Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterning of the Drosophila oocyte by a sequential translation repression program involving the d4EHP and Belle translational repressors

During Drosophila development, translational control plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression, and is particularly important during pre-patterning of the maturing oocyte. A critical step in translation initiation is the binding of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) to the mRNA cap structure, which ultimately leads to recruitment of the ribosome. d4EHP is a translational repressor that prevents translation initiation by out-competing eIF4E on the cap structure for a subset of mRNAs. However, only two examples of mRNAs subject to d4EHP translation repression in Drosophila are known. Here we show that the belle (bel) mRNA is translationally repressed by the d4EHP protein in the Drosophila ovary. Consistent with this regulation, d4EHP overexpression in the ovary phenocopies the bel mutant. We also provide evidence that the Bel protein binds to eIF4E and may itself function as a translation repressor protein, with bruno as a potential target for Bel repression in the oocyte. Bruno is known to repress the mRNA of the key oocyte axis determinant oskar (osk) during oogenesis, and we find that an increase in the level of Bruno protein in bel mutant ovaries is associated with a reduction in Osk protein. Overall, our data suggest that a translational regulatory network exists in which consecutive translational repression events act to correctly pattern the Drosophila oocyte.
Dose Estimation for Atomic Bomb Survivor Studies: Its Evolution and Present Status

Abstract Cullings, H. M. , Fujita, S. , Funamoto, S. , Grant, E. J., Kerr, G. D. and Preston, D. L. Dose Estimation for Atomic Bomb Survivor Studies: Its Evolution and Present Status. Radiat. Res. 166, 219–254 (2006). In the decade after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, several large cohorts of survivors were organized for studies of radiation health effects. The U.S. Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC) and its U.S./Japan successor, the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF), have performed continuous studies since then, with extensive efforts to collect data on survivor locations and shielding and to create systems to estimate individual doses from the bombs' neutrons and γ rays. Several successive systems have been developed by extramural working groups and collaboratively implemented by ABCC and RERF investigators. We describe the cohorts and the history and evolution of dose estimation from early efforts through the newest system, DS02, emphasizing the technical development and use of DS02. We describe procedures and data developed at RERF to implement successive systems, including revised rosters of survivors, development of methods to calculate doses for some classes of persons not fitting criteria of the basic systems, and methods to correct for bias arising from errors in calculated doses. We summarize calculated doses and illustrate their change and elaboration through the various systems for a hypothetical example case in each city. We conclude with a description of current efforts and plans for further improvements.
Learning from error: A two-level combined model for image classification

We propose an error learning model for image classification. Motivated by the observation that classifiers trained using local grid regions of the images are often biased, i.e., contain many classification error, we present a two-level combined model to learn useful classification information from these errors, based on Bayes rule. We give theoretical analysis and explanation to show that this error learning model is effective to correct the classification errors made by the local region classifiers. We conduct extensive experiments on benchmark image classification datasets, promising results are obtained.
Physical Activity, Functional Limitations, and Disability in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES: To explore initially how low levels of physical activity influence lower body functional limitations in participants of the Longitudinal Study of Aging. Changes in functional limitations are used subsequently to predict transitions in the activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL) disability, thus investigating a potential pathway for how physical activity may delay the onset of ADL/IADL disability and, thus, prolong independent living.
A MULTI-MODEL ANALYSIS OF POST-2020 MITIGATION EFFORTS OF FIVE MAJOR ECONOMIES

This paper looks into the regional mitigation strategies of five major economies (China, EU, India, Japan, and USA) in the context of the 2°C target, using a multi-model comparison. In order to stay in line with the 2°C target, a tripling or quadrupling of mitigation ambitions is required in all regions by 2050, employing vigorous decarbonization of the energy supply system and achieving negative emissions during the second half of the century. In all regions looked at, decarbonization of energy supply (and in particular power generation) is more important than reducing energy demand. Some differences in abatement strategies across the regions are projected: In India and the USA the emphasis is on prolonging fossil fuel use by coupling conventional technologies with carbon storage, whereas the other main strategy depicts a shift to carbon-neutral technologies with mostly renewables (China, EU) or nuclear power (Japan). Regions with access to large amounts of biomass, such as the USA, China, and the EU, can make a trade-off between energy related emissions and land related emissions, as the use of bioenergy can lead to a net increase in land use emissions. After supply-side changes, the most important abatement strategy focuses on end-use efficiency improvements, leading to considerable emission reductions in both the industry and transport sectors across all regions. Abatement strategies for non-CO2 emissions and land use emissions are found to have a smaller potential. Inherent model, as well as collective, biases have been observed affecting the regional response strategy or the available reduction potential in specific (end-use) sectors.
Isolation and properties of an RNA fraction present in Brucella culture supernatants

