Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Deletion at the Mouse Xist Gene Exposes Trans-effects That Alter the Heterochromatin of the Inactive X Chromosome and the Replication Time and DNA Stability of Both X Chromosomes

The inactive X chromosome of female mammals displays several properties of heterochromatin including late replication, histone H4 hypoacetylation, histone H3 hypomethylation at lysine-4, and methylated CpG islands. We show that cre-Lox-mediated excision of 21 kb from both Xist alleles in female mouse fibroblasts led to the appearance of two histone modifications throughout the inactive X chromosome usually associated with euchromatin: histone H4 acetylation and histone H3 lysine-4 methylation. Despite these euchromatic properties, the inactive X chromosome was replicated even later in S phase than in wild-type female cells. Homozygosity for the deletion also caused regions of the active X chromosome that are associated with very high concentrations of LINE-1 elements to be replicated very late in S phase. Extreme late replication is a property of fragile sites and the 21-kb deletions destabilized the DNA of both X chromosomes, leading to deletions and translocations. This was accompanied by the phosphorylation of p53 at serine-15, an event that occurs in response to DNA damage, and the accumulation of γ-H2AX, a histone involved in DNA repair, on the X chromosome. The Xist locus therefore maintains the DNA stability of both X chromosomes.
Learning fuzzy control rules by a constrained Powell's method

Learning of fuzzy control rules can be considered as solving a constrained nonlinear optimization problem, in which the objective function is not differentiable. In this case, the problem can be solved by the combination of direct search method and penalty function method. However, it is difficult to know how much a candidate satisfies the constraints. We propose /spl alpha/ level comparison which compares the candidates based on the satisfaction level of constraints. We propose /spl alpha/ constrained method which converts constrained problems to unconstrained problems using /spl alpha/ level comparison. We also propose /spl alpha/ constrained Powell's method by applying /spl alpha/ constrained method to Powell's direct search method. Through some examples and the learning of fuzzy control rules, we show that the feasible solution can be obtained easily by our method with confirming the satisfaction level. We also show that the evaluation count of the objective function can be decreased by using "lazy evaluation".
Inverse association of repressor growth factor independent-1 with CD8 T cell interleukin (IL)-7 receptor α expression and limited signal transducers and activators of transcription signaling in response to IL-7 among γ-chain cytokines in HIV patients

Background:CD8 T lymphocytes from chronically infected HIV-positive patients degenerate into a preapoptotic state and exhibit impaired functionality. Particularly in viremic patients, this was associated with an increased proportion of interleukin-7 receptor-α low-expressing (IL-7Rαlow) effector-like CD8 T cells. As cytokine signaling through signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) is essential for cellular function, we hypothesized that activation of this pathway may be impaired in these cells. Objectives:To evaluate cytokine-induced STAT activation in IL-7Rαlow and IL-7Rαhigh CD8 T cells from chronically infected HIV-positive patients and investigate the potential molecular mechanism involved in the reduced IL-7Rα expression. Methods:CD8 T cells from HIV-positive patients on and off antiretroviral therapy were assayed respectively for STAT activation, cytokine receptor, and transcription factor expression by flow cytometry and real-time PCR. Results:IL-7 stimulation failed to activate STAT5 in a substantial proportion of patient CD8 T cells. This correlated with reduced IL-7Rα mRNA and surface protein expression. Interestingly, IL-7Rαlow cells appeared to be fully capable of recruiting the STAT pathway in response to IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-15. mRNA expression suggested a potential role for growth factor independent (Gfi)-1 as an IL-7Rα transcriptional repressor, but not that of other transcriptional regulators studied, including Gfi-1B and GA-binding protein α. Programmed death-1 inhibitory receptor, though upregulated in CD8 T cells from HIV-positive patients, appeared unrelated to IL-7Rα expression and STAT signaling capacity. Conclusion:IL-7Rαlow CD8 T lymphocytes remain responsive to cytokines important in their homeostasis at the level of STAT signaling other than IL-7, and results suggest an IL-7Rα transcriptional repression mechanism involving Gfi-1.
Selection and application of the methodology of cost allocation of electric power transmission in the Venezuelan interconnected system

This paper has as main objective to present a methodology to determine the costs associated to power transmission and its adequate remuneration, under a criterion of efficiency, for the Venezuelan electric power system. A proposed model establishes incomes by the daily sales of energy, bilateral contracts and congestion, and it was evaluated for a six node test system and the Venezuelan national interconnected system. The suggested methodology, a schema of tariff rates in two parts in a neighborhood where coexist the spot market and long-term contracts with transmission rights of type FTR, seems to give consistent results, adjusted to the requirements of income of the transmission company. The suggested methodology is simple and represents an easy implementation with the adequate tools. In spite of the proposed model, which complies with the suggested guidelines and fits the requirements of the Venezuelan law for the electrical service, efforts in results with this methodology for Venezuelan NES must keep being carried out, using better quality information. This must be performed in order to have greater certainty, or not, of its good functioning, since, the power wholesale market in Venezuela have not been given many advances and the application of LOSE is frozen, there is not a point of comparison nowadays
Structural learning framework for binary short text classification

