Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluorescent Whole-Cell Hybridization with 16S rRNA-Targeted Oligonucleotide Probes To Identify Brucellaspp. by Flow Cytometry

ABSTRACT A whole-cell hybridization assay with fluorescent oligonucleotide probes derived from the 16S rRNA sequence of Brucella abortus in combination with flow cytometry has been developed. With the three fluorescent probes selected, a positive signal was observed with all the representative strains of the species and biovars of Brucella and with a total of nine differentBrucella clinical isolates. Using the B9 probe in the hybridization assay, it was possible to discriminate betweenBrucella suis biovars 2, 3, 4, and 5 and almost all the other Brucella spp. On the basis of differences in fluorescence intensities, no discrimination was established betweenBrucella spp. and other phylogenetically related microorganisms. No positive fluorescence signals were detected with any of the bacteria showing serological cross-reactions withBrucella spp. and with a total of 17 clinical isolates not belonging to the genus Brucella. These results suggest that the 16S rRNA whole-cell hybridization technique could be a valuable diagnostic tool for the detection and identification ofBrucella spp.
MPPT based on torque control of wind generation

This paper presents a modeling of wind energy systems and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control method of PMSG-based variable speed wind energy conversion system. The model presents the aerodynamic part of the wind turbine, the electric and mechanic parts. The model system is conducted in Matlab/Similink interface. The resultants of various simulations have shown the dynamic performances and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Functional Analysis of CbpA, a DnaJ Homolog and Nucleoid-associated DNA-binding Protein*

DnaK/Hsp70 proteins are universally conserved ATP-dependent molecular chaperones that help proteins adopt and maintain their native conformations. DnaJ/Hsp40 and GrpE are co-chaperones that assist DnaK. CbpA is an Escherichia coli DnaJ homolog. It acts as a multicopy suppressor for dnaJ mutations and functions in vitro in combination with DnaK and GrpE in protein remodeling reactions. CbpA binds nonspecifically to DNA with preference for curved DNA and is a nucleoid-associated protein. The DNA binding and co-chaperone activities of CbpA are modulated by CbpM, a small protein that binds specifically to CbpA. To identify the regions of CbpA involved in the interaction of CbpA with CbpM and those involved in DNA binding, we constructed and characterized deletion and substitution mutants of CbpA. We discovered that CbpA interacted with CbpM through its N-terminal J-domain. We found that the region C-terminal to the J-domain was required for DNA binding. Moreover, we found that the CbpM interaction, DNA binding, and co-chaperone activities were separable; some mutants were proficient in some functions and defective in others.
Serum Evaluation of Angiogenic Cytokines Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor, Hepatocyte Growth Factor and TNF-ALPHA in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Correlation with Bone Marrow Microvascular Density

Recent studies have documented that angiogenesis plays a significant role in haematological malignancies, including mylodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are multifunctional cytokines that potently stimulate angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the microvascular density (MVD) and the serum levels of these angiogenic factors in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In 61 patients with MDS, MVD was measured in bone marrow biopsies and b-FGF, HGF and TNF-α were determined in the serum of the same patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum levels of b-FGF, HGF and TNF-α as well as MVD in the bone marrow were increased in MDS patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001). Levels of b-FGF, HGF and TNF-α were also significantly higher in high-risk for leukemic transformation MDS than in low-risk (p<0.0001). Significant differences were also found regarding MVD in high and low risk patients (p<0.001). Both b-FGF and HGF levels were significant predictors of survival (p<0.0005, log-rank test). The present study showed that serum levels of b-FGF, HGF and TNF-α are significantly increased and dependent on the severity of MDS suggesting that the determination of these parameters may offer considerable information regarding disease progression and prognosis.
Context-aware mathematical expression recognition: An end-to-end framework and a benchmark

