Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Analysis on Hybrid-Driven Flexible-Cable Parallel Robot

Flexible-cable parallel robot is a new type of robot which locates and orientates its end-effector in the expected workspace by cables instead of rods. The basic theories of cable-driven parallel robot are analyzed including kinematic analysis and dynamic analysis, According to built-up model, simulation is available with Simulink, and optimization of structural parameters on flexible-cable parallel robot mechanism can be furthered.
Sampling strategy in molecular microbial ecology: influence of soil sample size on DNA fingerprinting analysis of fungal and bacterial communities.

Assessing soil microbial community structure by the use of molecular techniques requires a satisfactory sampling strategy that takes into account the high microbial diversity and the heterogeneous distribution of microorganisms in the soil matrix. The influence of the sample size of three different soil types (sand, silt and clay soils) on the DNA yield and analysis of bacterial and fungal community structure were investigated. Six sample sizes from 0.125 g to 4 g were evaluated. The genetic community structure was assessed by automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (A-RISA fingerprint). Variations between bacterial (B-ARISA) and fungal (F-ARISA) community structure were quantified by using principal component analysis (PCA). DNA yields were positively correlated with the sample size for the sandy and silty soils, suggesting an influence of the sample size on DNA recovery, whereas no correlation was observed in the clay soil. B-ARISA was shown to be consistent between the different sample sizes for each soil type indicating that the sampling procedure has no influence on the assessment of bacterial community structure. On the contrary for F-ARISA profiles, strong variations were observed between replicates of the smaller samples (<1 g). Principal component analysis analysis revealed that sampling aliquots of soil > or =1 g are required to obtain robust and reproducible fingerprinting analysis of the genetic structure of fungal communities. However, the smallest samples could be adequate for the detection of minor populations masked by dominant ones in larger samples. The sampling strategy should therefore be different according to the objectives: rather large soil samples (> or =1 g) for a global description of the genetic community structure, or a large number of small soil samples for a more complete inventory of microbial diversity.
Flaviviridae polymerase and RNA replication

Sequence motifs within the non‐structural protein NS5 or NS5B of the members of the family Flaviviridae suggest that this protein is the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase. This protein has now been expressed in various in vitro systems and used in polymerase assays. To understand the role of the RNA polymerase in RNA replication, this review will examine not only the polymerase protein but also the other proteins in the RNA replication complex. To date, several groups have investigated the interaction of these proteins both in vitro and in vivo and also the interaction of these proteins with the RNA signals at the 3’ terminus of the RNA. Infectious clones and replicons containing the non‐structural proteins have now been generated and these will be useful tools in understanding the processes of initiation and elongation of both positive and negative RNA synthesis.
Changes in Oak Gall Wasps Species Diversity (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) in Relation to the Presence of Oak Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe alphitoides)

Changes in oak gall wasps species diversity (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) in relation to the presence of oak powdery mildew (Erysiphe alphitoides). Zoological Studies 51(2): 175-184. Plant-mediated interactions usually lead to multipartite interactions in a community of organisms. To evaluate the impact of oak powdery mildew Erysiphe alphitoides infestation on the distributions of cynipid oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), a field survey was conducted in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, in 2 consecutive years of 2009-2010. Multiple samples were taken from both infected and uninfected trees (Quercus spp.) at 4 different sites where maximum activity of E. alphitoides occurred and cynipid galls exhibited complete development. The species diversity and richness of gall-forming wasps were estimated and also parameters such as Simpson's index, Shannon's H', and the Sorensen similarity quotient were calculated. Data were also analyzed by independent-samples t-test to compare the mean numbers of galls occurring on infected and uninfected trees. Results clearly indicated that the highest richness and diversity of oak gall-forming wasps were consistently found on uninfected trees at all study sites in the 2 consecutive years. Further, the number and diversity of gall-forming wasps were negatively correlated with the extent (percentage) of pathogen infection, and trees with the heaviest E. alphitoides infection had the lowest numbers of gall-forming wasps. In addition, E. alphitoides decreased the rate of Sorensen's coefficient between regions where oak trees infected with E. alphitoides were sampled. This study demonstrates plant-mediated interactions between a native pathogen and a community of gall-forming insects on oak trees.
Expression of full-length NBS1 protein restores normal radiation responses in cells from Nijmegen breakage syndrome patients.

