Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction of Telomestatin with the Telomeric Single-strand Overhang*

The extremities of chromosomes end in a G-rich single-stranded overhang that has been implicated in the onset of the replicative senescence. The repeated sequence forming a G-overhang is able to adopt a peculiar four-stranded DNA structure in vitro called a G-quadruplex, which is a poor substrate for telomerase. Small molecule ligands that selectively stabilize the telomeric G-quadruplex induce telomere shortening and a delayed growth arrest. Here we show that the G-quadruplex ligand telomestatin has a dramatic effect on the conformation of intracellular G-overhangs. Competition experiments indicate that telomestatin strongly binds in vitro and in vivo to the telomeric overhang and impairs its single-stranded conformation. Long-term treatment of cells with telomestatin greatly reduces the G-overhang size, as evidenced by specific hybridization or telomeric oligonucleotide ligation assay experiments, with a concomitant delayed loss of cell viability. In vivo protection experiments using dimethyl sulfate also indicate that telomestatin treatment alters the dimethyl sulfate effect on G-overhangs, a result compatible with the formation of a local quadruplex structure at telomeric overhang. Altogether these experiments strongly support the hypothesis that the telomeric G-overhang is an intracellular target for the action of telomestatin.
Towards a New Conceptualization of Information System Benefits Assessment

Different perspectives on benefit evaluation are presented in the information technology literature, from the perceptual assessment of benefits to the financial calculation of return on investment. This study aims to complement the literature by integrating the IT capital expense literature and Delone and McLean’s (2003) information systems success model. A model was developed using a qualitative approach with respondents from three manufacturing organizations responsible for the information system evaluation process. The fivestage model is composed of project identification, proposal development, proposal selection, IS creation/use and organizational benefit evaluation. This conceptualization adds a new and enriched perspective to the literature by integrating financial and perceptual benefit assessment with an organizational assessment process. The analysis of the data collected confirmed the inefficiency of user perceptions for organizational success assessment but also revealed top management perceptions to be a critical factor in the evaluation
The rewards of using a modelling approach in directing poultry research

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to demonstrate the advantages of using a good theory as the basis for designing and conducting research, using personal experience of developing a simulation model to predict food intake in laying hens and broiler breeders. To develop such a model, research projects were designed to measure, among others, the effect of lighting programmes on age at sexual maturity, changes in internal cycle length, egg and body component weights over time, effects of temperature on performance, and to determine whether these birds would make use of body lipid reserves as an energy source. Most of the experiments described here were conceived and conducted only because they were seen as a means of collecting information required for the development of empirical and mechanistic models, both of which have contributed to a better understanding of the birds themselves, as well as to the basis for predicting food intake in broiler breeders and laying hens. For those researchers seeking ideas for further study, there is no better way of generating such ideas than by first developing a theory of the subject to be studied, the greatest benefit from this approach being that such targeted research is bound to be new, innovative and useful.
Angiotensin II-mediated catecholamine release during the pressor response in rats.

Angiotensin II (ANG II)-mediated catecholamine release and its possible contribution to the pressor response was assessed in baroreceptor-denervated rats. Neonatal male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with the sympatholytic drug, guanethidine monosulphate (50 mg/kg s.c., 6 days/week) for 40 days. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured using a 3H-radioenzymatic assay as follows: (a) before and 30 s after the injection of saline or ANG II (79.3 pmol/kg i.v.), at the peak of the pressor response, then 50 s and 80 s thereafter, in guanethidine-treated (GUAN) and saline-injected (SHAM) rats, and (b) before and after adrenalectomy (ADX), following the same time-sequence for ANG II as in (a). Peak pressor responses to graded doses of ANG II (6.6, 26.4, 53.0 and 79.3 pmol/kg i.v.) were measured in GUAN+ADX and ADX rats. Destruction of peripheral sympathetic nerves was confirmed by measurements of plasma noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (AD) and dopamine (DA) concentrations and by changes in pressor responses and heart rates following i.v. doses of tyramine. ANG II induced significantly (P < 0.05) greater pressor responses in GUAN+ADX rats than in ADX rats, especially after the 53.0 and 79.3 pmol/kg doses. Plasma AD concentrations increased within seconds after the pressor response to ANG II in both GUAN and SHAM rats but there was no change in plasma NA or DA concentrations (P < 0.05). ANG-II-mediated AD release from the adrenal medulla may contribute to the overall pressor action of the peptide. The vasculature became more sensitive to ANG II at a time when NA and DA depletion occurred following sympathectomy and/or adrenalectomy. This heightened sensitivity to ANG II was not due to a decrease in circulating ANG II in sympathectomized rats because even though plasma renin activity fell from 6.54 +/- 0.52 to 3.77 +/- 0.26 ng ANG I/ml per h it remained within the normal range.
A new way of detecting reconvergent fanout branch pairs in logic circuits