SUMMARY The supernatant fluids of batch and continuous cultures of Brucella strains contained up to 100 mg/i of soluble RNA which could be recovered by precipitation with lysozyme. This RNA fraction had many of the properties of ribosomal RNA and was single-stranded, sensitive to ribonuclease, with an approximate sedimentation constant of 5S, a molecular weight of about 35000 daltons and an adenine; guanine; cytosine; uracil content of 17·5 26·5 33; 23 mol% respectively. RNA fractions from lysozyme precipitates evoked high titres of Brucella agglutinins on injection into rabbits and induced acute inflammatory responses in guinea-pig skin. Highly purified RNA fractions prepared by phenol extraction of lysozyme precipitates did not evoke antibodies to Brucella abortus.
Financial management and decision making

1. The financial environment 2. Flow of funds and taxation 3. Finance and accounting 4. Investment appraisal: basic methods 5. Investment appraisal: further methods 6. Capital rationing and risk analysis in imperfect capital markets 7. Corporate strategy and high-technology investments 8. Introduction to risk and return 9 Introduction to derivatives and option theory 10. Stock markets and equity share capital 11. Stock market efficiency 12. Long-term debt finance 13. Share price valuation and the cost of capital 14. Short- and medium-term sources of finance 15. The dividend decision 16. Gearing and company cost of capital 17. Financial planning 18. Treasury planning 19. Foreign exchange markets 20. Management of working capital.
Enhanced production of melatonin by ectopic overexpression of human serotonin N‐acetyltransferase plays a role in cold resistance in transgenic rice seedlings

Abstract: Serotonin N‐acetyltransferase (SNA), a rate‐limiting enzyme in melatonin biosynthesis in vertebrates, is responsible for the production of N‐acetylserotonin; this molecule is then converted to melatonin by hydroxyindole‐O‐methyltransferase. We generated transgenic rice plants via expression of the human SNA gene under the constitutive ubiquitin promoter using Agrobacterium‐mediated gene transformation. We investigated the role of SNA in the biosynthesis of melatonin and the physiological role of melatonin in rice plants. The integration and expression of the transgene were confirmed in T1 transgenic rice seedlings by Southern, Northern, and RT‐PCR analyses. High SNA‐specific enzyme activities were observed in the transgenic rice plants, whereas the wild type revealed a trace level of SNA enzyme activity. The functional expression of SNA protein was closely associated with the elevated synthesis of N‐acetylserotonin and melatonin in the transgenic rice plants. Experiments using both exogenous treatment of serotonin and senescent detached leaves, which contain a pool of serotonin, significantly enhanced melatonin biosynthesis, indicating that endogenous serotonin levels play a bottleneck role in the pathway of melatonin biosynthesis. Finally, the transgenic rice seedlings with high levels of melatonin showed elevated chlorophyll synthesis during cold stress, suggesting a role for melatonin in cold‐stress resistance.
Vision-based remote control system by motion detection and open finger counting

In this paper, we present a universal remote control system based on computer vision. The method is composed of two stages of detecting visual evidences. Motion and skin color information is utilized to detect waving hands requesting control commands. Upon the request, the camera is controlled to zoom in on local region of the hand. The number of open fingers is counted by the shape analysis on the segmented hand region image. Control command is issued when a predetermined sequence of gesture state transition is produced. Experimental results show that the shape of open fingers exhibits strong features for determining correct gesture states. The use of stable features on consecutive frames yields robust and accurate performance regardless of operating conditions.
Influence of 12-week Nordic Walking training on biomarkers of endothelial function in healthy postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week Nordic Walking (NW) intervention on nitric oxide synthase activity (eNOS), levels of antibodies against oxidatively modified low-density lipoproteins (oLAb), plasma antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and atherosclerosis risk factors (AIP) in postmenopausal women. METHODS A sample of 39 women, divided into two comparable groups: training (N.=20) and control (N.=19), took part in the study. Participants in the training group performed a 12-week supervised NW training: 60-minute sessions of exercise, repeated three times per week. The biochemical and anthropometric data were obtained before and after the intervention. During the first and the last training sessions, the individual walking distance in trained group was measured. RESULTS After the intervention, significant differences in covered distance, body mass, BMI, fat mass, insulin level (P<0.01), systolic blood pressure and TBARS concentration (P<0.05) were found in trained women. CONCLUSIONS Applied training was able to improve functional capacity and body composition in healthy postmenopausal women. It appears to be no direct link between a significant decrease in the level of systolic blood pressure, the level of eNOS activity, TAC, oLAb and plasma TBARS concentration in trained women. It seems probable that NW training would be more effective for postmenopausal women with more severely impaired endothelial function.
COMPARATIVE SURVIVAL OF PANCREATIC ISLETS, HEART, KIDNEY, AND SKIN ALLOGRAFTS IN RATS, WITH AND WITHOUT ENHANCEMENT

