen at lower concentrations (0.01–0.1 ng/ml) in vitellogenic oocytes of redlip mullet.