Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 9 and 13 Induce C3H10T1/2 Cell Differentiation to Cardiomyocyte-Like Cells in Vitro

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) and BMP13 on cardiac differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells in vitro and to characterize the differentiated cells on their ultrastructure and transmembrane electrophysiological features. C3H10T1/2 cells were transfected with the vectors for BMP9 or BMP13 and differentiated into cardiomyocytes in vitro for up to 28 days. The expression of cardiac-specific genes Gata4 and Mef2c and proteins troponin T (cTnT) and connexin 43 (Cx43) was significantly increased in the cells transfected with BMP9 or BMP13 after differentiation over the controls as evaluated using quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. Transmission electron microscopy and Masson trichrome staining showed that the specific myocardial leap dish and myofilament-like structure were present in the cells overexpressing BMP9 or BMP13, not in the control cells. Whole-cell patch-clamping study demonstrated the presence of delayed rectifier potassium current, inward rectifier potassium current, and T-type calcium current in the cells overexpressing BMP9 or BMP13. Sodium current was detected in a small number of cells overexpressing BMP9, not in the BMP13-transfected cells or the control cells. The expression of Mef2c gene and Cx43 and cTnT proteins was also significantly higher in the cells overexpressing BMP9 than those overexpressing BMP13. Our data indicate that BMP9 and BMP13 (BMP9 might be more effective) promoted the differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells into cardiomyocyte-like cells with cellular ultrastructures and ion channel currents similar to mature cardiomyocytes in vitro.
Planar orthogonal mode transducer based on orthogonal LSM10 and TE10 modal fields of co-layered image SINRD (iSINRD) and SIW guides

The field orthogonality of LSM10 and TE10 modes respectively in connection with image SINRD (iSINRD) guide and SIW is exploited to develop a planar millimeter-wave hybrid orthogonal-mode transducer (OMT) within the same dielectric substrate layer. The two output arms are related to an iSINRD guide and an SIW. The proposed co-layered planar OMT belongs to a narrowband acute angle class. The design process is explained and measurements at 94 GHz are presented. No septa or step changes in thickness are required. Both modes are excited using WR10 transitions where the transition of one mode is orthogonal to the other. Therefore, the OMT is fabricated as a back-to-back 4-port OMT; two inputs and two outputs for each mode respectively. The lateral dimensions of all branching arms are 0.6×0.635 mm2. An insertion loss of around 1.2 dB is obtained for both LSM10 and TE10 modes, while isolation better than 17 dB is obtained for both modes (30 dB for the LSM10 mode).
Perceptual anisotropies in visual processing and their relation to natural image statistics

The amplitude spectra of natural scenes are typically biased in terms of the amount of content at the cardinal orientations relative to the oblique orientations. This anisotropic distribution has been related to the ‘oblique effect’ (the greater visual sensitivity for simple line/grating stimuli at cardinal compared to oblique orientations). However, we have recently shown that with complex visual stimuli possessing broadband spatial content (i.e. random phase noise patterns), sensitivity for detecting oriented manipulations of amplitude is best for oblique orientations, and worst for horizontal orientations (the ‘horizontal effect’). Here we investigated this effect with respect to the phase spectra of natural scenes. Oriented manipulations of both amplitude and phase were made on a set of natural scene images that were dominated by naturally occurring structure at one of four orientations in order to determine whether the presence of predominant scene content, carried by the Fourier phase spectra, altered the ability to detect an oriented increment of amplitude. The horizontal effect was observed regardless of any scene's content bias. In addition, a content-dependent effect was observed which could be related to the presence of spatial structure conveyed by the phase spectra of this set of natural scenes. Results are evaluated in the context of a divisive normalization model.
Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSN): A Nanonetwork and Hierarchical Structure in Drug Delivery

