Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Giant lens, a gene involved in cell determination and axon guidance in the visual system of Drosophila melanogaster.

Mutations in the Drosophila gene giant lens (gil) affect ommatidial development, photoreceptor axon guidance and optic lobe development. We have cloned the gene using an enhancer trap line. Molecular analysis of gil suggests that it encodes a secreted protein with an epidermal‐growth‐factor‐like motif. We have generated mutations at the gil locus by imprecise excision of the enhancer trap P‐element. In the absence of gil, additional photoreceptors develop at the expense of pigment cells, suggesting an involvement of gil in cell determination during eye development. In addition, gil mutants show drastic effects on photoreceptor axon guidance and optic lobe development. In wildtype flies, photoreceptor axons grow from the eye disc through the optic stalk into the larval brain hemisphere, where retinal innervation is required for the normal development of the lamina and distal medulla. The projection pattern of these axons in the developing lamina and medulla is highly regular and reproducible. In gil, photoreceptor axons enter the larval brain but fail to establish proper connections in the lamina or medulla. We propose that gil encodes a new type of signalling molecule involved in the process of axon pathfinding and cell determination in the visual system of Drosophila.
Selective Ablation of Lung Epithelial IKK2 Impairs Pulmonary Th17 Responses and Delays the Clearance of Pneumocystis

Pneumocystis is an atypical fungal pathogen that causes severe, often fatal pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. Healthy humans and animals also encounter this pathogen, but they generate a protective CD4+ T cell–dependent immune response that clears the pathogen with little evidence of disease. Pneumocystis organisms attach tightly to respiratory epithelial cells, and in vitro studies have demonstrated that this interaction triggers NF-κB–dependent epithelial cell responses. However, the contribution of respiratory epithelial cells to the normal host response to Pneumocystis remains unknown. IκB kinase 2 (IKK2) is the upstream kinase that is critical for inducible NF-κB activation. To determine whether IKK2-dependent lung epithelial cell (LEC) responses contribute to the anti-Pneumocystis immune response in vivo, transgenic mice with LEC-specific deletion of IKK2 (IKK2ΔLEC) were generated. Compared to wild-type mice, IKK2ΔLEC mice exhibited a delayed onset of Th17 and B cell responses in the lung and delayed fungal clearance. Importantly, delayed Pneumocystis clearance in IKK2ΔLEC mice was associated with an exacerbated immune response, impaired pulmonary function, and altered lung histology. These data demonstrate that IKK2-dependent LEC responses are important regulators of pulmonary adaptive immune responses and are required for optimal host defense against Pneumocystis infection. LECs likely set the threshold for initiation of the pulmonary immune response and serve to prevent exacerbated lung inflammation by promoting the rapid control of respiratory fungal infection.
Immunohistochemical Study of 3 β‐Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in Dog’s Perianal Sinus

In this study, the localization of 3 β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD) activity in the wall of canine perianal sinus (PS) was determined. The 3 β‐HSD activity was found out both in the cytoplasm of cells, situated in the propria and forming clusters adjacently to apocrine glands and in the cytoplasm of some epithelial cells in apocrine cells’ glands. The results obtained about the 3 β‐HSD activity allowed us to propose a role of this enzyme in PS development and possibly, in tumourogenesis.
On Constructions of a Sort of MDS Block Diffusion Matrices for Block Ciphers and Hash Functions

Many modern block ciphers use maximum distance separate (MDS) matrices as their diffusion layers. In this paper, we propose a new method to verify a sort of MDS diffusion block matrices whose blocks are all polynomials in a certain primitive block over the finite field F2. And then we discover a new kind of transformations that can retain MDS property of diffusion matrices and generate a series of new MDS matrices from a given one. Moreover, we get an equivalence relation from this kind of transformation. And MDS property is an invariant with respect to this equivalence relation which can greatly reduce the amount of computation when we search for MDS matrices. The minimal polynomials of matrices play an important role in our strategy. To avoid being too theoretical, we list a series of MDS diffusion matrices obtained from our method for some specific parameters. Furthermore, we talk about MDS recursive diffusion layers with our method and extend the corresponding work of M. Sajadieh et al. published on FSE 2012 and the work of S. Wu published on SAC 2012.
Enhanced solubilization and anaerobic biodegradability of source-separated kitchen waste by microwave pre-treatment

