Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Hras Oncogene Interferes with Retinoic Acid Signaling and Metabolism in NIH 3 T 3 Cells

We have previously shown that retinoic acid (RA) fails to induce transglutaminase C in H-ras transformed NIH-3T3 cells. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the H-ras oncogene on the metabolism of RA and on the expression of the cellular RA-binding protein I mRNA. HPLC analysis of the media and cell extracts demonstrated that H-ra.v-inuisformed cells metabolize RA to a much lesser extent than control cells, resulting in a higher concentration of RA in H-ras cells. Although inactive in endogenous transglutaminase induction, H-ras cell-associated RA was shown to be biologically available to induce activation of a reporter construct containing a retinoid response element and in stimulating trans glutaminase activity in nontransfected cells. Cellular RA-binding protein I mRNA, supposedly involved in RA storage, was significantly increased in the H-ras-transformed cells. These data demonstrate that, even though H-ras-transformed cells accumulate up to 20 fold the concentration of RA as NIH-3T3 cells, they fail to show transglutaminase induction, suggesting that H-ras interferes with signal transduction by RA.
Predicting breast cancer recurrence using data mining techniques

In this study, we firstly take good advantage of SEER Public-Use Data to predict breast cancer recurrence using data mining techniques. The SEER Public-Use Data 2005 is used in this research. We presented a new data pre-classification method and firstly find a possible solution to discover the information of breast cancer recurrence of SEER data. After the preprocessing of the dataset, we investigate several algorithms. As a result, we found c5 algorithm has the best performance of accuracy.
Stability criteria for homogeneously stressed materials and the calculation of elastic constants.

Second-order elastic constants cannot be applied directly to the study of the mechanical stability of a stressed material. We derive general expressions for stability criteria by constructing appropriate thermodynamic potentials. For a system under isotropic initial stress, elastic stiffness coefficients which govern stress-strain relations can be used as stability criteria. However, for a system under anisotropic initial stress, stability criteria are different from either elastic constants or elastic stiffness coefficients. We show that stability conditions in the constant pressure ensemble are stronger than in the constant volume ensemble, i.e., a state can be stable in the constant volume ensemble but unstable in the constant pressure ensemble. From the general formalism simple fluctuation formulas for the stability criteria are deduced for systems in the canonical ensemble, for arbitrary stress. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Microaffinity purification of proteins based on photolytic elution: Toward an efficient microbead affinity chromatography on a chip

A bead affinity chromatography system, which was based on the photolytic elution method, was integrated into a glass‐silicon microchip to purify specific target proteins. CutiCore® beads, which were coupled with a photo‐cleavable ligand, such as biotin and an RNA aptamer, were introduced into a filter chamber in the microchip. The protein mixture containing target protein labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was then passed through the packed affinity beads in the microchamber by pressure‐driven flow. During the process, the adsorbed protein on the bead was monitored by fluorescence. The concentrated target protein on the affinity bead was released by simple irradiation with UV light at a wavelength of 360 nm, and subsequently eluted with the phosphate buffer flow. The eluted target protein was quantitatively detected via the fluorescence intensity measurements at the downstream of the capillary connected to the outlet of the microchip. The microaffinity purification allowed for a successful method for the identification of specific target proteins from a protein mixture. In addition, the feasibility of this system for use as a diagnosis chip was demonstrated.
Professional Development in Higher Education: A Model for Meaningful Technology Integration

While many institutions provide centralized technology support for faculty, there is a lack of centralized professional development opportunities that focus on simultaneously developing instructors’ technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK) in higher education. Additionally, there are few professional development opportunities for faculty that continue throughout the practice of teaching with technology. We propose a model of continuing professional development that provides instructors with the ability to meaningfully integrate technology into their teaching practices through centralized support for developing TPACK. In doing so, we draw upon several theoretical frameworks and evidence based practices.
Experimental observation of the quasiperiodic modes in a rotating Couette system.

We experimentally observed the spatiotemporal velocity field of modulated waves (quasiperiodic mode) in a Couette-Taylor system for Reynolds number 9≤R/R c ≤28. A power spectrum averaged over four axial wavelengths showed clear evidence of the coexistence of two quasiperiodic modes for a wide range of Reynolds number and the first azimuthal wave mode disappeared at R/R c ≃18
Smartphone-based user Activity Recognition Method for Health Remote Monitoring Applications

