Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of cruciform extrusion in supercoiled DNA: use of a synthetic inverted repeat to study conformational populations.

An inverted repeat has been created in a plasmid by ligation of two 13 nucleotide synthetic oligonucleotides into the cloning vector pAT153. The resulting recombinant plasmid, pIRbke8, is hypersensitive to cleavage by the single‐strand‐specific nuclease S1, and to modification by the single‐strand‐selective reagent bromoacetaldehyde, when the plasmid is negatively supercoiled. The new inverted repeat is a stronger S1 site than those derived from pBR322, but, in contrast to the ColE1 and phi X174 RF inverted repeats, these repeats share a similar temperature dependence. The kinetics of EcoRI cleavage at the centre of the synthetic inverted repeat have been studied in supercoiled and linear molecules. It is found that in the supercoiled molecule this target is not refractory to EcoRI cleavage to an extent which is greater than the resolution of the experiment. We conclude that in this molecule the cruciform is in a dynamic equilibrium with the regular duplex, in which the cruciform constitutes a relatively small subpopulation of conformational species.
Efficient generation of functional hepatocyte‐like cells from menstrual blood‐derived stem cells

In recent years, the advantages of menstrual blood‐derived stem cells (MenSCs), such as minimal ethical considerations, easy access and high proliferative ability, have inspired scientists to investigate the potential of MenSCs in cell therapy of different diseases. In order to characterize the potency of these cells for future cell therapy of liver diseases, we examined the potential of MenSCs to differentiate into hepatocytes, using different protocols. First, the immunophenotyping properties and potential of MenSCs to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes were evaluated. Thereafter, the differentiation protocols developed by two concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and oncostatin M (OSM), in combination with other components in serum‐supplemented or serum‐free culture media, were also investigated. The sequential differentiation was monitored by real‐time PCR, immunostaining and functional assays. Our primary data revealed that the isolated MenSCs exhibited mesenchymal stem cell markers in parallel to OCT‐4 as an embryonic marker. Regardless of differentiation procedures, the developed cells expressed mature hepatocyte markers, such as albumin, tyrosine aminotransferase and cytokeratin‐18 at the mRNA and protein levels. They also showed functional properties of hepatocytes, including albumin secretion, glycogen storage and cytochrome P450 7A1 expression. However, the degree of differentiation was dependent on the concentrations of HGF and OSM. Indeed, omission of serum during the differentiation process caused typical improvement in hepatocyte‐specific functions. This study is a novel report demonstrating the differentiation potential of MenSCs into hepatocyte‐like cells. We recommend a complementary serum‐free differentiation protocol for enrichment of in vitro production of functional MenSC‐derived hepatocyte‐like cells that could lead to a major step toward applied stem cell therapy of chronic liver diseases. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Projections from the posterior cortical nucleus of the amygdala to the hippocampal formation and parahippocampal region in rat

The posterior cortical nucleus of the amygdala is involved in the processing of pheromonal information and presumably participates in ingestive, defensive, and reproductive behaviors as a part of the vomeronasal amygdala. Recent studies suggest that the posterior cortical nucleus might also modulate memory processing via its connections to the medial temporal lobe memory system. To investigate the projections from the posterior cortical nucleus to the hippocampal formation and the parahippocampal region, as well as the intra‐amygdaloid connectivity in detail, we injected the anterograde tracer phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin into different rostrocaudal levels of the posterior cortical nucleus. Within the hippocampal formation, the stratum lacunosum‐moleculare of the temporal CA1 subfield and the adjacent molecular layer of the proximal temporal subiculum received a moderate projection. Within the parahippocampal region, the ventral intermediate, dorsal intermediate, and medial subfields of the entorhinal cortex received light to moderate projections. Most of the labeled terminals were in layers I, II, and III. In the ventral intermediate subfield, layers V and VI were also moderately innervated. Layers I and II of the parasubiculum received a light projection. There were no projections to the presubiculum or to the perirhinal and postrhinal cortices. The heaviest intranuclear projection was directed to the deep part of layer I and to layer II of the posterior cortical nucleus. There were moderate‐to‐heavy intra‐amygdaloid projections terminating in the bed nucleus of the accessory olfactory tract, the central division of the medial nucleus, and the sulcal division of the periamygdaloid cortex. Our data suggest that via these topographically organized projections, pheromonal information processed within the posterior cortical nucleus can influence memory formation in the hippocampal and parahippocampal areas. Also, these pathways provide routes through which seizure activity can spread from the epileptic amygdala to the surrounding region of the temporal lobe. Hippocampus 2002;12:735–755. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resource discovery in Grids and other distributed environments: States of the art

