Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Quantitative Method for the Evaluation of Spatial Resolution in Quality Control of B-mode Ultrasound Images

The work describes a method to quantitatively evaluate spatial resolution in B-mode quality control images as radial modulation transfer function (MTF). The method is easy to use in in-field quality assurance programs in clinical institutions, as it is fast and can be performed with the help of phantoms that are already used for routine quality control. It uses a round insert with different echogenic characteristics compared with the phantom background. The method was automated with a MATLAB® routine, which can be run in full automatic mode or with a grade of interaction by the user, as is sometimes necessary with low-quality images. Radial MTF was evaluated for several ultrasound (US) images produced with different clinical US scanners from various vendors and equipped with different types of transducers (linear, convex, sector, vector) working at various frequencies (from 2 to 14 MHz) and with different modalities. It was also evaluated on various computed tomography (CT) images including round inserts. This was done to compare these results with the MTF calculated from the same images using the well-known method from the point spread function (PSF) of a high-contrast bead. Our radial MTF method, adapted to the specific characteristics of US images, was found to be reasonably robust and in line with other methods commonly used for USs (e.g., the pin method, which has repeatability issues) and in other fields, such as X-ray CT.
Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor promotes neovascularization by releasing vascular endothelial growth factor from neutrophils

The granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) promotes angiogenesis. However, the exact mechanism is not known. We demonstrate that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was released by Gr‐1+CD11b− neutrophils but not Gr‐1−CD11b+ monocytes prestimulated with G‐CSF in vitro and in vivo. Similarly, in vivo, concomitant with an increase in neutrophil numbers in circulation, G‐CSF augmented plasma VEGF level in vivo. Local G‐CSF administration into ischemic tissue increased capillary density and provided a functional vasculature and contributed to neovascularization of ischemic tissue. Blockade of the VEGF pathway abrogated G‐CSF‐induced angiogenesis. On the other hand, as we had shown previously, VEGF can induce endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) mobilization. Here, we show that G‐CSF also augmented the number of circulating VEGF receptor‐2 (VEGFR2) EPCs as compared with untreated controls. Blocking the VEGF/VEGFR1, but to a much lesser extent, the VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway in G‐CSF‐treated animals delayed tissue revascularization in a hindlimb model. These data clearly show that G‐CSF modulates angiogenesis by increasing myelomonocytic cells (VEGFR1+ neutrophils) and their release of VEGF. Our results indicated that administration of G‐CSF into ischemic tissue provides a novel and safe therapeutic strategy to improve neovascularization.
Double tuned resonant filter used transformer less grid connected photovoltaic system

Now a days, renewable of energy of different sources is attracted the various researchers and investors for the research work. The photovoltaic system is the best example of the energy renewable, because of it is suitable for different applications like as distributed generation, satellite systems, and transportation. In this paper, a single-phase, single-stage current source inverter based photovoltaic system for grid connection is presents. The proposed system uses single-stage transformer which has photovoltaic array for the interfacing to the grid and it has maximum power. Also, to increase the power of photovoltaic system the proposed system uses the fuzzy logic controller. The grid can work with less current; therefore the large current can be controlled by the proportional-resonant controller. The power quality and the efficiency of the system are increases by using the double-tuned parallel resonant circuit. This is used to attenuate the second- and fourth- order harmonics at the inverter dc side. To magnetize the dc-link inductor a modified carrier based modulation technique is used in this paper. The experimental results of the proposed system show the dynamic performance and power quality.
Arabidopsis Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase CPK10 Functions in Abscisic Acid- and Ca2+-Mediated Stomatal Regulation in Response to Drought Stress1[W][OA]