According to IUPAC nomenclature, mesoporous materials are those materials having a pore size ranging from 2 to 50nm in diameter [1-6]. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are promising and novel drug vehicles due to their unique mesoporous structure, which preserve a level of chemical stability, surface functionality and biocompatibility and ensure controlled release and targeted delivery of a variety of drug molecules. MSNs were discovered in 1992 by the Mobile Oil Corporation. They have received considerable attention due to their outstanding features, such as a high surface area, large pore volume, tunable pore diameter, narrow pore size distribution [7-15], easily modified surface [16], good biocompatibility and thermal stability [17].
Integral equation modeling of multilayered doubly-periodic lossy structures using periodic boundary condition and a connection scheme

This paper presents a boundary integral formulation to analyze multilayered doubly-periodic lossy structures with arbitrary geometry. The formulation is based on the moment method using first-order triangular patch basis functions. Each individual layer is analyzed separately using the simple free-space Green's function. After discretization, periodic boundary conditions are imposed on each region and a connection scheme is used to connect the regions. Metallic patches between layers or on the periodic boundary are also included in the model. Several examples are presented showing both the flexibility and the accuracy of the method.
EFFECTS OF LINSEED LIPID ON RUMINAL FATTY ACID METABOLISM , NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY , MILK FATTY ACID COMPOSITION , AND METHANE EMISSION IN RUMINANTS

Linseed lipid in the dietary composition is a major factor influencing the fatty acid composition of milk from ruminants, because fatty acids which reach the duodenum are, at least in part, of dietary origin as well as the result of ruminal microbial biohydrogenation of dietary lipids. In this review, the effect of linseed lipid on ruminal fatty acid metabolism, nutrient digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, milk fatty acid composition, and methane emission are discussed. The studies that are undertaken on ruminants mainly use diets supplemented with different linseed forms like linseed oil, extruded linseeds, and rolled linseeds, as sources of n-3 fatty acids. The use of linseed lipid generally increased the flow of cis 18:1, trans 18:1, CLA, 18:3n-3, and total unsaturated fatty acids at the duodenum. Ruminants fed diets supplemented with linseed lipid had greater milk n-3 fatty acids and a sum of unsaturated fatty acids, and lower ruminal methane production. However, a linseed lipid supplement may have some negative effects on nutrient digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, and milk yield. The conclusion is that linseed lipid has a high potential to increase milk fatty acid quality and mitigate methane emission in ruminant feeding.
Kernel change discriminant analysis for multitemporal cloud masking

This paper presents a multitemporal feature extraction method based on kernels that is particularly designed for change detection. The method provides features that maximize specific changes between two dates while minimizing sources of errors, such as residual land-cover changes and misregistration errors, in the time series. The extracted features computed in the kernel feature space can deal with non-linear relations between samples at different dates. Moreover, no supervised information is required to find the changes of interest for the selected dates in the time series. The effectiveness of the proposed method is successfully illustrated in a cloud masking application using a Landsat time series. Results show that the proposed method provides the most discriminative features in terms of cloud detection when confronted with state of the art linear and nonlinear unsupervised feature extraction algorithms. In particular, extracted features with the proposed method enable automatic cloud detection in multispectral time series.
Melanin Biosynthesis in Cryptococcus neoformans

ABSTRACT Pigment production by Cryptococcus neoformans is virulence associated. Dopamine- and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine–melanin products were identified after acidic permanganate oxidation, alkaline hydrogen peroxide oxidation, or hydrolysis with hydriodic acid. These data provide direct chemical evidence for the formation of eumelanin polymers by catecholamine oxidation by laccase alone followed by oxidative coupling of dihydroxyindole.
The Essential Oil of Bergamot Stimulates Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Bergamot (Citrus aurantium L. subsp. bergamia) essential oil (BEO) is used in folk medicine as an antiseptic and anthelminthic and to facilitate wound healing. Evidence indicates that BEO has substantial antimicrobial activity; however its effects on immunity have never been examined. We studied the effects of BEO on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and the role of Ca2+ in the functional responses evoked by BEO in these cells. Results show that BEO increased intracellular ROS production in human PMN, an effect that required the contribution of extracellular (and, to a lesser extent, of intracellular) Ca2+. Bergamot essential oil also significantly increased ROS production induced by the chemotactic peptide N‐formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe and reduced the response to the protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate. In conclusion, this is the first report showing the ability of BEO to increase ROS production in human PMN. This effect could both contribute to the activity of BEO in infections and in tissue healing as well as underlie an intrinsic proinflammatory potential. The relevance of these findings for the clinical uses of BEO needs careful consideration. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient approach of trigger mechanism through IDS in cloud computing