The emerging Grid technologies hold out the promise of a global information channel that is far more powerful and uniquely distinct from the existing internet framework. This paper addresses the issue of resource discovery in Grids and aims to review the current state-of-the-art and provide an up-to-date taxonomy of existing Grid resource discovery methods. The various resource discovery methods, techniques and approaches are critically discussed, and recommendations are made with respect to practical implementation and directions of future research in Grid resource discovery.
Imperfect detection and its consequences for monitoring for conservation

Biodiversity monitoring is important to identify conservation needs and test the efficacy of management actions. Variants of “abundance” ( N ) are among the most widely monitored quantities, e.g., (true) abundance, number of occupied sites (distribution, occupancy) or species richness. We propose a sampling-based view of monitoring that clearly acknowledges two sampling processes involved when monitoring N . First, measurements from the surveyed sample area are generalized to a larger area, hence the importance of a probability sample. Second, even within sampled areas only a sample of units (individuals, occupied sites, species) is counted owing to imperfect detectability p . If p < 1, counts are random variables and their expectation E ( n ) is related to N via the relationship E ( n ) = N*p . Whenever p < 1, counts vary even under identical conditions and underestimate N , and patterns in counts confound patterns in N with those in p . In addition, part of the population N may be unavailable for detect.
PAS7 encodes a novel yeast member of the WD‐40 protein family essential for import of 3‐oxoacyl‐CoA thiolase, a PTS2‐containing protein, into peroxisomes.

To identify components of the peroxisomal import pathway in yeast, we have isolated pas mutants affected in peroxisome biogenesis. Two mutants assigned to complementation group 7 define a new gene, PAS7, whose product is necessary for import of thiolase, a PTS2‐containing protein, but not for that of SKL (PTS1)‐containing proteins, into peroxisomes. We have cloned PAS7 by complementation of the oleic acid non‐utilizing phenotype of the pas7‐1 strain. The DNA sequence predicts a 42.3 kDa polypeptide of 375 amino acids encoding a novel member of the beta‐transducin related (WD‐40) protein family. A Myc epitope‐tagged Pas7p, expressed under the control of the CUP1 promotor, was functionally active. Subcellular localization studies revealed that in the presence of thiolase this epitope‐tagged Pas7p in part associates with peroxisomes. However, in a thiolase‐deficient mutant, Pas7p was entirely found in the cytoplasm. We suggest that Pas7p mediates the binding of thiolase to these organelles.
Musculoskeletal problems of the neck, shoulder, and back and functional consequences in nurses.

BACKGROUND Though musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are highly prevalent among registered nurses (RNs), little is known about functional consequences of MSDs in nurses. METHODS Data on neck, shoulder, and back MSD problems were analyzed in 1,163 working nurses (response rate = 74%). Cases had relevant symptoms lasting at least 1 week or occurring at least monthly in the past year, with at least moderate pain intensity, on average. MSD problems with a frequency, duration, or pain intensity below the level needed to meet the case definition were defined as MSD symptoms. Those who did not meet symptom or case criteria at any body site were defined as asymptomatic. Odds of consequences (e.g., saw a doctor/provider, missed work, reduced/modified work, non-work activities, or recreation, medication use, inadequate sleep) were estimated for cases versus those with symptoms. RESULTS We found 45.8, 35.1, and 47.0% of nurses had neck, shoulder, or back MSD problems (either at the case or symptom level), respectively, within the past year. Cases were far more likely to have seen a provider versus those with symptoms (adjusted odds ratio, aOR Neck: 4.33, 95% CI: 2.85-6.56; aOR Shoulder: 4.83, 95% CI: 3.00-7.77; aOR Back: 3.69, 95% CI: 2.47-5.49). Cases also were more likely to experience all other functional consequences. CONCLUSIONS MSD consequences are substantial and suggest opportunities for intervention. Future research will examine the impact of work organization and physical demands on MSDs.
On the development of a framework for underwater localization using all-source data