In the framework of health remote monitoring applications for individuals with disabilities or particular pathologies, quantity and type of physical activity performed by an individual/patient constitute important information. On the other hand, the technological evolution of Smartphones, combined with their increasing diffusion, gives mobile network providers the opportunity to offer real-time services based on captured real world knowledge and events. This paper presents a Smartphone-based Activity Recognition (AR) method based on decision tree classification of accelerometer signals to classify the user’s activity as Sitting, Standing, Walking or Running. The main contribution of the work is a method employing a novel windowing technique which reduces the rate of accelerometer readings while maintaining high recognition accuracy by combining two single-classification weighting policies. The proposed method has been implemented on Android OS smartphones and experimental tests have produced satisfying results. It represents a useful solution in the aforementioned health remote applications such as the Heart Failure (HF) patients monitoring mentioned below.
Effects of Treadmill Training with Load on Gait in Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the effects of 3% of body weight loads (0%, 5%, and 10%) on treadmill gait training in subjects with Parkinson disease. DesignThis study used a randomized controlled single-blind trial. ResultsSpatiotemporal variables demonstrated significant intragroup alterations in all three groups at pretraining and posttraining, with an increase in speed (m/sec; F = 4.73, P = 0.04), stride length (m; F = 12.00, P = 0.002), and step length (m; F = 16.16, P = 0.001) and a decrease in the double-stance phase (%; F = 6.59, P = 0.02) and stance phase (%; F = 4.77, P = 0.04). Intergroup pretraining and posttraining did not exhibit significant differences (F < 2.18, P > 0.14). Angular variables showed significant intragroup alterations, with an increase in knee range of motion (F = 5.18, P = 0.03), and intergroup comparison revealed no significant changes (F = 1.87, P = 0.17). ConclusionsPosttraining improvements in speed, stride length, step length, double-stance, stance phase, and knee range of motion were observed in all groups, where no load (0%, 5%, or 10%) had any significant effect, suggesting that the influence of load did not make one experimental condition better than another. All participants benefitted from treadmill gait training, irrespective of the use of load.
Scanning transmission x-ray microscopy of polymer nanoparticles: probing morphology on sub-10 nm length scales

Water-processable nanoparticle dispersions of semiconducting polymers offer an attractive approach to the fabrication of organic electronic devices since they offer: (1) control of nanoscale morphology and (2) environmentally friendly fabrication. Although the nature of phase segregation in these polymer nanoparticles is critical to device performance, to date there have been no techniques available to directly determine their intra-particle structure, which consequently has been poorly understood. Here, we present scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) compositional maps for nanoparticles fabricated from poly(9,9-dioctyl-fluorene-2,7-diyl-co-bis-N, N′-(4-butylphenyl)-bis-N, N′-phenyl-1,4-phenylenedi-amine) (PFB) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl-co-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) 1:1 blend mixtures. The images show distinct phase segregation within the nanoparticles. The compositional data reveals that, within these nanoparticles, PFB and F8BT segregate into a core–shell morphology, with an F8BT-rich core and a PFB-rich shell. Structural modelling demonstrates that the STXM technique is capable of quantifying morphological features on a sub-10 nm length scale; below the spot size of the incident focused x-ray beam. These results have important implications for the development of water-based ‘solar paints’ fabricated from microemulsions of semiconducting polymers.
Improved image transmission over wireless channels

An improved technique for image transmission over wireless channel with flat Rayleigh fading is considered in this paper. The proposed scheme minimizes the mean-square error in image transmission rather than the bit error rate. The minimization is done by optimizing the power allocated to each bit according to its importance to the image quality along with the use of channel coding. An algorithm that works iteratively to achieve this goal is presented and analyzed in this paper. It is shown that the proposed technique provides significant gain compared to conventional schemes that send the same power for all bits. It also provides better performance compared to the case were power allocation alone or coding alone is used, with a gain of 2 to 3 dB. It also provides a good performance in terms of reducing the peak-to-average power ratio compared to the case of power allocation alone.
Nonlinear Proximal Point Algorithms Using Bregman Functions, with Applications to Convex Programming

A Bregman function is a strictly convex, differentiable function that induces a well-behaved distance measure or D-function on Euclidean space. This paper shows that, for every Bregman function, there exists a "nonlinear" version of the proximal point algorithm, and presents an accompanying convergence theory. Applying this generalization of the proximal point algorithm to convex programming, one obtains the D-function proximal minimization algorithm of Censor and Zenios, and a wide variety of new multiplier methods. These multiplier methods are different from those studied by Kort and Bertsekas, and include nonquadratic variations on the proximal method of multipliers.
Sonographic Stress Measurement of Glenohumeral Joint Laxity in Collegiate Swimmers and Age-Matched Controls

