Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abscisic Acid Activates the Murine Microglial Cell Line N9 through the Second Messenger Cyclic ADP-ribose*

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone regulating important functions in higher plants, notably responses to abiotic stress. Recently, chemical or physical stimulation of human granulocytes was shown to induce production and release of endogenous ABA, which activates specific cell functions. Here we provide evidence that ABA stimulates several functional activities of the murine microglial cell line N9 (NO and tumor necrosis factor-α production, cell migration) through the second messenger cyclic ADP-ribose and an increase of intracellular calcium. ABA production and release occur in N9 cells stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide, phorbol myristate acetate, the chemoattractant peptide f-MLP, or β-amyloid, the primary plaque component in Alzheimer disease. Finally, ABA priming stimulates N9 cell migration toward β-amyloid. These results indicate that ABA is a pro-inflammatory hormone inducing autocrine microglial activation, potentially representing a new target for anti-inflammatory therapies aimed at limiting microglia-induced tissue damage in the central nervous system.
Cerebral Vascular Accidents in Patients over the Age of 60: II. Prognosis

In 29 cases the exact duration of the illness was not known, but was thought to be less than one day. Thus, of the total (248), 178 (72 %) were seen within 24 hours. No patient received active treatment other than nursing attention and general medical supervision; in a few of them therapeutic lumbar puncture was carried out. One hundred and forty four (58 %) died, and whenever it was possible post-mortem examination was carried out: in only 50 per cent was permission granted. In no case seen by the author did a cerebral vascular accident cause sudden death. In the majority, death occurred after a period of days; the interval was never less than 6 hours. enable the investigator to assess the results of specific forms of treatment. Accordingly, a survey was carried out on a number of 'untreated' cases seen shortly after the onset of a cerebral vascular accident, with particular reference to the presence of signs which had prognostic value. This review refers to 252 patients over the age of 40 (120 males and 132 females) in whom a cerebral vascular accident had occurred within the previous 7 days. These were completely unselected cases. Four males were excluded, however, either on account of uncertainty of diagnosis or because of lack of sufficient information. The duration of the lesion when the patients were first seen is given in Table 1.
Evaluation du colmatage de fibres creuses en mode frontal : détermination des conditions critiques pour un fonctionnement durable

L’ultrafiltration est un procede de plus en plus utilise comme etape principale lors de la production d’eau potable. Du fait de la faible valeur ajoutee de l’eau, les industriels sont contraints a developper des usines presentant de faibles couts d’investissement. Une solution envisagee par la societe Aquasource (Toulouse, France) consiste a mettre en oeuvre une operation de filtration en mode frontal. Il est alors necessaire d’optimiser les conditions operatoires de filtration afin de reduire au maximum l’impact du colmatage, qui prend dans ces conditions de filtration un poids considerable d’un point de vue technico-economique. Dans ce cadre, un protocole est dans un premier temps developpe pour determiner les conditions operatoires (duree de la phase de filtration avant decolmatage) pour lesquelles la formation d’un depot irreversible, et donc couteux en energie, est evite en filtration frontale. Par la suite, les resultats obtenus sont mis en application sur des filtrations de plus longue duree (48 heures) sur une ressource naturelle au cours desquelles l’inclusion d’etapes de purge permettant une deconcentration amene une amelioration notable de l’operation, notamment en tenant compte de considerations energetiques. Des elements pour le fonctionnement durable des unites de filtration frontale sont alors proposes.
A VIDEO-BASED HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION SYSTEM FOR AUDIO-VISUAL IMMERSION

This paper describes the video and audio tools that have been implemented in a real-type system to immerse a user into a virtual scene. The video tools include motion detection, skin detection by thresholding, shadow detection and extraction, and finally the user’s head and hands detection. Once this is done, the user (who is surrounded by a matrix of loudspeakers) is able to move a sound source in the horizontal plane around him. Moreover, the sound is auralized by convolution with (directional) room impulse responses, which have been pre-computed by a ray tracing method. The different sound contributions are distributed to the individual loudspeakers by applying the VBAP technique.
A 10-Fr ultrasound catheter with integrated micromotor for4-D intracardiac echocardiography

