Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antiviral Defense in Plants

RNA silencing is a conserved pathway and it may result in gene expression blockage in eukaryotic organisms. RNA silencing is also part of a highly adaptable immune system response against viruses in plants and animals. It is generally thought that virus-induced RNA silencing is that double-stranded replicative intermediates of RNA viruses, and/or double-stranded RNA produced from the viral RNA by host RNA-dependent RNA polymerases are recognized by Dicer-like proteins for the production of viral siRNAs (vsiRNAs). However, recent studies show that vsiRNAs originated predominantly from highly structured single-stranded viral RNAs is a general characteristic for RNA viruses, dsDNA virus as well as for sub-viral pathogens, e.g. viroid. Increasing lines of evidence has also shown that the plant antiviral response involves hierarchical action of DCLs. To counteract antiviral silencing, many viral genomes encode suppressor proteins to combat the defense pathway. The most common strategy for viral suppressors to inhibit RNA silencing is via binding to siRNAs. Some viral suppressor can also bind to long dsRNA and maybe compete with DCLs to access viral RNA substrates, or inhibit the activity of specific DCLs in the production of vsiRNAs. This review will give an update on the current view of these researches on antiviral silencing and defense in plants.
PARQVE-Project Arthritis Recovering Quality of Life by Means of Education Short-term Outcome in a Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: To evaluate the improvement in pain, function and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) by means of an educational program. Methods: Two hundred and five patients with knee OA were evenly allocated in four groups. Three groups had two days of lectures on Osteoarthritis (OA). All groups received printed material to read and a video with all the lectures. Groups 1, 2, and 3, had lectures one, two and three months apart respectively. Group 4 received the educational material only. Half of the patients (subgroups A) received a telephone call two months after the final lecture. At enrollment and four months after the final lecture or after receiving the educational material, patients were asked to answer LEQUESNE, WOMAC, VAS, and SF-36 questionnaires, both physical (PCS) and mental (MCS). Results: Age wise all groups were similar. BMI was significantly higher in group 4. In general, all groups improved in pain, function and quality of life with no significant difference between groups for Lequesne, WOMAC, WOMAC pain, and SF36 PCS, or MCS. VAS showed significant difference favoring phone calls (p=0.021). Without telephone calls VAS scores trends (p=0.068) to be less in class attendants than in those that only retrieved the educational material. Conclusions: The educational program improved pain, function and quality of life (both physical and mental). Telephone calls improved pain and classroom programs seem to be superior to educational material alone.
An evaluation of a GARP model as an approach to predicting the spatial distribution of non‐vagile invertebrate species

One of the primary goals of any systematic, taxonomic or biodiversity study is the characterization of species distributions. While museum collection data are important for ascertaining distributional ranges, they are often biased or incomplete. The Genetic Algorithm for Rule‐set Prediction (GARP) is an ecological niche modelling method based on a genetic algorithm that has been argued to provide an accurate assessment of the spatial distribution of organisms that have dispersal capabilities. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of a GARP model to predict the spatial distribution of a non‐invasive, non‐vagile invertebrate whose full distributional range was unknown. A GARP predictive model based on seven environmental parameters and 42 locations known from historical museum records for species of the trapdoor spider genus Promyrmekiaphila was produced and subsequently used as a guide for ground truthing the model. The GARP model was neither a significant nor an accurate predictor of spider localities and was outperformed by more simplistic BIOCLIM and GLM models. The isolated nature of Promyrmekiaphila populations mandates that environmental layers and their respective resolutions are carefully chosen for model production. Our results strongly indicate that, for modelling the spatial distribution of low vagility organisms, one should employ a modelling method whose results are more conducive to interpretation than models produced by a ‘black box’ algorithm such as GARP.
An interlaboratory comparison for mobile phone SAR

