Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BRCC36A is epistatic to BRCA1 in DNA crosslink repair and homologous recombination in Arabidopsis thaliana

BRCA1 is a well-known tumor suppressor protein in mammals, involved in multiple cellular processes such as DNA repair, chromosome segregation and chromatin remodeling. Interestingly, homologs of BRCA1 and several of its complex partners are also found in plants. As the respective mutants are viable, in contrast to mammalian mutants, detailed analyses of their biological role is possible. Here we demonstrate that the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana harbors two homologs of the mammalian BRCA1 interaction partner BRCC36, AtBRCC36A and AtBRCC36B. Mutants of both genes as well as the double mutants are fully fertile and show no defects in development. We were able to show that mutation of one of the homologs, AtBRCC36A, leads to a severe defect in intra- and interchromosomal homologous recombination (HR). A HR defect is also apparent in Atbrca1 mutants. As the Atbrcc36a/Atbrca1 double mutant behaves like the single mutants of AtBRCA1 and AtBRCC36A both proteins seem to be involved in a common pathway in the regulation of HR. AtBRCC36 is also epistatic to AtBRCA1 in DNA crosslink repair. Upon genotoxic stress, AtBRCC36A is transferred into the nucleus.
Inhibition of Oxidative Stress by Low-Molecular-Weight Polysaccharides with Various Functional Groups in Skin Fibroblasts

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in cellulo inhibition of hydrogen-peroxide-induced oxidative stress in skin fibroblasts using different low-molecular-weight polysaccharides (LMPS) prepared from agar (LMAG), chitosan (LMCH) and starch (LMST), which contain various different functional groups (i.e., sulfate, amine, and hydroxyl groups). The following parameters were evaluated: cell viability, intracellular oxidant production, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage. Trolox was used as a positive control in order to allow comparison of the antioxidant efficacies of the various LMPS. The experimentally determined attenuation of oxidative stress by LMPS in skin fibroblasts was: LMCH > LMAG > LMST. The different protection levels of these LMPS may be due to the physic-chemical properties of the LMPS’ functional groups, including electron transfer ability, metal ion chelating capacities, radical stabilizing capacity, and the hydrophobicity of the constituent sugars. The results suggest that LMCH might constitute a novel and potential dermal therapeutic and sun-protective agent.
Designing Embedded Virtualized Intel ® Architecture Platforms with the right Embedded Hypervisor

Virtualization is fast becoming a key enabling technology for embedded designs, offering the potential opportunity to consolidate multi-processor designs into a single processor multi-core design, legacy and proprietary embedded software migration and separation for performance and safety critical applications. In this paper, we investigate the various hypervisor software models that exist and some of the design tradeoffs involved in order to help make a more informed decision when selecting hypervisor software for embedded virtualized designs based on Intel® Architecture. As the use cases for embedded virtualization grow and the virtualization technology gets more pervasive in embedded multi-core systems, a critical design choice is which Hypervisor (virtualization enabling software) model will best fit the embedded application design needs. Hypervisor software models offer different advantages and disadvantages based on:  variation in software and hardware virtualization implementation strategy  the kind of operating systems supported  the inbuilt optimizations for certain application workloads and system security Designing Embedded Virtualized Intel ® Architecture Platforms with the Right Embedded Hypervisor 3 These considerations make selecting an appropriate hypervisor model the number one design choice the architect needs to make while designing an embedded virtualized Intel ® Architecture platform. In this paper, we investigate the various software models that exist and some of the design tradeoffs involved in order to help make a more informed decision when selecting the hypervisor software for Embedded Virtualized Intel Architecture based designs. The Intel ® Embedded Design Center provides qualified developers with web-based access to technical resources. Access Intel Confidential design materials, step-by step guidance, application reference solutions, training, Intel's tool loaner program, and connect with an e-help desk and the embedded community. Design Fast. Design Smart. Get started today.
Viability of Mycobacterium leprae within the gut of Aedes aegypti after they feed on multibacillary lepromatous patients: a study by fluorescent and electron microscopes.

