Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generalized tensor contraction with application to khatri-rao coded MIMO OFDM systems

In this work, we present a multilinear algebra operator referred to as generalized tensor contraction. This operator defines an inner product between two higher-order tensors over a set of modes of compatible dimensions. We show that this tensor operator is useful to model Multiple-Input Multiple-Output — Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) communication systems. In our application, the transmit signal tensor contains Khatri-Rao coded symbols that can be modeled via a Canonical Polyadic (CP) decomposition. This new tensor based model facilitates the design of a receiver based on the least squares Khatri-Rao factorization (LS-KRF) that jointly estimates the channel and the data symbols. We reduce the number of required pilot symbols compared to other receivers based on the LS-KRF by exploiting the correlation of the channel between adjacent subcarriers. Due to the tensor gain, the proposed receiver significantly outperforms the traditional Zero Forcing — Fast Fourier Transform (ZF-FFT) receiver while using the same amount of pilot symbols.
Subventricular Zone Neuroblasts Emigrate Toward Cortical Lesions

Abstract Adult subventricular zone (SVZ) neuroblasts migrate in the rostral migratory stream to the olfactory bulbs. Brain lesions generally increase SVZ neurogenesis or gliogenesis and cause SVZ cell emigration to ectopic locations. We showed previously that glia emigrate from the SVZ toward mechanical injuries of the somatosensory cerebral cortex in mice. Here we tested the hypotheses that SVZ neurogenesis increases, that neuroblasts emigrate, and that epidermal growth factor expression increases after cortical injuries. Using immunohistochemistry for phenotypic markers and BrdU, we show that newborn doublecortin-positive SVZ neuroblasts emigrated toward cerebral cortex lesions. However, the number of doublecortin-positive cells in the olfactory bulbs remained constant, suggesting that dorsal emigration was not at the expense of rostral migration. Although newborn neuroblasts emigrated, rates of SVZ neurogenesis did not increase after cortical lesions. Finally, we examined molecules that may regulate emigration and neurogenesis after cortical lesions and found that epidermal growth factor was increased in the SVZ, corpus callosum, and cerebral cortex. These results suggest that after injuries to the cerebral cortex, neuroblasts emigrate from the SVZ, that emigration does not depend either on redirection of SVZ cells or on increased neurogenesis, and that epidermal growth factor may induce SVZ emigration.
Development of ITER Toroidal Field Coils in Japan

Synopsis : The ITER superconducting magnet system consists of 18 Toroidal Field (TF) coils, six Central Solenoid (CS) modules, six Poloidal Field (PF) coils and 18 Correction Coils. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), serving as the Japanese Domestic Agency (JADA) in the ITER project, is responsible for the procurement of nine TF coil winding packs (WP), structures for 19 TF coils (including one spare), and assembly of the WP and the coil structures for nine TF coils. JAEA signed the procurement arrangements for the TF conductor in November 2007 and the ones for the nine TF coils and their TF coil structures in November 2008. The manufacture of the TF conductor has already started and its progress is reported in this special issue. In addition, sub- and full-scale trials were performed to achieve compliance for the manufacturing procedure of the TF coil and its structure. These results are also reported in detail in this special issue. Based on these successful results, JAEA is planning to start manufacturing the first TF coil from 2012 to meet the required schedule and complete the 18 th TF coil at the end of 2017 in cooperation with the European Domestic Agency (F4E).
Microparticle Signature for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) by Polarization Flow Cytometry

