Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrins in the mouse myotome: Developmental changes and differences between the epaxial and hypaxial lineage

Integrins are cellular adhesion receptors that mediate signaling and play key roles in the development of multicellular organisms. However, their role in the cellular events leading to myotome formation is completely unknown. Here, we describe the expression patterns of the α1, α4, α5, α6, and α7 integrin subunits in the mouse myotome and correlate them with the expression of several differentiation markers. Our results indicate that these integrin subunits may be differentially involved in the various phases of myogenic determination and differentiation. A detailed characterization of the myogenic cell types expressing the α4 and α6 subunits showed a regionalization of the myotome and dermomyotome based on cell‐adhesion properties. We conclude that α6β1 may be an early marker of epaxial myogenic progenitor cells. In contrast, α4β1 is up‐regulated in the intercalated myotome after myocyte differentiation. Furthermore, α4β1 is expressed in the hypaxial dermomyotome and is maintained by early hypaxial myogenic progenitor cells colonizing the myotome. Developmental Dynamics 231:402–415, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Front propagation directed by a line of fast diffusion: large diffusion and large time asymptotics

The system under study is a reaction-diffusion equation in a horizontal strip, coupled to a diffusion equation on its upper boundary via an exchange condition of the Robin type. This class of models was introduced by H. Berestycki, L. Rossi and the second author in order to model biological invasions directed by lines of fast diffusion. They proved, in particular, that the speed of invasion was enhanced by a fast diffusion on the line, the spreading velocity being asymptotically proportional to the square root of the fast diffusion coefficient. These results could be reduced, in the logistic case, to explicit algebraic computations. The goal of this paper is to prove that the same phenomenon holds, with a different type of nonlinearity, which precludes explicit computations. We discover a new transition phenomenon, that we explain in detail.
Modelagem matemática do processo térmico contínuo de alimentos líquidos em trocadores de calor a placas.

The main objective of this study was to develop a mathematical model in a plate pasteurizer in order to determine the temperature and lethality distribution along the channels of the heat exchanger in all its sections, in tubular connections and holding tube evaluating the logarithmic decay in concentration of a target microorganism or enzyme activity in a continuous pasteurization process. Mathematical modeling was composed of the differential energy balance and lethality in the channels of the exchanger, the holding tube and its connections, taking into account the heat loss to the environment in the tubes. The constructed model presented a set of ordinary differential equations of first order and its resolution was made by the finite difference method using the gPROMS software. A case study was analyzed and the modeling described the thermal and the lethality process very well and in the future it can be used to optimize the process of pasteurization in plate heat exchangers, aiming the achievement of safe and with high quality products. A verification of the pasteurization process that the model developed contemplates has been performed based on experimental validation using time-temperature integrator and testing with enzymatic indicator (alkaline phosphatase in phosphate buffer), which showed that the model developed satisfactorily approximates the actual results.
Serum electrolytes in senile cataract patients

Introduction: Cataract refers to opacification of crystalline lens in the human eye. Globally, cataract accounts for 50% of blindness and remains the leading cause of visual impairment all over the world, despite improvements in surgical outcomes. Age is the strongest known non-modifiable risk factor for cataract formation. One of the proposed risk factors for cataract formation is rise in serum sodium ion level. Role of potassium and chloride are inconclusive Even though ageing cannot be prevented, physiological changes that occur in electrolytes can be modified. The aim of the study was to estimate serum electrolyte levels in senile cataract patients as compared to those without cataract. Methods: This study includes hundred senile cataract patients and age matched hundred healthy people without cataract. Serum electrolytes were estimated by using an electrolyte analyzer which works on the principle of ion selective electrodes. Results: We noted a highly significant (p<0.0001) rise in sodium levels in cases (146.35 ± 3.49 meq/l) as compared to controls (142.77 ± 3.75meq/l). Chloride levels were also significantly elevated (p<0.05) in cases (102.32 ± 4.10meq/l) as compared to controls (100.82 ± 4.12 meq/l). Serum potassium level, even though elevated in cases, it was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: From this study we can conclude that sodium and chloride may be used as markers of senile cataract formation. Dietary salt restriction may help to lower the sodium and chloride levels and delay the process of cataract formation.
Physical Factors Important in the Development of Atherosclerosis in Diabetes

