Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frame Synchronization for the DTMB Systems with the Multiple-Antenna Receivers

Faced with the challenges of modern communication, high data throughput requirements, extensive research has been paid to broadband modulation. The multi-carrier modulation is one of the most important wide band modulation techniques. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is an effective blow to the broadcast channel multipath fading and high bit rate transmission multi-carrier modulation technology of wireless channels, it is widely used in modern digital television terrestrial broadcasting (DTTB) system to support performance bandwidth-efficient multimedia services with the aid of inverse fast Fourier transform and fast Fourier transform operation. Multiple-antenna transmitter and receiver technology allows several times to achieve data transmission rates and spectrum efficiency and the use of multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas through spatial processing. The Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcasting (DTMB) system with the multiple-antenna receiver is considered in this paper. Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcasting (DTMB) has three kinds of Frame Head mode with PN420/PN595/PN945 as training sequences for the time domain synchronous OFDM (TDS-OFDM). At the receiver side with multiple antennas, Frame Head mode detection should be done. In this paper, the frame synchronization scheme is proposed for the DTMB systems with the multiple-antenna receiver. System performance studies under different channel situations are used to verify the efficiency of the proposed scheme for the DTMB systems with the multiple-antenna receiver.
An Exploratory Analysis Of The Text Mining Of News Articles About “water And Society”

This paper aims to discover the social interest in the issues of water and society from media reports and to compare it in Japanese and international media. This research uses the online databases of two newspapers: the Japan News and the International New York Times. They are used to understand the difference between the two newspapers. The social interest is discovered by cluster analysis that is, to drive clusters that have value with respect to the problem being addressed. Clustering divides the document collection into mutually exclusive groups based on the presence of similar themes. The articles extracted from those databases are analysed using a KH coder and the generated co-occurrence network. Those papers indicate three keywords; “people,” “water” and “government. ” Words in newspapers always create the first impression of their readers about current topics. The first words and phrases used give rise to common knowledge, which turns out to be regarded as common sense. People are used to being influenced by words.
Displaced by Deceivers: Prevention of Biosensor Cross-Talk Is Pivotal for Successful Biosensor-Based High-Throughput Screening Campaigns

Transcriptional biosensors emerged as powerful tools for protein and strain engineering as they link inconspicuous production phenotypes to easily measurable output signals such as fluorescence. When combined with fluorescence-activated cell sorting, transcriptional biosensors enable high throughput screening of vast mutant libraries. Interestingly, even though many published manuscripts describe the construction and characterization of transcriptional biosensors, only very few studies report the successful application of transcriptional biosensors in such high-throughput screening campaigns. Here, we describe construction and characterization of the trans-cinnamic acid responsive transcriptional biosensor pSenCA for Escherichia coli and its application in a FACS based screen. In this context, we focus on essential methodological challenges during the development of such biosensor-guided high-throughput screens such as biosensor cross-talk between producing and nonproducing cells, which could be minimized by optimization of expression and cultivation conditions. The optimized conditions were applied in a five-step FACS campaign and proved suitable to isolate phenylalanine ammonia lyase variants with improved activity in E. coli and in vitro. Findings from this study will help researchers who want to profit from the unmatched throughput of fluorescence-activated cell sorting by using transcriptional biosensors for their enzyme and strain engineering campaigns.
Legionnaires’ Disease Mortality in Guinea Pigs Involves the p45 Mobile Genomic Element

