Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of prescribed fire on the extent of wildfire in savanna landscapes of western Arnhem Land, Australia

Fire regimes in many north Australian savanna regions are today characterised by frequent wildfires occurring in the latter part of the 7-month dry season. A fire management program instigated from 2005 over 24 000 km2 of biodiversity-rich Western Arnhem Land aims to reduce the area and severity of late dry-season fires, and associated greenhouse gas emissions, through targeted early dry-season prescribed burning. This study used fire history mapping derived mostly from Landsat imagery over the period 1990–2009 and statistical modelling to quantify the mitigation of late dry-season wildfire through prescribed burning. From 2005, there has been a reduction in mean annual total proportion burnt (from 38 to 30%), and particularly of late dry-season fires (from 29 to 12.5%). The slope of the relationship between the proportion of early-season prescribed fire and subsequent late dry-season wildfire was ~–1. This means that imposing prescribed early dry-season burning can substantially reduce late dry-season fire area, by direct one-to-one replacement. There is some evidence that the spatially strategic program has achieved even better mitigation than this. The observed reduction in late dry-season fire without concomitant increase in overall area burnt has important ecological and greenhouse gas emissions implications. This efficient mitigation of wildfire contrasts markedly with observations reported from temperate fire-prone forested systems.
Emerging drugs for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is a common medical problem caused by the exposure of the distal oesophagus to gastric contents. Existing medical therapy is very effective, but symptomatic relief with acid suppressants is often delayed. Treatment focuses on the suppression of gastric acid rather than on the underlying pathophysiological abnormalities, such as transient non-swallow-related lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation. Current pharmacological developments concentrate on drugs with lasting acid suppression and a faster onset of action. Compounds interacting with the complex neuromuscular regulation of the gastro-oesophageal junction are also being developed and offer exciting prospects.
On the relationship between residue structural environment and sequence conservation in proteins

Residues that are crucial to protein function or structure are usually evolutionarily conserved. To identify the important residues in protein, sequence conservation is estimated, and current methods rely upon the unbiased collection of homologous sequences. Surprisingly, our previous studies have shown that the sequence conservation is closely correlated with the weighted contact number (WCN), a measure of packing density for residue's structural environment, calculated only based on the Cα positions of a protein structure. Moreover, studies have shown that sequence conservation is correlated with environment‐related structural properties calculated based on different protein substructures, such as a protein's all atoms, backbone atoms, side‐chain atoms, or side‐chain centroid. To know whether the Cα atomic positions are adequate to show the relationship between residue environment and sequence conservation or not, here we compared Cα atoms with other substructures in their contributions to the sequence conservation. Our results show that Cα positions are substantially equivalent to the other substructures in calculations of various measures of residue environment. As a result, the overlapping contributions between Cα atoms and the other substructures are high, yielding similar structure–conservation relationship. Take the WCN as an example, the average overlapping contribution to sequence conservation is 87% between Cα and all‐atom substructures. These results indicate that only Cα atoms of a protein structure could reflect sequence conservation at the residue level.
Broadband nano-focusing of light using kissing nanowires

A strategy has been proposed recently to design plasmonic nanostructures capable of efficient harvesting of light over a broadband spectrum. Applying a singular conformal transformation to a metal–insulator–metal infinite structure, the optical response of two kissing nanowires can be deduced analytically. This nanostructure is shown to exhibit a large and continuous absorption cross-section relative to its physical size over the whole visible spectrum. Considerable field enhancement and confinement at the nano-scale are also expected at the touching point. Actually, instead of transporting the energy out to infinity, like in a metal slab geometry, the surface plasmon modes here propagate towards the singularity of the structure where their velocity vanishes and energy accumulates. The field enhancement is then a balance between this energy accumulation and dissipation losses. The asymptotic case of a nanowire placed on top of a metal plate is shown to be of great interest for nanofocusing. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to investigate the effect of radiative losses when the structure dimension becomes comparable to the wavelength.
A novel multi-radio packet scheduling algorithm for real-time traffic on generic link layer

