Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomic organization, expression and evolution of porcine CRSP1, 2, and3

Recently we identified and characterized porcine calcitonin receptor-stimulating peptide (CRSP) 1, CRSP2 and CRSP3 as members of the calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CT/CGRP) family. In the present study, the genomic sequences and organization of CRSP1, 2, and 3 were determined, and the expression of the genes in the porcine brain was investigated using in situ hybridization. Analysis of 5′-upstream regions of the three CRSPs demonstrated that CRSP1 and CRSP2 have almost identical sequences (>98% similarity) and high sequence similarities including functional transcription binding sites with the corresponding region of human CALCA (CT/αCGRP), whereas CRSP3 retains less similarity with the above genes. RH mapping of CRSPs demonstrated that they resided in a region of swine chromosome 2 (SSC2). The arrangement of the genes in the region was found to be conserved in corresponding human and mouse regions. In situ hybridization demonstrated sense transcripts of the three genes in cerebrum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, pons/midbrain, and thalamus of 3-month-old pigs, and CRSP2 sense transcripts additionally in tractus opticus. The sense transcripts of αCGRP and CALCB (βCGRP) were detected in cerebrum, hippocampus, and pons/midbrain of newborn mice, and to a lesser extent in pons/midbrain of 8-week-old mice. These results taken together with the chromosomal conservation and phylogenetic clustering of CT/CGRP family indicate that CRSP1, 2, and 3 may be functionally different from αCGRP and βCGRP, though they are indicated to have a common progenitor gene.
Relationship between environmental awareness and environmental knowledge using “AKASA” model among architecture students in private universities, Klang Valley, Malaysia

The purpose of the study is to investigate correlation between environmental awareness and environmental knowledge using “AKASA” model which is the awareness, knowledge, attitude, skills and action for 2nd year and 3rd year of architecture undergraduate students from selected private university. The study intends to investigate the relationship of environmental literacy components specifically environmental awareness and environmental knowledge variables. The sample study comprises of 234 students from 5 selected private universities with questionnaires were used as instrument of survey. The parametric study was conducted with descriptive analysis and the results shows that the relationship between environmental awareness and environmental knowledge is positive and strongly related among year 2, year 3 and year 2 and year 3 combine.
Finding Proper Configurations for Modular Robots by Using Genetic Algorithm on Different Terrains

This paper presents a novel self-reconfigurable robotic system named ACMoD where each module can move itself individually. It can also attach to other modules to build various configurations and change this configuration adaptively on different terrains. In this paper, we have proposed Genetic Algorithm for optimizing the path of modular robots through a static grid of different terrain blocks. Each chromosome consists of path and modular robot configurations. Solution of the proposed algorithm is a proper path and configuration pattern for crossing the environment with minimum effort related to a pre-defined multi-objective function. Finally, for investigating the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, the performance of proposed algorithm is compared to Dijkstra algorithm in different environments.
Evaluation and Benchmarking for Robot Motion Planning Problems Using TuLiP

Model checking is a technique commonly used in the verification of software and hardware. More recently, similar techniques have been employed to synthesize software that is correct by construction. TuLiP is a toolkit which interfaces with game solvers and model checkers to achieve this, producing a finite-state automaton representing a controller that satisfies the supplied specification. For motion planning in particular, a model checker may be employed in a deterministic scenario to produce a path satisfying a specification φ by checking against its negation ¬φ. If a counterexample is found, it will be a trace which satisfies φ. This was achieved in the TuLiP framework using the linear temporal logic (LTL) model checkers NuSMV and SPIN. A benchmark scenario based on a regular grid-world with obstacle and goal regions and reachability properties was devised, and extended to allow control of various complexity parameters, such as grid size, number of actors, specification type etc. Different measures of performance were explored, including CPU time, memory usage and path length, and the behavior of each checker with increasing problem complexity was analyzed using these metrics. The suitability of each checker for different classes and complexities of motion-planning problem was evaluated.
The Apache HTTP Server Project

