Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tight junctions negatively regulate mechanical forces applied to adherens junctions in vertebrate epithelial tissue

ABSTRACT Epithelia are layers of polarised cells tightly bound to each other by adhesive contacts. Epithelia act as barriers between an organism and its external environment. Understanding how epithelia maintain their essential integrity while remaining sufficiently plastic to allow events such as cytokinesis to take place is a key biological problem. In vertebrates, the remodelling and reinforcement of adherens junctions maintains epithelial integrity during cytokinesis. The involvement of tight junctions in cell division, however, has remained unexplored. Here, we examine the role of tight junctions during cytokinesis in the epithelium of the Xenopus laevis embryo. Depletion of the tight junction-associated proteins ZO-1 and GEF-H1 leads to altered cytokinesis duration and contractile ring geometry. Using a tension biosensor, we show that cytokinesis defects originate from misregulation of tensile forces applied to adherens junctions. Our results reveal that tight junctions regulate mechanical tension applied to adherens junctions, which in turn impacts cytokinesis. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: A FRET tension biosensor shows that tight junctions negatively regulate mechanical forces applied to adherens junctions. This regulation becomes essential when junctions are put under stress such as cytokinesis.
RCS modelling of a mini-UAV based on dynamic measurements

The dynamic measurement of an airborne target's radar cross section (RCS) generates a substantial amount of data that must be reduced to a few operationally relevant parameters. A common approach is to represent the RCS of a target by a probability density function (PDF). In this paper, four different techniques are presented and compared for converting the measured, binned RCS data of a mini-UAV into a statistical PDF model of the full-UAV. Of the four, a Monte Carlo-based method yielded the best trade-off between accuracy and complexity.
Activation of methionine by Escherichia coli methionyl-tRNA synthetase.

In the present work, we have examined the function of three amino acid residues in the active site of Escherichia coli methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) in substrate binding and catalysis using site-directed mutagenesis. Conversion of Asp52 to Ala resulted in a 10,000-fold decrease in the rate of ATP-PPi exchange catalyzed by MetRS with little or no effect on the Km's for methionine or ATP or on the Km for the cognate tRNA in the aminoacylation reaction. Substitution of the side chain of Arg233 with that of Gln resulted in a 25-fold increase in the Km for methionine and a 2000-fold decrease in kcat for ATP-PPi exchange, with no change in the Km for ATP or tRNA. These results indicate that Asp52 and Arg233 play important roles in stabilization of the transition state for methionyl adenylate formation, possibly directly interacting with complementary charged groups (ammonium and carboxyl) on the bound amino acid. Primary sequence comparisons of class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases show that all but one member of this group of enzymes has an aspartic acid residue at the site corresponding to Asp52 in MetRS. The synthetases most closely related to MetRS (including those specific for Ile, Leu, and Val) also have a conserved arginine residue at the position corresponding to Arg233, suggesting that these conserved amino acids may play analogous roles in the activation reaction catalyzed by each of these enzymes. Trp305 is located in a pocket deep within the active site of MetRS that has been postulated to form the binding cleft for the methionine side chain. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Reference intervals and biological variation for kallikrein 6: influence of age and renal failure

Abstract Background: Kallikrein 6 (KLK6) is a serine protease involved in numerous cellular processes, up-regulated in many cancers and associated with some neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of this study was to establish a reference interval and estimate the biological variation of KLK6 in serum samples of adults. Furthermore, levels of this protein in patients with renal failure were also studied. Methods: Serum samples from healthy volunteers (n=136) were collected. Between 15 and 18 additional samples from four of these subjects were obtained over a period of 2 months. Samples from individuals (n=1043) who visited the University Health Network for a routine check-up were collected to study the association between KLK6 with age and gender. Samples from patients with renal failure (n=106) were also obtained and KLK6 and creatinine concentrations were analyzed by ELISA and an automated enzymatic method, respectively. Results: The reference interval was established to be 1.04–3.93 ng/mL. The index of individuality was 0.43 and the reference change value was 35%. Only two serum samples would be required to estimate the homeostatic setting point of an individual. There is a weak but highly significant positive correlation between KLK6 and age (p<0.0001). Furthermore, there is a significant positive correlation between serum concentrations of KLK6 and creatinine (p<0.0001), in patients with renal failure. Conclusions: The established reference interval for KLK6 and the estimation of its biological variation will further aid in the clinical use of this protein as a serum marker of malignancy and other diseases.
Quantification of Dehalospirillum multivorans in Mixed-Culture Biofilms with an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

A fast, highly selective and sensitive method to quantify specific biomasses in mixed-culture biofilms is described. It consists of detachment of a biofilm from its support material, resolution of the detached biofilm flocs in order to separate the enclosed cells and antigens, and quantification of specific biomass by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Robust Vehicle Detection and Viewpoint Estimation With Soft Discriminative Mixture Model

