Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The NAC Protein from Tamarix hispida, ThNAC7, Confers Salt and Osmotic Stress Tolerance by Increasing Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Capability

Plant specific NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in response to abiotic stress. In this study, we identified and characterized a NAC protein, ThNAC7, from Tamarix hispida. ThNAC7 is a nuclear localized protein and has transcriptional activation activity. ThNAC7 expression was markedly induced by salt and osmotic stresses. Transiently transformed T. hispida seedlings overexpressing ThNAC7 (OE) or with RNA interference (RNAi) silenced ThNAC7 were generated to investigate abiotic stress tolerance via the gain- and loss- of function. Overexpressing ThNAC7 showed an increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capabilities and proline content, which was accomplished by enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in transiently transformed T. hispida and stably transformed Arabidopsis plants. Additionally, ThNAC7 activated these physiological changes by regulating the transcription level of P5CS, SOD and POD genes. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) comparison between wild-type and ThNAC7-transformed Arabidopsis showed that more than 40 known salt tolerance genes might regulated by ThNAC7, including stress tolerance-related genes and TF genes. The results indicated that ThNAC7 induces the transcription level of genes associated with stress tolerance to enhance salt and osmotic stress tolerance via an increase in osmotic potential and enhanced ROS scavenging.
Leptin Modulates Exosome Biogenesis in Breast Cancer Cells: An Additional Mechanism in Cell-to-Cell Communication

Exosomes—small membrane vesicles secreted by both normal and malignant cells upon fusion of endosomal multivesicular bodies (MVBs) with the plasma membrane—play an important role in cell-to-cell communication. During the last decade, several reports have highlighted the involvement of these nanovesicles in many aspects of breast cancer development and progression, but the extracellular signals governing their generation in breast cancer cells have not been completely unraveled. Here, we investigated the role of the obesity hormone leptin, a well-known adipokine implicated in mammary tumorigenesis, on the mechanisms regulating exosome biogenesis and release in both estrogen receptor α (ERα)—positive MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. We found that leptin treatment enhanced the number of MVBs in the cytoplasm of breast cancer cells and increased the amount of exosomes released in cell conditioned media. At molecular level, leptin increased the protein expression of Tsg101—a key component of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport I (ESCRT-I)—by a post-transcriptional mechanism involving its direct interaction with the chaperone protein Hsp90. Targeting leptin signaling, by a selective leptin receptor antagonist the peptide LDFI (Leu-Asp-Phe-Ile), abrogated leptin effects on Tsg101 expression and on exosome secretion in breast cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings, identifying for the first time leptin/leptin receptor/Hsp90 axis as an important regulator of exosome generation in mammary carcinoma cells, suggest that targeting this signaling pathway might represent a novel therapeutic strategy to impair exosome secretion and interrupt the dangerous cell-to-cell communication in breast cancer.
Analysis of crane with double motor synchronous control strategy

In order to ensure work safety,large cranes generally use two motors together to upgrade the load,so often there is a synchronization error,control accuracy is affected.To address this issue,the paper crane hydraulic lifting system to study proposed control strategy based on fuzzy PID′s.The results show that the method used to effectively reduce the synchronization error between the two motors to improve the control precision crane,a certain reference value.
The Immunomodulatory Functions of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells Mediated via Paracrine Activity

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) exist in almost all tissues, possessing the potential to differentiate into specialized cell types and exert immunomodulatory functions. Thus, they have attracted much attention as a promising therapeutic candidate. Recent studies have demonstrated that paracrine signaling is mainly responsible for the involvement of MSCs in the modulation of immune responses and the progression of diseases. Through release of secretome consisting of a diverse range of cytokines, chemokines, and extracellular vesicles (EVs), MSCs convey regulatory messages to recipient immune cells in the microenvironment. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in how MSCs contribute to immunomodulation through the secretion of paracrine factors. The further improved understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the interactions between MSCs and immune cells highlights the paracrine biology of MSCs in the modulation of the immune microenvironment and promotes the clinical application of MSCs in regenerative medicine and immune diseases.
Modulation of local field potentials and neuronal activity in primate hippocampus during saccades