Most reports of Internet collaboration refer to small scale operations among a few authors or designers. However, several projects have shown that the Internet can also be the locus for large scale collaboration. In these projects, contributors from around the world combine their individual forces and develop a product that rivals those of multibillion dollar corporations. The Apache HTTP Server Project is a case in point. This collaborative software development effort has created a robust, feature-rich HTTP server software package that currently dominates the public Internet market (46 percent compared with 16 percent for Microsoft and 12 percent for Netscape, according to a June 1997 survey published by Netcraft). The software and its source code are free, but Apache's popularity is more often attributed to performance than price. The project is managed by the Apache Group, a geographically distributed group of volunteers who use the Internet and Web to communicate, develop, and distribute the server and its related documentation. In addition, hundreds of users have contributed ideas, code, and documentation to the project.
Radar target modeling and 2D ISAR imaging at 76GHz for ITS application

Principal objective of this paper is to form the ISAR image of a complex target using 76GHz long range radar (LRR). Modeling of point target is done and the idea is extended to model a complex target (vehicle). Simulation is performed in MATLAB platform. The sample points are generated using Graphical User Interface (GUI) of MATLAB. These sample points are processed using Nearest Neighbor Approximation interpolation technique. This ISAR imaging can be used for object classification and will be applicable to intelligent transportation systems (ITS) for adaptive cruise control (ACC) and hence to avoid collision.
Polyglutamine Amyloid Core Boundaries and Flanking Domain Dynamics in Huntingtin Fragment Fibrils Determined by Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

In Huntington’s disease, expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) domain in the huntingtin (htt) protein leads to misfolding and aggregation. There is much interest in the molecular features that distinguish monomeric, oligomeric, and fibrillar species that populate the aggregation pathway and likely differ in cytotoxicity. The mechanism and rate of aggregation are greatly affected by the domains flanking the polyQ segment within exon 1 of htt. A “protective” C-terminal proline-rich flanking domain inhibits aggregation by inducing polyproline II structure (PPII) within an extended portion of polyQ. The N-terminal flanking segment (httNT) adopts an α-helical structure as it drives aggregation, helps stabilize oligomers and fibrils, and is seemingly integral to their supramolecular assembly. Via solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR), we probe how, in the mature fibrils, the htt flanking domains impact the polyQ domain and in particular the localization of the β-structured amyloid core. Using residue-specific and uniformly labeled samples, we find that the amyloid core occupies most of the polyQ domain but ends just prior to the prolines. We probe the structural and dynamical features of the remarkably abrupt β-sheet to PPII transition and discuss the potential connections to certain htt-binding proteins. We also examine the httNT α-helix outside the polyQ amyloid core. Despite its presumed structural and demonstrated stabilizing roles in the fibrils, quantitative ssNMR measurements of residue-specific dynamics show that it undergoes distinct solvent-coupled motion. This dynamical feature seems reminiscent of molten-globule-like α-helix-rich features attributed to the nonfibrillar oligomeric species of various amyloidogenic proteins.
An essential gene (efg) located at 38.1 minutes on the Escherichia coli chromosome

An Escherichia coli gene which is able to complement "ammonia-dependent growth" (adgA) mutations in Rhodobacter capsulatus was previously isolated from an R-prime plasmid and was shown to be located between 34 and 39 min on the E. coli chromosome (3). In the present study, a 10.9-kb HindIII-PstI fragment of genomic DNA was cloned from E. coli HB101 and shown to complement adgA mutations in R. capsulatus. Restriction mapping of this fragment and comparison with the restriction map of the E. coli chromosome (5) (Fig. 1) showed that the complementing gene is located at 38.1 min (1840 kbp) on the E. coli genetic map. The restriction map of this fragment was identical to that of Kohara et al. (5), except for the presence of an additional EcoRV site. The chromosomal location of the gene is identical to that proposed by Kim and Wulff (4) on the basis of the partial sequence of an 8.0-kb DNA fragment. Restriction fragments containing the Kmr gene from pUC4-KIXX (Pharmacia-LKB) were inserted, in both orien-1830
MEKK1 regulates calpain‐dependent proteolysis of focal adhesion proteins for rear‐end detachment of migrating fibroblasts

