Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DNA nicks inflicted by restriction endonucleases are repaired by a RecA‐ and RecB‐dependent pathway in Escherichia coli

Two mutants of the EcoRI endonuclease (R200K and E144C) predominantly nick only one strand of the DNA substrate. Temperature sensitivity of the mutant enzymes allowed us to study the consequences of inflicting DNA nicks at EcoRI sites in vivo. Expression of the EcoRI endonuclease mutants in the absence of the EcoRI methyltransferase induces the SOS DNA repair response and greatly reduces viability of recA56, recB21 and lexA3 mutant strains of Escherichia coli. In parallel studies, overexpression of the EcoRV endonuclease in cells also expressing the EcoRV methyltransferase was used to introduce nicks at non‐cognate EcoRV sites in the bacterial genome. EcoRV overproduction was lethal in recA56 and recB21 mutant strains and moderately toxic in a lexA3 mutant strain. The toxic effect of EcoRV overproduction could be partially alleviated by introduction into the cells of multiple copies of the E. coli DNA ligase gene. These observations suggest that an increased number of DNA nicks can overwhelm the repair capacity of DNA ligase, resulting in the conversion of a proportion of DNA nicks into DNA lesions that require recombination for repair.
Uncertainties in mechanical models of larynx and vocal tract for voice production

We have reviewed a number of studies of voiced sound articulatory synthesis, but all of them have been conducted using deterministic models. However, real voices are random processes. This paper is concerned with the discussion of uncertainties and random variables involved in the process of voice production, based on the maximum entropy principle, and using the mathematical-mechanical model proposed by Ishizaka and Flanagan. We discuss an implicit numeric method for synthesizing voice, which allows us to solve the associated inverse dynamics problem; that is, to identify the parameters of the model, given a specific voice signal. We can, then, analyze the sensitivity and random characteristics of the frequencies involved in the process, due to uncertainties in the parameters.
Synthesis and Sensory Studies of Umami‐Active Scaffolds

The class of 2‐isopropyl‐5‐methylbicyclo[4.1. 0]heptane‐7‐carboxamides, 1–4, has been identified as potent umami‐tasting molecules. A scalable synthesis of this challenging scaffold and new sensory insights will be presented. Interestingly, the umami characteristics differ remarkably, depending on constitutional and stereochemical features of the parent scaffold. During our studies, we could identify the carboxamide moiety as a crucial factor to influence the umami intensity of these scaffolds. In addition, the configuration of the cyclopropyl moiety exerts some influence, whereas the absolute configuration of the menthyl scaffold, at least the tested D‐ and L‐configuration, is less important.
Analysis Of Cross-beam Resolution Effects In Rainfall Rate Profile Retrieval From A Spaceborne Radar

The performance (stability and accuracy) of a range profiling algorithm (kZS), using the measurement of surface echo as a constraint on total path integrated attenuation, for rainfall retrieval from a spaceborne radar was presented and discussed by C. Matzler (1987). Omitting other causes of errors previously examined, the present authors focus specifically on possible bias due to nonuniform beam filling effects. This problem is studied analytically to identify the physical origin of the biasing terms. In addition, bias in rainfall profile estimates is quantified through simulations of Ku-band spaceborne radar data processing, featuring the intercept of a raincell model by the downward looking radar beam. >
British Committee for Standards in Haematology Guidelines on the Identification and Management of Pre‐Operative Anaemia

1 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 2 NHS Blood and Transplant, 3 University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust 4 University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 5 Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, Pre-Operative Association Representative 6 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 7 Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 8 Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 9 Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, Swansea
Prime-numbered Atg proteins act at the primary step in autophagy, Unphosphorylatable Atg13 can induce autophagy without TOR inactivation

