Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HAL-2 Promotes Homologous Pairing during Caenorhabditis elegans Meiosis by Antagonizing Inhibitory Effects of Synaptonemal Complex Precursors

During meiosis, chromosomes align with their homologous pairing partners and stabilize this alignment through assembly of the synaptonemal complex (SC). Since the SC assembles cooperatively yet is indifferent to homology, pairing and SC assembly must be tightly coordinated. We identify HAL-2 as a key mediator in this coordination, showing that HAL-2 promotes pairing largely by preventing detrimental effects of SC precursors (SYP proteins). hal-2 mutants fail to establish pairing and lack multiple markers of chromosome movement mediated by pairing centers (PCs), chromosome sites that link chromosomes to cytoplasmic microtubules through nuclear envelope-spanning complexes. Moreover, SYP proteins load inappropriately along individual unpaired chromosomes in hal-2 mutants, and markers of PC-dependent movement and function are restored in hal-2; syp double mutants. These and other data indicate that SYP proteins can impede pairing and that HAL-2 promotes pairing predominantly but not exclusively by counteracting this inhibition, thereby enabling activation and regulation of PC function. HAL-2 concentrates in the germ cell nucleoplasm and colocalizes with SYP proteins in nuclear aggregates when SC assembly is prevented. We propose that HAL-2 functions to shepherd SYP proteins prior to licensing of SC assembly, preventing untimely interactions between SC precursors and chromosomes and allowing sufficient accumulation of precursors for rapid cooperative assembly upon homology verification.
Nocardia brasiliensis gluteal abscess in an immunocompetent young male: A case report and literature review of Nocardiosis

Nocardiae are aerobic gram positive filamentous bacteria that are acid fast when stained by modified acid fast staining. They are called “Aerobic actinomycetes” because of their resemblance to actinomycetes in gram stain. They usually cause infections in immunocompromised individuals but can affect the immunocompetent as well. We have described here the report of an immunocompetent young male who presented with nocardial gluteal abscess. Nocardia must be considered in the differential diagnosis of any systemic illness and must be ruled out prior to making any other diagnosis. Correct suspicion of nocardiosis by the treating physician and the clinical microbiologist and early treatment of nocardiosis can be life saving to a great extent. Gram staining and modified acid fast staining performed together can definitely help in arriving at the exact diagnosis at the earliest.
Pairwise likelihood ratios for estimation of non-Gaussian structural equation models

We present new measures of the causal direction, or direction of effect, between two non-Gaussian random variables. They are based on the likelihood ratio under the linear non-Gaussian acyclic model (LiNGAM). We also develop simple first-order approximations of the likelihood ratio and analyze them based on related cumulant-based measures, which can be shown to find the correct causal directions. We show how to apply these measures to estimate LiNGAM for more than two variables, and even in the case of more variables than observations. We further extend the method to cyclic and nonlinear models. The proposed framework is statistically at least as good as existing ones in the cases of few data points or noisy data, and it is computationally and conceptually very simple. Results on simulated fMRI data indicate that the method may be useful in neuroimaging where the number of time points is typically quite small.
Psychophysiological Responses to Emotional Stimuli in Children and Adolescents with Autism and Fragile X Syndrome

Individuals with autism demonstrate atypical and variable responses to social and emotional stimuli, perhaps reflecting heterogeneity of the disorder. The goal of this study was to determine whether unique profiles of psychophysiological responses to such stimuli could be identified in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with fragile X syndrome (FXS), and with comorbid autism and fragile X syndrome (ASD + FXS), and in typically developing (TYP) individuals. This study included 52 boys (ages 10–17): idiopathic ASD (n = 12), FXS (n = 12), comorbid ASD + FXS (n = 17), and TYP (n = 11). Physiological responses, including potentiated startle, electrodermal response, heart rate variability, and vagal tone, were collected concurrently while participants viewed emotionally evocative pictures of human faces or nonsocial images. Although some of these measures have been utilized separately for investigations on these diagnostic groups, they have not been considered together. Results using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks indicate statistically significant differences in distributions of autonomic regulation responses between groups. The most notable differences were between the ASD group and both the FXS groups on measures of sympathetic activity, with FXS groups evincing increased activity. Also, both the ASD and ASD + FXS groups showed significantly decreased parasympathetic activity compared with FXS and TYP groups. In addition, the ASD + FXS group demonstrated a unique distribution of startle potentiation and arousal modulation. This study provides evidence that autonomic arousal and regulation profiles could be useful for distinguishing subgroups of autism and shed light on the variability underlying emotional responsivity.
Knockdown of two trehalose-6-phosphate synthases severely affects chitin metabolism gene expression in the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens.

