Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potassium Solublisers: Occurrence, Mechanism and Their Role as Competent Biofertilizers

Potassium [K] is seventh most common element in the earth s crust. Potassium was isolated in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy, who obtained it through the electrolysis of very dry molten caustic potash (KOH, potassium hydroxide). Potassium was the first metal isolated by electrolysis and was collected at the cathode (Holmes, 2011). Potassium exists in several forms in the soil, including mineral K, non-exchangeable K, exchangeable K, and dissolved or solution K (K ions). Plants can only directly take-up solution K. It exists in exchangeable, non changeable and in form of soil minerals. The potassium content of Indian soils varies from less than 0.5 %to 3.00 % (Mengel,1987). In Indian soil the soluble K form are present in approximately 2% and insoluble are present in range of 98% in form of minerals like biotite, feldspar, mica, muscovite, vermiculite (Goldstein,1994).
An Extended Prolog Architecture for Integrated Symbolic and Numerical

Numerically intensive calculations are not well supported by Prolog, yet there are important applications that require tightly coupled symbolic and numeric calculations. The Aquarius Numeric Processor (ANP) is an extended numeric Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) based on the Berkeley Programmed Logic Machine (PLM) to support integrated symbolic and numeric calculations. This extension expands the existing numeric data type to include 32- and 64-bit integers, single and double precision floating-point numbers conforming to the IEEE Standard P754. A new class of data structure, numeric arrays, is added to represent matrices and arrays found in most scientific programming languages. Powerful numeric instructions are included to manipulate the new data types. Dynamic Operand Coercion (DOC) provides dynamic type checking and coercing of operands. The ANP and PLM together provide for the efficient execution of symbolic and numeric operations written in AI languages such as Prolog and Lisp.
Degradation of the insecticide azinphos methyl in orange and peach juices during storage at different temperatures

The degradation of azinphos methyl in orange and peach juice was studied. The insecticide was aseptically added to packed orange and peach juices and stored at 40, 20 and 0°C. Samples were removed at regular intervals and were analysed for residues of azinphos methyl. Residues were determined with a simple gas-chromatographic method using a 30m glass capillary column and an NP detector. The recoveries of azinphos methyl were 87–110% for orange juice and 92–108% for peach juice, and the limit of determination was 0.004mg/kg for both juices. From the experimental data, rate constants, half-lives, and times needed to reach legal limits for the decomposition of azinphos methyl in orange and peach juices were evaluated. Half-lives for orange and peach juices were 6.5 and 7.8 days at 40°C, 86.6, and 92.4 days at 20°C, and 407.7 and 495.1 days at 0°C, respectively.
Expression of Olfactory Receptors in Xenopus Oocytes

Abstract: The rat olfactory epithelium and the amino acid‐sensitive catfish olfactory system have been used as models to study the molecular mechanisms of olfactory transduction. Here we report the functional expression of rat and catfish olfactory receptors in Xenopus oocytes injected with mRNA isolated from the respective tissues. Application of odor ligands to injected oocytes, monitored by two‐electrode voltage clamp, activates stimulus‐dependent transmembrane currents that reverse direction at about the chloride equilibrium potential. The currents show characteristic secondary oscillations that are presumed to reflect underlying Ca2+ oscillations. Similar ligand‐activated membrane currents induced in oocytes after injection of other mRNAs have been shown to be due to activation of endogenous Ca2+‐activated chloride channels. In summary, our results demonstrate the usefulness of the Xenopus oocyte expression system for cloning and characterization of olfactory receptors in both fish and mammalian species.
Hypoxia‐mediated biological control

When oxygen demand is greater than oxygen supply, cells need to rapidly adjust their metabolism in order for the tissue to survive. Oxygen sensing by an organism influences a host of processes including growth, development, metabolism, pH homeostasis, and angiogenesis. Hypoxia also contributes to a wide number of human diseases including vascular disease, inflammatory conditions and cancer. Recently, major advances have been made in understanding the response of cells and tissues to hypoxia with the goal of providing mechanistic insight and novel therapeutic targets. In this article we review both the normal biological effects of hypoxia as well as the alterations that occur in specific disease conditions with an emphasis on the cell signaling and gene transcription mechanisms that underlie the changes associated with chronic hypoxia. Comparisons of studies in the fields of cardiac ischemia and tumor angiogenesis reveal the complexities within the microenvironment that control responses to hypoxia. It is clear that more interaction between researchers in these fields will improve the development of therapies that either promote or prevent hypoxic responses. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 735–744, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Formation control of multi-agent systems with environmental influence

In this paper, we discuss multi-agent formation problems with considering the environmental influence. The autonomous agents are moving in a bounded region, and the environment in the region influences the multi-agent systems with designed potential functions. The steady-state formation of the agents is affected by these artificial potential functions. As the number, positions, and potential function forms of environment inputs vary, the multi-agent systems result in different stable formations. Both analysis and simulations results are presented.
Design concepts for semiconductor based ultra-linear varactor circuits (invited)

