Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Identification and Structural Characterization of Growth-Regulating Factors (GRFs) in Actinida eriantha and Actinidia chinensis

Growth-regulating factors (GRFs) encode plant-specific transcription factors that play a vital role in regulation of plant growth, development, and stress response. Although GRFs have been identified in various plants, there is no reported work available in Actinidia (commonly known as kiwifruit) so far. In the present study, we identified 22 GRF genes on A. chinensis (hereafter A. chinensis is referred to as Ac, and GRF genes in A. chinensis are referred to as AcGRF) distributed on 17 chromosomes and one contig, and 26 GRF genes in A. eriantha (hereafter A. eriantha is referred to as Ae, and GRF genes in A. eriantha are referred to as AeGRF) distributed on 21 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that kiwifruit GRF proteins were clustered into five distinct groups. Additionally, kiwifruit GRFs showed motif composition and gene structure similarities within the same group. Synteny analysis showed that whole-genome duplication played a key role in the expansion of the GRF family in kiwifruit. The higher expression levels of kiwifruit GRFs in young tissues and under stress conditions indicated their regulatory role in kiwifruit growth and development. We observed two genes in Ae (AeGRF6.1, AeGRF6.2) and two genes in Ac (AcGRF6.1, AeGRF6.2) significantly upregulated in different RNA-seq datasets. The presence of conserved protein structures and cis-regulatory elements caused functional divergence in duplicated gene pairs. The subcellular localization indicated the presence of kiwifruit GRFs in the nucleus of the plant cell. Protein-protein interaction analysis predicted AtGIF protein orthologs for AcGRFs and AeGRFs. Taken together, we systematically analyzed the characterization of kiwifruit GRF family members for their potential role in kiwifruit development and Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa.) invasion response. Further functional studies of kiwifruit GRFs in plant growth, development, and stress response will provide valuable insights for kiwifruit breeders.
Measuring High Dynamic Range Spectral Reflectance of Artworks through an Image Capture Matrix Hyperspectral Camera

Commercial hyperspectral imaging systems typically use CCD or CMOS sensors. These types of sensors have a limited dynamic range and non-linear response. This means that when evaluating an artwork under uncontrolled lighting conditions and with light and dark areas in the same scene, hyperspectral images with underexposed or saturated areas would be obtained at low or high exposure times, respectively. To overcome this problem, this article presents a system for capturing hyperspectral images consisting of a matrix of twelve spectral filters placed in twelve cameras, which, after processing these images, makes it possible to obtain the high dynamic range image to measure the spectral reflectance of the work of art being evaluated. We show the developed system and describe all its components, calibration processes, and the algorithm implemented to obtain the high dynamic range spectral reflectance measurement. In order to validate the system, high dynamic range spectral reflectance measurements from Labsphere’s Spectralon Reflectance Standards were performed and compared with the same reflectance measurements but using low dynamic range images. High dynamic range hyperspectral imaging improves the colorimetric accuracy and decreases the uncertainty of the spectral reflectance measurement based on low dynamic range imaging.
An efficient authentication and key-distribution protocol for wireless multimedia sensor network

To provide security and privacy for multimedia data transmission, efficient techniques for authorizing and authenticating network users and nodes are required. These challenges have made it a vital and significant area of research in the present decade. Du e to resource constraints, existing systems are unable to provide adequate protection against vulnerable behaviors and security assaults such as black-hole, Sybil, man-in-the-middle, and other similar attacks. In this paper, an effective enhanced engineere d cementitious composites (ECC) and crypto-based authentication with a key exchange mechanism is proposed. The method boosts the effective authentication mechanism and reduces the number of vulnerable activities in the network. The simulation results demon strate that the suggested technique is robust to malicious assaults and performs mutual authentication efficiently. A cost-benefit analysis validates that the processing, communication, and storage requirements are much reduced when compared to existing ap proaches. Furthermore, an informal security analysis demonstrates that the suggested protocol is secure and adaptable to real-time scenarios.
A Genetic Algorithm Approach to Automate Architecture Design for Acoustic Scene Classification

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been widely used with remarkable success in the acoustic scene classification (ASC) task. However, the performance of these CNNs highly relies on their architectures, requiring a lot of effort and expertise to design CNNs suitable for the investigated problem. In this work, we propose an efficient genetic algorithm (GA) that aims to find optimized CNN architectures for the ASC task. The proposed algorithm uses frequency-dimension splitting of the input spectrograms in order to explore the architecture search space in sub-CNN models in addition to classical single-path CNNs. Specifically, this algorithm aims to find the best number of sub-CNNs in addition to their architectures to better capture the distinct features of the input spectrograms. The proposed GA is specifically designed for sound classification to suit the ASC task than many other GAs that optimize conventional single-path CNN architectures. Experimental results on three benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Specifically, the proposed algorithm has achieved around 17.8%, 16%, and 17.2%, relative improvement in accuracy with respect to the baseline systems on the development datasets of DCASE2018-Task1A, DCASE2019-Task1A, and DCASE2020-Task1A, respectively.
Atonal Music as a Model for Investigating Exploratory Behavior

