Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CDPK1 from Ginger Promotes Salinity and Drought Stress Tolerance without Yield Penalty by Improving Growth and Photosynthesis in Nicotiana tabacum

In plants, transient changes in calcium concentrations of cytosol have been observed during stress conditions like high salt, drought, extreme temperature and mechanical disturbances. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) play important roles in relaying these calcium signatures into downstream effects. In this study, a stress-responsive CDPK gene, ZoCDPK1 was isolated from a stress cDNA generated from ginger using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RLM-RACE) – PCR technique and characterized its role in stress tolerance. An important aspect seen during the analysis of the deduced protein is a rare coupling between the presence of a nuclear localization sequence in the junction domain and consensus sequence in the EF-hand loops of calmodulin-like domain. ZoCDPK1 is abundantly expressed in rhizome and is rapidly induced by high-salt stress, drought, and jasmonic acid treatment but not by low temperature stress or abscissic acid treatment. The sub-cellular localization of ZoCDPK1-GFP fusion protein was studied in transgenic tobacco epidermal cells using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Over-expression of ginger CDPK1 gene in tobacco conferred tolerance to salinity and drought stress as reflected by the high percentage of seed germination, higher relative water content, expression of stress responsive genes, higher leaf chlorophyll content, increased photosynthetic efficiency and other photosynthetic parameters. In addition, transgenic tobacco subjected to salinity/drought stress exhibited 50% more growth during stress conditions as compared to wild type plant during normal conditions. T3 transgenic plants are able to grow to maturity, flowers early and set viable seeds under continuous salinity or drought stress without yield penalty. The ZoCDPK1 up-regulated the expression levels of stress-related genes RD21A and ERD1 in tobacco plants. These results suggest that ZoCDPK1 functions in the positive regulation of the signaling pathways that are involved in the response to salinity and drought stress in ginger and it is likely operating in a DRE/CRT independent manner.
Delay-dependent robust output feedback stabilization of uncertain state-delayed systems with saturating actuators

The robust output feedback stabilization problem for state-delayed systems with time-varying delays and saturating actuators is addressed in this paper. The systems considered are continuous-time, with parametric uncertainties entering all the matrices in the system representation. A saturating control law is designed and a region of initial conditions is specified within which local asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system is ensured. The designed controller is dependent on the time-delay and its rate of change. The controller is constructed in terms of the solution to a set of matrix inequalities.
Thermo-Responsive Dispersion of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide-Co-Acrylic Acid)

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were modified with poly(N-isopropylacryl- amide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPAAm-co-AA)), and the modified MWNTs can be homogeneously dispersed in aqueous solution. In addition, the MWNTs were endowed with thermo-responsive at 33°C . The MWNTs switched reversibly between aggregated and well-exfoliated states by using temperature as a stimulus. Moreover, the introduction of acrylic acid to copolymerize with N-isopropylacrylamide could greatly enhance the dispersing ability of MWNTs.
A Group-Based Trust Metric for P2P Networks: Protection against Sybil Attack and Collusion

Though reputation-based trust mechanism is optimal for stimulating peers to cooperate in P2P networks, it cannot avoid facing some malicious attacks. In this paper we investigate the characteristic of P2P reputation networks and propose a group-based trust metric to alleviate the effects of Sybil attack and collusion. The CNM algorithm is used to divide the whole network into some trust groups and show the relationship between them. Our trust metric contains factors of the relationship between trust groups, the degree of the peer, and the similarity between the neighbors of the peer. We evaluate the metric and show that the effects of the Sybil attack and collusion can be alleviated effectively.
Linking object oriented database and hypertext to support software documentation

This paper describes using a general hypertext-based system <italic>InterSect</italic> to support the definition and manipulation of software documentation. Object oriented database is used as a basis for supporting both the application modelling and hypertext. There are two main advantages, firstly, <italic>InterSect</italic> supports both application modelling and corresponding hypertext structure dynamically; Secondly, <italic>InterSect</italic> supports versions of any complex object type.
Modeling HLA associations with EBV‐positive and ‐negative Hodgkin lymphoma suggests distinct mechanisms in disease pathogenesis

