Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Telomerase Activity And Sialic Acid Levels In Human Glioma Cell Lines

Objective: The telomerase enzyme complex comprises among other proteins, two main subunits; TERT and TR component. Polysialic acid chains modify the adhesive function of NCAM molecules, presumably by making it easier to relinquish the cells to which they are stuck. Telomerase activity and sialic acid levels may be used to predict the biological behavior of gliomas. Materials and Methods: Telomerase activity and sialic acid levels were investigated in the cell extracts taken from human glioma cell lines. To detect telomerase activity, telomeric repeat amplification protocol was performed. To examine sialic acid levels, a Sialic Acid Quantification Kit was used. The expression of hTERT, hTR and GAPDH in cell line, respectively, was analyzed by using a RT-PCR kit. Cells fixed on the flask base were used for NCAM through the streptavidin-biotinperoxidase staining method. Results: Telomerase activity was found to be increased in the later passages of human glioma cells, although it demonstrated a fluctuating pattern. Telomerase RNA and TERT expression were positive in all passages. Sialic acid levels were also seen to be increased, showing regular rising in the consecutive passages of human glioma cell line. Immuno-staining of the NCAM molecule was positive. Conclusion: The telomerase activity, which has been initially expected to increase in the proceeding passages, was increased by manifesting undulation. Besides, the fact that sialic acid levels showed a regular increase gradually in the proceeding passages of the glioma cell line may indicate that this increase is more regular than that of the telomerase activity.
Radar target identification using an eigen-image approach

In order to maintain a high probability of correct classification the classifier must provide good separation between target classes and must be robust with respect to target variability. The authors have implemented a new target classifier based upon the eigen-image concept developed by Turk and Pentland (see Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, vol.3, no.1, 1991) for automatic recognition of human faces. This paper describes their new eigen-image classifier and presents preliminary performance results for a three-class (tank, APC, gun) classifier. Performance results are compared with those of a shift-invariant pattern matching classifier and a quadratic distance correlation classifier. The algorithms are compared by presenting classifier-performance confusion matrices, which indicate the probability of correct and incorrect target classification. The ability of each classifier to reject cultural false alarms (buildings, bridges, etc.) is also quantified. <<ETX>>
Leukemia inhibitory factor as an anti-apoptotic mitogen for pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells in a serum-free medium without feeder cells

SummaryWe have developed a serum-free medium, designated ESF7, in which leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) clearly stimulated murine embryonic stem (ES) cell proliferation accompanied by increased expression of nanog and Rex-1 and decreased FGF-5 expression. These effects were dependent on the concentration of LIF. The ES cells maintained in ESF7 medium for more than 2 yr retained an undifferentiated phenotype, as manifested by the expression of the transcription factor Oct-3/4, the stem cell marker SSEA-1, and alkaline phosphatase. Withdrawal of LIF from ESF7 medium resulted in ES cell apoptosis. Addition of serum to ESF7 medium promoted ES cell differentiation. Addition of MBP4 promoted ES cell differentiation into simple epithelial-like cells. In contrast, FGF-2 promoted ES cell differentiation into neuronal and glial-like cells. Under serum-free culture conditions, LIF was sufficient to stimulate cell proliferation, it inhibited cell differentiation, and it maintained self-renewal of ES cells. Because this simple serum-free adherent monoculture system supports the long-term propagation of pluripotent ES cells in vitro, it will allow the elucidation of ES cell responses to growth factors under defined conditions.
Variable- $N_{u}$ Generalized Spatial Modulation for Indoor LOS mmWave Communication: Performance Optimization and Novel Switching Structure