Plant calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) may function as calcium sensors and play important roles in the regulation of plant growth and development and in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome encodes 34 CDPKs, and most of them have not been functionally characterized. Here, we report the functional characterization of CPK10 in Arabidopsis response to drought stress. The cpk10 mutant, a T-DNA insertion mutant for the Arabidopsis CPK10 gene, showed a much more sensitive phenotype to drought stress compared with wild-type plants, while the CPK10 overexpression lines displayed enhanced tolerance to drought stress. Induction of stomatal closure and inhibition of stomatal opening by abscisic acid (ABA) and Ca2+ were impaired in the cpk10 mutants. Using yeast two-hybrid methods, a heat shock protein, HSP1, was identified as a CPK10-interacting protein. The interaction between CPK10 and HSP1 was further confirmed by pull-down and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. The HSP1 knockout mutant (hsp1) plants showed a similar sensitive phenotype under drought stress as the cpk10 mutant plants and were similarly less sensitive to ABA and Ca2+ in regulation of stomatal movements. Electrophysiological experiments showed that ABA and Ca2+ inhibition of the inward K+ currents in stomatal guard cells were impaired in the cpk10 and hsp1 mutants. All presented data demonstrate that CPK10, possibly by interacting with HSP1, plays important roles in ABA- and Ca2+-mediated regulation of stomatal movements.
One plus One Doesn't Always Equal Two

Business Week proclaimed 2007 the Year of the Mashup. Mashups involve the reuse, or remixing, of works of art, music, video, content, or data for purposes that usually were not intended or even imagined by the original creators (EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative [ELI], 2006; Johnson, Levine, & Smith, 2008; Lamb, 2007). In the New Media Consortium’s (NMC) 2008 Horizon Report, mashups were reported to be 2 to 3 years from ideal timeto-adoption by the masses (Johnson et al., 2008). Even so, Web 2.0 applications have exploded onto the educational scene in the past 2 years resulting in an impressive cadre of learning tools and Web services including data mashups. This may be the time to explore the integration of these online Web services and applications into the pedagogical mix. With data mashups educators can pick and choose favorite applications and online Web services, inabstract
Prediction of Unit Grain Yield Based on Grain Safety Level in Hunan Province

By using weighted Markov chain model,regression model and gray system model,the unit grain yield based on grain safety level in Hunan Province is forecasted.The results show that the unit grain yield in Hunan Province will be reached 14900kg/ha in 2015 and 15900kg/ha in 2025.
Bidirectional OM-LSA speech estimator for noise robust speech recognition

A new speech enhancement method using bidirectional speech estimator is introduced. A widely-known speech enhancement method using the optimally-modified log spectral amplitude (OM-LSA) speech estimator is re-modified under the assumption that the frame-synchronous estimation is not essential in some of the speech recognition applications. The new method utilizes two separate flows of the speech gain estimation, one is along the forward direction of time and the other along the backward direction. A simple look-ahead estimation mechanism is also implemented in each flow. By taking the average of these two gains, the speech estimation becomes more robust under various noise conditions. Evaluation experiments using the artificial and real noisy speech data confirm that the speech recognition accuracy can be greatly improved by the proposed method.
Rest Is Still Best

Objective: We examined the impact task interruptions of differing qualitative and quantitative load have on visuospatial vigilance sensitivity. Background: The vigilance decrement and attempts to develop countermeasures to the decrement is one of the most important human factors issues. There is an ongoing debate between those who interpret the increase in the rate of failures to detect signals over time as being due to objective task monotony or task underload and those who interpret this increased failure proneness as being predominately due to cognitive-resource depletion and task overload. Method: Participants were assigned at random to one of six interruptions: Participants were given a complete rest (rest); participants completed a 1-back verbal working-memory (WM) task, a 3-back verbal WM task, a 1-back spatial WM task, or a 3-back spatial WM task; or participants performed the primary vigilance task (continuous). Results: Postinterruption performance was best for rest and worst for continuous. A resource theory perspective led us to make two possible predictions of relative interruption effect orders of the six conditions out of 720 possible orderings. We found one of the two orders. Conclusion: Overall, the vigilance sensitivity decrement appears to be due to the recurring use of particular cognitive resources, and resource theorists should explore this more extensively in the future. Application: Countermeasures for the vigilance decrement should be based on clear cognitive-resource considerations. Rest is the best countermeasure. Intervening tasks should be chosen that minimize resource-demand overlap with the vigilance task.
ipso‐Substitution: A General Biochemical and Biodegradation Mechanism to Cleave α‐Quaternary Alkylphenols and Bisphenol A

