Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biallelic TSC gene inactivation in tuberous sclerosis complex

Background: A pivotal developmental question is whether tubers in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) form by germline and somatic TSC1 or TSC2 gene mutations. Loss of TSC1 or TSC2 in vitro and in vivo leads to mTORC1 cascade activation and ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation (P-S6). Giant cells (GCs) in tubers exhibit S6 phosphorylation, suggesting cell-specific loss of TSC gene function. Methods: TSC1 and TSC2 gene mutations were investigated in DNA extracted from tuber sections (n = 6) and microdissected P-S6–labeled GCs by sequencing and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis to define germline and somatic mutations. Results: A germline TSC1 mutation was defined in 1 case and TSC2 mutations were defined in 5 cases. LOH was not detected in whole tuber sections or microdissected P-S6–labeled GCs. TSC1 and TSC2 were sequenced in microdissected P-S6–immunolabeled GCs. In 5 specimens, a somatic mutation was identified in single GCs that was not detected in whole tuber sections or leukocyte DNA. Four somatic mutations were novel variants (1 nonsense and 3 missense mutations) and 1 additional nonsense somatic mutation was previously reported as a germline mutation. In 1 case, no somatic mutation was identified. There was reduced expression of TSC1 or TSC2 transcripts in the TSC1 or TSC2 associated specimens. In the cases containing a nonsense mutation, no transcript mRNA was detected, suggesting nonsense-mediated degradation. Conclusions: We provide evidence to support the hypothesis that tubers form by biallelic TSC1 or TSC2 gene inactivation reflecting a “2-hit” mechanism of germline and somatic mutational events. AML = angiomyolipoma; DN = dysplastic neuron; FFPE = formalin fixed, paraffin embedded; GC = giant cell; H-E = hematoxylin and eosin; LOH = loss of heterozygosity; TSC = tuberous sclerosis complex.
Risk Factors for Lung Cancer Mortality in a Referral Center.

BACKGROUND Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of death that is rising in many countries including Iran. This study aimed to determine the impact of factors on survival of lung cancer patients at a referral center of lung diseases in Tehran, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on adult lung cancer cases admitted to a referral center for lung diseases from 2011 to 2015. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for all-cause mortality. RESULTS Of a total 933 patients with lung cancer, 53.4% died, 49.3% of them at the hospital. Overall median follow-up time was 7 months. The most common histological type of cancer was adenocarcinoma with a 13 month median survival time. Age ≥55 and smoking remained significant for all-cause mortality on Cox analysis, whereas gender was not. CONCLUSIONS The survival of lung cancer patients is poor and the patients with history of smoking and age ≥55 are at increased risk of death. Having a large hospital-based registry provides a good measurement of prognostic statistics for lung cancer. Further investigations are necessary to establish reasons for mortality.
The impact of foreign macroeconomic news on financial markets in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland

In this paper, we investigate the effects of euro area and US macroeconomic news on financial markets in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland (CEEC-3) from 1999 to 2006. Using a GARCH model, we examine the impact of news on daily returns of 3-month interest rates, stock market indices, exchange rates versus the euro, and the US dollar. First, both US and European macroeconomic news has a significant impact on CEEC-3 financial markets. Second, the process of European integration is accompanied by an increasing importance of euro area news relative to US news. Third, there are country-specific differences: for example, the Czech stock market is relatively more affected by foreign news since the Copenhagen Summit in December 2002. In general, our results support the hypothesis of a deepening euro area influence on the CEEC-3 over time and a corresponding reduction in the relative importance of US shocks.
Cause-specific excess deaths associated with underweight, overweight, and obesity.

