Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Array comparative genomic hybridization analysis in patients with anophthalmia, microphthalmia, and coloboma

Purpose: The goal of our study was to determine whether genomic copy number abnormalities (deletions and duplications) affecting genes involved in eye development contributed to the etiology of anophthalmia, microphthalmia, and coloboma.Methods: The affected individuals were evaluated for the presence of deletions and duplications in genomic DNA by a very high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization.Results: Array analysis of 32 patients detected one case with a deletion encompassing the renal-coloboma syndrome associated gene PAX2. Nonpolymorphic copy number changes were also observed at several candidate chromosomal regions, including 6p12.3, 8q23.1q23. 2, 13q31.3, 15q11.2q13. 1, 16p13.13, and 20q13.13. Conclusions: This study identified the first patient with the typical phenotype of the renal-coloboma syndrome caused by a submicroscopic deletion of the coding region of the PAX2 gene. The finding suggests that PAX2 deletion testing should be performed in addition to gene sequencing as a part of molecular evaluation for the renal-coloboma syndrome. Array comparative genomic hybridization testing of 32 affected individuals showed that genomic deletions and duplications are not a common cause of nonsyndromic anophthalmia, microphthalmia, or coloboma but undoubtedly contribute to the etiology of these eye anomalies. Therefore, array comparative genomic hybridization testing represents an important and valuable addition to candidate gene sequencing in research and diagnostics of ocular birth defects.
Influence of amino acids on the growth of Bacteroides melaninogenicus

Addition of individual amino acids to a Trypticase-yeast extract-hemin medium affected growth rates and final yields of an asaccharolytic strain and a saccharolytic strain of Bacteroides melaninogenicus. L-Aspartate or L-asparagine produced maximal growth enhancement for both strains. L-[14C]aspartate was fermented by resting cells of the asaccharolytic strain. L-Cysteine or L-serine also enhanced growth for the saccharolytic strain. However, growth of the saccharolytic strain was inhibited by L-lysine, L-glutamate, L-glutamine, L-isoleucine, L-leucine, and L-proline; growth of the asaccharolytic strain was inhibited by DL-valine and L-serine. Both strains were inhibited by L-histidine, DL-methionine, L-tryptophan, L-arginine, and glycine.
Bis(4,7‐dimethyl and 5‐dinitro‐1,10‐phenanthroline) sulfato‐oxovanadium(IV)‐mediated in vivo male germ cell apoptosis

Oxovanadium(IV) [VO] complexes of 1,10‐phenanthroline are a new class of potent apoptosis‐inducing cytotoxic agents against human testicular cancer cells in vitro. The present study investigated the in vivo ability of four(bis)‐chelated 1,10‐phenanthroline [phen] complexes of sulfato‐oxovanadium(IV)—VO(phen)2, VO(Cl−phen)2, VO(Me2−phen)2 and VO(NO2−phen)2—with and without substitutions, to induce testicular germ cell apoptosis. Male germ cell loss in mice was measured by determining the epididymal sperm count, testicular weight and histological evaluation of the testes. Repetitive intratesticular injection (7.5 mg kg−1 testis−1) of bis‐chelated 1,10‐phenanthroline complexes of oxovanadium(IV) with 4,7‐dimethyl [VO(Me2−phen)2] and 5‐dinitro [VO(NO2−phen)2] substitution led to decreased sperm counts and reduced testicular weights. Histopathological examination of testicular sections from VO(Me2−phen)2‐ and VO(NO2−phen)2‐treated mice revealed a marked inhibition of spermatogenesis and preferential loss of maturing, as well as elongated spermatids. In situ evaluation of seminiferous tubule cross‐sections by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated FITC‐deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) and laser scanning confocal microscopy showed characteristic apoptotic germ cells delineating the periphery of the seminiferous tubules. The ability of bis‐chelated 4,7‐dimethyl‐ and 5‐dinitro‐substituted 1,10‐phenanthroline complexes of oxovanadium(IV) to induce germ cell apoptosis in vivo may have potential utility in the treatment of human testicular germ cell tumors. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal load shedding technique for an islanding distribution system by using Particle Swarm Optimization

