Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Analysis of Putative Adhesion Factors in Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM

ABSTRACT Lactobacilli are major inhabitants of the normal microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, and some select species have been used extensively as probiotic cultures. One potentially important property of these organisms is their ability to interact with epithelial cells in the intestinal tract, which may promote retention and host-bacterial communication. However, the mechanisms by which they attach to intestinal epithelial cells are unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate cell surface proteins in Lactobacillus acidophilus that may promote attachment to intestinal tissues. Using genome sequence data, predicted open reading frames were searched against known protein and protein motif databases to identify four proteins potentially involved in adhesion to epithelial cells. Homologous recombination was used to construct isogenic mutations in genes encoding a mucin-binding protein, a fibronectin-binding protein, a surface layer protein, and two streptococcal R28 homologs. The abilities of the mutants to adhere to intestinal epithelial cells were then evaluated in vitro. Each strain was screened on Caco-2 cells, which differentiate and express markers characteristic of normal small-intestine cells. A significant decrease in adhesion was observed in the fibronectin-binding protein mutant (76%) and the mucin-binding protein mutant (65%). A surface layer protein mutant also showed reduction in adhesion ability (84%), but the effect of this mutation is likely due to the loss of multiple surface proteins that may be embedded in the S-layer. This study demonstrated that multiple cell surface proteins in L. acidophilus NCFM can individually contribute to the organism's ability to attach to intestinal cells in vitro.
Histopathological and clonal study of combined lobular and ductal carcinoma of the breast

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) clinically constitutes a risk factor for the subsequent development of either invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) or invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). In order to approach the possibility of this common precursor of both ILC and IDC, we investigated combined lobular and ductal carcinomas. Thirty‐two cases of lobular carcinoma were picked up out of 773 cases of operated breast carcinomas. The histopathological detailed re‐examination using immunostain of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin revealed a rather high frequency of combined lobular carcinomas than previous reports. Clinicopathologically, combined lobular carcinomas were younger and smaller than pure lobular carcinomas, and the cytological atypia was relatively low. These results suggested that combined lobular carcinomas could be detected in the earlier stage of breast cancer. Furthermore, the lobular and ductal components of combined carcinomas coexisted in the neighborhood and were distributed contiguously. The immunohistochemical phenotypes of both components were accorded in most combined cases. A genetic analysis using methylation‐specific PCR on the HUMARA gene demonstrated that the same allele was inactivated in both lobular and ductal components in all detectable cases of combined carcinoma. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that both lobular and ductal components of combined carcinomas are clonal and derived from the LCIS as the common precursor lesion, which may contradict the conventional concept that the lobular and ductal carcinomas arise from distinct differentiation pathways.
A modified FSLMS algorithm for nonlinear ANC

By analyzing the theory of functional link artificial neural network (FLANN) structure based on filtered-s least mean square (FSLMS) algorithm which is usually used in the nonlinear active noise control (NANC) system, it can be found that the controller coefficients of nonlinear parts are multiple related, this problem causes much unbalance to calculate these coefficients and restraints the performance of FSLMS algorithm. To solve this issue, a modified FSLMS (MFSLMS) algorithm is proposed in this paper, it can weaken these multiple relationships greatly by adding a corrective filter before trigonometric expansion. Compared with conventional FSLMS algorithm and its other improved versions, MFSLMS algorithm not only performs better on noise cancellation, but also has less computational complexity. Extensive simulations are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Proteomic response to elevated PCO2 level in eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica: evidence for oxidative stress

SUMMARY Estuaries are characterized by extreme fluctuations in CO2 levels due to bouts of CO2 production by the resident biota that exceed its capacity of CO2 consumption and/or the rates of gas exchange with the atmosphere and open ocean waters. Elevated partial pressures of CO2 (PCO2; i.e. environmental hypercapnia) decrease the pH of estuarine waters and, ultimately, extracellular and intracellular pH levels of estuarine organisms such as mollusks that have limited capacity for pH regulation. We analyzed proteomic changes associated with exposure to elevated PCO2 in the mantle tissue of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) after 2 weeks of exposure to control (∼39 Pa PCO2) and hypercapnic (∼357 Pa PCO2) conditions using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry. Exposure to high PCO2 resulted in a significant proteome shift in the mantle tissue, with 12% of proteins (54 out of 456) differentially expressed under the high PCO2 compared with control conditions. Of the 54 differentially expressed proteins, we were able to identify 17. Among the identified proteins, two main functional categories were upregulated in response to hypercapnia: those associated with the cytoskeleton (e.g. several actin isoforms) and those associated with oxidative stress (e.g. superoxide dismutase and several peroxiredoxins as well as the thioredoxin-related nucleoredoxin). This indicates that exposure to high PCO2 (∼357 Pa) induces oxidative stress and suggests that the cytoskeleton is a major target of oxidative stress. We discuss how elevated CO2 levels may cause oxidative stress by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) either indirectly by lowering organismal pH, which may enhance the Fenton reaction, and/or directly by CO2 interacting with other ROS to form more free radicals. Although estuarine species are already exposed to higher and more variable levels of CO2 than other marine species, climate change may further increase the extremes and thereby cause greater levels of oxidative stress.
Dynamically Balanced and Plausible Trajectories for Human-Like Robots

