Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BarR, an Lrp‐type transcription factor in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, regulates an aminotransferase gene in a β‐alanine responsive manner

In archaea, nothing is known about the β‐alanine degradation pathway or its regulation. In this work, we identify and characterize BarR, a novel Lrp‐like transcription factor and the first one that has a non‐proteinogenic amino acid ligand. BarR is conserved in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and Sulfolobus tokodaii and is located in a divergent operon with a gene predicted to encode β‐alanine aminotransferase. Deletion of barR resulted in a reduced exponential growth rate in the presence of β‐alanine. Furthermore, qRT‐PCR and promoter activity assays demonstrated that BarR activates the expression of the adjacent aminotransferase gene, but only upon β‐alanine supplementation. In contrast, auto‐activation proved to be β‐alanine independent. Heterologously produced BarR is an octamer in solution and forms a single complex by interacting with multiple sites in the 170 bp long intergenic region separating the divergently transcribed genes. In vitro, DNA binding is specifically responsive to β‐alanine and site‐mutant analyses indicated that β‐alanine directly interacts with the ligand‐binding pocket. Altogether, this work contributes to the growing body of evidence that in archaea, Lrp‐like transcription factors have physiological roles that go beyond the regulation of α‐amino acid metabolism.
Efficient Quantification of HIV-1 in Heparin Plasma Spiked with Cultured HIV-1 by the Roche Cobas TaqMan and Abbott RealTime HIV-1 Tests

ABSTRACT The current automated real-time HIV-1 viral load assays, the Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan test and the Abbott RealTime test, are FDA cleared for use with EDTA plasma. We show that both real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) tests reliably quantify HIV-1 RNA in heparin plasma specimens spiked with HIV-1 isolate MN.
The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey: A National Information Resource to Support Healthcare Cost Research and Inform Policy and Practice

Background:The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) collects detailed information regarding the use and payment for health care services from a nationally representative sample of Americans. The survey is designed to provide analysts with the data they need to support policy-relevant research on health care expenses, utilization, insurance coverage, and access in the United States and to provide policymakers with the results and data they need to make informed decisions. Objectives:This article summarizes the capacity of this broad-based and publicly available information resource to support research efforts directed towards achieving a better understanding of the dynamics of American healthcare and to better characterize its current state. Methods:The MEPS comprises a nationally representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population in the United States, and collects comprehensive data on individuals and their health care experiences over a span of 2 years. Household survey data are collected by means of computer-assisted personal interviews, and those data are supplemented by information collected directly from the medical providers used by survey participants. Insurance data are collected both from households and through a separate state and nationally representative survey of business establishments, which collects information on health insurance provided by United States employers. Results:The MEPS has been used extensively in scientific publications and published reports, as well as by the Federal and state governments to examine the delivery and financing of healthcare in the United States. Conclusions:The analytical findings generated by the MEPS are key inputs to facilitate the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and practices addressing health care in the United States and its related costs. Recent efforts to reconcile MEPS and the National Health Expenditure Accounts have the potential to provide an even more accurate and powerful data tool for research and policy analysis.
Multi-Objective Memetic Algorithm for FPGA Placement Using Parallel Genetic Annealing

Due to advancement in reconfigurable computing, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) has gained significance due to its low cost and fast prototyping. Parallelism, specialization, and hardware level adaptation, are the key features of reconfigurable computing. FPGA is a programmable chip that can be configured or reconfigured by the designer, to implement any digital circuit. One major challenge in FPGA design is the Placement problem. In this placement phase, the logic functions are assigned to specific cells of the circuit. The quality of the placement of the logic blocks determines the overall performance of the logic implemented in the circuits. The Placement of FPGA is a Multi-Objective Optimization problem that primarily involves minimization of three or more objective functions. In this paper, we propose a novel strategy to solve the FPGA placement problem using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) and Simulated Annealing technique. Experiments were conducted in Multicore Processors and metrics such as CPU time were measured to test the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. From the experimental results, it is evident that the proposed algorithm reduces the CPU consumption time to an average of 15% as compared to the Genetic Algorithm, 12% as compared to the Simulated Annealing, and approximately 6% as compared to the Genetic Annealing algorithm.
60 GHz radio wave propagation prediction in a hospital environment using an accurate room structural model

Accurate radio wave propagation prediction is crucial in designing wireless instruments for medical use. In this paper we simulate the 60 GHz radio channel in a hospital ultrasonic inspection room using ray tracing based on single-bounce scattering. The scattering is calculated with a single-lobe directive model and the room structure is modeled with a large point cloud, acquired via laser scanning. It is shown that the scattering model is able to predict the power delay profile with a proper scattering parameter. It is also noticed that measuring the environment dimensions with laser scanning is a suitable method in order to obtain appropriate prediction of the propagation channel.
Foreign DNA acquisition by the I-F CRISPR–Cas system requires all components of the interference machinery

