Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A gene trap mutation of a murine homolog of the Drosophila stem cell factor Pumilio results in smaller testes but does not affect litter size or fertility

Members of the Pumilio (also called PUF) gene family belong to a class of highly conserved developmental regulators that are present in both flies and humans. Much is known about the function of Pumilio genes in invertebrate development, in particular their role as stem cell factors required for maintenance and/or self‐renewal of germline stem cells in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans. It remains unknown whether Pumilio genes are also required for development in mammals; however, several lines of evidence suggest similar functions based on extensive sequence homology, similar RNA‐binding properties to their invertebrate counterparts and well‐documented interactions with germ cell factors required for fertility. Here we report characterization of a gene trap mutation that disrupts the mouse Pumilio‐2 (Pum2) gene. Our data confirm that Pumilio‐2 is expressed most abundantly in germ cells with the highest expression in undifferentiated gonocytes and spermatogonia. Furthermore, the mutation in Pum2 results in significantly smaller testes although the mutants are otherwise viable and fertile. In addition, we observed no stronger reproductive defects on a genetic background homozygous for a Pum2 null mutation and heterozygous for a Dazl mutation than Pum2 mutant alone. Thus, as in C. elegans where single members of the Pumilio gene family are dispensable for reproductive development and viability, this individual member of the Pumilio gene family in mice is also not essential for reproduction or viability. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 912–921, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronic morphine affects working memory during treatment and withdrawal in rats: possible residual long‐term impairment

An eight-arm radial maze was used to investigate a possible short-term (during the development of tolerance and dependence) and long-term (6, 9 and 12 months after treatment) effect on working memory, in young rats, which drank morphine (0.5 mg/ml) for 1 month, or to which the drug was administered by i.p. injection (at weekly increasing doses of 20, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg). Tail flick test and cortically derived electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were also carried out in the same rats to determine any modifications in analgesia and in total EEG mean power spectra during treatment and withdrawal. Complete tolerance to morphine analgesia developed during the period of drug treatment. Chronic morphine significantly impaired radial maze performance in the working memory components of the task during both treatment and early withdrawal, but only in the i.p. group. Six and 9 months after morphine treatment, both the oral and i.p. group showed a significant impairment of radial maze performance. The mean power spectra were altered during treatment but returned to baseline values during abstinence, except for the first day. These findings suggest the possibility of morphine-induced premature ageing, which is more evident in i.p. treated animals. The mechanism by which morphine treatment produces residual long-term learning impairment requires further elucidation.
Examination of sub-stroke and face authentication for e-Testing

One problem in e-Testing is that cheating by impersonation is easy. In previous work, Sub-stroke method which is text-independent handwriting authentication was proposed for e-Testing. Although, this method can perform only during writing answers by examinee. In this paper, we try to combine the Sub-stroke method and face authentication. We examined variations in facial images taken with a webcam and handwriting information taken by a pen-tablet during e-Testing.
Mutual coupling reduction between two dipole antennas with parasitic elements composed of composite right-/left-handed transmission lines

In this study, a composite right-/left-handed transmission line (CRLH TL) is used as a parasitic element. It is shown that a right-handed (RH) dipole antenna with the CRLH parasitic element has band rejection characteristics. Moreover, transmission characteristics and electric field distribution confirm that mutual coupling between the two dipole antennas can be reduced by using CRLH parasitic elements between the two antennas.
Short term traffic flow prediction based on neuro-fuzzy hybrid sytem

As traffic demand is growing rapidly, traffic congestion has become a severe problem everywhere in the world. Accurate prediction of traffic flow is therefore essential for the transport users to make smarter and effective decisions like route guidance, mode of transport, time of travel etc. Short term traffic flow prediction has become one of the important research fields in intelligent transportation system (ITS) and forms crucial base for the traffic management, traffic guidance and control strategy. This work suggests the application of a neuro-fuzzy hybrid system which brings together the complementary capabilities of both neural networks and fuzzy logic for short term traffic flow prediction application. The objective is to improve prediction accuracy. Data from highway of Chennai, India is used for the analysis. The use of hybrid system results in satisfactory improvement in the performance measure.
The Coevolutionary Roots of Biochemistry and Cellular Organization Challenge the RNA World Paradigm

