Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autotrophic Production of Stable-Isotope-Labeled Arginine in Ralstonia eutropha Strain H16

ABSTRACT With the aim of improving industrial-scale production of stable-isotope (SI)-labeled arginine, we have developed a system for the heterologous production of the arginine-containing polymer cyanophycin in recombinant strains of Ralstonia eutropha under lithoautotrophic growth conditions. We constructed an expression plasmid based on the cyanophycin synthetase gene (cphA) of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6308 under the control of the strong P cbbL promoter of the R. eutropha H16 cbbc operon (coding for autotrophic CO2 fixation). In batch cultures growing on H2 and CO2 as sole sources of energy and carbon, respectively, the cyanophycin content of cells reached 5.5% of cell dry weight (CDW). However, in the absence of selection (i.e., in antibiotic-free medium), plasmid loss led to a substantial reduction in yield. We therefore designed a novel addiction system suitable for use under lithoautotrophic conditions. Based on the hydrogenase transcription factor HoxA, this system mediated stabilized expression of cphA during lithoautotrophic cultivation without the need for antibiotics. The maximum yield of cyanophycin was 7.1% of CDW. To test the labeling efficiency of our expression system under actual production conditions, cells were grown in 10-liter-scale fermentations fed with 13CO2 and 15NH4Cl, and the 13C/15N-labeled cyanophycin was subsequently extracted by treatment with 0.1 M HCl; 2.5 to 5 g of [13C/15N]arginine was obtained per fed-batch fermentation, corresponding to isotope enrichments of 98.8% to 99.4%.
Quantitative morphology of human retrolaminar optic nerve vasculature.

PURPOSE To quantify the variation in the blood supply of the retrolaminar optic nerve in humans. The retrolaminar anterior optic nerve is supplied by an elliptical arterial "circle" of Haller and Zinn formed by anastomoses around the optic nerve between medial and lateral paraoptic short posterior ciliary arteries (PO-SPCAs). The frequency with which complete perioptic nerve arteriolar anastomoses (PONAA) occur is unknown, yet they form the basis for many postulated pathophysiological mechanisms. METHODS Scanning electron microscopy was performed on 25 orbital and ocular microvascular corrosion casts (methyl methacrylate) from 20 human cadavers of subjects 21 to 97 years of age without known ocular disease. RESULTS Eighteen casts were examined in detail after microdissection (the analysis of seven casts was limited because of their fragility). In 15/18 (83%) casts, the PONAA were supplied by branches of a medial and lateral PO-SPCA; in 2/18, they were supplied by one (lateral) PO-SPCA; and in 1/18, they were supplied by a superior PO-SPCA and two horizontal PO-SPCAs. The PONAA had intact superior and inferior anastomoses in 8/18 (44%) casts, anastomoses with narrowed portions in 6/18 (33%), and incomplete in 4/18 (23%). Narrowed portions were not preferentially distributed to either superior or inferior anastomoses. CONCLUSIONS Complete PONAA was found in more than 75% of casts, including anastomoses with narrow portions in 33% of casts.
A vision based algorithm for active robot localization

This paper describes a method to localize a mobile robot in a structured indoor environment from visual information provided by omnidirectional images. In particular, an approximate algorithm for active robot localization in partially observable environments based on a POMDP model is introduced. Results from many different tests are presented to prove the setting of algorithm parameters. They show that a localization accuracy of less than 25 cm can be achieved even with a partial knowledge of the environment. Besides, the proposed approximated algorithm reduces the computational cost without degrading results.
Pragmatic Annotation of Discourse Markers in a Multilingual Parallel Corpus (Arabic- Spanish-English)

Discourse structure and coherence relations are one of the main inferential challenges addressed by computational pragmatics. The present study focuses on discourse markers as key elements in guiding the inferences of the statements in natural language. Through a rule-based approach for the automatic identification, classification and annotation of the discourse markers in a multilingual parallel corpus (Arabic-Spanish-English), this research provides a valuable resource for the community. Two main aspects define the novelty of the present study. First, it offers a multilingual computational processing of discourse markers, grounded on a theoritical framework and implemented in a XML tagging scheme. The XML scheme represents a set of pragmatic and grammatical attributes, considered as basic features for the different kinds of discourse markers. Besides, the scheme provides a typology of discourse markers based on their discursive functions including hypothesis, co-argumentation, cause, consequence, concession, generalization, topicalization, reformulation, enumeration, synthesis, etc. Second, Arabic language is addressed from a computational pragmatic perspective where the identification, classification and annotation processes are carried out using the information provided from the tagging of Spanish discourse markers and the alignments.
Driver identification using automobile sensor data from a single turn

