Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Model Simulation of the Adaptive Evolution through Mutation of the Coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi Based on a Published Laboratory Study

We expect the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems to change over this century in response to changes in key ocean variables associated with a changing climate. Organisms with generation times from years to decades have the capacity to adapt to changing environmental conditions over a few generations by selecting from existing genotypes/phenotypes, but it is unlikely that evolution through mutation will be a major factor for organisms with generation times of years to decades. However, phytoplankton and other microbes, with generation times of days or less, experience hundreds of generations each year, allowing the possibility for favorable mutations (i.e., those that produce organisms with fitness maxima nearer to the environmental conditions at that time) to dominate existing genotypes and survive in a changing climate. Several laboratories have grown phytoplankton cultures for hundreds to thousands of generations and demonstrated that they have changed genetic makeup. In particular Schluter et al (2014) grew replicates derived from a single cell of Emiliania huxleyi, a coccolithophorid with broad geographical and thermal range, for 3 years (~1250 generations) at 15°C, and then for a year at 26.3°C, near their upper thermal limit. During the last year the intrinsic growth rate increased more or less linearly, which the authors attribute to genetic mutation. Here we simulate genetic mutation of a single trait (intrinsic growth rate), both for the control phase and the warm phase of their study. We consider sensitivities to frequency of mutation, changes with temperature in intrinsic growth rate, and use the experimental setup and results to place constraints on the way mutations occur. In particular, all numerical experiments with mutation result in a lag time ~30-140 generations before a significant increase in realized growth rate occurs. This lag after a favorable mutation results from the number of generations required for a single favorable mutant cell to reach a significant fraction of the ~105 cells in the culture. A numerical experiment that includes a simple plastic response formulation shows that plasticity could remove this lag and yield results more in agreement with those observed in the laboratory study.
Regulation by interleukin 2 of interleukin 2 receptors and gamma-interferon synthesis by human thymocytes: augmentation of interleukin 2 receptors by interleukin 2.

The role of interleukin 2 (IL 2) on the expression of IL 2 receptors and on the synthesis of gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) by human thymocytes was investigated. Human thymocytes isolated from specimens obtained during cardiac surgery of infants and children were induced with one or all of the following agents: IL 2, concanavalin A (Con A), and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The expression of IL 2 receptors and gamma-IFN titers were determined. The results indicate that thymocytes cultured in complete medium do not express receptors for IL 2, nor did IL 2 by itself induce the expression of IL 2 receptors. Con A induced the expression of IL 2 receptors by a moderate number of the thymocyte population and induced the synthesis of low amounts of gamma-IFN. Preincubation of thymocytes with TPA increased the response to Con A; both the number of thymocytes expressing receptors and the synthesis of gamma-IFN were increased. Addition of IL 2 to these cultures further augmented the expression of IL 2 receptors and gamma-IFN synthesis and resulted in the optimal expression of IL 2 receptors and maximal gamma-IFN synthesis. The expression of IL 2 receptors could be detected within 24 hr and preceded the induction of proliferation; it was therefore probably not due to the clonal expansion of a population of receptor-bearing thymocytes. Conversely, inhibition of IL 2 synthesis with dexamethasone (Dex) by thymocytes activated with Con A, or inhibition of the function of IL 2 receptors by anti-Tac, resulted in a decrease in the number of IL 2 receptor-bearing thymocytes activated with Con A, or inhibition of the function of IL 2 receptors by anti-Tac, resulted in a decrease in the number of IL 2 receptor-bearing thymocytes and of gamma-IFN synthesis. Thymocytes activated with TPA and Con A were more resistant to the inhibitory effects of Dex on the expression of IL 2 receptors than thymocytes activated with Con A alone. Maximal inhibition of the expression of IL 2 receptors and of gamma-IFN synthesis was achieved as a result of the synergistic effect of anti-Tac with Dex. Therefore, when IL 2 was prevented from binding to the receptors, and IL 2 synthesis was inhibited, the number of thymocytes expressing IL 2 receptors was sharply reduced and gamma-IFN synthesis was markedly inhibited. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Na-Ca exchange and tension development in arterial smooth muscle.