Cells from Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) display multiple phenotypes, such as chromosomal instability, hypersensitivity to cell killing from ionizing radiation, and possibly abnormal cell cycle checkpoints. NBS1, a gene mutated in NBS patients, appears to encode a possible repair protein, which could form the foci of a sensor-like molecular complex capable of detecting DNA double strand breaks, however, it has no kinase domain for signaling DNA damage. Here, we report that the stable expression of NBS1 cDNA in NBS cells after transfection results in the complete restoration of foci formation in the nucleus, and in normal cell survival after irradiation. The prolonged G2 block observed after irradiation was also abolished by expression of NBS1, providing additional confirmation that the G2 checkpoint is abrogated in NBS cells. These results suggest that a defective NBS1 protein could be the sole cause of the NBS phenotype, and that NBS1 likely interacts with another protein(s) to produce the entire range of NBS phenotypic expression.
The CpG island methylator phenotype and chromosomal instability are inversely correlated in sporadic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) is one of the mechanisms involved in colorectal carcinogenesis (CRC). Although CIMP is probably the cause of high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H) sporadic CRCs, its role in microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors is debated. The majority of MSS CRCs demonstrate chromosomal instability (CIN) with frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at key tumor suppressor genes. We hypothesized that the majority of sporadic CRCs without CIN would be associated with CIMP. METHODS We tested 126 sporadic CRCs for MSI and LOH and categorized tumors into MSI, LOH, or MSI-/LOH- subgroups. Methylation status was evaluated using 6 CIMP-related markers (MINT1, MINT2, MINT31, p16(INK4alpha), p14(ARF), and hMLH1) and 6 tumor suppressor genes (PTEN, TIMP3, RUNX3, HIC1, APC, and RARbeta2). BRAF V600E mutation analysis was performed using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. RESULTS We observed frequent methylation at all 12 loci in all CRCs. BRAF V600E mutations correlated with the MSI (P < .0001) and MSI-/LOH- (P = .03) subgroups. MSI and MSI-/LOH- tumors exhibited more promoter methylation than CRCs with LOH (P < .0001). We also found an inverse correlation between the frequencies of methylation and LOH (rho = -0.36; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS The associations between methylation frequencies at CIMP-related markers and MSI or MSI-/LOH- sporadic CRCs suggest that the majority of these tumors evolve through CIMP. These findings suggest that CIN and CIMP represent 2 independent and inversely related mechanisms of genetic and epigenetic instability in sporadic CRCs and confirm that MSI cancers arise as a consequence of CIMP.
How strong is the evidence that lycopene supplementation can modify biomarkers of oxidative damage and DNA repair in human lymphocytes?

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are produced in cells, largely as by-products of metabolic processes (1), and constantly threaten the integrity and correct functioning of cellular DNA. Several oxidant species have the capacity to produce promutagenic lesions in DNA (2), which may play an important role in the development of cancer. Lower incidences of cancer are associated with higher consumption of fruits and vegetables (3). These foods contain relatively high amounts of components with inherent antioxidant properties, including vitamins E and C, the carotenoids, and plant polyphenols. This has led to the suggestion that dietary compounds such as lycopene augment cellular defenses, helping to protect cellular components from oxidative damage. Some purportedly protective dietary components, however, have biological activities that are not directly attributable to antioxidant effects. It is becoming increasingly evident that the carotenoids, including lycopene, may also have bioactivities capable of modifying, for example, gene expression. Thus, an alternative mechanism for the action of lycopene might be enhancement of DNA repair. How strong the evidence is that lycopene supplementation can modify biomarkers of oxidative DNA damage and repair in human lymphocytes is determined by the reliability of DNA oxidative biomarkers, the relative importance of DNA damage compared with repair, and the validity of lymphocytes as a surrogate tissue.
Topical and systemic availability of 5‐amino‐salicylate: comparisons of three controlled release preparations in man

