Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Calcium Chloride Responsive Type 2C Protein Phosphatases Play Synergistic Roles in Regulating MAPK Pathways in Magnaporthe oryzae

Reversible protein phosphorylation is essential in cellular signal transduction. The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae contains six putative type 2C protein phosphatases, namely MoPtc1, MoPtc2, MoPtc5, MoPtc6, MoPtc7, and MoPtc8. The major functions of MoPtc1 and MoPtc2 have been reported recently. In this communication, we found that MoPtc1 and MoPtc2 were induced by calcium chloride. We also found that the deletion of both MoPtc1 and MoPtc2 resulted in the overstimulation of both the high-osmolarity glycerol (Hog1) and pathogenicity MAP kinase 1 (Pmk1) pathways in M. oryzae. MoPtc1 was recruited directly to Osm1 (the osmotic stress-sensitive mutant) by the adaptor protein MoNbp2 to inactivate the Osm1 during hypoosmotic stress, distinct from the budding yeast. Moreover, we showed that MoPtc1 and MoPtc2 were localized in different cellular compartments in the fungal development. Taken together, we added some new findings of type 2C protein phosphatases MoPtc1 and MoPtc2 functions to the current knowledge on the regulation of MAPK signaling pathways in M. oryzae.
Exterior Ballistic Data Processing by SVD and Wavelet Transform

This paper proposes a method of wavelet transform combined with SVD (Singular Value Extracting), and the abnormal data elimination in its trajectory measurement is studied. After the wavelet decomposition of the observed data, combining the approximate component and the detail component, the phase space is reconstructed. The increment criterion of singular entropy is used for the input observed matrix of SVD, and the singular value is selected. Then the original signal is reconstructed by SVD inverse transform. This method overcomes the distortion problem of data end in phase space reconstruction by Hankel matrix. The reconstructed phase space by components of wavelet decomposition is orthogonal. So it further improves the accuracy of noise reduction and abnormal detection by SVD. The results of experimental data processing show the effectiveness of this method proposed in the paper.
Evaluation of lesion and overlying articular cartilage in patients with juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the knee using quantitative diffusion MRI

Current clinical MRI of patients with juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) is limited by the low reproducibility of lesion instability evaluation and inability to predict which lesions will heal after nonoperative treatment and which will later require surgery. The aim of this study is to verify the ability of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to detect differences in lesion microstructure between different JOCD stages, treatment groups, and healthy, unaffected contralateral knees. Pediatric patients with JOCD received quantitative diffusion MRI between January 2016 and September 2020 in this prospective research study. A disease stage (I‐IV) and stability of each JOCD lesion was evaluated. ADCs were calculated in progeny lesion, interface, parent bone, cartilage overlying lesion, control bone, and control cartilage regions. ADC differences were evaluated using linear mixed models with Bonferroni correction. Evaluated were 30 patients (mean age, 13 years; 21 males), with 40 JOCD‐affected and 12 healthy knees. Nine patients received surgical treatment after MRI. Negative Spearman rank correlations were found between ADCs and JOCD stage in the progeny lesion (ρ = −0.572; p < 0.001), interface (ρ = −0.324; p = 0.041), and parent bone (ρ = −0.610; p < 0.001), demonstrating the sensitivity of ADC to microstructural differences in lesions at different JOCD stages. We observed a significant increase in the interface ADCs (p = 0.007) between operative (mean [95% CI] = 1.79 [1.56–2.01] × 10−3 mm2/s) and nonoperative group (1.27 [0.98–1.57] × 10−3 mm2/s). Quantitative diffusion MRI detects microstructural differences in lesions at different stages of JOCD progression towards healing and reveals differences between patients assigned for operative versus nonoperative treatment.
Stress Analysis By Local Integral Equations

This paper is a comparative study for various numerical implementations of local integral equations developed for stress analysis in plane elasticity of solids with functionally graded material coefficients. Besides two meshless implementations by the point interpolation method and the moving least squares approximation, the element based approximation is also utilized. The numerical stability, accuracy, convergence of accuracy and cost efficiency (assessed by CPU-times) are investigated in numerous test examples with exact benchmark solutions.
Computation of maximal flows in networks

Abstract : A simple computational method, based on the simplex algorithm of linear programming, is proposed for the following problem: 'Consider a network (e.g., rail, road, communication network) connecting two given points by way of a number of intermediate points, where each link of the network has a number assigned to it representing its capacity. Assuming a steady state condition, find a maximal flow from one given point to the other. '
Combination of an autoassociative morphological memory and the kernel method

