Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of inner kinetochore assembly and maintenance in living cells

To investigate the dynamics of centromere organization, we have assessed the exchange rates of inner centromere proteins (CENPs) by quantitative microscopy throughout the cell cycle in human cells. CENP-A and CENP-I are stable centromere components that are incorporated into centromeres via a “loading-only” mechanism in G1 and S phase, respectively. A subfraction of CENP-H also stays stably bound to centromeres. In contrast, CENP-B, CENP-C, and some CENP-H and hMis12 exhibit distinct and cell cycle–specific centromere binding stabilities, with residence times ranging from seconds to hours. CENP-C and CENP-H are immobilized at centromeres specifically during replication. In mitosis, all inner CENPs become completely immobilized. CENPs are highly mobile throughout bulk chromatin, which is consistent with a binding-diffusion behavior as the mechanism to scan for vacant high-affinity binding sites at centromeres. Our data reveal a wide range of cell cycle–specific assembly plasticity of the centromere that provides both stability through sustained binding of some components and flexibility through dynamic exchange of other components.
The Toolbox for Uncovering the Functions of Legionella Dot/Icm Type IVb Secretion System Effectors: Current State and Future Directions

The defective in organelle trafficking/intracellular multiplication (Dot/Icm) Type IVb secretion system (T4SS) is the essential virulence factor for the intracellular life style and pathogenicity of Legionella species. Screens demonstrated that an individual L. pneumophila strain can use the Dot/Icm T4SS to translocate an unprecedented number of more than 300 proteins into host cells, where these, so called Icm/Dot-translocated substrates (IDTS) or effectors, manipulate host cell functions to the benefit of the bacteria. Bioinformatic analysis of the pan-genus genome predicts at least 608 orthologous groups of putative effectors. Deciphering the function of these effectors is key to understanding Legionella pathogenesis; however, the analysis is challenging. Substantial functional redundancy renders classical, phenotypic screening of single gene deletion mutants mostly ineffective. Here, I review experimental approaches that were successfully used to identify, validate and functionally characterize T4SS effectors and highlight new methods, which promise to facilitate unlocking the secrets of Legionella's extraordinary weapons arsenal.
Constraint net based error recovery for high-frequency information of remote sensing image in JPEG2000 transmission

In the transmission of JPEG2000-coded remote sensing image (RSI), errors occurring in the codestream may result in the loss of the high-frequency information of RSI. A new method based on constraint net (CN) is proposed for error recovery of the high-frequency information. The CN of a wavelet coefficient block represents the relationships between each coefficient and its neighborhoods. The wavelet coefficient block has proved to be determined by its CN and surrounding neighboring coefficients. By using the correlation of inter-bands and the preservation property of edge feature and texture structure in high-resolution and low-resolution subbands, the CN of the damaged code-block that causes the loss of high-frequency information is computed. Together with the surrounding neighboring coefficients, the CN is used to recover the damaged code-block. Experimental results show the high-frequency information is well recovered and the quality of the reconstructed image is significantly improved
Cast Partial Denture versus Acrylic Partial Denture for Replacement of Missing Teeth in Partially Edentulous Patients

Aim: To compare the effects of cast partial denture with conventional all acrylic denture in respect to retention, stability, masticatory efficiency, comfort and periodontal health of abutments. Methods: 50 adult partially edentulous patient seeking for replacement of missing teeth having Kennedy class I and II arches with or without modification areas were selected for the study. Group-A was treated with cast partial denture and Group-B with acrylic partial denture. Data collected during follow-up visit of 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year by evaluating retention, stability, masticatory efficiency, comfort, periodontal health of abutment. Results: Chi-square test was applied to find out differences between the groups at 95% confidence interval where p = 0.05. One year comparison shows that cast partial denture maintained retention and stability better than acrylic partial denture (p< 0.05). The masticatory efficiency was significantly compromising from 3rd month to 1 year in all acrylic partial denture groups (p< 0.05). The comfort of patient with cast partial denture was maintained better during the observation period (p< 0.05). Periodontal health of abutment was gradually deteriorated in all acrylic denture group (p<0.05). Conclusions: With adequate maintenance of oral and denture hygiene at a regular interval, cast partial denture compared with acrylic partial denture provides better results in terms of retention, stability, comfort and periodontal health of abutment.
High-/Mixed-Voltage RF and Analog CMOS Circuits Come of Age

Instead of blindly tracking the rapid downsizing of supply voltage (VDD) in technology scaling, high-/mixed-voltage radio-frequency (RF) and analog CMOS circuits have emerged as a prospective alternative comes of age. An elevated VDD, or a hybrid use of I/O and core VDD's, in conjunction with thinand thick-oxide MOS transistors open up many possibilities in defining circuit topologies, while maintaining the speed and area benefits of advanced processes. Circuit reliability can be guaranteed through advanced circuit techniques. This paper aims to provide a glimpse of the basic concept, system design considerations and circuit examples. A wide variety of RF and analog CMOS circuits designed based on such techniques are examined and new topologies are proposed. Those circuit topologies comprise the RF power amplifier, the low-noise amplifier, the mixer, operational-amplifier-based analog circuits, the sample-and-hold amplifier and, finally, the line driver. Reliability considerations such as oxide breakdown, hot carrier injection (HCI), time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB), and bias temperature instability (BTI) will be discussed, and their implications in different types of circuits will be justified. The outlined principles are extendable to other RF and analog circuits, motivating the adoption of new voltage-conscious topologies in ultrascaled CMOS processes.
Saponin 1 Induces Apoptosis and Suppresses NF-κB-Mediated Survival Signaling in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

Saponin 1 is a triterpeniod saponin extracted from Anemone taipaiensis, a traditional Chinese medicine against rheumatism and phlebitis. It has also been shown to exhibit significant anti-tumor activity against human leukemia (HL-60 cells) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2 cells). Herein we investigated the effect of saponin 1 in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) U251MG and U87MG cells. Saponin 1 induced significant growth inhibition in both glioblastoma cell lines, with a 50% inhibitory concentration at 24 h of 7.4 µg/ml in U251MG cells and 8.6 µg/ml in U87MG cells, respectively. Nuclear fluorescent staining and electron microscopy showed that saponin 1 caused characteristic apoptotic morphological changes in the GBM cell lines. Saponin 1-induced apoptosis was also verified by DNA ladder electrophoresis and flow cytometry. Additionally, immunocytochemistry and western blotting analyses revealed a time-dependent decrease in the expression and nuclear location of NF-κB following saponin 1 treatment. Western blotting data indicated a significant decreased expression of inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) family members,(e.g., survivin and XIAP) by saponin 1. Moreover, saponin 1 caused a decrease in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and initiated apoptosis by activating caspase-9 and caspase-3 in the GBM cell lines. These findings indicate that saponin 1 inhibits cell growth of GBM cells at least partially by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting survival signaling mediated by NF-κB. In addition, in vivo study also demonstrated an obvious inhibition of saponin 1 treatment on the tumor growth of U251MG and U87MG cells-produced xenograft tumors in nude mice. Given the minimal toxicities of saponin 1 in non-neoplastic astrocytes, our results suggest that saponin 1 exhibits significant in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy and merits further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for GBM.
Facility Design and Healthcare-Acquired Infections: State of the Science

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a serious threat to patients and healthcare providers. Although human factors are commonly studied in an attempt to reduce HAIs, less is known about the effect of specific facility design features on mitigating the transmission of pathogens from human to human. This facility design department aims to expand nurse leaders’ knowledge and competencies in health facility design. This article discusses the state of the science in the relationship of facility design on reducing HAIs.
Coping with Vision Loss

This book explains in detail what it is like to be losing sight, legally blind, or fully blind, and also documents why today's exciting technological advances and medical solutions are lifting limitations for the visually impaired. Dr. Cheri Langdell, a professor of English, and Dr. Tim Langdell, a clinical psychologist and digital media expert, take us through personal, psychological, sociological, and cultural perspectives on blindness, and—perhaps surprisingly—show us some of the benefits nearly blind and blind people have found after vision loss. These benefits include what some describe as heightening of the other senses, deepening spiritual sight, and stronger insights into the human condition. Through literature, media, and cinema across the ages, the authors focus attention on how the masses worldwide who are sighted view, and treat, the blind and legally blind. Coping with Vision Loss: Understanding the Psychological, Social, and Spiritual Effects also includes non-fiction written about and by the blind that gives great insight into their condition. The text explains what the visually impaired and blind can do to stay strong and live their lives to the fullest, as well as what family members and friends can do to help when needed, or to back off when one wants to be as independent as possible. Technological advances to assist the blind and legally blind are reviewed, as are websites for a host of organizations created to assist people with vision loss.
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase transfection reduces apoptosis in human penile smooth muscle cells and slows down cellular aging.

INTRODUCTION Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common diseases in male urology that greatly affects the quality of life in senior people. Relaxation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle is the key to penile erection. AIM To explore effects of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene transfection on biological behaviors of human penile smooth muscle cells. METHODS Human penile smooth muscle cells were grown in primary culture. A fluorescent eukaryotic expression vector, hTERT-internal ribosome entry site 2 (IRES2)-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), was constructed and transfected into human penile smooth muscle cells using Lipofectin reagent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The telomerase activity, mitotic index, cell apoptosis, and cell growth curves of transfected smooth muscle cells were determined; the potential formation of malignant phenotypes in these transfected cells was investigated. RESULTS Telomerase activity, mitotic index, and cell growth of hTERT-transfected cells were significantly higher than those of nontransfected cells and cells transfected with the empty EGFP vector, while apoptosis rates were the lowest in hTERT-transfected cells. No changes in cell morphology, chromosome number, and tumorigenicity were observed between hTERT-transfected cells and control cells. CONCLUSION In this study, for the first time, the hTERT gene was transfected into human penile smooth muscle cells, and the gene increased telomerase activity in cells, reduced cell apoptosis, and slowed down cell aging. We believe that this finding is of potential clinical value in the prevention and treatment of organic ED.
Global Software Development in Practice Lessons Learned Research Section

More than a decade ago, organizations seeking lower costs and access to skilled resources began to experiment with remotely located software development facilities. This change is having a profound impact not only on marketing and distribution but also on the way products are conceived, designed, constructed, tested, and delivered to customers. The number of organizations distributing their software development processes worldwide keeps increasing. As a result, software development is becoming a multi-site, multicultural and globally distributed undertaking. More recently, attention has turned toward trying to understand the factors that enable multinationals and virtual corporations to operate successfully across geographic and cultural boundaries. On the basis of these factors, we present the lessons learned from case studies in two software development units from multinational organizations located in Brazil. Copyright  2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local controllability of semilinear fractional order systems with variable coefficients

In the article unconstrained local controllability problem of semilinear fractional order discrete-time systems with variable coefficients is addressed. A sufficient condition for local unconstrained controllability in a given number of steps is formulated and proved using the general formula of solution of difference state equation. Finally, a lot of illustrative examples are also presented.
Current Trends and Research Challenges in Spectrum- Sensing for Cognitive Radios

The ever increasing demand of wireless communication systems has led to search of suitable spectrum bands for transmission of data. The research in the past has revealed that radio spectrum is under-utilized in most of the scenarios. This prompted the scientist to seek a solution to utilize the spectrum efficiently. Cognitive Radios provided an answer to the problem by sensing the idle (licensed) bands and allowing (secondary) users to transmit in these idle spaces. Spectrum sensing forms the main block of cognition cycle. This paper reviews the current trends in research in the domain of spectrum sensing. The author describes the type of channel being modelled, diversity combining schemes used, optimal algorithms applied at fusion centre, spectrum sensing techniques employed. Further, the research challenges are discussed. It is presented that various attributes like sensing time, throughput, rate reliability, optimum cooperative users, sensing frequency etc. needs to be addressed. A trade-off needs to be established to optimize two opposing parameters like sensing and throughput.
Precise tracking control of a piezoactuated micropositioning stage based on modified Prandtl-Ishlinskii hysteresis model

