Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An optimized method for NMR-based plant seed metabolomic analysis with maximized polar metabolite extraction efficiency, signal-to-noise ratio, and chemical shift consistency.

Plant metabolomic analysis has become an essential part of functional genomics and systems biology and requires effective extraction of both primary and secondary metabolites from plant cells. To establish an optimized extraction method for the NMR-based analysis, we used the seeds of mungbean (Vigna radiata cv. Elü no. 1) as a model and systematically investigated the dependence of the metabolite composition in plant extracts on various extraction parameters including cell-breaking methods, extraction solvents, number of extraction repeats, tissue-to-solvent ratio, and extract-to-buffer ratio (for final NMR analysis). We also compared two NMR approaches for quantitative metabolomic analysis from completely relaxed spectra directly and from partially relaxed spectra calculated with T1. By maximizing the extraction efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio but minimizing inter-sample chemical-shift variations and metabolite degradations, we established a parameter-optimized protocol for NMR-based plant seed metabolomic analysis. We concluded that aqueous methanol was the best extraction solvent with an optimal tissue-to-solvent ratio of about 1 : 10-1 : 15 (mg per μL). The combination of tissuelyser homogenization with ultrasonication was the choice of cell-breaking method with three repeated extractions being necessary. For NMR analysis, the optimal extract-to-solvent was around 5-8 mg mL(-1) and completely relaxed spectra were ideal for intrinsically quantitative metabolomic analysis although partially relaxed spectra were employable for comparative metabolomics. This optimized method will offer ensured data quality for high-throughput and reliable plant metabolomics studies.
Effects of Adenosine‐induced Hypotension on Myocardial Hemodynamics and Metabolism in Fentanyl Anesthetized Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease

The effects of adenosine on central and myocardial hemodynamics and metabolism were evaluated during fentanyl anesthesia (100 μg·kg−1) in six patients with peripheral vascular disease. Adenosine was intravenously infused, at a rate of 90 ± 20 (SEM) μkg−1·min−1, to reduce mean arterial blood pressure by approximately 20% (23 ± 2% SEM, from 82 ± 3 to 63 ± 3 SEM mmHg) during a 20-min period. Systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance indices decreased by 36 ± 3 and 32 ± 6% (SEM), and cardiac index increased by 18 ± 5%. Heart rate, ventricular filling pressures, and whole body oxygen consumption were not affected by adenosine. Despite the reduced mean arterial blood pressure, coronary sinus flow increased by 128 ± 26% (SEM) in parallel with a 96 ± 11% (SEM) increase in coronary sinus oxygen content. Left and right ventricular stroke work indices, as well as myocardial oxygen consumption, were maintained. ECG (12-lead) demonstrated signs of ischemia in one subject, while myocardial lactate uptake was unchanged in all subjects. In conclusion, adenosine-induced hypotension in patients with peripheral vascular disease increased cardiac index without affecting myocardial work, whole body, and myocardial oxygen consumptions. The marked increase in coronary sinus blood flow, indicating coronary vasodilation, was not related to increased myocardial work. Further information regarding myocardial effect of adenosine in patients with ischemic heart disease is warranted.
Securing the human: Employee security vulnerability risk in organizational settings

As organizational security breaches increase, so too does the need to fully understand the human factors that lead to these breaches and take the necessary steps to minimize threats. The present study evaluates how three sets of employee characteristics (demographic, company‐specific, and skills‐based) predict an employee's likelihood of becoming a security breach victim. In order to move beyond traditional evaluations of security threats, which generally consider security threats individually, analyses in this paper approach security vulnerability from a more holistic approach to analyze four risk categories concurrently: phishing, passwords, bring your own device (BYOD), and company‐supplied laptops. Findings from a survey of 250 employees at a medium‐sized American information technology (IT) consulting firm identify higher‐risk employees across the four risk areas and provide new insights into the challenges organizations face when trying to ensure the protection of company data.
Prefix tree based n-best list re-scoring for recurrent neural network language model used in speech recognition system

