Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Beneficiary Role for Neuraminidase in Influenza Virus Penetration through the Respiratory Mucus

Swine influenza virus (SIV) has a strong tropism for pig respiratory mucosa, which consists of a mucus layer, epithelium, basement membrane and lamina propria. Sialic acids present on the epithelial surface have long been considered to be determinants of influenza virus tropism. However, mucus which is also rich in sialic acids may serve as the first barrier of selection. It was investigated how influenza virus interacts with the mucus to infect epithelial cells. Two techniques were applied to track SIV H1N1 in porcine mucus. The microscopic diffusion of SIV particles in the mucus was analyzed by single particle tracking (SPT), and the macroscopic penetration of SIV through mucus was studied by a virus in-capsule-mucus penetration system, followed by visualizing the translocation of the virions with time by immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, the effects of neuraminidase on SIV getting through or binding to the mucus were studied by using zanamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI), and Arthrobacter ureafaciens neuraminidase. The distribution of the diffusion coefficient shows that 70% of SIV particles were entrapped, while the rest diffused freely in the mucus. Additionally, SIV penetrated the porcine mucus with time, reaching a depth of 65 µm at 30 min post virus addition, 2 fold of that at 2 min. Both the microscopic diffusion and macroscopic penetration were largely diminished by NAI, while were clearly increased by the effect of exogenous neuraminidase. Moreover, the exogenous neuraminidase sufficiently prevented the binding of SIV to mucus which was reversely enhanced by effect of NAI. These findings clearly show that the neuraminidase helps SIV move through the mucus, which is important for the virus to reach and infect epithelial cells and eventually become shed into the lumen of the respiratory tract.
Examining Motivation for Charity Sport Event Participation: A Comparison of Recreation-Based and Charity-Based Motives

Abstract This paper examines the role of recreation motives and motives for charitable giving in the development of participants' attachment to a charity sport event across two different events. Online questionnaires were administered within a pilot study, and then given to participants in the 2007 Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) LIVESTRONG Challenge (N=568) and the 2007 3M Half Marathon and Relay (N=689). Regression analysis revealed both recreation-based and charity-based motives contribute to attachment to the events. The findings also demonstrate that the charity-based motives make a stronger contribution for the 2007 LAF LIVESTRONG Challenge, while recreation-based motives make a stronger contribution for the 2007 3M Half Marathon and Relay. Suggestions are made for the creation of participant profiles based upon the motives.
Manifold learning in sparse selected feature subspaces

Feature selection and extraction are often combined for learning effective representation in image recognition. In this paper, we propose a serial combination method for feature representation in face image recognition. The algorithm first selects a subset in high-dimensional low level feature spaces with sparse learning and then feature extraction is further performed with manifold learning. Both feature selection and extraction are performed evolving class-specific information to learn task-specific feature representation. The serial combination serves to form the final lower dimensional representation in a multi-layer structure. Experimental analysis for multiple face image recognition tasks prove the effectiveness of the proposed serial combination of feature learning.
Monitoring functional arm movement for home-based therapy after stroke

The goal of this project is to develop a means for individuals with stroke to practice arm movement therapy at home with remote monitoring. We previously developed a Web-based system for repetitive movement training (Java Therapy). This paper describes a new input device for the system that measures and assists in naturalistic arm movement, as well as software enhancements. The new input device is an instrumented, adult-sized version of Wilmington robotic exoskeleton (WREX), which is a five degrees-of-freedom orthosis that counterbalances the weight of the arm using elastic bands. To test the ability of the new device (Training-WREX or "T-WREX") to measure and assist in functional arm movements, we measured five chronic stroke subjects' movement ability while wearing the orthosis without gravity balance compared to wearing the orthosis with gravity balance. T-WREX's gravity balance function improved a clinical measure of arm movement (Fugl-Meyer Score), range of motion of reaching movements, and accuracy of drawing movements. Coupled with an enhanced version of Java Therapy, T-WREX will thus provide a means to assist functional arm movement training at home, either over the Web in real-time, or stand-alone with periodic communication with a remote site.
A new efficient algorithm for inferring explicit hybridization networks following the Neighbor-Joining principle