BACKGROUND RNA interference combined with digital gene expression (DGE) analysis can be used to study gene function. Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) plays a key role in the synthesis of trehalose and insect development. RESULTS DGE analysis revealed that the expression of nine or four chitinase genes was reduced significantly 48 h after NlTPS1 and NlTPS2 knockdown by RNAi, respectively. Additionally, abnormal phenotypes were noted, and approximately 30% of insects died. HK and G6PI2 expression decreased significantly whereas GFAT, GNPNA and UAP expression increased significantly 72 h after NlTPS1 and NlTPS2 knockdown. PGM1 expression decreased significantly after TPS2 knockdown, whereas PGM2 expression increased significantly and the expression of three CHS genes decreased 48 h after TPS1 knockdown. The mRNA expression of all 12 chitin degradation genes decreased 48 h after NlTPS1 and NlTPS2 treatment, and Cht2, Cht3, Cht6, Cht7, Cht10 and ENGase levels remained significantly decreased up to 72 h after NlTPS1 and NlTPS2 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that silencing of TPS genes can lead to increased moulting deformities and mortality rates owing to the misregulation of genes involved in chitin metabolism, and TPS genes are potential pest control targets in the future. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Cross-Layer Vertical Handoff for TCP Performance Enhancement in a Multi-Tier Tactical Network

Compared to a civilian network, tactical network for the future battlefield has to be essentially multi-tier overlay architecture for survivability and reliability. Vertical Handoff for that architecture could be a challenge because of drastic changes among overlaid networks. In the paper, design considerations and vertical handoff schemes are suggested: network-node assisted vertical handoff and neighbor-node assisted vertical handoff. By adopting cross-layer approach and rate-controlled link features such as AMC, it is possible to prepare an optimal TCP context proactively before moving, which facilitates immediate switching after a vertical handoff. In addition, direct mode operation capability of a future soldier terminal can be utilized in the neighbor-node assisted mode when a network-node is cut off temporarily due to action on a dynamic battlefield.
Research on the application of Medical-meteorological forecast model of infectious diarrhea disease in Beijing

Based on the existing disease cases and the same period of the weather and climate data, the correlation between infectious diarrhea disease and meteorological factors are researched in this paper. Through multiple regression probability grade method, Medical-meteorological forecast grade (divided into 5 grades) and epidemic risk level evaluation model are established. The results showed that single correlation coefficient between disease and vapor pressure can reach 0.8340. Among all the forecast factors, variance contribution of vapor pressure account for 70.5%. Other important factors include average wind speed and temperature diurnal range. If we assume that the difference between forecast and actual grade smaller than ±1 is correct, the model has an average accuracy rate of 98.5%. And the completely consistent can be account for 62.9∼66.4%(six forecast aging). This model not only forecast the incidence of infectious diarrhea disease during Beijing Olympic Games, but also provided scientific basis for disease prevention and control center to guide people prevent infectious diarrhea.
Oversampled filter banks: optimal noise shaping, design freedom, and noise analysis

We show that oversampled filter banks (FBs) offer more design freedom and less noise sensitivity than critically sampled FBs. We provide a parameterization of all synthesis FBs satisfying perfect reconstruction for a given oversampled analysis and we derive bounds and expressions for the variance of the reconstruction error due to noisy subband signals. Finally we introduce noise shaping in oversampled FBs and calculate the optimal noise shaping system.
Techniques for Stochastic ImplicitSurface Modelling and Rendering

Implicit surfaces are a powerful shape primitive for computer graphics. This thesis focuses on a shape modelling approach which generates synthetic shapes by the specification of an implicit surface generating function that has random properties. This type of graphic object can be called a stochastic implicit surface because the surface is perceived as the realisation of a stochastic process. The main contributions of this thesis are in the form of new and improved modelling and rendering algorithms to deal with stochastic implicit surfaces that can be complex and feature fractal scaling properties. On the modelling side, a new topological correction algorithm is proposed to detect disconnected surface parts that arise as a consequence of the implicit surface representation. A surface deformation algorithm, based on advection through a vector field, is also presented. On the rendering side, several algorithms are proposed. First, an improved ray casting method is presented that guarantees correct intersections between view rays and the surface. Second, a new progressive refinement rendering algorithm is proposed that provides a dynamic rendering environment where the image quality steadily increases with time. Third, a distributed rendering mechanism is presented to deal with the long computation times involved in the image synthesis of stochastic implicit surfaces. An application of the proposed techniques is given in the context of the procedural modelling of a planet. A procedural planet model must be able to generate synthetic planets showing the correct range of geological scales. The planet is generated as a stochastic implicit surface. This represents an improvement over previous models that generated planets as displacement maps over a sphere. Terrain features that were previously difficult to model can be achieved through the implicit surface approach. This approach is a generalisation over those previous models since displacement maps over the sphere can be recast as implicit surfaces.
Supraclavicular Catheterization of the Superior Vena Cava

