Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intersubunit Complementation of Sugar Signal Transduction in VirA Heterodimers and Posttranslational Regulation of VirA Activity in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

ABSTRACT The VirA/VirG two-component regulatory system of Agrobacterium tumefaciens regulates expression of the virulence (vir) genes that control the infection process leading to crown gall tumor disease on susceptible plants. VirA, a membrane-bound homodimer, initiates vir gene induction by communicating the presence of molecular signals found at the site of a plant wound through phosphorylation of VirG. Inducing signals include phenols, monosaccharides, and acidic pH. While sugars are not essential for gene induction, their presence greatly increases vir gene expression when levels of the essential phenolic signal are low. Reception of the sugar signal depends on a direct interaction between ChvE, a sugar-binding protein, and VirA. Here we show that the sugar signal received in the periplasmic region of one subunit within a VirA heterodimer can enhance the kinase function of the second subunit. However, sugar enhancement of vir gene expression was vector dependent. virA alleles expressed from pSa-derived vectors inhibited signal transduction by endogenous VirA. Inhibition was conditional, depending on the induction medium and the virA allele tested. Moreover, constitutive expression of virG overcame the inhibitory effect of some but not all virA alleles, suggesting that there may be more than one inhibitory mechanism.
Procedural Phasor Noise

Procedural pattern synthesis is a fundamental tool of Computer Graphics, ubiquitous in games and special effects. By calling a single procedure in every pixel – or voxel – large quantities of details are generated at low cost, enhancing textures, producing complex structures within and along surfaces. Such procedures are typically implemented as pixel shaders. We propose a novel procedural pattern synthesis technique that exhibits desirable properties for modeling highly contrasted patterns, that are espe- cially well suited to produce surface and microstructure details. In particular, our synthesizer affords for a precise control over the profile, orientation and distribution of the produced stochastic patterns, while allowing to grade all these parameters spatially. Our technique defines a stochastic smooth phase field – a phasor noise – that is then fed into a periodic function (e.g. a sine wave), producing an oscillating field with prescribed main frequencies and preserved contrast oscillations. In addition, the profile of each oscillation is directly controllable (e.g. sine wave, sawtooth, rectangular or any 1D profile). Our technique builds upon a reformulation of Gabor noise in terms of a phasor field that affords for a clear separation between local intensity and phase.
Relaxant Effect of U0126 in Hemolysate-, Oxyhemoglobin-, and Bloody Cerebrospinal Fluid–Induced Contraction in Rabbit Basilar Artery

Background and Purpose— It has been suggested that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The present study was undertaken to explore the inhibitory effect of U0126, a novel MAPK inhibitor, in the contraction of the rabbit basilar artery by 3 spasmogens: hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, and bloody cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with vasospasm. Methods— The contraction and relaxation of rabbit basilar arteries were measured by isometric tension. MAPK immunoprecipitation was assessed by Western blot analysis. Results— (1) Pretreatment of the rabbit basilar arteries with U0126 reduced contractions to hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, or bloody CSF applied subsequently. (2) In the absence of endothelial cells, U0126 produced an inhibitory effect similar to the contractions induced by hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, or bloody CSF. (3) U0126 relaxed the sustained contraction induced by hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, or bloody CSF. (4) Hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, and bloody CSF enhanced MAPK immunoprecipitation. (5) U0126 reduced MAPK immunoprecipitation induced by hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, and bloody CSF. (6) Hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, and bloody CSF significantly increased MAPK activity in the rabbit basilar artery. (7) U0126 abolished the effect of hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, or bloody CSF on MAPK activation. Conclusions— This study demonstrated a role of MAPK in the contraction of rabbit basilar arteries by hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, and bloody CSF. MAPK inhibitor U0126 may be useful in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm.
Interplay between Chromatin Remodeling and Epigenetic Changes during Lineage-Specific Commitment to Granzyme B Expression1

The role of chromatin remodeling and histone posttranslational modifications and how they are integrated to control gene expression during the acquisition of cell-specific functions is poorly understood. We show here that following in vitro activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, both cell types show rapid histone H3 loss at the granzyme B (gzmB) proximal promoter region. However, despite the gzmB proximal promoter being remodeled in both T cell subsets, only CD8+ T cells express high levels of gzmB and display a distinct pattern of key epigenetic marks, notably differential H3 acetylation and methylation. These data suggest that for high levels of transcription to occur a distinct set of histone modifications needs to be established in addition to histone loss at the proximal promoter of gzmB.
Proteus: A Pipelined NTT Architecture Generator

