Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dominant communities and dominant designs: Community-based innovation in the context of the technology life cycle

Online community–based innovation—whether through self-organized communities, firm–community collaborations, or innovation contests and crowdsourcing—is increasingly used as a source of technological advances, yet studies in this domain are often detached from considering the dynamics of technological evolution itself. Where technological advances reside (knowledge distribution), the degree to which innovation tasks can be specified (task decomposition) and the rate of technological progress (performance trajectory) all vary dramatically over the technology life cycle. These factors have implications for what forms of online crowds and communities are most likely to contribute technological advances. We provide a dynamic model of the expected “dominant communities” for technological advances at each phase of the life cycle, and we draw on examples from open-source software and consumer three-dimensional printing to illustrate the model. Our objectives are to determine how different forms of community-based innovation dominate at different times, to ground innovation models more firmly in material technological advances, and to provide focus for future research in this domain.
Unconditional Stabilization of CS and CG MESFET Transistor

Feedback is used to achieve multi-band unconditional stability for GaAs MESFET transistor. Analytical formulation based on evaluating the stability parameters as a function of the transistor model elements is provided, with two methods to accurately estimate the feedback values needed for all-band unconditional stability. The technique is applied to common source and common gate configurations. Both were monolithically fabricated and tested, and very good agreement between the predicted and measured results is obtained.
Thermoplasticity in the plant circadian clock

In the March 2012 issue of The Plant Cell we describe extensive alternative splicing (AS) of Arabidopsis circadian clock genes. Notably these distinct post-transcriptional events associate with different steady-state temperatures and also with plants undergoing temperature transitions leading us to propose that temperature-associated AS is an additional mechanism involved in the operation and control of the plant circadian clock. Here we show that temperature associated AS also extends to REVEILLE 8 (RVE8), demonstrating a hitherto unrecognized link between the expression of this clock associated gene and temperature. Finally we discuss our observations of the plastic nature of clock gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in the context of the ongoing fascination of how plants respond to temperature.
Fas (CD95)-Fas Ligand Interactions Are Responsible for Monocyte Apoptosis Occurring as a Result of Phagocytosis and Killing of Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Human peripheral blood monocytes become apoptotic following phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon. Cells exposed to bacteria were examined for the surface expression of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL). The level of soluble form of FasL was also measured in the culture supernatants. As Fas-mediated apoptosis involves the activation of caspases, the activities of caspase-8 and caspase-3 were determined. Finally, the involvement of oxidative stress in apoptosis of infected monocytes was investigated. The data indicated that as a consequence of phagocytosis of S. aureus, FasL is released from the monocyte surface and induces apoptosis of phagocytic monocytes and to some extent the bystander cells. The importance of this mechanism was confirmed by demonstrating that blockage of CD95 preventsS. aureus-induced apoptosis of monocytes. Cell death occurring after phagocytosis of S. aureus involves the activation of caspase-3-like proteases, as the specific caspase-3 inhibitor suppressed apoptosis of infected cells. The generation of reactive oxygen intermediates by phagocytic monocytes by itself is not sufficient as a death signal but rather acts in up-regulating FasL shedding and possibly in modulating caspase activity.
Electromagnetic Interference on Secondary Systems of Substation Caused by Short-circuit Fault

This paper analyzed the influences of different factors on the electromagnetic interferences applied on the secondary systems due to the short-circuit faults in substation. The secondary cables with sheath grounded in two terminals can effectively suppress the potential difference between the core and sheath of secondary cable. The influence of different factors on the potential difference between the core and sheath of secondary cable and sheath current are systematically studied in power frequency short-circuit fault. Analysis results show, when the secondary cable sheath is grounded in two terminals, the maximum potential differences applied on the insulation layer of the secondary cable can reach about 40% of the ground potential rise.
Evaluation of endometrial carcinoma prognostic immunohistochemistry markers in the context of molecular classification

