Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
R68.45, a plasmid with chromosome mobilizing ability (Cma) carries a tandem duplication.

SUMMARY Plasmids R68 and R68.45 were transferred from Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Escherichia coli by conjugation. R68.45 was able to mobilize the E. coli chromosome from different origins at a frequency of about lCM/donor cell. With R68, no transfer of chromosomal genes could be detected. Plasmid R68.45 differs from its parent R68 only by an additional DNA segment, 2120 bp long, located close to the kanamycin resistance gene. By restriction enzyme analysis it was shown that the additional DNA segment of R68.45 is a duplication of a pre-existing DNA region of R68. The duplicated region is characterized by the following sequence of restriction sites: A-310 bp-#raaI-70 bp-Ps£l-795 bp-Ps£l-15 bp-i^nI-540 h^-HpaI-^10 bp-B. The endpoints A and B of the duplicated region were determined by a heteroduplex experiment between Hindlll linearized molecules of R68 and R68.45. It is proposed that this duplication found in R68.45 is responsible for its chromosome mobilizing ability.
Développement de méthodes de spectroscopie par résonance magnétique localisée pour l’étude du métabolisme chez le petit animal

Le travail presente ici a consiste en la mise au point d’une methode de spectroscopie localisee proton filtree carbone 13C chez la souris ainsi que de la mise en place d’un protocole pour des acquisitions, in vivo, de spectroscopie localisee en rotation a l’angle magique sur la drosophile. Le travail sur la souris a en particulier porte sur l’effet d’un traitement antivasculaire sur des tumeurs cerebrales. Pour realiser cette etude il a egalement fallu concevoir une sonde de mesure (support + detecteur) specialement dediee a ce type d’etude. Le travail a permis de mettre en evidence l’apport de cette nouvelle methode par rapport a la methode classique de spectroscopie proton. Le travail sur la drosophile a permis la mise en place de la spectroscopie localisee par tranche, ce qui etait l’objectif de depart, mais egalement la mise en place d’imagerie de deplacement chimique a 1 dimension spatiale, qui permet de realiser une cartographie de la repartition spatiale des metabolites. Ces deux methodes de spectroscopie sur la drosophile representent a notre connaissance, deux premieres, et ouvrent des perspectives importantes de recherche sur cet insecte qui est le plus utilise dans le domaine, en particulier car il represente un tres bon modele genetique.
Preparation of iron oxide nanoparticles-decorated carbon nanotube using laser ablation in liquid and their antimicrobial activity

Abstract The antimicrobial activity was investigated for iron oxide IO nanoparticles (NPs)-decorated carbon nanotubes CNT prepared successfully by Nd:YAG-pulsed laser ablation in the liquid process. TEM reveals the composite NP and exhibits semispherical of iron oxide NPs, which aggregate around rolled and unrolled graphene sheet. XRD pattern proved the presence of carbon and different phases of IO NPs. Then, the antibacterial activity of the NPs was examined against different bacteria using nutrient broth and nutrient agar methods, which was enhanced using IO. In addition, the wound-healing activity for the best antibacterial concentration is tested by using animal models successfully.
Recurrence after Ischemic Stroke in Chinese Patients: Impact of Uncontrolled Modifiable Risk Factors

Background: Data concerning stroke occurrence and recurrence in China are extremely rare. This study was designed to analyze determinants of stroke recurrence in a cohort of Chinese patients. Methods: Subjects were patients with ischemic stroke registered in the Nanjing Stroke Registry Program. Modifiable risk factors for stroke were identified and stratified into 3 levels: without, controlled and uncontrolled. Cox proportional hazard model was used to detect influence factors for stroke recurrence. Results: First-year recurrence rate was 11.2% in the registered patients. Hypertension, atrial fibrillation (AF) and smoking were associated with increased risk of recurrence. Controlling hypertension and AF each halved recurrent risk (p < 0.001). Ceasing smoking for more than 1 year reduced hazard ratio of recurrence from 1.71 to 1.39 (p < 0.05). Controlling blood sugar level in diabetics did not significantly change recurrent risk (hazard ratio, 1.69 vs. 1.64, p > 0.05). Conclusions: The recurrence rate is higher in Chinese patients with ischemic stroke compared with the one reported in western populations. Failure to control some modifiable risk factors in Chinese patients may be responsible for this discrepancy.
Parties reconnaissables et morphismes sur les monoi͏̈des trace

