Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A-Mating-Type Gene Expression Can Drive Clamp Formation in the Bipolar Mushroom Pholiota microspora (Pholiota nameko)

ABSTRACT In the bipolar basidiomycete Pholiota microspora, a pair of homeodomain protein genes located at the A-mating-type locus regulates mating compatibility. In the present study, we used a DNA-mediated transformation system in P. microspora to investigate the homeodomain proteins that control the clamp formation. When a single homeodomain protein gene (A3-hox1 or A3-hox2) from the A3 monokaryon strain was transformed into the A4 monokaryon strain, the transformants produced many pseudoclamps but very few clamps. When two homeodomain protein genes (A3-hox1 and A3-hox2) were transformed either separately or together into the A4 monokaryon, the ratio of clamps to the clamplike cells in the transformants was significantly increased to ca. 50%. We therefore concluded that the gene dosage of homeodomain protein genes is important for clamp formation. When the sip promoter was connected to the coding region of A3-hox1 and A3-hox2 and the fused fragments were introduced into NGW19-6 (A4), the transformants achieved more than 85% clamp formation and exhibited two nuclei per cell, similar to the dikaryon (NGW12-163 × NGW19-6). The results of real-time reverse transcription-PCR confirmed that sip promoter activity is greater than that of the native promoter of homeodomain protein genes in P. microspora. Thus, we concluded that nearly 100% clamp formation requires high expression levels of homeodomain protein genes and that altered expression of the A-mating-type genes alone is sufficient to drive true clamp formation.
DVB-S2 benefits for military broadcast systems

The digital video broadcast - satellite, second generation (DVB-S2) protocol has been developed and standardized as an evolution of the digital video broadcast - satellite (DVB-S) waveform for European satellite broadcasting by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), and is a candidate for use in US military systems that employ DVB-S. This paper describes the evolutionary efficiencies of DVB-S2 over DVB-S, increases in performance, capacity, and effectiveness, and draw some conclusions about how military broadcast systems could benefit from this waveform in the future. The global broadcast service, a DVB-based, one-way, high-capacity, Department of Defense (DoD) satellite system that is used for transfer of classified and unclassified video, imagery, and other information, is presented in a case study to illustrate the potential impacts of migrating a DVB-S based system to the DVB-S2 standard. The paper focuses on the technology and waveform efficiency of the DVB-S2 standard in military satellite communication (MILSATCOM) applications and provides a clear description of the status and authority of this evolving standard
The coopetition game in international liner shipping

ABSTRACT In maritime freight transportation, carriers build collaborative relationships with other carriers while competing with each other to optimize their own profits. In such a scenario, a game of coopetition is formed. We formulate a nonlinear mixed-integer problem to determine the optimal levels of coopetition for a single company and embed the resulting problem into a general game theoretic framework. A diagonalization algorithm that incorporates an ascent direction search technique is developed to effectively evaluate the game. The numerical results show that carriers choose similar coopetition levels to maximize their profits, and the coopetition game can reach equilibrium under general conditions.
Soreness-related changes in three-dimensional running biomechanics following eccentric knee extensor exercise

Abstract Runners often experience delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), especially of the knee extensors, following prolonged running. Sagittal knee joint biomechanics are altered in the presence of knee extensor DOMS but it is unclear how muscle soreness affects lower limb biomechanics in other planes of motion. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of knee extensor DOMS on three-dimensional (3D) lower limb biomechanics during running. Thirty-three healthy men (25.8 ± 6.8 years; 84.1 ± 9.2 kg; 1.77 ± 0.07 m) completed an isolated eccentric knee extensor damaging protocol to elicit DOMS. Biomechanics of over-ground running at a set speed of 3.35 m s−1±5% were measured before eccentric exercise (baseline) and, 24 h and 48 h following exercise in the presence of knee extensor DOMS. Knee flexion ROM was reduced at 48 h (P = 0.01; d = 0.26), and peak knee extensor moment was reduced at 24 h (P = 0.001; d = 0.49) and 48 h (P < 0.001; d = 0.68) compared to baseline. Frontal and transverse plane biomechanics were unaffected by the presence of DOMS (P > 0.05). Peak positive ankle and knee joint powers and, peak negative knee joint power were all reduced from baseline to 24 h and 48 h (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that knee extensor DOMS greatly influences sagittal knee joint angular kinetics and, reduces sagittal power production at the ankle joint. However, knee extensor DOMS does not affect frontal and transverse plane lower limb joint biomechanics during running.
Muscle force production with low and medium frequency burst modulated biphasic pulsed currents