Several algorithms and software have been developed for inferring phylogenetic trees. However, there exist some biological phenomena such as hybridization, recombination, or horizontal gene transfer which cannot be represented by a tree topology. We need to use phylogenetic networks to adequately represent these important evolutionary mechanisms. In this article, we present a new efficient heuristic algorithm for inferring hybridization networks from evolutionary distance matrices between species. The famous Neighbor-Joining concept and the least-squares criterion are used for building networks. At each step of the algorithm, before joining two given nodes, we check if a hybridization event could be related to one of them or to both of them. The proposed algorithm finds the exact tree solution when the considered distance matrix is a tree metric (i.e. it is representable by a unique phylogenetic tree). It also provides very good hybrids recovery rates for large trees (with 32 and 64 leaves in our simulations) for both distance and sequence types of data. The results yielded by the new algorithm for real and simulated datasets are illustrated and discussed in detail.
Effect of temporary nuclear arrest by Phosphodiesterase 3‐Inhibitor on morphological and functional aspects of in vitro matured mouse oocytes

The present study aimed to analyze detailed morphological and functional characteristics of mouse in vitro matured oocytes after a pre‐maturation culture (PMC) by temporary nuclear arrest with the specific phosphodiesterase 3‐inhibitor (PDE3‐I) Cilostamide. In a first experiment the lowest effective dose of Cilostamide was determined. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs), isolated from small antral follicles, were exposed to different concentrations of Cilostamide (ranging from 0 (control) to10 µM) for 24 hr. Afterwards, oocytes were removed from PDE3‐I‐containing medium and underwent in vitro maturation (IVM) for 16–18 hr. A concentration of 1 µM Cilostamide was the lowest effective dose for maximum level of inhibition and reversibility of meiosis inhibition. This concentration was used in further experiments to evaluate oocyte quality following IVM in relation to different parameters: kinetics of meiotic progression, metaphase II (MII) spindle morphology, aneuploidy rate, fertilization, and embryonic developmental rates. The results were compared to nonarrested (in vitro control) and in vivo matured oocytes (in vivo control). Following withdrawal of the inhibitor, the progression of meiosis was more synchronous and accelerated in arrested when compared to nonarrested oocytes. A PMC resulted in a significant increase in the number of oocytes constituting a MII spindle of normal morphology. None of the oocytes exposed to PDE3‐I showed numerical chromosome alterations. In addition, fertilization and embryonic developmental rates were higher in the PMC group compared to in vitro controls, but lower than in vivo controls. These results provide evidence that induced nuclear arrest by PDE3‐I is a safe and reliable method to improve oocyte quality after IVM. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1021–1030, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impaired Impulse Propagation in Scn5a-Knockout Mice: Combined Contribution of Excitability, Connexin Expression, and Tissue Architecture in Relation to Aging

Background—The SCN5A sodium channel is a major determinant for cardiac impulse propagation. We used epicardial mapping of the atria, ventricles, and septae to investigate conduction velocity (CV) in Scn5a heterozygous young and old mice. Methods and Results—Mice were divided into 4 groups: (1) young (3 to 4 months) wild-type littermates (WT); (2) young heterozygous Scn5a-knockout mice (HZ); (3) old (12 to 17 months) WT; and (4) old HZ. In young HZ hearts, CV in the right but not the left ventricle was reduced in agreement with a rightward rotation in the QRS axes; fibrosis was virtually absent in both ventricles, and the pattern of connexin43 (Cx43) expression was similar to that of WT mice. In old WT animals, the right ventricle transversal CV was slightly reduced and was associated with interstitial fibrosis. In old HZ hearts, right and left ventricle CVs were severely reduced both in the transversal and longitudinal direction; multiple areas of severe reactive fibrosis invaded the myocardium, accompanied by markedly altered Cx43 expression. The right and left bundle-branch CVs were comparable to those of WT animals. The atria showed only mild fibrosis, with heterogeneously disturbed Cx40 and Cx43 expression. Conclusions—A 50% reduction in Scn5a expression alone or age-related interstitial fibrosis only slightly affects conduction. In aged HZ mice, reduced Scn5a expression is accompanied by the presence of reactive fibrosis and disarrangement of gap junctions, which results in profound conduction impairment.
The Role of Adenosine in CBF Increases During Hypoxia in Young vs Aged Rats