Enhancement of (AS × Aug)F1 pancreatic islet allograft survival in diabetic AS rats was achieved by treating the recipient with a course of antidonor antiserum. Their survival in both untreated and treated recipients was compared with the survival of transplanted heart, kidney, and skin allografts similarly treated. The islet allografts in the untreated group were rejected by a mean of 3.2 days whereas the other allografts were rejected by a mean of 8.3 days. In the enhanced group all of the kidney allografts, 7 of 11 heart allografts, and 4 of 10 islet allografts had a prolonged survival, whereas none of the skin allografts had a prolonged survival. Islet allografts are thus more susceptible to rejection than other tissues, but their survival can be prolonged using specific immunosuppression. The reasons for the increased susceptibility to rejection are discussed.
Acute and Chronic Regulation of Pituitary Receptors for Vasopressin and Corticotropin Releasing Hormone

At least two hypothalamic peptides, corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (VP), are important in regulating adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) release from the anterior pituitary. Both are secreted in a pulsatile manner and stimulate ACTH secretion by interacting with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), namely the type 1 CRH receptor and V1b receptor, respectively. Repeated or prolonged stimulation with either peptide can cause reduced ACTH responsiveness or desensitisation, both in vivo and in vitro. Desensitisation of perifused sheep anterior pituitary cells to VP was found to be rapid and occurred following treatment with 5 nM VP for 5 min. This is within the range of concentrations and durations of VP pulses seen in sheep portal blood during acute stress. In contrast, significant desensitisation of the ACTH response to CRH required pre-treatment for longer than 25 min with a CRH concentration of 1 nM, suggesting that endogenous pulses may not elicit desensitisation. Although rapid GPCR desensitisation involves uncoupling of receptors from their G proteins, commonly mediated by receptor phosphorylation, and internalisation of receptors, desensitisation of neither the CRH nor VP receptor was mediated by PKA or PKC, respectively. Desensitisation of the response to VP was found to be dependent upon receptor internalisation, and resensitisation could be delayed by treatment with a protein phosphatase 2B inhibitor. The rapid kinetics of desensitisation of the ACTH response to VP suggest that this process is important in regulating the response to acute rather than chronic stress. If, as has been suggested, CRH acts in a permissive way to set corticotrope gain, desensitisation to CRH could also be important in long term regulation of ACTH secretion.
Study on Wide-Angle Scanning Linear Phased Array Antenna

Two wide-angle scanning linear array antennas (E- and H-planes scanning linear array antenna) are studied and presented. In order to improve the wide-angle scanning performance of the phased array antenna, a wide beamwidth U-shaped microstrip antenna with the electric walls is designed. The wide-angle scanning linear array antennas are studied in the frequency band from 3.2 to 3.8 GHz. The 3 dB beamwidth of the antenna is 140° in the E-plane scanning linear array center and 220° in the H-plane scanning linear array center at 3.5 GHz. The main beams of the H-plane scanning linear array antenna can scan from −90° to +90° with a gain fluctuation less than 3 dB and a maximum sidelobe level (SLL) less than −5 dB. Simultaneously, the main beam of the E-plane scanning linear array antenna can scan from −75° to +75° with a gain fluctuation less than 3 dB and SLL less than −5 dB. The H- and E-planes scanning linear array antennas with nine elements are fabricated and tested. The measured results have a good agreement with the simulation results.
Using a History-based Profile to Detect and Respond to DDoS Attacks