Circulation of the blood is a process controlled by physical laws. The same physical laws also determine the sites of atherosclerotic plaques. Our understanding of their role in atherogenesis is aided by a review of (1) the difference between a solid and fluid, (2) strain and shear or strain rate and shear rate as describers of motion, (3) the distinction between force as pressure and as shear stress, (4) the effects of viscosity and inertia on fluid motion, and (5) the nonlinear responses of blood and blood vessels. Moving blood affects the vessel wall principally through shear stress, the force due to its viscosity applied parallel to the surface of the vessel. Excessive shear stress occurs near the orifices of branches of the aorta, the arterial areas where atherosclerotic plaques develop. It is produced by a change in blood flow pattern at these sites. Arterial stiffening in diabetes reduces the ability of the branches of the aorta to dilate during systole, a motion that helps to control high wall shear stress. At wall shear stress levels under 400 dynes/cm2, a value only modestly higher than that normally achieved near the orifices of the major arterial branches, the endothelial lining of the arterial wall becomes disrupted, allowing entry of plasma proteins and lipids. Blood viscosity elevation in diabetes, linked to enhanced erythrocyte aggregation and reduced erythrocyte deformability, adds to the shear stress at the vessel wall, favoring increased lipid entry. Exposed to a high lipid influx secondary to excessive wall shear stress, the arterial wall must rely on physical as well as chemical means to remove the lipids. Subendothelial motion generated by diastolic arterial contraction and systolic expansion appears to cause plasmalemmal vesicle formation and dissolution, an event probably important in the removal process. The combination of arterial stiffening and hemorheologic disturbance adds to the burden of increased plasma lipids to favor the development of atherosclerosis in diabetes.
Single Inductor Dual Buck Full-Bridge Inverter

A new single inductor dual buck full-bridge inverter is proposed in this paper. The inverter is improved on the basis of a dual buck inverter, and it retains the advantage of a no reverse recovery of body diode. The dc voltage utilization rate can be increased by adopting the voltage commutation bridge instead of the voltage-dividing capacitors in the inverter. In addition, comparing with other dual buck inverters, the inverter has just one filter inductor, which can make the volume and weight of the system decreased observably and improve the integration. The controlling method, combining the high- and low-frequency modulation, is adopted to weaken the complexity of control and improve the reliability and stability of the system. The operating principle, characteristic analysis, simulation and experiment are provided in this paper. A 1-kW prototype is established and tested, and the results of simulation and experiment verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis.
DRB, DQA, DQB AND DPB NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCES OF SANGUINUS OEDIPUS B95‐8

We present eight new nucleotide sequences derived from the second exons of class II genes within the major histocompatibility complex of Sanguinus oedipus (cotton‐top tamarin). These comprise two DRB alleles (Saoe‐DRB3*0504, ‐DRB*w1203), two DQA1 alleles (Saoe‐DQA1*2501, ‐DQA1*2502), two DQB1 alleles (Saoe‐DQB1*2201, ‐DQB1*2301), one DQB2 allele (Saoe‐DQB2*0101) and one DPB1 allele (Saoe‐DPB1*0101).
Bubble segmentation based on Shape From Shading for in-situ microscopy

This paper describes a new bubble segmentation algorithm based on shape from shading for in-situ microscopy. An in-situ microscope is an instrument to capture and analyze intensity images of cells inside of a bioreactor with minimal operator intervention and without the risk of culture contamination. For bubble segmentation, the closed bubble boundaries are first extracted by thresholding a depth map. The depth map is estimated by applying the Bichsel and Pentland's Shape From Shading algorithm. Then, each extracted closed bubble boundary is filled in to obtained the bubble regions. The experimental results revealed an average processing time of 2.68 seconds and very promising bubble segmentation results.
Phosphorylation of serine‐46 in HPr, a key regulatory protein in bacteria, results in stabilization of its solution structure

The serine‐phosphorylated form of histidine‐containing protein (HPr), a component of the phosphoenol‐pyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system from Bacillus subtilis, has been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and solvent denaturation studies. The results indicate that phosphorylation of Ser 46, the N‐cap of α‐helix‐B, does not cause a conformational change but rather stabilizes the helix. Amide proton exchange rates in helix‐B are decreased and phosphorylation stabilizes the protein to solvent and thermal denaturation, with a ΔΔG of 0.7‐0.8 kcal mol−1. A mutant in which Ser 46 is replaced by aspartic acid shows a similar stabilization, indicating that an electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged groups and the helix macrodipole contributes significantly to the stabilization.
Modulating Ring Structural Configuration Influence on the Dual Air-Gap Magnetic Gear Electric Machine