Atonal music is often characterized by low predictability stemming from the absence of tonal or metrical hierarchies. In contrast, Western tonal music exhibits intrinsic predictability due to its hierarchical structure and therefore, offers a directly accessible predictive model to the listener. In consequence, a specific challenge of atonal music is that listeners must generate a variety of new predictive models. Listeners must not only refrain from applying available tonal models to the heard music, but they must also search for statistical regularities and build new rules that may be related to musical properties other than pitch, such as timbre or dynamics. In this article, we propose that the generation of such new predictive models and the aesthetic experience of atonal music are characterized by internal states related to exploration. This is a behavior well characterized in behavioral neuroscience as fulfilling an innate drive to reduce uncertainty but which has received little attention in empirical music research. We support our proposal with emerging evidence that the hedonic value is associated with the recognition of patterns in low-predictability sound sequences and that atonal music elicits distinct behavioral responses in listeners. We end by outlining new research avenues that might both deepen our understanding of the aesthetic experience of atonal music in particular, and reveal core qualities of the aesthetic experience in general.
Low Consumption Balanced Front-End Amplifiers Robust to Load Variations in 65nm PD-SOI CMOS Technology for 60 GHz Short-Range Wireless Applications

This brief presents two low consumption balanced front-end amplifiers designed in 65nm PD-SOI CMOS technology dedicated to low output power 60 GHz short-range wireless applications. For both designs, a resistive feedback neutralized common source differential pair architecture is used with 90° twisted hybrid couplers which allows power combining in addition to an improved robustness against load variations shown by load-pull experimental results. A specific design approach is used to reduce power consumption and limit the output power level. The one-stage amplifier exhibits a gain of 5.43 dB, an OCP1dB of 4.5 dBm, a saturated power superior to 6.33 dBm and a peak PAE of 8.6 % for a total power consumption of solely 14 mW and an active area of 0.17 mm2. The three-stage amplifier exhibits a gain of 21 dB, an OCP1dB of 3.7 dBm, a ${\mathbf {P}}_{\mathbf {sat}}$ of 7 dBm and a peak PAE of 8.4 % under a total power consumption of only 42 mW and an active area of 0.3 mm2. All the reported performances are obtained at 60 GHz from a 1V supply voltage.
Simultaneous optimisation of photovoltaic hosting capacity and energy loss of radial distribution networks with open unified power quality conditioner allocation

This study presents a multi-objective planning approach to optimally place open unified power quality conditioner (UPQC-O) by simultaneously optimising the photovoltaic (PV) hosting capacity (PVHC) and energy loss of distribution networks. The modelling of UPQC-O consisting of a series and a shunt inverter is carried out so as to place in distribution networks. The Pareto-dominance-based approach is used to simultaneously optimise the objective functions to determine the optimal PV generation capacity in each bus and the locations of the inverters of UPQC-O. The limits on bus voltage magnitude, line current flow, maximum PV generation capacity in each bus, and the percentage of voltage sag mitigated load are considered to be the operational constraints in this planning problem. The solution strategy used is the multi-objective particle swarm optimisation. The approach provides the Pareto-approximation set consisting of a number of trade-off solutions in view of PVHC and energy loss. A utility can choose a solution for implementation depending on its desired PVHC and/or energy loss level. The results show that the PV deployment in distribution networks reduces the energy loss. However, the amount of energy loss reduction diminishes with higher and higher values of PV capacity integration.
Heritage places as the settings for virtual playgrounds: perceived realism in videogames, as a tool for the re-localisation of physical places

ABSTRACT It is argued that approaching video gaming as a (techno)cultural practice can enrich the understanding of the cultural heritage represented in video games, as well as their value, since games have become an important source of shared symbol systems amongst far-flung and heterogeneous audiences. The perceived realism of the environments (re)created in video games is a key concept for examining them and the consequences particular to this medium, namely, their capacity for the re-localisation of heritages places. In this paper, a qualitative and explorative study is undertaken through ethnographic research which draws on data from interviews. Photo elicitation has been used to assess the perceived realism of heritage places in video games, and the impact this has on players’ perceptions and attitudes towards those places, in order to understand how this might effect social spacialities. A number of challenges are highlighted, particularly the importance for depictions of heritage places to be clearly recognisable, and to ensure an integrated future for the socioeconomic life of heritage places through the new realities which are defining society.
Bioinformatic Analysis Predicts a Novel Genetic Module Related to Triple Gene and Binary Movement Blocks of Plant Viruses: Tetra-Cistron Movement Block

