Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A versatile tRNA modification-sensitive northern blot method with enhanced performance

The 22 mitochondrial and ∼45 cytosolic tRNAs in human cells contain several dozen different post-transcriptional modified nucleotides such that each carries a unique constellation that complements its function. Many tRNA modifications are linked to altered gene expression, and deficiencies due to mutations in tRNA modification enzymes (TMEs) are responsible for numerous diseases. Easily accessible methods to detect tRNA hypomodifications can facilitate progress in advancing such molecular studies. Our laboratory developed a northern blot method that can quantify relative levels of base modifications on multiple specific tRNAs ∼10 yr ago, which has been used to characterize four different TME deficiencies and is likely further extendable. The assay method depends on differential annealing efficiency of a DNA-oligo probe to the modified versus unmodified tRNA. The signal of this probe is then normalized by a second probe elsewhere on the same tRNA. This positive hybridization in the absence of modification (PHAM) assay has proven useful for i6A37, t6A37, m3C32, and m2,2G26 in multiple laboratories. Yet, over the years we have observed idiosyncratic inconsistency and variability in the assay. Here we document these for some tRNAs and probes and illustrate principles and practices for improved reliability and uniformity in performance. We provide an overview of the method and illustrate benefits of the improved conditions. This is followed by data that demonstrate quantitative validation of PHAM using a TME deletion control, and that nearby modifications can falsely alter the calculated apparent modification efficiency. Finally, we include a calculator tool for matching probe and hybridization conditions.
A new IIR Nyquist filter with zero intersymbol interference and its frequency response approximation

A new infinite impulse response (IIR) Nyquist filter with zero intersymbol interference is proposed. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the transfer function are obtained. The proposed IIR Nyquist filter requires only frequency-domain optimization. Multistep optimization, using the iterative Chebyshev approximation, is proposed. This method is able to design a new kind of IIR Nyquist filter with the minimum order. Numerical examples for 30- and 15-percent rolloff rates are illustrated. From these examples, it is confirmed that the IIR approach can reduce the filter order and hardware size, compared with the conventional finite impulse response (FIR) Nyquist filters. Its efficiency becomes marked for high Q Nyquist filters.
Exogenous Application of Low-Concentration Sugar Enhances Brassinosteroid Signaling for Skotomorphogenesis by Promoting BIN2 Degradation

In plants, seedling growth is subtly controlled by multiple environmental factors and endogenous phytohormones. The cross-talk between sugars and brassinosteroid (BR) signaling is known to regulate plant growth; however, the molecular mechanisms that coordinate hormone-dependent growth responses with exogenous sucrose in plants are incompletely understood. Skotomorphogenesis is a plant growth stage with rapid elongation of the hypocotyls. In the present study, we found that low-concentration sugars could improve skotomorphogenesis in a manner dependent on BR biosynthesis and TOR activation. However, accumulation of BZR1 in bzr1-1D mutant plants partially rescued the defects of skotomorphogenesis induced by the TOR inhibitor AZD, and these etiolated seedlings displayed a normal phenotype like that of wild-type seedlings in response to both sucrose and non-sucrose treatments, thereby indicating that accumulated BZR1 sustained, at least partially, the sucrose-promoted growth of etiolated seedlings (skotomorphogenesis). Moreover, genetic evidence based on a phenotypic analysis of bin2-3bil1bil2 triple-mutant and gain-of-function bin2–1 mutant plant indicated that BIN2 inactivation was conducive to skotomorphogenesis in the dark. Subsequent biochemical and molecular analyses enabled us to confirm that sucrose reduced BIN2 levels via the TOR–S6K2 pathway in etiolated seedlings. Combined with a determination of the cellulose content, our results indicated that sucrose-induced BIN2 degradation led to the accumulation of BZR1 and the enhancement of cellulose synthesis, thereby promoting skotomorphogenesis, and that BIN2 is the converging node that integrates sugar and BR signaling.
Exploring the DPP-IV Inhibitory, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential of Ovine “Scotta” Hydrolysates

