Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tal‐1 induces T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia accelerated by casein kinase IIalpha.

Ectopic activation of the TAL‐1 gene in T lymphocytes occurs in the majority of cases of human T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL), yet experiments to date have failed to demonstrate a direct transforming capability for tal‐1. The tal‐1 gene product is a serine phosphoprotein and basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factor known to regulate embryonic hematopoiesis. We have established a transgenic mouse model in which tal‐1 mis‐expression in the thymus results in the development of clonal T cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. Thus, overexpression of tal‐1 alone can be transforming, verifying its pathogenic role in human T‐ALL. In addition, leukemogenesis is accelerated dramatically by transgenic co‐expression of tal‐1 and the catalytic subunit of casein kinase IIalpha (CKIIalpha), a serine/threonine protein kinase known to modulate the activity of other bHLH transcription factors. Although tal‐1 is a substrate for CKII, the synergy of the tal‐1 and CKIIalpha transgenes appears to be indirect, perhaps mediated through the E protein heterodimeric partners of tal‐1. These studies prove that dysregulated tal‐1 is oncogenic, providing a direct molecular explanation for the malignancies associated with TAL‐1 activation in human T‐ALL.
PowerDepot: Integrating IP-based power modeling with ESL power analysis for multi-core SoC designs

In this paper, we introduce an integrated power methodology for multi-core SoC designs. It features not only a bottom-up IP-based power modeling for all kinds of IP components ranging from hardware accelerators, processors, and memory blocks, but also a top-down system-wide ESL power estimation formulation. By linking these two methods of different levels of abstraction, one can thereby easily profile the power consumption of a multi-core SoC running a complete application while retaining high accuracy of estimation. We have realized the proposed methodology into two software tools: (1) PowerMixerIP, an IP-based power model builder that uses different strategies to build versatile power models for general IPs and processor IPs, and (2) PowerDepot, an ESL power estimation tool that can interact with the users in a simple way and then generate the needed power monitors to be embedded into the ESL design in SystemC for super-fast power estimation so as to facilitate early-stage system-wide power profiling. The application of these tools on a dual-core real-life designs executing an H.264 shows that the average error of the ESL power estimation is less than 2%, while the speedup can be up to 2400X when comparing to gate-level simulation.
The Sample Average Approximation Method for Stochastic Programs with Integer Recourse

This paper develops a solution strategy for two-stage stochastic programs with integer recourse. The proposed methodology relies on approximating the underlying stochastic program via sampling, and solving the approximate problem via a specialized optimization algorithm. We show that the proposed scheme will produce an optimal solution to the true problem with probability approaching one exponentially fast as the sample size is increased. For fixed sample size, we describe statistical and deterministic bounding techniques to validate the quality of a candidate optimal solution. Preliminary computational experience with the method is reported.
Feedback Email Worm Defense System for Enterprise Networks

As email becomes one of the most convenient and indispensable communication mediums in our life, it is very important to protect email users from increasing email worm attacks. In this paper, we present the architecture and system design of a “feedback email worm defense system” to protect email users in enterprise networks. The defense system is flexible and able to integrate many existing detection techniques to provide effective and efficient email worm defense. First, in response to a “detection score” of a detected worm email and information on the possible appearance of a malicious email worm in the global Internet, the defense system adaptively chooses a cost-effective defense action that can range from simply labelling this email to aggressively deleting it from an email server. Second, the system uses “honeypot” [13] to thoroughly detect worm emails received by email servers and also to early detect the presence of an email worm in the global Internet. Third, the defense system implements a “multi-sifting detection” technique and “differential email service” to achieve accurate detection without causing much delay on most emails. Furthermore, the defense system separates email attachments from email texts and saves attachments in separate “attachment caching servers”, which facilitate both email worm detection and email service efficiency.
A web interface for a sound database and processing system

The World Wide Web has brought the possibility of distributing multimedia objects through the Internet, becoming a very interesting platform for the development of innovative music and audio applications. Apart from the explosion of commercial plug-ins and compression techniques aimed at real-time transfer of music and audio data, there are some projects that go beyond that by attempting to use Internet as a musical production environment. In this article we will discuss our view on the technological requirements for an ideal Web-based studio and as a particular application we will show a Web front-end to the Spectral Modeling Synthesis (SMS) system.
Phenotypic variation and persistence of Histoplasma capsulatum yeasts in host cells

