Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative analysis of time-series fluorescence microscopy using a spot tracking method: application to Min protein dynamics

The dynamics of MinD protein has been recognized as playing an important role in the accurate positioning of the septum during cell division. In this work, spot tracking technique (STT) was applied to track the motion and quantitatively characterize the dynamic behavior of green fluorescent protein-labeled MinD (GFP-MinD) in an Escherichia coli system. We investigated MinD dynamics on the level of particle ensemble or cluster focusing on the position and motion of the maximum in the spatial distribution of MinD proteins. The main results are twofold: (i) a demonstration of how STT could be an acceptable tool for MinD dynamics studies; and (ii) quantitative findings with parametric and non-parametric analyses. Specifically, experimental data monitored from the dividing E. coli cells (typically 4.98 ± 0.75 µm in length) has demonstrated a fast oscillation of the MinD protein between the two poles, with an average period of 54.6 ± 8.6 s. Observations of the oscillating trajectory and velocity show a trapping or localized behavior of MinD around the polar zone, with average localization velocity of 0.29 ± 0.06 µm/s; and flight switching was observed at the pole-to-pole leading edge, with an average switching velocity of 2.95 ± 0.31 µm/s. Subdiffusive motion of MinD proteins at the polar zone was found and investigated with the dynamic exponent, α of 0.34 ± 0.16. To compare with the Gaussian-based analysis, non-parametric statistical analysis and noise consideration were also performed.
Rac Activation Induces NADPH Oxidase Activity in Transgenic COS phox Cells, and the Level of Superoxide Production Is Exchange Factor-dependent*

Transient expression of constitutively active Rac1 derivatives, (G12V) or (Q61L), was sufficient to induce phagocyte NADPH oxidase activity in a COS-7 cell model in which human cDNAs for essential oxidase components, gp91 phox , p22 phox , p47 phox , and p67 phox , were expressed as stable transgenes. Expression of constitutively active Rac1 in “COS phox ” cells induced translocation of p47 phox and p67 phox to the membrane. Furthermore, translocation of p47 phox was induced in the absence of p67 phox expression, even though Rac does not directly bind p47 phox . Rac effector domain point substitutions (A27K, G30S, D38A, Y40C), which can selectively eliminate interaction with different effector proteins, impaired Rac1V12-induced superoxide production. Activation of endogenous Rac1 by expression of constitutively active Rac-guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) derivatives was sufficient to induce high level NADPH oxidase activity in COS phox cells. The constitutively active form of the hematopoietic-specific GEF, Vav1, was the most effective at activating superoxide production, despite detection of higher levels of Rac1-GTP upon expression of constitutively active Vav2 or Tiam1 derivatives. These data suggest that Rac can play a dual role in NADPH oxidase activation, both by directly participating in the oxidase complex and by activating signaling events leading to oxidase assembly, and that Vav1 may be the physiologically relevant GEF responsible for activating this Rac-regulated complex.
The RoboHelper Project: From Multimodal Corpus to Embodiment on a Robot

In this position paper, we describe the RoboHelper project, its ﬁndings and our vision for its future. The long-term goal of RoboHelper is to develop assistive robots for the elderly. The main thesis of our work is that such robots must crucially be able to participate in multimodal dialogues. Contributions of our work to date include the ELDERLY-AT-HOME corpus that we collected and annotated. It consists of 20 task-oriented human-human dialogues between a helper and an elderly person in a fully functional apartment. The unique feature of the corpus is that in addition to video and audio, it includes recordings of physical interaction. Based on this data, we have demonstrated the crucial role that Haptic-Ostensive (H-O) actions play in interpreting language and uncovering a person’s intentions. H-O actions manipulate objects, but they also often perform a referring function. Our models were derived on the basis of manually annotated categories. Additional experiments show that we can identify H-O actions using the physical interaction data measured through an unobtrusive sensory glove developed as part of the project. In future work, we will derive models for the robot to decide what to do next (as opposed to interpreting what the interlocutor did); explore other types of physical interactions; and reﬁne preliminary implementations of our models on the Nao robotic platform.
Prolonged benefit in post-polio syndrome from comprehensive rehabilitation: A pilot study

