Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of the ABA-responsive Em promoter by ABI3 in the moss Physcomitrella patens

The plant-specific transcription factor ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE3 (ABI3) or the maize ortholog VIVIPAROUS1 (VP1) is known to regulate seed maturation and germination in concert with the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) but is also evolutionarily conserved among land plants including non-seed plants. An ABI3/VP1 ortholog (PpABI3A) from the moss Physcomitrella patens can activate ABA-responsive gene promoters in the moss and angiosperms; however, it failed to fully complement the phenotypes of the Arabidopsis abi3-6 mutant, suggesting that some aspects of ABI3/VP1 functions have diverged during the evolution of land plants. To gain insights into the evolution of ABI3/VP1 function, we performed a comparative analysis of the regulatory elements required for ABI3 activation in Physcomitrella using a wheat Em gene promoter, which is induced by ABA and ABI3/VP1 both in Physcomitrella and in angiosperms. Elimination of either the ACGT core motif in the ABA response element (ABRE) or the RY element, to which ABI3/VP1 binds directly, resulted in a drastic reduction of the ABA response in Physcomitrella. Arabidopsis ABI3 could effectively activate the Em promoter either in an ABRE- or RY-dependent manner, as observed in angiosperms. On the other hand, PpABI3A failed to activate an Em promoter lacking the RY element but not the ABRE. These results suggest that RY-mediated transcriptional regulation of ABI3/VP1 is evolutionarily conserved between the moss and angiosperms, whereas angiosperm ABI3/VP1 has evolved to activate ABA-inducible promoters via the ABRE sequence independently from the RY element.
Connectivity analysis of wireless sensor networks with regular topologies in the presence of channel fading

This paper investigates the probabilistic connectivity of wireless sensor networks in the presence of channel fading. Due to the stochastic nature of wireless channels in sensor networks, the geometric disk shaped model widely used for connectivity analysis of sensor networks can be misleading. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model to evaluate the probabilistic connectivity of sensor networks which incorporates the characteristics of wireless channels, multi-access interference, the network topology and the propagation environment. We present an analytical framework for the computation of node isolation probability and network connectivity under different channel fading models. We also analyze the connectivity of sensor networks in the presence of unreliable sensors. We present numerical and simulation results that compare different regular topologies in terms of several metrics such as node isolation probability, end-to-end connectivity, and network connectivity.
High speed, low-jitter level shifter for high speed ICs

A design and simulation of high-speed level shifter that reduces jitter deviations is presented. The proposed methodology of design provides robust mechanism to boost level-shifter output edges and improves transmitting signal quality. The edge detection circuit was used to generate pulses during signal edges and activates additional fingers of level shifter. The presented level-shifter circuit can be used in the I/O circuits of such standards as DDR, USB, PCI etc. The level-shifter is designed in 28nm CMOS process and simulated using Synopsys tools.
Differential recognition of microfilarial antigens by sera from immigrants into an area endemic for brugian filariasis

Summary Studies in animal models indicate that antibodies to surface antigens of microfilariae participate in the control of parasitaemia resulting from infections with lymphatic filarial nematodes. In an attempt to identify parasite antigens that elicit such ‘protective’ host responses, we compared the antigen recognition patterns of persons who remained amicrofilaraemic after 3–6 years of exposure to Brugia malayi with those of individuals who developed patent filariasis during the same period. IgG antibodies in sera from immigrants identified between 0 and 25 microfilarial antigens on Western blots. The highest degree of reactivity was observed with antigens in the 65–75 kD and 20–30 kD ranges, and with a group of high mol. wt antigens (> 180 kD). Sera from amicrofilaraemic donors preferentially reacted with 70/75 kD microfilarial antigens. A proportion of such sera inhibited the binding of monoclonal antibody MF1 to its target epitope; eight of nine inhibitory sera were from patients with active infections, evidenced by the presence of microfilariae or filarial antigens in the donors' blood, but who were amicrofilaraemic. These results indicate that some amicrofilaraemic residents of areas where brugian filariasis is endemic develop immune reactions to a microfilarial stage‐specific antigen that was previously identified as a potentially ‘protective’ parasite antigen in animal models of lymphatic filariasis.
Near-wall cycle amplitude modulation in turbulent boundary layers