Abstract Objective: Russian current, a medium frequency burst modulated alternating current (BMAC), is widely used for NMES, but has not been shown to elicit forces near voluntary maximum. In contrast, low frequency BMAC has been shown to produce greater force production than Russian and most recently, medium frequency burst modulated biphasic pulsed current (BMBPC) elicited greater force than Russian. Whether low frequency BMBPC yields greater force than medium frequency BMBPC is unknown. This study examined elicited forces using BMBPC with low and medium frequency carrier currents. Design: A cross-over design where percent maximal isometric knee extensor forces (%MVIF) elicited using BMBPC with low or medium kilohertz carrier frequencies were compared in 23 subjects. Perceived discomfort was also assessed. Data were compared using paired samples t-tests. Results: 98.4% of the MVIF was elicited with the low frequency BMBPC which was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than the 40.4% yielded by the medium frequency current. Cohen’s d effect size of 2.146 indicated a “huge effect”. Perceived discomfort of the low frequency current was 5.7/10 and was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than the medium frequency current (3.6/10). Conclusion: BMBPC with low frequency carrier current elicits forces approximating maximal volitional force. These findings offer new evidence with strong clinical implications when using NMES.
Small airways dimensions in asthma and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The purpose of this study was to compare the dimensions of the peripheral airways in fatal asthma with those from patients with nonfatal asthma, mild COPD, and normal lung function. Lung specimens from eight individuals who had fatal asthmatic attacks were obtained at postmortem and compared with similar specimens from three asthmatic patients who died of an unrelated cause and four specimens obtained from known asthmatic patients who required lung resection for tumor. These 15 asthmatic lungs were also compared with lungs resected for peripheral neoplasms from 15 patients with normal airway function (FEV1, % of predicted > 85) and 15 patients with mild chronic airflow obstruction (FEV1, % of predicted < 85). All membranous airways with a long-short diameter ratio of 3:1 or less were examined. The smooth muscle and the tissue areas external and internal to the muscle layer were traced using a Bioquant BQ System 4. The same system was used to evaluate the fraction of the submucosa and adventitia taken up by blood vessels. The adventitial, submucosal, and muscle area of the asthmatic airways were greater than those of COPD and control (p < 0.01), and the muscle area was greater in COPD than in control lungs (p < 0.05). These parameters were also greater in the 8 patients with fatal asthma compared with the 7 patients with nonfatal asthma (p < 0.05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Double, Long Polar Fimbria Mutant of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Expresses Curli and Exhibits Reduced In Vivo Colonization

Escherichia coli O157:H7 causes food and waterborne enteric infections that can result in hemorrhagic colitis and life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome. Intimate adherence of the bacteria to intestinal epithelial cells is mediated by intimin, but E. coli O157:H7 also possess several other putative adhesins, including curli and two operons that encode long polar fimbriae (Lpf). To assess the importance of Lpf for intestinal colonization, we performed competition experiments between E. coli O157:H7 and an isogenic ΔlpfA1 ΔlpfA2 double mutant in the infant rabbit model. The mutant was outcompeted in the ileum, cecum, and midcolon, suggesting that Lpf contributes to intestinal colonization. In contrast, the ΔlpfA1 ΔlpfA2 mutant showed increased adherence to colonic epithelial cells in vitro. Transmission electron microscopy revealed curli-like structures on the surface of the ΔlpfA1 ΔlpfA2 mutant, and the presence of curli was confirmed by Congo red binding, immunogold-labeling electron microscopy, immunoblotting, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) measuring csgA expression. However, deletion of csgA, which encodes the major curli subunit, does not appear to affect intestinal colonization. In addition to suggesting that Lpf can contribute to EHEC intestinal colonization, our observations indicate that the regulatory pathways governing the expression of Lpf and curli are interdependent.
Low cost scheme for on-line clock skew compensation

