Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oct-4-expressing cells in human amniotic fluid: a new source for stem cell research?

BACKGROUND It is the hope of investigators and patients alike that in future the isolation of pluripotent human stem cells will allow the establishment of therapeutic concepts for a wide variety of diseases. A major aim in this respect is the identification of new sources for pluripotent stem cells. Oct-4 is a marker for pluripotent human stem cells so far known to be expressed in embryonal carcinoma cells, embryonic stem cells and embryonic germ cells. METHODS Cells from human amniotic fluid samples were analysed for mRNA expression of Oct-4, stem cell factor, vimentin and alkaline phosphatase via RT-PCR. Oct-4 protein expression was investigated by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Oct-4-positive cells were also analysed for the expression of cyclin A protein via double immunostaining. RESULTS Performing RT-PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses revealed that in human amniotic fluid in the background of Oct-4-negative cells a distinct population of cells can be found, which express Oct-4 in the nucleus. Oct-4-positive amniotic fluid cell samples also express stem cell factor, vimentin and alkaline phosphatase mRNA. The Oct-4-positive amniotic fluid cells are actively dividing, proven by the detection of cyclin A expression. CONCLUSIONS The results presented here suggest that human amniotic fluid may represent a new source for the isolation of human Oct-4-positive stem cells without raising the ethical concerns associated with human embryonic research.
Dependence of the filament resistance on the duration of current overshoot

The characteristics of a conductive filament in HfO2 RRAM is shown to be dependent on the duration of the current compliance overshoot, which may occur during the filament formation process. In addition to the overshoot amplitude, the filament resistance is found to be affected by the duration of the overshoot caused by the parasitic capacitance.
Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia and system Coulter VCS.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible contribution VCS could make in a hematological laboratory for the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MATERIALS AND METHODS Peripheral blood samples from 42 AML patients and 58 normal donors were analyzed by flow cytometry with the VCS. Normal and leukemic peripheral blood samples were tested to establish a correlation between VCS data and the reference manual method. We evaluated the sensitivity threshold of the VCS for blast cell detection in progressively diluted samples. We looked at a correlation between different scatterplots and flags and the FAB classification of acute myeloid leukemia in order to identify a characteristic VCS image for each subtype. Thirty-four bone marrow samples (18 normal donors and 16 leukemic patients) were analyzed by the VCS system to demonstrate a characteristic scattergram distribution. Further, we tried to compare scatterplots to the flags of leukemic bone marrow samples and, finally, we compared VCS scatterplots with aberrant antigen expression in AML cases. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Overall VCS specificity was 93.1% (54/58) in peripheral blood samples; sensitivity was 100% (42/42) and VCS efficiency was 96%. In AML the characteristic X6 flag was observed in 95.23% of the cases (40/42). In peripheral samples discrimination was made between AML M1 with agranular blasts > 50% of the non erythroid cells (NEC), M4, M5 on the one hand, and AML M1 with granular blasts > 50% of NEC, M2, M3 on the other: the X5 flag was often present in the second group because of the different localization of the cells (p = 0.001). In all normal bone marrow samples we observed granuloblasts in different maturation stages in the neutrophil region of the DF1 VCS scatterplot corresponding to the X5X6 flags or, rarely, to the X5X6X1, because of the presence of immature erythroid cells. This association X5X6 was never observed alone in patients affected by AML. In our study, it was difficult to identify peculiar scatterplots and alarms for each FAB class of AML. Nevertheless, we observed that in all M4 and M5 FAB cases the blastic cells both in the peripheral blood and in the bone marrow samples were located in the monocyte region, with the frequent presence of the X3 flag often associated with the X6 flag. Eight out of the 16 AML bone marrow samples (1 FAB M0, 1 M2, 1 M3, 2 M4, 3 M5) showed the X2 flag and partial localization of blasts in the lymphoid region. In all these cases the presence of some small blastic cells with agranular cytoplasm was confirmed by morphological observation and cytochemical stainings.
EphA3 Expressed in the Chicken Tectum Stimulates Nasal Retinal Ganglion Cell Axon Growth and Is Required for Retinotectal Topographic Map Formation

