Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning with hidden targets

A fast-converging learning technique for multiple-layer feedforward neural networks, called dynamic hidden target (DHT), is presented. This learning technique eliminates the need for output error signal backpropagation and uses simple least mean square (LMS) gradient-descent adaptation at all layers. The algorithm estimates (in a minimum-squared-error sense) dynamic hidden targets for corresponding hidden layers based on the net's output targets and updated synaptic weights located between the output targets and hidden neurons. Several simulations were performed which show at least one order-of-magnitude speedup of the DHT learning compared to standard backpropagation learning. The authors also compare DHT learning and several other versions of backpropagation, including the recently developed quickprop learning. DHT learning is shown to converge at least as fast as quickprop for the XOR and the 10-5-10 encoder/decoder problem and its complement. The DHT algorithm is superior to quickprop in that it involves a smaller number of learning parameters, does not require the estimation of second-order derivatives, and is robust against learning rate variations
Untranslated Regions from C4 Amaranth AhRbcS1 mRNAs Confer Translational Enhancement and Preferential Bundle Sheath Cell Expression in Transgenic C4 Flaveria bidentis1

Many aspects of photosynthetic gene expression are posttranscriptionally regulated in C4 plants. To determine if RbcS mRNA untranslated regions (UTRs) in themselves could confer any characteristic C4 expression patterns, 5′- and 3′-UTRs of AhRbcS1 mRNA from the C4 dicot amaranth were linked to a gusA reporter gene. These were constitutively transcribed from a cauliflower mosaic virus promoter and assayed for posttranscriptional expression patterns in transgenic lines of the C4 dicot Flaveria bidentis. Three characteristic C4 expression patterns were conferred by heterologous AhRbcS1 UTRs in transgenic F. bidentis. First, the AhRbcS1 UTRs conferred strong translational enhancement of gusA expression, relative to control constructs lacking these UTRs. Second, while the UTRs did not appear to confer tissue-specific expression when analyzed by β-glucuronidase activity assays, differences in gusA mRNA accumulation were observed in leaves, stems, and roots. Third, the AhRbcS1 UTRs conferred preferential gusA expression (enzyme activity and gusA mRNA accumulation) in leaf bundle sheath cells. AhRbcS1 UTR-mediated translational enhancement was also observed in transgenic C3 plants (tobacco [Nicotiana tabacum]) and in in vitro translation extracts. These mRNAs appear to be translated with different efficiencies in C4 versus C3 plants, indicating that processes determining overall translational efficiency may vary between these two categories of higher plants. Our findings suggest that the AhRbcS1 5′-UTR functions as a strong translational enhancer in leaves and other tissues, and may work synergistically with the 3′-UTR to modulate overall levels of Rubisco gene expression in different tissues and cell types of C4 plants.
CRM1-Dependent Trafficking of Retroviral Gag Proteins Revisited

ABSTRACT We analyzed the nuclear trafficking ability of Gag proteins from six retroviral genera. Contrary to a previous report, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag showed no propensity to cycle through the nucleus. The only Gag protein that displayed CRM1-dependent nuclear cycling was that of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). Surprisingly, this cycling could be eliminated without compromising infectivity by replacing the RSV Gag N-terminal matrix (MA) domain with HIV MA.
An Adaptive Multipath Routing Algorithm for Maximizing Flow Throughputs

In datacenter networks, as the communication intensive middleware such as Hadoop being popular, the traffic among servers is heavily increasing and its traffic patterns vary from time to time. Conventional tree network topologies and routing mechanisms with single path routing will cause congestion along oversubscribed links. Thus, load- balancing path selections are needed to alleviate congestion and improve application performance. Multipath routing algorithms can distribute traffic over diverse paths optimally than simple solutions like ECMP. They, however, request considerable computations, i.e. frequently updating the path cost tree and dynamically optimizing path selections, thus they do not adapt large scale datacenter networks. Multinomial Logit Based (MLB) routing, a lightweight multipath routing algorithm, has been proposed as a countermeasure. However, it is not always efficient against various network topologies and varying traffic patterns unless its control parameter is adaptively chosen. In this paper, we present an automatic parameter tuning method, which estimates the path cost of individual flows in the network and dynamically tunes the traffic dispersion parameter to reduce the total path cost of all flows. In our experiments with real OpenFlow switches, we exhibit that our method optimally tunes the parameter and maximize the total throughput of the flows.
Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factor Surveillance: Experience and Challenge from India