—Number Theoretic Transform (NTT) is a fundamental building block in emerging cryptographic constructions like fully homomorphic encryption, post-quantum cryptography and zero-knowledge proof. In this work, we introduce Proteus, an open-source parametric hardware to generate pipelined architectures for the NTT. For a given parameter set including the polynomial degree and size of the coefficient modulus, Proteus can generate Radix-2 NTT architectures using Single-path Delay Feedback (SDF) and Multi-path Delay Commutator (MDC) approaches. We also present a detailed analysis of NTT implementation approaches and use several optimizations to achieve the best NTT configuration. Our evaluations demonstrate performance gain up to 1 . 8 × compared to SDF and MDC-based NTT implementations in the literature. Our SDF and MDC architectures use 1 . 75 × and 6 . 5 × less DSPs, and 3 × and 10 . 5 × less BRAMs, respectively, compared to state-of-the-art SDF and MDC-based NTT implementations.
Cyber Hygiene Methodology for Raising Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Awareness in Healthcare Organisations

Background: Cyber threats are increasing across all business sectors and the cost of cybersecurity and data privacy incidents is rising globally, especially in the healthcare domain. In response to the emerging threats, healthcare organisations are enhancing the technical measures with the use of antivirus, firewalls, and firmware/software patches to protect and preserve the business continuity of patient services. Despite such efforts the threat of cybersecurity is ever increasing, and such measures have not been sufficient to counter cyber-attacks as the role of personnel in the chain of cyber defence is often neglected. In practice, healthcare organisations are requested to apply general cybersecurity and data privacy guidelines that focus on the human factor. However, there is limited literature on the methodologies and procedures which can assist healthcare organisations to successfully map to specific controls (interventions), including awareness activities and training programs, with a measurable impact on personnel. To this end, tools, and structured methodologies for assisting the higher management to select the minimum number of required controls that will be most effective on the healthcare workforce are highly desirable, yet not available at the moment. Objective: This paper introduces a Cyber Hygiene (CH) methodology that is developed based on a unique survey-based risk
On Energy Complexity of Fully-Connected Layers

The massive increase in the size of deep neural networks (DNNs) is accompanied by a signiﬁcant increase in the energy consumption of their hardware implementations, which is an important issue that deserves a thorough analysis. For this purpose, an abstract hardware-independent model of energy complexity for convolutional neural networks (CNNs) has been proposed and experimentally validated in our previous work. Based on these considerations, we provide a theoretical analysis of energy complexity related to the computation of fully-connected layers when inputs, outputs, and weights are transferred between two kinds of memories (DRAM and Buﬀer). First, we establish a general lower bound on this energy complexity. Then, we present two dataﬂows and calculate their energy costs to achieve corresponding upper bounds. In the case of partitioned Buﬀer, we prove by the weak duality theorem from linear programming that the lower and upper bounds coincide up to an additive constant, and therefore constitute the optimal energy complexity. Finally, the asymptotically optimal quadratic energy complexity of fully-connected layers is experimentally validated by simulating their power consumption on the Simba and Eyeriss hardware.
Characterization of ITCZ using deep convective cloud cores derived using the water vapour absorption channels around 183.31 GHz onboard SAPHIR/Megha-Tropiques

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is a region encircling the globe near the equator where the surface trade winds of both the hemispheres meet. It is characterized by deep convective clouds and accounts for more than 30% of global precipitation. Conventionally, parameters such as low outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), high precipitation and strong surface wind convergence (SWC) are used to identify and characterize the ITCZ. These parameters suffer from some inherent issues while identifying ITCZ. A new method based on the identification of deep convective cloud cores (DCCCs), derived from brightness temperature (T B ) data of the water vapor absorption channels of Sondeur Atmosphérique du Profil d’Humidité Intertropicale par Radiométrie (SAPHIR), aboard Megha-Tropiques (MT) satellite is proposed in this work. The present method identifies the DCCCs and performs better over (a) anvils and cirrus-dominated areas where OLR-based methods face difficulties, (b) coastal and continental areas where satellite scatterometer data are unavailable to estimate surface convergence and (c) windward side of orographic regions where rainfall based methods fail. The global mean position of ITCZ is north of the equator, with maximum northward migration up to 24 o N during June-August over the Asian summer monsoon region and maximum southward migration up to 20 o S during December-February over the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, respectively.
Elective temporal logic

In this paper we present a novel formalism for defining properties over linear execution traces, namely elective temporal logic (ETL). Differently from several other temporal logics, ETL is not dedicated to a specific time model, e.g. discrete time or real time. Hence, properties can be applied to each temporal context with no changes to the specified formulas. Moreover, the ETL denotational semantics is given through elective functions. In this way we map formulas into the characteristic functions of a set of accepted traces, i.e. the valid executions. A further contribution of this work is an application of ETL to runtime monitoring. As a matter of fact, using a security monitor driven by an ETL formula, we can ignore irrelevant security actions performed by the guarded program reducing the monitor workload.
Intensity of Official Futsal Matches