Background Retinotopic projection onto the tectum/colliculus constitutes the most studied model of topographic mapping and Eph receptors and their ligands, the ephrins, are the best characterized molecular system involved in this process. Ephrin-As, expressed in an increasing rostro-caudal gradient in the tectum/colliculus, repel temporal retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons from the caudal tectum and inhibit their branching posterior to their termination zones. However, there are conflicting data regarding the nature of the second force that guides nasal axons to invade and branch only in the caudal tectum/colliculus. The predominant model postulates that this second force is produced by a decreasing rostro-caudal gradient of EphA7 which repels nasal optic fibers and prevents their branching in the rostral tectum/colliculus. However, as optic fibers invade the tectum/colliculus growing throughout this gradient, this model cannot explain how the axons grow throughout this repellent molecule. Methodology/Principal Findings By using chicken retinal cultures we showed that EphA3 ectodomain stimulates nasal RGC axon growth in a concentration dependent way. Moreover, we showed that nasal axons choose growing on EphA3-expressing cells and that EphA3 diminishes the density of interstitial filopodia in nasal RGC axons. Accordingly, in vivo EphA3 ectodomain misexpression directs nasal optic fibers toward the caudal tectum preventing their branching in the rostral tectum. Conclusions We demonstrated in vitro and in vivo that EphA3 ectodomain (which is expressed in a decreasing rostro-caudal gradient in the tectum) is necessary for topographic mapping by stimulating the nasal axon growth toward the caudal tectum and inhibiting their branching in the rostral tectum. Furthermore, the ability of EphA3 of stimulating axon growth allows understanding how optic fibers invade the tectum growing throughout this molecular gradient. Therefore, opposing tectal gradients of repellent ephrin-As and of axon growth stimulating EphA3 complement each other to map optic fibers along the rostro-caudal tectal axis.
Cytomorphological Spectrum of Breast Lesion in Kumaon Region

1 Junior Resident 3 rd Year, Dept. of Pathology, Govt. Medical College, Haldwani, India Email: rashibhatnagardr@gmail.com 2 Professor & Head of Dept. of Pathology, Govt. Medical College, Haldwani India Email: binaypgi@gmail.com 3 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pathology, Govt. Medical College, Haldwani, India *Corresponding Author Dr Ankit Kaushik Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pathology, Govt. Medical College, Haldwani, India Email: kaushikankit30@yahoo.co.in Abstract Background: Breast lesions shows a wide spectrum of lesions including inflammatory, benign, and malignant conditions. This spectrum varies according to sex, age, regional geographical factors. There are diverse regional and environmental conditions which affects the cytomorphological spectrum of breast lesions in Kumaon region. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in Department of Pathology, Government Medical College from March 2015 to February 2019. A total of 414 cases were included in the study and lesions were divided into inflammatory, benign, and malignant conditions. Result: A total of 414 cases were included in the study and divided into three broad categories including inflammatory, benign, and malignant lesions. 65 cases (15.7%) were inflammatory, 295 cases were benign (71.26%), and 54 cases (13.04%) were malignant. Among benign lesions, most common age group was 21 to 30 years and in malignant lesions, most common age group were 31 to 40 years and 41 to 50 years. Conclusion: Wide spectrum of lesions can be seen in breast including inflammatory, benign, and malignant conditions. They may show overlap of signs and symptoms in different age groups. Different parameters like age, sex, laterality and quadrant helps in diagnosing its cytomorphological spectrum.
Facilitating knowledge transfer in virtual teams through a social network approach

