Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress Responsive Proteins Are Actively Regulated during Rice (Oryza sativa) Embryogenesis as Indicated by Quantitative Proteomics Analysis

Embryogenesis is the initial step in a plant’s life, and the molecular changes that occur during embryonic development are largely unknown. To explore the relevant molecular events, we used the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) coupled with the shotgun proteomics technique (iTRAQ/Shotgun) to study the proteomic changes of rice embryos during embryogenesis. For the first time, a total of 2 165 unique proteins were identified in rice embryos, and the abundances of 867 proteins were actively changed based on the statistical evaluation of the quantitative MS/MS signals. The quantitative data were then confirmed using multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) and were also supported by our previous study based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2 DE). Using the proteome at 6 days after pollination (DAP) as a reference, cluster analysis of these differential proteins throughout rice embryogenesis revealed that 25% were up-regulated and 75% were down-regulated. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis implicated that most of the up-regulated proteins were functionally categorized as stress responsive, mainly including heat shock-, lipid transfer-, and reactive oxygen species-related proteins. The stress-responsive proteins were thus postulated to play an important role during seed maturation.
On the monotonicity of optimality criteria during exploration in active SLAM

In this paper we investigate the monotonicity of various optimality criteria during the exploration phase of an active SLAM algorithm. Optimality criteria such as A-opt, D-opt or E-opt are used in active SLAM to account for uncertainty in the map or the robot's pose, and these criteria are usually part of utility functions which help active SLAM algorithms decide where the robot should move next. The monotonicity of the optimality criteria is of utmost importance. During the exploration phase, i.e. when the robot is traversing new territory or cannot perform a loop closure, the most common way of estimating the pose of the robot is through dead-reckoning. Correctly accounting for the uncertainty is important for an active SLAM algorithm and in particular for a dead-reckoning scenario, where by definition the uncertainty in the robot's pose grows. If monotonicity does not hold in this scenario, active SLAM algorithms can execute actions under the false belief that the uncertainty has reduced. We show analytically and experimentally some conditions in which the A-opt and E-opt criteria lose monotonicity in a dead-reckoning scenario, where the propagation of the robot's pose is done using a linearized framework. We also show analytically and experimentally that under the same conditions the D-opt does not lose monotonicity and, in general for the linearized framework under consideration, D-opt does not break monotonicity.
Design and experiment of RF rectifiers for wireless power transmission

This paper presents the design and experiment of series mounted diode rectifier and single stage voltage doubler rectifier at 2.45GHz for applications involving microwave power transmission. Input matching circuit and harmonics filtering at both the input and output have been optimized for high efficiency operation. The series topology is dedicated to low input power conversion. Measurement results show that 40% and 27% RF-DC conversion efficiency are achieved for 0 dBm and -5 dBm input power respectively at 2.45GHz. A maximum efficiency of 54% is obtained for an input power of 12 dBm and a 3V output DC voltage is measured at a 1KΩ DC load when the rectifier is matched to 50Ω. The voltage doubler structure is aimed for high input power conversion and exhibits more than 4V at 2.4GHz for input power above 15 dBm.
A comparative survey of WLAN location fingerprinting methods

The term “location fingerprinting” covers a wide variety of methods for determining receiver position using databases of radio signal strength measurements from different sources. In this work we present a survey of location fingerprinting methods, including deterministic and probabilistic methods for static estimation, as well as filtering methods based on Bayesian filter and Kalman filter. We present a unified mathematical formulation of radio map database and location estimation, point out the equivalence of some methods from the literature, and present some new variants. A set of tests in an indoor positioning scenario using WLAN signal strengths is performed to determine the influence of different calibration and location method parameters. In the tests, the probabilistic method with the kernel function approximation of signal strength histograms was the best static positioning method. Moreover, all filters improved the results significantly over the static methods.
Capacity Scaling of Single-source Wireless Networks: Effect of Multiple Antennas

We consider a wireless network in which a single source node located at the center of a unit area having $m$ antennas transmits messages to $n$ randomly located destination nodes in the same area having a single antenna each. To achieve the sum-rate proportional to $m$ by transmit beamforming, channel state information (CSI) is essentially required at the transmitter (CSIT), which is hard to obtain in practice because of the time-varying nature of the channels and feedback overhead. We show that, even without CSIT, the achievable sum-rate scales as $\Theta(m\log m)$ if a cooperation between receivers is allowed. By deriving the cut-set upper bound, we also show that $\Theta(m\log m)$ scaling is optimal. Specifically, for $n=\omega(m^2)$, the simple TDMA-based quantize-and-forward is enough to achieve the capacity scaling. For $n=\omega(m)$ and $n=\operatorname{O}(m^2)$, on the other hand, we apply the hierarchical cooperation to achieve the capacity scaling.
Sparse channel estimation based on compressed sensing for ultra wideband systems

