Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CULLIN 4-RING FINGER-LIGASE plays a key role in the control of endoreplication cycles in Arabidopsis trichomes

One of the predominant cell-cycle programs found in mature tissues is endoreplication, also known as endoreduplication, that leads to cellular polyploidy. A key question for the understanding of endoreplication cycles is how oscillating levels of cyclin-dependent kinase activity are generated that control repeated rounds of DNA replication. The APC/C performs a pivotal function in the mitotic cell cycle by promoting anaphase and paving the road for a new round of DNA replication. However, using marker lines and plants in which APC/C components are knocked down, we show here that outgrowing and endoreplicating Arabidopsis leaf hairs display no or very little APC/C activity. Instead we find that RBX1-containing Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin-Ligases (CRLs) are of central importance for the progression through endoreplication cycles; in particular, we have identified CULLIN4 as a major regulator of endoreplication in Arabidopsis trichomes. We have incorporated our findings into a bio-mathematical simulation presenting a robust two-step model of endoreplication control with one type of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor function for entry and a CRL-dependent oscillation of cyclin-dependent kinase activity via degradation of a second type of CDK inhibitor during endoreplication cycles.
Program for the Analysis of Molecular Arrays of Highly Nonlinear Devices

We develop a mathematical procedure to simulate and analyze circuits of molecular devices presenting negative differential resistance. This procedure predicts and explains programmability of configurable molecules to perform logical and mathematical tasks. At the nanoscale programmability compensates for the lack of addressability thus our procedure will be used to simulate programmability features of molecular devices.
The burden of sepsis: a call to action in support of World Sepsis Day 2013

Worldwide, sepsis is one of the most common deadly diseases. It is one of the few conditions to strike with equal ferocity in resource-poor areas and in the developed world. Globally, 20 to 30 million patients are estimated to be afflicted every year. Every hour, about 1,000 people and each day around 24,000 people die from sepsis worldwide. Despite accounting for over 8 million lives lost annually, sepsis it is one of the least well known diseases. In the developing world, sepsis accounts for 60-80% of lost lives in childhood, with more than 6 million neonates and children affected by sepsis annually. Sepsis is responsible for >100,000 cases of maternal sepsis each year, and in some countries is now a greater threat in pregnancy than bleeding or thromboembolism. (1) In high income countries sepsis is increasing at an alarming annual rate of 8-13%. (2) Reasons are diverse, and include the aging population, increasing use of high-risk interventions in all age groups, and the development of drug-resistant and more virulent varieties of pathogens. In the developing world, malnutrition, poverty, and lack of access to vaccines and timely treatment all contribute to death. A considerable percentage of sepsis cases could be prevented through the widespread adoption of practices in good general hygiene and hand washing, cleaner obstetric deliveries, and through improvements in sanitation and nutrition (especially among children under 5 years of age), provision of clean water in resource poor areas(3) and vaccination programs for at risk patient populations. (4,5) Sepsis mortality can be reduced considerably through the adoption of early recognition systems and standardized emergency treatment. (6-8) However, these interventions are currently delivered to fewer than 1 in 7 patients in a timely fashion. (7,9,10) Sepsis is often diagnosed too late. Patients and health care professionals do not suspect sepsis, and the clinical symptoms and laboratory signs that are currently used for the diagnosis, such as raised temperature, increased pulse, breathing rate, or white blood cell count, are not specific for sepsis. Low awareness of sepsis as a discrete clinical entity among health professionals is compounded by a lack of reliable systems to aid identification and speed delivery of care. Recognition in neonates and children is even more problematic because the signs and symptoms may be non-specific and subtle but deterioration is usually rapid. The variation in normal physiological parameters with age is a further contributor to difficulties in identifying acute illness early. (11) Despite the fact that a patient with sepsis is around five times more likely to die than a patient who has suffered a heart attack or stroke, the Konrad Reinhart1, Ron Daniels1, Flavia Ribeiro Machado1 “on behalf of the World Sepsis Day Steering Committee and the Global Sepsis Alliance Executive Board”
Ligation of ICAM-1 molecules inhibits target cell-induced granule exocytosis of IL-12-activated natural killer cells.

