Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Truncated env Gene Isolated from a Feline Leukemia Virus-Induced Thymic Lymphosarcoma

ABSTRACT We PCR amplified the exogenous feline leukemia virus (FeLV)-relatedenv gene species from lymphosarcomas induced by intradermally administered plasmid DNA of either the prototype FeLV, subgroup A molecular clone, F6A, or a new molecular clone, FeLV-A, Rickard strain (FRA). Of the nine tumors examined, six showed the presence of deleted env species of variable sizes in the tumor DNA. One env mutant, which was detected in a FRA-induced thymic lymphosarcoma, had a large internal deletion beginning from almost the N-terminal surface glycoprotein (SU) up to the middle region of the transmembrane (TM) protein of theenv gene. The deduced polypeptide of this truncatedenv (tenv) retained the complete signal peptide and seven amino acids of the N-terminal mature SU of FRAenv gene, followed by eight amino acids from the frameshift in the TM region. To study the biological function of tenv, we used a murine retrovirus vector to produce amphotropic virions. Infection of feline fibroblasts (H927), human fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080), or human B-lymphoma cells (Raji) led to pronounced cytotoxicity, while the tenv virus did not induce significant cytotoxicity to feline T-lymphoma cells (3201B) or human T-lymphoma cells (CEM). Together, these results convincingly demonstrated that the genetic events that led to truncation in theenv gene occurred de novo in FeLV lymphomagenesis and that such a product, tenv could induce cytotoxicity to fibroblastic and B-lymphoid cells but not to T-lymphoid tumor cells. This type of selective toxicity might be potentially important in the development of the neoplastic disease.
Design and Analysis of Planar Symmetric Six-Phase Coupled Inductors

This paper presents a new symmetric design of multi-phase coupled inductors where all phase inductors share one ferrite core. Designed multi-phase inductors were fabricated using the printed circuit board (PCB) technology. One-layer and two-layer designs have been analyzed and compared. Designed planar ferrite cores were fabricated in custom shape with the ferrite materials, C2025 and CN20, commercially available from Ceramic Magnetics, Inc. The core that is mounted on the PCB with printed inductors represents a compact planar component with six inductors mutually coupled with their adjacent inductors. These multi-phase coupled inductors are intended to be used in multi-phase dc/dc converters for switching frequencies near and >1 MHz. Electrical properties of the components were analyzed by a finite-element modeling software and an impedance analyzer HP4194A in the frequency range from 50 kHz to 40 MHz. Distribution of the magnetic flux density in the component has also been performed. One-layer structure component was tested for basic operation with a six-phase dc/dc buck converter in the open-loop steady-state 6 × 1 operation mode.
Establishment and Characterization of Cytopathogenic and Noncytopathogenic Pestivirus Replicons

ABSTRACT Defective interfering particles (DIs) of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) have been identified and shown to be cytopathogenic (cp) in the presence of noncytopathogenic (noncp) helper virus. Moreover, a subgenomic (sg) RNA corresponding in its genome structure to one of those BVDV DIs (DI9) was replication competent in the absence of helper virus. We report here that an sg BVDV replicon which encodes from the viral proteins only the first three amino acids of the autoprotease Npro in addition to nonstructural (NS) proteins NS3 to NS5B replicates autonomously and also induces lysis of its host cells. This demonstrates that the presence of a helper virus is not required for the lysis of the host cell. On the basis of two infectious BVDV cDNA clones, namely, BVDV CP7 (cp) and CP7ins− (noncp), bicistronic replicons expressing proteins NS2-3 to NS5B were established. These replicons express, in addition to the viral proteins, the reporter gene encoding β-glucuronidase; the release of this enzyme from transfected culture cells was used to monitor cell lysis. Applying these tools, we were able to show that the replicon derived from CP7ins− does not induce cell lysis. Accordingly, neither Npro nor any of the structural proteins are necessary to maintain the noncp phenotype. Furthermore, these sg RNAs represent the first pair of cp and noncp replicons which mimic complete BVDV CP7 and CP7ins− with respect to cytopathogenicity. These replicons will facilitate future studies aimed at the determination of the molecular basis for the cytopathogenicity of BVDV.
On Treewidth and Stable Marriage