The bioavailability of three pure 5‐aminosalicylic (5‐ASA) preparations (Asacol, Claversal, and Pentasa) was studied in 8 ileostomy patients and 12 normal subjects after 6 days of treatment with 2000 mg 5‐ASA. The local bioavailability, reflected by the 5‐ASA concentration was thereby measured at two clinically relevant areas of the gut: at the entrance to, and the exit from the colon. Estimates of the systemic bioavailability were obtained from the urinary excretions and the plasma values of 5‐ASA and Acetyl‐5‐ASA (Ac‐5‐ASA) during the three regimens. The three preparations studied are designed to release 5‐ASA at different levels in the intestine, but there was no significant difference in the 5‐ASA concentrations in the ileostomy effluents (Asacol 1.8 mmol/L, Claversal 3.4 mmol/L, Pentasa 2.0 mmol/L, median values). However, we found a smaller urinary excretion of 5‐ASA and Ac‐5‐ASA (5.2%vs Claversal 27.9% and Pentasa 23.0%, median values of ingested daily dose) and a lower concentration of Ac‐5‐ASA in the ileostomy effluents after Asacol treatment (0.8 mmol/L, median value) which indicates a more distal release from this preparation compared with Claversal (2.4 mmol/L, median value) and Pentasa (5.5 mmol/L, median value). In normal subjects a higher faecal water concentration of 5‐ASA was found after Asacol (9.8 mmol/L, median value) compared with Claversal (5.0 mmol/L, median value), whereas no difference between the faecal water concentrations of Ac‐5‐ASA was found (Asacol 21.5 mmol/L, Claversal 21.6 mmol/L, median values). This can be explained by a larger systemic absorption of 5‐ASA from Claversal, and accordingly Claversal treatment resulted in the largest urinary excretion of 5‐ASA and Ac‐5‐ ASA (43.7% us Asacol 35.6% and Pentasa 31.6 %, median values of ingested daily dose). The high Ac‐5‐ASA concentration in the ileostomy effluents and in the faeces after Pentasa, and the low plasma values, indicate a slow 5‐ASA release from this preparation throughout the small and large intestine. The results of the study indicate that Asacol is released in the distal part of the small intestine, that Pentasa is gradually released in the small and large intestine, and that Claversal shows an intermediate release pattern.
Selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors: similarities and differences

The enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) was shown to exist as two distinct isoforms about a decade ago. COX‐1 is constitutively expressed as a ‘housekeeping’ enzyme in nearly all tissues, and mediates physiological responses (e.g. cytoprotection of the stomach, and platelet aggregation). On the other hand, COX‐2, expressed by cells involved in inflammation (e.g. macrophages, monocytes, synoviocytes), has emerged as the isoform that is primarily responsible for the synthesis of prostanoids involved in acute and chronic inflammatory states. Consequently, the hypothesis that selective inhibition of COX‐2 might have therapeutic actions similar to those of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, but without causing gastrointestinal side effects, was the rationale for the development of selective inhibitors of the COX‐2 isoenzyme. Selective COX‐2 inhibitors currently used in the clinic are the sulphonamides celecoxib and valdecoxib (parecoxib is a prodrug of valdecoxib), as well as the methylsulphones rofecoxib and etoricoxib. Furthermore, the phenylacetic acid derivative lumiracoxib has gained permission recently to be marketed in Europe. This review discusses the clinically relevant similarities and differences of these substances, with particular emphasis on their diverse pharmacokinetic characteristics.
Actualización en el tratamiento del dolor orofacial

