Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suppression of Tumor Growth by Galectin-7 Gene Transfer

Galectin-7 is a β-galactoside-binding animal lectin specifically expressed in stratified epithelia. Its expression is inducible by p53 and is down-regulated in squamous cell carcinomas. Other investigators previously showed that galectin-7 is a proapoptotic protein, and we showed that ectopic expression of galectin-7 in HeLa cells renders the cells more sensitive to a variety of apoptotic stimuli. In the present study, we showed that ectopic expression of galectin-7 in the human colon carcinoma cell line DLD-1 also made the cells more sensitive to apoptosis under various conditions. We also found that galectin-7-transfected DLD-1 (DLD-1-Gal7) cells grew significantly more slowly than control transfectants (DLD-1-V) under normal culture conditions in the absence of apoptosis. Moreover, a significantly lower number of colonies were formed from DLD-1-Gal7 cells than from DLD-1-V cells under anchorage-independent cell growth conditions. Most importantly, tumor formation from DLD-1-Gal7 cells was dramatically reduced compared with DLD-1-V cells when these cells were inoculated s.c. into severe combined immunodeficient mice. DLD-1-Gal7 tumors showed a significantly lower proliferation rate than DLD-1-V tumors as determined by in vivo 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation. DLD-1-Gal7 tumors also contained a lower density of blood vessels than DLD-1-V tumors, suggesting that ectopic expression of galectin-7 suppresses angiogenesis. This may partially account for the greater suppressive effect of galectin-7 on tumor growth in vivo than in vitro. Our results show that galectin-7 has a suppressive effect on tumor growth, suggesting that galectin-7 gene transfer or other means of specifically inducing galectin-7 expression may be a new approach for management of cancers.
Resolving Difficult Phylogenetic Questions: Why More Sequences Are Not Enough

In the quest to reconstruct the Tree of Life, researchers have increasingly turned to phylogenomics, the inference of phylogenetic relationships using genome-scale data (Box 1). Mesmerized by the sustained increase in sequencing throughput, many phylogeneticists entertained the hope that the incongruence frequently observed in studies using single or a few genes [1] would come to an end with the generation of large multigene datasets. Yet, as so often happens, reality has turned out to be far more complex, as three recent large-scale analyses, one published in PLoS Biology [2]–[4], make clear. The studies, which deal with the early diversification of animals, produced highly incongruent (Box 2) findings despite the use of considerable sequence data (see Figure 1). Clearly, merely adding more sequences is not enough to resolve the inconsistencies.
Transfusion-Associated Iron Overload as an Adverse Risk Factor for Transplantation Outcome in Patients Undergoing Reduced-Intensity Stem Cell Transplantation for Myeloid Malignancies

Transfusion-associated iron overload could be an important risk factor in myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of iron overload in reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation (RIST). We evaluated 38 patients with myeloid malignancies, 16 with and 22 without iron overload, who received RIST. We used pretransplant serum ferritin as a marker of iron overload. There was a positive correlation between the number of transfused packed red blood cells and pretransplant serum ferritin levels (21.5 units and 1,578.7 μg/l in the iron overload group vs. 12 units and 739.3 μg/l in the iron non-overload group; p <0.01). Engraftment day and chimerism analysis were not affected by iron overload (p = 0.71 and 0.47, respectively). There were no differences in treatment-related mortality (p = 0.94), veno-occlusive disease (p = 0.99), acute and chronic graft versus host disease (p = 0.58 and 0.99, respectively) according to iron overload. There was a significant difference in disease-free and overall survival (35.8 and 27% in the iron overload group vs. 80.6 and 54.6% in the iron non-overload group; p = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). We conclude that transfusion-associated iron overload is an adverse risk factor in RIST for myeloid malignancies. The clinical outcomes according to iron overload in RIST were different in myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A serial follow-up of serum ferritin level and judicious iron chelation therapy will be needed to manage the side effect of iron overload in RIST and improve transplantation outcomes.
Compilation of procedural models

