Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rainbow Matchings of Size δ(G) in Properly Edge-Colored Graphs

A rainbow matching in an edge-colored graph is a matching in which all the edges have distinct colors. Wang asked if there is a function $f(\delta)$ such that a properly edge-colored graph $G$ with minimum degree $\delta$ and order at least $f(\delta)$ must have a rainbow matching of size $\delta$ . We answer this question in the affirmative; an extremal approach yields that $f(\delta) = 98\delta/23< 4.27\delta$ suffices. Furthermore, we give an $O(\delta(G)|V(G)|^2)$ -time algorithm that generates such a matching in a properly edge-colored graph of order at least $6.5\delta$ .
Surviving in directed graphs: a quasi-polynomial-time polylogarithmic approximation for two-connected directed Steiner tree

Real-word networks are often prone to failures. A reliable network needs to cope with this situation and must provide a backup communication channel. This motivates the study of survivable network design, which has been a focus of research for a few decades. To date, survivable network design problems on undirected graphs are well-understood. For example, there is a 2 approximation in the case of edge failures [Jain, FOCS'98/Combinatorica'01]. The problems on directed graphs, in contrast, have seen very little progress. Most techniques for the undirected case like primal-dual and iterative rounding methods do not seem to extend to the directed case. Almost no non-trivial approximation algorithm is known even for a simple case where we wish to design a network that tolerates a single failure. In this paper, we study a survivable network design problem on directed graphs, 2-Connected Directed Steiner Tree (2-DST): given an n-vertex weighted directed graph, a root r, and a set of h terminals S, find a min-cost subgraph H that has two edge/vertex disjoint paths from r to any tε S. 2-DST is a natural generalization of the classical Directed Steiner Tree problem (DST), where we have an additional requirement that the network must tolerate one failure. No non-trivial approximation is known for 2-DST. This was left as an open problem by Feldman et al., [SODA'09; JCSS] and has then been studied by Cheriyan et al. [SODA'12; TALG] and Laekhanukit [SODA'14]. However, no positive result was known except for the special case of a D-shallow instance [Laekhanukit, ICALP'16]. We present an O(D3logD#183; h2/D#183; logn) approximation algorithm for 2-DST that runs in time O(nO(D)), for any Dε[log2h]. This implies a polynomial-time O(hεlogn) approximation for any constant ε>0, and a poly-logarithmic approximation running in quasi-polynomial time. We remark that this is essentially the best-known even for the classical DST, and the latter problem is O(log2-εn)-hard to approximate [Halperin and Krauthgamer, STOC'03]. As a by product, we obtain an algorithm with the same approximation guarantee for the 2-Connected Directed Steiner Subgraph problem, where the goal is to find a min-cost subgraph such that every pair of terminals are 2-edge/vertex connected. Our approximation algorithm is based on a careful combination of several techniques. In more detail, we decompose an optimal solution into two (possibly not edge disjoint) divergent trees that induces two edge disjoint paths from the root to any given terminal. These divergent trees are then embedded into a shallow tree by means of Zelikovsky's height reduction theorem. On the latter tree we solve a 2-Connected Group Steiner Tree problem and then map back this solution to the original graph. Crucially, our tree embedding is achieved via a probabilistic mapping guided by an LP: This is the main technical novelty of our approach, and might be useful for future work.
Polarized Raman Anisotropic Response of Collagen in Tendon: Towards 3D Orientation Mapping of Collagen in Tissues