In this paper, a novel multi-radio packet scheduling algorithm, QU, is proposed for real-time traffic on generic link layer (GLL). First, a scheduling-utility function is designed to represent the utility of scheduling a packet to a radio access with the goal to guarantee QoS and improve spectrum utilization. Second, using this utility function, a multi-radio packet scheduling model is presented based on joint consideration of QoS, fairness and spectrum efficiency, while the solution for this model is NP problem; Finally, Hopfield neural network (HNN) is used to fast and efficiently find an optimal solution for the scheduling model. Simulation results show that, compared with M-LWDF and PLR algorithms, QU algorithm has lower packet loss ratio and higher spectrum efficiency while could meet the allowable maximum delay requirement.
Improved and Versatile Transformation System Allowing Multiple Genetic Manipulations of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus kodakaraensis

ABSTRACT We have recently developed a gene disruption system for the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakaraensis by utilizing a pyrF-deficient mutant, KU25, as a host strain and the pyrF gene as a selectable marker. To achieve multiple genetic manipulations for more advanced functional analyses of genes in vivo, it is necessary to establish multiple host-marker systems or to develop a system in which repeated utilization of one marker gene is possible. In this study, we first constructed a new host strain, KU216 (ΔpyrF), by specific and almost complete deletion of endogenous pyrF through homologous recombination. In this refined host, there is no need to consider unknown mutations caused by random mutagenesis, and unlike in the previous host, KU25, there is little, if any, possibility that unintended recombination between the marker gene and the chromosomal allele occurs. Furthermore, a new host-marker combination of a trpE deletant, KW128 (ΔpyrF ΔtrpE::pyrF), and the trpE gene was developed. This system made it possible to isolate transformants through a more simple selection procedure as well as to deduce the transformation efficiency, overcoming practical disadvantages of the first system. The effects of the transformation conditions were also investigated using this system. Finally, we have also established a system in which repeated utilization of the counterselectable pyrF marker is possible through its excision by pop-out recombination. Both endogenous and exogenous sequences could be applied as tandem repeats flanking the marker pyrF for pop-out recombination. A double deletion mutant, KUW1 (ΔpyrF ΔtrpE), constructed with the pop-out strategy, was demonstrated to be a useful host for the dual markers pyrF and trpE. Likewise, a triple deletion mutant, KUWH1 (ΔpyrF ΔtrpE ΔhisD), could also be constructed. The transformation systems developed here now provide the means for extensive genetic studies in this hyperthermophilic archaeon.
Functional Maturation of Rat Testis Leydig Cells

Testicular steroidogenesis has two active phases during life. The first one starts in fetal life, when the androgens produced by the testis are responsible for differentiation of the male Depending on species, the peak of this fetal activity is in early to mid pregnancy (human and other primate^)^' or in later gestation (rodents). ”12 The testicular steroidogenic activity continues (rodents) or becomes reactivated (human and primates) during the immediate postnatal life, but thereafter it stays quiescent until puberty. The second phase of testicular steroidogenic activity starts at puberty and lasts for the rest of life. A parallel developmental variation with steroidogenesis is seen in the testicular steroidogenic cells, Leydig cells, which are known to appear in two growth phases, one in fetal-neonatal life and the other during sexual maturation. These two cell generations have been generally termed the fetal and adult Leydig cell populations. Because the two cell populations differentiate and function in vastly different hormonal environments (in utero versus in adult life), it is reasonable to assume that there are differences in their functional and regulatory characteristics. Besides some morphological differences in their arrangement in the interstitial space, and their ~ltrastructure,~~~~~J~~~ very little is known about these possible functional differences. The present review describes some of our recent results from studies on the characterization of the regulatory and functional differences between the fetal and adult Leydig cell generations of the rat testis.
AUTOMATED REGIONS OF INTEREST ( ROIS ) TRACKING FOR PET-CT IMAGE SERIES USING CELLULAR AUTOMATA SEGMENTATION

Multi-modal PET-CT (positron emission tomography – computed tomography) is the preferred imaging technique for determining the extent (staging) of many common cancers, and is increasingly being used to assess treatment response because it can provide functional (PET) and anatomical (CT) information. To assess the response to treatment, scans are acquired at various times during treatment. The conventional imaging approach to evaluate response is to identify regions of interest (ROIs) in particular tumor sites and then manually track changes in size and tracer uptake across the multiple scans over time. The image volume, however, is large and the response to treatment at individual tumor sites is not uniform; hence the assimilation and interpretation of these parameters is not trivial. Other approaches include manually identifying the ROIs and then calculating the overlap among the segmentation of the ROIs from registered image series but such approaches do not take into account the changes in tumors that may occur due to movement, changes in body mass and marked changes in the size of the individual tumors.
Evidence that the potyvirus P1 proteinase functions in trans as an accessory factor for genome amplification

The tobacco etch potyvirus (TEV) polyprotein is proteolytically processed by three viral proteinases (NIa, HC-Pro, and P1). While the NIa and HC-Pro proteinases each provide multiple functions essential for viral infectivity, the role of the P1 proteinase beyond its autoproteolytic activity is understood poorly. To determine if P1 is necessary for genome amplification and/or virus movement from cell to cell, a mutant lacking the entire P1 coding region (delta P1 mutant) was produced with a modified TEV strain (TEV-GUS) expressing beta-glucuronidase (GUS) as a reporter, and its replication and movement phenotypes were assayed in tobacco protoplasts and plants. The delta P1 mutant accumulated in protoplasts to approximately 2 to 3% the level of parental TEV-GUS, indicating that the P1 protein may contribute to but is not strictly required for viral RNA amplification. The delta P1 mutant was capable of cell-to-cell and systemic (leaf-to-leaf) movement in plants but at reduced rates compared with parental virus. This is in contrast to the S256A mutant, which encodes a processing-defective P1 proteinase and which was nonviable in plants. Both delta P1 and S256A mutants were complemented by P1 proteinase expressed in a transgenic host. In transgenic protoplasts, genome amplification of the delta P1 mutant relative to parental virus was stimulated five- to sixfold. In transgenic plants, the level of accumulation of the delta P1 mutant was stimulated, although the rate of cell-to-cell movement was the same as in nontransgenic plants. Also, the S256A mutant was capable of replication and systemic infection in P1-expressing transgenic plants. These data suggest that, in addition to providing essential processing activity, the P1 proteinase functions in trans to stimulate genome amplification.
Cdc42Hs and Rac1 GTPases Induce the Collapse of the Vimentin Intermediate Filament Network*

In this study we show that expression of active Cdc42Hs and Rac1 GTPases, two Rho family members, leads to the reorganization of the vimentin intermediate filament (IF) network, showing a perinuclear collapse. Cdc42Hs displays a stronger effect than Rac1 as 90% versus 75% of GTPase-expressing cells show vimentin collapse. Similar vimentin IF modifications were observed when endogenous Cdc42Hs was activated by bradykinin treatment, endogenous Rac1 by platelet-derived growth factor/epidermal growth factor, or both endogenous proteins upon expression of active RhoG. This reorganization of the vimentin IF network is not associated with any significant increase in soluble vimentin. Using effector loop mutants of Cdc42Hs and Rac1, we show that the vimentin collapse is mostly independent of CRIB (Cdc42Hs or Rac-interacting binding)-mediated pathways such as JNK or PAK activation but is associated with actin reorganization. This does not result from F-actin depolymerization, because cytochalasin D treatment or Scar-WA expression have merely no effect on vimentin organization. Finally, we show that genistein treatment of Cdc42 and Rac1-expressing cells strongly reduces vimentin collapse, whereas staurosporin, wortmannin, LY-294002,R p-cAMP, or RII, the regulatory subunit of protein kinase A, remain ineffective. Moreover, we detected an increase in cellular tyrosine phosphorylation content after Cdc42Hs and Rac1 expression without modification of the vimentin phosphorylation status. These data indicate that Cdc42Hs and Rac1 GTPases control vimentin IF organization involving tyrosine phosphorylation events.
Output tracking for one-dimensional heat equation subject to boundary control matched disturbance

In this paper, we are concerned with the performance output reference signal tracking for a heat equation with matched boundary disturbance. Firstly, we construct a state reference trajectory system based on the reference signal, and prove this observer system is bounded. Secondly, we design a performance output tracking controller, which can make the performance output is tracking the reference signal and cancel the external disturbance. In addition, the controller can also ensure all the internal-loops are bounded. Finally, the reference state is tracked by the state of the system, and it has been proved by Lyapunov functional method.
Correlation Between Thrombospondin-1 Expression in Non-cancer Tissue and Gastric Carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND/AIM Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) is correlated with carcinogenesis occurring in cases of intestinal inflammation. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of TSP1 in gastric carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 39 patients with gastric cancer who had undergone gastrectomy were enrolled. The expression of TSP1 mRNA in non-cancer tissues was determined. Furthermore, the expression of CD36, STAT3 and TGFβR2 mRNA in non-cancer tissues in two expression groups, the TSP1 high- and low-expression groups, were examined. RESULTS The expression of TSP1 was high in the mucosal-atrophy group and tended to be high in the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) (+) and multiple cancer groups. The levels of CD36, STAT3 and TGFβR2 mRNA were significantly higher in the TSP1-high group. TSP1 signaling pathway was induced in multiple cancer or atrophy (+) or H. pylori (+) compared to cases with single cancer, atrophy (-) and H. pylori (-). Expression of proteins involved in the TSP1 signaling pathway in non-cancer tissues with multiple gastric cancers were higher than that with single gastric cancer. CONCLUSION Expression of TSP1 in non-cancer tissue correlated with gastric carcinogenesis.
Dengue Type 3 Virus in Plasma Is a Population of Closely Related Genomes: Quasispecies

ABSTRACT Using reverse transcription-PCR and clonal sequencing of the dengue virus envelope gene derived from the plasma samples of six patients, we reported for the first time that dengue virus circulates as a population of closely related genomes. The extent of sequence diversity varied among patients, with the mean pairwise proportions of difference ranging from 0.21 to 1.67%. Genome-defective viruses were found in 5.8% of the total number of clones analyzed. Our findings on the quasispecies nature of dengue virus and the defective virus in vivo have implications with regard to the pathogenesis of dengue virus.
What Does the P Scale Measure?

Beginning with the hypothesis that ‘there exists a set of correlated behaviour variables indicative of predisposition to psychotic breakdown, demonstrable as a continuous variable in the normal propulation, and independent of E and N’ (H. Eysenck and S. Eysenck, 1968), the Eysencks have been concerned to develop a questionnaire scale to measure such a variable. From an initial pool of potential items, hypothesized to be related to psychoticism, several factor analyses of adult responses have been conducted to obtain a small group of items measuring a factor orthogonal to the factors of neuroticism and extraversion, and these items have been called the Psychoticism or P Scale (H. Eysenck and S. Eysenck, 1968; S. Eysenck and H. Eysenck, 1968; S. Eysenck and H. Eysenck, 1972). The same arguments have been applied to children, and a similar set of items have been assembled to measure this variable (H. Eysenck and S. Eysenck, 1971; H. Eysenck, G. Easting and S. Eysenck, 1971; S. Eysenck and H. Eysenck, 1969).
Cooperative games with incomplete information for Secondary Base Stations in cognitive radio networks

