Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caenorhabditis elegans EVL-14/PDS-5 and SCC-3 Are Essential for Sister Chromatid Cohesion in Meiosis and Mitosis

ABSTRACT Sister chromatid cohesion is fundamental for the faithful transmission of chromosomes during both meiosis and mitosis. Proteins involved in this process are highly conserved from yeasts to humans. In screenings for sterile animals with abnormal vulval morphology, mutations in the Caenorhabditis elegans evl-14 and scc-3 genes were isolated. Defects in cell divisions were observed in germ line as well as in vulval and somatic gonad lineages. Through positional cloning of these genes, we have shown that EVL-14 and SCC-3 are likely the only C. elegans homologs of the yeast sister chromatid cohesion proteins Pds5 and Scc3, respectively. Both evl-14 and scc-3 mutants displayed defects in the meiotic germ line. In evl-14 mutants, synaptonemal complexes (SCs) were detectable but more than the usual six DAPI (4′,6′-diamidino-2-phenylindole)-positive structures were seen at diakinesis, suggesting that EVL-14/PDS-5 is important for the maintenance of sister chromatid cohesion in late prophase. In scc-3 mutant animals, normal SCs were not visible and ∼24 DAPI-positive structures were seen at diakinesis, indicating that SCC-3 is necessary for sister chromatid cohesion. Immunostaining revealed that localization of REC-8, a homolog of the yeast meiotic cohesin subunit Rec8, to the chromosomes depends on the presence of SCC-3 but not that of EVL-14/PDS-5. scc-3 RNA interference (RNAi)-treated embryos were 100% lethal and displayed defects in cell divisions. evl-14 RNAi caused a range of phenotypes. These results indicate that EVL-14/PDS-5 and SCC-3 have functions in both mitosis and meiosis.
The fine structure and development of the neck region of the mammalian spermatozoon

The cross‐striated connecting‐piece in the neck region of the mammalian spermatozoon develops from material that seems to arise between the triplets in the wall of both proximal and distal centrioles. The precursor material extends radially from the centrioles and polymerizes around them to form the connecting piece. This is not composed of “segments” or “lamellae” as usually described but is a cross‐striated fibrous protein with a major period of 665 A and a complex pattern of intraperiod bands. It is considered to be homologous with the striated rootlets of cilia.
Endurance Enhancement of Flash-Memory Storage, Systems: An Efficient Static Wear Leveling Design

This work is motivated by the strong demand of reliability enhancement over flash memory. Our objective is to improve the endurance of flash memory with limited overhead and without many modifications to popular implementation designs, such as flash translation layer protocol (FTL) and NAND flash translation layer protocol (NFTL). A static wear leveling mechanism is proposed with limited memory-space requirements and an efficient implementation. The properties of the mechanism are then explored with various implementation considerations. Through a series of experiments based on a realistic trace, we show that the endurance of FTL and NFTL could be significantly improved with limited system overheads.
Arginine Kinase from the Tardigrade, Macrobiotus occidentalis: Molecular Cloning, Phylogenetic Analysis and Enzymatic Properties

Arginine kinase (AK), which catalyzes the reversible transfer of phosphate from ATP to arginine to yield phosphoarginine and ADP, is widely distributed throughout the invertebrates. We determined the cDNA sequence of AK from the tardigrade (water bear) Macrobiotus occidentalis, cloned the sequence into pET30b plasmid, and expressed it in Escherichia coli as a 6x His-tag—fused protein. The cDNA is 1377 bp, has an open reading frame of 1080 bp, and has 5′- and 3′-untranslated regions of 116 and 297 bp, respectively. The open reading frame encodes a 359-amino acid protein containing the 12 residues considered necessary for substrate binding in Limulus AK. This is the first AK sequence from a tardigrade. From fragmented and non-annotated sequences available from DNA databases, we assembled 46 complete AK sequences: 26 from arthropods (including 19 from Insecta), 11 from nematodes, 4 from mollusks, 2 from cnidarians and 2 from onychophorans. No onychophoran sequences have been reported previously. The phylogenetic trees of 104 AKs indicated clearly that Macrobiotus AK (from the phylum Tardigrada) shows close affinity with Epiperipatus and Euperipatoides AKs (from the phylum Onychophora), and therefore forms a sister group with the arthropod AKs. Recombinant 6x His-tagged Macrobiotus AK was successfully expressed as a soluble protein, and the kinetic constants (Km, Kd, Vmax and kcat) were determined for the forward reaction. Comparison of these kinetic constants with those of AKs from other sources (arthropods, mollusks and nematodes) indicated that Macrobiotus AK is unique in that it has the highest values for kcat and Kd/Km (indicative of synergistic substrate binding) of all characterized AKs.
Regulation of the hedgehog signaling by the mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascade in gastric cancer