Stable Marriage is a fundamental problem to both computer science and economics. Four well-known NP-hard optimization versions of this problem are the Sex-Equal Stable Marriage (SESM), Balanced Stable Marriage (BSM), max-Stable Marriage with Ties (max-SMT) and min-Stable Marriage with Ties (min-SMT) problems. In this paper, we analyze these problems from the viewpoint of Parameterized Complexity. We conduct the first study of these problems with respect to the parameter treewidth. First, we study the treewidth $\mathtt{tw}$ of the primal graph. We establish that all four problems are W[1]-hard. In particular, while it is easy to show that all four problems admit algorithms that run in time $n^{O(\mathtt{tw})}$, we prove that all of these algorithms are likely to be essentially optimal. Next, we study the treewidth $\mathtt{tw}$ of the rotation digraph. In this context, the max-SMT and min-SMT are not defined. For both SESM and BSM, we design (non-trivial) algorithms that run in time $2^{\mathtt{tw}}n^{O(1)}$. Then, for both SESM and BSM, we also prove that unless SETH is false, algorithms that run in time $(2-\epsilon)^{\mathtt{tw}}n^{O(1)}$ do not exist for any fixed $\epsilon>0$. We thus present a comprehensive, complete picture of the behavior of central optimization versions of Stable Marriage with respect to treewidth.
In vitro Permeability Enhancement in Intestinal Epithelial Cells (Caco-2) Monolayer of Water Soluble Quaternary Ammonium Chitosan Derivatives

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a type of hydrophobic moiety, extent of N-substitution (ES), and degree of quaternization (DQ) of chitosan (CS) on the transepithelial electrical resistance and permeability of Caco-2 cells monolayer, using fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 4,400 (FD-4) as the model compound for paracellular tight junction transport. CS was substituted with hydrophobic moiety, an aliphatic aldehyde (n-octyl) or aromatic aldehyde (benzyl), for the improved hydrophobic interaction with cell membrane, and they were quaternized with Quat-188 to render CS soluble. The factors affecting the epithelial permeability have been evaluated in the intestinal cell monolayers, Caco-2 cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by using the trypan blue and MTT viability assay. The results revealed that at pH 7.4 CSQ appeared to increase cell permeability in dose-dependent manner, and this effect was relatively reversible at the lower doses of 0.05–1.25 mM. The higher DQ and ES caused the higher permeability of FD-4. Cytotoxicity of CSQ was concentration, %DQ, and %ES dependent. Substitution with hydrophobic moiety caused decreasing in permeability of FD-4 and cytotoxicity by benzyl group had more effect than octyl group. These studies demonstrated that these novel modified chitosan derivatives had potential for using as absorption enhancers.
Using peer ethnography to address health disparities among young urban Black and Latino men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVES We examined the effectiveness of peer ethnography to gain insider views on substance use and sex among a diverse range of high-risk substance-using Black and Latino young men who have sex with men. METHODS We recruited 9 peer ethnographers aged 21 to 24 years from youth programs for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in Los Angeles, California, and trained them in ethnography, study protocol, and human participant protection. Peer ethnographers collected 137 single-spaced pages of field notes in 2009 and 2010 derived from observation of 150 members of the target population. RESULTS Peer ethnography revealed local language and phrasing and provided a window into new and different social contexts. Peers provided valuable information on current trends in substance use, revealing themes that needed to be addressed in further research, such as the use of substances during sex to "clock coin" (exchange sex for money and substances). These data enabled us to refine our recruitment strategies and ask more culturally relevant questions in a later phase of the study. CONCLUSIONS The peer ethnography method can provide a sound basis for further research phases in multistage studies on numerous other social issues and with other hard-to-reach populations.
Culturability and Toxicity of Sick Building Syndrome-Related Fungi Over Time