This paper describes the current state of development of a localization framework with the goal of enabling an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to execute long-range precision-navigation missions where positional resets based on GPS and/or transponders are unfeasible and bathymetric maps of sufficient accuracy are not always available. This framework has three main components: a real-time sonar data processing pipeline providing 3-D point-cloud measurements segmented into objects and underwater terrain; a 3-D synthetic natural environment (SNE) integrating geo-registered data from all available sources; a probabilistic localization method linking the SNE to the sonar processing pipeline and producing a probability map over the space of AUV horizontal positions. The current focus and novel contribution of this work is the specific method of exploitation of FLS 3-D point-cloud and 3-D reference map data, and the design of the corresponding probabilistic measurement model for localization. Initial off-line experiments, using real inwater data for which navigational ground truth is available, show the performance of this measurement model and the promise of the overall approach toward achieving horizontal position resets with a 95% circular error probability (CEP95) of less than 20 m.
Henry Cuthbert Bazett (1885–1950)—The Man behind the QT Interval Correction Formula

The “Bazett formula” is used for correcting the observed QT interval and is named after Henry Cuthbert Bazett who was born in England in 1885. He studied medicine and worked in Oxford and served in the British Medical Corps during World War I. In 1920, Bazett published his seminal paper on the different intervals length of the electrocardiogram recordings in a small group of healthy individuals, and proposed a formula for correcting the QT length for heart rate. Later, he moved to the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, and from 1931 until his death in 1950, he served as head of the Department of Physiology and a leader of the American Society of Physiology. Bazett's scientific work was largely concerned with temperature control, circulation, and blood volume, and he contributed greatly to the study of circulation in humans by using invasive catheterization. (PACE 2011; 34:384–388)
Empirically derived combinations of tools and clinical cutoffs: an illustrative case with a sample of culturally/linguistically diverse children.

PURPOSE Using a sample of culturally/linguistically diverse children, we present data to illustrate the value of empirically derived combinations of tools and cutoffs for determining eligibility in child language impairment. METHOD Data were from 95 4- and 6-year-olds (40 African American, 55 White; 18 with language impairment, 77 without) who lived in the rural South; they involved primarily scores from the Comprehension subtest of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (CSSB; R. Thorndike, E. Hagen, & J. Sattler, 1986), but scores from an experimental nonword repetition task (NRT; C. Dollaghan & T. Campbell, 1998) were also included as supplements to these scores. RESULTS Although the CSSB led to low fail rates in children without impairment and a statistically reliable group difference as a function of the children's clinical status but not their race, only 56% of children with impairment were accurately classified when -1 SD was employed as the cutoff. Diagnostic accuracy improved to 81% when an empirically derived cutoff of -. 5 SD was used. When scores from the NRT were added to those from the CSSB, diagnostic accuracy increased to 90%. IMPLICATIONS This illustrative case adds to the growing number of studies that call for empirically derived combinations of tools and cutoffs as one option within an evidence-based practice framework.
XXVII Anatomical Etiological Factors in Chronic Middle Ear Discharge

The fact that this has become a reality today, I do not for a moment suggest is the outcome of my proposition in 1953. T o me, however, the choice of this main subject for the present Congress seems significant. It discloses, most conclusively, an increasingly common conviction that we have to re-examine generally held views on the so-called chronic otitis and, in a critical and scientific way, enter further into problems concerned. Otherwise we cannot pro­ ceed in diagnostic and prognostic skill, nor judge improvements achieved in modern therapeutical methods.
e-Government in South Africa: Predictors to failure and success

This research project examines the predictors that make e-government projects successful or unsuccessful. The aim of this research is to determine the factors that can lead to an e-government project's success or failure. This is done within the South African context. The factors are determined via a Literature survey of selected implementations around the world. Existing e-government implementations , SARS e-Filing and eNaTIS were assessed using the Technology Acceptance Model(TAM). Factors such as having a governmental policy, marketing, training and change management are identified as positive factors. Impediments such as the digital divide, lack of skills, lack of penetration of technologies to all citizens have been determined as challenges to e-government. It is recommended that investigation into mobile phone technologies be done to bridge the telecommunications gap.
Learning Bayesian networks in the space of structures by estimation of distribution algorithms

The induction of the optimal Bayesian network structure is NP‐hard, justifying the use of search heuristics. Two novel population‐based stochastic search approaches, univariate marginal distribution algorithm (UMDA) and population‐based incremental learning (PBIL), are used to learn a Bayesian network structure from a database of cases in a score + search framework. A comparison with a genetic algorithm (GA) approach is performed using three different scores: penalized maximum likelihood, marginal likelihood, and information‐theory–based entropy. Experimental results show the interesting capabilities of both novel approaches with respect to the score value and the number of generations needed to converge. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased perinatal mortality and morbidity in monochorionic versus dichorionic twin pregnancies: clinical implications of a large Dutch cohort study

Sir, We read with interest the Dutch twin cohort study published by Hack et al.1 and have several comments to make. First, the potential data yield from this work, which covered a 10-year period, seems to have been underused and several important maternal demographic factors appear to be missing. The authors have not included risk factors that can be associated with intrauterine fetal demise such as gestational diabetes, maternal age, maternal smoking, and raised body mass index. We note that the age range of the mothers was as high as 46 years, but the authors have not stated the maternal ages of those women who suffered intrauterine deaths. Second, if one assumes that all twins should be delivered by the end of the 38th week according to current practice, this leaves only two sets of monochorionic twin deaths that could fall into the authors’ suggested policy of delivery between 36 and 37 weeks. According to the data in the paper, only two sets of dichorionic twin deaths occurred between 37 and 38 weeks, which suggests no obvious increased risk in the monochorionic twin group due to the similar number of intrauterine deaths. The authors cannot, thus, justify delivery of monochorionic twins at 36–37 weeks based on the data provided. Third, the ultrasound assessment of case number 6 in the monochorionic group suggests that both twins were growing on the same centile, but at delivery, there was at least a 30% discrepancy in birthweights, which is unexplained by the authors. Overall, it appears that this study adds little to our current knowledge on the management of twin pregnancies. What would have been very helpful to include in the paper are data regarding the mode of delivery of both groups of twins— especially emergency and second stage caesarean rates, which are thought to be on the increase.2 j
Segmentation of Printed Circuit Board Images into Basic Patterns

Abstract Segmentation is the first and foremost step in the inspection of the printed circuit boards . In this paper a new technique for the segmentation of printed circuit board (PCB) images is presented. The technique basically segments a given PCB into small windows containing primitive PCB subpatterns. The technique proposed exploits the simplicity and the homogeneity of the PCB images and is inherently parallel. A detailed discussion of the experiments and the results obtained is also presented.
Association of sex hormones and sex hormone–binding globulin with depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women: the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

