Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributed Secure Estimation Over Wireless Sensor Networks Against Random Multichannel Jamming Attacks

This paper addresses the distributed secure estimation problem over wireless sensor networks subject to random multichannel jamming attacks. Each sensor’s measurement is divided into <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n_{y}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> (the dimension of measurement signal) components and transmitted via <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n_{y}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> relevant wireless channels. The attacker is an active adversary in the sense that sensors’ measurements through wireless transmission channels are randomly dropped if the corresponding channels are successfully jammed. By employing a piecewise homogeneous Markov chain, a sophisticated two-level switching multichannel jamming attack model is developed. From the perspective of the attacker, this attack model is promising and makes the wireless channels highly vulnerable, because the attacker can randomly and arbitrarily decide when and where to launch the attacks. We then focus our attention on the secure estimation of a target signal with the caveat that some of the measurements can be incomplete induced by the attacks. A system theoretic framework is then developed to cast the network-based security problem into an <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{\infty }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> estimation theory problem of a piecewise homogeneous Markov jump system. Criteria for analyzing <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{\infty }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> estimation performance and designing resilient estimators against noises and attacks are also presented. The effectiveness of the proposed results is illustrated through a military F404 aircraft engine system.
Cobalt chromium alloy with immobilized BMP peptide for enhanced bone growth

Cobalt chromium (CoCr) alloys are widely used in orthopedic practice, however, lack of integration into the bone for long‐term survival often occurs, leading to implant failure. Revision surgery to address such a failure involves increased risks, complications, and costs. Advances to enhancement of bone‐implant interactions would improve implant longevity and long‐term results. Therefore, we investigated the effects of BMP peptide covalently grafted to CoCr alloy on osteogenesis. The BMP peptide was derived from the knuckle epitope of bone morphogenic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) and was conjugated via a cysteine amino acid at the N‐terminus. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and o‐phthaldialdehyde were used to verify successful grafting at various stages of surface functionalization. Surface topography was evaluated from the surface profile determined by atomic force microscopy. Osteoblastic cells (MC3T3‐E1) were seeded on the substrates, and the effects of BMP peptide on osteogenic differentiation were evaluated by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium mineral deposition. The functionalized surfaces showed a twofold increase in ALP activity after 2 weeks incubation and a fourfold increase in calcium content after 3 weeks incubation compared to the pristine substrate. These findings are potentially useful in the development of improved CoCr implants for use in orthopedic applications. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1424–1430, 2011
Fungal tyrosinases: new prospects in molecular characteristics, bioengineering and biotechnological applications

Tyrosinases are type‐3 copper proteins involved in the initial step of melanin synthesis. These enzymes catalyse both the o‐hydroxylation of monophenols and the subsequent oxidation of the resulting o‐diphenols into reactive o‐quinones, which evolve spontaneously to produce intermediates, which associate in dark brown pigments. In fungi, tyrosinases are generally associated with the formation and stability of spores, in defence and virulence mechanisms, and in browning and pigmentation. First characterized from the edible mushroom Agaricus bisporus because of undesirable enzymatic browning problems during postharvest storage, tyrosinases were found, more recently, in several other fungi with relevant insights into molecular and genetic characteristics and into reaction mechanisms, highlighting their very promising properties for biotechnological applications. The limit of these applications remains in the fact that native fungal tyrosinases are generally intracellular and produced in low quantity. This review compiles the recent data on biochemical and molecular properties of fungal tyrosinases, underlining their importance in the biotechnological use of these enzymes. Next, their most promising applications in food, pharmaceutical and environmental fields are presented and the bioengineering approaches used for the development of tyrosinase‐overproducing fungal strains are discussed.
Presentation of a Conserved Adenoviral Epitope on HLA-C*0702 Allows Evasion of Natural Killer but Not T Cell Responses

Abstract Infection with adenovirus is a major cause of infectious mortality in children following hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. While adoptive transfer of epitope-specific T cells is a particularly effective therapeutic approach, there are few suitable adenoviral peptide epitopes described to date. Here, we describe the adenoviral peptide epitope FRKDVNMVL from hexon protein, and its variant FRKDVNMIL, that is restricted by human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-C*0702. Since HLA-C*0702 can be recognized by both T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, we characterized responses by both cell types. T cells specific for FRKDVNMVL were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells expanded from eight of ten healthy HLA-typed donors by peptide-HLA multimer staining, and could also be detected by cultured interferon γ ELISpot assays. Surprisingly, HLA-C*0702 was not downregulated during infection, in contrast to the marked downregulation of HLA-A*0201, suggesting that adenovirus cannot evade T cell responses.
Review of the evidence for interventions to increase young people's use of health services in developing countries.