Molecular subclassification of endometrial carcinoma (EC) with Proactive Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial Cancer (ProMisE) identifies four subtypes [DNA polymerase epsilon (POLE) mutant, mismatch repair‐deficient, p53 wild‐type (wt), and p53 abnormal]. The aim of this study was to evaluate additional EC biomarkers in the context of these subtypes. Tissue microarrays encompassing 460 previously characterized ECs were assessed for L1‐cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor (ER) alpha, stathmin, and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Associations with clinicopathological parameters, molecular subtype, and outcomes were determined. About 413 ECs (75% endometrioid, >15% serous) had complete data. L1CAM overexpression was found in 16%, associated with older age, lower body mass index (BMI), advanced stage, grade 3 (97%), non‐endometrioid histology (84%), deep myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and ER‐negative, PR‐negative status. Tumours overexpressing L1CAM were associated with poor outcomes {hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] 3.35 [2.10–5.23] for disease‐specific survival [DSS], p < 0.0001}. PR positivity was associated with younger women, higher BMI, early stage (77% stage I), low grade (61%), endometrioid histology (90%) without LVSI or nodal disease, ER positivity (90%), p53wt tumours (55%), and favourable outcomes [HR (CI) 0.39 (0.25–0.62) for DSS, p < 0.0001]. ER positive tumours were early stage (73%), low grade, endometrioid histology, with improved DSS. Stathmin and PTEN IHC were not associated with outcomes. There was minimal agreement between IHC and mutation status for PTEN. L1CAM overexpression was significantly associated with the p53 abnormal molecular subtype, which accounted for more than 70% of the tumours overexpressing L1CAM. PR expression also correlated with molecular subtype, with most PR negative tumours being p53 abnormal. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that only ProMisE subtype [overall survival (OS), DSS, and progression‐free survival] and age (OS only) maintained an association with outcomes. The prognostic significance of the single biomarkers tested could be explained based on their being covariable with the ProMisE molecular subtype.
Tokamak Plasma Boundary Reconstruction Using Toroidal Harmonics and an Optimal Control Method

Abstract This paper proposes a new fast and stable algorithm for the reconstruction of the plasma boundary from discrete magnetic measurements taken at several locations surrounding the vacuum vessel. The resolution of this inverse problem takes two steps. In the first one, we transform the set of measurements into Cauchy conditions on a fixed contour ΓO close to the measurement points. This is done by least-squares fitting a truncated series of toroidal harmonics functions to the measurements. The second step consists in solving a Cauchy problem for the elliptic equation satisfied by the flux in the vacuum and for the overdetermined boundary conditions on ΓO previously obtained with the help of toroidal harmonics. It is reformulated as an optimal control problem on a fixed annular domain of external boundary ΓO and fictitious inner boundary ΓI. A regularized Kohn-Vogelius cost function, which depends on the value of the flux on ΓI, measures the discrepancy between the solution to the equation satisfied by the flux obtained using Dirichlet conditions on ΓO and the one obtained using Neumann conditions. This function is minimized. The method presented here has led to the development of software, called VacTH-KV, which enables plasma boundary reconstruction in any tokamak.
Illumination of the Melanopsin Signaling Pathway

In mammals, a small population of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) plays a key role in the regulation of nonvisual photic responses, such as behavioral responses to light, pineal melatonin synthesis, pupillary light reflex, and sleep latency. These ipRGCs also express melanopsin (Opn4), a putative opsin-family photopigment that has been shown to play a role in mediating these nonvisual photic responses. Melanopsin is required for the function of this inner retinal pathway, but its precise role in generating photic responses has not yet been determined. We found that expression of melanopsin in Xenopus oocytes results in light-dependent activation of membrane currents through the Gαq/Gα11 G protein pathway, with an action spectrum closely matching that of melanopsin-expressing ipRGCs and of behavioral responses to light in mice lacking rods and cones. When coexpressed with arrestins, melanopsin could use all-trans-retinaldehyde as a chromophore, which suggests that it may function as a bireactive opsin. We also found that melanopsin could activate the cation channel TRPC3, a mammalian homolog of the Drosophila phototransduction channels TRP and TRPL. Melanopsin therefore signals more like an invertebrate opsin than like a classical vertebrate rod-and-cone opsin.
A streaming graph partitioning approach on imbalance cluster