Purpose. To report physical, psychological and functional outcomes from a pilot study of a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programme for post-polio syndrome (PPS). Method. Twenty-seven participants completed the nine-day programme and were available for re-assessment at three and six months. Physical outcome measures were muscle strength and endurance; psychological outcomes included illness perceptions (IPQ), depression and anxiety (HADS); functional outcomes were fatigue (HFS) and client-centred occupational performance and satisfaction (COPM). Results. There was no significant change at six months for muscle strength or anxiety. Significant improvements were recorded for exercise endurance, depression and levels of fatigue. A shift towards an endorsement that the patient's own behaviour could be important in symptom severity of PPS was seen. Five out of 24 participants demonstrated significant clinical changes in occupational performance and satisfaction on the COPM. Conclusions. Prolonged benefits were found for physical, psychological and functional outcomes. A qualitative study is planned to investigate the patient-reported benefits of attending the programme such as the support gained interacting with others with similar disability and in lifestyle adjustment such as pacing of physical activities.
Similarity-based image retrieval for revealing forgery of handwritten corpora

Authorship attribution is a problem with a long history and a wide range of applications. Recent works in non-traditional authorship attribution contexts demonstrate the practicality of automatic analysis of documents based on authorial style. However, such analyses are difficult to apply and few “best practices” are available. In this paper, we show how quantitative techniques based on image similarity search can be profitably exploited for revealing forgery of handwritten corpora. More in details, we explore the case where a document is represented by means of the image of the document itself. Preliminary experimental results conducted on real data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Identifizierung von Gensignaturen als Prognosefaktoren unter multimodaler Therapie von Patienten mit einem Nicht-kleinzelligen Lungenkarzinom im Stadium III

In der hier vorgelegten Untersuchung zur Messung der Expression von Genen der DNA-Reparatur und deren moglichen prognostischen Bedeutung fur die multimodale Behandlung von Patienten mit lokal-fortgeschrittenen Nicht-kleinzelligen Lungenkarzinomen konnten wir anhand von mRNA-Expressionsprofilen von BRCA1, RAP80 und 53BP1 sowie gezielter Kombination dieser Marker untereinander eine signifikante Aufteilung eines prospektiv, relativ homogen behandelten Patientenkollektivs vornehmen. Analysiert wurde pratherapeutisches Biopsiematerial im Wesentlichen aus mediastinalen Lymphknotenmetastasen und in seltenen Fallen aus Primartumorgewebe. Als wichtigste Befunde ergaben sich Zusammenhange 1) zwischen der mRNA-Expression von BRCA1 und der histologischen Subgruppe, dem progressionfreien Uberleben („progression-free survival“, PFS) und dem Gesamtuberleben („overal survival“, OS), 2) zwischen der mRNA-Expression von 53BP1 und dem PFS sowie dem OS bei den Nicht-Adenokarzinompatienten, 3) zwischen der kombinierten Messung von BRCA1 und RAP80 und dem PFS in der Gesamtgruppe sowie dem OS bei den Nicht-Adenokarzinompatienten, und 4) zwischen der gemeinsamen Messung von BRCA1 und 53BP1 und dem PFS sowie OS bei allen eingeschlossenen Patienten. Bei der klinischen Bewertung der Zusammenhange zwischen der Expressionshohe dieser DNA-Reparaturgene und der Prognose der Patienten muss die Komplexitat der multimodalen Behandlung mittels Induktionschemotherapie aus Cisplatin und Paclitaxel, einer simultanen Chemostrahlentherapie basierend auf Cisplatin und Vinorelbin mit oder ohne definitive Operation berucksichtigt werden. Um zu uberprufen, ob diese Marker tatsachlich zur Therapiesteuerung und -individualisierung genutzt werden konnen, ist eine Integration in zukunftige prospektive Studien erforderlich.
Temporal expression of three mouse lens fiber cell membrane protein genes during early development.