Channel estimation for purposes of equalization is a long standing problem in signal processing. Wireless propagation is characterized by sparse channels, that is channels whose time domain impulse response consists of few dominant multipath fingers. This paper examines the use of Compressed Sensing (CS) in the estimation of highly sparse channels. In particular, a new channel sparse model for ultra-wideband (UWB) communication systems based on the frequency domain signal model is presented. A new greedy algorithm named extended OMP (eOMP) is proposed to reduce the false path detection achieved with classical Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) allowing better time of arrival (TOA) estimation.
Effects of a drill diameter on the temperature rise in a bone during implant site preparation under clinical conditions

Heat, generated during the drilling of a dental implant site preparation, leads to a temperature rise and consequently to a thermal injury of the bone tissue surrounding the implant site, which can cause the subsequent implant failure. In this article, we present new findings related to the temperature rise during implant site drilling under real conditions on a bovine rib bone specimen. The experiments were designed with the help of a full-factorial design in randomized complete blocks, where the main effects of the drill diameter in combination with the drilling force and the drilling speed, and their interactions, on the temperature rise were determined. The temperature rise in the bone under real conditions was measured as the implant site was being prepared by a dentist using intermittent, graduated drilling and external irrigation. Results show that the drill diameter has statistically significant effect, independent of the drilling procedure used. Among the examined drilling parameters, the drill diameter has the greatest effect, where an increase in the drill diameter first causes a decrease in the temperature rise and further increase in the drill diameter causes its increase. During the continuous and one-step drilling, the temperatures of the bones were up to 40.5 °C and during the drilling under actual conditions up to 30.11 °C.
Learning and Choice in Mood Disorders: Searching for the Computational Parameters of Anhedonia

Computational approaches are increasingly being used to model behavioral and neural processes in mood and anxiety disorders. Here we explore the extent to which the parameters of popular learning and decision-making models are implicated in anhedonic symptoms of major depression. We first highlight the parameters of reinforcement learning that have been implicated in anhedonia, focusing, in particular, on the role that choice variability (i.e., “temperature”) may play in explaining heterogeneity across previous findings. We then turn to neuroimaging findings implicating attenuated ventral striatum response in anhedonic responses and discuss possible causes of the heterogeneity in the literature. Taken together, the reviewed findings highlight the potential of the computational approach in teasing apart the observed heterogeneity in both behavioral and functional imaging results. Nevertheless, considerable challenges remain, and we conclude with five unresolved questions that seek to address issues highlighted by the reviewed data.
Speech Translation with Grammar Driven Probabilistic Phrasal Bilexica Extraction

We introduce a new type of transduction grammar that allows for learning of probabilistic phrasal bilexica, leading to a significant improvement in spoken language translation accuracy. The current state-of-the-art in statistical machine translation relies on a complicated and crude pipeline to learn probabilistic phrasal bilexica—the very core of any speech translation system. In this paper, we present a more principled approach to learning probabilistic phrasal bilexica, based on stochastic transduction grammar learning applicable to speech corpora. Index Terms: speech translation, transduction theory, lexicon extraction
On the Multiuser Error Probability and the Maximum Likelihood Performance of MDS Codes

MDS (e.g. Reed-Solomon) codes have many desirable properti es which make them the code of choice in network scenarios and distributed coding schemes . An average binary weight enumerator of Reed-Solomon (RS) codes is derived assuming a binomial di stribution of the bits in a non-zero symbol. Lower bounds on the average binary minimum distance of the ensemble of binary images of a Reed-Solomon code are shown. The ensemble of binary imag es of the RS code is shown to be, on average, asymptotically good. The performance of bit -level Reed-Solomon maximum likelihood decoders is studied. Given an arbitrary partition of the coo rdinates of a code, we introduce the partition weight enumerator which enumerates the codewords with a cer t in weight profile in the partitions. A closed form formula of the partition weight enumerator of ma ximum distance separable (MDS) codes is derived. Using this result, some properties of MDS codes a r discussed. In particular, we show that all coordinates have the same weight within the subcodes of c onstant weight codewords. The results are extended for the ensemble of binary images of MDS codes define d ov r finite fields of characteristic two. The error probability of Reed-Solomon codes in multius er networks is then studied. This research was supported by NSF grant no. CCF-0514881 and gr ts from Sony, Qualcomm, and the Lee Center for Advanced Networking. This work was presented in part at the 2004 42n d Allerton Conf. on Communication, Control and Computing [1] and at the 2005 IEEE International Symposium on Inform ation Theory, Adelaide, Australia [2].
Measuring and Enhancing the Legibility of GPU-rendered Text