CONTEXT The association of body mass index (BMI) with cause-specific mortality has not been reported for the US population. OBJECTIVE To estimate cause-specific excess deaths associated with underweight (BMI <18.5), overweight (BMI 25-<30), and obesity (BMI > or =30). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cause-specific relative risks of mortality from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) I, 1971-1975; II, 1976-1980; and III, 1988-1994, with mortality follow-up through 2000 (571,042 person-years of follow-up) were combined with data on BMI and other covariates from NHANES 1999-2002 with underlying cause of death information for 2.3 million adults 25 years and older from 2004 vital statistics data for the United States. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cause-specific excess deaths in 2004 by BMI levels for categories of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and all other causes (noncancer, non-CVD causes). RESULTS Based on total follow-up, underweight was associated with significantly increased mortality from noncancer, non-CVD causes (23,455 excess deaths; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11,848 to 35,061) but not associated with cancer or CVD mortality. Overweight was associated with significantly decreased mortality from noncancer, non-CVD causes (-69 299 excess deaths; 95% CI, -100 702 to -37 897) but not associated with cancer or CVD mortality. Obesity was associated with significantly increased CVD mortality (112,159 excess deaths; 95% CI, 87,842 to 136,476) but not associated with cancer mortality or with noncancer, non-CVD mortality. In further analyses, overweight and obesity combined were associated with increased mortality from diabetes and kidney disease (61 248 excess deaths; 95% CI, 49 685 to 72,811) and decreased mortality from other noncancer, non-CVD causes (-105,572 excess deaths; 95% CI, -161 816 to -49,328). Obesity was associated with increased mortality from cancers considered obesity-related (13,839 excess deaths; 95% CI, 1920 to 25,758) but not associated with mortality from other cancers. Comparisons across surveys suggested a decrease in the association of obesity with CVD mortality over time. CONCLUSIONS The BMI-mortality association varies by cause of death. These results help to clarify the associations of BMI with all-cause mortality.
A Deformable 3-D Facial Expression Model for Dynamic Human Emotional State Recognition

Automatic emotion recognition from facial expression is one of the most intensively researched topics in affective computing and human-computer interaction. However, it is well known that due to the lack of 3-D feature and dynamic analysis the functional aspect of affective computing is insufficient for natural interaction. In this paper, we present an automatic emotion recognition approach from video sequences based on a fiducial point controlled 3-D facial model. The facial region is first detected with local normalization in the input frames. The 26 fiducial points are then located on the facial region and tracked through the video sequences by multiple particle filters. Depending on the displacement of the fiducial points, they may be used as landmarked control points to synthesize the input emotional expressions on a generic mesh model. As a physics-based transformation, elastic body spline technology is introduced to the facial mesh to generate a smooth warp that reflects the control point correspondences. This also extracts the deformation feature from the realistic emotional expressions. Discriminative Isomap-based classification is used to embed the deformation feature into a low dimensional manifold that spans in an expression space with one neutral and six emotion class centers. The final decision is made by computing the nearest class center of the feature space.
Introduction to robotics - mechanics and control (2. ed.)

Let's read! We will often find out this sentence everywhere. When still being a kid, mom used to order us to always read, so did the teacher. Some books are fully read in a week and we need the obligation to support reading. What about now? Do you still love reading? Is reading only for you who have obligation? Absolutely not! We here offer you a new book enPDFd introduction to robotics mechanics and control 2nd edition to read.
Assessment of Broiler Chicken Welfare in Southern Brazil

Scientific literature on broiler chicken welfare in Brazilian industrial systems is scarce. This study aimed at assessing broiler chicken welfare on industrial farms in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, using the Welfare Quality(r) assessment protocol for poultry, to provide directly applicable scientific information. Results are presented as criteria scores ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better welfare; and percentages of prevalence. The scores classified as excellent (above 80) were absence of prolonged thirst, absence of prolonged hunger, litter quality, breast blister and touch test. Enhanced scores (between 55 and 80) were comfort around resting, plumage cleanliness and dust sheet test. Acceptable scores (between 20 and 55) were thermal comfort, stocking density, absence of injuries, footpad dermatitis and hock burn; and unacceptable scores (below 20) were lameness and qualitative behavioral assessment. The median percentage of mortality and culled birds were 5.2% and 0.6%, respectively. This study provides useful information to select priorities of action on assessed farms and may contribute for setting up legal standards and guiding decisions related to animal welfare issues in Brazil.
A Brief Review on Image Restoration Techniques

