Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: role of the C4-HSL cell-to-cell signal and inhibition by azithromycin.

OBJECTIVES In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, biofilm formation is controlled by a cell-to-cell signalling circuit relying on the secretion of 3-oxo-C12-HSL and C4-HSL. Previous studies suggested that C4-HSL plays no significant role in biofilm formation. However the wild-type PAO1 strain PAO-BI, used as a control in these studies is itself impaired in the production of C4-HSL. We wondered therefore whether the role of C4-HSL in biofilm formation might have been underestimated, and whether azithromycin inhibits biofilm formation by interfering with cell-to-cell signalling. METHODS We used isogenic mutants of wild-type PAO1 strains PAO-BI and PT5 in a static biofilm model. Biofilm formation was quantified using Crystal Violet staining and exopolysaccharide measurements. RESULTS Wild-type strain PAO-BI, as a result of its reduced C4-HSL secretion, produced 40% less biofilm compared with the wild-type PAO1 strain PT5. Using isogenic mutants of strain PT5 we have shown that whereas a lasI mutant (deficient in 3-oxo-C12-HSL) produced similar amounts of biofilm to the wild-type, a rhlI mutant (deficient in C4-HSL) produced 70% less biofilm. In the latter strain, biofilm formation could be restored by addition of exogenous C4-HSL. Azithromycin, known to reduce the production of both 3-oxo-C12-HSL and C4-HSL, inhibited biofilm formation of wild-type PT5 by 45%. This inhibition could be reversed by the addition of both cell-to-cell signals. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that C4-HSL also plays a significant role in biofilm formation. Furthermore, we demonstrate the potential of using cell-to-cell signalling blocking agents such as azithromycin to interfere with biofilm formation.
Cognitive Effects of Antiepileptic Drug Discontinuation

Summary: We studied the cognitive effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), by investigating epileptic patients who were seizure‐free for a long time and who were undergoing fixed monotherapy. Ninety patients [27 with phenobarbital (PB), 18 with carbamazepine (CBZ), 16 with phenytoin (PHT), and 29 with valproate (VPA)] were examined by a neuropsychological battery exploring intelligence, vigilance, attention, memory, and visuomotor performances at full AED dose (T1) and compared to 28 normal volunteers. We also evaluated the effects of AED discontinuation by retesting patients 3 months after reduction at half drug dose (T2) and 3 months (T3) and 1 year (T4) after complete discontinuation. Our findings showed that patients receiving CBZ did not differ from controls at any time of examination. Patients receiving PB had significant differences only at T1 (visuomotor performance and immediate spatial memory). Patients receiving VPA showed differences in attention, visuomotor performance, verbal span and sensory discrimination tasks at T1, in visuomotor performance at T2 and in spatial span at T3, whereas no differences were detected at T4. Patients receiving PHT had a difference in intelligence and visuomotor performance at T1, in intelligence at T2, and no differences at T3 or T4. This study model is useful for investigating the cognitive effects of AED because it allows selection of a uniform sample, eliminating variables such as type, frequency, and gravity of seizures that complicate this kind of study.
Control strategies of a multiport power electronic transformer (PET) for DC distribution applications

A multiport power electronic transformer (PET) serves as the energy router (ER) of the next generation DC distribution systems. In this paper, control strategies of a multiport PET for DC distribution applications are proposed. Multiple active bridge (MAB) converters serve as the isolation units. Star and ring connected synchronization and communication methods are used in the PET system. After the introduction of single phase-shift modulation (SPM) and extended phase-shift modulation (EPM) methods of MAB, a soft switching phase-shift modulation (SSPM) method is proposed for ZVS and reduction of current stress. Powers decoupling methods as well as system control strategies are described briefly. Experimental results are given to validate the proposed topologies and strategies.
Screening for coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An evidence-based review