A non-linear influence of the large-scale log-region motions onto the small-scale near-wall cycle is found to exist in the buffer and log-region of turbulent boundary layers. Based on recent observations of Hutchins & Marusic (2007b) in high Reynolds number turbulent boundary layers, a novel procedure is developed to evaluate the modulation effect. This is done using tools based on Hilbert transformations applied to the spectrally filtered small-scale component of fluctuating velocity signals. The procedure allows us to quantify the modulation level of small-scale motions imparted by the superstructure type-events. Further analysis shows a high degree of robustness for this method.
INEQUALITIES FOR THE SCHWAB-BORCHARDT MEAN AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Inequalities for the Schwab-Borchardt mean are obtained. They contain known results for the trigonometric and hyperbolic functions including those obtained by J. Wilker (15) and C. Huygens (5). The main results of this paper can also be utilized to obtain new inequalities for some bivariate means including the logarithmic mean and two means introduced by Seiffert.
Subjective quality of life, health, I-ADL ability and adaptation strategies in fibromyalgia

Objectives: To describe subjective quality of life and health, self-perceived instrumental activities of daily living (I-ADL) ability and adaptation strategies, and to explore possible relationships between these variables in fibromyalgia patients. Design: Two instruments were used with fibromyalgia patients: the Fibrositis Impact Questionnaire and ‘Living with fibromyalgia – adaptation to chronic disease and handicap’, and correlative analyses were performed. Subjects: A sample of 34 patients undergoing rehabilitation (in a specific programme). Results: The majority of the patients used many adaptation strategies, demonstrating some significant relationships with perceived I-ADL ability and subjective quality of life and health. Different symptoms correlated highly significantly with self-perceived ability in I-ADL. Conclusion: The significant relationships between adaptation strategies and I-ADL ability and health demonstrated deserve clinical awareness and further research efforts.
GeoSVR: A Geographic Stateless VANET Routing

In this paper, we propose Geographic Stateless Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) Routing (GeoSVR), a novel geographic routing protocol that selects an optimal forwarding route using the width of the road to avoid local maximum and improves the forwarding algorithm to ensure the connectivity of the route between two neighbors in an urban VANET. GeoSVR uses the natural connective feature of an urban map to calculate a forwarding route, the packets are forwarded along it and two modes in typical geographic routing protcols are eliminated. The salient features of optimal forwarding route, restricted forwarding algorithm and stateless routing, make GeoSVR suitable for high speeds and dynamical topologies. We showed that in line and urban scenarios, GeoSVR outperforms other wireless routing protocols such as Ad Hoc On Demand Distance Vector (AODV) and Greedy Perimeter Stateless Routing (GPSR). It significantly increases the packet delivery ratio. Although restricted forwarding algorithm brings more hops, GeoSVR's latency is almost not affected and is consistently lower than that of AODV.
Cytotoxic T-cell recognition of HIV-1 cross-clade and clade-specific epitopes in HIV-1-infected Thai and Japanese patients

