Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Signaling and Regulation CTCF and BORIS Regulate Rb 2 / p 130 Gene Transcription : A Novel Mechanism and a New Paradigm for Understanding the Biology of Lung Cancer

Although innumerable investigations regarding the biology of lung cancer have been carried out, many aspects thereof remain to be addressed, including the role played by the retinoblastoma-related protein Rb2/ p130 during the evolution of this disease. Here we report novel findings on the mechanisms that control Rb2/ p130 gene expression in lung fibroblasts and characterize the effects of Rb2/p130 deregulation on the proliferative features of lung cancer cells. We revealed for the first time that in lung fibroblasts the expression of Rb2/p130 gene is directly controlled by the chromatin insulator CCCTC-binding factor, CTCF, which by binding to the Rb2/p130 gene promoter induces, and/or maintains, a specific local chromatin organization that in turn governs the transcriptional activity of Rb2/p130 gene. However, in lung cancer cells the activity of CTCF in controlling Rb2/p130 gene expression is impaired by BORIS, a CTCF-paralogue, which by binding to the Rb2/p130 gene could trigger changes in the chromatin asset established by CTCF, thereby affecting CTCF regulatory activity on Rb2/p130 transcription. These studies not only provide essential basic insights into the molecular mechanisms that control Rb2/p130 gene expression in lung cancer, but also offer a potential paradigm for the actions of other activators and/or corepressors, such as CTCF and BORIS, that could be crucial in explaining how alterations in the mechanism regulating Rb2/p130 gene expression may accelerate the progression of lung tumors, or favor the onset of recurrence after cancer treatment. Mol Cancer Res; 9(2); 225–33. 2011 AACR.
A practical hydro dynamic unit commitment and loading model

We describe the dynamic unit commitment and loading (DUCL) model that has been developed for use in real-time system operations at BC Hydro (BCH) to determine the optimal hydroelectric unit generation schedules for plants with multiple units and complex hydraulic configurations. The problem is formulated and solved with a novel procedure that incorporates three algorithms. First, an expert system is used to eliminate infeasible and undesirable solutions. Second, dynamic programming is used to solve the optimal static unit commitment problem for a given plant loading, feasible unit combinations, and current hydraulic conditions. Third, the DUCL problem is formulated and solved as a large-scale network problem with side constraints. Output from the model includes DUCL schedules, spinning and operating reserve, and tradeoff curves such as that between water usage and the number of unit switches. The innovative use of the procedure allows the model to effectively schedule hydro units for the energy and capacity markets in real-time. Application of the method is demonstrated by determining the 24-time-step DUCL schedule for a 2700 MW plant with ten units of four different unit types.
Abruptio Placentae—Treatment with the Fibrinolytic Inhibitor Tranexamic Acid

Abruptio placentae is known to have a bad prognosis for the fetus. Pathologic proteolysis, e.g. a pathologic activation of the coagulation mechanism and/or the fibrinolytic system is known to be a common complication in such cases. Analysis of the coagulation factors and components of the fibrinolytic system in the acute stage of 14 cases confirmed the earlier finding of mainly an activation of the fibrinolytic system, which argues for the use of a specific fibrinolytic inhibitor. 73 consecutive cases of abruptio placentae were treated with tranexamic acid in the acute stage, 67 of the patients were immediately delivered by cesarean section. The remaining six patients were in early gestational age and were treated for a prolonged period. The perinatal mortality of the entire group was only 8 per cent and the maternal mortality nil. None of the cases were complicated by hemorrhagic diathesis or thromboses. We believe that routine immediate treatment with tranexamic acid can reduce the perinatal mortality in cases of abruptio placentae.
Inductive coupling for imbalance improvement in a UWB balun employed in a folded cascode mixer