Recurrent Neural Network Language Model (RNNLM) has recently been shown to outperform N-gram Language Models (LM) as well as many other competing advanced LM techniques. However, the training and testing of RNNLM are very time-consuming, so in real-time recognition systems, RNNLM is usually used for re-scoring a limited size of n-best list. In this paper, issues of speeding up RNNLM are explored when RNNLMs are used to re-rank a large n-best list. A new n-best list re-scoring framework, Preﬁx Tree based N-best list Re-scoring (PTNR), is proposed to completely get rid of the redundant computations which make re-scoring ineffective. At the same time, the bunch mode technique, widely used for speeding up the training of feed-forward neural network language model, is investigated to combine with PTNR to further improve the rescoring speed. Experimental results showed that our proposed re-scoring approach for RNNLM was much faster than the standard n-best list re-scoring 1 . Take 1000-best as an example, our approach was almost 11 times faster than the standard n-best list re-scoring.
A Ca2+–calmodulin–eEF2K–eEF2 signalling cascade, but not AMPK, contributes to the suppression of skeletal muscle protein synthesis during contractions

Skeletal muscle protein synthesis rate decreases during contractions but the underlying regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. It was hypothesized that there would be a coordinated regulation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E‐binding protein 1 (4EBP1) phosphorylation by signalling cascades downstream of rises in intracellular [Ca2+] and decreased energy charge via AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) in contracting skeletal muscle. When fast‐twitch skeletal muscles were contracted ex vivo using different protocols, the suppression of protein synthesis correlated more closely with changes in eEF2 than 4EBP1 phosphorylation. Using a combination of Ca2+ release agents and ATPase inhibitors it was shown that the 60–70% suppression of fast‐twitch skeletal muscle protein synthesis during contraction was equally distributed between Ca2+ and energy turnover‐related mechanisms. Furthermore, eEF2 kinase (eEF2K) inhibition completely blunted increases in eEF2 phosphorylation and partially blunted (i.e. 30–40%) the suppression of protein synthesis during contractions. The 3‐ to 5‐fold increase in skeletal muscle eEF2 phosphorylation during contractions in situ was rapid and sustained and restricted to working muscle. The increase in eEF2 phosphorylation and eEF2K activation were downstream of Ca2+–calmodulin (CaM) but not other putative activating factors such as a fall in intracellular pH or phosphorylation by protein kinases. Furthermore, blunted protein synthesis and 4EBP1 dephosphorylation were unrelated to AMPK activity during contractions, which was exemplified by normal blunting of protein synthesis during contractions in muscles overexpressing kinase‐dead AMPK. In summary, in fast‐twitch skeletal muscle, the inhibition of eEF2 activity by phosphorylation downstream of Ca2+–CaM–eEF2K signalling partially contributes to the suppression of protein synthesis during exercise/contractions.
Differential introgression causes genealogical discordance in host races of Acrocercops transecta (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

Recently diverged populations often exhibit incomplete reproductive isolation, with a low level of gene flow continuing between populations. Previous studies have shown that, even under a low level of gene flow, genetic divergence between populations can proceed at the loci governing local adaptation and reproductive isolation but not at other neutral loci. A leaf‐mining moth, Acrocercops transecta, consists of Juglans‐ and Lyonia‐associated host races. The two host races differ in host preferences of ovipositing females and in larval adaptation to host plants but mate readily in the laboratory, producing fertile hybrids. The Juglans and Lyonia races are often sympatric in the wild, implying that gene introgression could occur in nature between the two host races. We tested this hypothesis by combining phylogenetic analyses with coalescent simulations, focusing on mitochondrial genes (COI and ND5) and the nuclear Tpi, Per and Ldh genes located on the Z‐chromosome. The mitochondrial genes clearly distinguished the Lyonia race from the Juglnas race, whereas the Tpi, Per and Ldh genealogies did not reflect the two host races. Coalescent simulations indicated gene flow at the three Z‐linked genes in both directions, whereas there was no introgression in the mitochondrial genes. The lack of introgression in mitochondrial genes suggests that female host preference is the primary force leading to the bifurcation of maternally inherited loci. Thus, the results show that a low level of gene flow coupled with the inflexible female host preference differentiates histories of divergence between maternally and biparentally inherited genes in this host race system.
Data learning based hypersonic flight control using ELM

