Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Maternal Inheritance of Dinoflagellate Symbionts in the Acoelomorph Worm Waminoa litus

Waminoa litus is a zooxanthella-bearing acoel worm that infests corals. It is unique to Bilateria in that it transmits its algal symbionts vertically via eggs irrespective of the heterogeneity of the symbionts. It simultaneously harbors two dinoflagellate genera: Symbiodinium and Amphidinium. In this study, we examined the timing and vertical transmission pathway of algal symbionts in W. litus using light and electron microscopy. The oogenesis of the worm can be divided into three stages: stage I, in which the ovary is absent; stage II, the early vitellogenic zone containing immature oocytes formed in the ovary; and stage III, with both early and late vitellogenic zones in the body. In the early vitellogenic zone at stage II, oocytes are surrounded by accessory-follicle cells (AFCs). Both Symbiodinium and Amphidinium symbionts are not initially observed in the oocytes, but are observed in the AFCs. In the late vitellogenic zone at stage III, oocytes are enveloped by a complete sheath of AFCs; the algal symbionts are taken up by the late vitellogenic oocytes. These observations suggest that AFCs mediate the transfer of the algae from the parent to the oocytes. Ribotype analyses of the Symbiodinium symbionts revealed that they differ from those harbored by coral in the same experimental aquarium. These results indicate that W. litus has an active algal transport pathway and maintains a specific lineage of Symbiodinium via vertical transmission.
Spatially adaptive nonlocal total variation for PolSAR despeckling

In this paper, we present two spatially adaptive nonlocal total variation methods for the speckle filtering of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. One is for the despeckling of SAR intensity images, and the other one is for full polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) images. Experiments were conducted on two simulated images and an airborne PolSAR images to illustrate the filtering performances, and the results show that the proposed methods effectively reduces speckle, retains edges and targets, and preserves the polarimetric scattering mechanisms.
Contrast-Enhanced 3T High-Resolution MR Imaging in Symptomatic Atherosclerotic Basilar Artery Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Contrast-enhanced 3T high-resolution MR imaging can be used to determine the wall enhancement pattern of the basilar artery in symptomatic atherosclerotic stenosis. We used this method to explore the relationship between wall enhancement and both recent infarction in the territory of the stenotic BA and subsequent ischemic events associated with the stenotic BA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic BA stenosis ≥70% were enrolled consecutively. HR-MRI of cross-sectional BAs was obtained before and after contrast media injection, and wall enhancement indices were calculated for sections proximal to, at, and distal to the site of maximal luminal narrowing. DWI of the brain was performed to determine the presence of recent infarction. RESULTS: Images from 56 patients were suitable for analysis. Thirty-three patients underwent stent placement for the stenotic BA, and 23 patients underwent conservative medical treatment with antiplatelet agents and risk-factor control. All 23 patients with medical treatment had a 12-month follow-up. Greater wall enhancement was seen in the section proximal to the MLN section in both patients with recent infarction (74 ± 65% versus 44 ± 44%; P = .046) and in patients with subsequent ischemic events (100 ± 57% versus 44 ± 44%; P = .014). CONCLUSIONS: Greater wall enhancement proximal to the MLN site correlates with recent infarction in the territory of the stenotic BA and subsequent ischemic events associated with the stenotic BA. Contrast-enhanced HR-MRI may serve as a noninvasive tool for risk stratification of BA atherosclerosis.
Clinical outcome of lymphoma patients after idiotype vaccination is correlated with humoral immune response and immunoglobulin G Fc receptor genotype.