Intercomparison of the results obtained by the testing laboratories is a modern means allowing convincing their customers that they have organizational conditions, technical and system procedures, qualified staff and required logistics for characterizing accurately the products under test. For the laboratories accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025, besides the periodic internal checks, organizing the intercomparisons is an obligation to the extent that this is physically possible. Until now, no interlaboratory comparison for the SAR level, entirely achieved by laboratories from Europe and in particular for 3G handsets (UMTS), was communicated / published. The paper presents an intercomparison scheme for mobile phone SAR, conducted and achieved by a few European laboratories. The intercomparison was performed under self-financing conditions, during 2010-2012, by circulating a transfer standard represented by a commercial mobile phone LG KU 250 exclusively intended for this purpose, and the measurements were done according to the standards in force in European Union. The obtained results, measurement uncertainties and conclusions of this first study undertaken are presented.
Acoustic and articulatory variation in British Asian English liquids

Previous auditory and acoustic research reports variation in /l/ between ‘Asian’ and ‘Anglo’ speakers of British English, with Asian speakers producing ‘clearer’ realisations of /l/ than Anglo speakers from the same geographical region [8, 11, 22]. Whilst research on /r/ in British Asian English suggests variable rhoticity [8, 9], less work has documented /r/ variation in this community in non-coda contexts. Additionally, no study to date has examined the articulatory realisation of liquids in British Asian English. This paper reports a study of liquid variation between Anglo and Asian speakers of Bradford English, a dialect of British English. We report acoustic and midsagittal B-mode ultrasound data on the realisation of /l/ and /r/ in word-initial and word-medial position. We find differences between Anglo and Asian speakers that support previous studies, but also find individual differences in articulation. We discuss our results with reference to language contact and sociophonetic variation in liquids.
Proprotein Convertases Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9, an enzyme turned escort protein: Hepatic and extra hepatic functions (第9型前蛋白转换酶—枯草溶菌素/蛋白酶K，一种酶转变的护送蛋白：在肝脏与肝外的功能)

Proprotein Convertases Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine endoproteinase. Biosynthesized as a zymogen, it cleaves itself once, and then turns into an escort protein for transmembrane proteins, leading them into lysosomes for degradation. It is primarily produced and secreted by the liver. It attaches to the low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) at the surface of hepatocytes and, after co‐endocytosis, directs it into lysosomes where it is degraded. By downregulating LDLR, PCSK9 reduces hepatic clearance of LDL‐cholesterol. Inborn or induced increase of this function causes hypercholesterolemia; its decrease causes hypocholesterolemia. This has been experimentally demonstrated ex vivo and in vivo, and corroborated by epidemiological studies associating PCSK9 genetic variations with plasma cholesterol levels. PCSK9 is now a proven target for inactivation in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and associated atherosclerosis. However, it is still uncertain whether its severe or complete inactivation, combined with other predispositions, will be without undesirable side‐effects. Some experimental data suggest that PCSK9 could contribute positively to the physiology of non‐hepatic cells such as pancreatic islets β cells, adipocytes and macrophages, protecting them from excessive lipid uptake, in an endocrine, autocrine, or paracrine manner. Genetic variations that attenuate PCSK9 anti‐LDLR activity are common in human populations. Their evolutionary significance still needs to be evaluated on the background of environmental pressures, such as infectious diseases, cold weather and famine, which have threatened survival and reproduction in the course of human prehistory and history.
Forecasting Employment in Europe: Are Survey Results Helpful?