Previous studies have shown that the RNA genomes of some plant viruses encode two related genetic modules required for virus movement over the host body, containing two or three genes and named the binary movement block (BMB) and triple gene block (TGB), respectively. In this paper, we predict a novel putative-related movement gene module, called the tetra-cistron movement block (TCMB), in the virus-like transcriptome assemblies of the moss Dicranum scoparium and the Antarctic flowering plant Colobanthus quitensis. These TCMBs are encoded by smaller RNA components of putative two-component viruses related to plant benyviruses. Similar to the RNA2 of benyviruses, TCMB-containing RNAs have the 5′-terminal coat protein gene and include the RNA helicase gene which is followed by two small overlapping cistrons encoding hydrophobic proteins with a distant sequence similarity to the TGB2 and TGB3 proteins. Unlike TGB, TCMB also includes a fourth 5′-terminal gene preceding the helicase gene and coding for a protein showing a similarity to the double-stranded RNA-binding proteins of the DSRM AtDRB-like superfamily. Additionally, based on phylogenetic analysis, we suggest the involvement of replicative beny-like helicases in the evolution of the BMB and TCMB movement genetic modules.
Innovations in Indian public administration

IMPACT Public sector Innovations have been extensively analysed in the EU, the US and other countries. This article uses insights from the global innovation literature, and the database of the Indian Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration (PMA), to fill critical knowledge gaps and help develop templates for successful replication across organizations and administrative jurisdictions in India and other developing countries.
Bus Load Inference and Crowding Performance Evaluation through Disaggregate Analysis of Fare Transaction, Vehicle Location, and Passenger Count Data

Comfort is an important aspect of the transit passenger experience. Crowding can significantly decrease passenger comfort and disrupt service delivery, causing passenger travel times to increase and even resulting in passengers being unable to board an arriving vehicle. This research explores the use of automatically collected vehicle location data, fare transaction data, and passenger origin–destination inference to measure crowding on buses. Three model components are involved: scaling vehicle trip-level origin–destination transfer data, measuring crowding as perceived by passengers through performance measures defined for this purpose, and determining the sources of crowding. The latter is important to identify the most effective means of addressing crowding in each case. The models are tested on data from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and examples of graphical applications already being used by planners are presented.
Effect of Fungal, Bacterial and Alkaline Augmentations on the Biogas Composition of Selected Plant-based Substrates

Lignocellulosic residues are interesting sources of renewable energy, if only their biomass recalcitrance could be reduced through appropriate pretreatment technologies and augmentations, to enhance anaerobic digestion. This study aimed at assessing the effects of bacterial, fungal and alkaline augmentations, on the biogas composition of selected plant-based substrates, namely: maize cob , rice straw and water hyacinth. Standard methods were adopted; the substrates were mechanically pretreated, loaded in single, dual and composite combinations, into five 54 L capacity metallic batch anaerobic digesters. Codigestion was encouraged with the addition of cow rumen waste. The set ups were allowed to run for 42 days under mesophilic conditions, while stirring daily. The biogas composition namely: methane, carbon IV oxide and hydrogen sulfide concentrations were measured on the 42nd day. The results showed that the composite with the combined treatments showed the highest concentration of methane (87%), followed by the composites with fungal augmentation (80%), bacterial (77%) and then alkaline (75%) augmentations. The least percentage of methane (9%) was recorded in the composite without treatment and no cow rumen waste added, which also had the highest percentages of hydrogen sulphide and carbon IV oxide. To improve the yield and quality of biogas generated from a lignocellulosic biomass, appropriate pretreatment strategies and augmentations are required.
Effects of Active Breaks on Physical Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study in a Region of Spain

Several studies have shown that active breaks (AB) lead to improvements in physical fitness, daily steps taken and participants’ health. However, there are no studies that have evaluated how they affect physical literacy (PL). Aims: Therefore, this study examined the effects of a 4-week recreational AB program based on games whose main objective was to improve motivation and motor skills’ improvement in PL in schoolchildren. Method: A quasi-experimental pilot study was conducted with PL assessments before and after a 4-week recreational AB program. Results: Fifty-seven schoolchildren (10.28 ± 0.43 years) participated in the study, 29 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group. An improvement in PL was found between the experimental and control groups after the intervention (p = 0.017). Moreover, the experimental group also improved (p < 0.001) PL after the intervention. More specifically, within the domain of PL, improvements were found after the intervention in the experimental group in the domains of physical competence (p < 0.001), motivation and confidence (p < 0.001) and knowledge (p < 0.001) but not in the domain of daily activity (p = 0.051). Conclusion: The application of an AB program based on playful games, during four weeks, produced an increase in scores in the general PL level, as well as in the domains of physical competence, motivation, and knowledge and understanding in schoolchildren.
Yeast Strains and Wort Color as Factors Affecting Effects of the Ethanol Fermentation Process