For the implementation of RF tunable components, semiconductor based varactors provide advantages in terms of low control voltage, high capacitance density, low packaging costs, high reliability and technology compatibility. In this paper, an overview is given of the linearization approaches for semiconductor based ultra-linear varactors. Implementation issues regarding the optimum doping profiles are discussed. Design considerations for dedicated bias networks that provide optimum third-order intermodulation cancellation for the various varactor configurations are presented. To give an indication of the system-level responses for linear varactors, a varactor-based “true” time delay phase shifter is designed and the system-level linearity parameters, like adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) and error vector magnitude (EVM), are evaluated for various application conditions.
Selective modulation of lipopolysaccharide-induced death and cytokine production by various muramyl peptides

Pretreatment of animals with the adjuvant muramyl dipeptide enhances both the production of circulating tumor necrosis factor and the sensitivity to the lethal effect of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. The present study examined the capacity of various adjuvant muramyl dipeptide derivatives to potentiate responsiveness to LPS administration. Cytokine levels in serum were determined at various time intervals after LPS administration by bioassays and immunoassays; the cytokines examined were tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and gamma interferon. The time course of cytokine response was not modified by the pretreatment, but most of the levels were strongly enhanced. However, of the four compounds which were found to be potent priming agents, only two caused an increased sensitivity to LPS lethality, showing that elevated titers of cytokines in serum were not correlated with host sensitization. Interestingly, previous studies have shown that these two compounds also display neurobiological properties, implying a possible role of the central nervous system in LPS lethality. However, two hydrophilic derivatives with low activity as priming agents were capable of decreasing the toxicity of LPS when given after the challenge in galactosamine-sensitized mice. These results illustrate the diversity of responses elicited by immunological priming. They raise unanswered questions on the importance of endogenous mediators in the pathophysiological alterations during toxic shock.
Collisions of keV-energy H atoms with the rare gases: Absolute differential cross sections at small angles.

Absolute differential cross sections are reported for collisions between 0.5, 1.5, and 5.0-keV-energy H atoms and He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe over the laboratory-frame angular range 0.018{degree}--0.5{degree}. The scattered neutral particles are detected, and the measured cross sections include both elastic and inelastic events. The H-He results are in excellent accord with previous measurements at larger angles. Empirical interaction potential-energy curves have been extracted from the data for all collisions studied.
Enhanced user authentication through typing biometrics with artificial neural networks and k-nearest neighbor algorithm

The emergence of global network access has promoted increased chances of malicious attack and intrusion. Password authentication has been known as the most commonly safeguard measure against these intrusions. Common it is, but the security measures that it provides have always been questionable. Thus, it gives rise to the need for a more secure and reliable authentication method in accessing computer systems. This paper proposes the design and development of a real time enhanced password security system through typing biometrics. Typing biometrics deals with the analysis of the unique habitual typing rhythms of individuals. The paper depicts the use of time latency between keystrokes to create typing patterns for individuals. Time latencies are extracted and classified accordingly; they are then used to recognize authentic users and reject imposters. The performance of both artificial neural networks and k-nearest neighbors as possible classifiers for this purpose were studied.
Regulation of the Alternative Sigma Factor σE during Initiation, Adaptation, and Shutoff of the Extracytoplasmic Heat Shock Response in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT The alternative sigma factor σE is activated in response to stress in the extracytoplasmic compartment of Escherichia coli. Here we show that σE activity increases upon initiation of the stress response by a shift to an elevated temperature (43°C) and remains at that level for the duration of the stress. When the stress is removed by a temperature downshift, σE activity is strongly repressed and then slowly returns to levels seen in unstressed cells. We provide evidence that information about the state of the cell envelope is communicated to σE primarily through the regulated proteolysis of the inner membrane anti-sigma factor RseA, as the degradation rate of RseA is correlated with the changes in σE activity throughout the stress response. However, the relationship between σE activity and the rate of degradation of RseA is complex, indicating that other factors may cooperate with RseA and serve to fine-tune the response.
Risk Preferences and the Macro Announcement Premium

The paper develops a theory for equity premium around macroeconomic announcements. Stock returns realized around pre-scheduled macroeconomic announcements, such as the employment report and the FOMC statements, account for 55% of the market equity premium during the 1961-2014 period, and virtually 100% of it during the later period of 1997-2014, where more announcement data are available. We provide a characterization theorem for the set of intertemporal preferences that generate a positive announcement premium. Our theory establishes that the announcement premium identifies a significant deviation from expected utility and constitutes an asset market based evidence for a large class of non-expected models that features aversion to ”Knightian uncertainty”, for example, Gilboa and Schmeidler [30]. We also present a dynamic model to account for the evolution of equity premium around macroeconomic announcements.
Photon correlation spectroscopy, total intensity light scattering with laser radiation, and hydrodynamic studies of a well fractionated DNA sample