Due to geographical dispersion and high use of information technology in virtual settings, face-to-face communication and therefore transfer of knowledge is made more difficult in virtual teams. Virtual teams (VT) are characterized by geographical dispersion, use of IT for communication, members have little history, members have organizational and cultural heterogeneity and members have lateral and weak relationships (Wong & Burton, 2000). We developed a theoretical framework with the use of one case study (a virtual team) description, in which a social network approach was applied in order to stimulate communication, and hence the transfer of knowledge concerning different knowledge areas. We found that by applying a social network approach and evaluating and re-using the data with the VT members the communication structure within the dispersed team became clearer. Furthermore, two types of knowledge transfer were stimulated: organizational knowledge transfer (how to organize a virtual team) and task knowledge transfer (how to solve a problem). Furthermore, it was found that the social context (trust and friendship) facilitated knowledge transfer.
On the asymptotic performance of multiuser opportunistic df cooperative systems over frequency selective fading channels using MMSE SC-FDE

In this paper, the asymptotic performance of multiuser opportunistic cooperative system over frequency selective fading channels is investigated. Specifically, we consider a system comprising multiple sources, multiple relays with best relay selection, and a single destination. At the selected relay, a decode-and-forward (DF) relaying with a combining scheme is employed to enhance the bandwidth efficiency. Minimum mean squared error (MMSE) single carrier frequency domain equalization (SC-FDE) is assumed at the receivers (the relays and the destination). For this system, we invoke the matched filter bound (MFB) to derive the asymptotic outage probability with the aim of revealing the maximum diversity order that can be achieved by such systems. We use this bound to derive a limit on the code rate that the transmitters should use to be able to achieve the maximum diversity possible for a given number of sources using MMSE SC-FDE. We provide numerical examples that validate the analytical results.
An evolutionary approach for time dependant optimization

Many real-world problems involve measures of objectives that may be dynamically optimized. The application of evolutionary algorithms in time dependent optimization is receiving growing interest as potential applications are numerous ranging from mobile robotics to real time process command. Moreover, constant evaluation functions skew results relative to natural evolution so that it has become a promising gap to combine effectiveness and diversity in a genetic algorithm. This paper features both theoretical and empirical analysis of the behavior of genetic algorithms in such an environment. It presents a comparison between the effectiveness of traditional sample genetic algorithm (SGA) and the dual genetic algorithm (DGA) which is revealed to be a particularly adaptive tool for optimizing a lot of diversified classes of functions. This comparison has been performed on a model of a dynamical environment. Its characteristics are analyzed in order to establish the basis of a testbed for further experiments. We discuss fundamental properties that explain the effectiveness of the dual paradigm to manage dynamical environments.
Organizational innovation capability: Creating and appropriating value in channel relationships

This paper examines the interplay between organizational innovation and competitive superiority in the context of channel management by adopting a capabilities view. The relevance for channel marketing and management scholars is that we developed an environment-strategy-value contingency model to address the focal phenomenon. Our empirical results clearly support the key argument that managerial and technological innovations play an essential role in understanding how competitive superiority is achieved in constantly evolving marketing channels. As such, our contingency factors involved have a significant intermediate role in each of the research contexts examined indicating that the innovation capability has a channel specific profile.
Bright and Dark Matter in Elliptical Galaxies: Mass and Velocity Distributions from Self-consistent Hydrodynamical Simulations