Replacement of external NaCl by LiCl, choline chloride or sucrose increased tension of rabbit aortic strips and pulmonary arteries despite little change in membrane potential. The Ca content of the aortic strips increased concomitantly with the tension development. A two- to threefold increment in 45Ca influx could be measured when external Na was removed. 45Ca efflux decreased in Na-free, Ca-free solutions where little or no tension developed and increased in Na-free, Ca-containing solution concomitantly with the increase in tension. The possible significance of a Ca transport mechanism in the cell membrane which depends on Na and Ca (Na-Ca exchange) for the regulation of vascular tone is discussed.
Synthesis and characterization of polydopamine modified carbon nanotube (CNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have found enormous applicability in most areas of science and engineering because of their excellent electronic and thermal conductivity and mechanical properties. In this study, we prepared polydopamine modified CNT/Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites with CNTs possessing different lengths to achieve higher thermal conductivity. We used thermal conductivity meter (Hot disk), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and contact angle goniometer to determine the thermal conductivity, morphology, thermal stability, and wettability, respectively, of the CNT/PDMS composites. We founded that the long-CNT/PDMS composite possessed better electronic and thermal conductivity than the short-CNT/PDMS composite. We also founded that the polydopamine modification could enhance hydrophilicity and surface free energy of CNT/PDMS composites.
A spatial image rejection filter based on miniaturized-element FSS for J-band radar applications

In this article, a single-face, membrane-supported, miniaturized-element frequency selective surface (MEFSS) for suppressing the image response of a J-band upconvertor mixer is presented. In this design, a new miniaturized-element patch-wire MEFSS configuration is proposed to select the upper-side band (USB) response of a wave radiated from an upconvertor. The proposed MEFSS produces a single pole and an adjacent transmission zero to suppress the lower sideband. It is shown that the frequency response of this MEFSS can be designed readily using an equivalent circuit model. MEFSS elements are supported and protected by a 10μm thick low-loss polymer membrane which allows flexible handling and minimizes substrate losses. The membrane-supported MEFSS is fabricated using wafer microfabrication technology. Experimental results show that transmission response has 0.6 dB insertion loss in the passband (221-223 GHz) and more than 25 dB rejection out-of-band (206-208 GHz) which is in good agreement with full-wave simulation and its circuit model prediction.
Managing information overload on large enterprise systems

Managers and operators of modern enterprise IT environments are faced with the daunting task of monitoring hundreds of thousands of interconnected elements, from individual hardware components and virtualized applications, to logical business services. Research results [1] and anecdotal evidence from network administrators indicate that common visualization techniques used to represent networks do not scale well for large dynamic environments and viewers can suffer from information overload. We interviewed managers and operators of an enterprise IT environment regarding the challenges they face when dealing with large and complex systems, how they manage to work around those problems and how well visualization tools support their workflow. Our results show the strategies used by participants to limit the effects of information overload and apply them in the design a new visualization metaphor for navigation on complex environments.
Flow cytometric analysis of breast cancer resistance protein expression and function.

BACKGROUND The breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) half-transporter that mediates energy-dependent drug efflux. Assessing the clinical relevance of the BCRP will require sensitive and specific methods for detecting its expression and function that allow high-volume specimen throughput and employ widely available instrumentation. METHODS The BXP-34 and BXP-21 monoclonal antibodies were evaluated for flow cytometric detection of BCRP expression. The modulation of efflux of rhodamine-123, 3,3'-diethyloxacarbocyanine iodide, doxorubicin, and mitoxantrone by fumitremorgin C was studied as an assay for BCRP function in BCRP-overexpressing cell lines and controls. RESULTS BXP-34 and BXP-21 allowed detection of BCRP expression by flow cytometry in all BCRP-expressing cell lines. Mitoxantrone was the only substrate transported by BCRP in all lines, and with mitoxantrone at a 3-microM concentration, light emission (>670 nm) caused by excitation at 488 nm was sufficiently intense to allow detection of differences in retention associated with low levels of BCRP expression. CONCLUSIONS Immunophenotyping with BXP-21 or BXP-34 and fumitremorgin C modulation of mitoxantrone retention allow detection of BCRP expression and function by flow cytometry with standard instrumentation. These assays will facilitate determination of the role of BCRP in clinical drug resistance.
Monitoring the New Antithrombotic Drugs