Reconvergent fanout has been one of the critical issues for testing of VLSI circuits and design for testability. In this paper we present a new algorithm, which detects all sources of reconvergent fanout branch pairs by processing a normal circuit description. The algorithm identifies all the gates at which reconvergence occurs, the reconvergent sites, and lists all the reconvergent fanout branch pairs that are reconvergent at these sites. The automatic detection of such reconvergence can be used for improving the testability analysis or assist test generation of circuits containing such fanout branches.
Chemoimmunotherapy with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab for relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

PURPOSE The efficacy, toxicity, and tolerability of chemoimmunotherapy with the combination of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) were evaluated in previously treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The purpose of this study was to improve the complete remission (CR) rate for previously treated patients and evaluate the quality of bone marrow response. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred seventy-seven previously treated patients with CLL were evaluated. Treatment consisted of rituximab 375 mg/m(2) day 1 of course 1 and 500 mg/m(2) day 1 of courses 2 to 6; fludarabine 25 mg/m(2)/d days 2 to 4 of course 1 and days 1 to 3 of courses 2 to 6; and cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m(2)/d days 2 to 4 of course 1 and days 1 to 3 of courses 2 to 6. Courses were repeated every 4 weeks. RESULTS CR was achieved in 25% of 177 patients, and nodular partial remission and partial remission were achieved in 16% and 32% of patients, respectively; the overall response rate was 73%. Twelve (32%) of 37 complete responders tested achieved molecular remission in bone marrow. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify pretreatment patient characteristics associated with CR and overall remission, longer time to progression, and overall survival. CONCLUSION The FCR regimen was an active and well-tolerated treatment for previously treated patients with CLL. Myelosuppression was the most common toxicity. FCR induced the highest CR rate reported in a clinical trial of previously treated patients with CLL. Furthermore, molecular remissions were achieved in a third of patients achieving CR.
Feasibility of automatic evaluation of clinical rules in general practice

Purpose: To assess the extent to which clinical rules (CRs) can be implemented for automatic evaluation of quality of care in general practice. Methods: We assessed 81 clinical rules (CRs) adapted from a subset of Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders (ACOVE) clinical rules, against Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) data model. Each CR was analyzed using the Logical Elements Rule Method: (LERM). LERM is a stepwise method of assessing and formalizing clinical rules for decision support. Clinical rules that satisfied the criteria outlined in the LERM method were judged to be implementable in automatic evaluation in general practice. Results: Thirty-three out of 81 (40.7%) Dutch-translated ACOVE clinical rules can be automatically evaluated in electronic medical record systems. Seven out of 7 CRs (100%) in the domain of diabetes can be automatically evaluated, 9/17 (52.9%) in medication use, 5/10 (50%) in depression care, 3/6 (50%) in nutrition care, 6/13 (46.1%) in dementia care, 1/6 (16.6%) in end of life care, 2/13 (15.3%) in continuity of care, and 0/9 (0%) in the fall-related care. Lack of Opondo, D. , Visscher, S. , Eslami, S. , Medlock, S. , Verheij, R. , Korevaar, J.C. , Abu-Hanna, A. Feasibility of automatic evaluation of clinical rules in general practice. International Journal of Medical Informatics: 2017, 100(4), 90-94 This is a NIVEL certified Post Print, more info at http://www.nivel. eu documentation of care activities between primary and secondary health facilities and ambiguous formulation of clinical rules were the main reasons for the inability to automate the clinical rules. Conclusion: Approximately two-fifths of the primary care Dutch ACOVE-based clinical rules can be automatically evaluated. Clear definition of clinical rules, improved GP database design and electronic linkage of primary and secondary healthcare facilities can improve prospects of automatic assessment of quality of care. These findings are relevant especially because the Netherlands has very high automation of primary care.
A Novel Built-in Self Calibration Technique To Minimize Capacitor Mismatch for 12-bit 32 MS / s SAR ADC