The origin and evolution of modern biochemistry and cellular structure is a complex problem that has puzzled scientists for almost a century. While comparative, functional and structural genomics has unraveled considerable complexity at the molecular level, there is very little understanding of the origin, evolution and structure of the molecules responsible for cellular or viral features in life. Recent efforts, however, have dissected the emergence of the very early molecules that populated primordial cells. Deep historical signal was retrieved from a census of molecular structures and functions in thousands of nucleic acid and protein structures and hundreds of genomes using powerful phylogenomic methods. Together with structural, chemical and cell biology considerations, this information reveals that modern biochemistry is the result of the gradual evolutionary appearance and accretion of molecular parts and molecules. These patterns comply with the principle of continuity and lead to molecular and cellular complexity. Here, we review findings and report possible origins of molecular and cellular structure, the early rise of lipid biosynthetic pathways and components of cytoskeletal microstructures, the piecemeal accumulation of domains in ATP synthase complexes and the origin and evolution of the ribosome. Phylogenomic studies suggest the last universal common ancestor of life, the ‘urancestor', had already developed complex cellular structure and bioenergetics. Remarkably, our findings falsify the existence of an ancient RNA world. Instead they are compatible with gradually coevolving nucleic acids and proteins in interaction with increasingly complex cofactors, lipid membrane structures and other cellular components. This changes the perception we have of the rise of modern biochemistry and prompts further analysis of the emergence of biological complexity in an ever-expanding coevolving world of macromolecules.
I-pot: a new approach utilising visual and contextual cues to support users in graphical web browser revisitation

With a quarter of the world’s population now having access to the internet, the area of web efficiency and optimal use is of growing importance to all users. The function of revisitation, where a user wants to return to a website that they have visited in the recent past becomes more important. Current static and textual approaches developed within the latest versions of mainstream web browsers leave much to be desired. This paper suggests a new approach via the use of organic visual and contextual cues to support users in this task area.
FLOCK 1 DATA MULTI-OBJECTIVE EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHM FOR TURBULENT FLOW DETECTION

ABSTRACT: This study has demonstrated a design tool for turbulent flow detection in Flock 1 data using Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm which based on Pareto optimal solutions. The Flock 1 data along the Suez Canal, Egypt and Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia are involved in this study. The study also shows that Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm provides an accurate pattern of turbulent water flow in both Flock 1 data. This shown by 70% for water turbulent flow is associated with look-alikes, and 25% for coral and 5 % for land/sediment using the receiver –operational characteristics (ROC) curve. The MOGA also shows excellent performance in Flock 1 data. In conclusion, Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm can be used as an automatic detection tool for ocean turbulent flow in Flock 1 data.
Rated energy impact of BESS on total operation cost in a microgrid

Economic operation of a microgrid is becoming increasingly important due to the rapid increase in the number of microgrids now being investigated and deployed. Energy storage becomes an essential part in microgrids, not only to manage technical challenges, but also to provide economic benefits. A battery energy storage system (BESS) is used in this study, since it is the most flexible and reliable storage device now available in distribution networks. This paper presents an optimization method to minimize the economic operation of a microgrid with BESS. The proposed method defines the relation between the rated energy of the BESS and the total economic operation cost of a microgrid when operating in on-grid and off-grid modes. The optimization formulation applies economic dispatch and unit commitment techniques using mixed integer programming (MIP). The examples studied show the effectiveness of energy storage in the economic operation of a microgrid.
The gene for the human architectural transcription factor HMGI-C consists of five exons each coding for a distinct functional element.