Abstract Background Legionella can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia that occurs as sporadic epidemics. Not all strains display the same propensity to cause disease in humans. Because Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 is responsible for >85% of infections, the majority of studies have examined this serogroup, but there are 3 commonly used laboratory strains: L pneumophila serogroup 1 Philadelphia (Phil-1)-derived strains JR32 and Lp01 and 130b-derived strain AA100. Methods We evaluated the ability of Phil-1, JR32, Lp01, and AA100 to cause disease in guinea pigs. Results We found that, although Phil-1, JR32, and AA100 cause an acute pneumonia and death by 4 days postinfection (100%), strain Lp01 does not cause mortality (0%). We also noted that Lp01 lacks a mobile element, designated p45, whose presence correlates with virulence. Transfer of p45 into Lp01 results in recovery of the ability of this strain to cause mortality, leads to more pronounced disease, and correlates with increased interferon-γ levels in the lungs and spleens before death. Conclusions These observations suggest a mechanism of Legionnaires’ disease pathogenesis due to the presence of type IVA secretion systems that cause higher mortality due to overinduction of a proinflammatory response in the host.
Molecular noise of innate immunity shapes bacteria-phage ecologies

Mathematical models have been used successfully at diverse scales of biological organization, ranging from ecology and population dynamics to stochastic reaction events occurring between individual molecules in single cells. Generally, many biological processes unfold across multiple scales, with mutations being the best studied example of how stochasticity at the molecular scale can influence outcomes at the population scale. In many other contexts, however, an analogous link between micro- and macro-scale remains elusive, primarily due to the challenges involved in setting up and analyzing multi-scale models. Here, we employ such a model to investigate how stochasticity propagates from individual biochemical reaction events in the bacterial innate immune system to the ecology of bacteria and bacterial viruses. We show analytically how the dynamics of bacterial populations are shaped by the activities of immunity-conferring enzymes in single cells and how the ecological consequences imply optimal bacterial defense strategies against viruses. Our results suggest that bacterial populations in the presence of viruses can either optimize their initial growth rate or their population size, with the first strategy favoring simple immunity featuring a single restriction modification system and the second strategy favoring complex bacterial innate immunity featuring several simultaneously active restriction modification systems.
Effects of Age and Environment on Adaptive Immune Responses to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) Vaccination in Dairy Goats in Relation to Paratuberculosis Control Strategies

Paratuberculosis infection is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). In the Netherlands, 75% herd level prevalence of caprine paratuberculosis has been estimated, and vaccination is the principal control strategy applied. Most goat dairy farms with endemic paratuberculosis systematically vaccinate goat kids in the first months of life with a commercially available whole cell MAP vaccine. We hypothesized that the development of adaptive immune responses in goats vaccinated at young age depends on the environment they are raised in, and this has implications for the application of immune diagnostic tests in vaccinated dairy goats. We evaluated the early immune response to vaccination in young goat kids sourced from a MAP unsuspected non-vaccinated herd and raised in a MAP-free environment. Subsequently we compared these with responses observed in birth year and vaccination matched adult goats raised on farms with endemic paratuberculosis. Results indicated that initial adaptive immune responses to vaccination are limited in a MAP-free environment. In addition, adult antibody positive vaccinated goats raised in a MAP endemic environment are less likely to be IS900 PCR-positive as compared to antibody negative herd mates. We conclude that test-and-cull strategies in a vaccinated herd are currently not feasible using available immune diagnostic tests.
Applying the Personal and Social Responsibility Model-Based Program: Differences According to Gender between Basic Psychological Needs, Motivation, Life Satisfaction and Intention to be Physically Active

The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of a program based on the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) on the variables of responsibility, basic psychology needs, motivation, satisfaction with life and the intention to be physically active, as well as the differences of gender. The participants were 85 students (experimental group n = 35, 17 girls and control group n = 50, 28 girls). The students of the experimental group received the TPSR for 8 months within the physical education subject. The findings indicated an improvement in the experimental group in terms of personal responsibility and in the case of female students, in basic psychological needs and intrinsic motivation. In conclusion, the TPSR program can be integrated into the physical education curriculum in order to improve the personal responsibility of students and fulfill their motivation and satisfaction of basic psychological needs.
Two modes of cis-activation of switch transcription by the IgH superenhancer