Background Glenohumeral laxity that is greater than normal has been implicated as a causal factor in the development of shoulder pain and dysfunction in elite swimmers; however, quantitative evidence demonstrating greater-than-normal glenohumeral joint laxity in swimmers is lacking. Objective To quantify glenohumeral joint laxity in elite swimmers and nonswimming controls using stress sonography. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Force-displacement measures were performed bilaterally in 42 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I swimmers and 44 age-matched controls. Of the 42 swimmers, 27 (64%) reported a history of unilateral or bilateral shoulder pain resulting from swimming. Ultrasound imaging was used to measure glenohumeral joint displacement under stressed and non-stressed conditions. Results An analysis of variance revealed no significant difference in glenohumeral joint displacement between swimmers (anterior, 2.82 ± 1.7 mm; posterior, 5.30 ± 2.4 mm) and age-matched controls (anterior, 2.74 ± 1.7 mm; posterior, 4.90 ± 2.7 mm). No significant difference in glenohumeral joint displacement was found between swimmers with a history of shoulder pain (anterior, 2.90 ± 1.6 mm; posterior, 5.42 ± 2.3 mm) versus swimmers without a history of shoulder pain (anterior, 2.74 ± 1.8 mm; posterior, 5.14 ± 2.6 mm). Shoulders displayed significantly more glenohumeral joint displacement in the posterior direction compared to the anterior direction (P <. 001). Conclusions Our instrumented technique was unable to identify significantly greater glenohumeral joint displacement in elite swimmers compared to nonswimming controls, and elite swimmers with a history of shoulder pain were not found to have significantly more glenohumeral joint displacement compared to swimmers without a history of shoulder pain. Clinical Relevance Objective assessment of glenohumeral joint displacement in athletes participating in overhead-motion sports may be important for injury prevention and management.
Plasma microRNA profiling predicts HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder

Objective:HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is a common neurological disorder among HIV-infected patients despite the availability of combination antiretroviral therapy. Host-encoded microRNAs (miRNA) regulate both host and viral gene expression contributing to HAND pathogenesis and can also serve as disease biomarkers. Herein, plasma miRNA profiles were investigated in HIV/AIDS patients with HAND. Methods:Discovery and Validation Cohorts comprising HIV/AIDS patients were studied that included patients with and without HAND (non-HAND). Plasma miRNA levels were measured by array hybridization and verified by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Multiple bioinformatic and biostatistical analyses were applied to the data from each cohort. Results:Expression analyses identified nine miRNAs in the Discovery Cohort (HAND, n = 22; non-HAND, n = 25) with increased levels (≥two-fold) in the HAND group compared with the non-HAND group (P < 0.05). In the Validation Cohort (HAND, n = 12; non-HAND, n = 12) upregulation (≥two-fold) of three miRNAs (miR-3665, miR-4516 and miR-4707–5p) was observed in the HAND group that were also increased in the Discovery Cohort's HAND patients, which were verified subsequently by qRT-PCR. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses for the three miRNAs also pointed to the diagnosis of HAND (area under curve, 0.87, P < 0.005). Bioinformatics tools predicted that all three miRNAs targeted sequences of genes implicated in neural development, cell death, inflammation, cell signalling and cytokine functions. Conclusion:Differentially expressed plasma-derived miRNAs were detected in HIV/AIDS patients with HAND that were conserved across different patient cohorts and laboratory methods. Plasma-derived miRNAs might represent biomarkers for HAND and also provide insights into disease mechanisms.
Design and Evaluation of a Soft and Wearable Robotic Glove for Hand Rehabilitation

In the modern world, due to an increased aging population, hand disability is becoming increasingly common. The prevalence of conditions such as stroke is placing an ever-growing burden on the limited fiscal resources of health care providers and the capacity of their physical therapy staff. As a solution, this paper presents a novel design for a wearable and adaptive glove for patients so that they can practice rehabilitative activities at home, reducing the workload for therapists and increasing the patient's independence. As an initial evaluation of the design's feasibility the prototype was subjected to motion analysis to compare its performance with the hand in an assessment of grasping patterns of a selection of blocks and spheres. The outcomes of this paper suggest that the theory of design has validity and may lead to a system that could be successful in the treatment of stroke patients to guide them through finger flexion and extension, which could enable them to gain more control and confidence in interacting with the world around them.
An allosteric model for control of pore opening by substrate binding in the EutL microcompartment shell protein

The ethanolamine utilization (Eut) microcompartment is a protein‐based metabolic organelle that is strongly associated with pathogenesis in bacteria that inhabit the human gut. The exterior shell of this elaborate protein complex is composed from a few thousand copies of BMC‐domain shell proteins, which form a semi‐permeable diffusion barrier that provides the interior enzymes with substrates and cofactors while simultaneously retaining metabolic intermediates. The ability of this protein shell to regulate passage of substrate and cofactor molecules is critical for microcompartment function, but the details of how this diffusion barrier can allow the passage of large cofactors while still retaining small intermediates remain unclear. Previous work has revealed two conformations of the EutL shell protein, providing substantial evidence for a gated pore that might allow the passage of large cofactors. Here we report structural and biophysical evidence to show that ethanolamine, the substrate of the Eut microcompartment, acts as a negative allosteric regulator of EutL pore opening. Specifically, a series of X‐ray crystal structures of EutL from Clostridium perfringens, along with equilibrium binding studies, reveal that ethanolamine binds to EutL at a site that exists in the closed‐pore conformation and which is incompatible with opening of the large pore for cofactor transport. The allosteric mechanism we propose is consistent with the cofactor requirements of the Eut microcompartment, leading to a new model for EutL function. Furthermore, our results suggest the possibility of redox modulation of the allosteric mechanism, opening potentially new lines of investigation.
Pediatric deaths attributable to complex chronic conditions: a population-based study of Washington State, 1980-1997.

