Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The type I restriction endonuclease R.EcoR124I: over-production and biochemical properties.

In this paper we describe a two-plasmid system which allows over-production of the R.EcoR124I restriction endonuclease. The endonuclease has been purified to homogeneity in milligram amounts and has been shown to be fully active for both restriction and modification. Unexpectedly, the enzyme was found to require only ATP and Mg2+ for ATPase activity and DNA cleavage; S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), which has been described as a cofactor of type I restriction enzymes, is not required by R.EcoR124I. However, SAM was found to stimulate the rate of ATPase activity and DNA cleavage. This may occur through an increase in specific DNA binding by R.EcoR124I in the presence of SAM, as indicated by our surface plasmon resonance experiments. These functional differences from the well described R.EcoKI restriction endonuclease are reflected in a possible structural difference between the two enzymes, namely that the stoichiometry of R.EcoR124I appears to be R1M2S1 while that of R.EcoKI is R2M2S1. Supercoiled DNA with one or two SR124I recognition sites is cleaved by the same mechanism inferring co-operation between specifically bound and excess enzymes. Nicked-circle DNA is an intermediate of cleavage reaction. Cleavage of DNA was inhibited by an increased degree of negative supercoiling, which may reflect an increased difficulty for the enzyme to translocate the DNA. Hemi-methylated DNA was the preferred substrate for methylation.
Role of Leukotriene Inhibitors in the Postoperative Management of Nasal Polyps

This was a prospective double blind comparative study on 40 patients. It compared the effects of the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast and beclomethasone nasal spray on the post-operative course of patients with sinonasal polyps. All patients underwent endoscopic sphenoethmoidectomy and were randomized post-operatively into two groups. Group I: 20 patients (9 females and 11 males) age 17 to 67 (32.4 ± 9.5 years), receiving 10 mg montelukast orally daily and Group II: 20 patients (6 females and 14 males) age 17 years to 57 years (33.5 ± 11.9 years), receiving 400 ug beclomethasone local sprays daily. All patients were followed up for 1 year and a symptom score was recorded throughout this period. There was a significant reduction in symptom scores in both groups throughout the study period. In the montelukast group improvement was more marked in itching, post-nasal discharge and headache. The control of sneezing and rhinorrhea was comparable in both groups with a marginal advantage of montelukast. Steroids had a more marked effect on smell disturbances and obstruction. There was no difference in the recurrence rate or in the need for rescue medications between both groups. Both drugs seem to have a complementary action and further studies are needed to determine which patients should receive which treatment.
General matrix theory of self-imaging in multimode interference (MMI) couplers

We present a simple and very general matrix method for predicting the properties of integrated optical multimode interference (MMI) couplers with single-mode input and output guides. We derive a set of N/spl times/N matrices which (in the paraxial limit) can be used to predict the complex mode amplitudes in the output guides from the complex mode amplitudes in the input guides for any type of MMI coupler, splitter or recombiner. We compare this theory with experiment for an 11/spl times/11 nonuniform coupler.
Foxa2 regulates alveolarization and goblet cell hyperplasia

The airways are lined by several distinct epithelial cells that play unique roles in pulmonary homeostasis; however, the mechanisms controlling their differentiation in health and disease are poorly understood. The winged helix transcription factor, FOXA2, is expressed in the foregut endoderm and in subsets of respiratory epithelial cells in the fetal and adult lung. Because targeted mutagenesis of the Foxa2 gene in mice is lethal before formation of the lung, its potential role in lung morphogenesis and homeostasis has not been determined. We selectively deleted Foxa2 in respiratory epithelial cells in the developing mouse lung. Airspace enlargement, goblet cell hyperplasia, increased mucin and neutrophilic infiltration were observed in lungs of the Foxa2-deleted mice. Experimental goblet cell hyperplasia caused by ovalbumin sensitization, interleukin 4 (IL4), IL13 and targeted deletion of the gene encoding surfactant protein C (SP-C), was associated with either absent or decreased expression of Foxa2 in airway epithelial cells. Analysis of lung tissue from patients with a variety of pulmonary diseases revealed a strong inverse correlation between FOXA2 and goblet cell hyperplasia. FOXA2 is required for alveolarization and regulates airway epithelial cell differentiation in the postnatal lung.
Metal-rich carbon stars in the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy

We present spectroscopic observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope of six carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy (Sgr dSph) and two foreground Galactic carbon stars. The band strengths of the observed C2H2 and SiC features are very similar to those observed in Galactic AGB stars. The metallicities are estimated from an empirical relation between the acetylene optical depth and the strength of the SiC feature. The metallicities are higher than those of the Large Magellanic Cloud, and close to Galactic values. While the high metallicity could imply an age of around 1 Gyr, for the dusty AGB stars, the pulsation periods suggest ages in excess of 2 or 3 Gyr. We fit the spectra of the observed stars using the DUSTY radiative transfer model and determine their dust mass-loss rates to be in the range 1.0-3.3 x 10(-8) M-circle dot yr(-1). The two Galactic foreground carbon-rich AGB stars are located at the far side of the solar circle, beyond the Galactic Centre. One of these two stars shows the strongest SiC feature in our present Local Group sample.
The bag-of-frames approach: a not so sufficient model for urban soundscapes

The "bag-of-frames" (BOF) approach, which encodes audio signals as the long-term statistical distribution of short-term spectral features, is commonly regarded as an effective and sufficient way to represent environmental sound recordings (soundscapes). The present paper describes a conceptual replication of a use of the BOF approach in a seminal article using several other soundscape datasets, with results strongly questioning the adequacy of the BOF approach for the task. As demonstrated in this paper, the good accuracy originally reported with BOF likely resulted from a particularly permissive dataset with low within-class variability. Soundscape modeling, therefore, may not be the closed case it was once thought to be.
A Simple Leaky-Wave Analysis of 1-D Grooved Metal Structure for Enhanced Microwave Radiation

We present a simple analytical solution for a one dimensional grooved structure which, when placed concentrically around or flanking a small aperture, has been shown to enhance microwave radiation from it. We will show that the transcendental equation which describes the grooved structure reduces to a transverse resonance condition at the slot openings. For some parameters, the solution to the problem manifests as a complex wave. We demonstrate that this complex wave indeed well approximates the field distribution when a single aperture is excited for frequencies where the enhancement is most significant. In addition, we propose a simple and intuitive design procedure for the grooved structure.
Coronal Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Kidney: Agreement with Axial Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Imaging in Terms of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values

Background:Coronal diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values have gradually become applied (following conventional axial DW-MRI) in the renal analysis. To explore whether data obtained using coronal DW-MRI are comparable with those derived using axial DW-MRI, this preliminary study sought to assess the agreement in renal ADC values between coronal DW-MRI and axial DW-MRI. Methods:Thirty-four healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study; written consents were obtained. All subjects underwent respiratory-triggered axial and coronal DW-MRI using a 1.5-MR system with b values of 0 and 800 s/mm2. The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the two DW-MRI sequences were measured and statistically compared using the paired t-test. The extent of agreement of ADC values of the upper pole, mid-pole, and lower pole of the kidney; the mean ADC values of the left kidney and right kidney; and the mean ADC values of the bilateral kidneys were evaluated via calculation of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) or Bland–Altman method between the two DW-MRI sequences. Results:The SNR of coronal DW-MR images was statistically inferior to that of axial DW-MR images (P < 0.001). The ICCs of the ADC values of each region of interest, and the mean ADC values of bilateral kidneys, between the two sequences, were greater than 0.5, and the mean ADCs of the bilateral kidneys demonstrated the highest ICC (0.869; 95% confidence interval: 0.739–0.935). In addition, 94.1% (32/34), 94.1% (32/34), and 97.1% (31/34) of the ADC bias was inside the limits of agreement in terms of the mean ADC values of the left kidneys, right kidneys, and bilateral kidneys when coronal and axial DWI-MRI were compared. Conclusions:ADC values derived using coronal DW-MRI exhibited moderate-to-good agreement to those of axial DW-MRI, rendering the former an additional useful DW-MRI method, and causing the ADC values derived using the two types of DW-MRI to be comparable.
Constrained principal component extraction network

Constrained principal component (CPC) analysis of stochastic process extracts the most representative components from a given constraint subspace. It is an effective means to incorporate external information into principal component analysis (PCA) and is appealing in a variety of application areas. This paper proposes a novel autoassociative network to find optimal CPC solutions and compares the proposed method with Kungpsilas orthogonal learning network (OLN) approach. As a complement, its relationship with other existing techniques and possible extensions are also discussed.
Experimental Study Of Vegetable Oil -Diesel Blends On The performance Of Compression Ignition Engine

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects oils vegetable blends on the performance of single cylinder compression ignition Engine. The three types of vegetable oil appeared to affect the engine performance in a similar way and compared well with diesel fuel, this paper included prepared four samples fuels . They include (10% sunflower oil90% diesel blends) , (10% olive oil – 90% diesel blends), (10% corn oil90% diesel blends) and pure diesel . The testing achieved between different fuel simples by using the engine four stroke type (TD111) with a single-cylinder and compression ratio (21:1) . The results show that there is decreasing in parameters performance of engine with using vegetable fuel blends , the brake power decrease as (7.4% ),(5.2%) and ( 1.3%) with using the samples (10% olive oil – 90% diesel blends) , (10% sunflower oil90% diesel blends) , and (10% corn oil90%diesel blends) respectively compared with pure diesel fuel for the engine speed of 2000 r.p.m. While at same engine speed the ηbth showed a decrease as (10.9 %),(7.5%) and ( 5.8%) with using the (10% olive oil – 90%diesel blends) , (10% sunflower oil90%diesel blends) , and (10% corn oil90%diesel blends) respectively compared with pure diesel fuel . At the same time , it can be found that bsfc also increases as (7.9% ) , (5.7%) and ( 2.4%) with using (10% olive oil – 90% diesel blends) , (10% sunflower oil90% diesel blends) , and (10% corn oil90% diesel blends)compared to pure diesel fuel . The exhaust gas temperature decrease as ( 7 C),( 5 C)& (3 C) with using the samples (10% olive oil – 90% diesel blends) , (10% sunflower oil90% diesel blends) , and (10% corn oil90%diesel blends) respectively compared with pure diesel fuel for the engine speed of 2000 r.p.m.
RF MEMS from a device perspective

This paper reviews the recent progress in MEMS for radio frequency (RF) applications from a device perspective. RF MEMS devices reviewed include switches and relays, tunable capacitors, integrated inductors, mechanical resonators and filters, and some representative microwave and millimetre-wave components. Important device parameters are highlighted, as they have significant contributions to the performance of the final products in which the devices are used. The challenges and statuses of these RF MEMS devices are outlined and discussed. The intent of this topical review is to provide perspective to newcomers in the field, and empower potential end-users with an overall device picture, current status, and a vision of their ultimate performance capabilities.
The rationale for quadrivalent influenza vaccines

Two antigenically distinct lineages of influenza B viruses have circulated globally since 1985. However, licensed trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines contain antigens from only a single influenza B virus and thus provide limited immunity against circulating influenza B strains of the lineage not present in the vaccine. In recent years, predictions about which B lineage will predominate in an upcoming influenza season have been no better than chance alone, correct in only 5 of the 10 seasons from 2001 to 2011. Consequently, seasonal influenza vaccines could be improved by inclusion of influenza B strains of both lineages. The resulting quadrivalent influenza vaccines would allow influenza vaccination campaigns to respond more effectively to current global influenza epidemiology. Manufacturing capacity for seasonal influenza vaccines has increased sufficiently to supply quadrivalent influenza vaccines, and methods to identify the influenza B strains to include in such vaccines are in place. Multiple manufacturers have initiated clinical studies of quadrivalent influenza vaccines. Data from those studies, taken together with epidemiologic data regarding the burden of disease caused by influenza B infections, will determine the safety, effectiveness, and benefit of utilizing quadrivalent vaccines for the prevention of seasonal influenza disease.
Laser treatment of infantile hemangiomas

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common benign soft tissue tumor of infancy and childhood. Many patients seek early treatment to halt progression of tumor growth and accelerate regression to achieve quick resolution with good cosmetic outcomes. We reviewed literature through PubMed search on the treatment strategies for IH and share our experience in the field of laser treatment of IH. Treatment strategies for IH include both pharmacological, laser, and surgical interventions depending on the stage and severity of the lesion. Various laser beams have been attempted with varying effects and effectiveness. The 595-nm pulsed dye laser therapy has been most widely utilized owing to its great efficacy but minimal adverse effects. It works by targeting oxyhemoglobin chromophore in blood vessels located within the dermis, causing photothermal damage of these target vessels stimulating quick involution without damaging surrounding healthy skin. It is especially useful in treating ulcerated superficial facial hemangiomas that necessitate rapid healing to avoid unsightly scarring. It has a good safety profile but small risk of epidermal burn, blistering, postinflammatory pigment changes, and scarring remains in those with darker skin types treated with higher fluences and short-pulsed duration. Combination treatment with 1064 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser, oral propranolol, and even corticosteroids remains an option, especially in treatment of deep, large, and functionally threatening IH. Careful consideration in consultation with the child's parents given the complexities and potential complications surrounding treatment should always be considered. Laser treatment remains an appropriate treatment for rapidly growing IH in exposed locations at early presentation.
Host–parasite genotypic interactions in the honey bee: the dynamics of diversity

Parasites are thought to be a major driving force shaping genetic variation in their host, and are suggested to be a significant reason for the maintenance of sexual reproduction. A leading hypothesis for the occurrence of multiple mating (polyandry) in social insects is that the genetic diversity generated within-colonies through this behavior promotes disease resistance. This benefit is likely to be particularly significant when colonies are exposed to multiple species and strains of parasites, but host–parasite genotypic interactions in social insects are little known. We investigated this using honey bees, which are naturally polyandrous and consequently produce genetically diverse colonies containing multiple genotypes (patrilines), and which are also known to host multiple strains of various parasite species. We found that host genotypes differed significantly in their resistance to different strains of the obligate fungal parasite that causes chalkbrood disease, while genotypic variation in resistance to the facultative fungal parasite that causes stonebrood disease was less pronounced. Our results show that genetic variation in disease resistance depends in part on the parasite genotype, as well as species, with the latter most likely relating to differences in parasite life history and host–parasite coevolution. Our results suggest that the selection pressure from genetically diverse parasites might be an important driving force in the evolution of polyandry, a mechanism that generates significant genetic diversity in social insects.
Resuscitation With 100% Oxygen Causes Intestinal Glutathione Oxidation and Reoxygenation Injury in Asphyxiated Newborn Piglets

Objective:To compare mesenteric blood flow, oxidative stress, and mucosal injury in piglet small intestine during hypoxemia and reoxygenation with 21%, 50%, or 100% oxygen. Summary Background Data:Necrotizing enterocolitis is a disease whose pathogenesis likely involves hypoxia-reoxygenation and the generation of oxygen-free radicals, which are known to cause intestinal injury. Resuscitation of asphyxiated newborns with 100% oxygen has been shown to increase oxidative stress, as measured by the glutathione redox ratio, and thus may predispose to free radical-mediated tissue injury. Methods:Newborn piglets subjected to severe hypoxemia for 2 hours were resuscitated with 21%, 50%, or 100% oxygen while superior mesenteric artery (SMA) flow and hemodynamic parameters were continuously measured. Small intestinal tissue samples were analyzed for histologic injury and levels of oxidized and reduced glutathione. Results:SMA blood flow decreased to 34% and mesenteric oxygen delivery decreased to 9% in hypoxemic piglets compared with sham-operated controls. With reoxygenation, SMA blood flow increased to 177%, 157%, and 145% of baseline values in piglets resuscitated with 21%, 50%, and 100% oxygen, respectively. Mesenteric oxygen delivery increased to more than 150% of baseline values in piglets resuscitated with 50% or 100% oxygen, and this correlated significantly with the degree of oxidative stress, as measured by the oxidized-to-reduced glutathione ratio. Two of eight piglets resuscitated with 100% oxygen developed gross and microscopic evidence of pneumatosis intestinalis and severe mucosal injury, while all other piglets were grossly normal. Conclusions:Resuscitation of hypoxemic newborn piglets with 100% oxygen is associated with an increase in oxygen delivery and oxidative stress, and may be associated with the development of small intestinal hypoxia-reoxygenation injury. Resuscitation of asphyxiated newborns with lower oxygen concentrations may help to decrease the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis.
Human detection and tracking within hostile aquatic environments

Many deployed systems for human motion tracking and detection are found inadequate when applied on hostile outdoor environments. This paper provides insights into this problem by developing an outdoor aquatic surveillance system, which detects swimmers within the hostile environment of an outdoor public swimming pool. A novel block-based background model and thresholding-with-hysteresis methodology is proposed to extract swimmers amid reflections, ripples, splashes and lighting changes. The problem of partial occlusion between swimmers is resolved based on a proposed Markov random field framework. The algorithm has been incorporated into a live system with robust results for different challenging outdoor pool conditions.
Adaptive Non-Uniform Particle Swarm Application to Plasmonic Design

The metaheuristic approach has become an important tool for the optimization of design in engineering. In that way, its application to the development of the plasmonic based biosensor is apparent. Plasmonics represents a rapidly expanding interdisciplinary field with numerous transducers for physical, biological and medicine applications. Specific problems are related to this domain. The plasmonic structures design depends on a large number of parameters. Second, the way of their fabrication is complex and industrial aspects are in their infancy. In this study, the authors propose a non-uniform adapted Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for rapid resolution of plasmonic problem. The method is tested and compared to the standard PSO, the meta-PSO (Veenhuis, 2006) and the ANUHEM (Barchiesi, 2009). These approaches are applied to the specific problem of the optimization of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Biosensors design. Results show great efficiency of the introduced method.
Semi-automatic zooming for mobile map navigation

In this paper we present a novel interface for mobile map navigation based on Semi-Automatic Zooming (SAZ). SAZ gives the user the ability to manually control the zoom level of an SDAZ interface, while retaining the automatic zooming characteristics of that interface at times when the user is not explicitly controlling the zoom level. In a user study conducted using a realistic mobile map with a wide scale space, we compare SAZ with existing map interface techniques, multi-touch and Speed-Dependent Automatic Zooming (SDAZ). We extend a dynamic state-space model for Speed-Dependent Automatic Zooming (SDAZ) to accept 2D tilt input for scroll rate and zoom level control and implement a dynamically zoomable map view with access to high-resolution map material for use in our study. The study reveals that SAZ performs significantly better than SDAZ and that SAZ is comparable in performance and usability to a standard multi-touch map interface. Furthermore, the study shows that SAZ could serve as an alternative to multi-touch as input technique for mobile map interfaces.
Minimal Loss Hashing for Compact Binary Codes

We propose a method for learning similarity-preserving hash functions that map high-dimensional data onto binary codes. The formulation is based on structured prediction with latent variables and a hinge-like loss function. It is efficient to train for large datasets, scales well to large code lengths, and outperforms state-of-the-art methods.