Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
σK of Clostridium acetobutylicum Is the First Known Sporulation-Specific Sigma Factor with Two Developmentally Separated Roles, One Early and One Late in Sporulation

ABSTRACT Sporulation in the model endospore-forming organism Bacillus subtilis proceeds via the sequential and stage-specific activation of the sporulation-specific sigma factors, σH (early), σF, σE, σG, and σK (late). Here we show that the Clostridium acetobutylicum σK acts both early, prior to Spo0A expression, and late, past σG activation, thus departing from the B. subtilis model. The C. acetobutylicum sigK deletion (ΔsigK) mutant was unable to sporulate, and solventogenesis, the characteristic stationary-phase phenomenon for this organism, was severely diminished. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that the ΔsigK mutant does not develop an asymmetric septum and produces no granulose. Complementation of sigK restored sporulation and solventogenesis to wild-type levels. Spo0A and σG proteins were not detectable by Western analysis, while σF protein levels were significantly reduced in the ΔsigK mutant. spo0A, sigF, sigE, sigG, spoIIE, and adhE1 transcript levels were all downregulated in the ΔsigK mutant, while those of the sigH transcript were unaffected during the exponential and transitional phases of culture. These data show that σK is necessary for sporulation prior to spo0A expression. Plasmid-based expression of spo0A in the ΔsigK mutant from a nonnative promoter restored solventogenesis and the production of Spo0A, σF, σE, and σG, but not sporulation, which was blocked past the σG stage of development, thus demonstrating that σK is also necessary in late sporulation. sigK is expressed very early at low levels in exponential phase but is strongly upregulated during the middle to late stationary phase. This is the first sporulation-specific sigma factor shown to have two developmentally separated roles.
Neuroinflammation and Parkinson disease

The events that trigger the neuronal destruction and fuel the relentless progression of Parkinson disease (PD) remain unknown despite intense scrutiny and exhaustive investigation. Numerous possible mechanisms—both genetic and environmental—have been proposed, but none have been unequivocally proven, except for a relatively small number of individuals in whom genetic mutations have been identified. In this issue of Neurology ®, Rugbjerg et al.1 address one important theory of causation: that PD may be the result of an inflammatory process within the nervous system. McGeer et al.2 were the first to report evidence of inflammation within the brain in the form of microglial activation in the setting of PD. Many other investigators have subsequently confirmed and expanded on these findings.3 Although it is quite clear that neuroinflammation develops in PD, it is not at all clear why. Is the microglial activation itself the cause of cellular injury and death, in which the microglia function as neuronal assassins, or is the activation simply an appropriate and expected reaction to neuronal degeneration, …
La crédibilité de la banque centrale face aux défis de la monnaie électronique

Depuis quelques annees, nous assistons a une double evolution du comportement strategique de la banque centrale : a l’imperatif de la credibilite s’ajoute la necessite d’innovation. L’incertitude est inherente a l’innovation technologique dans le domaine monetaire, s’agissant particulierement de l’emergence de la monnaie electronique. Notre contribution cherche a analyser les effets de l’incertitude sur la politique monetaire de la banque centrale. La monnaie electronique n’est pas neutre sur la quantification de la monnaie. Elle peut deplacer la frontiere entre les actifs liquides (proches substituts de la monnaie) et ceux qui le sont moins. La prise en compte de l’incertitude va-t-elle affecter la credibilite de la banque centrale ?
Analytical and multibody modeling for the power analysis of standing jumps

Two methods for the power analysis of standing jumps are proposed and compared in this article. The first method is based on a simple analytical formulation which requires as input the coordinates of the center of gravity in three specified instants of the jump. The second method is based on a multibody model that simulates the jumps processing the data obtained by a three-dimensional (3D) motion capture system and the dynamometric measurements obtained by the force platforms. The multibody model is developed with OpenSim, an open-source software which provides tools for the kinematic and dynamic analyses of 3D human body models. The study is focused on two of the typical tests used to evaluate the muscular activity of lower limbs, which are the counter movement jump and the standing long jump. The comparison between the results obtained by the two methods confirms that the proposed analytical formulation is correct and represents a simple tool suitable for a preliminary analysis of total mechanical work and the mean power exerted in standing jumps.
An analysis of global asymptotic stability of delayed cellular neural networks

In this paper, a new sufficient condition is given for the uniqueness and global asymptotic stability of the equilibrium point for delayed cellular neural networks (DCNNs). This condition imposes constraints on the feedback and delayed feedback matrices of a DCNN independently of the delay parameter. This result is also compared with the previous results derived in the literature.
Mu-Opiate Receptor and Beta-Endorphin Expression in Nerve Endings and Keratinocytes in Human Skin