Microparticles have been of keen interest in biomedical science for last few decades. The correlation of microparticles with different disease profiles, e.g. platelet mediated blood cell disorder, is well known. In this study we aim to use a microparticle based disease marking system based on pro-activator like properties of nanoparticles. Challenging platelet cells with nanoparticles changes their microparticle release profile. The extent of this release can in turn serve as a disease marker for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients. Age and sex matched ACS and non-ACS patients have been chosen as subjects. Platelet rich plasma from both case and control groups have been isolated and allowed to interact with gold nanoparticle. For quantification of data a parallel computational method is employed using Matlab Engine. The analysis helped image based representation of the ACS specific microparticle release and their modulation by gold nanoparticle. The polarization flowcytometry is used as label free microparticle marker. The analyses reveal a significant difference in the microparticle population between ACS and non-ACS individuals. The differential of the release is further amplified in presence of gold nanoparticles. It has been observed that there is some significant difference (p value= 0.036) in the production of microparticles between ACS and non-ACS individuals after GNP incubation and this difference between cases and controls can be used further as a signature for ACS. To our knowledge the imaging aided flowcytometric method has for the first time enabled micropatricle classification based on polarization scattering.
Modifying the Substrate Specificity of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda Serine Protease Inhibitor Domain 1 to Target Thrombin

Protease inhibitors play a decisive role in maintaining homeostasis and eliciting antimicrobial activities. Invertebrates like the horseshoe crab have developed unique modalities with serine protease inhibitors to detect and respond to microbial and host proteases. Two isoforms of an immunomodulatory two-domain Kazal-like serine protease inhibitor, CrSPI-1 and CrSPI-2, have been recently identified in the hepatopancreas of the horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda. Full length and domain 2 of CrSPI-1 display powerful inhibitory activities against subtilisin. However, the structure and function of CrSPI-1 domain-1 (D1) remain unknown. Here, we report the crystal structure of CrSPI-1-D1 refined up to 2.0 Å resolution. Despite the close structural homology of CrSPI-1-D1 to rhodniin-D1 (a known thrombin inhibitor), the CrSPI-1-D1 does not inhibit thrombin. This prompted us to modify the selectivity of CrSPI-1-D1 specifically towards thrombin. We illustrate the use of structural information of CrSPI-1-D1 to modify this domain into a potent thrombin inhibitor with IC50 of 26.3 nM. In addition, these studies demonstrate that, besides the rigid conformation of the reactive site loop of the inhibitor, the sequence is the most important determinant of the specificity of the inhibitor. This study will lead to the significant application to modify a multi-domain inhibitor protein to target several proteases.
American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Class I Guidelines for the Treatment of Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk: Implications for US Hispanics/Latinos Based on Findings From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Background The prevalence estimates of statin eligibility among Hispanic/Latinos living in the United States under the new 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) cholesterol treatment guidelines are not known. Methods and Results We estimated prevalence of statin eligibility under 2013 ACC/AHA and 3rd National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP/ATP III) guidelines among Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (n=16 415; mean age 41 years, 40% males) by using sampling weights calibrated to the 2010 US census. We examined the characteristics of Hispanic/Latinos treated and not treated with statins under both guidelines. We also redetermined the statin‐therapy eligibility by using black risk estimates for Dominicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Central Americans. Compared with NCEP/ATP III guidelines, statin eligibility increased from 15.9% (95% CI 15.0–16.7%) to 26.9% (95% CI 25.7–28.0%) under the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines. This was mainly driven by the ≥7.5% atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk criteria (prevalence 13.9% [95% CI 13.0–14.7%]). Of the participants eligible for statin eligibility under NCEP/ATP III and ACC/AHA guidelines, only 28.2% (95% CI 26.3–30.0%) and 20.6% (95% CI 19.4–21.9%) were taking statins, respectively. Statin‐eligible participants who were not taking statins had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors compared with statin‐eligible participants who were taking statins. There was no significant increase in statin eligibility when atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk was calculated by using black estimates instead of recommended white estimates (increase by 1.4%, P=0.12) for Hispanic/Latinos. Conclusions The eligibility of statin therapy increased consistently across all Hispanic/Latinos subgroups under the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines and therefore will potentially increase the number of undertreated Hispanic/Latinos in the United States.
Association of p27 and Cyclin D1 Expression and Benefit from Adjuvant Trastuzumab Treatment in HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer: A TransHERA Study