This paper is towards the controller design using extreme learning machine (ELM) for the longitudinal dynamics of a generic hypersonic flight vehicle (HFV). The basic idea is to train the data learning from previous controller and then obtain the optimal weight. In the first step, the existed the back-stepping controller with high order neural networks (HONNs) is borrowed to collect the required data. The “adaptive behavior” of existed the back-stepping controller is trained and tested by batch learning of ELM. Then the optimal parameters obtained from ELM are used as initialization to construct the feedback design for controller. In this way, the prior information of nominal design is not needed and there is no need of online learning for the neural networks (NNs). The simulation study is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
Design and characterization of a cost-effective and high-power density brushless rotor supply for mobile synchronous generators

As part of the ongoing NGC-project (Next Generation Car) related to the research of new technologies for future road vehicles at the DLR, this publication is dedicated to the replacement of slip rings by an inductive power transfer system for field winding supplies in electrically excited synchronous generators. By means of function integrated lightweight design, due to the attachment of the rotary transformer as well as the co-rotating rectifier on an existing fan and the usage of standardised components for the rotational transformer, a volumetric optimized mounting as well as cost-effective brushless transfer system can be realized. The design of the system regarding the integration into the constraint space includes a variety of different challenges, which are subject of this work. For design purpose, an analytical model of the inductive link, the compensation network as well as the primary and secondary side power electronics has been set up. Furthermore, a prototype system has been established, measured on the test bench at the institute of vehicle concepts and compared to the derived model.
Taxonomic composition and abundance of phytoplankton in the middle reach of the karstic Zrmanja Estuary ( Croatia )

The taxonomic composition and abundance of phytoplankton were analyzed in relation to thermohaline and hydrological conditions in the middle reach of the karstic river Zrmanja Estuary, eastern Adriatic coast, Croatia, in the period December 1981 to November 1982, and June 1998 to June 1999. General trophic interrelations were characterized by the spring-summer development of marine phytoplankton (mainly diatoms) and autumnwinter development of small herbivores (copepods, nauplii, copepodites). Two maxima of naked ciliates indirectly indicated the regeneration of alochtonous organic matter in win­ ter, and autochtonous organic matter in late summer. In general, dominant phytoplankton species provided seasonal recurrent assemblages. Freshwater phytoplankton above the halocline is less abundant in the lower than in the upper reach of the estuary. Instead of freshwater phytoplankton, the brackish diatom Thalassiosira (a short-chained, smallcelled species) was abundant above the halocline during the winter-spring period.
Critical Factors Affecting Quality Performance in Construction Projects

Abstract The reasons for the underperformance of the quality of Indian construction projects were studied to suggest possible remedial measures. A preliminary survey identified 55 attributes responsible to impact quality performance of the projects. Statistical analysis of questionnaire responses on the attributes resulted into two distinct sets of success and failure attributes. Further analyses of individual sets of success attributes and failure attributes separately grouped them into fewer critical success and failure factors. The critical success factors obtained were: project manager's competence; top management's support; monitoring and feedback by project participants; interaction among project participants; and owners' competence. The factors that adversely affected the quality performances of projects were: conflict among project participants; hostile socio-economic environment; harsh climatic condition; PM's ignorance & lack of knowledge; faulty project conceptualization; and aggressive competition during tendering. Analyses also led to the conclusion that the extent of contribution of various success factors varies with the current performance ratings of the project. Project manager's competence and top management support are found to contribute significantly in enhancing the quality performance of a construction project. As in the manufacturing industry, the study establishes that management plays an important role in achieving quality even in construction projects.
Macropinocytosis of Bevacizumab by Glioblastoma Cells in the Perivascular Niche Affects their Survival