Objective To identify and characterize cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) epitopes for HIV-1 clade E using eight known HLA-A*1101-restricted HIV-1 clade B epitopes. Methods Induction of clade E-specific CTL was examined by stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from clade E-infected Thai individuals with the clade E-specific peptide corresponding to the clade B epitopes. Cross-clade and clade-specific CTL recognition for these epitopes was analysed using CTL clones and bulk CTL specific for these epitopes. To clarify the presentation of these epitopes in HIV-1-infected T cells, CTL recognition for the clade E-specific and cross-clade epitopes was investigated using CD4CXCR4 cells infected with an HIV-1 clade E clone. Results Three epitopes, which are identical among clades A–E, were recognized as cross-clade CTL epitopes in both individuals. Clade B and E sequences corresponding to three epitopes were recognized as clade-specific epitopes in clade B-infected and clade E-infected individuals, respectively. In contrast, clade E-specific peptides corresponding to two other clade B epitopes failed to elicit clade E-specific CTL. CTL specific for the three cross-clade and three clade E-specific epitopes effectively lysed target cells infected with HIV-1 clade E virus. Conclusions These six epitopes are found to be processed naturally in HIV-1 clade E-infected cells. We show here that a strategy utilizing HIV-1 clade B epitopes is very useful for identifying clade E CTL epitopes.
An Inventory-Routing Problem with Pickups and Deliveries Arising in the Replenishment of Automated Teller Machines

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, model, and solve a rich multiperiod inventory-routing problem with pickups and deliveries motivated by the replenishment of automated teller machines in the Netherlands. Commodities can be brought to and from the depot, as well as being exchanged among customers to efficiently manage their inventory shortages and surpluses. A single customer can both provide and receive commodities at different periods, since its demand changes dynamically throughout the planning horizon and can be either positive or negative. In the case study, new technology provides these machines with the additional functionality of receiving deposits and reissuing banknotes to subsequent customers. We first formulate the problem as a very large-scale mixed-integer linear programming model. Given the size and complexity of the problem, we first decompose it into several more manageable subproblems by means of a clustering procedure, and we further simplify the subproblems by fixing some variables. The resulting subproblems are strengthened through the generation of valid inequalities and solved by branch and cut. We assess the performance of the proposed solution methodology through extensive computational experiments using real data. The results show that we are able to obtain good lower and upper bounds for this new and challenging practical problem.
The Efficiency of Automated Theorem Proving by Translation to Less Expressive Logics

of a thesis at the University of Miami. Thesis supervised by Professor Geoff Suttcliffe. No. of pages in text. (72) Many Automated Theorem Prover (ATP) systems for different logical forms, and translators for translating different logical forms from one to another, have been developed and are now available. Some logical forms are more expressive than others, and it is easier to express problems in those forms. On the other hand, the ATP systems for less expressive forms have been tested for many years, and are more powerful and reliable. There is a trade-off between expressivity of a logical form, and power and reliability of the available ATP systems. Different ATP systems and translators can be combined to solve a problem expressed in a logic. In this research, an experiment has been designed and carried out to compare all different possible ways of trying to solve a problem. The possibilities are either to use an ATP system for the original form, or translate the problem to a less expressive form. If the problem is translated to a less expressive form, then again the same two possibilities are available, until no further translation is possible. No translator was available to translate from Conjunctive Normal Form to Description Logic, which sits between Effectively Propositional Logic and Propositional Logic in terms of expressivity. A translation procedure for translating Conjunctive Normal Form to Description Logic, and its implementation as Saffron are presented. Additionally, this research includes a survey of different logical forms. Propositional Logic, Description Logic, First Order Form, Conjunctive Normal Form, Effectively Propositional, Typed First order Form monomorphic, Typed First order Form polymorphic, Typed Higher order Form monomorphic. The properties, syntax, and semantics of each logical form are briefly described. For each form, the most popular ATP systems and translators for translating to a less expressive forms are introduced.
Electrical and chemical characterization of chemically passivated silicon surfaces

The surface composition of chemically passivated silicon substrates is investigated using XPS and FTIR techniques. The samples are passivated with methanol, quinhydrone-methanol and iodine-methanol solution after HF treatment. The minority carrier lifetimes of these chemically passivated silicon substrates are also measured. Quinhydrone-methanol solution provides a chemically inert surface and a considerably longer minority carrier lifetime.
Urinary Beta-2Microglobulin: An Indicator of Renal Tubular Damage after Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy.