A folded cascode single-ended input, differential output Ultra Wideband (UWB) mixer circuit with active balun embedded in the transconductance (gm) stage is proposed, analyzed and simulated in post layout level. The balun solution is based on differential topology. Significant improvement for phase and amplitude balance is observed by applying coupling between inductive loads, which is achieved in practice by centered tapped inductor used as load. The post layout simulation results for the mixer show a voltage conversion gain (CG) ranging from 10 to 18 dB, a double sideband Noise Figure (NFdsb) less than 14dB while the linearity metrics are better than −12.5 and 1.6dB for the 1dB compression point and the IIP3 respectively for the frequency range between 3.1 and 10.6GHz. The chip area is compact and equal to 0.086mm2 (core only), while the circuit draws 7mA from a 0.7V supply.
Robot-assisted Fingerprint-based Indoor Localization

Fingerprint-based indoor localization methods are attractive since there is no need for infrastructure supports. However, their feasibility in practice is greatly hampered by the laborious process of site survey. In this work, we develop an endto-end robot-assisted indoor localization solution that leverages a rover robot to automate site survey. The fine-grained fingerprints are then used to construct a Gaussian process model for localizing pedestrians from their smartphone sensor measurements.
A Three-Phase Multilevel Hybrid Switched-Capacitor PWM PFC Rectifier for High-Voltage-Gain Applications

In this paper, a three-phase multilevel power factor correction rectifier using the hybrid switched-capacitor concept is proposed. The converter is suitable for high-voltage-gain applications from conventional three-phase low-voltage sources. The three-level voltage operation reduces the weight and bulk of the magnetic devices. The main advantages of the proposed converter are low number of active switches, high voltage gain, sinusoidal currents, low voltage stress across all components, and simple control. Both steady-state and dynamic analyses are investigated. Experimental results for a 7500-W/220-V-to-1600-V laboratory prototype with maximum efficiency of 97.78% are presented and discussed.
Mechanisms of immune regulation at mucosal surfaces.

This review focuses on three aspects of immunity at mucosal surfaces. The first is the origin of the commitment of mucosal surfaces to IgA synthesis and the possible role of isotype-specific regulatory T cells in this process. The role of T cells in switching from virgin, IgM-bearing cells to antigen-sensitive IgA-producing B cells is discussed in the context of recent developments in molecular biology, i.e., the possibility that the T cell regulates switching by providing a specific IgA recombinase. Second, the migratory patterns of cells from the gut mucosa to other mucosal sites are reviewed, and new data substantiating the migration of T cells in addition to B cells are presented. Third, the concept of oral tolerance is discussed, and the implications of the concomitant development of secretory immunity and systemic tolerance following enteric immunization are reviewed. New data are presented that suggest that although suppressor cells are present following oral immunization, prior treatment with agents such as cytoxan and colchicine, which eliminate splenic T suppressor cells, does not influence the induction of oral tolerance.
D3-MapReduce: Towards MapReduce for Distributed and Dynamic Data Sets

Since its introduction in 2004 by Google, MapReduce has become the programming model of choice for processing large data sets. Although MapReduce was originally developed for use by web enterprises in large data-centers, this technique has gained a lot of attention from the scientific community for its applicability in large parallel data analysis (including geographic, high energy physics, genomics, etc.). So far MapReduce has been mostly designed for batch processing of bulk data. The ambition of D3-MapReduce is to extend the MapReduce programming model and propose efficient implementation of this model to: i) cope with distributed data sets, i.e. that span over multiple distributed infrastructures or stored on network of loosely connected devices, ii) cope with dynamic data sets, i.e. which dynamically change over time or can be either incomplete or partially available. In this paper, we draw the path towards this ambitious goal. Our approach leverages Data Life Cycle as a key concept to provide MapReduce for distributed and dynamic data sets on heterogeneous and distributed infrastructures. We first report on our attempts at implementing the MapReduce programming model for Hybrid Distributed Computing Infrastructures (Hybrid DCIs). We present the architecture of the prototype based on BitDew, a middleware for large scale data management, and Active Data, a programming model for data life cycle management. Second, we outline the challenges in term of methodology and present our approaches based on simulation and emulation on the Grid'5000 experimental testbed. We conduct performance evaluations and compare our prototype with Hadoop, the industry reference MapReduce implementation. We present our work in progress on dynamic data sets that has lead us to implement an incremental MapReduce framework. Finally, we discuss our achievements and outline the challenges that remain to be addressed before obtaining a complete D3-MapReduce environment.
Biochemical characterization of 4-α-glucanotransferase from Saccharophagus degradans 2-40 and its potential role in glycogen degradation.