In this paper we propose a novel end-to-end framework for mathematical expression (ME) recognition. The method uses a convolutional neural network (CNN) to perform mathematical symbol detection and recognition simultaneously incorporating spatial context, and can handle multi-part and touching symbols effectively. To evaluate the performance, we provide a benchmark that contains MEs both from real-life and synthetic data. Images in our dataset undergo multiple variations such as viewpoint, illumination and background. For training, we use pure synthetic data for saving human labeling effort. The proposed method achieved 87% accuracy of total correct for clear images and 45% for cluttered ones.
A Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Marker Specific for the Bacillus cereus Group Is Diagnostic forBacillus anthracis

ABSTRACT Aiming to develop a DNA marker specific for Bacillus anthracis and able to discriminate this species fromBacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, andBacillus mycoides, we applied the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting technique to a collection of 101 strains of the genus Bacillus, including 61 strains of theB. cereus group. An 838-bp RAPD marker (SG-850) specific for B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. anthracis, and B. mycoides was identified. This fragment included a putative (366-nucleotide) open reading frame highly homologous to the ypuA gene of Bacillus subtilis. The restriction analysis of the SG-850 fragment withAluI distinguished B. anthracis from the other species of the B. cereus group.
Method for determining the emitter and base series resistances of bipolar transistors

A simple method for determining both the emitter and the base series resistances of bipolar transistors from the measured I - V characteristics is described. The method is based on the observation that deviation of the base current from the ideal\exp (qV_{BE}/kT)behavior at high currents can be attributed solely and relatively simply to series resistances. Series resistances determined by this method are given for sample high-speed digital bipolar transistors.
Foraging-Inspired Self-Organisation for Terrain Exploration with Failure-Prone Agents

Mobile ad-hoc sensor systems are employed increasingly for distributed tasks in unreliable conditions, such as terrain exploration and measuring. Here, self-organising solutions can help ensure reliability, availability and scalability, while making use of unreliable components (or agents) with limited resources. These enable agents to act independently, and to exchange and combine their partial solutions into a (more) complete result, which can be transmitted to users before all agents fail. In previous work, we have studied how foraging-inspired self-organisation can help mobile agents achieve a collaborative task -- terrain exploration and information gathering. Obtained results revealed two key aspects impacting success rates: the strategy for exploring as much uncharted terrain as fast as possible, and the strategy for encountering the highest number of agents that hold complementary information. In this paper, we explore further techniques for these aspects and introduce passive pheromone evaporation. Our results show that a hybrid approach improving exploration efficiency features higher success rates than basic stigmergy models, random exploration and Lévy walks.
3D Visualization of Echocardiogram and Blood Flow

Congenital heart defect is a leading cause of children mortality. Two-dimensional echocardiography is a safe and noninvasive diagnostic tool and two-dimensional images can be reconstructed to a three-dimensional model. However, for some complex congenital heart diseases, the visualization of three-dimensional cardiac tissue structure alone is not enough. Visualization of blood flow patterns in a human heart is important to evaluate cardiac disease of patients. Color flow imaging is a well-established ultrasound mode and very valuable for visualizing the distribution of blood flow in a specific region of interest. However, blood flow patterns in a human heart have three-dimensional complex structure and change dynamically, but the output of color flow imaging is usually presented as a two-dimensional image on a cross section of a heart. The authors make use of an echocardiography system to acquire the data which include cardiac tissue structure and blood flow patterns, and construct an interactive visualization system for the three-dimensional heart and blood flow. With the visualization system, which possesses interactivity and a changeable view, users can easily understand the inner cardiac structure and blood flow in the heart. The images that we use are not only from actual patient data, but also from isolated porcine hearts and hearts of living dogs
The role of mRNA structure in translational control in bacteria

During the past few years, our knowledge on RNA-based regulation in many organisms has tremendously increased. In bacteria, although transcriptional regulatory proteins remain key players in gene regulation, a wide variety of post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms discovered highlights the importance of the mRNA structure in the regulation of gene expression. RNA-dependent regulation largely contributes to rapidly adapt the bacterial metabolism in response to environmental changes, stress and in establishment of virulence. Bacteria exploit the extraordinary ability of mRNA to fold into different structures in response to various signals (environmental cues, ligand binding). Induced mRNA conformational rearrangements can potentially regulate transcription, translation and mRNA stability. The present review focuses on the structures of regulatory regions of mRNA that have evolved to permit productive interactions with trans-acting regulators, such as protein or non-coding RNAs. Finally, we describe how particular properties of these regulatory complexes regulate translation initiation.
Index to ring digit ratio in Saudi Arabia at Almadinah Almonawarah province: a direct and indirect measurement study