ObjectiveSex hormones are thought to play an important role in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders in women. This study assessed the associations of total testosterone (T), bioavailable T, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone, and sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) with depressive symptoms stratified on postmenopausal stage to determine whether the associations were strongest for early postmenopausal women. MethodsWomen (N = 1,824) free of depressive symptoms at baseline (2000-2002) in the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis were categorized into tertiles of years postmenopause: T1, 0 to 10 years; T2, 11 to 20 years; and T3, 21 to 58 years. Multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs were computed for the incidence of depressive symptoms, as defined by a score of 16 or higher on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale at examination 3 (2004-2005). ResultsIn analysis including all sex hormones, the RR for incident depressive symptoms associated with 1 unit higher log total T was 0.57 (P = 0.13), with log estradiol was 0.78 (P = 0.04), with log SHBG was 1.84 (P = 0.003), and with log dehydroepiandrosterone was 1.45 (P = 0.08) in T1. Without adjustment for SHBG, the RR for log bioavailable T was 0.16 (P = 0.04). However, in T2 and T3, there were no meaningful associations of hormone or SHBG levels with incident depressive symptoms. When stratified by HT use, results were consistent for HT users but attenuated for HT nonusers. ConclusionsIn early postmenopausal women, sex hormones were associated with incident depressive symptoms.
A Comparative Study of Multicell Amplifiers for AC-Power-Source Applications

AC test power sources are essential for testing electric equipment that is ac-mains connected. Typically, linear power amplifiers (LPAs) are mainly employed as ac test sources because of their high fidelity and excellent dynamic behavior. However, these LPAs have very high losses in their output stages, which make the systems bulky and expensive due to the large heatsinks that are required. In recent years, two approaches have attracted popular interest to improve the efficiency of ac power sources. These are hybrid operation, i.e., combination of linear and switch mode, and multilevel switch-mode inverters. In this paper, three types of multilevel power amplifiers, based on hybrid or switching technology, are presented, namely: hybrid multicell amplifier (H-MCA), amplitude-modulated (AM) + pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) MCA (AP-MCA), and PWM MCA (P-MCA). For each of these topologies, the operating principle and control scheme are introduced. Finally, a 1-kVA laboratory prototype, which can realize all the three topologies, is built, and the measured performance based on this universal prototype are compared.
Effect of Resveratrol on Nitrate Tolerance in Isolated Human Internal Mammary Artery

The present study aims to examine whether resveratrol, a natural antioxidant present in red wine, restores the tolerance to nitroglycerin (GTN) on isolated human internal mammary artery (IMA), using an in vitro model of nitrate tolerance. IMA rings were obtained from 53 male patients undergoing coronary bypass operation. Nitrate tolerance was induced by incubating the artery ring with 100 μM GTN for 90 minutes. Concentration-response curves to GTN (10−9 to 10−4 M) were obtained on IMA rings precontracted with noradrenaline. A low concentration (5 μM) of lucigenin was used as a tool to measure superoxide production in IMA segments. GTN produced concentration-dependent relaxation in isolated human IMA rings. Preexposure of artery rings to GTN reduced the relaxations to GTN [Emax values: 105±2% and 76±3%, n=10 to 12, P<0.05; EC50 values (−log M): 6.72±0.05 and 4.95±0.06, P<0.05, respectively]. Relaxation to sodium nitroprusside remained unchanged. Diminished relaxation to GTN is partially restored after removing endothelium or LG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG, 10−4 M) or superoxide dismutase (20 and 200 U/mL) or catalase (200 U/mL) pretreatments. Pretreatments with resveratrol (1, 10, and 20 μM) for 20 minutes relatively improved the reduced relaxation to GTN in tolerant IMA rings. Coadministration of L-NOARG with resveratrol did not abolish the beneficial effect of resveratrol on nitrate tolerance. The inhibitory effect of resveratrol on GTN-induced tolerance was not abolished in arterial rings without endothelium. Exposure to GTN increased superoxide production in IMA segments with endothelium. Endothelium denudation, L-NOARG, or superoxide dismutase pretreatments markedly inhibited the increased superoxide production in tolerant arteries. Resveratrol (1 and 10 μM) almost completely abolished basal or NAD(P)H-stimulated superoxide production in tolerant and nontolerant arteries. Vascular tolerance to GTN, in in vitro tolerant human IMA rings, can be induced by endothelial superoxide anions. Resveratrol partially restored the reduced relaxation to GTN by inhibiting NAD(P)-derived superoxide production in endothelium.