Dark malts used in the production of brewing wort affect the ethanol fermentation process, the phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and the physiology of yeast cells. An innovative element of this research is the combination of investigating the effect of beer wort color modulated by the use of dark specialty malts on the course and effects of fermentation and the characteristics of post-fermentation yeast biomass of brewer’s strains with different characteristics. Dark and pale beer were obtained. The beers had different ethanol contents (4.51–5.79% v/v), resulting from real (62.29–80.36%) and apparent (75.37–98.26%) attenuation levels. Metabolic and morphological differences were demonstrated in the brewer’s yeast strains used. S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus was distinguished by its ability to ferment dextrin, resulting in the highest ethanol content in beers. The total phenolic content in beer depends on the color of the wort and the yeast strain used (244.48–547.56 mg of gallic acid/L). Dark beers show higher ferric ion reduction ability (FRAP) and antioxidant capacity (ABTS•+) than pale beers fermented with the same yeast strains. Through biomass analysis, differences in yeast cell physiology depending on yeast strain and beer wort color were also revealed.
Place value: place quality and its impact on health, social, economic and environmental outcomes

Abstract This paper explores the link between the quality of the built environment and its value, in health, social, economic and environmental terms. This is theorized as ‘place value’ which, alongside ‘place quality’, is conceptualized as existing within a virtuous loop in which quality dictates value and value defines quality. To test this, a systematic review brought together wide-ranging international research evidence. The work confirmed a range of definitive associations between the quality of place and its place derived value. It also makes a clear link back from the evidence on place value to the sorts of qualities that enhance or detract from that value. These, in turn, define the constituent elements of place quality.
Long Term Time-Lapse Imaging of Geographic Atrophy: A Pilot Study

Geographic atrophy (GA), the late stage of age-related macular degeneration, is a major cause of visual disability whose pathophysiology remains largely unknown. Modern fundus imaging and histology revealed the complexity of the cellular changes that accompanies atrophy. Documenting the activity of the disease in the margins of atrophy, where the transition from health to disease occurs, would contribute to a better understanding of the progression of GA. Time-lapse imaging facilitates the identification of structural continuities in changing environments. In this retrospective pilot study, we documented the long-term changes in atrophy margins by time-lapse imaging of infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images in 6 cases of GA covering a mean period of 32.8 months (range, 18–72). The mean interval between imaging sessions was 2.4 months (range, 1.4–3.8). By viewing time-lapse sequences we observed extensive changes in the pattern of marginal hyperreflective spots, which associated fragmentation, increase and/or disappearance. Over the entire span of the follow-up, the most striking changes were those affecting hyperreflective spots closest to margins of atrophy, on the non-atrophic side of the retina; a continuum between the successive positions of some of the hyperreflective spots was detected, both by SLO and OCT. This continuum in their successive positions resulted in a subjective impression of a centrifugal motion of hyperreflective spots ahead of atrophy progression. Such mobilization of hyperreflective spots was detected up to several hundred microns away from atrophic borders. Such process is likely to reflect the inflammatory and degenerative process underlying GA progression and hence deserves further investigations. These results highlight the interest of multimodal time-lapse imaging to document cell-scale dynamics during progression of GA. Clinical Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT04128150 and NCT04129021.
Super High-Selectivity Fifth-Order Bandpass Filter with Twelve Transmission Zeros

A fifth-order bandpass filter (BPF) with super high selectivity using three pairs of coupled lines and two open stubs is proposed. Twelve transmission zeros (TZs) from 0 to 2f0 (f0 denotes center frequency of the passband) and five transmission poles (TPs) in the passband can be obtained to realize good out-of-band suppression and sharp roll-off skirts. For demonstration, a simple BPF prototype centered at 2.04 GHz is designed, fabricated with measured 3-dB fractional bandwidth of 18% and very high transition band roll-off rates of over 567 dB/GHz. Good agreement between the simulations and measurements validates the design method.
Utilizing the Ethics of Project Management in the Healthcare Field

The creation of an ethical code is a common practice within many professions. This paper compares and contrasts the ethical code of project managers affiliated with the Project Management Institute (PMI) with the organizational codes of a Midwest pediatric hospital (Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota) and the professional codes of its physicians and registered nurses. Through interviews and literature research, this paper will show that even though these professional fields may differ greatly in their scope, the contents of their ethical codes can still closely mirror one another and, in fact, the PMI ethical code can be greatly utilized within the field of healthcare.