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are reaching epidemic proportions worldwide and in India. Surveillance of NCD risk factors are therefore needed as they could help in policy planning and implementation of preventive measures. This article will focus on the experiences gained, and challenges faced, in conducting NCD risk factor surveillance studies in India. Two major surveillance studies on NCDs were conducted in India – the World Health Organization (WHO) – Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) NCD risk factor surveillance study and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP). The WHO-ICMR study was a six-site pilot study representing six different geographical locations in India with a sample size of 44,537 including rural, peri-urban/slum and urban. Phase 1 of the IDSP was completed and included seven states in India with a sample size of 5000 per state. The NCD risk factor surveillance showed that high prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity in urban areas with slightly lower prevalence rates in semi-urban and rural areas. There are several challenges in obtaining data on NCD risk factors, which include challenges in obtaining anthropometric and blood pressure measures and in assessing tobacco consumption, diet and physical activity. The challenges in field operations include contacting and convincing subjects, creating rapport, tracking subjects, climatic conditions, recall ability and interviewer skills. Success in surveillance studies depends on anticipating and managing these challenges Conclusion: Improving country-level surveillance and monitoring is a valuable step in prevention and control of NCDs in India.
Modeling and Control of Shape Memory Alloy Actuators

This brief describes a new model for shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators based on the physics of the process and develops control strategies using the model. The model consists of three equations - the temperature dynamics described by Joules heating-convectional cooling, the mole fraction distribution with temperature given by statistics to describe a two state system, and a constitutive equation relating the changes in temperature and mole fraction to the stress and strain induced in the SMA. This model is used to develop two control schemes for controlling the strain in an SMA actuator. The first control scheme describes a gain-scheduled proportional-integral (PI) controller, the gains of which are obtained by means of linear quadratic regulator (LQR) optimization. The second control scheme is an Hinfin loop-shaping controller using normalized coprime stabilization which ensures robust stability by minimizing the effect of unmodeled dynamics at high frequencies. Simulation and experimental results show fast and accurate control of the strain in the SMA actuator for both control schemes.
Amino acid profiles of chemical and anatomical fractions of oat grains.

Anatomical fractions of oat grains obtained by manual dissection and chemical fractions corresponding to the four major classes of protein present in seeds have been analysed for amino acids by automated column chromatography. Estimates of lysine indicate that this amino acid is concentrated in the embryo and in the albumin and globulin fractions. The salt-soluble proteins can be identified on gels of polyacrylamide following electrophoresis. It is suggested that selection of varieties with high levels of salt-soluble protein offers a means of improving the amino acid balance of oat proteins in relation to the feeding of non-ruminant animals.
A study on the humidity susceptibility of thin-film CIGS absorber

The susceptibility of a thermally co-evaporated CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) thin-film absorber to humidity and its consequence on composition, morphology, electrical and electronic properties, and device efficiency was investigated. CIGS films on Mo-coated soda lime glass were degraded either in the ambient at ∼21°C and ∼21% relative humidity (RH) for a period of several months or in damp heat (DH) at 85°C and 85% RH briefly for 15–30 min; then the films were processed simultaneously into devices in a batch that included an unexposed control. In addition to severe delamination on some samples of the absorber films, prolonged ambient exposure resulted in numerous “spot” formations that lost CIGS with scale-like disintegration rippling around the spots and showed a significant presence of Na. Exposure in DH for 5 h was able to reproduce the spot formations on the CIGS films. A significant to large decrease of cell efficiency was observed from 14%–16% for the unexposed control to 8%–11% for the CIGS absorber exposed in DH for 15 and 30 min and 1%–4%% for the ambient-degraded CIGS with high series resistance and very low shunt resistance.
Consumption and redistributive politics: The effect of credit and China

