Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene Expression Profiles in the Brain Predict Behavior in Individual Honey Bees

We show that the age-related transition by adult honey bees from hive work to foraging is associated with changes in messenger RNA abundance in the brain for 39% of ∼5500 genes tested.This result, discovered using a highly replicated experimental design involving 72 microarrays, demonstrates more extensive genomic plasticity in the adult brain than has yet been shown.Experimental manipulations that uncouple behavior and age revealed that messenger RNA changes were primarily associated with behavior.Individual brain messenger RNA profiles correctly predicted the behavior of 57 out of 60 bees, indicating a robust association between brain gene expression in the individual and naturally occurring behavioral plasticity.
Expresión de factor tisular, trombomodulina y PAI-1 en placentas de pacientes con restricción de crecimiento intrauterino o preeclampsia

Pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restrictions (IUGR) are two complications of pregnancy with a high component of perinatal morbidity and mortality. It is proposed that an alteration in placental homeostasis may be involved in the pathophysiology of these entities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alteration in placental coagulation in pregnancies with preeclampsia and IUGR. It obtained placentas of pregnancies with idiopathic IUGR or preeclampsia and controls. It carried out analysis of the mRNA expression by real-time PCR of tissue factor, thrombomodulin and PAI-1 in placenta. Additionally we evaluated the expression of hPL in plasma of pregnant women. It found increased expression of tissue factor (p = 0.0105), thrombomodulin (p = 0.0140) in preeclamptic placentas, as well as increased tissue factor reason / thrombomodulin level in preeclampsia (p = 0.001) and in IUGR (p = 0.0411). Additionally it was possible to extract and amplify mRNA of fetoplacental origin in plasma of pregnant women; however, the difference between cases and controls was not significant. In conclusion there is an alteration of local hemostatic mechanisms at the level of placenta in pregnancies that occur with preeclampsia or IUGR.
Electronic switching effect and phase-change transition in chalcogenide materials

The threshold switching mechanism in amorphous chalcogenides is investigated, showing experimental data that once and for all demonstrate its electronic nature. The physical mechanisms responsible for the switching to the highly conductive state are discussed and the impact of cumulative read-out pulses is also investigated, showing that phase-change transitions induced by usual reading operations in phase-change memory cells are completely negligible.
Ceratocystis wilt and canker – a disease that compromises the growing of commercial Acacia-based plantations in the tropics

ABSTRACT Ceratocystis wilt and canker disease has severely compromised the profitability of Acacia mangium plantations in Southeast Asia. The focus of this review is on Ceratocystis wilt and canker disease in Acacia trees. Its aim is to synthesise information about this fungal pathogen that can be used to inform development of suitable disease-control strategies in forest plantations. The last 20 years have seen many taxonomic changes in Ceratocystis, with some disagreement as to species boundaries. Therefore, an understanding of the origins and development of this disease requires reference to other species, particularly in the context of the biology and fungal taxonomy, disease symptoms and mechanisms of fungal dispersal. The risks and impacts of the disease on the sustainability of Acacia wood production are examined. Observing or surveying disease symptoms in plantations, selecting and planting tolerant or resistant Acacia trees, and the potential of endophytic bacteria as biological control agents are also included in this review.
The Role of Facial Colour and Luminance in Visual and Audiovisual Speech Perception

We conducted four experiments to investigate the role of colour and luminance information in visual and audiovisual speech perception. In experiments la (stimuli presented in quiet conditions) and 1b (stimuli presented in auditory noise), face display types comprised naturalistic colour (NC), grey-scale (GS), and luminance inverted (LI) faces. In experiments 2a (quiet) and 2b (noise), face display types comprised NC, colour inverted (CI), LI, and colour and luminance inverted (CLI) faces. Six syllables and twenty-two words were used to produce auditory and visual speech stimuli. Auditory and visual signals were combined to produce congruent and incongruent audiovisual speech stimuli. Experiments 1a and 1b showed that perception of visual speech, and its influence on identifying the auditory components of congruent and incongruent audiovisual speech, was less for LI than for either NC or GS faces, which produced identical results. Experiments 2a and 2b showed that perception of visual speech, and influences on perception of incongruent auditory speech, was less for LI and CLI faces than for NC and CI faces (which produced identical patterns of performance). Our findings for NC and CI faces suggest that colour is not critical for perception of visual and audiovisual speech. The effect of luminance inversion on performance accuracy was relatively small (5%), which suggests that the luminance information preserved in LI faces is important for the processing of visual and audiovisual speech.
Homology model of the human tRNA splicing ligase RtcB