Sphingobium xenophagum Bayram is capable of metabolizing 4‐alkoxyphenols and endocrine disruptive α‐quaternary 4‐nonylphenols by an ipso‐substitution mechanism that involves ring hydroxylation at the site of the substituent. Here, we show that Bayram's ipso‐hydroxylating activity was able to transform also bisphenol A (=dimethyl‐4,4′‐methylenediphenol; BPA) and 4‐isopropylphenol. We identified six metabolites when resting cells of strain Bayram were incubated with BPA. They were unambiguously characterized by HPLC‐UV, HPLC/MS, and HPLC/MS/MS as hydroquinone, 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)isopropanol, 4‐isopropenylphenol, 4‐isopropylphenol, 4‐hydroxy‐4‐isopropenylcyclohexa‐2,5‐dien‐1‐one, and 4‐hydroxy‐4‐isopropylcyclohexa‐2,5‐dien‐1‐one. In experiments with 4‐isopropylphenol as a substrate, 4‐hydroxy‐4‐isopropylcyclohexa‐2,5‐dien‐1‐one, one of the metabolites from BPA, accumulated to a high degree. We could rationalize the formation of all metabolites by invoking ipso‐hydroxylation and ipso‐substitution mechanisms. On closer view, also classical bacterial metabolism of BPA can be well rationalized by an ipso‐substitution mechanism, albeit with ipso‐attack of an internal alkyl radical instead of an activated oxygen species. This highlights the important role of ipso‐substitution as a versatile degradative principle utilized by diverse organisms to degrade α‐quaternary 4‐nonylphenols, 4‐alkoxyphenols, and BPA.
Contribution of PsbS Function and Stomatal Conductance to Foliar Temperature in Higher Plants

Natural capacity has evolved in higher plants to absorb and harness excessive light energy. In basic models, the majority of absorbed photon energy is radiated back as fluorescence and heat. For years the proton sensor protein PsbS was considered to play a critical role in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of light absorbed by PSII antennae and in its dissipation as heat. However, the significance of PsbS in regulating heat emission from a whole leaf has never been verified before by direct measurement of foliar temperature under changing light intensity. To test its validity, we here investigated the foliar temperature changes on increasing and decreasing light intensity conditions (foliar temperature dynamics) using a high resolution thermal camera and a powerful adjustable light-emitting diode (LED) light source. First, we showed that light-dependent foliar temperature dynamics is correlated with Chl content in leaves of various plant species. Secondly, we compared the foliar temperature dynamics in Arabidopsis thaliana wild type, the PsbS null mutant npq4-1 and a PsbS-overexpressing transgenic line under different transpiration conditions with or without a photosynthesis inhibitor. We found no direct correlations between the NPQ level and the foliar temperature dynamics. Rather, differences in foliar temperature dynamics are primarily affected by stomatal aperture, and rapid foliar temperature increase during irradiation depends on the water status of the leaf. We conclude that PsbS is not directly involved in regulation of foliar temperature dynamics during excessive light energy episodes.
Therapeutic targeting of FOXP3-positive regulatory T cells using a FOXP3 peptide vaccine WO2008081581