The hedgehog and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways regulate growth in many tumors, suggesting cooperation between these two pathways in the regulation of cell proliferation. However, interactions between these pathways have not been extensively studied. We assessed cross‐talk between hedgehog and MAPK signaling in the regulation of cell proliferation in gastric cancer. We showed that PTCH expression was significantly correlated with extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation (P = 0.016) as well as SHH expression (P = 0.034) in the 35 gastric cancers assessed by immunohistochemistry. Indeed, MAPK signaling increased the GLI transcriptional activity and induced the expression of hedgehog target genes in gastric cancer cells. The inductive effect of activated KRAS and mitogen‐activated protein/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase kinase (MEK) 1 was blocked by the suppressor of fused (SUFU), indicating that MAPK signaling regulates GLI activity via a SUFU‐independent process. Moreover, the deletion of the NH2‐terminal domain of GLI1 gene resulted in reduced response to MEK1 stimulation. Our results suggest that the KRAS‐MEK‐ERK cascade has a positive regulatory role in GLI transcriptional activity in gastric cancer. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seasonal Abundance, Number of Annual Generations, and Effect of an Entomopathogenic Fungus on Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

ABSTRACT The monthly density of the sand fly, Phlebotomus Papatasi Scopoli (Diptera: Psychodidae), was monitored during 2009 at Burg El-Arab, a rural district located close to the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. The number of annual generations and the efficacy of microbial control by the entomopathogenic fungus, Metrahizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok (Ma79), were determined in the laboratory under atmospheric conditions, simulating those of the animal shelters in the study area. We used two collecting techniques; CDC light traps and oiled paper traps, to quantify sand fly density inside houses and in the open field. Adult flies exhibited a seasonal range from April to December. The seasonal pattern was bimodal, with one peak in July and the second one in October. Calculations of the correlation coefficient (r) revealed a significant role of temperature and relative humidity in the monthly abundance of the sand flies in the study area. P. papatasi colony completed seven annual generations under semifield conditions, but the mean developmental time of each immature stage and the mean total duration of development from egg to adult for each generation varied according to the prevailing temperature. The longest generation time was observed in winter (the mean ± SD was 118 ± 11.70 d), and the shortest one occurred at the highest temperatures in summer (the mean ± SD was 25.21 ± 2.04 d). In microbial control studies, the entomopathogenic fungus, M. anisopliae, was used at 15 × 108 spores/g food as a standard dose against the second-instar larvae of P. papatasi at the different seasons during 2009. Mortality reached 100% in winter and decreased to 56.0% as the prevailing temperature increased during the summer season.
Serum asymmetric dimethylarginine and arginine levels predict microvascular and macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Increased oxidative stress in diabetes increases nitric oxide (NO) oxidation and low l‐arginine (Arg) could further reduce NO and impair vascular function, thereby accelerating, in the long run, vascular complications. We therefore measured Arg and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy controls. Additionally, we observed the diabetic individuals over time to see if Arg and asymmetric dimethylarginine predicted T2DM complications.
Functional and Structural Characterization of Neutralizing Epitopes of Measles Virus Hemagglutinin Protein