The importance of cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 is emphasized in cell-to-cell interactions that are critical in the generation of effective immune reactions. In this study, the involvement of ICAM-1 in natural killer (NK) cell activities was characterized in IL-12-activated human NK cells. To address the question of whether ligation of ICAM-1 molecules can modulate NK cell cytolytic activities, a 4-h (51)Cr-release assay was performed after pretreatment of NK cells with R6.5 mAb (anti-human ICAM-1 mAb). Ligation of membrane ICAM-1 molecules significantly inhibited IL-12-enhanced NK cytotoxicity against K562, and the pretreatment of neutralizing soluble ICAM-1 with R6.5 mAb blocked this inhibitory effect. The involvement of Ca(2+)-dependent granular exocytosis was evaluated. BLT esterase assay demonstrated that the ligation of ICAM-1 molecules inhibited granular exocytosis of NK cells. Additionally, the ICAM-1-mediated inhibition of Ca(2+) flux in NK cells was detected using Fluo-3AM, while the pretreatment of NK cells with R6.5 mAb did not affect conjugate formation between NK and K562 cells. Collectively, these results suggest that the signals transduced from ICAM-1 molecules might be sufficient to induce inhibitory effects on NK cells.
Routability prediction for hierarchical FPGAs

This paper investigates the problem of routability prediction in a FPGA that employs a hierarchical routing architecture. Such a FPGA is called a hierarchical FPGA (HFPGA). A novel model is proposed to analyze various HFPGA configurations. A software tool has been developed to predict the routability of circuits on specific HFPGA architectures. Primary contribution of this work is that routability prediction can be done immediately after the technology-mapping step, rather than after placement. The effect of connection block and switch block flexibility on routability is also studied. The results show that compared to a symmetrical FPGA architecture we can achieve the same degree of routability on a HFPGA, with much fewer routing switches.
A Level-Increased Nearest Level Modulation Method for Modular Multilevel Converters

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is emerging to be a promising approach for medium- and high-voltage applications. This paper proposes a modified nearest level modulation (NLM) method for the MMC, with which the level number of ac output voltage increases to 2N + 1 (where N is the submodule numbers per arm) as great as that of the carrier-phase-shifted PWM and the improved submodule unified PWM methods. The level number is almost doubled and the height of the step in the step wave is halved. Therefore, the ac output voltage waveform quality using the proposed method is better than that using the conventional NLM method. Besides, the proposed method keeps the conventional NLM method's characteristics such as low switching frequency and simple implementation. The performance of the proposed method is verified by simulations and experiments using a laboratory-scale prototype.
Origin of DSS: to present the plan

The Disability Status Scale for multiple sclerosis was the direct result of World War II, in which 16.4 million persons served in the US military. Thereafter academic medicine enabled the modernization of the Veterans Administration in patient care, research, and training. Under the GI Bill, I attended Cornell University Medical College, where there was an intensive course in neurological diagnosis requiring detailed recording of positive and negative findings. This was used in junior and senior clinical clerkships and residency training, all of which I took at the Bronx VA Hospital. During my residency we assessed a possible treatment for MS, which required a comparison group and a means of measuring change. The former comprised the records of over 300 MS patients, whose neurological deficits were then consolidated into mutually exclusive Functional Systems, each with grades for severity. As rank-order scales they could not be summed or compared directly, but they were used as the basis for the DSS, which ranged from 0 (normal) to 10 (death due to MS). This scale was later expanded into the EDSS by halving each step 1 through 9. This bifid system is applicable to all patients with MS regardless of type or severity of neurological impairment.
Weak keys and plaintext recovery for the Dhall-Pal Block Cipher

The Dhall-Pal Cipher (DPC) is a 128-bit block cipher with a 128-bit key introduced by Dhall and Pal in 2010. It is based on the substitution-permutation network (SPN) structure, and has elements in common with the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). The most significant differences between the DPC and the AES occur in the linear transformation stage, some components of which are key-dependent in the DPC. In this paper we identify a large set of weak keys for the DPC, and we describe practical attacks enabled by these weak keys. We first present fast distinguishing attacks that succeed for approximately 2124 out of the 2128 keys. We then describe two plaintext-recovery attacks that succeed for 2120 keys. One of these plaintext-recovery attacks can decrypt any ciphertext using only 211 encryptions on average.
Design of single-layer multiband circular MSA with half-ring slots