Cette these porte sur les monoides partiellement commutatifs libres ou monoides trace, qui constituent un des principaux modeles semantiques du parallelisme. Les themes abordes sont essentiellement la reconnaissabilite des langages trace et le codage sur les monoides trace. Pour ce qui concerne le premier theme, nous donnons une nouvelle preuve de la cloture par produit de la famille des langages trace reconnaissables. Notre approche utilise une decomposition du langage produit induite par un treillis associe au graphe des commutations. Cela fournit un algorithme effectif pour le calcul du produit de deux langages trace. Nous demontrons ensuite que dans un monoide finiment engendre quelconque la famille des ensembles aperiodiques est contenue (en general strictement) dans la famille des ensembles sans etoile, et nous etendons le theoreme de Schitzenberger, etabli sur les mots, aux traces: la famille des langages trace aperiodiques coincide avec la famille des langages trace sans etoile. Avec l'idee d'etendre la notion de codage aux traces, nous etudions essentiellement le probleme de l'existence d'un morphisme injectif entre monoides trace. Pour cela nous introduisons la nouvelle notion de morphisme fort, qui impose que deux lettres independantes aient pour images des traces independantes
Experimental Ehrlichia phagocytophila infection in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

TICKBORNE fever (TBF) caused by Ehrlichia phagocytophila is a well-known disease of domestic ruminants occurring in several countries in Europe (Woldehiwet 1983). The disease is characterised by high fever, rickettsaemia (infected neutrophils), neutropenia, reduced milk yield, abortion and reduced fertility in rams (Woldehiwet and Scott 1993). In Norway, tickborne fever occurs endemically in sheep and cattle along the southern coast where the tick vector, Ixodes ricinus, is abundant. Wild ruminants such as moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) also inhabit this region of Norway. Ehrlichia infection is known to occur in red deer and roe deer in the UK (Foggie 1962, Alberdi and others 2000), as well as in several North American cervid species (Belongia and others 1997, Foley and others 1998). However, to date there has been only one report of clinical ehrlichiosis in a cervid species (Stuen 1996). In that study, three reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) experimentally infected with E phagocytophila developed rickettsaemia, fever and neutropenia, with one animal dying during the experiment. More recently, naturally occurring granulocytic Ehrlichia infection was diagnosed in one moose calf and one roe deer calf from southern Norway, both of which had died from septicaemic infection with bacteria regarded as opportunistic animal pathogens (Jenkins and others 2001, Stuen and others 2001). It was speculated whether these fatal infections were secondary to, and facilitated by, a primary Ehrlichia infection. In sheep, tickborne fever is known to have profound effects on the immune system, and can thereby increase the susceptibility to disease and the risk of mortality from existing infections (Brodie and others 1986). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether an ovine strain of Ephagocytophila could
High-performance architectures for high-radix switches.

