Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Chromatin-Associated Phf12 Protein Maintains Nucleolar Integrity and Prevents Premature Cellular Senescence

ABSTRACT Pf1, also known as Phf12 (plant homeodomain [PHD] zinc finger protein 12), is a member of the PHD zinc finger family of proteins. Pf1 associates with a chromatin-interacting protein complex comprised of MRG15, Sin3B, and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) that functions as a transcriptional modulator. The biological function of Pf1 remains largely elusive. We undertook the generation of Pf1 knockout mice to elucidate its physiological role. We demonstrate that Pf1 is required for mid- to late gestation viability. Pf1 inactivation impairs the proliferative potential of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and is associated with a significant decrease in bromodeoxyuridine incorporation; an increase in senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity, a marker of cellular senescence; and elevated levels of phosphorylated H2AX (γ-H2A.X), a marker associated with DNA double-strand breaks. Analysis of transcripts differentially expressed in wild-type and Pf1-deficient cells revealed the impact of Pf1 in multiple regulatory arms of the ribosome biogenesis pathways. Strikingly, assessment of the morphology of the nucleoli exposed an abnormal nucleolar structure in Pf1-deficient cells. Finally, proteomic analysis of the Pf1-interacting complexes highlighted proteins involved in ribosome biogenesis. Taken together, our data reveal an unsuspected function for the Pf1-associated chromatin complex in the ribosomal biogenesis and senescence pathways.
The Vaccinia Virus A9L Gene Encodes a Membrane Protein Required for an Early Step in Virion Morphogenesis

ABSTRACT The A9L open reading frame of vaccinia virus was predicted to encode a membrane-associated protein. A transcriptional analysis of the A9L gene indicated that it was expressed at late times in vaccinia virus-infected cells. Late expression, as well as virion membrane association, was demonstrated by the construction and use of a recombinant vaccinia virus encoding an A9L protein with a C-terminal epitope tag. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the A9L protein was associated with both immature and mature virus particles and was oriented in the membrane with its C terminus exposed on the virion surface. To determine whether the A9L protein functions in viral assembly or infectivity, we made a conditional-lethal inducible recombinant vaccinia virus. In the absence of inducer, A9L expression and virus replication were undetectable. Under nonpermissive conditions, viral late protein synthesis occurred, but maturational proteolytic processing was inhibited, and there was an accumulation of membrane-coated electron-dense bodies, crescents, and immature virus particles, many of which appeared abnormal. We concluded that the product of the A9L gene is a viral membrane-associated protein and functions at an early stage in virion morphogenesis.
Model predictive control of nonlinear dynamical systems based on genetic programming

Model predictive control (MPC) requires an explicit dynamic model to predict values of the output variable, so the accuracy of the model significantly affects the quality of control. Unfortunately, it's hard to obtain the explicit expression of unknown nonlinear systems in MPC applications. This paper describes the use of genetic programming (GP) to generate an empirical dynamic model of a process, and to improve the performance in providing accuracy and suitability support for MPC strategy. GP derives both a model structure and its parameter values in such a way that the process trajectory is predicted accurately. Consequently, the performance of the MPC strategy is expected to improve on the performance obtained models. Experimental results show that the GP based predictive controller can obtain satisfactory performance.
Document Image Binarization Technique For Enhancement of Degraded Historical Document Images.

— Segmenting text from image of rough, degraded historical document is difficult task because of higher inter variation and intra variation between foreground text and document background of different document images. This can be solved with the help of image binarization technique. We can make use of this technique to clear the historical document, making them usable for further processing. As the image of old historical documents are often in degrade form it is hard to retrieve and understand what is written on them. So it is necessary to find solution to this problem, by taking picture and binarizing it with suitable technique we can able to understand the text so here we developed a image binarization technique. Here we provide new segmentation algorithm in which each pixel has its own threshold value. In old system the contrast image is used as preprocessing step but in this technique gray scale image is used. The pixels are categorized as foreground or background pixels depending upon their comparison with threshold valued. Pixel value is compared to the threshold value. The technique is known as window thresholding . We are doing work on window of size p*q and from each window text stroke of each pixel are extracted . Again local threshold is used to segment the document text that is estimated based on intensity of detected text stroke of edge pixel in local window.
The topographical relationship between the plane of the central pair of flagellar fibrils and the transverse axis of the head in guinea-pig spermatozoa.

