Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voltage‐sensitive prestin orthologue expressed in zebrafish hair cells

Prestin, a member of the solute carrier (SLC) family SLC26A, is the molecular motor that drives the somatic electromotility of mammalian outer hair cells (OHCs). Its closest reported homologue, zebrafish prestin (zprestin), shares ∼70% strong amino acid sequence similarity with mammalian prestin, predicting an almost identical protein structure. Immunohistochemical analysis now shows that zprestin is expressed in hair cells of the zebrafish ear. Similar to mammalian prestin, heterologously expressed zprestin is found to generate voltage‐dependent charge movements, giving rise to a non‐linear capacitance (NLC) of the cell membrane. Compared with mammalian prestin, charge movements mediated by zprestin display a weaker voltage dependence and slower kinetics; they occur at more positive membrane voltages, and are not associated with electromotile responses. Given this functional dissociation of NLC and electromotility and the structural similarity with mammalian prestin, we anticipate that zprestin provides a valuable tool for tracing the molecular and evolutionary bases of prestin motor function.
BAHL, Christopher D. The mechanism of Stx1 incorporation in outer membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and its role in bacterial predation

Gram negative bacteria secrete vesicles that are formed when a portion of the outer membrane “blebs off” [1]. The lumen of these outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) contains a small portion of the periplasm. However, it appears that the quantity of most proteins found within OMVs does not reflect their periplasmic abundances [3]. This suggests the existence of a novel mechanism for the selection, concentration, and packaging of proteins for secretion inside OMVs. In the case of pathogenic bacteria, toxins are often secreted in association with OMVs, which can aid in delivery to other cells [4]. Infection by the pathogenic Escherichia coli strain O157:H7 is an international health concern, and the production of Shiga-like toxin (Stx) by these bacteria is a major contributor to its pathogenicity [5]. Stx1 produced by E. coli O157:H7 has been shown to localize within OMVs [6]. Very little is known about how OMVs are formed [7] or how the protein cargo they carry is loaded into them. In all cases that have been investigated, protein toxins that are packaged into OMVs are enriched [8-11]. Stx1 has yet to be directly shown to be enriched in OMVs. We propose that Stx1 is enriched in OMVs, and that this is achieved by associating with an as of yet unidentified outer membrane protein (OMP) while in the periplasm. This protein sequesters it for packaging and leaves the cell with Stx1 in the OMV. We will identify any proteins that are able to bind Stx1 within purified OMVs. The goal is to identify the mechanism by which virulence factors that are packaged into OMVs are selected, using Stx1 produced by E. coli O157:H7 as a model for exploration. In addition to pathogenesis, OMVs are effective vehicles for delivery of antimicrobial factors used in bacterial predation [12]. Since it has been shown that Stx1 can enter mammalian cells without the aid of OMVs [13], we propose that Stx1 may not be packaged into OMVs for delivery to mammalian tissue. Instead, Stx1 is packaged into OMVs to for delivery to bacteria that may be competing for nutrients, and again will be used block protein synthesis [14]. We will test this hypothesis by treating selected bacteria species with Stx1 containing OMVs. In doing so, we are seeking to elucidate an alternate role for Stx1 that does not involve direct pathogenic effects to mammals. Specific Aim 1: Test the hypothesis that Shiga-like toxin 1 packaging into OMVs is both a selective process and is mediated by protein factor(s). We will purify OMVs and periplasm from E. coli O157:H7 and characterize the quantity of Stx1 contained within them by Western blot. To identify protein components that provide packaging specificity for Stx1, we will first identify proteins that interact with Stx1 inside OMVs by mass spectrometry. Next, we will use gene deletions to test the role of these proteins in packaging
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities and LC-MS analysis of the antioxidant Ferula caspica M. Bieb. and F. halophila Peşmen extracts

The aim of the current study is to evaluate the biological activity of F. caspica M. Bieb. which is used for the treatment of diabetes in traditional Turkish medicine and to compare with F. halophila Peşmen. Antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents of the plants’ extracts were tested by DPPH radical scavenging assay and Folin Ciocalteu assay, respectively. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the extracts were investigated with the aim of indicating whether there was a correlation with their antioxidant capacities. Different quinic acid and flavonoid derivatives which may be responsible for the activities of the extracts were detected using LC-MS screening in the methanol extracts. The methanol extract from the aerial parts of F. caspica was found to show most antioxidant capacity and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.
An Efficient and Compact Reformulation of NIST Collision Estimate Test