Results from an investigation of the effect of high temperature and pressure microwave (MW) pre-treatment of source-separated kitchen waste (SSKW) are presented. MW pre-treatment to a temperature of 175°C (1 min holding time) at a heating rate of 7.9°C min-1, enhanced SSKW solubilization by 40% in comparison with control; yielding higher soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD), total sugars and proteins concentrations in the soluble phase (<45 μm). Batch biochemical methane potential tests (BMP) at 33°C, indicated an enhanced anaerobic biodegradability compared to non-pretreated samples. However, the comparative analysis of semi-continuous anaerobic digesters performance for pre-treated and non-treated SSKW, indicated that MW pre-treatment was successful at solids retention times (SRT) higher than 25 days, showing not only a robust performance in terms of volatile solids (VS) and total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) removals (6 and 5% gain, respectively, in comparison with control). Effluent dewaterability was also enhanced by MW pre-treatment, showing a 20% increase for the best operation conditions. The study of biomass activity revealed the production of difficult to degrade compounds during pre-treatment conditions and also served as a tool to monitor reactor performance deterioration.
Cell tracking using particle filters and level sets

We propose an algorithm to track moving cells and microbes in a video. A major challenge in tracking living cells is that their movement is often nonlinear which causes problems in case of approaches using the generic particle filter (GPF) framework. In order to overcome this problem, we propose the use of an auxiliary particle filtering (APF) algorithm with dynamic variance adaptation of the posterior distribution to account for nonlinear movements. The object of interest in each frame is segmented using level sets. The proposed tracking algorithm is tested on real data and the tracking performance is compared with that of GPF and APF without dynamic variance adaptation. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm tracks more accurately compared to GPF and APF without variance adaption, with lesser number of particles, thereby reducing the running time.
A placebo-controlled study of growth hormone in patients with congestive heart failure.

AIM Experimental data in heart failure models and an open trial of seven patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy have suggested beneficial effects of growth hormone on cardiac function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate growth hormone effects on cardiac function in a placebo-controlled study. METHODS Twenty two patients with congestive heart failure of different aetiologies in NYHA II and III and an echocardiographic ejection fraction <0.45 were studied in a 3 month double-blind placebo-controlled study with growth hormone added to optimal heart failure therapy. Patients received either placebo (n=11) or recombinant human growth hormone (n=11) in an initial dose of 0.1 IU x kg(-1) week(-1) for 1 week, and thereafter 0.25 IU x kg(-1) week(-1) for the rest of the treatment period. Cardiac function was assessed by equilibrium radionuclide angiography and Doppler echocardiography. Functional capacity was evaluated by computerized bicycle exercise electrocardiography. RESULTS Recombinant human growth hormone had no significant effect on systolic or diastolic cardiac function, exercise capacity or neuroendocrine activation. In addition, there was no overall improvement in functional class or dyspnoea grade. Insulin-like growth factor-I significantly increased demonstrating that the growth hormone had an endocrine effect. CONCLUSION This is the first double-blind and placebo-controlled study of the administration, over 3 months, of recombinant human growth hormone in patients with congestive heart failure of different aetiologies. The treatment was safe and without serious side effects. However, no beneficial effects on cardiac function or structure could be detected.
Biochemical and genetic studies in a family with mitochondrial myopathy

We present a family with severe exercise intolerance, progressive proximal weakness, and lactic acidemia. Fifteen of 24 family members in five generations were affected. Since the affected males do not have offspring at this time, the family pedigree is consistent with either maternal or autosomal dominant inheritance. Muscle histochemistry showed ragged‐red fibers and electron microscopy showed globular mitochondrial inclusions. Biochemical analysis showed reduced muscle activities of mitochondrial NADH‐cytochrome c reductase (1 of 2 patients), succinate‐cytochrome c reductase (2 patients), and cytochrome c oxidase (2 patients). For 1 patient, sequence analysis of 44% of the muscle mitochondrial DNA including all 22 transfer RNA regions showed no point mutation with pathogenic significance. Southern blot analysis showed no deletion. Six affected members of the family were treated with methylprednisolone (0.25 mg/kg) for 3 months. Muscle strength, serum lactate, and energy metabolism at rest (measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy) significantly improved with treatment. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 20: 1219–1224, 1997
Drought tolerance in cereals in terms of water retention, photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme activities

Experiments were carried out on three bread wheat varieties, one barley and one durum wheat variety grown in pots in the phytotron and subjected to water withdrawal for 7 days during grain-filling. Leaf water loss, net assimilation rate and transpiration showed marked differences, allowing the genotypes to be ranked. Although the most resistant variety had the highest activity for ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), which did not rise further in response to drought and the most susceptible variety had the lowest values, which increased to the greatest extent under drought, the level of sensitivity could not be predicted for all the genotypes from the enzyme activity values alone. The largest increases were recorded for the APX, CAT and GR activities. In most genotypes the GR activity was correlated with that of GST, CAT and APX. Changes in the enzyme activities were observed after a decline in transpiration and photosynthesis. The range of soil moisture values over which the antioxidant enzyme activity levels remained relatively unchanged was a better indication of tolerance to drought than either basic or stress-induced activity levels.
On Perfect Matching Coverings and Even Subgraph Coverings