In this paper we evaluate the forecasting performance of employment expectations for employment growth in 15 European states. Our data cover the period from the first quarter 1998 to the fourth quarter 2014. With in-sample analyses and pseudo out-of-sample exercises, we find that for most of the European states considered, the survey-based indicator model outperforms common benchmark models. It is therefore a powerful tool for generating more accurate employment forecasts. We observe the best results for one quarter ahead predictions that are primarily the aim of the survey question. However, employment expectations also work well for longer forecast horizons in some countries.
THE LONGEVITY OF AVOCADO TISSUE IN VITRO

The continuous culture of tomato roots through 1600 passages and for more than 28 years by White (6) indicates the practicability of maintaining plant tissues for very long periods in vitro. This phenomena also supports the theory that under appropriate environmental conditions plant tissues can be maintained in living conditions for an indefinite time. Plant tissues other than roots such as tobacco pith have been established as clones. Through the process of successive transfers to new media these materials have been multiplied many fold in some cases and appear to have established the ability to maintain a degree of vegetative function and to undergo cell division indefinitely.
Simple LVDT signal conditioner

A method to implement a signal conditioning circuit for a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) is proposed in this article. The proposed signal conditioner can be used instead of a synchronous demodulator in the tradition approaches. The output signal of the signal conditioner is linearly proportional to the moving core of the LVDT with fast response. The realization technique is based on the use of an analog integrator to determine the LVDT signal at the half period of the excitation signal. The proposed signal conditioner provides without low-pass filter in the signal path. Therefore, the response time of the proposed technique is settled within half period of the excitation signal. The devices used in the proposed signal conditioner consist of basic commercially available devices such as operational amplifier (opamp), comparator, analog switch and one-shot timer. Experimental results demonstrated the performance of the proposed conditioner are included. The proposed technique is attractive in terms of simple configuration and low cost.
Analysis of Bending Effects on Performance Degradation of ITER-Relevant $\hbox{Nb}_{3}\hbox{Sn}$  Strand Using the THELMA Code

The modeling of the effects of bending on single strand DC performance (IC, n index) is presented for a bronze-route strand subjected to the same loading conditions as in an experiment performed at JAEA Naka, Japan [Y. Nunoya, , IEEE TAS 14 (2004) 1468-1472]. The strand is discretized in strand elements (SE) representing groups of twisted filaments in the bronze matrix, and in portions of the outer Cu annulus, electro-magnetically coupled in the THELMA code. The 3-D strain map in the filament region is computed with a newly developed, detailed thermo-mechanical model accounting for non-linear, temperature dependent material characteristics. With respect to our previous analysis [P.L. Ribani, , IEEE TAS 16 (2006) 860-863] several new updated ingredients, besides the new thermo-mechanical model, are used here, including more accurate thermal and mechanical properties for the materials, a jacket-like model for the outer Cu layer, IC and n index (interpolative) scaling from Durham University. The simulation results show an improved agreement with the experiments, in the degradation of the single-strand performance due to bending.
Adaptive universal portfolios

In this article, we consider Cover's universal portfolio and the problem of multi-period investment in a nonparametric setting. We show that Cover's universal portfolio is equivalent to a Bayes estimator of the optimal growth portfolio. However, as noted by Cover, it can take a long time for the universal portfolio to produce significant growth. Therefore, we propose the adaptive universal portfolio, which retains much of the qualitative nature of Cover's universal portfolio while enhancing early performance. An empirical study is carried out over a range of exchange traded funds over a 5 year period, which exhibits the enhanced early performance generated by the adaptive universal portfolio.
A new probiotic cheddar cheese with high ACE-inhibitory activity and γ-aminobutyric acid content produced with koumiss-derived Lactobacillus casei Zhang.