Power system is heavily loaded with increase in electricity demand. Frequency instability during islanding scenarios is an important issue to be addressed. Frequency instability happens when the power balance between generation and load demand is not met. During islanding, Under-Frequency Load Shedding (UFLS) technique is implemented to stabilize the system frequency and to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the customers. This paper proposes an optimal load shedding approach using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique for islanded mode of operation. The technique determines the optimal amount of load that needs to be shed considering power imbalance. The proposed load shedding approach is developed using MATLAB and is validated on distribution system modeled using PSCAD software. Simulation results show that the proposed PSO based approach was able to stabilize the system frequency by shedding the load optimally.
Excitation‐induced Ca2+ influx and muscle damage in the rat: loss of membrane integrity and impaired force recovery

Prolonged or unaccustomed exercise leads to loss of contractility and muscle cell damage. The possible role of an increased uptake of Ca2+ in this was explored by examining how graded fatiguing stimulation, leading to a graded uptake of Ca2+, results in progressive loss of force, impairment of force recovery, and loss of cellular integrity. The latter is indicated by increased [14C]sucrose space and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Isolated rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were allowed to contract isometrically using a fatiguing protocol with intermittent stimulation at 40 Hz. Force declined rapidly, reaching 11% of the initial level after 10 min and stayed low for up to 60 min. During the initial phase (2 min) of stimulation 45Ca uptake showed a 10‐fold increase, followed by a 4‐ to 5‐fold increase during the remaining period of stimulation. As the duration of stimulation increased, the muscles subsequently regained gradually less of their initial force. Following 30 or 60 min of stimulation, resting 45Ca uptake, [14C]sucrose space, and LDH release were increased 4‐ to 7‐fold, 1.4‐ to 1.7‐fold and 3‐ to 9‐fold, respectively (P < 0.001). The contents of Ca2+ and Na+ were also increased (P < 0.01), a further indication of loss of cellular integrity. When fatigued at low [Ca2+]o (0.65 mm), force recovery was on average twofold higher than that of muscles fatigued at high [Ca2+]o (2.54 mm). Muscles showing the best force recovery also had a 41% lower total cellular Ca2+ content (P < 0.01). In conclusion, fatiguing stimulation leads to a progressive functional impairment and loss of plasma membrane integrity which seem to be related to an excitation‐induced uptake of Ca2+. Mechanical strain on the muscle fibres does not seem a likely mechanism since very little force was developed beyond 10 min of stimulation.
Balding hair follicle dermal papilla cells contain higher levels of androgen receptors than those from non-balding scalp.

Androgens can gradually transform large scalp hair follicles to smaller vellus ones, causing balding. The mechanisms involved are unclear, although androgens are believed to act on the epithelial hair follicle via the mesenchyme-derived dermal papilla. This study investigates whether the levels and type of androgen receptors in primary lines of cultured dermal papilla cells derived from balding scalp hair follicles differ from those of follicles from non-balding scalp. Androgen receptor content was measured by saturation analysis using the non-metabolisable androgen, [3H]mibolerone (0.05-10 nM) in a 9-10 point assay. Pubic dermal fibroblasts and Shionogi cells were examined as positive controls. Repetitive assays of Shionogi cells showed good precision in the levels of androgen receptor content (coefficient of variation = 3.7%). Specific, high affinity, low capacity androgen receptors were detected in dermal papilla cells from both balding and non-balding follicles. Balding cells contained significantly (P < 0.01) greater levels of androgen receptors (Bmax = 0.06 +/- 0.01 fmol/10(4) cells (mean +/- S.E.M.)) than those from non-balding scalp (0.04 +/- 0.001). Competition studies with a range of steroids showed no differences in receptor binding specificity in the two cell types. The higher levels of androgen receptors in cells from balding scalp hair follicles with similar properties to those from non-balding scalp concur with the expectations from their in vivo responses to androgens. This supports the hypothesis that androgens act via the dermal papilla and suggests that cultured dermal papilla cells may offer a model system for studying androgen action in androgenetic alopecia.
Fatigue and its correlates in cancer patients who had returned to work—a cohort study