This article attempts to bring consumption into the study of redistributive politics. Analyzing data from 20 OECD countries over the period 1995–2007, I investigate whether factors that allowed lower and middle-income households to sustain their consumption had any impact on governments’ redistributive efforts. The article focuses on two factors in particular: access to credit and access to cheap imports (notably, imports from China). I argue that by enhancing consumption these mechanisms moderated the effects of income inequality and suppressed public discontent with increasing income inequality, thereby lessening the political urgency of redistribution.
Quantifying The Proportion Of Cases Attributable To An Exposure

The attributable fraction and the average attributable fractions, which are commonly used to assess the relative effect of several exposures to the prevalence of a disease, do not represent the proportion of cases caused by each exposure. Furthermore, the sum of attributable fractions over all exposures generally exceeds not only the attributable fraction for all exposures taken together, but also 100%. Other measures are discussed here, including the directly attributable fraction and the confounding fraction, that may be more suitable in defining the fraction directly attributable to an exposure.
ETHNOBOTANY AND EXPLOITATION POTENTIAL OF OREGANUM VULGARE L . IN THE RHODOPES , BULGARIA

Both Origanum vulgare L. subsp. vulgare and O. vulgare subsp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw. occur in the Rhodopes in different habitats. Collection of O. v. subsp. hirtum is forbidden for trade purposes in Bulgaria by law. The aim of this study is to trace the traditional use and collection of both subspecies in the Rhodopes therefore ethnobotanical survey was carried out. O. vulgare was one of the most frequently reported plants, used to prepare herbal tea with health preventive properties by people of Central Rhodopes. Although people were aware of health beneficial effects of Oregano only few reports for given medicinal use were recorded. The typical subspecies is actively collected both for personal use and trade purposes. The rare O. vulgare subsp. hirtum is collected from wild for a culinary spice in East Rhodopes. Seldom collecting from wild populations for trade purposes despite of law restriction was detected. Our observation is that there is practically no traditional culture of growing aromatic plants in the Rhodopes when they occur wild in the vicinity. It is necessary to perform a campaign for cultivation of Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum in the area of its native occurrence instead of wild collection. This will contribute not only to the conservation of the taxon but also to the development of rural areas of East Rhodopes.
WEIGHTED ENCODING WITH SPARSE NONLOCAL REGULARIZATION FOR MIXED NOISE REMOVAL

Mixed noise expulsion from characteristic images is a testing errand since the noise dispersion normally does not have a parametric model and has an overwhelming tail. One sort of the mixed noise is Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) coupled with Impulse Noise (IN). However, first catch the region of IN pixels and afterward evacuate the mixed noise. On the other hand, such techniques have a tendency to create numerous curios when the mixed noise is strong. In this paper, propose a straightforward yet effective system, specifically namely Weighted Encoding with Sparse Nonlocal Regularization (WESNR), for mixed noise removal. In WESNR, soft impulse detection through weighted encoding is utilized to manage IN and AWGN at the same time. The image nonlocal self-similarity prior and sparsity prior are coordinated into a regularization term and brought into the variational encoding system. Exploratory results demonstrate that the proposed WESNR system accomplishes driving mixed noise evacuation execution regarding both visual quality and quantitative measures.
A prediction method enhanced by the degree of nodes

Many link prediction methods via local or global information have been proposed, which are important measures to infer relationship between members in an incomplete network. Given an incomplete network, the common methods we adopted are some similarity-based measures, which still have defects and imperfect parts. In order to enhance the prediction result, we propose a method based on the degree of nodes. Experiments show the approach discards some drawbacks of single similarity methods and AUC is higher in real-world networks, especially in those with fewer communities.
3D-Terahertz Tomography using a more realistic beam propagation model applied to different image reconstruction methods