Significance Immunoglobulin isotype switching plays an important role in adaptive immune responses. It requires transcription of switch regions from inducible promoters controlled by a long-range superenhancer (3′RR). Most stimuli induce more than one promoter on both chromosomes. Thus, it is unknown whether isotype (I) promoters compete for the 3′RR on the same chromosome. By performing allele-specific RT-qPCR assays, we show that the 3′RR activates promoters by either co-activation or competition and that the nature of the inducing signal plays a pivotal role in determining the activation mode. The two activation paths may have evolved to cope with different kinetics of primary immune responses. B cell isotype switching plays an important role in modulating adaptive immune responses. It occurs in response to specific signals that often induce different isotype (I) promoters driving transcription of switch regions, located upstream of the Ig heavy chain (IgH) constant genes. The transcribed switch regions can recombine, leading to a change of the constant gene and, consequently, of antibody isotype. Switch transcription is controlled by the superenhancer 3′ regulatory region (3′RR) that establishes long-range chromatin cis-interactions with I promoters. Most stimuli induce more than one I promoter, and switch transcription can occur on both chromosomes. Therefore, it is presently unknown whether induced I promoters compete for the 3′RR on the same chromosome. Here we performed single-chromosome RT-qPCR assays to examine switch transcription monoallelically in the endogenous context. We show that there are two modes of 3′RR-mediated activation of I promoters: coactivation and competition. The nature of the inducing signal plays a pivotal role in determining the mode of activation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that, in its endogenous setting, the 3′RR has a bidirectional activity. We propose that the coactivation and competition modes mediated by the 3′RR may have evolved to cope with the different kinetics of primary immune responses.
Bone mineral density and lean mass asymmetries are greater in cyclists than non-cyclists

ABSTRACT Cyclists may be at greater risk of developing asymmetrical force and motion patterns than other ground-based athletes. However, functional asymmetries during cycling tend to be highly variable, making them difficult to assess. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements of areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and lean mass (LM) in the lower limbs may be a more sensitive and consistent method to identify asymmetries in cyclists. The goal of this study was to determine if competitive cyclists have greater levels of asymmetries in the lower body compared to non-cyclists using DXA. A secondary aim was to determine if aBMD and LM asymmetries change over the road cycling season. 17 competitive cyclists and 21 non-cyclist, healthy controls underwent DXA scans. Lower-body asymmetries were greater in cyclists compared to non-cyclists in aBMD and LM for all lower limb segments. However, these asymmetries did not tend to consistently favour a particular side, except for the pelvis having more LM on the dominant side. The were no longitudinal changes in aBMD or LM in the cyclists. Asymmetry analysis via DXA provides evidence that although functional asymmetries during cycling are variable, cyclists have increased lower body LM and aBMD asymmetries compared to non-cyclists.
Optimization of multipass turning operations with genetic algorithms: A note

A paper by Onwubolu and Kumalo (2001) in this journal compared the effectiveness of genetic algorithms with several solution algorithms in solving machining condition optimization problems. By using the problem of Chen and Tsai (1996), they concluded that genetic algorithms significantly outperform simulated annealing. The present note points out that Onwubolu and Kumalo incorrectly handled the machining model. It also discusses the string representation of genetic algorithms used by Onwubolu and Kumalo and corrects some typographical errors.
A resource management scheme for efficient WWW computing in wireless communications

Nowadays, mobile computing is considered of major importance to the computing industry due to the immense progress in the wireless communications domain. In this paper, we present a proxy-based architecture for improving WWW browsing in cellular networks. Proxy caches, contained in base stations, are constantly relocated to accompany the nomadic user. We propose a cache management scheme involving the relocation of full caches to the most candidate future cells but, also, percentages of the cache to less likely neighbours. Relocation is performed according to a path prediction algorithm based on a learning automaton. The simulation of the overall scheme demonstrates considerable benefits for the end user.
Genome-Wide Analysis and Characterization of the Aux/IAA Family Genes Related to Floral Scent Formation in Hedychium coronarium