Summary Cheddar cheese has been manufactured with Lactobacillus casei Zhang as the dairy starter adjunct. L. casei Zhang had previously been isolated from koumiss collected from Xilin Guole in Inner Mongolia and characterized in detail with regard to their probiotic potential. The addition of L. casei Zhang to Cheddar cheese had no adverse effects on sensory criteria. The cheese made with 0.1, 1 an d2%o f the probiotic strain L. casei Zhang adjuncts contained high levels of the Lactobacillus after 6 months of ripening with final counts of 9.6·10 7 , 7.7·10 7 and 1.02·10 8 CFU/g, respectively. In the ripe control cheese, without the addition of probiotic strain L. casei Zhang, the number of Lactobacillus reached 5.7·10 7 CFU/g. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR) analysis was used to distinguish the added L. casei Zhang from the natural flora of the cheese and to determine whether L. casei Zhang grew in the cheese. ACE-inhibitory activity and g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations in the cheese were measured. Compared with control cheese, experimental cheese with 0.1, 1 an d2%o f probiotic strain L. casei Zhang revealed some increase in ACE-inhibitory activity and GABA mass fraction. In the present study, the production of both ACE-inhibitory activity and GABA in the probiotic cheese with the L. casei Zhang adjunct isolated from koumiss has been found for the first time. The results suggest that cheese with the probiotic strain L. casei Zhang showed good potential for application in the management of hypertension.
A community based study on pattern of breast feeding of under 6 months aged children in slums of an Eastern Industrial City of India

Introduction:Breast feeding is an essential and noble practice.It helps in proper growth of the baby, creates strong bonding with mother and offers immunity and development of brain.Breastfeeding practices are determined by various factors including cultural norms, beliefs, mother’s knowledge and previous experience. These factors operate differently across communities Aims and Objectives:To find out socio-demographic characteristics of the population as well as to ascertain different patterns of breast feeding of under 6 month aged children slums of an eastern industrial city of India. Materials and Methods:Community based cross section study on 192 study subjects whom were chosen by systematic random sampling method and interviewed by a pre designed pre tested questionnaire. Data was analyzed in SPSS 20 software and qualitative data was tested by chi-square test to find out significance at p<0.05 at 95% CI. Results and analysis: 25.5% of the study population were given prelacteal feed. Statistically significant result was found illiterate and daily wage earner mother in regard to prelacteal feed (P<0.05). Colostrum feeding was also low (58.3%). Again those two factors were statistically significant with low colostrum feeding (p<0.05). 40.6% study population were initiated breast feeding lately. Low Social class, joint family, illiterate and daily wage earning mother was statistically significant with late initiation of breast feeding (p<0.05). Proportion exclusive breast feeding was very low (27.6%) and was statistically significant with joint family, illiteracy of the mother and daily wage earning mothers (p<0.05) Conclusion:Despite massive campaign, awareness generation problems of illiteracy, low proportion of exclusive breast feeding, late initiation of breast feeding, low colostrum feeding and prelactealfeed are still problem some in slum areas. Some socio cultural and behavioral factors were affecting those feeding patterns.
Optimum breakdown charge for spark conditioning in vacuum under non-uniform electric field

Spark conditioning is one of the effective measures to improve the dielectric strength in vacuum. In this paper, we obtained the breakdown (BD) charge dependence for spark conditioning in vacuum under various non-uniform electric field and anode materials, and discussed the BD mechanism in terms of BD based on anode heating or cathode heating. Experimental results revealed that, in the case of BD based on anode heating, the longer the gap distance was, the larger the BD charge to obtain maximum dielectric strength was. On the other hand, in the case of BD based on cathode heating, the BD charge for maximum dielectric strength was smaller than that in the case of BD based on anode heating. From these results, we can estimate the optimal BD charge for the spark conditioning in vacuum.
Design and Development of an Infant Incubator for Controlling Multiple Parameters