Herein, we define how MEKK1, a MAPK kinase kinase, regulates cell migration. MEKK1 is associated with actin fibers and focal adhesions, localizing MEKK1 to sites critical in the control of cell adhesion and migration. EGF‐induced ERK1/2 activation and chemotaxis are inhibited in MEKK1−/− fibroblasts. MEKK1 deficiency causes loss of vinculin in focal adhesions of migrating cells, increased cell adhesion and impeded rear‐end detachment. MEKK1 is required for activation of the cysteine protease calpain and cleavage of spectrin and talin, proteins linking focal adhesions to the cytoskeleton. Inhibition of ERK1/2 or calpain, but not of JNK, mimics MEKK1 deficiency. Therefore, MEKK1 regulates calpain‐mediated substratum release of migrating fibroblasts.
Development of an evaluation model for the design of fault-tolerant solid state mass memory

The use of Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) devices for space applications is growing due the higher cost and lower performance of corresponding dedicated devices. The needed reliability is achieved at the architectural level. This paper faces this problem in the design of a Solid State Mass Memory (SSMM). High-energy particles induce soft and hard errors in DRAMs devices. In our approach, these errors are mitigated at system level rather than at device level. In particular our SSMM is based on a suitable Error Control Code (ECC) and on memory redundancy in order to improve the tolerance with respect to DRAM induced errors. Accurate space environment models and decisional models are important to optimize the SSMM overhead, the amount of radiation shielding, the overall mass, and could suggest, if possible, the selection of a better orbit with a more benign environment. In this paper we describe the methodology used to select the parameter design for a class of memory architectures.
Influence of Pymetrozine on Feeding Behaviors of Three Rice Planthoppers and a Rice Leafhopper using Electrical Penetration Graphs

ABSTRACT Pymetrozine reportedly inhibits feeding of plant sap-sucking insects, such as aphids and brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)). By using electrical penetration graph (EPG), this study was conducted to investigate any differential effect of pymetrozine on the feeding behaviors of four major rice sap-sucking insect species, 1) N. lugens, 2) white-backed planthopper (Sogatella furcifera (Horváth)), 3) small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén)), and 4) green rice leafhopper (Nephotettix cincticeps Uhler). On pymetrozine-free TN1 rice plants, white-backed planthopper and small brown planthopper showed a significantly less activity in the phloem phases than brown planthopper or green rice leafhopper while green rice leafhopper engaged in relatively more xylem ingestion than brown planthopper, white-backed planthopper, and small brown planthopper. On the plants treated with 100 mg liter-1 of pymetrozine, all four insect species showed significant increases, in total duration of nonprobing and significant decreases in the activities in phloem tissue, while all species showed similar feeding behavior during the pathway and xylem phases. This study revealed that, regardless of whether the insects on untreated plants spent more time feeding on phloem than xylem (brown planthopper) or more time on xylem than phloem (green rice leafhopper) or similar times on phloem and xylem (white-backed planthopper and small brown planthopper), their feeding behavior was disturbed by pymetrozine and exhibited similar patterns of sharp decline in activity in the phloem tissue and a significant increase the nonprobing.
A phosphorelay system controls stalk biogenesis during cell cycle progression in Caulobacter crescentus

A fundamental question in developmental biology is how morphogenesis is coordinated with cell cycle progression. In Caulobacter crescentus, each cell cycle produces morphologically distinct daughter cells, a stalked cell and a flagellated swarmer cell. Construction of both the flagellum and stalk requires the alternative sigma factor RpoN (σ54). Here we report that a σ54‐dependent activator, TacA, is required for cell cycle regulated stalk biogenesis by collaborating with RpoN to activate gene expression. We have also identified the first histidine phosphotransferase in C. crescentus, ShpA, and show that it too is required for stalk biogenesis. Using a systematic biochemical technique called phosphotransfer profiling we have identified a multicomponent phosphorelay which leads from the hybrid histidine kinase ShkA to ShpA and finally to TacA. This pathway functions in vivo to phosphorylate and hence, activate TacA. Finally, whole genome microarrays were used to identify candidate members of the TacA regulon, and we show that at least one target gene, staR, regulates stalk length. This is the first example of a general method for identifying the connectivity of a phosphorelay and can be applied to any organism with two‐component signal transduction systems.
Tumor and Stem Cell Biology Epigenetic Targeting of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells

Emerging results indicate that cancer stem–like cells contribute to chemoresistance and poor clinical outcomes in many cancers, including ovarian cancer. As epigenetic regulators play a major role in the control of normal stem cell differentiation, epigenetics may offer a useful arena to develop strategies to target cancer stem–like cells. Epigenetic aberrations, especially DNA methylation, silence tumor-suppressor and differentiation-associated genes that regulate the survival of ovarian cancer stem–like cells (OCSC). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that DNA-hypomethylating agents may be able to reset OCSC toward a differentiated phenotype by evaluating the effects of the new DNA methytransferase inhibitor SGI-110 on OCSC phenotype, as defined by expression of the cancer stem–like marker aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). We demonstrated that ALDHþ ovarian cancer cells possess multiple stem cell characteristics, were highly chemoresistant, and were enriched in xenografts residual after platinum therapy. Low-dose SGI-110 reduced the stem-like properties of ALDHþ cells, including their tumor-initiating capacity, resensitized these OCSCs to platinum, and induced reexpression of differentiation-associated genes. Maintenance treatment with SGI-110 after carboplatin inhibited OCSC growth, causing global tumor hypomethylation and decreased tumor progression. Our work offers preclinical evidence that epigenome-targeting strategies have the potential to delay tumor progression by reprogramming residual cancer stem–like cells. Furthermore, the results suggest that SGI-110 might be administered in combination with platinum to prevent the development of recurrent and chemoresistant ovarian cancer. Cancer Res; 74(17); 4922–36. 2014 AACR.
Tissue transglutaminase promotes PDGF/PDGFR‐mediated signaling and responses in vascular smooth muscle cells

Although the pivotal role of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)‐mediated signaling in vascular diseases was demonstrated, the pathophysiological mechanisms driving its over‐activation remain incompletely understood. Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is a multifunctional protein expressed in the vasculature, including smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and implicated in several vascular pathologies. The goal of this study is to define the regulation of PDGF‐BB/PDGFRβ‐induced signaling pathways and cell responses by tTG in vascular SMCs. We find that in human aortic SMCs, shRNA‐mediated depletion and over‐expression of tTG reveals its ability to down‐regulate PDGFRβ levels and induce receptor clustering. In these cells, tTG specifically amplifies the activation of PDGFRβ and its multiple downstream signaling targets in response to PDGF‐BB. Furthermore, tTG promotes dedifferentiation and increases survival, proliferation, and migration of human aortic SMCs mediated by this growth factor. Finally, PDGF‐BB stimulates tTG expression in human aortic SMCs in culture and in the blood vessels in response to injury. Together, our results show that tTG in vascular SMCs acts as a principal enhancer within the PDGF‐BB/PDGFRβ signaling axis involved in phenotypic modulation of these cells, thereby suggesting a novel role for this protein in the progression of vascular diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2089–2096, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Eficiência de universidades federais no uso de recursos renováveis