Summary This paper describes the viability of Mycobacterium leprae within the gut of mosquitoes after they have bitten bacilliferous lepromatous patients. In the test experiments prestarved female Aedes aegypti were allowed to feed on bacilliferous leprosy patients, while in the control experiments mosquitoes were fed on a glucose-water-lepromin mixture containing dead M. leprae. The insects were sacrified for 7 consecutive days, their guts were dissected out and excreta w e r e c o l le c ted. Th ese p r ep a r a tions w ere mo unt e d an d e x a m i ne d fo r ac id-fas t bacilli (AFB) by: I , fluorescent staining technique; 2, by a light microscope using acid-fast staining technique; and 3, also by scanning as well as transmission electron microscopes. AFB were found in the gut and also in excreta but more abundantly in the earlier days after blood meal. The fluorescent staining technique showed that AFB within the gut of mosquitoes became non-viable (red stain) after 4 days of blood meals. It also demonstrated multiplication of
Impact of smart grid traffic peak loads on shared LTE network performance

The purpose of the paper is to examine if public long term evolution (LTE) network is suitable for smart grid (SG) automatic metering usage, in a suburban scenario, without causing significant hindrance to typical LTE traffic. In addition, the same generalized suburban scenario is evaluated with a hybrid sensor - LTE network where wireless sensor network (WSN) cluster heads are also equipped with LTE remote terminal units (RTUs). The simulation topology is formed as a suburban area that consists of single RTU per apartment/house for SG traffic and an average 3.7 people per habitat, each with their user equipment, using one of the available carriers. Normal SG traffic is generated in both directions, uplink and downlink. The worst-case usage factor is considered as a power outage, where all SG meters in the area of influence simultaneously detect and attempt to report such a failure. Thus, emergency SG traffic is generated simultaneous by all RTUs. To alleviate the problem of the high momentary SG emergency traffic load, two distinct solutions are proposed and simulated. As the first solution, an artificial, up to one-second random delay is introduced in the transmission scheduling of emergency messages. The second solution applies low-power WSNs at the cluster level and cluster heads that contain both 802.15. 4 and LTE communication interfaces, i.e., a hybrid sensor-LTE network. The simulation results show that both of the solutions that try to alleviate the high instantaneous traffic loads can reach the quality of service criteria for SG traffic without compromising other public LTE traffic. The deciding factor to use either pure LTE approach or a hybrid sensor-LTE network comes from non-functional requirements of the system.
Cloud services within a ROLE-enabled Personal Learning Environment Conference Item

The ROLE project (Responsive Open Learning Environments) is focused on the next generation of Personal Learning Environments (PLE). In this paper, we first describe the engineering process used to create either a new widget bundle, a group of applications or service widgets. The widgets integrated in a ROLE PLE consist of two cloud-based services, a social networking and a mind-mapping tool, where learners can perform and collaborate on learning activities. We also modified other widgets to create a complete learning experience. The whole platform is running on a cloudcomputing infrastructure and one of the services is using a cloud-based database. Additionally, we describe the initial experiences from using this cloud education environment in Galileo University, Guatemala, in a web-based course with students from three different Latin-American countries. We measured emotional aspects, motivation, usability and attitudes towards the environment. The results demonstrated the readiness of cloud-based education solutions, and how ROLE can bring together such an environment from a PLE perspective. KeywordsResponsive Open Learning Environments, Personal Learning Environment, Widget bundle, Cloud-based tools, Cloud Learning Activities, Cloud Education Environments.
In Vivo Electroporation Mediated Gene Delivery to the Beating Heart