: The preterm infant care is one of the most important, delegate and sensitive area in the Bio-medical field. Some new- born’s are at a higher risk of mortality and are called high risk infants, because the gestational age or their birth weight put them at a higher-than-average risk of disease and death. Since most infants hospitalized in NICU are born preterm, the problems of high risk infants are mainly related to prematurity. Thirty eight percent of mortalities in the first 5 years of age belong to prenatal period and out of these, 28% is related to preterm birth. The results of statistics in Iran show that in 1980, 13% of new-born were preterm, while in 2006 more than 30% of births were preterm [3]. Preterm baby requires surrounding exactly similar as in the womb to cope with the external environment. Perhaps the most important conclusion from recent research into the effects of the physical environment on preterm infants is that each infant should have a ‘microenvironment’, which can be individualized to needs that are specific to that child’s gestational age and medical condition. To some extent, the incubator can serve as this microenvironment, controlling light, sound, smell and protecting from infection [3][5]. An infant incubator provides stable levels of temperature, relative humidity, light condition and oxygen level up to an extent in which the preterm have same condition as in the womb. Air temperature has to be maintained around 35ºC [1]. The purpose of this project is to design and implement a closed loop control system to regulate the temperature, humidity, light intensity by using LED’s to avoid jaundice c ondition and the proper amount of oxygen level inside a neonatal incubator [2]. Microcontroller and PID controller will be used for implementing the hardware. The closed loop control system is a combination of sensors and actuators that operates synchronously to provide a stable thermal environment inside the incubator [3].
The Importance of Local Parties and Incumbency to the Electoral Prospects of the Liberal Democrats

It has been argued, based upon national polling and mid-term election results, that Britain's Liberal Democrats will lose a substantial number of seats at the next general election. However, such argument is in danger of underestimating the unique importance of strong local party organisation and incumbency to the Liberal Democrats as a platform for subsequent general electoral success. This article examines the changing income, expenditure and membership of the party's strongest local constituency associations since 2010, and concludes with a short assessment of the possible implications for the Liberal Democrats at the next election and beyond.
Determinants of Use of Modern Family Planning Methods: A Case of Baringo North District, Kenya

Background: Globally, there is an increasing unmet need for safe and effective family planning services. Most women in Africa, just like in many parts around the world, desire to control both the number and timing of births but lack an effective contraceptive method. The uptake of family planning (FP) services is low in Baringo North District. The overall objective of the study was to describe factors influencing use of modern FP methods. Specific objectives were (i) To investigate the role of knowledge, attitude and practice on the utilization of modern FP methods; (ii) To assess the influence of socio-cultural factors on uptake; and (iii) To associate and correlate the various factors with use of these methods. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The district was stratified according to the four administrative divisions. Total sample size was proportionately allocated to each of the four strata then to the two health facilities that were purposively selected per strata. Women in the reproductive age group that met inclusion criteria attending outpatient service at the selected health facilities were consecutively recruited into the study. Data was collected through interviewer administered questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were generated and results considered significant at 95% confidence level. Results: Of all the 344 respondents, 80.8 percent were aware of Modern FP methods. Pills and injection were most commonly known and used methods, mentioned by 66.2 percent and 64.4 percent of study subjects respectively. Sixty two percent of the respondents approved use of modern contraception while the current use rate was 32.3 percent. The significant predictors of use these methods were the respondents' age, marital status, knowledge on the methods and their side effects, and method approval by self and partner (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The low uptake of modern FP methods by women reveals their lack of knowledge on the various methods available, fear of harmful effects, and method approval by self and partner. There is need for reproductive health programs to intensify efforts in improving women's knowledge on modern contraceptive options including their side effects; and encourage constructive partner involvement.
Spectrally Sampled OCT Imaging Based on 1.7-μm Continuous-Wave Supercontinuum Source

We demonstrate a novel multiwavelength light source around the 1.7-μm region based on continuous-wave (CW) supercontinuum (SC) generation for the deeper imaging of low-water-absorption sample with a spectrally sampled optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. This self-regulated Gaussian spectrum of CW SC source has an extremely smooth flat width with more than 210-nm full-width at half-maximum bandwidth centered at the 1.7-μm region, a high output power of 500 mW, and a low temporal instability with less than 0.1 dB for an hour. In order to improve the OCT signal sensitivity without increasing the optical illumination power, a multiwavelength light source based on this CW SC was implemented by using a tunable fiber Sagnac comb filter. When it was applied to the spectrally sampled OCT imaging, the multiwavelength light source enabled a dynamic range improvement, compared to conventional continuous spectral light source with the same average optical power.