Scripting techniques are used in various contexts. The field of application ranges from layout description languages (PostScript), user interface description languages (XUL) and classical scripting languages (JavaScript) to action nodes in scene graphs (VRMLScript) and web-based desktop applications (AJAX). All these applications have an increase of scripted components in common -- especially in computer graphics. As the interpretation of a geometric script is computationally more intensive than the handling of static geometry, optimization techniques, such as just-in-time compilation, are of great interest. Unfortunately, scripting languages tend to support features such as higher order functions or self-modification, etc. These language characteristic are difficult to compile into machine/byte-code. Therefore, we present a hybrid approach: an interpreter with an integrated compiler. In this way we speed up the script evaluation without having to remove any language features e.g. the possibility of self-modifications. We demonstrate its usage at XGML -- a dialect of the generative modeling language GML, which is characterized by its dynamic behavior.
Digital Video Library Network: System and Approach

Tremendous growth of the Internet population creates a large demand on new applications, and advances in Internet technologies make it feasible to develop new exciting application base on video and broadband network. One of the most hottest topic nowadays is the Digital Video Library Systems. It has a promising application scope in entertainment, information, education or business. However, due to the temporal nature of video, indexing and retrieval of video content is not trivial. Therefore, we will introduce the digital video library network in this paper with a number of techniques concerning the indexing and retrieval of video contents.
Probing the Canis Major stellar over-density as due to the Galactic warp

Proper-motion, star counts and photometric catalog simulations are used to explain the detected stellar over-density in the region of Canis Major, claimed to be the core of a disrupted dwarf galaxy (CMa, Martin et al. [CITE], MNRAS, 348, 12; Bellazzini et al. [CITE], [arXiv:astro-ph/0311119]), as due to the Galactic warp and flare in the external disk. We compare the kinematics of CMa M-giant selected sample with surrounding Galactic disk stars in the UCAC2 catalog and find no peculiar proper motion signature: CMa stars mimic thick disk kinematics. Moreover, when taking into account the Galactic warp and flare of the disk, 2MASS star count profiles reproduce the CMa stellar over-density. This star count analysis is confirmed by direct comparison with synthetic color-magnitude diagrams simulated with the Besancon models (Robin et al. [CITE], AA Yanny et al. 2003, ApJ, 588, 824).
The association between dietary fibre intakes and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus

The incidence of diabetes is increasing alarmingly indicating a need for preventive strategies. Prospective evidence is inconclusive regarding the protective effect of high fibre intake on the risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Differences in fibre measuring methodologies may have contributed some of these inconsistencies. For the first time, this thesis employed both laboratory and epidemiological approaches to explore different aspects of dietary fibre. Firstly, 14 commonly consumed legumes were analysed for fibre content using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method, and the values were significantly higher than published non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) values, with a mean AOAC-fibre: NSP ratio of 1:1.43. The UK Women’s Cohort Study (UKWCS) data was used to compare AOAC-fibre intakes with NSP intakes. Good agreement (Kappa = 0.9) was observed between intakes of AOAC-fibre and NSP with a resulting AOAC-fibre: NSP ratio being generated of 1:1.43. Following this, the links between risk of incident T2DM and intakes of AOAC-fibre and NSP were investigated. There was no evidence of dose-response relationships between T2DM risk and total fibre intake (AOAC-fibre and NSP) or from key fibre sources, except an age-adjusted lower risk of T2DM with every 5g/day increment in cereal fibre (OR=0.86; 95%CI: 0.75, 0.99). As an important fibre provider; the relationship between the risk of T2DM and legume consumption was also explored. Women in the highest dried legumes intake category experienced significantly lower odds of incident T2DM (OR=0.85; 95%:0.52, 0.89, p =0.03) compared to women in the lowest category. Agreement of fibre intake obtained using different dietary assessments approaches suggested fair agreement of diary derived NSP vs. FFQ derived NSP and poor agreement for vegetable fibre. Overall, results do not support an increase in fibre intake to prevent diabetes in the studied population, although there may be a benefit of increased dried legume intake.
Design and Evaluation of Distributed Role Allocation Algorithms in Open Environments

