Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteomic analysis of formalin-fixed celloidin-embedded whole cochlear and laser microdissected spiral ganglion tissues

Abstract Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that proteomic analysis can be successfully performed on formalin-fixed celloidin-embedded (FFCE) archival human cochlear tissues. Objective: To investigate the feasibility of analyzing protein expression in archival cochlear tissues. Material and methods: A new methodology, referred to as Liquid TissueTM, was used to extract proteins from human cochlear tissue sections and spiral ganglion tissue isolated by laser microdissection (LMD). Protein identification was performed by bioinformatic analysis of high resolution tandem mass spectrometric data from fractionated tryptic peptide samples. Results: Twenty-six proteins were identified with a minimum of 2 unique peptides and 450 proteins were identified with 1 unique peptide at a confidence level of 95% in cochlear tissue. Ten proteins were identified with a minimum of 2 unique peptides and 485 proteins were identified with 1 unique peptide at a confidence level of 95% in spiral ganglion tissue.
TangentBug: A Range-Sensor-Based Navigation Algorithm

The Bug family algorithms navigate a 2-DOF mobile robot in a completely unknown environment using sensors. TangentBug is a new algorithm in this family, specifically designed for using a range sensor. TangentBug uses the range data to compute a locally short est path, based on a novel structure termed the local tangent graph (LTG). The robot uses the LTG for choosing the locally optimal di rection while moving toward the target, and for making local short- cuts and testing a leaving condition while moving along an obstacle boundary. The transition between these two modes of motion is governed by a globally convergent criterion, which is based on the distance of the robot from the target. We analyze the properties of TangentBug, and present simulation results that show that Tangent Bug consistently performs better than the classical Bug algorithms. The simulation results also show that TangentBug produces paths that in simple environments approach the globally optimal path, as the sensor's maximal detection-range increases. The algorithm can be readily implemented on a mobile robot, and we discuss one such implementation.
Content-Based Image Retrieval Using Combined Color and Texture Features Extracted by Multi-resolution Multi-direction Filtering

In this paper, we present a new texture image retrieval method which combines color and texture features extracted from images by a set of multi-resolution multi-direction (MRMD) filters. The MRMD filter set chosen is simple and can be separable to low and high frequency information, and provides efficient multiresolution and multi-direction analysis. The color space used is HSV color space separable to hue, saturation, and value components, which are easily analyzed as showing characteristics similar to the human visual system. This experiment is conducted by comparing precision vs. recall of retrieval and feature vector dimensions. Images for experiments include Corel DB and VisTex DB; Corel_MR DB and VisTex_MR DB, which are transformed from the aforementioned two DBs to have multi-resolution images; and Corel_MD DB and VisTex_MD DB, transformed from the two DBs to have multi-direction images. According to the experimental results, the proposed method improves upon the existing methods in aspects of precision and recall of retrieval, and also reduces feature vector dimensions.
Short‐Term In Vitro Culture and Molecular Analysis of the Microsporidian, Enterocytozoon bieneusi

ABSTRACT. The microsporidium, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, causes a severe, debilitating, chronic diarrhea in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Specific diagnosis of intestinal microsporidiosis, especially due to Enterocytozoon, is difficult and there is no known therapy that can completely eradicate this parasite. Preliminary studies indicate that a short term (about 6 months) in vitro culture of this parasite yielding low numbers of spores, may be established by inoculating human lung fibroblasts and/or monkey kidney cell cultures with duodenal aspirates and or biopsy from infected patients. The cultures may subsequently be used for the isolation and molecular analysis of parasite DNA.
Process system fault source tracing based on Bayesian networks

Process systems are different from discrete manufacturing systems in that they are composed of many interlocking subsystems that consist of various tightly coupled units. Hence, whenever a small unit of a subsystem functions badly, it could influence or cause the whole system to function abnormally. Under this circumstance, how to locate abnormal or failed units will be a very formidable task. By introducing Bayesian networks into the tracking of fault sources in process systems, a new method of fault source tracing is proposed, and a model is set up accordingly. To guarantee the accuracy of the modeling process, a series of rules which must be abided by are defined. And, a mapping between the Bayesian network and the units of a process system is developed. Furthermore, to make full use of this new Bayesian network model, its probability characteristics and the problem-solving method exploiting it are expanded and investigated in depth. Additionally, a complete reasoning for the fault source tracing based on the Bayesian network is described. Finally, an example is provided to demonstrate the modeling and reasoning processes, and thereby verifies the practicality and validity of this model in tracing abnormalities in process systems.
Large deviations, hypotheses testing, and source coding for finite Markov chains