The aim of this work was to valorize the by-product derived from the ricotta cheese process (scotta). In this study, ovine scotta was concentrated by ultrafiltration and then subjected to enzymatic hydrolyses using proteases of both vegetable (4% E:S, 4 h, 50 °C) and animal origin (4% E:S, 4 h, 40 °C). The DPP-IV inhibitory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of hydrolysates from bromelain (BSPH) and pancreatin (PSPH) were measured in vitro. Both the obtained hydrolysates showed a significantly higher DPP-IV inhibitory activity compared to the control. In particular, BSPH proved to be more effective than PSPH (IC50 8.5 ± 0.2 vs. 13 ± 1 mg mL−1). Moreover, BSPH showed the best antioxidant power, while PSPH was more able to produce low-MW peptides. BSPH and PSPH hydrolysates showed a variable but slightly inhibitory effect depending on the species or strain of bacteria tested. BSPH and PSPH samples were separated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). LC-MS/MS analysis of selected GPC fractions allowed identification of differential peptides. Among the peptides 388 were more abundant in BSPH than in the CTRL groups, 667 were more abundant in the PSPH group compared to CTRL, and 97 and 75 of them contained sequences with a reported biological activity, respectively.
59.3: Integrated Optical Touch Panel in a 14.1″ AMLCD

The first XGA AMLCD (14.1″) incorporating integrated high‐resolution touch capability by optical means is demonstrated. The optical a‐Si sensor array (256×192) embedded in the TFT backplane operates with either shadow of touch from the ambient light, or with external light sources. The integration of the complete system with algorithms, optical means, its unique properties and potential applications will be discussed.
Integration of deformable mirror devices with optical fibers and waveguides

Deformable Mirror Devices (DMDs) have been under development at Texas Instruments for several years, primarily as spatial light modulators for free-space optical applications such as analog phase modulation and digital projection imaging. A DMD consists of one or more electrostatically deflectable micromechanical aluminum mirror elements, including both micromirrors suspended from thin flexible hinges and membranes. These devices are fabricated using low temperature silicon-compatible semiconductor processing techniques, and thus can be monolithically fabricated over any addressing circuitry. In the last few years DMDs have been integrated into optical fiber switching systems, and efforts are underway to integrate them as routing switches onto optical waveguides. The DMDs used for optical fiber switching are torsion-hinged devices similar to those used for projection imaging. These devices have been integrated with multimode fibers to construct a 4 X 4 multimode optical fiber cross-bar switch with a 19 dB optical (80:1) extinction ratio for all 16 channels. Extinction ratios of 73 dB optical (20 X 106) have been achieved for single point single mode switches. The waveguide switches currently under development are deformable membranes which are monolithically fabricated on silicon wafers with phosphosilicate glass (PSG) waveguide directional couplers to form optical time delay path selection switches. In this paper we describe the fabrication of deformable mirrors, their integration with optical fibers and waveguides, and the resulting system performance.
Full-wave characterization of the mode conversion in a coplanar waveguide right-angled bend

A full-wave algorithm is proposed to analyze thoroughly a 90/spl deg/ bend of coplanar waveguide (CPW). Based on the mixed potential integral equation (MPIE) formulation, the equivalent magnetic current distribution on the apertures is solved by the moment method using overlapping rooftop basis functions and the Galerkln weighting procedure. The matrix pencil approach is then utilized to do the de-embedding procedure and extract both the coplanar and slotline modes scattering off the asymmetric discontinuity. Experiments are performed to measure the scattering parameters and the results verify the accuracy of the present algorithm. The full 4/spl times/4 scattering matrix between these two modes is presented from which the occurrence of the mode conversion is investigated. The mode conversion is noticed to become almost complete at certain frequencies, which may be useful in the design of CPW to coupled slotline transition. >
TIO2-ENABLED POLYVYNYLIDENE FLUORIDE FOR PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT TREATMENT: EFFECTS OF MEMBRANE MORPHOLOGY AND AERATION ON FLUX AND SUSPENDED SOLID REMOVAL

