Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caenorhabditis elegans PI3K mutants reveal novel genes underlying exceptional stress resistance and lifespan

Two age‐1 nonsense mutants, truncating the class‐I phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase catalytic subunit (PI3KCS) before its kinase domain, confer extraordinary longevity and stress‐resistance to Caenorhabditis elegans. These traits, unique to second‐generation homozygotes, are blunted at the first generation and are largely reversed by additional mutations to DAF‐16/FOXO, a transcription factor downstream of AGE‐1 in insulin‐like signaling. The strong age‐1 alleles (mg44, m333) were compared with the weaker hx546 allele on expression microarrays, testing four independent cohorts of each allele. Among 276 genes with significantly differential expression, 92% showed fewer transcripts in adults carrying strong age‐1 alleles rather than hx546. This proportion is significantly greater than the slight bias observed when contrasting age‐1 alleles to wild‐type worms. Thus, transcriptional changes peculiar to nonsense alleles primarily involve either gene silencing or failure of transcriptional activation. A subset of genes responding preferentially to age‐1‐nonsense alleles was reassessed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, in worms bearing strong or weak age‐1 alleles; nearly all of these were significantly more responsive to the age‐1(mg44) allele than to age‐1(hx546). Additional mutation of daf‐16 reverted the majority of altered mg44‐F2 expression levels to approximately wild‐type values, although a substantial number of genes remained significantly distinct from wild‐type, implying that age‐1(mg44) modulates transcription through both DAF‐16/FOXO‐dependent and independent channels. When age‐1‐inhibited genes were targeted by RNA interference (RNAi) in wild‐type or age‐1(hx546) adults, most conferred significant oxidative‐stress protection. RNAi constructs targeting two of those genes were shown previously to extend life, and RNAi’s targeting five novel genes were found here to increase lifespan. PI3K‐null mutants may thus implicate novel mechanisms of life extension.
Ferrite LTCC-Based Antennas for Tunable SoP Applications

For the first time, ferrite low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) tunable antennas are presented. These antennas are frequency tuned by a variable magnetostatic field produced in a winding that is completely embedded inside the ferrite LTCC substrate. Embedded windings have reduced the typically required magnetic bias field for antenna tuning by over 95%. The fact that large electromagnets are not required for tuning makes ferrite LTCC with embedded bias windings an ideal platform for advanced tunable system-on-package applications. Measurements of rectangular microstrip patch antennas on a ferrite LTCC substrate display a maximum tuning range of 610 MHz near 12 GHz. Two different bias windings and their effect on the antenna performance are discussed, as is the effect of antenna orientation with respect to the bias winding. The antenna radiation patterns are measured under biased and unbiased conditions, showing a stable co-polarized linear gain.
Humoral immunosuppressant activity of aflatoxin ingestion in rabbits measured by response to Mycobacterium bovis antigens using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and serum protein electrophoresis

Summary. A total of 30 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into five equal groups. Animals in groups 1 and 3 were sensitized with bacillus Calmette‐Guerin (BCG), and those in groups 2 and 4 with inactivated cells of Mycobacterium bovis (Sensitinogen). Group 1 and 2 rabbits were fed 2 ppm day‐1 aflatonin for 3 months. Group 5 served as control. Serum samples from animals in all groups were subjected to enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to determine antibody titre and to protein electrophoresis to determine immunoglobulin levels. The antibody litres and the immunoglobulin levels were significantly decreased in the aflatoxin‐treated groups.
On using deterministic test sets in BIST

