Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Four Tumor-Specific Promoters in Various Cancer Cell Lines

Specific tumor cell targeting remains a challenge for cancer gene therapy. One strategy in overcoming this challenge is by using tumorspecific promoters to drive the expression of delivered genes selectively in cancer cells. In this study, we selected 5′-upstream promoters of survivin, high-mobility group protein B2 (HMGB2), cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) and alpha-lactalbumin (LALBA), which have been observed to be significantly upregulated in tumors but have a low level of expression in normal tissues. Plasmid DNA coding for the Discosoma sp. red fluorescent protein (DsRed) under control of the selected promoters were constructed. The activities of these promoters in cancer cell line models of breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), glioblastoma (U-87 MG and C6), and medulloblastoma (DAOY) were assessed by flow cytometry and a microplate-reader assay. The promoter of cox-2 exhibited the highest transfection efficiency and activity among all the tested promoters, suggesting its broad applicability among multiple cancer types. Furthermore, the LALBA promoter showed the highest selectivity for breast cancer and medulloblastoma. These results should provide a framework for the further development of highly specific and active promoters for targeted cancer gene therapy.
Performance Analysis of Cooperative NOMA Schemes in Spatially Random Relaying Networks

In this paper, we propose a general framework to investigate cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) using two-stage relay selection (TSRS) in spatially random relaying networks. More specifically, we consider both amplify-and-forward and decode-and-forward protocols and compare the performance between them. From practical consideration, we adopt a stochastic geometry-based model and assume that the spatial topology of relays is modeled by using homogeneous Poisson point process (PPP). Based on such a setting, an effective coverage area of the relays modeled by using homogeneous PPP in cooperative NOMA systems is developed and performance comparison between TSRS and the conventional max–min RS scheme is also presented. According to the locations of the NOMA users, we develop the complete strategies for calculating the effective coverage area of the relays. Furthermore, in the high signal-to-noise ratio regime, asymptotic expressions are provided to show that the outage probability tends to a constant which is only related to the density of homogeneous PPP and the effective coverage area of the relays. For a given outage probability, we reveal the relationship between the shortest and longest radii of the effective district of the relays. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations are provided to verify the accuracy of the analytical results.
Poultry in Poland as Chlamydiaceae Carrier

Abstract Introduction: The study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Chlamydia spp. in poultry in Poland and estimate possible transmission to humans. Material and Methods: Molecular diagnostic methods followed by sequencing and strain isolation were used on cloacal/faecal swabs collected from 182 apparently healthy poultry flocks including chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. Serum samples obtained from people exposed (study group) and non-exposed (control group) to birds were tested by complement fixation test to acquire data on Chlamydia spp. antibody level. Results: Overall, 15.9% of the tested flocks were Chlamydiaceae-positive and three Chlamydia spp. were identified. Predominant chlamydial agent found was C. gallinacea occurring in 65.5% of all positive poultry flocks and in 73.0% of positive chicken flocks. The sequences from four chicken flocks were assigned to C. abortus, whereas C. psittaci was confirmed in one duck and one goose flock. The analysis of ompA variable domains revealed at least nine genetic variants of C. gallinacea. Chlamydial antibodies were detected in 19.2% of human serum samples in the study group in comparison with 10.8% in the controls. Conclusion: The obtained results confirm that chlamydiae are common among chicken flocks in Poland with C. gallinacea as a dominant species. Moreover, the presence of C. abortus in chickens is reported here for the first time. Further investigation should focus on possible zoonotic transmission of C. gallinacea and C. abortus as well as potential pathogenic effects on birds’ health and poultry production.
Use of over-the-scope-clip (OTSC) improves outcomes of high-risk adverse outcome (HR-AO) non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB)