In this paper, the hysteresis modeling and compensation are carried out and verified for a piezo-driven XY parallel micropositioning stage aiming at a sub-micron precise motion tracking control. Specifically, inverse modified Prandtl-Ishlinskii (MPI) model-based feedforward in combination with a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) feedback control algorithm is implemented for the real-time control. The MPI model is identified by optimizing the weight parameters through particle swarm optimization (PSO) to match the model output to experimental data. For the purpose of comparisons, a feedforward controller using the inverse MPI model solely is realized as well. The performance of feedforward plus feedback over stand-alone feedforward control is examined by experimental studies conducted on the prototype micropositioning stage. Results show that the combined control scheme can reduce the nonsymmetric hysteresis to a negligible level and produce a sub-micron accuracy motion tracking, which provides a sound base of practical control of the micropositioning system for micro/nano scale manipulation.
Modeling frequency response of 65 nm CMOS RF power devices

This paper presents a model for the frequency response of 65 nm RF power CMOS devices as a function of device width. We find that the cut-off frequency (fT) and maximum oscillation frequency (fmax) decrease with increasing device width. Small-signal equivalent circuit extractions reveal that the main reason for the degradation in fT and fmax is the presence of non-scalable parasitic resistances in the gate and drain of wide devices. Simplified expressions for fT and fmax that include these parasitic effects have been derived and shown to be very accurate.
Italian Constitutional Court modifications of a restrictive assisted reproduction technology law significantly improve pregnancy rate.

BACKGROUND In May 2009, the Italian Constitutional Court banned most of the limitations of a restrictive law regulating assisted reproduction technology on the grounds that it limited a couple's right to have access to the best possible medical treatment and reduce any possible higher risk of complications. The aim of the study was to compare our results in fresh cycles before and after this change. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analysed retrospectively 3274 IVF cycles: 2248 before and 1026 after the law was modified. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, basal FSH levels, years of infertility, the number of previous cycles or the number of oocytes retrieved but the number of oocytes used (2.7 ± 0.6 versus 4.6 ± 1.8; P = <0.001), the number of embryos obtained (2.0 ± 0.9 versus 3.3 ± 1.8; P = <0.001) and transferred (2.2 ± 0.7 versus 2.3 ± 0.7; P = <0.001) were all higher after the removal of the previous restrictions, as was the pregnancy rate per started cycle (23.49% versus 20.42%; P = 0.047). Before modification of the law, the pregnancies were single in 74.11% of the cases (versus 71.43% afterwards), twins in 23.44% (versus 26.89%; P = 0.318) and triplets in 2.46% (versus 1.68%; P = 0.594). CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary results after the removal of the previous legal restrictions show a higher pregnancy rate per started cycle (3.7% represents a 15% difference) and a positive (albeit non-significant) trend towards a reduction in the number of multiple pregnancies.
Programmes for the prevention of rubella during pregnancy by active immunization

United Kingdom and United States programmes of active immunization for the prevention of rubella during pregnancy are compared and their respective advantages and disadvantages discussed. The need for revaccination is more likely to arise with the United States programme in which young children are vaccinated and where, in future, immunity in adults will become increasingly vaccine-induced.
Tools for visual analysis of biological networks

The trend in tools for visualization and analysis of cell pathways is to go beyond small-scale static depictions of pathways and towards large-scale networks capturing cellular dynamics. Such tools attempt to construct pathways automatically and integrate data from large datasets in genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics to give a more meaningful representation of cell activity. We look at techniques that existing tools use to visualize large networks, to analyze their topology, to find patterns in microarray data and to study cell dynamics in the context of the pathways.
Etats affectifs, implication organisationnelle et tensions de rôle dans les cabinets d'audit