This paper proposes a novel Built-in Self Calibration (BISC) technique for a 12-bit 32MS/s successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) using a single input to reduce the capacitor mismatch of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and to compensate the comparator input offset voltage. The proposed self-calibration scheme optimize the mismatch of the DAC by changing additional auxiliary capacitor array during calibration mode. In addition, in order to minimize the offset voltage of the comparator in the SAR ADC, a simplified voltage amplifier is proposed. The controller for the proposed algorithm operates as foreground operation to achieve low power consumption during operation. Compared to the converters that use the conventional procedure, INL and DNL are reduced by about 47% and 52%, respectively. The prototype was designed using 130nm single poly 6 metal standard CMOS technology. The ADC achieves a SNDR of 65.6 dB and consumes 4.62 mW. The ADC core occupies an active area of only 240μmÍ 298 μm using 1.2V supply and the sampling rate of 50 MS/s.
Working Memory Maturation

The theoretical and practical understanding of cognitive development depends on working memory, the limited information temporarily accessible for such daily activities as language processing and problem solving. In this article, I assess many possible reasons that working memory performance improves with development. A first glance at the literature leads to the weird impression that working memory capacity reaches adult levels during infancy but then regresses during childhood. In place of that unlikely explanation, I consider how infant studies may lead to overestimates of capacity if one neglects supports that the tasks provide, compared with adult-level tasks. Further development of working memory during the school years is also considered. Many investigators have come to suspect that working memory capacity may be constant after infancy because of various factors such as developmental increases in knowledge, filtering out of irrelevant distractions, encoding and rehearsal strategies, and pattern formation. With each of these factors controlled, though, working memory still improves during the school years. Suggestions are made for research to bridge the gap between infant and child developmental research, to understand the focus and control of attention in working memory and how these skills develop, and to pinpoint the nature of capacity and its development from infancy forward.
Autonomy and autism: who speaks for the adolescent patient?

Jake was diagnosed with autism at the age of four. His symptoms were treated with behavioral therapy until the age of 14, when he began having frequent angry outbursts. He often shouted at his parents and had fits of screaming, occasionally at school. At the time, his mother noticed that he was very irritable and often seemed depressed. He was prescribed an SSRI and an atypical antipsychotic for his outbursts and mood symptoms. Now 17, Jake has cognitive abilities in the low-normal range, but his ability to perform daily activities is more substantially impaired, and his mother is heavily involved in his care. He needs reminders and supervision to care for himself, including taking his medication and doing his homework, and refuses to brush his teeth or hair unless his mother insists. He experiences sensory overload. He attends an alternative high school because of his repeated angry outbursts at school and difficulties paying attention.
QoE assessment model for video streaming service using QoS parameters in wired-wireless network

In this paper, we propose QoE assessment model for video streaming service such as IPTV and VoD using QoS parameters in wired-wireless network. Existing perceptual quality assessment models are unsuitable for experienced quality assessment of a streaming service which passed through the IP-based network because they only take account of the characteristic of used codec and bit rate. However, QoS parameters for measuring video experienced quality must be considered because reliable delivery of real-time video streaming services is guaranteed by the network performance. Network and service providers can predict perceptual quality and quality satisfaction using the proposed model. Also, they can provide optimal service environment through selection of video streaming data rate and network traffic control based on video QoE assessment model.
A meta-analysis of alcohol drinking and oral and pharyngeal cancers: results from subgroup analyses.