OBJECTIVE This chapter reviews the evidence base for interventions that aim to increase young people's use of health services in developing countries. METHODS We identified published and unpublished studies and reports from developing countries that provided information about interventions designed to increase young people's use of health services. The studies were classified into six different types based on whether they included some or all of the following characteristics: training for service providers and clinic staff; making efforts to improve the quality of the facilities; implementing community activities to generate demand and support for the services; and involving other sectors, notably schools and the media. The levels of evidence required to make decisions about policies and programmes were defined for each of these types. FINDINGS Despite the lack of detailed descriptions of interventions in the studies and difficulties interpreting the data reported in the evaluations, the studies provided evidence of increased use of health services by young people for those types of interventions that included training for service providers, making improvements to clinic facilities and implementing activities in the community, with or without the involvement of other sectors. CONCLUSION The evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to increase young people's use of health services was sufficient to recommend that interventions that include training for service providers, making improvements to clinics and using activities in the community should be widely implemented with careful monitoring of quality and coverage and that those that additionally involve other sectors should also be widely but cautiously implemented, provided they include a strong evaluation component. Operations research is also required to better understand the content of the interventions and their mechanisms of action.
Fast Force Field Approximation and its Application to Skeletonization of Discrete 3D Objects

In this paper we present a novel method to approximate the force field of a discrete 3d object with a time complexity that is linear in the number of voxels. We define a rule, similar to the distance transform, to propagate forces associated with boundary points into the interior of the object. The result of this propagation depends on the order in which the points of the object are processed. Therefore we analyze how to obtain an order‐invariant approximation formula. With the resulting formula it becomes possible to approximate the force field and to use its features for a fast and topology preserving skeletonization. We use a thinning strategy on the body‐centered cubic lattice to compute the skeleton and ensure that critical points of the force field are not removed. This leads to improved skeletons with respect to the properties of centeredness and rotational invariance.
Comprehensive Analyses of White-Handed Gibbon Chromosomes Enables Access to 92 Evolutionary Conserved Breakpoints Compared to the Human Genome

Gibbon species (Hylobatidae) impress with an unusually high number of numerical and structural chromosomal changes within the family itself as well as compared to other Hominoidea including humans. In former studies applying molecular cytogenetic methods, 86 evolutionary conserved breakpoints (ECBs) were reported in the white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar, HLA) with respect to the human genome. To analyze those ECBs in more detail and also to achieve a better understanding of the fast karyotype evolution in Hylobatidae, molecular data for these regions are indispensably necessary. In the present study, we obtained whole chromosome-specific probes by microdissection of all 21 HLA autosomes and prepared them for aCGH. Locus-specific DNA probes were also used for further molecular cytogenetic characterization of selected regions. Thus, we could map 6 yet unreported ECBs in HLA with respect to the human genome. Additionally, in 26 of the 86 previously reported ECBs, the present approach enabled a more precise breakpoint mapping. Interestingly, a preferred localization of ECBs within segmental duplications, copy number variant regions, and fragile sites was observed.
Credit Scoring System for Managing Risk in Agricultural Loan Portfolio of the Thai Rural Financial Market

The main objective of this study is to develop a credit risk management instrument of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, an important organization of the Thai rural financial market. The paper highlights the application of the credit scoring system in managing risk in agricultural lending activities. The logit model is first developed to identify the probability of default from the economical and geographical risk factors. The results verify the payment history, collateral types, loan to value ratio, deficit irrigation, saving, land suitability, natural disasters (flood and drought) and income to expense ratio in the household are important factors in determining of the probability of default in the farmers lending. The model is tested for reliability and validity of the prediction power in discriminating the debtors. Results from the logit model are subsequently employed to formulate the credit scoring system and internal credit risk rating system with reference to the Basel II criteria. The results show how agricultural exposures can be managed on a portfolio basis which will enable the bank to diversify the risk in each of portfolio share, determine the interest rate on the basis of risk, and analyze for the minimum capital requirements and optimal returns in agricultural loan portfolio.
Genomic analysis of the olfactory receptor region of the mouse and human T-cell receptor alpha/delta loci.