OBJECTIVES Advances in medical technology and public health are changing the causes and patterns of pediatric mortality. To better inform health care planning for dying children, we sought to determine if an increasing proportion of pediatric deaths were attributable to an underlying complex chronic condition (CCC), what the typical age of CCC-associated deaths was, and whether this age was increasing. DESIGN Population-based retrospective cohort from 1980 to 1997, compiled from Washington State annual censuses and death certificates of children 0 to 18 years old. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES For each of 9 categories of CCCs, the counts of death, mortality rates, and ages of death. RESULTS Nearly one-quarter of the 21 617 child deaths during this period were attributable to a CCC. Death rates for the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), CCCs, and all other causes each declined, but less so for CCCs. Among infants who died because of causes other than injury or SIDS, 31% of the remaining deaths were attributable to a CCC in 1980 and 41% by 1997; for deaths in children 1 year of age and older, CCCs were cited in 53% in 1980, versus 58% in 1997. The median age of death for all CCCs was 4 months 9 days, with substantial differences among CCCs. No overall change in the age of death between 1980 to 1997 was found (nonparametric trend test). CONCLUSIONS CCCs account for an increasing proportion of child deaths. The majority of these deaths occur during infancy, but the typical age varies by cause. These findings should help shape the design of support care services offered to children dying with chronic conditions and their families.
Microbial Propionic Acid Production

Propionic acid (propionate) is a commercially valuable carboxylic acid produced through microbial fermentation. Propionic acid is mainly used in the food industry but has recently found applications in the cosmetic, plastics and pharmaceutical industries. Propionate can be produced via various metabolic pathways, which can be classified into three major groups: fermentative pathways, biosynthetic pathways, and amino acid catabolic pathways. The current review provides an in-depth description of the major metabolic routes for propionate production from an energy optimization perspective. Biological propionate production is limited by high downstream purification costs which can be addressed if the target yield, productivity and titre can be achieved. Genome shuffling combined with high throughput omics and metabolic engineering is providing new opportunities, and biological propionate production is likely to enter the market in the not so distant future. In order to realise the full potential of metabolic engineering and heterologous expression, however, a greater understanding of metabolic capabilities of the native producers, the fittest producers, is required.
Brachial plexus injury as an unusual complication of coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Brachial plexus injury is an unusual and under-recognised complication of coronary artery bypass grafting especially when internal mammary artery harvesting takes place. It is believed to be due to sternal retraction resulting in compression of the brachial plexus. Although the majority of cases are transient, there are cases where the injury is permanent and may have severe implications as illustrated in the accompanying case history.
Meta-Analysis of Prophylactic Allopurinol Use in Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of allopurinol in the prophylaxis of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. Methods: We used the method recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration to perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of allopurinol in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), including 6 RCTs conducted all over the world. Results: Six RCTs totaling 1554 patients undergoing ERCP were included. When the RCTs were analyzed, odds ratios of allopurinol were 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-1.48; P = 0.40) for PEP, 0.87 (95% CI, 0.33-2.28; P = 0.78) for severe PEP, 0.88 (95% CI, 0.37-2.11; P = 0.78) for post-ERCP hyperamylasemia, and 0.19 (95% CI, 0.01-3.91; P = 0.28) for case-fatality ratio of PEP, thus indicating no beneficial effects of allopurinol on acute pancreatitis, PEP death rate, and hyperamylasemia. No evidence of publication bias was found. Conclusions: Allopurinol cannot prevent the pancreatic injury after ERCP. Allopurinol is not recommended in the prophylaxis of PEP.
Motion Planning and Control of Autonomous Robots in a Two-dimensional Plane

This paper proposes a solution to the motion planning and control problem of a point-mass robot which is required to move safely to a designated target in a priori known workspace cluttered with fixed elliptical obstacles of arbitrary position and sizes. A tailored and unique algorithm for target convergence and obstacle avoidance is proposed that will work for any number of fixed obstacles. The control laws proposed in this paper also ensures that the equilibrium point of the given system is asymptotically stable. Computer simulations with the proposed technique and applications to a planar (RP) manipulator will be presented.