We developed prototype real-time 3-D intracardiac echocardiography catheters with integrated micromotors, allowing internal oscillation of a low-profile 64-element, 6.2-MHz phased-array transducer in the elevation direction. Components were designed to facilitate rotation of the array, including a low-torque flexible transducer interconnect and miniature fixtures for the transducer and micromotor. The catheter tip prototypes were integrated with two-way deflectable 10-Fr catheters and used in in vivo animal testing at multiple facilities. The 4-D ICE catheters were capable of imaging a 90° azimuth by up to 180° elevation field of view. Volume rates ranged from 1 vol/sec (180° elevation) to approximately 10 vol/sec (60° elevation). We successfully imaged electrophysiology catheters, atrial septal puncture procedures, and detailed cardiac anatomy. The elevation oscillation enabled 3-D visualization of devices and anatomy, providing new clinical information and perspective not possible with current 2-D imaging catheters.
The Structure of Prp40 FF1 Domain and Its Interaction with the crn-TPR1 Motif of Clf1 Gives a New Insight into the Binding Mode of FF Domains*

The yeast splicing factor Prp40 (pre-mRNA processing protein 40) consists of a pair of WW domains followed by several FF domains. The region comprising the FF domains has been shown to associate with the 5′ end of U1 small nuclear RNA and to interact directly with two proteins, the Clf1 (Crooked neck-like factor 1) and the phosphorylated repeats of the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II (CTD-RNAPII). In this work we reported the solution structure of the first FF domain of Prp40 and the identification of a novel ligand-binding site in FF domains. By using chemical shift assays, we found a binding site for the N-terminal crooked neck tetratricopeptide repeat of Clf1 that is distinct and structurally separate from the previously identified CTD-RNAPII binding pocket of the FBP11 (formin-binding protein 11) FF1 domain. No interaction, however, was observed between the Prp40 FF1 domain and three different peptides derived from the CTD-RNAPII protein. Indeed, the equivalent CTD-RNAPII-binding site in the Prp40 FF1 domain is predominantly negatively charged and thus unfavorable for an interaction with phosphorylated peptide sequences. Sequence alignments and phylogenetic tree reconstructions using the FF domains of three functionally related proteins, Prp40, FBP11, and CA150, revealed that Prp40 and FBP11 are not orthologous proteins and supported the different ligand specificities shown by their respective FF1 domains. Our results also revealed that not all FF domains in Prp40 are functionally equivalent. We proposed that at least two different interaction surfaces exist in FF domains that have evolved to recognize distinct binding motifs.
ISLE-inspired Design Laboratory Transformation at Princeton University: Year Two Results

In an effort to enhance the traditional calculus-based introductory physics course at Princeton University, an Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE) inspired lab transformation is underway, currently in its 3 year. In the first two years the new curriculum was implemented in a subset of the lab sections, while the remaining sections performed traditional lab activities. To assess the effectiveness of the new design labs, we conducted interviews with the students, and administered a pre/post attitudes survey. The primary questions guiding the evaluations are i) what are the students’ lived experiences in the new lab, ii) how did students relate physics to their everyday lives, iii) what are the student-reported short and long term learning gains of the skills developed in design labs, and iv) what are the differences in attitudes between students in the new and traditional labs. Here we describe the pedagogical approach used in the transformed sections and show results from the interviews and survey. PACS: 01.50. Qb, 01.40. Di, 01.40. Fk
Fusion des réponses de systèmes de question-réponses

Les reponses donnees par plusieurs systemes de questions-reponses proviennent de l’application de strategies differentes, et de ce fait permettent de repondre a des questions differentes. La combinaison de ces systemes vise alors a accro\ⁱtre le nombre total de questions resolues. Cet article presente la combinaison de trois systemes : QAVAL, qui s’appuie sur un module de validation de reponses et deux versions du systemes RITEL qui s’appuie sur une analyse multi-niveaux appliquee aux questions et aux documents. La fusion des resultats est effectuee de differentes manieres : en fusionnant les passages, a la sortie des systemes par vote ou fusion en tenant compte du poids ou du rang des reponses proposees et par un mecanisme d’apprentissage sur les caracteristiques des reponses
Integration of Hedgehog and mutant FLT3 signaling in myeloid leukemia