ABSTRACT Effective vaccination programs have dramatically reduced the number of measles-related deaths globally. Although all the available data suggest that measles eradication is biologically feasible, a structural and biochemical basis for the single serotype nature of measles virus (MV) remains to be provided. The hemagglutinin (H) protein, which binds to two discrete proteinaceous receptors, is the major neutralizing target. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) recognizing distinct epitopes on the H protein were characterized using recombinant MVs encoding the H gene from different MV genotypes. The effects of various mutations on neutralization by MAbs and virus fitness were also analyzed, identifying the location of five epitopes on the H protein structure. Our data in the present study demonstrated that the H protein of MV possesses at least two conserved effective neutralizing epitopes. One, which is a previously recognized epitope, is located near the receptor-binding site (RBS), and thus MAbs that recognize this epitope blocked the receptor binding of the H protein, whereas the other epitope is located at the position distant from the RBS. Thus, a MAb that recognizes this epitope did not inhibit the receptor binding of the H protein, rather interfered with the hemagglutinin-fusion (H-F) interaction. This epitope was suggested to play a key role for formation of a higher order of an H-F protein oligomeric structure. Our data also identified one nonconserved effective neutralizing epitope. The epitope has been masked by an N-linked sugar modification in some genotype MV strains. These data would contribute to our understanding of the antigenicity of MV and support the global elimination program of measles.
Potential of Wood Waste Ash as an Additive in Concrete

The enormous amount of wastes produced during wood processing operations in many countries provides challenging opportunities for the use of wood waste as a construction material. In this research, wood waste (sawdust and wood shaving) ash (WWA) of pretreated timber of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% by weight of cement was added as a supplement to a concrete of mix proportion 1:2:4:0.56 (cement:sand:coarse aggregate:water cement ratio), and the strengths and the water absorption of the matrix were evaluated. Also, the metal leachability of WWA was analyzed. The compressive and the flexural strengths of WWA concrete for the ages investigated ranged from 12.83 to 28.66 N∕ mm2 , and 3.65 to 5.57 N∕ mm2 , respectively, with the lowest values obtained at 30% additive level of ash. When compared with the strength of plain concrete (control), the compressive and flexural strengths of WWA concrete were between 62 and 91% and 65 and 98%, respectively, of the former. The trend of the water absorption of WWA concrete.
Using content analysis and Web design heuristics to evaluate informational Web sites: an exploratory study

Ideally, Web site usability should take place during the design phase of Web sites, but when this is not feasible, the combination of content analysis in conjunction with established Web design heuristics can indicate problem areas for usability testing and remediation. This study evaluated the usability of navigation, information display, comprehensibility, and accessibility elements of passenger preparedness information on 214 U.S. commercial service airport Web sites using content analysis techniques based on published Web design heuristics. Lessons learned provide recommendations for other content analysis research based on Web design heuristics.
A Heat-Sensitive Arabidopsis thalianaKinase Substitutes for Human p70s6k Function In Vivo

ABSTRACT In mammalian cells, mitogen-induced phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 by p70s6k has been implicated in the selective translational upregulation of 5′TOP mRNAs. We demonstrate here that the homologous Arabidopsis thaliana protein, AtS6k2, ectopically expressed in human 293 cells or isolated from plant cells, phosphorylates specifically mammalian and plant S6 at 25°C but not at 37°C. When Arabidopsis suspension culture cells are shifted from 25 to 37°C, the kinase becomes rapidly inactivated, consistent with the observation that heat shock abrogates S6 phosphorylation in plants. Treatment with potato acid phosphatase reduced the specific activity of immunoprecipitated AtS6k2 threefold, an effect which was blocked in the presence of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate. In quiescent mammalian cells, AtS6k2 is activated by serum stimulation, a response which is abolished by the fungal metabolite wortmannin but is resistant to rapamycin. Treatment of mammalian cells with rapamycin abolishes in vivo S6 phosphorylation by p70s6k; however, ectopic expression of AtS6k2 rescues the rapamycin block. Collectively, the data demonstrate that AtS6k2 is the functional plant homolog of mammalian p70s6k and identify a new signalling pathway in plants.
Reciprocal Interaction between Macrophages and T cells Stimulates IFN-γ and MCP-1 Production in Ang II-induced Cardiac Inflammation and Fibrosis