A perfect matching covering of a graph G is a set of perfect matchings of G such that every edge of G is contained in at least one member of it. Berge conjectured that every bridgeless cubic graph admits a perfect matching covering of order at most 5 (we call such a collection of perfect matchings a Berge covering of G). A cubic graph G is called a Kotzig graph if G has a 3‐edge‐coloring such that each pair of colors forms a hamiltonian circuit (introduced by R. Häggkvist, K. Markström, J Combin Theory Ser B 96 (2006), 183–206). In this article, we prove that if there is a vertex w of a cubic graph G such that G−w¯ , the graph obtained from G−w by suppressing all degree two vertices is a Kotzig graph, then G has a Berge covering. We also obtain some results concerning the so‐called 5‐even subgraph double cover conjecture.
Human Exposure to mmWave Phased Array Antennas in Mobile Terminal for 5G Mobile System

In this paper, results of the latest study regarding human exposure to the mmWave phase array in mobile terminal for 5G mobile communication are presented. FCC guideline has been reviewed and power density is used to evaluate the human exposure in the mmWave band. The purpose of the paper is to present the basic power density property of the mmWave phased array for terminal applications and the defect of the current standards of human exposure in the mmWave band. An IFA antenna phased array at 15GHz is simulated and the result shows the challenges of power density evaluation for this application.
Edge detection using ant colony system algorithm

In this paper, ant colony system algorithm (ACSA) is used to detect the edge of grayscale images. The novelty of the proposed method is that the artificial ants used for detecting the edges of images have global memory capacity. Moreover, a good result has been gotten by using only one ant. A large number of experiments have been done to determined suitable parameters of ACSA. The results of the experiments show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
THE ROLE OF SR AND SR‑RELATED PROTEINS IN pre‑mRNA SPLICING

Pre‑mRNA splicing requires the activities of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins and other essential splicing factors. Among these are members of the SR protein family and SR‑related proteins, which are integrally involved in regulating exon recognition, spliceosomal assembly, and spliceosomal re‑ arrangements to promote intron excision. This chapter will focus on the discovery of SR proteins and SR‑related proteins, their structural organization, and their activities in mediating pre‑mRNA splicing. The importance of SR‑proteins in spliceosomal recruitment will be contrasted to other mechanisms resulting in alternative splicing. An additional aspect of the chapter will be a discussion on how reversible phosphorylation of the RS domain dictates SR protein activity and localization.
The medical leadership challenge in healthcare is an identity challenge.

PURPOSE The purpose of this article is to describe and analyse the identity challenges that physicians with medical leadership positions face. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Four qualitative case studies were performed to address the fact that identity is processual, relational and situational. Physicians with managerial roles were interviewed, as well as their peers, supervisors and subordinates. Furthermore, observations were made to understand how different identities are displayed in action. FINDINGS This study illustrates that medical leadership implies identity struggles when physicians have manager positions, because of the different characteristics of the social identities of managers and physicians. Major differences are related between physicians as autonomous individuals in a system and managers as subordinates to the organizational system. There are psychological mechanisms that evoke the physician identity more often than the managerial identity among physicians who are managers, which explains why physicians who are managers tend to remain foremost physicians. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS The implications of the findings, that there are major identity challenges by being both a physician and manager, suggest that managerial physicians might not be the best prerequisite for medical leadership, but instead, cooperative relationships between physicians and non-physician managers might be a less difficult way to support medical leadership. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Acknowledging and addressing identity challenges can be important both in creating structures in organizations and designing the training for managers in healthcare (both physicians and non-physicians) to support medical leadership. ORIGINALITY/VALUE Medical leadership is most often related to organizational structure and/or leadership skills, but this paper discusses identity requirements and challenges related to medical leadership.
Fish Locomotion for Innovative Marine Propulsion Systems

There is an essential need for obtaining the mathematical representation of fish body undulations, which can be used for designing and building new innovative types of marine propulsion systems with less environmental impact. This research work presents a case study to derive the mathematical model for fish body movement. Observation and capturing image methods were used in this study in order to obtain a mathematical representation of Clariasbatrachus fish (catfish). An experiment was conducted by using an aquarium with dimension 0.609 m x 0.304 m x 0.304 m, and a 0.5 m ruler was attached at the base of the aquarium. Progressive Scan Monochrome Camera was positioned at 1.8 m above the base of the aquarium to provide swimming sequences. Seven points were marked on the fish body using white marker to indicate the fish movement and measuring the amplitude of undulation. Images from video recordings (20 frames/s) were analyzed frame by frame using local coordinate system, with time interval 0.05 s. The amplitudes of undulations were obtained for image analysis from each point that has been marked on fish body. A graph of amplitude of undulations versus time was plotted by using computer to derive a mathematical fit. The function for the graph is polynomial with nine orders.
Molecular Cloning and Expression of cDNA Encoding Human 3′-Phosphoadenylylsulfate:galactosylceramide 3′-Sulfotransferase*

