Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Signaling mechanisms leading to regulation of proliferation and differentiation of the mesenchymal chondrogenic cell line RCJ3.1C5.18 in response to IGF-I.

Since IGF-I is an important chondrocyte growth factor, we sought to examine the intracellular mechanisms by which it exerts two of its pivotal effects, stimulation of proliferation and differentiation. We used the mesenchymal chondrogenic cell line RCJ3.1C5. 18, which progresses spontaneously to differentiated growth plate chondrocytes. This differentiation process could be enhanced by exogenous IGF-I. Pharmacological inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) kinase by LY294002, mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK)1/2 by U0126, the protein kinase (PK) A pathway by H-89 or KT5720, and the PKC pathway by bisindolylmaleimide suppressed IGF-I-stimulated cell proliferation. In contrast, IGF-I-enhanced early cell differentiation, as assessed by collagen type II and aggrecan gene expression, was not affected by MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway inhibition, but significantly diminished by inhibition of the PI-3 kinase, the PKC and the PKA pathway. Moreover, terminal differentiation of chondrocytes in response to IGF-I, as assessed by gene expression of alkaline phosphatase, Indian hedgehog, and collagen type X, were only interrupted by PI-3 kinase pathway inhibition. In conclusion, IGF-I exerts its differential effect on chondrocyte proliferation vs differentiation through the use of at least four partially interacting intracellular signaling pathways, whose activity is temporarily regulated. When chondrocytes progress from proliferating cells to early and terminal differentiating cells, they progressively inactivate IGF-I-related intracellular signaling pathways. This mechanism might be essential for the complex and cell stage-specific anabolic action of IGF-I in the growth plate.
Novel Role for Phycoerythrin in a Marine Cyanobacterium, Synechococcus Strain DC2

Cyanobacterial picoplankton contribute substantially to oceanic primary productivity. The colored protein phycoerythrin is the major component of their light-harvesting apparatus. It was found that in Synechococcus strain DC2 a variable proportion of the light energy absorbed by phycoerythrin is lost as autofluorescence and therefore is not passed to a photoreaction center. Phycoerythrin may serve two functionally distinct roles in this organism: as a nitrogen reserve and as a collector of quanta for photosynthesis.
Detection of Human and Animal Rotavirus Sequences in Drinking Water

ABSTRACT Reverse transcription-PCR analysis of drinking water in the homes of 56 children suffering from rotaviral gastroenteritis has shown the presence of the rotavirus genome in four samples. These strains were different from human rotaviruses detected in the children's feces, as determined by sequencing of the VP7-amplified fragments—three of them of animal origin (porcine or bovine) and one of human origin.
Many-body calculation of the surface-state energies for Si(111)2 x 1.

The surface-state excitation energies for the Si(111)2{times}1 surface have been calculated in the {ital GW} approximation. The energy position and the dispersion of the occupied and empty surface states are in excellent agreement with photoemission and inverse-photoemission experiments. The calculated quasiparticle surface-state band gap, 0.62 eV, is 0.15 eV larger than the measured onset energy for electron-hole pair excitations. The possibility that excitonic effects are responsible for this difference is examined.
An optimised waveguide to microstrip transition at K band

An improved transition from rectangular waveguide to microstrip is presented. This transition consists of a ridge waveguide transformer with the ending step extending over the microstrip and two side grooves which maintain the microstrip in its correct position, ensuring both a good electrical contact without soldering and an optimum measurement repeatability. In addition to step ridges, used for matching purposes, also the main guide is stepped in the wider side in order to obtain a single-mode operation in all sections of the transition. The transition is analysed by a full wave mode-matching method and optimised over the 17.7-19.7 GHz band. Measurements are performed in back-to-back configuration using a TRL calibration and the scattering matrix of a single transition is obtained using a de-embedding technique. Experimental results agree well with theory and measured return loss is better than 28 dB over the 16-20 GHz frequency band.
Multi-time scale coordinated voltage control strategy in an islanded microgrid