In this study, polarized Raman spectroscopy (PRS) was used to characterize the anisotropic response of the amide I band of collagen as a basis for evaluating three-dimensional collagen fibril orientation in tissues. Firstly, the response was investigated theoretically by applying classical Raman theory to collagen-like peptide crystal structures. The theoretical methodology was then tested experimentally, by measuring amide I intensity anisotropy in rat tail as a function of the orientation of the incident laser polarization. For the theoretical study, several collagen-like triple-helical peptide crystal structures obtained from the Protein Data Bank were rotated “in plane” and “out of plane” to evaluate the role of molecular orientation on the intensity of the amide I band. Collagen-like peptides exhibit a sinusoidal anisotropic response when rotated “in plane” with respect to the polarized incident laser. Maximal intensity was obtained when the polarization of the incident light is perpendicular to the molecule and minimal when parallel. In the case of “out of plane” rotation of the molecular structure a decreased anisotropic response was observed, becoming completely isotropic when the structure was perpendicular to the plane of observation. The theoretical Raman response of collagen was compared to that of alpha helical protein fragments. In contrast to collagen, alpha helices have a maximal signal when incident light is parallel to the molecule and minimal when perpendicular. For out-of-plane molecular orientations alpha-helix structures display a decreased average intensity. Results obtained from experiments on rat tail tendon are in excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions, thus demonstrating the high potential of PRS for experimental evaluation of the three-dimensional orientation of collagen fibers in biological tissues.
Scalable Cyber-Security for Terabit Cloud Computing

This paper addresses the problem of scalable cyber-security using a cloud computing architecture. Scalability is treated in two contexts: (1) performance and power efficiency and (2) degree of cyber security-relevant information detected by the cyber-security cloud (CSC). We provide a framework to construct CSCs, which derives from a set of fundamental building blocks (forwarders, analyzers and grounds) and the identification of the smallest functional units (atomic CSC cells or simply aCS C cells) capable of embedding the full functionality of the cyber-security cloud. aCSC cells are then studied and several high-performance algorithms are presented to optimize the system's performance and power efficiency. Among these, a new queuing policy - called tail early detection (TED) - is introduced to proactively drop packets in a way that the degree of detected information is maximized while saving power by avoiding spending cycles on less relevant traffic components. We also show that it is possible to use aCSC cells as core building blocks to construct arbitrarily large cyber-security clouds by structuring the cells using a hierarchical architecture. To demonstrate the utility of our framework, we implement one cyber-security "mini-cloud" on a single chip prototype based on the Tilera's TILEPro64 processor demonstrating performance of up to 10Gbps.
Enhancing Security by Averaging Multiple Fingerprint Images

In this paper an algorithm is proposed to secure an individual person's identity. In this approach individual person finger images are combined to add security so that no third identity can hack or recognize that particular person identity. To obtain such result the fingerprint data in the form of two finger images as thumb and middle finger data and three finger images as thumb, middle and ring finger have been collected and combined by averaging to obtain another unique identity. The unique identity obtained from these fingerprints is the most secured. The minutiae obtained in particular to combination are used to obtain the matching result.
Blood lead levels.

To the Editor . — With reference to the commentary by Binns et al,1 the message regarding immigrant populations is a critical one. (We here in the Pacific Northwest include migrants from Boston and Baltimore among our population! ) However they really present a mixed message regarding universal versus targeted screening. The rules of the Health Care Financing Administration (now known as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS]) are quite explicit; universal screening is mandated for all Medicaid recipients with the threat of nonreimbursement for failure to comply. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on the matter encouraged HCFA’s action several years ago and despite our requests to CDC to publically modify its position more than a year ago, no action whatsoever has taken place. CDC’s Advisory Committee apparently has the matter under study. We here in Washington have a monitoring program that finds our rate of elevated blood lead levels among …
MODEM: multi-omics data envelopment and mining in maize

MODEM is a comprehensive database of maize multidimensional omics data, including genomic, transcriptomic, metabolic and phenotypic information from the cellular to individual plant level. This initial release contains approximately 1.06 M high quality SNPs for 508 diverse inbred lines obtained by combining variations from RNA sequencing on whole kernels (15 days after pollination) of 368 lines and a 50 K array for all 508 individuals. As all of these data were derived from the same diverse panel of lines, the database also allows various types of genetic mapping (including characterization of phenotypic QTLs, pQTLs; expression QTLs, eQTLs and metabolic QTLs, mQTLs). MODEM is thus designed to promote a better understanding of maize genetic architecture and deep functional annotation of the complex maize genome (and potentially those of other crop plants) and to explore the genotype–phenotype relationships and regulation of maize kernel development at multiple scales, which is also comprehensive for developing novel methods. MODEM is additionally designed to link with other databases to make full use of current resources, and it provides visualization tools for easy browsing. All of the original data and the related mapping results are freely available for easy query and download. This platform also provides helpful tools for general analyses and will be continually updated with additional materials, features and public data related to maize genetics or regulation as they become available. Database URL: (http://modem.hzau.edu.cn)
A new nonlinear observer of sideslip angle with unknown vehicle parameter using the dual unscented Kalman filter

