Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PHF8 Targets Histone Methylation and RNA Polymerase II To Activate Transcription

ABSTRACT Mutations in PHF8 are associated with X-linked mental retardation and cleft lip/cleft palate. PHF8 contains a plant homeodomain (PHD) in its N terminus and is a member of a family of JmjC domain-containing proteins. While PHDs can act as methyl lysine recognition motifs, JmjC domains can catalyze lysine demethylation. Here, we show that PHF8 is a histone demethylase that removes repressive histone H3 dimethyl lysine 9 marks. Our biochemical analysis revealed specific association of the PHF8 PHD with histone H3 trimethylated at lysine 4 (H3K4me3). Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing indicated that PHF8 is enriched at the transcription start sites of many active or poised genes, mirroring the presence of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and of H3K4me3-bearing nucleosomes. We show that PHF8 can act as a transcriptional coactivator and that its activation function largely depends on binding of the PHD to H3K4me3. Furthermore, we present evidence for direct interaction of PHF8 with the C-terminal domain of RNAPII. Importantly, a PHF8 disease mutant was defective in demethylation and in coactivation. This is the first demonstration of a chromatin-modifying enzyme that is globally recruited to promoters through its association with H3K4me3 and RNAPII.
Laminectomy in Patients With Achondroplasia: The Impact of Time to Surgery on Long-term Function

Study Design. Retrospective analysis, survey. Objective. To describe a cohort of individuals with achondroplasia undergoing thoracolumbar laminectomy and to examine if shorter time to surgery was related to improvement in long-term functional outcome. Summary of Background Data. Data on the long-term benefits of laminectomy are mixed for such patients. Earlier intervention may be associated with greater likelihood of long-term benefit, but quantified data are lacking. Methods. We retrospectively studied 49 patients with achondroplasia who underwent primary laminectomy for spinal stenosis. Patients completed a questionnaire to assess symptoms, walking distance, and independence (per Modified Rankin Scale), before surgery and currently. Responses were analyzed for the likelihood of improved walking distance or Rankin level. Results. Our patients had the following mean values: age, 37.7 ± 10.6 years; body mass index, 31.8 ± 5.5; symptom duration, 74.0 ± 100.1 months; preoperative symptom severity score, 2.7 ± 1.0 points; mean changes in blocks walked, +0.39 ± 2.0; and Rankin level, +0.08 ± 1.47. Patients with a time-to-surgery interval of <6 months were 7.13 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39–36.66) more likely to experience improvement in walking distance and 4.00 times (95% CI, 1.05–15.21) more likely to experience Rankin level improvement than patients whose interval was >6 months. Intervals of up to 12 and 24 months were associated with increased likelihoods of 4.95 (95% CI, 1.41–17.41) and 3.43 (95% CI, 1.05–11.22), respectively, of improved walking distance compared with those with longer time-tosurgery intervals, but those Rankin level improvements were not statistically significant. Conclusion. Time from symptom onset to surgery in patients with achondroplasia is an important predictor of long-term functional outcome. For sustained long-term postsurgical improvement, the window of opportunity might be relatively narrow. Patients with achondroplasia should seek medical advice for spinal stenotic symptoms as soon as possible.
Inter and intra-rater reliability of cervical auscultation to detect aspiration in patients with dysphagia

Objective: To measure the inter and intra-rater reliability of cervical auscultation used alone to detect aspiration in dysphagic patients. Setting: A university teaching hospital. Design: Comparison of the detection of aspiration in 16 recorded swallow sounds by five speech and language therapists on two occasions. Swallow sounds were recorded simultaneously with videofluoroscopy. Subjects: Sixteen patients referred for assessment of dysphagia with videofluoroscopy. Results: The kappa statistic for multiple raters showed fair agreement between raters (k = 0.28). There was high agreement when aspiration occurred but in non-aspirating swallows there was significant overdetection of aspiration (p < 0.001 McNemar's test). The intra-rater reliability within different individuals was widely variable (k = 0.55 (range 0.31–0.85)). Conclusions: Presented with the swallowing sounds in isolation speech and language therapists cannot reliably classify swallows into those with accompanying aspiration and those without. There appears to be a problem of over detection of aspiration. Even in this small study, however, some individual therapists achieve such high reliability (k = 0.85) that they must be using successful internal criteria to interpret the swallow sounds correctly and further qualitative research may identify these.
SdeK, a Histidine Kinase Required for Myxococcus xanthus Development