In this paper we give an efficient and compact reformulation of NIST collision estimate test given in SP-800 90B. We correct an error in the formulation of the test and show that the test statistic can be computed in a much easier way. We also propose a revised algorithm for the test based on our findings.
A Semantic Data Model for Indoor Navigation

In this paper, we propose an indoor data model named Indoor Navigation Space Model (INSM). It is designed to support automatic derivation of the connectivity graph of a building. The INSM model provides an extended categorization of indoor spaces based on building semantics. It can be used to specify the nodes and edges of the connectivity graph. A UML class diagram of the INSM and a general approach of external data conversion are provided as well. An initial test of indoor path-finding is conducted and it demonstrates the feasibility of the INSM model to support indoor routing.
Incremental Stability Through Shifting and Removal of Mass

Recent advances in integrating physical logic into computation strategies have brought the mastermakers mentality back to the forefront of the digital era, yet a long-standing problem persists: ongoing efforts to develop reciprocal structures with gravitational forces tend to generate forms that are unable to be constructed without massive falsework. This paper explores the potential to intelligently remove material from the interior of a column drum in order to produce a leaning column that could contribute to solving this age-old problem. The paper describes the computation and fabrication logic required, then demonstrates a full-scale prototype and some of the discoveries that emerged as a result of the computation process. Incremental Stability Through Shifting and Removal of Mass
“ Further Analysis of the Forces on Keel and Rudder of a Sailing Yacht ” by :

In order to be able to calculate the forces on the keel and rudder of a sailing yacht more is to be known about their interaction. Both for determining the yaw balance of a sailing yacht as for the maneuvering it is of importance to have a good assessment on these forces because they determine the yaw moment to a large extent. Therefore a research project was set up in the Delft Shiphydromechanics Department to investigate the influence of the keel on the rudder. Aim was to improve on the side force prediction of keel and rudder and to assess the wake of the keel and the downwash on the rudder in various conditions. Based on the measured results the the previous developped formulation within the DSYHS for the keel residuary resistance is validated and a new formulation for the downwash behind the keel is presented. In addition the expression within the DSYHS for the sideforce on the yacht is improved for higher aspect ratios.
Method for wavelength locking of tunable diode lasers based on photoacoustic spectroscopy

Abstract. A new wavelength locking method for tunable diode lasers based on a photoacoustic (PA) detection unit is presented. A wavelength modulated laser is repeatedly tuned over an absorption line of a small molecule in the gaseous phase and the generated PA signal is recorded. In the phase variation curve of the recorded PA signal, there is a 180-deg phase reversal around the peak of the absorption line, and the corresponding inflection point is a characteristic wavelength feature to be used for wavelength locking. An automated algorithm has been developed, which has <2 s execution time if the optical absorption coefficient at the peak of the absorption line is at least 2×10−5 cm−1. With this algorithm, the wavelength of a near-infrared distributed feedback diode laser can be locked with an absolute accuracy of 60 fm (i.e., relative accuracy of 4×10−8) or better even at atmospheric sample gas pressure. As there is no need to stabilize the gas pressure or temperature or the concentration of the light absorbing component and the PA detection unit can be easily integrated into various experimental setups, the proposed method has the potential to be applicable even under demanding industrial or field conditions.
Augmentation for Offline Handwritten Signature Verification

Biometrics technology is used in a wide variety of security applications and mainly employed to verify a person’s identity due to the specific biometric traits associated with it. The objective of such systems is to distinguish between genuine signatures and forgeries. This work is focused on offline signature verification systems, which are based on images of scanned signatures (static) where dynamic information is not provided. However, for these systems usually, the amount of data available for each individual is limited to a small set of samples, what makes classification a challenging task. This study aims to analyze the results of writer-dependent and writer-independent classifiers by adding new signatures generated with deep generative adversarial networks, increasing the number of samples available for the classification task. keywords: offline signature verification system; DCGANs; Deep learning, Writerindependent classifier, Writer-dependent classifier
Formalization of Concurrent Performance Requirements in Building Problem Composition