4-α-Glucanotransferase, an enzyme encoded by malQ, transfers 1,4-α-glucan to an acceptor carbohydrate to produce long linear maltodextrins of varying lengths. To investigate the biochemical characteristics of the malQ gene (Sde0986) from Saccharophagus degradans 2-40 and to understand its physiological role in vivo, the malQ gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The amino acid sequence of MalQ was found to be 36-47% identical to that of amylomaltases from gammaproteobacteria. MalQ is a monomeric enzyme that belongs to a family of 77 glycoside hydrolases, with a molecular mass of 104 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature for MalQ toward maltotriose were determined to be 8.5 and 35 °C, respectively. Furthermore, the enzyme displayed glycosyl transfer activity on maltodextrins of various sizes to yield glucose and long linear maltodextrins. MalQ, however, could be distinguished from other bacterial and archaeal amylomaltases in that it did not produce maltose and cyclic glucan. Reverse transcription PCR results showed that malQ was not induced by maltose and was highly expressed in the stationary phase. These data suggest that the main physiological role of malQ in S. degradans is in the degradation of glycogen, although the gene is commonly known to be involved in maltose metabolism in E. coli.
Don't throw away the ring: indications and use.

Protective rings are a valuable adjunct in revision acetabular surgery. Two types of rings are used. The roof ring, which is the smaller of the 2 rings, provides support from the ilium to the inferomedial part of the acetabulum. The reconstructive ring or cage provides support from the ilium to the ischium. Both devices can be used to protect morcellized or structural bone-graft. The roof ring can be used with morcellized graft if the ring can make contact with host-bone at the superior and inferomedial aspect of the acetabulum. If the defect is more global but still contained so that the entire acetabulum is filled with morcellized bone, the larger reconstructive ring should be used. Small structural grafts that support <50% of the cup may be protected by a roof ring. Larger structural grafts that support >50% of the cup should be protected by a reconstructive ring.
Physiological noise as a masker of low frequencies: the cardiac cycle.

This study quantified the effects of a physiological masker, the heartbeat, on the detectability of a low‐frequency tone (100 Hz, 100‐msec duration). Using a YES‐NO signal detection paradigm, binaural sensitivity (d′) was examined as a function of the temporal location of the signal onset within the cardiac cycle. The independent variable was the temporal delay in signal onset following the subject's own EKG R wave. Signal delays were selected (0.0 to 0.8 sec in 0.1‐sec steps) and presented to four subjects. Results reveal depressed sensitivity with signal delays of 0.0, 0.3, and 0.7 sec following the EKG R wave. In contrast, maximum sensitivity occurred near 0.5 sec following the R wave. The results were discussed in terms of physiological masking produced by valve closures within the heart.
ASSESSMENT OF NICOTINE DEPENDENCE IN A LARGE COHORT OF SMOKERS - SOCIAL AND MEDICAL ASPECTS

