Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skin-specific expression of a truncated E1a oncoprotein binding to p105- Rb leads to abnormal hair follicle maturation without increased epidermal proliferation

In cultured cells, mutants of the Adenovirus E1a oncoprotein which bind to a reduced set of cellular proteins, including p105-Rb, p107, and p60- cyclin A, are transformation defective but can still interfere with exogenous growth inhibitory and differentiating signals, such as those triggered by TGF-beta. We have tested the ability of one such mutant, NTdl646, to interfere with keratinocyte growth and differentiation in vivo, in the skin of transgenic mice. Keratinocyte-specific expression of the transgene was achieved by using a keratin 5 promoter. Two independent lines of transgenic mice were obtained which expressed E1a specifically in their skin and exhibited an aberrant hair coat phenotype with striking regional variations. Affected hair shafts were short and crooked and hair follicles exhibited a dystrophic or absent inner root sheath. Interfollicular epidermis was normal, but its hyperplastic response to acute treatment with TPA (12-O- tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) was significantly reduced. Primary keratinocytes derived from these animals were partially resistant to the effects of TPA and TGF-beta. The rate of spontaneous or chemically induced skin tumors in the transgenic mice was not increased. Thus, expression of a transgene which interferes with known negative growth regulatory proteins causes profound disturbances of keratinocyte maturation into a highly organized structure such as the hair follicle but does not lead to increased and/or neoplastic proliferation.
Multivariate and Propensity Score Matching Software with Automated Balance Optimization: The Matching Package for R

Matching is an R package which provides functions for multivariate and propensity score matching and for finding optimal covariate balance based on a genetic search algorithm. A variety of univariate and multivariate metrics to determine if balance actually has been obtained are provided. The underlying matching algorithm is written in C++, makes extensive use of system BLAS and scales efficiently with dataset size. The genetic algorithm which finds optimal balance is parallelized and can make use of multiple CPUs or a cluster of computers. A large number of options are provided which control exactly how the matching is conducted and how balance is evaluated.
Cooperative Ethylene and Jasmonic Acid Signaling Regulates Selenite Resistance in Arabidopsis1[W][OA]

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for many organisms, but excess Se is toxic. To better understand plant Se toxicity and resistance mechanisms, we compared the physiological and molecular responses of two Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions, Columbia (Col)-0 and Wassilewskija (Ws)-2, to selenite treatment. Measurement of root length Se tolerance index demonstrated a clear difference between selenite-resistant Col-0 and selenite-sensitive Ws-2. Macroarray analysis showed more pronounced selenite-induced increases in mRNA levels of ethylene- or jasmonic acid (JA)-biosynthesis and -inducible genes in Col-0 than in Ws-2. Indeed, Col-0 exhibited higher levels of ethylene and JA. The selenite-sensitive phenotype of Ws-2 was attenuated by treatment with ethylene precursor or methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Conversely, the selenite resistance of Col-0 was reduced in mutants impaired in ethylene or JA biosynthesis or signaling. Genes encoding sulfur (S) transporters and S assimilation enzymes were up-regulated by selenite in Col-0 but not Ws-2. Accordingly, Col-0 contained higher levels of total S and Se and of nonprotein thiols than Ws-2. Glutathione redox status was reduced by selenite in Ws-2 but not in Col-0. Furthermore, the generation of reactive oxygen species by selenite was higher in Col-0 than in Ws-2. Together, these results indicate that JA and ethylene play important roles in Se resistance in Arabidopsis. Reactive oxygen species may also have a signaling role, and the resistance mechanism appears to involve enhanced S uptake and reduction.
Thymus Migration and Dendritic Cell Behavior in the Stromal Cell Networks Regulate Thymocyte