In this paper we propose a novel buffer scheme that is able to compensate undesired skews between clocks of a synchronous system in a negligible time upon skew occurrence, thus being suitable also for on-line clock-skew correction. Clock signals are aligned one with respect to the other, starting from a reference clock, and moving forward among physically adjacent clock signals, thus creating no problem of reference clock's routing. Our solution is also able to compensate clock duty-cycle variations, which have been shown very likely in case of faults, for instance bridgings, affecting the clock distribution network. Compared to alternate solutions, our proposed scheme enables significant reductions in area overhead and power consumption, and is suitable for on-line compensation. Therefore, it allows clock skew and duty-cycle fault tolerance, thus increasing process yield and system's reliability.
Deceleration in the age pattern of mortality at olderages

The rate of mortality increase with age tends to slow down at very old ages. One explanation proposed for this deceleration is the selective survival of healthier individuals to older ages. Data on mortality in Sweden and Japan are generally compatible with three predictions of this hypothesis: (1) decelerations for most major causes of death; (2) decelerations starting at younger ages for more “selective” causes; and (3) a shift of the deceleration to older ages with declining levels of mortality. A parametric model employed to illustrate the third prediction relies on the distinction between senescent and background mortality. This dichotomy, though simplistic, helps to explain the observed timing of the deceleration.
L-arginine augments oxidative stress in cryptorchid testes of adult Sprague-Dawley rats

Experimental cryptorchidism has been associated with increased apoptotic degeneration of spermatogenic cells resulting in increased free radical production. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of L-arginine on semen parameters, histology and the antioxidant activities on induced cryptorchid rat testis. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 150-250 g were divided into four groups (A- D) each with 5 rats per group. Animals in groups A and C were made unilaterally cryptorchid by anchoring the upper pole of the testis to the anterior abdominal wall. While group A was treated with 15 mg/100 mg body weight of L-arginine, group C had no treatment. Group B animals received the same dose of L-arginine but not made cryptorchid. Group D animals served as control and received distilled water. A significant decrease (p<0.05) in the sperm count was observed in groups A, B and C when compared with the control. Sperm motility declined significantly in groups A and C. Seminiferous tubular atrophy, depletion of spermatogenic cells as well as infiltration of interstitial spaces was common in cryptorchid rats as well as those treated with l-arginine. Serum testosterone levels were significantly increased in group B whereas group C recorded a decline. Luteinizing hormone levels were significantly increased in groups B and C whereas follicle stimulating hormone levels were decreased in group C when compared with the control. MDA levels were significantly increased in groups A and C while SOD activity declined significantly in these groups. Catalase activity decreased significantly in group C when compared with the control while glutathione reductase activity reduced significantly in groups A and C when compared with the control. These results indicate that administration of 15 mg/100 mg BW of L-arginine causes testicular oxidative stress and do not improve the outcome of cryptorchidism in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.
LPV system modeling with SSNN toolbox

The main objective of this paper is to develop and design a State Space Neural Network toolbox for a non-linear system modeling with an artificial state-space neural networks, which can be used in a model-based robust fault diagnosis and control. Such a toolbox is implemented in the MATLAB environment and it uses some of its predefined functions. It is designed in the way that any non-linear multi-input multi-output system is modeled and represented in a classical state-space form. The novelty of the proposed approach is that the final result of the identification process is the state, input and output matrices, not only the neural network parameters. The toolbox is equipped with the graphical user interface, which makes it useful for the users not familiar with a neural networks theory. This paper can be perceived as an extention of [1] on LPV systems.
Characterization of the novel nisin-sucrose conjugative transposon Tn5276 and its insertion in Lactococcus lactis

