Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HEMOPOIETIC CHIMERISM IN IMPORTED AND LABORATORY‐BRED MARMOSETS

The reproductive physiology of the marmoset, a small New World primate, is characterized by a high incidence of fraternal twinning and development of placental vascular anastomoses between the twin fetuses. Hemopoietic chimerism resulting from the interaction of these two phenomena was determined in imported and laboratory-bred marmosets. Two methods based on cell sex specificity were used: the neutrophil-bearing drumstick and chromosome analyses. The drumstick neutrophil offers presumptive evidence for chimerism of this cell type, but the variability of the appearance of this marker and the lack of correlation with lymphocyte chimerism, as determined by sex chromosome analysis, prevent its use in any quantitative estimation of percentage of chimerism. Chimerism was found in all heterosexual co-twins and in all hemopoietic tissues examined: lymph node, spleen, bone marrow, blood leukocytes, and thymus. The proportion of heterosexual cells in one twin was the same as that in its co-twin. To explain this similarity, it is suggested that a “central pool” of mixed hemopoietic stem cells is established in the placenta; from this site, an equivalent distribution of cells to each fetus takes place. An interesting observation was the apparent selectivity for male cells in all marmosets, male or female; the mean ratio of male to female cells was 1.36. Heterosexual blood chimerism was also found in twins of like sex and in single-born animals. Three pathways were suggested to account for these phenomena: 1) transplacental passage of hemopoietic stem cells from the maternal to the fetal system, (2) exchange of cells from one fetus to another (or another pair), followed by death and resorption of one fetus, or (3) early aggregation of the blastomeres of twins culminating in a single-born chimeric young.
Ordovician magmatism, deformation, and exhumation in the Caledonides of central Norway: An orphan of the Taconic orogeny?

Magmatism, contractional deformation, and extension associated with the exhumation of high-pressure rocks in the Scandinavian Caledonides are commonly attributed to the Silurian-Devonian Scandian orogeny, in which eastward thrusting of allochthonous terranes over Baltica was followed by extensional collapse and exhumation. New fieldwork and U-Pb geochronology coupled with recent pressure-temperature estimates within the highest thrust sequence of the Caledonian orogen indicate that an earlier phase of westdirected contractional deformation was punctuated by migmatite-producing events and voluminous magmatism ca. 477‐466 Ma and ca. 447 Ma, followed by exhumation in the Late Ordovician. Al-in-hornblende and GASP thermobarometry indicate that emplacement of a suite of 448‐445 Ma plutons caused partial migmatization at pressures of 700‐ 800 MPa. Subsequent isothermal exhumation to pressures of 400 MPa occurred while the host rocks were still partially molten. Rates of exhumation may have ranged from 2 to 11 mm·yr 21 or greater. These data provide evidence for a previously unrecognized phase of exhumation in the Caledonides and for aerially extensive west-vergent deformation. Deformation and magmatism associated with these events may be related to Taconic-age orogenesis near Laurentia, where the highest nappe sequences of the Scandinavian Caledonides probably resided during early Paleozoic time.
A Simple Joint Clock Synchronization and Localization Algorithm with Low Communication Overhead

—A novel simple joint clock synchronization and localization algorithm based on Pairwise Broadcast Synchronization (PBS) protocol in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is proposed in this paper. In this scheme, anchor nodes (with unknown clock bias and known position) overhear the timing message exchanges of reference node (with known clock bias and known position) and unknown node (with unknown clock bias and unknown position) without sending extra messages. Comparing this proposed algorithm with those algorithms based on two-way message exchanges mechanism, we find that this new algorithm can reduce a lot of communication overhead and requires less reference nodes. The simulation results indicate that this algorithm can ensure high accuracy and its estimation performance meets the Cramer-Rao Lower Bounds (CRLB) simultaneously. Considering the tradeoff between the estimation performance and communication overhead, we can see that the proposed algorithm performs better than the available joint clock synchronization and localization algorithms.
The Rad6/18 Ubiquitin Complex Interacts with the Epstein-Barr Virus Deubiquitinating Enzyme, BPLF1, and Contributes to Virus Infectivity

ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes BPLF1, a lytic cycle protein with deubiquitinating activity that is contained in its N-terminal domain and conserved across the Herpesviridae. EBV replication is associated with cellular DNA replication and repair factors, and initiation of EBV lytic replication induces a DNA damage response, which can be regulated at least in part by BPLF1. The cellular DNA repair pathway, translesion synthesis (TLS), is disrupted by BPLF1, which deubiquitinates the DNA processivity factor, PCNA, and inhibits the recruitment of the TLS polymerase, polymerase eta (Pol eta), after damage to DNA by UV irradiation. Here we showed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase, which activates TLS repair by monoubiquitination of PCNA, is also affected by BPLF1 deubiquitinating activity. First, BPLF1 interacts directly with Rad18, and overexpression of BPLF1 results in increased levels of the Rad18 protein, suggesting that it stabilizes Rad18. Next, expression of functionally active BPLF1 caused relocalization of Rad18 into nuclear foci, which is consistent with sites of cellular DNA replication that occur during S phase. Also, levels of Rad18 remain constant during lytic reactivation of wild-type virus, but reactivation of BPLF1 knockout virus resulted in decreased levels of Rad18. Finally, the contribution of Rad18 levels to infectious virus production was examined with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Rad18. Results demonstrated that reducing levels of Rad18 decreased production of infectious virus, and infectious titers of BPLF1 knockout virus were partially restored by overexpression of Rad18. Thus, BPLF1 interacts with and maintains Rad18 at high levels during lytic replication, which assists in production of infectious virus. IMPORTANCE Characterization of EBV BPLF1's deubiquitinating activity and identification of its targets and subsequent functional effects remain little studied. All members of the Herpesviridae contain BPLF1 homologs with conserved enzymatic activity, and findings discovered with EBV BPLF1 are likely applicable to other members of the family. Discovery of new targets of BPLF1 will point to cellular pathways and viral processes regulated by the enzymatic activity of the EBV-encoded deubiquitinating enzyme. Here we determined the importance of the cellular ubiquitin ligase Rad18 in these processes and how it is affected by BPLF1. Our findings demonstrate that EBV can co-opt Rad18 as a novel accessory factor in the production of infectious virus.
RSA encryption algorithm optimization to improve performance and security level of network messages

Summary Asymmetric cryptographic algorithms are a robust technology used to reduce security threats in the transmission of messages on the network. Nowadays, one of the disadvantages are the mathematical solutions because they require a greater amount of calculation that leads to the need for increased use of computational resources. This paper aims to optimize the RSA encryption algorithm and thus improve the security, integrity and availability of information. The results show the efficiency and functionality of the RSA algorithm in terms of information security. Also, we can see that time, memory, processor and network performance when performing encryption and decryption are lower than other RSA solutions, because calculations are performed on the client and server.
FDG PET in the diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Resectional surgery offers a curative intent and a survival benefit for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, but is associated with high morbidity. Since morphological imaging cannot solve differential diagnosis preoperatively, in order to exclude patients inappropriate to this aggressive surgery, we evaluated the impact of functional imaging using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in the detection of cholangiocarcinoma and its usefulness in the differentiation from benign Klatskin tumour-mimicking lesions. Fifteen consecutive patients aged 47-78 years underwent standardized whole-body FDG PET with attenuation correction before potentially curative surgery using a conventional full-ring PET scanner with an axial field-of-view of 16.2 cm. FDG PET was evaluated visually and semiquantitatively using tumour-to-background ratios (T/B) ratios. All lesions were evaluated histopathologically. FDG PET presumed to be indicative for carcinoma was positive in 12 of 15 patients, true positive in 10 (T/B ratio, 3.2±1.9) and false positive in two of them (T/B ratios, 2.1 and 2.8) with Klatskin tumour-mimicking lesions. While all true positive PET results were seen in the tubular type of cholangiocarcinoma with a high amount of tumour cells and only low production of mucus, a false negative FDG PET in three patients was observed in mucinous adenocarcinoma. Additionally, FDG PET detected locoregional lymph nodes in two patients and distant metastases in a further three patients. Due to false positive results FDG PET does not allow the differentiation of benign from malignant lesions, and FDG PET should be avoided in patients with mucinous cholangiocarcinoma. However, FDG PET may have significant influence on the treatment strategy in as much as 20% of the patients, since it may detect distant metastases.
Methamphetamine Use in Nonurban and Urban Drug Court Clients