We have previously shown that human epidermal keratinocytes express a functionally active µ-opiate receptor, which adds a new dimension to the recently developed research in neuroimmunodermatology and neurogenic inflammation in skin diseases. Human keratinocytes specifically bind and also produce β-endorphin, the endogenous µ-opiate receptor ligand. Using confocal imaging microscopy, we could now demonstrate that µ-opiate receptors are not only expressed in keratinocytes, but also on unmyelinated peripheral nerve fibers in the dermis and epidermis. Some of the peripheral nerve fibers also express the ligand β-endorphin. The keratinocytes positive for β-endorphin staining are clustered around the terminal ends of the unmyelinated nerve fibers. Therefore the opiate receptor system seems to be crucial in the direct communication between nerves and skin. The keratinocytes can influence the unmyelinated nerve fibers in the epidermis directly via secreting β-endorphin. On the other hand, nerve fibers can also secrete β-endorphin and influence the migration, differentiation and probably also the cytokine production pattern of keratinocytes.
The Cyclical Composition of Startups

This paper proposes a new theory of business cycles based on the idea that financial uncertainty shocks change the nature of innovation. When investors become more risk tolerant, they fund riskier startups with greater growth potential. As these ambitious startups grow, the initial shock propagates and generates a boom in output and employment. I develop a heterogeneous firm industry model of the US business sector with countercyclical risk premia and innovation by startups and existing firms. The quantitative implementation of the model jointly matches time series properties of stock returns and macroeconomic aggregates, as well as micro evidence on firm cohort growth over the cycle.
A digital dual-mode LQR optimal controller for boost converter over a wide operation range

A new dual-mode discrete-time linear quadratic regulator (LQR) optimal controller is presented, which allows voltage control of a boost converter for wide-load-range condition, whether in continuous conduction mode (CCM) or in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). A linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller combined with kalman filter is designed for the voltage control of boost converter. Feedback gain and estimator gain can be calculated offline based on LQR steady-state optimal control method and steady-state kalman filter. Different control gains calculated based on plant models will be obtained since the modeling of DC-DC converters in CCM and DCM are different. The proposed control strategy makes it possible for boost converter to autonomously operate in CCM or DCM control gain by utilizing a mode detector. The proposed mode detector greatly enhances the control performance in different operating mode, even at the boundary condition. Finally, the proposed controller has been implemented on NI CompactRio platform for boost converter voltage control. The experimental results clearly show the proposed controller offers better performance in both transient response and frequency response.
Methadone maintenance therapy versus no opioid replacement therapy for opioid dependence.

BACKGROUND Methadone maintenance was the first widely used form of opioid replacement therapy developed to treat heroin dependence, and it remains the best-researched treatment for this problem. Despite the widespread use of methadone in maintenance treatment for opioid dependence in many countries, it is a controversial treatment whose effectiveness has been disputed. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) compared with treatments that did not involve opioid replacement therapy (i.e., detoxification, offer of drug-free rehabilitation, placebo medication, wait-list controls) for opioid dependence. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched all the following databases up to 2001: Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Review Group Register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Current Contents, Psychlit, CORK [www. state.vt. su/adap/cork], Alcohol and Drug Council of Australia (ADCA) [www.adca. org.au], Australian Drug Foundation (ADF-VIC) [www.adf. org.au], Centre for Education and Information on Drugs and Alcohol (CEIDA) [www.ceida. net.au], Australian Bibliographic Network (ABN), and Library of Congress databases, available NIDA monographs and the College on Problems of Drug Dependence Inc. proceedings, the reference lists of all identified studies and published reviews; authors of identified RCTs were asked about other published or unpublished relevant RCTs. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised controlled clinical trials of methadone maintenance therapy compared with either placebo maintenance or other non-pharmacological therapy for the treatment of opioid dependence. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Reviewers evaluated the papers separately and independently, rating methodological quality of concealment of allocation, data were extracted independently for meta-analysis and double-entered. MAIN RESULTS Six studies met the criteria for inclusion in this review, all were randomised clinical trials, two were double-blind. There were a total number of 954 participants. The method of concealment of allocation was inadequate in one study, not clearly described in four studies, but adequate in a sixth study. Based on the meta-analysis, methadone appeared statistically significantly more effective than non-pharmacological approaches in retaining patient in treatment (3 RCTs, RR=3.05; 95%CI: 1.75-5.35) and in the suppression of heroin use (3 RCTs, RR=0.32; 95%CI: 0.23-0.44), but not statistically in criminal activity (3 RCTs, RR=0.39; 95%CI: 0.12-1.25). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Methadone is an effective maintenance therapy intervention for the treatment of heroin dependence as it retains patients in treatment and decreases heroin use better than treatments that do not utilise opioid replacement therapy. It does not show a statistically significant superior effect on criminal activity.
Flexible hardware architecture of SEFDM transmitters with real-time non-orthogonal adjustment

