Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AmgRS-mediated envelope stress-inducible expression of the mexXY multidrug efflux operon of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

AmgRS is an envelope stress‐responsive two‐component system and aminoglycoside resistance determinant in Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is proposed to protect cells from membrane damage caused by aminoglycoside‐generated mistranslated polypeptides. Consistent with this, a ΔamgR strain showed increased aminoglycoside‐promoted membrane damage, damage that was largely absent in AmgRS‐activated amgS‐mutant strains. Intriguingly, one such mutation, V121G, while providing for enhanced resistance to aminoglycosides, rendered P. aeruginosa susceptible to several ribosome‐targeting nonaminoglycoside antimicrobials that are inducers and presumed substrates of the MexXY‐OprM multidrug efflux system. Surprisingly, the amgSV121G mutation increased mexXY expression threefold, suggesting that export of these nonaminoglycosides was compromised in the amgSV121G mutant. Nonetheless, a link was established between AmgRS activation and mexXY expression and this was confirmed in studies showing that aminoglycoside‐promoted mexXY expression is dependent on AmgRS. While nonaminoglycosides also induced mexXY expression, this was not AmgRS‐dependent, consistent with these agents not generating mistranslated polypeptides and not activating AmgRS. The aminoglycoside inducibility of mexXY was abrogated in a mutant lacking the AmgRS target genes htpX and PA5528, encoding a presumed cytoplasmic membrane‐associated protease and a membrane protein of unknown function, respectively. Thus, aminoglycoside induction of mexXY is a response to membrane damage and activation of the AmgRS two‐component system.
Finite temperature behaviour of O'KKLT model

We summarize our work on the O'Raifeartaigh uplifted KKLT model at finite temperature. We study the system for parameter values for which the zero temperature potential for the volume modulus has a dS minimum. The temperature‐dependent part of the effective potential has a runaway behaviour for one exponent in the superpotential, whereas it can have local minima at finite field vevs for two exponents in the superpotential. However, it turns out that, despite the presence of those minima, the zero temperature dS vacuum is not destabilized by thermal corrections within the whole range of validity of our approximations.
Bioengineered nerve regeneration and muscle reinnervation

The peripheral nervous system has the intrinsic capacity to regenerate but the reinnervation of muscles is often suboptimal and results in limited recovery of function. Injuries to nerves that innervate complex organs such as the larynx are particularly difficult to treat. The many functions of the larynx have evolved through the intricate neural regulation of highly specialized laryngeal muscles. In this review, we examine the responses of nerves and muscles to injury, focusing on changes in the expression of neurotrophic factors, and highlight differences between the skeletal limb and laryngeal muscle systems. We also describe how artificial nerve conduits have become a useful tool for delivery of neurotrophic factors as therapeutic agents to promote peripheral nerve repair and might eventually be useful in the treatment of laryngeal nerve injury.
Compressed sensing for radio interferometric imaging: Review and future direction

Radio interferometry is a powerful technique for astronomical imaging. The theory of compressed sensing (CS) has been applied recently to the ill-posed inverse problem of recovering images from the measurements taken by radio interferometric telescopes. We review novel CS radio interferometric imaging techniques, both at the level of acquisition and reconstruction, and discuss their superior performance relative to traditional approaches. In order to remain as close to the theory of CS as possible, these techniques necessarily consider idealised interferometric configurations. To realise the enhancement in quality provided by these novel techniques on real radio interferometric observations, their extension to realistic interferometric configurations is now of considerable importance. We also chart the future direction of research required to achieve this goal.
Effect of concurrent use of anti-retroviral therapy and levonorgestrel sub-dermal implant for contraception on CD4 counts: a prospective cohort study in Kenya

Simultaneous use of contraceptive hormones and anti‐retroviral therapy (ART) may theoretically lessen the effectiveness of both. Women on ART need assurance that hormonal contraception is safe and effective. The sub‐dermal implant is an ideal product to study: low and steady progestin release and no adherence uncertainties. We sought to determine if the medications’ effectiveness is compromised.
Research on Channel Capacity of a MIMO Transform Domain Communication System

With the excellent ability of anti-interference, the conventional Transform Domain Communication System (TDCS) is conditioned in extensive application for the low data rates between the transmitter and the receiver. This paper presents a Multiple-input Multiple-output Transform Domain Communication System (MIMO-TDCS) by adding MIMO technique and V-BLAST receiver architecture to TDCS, by which improved the channel capacity. The paper introduces the scheme and function model of MIMO-TDCS as well, and analyzes its channel capacity mostly. The analysis shows that the channel capacity of the proposed MIMO-TDCS is higher than that of conventional system. Our simulation results also indicate that the proposed system is a kind of available communication technique which has interference mitigation ability in a certain extent.
Conjugation of quantum dots on carbon nanotubes for medical diagnosis and treatment