As automotive electronics continue to advance, cars are becoming more and more reliant on sensors to perform everyday driving operations. These sensors are omnipresent and help the car navigate, reduce accidents, and provide comfortable rides. However, they can also be used to learn about the drivers themselves. In this paper, we propose a method to predict, from sensor data collected at a single turn, the identity of a driver out of a given set of individuals. We cast the problem in terms of time series classification, where our dataset contains sensor readings at one turn, repeated several times by multiple drivers. We build a classifier to find unique patterns in each individual's driving style, which are visible in the data even on such a short road segment. To test our approach, we analyze a new dataset collected by AUDI AG and Audi Electronics Venture, where a fleet of test vehicles was equipped with automotive data loggers storing all sensor readings on real roads. We show that turns are particularly well-suited for detecting variations across drivers, especially when compared to straightaways. We then focus on the 12 most frequently made turns in the dataset, which include rural, urban, highway on-ramps, and more, obtaining accurate identification results and learning useful insights about driver behavior in a variety of settings.
A General and Formal Methodology to Design Stable Nonlinear Fuzzy Control Systems

The price to be paid for the great dynamic richness of nonlinear systems is the lack of a unitary theory that allows control-system design to be tacked in a way that is parallel or analogous to that of linear systems. We propose a general methodology that uses fuzzy logic to systematically and formally synthesize nonlinear control systems, which are stable by design. Although this methodology is based on Lyapunov theory, it avoids searching for Lyapunov functions. This allows the synthesis procedure to be systematic as well as formal and, especially, independent of heuristics. Some examples of nonlinear control are solved in this paper, thus allowing assessment of the proposed methodology.
L'utilisation des contrastes dans l'analyse des données : Comment tester les hypothèses spécifiques dans la recherche en psychologie ?

Omnibus tests with multiple degrees of freedom test relatively vague questions whereas most hypotheses that we derive from our theoretical models make quite precise predictions. In order to respond to this level of precision, we suggest to test specific contrasts rather than to perform omnibus tests. Two conditions have to be satisfied before one can claim that a given contrast is a parsimonious description of the observed means : 1 I the contrast itself has to explain a significant part of the variance, and 2 I if one statistically controls for the effects of this contrast, the residual variance has to be non- significant. Using specific examples, this article presents the analyses that allow researchers to test these two conditions in different experimental designs.
Romantic Partners, Weight Status, and Weight Concerns

In this study, romantic partners’ weight status and weight concerns were examined using the Actor—Partner Interdependence Model. One hundred and four heterosexual couples’ (N = 208 participants) weight and height were assessed by researchers to compute body mass index and participants’ weight concerns were assessed. As expected, results indicated that participants’ weight concerns were associated with their weight status. Further, men and women who were relatively heavy and who had relatively thin romantic partners were most likely to express weight concerns. These findings extend our understanding of romantic partners’ relevance to individuals’ weight management and weight concerns.
Parameterized Robust Control Invariant Sets for Linear Systems: Theoretical Advances and Computational Remarks

We characterize a family of parametrized robust control invariant sets for linear discrete time systems subject to additive but bounded state disturbances. The existence of a member of the introduced family of parametrized robust control invariant sets can be verified by solving a tractable convex optimization problem in the linear convex case, which reduces to the standard linear or convex quadratic programme in the linear polytopic case. The developed method can also be utilized to detect and obtain an implicit representation of local control Lyapunov functions in the linear convex case from the solution of a single and tractable convex optimization problem. The offered method permits for the computation of polytopic robust control invariant sets and local control Lyapunov functions of indirectly controlled and limited complexity in the linear polytopic case.
Frontal brain activation during a working memory task: a time-domain fNIRS study

We evaluated frontal brain activation during a working memory task with graded levels of difficulty in a group of 19 healthy subjects, by means of time-resolved fNIRS technique. Brain activation was computed, and was then separated into a "block-related" and a "tonic" components. Load-related increases of blood oxygenation were studied for the four different levels of task difficulty. Generalized Linear Models were applied to the data in order to explore the metabolic processes occurring during the mental effort and, possibly, their involvement in short term memorization. Results attest the presence of a persistent attentional-related metabolic activity, superimposed to a task-related mnemonic contribution. Moreover, a systemic component probably deriving from the extra-cerebral capillary bed was detected.
Expression of Endogenous Betaretroviruses in the Ovine Uterus: Effects of Neonatal Age, Estrous Cycle, Pregnancy, and Progesterone