Objectives: Fatigue and other symptoms in cancer patients often interfere with social and occupational activities. Only a few studies, however, have examined relationship between fatigue and work‐related outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate which disease‐related factors (treatment, diagnosis, cognitive dysfunction, depression, pain, and sleep disturbance) and work‐related factors (work‐load, work pressure, relationship to supervisor and colleagues, size of the company, and workplace accommodations) were related to fatigue in employed cancer survivors.
MEMS vehicle-mounted navigation and positioning method

For vehicle navigation, when the satellite signal is invalid, only rely on satellite navigation system will affect the normal driving of vehicle. Through the MEMS inertial navigation and the vehicle wheel speed sensor is an effective complementary measure of vehicle navigation. However, for inertial navigation systems, low cost MEMS inertial navigation sensors have large measurement errors, and these accumulated errors eventually lead to erroneous positioning results. In this paper, based on the integrated navigation system, we study an extended Kalman filtering algorithm for the absence of satellite navigation signals. By analyzing two different motion state of vehicles, including straight linear motion and turning motion. A new method was put forward, that is two kinds of different mixed Kalman filtering algorithm. By using this velocity information at the moment before, such as the speed of the GPS receiver, the speed of the wheel speed sensor and MEMS inertial navigation, this paper puts forward the velocity error as the observations. Through the actual experiment shows that the new method greatly improve positioning accuracy and get better results.
Relationship of thyroid to estramustine binding protein (EMBP) concentration in rat prostate

Summary. Alternations of estramustine binding protein (EMBP) concentration in rat prostate in relation to androgen status under hypo‐ and hyper‐thyroid conditions was estimated by means of radioimmunoassay (RIA). In hyperthyroid rats, EMBP concentration in dorsal as well as in lateral prostate was not significantly changed, but significantly reduced in ventral prostate (P < 0.01). Ventral tissue concentration of testosterone(T) + dihydrotestosterone (DHT), DHT and T, and the ventral tissue ratio of DHT to T + DHT were not significantly changed in hypo‐ and hyper‐thyroid conditions compared with that of the control. In hyperthyroid rats, serum T level and EMBP concentration in ventral prostate were significantly reduced in comparison to ones of the control (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), however, the ratio of ventral tissue (T + DHT) to serum T was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, in contrast to the control, EMBP concentration expressed as μg/μg ventral DNA was significantly reduced in hyperthyroid rats (P < 0.05). On the other hand, in hypothyroid rats, change of EMBP concentration in ventral prostate in relation to androgen status was not significant in comparison to the control. The results here obtained revealed that EMBP concentration in ventral prostate under hyperthyroid condition would be affected by (a) a modulation of endogenous androgen‐dependency in EMBP synthesis or by (b) a reduction of cell numbers responsible for EMBP synthesis.
Consensus based speed control strategies for multi-agent car with state predictor

Consensus theory is the foundation of multi-agent cooperation and coordination, which has received more and more attention from researchers in various fields. However, the previous control laws use only local information of the intelligent individual surrounding, which is often suboptimal. This paper introduces the state predictor, applies Consensus theory with state predictor to the study on consensus speed problems of Multi-Agent car system, gives the consensus speed algorithm of Multi-Agent car system, analyzes the influence of several coupled communication on consensus speed of Multi-Agent car. Compared with the previous consensus algorithm, the consensus algorithm with state predictor accelerates the convergence rate of the evolution of Multi-Agent car to the balance. Finally, the control law with state predictor is solved by Euler formula and the controller of Multi-Agent car is designed. The controller of Multi-Agent car is proved to be feasible in theory.
Speech processing in the auditory system. II: Lateral inhibition and the central processing of speech evoked activity in the auditory nerve.