We have isolated a cDNA clone encoding human 3′-phosphoadenylylsulfate:galactosylceramide 3′-sulfotransferase (EC 2.8.2.11). Degenerate oligonucleotides, based on amino acid sequence data for the purified enzyme, were used as primers to amplify fragments of the gene from human renal cancer cell cDNA by the polymerase chain reaction method. The amplified cDNA fragment was then used as probe to screen a human renal cancer cell cDNA library. The isolated cDNA clone contained an open reading frame encoding 423 amino acids including all of the peptides that were sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence predicts a type II transmembrane topology and contains two potential N-glycosylation sites. There is no significant homology between this sequence and either the sulfotransferases cloned to date or other known proteins. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that a 1.9-kilobase mRNA was unique to renal cancer cells. When the cDNA was inserted into the expression vector pSVK3 and transfected into COS-1 cells, galactosylceramide sulfotransferase activity in the transfected cells increased from 8- to 16-fold over that of controls, and the enzyme product, sulfatide, was expressed on the transformed cells.
Associations among GABRG1, level of response to alcohol, and drinking behaviors.

BACKGROUND Recent studies of the genetics of alcoholism have focused on a cluster of genes encoding for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(A)) receptor subunits, which is thought to play a role in the expression of addiction phenotypes. This study examined allelic associations between 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GABRG1 gene (rs1391166 and rs1497571) and alcohol phenotypes, namely level of response to alcohol, alcohol use patterns, and alcohol-related problems. METHOD Participants were non-treatment-seeking seeking hazardous drinkers (n = 124) who provided DNA samples, participated in a face-to-face interview for level of response to alcohol, and completed a series of drinking and individual differences measures. RESULTS Analyses revealed that a SNP of the GABRG1 gene (rs1497571) was associated with level of response to alcohol and drinking patterns in this subclinical sample. Follow-up mediational analyses were also conducted to examine putative mechanisms underlying these associations. DISCUSSION These findings replicate and extend recent research suggesting that genetic variation at the GABRG1 locus may underlie the expression of alcohol phenotypes, including level of response to alcohol.
The impact of voluntary environmental protection instruments on company environmental performance

In the last decade there has been increasing emphasis on the use of voluntary environmental protection tools such as corporate environmental reporting (CER) and environmental management systems (EMSs). There has been relatively little research, however, on the impact of these tools on the actual environmental performance of companies. This paper presents the findings of a survey of 40 companies operating in Western Australia to determine the extent to which the implementation of two voluntary instruments has influenced company environmental performance. The research considered four questions: To what extent have CER and EMSs influenced the environmental performance of companies operating in Western Australia? What are the characteristics of these influences? How does the influence of EMSs on environmental performance compare to that of CER? Have other external factors concurrently influenced environmental performance? In general, most respondents indicated that EMSs had influenced environmental management practices to some extent. On the other hand, CER was seen more as a public relations exercise and had less impact on company practices compared with EMSs. Other factors that influenced environmental performance included pressure from clients, senior management, the public and regulators; corporate culture; and cost savings.
Factors associated with participation of Korean women in cervical cancer screening examination by age group.

PURPOSE Cervical cancer is the 6th most common cancer among Korean women, and the prevalence of cervical cancer was 21.9 (per 100,000) in 2008. This study was designed to identify factors associated with Korean women' s participation by age group in cervical cancer screening. METHODS Based on the 2007-2009 Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we studied 6,964 women who were 30 years or older without a history of cervical cancer and completed a health questionnaire, physical examination, and nutrition examination. Information about their participation in cervical cancer screening examination was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with their participation in cervical cancer screening over the last 2 years. RESULTS Approximately 51.9% of women had been screened for cervical cancer over the previous 2 years. Women aged 65 years or older were less likely to undergo the screening than women aged 30-64 years. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, private health insurance, smoking, and body mass index were significantly associated with participation of women aged 30-44 years old in cervical cancer screening examination. Education, health insurance type, private health insurance, and smoking were significantly associated with the participation rate for women aged 45-64 years old. Participation of women aged 65 years or older was associated with private health insurance, body mass index, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, age at first birth, and number of pregnancies. CONCLUSION Indicators of socio-demographic factors, health behavioral factors and reproductive factors seem to have varying impacts on Korean women' s participation in cervical cancer screening according to age group. These results demonstrate the need for more aggressive and age-based interventions and policy programs to improve the cervical cancer screening rate.