Chronic smoking is a disease associated with long-time daily consumption of tobacco products and is synonymous with nicotine dependence. Nicotine is the major determinant of tobacco addiction, causing psychoactive pharmacological effects, which together with the genetic, social and environmental factors, learned or conditioned, are the substrate of smoking status. We conducted a retrospective study on a cohort of 535 smokers presenting to the Smoking Cessation Counseling Medical Office of the Iasi Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital between January 2009-December 2012 aimed at studying the psychosocial and medical parameters associated with the vulnerability to nicotine addiction. The analyzed psychosocial factors were age, sex, marital status, absence or presence of other smokers in home and motivation to quit smoking. The measurable parameters of tobacco dependence were the number of previous attempts to quit smoking, the amount of cigarettes smoked (pack years), the carbon monoxide breath test, and score of Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence. The results showed that the profile of the smokers with nicotine addiction who attempts to quit smoking is middle-aged men, married, with smoking partner, and severe chronic smoking expressed in a large number of pack years and elevated breath CO levels, and concern with his own health status. The severity of nicotine dependence is best reflected by the objective medical parameters, but its psychological components are still undervalued in practice, the professionals involved in the fight against tobacco addiction being deprived of major levers for action.
Infrared dermal thermometry for the high-risk diabetic foot.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare skin temperatures in patients with asymptomatic peripheral sensory neuropathy, patients with neuropathic ulcers, and patients with Charcot's arthropathy using the contralateral limb as a control. SUBJECTS On a retrospective basis, patients with diabetes (N = 143) were divided into three groups: patients with asymptomatic sensory neuropathy (n = 78), patients with neuropathic foot ulcers (n = 44), and patients with neuropathic fractures (Charcot's arthropathy) (n = 21). METHODS We evaluated the subjects' skin temperatures with a portable hand-held infrared skin temperature probe at the time pathology was initially identified and at subsequent clinical visits for an average of 22.1 months (SD = 6.4). Skin temperatures of the contralateral foot were measured as a control. RESULTS There were differences in skin temperature between the affected foot and the contralateral (i.e., nonaffected) foot among the patients with Characot's arthropathy (8.3 degrees F) and the patients with neuropathic ulcers (5.6 degrees F), with no difference identified among the patients with asymptomatic sensory neuropathy. Five patients with neuropathic ulcers experienced reulceration a mean of 12.2 months (SD = 6.4) after initial healing, with a corresponding increase in skin temperature. (89.6 degrees +/- 1.2 degrees F versus 82.5 degrees +/- 2.9 degrees F) at the clinic visit immediately preceding reinjury. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION The data suggest that monitoring of the corresponding contralateral foot site may provide clinical information before other clinical signs of injury can be identified.
Large-scale wind power integration and voltage stability limits in regional networks

When planning and developing large-scale wind power plants in areas distant from the main power transmission system, voltage control assessments and reactive power compensation are increasingly important. Voltage stability of the regional network may be a main limitation with respect to maximum rating and operation of the wind power plant Technical constraints in relation to wind power integration in weak grids may in general be associated with limited thermal capacity in parts of the grid and/or the adverse effect wind power can have on voltage quality and stability. In certain situations, however, local constraints regarding development of new transmission lines or upgrading of existing lines can make it interesting to utilise the existing lines to a level which in worst case may imply operation beyond the normal technical constraints of the system. In this work, challenges and opportunities arising from situations as described above are analysed, and viable measures to enable secure and acceptable operation of large wind farms in remote areas close to the thermal capacity and stability limits of the power system, are pointed out. The paper presents results from computer analyses of a simplified, yet realistic, electrical power system with wind power integration, illustrating possible solutions to achieve this.
Modulation of PDGF mediated osteoblast chemotaxis by leukemia inhibitory factor LIF

Cell migration is a key event in tissue repair and remodeling. PDGF, a growth factor for multiple target cells, has been shown to be a potent chemoattractant for a variety of mesenchymal cells. However, it is likely that PDGF‐mediated cell migration will be influenced by other cytokines that can be produced during physiological and pathological conditions. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a cytokine that is produced by a variety of cells including osteoblasts, may promote bone formation, but the mechanism is not known. Since osteoblasts are responsible for laying down new matrix during skeletal remodeling, in this report we have examined whether PDGF or LIF influences the migration of osteoblasts. Among several cytokines and growth factors tested, only PDGF was able to elicit a major chemotactic (directed migration) and a minor chemokinetic (random‐migration) response in osteoblasts. LIF alone was not active in either chemotaxis or chemokinesis but when included with PDGF it caused a reduction in chemokinesis. Further, pretreatment of osteoblasts with LIF caused an increase in PDGF‐driven chemotaxis. Finally, osteoblasts exposed briefly to LIF synthesized a higher level of non‐collagenous proteins upon further treatment with PDGF. These observations are consistent with a role for LIF in promoting bone formation, both by influencing directional migration of osteoblasts and in laying down new matrix. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metabolism and Neurotoxicity: The Significance of Genetically Engineered Cell Lines and New Three-Dimensional Cell Cultures

