Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Pseudorabies Virus Strains Expressing Red Fluorescent Proteins: New Tools for Multisynaptic Labeling Applications

ABSTRACT The transsynaptic retrograde transport of the pseudorabies virus Bartha (PRV-Bartha) strain has become an important neuroanatomical tract-tracing technique. Recently, dual viral transneuronal labeling has been introduced by employing recombinant strains of PRV-Bartha engineered to express different reporter proteins. Dual viral transsynaptic tracing has the potential of becoming an extremely powerful method for defining connections of single neurons to multiple neural circuits in the brain. However, the present use of recombinant strains of PRV expressing different reporters that are driven by different promoters, inserted in different regions of the viral genome, and detected by different methods limits the potential of these recombinant virus strains as useful reagents. We previously constructed and characterized PRV152, a PRV-Bartha derivative that expresses the enhanced green fluorescent protein. The development of a strain isogenic to PRV152 and differing only in the fluorescent reporter would have great utility for dual transsynaptic tracing. In this report, we describe the construction, characterization, and application of strain PRV614, a PRV-Bartha derivative expressing a novel monomeric red fluorescent protein, mRFP1. In contrast to viruses expressing DsRed and DsRed2, PRV614 displayed robust fluorescence both in cell culture and in vivo following transsynaptic transport through autonomic circuits afferent to the eye. Transneuronal retrograde dual PRV labeling has the potential to be a powerful addition to the neuroanatomical tools for investigation of neuronal circuits; the use of strain PRV614 in combination with strain PRV152 will eliminate many of the pitfalls associated with the presently used pairs of PRV recombinants.
Analysis of a "/0" stealth scan from a botnet

Botnets are the most common vehicle of cyber-criminal activity. They are used for spamming, phishing, denial-of-service attacks, brute-force cracking, stealing private information, and cyber warfare. Botnets carry out network scans for several reasons, including searching for vulnerable machines to infect and recruit into the botnet, probing networks for enumeration or penetration, etc. We present the measurement and analysis of a horizontal scan of the entire IPv4 address space conducted by the Sality botnet in February 2011. This 12-day scan originated from approximately 3 million distinct IP addresses and used a heavily coordinated and unusually covert scanning strategy to try to discover and compromise VoIP-related (SIP server) infrastructure. We observed this event through the UCSD Network Telescope, a /8 darknet continuously receiving large amounts of unsolicited traffic, and we correlate this traffic data with other public sources of data to validate our inferences. Sality is one of the largest botnets ever identified by researchers. Its behavior represents ominous advances in the evolution of modern malware: the use of more sophisticated stealth scanning strategies by millions of coordinated bots, targeting critical voice communications infrastructure. This paper offers a detailed dissection of the botnet's scanning behavior, including general methods to correlate, visualize, and extrapolate botnet behavior across the global Internet
Fusion modeling for predicting the impact of in-vivo liver motion on HIFU therapies

Here we report in-vivo validation of a fusion modeling method which associates real in-vivo motion data acquired from ultrasound speckle tracking imaging and data from a multi-scale modeling tool. This method aims at estimating the impact of in-vivo liver motion on High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatments by quantifying thermal lesion deformations. A Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) was calculated between lesion volumes obtained with and without organ motions. To validate the model predictions, fusion modeling results were compared to in-vivo intraoperative HIFU treatments performed in pig liver during respiration with 2 different ultrasound focusing strategies: (i) a spherical HIFU transducer used to juxtapose 7 × 7 single millimetric cigar-shaped lesions; (ii) a toroidal-shaped HIFU device developed for the treatment of Liver Metastases and used to create one single centimetric lesion. Liver motions were mainly encountered in the cranial-caudal direction with a magnitude ranging 8-12 mm. Fusion modeling indicated that although a millimetric cigar-shaped lesion was stretched drastically and split in the tissues (DSC <; 50%), centimetric ablations could be achieved intraoperatively without motion correction after 49 lesion juxtapositions in 8 minutes (DSC > 75%). Without motion correction, the toroidal-shaped HIFU strategy allowed generating large homogeneous lesions more than 10 times faster (6 cm3/min). Although the lesion main diameter was stretched by <;15%, liver motion magnitudes observed in this study did not prevent from maintaining acceptable treatment accuracy (DSC > 75%). Overall, fusion modeling of in-vivo HIFU treatments during respiration were well fitted to the observations made experimentally. The fusion between numerical and in-vivo data provided realistic results which could be useful for optimizing HIFU focusing strategies.
Predictive power of home blood pressure and clinic blood pressure in hypertensive patients with impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes

Objectives: We evaluated the predictive power of home blood pressure and clinic blood pressure based on the long-term cardiovascular outcome in hypertensive patients with and without impaired glucose metabolism (IGM). Method: The multicentre Hypertension Objective Treatment Based on Measurement by Electrical Devices Blood Pressure trial (HOMED-BP) involved 3080 patients (50.5% women; mean age 59.7 years) with a baseline, untreated home/clinic blood pressure as well as follow-up, on-treatment blood pressure. Of those, 979 had IGM and 475 of these patients had diabetes. We applied Cox regression pooling all participants in a cohort analysis in which IGM and normal glucose metabolism (NGM) were separated. Results: During median 5.45 years follow-up, cardiovascular events occurred in 48 patients with IGM and 53 patients with NGM. Baseline home SBP significantly predicted cardiovascular outcome among IGM group [hazard ratio 1.68, 95% CI 1.26–2.26, P = 0.0005]. On-treatment home blood pressure was a significant predictor for cardiovascular risk even after the further adjustment of baseline blood pressure level (P ⩽ 0.027), whereas on-treatment clinic blood pressure was not in NGM group (P ≥ 0.37). The event rate in IGM was approximately two times higher than that in NGM (9.95 vs. 4.88 per 1000 patient-years), resulted to the low 5-year number needed to treat in IGM patients [83 vs. 121 for 1–SD (13.1 mmHg) home SBP reduction, and 62 vs. 104 for 1–SD (9.5 mmHg) home DBP reduction). Conclusion: The present findings suggest that long-term cardiovascular risk in IGM patients should be assessed based on home blood pressure, not on clinic blood pressure.
A novel contactless transformer with trapezoidal windings cross section in IPT system for movable vehicle

Contactless transformer is the key part of the inductive power transfer (IPT) system that can realize safe electric-energy supply for mobile devices. This paper proposes a novel contactless transformer structure with trapezoidal magnet core, which can be applied to movable vehicle such as high-speed maglev vehicle IPT system. The inductances of primary and secondary windings of different core structures is analyzed by 3D finite element methods (FEM), and compared with that of traditional contactless transformer. According to the analysis and calculation results, the proposed novel transformer structure with higher coupling coefficient and power transfer efficiency is verified.
Balance of plant challenges for a near-term EU demonstration power plant

Balance of plant issues for the current baseline EU near-term demonstration power plant design (DEMO) have been assessed for the first time by exploratory power cycle modeling considering both Rankine (water/steam-based) and Brayton (helium-based) cycles, together with examination of the technology readiness, precedence and risk for components within each power cycle option. Fixed primary circuit designs were considered for DEMO with the assumption of near-term, ITER-like components with operational temperatures dictated by material performance. Cycle simulations indicate Rankine cycles are able to meet the required net plant efficiency target of 25% via incorporation of the divertor heat in the cycle with reheat and feed heating. By contrast, for the operational temperatures proposed, Brayton cycles offer very low plant efficiencies and cannot meet the electrical output target. A technology assessment demonstrates that the required water/steam-based plant for the Rankine cycle offers substantial operational precedence and low levels of technical risk for key components. Helium-based plant instead presents increased risk and limited component precedence, at these powers, for both the primary blanket circuit and any secondary Brayton cycle applications.
CAT: A Critical-Area-Targeted Test Set Modification Scheme for Reducing Launch Switching Activity in At-Speed Scan Testing

Reducing excessive launch switching activity (LSA) is now mandatory in at-speed scan testing for avoiding test-induced yield loss, and test set modification is preferable for this purpose. However, previous low-LSA test set modification methods may be ineffective since they are not targeted at reducing launch switching activity in the areas around long sensitized paths, which are spatially and temporally critical for test-induced yield loss. This paper proposes a novel CAT (Critical-Area-Targeted) low-LSA test modification scheme, which uses long sensitized paths to guide launch-safety checking, test relaxation, and X-filling. As a result, launch switching activity is reduced in a pinpoint manner, which is more effective for avoiding test-induced yield loss. Experimental results on industrial circuits demonstrate the advantage of the CAT scheme for reducing launch switching activity in at-speed scan testing.
Application of Multiple Resistive Superconducting Fault-Current Limiters for Fast Fault Detection in Highly Interconnected Distribution Systems

Superconducting fault-current limiters (SFCLs) offer several benefits for electrical distribution systems, especially with increasing distributed generation and the requirements for better network reliability and efficiency. This paper examines the use of multiple SFCLs in a protection scheme to locate faulted circuits, using an approach which is radically different from typical proposed applications of fault current limitation, and also which does not require communications. The technique, referred to as “current division discrimination” (CDD), is based upon the intrinsic inverse current-time characteristics of resistive SFCLs, which ensures that only the SFCLs closest to a fault operate. CDD is especially suited to meshed networks and particularly when the network topology may change over time. Meshed networks are expensive and complex to protect using conventional methods. Simulation results with multiple SFCLs, using a thermal-electric superconductor model, confirm that CDD operates as expected. Nevertheless, CDD has limitations, which are examined in this paper. The SFCLs must be appropriately rated for the maximum system fault level, although some variation in actual fault level can be tolerated. For correct coordination between SFCLs, each bus must have at least three circuits that can supply fault current, and the SFCLs should have identical current-time characteristics.
Down‐regulation of WNK1 protein kinase in neural progenitor cells suppresses cell proliferation and migration