The gene on chromosome 12 coding for the human protein HMGI-C has been cloned and partially sequenced. It consists of five exons, the first and last of which include long untranslated regions. The 5' UTR includes a (CA/T)n tract and a polymorphic (CT)n tract. Exons II, III and IV (87, 51 and 33 bp) are dispersed over > 30 kb. Exons I-III separately encode the three basic DNA binding domains ('A-T hooks'), exon IV encodes an 11 amino acid sequence characteristic of HMGI-C and absent from the human HMGI(Y) gene [Friedmann, M. , Holth, L. T. , Zoghbi, H. Y. and Reeves, R. (1993) Nucleic Acids Res., 21, 4259-4267], whilst exon V encodes the acidic C-terminal domain, which is subject to multiple phosphorylation. The HMGI-C gene is thus a striking example of the separation of functional protein elements into different coding exons.
AN AUTOPSY CASE OF CREUTZFELDT‐JAKOB DISEASE ACCOMPANYING PROMINENT STATUS SPONGIOSUS

An autopsy case of Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease is reported in a 60‐year‐old man who developed an abrupt onset of delusion, intellectural deterioration and rapidly progressing dementia terminating in decorticated rigidity. Autopsy revealed a moderate gyral atrophy of the cerebrum, particularly in the frontal lobe (1320 g). Microscopically, diffuse and prominent status spongiosue was observed throughout the cerebral cortices, mostly accompanied by atrophy and occasional loss of neuronal cells. Similar changes were seen in the basal ganglia. Lipid pigments accumulated in most of the atrophic neuronal cells. Histochemical studies were made on vacuoles of the spongious state and lipid pigments stored in the neuronal cells. Clinico‐pathological subjects of the Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease and its subtypes, especially its relationship to subacute spongiform encephalopathy, are briefly discussed.
Involvement of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNS and ROS) in sunflower-mildew interaction.

Nitric oxide (.NO) has been shown to participate in plant response against pathogen infection; however, less is known of the participation of other NO-derived molecules designated as reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Using two sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars with different sensitivity to infection by the pathogen Plasmopara halstedii, we studied key components involved in RNS and ROS metabolism. We analyzed the superoxide radical production, hydrogen peroxide content, l-arginine-dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) activities. Furthermore, we examined the location and contents of . NO, S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs), S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and protein 3-nitrotyrosine (NO(2)-Tyr) by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and biochemical analyses. In the susceptible cultivar, the pathogen induces an increase in proteins that undergo tyrosine nitration accompanied by an augmentation in RSNOs. This rise of RSNOs seems to be independent of the enzymatic generation of . NO because the l-arginine-dependent NOS activity is reduced after infection. These results suggest that pathogens induce nitrosative stress in susceptible cultivars. In contrast, in the resistant cultivar, no increase of RSNOs or tyrosine nitration of proteins was observed, implying an absence of nitrosative stress. Therefore, it is proposed that the increase of tyrosine nitration of proteins can be considered a general biological marker of nitrosative stress in plants under biotic conditions.
Opportunities and Impediments for Open GIS

The field of GIS (S for Systems, Sciences, Services, and Studies) is at a cross‐road in the early 2010s. Aiming to link the multiple visions for the next phase of GIS development, this article suggests that the emerging open GIS should serve as a guiding concept. Contextualized in the broader literature of open science, this article proposes open GIS should include eight dimensions related to data, software, hardware, standards, research, publication, funding, and education. For the GIS community, open GIS offers four exciting opportunities: (1) technology‐driven opportunities for addressing challenges posed by the (spatial) big data deluge; (2) application‐led opportunities for confronting the problems of a rapidly changing planet; (3) curiosity‐inspired, crowd‐powered opportunities for the development of an open and geographic citizen science; and (4) education‐focused opportunities for implementing the vision of a spatial university. Although there are academic, legal, social/political, and environmental impediments for the practice of open GIS, open GIS will become increasingly important in shaping our research and educational agendas in the future.
Activation of Checkpoint Kinase Chk1 by Reactive Oxygen Species Resulting from Disruption of wat1/pop3 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