Vehicle detection and vehicle viewpoint estimation are both crucial for assistive and autonomous driving systems. In this paper, we propose a soft discriminative mixture of viewpoint (SDMoV) models for joint vehicle detection and vehicle viewpoint estimation. The proposed SDMoV model is learned in two steps. First, a discriminative viewpoint-specific component model, which aims to maximize vehicle viewpoint classification accuracy, is learned for each cluster of vehicle images with similar viewpoint. Second, a new soft margin objective function, which aims to maximize vehicle detection accuracy, is designed to retrain these component models into a mixture of viewpoint models. The proposed SDMoV model is capable of detecting vehicles and estimating their viewpoints simultaneously. Experiments on three state-of-the-art datasets show that the proposed SDMoV model achieves superior accuracy for both vehicle detection and vehicle viewpoint estimation tasks.
Design of 60GHz planar array antennas using PCB-based microstrip-ridge gap waveguide and SIW

A wideband 2×2-slot element for a 60 GHz antenna array is designed by making use of two double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). The upper PCB contains the four radiating cavity-backed slots backed by a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity. The SIW cavity is excited by a coupling slot fed by a microstrip-ridge gap waveguide formed in the air gap between the upper and lower PCBs. The designed 2×2-slot element is considered in an infinite array environment. A sample 32×32 slot array aperture is simulated using infinite array approach and the relative bandwidth of 16% over 57-66GHz frequency range with the directivity of more than 38 dBi over the operating bandwidth is obtained. The simulations are verified by measurements on a smaller 4×4 slot array surrounded by dummy elements.
Diversity of Puccinia boroniae assessed by teliospore morphology and restriction fragment patterns of ribosomal DNA

Preliminary investigations into the diversity of Puccinia boroniae, collected from across southern Western Australia, were conducted by morphological comparison of the teliospores derived from host species Boronia heterophylla and Boronia megastigma, and by restriction enzyme profiling of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear rRNA (rRNA) genes of 21 isolates from a variety of different Boronia species and cultivars. Assessment of teliospore morphology provided significant evidence of two distinct rust groups, separated on the basis of their host plant origin. In general, teliospores from Boronia heterophylla had wider apical and basal cell widths, thinner cell walls and apical papilla, than those isolated from Boronia megastigrna. Restriction analysis of the ITS region provided no evidence of intraspecific variation among the 21 isolates; however, one isolate, distinct from the screened population both geographically and by host origin, was shown to have a length variation (insertion) within the ITS region amplified by PCR. The results indicate that subgroups of P. boroniae in Western Australia may be present, with further evidence required to define the level of separation in the population.
Performance Evaluation of DWDM Communication Systems With Fiber Optical Parametric Amplifiers

We derive analytical expressions for the performance of a long-haul DWDM communication system employing in-line phase insensitive fiber optic parametric amplifiers (FOPA). In our analysis the impairments of both transmission fibers and FOPAs are taken into account. The analytical model is verified with simulations. The performance of FOPA is compared with EDFA and it is shown that a broad band long-haul DWDM transmission system based on FOPAs as in-line amplifiers could be feasible.
An Efficient Unstructured P2P Network Search Algorithm Based on Multi-information

In order to improve the search efficiency of unstructured P2P network, the paper presents a routing algorithm based on multi-information integrated decision-making guidance. In the algorithm, indexing mechanism of neighbors' resource information is used to improve search probability and dynamic TTL adjustment mechanism is used to improve search efficiency. Meanwhile, indexing mechanism of routing information based on variable probability and management mechanism of index credibility are designed to improve the effectiveness of routing index. Simulation results show the algorithm can greatly enhance the efficiency of resource search.
Peripheral motor drive PIC concerns for integrated LDMOS technologies

This work reviews common motor types, driving methods, and associated requirements of power LDMOS drivers including BVdss, Rdson, and SOA for peripheral product applications up to 60 V. Tradeoffs made between various processes, power efficiency, and circuit implementations are discussed. The paper explores additional motor driving specific concerns such as substrate injection, parasitic npn/pnp effects and robustness, reverse recovery, and ESD. Up integration concerns and sensitive circuit isolation techniques are also included. The introduction includes a short process technology outline for peripheral product power ICs (PICs).
The Status of Productivity Measurement in the Public Sector

Unless you are keeping score, it is difficult to know whether you are winning or losing. This applies to ball games, card games, and no less to government productivity for specific services and activities. Productivity measurements permit governments to identify problem areas and, as corrective actions are taken, to detect the extent to which improvements have occurred. This status report deals first with what productivity measurement is, then presents a viewpoint on the current status of productivity measurement in government in the United States, and-finally-briefly examines the likely prospects for the future, including consideration of facilitating and inhibiting factors.
A Common Gate mixer with transconductance nonlinearity cancellation