A polyvinylidene fluoride-based mixed matrix membrane (PVDF- MMM) has been developed to treat palm oil mill effluent (POME). The addition of TiO2 into PVDF membrane was conducted. Hollow fibers were spun from a dope solution containing PVDF/PVP 30K/DMAc/additives by using a dry-jet wet spinning process at different air gaps. AFM image demonstrated that wet spun hollow fiber had a rougher outer surface than that of dry-jet wet spun fibers and exhibited symmetric cross-section structure. Experimental results showed that hydrophilicity of membranes increased with adding of TiO2 particles and the varied air gap length influenced the characteristic of membrane pore size and outer membrane surface roughness. In addition, aeration could increase the turbulence and flux and reduce membrane fouling. The values of flux and suspended solids removal were 92.04 L/m2.hr and 94.86 %, respectively, with the varied aeration flow rate of 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mL/min and bubble size distribution of 4.0 µm. Overall, this study has proven that PVDF-based MMM could achieve expected performance for POME treatment.
Multi-Layer Learning Machines and Smart Sensor Applications

Data-driven smart sensors are being widely used in industrial applications to estimate and evaluate the quality of critical variables. By using physical devices, most of the critical variables are being measured with difficulties. When process data is discarded, The quality variables sampling rate of majority of the smart sensors have been developed on labeled and labeled number of samples, small and large. The prediction accuracy enhancement quality will limit the large loss of information being generated from a measuring device. However, utilizing all available process data contained information, is a major and common issue of data-driven smart sensor. In this article, a new Multi-Layer Learning Machine (MLLM) approach is recommended for the applications of smart sensors Using the Extreme Learning Machine as a foundation (ELM). Initially, a semi-supervised auto-encoders deep network structure is being used as an extraction for unsupervised feature with the reference to all process samples. At that point, extreme learning machine is used for regression with the quality variable added. In the meantime, the manifold regularization technique is presented for MLLM. The new strategy can deeply separate, and information is extracted from the data contains, and get more data from the unlabeled samples. The proposed MLLM procedure is implemented in a debutanizer column application to assess the C4 contents. Finally, the simulation result verify that our approach enhances both of the expectation and prediction accuracy in comparison with the available methods.
How counter-fate relational practices mitigate resource acquisition challenges during project nascence

Research shows that embedded relations can facilitate the resource acquisition process in entrepreneurship. Yet, as relations are dynamic and subject to change, it remains unclear how entrepreneurs can acquire necessary resources when pre-existing ties may not yet or no longer be relevant, sufficient or accessible. Under these circumstances, acquiring necessary resources is a challenge and one that novice entrepreneurs in project-based enterprises face repeatedly as they seek to sustain their businesses. Evidence from 123 projects developed by six newly formed independent television production companies in the United Kingdom shows that new entrepreneurs can manoeuvre around constraints by engaging in one of four counter-fate relational practices: posturing (i.e. exaggerating interest from key ties), status sequencing (i.e. developing key relations in sequence based on status), geographic sequencing (i.e. attaining key ties in sequence based on location), and opportunistic manoeuvring (i.e. manipulating the opportunism of potential resource holders). We contribute to entrepreneurship research by showing how resources can be acquired despite a lack of key embedded ties, and highlight enabling conditions; and to project studies by illustrating how projects progress past nascence to launch and acquire new clients or repeat commissions.
Measurement of Harmonic Power Generated by Microwave Transmitters