AIMS To quantify the magnitude of the association between alcohol and oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) by sex, smoking habits, type of alcoholic beverage and other factors. METHODS We combined findings from all case-control and cohort studies published until September 2010 and present in this article the results classified by these factors, using a meta-analytic approach. Summary relative risks (RRs) were obtained using random-effects models; heterogeneity was assessed using the χ(2) test. RESULTS The association between alcohol and OPC risk was similar in men and women, with similar dose-response relationships. No notable differences were found with respect to geographic area and other factors, both for drinking overall and heavy (≥4 drinks/day) drinking. Among never/non-current smokers, the pooled RRs were 1.32 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.05-1.67) for drinking, and 2.54 (95% CI, 1.80-3.58) for heavy drinking. The corresponding RRs in smokers were 2.92 (95% CI, 2.31-3.70) and 6.32 (95% CI, 5.05-7.90). The pooled RRs for any drinking irrespective of smoking were 2.12 (95% CI, 1.37-3.29) for wine-, 2.43 (95% CI, 1.92-3.07) for beer- and 2.30 (95% CI, 1.78-2.98) for spirits-only drinking. The corresponding RRs for heavy drinking were 4.92 (95% CI, 2.80-8.65), 4.20 (95% CI, 1.43-12.38) and 5.20 (95% CI, 2.77-9.78). CONCLUSION The alcohol-related RRs are similar with respect to sex, geographic area and type of alcoholic beverage. The association between alcohol and OPC is stronger in smokers than in non-smokers.
Improvement of intestinal absorption of P-glycoprotein substrate by D-tartaric acid.

The purpose of the present experiment was to examine the effects of D-tartaric acid (TA) on intestinal drug absorption under both in situ and in vitro experimental conditions. In the in vitro diffusion chamber experiments, TA (10 mM) added to the mucosal side of rat colon significantly decreased rhodamine123 (Rho 123) transport from the serosal to mucosal side. Since TA has been shown to change the integrity of the epithelial tight junctions in rat colon at low pH conditions, resulting in improved paracellular drug transport, the effect of TA on membrane resistance was examined at pH 7.4 in the present study. It was found that membrane resistance, an indicator of paracellular integrity, did not change at pH 7.4. In the in situ loop method, TA (20 mM) increased the absorption of Rho123 in both ileum and colon but not in jejunum. TA (20 mM) also increased the absorption of daunorubicin in the ileum, but TA (20 mM) did not change the expression level of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). TA (20 mM) significantly inhibited excretion of i.v. -administered Rho123 and daunorubicin into the ileal lumen. In conclusion, for the first time we demonstrated that TA increases the intestinal absorption of P-gp substrates Rho123 and daunorubicin, possibly by modulating the P-gp function without changing the expression level of P-gp in the rat intestine.
Detection of Listeria monocytogenes by direct colony hybridization on hydrophobic grid-membrane filters by using a chromogen-labeled DNA probe

A DNA probe specific for Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from a beta-hemolytic recombinant clone of an L. monocytogenes gene bank. It was labeled with horseradish peroxidase and used in a direct colony hybridization method on hydrophobic grid-membrane filters for the detection of the organism. Following color development of the chromogen, a commercial counter (HGMF Interpreter) was able to detect and count the organisms electronically. The method gave a positive reaction with 70 L. monocytogenes strains, while showing a negative reaction with 10 strains of other Listeria spp. and with 20 organisms of other genera.
Type-I HARQ scheme using LDPC codes and partial retransmissions for AWGN and quasi static fading channels

In this paper we present a Type-I HARQ scheme for low density parity check codes (LDPC) using partial retransmissions and diversity combining. The proposed method divides the retransmissions in equal length sub-packets, and applies a power compensation. We demonstrate that the new scheme outperforms, in terms of throughput, the typical diversity combining methods for AWGN and quasi static fading channels, considering BPSK and 16-QAM modulation. Both theoretical and simulation results are presented, with a very good agreement between them. The numerical results show that the gains in terms of throughput, with respect to the typical methods, can be as large as 5 dB.
Overproduction of Cytokinins in Petunia Flowers Transformed with PSAG12-IPT Delays Corolla Senescence and Decreases Sensitivity to Ethylene1