WNK1, a Ser/Thr protein kinase, is widely expressed in many tissues. Its biological functions are largely unknown. Disruption of the WNK1 gene in mice leads to embryonic lethality at day 13, implicating a critical role of WNK1 in embryonic development. To investigate this potential function, we used antisense strategy to knock down the expression of WNK1 in a mouse neural progenitor cell line, C17.2. Down‐regulation of WNK1 in C17.2 cells greatly reduced cell growth. Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF), a mitogen for C17.2 cells, had no effect on growth. The WNK1‐knockdown cells showed a flat and rounded morphology, characteristic of the immature and non‐differentiated phenotype of the progenitor cells; this was further demonstrated by immunostaining for the progenitor and neuronal markers. Migration of the WNK1‐knockdown C17.2 cells was reduced as tested in culture dishes or Matrigel‐covered chambers. Moreover, activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK1)/2 and ERK5 by EGF in the WNK1‐knockdown cells was suppressed. These results demonstrate a novel function of WNK1 in proliferation, migration, and differentiation of neural progenitor cells, likely by mechanisms involving activation of the mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase ERK1/2 and/or ERK5 pathways.
Advanced visibility analyses and visibility evaluation using eye-tracking

The aim of this project was to create a cumulative visibility raster (find out viewshed information for every point) and characterize visibility over the entire terrain surface. Creation of cumulative visibility raster is very time consuming and hardware-demanding. Within high-performance computation, the analysis was calculated by parallel processing. Mallorca was chosen as an area of interest because it has sharp natural and elevation borders, so it is suitable for testing of advanced visibility analyses. After the creation of the cumulative visibility raster, it is possible to evaluate the terrain with many visibility characteristics, for example cumulative visibility, slope of cumulative visibility, or present target visible. A question exists if it is necessary to compute visibility analyses in all cases - even in the simplest ones. Are people not able to see what is visible and what is not, just from the representation of the terrain? The paper shows early results of eye-tracking evaluation of two different types of visualization of landscape - classical orthogonal maps and three-dimensional (3D) perspective views. It was found that for better perception of the terrain and deriving information whether the place is visible or not, 3D view is more appropriate.
RegR, a Global LacI/GalR Family Regulator, Modulates Virulence and Competence in Streptococcus pneumoniae

ABSTRACT The homolactic and catalase-deficient pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae is not only tolerant to oxygen but requires the activity of its NADH oxidase, Nox, to develop optimal virulence and competence for genetic transformation. In this work, we show that the global regulator RegR is also involved in these traits. Genetic dissection revealed that RegR regulates competence and the expression of virulence factors, including hyaluronidase. In bacteria grown in vitro, RegR represses hyaluronidase. At neutral pH, it increases adherence to A549 epithelial cells, and at alkaline pH, it acts upstream of the CiaRH two-component signaling system to activate competence. These phenotypes are not associated with changes in antibiotic resistance, central metabolism, and carbohydrate utilization. Although the RegR0 (where 0 indicates the loss of the protein) mutation is sufficient to attenuate experimental virulence of strain 23477 in mice, the introduction of an additional hyl0 (where 0 indicates the loss of function) mutation in the RegR0 strain 23302 dramatically reduces its virulence. This indicates that residual virulence of the RegR0 Hyl+ derivative is due to hyaluronidase and supports the dual role of RegR in virulence. This LacI/GalR regulator, not essential for in vitro growth in rich media, is indeed involved in the adaptive response of the pneumococcus via its control of competence, adherence, and virulence.
Inhibitory mechanisms influencing complex cell orientation selectivity and their modification at high resting discharge levels.