The limited spatial resolution of standard computer displays impedes the legibility of text. To improve the rendering, we have developed a number of strategies that employ GPU-based shader programs and appropriate preprocessing steps. We devised and implemented a set of methods that may be used alone or in combination ranging from simple measures such as gamma-correct MIPmapping to complex ones such as RGB subpixel rendering combined with supersampling. We have researched into their performance in terms of both legibility and speed. We difinded a psychovisual test that quantifies legibility quickly enough to compare a selection of promising techniques. The results allow to choose the optimum blend of rendering methods for a given set of requirements.
Male circumcision, human papillomavirus and cervical cancer: from evidence to intervention

©FSRH J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2009: 35(1) Introduction The relationship between male circumcision and genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer has been greatly clarified in recent years. Along with the strong evidence from both observational studies and three randomised clinical trials (RCTs) consistently showing that male circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection,1–4 the rapidly accumulating evidence for a protective effect of male circumcision on HPV and cervical cancer has prompted the suggestion that male circumcision could be considered a major intervention measure to prevent the incidence of both diseases. Thus, the introduction of safe male circumcision, if widely accepted and implemented, might be in particular relevant in developing countries in which no other measures to curtail AIDS and cervical cancer are available. This commentary examines the evidence on the protective effect of male circumcision on penile HPV through a meta-analysis on the association between male circumcision and penile HPV and also summarises the authors’ own research data from a large multicentre casecontrol study that assessed the relationship between male circumcision and cervical cancer. Both pieces of evidence strongly suggest that male circumcision may indeed have an additional protective value against HPV and cervical cancer to the already established benefit for HIV prevention.
Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce Bankers' Perceptions of Electronic Banking in Pakistan

Electronic distribution channels provide alternatives for faster delivery of banking services to a wider range of customers. E-channels have gained increasing popularity and have attracted the attention of both academics and practitioners. This paper aims to collect bank employees' perceptions of the potential benefits and risks associated with electronic banking in Pakistan. The outcomes may help the management of banks develop effective strategic planning for the future of electronic banking in developing countries like Pakistan. Primary sources were used to collect the data and were analyzed via frequency analysis-2-and mean score analysis. The results suggest that bankers in Pakistan perceive electronic banking as tool for minimizing inconvenience, reducing transaction costs and saving time. Similarly, they believe that electronic banking increases the chances of government access to public data, increases the chances of fraud and that there is a lack of information security. Bank personnel profiles were further analyzed in relation to their perceptions to identify different segments among the target respondents. The results show that public bank employees who have professional degrees consider 'minimizing transaction costs' and 'reduction in HR requirements' as the most and the least important benefits of electronic banking respectively. Private bank employees who have masters or bachelor degrees, and less than 10 years experience, perceive 'time saving and minimizing inconvenience' as the major benefits of electronic banking. However they did not consider 'reducing the risk of carrying cash' as an important benefit. Branch managers who are directly responsible for the operations viewed 'facilitates quick response' as the most important benefit of electronic banking. Lastly, private bank employees who hold masters degrees and have more than 10 years working experience did not perceive 'improvement in service quality' as an important benefit. Interestingly, bankers in all segments considered 'government access to data' as the biggest risk associated to electronic banking.
The skull beneath the skin: entity-relationship models of information artifacts

Abstract Data modelling reveals the internal structure of an information system, abstracting away from details of the physical representation. We show that entity-relationship modelling, a well-tried example of a data-modelling technique, can be applied to both interactive and noninteractive information artifacts in the domain of HCI. By extending the conventional ER notation slightly (to give ERMIA, Entity-Relationship Modelling for Information Artifacts) it can be used to describe differences between different representations of the same information, differences between user's conceptual models of the same device, and the structure and update requirements of distributed information in a worksystem. It also yields symbolic-level estimates of Card, Pirolli and Mackinlay's index of “cost-of-knowledge” in an information structure, plus a novel index, the “cost-of-update”; these symbolic estimates offer a useful complement to the highly detailed analyses of time costs obtainable from GOMS-like models. We conclude that, as a cheap, coarse-grained, and easy-to-learn modelling technique, ERMIA usefully fills a gap in the range of available HCI analysis techniques.
Joint Spatial Denoising and Active Region of Interest Delineation in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