Primates use saccades to gather information about objects and their relative spatial arrangement, a process essential for visual perception and memory. It has been proposed that signals linked to saccades reset the phase of local field potential (LFP) oscillations in the hippocampus, providing a temporal window for visual signals to activate neurons in this region and influence memory formation. We investigated this issue by measuring hippocampal LFPs and spikes in two macaques performing different tasks with unconstrained eye movements. We found that LFP phase clustering (PC) in the alpha/beta (8–16 Hz) frequencies followed foveation onsets, while PC in frequencies lower than 8 Hz followed spontaneous saccades, even on a homogeneous background. Saccades to a solid grey background were not followed by increases in local neuronal firing, whereas saccades toward appearing visual stimuli were. Finally, saccade parameters correlated with LFPs phase and amplitude: saccade direction correlated with delta (≤4 Hz) phase, and saccade amplitude with theta (4–8 Hz) power. Our results suggest that signals linked to saccades reach the hippocampus, producing synchronization of delta/theta LFPs without a general activation of local neurons. Moreover, some visual inputs co‐occurring with saccades produce LFP synchronization in the alpha/beta bands and elevated neuronal firing. Our findings support the hypothesis that saccade‐related signals enact sensory input‐dependent plasticity and therefore memory formation in the primate hippocampus.
FORMAL METHODS AND SAFETY CRITICAL SYSTEMS

In the light of the new default characteristics of Safety-Critical Systems(SCS, an important kind of real-time control systems) , this paper discusses some of the issues concerned with the general acceptance of formal methods and concludes with a summary of the current position and how the formal methods community could proceed to improve matters in the future.
Efficacy of combination therapy of inositols, antioxidants and vitamins in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: an observational study

Abstract Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of both developed and developing countries. It is associated with insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenism, oxidative stress and various long-term complications. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the supplementation (Trazer F ForteTM-CORONA Remedies Pvt. Ltd.) providing combination of insulin sensitising agents (myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol and chromium picolinate), antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine and lycopene) and vitamins (vitamin D, biotin and folic acid) in women with PCOS. After 12 weeks of supplementation, a significant improvement was observed in menstrual cyclicity, acne and hirsutism in both obese and lean PCOS patients. A significant reduction was observed in body weight and BMI of obese subjects. However, both parameters remain unchanged in lean subjects. We suggest that combination therapy of insulin sensitising agents, antioxidants and vitamins may be a fruitful approach for the management of PCOS. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Monotherapy of insulin sensitising agents, antioxidants and vitamins is beneficial in the treatment of PCOS. What do the results of this study add? Combined use of insulin sensitising agents (myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol and chromium picolinate), antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine and lycopene), and vitamins (vitamin D, biotin and folic acid) is safe and effective in obese and non-obese women with PCOS. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Since PCOS is a multifactorial and a complex endocrine disorder, combination therapy can be used for the comprehensive management of PCOS.
Artificial selection on brain size leads to matching changes in overall number of neurons

Neurons are the basic computational units of the brain, but brain size is the predominant surrogate measure of brain functional capacity in comparative and cognitive neuroscience. This approach is based on the assumption that larger brains harbor higher numbers of neurons and their connections, and therefore have a higher information‐processing capacity. However, recent studies have shown that brain mass may be less strongly correlated with neuron counts than previously thought. Till now, no experimental test has been conducted to examine the relationship between evolutionary changes in brain size and the number of brain neurons. Here, we provide such a test by comparing neuron number in artificial selection lines of female guppies (Poecilia reticulata) with >15% difference in relative brain mass and numerous previously demonstrated cognitive differences. Using the isotropic fractionator, we demonstrate that large‐brained females have a higher overall number of neurons than small‐brained females, but similar neuronal densities. Importantly, this difference holds also for the telencephalon, a key region for cognition. Our study provides the first direct experimental evidence that selection for brain mass leads to matching changes in number of neurons and shows that brain size evolution is intimately linked to the evolution of neuron number and cognition.
Relation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system with potential cardiac injury and remodelling: the SABPA study

Abstract Purpose: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays an important role in maintaining hemodynamic homeostasis. Ethnic disparities exist regarding RAAS activity due to sympathetic activity and sodium-water retention, however the implications thereof on cardiac damage is unknown. This study investigated the associations of cardiac troponin T (cTnT), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and subclinical LVH with components of the RAAS (renin, aldosterone and aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR)) and copeptin in a black and white South African cohort. Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 305 participants (black = 139, white = 166) aged 20–62 years. Serum cTnT, NTproBNP, Cornell product, components of the RAAS (active renin, aldosterone and ARR) and copeptin were determined. Results: The black group had lower renin (p < 0.001) and higher ARR (p < 0.001), cTnT (p = 0.015) and Cornell product compared to whites (all p < 0.001). NTproBNP and copeptin were similar between the groups. After forward stepwise adjustments for multiple confounders, inverse associations of cTnT with renin (β = −0.17, p = 0.018) and aldosterone (β = −0.14, p = 0.048) as well as an inverse association between NTproBNP and aldosterone (β = −0.25, p < 0.001) were observed in the white population only. In the black group cTnT associated positively with renin (β = 0.16, p = 0.040) and copeptin (β = 0.21, p = 0.020) and inversely with ARR (β = −0.15, p = 0.047). Additionally, NTproBNP associated positively with copeptin (β = 0.18, p = 0.045). No correlations were observed between the RAAS and Cornell product in any of the groups. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that RAAS, together with cardiac stress may function differently in cardiac damage and remodelling in the two ethnic groups; which may influence treatment in clinical practice.
Automatic image segmentation using grid-based Ncut and RAG