Cognitive radio (CR) technology is considered to be an effective solution for enhancing overall spectrum efficiency. Using CR technology fully involves the providing of incentives to Primary Radio Networks (PRNs) and revenue to the service provider so that Secondary Base Stations (SBSs) may utilize PRN spectrum bands accordingly. In this paper, a cooperative games with incomplete information for SBSs in a CR network is presented. Each SBS can cooperate with neighboring SBSs in order to improve its view of the spectrum. Moreover, proposed game-theory models assume that the devices have incomplete information about their components, meaning that some players do not completely know the structure of the game. Using the proposed algorithm, each SBS can leave or join the coalition while maximizing its overall utility. The simulation results illustrate that the proposed algorithm allows us to reduce the average payoff per SBS up to 140% relative to a CR network without cooperation among SBSs. Keywords—Bayesian equilibrium, cognitive radio networks, game theory, wireless communication.
T 2-Weighted Hyperintensities (Unidentified Bright Objects) in Children With Neurofibromatosis 1: Their Impact on Cognitive Function

The impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—identified T2-weighted hyperintensities (unidentified bright objects) on the cognitive function of children with neurofibromatosis 1 is controversial. We recruited 32 right-handed children with neurofibromatosis 1 (22 boys, 10 girls) aged between 5 and 16 years (mean age 10.2 years) for magnetic resonance imaging examinations and neuropsychologic evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the significance of the hyperintensities. Twenty-four children had unidentified bright objects, whereas eight children did not. Using the t-test, thalamic lesions were associated with lower intellectual function (P = .031). Left globus pallidus hyperintensities were associated with a lower attention score ( P = .04), and right middle cerebellar peduncle hyperintensities were associated with a lower sensorimotor score (P = .05). The size of the thalamic lesions correlated with cognitive function (P < .05). Among the group with unidentified bright objects, there was a significant association between more involved sites on the dominant hemisphere and impaired verbal function (r = —.55; P = .005). Unidentified bright objects in the thalamus, globus pallidus, and middle cerebellar peduncles and the laterality of the lesions had an impact on cognitive function. (J Child Neurol 2004; 19:853-858).
Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Rosiglitazone, a PPAR Gamma Agonist in Models of Acute and Chronic Inflammation and Assessment of its Effect on Gastric Mucosa

Objectives-To evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of rosiglitazone in the acute and chronic models of inflammation. Also to determine ulcerogenic potential on gastric mucosa in Wistar rats in comparison with diclofenac. Methodology-Anti-inflammatory effects of rosiglitazone in the dose of 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg b.wt. , i.p were studied in acetic acid-induced peritoneal capillary permeability model in mice and cotton pellet-induced granuloma model in Wistar rats. The dose of rosiglitazone that showed maximum anti-inflammatory effect i.e 10mg/kg b.wt. was chosen to study ulcerogeinc potential. Cotton pellet granuloma model was repeated with the drugs being given orally and effect on inflammation and ulcer index was assessed. Results-All three doses of rosiglitazone did not significantly reduce inflammation in the model of acetic acid-induced peritoneal capillary permeability. However, there was significantly reduced inflammation in a dose dependent manner in the model of cotton pellet granuloma in rats. Rosiglitazone in the dose of 10 mg/kg showed significant reduction in inflammation. Ulcer index with rosiglitazone 10mg/kg was comparable to vehicle. Whereas diclofenac sodium showed statistically significant ulcer index as compared to rosiglitazone. Discussion-In conclusion the results of this study suggest that rosiglitazone has anti-inflammatory effects without ulcerogenic potential and can be useful in inflammatory disorders especially in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Design comparison of low-power rectifiers dedicated to RF energy harvesting

Radiofrequency (RF) energy harvesting is a key technique that can be employed in systems for generating some amount of electrical power to drive circuits in wireless communicating devices or, even so, to power supply a full node in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). This paper presents the comparison between two different CMOS rectifier topologies operating in the 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz ISM bands to convert RF power into DC power, both implemented in a CMOS 130nm technology. The first one is a traditional voltage multiplier today commonly used for scavenging energy from RF sources and for RFID applications. The second one is a cross-coupled voltage multiplier, which achieves a significant improvement in power efficiency and low voltage-drop compared with the traditional circuit.