Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Flight on Gene Expression and Aging in the Honey Bee Brain and Flight Muscle

Honey bees move through a series of in-hive tasks (e.g., “nursing”) to outside tasks (e.g., “foraging”) that are coincident with physiological changes and higher levels of metabolic activity. Social context can cause worker bees to speed up or slow down this process, and foragers may revert back to their earlier in-hive tasks accompanied by reversion to earlier physiological states. To investigate the effects of flight, behavioral state and age on gene expression, we used whole-genome microarrays and real-time PCR. Brain tissue and flight muscle exhibited different patterns of expression during behavioral transitions, with expression patterns in the brain reflecting both age and behavior, and expression patterns in flight muscle being primarily determined by age. Our data suggest that the transition from behaviors requiring little to no flight (nursing) to those requiring prolonged flight bouts (foraging), rather than the amount of previous flight per se, has a major effect on gene expression. Following behavioral reversion there was a partial reversion in gene expression but some aspects of forager expression patterns, such as those for genes involved in immune function, remained. Combined with our real-time PCR data, these data suggest an epigenetic control and energy balance role in honey bee functional senescence.
Antioxidant Property of Volatile Oils Determined by the Ferric Reducing Ability

Some current oils and their main components were studied to determine their antioxidant values. This was done by using the modified method of ferric reducing ability of plasma. It has been established that volatile oils of medicinal plants have on average a reducing capacity of 3.5-220 mmol/kg oil. The reducing capacities of the main constituents of volatile oils are 0.165-65.5 mmol/kg in concentrated oils. The highest reducing capacity was showd for phellandrene (65.438 ± 0.166 mmol/kg) and anethole (50.087 ± 0.160 mmol/kg) while the lowest values were obtained for menthol (0.165 ± 0.023 mmol/kg) and menthone (0.168 ± 0.010 mmol/kg). It has been stated that the antioxidant values of the main constituents are lower than those of volatile oils. The reducing capacity of the main constituents of medicinal plant drugs at different concentrations was also determined.
Ankyrin-binding proteins related to nervous system cell adhesion molecules: candidates to provide transmembrane and intercellular connections in adult brain

A major class of ankyrin-binding glycoproteins have been identified in adult rat brain of 186, 155, and 140 kD that are alternatively spliced products of the same pre-mRNA. Characterization of cDNAs demonstrated that ankyrin-binding glycoproteins (ABGPs) share 72% amino acid sequence identity with chicken neurofascin, a membrane-spanning neural cell adhesion molecule in the Ig super-family expressed in embryonic brain. ABGP polypeptides have the following features consistent with a role as ankyrin-binding proteins in vitro and in vivo: (a) ABGPs and ankyrin associate as pure proteins in a 1:1 molar stoichiometry; (b) the ankyrin-binding site is located in the COOH-terminal 21 kD of ABGP186 which contains the predicted cytoplasmic domain; (c) ABGP186 is expressed at approximately the same levels as ankyrin (15 pmoles/milligram of membrane protein); and (d) ABGP polypeptides are co- expressed with the adult form of ankyrinB late in postnatal development and are colocalized with ankyrinB by immunofluorescence. Similarity in amino acid sequence and conservation of sites of alternative splicing indicate that genes encoding ABGPs and neurofascin share a common ancestor. However, the major differences in developmental expression reported for neurofascin in embryos versus the late postnatal expression of ABGPs suggest that ABGPs and neurofascin represent products of gene duplication events that have subsequently evolved in parallel with distinct roles. The predicted cytoplasmic domains of rat ABGPs and chicken neurofascin are nearly identical to each other and closely related to a group of nervous system cell adhesion molecules with variable extracellular domains, which includes L1, Nr-CAM, and Ng- CAM of vertebrates, and neuroglian of Drosophila. The ankyrin-binding site of rat ABGPs is localized to the C-terminal 200 residues which encompass the cytoplasmic domain, suggesting the hypothesis that ability to associate with ankyrin may be a shared feature of neurofascin and related nervous system cell adhesion molecules.
Investigation of ribosome binding by the Shiga toxin A1 subunit, using competition and site-directed mutagenesis