PURPOSE The unique immunoglobulin idiotype (Id) expressed by each B-cell lymphoma is a target for immunotherapy. Vaccination with Id induces humoral and/or cellular anti-Id immune responses. However, the clinical impact of these anti-Id immune responses is unknown. We and others have previously reported that immunoglobulin G Fc receptor (FcgammaR) polymorphisms predict the clinical response of lymphoma patients to passive anti-CD20 antibody infusions. In this study, we tested whether anti-Id immune responses or FcgammaR polymorphisms associate with clinical outcome of patients who received Id vaccination. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed 136 patients with follicular lymphoma who had received Id vaccination. The anti-Id immune responses were measured and FcgammaRIIIa and FcgammaRIIa polymorphisms were determined and correlated with clinical outcome for these patients. RESULTS Patients who mounted humoral immune responses had a longer progression-free survival (PFS) than those who did not (8.21 v 3.38 years; P = .018). Patients with FcgammaRIIIa 158 valine/valine (V/V) genotype also had a longer PFS than those with valine/phenylalanine (V/F) or phenylalanine/phenylalanine (F/F) genotypes (V/V, 8.21 v V/F, 3.38 years; P = .004; v F/F, 4.47 years; P = .035). Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model showed that V/V genotype and humoral immune responses were independent positive predictors for PFS. CONCLUSION This study is the first to identify the predictive value of FcgammaR polymorphism on clinical outcome in patients who received active immunotherapy with tumor antigen vaccines. Our results imply that the antibodies induced against a tumor antigen are beneficial and that FcgammaR-bearing cells mediate an antitumor effect by killing antibody-coated tumor cells.
Semi-analytic approach to evaluate performance of a precoded multiuser cooperative scheme

This paper addresses the problem of transmitting data to multiple mobile stations using a decode-and-forward strategy. Precoding vectors are used in relays to cancel out multiple access interference at the mobile stations. Statistical distribution of signal to noise ratio (SNR) is approximated by an expectation maximization algorithm. Based on this distribution, system performance is evaluated for low and high SNR. Simulation results confirm the analytic calculations and show that the maximum diversity advantage can be obtained, which is the product of the number of antennas at each relay by the number of relays minus the total number of system constraints.
Dendritic cells produce macrophage inflammatory protein-1 gamma, a new member of the CC chemokine family.

Langerhans cells (LC) are skin-specific members of the dendritic cell (DC) family. DC are unique among APC for their capacity to activate immunologically naive T cells, but little is known about their chemotactic recruitment of T cells. We now report that LC produce macrophage inflammatory protein-1 gamma (MIP-1 gamma), a newly identified CC chemokine. MIP-1 gamma mRNA was detected in epidermal cells freshly procured from BALB/c mice, and depletion of I-A+ epidermal cells (i.e., LC) abrogated that expression. MIP-1 gamma mRNA was detected in the XS52 LC-like DC line as well as by 4F7+ splenic DC and granulocyte-macrophage CSF-propagated bone marrow DC. XS52 DC culture supernatants contained 9 and 10.5 kDa immunoreactivities with anti-MIP-1 gamma Abs. We observed in Boyden chamber assays that 1) XS52 DC supernatant (added to the lower chambers) induced significant migration by splenic T cells; 2) this migration was blocked by the addition of anti-MIP-1 gamma in the lower chambers or by rMIP-1 gamma in the upper chambers; and 3) comparable migration occurred in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and in both activated and nonactivated T cells. We conclude that mouse DC (including LC) have the capacity to elaborate the novel CC chemokine MIP-1 gamma, suggesting the active participation of DC in recruiting T cells before activation.
A very low offset voltage operational amplifier using field programmable floating-gate technology

A very low offset voltage operational amplifier that can be field programmable is described. Offset reduction is achieved by programming two floating gate transistors that form an important part of a single-stage folded cascode amplifier. A novel programming method that requires just four additional pins and an LMS algorithm was used. Floating-gate transistors were programmed for a minimum offset voltage of ± 20 ¿V using 1.2 ¿m CMOS process. Programmed operational amplifiers can be used in continuous-time operation for a long period of time without the need of reprogramming. Experimental results show that this offset reduction scheme is a viable approach to low cost precision operational amplifier fabrication.
Prognostic significance of p16INK4A and human papillomavirus in patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated on TROG 02.02 phase III trial.