Background: CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) regulate immunotolerance. Treg depletion causes autoimmune disease, whereas Treg expansion can prevent effective immunosurveillance of ‘non-self’ antigens in many clinical settings, including cancer. Objective: Patent WO2008081581 presents an invention to target Tregs therapeutically via vaccination with immunogenic peptides from the forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) transcription factor. Our objective was the scientific evaluation of this patent and advantages versus potential risks of this therapeutic strategy. Methods: There are 432 patents on Tregs and a diverse array of approaches for their therapeutic targeting; these have already been reviewed elsewhere. This article focuses on the utility of the selected peptides for specifically targeting FOXP3, whether FOXP3 expression is Treg specific and the likely effectiveness versus risk of autoimmunity relating to FOXP3-targeted immunotherapy. Results/conclusions: Our analysis of the immunogenic FOXP3 peptides found many (10/21) with significant (i.e. only one or two amino-acid differences) or complete identity with other proteins; these are not suitable for specific FOXP3 targeting. Some peptides have the ability to target specific FOXP3 isoforms. FOXP3 vaccination might be an effective method for reducing Treg numbers in cancer patients. However, this must be balanced against the risks of developing autoimmunity and targeting effector T cells.
Mexican sign language recognition using movement sensor

Sign language is the basic communication method between deaf people. A translator is usually needed when an ordinary person wants to communicate with a deaf one. This paper presents a system for sign language recognition of Mexican sign language to Spanish oral language. In sign language recognition, there are important challenges as to develop methods that solve signer-independent continuous sign problems. This system uses one movement sensor of image for capturing depth images and obtaining information from the skeleton of the human hand than tracking movements in the SRL. Data of this information obtained by the movement sensor. Classification and pattern recognition algorithms as random forests, decision trees and artificial neural networks process them. No gloves, special clothing or accessories are required to work it. Experimental results demonstrate than the proposed system achieves recognition Mexican signs language to letters of Spanish alphabet with an accuracy of 76.19% for sign language recognition. This system is open for future extension.
CD44 Interaction with Tiam1 Promotes Rac1 Signaling and Hyaluronic Acid-mediated Breast Tumor Cell Migration*

In this study we have explored the interaction between CD44 (the hyaluronic acid (HA)-binding receptor) and Tiam1 (a guanine nucleotide exchange factor) in metastatic breast tumor cells (SP1 cell line). Immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analyses indicate that both the CD44v3 isoform and the Tiam1 protein are expressed in SP1 cells and that these two proteins are physically associated as a complex in vivo. Using an Escherichia coli-derived calmodulin-binding peptide-tagged Tiam1 fragment (i.e. the NH2-terminal pleckstrin homology (PHn) domain and an adjacent protein interaction domain designated as PHn-CC-Ex, amino acids 393–738 of Tiam1) and an in vitrobinding assay, we have detected a specific binding interaction between the Tiam1 PHn-CC-Ex domain and CD44. Scatchard plot analysis indicates that there is a single high affinity CD44 binding site in the PHn-CC-Ex domain of Tiam1 with an apparent dissociation constant (K d ) of 0.2 nm, which is comparable with CD44 binding (K d = ∼0.13 nm) to intact Tiam1. These findings suggest that the PHn-CC-Ex domain is the primary Tiam1-binding region for CD44. Most importantly, the binding of HA to CD44v3 of SP1 cells stimulates Tiam1-catalyzed Rac1 signaling and cytoskeleton-mediated tumor cell migration. Transfection of SP1 cells with Tiam1cDNA promotes Tiam1 association with CD44v3 and up-regulates Rac1 signaling as well as HA/CD44v3-mediated breast tumor cell migration. Co-transfection of SP1 cells with PHn-CC-Ex cDNA and Tiam1 cDNA effectively inhibits Tiam1 association with CD44 and efficiently blocks tumor behaviors. Taken together, we believe that the linkage between CD44v3 isoform and the PHn-CC-EX domain of Tiam1 is required for HA stimulated Rac1 signaling and cytoskeleton-mediated tumor cell migration during breast cancer progression.
Distance perception synthesis in 3D audio rendering using loudspeaker array

