Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Damage Tolerance Protein Mus81 Associates with the FHA1 Domain of Checkpoint Kinase Cds1

ABSTRACT Cds1, a serine/threonine kinase, enforces the S-M checkpoint in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Cds1 is required for survival of replicational stress caused by agents that stall replication forks, but how Cds1 performs these functions is largely unknown. Here we report that the forkhead-associated-1 (FHA1) protein-docking domain of Cds1 interacts with Mus81, an evolutionarily conserved damage tolerance protein. Mus81 has an endonuclease homology domain found in the XPF nucleotide excision repair protein. Inactivation of mus81 reveals a unique spectrum of phenotypes. Mus81 enables survival of deoxynucleotide triphosphate starvation, UV radiation, and DNA polymerase impairment. Mus81 is essential in the absence of Bloom's syndrome Rqh1 helicase and is required for productive meiosis. Genetic epistasis studies suggest that Mus81 works with recombination enzymes to properly replicate damaged DNA. Inactivation of Mus81 triggers a checkpoint-dependent delay of mitosis. We propose that Mus81 is involved in the recruitment of Cds1 to aberrant DNA structures where Cds1 modulates the activity of damage tolerance enzymes.
Synthesis of oligotuftsin‐based branched oligopeptide conjugates for chemotactic drug targeting

The synthesis and chemotactic properties of a new class of branched oligopeptide‐based conjugates are described. Tetratuftsin derivatives containing chemotactic formyl tripeptides (For‐MLF, For‐NleLF or For‐MMM) in branches were prepared by stepwise solid‐phase peptide synthesis. The influence of the composition and ionic charge of the carrier‐branched oligopeptide on the chemotactic behaviour of the conjugate was studied in Tetrahymena pyriformis. Conjugates with methotrexate (Mtx) as a drug component was also prepared. For this, a GFLGC spacer, cleavable by cathepsin B, was used. The spacer with N‐terminal methotrexate was coupled to the chloroacetylated chemotactic carrier molecule by thioether bond formation. The chemotactic activity and cytotoxity of Mtx conjugates were also studied. Copyright © 2005 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A proposal of neural network architecture for non-linear function approximation

In this paper, a neural network architecture for non-linear function approximation is proposed. We point out problems in non-linear function approximation with traditional neural networks, that is, difficulty in analyzing internal representation, no reproducibility in function approximation due to the random scheme for weight initialization, and the insufficient generalization ability in learning without enough samples. Based on these considerations, we suggest three main improvements. The first is the design of a sigmoidal function with localized derivative. The second is a deterministic scheme for weight initialization. The third is an updating rule for weight parameters. Simulation results show beneficial characteristics of our proposed method; low approximation error at the beginning of iterative calculation, smooth convergence of error and its improvement for difficulty in analyzing internal representation.
Stroke mechanism in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation according to the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‐VASc scores

Background and purpose: The CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‐VASc scores are useful to stratify embolic risks in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and to identify patients eligible for anticoagulation. Although the risk of stoke increases in patients with higher CHADS2 or CHA2DS2‐VASc scores, it is uncertain why the stroke rate increases in them. Concomitant potential cardiac sources of embolism (PCSE) may be more frequent in patients with higher CHADS2 or CHA2DS2‐VASc scores because stroke risks increase when concomitant PCSE is present in Atrial fibrillation (AF). On the other hand, atherothrombosis may be the cause when considering that most components of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‐VASc scores are risk factors for atherosclerosis.
A Planar Binary Structure for Realizing Frequency Controlled Beam-Steering at 0.2-Terahertz Band

A novel frequency-scanning grating-reflector antenna operating in 0.2-Terahertz (THz) band is studied in this letter. The diffraction enhancement mechanism based on the planar binary structure was first proposed to improve the diffraction efficiency and to suppress the specular beam. Compared to the grating-reflectors with multilayered structures that have been implemented in microwave band, the proposed planar binary structure employs a periodic binary grating array and a single-layer substrate, which brings much convenience of fabrication and being extended to the THz band. The antenna system consists of a planar grating-reflector, a thin lens, and a feed horn placed at the focal point of the lens. The frequency-controlled beam-steering concept and the diffraction enhancement mechanism were verified by the quasi-optical measurements in 0.2-THz band. The measured scanning range is 15.45° over the frequency band 180-220 GHz. The specular beams are remarkably inhibited with the diffraction efficiency as high as over 96%. The proposed beam-steering antenna has potential applications for THz imaging with high frame rate.
Integrative analysis of environmental sequences using MEGAN4.