Auxin plays a key role in different plant growth and development processes, including flower opening and development. The perception and signaling of auxin depend on the cooperative action of various components, among which auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) proteins play an imperative role. In a recent study, the entire Aux/IAA gene family was identified and comprehensively analyzed in Hedychium coronarium, a scented species used as an ornamental plant for cut flowers. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Aux/IAA gene family in H. coronarium is slightly contracted compared to Arabidopsis, with low levels of non-canonical proteins. Sequence analysis of promoters showed numerous cis-regulatory elements related to various phytohormones. HcIAA genes showed distinct expression patterns in different tissues and flower developmental stages, and some HcIAA genes showed significant responses to auxin and ethylene, indicating that Aux/IAAs may play an important role in linking hormone signaling pathways. Based on the expression profiles, HcIAA2, HcIAA4, HcIAA6 and HcIAA12, were selected as candidate genes and HcIAA2 and HcIAA4 were screened for further characterization. Downregulation of HcIAA2 and HcIAA4 by virus-induced gene silencing in H. coronarium flowers modified the total volatile compound content, suggesting that HcIAA2 and HcIAA4 play important roles in H. coronarium floral scent formation. The results presented here will provide insights into the putative roles of HcIAA genes and will assist the elucidation of their precise roles during floral scent formation.
A MOVABLE EFFECTIVE CLUSTERING BASED ROUTING WITH LINK QUALITY FOR POWER VARIED MANETS

The fast paced progress in the Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) has enabled the use of a number of wireless applications on the move. These MANETs exhibit heterogeneity in the power levels. In such a heterogeneous network, different devices are likely to have different capacities and are thus likely to transmit data with different power levels. With high-power nodes, MANETs can progress network scalability, connectivity, and spreading robustness. However, the throughput of power heterogeneous MANETs can be rigorously impacted by high-power nodes. In this paper, we develop a loose- virtual-clustering-based (LVC) routing protocol for power heterogeneous MANETs, i.e., LRPH. To discover the advantages of high-power nodes, we build up an LVC algorithm to construct a hierarchical network and to eliminate unidirectional links. To decrease the interference raised by high-power nodes, we build up routing algorithms to avoid packet forward via high- power nodes. We demonstrate the system implementation and experimental results through simulations in Network
Design, In Silico Modelling, and Functionality Theory of Novel Folate Receptor Targeted Rutin Encapsulated Folic Acid Conjugated Keratin Nanoparticles for Effective Cancer Treatment.

PURPOSE Site specific and toxic free drug delivery is an interesting area of research. Nano-engineered drug delivery systems possess remarkable potential for effective treatment of various types of cancers. METHODS In this view, a novel Folic Acid (FA) conjugated keratin nanoparticles (NPs) were assembled with encapsulation and delivery of Rutin (Rt) in to breast cancer cells through over expressed folate receptor. The biocompatible Rt encapsulated FA conjugated keratin NPs (FA@Ker NPs) was successfully formulated by modified precipitation technique. Their morphological shape and size, size distribution, stability, and physical nature was characterized and confirmed. The drug (Rt) encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity and release kinetics were also studied. RESULTS The observed results of molecular docking and density functionality theory of active drug (Rt) showed strong interaction and non-covalent binding of folate receptor and facilitation of endocytosis in to breast cancer cells. Further, in vitro cytotoxic effect of FA@Ker NPs was screened against MCF-7 cancer cells, at 55.2 µg/mL of NPs and found to display 50% of cell death at 24h. The NPs enhances uptake of Rt in MCF-7 cells, apoptotic effect of condensed nuclei and distorted membrane bodies was observed. Moreover, NPs enter in to mitochondria of MCF-7 cells and significantly increases the level of ROS which leads to cell death. CONCLUSION The developed FA@Ker NPs might be promising way for enhanced anti-cancer activity without disturbed normal healthy cells.
Toxic mineral elements in Mytilus galloprovincialis from Sicilian coasts (Southern Italy)