Gene therapy may represent a promising alternative strategy for cardiac muscle regeneration. In vivo electroporation, a physical method of gene transfer, has recently evolved as an efficient method for gene transfer. In the current study, we investigated the efficiency and safety of a protocol involving in vivo electroporation for gene transfer to the beating heart. Adult male rats were anesthetised and the heart exposed through a left thoracotomy. Naked plasmid DNA was injected retrograde into the transiently occluded coronary sinus before the electric pulses were applied. Animals were sacrificed at specific time points and gene expression was detected. Results were compared to the group of animals where no electric pulses were applied. No post-procedure arrhythmia was observed. Left ventricular function was temporarily altered only in the group were high pulses were applied; CK-MB (Creatine kinase) and TNT (Troponin T) were also altered only in this group. Histology showed no signs of toxicity. Gene expression was highest at day one. Our results provide evidence that in vivo electroporation with an optimized protocol is a safe and effective tool for nonviral gene delivery to the beating heart. This method may be promising for clinical settings especially for perioperative gene delivery.
Jump-Markov process estimation based on distributed Rao-Blackwellized particle filter

The particle filter is widely employed for estimation of non-Gaussian problems. A disadvantage of the particle filter is long computation time when a large number of particles is used. In this paper, distributed Rao-Blackwellized particle filter is explored in order to produce a common estimate by distributing the particles in several agents. By implementing a consensus algorithm of the estimated global statistics it is shown that, in each agent, the estimated global statistics is more accurate than the local, per-agent statistics. For verification, the numerical example of a vertical channel of an inertial navigation system with barometric altimeter aiding is given, which confirms that DRBPF reduces errors effectively.
Author ' s personal copy An association of early puberty with disordered eating and anxiety in a population of undergraduate women and men

Eating and anxiety disorders are more prevalent in females, increase during adolescence, and are associated with early pubertal development. This study examined whether timing of puberty onset is associated with disordered eating and anxiety in a large sample of postpubertal male and female undergraduate students. Self-report questionnaires assessed timing of puberty, disordered eating, anxiety, alcohol use, personality, and sensation seeking. Females scored significantly higher on measures of disordered eating (binge eating, dietary restraint, eating concerns, and weight and shape concerns) and anxiety (state and trait anxiety) than did males. In addition, early maturing women and men scored significantly higher on measures of disordered eating and anxiety than on time or late maturing women and men. Measures of alcohol use, sensation seeking, and personality characteristics differed in males and females but did not vary with pubertal timing. Findings suggest that early puberty is associated with disordered eating and anxiety, and this association may be due to an organizational effect of pubertal hormones. Despite important differences in body fat composition, both males and females experiencing early puberty had an increased incidence of disordered eating. The fact that early puberty was associated with increased eating and anxiety symptoms in both sexes suggests that puberty may influence these symptoms through both biological and psychosocial mechanisms. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Automatic Creation of Non-English WordNet-like Lexical Databases

The paper describes the on-going work on creating the WordNet-like databases for languages other than English from Princeton WordNet. We are using multiple algorithms with interlingual and synonymy dictionaries, frequency lists etc. We are also developing the RussianWordNet project, which is used for checking the developed translation methods. Translation to Russian language is being illustrated in this paper. However, methods in consideration can be applied for other languages.
Coreferentiality: A New Method for the Hypothesis-Based Analysis of Phenotypes Characterized by Multivariate Data

Many multifactorial biologic effects, particularly in the context of complex human diseases, are still poorly understood. At the same time, the systematic acquisition of multivariate data has become increasingly easy. The use of such data to analyze and model complex phenotypes, however, remains a challenge. Here, a new analytic approach is described, termed coreferentiality, together with an appropriate statistical test. Coreferentiality is the indirect relation of two variables of functional interest in respect to whether they parallel each other in their respective relatedness to multivariate reference data, which can be informative for a complex effect or phenotype. It is shown that the power of coreferentiality testing is comparable to multiple regression analysis, sufficient even when reference data are informative only to a relatively small extent of 2.5%, and clearly exceeding the power of simple bivariate correlation testing. Thus, coreferentiality testing uses the increased power of multivariate analysis, however, in order to address a more straightforward interpretable bivariate relatedness. Systematic application of this approach could substantially improve the analysis and modeling of complex phenotypes, particularly in the context of human study where addressing functional hypotheses by direct experimentation is often difficult.
A Fully Nonlinear Model for Three-dimensional Overturning Waves over Arbitrary Bottom 1