Population-based surveys suggest that methamphetamine use and abuse may be rising in the United States. However, little is known about methamphetamine use in eastern sections of the United States, particularly nonurban areas. The purpose of the present study was (a) to explore reported methamphetamine use and its correlates among Kentucky drug court clients and(b) to determine whether differences exist between methamphetamine users by drug court location. Of the 500 drug court clients surveyed, approximately 32% n = 161) reported lifetime methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine users and nonusers differed in their drug-use profiles, self-reported criminal history, and number of criminal offenses. Nonurban and urban methamphetamine users differed in their drug-use profiles, psychological functioning, self-reported criminal history, and number of criminal offenses. These results suggest that differences exist between these populations and clinicians, and criminal justice officials may need to consider these differences when planning treatment and rehabilitation strategies.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Neopanorpa pulchra (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

Abstract We describe the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Neopanorpa pulchra (Mecoptera: Panorpidae). The sequence has a length of 16,314 bp (GenBank accession number JX569848) and the A + T content is as high as 77.46%. The genome contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and an A + T-rich region. The gene arrangement is conserved. All protein-coding genes start with ATN start codon. Seven protein-coding genes use TAA as stop codon while others use incomplete stop codons “T” or “TA”. The A + T-region is located between rrnS and trnI with a length of 1531 bp.
Growth of Escherichia coli: Significance of Peptidoglycan Degradation during Elongation and Septation

ABSTRACT We have found a striking difference between the modes of action of amdinocillin (mecillinam) and compound A22, both of which inhibit cell elongation. This was made possible by employment of a new method using an Escherichia coli peptidoglycan (PG)-recycling mutant, lacking ampD, to analyze PG degradation during cell elongation and septation. Using this method, we have found that A22, which is known to prevent MreB function, strongly inhibited PG synthesis during elongation. In contrast, treatment of elongating cells with amdinocillin, which inhibits penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2), allowed PG glycan synthesis to proceed at a nearly normal rate with concomitant rapid degradation of the new glycan strands. By treating cells with A22 to inhibit sidewall synthesis, the method could also be applied to study septum synthesis. To our surprise, over 30% of newly synthesized septal PG was degraded during septation. Thus, excess PG sufficient to form at least one additional pole was being synthesized and rapidly degraded during septation. We propose that during cell division, rapid removal of the excess PG serves to separate the new poles of the daughter cells. We have also employed this new method to demonstrate that PBP2 and RodA are required for the synthesis of glycan strands during elongation and that the periplasmic amidases that aid in cell separation are minor players, cleaving only one-sixth of the PG that is turned over by the lytic transglycosylases.
Tradeoffs between Quality and Quantity of Life

The patient's perspective is of prime concern in weighing the benefits and side effects of oncologic treatment. Little is known about patients' preferences and attitudes. The authors developed a short questionnaire to assess patient attitudes concerning trade offs between quality of life and length, or quantity, of life (the QQ Questionnaire). The questionnaire turned out to be feasible for use in various groups of cancer patients. In a factor analysis, the questionnaire was shown to consist of two factors, a Q(uality) and a L(ength) factor. Values of Cronbach's α for the Q and L scales (consisting of four items each) were 0.68 and 0.79, respectively. Younger patients and patients who have children assigned relatively more importance to striving for prolonged survival. Contrary to our expectation, no association was found between scores on the two scales and time tradeoff utility scores. The QQ Questionnaire can be used in research settings to study patient attitudes and the stability and determinants of patients' pref erences. Key words: oncology; quality of life; side effects; patient preferences; health state utilities. (Med Decis Making 1996;16:184-192)
Energiemodelle zum Klimaschutz in Deutschland : strukturelle und gesamtwirtschaftliche Auswirkungen aus nationaler Perspektive