A novel, chromosomally located conjugative transposon in Lactococcus lactis, Tn5276, was identified and characterized. It encodes the production of and immunity to nisin, a lanthionine-containing peptide with antimicrobial activity, and the capacity to utilize sucrose via a phosphotransferase system. Conjugal transfer of Tn5276 was demonstrated from L. lactis NIZO R5 to different L. lactis strains and a recombination-deficient mutant. The integration of Tn5276 into the plasmid-free strain MG1614 was analyzed by using probes based on the gene for the nisin precursor (nisA) and the gene for sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase (sacA). The transposon inserted at various locations in the MG1614 chromosome and showed a preference for orientation-specific insertion into a single target site (designated site 1). By using restriction mapping in combination with field inversion gel electrophoresis and DNA cloning of various parts of the element including its left and right ends, a physical map of the 70-kb Tn5276 was constructed, and the nisA and sacA genes were located. The nucleotide sequences of Tn5276 junctions in donor strain NIZO R5 and in site 1 of an MG1614-derived transconjugant were determined and compared with that of site 1 in recipient strain MG1614. The results show that the A + T-rich ends of Tn5276 are flanked by a direct hexanucleotide repeat in both the donor and the transconjugant but that the element does not contain a clear inverted repeat.
Low-dose interferon-alpha accelerates atherosclerosis in an LDL receptor-deficient mouse model.

Background: Solid evidence suggests that atheroscleosis is associated with immune reactions. Most of the activated T cells in the plaque are T helper 1 subtype (Th1), which secrete interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), now generally accepted as a proatherogenic cytokine. Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has been found to inhibit the secretion of IL-12 and IFN-gamma and to increase IL-10 production. It may, therefore, be atheroprotective. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of IFN-alpha on atherogenesis in a transgenic mouse model of atherosclerosis. Methods: 8-week-old low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-deficient mice were allocated randomly into treatment and control groups (n=13 each). The treatment group received 1000 units of IFN-alpha i.p. every other day for 5 weeks and the control mice received 0.9% NaCl. The mice were fed a Western diet. Results: The IFN-alpha-treated and the control mice showed a similar weight gain (mean 3.9+/-1.0 g vs. 3.4+/-1.8 g, respectively). Treatment with IFN-alpha significantly increased the plasma cholesterol levels in both treated and untreated mice (mean 31.03+/-5.53 mmol/l vs. 24.91+/-6.03 mmol/l, respectively; p<0.022) as well as the plasma triglyceride levels (mean 4.79+/-1.57 mmol/l vs. 3.10+/-1.85 mmol/l, respectively; p<0.033). The IFN-alpha treated mice had a significantly increased atherosclerotic plaque area (mean 61,590+/-22,368 microm(2) vs. 37,272+/-15,469 microm(2), respectively; p<0.008). Conclusion: The putative atheroprotective effect of IFN-alpha by the decrease in IL-10 and IFN-gamma is abolished by hyperlipidemia. Therefore, the net effect of IFN-alpha in this murine model is the exacerbation of atherosclerosis.
Metabolic Primers for Detection of (Per)chlorate-Reducing Bacteria in the Environment and Phylogenetic Analysis of cld Gene Sequences