PURPOSE Three different lens fiber cell intrinsic membrane proteins, MIP (Major Intrinsic Protein), MP19, and connexin50 (Cx50), have separately been implicated as causative candidates for congenital cataracts. The aim of this study was to determine gene transcript expression of these three proteins during successive stages of mouse embryonic development. METHODS Total RNA was prepared from mouse embryos taken at days 9-10 (E9-E10) of gestation, heads of day 11-13 (E11-E13) embryos, and lenses of adult mice. Coupled reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine gene transcript expression of MIP, Cx50, and MP19 during embryonic development. The products of RT-PCR were further cloned into the TOPO(TM) TA vector, and further analyzed by double strand nucleotide sequencing. RESULTS Cx50 gene expression was observed throughout the developmental period observed (E9-E13). MIP transcripts were first observed at mouse embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) and synthesis continued throughout the developmental period observed. The gene for MP19 (Lim2) begins to express at mouse embryo day 12 (E12) and synthesis continued throughout the developmental period observed. mRNA levels for all three proteins appear to remain steady from these early embryonic stages through adulthood. CONCLUSIONS The identified early expression of Cx50, MIP, and Lim2 transcripts in mouse embryonic stages suggests that all three proteins play very important, probably quite different, roles in lens fiber cell differentiation. Variation in the temporal expression of these three genes during the course of development suggests a critical gene-coordinated regulation throughout lens fiber cell development. These three genes clearly play important roles in early normal lens development since it is known that mutations in the sequence of each membrane protein results in cataractogenesis.
Distinct Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype A Virus Circulating in West Africa: Sub-Subtype A3

ABSTRACT Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate significant diversity in worldwide circulating strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Detailed studies have revealed a complex pattern of intersubtype recombinations, as well as evidence of sub-subtypes circulating in various populations. In this study, we characterized an HIV-1 strain that had previously been identified as a distinct subcluster within the subtype A radiation based on partial sequence data. These viruses were of particular interest given that we recently found that their prevalence was significantly higher in dually infected individuals compared to women who were singly infected with HIV-1. Five viruses isolated from commercial sex workers in Dakar, Senegal, were full-length PCR amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that, whereas three of these viruses were closely related and clustered overall within the HIV-1 subtype A radiation, they were distinct from previously characterized sub-subtype A1 and A2 viruses. The clustering pattern was maintained in the individual gag, pol, and env regions of the genome. Distance calculations between these viruses, which we termed A3, and other reference sub-subtype A1 and A2 viruses fell in the range of distances between previously characterized sub-subtype groups. In addition, we found evidence of two A3-containing recombinants in our cohort. These recombinants are mosaics composed of sequence from both sub-subtype A3 and CRF02_AG, the major circulating recombinant form in this West African population. Based on phylogenetic analyses, we propose that the group of viruses found in the Dakar sex worker cohort, previously referred to as HIV-1 A subcluster 2, be referred to as HIV-1 sub-subtype A3.
Modeling uncertainty driven curiosity for social recommendation

Most of the current recommender systems focus on estimating user preferences. However, a person's interest in an item is not determined by his/her preference alone. Psychological research has shown that curiosity is a critical motivation relating to a person's interests and driving explorative behaviours. Motivated as above, we aim to model user curiosity in social recommendation context. In this work, we model uncertainty driven curiosity, wherein uncertainty is a well acknowledged factor that stimulates human curiosity. We model user uncertainty based on two well-known theories of uncertainty, i.e., Shannon entropy and Damster-Shafter theory. Then, we rank items by consolidating both user preference and user uncertainty using weighted Borda count. The proposed model is evaluated with two large-scale real world datasets, Douban and Flixster. The experimental results highlight that uncertainty driven curiosity has a positive impact on personalized ranking, by remarkably improving recommendation precision and diversity.
SYSTEM Research note on: Assessing publication bias