We present a motion planning algorithm to automatically compute dynamically balanced and plausible trajectories for human-like, acyclic locomotion in cluttered environments. To address the combinatorial complexity of the problem, we decompose it into two non trivial subproblems : first, to generate a discrete, acyclic, sequence of balanced contact configurations that characterize the motion; then, to extend this sequence into a continuous, dynamically balanced trajectory. The contact planning phase is achieved using a low dimensional motion planner, that computes a guide path for the root of the robot. Thanks to a reachability condition, this path can be easily mapped into a sequence of balanced contacts, selected using heuristics that enhance the robustness and task compatibility of the postures. A trajectory optimization scheme is then used to extend the sequence into a collision free and dynamically balanced trajectory. Plausibility is further enhanced using relevant cost functions, such as jerk minimization. We highlight the performance of our planner which computes dynamically balanced and plausible motions on challenging human-like motion scenarios.
Scaling Theorems for Zero Crossings

We characterize some properties of the zero crossings of the Laplacian of signals¿in particular images¿filtered with linear filters, as a function of the scale of the filter (extending recent work by Witkin [16]). We prove that in any dimension the only filter that does not create generic zero crossings as the scale increases is the Gaussian. This result can be generalized to apply to level crossings of any linear differential operator: it applies in particular to ridges and ravines in the image intensity. In the case of the second derivative along the gradient, there is no filter that avoids creation of zero crossings, unless the filtering is performed after the derivative is applied.
Variability in the prevalence of premenstrual asthma

Our aim is to analyse the differences in the prevalence of premenstrual asthma (PMA) according to a set of criteria, the relationship between them and the influence of asthma severity. The answer "Yes" to "Does your asthma get worse before menstruation? " was considered subjective PMA. A daily respiratory symptoms register of fertile asthmatic females was taken during two consecutive menstrual cycles. For the semi-objective diagnosis, an exacerbation of > or =20% was required in the symptoms register. Objective diagnosis was a premenstrual worsening of > or =20% of peak flow. We selected 103 patients. Subjective premenstrual deterioration was perceived in 43.7%. The semi-objective deterioration of symptoms in the first cycle occurred in 44.7%, and in 22.3% in both cycles. A total of 54.3% of females with semi-objective criteria in the first cycle perceived a subjective deterioration of symptoms, versus 35.1% of those without semi-objective criteria (p = 0.05). PMA was present at all levels of asthma severity, with no clear link to the degree of severity. The detection of PMA prevalence, the subjective perception of this deterioration and its presence at all levels of asthma severity lead us to urge research into possible premenstrual deterioration in all fertile asthmatic females.
The Mathematical Aspects in Art to Create Decorative Effect in Design Patterns

Mathematics is not just about formulas and logic; instead it can be used to express beauty and shapes through patterns, symmetry and arrangements. With the assistance of mathematics, artists can achieve new heights in the field of designing. The linkage between design art and Mathematics provides the background to this work. The work involves the art and style shaped in the handicraft sector, in which the designs are originated in the geometric aesthetic. This work pivots on how the mathematics, algorithms and technology have been applied to produce traditional design patterns in the sense of artist.
A computational method for optimizing storage placement to maximize power network reliability

The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources challenges the power network reliability. However, these challenges can be alleviated by incorporating energy storage devices into the network. We develop a computational technique which can find the optimal storage placement in the network with stochastic power injections, subject to minimizing a reliability index: the probability of a line current violation. We use the simulated annealing algorithm to minimize this probability under the variation of storage locations and capacities in the network, keeping the total storage capacity constant. In order to estimate the small probabilities of line current violations we use the splitting technique of rare-event simulation. We construct an appropriate importance function for splitting which enhances the efficiency of the probability estimator compared to the conventional Crude Monte Carlo estimator. As an illustration, we apply our method to the IEEE-14 bus network.
Nanodispenser for attoliter volume deposition using atomic force microscopy probes modified by focused-ion-beam milling

