Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurofilament cytoskeleton disruption does not modify accumulation of trophic factor mRNA

Previously we described a transgenic mouse model in which neurofilaments are sequestered in neuronal cell bodies and withheld from the axonal compartment. This model and other transgenic models with disrupted neurofilaments are used widely to investigate the role of the neurofilament cytoskeleton in normal neurons and in inherited or acquired diseases. To interpret such studies, it is important to establish whether the maldistribution of neurofilaments has major secondary consequences on the cell biology of the affected neurons. Notably, multiple perturbations of the nervous system simultaneously affect both the neuronal cytoskeleton and neurotrophin expression. To determine whether the expression of neurotrophic factors or their receptors is perturbed by a primary disruption in neurofilaments, we compared the accumulated mRNA levels for ciliary neuroptrophic factor (CNTF), nerve growth factor, neurotrophin 3, and the α CNTF receptor in mature transgenic mice and their littermate controls. Consistently with the prolonged survival of neurons expressing atypical or abnormally distributed neurofilaments, no obvious changes were observed for any of the mRNA species examined. J. Neurosci. Res. 64:487–492, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
More Applications of the Polynomial Method to Algorithm Design

In low-depth circuit complexity, the polynomial method is a way to prove lower bounds by translating weak circuits into low-degree polynomials, then analyzing properties of these polynomials. Recently, this method found an application to algorithm design: Williams (STOC 2014) used it to compute all-pairs shortest paths in n3/2Ω([EQUATION]log n) time on dense n-node graphs. In this paper, we extend this methodology to solve a number of problems in combinatorial pattern matching and Boolean algebra, considerably faster than previously known methods. First, we give an algorithm for Boolean Orthogonal Detection, which is to detect among two sets A, B ⊆ {0, 1}d of size n if there is an x ∈ A and y ∈ B such that 〈x, y〉 = 0. For vectors of dimension d = c(n) log n, we solve Boolean Orthogonal Detection in n2−1/O(log c(n)) time by a Monte Carlo randomized algorithm. We apply this as a subroutine in several other new algorithms: • In Batch Partial Match, we are given n query strings from from {0, 1, *}c(n)log n (* is a "don't care"), n strings from {0, 1}c(n)log n, and wish to determine for each query whether or not there is a string matching the query. We solve this problem in n2−1/O(log c(n)) time by a Monte Carlo randomized algorithm. • Let t ≤ v be integers. Given a DNF F on c log t variables with t terms, and v arbitrary assignments on the variables, F can be evaluated on all v assignments in v · t1−1/O(log c) time, with high probability. • There is a randomized algorithm that solves the Longest Common Substring with don't cares problem on two strings of length n in n2/2Ω([EQUATION]log n) time. • Given two strings S, T of length n, there is a randomized algorithm that computes the length of the longest substring of S that has Edit-Distance less than k to a substring of T in k1.5n2/2Ω([EQUATION]) time. • Symmetric Boolean Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSPs) with n variables and m constraints are solvable in poly(m) · 2n(1−1/O(log mn)) time.
Black hole entropy function and the attractor mechanism in higher derivative gravity

We study extremal black hole solutions in D dimensions with near horizon geometry AdS2 ? SD? 2 in higher derivative gravity coupled to other scalar, vector and anti-symmetric tensor fields. We define an entropy function by integrating the lagrangian density over SD? 2 for a general AdS2 ? SD? 2 background, taking the Legendre transform of the resulting function with respect to the parameters labelling the electric fields, and multiplying the result by a factor of 2? We show that the values of the scalar fields at the horizon as well as the sizes of AdS2 and SD? 2 are determined by extremizing this entropy function with respect to the corresponding parameters, and the entropy of the black hole is given by the value of the entropy function at this extremum. Our analysis relies on the analysis of the equations of motion and does not directly make use of supersymmetry or specific structure of the higher derivative terms.
Carbon nanotube/solder hybrid structure for interconnect applications

A carbon nanotube (CNT)/Solder hybrid bump structure is proposed in this work in order to overcome the drawbacks of high CNT resistivity while retaining the advantages of CNTs in terms of interconnect reliability. Lithographically defined hollow CNT moulds are grown by thermal chemical vapor deposition (TCVD). The space inside the CNT moulds is filled up with Sn-Au-Cu (SAC) solder spheres of around 10 μm in diameter. This CNT/Solder hybrid material is then reflowed and transferred onto target indium coated substrate. The reflow melts the small solder spheres into large single solder balls thus forming a hybrid interconnect bump together with the surrounding densified CNT walls, which the CNT and the solder serve as resistors in parallel. The electrical resistance of such a CNT/Solder structure is measured to be around 6 folds lower than pure CNT bumps.
Weakly Supervised Learning of Part Selection Model with Spatial Constraints for Fine-Grained Image Classification