In this paper, we propose to use variable-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N_{u}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> generalized spatial modulation (VGSM), which is a specific type of generalized spatial modulation, in indoor line-of-sight (LOS) millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication. As compared with fixed-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N_{u}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> generalized spatial modulation, VGSM needs less number of transmitter (TX) antennas to achieve the same data rate. Reducing the number of antennas is especially important for LOS mmWave MIMO communication, since it means reduced array lengths and routing loss in the RF front-end. We first derive and analyze the channel capacity for LOS VGSM, and then propose a novel switching structure for implementation of the VGSM TX at mmWave frequencies and analyze its performance in terms of power added efficiency and capacity. Two optimizations of the system performance of VGSM are performed: 1) power allocation optimization for the proposed TX, and 2) antenna separation optimization in order to optimize the capacity in LOS. Our results show that VGSM is a feasible and promising scheme for indoor LOS mmWave communication. For example, we show that an <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$8\times 8$ </tex-math></inline-formula> VGSM system with practical component values can achieve more than 20bpcu spectral efficiency within a distance of 1–5m and more than 17bpcu within 5–10m.
Discovery of Fast-Moving X-Ray-Emitting Ejecta Knots in the Oxygen-Rich Supernova Remnant Puppis A

We report on the discovery of fast-moving X-ray-emitting ejecta knots in the Galactic oxygen-rich supernova remnant Puppis A from XMM-Newton observations. We find an X-ray knotty feature positionally coincident with an O-rich fast-moving optical filament with blueshifted line emission located in the northeast of Puppis A. We extract spectra from northern and southern regions of the feature. Applying a one-component nonequilibrium ionization model for the two spectra, we find high metal abundances relative to the solar values in both spectra. This fact clearly shows that the feature originates from metal-rich ejecta. In addition, we find that line emission in the two regions is blueshifted. The Doppler velocities derived in the two regions are different with each other, suggesting that the knotty feature consists of two knots that are close to each other along the line of sight. Since fast-moving O-rich optical knots/filaments are believed to be recoiled metal-rich ejecta, expelled to the opposite direction against the high-velocity central compact object, we propose that the ejecta knots disclosed here are also part of the recoiled material.
A Full Parallel Event Driven Readout Technique for Area Array SPAD FLIM Image Sensors

This paper presents a full parallel event driven readout method which is implemented in an area array single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) image sensor for high-speed fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). The sensor only records and reads out effective time and position information by adopting full parallel event driven readout method, aiming at reducing the amount of data. The image sensor includes four 8 × 8 pixel arrays. In each array, four time-to-digital converters (TDCs) are used to quantize the time of photons’ arrival, and two address record modules are used to record the column and row information. In this work, Monte Carlo simulations were performed in Matlab in terms of the pile-up effect induced by the readout method. The sensor’s resolution is 16 × 16. The time resolution of TDCs is 97.6 ps and the quantization range is 100 ns. The readout frame rate is 10 Mfps, and the maximum imaging frame rate is 100 fps. The chip’s output bandwidth is 720 MHz with an average power of 15 mW. The lifetime resolvability range is 5–20 ns, and the average error of estimated fluorescence lifetimes is below 1% by employing CMM to estimate lifetimes.
Toward MRI‐guided coronary catheterization: Visualization of guiding catheters, guidewires, and anatomy in real time

The success of x‐ray fluoroscopy‐guided coronary catheterization depends in part on the ability to obtain simultaneous and real‐time visualization of the guidewire, guiding catheter, and anatomy of the chest. The hypothesis explored in this paper is that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could provide this ability. This hypothesis was tested with loopless antennas used as the guidewire and a guiding catheter and two surface coils, each connected to four different receiver channels of a GE 1.5‐T CV/I MRI scanner. Experiments were conducted on six healthy dogs. Intravascular antennas were inserted in the right carotid artery and maneuvered in the aorta while running a fast gradient‐echo sequence (TR/TE 5/1.3 msec, flip angle 7°). Real‐time projection images of the chest anatomy, together with the guidewire and guiding catheter, were obtained. Positioning of the MRI guiding catheter either in the descending aorta, ascending aorta, or heart was achieved easily. This study represents a step toward MRI‐guided coronary catheterization. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;12:590–594. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Being “in” or “out” of the game: subjective and acoustic reactions to exclusion and popularity in social anxiety