Irrefutably normalised cuts (Ncut) is one of the most popular segmentation algorithms in computer vision. Inspite of its computational complexity, it has been applied to a wide range of segmentation tasks in computer vision for achieving good segmentation results. The difficulty in Ncut algorithm lies in handling images with high resolution and a predefined number of segments which results in increasing the complexity of the algorithm. In this paper, the drawbacks of the Ncut algorithm are studied and an efficient methodology for automatic image segmentation is proposed using grid based Ncut and merging of regions using region adjacency graph (RAG). The proposed algorithm is successful in two aspects, one in reducing the time complexity and second in automatically determining the number of image segments. The proposed methodology is implemented in three phases which includes preprocessing, segmentation and merging phases. The datasets used for experimentation are NSU, Berkeley, Corel 5K datasets and a few images from our own collection. Various experimental results performed on several images proved to be efficient in reducing the computational complexity and thus increasing the performance of segmentation when compared to standard Ncut algorithms.
Web Document Classification Algorithm Based on Manifold Learning and SVM

To efficiently resolve Web document classification problem,a novel Web document classification algorithm based on manifold learning and Support Vector Machine(SVM) is proposed.The high dimensional Web document space in the training sets are non-linearly reduced to lower dimensional space with manifold learning algorithm LPP,and the hidden interesting lower dimensional structure can be discovered from the high dimensional observisional data.The classification and predication in the lower dimensional feature space are implemented with the multiplicative update-based optimal SVM.Experimental results show that the algorithm achieves higher classification accuracy with less running time.
Object tracking based on visual attention

An algorithm for moving object tracking based on visual attention mechanism is proposed.Human visual attention mechanism is introduced in the proposed algorithm and a computational model of visual attention is constructed.Based on the computational model,the visual saliency of each part in videos is computed.Salient objects are detected according to the visual saliency results.Using the color distribution model as the representation model of the object,objects are tracked by calculating the similarity of salient objects in the two successive frames by.The algorithm is tested on many video sequences.Experimental and analysis results show that the proposal is robust and effective for object detection and tracking in videos.
An Improved Brain Storm Optimization with Dynamic Clustering Strategy

Intelligence algorithms play an increasingly important role in the field of intelligent control. Brain storm optimization (BSO) is a new kind of swarm intelligence algorithm inspired by emulating the collective behavior of human beings in the problem solving process. To improve the performance of the original BSO, many variants of BSO are proposed. In this paper, an improved BSO algorithm with dynamic clustering strategy (BSO-DCS) is proposed as a variant of BSO for global optimization problems. The basic framework of BSO is firstly introduced. Then to reduce the time complexity of the original BSO, a new grouping method named dynamic clustering strategy (DCS) is proposed to improve the clustering method in the original BSO. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed BSO-DCS, it is tested on 12 benchmark functions of CEC 2005 with 30 dimensions. Experimental results show that DCS is an effective strategy to reduce the time complexity, and the improved BSO-DCS performs greatly better than the original BSO algorithm.
A 2 GHz 20 dBm IIP3 Low-Power CMOS LNA with Modified DS Linearization Technique

The linearization technique for low noise amplifier (LNA) has been implemented in standard 0.18-㎛ BiCMOS process. The MOS-BJT derivative superposition (MBDS) technique exploits a parallel LC tank in the emitter of bipolar transistor to reduce the second-order non-linear coefficient (g m2 ) which limits the enhancement of linearity performance. Two feedback capacitances are used in parallel with the base-collector and gate-drain capacitances to adjust the phase of third-order non-linear coefficients of bipolar and MOS transistors to improve the linearity characteristics. The MBDS technique is also employed cascode configuration to further reduce the second-order nonlinear coefficient. The proposed LNA exhibits gain of 9.3 ㏈ and noise figure (NF) of 2.3 ㏈ at 2 ㎓. The excellent IIP3 of 20 ㏈m and low-power power consumption of 5.14 ㎽ at the power supply of 1 V are achieved. The input return loss (S 11 ) and output return loss (S 22 ) are kept below -10 ㏈ and -15 ㏈, respectively. The reverse isolation (S 12 ) is better than -50 ㏈.
OPeNDAP service based implementation of physical oceanographic data of the South China Sea