Earlier studies on the arrangement of sperm-tail components have suggested that a line through the central pair of fibrils is always perpendicular to the broad face of the flattened sperm head. The principal plane of bending of proximal regions of the tail was therefore assumed to coincide with the transverse axis of the head. The heads of guinea-pig epididymal sperm are flexed 45-50° from the long axis of the tails and are stacked one upon the other in coherent packets. The parallel arrangement of the heads ensures that all of the associated tails will be similarly oriented, and certain planes of section transect heads and tails of the same sperm packet. Taking advantage of this circumstance, it was possible to demonstrate that in quiescent sperm of this species the plane of the central pair is not at 90° to the transverse axis of the head, but is inclined 20-30° off the perpendicular and always in the same direction. Attention is drawn to examples from the literature on cilia and flagella, where there appears to be a similar inclination of the axis of the central pair with respect to external landmarks.
Femoro-Acetabular Impingement: Can Indirect MR Arthrography be Considered a Valid Method to Detect Endoarticular Damage? A Preliminary Study

To assess the effectiveness of indirect Magnetic Resonance arthrography (i-MRa) in the detection of chondral and labral lesions related to femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) a series of 21 hip joints in 17 patients with a clinical diagnosis of FAI were examined either with standard MR imaging, i-MRa and direct-MR arthrography (d-MRa). Sensitivity and accuracy of i-MRa in detecting chondral, labral and tardive lesions were calculated and compared with standard MR. The agreement in detecting endoarticular damage between i-MRa and d-MRa and the interobserver agreement was assessed by K statistic (p<0.05). Finally the presence of trocanteric bursitis was evaluated. I-MRa showed higher values of both sensivity and accuracy than standard MR in detecting chondral damage, with an increase to 92% for the first item and 95% for the second. The same was noticed in labrum evaluation with an increase to 88% and 90% respectively. The level of agreement between i-MRa and d-MRa in detection of chondral lesions was excellent, substantial for the labral damage and absolute for early osteoarthritic changes. An excellent interobserver agreement resulted in detection of both chondral and labral damages with i-MRa. In 6 hips (28,5%) we also found the presence of peri-trochanteric soft tissue inflammation that indicated the possibility of extrarticular involvement in FAI. Indirect-MRa can be considered a valid method of assessing endoarticular damage related to FAI, in comparison to d-MRa. It should be performed instead of standard MR if d-MRa is not available.
On the Essential Spectrum of N-Body Hamiltonians with Asymptotically Homogeneous Interactions

We determine the essential spectrum of Hamiltonians with N-body type interactions that have radial limits at infinity. This extends the HVZ-theorem, which treats perturbations of the Laplacian by potentials that tend to zero at infinity. Our proof involves $C^*$-algebra techniques that allows one to treat large classes of operators with local singularities and general behavior at infinity. In our case, the configuration space of the system is a finite dimensional, real vector space $X$, and we consider the $C^*$-algebra $\mathcal{E}(X)$ of functions on $X$ generated by functions of the form $v\circ\pi_Y$, where $Y$ runs over the set of all linear subspaces of $X$, $\pi_Y$ is the projection of $X$ onto the quotient $X/Y$, and $v:X/Y\to\mathbb{C}$ is a continuous function that has uniform radial limits at infinity. The group $X$ acts by translations on $\mathcal{E}(X)$, and hence the crossed product $\mathscr{E}(X) := \mathcal{E}(X)\rtimes X$ is well defined; the Hamiltonians that are of interest to us are the self-adjoint operators affiliated to it. We determine the characters of $\mathcal{E}(X)$. This then allows us to describe the quotient of $\mathscr{E}(X)$ with respect to the ideal of compact operators, which in turn gives a formula for the essential spectrum of any self-adjoint operator affiliated to $\mathscr(X)$.
Scanning, Diagnosis, and Intervention in the Prevention of Reading Disabilities