A multi-time scale coordinated voltage control strategy in an islanded microgrid (MG) is proposed in this paper. The strategy is comprised of local voltage control of distributed generators (DGs), secondary voltage control (SVC) based on PI regulators and a proposed tertiary voltage control (TVC) strategy. A multi-objective function of the TVC is designed to achieve a compromise among three objectives: 1) minimized multi-bus voltage deviations, 2) accurate reactive power distribution among droop-controlled DGs after taking full advantage of surplus capacity of renewable energy DGs, and 3) minimized line losses. Power flow equations with SFC and SVC which are regulated by multi-inverters at different buses are proposed as the equality constraints of the TVC. Limitation constraints including bus voltage limitations, frequency limitation, and capacity limitations of DGs and lines are addressed as inequality constraints of the TVC. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Prevalence estimation of school bullying with the Olweus Bully Victim Questionnaire

:::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::: : The key aim of the present research was to study the ‘‘functionality’’ of two global variables in the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire and to examine the appropriateness of different cutoff points of these variables for prevalence estimation. Several empirical and conceptual analyses strongly attested to the functionality of the two selected variables in terms of construct validity and selected measurement properties. Similarly, a number of analyses indicated that (having been bullied/having bullied other students) ‘‘2 or 3 times a month’’ was a reasonable and useful lower-bound cutoff point. With this cutoff point, ‘‘involved’’ students, victims, and bullies differed very markedly and in clearly different ways from ‘‘non-involved’’ students in conceptually related variables. Prevalence estimates derived in this way can be conveniently obtained, have a reasonably well-defined meaning, can be easily understood by users, and can be reproduced unambiguously by different researchers/administrators and at different times. An important background for the article is the fact that several common methods, including peer nominations, are not well suited for prevalence estimation. Prevalence data for victims, bullies, and bully-victims are also presented. All data were derived from the New Bergen Project Against Bullying, comprising a sample of 5,171 students from 37 schools in the town community of Bergen, Norway. At the time of the data collection, the spring of 1997, the 2,544 girls and 2,627 boys were in grades 5 through 9, with modal ages of 11 through 15 years. Aggr. Behav. 29:239–268, 2003. r 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Moving Up and Moving Out: US Product-Level Exports and Competition from Low Wage Countries

Product cycle theory has developed countries inventing goods and developing countries copying them. Once copying takes place, developed countries abandon the market – either outright, or through vertical differentiation – because of developing country cost advantages. Matching US imports and exports at the product level, I find evidence of both reactions – moving up and moving out – across manufacturing industries during the 1990s. Three trends stand out. First, US intra-product trade is lower with respect to low-wage trading partners than it is with respect to high-wage trading partners. Second, US export unit values are significantly higher than low-wage country import unit values in products where the US and low-wage countries overlap. Finally, US exports in some industries decline over time as competition from low-wage countries rises. Responses consistent with these trends are noted across US manufacturing industries: increased low wage competition from 1972 to 1996 is associated with declining output and skill and capital deepening.
Face recognition: reduced image Eigenfaces method

A new algorithm for automatic face recognition is presented: reduced image eigenfaces (RlE), based on the eigenface mode, improvements in the recognition percentage. The original eigenfaces method has been implemented in order to compare the results obtained by the new method under various conditions, such as quantity of people and quantity of photos of each of them. In the experimentation, we have used a limited-image data base which is internationally normalized. With RIE, two important advantages are achieved in relation to the previous model: improvement of the percentage of success in the recognition, and possibility of enhancing the set of images used for training
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Induction of the Grp78/BiP Promoter: Activating Mechanisms Mediated by YY1 and Its Interactive Chromatin Modifiers