Today there is a diverse group of anticoagulant and antithrombotic drugs available that includes warfarin derivatives, heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, thrombin inhibitors, factor Xa inhibitors, and various antiplatelet agents. Many of these new drugs do not alter measurable blood coagulation parameters, yet they are effective antithrombotic agents through their actions on vascular endothelial cells and proteins. Thus, these new agents do not affect the traditional clot-based prothrombin time/International Normalized Ratio (PT/INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) tests, and monitoring and standardization require the development of new methods. In addition to clot-based assays, chromogenic assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), flow cytometry, and other techniques have been used to monitor these new drugs. On the other hand, some of the new antithrombotic drugs do affect the PT, aPTT, and activated clotting time (ACT); however, they behave differently from the warfarin derivatives and heparin. The traditionally used relationship of target time to clot values and INR to clinical effect cannot necessarily be transferred to the new drugs. Unfortunately, monitoring is not as simple as it was for warfarin and heparin. Although the new antithrombotic drugs have been approved for clinical use, assay systems for monitoring most of them are still in development or have not been clinically validated. This applies to each of the clinical settings targeted for prophylaxis, treatment, or interventional procedures (i.e., high- and low-dosing regimens typically require different monitoring methods). In addition to basic monitoring, other issues such as sensitivity of the drug to different laboratory monitoring reagents and instrumentation, drug combination monitoring, and patient-related factors that contribute to the variability of the results still need to be addressed.
Dual results for LPV systems

We face the problem of stabilizing Linear Parameter Varying systems by means of Gain Scheduling Control. This technique consists on designing a controller which is able to update its parameters on-line according to the variations of the plant parameters. We first consider the state feedback case and we show a design procedure based on the construction of a Lyapunov function for discrete-time LPV systems in which the parameter variations are affine and occur in the state matrix only Then we show that this procedure has a dual version which leads to the construction of a linear gain scheduling observer. The two procedures may be combined to derive an observer-based gain scheduling compensator.
Genetic and clinical identification of Parkinson's disease patients with LRRK2 G2019S mutation

122 patients, we identified 5 patients with an FMR1 premutation and in 4 of them a definite diagnosis of fragile X– associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) could be made, based on the proposed diagnostic criteria for FXTAS. We proposed based on these results to include FMR1 analysis in the molecular diagnostic workup in the group of older male ataxia patients. Earlier this year, Hagerman and colleagues reported five female carriers of the FMR1 premutation who also presented with the cardinal symptoms of tremor and ataxia and thus proving the occurrence of FXTAS in the female population. This prompted us to perform FMR1 premutation screening in female subjects, referred to us for testing of the spinocerebellar ataxia genes and who were found to be negative for the expansion (SCA1, 2, 3, 6, 7). We selected all female probands with ataxia who were 50 years or older at time of referral. In this group of 131 females, we did not detect a single ataxia patient with an FMR1 premutation. All repeat alleles were within the range of 10 to 49. Compared with our study in male subjects, with the same ascertainment and referral strategy, this result is significantly different but not surprising. Previous reports already suggested that FXTAS occurs less frequently in female subjects than in male subjects and that the phenotype is milder with older age at onset. The presence of a second normal allele and random X-inactivation might explain this milder phenotype, that may not be severe enough to warrant clinical attention. Moreover, it is likely that female premutation carriers are identified at an earlier age because of their risk of their premutation allele causing a full-mutation allele and an affected child and because of the increased occurrence of premature ovarian failure. Therefore, should one screen for the FMR1 premutation in the older females presenting with ataxia? In a similar study, Zühlke and colleagues recently identified in a group of 241 females, after exclusion of SCA expansions, a 73-year-old woman with 84 repeats and FXTAS. Taking together their and our results, it is clear that the FMR1 premutation is not a major cause of late-onset ataxia in female subjects but should be excluded especially when additional FXTAS symptoms are present. Surprisingly, in their study none of the 269 male patients was found to be affected by FXTAS. These results probably reflect a difference in referral policy and ascertainment. Nevertheless, we believe that further FMR1 screening in the late-onset ataxia population is needed to obtain a better insight in the prevalence of this disorder, as well as to better delineate the differences in clinical course, age of onset, and allele sizes, in the female and the male FXTAS population. The important counseling aspects and the identification of several new, mostly female, fragile X patients in the families of the five identified FXTAS male subjects further justifies this screening.
A self-organized communication efficient clustering algorithm in wireless sensor networks