Many Histoplasma capsulatum strains spontaneously give rise to variants during broth culture or subsequent to ingestion by epithelial cells. Unlike their parents, these variants are defective in killing macrophages and lack a major cell wall constituent, alpha-(1,3)-glucan. Inside macrophages, where the variants can persist for several weeks, they adopted an unusual morphology strikingly similar to that reported in the tissues of persistently infected humans or animals. These yeasts were often enlarged or misshapen (allomorphic), but were viable. Decreased cytotoxicity for macrophages was more strongly associated with allomorph formation than was the absence of cell wall alpha-(1,3)-glucan. Allomorphs were also formed in rat and mouse resident macrophages, but not in hamster trachea epithelial cells, indicating that host cell type influences the morphology of these yeasts. We propose that during H. capsulatum infection of mammalian hosts, spontaneous variants arise which can be recognized by their unusual morphologies. In contrast with their virulent parents, such variants "peacefully coexist" within macrophages, potentially contributing to the establishment of latency in vivo.
La formació del professorat en educació intercultural

Este articulo senala la importancia que la formacion del profesorado adquiere para introducir y mejorar la practica de la educacion intercultural. Desde una vision realista, se empieza por la dimension legal que vehicula la organizacion del plan de formacion intercultural en Cataluna tanto en las modalidades de formacion inicial como permanente. A continuacion, entra en las grandes orientaciones conceptuales que dominan este ambito y describe como se concretan en los diversos modelos de desarrollo profesional, las areas de conocimiento y posibles estrategias formativas planteadas dentro de los programas de formacion vinculados a los distintos enfoques de la educacion multicultural. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________- L’article insiste sur l’importance de la formation des professeurs pour introduire et ameliorer les pratiques d’education interculturelle. Adoptant un point de vue resolument realiste, l’auteur commence par presenter les dispositions legales qu’entraine le plan de formation culturelle mis en place en Catalogne tant pour ce qui est de la formation initiale que de la formation permanente. Elle presente ensuite les grandes orientations theoriques qui predominent aujourd’hui puis explique comment se concretisent dans les divers modeles de developpement professionnel et selon l’orientation appliquee aux activites d’education multiculturelle, les specialites et les differentes strategies proposees dans les programmes de formation.
Generic rules to evaluate system-failure frequency

Frequency of failure of a system with s-independent components can be obtained from the system availability (unavailability) expression and failure and repair rates of the components. Although, Grouped Variable Inversion is an efficient technique to find the system availability, there is no convenient method to convert the "availability expression obtained by this technique" into an "expression for system-failure frequency. " This paper present generic rules to find system-failure frequency, particularly, when the availability or unavailability expression of a system is obtained using this technique. The rules are straightforward, and produce appreciably shorter expressions for system-failure frequency. Examples illustrate the simplicity and efficiency of the proposed rules.
Patterns of dysmorphic features in schizophrenia.

Congenital dysmorphic features are prevalent in schizophrenia and may reflect underlying neurodevelopmental abnormalities. A cluster analysis approach delineating patterns of dysmorphic features has been used in genetics to classify individuals into more etiologically homogeneous subgroups. In the present study, this approach was applied to schizophrenia, using a sample with a suspected genetic syndrome as a testable model. Subjects (n = 159) with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were ascertained from chronic patient populations (random, n = 123) or referred with possible 22q11 deletion syndrome (referred, n = 36). All subjects were evaluated for presence or absence of 70 reliably assessed dysmorphic features, which were used in a three-step cluster analysis. The analysis produced four major clusters with different patterns of dysmorphic features. Significant between-cluster differences were found for rates of 37 dysmorphic features (P < 0.05), median number of dysmorphic features (P = 0.0001), and validating features not used in the cluster analysis: mild mental retardation (P = 0.001) and congenital heart defects (P = 0.002). Two clusters (1 and 4) appeared to represent more developmental subgroups of schizophrenia with elevated rates of dysmorphic features and validating features. Cluster 1 (n = 27) comprised mostly referred subjects. Cluster 4 (n = 18) had a different pattern of dysmorphic features; one subject had a mosaic Turner syndrome variant. Two other clusters had lower rates and patterns of features consistent with those found in previous studies of schizophrenia. Delineating patterns of dysmorphic features may help identify subgroups that could represent neurodevelopmental forms of schizophrenia with more homogeneous origins.
Diversity in Antioxidant Response Enzymes in Progressive Stages of Human Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which occurs in approximately 17 to 40% of Americans, encompasses progressive stages of liver damage ranging from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Inflammation and oxidative stress are known characteristics of NAFLD; however, the precise mechanisms occurring during disease progression remain unclear. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether the expression or function of enzymes involved in the antioxidant response, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), glutathione transferase (GST), and glutamate cysteine ligase, are altered in the progression of human NAFLD. Human livers staged as normal, steatotic, NASH (fatty), and NASH (not fatty) were obtained from the Liver Tissue Cell Distribution System. NQO1 mRNA, protein, and activity tended to increase with disease progression. mRNA levels of the GST isoforms A1, A2, A4, M3, and P1 increased with NAFLD progression. Likewise, GST A and P protein increased with progression; however, GST M protein levels tended to decrease. Of interest, total GST activity toward the substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene decreased with NAFLD progression. GSH synthesis does not seem to be significantly dysregulated in NAFLD progression; however, the GSH/oxidized glutathione redox ratio seemed to be reduced with disease severity, indicating the presence of oxidative stress and depletion of GSH throughout progression of NAFLD. Malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly increased with disease progression, further indicating the presence of oxidative stress. Nuclear immunohistochemical staining of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), an indicator of activation of the transcription factor, was evident in all stages of NAFLD. The current data suggest that Nrf2 activation occurs in response to disease progression followed by induction of specific Nrf2 targets, whereas functionality of specific antioxidant defense enzymes seems to be impaired as NAFLD progresses.
A Novel Function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC5 in Cytokinesis