We have conducted a comparative genomic analysis of several olfactory receptor (OR) genes that lie immediately 5' to the V-alpha gene segments at the mouse and human T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha/delta loci. Five OR genes are identified in the human cluster. The murine cluster has at least six OR genes; the first five are orthologous to the human genes. The sixth mouse gene has arisen since mouse-human divergence by a duplication of a approximately 10-kb block. One pair of OR paralogs found at the mouse and human loci are more similar to each other than to their corresponding orthologs. This paralogous "twinning" appears to be under selection, perhaps to increase sensitivity to particular odorants or to resolve structurally-similar odorants. The promoter regions of the mouse OR genes were identified by RACE-PCR. Orthologs share extensive 5' UTR homology, but we find no significant similarity among paralogs. These findings extend previous observations that suggest that OR genes do not share local significant regulatory homology despite having a common regulatory agenda. We also identified a diverged TCR-alpha gene segment that uses a divergent recombination signal sequence (RSS) to initiate recombination in T-cells from within the OR region. We explored the hypothesis that OR genes may use DNA recombination in expressing neurons, e.g., to recombine ORs into a transcriptionally active locus. We searched the mouse sequence for OR-flanking RSS motifs, but did not find evidence to suggest that these OR genes use TCR-like recombination target sequences.
Excitatory purinergic neurotransmission in smooth muscle of guniea‐pig taenia caeci

Non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory neurotransmission has been an area of intense interest in gut motor physiology, whereas excitatory NANC neurotransmission has received less attention. In order to further explore excitatory NANC neurotransmission, we performed conventional intracellular recordings from guinea‐pig taenia caeci smooth muscle. Tissue was perfused with oxygenated Krebs solution at 35°C and nerve responses evoked by either oral or aboral nerve stimulation (NS) (4 square wave pulses, 0.3 ms duration, 20 Hz). Electrical activity was characterized by slow waves upon which one to three action potentials were superimposed. Oral NS evoked an inhibitory junction potential (IJP) at either the valley or peak of the slow wave. Application of nifedipine (1 μm) abolished slow waves and action potentials, but membrane potential flunctuations (1–3 mV) and IJPs remained unaffected. Concomitant application of apamin (300 nm), a small‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel blocker, converted the IJP to an EJP that was followed by slow IJP. Further administration of NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME, 200 μm), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, abolished the slow IJP without affecting the EJP, implying that the slow IJP is due to nitrergic innervation. The EJP was abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 μm), but was not significantly affected by atropine (3 μm) and guanethidine (3 μm) or hexamethonium (500 μm). Substance P (SP, 1 μm) desensitization caused slight attenuation of the EJP, but the EJP was abolished by desensitization with α,β‐methylene ATP (50 μm), a P2 purinoceptor agonist that is more potent than ATP at the P2X receptor subtype, suramin (100 μm), a non‐selective P2 purinoceptor antagonist, and pyridoxal‐phosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulphonic acid (PPADS, 100 μm), a selective P2X purinoceptor antagonist. In contrast, the EJP was unaffected by MRS‐2179 (2 μm), a selective P2Y1 receptor antagonist. Aboral NS evoked an apamin‐ and l‐NAME‐sensitive IJP, but virtually no NANC EJP. These data suggest the presence of polarized excitatory purinergic neurotransmission in guinea‐pig taenia caeci, which appears to be mediated by P2X purinoceptors, most likely the P2X1 subtype.
Macroeconomic Indicators of the U.S Credit Card Charge-off Rate

The identification and monitoring of macroeconomic indicators of charge-off rates is essential in loan loss reserve allocation and more generally bank risk management. The empirical literature provides contradicting evidence on the significant macroeconomic indicators of charge-offs. The paper shows that the trend in the credit-card charge-off rate shows variability over time coupled with extreme swings in the most recent periods. The paper then argues that failure to account for the inherent volatility in charge-off rates will lead to inconsistent guidance on its key indicators. The paper demonstrates the usefulness of Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic (ARCH) methods when accounting for the time-varying volatility of charge-offs. Once ARCH effects are controlled for the key macroeconomic indicators demonstrating a causal link to the charge-off rate are identified. The paper also demonstrates that there has been a fundamental change in the association of the key indicators with charge-off rates in recent times.
Evaluation of the Adsorption of Hexavalent Chromium on Kaolinite and Illite

The adsorption of hexavalent chromium on Kaolinite and Illite was studied in order to evaluate their potential for the reduction of hexavalent chromium mobility and their possible application for the treatment of polluted sediment. The influence of various parameters affecting the adsorption of hexavalent chromium, such as the pH of aqueous solution, the ionic strength and the initial metal ion concentration were investigated. The optimal pH range corresponding to the hexavalent chromium adsorption maximum on the Kaolinite and Illite is 2 - 4 and 2 - 2.6, respectively. The results showed that hexavalent chromium sorption on Kaolinite and Illite was strongly influenced by the pH, the ionic strength and the initial metal ion concentration. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms are employed to understand the nature of adsorption at room temperature. The characteristic parameters for each isotherm have been determined. This showed that the Freundlich isotherm model well described the equilibrium data. The data suggest that the charge of the clay mineral surface is one of the main factors controlling hexavalent chromium desorption at alkaline pHs.
Lung inflation inhibits rapidly adapting receptor relay neurons in the rat