Background The inflammatory response plays a critical role in hypertension-induced cardiac remodeling. We aimed to study how interaction among inflammatory cells causes inflammatory responses in the process of hypertensive cardiac fibrosis. Methodology/Principal Findings Infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II, 1500 ng/kg/min) in mice rapidly induced the expression of interferon γ (IFN-γ) and leukocytes infiltration into the heart. To determine the role of IFN-γ on cardiac inflammation and remodeling, both wild-type (WT) and IFN-γ-knockout (KO) mice were infused Ang II for 7 days, and were found an equal blood pressure increase. However, knockout of IFN-γ prevented Ang II-induced: 1) infiltration of macrophages and T cells into cardiac tissue; 2) expression of tumor necrosis factor α and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and 3) cardiac fibrosis, including the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen I (all p<0.05). Cultured T cells or macrophages alone expressed very low level of IFN-γ, however, co-culture of T cells and macrophages increased IFN-γ expression by 19.8±0.95 folds (vs. WT macrophage, p<0.001) and 20.9 ± 2.09 folds (vs. WT T cells, p<0.001). In vitro co-culture studies using T cells and macrophages from WT or IFN-γ KO mice demonstrated that T cells were primary source for IFN-γ production. Co-culture of WT macrophages with WT T cells, but not with IFN-γ-knockout T cells, increased IFN-γ production (p<0.01). Moreover, IFN-γ produced by T cells amplified MCP-1 expression in macrophages and stimulated macrophage migration. Conclusions/Significance Reciprocal interaction between macrophages and T cells in heart stimulates IFN-γ expression, leading to increased MCP-1 expression in macrophages, which results a forward-feed recruitment of macrophages, thus contributing to Ang II-induced cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.
Investigating the Correlation between Mutation Score and Coverage Score

Strong test suites ensure the correctness and quality of software. Coverage and Mutation score are widespread metrics for evaluating the quality of a test suite. Mutation analysis process improves a test suite to obtain higher coverage scores. We investigate the correlation between the mutation score and coverage scores (branch, statement, method and class) based on an open source program with a comprehensive pool of test cases and analyse the result sets using Atlassian Clover[2] and PIT[1]. Our experimental study has shown that mutation analysis can be used to produce quality test cases and to improve coverage scores in a feasible amount of time.
A Distance-Based Formulation of the Octahedral Manipulator Kinematics

In most practical implementations of the Gough-Stewart platform, the octahedral form is either taken as it stands or is approximated. The kinematics of this particular instance of the Gough-Stewart platform, commonly known as the octahedral manipulator, has been thoughtfully studied. It is well-known, for example, that its forward kinematics can be solved by computing the roots of an octic polynomial and that its singularities have a simple geometric interpretation in terms of the intersection of four planes in a single point. In this paper, using a distance-based formulation, it is shown that this octic polynomial can be straightforwardly derived and a whole family of platforms kinematically equivalent to the octahedral manipulator is obtained. Two Gough-Stewart parallel platforms are said to be kinematically equivalent if there is a one-to-one correspondence between their squared leg lengths for the same configuration of their moving platforms with respect to their bases. If this condition is satisfied, it can be easily shown that both platforms have the same assembly modes and their singularities, in the configuration space of the moving platform, are located in the same place. Actually, both consequences are two faces of the same coin.
Achievable Rates in Gaussian MISO Channels with Secrecy Constraints

A Gaussian MISO (multiple input single output) channel is considered where a transmitter is communicating to a receiver in the presence of an eavesdropper. The transmitter is equipped with multiple antennas, while the receiver and the eavesdropper each have a single antenna. The transmitter maximizes the communication rate, while concealing the message from the eavesdropper. The channel input is restricted to Gaussian signalling, with no preprocessing of information. For these channel inputs, and under different channel fading assumptions, optimal transmission strategies are found, in terms of the input covariance matrices. It is shown that, the optimal communication strategy in all cases, is beamforming.
Dark Leaf Respiration in Light and Darkness of an Evergreen and a Deciduous Plant Species