An accurate three-dimensional (3D) numerical model, applicable to strongly nonlin-ear waves, is proposed. The model solves fully nonlinear potential ow equations, with a free surface, using a higher-order 3D Boundary Element Method (BEM) and a mixed Eulerian-Lagrangian time updating, based on second-order explicit Taylor series expansions, with adaptive time steps. The model is applicable to nonlinear wave transformations from deep to shallow water over complex bottom topography, up to overturning and breaking. Arbitrary waves can be generated in the model, and reeective or absorbing boundary conditions speciied on lateral boundaries. In the BEM, boundary geometry and eld variables are represented by 16-node cubic \sliding" quadrilateral elements, providing local inter-element continuity of the rst and second derivatives. Accurate and eecient numerical integrations are developed for these elements. Discretized boundary conditions at intersections (corner/edges) between the free surface or the bottom, and lateral boundaries are well-posed in all cases of mixed boundary conditions. Higher-order tangential derivatives, required for the time updating, are calculated in a local curvilinear coordinate system, using 25-node \sliding" 4th-order quadrilateral elements. Very high accuracy is achieved in the model for mass and energy conservation. No smoothing of the solution is required, but regridding to a higher resolution can be speciied at any time over selected areas of the free surface. Applications are presented for the propagation of numerically exact solitary waves. Model properties of accuracy and convergence with a reened spatio-temporal discretization are assessed by propagating such a wave over constant depth. The shoaling of solitary waves up to overturning is then calculated over a 1:15 plane slope, and results show good agreement with a two-dimensional solution proposed earlier. Finally, 3D overturning waves are generated over a 1:15 sloping bottom having a ridge in the middle, thus focusing wave energy. The node regridding method is used to reene the discretization around the overturning wave. Convergence of the solution with grid size is also veriied for this 1 re-submitted to Intl. 1 case.
A platelet‐aggregating and hypotensive phospholipid isolated from bovine brain

A phospholipid that differs from known active lipids and causes potent platelet aggregation and weak hypotension has been isolated from bovine brain. Its platelet aggregating effect on heparinized platelet‐rich plasma from rabbits, was at a threshold concentration of about 0.2 nmol ml−1 as phosphorus. The effect was inhibited by CV‐3988. The phospholipid was converted by diazomethane treatment to another active lipid that caused short‐term hypotension, but not platelet aggregation, rather it inhibited the aggregation of rabbit heparinized platelets induced by platelet‐activating factor.
The 'cloud of witnesses' as part of the public court of reputation in Hebrews

By drawing parallels with the function of ancestors in African traditional religions, this article looks at the possibility that the Israelite ancestors mentioned in Hebrews played a far more dynamic role for the author and community he wrote for than most commentators appreciate. In addition to being examples of loyalty, it is argued that they also constitute an active presence, and similar to God, form part of the public court of reputation distributing honour to the Jesus followers. This also grounded and affirmed their Israelite identity.
Effects of external and internal K+ ions on magnesium block of inwardly rectifying K+ channels in guinea‐pig heart cells.