Distributed graph computing refers to extract knowledge by performing computations on large graphs. If the data source is continuously input like stream, the system is called streaming graph computing. When computing large graphs, a basic and significant step is to distribute the graph over a cluster of nodes, which is called `partition'. If the graph isn't partitioned properly, the communication will quickly become a limiting factor in scaling the system, especially in streaming graph computing. And inside some cluster, the CPU speed and memory size of different nodes differs from each other. Observing that in this kind of cluster, nodes those has less resource limit the computing speed, we ask if the partition algorithm could be improved. We propose a simple heuristics to do partition in such cluster and compare the performance of some classic algorithms. It makes less cost of communication more efficient, and make better use of nodes those have more resources. Finally, we evaluate the performance gains in imbalance clusters by using our graph partition method to solve standard PageRank computing on a large real-world World-Wide-Web link graph. It shows that in such circumstance, our heuristics are a significant improvement.
Concept Drift Detection for Evolving Stream Data

In processing stream data, time is one of the most significant facts not only because the size of data is dramatically increased but because the characteristics of data is varying over time. To learn stream data evolving over time effectively, it is required to detect the drift of concept. We present a window adaptation function on domain value (WAV) to determine the size of windowed batch for learning algorithms of stream data and a method to detect the change of data characteristics with a criterion function utilizing correlation. When applying our adaptation function to a clustering task on a multi-stream data model, the result of learning synopsis of windowed batch determined by it shows its effectiveness. Our criterion function with correlation information of value distribution over time can be the reasonable threshold to detect the change between windowed batches.
Voltage Oscillation Reduction Technique for Phase-Shift Full-Bridge Converter

A conventional phase-shift full-bridge (PSFB) converter has a serious voltage oscillation problem across the secondary rectifier diodes. To overcome this problem, a new voltage oscillation reduction technique (VORT), which effectively reduces the rectifier voltage oscillation by a simple nondissipative manner, is proposed. The concept of VORT is to utilize the operation of leading-leg transition, which does not cause severe rectifier voltage oscillation, to the lagging-leg transition. It is simply implemented by employing only a resonant capacitor in series with the transformer secondary and a small magnetizing inductance of the transformer without any lossy components. Moreover, the VORT can realize zero-voltage switching for all switches over a wide load range using the energy that is stored in the transformer magnetizing inductor and output filter inductor. The concept, operational principle, oscillation analysis, and design considerations of VORT are presented and verified experimentally.
Endoscopic management of the liver transplant patient

Endoscopy is useful for the evaluation of liver transplant (LT) patients during the pretransplantation and posttransplantation period (Table 1). Prior to transplantation, endoscopy is most commonly used for prevention and/or management of gastrointestinal bleeding from portal hypertension. Posttransplantation, endoscopy via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is primarily used for managing biliary complications. This manuscript will review the role of endoscopy in the pretransplant and posttransplant period.
[PREPARATION OF ACELLULAR DERMAL MATRIX AS A KIND OF SCAFFOLD FOR CARTILAGE TISSUE ENGINEERING AND ITS BIOCOMPATIBILITY].