Let \{X_{n}\} n \geq 1 be a finite Markov chain with transition probability matrix of strictly positive entries. A large deviation theorem is proved for the empirical transition count matrix and is used to get asymptotically optimal critical regions for testing simple hypotheses about the transition matrix. As a corollary, the error exponent in the source coding theorem for \{X_{n}\} is obtained. These results generalize the corresponding results for the independent and identically distributed case.
High-Frequency Propagation on Printed Circuit Board Using a Material With a Low Dielectric Constant, a Low Dielectric Loss, and a Flat Surface

For the next-generation printed circuit boards with a fine pattern, low power consumption and high-speed propagation with low variation of signal propagation must be satisfied. In order to meet such requirements, we investigated a dielectric material for printed circuit boards which has three superior features: low dielectric constant (permittivity), low dielectric loss, and a flat surface with sufficient adhesion force for plating metal. The propagation loss of a microstrip line on the developed material is about 40% of the conventional material at 10 GHz. Significant reduction of the manufacturing fluctuation of the developed materials is achieved due to the flat surface. We adopted a distributed constant model to the propagation results and revealed that the significant reduction of the propagation loss is caused by the flat surface and low dielectric loss. This technology greatly contributes to the next generation of printed circuit boards.
Term preeclampsia is associated with minimal histopathological placental features regardless of clinical severity

Preeclampsia (PET) is a serious complication of pregnancy, which is associated with uteroplacental disease and reduced uteroplacental perfusion. One of the histological features in placentas from pregnancies complicated by PET is infarction, representing focal severe uteroplacental ischaemia. This study examines the relationship between gestation at induced delivery and the prevalence of placental infarction using a placental pathology database to identify induced or operative deliveries on the basis of severe PET. The clinical and pathological findings were reviewed. Thirty-seven cases were identified, (4.9% of all placentas submitted). In 16 (43%), non-peripheral significant infarcts were identified histologically, including 13/20 (65%) requiring delivery before 34 weeks' compared to 3/17 (17%) requiring delivery ⩾ 34 weeks (z = 2.9, P < 0.01). Histological infarction is common in placentas from pregnancies complicated by severe PET but the prevalence is significantly greater in cases requiring delivery at earlier gestations, even when similar clinical indications for delivery are applied.
Recombinant Influenza A Viruses with Enhanced Levels of PB1 and PA Viral Protein Expression

ABSTRACT Influenza A viruses containing the promoter mutations G3A/C8U in a given segment express increased levels of the corresponding viral protein during infection due to increased levels of mRNA or cRNA species. The replication of these recombinant viruses is attenuated, and they have an enhanced shedding of noninfectious particles and are incapable of antagonizing interferon (IFN) effectively. Our findings highlight the possibility of increasing influenza virus protein expression and the need for a delicate balance between influenza viral replication, protein expression, and assembly.
FistPointer: Target Selection Technique using Mid-air Interaction for Mobile VR Environment

We present a target selection technique using mid-air interaction behind a smartphone for mobile virtual reality (VR) environments. This is realized by using a smartphone as a head-mounted display with a cardboard viewer. Our technique displays a pointer on the screen corresponding to the position of the hand, which is detected by the built-in back camera of the smartphone. The user can move the pointer by moving the hand in a thumbs-up position. The user can also select a target by folding the thumb, similarly to pushing a joystick button. Our technique can be implemented using only a smartphone with a built-in back camera; therefore, it is easy to apply to target selection in mobile VR environments. To test the feasibility of the design, we prototyped a proof-of-concept implementation. Furthermore, we developed a game using our technique and investigated user impressions.
Political Attitudes Social Dominance Orientation : Revisiting the Structure and Function of a Variable Predicting Social and

Social dominance orientation (SDO) is one of the most powerful predictors of intergroup attitudes and behavior. Although SDO works well as a unitary construct, some analyses suggest it might consist of two complementary dimensions— SDO-Dominance (SDO-D), or the preference for some groups to dominate others, and SDO-Egalitarianism (SDO-E), a preference for nonegalitarian intergroup relations. Using seven samples from the United States and Israel, the authors confirm factor-analytic evidence and show predictive validity for both dimensions. In the United States, SDO-D was theorized and found to be more related to old-fashioned racism, zero-sum competition, and aggressive intergroup phenomena than SDO-E; SDO-E better predicted more subtle legitimizing ideologies, conservatism, and opposition to redistributive social policies. In a contentious hierarchical intergroup context (the Israeli–Palestinian context), SDO-D better predicted both conservatism and aggressive intergroup attitudes. Fundamentally, these analyses begin to establish the existence of complementary psychological orientations underlying the preference for group-based dominance and inequality.
EEPROM Compact Model with SILC Simulation Capability