A presente pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de avaliar o nivel de eficiencia da utilizacao dos recursos renovaveis nas Universidades Federais. A sustentabilidade tem sido cada vez mais um desafio para o setor publico. O estudo e caracterizado como pesquisa descritivo-exploratoria, com abordagem quantitativa do problema. Os dados referentes ao periodo de 2011 a 2013 foram coletados nos Relatorios de Gestao de 59 Universidades Federais. Para atingir o objetivo proposto, inicialmente, fez-se a analise dos dados por meio da estatistica descritiva, em seguida, mensurou-se o nivel de eficiencia relativa da utilizacao dos recursos renovaveis, aplicando a metodologia Data Envelopment Analysis – DEA e o Indice de Malmquist. Os resultados revelaram que, quanto ao uso do recurso renovavel agua, 8 UFs em media, apresentaram niveis de eficiencia, por ano analisado. O nivel de eficiencia foi considerado satisfatorio no periodo, e sua evolucao indica uma melhora na relacao dos gastos com agua e o volume de metros cubicos consumidos pelas UFs. Na analise para o recurso renovavel energia eletrica, em media, por ano analisado, 9 UFs apresentaram niveis de eficiencia. O indice de Malmquist apontou uma reducao media de 24,49% na eficiencia total e foi considerado insatisfatorio no periodo de 2012/2013. Ja a analise para o recurso papel 11 UFs em media, por ano analisado, estavam na fronteira de eficiencia. Verificou-se que a evolucao dos gastos com o recurso papel, apontou um indice satisfatorio de 2011 para 2012, houve uma discreta reducao na eficiencia total no periodo de 2012 para 2013, no entanto, o indice tambem foi satisfatorio. A analise pela metodologia DEA, a partir do consumo per capta, mostrou que 8 UFs para o recurso agua, 7 UFs para o recurso energia eletrica e 10 UFs para o recurso papel alcancaram niveis de eficiencia relativa. Portanto, os resultados apresentados e discutidos no presente trabalho, permitiram ter uma visao geral do nivel de eficiencia da utilizacao dos recursos renovaveis nas UFs. Sendo assim, o estudo pode contribuir para um melhor aproveitamento dos recursos naturais, para a melhoria da transparencia na area publica, alem da possivel utilizacao da pesquisa na tomada de decisoes relativas a aplicacao de recurso naturais nas Universidades Federais.
Pseudomyrmex nigropilosa: A Parasite of a Mutualism

Pseudomyrmex nigropilosa is a parasite ofthe ant-acacia mutualism in Central America in that it harvests the resources of swollen-thorn acacias but does not protect the acacias. In the process, it also lowers the rate of occupation by the obligate acacia-ants, species of ants that do protect swollen-thorn acacias. Tenancy ofan acacia by P. nigropilosa must be temporary, since the unoccupied plant is shortly killed by herbivores or competing plants, or is taken over by obligate acacia-ants. As expected of a species of short-lived ant, a P. nigropilosa colony produces reproductives earlier in the life of the colony and maintains fewer grams of workers per gram of brood than does a colony of the long-lived obligate acacia-ants.
Biochemical and Molecular Roles of Nutrients Diet and Disease Alter Phosphoinositide Composition and Metabolism in Murine Polycystic Kidneys 1 Â » 2 Â » 3

Because diet can affect the progression of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and because renal phosphoinositide metabolism is altered in mice with PKD, the effects of diet and disease on phosphoinositide composition and metabolism were examined in kidneys of mice with PKD. The phosphatidylinositol-phosphate (PIP) to phosphatidylinositol (PI) molar ratio was higher (0.034 Â±0.003 vs. 0.023 Â±0.001, P < 0.01) and the PIbisphosphate (PIPÂ¿)to PIP molar ratio was lower (0.70 Â±0.08 vs. 1.19 Â±0.10, P < 0.05) in kidneys of mice with PKD [DBA/2FG-pci/ (pcy)] compared with normal con trols (DBA/2J). When initial incorporation (reflecting synthesis) of pH]inositol into renal phosphoinositides in mice injected with [3H]inositol was measured, the [3H]PIP to [3H]PI ratio was higher in the diseased kidneys compared with normal kidneys (0.016 Â±0.001 vs. 0.013 Â±0.001, P < 0.05), whereas the [3H]PIP2 to [3H]PIP ratio was not significantly different. In a study using dietary manipulations that alter the progression of PKD in pcy mice (6 vs. 25% casein and sunflower seed oil vs. fish oil in a 2 x 2 design), animals were injected Â¡ntraperitoneally with [3H]inositol 5 h before killing. In these animals, the [3H)PIP2 to [3H]PIP ratio seemed to be the best indicator of disease progression. In addition, kidney weight (as altered by diet) was positively cor related (r = 0.62, P = 0.02) with the level of the [3H]PI3-P isomer relative to total [3H]PIP in the kidney. These results demonstrate that alterations in dietary protein level and lipid composition can modulate renal phos phoinositide signal transduction in mice with PKD. J. Nutr. 125: 1183-1191, 1995.