We have analysed the mass and velocity distributions of two samples of relaxed elliptical-like objects (ELOs) identified, at z = 0, in a set of self-consistent hydrodynamical simulations operating in the context of a concordance cosmological model. ELOs have been identified as those virtual galaxies having a prominent, dynamically relaxed stellar spheroidal component, with no extended discs and very low gas content. Our analysis shows that they are embedded in extended, massive dark matter haloes, and they also have an extended corona of hot diffuse gas. Dark matter haloes have experienced adiabatic contraction along their assembly process. The relative ELO dark- to bright-mass content and space distributions show broken homology, and they are consistent with observational results on the dark matter fraction at the central regions, as well as on the gradients of the mass-to-light ratio profiles for boxy ellipticals, as a function of their stellar masses. These results indicate that massive ellipticals miss stars (i.e. baryons) at their central regions, as compared to less massive ones. Our simulations indicate that these missing baryons could be found beyond the virial radii as a hot, diffuse plasma. This mass homology breaking could have important implications to explain the physical origin of the Fundamental Plane relation. The projected stellar mass profiles of our virtual ellipticals can be well fitted by the Sersic formula, with shape parameters n that agree, once a stellar mass-to-light ratio independent of position is assumed, with those obtained from surface brightness profiles of ellipticals. The agreement includes the empirical correlations of n with size, luminosity and velocity dispersion. The total mass density profiles show a power-law behaviour over a large r/r vir interval, consistent with data on massive lens ellipticals at shorter radii. The velocity dispersion profiles show kinematical segregation, with no systematic mass dependence (i.e. no dynamical homology breaking) and a positive anisotropy (i.e. radial orbits), roughly independent of the radial distance outside the central regions. The line-of-sight (LOS) velocity dispersion profiles are declining. These results give, for the first time from cosmological simulations, a rather detailed insight into the intrinsic mass and velocity distributions of the dark, stellar and gaseous components of virtual ellipticals. The consistency with observations strongly suggests that they could also describe important intrinsic characteristics of real ellipticals, as well as some of their properties recently inferred from observational data (e.g. downsizing, the appearance of blue cores, the increase of the stellar mass contributed by the elliptical population as z decreases).
ICA and Gabor representation for facial expression recognition

Two hybrid systems for classifying seven categories of human facial expression are proposed. The first system combines independent component analysis (ICA) and support vector machines (SVMs). The original face image database is decomposed into linear combinations of several basis images, where the corresponding coefficients of these combinations are fed up into SVMs instead of an original feature vector comprised of grayscale image pixel values. The classification accuracy of this system is compared against that of baseline techniques that combine ICA with either two-class cosine similarity classifiers or two-class maximum correlation classifiers, when we classify facial expressions into these seven classes. We found that, ICA decomposition combined with SVMs outperforms the aforementioned baseline classifiers. The second system proposed operates in two steps: first, a set of Gabor wavelets (GWs) is applied to the original face image database and, second, the new features obtained are classified by using either SVMs or cosine similarity classifiers or maximum correlation classifier. The best facial expression recognition rate is achieved when Gabor wavelets are combined with SVMs.
The Solution for Resolving Inter-sentential Anaphoric Pronoun "nó" in Vietnamese Paragraphs Composing 3 to 5 Simple Sentences

This paper presents a solution for resolving inter-sentential anaphoric pronoun “no” in Vietnamese paragraphs composing 3 to 5 simple sentences. In Vietnamese, “no” is a special pronoun, can be used to indicate human, animal or non-animate object depending on the content and context of the paragraph (so in English, we should use “he”, “she” or “it”) . The proposed solution consists of some finding appropriate antecedent strategies based on constraints about grammatical characteristics of pronoun “no” and lexicons belonging to noun, verb, adjective in Vietnamese, combine with some improvements in the computational model which we built before for implementing these strategies.
Chemical characterization of three large oceanic diatoms: potential impact on water column chemistry