PURPOSE This study aims to determine extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)-induced renal tubular damageand the affecting factors by measuring urinary beta2microglobulin (β2M) excretion. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 91 patients with renal stones who underwentESWL during 2012. Urinary beta2microglobulin was measured immediately before and after the procedure foreach patient and analyzed based on different variables to evaluate factors affecting ESWL-induced renal tubularinjury. RESULTS Mean ± SD urinary beta2-microglobulin values, before and after ESWL were 0.08 ± 0.07 and 0.22 ± 0.71mg/dL respectively, the average difference between which was equal to 0.14 ± 0.07 mg/dL. These figures exhibiteda 166.66% rise in the urinary β2M concentration after ESWL which was statistically significant (P < .001). Multivariateanalysis showed that hypertension (P = .05) and the history of ESWL (P = .02) were predictive factors ofhigher post-ESWL urinary beta2-microglobulin excretion. CONCLUSION Urinary excretion of beta2-microglobulin increased significantly immediately after ESWL. Thesechanges could indicate that ESWL is a contributing factor to renal tubular damage. It also seems that in patientswith hypertension and a previous history of ESWL the likelihood of this injury is higher than others.
Image emotional classification: static vs. dynamic

Grouping images into emotional categories is an important and challenging problem in content-based image retrieval. In this paper, we propose an approach to classify art paintings into emotional categories (dynamic vs. static). The key points are feature selection and classification algorithm. According to the strong relationship between notable lines of image and human sensations, a novel feature vector WLDLV (weighted line direction-length vector) is proposed, which includes both orientation and length information of lines in an image, Then classification is performed by SVM (support vector machine) and images can be classified into dynamic vs. static. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of our approach.
Self-aligned double patterning (SADP) layout decomposition

Double patterning lithography (DPL) is the most likely manufacturing process for sub-32nm technology nodes; however, there are several double patterning strategies each of which exhibits different layout decomposition challenges. Self-aligned double patterning (SADP) has attracted much interest due to its robustness against overlay errors, but SADP compliance depends strongly on the characteristics of the individual masks generated during the layout decomposition. This work establishes SADP decomposition requirements and proposes a litho-friendly layout decomposition method. First, we explain the main parameters that limit printability of SADP decomposed layouts. In-silico experiments indicate that layout patterns which are printed by the Trim mask may experience the highest levels of image transfer sensitivity. For that reason, these patterns should be assisted by sidewalls of spacer patterns which are robustly printed. Next, we present an ILP-based decomposition method which avoids decomposition conflicts and sensitive Trim edges simultaneously. Our experiments on several industrial designs reveal that the proposed method decreases the total length of sensitive Trim patterns and consequently reduces the overall edge placement error significantly.
Partial characterization of human C5a anaphylatoxin. I. Chemical description of the carbohydrate and polypeptide prtions of human C5a.

Human C5a was isolated from complement-activated serum and was characterized for protein and carbohydrate content. The purified C5a was judged to be homogeneous by both polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunologic techniques. The polypeptide moiety of C5a contains 73 amino acid residues which represent a m.w. of 8,200. Analysis of the carbohydrate moiety in C5a indicated 4 moles of glucosamine, 3 to 4 moles os sialic acid, 4 moles of mannose and 2 moles of galactose. The total carbohydrate content in C5a, therefore, amounts to approximately 25% of the apparent m.w. of the anaphylatoxin molecule. The protein and carbohydrate portions of C5a together equal a m.w. of approximately 11,000 which is considerably less than the 15 to 16,000 indicated by physical measurements. Human C5a contains a COOH-terminal arginine which is essential for anaphylatoxin activity and a sequence of Gln-Leu-Gly-Arg-COOH at the COOH-terminus which compares favorably with that of human C3a (Gly-Leu-Ala-Arg-COOH). Additional similarities between the C3a and C5a molecules include length of the polypeptide chain, number of disulfide bonds and an absence of tryptophan residues. A major chemical difference does exist between these two human anaphylatoxins, namely that carbohydrate is associated with C5a but is absent in the C3a molecule. The partial NH2-terminal sequence of C5a was determined as NH2-Thr-Leu-Glx-Lys-Ile-Glx-Glx-Ile-Ala- and direct comparison with the known sequence of human C3a shows little homology.
Présuppositions et implicatures scalaires : études formelles et expérimentales

