Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotide Inhibition as an Alternative and Convenient Method for Gene Function Analysis in Pollen Tubes

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (A-ODN) inhibition works well in animal cells. However, there have been few successful examples to date of its application in plants, and more specifically whether the technique can be used in pollen tubes as a model of plant cell growth. NtGNL1 plays an important role in pollen tube development and was thus selected as an indicator to assess the biological effects of A-ODN. An A-ODN inhibition technique was used to down-regulate NtGNL1 expression in tobacco pollen tubes and showed that A-ODNs could quickly enter pollen tubes through the thick wall and cell membrane and effectively block NtGNL1 expression. Phenotype analysis revealed that the down-regulation of NtGNL1 by A-ODNs resulted in abnormalities in endocytosis and subsequent vesicle trafficking, similar to the phenotypes of pollen tubes treated with NtGNL1 RNAi. This investigation confirmed that A-ODNs could specifically inhibit target gene expression, and furthermore demonstrated that A-ODN functioned in a concentration- and duration-dependent manner, because A-ODNs could be degraded when incubated with pollen tubes. Thus, the A-ODN technique was successfully used for gene function analysis in pollen tubes and appears to be an alternative and convenient technique when the in vitro pollen tube is used as the study model. This technique will greatly facilitate investigations on the molecular mechanism(s) underlying pollen tube growth.
Radiation Oncology in the 21st Century: Prospective Randomized Trials That Changed Practice… or Didn’t!

In a two-part article published in 2009, we discussed the limitations of conventional radiation therapy, the challenges of studying new technologies in radiation oncology, and summarized the state-of-the science for various malignancies (1, 2). Here, we summarize some of the most important prospective, randomized trials that during the intervening years have attempted to improve the tumor control and/or decrease the adverse effects of radiation therapy. For consistency, we have focused here on the null and alternate hypotheses as articulated by the investigators at the onset of each trial, since the outcome of the investigational treatment should be considered clinically significant only if the null hypothesis was rejected. The readers (and patients) are of course free to make their own judgments about the clinical significance of the results when the null hypothesis was not rejected.
THE RESPONSE OF HEIs TO REGIONAL NEEDS

Within advanced economies, there is a growing concern that teaching and research within universities should be directed towards specific economic and social objectives. Nowhere is this demand for ‘specificity’ more clear than in the field of regional development. Whilst they are located ‘in’ regions, universities are being asked by a new set of regional actors and agencies to make an active contribution to the development ‘of’ these regions. These demands are driven by new processes of globalisation and localisation in economic development, whereby the local environment is as relevant as the national macro economic situation in determining the ability of enterprises to compete in the global economy. Within this environment, the local availability of knowledge and skills is as important as physical infrastructure and as a result, regionally engaged universities can become a key locational asset and powerhouse for economic development.
RPUF: Physical Unclonable Function with Randomized Challenge to resist modeling attack

The Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) has broad application prospects in the field of hardware security. The strong PUFs with numerous Challenge-Response Pairs (CRPs), such as various arbiter PUFs, mirror current PUF, and voltage transfer PUF, are severely threatened by the machine learning based modeling attacks. To handle this issue, we propose the Physical Unclonable Function with Randomized challenge (RPUF). Challenges are randomized by a Random Number Generator (RNG) before inputting to the strong PUF, so to prevent attackers from collecting effective training set for conducting modeling attacks. Experiments on both simulations and FPGAs prove the effectiveness of RPUF in resisting modeling attack, with negligible effects on uniformity, uniqueness, and reliability.
Line registration of jittered video

With the imminent widespread availability of digital video broadcasts and the subsequent increase in the demand for broadcast material, image sequence restoration is an increasing source of concern for both archivists and broadcasters. This paper presents a two stage technique for registering the lines in video data digitized from a noisy source. In such situations the horizontal synchronization pulses may not have the correct amplitude causing the loss of 'lock' in the digitizing apparatus. The effect is that the image lines are randomly shifted horizontally with respect to their true locations. This manifests as jagged vertical edges in the observed sequence, an annoying artefact. The algorithm presented here relies on a two-dimensional autoregressive (2D AR) model of the image to measure the line displacements using a multiresolution scheme.
On the Use of a Two-Grids Method in the Numerical Simulation of Free Boundary Problems

A two-grids method is presented for the numerical simulation of liquidgas flows with a free surface. The method is then extended to an obstacle problem involving a free boundary. A liquid-gas free surface flow is first considered. The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are assumed to hold in the liquid domain. In the gas domain, the velocity is disregarded, while the pressure is assumed to be constant in each connected component of the gas domain and follows the ideal gas law. An implicit splitting scheme, together with a two-grids method, are used to decouple the physical phenomena. A method of characteristics on a structured grid is used to track the liquid domain, while finite elements techniques are used to solve a diffusion problem on an unstructured mesh. The two-grids method and a similar time splitting scheme are then used to consider some obstacle problems. Numerical results show the efficiency of the method in terms of accuracy and computational cost.
Amino Acid Substitutions Improve the Immunogenicity of H7N7HA Protein and Protect Mice against Lethal H7N7 Viral Challenge