A highly linear Common Gate (CG) mixer is designed using transconductance linearization technique combined with elimination of harmonic feedback effect. One of the major contributors of third order nonlinearity in the mixer is the second derivative of transconductor (gm″). The Multiple Gated Transistor (MGTR) technique is employed in the transconductor of CG mixer to linearize the mixer. Also, an RF current source is used to remove harmonic feedback components which limit IIP3 enhancement. With CG MGTR transconductor, a LC folded cascode current commutating mixer is proposed. The proposed CG mixer for 900MHz CDMA application is designed with 0. 13µm CMOS technology. Simulation result shows that conversion gain of 7dB NF of 15dB and IIP3 of 20dBm while consuming 5.4mA at 1.2 V supply. Compared with conventional design, the proposed one shows 10dB IIP3 improvement.
Alteration of sonographic texture of the endometrium in post-menopausal bleeding. A guide to further management.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of transvaginal ultrasonography in the evaluation of endometrial morphology in addition to the standard criterion of endometrial thickness for selecting patients for endometrial sampling. METHODS Two hundred and seven consecutive cases of postmenopausal bleeding were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasound. Endometrial thickness was measured as the maximum anteroposterior thickness of the endometrium including both the anterior and posterior layers, in the sagittal long axis view. The morphology of the endometrium was studied and categorized as homogeneous, focally increased echogenecity, diffusely increased echogenecity or diffusely inhomogeneous. Patients were followed up for clinical course and endometrial histopathology. RESULTS Textural inhomogeneity was observed in all the three cases of endometrial cancers with endometrial thickness of less than 6 mm, and, in ten out of 11 cases of a more than 6 mm thick endometrium. On the other hand the endometrial texture was homogeneous in all cases of endometrial atrophy/tissue inadequate for diagnosis, with thickness of less than 6 mm. CONCLUSION This study adds the dimension of abnormal echogenecity of the endometrium to the currently followed criterion of endometrial thickness with a view to enhance accuracy, both for a better prediction of atrophy and a higher prediction for endometrial cancer. Expectant management can be offered to patients with a homogeneous endometrium which is 6 mm thick or less. Aggressive evaluation for a malignancy must be made if there is a focal increased echogenecity or a diffuse increased echogenecity even in a thin endometrium.
Adaptation and International Environmental Agreements

We study the impact of collective effort in R&D in adaptation technologies, and also spillover effects on formation and size of stable international environmental agreements (IEAs). Our results suggest that it is possible to have more than one size of stable IEA. We can achieve a superior equilibrium, i.e., the grand coalition, if countries manage to keep knowledge spillovers low and arrange a minimum ratification threshold. This threshold is defined endogenously. We also shed light on the effects of two-sided spillover on global welfare and the size of stable IEAs.
Load control for supply-demand balancing under Renewable Energy forecasting

This paper integrates the conception of forecasting Renewable Energy (RE) sources and the user's load demands with intelligent Demand Side Management (DSM) under smart DC micro-grid (SDMG) architecture. The RE are mainly consisting of intermittent solar and wind generators, while the load demands are classified as base (uncontrollable) loads and flexible (controllable) loads. The base loads are priority loads and are served in real time, while flexible loads could be operated intelligently according to the availability of the supply. We integrate a day-ahead prediction mechanism for RE, so that we can schedule a day-ahead consumption accordingly. Practically, these predictions are attained with certain level of forecasting errors, causing imbalance in supply and demands at real-time. This imbalance also known as RE uncertainty, will make the power system unstable. To address the dynamic behavior of SDMG and to balance supply and demands, we propose a novel robust control strategy for controllable flexible demands. To simplify our system we make the generation and demands deterministic, by employing intelligence of Support Vector Machine (SVM) learning algorithm. We then incorporate SVM with novel Sliding Mode Control (SMC) for scheduling consumer's flexible loads to make DSM more efficient and accurate. The energy allocation mechanism to consumer demands is made analogous to non-linear fluid flow model. The simulations have established an effective forecasted data using SVM and efficient balancing results of supply and demand using SMC.
Integrated non invasive tests for the architectural restoration of the Tricarico Cathedral

