Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Origins of heat and freshwater anomalies underlying regional decadal sea level trends

Regional sea level changes often differ from global mean changes due to geographic variations in surface fluxes and to changes in ocean circulation. Here we study such regional sea level trends from 1993 to 2004 using a synthesis of observations and an ocean general circulation model. Unlike the global mean, steric changes dominate regional trends with negligible contributions from column‐integrated mass variations. Regional heat and freshwater anomalies underlying steric changes are in turn distinguished between redistribution of pre‐existing anomalies within the ocean and contributions from additional surface fluxes external to the ocean. Internal redistribution accounts for most regional trends but exceptions are found, most notably in the western tropical Pacific Ocean where a warming of external origin dominates the trend. On average, external thermosteric sea level trends are found to be positive in temperate regions while negative at higher latitudes with opposite trends found in halosteric anomalies of external origin.
Average consensus for nonlinearly coupled agents: quadratic criteria

Many algorithms for multi-agent coordination are based on the fundamental idea of averaging. Probably the most widely known example is given by a class of consensus (agreement, rendezvous) procedures for first-order agents. Representing the agents state with points in the Euclidean space, the algorithm makes each point move to the relative interior of the convex hull spanned by the neighbors, hence the overall convex hull spanned by agents' states shrinks over time. For undirected or balanced network topology, such a protocol establishes average consensus, that is, the agents' states converge to the average of their initial values. Averaging algorithms are mimicked by many consensus protocols for high-order agents. Although the dynamics of the resulting network is no longer averaging (the convex hull spanned by the agents' states is no longer nested and may be unbounded), under certain conditions asymptotic averaging and high-order analogue of the average consensus properties still can be guaranteed. Most of results in the area assume special structure of the agents (e.g. their passivity) or the network (e.g. linear stationary couplings and graphs). In the present paper, we consider nonlinear algorithms for average consensus among identical agents of arbitrary order. The topology is assumed to be undirected but may switch, the couplings are symmetric yet uncertain, satisfying only some sector inequalities or conic quadratic constraints. Effective analytic criteria for consensus, extending the circle stability criterion, are obtained and their relations to well established approaches from the absolute stability theory are discussed.
A bacteriophage transcription regulator inhibits bacterial transcription initiation by σ-factor displacement

Bacteriophages (phages) appropriate essential processes of bacterial hosts to benefit their own development. The multisubunit bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAp) enzyme, which catalyses DNA transcription, is targeted by phage-encoded transcription regulators that selectively modulate its activity. Here, we describe the structural and mechanistic basis for the inhibition of bacterial RNAp by the transcription regulator P7 encoded by Xanthomonas oryzae phage Xp10. We reveal that P7 uses a two-step mechanism to simultaneously interact with the catalytic β and β’ subunits of the bacterial RNAp and inhibits transcription initiation by inducing the displacement of the σ70-factor on initial engagement of RNAp with promoter DNA. The new mode of interaction with and inhibition mechanism of bacterial RNAp by P7 underscore the remarkable variety of mechanisms evolved by phages to interfere with host transcription.
Comparative study of some optimization techniques applied to DC motor control

Traditional tuning techniques for classical Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller suffer from many disadvantages like non-customized performance measure and insufficient process information. For the past two decades nature inspired optimization algorithms are efficiently being implemented for tuning of PID controllers. In this paper, four optimization methods namely Genetic Algorithm (GA), Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization (APSO), Differential Evolution (DE) and Cuckoo Search (CS) are studied and used to optimize the controller gains of a Proportional-Integral (PI) controller for set point tracking in speed control of a DC motor by minimizing Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE). Hardware validation of the efficiency of above mentioned optimization algorithms is studied and presented. The plant under study is a DC motor control module (MS15) from M/S LJ CREATE™. M/S National Instruments (NI) based software and hardware components i.e. LabVIEW™ and its add-ons toolkit and data acquisition (DAQ) card has been utilized for the closed loop control in real time. The system identification is done in LabVIEW™ and then offline performance optimization is carried out in MATLAB™. The tuned gains are further used to study the run time performances in LabVIEW™ environment. This is done because MATLAB™ has very good optimization tools and on the other hand LABVIEW™ makes the measurement very easy. From the results obtained it can be clearly inferred that CS algorithm outperformed other algorithms studied in this paper, particularly in disturbance rejection.
Effect of interferon on virus production from isolated single cells.