Purpose: Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to VEGF, is used routinely in the treatment of patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). However, very little is known regarding the effects of bevacizumab on the cells in the perivascular space in tumors. Experimental Design: Established orthotopic xenograft and syngeneic models of GBM were used to determine entry of monoclonal anti-VEGF-A into, and uptake by cells in, the perivascular space. Based on the results, we examined CD133+ cells derived from GBM tumors in vitro. Bevacizumab internalization, trafficking, and effects on cell survival were analyzed using multilabel confocal microscopy, immunoblotting, and cytotoxicity assays in the presence/absence of inhibitors. Results: In the GBM mouse models, administered anti-mouse-VEGF-A entered the perivascular tumor niche and was internalized by Sox2+/CD44+ tumor cells. In the perivascular tumor cells, bevacizumab was detected in the recycling compartment or the lysosomes, and increased autophagy was found. Bevacizumab was internalized rapidly by CD133+/Sox2+-GBM cells in vitro through macropinocytosis with a fraction being trafficked to a recycling compartment, independent of FcRn, and a fraction to lysosomes. Bevacizumab treatment of CD133+ GBM cells depleted VEGF-A and induced autophagy thereby improving cell survival. An inhibitor of lysosomal acidification decreased bevacizumab-induced autophagy and increased cell death. Inhibition of macropinocytosis increased cell death, suggesting macropinocytosis of bevacizumab promotes CD133+ cell survival. Conclusions: We demonstrate that bevacizumab is internalized by Sox2+/CD44+-GBM tumor cells residing in the perivascular tumor niche. Macropinocytosis of bevacizumab and trafficking to the lysosomes promotes CD133+ cell survival, as does the autophagy induced by bevacizumab depletion of VEGF-A. Clin Cancer Res; 23(22); 7059–71. ©2017 AACR.
Differential expression of T cell antigens in normal peripheral blood lymphocytes: a quantitative analysis by flow cytometry.

AIMS: To obtain reference values of the level of expression of T cell antigens on normal lymphocyte subsets in order to disclose differences which could reflect their function or maturation stages, or both. METHODS: Peripheral blood from 15 healthy donors was processed by flow cytometry with triple colour analysis. For each sample phycoerythrin (PE) conjugated CD2, CD4, CD5, CD8, and CD56 monoclonal antibodies were combined with Cy5-R-phycoerythrin (TC) conjugated CD3 and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated CD7; CD2- and CD7-PE were also combined with CD3-TC and CD4-FITC. Standard microbeads with different capacities to bind mouse immunoglobulins were used to convert the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) values of the lymphocyte subsets identified by multiparametric flow cytometry into the number of antigen molecules per cell, measured as antibody binding capacity (ABC). RESULTS: CD4+ (helper/inducer) T cells exhibit a higher CD3 antigen expression compared with CD8+ (suppressor/ cytotoxic) T lymphocytes. Within the CD4+ T cells, the CD4+CD7- subset expressed a lower level of CD3 compared with CD4+CD7+ and CD8+CD7+ cells, and higher CD2 and CD5 expression than the main CD3+CD7+ subset. Major differences in antigen expression were also detected between CD3+ T cells and CD3-CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells: NK cells exhibited higher levels of CD7 and CD56 and lower levels of CD2 and CD5 than T cells. Significantly lower CD5 expression was also detected in the small CD5+ B lymphocyte subset compared with T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative flow cytometry with triple colour analysis may be used to detect antigen modulations in disease states and to increase the accuracy of diagnosis by comparison with findings in normal counterparts.
Effects of chronic heart failure in rats on the recovery of microvascular PO2 after contractions in muscles of opposing fibre type

