Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cheat-Proof and Optimal Access Controls in a Pairwise Interaction Network

We derive both the optimal and the game-theoretic (cheat-proof) solutions in closed form, to a problem of distributed access with power control in a pairwise interaction network. In this network, each node has an energy constraint in a fixed time unit for using different power levels in each access attempt competing with a randomly selected node. The one with larger power level wins the access. The optimal control for nodes in the network to maximize the number of wining the access as well as the game-theoretic (cheat-proof) control in which no one will deviate to attain higher number of wining the access are fully characterized in this paper.
The HIP1 initiator element plays a role in determining the in vitro requirement of the dihydrofolate reductase gene promoter for the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II

We examined the ability of purified RNA polymerase (RNAP) II lacking the carboxy-terminal heptapeptide repeat domain (CTD), called RNAP IIB, to transcribe a variety of promoters in HeLa extracts in which endogenous RNAP II activity was inhibited with anti-CTD monoclonal antibodies. Not all promoters were efficiently transcribed by RNAP IIB, and transcription did not correlate with the in vitro strength of the promoter or with the presence of a consensus TATA box. This was best illustrated by the GC-rich, non-TATA box promoters of the bidirectional dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)-REP-encoding locus. Whereas the REP promoter was transcribed by RNAP IIB, the DHFR promoter remained inactive after addition of RNAP IIB to the antibody-inhibited reactions. However, both promoters were efficiently transcribed when purified RNAP with an intact CTD was added. We analyzed a series of promoter deletions to identify which cis elements determine the requirement for the CTD of RNAP II. All of the promoter deletions of both DHFR and REP retained the characteristics of their respective full-length promoters, suggesting that the information necessary to specify the requirement for the CTD is contained within approximately 65 bp near the initiation site. Furthermore, a synthetic minimal promoter of DHFR, consisting of a single binding site for Sp1 and a binding site for the HIP1 initiator cloned into a bacterial vector sequence, required RNAP II with an intact CTD for activity in vitro. Since the synthetic minimal promoter of DHFR and the smallest REP promoter deletion are both activated by Sp1, the differential response in this assay does not result from upstream activators. However, the sequences around the start sites of DHFR and REP are not similar and our data suggest that they bind different proteins. Therefore, we propose that specific initiator elements are important for determination of the requirement of some promoters for the CTD.
On Properties and the Application of Levin-type Sequence Transformations for the Convergence Acceleration of Fourier Series

We discuss Levin-type sequence transformations fsng ! fs0 ng that depend linearly on the sequence elements sn, and nonlinearly on an auxiliary sequence of remainder estimates f! ng. If the remainder estimates also depend on the sequence elements, non-linear transformations are obtained. The application of such transformations very often yields new sequences that are more rapidly convergent in the case of linearly and logarithmically convergent sequences. Also, divergent power series can often be summed, i.e., transformed to convergent sequences, by such transformations. The case of slowly convergent Fourier series is more di�cult and many known sequence transformations are not able to accelerate the convergence of Fourier series due to the more complicated sign pattern of the terms of the series in comparison to power series. In the present work, the Levin-type H transformation [H.H. H. Homeier, A Levin{type algo-rithm for accelerating the convergence of Fourier series, Numer. Algo. 3 (1992) 245{254] is studied that involves a frequency parameter �. In particular, properties of the H transformation are derived, and its implementation is discussed. We also present some generalization of it to the case of several frequency parameters. Finally, it is shown how to use the H transformation properly in the vicinity of singularities of the Fourier series.
A Spiral Structure in the Disk of EX Draconis on the Rise to Outburst Maximum

We report on the R-band eclipse mapping analysis of high-speed photometry of the dwarf nova EX Dra on the rise to the maximum of the 1995 November outburst. The eclipse map shows a one-armed spiral structure of ~180° in azimuth, extending in radius from R ≃ 0.2RL1 to 0.43RL1 (where RL1 is the distance from the disk center to the inner Lagrangian point), that contributes about 22% of the total flux of the eclipse map. The spiral structure is stationary in a reference frame corotating with the binary and is stable for a timescale of at least five binary orbits. The comparison of the eclipse maps on the rise and in quiescence suggests that the outbursts of EX Dra may be driven by episodes of enhanced mass transfer from the secondary star. Possible explanations for the nature of the spiral structure are discussed.
Living with Uncertainty: Acting in the Best Interests of Women

A recent multi-country study on hormonal contraceptives (HC) and HIV acquisition and transmission among African HIV-serodiscordant couples reported a statistically significant doubling of risk for HIV acquisition among women as well as transmission from women to men for injectable contraceptives. Together with a prior cohort study on African women seeking health services, these data are the strongest yet to appear on the HC-HIV risk. This paper will briefly review the Heffron study strengths and relevant biological and epidemiologic evidence; address the futility of further trials; and propose instead an alternative framework for next steps. The weight of the evidence calls for a discontinuation of progestin-dominant methods. We propose here five types of productive activities: (1) scaling injectable hormones down and out of the contraceptive mix; (2) strengthening and introducing public health strategies with proven potential to reduce HIV spread; (3) providing maximal choice to reduce unplanned pregnancy, starting with quality sexuality education through to safe abortion access; (4) expanding provider training, end-user counseling and access to male and female barriers, with a special renewed focus on female condom; (5) initiating a serious research agenda to determine anti-STI/HIV potential of the contraceptive cervical cap. Trusting women to make informed choices is critical to achieve real progress in dual protection.
An Orphan Chemotaxis Sensor Regulates Virulence and Antibiotic Tolerance in the Human Pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The synthesis of virulence factors by pathogenic bacteria is highly regulated and occurs in response to diverse environmental cues. An array of two component systems (TCSs) serves to link perception of different cues to specific changes in gene expression and/or bacterial behaviour. Those TCSs that regulate functions associated with virulence represent attractive targets for interference in anti-infective strategies for disease control. We have previously identified PA2572 as a putative response regulator required for full virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the opportunistic human pathogen, to Galleria mellonella (Wax moth) larvae. Here we have investigated the involvement of candidate sensors for signal transduction involving PA2572. Mutation of PA2573, encoding a probable methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein, gave rise to alterations in motility, virulence, and antibiotic resistance, functions which are also controlled by PA2572. Comparative transcriptome profiling of mutants revealed that PA2572 and PA2573 regulate expression of a common set of 49 genes that are involved in a range of biological functions including virulence and antibiotic resistance. Bacterial two-hybrid analysis indicated a REC-dependent interaction between PA2572 and PA2573 proteins. Finally expression of PA2572 in the PA2573 mutant background restored virulence to G. mellonella towards wild-type levels. The findings indicate a role for the orphan chemotaxis sensor PA2573 in the regulation of virulence and antibiotic tolerance in P. aeruginosa and indicate that these effects are exerted in part through signal transduction involving PA2572.
Withaferin-A—A Natural Anticancer Agent with Pleitropic Mechanisms of Action

Cancer, being the second leading cause of mortality, exists as a formidable health challenge. In spite of our enormous efforts, the emerging complexities in the molecular nature of disease progression limit the real success in finding an effective cancer cure. It is now conceivable that cancer is, in fact, a progressive illness, and the morbidity and mortality from cancer can be reduced by interfering with various oncogenic signaling pathways. A wide variety of structurally diverse classes of bioactive phytochemicals have been shown to exert anticancer effects in a large number of preclinical studies. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that withaferin-A can prevent the development of cancers of various histotypes. Accumulating data from different rodent models and cell culture experiments have revealed that withaferin-A suppresses experimentally induced carcinogenesis, largely by virtue of its potent anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing properties. Moreover, withaferin-A sensitizes resistant cancer cells to existing chemotherapeutic agents. The purpose of this review is to highlight the mechanistic aspects underlying anticancer effects of withaferin-A.
Steinfeld syndrome: Further delineation

Steinfeld syndrome, which was first reported in 1982, is characterized by holoprosencephaly, phocomelia, clefting, congenital heart defects, and other anomalies. There have been two additional reports since then. This report describes a fetus with clinical features consistent with Steinfeld syndrome and it is the first patient with this condition to have extensive genetic evaluation. This appears to be an autosomal dominant syndrome with widely variable expression. The clinical features of this syndrome are reviewed. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Strategies for Outcrossing and Genetic Manipulation of Drosophila Compound Autosome Stocks

Among all organisms, Drosophila melanogaster has the most extensive well-characterized collection of large-scale chromosome rearrangements. Compound chromosomes, rearrangements in which homologous chromosome arms share a centromere, have proven especially useful in genetic-based surveys of the entire genome. However, their potential has not been fully realized because compound autosome stocks are refractile to standard genetic manipulations: if outcrossed, they yield inviable aneuploid progeny. Here we describe two strategies, cold-shock and use of the bubR1 mutant alleles, to produce nullo gametes through nondisjunction. These gametes are complementary to the compound chromosome−bearing gametes and thus produce viable progeny. Using these techniques, we created a compound chromosome two C(2)EN stock bearing a red fluorescent protein-histone transgene, facilitating live analysis of these unusually long chromosomes.
The Contribution of TWIK-Related Acid-Sensitive K+-Containing Channels to the Function of Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Thalamocortical Relay Neurons