CONTEXT: Systematic reviews aim to assess precision and internal validity of the current clinical evidence. The precision and internal validity of clinical evidence is limited by the risk of biases, one of which is publication bias. Publication bias is created when trials, often with small sample size that have found negative or non-significant results are not being published and thus are not identified during systematic reviews as part of the of current clinical evidence. In that way, publication bias distorts precision and internal validity of clinical evidence. The extent of such distortion thus requires the assessment of publication bias risk as part of the systematic review methodology. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression form one of the best currently available methods when assessing for publication bias risk. PROBLEM: However, funnel plot and Egger’s regression have weak statistical power and its results may even be misleading when the number of included trials/datasets is small. They do not measure risk of publication bias directly but statistical in-between-trials heterogeneity in terms of their relation of sample size (SE) to effect size (lnRR). In that regard, the lack of published small trials is only one possible reason for any observed asymmetry. Other reasons are: (i) General in-between-trial heterogeneity and (ii) Methodological artifacts. Both will give positive results even in complete absence of publication bias risk. SUGGESTED SOLUTION: Therefore, funnel plot and Egger’s regression need to be applied together with other considerations, which are presented in this research note, in order to obtain meaningful results.
Toxicity of cadmium and zinc to the decaudised cercarial life-span of Diplostomum spathaceum (Trematoda: Diplostomidae)

The toxicity of cadmium and zinc at concentrations ranging from 0·1 to 10 000 μg/l to the life-span of decaudised cercarial bodies (cercariae that have shed their tails) of Diplostomum spathaceum was investigated. The effects of metal exposure at 3 temperatures (12, 20, and 25 °C) and 3 levels of water hardness (distilled water, soft water and hard water) were studied. In general, under most experimental conditions increasing metal concentrations reduced the life-span of decaudised cercariae. Increasing water hardness and decreasing water temperature caused an increase in the life-span of both control and metal exposed decaudised cercariae. However, at certain isolated metal concentrations, associated with a specific level of water hardness and temperature, increased survival above controls occurred. Differences in the relative toxicity of cadmium and zinc were dependent on the environmental conditions of exposure. The decaudised cercarial life-span under metal exposure was found to be generally independent of the overall cercarial survival and tail loss in most experimental conditions. Prolonged exposure to cadmium and zinc caused changes in the decaudised cercarial life-span when compared to individuals decaudised during the initial 24 h exposure period to those which were decaudised during the final 24 h period of cercarial survival. The validity of studying the decaudised cercarial life-span as an indicator of ‘fitness’ of larvae to migrate through the tissues of the target fish host, in terms of glycogen utilization, was assessed for those cercariae decaudised during the initial 24 h exposure period only. A limited reduction in the decaudised cercarial life-span during this period compared to controls was recorded, which may possibly indicate a reduced penetration ‘fitness’ of cercariae exposed to cadmium and zinc. The importance and relevance of these findings to parasite migration and establishment in the fish host are discussed.
MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE AT KONRAD ADENAUER FOUNDATION IN KENYA

viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background of the Study . 1 1.1.1 Organizational Change . 2 1.1.2 Change Management . 3 1.1.3 Overview of the NGO Sector in Kenya . 4 1.1.4 Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Kenya . 5 1.2 Research Problem . 6 1.3 Research Objectives . 8 1.4 Value of the Study . 9 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW . 10 2.
A CPU-based algorithm for traffic optimization based on sparse convolutional neural networks

Sparsity in the weights of deep convolutional networks presents a tremendous opportunity to reduce computational requirements. In order to optimize flow of traffic systems, any viable solution must be able to operate at real-time. Existing computation frameworks do not yet realize the full potential speedup afforded by sparse neural networks. Meanwhile, the power consumption for a GPU is too great for widely distributed, embedded optimization systems. Here, the authors propose a procedure for realizing the potential of sparse convolutional kernels on CPU. After preprocessing, a code-generator creates well-optimized and deployable code. Measuring the performance of the CPU-mode Tensorflow, the GPU-mode Tensorflow and this proposed solution on two different sparse convolutional neural networks shows that the proposed solution is 2 to 5 times faster than the CPU-mode Tensorflow and costs less power than the GPU-mode Tensorflow. The runtime of the proposed solution is 0.13s per 321 × 321 RGB image on a 98% sparse network, which is 5 times faster than the CPU-mode Tensorflow.
Heparin-Binding Epidermal Growth Factor-like Growth Factor/Diphtheria Toxin Receptor in Normal and Neoplastic Hematopoiesis