Image restoration is process of recovering the original image by removing noise and blur from image. Image blur is difficult to avoid in many situations like photography, to remove motion blur caused by camera shake, radar imaging to remove the effect of image system response, etc. Image noise is unwanted signal which comes in image from sensor such as thermal or electrical signal and Environmental condition such as rain, snow etc. Researchers have proposed many methods in this regard and in this paper we will examine and discuss different noise and blur models and restoration methods.
Involvement of bacterial polysaccharides in plant pathogenesis.

Virulence of phytopathogenic bacteria is often correlated with their ability to produce extraceUular polysaccharides (EPSs). The composition and amount of lipopolysaccharide O-antigens and low molecular weight, cell-associated 13linked glucans may also affect virulence of Gram-negative pathogens. For a few species of Agrobacterium. Clavibacter, Erwinia. Pseudomonas, and Xan­ tlwmonas sufficient biochemical and genetical data has accumulated to permit critical evaluation of possible functions of polysaccharides during pathogene­ sis. It is clear that EPSs are necessary for several pathogens to cause normal disease symptoms such as water-soaking and wilting. Evidence is accumulating that EPSs and ceU-associated polysaccharides also promote colonization and enhance survival of some bacteria within host tissues. Further progress will require the use of thoroughly characterized polysaccharide-minus mutants. "natural" inoculation procedures, and careful monitoring of the fate of bacteria within plants.
IGMN : A Connectionist Approach for Incremental Robotic Tasks

This works presents IGMN (standing for Incremental Gaussian Mixture Network), a connectionist approach for incremental robotic tasks. IGMN is based on strong statistical principles (Gaussian mixture models) and asymptotically converges to the optimal regression surface as more training data arrive. Moreover, IGMN learns incrementally from data flows (each data can be immediately used and discarded), it is not sensible to initialization conditions, does not require fine-tuning its configuration parameters and has a good computational performance, thus allowing its use in real time control applications. Through several experiments using the proposed model it is demonstrated that IGMN can be successfully used in real time robotic tasks such as concept formation, robot control and mapping. Therefore, IGMN is a very useful machine learning tool for incremental and real time robotic tasks.
Distinguishing homomorphisms of infinite graphs

We supply an upper bound on the distinguishing chromatic number of certain infinite graphs satisfying an adjacency property. Distinguishing proper $n$-colourings are generalized to the new notion of distinguishing homomorphisms. We prove that if a graph $G$ satisfies the connected existentially closed property and admits a homomorphism to $H$, then it admits continuum-many distinguishing homomorphisms from $G$ to $H$ join $K_2. $ Applications are given to a family universal $H$-colourable graphs, for $H$ a finite core.
Adaptive-predictive game-playing programs

Adaptive-predictive search (APS) is a new method by which systems can improve their search performance through experience. It is believed that the development of such methods is critical as currently a tremendous amount of computational results are potentially wasted by not integrating search and partial search results into the knowledge of a problem-solving system. In the adaptive-predictive search model pattern formation and associative recall are used to improve or replace search. In this paper the theory, background and motivations behind the model are presented and its application to two-player game-playing programs is discussed. In these programs, the system develops a knowledge base of patterns (boolean features) coupled with weights and using pattern-oriented evaluation performs only 1-ply search, yet competes respectably with programs that search more. The learning mechanism is a hybridization of machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques that have been successful in other settings. Specific examples and performance results are taken from the domains of Hexapawn, Tic-Tac-Toe, Pente, Othello, and Chess. [This report is much like 89-22, but focuses on 2-player games and gives new results. ]
Conidiogenones H and I, Two New Diterpenes of Cyclopiane Class from a Marine‐Derived Endophytic Fungus Penicillium chrysogenum QEN‐24S