The test pattern generators (TPG) in BIST usually generate pseudorandom patterns and after the pseudorandom testing phase the random resistant faults are detected bp additional deterministic test vectors which can be compressed by the means of the same TPG. Another possibility is to optimise the TPG structure so that the generated test set contains all the necessary deterministic test vectors which detect hard-to-test faults. The vectors are obtained by the means of TPG output modifications. This approach is not acceptable for large circuits because of additional delay caused by the output combinational logic. We have proposed a TPG that has a very simple structure and in which the patterns covering the random resistant faults are generated by the TPG without any output modifying logic. The TPG sequence is controlled by XORing the pre-computed modifying bits with one of the TPG internal flip-flop input. Finding the modifying bits is done by an algorithm which optimises the fault coverage gain which is obtained by each of the generated test vectors. Several experiments were done with the ISCAS 85 and 89 benchmark circuits. The storage capacity needed for storing the modifying bits of the exercised circuits is low while the test application time is short.
A circadian clock in the Limulus brain transmits synchronous efferent signals to all eyes

Abstract A circadian clock in the brain of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, has an important role in the function of the peripheral visual system. At night, the clock transmits neural activity to the lateral, ventral, and median eyes via efferent optic nerve fibers. The activity occurs in synchronous bursts (maximum rate of 2 bursts/s) with individual efferent fibers contributing a single spike in each burst. The circadian efferent activity originates in the protocerebrum. Lateral connections synchronize the efferent activity recorded from the two halves of the protocerebrum, suggesting the existence of bilateral circadian oscillators. Circadian efferent activity survives excision of the brain and isolation of the protocerebrum. We conclude that circadian clock and its complex neural circuitry are fundamental components of the Limulus visual system.
EGF receptors as a target for cancer therapy.

EGF receptors are expressed at high levels in about 1/3 of epithelial cancers, and autocrine activation of EGF receptors appears to be critical for the growth of many tumors. In 1981, working with Dr. Gordon Sato and other collaborators at UC San Diego, we hypothesized that blockade of the binding site for EGF and TGF-alpha on EGF receptors with an antireceptor monoclonal antibody (mAb) might be an effective anti-cancer therapy. Experiments over the past 20 years have validated this hypothesis and brought this approach to cancer therapy to the clinic (1-4). In 1983 we reported isolation of murine mAb 225 against the EGF receptor, which inhibited tumor cell growth in cell cultures and in nude mouse xenografts. In collaboration with Dr. Gordon Gill we showed that this effect was mediated by inhibition of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activation. C225 is the human:murine chimeric version of mAb 225. This is a brief review of the status of inhibitors of EGF receptor inhibitors as cancer treatments. Pharmaceutical companies have developed a number of additional anti-EGF receptor mAbs (Table 1). Soluble, low molecular-weight tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which act intracellularly on the ATP binding site of EGF receptors, also block receptor activation (Table 2). The tyrosine kinase inhibitors differ in their specificity for the EGF receptor and their reversibility of binding. We demonstrated that the mechanisms of tumor inhibition by these anti-EGF receptor agents involve blockade of cell cycle transversal through upregulation of p27KIPl and inhibition of the cyclin E/cyclin dependent kinase 2 complex, enhancement of apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis (Table 3). It is important to acknowledge the role of serendipity. When these experiments began, we were targeting only the first of the 6 characteristics of malignant cells listed in Table 3. The mAbs, but not the kinase inhibitors, may also be acting through immune mechanisms. In addition, anti-EGF receptor agents
Robot-assisted Tactile Sensing for Minimally Invasive Tumor Localization

The 10 mm incisions used in minimally invasive cancer surgery prevent the direct palpation of internal organs, making intraoperative tumor localization difficult. A tactile sensing instrument (TSI), which uses a commercially available sensor to measure distributed pressure profiles along the contacting surface, has been developed to facilitate remote tissue palpation. The objective of this research is to assess the feasibility of using the TSI under robotic control to reliably locate underlying tumors while reducing collateral tissue trauma. The performance of humans and a robot using the TSI to locate tumor phantoms embedded into ex vivo bovine livers is compared. An augmented hybrid impedance control scheme has been implemented on a Mitsubishi PA10-7C to perform the force/position control used in the trials. The results show that using the TSI under robotic control realizes an average 35% decrease in the maximum forces applied and a 50% increase in tumor detection accuracy when compared to manual manipulation of the same instrument. This demonstrates that the detection of tumors using tactile sensing is highly dependent on how consistently the forces on the tactile sensing area are applied, and that robotic assistance can be of great benefit when trying to localize tumors in minimally invasive surgery.
Allometric Scaling of Metabolism, Growth, and Activity in Whole Colonies of the Seed‐Harvester Ant Pogonomyrmex californicus