RtcB is an essential human tRNA ligase required for ligating the 2',3'‐cyclic phosphate and 5'‐hydroxyl termini of cleaved tRNA halves during tRNA splicing and XBP1 fragments during endoplasmic reticulum stress. Activation of XBP1 has been implicated in various human tumors including breast cancer. Here we present, for the first time, a homology model of human RtcB (hRtcB) in complex with manganese and covalently bound GMP built from the Pyrococcus horikoshii RtcB (bRtcB) crystal structure, PDB ID 4DWQA. The structure is analyzed in terms of stereochemical quality, folding reliability, secondary structure similarity with bRtcB, druggability of the active site binding pocket and its metal‐binding microenvironment. In comparison with bRtcB, loss of a manganese‐coordinating water and movement of Asn226 (Asn202 in 4DWQA) to form metal‐ligand coordination, demonstrates the uniqueness of the hRtcB model. Rotation of GMP leads to the formation of an additional metal‐ligand coordination (Mn‐O). Umbrella sampling simulations of Mn binding in wild type and the catalytically inactive C122A mutant reveal a clear reduction of Mn binding ability in the mutant, thus explaining the loss of activity therein. Our results furthermore clearly show that the GTP binding site of the enzyme is a well‐defined pocket that can be utilized as target site for in silico drug discovery.
Purification and Identification of a Novel Subunit of Protein Serine/Threonine Phosphatase 4*

The catalytic subunit of protein serine/threonine phosphatase 4 (PP4C) has greater than 65% amino acid identity to the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2AC). Despite this high homology, PP4 does not appear to associate with known PP2A regulatory subunits. As a first step toward characterization of PP4 holoenzymes and identification of putative PP4 regulatory subunits, PP4 was purified from bovine testis soluble extracts. PP4 existed in two complexes of approximately 270–300 and 400–450 kDa as determined by gel filtration chromatography. The smaller PP4 complex was purified by sequential phenyl-Sepharose, Source 15Q, DEAE2, and Superdex 200 gel filtration chromatographies. The final product contained two major proteins: the PP4 catalytic subunit plus a protein that migrated as a doublet of 120–125 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The associated protein, termed PP4R1, and PP4C also bound to microcystin-Sepharose. Mass spectrometry analysis of the purified complex revealed two major peaks, at 35 (PP4C) and 105 kDa (PP4R1). Amino acid sequence information of several peptides derived from the 105 kDa protein was utilized to isolate a human cDNA clone. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence revealed 13 nonidentical repeats similar to repeats found in the A subunit of PP2A (PP2AA). The PP4R1 cDNA clone engineered with an N-terminal Myc tag was expressed in COS M6 cells and PP4C co-immunoprecipitated with Myc-tagged PP4R1. These data indicate that one form of PP4 is similar to the core complex of PP2A in that it consists of a catalytic subunit and a “PP2AA-like” structural subunit.
Improved Learning Conditions in the Establishment of Reading Skills with Disabled Readers

Learning conditions were individually programed in a group setting to provide sequential arrangement of reading material and systematic presentation of reinforcing events to optimize each child's performance. Arrangements of reinforcing events were designed first to accelerate performance rate, then to maintain the high rate. When learning conditions were individually appropriate, each child averaged between 100 and 200 more correct responses every day and spent very few minutes avoiding reading. The students not only made more correct responses daily and worked longer, but also progressed in instructional reading levels from one and one-half to 4 years over 5 months of instruction.
Sitting Posture Detection using Fuzzy Logic - Development of a Neuro-fuzzy Algorithm to Classify Postural Transitions in a Sitting Posture

: In a previous work, a chair prototype was used to detect 11 standardized seating postures of users, using just 8 air bladders (4 in the chair’s seat and 4 in the backrest) and one pressure sensor for each bladder. In this paper we describe a new classification algorithm, which was developed in order to classify the postures using as input the Centre of Pressure, the Posture Adoption Time and the Posture Output from the existing Neural Network Algorithm. This new Posture Classification Algorithm is based on Fuzzy Logic and is able to determine if the user is adopting a good or a bad posture for specific time periods. The newly developed Classification Algorithms will prompt the improvement of new Posture Correction Algorithms based on Fuzzy Actuators.
On-line haemodiafiltration versus low-flux haemodialysis. A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND Current methods of renal replacement therapy lead only to an insignificant removal of larger, potentially toxic, substances, which are excreted by healthy kidneys. On-line preparation of substituate from dialysate and the use of high-flux membranes allow substantial convective removal of such substances. A modified on-line haemodiafiltration method with the use of a large membrane surface and a high convective part was chosen to test whether the elimination of larger substances, such as low-molecular-mass proteins, has a clinical impact. METHODS In a prospective, controlled study over 24 months, 44 unselected chronic dialysis patients were randomized to undergo either low-flux haemodialysis (HD; n = 21) or haemodiafiltration (HDF; n = 23). To eliminate confounding factors, low-molecular efficacy was matched (Kt/V 1.8), and the same membrane material (polysulfone), ultrapure dialysate and the same treatment duration (4.5 h) were applied to each group. RESULTS Morbidity, mortality, blood pressure, dialysis-associated hypotensive episodes, haematocrit and erythropoietin dose did not differ between the groups. The same was true for body weight and, accordingly, bioimpedance values, clinical hydration score, skinfold thickness, plasma albumin, prealbumin and transferrin. beta2-Microglobulin in the plasma did not change in the HD group and varied between 32 and 43 mg/l throughout the 2 years. In HDF, beta2 microglobulin decreased from similar values to 18 mg/l predialysis (P<0.01) in the first 6 months of HDF treatment and then remained constant during the remaining 18 months. CONCLUSION In the absence of any clinical marker of uraemic toxicity the removal of larger molecules over the time-span of 2 years during HDF had no clinical implication compared with extremely (and for routine practice unrealistically) well-dialysed patients with low-flux HD. In the absence of any side-effects of on-line HDF and supposing that plasma beta2-microglobulin is a marker of morbidity, on-line HDF ensures an excellent dialysis quality which apparently takes time to translate into measurable clinical sequelae.
p53 gene mutations are associated with poor survival in low and low-intermediate risk diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

