Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osmotic Properties of Spheroplasts from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Grown at Different Temperatures

Spheroplasts were prepared from cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC 366, grown at 30 or 15 C, by incubating cells with snail-gut juice after pretreatment with 2-mercaptoethanol. Walls of cells grown batchwise or in continuous culture at 15 C were more resistant to digestion with snail juice than walls on cells grown under the same conditions as 30 C. Spheroplasts lysed when suspended in hypotonic solutions of mannitol. The resistance of spheroplasts to osmotic lysis tended to increase when the test temperature was lowered below 30 C. The increased resistance was greater with spheroplasts from cells grown at 15 C. Cations, especially Ca2+, protected spheroplasts against osmotic lysis. In general, the protective effects, measured at 30 C, were smaller with spheroplasts from cells grown at 15 C compared with 30 C. Citrate and ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) decreased the resistance of spheroplasts to osmotic lysis. On the whole, the decrease was greater with spheroplasts from cells grown at 30 C rather than 15 C. In the presence of EDTA, spheroplasts from cells grown at 30 C were less resistant to osmotic lysis at 5 C than at 30 C; when spheroplasts from cells grown at 15 C were similarly examined, they were more resistant to lysis at 5 C than at 30 C. Spheroplast membranes from cells grown at 15 C had slightly but significantly greater contents of Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, and Na+ compared with spheroplast membranes from cells grown at 15 C. Mg2+ and Ca2+ were more easily extracted with EDTA from membranes of 30 C-grown cells than from 15 C-grown cells.
Production planning with price-dependent supply capacity

ABSTRACT We consider a production planning problem in which a producer procures an input component for production by offering a price to suppliers. The available supply quantity for the production input depends on the price the producer offers, and this supply level constrains production output. The producer seeks to meet a set of demands over a finite horizon at a minimum cost, including component procurement costs. We model the problem as a discrete-time production and component supply–pricing planning problem with nonstationary costs, demands, and component supply levels. This leads to a two-level lot-sizing problem with an objective function that is neither concave nor convex. Although the most general version of the problem is -hard, we provide polynomial-time algorithms for two special cases of the model under particular assumptions on the cost structure. We then apply the resulting algorithms heuristically to the more general problem version and provide computational results that demonstrate the high performance quality of the resulting heuristic solution methods.
Arabic handwritten word spotting using language models

With the ever-increasing amounts of published materials being made available, developing efficient means of locating target items has become a subject of significant interest. Among the approaches adopted for this purpose is word spotting, which enables the identification of documents through the use of pertinent keywords. This paper reports on an effective method of word spotting for Arabic handwritten documents that takes into consideration the nature of Arabic handwriting. Parts of Arabic Words (PAWs) form the basic components of this search process, and a hierarchical classifier (consisting of a set of classifiers each trained on a different part of the input pattern) is implemented. For the first time in Arabic word spotting, language models are incorporated into the process of reconstructing words from PAWs. Details of the method and promising experimental results are also presented.
[Effect of expression of p53 in squamous cell carcinoma of larynx and mucosa adjacent to tumor on the biological behavior].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of p53 in squamous cell carcinoma of larynx (LSCC) and mucosa adjacent to LSCC and study the correlation between it and the biological behavior with retrospective analysis. METHOD p53 protein overexpression was detected in 76 squamous cell carcinoma and the tissue beside the LSCC with SP method of Immuno-histochemical staining [IHC]. RESULT p53 overexpression was observed in 47.4% of LSCC, 40.0% of carcinoma in situ, 22.2% of atypical hyperplasia (AtH), 0% of normal mucosa. p53 overexpression in parenchyma of LSCC as well as in the corresponding carcinoma in situ is unaminous completely. There was a significant difference between p53 positive staining in AtH and in carcinoma of larynx as well as carcinoma in situ, but p53 overexpression in AtH adjacent to the laryngeal carcinoma is apparently correlated with that in the corresponding parenchyma of carcinoma of larynx (P < 0.01). No correlation was found between p53 over expression and sex, age, TNM stage, location and T stage, but there was significant correlation between p53 over expression and differentiation grading (G1-->G2 + G3). It was noted that of the rate p53 overexpression was 68.8% in lymphatic metastasis group, which was higher than the percentage (41.7%) found in lymphatic nonmetastasis group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION p53 overexpression are present in LSCC of different stages and AtH with significant correlation. p53 may play an important role in an early stage of malignant transformation of a subset of LSCC. Multiple-step carcinogenesis and malignancy as well as prognosis may be in association with p53-related tumorigenesis.
Potential use of non-classical pathways for the transport of macromolecular drugs