With the fast-paced prevalence of smartphones, binary short text classification (STC) is becoming a basic and challenging issue, and relevant STC algorithms can be successfully used in spam filtering for short message service (SMS), wechat, microblogging, and so on. In this manuscript, we address the structural feature of SMS documents and propose a structural learning framework, which decomposes the complex binary STC problem according to the SMS document structure, and predicts the final category by combining several sub-predictions. Supported by our index of string-frequence, we also implement some STC domain classifiers. The experimental results show that the performance of two previous STC algorithms can be upgraded by the structural learning framework, and our STC domain classifiers can achieve the state-of-the-art performance on the task of Chinese SMS spam filtering within the structural learning framework.
Light modulates the root tip excision induced lateral root formation in tomato

During plant growth and development, root tip performs multifarious functions integrating diverse external and internal stimuli to regulate root elongation and architecture. It is believed that a signal originating from root tip inhibits lateral root formation (LRF). The excision of root tip induced LRF in tomato seedlings associated with accumulation of auxin in pericycle founder cells. The excision of cotyledons slightly reduced LRF, whereas severing shoot from root completely abolished LRF. Exogenous ethylene application did not alter LRF. The response was modulated by light with higher LRF in seedlings exposed to light. Our results indicate that light plays a role in LRF in seedlings by likely modulating shoot derived auxin.
Inhibitory Effects of Novel Nucleoside and Nucleotide Analogues on Epstein—Barr Virus Replication

The anti-Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) activity of different classes of compounds was assessed by means of an EBV DNA hybridization assay using a digoxigenin-labelled probe specific for the BamHI W fragment of the EBV genome, as well as by measuring viral capsid antigen (VCA) expression after a 7 day incubation period of P3HR-1 producer cells with the test substances. Acyclovir, ganciclovir, cidofovir and zidovudine were included as reference compounds. Several compounds proved to be potent and selective inhibitors of EBV DNA synthesis and VCA expression. Of the new compounds that were evaluated for their anti-EBV activity, the highest efficacy (lowest EC50) and highest selectivity index (SI) were shown by the purine nucleoside analogue 2-amino-7-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]purine (S2242) (EC50 0.6 ng/ml; SI 600), the acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues 9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)-6-dimethylaminopurine (EC50 1.1 μg/ml; SI 91), 9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)-2-amino-6-benzhydrylaminopurine (EC501.3 μg/ml; SI 29), 7-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)-6-dimethylaminopurine (EC50 0.8 μg/ml; SI 56), 9-(R)-(2-phosphonomethoxypropyl)-6-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-aminopurine (EC50 0.5 μg/ml; SI 42), the 2′,3′-dideoxythymidine derivative 3′-oximino-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (EC501.5 μg/ml; SI 65), and 1-(2,3-dideoxy-3-N-hydroxyamino-β-d-threo-pentafuran yl)pentafuranosyl)thymine (EC50 4.1 μg/ml; SI >24).
Competitive condition and market power of Islamic banks in Indonesia

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine the competitive conditions and market power of Islamic banks in Indonesia for the period of 2006-2013. Design/methodology/approach - Using samples of 27 Islamic banks, the study uses a variety of structural and non-structural measures related to the traditional approach and the new empirical approach of the industrial organization. The methodology is based on set of measures of the competition and market power. The first measures, concentration ratios and Herfindahl-Hirschman index, are to determine the competitiveness level while the second measures of Panzar and Ross H-statistic and Lerner index are to examine the market power of Islamic banks in Indonesia. Findings - The finding of this study has confirmed the situation of Islamic banking industry in Indonesia which is operated in a higher degree of market power which lead to a less competitive market. Islamic banks earn their revenues under monopolistic competition over the tested period. This study has also found a negative but insignificant relationship between concentration and competition which shows that in the last few years, the market power for leading firms in Indonesia Islamic banking industry has reduced. Practical implications - The paper is a very useful source of information that may provide relevant guidelines in guiding the future development of competition of Islamic Banking industry. As well, the paper provides relevant guidelines for improving competitiveness of Islamic banks. Originality/value - This study combines two approaches for bank competition measurement and bank market powers measurement which can provide more robust findings. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study on Islamic banking competitiveness level and market power is very limited, especially in the case of Indonesia. Therefore, this study could contribute significantly towards the literature of the related field.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection of Zebrafish Involves both Host and Pathogen Determinants