The role of adenosine In the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) response to hypoxia was evaluated in young (6 month) and aged (26-28 month) F344 rats using theophylline, an adenosine antago- nist. Regional CBF was measured with radioactive microspheres under control anesthetized conditions (70% N2O, 30% O2) and at two levels of hypoxia (CaO2 = 8.7–9.0 ml 100ml-1 and 3.2–3.7 ml 100ml-l). Without theophylline infusion, CBF increases were similar between young and aged rats during moderate hypoxia but were increased more in young during severe hypoxia. Intracerebrovascular theophylline infusion significantly attenuated the increase in CBF during both moderate and severe hypoxia and de- creased the difference between young and aged rats. Theophylline infusion produced no significant effect on the increase in CBF produced by hypercapnia, indicating the specificity of the treatment for hypoxic induced CBF changes and adenosine release. Intracerebrovascular infusion of adenosine had no effect on CBF, presumably due to the presence of the blood brain barrier. The results suggest that adenosine plays a major role in CBF increases during both moderate and severe hypoxia and in the difference in response to hypoxia between young and aged rats. Stroke Vol 15. No I. 1984
Viability Thresholds of Ischemic Penumbra of Hyperacute Stroke Defined by Perfusion-Weighted MRI and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient

Background and Purpose The penumbra of ischemic stroke consists of hypoperfused, but not irreversibly damaged, tissue surrounding the ischemic core. The purpose of this study was to determine viability thresholds in the ischemic penumbra, defined as the perfusion/diffusion mismatch in hyperacute stroke, by the use of diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI (DWI and PWI, respectively). Methods DWI and PWI were performed in 11 patients ≤6 hours after the onset of symptoms of acute ischemic stroke. Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed covering the ischemic core (ROI 1), the penumbra that progressed to infarction on the basis of follow-up scans (ROI 2), and the penumbra that recovered (ROI 3). The ratios of relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), mean transit time (MTT), and apparent diffusion coefficient were calculated as lesion ROIs relative to the contralateral mirror ROIs. Results The post hoc analysis showed that the penumbra progressed to infarction at the following cutoff values: rCBF <0.59 and MTT >1.63. Higher sensitivity and accuracy in predicting outcome of the penumbra were obtained from the rCBF maps compared with the rCBV and MTT maps. The initial rCBV and apparent diffusion coefficient ratios did not differentiate between the part of the penumbra that recovered and the part that progressed to infarction. The mean rCBF ratio was optimal in distinguishing the parts of the penumbra recovering or progressing to infarction. Conclusions The thresholds found in this study by combined DWI/PWI might aid in the selection of patients suitable for therapeutic intervention within 6 hours. However, these hypothesized thresholds need to be prospectively tested at the voxel level on a larger patient sample before they can be applied clinically.
Cohn’s Crenothrix is a filamentous methane oxidizer with an unusual methane monooxygenase

135 years ago Ferdinand Cohn, the founder of bacteriology, microscopically observed a conspicuous filamentous bacterium with a complex life cycle and described it as Crenothrix polyspora. This uncultured bacterium is infamous for mass developments in drinking water systems, but its phylogeny and physiology remained unknown. We show that C. polyspora is a gammaproteobacterium closely related to methanotrophs and capable of oxidizing methane. We discovered that C. polyspora encodes a phylogenetically very unusual particulate methane monooxygenase whose expression is strongly increased in the presence of methane. Our findings demonstrate a previously unrecognized complexity of the evolutionary history and cell biology of methane-oxidizing bacteria.
Demonstration Abstract: Platform for Benchmarking RF-Based Indoor Localization Solutions