The enzymatic subunit of Shiga toxin (StxA1) is a member of the ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) family, which includes the ricin A chain as well as other examples of plant toxins. StxA1 catalytically depurinates a well-conserved GAGA tetra-loop of 28S rRNA which lies in the acceptor site of eukaryotic ribosomes. The specific activities of native StxA1, as well as mutated forms of the enzyme with substitutions in catalytic site residues, were measured by an in vitro translation assay. Electroporation was developed as an alternative method for the delivery of purified A1 polypeptides into Vero cells. Site-directed mutagenesis coupled with N-bromosuccinimide modification indicated that the sole tryptophan residue of StxA1 is required for binding it to the 28S rRNA backbone. Northern analysis established that the catalytic site substitutions reduced enzymatic activity by specifically interfering with the capacity of StxA1 to depurinate 28S rRNA. Ribosomes were protected from StxA1 by molar excesses of tRNA and free adenine, indicating that RIPs have the capacity to enter the acceptor site groove prior to binding and depurinating the GAGA tetra-loop.
From a Competition for Self-Driving Miniature Cars to a Standardized Experimental Platform: Concept, Models, Architecture, and Evaluation

Context: Competitions for self-driving cars facilitated the development and research in the domain of autonomous vehicles towards potential solutions for the future mobility. Objective: Miniature vehicles can bridge the gap between simulation-based evaluations of algorithms relying on simplified models, and those time-consuming vehicle tests on real-scale proving grounds. Method: This article combines findings from a systematic literature review, an in-depth analysis of results and technical concepts from contestants in a competition for self-driving miniature cars, and experiences of participating in the 2013 competition for self-driving cars. Results: A simulation-based development platform for real-scale vehicles has been adapted to support the development of a self-driving miniature car. Furthermore, a standardized platform was designed and realized to enable research and experiments in the context of future mobility solutions. Conclusion: A clear separation between algorithm conceptualization and validation in a model-based simulation environment enabled efficient and riskless experiments and validation. The design of a reusable, low-cost, and energy-efficient hardware architecture utilizing a standardized software/hardware interface enables experiments, which would otherwise require resources like a large real-scale test track.
OPTIMIZED RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR GIS-BASED MODEL IMPLEMENTATION

This paper focuses on a new procedure to support the planning and implementation of GIS-based models. Critical decisions are often based on the outputs of such models. A major goal of the planning stage is to implement a model whose output can reliably support the decision process. The procedure allows the above goal to be achieved with an optimized allocation of resources for GIS data acquisition. It is based on two important modeling tools: uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis. An application of the procedure to a GISbased hydrologic model for flood forecasting is discussed.
Mobile customer relationship management: an explorative investigation of the Italian consumer market

Mobile customer relationship management (CRM) services seem to have all the characteristics commonly associated with successful mobile services and have accordingly been predicted to be among the most promising. However, real development of this sector has not been well explored so far, especially in relation to the actual supply of mobile CRM services to the public. The purpose of this paper is to reduce this gap by giving a first snapshot of the current development of the supply of mobile CRM services to consumers taken in the context of the Italian market. In order to do so, it firstly proposes a conceptual framework indicating the relevant aspects to investigate for assessing this kind of environments: the market, value propositions, actors and issues. Then it applies this framework to get an overview of the supply of mobile CRM services in Italy and provides some empirical insight about its current development obtained through an exhaustive survey of the current supply of 750 services from 353 firms.
Rpn9 Is Required for Efficient Assembly of the Yeast 26S Proteasome