Abstract : Role allocation has emerged as one of the key issue in teamwork involving communication. While direct point-to-point communication is expensive and uncertain, access to neighbors is reliable and efficient in scale-free networks such as those found in open environments and social networks. This suggests decentralized approaches to role allocation based on communication between neighbors. This paper adapts and evaluates some of the basic types of algorithms in distributed role allocation in open environments using a novel coordination measure in the prey/predator domain.
A kinetic model of the thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter

Chang, Hangil, and Toshiro Fujita. A kinetic model of the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter. Am. J. Physiol. 276 (Renal Physiol. 45): F952–F959, 1999. —The aim of this study was to construct a numerical model of the thiazidesensitive Na-Cl cotransporter (TSC) that can predict kinetics of thiazide binding and substrate transport of TSC. We hypothesized that the mechanisms underlying these kinetic properties can be approximated by a state diagram in which the transporter has two binding sites, one for sodium and another for chloride and thiazide. On the basis of the state diagram, a system of linear equations that should be satisfied in the steady state was postulated. Numerical solution of these equations yielded model prediction of kinetics of thiazide binding and substrate transport. Rate constants, which determine transitional rates between states, were systematically adjusted to minimize a penalty function that was devised to quantitatively estimate the difference between model predictions and experimental results. With the resultant rate constants, the model could simulate the following experimental results: 1) dissociation constant of thiazide in the absence of sodium and chloride; 2) inhibitory effect of chloride on thiazide binding; 3) stimulatory effect of sodium on thiazide binding; 4) combined effects of sodium and chloride on thiazide binding; 5) dependence of sodium influx on extracellular sodium and chloride; and 6) inhibition of sodium influx by extracellular thiazide. We conclude that known kinetic properties of TSC can be predicted by a model which is based on a state diagram.
Tactile feedback improves auditory spatial localization

Our recent studies suggest that congenitally blind adults have severely impaired thresholds in an auditory spatial bisection task, pointing to the importance of vision in constructing complex auditory spatial maps (Gori et al., 2014). To explore strategies that may improve the auditory spatial sense in visually impaired people, we investigated the impact of tactile feedback on spatial auditory localization in 48 blindfolded sighted subjects. We measured auditory spatial bisection thresholds before and after training, either with tactile feedback, verbal feedback, or no feedback. Audio thresholds were first measured with a spatial bisection task: subjects judged whether the second sound of a three sound sequence was spatially closer to the first or the third sound. The tactile feedback group underwent two audio-tactile feedback sessions of 100 trials, where each auditory trial was followed by the same spatial sequence played on the subject’s forearm; auditory spatial bisection thresholds were evaluated after each session. In the verbal feedback condition, the positions of the sounds were verbally reported to the subject after each feedback trial. The no feedback group did the same sequence of trials, with no feedback. Performance improved significantly only after audio-tactile feedback. The results suggest that direct tactile feedback interacts with the auditory spatial localization system, possibly by a process of cross-sensory recalibration. Control tests with the subject rotated suggested that this effect occurs only when the tactile and acoustic sequences are spatially congruent. Our results suggest that the tactile system can be used to recalibrate the auditory sense of space. These results encourage the possibility of designing rehabilitation programs to help blind persons establish a robust auditory sense of space, through training with the tactile modality.
Metathesis of Fatty Acid Ester Derivatives in 1,1-Dialkyl and 1,2,3-Trialkyl Imidazolium Type Ionic Liquids

The self-metathesis of methyl oleate and methyl ricinoleate was carried out in the presence of ruthenium alkylidene catalysts 1–4 in [bmim] and [bdmim][X] type ionic liquids (RTILs) (X = PF6−, BF4− and NTf2−) using the gas chromatographic technique. Best catalytic performance was obtained in [bdmim][X] type ionic liquids when compared with [bmim][X] type ionic liquids. Catalyst recycling studies were also carried out in the room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) with catalysts 1–4 in order to explore their possible industrial application.
IPADE: Iterative Prototype Adjustment for Nearest Neighbor Classification