DNA double-strand breaks are critical lesions that can lead to chromosomal aberrations and genomic instability. In response to DNA damage, Chk1, a serine/threonine kinase, is responsible for cell cycle arrest to prevent damaged cells from progressing through the cell cycle. Here, we report that the disruption of wat1, a WD repeat-containing protein, leads to the phosphorylation of Chk1. The double-deletion of chk1 and wat1 had a grave effect on the survival of fission yeast cells, and the spontaneous recombination rate was also high upon double-deletion of wat1 and chk1, as compared to the single-mutant. In the absence of wat1, the cells exhibited a high level of nuclear fragmentation that resulted in the accumulation of Rad22 yellow fluorescent protein foci. Furthermore, we show that wat1 is required for the regulation of the oxidative stress response. We observed elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in wat1-null mutant that led to a high degree of propidium iodide staining at nonpermissive temperature. Based on the results presented here, we hypothesize that ROS production in wat1-null mutant cells generates DNA fragmentation that could trigger a checkpoint response and that, in the absence of checkpoint kinase Chk1, the cells exhibit severe growth defects leading to a synthetic lethal phenotype.
Protease inhibitors and haemagglutinins associated with resistance to the protozoan parasite, Perkinsus marinus, in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas

Perkinsus marinus is a protozoan responsible for dramatic mortality in the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, but not in the Pacific oyster, C. gigas. To understand the host–parasite relationship, we inoculated P. marinus trophozoïtes into the shell cavity of C. gigas and measured, over 2 months, (i) intensity of infection, (ii) protease inhibitory activities against P. marinus proteases and against bovine α-chymotrypsin, (iii) plasma haemagglutinin titre, (iv) plasma protein concentration, (v) plasma lysozyme activity and (vi) total haemocyte count. We observed that the highest protease inhibitory activities and haemagglutinin titres (3–10 days post-challenge) preceded parasite elimination (initiated 7 days post-challenge). In contrast, plasma protein concentration, lysozyme activity and total haemocyte count showed no significant modification following the challenge. It is hypothesized that the capacity of C. gigas to increase its protease inhibitors represents the key event in resistance to parasite infection by neutralizing the proteases secreted by P. marinus, thus preserving the oyster haemagglutinins from degradation. Such haemagglutinins will be ready to act as opsonins stimulating phagocytosis of parasites.
Blood pressure as a cardiovascular risk factor: prevention and treatment.

OBJECTIVE - To examine the prevalence, incidence, predisposing factors for hypertension, its hazards as an ingredient of the cardiovascular risk profile, and the implications of this information for prevention and treatment. METHODS - Prospective longitudinal analysis of 36-year follow-up data from the Framingham Study of the relation of antecedent blood pressure to occurrence of subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality depending on the metabolically linked burden of associated risk factors. RESULTS - Hypertension is one of the most prevalent and powerful contributors to cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death in the United States. There is, on average, a 20 mm Hg systolic and 10 mm Hg diastolic increment increase in blood pressure from age 30 to 65 years. Isolated systolic hypertension is the dominant variety. There is no evidence of a decline in the prevalence of hypertension over 4 decades despite improvements in its detection and treatment. Hypertension contributes to all of the major atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease outcomes increasing risk, on average, 2- to 3-fold. Coronary disease, the most lethal and common sequela, deserves highest priority. Hypertension clusters with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and obesity, occurring in isolation in less than 20%. The hazard depends on the number of these associated metabolically linked risk factors present. Coexistent overt cardiovascular disease also influences the hazard and choice of therapy. CONCLUSION - The absence of a decline in the prevalence of hypertension indicates an urgent need for primary prevention by weight control, exercise, and reduced salt and alcohol intake. The urgency and choice of therapy of existing hypertension should be based on the multivariate cardiovascular risk profile that more appropriately targets hypertensive persons for treatment and prevention of cardiovascular sequelae.
Involvement of heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein and rho protein, but not protein kinase C, in agonist-induced Ca2+ sensitization of skinned muscle of guinea pig vas deferens.