To improve the stability control of automotive engineering, the vehicle dynamic information, including vehicle motion states and key parameters of vehicle dynamic, is essential. Especially, the sideslip angle, an important variable of the vehicle state, is difficult to measure directly for technology or economic reason. What's more, some key parameters of vehicle system, such as the mass of vehicle, may vary significantly front one journey to the others, and require real-time estimation. This article is designed to propose a new nonlinear observer which can derive the state and unknown parameter of the vehicle dynamic system. This observer is based on the nonlinear double track model, in which the Dugoff model is used to describe the relation between the tire road force and the sideslip angle. The dual unscented Kalman filter is employed to get the states and the key parameters in the observe: Simulation results indicate that the new nonlinear observer works effectively and has big potential benefit in the real vehicle dynamic system.
VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN6 and VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN7 Effectively Induce Transdifferentiation into Xylem Vessel Elements under Control of an Induction System1[W]

We previously showed that the VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN6 (VND6) and VND7 genes, which encode NAM/ATAF/CUC domain protein transcription factors, act as key regulators of xylem vessel differentiation. Here, we report a glucocorticoid-mediated posttranslational induction system of VND6 and VND7. In this system, VND6 or VND7 is expressed as a fused protein with the activation domain of the herpes virus VP16 protein and hormone-binding domain of the animal glucocorticoid receptor, and the protein's activity is induced by treatment with dexamethasone (DEX), a glucocorticoid derivative. Upon DEX treatment, transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants carrying the chimeric gene exhibited transdifferentiation of various types of cells into xylem vessel elements, and the plants died. Many genes involved in xylem vessel differentiation, such as secondary wall biosynthesis and programmed cell death, were up-regulated in these plants after DEX treatment. Chemical analysis showed that xylan, a major hemicellulose component of the dicot secondary cell wall, was increased in the transgenic plants after DEX treatment. This induction system worked in poplar (Populus tremula × tremuloides) trees and in suspension cultures of cells from Arabidopsis and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum); more than 90% of the tobacco BY-2 cells expressing VND7-VP16-GR transdifferentiated into xylem vessel elements after DEX treatment. These data demonstrate that the induction systems controlling VND6 and VND7 activities can be used as powerful tools for understanding xylem cell differentiation.
Seminal Plasma Proteins Revert the Cold-Shock Damage on Ram Sperm Membrane1

Abstract Ejaculated ram spermatozoa, freed from seminal plasma by a dextran/swim-up procedure and exposed to cold shock, were incubated with ram seminal plasma proteins and analyzed by fluorescence markers and scanning electron microscopy. Seminal plasma proteins bound to the sperm plasma membrane modified the functional characteristics of damaged spermatozoa, reproducing those of live cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the dramatic structural damage induced by cooling reverted after incubation with seminal plasma proteins. Assessment of membrane integrity by fluorescence markers also indicated a restoration of intact-membrane cells. This protein adsorption is a concentration-dependent process that induces cell surface restoration in relation to the amount of protein in the incubation medium. Fractionation of ram seminal plasma proteins by exclusion chromatography provided three fractions able to reverse the cold shock effect. Scanning electron microscopy also confirmed the high activity of one fraction, because approximately 50% of cold-shocked sperm plasma membrane surface was restored to its original appearance after incubation. Differences in composition between the three separated fractions mainly resulted from one major band of approximately 20 kDa, which must be responsible for recovering the sperm membrane permeability characteristic of a live cell.
Grass Pollen Immunotherapy Induces an Allergen-Specific IgA2 Antibody Response Associated with Mucosal TGF-β Expression1