In region of interest (ROI) based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) group analysis, errors in delineation of an ROI or inclusion of non-active voxels within an ROI can bias the statistical results. Addressing these concerns, this paper presents a new fMRI processing method that simultaneously refines ROI delineation and spatially denoises fMRI activation statistics within the ROI. The underlying assumption is that activation statistics within a small neighborhood are spatially correlated, thereby exhibit similar levels of influence on the overall ROI's response. Based on this assumption, we first identify outlier voxels as those having undue influence on an ROI's feature. Isolated outlier voxels at region boundaries are then removed, thereby refining the ROI delineation. The remaining outlier voxels are de-weighted based on their influence relative to their neighbors to reduce the effects of voxels deemed falsely active in later analysis. The proposed method was tested on real fMRI data collected from 8 healthy subjects performing a bulb-squeezing motor task at various frequencies. Using the proposed method, enhanced capability for detection of frequency-related activation map feature differences (AMFD) was demonstrated when compared to Gaussian spatial smoothing of ROI activation statistics. The validity of the proposed method is suggested by the fact that using one feature for denoising (e.g. spatial variance) results in greater effect size in another feature (e.g. average activation statistics magnitude). Our results demonstrate the importance of accurate ROI delineation in ROI-based fMRI analysis.
Dexmedetomidine: New avenues

DOI: 10.4103/0970-9185.83670 Alpha (α)-2-Adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists have been the focus of interest for their sedative, analgesic, perioperative sympatholytic, anesthetic-sparing, and hemodynamic-stabilizing properties. [1] Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α2-AR agonist with a relatively high ratio of α2/ α 1-activity (1620:1 as compared to 220:1 for clonidine), possesses all these properties but lacks respiratory depression,[2,3] making it a useful and safe adjunct in diverse clinical applications. [4] Numerous investigations into its uses have featured in various issues of this journal. This editorial aims to provide an overview of its current clinical status and new therapeutic avenues under investigation.
Late-Stage Cancer Patients Remain Highly Responsive to Immune Activation by the Selective TLR8 Agonist Motolimod (VTX-2337)

Purpose: Immunotherapy as a treatment for cancer holds the promise of complete and durable tumor remission, yet the immunosuppressive environment created by many tumors, advanced patient age, and previous treatments with cytotoxic agents may limit the approach. The activity of motolimod (VTX-2337), a potent and selective Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) agonist, was therefore assessed in the context of advanced, late-stage cancer patients. Experimental Design: The repertoire of mediators induced from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to motolimod was characterized. Translational studies in cynomolgus monkeys elucidated the activity of motolimod on an intact immune system, identified biomarkers of TLR8 activation, and defined the relationship between the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) response. The PK/PD relationship for motolimod in cancer patients was assessed, compared with preclinical findings, and contrasted with activity in healthy volunteers. Results: In late-stage cancer patients, plasma levels of multiple biomarkers, including IL6, G-CSF, MCP-1, and MIP1-β, increased with increasing motolimod dose. The magnitude and breadth of the biomarker response closely aligned with the response seen in preclinical studies, demonstrating that advanced cancer patients remained responsive to TLR8 activation. In addition, the PK/PD response in cancer patients closely aligned with the activity of motolimod seen in healthy volunteers. Conclusions: Late-stage cancer patients are highly sensitive to TLR8 activation by motolimod. Tumor burden, advanced age, and prior treatment history with cytotoxic agents did not moderate or modify the response predicted by nonclinical studies and confirmed in healthy volunteers. Clin Cancer Res; 21(24); 5445–52. ©2015 AACR.
AN ASSESSMENT OF METAL CONTAMINATION IN NORTHERN IRISH COASTAL SEDIMENTS

Coastal sediments may be considered contaminated with a metal if they have undergone an increase in concentrations above background levels due to anthropogenic inputs. The extent of contamiin ation in Northern Irish coastal sediments was examined by a combination of statistical and graphical analysis utilising aluminium as a grain-size proxy. Enrichment of mercury, lead, zinc and copper was commonly observed in sediments throughout the study area, whereas concentrations of nickel, chromium and iron largely reflected levels in their source rocks. Belfast Lough was the most contaminated area, and it is suggested that the metals commonly associated with industrial and domestic discharges are more biologically available than at the other coastal sites studied. Concentrations of metals in Strangford Lough were close to or at background concentrations and may be used as a baseline to assess the degree of enrichment in other Irish coastal sediments. The area of fine sediments in the western Irish Sea had higher concentrations of metals than some inshore areas that could not be accounted for by grain-size differences alone. The sources and transport mechanisms of metals to the western Irish Sea and the influence of a seasonal gyre on contaminant accumulation are discussed. M. Charlesworth (corre sponding author), De partment of Agricultural and Environmental Sci ence, The Queen's Uni