Das Forum fur Energiemodelle und Energiewirtschaftliche Systemanalysen in Deutschland will mit der exemplarischen Anwendung existierender Modelle der Energiewirtschaft fur die Analyse ausgewahlter Problemstellungen in sogenannten Modellexperimenten die Ergebnisrelevanz alternativer methodischer Ansatze sowie unterschiedlicher Detaillierungsgrade und Datenannahmen demonstrieren. Fur das erste Modellexperiment wurde die Themenstellung "Strukturelle und gesamtwirtschaftliche Effekte des Klimaschutzes: Die nationale Perspektive" ausgewahlt. Im Rahmen dieser Fragestellung werden sowohl die gesamtwirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Klimaschutzes, z.B. auf Wirtschaftsentwicklung, Arbeitsmarkt, Energienachfrage oder Niveau der Minderungskosten, als auch die strukturellen Effekte von Massnahmen zum Klimaschutz in Deutschland untersucht, wie beispielsweise Wirtschaftsstruktur, Energietragerstruktur oder Entwicklung der Technologien im Energiesektor
Mode-dependent loss mitigation scheme for PDM-64QAM few-mode fiber space-division-multiplexing systems via STBC-MIMO equalizer

A space-time block-coding algorithm is purposed for mode-dependent loss mitigation in few-mode communication systems with PDM-64QAM, which increase convergence speed by 34.1% over conventional least-mean-squares method, with 71.6% hardware complexity reduction over recursive-least-squares approach.
Extrusion of Softwood Kraft Lignins as Precursors for Carbon Fibres

There is much interest in using less expensive raw materials as precursors for carbon fibre manufacture to increase the utilisation of strong, light-weight composite materials in the transportation sector. One such potential raw material is lignin. Most studies exploring melt spinning of lignin have used lignins from organosolv or hardwood kraft delignification processes. There has been little success reported in utilisation of the more commercially available softwood kraft lignins. In this study, lignins from different softwood kraft cooking processes were investigated with respect to their melt spinning performance and conversion to carbon fibres. The isolated lignins differed mainly in molecular weight, glass transition temperature, and softening temperature. All of the lignins produced from the laboratory cooks could be extruded without any plasticizer addition. However, the lignins contained volatiles that resulted in bubbles being formed along the length of the fibres. After vacuum drying, at elevated temperatures to remove volatiles, only the lignin originating from conventional kraft cooking was able to be melt extruded without plasticiser addition; this lignin had the lowest molecular weight amongst the samples. The stabilisation and carbonisation of these fibres gave carbon fibres with strengths comparable to those produced from lignins of other origins.
Blood-brain barrier: real-time feedback-controlled focused ultrasound disruption by using an acoustic emissions-based controller.