Allergen immunotherapy (IT) has long-term efficacy in IgE-mediated allergic rhinitis and asthma. IT has been shown to modify lymphocyte responses to allergen, inducing IL-10 production and IgG Abs. In contrast, a putative role for IgA and local TGF-β-producing cells remains to be determined. In 44 patients with seasonal rhinitis/asthma, serum IgA1, IgA2, and polymeric (J chain-containing) Abs to the major allergen Phl p 5 were determined by ELISA before and after a 2-year double-blind trial of grass pollen (Phleum pratense) injection IT. Nasal TGF-β expression was assessed by in situ hybridization. Sera from five IT patients were fractionated for functional analysis of the effects of IgA and IgG Abs on IL-10 production by blood monocytes and allergen-IgE binding to B cells. Serum Phl p 5-specific IgA2 Abs increased after a 2-year treatment (∼8-fold increase, p = 0.002) in contrast to IgA1. Increases in polymeric Abs to Phl p 5 (∼2-fold increase, p = 0.02) and in nasal TGF-β mRNA (p = 0.05) were also observed, and TGF-β mRNA correlated with serum Phl p 5 IgA2 (r = 0.61, p = 0.009). Post-IT IgA fractions triggered IL-10 secretion by monocytes while not inhibiting allergen-IgE binding to B cells as observed with IgG fractions. This study shows for the first time that the IgA response to IT is selective for IgA2, correlates with increased local TGF-β expression, and induces monocyte IL-10 expression, suggesting that IgA Abs could thereby contribute to the tolerance developed in IT-treated allergic patients.
Inhibition of host protein synthesis by vaccinia virus: fate of cell mRNA and synthesis of small poly (A)-rich polyribonucleotides in the presence of actinomycin D

Purified vaccinia virus rapidly inhibited HeLa cell protein synthesis in the presence of actinomycin D. Under these conditions host polyribosomes were extensively degraded but the mRNA was stable as indicated by a greater than 90% recovery of prelabeled polyadenylylated RNA. Although actinomycin D prevented the synthesis of host mRNA and poly(A) in uninfected cells, incorporation of adenosine into poly(A) was inhibited by less than 50% in infected cells. Further analysis indicated that there was little or no normal size viral mRNA but that a unique class of small poly(A)-rich RNA was made in the presence of actinomycin D. From measurements of the RNase resistance and base composition of the RNA, approximately 40% of the nucleotide sequence was estimated to be poly(A). The poly(A)-rich RNA was found associated with small polyribosomes and monoribosomes that were inactive in protein synthesis. It was suggested that the poly(A) segment of the RNA is formed by the poly(A) polymerase previously found in vaccinia virus cores and that the inactive RNA, by competing with host mRNA, may contribute to the virus-mediated inhibition of host protein synthesis observed in the presence of actinomycin D.
Rare Occurrence of Classical Hodgkin's Disease as a T Cell Lymphoma

Recent work identified Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells in classical Hodgkin's disease (cHD) as clonal progeny of mature B cells. Therefore, it is generally assumed that cHD homogenously represents a B cell lymphoma. In a subset of cHD, however, H/RS cells expressing T cell–associated proteins may be candidates for alternative lineage derivation. Single H/RS cells with cytotoxic T cell phenotype were micromanipulated from three cases of cHD and analyzed by single cell polymerase chain reaction for immunoglobulin heavy (IgH) and light chain (IgL) gene rearrangements, T cell receptor (TCR)-β gene rearrangements, and germline configuration of the IgH and TCR-β loci. H/RS cells from two cases of cHD harbored clonal, somatically mutated Ig gene rearrangements, whereas TCR-β loci were in germline configuration. In contrast, H/RS cells from an additional case harbored clonal TCR-β variable/diversity/joining (VDJ) and DJ gene rearrangements, whereas the IgH locus was in germline configuration on both alleles. Thus, in two cases of cHD with H/RS cells expressing cytotoxic T cell molecules, the tumor cells are derived from mature B cells that aberrantly express T cell markers. In a third case, however, H/RS cells were derived from a T cell, demonstrating that cHD can also occur as a T cell lymphoma.
Dynamic Systems and Applications 13 ( 2004 ) 351-379 PARTIAL DIFFERENTIATION ON TIME SCALES