The validation efforts reviewed here examine the capability of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children to differentiate previously clinically described visual and auditory perceptually classified learning disabled children and the predictive power of SEARCH, a preschool and early school-age screening device. The material reviewed highlights a treatment program that attempts to teach relaxation. — DAS.
Process Mining techniques in complex Administrative Processes

This research demonstrates the process mining techniques used for analyzed data in the five Dutch municipalities. Thirteen roles were identified between employees involved in various stages of the processes. Organizational structures were identified and an algorithm was developed for the purpose of creating an organizational chart for each municipality. Possible points of improvement were made evident for an organizational structure, their organizational charts, as well as their allocated responsibilities for their tasks. With the help of four custom metrics, we were able to identify the differences in throughput times between all municipalities. A control flow was presented for each municipality and similar as well as different behaviors were identified. Our findings indicate what effects outsourcing some of the procedures will have on the organizational structure, as well as the employee roles involved in the process. Finally, we highlighted the changes in the processes that could possibly be due to the relocation of employees.
RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY: Pathologic Correlation of Clinical Stages

This article details the pathologic features of recently described clinical stages of vitreoretinopathy associated with premature birth in humans, beginning with a review of retinal angiogenesis in humans and then of the five stages of retinopathy of prematurity, with a description of paramount clinical feature in each stage and then corresponding pathologic changes. The article concludes with a consideration of arrested and reactivated retinopathy. RETINA 7:260–276, 1987
The pepper calmodulin gene CaCaM1 is involved in reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide generation required for cell death and the defense response.

Calcium signaling has emerged as an important signal transduction pathway of higher plants in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Ca2+-bound calmodulin (CaM) plays a critical role in decoding and transducing stress signals by activating specific targets. Here, we isolated and functionally characterized the pathogen-responsive CaM gene, Capsicum annuum calmodulin 1 (CaCaM1), from pepper (C. annuum) plants. The cellular function of CaCaM1 was verified by Agrobacterium spp. -mediated transient expression in pepper and transgenic overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana. Agrobacterium spp. -mediated transient expression of CaCaM1 activated reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) generation, and hypersensitive response (HR)-like cell death in pepper leaves, ultimately leading to local acquired resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria. CaCaM1-overexpression (OX) Arabidopsis exhibited enhanced resistance to Pseudomonas syringae and Hyaloperonospora parasitica, which was accompanied by enhanced ROS and NO generation and HR-like cell death. Treatment with the calcium-channel blocker suppressed the oxidative and NO bursts and HR-like cell death that were triggered by CaCaM1 expression in pepper and Arabidopsis, suggesting that calcium influx is required for the activation of CaCaM1-mediated defense responses in plants. Upon treatment with the CaM antagonist, virulent P. syringae pv. tomato-induced NO generation was also compromised in CaCaM1-OX leaves. Together, these results suggest that the CaCaM1 gene functions in ROS and NO generation are essential for cell death and defense responses in plants.
Genetic Control and Host Range of Avirulence Toward Brassica napus Cultivars Quinta and Jet Neuf in Leptosphaeria maculans.

ABSTRACT Leptosphaeria maculans causes blackleg of oilseed rape. Gene-for-gene interactions between race PG3 and Brassica napus cv. Quinta were related to interaction between the fungal avirulence (Avr) gene AvrLm1 and the corresponding resistance gene Rlm1. AvrLm1 isolates were aviru-lent on cvs. Doublol, Vivol, Columbus, and Capitol, and no recombinant phenotypes were observed in the progeny of two AvrLm1 x avrLm1 crosses, suggesting that all of these cultivars may possess Rlm1 or genes displaying the same recognition spectrum, or that a cluster of Avr genes is present at the Avrlm1 locus. In one cross, segregation distortion was observed at the AvrLm1 locus that could be explained by interaction between AvrLm1 and one unlinked deleterious gene, termed Del1. Incompatibility toward cvs. Jet Neuf and Darmor.bzh was governed by a single gene, unlinked to AvrLm1 or Del1. This avirulence gene was termed AvrLm4. Preliminary plant genetic analysis suggested the occurrence of a corresponding dominant resistance gene, termed Rlm4, present in the Quinta line analyzed and linked to Rlm1.
AlN/GaN Insulated-Gate HFETs Using Cat-CVD SiN