ABSTRACT The sdeK gene is essential to the Myxococcus xanthus developmental process. We reported previously, based on sequence analysis (A. G. Garza, J. S. Pollack, B. Z. Harris, A. Lee, I. M. Keseler, E. F. Licking, and M. Singer, J. Bacteriol. 180:4628–4637, 1998), that SdeK appears to be a histidine kinase. In the present study, we have conducted both biochemical and genetic analyses to test the hypothesis that SdeK is a histidine kinase. An SdeK fusion protein containing an N-terminal polyhistidine tag (His-SdeK) displays the biochemical characteristics of a histidine kinase. Furthermore, histidine 286 of SdeK, the putative site of phosphorylation, is required for both in vitro and in vivo protein activity. The results of these assays have led us to conclude that SdeK is indeed a histidine kinase. The developmental phenotype of a ΔsdeK1 strain could not be rescued by codevelopment with wild-type cells, indicating that the defect is not due to the mutant's inability to produce an extracellular signal. Furthermore, the ΔsdeK1 mutant was found to produce both A- and C-signal, based on A-factor and codevelopment assays with acsgA mutant, respectively. The expression patterns of several Tn5lacZ transcriptional fusions were examined in the ΔsdeK1-null background, and we found that all C-signal-dependent fusions assayed also required SdeK for full expression. Our results indicate that SdeK is a histidine kinase that is part of a signal transduction pathway which, in concert with the C-signal transduction pathway, controls the activation of developmental-gene expression required to progress past the aggregation stage.
Analysis and implementation of the virtual network system

Messaging applications want to use different communication networks. But the unfortunate state of affairs is that applications need to use several different application programming interfaces (APIs) and to design protocols on how and when to use a specific communication network(s). This is troublesome, error-prone and APIs vary a lot; applications want to use just one API but get the benefit of several communications networks. In this paper we detail, implement and test in real field tests a virtual network system (VNS). We argue why messaging applications should use and benefit from VNS. The VNS is a middleware solution that enables seamless usage of different networks. Netlink Next Generation (NLNG) protocol is a practical implementation of VNS and we elaborate on it's features, design choices and problems faced. The NLNG protocol has its origins in the Linux Netlink and VNS concept is a middleware, thus we provide a comparison between these previous works and our work. The VNS system and NLNG protocol have already been tested with several applications, e.g., mail clients, tracking and command softwares, and network interfaces, e.g., IP, VHF, HF, GSM SMS and TETRA SDS.
Treatment of Renal Allograft Polyoma BK Virus Infection with Leflunomide

Background. Polyoma BK virus produces an aggressively destructive nephropathy in approximately 3% to 8% of renal allografts, is associated with graft loss within one year in 35% to 67% of those infected and there is no therapy of proven efficacy. Leflunomide is an immune suppressive drug with anti viral activity in vitro and in animals. Methods. We treated twenty-six patients with biopsy proven NK virus nephropathy (BKN) with either leflunomide alone (n=17) or leflunomide plus a course of cidofovir (n=9) and followed them for six to forty months. Leflunomide was dosed to a targeted blood level of active metabolite, A77 1726, of 50 &mgr;g/ml to 100 &mgr;g/ml (150 &mgr;M to 300 &mgr;M). Response to treatment was gauged by serial determinations of viral load in blood and urine (PCR), serum creatinine, and repeat allograft biopsy. Results. In the 22 patients consistently sustaining the targeted blood levels of active drug, blood and urine viral load levels uniformly decreased over time (P<.001). Mean serum creatinine levels stabilized over the first six months of treatment, and with 12 months or more of follow-up in 16 patients the mean serum creatinine has not changed significantly from base line. Four patients who did not consistently have blood levels of active drug (A77 1726) above 40 &mgr;g/ml did not clear the virus until these levels were attained or cidofovir was added. Conclusions. Leflunomide inhibits Polyoma virus replication in vitro and closely monitored leflunomide therapy with specifically targeted blood levels appears to be a safe and effective treatment for Polyoma BK nephropathy.
Prevention of experimental diabetic cataract by Indian Ayurvedic plant extracts