Activation of the Hedgehog pathway drives FLT3-mutated leukemia, and dual pathway inhibition effectively inhibits tumor growth. Hedgehog to the rescue Acute myeloid leukemia is generally difficult to treat, and the presence of internal tandem duplication in a gene called FLT3 (FLT3-ITD) is associated with a particularly poor prognosis. Lim et al. discovered that patients with FLT3-ITD leukemia also have increased activity of the Hedgehog protein signaling pathway. Experiments in mouse models of FLT3-ITD confirmed the functional role of Hedgehog in the development of leukemia and showed that combined treatment targeting FLT3 and Hedgehog is effective as a therapeutic strategy in this setting. FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations resulting in constitutive kinase activity are common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and carry a poor prognosis. Several agents targeting FLT3 have been developed, but their limited clinical activity suggests that the inhibition of other factors contributing to the malignant phenotype is required. We examined gene expression data sets as well as primary specimens and found that the expression of GLI2, a major effector of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, was increased in FLT3-ITD compared to wild-type FLT3 AML. To examine the functional role of the Hh pathway, we studied mice in which Flt3-ITD expression results in an indolent myeloproliferative state and found that constitutive Hh signaling accelerated the development of AML by enhancing signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) signaling and the proliferation of bone marrow myeloid progenitors. Furthermore, combined FLT3 and Hh pathway inhibition limited leukemic growth in vitro and in vivo, and this approach may serve as a therapeutic strategy for FLT3-ITD AML.
Exploratory Path Analysis With Applications in Ecology and Evolution

In this article, I first describe some recent developments in the identification of the structure of dependencies among variables in multivariate data relevant to exploratory path analysis. I then introduce a bootstrap modification of one important method (the SGS algorithm) that is designed to improve error rates of exploratory path analysis in the small data sets that are typical of studies in ecology and evolution. Monte Carlo results indicate that this modified technique can find path models that are close to the true model even in very small data sets. The bootstrapped SGS algorithm is then applied to a previously published data set involving attributes affecting seed dispersal in St. Lucie's cherry.
A dynamic model of the phosphate response system with synthetic promoters in Escherichia coli

The bacteria E. coli have developed one of the most efficient regulatory response to phosphate starvation that is known in detail. Achieving a mechanistic understanding of this system, realized by Pho regulon at the genetic level, has implications for applications in artificial life and for others in biotechnology that exploit such mechanisms. To this end, we present a dynamical model of Pho regulon, coupled with a layered description of its regulation in the experimental conditions of phosphate starvation. The model describes the dynamics of two-component regulatory system together with the key regulatory promoter PhoB and experimental data on promoter PhoA. The model is parameterized according to the feasible range given in the literature, and fitted to the dynamic response of our experimental data on alkaline phosphatase production, coded as Gfp. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the rate of Pho transcription has a significant influence over the expression of Pho-controlled genes. Variations in th.
Diurnal Variation in Heart Rate Variability before and after Maximal Exercise Testing