Abstract Background and study aims Endoscopic treatment of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) with high-risk adverse outcome (HR-AO) features has a high risk of failure. We studied the safety and efficacy of over-the-scope clips (OTSC) to treat these lesions. Patients and methods We included patients who were treated using OTSC for NVUGIB from January 2015 to October 2017. We studied rebleeding and mortality rates and used the Rockall data and our institution’s prior data for comparison. We used descriptive and chi-square statistics. Results We studied 18 patients with 19 bleeding lesions: 9 (47 %) duodenal ulcers, 4 (21 %) Dieulafoy’s lesion, 3 (16 %) gastric ulcer, and 3 (16 %) bleeding after gastric biopsy, gastric polypectomy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of peri-gastric mass. We applied OTSC as the first-line treatment in 10 (53 %) and as the second-line treatment in 9 (47 %) bleeding lesions. Continued bleeding after OTSC occurred in six patients, but we treated it successfully and achieved complete hemostasis in all patients. We found OTSC use significantly decreased (0 % vs. 53 %, P < 0.01) and reduced (0 % vs. 24 %, P = 0.08) the rebleeding rate in our high-risk (RS ≥ 8) and intermediate-risk (RS = 4 – 7) Rockall score patients as compared to the rates reported by the Rockall study, respectively. When compared to our institution’s prior study, we found a decrease in the rebleeding rate with OTSC (0 % vs. 21 %, P = 0.06) in our intermediate-to-high risk Rockall score patients (RS ≥ 4). There was no difference in mortality rates as compared to both control studies. Conclusion Use of OTSC is safe, efficacious and appears superior to standard treatment for HR-AO NVUGIB. OTSC should be considered as first-line treatment for HR-AO bleeding.
Secure Energy Efficient Resource Allocation for OFDM Full-Duplex Relay Cooperative Networks

In this paper, we investigate the issue of resource allocation for secure communications in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based full- duplex (FD) relaying network, for maximizing the overall secure energy efficiency. Under the power constraint and minimum secrecy requirement, the resource allocation problem involves the subcarrier pairing and power allocation. The considered optimization problem is nonconvex, which is consequently transformed into a convex optimization problem by exploiting a series of mathematical tools, such as fractional programming, dual decomposition, alternative convex search, and DC programming, resulting in an efficient iterative resource allocation algorithm. Simulation results illustrate the suboptimal secure energy efficiency can be guaranteed by our proposed algorithm.
A dual-layer frequency selective surface for radiation diversity of a monopole antenna

The design and implementation of a dual-layer Frequency Selective Surface for radiation diversity of a dual-band antenna has been presented in this paper. In the proposed design, two FSS screens with metallic patches offering reflection at 5.5 GHz and metallic grids offering transmission at 3 GHz are placed at 90° at a specific distance from the antenna. The FSS improves antenna impedance bandwidth (−10 dB) from 20% to 42% and gain leading to a directive radiation over 4.5-6.5 GHz whereas maintaining omni-directional radiation around 3 GHz. A significant increase of 8-10 dB in antenna gain is achieved over 4.5-6.5 GHz with an average 12 dB with a variation of ±2 dB. The proposed antenna system can be used as an omni-directional radiator at 3 GHz (2.6–3.3 GHz) as well as a directional radiator in the 4.5-6.5 GHz band leading to radiation diversity.
Neuro-Music Therapy for Recent-Onset Tinnitus

The aim of this pilot study was the evaluation of the neuro-music therapy approach as a new treatment option for patients with recent-onset tinnitus whose tinnitus symptoms were enduring after initial pharmacological treatment. In all, 15 patients with recent-onset tinnitus took part in our manualized short-term music-therapeutic treatment. Tinnitus severity and individual tinnitus distress were assessed by the German version of the tinnitus questionnaire (TQ) and the Attention and Performance Self-Assessment Scale (APSA) at three different measurement times: baseline (T0), start of treatment (T1), and end of treatment (T2). Score changes in TQ and APSA from start to end of treatment indicated significant improvements in tinnitus-related distress. According to the Jacobson and Truax reliable change index (RC), 73.3% of the patients showed a reliable reduction in individual TQ-score. The neuro-music therapy for recent-onset tinnitus according to the “Heidelberg Model” introduced in this pilot study seems to provide an effective treatment option for patients with recent-onset tinnitus.
Dealing with Big Data : an Online , Row-by-Row , Estimation Tutorial