The efficacy of Momordica charantia (MC), Eugenia jambolana (EJ), Tinospora cordifolia (TC) and Mucuna pruriens (MP) was assessed in the prevention of murine alloxan dibetic cataract. Alloxan (120 mg/kg) was used as the diabetogenic agent. While controls and diabetic controls did not receive any plant extract, treated rats received lyophilized aqueous extract of MC and EJ (200 mg/kg p.o.), alcohol extract of TC (400 mg/kg) and MP (200 mg/kg p.o.) every day until 4 months. Serum glucose concentration was assessed and cataracts examined with both the naked eye and through a slit lamp. Of the eight animals in the diabetic control group, four developed cortical cataract (stage IV) by day 90 while the remaining four developed it by day 100. The incidence rate of cataract in MC, EJ, TC and MP treated groups at 120 days was only 0, 0, 1 and 2. Oral feeding of MC, EJ, TC and MP extracts for 1 month produced a fall of 64.33%, 55.62%, 38.01% and 40.17%, respectively, in the serum glucose levels in comparison with the 48 h level. After 2 months of treatment, the respective values were 66.96%, 59.85%, 40.41% and 45.63%. MC and EJ prevented the development of cataract while the protective effect was less with TC and MP along with a significant reduction of plasma glucose levels (p < 0.001). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detecting event-related motor activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy

Measuring discrete-trial motor-related brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is considered difficult. This is because its spatial resolution is much lower than that of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and its signals include non-motion-related artifacts. To detect changes in hemoglobin induced by movements, most fNIRS studies have used a block design in which a subject conducts a set of repetitive movements for over a few seconds. Changes in hemoglobin induced by the series of movements are accumulated. Here, we address whether fNIRS can detect a phasic change induced by a discrete ballistic movement using an event-related design similar to those often adopted in fMRI experiments. To detect only event-related brain activity and to reduce the effect of artifacts, we adopted a general linear model whose design matrix contains data from the short transmitter-receiver distance channels that are considered components of artifacts. As a result, high event-related activity was detected in the contralateral sensorimotor cortex. We also compared the topographic functional map produced by fNIRS with the map given by an event-related fMRI experiment in which the same subjects performed exactly the same task. Both maps showed activity in equivalent areas, and the similarity was significant. We conclude that fNIRS affords the opportunity to explore motor-related brain activity even for discrete ballistic movements.
Rapid Modeling of Chinese Huizhou Traditional Vernacular Houses

In this paper, we propose an automatic modeling method based on constructive grammar for building Chinese Huizhou traditional vernacular houses, which are famous and important examples of Chinese traditional architecture. The proposed method includes two steps: layout generation and feature generation. In the layout generation step, layout guidelines based on 2-D geometric rules are used to evaluate the layout result. In the feature generation step, a probabilistic network is used to generate the features for a single house while feature conflict penalty functions are used to generate the reasonable features for multiple houses. Both the layout generation and feature generation steps use the Metropolis–Hastings algorithm to search for the optimal solution. To increase the computational efficiency of the proposed system, the two steps are performed on a graphics processing unit device using a Monte Carlo sampler. Moreover, a dynamic probability strategy is used to perform the layout perturbation. The proposed method is easy to implement and extend. The experimental results show that the proposed method is practical and efficient. Non-expert users can rapidly generate reasonable Huizhou vernacular houses via simple and intuitive interactions with the system.
LLC Converters With Planar Transformers: Issues and Mitigation

