Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Herpes simplex virus type 1 persists in the aged brain through hypothetical expression of accessory genes

Herpes simplex virus type 1 persists in the brain of most aged individuals and may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. The virus likely utilizes accessory genes for neural spread within the nervous system and herpes simplex virus type 1 may regulate various host responses through an array of accessory genes. This mini-review focuses on these viral accessory genes that may shed light on the potential mechanisms of this enigmatic phenomenon in the elderly brain.
In vivo probing of nascent RNA structures reveals principles of cotranscriptional folding

Abstract Defining the in vivo folding pathway of cellular RNAs is essential to understand how they reach their final native conformation. We here introduce a novel method, named Structural Probing of Elongating Transcripts (SPET-seq), that permits single-base resolution analysis of transcription intermediates’ secondary structures on a transcriptome-wide scale, enabling base-resolution analysis of the RNA folding events. Our results suggest that cotranscriptional RNA folding in vivo is a mixture of cooperative folding events, in which local RNA secondary structure elements are formed as they get transcribed, and non-cooperative events, in which 5′-halves of long-range helices get sequestered into transient non-native interactions until their 3′ counterparts have been transcribed. Together our work provides the first transcriptome-scale overview of RNA cotranscriptional folding in a living organism.
Robot-to-human handover with obstacle avoidance via continuous time Recurrent Neural Network

Parallel with the development of service robots, it is vital for the robots to carry out handovers autonomously. Robot-to-human handover is a coordination in time and space for a robot to deliver an object to human. A good robot-to-human handover should consider human safety and preference, natural motion planning that mimics human and adaptability to the changes of the environment. Conventional handover motion mostly rely on sampling-based algorithms that emphasizes on kinematic and dynamic analysis. This kind of motion planning could become complicated and slow in response if the handover motion is implemented in a dynamic environment where real time motion planning is required. To simplify the implementation of robot-to-human handover, a motion learning and generation framework that based on Continuous Time Recurrent Neural Network(CTRNN) is proposed. The proposed framework is equipped with the capabilities of object recognition, motion generation based on past learning experience and obstacle adaptation. As compared with conventional method, the proposed framework could be easily extended to handover motion with high dimensional configuration spaces as the motion can be generated from the learnt experience. In the proposed framework, the handover behaviour can be learnt via human-guided motion teaching which provides an intuitive and visible solution for motion planning. The proposed framework has been experimentally evaluated on a customized design robot via robotto-human handover testing. Based on the testing, the feasibility of the proposed framework had been justified.
Diagnostic accuracy of plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein for differentiating intracerebral hemorrhage and cerebral ischemia in patients with symptoms of acute stroke.

BACKGROUND Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a biomarker candidate indicative of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with symptoms of acute stroke. GFAP is released rapidly in the presence of expanding intracerebral bleeding, whereas a more gradual release occurs in ischemic stroke. In this study the diagnostic accuracy of plasma GFAP was determined in a prospective multicenter approach. METHODS Within a 1-year recruitment period, patients suspected of having acute (symptom onset<4.5 h before admission) hemispheric stroke were prospectively included into the study in 14 stroke centers in Germany and Switzerland. A blood sample was collected at admission, and plasma GFAP was measured by use of an electrochemiluminometric immunoassay. The final diagnosis, established at hospital discharge, was classified as ICH, ischemic stroke, or stroke mimic. RESULTS The study included 205 patients (39 ICH, 163 ischemic stroke, 3 stroke mimic). GFAP concentrations were increased in patients with ICH compared with patients with ischemic stroke [median (interquartile range) 1.91 μg/L (0.41-17.66) vs 0.08 μg/L (0.02-0.14), P<0.001]. Diagnostic accuracy of GFAP for differentiating ICH from ischemic stroke and stroke mimic was high [area under the curve 0.915 (95% CI 0.847-0.982), P<0.001]. A GFAP cutoff of 0.29 μg/L provided diagnostic sensitivity of 84.2% and diagnostic specificity of 96.3% for differentiating ICH from ischemic stroke and stroke mimic. CONCLUSIONS Plasma GFAP analysis performed within 4.5 h of symptom onset can differentiate ICH and ischemic stroke. Studies are needed to evaluate a GFAP point-of-care system that may help optimize the prehospital triage and management of patients with symptoms of acute stroke.
Liveclassifier: creating hierarchical text classifiers through web corpora