Autophagy is induced by inactivation of Tor complex 1 (TORC1), such as happens during nutrient limitation and rapamycin treatment. However, the mechanism by which TORC1 regulates autophagy remains unclear. The Atg1 kinase complex that comprises Atg1 and its binding prime-numbered Atg proteins (Atg11, Atg13, Atg17, Atg29, and Atg31) has long been a candidate for TORC1’s downstream target. This is especially the case for Atg13, a regulatory component of the Atg1 complex, which is highly phosphorylated in a TORC1-dependent manner. We find that yeast TORC1 directly phosphorylates Atg13 on at least eight Ser residues. Strikingly, expression of an unphosphorylatable Atg13 (Atg13-8SA) mutant bypasses the TORC1 pathway to induce autophagy in vegetatively growing cells. Induction of autophagy by Atg13-8SA is accompanied by molecular events involving Atg proteins, such as formation of the Atg1 complex, activation of Atg1, and the organization of the pre-autophagosomal structure (PAS). These findings suggest that formation of the Atg1 complex is a primary step at induction of autophagy, and that dephosphorylation of Atg13 acts as a molecular switch to turn on starvation-induced autophagy.
The Role of Information Exchange in Supply Chain Collaboration: A Case Study of a Vietnam Ship Parts Supplier

This research paper examines collaborative supply chain strategies of an anonymized company in a developing region, hereafter called Ship Parts (SP) Vietnam, a pipes and valves supplier for the shipbuilding industry. Our research applies descriptive analysis approach to examine the question; what is the role of information exchange in customer collaboration practices in management of the supply chain. We examine the practice of Vendor Managed Inventory in these relationships. The units of analysis are different types of relationships that SP Vietnam has with its key customer stakeholders in its network. The names of all key stakeholders are all anonymized. In this paper we investigate SP Vietnam’s relationship only with its customers. These include longtime international partner WAKE, the newly acquired Japanese customer Chūbu Shipyard (Chūbu), and the growing potential customer VESSELS Group in Vietnam.
Uso da Lógica Fuzzy na avaliação da viabilidade do ciclo de vida do biodiesel

A Avaliacao do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) e uma ferramenta promissora para por em pratica o Pensamento do Ciclo de Vida. Contudo, apresenta algumas limitacoes como a alocacao de impactos entre produtos e coprodutos, a expansao de fronteiras, categorias de impacto relevantes regionalmente, disponibilizacao de inventarios, subjetividade das escolhas e avaliacao integrada da sustentabilidade. Nesse contexto, a Logica Fuzzy, associada a analise multicriterial, vem sendo apontada como um metodo com potencial para avaliar de forma objetiva os resultados extraidos de uma ACV, bem como, incorporar variaveis tecnicas, economicas e sociais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi utilizar um controlador Fuzzy para avaliar a viabilidade das misturas B7 e B10 sob uma perspectiva ambiental e economica. Foram consideradas tres variaveis de entrada: Potencial de Aquecimento Global, Custo da Principal Materia-Prima e Demanda Acumulada de Exergia. As funcoes de pertinencia utilizaram funcoes trapezoidais e triangulares. A base de regras foi construida atraves da opiniao de especialistas. O Sistema de Inferencia utilizado para obtencao dos resultados foi o proposto por Mamdani (ou MAX-MIN) e o metodo de Defuzzificacao escolhido foi o Centro de Gravidade. As modelagens deram-se com o apoio dos softwares SimaPro 8.0 e MATLAB R2013a 8.1. 0.604. As perspectivas ambiental e economica foram construidas utilizando o metodo AHP. Os resultados mostraram um potencial promissor no uso da Logica Fuzzy como ferramenta complementar a ACV ambiental na analise da sustentabilidade do ciclo de vida de produtos. Tanto o B7 quanto o B10 apresentaram viabilidades entre “Baixa” e “Alta” na perspectiva ambiental (entre 20% e 80%), e “Muito baixa” na perspectiva economica (entre 0% e 20%). Quando comparados a cenarios B100, os cenarios B7 e B10 apresentaram viabilidade ambiental inferior apenas ao melhor caso de producao do biodiesel de dende e viabilidade economica inferior aos tres cenarios de producao de biodiesel de algodao e ao melhor cenario de producao do biodiesel de dende.
The Photorepair and Photoisomerization of DNA Lesions in Etiolated Cucumber Cotyledons after Irradiation by UV-B Depends on Wavelength