This demonstration presents a user-friendly Web-based platform that supports intuitive remote benchmarking of different indoor localization solutions. It reduces the barriers for experimental evaluation and fair comparison of their performance across a set of testing environments. The platform is aimed at addressing the limitations in the current praxis of publishing indoor localization research evaluated only in local, potentially biased environments. To this end, it provides a holistic support for the benchmarking process offering: (i) multiple pre-collected raw data-traces from different RF technologies, (ii) high-level interface to control remote wireless testbed facilities, and (iii) a set of tools for creating, storing, comparing and visualizing the performance results of multiple indoor localization solutions.
Host-based distributed mobility management support protocol for IPv6 mobile networks

The recent explosion of mobile Internet traffic has resulted in an evolution of mobile network architectures. Mobile network architectures are being flattened to cope with the recent traffic growth. Existing IP mobility support protocols relying on centralized mobility anchors are thus required to be adopted in the evolution of mobile network architectures. In this paper, a new IP mobility support protocol is presented: a new host-based distributed mobility management support protocol designed for the current evolution of mobile network architectures. Mobility anchors are distributed at an access network level and a mobile node is served by a close-by mobility anchor. While the mobile node changes its point of attachment to the Internet, it keeps previous IP address(es) for continuous communications established with the previous IP address(es). The detailed protocol operation is explained with discussion for operational considerations. The performance of the proposed protocol is compared with Mobile IPv6 in terms of handover latency and throughput.
Immediate allergy, drug‐induced eruption, by entecavir

© 2008 The Authors JEADV 2009, 23, 441–496 Journal compilation © 2008 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 1 month revealed significant improvement of both areas (Figs 1b and 2b). She was subsequently lost to follow-up. AN, a common disorder of hyperpigmentation and epidermal papillomatosis, usually presents in the axillae; however, the neck and inguinal region may also be affected.2 Microscopic changes include papillary hypertrophy, hyperkeratosis, and increased melanocytes in the epidermis. The majority of cases are idiopathic and associated with obesity, with a positive correlation between the development of AN and the severity of obesity. Obese patients with AN have higher fasting plasma insulin levels than those without AN, indicating that AN may be a cutaneous marker of hyperinsulinemia among obese individuals.3 Treatment for AN is directed at correcting the underlying disease process, usually obesity, as well as topical formulations. One study reported successful treatment with a combination of 12% ammonium lactate cream and 0.05% tretinoin cream to treat AN associated with obesity.4 The improvement may have been due to a reduction of stratum corneum due to the keratolytic action of the ammonium lactate and normalization of the epidermis by the retinoid. Oral agents that have shown some efficacy in small case series include etretinate, isotretinoin, metformin, and dietary fish oils.5 In addition, long-pulsed alexandrite laser therapy may improve AN by reducing hyperkeratosis and pigmentation.6 The triple combination cream used for this patient may have been effective because of the combined action of tretinoin on normalization of the epidermis and hydroquinone to reduce the amount of epidermal melanin. The successful improvement of AN after 1 month of daily application of the triple combination cream in our patient suggests that it may be useful in others with AN. Larger, controlled studies are needed to further evaluate the efficacy of this treatment.
Japanese Parser on the basis of the Lexical-Functional Grammar Formalism and its Evaluation

We report a Japanese parsing system with a linguistically fine-grained grammar based on the Lexical-Functional Grammar (LFG) formalism. The system is the first Japanese LFG parser with over 97% coverage for real-world text. We evaluated the accuracy of the system comparing it with standard Japanese dependency parsers. The LFG parser shows roughly equivalent performance on the dependency accuracy to the standard parsers. It also provides reasonably accurate results of case detection.
A Potential Role for Bat Tail Membranes in Flight Control