Many Web information services utilize techniques of information extraction(IE) to collect important facts from the Web. To create more advanced services, one possible method is to discover thematic information from the collected facts through text classification. However, most conventional text classification techniques rely on manual-labelled corpora and are thus ill-suited to cooperate with Web information services with open domains. In this work, we present a system named LiveClassifier that can automatically train classifiersthrough Web corpora based on user-defined topic hierarchies. Due to its flexibility and convenience, LiveClassifier can be easily adapted for various purposes. New Web information services can be created to fully exploit it; human users can use it to create classifiers for their personal applications. The effectiveness of classifiers created by LiveClassifier is well supportedby empirical evidence.
About Development and Innovation of the Slovak Spoken Language Dialogue System

The research and development of the Slovak spoken language dialogue system (SLDS) is described in the paper. The dialogue system is based on the DARPA Communicator architecture and was developed in the period from July 2003 to June 2006. It consists of the Galaxy hub and telephony, automatic speech recognition, text-to-speech, backend, transport and VoiceXML dialogue management and automatic evaluation modules. The dialogue system is demonstrated and tested via two pilot applications, „Weather Forecast“ and „Public Transport Timetables“. The required information is retrieved from Internet resources in multi-user mode through PSTN, ISDN, GSM and/or VoIP network. Some innovation development has been performed since 2006 which is also described in the paper
Long-Distance Axonal Regeneration in the Transected Adult Rat Spinal Cord Is Promoted by Olfactory Ensheathing Glia Transplants

The lack of axonal regeneration in the injured adult mammalian spinal cord leads to permanent functional impairment. To induce axonal regeneration in the transected adult rat spinal cord, we have used the axonal growth-promoting properties of adult olfactory bulb ensheathing glia (EG). Schwann cell (SC)-filled guidance channels were grafted to bridge both cord stumps, and suspensions of pure (98%) Hoechst-labeled EG were stereotaxically injected into the midline of both stumps, 1 mm from the edges of the channel. In EG-transplanted animals, numerous neurofilament-, GAP-43-, anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, and serotonin-immunoreactive fibers traversed the glial scars formed at both cord–graft interfaces. Supraspinal serotonergic axons crossed the transection gap through connective tissue bridges formed on the exterior of the channels, avoiding the channel interior. Strikingly, after crossing the distal glial scar, these fibers elongated in white and periaqueductal gray matter, reaching the farthest distance analyzed (1.5 cm). Tracer-labeled axons present in SC grafts were found to extend across the distal interface and up to 800 μm beyond in the distal cord. Long-distance regeneration (at least 2.5 cm) of injured ascending propriospinal axons was observed in the rostral spinal cord. Transplanted EG migrated longitudinally and laterally from the injection sites, reaching the farthest distance analyzed (1.5 cm). They moved through white matter tracts, gray matter, and glial scars, overcoming the inhibitory nature of the CNS environment, and invaded SC and connective tissue bridges and the dorsal and ventral roots adjacent to the transection site. Transplanted EG and regenerating axons were found in the same locations. Because EG seem to provide injured spinal axons with appropriate factors for long-distance elongation, these cells offer new possibilities for treatment of CNS conditions that require axonal regeneration.
Product and process

The present invention discloses a dye transfer inhibition product comprises a container containing a dye transfer inhibition composition. The container is formed by the closing of a sachet formed from a water permeable water insoluble web. The sachet comprises a flexible body of at least 10mm in one dimension and 10mm in another direction.
Vertical distribution and phylogenetic characterization of marine planktonic Archaea in the Santa Barbara Channel