Nearest prototype methods are a successful trend of many pattern classification tasks. However, they present several shortcomings such as time response, noise sensitivity, and storage requirements. Data reduction techniques are suitable to alleviate these drawbacks. Prototype generation is an appropriate process for data reduction, which allows the fitting of a dataset for nearest neighbor (NN) classification. This brief presents a methodology to learn iteratively the positioning of prototypes using real parameter optimization procedures. Concretely, we propose an iterative prototype adjustment technique based on differential evolution. The results obtained are contrasted with nonparametric statistical tests and show that our proposal consistently outperforms previously proposed methods, thus becoming a suitable tool in the task of enhancing the performance of the NN classifier.
Constraining the astrophysical origin of the p-nuclei through nuclear physics and meteoritic data

A small number of naturally occurring, proton-rich nuclides (the p-nuclei) cannot be made in the s- and r-processes. Their origin is not well understood. Massive stars can produce p-nuclei through photodisintegration of pre-existing intermediate and heavy nuclei. This so-called γ-process requires high stellar plasma temperatures and occurs mainly in explosive O/Ne burning during a core-collapse supernova. Although the γ-process in massive stars has been successful in producing a large range of p-nuclei, significant deficiencies remain. An increasing number of processes and sites has been studied in recent years in search of viable alternatives replacing or supplementing the massive star models. A large number of unstable nuclei, however, with only theoretically predicted reaction rates are included in the reaction network and thus the nuclear input may also bear considerable uncertainties. The current status of astrophysical models, nuclear input and observational constraints is reviewed. After an overview of currently discussed models, the focus is on the possibility to better constrain those models through different means. Meteoritic data not only provide the actual isotopic abundances of the p-nuclei but can also put constraints on the possible contribution of proton-rich nucleosynthesis. The main part of the review focuses on the nuclear uncertainties involved in the determination of the astrophysical reaction rates required for the extended reaction networks used in nucleosynthesis studies. Experimental approaches are discussed together with their necessary connection to theory, which is especially pronounced for reactions with intermediate and heavy nuclei in explosive nuclear burning, even close to stability.
On the differences of ultraviolet and visible irradiance calculations in the Mediterranean basin due to model‐ and satellite‐derived climatologies of aerosol optical properties

The variability of aerosol optical properties over the Mediterranean basin, in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) spectral regions, is examined, using ground‐based data from eight stations of the AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET), climatological values from the AeroCom (Aerosol Comparisons between Observations and Models) project and data from the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on‐board the Terra and Aqua satellites. The aerosol optical properties from the three datasets are used as input data in a radiative transfer model, in order to estimate the differences in irradiance at the ground under cloud‐free skies. The MODIS aerosol optical depth climatology shows better agreement with AERONET data. The highest difference in the monthly average values is equal to 0.09 at 550 nm, while the differences between the AERONET and the AeroCom climatologies reach 0.25 and 0.15 in the UV and VIS wavelengths, respectively. As a result, the AERONET modelled VIS and UV irradiances are closer to MODIS, with the absolute differences in average values reaching 15 (6%) and 2 W m–2 (6%), respectively, while absolute differences with AeroCom irradiances can reach up to 30 (12%) and 4.5 W m–2 (12%). The differences are higher in FORTH Crete, Nes Ziona, Sede Boker and Blida, which are influenced by desert dust aerosols. The separate effect on irradiances due to differences in aerosol optical depth and single scattering albedo from the three datasets has been also examined; according to results, the effect of aerosol optical depth is dominant. At this stage, the use of MODIS aerosol climatology would be recommended for calculations of UV and VIS irradiance in the Mediterranean basin. However, the AeroCom climatology, with some further improvements in the dust cycle, could be a valuable tool in future studies in this area, due to the provision of natural and manmade aerosol optical properties with higher spectral resolution.
Rupture patterns and preshocks of large earthquakes in the southern San Jacinto fault zone