Two experiments were conducted regarding the culturability and toxicity of fungi located on building materials over time and the efficacy of seven laboratory techniques in recovering culturable fungi from sample swabs. In the first experiment, eight sections of drywall were inoculated with Stachybotrys chartarum and stored at 25 ± 5°C and 20–60% relative humidity (RH) for up to two years. Another eight sections of ceiling tile were stored at 100% RH for 1 year. Six sections of ceiling tile and 15 swabs were also inoculated with Penicillium chrysogenum and S. chartarum respectively and stored under the same conditions for 8 months and 3.3 years. All materials were tested for culturability at the end of the storage period. S. chartarum-inoculated samples were also tested for toxicity. In the second experiment (replicated twice), S. chartarum and Chaetomium globosum were inoculated onto 84 swabs each. Storage was up to 266 days at 25 ± 5°C and 20–60% RH. Seven techniques were compared regarding the recovery of culturable fungi from the swabs over different time points. Results for Experiment 1 showed that all samples were culturable after the storage period and that the S. chartarum-inoculated drywall samples were toxic. In Experiment 2, all techniques showed high rates of recovery. These data show that despite being without a water source, these organisms can be culturable and toxic after long periods of time under conditions similar to human-occupied dwellings and that a number of preparation techniques are suitable for the recovery of these fungi from inoculated swabs.
Miniature ground penetrating radar, CRUX GPR

Under NASA instrument development programs (PIDDP 2000-2002, MIDP 2003-2005, ESR&T, 2005), we have been developing miniature ground penetrating radars (GPR) for use in mapping subsurface stratigraphy from planetary rovers for Mars and lunar applications. The Mars GPR is for deeper penetration (up to 50-m depth) into the Martian subsurface at moderate resolution (1.5 m) for a geological characterization. As a part of the CRUX (construction & resource utilization explorer) instrument suite, the CRUX GPR is optimized for a lunar prospecting application. It will have shallower penetration (5-m depth) with higher resolution (15 cm) for construction operations including ISRU (in-situ resource utilization). The GPR is a short-pulse type system, which responds to interfaces between materials of differing dielectric permittivity. Currently, the CRUX GPR (technology readiness level 4) has miniaturized radar electronics (2 boards, 10 cm times 5 cm times 2 cm, 1 W power, total 45 g), with 2 batteries (9 V, 2 times 45 g) operating at 800-MHz center frequency. Field testing of the prototype has been conducted extensively. When deployed for lunar missions, the CRUX GPR data will help prospecting possible construction sites
Multiresolution visualization of digital earth data via hexagonal box-spline wavelets

Multiresolution analysis is an important tool for exploring large-scale data sets. Such analysis provides facilities to visualize data at different levels of detail while providing the advantages of efficient data compression and transmission. In this work, an approach is presented to apply multiresolution analysis to digital Earth data where each resolution describes data at a specific level of detail. Geospatial data at a fine level is taken as the input and a hierarchy of approximation and detail coefficients is built by applying a hexagonal discrete wavelet transform. Multiresolution filters are designed for hexagonal cells based on the three directional linear box spline which is natively supported by modern GPUs.
An Experimental Study on Electrocardiography toward Emotion Recognition

Emotion recognition is becoming an increasingly important field for human affective computing. This paper presented a method of emotion recognition using Electrocardiography (ECG) signal obtained from multiple subjects. ECG signals were collected when film clips shown to subjects. Through denoising and location of P-QRS-T wave by wavelet transform, ECG features could be extracted effectively. For recognizing two emotions (joy and sadness), Genetic Simulated Annealing Algorithm (GASA) was applied for feature selection. And classification accuracy of fisher classifier was used as evaluation criteria to select the optimal feature subset. Experiment results showed that the research had acquired a good emotion recognition effect and effective emotion features were achieved availably. And it was feasible to recognize the emotion states using GASA and fisher classifier based on ECG signal.
Gyral development of the human brain