The use of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$LLC$</tex-math></inline-formula> resonant converters has gained popularity in multiple applications that require high conversion efficiency and galvanic isolation. In particular, many applications like portable devices, flat TVs, and electric vehicle battery chargers require demanding slim-profile packaging and enforce the use of planar transformers (PTs) with low-height, low leakage inductance, excellent thermal characteristics, and manufacturing simplicity. The main challenge in successfully designing <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$LLC$</tex-math></inline-formula> converters with PT resides in controlling high-parasitic capacitances produced by large overlapping layers in PT windings. When the parasitic capacitances are not controlled, they severely impair the converters’ performance and regulation, and limit the application of PTs in high-frequency <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$LLC$</tex-math></inline-formula> converters. This paper characterizes the PT capacitance issue in detail and proposes mitigation strategies to improve the performance of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$LLC$</tex-math></inline-formula> converters with PTs. A systematic analysis is performed, and six PT winding layouts are introduced and benchmarked with a traditional design. As a result of the investigation, an optimized structure is obtained, which minimizes both the interwinding capacitance and ac resistance, while improving the regulation performance of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$LLC$ </tex-math></inline-formula> converters. Experimental measurements are presented and show a significant reduction of parasitic capacitance by up to 21.2 intra- and 16.6 interwinding capacitances, without compromising resistance. This substantial capacitance reduction has a tangible effect on the regulation performance of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$LLC$</tex-math></inline-formula> resonant converters. Experimental results of the proposed PT structure in a 1.2 kW <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$LLC$</tex-math></inline-formula> resonant converter show a reduction in common-mode noise, extended output voltage regulation, and improved overall efficiency of the converter.
Humoral Response in Toscana Virus Acute Neurologic Disease Investigated by Viral-Protein-Specific Immunoassays

ABSTRACT The Toscana virus (family Bunyaviridae, genusPhlebovirus) is the only sandfly-transmitted virus that demonstrates neurotropic activity. Clinical cases ranging from aseptic meningitis to meningoencephalitis caused by Toscana virus are yearly observed in central Italy during the summer, and several cases have been reported among tourists returning from zones of endemicity (Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus). In Toscana virus patients, immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, usually present at the onset of symptoms, can reveal elevated titers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and can persist for at least 1 year. IgG antibodies can be absent at the onset of symptoms: titers rise in convalescent sera and persist for many years. At least five proteins have been identified in Toscana virus-infected cells: nucleoprotein N, glycoproteins G1 and G2, a large protein (L) assumed to be a component of the polymerase, and two nonstructural proteins, NSm and NSs. We report results of a study on the antibody response to individual viral proteins in patients with Toscana virus-associated acute neurologic disease. Immunoblotting and semiquantitative radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) allow identification of nucleoprotein N as the major antigen responsible for both IgM and IgG responses. Antibodies to proteins other than nucleoprotein N are detected only by RIPA. Antibodies to glycoproteins are detected in about one-third of patients, and whereas their presence always predicts neutralization, some serum samples with neutralizing activity have undetectable levels of antibodies to G1-G2. Antibodies to nonstructural proteins NSm and NSs are also identified. The results obtained raise some questions about antigenic variability and relevant neutralization epitopes of Toscana virus.
Labour law in Australia and Nigeria : a comparative study in the sociology of legislation