Fine-grained image classification is challenging due to the large intra-class variance and small inter-class variance, aiming at recognizing hundreds of sub-categories belonging to the same basic-level category. Since two different sub-categories is distinguished only by the subtle differences in some specific parts, semantic part localization is crucial for fine-grained image classification. Most previous works improve the accuracy by looking for the semantic parts, but rely heavily upon the use of the object or part annotations of images whose labeling are costly. Recently, some researchers begin to focus on recognizing sub-categories via weakly supervised part detection instead of using the expensive annotations. However, these works ignore the spatial relationship between the object and its parts as well as the interaction of the parts, both of them are helpful to promote part selection. Therefore, this paper proposes a weakly supervised part selection method with spatial constraints for fine-grained image classification, which is free of using any bounding box or part annotations. We first learn a whole-object detector automatically to localize the object through jointly using saliency extraction and co-segmentation. Then two spatial constraints are proposed to select the distinguished parts. The first spatial constraint, called box constraint, defines the relationship between the object and its parts, and aims to ensure that the selected parts are definitely located in the object region, and have the largest overlap with the object region. The second spatial constraint, called parts constraint, defines the relationship of the object's parts, is to reduce the parts' overlap with each other to avoid the information redundancy and ensure the selected parts are the most distinguishing parts from other categories. Combining two spatial constraints promotes parts selection significantly as well as achieves a notable improvement on fine-grained image classification. Experimental results on CUB-200-2011 dataset demonstrate the superiority of our method even compared with those methods using expensive annotations.
A Three-Terminal Switch Model of Constant On-Time Current Mode With External Ramp Compensation

Multiphase constant on-time current-mode control based on pulse distribution structure is widely used in voltage regulator application for microprocessor. To minimize ripple cancellation effect, external ramp compensation is used in commercial products. However, external ramp will introduce dynamic to the system and stability margin will be suffered without considering its effect. This paper first studies the effect of external ramp by deriving small-signal transfer function based on describing function method. It is found that external ramp brings additional dynamic, with time constant related with switching period. Then, a simple equivalent circuit model based on three-terminal switch concept is proposed, which considers the effect of external ramp by adding an additional R-L branch. The equivalent circuit model can be reduced to previous unified three-terminal switch model when external ramp is zero and can be reduced to model of constant on-time voltage mode control when external ramp is much larger than inductor current ramp. The proposed three-terminal switch model is a complete model, which can be used to examine all transfer functions and is accurate up to half of switching frequency. The analytical transfer functions are provided for easy reference. The model is verified by SIMPLIS simulation and experimental measurement.
Is revamping your web site worthwhile?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study how web site quality affects traffic performance.Design/methodology/approach – An experimental design is employed to study how web quality affects traffic performance. A revamping of the experimental web site was used as the treatment, targeting visitors' perceived quality of the web site. Four traffic performance measures, page: views, visitor count, daily registrations, and average duration are tracked, and t‐tests are performed on pre‐treatment and post‐treatment data.Findings – The analysis shows very positive responses among members; visitor count, page views and average duration increased for opt‐in and opt‐out members. For visitor count, even non‐members showed increases. However, daily registration, which measures how many non‐members become members each day, did not change. Non‐members visited more, but neither viewed more pages, nor stayed longer. Average duration is identified as the key factor for discerning visitor groups.Research limitations/im.
An upper bound on the average throughput of opportunistic transmission in a multiple-access fading channel

This letter considers a multiple-access fading channel with opportunistic transmission of the users, i.e., only the user with the highest received power is allowed to transmit at a certain time slot. The transmit power randomization, independent of the channel estimates, is used in order to increase the fading rate, decrease the latency, and shape the distribution of the received powers. We derive the optimal distribution of the received powers that maximizes the throughput of the system, and measure possible gains compared with the long-term average throughput of the opportunistic transmission in a Rayleigh fading channel. The issue of unequal fading distributions of different users is also addressed.
EXTRAPETALS allows cymose branching in petunia by transiently repressing floral identity in sympodial meristems

Cymes and racemes form two broad types of inflorescence architecture. Racemes are monopodial and bear axillary flowers, but in cymes the main stem ends in an apical flower and is continued sympodially by a series of lateral shoots. In these shoots floral identity is delayed by a previously unknown mechanism. We show that the MADS-box transcription factor EXTRAPETALS (EXP) transiently represses floral identity in the sympodial meristems of petunia. While cymose branching is inhibited in exp, loss-of-function of the EXP homologs SVP and AGL24 from Arabidopsis causes the premature activation of floral organ identity genes in floral meristems, but this does not affect racemose branching. Our data indicate that the repression of floral identity that determines cymose and racemose body plans relies on distinct pathways that have no obvious mechanistic or evolutionary link, and suggest an evolutionary scenario in which cymes and racemes adopted similar means to different ends. "#$%&'()&#*+,,---62 "012.1""---"34$5
On the search of electromagnetic cosmological counterparts to coalescences of massive black hole binaries