Purpose: To assess the prognostic and predictive value of selected biomarkers involved in cell-cycle regulation or proliferation in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer. Experimental Design: Protein expression of TOP2A, Ki67, cyclin D1, and p27 was immunohistochemically determined in tissue microarrays of surgical specimens from 862 patients randomized to trastuzumab (1 or 2 years; N = 561) and observation (N = 301) arms of the HERA trial. The primary analysis endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS). Biomarkers were examined as continuous or categorical variables (predefined cutoffs). Interaction terms between biomarkers and treatment were assessed in multivariate Cox models adjusted for variables of clinical interest. Results: A significant interaction was detected between p27 and treatment (adjusted P = 0.0049). Trastuzumab effect was significant in the p27-low subgroup (≤70% p27-positive tumor cells; N = 318). HR Comb Trast vs. Obs 0.44, 95% CI, 0.29–0.65 (P < 0.001). No trastuzumab effect was observed in the p27-high subgroup N = 435; HR Comb Trast vs. Obs 0.97, 95% CI, 0.66–1.44, P = 0.89), indicating that these patients derived little or no benefit from trastuzumab treatment. A prognostic effect of p27 on DFS was observed, with p27-high patients experiencing half the hazard of a DFS event compared with low ones (HR p27 High vs. Low 0.49, 95% CI, 0.32–0.75). TOP2A, Ki67, and cyclin D1, as categorical variables were not predictive, whereas cyclin D1 as continuous variable was predictive of trastuzumab benefit. Conclusions: In TransHERA, patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer with low p27 expression in their tumors benefited from trastuzumab treatment, whereas patients with high p27 expression did not. Clin Cancer Res; 24(13); 3079–86. ©2018 AACR.
Toward a Neoproterozoic composite carbon-isotope record

Glacial deposits of Sturtian and Marinoan age occur in the well-studied Neoproterozoic successions of northern Namibia, South Australia, and northwestern Canada. In all three regions, the Marinoan glaciation is presaged by a large negative δ 13 C anomaly, and the cap carbonates to both glacial units share a suite of unique sedimentological, stratigraphic, and geochemical features. These global chronostratigraphic markers are the bases of a new correlation scheme for the Neoproterozoic that corroborates radiometric data that indicate that there were three glacial epochs between ca. 750 and 580 Ma. Intraregional correlation of Neoproterozoic successions in the present-day North Atlantic region suggests that glacial diamictite pairs in the Polarisbreen Group in northeastern Svalbard and the Tillite Group in eastern Greenland were deposited during the Marinoan glaciation, whereas the younger of a pair of glacials (Mortensnes Formation) in the Vestertana Group of northern Norway was deposited during the third (Gaskiers) Neoproterozoic glaciation. Gaskiers-aged glacial deposits are neither globally distributed nor overlain by a widespread cap carbonate but are associated with an extremely negative δ 13 C anomaly. framework for a new, high-resolution model carbon-isotope record for the Neoproterozoic comprising new δ 13 C (carbonate) data from Svalbard (Akademikerbreen Group) and Namibia (Otavi Group) and data in the literature from Svalbard, Namibia, and Oman. A new U-Pb zircon age of 760 ± 1 Ma from an ash bed in the Ombombo Subgroup in Namibia provides the oldest direct time-calibration point in the compilation, but the time scale of this preliminary δ 13 C record remains
Macroevolutionary patterning of woodpecker drums reveals how sexual selection elaborates signals under constraint

Sexual selection drives elaboration in animal displays used for competition and courtship, but this process is opposed by morphological constraints on signal design. How do interactions between selection and constraint shape display evolution? One possibility is that sexual selection continues exaggeration under constraint by operating differentially on each signal component in complex, modular displays. This is seldom studied on a phylogenetic scale, but we address the issue herein by studying macroevolutionary patterning of woodpecker drum displays. These territorial displays are produced when an individual rapidly hits its bill on a hard surface, and drums vary across species in the number of beats included (length) and the rate of drumbeat production (speed). We report that species body size limits drum speed, but not drum length. As a result of this biomechanical constraint, there is less standing variation in speed than length. We also uncover a positive relationship between sexual size dimorphism and the unconstrained trait (length), but with no effect on speed. This suggests that when morphology limits the exaggeration of one component, sexual selection instead exaggerates the unconstrained trait. Modular displays therefore provide the basis for selection to find novel routes to phenotypic elaboration after previous ones are closed.
The Herpesvirus Associated Ubiquitin Specific Protease, USP7, Is a Negative Regulator of PML Proteins and PML Nuclear Bodies