HLA genotyping and genome wide association studies provide strong evidence for associations between Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) alleles and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Analysis of these associations is complicated by the extensive linkage disequilibrium within the major histocompatibility region and recent data suggesting that associations with EBV‐positive and EBV‐negative cHL are largely distinct. To distinguish independent and therefore potentially causal associations from associations confounded by linkage disequilibrium, we applied a variable selection regression modeling procedure to directly typed HLA class I and II genes and selected SNPs from EBV‐stratified patient subgroups. In final models, HLA‐A*01:01 and B*37:01 were associated with an increased risk of EBV‐positive cHL whereas DRB1*15:01 and DPB1*01:01 were associated with decreased risk. Effects were independent of a prior history of infectious mononucleosis. For EBV‐negative cHL the class II SNP rs6903608 remained the strongest predictor of disease risk after adjusting for the effects of common HLA alleles. Associations with “all cHL” and differences by case EBV status reflected the subgroup analysis. In conclusion, this study extends previous findings by identifying novel HLA associations with EBV‐stratified subgroups of cHL, highlighting those alleles likely to be biologically relevant and strengthening evidence implicating genetic variation associated with the SNP rs6903608.
Effect of precured degrees on morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of BR/SBR/NR foams

The ternary composites of 1,4-cis polybutadiene rubbers (BR), styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR), and natural rubber (NR) foams containing chemical blowing agents Oxybis (benzene sulfonyl) hydrazide (OBSH) were prepared by two-stage compression molding technique with various precured degrees. Foam force rheometer indicated that the cure rate was match with foaming rate at precured degree of 30%, which the time of the maximum foaming rate was earlier only 14 s than that of the maximum cure rate. SEM presented that the number of cell was denser at precured degree of 30% than those with other precured degrees. The average cell size declined, cell wall thickness became thicker, and cell distribution became narrower just as precured degree was increasing. The results of crosslinking density was measured by equilibrium swelling technique in good agreement with that of magnetism resonance crosslinking density spectrometer measurement, which crosslinking density was increased as precured degrees increased. Differential scanning calorimeter showed that each curve exhibits two steps in heat capacity for BR/SBR/NR foams. With further increase of precured degrees, the two groups of Tgs were all shift to the higher temperature, and the area of the melting peak decreased gradually between −20°C and −40°C. TGA results demonstrated that BR/SBR/NR foams with various precured degrees obtained better thermal stability than those of non-precured foams. The high density of polymeric foams exhibits the high mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear strength, and elongation at break. The inflection points of density, cell density, and hardness were all appeared at precured degree of 30%. POLYM. COMPOS. , 34:849–859, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Locally injective parametrization with arbitrary fixed boundaries

We present an algorithm for mapping a triangle mesh, which is homeomorphic to a disk, to a planar domain with arbitrary fixed boundaries. The algorithm is guaranteed to produce a globally bijective map when the boundary is fixed to a shape that does not self-intersect. Obtaining a one-to-one map is of paramount importance for many graphics applications such as texture mapping. However, for other applications, such as quadrangulation, remeshing, and planar deformations, global bijectively may be unnecessarily constraining and requires significant increase on map distortion. For that reason, our algorithm allows the fixed boundary to intersect itself, and is guaranteed to produce a map that is injective locally (if such a map exists). We also extend the basic ideas of the algorithm to support the computation of discrete approximation for extremal quasiconformal maps. The algorithm is conceptually simple and fast. We demonstrate the superior robustness of our algorithm in various settings and configurations in which state-of-the-art algorithms fail to produce injective maps.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and clopidogrel treatment in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events: a substudy from the CHARISMA trial

Aims This study investigated the effect of clopidogrel treatment on inflammatory activity as evidenced by the change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in a broad population of patients who are at high risk of atherothrombotic events. The predictive value of hsCRP levels for a treatment benefit of clopidogrel was also explored. Methods The study included 8021 patients with established atherosclerotic disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors enrolled in the CHARISMA trial. Patients were randomly assigned either to clopidogrel plus aspirin or placebo plus aspirin. HsCRP was measured at study entry and at study termination (median 28 months). The predefined primary composite endpoint was myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes. Results There was a stepwise increase in the event rate of the combined primary endpoint with increasing quartiles of hsCRP at baseline (4.0%, 6.1%, 7.4% and 8.7% for the highest quartile). In both treatment groups the changes in hsCRP levels over time were identical. In patients with low hsCRP levels (<3 mg/l) clopidogrel treatment was associated with a lower event rate compared with placebo (4.0% vs 6.0%, log rank p=0.005). In contrast no treatment effect was observed in patients with high hsCRP levels (8.1% vs 8.0%, ns). Conclusions In this broad population, hsCRP is a powerful predictor of ischaemic events. Compared with placebo, clopidogrel was without effect on inflammatory markers. The reduction in cardiovascular events by antiplatelet treatment with clopidogrel was isolated to patients with low levels of hsCRP.
Preformed Soluble Chemoreceptor Trimers That Mimic Cellular Assembly States and Activate CheA Autophosphorylation

Bacterial chemoreceptors associate with the histidine kinase CheA and coupling protein CheW to form extended membrane arrays that receive and transduce environmental signals. A receptor trimers-of-dimers resides at each vertex of the hexagonal protein lattice. CheA is fully activated and regulated when it is integrated into the receptor assembly. To mimic these states in solution, we have engineered chemoreceptor cytoplasmic kinase-control modules (KCMs) based on the Escherichia coli aspartate receptor Tar that are covalently fused and trimerized by a foldon domain (TarFO). Small-angle X-ray scattering, multi-angle light scattering, and pulsed-dipolar electron spin resonance spectroscopy of spin-labeled proteins indicate that the TarFO modules assemble into homogeneous trimers wherein the protein interaction regions closely associate at the end opposite to the foldon domains. The TarFO variants greatly increase the saturation levels of phosphorylated CheA (CheA-P), indicating that the association with a trimer of receptor dimers changes the fraction of active kinase. However, the rate constants for CheA-P formation with the Tar variants are low compared to those for autophosphorylation by free CheA, and net phosphotransfer from CheA to CheY does not increase commensurately with CheA autophosphorylation. Thus, the Tar variants facilitate slow conversion to an active form of CheA that then undergoes stable autophosphorylation and is capable of subsequent phosphotransfer to CheY. Free CheA is largely incapable of phosphorylation but contains a small active fraction. Addition of TarFO to CheA promotes a planar conformation of the regulatory domains consistent with array models for the assembly state of the ternary complex and different from that observed with a single inhibitory receptor. Introduction of TarFO into E. coli cells activates endogenous CheA to produce increased clockwise flagellar rotation, with the effects increasing in the presence of the chemotaxis methylation system (CheB/CheR). Overall, the TarFO modules demonstrate that trimerized signaling tips self-associate, bind CheA and CheW, and facilitate conversion of CheA to an active conformation.
Covenants and Collateral as Incentives to Monitor

Although monitoring borrowers is thought to be a major function of financial institutions, the presence of other claimants reduces an institutional lender's incentives to do this. Thus loan contracts must be structured to enhance the lender's incentives to monitor. Covenants make a loan's effective maturity, and the ability to collateralize makes a loan's effective priority, contingent on monitoring by the lender. Thus both covenants and collateral can be motivated as contractual devices that increase a lender's incentive to monitor. These results are consistent with a number of stylized facts about the use of covenants and collateral in institutional lending. Copyright 1995 by American Finance Association.
Use of Fibrin-Based Sealants and Gelatin-Matrix Hemostats in Laparoscopic Liver Surgery

Background During surgery, liver tissue is particularly prone to bleeding which can be difficult to control, especially in patients with liver disease-associated coagulopathy. Topical sealants and hemostats can enhance clot formation and wound healing, and can be useful for controlling or preventing troublesome bleeding during surgical interventions where conventional methods of hemostasis are inadequate. Methods An extensive customized literature search was conducted using medical reference databases to identify publications related to the use of potential agents in laparoscopic liver surgery. Citations from these articles were also used. Details of the authors' own experience in this area is also included. Results Routine use of fibrin-based sealants in open liver surgery now seems to be widespread. Data from several large prospective randomized controlled clinical trials have indicated that application of fibrin-based sealants to the cut liver surface during hepatectomy does provide some benefit in terms of a shorter time to hemostasis and a reduction in postoperative drainage fluid, even when compared with argon beam coagulation. Another trial found no additional benefit of fibrin sealants when applied after coagulation of the cut liver surface. A prospective, uncontrolled study found that application of the flowable gelatin matrix-based hemostat Floseal provided rapid effective control of mild-to-severe bleeding during surgical removal of primary or metastatic liver tumors, even in those with cirrhosis. Some of these topical hemostatic agents are already being used on a routine basis by many surgeons performing laparoscopic liver surgery. Although there are no randomized clinical trials, there are several anecdotal or case reports of their effective use during laparoscopic liver surgery. Conclusions On the basis of current evidence of using hemostats and sealants in open liver surgery, there is potential of developing these strategies in laparoscopic liver surgery.
Adaptive segmentation of speckled images using a hierarchical random field model

A two-level hierarchical random-field model developed for speckled images and, in particular, for synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) imagery, is described. At the higher level is a Gibbs random field governing the grouping of image pixels into regions, while at the lower level are speckle processes for the different regions, which are also modeled as random fields. In accordance with the physical phenomena that cause speckle, the speckle processes are modeled as circularly symmetric complex Gaussian random fields. As with real Gaussian fields, certain forms of autocovariance of complex Gaussian field lead to Markovianity properties. With the assumption of a separable autocovariance for the complex Gaussian random fields, local joint statistics of the resulting speckle-intensity fields (magnitude-squared of the complex field) are determined. The speckle model concurs with the known marginal statistics and also accounts for the autocorrelation observed in actual speckled images. A MAP segmentation using simulated annealing and based on the hierarchical model is presented. The algorithm is adaptive in that it recursively segments the image and estimates the model parameters necessary for the segmentation. >
TrafficView: a scalable traffic monitoring system

Vehicles are part of people's life in modern society, into which more and more high-tech devices are integrated, and a common platform for inter-vehicle communication is necessary to realize an intelligent transportation system supporting safe driving, dynamic route scheduling, emergency message dissemination, and traffic condition monitoring. TrafficView, which is a part of the e-Road project, defines a framework to disseminate and gather information about the vehicles on the road. Using such a system will provide a vehicle driver with road traffic information, which helps driving in situations such as foggy weather, or finding an optimal route in a trip several miles long. This paper describes the basic design of TrafficView and different algorithms used in the system.
On the Satisfiability Problem for SPARQL Patterns