CRISPR immunity depends on acquisition of fragments of foreign DNA into CRISPR arrays. For type I-E CRISPR–Cas systems two modes of spacer acquisition, naïve and primed adaptation, were described. Naïve adaptation requires just two most conserved Cas1 and Cas2 proteins; it leads to spacer acquisition from both foreign and bacterial DNA and results in multiple spacers incapable of immune response. Primed adaptation requires all Cas proteins and a CRISPR RNA recognizing a partially matching target. It leads to selective acquisition of spacers from DNA molecules recognized by priming CRISPR RNA, with most spacers capable of protecting the host. Here, we studied spacer acquisition by a type I-F CRISPR–Cas system. We observe both naïve and primed adaptation. Both processes require not just Cas1 and Cas2, but also intact Csy complex and CRISPR RNA. Primed adaptation shows a gradient of acquisition efficiency as a function of distance from the priming site and a strand bias that is consistent with existence of single-stranded adaption intermediates. The results provide new insights into the mechanism of spacer acquisition and illustrate surprising mechanistic diversity of related CRISPR–Cas systems.
Local homeoprotein diffusion can stabilize boundaries generated by graded positional cues

Boundary formation in the developing neuroepithelium decides on the position and size of compartments in the adult nervous system. In this study, we start from the French Flag model proposed by Lewis Wolpert, in which boundaries are formed through the combination of morphogen diffusion and of thresholds in cell responses. In contemporary terms, a response is characterized by the expression of cell-autonomous transcription factors, very often of the homeoprotein family. Theoretical studies suggest that this sole mechanism results in the formation of boundaries of imprecise shapes and positions. Alan Turing, on the other hand, proposed a model whereby two morphogens that exhibit self-activation and reciprocal inhibition, and are uniformly distributed and diffuse at different rates lead to the formation of territories of unpredictable shapes and positions but with sharp boundaries (the ‘leopard spots’). Here, we have combined the two models and compared the stability of boundaries when the hypothesis of local homeoprotein intercellular diffusion is, or is not, introduced in the equations. We find that the addition of homeoprotein local diffusion leads to a dramatic stabilization of the positioning of the boundary, even when other parameters are significantly modified. This novel Turing/Wolpert combined model has thus important theoretical consequences for our understanding of the role of the intercellular diffusion of homeoproteins in the developmental robustness of and the changes that take place in the course of evolution. SUMMARY: Mathematical modeling and simulations suggest that the local diffusion of homeoproteins during neuronal differentiation is enough to create smooth and reliable boundaries between cortical areas.
A compact and high efficient LED driver compatible with electronic ballast by synchronous voltage doubler rectifier

A compact and high efficient LED driver compatible with various electronic ballasts commercially used in markets is newly proposed, which modulates the LED power by controlling a switching duty cycle of a main switch in synchronous voltage doubler rectifier. Thus, the fluorescent lamp can be replaced with the LED lamp without any change of fluorescent lamp fixture. The zero voltage switching (ZVS) is achieved for different switching frequency of electronic ballast, which leads to high efficiency. Furthermore, neither an inductor, a transformer, nor an electrolyte capacitor is used, which makes this LED driver compact size and long lifetime. A prototype of 16 W LED driver was implemented and experimentally verified for 32 W or 36 W electronic ballasts, where high efficiencies of 93.2%, 91.8%, and 92.3% for instant start, rapid start and programmed start ballasts, respectively, were achieved for a wide range of source voltage 180 V <; Vs <; 260 V, adequately meeting high power factor (PF), low total harmonic distortion (THD).
Improved L2 – L∞ filter design for polytopic time-delay systems

This work tackles the problem of the L2 - L∞ filtering for continuous-time delay systems with polytopic uncertainties. Based on the parameter dependant Lyapunov function approach (PDLFA), we propose less conservative results by means of a linear matrix inequalities. The use of slack variables provide filter design conditions with less conservativeness. This approach is illustrated by popular numerical examples from the literature.
Identifying contact-mediated, localized toxic effects of MWCNT aggregates on epithelial monolayers: a single-cell monitoring toxicity assay

