Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multilabel Learning via Random Label Selection for Protein Subcellular Multilocations Prediction

Prediction of protein subcellular localization is an important but challenging problem, particularly when proteins may simultaneously exist at, or move between, two or more different subcellular location sites. Most of the existing protein subcellular localization methods are only used to deal with the single-location proteins. In the past few years, only a few methods have been proposed to tackle proteins with multiple locations. However, they only adopt a simple strategy, that is, transforming the multilocation proteins to multiple proteins with single location, which does not take correlations among different subcellular locations into account. In this paper, a novel method named random label selection (RALS) (multilabel learning via RALS), which extends the simple binary relevance (BR) method, is proposed to learn from multilocation proteins in an effective and efficient way. RALS does not explicitly find the correlations among labels, but rather implicitly attempts to learn the label correlations from data by augmenting original feature space with randomly selected labels as its additional input features. Through the fivefold cross-validation test on a benchmark data set, we demonstrate our proposed method with consideration of label correlations obviously outperforms the baseline BR method without consideration of label correlations, indicating correlations among different subcellular locations really exist and contribute to improvement of prediction performance. Experimental results on two benchmark data sets also show that our proposed methods achieve significantly higher performance than some other state-of-the-art methods in predicting subcellular multilocations of proteins. The prediction web server is available at http://levis.tongji. edu.cn:8080/bioinfo/MLPred-Euk/ for the public usage.
Transient IL-10 receptor blockade can enhance CD8+ T cell responses to a simian adenovirus-vectored HIV-1 conserved region immunogen

Viral vector vaccines designed to elicit CD8+ T cells in non-human primates exert potent control of immunodeficiency virus infections; however, similar approaches have been unsuccessful in humans. Adenoviral vectors elicit potent T cell responses but also induce production of immunosuppressive interleukin-10 (IL-10), which can limit the expansion of T cell responses. We investigated whether inhibiting IL-10 signaling prior to immunization with a candidate adenovirus vectored-HIV-1 vaccine, ChAdV63.HIVconsv, could modulate innate and adaptive immune responses in BALB/c mice. Transient IL-10 receptor blockade led to a modest but significant increase in the total magnitude CD8+ T cell response to HIVconsv, but did not affect T cell responses to immunodominant epitopes. Anti-IL-10R-treated animals also exhibited greater expression of CD86 on CD11c+ dendritic cells. Our data support further investigation and optimization of IL-10 blocking strategies to improve the immunogenicity of vaccines based on replication-defective adenoviruses.
Neuro-Fuzzy Prediction-Based Adaptive Filtering Applied to Severely Distorted Magnetic Field Recordings

This letter presents an adaptive filtering technique, based upon neuro-fuzzy prediction, to enhance magnetic field signal recordings affected by significant anomalies of magnetotelluric origin such as magnetic storms, rain, and cultural noise. A neuro-fuzzy model has been developed and trained to predict the magnetic field signal in the absence of any sizeable disturbances. Thus, at the occurrence of a significant distortion of nonmagnetotelluric origin, the neuro-fuzzy model predicts the healthy magnetic field signal in parallel to the distortion, thereby significantly reducing the latter. Testing the trained system using unseen data verifies the reliability of the model and demonstrates the effectiveness of the neuro-fuzzy prediction-based adaptive filtering method
Factored phrase-based statistical machine translation

We describe the results of a short-term SEE-ERAnet project the aim of which was to investigate the feasibility of machine translation (MT) research and development for several South Slavic and Balkan languages. The major tasks of the project were: compilation of a multilingual parallel corpus for the concerned languages, the XML mark-up of the corpus (tokenization, lemmatization, tagging), the sentence and word alignment of the corpus and the building of the statistical translation models. Additionally, based on the created resources and models, we conducted preliminary experiments on building prototype MT systems for Romanian ≪-≫ English, Greek ≪-≫ English and Slovene ≪-≫ English. We argue that by investing efforts in building accurate language resources, larger the better, as well as in fine-tuning of the statistical parameters, the current machine-learning technologies can be successfully used for a quick development of acceptable MT prototypes, valuable starting points in implementing working systems. We substantiate this claim with recent results from a follow-up national project, aiming at the development of a Romanian≪-≫ English translation system.
Improving the Quality of Corporate Household Data: Current Practices and Research Directions