In this paper, a model of the beam propagation is developed according to the physical properties of THz waves used in THz computed tomography (CT) scan imaging. This model is first included in an acquisition simulator to observe and estimate the impact of the Gaussian beam intensity profile on the projection sets. Second, the model is introduced in several inversion methods as a convolution filter to perform efficient tomographic reconstructions of simulated and real acquired objects. Results obtained with three reconstruction methods (BFP, SART and OSEM) are compared to the techniques proposed in this paper. We will demonstrate an increase of the overall quality and accuracy of the 3D reconstructions.
Cloning and Characterization of Scavidin, a Fusion Protein for the Targeted Delivery of Biotinylated Molecules*

We have constructed a novel fusion protein “Scavidin” consisting of the macrophage scavenger receptor class A and avidin. The Scavidin fusion protein is transported to plasma membranes where the avidin portion of the fusion protein binds biotin with high affinity and forms the basis for the targeted delivery of biotinylated molecules. Subcellular fractionation analysis, immunostaining, and electron microscopy demonstrated endosomal localization of the fusion protein. According to pulse-labeling and cross-linking studies Scavidin is found as monomers (55 kDa), dimers, and multimers, of which the 220-kDa form was the most abundant. The biotin binding capacity and active endocytosis of the biotinylated ligands were demonstrated in rat malignant glioma. Local Scavidin gene transfer to target tissues could have general utility as a universal tool to deliver biotinylated molecules at systemic low concentrations for therapeutic and imaging purposes, whereby high local concentration is achieved.
Relationship of Hospital Organizational Culture to Patient Safety Climate in the Veterans Health Administration

Improving safety climate could enhance patient safety, yet little evidence exists regarding the relationship between hospital characteristics and safety climate. This study assessed the relationship between hospitals' organizational culture and safety climate in Veterans Health Administration (VA) hospitals nationally. Data were collected from a sample of employees in a stratified random sample of 30 VA hospitals over a 6-month period (response rate = 50%; n = 4,625). The Patient Safety Climate in Healthcare Organizations (PSCHO) and the Zammuto and Krakower surveys were used to measure safety climate and organizational culture, respectively. Higher levels of safety climate were significantly associated with higher levels of group and entrepreneurial cultures, while lower levels of safety climate were associated with higher levels of hierarchical culture. Hospitals could use these results to design specific interventions aimed at improving safety climate.
Inhomogeneities in 3 dimensional oscillatory media

We consider localized perturbations to spatially homogeneous oscillations in dimension 3 using the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation as a prototype. In particular, we will focus on inhomogeneities that locally change the phase of the oscillations. In the usual translation invariant spaces and at $ \epsilon=0$ the linearization about these spatially homogeneous solutions result in an operator with zero eigenvalue embedded in the essential spectrum. In contrast, we show that when considered as an operator between Kondratiev spaces, the linearization is a Fredholm operator. These spaces consist of functions with algebraical localization that increases with each derivative. We use this result to construct solutions close to the equilibrium via the Implicit Function Theorem and derive asymptotics for wavenumbers in the far field.
Reproducible amplification of RAPD markers from vertebrate DNA.

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is a modification of PCR that uses short, randomly generated primers to amplify genomic DNA. Generally, many bands of mixed intensity (i.e., strong, faint, fuzzy or sharp) are generated with each primer. Mixed-intensity bands are inherent with the RAPD technique because (i) the target DNAs are undefined, (ii) one or more copies of the target DNA may exist per genome and (iii) the percentage of hybridization of primer to target may vary. The problem of mixed-intensity band exacerbates the well-known sensitivity of PCRs to reagent and template concentrations, pH and other reaction parameters. These complications have discouraged many investigators from using RAPD. Our goal was to optimize the RAPD amplification conditions for vertebrate DNA. We present the optimized protocol along with an experimental strategy for obtaining reproducible, interpretable RAPD banding patterns in vertebrates.
Angiogenin-induced tRNA-derived Stress-induced RNAs Promote Stress-induced Stress Granule Assembly*