A Malvern laser light‐scattering instrument has been modified for use at scattering angles down to 5° and both total intensity and quasi‐elastic scattering experiments. A sample of sheared, length‐fractionated calf‐thymus DNA was characterized by sedimentation, viscosity and electron microscopy. Quasi‐elastic scattering and absolute intensity determinations were performed with the laser instrument and intensity determinations only with a Fica conventional light‐scattering photometer. The total intensity experiments gave M̄w = (3.75 ± 0.15) × 106 and 〈R2〉1/2z = (206.9 ± 10.3) nm which yielded a value for the persistence length, allowing for polydispersity, of 66 ± 6nm. The quasi‐elastic experiments at scattering angles below 20° gave D020, w = (2.23 ± 0.06) × 10−8 cm2/sec which combined with S020, w = 15.6 in the Svedberg equation gave M̄w = (3.73 ± 0.18) × 106. In addition, from the higher angle data we extracted a value of the longest intramolecular relaxation time, τ1 of 17.5 msec. This is not in particularly good agreement with τ1 predicted by the Zimm–Rouse theory using our other experimental parameters. The disagreement may be due to the restricted applicability of the Zimm–Rouse spring‐bead model as a quantitative representation of DNA molecules. Alternatively, it may be due to present difficulties in the unambiguous interpretation of molecular motions from the experimental autocorrelation functions.
Fractional-order variational optical flow model for motion estimation

A new class of fractional-order variational optical flow models, which generalizes the differential of optical flow from integer order to fractional order, is proposed for motion estimation in this paper. The corresponding Euler–Lagrange equations are derived by solving a typical fractional variational problem, and the numerical implementation based on the Grünwald–Letnikov fractional derivative definition is proposed to solve these complicated fractional partial differential equations. Theoretical analysis reveals that the proposed fractional-order variational optical flow model is the generalization of the typical Horn and Schunck (first-order) variational optical flow model and the second-order variational optical flow model, which provides a new idea for us to study the optical flow model and has an important theoretical implication in optical flow model research. The experiments demonstrate the validity of the generalization of differential order.
ASK1 Inhibition Halts Disease Progression in Preclinical Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Rationale: Progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with pathological remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature and the right ventricle (RV). Oxidative stress drives the remodeling process through activation of MAPKs (mitogen‐activated protein kinases), which stimulate apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Objectives: We investigated whether pharmacological inhibition of the redox‐sensitive apical MAPK, ASK1 (apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1), can halt the progression of pulmonary vascular and RV remodeling. Methods: A selective, orally available ASK1 inhibitor, GS‐444217, was administered to two preclinical rat models of PAH (monocrotaline and Sugen/hypoxia), a murine model of RV pressure overload induced by pulmonary artery banding, and cellular models. Measurements and Main Results: Oral administration of GS‐444217 dose dependently reduced pulmonary arterial pressure and reduced RV hypertrophy in PAH models. The therapeutic efficacy of GS‐444217 was associated with reduced ASK1 phosphorylation, reduced muscularization of the pulmonary arteries, and reduced fibrotic gene expression in the RV. Importantly, efficacy was observed when GS‐444217 was administered to animals with established disease and also directly reduced cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac function in a model of isolated RV pressure overload. In cellular models, GS‐444217 reduced phosphorylation of p38 and JNK (c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase) induced by adenoviral overexpression of ASK1 in rat cardiomyocytes and reduced activation/migration of primary mouse cardiac fibroblasts and human pulmonary adventitial fibroblasts derived from patients with PAH. Conclusions: ASK1 inhibition reduced pathological remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature and the right ventricle and halted progression of pulmonary hypertension in rodent models. These preclinical data inform the first description of a causal role of ASK1 in PAH disease pathogenesis.
Multi-view dense depth map estimation

A novel dense depth map estimation algorithm is proposed in order to meet the requirements of N-view plus N-depth representation, which is one of the standardization efforts for the upcoming 3D display technologies. Hence, extraction of multiple depth maps is achieved from multi-view video. Starting from the piecewise planarity assumption of the scene, estimation of 3D structure of the patches, obtained through color-based over-segmentation, is achieved by plane- and angle-sweeping for every view independently. Markov Random Field (MRF) modeling is utilized for each view in pixel-wise manner in order to relax and refine the estimated planar models while incorporating visibility and consistency constraints. In this algorithm, the fusion of multiple depth maps is performed by updating belief values on the observed nodes based on depth and color consistency during the refinement step. The proposed method handles untextured surfaces, as well as depth discontinuities at object boundaries, due to its initial modeling of the scene as piecewise planar regions. The experimental results illustrate reliability and the robustness of the proposed algorithm for different type of scenes.
Flatness-based two-degree-of-freedom control of industrial semi-batch reactors using a new observation model for an extended Kalman filter approach