ABSTRACT The unfolded protein response is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism whereby cells respond to stress conditions that target the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The transcriptional activation of the promoter of GRP78/BiP, a prosurvival ER chaperone, has been used extensively as an indicator of the onset of the UPR. YY1, a constitutively expressed multifunctional transcription factor, activates the Grp78 promoter only under ER stress conditions. Previously, in vivo footprinting analysis revealed that the YY1 binding site of the ER stress response element of the Grp78 promoter exhibits ER stress-induced changes in occupancy. Toward understanding the underlying mechanisms of these unique phenomena, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses, revealing that YY1 only occupies the Grp78 promoter upon ER stress and is mediated in part by the nuclear form of ATF6. We show that YY1 is an essential coactivator of ATF6 and uncover their specific interactive domains. Using small interfering RNA against YY1 and insertional mutation of the gene encoding ATF6α, we provide direct evidence that YY1 and ATF6 are required for optimal stress induction of Grp78. We also discovered enhancement of the ER-stressed induction of the Grp78 promoter through the interaction of YY1 with the arginine methyltransferase PRMT1 and evidence of its action through methylation of the arginine 3 residue on histone H4. Furthermore, we detected ER stress-induced binding of the histone acetyltransferase p300 to the Grp78 promoter and histone H4 acetylation. A model for the ER stress-mediated transcription factor binding and chromatin modifications at the Grp78 promoter leading to its activation is proposed.
Quantitative Loci Regulating Plasma Levels of γ Glutamyl Transferase and Albumin and Their Genetic Correlations with Cardiovascular Risk Factors

γ Glutamyl transferase (GGT) and albumin (ALB) are two markers of liver function. These two proteins have been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease. The objectives of this study were to explore the genetic factors that influence variation in the plasma levels of GGT and ALB and to evaluate their genetic correlations with cardiovascular risk factors. Baboons from the Southwest National Primate Research Center at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX, were used as an animal model. The baboons were fed a standard monkey chow diet ad libitum. Fasting plasma concentrations of GGT, ALB, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were measured in 350 pedigreed adult baboons by standard assay procedures. A maximum likelihood-based variance decomposition approach implemented in the computer program SOLAR was used to conduct genetic analyses. The heritabilities of GGT (h2 = 0.55; P < 0.0001) and ALB (h2 = 0.42; P < 0.01) were significant. No statistically significant associations were found between GGT and the cardiovascular-related phenotypes. Genetic correlations between ALB and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were significant. A QTL (LOD = 2.8) for GGT plasma levels was identified on the baboon homologue of human chromosome 22 between markers D22S304 and D22S280. A QTL (LOD = 2.3) near marker D10S1432 was detected on the baboon homologue of human chromosome 10 for ALB. These results imply that variations in the plasma levels of GGT and ALB are under significant genetic regulation and that a common genetic component influences ALB and cardiovascular risk factor phenotypes.
A full dispersion asymptotic model to the water wave equations with surface tension

By a modulational analysis, we derive a Benney-Roskes type asymptotic model to the water wave equation with surface tension. In contrast to the classical Benney-Roskes system, this model preserves - at least for high frequencies - the dispersion relation of the full water wave equations. The formal derivation of the model is completed by some considerations on its consistency with the water wave equations.
Genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and susceptibility to colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES To study the relation between genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T or A1298C and the susceptibility of colorectal cancer. METHODS We conducted a case-control study with 315 cases of colorectal cancer and 371 population-based controls in Jiangsu province, China. The epidemiological data were collected, and DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes was obtained from all of the subjects. MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotypes were detected by the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS (1) When men and women were assessed together, the frequencies of the MTHFR C677T and A1298 genotypes or their alleles were not significantly different between controls and colon cancer or rectal cancer cases. No significant relation was observed between MTHFR C677T or A1298C polymorphisms and colon or rectal cancer susceptibility. (2) Among males, individuals who had MTHFR C677T T/T genotype were at a significantly higher risk of developing colon cancer (age-, residence-, smoking-, alcohol drinking-, tea consumption-adjusted OR=2.15, 95%CI: 1.07-4.33) compared with those who had C677T C allele. Individuals who had C677T T/T and A1298C A/A genotypes were at an increased risk of developing colon cancer (adjusted OR=2.64, 95%CI: 1.20-5.81) compared with those with C677T C allele and A1298C A/A genotypes among males. On the contrary, individuals who had C677T T/T and A1298C A/A genotypes were at an decreased risk of developing rectal cancer (adjusted OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.22-1.03). CONCLUSIONS These results in the present study suggested that polymorphisms of the MTHFR C677T could influence susceptibility to colon or rectal cancer and that there was a coordinated effect between MTHFR A1298C A/A and C677T T/T genotypes among males.
SLDC: an open-source work ow for object detection in multi-gigapixel images http://www.cytomine.be/