1. These experiments have investigated the contribution made by GABA‐mediated inhibitory processes to the orientation tuning of complex cells in the cat's striate cortex. The GABA antagonist bicuculline has been ionophoretically applied to individual complex cells and the modifications produced in their orientation tuning documented. 2. In terms of the type of change produced in orientation tuning by the application of bicuculline, it seems that there are two categories of complex cells. 3. In one of these categories the orientation selectivity was eliminated during bicuculline application. The excitatory input to these cells would therefore appear to be non‐orientation specific. Their orientation selectivity is presumably generated by a GABA‐mediated inhibitory input. 4. In the other category of complex cells, although the orientation selectivity was decreased during bicuculline application, the cells retained a preference for a range of orientations that was generally centred around the original optimal orientation. It is suggested that for these cells the inhibitory input enhances the orientation tuning of an excitatory input that is already broadly orientation tuned. 5. Comparison of normal orientation tuning curves with those observed during the application of bicuculline provides a basis for estimating the orientation tuning of the GABA‐mediated inhibitory input. In all cases, it is clear that at normal resting discharge levels, orientations either side of the optimal, and not those centred on the optimal, generate the most powerful inhibitory input. 6. These results would seem to be best explained by inhibitory interconnexions between cortical columns sensitive to different orientations. This type of lateral interaction between columns may serve to enhance the contrast in the orientation domain for the cortical representation of a specific stimulus orientation. 7. Increasing the resting discharge level of a complex cell, without blocking the action of GABA appeared to increase the gain of the inhibitory mechanisms acting on the cell. The normal excitatory responses to optimal or near optimal orientations were greatly reduced, or replaced by inhibitory responses, and non‐optimal orientations produced only inhibitory responses. These inhibitory effects were blocked on the context of other observations in the literature. It is tentatively suggested that the interneurones providing the inhibitory drive to complex cells receive an input from recurrent collaterals of the recipient complex cells. Their other inputs would derive from neighbouring colums and from the afferent input to the parent column. The inputs from neighbouring columns would mediate the lateral inhibitory interactions in the orientation domain, and the recurrent collateral feed‐back the decreased responsiveness at high resting discharge levels.
Flexibility effects on vortex formation of translating plates

Vortex structures made by impulsively translating low aspect-ratio plates are studied experimentally using defocusing digital particle image velocimetry. The investigation of translating plates with a 90° angle of attack is important since it is a fundamental model for a better understanding of drag-based propulsion systems. Rectangular flat-rigid, flexible and curved-rigid thin plates with the same aspect ratio are studied in order to develop qualitative and quantitative understanding of their vortex structures and hydrodynamic forces. We find that the vortex formation processes of all three cases are drastically different from each other. The interaction of leading-edge vortices and tip flow near the tip region is an important mechanism to distinguish vortex patterns among these three cases. The drag trends of three cases are correlated closely with vortex structure and circulation. The initial peak of hydrodynamic force in the flexible plate case is not as large as the initial peak of the flat and curved rigid plate cases during the acceleration phase. However, after the initial peak, the flexible plate generates a large force comparable to that of the flat-rigid plate case in spite of its deformed shape, which results from the slow development of the vortex structure.
The Silk flow-diverter stent for endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms

Flow diverter (FD) stents represent a new endovascular technique developed for the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms (wide neck, fusiform, large, and giant aneurysms) that are challenging for classic endovascular techniques such as coiling, balloon-assisted coiling and stent-assisted coiling. Low porosity, high metal coverage, and high pore density are the main properties of FD stents. These properties induce hemodynamic changes redirecting the blood flow away from the aneurysm and into the parent artery leading to gradual thrombosis of the aneurysm. FD stents also provide scaffolding for subsequent neoendothelial proliferation, and vessel wall remodeling. This is considered as a paradigm shift compared to prior endovascular methods, which predominantly aimed at providing treatment inside the aneurysmal sac. This paper describes in detail the first released FD stent, the Silk flow-diverter stent (Balt Extrusion, Montmorency, France), its mechanism of action and deployment technique. It reviews the pertinent literature regarding safety, efficacy and potential risks and complications associated with the use of this stent.
Comparative studies on the aging of thermally upgraded paper insulation in palm fatty acid ester, mineral oil, and natural ester

A new biodegradable dielectric fluid for transformers, palm fatty acid ester (PFAE), with better cooling performance and oxidation stability than conventional mineral oil (MO) was developed in 2008. The aging of thermally upgraded paper (TUP) in PFAE was evaluated, comparing to MO and natural ester (FR3). The electrical properties of aged dielectric fluids were compared. Sealed aging SUS tanks containing copper, silicon steel, TUP, and PFAE, MO and FR3 (partly) in a nitrogen environment were aged at 130 °C-170°C for 20-120 days, with low concentrations of oxygen and moisture strictly controlled. Paper degradation after aging was determined using the degree of polymerization measurements. The gas production characteristics during the aging process were also compared. The results show that the TUPs in PFAE age at slower rates than those in MO, while at faster rates than those in FR3. Under the possibly low initial concentration of oxygen and water in the fluids in the absence of other material which may produce water during aging process, the limit service temperature for TUP in MO and PFAE with expected 30-year lifetime (DP450) would possibly reach 109°C and 113°C, respectively. Life estimation results show that the lifetime of the TUP in PFAE aging at 110°C would be at least 1.6 times the lifetime of the TUP in MO, if DP450 was set as the end-of-life point of the TUP. Aged PFAE exhibits highest breakdown voltage among the three types of dielectric fluid. Much lower acid value of aged PFAE than FR3 reveals that PFAE has better hydrolytic stability, which could ensure the safe operation of transformers. The aging mechanism is proposed.