PURPOSE To determine the prognostic importance of p16 and human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated on a phase III concurrent chemoradiotherapy trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with stage III or IV head and neck squamous cell cancer were randomly assigned to concurrent radiotherapy and cisplatin with or without tirapazamine. In this substudy, analyses were restricted to patients with oropharyngeal cancer. p16 was detected by immunohistochemistry, and HPV was detected by in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Slides were available for p16 assay in 206 of 465 patients, of which 185 were eligible, and p16 and HPV were evaluable in 172 patients. One hundred six (57%) of 185 were p16-positive, and in patients evaluable for both p16 and HPV, 88 (86%) of 102 p16-positive patients were also HPV-positive. Patients who were p16-positive had lower T and higher N categories and better Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status. p16-positive tumors compared with p16-negative tumors were associated with better 2-year overall survival (91% v 74%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.36; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.74; P = .004) and failure-free survival (87% v 72%; HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.74; P = .003). p16 was a significant prognostic factor on multivariable analysis (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.96; P = .04). p16-positive patients had lower rates of locoregional failure and deaths due to other causes. There was a trend favoring the tirapazamine arm for improved locoregional control in p16-negative patients (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.09 to 1.24; P = .13). CONCLUSION HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer is a distinct entity with a favorable prognosis compared with HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer when treated with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy.
VCO based Nyquist-rate ADC with FVCO of Fs/2

Relentless pursuit of Moore's law, while providing immense speed, power, and cost benefits in digital circuits, has thrown open many challenges in analog circuit design, especially analog-to-digital converter (ADC) design. Present day ADC's must be able to achieve an extremely high level of performance in terms of both resolution and bandwidth. High-resolution and high-bandwidth input modulated parallel ΔΣ-ADCs have been proposed earlier [1]. However, the large size of a conventional ΔΣ-ADC severely constrains the amount of parallelism. Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) based 1st-order noise-shaped ADCs being mostly digital in nature can exploit the scaling trend and can therefore be realized in a small area. Thus, using VCO based 1st-order noise-shaping, a large amount of parallelism can be achieved to enable the design of high-resolution, high-bandwidth ADCs. This work provides an intuitive explanation of input modulated parallel ADCs and proposes a 32-channel VCO based ADC operating at a sampling rate, Fs, of 200 MHz and achieving an SNR of 65-dB, with the VCOs in each channel oscillating at a meagre frequency, Fvco = Fs/2 = 100 MHz.
A novel depth estimation method using infocused and defocused images

The blur amount of an image changes proportional to scene depth. Depth from Defocus (DFD) is an approach in which a depth map can be obtained using blur amount calculation. In this paper, a novel DFD method is proposed in which depth is measured using an infocused and a defocused image. Subbaro's algorithm [4] is used as a preliminary depth estimation method and two complimentary approaches are provided to overcome drawbacks in edge and smooth areas1.
When surfacers do not dive: multiple significance of extended surface times in marine turtles

SUMMARY Marine turtles spend more than 90% of their life underwater and have been termed surfacers as opposed to divers. Nonetheless turtles have been reported occasionally to float motionless at the surface but the reasons for this behaviour are not clear. We investigated the location, timing and duration of extended surface times (ESTs) in 10 free-ranging loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and the possible relationship to water temperature and diving activity recorded via satellite relay data loggers for 101–450 days. For one turtle that dived only in offshore areas, ESTs contributed 12% of the time whereas for the other turtles ESTs contributed 0.4–1.8% of the time. ESTs lasted on average 90 min but were mostly infrequent and irregular, excluding the involvement of a fundamental regulatory function. However, 82% of the ESTs occurred during daylight, mostly around noon, suggesting a dependence on solar radiation. For three turtles, there was an appreciable (7°C to 10.5°C) temperature decrease with depth for dives during periods when ESTs occurred frequently, suggesting a re-warming function of EST to compensate for decreased body temperatures, possibly to enhance digestive efficiency. A positive correlation between body mass and EST duration supported this explanation. By contrast, night-active turtles that exceeded their calculated aerobic dive limits in 7.6–16% of the dives engaged in nocturnal ESTs, probably for lactate clearance. This is the first evidence that loggerhead turtles may refrain from diving for at least two reasons, either to absorb solar radiation or to recover from anaerobic activity.
RecX protein abrogates ATP hydrolysis and strand exchange promoted by RecA: Insights into negative regulation of homologous recombination