Since an increasing number of drug delivery strategies utilising proteins and peptides exhibiting ‘non-classical’ transport activities have been proposed, studies have begun to establish underlying functional relationships between different vectors. These attempts to find common factors have been hampered by a lack of biophysical data for the various potential protein and peptide transporters, as well as by the structural and functional diversity of the group as a whole. We describe the various types of vectors being considered for use and the preliminary therapeutic successes that have been achieved. Additionally, the various models that have been proposed for non-classical import and export are outlined and discussed in relation to therapeutic delivery. Possible future developments are also discussed.
Structural studies of a signal peptide in complex with signal peptidase I cytoplasmic domain: The stabilizing effect of membrane‐mimetics on the acquired fold

A protein destined for export from the cell cytoplasm is synthesized as a preprotein with an amino‐terminal signal peptide. In Escherichia coli, typically signal peptides that guide preproteins into the SecYEG protein conduction channel are subsequently removed by signal peptidase I. To understand the mechanism of this critical step, we have assessed the conformation of the signal peptide when bound to signal peptidase by solution nuclear magnetic resonance. We employed a soluble form of signal peptidase, which laks the two transmembrane domains (SPase I Δ2‐75), and the E. coli alkaline phosphatase signal peptide. Using a transferred NOE approach, we found clear evidence of a weak peptide‐enzyme complex formation. The peptide adopts a U‐turn shape originating from the proline residues within the primary sequence that is stabilized by its interaction with the peptidase and leaves key residues of the cleavage region exposed for proteolysis. In dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles the signal peptide also adopts a U‐turn shape comparable with that observed in association with the enzyme. In both environments this conformation is stabilized by the signal peptide phenylalanine side chain‐interaction with enzyme or lipid mimetic. Moreover, in the presence of DPC, the N‐terminal core region residues of the peptide adopt a helical motif and based on PRE (paramagnetic relaxation enhancement) experiments are shown to be buried within the membrane. Taken together, this is consistent with proteolysis of the preprotein occurring while the signal peptide remains in the bilayer and the enzyme active site functioning at the membrane surface. Proteins 2011. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Horizontal-FPN fault coverage improvement in production test of CMOS imagers

Current production testing of CMOS imager sensors is mainly based on capturing images and detecting failures by image processing with special algorithms. The fault coverage of this costly optical test is not sufficient given the quality requirements. Studies on devices produced at large volume have shown that Horizontal Fixed Pattern Noise (HFPN) is one of the common image failures encountered on products that present fault coverage problems, and this is the main cause of customer returns for many products. A detailed analysis of failed devices has demonstrated that HFPN failures arise from changes of electronic circuit topology in pixel addressing decoders or the metal lines required for pixel powering and control. These changes are usually due to the presence of spot defects, causing some pixels in a row to operate incorrectly, leading to an HFPN failure. Moreover, defects resulting in partially degraded metal lines may not induce image failure in limited industrial test conditions, passing the optical tests. Later, these defects may produce an image failure in the field, either because the capture conditions would be more stringent, or because the defects would evolve into catastrophic faults due to electromigration. In this paper, we have first enhanced the HFPN detection algorithm in order to improve the fault coverage of the optical test. Next, a built-in self-test structure is presented for the on-chip detection of catastrophic and non-catastrophic defects in the pixel power and control lines.
Oncogene amplification in the proximal part of chromosome 6 in rat endometrial adenocarcinoma as revealed by combined BAC/PAC FISH, chromosome painting, zoo‐FISH, and allelotyping

The inbred BDII rat is a valuable experimental model for the genetic analysis of endometrial adenocarcinoma (EAC). One common aberration detected by comparative genomic hybridization in rat EAC was gain/amplification affecting the proximal part of rat chromosome 6 (RNO6). We applied rat and mouse chromosome painting probes onto tumor cell metaphase preparations in order to detect and characterize gross RNO6 aberrations. In addition, the RNO6q11–q16 segment was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes representing 12 cancer‐related genes in the region. The analysis revealed that seven tumors contained large RNO6‐derived homogeneously staining regions (HSRs) in addition to several normal or near‐normal RNO6 chromosomes. Five tumors (two of which also had HSRs) exhibited a selective increase of the RNO6q11–q16 segment, sometimes in conjunction with moderate amplification of one or a few genes. Most commonly, the amplification affected the region centered around band 6q16 and included the Mycn, Ddx1, and Rrm2 genes. A second region, centering around Slc8a1 and Xdh, also was affected by gene amplification but to a lesser extent. The aberrations in the proximal part of RNO6 were further analyzed using allelotyping of microsatellite markers in all tumors from animals that were heterozygous in the proximal RNO6 region. We could detect allelic imbalance (AI) in 12 of 20 informative tumors, 6 of which were in addition to those already analyzed by molecular cytogenetic methods as described. Our findings suggest that increase/amplification of genes in this chromosome region contribute to the development of this hormone‐dependent tumor. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Research on the influence of the Team Conflict to Team Performance of high-tech enterprises