We explore the nature of possible electromagnetic counterparts of coalescences of massive black hole binaries at cosmological distances detectable by the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). An electromagnetic precursor, during the last year of gravitational wave (GW)-driven inspiral, or an afterglow within few years after coalescence, may highlight the position in the sky of galaxies hosting the LISA sources. We show that observations of precursors and afterglows are mutually exclusive, depending on the mass of the primary black hole. Precursors are expected to occur in binaries where the primary (more massive) black hole is heavier than ∼10 7 M ⊙ . They may correspond to on-off states of accretion, that is, to a bright X-ray source decaying into quiescence before black hole coalescence, and are likely associated to disturbed galaxies showing signs of ongoing starbursts. Coalescences of lighter binaries, with masses ? 5 × 10 6 M ⊙ , lack of any precursor, as gas is expected to be consumed long before the GW-driven orbital decay. Such events would not be hosted by (massive) galaxies with an associated starburst, given the slow binary inspiral time compared to the typical time-scale of starbursts. In contrast, coalescence, for such light binaries, is followed by an electromagnetic afterglow, that is, an off-on accretion state rising in 20 yr. Using a cosmological merger tree algorithm, we show that future X-ray missions such as the XEUS will be able to identify, in 20-yr operation, almost all the massive BH binaries detectable by the LISA and, in only 5 yr, all the LISA sources at z > 6.
Energy Demand and Metabolite Partitioning in Spatially Lumped and Distributed Models of Neuron-Astrocyte Complex

The degrees of freedom of multi-compartment mathematical models for energy metabolism of a neuron-astrocyte complex may offer a key to understand the different ways in which the energetic needs of the brain are met. In this paper we address the problem within a steady state framework and we use the techniques of linear algebra to identify the degrees of freedom first in a lumped model, then in its extension to a spatially distributed case. The interpretation of the degrees of freedom in metabolic terms, more specifically in terms of glucose and oxygen partitioning, is then leveraged to derive constraints on the free parameters needed to guarantee that the model is energetically feasible. We also demonstrate how the model can be used to estimate the stoichiometric energy needs of the cells as well as the household energy based on observed oxidative cerebral metabolic rate (CMR) of glucose, and the glutamate cycling. Moreover, our analysis shows that in the lumped model the direction of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cells can be deduced from the glucose partitioning between the compartments. The extension of the lumped model into a spatially distributed multi-compartment setting that includes diffusion fluxes from capillary to tissue increases the number of degrees of freedom, requiring the use of statistical sampling techniques. The analysis of distributed model reveals that some of the conclusions, e.g., concerning the LDH activity and glucose partitioning, based on a spatially lumped model may no longer hold.
Attention Management in Virtual Community Environments *

The advent of modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has radically changed our ability to access information and to communicate. Whilst once information was a scarce, and hard to access resource, nowadays human attention has become the scarce resource and information (of all types and qualities) abounds. This state of things directly impacts processes of knowledge creation which demand a careful management of individual and collective attentional resources (Belmondo, 2006). It has become obvious that we need new methodologies and tools for managing the wide range of data, knowledge, and opportunities that have become available. It is increasingly recognised that ICT, whilst providing access to information and communication, should also support human limited cognitive abilities in the selection of the most relevant information and tasks. Such support, facilitating human attentional processes, may represent a critical factor in fostering innovation.
A new dynamic bandwidth allocation scheme in ethernet passive optical access networks

Ethernet passive optical networks (EPONs) have emerged as the best candidate for next-generation access networks. Propelled by rapid price declines in fiber optics and Ethernet components, these new EPON architectures combine the latest in optical and electronic advances, and are poised to become the dominant means of delivering bundled services over a single platform. This paper proposes a new EPON architecture capable of delivering bandwidth -intensive voice, data video services at distances beyond 25 km in the subscriber access network. Specifically, this paper proposes a two-stage EPON architecture that allows more end-users to share an OLT link, and enables longer access/reach. In addition, a new dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) algorithm is proposed to effectively and fairly allocate bandwidths between end users. This DBA algorithm can support differentiated services in a network with heterogeneous traffic. We conduct detailed simulation experiments to study the performance and validate the effectiveness of the proposed architecture and algorithms.
Reversible Image data Hiding using Lifting wavelet Transform and Histogram Shifting

A method of lossless data hiding in images using integer wavelet transform and histogram shifting for gray scale images is proposed. The method shifts part of the histogram, to create space for embedding the watermark information bits. The method embeds watermark while maintaining the visual quality well. The method is completely reversible. The original image and the watermark data can be recovered without any loss.
FPGA-based fast rain removal system using orientation-adaptive non-local mean filter

Advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) have developed in widespread use for traffic safety, they must include mechanisms functioning in bad weather conditions. However, the rain reduces visibility and degrade the effectiveness of computer vision algorithm when they are vision-based methods. We propose an orientation-adaptive non-local mean (OA-NLM) filter algorithm to further improve rain removal performance, removing rain streaks in images by high-performance denoising algorithm of NLM and improving computational cost using orientation-adaptive and computing module (CPM). The proposed method is implemented on a Xilinx FPGA system to improve the image processing speed. Experimental results show that the proposed method reduces 94.21% on execution time of image processing with hardware-software design.
A Novel Modality for Facet Joint Denervation: Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation for Lumbar Facet Syndrome. A Case Series.