In several elds of application, multi-gigapixel images must be analysed to gather information and take decision. This analysis is often performed manually, which is a tedious task given the volume of data to process. For instance, in cytology, a branch of medical sciences which studies cells, cytopathologists analyse cell samples from microscope slides in order to diagnose diseases such as cancers. Typically, malignancy is assessed by the presence or absence of cells with given characteristics. In geology, climate variations can be analysed by studying the concentration of micro-organisms in core samples. The concentration is usually evaluated by smearing the samples onto microscope glass slides and counting those micro-organisms. In those situations, computer science and, especially, machine learning and image processing provide a great alternative to a pure-human approach as they can be used to extract relevant information automatically. Speci cally, those kind of problems can be expressed as object detection and classi cation problems.
Dimensionnement de Systèmes de Pompage Photovoltaïque

Ce travail présente deux méthodes de dimensionnement de systèmes de pompage photovoltaïque, une méthode analytique et une méthode graphique. Ces méthodes permettent de dimensionner une installation de pompage photovoltaïque pour satisfaire les besoins en eau d’une consommation bien déterminée. Elles sont basées essentiellement sur l’évaluation des besoins d’eau, le calcul de l’énergie hydraulique nécessaire, la détermination de l’énergie solaire disponible et le choix des composants.
Flyback-based high-side gate driver for a 10-kV SiC MOSFET

Aside from providing voltage and current of sufficient values, a gate driver of a SiC MOSFET must also be durable enough to keep operating properly in given place of a main circuit of a converter. A high-side SiC MOSFET constitutes a challenge to being driven properly, since a high-voltage potential becomes repetitively applied at an output of the gate driver. In order to limit a resulting flow of parasitic current Cdv/dt to ground of the driver, a low-capacitance isolation must be implemented. Presented in this paper is a flyback-based gate driver, which is dedicated for driving a high-side 10-kV SiC MOSFET. Required properties of the gate driver such as high dielectric strength and low input-to-output stray capacitance were evaluated through a series of measurements. Switching voltage values and switching speeds of the driver were examined in an 800-V double pulse test with a 1.2 kV SiC MOSFET and compared with two other devices potentially capable of operating with the 10-kV SiC MOSFET.
ACUTE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT STATIC STRETCHING PROTOCOLS ON PEAK TORQUE, CONVENTIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL HAMSTRINGS-TO-QUADRICEPS RATIOS IN ACTIVE WOMEN

Background: This study might have been directed to some degree because of clashing results in the past studies regarding the impacts for different SS protocols on muscle strength and possibility for injury. The objective of the study was to investigate the acute effects of different static stretching (SS) durations (20, 30, and 60s) on isokinetic concentric quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H) peak torque (PT), eccentric H PT and conventional and functional H:Q ratios under different stretching conditions and angular velocities (60°and180°/s) in active women. Methods: Isokinetic tests were performed on 108 active women. A HUMAC system was used to measure unilateral concentric Q and H PT, and eccentric H PT at 60 and 180o/s at baseline and after a bout of H-only, Q-only, and combined H and Q muscles SS. The data were statistically treated using five separate three-way (time x conditions x velocity) ANOVA. Results: There were no significant differences among groups at baseline (P > 0.05). Significant reductions of all outcome measures have been shown to occur after 30 and 60s of SS (P < 0.05). The highest reductions of concentric Q and H PT, eccentric H PT and H:Q ratios were observed after 60s of SS. With no significant effects with the 20s SS (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Short-lasting stretching can be done before exercises that require strength. However, since 30s or 60s stretching protocols adversely affect the muscle strength, performance and lower H:Q ratios they are not recommended prior to activities demanding the production of high forces.
A 6 bp polymorphism in the thymidylate synthase gene causes message instability and is associated with decreased intratumoral TS mRNA levels.