Para beneficiarse de una reduccion en la latencia asi como disminuir tanto el consumo como el coste, el numero optimo de puertos de un conmutador ha ido aumentando a lo largo del tiempo. Sin embargo, las arquitecturas tradicionales se han quedado atras bien por bajo rendimiento o bien por problemas de escalabilidad con el numero de puertos. En esta Tesis se propone una nueva arquitectura de conmutador valida para conmutadores de elevado grado llamada Partitioned Crossbar Input Queued (PCIQ). Esta arquitectura resuelve el problema de los excesivos requerimientos de memoria en el diseno de arquitecturas de elevado grado. Ademas PCIQ define una nueva familia de arquitecturas de conmutador. PCIQ se basa en un particionado inteligente del crossbar, dividiendolo en sub-crossbars, requiriendo menos recursos de memoria que las otras propuestas para conmutadores de elevado grado y que consigue una mayor eficiencia debido en parte a un incremento en la eficiencia de los arbitros empleados en el diseno. En este sentido, PCIQ emplea dos arbitros con prioridad rotativa (uno para cada sub-crossbar) que presentan un coste lineal y una respuesta en el tiempo logaritmica conforme aumenta el numero de puertos del conmutador. Ademas PCIQ tiene un coste (medido en terminos de requerimientos de memoria, complejidad del crossbar y complejidad en el arbitraje) similar o incluso menor que organizaciones basicas como CIOQ. No obstante PCIQ es capaz de conseguir maxima eficiencia para distribuciones de trafico uniforme. El bloqueo por paquete al principio de cola (o HOL en ingles) reduce dramaticamente el rendimiento del conmutador. Las soluciones tradicionales para eliminar el bloqueo por HOL no son escalables con el numero de puertos o requieren arquitecturas complejas. En esta Tesis se propone una tecnica de control de la congestion que elimina el bloqueo por HOL llamada RECN-IQ. RECN-IQ esta disenada para conmutadores con memorias solo a la entrada y es una tecnica altamente eficiente
A standard index of spatial resolution for distributed targets in synthetic aperture radar imagery

In this article we outline the need for a consistent method of quoting synthetic aperture radar (SAR) resolution given the influence of speckle upon SAR images. Standard measures of resolution depend upon the separability of point targets; however, this is not a useful analogy in the context of SAR. We contend that quoting resolution for a 3–4-look product may be unrealistic given the influence of speckle. Our approach considers the separability of targets that differ in intensity by a known contrast ratio, with a ratio of 2, that is, 3 dB difference, used as the threshold value. It is demonstrated that 12 looks represents a more realistic estimate of the capabilities of the system and should be used to quote an equivalent spatial resolution (ESR) when describing potential instrument performance.
Tryptase inhibits motility of human spermatozoa mainly by activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

BACKGROUND We previously localized protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) on human spermatozoa and demonstrated that activation of PAR-2 by the mast cell (MC) product tryptase inhibits sperm motility. Importantly, tryptase-secreting MCs are encountered in the male and female genital tract, implying that MC-spermatozoa interactions may be as yet unrecognized factors affecting sperm fertilizing ability. In order to elucidate how tryptase via activation of PAR-2 acts in human spermatozoa, we studied intracellular signal transduction events. METHODS AND RESULTS Impairment of sperm motility by tryptase was not dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and tryptase did not alter intracellular Ca2+ levels. Pre-incubation with pertussis toxin (PTX) failed to prevent tryptase effects on sperm motility. Western blot analyses revealed that tryptase increased phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK1/2, an effect which was blocked by the MAPK pathway inhibitor PD98059. Pre-treatment of spermatozoa with this inhibitor also blocked the inhibtion of sperm motility evoked by tryptase. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that tryptase acts via the ERK1/2 pathway to inhibit motility of human spermatozoa.
The Synechococcus Strain PCC 7942glnN Product (Glutamine Synthetase III) Helps Recovery from Prolonged Nitrogen Chlorosis

ABSTRACT We report the cloning and sequencing of the glnN gene encoding a class III glutamine synthetase from the cyanobacteriumSynechococcus strain PCC 7942. Mapping of the transcriptional start site revealed a DNA sequence in the promoter region that resembles an imperfect NtcA binding motif. Expression ofglnN is impaired in NtcA- and PII-deficient mutants. The only parameter which was negatively affected in theglnN mutant compared to the wild type was the recovery rate of prolonged nitrogen-starved cells with low concentrations of combined nitrogen.
Microfabricaion and measurement of a sub-millimeterwave beam-scanning antenna array at Y-band