To determine the development of the convolutional pattern of the cerebral hemispheres, we have examined multiple gross photographs of 507 brains and serial sections of 207 brains from infants of 10 to 44 weeks' gestational age. The sequential developmental changes of the individual fissures, sulci, and gyri of the cerebral hemispheres throughout the gestational period are tabulated. Schematic drawings made from enlarged photographs show the major changes associated with each month of the second and third trimesters.
Broadband CPW Feed for Millimeter-Wave SIW-Based Antipodal Linearly Tapered Slot Antennas

To achieve broadband performances in the millimeter-wave range, antipodal linearly tapered slot antenna (ALTSA) designs with new combined substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) and regular coplanar waveguide (CPW) feeds are presented and studied. This feed structure eliminates the fabrication of air bridges in direct CPW-fed tapered slot antennas (TSAs). Two millimeter-wave design techniques are introduced for the selected 41–61 GHz and 90–120 GHz frequency ranges, demonstrating very good impedance match and nearly constant gain, beamwidth, and cross-polarization levels over bandwidths of 39% and 28%, respectively. The design procedure is validated by comparing simulated results with measurements performed on a 21–31 GHz (38% bandwidth) prototype. Very good agreement between measured and calculated performance characteristics is obtained with only cross-polarization levels slightly higher than predicted. The structural design parameters and dimensions of all three designs are given.
The BM88 Antigen, a Novel Neuron-specific Molecule, Enhances the Differentiation of Mouse Neuroblastoma Cells (*)

The BM88 antigen is a neuron-specific molecule widely distributed in the mammalian nervous system. It is a 22-kDa, apparently not glycosylated, integral membrane protein, which appears early during brain development and remains at high levels in the mature animal. Here, we describe the cDNA cloning of the porcine BM88 antigen and present evidence that this protein is involved in neuroblastoma cell differentiation. The deduced protein is a novel molecule consisting of 140 amino acids and bears a putative transmembrane domain at the COOH-terminal region. The mRNA of this protein is expressed only in neural tissues, where it is restricted to neurons. Stably transfected Neuro-2a cells overexpressing the BM88 antigen exhibited a significant change in morphology, reflected by enhanced process outgrowth, and a slower rate of division. Moreover, in the presence of differentiation agents, such as sucrose and retinoic acid, an accelerated differentiation of the transfected Neuro-2a cells was observed. Especially in the presence of sucrose, the consequent overexpression of the BM88 antigen in the transfected cells resulted in their enhanced morphological differentiation accompanied by the induction of neurofilament protein expression. Our results suggest that the BM88 antigen plays a role in the differentiation of neuroblastoma cells.
Choice of output for time-variant walking control for a five-link underactuated planar biped robot

This paper presents a feedback controller that achieve an asymptotically stable, periodic walking gait for an under-actuated planar biped robot. A biped studied consists of five links, connected to form two legs with knees and a torso, it have point feet without actuation between the feet and ground. In single support, the configuration of the robot is defined by n independent configuration variables and m=n−1 actuators only, thus the degree of under-actuation is one. The control is based on the tracking of reference motions expressed as function of time. The reference motions are adapted at each step in order to create an hybrid zero dynamic system. The stability of the walking gait under closed-loop control is evaluated with the linearization of the restricted Poincaré map of the hybrid zero dynamics. For a system with one degree of under-actuation, the resulted Jacobian involves in the stability test is a square matrix of dimension two, thus this analysis can be easily done numerically. Most periodic walking gaits for this robot are unstable when the controlled outputs are selected to be the actuated coordinates. Here the effect of output selection on the zero dynamics is discussed and a pertinent choice of outputs is proposed, leading to stabilization without the use of a supplemental controller.
Assessing Online Learning Ability From a Social Exchange Perspective: A Survey of Virtual Teams Within Business Organizations