Microdrops were used to isolate interferon treated mouse L cells infected with mengovirus. Three parameters were measured, (1) the time of virus yield, (2) the yield/cell, and (3) the percentage of yielding cells. More than 97 % of the control single cells yielded an average of 167 p.f. u. /cell with most of them yielding between I I and I4 h post-infection. Cells treated with interferon yielded later than controls (if at all), and all could be protected to some degree. In both treated and control cells, virus was released over a period of about I 5 rain. Increasing the multiplicity of infection of challenge virus reduced the effectiveness of a given interferon dose, while increasing the concentration of interferon increased the length of the latent period, decreased the size of the yield, and decreased the number of yielding cells. On the basis of these observations it is proposed that (I) the direct effect of interferon protection is to delay a critical step in virus synthesis, (2) the reduction in yield size and in the number of yielders is due to a progressive loss of the inherent ability of the cell to produce virus, and (3) the delay is the result of interferon, or a molecule induced by it, acting as a competitive inhibitor of some cellular or virus product, needed for the completion of virus synthesis.
An Efficient Time-Domain Integral Solution for a Loaded Rectangular Metallic Enclosure With Apertures

This paper proposes an efficient time-domain mixed potential integral equation (TD-MPIE) technique to analyze the penetrated transient electromagnetic field into a perforated rectangular metallic enclosure loaded with conducting objects. To this end, the surface equivalent principle is applied, and the fields in the interior and the exterior regions of the enclosure are formulated by using the time-domain cavity and free space Green's functions, respectively. Then, the governing TD-MPIE is derived by enforcing the continuity of the tangential magnetic and electric fields on the surface of the apertures and conducting loads inside the shield, respectively. The resultant time-domain equation is then solved by using the marching-on-in time scheme. Here, the spatial integrations and temporal convolutions are carried out analytically which eliminates the need to complicated numerical integration routines and remove the late time instability. In addition, an accelerated algorithm is proposed to scale down the computational complexity from <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$O(N_{\rm mod } N_t^2 N_s^2)$</tex-math> </inline-formula> down to <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$O(N_{{\rm mod}} N_t (\log ^2 N_t + 2N_s))$ </tex-math></inline-formula> where <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N_{{\rm mod}}$</tex-math> </inline-formula>, <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N_{t}$</tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N_{s}$</tex-math></inline-formula> denote the total number of necessary modes inside the cavity, the number of time steps, and the spatial unknowns, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed technique is validated by comparing the simulated results with the well-known CST Microwave Studio time-domain solver, as well as the frequency-domain solution, and the measurements.
Three-Dimensional High-Lift Analysis Using a Parallel Unstructured Multigrid Solver

A directional implicit unstructured agglomeration multigrid solver is ported to shared and distributed memory massively parallel machines using the explicit domain-decomposition and message-passing approach. Because the algorithm operates on local implicit lines in the unstructured mesh, special care is required in partitioning the problem for parallel computing. A weighted partitioning strategy is described which avoids breaking the implicit lines across processor boundaries, while incurring minimal additional communication overhead. Good scalability is demonstrated on a 128 processor SGI Origin 2000 machine and on a 512 processor CRAY T3E machine for reasonably fine grids. The feasibility of performing large-scale unstructured grid calculations with the parallel multigrid algorithm is demonstrated by computing the flow over a partial-span flap wing high-lift geometry on a highly resolved grid of 13.5 million points in approximately 4 hours of wall clock time on the CRAY T3E.
Performance analysis of saturated systems via two forms of differential inclusions

In this paper we develop a systematic Lyapunov approach to the regional stability and performance analysis of saturated systems in a general configuration. The only assumptions we make about the system are local stability and well-posedness of the algebraic loop. Problems to be considered include the estimation of the domain of attraction, the reachable set under a class of norm-bounded disturbances and the nonlinear L2gain. The regional analysis is established upon an effective treatment of the algebraic loop and the deadzone function. This treatment yields two forms of differential inclusions, a polytopic differential inclusion (PDI) and a normbounded differential inclusion (NDI), for the description of the original system. The corresponding conditions for stability and performance are derived as Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs).
Microbial Risk Assessement of the Contamination Level of Bovine Carcasses Slaughtered in an Abattoir in Maramureş County

Cattle carcasses may be contaminated during the flow diagram process with a wide variety of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms with diffrent origin, from various sources (soil, water, tools, knives, feces, operators), but only few of them will be able to develop in the new ecosystem conditions, and from these only a small proportion will eventually start the spoilage processes. Taking into account the above mentioned we aimed to perform a microbiological risk evaluation focusing on the aerobic plate count (APC), E. coli count, Enterobacteriacea count and the identification of Salmonella spp . The research material was represented by 60 surface samples of refrigerated beef, collected during January-December 2013, in a slaughterhouse in Maramures County. In order to evaluate the contamination level of the carcasses we used the following standardized methods: SR ISO 4831/2003 for aerobic plate count, SR ISO 21528-2/2007 for Enterobacteriaceae count, SR ISO16649-2/2007 for Echerichia coli and SR ISO 6579/AC/2006 for Salmonella spp. identification. The statistical data obtained concerning the slaughtering process revealed that the total microbial load was between 2.5-5.67 log cfu/cm 2 . These elevated values indicate non-compliance regarding the good hygiene practices and good manufacturing during the technological flow. Fom the total collected samples analized, the germs belonging to Enterobacteriaceae family, exceeded the maximum admitted level in 10.8%, respectively E. coli presented values between 0.5-1.9 log cfu/cm 2 . All the sample were negative for S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium .
Adalimumab (tumor necrosis factor-blocker) reduces the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity increased by exogenous tumor necrosis factor alpha in an organotypic culture of porcine neuroretina