BACKGROUND p53 alterations have been associated with a poor prognosis in aggressive B-cell lymphoma. We investigated the clinical relevance of p53 status in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), focusing on patients who belong to lower risk groups of the international prognostic index and were uniformly treated. We aimed to determine whether this biological marker could identify among such patients those with a pejorative outcome who could benefit from a distinct therapeutic approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 69 patients presenting with no, one (low-risk, n = 40) or two (low-intermediate risk, n = 29) risk factors treated with an anthracyclin-containing induction regimen. p53 exons 5-8 mutations were screened for using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and confirmed by direct sequencing. Immunohistochemical detection of p53 protein and of its downstream target p21 were also evaluated in 60 of 69 cases. RESULTS p53 mutations were detected in 16 of 69 (23%) lymphoma samples. The presence of a p53 gene mutation affected survival (P = 0.01), with a 6-year survival rate estimated to be 44% in mutated patients, compared with 79% in non-mutated ones. Using a stepwise Cox model, p53 mutation constituted the only parameter affecting survival (relative risk = 2.7, P = 0.03). A p53+/p21- immunohistochemical pattern (n = 15), suggestive of a disrupted p53 function, strongly correlated with p53 gene status and was associated with a lower 6-year survival rate when compared with a p53(-) or p53+/p21+ phenotype (47% versus 74%, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS p53 alterations constitute a pejorative biological indicator able to discriminate among clinically defined lower risk patients with DLBCL.
State Estimation for Fractional-Order Complex Dynamical Networks with Linear Fractional Parametric Uncertainty

This paper deals with state estimation problem for a class of fractional-order complex dynamical networks with parametric uncertainty. The parametric uncertainty is assumed to be of linear fractional form. Firstly, based on the properties of Kronecker product and the stability of fractional-order system, a sufficient condition is derived for robust asymptotic stability of linear fractional-order augmented system. Secondly, state estimation problem is then studied for the same fractional-order complex networks, where the purpose is to design a state estimator to estimate the network state through available output measurement, the existence conditions of designing state estimator are derived using matrix's singular value decomposition and LMI techniques. These conditions are in the form of linear matrix inequalities which can be readily solved by applying the LMI toolbox. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the validity of our approach.
Histochemical survey of the distribution of the epidermal melanoblasts and melanocytes in the mouse during fetal and postnatal periods

In order to clarify the time of onset of the differentiation of epidermal melanoblasts and melanocytes in C57BL/10J mice, pieces of skin were excised on various days after gestation and subjected to the dopa reaction and to the combined dopa‐premelanin reaction. Cells positive to the combined dopa‐premelanin reaction (melanoblast‐melanocyte population) were first identified on prenatal day 14 in the dorsal and ventral skin, and increased in number until day 17. The population remained constant (about 140 cells/0.1 mm2 for the dorsal skin and about 65 cells/0.1 mm2 for the ventral skin) until postnatal day 4, and then decreased. However, cells positive to the dopa reaction (melanocyte population) were first indentified on prenatal day 16 in the dorsal and ventral skin, and increased until postnatal day 4 (about 95 cells/0.1 mm2 for the dorsal skin and about 25 cell/0.1 mm2 for the ventral skin), then gradually decreased and disappeared by day 30. These results indicate that mouse epidermal melanoblasts begin to differentiate on prenatal day 14, and 2 days later tyrosinase activity is induced within the cells.
The ghost of methods past: exposure assessment versus job–exposure matrix studies