The negative allometric scaling of metabolic rate with body size is among the most striking patterns in biology. We investigated whether this pattern extends to physically independent eusocial systems by measuring the metabolic rates of whole functioning colonies of the seed‐harvester ant Pogonomyrmex californicus. These intraspecific scaling data were compared to the predictions of an additive model developed to estimate collective metabolic rates. Contrary to the prediction of the additive model, colony metabolic rate allometry resembled the pattern commonly observed interspecifically for individual organisms, scaling with colony mass0.75. Among the same‐aged colonies, net growth rate varied by up to sevenfold, with larger colonies exhibiting higher net growth efficiency than smaller colonies. Isolated worker groups exhibited isometric metabolic rate scaling, suggesting that the social environment of the colony is critical to regulating individual patterns of work output. Within the social environment, individual worker locomotor velocities exhibited power‐law distributions that scaled with colony size so that larger colonies exhibited a greater disparity between active and inactive ants than did smaller colonies. These results demonstrate that behavioral organization within colonies may have a major influence on colony‐level metabolism and in generating intraspecific variation in growth trajectories.
Real time implementation of reconfigurable correlation radar for road anticollision system

Car anti-collision systems are becoming very popular in automotive industry as well as in research. Furthermore, this device could become mandatory aboard vehicle in the next years. The principle of this system is to avoid collision between the equipped vehicle and the one in front, or other kind of obstacles (pedestrians, animals, etc.). As a consequence, this will reduce accidents and enhance road safety. Such systems are studied by the INRETS-LEOST* within the framework of the GRRT, Regional Group for Transportation Research. Those systems use radar detection to measure distance to obstacle and the obstaclepsilas relative speed. Many radar antennas were developed in the INRETS-LEOST* in collaboration with the IEMN**. Most of the microwave sensors were carried out by the IEMN-DHS**. Correlation radar is the most recent radar developed in the LEOST. This paper concerns real time implementation of this radar. We will give the principle of distance measurement using this sensor as well as the implementation of the correlation function on an FPGA. The main contributions of this paper concern the reconfigurable aspect of the correlator, using a VHDL code generator, and enhancements in the correlator architecture.
Variability of resistive switching memories and its impact on crossbar array performance

Metal oxide based resistive switching memories (also known as RRAM for Resistive Random Access Memory) often show large variability, due to the stochastic nature of the switching process. This paper discusses the variability of key RRAM parameters with the focus on the resistance variation. The dependence of resistance variation on operation conditions is analyzed, using Cu2O-based RRAM as an example. The impact of device variability on the sensing margin of crossbar RRAM arrays is studied by statistical modeling. The variability of the selected device contributes more to the signal degradation in crossbar arrays than the variability of unselected devices.
Impact of pretransplant renal failure: When is listing for kidney‐liver indicated?

Renal and hepatic function are often intertwined both through the existence of associated primary organ diseases and hemodynamic interrelationships. This connection occasionally results in the chronic failure of both organs, necessitating the need for combined kidney‐liver transplantation. Since 1990, over 1,790 patients in the United States have received such transplants with a patient survival somewhat less than that for patients receiving either organ alone. Patients with renal failure due to acute injury or to the hepatorenal syndrome have classically not been included as candidates for combined transplantation due to the reversibility of the renal dysfunction following liver transplantation. However, the rate and duration of renal failure prior to liver transplantation continues to be prolonged even with the new allocation scheme prioritizing liver transplants to those with renal failure. Thus the issue of when kidney transplantation should be offered and what evaluation is necessary prior to the decision continues to confront the transplant community. (Liver Transpl 2005;11:S35–44.)
A Novel Universal Sensor Concept for Survivable PMSM Drives