Activating Mechanism has been utilized generally to recognize Intrusion Activities in Network Communication through Intrusion Detection System (IDS). This technique is utilized to shield assets in Cloud figuring from noxious assaults. IDS must produce cautions when it distinguish any meddling movement on arrange. IDS must generate alarms when it detects any intrusive activity on network [1]. Distinctive IDS's triggers alerts in light of various sorts of system action. In this paper we are proposing an activating component as keen Intrusion Detection System comprises of both abnormality identification motor and abuse location motor to identify interruptions and create cautions signals for choice motor. The proposed peculiarity recognition motor uses Information Theoretic Model (ITM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) model to identify arrange conduct in Clouds. Deviation from the ordinary conduct is delegated an assault on assets in Clouds. The proposed Misuse Detection Engine utilizes State Transition Diagram to recognize unapproved mark of Cloud Service Users (CSU). This half breed approach may give better execution over individual methodologies in Cloud Computing Environment for Triggering. This strategy helps in productive utilization of worldwide information and IT assets for various customer based according to their need of the product and stage condition.
Plasmid modifications in a tick‐borne pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi, cocultured with tick cells

We describe an in vitro system that will facilitate molecular analysis of the association between Lyme disease spirochetes and vector cells. We cocultured Borrelia burgdorferi continuously with two tick cell lines, RAE25 (from Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) and IDE8 (from Ixodes scapularis). A clone isolated after twenty‐two passages with RAE25 cells had lost the largest (49 kb) plasmid, and probes containing information normally encoded on it, including genes for two surface proteins, hybridized to smaller plasmids. Spirochetes maintained with IDE 8 cells showed a new 43 kb plasmid that hybridized to a probe made from the 49 kb plasmid. After reisolation from hamsters, these spirochetes carried a large plasmid (100 kb) that hybridized with the 49 kb plasmid. These changes may illustrate a plasticity that enables B. burgdorferi to adapt to different environments.
Global IS research: Cultivating universalistic and situated perspectives in the age of ubiquitous computing

This paper examines the tension between universalistic and situated perspectives particula r ly in terms of the forces driving each perspective as well as other forces constraining them. This concept is discussed in general, and then applied to a set of specific topics across the range of global IS concerns. The paper includes a discussion of the tension between these perspectives in investigating emerging topics in global IS research and concludes providing some guidance in extending research in this area.
Co-evolution of the fitness function and design solution for design exploration

We use a Genetic Algorithm paradigm for modelling design exploration and distinguish this approach from design optimisation. The common assumption i n design optimisation is that a fitness function is defined in advance. However, this is hardly t.he case for any practical design, especially for conceptual design. The fitness function changes and co-evolves with the generation of‘ alternative design solutions. This paper presents an approach to the co-evolution of the fitness function and design solution by representing the fitness as part of the genotype. In this combined gene approach, the design solution part of the genotype is evaluated by the local fitness function part of the genotype. Through a two-phase crossover operation, both the fitness function and the design solution change with each generation. An example of‘ designing a braced frame panel is used to illustrate
Development of a Coded Aperture X-Ray Backscatter Imager for Explosive Device Detection