In seeking to develop a simple and safe technique of central vein catheterization, a supraclavicular route to the superior vena cava was chosen. Advancing from a point above the medial portion of the clavicle, the needle punctures the wall at the confluence of the subclavian and internal jugular veins, and a siliconized catheter is introduced straight into the superior vena cava. The technique is described in detail.
EFFECT OF INTERCROPPING SHORT DURATION CROPS ON SUGARCANE PRODUCTION

The study on intercropping of autumn planted sugarcane with onion, wheat, lentil, mustard and safflower was carried out at the experimental field of Sugarcane Research Station, QAARI Larkana during the year 2005-2006. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block with four replications with ultimate plot size of 8 x 8m (64m2). The results were statistically non-significant for germination %age, number of tiller per stool and plant height. Maximum germination (59.98%) was recorded when sugarcane was planted as solecrop followed by sugarcane + Lentil intercropping i.e. (58.00%). The same trend was noted for number of tillers stool-1, cane girth and internodes/cane. The cane yield ha-1of sugarcane was highest (120.97 m.t ha-1), when sugarcane was planted alone, whereas, all the intercrops reduced cane yield significantly. Competitive effect was observed for all intercrops when sown with sugarcane.
Enhanced localization coverage with non-regenerative UWB relays

Real-time locating systems (RTLS) enable a number of new important applications. Their performance is mainly limited by wireless propagation impairments. This paper puts forth the idea to enhance coverage and accuracy of RTLS in the presence of severe non line-of-sight propagation conditions using low complexity non-regenerative ultra-wide bandwidth relays. A maximum likelihood position estimator is derived and the feasibility of relay-based positioning scheme is demonstrated.
VEA-bility Security Metric: A Network Security Analysis Tool

In this work, we propose a novel quantitative security metric, VEA-bility, which measures the desirability of different network configurations. An administrator can then use the VEA-bility scores of different configurations to configure a secure network. Based on our findings, we conclude that the VEA-bility can be used to accurately estimate the comparative desirability of a specific network configuration. This information can then be used to explore alternate possible configurations and allows an administrator to select one among the given options. These tools are important to network administrators as they strive to provide secure, yet functional, network configurations.
A Task-based Comparison of Information Extraction Pattern Models

Several recent approaches to Information Extraction (IE) have used dependency trees as the basis for an extraction pattern representation. These approaches have used a variety of pattern models (schemes which define the parts of the dependency tree which can be used to form extraction patterns). Previous comparisons of these pattern models are limited by the fact that they have used indirect tasks to evaluate each model. This limitation is addressed here in an experiment which compares four pattern models using an unsupervised learning algorithm and a standard IE scenario. It is found that there is a wide variation between the models' performance and suggests that one model is the most useful for IE.
Kinect-Based Posture Tracking for Correcting Positions during Exercise

The Kinect sensor has opened the path for developing numerous applications in several different areas. Medical and health applications are benefiting from the Kinect as it allows non-invasive body motion capture that can be used in motor rehabilitation and phobia treatment. A major advantage of the Kinect is that allows developing solutions that can be used at home or even the office thus, expanding the user freedom for interacting with complementary solutions to its physical activities without requiring any traveling. This paper present a Kinect-based posture tracking software for assisting the user in successfully match postures required in some exercises for strengthen body muscles. Unlike several video games available, this tool offers a user interface for customizing posture parameters, so it can be enhanced by healthcare professionals or by their guidance through the user.
A Novel Approach to Detect Malware Based on API Call Sequence Analysis

In the era of ubiquitous sensors and smart devices, detecting malware is becoming an endless battle between ever-evolving malware and antivirus programs that need to process ever-increasing security related data. For malware detection, various approaches have been proposed. Among them, dynamic analysis is known to be effective in terms of providing behavioral information. As malware authors increasingly use obfuscation techniques, it becomes more important to monitor how malware behaves for its detection. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for dynamic analysis of malware. We adopt DNA sequence alignment algorithms and extract common API call sequence patterns of malicious function from malware in different categories. We find that certain malicious functions are commonly included in malware even in different categories. From checking the existence of certain functions or API call sequence patterns matched, we can even detect new unknown malware. The result of our experiment shows high enough F-measure and accuracy. API call sequence can be extracted from most of the modern devices; therefore, we believe that our method can detect the malware for all types of the ubiquitous devices.
ANALISIS KEPUASAN MAHASISWA TERHADAP PELAYANAN AKADEMIK MENGGUNAKAN METODE ALGORITMA C4.5 (STUDI KASUS: STMIK PRINGSEWU)