In the background of economic globalization, the market competition becomes increasingly fierce. More and more high-tech enterprises begin to update organization and management model and use the type of team work. Due to the different backgrounds of team members, team conflicts have become a major problem puzzling the enterprises. Based on this, the study regards high-tech enterprises as research object and builds the theoretical model of Team Conflict and Team Performance relationship, using the SPSS17.0 software of correlation analysis, factor analysis and regression analysis statistical analysis to validate the model assumptions. The results find the negative effects of relationship conflict on team performance and that task conflict had different degrees of effects on team performance and that team trust play an intermediary role in the relationship between conflict and team performance.
Maternal HIV infection and placental malaria reduce transplacental antibody transfer and tetanus antibody levels in newborns in Kenya.

BACKGROUND In clinical trials, maternal tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccination is effective in protecting newborns against tetanus infection, but inadequate placental transfer of tetanus antibodies may contribute to lower-than-expected rates of protection in routine practice. We studied the effect of placental malaria and maternal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on placental transfer of antibodies to tetanus. METHODS A total of 704 maternal-cord paired serum samples were tested by ELISA for antibodies to tetanus. The HIV status of all women was determined by an immunoglobulin G antibody-capture particle-adherence test, and placental malaria was determined by placental biopsy. Maternal history of TT vaccination was recorded. RESULTS Tetanus antibody levels were reduced by 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30%-67%) in newborns of HIV-infected women and by 48% (95% CI, 26%-62%) in newborns whose mothers had active-chronic or past placental malaria. Thirty-seven mothers (5.3%) and 55 newborns (7.8%) had tetanus antibody levels <0.1 IU/mL (i.e., were seronegative). Mothers' self-reported history of lack of tetanus immunization was the strongest predictor of seronegativity and of tetanus antibody levels in maternal and cord serum. CONCLUSION Malarial and HIV infections may hinder efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, making implementation of the current policy for mass vaccination of women of childbearing age an urgent priority.
Robust estimation of critical values for genome scans to detect linkage

Estimation of study specific critical values for linkage scans (suggestive and significant thresholds) is important to identify promising regions. In this report, I propose a fast and concrete recipe for finding study specific critical values. Previously, critical values were derived theoretically or empirically. Theoretically‐derived values are often conservative due to their assumption of fully informative transmissions. Empirically‐derived critical values are computer and skill intensive and may not even be computationally feasible for large pedigrees. In this report, I propose a method to estimate critical values for multipoint linkage analysis using standard, widely used statistical software. The proposed method estimates study‐specific critical values by using Autoregressive (AR) models to estimate the correlation between standard normal statistics at adjacent map points and then use this correlation to estimate study‐specific critical values. The AR‐based method is evaluated using different family structures and density of markers, under both the null hypothesis of no linkage and the alternative hypothesis of linkage between marker and disease locus. Simulations results show the AR‐based method accurately predicts critical values for a wide range of study designs. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resolution enhancement using parallel computing

High resolution digital imaging has been one of the most important developments in image processing over last decade. Constructing high resolution image using one or more shifted low resolution images of same scene is referred as super resolution imaging. Super resolution imaging involves registering the input low resolution images and then interpolation to construct high resolution image. Appropriate interpolation plays an important role in super resolution imaging. Wavelet transform has come up as proven valuable tool for super resolution imaging along with other image processing applications. In this paper we have addressed the use and computational cost of wavelets. We take in hand grid based parallel implementation of wavelet based interpolation and put forward for super resolution imaging as a promising solution to speed up the super resolution imaging process. Simulation results support the claim of four time faster interpolation as compared to conventional methods along with good quality.
Clinical implications of intraoperative infrared brain surface monitoring during superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis in patients with moyamoya disease.