This paper presents the concept, design and fabrication of beam-scanning array antenna operating at Y-band (230-245 GHz) for light-weight collision avoidance applications. The array consists of over 40 radiating sub-arrays, generating a very narrow beam of less than 3° in azimuth and about 10° in elevation with ±25° azimuth steering capability. Slot-coupled cavity-backed patch arrays are used as the radiating elements of the main antenna in order to confine the beam of the antenna in the elevation plane. Silicon micromaching technology is used to microfabricate the prototype of the antenna. To characterize the micromachined antenna, a waveguide-probe near-field measurement setup is utilized. In the approach an open-ended waveguide probe is used along with on-wafer waveguide transitions to effectively feed the antenna. Measurement results are in excellent agreement with the full-wave simulation results of the antenna.
The simultaneous determination of red cell mass and plasma volume in man with radioactive sodium chromate and chromic chloride.

The use of radioactive chromium in the determination of the circulating red cell mass (1, 2) and the plasma volume (3, 4) in man has been reported previously. Anionic hexavalent chromium (Na2Cr5104) is readily taken up by erythrocytes in vitro and retained by them after reinjection without appreciable loss to the plasma for approximately 24 hours. Cationic trivalent chromium in the form of chromic chloride readily tags plasma proteins in vivo and in vitro. At least 98 per cent of the radioactive chromic chloride is bound to the plasma proteins with minimal loss of the isotope to the red cells. Because of the selective affinity of erythrocytes for hexavalent anionic Cr5l and of the plasma proteins for trivalent cationic Cr5l, it seemed possible to use these two forms of the isotope for the simultaneous determination of red cell mass and plasma volume in human subjects. Simultaneous measurements of red cell mass and plasma volume were made on ten normal adult subjects with radioactive chromium. The accuracy of the combined technique was confirmed by making determinations immediately before and after the transfusion of a measured volume of blood.
Uncontrolled septation in a cell division cycle mutant of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

A temperature-sensitive Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutant, cdc16-116, has been isolated which undergoes uncontrolled septation during its cell division cycle. The mutant accumulates two types of cells after 3 h of growth at the restrictive temperature: (i) type I cells (85% of the population), which complete nuclear division and then form up to five septa between the divided nuclei; and (ii) type II cells (15% of the population), which form an asymmetrically situated septum in the absence of any nuclear division. cdc16-116 is a monogenic recessive mutation unlinked to any previously known cdc gene of S. pombe. It is not affected in a previously reported control by which septation is dependent upon completion of nuclear division. We propose the cdc16-116 is unable to complete septum formation and proceed to cell separation and is also defective in a control which prevents the manufacture of more than one septum in each cell cycle.
Calyculin A-induced actin phosphorylation and depolymerization in renal epithelial cells.

This study reports actin phosphorylation and coincident actin cytoskeleton alterations in renal epithelial cell line, LLC-PK1. Serine phosphorylation of actin was first observed in vitro after the cell lysate was incubated with phosphatase inhibitors and ATP. Both the phosphorylated actin and actin kinase activities were found in the cytoskeletal fraction. Actin phosphorylation was later detected in living LLC-PK1 cells after incubation with the phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A. Calyculin A-induced actin phosphorylation was associated with reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, including net actin depolymerization, loss of cell-cell junction and stress fiber F-actin filaments, and redistribution of F-actin filaments in the periphery of the rounded cells. Actin phosphorylation was abolished by 3-h ATP depletion but not by the non-specific kinase inhibitor staurosporine. These results demonstrate that renal epithelial cells contain kinase/phosphatase activities and actin can be phosphorylated in LLC-PK1 cells. Actin phosphorylation may play an important role in regulating the organization of the actin cytoskeleton in renal epithelium.
Spectrum of changes in endogenous thrombin potential due to heritable disorders of coagulation