A flatness-based two-degree-of-freedom control is applied to industrial semi-batch reactors. Thereby a new observation model for an extended Kalman filter approach based on the results of Graichen et al. (2006) is used in order to estimate the reaction heat and the overall heat transfer coefficient. The flatness-based advanced process control scheme makes use of a calorimetric model of the reactor in order to calculate the nominal non-linear feedforward; the feedback part consists of a linear PID control. Results from production are presented including the heat up phase of the process. The performance and effectiveness of the applied flatness-based two-degree-of-freedom control are shown: a significant reduction of the batch time is achieved.
Targeting Innate Immunity for Antiviral Therapy through Small Molecule Agonists of the RLR Pathway

ABSTRACT The cellular response to virus infection is initiated when pathogen recognition receptors (PRR) engage viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). This process results in induction of downstream signaling pathways that activate the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). IRF3 plays a critical role in antiviral immunity to drive the expression of innate immune response genes, including those encoding antiviral factors, type 1 interferon, and immune modulatory cytokines, that act in concert to restrict virus replication. Thus, small molecule agonists that can promote IRF3 activation and induce innate immune gene expression could serve as antivirals to induce tissue-wide innate immunity for effective control of virus infection. We identified small molecule compounds that activate IRF3 to differentially induce discrete subsets of antiviral genes. We tested a lead compound and derivatives for the ability to suppress infections caused by a broad range of RNA viruses. Compound administration significantly decreased the viral RNA load in cultured cells that were infected with viruses of the family Flaviviridae, including West Nile virus, dengue virus, and hepatitis C virus, as well as viruses of the families Filoviridae (Ebola virus), Orthomyxoviridae (influenza A virus), Arenaviridae (Lassa virus), and Paramyxoviridae (respiratory syncytial virus, Nipah virus) to suppress infectious virus production. Knockdown studies mapped this response to the RIG-I-like receptor pathway. This work identifies a novel class of host-directed immune modulatory molecules that activate IRF3 to promote host antiviral responses to broadly suppress infections caused by RNA viruses of distinct genera. IMPORTANCE Incidences of emerging and reemerging RNA viruses highlight a desperate need for broad-spectrum antiviral agents that can effectively control infections caused by viruses of distinct genera. We identified small molecule compounds that can selectively activate IRF3 for the purpose of identifying drug-like molecules that can be developed for the treatment of viral infections. Here, we report the discovery of a hydroxyquinoline family of small molecules that can activate IRF3 to promote cellular antiviral responses. These molecules can prophylactically or therapeutically control infection in cell culture by pathogenic RNA viruses, including West Nile virus, dengue virus, hepatitis C virus, influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, Nipah virus, Lassa virus, and Ebola virus. Our study thus identifies a class of small molecules with a novel mechanism to enhance host immune responses for antiviral activity against a variety of RNA viruses that pose a significant health care burden and/or that are known to cause infections with high case fatality rates.
Completeness of the Negation as Failure Rule

Let P be a Horn clause logic program and comp(p) be its completion in the sense of Clark. Clark gave a justification for the negation as failure rule by showing that if a ground atom A is in the finite failure set of P, then ∼A is a logical consequence of comp(P), that is, the negation as failure rule is sound. We prove here that the converse also holds, that is, the negation as failure rule is complete.
The Role of Wastewater Treatment in Protecting Water Supplies Against Emerging Pathogens

Traditionally, regulators, dischargers, and even water suppliers believed that wastewater discharge meeting the levels of 200 cfu/100 mL of fecal coliforms in wastewater effluent was sufficient to protect against downstream microbial effects. However, these beliefs are now being challenged by emerging pathogens that are resistant to standard water and wastewater treatment processes, exhibit extended survival periods in the environment, can adversely affect sensitive subpopulations, and require extremely low doses for human infection. Based on this new information, it is estimated that discharges of emerging pathogens from conventional wastewater treatment plants as far as 160 km upstream and cumulative amounts of wastewater discharge ranging from 2 to 20 ML/d have the potential to reach a water supply intake in a viable state at significant concentrations that could exceed regulatory limits for drinking water supplies, increase endemic risk from drinking water, and/or require additional drinking water treatment. Wastewater dischargers may be able mitigate this potential effect and achieve upwards of 6 log combined removal and inactivation of emerging pathogens to mitigate drinking water effects by using alternative treatment processes, such as filtration or UV light disinfection, or optimizing these processes based on site‐specific conditions.