Avian influenza A H7N7/NL/219/03 virus creates a serious pandemic threat to human health because it can transmit directly from domestic poultry to humans and from human to human. Our previous vaccine study reported that mice when immunized intranasally (i.n) with live Bac-HA were protected from lethal H7N7/NL/219/03 challenge, whereas incomplete protection was obtained when administered subcutaneously (s.c) due to the fact that H7N7 is a poor inducer of neutralizing antibodies. Interestingly, our recent vaccine studies reported that mice when vaccinated subcutaneously with Bac-HA (H7N9) was protected against both H7N9 (A/Sh2/2013) and H7N7 virus challenge. HA1 region of both H7N7 and H7N9 viruses are differ at 15 amino acid positions. Among those, we selected three amino acid positions (T143, T198 and I211) in HA1 region of H7N7. These amino acids are located within or near the receptor binding site. Following the selection, we substituted the amino acid at these three positions with amino acids found on H7N9HA wild-type. In this study, we evaluate the impact of amino acid substitutions in the H7N7 HA-protein on the immunogenicity. We generated six mutant constructs from wild-type influenza H7N7HA cDNA by site directed mutagenesis, and individually expressed mutant HA protein on the surface of baculovirus (Bac-HAm) and compared their protective efficacy of the vaccines with Bac-H7N7HA wild-type (Bac-HA) by lethal H7N7 viral challenge in a mouse model. We found that mice immunized subcutaneously with Bac-HAm constructs T143A or T198A-I211V or I211V-T143A serum showed significantly higher hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization titer against H7N7 and H7N9 viruses when compared to Bac-HA vaccinated mice groups. We also observed low level of lung viral titer, negligible weight loss and complete protection against lethal H7N7 viral challenge. Our results indicated that amino acid substitution at position 143 or 211 improve immunogenicity of H7N7HA vaccine against H7N7/NL/219/03 virus.
Radiation induced cytochrome c release causes loss of rat colonic fluid absorption by damage to crypts and pericryptal myofibroblasts

BACKGROUND Therapeutic or accidental exposure to radiation commonly causes gastrointestinal disturbances, including diarrhoea. Rats subjected to whole body ionising radiation at a dose of 8 Gy lose their capacity to absorb fluid via the descending colon after four days. After seven days, fluid absorption recovers to control levels. AIMS To investigate the effect of ionising radiation on colonic permeability together with its effect on mitochondria dependent apoptotic signals and intercellular adhesion molecules. METHODS Rats were irradiated with doses of 0–12 Gy. Colonic permeability was measured by accumulation of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dextran in crypt lumens. Changes in levels of cytochrome c, caspase 3, E and OB cadherin, β-catenin smooth muscle actin, and collagen IV were assessed using immunocytochemistry with confocal microscopy. RESULTS Cytosolic cytochrome c increased after 8 Gy (t1/2 1.4 (0.6) hours) and peaked at approximately six hours. Caspase 3 increased more slowly, particularly in crypt epithelial cells (t1/2 57 (14.5) hours). Pericryptal myofibroblasts disintegrated within 24 hours as was evident from loss of OB cadherin and smooth muscle actin. This coincided with increased crypt permeability to dextran. Intercellular adhesion between crypt luminal cells was not lost until day 4 when both β-catenin and E-cadherin were minimal. The half maximal dose-response for these effects was in the range 2–4 Gy. Recovery of colonic transport was concurrent with recovery of pericryptal smooth muscle actin and OB cadherin. The pan caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp.fluoromethylketone (1 mg/kg per day) had a small effect in conserving the pericryptal sheath myofibroblasts and sheath permeability but had no systemic therapeutic effects. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that radiation damage to the colon may be initiated by mitochondrial events. Loss of crypt fluid absorption and increased permeability coincided with decreased intercellular adhesion between crypt epithelial cells and loss of pericryptal sheath barrier function.
Shearlet-based adaptive MMSE estimator for image denoising

An adaptive Bayesian estimator for image denoising in shearlet domain is presented, where the Bessel K Form (BKF) densities are used as the prior model of shearlet coefficients of images. The BKF densities are shown to fit very well to the observed noise-free histograms. Under this prior, a Bayesian sheartlet estimator is derived by using the minimum mean square error (MMSE) rule. Finally, a simulation is carried out to show the effectiveness of the new estimator. Experimental results show the proposed method can effectively reduce noise and remain edges, obtain better visual effect and higher PSNR.
Zone Routing with Backbone for Tactical Network