Pulmonary slowly adapting receptors (SARs) and rapidly adapting receptors (RARs) are important components of various respiratory reflexes. In anesthetized, paralyzed and artificially ventilated rats, we found an inhibitory linkage from the former to the latter system at the level of their second-order relay neurons (P cells and RAR cells, respectively). Lung inflation which activates RARs as well as SARs suppressed RAR cell activity evoked by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. Intracellular recordings from RAR cells showed IPSPs locked to electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral and contralateral vagus nerves at an intensity just above the threshold for P cell activation. Activation of P cells with glutamate suppressed RAR cell firing. Since P cells project to the area of RAR cells, taken together, these results strongly suggest that P cells synaptically inhibit RAR cells.
Preserved configural learning and spatial learning impairment in rats with hippocampal damage

This study was undertaken to compare the effect of hippocampal neurotoxic lesions in rats on two behavioral tasks, one a test of spatial learning, and the other an operant discrimination task that is acquired by forming nonspatial configural associations. Lesions of the hippocampus were made with microinjections of ibotenic acid. After postoperative recovery, rats were trained initially to locate a camouflaged escape platform in a water maze using distal spatial cues. Rats also were trained in the maze apparatus with a visible escape platform under conditions in which spatial information was made irrelevant to performance, i. e. , cue learning. In an operant task, the same rats were then trained on a discrimination that included simultaneous feature positive and feature negative components (trial types XA+, A−, XB−, B+). After completion of this nonspatial configural learning task, rats received additional training in the water maze using a new platform location for spatial learning. To the extent that proficient performance in both the maze and operant tasks depends on a common function of the hippocampus, i. e. , configural learning, the expectation was that hippocampal lesions would prove equally detrimental to performance in both tasks. Contrary to this expectation, lesioned rats were severely impaired in spatial learning but readily acquired the operant discrimination, even exhibiting some evidence of enhanced performance on this nonspatial configural learning task. Performance of the lesioned rats during cue training in the water maze was also enhanced relative to the control group. These results demonstrate that a spatial learning deficit in rats with hippocampal damage does not necessarily occur in the setting of a general configural learning impairment, as originally suggested by Sutherland and Rudy (1989, Psychobiology 17:129–144).
Effect of dietary selenium and vitamin E on the ultrastructure and ATP concentration of boar spermatozoa, and the efficacy of added sodium selenite in extended semen on sperm motility.

Three experiments evaluated the effects of dietary Se and vitamin E on the ultrastructure of spermatozoa, ATP concentration of spermatozoa, and the effects of adding sodium selenite to semen extenders on subsequent sperm motility. The experiment was a 2 x 2 arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design. A total of 10 mature boars were fed from weaning to 18 mo of age diets fortified with two levels of supplemental Se (0 or .5 ppm) or vitamin E (0 or 220 IU/kg diet). The nonfortified diets contained . 06 ppm Se and 4.4 IU vitamin E/kg. In Exp. 1, the spermatozoa from all boars were examined by electron microscopy. Vitamin E had no effect on structural abnormalities in the spermatozoa. When the low-Se diet was fed the acrosome or nuclei of the spermatozoa was unaffected, but the mitochondria in the tail midpiece were more oval with wider gaps between organelles. The plasma membrane connection to the tail midpiece was not tightly bound as when boars were fed Se. Immature spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets were more numerous when boars were fed the low-Se diet, but the occurrence of midpiece abnormalities occurred in boars fed diets with or without Se or vitamin E. Our results suggest that Se may enhance spermatozoa maturation in the epididymis and may reduce the number of sperm with cytoplasmic droplets. In Exp. 2, the concentration of ATP in the spermatozoa was evaluated in the semen of all treatment boars. When the low-Se diet was fed, ATP concentration was lower (P < .01), whereas vitamin E had no effect on ATP concentration. Experiment 3 investigated the effect of diluting boar semen with a semen extender with sodium selenite added at 0, . 3, . 6, or . 9 ppm Se. Three ejaculates from each boar were used to evaluate these effects on sperm motility to 48 h after dilution. Sperm motility declined (P < .01) when Se was added to the extender, and this decline was exacerbated as the concentration of added Se increased (P < .01). The added Se was demonstrated to be tightly adhered to the spermatozoa. Overall, these results suggest that low Se-diets fed to boars resulted in abnormal spermatozoal mitochondria, a lower ATP concentration in the spermatozoa, and a loose apposition of the plasma membrane to the helical coil of the tail midpiece, but no effect from inadequate vitamin E was demonstrated. Adding sodium selenite to the semen extender reduced sperm cell motility.