Abstract Aggregates of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) impair the barrier properties of human airway cell monolayers. To resolve the mechanism of the barrier alteration, monolayers of Calu-3 human airway epithelial cells were exposed to aggregated MWCNT. At the cell-population level, trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was used as an indicator of barrier competence, caspase activity was assessed with standard biochemical assays, and cell viability was investigated by biochemical techniques and high-throughput screening (HTS) technique based on automated epifluorescence microscopy. At cell level, the response to MWCNT was investigated with confocal microscopy, by evaluating cell death (calcein/propidium iodide (PI)), proliferation (Ki-67), and apoptosis (caspase activity). At the cell-population level, exposure to aggregated MWCNT caused a decrease in TEER, which was not associated with a decrease in cell viability or onset of apoptosis even after an 8-d exposure. In contrast, confocal imaging demonstrated contact with MWCNT aggregates triggered cell death after 24 h of exposure. In the presence of a natural surfactant, both TEER decrease and contact-mediated toxicity were mitigated. With confocal imaging, increased proliferation and apoptosis were detected in Calu-3 cells next to the aggregates. Contact-mediated cytotoxicity was recorded in two additional cell lines (BEAS-2B and A549) derived from human airways. Similar results were confirmed by adopting two additional MWCNT preparations with different physico-chemical features. This indicates MWCNT caused localized damage to airway epithelial monolayers in vitro and altered the apoptotic and proliferative rate of epithelial cells in close proximity to the aggregates. These findings provide evidence on the pathway by which MWCNT aggregates impair airway barrier function, and support the use of imaging techniques as a possible regulatory-decision supporting tool to identify effects of aggregated nanomaterials not readily detected at cell population level.
Antenna's shape optimization and reconstruction by level-set 3D

The inverse scattering problem in electromagnetic is studied through the minimisation of the functional Jscr = frac12 intthetas(|E-Eid|)2dgamma, where Eoarr is the solution of the classical exterior Maxwell problem, Eoarrid the measure of the electrical ideal field and thetas is a fixed region of the open domain Omega. Considering this inverse problem, we compute the shape derivative of the functional Jscr for a smooth surface using an original min max formulation. After solving the state problems and computing the shape gradient by the integral equation, we introduce the level set optimization method. This method, based on the implicit representation of the boundary of Omega t (where t is the evolution parameter) and the speed method, allows to reconstruct a homogenous surface triangular mesh at each iteration to decrease the value of the functional, notably performing several topological changes. We present here some original case of 3D reconstruction in full illumination and pure underconstrained configuration. We present notably the reconstruction of singular geometry. Finally we apply the techniques on a parabolic antenna and present the optimized diagram
ECNU at SemEval-2017 Task 4: Evaluating Effective Features on Machine Learning Methods for Twitter Message Polarity Classification

This paper reports our submission to subtask A of task 4 (Sentiment Analysis in Twitter, SAT) in SemEval 2017, i.e., Message Polarity Classification. We investigated several traditional Natural Language Processing (NLP) features, domain specific features and word embedding features together with supervised machine learning methods to address this task. Officially released results showed that our system ranked above average.
Functional reorganization of the auditory pathways following late callosotomy

Injuries at various levels of the auditory system have been shown to lead to functional reorganization of the auditory pathways. In particular, it has recently been shown that such reorganization can occur in callosal agenesis. The pattern of cortical activity following callosotomy is however still unknown, but behavioral results suggest that it could be significantly different from that observed in callosal agenesis. We aimed to confirm this hypothesis by investigating fMRI responses to complex sounds presented binaurally and monaurally in a callosotomized patient. In the binaural condition, the callosotomized subject showed patterns of auditory cortical activation that were similar to those of neurologically intact individuals. However, in both monaural conditions, the callosotomized individual showed a significant increase of the asymmetries favoring the contralateral pathways. Such patterns of cortical responses are only partially consistent with the results obtained from callosal agenesis subjects using the exact same procedure. Indeed, the latter show differences compared with normals in both binaural and monaural conditions. These findings provide neurological evidence that callosotomy could lead to distinctive functional reorganization of the human auditory pathways.
A Member of the Wedding? Heterosexism and Family Ritual

SUMMARY Heterosexism as an interpersonal dynamic at weddings was examined using feminist critical science. Data were collected from 45 gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people who attended focus groups. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender participants described multiple interactions in which they were devalued or hidden while het-erosexuality was elevated, as well as interactions in which they or another family member resisted heterosexism. Weddings were perceived to be difficult, and participation in them was questioned. As part of their critique of weddings, participants offered a vision of relationships that was based on commitment, rather than heterosexuality or material benefits. Results of this study were used to create a brochure and Website for educating heterosexual people planning weddings.
The effect of certain anaesthetic and relaxant agents on circulatory dynamics.