Three large diatoms, Stephanopyxispalrneriana (Greville) Grunow, Pseudoquinardia recta von Stosch, and Navicula sp. (cell volumes 1.15 X 105 to 3.83 X lo5 pm3), were isolated from the Sargasso Sea and cultivated In batch cultures under low irradiance. Growth rates / L of each species occurred In 2 phases, an exponential phase where varied from 0.72 to 1.12 d-' and a much slower transition phase that lasted from 3 to 6 d . We suspect that diffusion limitation of nutrient transport controlled growth rates during this latter phase. Exponential growth rates were rapid enough to meet the requirements of a bloom scenario whereby total annual new production in a locale such a s the Sargasso Sea could be met in a single 21 d bloom. The C : N : P ratio of all 3 species was close to the Redfield proportions during exponential growth. Uncoupling between photosynthesis and nutrient acquisition was evident in 1 species, S. palmeriana, with carbon accumulation, both in the form of phytoplankton carbon and dissolved organic carbon, continuing well into the stationary phase, long after nutrients were depleted from the growth medium. In fact, 50% of particulate organic carbon production occurred after the culture entered the stationary phase. Clearly there is ambiquity in the traditional definition of new production which implies that over a relatively short tlme scale a balance exists between new nitrogen entering the euphotic zone and new carbon production, assuming a Redfield stoichiometry between cellular carbon and nitrogen. The excess carbon, both particulate and dissolved, could lead to large discrepancies in estimates of new production.
Functional effects of periodic tryptophan substitutions in the alpha M4 transmembrane domain of the Torpedo californica nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Previous amino acid substitutions at the M4 domain of the Torpedo californica and mouse acetylcholine receptor suggested that the location of the substitution relative to the membrane-lipid interface and perhaps to the ion pore can be critical to the channel gating mechanism [Lasalde, J. A. , Tamamizu, S. , Butler, D. H. , Vibat, C. R. T. , Hung, B. , and McNamee, M. G. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 14139-14148; Ortiz-Miranda, S. I. , Lasalde, J. A. , Pappone, P. A. , and McNamee, M. G. (1997) J. Membr. Biol. 158, 17-30; Tamamizu, S. , Lee, Y. H. , Hung, B. , McNamee, M. G. , and Lasalde-Dominicci, J. A. (1999) J. Membr. Biol. 170, 157-164]. In this study, we introduce tryptophan substitutions at 12 positions (C412W, M415W, L416W, I417W, C418W, I419W, I420W, G421W, T422W, V423W, S424W, and V425W) along this postulated lipid-exposed segment M4 so that we can examine functional consequences on channel gating. The expression levels of mutants C412W, G421W, S424W, and V425W were almost the same as that of the wild type, whereas other mutants (M415W, L416W, C418W, I419W, I420W, T422W, and V423W) had relatively lower expression levels compared to that of the wild type as measured by iodinated alpha-bungarotoxin binding ([(125)I]-alpha-BgTx). Two positions (L416W and I419W) had less than 20% of the wild type expression level. I417W gave no detectable [(125)I]BgTx binding on the surface of oocyte, suggesting that this position might be involved in the AChR assembly, oligomerization, or transport to the cell membrane. The alphaV425W mutant exhibited a significant increase in the open channel probability with a moderate increase in the macroscopic response at higher ACh concentrations very likely due to channel block. The periodicity for the alteration of receptor assembly and ion channel function seems to favor a potential alpha-helical structure. Mutants that have lower levels of expression are clustered on one side of the postulated alpha-helical structure. Mutations that display normal expression and functional activity have been shown previously to face the membrane lipids by independent labeling studies. The functional analysis of these mutations will be presented and discussed in terms of possible structural models.
Signal recovery method for compressive sensing using relaxation and second-order cone programming

A signal recovery method for compressive sensing under noisy measurements is proposed. The problem is formulated as a nonconvex nonsmooth constrained optimization problem that uses the smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) function to promote sparsity. Relaxation is employed by means of a series of local linear approximations (LLAs) of the SCAD in a constrained formulation. The relaxation is shown to converge to a minimum of the original nonconvex constrained optimization problem. In order to solve each nonsmooth convex relaxation problem, a second-order cone programming (SOCP) formulation is used, which can be applied by using standard state-of-the-art SOCP solvers such as SeDuMi. Experimental results demonstrate that signals recovered using the proposed method exhibit reduced ℓ℞ reconstruction error when compared with competing methods such as ℓ1-Magic. Simulations demonstrate that significant reduction in the reconstruction error can be achieved with computational cost that is comparable to that required by the ℓ1-Magic algorithm.