Defence R&D Canada has an active research and development program on detection of explosive devices using nuclear methods. One system under development is a coded aperture-based X-ray backscatter imaging detector designed to provide sufficient speed, contrast and spatial resolution to detect antipersonnel landmines and improvised explosive devices. The successful development of a hand-held imaging detector requires, among other things, a light-weight, ruggedized detector with low power requirements, supplying high spatial resolution. The University of California, San Diego-designed HEXIS detector provides a modern, large area, high-temperature CZT imaging surface, robustly packaged in a light-weight housing with sound mechanical properties. Based on the potential for the HEXIS detector to be incorporated as the detection element of a hand-held imaging detector, the authors initiated a collaborative effort to demonstrate the capability of a coded aperture-based X-ray backscatter imaging detector. This paper will discuss the landmine and IED detection problem and review the coded aperture technique. Results from initial proof-of-principle experiments will then be reported.
Delay‐period activities in two subdivisions of monkey inferotemporal cortex during pair association memory task

The macaque inferotemporal cortex, which is involved in encoding and retrieval of visual long‐term memory, consists of two distinct but mutually interconnected areas: area TE (TE) and area 36 (A36). In the present study, we compared delay‐period activities of the two subdivisions in terms of their signal contents. We recorded single‐unit activities from TE and A36 during a delayed pair association task, in which monkeys were required to choose the paired associate of a cue stimulus after a delay period. The stimulus‐selective delay‐period activities of single neurons were characterized by using partial correlation coefficients of delay‐period activities for each cue stimulus with the cue‐period responses to that stimulus (cue‐holding index, CHI) and with the cue‐period responses to its paired associate (pair‐recall index, PRI). The delay‐period activities of TE neurons preferentially represented the paired associate (PRI, median = 0.54) rather than the cue stimulus itself (CHI, 0.23) (P < 0.001, n = 70), while the delay‐period activities of A36 neurons retained both the cue stimulus and its paired associate equivalently (CHI, 0.44; PRI, 0.46) (P = 0.78, n = 38). These results indicate that the signal contents of delay‐period activities differ between the two subdivisions: TE mostly represents a sought target that is retrieved from long‐term memory, while A36 in addition retains cue‐stimulus that is transmitted from earlier visual areas.
Analysis and improvement of contention access protocol in IEEE 802.15.4 star network

The wireless standard IEEE 802.15. 4 is emerging as a key enabling technology for different wireless sensor network applications. IEEE802.15. 4 supports a low data rate wireless sensor network with low power requirement. In this paper, we discuss the performance analysis of IEEE 802.15. 4 MAC assuming star topology in the beacon enabled mode. We obtain analytical expressions for channel sensing probabilities and saturation throughput during the contention access period. We have included the packet discard analysis and validated the analytical expressions for these parameters using ns-2 simulation. Further, we also discuss the performance analysis of the MAC when the contention access mechanism of IEEE 802.15. 4 is modified to have only one channel sensing. Finally, we discuss adaptation of the frame length for the case with one channel sensing.
Fur versus Feathers: Pollen Delivery by Bats and Hummingbirds and Consequences for Pollen Production

One floral characteristic associated with bat pollination (chiropterophily) is copious pollen production, a pattern we confirmed in a local comparison of hummingbird‐ and bat‐adapted flowers from a cloud forest site in Ecuador. Previous authors have suggested that wasteful pollen transfer by bats accounted for the pattern. Here we propose and test a new hypothesis: bats select for increased pollen production because they can efficiently transfer larger amounts of pollen, which leads to a more linear male fitness gain curve for bat‐pollinated plants. Flight cage experiments with artificial flowers and flowers of Aphelandra acanthus provide support for this hypothesis; in both instances, the amount of pollen delivered to stigmas by birds is not related to the amount of pollen removed from anthers on the previous visit, while the same function for bats increases linearly. Thus, increased pollen production will be linearly related to increased male reproductive success for bat flowers, while for bird flowers, increased pollen production leads to rapidly diminishing fitness returns. We speculate that fur takes up and holds more pollen than feathers, which seem to readily shed excess grains. Our gain‐curve hypothesis may also explain why evolutionary shifts from bird to bat pollination seem more common than shifts in the opposite direction.
Automated odometry self-calibration for car-like robots with four-wheel-steering