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and early detection provides the best possible prognosis for cancer patients. Nanotechnology is the branch of engineering that deals with the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. This area of science has the potential to help identify cancerous cells and to destroy them by various methods such as drug delivery or thermal treatment of cancer. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and quantum dots (QDs) are the two nanoparticles, which have received considerable interest in view of their application for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Fluorescent nanoparticles known as QDs are gaining momentum as imaging molecules with life science and clinical applications. Clinically they can be used for localization of cancer cells due to their nano size and ability to penetrate individual cancer cells and high-resolution imaging derived from their narrow emission bands compared with organic dyes. CNTs are of interest to the medical community due to their unique properties such as the ability to deliver drugs to a site of action or convert optical energy into thermal energy. By attaching antibodies that bind specifically to tumor cells, CNTs can navigate to malignant tumors. Once at the tumor site, the CNTs enter into the cancer cells by penetration or endocytosis, allowing drug release, and resulting in specific cancer cell death. Alternatively, CNTs can be exposed to near-infrared light in order to thermally destroy the cancer cells. The amphiphilic nature of CNTs allows them to penetrate the cell membrane and their large surface area (in the order of 2600 m2/g) allows drugs to be loaded into the tube and released once inside the cancer cell. Many research laboratories, including our own, are investigating the conjugation of QDs to CNTs to allow localization of the cancer cells in the patient, by imaging with QDs, and subsequent cell killing, via drug release or thermal treatment. This is an area of huge interest and future research and therapy will focus on the multimodality of nanoparticles. In this review, we seek to explore the biomedical applications of QDs conjugated to CNTs, with a particular emphasis on their use as therapeutic platforms in oncology.
Molecular systematics and distribution review of the endemic cyprinid species, Persian chub, Acanthobrama persidis (Coad, 1981) in Southern Iran (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

The Iranian Persian chub is an endemic species of the family Cyprinidae known only from few localities in drainages of Southern Iran. It was originally described in the genus Pseudophoxinus as (Pseudophoxinus persidis) and then Petroleuciscus (as Petroleuciscus persidis). In this study, we examined phylogenetic relationships of the Iranian Persian chub with other relatives in the family Cyprinidae based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene to estimate the phylogenetic (and taxonomic) position of the species. Our molecular phylogenies show that new fish sequences from the drainages in southern Iran are clustered with sequences of the genus Acanthobrama from GenBank while the sequences from two other genera (Pseudophoxinus and Petroleuciscus) are in distinct clade. Therefore, we conclude that the populations of Persian Chub in drainages of southern Iran (i.e., Kol, Kor, Maharlu and Persis) belong to the genus Acanthobrama and species Acanthobrama persidis. The predicted geographic distributions for the species showed a large area of suitable climate for A. persidis across south and west of Iran especially in the Kor River basin. Some other parts in the Persis and Tigris are also might have been suitable habitats for this cyprinid species showing possible dispersal route of Acanthobrama from Tigris to the Persis, Kor and Kol basins.
The importance of using multiple styles of generalization

There are many ways for a learning system to generalize from training set data. There is likely no one style of generalization which will solve all problems better than any other style, for different styles will work better on some applications than others. The authors present several styles of generalization and use them to suggest that a collection of such styles can provide more accurate generalization than any one style by itself. Empirical results of generalizing on several real-world applications are given, and comparisons are made on the generalization accuracy of each style of generalization. The empirical results support the hypothesis that using multiple generalization styles can improve generalization accuracy. <<ETX>>
Consequences of Proton Acceleration in Blazar Jets

Hadronic models of blazar emission constitute an interesting alternative to the more popular leptonic ones. Using the BL Lac object Mrk 421 as a characteristic example, we present two distinct ways of modeling the spectral energy distribution of blazars in the hadronic context, and we discuss the predictions of each variant on the spectral shape, the multi-wavelength variability, the cosmic-ray flux, and the high-energy neutrino emission. Focusing on the latter, we then present an application of the hadronic model to individual BL Lacs that were recently suggested to be the counterparts of some of the IceCube neutrinos.
Probabilistically Checkable Debate Systems and Nonapproximability of PSPACE-Hard Functions

We initiate an investigation of probabilistically checkable debate systems (PCDS), a natural generalization of probabilistically checkable proof systems (PCPS). A PCDS for a language L consists of a probabilistic polynomial-time verifier V and a debate between player 1, who claims that the input x is in L, and player 0, who claims that the input x is not in L. We show that there is a PCDS for L in which V flips O(log n) random coins and reads O(1) bits of the debate if and only if L is in PSPACE. This characterization of PSPACE is used to show that certain PSPACE-hard functions are as hard to approximate closely as they are to compute exactly.
Compact microstrip feedings with an elevated ground plane for thick folded SIW