This study aimed to analyze the level of satisfaction of students to academic services at STMIK Pringsewu using C4.5 algorithm. There are five aspects are seen in assessing the level of satisfaction, that is tangible, Reability, assurance, responsiveness, and empathy. At STMIK Pringsewu, fifth aspects are not measurable with certainty that the STMIK Pringsewu find it difficult to determine which aspects should be improved. Using C4.5 algorithm method, the authors tried to measure the five aspects, forming a decision tree (decision tree). After doing the calculations manually, then the evidence also use the application, which RapidMiner. From the analysis, it can be seen that the aspect of responsiveness is the most dominant aspect in determining the level of student satisfaction in STMIK Pringsewu. Keywords: satisfaction, C4.5, RapidMiner, decision trees.
An MGF-based performance analysis of generalized selection combining over Rayleigh fading channels

Using the notion of the "spacing" between ordered exponential random variables, a performance analysis of the generalized selection combining (GSC) diversity scheme over Rayleigh fading channels is presented and compared with that of the conventional maximal-ratio combining and selection combining schemes. Starting with the moment generating function (MGF) of the GSC output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we derive closed-form expressions for the average combined SNR, outage probability, and average error probability of a wide variety of modulation schemes operating over independently, identically distributed (i.i.d.) diversity paths. Because of their simple form, these expressions readily allow numerical evaluation for cases of practical interest. The results are also extended to the case of non-i.i. d. diversity paths.
A predator case history: Laricobius nigrinus, a derodontid beetle introduced against the hemlock woolly adelgid.

The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae) is an invasive alien pest of eastern North American hemlocks (Tsuga spp.) and is the target of a classical biological control program in the eastern United States. Host range testing conducted under quarantine in Blacksburg, Virginia determined the suitability of Laricobius nigrinus Fender (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) a predatory beetle, as a biological control agent of this pest. Members of the genus Laricobius are known to feed on adelgids. Laricobius nigrinus, native to western North America, was tested on three other adelgid and three non-adelgid species of Homoptera in three families. Host acceptance and host suitability tests were conducted on test prey. In paired-choice and no-choice oviposition tests, L. nigrinus females preferred to oviposit in HWA ovisacs over the other test species. Feeding tests showed that L. nigrinus consumed more eggs of HWA than eggs of Adelges piceae (Ratzeburg) and Pineus strobi (Hartig), but not of Adelges abietis (L.). In larval development tests, L. nigrinus only completed development on HWA. These results suggest that L. nigrinus has a narrow host range and that it has potential for biological control of HWA. Laricobius nigrinus was cleared for field release by USDA APHIS in 2000 based on these findings and NAPPO Guidelines for ‘Petition for Release of Exotic Entomophagous Agents for the Biological Control of Pests’. Test design will be discussed in a retrospective analysis in relation to the practical realities of host range testing in this system and compared with what might be the ideal.
Tracing Anonymous Mobile Attackers in Wireless Network

In a flooding-based distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, an adversary attempts to exhaust a target’s computing resource. To detect DDoS attacks in a network environment, IP traceback methods are deployed to determine the origin of attack packets. With the increase in bandwidth of wireless networks, attackers may choose this medium from which to launch attacks. However, tracing the attackers in wireless networks is more difficult since intermediate nodes may move or attackers may change their location to hide themselves. Thus, conventional traceback schemes for wired networks cannot apply directly to the wireless network infrastructure because the intermediate routers could be compromised by an adversary. Therefore, we propose a flexible and lightweight traceback scheme to determine the source of attack packets in a mobile ad-hoc environment. We will demonstrate our method’s ability to track the movement of an attacker and recognize attack traffic launched by the same attacker from different locations.
Enhanced Adhesive Capacities of the Naturally Occurring Ile249–Met280 Variant of the Chemokine Receptor CX3CR1*

It was recently shown that individuals carrying the naturally occurring mutant CX3CR1-Ile249–Met280 (hereafter called CX3CR1-IM) have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than individuals homozygous for the wild-type CX3CR1-Val249–Thr280 (CX3CR1-VT). We report here that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from individuals with the CX3CR1-IM haplotype adhered more potently to membrane-bound CX3CL1 than did PBMC from homozygous CX3CR1-VT donors. Similar excess adhesion was observed with CX3CR1-IM-transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell lines tested with two different methods: the parallel plate laminar flow chamber and the dual pipette aspiration technique. Suppression of the extra adhesion in the presence of pertussis toxin indicates that G-protein mediated the underlying transduction pathway, in contrast to the G-protein-independent adhesion previously described for CX3CR1-VT. Surprisingly, HEK and PBMC that expressed CX3CR1-IM and -VT were indistinguishable when tested with the soluble form of CX3CL1 for chemotaxis, calcium release, and binding capacity. In conclusion, only the membrane-anchored form of CX3CL1 functionally discriminated between these two allelic isoforms of CX3CR1. These results suggest that each form of this ligand may lead to a different signaling pathway. The extra adhesion of CX3CR1-IM may be related to immune defenses and to atherogenesis, both of which depend substantially on adhesive intercellular events.