Specification of performance requirements is an emerging area of research that promises to improve building design particularly during the early stages of design. Building problem decomposition and recomposition can be based on a number of requirement categories in order to group building functions into hierarchically organized groups. Traditionally this activity is known as stacking and blocking, or zoning; and limited to spatial requirements. Our long term objective is to broaden this set into a more comprehensive one, including thermal, acoustic, and daylighting; and improve the stateof-the-art in building performance specification. While domain information from various building performance areas may be applicable toward enriching the informational basis for stacking and blocking operations, this paper focuses primarily on the thermal and acoustic domain.
Directed Chromosome Loss by Laser Microirradiation

In this article I have presented data that indicate the feasibility of attaining the five objectives outlined in the introduction. It should be possible to assign genes to specific chromosome regions by (i) selective DNA deletion of a 0.25- to 0.5-�. m segment of one or both homologous chromosomes, (ii) deletion of one or both entire homologous chromosomes, or (iii) combining cell fusion with selective deletion of whole chromosomes and then deletion of chromosome segments. By laser microirradiation it should be possible to determine which chromosomes and chromosome regions are essential for immediate cell survival by removing from individual cells whole chromosomes, and chromosome segments from each of the chromosomes in the karyotype, and then assessing the cloning efficiency of each cell. For example, we have already determined that removal of one large chromosome No. 1 from PTK2 cells does not prevent the cell from undergoing a subsequent mitosis. It should also be possible to generate new classes of mutants by damaging small selected areas of DNA with the laser beam and then cloning the irradiated cells—but this has yet to be demonstrated. This procedure might reveal recessive alleles on the nonirradiated homolog, or might result in the direct production of a genetic mutation. Irradiation of identical places on both homologous chromosomes could result in deletion of a genetic locus which ultimately might be detected as a deficiency in a metabolic pathway or some other cellular abnormality. Studies on chromosome stability and DNA constancy can be conducted with laser irradiated cells. For example, the karyotypic analysis of chromosome No. 1 suggests that a cellular mechanism exists to maintain the constancy of this chromosome in both the diploid and tetraploid cell lines. The same approach could be used with each of the chromosomes in the karyotype. Various cytochemical procedures could be used for making quantitative DNA studies of the cells, and chromosome and DNA analyses could be performed at varying times following laser microirradiation. It might also be possible to study the repair of chromosomal damage caused by laser irradiation. The cells could be examined by autoradiographic, cytochemical, and electron microscopy procedures at varying times after irradiation, and because the precise location, time, and nature of the mutational event would be known, subsequent analysis of repair and alteration would be facilitated.
Wavelet denoising of multiframe optical coherence tomography data using correlation analysis

A new wavelet based algorithm for performing denoising of multiple frame Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) data is proposed. The method is based on the assumption that noise between frames is uncorrelated. By comparing multiple frames using an appropriate similarity measure we can distinguish between unwanted noise and image features. Two similarity measures are used for weighting wavelet coefficients of each frame. Final denoised image is constructed from weighted and averaged frames. Quantitative and qualitative analysis reveal the superiority of proposed algorithm over existing denoising approaches.
plasmid R 1 Metastable structures and refolding kinetics in hok mRNA of

Programmed cell death by hok /sok of plasmid R1 and pnd /pndB of R483 mediates plasmid maintenance by killing of plasmid-free cells. It has been previously suggested that premature translation of the plasmid-mediated toxin is prevented during transcription of the hok and pnd mRNAs by the formation of metastable hairpins in the mRNA at the 59 end. Here, experimental evidence is presented for the existence of metastable structures in the 5 9 leader of the hok and pnd mRNAs in vitro. The kinetics of refolding from the metastable to the stable structure in the isolated fragments of the 5 9 ends of both the hok and pnd mRNAs could be estimated, in agreement with the structural rearrangement in this region, as predicted to occur during transcription and mRNA activation. The refolding rates of hok and pnd structures are slow enough to allow for the formation of downstream hairpin structures during elongation of the mRNAs, which thereby helps to stabilize the metastable structures. Thus, the kinetic refolding parameters of the hok and pnd mRNAs are consistent with the proposal that the metastable structures prevent premature translation and/or antisense RNA binding during transcription.
Towards Flexible Offloading in Mobile-Cloud Computing