Chronic heart failure (CHF) impairs muscle O2 delivery (Q̇O2) and, at a given O2 uptake (V̇O2), lowers microvascular O2 pressures (PmvO2: determined by the Q̇O2‐to‐V̇O2 ratio), which may impair recovery of high‐energy phosphates following exercise. Because CHF preferentially decreases Q̇O2 to slow‐twitch muscles, we hypothesized that recovery PmvO2 kinetics would be slowed to a greater extent in soleus (SOL: ∼84% type I fibres) than in peroneal (PER: ∼14% type I) muscles of CHF rats. PmvO2 dynamics were determined in SOL and PER muscles of control (CON: n= 6; left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure, LVEDP: ∼3 mmHg), moderate CHF (MOD: n= 7; LVEDP: ∼11 mmHg) and severe CHF (SEV: n= 4; LVEDP: ∼25 mmHg) following cessation of electrical stimulation (180 s; 1 Hz). In PER, neither the recovery PmvO2 values nor the mean response time (MRT; a weighted average of the time to 63% of the overall response) were altered by CHF (CON: 66.8 ± 8.0, MOD: 72.4 ± 11.8, SEV: 69.1 ± 9.5 s). In marked contrast, SOL PmvO2, at recovery onset, was reduced significantly in the SEV group (∼6 Torr) and PmvO2 MRT was slowed with increased severity of CHF (CON: 45.1 ± 5.3, MOD: 63.2 ± 9.4, SEV: 82.6 ± 12.3 s; P < 0.05 CON vs. MOD and SEV). These data indicate that CHF slows PmvO2 recovery following contractions and lowers capillary O2 driving pressure in slow‐twitch SOL, but not in fast‐twitch PER muscle. These results may explain, in part, the slowed recovery kinetics (phosphocreatine and V̇O2) and pronounced fatigue following muscular work in CHF patients.
Two soft-error mitigation techniques for functional units of DSP processors

This paper presents two soft-error mitigation methods for DSP processors. Considering that a DSP processor is composed of several functional units and each functional unit constitutes of a control unit, some registers and combinational logic, a unique characteristic of DSP workloads has been deployed to develop a masking mechanism for the control-logic of each functional unit. Combinational logic has been elaborated with a fast recovery mechanism to isolate the fault-free functional units and re-execute the erroneous instruction. These techniques have been implemented on a DSP processor in order to assess the achieved fault-tolerance versus the imposed overheads.
Particulate Matter Sample Deposit Geometry and Effective Filter Face Velocities

Abstract Aerosol filter face velocities can be underestimated when the sample deposit area does not cover the entire face of the filter. In many aerosol samplers, Teflon filters are backed with a metal support screen. In these samplers, air flows through the filter only in the small area upstream of each hole in the screen, resulting in a sample deposit that is an array of tiny dots that mimics the array of holes. Thus, the filter deposit area is smaller than the total filter area and the effective face velocity is greater than that calculated from the sample deposit envelope. The Inter-agency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network has used filter holders with two different screen hole arrays. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chemical Speciation Network (CSN) and the Federal Reference Method samplers also use a metal support screen, but with much smaller screen holes than IMPROVE. These networks also use larger filters and lower flow rates than those used in IMPROVE. Filter face velocities for all of these networks that are calculated using the actual deposit array area range from 1.6 to 3.5 times larger than those calculated incorrectly using the entire sample deposit envelope.
Designing for User-Generated Contents: An Investigation of Product Tags and Lead User Exposure

Recent advances in the Internet have revolutionized the way people share information and choose products. Various new applications allow users to become an active part in developing content on the Web. This study specifically investigates e-commerce product search websites which allow users to search and evaluate products, share product opinions and interests, as well as communicate with other community members. Despite the increasing number of researchers studying diverse issues in this context, there still lacks a theoretical understanding of how the use of user-generated contents on these websites can actually influence people's decision making and social experience online. This study thus focuses on two prevailing design features on websites based on user-generated information – product tags and lead user exposure. Results from a laboratory experiment using a large-scale, real social-network-based product search website are reported.