As heart-rate variability (HRV) is under evaluation in clinical applications, the authors sought to better define the interdependent impact of age, maximal exercise, and diurnal variation under physiologic conditions. The authors evaluated the diurnal changes in HRV 24-h pre- and post-maximal aerobic exercise testing to exhaustion in young (19–25 yrs, n = 12) and middle-aged (40–55 yrs, n = 12) adults. Subjects wore a portable 5-lead electrocardiogram holter for 48 h (24 h prior to and following a maximal aerobic capacity test). Time-, frequency-, time-frequency-, and scale-invariant-domain measures of HRV were computed from RR-interval data analyzed using a 5-min window size and a 2.5-min step size, resulting in a different set of outputs every 2.5 min. Results were averaged (mean ± SE) over four prespecified time periods during the morning, afternoon, evening, and night on Day 1 and Day 2. Diurnal changes in HRV in young and middle-aged adults were compared using a two-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Young adults demonstrated higher HRV compared to middle-aged adults during periods of wakefulness and sleep prior to maximal exercise stress testing (i.e., high-frequency power during Day 1: young adults: morning 1862 ± 496 ms2, afternoon 1797 ± 384 ms2, evening 1908 ± 431 ms2, and night 3202 ± 728 ms2; middle-aged adults: morning 341 ± 53 ms2, afternoon 405 ± 68 ms2, evening 469 ± 80 ms2, and night 836 ± 136 ms2) (p < .05). Exercise resulted in reductions in HRV such that multiple measures of HRV were not significantly different between age groups during the afternoon and evening periods. All measures of HRV demonstrated between-group differences overnight on Day 2 (p < .05). Young adults are associated with higher baseline HRV during the daytime. Sleep increases variability equally and proportionally to daytime variability. Given the higher baseline awake HRV and equal rise in HRV during sleep, the change in HRV from sleep to morning with exercise is greater in younger subjects. These physiologic results have clinical significance in understanding the pathophysiology of altered variability in ill patients. (Author correspondence: aseely@ohri.ca)
An Open ECA Server for Active Applications

Event monitoring and active behaviors are important aspects in many software systems and application domains, not only in database management systems. In this article, we propose an event-condition-action (ECA) approach that spans from application data to application components and behaviors. Starting from an exception manager we previously developed in the context of a workflow management system, we derived an autonomous active component capable of handling a variety of events and enacting actions in response to detected events. The ECA server runs as an autonomous engine and can be seamlessly integrated with existing systems, thus enhancing the systemsâ€™ functionalities and maintainability by separating active and nonactive design concerns.
On quadratic optimal control of nonlinear discrete-time systems

This paper presents two nonlinear, discrete-time optimal control system designs. The first one is the quasioptimal control for nonlinear discrete-time dynamic systems, based essentially on iterative algorithms. The second one is the discrete-time state-dependent Riccatti equation (DSDRE) method, which aims to solve a nonlinear optimal control problem through a Riccati equation that depends on the state. Our main contribution in this paper is to carry out a stability study of nonlinear systems associated with DSDRE controllers and to compare the performances of the two optimal controls via numerical simulation study. Unlike the analytical approach, DSDRE approach is able to neutralize exceeding at the transient phase, and shows easier ability for implementation.
Activation of the p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Mediates the Suppressive Effects of Type I Interferons and Transforming Growth Factor-β on Normal Hematopoiesis*

Type I interferons (IFNs) are potent regulators of normal hematopoiesis in vitro and in vivo,but the mechanisms by which they suppress hematopoietic progenitor cell growth and differentiation are not known. In the present study we provide evidence that IFNα and IFNβ induce phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein (Map) kinase in CD34+-derived primitive human hematopoietic progenitors. Such type I IFN-inducible phosphorylation of p38 results in activation of the catalytic domain of the kinase and sequential activation of the MAPK-activated protein kinase-2 (MapKapK-2 kinase), indicating the existence of a signaling cascade, activated downstream of p38 in hematopoietic progenitors. Our data indicate that activation of this signaling cascade by the type I IFN receptor is essential for the generation of the suppressive effects of type I IFNs on normal hematopoiesis. This is shown by studies demonstrating that pharmacological inhibitors of p38 reverse the growth inhibitory effects of IFNα and IFNβ on myeloid (colony-forming granulocytic-macrophage) and eythroid (burst-forming unit-erythroid) progenitor colony formation. In a similar manner, transforming growth factor β, which also exhibits inhibitory effects on normal hematopoiesis, activates p38 and MapKapK-2 in human hematopoietic progenitors, whereas pharmacological inhibitors of p38 reverse its suppressive activities on both myeloid and erythroid colony formation. In further studies, we demonstrate that the primary mechanism by which the p38 Map kinase pathway mediates hematopoietic suppression is regulation of cell cycle progression and is unrelated to induction of apoptosis. Altogether, these findings establish that the p38 Map kinase pathway is a common effector for type I IFN and transforming growth factor β signaling in human hematopoietic progenitors and plays a critical role in the induction of the suppressive effects of these cytokines on normal hematopoiesis.
Parameter optimization algorithm of SVM for fault classification in traction converter