A measurement technique is described that can be used to determine quantitatively the power levels of the higher order modes propagating in a straight, Iossless, rectangular waveguide. The technique employs a number of small calibrated electric probes which are fied on the broad and narrow walls of the waveguide measurement section to sample the electric fields within. The method used to calibrate these probes is briefly discussed, and information on accuracy and limitations of the probe technique is presented. Some measurement results on the power levels in the modes of the second and third harmonic frequencies in the outputs of high power S-band magnetrons and klystrons are presented. The multiple-probe technique has reduced the time required to take measurements at a given frequency to about one-half hour. An automatic computer has been programmed to perform all of the required mathematical operations and has reduced the computation time to less than one-half hour for each measurement frequency.
Research Support through Programming: Developing an Automation-Assisted Literature Search

This case study describes the work of librarians at the Lippincott Library of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in developing a novel approach to supporting research through programming. Approached by researchers for assistance with a large-scale literature search that also involved text extraction, we utilized both traditional bibliographic indexes (Web of Science) and citation management tools (EndNote) and less-traditional tools like the programming language Python and a PDF extraction program (LA-PDFText) to approach different sections of the project. This article outlines that process and briefly discusses the potential for developing new services in business libraries around programmatic research support.
Comparative LCAs of Conventional and Mass Timber Buildings in Regions with Potential for Mass Timber Penetration

Manufacturing of building materials and construction of buildings make up 11% of the global greenhouse gas emission by sector. Mass timber construction has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by moving wood into buildings with designs that have traditionally been dominated by steel and concrete. The environmental impacts of mass timber buildings were compared against those of functionally equivalent conventional buildings. Three pairs of buildings were designed for the Pacific Northwest, Northeast and Southeast regions in the United States to conform to mass timber building types with 8, 12, or 18 stories. Conventional buildings constructed with concrete and steel were designed for comparisons with the mass timber buildings. Over all regions and building heights, the mass timber buildings exhibited a reduction in the embodied carbon varying between 22% and 50% compared to the concrete buildings. Embodied carbon per unit of area increased with building height as the quantity of concrete, metals, and other nonrenewable materials increased. Total embodied energy to produce, transport, and construct A1–A5 materials was higher in all mass timber buildings compared to equivalent concrete. Further research is needed to predict the long-term carbon emissions and carbon mitigation potential of mass timber buildings to conventional building materials.
Hyperspectral image compression based on 3D reversible integer lapped transform

Transform coding proves to be efficient and practical for image compression. A three-dimensional reversible integer lapped transform (3D-RLT) is presented. Moreover, based on 3D-RLT, a progressive lossy-to-lossless compression algorithm is proposed for hyperspectral images. Experimental results demonstrate that the 3D-RLT performs better than a 3D 9/7 wavelet transform (3D-9/7WT) at most bit rates in lossy compression, and achieves competitive lossless compression performance compared with a 3D integer 5/3WT.
Fem modeling of PTED beam-to-column connections for earthquake resisting steel frames

In recent years an innovative beam-to-column connection type for steel moment resisting frames (MRFs) has been conceived. It deals with the Post-Tensioned Energy-Dissipating (PTED) connections, endowed with self-centering capability and energy dissipation capacity. A series of experimental studies has been carried out up to now and some simple numerical models have been set up. This paper shows an overview on the numerical activity ongoing at the University of Naples “Federico II”, aimed at setting up refined numerical models of PTED connections. The obtained results are illustrated. As planned activity, some basic aspects will be investigated, such as the connection behavior in presence of vertical and seismic loads and the comparison with the traditional welded nodes; furthermore, a more detailed study will focus on the evaluation of the influence of several geometric parameters.
Profiling Green IT Leaders Quantitatively and Qualitatively

In this study, we intend to identify key financial variables that can accurately classify Green IT leaders against Green IT followers. In particular, we build and compare single and meta-classifiers to identify the relationship between environmental performance and financial performance, while focusing on selecting and interpreting a final prediction model with a smaller set of financial performance indicators. Our experimental results demonstrate that several key variables representing the size, financial resources, operational efficiency, and risk-taking tendency of an organization can successfully identify Green IT leaders with approximately 90% of accuracy. In addition, we find that Green IT leaders show a higher utilization rate of Web pages as a green marketing channel than Green IT followers while they share common layouts of Web publication to build green IT brands with some differences.
Combining Strategies to Compute the Loadability Margin in Dynamic Security Assessment of Power Systems