Corporate household data not only refers to the strict hierarchical structure about and within the corporation, but also the variety of inter-organizational relationships. It is becoming increasingly important for many purposes ranging from CRM and ERP applications, to risk management, supply chain management, and marketing. We propose conceptual definitions for corporate household, corporate household knowledge, and corporate household knowledge processor. After describing research challenges and conceptual definitions, we summarize current practices and approaches. We then present a two-part plan: (1) continue our qualitative research to describe the various different sources, views, and purposes for corporate household data, including the rules used in each case; (2) apply the context interchange theory to represent the corporate household data and underlying knowledge and enable the context mediation technology to correctly understand and reason about both the context of the sources and the context of the user's query about corporate household data.
Chiromancer: a tool for boosting Android application performance

Each Android application runs in its own virtual machine, with its own Linux user account and corresponding permissions. Although this ensures that permissions are given as per each application's requirements, each permission itself is still broad enough to possible exploitation. Such an exploitation may result in over consumption of phone's resources, in terms of processing, battery, and communication bandwidth. In this paper, we propose a tool, called Chiromancer, for the developers and phone users to control application's permissions at a fine granularity and to tune the application's resource consumption to their satisfaction. The framework is based on static code analysis and code injection. It takes in compiled code and so does not require access to source code of the application. As a case study, we passed publicly available applications from Google Play through Chiromancer to fine tune their performance. We compared energy and data consumed by these applications before and after the code injection to corroborate our claims of improvement in performance. We observed substantial improvements.
Telephone triage by nurses in primary care out-of-hours services in Norway: an evaluation study based on written case scenarios

Background The use of nurses for telephone-based triage in out-of-hours services is increasing in several countries. No investigations have been carried out in Norway into the quality of decisions made by nurses regarding our priority degree system. There are three levels: acute, urgent and non-urgent. Methods Nurses working in seven casualty clinics in out-of-hours districts in Norway (The Watchtowers) were all invited to participate in a study to assess priority grade on 20 written medical scenarios validated by an expert group. 83 nurses (response rate 76%) participated in the study. A one-out-of-five sample of the nurses assessed the same written cases after 3 months (n=18, response rate 90%) as a test–retest assessment. Results Among the acute, urgent and non-urgent scenarios, 82%, 74% and 81% were correctly classified according to national guidelines. There were significant differences in the proportion of correct classifications among the casualty clinics, but neither employment percentage nor profession or work experience affected the triage decision. The mean intraobserver variability measured by the Cohen kappa was 0.61 (CI 0.52 to 0.70), and there were significant differences in kappa with employment percentage. Casualty clinics and work experience did not affect intrarater agreement. Conclusion Correct classification of acute and non-urgent cases among nurses was quite high. Work experience and employment percentage did not affect triage decision. The intrarater agreement was good and about the same as in previous studies performed in other countries. Kappa increased significantly with increasing employment percentage.
Constructing Multiple Steiner Trees for Software-Defined Networking Multicast

A heuristic algorithm is proposed in this paper to construct a set of Steiner trees for multicast with multiple sources under the software-defined networking (SDN) architecture, where each source is associated with a group of receivers. It is based on the extended Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm and the modified selective closest terminal first Steiner tree algorithm. The former algorithm considers not only the edge weights but also the node weights to form data routing path with the shortest delay. The latter algorithm regards nodes with shorter paths to the source to have higher priority in the priority queue for growing Steiner trees. In this way, the number of Steiner tree edges is reduced and thus the bandwidth consumption is cut down. The proposed algorithm is simulated by the EstiNet emulator along with a Ryu controller for different multicast scenarios. The simulation results are compared with those of related algorithms in terms of the source-to-receiver delay and the bandwidth consumption to show the advantage of the proposed algorithm.
Exercise affects platelet-impeded antitumor cytotoxicity of natural killer cell.