After entry into thymus, T cell progenitors migrate in the cortex and the medulla while completing their education. Recent reports have documented the dynamic and tortuous behavior of thymocytes. However, other than chemokines and/or segregated thymic substrates, the factors contributing to the dynamic patterns of thymocyte movement are poorly characterized. By combining con-focal and dynamic two-photon microscopy, we demonstrate that thymocytes continuously migrate on thymic stromal cell networks. In addition to constituting " roads " for thymocytes, we observed that these networks also provide a scaffold on which dendritic cells attach themselves. These results highlight the central role of stromal microanatomy in orchestrating the multiple cellular interactions necessary for T cell migration/development within the thymus. T he thymus supports the sequential steps leading to T cell maturation and selection (1). Lymphoid progenitors enter the thymus at the corticomedullary junction, where they migrate outward toward the cortex as CD4 2 CD8 2 double-negative cells. In the cortex, double-negative cells further mature into CD4 + CD8 + double-positive (DP) cells upon rearrangement of their TCR band a-chains. Upon completion of the positive selection process, DP cells become either CD4 + CD8 2 or CD4 2 CD8 + single-positive (SP) cells and migrate to the medulla, where negative selection occurs. At the end of this selection process, mature T cells are exported to the periphery. A key question regarding thymocyte behavior within the thymus is how thymocyte migration is controlled within this densely packed environment. Thymi have a highly organized architecture composed of distinct cellular compartments and structures, at the heart of which lies a nonhematopoietic cell backbone (2). Among the cells that are critical for generating this backbone are various thymic stromal cells (TSCs), including cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTEC) and medullary epithelial cells (mTEC) as well as nonepithelial stromal cells (1). It is well established that during T cell development, an efficient cross-talk between thymocytes and TSCs is mandatory for their successful maturation (3). In the cortex, DP thymocytes crawl through the cortical environment, seeking to encounter self-MHC–peptide complexes expressed by various TSCs, including cTECs (4). In the medulla, mTECs express the transcription factor autoimmune regulator protein, which regulates the expression of peripheral tissue Ags, a critical step in the establishment of central tolerance as autoimmune regulator–deficient mice present a defined profile of autoimmune diseases (5). To complete thymocyte education, TSCs also provide chemical cues to them. As an example, SP …
Proteolytic release of the carboxy-terminal fragment of proHB-EGF causes nuclear export of PLZF

Cleavage of membrane-anchored heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (proHB-EGF) via metalloprotease activation yields amino- and carboxy-terminal regions (HB-EGF and HB-EGF-C, respectively), with HB-EGF widely recognized as a key element of epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation in G protein–coupled receptor signaling. Here, we show a biological role of HB-EGF-C in cells. Subsequent to proteolytic cleavage of proHB-EGF, HB-EGF-C translocated from the plasma membrane into the nucleus. This translocation triggered nuclear export of the transcriptional repressor, promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF), which we identify as an HB-EGF-C binding protein. Suppression of cyclin A and delayed entry of S-phase in cells expressing PLZF were reversed by the production of HB-EGF-C. These results indicate that released HB-EGF-C functions as an intracellular signal and coordinates cell cycle progression with HB-EGF.
Survey of Clustering Schemes in Mobile Ad hoc Networks

The mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are gaining popularity in recent years due to their flexibility and they can be deployed at any location without pre-existing infrastructure. They are used in various contexts such as collaborative, military application or in emergency services. Now a days clustering is a challenging issue in MANETs for addressing efficient resource utilization and must strike a balance between mobility, battery power, node degree, etc. In this paper, we consider the various approaches for clustering have been presented and different approaches focus on different performance metrics. Each cluster contain a particular node called as cluster head which is elected as cluster head according to the specific metric or combination of metrics such as mobility, energy, degree, density, weight etc. In this survey paper we study some clustering schemes such as Mobility based clustering, Energy efficient clustering, Load balancing clustering, and Combined-metrics based clustering.
A subset approach to contour tracking in clutter

A new method for tracking contours of moving objects in clutter is presented. For a given object, a model of its contours is learned from training data in the form of a subset of contour space. Greater complexity is added to the contour model by analyzing rigid and non-rigid transformations of contours separately. In the course of tracking, multiple contours may be observed due to the presence of extraneous edges in the form of clutter; the learned model guides the algorithm in picking out the correct one. The algorithm, which is posed as a solution to a minimization problem, is made efficient by the use of several iterative schemes. Results applying the proposed algorithm to the tracking of a flexing finger and to a conversing individual's lips are presented.
Pharmacokinetics of Ceftaroline in a Preterm Infant With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Pneumonia

We report here the first pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship for ceftaroline in a preterm infant born at <28 weeks' gestational age who was given ceftaroline (8.5 mg/kg every 8 hours) for pneumonia attributable to methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus. This dose of ceftaroline was adequate to achieve the pharmacodynamic endpoint associated with efficacy for methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus.
QoE-aware traffic management for mobile video delivery

Video delivery has become a major challenge for mobile networks. The increasing spread of smartphones, along with the expanding availability of LTE coverage, has contributed to an extensively growing mobile video demand, bringing large volumes of video traffic and far exceeding the capacity of mobile networks. As a result, wireless access congestion is becoming more frequent, degrading the Quality of Experience (QoE) for mobile video consumers. In this paper, we present a novel QoE-aware traffic management scheme and architecture for scalable video delivery. Thereby, Scalable Video Coding (SVC) is able to organize video data into layers of different importance, thus facilitating the rate adaptation of video streams. The proposed cross-layer architecture is implemented and the optimization is validated in a real-time streaming prototype and testbed. Results demonstrate the benefit of applying QoE-awareness and cross-layer optimization in congestion scenarios. The perceived video quality is improved considerably for all users in the cell, under both light and heavy congestion.
An Empirical Study of JUnit Test-Suite Reduction