This thesis attempts a comparative sociology of the labour law in Australia and Nigeria. It finds that there are fundamental similarities between the compulsory arbitration laws of both countries which cannot be adequately explained, simply, in terms of race, geography or stages of industrial development. The thesis outlines in considerable details two broad sociological perspectives on law, the autonomy model and the social product model, and uses the insights of these two approaches to explain the observed similarities. The thesis shows that the 1904 Australian law was transplanted to Nigeria in the period 1968-76. Further, it shows that although at first sight Australia in 1904 is very different from Nigeria in 1968, the respective social circumstances (particularly the social control traditions) were remarkably similar, thus allowing the borrowing of the Australian legislation by Nigeria. The few differences which the thesis identifies suggest that the borrowing was not a case of blind legal transplantation. V I I TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii ABSTRACT ABBREVIATIONS CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHOD 1 1.1 A statement of the research problem 1 1.2 Theoretical background of the research problem 5 1.3 The choice of labour law and the two countries 13 1.4 Research Design 15 1.4. 1 Conceptual clarification and comparative schema 15 1.4. 2 Methods of data collection and analysis 23 CHAPTER TWO: AUTONOMY MODEL OF LAW AND SOCIETY 25 2.
An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship between Monetary Policy Stance and Stock Price in Bangladesh

This paper investigates the empirical relationship between the monetary stance and stock market performance of Bangladesh using monthly data from January 2001 to December 2013. The empirical investigation was conducted using autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model consisting of five alternative measures of monetary indicators - 91 day T-bill rate, reserve money, broad money, call money rate and weighted average deposit rate and DSE General Index (DGEN) for stock market performance. In the case of using 91 day Treasury bill (T-bill) or call money rate as monetary indicators, a long-run co-integration relationship between DGEN, T-bill rate, CPI and exchange rate is found. However, in the case of broad money, reserve money and weighted average deposit rate, no long-run co-integration is found. Overall, this paper suggests that stock market valuation level is affected by monetary conditions.
Cohort study design: an underutilized approach for advancement of evidence-based and patient-centered practice in athletic training.

OBJECTIVE Providing patient-centered care requires consideration of numerous factors when making decisions that will influence a patient's health status. BACKGROUND Clinical decisions should be informed by relevant research evidence, but the literature often lacks pertinent information for problems encountered in routine clinical practice. Although a randomized clinical trial provides the best research design to ensure the internal validity of study findings, ethical considerations and the competitive culture of sport often preclude random assignment of patients or participants to a control condition. CLINICAL ADVANTAGES A cohort study design and Bayesian approach to data analysis can provide valuable evidence to support clinical decisions. Dichotomous classification of both an outcome and 1 or more predictive factors permits quantification of the likelihood of occurrence of a specified outcome. CONCLUSIONS Multifactorial prediction models can reduce uncertainty in clinical decision making and facilitate the individualization of treatment, thereby supporting delivery of clinical services that are both evidence based and patient centered.
Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated with Impaired Long‐term Renal Allograft Function; Not All Component criteria Contribute Equally

Chronic renal transplant dysfunction (CRTD) remains a leading cause of renal allograft loss. Evidence suggests that immunological and ischemic insults are mainly associated with CRTD occurring within the first year after transplantation, whereas nonimmunological insults are predominantly associated with CRTD beyond the first year. Several cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been identified as important nonimmunological risk factors for CRTD. These risk factors constitute the metabolic syndrome (MS). As renal allograft function is a surrogate marker of renal allograft loss, we investigated the association of MS with impairment of renal allograft function beyond the first year after transplantation in a cross‐sectional study of 606 renal transplant outpatients. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program. Renal allograft function was assessed as the 24‐h urinary creatinine clearance. A total of 383 out of 606 patients (63%) suffered from MS at a median time of 6 years (2.6–11.4) post‐transplant. Presence of MS was associated with impaired renal allograft function beyond 1 year post‐transplant [−4.1 mL/min, 95%CI (−7.1, −1.1)]. The impact of MS did not change appreciably after adjustment for established risk factors for CRTD [−3.1 mL/min, 95%CI (−6.0, −0.2)]. However, not all component criteria of MS contributed equally. Only systolic blood pressure and hypertriglyceridemia were independently associated with impaired renal allograft function beyond 1 year post‐transplant in multivariate analyses.