We recently introduced a class of highly nonlinear associative memories called morphological associative memories (MAMs). Notable features of autoassociative morphological memories (AMMs) include optimal absolute storage capacity and one-step convergence. The fixed points can be characterized exactly in terms of the original patterns. Unfortunately, AMM fixed points include a large number of spurious memories. In this paper, we use a combination of a basic AMM model and the kernel method in order to eliminate most of the spurious memories while leaving other AMM properties intact. Furthermore, our new AMM model is more tolerant to noise than a basic AMM model and less dependent on kernel selection than the original kernel method.
Bohr’s ‘Light and Life’ revisited

I revisit Niels Bohr’s famous 1932 ‘Light and Life’ lecture, confronting it with current knowledge. Topics covered include: life origin and evolution, quantum mechanics and life, brain and mind, consciousness and free will, and light as a tool for biology, with special emphasis on optical tweezers and their contributions to biophysics. Specialized knowledge of biology is not assumed.
5′-Chalcogen-Substituted Nucleoside Pyrophosphate and Phosphate Monoester Analogues: Preparation and Hydrolysis Studies

Novel sulfur and selenium substituted 5′,5′-linked dinucleoside pyrophate analogues were prepared in a vibration ball mill from the corresponding persilylated monophosphate. The chemical hydrolysis of pyrophosphorochalcogenolate-linked dimers was studied over a wide pH-range. The effect of the chalcogeno-substitution on the reactivity of dinucleoside pyrophosphates was surprisingly modest, and the chemical stability is promising considering the potential therapeutic or diagnostic applications. The chemical stability of the precursor phosphorochalcogenolate monoesters was also investigated. Hydrolytic desilylation of these materials was effected in aqueous buffer at pH 3, 7 or 11 and resulted in phosphorus-chalcogen bond scission which was monitored using 31P NMR. The rate of dephosphorylation was dependent upon both the nature of the chalcogen and the pH. The integrity of the P-S bond in the corresponding phosphorothiolate was maintained at high pH but rapidly degraded at pH 3. In contrast, P-Se bond cleavage of the phosphoroselenolate monoester was rapid and the rate increased with alkalinity. The results obtained in kinetic experiments provide insight on the reactivity of the novel pyrophosphates studied as well as of other types of thiosubstituted biological phosphates. At the same time, these results also provide evidence for possible formation of unexpectedly reactive intermediates as the chalcogen-substituted analogues are metabolised.
The Difference between the α-disks of Seyfert 1 Galaxies and Quasars

In a previous paper, it was suggested that contamination of the nuclear luminosity by the host galaxy plays an important role in determining the parameters of the standard α disk of AGNs. Using the nuclear absolute B band magnitude instead of the total absolute B band magnitude, we have recalculated the central black hole masses, accretion rates and disk inclinations for 20 Seyfert 1 galaxies and 17 Palomar-Green (PG) quasars. It is found that a small value of α is needed for the Seyfer 1 galaxies than for the PG quasars. This difference in α possibly leads to the different properties of Seyfert 1 galaxies and quasars. Furthermore, we find most of the objects in this sample are not accreting at super-Eddington rates if we adopt the nuclear optical luminosity in our calculation.
Calibration of a two‐dimensional array system for ultrasonic aberration correction

Two procedures for electronic compensation of array spatial and temporal nonidealities are compared. The motivations for array calibration are to account for signal variations due to differences in the impulse responses of the elements and to reduce beam degradation caused by nonideal element directivities. Both methods calculate inverse filters to equalize the signal at each element. One approach equalizes the array response to a planar reflector, while the other equalizes the response at a specified focal point. The point calibration method reduces the standard deviation of arrival time fluctuations in the measured wave front from a point reflector from 21 to 2 ns and reduces the standard deviation of energy level fluctuations from 2.5 to 1.7 dB. However, the point method also diverts more energy outside the main peak of the focused beam, which causes the −10‐dB peripheral energy ratio to increase from 0.30 to 0.32. Point calibration of the receive aperture is nevertheless desirable for aberration corre.
Reduced-Cost Optimization-Based Miniaturization of Microwave Passives by Multi-Resolution EM Simulations for Internet of Things and Space-Limited Applications

Stringent performance specifications along with constraints imposed on physical dimensions make the design of contemporary microwave components a truly onerous task. In recent years, the latter demand has been growing in importance with the innovative application of areas such as the Internet of Things coming into play. The need to employ full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulations for response evaluation, reliable, yet CPU-heavy, only aggravates the issue. This paper proposes a reduced-cost miniaturization algorithm that employs a trust-region search procedure and multi-resolution EM simulations. In our approach, the resolution of the EM model is adjusted throughout the optimization process based on its convergence status starting from the lowest admissible fidelity. As the algorithm converges, the resolution is increased up to the high-fidelity one, used at the final phase to ensure reliability. Four microwave components have been utilized as verification structures: an impedance matching transformer and three branch-line couplers. Significant savings in terms of the number of EM analyses required to conclude the size reduction process of 41, 42, 38 and 50 percent have been obtained (in comparison to a single-fidelity procedure). The footprint area of the designs optimized using the proposed approach are equal to 32, 205, 410 and 132 mm2, in comparison to 52, 275, 525 and 213 mm2 of the initial (and already compact) design.
Towards Trustworthy Autonomous Systems: Taxonomies and Future Perspectives