The objective of this paper is to present a EEPROM compact model suitable for SILC simulation. The SILC module allows simulating the retention capability of the cell after stress. Test chip array distribution and standard tunnel capacitor are used to extract the SILC module parameters. Thus the extraction procedure is detailed. The description of the complete model is presented. A simulation example is given and validated versus measurements.
Impact of Fluoride on Growth and its Accumulation in Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacterial Species

In the present study the growth kinetics and plant growth promoting properties of two rhizobial strains P33 and P34 have studied under the presence of fluoride as a toxicant. The rhizobacterial strains were isolated from the root nodules and rhizosphere of chickpea plants(Cicer arietinum) grown in local agricultural fields of Fazilka district of Punjab and designated as Pseudomonas fluorescens strain Sufi-1 and Pseudomonas sp. strain Sufi-2 after 16S rDNA study. The impact of fluoride has examined on the growth at different intervals of time and pH range. The movement of fluoride from media to the bacterial cells was checked by ISE method. Data analysis clearly indicates the interference of fluoride on growth of the rhizobacteria by its absorption from the media but its toxicity effect is higher at neutral pH as compare to acidic and basic range.
Tangent-Based Binary Image Abstraction

We present a tangent flow-based image abstraction framework that turns a color or grayscale image into a two-tone image, which contains only black and white color, but retains sufficient information such that the viewer can still recognize the main content of the original image by observing the output of a two-tone image. Usually, the relevant visual information is presented by the edge. Thus, the algorithm will enhance the edge content first by the tangent flow to preserve its detail. We use filters to smooth the input image to reduce the contrast in low contrast regions and enhance some important features. Then we turn the image into a two-tone image as output. We can reduce the size of the image significantly but retain sufficient information to capture the main point of the image through our method. At the end of our process, we provide a smoothing step to smooth the two-tone image. Through this step, we can get an artistic black-and-white image.
Spontaneous fracture of the genial tubercles of the mandible: A case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE To present a case of spontaneous fracture of the genial tubercles of the mandible and a review of the literature. BACKGROUND Resorption of the mandible is well documented in edentulous patients. During this process, the genial tubercles, origin for both genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles, become more prominent and prone to trauma especially from poorly fitted lower full dentures and lead to fracture and separation of the genial tubercles from the mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS An 85 year old patient with the above presentation was monitored and documented to present this case report. A literature search was carried out to identify any previous reports of this type of fracture, and their diagnosis and treatment modalities. RESULTS This case is extremely rare with only 17 cases reported in the literature. CONCLUSION Although rare, fractured genial tubercles should be considered in the differential diagnosis for a painful swelling in the floor of the mouth in the edentulous patient.
A comparative analysis of primate first metatarsals: Implications for Ardipithecus ramidus

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRIMATE FIRST METATARSALS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ARDIPITHECUS RAMIDUS Kristine Mitchell, M.A. Department of Anthropology Northern Illinois University, 2014 Daniel Gebo, Director Ardipithecus ramidus is a controversial fossil in terms of its phyletic position relative to the hominid lineage. Lovejoy and White argue that Ar. ramidus is a stem hominid while others, like Wood, Harrison and Sarmiento, do not agree and propose alternative interpretations. These later authors argue that the proposed “human-like” characteristics used by Lovejoy and White to support their stem hominid hypothesis can also be attributed to other lineages, like fossil apes, and they further believe that Ar. ramidus might not even be a hominid at all. Given these alternative interpretations concerning Ardipithecus, the first metatarsal of Ar. ramidus was examined relative to early fossil humans such as O.H. 8 (Homo habilis), A.L. 333-54 (Australopithecus afarensis), A.L. 333-115 (A. afarensis), the great apes, gibbons, and finally to modern humans to help inform the debate on the inferred locomotive strategies and phyletic placement of Ar. ramidus. A comparative anatomical approach was utilized to assess the morphological ratios of these taxa relative to each other. The eleven measurements of the first metatarsal included aspects of the shaft, the distal articular surface, and the proximal articular surface. The results show that Ar. ramidus has more features in common with non-human primates than to modern humans and does not exhibit any of the unique first metatarsal characteristics linked to modern humans and bipedality. Ar. ramidus shows a mosaic of first metatarsal characteristics in comparison to the ape species examined here. Human-like bipedality was unlikely to have been the main form of locomotion of Ar. ramidus and this study suggests that Ar. ramidus is not the best representation for the last common ancestor of chimpanzees and modern humans.
Compact, low-loss, micromachined rectangular coaxial millimeter-wave power combining networks