Two new tetracyclic diterpenes of the rarely reported cyclopiane class, conidiogenones H and I (1 and 2, resp.), along with five related congeners, conidiogenones B – D and F (3–5 and 6, resp.) and conidiogenol (7), were characterized from the culture extracts of Penicillium chrysogenum QEN‐24S, an endophytic fungus derived from an unidentified marine red algal species of the genus Laurencia. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The inhibitory activity of theses diterpenes against four bacteria and one pathogen fungus was evaluated. Conidiogenone B (3) showed potent activity against Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus epidermidis (each with a MIC value of 8 μg/ml), while conidiogenol (7) showed obvious activity against P. fluorescens and S. epidermidis (each with a MIC value of 16 μg/ml). This is the first report on antimicrobial activity of cyclopiane diterpenes.
Object location memory error in virtual and real environments

We aim to further explore the transfer of spatial knowledge from virtual to real spaces. Based on previous research on spatial memory in immersive virtual reality (VR) we ran a study that looked at the effect of three locomotion techniques (joystick, pointing-and-teleporting and walking-in-place) on object location learning and recall. Participants were asked to learn the location of a virtual object in a virtual environment (VE). After a short period of time they were asked to recall the location by placing a real version of the object in the real-world equivalent environment. Results indicate that the average placement error, or distance between original and recalled object location, is approximately 20cm for all locomotion technique conditions. This result is similar to the outcome of a previous study on spatial memory in VEs that used real walking. We report this unexpected finding and suggest further work on spatial memory in VR by recommending the replication of this study in different environments and using objects with a wider diversity of properties, including varying sizes and shapes.
Labouring on orgasms: embodiment, efficiency, entitlement and obligations in heterosex

Women's orgasms have long been subject to vociferous scientific debate, but over the last 10–15 years a small but growing body of largely feminist qualitative research has begun to explore how the sociocultural construction of orgasm finds contemporary articulation in popular culture and in lay accounts of heterosex. This work is explicitly concerned with gendered power relations and how these operate. This paper provides a critical review and synthesis of this work by exploring three discursive imperatives: (1) orgasm and the coital imperative (2) efficient orgasms and hard work (3) and the ethic of reciprocity. Drawing on these insights, this paper outlines how a focus on embodiment, on situated meaning-making and on everyday sexual practices would further extend our understanding of the social construction of orgasm. Finally, the paper argues for the importance of locating these processes of meaning-making in relation to socially structured material realities.
Hip arthroscopy in the athletic patient: current techniques and spectrum of disease.

Over the last decade, the management of hip injuries has evolved substantially due to the advancement of techniques in arthroscopy and diagnostic tools such as magnetic resonance imaging. Arthroscopy of the hip remains a challenge due to the osseous and soft-tissue constraints of the hip. Currently, various hip lesions, including labral tears, loose bodies, femoroacetabular impingement, coxa saltans (snapping hip syndrome), ligamentum teres injuries, and capsular laxity, can be successfully treated arthroscopically. As continued improvements are made in surgical techniques and in specifically designed instrumentation for the hip, the indications for arthroscopy will continue to increase and arthroscopy of the hip will become a standard procedure performed by an increasing number of orthopaedic surgeons. After reviewing this article, the reader should: (1) have a basic understanding of the intra-articular and extra-articular hip disorders that commonly occur in athletes; (2) be able to generate a differential diagnosis for hip pain; (3) have a basic understanding of the relevant anatomy, patient history, and physical examination findings for an athlete who presents with hip pain; and (4) be able to identify normal and abnormal findings on radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging studies. The differential diagnosis of hip pain in an athletic patient is quite broad (Table I). A complete history and physical examination are necessary in order to determine the source and cause of the pain. It is still common to ascribe hip pain in an athlete to a muscle strain or a soft-tissue contusion. However, hip pain may arise from a number of soft-tissue structures in and around the hip joint, and it is important to be able to differentiate extra-articular from intra-articular abnormalities. The physician should elicit information from the patient with regard to the specific location of the discomfort, the qualitative nature of the discomfort (such as catching, clicking, instability, …
RNase E, an endoribonuclease, has a general role in the chemical decay of Escherichia coli mRNA: evidence that rne and ams are the same genetic locus