ABSTRACT The ovine genome contains 15 to 20 copies of endogenous retroviruses (enJSRVs) highly related to the oncogenic jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and enzootic nasal tumor virus. enJSRVs are highly expressed in the endometrial lumenal epithelia (LE) and glandular epithelia (GE) of the ovine uterus. The effects of neonatal age, estrous cycle, pregnancy, and progesterone on expression of enJSRVs in the ovine uterus were determined. Expression of enJSRV RNAs was absent from the uterus of ewes at birth, but enJSRV RNAs were expressed specifically in the LE and developing GE from postnatal day (PND) 7 to PND 56. In adult ewes, enJSRV RNAs were detected only in the epithelia of the uterine endometrium, as well as epithelia of the oviduct, cervix, and vagina. In cyclic ewes, endometrial enJSRV RNA abundance was lowest on day 1, increased 12-fold between days 1 and 13, and then decreased to day 15. In pregnant ewes, levels of endometrial enJSRV RNAs were high on day 11, increased to day 13, and then decreased to day 19. In day 17 and 19 conceptuses, enJSRV RNAs were also detected in binucleate cells of the trophectoderm. Immunoreactive JSRV capsid and envelope proteins were detected in the endometrial LE and GE, as well as in the binucleate cells of the conceptus. In transfection assays utilizing ovine endometrial LE cells, progesterone increased transcriptional activity of several enJSRV long terminal repeats. Collectively, these results indicate that transcription of enJSRVs in the endometrial epithelia of the ovine uterus is increased by progesterone and might support a role for enJSRVs in conceptus-endometrium interactions during the peri-implantation period and early placental morphogenesis.
Involvement of cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) in the synovial cell hyperfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To elucidate a possible role of cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial cell function, we have studied CREB expression of synovial cells and the effects of an inhibitor of the cAMP/CREB signal pathway on synovial cell function in patients with RA. METHODS We examined CREB expression by immunohistochemical staining, immunocytochemical staining, and gel shift assays. Effects of cAMP/CREB inhibitor on the proliferation of RA synovial cells were assessed by [3H]-TdR incorporation, and those on proinflammatory cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production by reverse transcription PCR and ELISAs. RESULTS Immunohistochemical staining of synovial tissue revealed that CREB is expressed mainly in the lining and sublining layers of synovium in patients with RA. DNA binding activity of CREB was ascertained by a gel shift assay. We also confirmed nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of CREB in TNF-alpha stimulated RA fibroblast-like synovial cells by immunocytochemical staining. Modulators of cAMP/CREB signaling pathway, such as Rp-cAMP, had an inhibitory potential on RA synovial cell proliferation in vitro. Rp-cAMP also inhibited the proinflammatory cytokine and MMP production. CONCLUSION CREB is involved in the synovial cell activity in patients with RA. Inhibition of CREB activity by its inhibitor brings about the correction of aberrant synovial cell functions in patients with RA, thus suggesting a possible clinical application of cAMP/CREB inhibitors.
Instrumentation Analysis: An Automated Method for Producing Numeric Abstractions of Heap-Manipulating Programs

A number of questions regarding programs involving heap-based data structures can be phrased as questions about numeric properties of those structures. A data structure traversal might terminate if the length of some path is eventually zero or a function to remove n elements from a collection may only be safe if the collection has size at least n. In this thesis, we develop proof methods for reasoning about the connection between heap-manipulating programs and numeric programs. In addition, we develop an automatic method for producing numeric abstractions of heap-manipulating programs. These numeric abstractions are expressed as simple imperative programs over integer variables and have the feature that if a property holds of the numeric program, then it also holds of the original, heap-manipulating program. This is true for both safety and liveness. The abstraction procedure makes use of a shape analysis based on separation logic and has support for user-defined inductive data structures. We also discuss a number of applications of this technique. Numeric abstractions, once obtained, can be analyzed with a variety of existing verification tools. Termination provers can be used to reason about termination of the numeric abstraction, and thus termination of the original program. Safety checkers can be used to reason about assertion safety. And bound inference tools can be used to obtain bounds on the values of program variables. With small changes to the program source, bounds analysis also allows the computation of symbolic bounds on memory use and computational complexity.
The Motivations of Iranian Patients With Cardiovascular Disease to Seek Health Information: A Qualitative Study

Background Cardiovascular patients need information to preserve and promote their health, but not all of them have the necessary motivation to seek relevant health knowledge. Objectives The present study analyzed experiences of patients, family caregivers, and healthcare providers to explore the motivating factors that cause cardiovascular patients to seek important health information. Patients and Methods This study was conducted using a qualitative approach and conventional qualitative content analysis method. Thirty-six people, including 18 cardiovascular patients, 7 family caregivers, and 11 healthcare providers (from multidisciplinary backgrounds) participated in the study. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and purposeful sampling and continued until data saturation. Data collection and analysis proceeded simultaneously and with constant comparison; this study was carried out from May 2012 to May 2013. Results During the analysis process, three main themes were extracted that characterized participants’ experiences, perceptions, and motivations to seek health information. The themes were “Optimizing quality of life, “Desire for personal rights to be respected,” and “Gaining confidence through consultation. ” Conclusions Our findings showed that, through seeking information, patients try to achieve well-being and realize their personal rights as well as their right to security. They should also be encouraged to enhance their quality of life by using the Knowles’ learning theory to formulate their needs and learning priorities.
Tidal disruptions of separated binaries in galactic nuclei