Yuichi Takeuchi-', Mina Murakami, Nobuyoshi Nakajima, Noriaki Kondo and Osamu Nikaido 1 Department of Bioscience and Technology, School of Engineering, Hokkaido Tokai University, Sapporo, 005-8601 Japan 2 Course of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Hokkaido Tokai University, Sapporo, 005-8601 Japan 3 Biotechnology Research Team, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, 305-0053 Japan 4 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan 5 Division of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-8640 Japan
Efavirenz: a review

Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that in most treatment guidelines is recommended to be taken combined with two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors, as a preferred first-line regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. The antiretroviral efficacy of efavirenz-based combination regimens is good, as has been demonstrated in many clinical trials. Efavirenz has a long plasma half-life, which allows for once-daily dosing, but, as a consequence of this and the low genetic barrier, it is also prone to select for viral resistance when adherence to therapy is suboptimal. The most frequently encountered side effects are neuropsychiatric symptoms. These side effects are usually transient, but have been shown to persist for up to 2 years after initiation of therapy in some patients. This review outlines important and recent pharmacological and clinical data, which explain why efavirenz became a component of preferred treatment regimens today.
Review of low power image sensors for always-on imaging

Energy-efficient design approaches for always-on imaging will be reviewed. Circuit design techniques including dynamic voltage scaling (DVS), dynamic current scaling (DCS), and dynamic frequency scaling (DFS) will be described. In addition, energy-efficient architecture for image signal readout will be described. Finally, power reduction techniques by adaptively suppressing spatial and temporal bandwidth of image signals will be introduced. These energy-efficient design approaches will be illustrated with design examples including 1.36 μW/Frame adaptive CIS for wireless sensor node, 3.4 μW/Frame CIS with integrated feature extractor for object-detection, and 45.5 μW (@ 15fps) always-on CIS for mobile and wearable devices.
Physical layer based error resilient H.264/AVC coded video over wireless networks

This paper investigates the capabilities of Hierarchical Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (HQAM) to provide Unequal Error Protection (UEP) to H.264/AVC encoded video bitstream. The UEP is based on the asymmetrical error sensitivity of the coded bitstream and exploits data partitioning mode of H.264/AVC to provide protection to their sensitivity to channel errors. The more important bits called High Priority (HP) bits and less important bits called Low Priority (LP) bits are mapped to asymmetrical constellation of 16-HQAM such that HP bits are protected more than LP bits. The AWGN (Additive White Gaussian Noise) channel is exploited to evaluate the performance of the proposed system. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme provides noticeable improvement at poor channel conditions.
Immunobiologie de la GVH chronique humain : dérégulation de la réaction du centre germinatif et implication de la réponse Th17