OBJECT Surgical revascularization for moyamoya disease prevents cerebral ischemic attacks by improving cerebral blood flow (CBF). Symptomatic cerebral hyperperfusion is a potential complication of this procedure, but its treatment is contradictory to that for ischemia. Because intraoperative techniques to detect hyperperfusion are still lacking, the authors performed intraoperative infrared monitoring in moyamoya disease using a novel infrared imaging system. METHODS During superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis in 25 patients (26 hemispheres) with moyamoya disease, the authors monitored the brain surface temperature intraoperatively with the IRIS-V infrared imaging system. The average gradation value change (indicating temperature change) was calculated using commercial software. Magnetic resonance imaging, MR angiography, and N-isopropyl-p-[(123)I]iodoamphetamine SPECT studies were performed routinely before and within 10 days after surgery. RESULTS Patency of bypass, detailed local hemodynamics, and changes in cortical surface temperature around the anastomosis site were well recognized by the IRIS-V infrared imaging system in all cases. In the present study, 10 patients suffered transient neurological symptoms accompanied by an increase in CBF around the anastomosis site, recognized as symptomatic hyperperfusion. The increase in temperature was significantly higher in these patients. Intensive blood pressure control was undertaken, and free-radical scavengers were administered. No patient in the present study suffered a permanent neurological deficit. CONCLUSIONS Although the present method does not directly monitor surface CBF, temperature rise around the anastomosis site during surgery might be an indicator of postoperative hyperperfusion. Prospective evaluation with a larger number of patients is necessary to validate this technique.
Treatment and posttreatment effects induced by the Forsus appliance: A controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate treatment and posttreatment dentoskeletal effects induced by the Forsus device (FRD) in growing patients with Class II malocclusion in a retrospective controlled clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six Class II patients (mean [SD] age 12.3 [1.2] years) were treated consecutively with the FRD protocol and compared with a sample of 20 subjects with untreated Class II malocclusion (mean [SD] age 12.2 [0.9] years). Lateral cephalograms were taken at the beginning of treatment, at the end of comprehensive treatment (after 2.3 ± 0.4 years), and at a postretention period (after 2.3 ± 1.1 years from the end of comprehensive treatment). Statistical comparisons were carried out with the unpaired t-test and Benjamini-Hochberg correction (P < .05). RESULTS After comprehensive treatment, the FRD sample showed a significant restriction of the sagittal maxillary growth together with a significant correction in overjet, overbite, and molar relationship. During the overall observation interval, the FRD group exhibited no significant sagittal or vertical skeletal changes, while significant improvements were recorded in overjet (-3.8 mm), overbite (-1.5 mm), and molar relationship (+3.7 mm). CONCLUSION The FRD protocol was effective in correcting Class II malocclusion mainly at the dentoalveolar level when evaluated 2 years after the end of comprehensive treatment.
The Impact of High-Commitment HR Practices on Hotel Employees’ Proactive Customer Service Performance

To explore the organizational antecedents of proactive customer service performance (PCSP), we developed and tested a multi-level model of the impact of high-commitment human resource (HR) practices on PCSP in the hospitality industry. Drawing on the proactive motivation model, the mediating roles of work-related self-efficacy, perceived organizational support, and harmonious passion for work are examined simultaneously in the relationship between high-commitment HR practices and PCSP. Using time-lagged data from 94 hotels in China, we found that high-commitment HR practices positively influenced service employees’ PCSP via work-related self-efficacy, perceived organizational support, and harmonious passion for work. We discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of this research and also give some suggestions on how to effectively adopt and implement high-commitment HR practices.
Elevation of plasma interleukin-18 concentration is correlated with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have indicated that the autoimmune phenomenon might be caused by an imbalance of T-helper cell (Th) cytokines. METHODS We investigated the plasma concentrations of a novel pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokine, interleukin (IL)-18, and its inducer, IL-12, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and correlated them with the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Plasma IL-18 and IL-12 concentrations of 40 SLE patients and 18 sex- and age-matched control subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Plasma IL-18 and IL-12 concentrations were significantly higher in SLE patients than in control subjects [median (interquartile range): IL-18, 320.0 pg/ml (164.4-475.6 pg/ml) vs 130.1 pg/ml (57.8-202.4 pg/ml), P<0.001; IL-12, 143.3 pg/ml (39.4-247.2 pg/ml) vs. 84.7 pg/ml (29.3-140.1 pg/ml), P<0.001]. Increases in IL-18 concentration correlated positively and significantly with SLEDAI score (r = 0.449, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION The novel cytokine IL-18 might play a crucial role in triggering the inflammatory processes in SLE.
Physiological Changes Associated with the Menstrual Cycle: A Review

The cyclic hormonal changes that regulate the menstrual cycle are a significant biological influence on the female body, one with both physical and emotional ramifications. Menstruation is governed by tightly orchestrated changes in the levels of ovarian estrogen and progesterone, which produce varying responses in diverse tissues and organs. The skin, the largest organ in the body, is replete with estrogen receptors (in both dermis and epidermis) and to a lesser extent, progesterone receptors. Cyclically fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone influence numerous characteristics of the epidermis, including skin surface lipid secretion and sebum production, skin thickness, fat deposition, skin hydration, and barrier function. Dermal collagen content, which contributes to skin elasticity and resistance to wrinkling, is also influenced. Interestingly, estrogen levels also influence skin pigmentation and UV susceptibility, as well as resident microflora. In addition, changing hormone levels across the menstrual cycle produce measurable variations in immune function and disease susceptibility. An understanding of the profound influence that fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels have on the biological responses of the premenopausal adult woman is critical to optimizing the efficacy of medical therapies in this population. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Leaning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to produce anticipatory guidance to patients regarding skin changes in pregnancy, predict clinical skin changes common in post menopausal women, and recall the physiology of the menstrual cycle.