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. CAD is often asymptomatic in these patients, until the onset of myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death. Consequently, proper screening and diagnosis of CAD is crucial for the prevention and early treatment of coronary events. This review deals with selection of the sub group of patients who have type 2 diabetes, who are at high risk for developing CAD and need to be screened for the same. The various diagnostic modalities which can be used in the screening process for enhancing risk stratification and management are also discussed.
Operating system support for mobile interactive applications

Mobile interactive applications are becoming increasingly important. One such application alone—augmented reality—has enormous potential in fields ranging from entertainment to aircraft maintenance. Such applications demand good interactive response. However, their environments are resource-poor and turbulent, with frequent and dramatic changes in resource availability. To keep response times bounded, the application and system together must adapt to changing resource conditions. In this dissertation, I present a new abstraction—multi-fidelity computation—and claim that it is the right abstraction for adaptation in mobile, interactive applications. I also present an API that allows a mobile interactive application to recast its core functionality as a multi-fidelity computation. I identify one of the key problems in application adaptation: predicting application performance at any given fidelity. I solve this problem in two steps. History-based prediction predicts application resource demand as a function of fidelity. A resource model then maps application resource demand and system resource supply to performance. History-based prediction is validated through four case studies demonstrating accurate prediction of CPU, memory, network, and energy demand. I also describe the design and implementation of runtime support for multi-fidelity computations: the overall system architecture as well as each key component. I present four application case studies: of a virtual walkthrough program, a 3-D graphics algorithm, a web browser, and a speech recognizer. In each case, I show how the application uses the multi-fidelity API; that the programming cost of using the API is small; and that the history-based prediction method accurately predicts application resource demand. In evaluating the system prototype, I ask three questions. First, is adaptation agile in the face of changing load conditions? Second, is the system accurate in choosing the fidelity that best matches the applications' needs? Third, does the system provide substantial benefit compared to the non-adaptive case? I answer these questions through a series of experiments both with synthetic and real workloads. I show that adaptation is agile, accurate, and beneficial in bounding response time despite varying CPU and memory load. I also show that adaptation reduces the variability in response time, providing a more predictable and stable user experience.
Realization of a four-step molecular switch in scanning tunneling microscope manipulation of single chlorophyll-a molecules

Single chlorophyll-a molecules, a vital resource for the sustenance of life on Earth, have been investigated by using scanning tunneling microscope manipulation and spectroscopy on a gold substrate at 4.6 K. Chlorophyll-a binds on Au(111) via its porphyrin unit while the phytyl-chain is elevated from the surface by the support of four CH3 groups. By injecting tunneling electrons from the scanning tunneling microscope tip, we are able to bend the phytyl-chain, which enables the switching of four molecular conformations in a controlled manner. Statistical analyses and structural calculations reveal that all reversible switching mechanisms are initiated by a single tunneling-electron energy-transfer process, which induces bond rotation within the phytyl-chain.
Monte Carlo Tree Search for the Hide-and-Seek Game Scotland Yard

This paper describes how Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS) can be applied to the hide-and-seek game Scotland Yard. This game is essentially a two-player game in which the players are moving on a graph-based map. First, we discuss how determinization is applied to handle the imperfect information in the game. We show how using determinization in a single tree performs better than using separate trees for each determinization. We also propose a new technique, called location categorization, that biases the possible locations of the hider. The experimental results reveal that location categorization is a robust technique, and significantly increases the performance of the seekers. Next, we describe how to handle the coalition of the seekers by using coalition reduction. This technique balances each seeker's participation in the coalition. Coalition reduction improves the performance of the seekers significantly. Furthermore, we explain how domain knowledge is incorporated by applying ε-greedy playouts and move filtering. Finally, we compare the MCTS players to minimax-based players, and we test the performance of our MCTS player against a commercial Scotland Yard program on the Nintendo DS. Based on the results, we may conclude that the MCTS-based hider and seekers play at a strong level.
Optimization of the Ultrasonic Wave-Assisted Extraction Condition of Peanut Protein Isolate

Ultrasonic Wave was used to assist alkali extraction and acid precipitation of peanut protein isolate from defatted peanut powder. Based on the single factor test, the response surface analysis results shows that the Ultrasonic Wave-assisted Extraction condition is: ultrasonic power 210W, ultrasonic time 30min, ultrasonic temperature 40°C ,solid to liquid ratio 1:10.7, and under this improved condition the extraction yield could reach 80.09%.
High performing work teams : does emotional intelligence matter ?