En los ultimos anos se han desarrollado nuevos tratamientos en el dolor orofacial. En la cefalea en racimos se ha incorporado la administracion de nuevos farmacos por via intranasal. En el dolor masticatorio la aplicacion topica de capsaicina y el uso de ferulas orales en combinacion con ejercicios de movilizacion mandibular, son los tratamientos mas utilizados. En el dolor neurogeno se han desarrollando nuevos farmacos anticonvulsivos con menos efectos secundarios que la carbamacepina. Los ultimos avances farmacologicos se dirigen hacia el uso de AINES y opioides de forma topica y hacia la combinacion de distintos analgesicos. Comentamos en este trabajo de revision los ultimos avances en el tratamiento del dolor orofacial.
SIMDIAL, un paradigme d'évaluation automatique de systèmes de dialogue homme-machine par simulation déterministe d'utilisateurs. (SIMDIAL, a paradigm to automatically assess natural language dialog systems using deterministic user simulation)

Il n'existe pas aujourd'hui de methodologie standard ni meme de pratique communement admise pour evaluer les Systemes de Dialogue Homme-Machine (SDHM). Le paradigme SIMDIAL propose d'evaluer de tels systemes en simulant des utilisateurs. Ces utilisateurs simules prennent dynamiquement part a des dialogues avec les systemes evalues, rendant possible l'observation des comportements de ces derniers sans necessiter d'experimentations avec des utilisateurs reels, souvent couteuses. Un simulateur d'utilisateurs a ete realise, qui interagit avec les SDHM evalues au niveau du langage naturel afin d'etre le plus generique possible par rapport a eux. Les criteres d'evaluation utilises dans le paradigme SIMDIAL sont la resolution des tâches par les systemes evalues ainsi que le nombre de tours de parole pour mener a bien cette resolution. Par ailleurs les comportements des utilisateurs simules varient en fonction de plusieurs parametres, comme leur strategie directive ou non, le nombre d'informations qu'ils fournissent par tour de parole, ou encore des phenomenes perturbateurs tels que les hesitations ou les ambiguites. Ces parametres offrent ainsi des capacites de diagnostic des SDHM evalues sur les differents comportements generes. Les experiences realisees valident le paradigme SIMDIAL sur deux SDHM, l'un permettant de trouver des restaurants a Paris et l'autre d'obtenir des informations boursieres. Les resultats obtenus ont notamment permis d'apprecier des differences d'efficacite entre les differentes strategies de l'utilisateur simule pour chacun des systemes evalues, ainsi que leur resistance aux phenomenes perturbateurs generes par le simulateur.
Functions of red cell surface proteins

The external membrane of the red cell contains numerous proteins that either cross the lipid bilayer one or more times or are anchored to it through a lipid tail. Many of these proteins express blood group activity. The functions of some of these proteins are known; in others their function can only be surmised from the protein structure or from limited experimental evidence. They are loosely divided into four categories based on their functions: membrane transporters; adhesion molecules and receptors; enzymes; and structural proteins that link the membrane with the membrane skeleton. Some of the proteins carry out more than one of these functions. Some proteins may complete their major functions during erythropoiesis or may only be important under adverse physiological conditions. Furthermore, some might be evolutionary relics and may no longer have significant functions. Polymorphisms or rare changes in red cell surface proteins are often responsible for blood groups. The biological significance of these polymorphisms or the selective pressures responsible for their stability within populations are mostly not known, although exploitation of the proteins by pathogenic micro‐organisms has probably played a major role.
Changes in protein association with intracellular membranes of Xenopus laevis oocytes during maturation and activation

Intracellular membranes isolated from fully grown immature oocytes, mature oocytes (eggs) and activated eggs of Xenopus laevis were fractionated through a discontinuous sucrose density gradient into light, intermediate and heavy fractions. Electron microscopy showed that the light and intermediate fractions consisted mainly of smooth membranes, while the heavy fraction consisted mainly of rough membranes and mitochondria. Variations in the proteins associate with samples taken at different stages were observed by SDS-PAGE. The following differences were consistently observed: a 200 kDa protein was present only in the intermediate fraction of activated eggs, 29 and 44 kDa proteins were present only in the intermediate fractions of immature oocytes and activated eggs, and 120 and 145 kDa proteins were present only in the heavy fractions of mature oocytes and activated eggs. Examination of Western blots showed that cyclins A and B2 did not associate with membrane fractions at any stage of meiosis. Instead, cyclin A was present in the cytosols of mature oocytes and cyclin B2 was present in the cytosols of immature and mature oocytes. c-mos protein was detected in the cytosols and occasionally in the light fractions of mature oocytes and activated eggs. While α- and β-tubulins were detected in the light and intermediate fractions at all the stages of meiosis examined, only β-tubulin was present in the heavy fraction. βtubulin present in the heavy fraction was detected only at interphase, i.e. in immature oocutes and activated eggs, and not in mature oocytes. Using immunogold labelling we confirmed these results and found evidence to suggest that β-tubulin associates with the rough endoplasmic reticulum of interphase cells by a linking protein.
An iterative method with guaranteed convergence for robust performance analysis of sampled-data systems against parameter uncertainties