A genetic knockout was used to determine the specific contribution of TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+ (TASK)-1 channels to the function of dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (DLG) thalamocortical relay (TC) neurons. Disruption of TASK-1 function produced an ∼19% decrease in amplitude of the standing outward current (ISO) and a 3 ± 1-mV depolarizing shift in resting membrane potential (Vrest) of DLG neurons. We estimated that current through TASK-1 homodimers or TASK-1/TASK-3 heterodimers contribute(s) approximately one third of the current sensitive to TASK channel modulators in DLG TC neurons. The effects of the TASK channel blocker bupivacaine (20 μM), of muscarine (50 μM), and of H+ on ISO were reduced to approximately 60%, 59%, and shifted to more acidic pH values, respectively. The blocking effect of anandamide on ISO [30 μM; 23 ± 3% current decrease in wild type (WT)] was absent in TASK-1 knockout (TASK-1-/-) mice (9 ± 6% current increase). Comparable results were obtained with the more stable anand-amide derivative methanandamide (20 μM; 20 ± 2% decrease in WT; 4 ± 6% increase in TASK-1-/-). Current-clamp recordings revealed a muscarine-induced shift in TC neuron activity from burst to tonic firing in both mouse genotypes. Electrocorticograms and sleep/wake times were unchanged in TASK-1-/- mice. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate a significant contribution of TASK-1 channels to ISO in DLG TC neurons, although the genetic knockout of TASK-1 did not produce severe deficits in the thalamocortical system.
Weaning Initiates a Rapid and Powerful Anabolic Phase in the Rat Maternal Skeleton1

Abstract Maternal skeletal mineral lost during lactation is rapidly restored after weaning. The purposes of this study were to determine when increases of bone formation occur after weaning, whether the expanding osteoblast population is derived from proliferating progenitors, and to relate these skeletal changes to known endocrine events at weaning. Female rats were allowed to complete one reproductive cycle. Half of these rats were mated a second time and allowed to lactate for 20 days. The other half served as an age-matched, normal estrus cycling comparison group. One day after weaning, the dams and their comparison group were given four injections of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) at 8-h intervals. Indices of bone formation and the kinetics of BrdU-labeled cells were measured in lumbar vertebral cancellous bone. At 2 days after weaning, cancellous bone formation rates were substantially greater than those in the nonmated rats. Indices of bone formation more than doubled from the second to seventh day after weaning. At 25 h after the first BrdU injection in the postweaned rats, considerable numbers of labeled cells were observed on or near the bone surface, with about 17% of the osteoblast population labeled. Labeled osteoblasts peaked at 20%–24% compared with 4% in the normal estrus cycling group. Immediately following weaning, there is a profound increase in the osteoblast population in maternal cancellous bone. Many, if not most of these newly formed osteoblasts were derived from proliferating progenitors. It is possible that the endocrine milieu of lactation expands or primes the osteoprogenitor pool for this rapid anabolic phase.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Identification of Melatonin-Regulated Genes in the Ovine Pituitary Pars Tuberalis, a Target Site for Seasonal Hormone Control

: The pars tuberalis (PT) of the pituitary gland expresses a high density of melatonin (MEL) receptors and is believed to regulate seasonal physiology by decoding changes in nocturnal melatonin secretion. Circadian clock genes are known to be expressed in the PT in response to the decline ( Per1 ) and onset ( Cry1 ) of MEL secretion, but to date little is known of other molecular changes in this key MEL target site. To identify transcriptional pathways that may be involved in the diurnal and photoperiod-transduction mechanism, we performed a whole genome transcriptome analysis using PT RNA isolated from sheep culled at three time points over the 24h cycle under either long or short photoperiods. Our results reveal 153 transcripts where expression differs between photoperiods at the light/dark transition and 54 transcripts where expression level was more globally altered by photoperiod (all time points combined). Cry1 induction at night was associated with up-regulation of genes coding for NeuroD 1 (Neurogenic differentiation factor 1), Pbef/Nampt , (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase), Hif1 α (hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha) and Kcnq 5 (K + channel) and down-regulation of Ror β , a key clock gene regulator. Using in situ hybridization, we confirmed day-night differences in expression for Pbef/Nampt , NeuroD1 and Ror β in the PT. Treatment of sheep with MEL increased PT expression for Cry1, Pbef/ Nampt, NeuroD1 and Hif1 α , but not Kcnq5 . Our data thus reveal a cluster of Cry1 associated genes which are acutely responsive to MEL and novel transcriptional pathways involved in MEL action in the PT.
Increased Nuchal Translucency and Pregnancy Outcome