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) belongs to the EGF family of growth factors. It is biologically active either as a molecule anchored to the membrane or as a soluble form released by proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain. HB-EGF is involved in relevant physiological and pathological processes spanning from proliferation and apoptosis to morphogenesis. We outline here the main activities of HB-EGF in connection with normal or neoplastic differentiative or proliferative events taking place primitively in the hematopoietic microenvironment.
Differences in the personality profile of fibromyalgia patients and their relatives with and without fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether Fibromyalgia (FM) patients differ from their first-degree relatives with and without FM regarding the four personality traits, based on Cloninger's TPQ questionnaire (1). METHODS The study population was obtained from a genetic study from 2003-2007 and included 129 female FM patients, 27 female relatives with undiagnosed FM and 30 female relatives without FM. All participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) (1) that refers to four personality dimensions: 'novelty seeking', 'harm avoidance', 'reward dependence' and 'persistence'. Non-articular tenderness was evaluated by tender point count and by dolorimetry. RESULTS FM patients and their relatives with FM had higher scores on 'harm avoidance' than relatives without FM (p<0.001, p=0.017 respectively). Furthermore, the mean point counts of FM patients were significantly higher and their tenderness thresholds were significantly lower than that of their relatives in the other two groups (p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that relatives with FM display personality resemblance to FM patients especially in the personality trait harm avoidance. It appears that there are factors in this personality trait that are hereditary and that may contribute to the development of FM. However, the results could not differentiate between factors from a genetic or a non-genetic origin, due to the study design. In addition, FM's place as an independent component among genetic disorders such as pain, depression and anxiety is still unclear.
Perceived product necessity, perceived value, customer satisfaction and affective attitude: an integrative model

ABSTRACT Inter-relationships among perceived product necessity, perceived value, customer satisfaction and affective attitude are examined in Harare, Zimbabwe using structural equation modelling. The study provides evidence that perceived product necessity, perceived value and customer satisfaction each positively influences affective attitude. The findings also show that perceived product necessity has a positive effect on perceived value while perceived value has a positive effect on customer satisfaction. Lastly, the study reveals that perceived product necessity does not influence customer satisfaction. The research has implications for theory, managers and future researchers.
Early Stress Protein Gene Expression in a Human Model of Ischemic Preconditioning

Intermittent clamping of the porta hepatis (PHC) is commonly performed during liver surgery to reduce blood loss and has been reported to precondition livers resulting in improved outcome after liver surgery (humans) and transplantation (animals). This study investigated the early expression of cytoprotective stress proteins during ischemia-reperfusion induced by PHC. Liver samples were taken before and after each event in a two-cycle ischemia-reperfusion protocol using 15 minutes of PHC followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion. Liver tissue was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction for heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and heat shock protein (HSP)-70 mRNA expression. Extracted protein was analyzed by Western blot for HO-1, and HSP-70 and nuclear extracts were analyzed by DNA mobility shift assay for hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1&agr; and heat shock factor (HSF)-1. Within minutes of PHC, significant increases in HO-1 mRNA expression were detected, and these were maintained throughout the protocol (P<0.01). Protein expression of HO-1 (P<0.03) and HO-1 activity (P<0.05) were similarly increased between the start and end of ischemia- reperfusion (40 minutes). Binding of active HIF-1&agr; to its consensus sequence was increased within 15 minutes of the start of the ischemia-reperfusion cycle. Although evidence of the transcriptionally active form of HSF-1 was detected at the same time point, this was not reflected in measurable changes in HSP-70 mRNA or protein. In conclusion, expression of the cytoprotective protein HO-1 is significantly up-regulated in the liver within minutes of PHC. It is likely that HO-1 contributes to the early protective effects of ischemic preconditioning.