The modern thrombin generation tests describe different phases of generation of thrombin that is initiation, amplification and inhibition of thrombin generation as well as the integral amount of generated thrombin. We investigated 55 patients with congenital deficiencies of different coagulation factors and analysed the relationship between the nature and the concentration of clotting factors, with different parameters of thrombin generation curve that is lag time, peak, time to peak and the area under curve or endogenous thrombin potential. The endogenous thrombin potential was unaffected by severe deficiency of factors XI and XII, and reduced in factor IX, VII and factor V and VIII deficiencies. The lag time was significantly prolonged in cases of severe factor VII, X and V deficiencies, and was almost normal in cases of factors VIII, IX, combined factors V and VIII, factor XI, XII and XIII deficiencies. The peak height was severely affected in cases of severe factor X, V, VIII and IX deficiency and combined deficiency of multiple vitamin K dependant coagulation factors, and significantly reduced in factor VIII, V, X, XIII and combined vitamin K deficiency.In all the patients with less than 40% thrombin generation, the clinical symptoms were severe. Bleeding symptoms were restricted to epistaxis and ecchymosis when thrombin generation was more than 90% of the normal. In the cases of combined deficiency of factors V and VIII all the values were intermediate as they exhibit mild deficiencies of both factors V and VIII and correlated well with the clinical symptoms. Endogenous thrombin potential of inherited isolated deficiencies of coagulation factors may thus provide an interesting insight about involvement of the deficient factor(s) at different phases of thrombin generation.
Driving style recognition using fuzzy logic

Detection and classification of aggressive driving can be based on the use of physiological signals or biometric information like electrocardiogram, electro dermal activity, and respiration. This research proposes a driving performance inference system based on the signature of acceleration in the two dimensions and speed. Driving style can be categorized to: below normal, normal, aggressive, and very aggressive. One of the targets of this paper is to recognize the driving events that fall into each of these categories. Many of driving styles are a major cause of traffic crashes. Many of these styles can be detected with reasonable accuracy using driving performance. The main idea is to utilize the 2-axis accelerometer that is embedded in most of the GPS tracker devices that are used in vehicle tracking and fleet management to recognize the driving styles. This method can be utilized for vehicle active safety purpose. Fuzzy logic inference system is used in classification of the extracted feature to the predefined driving styles. the power of the Euclidean norm of longitudinal and lateral is used as input to the fuzzy inference system in addition to the speed. Classification of the driving style is real time and almost cost nothing.
A Framework for the Design and Implementation of a Dynamic Face Tracking System

This paper presents a 3-tier dynamic face tracking system (DFTS) framework based on Gabor wavelets. The proposed system is composed of three major modules: face detection unit, Gabor decomposition & similarity computation unit and face-lock refinement unit. First, we present a neural network based face detection that is used for face localization in cluttered environments. Subsequently, Gabor decomposition using a Gabor wavelet filter bank with 40 filters (8 orientations and 5 scales) of the initial image with the detected face, is carried out for facial feature point (FFP) extraction and initialization. In the next stage, similarity algorithms along with gabor wavelet decomposition are used to track the movements of FFPs in the faces. Finally, a face-lock mechanism using a subset of MPEG-4 facial definition parameters (FDP) is utilized to fine-tune the face tracking system under partial occlusion conditions. Most of the current face tracking systems need the FFPs to be labeled manually. They assume that the targeted face has already been detected and localized. In our proposed approach, face detection followed by automatic initialization of FFPs using Gabor wavelets is done to facilitate face tracking in a seamless manner. Rapid prototyping of FPGAs to speed up the compute- intensive tasks was performed.
A grounded theory exploration of the onset of anorexia in adolescence.

OBJECTIVES Relatively little research has been conducted investigating the individual's point of view of anorexia. This research explored young people's experiences of the onset of anorexia. It was anticipated that this would improve clinicians' knowledge in this area, which could then inform establishing alliance and progress through interventions. METHOD A qualitative grounded theory design was employed. Eight participants aged between 13 and 17 years took part in an interview. The procedure of analysis involved moving between the interviews and generating codes. RESULTS Superordinate themes emerged and the three main findings are presented. Firstly, it was found that emotions were experienced as overwhelming. Secondly, that the level of awareness of anorexia develops. Finally, that emotional responses and the level of awareness of anorexia impact on the ability to utilise interpersonal interactions. The findings shed light on the personal experiences of this time and help to highlight areas for clinicians to address.