Folded substrate integrated waveguide (FSIW) has been proposed for further size reduction, while keeping the advantages of traditional SIW. FSIW-based horn antennas are very promising in millimeter wave applications. To improve the bandwidth and efficiency of such antennas, a thick substrate is preferred but the microstrip feeding line becomes unacceptly wide to obtain a reasonable impedance. This paper introduces compact microstrip feeding lines with elevated ground plane for thick FSIW. Arbitrary characteristic impedance can be achieved without increasing the width of the feeding line, which will be very useful for the integration with other millimeter circuit components.
Evaluation of approximate stochastic Hodgkin-Huxley models

Fox and colleagues (Fox, 1997; Fox ang Lu, 1994) derived an algorithm based on stochastic differential equations for approximating the kinetics of ion channel gating that is substantially simpler and faster than "exact" algorithms for simulating Markov process models of channel gating. However, Mino and colleagues (2002) argued that the approximation may not be sufficiently accurate in describing the statistics of action potential generation. Bruce (2007) subsequently showed that some of the inaccuracies described by Mino et al. (2002 were due to implementation choices, but several important inaccuracies remained. The objective of this study was to develop a framework for analyzing the remaining inaccuracies and determining their origin. Simulations of a patch of membrane with voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels were performed using an exact algorithm for the kinetics of channel gating and the approximate algorithm of Fox. The Fox algorithm assumes that channel gating particle dynamics have a stochastic term that is uncorrelated, zero-mean Gaussian noise, whereas the simulation results of this study demonstrate that in many cases the stochastic term in the Fox algorithm should be correlated and non-Gaussian noise with a non-zero mean. The results indicate that the source of these differences in noise statistics is that the Fox algorithm does not adequately describe the combined behavior of the multiple activation particles in each sodium and potassium channel (three and four, respectively)
An Improved SIFT Algorithm Based on FAST Corner Detection

In this paper, we propose an improved SIFT algorithm based on FAST corner detection. We first estimate the level of the pyramid by the size of the image. Then, at each level, we estimate the threshold by the image content. By the threshold, we implement the FAST corner detection. At each level, the FAST corner detection, generation of SIFT descriptors and coordinate mapping are implemented by Wagner's idea. The experimental results show that our proposed algorithm has the similar matching performance and runs faster.
Forecast Combinations

We consider combinations of subjective survey forecasts and model-based forecasts from linear and non-linear univariate specifications as well as multivariate factor-augmented models. Empirical results suggest that a simple equal-weighted average of survey forecasts outperform the best model-based forecasts for a majority of macroeconomic variables and forecast horizons. Additional improvements can in some cases be gained by using a simple equal-weighted average of survey and model-based forecasts. We also provide an analysis of the importance of model instability for explaining gains from forecast combination. Analytical and simulation results uncover break scenarios where forecast combinations outperform the best individual forecasting model.
Disproportionality of African American Students in Special Education

Many students primarily those in the urban school districts are at risk of dropping out or not achieving their true academic potential. The school district used for this study, which is the poorest district of the recognized 5 biggest districts in New York State, has a dropout rate well below the statewide average (T. Harris, personal communication, March 18, 2011). The performance of its schools amounts to a barometer for the success of the city and the region. Who’s to blame? The teachers, the parents, administrators or state and federal officials who generate and promote funding and programs to the 859 districts throughout New York State. This paper will provide an in-depth investigation relating to the relationships teachers and students have that are from diverse cultural backgrounds. More importantly, the impact of these relationships on academic achievement on urban students will be investigated. The research will include the disproportionality of African Americans in special education programs, the subjective labels many children are given by teachers and medical practitioners, and the history of the public educational system regarding African Americans. Resources used for this research will include, professional journal articles, personal communications with teacher, medical practitioners and students, textbooks relating to culturally diverse teaching strategies and statistical data retrieved from reliable internet sources. Though most want personally acknowledge that they are many differences between teacher and student relationship, this continues to play a vital role in the outcome of the academic endeavor of students. As a result, all teachers and students must be aware of their own cultural biases to achieve their fullest academic and pedagogical zenith. Document Type Thesis Degree Name MS in Special Education Department Education Subject Categories Education This thesis is available at Fisher Digital Publications: http://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_ETD_masters/75 D i s p r o p o r t i o n a l i t y | 1 Disproportionality of African American Students in Special Education
UNUSUAL TRENDS IN SOLAR P-MODE FREQUENCIES DURING THE CURRENT EXTENDED MINIMUM