PURPOSE Natural killer cells (NK) induce the death of tumor cells by perforin/granzyme-mediated cytotoxicity, whereas platelets reduce the capacity of NK to destroy tumor cells. Physical exercise affects both immune function and platelet activity because responses depend on type, intensity, and duration of exercise. This investigation explores how various exercise regimens influence platelet-impeded cytotoxicity of NK to nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (NPC). METHODS Thirty sedentary men performed on three occasions moderate exercise (60% .VO2max for 40 min), severe exercise (up to .VO2max), and severe exercise after warm-up exercise (60% .VO2max for 20 min). NK count and perforin/granzyme B contents, NK-NPC binding, and NK-induced NPC apoptosis were measured using a flow cytometer, whereas NK-induced NPC detachment from collagen-coated surface was determined using an electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing. RESULTS Severe exercise enhanced NK-induced NPC caspase-3 activation, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, DNA fragmentation, and detachment and was accompanied by increased NK count and perforin/granzyme B contents (P < 0.05). Moreover, severe exercise simultaneously promoted the suppression of platelet to NK-NPC binding and NK-induced NPC caspase-3 and -8 activations, PS exposure, DNA fragmentation, and detachment (P < 0.05). However, warm-up exercise pretreatment diminished the effects of severe exercise in platelet-impeded NK-NPC binding and NK-induced NPC apoptosis. Although moderate exercise also suppressed platelet-impeded NK-NPC interaction (P < 0.05), no significant changes occurred in NK count and perforin/granzyme B contents after this exercise. CONCLUSIONS Severe exercise enhances the cytotoxicity of NK to NPC and simultaneously promotes the platelet-impeded apoptosis of NPC induced by NK. However, warm-up exercise reduces the resistance of platelet to NK-NPC interaction, increasing the efficiency of anti-NPC cytotoxicity by NK after severe exercise.
Climate change in the building sector: a scenario analysis in the Mediterranean basin

The air temperature of 24 different general circulation models (GCMs), produced by the World Climate Research in the context of Fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) [1], were analysed using different metrics for selecting the most suitable GCM to be used for climate change impact analysis. The data of the selected GCM were used as input to a downscaling method known as “morphing”, to generate hourly weather files for 3 future time projections (2035, 2065 and 2090). Finally, in order to assess the building energy use for heating and cooling for the next century, simulations for different case studies were conducted.
Measurement of the accurate mass of a 50 MDa infectious virus.

RATIONALE Bacteriophage P22 is believed to contain a total of 521 copies of 9 different proteins and a 41,724 base pair genome. Despite its enormous size and complexity, phage P22 can be electrosprayed, and it remains intact in ultra-high vacuum where its molar mass distribution has been measured. METHODS Phage P22 virions were generated by complementation in Salmonella enterica and purified. They were transferred into 100 mM ammonium acetate and then electrosprayed. The masses of individual virions were determined using charge detection mass spectrometry. RESULTS The stoichiometry of the protein components of phage P22 is sufficiently well known that the theoretical molar mass can be determined to within a narrow range. The measured average molar mass of phage P22, 52,180 ± 59 kDa, is consistent with the theoretical molar mass and supports the proposed stoichiometry of the components. The intrinsic width of the phage P22 mass distribution can be accounted for by the distribution of DNA packaged by the headful mechanism. CONCLUSIONS At over 50 MDa, phage P22 is the largest object with a well-defined molar mass to be analyzed by mass spectrometry. The narrow measured mass distribution indicates that the virions survive the transition into the gas phase intact. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2D-DIGE analysis of differential protein expression in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane as a consequence of increased carbon dioxide in the incubator during the first 10 days.