This paper addresses the task of calibrating the kinematic parameters and odometry of car-like robots with dual-axis steering. To achieve this goal only the robots builtin laser rangers and no external tracking systems are employed. We introduce a method to actively calibrate the steering angles of both front and rear steering angles with a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) controller. Using the determined function between steering servo input and steering angle the effective wheelbase and wheel diameters are estimated. We present an automated self-calibration procedure for car-like robots with dual-axis steering. The results are verified using our self-developed outdoor robot platform.
Introduction Guided axonal growth is essential for both the initial wiring of neuronal circuitry during development and the regeneration of synaptic connections in the adult nervous system after injury and diseases

Guided axonal growth is essential for both the initial wiring of neuronal circuitry during development and the regeneration of synaptic connections in the adult nervous system after injury and diseases (Bahr and Bonhoeffer, 1994; Aubert et al., 1995; Tessier-Lavigne and Goodman, 1996; Harel and Strittmatter, 2006). The directional motility of the growth cone at axonal tips is regulated by a variety of environmental factors that either promote/attract or inhibit/repel the axonal elongation (TessierLavigne and Goodman, 1996; Dickson, 2002). Although many families of guidance ligands and receptors have been recently identifi ed (Tessier-Lavigne and Goodman, 1996; Dickson, 2002; Charron and Tessier-Lavigne, 2005), the intricate signaling cascades that control and regulate axonal growth and guidance remain to be fully understood. The second messenger, cAMP, represents an important intracellular signal that exhibits profound effects on growth cone motility and guidance. Previous studies have linked elevated cAMP signaling with enhanced elongation of growth cones (Richter-Landsberg and Jastorff, 1986; Rydel and Greene, 1988; Zheng et al., 1994b). The importance of cAMP regulation of axonal growth is further augmented by recent fi ndings that manipulating the cAMP signaling pathway can overwrite the inhibitory/repulsive effects of some extracellular molecules on axonal growth, even converting them to attractive/ positive responses (Song and Poo, 1999). For instance, an elevation of cAMP levels has been shown to convert myelinassociated glycoprotein (MAG)–induced growth cone repulsion to attraction in culture and promote axonal regeneration in vivo (Song et al., 1998; Qiu et al., 2002; Spencer and Filbin, 2004). Therefore, the cAMP pathway could be a potential target for therapeutic intervention to promote nerve regeneration after injury and degeneration (Filbin, 2003; Skaper, 2005). At present, the exact signaling mechanisms underlying cAMP effects on growth cones remain unclear. The existence of the intricate cross talk of cAMP to other signaling pathways has added more complexity to this issue. For example, both Ca and cAMP are key second messengers involved in growth cone guidance by several extracellular cues, and Ca2+-dependent turning responses can be modulated by the cAMP pathway: the elevation of cAMP levels dictates attraction, whereas the inhibition of PKA results in repulsion (Song and Poo, 1999). It has been proposed that cAMP signaling could affect the Ca2+ signals elicited by extracellular cues through the modifi cation of Spatial targeting of type II protein kinase A to fi lopodia mediates the regulation of growth cone guidance by cAMP
Modular plant modelling for distributed control

This contribution deals with modelling of the uncontrolled plant behaviour on the sensor/actuator level that will eventually provide the basis for synthesis of distributed controllers. It presents a modular modelling formalism as well as a modelling methodology for model engineering rather than designing a model from scratch. The improved modelling formalism includes new modular system semantics. This enables us to study the dynamic behaviour of the modular model without performing a complete composition and thereby destroying the modular nature of the model. A well-structured modelling example of a laboratory plant is provided to illustrate the method. It shows that the method is able to cope with rather large systems of realistic scale.