Novel technological advances allow distributed and automatic measurement of human behavior. While these technologies provide exciting new research opportunities, they also provide challenges: datasets collected using new technologies grow increasingly large, and in many applications the collected data are continuously augmented. These data streams make the standard computation of well-known estimators inefficient as the computation has to be repeated each time a new data point enters. In this tutorial paper, we detail online learning, an analysis method that facilitates the efficient analysis of Big Data and continuous data streams. We illustrate how common analysis methods can be adapted for use with Big Data using an online, or “row-by-row”, processing approach. We present several simple (and exact) examples of the online estimation and we discuss Stochastic Gradient Descent as a general (approximate) approach to estimate more complex models. We end this article with a discussion of the methodological challenges that remain. keywords Big Data, data streams, machine learning, online learning, Stochastic Gradient Descent
A multi-scale framework for the automated surveying of the Whangateau estuary using off-the-shelf equipment

We propose here a first attempt at meta-scale mapping for long-term marine ecosystem management by prototyping, advancing and applying an intelligent vision system to map the marine estate. We will offer a first glimpse at data collection that crosses scales using IR, colour and depth imagery data from the millimetric to the metric scale. We used proprietary hardware and algorithms to look at the activity of Polychaete worms (a recognized indicator of a healthy estuary environment) across spatial, temporal and physical scales, from micro to macro level. While our estimation of worm counts correlated weakly with manual expert ground truth, our system allowed a scaling of worm activity at various levels, which is a first attempt at marine ecosystem meta-scale mapping capabilities. The field investigations took place on a stretch of intertidal area in the Auckland Region near the Leigh Marine Laboratory, which allows easy access to a typical marine ecosystem, ensures natural illumination, and is rich in complex interactions in the underwater biotic/abiotic interface.
Physical and Mental Effects of Bathing: A Randomized Intervention Study

Showering is the most common form of bathing worldwide. Whole-body immersion bathing in warm water (~40°C) is common in Japan and exerts sufficient hyperthermic action to induce vasodilatation and increase blood flow, supplying more oxygen and nutrients to the periphery. Cross-sectional studies report better subjective health status with an immersion bathing habit. This randomized controlled trial compared the effects on health of immersion bathing and shower bathing in 38 participants who received 2-week intervention of immersion bathing in warm water (40°C) for 10 min (bathing intervention) followed by 2-week shower bathing without immersion (showering intervention) or vice versa (n = 19 each group). Visual analog scale scores were significantly better for fatigue, stress, pain, and smile and tended to be better for self-reported heath and skin condition after bathing intervention than after showering intervention. The SF-8 Health Survey showed significantly better general health, mental health, role emotional, and social functioning scores. Profile of Mood State scores were lower for stress, tension-anxiety, anger-hostility, and depression-dejection. Immersion bathing, but not shower bathing, exerts hyperthermic action that induces increased blood flow and metabolic waste elimination, which may afford physical refreshment. Immersion bathing should improve both physical and emotional aspects of quality of life.
Nonequilibrium properties of trapped ions under sudden application of a laser

Coherent quantum-state manipulation of trapped ions using classical laser fields is a trademark of modern quantum technologies. In this work, we study aspects of work statistics and irreversibility in a single trapped ion due to sudden interaction with the impinging laser. This is clearly an out-of-equilibrium process where work is performed through illumination of an ion by the laser. Starting with the explicit evaluation of the first moments of the work distribution, we proceed to a careful analysis of irreversibility as quantified by the nonequilibrium lag. The treatment employed here is not restricted to the Lamb-Dicke limit, which allows us to investigate the interplay between nonlinearities and irreversibility. We show that in these multiquantum or sideband regimes, variation of the Lamb-Dicke parameter causes a nonmonotonic behavior of the irreversibility indicator. Counterintuitively, we find a working point where nonlinearity helps reversibility, making the sudden quench of the Hamiltonian closer to what would have been obtained quasistatically and isothermally.
Understanding Why Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Join Diabetes Online Communities: Semantic Network Analyses