Previous experiments in which the effect of a gradual increase of the carbon dioxide (CO 2) concentration (up to 1.5% during the first 10 days of incubation) on the development of the chick embryo was studied, revealed a faster embryonic growth, higher pCO 2 and lower pO 2 in the air cell till day 16, a faster hatch with a narrower spread and different thyroid hormone and corticosterone plasma concentrations for the chick embryos of the non-ventilated (increased CO 2) incubation. In addition, some persistent effects during the post-hatch period were recorded, such as a faster growth for the non-ventilated chicks. During embryonic development, the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) plays an important role in the respiratory interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide and in the uptake of Ca 2+ from the shell. The CAM is an extraembryonic tissue formed by fusion of the chorion and the allantois during early avian development. While the CAM is in close contact with the atmosphere, it might be affected by the increased CO 2-concentration in the incubator. To reveal the underlying mechanisms that might cause the increased growth speed, two dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) was used to analyse possible changes in protein expression patterns of the CAM of 12 day old chick embryos, the time point at which the CAM is completely developed and fully functional. Eight tissue samples per group were used for analysis. Isoelectric focusing of the protein extracts was carried out using IPG strips with a non linear pH range of 3 to 10 followed by SDS-page. In the CAM, 23 significantly different protein spots were detected, from which 15 were identified unambiguously. Remarkable was, that all differential proteins had a higher expression in control chicks. All proteins were thus down regulated under the influence of higher ambient CO 2. Identification of the differential spots with mass spectrometry revealed that these proteins are involved in different physiological mechanisms including oxidative stress, cytoskeletal organisation, energy metabolism, Ca 2+ binding. This experiment shows that differential CO2 concentrations during the first half of incubation have an impact on several physiological pathways in the CAM. It remains however to be elucidated how these changes are linked with the observed effects on the embryo itself.
Price Stabilization of Taiwan Broiler Industry: An Evidence of STAR Approach

Price stabilization mechanism adopted for agricultural product is important policy for reasonable food supply under free agricultural trade. A generally used quantity supply control scheme associated with free imports of Taiwan broiler industry is considered in this study. It is argued that efficient quantity control will provide floor price support while at the same time free imports will create price ceiling. This paper examines the efficacy of such price control mechanism by an exponential smooth transition autoregressive (ESTAR) time series model. 2002 to 2007 monthly data of farm, retail, and import chicken prices are applied in empirical estimation. Stationary, nonlinear and asymmetric property tests of prices are included for model selection. Empirical results showed that price stabilization mechanism for Taiwan broiler industry is effective and reasonable during free import period. Price transition among prices to reflect rising feed cost is also efficient under the quantity supply control system.
Comparison between the phase angle and phase shift parameters to assess thoracoabdominal asynchrony in COPD patients.

Determining the presence of thoracoabdominal asynchrony in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is clinically relevant, but there is no consensus on the optimal parameters for performing this analysis. We assessed 22 COPD patients (FEV1 40 ± 10% predicted) and 13 healthy controls during rest and exercise with optoelectronic plethysmography (70% maximum workload) on a cycle ergometer. Thoracoabdominal asynchrony was calculated by using phase angle and phase shift parameters following a three-compartment model involving the upper and lower rib cages and abdomen. Patients were classified as having thoracoabdominal asynchrony (TAA+) or not (TAA-) based on control values (mean ± 2 SDs). The chest wall volume and compartmental contribution were also measured. Thoracoabdominal asynchrony was observed in the lower rib cage. The phase angle detected more TAA+ patients at rest (15 vs. 7 patients) and during exercise (14 vs. 8 patients) compared with the phase shift. TAA+ patients also presented a lower chest wall volume, lower rib cage contribution, and higher abdominal contribution to chest wall volume compared with the control and TAA- patients. Thoracoabdominal asynchrony was more detectable during rest and exercise using the phase angle parameter, and it was observed in the lower rib cage compartment, reducing the chest wall volume during exercise in patients with COPD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study contributes to advance the knowledge over the previous lack of consensus on the assessment of thoracoabdominal asynchrony. We rigorously evaluated the related features that interfere in the measurement of the asynchrony (measurement tool, chest wall model and calculation parameter). Our results suggest that phase angle detects more suitably thoracoabdominal asynchrony that occurs on the lower ribcage and leads to a reduction in the chest wall volume during exercise in COPD patients.
Design of anthropomorphic robot hand with IMC joints