We studied the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) and a small GTP-binding protein (G-protein), rho, in receptor-mediated Ca2+ sensitization of the contractile apparatus of smooth muscle of guinea pig vas deferens. In beta-escin-permeabilized smooth muscle strips, norepinephrine (NE) in the presence of GTP caused further contraction of the preparations at a constant Ca2+ level (Ca2+ sensitization). Prazosin and GDP beta S, a nonhydrolyzable GDP analogue, inhibited NE-induced Ca2+ sensitization, indicating an alpha-1 adrenoceptor/G-protein mediated response. GTP alone (> 10 microM) and GTP gamma S, a non-hydrolyzable GTP analogue, also induced Ca2+ sensitization. Pretreatment of preparations with C3 exoenzyme of Clostridium botulinum, which is known to ADP-ribosylate rho family proteins, with NAD resulted in complete inhibition of NE- and GTP (GTP gamma S)-induced Ca2+ sensitization. AIF4-, which activates heterotrimeric G-, but not small G-protein also induced Ca2+ sensitization. Interestingly, AIF4(-)-induced Ca2+ sensitization was inhibited by not only GDP beta S but also C3-treatment, suggesting that activation of heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein precedes activation of rho protein. On the other hand, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, like NE, also induced Ca2+ sensitization. The sensitization was inhibited by PKC(19-31), a PKC inhibitor peptide. However, PKC(19-31) did not have any effect on NE- or AIF4(-)-induced Ca2+ sensitization. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Smart Meter Data Privacy: A Survey

Automated and smart meters are devices that are able to monitor the energy consumption of electricity consumers in near real-time. They are considered key technological enablers of the smart grid, as the real-time consumption data that they can collect could enable new sophisticated billing schemes, could facilitate more efficient power distribution system operation and could give rise to a variety of value-added services. At the same time, the energy consumption data that the meters collect are sensitive consumer information; thus, privacy is a key concern and is a major inhibitor of real-time data collection in practice. In this paper, we review the different uses of metering data in the smart grid and the related privacy legislation. We then provide a structured overview, shortcomings, recommendations, and research directions of security solutions that are needed for privacy-preserving meter data delivery and management. We finally survey recent work on privacy-preserving technologies for meter data collection for the three application areas: 1) billing; 2) operations; and 3) value-added services including demand response.
Heterogeneous Workers and Occupations : Unemployment , Inequality and Crowding Out ∗

This paper analyzes the cyclical behavior of labor market variables that reflect agent heterogeneity across education levels and educational requirements of jobs. Using the CPS Outgoing Rotation Group, a dataset is compiled including between and within educational group wage premiums, the employment ratios of the high educated in complex and in simple occupations and of the low educated in simple occupations, the unemployment ratios of the high and low educated, as well as a measure of the crowding out of the low educated by the high educated in occupying simple jobs. A boom is accompanied by a rise in the employment in simple occupations, and a decline in the unemployment of the low educated, followed with a lag by a decline in the crowding out effect, an increase in the employment in complex occupations, and a decline in the unemployment of the high educated. Wage disparity across groups widens with a lag, while within group exhibits acyclicality. To account for these observations, a dynamic general equilibrium framework that features search frictions is developed, where the population is divided into those high and low educated, and firms post two types of vacancies: the complex that can be matched with the high educated, and the simple that can be matched with the high and low educated. On the job search is allowed. A benchmark model where all the wages are determined by Nash bargaining is compared to one where the wage of the high educated in simple occupations is indexed to that of those in complex. The latter reproduces most of the observations.