Compact air-dielectric rectangular coaxial power combiners are constructed using the PolyStrata process. Designs for 2-1 combiners centered at 60 GHz 94 GHz are presented, as well as a 4-1 combiner centered at 60 GHz. The simulated insertion loss across the bands of the 60 GHz and 94 GHz combiners is 0.11 dB and 0.1 dB, respectively. Both bands of the 2-1 combiner exhibit output isolation of greater than 14 dB. An implementation of a “direct” 4-1 combiner is presented; simulated insertion loss of less than 0.15 dB and output isolation of greater than 18 dB are also reported. Measured results of back-to-back combiners for all designs and frequencies discussed herein are presented. Good agreement with simulated results is shown.
Synaptic and Nuclear Localization of Brain-Enriched Guanylate Kinase-Associated Protein

Brain-enriched guanylate kinase-associated protein (BEGAIN) interacts with postsynaptic density (PSD)-95/synapse-associated protein (SAP) 90. In immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, BEGAIN was detected in nuclei and at synapses in neurons. Nuclear localization was also confirmed through subcellular fractionation. BEGAIN was localized exclusively in nuclei when expressed in epithelial cells. These findings led us to analyze the mechanism to determine the subcellular localization of BEGAIN in neurons. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged BEGAIN appeared first in nuclei and subsequently accumulated at dendrites. Approximately 75 and 90% of GFP-BEGAIN clusters were colocalized with synaptophysin and PSD-95/SAP90, respectively. GFP-protein containing only the N-terminal region also formed foci in nuclei and clusters at dendrites. The N-terminal BEGAIN was not precisely targeted to synapses, although it was partially localized at synapses, possibly through dimer formation with endogenous BEGAIN. The truncated form of PSD-95/SAP90 containing the guanylate kinase domain blocked synaptic targeting of BEGAIN but did not affect cluster formation at dendrites. NMDA receptor antagonists blocked localization of GFP-BEGAIN at synapses but did not affect recruitment to dendrites. These results suggest that BEGAIN is recruited to dendrites by the N-terminal region independently of NMDA receptor activity and that synaptic targeting of BEGAIN depends on NMDA receptor activity and may be mediated by interaction with PSD-95/SAP90.
Seasonal Variations in the Clinical Presentation of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Epidemiological evidence that Crohn's disease could be a transmissible condition is limited. The case histories of 211 patients with Crohn's disease and 201 patients with ulcerative colitis have been scrutinized to ascertain whether there is a seasonal variation in the onset of symptomatic disease. Crohn's disease has a peak onset in January and July whereas ulcerative colitis has a possible peak of onset in December. A hypothesis is proposed that these findings provide epidemiological evidence, suggesting that Crohn's disease could be a transmissible condition, and that Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis may not be aetiologically related.
Multiple 5'-flanking regions of the human alpha-skeletal actin gene synergistically modulate muscle-specific expression

Transfection into myogenic and nonmyogenic cell lines was used to investigate the transcriptional regulation of the human alpha-skeletal actin gene. We demonstrated that 1,300 base pairs of the 5'-flanking region directed high-level transient expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene in differentiated mouse C2C12 and rat L8 myotubes but not in mouse nonmuscle L.TK- and HuT-12 cells. Unidirectional 5' deletion analysis and heterologous promoter stimulation experiments demonstrated that at least three transcription-regulating subdomains lie in this 1,300-base-pair region. A proximal cis-acting transcriptional element located between positions -153 and -87 relative to the start of transcription at +1 was both sufficient and necessary for muscle-specific expression and developmental regulation during myogenesis in the two myogenic cell systems. The region 3' of position -87 interacted with factors present in both myogenic and fibroblastic cells and appeared to define, or to be a major component of, the basal promoter. In C2C12 myotubes, but not in L8 myotubes, a distal sequence domain between positions -1300 and -626 and the proximal sequence domain between positions -153 and -87 each induced transcription about 10-fold and synergistically increased CAT expression 100-fold over levels achieved by the sequences 3' of position -87. Furthermore, these cis-acting elements independently and synergistically modulated an enhancerless, heterologous simian virus 40 promoter in a tissue-specific manner. DNA fragments which included the proximal domain displayed classical enhancerlike properties. The central region between positions -626 and -153, although required in neither cell line, had a positive, two- to threefold, additive role in augmenting expression in L8 cells but not in C2C12 cells. This suggests that certain elements between positions -1300 and -153 appear to be differentially utilized for maximal expression in different myogenic cells and that the particular combination of domains used is dependent on the availability, in kind or amount, of trans-acting, transcription-modulating factors present in each cell type. Thus, multiple myogenic factors that vary qualitatively and quantitatively may be responsible for the different and complex modulatory programs of actin gene expression observed during in vivo muscle differentiation.