Angiogenin (ANG) is a secreted ribonuclease that cleaves tRNA to initiate a stress-response program in mammalian cells. Here we show that ANG inhibits protein synthesis and promotes arsenite- and pateamine A-induced assembly of stress granules (SGs). These effects are abrogated in cells transfected with the ANG inhibitor RNH1. Transfection of natural or synthetic 5′- but not 3′-tRNA fragments (tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs; tiRNAs) induces the phospho-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α-independent assembly of SGs. Natural 5′-tiRNAs but not 3′-tiRNAs are capped with a 5′-monophosphate that is required for optimal SG assembly. These findings reveal that SG assembly is a component of the ANG- and tiRNA-induced stress response program.
Modeling of the Tapped Inductor SEPIC converter by the TIS-SFG approach

This paper further demonstrates the versatility of the Tapped Inductor Switcher (TIS) analysis method proposed in a previous paper. The aim is to extend the application of this modeling technique to converters containing multiple inductive elements. As a study case, a tapped inductor SEPIC derived dc/dc converter is considered. The study from this paper suggests that the SEPIC can be modeled by two TIS modules, which greatly simplifies the modeling task. The obtained theoretical results stand in good agreement with simulation results.
The jejunal absorptive cell of the newborn pig: An electron microscopic study

The morphology of the intestinal absorptive cell in the newborn pig is strikingly different from that of the three‐week‐old pig. The former's unusual characteristics are: a poorly developed hirsute layer over the microvilli, an abundance of pinocytotic vacuoles and apical tubules, and a subnuclear location of the Golgi apparatus. In unfed newborn pigs the morphology does not change appreciably by 42 hours. Spinous processes line the apical tubules which may be associated with protein absorption. The retention of the tubular system in the absence of feeding (for 42 hours) and its disappearance with feeding, lends support to the concept that this system is important in the absorption of protein macromolecules in the newborn pig. The position of the Golgi may be instrumental in regulating the ability of the cell to absorb large molecular weight proteins.
Double spectrum small cell (DSSC) for discovering inter-frequency small cell in HetNet

In this paper, a double-spectrum small cell (DSSC) is proposed as a small cell approach to handle the strong co-channel interference and the handover energy consumption problems faced by the conventional small cell approaches, which either use the same spectrum for both macro-cell and small cells, or totally different spectrums for macro-cell and small cells. In the proposed DSSC approach, the co-channel frequency (spectrum used by the macro-cell) is reused by all the small cells. Each small cell can also use a dedicated spectrum (high frequency used at the small cells). The co-channel frequency can be used as an indicator to help UEs to find the dedicated spectrum for small cells with less power consumption for small cell detection and no loss of offloading opportunity. Simulation results, obtained in a scenario where a reference UE in a nomadic state and the small cells are spatially distributed as Poisson Point Process (PPP) show that the proposed approach can significantly reduce the energy consumption for different small cell densities.
Scheduling Approach for MIMO with Tomlinson-Harashima Precoding

We consider the downlink of a wireless network, where Tomlinson-Harashima precoding (THP) is applied as a MIMO spatial multiplexing method. THP facilitates a point-to-multipoint transmission strategy, in which a subset of mobile stations receives data packets over parallel subchannels formed by preceding. In this paper, we propose a low-complexity scheduling algorithm that determines the best subset of stations to maximize the system capacity. TH preceding is based on the QR factorization of the channel matrix H, and the proposed scheduling algorithm here makes use of incremental implementation for QR factorization with Gram-Schmidt algorithm. We show that significant reduction in complexity can be obtained over classical exhaustive search, while providing the same maximum capacity