Several galaxies have exhibited X-ray ares that are consistent with the tidal disruption of a star by a central supermassive black hole. In theoretical treatments of this process it is usually assumed that the star was initially on a nearly parabolic orbit relative to the black hole. Such an assumption leads in the simplest approximation to a t 5=3 decay of the bolometric luminosity and this is indeed consistent with the relatively poorly sampled light curves of such ares. We point out that there is another regime in which the decay would be dierent: if a binary is tidally separated and the star that remains close to the hole is eventually tidally disrupted from a moderate eccentricity orbit, the decay is slower, typically t 1:2 . As a result, careful sampling of the light curves of such ares could distinguish between these processes and yield insight into the dynamics of binaries as well as single stars in galactic centres. We explore this process using three-body simulations and analytic treatments and discuss the consequences for present-day X-ray detections and future gravitational wave observations.
“Being Gay Guy, That is the Advantage”: Queer Korean Language Learning and Identity Construction

This study works against heteronormativity, which is prevalent in the second language acquisition field, adding queer perspectives to the growing body of research that questions a narrower, 1-dimensional view of the language learner. There is a common belief that learning an additional language (L2) while surrounded by L2 speakers in a naturalistic setting is best. Theories of identity and language learning have destabilized this notion, pointing to the effects of ongoing identity construction on learning. While forming identities in the L2, a learner invests in certain groups of speakers (often imagined communities), leading them to seek out such speakers. Access to speakers in real naturalistic settings is not guaranteed, and social marginalization often prevents learning. This qualitative study explores the naturalistic language-learning experiences of 3 Korean gay men whose marginalized sexual identities assist them with access while articulating other aspects of their identities (e.g., race, nationality) as well as sexual desire.
The amino‐terminal fragment of human urokinase directs a recombinant chimeric toxin to target cells: internalization is toxin mediated

In contrast to two‐chain urokinase (uPA), a chemical conjugate between uPA and native saporin (a cytotoxic plant seed ribosome‐inactivating protein) did not require plasminogen activator inhibitors to be internalized. To dissect this pathway, we constructed a chimera consisting of the amino‐terminal fragment (ATF) of human urokinase fused to a saporin isoform (SAP‐3). The chimeric ATF‐SAP toxin was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized for its ribosome‐inactivating activity. Besides being a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis in cell‐free assays, ATF‐SAP was specifically cytotoxic toward cells expressing human uPAR. Competition experiments indicated that both the human uPAR and the LDL‐related receptor protein are involved in mediating the cell killing ability of ATF‐SAP. We conclude that neither plasminogen activator inhibitors nor the catalytic moiety of urokinase are necessary to initiate these internalization pathways. Thus, saporin may play a role similar to plasminogen activator inhibitors in its ability to trigger internalization of uPAR‐bound ligands through endocytic receptors. —Fabbrini, M. S. , Carpani, D. , Bello‐Rivero, I. , Soria, M. R. The amino‐terminal fragment of human urokinase directs a recombinant chimeric toxin to target cells: internalization is toxin‐mediated. FASEB J. 11, 1169–1176 (1997)
Helper secrets: invisible stressors in hospice work

The demanding and emotionally complicated nature of hospice and oncology work can lead to self-doubts and other embarrassing and distressing thoughts and feelings about oneself as a helper. These troubling thoughts and feelingsfornithe core of helper secrets. This article presents an exploratory analysis of helper secrets gathered from 200 hospice workers. Factors contributing to the development, persistence, and stressful nature of helper secrets are discussed. Staff support groups and strengthened social support networks are recommendedas antidotes to these invisible stressors.
Individual differences in emotional reactivity moderate the strength of the relationship between attentional and implicit-memory biases towards threat-related stimuli

The study investigated whether the strength of the relationship between attentional and implicit-memory biases for threat-related material can be moderated by individual differences in temperament and personality. A spatial cueing task, where task-irrelevant angry, happy, and neutral faces acted as spatial cues preceding a target, was immediately followed by an unexpected “old/new” task involving previously presented faces. Temperament-based emotional reactivity (ER; one's typical response strength to emotional stimuli) predicted improved memory performance for angry faces in the “old/new” task. Critically, the relationship between the attentional bias towards threat (indexed by a cue validity index, i.e., a difference in response times on trials where cues with angry expression were presented in the same versus different location to the subsequent target) and enhanced implicit-memory for previously presented task-irrelevant threat-related information was found to be moderated by ER. The current findings provide the first evidence that temperament traits can offer novel insights into the mechanisms enhancing cognitive biases towards threat in the typical population.