Newly described phylogenetic lineages within the domain Archaea have recently been found to be significant components of marine picoplankton assemblages. To better understand the ecology of these microorganisms, we investigated the relative abundance, distribution, and phylogenetic composition of Archaea in the Santa Barbara Channel. Significant amounts of archaeal rRNA and rDNA (genes coding for rRNA) were detected in all samples analyzed. The relative abundance of archaeal rRNA as measured by quantitative oligonucleotide hybridization experiments was low in surface waters but reached higher values (20 to 30% of prokaryotic rRNA) at depths below 100 m. Probes were developed for the two major groups of marine Archaea detected. rRNA originating from the euryarchaeal group (group II) was most abundant in surface waters, whereas rRNA from the crenarchaeal group (group I) dominated at depth. Clone libraries of PCR-amplified archaeal rRNA genes were constructed with samples from 0 and 200 m deep. Screening of libraries by hybridization with specific oligonucleotide probes, as well as subsequent sequencing of the cloned genes, indicated that virtually all archaeal rDNA clones recovered belonged to one of the two groups. The recovery of cloned rDNA sequence types in depth profiles exhibited the same trends as were observed in quantitative rRNA hybridization experiments. One representative of each of 18 distinct restriction fragment length polymorphism types was partially sequenced. Recovered sequences spanned most of the previously reported phylogenetic diversity detected in planktonic crenarchaeal and euryarchaeal groups. Several rDNA sequences appeared to be harbored in archaeal types which are widely distributed in marine coastal waters. In total, data suggest that marine planktonic crenarchaea and euryarchaea of temperate coastal habitats thrive in different zones of the water column. The relative rRNA abundance of the crenarchaeal group suggests that its members constitute a significant fraction of the prokaryotic biomass in subsurface coastal waters.
Advances in the study of HLA-restricted epitope vaccines

Vaccination is a proven strategy for protection from disease. An ideal vaccine would include antigens that elicit a safe and effective protective immune response. HLA-restricted epitope vaccines, which include T-lymphocyte epitopes restricted by HLA alleles, represent a new and promising immunization approach. In recent years, research in HLA-restricted epitope vaccines for the treatment of tumors and for the prevention of viral, bacterial, and parasite-induced infectious diseases have achieved substantial progress. Approaches for the improvement of the immunogenicity of epitope vaccines include (1) improving the accuracy of the methods used for the prediction of epitopes, (2) making use of additional HLA-restricted CD8+ T-cell epitopes, (3) the inclusion of specific CD4+ T-cell epitopes, (4) adding B-cell epitopes to the vaccine construction, (5) finding more effective adjuvants and delivery systems, (6) using immunogenic carrier proteins, and (7) using multiple proteins as epitopes sources. In this manuscript, we review recent research into HLA-restricted epitope vaccines.
VIRTUAL REALITY AT SECONDARY SCHOOL – FIRST RESULTS

This paper examines the use of Virtual Reality (VR) at Swiss secondary schools. Despite many years of research, no well-founded data are available on the effects of the technology on children's learning success. It is assumed that VR is compatible with the learning theory of constructivism through the possibility of immersion, interaction, 3D representation and the possibility of adopting several perspectives. To investigate the topic, a vision has been developed for a learning unit within the competence area Nature and Technology on the subject "Plastics and its effects on the environment". Divided into five learning blocks, the learning unit provides the students with knowledge about the structure, production, recycling and environmental consequences with possible approaches to solutions. Ideas for possible VR applications were developed for each of these blocks. The vision was discussed in four interviews with teachers. The VR applications were commented and evaluated by 20 students of the same class. The topic "Environmental Problem Microplastics" selected for implementation is topical, fits into curriculum and is compatible with the specialist areas suitable for VR. In summary, it can be said that VR is still a long way from a nationwide deployment at the Swiss elementary school. Nevertheless, the educational institutions should observe the technology and develop an understanding of its possibilities through pilot tests.
Leaf Counting with Multi-Scale Convolutional Neural Network Features and Fisher Vector Coding