ABSTRACT Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have a number of strengths as a host model for infection, including genetic tractability, a vertebrate immune system similar to that of mammals, ease and scale of laboratory handling, which allows analysis with reasonable throughput, and transparency, which facilitates visualization of the infection. With these advantages in mind, we examined whether zebrafish could be used to study Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis and found that infection of zebrafish embryos with live P. aeruginosa (PA14 or PAO1) by microinjection results in embryonic death, unlike infection with Escherichia coli or heat-killed P. aeruginosa, which has no effect. Similar to studies with mice, P. aeruginosa mutants deficient in type three secretion (pscD) or quorum sensing (lasR and mvfR) are attenuated in zebrafish embryos infected at 50 h postfertilization (hpf), a developmental stage when both macrophages and neutrophils are present. In contrast, embryos infected at 28 hpf, when only macrophages are initially present, succumb to lethal challenge with far fewer P. aeruginosa cells than those required for embryos infected at 50 hpf, are susceptible to infection with lasR and pscD deletion mutants, and are moderately resistant to infection with an mvfR mutant. Finally, we show that we can control the outcome of infection through the use of morpholinos, which allow us to shift immune cell numbers, or small molecules (antibiotics), which rescue embryos from lethal challenge. Thus, zebrafish are a novel host model that is well suited for studying the interactions among individual pathogenic functions of P. aeruginosa, the role of individual components of host immune defense, and small-molecule modulators of infection.
Compact CRLH Asymmetric-CPS Resonant Antenna With Frequency Agility

A compact, uniplanar composite right/left-handed transmission line (CRLH TL) resonant antenna with frequency agility is proposed based on the asymmetric coplanar strip (ACPS). First, it is shown that a capacitor as the termination for an unbalanced CRLH ACPS is needed for excitation of an anti-resonance within the frequency range between the zeroth-order series and shunt resonances. The design formula to estimate the value of the termination capacitance for a given resonant frequency is derived as well. By utilizing a varactor diode as the termination, the termination capacitance can be controlled by changing its bias voltage, and the resonance of the antenna can thus be tuned between the two zeroth-order resonant frequencies. For verification, a prototype antenna was fabricated and tested. It has a continuously tunable resonant frequency between 2.15 GHz and 2.8 GHz as the bias voltage is adjusted in between 4 V and 22 V. When tuned to resonate at different frequencies in between the two zeroth-order resonances, the antenna still exhibits similar slot-like radiation pattern and stable peak gain and radiation efficiency owing to the same resonant mechanism in the frequency range.
Simultaneous maps of optical action potentials and calcium transients in guinea‐pig hearts: mechanisms underlying concordant alternans

1 The mechanisms underlying electro‐mechanical alternans caused by faster heart rates were investigated in perfused guinea‐pig hearts stained with RH237 and Rhod‐2 AM to simultaneously map optical action potentials (APs) and intracellular free Ca2+ (Ca2+i). 2 Fluorescence images of the heart were focused on two 16 × 16 photodiode arrays to map Ca2+i (emission wavelength (λem) = 585 ± 20 nm) and APs (λem > 715 nm) from 252 sites. Spatial resolution was 0·8 mm × 0·8 mm per diode and temporal resolution 4000 frames s−1. 3 The mean time‐to‐peak for APs and [Ca2+]i was spatially homogeneous (8·8 ± 0·5 and 25·6 ± 5·0 ms, respectively; n= 6). The durations of APs (APDs) and Ca2+i transients were shorter at the apex and progressively longer towards the base, indicating a gradient of ventricular relaxation. 4 Restitution kinetics revealed increasingly longer delays between AP and Ca2+i upstrokes (9·5 ± 0·4 to 11·3 ± 0·4 ms) with increasingly shorter S1‐S2 intervals, particularly at the base, despite nearly normal peak [Ca2+]i. 5 Alternans of APs and Ca2+i transients were induced by a decrease in cycle length (CL), if the shorter CL captured at the pacing site and was shorter than refractory periods (RPs) near the base, creating heterogeneities of conduction velocity. 6 Rate‐induced alternans in normoxic hearts were concordant (long APD with large [Ca2+]i) across the epicardium, with a magnitude (difference between odd‐even signals) that varied with the local RP. Alternans were initiated by gradients of RP, producing alternans of conduction that terminated spontaneously without progressing to fibrillation.
Motion estimation of plane polynomial curves

In this paper, we are interested in the motion estimation of a planar free-form object whose boundary is represented by a plane polynomial curve. We develop new Riccati equations in real variables for the slope and intercept parameters of the line factors obtained from the decomposition of the closed-bounded polynomial curve. We also derive new recursions on multiplicative scalars of the decomposition. For the estimation of motion parameters, an adaptive scheme has been employed and the results are verified by simulations.
Using a Wage-Price-Setting Model to Forecast U.S. Inflation