Rodrigues, VM, Ramos, GP, Mendes, TT, Cabido, CET, Melo, ES, Condessa, LA, Coelho, DB, and Silami-Garcia, E. Intensity of official futsal matches. J Strength Cond Res 25(9): 2482-2487, 2011—The purpose of this study was to assess the intensity of official Futsal matches, expressed in different ways. Fourteen male professional Futsal players from a First Division Brazilian team volunteered to participate in this study. Maximal oxygen uptake (&OV0312;O2max) and the heart hate (HR) and oxygen uptake (&OV0312;O2) correlation were determined for each player. The match intensity was estimated from the players' average HR measured during 13 National Futsal League matches. The HR measurements were obtained while the players were in the court but the values recorded while the players were sitting on the bench were not considered. In addition, these HR values were used to estimate the intensity of the effort expressed as a percentage of the maximal HR (%HRmax), percentage of &OV0312;O2max (%&OV0312;O2max), kilocalories per minute (kcal·min−1), and total caloric expenditure. The mean intensity of the matches was 86.4 ± 3.8%HRmax, 79.2 ± 9.0%&OV0312;O2max, 18.0 ± 2.2 kcal·min−1, and 313 ± 9.3 kcal. It was concluded that official Futsal matches have high intensity when expressed in the different ways used in this study. The information provided by this research can be used for planning the athletes' workouts, diets, and resting periods.
NOVA University of Newcastle Research Online nova.newcastle.edu.au

— In a false data injection attack (FDIA), an adversary stealthily compromises measurements from electricity grid sensors in a coordinated fashion, with a view to evading detection by the power system bad data detection module. A successful FDIA can cause the system operator to perform control actions which compromise either the physical or economic operation of the power system. In this letter, we consider some implications for FDIAs arising from the late 2015 Ukraine Blackout event.
Speed Estimation and Nonmatched Time-Varying Parameter Identification for a DC Motor With Hybrid Sliding-Mode Observer

In this paper, a hybrid sliding-mode observer is first proposed to identify a nonmatching time-varying parameter that affects the speed sensorless series dc motor through an unknown-state dependent vector. Based on the measurable current and input voltage, the unknown speed and nonmatching parameter can be accurately and robustly estimated without filtering effect in a well-controlled condition. The identified parameter is then used to enhance the speed estimation performance in the presence of external disturbance. The stability analyses for the proposed observers are given, and the results are experimentally tested on a series dc motor.
Performance Enhancement of Wind Turbine Connected To 2 L-VSI Grid-Side and Passive Generator Side Converters Based on MPC

Harmonic distortion management and power quality requirements are becoming more and more important for wind energy generation systems. Additionally, with the development of power electronics, variable speed has grown quickly in recent years. Electrical generators, machine-side converters, and grid-side converters are the three essential components of a Wind Power Conversion System (WECS). Noted that, because of its unique properties, the permanent magnet synchronous generator is one of the most popular options among electrical generators. Grid-side converters and synchronous generators are both used to inject electrical power into the utility grid once the wind energy has been converted to the appropriate electrical power. Hence, to select the most appropriate topology and control strategy for the machine-side converter, an analysis of several topologies and control methods is necessary. This study focuses on Model Predictive Control (MPC) application for a surface mount permanent magnet synchronous machine wind turbine. The model used is the electrical model for the machine. Considering the complicated and highly nonlinear aerodynamic system of the wind turbines is chosen on the power converters. MPC is a relatively new application in power electronics yet a promising control method. Furthermore, a simplified model of the turbine is provided and the MPC code is generated in MATLAB and Simulink.
Hadoop-RINS - A Hadoop Accelerated Pipeline for Rapid Nonhuman Sequence Identification

Sequencing data increase rapidly in recent years with the development of high-throughput sequencing technology. Using parallel computing to accelerate the computation is an important way to process the large volume of sequence data. RINS is a pipeline used to identify nonhuman sequences in deep sequencing datasets. It uses user-provided microbial reference genomes to reduce the number of reads to be processed and improve the processing speed. But all of its steps run serially. As a result, the processing speed of RINS slows down sharply as the sequencing data and reference genomes increase. In this article, we report a pipeline that processes sequencing data parallel through Hadoop. By comparing the runtime using same dataset, Hadoop-RINS is proved to be significantly faster than RINS with the same computation result.
Tribological Behaviour of α/ß Composite SiAlON Ceramics

/ composite sialons with various / ratios were fabricated by hot pressing powder mixtures of Si3N4, AlN, Al2O3 and Y2O3, and the relationship between microstructure, mechanical properties and tribological characteristics of these composite sialons was investigated. With increasing -sialon content, Vickers hardness increased slightly, while bending strength and fracture toughness monotonously decreased. Under mild wear conditions, the specimens with high -sialon content exhibited higher wear resistance, reflecting higher hardness. On the contrary, under severe wear conditions, the specimens with elongated -Si3N4 grains exhibited high wear resistance due to prevention of the propagation of microcracking by these grains.
[Acute osteomyelitis in children].