PURPOSE To determine if focused ultrasound disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) can be safely controlled by using real-time modulation of treatment pressures on the basis of acoustic emissions from the exposed microbubbles. MATERIALS AND METHODS All experiments were performed with the approval of the institutional animal care committee. Transcranial focused ultrasound (551.5 kHz, 10-msec bursts, 2-Hz pulse repetition frequency, 2 minute sonication) in conjunction with circulating microbubbles was applied in 86 locations in 27 rats to disrupt the BBB. Acoustic emissions captured during each burst by using a wideband polyvinylidene fluoride hydrophone were analyzed for spectral content and used to adjust treatment pressures. Pressures were increased incrementally after each burst until ultraharmonic emissions were detected, at which point the pressure was reduced to a percentage of the pressure required to induce the ultraharmonics and was maintained for the remainder of the sonication. Disruption was evaluated at contrast material-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Mean enhancement was calculated by averaging the signal intensity at the focus over a 3 × 3-pixel region of interest and comparing it with that in nonsonicated tissue. Histologic analysis was performed to determine the extent of damage to the tissue. Statistical analysis was performed by using Student t tests. RESULTS For sonications resulting in BBB disruption, the mean peak pressure was 0.28 MPa ± 0.05 (standard deviation) (range, 0.18-0.40 MPa). By using the control algorithm, a linear relationship was found between the scaling level and the mean enhancement on T1-weighted MR images after contrast agent injection. At a 50% scaling level, mean enhancement of 19.6% ± 1.7 (standard error of the mean) was achieved without inducing damage. At higher scaling levels, histologic analysis revealed gross tissue damage, while at a 50% scaling level, no damage was observed at high-field-strength MR imaging or histologic examination 8 days after treatment. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that acoustic emissions can be used to actively control focused ultrasound exposures for the safe induction of BBB disruption.
Clinical application of 13C-Hiolein breath test in assessing pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE To examine the feasibility and significance of 13C-Hiolein breath test in evaluating chronic pancreatitis-related exocrine insufficiency and efficacy of enzyme treatment. METHODS The 13C-Hiolein breath test was used in 8 healthy volunteers (group 1), 8 chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients without steatorrhea (group 2), and 8 CP patients with steatorrhea (group 3). To evaluate the function of pancreatic exocrine, 13CO2 was determined following 13C-Hiolein diet. The 13C-Hiolein test was repeated in group 3 after enzyme supplement therapy. RESULTS Administration of 13C-Hiolein diet resulted in significantly higher cumulative percent dose of 13C recovery per 6 h (cPDR/6 h) and maximal PDR (PDR(peak)) in the healthy controls (group 1) than the CP patients with steatorrhea (group 3) (11.22%+/-1.22% and 6.11%+/-0.59% vs 2.87%+/-0.73% and 1.53%+/-0.36%, respectively, both P<0.01). In the CP patients with steatorrhea (group 3), a repeated test after enzyme supplementation therapy showed a significant elevation of both cPDR/6 h and PDR(peak) (9.03%+/-0.84% and 2.33%+/-0.47%, both P<0.01 compared with those before enzyme treatment), but cPDR/6 h remained significantly lower than that in the healthy volunteers (group 1, P<0.05). Both cPDR and PDR(peak) in the CP patients without steatorrhea (group 2) were similar to those in the healthy controls (group 1, both P>0.05). CONCLUSION The results of 13C-Hiolein breath test well reflect fat metabolism status in CP patients, and the test can be used to monitor the efficacy of pancreatic enzymes therapy.
Dynamic Pricing Through Sampling Based Optimization

In this paper we develop an approach to dynamic pricing that combines ideas from data-driven and robust optimization to address the uncertain and dynamic aspects of the problem. In our setting, a firm offers multiple products to be sold over a fixed discrete time horizon. Each product sold consumes one or more resources, possibly sharing the same resources among different products. The firm is given a fixed initial inventory of these resources and cannot replenish this inventory during the selling season. We assume there is uncertainty about the demand seen by the firm for each product and seek to determine a robust and dynamic pricing strategy that maximizes revenue over the time horizon. While the traditional robust optimization models are tractable, they give rise to static policies and are often too conservative. The main contribution of this paper is the exploration of closed-loop pricing policies for different robust objectives, such as MaxMin, MinMax Regret and MaxMin Ratio. We introduce a sampling based optimization approach that can solve this problem in a tractable way, with a confidence level and a robustness level based on the number of samples used. We will show how this methodology can be used for data-driven pricing or adapted for a random sampling optimization approach when limited information is known about the demand uncertainty. Finally, we compare the revenue performance of the different models using numerical simulations, exploring the behavior of each model under different sample sizes and sampling distributions.