Recent years have witnessed increased interest in the potential use of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in applications such as disaster management, border protection and so on. WSNs have also gained interest in smart grid deployment which is one of the most interesting research areas of next decade. To support scalability of the sensor network, nodes are often grouped into disjoint and mostly non-overlapping clusters. The ultimate purpose of the clustering algorithm is to reduce communication cost and increase manageability throughout the network. This paper presents a clustering algorithm, in which the cluster heads autonomously distribute (replicate and migrate) within a WSN to optimize the network resource usage. The algorithm achieves a coordinated global cluster head placement pattern that minimizes the communication costs without any central controller.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells: their role in the pathophysiology of hematologic malignancies and potential as therapeutic targets

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells at various stages of differentiation/maturation that have a role in cancer induction and progression. They function as vasculogenic and immunosuppressive cells, utilizing multiple mechanisms to block both innate and adaptive anti-tumor immunity. Recently, their mechanism of action and clinical importance have been defined, and the cross-talk between myeloid cells and cancer cells has been shown to contribute to tumor induction, progression, metastasis and tolerance. In this review, we focus on the role of MDSCs in hematologic malignancies and the therapeutic approaches targeting MDSCs that are currently in clinical studies.
Image restoration by ordinary kriging with convexity

An ordinary kriging based approach for restoring degraded images is presented in this paper. Kriging is a nonconvex estimation technique and negative kriging weights applied to image data can give estimates outside the range of pixel values. Convexity is therefore required in this image analysis to ensure no negative weights. Experiments on an image degraded with different levels of Gaussian white noise are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. As a result, noisy images restored by ordinary kriging filter are more favorable than those restored by the adaptive Wiener filter.
The green, green grass of home: Issues in releasing prisoners on parole

The Parole Board plays a critical role in the conditional release of prisoners within the parole system. Such a role informs not only the post release supervision by the parole officers but also in balancing the need for rehabilitation of the prisoners on the one hand and the preservation of the public's safety on the other. Drawn from an ongoing research, this paper focuses on the emerging issues relating to the powers of the Parole Board in releasing the prisoners on parole as well as in prescribing the conditions attached to such release. Such issues involve the duties of the Parole Board in maintaining the community safety and minimising the prisoners' risk of reoffending by laying conditions attached to the parole order as well as providing a smooth transition of the prisoners into the community. This paper concludes that the Parole Board does not function in a vacuum as their decisions are interconnected with the supervision process and the community as a whole. Their decisions would not only affect and inform themselves but also the prisoners, the parole officers and the society at large.
Binding sites for hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 beta or 3 gamma and pancreas transcription factor 1 are required for efficient expression of the gene encoding pancreatic alpha-amylase