The Restoration of a monument is based on the diagnosis of decay pathologies and instability factors that affect it. This diagnosis could be pursued by means on different diagnostic methodologies among which the non invasive ones are desirable because of the brittleness of cultural heritage. In this paper we show an integrated diagnostic approach based on the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Sonic Prospecting applied to the Cathedral of Tricarico in the Basilicata region (Italy), affected by heavy instability phenomena and a widespread deterioration of building materials. The two methods have been exploited to characterize the deterioration status of the pillars of the church. For two of the investigated pillars direct information on the masonry structure have been provided by means of the extraction of a core and the endoscopie inspection of the hole left by the coring. The comparison between results provided by non invasive and indirect investigations with the data derived from the direct investigations : 1) put in evidence the great effectiveness of the two employed diagnostic methods, when used in an integrated way, for detecting cracks and in-homogeneities in the inner structure of masonry building elements; 2) helped in interpreting the radargrams and seismic tomographies, thus providing data useful for the diagnosis of the monument. Finally, with regard to the GPR prospecting, the results obtained by a standard processing and by an inverse scattering algorithm have been compared.
Asymmetry of DNA replication fork progression in Werner's syndrome

Human aging is associated with accumulation of cells that have undergone replicative senescence. The rare premature aging Werner's syndrome (WS) provides a phenocopy of normal human aging and WS patient cells recapitulate the aging phenotype in culture as they rapidly lose the ability to proliferate or replicate their DNA. WS is associated with loss of functional WRN protein. Although the biochemical properties of WRN protein, which possesses both helicase and exonuclease activities, suggest an involvement in DNA metabolism, its action in cells is not clear. Here, we provide experimental evidence for a role of the WRN protein in DNA replication in normally proliferating cells. Most importantly, we demonstrate that in the absence of functional WRN protein, replication forks from origins of bidirectional replication fail to progress normally, resulting in marked asymmetry of bidirectional forks. We propose that WRN acts in normal DNA replication to prevent collapse of replication forks or to resolve DNA junctions at stalled replication forks, and that loss of this capacity may be a contributory factor in premature aging.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Leiocassis crassilabris (Teleostei, Siluriformes: Bagridae)

Abstract The Leiocassis crassilabris is an important economic fish in China, and is widely distributed in south China, e.g. Yangtze River, Pearl River, and Min River, so it is a good model to study population genetics and geological changes of these regions. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of L. crassilabris has been obtained with PCR. The gene arrangement and composition L. crassilabris of mitochondrial genome sequence are similar to most of the other vertebrates’, which contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a non-coding control region with the total length of 16,530 bp. Except for eight tRNA and ND6 genes, other genes are encoded on heavy-strand (H-strand). Similar to most other vertebrates, the bias of G and C have universality in different region (genes). The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of L. crassilabris would contribute to better understand population genetics, conservation, biogeography, evolution of this lineage.
Study on the Evaluation of Cooperation Development of Resource Region

Cooperation development is the precondition for the healthy, smooth and fast economic development, is the basis and implemental measure for sustainable development, and is also the objective requirement for constructing the harmonious society. The evaluation of Cooperation development of resource region is not improvisational, it actualizes by continual and recurrent examination, adjustment and evaluation. Using the extended DEA approach, this article provides a approach of evaluating the validity degree of "cooperation" and "development" within the resource region system and among subsystems, therefore it gets the integrated evaluation index of Cooperation development and puts forward improved policy suggestions.
Sentinel Node Biopsy in Gastric Cancer: Preliminary Results

Abstract Background: Extent of lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer is one of the still unresolved and ongoing questions. Whether extensive procedures lead to better survival remains controversial. The detection of sentinel node could become a helpful method to define the desirable extent of lymph node dissection for each particular patient. Material and methods: Prospective, single-centre, clinical trial. Sentinel node is identified using vital blue dye. After performance of D2 lymphadenectomy, the pathologist minutely investigates all lymphatic nodes by histological and imunohistochemistry techniques. Results: During a period of 36 months, an attempt to localise the sentinel node for biopsy was made in 22 patients. The successful rate of sentinel node detection with a good relation between metastatic involvement of the sentinel node and other nodes was 56% (13 out of 22 patients). All these patients suffered from small tumours and early stage of the disease. In large tumours and advanced stages, blue dye stained the tissue around the tumour diffusely rendering the identification of true sentinel node impossible. Fresh frozen section of the sentinel node resulted in two patients in a false negative outcome because of micrometastatic involvement. Conclusions: Sentinel node biopsy in gastric cancer using vital staining is a feasible method. Reliable results were seen in early stage of the disease. Fresh frozen section of sentinel node has probably a low sensitivity for detection of micro-metastases.
Simultaneous Determination of Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide in Tablets by RP-HPLC

A simple, reproducible and efficient reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for simultaneous determination of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide in tablets. A column having 200 × 4.6 mm i.d. in isocratic mode with mobile phase containing methanol:acetonitrile:water:isopropylalcohol (22:18:68:2; adjusted to pH 8.0 using triethylamine; v/v) was used. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and effluent was monitored at 270 nm. The retention time (min) and linearity range (μg/ml) for valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide were (3.42, 8.43) and (5-150, 78-234), respectively. The developed method was found to be accurate, precise and selective for simultaneous determination of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide in tablets.