A biologically realistic model of a uniform lateral inhibitory network (LIN) is shown capable of extracting from the complex spatio-temporal firing patterns of the cat's auditory nerve the formants and low-order harmonics of synthetic voiced speech stimuli. The model provides a realistic mechanism to utilize the temporal aspects of the firing and thus supports the hypothesis that the neural coding of complex sounds in terms of average rates can be supplemented by the information coded in the synchronous firing. At low levels of intensity the LIN can sharpen the average rate profiles. At moderate and high levels the LIN uses the cues available in the distribution of phases of the synchronous activity which exhibit rapid relative phase shifts at specific characteristic frequency (CF) locations (corresponding to the frequencies of the low-order harmonics in the stimulus). These temporal phase shifts manifest themselves at the input of the LIN as steep and localized spatial discontinuities in the instantaneous pattern of activity across the fiber array. The LIN enhances its output from these spatially steep input regions while suppressing its output from spatially smooth input regions (where little phase shifts occur). In this manner the LIN recreates from the response patterns a representation of the stimulus spectrum using the temporal cues as spatial markers of the stimulus components rather than as absolute measures of their frequencies. Similar results are obtained with various lateral inhibitory topologies, e.g., recurrent versus nonrecurrent, single versus double layer, and linear versus nonlinear.
A unified approach for identification and control of MIMO systems in delta domain

This paper presents the methods which are based on delta operator for identification and control of MIMO systems where time moments are used. Delta time moments (DTM) are computed from real time input-output data and are utilized to develop adaptive predictive algorithms in a model reference framework. The reference model is developed in the complex delta domain from classical time and frequency domain specifications which guarantees both stability and performance of the overall controlled system. Two control schemes namely, i) Inverse control using DTM (ICDTM) and ii) Pade Adapted Inverse control using DTM with error feedback (PICDTMEF) have been proposed in this work. The control algorithms are tested with numerical examples. The output of the plant is compared with the output of the reference model using the control algorithm. The stability and performance characteristics of the overall control systems closely match with that of the reference model, demonstrating the efficacy of the proposed control schemes.
Implementation of Present Cryptographical Algorithm for the Encryption of Messages in NETFPGA 1G

The NetFPGA is a low-cost reconfigurable hardware platform optimized for high-speed networking. The NetFPGA includes all the logic resources, memory, and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces required to build a complete switch, router, and/or any other security device. Because the entire data path is implemented in hardware, the system can support back-to-back packets at full Gigabit line rates and has a processing latency measured in very few clock cycles. The security of the packet transfer using NETFPGA is one that has not yet been implemented on a more secure scale due to hardware limitation as many of the advanced algorithms such as AES or DES cannot be used due to their high complexity and excessive use of resources. In light of this I used a lightweight cryptographic algorithm called Present algorithm to enhance the security in netfpga by creating a module dedicated for encrypting the data transmitted by the netfpga. The algorithm is implemented using Xilinx for the initial testing and then the bit file is burned on the chip for real time emulation. Once the ping or rather the connection between the two connected machines is established the encrypted message is sent from the transmitter to the receiver and the output is observed.
Extent and Characteristics of Woman Batterers among Federal Inmates

Efforts to identify men who batter women in clinical settings have increased in recent years, but batterer research in United States federal prisons is lacking; low security federal prisons are logical places to consider batterer screening and treatment given the number of men, the domestic violence “risk markers” associated with these men and the likelihood they will be released and return to female partners. This study examined intake assessment data for 115 low security federal inmates. The inmates evidenced high levels of risk markers for woman battering, one in three (33%) acknowledged recent physical violence against women partners, 1 in 10 (13%) admitted severe violence, and the self-identified batterers showed more substance use and personality problems than other inmates. The findings suggest that batterer screening and treatment may be needed in federal prisons and that more research is warranted with a burgeoning male population that ultimately returns to society.
The localization of praxis-oriented research: Creating service design applications