Escherichia coli RNase E is known to process RNA precursors at specific sites. We show that this endoribonuclease has a general role in E. coli mRNA turnover and affects the stability of specific transcripts. The effect of the rne mutation on functional stability of mRNA was much less pronounced than that on chemical stability, although the expression of some genes was affected. The E. coli ams (altered mRNA stability) mutation was found to have phenotypes indistinguishable from those of the rne mutation, affecting both 9S RNA and T4 gene 32 mRNA processing. The rne and ams mutations were both complemented by the same 3.7kb fragment of E. coli DNA and are probably allelic. RNase E is the first endoribonuclease Identified as having a general role in the chemical decay of E. coli mRNA.
Polyhedrin gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis of a nucleopolyhedrovirus isolated from Orgyia ericae Germar

Molecular characterization of a nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) isolated from the diseased larva of Orgyia ericae Germar was firstly analyzed. The genomic size of O. ericae NPV was estimated to be 134.6 kb by restriction endonuclease analysis. The gene encoding the major structural protein, polyhedrin, was cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses using polyhedrin sequences revealed that O. ericae NPV (OeNPV) was a member of the Group II NPVs and was closely related to the BusuSNPV and OpSNPV cluster. Electron microscopic observations confirmed that OeNPV was a single nucleocapsid type virus (SNPV).
KtrAB and KtrCD: Two K+ Uptake Systems in Bacillus subtilis and Their Role in Adaptation to Hypertonicity

ABSTRACT Recently, a new type of K+ transporter, Ktr, has been identified in the bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus (T. Nakamura, R. Yuda, T. Unemoto, and E. P. Bakker, J. Bacteriol. 180:3491-3494, 1998). The Ktr transport system consists of KtrB, an integral membrane subunit, and KtrA, a subunit peripherally bound to the cytoplasmic membrane. The genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis contains two genes for each of these subunits: yuaA (ktrA) and ykqB (ktrC) encode homologues to the V. alginolyticus KtrA protein, and yubG (ktrB) and ykrM (ktrD) encode homologues to the V. alginolyticus KtrB protein. We constructed gene disruption mutations in each of the four B. subtilis ktr genes and used this isogenic set of mutants for K+ uptake experiments. Preliminary K+ transport assays revealed that the KtrAB system has a moderate affinity with a Km value of approximately 1 mM for K+, while KtrCD has a low affinity with a Km value of approximately 10 mM for this ion. A strain defective in both KtrAB and KtrCD exhibited only a residual K+ uptake activity, demonstrating that KtrAB and KtrCD systems are the major K+ transporters of B. subtilis. Northern blot analyses revealed that ktrA and ktrB are cotranscribed as an operon, whereas ktrC and ktrD, which occupy different locations on the B. subtilis chromosome, are expressed as single transcriptional units. The amount of K+ in the environment or the salinity of the growth medium did not influence the amounts of the various ktr transcripts. A strain with a defect in KtrAB is unable to cope with a sudden osmotic upshock, and it exhibits a growth defect at elevated osmolalities which is particularly pronounced when KtrCD is also defective. In the ktrAB strain, the osmotically mediated growth defect was associated with a rapid loss of K+ ions from the cells. Under these conditions, the cells stopped synthesizing proteins but the transcription of the osmotically induced proHJ, opuA, and gsiB genes was not impaired, demonstrating that a high cytoplasmic K+ concentration is not essential for the transcriptional activation of these genes at high osmolarity. Taken together, our data suggest that K+ uptake via KtrAB and KtrCD is an important facet in the cellular defense of B. subtilis against both suddenly imposed and prolonged osmotic stress.