A major challenge in the analysis of environmental sequences is data integration. The question is how to analyze different types of data in a unified approach, addressing both the taxonomic and functional aspects. To facilitate such analyses, we have substantially extended MEGAN, a widely used taxonomic analysis program. The new program, MEGAN4, provides an integrated approach to the taxonomic and functional analysis of metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, metaproteomic, and rRNA data. While taxonomic analysis is performed based on the NCBI taxonomy, functional analysis is performed using the SEED classification of subsystems and functional roles or the KEGG classification of pathways and enzymes. A number of examples illustrate how such analyses can be performed, and show that one can also import and compare classification results obtained using others' tools. MEGAN4 is freely available for academic purposes, and installers for all three major operating systems can be downloaded from www-ab.informatik. uni-tuebingen.de/software/megan.
Sequence and Structure of Clp P , the Proteolytic Component of the ATP-dependent Clp Protease of Escherichia COG *

The ATP-dependent Clp protease of Escherichia coli contains two dissimilar components: the Clp A regulatory polypeptide, with two ATP binding sites and intrinsic ATPase activity, and the Clp P subunit, which contains the proteolytic active site. The DNA sequence of the clpP gene predicts a protein of 207 amino acids (Mr 21,679), which is in close agreement with the size determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of purified Clp P. Clp P has a native M, of -240,000, and electron micrographs of the protein show superimposed disk-like structures with a central cavity, similar in appearance to purified proteasomes from eukaryotic cells. Clp P is synthesized with a 14amino acid leader which is rapidly cleaved in vivo to yield the 193-amino acid protein which has activity in vitro. The clpP gene is at 10 min on the E. coli map, close to that for the ATP-dependent Lon protease of E. coli and far from the gene for clpA. Primer extension experiments indicate that transcription initiates immediately upstream of the coding region for Clp P, with a major transcription start at 120 bases in front of the start of translation. Insertion mutations in clpP have been isolated and transferred to the chromosome; strains devoid of Clp P are viable in the presence or absence of Lon protease. Mutations in clpP stabilize the same Clp A-&galactosidase fusion protein specifically stabilized by clpA mutations, providing the first genetic evidence that Clp A and Clp P act together in vivo.
Diversity of Genome Size and Ty1-copia in Epimedium Species Used for Traditional Chinese Medicines

Additional index words. Epimedium, genome size, Ty1-copia, NJ phylogenetic tree, FISH Abstract. Epimedium species are traditional Chinese medicinal plants as well as potential groundcover and ornamental plants. In this study, genome size and genome structures of Epimedium species were investigated using flow cytometric and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The nuclear DNA content of Epimedium species ranged from 8.42 pg/2C (8230.7 Mbp) to 9.97 pg/2C (9752.8 Mbp). The pairwise nucleotide diversity (p) of the fragments of the genes for reverse transcriptase (rt) of Ty1-copia retrotransposon within a species of rt fragments ranged from 0.251 to 0.428 in 10 Epimedium species. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences revealed four major clades with the largest subclade containing 72sequences of relatively low nucleotide diversity. FISH indicated that Ty1-copia retrotransposons are distributed unevenly along the pachytene chromosomes of E. wushanense and E. sagittatum, mostly associated with the pericentromeric and terminal heterochromatin. The relatively low sequence heterogeneity of Ty1-copia rt sequences implies that the Epimedium genomes have experienced a few relatively large-scale proliferation events of copia elements, which could be one of the major forces resulting in the large genome size of Epimedium species.
MR imaging of benign soft-tissue masses of the foot and ankle.

Approximately 75% of all biopsy-proved soft-tissue masses of the foot and ankle are benign tumors or nontumoral lesions representing a variety of histologic types. In some cases, it may be difficult if not impossible to identify the lesion; however, careful analysis of the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and correlation of these findings with the patient's clinical history can usually suggest a more specific diagnosis, particularly in the most common benign tumors of the foot (e.g., fibromatosis, cavernous hemangioma) and in nonneoplastic soft-tissue lesions such as Morton neuroma, ganglion cyst, and plantar fasciitis. In addition, a specific diagnosis can almost always be made in patients with pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) or giant cell tumor (GCT) of the tendon sheath. The MR imaging appearance of PVNS consists of multiple synovial lesions with low or intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and low signal intensity on T2-weighted and gradient-echo images. GCTs of the tendon sheath usually have areas of low signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images due to the paramagnetic effect of hemosiderin. Awareness and understanding of the underlying pathologic findings in lesions of the foot and ankle aid in MR imaging interpretation.
Correlative Light-Electron Fractography of Interlaminar Fracture in a Carbon–Epoxy Composite