The classification performance of Support Vector Machine (SVM) is heavily influenced by its kernel parameter g and penalty factor c. in this paper, Cross-validation (CV) based grid-search optimization, CV-based genetic algorithm (GA) and CV-based particle swarm optimization (PSO) are respectively used for parameters optimization in SVM for fault classification of inverters in traction converter. Simulation result shows that SVM can reach the highest classification accuracy by using CV-based grid-search optimization algorithm, and it has been proved to be practical to use CV-based grid-search as SVM's parameters optimization algorithm for fault classification in traction converter.
Primary megaureter: current trends in diagnosis and treatment

Reports of the spontaneous resolution of many cases of urinary tract dilatation detected before and after birth, even of severe degree, are increasing. Furthermore, differentiating urinary dilatation that is obstructive and requires surgery from that representing mere anatomical variation with no implication for renal function is a controversial issue in paediatric urology. The spontaneous resolution of hydroureteronephrosis and the controversy in identifying true obstruction caused urologists to re-evaluate their previous experience in the diagnosis and management of the problem of megaureter. In this article we try to resolve some of the disagreements about the diagnosis and management of this clinically important entity, by reviewing the most recent advances in this ®eld.
Direct Modulation of a Laser Using 112-Gb/s 16-QAM Nyquist Subcarrier Modulation

A 112-Gb/s single-carrier, single-polarization short reach transmission system using a high bandwidth 1310 nm directly modulated laser is demonstrated. Spectrally efficient signal generation is achieved by using: 1) half-cycle Nyquist subcarrier modulation with 16-ary quadrature-amplitude-modulation; 2) pre-compensation for the frequency response of the end-toend system; and 3) and a Volterra nonlinear equalizer to postcompensate for the nonlinear modulation dynamics of the laser. Digital signal processing techniques for signal recovery enable transmission over 20 km of standard single mode fiber with a bit error ratio below the 7% overhead hard-decision forward error correction coding threshold of 4.6 × 10-3 at a received optical power of -5.25 dBm.
Localized application of mechanical and biochemical stimuli in 3‐D culture

The goal of this study was to investigate the responses of isolated cells in 3‐D culture to localized application of mechanical and biochemical signals. Corneal fibroblasts were plated inside collagen matrices for 24 hours, then imaged using time‐lapse DIC. For mechanical perturbation, a microinjection needle (Femtotip) was inserted axially into the ECM, then displaced laterally to alter local ECM stress. For biochemical stimulation, PDGF or vehicle control solution was microinjected into the matrix. Compressing the ECM perpendicular to the cell axis had no appreciable effect on cell behavior. However, pushing the ECM parallel to the cell axis induced rapid cellular contraction, followed by secondary cell spreading and tractional force generation. Injection of PDGF induced a similar cell spreading response. Cells in 3‐D matrices showed remarkable plasticity, and extension of pseudopodia could be induced at both the leading and trailing edges of migrating cells. Developmental Dynamics 237:2726–2736, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Horizontal Spectral Entropy with Long-Span of Time for Robust Voice Activity Detection

SUMMARY This letter introduces innovative VAD based on horizontal spectral entropy with long-span of time (HSELT) feature sets to improve mobile ASR performance in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. Since the signal characteristics of nonstationary noise change with time, we need long-term information of the noisy speech signal to deﬁne a more robust decision rule yielding high accuracy. We ﬁnd that HSELT measures can horizontally enhance the transition between speech and non-speech segments. Based on this ﬁnding, we use the HSELT measures to achieve high accuracy for detecting speech signal form various stationary and nonstationary noises.