The class of Trustworthy Autonomous Systems (TAS) includes cyber-physical systems leveraging on self-x technologies that make them capable to learn, adapt to changes, and reason under uncertainties in possibly critical applications and evolving environments. In the last decade, there has been a growing interest in enabling artiﬁcial intelligence technologies, such as advanced machine learning, new threats, such as adversarial attacks, and certiﬁcation challenges, due to the lack of suﬃcient explainability. However, in order to be trustworthy, those systems also need to be de-pendable, secure, and resilient according to well-established taxonomies, methodologies, and tools. Therefore, several aspects need to be addressed for TAS, ranging from proper taxonomic classiﬁcation to the identiﬁcation of research opportunities and challenges. Given such a context, in this paper address relevant taxonomies and research perspectives in the ﬁeld of TAS. We start from basic deﬁnitions and move towards future perspectives, regulations, and emerging technologies supporting development and operation of TAS.
A Class of Biased Estimators in Linear Regression

Biased estimators of the coefficients in the linear regression model have been the subject of considerable discussion in the recent, literature. The purpose of this paper is to provide a unified approach to the study of biased estimators in an effort to determine their relative merits. The class of estimators includes the simple and the generalized ridge estimators proposed by Hoerl and Kennard [9], the principal component estimator with extensions such as that, proposed by Marquardt [19] and the shrunken estimator proposed by Stein [23]. The problem of estimating the biasing parameters is considered and illustrated with two examples.
Association of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels and gene polymorphism with the risk of chronic kidney disease

ABSTRACT Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a heparin-specific growth factor specific for vascular endothelial cells and induces angiogenesis via binding to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). Chronic kidney disease (CKD), accompanied by microvascular disease, is recognized as an irreversible reduction of renal function. The effects of VEGF on CKD risk were evaluated in this study. 121 CKD patients and 50 healthy volunteers were evaluated in the current study. Data mining using the China Biological Medicine (CBM) and NCBI/PubMed databases, was performed and applicable investigations were pursued. Pooled mean differences (MD) and pooled odds ratios (OR), with corresponding confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated by meta-analysis. The levels of Scr, BUN and VEGF in the CKD group were significantly higher, when compared with the control group (P < 0.01). For the meta-analysis, thirteen articles and our current study were evaluated. VEGF levels was found to be associated with CKD risk (P < 0.00001). In the sub-group meta-analysis, we found that the pooled MD of VEGF levels was related to the early CKD group, although the difference was not notable. However, the meta-analysis itself indicated that the pooled MD of VEGF levels were in accordance with severe CKD group (P < 0.00001). Furthermore, VEGF +936C/T T allele was not associated with CKD risk (P = 0.69). VEGF levels are apparently associated with CKD risk, especially in more severe CKD. Gene polymorphism analysis indicates that the VEGF +936C/T T allele is not associated with CKD risk.
The Role of Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Supporting Gut Health in Horses: An Updated Review on Its Effects on Digestibility and Intestinal and Fecal Microbiota

Simple Summary In horses, a healthy state of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is of utmost importance to support animals’ health and performance. Several factors combine to influence the equilibrium of the GIT, including the composition of the diet, feeding management, the use of therapeutic antimicrobials, as well as biotic and abiotic stressors. Such factors can lead to an imbalance of the intestinal microbial populations and their functions and, subsequently, to reduced nutrient digestion, finally impacting the overall health of the animals. Several feed additives are used to support gut health; in horse nutrition, yeast is one of the additives most used as a supplement in the diet. Different studies showed that the addition of yeast to horse diets is able to enhance the nutrient digestibility of feeds by modulating intestinal microbial populations. Specifically, yeasts seem to act mainly upon fibrolytic and amylolytic bacteria, although, at the present moment, their role is still debated. The aim of this review is to provide the reader with an updated overview of the effects of yeast administration on nutrient digestibility and the intestinal microbial population, and to furnish an overview of yeast application in the field. Abstract To support the overall health of horses, it is essential to maintain an optimal gut health (GH) status, which encompasses several physiological and functional aspects, including the balance and functionality of intestinal microbial populations and, accordingly, the effective digestion and absorption of nutrients. Numerous biotic and abiotic stressors can lead to an imbalance of GH, such as the quality of forages and the composition of diet, e.g., the inclusion of high energy-dense feeds to meet the energy requirements of performance horses. To support the digestive function and the intestinal microbial populations, the diet can be supplemented with feed additives, such as probiotic yeasts, that promote the ability of cellulolytic bacteria in the hindgut to digest the available fiber fractions, finally increasing feed efficiency. Among the different yeasts available, S. cerevisiae is the most used in horses’ nutrition; however, results of digestibility trials, as well as data on intestinal and fecal microbial populations, are sometimes contradictory. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize the effects of S. cerevisiae on in vivo and in vitro digestibility, providing an updated overview of its effects on the intestinal and fecal microbial population.
Covalently-Bonded Coating of L-Arginine Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles with Dextran Using Co-Precipitation Method