Purpose To determine if exogenous addition of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) exacerbates retinal reactive gliosis in an organotypic culture of porcine neuroretina and to evaluate if concomitant adalimumab, a TNF-blocker, diminishes it. Methods Porcine retinal explants from 20 eyeballs were cultured. Cultures with 100 pg/ml TNFα, 10 µg/ml adalimumab, 100 pg/ml TNFα plus 10 µg/ml adalimumab, or controls without additives were maintained for 9 days. Freshly detached retinas were processed in parallel. TNFα levels in control culture supernatants were quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cryostat sections were doubly immunostained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for reactive gliosis, and cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP), a marker for Müller cells. Sections were also labeled with the isolectin IB4, a label for microglia/macrophages. Results TNFα in control culture supernatants was detected only at day 1. Compared to the fresh neuroretinal samples, upregulation of GFAP and downregulation of CRALBP occurred during the 9 days of culture. Exogenous TNFα stimulated glial cells to upregulate GFAP and downregulate CRALBP immunoreactivity. TNFα-treated cultures also initiated the growth of gliotic membranes and underwent retinal disorganization. Adalimumab inhibited the spontaneous increases in GFAP and maintained CRALBP. In combination with TNFα, adalimumab reduced GFAP expression and conserved CRALBP, with only slight retinal disorganization. No appreciable changes in IB4 labeling were observed under the different culture conditions. Conclusions In cultured porcine neuroretina, spontaneous reactive gliosis and retinal disorganization were exacerbated by exogenous TNFα. Adalimumab reduced spontaneous changes and those induced by TNFα. Therefore, inhibiting TNFα may represent a novel approach to controlling retinal fibrosis observed in some human diseases.
Biosensors for Brain Trauma and Dual Laser Doppler Flowmetry: Enoxaparin Simultaneously Reduces Stroke-Induced Dopamine and Blood Flow while Enhancing Serotonin and Blood Flow in Motor Neurons of Brain, In Vivo

Neuromolecular Imaging (NMI) based on adsorptive electrochemistry, combined with Dual Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) is presented herein to investigate the brain neurochemistry affected by enoxaparin (Lovenox®), an antiplatelet/antithrombotic medication for stroke victims. NMI with miniature biosensors enables neurotransmitter and neuropeptide (NT) imaging; each NT is imaged with a response time in milliseconds. A semiderivative electronic reduction circuit images several NT’s selectively and separately within a response time of minutes. Spatial resolution of NMI biosensors is in the range of nanomicrons and electrochemically-induced current ranges are in pico- and nano-amperes. Simultaneously with NMI, the LDF technology presented herein operates on line by illuminating the living brain, in this example, in dorso-striatal neuroanatomic substrates via a laser sensor with low power laser light containing optical fiber light guides. NMI biotechnology with BRODERICK PROBE® biosensors has a distinct advantage over conventional electrochemical methodologies both in novelty of biosensor formulations and on-line imaging capabilities in the biosensor field. NMI with unique biocompatible biosensors precisely images NT in the body, blood and brain of animals and humans using characteristic experimentally derived half-wave potentials driven by oxidative electron transfer. Enoxaparin is a first line clinical treatment prescribed to halt the progression of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In the present studies, BRODERICK PROBE® laurate biosensors and LDF laser sensors are placed in dorsal striatum (DStr) dopaminergic motor neurons in basal ganglia of brain in living animals; basal ganglia influence movement disorders such as those correlated with AIS. The purpose of these studies is to understand what is happening in brain neurochemistry and cerebral blood perfusion after causal AIS by middle cerebral artery occlusion in vivo as well as to understand consequent enoxaparin and reperfusion effects actually while enoxaparin is inhibiting blood clots to alleviate AIS symptomatology. This research is directly correlated with the medical and clinical needs of stroke victims. The data are clinically relevant, not only to movement dysfunction but also to the depressive mood that stroke patients often endure. These are the first studies to image brain neurotransmitters while any stroke medications, such as anti-platelet/anti-thrombotic and/or anti-glycoprotein are working in organ systems to alleviate the debilitating consequences of brain trauma and stroke/brain attacks.
In vitro Susceptibility to Itraconazole, Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole and Terbinafine of 100 Isolates of Trichophyton rubrum