In many eubacteria, coexpression of recX with recA is essential for attenuation of the deleterious effects of recA overexpression; however, the molecular mechanism has remained enigmatic. Here, we show that Mycobacterium tuberculosis RecX binds directly to M. tuberculosis RecA as well as M. smegmatis and E. coli RecA proteins in vivo and in vitro, but not single-stranded DNA binding protein. The direct association of RecX with RecA failed to regulate the specificity or extent of binding of RecA either to DNA or ATP, ligands that are central to activation of its functions. Significantly, RecX severely impeded ATP hydrolysis and the generation of heteroduplex DNA promoted by homologous, as well as heterologous, RecA proteins. These findings reveal a mode of negative regulation of RecA, and imply that RecX might act as an anti-recombinase to quell inappropriate recombinational repair during normal DNA metabolism.
COUP-TFII suppresses colorectal carcinoma resistance to doxorubicin involving inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) promotes progression of a variety of tumors. The study was designed to explore the role of COUP-TFII in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) resistance to doxorubicin. The sensitivity of CRC cell lines to doxorubicin was calculated by different proliferation rate measured with cell count kit-8 and EdU (5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine) assay. The expression of COUP-TFII, Vimentin and E-cadherin were verified using western blot. After doxorubicin administration, CRC cell lines presented apparently down-regulated COUP-TFII, E-cadherin expression and increased Vimentin expression. Besides, COUP-TFII knock-down resulted in significantly increased sensitivity to doxorubicin in all of CRC cell lines, but Twist knock-down presented totally reversed results. Furthermore, COUP-TFII knock-down promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition in (EMT) CRC cell lines. After doxorubicin treatment, immediately decreased COUP-TFII expression significantly promotes CRC cells survival outcomes by suppressing EMT.
Exchange Rate Volatility and Trade Flows

After the collapse of Bretton-Woods system in 1973, many countries adopted the floating exchange rate regime. This situation led to fluctation and uncertainties in the exchange rates. There are number of studies that analyze the effect of Exchange rate volatility on trade flows but previous studies cannot obtain results about sectoral base due to the lack of disaggregated data sets. This study investigates the effects of exchange rate volatility on trade flows in Turkey. For this purpose using annual data covers the period 2002-2013. Exports to 15 European countries and imports from 15 European countries are analyzed by panel methodology. According to the test results, export sectors are negatively affected; import sectors are both positively and negatively affected from exchange rate volatility.
Gamma delta T cells in normal spleen assist immunized alpha beta T cells in the adoptive cell transfer of contact sensitivity. Effect of Bordetella pertussis, cyclophosphamide, and antibodies to determinants on suppressor cells.