Social Anxiety (SA) has been shown to be associated with compensatory deficits in pro-social behavior following exclusion and with failure to capitalize on social success. We assessed the subjective and expressive responses of high (n = 48) and low (n = 56) socially anxious individuals to exclusion, acceptance, and popularity induced by a participation in an online ball-tossing game. Before the manipulation, participants read aloud neutral and command utterances. Following the manipulation, participants rated their mood and cognitions and re-read the utterances. Acoustic properties (fundamental frequency–mF0, vocal intensity) of these utterances were analyzed. We found greater differences in self-esteem between high and low socially anxious individuals following the exclusion condition, as compared to the acceptance condition. Among low socially anxious individuals, exclusion promoted increased vocal confidence, as indicated by decreased mF0 and increased vocal intensity in uttering commands; High socially anxious individuals exhibited an opposite reaction, responding to exclusion by decreased vocal confidence. Following popularity, high SA was associated with decreased enhancement in mood and self-esteem in women but not in men. Consistent with evolutionary and interpersonal accounts of SA, we highlight the importance of examining the effects of SA and gender on events indicating unambiguous and unanimous social acceptance. Examining reactivity to changes in belongingness may have important implications for understanding the core mechanisms of SA.
Distinct functions of the Drosophila Nup153 and Nup214 FG domains in nuclear protein transport

The phenylanine-glycine (FG)–rich regions of several nucleoporins both bind to nuclear transport receptors and collectively provide a diffusion barrier to the nuclear pores. However, the in vivo roles of FG nucleoporins in transport remain unclear. We have inactivated 30 putative nucleoporins in cultured Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells by RNA interference and analyzed the phenotypes on importin α/β−mediated import and CRM1-dependent protein export. The fly homologues of FG nucleoporins Nup358, Nup153, and Nup54 are selectively required for import. The FG repeats of Nup153 are necessary for its function in transport, whereas the remainder of the protein maintains pore integrity. Inactivation of the CRM1 cofactor RanBP3 decreased the nuclear accumulation of CRM1 and protein export. We report a surprisingly antagonistic relationship between RanBP3 and the Nup214 FG region in determining CRM1 localization and its function in protein export. Our data suggest that peripheral metazoan FG nucleoporins have distinct functions in nuclear protein transport events.
Distribution Associated with Stochastic Processes of Gene Expression in a Single Eukaryotic Cell

The ability to simultaneously measure mRNA abundance for large number of genes has revolutionized biological research by allowing statistical analysis of global gene-expression data. Large-scale gene-expression data sets have been analyzed in order to identify the probability distributions of gene-expression levels (or transcript copy numbers) in eukaryotic cells. Determining such function(s) may provide a theoretical basis for accurately counting all expressed genes in a given cell and for understanding gene-expression control. Using the gene-expression libraries derived from yeast cells and from different human cell tissues we found that all observed gene-expression levels data appear to follow a Pareto-like skewed frequency distribution with parameters dependent of the size of the libraries. We produced the skewed probability function, called the binomial differential distribution, that accounts for many rarely transcribed genes in a single cell. We also developed a novel method for estimating and removing major experimental errors and redundancies from the Serial Analysis Gene Expression (SAGE) data sets. We successfully applied this method to the yeast transcriptome. A "basal" random transcription mechanism for all protein-coding genes in every eukaryotic cell type is predicted.
The 1994 North American Interagency Intercomparison of Ultraviolet Monitoring Spectroradiometers