We relocated the large 1937, 1942, and 1954 earthquakes in the San Jacinto fault zone. The epicenters of the main shocks, aftershocks, and some preshocks were determined using empirical station corrections from recent small events in the study areas. The 1937 (ML 5.9) earthquake has an epicenter between the surface traces of the San Jacinto and Buck Ridge faults, and aftershocks suggest about 7 km of rupture predominantly to the northwest. A significant increase in small earthquake activity occurred about Formula yr before this event. The 1954 (M_L 6.2) earthquake is located at the southeast end of the mapped trace of the San Jacinto fault, and aftershocks suggest about 15 km of rupture further southeast into an area of folded young sediments with no surface fault trace. This event was preceded by a cluster of small earthquakes which occurred within an 8-hr period 10 weeks before the main event and in the eventual rupture zone. The 1942 (M_L 6.3) earthquake is located southwest of the southeast end of the Coyote Creek fault. Large aftershocks of this event are spread over a 15 by 18 km area southwest of the Coyote Creek fault and are not associated with any one fault. The relation of the 1942 event to the San Jacinto fault zone is not simple.
Jassa - A JavaScript suite for SPARQL-based faceted search

The availability of SPARQL endpoints on the Web provides interesting opportunities for rapid Web application development. However, sophisticated applications need components that can adopt to the data, yet, the eﬃcient generic exploration and visualization of data contained in those endpoints is still challenging. In this paper, we present the “JAvascript Suite for Sparql Access” (Jassa) framework, which features various abstractions and utilities for the creation and transformation of SPARQL queries, as well as the processing of corresponding result sets. The current highlights comprise modules for RDF, SPARQL, data access, conversion of result sets to objects and faceted browsing, together with corresponding user interface components based on AngularJS.
Histoire du drainage tardiglaciaire de la vallée de la rivière Chaudière et des régions avoisinantes, Québec

Dans les Appalaches du sud du Quebec, la deglaciation du Wisconsinien superieur s'effectuait a contre-pente, creant ainsi un contexte favorable a la formation de lacs proglaciaires. Le niveau de ces lacs s'est abaisse par palier lors de la deglaciation de cols d'altitude de plus en plus basse. Dans le bassin versant de la riviere Chaudiere, les premiers exutoires d'importance, associes au lac glaciaire Megantic, entaillent le relief des Montagnes Frontalieres a une altitude de 430 metres au sud du lac Megantic. Les hauts reliefs des Montagnes Frontalieres sont separes des Monts Notre-Dame, plus au nord, par un plateau de plus basse altitude limite par la ligne Baie Verte -Brompton et la faille de la Guadeloupe. On y retrouve des cols a 395 metres d'altitude vers la riviere Saint-Jean a l'est et a 310 metres vers le lac glaciaire Memphremagog au sud-est. Ces exutoires potentiels sont situes respectivement a la riviere Famine et aux environs de ville de la Guadeloupe. Ils ne semblent toutefois pas avoir ete relies aux differentes phases glaciolacustres d'importance ayant affecte la Beauce. Dans la region de Saint-Damien, d'autres exutoires potentiels vers le nord-est se situent a des altitudes de 375 et 305 metres. La persistance de glaces appalachiennes dans le centre de la Beauce a permis la deglaciation des Monts Notre-Dame et le drainage par le nord-est avant la deglaciation des exutoires de la Guadeloupe et de la riviere Famine. Les exutoires de Saint-Damien sont associes a des phases glaciolacustres nommees lac glaciaire Chaudiere-Etchemin phase 1 et 2. Un delta a Saint-Raphael temoigne du drainage vers le nord-est de ce plan d'eau vers la Mer de Goldthwait par la Riviere du Sud. Des analyses geochronologiques par luminescence ont ete effectuees sur des sediments de paleorivage dans la region de Megantic et dans la region de Saint-Odilon. Les âges obtenus sont respectivement associes a la perte d'etancheite des masses glaciaires residuelles du centre de la Beauce et au passage entre la phase 1 et 2 du lac glaciaire Chaudiere-Etchemin. Les resultats de ces analyses datent ces evenements a 14.0 ± 1.0 et 12.4 ± 0.9 ka. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLES DE L’AUTEUR : Geologie, Quaternaire, Geomorphologie, lacs proglaciaires, drainage, Tardiglaciaire, riviere Chaudiere, Beauce, luminescence, sediments glaciolacustres, paleorivages