BACKGROUND While cooled radiofrequency ablation (C-RFA) appears to be a promising technology for joint denervation, outcomes of this technique for the treatment of lumbar facet syndrome have not been described. We report clinical outcomes in a case series of patients treated with C-RFA for lumbar facet syndrome. METHODS Consecutive patients aged 18-60 years diagnosed with lumbar facet syndrome, confirmed by ≥75% symptom relief with at least one set of diagnostic medial branch nerve blocks, who underwent C-RFA between January 2007 and December 2013 in an urban academic pain center were included. The respective proportions of participants who reported ≥50% improvement in pain and in function were calculated. Change in median NRS score, daily morphine equivalent consumption (DME), and medication quantification scale III (MQS III) score were measured. RESULTS Twelve patients underwent C-RFA; three were lost to follow-up. The median and 25%-75% interquartile range (IQR) for age was 44 years (35, 54). The median duration of follow-up was 34 months, IQR (21, 55). The percentage and 95% confidence interval (CI) of patients who reported ≥50% improvement in pain was 33% CI (12%, 64%) and in function was 78%, CI (41%, 96%). There was no significant change in DME or MSQ III score. Approximately 50% of patients sought additional healthcare by long-term follow-up. No complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS This case series suggests that C-RFA may improve function and to a lesser degree pain at long-term follow-up. A randomized, controlled trial is warranted.
Probe response to a non-uniform E-field in a TEM cell

An ordinary calibration of an E-field probe using a TEM waveguide is carried out by assuming an ideal plane E-field incidence onto the probe. However, the E-field of a TEM cell does not have such an ideal field uniformity. In the present paper, the field distribution of a TEM cell is simulated by using a numerical method and responses of a short dipole probe to the calculated non-uniform E-field are investigated.
Persistent Tracking for Wide Area Aerial Surveillance

Persistent surveillance of large geographic areas from unmanned aerial vehicles allows us to learn much about the daily activities in the region of interest. Nearly all of the approaches addressing tracking in this imagery are detection-based and rely on background subtraction or frame differencing to provide detections. This, however, makes it difficult to track targets once they slow down or stop, which is not acceptable for persistent tracking, our goal. We present a multiple target tracking approach that does not exclusively rely on background subtraction and is better able to track targets through stops. It accomplishes this by effectively running two trackers in parallel: one based on detections from background subtraction providing target initialization and reacquisition, and one based on a target state regressor providing frame to frame tracking. We evaluated the proposed approach on a long sequence from a wide area aerial imagery dataset, and the results show improved object detection rates and ID-switch rates with limited increases in false alarms compared to the competition.
Plastidic Pathway of Serine Biosynthesis

In plants, Ser is biosynthesized by two different pathways: a photorespiratory pathway via Gly and a plastidic pathway via the phosphorylated metabolites from 3-phosphoglycerate. In contrast to the better characterization of the photorespiratory pathway at a molecular level, the molecular regulation and significance of the plastidic pathway are not yet well understood. An Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA encoding 3-phosphoserine phosphatase, the enzyme that is responsible for the conversion of 3-phosphoserine to Ser in the final step of the plastidic pathway of Ser biosynthesis, was cloned by functional complementation of an Escherichia coli serB − mutant. The 1.1-kilobase pair full-length cDNA, encoding 295 amino acids in its open reading frame, contains a putative organelle targeting presequence. Chloroplastic targeting has been demonstrated by particle gun bombardment using an N-terminal 60-amino acid green fluorescence protein fusion protein. Southern hybridization suggested the existence of a single-copy gene that mapped to chromosome 1. 3-Phosphoserine phosphatase enzyme activity was detected in vitro in the overexpressed protein in E. coli. Northern analysis revealed preferential gene expression in leaf and root tissues of light-grown plants with an ∼1.5-fold abundance in the root compared with the leaf tissues. This indicates the possible role of the plastidic pathway in supplying Ser to non-photosynthetic tissues, in contrast to the function of the photorespiratory pathway in photosynthetic tissues. This work completes the molecular cloning and characterization of the three genes involved in the plastidic pathway of Ser biosynthesis in higher plants.