L'objectif de cette these est de mettre en parallele deux types d'inferences pragmatiques : les implicatures scalaires et les presuppositions. Dans une premiere partie, j'etudie les interactions possibles entre les deux phenomenes : les anti-presuppositions. Dans une deuxieme partie, je m'interesse au probleme de la projection : comment predire les presuppositions (ou les implicatures) d'une phrase complexe a partir des presuppositions (ou des implicatures) de ses parties ? J'etablis de nouvelles donnees empiriques et psychologiques et presente une reponse unifiee a la question pour les deux phenomenes, ainsi que pour les inferences dites de "libre choix".
G Protein Selectivity Is a Determinant of RGS2 Function*

RGS (regulator of Gprotein signaling) proteins are GTPase-activating proteins that attenuate signaling by heterotrimeric G proteins. Whether the biological functions of RGS proteins are governed by quantitative differences in GTPase-activating protein activity toward various classes of Gα subunits and how G protein selectivity is achieved by differences in RGS protein structure are largely unknown. Here we provide evidence indicating that the function of RGS2 is determined in part by differences in potency toward Gq versus Gi family members. RGS2 was 5-fold more potent than RGS4 as an inhibitor of Gq-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in vivo. In contrast, RGS4 was 8-fold more potent than RGS2 as an inhibitor of Gi-mediated signaling. RGS2 mutants were identified that display increased potency toward Gi family members without affecting potency toward Gq. These mutations and the structure of RGS4-Giα1 complexes suggest that RGS2-Giα interaction is unfavorable in part because of the geometry of the switch I binding pocket of RGS2 and a potential interaction between the α8-α9 loop of RGS2 and αA of Gi class α subunits. The results suggest that the function of RGS2 relative to other RGS family members is governed in part by quantitative differences in activity toward different classes of Gα subunits.
Generic service provisioning and invocation in IMS

In this letter, a new service creation and invoking mechanism, generic service provisioning and invocation, is introduced into the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). This new mechanism allows end users to deliver their own applications to each other in a self-help mode with minimal involvement of network operators. A generic service manager application server (GSMG AS) is introduced into the service plane of the IMS network. The end user who wants to provide a certain service can register a generic service ID and the contact address of his user equipment (UE) to the GSMG AS through the serving call session control function (S-CSCF). When another end user invokes this service, that generic service ID is embedded in Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) call signaling messages sent to the GSMG AS. The GSMG AS will locate the registered contact address for this generic service and proxy the call to that UE so as to get the service logic executed. As an example, an automatic multilingual interpretation telephony service is described.
The best laid plans of mice and men

INTRODUCTION " Planning " is a murky, kitchen-sink term for activities as This diversity of uses should suggest that planning is called on to do too much and cannot possibly work as well as one might want. Empirically, planning is hard to do well and is fraught with delusions and abuses. Daniel Kahneman defines the " planning fallacy " as the tendency of people and organizations to underestimate the difficulty of tasks. In this essay, we elaborate on the limits of planning. Planning does have value, but the downsides must also be kept in perspective. We are concerned with goal-oriented plans (such as implementing features and fixing bugs), rather than schedule-oriented plans (such as time boxes and iterations). We are concerned with tasks that are larger than some minimum size, say 40 man-hours, which in our experience is where plans start to go seriously awry. In the first section, we argue that all plans are inherently flawed. Because of unknownness (uncertainty, change, error, irrationality, and so on), all plans start out flawed. Then psychologically and