The digit ratio, or the relative lengths, of the 2nd and 4th digits (2D : 4D) shows a sex difference, with males tending to have lower values in comparison with females. This sex differences arises early in the fetus and may result from the effects of prenatal testosterone and estrogen on the relative growth rate of the 2nd and 4th digits. This study aimed to estimate finger lengths and the 2D : 4D ratios for the first time in Saudi Arabian subjects using direct and indirect measurements, and to evaluate the correlations between both indirect and direct 2D : 4D with adult testosterone and various sexually dimorphic physical traits. The results revealed the following: (i) mean 2D : 4D in Saudi Arabian samples varied from 0.96 to 0.99; (ii) mean 2D : 4D was lower for indirect compared to direct 2D : 4D; (iii) sex differences in indirect 2D : 4D were higher than in direct 2D : 4D measurements; (iv) there were no significant correlations between indirect or direct 2D : 4D and testosterone level; (v) there were four significant correlations between direct 2D : 4D and body size traits but no significant correlations between indirect 2D : 4D and body size.
Integrated Raman - IR Thermography on AlGaN/GaN Transistors

We report on the integrated Raman-IR thermography analysis of AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field effect transistors (HFETs). IR thermography provides fast temperature overviews while micro-Raman enables accurate peak temperature determination with high spatial resolution in selected device areas. Excellent agreement between Raman determined device temperatures and finite difference simulations was achieved in the active device region. IR provided temperature determination over large device areas, and complemented the Raman thermal data. In IR thermography, lateral averaging of temperature in the small active device region resulted in an underestimation of device peak temperature and an overestimation of temperature profile linewidth. Dependent on device layout, depth averaging of device temperature occurs in IR thermography. The developed novel approach opens unique possibilities for the thermal screening of MMICs and reliability optimization
SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism is reported to be associated with lung cancer risk. However, this relationship remains controversial. For better understanding a meta-analysis was therefore performed. METHODS An extensive search was performed to identify all case-control studies investigating association between SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism and lung cancer risk. The strength was assessed by odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS A total of five publications covering 1,669 cases and 1,890 controls were included in this meta-analysis. No significant association between SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism and lung cancer risk was observed in overall comparisons in all genetic models (dominant model: OR=1.33, 95%CI=1.00-1.76, P=0.05; additive model: OR=1.30, 95%CI=0.93-1.81, P=0.12; recessive model: OR=1.21, 95%CI=0.89-1.66, P=0.23). However, on subgroup analysis, an elevated risk in mixed populations with variant His allele was revealed in the dominant model (OR=1.66, 95% CI=1.06-2.62, P=0.03). Furthermore, the SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in both females and males in the dominant model (females: OR=1.72, 95%CI=1.29-2.27, P=0.00; males: OR=1.46, 95%CI=1.19-1.78, P=0.00). No significant association between this polymorphism and different smoking status (smokers and non-smokers) and the other ethnicities (Asians and Caucasians) was shown. CONCLUSIONS The results of this meta-analysis indicate that the SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism is not associated with lung cancer risk in Asians and Caucasians, but possible elevation for genotype (GA/AA) in mixed populations and males and females needs further investigation.
Mechanism of Suppression of Malignancy in Hybrids Between Y 79 Refinoblasroma and NIH 3 T 3 Cells