Dark respiration in light as well as in dark was estimated for attached leaves of an evergreen (Heteromeles arbutifolia Ait.) and a deciduous (Lepechinia fragans Greene) shrub species using an open gas-exchange system. Dark respiration in light was estimated by the Laisk method. Respiration rates in the dark were always higher than in the light, indicating that light inhibited respiration in both species. The rates of respiration in the dark were higher in the leaves of the deciduous species than in the evergreen species. However, there were no significant differences in respiration rates in light between the species. Thus, the degree of inhibition of respiration by light was greater in the deciduous species (62%) than in the evergreen species (51%). Respiration in both the light and darkness decreased with increasing leaf age. However, because respiration in the light decreased faster with leaf age than respiration in darkness, the degree of inhibition of respiration by light increased with leaf age (from 36% in the youngest leaves to 81% in the mature leaves). This suggests that the rate of dark respiration in the light is related to the rate of biosynthetic processes. Dark respiration in the light decreased with increasing light intensity. Respiration both in the light and in the dark was dependent on leaf temperature. We concluded that respiration in light and respiration in darkness are tightly coupled, with variation in respiration in darkness accounting for more than 60% of the variation in respiration in light. Care must be taken when the relation between respiration in light and respiration in darkness is studied, because the relation varies with species, leaf age, and light intensity.
Relationship between KnowledgeManagement and Market Orientation in SMEs

The paper presents relationships between market orientation (MO), knowledge management (KM) and growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Two basic questions are stated for this study: (1) what are the relationships between those two concepts, KM and MO, and growth of SMEs (direct or indirect), and (2) what is the direction of the relationship between KM and MO. To answer the questions, literature review was conducted. Knowledge management is defined as a process that helps enterprises to find, select, organize and transfer important information necessary for activities such as for example strategic planning and decision making. Also two main perspectives on market orientation, cultural and behavioural, underline the importance of collecting and processing information about market. Previous empirical researches confirm significant relationship between KM, MO and growth and development of enterprises. However, KM and MO are different in SMEs in comparison to large enterprises. The differences result from characteristics of SMEs such as for example: small size, informal organization structure and being close to market. Moreover, although there is correlation between KM and MO, previous studies do not indicate unequivocally the direction of the relationship between those two concepts.
Rebonding of orthodontic brackets. Part I, a laboratory and clinical study.

OBJECTIVE To compare rebonding of orthodontic brackets based on the hypothesis that no difference would be found between the adhesive systems with respect to shear bond strength, mode of failure, and clinical failure rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS The three adhesive systems included two self-etch primers (Transbond and M-Bond) and a conventional phosphoric acid etch (Rely-a-Bond). The sample size was 20 premolars for each adhesive system. The shear bond strength was tested 24 hours after bracket bonding with the bonding/debonding procedures repeated two times after the first debonding. Bond strength, adhesive remnant index (ARI), and failure sites were evaluated for each debonding. Statistical analysis consisted of a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Scheffè analysis. The clinical portion evaluated 15 patients over a 12-month period. RESULTS The mean shear bond strengths after the first, second, and third debondings for Rely-a-Bond were 8.4 +/- 1.8, 10.3 +/- 2.4, and 14.1 +/- 3.3 MPa, respectively; for Transbond 11.1 +/- 4.6, 13.6 +/- 4.5, and 12.9 +/- 4.4 MPa, respectively; and for M-Bond 8.7 +/- 2.7, 10.4 +/- 2.4, and 12.4 +/- 3.4 MPa, respectively. After the three debondings the mean shear bond strength increased significantly from the first to the third debonding for Rely-a-Bond and M-bond (P </= .001), but did not change for Transbond (P = .199). CONCLUSIONS The original hypothesis is not rejected. The two self-etching primers showing higher or comparable bond strength to the conventional phosphoric etch with less adhesive remnant on the enamel surface after the first debonding. With repeated bonding/debonding, the differences in the bond strength, ARI, and failure site were not significantly different. There was no difference in the clinical performance of the three adhesive systems (P = .667).