Mobile-cloud computing seeks to boost mobile devices by offloading compute-intensive tasks in mobile applications to more powerful machines. Existing mobile-cloud systems use a restricted strategy of computation and communication, which limits the scope of offloaded tasks and the applications that can utilize offloading. We explore the opportunities and challenges of relaxing this strategy along two axes: allowing communication while performing offloaded computation, and preserving remote state across offloaded computations. We propose four strategies across these two axes and develop a unified framework to find an offloading solution for a given program trace under each strategy. We do an empirical study on traces of 14 Android applications in various network settings. Our study yields insights into the limits and benefits of each strategy, and shows that allowing communication while performing offloaded computation gives significant performance and energy gains (2.7× average speedup and 4.4× average energy reduction).
Location Determination in Indoor Environments for Pedestrian Navigation

For the location determination of persons and objects in indoor environments a variety of systems have been developed in recent years. The main methods are described and compared in this paper, i.e., location methods using infrared, ultrasonic or radio signals and optical tracking systems. Thereby it can be distinguished if the system is specially designed for positioning and has to be installed in the building or if already available infrastructure (such as WiFi, UWB or Bluetooth) is employed. The indoor location techniques can be integrated in modern navigation systems where also a location determination of the user in a building is required apart from positioning in urban outdoor environments. As most common indoor location techniques provide only 2-D position determination, however, a challenging task is to determine the correct floor of a user in a multi-storey building. In this case it can be recommended to augment the positioning system with a barometric pressure sensor for direct observation of height differences. In the research project NAVIO (Pedestrian Navigation Systems in Combined Indoor/Outdoor Environements) conducted at our University tests with different sensors have been performed. The tests have shown that it is possible to determine the correct floor of a user using a barometric pressure sensor as the standard deviation of the estimation of the height differences is better than ± 1 m. Currently a combination of WiFi positioning with a barometric pressure sensor and other dead reckoning sensors (for observation of the direction of motion and traveled distance) is tested in our office building. A typical application would be the guidance and navigation of a pedestrian who is unfamiliar with the environment to a a certain office or a person at the Vienna University of Technology. The selcted approach and test results will be presented in the paper. number of mobile locating applications. In this paper an overview of indoor location techniques is given followed by a more detailed analysis of the use of Wireless Local Area Network (or WiFi) signals for indoor location determination. Recent performance test results of the WiFi positioning system 'ipos' in a localization testbed are presented. For 3-D location determination the system will be augmented with a barometric pressure sensor for direct observation of the altitude in the building. Using this sensor we are able to determine the correct floor of a user in a multi-storey building. Test results using the Vaisala pressure sensor PTB 220 are presented. In addition, other dead reckoning sensors for the measurement of the traveled distance and the direction of motion (or heading) are also necessary in a pedestrian navigation system and have been integrated in the design of the NAVIO system. The employed sensors are presented and their integration using a multi-sensor fusion model is briefly described.
Review on Avian Electrocardiogram

The avian cardiovascular system is designed to match the high metabolic demand of birds and it comprises of a large heart, high heart rate, high cardiac output, and high blood pressure. These unique high-performance features of the avian heart enable birds to fly, run, or dive. However, pet birds often are compromised in their cardiovascular capabilities by restricted exercise, poor diet, and abnormal climate. These factors may predispose for cardiovascular disease in captive birds (Martine, 2005). Many times backyard poultry companions are presented for evaluation for poor performance.
WP / 16 / 96 Structural Reform in Germany

This paper provides a quantitative evaluation of the macroeconomic, distributional, and fiscal effects of three reform proposals for Germany: i) a reduction in the social security tax in the low-wage sector, ii) a publicly financed expansion of full-day child care and full-day schooling, and iii) the further deregulation of the professional services sector. The analysis is based on a macroeconomic model with physical capital, human capital, job search, and household heterogeneity. All three reforms have positive short-run and long-run effects on employment, wages, and output. The quantitative effects of the deregulation reform are relatively small due to the smal size of professional services in Germany. Policy reforms i) and ii) have substantial macroeconomic effects and positive distributional consequences. Ten years after implementation, reforms i) and ii) taken together increase employment by 1.6 percent, potential output by 1.5 percent, real hourly pre-tax wages in the low-wage sector by 3 percent, and real hourly pre-tax wages of women with children by 2.7 percent. The two reforms create fiscal deficits in the short run, but they also generate substantial fiscal surpluses in the long-run. They are fiscally efficient in the sense that the present value of short-term fiscal deficits and long-term surpluses is positive for any interest (discount) rate less than 9 percent. JEL Classification Numbers: E24, E60, J2, J3