Background As individuals age, chronic health difficulties may disrupt physical and social well-being. Individuals can turn to online communities to interact with similar peers, which may help buffer negative effects resulting from health difficulties. Objective This study investigated the reasons that older adults join a diabetes online community to better understand the specific resources that are being sought. Methods We used semantic network analyses to categorize the reasons participants provided for joining a community during the sign-up process. Results The most frequent reasons for joining were to seek information about their health condition, to help with self-management of health difficulties, for feelings of informational and social support, and for having a community with whom to share. Women were more likely to go online for sharing and companionship as well as for information and social support reasons, whereas men were more likely to go online for general information and self-management reasons. Conclusions This study shows the reasons older adults seek to join a diabetes online community: for increased information and support regarding chronic health difficulties. Practitioners may want to consider ways to promote access to online communities among their older patients as a source of health information and a resource to provide a sense of community.
Effects of vitamin D3 on expression of defensins, Toll-like receptors, and vitamin D receptor in liver, kidney, and spleen of Silky Fowl.

The expression of avian β-defensins (AvBDs), Toll-like receptors (), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) following in vivo vitamin D 3 injection was studied . Healthy 90-day Silky Fowls were abdominally injected with vitamin D 3 or untreated. Real-time PCR analyses revealed that injection of vitamin D 3 significantly ( P < 0.05) up-regulated the expression of TLRs (TLR2, TLR5), VDR, AvBDs (AVBD-6 , GAL-1), and 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) in the tissues (liver, spleen, and kidney) at various times 8-24 h post injection. These results sug - gest that expression of VDR, AvBDs, and TLRs seems to be induced by vitamin D and it was concluded that the tissues expressing TLRs and VDR respond to vitamin D 3 and in turn upregulate these tissues cellular func - tions to synthesize AvBDs. Intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D 3 likely resulted in enhancing the expression of AvBDs, TLRs, and VDR, which provided insight into factors important for the control of the innate immune response in the chickens.
The potential significance of microbial Fe(III) reduction during deposition of Precambrian banded iron formations

During deposition of late Archean–early Palaeoproterozoic Precambrian banded iron formations (BIFs) the downward flux of ferric hydroxide (Fe(OH)3) and phytoplankton biomass should have facilitated microbial Fe(III) reduction. However, quantifying the significance of such a metabolic pathway in the Precambrian is extremely difficult, considering the post‐depositional alteration of the rocks and the lack of ideal modern analogues. Consequently, we have very few constraints on the Fe cycle at that time, namely (i) the concentration of dissolved Fe(II) in the ocean waters; (ii) by what mechanisms Fe(II) was oxidized (chemical, photochemical or biological, the latter using either O2 or light); (iii) where the ferric hydroxide was precipitated (over the shelf vs. open ocean); (iv) the amount of phytoplankton biomass, which relates to the nutrient status of the surface waters; (v) the relative importance of Fe(III) reduction vs. the other types of metabolic pathways utilized by sea floor microbial communities; and (vi) the proportion of primary vs. diagenetic Fe(II) in BIF. Furthermore, although estimates can be made regarding the quantity of reducing equivalents necessary to account for the diagenetic Fe(II) component in Fe‐rich BIF layers, those same estimates do not offer any insights into the magnitude of Fe(III) actually generated within the water column, and hence, the efficiency of Fe and C recycling prior to burial. Accordingly, in this study, we have attempted to model the ancient Fe cycle, based simply on conservative experimental rates of photosynthetic Fe(II) oxidation in the euphotic zone. We estimate here that under ideal growth conditions, as much as 70% of the biologically formed Fe(III) could have been recycled back into the water column via fermentation and organic carbon oxidation coupled to microbial Fe(III) reduction. By comparing the potential amount of biomass generated phototrophically with the reducing equivalents required for Fe(III) reduction and magnetite formation, we also hypothesize that another anaerobic metabolic pathway might have been utilized in the surface sediment to oxidize the fermentation by‐products. Based on the premise that the deep ocean waters were anoxic, this role could have been fulfilled by methanogens, and maybe even methanotrophs that employed Fe(III) reduction.
Effect of Molasses Distillers Condensed Soluble on Nutrients Digestibility, Performance and Some Blood Biological Parameters in Lambs