Efficient expression of genes under the control of alpha-amylase 2 5'-flanking sequences in exocrine pancreatic cells requires, in addition to the pancreas transcription factor 1 binding site (M. Cockell, B.J. Stevenson, M. Strubin, O. Hagenbüchle, and P. K. Wellauer, Mol. Cell. Biol. 9:2464-2476, 1989), another cis-acting element at positions -60 to -86. This DNA element, which contains an AT-rich core, site for nuclear proteins present not only in the pancreas but also in other tissues and cell lines derived from the endoderm. Purification of binding activities from pancreatic cells by DNA affinity chromatography reveals several distinct proteins ranging in size from 45 to 54 kDa (p45, p47/48, and p54). All of these proteins interact with the specific DNA sequence upon renaturation in vitro. Protein sequencing, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and immunoblot analyses identify p54 and p47/48 as members of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 (HNF3 [forkhead]) family of transcription factors. p54 belongs to the subfamily of HNF3 beta proteins, while p47/48 binding activity includes HNF3 gamma. The cDNAs for two HNF3 beta proteins differing only in N-terminal amino acid sequences were isolated from a pancreatic cDNA library. The mRNAs encoding the two protein species accumulate to different steady-state levels in poly(A)+ RNA of pancreatic cells. Our results support a model by which the pancreas-specific expression of the alpha-amylase gene is mediated by a combination of cell-specific and cell lineage-specific transcription factors.
Difficult airway rescued by a gamjee

1. Murray‐Calderon P, Connolly MA. Laryngospasm and non cardiogenic pulmonary edema. J Perianesth Nurs 1997;12:89‐94. 2. McNamara PJ, Stewart L, Shivananda SP, Stephens D, Sehgal A. Patent ductus arteriosus ligation is associated with impaired left ventricular systolic performance in premature infants weighing less than 1000 g. J Thorac Cardio vasc Surg 2010;140:150‐7. 3. Galal MO, Amin M, Hussein A, Kouatli A, Al‐Ata J, Jamjoom A. Left ventricular dysfunction after closure of large patent ductus arteriosus. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2006;14:90. 4. Zbar RI, Chen AH, Behrendt DM, Bell EF, Smith RJ. Incidence of vocal fold paralysis in infants undergoing ligation of patent ductus arteriosus. Ann Thorac Surg 1996;61:814‐6. 5. Valletta ME, Haque I, Al‐Mousily F, Udassi J, Saidi A. Transient ventricular dysfunction after an asphyxiation event: Stress or hypoxia? Pediatr Crit Care Med 2008;9:e47‐50.
Heart rate variability in time and frequency domains: effects of gallopamil, nifedipine, and metoprolol compared with placebo.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the effects of three different antianginal drugs on heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rate variability. DESIGN--Randomised, single blind, placebo controlled, cross over study. SETTING--University hospital. PARTICIPANTS--Nine healthy male volunteers. INTERVENTIONS--Oral administration of either 50 mg gallopamil, 20 mg nifedipine, 100 mg metoprolol, or placebo according to a random crossover plan. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Time intervals between consecutive R waves in electrocardiograms measured with an accuracy of 5 ms from digital Holter recordings. Blood pressure monitored continuously by finger plethysmography. RESULTS--Metoprolol lowered heart rate from 62(6) to 51(5) beats/min (p = 0.003) after 78(23) minutes. Nifedipine provoked reflex tachycardia from 56(5) to 94(18) beats/min (p < 0.001) at 10(3) minutes after treatment followed by an exponential decline in heart rate to baseline values with a time constant of 34(7) min in seven subjects but 83 minutes in one volunteer. One subject showed no exponential decline in heart rate. Nifedipine significantly lowered the supine mean arterial pressure from 86(6) to 67(6) mm Hg (p = 0.004) after 11(2) minutes, indicating an acute reduction in arterial resistance. Gallopamil did not significantly change mean heart rate or blood pressure. In the sitting position three hours after administration gallopamil and metoprolol significantly lowered power spectral density in the low frequency band (0.03 Hz to 0.15 Hz) compared with placebo (p < 0.05). Nifedipine did not produce such an effect. CONCLUSIONS--Gallopamil and metoprolol both inhibit cardiac sympathetic activation compared with placebo, whereas nifedipine causes reflex sympathetic activation.