In this paper, a study was conducted using a unit equivalent magnetic circuit (EMC) in correlating the relationship between the magnet thickness, the modulating ring pole-piece thickness, and their circumferential pitch. A numerical optimization method is employed in selecting the optimum ratio of the magnet to pole-piece thickness. The study reveals the need to simultaneously consider these parameters during the design of a magnetic gear electric machine because of their strong mutual dependency. A finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted using the optimum ratios. The results correspond to those of the EMC. Also, the performance of the machine is analyzed and found to have a power factor of 0.78. To further verify the results of FEA, a prototype was built using the same configurations of the FEA model. Measurements taken from the prototype are on par with the simulated results.
Challenges in the Clinical Application of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Value Framework: A Medicare Cost-Benefit Analysis in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Purpose: The ASCO Value Framework calculates the value of cancer therapies. Given costly novel therapeutics for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, we used the framework to compare net health benefit (NHB) and cost within Medicare of all regimens listed in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Methods: The current NCCN guidelines for chronic lymphocytic leukemia were reviewed. All referenced studies were screened, and only randomized controlled prospective trials were included. The revised ASCO Value Framework was used to calculate NHB. Medicare drug pricing was used to calculate the cost of therapies. Results: Forty-nine studies were screened. The following observations were made: only 10 studies (20%) could be evaluated; when comparing regimens studied against the same control arm, ranking NHB scores were comparable to their preference in guidelines; NHB scores varied depending on which variables were used, and there were no clinically validated thresholds for low or high values; treatment-related deaths were not weighted in the toxicity scores; and six of the 10 studies used less potent control arms, ranked as the least-preferred NCCN-recommended regimens. Conclusion: The ASCO Value Framework is an important initial step to quantify value of therapies. Essential limitations include the lack of clinically relevant validated thresholds for NHB scores and lack of incorporation of grade 5 toxicities/treatment-related mortality into its methodology. To optimize its application for clinical practice, we urge investigators/sponsors to incorporate and report the required variables to calculate the NHB of regimens and encourage trials with stronger comparator arms to properly quantify the relative value of therapies.
The effects of external electrical field on a neural network with synaptic plasticity and conduction delays

Effects of external DC stimuli to the evolution of a neural network model are studied. It's found that the external DC stimuli can enhance the neural network's average firing rate, induces the neural network to get to a balanced state that exhibits rhythmic activity with high rate. The activity of the neural network can be affected by the synaptic connection strength, the conduction delays, the external stimuli and so on. These parameters can serve as factors in modulating the evolution of the neural network with different firing activities. Furthermore, these results may also relate to the mechanism of memory and learning process.
Chitin and chitosan: Chemistry, properties and applications

Chitin and chitosan are considerably versatile and promising biomaterials. The deacetylated chitin derivative, chitosan is more useful and interesting bioactive polymer. Despite its biodegradability, it has many reactive amino side groups, which offer possibilities of chemical modifications, formation of a large variety of useful derivatives that are commercially available or can be made available via graft reactions and ionic interactions. This study looks at the contemporary research in chitin and chitosan towards applications in various industrial and biomedical fields.
Analyse de l'efficacité de la régulation par les microARN

Les microARN constituent une classe de petits ARN non codants d’une vingtaine de nucleotides, issus de transcrits cellulaires, qui inhibent l’expression de genes cibles au niveau post-transcriptionnel. Chez les mammiferes, bien qu’ils puissent agir sur une cible parfaitement complementaire (mode parfait), les microARN ont presqu’exclusivement des cibles partiellement complementaires (mode imparfait). Puisqu’en mode imparfait une coupure endonucleolytique de la cible est impossible, il est generalement propose que le mode imparfait soit moins efficace que le mode parfait : conduisant a un silencing moins efficace, necessitant plus de complexes effecteurs (miRISC) et facilement saturable par une augmentation du nombre de cible. Dans ce travail j’ai developpe une approche experimentale reposant sur l’expression de proteines fluorescentes pour mesurer precisement le silencing au niveau de chaque cellule. J’ai fait trois observations inattendues sur l’efficacite de la regulation par les microARN : i) le silencing en mode parfait et imparfait necessite des quantites similaires de petit ARN, ii) une augmentation, meme tres importante, de l’expression du gene cible ne lui permet pas d’echapper a la regulation, iii) le silencing n’est pas intrinsequement plus faible en mode imparfait (qu’en mode parfait) mais n’est pas actif dans toutes les cellules. Si les deux premiers points sont facilement explicables dans le cadre de l’induction de la degradation de l’ARNm cible sur un mode catalytique via la deadenylation de l’ARNm, le troisieme indique l’existence d’une regulation forte du silencing qui est specifique du mode imparfait. De plus, comme dans les deux modes le silencing depend principalement du meme partenaire, Ago2, cette regulation intervient apres l’assemblage du complexe minimal (Ago2/petit ARN). Ainsi, les differences entre les modes parfait et imparfait ne se situent pas au niveau propose puisque lorsque la cellule est competente, leurs efficacites sont comparables. Par contre, mes travaux mettent en evidence l’existence d’un controle de la regulation en mode imparfait dont la nature reste a preciser.
Chemokine signalling: pivoting around multiple phosphoinositide 3‐kinases