ABSTRACT We have isolated the RPN9 gene by two-hybrid screening with, as bait, RPN10 (formerly SUN1), which encodes a multiubiquitin chain receptor residing in the regulatory particle of the 26S proteasome. Rpn9 is a nonessential subunit of the regulatory particle of the 26S proteasome, but the deletion of this gene results in temperature-sensitive growth. At the restrictive temperature, the Δrpn9 strain accumulated multiubiquitinated proteins, indicating that the RPN9function is needed for the 26S proteasome activity at a higher temperature. We analyzed the proteasome fractions separated by glycerol density gradient centrifugation by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and found that a smaller amount of the 26S proteasome was produced in the Δrpn9 cells and that the 26S proteasome was shifted to lighter fractions than expected. The incomplete proteasome complexes were found to accumulate in the Δrpn9 cells. Furthermore, Rpn10 was not detected in the fractions containing proteasomes of the Δrpn9 cells. These results indicate that Rpn9 is needed for incorporating Rpn10 into the 26S proteasome and that Rpn9 participates in the assembly and/or stability of the 26S proteasome.
The staphylococcal respiratory response regulator SrrAB induces ica gene transcription and polysaccharide intercellular adhesin expression, protecting Staphylococcus aureus from neutrophil killing under anaerobic growth conditions

In anaerobic environments, Staphylococcus aureus increases the transcription of the intercellular adhesin (ica) cluster, leading to increased polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA) production. The regulatory mechanisms involved in this phenotypic change are mostly unknown. Here we show that the staphylococcal respiratory response regulator, SrrAB, significantly increases icaA transcription under anaerobic growth in S. aureus. Phosphorylated SrrA preferentially bound to a 100 bp DNA sequence located upstream of ica, and dot blot assays revealed little or no PIA expression in S. aureus srrAB deletion‐replacement mutants of strains Sa113 and SH1000, grown anaerobically. The biological relevance of SrrAB for S. aureus was assessed in a phagocytosis assay employing human neutrophils. Sixty‐eight per cent of PIA producing wild‐type cells, but only 19% of srrAB mutant cells survived under anaerobic conditions, suggesting that PIA protected S. aureus against non‐oxidative killing mechanisms of the neutrophils. No protection was observed when S. aureus or S. epidermidis strains, producing PIA also under aerobic conditions, were subjected to phagocytosis under aerobic conditions. These results demonstrate that SrrAB is a major activator of ica expression and PIA production in anaerobic environments, where it contributes to the protection of S. aureus against non‐oxidative defence mechanisms.
Adaptive heterogeneous coordinated beamforming algorithm in LTE-advanced systems

The impact of downlink co-channel interference (CCI) is increasingly highlighted in heterogeneous networks (HetNets) where the macrocell base stations (MBSs) and low-power nodes share the same spectrum resource. In this paper, we focus on mitigation of downlink CCI from MBS to picocells ,which are severely affected, through the application of coordinated beam forming (CBF) technique. The closed-form expressions of average throughput for an arbitrary user with and without using CBF are derived, where a trade-off is observed between suppressing the CCI to picocells and increasing the throughput of the macrocell. Furthermore, to maximize the HetNet throughput, two adaptive algorithms are proposed to determine the CBF set of picocells based on the instantaneous throughput and the average throughput, respectively. The analysis of average throughput is validated by simulation results, and total throughput of the HetNet is improved by use of our proposed algorithms.
Ovarian ectopic pregnancy

The authors report the rare case of a 25-year-old female who suffered from an ovarian ectopic pregnancy. She presented at 10 weeks gestation with a 1-day history of vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal discomfort. β-human chorionic gonadotropin concentration was 8538 IU/ml. Ultrasound showed a right adnexal mass 4.0 × 3.8 × 5.5 cm with a 16 mm cystic area suggesting right ovarian ectopic pregnancy. Diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed a ruptured right ovarian ectopic pregnancy with haemoperitoneum. This was excised laparoscopically. She made a good postoperative recovery and was discharged on the second postoperative day. Histology confirmed a ruptured ovarian ectopic pregnancy. Ovarian ectopic pregnancy is a rare condition. There are two features that make this an unusual case; the relatively late gestation at which she presented and her mild presenting features. Unlike tubal ectopic pregnancies, which usually present at earlier gestations, this patient presented relatively late. She also presented with mild symptoms and signs.
Design of Terrace Drainage Networks Using UAV-Based High-Resolution Topographic Data