As test suites grow larger during software evolution, regression testing becomes expensive. To reduce the cost of regression testing, test-suite reduction aims to select a minimal subset of the original test suite that can still satisfy all the test requirements. While traditional test-suite reduction techniques were intensively studied on C programs with specially generated test suites, there are limited studies for test-suite reduction on programs with real-world test suites. In this paper, we investigate test-suite reduction techniques on Java programs with real-world JUnit test suites. We implemented four representative test-suite reduction techniques for JUnit test suites. We performed an empirical study on 19 versions of four real-world Java programs, ranging from 1.89 KLoC to 80.44 KLoC. Our study investigates both the benefits and the costs of test-suite reduction. The results show that the four traditional test-suite reduction techniques can effectively reduce these JUnit test suites without substantially reducing their fault-detection capability. Based on the results, we provide a guideline for achieving cost-effective JUnit test suite reduction.
Zooming towards the Event Horizon - mm-VLBI today and tomorrow

Global VLBI imaging at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelength overcomes the opacity barrier of synchrotron self-absorption in AGN and opens the direct view into sub-pc scale regions not accessible before. Since AGN variability is more pronounced at short millimeter wavelength, mm-VLBI can reveal structural changes in very early stages after outbursts. When combined with observations at longer wavelength, global 3mm and 1mm VLBI adds very detailed information. This helps to determine fundamental physical properties at the jet base, and in the vicinity of super-massive black holes at the center of AGN. Here we present new results from multi-frequency mm-VLBI imaging of OJ287 during a major outburst. We also report on a successful 1.3mm VLBI experiment with the APEX telescope in Chile. This observation sets a new record in angular resolution. It also opens the path towards future mm-VLBI with ALMA, which aims at the mapping of the black hole event horizon in nearby galaxies, and the study of the roots of jets in AGN.
Coordinating non cooperative planning agents: complexity results

Whenever independent, non-cooperative actors jointly have to solve a complex task, they need to coordinate their efforts. Typical examples of such task coordination problems are supply chain management, multi-modal transportation and patient-centered health care management. Common elements in such problems are a complex task, i.e., a set of interdependent subtasks, and a set of competitive actors. Solving a task coordination problem first of all requires solving a task allocation problem (how to assign competitive actors to the subtasks). As a result, each of the actors receives a set of subtasks to complete and needs to make a plan for this set of tasks. Due to dependencies between tasks, a plan coordination problem has to be solved (how to ensure that a joint plan can always be composed, whatever plan is chosen by the individual actors). The aim of this paper is twofold: first of all to present a general formal framework to study some computational aspects of this non-cooperative coordination problem, and secondly to establish some complexity results and to identify some of the factors that contribute to the complexity of this problem.
New S-box Design of Advance Encryption Standard, AES

PCT No. PCT/JP84/00499 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 17, 1985 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 17, 1985 PCT Filed Oct. 19, 1984 PCT Pub. No. WO85/01729 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 25, 1985.5-Fluorouracil derivatives represented by general; formula I: (I) wherein R represents an acyl group derived from an unsaturated higher fatty acid selected from the group consisting of triene higher acids, pentaene higher acids, and hexaene higher fatty acids, can be used as for inhibiting platelet aggregation and an anticancer chemotherapeutic agent. They may be mixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or a diluent to form a medicinal preparation.
Effects of camera calibration errors on RLS Trajectory Estimation of a Spinning Flying Object

Effects of camera calibration errors are investigated in static-eye configuration. The effect of the error in the extrinsic parameters of the camera to extract and predict the position of a flying object in a 3D environment using Recursive Least Squares (RLS) is analyzed. Simulations have been carried in order to minimize the error of the position predicted in the global reference frame modifying the camera position.
Using Landsat data to assess fire and burn severity in the North American boreal forest region: an overview and summary of results