La GVH chronique (cGVHD) est une complication frequente de l’allogreffe de cellules souches hematopoietiques (CSH) dont la physiopathologie demeure partiellement comprise. Les donnees disponibles ont etabli le role des lymphocytes T (LT) et B (LB) au cours de la cGVHD, mais la qualite de leur interaction et les sous-types de LT impliques restent a definir. L’interaction entre les LT et les LB se fait au niveau du centre germinatif (CG) aboutissant a la production de LB memoires et de cellules productrices d’anticorps de haute affinite grâce aux signaux d’aide recus par les LT folliculaires helpers (TFH) finement controles par une population regulatrice (TFR). La possibilite d’interroger les evenements se deroulant au niveau du CG par l’analyse de leur contingent circulant (c) nous a permis de mieux comprendre la physiopathologie de la cGVHD. En effet, la signature phenotype des cTFH suggere un gain de fonction au cours de la cGVHD, confirmee par etude fonctionnelle, et correlant avec le phenotype des LB observe. De plus, les mecanismes de regulation apparaissent defectueux au cours de la cGVHD, puisque les cTFR presentent un defaut numerique explique par un defaut de resistance a l’apoptose et de proliferation. D’autre part, nous avons analyse une population de LT CD4+CD146+CCR5+, leur conferant une capacite de migration au travers des structures endotheliales et vers les sites inflammatoires. Cette population est significativement augmentee au cours de la cGVHD, et les modeles murins de cGVHD recevant des splenocytes de souris CD146-/- voient leur score clinique ameliore. L’expression de CD146 est associee a une polarisation Th17 justifiant un traitement par TMP778 (inhibiteur de RORγt) ameliorant la cGVHD chez la souris. L’analyse de ces populations revele des anomalies de la balance effecteurregulateur et de potentielles cibles therapeutiques a evaluer en clinique.
Tunable quad-mode dielectric resonator filter

This paper presents a quad-mode dielectric resonator filter enabling selective tuning of frequencies and couplings. The concept is based on two degenerated HEH-modes and two generated HEE-modes coupled in a single, metallic cavity. The set-up is described concerning resonator support, frequency tuning and coupling elements. Furthermore, three configurations of the coupling elements with different positions of the transmission zeros relative to the passband are shown. Finally, a prototype at 1820 MHz with a bandwidth of 20MHz is presented. Simulation and measurement results indicate filter responses with narrow skirts and low insertion loss suitable for applications in cellular base stations.
Personal Orientations and Their Relation to Psychological and Physiological Symptoms of Strain

Psychological and physiological symptoms of strain are investigated with consideration of five personal orientations hypothesized to be causally related to health and illness: self-image, locus of control, interpersonal orientation, goal orientation, and time orientation. The Stress Processing Report, an instrument designed to measure dysfunctional thinking styles, was administered to 816 individuals who also provided self-report data on psychological and physiological symptoms of strain. Clusters of symptoms were identified empirically and regressed on the personal orientations, controlling for the age and income of respondents. The five personal orientations were directly and, to some extent, differentially related to the clusters of symptoms. These findings, along with those of other recent studies, underscore the importance of considering the direct effects of individual characteristics in research on stress.
On the capacity of the K-user cyclic Gaussian interference channel

This paper studies the capacity region of a K-user cyclic Gaussian interference channel, where the kth user interferes with only the (k − 1)th user (mod K) in the network. Inspired by the work of Etkin, Tse and Wang, which derived a capacity region outer bound for the two-user Gaussian interference channel and proved that a simple Han-Kobayashi power splitting scheme can achieve to within one bit of the capacity region for all values of channel parameters, this paper shows that a similar strategy also achieves the capacity region for the K-user cyclic interference channel to within a constant gap in the weak interference regime. Specifically, a compact representation of the Han-Kobayashi achievable rate region using Fourier-Motzkin elimination is first derived, a capacity region outer bound is then established. It is shown that the Etkin-Tse-Wang power splitting strategy gives a constant gap of at most two bits (or one bit per dimension) in the weak interference regime. Finally, the capacity result of the K-user cyclic Gaussian interference channel in the strong interference regime is also given.
Coping, thought suppression, and perceived stress in currently depressed, previously depressed, and never depressed individuals.