OBJECTIVE To study the preparation method of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) for cartilage tissue engineering and analyze its biocompatibility. METHODS The dermal tissues of the calf back were harvested, and decelluarized with 0.5% SDS, and the ADM was reconstructed with 0.5% trypsin, cross-linked with formaldehyde, and modified with 0.5% chondroitin sulfate which can promote the proliferation of chondrocytes. And the porosity, cytotoxicity, and biocompatibility were determined. Co-cultured 2nd passage chondrocytes and bone marrow stromal cells in a proportion of 3 to 7 were used as seed cells. The cells were seeded on ADM (experimental group) for 48 hours to observe the cell adhesion. The expressions of mRNA and protein of collagen type II were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot methods, respectively. And the expressions were compared between the cells seeded on the scaffold and cultured in monolayer (control group). RESULTS After modification of 0.5% trypsin, the surface of ADM was smooth and had uniform pores; the porosity (85.4% ± 2.8%) was significantly higher than that without modification (72.8% ± 5.8%) (t = -4.384, P = 0.005). The cell toxicity was grade 1, which accords to the requirements for cartilage tissue engineering scaffolds. With time passing, the number of inflammatory cells decreased after implanted in the back of the rats (P < 0.05). The scanning electron microscope observation showed that lots of seed cells adhered to the scaffold, the cells were well stacked, displaying surface microvilli and secretion. The expressions of mRNA and protein of collagen type II were not significantly different between experimental and control groups (t = 1.265, P = 0.235; t = 0.935, P = 0.372). CONCLUSION The ADM prepared by acellular treatment, reconstruction, cross-linking, and modification shows perfect characters. And the seed cells maintain chondrogenic phenotype on the scaffold. So it is a proper choice for cartilage tissue engineering.
Analysis of Medical Devices Design Requirements

The design and functional complexity of medical devices have increased during the past 50 years. As device functionality is becoming complex, safety, reliability, and comfort are becoming increasingly critical in the medical devices design. Case studies show that the majority of failures of medical devices come from the ignorance of important design requirements in the design stage. Based on the environment-based design model, this paper studies the sources of medical devices design requirements and proposes a systematic approach to guiding the gathering and collection of these requirements.
The Correlation Analysis between Cross-border M & A and Corporate Technological Progress of China

In recent years, international mergers acquisitions have become the most important way of internationalization for many Chinese firms. The impact of international mergers acquisition is one of the important topics in academic studies. This article conducts an empirical study with total factor indicators on technological progress from the perspective of cross-border mergers and acquisitions. It takes Chinese enterprises as the object, choosing the TFP data from 1991 to 2007 statistics. The conclusions obtained through the Granger causality test are: the changes of cross -border MA technology advances have an impact on technological progress, but the effect of this influence is not obvious. The reason was mainly due to low proportion of foreign investment in technical acquisition, over-emphasizing on the introduction of technology, ignoring the absorption and digestive process of technology and so on.
Energy Efficiency of Large-Scale Multiple Antenna Systems with Transmit Antenna Selection

In this paper, we perform transmit antenna selection to improve the energy efficiency of large scale multiple antenna systems. We derive a good approximation of the distribution of the mutual information in this antenna selection system. It shows that channel hardening phenomenon is still retained as full complexity with antenna selection. Then, we use this closed-form expression to assess the energy efficiency performance. Specifically, we evaluate the performance of the energy efficiency in two different cases: 1) the circuit power consumption is comparable to or even dominates the transmit power, and 2) the circuit power can be ignored due to relatively much higher transmit power. The theoretical analysis indicates that there exists an optimal number of selected antennas to maximize the energy efficiency in the first case, whereas in the second case, the energy efficiency is maximized when all the available antennas are used. Based on these conclusions, two simple but efficient antenna selection algorithms are proposed to obtain the maximum energy efficiency. All the analytical results are verified through computer simulations.
Detection of Mutant Uromodulin in Transgenic Mouse Harboring a Mutant Human UMOD Gene