First introduced 25 years ago, expert assessment of occupational exposure was an important innovation for community-based case–referent studies in occupational epidemiology.1 Here is a simplified scheme of how expert assessment is now practiced: detailed interviews of subjects are reviewed by ‘exposure assessment experts’ who then pass on to epidemiologists their best guesses of exposure status, which are then frequently used as if they are error-free in epidemiological analyses. This method is applied when there are no relevant measurements of exposure that are deemed suitable for mathematical/statistical exposure modelling. The article by Bhatti et al 2 presents this paradigm as state-of-the-art and attempts to support this a priori supposition in the context of a gene–environment interaction study. Therefore, it is legitimate to enquire how comfortable occupational health researchers should feel about such a conjecture and to gauge whether any alterations to the original concept are desirable. Contrary to the claim by Bhatti et al ,2 Teschke et al 3 never concluded that that expert assessment was “the best method”, but were careful to point out—too tactfully—that none of the exposure assessments methods commonly practiced in community-based case–referent studies of occupational aetiology were particularly good. The sentiment that expert assessment was not a panacea was forcefully reiterated in a commentary by Professor Kromhout3 on the outstanding review by Teschke et al. 3 Clearly, leading exposure assessors have grave doubts about value of expert assessment methodology as it is currently practiced. Next we must examine what new evidence Bhatti et …
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenic patients

Purpose of review Since 1999, most studies have confirmed the initial positive results in the treatment of auditory verbal hallucination (AVH) with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeted to the classical site in the left temporo-parietal region. However, recent literature has tempered the initial interest in this treatment, requiring a new review on this topic. Recent findings From the four meta-analyses, the latest reported a moderate effect size of 0.54. Two recent controlled studies, not included in the meta-analyses, failed to observe a significant improvement of AVH after 1 Hz rTMS. While almost all trials have studied the effects of low-frequency rTMS (1Hz), two recent procedures using high-frequency (20 Hz) or continuous theta burst stimulation showed promising results. The interest in using cerebral imaging to increase the efficacy of rTMS in the treatment of AVH has not been clearly demonstrated. Summary Using rTMS to treat auditory hallucinations now seems less promising than it did 10 years ago because of the variable clinical effects and the high level of placebo responders. Evidence is still lacking concerning the maintenance treatment and the neurobiological underpinnings of rTMS efficacy, underscoring the need for further studies.
Sex hormones and vascular protection in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a serious disease and a major public health problem with approximately 1000 new patients diagnosed every year in the United States.1, 2 PAH is a progressive disease involving impaired pulmonary vascular structure and function and is ultimately lethal due to right ventricular failure. Recent insights into the pathogenesis of PAH have lead to more promising therapeutic approaches and improved outcomes; however, the mortality rates associated with PAH remain unacceptably high.1, 3, 4
Presentation of research in anesthesia: Culmination into publication?

Background: To assess the quality of research presentations made in conferences, its success or failure to be published in a peer-reviewed journal is a well-accepted marker. However, there is no data regarding the publication of research presentations made in Indian conferences of anesthesiology. Objective: The primary objective was to determine publication rate of research presented at the largest and best attended national conference in anesthesiology, the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists’ Conference (ISACON), and also compare it with the rate from an international conference American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA annual meeting) held in the same year. Materials and Methods: All 363 abstracts presented as poster or podium presentations at the ISACON, and an equal number of randomly selected abstracts presented at ASA annual meeting were searched on Pubmed and Google Scholar for their full-text publications in peer-reviewed journals using a standardized search strategy. As secondary observations, abstracts were assessed for completeness by noting certain components central to research methodology. Also, changes between abstract of the presentation and published paper were noted with respect to certain components. Results: The publication rate of presentations at ISACON and ASA meetings was 5% and 22%, respectively. The abstracts from ISACON lacked central components of research such as methods and statistical tests. The commonest change in the full-text publications as compared with the original abstract from both conferences was a change in authorship. Conclusion: Steps are required to augment full-text publication of Indian research, including a more rigorous peer review of abstracts submitted to ISACON to ensure their completeness.
A Dynamic Sampling strategy based on confidence level of Virtual Metrology predictions

Metrology is a costly and time consuming activity in semiconductor fabrication; for this reason, Dynamic Sampling strategies and Virtual Metrology approaches have proliferated in the past recent years. Both Dynamic Sampling strategies and Virtual Metrology techniques aim at minimizing the amount of performed measures while keeping acceptable levels of production quality. In this work we study a Dynamic Sampling scheme recently proposed in literature that takes into account the availability of a Virtual Metrology module in the advanced process control architecture. The idea supporting the investigated strategy is based on the availability of a confidence level in the Virtual Metrology predictions; in our implementation of this scheme, this is achieved by exploiting a popular Machine Learning approach for supervised learning tasks, called Random Forests. The aforementioned scheme is tested on a real industrial dataset related to Plasma Etching and it is compared with classical metrology strategies.