OBJECTIVE A 6 bp deletion polymorphism in the thymidylate synthase (TS) gene was investigated in order to determine its function. METHODS A luciferase system was used to investigate the function of the 6 bp/1494 polymorphism in vitro. A group of 43 patients with colorectal carcinoma were evaluated for the 6 bp/1494 polymorphism and for intratumoral TS mRNA levels in vivo. RESULTS The 3'UTR of TS containing the +6 bp polymorphism resulted in an approximate 35% decrease in luciferase activity and mRNA levels, while the TS-3'UTR bearing the -6 bp deletion resulted in an approximate 70% decrease in luciferase activity and mRNA levels. The TS-3'UTR construct containing the -6 bp/1494 deletion also had a higher rate of message degradation compared to the +6 bp/1494 construct. Individuals homozygous for the insertion (+6 bp/+6 bp) had significantly higher TS mRNA levels compared to individuals that were homozygous for the deletion (-6 bp/-6 bp) (P < 0.007). We determined the frequency of the -6 bp/1494 deletion polymorphism to be 41% in non-Hispanic whites, 26% in Hispanic whites, 52% in African-Americans and 76% in Singapore Chinese. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the -6 bp/1494 deletion polymorphism in the 3'UTR of TS is associated with decreased mRNA stability in vitro and lower intratumoral TS expression in vivo. Further, the 6 bp/1494 polymorphism varies greatly within different ethnic populations and is in linkage disequilibrium with the TS 5' tandem repeat enhancer polymorphism. Taken together, these data suggest that the 6 bp/1494 polymorphism may be a useful screening tool in predicting TS mRNA expression.
Morphological and molecular analyses of larval and adult stages of Echinoparyphium recurvatum von Linstow 1873 (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) from central Mexico

Abstract In central Mexico, populations of the freshwater snail Physella cubensis were infected with metacercariae from a species of Echinoparyphium (Digenea: Echinostomatidae). In the current study, we describe both larval and adult stages of this species obtained from experimental and natural infections. A total 180 snails were collected from Patzcuaro Lake, Michoacan state in central Mexico in July 2012. In the laboratory snails were placed in individual vials and exposed to light with the aim of observing emergence of cercariae. To obtain metacercariae, uninfected snails (P. cubensis) were exposed to cercariae. Chicks were infected with metacercariae to obtain adults. Nine days post-infection, eggs were recovered and incubated in tap water at room temperature to observe miracidia. Adults obtained from natural and experimentally infected hosts possess a head collar with 45 spines in two alternating rows, confirming the identification as Echinoparyphium recurvatum von Linstow 1873. To test the conspecificity of all stages, sequences of nuclear internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 5.8S and ITS2 rDNA were obtained from two adult worms recovered from chicks and also a natural avian host, the shoveler duck Anas clypeata, together with five cercarial and four metacercarial isolates from nine snails. The genetic divergence estimated among the 13 isolates was very low, ranging from 0 to 0.6%. Phylogenetic analyses inferred by maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods showed that all isolates of E. recurvatum form a single clade with strong support. The presence of E. recurvatum in P. cubensis and A. clypeata from central Mexico represents new host reports, and extends the distribution range in the Americas.
Sensitive Fluorogenic Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay: Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B

Abstract : A highly sensitive four layer fluorogenic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (FELISA) has been developed for the defection and identification of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). The sandwich FELISA exhibited maximum sensitivity and detected 0.1 ag or 100 fg ml-1,quantities of purified SEB of the test samples. The monoclonal antibodies raised against SEB and used in FELISA reacted very specifically with SEB only. The FELISA is simple to perform and results can be obtained in approximately 3 hr.