Permanent-magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) are widely used as propulsion motors in hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles and as generators in renewable energy applications. Since position and current information is typically indispensable for PMSM control strategies such as vector control or direct torque control, failure of an encoder/resolver or current sensors could lead to a catastrophic failure, if no protection or backup plan is established. This paper lays groundwork for developing a novel backup universal sensor concept for PMSM with position and current estimation. Estimated position and current could be used for sensor fault detection or survivable drive, giving its drive system a “+1” fault tolerance. This technique uses search coils, which are implemented to directly monitor magnetic flux through stator teeth. Adaptive position estimator and a current estimator have been designed based on the search coil model, which overcomes the issue of resistance variation that exists in many estimators reported in literature. Simulation and experimental verification are presented to verify feasibility of the proposed strategy.
Contact sensitivity to nickel in white gold

Nickel release from white gold discs stored at room temperature for I week in synthetic sweat was analyzed. The nickel content of the discs was 2–15%. The nickel release from the discs was 0.09–0. 82μg. Rhodium plating reduced the nickel release to 0.04–0.54 μg 18 nickel‐sensitive women were patch tested with the while gold discs and all showed at least 1 positive patch test reaction. All the white gold discs gave a negative dimethylglyoxime test.
Demonstration of R Factors From Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Sixty strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were selected from our clinical stock cultures and used as donors of drug resistance to examine the presence of R factors. They were highly resistant to one or more of six drugs including tetracycline (TC), chloramphenicol (CM), streptomycin (SM), sulfanilamide (SA), carbenicillin (CPC), and kanamycin (KM). Three FP−, auxotrophic mutants of P. aeruginosa were used as recipients, which had been made resistant to either rifampin (RMP) or KM by in vitro mutation. Each donor was mated with each of the three recipients, and 45 strains were found to transfer their resistance to one or more recipients. A second series of conjugation experiments using 45 exconjugants as donors showed that 23 could transfer their resistance. We conclude that these strains carry R factors that are transmissible to one or more recipients. Eleven carried resistance to (TC.CM.SM.SA.CPC), nine to (TC.CM.SM.SA), one to (TC.CM.SA.CPC), one to (TC.CM.SA), and one to (SM). All of these R factors could not be transmitted to other species belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae.
Inbreeding depression in non‐human primates: a historical review of methods used and empirical data

Offspring born to related parents may show reduced fitness due to inbreeding depression. Although evidence of inbreeding depression has accumulated for a variety of taxa during the past two decades, such analyses remain rare for primate species, probably because of their long generation time. However, inbreeding can have important fitness costs and is likely to shape life‐history traits in all living species. As a consequence, selection should have favored inbreeding avoidance via sex‐biased dispersal, extra‐group paternity, or kin discrimination. In this paper, we review empirical studies on the effects of inbreeding on fitness traits or fitness correlates in primate species. In addition, we report the methods that have been used to detect inbreeding in primate populations, and their development with the improvement of laboratory techniques. We focus particularly on the advantages and disadvantages using microsatellite loci to detect inbreeding. Although the genetic data that are typically available (partial pedigrees, use of microsatellite heterozygosity as an estimate of genomewide inbreeding) tend to impose constraints on analyses, we encourage primatologists to explore the potential effects of inbreeding if they have access to even partial pedigrees or genetic information. Such studies are important because of both the value of basic research in inbreeding depression in the wild and the conservation issues associated with inbreeding, particularly in threatened species, which include more than half of the currently living primate species. Am. J. Primatol. 69:1370–1386, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HIV-neutralizing immunoglobulin A and HIV-specific proliferation are independently associated with reduced HIV acquisition in Kenyan sex workers