There has been considerable interest in the recent literature regarding the assessment of post-fire effects on forested areas within the North American boreal forest. Assessing the physical and ecological effects of fire in boreal forests has far-reaching implications for a variety of ecosystem processes - such as post-fire forest succession - and land management decisions. The present paper reviews past assessments and the studies presented in this special issue that have largely been based on the Composite Burn Index and differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR). Results from relating and mapping fire/burn severity within the boreal region have been variable, and are likely attributed, in part, to the wide variability in vegetation and terrain conditions that are characteristic of the region. Satellite remote sensing of post-fire effects alone without proper field calibration should be avoided. A sampling approach combining field and image values of burn condition is necessary for successful mapping of fire/burn severity. Satellite-based assessments of fire/burn severity, and in particular dNBR and related indices, need to be used judiciously and assessed for appropriateness based on the users' need. Issues unique to high latitudes also need to be considered when using satellite-derived information in the boreal forest region.
Reflective Teaching Practices: An Approach to Teaching Communication Skills in a Small-Group Setting

Small-group teaching is particularly suited for complex skills such as communication. Existing work has identified the basic elements of small-group teaching, but few descriptions of higher-order teaching practices exist in the medical literature. Thus the authors developed an empirically driven and theoretically grounded model for small-group communication-skills teaching. Between 2002 and 2005, teaching observations were collected over 100 hours of direct contact time between four expert facilitators and 120 medical oncology fellows participating in Oncotalk, a semiannual, four-day retreat focused on end-of-life communication skills. The authors conducted small-group teaching observations, semistructured interviews with faculty participants, video or audio recording with transcript review, and evaluation of results by faculty participants. Teaching skills observed during the retreats included a linked set of reflective, process-oriented teaching practices: identifying a learning edge, proposing and testing hypotheses, and calibrating learner self-assessments. Based on observations and debriefings with facilitators, the authors developed a conceptual model of teaching that illustrates an iterative loop of teaching practices aimed at enhancing learners’ engagement and self-efficacy. Through longitudinal, empirical observations, this project identified a set of specific teaching skills for small-group settings with applicability to other clinical teaching settings. This study extends current theory and teaching practice prescriptions by describing specific teaching practices required for effective teaching. These reflective teaching practices, while developed for communication skills training, may be useful for teaching other challenging topics such as ethics and professionalism.
Detection of architectural distortion in mammograms using geometrical properties of thinned edge structures

AbstractThe proposed method detects the most commonly missed breast cancer symptom, Architectural Distortion. The basis of the method lies in the analysis of geometrical properties of abnormal patterns that correspond to Architectural Distortion in mammograms. Pre-processing methods are employed for the elimination of Pectoral Muscle (PM) region from the mammogram and to localize possible centers of Architectural Distortion. Regions that are candidates to contain centroids of Architectural Distortion are identified using a modification of the isotropic SUSAN filter. Edge features are computed in these regions using Phase Congruency, which are thinned using Gradient Magnitude Maximization. From these thinned edges, relevant edge structures are retained based on three geometric properties namely eccentricity to retain near linear structures, perpendicular distance from each such structure to the centroid of the edges and quadrant support membership of these edge structures. Features for classification are g.
Color image retrieval using edge-spatial feature

Color image retrieval based on histogram is analyzed and a novel method is proposed based on the image edge information. Firstly, the image edge is extracted by the use of the color vector angles because of its character which is insensitive to illumination but sensitive to hue and saturation. Then, the color vector angle histogram of the image edge is constructed to describe the image feature. With this descriptor, the color information, edge information and shape feature have been taken into account. Experimental results have shown that the proposed method not only has sound retrieval performance but also has the robustness against illumination changes, position translation, scale translation of the image content.
Gold Nanorods as Contrast Agents for Biological Imaging: Optical Properties, Surface Conjugation and Photothermal Effects †

Gold nanorods (NRs) have plasmon‐resonant absorption and scattering in the near‐infrared (NIR) region, making them attractive probes for in vitro and in vivo imaging. In the cellular environment, NRs can provide scattering contrast for darkfield microscopy, or emit a strong two‐photon luminescence due to plasmon‐enhanced two‐photon absorption. NRs have also been employed in biomedical imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography or photoacoustic tomography. Careful control over surface chemistry enhances the capacity of NRs as biological imaging agents by enabling cell‐specific targeting, and by increasing their dispersion stability and circulation lifetimes. NRs can also efficiently convert optical energy into heat, and inflict localized damage to tumor cells. Laser‐induced heating of NRs can disrupt cell membrane integrity and homeostasis, resulting in Ca2+ influx and the depolymerization of the intracellular actin network. The combination of plasmon‐resonant optical properties, intense local photothermal effects and robust surface chemistry render gold NRs as promising theragnostic agents.
Intraperoxisomal redox balance in mammalian cells: oxidative stress and interorganellar cross-talk

Peroxisomes are capable of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, but their contribution to cellular redox balance is not well understood. This study demonstrates that peroxisomes and mitochondria functionally interact via ROS signaling, suggesting a potential broader role for the peroxisome in cellular aging and the initiation and progression of age-related diseases.