This paper explores the link between emotional intelligence and work team performance. Specifically, the aim this paper is to test the proposition that teams composed of individuals with high emotional intelligence will perform at a higher level than teams composed of individuals with low emotional intelligence. In the study outlined in this paper, longitudinal performance data were gathered from problem based learning teams in the form of weekly qualitative reports. Team performance was measured by assessing the group’s goal focus and process effectiveness in completing assigned tasks. The research outlined in this paper then, is an empirical test of claims that emotional intelligence predicts work performance.
The Global Role of Kidney Transplantation

World Kidney Day on March 8th 2012 provides a chance to reflect on the success of kidney transplantation as a therapy for end stage kidney disease that surpasses dialysis treatments both for the quality and quantity of life that it provides and for its cost effectiveness. Anything that is both cheaper and better, but is not actually the dominant therapy, must have other drawbacks that prevent replacement of all dialysis treatment by transplantation. The barriers to universal transplantation as the therapy for end stage kidney disease include the economic limitations which, in some countries place transplantation, appropriately, at a lower priority than public health fundamentals such as clean water, sanitation and vaccination. Even in high income countries the technical challenges of surgery and the consequences of immunosuppression restrict the number of suitable recipients, but the major finite restrictions on kidney transplantation rates are the shortage of donated organs and the limited medical, surgical and nursing workforces with the required expertise. These problems have solutions which involve the full range of societal, professional, governmental and political environments. World Kidney Day is a call to deliver transplantation therapy to the one million people a year who have a right to benefit.
Low sputum eosinophils predict the lack of response to beclomethasone in symptomatic asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND The prognostic role of low sputum eosinophils in steroid-naïve, symptomatic asthmatic patients is controversial. AIM To verify whether low sputum eosinophils predict poor response to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. METHODS Sixty-seven symptomatic asthmatic patients with moderate asthma were examined before and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate, 500 microg bid. None received corticosteroids in the 3 months preceding the study. At each visit, all patients underwent spirometry, methacholine challenge, and sputum induction. The patients recorded symptom scores and peak expiratory flow (PEF) throughout the study. RESULTS Seventeen patients had low sputum eosinophils despite being symptomatic. Patients with high (> 3%) sputum eosinophils at baseline showed significant improvement in symptoms, pulmonary function, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness after treatment, whereas patients with low sputum eosinophils showed no significant improvement in most clinical and functional outcomes. Among the baseline indexes examined, sputum eosinophils had the highest negative predictive value but low positive predictive value for the response to treatment. Multiple stepwise regression showed that only baseline FEV(1) and sputum eosinophil percentages significantly correlated with changes in FEV(1) after treatment. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that, among the indexes examined, low sputum eosinophils are the best predictor for poor corticosteroid effects in asthma.
1D Effectively Closed Subshifts and 2D Tilings

Michael Hochman showed that every 1D effectively closed subshift can be simulated by a 3D subshift of finite type and asked whether the same can be done in 2D. It turned out that the answer is positive and necessary tools were already developed in tilings theory. We discuss two alternative approaches: first, developed by N. Aubrun and M. Sablik, goes back to Leonid Levin; the second one, developed by the authors, goes back to Peter Gacs.
Onset and progression of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) retardance changes occur earlier than RNFL thickness changes in experimental glaucoma.