Abstract We assessed the relationship between V, Cr, Mn, Hg, As, Cd, Sn, Sb and Pb concentrations in Mytilus galloprovincialis samples from the coasts of Sicily and the expression of metallothioneins. Toxic mineral elements assessment was carried out by A.A. Spectrometry and ICP-MS. The metallothioneins expression was performed by q-PCR method. Low metals’ levels were found in the mussel samples examined, in comparison with what was reported in literature. The highest mean values of toxic mineral elements were found in Gela (Cr 0.178 ± 0.03 mg/Kg, Mn 4.325 ± 0.012 mg/Kg, As 3.706 ± 0.009 mg/Kg, Sn 0.148 ± 0.014 mg/Kg, Sb 0.009 ± 0.004 mg/Kg e Pb 0.364 ± 0.01 mg/Kg). Significant levels of Hg were found in samples from Catania (0.014 ± 0.005 mg/Kg). Only vanadium and lead concentrations showed significant differences between sampling areas (p < 0.05). Molecular analysis verified a basal expression of Mt1 and the absence of over-expression of Mt2, confirming the low mineral’s concentrations found in the samples examined. Graphical Abstract
De novo prediction of cell-type complexity in single-cell RNA-seq and tumor microenvironments

This study describes a computational method for determining statistical support to varying levels of heterogeneity provided by single-cell RNA-sequencing data with applications to tumor samples. Recent single-cell transcriptomic studies revealed new insights into cell-type heterogeneities in cellular microenvironments unavailable from bulk studies. A significant drawback of currently available algorithms is the need to use empirical parameters or rely on indirect quality measures to estimate the degree of complexity, i.e., the number of subgroups present in the sample. We fill this gap with a single-cell data analysis procedure allowing for unambiguous assessments of the depth of heterogeneity in subclonal compositions supported by data. Our approach combines nonnegative matrix factorization, which takes advantage of the sparse and nonnegative nature of single-cell RNA count data, with Bayesian model comparison enabling de novo prediction of the depth of heterogeneity. We show that the method predicts the correct number of subgroups using simulated data, primary blood mononuclear cell, and pancreatic cell data. We applied our approach to a collection of single-cell tumor samples and found two qualitatively distinct classes of cell-type heterogeneity in cancer microenvironments.
Access to Genetic Counselors in the Southern United States

The expansion of genetic and genomic testing across medical specialties and the changing workforce demographics of certified genetic counselors (CGCs) have led to concerns of a workforce shortage. We assessed the number of genetic counselors working in the Southern United States—a rural and medically underserved region—using various online and professional resources. We identified 683 practicing genetic counselors across the Southern U.S. and 160 specializing in prenatal genetics. CGCs were concentrated in urban areas; counties with a CGC had a significantly higher proportion of minority residents and median household income than counties without a CGC. There is an average of 2.97 prenatal CGCs per 5000 high-risk births in the South. Alternative delivery models are needed to increase access to counseling services in the Southern U.S., particularly for low income households and those of high risk pregnancies. Increased provider education and patient educational materials can help facilitate informed decision-making in prenatal settings as genetic technologies gain a stronger foothold and bring value to medical practice.
Hydration of Charged and Neutral Gold Nanoparticles.

Gold nanoparticles are unique electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction, carbon dioxide reduction, and alcohol oxidation. Electrocatalytic processes are influenced by the interaction with the solvent, yet the direct investigation of the solvation of nanoparticles is scarce. Here we select gold nanoparticles as 10 nm sized solutes of which we can control the charge. We perform mid-infrared and terahertz spectroscopy to compare the behavior of the water in solution with micelles loaded with neutral and positive gold nanoparticles. We find indication that the hydration of the gold-loaded micelles is characterized by weak hydrogen bonds which do not form a full 3D network. A positive nanoparticle charge results in a larger blue-shift of the OH stretch, quenches the intensity of collective translational mode, and increases the absorption by librating water molecules. Water at the interface of a positive gold nanoparticle could experience a stiffer potential energy surface which, in turn, might unveil local thermodynamic properties.