The PML tumor suppressor is the founding component of the multiprotein nuclear structures known as PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), which control several cellular functions including apoptosis and antiviral effects. The ubiquitin specific protease USP7 (also called HAUSP) is known to associate with PML-NBs and to be a tight binding partner of two herpesvirus proteins that disrupt PML NBs. Here we investigated whether USP7 itself regulates PML-NBs. Silencing of USP7 was found to increase the number of PML-NBs, to increase the levels of PML protein and to inhibit PML polyubiquitylation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. This effect of USP7 was independent of p53 as PML loss was observed in p53-null cells. PML-NBs disruption was induced by USP7 overexpression independently of its catalytic activity and was induced by either of the protein interaction domains of USP7, each of which localized to PML-NBs. USP7 also disrupted NBs formed from some single PML isoforms, most notably isoforms I and IV. CK2α and RNF4, which are known regulators of PML, were dispensable for USP7-associated PML-NB disruption. The results are consistent with a novel model of PML regulation where a deubiquitylase disrupts PML-NBs through recruitment of another cellular protein(s) to PML NBs, independently of its catalytic activity.
Comparison of coincident MODIS and MISR reflectances over the 15-year period of EOS Terra

Terra is the flagship of NASA’s Earth observing systems (EOS), carrying five sensors (ASTER, CERES, MISR, MODIS, and MOPITT), which have been providing high-quality global observations for nearly 15 years. MODIS has 20 reflective solar bands (RSB) and are calibrated using a solar diffuser (SD) with its degradation tracked by a solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM). Scheduled lunar roll observations and vicarious data from pseudo-invariant sites are used to characterize the scanangle dependence of the MODIS RSB. The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) makes near simultaneous measurements with MODIS at nine view angles spreading out in the forward and backward directions along the flight path via four spectral bands (blue, green, red and near-infrared). MISR calibration efforts are based on a combination of preflight, onboard, and field vicarious measurements. This study compares coincident MODIS and MISR near-nadir reflectances over their entire mission, and examine the calibration stability and consistency of the two instruments. Reflectances from low to high signal levels are based on measurements obtained from ocean, desert and Antarctic snow surfaces. The absolute calibration differences between MODIS and MISR are examined after correction of their spectral response differences based on the SCIAMACHY measured hyperspectral data for the same sites.
Pedestrian Detection in Poor Weather Conditions Using Moving Camera

Many challenges are present in the pedestrian detection field which makes it a trending topic. Detecting pedestrian is an extremely difficult task under bad weather conditions. In order to improve and facilitate the detection task, it is required to use infra-red images. For the advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), more specifically those of the pedestrian detection, the camera is mounted on a moving vehicle resulting egomotion in the background. Thus another challenging problem is added. It is then required to compensate the background egomotion to obtain a background static scene. In this paper, we introduce an advanced approach for the pedestrian detection under poor weather conditions using a moving camera. First, using the interest point detector Speeded Up Robust Features (SURF), ego-motions in the background are adjusted. After that, the foreground is detected by subtracting frames. Then, a segmentation step is required to divide the images into multiple moving objects. Finally, a recognition process is applied in order to classify the moving objects into both categories: pedestrian and undefined patterns. The proposed approach was evaluated on the CVC14 dataset. Experimental results illustrate the good performance of the approach.
The Group-Level Consequences of Sexual Conflict in Multigroup Populations