PURPOSE Longitudinal measurements of peripapillary RNFL thickness and retardance were compared in terms of time to reach onset of damage and time to reach a specific progression endpoint. METHODS A total of 41 rhesus macaques with unilateral experimental glaucoma (EG) each had three or more weekly baseline measurements in both eyes of peripapillary RNFL thickness (RNFLT) and retardance. Laser photocoagulation was then applied to the trabecular meshwork of one eye to induce chronic elevation of intraocular pressure and weekly imaging continued. Pairwise differences between baseline observations were sampled by bootstrapping to determine the 95% confidence limits of each measurement's repeatability. The first two sequential measurements below the lower confidence limit defined the endpoint for each parameter. Segmented linear and exponential decay functions were fit to each RNFL-versus-time series to determine the time to damage onset. RESULTS In all, 29 (71%) of the EG eyes reached endpoint by RNFL retardance and 25 (61%) reached endpoint by RNFLT. In total, 33 (80%) reached endpoint by at least one of the RNFL parameters and 21 (51%) reached endpoint by both RNFL parameters. Of the 33 EG eyes reaching any endpoint, a larger proportion reached endpoint first by retardance (n = 26, 79%) than did by RNFLT (n = 7, 21%; P = 0.002). Survival analysis indicated a shorter time to reach endpoint by retardance than by RNFLT (P < 0.001). Of the 21 EG eyes that reached endpoint by both measures, the median duration to endpoint was 120 days for retardance and 223 days for RNFLT (P = 0.003, Wilcoxon test). The time to onset was faster for retardance than that for RNFLT based on either segmented fits (by 31 days; P = 0.008, average R(2) = 0.89) or exponential fits (by 102 days; P = 0.01, average R(2) = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS The onset of progressive loss of RNFL retardance occurs earlier than the onset of RNFL thinning. Endpoints of progressive loss from baseline also occurred more frequently and earlier for RNFL retardance as compared with RNFLT.
Fingerprint Ridge Distance Estimation Based on Ridge Search

Fingerprint ridge distance is a very useful parameter in AFIS (automatic fingerprint identification system), it can be used for fingerprint enhancement, identification or classification. In this paper, a new ridge distance estimation method based on the ridge search is presented. Firstly, we use the IPL(initial points line) to select the initial-points line. Then, we follow ridges with the search function to fill the direction window. Finally we compute the ridge distance in the direction window with a transform model. This method estimates ridge distance using the original image directly and does not need the information of ridge direction. Experimental results show that the proposed method can estimate ridge distances effectively.
Identification of novel proteins involved in plant cell-wall synthesis based on protein-protein interaction data.

The plant cell wall is mainly composed of polysaccharides, representing the richest source of biomass for future biofuel production. Currently, the majority of the cell-wall synthesis-related (CWSR) proteins are unknown even for model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We report a computational framework for predicting CWSR proteins based on protein-protein interaction (PPI) data and known CWSR proteins. We predict a protein to be a CWSR protein if it interacts with known CWSR proteins (seeds) with high statistical significance. Using this technique, we predicted 100 candidate CWSR proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana, 8 of which were experimentally confirmed by previous reports. Forty-two candidates have either independent supporting evidence or strong functional relevance to cell-wall synthesis and, hence, are considered as the most reliable predictions. For 33 of the predicted CWSR proteins, we have predicted their detailed functional roles in CWS, based on analyses of their domain architectures, phylogeny, and current functional annotation in conjunction with a literature search. We present the constructed PPIs covering all the known and predicted CWSR proteins at http://csbl.bmb. uga.edu/∼zhouchan/CellWallProtein/. The 42 most reliable candidates provide useful targets to experimentalists for further investigation, and the PPI data constructed in this work provides new information for cell-wall research.
Automatic generation of benchmarks for plagiarism detection tools using grammatical evolution