OPeNDAP stands for "Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol. " The OPeNDAP protocol provides a discipline-neutral means of requesting and providing data across the World Wide Web.The goal is to allow all end users to access immediately whatever data they require in a form they can use,all while using applications they already possess and are familiar with.This article introduces the available OPeNDAP servers,and elaborates on the design and building of the OPeNDAP-based Sharing Platform of Physical Oceanographic Data of the South China Sea,which uses the GDS(GrADS Data Server),Dapper and THREDDS(Thematic Realtime Environmental Distributed Data Services) data servers to realize OPeNDAP services of wind,current,wave,Argo,and tide data.It also presents the OPeNDAP Services of the Sharing Platform.With the help of OPeNDAP,the service system achieves the objective of seamless access to physical oceanographic data of the South China Sea in a highly heterogeneously distributed environment over the network.
Investigating a New Framework for the Impact of Knowledge Management Strategy on Organizational Performance

Understanding the relations between knowledge management strategy with organizational innovation capability and performance in both large and small firms is relevant for researchers, policy-makers and managers of large and small companies alike. Many organizations have begun to recognize that one of the main factors to building a capable of being sustained competitive advantages in knowledge economy is innovation capability. In spite of this fact, determining the innovation capability has viewed as an exclusive method, a theoretic and plenary. The studies about the effect of internal and external innovation drivers on organizational performance are few. This research addresses the deficiency of the experimental researches through development of a conceptual framework to inquire the influence of knowledge management strategy on organizational performance directly and through innovation capability assuming industry type as a moderator on the proposed relationships. A quantitative method was used to investigating the relationships lanes. A self-administered questionnaire was used for collecting data of 272 automotive companies as a sample of 849 companies in automation sector in Iran. Hypothesized relations were assessed by structural equation modelling (SEM) with Smart-PLS software. The result of analysis exposed the significant relation among knowledge management strategy and firm outcome. Besides that, the results disclosed that knowledge management strategy through the mediating variable of innovation capability has a positive effect on organizational performance. Furthermore, the results of multi-group analysis confirmed that industry type moderating the relationship between knowledge management strategies and organizational innovation capability is moderated by industry type. This research used both resource- and knowledge-based theory developing a new conceptual framework to prove clearly the importance of knowledge management strategy and innovation capability in improving organizational outcome. Furthermore, this paper is providing a new guide line to implement knowledge management effectively.
FEI Titan G2 60-300 HOLO

The FEI Titan G2 60-300 HOLO is a unique fourth generation transmission electron microscope, which has been specifically designed for the investigation of electromagnetic fields of materials using off-axis electron holography. It has a Lorentz lens to allow magnetic field free imaging plus two electron biprisms, which in combination enable more uniform holographic fringes to be used. The instrument also has an ultra-wide objective lens pole piece gap which is ideal for in situ experiments. For these purposes, the FEI Titan G2 60-300 HOLO is equipped with a Schottky type high-brightness electron gun (FEI X-FEG), an image C s corrector (CEOS), a post-column energy filter system (Gatan Tridiem 865 ER) as well as a 4 megapixel CCD system (Gatan UltraScan 1000 XP). Typical examples of use and technical specifications for the instrument are given below.
Research Needs and Learning Format Preferences of Graduate Students at a Large Public University: An Exploratory Study

This article reports on a study of research needs and learning preferences of graduate students at a public research university. A sequential exploratory mixed-method design was used, with a survey instrument developed from an initial qualitative stage. Significant differences were found between master’s and doctoral students’ and on-campus and online students’ confidence with several research skills. Graduate students overall prefer asynchronous online options and in-person workshops over synchronous online instruction and in-class presentations for learning research skills. The article concludes with a discussion of the value of the sequential exploratory mixed-method design for informing practice at an individual institution.
Study on code-switching

Code-switching is a kind of normal,ubiquitous and complicated language phenomenon.Reviews and summarizes the theory and method about code-switching study,points out these study results make some contribution on one or some aspects,but many aspects still are less than satisfactory.Tries to explain this language phenomenon with pragmatics.