In this letter, we describe the on-demand dispensing of single liquid droplets with volumes down to a few attoliters and submicrometric spacing. This dispensing is achieved using a standard atomic force microscope probe, with a 200 nm aperture at the tip apex, opened by focused ion beam milling. The inside of the tip is used as reservoir for the liquid. This maskless dispensing, realized in ambient environment, permits the direct creation of droplet arrays. Nanoparticles, suspended in the liquid, were organized on a surface.
Effect of ticagrelor on the serum level of hs-CRP, ESM-1 and short-term prognosis of patients with acute STEMI

The aim of the present study was to observe and investigate the changes in the serum level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), the endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) and short-term prognosis of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by ticagrelor. We enrolled 107 patients with acute STEMI who were admitted in the Department of Cardiology for the first time with occurrence of symptoms, and we successfully performed emergency operation of percutaneous coronary intervention. The patients were divided into two groups, 54 patients in the ticagrelor group (treatment group) and 53 patients in the clopidogrel group (control group), according to the administration of ticagrelor or clopidogrel in dual anti-platelet therapy. Then, we observed the changes at the time of admission, at 24 h, and 4th and 7th day after administration and investigated the correlations between them and the effect of ticagrelor on the short-term prognosis of acute STEMI patients. Significant increases of the serum levels of hs-CRP and ESM-1 were seen in patients of the two groups 24 h after administration of drugs with statistically significant differences between the groups (P<0.05), and on the 4th and 7th day we found a downward trend with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The level of ESM-1 enhanced the increase of hs-CRP, indicating there was a positive correlation between ESM-1 and hs-CRP (r=0.535, P<0.001). A comparison of the occurrence rates of ischemic outcome event, bleeding and overall adverse events between the two groups yielded no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that ticagrelor can reduce the prevalence of inflammatory reactions rapidly and stabilize the functions of vascular endothelium to improve the stability of atherosclerosis plaque and decrease the occurrence rate of thrombosis as well as ischemic outcome event without any obvious increase in the risk of bleeding. Thus, ticagrelor should be recommended in clinical practices for the treatment of patients with STEMI.
Adding deductive logic to a COTS spreadsheet

Abstract We exploit the spreadsheet metaphor to make deductive problem-solving methods available to the vast population of spreadsheet end-users. In particular, we show how the function-based problem-solving capabilities of spreadsheets can be extended to include logical deductive methods in a way that is consistent with the existing spreadsheet ‘look and feel’. The foundation of our approach is the integration of a standard deductive logic system into a successful Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) spreadsheet. We have demonstrated this by designing and implementing an extension to Excel that manages the integration of Excel and a deductive logic engine based on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standard ontology language OWL + SWRL.
Modeling of load during and after system faults based on actual field data

Appropriately modeling load characteristics is important for power system analysis, in particular for voltage instability phenomena. Load modeling is becoming ever more important with the increasing penetration of power electronic based loads. In order to improve the process and accuracy of power system planning and to be able to make rational and economical decisions based on studies, appropriate load models for planning studies are critical. Thus, to improve load modeling, a study based on actual field data was carried out and is described in this paper.
Adaptación transcultural de la escala Caregivers Quality Of Life Index-Cancer para cuidadores en Colombia

espanolIntroduccion: La mayoria de las escalas que evaluan la calidad de vida en cuidadores de pacientes oncologicos han sido elaboradas y validadas en idiomas diferentes al espanol, lo cual disuade su uso en poblacion hispano-hablante. La escala Caregiver Quality Of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC), que evalua este constructo en este grupo poblacional, es el instrumento mas empleado para tal fin; sin embargo, no se encuentra validada en Colombia. Considerando la relevancia de la evaluacion de este constructo en el tratamiento integral de la poblacion con cancer, se presenta la traduccion y adaptacion transcultural al espanol colombiano de la escala CQOLC, para su posterior validacion. Materiales y Metodos: Tras obtener el permiso del autor de la escala, esta se tradujo directa e inversamente. Luego, se ejecuto la prueba piloto con una version provisional en espanol, que identifico dificultades en la comprension de los items o posibles molestias provocadas por los mismos. Resultados: La prueba piloto se ejecuto en 21 cuidadores de pacientes con cancer que asistieron al Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia en mayo del 2016. Durante la prueba piloto, se presentaron dificultades en la comprension del item 5, por lo cual se decidio cambiar la redaccion del mismo. El resto de los items se comprendieron facilmente y se produjo una version final del instrumento. Conclusion: Se encuentra disponible la escala CQOLC en espanol colombiano. Esta escala podra emplearse en el proceso subsiguiente de validacion, para asi estimar la calidad de vida de los cuidadores de pacientes con cancer en el pais. EnglishIntroduction: Most of the scales that evaluate quality of life in cancer caregivers have been designed and validated in different languages from Spanish which limits their utilization in Spanish-speaking population. The Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC), which evaluated this construct in this specific group, is the most commonly used instrument in assessing quality of life among cancer caregivers. However, it is neither validated in Colombia nor in Spanish. Considering the relevance of this construct as part of the comprehensive treatment of cancer patients, we present the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the scale into Colombian Spanish. Methods: We obtained the author’s permission. Then, the instrument was translated and back-translated. After that, we executed a pilot test with a provisional Spanish version, in order to identify difficulties at understanding items. Results: Pilot test was executed in 21 cancer caregivers that visited the Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia in May of 2016. During the pilot test, there was difficulty at understanding the 5th item of the scale. Therefore, we paraphrased it. There were not additional problems at understanding the other items, and the final Spanish version of the scale was released. Conclusion: The CQOLC in Colombian Spanish is available. Now, it is possible to use it in the ulterior validation process, in order to estimate quality of life in Colombian cancer caregivers.
Mass enhances speed but diminishes turn capacity in terrestrial pursuit predators