1. Block of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel by intracellular Mg2+ was studied in guinea‐pig ventricular cells at varying external or internal K+ concentrations. Sucrose or glucose was mainly used as a substitute for K+. 2. The current‐voltage (I‐V) relation for the single channel, in the absence of internal Mg2+, was almost linear in 30 mM‐external K+ and 150 mM‐internal K+ (30 mM [K+]o) and in 45 mM‐internal K+ and 150 mM‐external K+ (45 mM [K+]i) as well as in 150 mM‐external and internal K+ (the control condition). The channel conductance was 31.7 +/‐ 1.7 pS (mean +/‐ S.D., n = 36) in the control, 23.1 +/‐ 1.2 pS (n = 8) in 30 mM [K+]o and 29.7 +/‐ 1.3 pS (n = 16) in 45 mM [K+]i, respectively. 3. Mg2+ on the cytoplasmic side blocked the outward currents without affecting the inward currents. Outward mean open‐channel currents were measured at different Mg2+ concentrations (0‐100 microM) and voltages. The current‐voltage relation rectified inwardly in the presence of internal Mg2+ in a voltage‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. 4. Outward mean open‐channel currents were normalized to that measured in the absence of Mg2+. The normalized current‐voltage relation in 45 mM [K+]i was almost superimposable on that obtained in the control at the same Mg2+ concentration, while that in 30 mM [K+]o was shifted in the negative direction by some 30 mV. 5. The normalized current‐Mg2+ concentration curve was fitted by a one‐to‐one binding curve at each K+ condition and voltage. In a semilogarithmic plot of dissociation constant versus membrane potential, data points for 45 mM [K+]i were located on the same line as the control, whereas data points for 30 mM [K+]o were shifted in the negative direction by about 30 mV. The dissociation constant at 0 mV is 37 microM in the control and 45 mM [K+]i and 8.8 microM in 30 mM [K+]o. The voltage dependence of dissociation constants gives a value for the fractional electrical distance of the Mg2+ binding site of 0.57. 6. Subconductance levels with one‐third and two‐thirds of the unitary amplitude were seen with low internal Mg2+ at 45 mM [K+]i or 30 mM [K+]o as well as in the control condition. Blocking and unblocking rates were calculated on the assumption that the channel is composed of three identical conducting units and each unit is blocked by Mg2+ independently. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Theoretical and Measurement Issues for Studies of Collective Orientation in Team Contexts

A review of past studies of team member collective orientations suggests that further research is needed to improve some theoretical and empirical issues. The main arguments of this article are that first, team members’ collective orientations may be multidimensional. From this perspective, vertical and horizontal dimensions of idiocentrism and allocentrism, individualism and collectivism at the individual level, are discussed. Second, team members’ collective orientation may conditionally change in different types of teams and should be conceptualized and measured in the specific context of teamwork. Finally, it is proposed that different measures of team members’collective orientations at the team level should be used depending on the nature of team tasks.
Hepatitis associated with Clostridium difficile in an ostrich chick

A live 19-day-old male ostrich chick was euthanized and necropsied. It was one of 12 chicks in a group in which 8 had died with history of anorexia, diarrhoea and weight loss. The birds had been treated with amikacin, piperacillin and enrofloxacin. Necropsy of the ostrich revealed dehydration, mild ascites and serous atrophy of fat around the heart. The liver had numerous yellow tan foci on the capsular surface as well as on the cut surface. Caecal contents were watery. Microscopic examination of the liver revealed multifocal necrosis of hepatocytes with infiltration of heterophils mixed with fibrin, few lymphocytes, and multinucleated giant cells. A Gram stain of the liver revealed a few gram-positive bacilli scattered within the necrotic foci. Clostridium difficile was isolated from the liver, and toxin A was detected by ELISA. A retrospective examination of approximately 1000 ostriches submitted during a seven year period to the laboratory system revealed seven cases of hepatitis due to Clostridium perfringens, two additional cases due to C. difficile and two cases due to C. sordelli.
Variations for Fusarium head blight resistance associated with genomic diversity in different sources of the resistant wheat cultivar ‘Sumai 3’

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a serious disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) associated with contamination by the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). The FHB-resistant wheat cultivar ‘Sumai 3’ has been used extensively around the world. The existence of variation in FHB resistance among ‘Sumai 3’ accessions has been discussed. In this study, genetic variation among ‘Sumai 3’ accessions collected from six countries were identified using SSR markers; our results demonstrate unique chromosome regions in Sumai 3-AUT and Sumai 3-JPN (‘Sumai 3’ accessions from Austria and Japan, respectively). Field evaluation indicated strong resistance to FHB in Sumai 3-AUT. The polymorphic rate (number of polymorphic markers/number of available markers × 100) based on a DArT array was 12.5% between the two ‘Sumai 3’ accessions. Genotyping for DNA markers flanking FHB-resistant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) revealed genetic variations for the QTL regions on 5AS and 2DS; however, no variation was observed for the QTL regions on 3BS and 6B. Thus, the variation in FHB resistance among ‘Sumai 3’ accessions in the field is due to genetic diversity.