Background: A reference method for dermatophyte in vitro susceptibility testing is lacking. With the advent of new antimycotics, susceptibility testing has received increasing attention as an important laboratory tool for aiding the selection of appropriate drug therapy. Methods: One hundred strains of Trichophyton rubrum were tested against four antifungal agents, itraconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine, by using a modification of the proposed standard M38-P of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards and two types of standardized inocula, 1.4 × 104 and 5 × 103 CFU/ml. Results: Terbinafine was revealed to be the most effective antifungal drug. Of the three azole derivatives tested, clotrimazole showed the highest antifungal activity, while the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of itraconazole and ketoconazole were similar. Inoculum size did not affect the MIC of any of the antifungal agents tested. Conclusion: Our preliminary data provide promising results for the development of a reference method for dermatophyte susceptibility testing based on the microdilution technique, although more dermatophytes should be tested and the method evaluated in different laboratories.
Generalized Fano and non-Fano networks

It is known that the Fano network has a vector linear solution if and only if the characteristic of the finite field is 2; and the non-Fano network has a vector linear solution if and only if the characteristic of the finite field is not 2. Using these properties of Fano and non-Fano networks it has been shown that linear network coding is insufficient. In this paper we generalize the properties of Fano and non-Fano networks. Specifically, by adding more nodes and edges to the Fano network, we construct a network which has a vector linear solution for any vector dimension if and only if the characteristic of the finite field belongs to an arbitrary given set of primes {p<inf>1</inf>, p<inf>2</inf>, …, p<inf>l</inf>}. Similarly, by adding more nodes and edges to the non-Fano network, we construct a network which has a vector linear solution for any vector dimension if and only if the characteristic of the finite field does not belong to an arbitrary given set of primes {p<inf>1</inf>, p<inf>2</inf>, …, p<inf>l</inf>}.
Occurrence of frost episodes and their dynamics in height gradient above the ground in the Jizerské hory Mts.

We have verified whether the temperatures in the zone of terminal leaders of saplings (+100 cm) were less extreme than the temperatures in the zone of terminal leaders of common-sized planting stock (+30 cm). In May and June of 2011 and 2012 we investigated the occurrence of late frosts at different levels above the ground. The number of days and amount of hourly frost records were counted and the sum of sub-zero temperatures was calculated. Our study confirmed that sub-zero temperatures mostly occur at levels near the ground. Therefore, on the sites exposed to late frosts, such as mountain frost hollows, in addition to common-sized planting stock we recommend to consider also the use of large-sized transplants (saplings), since their terminal buds are mostly above the zone near the ground most endangered by frost.
Silibinin Suppresses Growth of Human Prostate Carcinoma PC-3 Orthotopic Xenograft via Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 1/2 and Inhibition of Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription Signaling

Purpose: Silibinin is currently under phase II clinical trial in prostate cancer patients; however, its antitumor effects and mechanisms are not completely understood. Herein, we studied the efficacy and associated mechanisms of silibinin against orthotopically growing advanced human prostate carcinoma PC-3 tumors. Experimental Design: Athymic male mice were orthotopically implanted with PC-3 cells in prostate and 1 week later after surgical recovery were gavaged daily with silibinin (100 mg/kg body weight) for 7 weeks. Results: Silibinin treatment reduced the lower urogenital weight (including tumor, prostate, and seminal vesicle) by 40% (P < 0.05) without any toxicity in mice. Silibinin decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression and proliferating cells (P < 0.001) but increased cleaved caspase-3-positive cells (P < 0.01) and apoptotic cells (P < 0.001) and suppressed tumor microvessel density (P < 0.001) and vascular endothelial growth factor expression (P = 0.02). Decreased levels of cyclin-dependent kinases 2, 4, and 6, CDC2, and cyclins D1, D3, E, and A were observed, indicating an inhibitory effect of silibinin on cell cycle progression. Silibinin showed a tremendous increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation but decreased c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. A moderate decrease in phosphorylated and total levels of Akt was also noted. A marked inhibitory effect of silibinin on signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 1 (Tyr701), STAT1 (Ser727), STAT3 (Tyr705), STAT3 (Ser727), and STAT5 (Tyr794) phosphorylation together with a decrease in their total levels was also observed. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence for antitumor efficacy of silibinin against orthotopically growing prostate tumor in mice with multitargeted mechanistic insights and support its clinical investigation in prostate cancer.