The dynamics of predator-prey pursuit appears complex, making the development of a framework explaining predator and prey strategies problematic. We develop a model for terrestrial, cursorial predators to examine how animal mass modulates predator and prey trajectories and affects best strategies for both parties. We incorporated the maximum speed-mass relationship with an explanation of why larger animals should have greater turn radii; the forces needed to turn scale linearly with mass whereas the maximum forces an animal can exert scale to a 2/3 power law. This clarifies why in a meta-analysis, we found a preponderance of predator/prey mass ratios that minimized the turn radii of predators compared to their prey. It also explained why acceleration data from wild cheetahs pursuing different prey showed different cornering behaviour with prey type. The outcome of predator prey pursuits thus depends critically on mass effects and the ability of animals to time turns precisely. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.06487. 001
Evolution of Hierarchical Controllers for Multirobot Systems

Decentralized control for multirobot systems is difficult to design by hand because the behavioral rules for individual robots cannot, in general, be derived from a desired collective behavior. System designers have therefore resorted to evolutionary computation as a means to heuristically synthesize self-organized behaviors for robot collectives. Evolutionary computation is typically applied by putting the rules governing the individual robots under evolutionary control and by assigning fitness scores based on collective performance. Scaling evolutionary approaches to complex tasks has, however, proven challenging due to issues related to bootstrapping and premature convergence. In this paper, we show how hierarchical task decomposition and the combination of evolved and preprogrammed control can overcome these issues. We apply our approach to a complex multirobot task that requires a high degree of coordination and collective decision making, and we synthesize controllers capable of solving the task.
Second‐Language Reading Difficulties Among Native Chinese‐Speaking Students Learning to Read English: The Roles of Native‐ and Second‐Language Skills

The authors report two studies that examined how native- and second-language skills were related to second-language reading difficulties for native Chinese-speaking fourth graders learning to read English. In study 1, 50 poor English readers with Chinese-reading difficulties (the PB group) and 34 poor English readers without Chinese-reading difficulties (the PE group) were compared with 53 typically developing controls on phonological awareness, rapid naming, and phonological memory. Results showed that both groups of poor English readers showed English phonemic awareness and rapid naming deficits in both languages and that the PB group had additional skill deficits in English onset-rime awareness and phonological memory in both languages. In study 2, 69 poor English readers (25 in the PE group) trained on English phonological skills were compared with 43 typically developing controls before the training, right after, and one year later. Results showed that poor English readers caught up with their typically developing peers on English phonemic awareness irrespective of their Chinese-reading status and that the PE group also caught up on English pseudoword reading and retained their gains one year later. After one year, about one third of the PE group performed comparably to their typically developing peers not only on English reading performance but also on bilingual language skills. However, the majority of the poor English readers persistently showed poor performance in English reading and phonemic awareness, as well as in Chinese and English rapid naming. Findings highlight both language-universal and specific skill deficits contributing to second-language reading difficulties.
Academic Performance Predictors

The ability to predict one's academic performance is a great asset for both the students and the institution administrators. For the students, they can adjust workload, career direction, etc. If they are aware of their capability. For the administrators and instructors, early warnings would facilitate intervention thus enabling a more successful academic environment. In addition, institutional resources can be utilized in an optimal way thus gaining operation efficiency. This work surveys existing literature in student academic performance prediction. Parameters used for predictions are examined. Useful predictors are identified.