Until now, no methods have been validated for the determination of neurotoxic effects or for the evaluation of metabolism-mediated hazards of chemical substances. The current test guidelines are based on studies in vivo, involving animals exposed to the test substance. In the EU White Paper on a Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy, which may result in up to 30,000 chemicals being screened for toxicity, the use of non-animal test methods is seen as essential and is encouraged. The aim of the present work was to demonstrate the significance of novel technologies, including the use of genetically engineered cell lines and three-dimensional cell culture techniques for direct application in the regulatory hazard-assessment process, with an emphasis on metabolism-mediated toxicity and neurotoxicity.
Identifying Deteriorating Patients Through Multidisciplinary Team Training

Multidisciplinary training has improved maternity outcomes when the training has been well attended, regular, in house, used high-fidelity simulators, and integrated teamwork training. If these principles were used in other settings, better clinical care may result. This before-after study sought to establish whether a short multidisciplinary training intervention can improve recognition of the deteriorating patient using an aggregated physiological parameter scoring system (Early Warning Score [EWS]). Nursing, medical, and allied nursing staff participated in an hour-long training session, using real-life scenarios with simple tools and structured debriefing. After training, staff were more likely to calculate EWS scores correctly (68.02% vs 55.12%; risk ratio [RR] = 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-1.44), and observations were more likely to be performed at the correct frequency (78.57% vs 68.09%; RR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.09-1.32). Multidisciplinary training, according to core principles, can lead to more accurate identification of deteriorating patients, with implications for subsequent care and outcome.
Circadian Variations in the Pharmacokinetics of a New Microemulsion Formulation of Cyclosporine in Cardiac Transplant Recipients

We attempted to characterize circadian variations in pharmacokinetic parameters of a new formulation of cyclosporine (CsA) in nine cardiac allograft recipients. A secondary objective was to determine the sampling time that correlated best with exposure of patients to the drug. This was a two‐period study with each period lasting 12 hours. All patients received two equal doses of a new microemulsion of CsA 12 hours apart. Blood samples to measure drug levels were obtained at administration and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 hours after each dose. We found no statistically significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters (areas under the curve, minimum blood concentration, oral clearance) measured during the day and during the night. However, maximum blood concentrations during the day were 30% higher than those at night (p<0.05). We found a good correlation between minimum concentrations in the morning and overall exposure of patients to CsA (r = 0.89). This new microemulsion appears to have few circadian variations of blood concentrations in cardiac transplant recipients. The clinical significance of higher maximum blood concentration during daytime remains to be elucidated. Our results support the most widely accepted method for monitoring CsA, which is based on minimum concentrations in the morning.
Genetic ablation of neural crest cell diversification

The neural crest generates multiple cell types during embryogenesis but the mechanisms regulating neural crest cell diversification are incompletely understood. Previous studies using mutant zebrafish indicated that foxd3 and tfap2a function early and differentially in the development of neural crest sublineages. Here, we show that the simultaneous loss of foxd3 and tfap2a function in zebrafish foxd3zdf10;tfap2alow double mutant embryos globally prevents the specification of developmentally distinct neural crest sublineages. By contrast, neural crest induction occurs independently of foxd3 and tfap2a function. We show that the failure of neural crest cell diversification in double mutants is accompanied by the absence of neural crest sox10 and sox9a/b gene expression, and that forced expression of sox10 and sox9a/b differentially rescues neural crest sublineage specification and derivative differentiation. These results demonstrate the functional necessity for foxd3 and tfap2a for neural crest sublineage specification and that this requirement is mediated by the synergistic regulation of the expression of SoxE family genes. Our results identify a genetic regulatory pathway functionally discrete from the process of neural crest induction that is required for the initiation of neural crest cell diversification during embryonic development.