Coordination of mitotic exit with timely initiation of cytokinesis is critical to ensure completion of mitotic events before cell division. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae polo kinase Cdc5 functions in a pathway leading to the degradation of mitotic cyclin Clb2, thereby permitting mitotic exit. Here we provide evidence that Cdc5 also plays a role in regulating cytokinesis and that an intact polo-box, a conserved motif in the noncatalytic COOH-terminal domain of Cdc5, is required for this event. Depletion of Cdc5 function leads to an arrest in cytokinesis. Overexpression of the COOH-terminal domain of Cdc5 (cdc5ΔN), but not the corresponding polo-box mutant, resulted in connected cells. These cells shared cytoplasms with incomplete septa, and possessed aberrant septin ring structures. Provision of additional copies of endogenous CDC5 remedied this phenotype, suggesting a dominant-negative inhibition of cytokinesis. The polo-box–dependent interactions between Cdc5 and septins (Cdc11 and Cdc12) and genetic interactions between the dominant-negative cdc5ΔN and Cyk2/Hof1 or Myo1 suggest that direct interactions between cdc5ΔN and septins resulted in inhibition of Cyk2/Hof1- and Myo1-mediated cytokinetic pathways. Thus, we propose that Cdc5 may coordinate mitotic exit with cytokinesis by participating in both anaphase promoting complex activation and a polo-box–dependent cytokinetic pathway.
Work Motivation and Performance: A Social Identity Perspective

Work motivation and performance were analysed from the perspective of social identity theory and self-categorisation theory. Central in this analysis is the relation of organisational identification with the motivation to exert effort on behalf of the collective. A theoretical analysis as well as a review of empirical studies of the relationship of organisational identification with motivation and performance leads to the conclusion that identification is positively related to work motivation, task performance, and contextual performance to the extent that (a) social identity is salient, and (b) high performance is perceived to be in the group’s or organisation’s interest.
Industry-University Collaborations in Canada, Japan, the UK and USA – With Emphasis on Publication Freedom and Managing the Intellectual Property Lock-Up Problem

As industry-university collaborations are promoted to commercialize university research and foster economic growth, it is important to understand how companies benefit from these collaborations, and to ensure that resulting academic discoveries are developed for the benefit of all stakeholders: companies, universities and public. Lock up of inventions, and censoring of academic publications, should be avoided if feasible. This case-study analysis of interviews with 90 companies in Canada, Japan, the UK and USA assesses the scope of this challenge and suggests possible resolutions. The participating companies were asked to describe an important interaction with universities, and most described collaborative research. The most frequently cited tensions concerned intellectual property management and publication freedom. IP disagreements were most frequent in the context of narrowly-focused collaborations with American universities. However, in the case of exploratory research, companies accepted the IP management practices of US universities. It might make sense to let companies have an automatic exclusive license to IP from narrowly defined collaborations, but to encourage universities to manage inventions from exploratory collaborations to ensure development incentives. Although Canada, the UK and US have strong publication freedom guarantees, tensions over this issue arose frequently in focused collaborations, though were rare in exploratory collaborations. The UK Lambert Agreements give sponsors the option to control publications in return for paying the full economic cost of a project. This may offer a model for the other three countries. Uniquely among the four countries, Japan enables companies to control exclusively most collaborative inventions and to censor academic publications. Despite this high degree of control, the interviews suggest many companies do not develop university discoveries to their full potential. The steps suggested above may rebalance the situation in Japan. Overall, the interviews reveal the complexity of these issues and the need for flexibility on the part of universities and companies.
Functional computation as concurrent computation

We investigate functional computation as a special form of concurrent computation. As formal basis, we use a uniformly confluent core of the ¿-calculus, which is also contained in models of higher-order concurrent constraint programming. We embed the call-by-need and the call-by-value ¿-calculus into the ¿-calculus. We prove that call-by-need complexity is dominated by call-by-value complexity. In contrast to the recently proposed call-by-need ¿-calculus, our concurrent call-by-need model incorporates mutual recursion and can be extended to cyclic data structures by means of constraints.
Characterization of a trimeric light-harvesting complex in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum built of FcpA and FcpE proteins