In this study, L-arginine (Arg) modified magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (RMNPs) were firstly synthesized through a one-step co-precipitation method, and then these aminated nanoparticles (NPs) were, again, coated by pre-oxidized dextran (Dext), in which aldehyde groups (DextCHO) have been introduced on the polymer chain successfully via a strong chemical linkage. Arg, an amino acid, acts as a mediator to link the Dext to a magnetic core. The as-synthesized Arg-modified and Dext-coated arginine modified Fe3O4 NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Both synthesized samples, XRD pattern and FT-IR spectra proved that the core is magnetite. FT-IR confirmed that the chemical bonds of Arg and Dext both exist in the samples. SEM images showed that the NPs are spherical and have an acceptable distribution size, and the VSM analysis indicated the superparamagnetic behavior of samples. The saturation magnetization was decreased after Dext coating, which confirms successive coating RMNPs with Text. In addition, the TGA analysis demonstrated that the prepared magnetic nanocomposites underwent various weight loss levels, which admitted the modification of magnetic cores with Arg and further coating with Dext.
Successful Experimental Verification of the Tokamak Exhaust Processing Concept of ITER with the CAPER Facility

One of the design targets for the Tokamak Exhaust Processing (TEP) system of ITER is not to lose more than 10-5gh-1 into the Normal Vent Detritiation system of the Tritium Plant. The plasma exhaust gas therefore needs to be processed in a way that a tritium removal efficiency of about 108 with respect to the flow rate is achieved. Expressed in terms of tritium concentrations this corresponds to a decontamination from about 130 gm-3 down to about 10-4 gm-3 (about 1 Cim-3 = 3.7*1010 Bqm-3). The three step reference process for the TEP system of ITER is called CAPER and has been developed and realized at the Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe (TLK). After the successful commissioning of the PERMCAT reactor as the key component of the third step detailed parametric tritium testing of the 3 steps involving the processing of more than 300 g tritium has been carried out and decontamination factors beyond the design requirements have been demonstrated for each process step and for the process as a whole. Not only the decontamination factor of 108 as required by ITER, but also the operational mode of TEP as a waste dump for gases from diverse sources has been experimentally validated with the CAPER facility.
MODELING TRANSMISSION MECHANISMS WITH DETERMINATION OF EFFICIENCY

Continuing previous studies, reviewed by modeling transmission mechanisms with the definition of one of the major criteria of transmission efficiency – the efficiency of the gearing, which depends on the geometry and kinematics of the working surfaces of the engagement and position of the contact point on the engaging surface in the object of the simulation model the designed transmission.
An innovative subarray partition method based on genetic algorithm for linear arrays

Subarray technology is an effective solution to the “conflict of sum and difference” in a large array radar. However, the optimal subarray partition method is a difficult problem both in the theoretic and practices. By exploring the advantage of genetic algorithm, a method, to optimize the subarray configuration in monopulse application, is proposed in this paper. The innovative method is subtly designed and discussed in-depth. Numerical results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the innovative method. (5 pages)
From dithiocarbamates to branched dithiocarbazates: Compounds with potent antischistosomal activity

Schistosomiasis or bilharzia is caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma and represents a considerable health and economic burden in tropical and subtropical regions. The treatment of this infectious disease relies on one single drug: praziquantel (PZQ). Therefore, new and potent antischistosomal compounds need to be developed. In our previous work, starting with the drug disulfiram, we developed dithiocarbamates with in vitro antischistosomal activities in the low micromolar range. Based on these results, we report in this study on the synthesis and biological testing of the structurally related dithiocarbazates against Schistosoma mansoni, one of the major species of schistosomes. In total, three series of dithiocarbazate derivatives were examined, and we found that the antischistosomal activity of N‐unbranched dithiocarbazates increased by further N‐substitution. Comparable tetra‐substituted dithiocarbazates were rarely described in the literature, thus a synthesis route was established. Due to the elaborate synthesis, the branched dithiocarbazates (containing an N‐aminopiperazine) were simplified, but the resulting branched dithiocarbamates (containing a 4‐aminopiperidine) were considerably less active. Taken together, dithiocarbazate‐containing compounds with an in vitro antischistosomal activity of 5 µM were obtained.