This paper presents a novel anthropomorphic robot hand with IMC joints. IMC joints are applied to robot hand to grasp various objects regardless of the size and get large overlapped workspace between thumb and other fingers, which allow all the fingertips to be located on a single spot in a wide range. Desinged IMC joints of robot hand are always rotated with 1:1 ratio by mechanical constraint using passive tendon. Actuation module consists of miniature BLDC motor and ballscrew drives two IMC joints with a single motor. To evaluate the advantages of robot hand with IMC joints, grasping experiments are performed.
The Transcription Factors NFAT and CREB Have Different Susceptibilities to the Reduced Ca2+ Responses Caused by the Knock Down of Inositol Trisphosphate Receptor in HEK 293A Cells

Background/Aims: The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP<sub>3</sub>R), a ligand-gated Ca<sup>2+</sup> channel, plays an important role in the control of intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup>. Three isoforms of IP<sub>3</sub>R have been identified and most cell types express different proportions of these isoforms. The purpose of this study was to investigate how IP<sub>3</sub>R signalling is involved in the activation of the Ca<sup>2+</sup>-sensitive transcription factors NFAT and CREB. Methods: Each IP<sub>3</sub>R isoform expressed in HEK 293A cells was knocked down using selective siRNA. Free intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> was monitored spectrofluometrically. NFAT and CREB activities were measured with luciferase reporter constructs. Results: IP<sub>3</sub>R-2-knocked down HEK 293A cells showed a deficient CCh-induced Ca<sup>2+</sup> response that could be rescued by co-stimulation with VIP, a cAMP increasing agonist. NFAT transcriptional activity, but not CREB transcriptional activity, was significantly reduced in IP<sub>3</sub>R-2-knocked down HEK 293A cells. Overexpression of IP<sub>3</sub>R-1 could fully compensate for IP<sub>3</sub>R-2 knock down to mobilize Ca<sup>2+</sup> and to activate NFAT. Conclusion: Our results show that the knock down of IP<sub>3</sub>R-2 significantly reduced the intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> response of HEK 293 cells. This reduced Ca<sup>2+</sup> response did not affect the activation of CREB but significantly decreased the activation of NFAT, suggesting that the Ca<sup>2+</sup> signals required for the activation of NFAT are stronger than those required for the activation of CREB.
Mitochondrial uncoupling protein‐2 protects the immature brain from excitotoxic neuronal death

Excitotoxic cell death is the fundamental process responsible for many human neurodegenerative disorders, yet the basic mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Here, we exploited the fact that the immature brain is remarkably resistant to seizure‐induced excitotoxic cell death and examined the underlying protective mechanisms. We found that, unlike in the adult, seizures do not increase the formation of reactive oxygen species or result in mitochondrial dysfunction in neonatal brain, because of high levels of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP2). UCP2 expression and function were basally increased in neonatal brain by the fat‐rich diet of maternal milk, and substituting a low‐fat diet reduced UCP2, restored mitochondrial coupling, and permitted seizure‐induced neuronal injury. Thus, modulation of UCP2 expression and function by dietary fat protects neonatal neurons from excitotoxicity by preventing mitochondrial dysfunction. This mechanism offers novel neuroprotective strategies for individuals, greater than 1% of the world's population, who are affected by seizures. Ann Neurol 2003