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) offer a unique combination of software abstraction and hardware performance, enabled by programming languages such as VHDL or Verilog. Inherent from this capability is a multitude of different design possibilities for a single implementation problem. A system can be designed which allows for real world evaluation at real time speeds of algorithms ordinarily restricted to simulation environments. Presented here is an FPGA implementation of a method of generating non-orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed signals, where the spacing between sub-carriers can be controlled externally without the need for re-synthesis. The internal data-paths and associated algorithms are constructed so as to react to changes which dictate the aforementioned spacing, and as such represents a dynamic transmission platform for research purposes.
Novel approach to thermoelectric generator modeling as energy harvesting system

This paper describes a novel approach to thermoelectric generator modeling as complex energy harvesting system. The thermoelectric generator model includes three main effects that are Thomson effect, Seebeck effect and Joule heat. The influence of heat sources and heat sinks as well as the load resistance that significantly affect properties of thermoelectric generator is also considered. The SimScape tool that extends Matlab/Simulink is used as tool for physical modeling of thermoelectric generator. Therefore, the energy harvesting model using thermoelectric generator can be easy extended by other device for example DC/DC converter. The energy harvesting model that uses thermoelectric generator (TEG) for the conversion of thermal to electric energy and DC/DC converter is presented in this paper.
[Mutagenic potential of copper compounds and modification of effects of silver iodide].

Mutagenic potential of copper compounds and its alteration in case of the interaction with silver compounds were analyzed by use of plant test systems. As test systems, Crepis capillaris L. , Tradescantia clone 02, and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) were used. Mutagenic properties of copper iodide and copper sulfate were not detected. CuI, being not a mutagen by itself, remarkably enhanced mutagenic potential of AgI.
Immunoglobulin G4 associated cholangitis: Description of an emerging clinical entity based on review of the literature

During the last decade, patients with steroid responsive sclerosing cholangitis have been described in a number of case reports and a few cases series. These patients meet diagnostic criteria for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) but seem to have a better prognosis and are often, but not always, associated with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Unlike biliary strictures in PSC, most PSC-like biliary strictures seen in association with AIP respond well to steroids and some have been shown to resolve after immunosuppressive treatment during prolonged follow-up. In addition, steroid-responsive dominant bile duct lesions, sometimes mimicking infiltrating hilar cholangiocarcinoma, without pancreatic abnormalities have also been reported. Here we review the literature on this emerging clinical entity and suggest that this condition of steroid responsive biliary strictures be named Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) Associated Cholangitis (IAC). We performed an electronic database search of MEDLINE for case reports and case series of sclerosing cholangitis with pancreatitis and/or pancreatic mass (1960–July 2006). Articles were limited to English and these case reports and cases series were reviewed and all references on the combination of sclerosing cholangitis and pancreatitis as well as IgG4 positive cholangitis without pancreatic involvement not identified by our original search were obtained. Terminology and Definition
Economic assessment of Lithium-Ion batteries in terms of V2G utilisation

This paper presents a cost analysis of Lithium-Ion batteries of electric vehicles (EV) for driving and for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) utilisation respectively. Based on the simulated mobility pattern, the charging possibility of each EV battery could be determined according to the assumed charging scenario. With regard to the available charging cycles depending on depth of discharge (DoD), the battery wear of each individual usage and its corresponding cost have been evaluated. Furthermore, it was verified if and to what extent the additional wear cost caused by using EV battery for providing controlling power could be covered by the market remuneration.
Purely-digital versus mixed-signal self-calibration techniques in high-resolution pipeline ADCs

This paper describes and compares some of the most energy and area efficient self-calibration techniques reported over the past years. Additional techniques used to further improve power dissipation are briefly described as well. A robust mixed-signal self-calibration technique is proposed, in which, the multi-bit first stage in the ADC is calibrated without requiring any modifications, as long as the ideal conversion characteristic of this stage is known. A novel Gaussian Noise Generator is used as the input analog stimulus and, on the digital side, the calibration algorithm does not require explicit multiplications, which greatly simplifies the digital circuitry. Experimental measurements of a 13-bit ADC fabricated in 90 nm CMOS, after calibration and at 40 MS/s, show that the SFDR is improved by over 14 dB (to 84 dB), the THD is improved by over 10 dB (to −80 dB), achieving a peak ENOB of 11.3 bits for a 10 MHz input and with a 1.2 V power supply.
Malignant Melanomas Treated By Plastic Surgeons in Hamilton, Ontario: A Retrospective Study of 80 Patients with Clinical and Histological Correlation