BACKGROUND Previous research shows that depression is associated with an increase in stressful life events and perceived stress as well as dysfunctional ways of coping with stress. However, knowledge about coping in previously depressed individuals is scant. METHODS This study compared perceived stress, coping, and thought suppression in a sample of 30 currently depressed, 63 previously depressed, and 42 never depressed individuals. RESULTS Analysis of variance revealed that previously depressed individuals showed less wishful thinking and thought suppression than the currently depressed individuals, but scored significantly higher on these strategies than the never depressed individuals. However, the group differences became nonsignificant when controlling for perceived stress and intrusions. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that both current depression and previous depression is related to avoidant coping (wishful thinking and thought suppression). However, these associations might be explained by the higher level of perceived stress among individuals with current or previous depression.
Tomada de decisão em hospitais de ensino: entre formalismo e síntese intuitiva

Resumo Este estudo de caso múltiplo teve por objetivo analisar como o middle manager (MM), a partir de seus papéis estratégicos, associa as decisões racionais e intuitivas no processo de tomada de decisão estratégica (TDE) em hospitais públicos de ensino (HPE). Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista e análise de documentos. A análise de dados ocorreu considerando os elementos constitutivos: racionalidade; síntese intuitiva; e middle manager. Constatamos que, quando o MM articula com o topo da organização, assume os papéis de defensor e sintetizador, aflorando as decisões racionais. Quando articula com a base, desempenha os papéis de facilitador e implementador, emergindo as decisões intuitivas. Como contribuição, apresentamos as dimensões objetivas e (inter)subjetivas no processo de TDE, evidenciando a complexidade dos papéis estratégicos do MM em situações deliberadas e emergentes nos HPE.
Detecting filopodia with wavelets

Our problem is to automatically detect and measure from images the length and number of microscopic hair-like structures (filopodia) emanating from the tip of growing nerve processes. The objects of interest are relatively long and thin, so a good edge-detection algorithm helps to separate the filopodia from the background. Since a common claim about the wavelet transform is that it splits images into an approximation and details, which contain edges, we use it in our experiments. This paper studies the edge detecting characteristics of the 2D discrete wavelet transform, and compares it to other common edge-detection methods for filopodia detection
A Comparative Study of Boundary Control With First- and Second-Order Switching Surfaces for Buck Converters Operating in DCM

A performance comparison of boundary control with the first-(sigma1) and second-order(sigma2) switching surfaces for buck converters operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) is presented in this paper. Performance attributes under investigation include the average output voltage, output ripple voltage, switching frequency, parametric sensitivities to the component values, and large signal characteristics. Due to the presence of the output hysteresis band, an additional switching boundary formed by the zero-inductor-current trajectory is created. This phenomenon causes a shift of the operating point in converters with sigma1. Conversely, the operating point remains unchanged in converters with sigma2. As well as in continuous conduction mode (CCM), sigma2 can make the converter revert to the steady-state in two switching actions in DCM and gives better static and dynamic responses than in both CCM and DCM. Most importantly, its control law and settings are applicable for both modes. Experimental results of a prototype are found to be in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
“Smart Diagnosis” of Parasitic Diseases by Use of Smartphones

ABSTRACT Accurate and rapid diagnosis is crucial in combating parasitic diseases that cause millions of deaths worldwide. However, the scarcity of specialized diagnostic equipment in low- and middle-income countries is one of the barriers to effective management of parasitic diseases and warrants the need for alternative, inexpensive, point-of-care diagnostic tools. Due to their multiple built-in sensors, smartphones offer cost-effective alternative to expensive diagnostic devices. However, the use of smartphones in parasitic diagnoses remains in its infancy. This minireview describes various smartphone-based devices applied specifically for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases and discusses challenges and potential implications for their use in future.
Apprentissage de représentations de documents et leur exploitation en recherche d'information

In order to perform the document-query similarity, many information retrieval (IR) models represent documents and queries as sets of weighted key words, called « bag of words », or a bag of concepts derived from a linguistic ontology, or constructed automatically by LSI or LDA techniques, to fill the gap between the query vocabulary and the one used in the document. Recent approaches propose to model the term as an embedded vector, called word2vec approaches, allowing to capture relations beyond the co-occurrence by modelling semantic relations between the terms. In this article, we present the state of the art about this topic, as well as our contribution to integrate these approaches within IR models. MOTS-CLÉS : Recherche d’information, apprentissage profond, word2vec, représentations sémantiques.