Fucoxanthin chlorophyll proteins (Fcps), the light-harvesting antennas of heterokont algae, are encoded by a multigene family and are highly similar with respect to their molecular masses as well as to their pigmentation, making it difficult to purify single Fcps. In this study, a hexa-histidine tag was genetically added to the C-terminus of the FcpA protein of the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. A transgenic strain expressing the recombinant His-tagged FcpA protein in addition to the endogenous wild type Fcps was created. This strategy allowed, for the first time, the purification of a specific, stable trimeric Fcp complex. In addition, a pool of various trimeric Fcps was also purified from the wild-type cells using sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and gel filtration. In both the His-tagged and the wild-type Fcps, excitation energy coupling between fucoxanthin and chlorophyll a was intact and the existence of a chlorophyll a/fucoxanthin excitonic dimer was demonstrated using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Mass spectrometric analyses of the trimeric His-tagged complex indicated that it is composed of FcpA and FcpE polypeptides. It is confirmed here that a trimer is the basic organizational unit of Fcps in P. tricornutum. From circular dichroism spectra, it is proposed that the organization of the pigments on the polypeptide backbone of Fcps is a conserved feature in the case of chlorophyll a/c containing algae.
Without Child: Challenging the Stigma of Childlessness

In a society in which most women grow up thinking they will become mothers-and in which many women go to great lengths to make that desire a reality -- not having a child is often met with incredulity and scorn. But as the author of this thoughtful and meticulously researched examination of childlessness points out, childless women are part of an ancient and respectable cultural tradition that includes biblical matriarchs, celibate saints, and nineteenth-century social reformers.
Echolocation in Oilbirds and swiftlets

The discovery of ultrasonic bat echolocation prompted a wide search for other animal biosonar systems, which yielded, among few others, two avian groups. One, the South American Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis: Caprimulgiformes), is nocturnal and eats fruit. The other is a selection of diurnal, insect-eating swiftlets (species in the genera Aerodramus and Collocalia: Apodidae) from across the Indo-Pacific. Bird echolocation is restricted to lower frequencies audible to humans, implying a system of poorer resolution than the ultrasonic (>20 kHz) biosonar of most bats and toothed whales. As such, bird echolocation has been labeled crude or rudimentary. Yet, echolocation is found in at least 16 extant bird species and has evolved several times in avian lineages. Birds use their syringes to produce broadband click-type biosonar signals that allow them to nest in dark caves and tunnels, probably with less predation pressure. There are ongoing discrepancies about several details of bird echolocation, from signal design to the question about whether echolocation is used during foraging. It remains to be seen if bird echolocation is as sophisticated as that of tongue-clicking rousette bats. Bird echolocation performance appears to be superior to that of blind humans using signals of notable similarity. However, no apparent specializations have been found so far in the birds' auditory system (from middle ear to higher processing centers). The advent of light-weight recording equipment and custom software for examining signals and reconstructing flight paths now provides the potential to study the echolocation behavior of birds in more detail and resolve such issues.
Contemporary Mathematics On some spectral problems of mathematical physics

The article contains a brief survey of some spectral problems of mathematical physics that have been arising recently in optics, mesoscopic systems, quantum chaos, and other areas. In particular, problems of photonic crystal theory, waveguides, and quantum graphs are addressed. This text is a modified version of the lectures delivered at the Pan-American Advanced Studies Institute (PASI) on Partial Differential Equations, Inverse Problems and Non-Linear Analysis, January 6-18, 2003, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Unlocking the molecular archive: the emerging use of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue for biomarker research in urological cancer

Rapid developments have been made in identifying predictive and prognostic markers in urological cancers. Most biomarker profiling has been primarily conducted in fresh‐frozen tissue taken at the time of diagnosis or surgery. The disadvantage of this process is that the sampled tissue might not be entirely representative of the tumour and there is a lack of adequate numbers and follow‐up to make clear conclusions as to a biomarker’s prognostic potential. Formalin fixation and paraffin embedding (FFPE) is the clinical standard for preparing samples for histopathological assessment; this preserves tissue architecture and allows the storage of diagnostic and surplus tissue in archival banks. This resource represents a vast repository of tissue material with a long‐term clinical follow‐up. With the advent of high‐throughput profiling technologies, there is a unique opportunity to screen and comprehensively evaluate many biomarkers. Such studies require the large sample numbers and outcome data which is a key feature of archival FFPE tissue. However, the process of FFPE induces chemical changes and degradation in tissue DNA, RNA and protein, which can make subsequent analysis unreliable. Recently, several technical advances have been made to overcome the degrading effects of FFPE. This review highlights the key advances that are beginning to allow the use of FFPE archives for molecular biomarker profiling.