Distance perception plays an important role in 3D audio rendering. From listener's perspective, sound intensity and direct-to-reverberant energy ratio (DRR) decrease while the distance between the listener and source increase. Though implementing changes in intensity is quite easy, providing realistic changes in direct-to-reverberant energy ratio is quite demanding. In this paper, we proposed a new method to produce room reflections in sound field based on Wave Field Synthesis technique. By introducing image method into Wave Field Synthesis, we derived the mathematical driving function of secondary source and proved the corresponding DRR decreases with increasing distance. We applied the proposed and traditional driving function to our loudspeaker array respectively. Compared to the method with changes only in sound intensity, our method can offer more authentic distance perception of sound source in rendered sound field. It will be a good supplement of 3D audio rendering.
Adaptive control of aircraft dynamics using neural networks

In this paper a neural network model-based predictive control strategy for aircraft systems with unknown parameters is presented. The objective of the paper is to stabilize unknown systems by the adaptive control law through an optimization procedure in which a cost function representing the deviation error between set-points and the predicted outputs obtained from a neural network is minimized. Due to its capability of characterizing dynamic functional relationships and its feedback processing structure, a recurrent neural network is employed as an adaptive estimator for future state values. The neural network training is performed by the dynamic sequential recursive backpropagation learning algorithm, which allows the neural network to be trained online. It is shown that the proposed neural network learning algorithm has potential for designing flight control systems which can compensate for unpredictable changes in an aircraft dynamics over a wide range of flight conditions and other uncertainties.
Deficiency of tenascin‐C attenuates liver fibrosis in immune‐mediated chronic hepatitis in mice

Tenascin‐C (TNC), an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, is upregulated in chronic liver disease. Here, we investigated the contribution of TNC to liver fibrogenesis by comparing immune‐mediated hepatitis in wild‐type (WT) and TNC‐null (TNKO) mice. Eight‐week‐old BALB/c mice received weekly intravenous injections of concanavalin A to induce hepatitis, and were sacrificed one week after the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th injections. In WT livers, immunohistochemical staining revealed a gradual increase in TNC deposition. TNC mRNA levels also increased sequentially and peaked after the 9th injection. Collagen deposition, stained with picrosirius red, was significantly less intense in TNKO mice than in WT mice, and procollagen I and III transcripts were significantly upregulated in WT mice compared with TNKO mice. Inflammatory infiltrates were most prominent after the 3rd‐6th injections in both groups and were less intense in TNKO mice than in WT mice. Interferon‐γ, tumour necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐4 mRNA levels were significantly higher in WT mice than in TNKO mice, while activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and myofibroblasts, a cellular source of TNC and procollagens, were more common in WT livers. Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in WT mice, but not in TNKO mice. In conclusion, TNC can promote liver fibrogenesis through enhancement of inflammatory response with cytokine upregulation, HSC recruitment, and TGF‐β expression during progression of hepatitis to fibrosis. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functions of OsBZR1 and 14-3-3 proteins in brassinosteroid signaling in rice

Brassinosteroids (BR) are essential growth hormones found throughout the plant kingdom. BR bind to the receptor kinase BRI1 on the cell surface to activate a signal transduction pathway that regulates nuclear gene expression and plant growth. To understand the downstream BR signaling mechanism in rice, we studied the function of OsBZR1 using reverse genetic approaches and identified OsBZR1-interacting proteins. Suppressing OsBZR1 expression by RNAi resulted in dwarfism, erect leaves, reduced BR sensitivity, and altered BR-responsive gene expression in transgenic rice plants, demonstrating an essential role of OsBZR1 in BR responses in rice. Moreover, a yeast two-hybrid screen identified 14-3-3 proteins as OsBZR1-interacting proteins. Mutation of a putative 14-3-3-binding site of OsBZR1 abolished its interaction with the 14-3-3 proteins in yeast and in vivo. Such mutant OsBZR1 proteins suppressed the phenotypes of the Arabidopsis bri1–5 mutant and showed an increased nuclear distribution compared with the wild-type protein, suggesting that 14-3-3 proteins directly inhibit OsBZR1 function at least in part by reducing its nuclear localization. These results demonstrate a conserved function of OsBZR1 and an important role of 14-3-3 proteins in brassinosteroid signal transduction in rice.