ABSTRACT Natural attenuation of the environmental contaminant perchlorate is a cost-effective alternative to current removal methods. The success of natural perchlorate remediation is dependent on the presence and activity of dissimilatory (per)chlorate-reducing bacteria (DPRB) within a target site. To detect DPRB in the environment, two degenerate primer sets targeting the chlorite dismutase (cld) gene were developed and optimized. A nested PCR approach was used in conjunction with these primer sets to increase the sensitivity of the molecular detection method. Screening of environmental samples indicated that all products amplified by this method were cld gene sequences. These sequences were obtained from pristine sites as well as contaminated sites from which DPRB were isolated. More than one cld phylotype was also identified from some samples, indicating the presence of more than one DPRB strain at those sites. The use of these primer sets represents a direct and sensitive molecular method for the qualitative detection of (per)chlorate-reducing bacteria in the environment, thus offering another tool for monitoring natural attenuation. Sequences of cld genes isolated in the course of this project were also generated from various DPRB and provided the first opportunity for a phylogenetic treatment of this metabolic gene. Comparisons of the cld and 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene trees indicated that the cld gene does not track 16S rDNA phylogeny, further implicating the possible role of horizontal transfer in the evolution of (per)chlorate respiration.
Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation in Buffer-Aided Wireless Relay Networks

In this paper, we study energy-efficient resource allocation in the downlink of buffer-aided wireless relay networks. We aim at maximizing the system average energy efficiency while maintaining the queue stability at both the base station (BS) and relays. We formulate the resource allocation design as a novel stochastic network optimization problem and based on the well-known Lyapunov drift-plus-penalty policy and the system constraints, we transform it to an instantaneous non-convex optimization problem to be solved in each time slot. We analyze the instantaneous utility function and propose a novel algorithm to find its optimum point. Based on that, we present an effective distributed strategy to get the globally optimal solution for channel and power allocation. Furthermore, we show that the proposed algorithm can be used as a building block for energy-efficient resource allocation in conventional relay networks, where the relays do not have buffering capability, but the BS queues need to be stabilized. Using extensive simulations, we show that the proposed algorithm is able to provide higher energy efficiency compared with the existing algorithms, while keeping the system queues stable.
Comparative Analysis of Optional Calling Plans for Fixed-Line Telephone Services

With the growth of competition in the telecommunication market, optional calling plans were introduced in 1980s, have expanded dramatically in 1990s and now have become widespread rate systems in many countries. The Korean fixed operators currently provide OCPs. Compared to other countries; however, special optional calling plan has activated in Korean market. It is a unique calling plan where rates are based on previous calls made. That plan provides high market performance, yet it arouses criticism in the industry. There are questions raised by professionals in the industry if that plan based on previous call made is fair to consumers and is it more effective than other type of calling plan. Considering this circumstance, we theoretically analyzed and compare between rate system based on previous call made and different rate system including unlimited flat-rate and BOT, by mainly the perspective of efficiency. Results of our study show that rate system based on past calling patterns will be economically effective compared to other type of calling plan. Therefore, it is necessary not to prohibit this rate system, rather selectively regulating or other flexible means of regulation is desirable, nevertheless it has some week point.
Different expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β between young and old rat brains after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion

Abstract Ischemia is a common stress to human brain and is difficult to cure in older individuals. To examine the differences of the response to cerebral ischemia between young and old rat brains, distributions of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) and tau proteins were analyzed after 90 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in young (10-11 weeks) and old (15 months) rats by immunohistochemical analyses. At 4 h of reperfusion, strong cytoplasmic and nuclear immunoreactivity for GSK3β was induced in neurons of lamina I, II, V and VI of the cerebral cortex and dorsal caudate in young brains, while the induction was not observed in lamina I and II of old cerebral cortex. The staining in lamina V and VI and dorsal caudate then gradually decreased until seven days of reperfusion in both animal groups. The staining of tau protein and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin in situ nick end labeling (TUNEL) did not show any positive signals in the control brain, but showed positive signals after ischemia with a peak at 24 h and 3 days, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the temporal and spatial patterns of tau and TUNEL stainings between these two groups. These data suggest that GSK3β may have a role in ischemic neuronal cell death, and that the different spatial expression of GSK3β between young and old rat brains may partly explain the vulnerability of older neurons after ischemia. [Neurol Res 2001; 23: 588-592]