Based on the key assumption that firms use a rule of thumb to set prices after settling a wage agreement, this study modifies a wage–price-setting (WPS) model to forecast U.S. inflation over one- to three-year horizons. The out-of-sample forecast results show that productivity growth is a useful predictor of inflation, in the sense that the modified WPS model improves upon some univariate benchmark models during the 1990Q1–2020Q2 period. Since the early 2000s, forecast accuracy can be improved further by combining productivity growth with anchored inflation expectations. Interestingly, during the 2000–2014 period, forecasts derived from the WPS model with constant inflation expectations have been found to slightly outperform Greenbook forecasts in forecasting quarter-over-quarter inflation with horizons up to four-quarter.
Elicitation of willingness to pay for upgradeable products with calibrated auction-conjoint method

Understanding consumer preferences is a key element of new product development and sustainable consumption. Among sustainable products, we consider new products with upgradability properties. Upgradeability helps to prolong the lifespan of a product, satisfying changing consumer preferences and needs. This additional created value must be measured by willingness to pay premiums. This paper uses a method which valorizes each attribute of the product and analyzes the determinants of these premiums. A key advantage of the calibrated auction-conjoint method is the possibility of estimating numerous attributes with a large number of attribute levels. The results support the idea that consumers are willing to pay premiums for upgradeable, sustainable products, although these premiums are rather weak for some durable products in the study.
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 as a novel target for gene therapy for hypertension

Less than one‐third of patients with hypertension have their blood pressures (BP) controlled with current traditional therapeutic approaches for the treatment and control of hypertension. Pharmacological approaches may have reached a plateau in their effectiveness and thus newer innovative strategies need to be studied not only to increase the number of patients that can achieve BP control, but also to find a way to cure, not just manage, the disease. Continuous advances in gene delivery systems coupled with the completion of the Human Genome Project, now make it possible to investigate genetic means for the treatment and possible cure for hypertension. The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) has long been known to regulate BP, and salt and water metabolism. This system is unique in having both a peripheral circulating system and a tissue‐based system. Each of these components have been ascribed a variety of physiological effects that have been associated with not only an increase in BP, but also in a variety of the pathophysiological manifestations associated with hypertension, such as cardiac hypertrophy and kidney dysfunction. We and others have used an antisense gene therapy approach, targeting the classical components of the RAS, to effectively attenuate the development of hypertension and related cardiovascular pathophysiologies in numerous experimental models of hypertension. Recently other components of the RAS have been elucidated and some of these components may be potential targets in a gene therapy approach. This article will focus on angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a new, potential target of gene therapy for hypertensive disorders.
Research on big datagram outburst transmission in space TT&C network

Due to the unique data structure, the big datagram is prone to packet loss during the network outburst transmission process, especially in the space TT&C (Tracking, Telemetry and Communication) network which is very strict in real time. This paper focuses on the analysis of the transmission mechanism of big datagram, expatiates its fragmentation, reorganization and Re-fragmentation mechanism. The trials of data sending and receiving are conducted to test the transmission performance and the influence of high priority queue on low priority queue by setting up the test environment. Finally, to defeat the packet loss of big datagram, some solutions have been proposed.
The predictive value of positron emission tomography scanning performed after two courses of standard therapy on treatment outcome in advanced stage Hodgkin's disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES We explored the predictive value on therapy outcome of an early evaluation of treatment response by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose position emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) scan performed after two courses of conventional standard-dose chemotherapy in advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease. DESIGN AND METHODS One hundred and eight patients with newly-diagnosed Hodgkin's disease in stage IIA with adverse prognostic factors, or in stage IIB through IVB, were re-staged with FDG-PET after two cycles of ABVD (PET-2). The end-point of the study was the predictive value of PET-2 on 2-year progression-free survival and 2-year failure-free survival. No treatment variation based only on PET-2 results was allowed. RESULTS Eighty-eight patients attained complete remission (CR) while 20 showed disease progression during therapy or within 6 months after having reached CR; one patient relapsed. PET-2 was positive in 20 patients: 17 progressed during therapy, one relapsed and two remained in CR. By contrast, 85/88 (97%) patients with a negative PET-2 remained in CR; three progressed or relapsed early after the end of the chemotherapy. Thus, the positive predictive value of a PET-2 was 90% and the negative predictive value was 97%. The sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of PET-2 were 86%, 98% and 95%, respectively. The 2-year probability of failure-free survival for PET-2 negative and for PET-2 positive patients was 96% and 6%, respectively (log rank test = 116.7, p < 0.01). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS 18F-FDG-PET scan performed after two courses of conventional standard-dose chemotherapy in advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease was able to predict treatment outcome in 103/108 (95%) of the patients.