Wind tunnel tests conducted on a model based on the long-eared bat Plecotus auritus indicated that the positioning of the tail membrane (uropatagium) can significantly influence flight control. Adjusting tail position by increasing the angle of the legs ventrally relative to the body has a two-fold effect; increasing leg-induced wing camber (i.e., locally increased camber of the inner wing surface) and increasing the angle of attack of the tail membrane. We also used our model to examine the effects of flying with and without a tail membrane. For the bat model with a tail membrane increasing leg angle increased the lift, drag and pitching moment (nose-down) produced. However, removing the tail membrane significantly reduced the change in pitching moment with increasing leg angle, but it had no significant effect on the level of lift produced. The drag on the model also significantly increased with the removal of the tail membrane. The tail membrane, therefore, is potentially important for controlling the level of pitching moment produced by bats and an aid to flight control, specifically improving agility and manoeuvrability. Although the tail of bats is different from that of birds, in that it is only divided from the wings by the legs, it nonetheless, may, in addition to its prey capturing function, fulfil a similar role in aiding flight control.
A generic solution for unwanted traffic control through trust management

The Internet has dramatically changed our daily life. But it is also bogged down by unwanted traffic, which is malicious, harmful or unexpected for its receivers. In order to control the unwanted traffic over the Internet, especially the mobile Internet, in this paper, we propose a generic unwanted traffic control (UTC) solution through trust management. It can control unwanted traffic from its source to destinations in a personalized manner according to trust evaluation at a Global Trust Operator, traffic and behavior analysis at hosts and traffic observation in the Internet. Thus, it can conduct UTC by integrating distributed and centralized functions and supporting both defensive and offensive approaches. Simulation based evaluation shows that the solution is effective with regard to accuracy and efficiency for botnet intrusion and DDoS intrusion via reflectors. It is also robust against a number of malicious system attacks, such as hide evidence attack, bad mouthing attack, on-off attack, malicious attack by an Internet Service Provider and combinations of the above, playing in conjunction with traffic intrusions. Meanwhile, the solution can provide a personalized UTC based on unwanted traffic detection behaviors.
Spectrum Sensing Based on Monostable Stochastic Resonance in Cognitive Radio Networks

The cognitive radio technology can provide dynamic spectrum access and improve the efficiency of spectrum utilization. Spectrum sensing is one of the key technologies of cognitive radio networks. The spectrum sensing performance of cognitive radio networks will be greatly reduced in the low SNR environment, especially when using energy detection. Due to the monostable stochastic resonance system can improve the energy detection system output SNR, a monostable stochastic resonanceis applied to spectrum sensing based on the energy detection method of cognitive radio networks in this paper. The simulation results show that in the low SNR environment, when the false alarm probability is constant, the proposed spectrum sensing based on monostable stochastic resonance has better performance than traditional energy detection.
SEMI-AUTOMATIC BUILDING EXTRACTION UTILIZING QUICKBIRD IMAGERY

Extraction of geospatial data from digital images is one of the most complex and challenging tasks faced by computer vision and photogrammetry communities. Geospatial data and buildings in particular are required for varieties of applications such as urban planning, creation of GIS databases, and urban city models. For decades, extraction of geospatial data in urban areas has been by conventional photogrammetry using aerial photos. This method is expensive, manually operated and require well-trained personnel. In recent years we have experienced the emergence of high-resolution space borne images, which have disclosed a large number of new opportunities for medium and large-scale topographic mapping. In this paper, we have developed a semi-automatic method to extract buildings in structured and unstructured urban settlements areas from high-spatial resolution panchromatic imagery. The proposed method uses radial casting algorithm to initialize snakes contours, and the fine measurements of building outlines is carried out using snakes model. The results are satisfactory with an extraction rate of 91 percent as demonstrated by examples over a variety of selected test areas. The potential, limitations and future work of our approach is discussed.