In this paper a differential calculus for multivariable functions on time scales is presented. Such a calculus can be used to develop a theory of partial dynamic equations on time scales in order to unify and extend the usual partial differential and partial difference equations. AMS (MOS) Subject Classification. 26B05, 39A10, 26B10.
Development of a Pneumatic Sucker for Gripping Workpieces With Rough Surface

In this study, we developed a new pneumatic sucker for handling workpieces with rough surfaces. We blow jet flow into a cylindrical cavity via tangential nozzles to form a rotating air flow that generates a cupped negative pressure distribution and creates suction force. Subsequently, air is exhausted through an annular gap passage at the bottom of the sucker. The cupped pressure distribution and exhausting air flow, which can inhibit the effect of air leakage caused by the rough surfaces of workpieces, are the key technical features that distinguish the new sucker from currently available pneumatic suckers. In this paper, we present the design and study the characteristics of the new sucker via experiments that measure the suction force and pressure distribution. The results reveal that the height of the annular gap passage is a key design parameter that affects the negative pressure and suction force and that an optimal value for the height exists. In addition, we investigate the influence of the roughness of the workpiece surface. The observed pressure distributions suggest that rough surfaces slow down the rotating air flow such that the suction force decreases as the roughness of the workpiece surface increases, which, however, only causes a small extent of decline in the suction force. Furthermore, we compare the new sucker with two existing suckers: a traditional rubber sucker and a Bernoulli sucker. The comparison reveals that the new sucker is superior in handling rough workpieces and saving energy. Finally, we use the new sucker to pick up several types of workpieces to confirm its applicability. This research of developing a new pneumatic sucker was motivated by the problem of gripping of workpieces with rough surface. Traditional rubber suckers are invalid due to the air leakage caused by the rough surfaces of workpieces, and the existing Bernoulli sucker has the shortcoming of consuming a large amount of air. In this paper, we propose a pneumatic sucker forming rotating air flow in an upside-down cup-like cavity to generate suction force. We present the design and investigate a key design parameter (i.e., the height of the gap passage) via experiments. It is found that an optimal value for the height exists, and it is independent of the air consumption and roughness of workpieces. We then verify the merit in gripping rough-surface workpieces and saving air consumption via comparison with a rubber sucker and a Bernoulli sucker. At the end of the paper, we use the new sucker to pick up several types of workpieces to confirm its applicability. These examples show that the new sucker could replace manual work to complete sorting and packing operations and play an important role in fully automatic production lines.
Linear mechanistic models for the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of cat probed using drifting-grating stimuli

Experiments with sinusoidal visual stimuli in the early visual pathway have traditionally been interpreted in terms of descriptive filter models. We present an alternative mechanistic approach for interpretation of this type of data recorded from X cells in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of cat. A general, linear, rate-based mathematical expression for the geniculate transfer ratio, i.e. the ratio between the first-harmonic components of the output of a geniculate relay cell and its retinal input, is derived. In linear theory this ratio is independent of the signal processing occurring at the retinal level. Further, the ratio is straightforwardly accessible in experiments due to the presence of S-potentials, representing the retinal input, in extracellular recordings from dLGN. The expression accounts for feedforward inputs from retina and intrageniculate interneurons as well as feedback inputs from cortex and the thalamic reticular nucleus and can be used to experimentally test different mechanistic models for the geniculate circuitry. Two examples of this are considered: a purely feedforward model incorporating relay cell inputs from retinal ganglion cells and interneurons, and a model including cortical feedback inhibition of relay cells via intrageniculate interneurons.