The authors fabricated SiN/AlN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor heterostructure field-effect transistors (MIS-HFETs) using SiN passivation by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (Cat-CVD). Cat-CVD SiN increased the electron density of AlN/GaN HFETs by compensating the surface depletion of the two-dimensional electron gas. The MIS-HFETs had a maximum drain current density of 0.95 A/mm and a peak extrinsic transconductance of 211 mS/mm. A current-gain cutoff frequency of 107 GHz and maximum oscillation frequency of 171 GHz were obtained for the 60- and 70-nm-gate devices, respectively
Knowledge Management and organizational Performance in the Egyptian software Firms

Management research has often overlooked the role of knowledge and knowledge management (KM) in the analysis of organizations and their performance. Also, the literature on KM is short of empirical evidence on the likely interrelatedness of the KM processes. This investigation adopted a research model and used data from 38 Egyptian software firms to examine: (1) the relationship of the KM processes of knowledge acquisition, documentation, transfer, creation, and application to organizational performance, and (2) a number of relationships within the KM processes themselves. The results suggest that knowledge application influences organizational performance, knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation influence knowledge application, and knowledge acquisition and knowledge transfer influence knowledge creation. Although they provide a limited support to the research mode, the results signify the value of continued examination and enhancement of such a model.
Phase approximation by divide-and-conquer piecewise linear fitting of gain

Having a piecewise linear fitting of gain, one can obtain a good approximation of phase. There are few ways to determine the slopes of a broken line approximation, but the most popular approaches need the breakpoints. In this paper we determine the breakpoints using a divide-and-conquer approach. Results of piecewise linear approximation of gain and of the resulting phase approximation are provided for different cases.
EFNS guideline on the treatment of cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis in adult patients

Background: Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rather rare disease which accounts for <1% of all strokes. Diagnosis is still frequently overlooked or delayed as a result of the wide spectrum of clinical symptoms and the often subacute or lingering onset. Current therapeutic measures which are used in clinical practice include the use of anticoagulants such as dose‐adjusted intravenous heparin or body weight‐adjusted subcutaneous low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH), the use of thrombolysis and symptomatic therapy including control of seizures and elevated intracranial pressure.
Hyperspectral Imaging to Discern Malignant and Benign Canine Mammary Tumors

Hyperspectral imaging is an emerging technology in the field of biomedical engineering which may be used as a non-invasive modality for cancer characterization. In this project, we propose to investigate near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging for the characterization of canine mammary cancer. Nearinfrared hyperspectral imaging has been used for the detection of various kinds of human cancer; breast, gastric, prostate and tongue. A research group has also investigated the use of NIR reflectance imaging to detect canine cancer using fluorescent dyes. The use of NIR hyperspectral imaging, however, has been limited for the characterization of canine cancer. In this project, we have already acquired hyperspectral images of 22 canine mammary tumors. Preliminary results of 2 canine patients show that the spectra of canine cancer tissue differ from those of benign tissue. The malignant tissue has relatively low reflectance intensity compared to the benign tissue; in the wavelength range between 650nm to 1100nm.The decreased reflectance intensity observed for malignant tumors is due to the increased microvasculature and therefore higher blood content of cancerous tissue relative to benign tissue. In the future, we will normalize and preprocess the spectral dataset. We propose to apply various algorithms such as Support Vector Machine, Linear Discriminant Analysis, Principal Component Analysis and Tissue Optical Methods on the spectral data to discern the malignant and benign tumors. The advantage of cancer detection using hyperspectral imaging is that it is non-invasive and less time consuming than traditional methods like biopsy.
A New Prognostic Staging System for Rectal Cancer