The load margin due to voltage instability and small-signal instability can be a valuable measure for the operator of the power system to ensure a continuous and safe supply of electricity. However, if this load margin was calculated without considering system operating requirements, then this margin may not be adequate. This article proposes an algorithm capable of providing the power system load margin considering the requirements of voltage stability, small-signal stability, and operational requirements, as limits of reactive power generation of synchronous generators in dynamic security assessment. Case studies were conducted in the 107-bus reduced order Brazilian system considering a list of contingencies and directions of load growth.
Ester crosslinking on cellulose with pyromellitic acid for anti-wrinkle finishing

Abstract Aromatic carboxylic acids were investigated for anti-wrinkle finishing on cotton fabrics as it caused less damage to fibers. However, its application was limited to its poor water solubility. In this study, pyromellitic acid (PMA) was applied for anti-wrinkle finishing on fabric in 30%(w/w) ethanol solution instead of water. The optimum process parameters, such as concentration, bath pH, catalyst dosage, curing condition, were analyzed by orthogonal test for crosslinking cellulose. The surface morphology changes of treated fibers were recorded by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The possible reactive mechanism between PMA and cellulose was discussed by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), in-situ temperature-dependent Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results demonstrated that the optimized process for PMA crosslinking cellulose was PMA 0.3 mol/L, bath pH 1.5, sodium hypophosphite (SHP, NaH2PO2) 0.10 mol/L, baking condition 180 °C*1.5 min. The bath pH and curing temperature were the primary factors for fabric wrinkle resistance and strength lose, respectively. After repeated laundering, the strength loss of treated samples with PMA was obviously lower than that of aliphatic carboxylic acid and dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU, 2 D resin). Meanwhile, PMA had less effect on fiber surface morphology and the fiber strength lose was mainly from the damage accumulation of macromolecular chains in fibers. The SHP catalytic action in PMA was much lower than that in aliphatic carboxylic acids for esterification. Moreover, the ortho carboxylic groups on PMA not only esterified with cellulose directly, but also dehydrated into anhydride and further reacted with cellulose. The crosslinking between PMA and cellulose was mainly by direct esterification rather than indirect esterification by anhydride intermediate. The results provided new insights for the application of insoluble crosslinker on cellulose.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing hepatocyte growth factor ameliorate hypoxic–ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats

Abstract Objectives Hypoxic–ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is a major cause of brain injury in neonates. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) show therapeutic potential for HIBD, and genetic modification may enhance their neuroprotective effects. The goal of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-overexpressing BMSCs (BMSCs-HGF) against HIBD and their underlying mechanisms. Methods: BMSCs were transfected with HGF using adenoviral vectors. HIBD models were established and then BMSCs were transplanted into the brains of HIBD rats via intraventricular injection. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to measure cerebral infarction volumes. In vitro, primary cultured cortical neurons were co-cultured with BMSCs in a Transwell plate system. Oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) was applied to imitate hypoxic–ischemic insult, and PD98059 was added to the culture medium to block the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Cell apoptosis was determined using TUNEL staining. The expression of HGF was measured by immunofluorescence, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and western blots. The expression of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was measured by western blots. Results HGF-gene transfection promoted BMSC proliferation. Moreover, BMSCs-HGF decreased HIBD-induced cerebral infarction volumes and enhanced the protective effects of the BMSCs against HIBD. BMSCs-HGF also increased expression of HGF, p-ERK, and Bcl-2 in brain tissues. In vitro, BMSC-HGF protected neurons against OGD-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of ERK phosphorylation abolished the neuroprotective effect of BMSCs-HGF against OGD. Conclusions BMSCs-HGF is a potential treatment for HIBD and that the ERK/Bcl-2 pathway is involved in the underlying neuroprotective mechanism.