Hybrids were prepared between Y79 retinoblastoma (RB) and nonmalignant NIH3T3 cells and studied to confirm the presumed recessiveness of RB. Twenty hybrids containing both of the dominant gene markers, pSV2neo and pSV2GPT, initially transfected into the parent cells were isolated. All of the hybrids showed a fibroblastic morphology and anchorage-dependent growth. None of the tested hybrids or the parent NIH3T3 cells showed growth in soft agar; the parent RB cells showed a 15% growth in soft agar. The results indicate suppression of the malignant phenotype in the hybrids, confirming the recessiveness of the malignant phenotype of RB at the cellular functional level. Karyotyping of selected hybrids and the parent cells indicated a cumulative representation of all of the Y79 chromosomes in the hybrids, excluding loss of a specific Y79 chromosome causing the suppression of malignancy. Northern analysis of RNA from the hybrids demonstrated the mRNA of the reported putative mouse RB gene, consistent with the complementation of the Y79 RB gene defect by the normal mouse RB gene in the hybrids. Such a complementation may be a factor in the suppression of the malignant phenotype. Interestingly, the abnormal Y79 RB mRNA was absent in the hybrids, suggesting a possible negative feedback control by the normal mouse RB gene product. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 32:20112019,1991
Evaluation of B-Cell Clonality Using the BIOMED-2 PCR Method Effectively Distinguishes Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma From Benign Lymphoid Infiltrates

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCL) are a diverse group of lymphomas that are limited to the skin at the time of diagnosis. Recently, standardized polymerase chain reaction protocols for immunoglobulin (Ig) rearrangement in nodal malignancies using the BIOMED-2 method have been studied extensively. However, reports of investigations of Ig clonality in CBCL using the BIOMED-2 method have been scant. We hypothesized that clonality detection in CBCL with the BIOMED-2 method could effectively distinguish malignant from benign B-cell-rich infiltrates in the skin. Formalin-fixed tissue samples from 26 patients with CBCL and 23 with benign lymphoid infiltrates were analyzed for Ig clonality using standardized BIOMED-2 polymerase chain reaction protocols. The (14;18) translocation was also assessed. A clone was detected in 22 (85%) of the 26 patients with CBCL [12/15 (80%) marginal zone B-cell lymphoma; 10/11 (91%) follicle center lymphoma] and in 1 (4%) of the 23 patients with benign infiltrates. The (14;18) translocation was present in 3 (12%) of the 26 patients with CBCL [1/15 (7%) marginal zone B-cell lymphoma; 2/11 (18%) follicle center lymphoma]. Our preliminary data indicate that Ig clonality can be detected in formalin-fixed samples of CBCL with meaningful sensitivity (85%) and high specificity (96%) using the BIOMED-2 method. This study forms the basis for further investigating the role of Ig clonality in distinguishing CBCL from benign lymphoid infiltrates that may pose a challenge in morphologic diagnosis.
Liposomes Containing Drug and Cyclodextrin Prepared by the One-Step Spray-Drying Method

The one-step spray-drying method was applied in the preparation of liposomes containing drug and cyclodextrin (CD). Spray-dried lecithin liposomes, entrapping metronidazole or verapamil alone or together with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), were characterized for morphology, size distribution, and drug entrapment efficiency. The main factor influencing the liposomal size was the volume of aqueous medium used for hydration of the spray-dried product. No differences in size or entrapment between liposomes prepared by immediate hydration of dried powder or by hydration after 1 year of powder storage at 4°C were observed. All liposomes were tested for their serum stability. The most stable liposomes (still retaining about 10% of the originally entrapped drug even after 24 hr incubation with serum) were liposomes prepared by the direct spray-drying of the mixture of lipid, drug, and HPβCD.
The relationships between perceived control and episodic memory in adulthood: a review

ABSTRACT The goal of the current paper is to review the literature on the relationships between perceived control and episodic memory throughout adulthood. More specifically, three major questions are pursued: (1) Are higher levels of perceived control related to better memory performance? (2) Is the relationship between perceived control and memory similar or different as a function of age? (3) Does perceived control moderate memory decline? Although there is a great deal of evidence that perceived control and episodic memory are positively related in adulthood, the current review showed that very few studies have investigated whether age moderated this relationship. Moreover, only a limited number of studies have explored the role of perceived control in memory decline, and the results are inconsistent. We suggest some avenues for future research that could help understand by which mechanisms, and under what circumstances, perceived control and episodic memory are related across the lifespan.
Conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural with a functionalized ionic liquid