A number of problems in the treatment of acute osteomyelitis have remained unresolved in recent years. The clinical experience of ninety-three patients with proven acute haematogenous osteomyelitis is presented to help resolve these problems. Analysis of the clinical features, the operative, bacteriological and haematological findings is made and discussed in detail. Eighteen patients had continuing bone infection and recommendations are made as to how diagnosis and management might have been improved. Surgery is considered to be an essential part of the diagnostic and therapeutic management of this disease. A combination of cloxacillin and fusidic acid is recommended as the antibiotic treatment.
Measuring similarity of interests for clustering Web-users

There has been an increased demand for understanding of Web-users due to the Web development and the increased number of Web-based applications. Informative knowledge extracted from Web user access patterns has been used for many applications, such as the prefetching of pages between clients and proxies. This paper presents an approach for measuring similarity of interests among Web users, based on the interest items collected from Web user's access logs. A matrix-based algorithm is then developed to cluster Web users such that the users in the same cluster are closely related with respect to the similarity measure. As an application example, a Web document prefetching technique is proposed that utilises the similarity measure and clusters obtained. Experiments have been conducted and the results have shown that our clustering method is capable of clustering Web users with similar interests, and the prefetching method is practical.
Explicit transient thermal simulation of liquid-cooled 3D ICs

The high heat flux and compact structure of three-dimensional circuits (3D ICs) make conventional air-cooled devices more subsceptible to overheating. Liquid cooling is an alternative that can improve heat dissipation, and reduce thermal issues. Fast and accurate thermal models are needed to appropriately dimension the cooling system at design time. Several models have been proposed to study different designs, but generally with low simulation performance. In this paper, we present an efficient model of the transient thermal behaviour of liquid-cooled 3D ICs. In our experiments, our approach is 60 times faster and uses 600 times less memory than state-of-the-art models, while maintaining the same level of accuracy.
Road Construction and Trace Heavy Metals in Roadside Soils along a Major Traffic Corridor in an Expanding Metropolis

City growth often time results in advancement and development in transportation which comes with its attendant changes in road infrastructure and transport support services such as road side mechanic workshops, vulcanizers and bus stops. A byproduct of these attendant contiguous activities and processes is the emission and release of trace heavy metals. Trace heavy metals have been identified as major carcinogens. This study aimed at determining the occurrence and concentration of heavy metals in roadside soils in an expanding third world metropolis. To achieve the aim of the research, the total length of the road within the study section was measured. Ten sample locations were indentified at about 2.5km intervals along the road section under review. The heavy metal concentration was determined the using Buck Scientific 210 VGP Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Heavy metals such as Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg) were determined. The result of the analysis showed that the concentration values ranged from <0.001 to 48.90 µg/mg. The results also revealed that the experimental sample points recorded higher values than the control samples; however, some of the control points had relatively higher concentration values. This observation may have emanated from the low lying trajectory and topography of the surrounding area, which allows run-off from the road side soils to wash off heavy metals and deposit them at these lower lying areas. The sources of these trace heavy metals are attributed to emissions from motor vehicles that ply the road on a day to day basis. Emanating from the findings, this study recommends that improved public transportation and cleaner sources of energy is recommended.
A systematic review on the role of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other supplements for the treatment of cachexia in cancer: a European Palliative Care Research Centre cachexia project

We provide a systematic review to support the European Palliative Care Research Collaboration development of clinical guidelines for cancer patients suffering from cachexia. CENTRAL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.gov, and a selection of cancer journals have been searched up until 15 April 2016. The systematic literature research yielded 4214 publications with 21 of these included in the final evaluation. Regarding minerals, our search identified only one study examining the use of magnesium with no effect on weight loss. As far as vitamins are concerned, vitamin E in combination with omega‐3 fatty acids displayed an effect on survival in a single study, vitamin D showed improvement of muscle weakness in prostate cancer patients, and vitamin C supplementation led to an improvement of various quality of life aspects in a sample with a variety of cancer diagnoses. For proteins, a combination therapy of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB), arginine, and glutamine showed an increase in lean body mass after 4 weeks in a study of advanced solid tumour patients, whereas the same combination did not show a benefit on lean body mass in a large sample of advanced lung and other cancer patients after 8 weeks. L‐carnitine led to an increase of body mass index and an increase in overall survival in advanced pancreatic cancer patients. Adverse effects of food supplementation were rare and showed mild intensity. There is not enough solid evidence for the use of minerals, vitamins, proteins, or other supplements in cancer. No serious adverse effects have been reported with dietary supplementation.