Concern over stratospheric ozone depletion has prompted several government agencies in North America to establish networks of spectroradiometers for monitoring solar ultraviolet irradiance at the surface of the Earth. To assess the ability of spectroradiometers to accurately measure solar ultraviolet irradiance, and to compare the results between instruments of different monitoring networks, the first North American Intercomparison of Ultraviolet Monitoring Spectroradiometers was held September 19–29, 1994 at Table Mountain outside Boulder, Colorado, USA. This Intercomparison was coordinated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Participating agencies were the Environmental Protection Agency, National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and Atmospheric Environment Service, Canada. Instruments were characterized for wavelength accuracy, bandwidth, stray-light rejection, and spectral irradiance responsivity, the latter with a NIST standard lamp calibrated to operate in the horizontal position. The spectral irradiance responsivity was determined once indoors and twice outdoors, and demonstrated that, while the responsivities changed upon moving the instruments, they were relatively stable when the instruments remained outdoors. Synchronized spectral scans of the solar irradiance were performed over several days. Using the spectral irradiance responsivities determined with the NIST standard lamp, and a simple convolution technique to account for the different bandwidths of the instruments, the measured solar irradiances agreed within 5 %.
Large-scale recoding of an arbovirus genome to rebalance its insect versus mammalian preference

Significance Arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses), a large group of RNA viruses, replicate in insects that transmit them to mammals, their second host. Insects and mammals have evolved different protein encoding strategies (codon pair bias); hence, arboviruses must delicately balance their encodings between two phyla. Using dengue virus (DENV), the most important human arbovirus pathogen, as a model, we have, by computer design and chemical synthesis, undone this balance in codon pair bias in favor of insects. Recoded DENVs grow well in insect cells but are highly attenuated in mammalian cells and in suckling mice. This unique approach offers a previously unidentified possibility to rapidly develop new vaccine candidates against DENV and perhaps against many different human arboviruses. The protein synthesis machineries of two distinct phyla of the Animal kingdom, insects of Arthropoda and mammals of Chordata, have different preferences for how to best encode proteins. Nevertheless, arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) are capable of infecting both mammals and insects just like arboviruses that use insect vectors to infect plants. These organisms have evolved carefully balanced genomes that can efficiently use the translational machineries of different phyla, even if the phyla belong to different kingdoms. Using dengue virus as an example, we have undone the genome encoding balance and specifically shifted the encoding preference away from mammals. These mammalian-attenuated viruses grow to high titers in insect cells but low titers in mammalian cells, have dramatically increased LD50s in newborn mice, and induce high levels of protective antibodies. Recoded arboviruses with a bias toward phylum-specific expression could form the basis of a new generation of live attenuated vaccine candidates.
Hereditary hemochromatosis: a neglected diagnosis in orthopedics

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a not uncommon auto-somal recessive and potentially life-threatening disease. The hemochromatosis gene was identified by Feder et al. in 1996. About 1 in 200 individuals is estimated to be homozygous for the most common mutation—C282Y/C282Y. In the classical form of the disease, cysteine is substituted by tyrosine at amino acid 282 in both alleles. The so-called compound het-erozygoty is less common (representing about 10% of cases) but is also compatible with HH. Here, histidine is substituted by aspartic acid at amino acid 63 in one allele and cysteine by tyrosine at amino acid 282 in the other (C282Y/H63D). Due to increased intestinal absorption, homozygotes develop iron overload but penetrance is very variable (McCune et al. 2006). Most orthopedic surgeons meet patients with undiag-nosed HH on a yearly basis and an early diagnosis and treatment is important in order to avoid cirrhosis of the liver. Also, the risk of developing hepataocellular cancer is at least 20-fold higher than in their first-degree relatives (Elmberg et al. 2003). Fatigue and arthritis, unspecific and therefore often neglected, are common presentations whereas the classic bronze diabetes (darkened skin, diabetes, and cirrhosis) is the final stage of untreated HH that is very rarely seen (McDonell et al. 1999). A survey of 2,851 patients with hemochromatosis showed that patients had consulted a physician after an average of 2 years of symptoms, and on average it took a further 10 years before the diagnosis was made (McDonell et al. 1999). This is unfortunate, since medical treatment—i.e. regular phlebot-omy—is effective. During the period 2001–2008, I replaced 93 ankles in 86 patients and 4 of these patients proved to have hemochroma-tosis. Here I have reviewed the orthopedic manifestations in 7 patients who had one or both ankles replaced during this period, 3 of whom had had their ankles replaced elsewhere. Cases The original records from all orthopedics departments and units of gastroenterology involved were consulted and the author interviewed the patients at least twice. All but 1 patient were below the age of 45 when they had their first joint symptoms, and there was usually a long patient's and doctor's delay before diagnosis and treatment. In 4 cases the hip, knee or ankle joint, and not the MP joints, was the first joint to become symptomatic. Only in one case (patient 5) did the joint symptoms start after the time that the diagnosis of HH had …
High‐dose alcohol intoxication differentially modulates cognitive subprocesses involved in response inhibition