Our prior studies showed that gamma delta T cells were required to assist alpha beta T cells in the successful adoptive cell transfer of contact sensitivity (CS) responsiveness. These TCR-gamma delta+ regulatory T cells in immune spleen and lymph node were CD3+, CD4-, CD8+, nonantigen-specific, and non-MHC-restricted. In the current work, experiments were conducted to determine the mechanisms of how the gamma delta T cells were required to assist the alpha beta T cells in CS. We found that similar regulatory gamma delta T cells were in the spleen of normal mice, but not in the spleen of nude nor SCID mice, suggesting that the regulatory gamma delta T cells were present before immunization and required the thymus for differentiation, and also required rearrangements of gamma delta V gene segments. Treatment of cell transfer recipient mice with Bordetella pertussis (Bp), or with a low dose of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg), restored the ability of alpha beta+ gamma delta- T cells to transfer CS. This and other results suggested that Bp caused the CS-assisting gamma delta T cells to leave the lymphoid organs (such as the spleen) and enter the circulation, and only then to be able to assist the TCR-alpha beta+ CS-effector T cells. This effect needed the simultaneous i.v. injection of the CS-effector alpha beta T cells and the CS-assisting gamma delta T cells. The results also suggested that treatment with cyclophosphamide inactivated suppressor T cells in the recipients that acted to inhibit the alpha beta T cell transfer of CS, and thus that the CS-assisting gamma delta T cells acted by protecting the CS-effector alpha beta T cells from this endogenous suppression. This suppression of CS transfers also was eliminated by treatment of recipients with two different mAbs to determinants on suppressor T cells. In conclusion, we have described regulatory TCR-gamma delta+ CS-assisting/protecting T cells that are non-antigen-specific, non-MHC-restricted, CD3+, CD8+ gamma delta T cells that may assist adoptive transferring CS-effector alpha beta T cells by making these effector T cells resistant to suppressor T cells in the normal recipients.
The bacterial species dilemma and the genomic–phylogenetic species concept

The number of species of Bacteria and Archaea (ca 5000) is surprisingly small considering their early evolution, genetic diversity and residence in all ecosystems. The bacterial species definition accounts in part for the small number of named species. The primary procedures required to identify new species of Bacteria and Archaea are DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotypic characterization. Recently, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis have been applied to bacterial taxonomy. Although 16S phylogeny is arguably excellent for classification of Bacteria and Archaea from the Domain level down to the family or genus, it lacks resolution below that level. Newer approaches, including multilocus sequence analysis, and genome sequence and microarray analyses, promise to provide necessary information to better understand bacterial speciation. Indeed, recent data using these approaches, while meagre, support the view that speciation processes may occur at the subspecies level within ecological niches (ecovars) and owing to biogeography (geovars). A major dilemma for bacterial taxonomists is how to incorporate this new information into the present hierarchical system for classification of Bacteria and Archaea without causing undesirable confusion and contention. This author proposes the genomic–phylogenetic species concept (GPSC) for the taxonomy of prokaryotes. The aim is twofold. First, the GPSC would provide a conceptual and testable framework for bacterial taxonomy. Second, the GPSC would replace the burdensome requirement for DNA hybridization presently needed to describe new species. Furthermore, the GPSC is consistent with the present treatment at higher taxonomic levels.
Can smaller loads be profitably engaged in power system services?

This paper summarizes a presentation to be given at the IEEE Power and Energy Society 2011 General Meeting, in the panel session “Business Models for Demand-side Energy Services: Economics, Challenges, and Opportunities. ” The paper discusses some of the tradeoffs between price response versus direct load control, and using small versus large loads to deliver aggregated system services. It also discusses some of the challenges that will need to be addressed if grid cyberinfrastructure is to be employed to economically deliver grid services with aggregated loads. In the final section, the paper presents a few novel load control strategies developed by the author and his collaborators that could significantly reduce the cost to deliver fast and precise services from responsive loads.
DOES CHANGE IN PRICE LEVEL AID INDUSTRIAL SECTOR PRODUCTIVITY IN NIGERIA

This goal of this study is to assess the effect of inflation on industrial output in Nigeria using annual data from 1982 to 2015. The error correction model (ECM) was employed to estimate the short-run and long-run dynamics, while the Engel and Granger residual-based technique for cointegration was employed to test for long-run relationship. The Findings revealed that inflation, official exchange rate and real interest rate had negative effects on Nigeria’s industrial output. A unit change in inflation rate and real interest rates brought about 9.2% and 3.3% decline in industrial output respectively. When however the broad money supply increased by 1%, industrial sector value added increased by 23.7%. Growth in broad money supply was however found to have significant positive effect on industrial production over the period. Based on the ECM, the study found that the last period’s deviation from long-run equilibrium is corrected at the speed of 62.7% annually. JEL: C22, E63, L60 Article visualizations: