Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence Polarization Studies of B‐Phycoerythrin Oriented in Polymer Film¶

Polarized steady‐state fluorescence and fluorescence excitation spectra as well as time‐resolved fluorescence for B‐phycoerythrin (B‐PE) from red algae, Porphyridium cruentum, embedded in polyvinyl stretched films were measured. The lifetimes of polarized fluorescence were analyzed using exponential components and fractal models. The interactions between various chromophores of the pigment‐protein complexes investigated were discussed. The anisotropy of fluorescence excitation spectra differs from the anisotropy of absorption spectra and depends on the wavelength of observation. This shows that differently oriented chromophores take part in various paths of excitation energy transfer (ET) or change their excitation into heat with various efficiencies (or both). Also, analysis of time‐resolved fluorescence measured in various spectral regions gives different polarized components of emission. Fractal analysis of lifetimes, done under supposition of the Foerster resonance ET mechanism, suggests different arrangements of energy donors and acceptors for molecules absorbing in different spectral regions. It shows that several fractions of differently oriented “forms” of chromophores exhibiting different spectral properties occur in B‐PE complexes. Small changes in the orientation of the chromophores can be followed by modification of the path of excitation energy migration. Based on the results obtained a new reorientational mechanism of the State 1 → State 2 transition was proposed: Even small conformational modifications of biliproteins, which could be caused in vivo by the change in the conditions of preillumination of bacteria, are able to modify the path of excitation ET. Such a reorientation may be responsible for the change in the partition of biliprotein excitation energy between photosystem II (PSII) and PSI (State 1 → State 2 transition). The proposed mechanism needs further verification by the investigation of whole bacteria cells.
Tackling bufferbloat in 3G/4G networks

The problem of overbuffering in the current Internet (termed as bufferbloat) has drawn the attention of the research community in recent years. Cellular networks keep large buffers at base stations to smooth out the bursty data traffic over the time-varying channels and are hence apt to bufferbloat. However, despite their growing importance due to the boom of smart phones, we still lack a comprehensive study of bufferbloat in cellular networks and its impact on TCP performance. In this paper, we conducted extensive measurement of the 3G/4G networks of the four major U.S. carriers and the largest carrier in Korea. We revealed the severity of bufferbloat in current cellular networks and discovered some ad-hoc tricks adopted by smart phone vendors to mitigate its impact. Our experiments show that, due to their static nature, these ad-hoc solutions may result in performance degradation under various scenarios. Hence, a dynamic scheme which requires only receiver-side modification and can be easily deployed via over-the-air (OTA) updates is proposed. According to our extensive real-world tests, our proposal may reduce the latency experienced by TCP flows by 25% ~ 49% and increase TCP throughput by up to 51% in certain scenarios.
On dynamic resource management mechanism using control theoretic approach for wide-area grid computing

In recent years, grid computing that integrates geographically distributed computing resources through communication networks captures the spotlight. Unlike parallel computing using conventional cluster computer systems, wide-area grid computing must resolve the following issues for effectively utilizing geographically distributed computing resources. First, since computing resources are shared by multiple users, the amount of available resources in a site changes over time. Second, since sites are geographically distributed, the transfer delay between sites cannot be neglected for computing resource management. For utilizing computing resources effectively, the amount of jobs injected into a site must be dynamically controlled according to the dynamically changing amount of available resources in sites. However, the transfer delay of a network is significant, so that it is not trivial for a resource allocation controller to quickly and dynamically adopt to the change in the amount of available resources in sites. In this paper, a dynamic resources management mechanism for wide-area grid computing called DRM-DC (dynamic resource management with delay compensator) based on control theory is proposed. The main feature of our DRM-DC is that it realizes high steady state and transient state performance in wide-area grid computing using a delay compensator called Smith predictor. Moreover, several discrete-time simulations using a Simgrid simulator are performed, and the effectiveness of our DRM-DC is demonstrated
Analysis of the performance degradation in uplink MC-CDMA systems with Doppler induced frequency offsets

In this paper, uplink time division duplex (TDD) multi-carrier code-division multiple-access (MC-CDMA) systems applying pre-equalization to combat channel impairments are considered. Especially, the performance degradation caused by the Doppler induced frequency offsets among the different mobile users is analyzed in detail. Based on this analysis different frequency interleaving schemes are proposed and their potential to reduce the performance degradation is investigated. It turns out, that a frequency interleaver which is allowed to skip a few, well-defined subcarriers is capable of reducing the influence of Doppler induced frequency offsets significantly causing a very little loss in bandwidth efficiency.
Ventricular Choline Transport

To determine whether organic cation transporter (OCT) family members might mediate choline transport in choroid plexus (CP), the handling of choline by cloned transporters and by intact CP isolated from the adult rat was investigated. Expression of OCT1 and OCT2 in Xenopus oocytes increased hemicholinium-3-sensitive choline uptake. In contrast, OCT3 did not mediate choline transport. Estimated K m values for choline in rOCT1-, rOCT2-, and hOCT2-expressing oocytes were 346 ± 50, 441 ± 67, and 102 ± 80 μm, respectively. Membrane potential was the major driving force for choline uptake in rat and human OCT2-expressing oocytes and in intact CP in vitro. Lowering of medium pH (6 versus 7.4) was equally effective at inhibiting choline uptake in CP, suggesting that there might be a non-OCT component of choline uptake that is responsive to an H+ gradient. However, choline efflux from CP was not stimulated by a trans-applied H+ gradient. Choline uptake by CP was Na+-independent with an estimatedK m of 183 μm. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction detected OCT2 and OCT3, but not OCT1, mRNA expression in CP. Transfection of intact CP with a rOCT2/green fluorescent protein fusion construct resulted in strong apical membrane fluorescence with no detectable signal in the basal and lateral plasma membranes. These data indicate that OCT2 mediates choline transport across the ventricular membrane of CP.
Communication Cost in Parallel Query Processing

We study the problem of computing conjunctive queries over large databases on parallel architectures without shared storage. Using the structure of such a query $q$ and the skew in the data, we study tradeoffs between the number of processors, the number of rounds of communication, and the per-processor load -- the number of bits each processor can send or can receive in a single round -- that are required to compute $q$. When the data is free of skew, we obtain essentially tight upper and lower bounds for one round algorithms and we show how the bounds degrade when there is skew in the data. In the case of skewed data, we show how to improve the algorithms when approximate degrees of the heavy-hitter elements are available, obtaining essentially optimal algorithms for queries such as simple joins and triangle join queries. For queries that we identify as tree-like, we also prove nearly matching upper and lower bounds for multi-round algorithms for a natural class of skew-free databases. One consequence of these latter lower bounds is that for any $\varepsilon>0$, using $p$ processors to compute the connected components of a graph, or to output the path, if any, between a specified pair of vertices of a graph with $m$ edges and per-processor load that is $O(m/p^{1-\varepsilon})$ requires $\Omega(\log p)$ rounds of communication. Our upper bounds are given by simple structured algorithms using MapReduce. Our one-round lower bounds are proved in a very general model, which we call the Massively Parallel Communication (MPC) model, that allows processors to communicate arbitrary bits. Our multi-round lower bounds apply in a restricted version of the MPC model in which processors in subsequent rounds after the first communication round are only allowed to send tuples.
Meshing Meristems - An Iterative Mesh Optimization Method for Modeling Plant Tissue at Cell Resolution

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Meshing Meristems An Iterative Mesh Optimization Method for Modeling Plant Tissue at Cell Resolution Guillaume Cerutti, Christophe Godin
VoIP Mobility Issues

Voice Over IP (VoIP for short) on wired line networks has gained significant attention in the past few years as the bandwidth of the internet accesses of a custom user is increasing continuously. The expansion of using the mobile environment induces an effort for integrating mobile communication with VoIP. However, integrating mobile environment with VoIP does not mean simply applying the techniques used in wired networks to wireless networks. There are many tasks that have to be solved in order to obtain an appropriate quality of such communications. There are two common mobile transmission techniques that can be used for transmitting data across a mobile telephone network, namely, GPRS and WiFi. This paper deals with the problem of integrating VoIP with mobile environment. It describes the various difficulties one faces when using GPRS or WiFi technologies for this purpose.
Personalized Book Recommendation Based on Ontology and CollaborativeFiltering Algorithm

Information recommendation service is one of important functions of digital library, aiming at the problem that book recommendation service exists the insufficient requirement mining of service object information in the current uni- versity library, personalized book recommendation method based on ontology information and collaborative filtering al- gorithm (abbreviated as OI-CFA algorithm) is proposed. Firstly, this paper discusses the necessity of collaborative rec- ommendation in digital library, introduces main methods and technology based on collaborative filtering recommendation system. However, there are several problems that are data sparse and new item forecast with collaborative filtering rec- ommendation method based on item. In order to solve these problems, this paper introduced an integrated similarity algo- rithms of structured semantic information based on OI-CFA. Extracting the semantic information of items including knowledge representation based on ontology, through ontology learning, the specified domain ontology is constructed. Compared with the traditional collaborative filtering algorithm and SVM, experimental results show that this method can not only solve the problems caused by the item-based collaborative filtering algorithm, but also improve the accuracy of recommendation.
The effect of the Halothane and Rendement Napole genes on carcass and meat quality characteristics of pigs.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the Halothane (N) and Rendement Napole (RN) genes on carcass and meat quality characteristics in pigs. Halothane and RN carrier (Nn/RN- rn+) Hampshire boars (n = 4) were mated to dams that were homozygous for the normal allele of both genes (NN/rn+ rn+) to produce progeny of four genotypes: 1, NN/rn+ rn+ (n = 31); 2, Nn/rn+ rn+ (n = 27); 3, NN/RN- rn+) (n = 30); and 4, Nn/RN- rn+ (n = 23). A DNA test was used to determine Halothane genotype, and longissimus glycolytic potential was used to predict the RN genotype. Pigs were reared under standard conditions to approximately 120 kg live weight and slaughtered at a commercial plant, and carcass characteristics and meat quality were evaluated. Halothane carriers (Nn/ _ _), in comparison to Halothane normal (NN/_ _) pigs, had shorter carcasses, lower longissimus ultimate pH, higher Minolta L* and b* values, and greater drip loss. Rendement Napole gene carriers (_ _/RN- rn+) had higher L* and b* values and drip and cooking loss and lower longissimus ultimate pH than homozygous recessive animals (_ _/rn+ rn+). There were Halothane x RN genotype interactions (P < 0.05) for subjective color, firmness, and marbling scores, and for shear force. Animals that were normal for both genes (NN/rn+ rn+) had the highest subjective scores for color (2.60, 1.88, 1.85, and 1.95, SE = 0.181, P < 0.05), firmness (2.53, 2.03, 2.10, and 1.89, SE = 0.182, P < 0 .05), and marbling (2.11, 1.44, 1.53, and 1.55, SE = 0.153, P < 0 .05) for genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, suggesting darker, firmer muscle with a higher level of marbling for this genotype. Shear force was highest for Nn/rn+ rn+ animals (3.83, 4.41, 3.79, and 3.70, respectively, SE = 0.172, P < 0.05). Gilts had less s.c. backfat thickness, greater longissimus muscle area, and lower subjective marbling scores than barrows. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of gender on other meat quality traits. This study illustrates the negative effects of the Halothane and RN genes on fresh pork quality and suggests that in combination the detrimental effects of the two genes are additive for ultimate pH, objective color, and water-holding capacity.
Electromyographic Patterns during Golf Swing: Activation Sequence Profiling and Prediction of Shot Effectiveness

This study analyzes muscle activity, recorded in an eight-channel electromyographic (EMG) signal stream, during the golf swing using a 7-iron club and exploits information extracted from EMG dynamics to predict the success of the resulting shot. Muscles of the arm and shoulder on both the left and right sides, namely flexor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum communis, rhomboideus and trapezius, are considered for 15 golf players (∼5 shots each). The method using Gaussian filtering is outlined for EMG onset time estimation in each channel and activation sequence profiling. Shots of each player revealed a persistent pattern of muscle activation. Profiles were plotted and insights with respect to player effectiveness were provided. Inspection of EMG dynamics revealed a pair of highest peaks in each channel as the hallmark of golf swing, and a custom application of peak detection for automatic extraction of swing segment was introduced. Various EMG features, encompassing 22 feature sets, were constructed. Feature sets were used individually and also in decision-level fusion for the prediction of shot effectiveness. The prediction of the target attribute, such as club head speed or ball carry distance, was investigated using random forest as the learner in detection and regression tasks. Detection evaluates the personal effectiveness of a shot with respect to the player-specific average, whereas regression estimates the value of target attribute, using EMG features as predictors. Fusion after decision optimization provided the best results: the equal error rate in detection was 24.3% for the speed and 31.7% for the distance; the mean absolute percentage error in regression was 3.2% for the speed and 6.4% for the distance. Proposed EMG feature sets were found to be useful, especially when used in combination. Rankings of feature sets indicated statistics for muscle activity in both the left and right body sides, correlation-based analysis of EMG dynamics and features derived from the properties of two highest peaks as important predictors of personal shot effectiveness. Activation sequence profiles helped in analyzing muscle orchestration during golf shot, exposing a specific avalanche pattern, but data from more players are needed for stronger conclusions. Results demonstrate that information arising from an EMG signal stream is useful for predicting golf shot success, in terms of club head speed and ball carry distance, with acceptable accuracy. Surface EMG data, collected with a goal to automatically evaluate golf player’s performance, enables wearable computing in the field of ambient intelligence and has potential to enhance exercising of a long carry distance drive.
Stereotactic body radiotherapy for small hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective outcome analysis in 185 patients