Hillslope viticulture has a long history in Mediterranean Europe, and still holds important cultural and economic value. Steep hillsides have widely been levelled by terraces, in order to control surface water flow and facilitate cultivation. However, under unsustainable management and growing rainfall aggressiveness, terraced vineyards have become one of the most erosion-prone agricultural landscapes. The Valcamonica valley in Lombardy (Italy) presents a typical example of an ancient wine production region where rural land abandonment has previously caused widespread degradation of the traditional terracing systems. Recently, a local revival of wine production led to restoration plans of the terraces and their drainage functioning, to safeguard productivity and hydrogeologic safety. In this study, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) survey was carried out to reconstruct an accurate and precise 3D terrain model of a Valcamonica vineyard through photogrammetry. The resulting high-resolution topographic data allowed insights of surface flow-induced soil erosion patterns based on the Relative Path Impact Index (RPII). Three diverse drainage networks were designed and digitally implemented, allowing scenario analysis of the costs and benefits in terms of potential erosion mitigation. The presented methodology could likely improve the time-efficiency and cost-effectiveness of similar restoration plans in degraded landscapes.
A 1/2.7 inch Low-Noise CMOS Image Sensor for Full HD Camcorders

A 1/2.7 inch 1944times1092pixels CMOS image sensor with multi-gain column amplifier and double noise canceller is fabricated in a 0.18mum 1P3M CMOS process. It operates at 48MHz in a progressive scanning mode at 60fps. A 2T/pixel architecture and low optical stack with micro innerlens achieve 14.8ke<sup>-</sup>/1x-s sensitivity, 14ke<sup>-</sup> saturation, 3.7e<sup>-</sup> <sub>rms</sub> noise and 12.2e<sup>-</sup> dark current at 60degC.
The molecular interaction of 4'-iodo-4'-deoxydoxorubicin with Leu-55Pro transthyretin 'amyloid-like' oligomer leading to disaggregation.

The crystal structure of the amyloidogenic Leu-55Pro transthyretin (TTR) variant has revealed an oligomer structure that may represent a putative amyloid protofibril [Sebastião, Saraiva and Damas (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 24715-24722]. Here we report biochemical evidence that corroborates the isolation of an intermediate structure, an 'amyloid-like' oligomer, which is most probably present in the biochemical pathway that leads to amyloid deposition and that was isolated by the crystallization of the Leu-55Pro TTR variant. 4'-Iodo-4'-deoxydoxorubicin (IDOX) is a compound that interacts with amyloid fibrils of various compositions and it has been reported to reduce the amyloid load in immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis [Merlini, Ascari, Amboldi, Bellotti, Arbustini, Perfetti, Ferrari, Zorzoli, Marinone, Garini et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92, 2959-2963]. In this work, we observed that the monoclinic Leu-55Pro TTR crystals, soaked with IDOX, undergo rapid dissociation. Moreover, under the same conditions, the orthorhombic wild-type TTR crystals are quite stable. This is explained by the different TTR conformations isolated upon crystallization of the two proteins; while the Leu-55Pro TTR exhibits the necessary conformation for IDOX binding, the same structure is not present in the crystallized wild-type protein. A theoretical model concerning the interaction of Leu-55Pro TTR with IDOX, which is consistent with the dissociation of the amyloid-like oligomer, is presented. In this model the IDOX iodine atom is buried in a pocket located between the two beta-sheets of the Leu-55Pro TTR monomer with the IDOX aromatic-moiety long axis nearly perpendicular to the direction of the beta-sheets.
The relationship between family communication patterns and internet addiction