The number of leaves in maize plant is one of the key traits describing its growth conditions. It is directly related to plant development and leaf counts also give insight into changing plant development stages. Compared with the traditional solutions which need excessive human interventions, the methods of computer vision and machine learning are more efficient. However, leaf counting with computer vision remains a challenging problem. More and more researchers are trying to improve accuracy. To this end, an automated, deep learning based approach for counting leaves in maize plants is developed in this paper. A Convolution Neural Network(CNN) is used to extract leaf features. The CNN model in this paper is inspired by Google Inception Net V3, which using multi-scale convolution kernels in one convolution layer. To compress feature maps generated from some middle layers in CNN, the Fisher Vector (FV) is used to reduce redundant information. Finally, these encoded feature maps are used to regress the leaf numbers by using Random Forests. To boost the related research, a relatively single maize image dataset (Different growth stage with 2845 samples, which 80% for train and 20% for test) is constructed by our team. The proposed algorithm in single maize data set achieves Mean Square Error (MSE) of 0.32.
Stereo Eye Tracking with a Single Camera for Ocular Tumor Therapy

We present a compact and accurate stereo eye tracking system using only one physical camera. The proposed eye tracking system is intended as a navigation system for ocular tumor therapy. There, the available physical space to mount an eye tracker is limited. Furthermore, high system accuracy is demanded. However, high eye tracker accuracy and system compactness often disagree. Current established eye trackers can live with that compromise, desktop devices focus more on accuracy whereas mobile devices focus on compactness. We combine a stereo eye tracking algorithm with a clever arrangement of two planar mirrors and a single camera to get high accuracy, precision and a compact design altogether. We developed an eye tracking prototype and tested the system with ten healthy volunteers. We show that the proposed eye tracker is more accurate and robust, while at the same time equally compact as a comparable eye tracking system containing one instead of two mirrors.
Type A and Type B behaviour patterns, task type and sensitivity to noise

Synopsis The present study examined sensitivity to noise in subjects with Type A and Type B behaviour patterns as a function of the type of task being performed. Twenty Type A and 20 Type B subjects, selected by means of Bortner's scale (French version), were exposed to steadily increasing noise levels (68–110 dBA) while performing two tasks. The first was simple (crossing out) and the second was more complex (memorizing nonsense syllables). There was no difference between the groups on the simple task, but on the more complex task Type A and Type B subjects reacted differently, the former maintaining their level of tolerance while the latter lowered theirs. High investment and the desire to succeed may lead Type A subjects to ignore the acoustic environment and/or to deny the aversive aspects of noise as cognitive strategies for coping with stress.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Dumortiera hirsuta (Sw.) Nees (Dumortieraceae, Marchantiophyta)

Abstract Dumortiera hirsuta (Sw.) Nees is one of the large thallose liverworts in order Marchantiales. To compare with mitochondrial genome of Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis, we completed mitochondrial genome of D. hirsuta to investigate these mitochondrial genome differences between M. polymorpha subsp. ruderalis and D. hirsuta. Its length is 178,019 bp, shorter than that of M. polymoprha subsp. ruderalis by 8,177 bp and contains 72 genes (41 protein-coding genes, three rRNAs, and 28 tRNAs). The overall GC content of the mitochondrial genome is 42.2%. Structural variation was found covered by 159 bp inverted repeat sequences located in nad5-nad4 intergenic region and second intron of cob. Phylogenetic trees show that topology agrees with that of phylogenetic tree of chloroplast genome as well as taxonomical classification.
The fractional urinary fluoride excretion of adolescents and adults under customary fluoride intake conditions, in a community with 0.6-mg F/L in its drinking water.

AIMS To assess the fractional urinary fluoride excretion (FUFE) relative to the customary daily fluoride (F) ingestion in adolescents and adults aged 11-75 years, and to explore the influence that some metabolic variables, such as the F-dose (mg F/kg body weight), rate of urinary fluoride excretion, age and body weight, might have on FUFE values. DESIGN The fluoride ingestion and urinary excretion of 92 volunteers aged 11-75 years, resident in Santiago, Chile, were measured. In Santiago, the water is fluoridated to a concentration of between 0.5 and 0.6 mg/l. Individual FUFE values were calculated as the ratio between the total amount of F excreted with the urine and the total amount of F ingested, over a 24-hour period. RESULTS The average FUFE values did not differ significantly among adults (ANOVA; p > 0.31). The average 24-hour FUFE value for adults was 0.75; 95% C.I. = 0.70-0.80, while the corresponding value for adolescents was 0.35; 95% C.I. = 0.30-0.40. Individual FUFE values were fitted by a multiple regression model using the rate of F urinary excretion and the inverse of the F dose as significant predictors (R2 = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS Results obtained suggest that among adults residing in an area with an intermediate F-exposure, FUFE values do not depend on age. A relatively simple multiple regression model appears to explain 79% of the variability of the individually measured FUFE values. Further studies in areas with different F exposures are needed to refine the proposed model.
Image-guided fracture