Plant senescence is regulated by a coordinated genetic program mediated in part by changes in ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA), and cytokinin content. Transgenic plants with delayed senescence are useful for studying interactions between these signaling mechanisms. Expression of ipt, a cytokinin biosynthetic gene from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, under the control of the promoter from a senescence-associated gene (SAG12) has been one approach used to delay senescence. We transformed petunia (Petunia x hybrida cv V26) with PSAG12-IPT. Two independently transformed lines with extended flower longevity (I-1-7-22 and I-3-18-34) were used to study the effects of elevated cytokinin content on ethylene synthesis and sensitivity and ABA accumulation in petunia corollas. Floral senescence in these lines was delayed 6 to 10 d relative to wild-type (WT) flowers. Ipt transcripts increased in abundance after pollination and were accompanied by increased cytokinin accumulation. Endogenous ethylene production was induced by pollination in both WT and IPT corollas, but this increase was delayed in IPT flowers. Flowers from IPT plants were less sensitive to exogenous ethylene and required longer treatment times to induce endogenous ethylene production, corolla senescence, and up-regulation of the senescence-related Cys protease phcp1. Accumulation of ABA, another hormone regulating flower senescence, was significantly greater in WT corollas, confirming that floral senescence was delayed in IPT plants. These results extend our understanding of the hormone interactions that regulate flower senescence and provide a means of increasing flower longevity.
Juvenile production of Amphiprion bicinctus (Pomacentridae, Teleostei) and rehabilitation of impoverished habitats

This study on the Red Sea f ~ s h Amphipnon bicinctus was aimed at developing a method of producing large numbers of juveniles for reintroduction into their symbiotic sea anemones in natural habitats. By establishing reproductive pairs in captivity and providing them with a diet of rotifers and various stages of nauplius and adult Artemia salina, reproduction was achieved a t frequencies of 2 to 3 times per month per pair, resulting in large numbers of larvae. Juveniles attaining 16 to 28 mm TL ivere Introduced into sea anenomes on the coral reefs at Ellat, Israel, at depths of 10 to 25 m. Despite heavy losses, nulnerous juveniles successfully acclimated and survived in the11 neiv habitat, many in anenomes previously occupied by adult fish. Three years of follow-up revealed that 8 pairs of such re~ntroduced flsh had grown into maturity and become reproductive. It ivould appear that thls method of production in captivity followed by resettlement in impoverished natural habitats may be effective for community rehabilitation.
Tiwanaku Influence in the South Central Andes: Strontium Isotope Analysis and Middle Horizon Migration

Although the presence of Tiwanaku-style material culture throughout southern Peru, northern Chile, and western Bolivia is well documented, the nature of Tiwanaku influence during the Middle horizon (A.D. 500–1100) is variously attributed to imperial expansion or economic and/or religious relationships. Strontium isotope data from archaeological human remains from Tiwanaku-affiliated sites identified first-generation immigrants from the Lake Titicaca basin outside of the Tiwanaku heartland at the Peruvian site of Chen Chen. These data provide an important component to studies that demonstrated close biological relationships during the Middle horizon but could not demonstrate the direction of population movement. However, no immigrants from the Lake Titicaca basin were identified at the San Pedro de Atacama cemeteries of Coyo Oriental, Coyo-3, and Solcor-3. At the sites of Tiwanaku, Tilata, Iwawe, and Kirawi, strontium isotope ratios were also variable, and demonstrate movement within the Lake Titicaca basin. This demonstrates that Tiwanaku influence involved direct colonization in the Moquegua Valley but that in other regions, like San Pedro de Atacama, local inhabitants adopted Tiwanaku-style material culture. This elucidates the complex and highly variable relationships between the Tiwanaku heartland and peripheral sites during the Middle horizon.