Objective:To clarify the appropriateness of tumor “budding,” a quantifiable histologic variable, as 1 parameter in the construction of a new prognostic grading system for rectal cancer. Summary Background Data:Patient division according to an accurate prognostic prediction could enhance the effectiveness of postoperative adjuvant therapy and follow-up. Patients and Methods:Tumor budding was defined as an isolated cancer cell or a cluster composed of fewer than 5 cells in the invasive frontal region, and was divided into 2 grades based on its number within a microscopic field of ×250. We analyzed 2 discrete cohorts comprising 638 and 476 patients undergoing potentially curative surgery. Results:In the first cohort, high-grade budding (10 or more foci in a field) was observed in 30% of patients and was significantly associated with a lower 5-year survival rate (41%) than low-grade budding (84%). Similarly, in the second cohort, the 5-year survival rate was 43% in high-grade budding patients and 83% in low-grade budding patients. In both cohorts, multivariate analyses verified budding to be an independent prognosticator, together with nodal involvement and extramural spread. These 3 variables were given weighted scores, and the score range was divided to provide 5 prognostic groups (97%; 86%; 61%; 39%; 17% 5-year survival). The model was tested on the second cohort, and similar prognostic results were obtained. Conclusions:We propose that because of its relevance to prognosis and its reproducibility, budding is an excellent parameter for use in a grading system to provide a confident prediction of clinical outcome.
The effect of Distributed Generation on distribution system reliability

Concerns on environmental and economical issues drive the increasing developments that support small scale generators to be connected close to distribution networks, i.e. distributed generation (DG). However, the connection of DG would affect the distribution system structure and operation greatly. Since these DG sources are normally placed close to consumption centers and are added mostly at the distribution level, the effect of DG on distribution system reliability becomes a growing concern to the customers and electric utilities. This paper analyses the reliability improvement effect of DG on distribution system by comparing the system reliability indices before and after connection of DG. As is known, distribution system consists of hundreds of thousands of components. The acquisition of all component parameters is impossible. Therefore, in this paper, an interval algorithm is introduced to deal with the uncertainty of component data to calculate the interval reliability indices. At last, through comparison of the interval reliability indices when DG connected in different locations on distribution feeder, this paper also analyses the effect of connecting location on distribution system reliability.
An Economic Evaluation of the JNC Hypertension Guidelines Using Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: We wanted to determine the clinical cost of managing hypertension when following the Joint National Committee on Hypertension (JNC) guidelines, including drug therapy, the cost of monitoring for and treating side effects, compliance, and the cost of switching after therapeutic failures. Methods: The base-case analysis considers antihypertensive agents from four therapeutic classes that were recently evaluated in a large randomized trial: enalapril, amlodipine, acebutolol, and chlorthalidone. Clinical evaluation, therapy, and monitoring for hypertension are modeled with an incidence-based Markov model. Clinical inputs include agent efficacy, side effects, and compliance with dosing schedules. JNC-recommended clinical and laboratory monitoring schedules are followed for each agent. Switches between classes occur for therapeutic failures. Drug and medical care costs are valued in 1995 US dollars. Results: Although patients whose hypertension was initially treated with amlodipine achieved control more readily than patients who were given the other agents, the initial costs to achieve and maintain hypertension control were lowest for chlorthalidone ($641), followed by acebutolol ($920), amIodipine ($946), and enalapril ($948). Maintenance costs were lowest for chlorthalidone. For all agents except chlorthalidone, drug costs were the largest component of overall costs, followed by the costs of office visits, laboratory monitoring, and switching between classes for therapeutic failures. Conclusions: By following JNC guidelines, a slightly higher percentage of patients will achieve hypertension control with a newer class calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) but at a substantially higher cost than with a generic diuretic (chlorthalidone).