Background To study the outcome of cases with nuchal translucency (NT) ≥ 95th centile in the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: This cross sectional study was performed at Iranian Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) between January 2009 and December 2011. Totally, 186 cases with NT≥ 95th centile who attended for the first trimester screening were studied. All cases with increased NT including those with normal karyotype were followed up with anomaly scan at 18–22 weeks and fetal echocardiography at 22–24 weeks. Pregnancy outcome was extracted from delivery records and pediatrics notes and telephone interviews. Results: Of screened cases, 186 fetuses had an NT≥95th centile, of them 19.8% were abnormal karyotype, including 29 cases of trisomy 21, three of trisomy 18, two of trisomy 13, three of Turner syndrome. 77.8% did not show any abnormalities on follow-up examinations. 4.6% of cases were found to have malformation antenatally and 4% cases postnatally. 11.4% women elected termination of pregnancy without further follow up. There were 4.6% fetal loss and 1.3% hydrops fetalis. Conclusion: In this unselected population, the study showed one out of four fetuses with enlarged NT had an adverse pregnancy outcome (miscarriage, fetal loss, and fetal abnormalities), however the chance of having a normal child after exclusion of chromosomal abnormalities and adverse pregnancy outcome was 95%.
Chronic migraine headache prevention with noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and tolerability of noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) for the prevention of chronic migraine (CM) attacks. Methods: In this first prospective, multicenter, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot study of nVNS in CM prophylaxis, adults with CM (≥15 headache d/mo) entered the baseline phase (1 month) and were subsequently randomized to nVNS or sham treatment (2 months) before receiving open-label nVNS treatment (6 months). The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability. Efficacy endpoints in the intent-to-treat population included change in the number of headache days per 28 days and acute medication use. Results: Fifty-nine participants (mean age, 39.2 years; mean headache frequency, 21.5 d/mo) were enrolled. During the randomized phase, tolerability was similar for nVNS (n = 30) and sham treatment (n = 29). Most adverse events were mild/moderate and transient. Mean changes in the number of headache days were −1.4 (nVNS) and −0.2 (sham) (Δ = 1.2; p = 0.56). Twenty-seven participants completed the open-label phase. For the 15 completers initially assigned to nVNS, the mean change from baseline in headache days after 8 months of treatment was −7.9 (95% confidence interval −11.9 to −3.8; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Therapy with nVNS was well-tolerated with no safety issues. Persistent prophylactic use may reduce the number of headache days in CM; larger sham-controlled studies are needed. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01667250. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class II evidence that for patients with CM, nVNS is safe, is well-tolerated, and did not significantly change the number of headache days. This pilot study lacked the precision to exclude important safety issues or benefits of nVNS.
Intercept Behavior Analysis of Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks in the Presence of Eavesdropping Attack

This paper studies the intercept behavior of an industrial wireless sensor network (WSN) consisting of a sink node and multiple sensors in the presence of an eavesdropping attacker, where the sensors transmit their sensed information to the sink node through wireless links. Due to the broadcast nature of radio wave propagation, the wireless transmission from the sensors to the sink can be readily overheard by the eavesdropper for interception purposes. In an information-theoretic sense, the secrecy capacity of the wireless transmission is the difference between the channel capacity of the main link (from sensor to sink) and that of the wiretap link (from sensor to eavesdropper). If the secrecy capacity becomes nonpositive due to the wireless fading effect, the sensor's data transmission could be successfully intercepted by the eavesdropper and an intercept event occurs in this case. However, in industrial environments, the presence of machinery obstacles, metallic frictions, and engine vibrations makes the wireless fading fluctuate drastically, resulting in the degradation of the secrecy capacity. As a consequence, an optimal sensor scheduling scheme is proposed in this paper to protect the legitimate wireless transmission against the eavesdropping attack, where a sensor with the highest secrecy capacity is scheduled to transmit its sensed information to the sink. Closed-form expressions of the probability of occurrence of an intercept event (called intercept probability) are derived for the conventional round-robin scheduling and the proposed optimal scheduling schemes. Also, an asymptotic intercept probability analysis is conducted to provide an insight into the impact of the sensor scheduling on the wireless security. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed sensor scheduling scheme outperforms the conventional round-robin scheduling in terms of the intercept probability.
Technical Comment on “The Placental Mammal Ancestor and the Post–K-Pg Radiation of Placentals”

O’Leary et al. (Research Article, 8 February 2013, p. 662) examined mammalian relationships and divergence times and concluded that a single placental ancestor crossed the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary. This conclusion relies on phylogenetic analyses that fail to discriminate between homology and homoplasy and further implies virus-like rates of nucleotide substitution in early Paleocene placentals.
An effective Discourse Parser that uses Rich Linguistic Information

This paper presents a first-order logic learning approach to determine rhetorical relations between discourse segments. Beyond linguistic cues and lexical information, our approach exploits compositional semantics and segment discourse structure data. We report a statistically significant improvement in classifying relations over attribute-value learning paradigms such as Decision Trees, RIPPER and Naive Bayes. For discourse parsing, our modified shift-reduce parsing model that uses our relation classifier significantly outperforms a right-branching majority-class baseline.