Fructose can be efficiently converted to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural by using the functionalized ionic liquid 3-(2-chloroethyl)-1-methylimidazolium chloride as both solvent and catalyst in the presence of water. This work advances the field and is distinct from earlier efforts in the sense that the observed yields of HMF from fructose are rather high and the reaction conditions rather mild and neutral in the complete absence of acidic additives (HMF yield 76% at 100 oC in 40 minutes).
Output feedback robust H∞ control of uncertain fuzzy dynamic systems with time-varying delay

This paper presents an output feedback robust H/sup /spl infin// control problem for a class of uncertain fuzzy dynamic systems with time-varying delayed state. The Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model is employed to represent an uncertain nonlinear systems with time-varying delayed state. Using a single quadratic Lyapunov function, the globally exponential stability and disturbance attenuation of the closed-loop fuzzy control system are discussed. Sufficient conditions for the existence of robust H/sup /spl infin// controllers are given in terms of matrix inequalities. Constructive algorithm for design of robust H/sup /spl infin// controller is also developed. The resulting controller is nonlinear and automatically tuned based on fuzzy operation.
The Drosophila Polycomb-group gene Enhancer of zeste contains a region with sequence similarity to trithorax

As is typical of Polycomb-group loci, the Enhancer of zeste [E(z)] gene negatively regulates the segment identity genes of the Antennapedia (ANT-C) and Bithorax (BX-C) gene complexes. A second class of loci, collectively known as the trithorax group, plays an antagonistic role as positive regulators of the ANT-C and BX-C genes. Molecular analysis of the E(z) gene predicts a 760-amino-acid protein product. A region of 116 amino acids near the E(z) carboxy terminus is 41.2% identical (68.4% similar) with a carboxy-terminal region of the trithorax protein. This portion of the trithorax protein is part of a larger region previously shown to share extensive homology with a human protein (ALL-1/Hrx) that is implicated in acute leukemias. Over this same 116 amino acids, E(z) and ALL-1/Hrx are 43.9% identical (68.4% similar). Otherwise, E(z) is not significantly similar to any previously described proteins. As this region of sequence similarity is shared by two proteins with antagonistic functions, we suggest that it may comprise a domain that interacts with a common target, either nucleic acid or protein. Opposite effects on transcription might then be determined by other portions of the two proteins.
Feedback Microtubule Control and Microtubule-Actin Cross-talk in Arabidopsis Revealed by Integrative Proteomic and Cell Biology Analysis of KATANIN 1 Mutants*

Microtubule organization and dynamics are critical for key developmental processes such as cell division, elongation, and morphogenesis. Microtubule severing is an essential regulator of microtubules and is exclusively executed by KATANIN 1 in Arabidopsis. In this study, we comparatively studied the proteome-wide effects in two KATANIN 1 mutants. Thus, shotgun proteomic analysis of roots and aerial parts of single nucleotide mutant fra2 and T-DNA insertion mutant ktn1-2 was carried out. We have detected 42 proteins differentially abundant in both fra2 and ktn1-2. KATANIN 1 dysfunction altered the abundance of proteins involved in development, metabolism, and stress responses. The differential regulation of tubulins and microtubule-destabilizing protein MDP25 implied a feedback microtubule control in KATANIN 1 mutants. Furthermore, deregulation of profilin 1, actin-depolymerizing factor 3, and actin 7 was observed. These findings were confirmed by immunoblotting analysis of actin and by microscopic observation of actin filaments using fluorescently labeled phalloidin. Results obtained by quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that changed protein abundances were not a consequence of altered expression levels of corresponding genes in the mutants. In conclusion, we show that abundances of several cytoskeletal proteins as well as organization of microtubules and the actin cytoskeleton are amended in accordance with defective microtubule severing.