In typical sexual conflict scenarios, males best equipped to exploit females are favored locally over more prudent males, despite reducing female fitness. However, local advantage is not the only relevant form of selection. In multigroup populations, groups with less sexual conflict will contribute more offspring to the next generation than higher conflict groups, countering the local advantage of harmful males. Here, we varied male aggression within-and between-groups in a laboratory population of water striders and measured resulting differences in local population growth over a period of three weeks. The overall pool fitness (i.e., adults produced) of less aggressive pools exceeded that of high aggression pools by a factor of three, with the high aggression pools essentially experiencing no population growth over the course of the study. When comparing the fitness of individuals across groups, aggression appeared to be under stabilizing selection in the multigroup population. The use of contextual analysis revealed that overall stabilizing selection was a product of selection favoring aggression within groups, but selected against it at the group-level. Therefore, this report provides further evidence to show that what evolves in the total population is not merely an extension of within-group dynamics.
Anti-Obesity Sodium Tungstate Treatment Triggers Axonal and Glial Plasticity in Hypothalamic Feeding Centers

Objective This study aims at exploring the effects of sodium tungstate treatment on hypothalamic plasticity, which is known to have an important role in the control of energy metabolism. Methods Adult lean and high-fat diet-induced obese mice were orally treated with sodium tungstate. Arcuate and paraventricular nuclei and lateral hypothalamus were separated and subjected to proteomic analysis by DIGE and mass spectrometry. Immunohistochemistry and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging were also performed. Results Sodium tungstate treatment reduced body weight gain, food intake, and blood glucose and triglyceride levels. These effects were associated with transcriptional and functional changes in the hypothalamus. Proteomic analysis revealed that sodium tungstate modified the expression levels of proteins involved in cell morphology, axonal growth, and tissue remodeling, such as actin, CRMP2 and neurofilaments, and of proteins related to energy metabolism. Moreover, immunohistochemistry studies confirmed results for some targets and further revealed tungstate-dependent regulation of SNAP25 and HPC-1 proteins, suggesting an effect on synaptogenesis as well. Functional test for cell activity based on c-fos-positive cell counting also suggested that sodium tungstate modified hypothalamic basal activity. Finally, in vivo magnetic resonance imaging showed that tungstate treatment can affect neuronal organization in the hypothalamus. Conclusions Altogether, these results suggest that sodium tungstate regulates proteins involved in axonal and glial plasticity. The fact that sodium tungstate could modulate hypothalamic plasticity and networks in adulthood makes it a possible and interesting therapeutic strategy not only for obesity management, but also for other neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease.
Lactobacillus allii sp. nov. isolated from scallion kimchi

A novel strain of lactic acid bacteria, WiKim39T, was isolated from a scallion kimchi sample consisting of fermented chili peppers and vegetables. The isolate was a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, catalase-negative and facultatively anaerobic lactic acid bacterium. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain WiKim39T belonged to the genus Lactobacillus, and shared 97.1–98.2 % pair-wise sequence similarities with related type strains, Lactobacillus nodensis, Lactobacillus insicii, Lactobacillus versmoldensis, Lactobacillus tucceti and Lactobacillus furfuricola. The G+C content of the strain based on its genome sequence was 35.3 mol%. The ANI values between WiKim39T and the closest relatives were lower than 80 %. Based on the phenotypic, biochemical, and phylogenetic analyses, strain WiKim39T represents a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus, for which the name Lactobacillus allii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WiKim39T (=KCTC 21077T=JCM 31938T).
Clustering attributed graphs: Models, measures and methods

Abstract Clustering a graph, i.e., assigning its nodes to groups, is an important operation whose best known application is the discovery of communities in social networks. Graph clustering and community detection have traditionally focused on graphs without attributes, with the notable exception of edge weights. However, these models only provide a partial representation of real social systems, that are thus often described using node attributes, representing features of the actors, and edge attributes, representing different kinds of relationships among them. We refer to these models as attributed graphs. Consequently, existing graph clustering methods have been recently extended to deal with node and edge attributes. This article is a literature survey on this topic, organizing, and presenting recent research results in a uniform way, characterizing the main existing clustering methods and highlighting their conceptual differences. We also cover the important topic of clustering evaluation and identify current open problems.