The present retrospective study was designed to analyze the clinical and survival data of 80 patients diagnosed between 1969 and 1987 with confirmed invasive malignant melanoma in Hamilton, Ontario and surrounding region. The age of peak incidence was 31 to 40 years of age for men and 51 to 60 years of age for women. The most frequent type of melanoma was superficial spreading. The most frequent sites were the upper back, ankle and leg. The six-year survival rate for all the patients was 63%. Patients below 50 years of age had a significantly better survival rate than patients above 50 years of age. Survival appears to be inversely proportional to tumour thickness. The findings in this study are similar to those of previous studies regarding clinical features and prognosis. Patient age, and tumour histology and thickness remain important prognostic factors in determining survival for invasive malignant melanoma.
[Study on effect of anisodamine on expressions of tissue factor and plasminogen activator-1 inhibitor in vascular endothelial cells and its mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of anisodamine in treating infectious shock through studying effect of anisodamine on endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced expression of tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in vascular endothelial cells (EC). METHODS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured by trypsin digestion method. PAI-1 was measured in the conditioned medium of HUVEC by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas TF activity was measured in the lysates of these cells by using a single step clotting assay. Specific mRNA expressions were determined by Northern blotting. In order to evaluate a possible contribution of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway on the transductive effects observed, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) were performed using nuclear extracts from HUVEC and NF-kappa B binding oligonucleotides. RESULTS LPS could significantly strengthen the expression of HUVEC PAI-1 protein and TF activity and its mRNA, this effect of LPS could be markedly weakened after adding Anisodamine dose-dependently. Anisodamine could also completely block the LPS induced NF-kappa B DNA binding activity in nuclear extracts from HUVEC. CONCLUSION The possible mechanism of anisodamine in treating infectious shock may be through antagonizing LPS induced HUVEC TF and PAI-1 expression, and the antagonism might be, at least partially, transduced by path of NF-kappa B.
Silver-Russell Syndrome - Part I: Clinical Characteristics and Genetic Background.

Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a rare, clinically and genetically heterogeneous entity, caused by (epi)genetic alternations. It is characterized by prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, relative macrocephaly, the triangular face and body asymmetry. About 40-60% of cases are caused by hypomethylation of 11p.15. 5 Imprinting Centre Region 1 (ICR1) on the paternal chromosome, and maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 7 (UPD(7)mat) is found in 5-10% of cases. There are suggested correlations between genotype and the phenotype. Psychomotor development may be delayed, usually mildly, with school difficulties and speech delay more common in patients with UPD(7)mat. Children with 11p15 hypomethylation are shorter and lighter at birth in comparison to children with UPD(7)mat, however further deceleration tends to be more apparent in the latter group. The onset of puberty tends to occur early, with acceleration of bone age, resulting in less apparent growth spurt. Failure to thrive and feeding problems are characteristic for the infant period, and further development of a child may be conditioned by additional congenital defects.
Human Homologs of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rad1, Hus1, and Rad9 Form a DNA Damage-responsive Protein Complex*

DNA damage activates cell cycle checkpoints in yeast and human cells. In the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombecheckpoint-deficient mutants have been characterized, and the corresponding genes have been cloned. Searches for human homologs ofS. pombe rad1, rad9, and hus1 genes identified the potential human homologs hRad1, hRad9, and hHus1; however, little is known about the roles of these proteins in human cells. The present studies demonstrate that hRad1 and hHus1 associate in a complex that interacts with a highly modified form of hRad9, but hHus1 and hRad1 do not associate with hRad17. In addition to being a key participant in complex formation, hRad9 is phosphorylated in response to DNA damage. Together, these results suggest that hRad9, hRad1, and hHus1 are central components of a DNA damage-responsive protein complex in human cells.
Modeling and simulation of appliances scheduling in the smart home for managing energy

Solving problems of high energy consuming by appliances in the smart home during peaks hours is very complicated. This is due to the impact of affecting the comfort of occupant. In this paper, a novel algorithm based on adaptive scheduling is proposed to reduce energy during peaks hours without affecting the comfort of occupant with easiest way of managing energy in the smart home. The proposed method will be explained and will be applied to a realistic example simulated on MATLAB/Simulink (R2013a “8.1.0.604”). It has the advantage to encourage occupants for two goals: reducing the Peak to Average Ratio (PAR) and reducing their electricity bill.
Tissue destruction by neutrophils.

WITH increasing frequency, the human neutrophil is being implicated as a mediator of tissue-destructive events in inflammatory diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis and myocardial reperfusion injury to respiratory distress syndromes, blistering skin disorders, and ulcerative colitis.1 , 2 In each of these diseases, as well as a variety of other acute inflammatory disorders, important components of these pathologic processes are being linked to the neutrophil's ability to release a complex assortment of agents that can destroy normal cells and dissolve connective tissues. Although these toxins normally defend the host against invading microbes, the neutrophil has little intrinsic ability to differentiate between foreign .