Uromodulin is the most abundant protein secreted in urine, and the mutated form of the uromodulin gene is associated with uromodulin-associated kidney disease (UAKD). Although uromodulin accumulates in the kidney of UAKD patients, it is unclear whether this is the wildtype or mutant form. In this study, we established a liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MS/MS)-based method for the detection of uromodulin mutants, using the C148W mutant as a target molecule. Membrane and cytosolic fractions of kidney samples from transgenic (Tg) mice expressing the C148W uromodulin mutant were shown to contain human uromodulin by western blotting, and mutant uromodulin with the C148W mutant sequence was observed by proteomic and selected reaction monitoring analyses. Our LC-MS/MS-based method is therefore useful for detection of mutant uromodulin that is undetectable by western blotting alone.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of WRKY gene family in Salix suchowensis

WRKY proteins are the zinc finger transcription factors that were first identified in plants. They can specifically interact with the W-box, which can be found in the promoter region of a large number of plant target genes, to regulate the expressions of downstream target genes. They also participate in diverse physiological and growing processes in plants. Prior to this study, a plenty of WRKY genes have been identified and characterized in herbaceous species, but there is no large-scale study of WRKY genes in willow. With the whole genome sequencing of Salix suchowensis, we have the opportunity to conduct the genome-wide research for willow WRKY gene family. In this study, we identified 85 WRKY genes in the willow genome and renamed them from SsWRKY1 to SsWRKY85 on the basis of their specific distributions on chromosomes. Due to their diverse structural features, the 85 willow WRKY genes could be further classified into three main groups (group I–III), with five subgroups (IIa–IIe) in group II. With the multiple sequence alignment and the manual search, we found three variations of the WRKYGQK heptapeptide: WRKYGRK, WKKYGQK and WRKYGKK, and four variations of the normal zinc finger motif, which might execute some new biological functions. In addition, the SsWRKY genes from the same subgroup share the similar exon–intron structures and conserved motif domains. Further studies of SsWRKY genes revealed that segmental duplication events (SDs) played a more prominent role in the expansion of SsWRKY genes. Distinct expression profiles of SsWRKY genes with RNA sequencing data revealed that diverse expression patterns among five tissues, including tender roots, young leaves, vegetative buds, non-lignified stems and barks. With the analyses of WRKY gene family in willow, it is not only beneficial to complete the functional and annotation information of WRKY genes family in woody plants, but also provide important references to investigate the expansion and evolution of this gene family in flowering plants.
Simultaneous Monitoring of Cell Number and Metabolic Activity of Specific Bacterial Populations with a Dualgfp-luxAB Marker System

ABSTRACT A dual marker system was developed for simultaneous quantification of bacterial cell numbers and their activity with the luxABand gfp genes, encoding bacterial luciferase and green fluorescent protein (GFP), respectively. The bioluminescence phenotype of the luxAB biomarker is dependent on cellular energy status. Since cellular metabolism requires energy, bioluminescence output is directly related to the metabolic activity of the cells. By contrast, GFP fluorescence has no energy requirement. Therefore, by combining these two biomarkers, total cell number and metabolic activity of a specific marked cell population could be monitored simultaneously. Two different bacterial strains, Escherichia coli DH5α and Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25, were chromosomally tagged with the dual marker cassette, and the cells were monitored under different conditions by flow cytometry, plate counting, and luminometry. During log-phase growth, the luciferase activity was proportional to the number of GFP-fluorescent cells and culturable cells. Upon entrance into stationary phase or during starvation, luciferase activity decreased due to a decrease in cellular metabolic activity of the population, but the number of GFP-fluorescing cells and culturable cells remained relatively stable. In addition, we optimized a procedure for extraction of bacterial cells from soil, allowing GFP-tagged bacteria in soil samples to be quantitated by flow cytometry. After 30 days of incubation of P. fluorescensSBW25::gfp/lux in soil, the cells were still maintained at high population densities, as determined by GFP fluorescence, but there was a slow decline in luciferase activity, implicating nutrient limitation. In conclusion, the dual marker system allowed simultaneous monitoring of the metabolic activity and cell number of a specific bacterial population and is a promising tool for monitoring of specific bacteria in situ in environmental samples.