The role of chemokines in mediating directional cell migration is well established, but more recently it has become evident that chemokines are able to couple to distinct signalling pathways that are involved in not only chemotaxis, but also cell growth and transcriptional activation. The signalling pathway controlled by the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) family of lipid kinases has been the focus of much attention with respect to their role in chemokine‐mediated functional responses. Indeed, there now exists convincing biochemical, pharmacological and genetic evidence that both CC and CXC chemokines stimulate PI3K‐dependent chemotaxis of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, macrophages, neutrophils and T lymphocytes. This review considers the role of individual PI3Ks (e.g. the p85/p110 heterodimer, PI3Kγ and PI3KC2α) as well their downstream effector targets in mediating chemokine‐stimulated cell migration.
Dialogue Journals and Transformational Learning: Latino Students and Their Professor "Talk-back" to Each Other

This article explores how dialogue journals can lead to a transformative learning experience. Adult Latino students enrolled in a community college developmental reading class agree to speak truth to power through this critical writing process. Using Mezirow's2002 transformational learning theory, Brookfield's 2000 concepts on teaching for critical thinking, and Cranton's 2000 ideas of individuation and strategy for fostering self-awareness in students, the students and professor "talk-back" to each other through dialogue journals. The complexities of discourse, culture, and individuation or resistance to it are revealed.
Segmentation d'images échocardiographiques par contours actifs implicites : exploitation de descripteurs statistiques de régions

Resume – Le probleme traite concerne la segmentation d'images echocardiographiques par contour actifs implicites utilisant des descripteurs statistiques de region bases sur les K-distributions. La quasi totalite des auteurs traitant ce sujet exploite la statistique de Rayleigh, qui est un modele limite pour la caracterisation de certain milieux tissulaires, tel que le myocarde. Ainsi, l'originalite de la methode proposee reside en l'exploitation du formalisme recemment developpe par Jehan-Besson et al. afin d'utiliser un parametre statistique issu du modele des K-distributions qui reflete plus fidelement les proprietes des images ultrasonores du myocarde.
Prevalence of Infectious Agents in Free-ranging White-tailed Deer in Northeastern Mexico

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of antibodies against brucellosis, leptospirosis, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeastern Mexico. Deer (n=521) were captured from helicopter using a netgun on 15 ranches covering 62,114 ha in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas during spring 2004. The prevalence of antibodies against Leptospira, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, BVDV, and brucellosis were 5.6, 41.1, 63.5, and 0%, respectively, indicating that white-tailed deer and cattle may share disease agents when cohabiting in northeastern Mexico.
Transportation network post-disaster planning and management: a review part I: post-disaster transportation network performance

In recent years, disasters have an increasing impact on modern societies in terms of both economic and human losses. Following disasters, transportation networks act as key lifelines enabling access to the affected communities and supporting evacuation, emergency response, relief and recovery operations. In this context, this two-part survey offers a systematic review of papers related to transportation network post-disaster planning and management. A classification of existing work in two categories is proposed: first, is estimation of post-disaster transportation network performance and second, is decision-making and planning of post-disaster operations. This paper constitutes the first part of the survey focusing on post-disaster network performance evaluation, highlighting important aspects of the problem and proposing potential avenues for future research. The second part of this survey addresses the problem of postdisaster network management.
Efficient Computation with Sparse and Dense Polynomials

Computations with polynomials are at the heart of any computer algebra system and also have many applications in engineering, coding theory, and cryptography. Generally speaking, the low-level polynomial computations of interest can be classified as arithmetic operations, algebraic computations, and inverse symbolic problems. New algorithms are presented in all these areas which improve on the state of the art in both theoretical and practical performance. Traditionally, polynomials may be represented in a computer in one of two ways: as a “dense” array of all possible coefficients up to the polynomial’s degree, or as a “sparse” list of coefficient-exponent tuples. In the latter case, zero terms are not explicitly written, giving a potentially more compact representation. In the area of arithmetic operations, new algorithms are presented for the multiplication of dense polynomials. These have the same asymptotic time cost of the fastest existing approaches, but reduce the intermediate storage required from linear in the size of the input to a constant amount. Two different algorithms for so-called “adaptive” multiplication are also presented which effectively provide a gradient between existing sparse and dense algorithms, giving a large improvement in many cases while never performing significantly worse than the best existing approaches. Algebraic computations on sparse polynomials are considered as well. The first known polynomial-time algorithm to detect when a sparse polynomial is a perfect power is presented, along with two different approaches to computing the perfect power factorization. Inverse symbolic problems are those for which the challenge is to compute a symbolic mathematical representation of a program or “black box”. First, new algorithms are presented which improve the complexity of interpolation for sparse polynomials with coefficients in finite fields or approximate complex numbers. Second, the first polynomial-time algorithm for the more general problem of sparsest-shift interpolation is presented. The practical performance of all these algorithms is demonstrated with implementations in a high-performance library and compared to existing software and previous techniques.