Aside from well‐known physiological effects, high‐dose alcohol intoxication (a.k.a. binge drinking) can lead to aversive social and legal consequences because response inhibition is usually compromised under the influence of alcohol. Although the behavioral aspects of this phenomenon were reported on extensively, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms mediating this disinhibition are unclear. To close this gap, we used both behavioral and neurophysiological measures (event‐related potentials, ERPs) to investigate which subprocesses of response inhibition are altered under the influence of high‐dose alcohol intoxication. Using a within‐subject design, we asked young healthy participants (n = 27) to complete a GO/NOGO task once sober and once intoxicated (approximately 1.2‰). During intoxication, high‐dose alcohol effects were highest in a condition where the participants could not rely on automated stimulus–response mapping processes during response inhibition. In this context, the NOGO‐P3 (ERP), that likely depends on dopaminergic signaling within mesocorticolimbic pathways and is thought to reflect motor inhibition and/or the evaluation of inhibitory processes, was altered in the intoxicated state. In contrast to this, the N2 component, which largely depends on nigrostriatal dopamine pathways and is thought to reflect inhibition on a pre‐motor level, was not altered. Based on these results, we demonstrate that alcohol‐induced changes of dopaminergic neurotransmission do not exert a global effect on response inhibition. Instead, changes are highly subprocess‐specific and seem to mainly target mesocorticolimbic pathways that contribute to motor inhibition and the evaluation of such.
Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics cannot distinguish community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection from methicillin-susceptible S. aureus infection: a prospective investigation.

BACKGROUND Community-associated (CA) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has become common worldwide. Some researchers have argued that empirical therapy for MRSA should be given only to patients with suspected CA S. aureus infections who have risk factors for acquisition of MRSA. However, there are no prospective data examining this approach. METHODS We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients who were hospitalized with S. aureus infection, administered a detailed questionnaire, and collected clinical and microbiological information. RESULTS Of the 280 consenting patients, 180 were adults with CA S. aureus infection. Among these subjects, 108 (60%) had MRSA infection, and 78 (40%) had methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) infection. MRSA infection was associated with younger age (P<.0001); skin/soft-tissue infection (P=.015); snorting/smoking illegal drugs (P=.01); recent incarceration (P=.03); lower comorbidity index (P=.01); more frequent visits to bars, raves, and/or clubs (P=.03); and higher frequency of laundering clothes in hot water (P=.05). However, the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for these factors for discriminating CA-MRSA infection from CA-MSSA infection were relatively poor. Post-hoc modeling revealed that, even in a 10% (i.e., low) MRSA prevalence population, patients lacking the 3 strongest MRSA risk factors would still have a 7% posttest probability of MRSA. Most MRSA strains belonged to the ST-8/USA300 genotype, contained SCCmec type IV, and shared virulence factors commonly found in the ST1:USA400 clone. MSSA strains were genotypically heterogeneous. CONCLUSIONS We found that clinical and epidemiological risk factors in persons hospitalized for CA S. aureus infection cannot reliably distinguish between MRSA and MSSA. Our findings have important implications for the choice of empirical antibiotic therapy for suspected S. aureus infections and for infection control.