Ces dernieres annees, les cabinets d'audit ont reorganise et repense le cœur de leurs services afin de faire face a de nouvelles exigences liees a l'internationalisation du marche, au developpement rapide des technologies de l'information et a l'importance de l'audit dans la gouvernance d'entreprise. Ces changements semblent avoir des impacts sur le professionnalisme des auditeurs (Levitt 1998) et peuvent etre la source de conflits et d'ambiguite de role. Pourtant, des etudes anterieures ont montre que les auditeurs presentaient un fort degre d'implication malgre cet environnement difficile (Norris et Niebuhr 1984). Cette recherche vise a mettre en evidence les relations entre l'implication affective des auditeurs, les tensions de role qui resultent du metier de l'audit et les etats affectifs ressentis au travail. Elle repose sur une enquete realisee aupres de 664 auditeurs de cabinets d'audit d'envergure internationale (240 reponses pour la phase 1 et 150 pour la phase 2). Les resultats montrent que l'experience relatee par les auditeurs de notre echantillon est plutot positive en matiere d'affectivite et d'etats affectifs et que le niveau de conflit de role et d'ambiguite de role est relativement faible. Ils montrent egalement la presence de relations significatives entre l'affectivite positive, l'implication affective et les etats affectifs positifs, tandis que l'affectivite negative et les conflits de role ont un pouvoir explicatif des etats affectifs negatifs. Quant a l'ambiguite de role, elle ne presente pas de relation significative avec les etats affectifs, qu'ils soient positifs ou negatifs.
Gospel Choirs: Psalms Of Survival In An Alien Land Called Home

* Redemption Deferred: Back to the Space Traders * Trying to Teach the White Folks * Living with the Specter of Calhoun * Staying No Way Tired * The Freedom of Employment Act * Shadow Song * The Mentality of Race * Nigger Free * Racial Royalties * Women to the Rescue * The Electric Slide Protest * Equalitys Child * The Entitlement * The Gospel Light
First Mnks degrading agents block phosphorylation of eIF4E, induce apoptosis, inhibit cell growth, migration and invasion in triple negative and Her2-overexpressing breast cancer cell lines

Some retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents (RAMBAs) are known to exhibit a wide range of anticancer activities by mechanisms that are still not completely resolved. This study investigated the anticancer efficacy and mechanism(s) of novel RAMBA retinamides (RRs) in triple negative and Her-2 overexpressing breast cancer cells. Specifically, we examined the possibility that RRs affect the translational machinery in these breast cancer (BC) cells. Recent findings suggest that overexpression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) in breast cancers critically augments CAP-dependent mRNA translation and synthesis of proteins involved in cell growth, cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis evasion. The oncogenic potential of eIF4E is strictly dependent on serine209 phosphorylation by upstream MAPK-interacting kinases (Mnks). Targeting Mnk/eIF4E pathway for blocking Mnk function and eIF4E phosphorylation is therefore a novel approach for treating BCs, particularly for Her2-positive and triple negative breast cancers that have no indications for endocrine therapy or effective treatment regimes. We report for the first time that the degradation of Mnk1 by RRs in BC cells blocks eIF4E phosphorylation and subsequently inhibits cell growth, colonization, invasion, and migration and induce apoptosis. Most importantly, the anticancer efficacy of RRs was mediated via degrading Mnk rather than inhibiting its kinase activity like Mnk inhibitors (cercosporamide and CGP57380). Furthermore, RRs potencies on peIF4E down-regulation and growth inhibition were superior to those of two clinically relevant retinoids and the Mnk inhibitors. Together our findings provide the first preclinical proof-of-concept of novel Mnk degrading agents for Mnk/eIF4E based therapeutic treatment of breast cancers.