The satisfiability problem for SPARQL patterns is undecidable in general, since the expressive power of SPARQL 1.0 is comparable with that of the relational algebra. The goal of this paper is to delineate the boundary of decidability of satisfiability in terms of the constraints allowed in filter conditions. The classes of constraints considered are bound-constraints, negated bound-constraints, equalities, nonequalities, constant-equalities, and constant-nonequalities. The main result of the paper can be summarized by saying that, as soon as inconsistent filter conditions can be formed, satisfiability is undecidable. The key insight in each case is to find a way to emulate the set difference operation. Undecidability can then be obtained from a known undecidability result for the algebra of binary relations with union, composition, and set difference. When no inconsistent filter conditions can be formed, satisfiability is efficiently decidable by simple checks on bound variables and on the use of literals. The paper also points out that satisfiability for the so-called `well-designed' patterns can be decided by a check on bound variables and a check for inconsistent filter conditions.
[A meta-analysis of probiotics for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS Publications from database including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, CBM and WanFang Data were searched up to August 31, 2014. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on probiotics to treat IBS were eligible. The related articles were extracted and cross-checked independently by two reviewers. Methodological quality of trials was evaluated according to Cochrane Handbook 5.1. 0 criteria. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.2 software. RESULTS A total of 17 RCTs involving 1 700 patients were included. Results of meta-analyses showed that compared with the placebo, probiotics was statistically better in improving the overall symptoms integral (SMD = -0.20, 95% CI -0.33--0.07, P = 0.002), alleviating abdominal pain/discomfort (SMD = -0.19, 95% CI -0.29--0.09, P<0.001), relieving abdominal distention (SMD = -0.16, 95% CI -0.28--0.03, P = 0.020), and defecation discomfort (SMD = -0.22, 95% CI -0.42--0.02, P = 0.030). There was no statistical significance in the overall quality of life (SMD = -0.08, 95% CI -0.07-0.23, P = 0.290) and adverse effect ratio (RR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.79-1.49, P = 0.630). CONCLUSION Probiotics have beneficial effects on IBS, which can improve the patients' symptoms and with less adverse reaction. Due to the bias, further large-scale, multicenter and high-quality RCTs are required to unify outcome indicators, further define sensitive strain, and standardize its usage, dosage and course of treatment.
Hmm-Based System for Recognizing Words in Historical Arabic Manuscript

This paper presents an omni-font Arabic word recognition system. The system is based on multiple Hidden Markov Models (HMMs). Each word in the lexicon is represented with a distinct HMM. The proposed system first extracts a set of spectral features from word images, then uses those features to tune HMM parameters. The performance of the proposed system is assessed using a corpus that includes both handwritten and computer-generated scripts. The likelihood probability of the input pattern is calculated against each word model and the pattern is assigned to the model with the highest probability.
Suboptimality of TDMA in the low-power regime

We consider multiaccess, broadcast, and interference channels with additive Gaussian noise. Although the set of rate pairs achievable by time-division multiple access (TDMA) is not equal to the capacity region, the TDMA achievable region converges to the capacity region as the power decreases. Furthermore, TDMA achieves the optimum minimum energy per bit. Despite those features, this paper shows that the growth of TDMA-achievable rates with the energy per bit is suboptimal in the low-power regime except in special cases: multiaccess channels where the users' energy per bit are identical and broadcast channels where the receivers have identical signal-to-noise ratios. For the additive Gaussian noise interference channel, we identify a small region of interference parameters outside of which TDMA is also shown to be suboptimal. The effect of fading (known to the receiver) on the suboptimality of TDMA is also explored.
Effect of Tail-Water of Water Source Heat Pumps on Lake Phytoplankton

Taking water heat pump project in Kaixian Peoples Hospital of Chongqing City as a research example, by long-term monitoring on the lake temperature, nitrogen, phosphorus, and population distribution of algae, the effect of tail-water on phytoplankton of lake was studied. The results show that the tail-water have some influences on the number and diversity of algae in summer when the lake water heat pump system works, and the total number of algae near the tail-water discharge point is lower than that in other regions, but the dominant algae in different sampling points are same at the same time. In winter, cold water discharge makes the total number of algae near the tail-water discharge point essentially higher than that in other regions. Moreover, cold discharge water can reduce the diversity index of the lake phytoplankton. In addition, tail-water has a seasonal influence on lake phytoplankton, and its cumulative environmental impact can be obtained through monitoring and comparative research by long-term.