This paper is concerned with robust performance analysis of sampled-data systems. In particular, we consider the uncertainty of parameters in the continuous-time plant and study the problem of determining the allowable range of the uncertainty around the origin (or equivalently, the allowable range of the parameter around the nominal value) over which the sampled-data system remains internally stable and a prescribed L2 -induced norm (or equivalently, H∞ performance) level is retained. We provide an iterative procedure with guaranteed convergence that gives an exact allowable parameter range, together with rigorous arguments for the convergence. This method is free from the assumption that an associated sampled-data system has a compact transfer operator, and thus is readily applicable also to such cases when the uncertain parameter appears in the system dynamics, e.g., in polynomial forms or linear fractional forms.
Infection after Total Hip Arthroplasty. A Study of the Treatment of One Hundred and Six Infections*

We evaluated the results of treatment for ninety-seven patients (106 infections in ninety-eight hips) who had had either an infection after a total hip arthroplasty or positive intraoperative cultures of specimens obtained during revision of a total hip arthroplasty for presumed aseptic loosening. The patients were managed according to various protocols on the basis of the clinical setting (positive intraoperative cultures, early postoperative infection, late chronic infection, or acute hematogenous infection). Aerobic gram-positive cocci accounted for 109 (74 per cent) of the 147 microbial isolates; gram-negative bacilli, for twenty-one (14 per cent); and anaerobes, for twelve (8 per cent). The white blood-cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were elevated in association with seventeen (16 per cent) and sixty-seven (63 per cent) of the 106 infections, respectively. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.8 years (range, 0.3 to eleven years). A good result was noted after the initial treatment of twenty-eight (90 per cent) of the thirty-one infections that had been diagnosed on the basis of positive intraoperative cultures at the time of the revision, twenty-five (71 per cent) of the thirty-five early postoperative infections, twenty-nine (85 per cent) of the thirty-four late chronic infections, and three of the six acute hematogenous infections. Of the twenty-one infections for which the initial therapy failed, twelve eventually were eradicated after additional treatment and the hip had a functional prosthesis at the time of follow-up. Of the ninety-seven infections that were treated successfully (there was a functional retained or exchange prosthesis in place at the time of the most recent follow-up and infection had not recurred at least two years after the discontinuation of antibiotic therapy), nine were associated with subsequent aseptic loosening of the prosthesis. The factors associated with recurrent infection were retained bone cement, the number of previous operations, potential immunocompromise, and early postoperative infection after arthroplasty without cement.
Standards of Time and Frequency at the Outset of the 21st Century

After 50 years of development, microwave atomic clocks based on cesium have achieved fractional uncertainties below 1 part in 1015, a level unequaled in all of metrology. The past 5 years have seen the accelerated development of optical atomic clocks, which may enable even greater improvements in timekeeping. Time and frequency standards with various levels of performance are ubiquitous in our society, with applications in many technological fields as well as in the continued exploration of the frontiers of basic science. We review state-of-the-art atomic time and frequency standards and discuss some of their uses in science and technology.
A wideband circularly polarized dipole antenna

A single feed dipole antenna to radiate a circularly polarized wave and to have a broad bandwidth has been introduced and its characteristics have been confirmed from both calculation and experiment. It is found that the axial ratio bandwidth (2/spl les/dB) of about 20% and the gain of 9 dB pre obtained.