Objectives:HIV-neutralizing immunoglobulin A (IgA) and HIV-specific cellular immunity have been described in highly exposed, persistently seronegative (HEPS) individuals, but well controlled studies have not been performed. We performed a prospective, nested case–control study to examine the association of genital IgA and systemic cellular immune responses with subsequent HIV acquisition in high-risk Kenyan female sex workers (FSWs). Design and methods:A randomized trial of monthly antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent sexually transmitted disease/HIV infection was performed from 1998 to 2002 in HIV-uninfected Kenyan FSWs. After the completion of trial, FSWs who had acquired HIV (cases) were matched 1: 4 with persistently uninfected controls based on study arm, duration of HIV-seronegative follow-up, and time of cohort enrolment. Blinded investigators assayed the ability at enrolment of genital IgA to neutralize primary HIV isolates as well as systemic HIV-specific cellular IFNγ-modified enzyme-linked immunospot and proliferative responses. Results:The study cohort comprised 113 FSWs: 24 cases who acquired HIV and 89 matched controls. Genital HIV-neutralizing IgA was associated with reduced HIV acquisition (P = 0.003), as was HIV-specific proliferation (P = 0.002), and these associations were additive. HIV-specific IFNγ production did not differ between case and control groups. In multivariable analysis, HIV-neutralizing IgA and HIV-specific proliferation each remained independently associated with lack of HIV acquisition. Genital herpes (HSV2) was associated with increased HIV risk and with reduced detection of HIV-neutralizing IgA. Conclusion:Genital HIV-neutralizing IgA and systemic HIV-specific proliferative responses, assayed by blinded investigators, were prospectively associated with HIV nonacquisition. The induction of these immune responses may be an important goal for HIV vaccines.
Interaction of the Initiator Protein DnaA of Escherichia coli with Its DNA Target (*)

Equilibrium and kinetic rate constants were determined for the binding of the initiator protein DnaA of Escherichia coli to its binding site, the non-palindromic 9-bp DnaA box, using gel retardation techniques. The dissociation constant for specific binding was between 1 and 50 nM for individual DnaA boxes on 21-bp double-stranded oligonucleotides. Only DnaA boxes of the sequence TT(A/T)TNCACA resulted in specific fragment retention. Both the 9-bp consensus sequence and flanking sequences determined the binding efficiency. One DnaA monomer was found to bind to a DnaA box and to induce a bend of about 40°.
The fetal alcohol syndrome and neuroblastoma.

In 1977 Hornstein et al1 reported the occurrence of adrenal carcinoma in a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. Recently Seeler et al2 noted a ganglioneuroblastoma in a child with fetal hydantoin-alcohol syndromes. The association of neural crest tumors with fetal hydantoin syndrome now appears established.2 The following case suggests an association with neoplasia may also exist for fetal alcohol syndrome. CASE REPORT Clinical Summary T.E. was the 1,360 gm product of a 35-week gestation born to a 30-year old, black primigravida. At 11 days of age the patient was transferred to Duke Hospital for evaluation of multiple congenital anomalies and repair of a right-sided diaphragmatic hernia.
SCALE INVARIANT FEATURE TRANSFORM PLUS HUE FEATURE

This paper presents an enhanced method for extracting invariant features from images based on Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). Although SIFT features are invariant to image scale and rotation, additive noise, and changes in illumination but we think this algorithm suffers from excess keypoints. Besides, by adding the hue feature, which is extracted from combination of hue and illumination values in HSI colour space version of the target image, the proposed algorithm can speed up the matching phase. Therefore, we proposed the Scale Invariant Feature Transform plus Hue (SIFTH) that can remove the excess keypoints based on their Euclidean distances and adding hue to feature vector to speed up the matching process which is the aim of feature extraction. In this paper we use the difference of hue features and the Mean Square Error (MSE) of orientation histograms to find the most similar keypoint to the under processing keypoint. The keypoint matching method can identify correct keypoint among clutter and occlusion robustly while achieving real-time performance and it will result a similarity factor of two keypoints. Moreover removing excess keypoint by SIFTH algorithm helps the matching algorithm to achieve this goal.