Ad hoc networks in which nodes communicate via multi-hop, without wired infrastructure have been considered as excellent candidates for tactical military communications. In this paper, we present a routing scheme suitable for tactical networks, which combines zone routing protocol and backbone networks. With the introduction of backbone nodes, message to nodes outside of routing zone is relayed though backbone nodes, resulting in better scalability performance with less control overhead and low delay.
Empirical constraints on alternative gravity theories from gravitational lensing

If it is hypothesized that there is no dark matter, then some alternative gravitational theory must take the place of general relativity (GR) on the largest scales. Dynamical measurements can be used to investigate the nature of such a theory, but only where there is visible matter. Gravitational lensing is potentially a more powerful probe as it can be used to measure deflections far from the lens and, for sufficiently large separations, allow it to be treated as a point-mass. Microlensing within the local group does not yet provide any interesting constraints, as only images formed close to the deflectors are appreciably magnified, but stacking of multiple light-curves and observations of microlensing on cosmological scales may be able to discriminate between GR and non-dark matter theories. Galaxy–galaxy lensing is likely to be a more powerful probe of gravity, with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) commissioning data used here to constrain the deflection law of galaxies to be for impact parameters in the range . Together with observations of flat rotation curves, these results imply that, in any gravitational theory, photons must experience (close to) twice the deflection of massive particles moving at the speed of light (at least on these physical scales). The full SDSS data set will also be sensitive to asymmetry in the lensing signal and to variation of the deflection law with galaxy type. A detection of either of these effects would represent an independent confirmation that galaxies are dark matter-dominated; conversely, azimuthal symmetry of the shear signal would rule out the typically ellipsoidal haloes predicted by most simulations of structure formation.
Geographic Access to High Capability Severe Acute Respiratory Failure Centers in the United States

Objective Optimal care of adults with severe acute respiratory failure requires specific resources and expertise. We sought to measure geographic access to these centers in the United States. Design Cross-sectional analysis of geographic access to high capability severe acute respiratory failure centers in the United States. We defined high capability centers using two criteria: (1) provision of adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), based on either 2008–2013 Extracorporeal Life Support Organization reporting or provision of ECMO to 2010 Medicare beneficiaries; or (2) high annual hospital mechanical ventilation volume, based 2010 Medicare claims. Setting Nonfederal acute care hospitals in the United States. Measurements and Main Results We defined geographic access as the percentage of the state, region and national population with either direct or hospital-transferred access within one or two hours by air or ground transport. Of 4,822 acute care hospitals, 148 hospitals met our ECMO criteria and 447 hospitals met our mechanical ventilation criteria. Geographic access varied substantially across states and regions in the United States, depending on center criteria. Without interhospital transfer, an estimated 58.5% of the national adult population had geographic access to hospitals performing ECMO and 79.0% had geographic access to hospitals performing a high annual volume of mechanical ventilation. With interhospital transfer and under ideal circumstances, an estimated 96.4% of the national adult population had geographic access to hospitals performing ECMO and 98.6% had geographic access to hospitals performing a high annual volume of mechanical ventilation. However, this degree of geographic access required substantial interhospital transfer of patients, including up to two hours by air. Conclusions Geographic access to high capability severe acute respiratory failure centers varies widely across states and regions in the United States. Adequate referral center access in the case of disasters and pandemics will depend highly on local and regional care coordination across political boundaries.
Energy Flow Visualization Using Particle Systems

It is difficult to imagine modern science without using graphs, charts or diagrams. They are used to provide deeper insights regarding particular details. However, in the course of time, methods for data representation are changing. Other visualization methods, like virtual reality, have been developed. Especially for processes that cannot be seen in reality, intuitive visualizations are the basis to create understanding for the process itself. Energy management is a complex problem where a deep understanding of the underlying processes, like energy flows, is a necessary basis. In this paper, we therefore present a new method of energy visualization. This method is based on the concept of particle systems. The main idea of using particle systems for the visualization of energy is to show dynamic changes of energy consumption over time. This new visualization should be easy to understand and more intuitive and comprehensive as the existing ones. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to develop and implement a method that visualizes the energy flow, e.g. inside a machine tool in 3D space, by a representation of the energy flow through a particle system.
POVERTY PROFILE WITHOUT POVERTY LINES: ROMANIA, 1994 TO 1997

This paper explores poverty trends in Romania from 1994 to 1997. It finds no reduction in poverty. Regional and other types of poverty decompositions are presented. The poverty profile relies on tests of stochastic dominance. This approach avoids the problem that poverty comparisons may not be robust to the subjective choice of a poverty line. In addition the use of tests of stochastic dominance avoids the potential that small movements across thresholds may have large impacts on poverty indexes. I compare the results of tests of stochastic dominance with the more traditional headcount indicator to determine the extent to which conclusions differ. I also examine the extent to which the findings are sensitive to the choice of equivalence scales.
Fast approximation of anti-random sequence generator for stream ciphering

Stream ciphering is an essential coding method for delay sensitive traffic such as voice and video. In this method the source sequence is combined with the output of a key stream generator using XOR The strength and robustness of this ciphering method lays in complexity of the key stream generator. A well-known method for generating key stream is pseudo-random number generator) which is based on LFSR. Recently the anti-random sequence has attained attraction and shown to have better statistical properties compared to pseudo-random numbers, so it appears be suitable for stream ciphering. The existing methods for generating anti-random numbers are highly time and memory consuming. This paper presents an approximate method for generating anti-random sequence, which is very simple and does not need large capacity of memory, while preserves the properties of the sequence. Moreover, we show that our method presents enough statistical complexity to fulfill the required security for stream ciphering.
Electron Tomography of RabA4b‐ and PI‐4Kβ1‐Labeled Trans Golgi Network Compartments in Arabidopsis

The trans Golgi network (TGN) of plant cells sorts and packages Golgi products into secretory (SV) and clathrin‐coated (CCV) vesicles. We have analyzed of TGN cisternae in Arabidopsis root meristem cells by cell fractionation and electron microscopy/tomography to establish reliable criteria for identifying TGN cisternae in plant cells, and to define their functional attributes. Transformation of a trans Golgi cisterna into a Golgi‐associated TGN cisterna begins with cisternal peeling, the formation of SV buds outside the plane of the cisterna and a 30–35% reduction in cisternal membrane area. Free TGN compartments are defined as cisternae that have detached from the Golgi to become independent organelles. Golgi‐associated and free TGN compartments, but not trans Golgi cisternae, bind anti‐RabA4b and anti‐phosphatidylinositol‐4 kinase (PI‐4K) antibodies. RabA4b and PI‐4Kβ1 localize to budding SVs in the TGN and to SVs en route to the cell surface. SV and CCV release occurs simultaneously via cisternal fragmentation, which typically yields ∼30 vesicles and one to four residual cisternal fragments. Early endosomal markers, VHA‐a1‐green fluorescent protein (GFP) and SYP61‐cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), colocalized with RabA4b in TGN cisternae, suggesting that the secretory and endocytic pathways converge at the TGN. pi4k1/pi4k2 knockout mutant plants produce SVs with highly variable sizes indicating that PI‐4Kβ1/2 regulates SV size.
Field Effects in the CNS Play Functional Roles

An endogenous electrical field effect, i.e., ephaptic transmission, occurs when an electric field associated with activity occurring in one neuron polarizes the membrane of another neuron. It is well established that field effects occur during pathological conditions, such as epilepsy, but less clear if they play a functional role in the healthy brain. Here, we describe the principles of field effect interactions, discuss identified field effects in diverse brain structures from the teleost Mauthner cell to the mammalian cortex, and speculate on the function of these interactions. Recent evidence supports that relatively weak endogenous and exogenous field effects in laminar structures reach significance because they are amplified by network interactions. Such interactions may be important in rhythmogenesis for the cortical slow wave and hippocampal sharp wave–ripple, and also during transcranial stimulation.
CAS Dynamic Financial Analysis Task Force on Variables Dynamic Financial Analysis-Applications and Uses 1998 Call Paper Program Using the Public Access DFA Model : A Case Study Submitted

This paper describes the application of a publicly available property-liability insurance DFA model to an actual insurance company. The structure and key parameters of the model, as well as how to run the model, are explained in detail. A copy of the report to management of the company is included. The initial company reaction to this model was favorable. Management intends to use the model for such purposes as long term planning, capital allocation, reinsurance negotiations, competitor analysis and external communications with the regulatory and investment communities. This paper describes the application of a DFA model to an actual insurance company. One goal of this work is to help actuaries learn about DFA by observing the use of a working model in a realistic setting. The model described in this paper is publicly available and accessible over the Internet. The company that generously allowed its data to be used in this exercise has asked to remain anonymous. Thus, minor modifications have been made to the data to help preserve the anonymity of this insurer. These changes do not affect the operation of the DFA model or obscure the data gathering process involved in running a DFA model.
Robust /spl Hscr//sub /spl infin// filtering for discrete-time linear systems with uncertain time-varying parameters

This paper deals with the problem of robust /spl Hscr//sub /spl infin// filtering for linear discrete-time state-space models with uncertain time-varying parameters. The parameters enter affinely into the state-space model matrices, and their admissible values and variations are assumed to belong to given intervals. A method is derived for designing a linear stationary asymptotically stable filter with a prescribed /spl Hscr//sub /spl infin// performance, in spite of large parameter uncertainty. The proposed method incorporates information on available bounds on both the admissible values and variation of the uncertain parameters and is based on a Lyapunov function with quadratic dependence on the parameters. The filter design is given in terms of linear matrix inequalities.