This research was carried out with the objective of studying the family communication patterns and internet addiction by sample size of 204 BA students (103 females and 101 males) at the faculty of psychology and social sciences at Islamic Azad university, central Tehran branch ,that were selected by multi-stage random sampling. To collect the data, Young's questionnaire of internet addiction (1998) and the revised questionnaire of family communication patterns (Fitzpatrick and Ritchie, 1997) were applied. Statistical methods of Pearson's correlation coefficient, independent T-test, and Fisher’s Zr showed that there is a negative and meaningful relationship between the conversation pattern and internet addiction and there is a positive and meaningful relationship between the conformity pattern and internet addiction. Also, there is a meaningful relationship between the internet addiction in male and female university students and the male students were averagely more addicted to the internet than the female ones. However, there is no significant difference between male and female students’ communication patterns.
Place, Technology, and Representation

Three challenges of intellectual, political, and moral significance confront our discipline in the new millennium. First, a thorough understanding of sense of place must be harnessed in the service of ecolate dwelling. Second, our inquiry into materiality must expand to encompass the numinous dimension of technology. Finally, we must resolve the crisis of representation that limits our ability to express the insights we achieve in our research into consumer behavior. In this essay, these challenges are framed and responses imagined in light of a set of literatures from disciplines contiguous to our own. Copyright 2000 by the University of Chicago.
Bipolar Disorder in Children

Although bipolar disorder historically was thought to only occur rarely in children and adolescents, there has been a significant increase in children and adolescents who are receiving this diagnosis more recently (Carlson, 2005). Nonetheless, the applicability of the current bipolar disorder diagnostic criteria for children, particularly preschool children, remains unclear, even though much work has been focused on this area. As a result, more work needs to be done to further the understanding of bipolar symptoms in children. It is hoped that this paper can assist psychologists and other health service providers in gleaning a snapshot of the literature in this area so that they can gain an understanding of the diagnostic criteria and other behaviors that may be relevant and be informed about potential approaches for assessment and treatment with children who meet bipolar disorder criteria. First, the history of bipolar symptoms and current diagnostic criteria will be discussed. Next, assessment strategies that may prove helpful for identifying bipolar disorder will be discussed. Then, treatments that may have relevance to children and their families will be discussed. Finally, conclusions regarding work with children who may have a bipolar disorder diagnosis will be offered.
A personalized healthcare service on aged stroke-precaution

Stroke is one of the most deadly illnesses for the aged in Taiwan. The population of senior citizens has increased due to advanced medical technology developments, but it also brings the urgent needs of healthcare assistant for the aged. This paper presents a personalized healthcare service for the aged on stroke-precaution, followed by its implementation and evaluation. The healthcare service utilizes multimedia streaming technology and video clips to present stroke-precaution knowledge for senior citizens. Unlike traditional e-learning system provide massive healthy information, this study provide a personalized health service design which only provide related healthcare information according to user's health condition. There are 16 factors in two categories used for making personalized recommendations. Performance evaluation of the personalized healthcare service for stroke-precaution is taking into consideration in ten medical species. Evaluation benchmarks are provided from medical specialists in hospital. The result indicates the personalized healthcare service could provide accurate stroke-precaution information for aged senior citizens. Life quality could be improved for senior citizens as well as their families.
SOBI with Robust Orthogonalization to Remove the Artefact Stimulus in Evoked Potential - 5Hz Current Sinusoidal Stimulus

The psychophysical evaluation of the sensibility of the thin and thick fibers with sinusoidal current stimulation was proposed in the 80s. After that, researches observed that 5 Hz stimulus would be related to the thin unmyelinated fiber. This work aims a quantitative analysis of the cerebral cortex response to 5 Hz stimulus, through the identification of the latency components of the evoked potential (EP) that were estimated by the coherent mean after remove the stimulus artefact by using the Independent Component Analysis. Electroencephalography (EEG) signals were collected at Cz electrode (10-20 International Standard System) of 5 volunteers. The EP estimated with 5 Hz stimulus using the Second Order Blind Identification associated with Robust Orthogonalization (SOBI-RO) associated with the coherent mean presented the following components: N1 = 104 ms (one volunteer), P1 = 179 ms (four volunteers) and N2 = 234 ms (three volunteers), P2 = 280 ms (three volunteers) and N3 = 493 ms (all volunteers). The SOBIRO techniques can be a very useful tool in artefacts and noise reduction on the EP estimation.