(1) The effect was investigated of ether, cyclopropane, thiopentone and certain relaxant agents on the cardiac output as estimated by the Heart-Lung Preparation in dogs. (2) Measurements were made of cardiac output and forearm blood-flow ( a ) in 15 patients anaesthetized with thiopentone, nitrous oxide, oxygen and d-tubocurarine chloride; ( b ) in 10 patients anaesthetized with thiopentone, nitrous oxide, oxygen and ether, and ( c ) in 6 patients anaesthetized with thiopentone and cyclopropane. Cardiac output was estimated by cardiac catheterization, the Fick Principle being employed. (3) In the dog ether, cyclopropane and thiopentone were potent myocardial poisons, but in the intact human subject, in the case of those anaesthetized with ether and cyclopropane, the initial response was a transient increase in cardiac output and forearm blood-flow. This was absent in those cases anaesthetized with thiopentone, nitrous oxide and d-tubocurarine chloride, in whom there was little change. (4) The mechanisms which might underlie these changes are discussed. (5) In the Appendix the accuracy of determinations of cardiac output by the Fick Principle in anaesthetized patients is discussed and accuracy of the methods employed in the present estimations indicated.
Over-expression of calpastatin inhibits calpain activation and attenuates myocardial dysfunction during endotoxaemia.

AIMS Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces cardiomyocyte caspase-3 activation and proinflammatory factors, in particular tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production, both of which contribute to myocardial dysfunction during sepsis. The present study was to investigate the roles of calpain/calpastatin system in cardiomyocyte caspase-3 activation, TNF-alpha expression, and myocardial dysfunction during LPS stimulation. METHODS AND RESULTS In cultured adult rat cardiomyocytes, LPS (1 microg/mL) induced calpain and caspase-3 activity, and up-regulated TNF-alpha expression. These effects of LPS were abrogated by over-expression of calpastatin, an endogenous calpain inhibitor, transfection of calpain-1 siRNA, or various pharmacological calpain inhibitors. Furthermore, blocking gp91(phox)-NADPH oxidase prevented calpain and caspase-3 activation and decreased TNF-alpha expression in LPS-stimulated cardiomyocytes. To investigate the role of calpastatin in endotoxaemia, transgenic mice with calpastatin over-expression (CAST-Tg) and wild-type mice were treated with LPS (4 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline in the presence of calpain inhibitor-III (10 mg/kg, i.p.) for 4 h, and their heart function was measured with a Langendorff system. Over-expression of calpastatin significantly attenuated myocardial dysfunction (P < 0.05). Consistently, calpain activity, caspase-3 activity, and TNF-alpha expression were also reduced in CAST-Tg and calpain inhibitor-III compared with wild-type and vehicle-treated hearts, respectively. CONCLUSION gp91(phox)-NADPH oxidase-mediated calpain-1 activation induces caspase-3 activation and TNF-alpha expression in cardiomyocytes during LPS stimulation. Over-expression of calpastatin inhibits calpain activation and improves myocardial function in endotoxaemia. The present study suggests that targeting calpain/calpastatin system may be a potential therapeutic intervention for septic hearts.
Managing Service Quality in Indian Apparel Retail Stores: Customer’s Gender Effects

This paper discusses the service quality of Indian Apparel specialty stores on the basis of gender of the customer’s perception, a nd analyses how gender differences affect customer perceptions of service quality dimensions. The results of an empirical study of Indian Apparel sto res customers generally support the hypothesis that gender affects service quality perceptions and the relative importance attached to various retail serv ic quality dimensions. This paper provides important information for Indian ret ail stores managers to develop operational, marketing, human resource stra tegies, and in targeting those strategies in terms of gender differences in quality perceptions among their customers.
Soluto-inertial phenomena: Designing long-range, long-lasting, surface-specific interactions in suspensions

Significance Liquid suspensions of micron-scale particles and drops play a ubiquitous role in a broad spectrum of materials of central importance to modern life. A suite of interactions has long been known and exploited to formulate such suspensions; however, all such interactions act over less than a micron in water—and often much less. Here we present a concept to design and engineer nonequilibrium interactions in suspensions, which are particle surface-dependent, may last for hundreds of seconds, and extend hundreds of times farther than is currently possible. The conceptual versatility of the results presented here suggests new capabilities for manipulating suspensions, sorting particles, and synthesizing novel materials and particles. Equilibrium interactions between particles in aqueous suspensions are limited to distances less than 1 μm. Here, we describe a versatile concept to design and engineer nonequilibrium interactions whose magnitude and direction depends on the surface chemistry of the suspended particles, and whose range may extend over hundreds of microns and last thousands of seconds. The mechanism described here relies on diffusiophoresis, in which suspended particles migrate in response to gradients in solution. Three ingredients are involved: a soluto-inertial “beacon” designed to emit a steady flux of solute over long time scales; suspended particles that migrate in response to the solute flux; and the solute itself, which mediates the interaction. We demonstrate soluto-inertial interactions that extend for nearly half a millimeter and last for tens of minutes, and which are attractive or repulsive, depending on the surface chemistry of the suspended particles. Experiments agree quantitatively with scaling arguments and numerical computations, confirming the basic phenomenon, revealing design strategies, and suggesting a broad set of new possibilities for the manipulation and control of suspended particles.