Drawing on social exchange theory, this study proposes a model by postulating critical antecedents and mediators as the key drivers of online learning ability. In the model, online learning ability is affected indirectly by trust via 3 mediators simultaneously, including team commitment, task conflict, and relationship conflict, whereas trust is impacted directly by expressiveness interdependence, outcome interdependence, and task interdependence. Empirical testing of this model, by investigating the personnel of virtual teams from information technology organizations, confirms the applicability of social exchange theory in understanding online learning ability. This study contributes to the virtual team learning literature by extending social exchange theory to the rarely explored area of online learning ability of organizational teams and validating idiosyncratic drivers of online learning ability. Last, this article provides managerial implications and limitations of the research.
Probabilistic model checking of perturbed MDPs with applications to cloud computing

Probabilistic model checking is a formal verification technique that has been applied successfully in a variety of domains, providing identification of system errors through quantitative verification of stochastic system models. One domain that can benefit from probabilistic model checking is cloud computing, which must provide highly reliable and secure computational and storage services to large numbers of mission-critical software systems. For real-world domains like cloud computing, external system factors and environmental changes must be estimated accurately in the form of probabilities in system models; inaccurate estimates for the model probabilities can lead to invalid verification results. To address the effects of uncertainty in probability estimates, in previous work we have developed a variety of techniques for perturbation analysis of discrete- and continuous-time Markov chains (DTMCs and CTMCs). These techniques determine the consequences of the uncertainty on verification of system properties. In this paper, we present the first approach for perturbation analysis of Markov decision processes (MDPs), a stochastic formalism that is especially popular due to the significant expressive power it provides through the combination of both probabilistic and nondeterministic choice. Our primary contribution is a novel technique for efficiently analyzing the effects of perturbations of model probabilities on verification of reachability properties of MDPs. The technique heuristically explores the space of adversaries of an MDP, which encode the different ways of resolving the MDP's nondeterministic choices. We demonstrate the practical effectiveness of our approach by applying it to two case studies of cloud systems.
Structural analysis of two genes encoding divergent forms of yeast cytochrome c oxidase subunit V

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, subunit V of the inner mitochondrial membrane protein complex cytochrome c oxidase is encoded by two nonidentical genes, COX5a and COX5b. Both genes are present as single copies in S. cerevisiae and in several other Saccharomyces species. Nucleotide sequencing studies with the S. cerevisiae COX5 genes reveal that they encode proteins of 153 and 151 amino acids, respectively. Overall, the coding sequences of COX5a and COX5b have nucleotide and protein homologies of 67 and 66%, respectively. They are saturated for nucleotide substitutions that result in a synonomous codon, indicating a long divergence time between these two genes. Nucleotide sequences flanking the COX5a and COX5b coding regions exhibit no significant homology. The COX5a protein, pre-subunit Va, contains a 20-amino-acid leader peptide, whereas the COX5b protein, pre-subunit Vb, contains a 17-amino-acid leader peptide. These two leader peptides exhibit only 45% homology in the primary sequence, but have similar predicted secondary structures. By analyzing the RNA transcripts from both genes we have found that COX5a is a contiguous gene but that COX5b contains an intron. Surprisingly, the COX5b intron interrupts the AUG codon that initiates translation of the pre-subunit Vb polypeptide and contains a 5' donor splice sequence that differs from that normally found in yeast introns.
SentBuk: Sentiment analysis for e-learning environments

This paper presents SentBuk, a Facebook application that extracts information about the user sentiment automatically, in a non-intrusive way. It performs sentiment analysis of user writings in Facebook walls, classifying each sentence as positive, neutral or negative. Finally, the overall user sentiment is calculated. On one hand, this information is useful to enrich user models for adaptive e-learning systems, so that these systems can adapt any of their aspects (tasks to be proposed to the student, contents, and so on) according to each student sentiment, among other criteria. On the other hand, the polarity of the emotions transmitted by the students enrolled in a course can constitute a useful feedback for the course teacher.