Student plagiarism is a mayor problem in universities worldwide. In this paper,we focus on plagiarism in answers to computer programming assignments,where student mix and/or modify one or more original solutions to obtain counterfeits. Although several software tools have been implemented to help the tedious and time consuming task of detecting plagiarism, little has been done to assess their quality, because, in fact, determining the original subset of the whole solutionset is practically impossible for graders. In this article we present a Grammatical Evolution technique which generates benchmarks. Given a programming language, our technique generates a set of original solutions to an assignment, together with a set of plagiarisms of the former set which mimic the way in which students act. The phylogeny of the coded solutions is predefined, providing a base for the evaluationof the performance of copy-catching tools. We give empirical evidence of the suitability of our approach by studying the behavior of one state-of-the-art detection tool (AC) on four benchmarks coded in APL2, generated with this technique.
In Vitro Induction of Hepatocyte Synthesis of the Acute Phase Reactant Mouse Serum Amyloid P‐Component by Macrophages and IL 1

The in vitro culture conditions for the induction and synthesis of the mouse acute phase reactant, serum amyloid P‐component (SAP), were established using isolated hepatocytes. SAP synthesis was five to eight times greater with hepatocytes isolated from mice during the acute phase of inflammation vs. hepatocytes obtained from untreated mice. The induction of SAP synthesis in normal hepatocytes for LPS‐unresponsive mice was macrophage dependent. Activated macrophages provided the most “helper” activity for SAP production. Partially purified mouse IL 1 from the P388D1 macrophage line also induced SAP synthesis. Only four IL 1 units/ml were required for optimal SAP induction. The addition of IL 1 in the presence of elicited macrophages provided an additive effect on hepatocyte SAP synthesis. The SAP‐inducing activity of IL 1 copurified with its thymocyte‐stimulating activity and was associated with a 11 to 25‐Kd MW polypeptide. Phenylglyoxal treatment of IL 1 inactivated its thymocyte stimulating activity but not its SAP inducing potential. Inhibition of m‐RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, N‐glycosylation, and protein secretion effectively prevented in vitro hepatocyte SAP production.
Functional Interplay of the Mre11 Nuclease and Ku in the Response to Replication-Associated DNA Damage

ABSTRACT The Mre11 complex is a central component of the DNA damage response, with roles in damage sensing, molecular bridging, and end resection. We have previously shown that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Ku70 (yKu70) deficiency reduces the ionizing radiation sensitivity of mre11Δ mutants. In this study, we show that yKu70 deficiency suppressed the camptothecin (CPT) and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) sensitivity of nuclease-deficient mre11-3 and sae2Δ mutants in an Exo1-dependent manner. CPT-induced G2/M arrest, γ-H2AX persistence, and chromosome breaks were elevated in mre11-3 mutants. These outcomes were reduced by yKu70 deficiency. Given that the genotoxic effects of CPT are manifest during DNA replication, these data suggest that Ku limits Exo1-dependent double-strand break (DSB) resection during DNA replication, inhibiting the initial processing steps required for homology-directed repair. We propose that Mre11 nuclease- and Sae2-dependent DNA end processing, which initiates DSB resection prevents Ku from engaging DSBs, thus promoting Exo1-dependent resection. In agreement with this idea, we show that Ku affinity for binding to short single-stranded overhangs is much lower than for blunt DNA ends. Collectively, the data define a nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ)-independent, S-phase-specific function of the Ku heterodimer.
Detecting Cloning Attack in Low-Cost Passive RFID Tags An Analytic Comparison between KILL Passwords and Synchronized Secrets Obinna

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology plays an important role in many sectors today without assuredly taking care of privacy and security issues. One of the most prevalent security issue in RFID is the cloning attack on tags. Most countries now use RFID as a means of verification in electronic passports (epassports). A terrorist that is able to successfully clone the RFID tag on a passport document can gain unauthorized entry to a target country without detection. Hence, securing an RFID tag against cloning has become a compelling subject. The hardware limitation of low-cost passive RFID tags makes security a more difficult task. This paper analytically compared two methods to detect tag cloning. These methods are the KILL password and synchronized secret.