We investigate the behavior of the intermediate-degree mode frequencies of the Sun during the current extended minimum phase to explore the time-varying conditions in the solar interior. Using contemporaneous helioseismic data from the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) and the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI), we find that the changes in resonant mode frequencies during the activity minimum period are significantly greater than the changes in solar activity as measured by different proxies. We detect a seismic minimum in MDI p-mode frequency shifts during 2008 July–August but no such signature is seen in mean shifts computed from GONG frequencies. We also analyze the frequencies of individual oscillation modes from GONG data as a function of latitude and observe a signature of the onset of the solar cycle 24 in early 2009. Thus, the intermediate-degree modes do not confirm the onset of the cycle 24 during late 2007 as reported from the analysis of the low-degree Global Oscillations at Low Frequency frequencies. Further, both the GONG and MDI frequencies show a surprising anti-correlation between frequencies and activity proxies during the current minimum, in contrast to the behavior during the minimum between cycles 22 and 23.
SVM Modeling via a Hybrid Genetic Strategy. A Health Care Application

This paper addresses the model selection problem for Support Vector Machines. A hybrid genetic algorithm guided by Direct Simplex Search to evolves hyperparameter values using an empirical error estimate as a steering criterion. This approach is specificaly tailored and experimentally evaluated on a health care problem which involves discriminating 11 % nosocomially infected patients from 89 % non infected patients. The combination of Direct Search Simplex with GAs is shown to improve the performance of GAs in terms of solution quality and computational efficiency. Unlike most other hyperparameter tuning techniques, our hybrid approach does not require supplementary effort such as computation of derivatives, making them well suited for practical purposes. This method produces encouraging results: it exhibits high performance and good convergence properties.
Homomorphic modulation spectra

Physical evidence points to the importance of a concept called "modulation frequency". This dimension exists jointly with standard Fourier or acoustic frequency. Thus, akin to other time-varying analysis, we seek a two-dimensional representation, the "modulation spectrum", where the first dimension is the well-known acoustic frequency and the second dimension is modulation frequency. We describe some deficiencies in previous discussions of this concept, and then address those deficiencies via a homomorphic approach. We also reduce previous difficulties in homomorphic demultiplication by integrating this processing into modulation spectra and, in particular, show how assumption of analytic and relatively narrowband sub-bands allows more accurate and practical use of homomorphic demultiplication. Lastly, we show how an unambiguous demultiplication concept is only consistent with complex modulator envelopes. The assumption of complex envelopes is necessary for accurate modulation spectral analysis and filtering.
Multimodal Learning via Exploring Deep Semantic Similarity

Deep learning is skilled at learning representation from raw data, which are embedded in the semantic space. Traditional multimodal networks take advantage of this, and maximize the joint distribution over the representations of different modalities. However, the similarity among the representations are not emphasized, which is an important property for multimodal data. In this paper, we will introduce a novel learning method for multimodal networks, named as Semantic Similarity Learning (SSL), which aims at training the model via enhancing the similarity between the high-level features of different modalities. Sets of experiments are conducted for evaluating the method on different multimodal networks and multiple tasks. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of SSL in keeping the shared information and improving the discrimination. Particularly, SSL shows its ability in encouraging each modality to learn transferred knowledge from the other one when faced with missing data.
Simultaneous estimation of physiological parameters and the input function - in vivo PET data

Dynamic imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) is widely used for the in-vivo measurement of the regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMRGlc) with [/sup 18/F]fluorodeoxy-D-glucose (FDG), and is used for the clinical evaluation of neurological diseases. However, in addition to the acquisition of dynamic images, continuous arterial blood sampling is the conventional method of obtaining the tracer time-activity curve in blood (or plasma) for the numerical estimation of rCMRGlc in mg glucose/100 g tissue/min. The insertion of arterial lines and the subsequent collection and processing of multiple blood samples are impractical for clinical PET studies because it is invasive, it has the remote (but real) potential for producing limb ischemia, and it exposes personnel to additional radiation and the risks associated with handling blood. Based on a method for extracting kinetic parameters from dynamic PET images, we developed a modified version (post-estimation method) to improve the numerical identifiability of the parameter estimates when we deal with data obtained from clinical studies. We applied both methods to dynamic neurological FDG PET studies in three adults. We found that the input function and parameter estimates obtained with our noninvasive methods agreed well with those estimated from the gold-standard method of arterial blood sampling and that rCMRGlc estimates were highly correlated. No significant difference was found between rCMRGlc estimated by our methods and the gold-standard method. We suggest that our proposed noninvasive methods may offer an advance over existing methods.