In this study, a mobile application development course was implemented from the perspective of technology, so that all of the inexperienced students who took the course were eventually able to independently develop a mobile application with their team to present their learning effects. The course structure was based on the service learning theory. The teacher led the students in performing field research and interacting with local residents, stores, and government agencies, so that the students could design a localized mobile application service based on the background and problems that they encountered. The core value of the study is to reach the goal of `digital empowerment' of newer users, by training `digital natives' who will most likely in the future design applications for `digital immigrants'. According to the result, users were more willing to use the mobile applications proposed in the course based on the service learning theory, and they found learning more enjoyable. The focus of this study was on a coherent teaching method incorporating both practical and theoretical aspects, to assist students in learning to create localized mobile application services of higher adhesion for every user.
Synergism of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins by a fragment of a toxin-binding cadherin

The insecticidal crystal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are broadly used to control insect pests with agricultural importance. The cadherin Bt-R1 is a binding protein for Bt Cry1A toxins in midgut epithelia of tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta). We previously identified the Bt-R1 region most proximal to the cell membrane (CR12-MPED) as the essential binding region required for Cry1Ab-mediated cytotoxicity. Here, we report that a peptide containing this region expressed in Escherichia coli functions as a synergist of Cry1A toxicity against lepidopteran larvae. Far-UV circular dichroism and 1H-NMR spectroscopy confirmed that our purified CR12-MPED peptide mainly consisted of β-strands and random coils with unfolded structure. CR12-MPED peptide bound brush border membrane vesicles with high affinity (Kd = 32 nM) and insect midgut microvilli but did not alter Cry1Ab or Cry1Ac binding localization in the midgut. By BIAcore analysis we demonstrate that Cry1Ab binds CR12-MPED at high (9 nM)- and low (1 μM)-affinity sites. CR12-MPED-mediated Cry1A toxicity enhancement was significantly reduced when the high-affinity Cry1A-binding epitope (1416GVLTLNIQ1423) within the peptide was altered. Because the mixtures of low Bt toxin dose and CR12-MPED peptide effectively control target insect pests, our discovery has important implications related to the use of this peptide to enhance insecticidal activity of Bt toxin-based biopesticides and transgenic Bt crops.
Kinetics of Trihalomethane Formation From Organic Contaminants in Raw Water From the Bangkhen Water Treatment Plant

The fractionation of raw water from Bangkhen water treatment plant, Bangkok, Thailand revealed that the mass distribution sequence of the six organic fractions from high to low was hydrophilic neutral (HPIN), hydrophobic acid (HPOA), hydrophilic acid, hydrophobic neutral, hydrophilic base, and hydrophobic base. The main organic matter components in raw water were HPIN and HPOA, which were also the two most important contributors of trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP). Linear dependencies between the level of each organic fraction and the formation potential of THM species were observed, which suggested the reactions between the organic fraction and chlorine during the chlorination were first order. The fractionation led to a deviation of bromide concentration in each organic fraction from the original concentration, and this affected the formation of brominated THM species. However, this effect was demonstrated to be within an acceptable range. The chlorination of an individual organic fraction resulted in a higher level of THMFP than that of the raw water and mixed fractions, indicating an inhibitory effect between the organic species. *Presented at “The 2nd Asian International Conference on Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety” (SECOTOX 2004), Songkla, Thailand, 26–29 September 2004.
Navigating the disease landscape: knowledge representations for contextualizing molecular signatures

Abstract Large amounts of data emerging from experiments in molecular medicine are leading to the identification of molecular signatures associated with disease subtypes. The contextualization of these patterns is important for obtaining mechanistic insight into the aberrant processes associated with a disease, and this typically involves the integration of multiple heterogeneous types of data. In this review, we discuss knowledge representations that can be useful to explore the biological context of molecular signatures, in particular three main approaches, namely, pathway mapping approaches, molecular network centric approaches and approaches that represent biological statements as knowledge graphs. We discuss the utility of each of these paradigms, illustrate how they can be leveraged with selected practical examples and identify ongoing challenges for this field of research.