We present an image filter that transforms an input line drawing into an image of a fractured surface, where the cracks echo the input drawing. The basis of our algorithm is the Voronoi diagram of a weighted graph, where the distance between nodes is path cost in the graph. Modifying the edge costs gives us control over the placement of region boundaries; we interpret region boundaries as cracks. The rendering of our crack maps into final images is accomplished either by image analogies or by modulation of an uncracked texture.
The Keys to Executive Information Systems Success

Abstract:Executive information systems (EIS) are high-risk/high-return systems, largely because the clientele these systems serve are not only influential in the firm, but have information needs that are very difficult to provide through computer-based information systems. As a result, it is important to understand the keys to successful EIS development and ongoing operation. This two-phase study first interviewed executives, EIS professionals, and vendors and consultants to elicit keys to success. The findings of the first phase rank-ordered the keys to successful EIS development and the keys to successful ongoing EIS operation. The first phase also indicated differences among the constituencies regarding the relative importance of the keys. The second phase of the research surveyed a large sample of EIS professionals to further examine the keys obtained from the interviews. These findings showed underlying dimensions of the two sets of keys, which in turn were used to produce a model of successful EIS d.
Monoclonal antibodies specific for an acetylated form of alpha-tubulin recognize the antigen in cilia and flagella from a variety of organisms

Seven monoclonal antibodies raised against tubulin from the axonemes of sea urchin sperm flagella recognize an acetylated form of alpha-tubulin present in the axoneme of a variety of organisms. The antigen was not detected among soluble, cytoplasmic alpha-tubulin isoforms from a variety of cells. The specificity of the antibodies was determined by in vitro acetylation of sea urchin and Chlamydomonas cytoplasmic tubulins in crude extracts. Of all the acetylated polypeptides in the extracts, only alpha-tubulin became antigenic. Among Chlamydomonas tubulin isoforms, the antibodies recognize only the axonemal alpha- tubulin isoform acetylated in vivo on the epsilon-amino group of lysine(s) (L'Hernault, S.W., and J.L. Rosenbaum, 1985, Biochemistry, 24:473-478). The antibodies do not recognize unmodified axonemal alpha- tubulin, unassembled alpha-tubulin present in a flagellar matrix-plus- membrane fraction, or soluble, cytoplasmic alpha-tubulin from Chlamydomonas cell bodies. The antigen was found in protein fractions that contained axonemal microtubules from a variety of sources, including cilia from sea urchin blastulae and Tetrahymena, sperm and testis from Drosophila, and human sperm. In contrast, the antigen was not detected in preparations of soluble, cytoplasmic tubulin, which would not have contained tubulin from stable microtubule arrays such as centrioles, from unfertilized sea urchin eggs, Drosophila embryos, and HeLa cells. Although the acetylated alpha-tubulin recognized by the antibodies is present in axonemes from a variety of sources and may be necessary for axoneme formation, it is not found exclusively in any one subset of morphologically distinct axonemal microtubules. The antigen was found in similar proportions in fractions from sea urchin sperm axonemes enriched for central pair or outer doublet B or outer doublet A microtubules. Therefore the acetylation of alpha-tubulin does not provide the mechanism that specifies the structure of any one class of axonemal microtubules. Preliminary evidence indicates that acetylated alpha-tubulin is not restricted to the axoneme. The antibodies described in this report may allow us to deduce the role of tubulin acetylation in the structure and function of microtubules in vivo.