Abstract This work evaluates the use of light microscopes (LMs) as a tool for interlaminar fracture of polymer composite investigation with the aid of correlative fractography. Correlative fractography consists of an association of the extended depth of focus (EDF) method, based on reflected LM, with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate interlaminar fractures. The use of these combined techniques is exemplified here for the mode I fracture of carbon–epoxy plain-weave reinforced composite. The EDF-LM is a digital image-processing method that consists of the extraction of in-focus pixels for each x-y coordinate in an image from a stack of Z-ordered digital pictures from an LM, resulting in a fully focused picture and a height elevation map for each stack. SEM is the most used tool for the identification of fracture mechanisms in a qualitative approach, with the combined advantages of a large focus depth and fine lateral resolution. However, LMs, with EDF software, may bypass the restriction on focus depth and present enough lateral resolution at low magnification. Finally, correlative fractography can provide the general comprehension of fracture processes, with the benefits of the association of different resolution scales and contrast modes.
A perceptual quantization strategy for HEVC based on a convolutional neural network trained on natural images

Fast prediction models of local distortion visibility and local quality can potentially make modern spatiotemporally adaptive coding schemes feasible for real-time applications. In this paper, a fast convolutional-neural- network based quantization strategy for HEVC is proposed. Local artifact visibility is predicted via a network trained on data derived from our improved contrast gain control model. The contrast gain control model was trained on our recent database of local distortion visibility in natural scenes [Alam et al. JOV 2014]. Further- more, a structural facilitation model was proposed to capture effects of recognizable structures on distortion visibility via the contrast gain control model. Our results provide on average 11% improvements in compression efficiency for spatial luma channel of HEVC while requiring almost one hundredth of the computational time of an equivalent gain control model. Our work opens the doors for similar techniques which may work for different forthcoming compression standards.
A kallikrein-like enzyme in human vascular tissue.

We attempted to identify the presence of kallikrein in human vascular tissue obtained from patients undergoing surgery. Sections of thoracic (n = 9) and abdominal aorta (n = 6), renal artery (n = 6), and saphenous vein (n = 17) were rinsed with 0.01 mol/L Tris-HCl buffer, cleaned, minced, and homogenized at 4 degrees C. The homogenates were centrifuged and supernatants were assayed for protein content and for active and total (trypsin activation) enzymatic activity on the peptide H-D-Val-Leu-Arg-paranitroanilide (S2266), a synthetic substrate for glandular kallikrein. Enzymatic activity was inhibited by aprotinin and polyclonal antibodies against human glandular kallikrein. Kallikrein was resistant to soybean trypsin inhibitor and had an optimum pH of 8.2. A significant correlation was found between the amidolytic and kininogenase activities measured on S2266 and dog kininogen, respectively (r = 0.83, P < .01). The kallikrein-like enzyme was present mainly in the inactive form. Higher levels were found in the homogenates of renal artery (active: 190 +/- 36, total: 5036 +/- 908 pkat/g protein) than in those of thoracic (active: 38 +/- 9, total: 973 +/- 350 pkat/g protein) and abdominal aorta (active: 44 +/- 10, total: 3031 +/- 709 pkat/g protein). In the homogenates of saphenous vein, active and total enzymatic activities averaged 188 +/- 90 and 2003 +/- 450 pkat/g protein, respectively. A significant inverse correlation was found between the levels of total enzymatic activity in saphenous vein homogenates and mean blood pressure values (r = 0.78, P < .005). These results suggest that a kallikrein-like enzyme is present in human vasculature. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Aquatris(1H-benzimidazole-κN 3)(dichloroacetato-κO)copper(II) dichloroacetate dihydrate

The title compound, [Cu(C2HCl2O2)(C7H6N2)3(H2O)]C2HCl2O2·2H2O, was prepared by reaction of copper(II) 2,2-dichloroacetic acid and benzimidazole in ethanol solution. The compound shows a regular trigonal–bipyramidal stereochemistry. The CuII centre possesses a five-coordinated environment, coordinated by three N atoms from the three benzimidazole ligands and two O atoms, one from the dichloroacetate ligand and the other from the coordinated water molecule. The molecular structure and packing are stabilized by O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The Cl atoms are disordered over two sites, with relative occupancies 0.67 (3) and 0.33 (3).
IPA survey of brief cognitive screening instruments