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary molasses distillers condensed soluble (MDCS) on nutrients digestibility, performance, carcass traits and some blood biological parameters in Lori male lambs. A total of 24 male lambs (aged 8 months, 31.16±1.10 kg) were randomly assigned to each of 4 dietary treatments with 6 replicate. The experimental animals were daily offered a basal diet with 0, 5, 10 and 15 percentage of MDCS/Kg DM of total ration, which were mixed with wheat straw and alfalfa hay. The results of the study indicated that the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of alfalfa hay were increased (P<0.05) by using the MDCS. The invivo apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and NDF of experimental diets were increased (P<0.05) by incorporation of MDCS at the level of 15%. There were no significant differences among treatments in average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), carcass characteristics and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Serum metabolites and liver enzymes were also not affected due to incorporation of MDCS in the diets. In conclusion, MDCS can be used as a source of protein and energy for ruminants, which can be mixed with hay or concentrate and could safely be used as a feed ingredient up to 15% to the male lamb’s diet without any detrimental effects. Original Research Article Annual Research & Review in Biology, 4(2): 443-450, 2014 444
Superconducting Wideband Bandpass Filter Based on Triple-Mode Resonator

A high-temperature superconducting wideband bandpass filter based on a triple-mode resonator is developed in this letter. A novel triple-mode resonator, which can not only generate a wide passband at low frequency but also suppress the harmonic responses and obtain a wide stopband, is proposed. To further improve the selectivity, we load two stubs at the input and output ports to generate one transmission zero at the low passband. The simulation results show that the filter is centered at 1 GHz (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{c}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) with 111% 3-dB fractional bandwidth and has an upper stopband to 3.5 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{c}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The measured results show that the return loss is larger than 15 dB, and the insertion loss is less than 0.26 dB.
Of mice, men, and machines: Real and artificial deep networks for vision

Artificial neural networks are inspired by neuro-biology, implementing distributed computation by representing and manipulating data in the same structure. Deep convolutional networks (CNNs) have shown exceptional performance in a range of visual processing tasks, and an analogy can be made between the structure of CNNs and the visual processing in mammals. In this paper we investigate this analogy within Marr and Poggio's four-level model of information processing, identifying similarities and differences between artificial and real networks for general purpose visual processing. While the overall structure of the real and artificial networks are quite similar, several key differences suggest avenues for further research. In particular, the prevalence of lateral inhibition and recurrent connections in biological networks suggests new architectures that may be useful in future CNN research. We also note that in some respects current CNN architectures are more similar to the visual system of mice than of humans, although whether this is important for specific tasks is an open question.
High frequency induction heated synthesis and consolidation of nanostructured ZrSi 2 from mechanically activated ( Zr + 2 Si ) powders

Jeong-Hwan Park , Kee-Seok Namc, Byung-Soo Lee, Won-Baek Kim and In-Jin Shon* Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, the Research Center of Industrial Technology, Chonbuk National University, 66414 Deokjin-dong 1-ga, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-756, Republic of Korea Department of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Engineering, Specialized Graduate School, Chonbuk National University, 664-14 Deokjin-dong 1-ga, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-756, Republic of Korea Korea Institute of Materials Science 531 Changwondaero, Changwon, Gyeongnam, 641-831, Korea Minerals and Materials Prcessing Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, 30 Gajeong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-350, Republic of Korea