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack has been identified among the most serious threat to service availability on the Internet. It prevents legitimate users from accessing the victim node by flooding and consuming network resources. In order to combat such attacks, a distributed defense mechanism is needed that will thwart the attack traffic in real time. We propose one such mechanism that when deployed is able to filter out malicious and allow legitimate traffic to the extent possible during the attack period. We characterize the network traffic and introduce a new history-based profile algorithm that filters potential attack traffic and aims to maximize the flow of legitimate traffic in the event of an attack. We investigate the features of network traffic that can be used to do such filtration. We use a Bloom filter based mechanism to efficiently implement the history-based profile model which serves to reduce the communication and computation costs. We evaluate our scheme using simulations on recent real-world traffic datasets. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our scheme. In order to improve communication and computation costs even further, we propose using three octets of the IP address instead of the whole address. We also demonstrate how using three octets of IP address impacts the accuracy, efficiency, and memory requirement of the filtering mechanism.
Learning Control for Autonomous Machines

SUMMARY Today's industrial machines and manipulators have no capability to learn by experience. Performance and productivity could be greatly enhanced if a machine could modify its operation based on previous actions. This paper presents a learning control scheme that provides the ability for machines to utilize their past experiences. The objective is to have machines mimic the human learning process as closely as possible. A data base is formulated to provide the machine with experience. An optical infrared distance sensor is developed to inform the machine about objects in its working space. A learning control scheme is presented that utilizes the sensory information to enhance machine performance in the next trial. An adaptive scheme is proposed for the modification of learning gain matrices, and is implemented on an industrial robot. Experimental results verify the potentials of the proposed adaptive learning scheme, and illustrate how it can be used for improvement of different manufacturing processes.
Information environment and gains from corporate takeovers

Motivated by the inadequate research in understanding the determinants of takeover wealth creation, as well as the theoretical and practical importance of information environment in the takeover market, this thesis examines the wealth effects of information environment on UK takeovers. It regards information dissemination as a process inherent in takeover announcements, along which, factors capturing the characteristics of information sender, information content, information recipient and market condition, are addressed to form three key research issues. First considered are the wealth effects of misvaluation conditional on information signalled by payment and financing methods of takeovers. The results indicate that a price run-up via an upward revaluation follows undervalued bidders releasing good news (non-equity financed cash deals). Secondly, this research is concerned with the wealth effects of investor sentiment, towards the information released, at a whole market and individual firm level. The results show that high investor sentiment drives up target firms’ announcement returns and further causes an increase in takeover premium. The last issue addressed is the relation between information asymmetry and gains to frequent bidders. The results suggest that information asymmetry declines in a merger series while serial non-equity financed cash deals generate decreasing bidders’ announcement returns since the scale of their upward revaluations continually decreases with subsequent announcements. These three groups of results form a mechanism of information environment’s wealth effect as follows. Takeover announcements release new information. With the arrival of new information investors update their assessments of firm value. The scale of revaluation is determined by a firm’s information asymmetry, the direction of it depends on firm misvaluation, information signalled by takeover announcements and the investor sentiment in interpreting this information.
Earth's Variable Rotation

Recent improvements in geodetic data and practical meteorology have advanced research on fluctuations in the Earth's rotation. Theinterpretation of these fluctuations is inextricably linked with studies of the dynamics of the Earth-moon system and dynamical processes in the liquid metallic core of the Earth (where the geomagnetic field originates), other parts of the Earth's interior, and the hydrosphere and atmosphere. Fluctuations in the length of the day occurring on decadal time scales have implications for the topography of the core-mantle boundary and the electrical, magnetic, and other properties of the core and lower mantle. Investigations of more rapid fluctuations bear on meteorological studies of interannual, seasonal, and intraseasonal variations in the general circulation of the atmosphere and the response of the oceans to such variations.
Government-Assisted Oligopoly Coordination? A Concrete Case

Danish ready-mixed concrete is produced in regional oligopolies. Firms rely on price discrimination through secret discounts. The antitrust authority interprets this as lack of competition and has decided to activate its chief weapon against dormant competition: To make the market more transparent it now regularly publishes list prices and discounts of 5-7 firms and two grades of concrete in three regions. Following initial publication, average prices of reported grades increased by 15-20 percent while other prices increase by a mere 1-2 percent. The paper investigates whether this may be due to a business upturn, capacity constraints, etc., but none of these seem to have much explanatory power. In addition, prices of various non-reported grades moved in line with the general price level suggesting that a better explanation is the facilitation of tacit coordination brought about by the antitrust authority.