Abstract Background. Since 2005, we have treated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) uniformly at two dose levels, according to baseline liver function and normal liver dose. We retrospectively examined the outcomes for these patients. Material and methods. Between 2005 and 2012, 221 HCC patients were treated with SBRT. Eligibility criteria for SBRT included a single (either solitary or recurrent) HCC lesion; unfeasible, difficult or refusal to undergo other surgery or percutaneous ablative therapies; Child-Pugh Classification (CPC) A or B; tumors ≤ 5 cm; dose to the bowels < 25 Gy/5 fractions; curative intent. Patients followed up ≥ 6 months were eligible. The prescribed dose depended on liver function and liver dose: 40 Gy for CPC-A and 35 Gy for CPC-B, in 5 fractions, requiring a 5-Gy dose reduction if the proportion of the liver receiving ≥ 20 Gy exceeded 20%. Treatment outcomes and safety were analyzed. Results. A total of 185 patients (n = 48 in the 35-Gy group; n = 137 in the 40-Gy group) were eligible, with a median follow-up duration of 24 months (range 3–80). The three-year local control and overall survival rates were 91% and 70%, respectively. There were no significant differences in outcomes between dose levels: the three-year local control and overall survival rates in the 35-Gy and 40-Gy groups were 91% and 89% (log-rank p = 0.99) and 66% and 72% (p = 0.54), respectively. Acute toxicities ≥ grade 3 were observed in 24 (13.0%) patients, and 19 (10.3%) patients had worsening of CPC score by two points. All but three (1.6%) patients promptly recovered to grade 1–2. Grade 5 liver failure occurred in two patients in the 35-Gy group. Conclusion. SBRT for HCC was safe and provided equivalent outcomes when administered either in 35 or 40 Gy/5 fractions.
Emerging common molecular pathways for primary dystonia

The dystonias are a group of hyperkinetic movement disorders whose principal cause is neuron dysfunction at 1 or more interconnected nodes of the motor system. The study of genes and proteins that cause familial dystonia provides critical information about the cellular pathways involved in this dysfunction, which disrupts the motor pathways at the systems level. In recent years study of the increasing number of DYT genes has implicated a number of cell functions that appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of dystonia. A review of the literature published in English‐language publications available on PubMed relating to the genetics and cellular pathology of dystonia was performed. Numerous potential pathogenetic mechanisms have been identified. We describe those that fall into 3 emerging thematic groups: cell‐cycle and transcriptional regulation in the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope function, and control of synaptic function. © 2013 Movement Disorder Society
Manganese phytotoxicity: new light on an old problem.

BACKGROUND Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient that is phytotoxic under certain edaphic and climatic conditions. Multiple edaphic factors regulate Mn redox status and therefore its phytoavailability, and multiple environmental factors including light intensity and temperature interact with Mn phytotoxicity. The complexity of these interactions coupled with substantial genetic variation in Mn tolerance have hampered the recognition of Mn toxicity as an important stress in many natural and agricultural systems. SCOPE Conflicting theories have been advanced regarding the mechanism of Mn phytotoxicity and tolerance. One line of evidence suggests that Mn toxicity ocurrs in the leaf apoplast, while another suggests that toxicity occurs by disruption of photosynthetic electron flow in chloroplasts. These conflicting results may at least in part be attributed to the light regimes employed, with studies conducted under light intensities approximating natural sunlight showing evidence of photo-oxidative stress as a mechanism of toxicity. Excessive Mn competes with the transport and metabolism of other cationic metals, causing a range of induced nutrient deficiencies. Compartmentation, exclusion and detoxification mechanisms may all be involved in tolerance to excess Mn. The strong effects of light, temperature, precipitation and other climate variables on Mn phytoavailability and phytotoxicity suggest that global climate change is likely to exacerbate Mn toxicity in the future, which has largely escaped scientific attention. CONCLUSIONS Given that Mn is terrestrially ubiquitous, it is imperative that the heightened risk of Mn toxicity to both managed and natural plant ecosystems be factored into evaluation of the potential impacts of global climate change on vegetation. Large inter- and intraspecific genetic variation in tolerance to Mn toxicity suggests that increased Mn toxicity in natural ecosystems may drive changes in community composition, but that in agroecosystems crops may be developed with greater Mn tolerance. These topics deserve greater research attention.
Popularity Prediction of Social Multimedia Based on Concept Drift

Microblogging services such as Twitter and Plurk allow users to easily access and share different types of social multimedia (e.g. images and videos) over the online social world. However, information overload happens to users and prohibits them from reaching popular and important digital contents. This paper studies the problem of predicting the popularity of social multimedia which is embedded in short messages of microblogging social networks. Social multimedia exhibits the property that they might be persistently or periodically re-shared and thus their popularity might resurrect at some time and evolve over time. We exploit the idea of concept drift to capture this property. We formulate the problem using classification, and propose to tackle the tasks of Re-share classification and Popularity Score classification. Two categories of features are devised and extracted, including information diffusion and explicit multimedia meta information. We develop a concept drift-based popularity predictor, by ensembling multiple trained classifiers from social multimedia instances in different time intervals. The key lies in dynamically determining the ensemble weights of classifiers. Experiments conducted on the Plurk data show the high accuracy on the popularity classification and the promising results on detecting popular social multimedia.