Background and objectives: Cognitive screening is a “first step” in detecting dementia and other neuropsychiatric syndromes and hence represents an important public health and clinical initiative. A plethora of cognitive screening instruments has been advocated in recent years, but the extent to which these instruments are used or their effectiveness is not well known. An International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) survey was designed to determine which cognitive screening instruments were used most frequently by clinicians with special expertise in the neuropsychiatric aspects of old age and also to determine the ones considered most useful by these specialists. Method: Under the auspices of the IPA, the survey was mailed in the fall of 2004 to all IPA members as well as members of the American and Canadian Associations of Geriatric Psychiatry. The survey inquired about demographic information, the frequency of use of cognitive screening instruments, and the value attributed to the cognitive screening instruments. Participants also had an opportunity to provide written commentary. Results: A total of 334 completed surveys were processed. The majority of respondents were geriatric psychiatrists (58%). Of the 20 different instruments that were listed on the survey, only six were selected as “routinely” or “often used” by the survey respondents. These instruments in declining order were: (1) the Folstein Mini-mental State Examination; (2) the Clock Drawing Test; (3) Delayed Word Recall; (4) the Verbal Fluency Test; (5) Similarities; and (6) the Trail Making Test. “Effectiveness” and “ease of administration” were the test characteristics most highly predictive of frequency of use. Open-ended comments highlighted patient factors that continue to provide challenges, including ethnicity/culture, language, education/literacy, and sensory impairment. Respondents concluded that “no single test is adequate. ” Conclusions: Psychogeriatricians worldwide routinely use a relatively small number of brief cognitive screening instruments. Further evaluation is necessary as the need increases for cognitive screening guidelines that inform public health initiatives related to dementia and neuropsychiatric syndromes.
A double‐blind study on clonazepam in patients with burning mouth syndrome

In the treatment of burning mouth syndrome (BMS), various approaches have been tried with equivocal results. The aim of the present randomized clinical trial was to determine the efficacy of clonazepam, a GABA agonist designed as an antiepileptic drug that exerts the typical effects of benzodiazepines.
Nakagami-m phase-envelope joint distribution: An improved model

The aim of the present paper is to propose an improvement on the Nakagami-m complex signal model as initially given elsewhere in the literature. By introducing what here is named a phase parameter a more flexible and realistic framework is obtained. Although with an additional parameter, the formulations are found in simple, closed-form expressions. With a further physically-based consideration, with the aim of simplifying the formulations, the phase parameter is found as a function of the fading parameter and the expressions are obtained in an even simpler.
Compact multiband monopole antenna for wireless applications

Monopole antenna with a multiband and wideband characteristics is proposed. The substrate used is RT/Duroid 5880. The antenna has a compact size of 20×24×1 mm3 with an F-shaped slot in its ground plane and a pair of circular and rectangular slots in the upper patch. A wide bandwidth of 172, 1758 and 601 MHz is obtained with a centre frequency of 3.44, 5.28 and 7.12 GHz respectively. In order to achieve a multiband and wideband, the relative positions and dimensions of the slot are adjusted. By IE3D simulation software, the impedance bandwidth and radiation pattern were simulated. The bandwidth of the proposed antenna is wider than the bandwidth of the antenna under reference.
Smoking cessation and decreased risk of stroke in women.

OBJECTIVE To prospectively examine the relationship of time since stopping smoking with risk of stroke in middle-aged women. DESIGN An ongoing prospective cohort of women with 12 years' follow-up data (1976 to 1988), in which information on smoking habits was updated every 2 years by postal questionnaire. POPULATION STUDIED A total of 117,006 female registered nurses aged 30 to 55 years in 1976 and free of coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incident strokes (fatal and nonfatal), further subdivided into ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral hemorrhage. RESULTS The age-adjusted relative risk of total stroke among current smokers compared with never smokers was 2.58 (95% confidence interval, 2.08 to 3.19). The corresponding relative risk among former smokers was 1.34 (95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 1.73). For total and ischemic stroke, the excess risks among former smokers largely disappeared from 2 to 4 years after cessation. The same patterns of decline were observed regardless of number of cigarettes smoked, the age at starting, or the presence of other risk factors for stroke. CONCLUSIONS The risk of suffering among cigarette smokers declines soon after cessation and the benefits are independent of the age at starting and the number of cigarettes smoked per day.
Association between overuse of mobile phones on quality of sleep and general health among occupational health and safety students

ABSTRACT Concerns about health problems due to the increasing use of mobile phones are growing. Excessive use of mobile phones can affect the quality of sleep as one of the important issues in the health literature and general health of people. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between the excessive use of mobile phones and general health and quality of sleep on 450 Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) students in five universities of medical sciences in the North East of Iran in 2014. To achieve this objective, special questionnaires that included Cell Phone Overuse Scale, Pittsburgh’s Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were used, respectively. In addition to descriptive statistical methods, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression tests were performed. The results revealed that half of the students had a poor level of sleep quality and most of them were considered unhealthy. The Pearson correlation co-efficient indicated a significant association between the excessive use of mobile phones and the total score of general health and the quality of sleep. In addition, the results of the multiple regression showed that the excessive use of mobile phones has a significant relationship between each of the four subscales of general health and the quality of sleep. Furthermore, the results of the multivariate regression indicated that the quality of sleep has a simultaneous effect on each of the four scales of the general health. Overall, a simultaneous study of the effects of the mobile phones on the quality of sleep and the general health could be considered as a trigger to employ some intervention programs to improve their general health status, quality of sleep and consequently educational performance.