In order to design an antenna in planar construction and suitability for integration with active or passive elements of the RF substrate board, we present a single-layer multiband circular MSA with half-ring slots fed by a coplanar gap coupled. Three half-ring slots are assumed and hence four resonant frequencies are accomplished in the frequency range of 3.0-8.0 GHz, as expected. Gains in the range of 3.0-7.0 dBi are also confirmed. Experimental results show good agreement with those estimated by IE3D simulator. Therefore, this antenna can be considered as an alternative design for multiband planar antenna.
Differential risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Italian patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and estimate the relative risk (RR) of developing lymphoproliferative complications in a large population of Italian patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and to ascertain if any difference exists between the north and centre-south of Italy. METHODS Differential relative risks of NHL were obtained by comparing the number of observed cases with cases identified on the basis of age-sex-time specific incidence rates extracted from regional cancer registries. RESULTS Among the 331 patients with SS studied, 9 cases of NHL occurred, while no lymphoid malignancy appeared in patients with overlapping connective tissue disease (secondary SS) or in males with primary SS. As the number of NHL cases identified on the basis of the rate in the cancer registries would have been 0.27, the RR is 33.3 (p < 0.001). The incidence rate of NHL in Italian patients with SS is about 5.1/1000 person-years. 5.4/1000 per year in the north of the country and 4.8/1000 per year in the centre-south. The relative risks are, respectively, 34.7 and 32.5. CONCLUSION Italian patients with primary SS have increased risk of developing NHL. In this group, the absence of a significant difference between the north and the centre-south of Italy contrasts with the higher incidence of NHL in the general population of northern regions and strengthens the direct connection between primary SS and NHL.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TOTAL TREE HEIGHT AND DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT FOR TROPICAL PEAT SWAMP FOREST TREE SPECIES IN ROKAN HILIR DISTRICT, RIAU PROVINCE

Reliable information on total tree height ( H ) is fundamental in forest resource management and forest ecological studies, including in forest biomass assessment. Adding an H variable can improve the performance of the biomass allometric equations by reducing the average deviation significantly. However, measuring H is relatively complex, less accurate, time consuming, and expensive. Thus, H is only measured for sampled trees within the plots, whilst diameter at breast height (DBH) is commonly measured for each tree during the forest inventory. The missing H information is usually estimated based on a stand-specific allometric relationship between H and DBH ( H-D model) constructed from sampled trees. Despite extensive studies on H-D model for boreal forests and for single-species/plantation forests, few studies have focused on tropical forests. Furthermore, relationships for peat swamp forest tree species, and especially those in Indonesia, have not been widely published. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop site-specific H-D models for tropical peat swamp forests using linearized and non-linear regression functions. The results indicated that the non-linear models outperformed the linearized models based on the statistical parameters and the biological criteria. The modified logistic function (Model 7) is recommended for estimating H in the study area as it has comparable model performances to the exponential function (Model 6) and passed the point diameter-height of (0, 1.3). However, all five non-linear models performed equally well and the differences between them were trivial. Further improvements are needed to improve the accuracy, the predictive ability and the geographical applicability of the models by grouping the species, adding stand variables and (or) using advanced techniques of mixed-effect modelling. In addition, model validation should be carried out prior to their application by collecting a new dataset from the forest being studied.
Aspergillus fumigatus Challenge Increases Cytokine Levels in Nasal Lavage Fluid

Several studies have shown an association between exposure in moisture-damaged buildings and adverse health effects. There are several indicator microbes of moisture damage, but Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the best-documented molds provoking health problems in different occupational conditions. We assessed whether inhalation of a commercial A. fumigatus solution would affect cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-4, IL-6, interferon [IFN]-γ) in nasal lavage fluid (NAL) compared with that evoked by placebo challenge. Twenty-seven subjects were studied: 13 had occupational exposure in a moisture-damaged building, 4 were atopic, and 10 were considered as controls. In all the subjects, the IL-1β levels were increased significantly both at 6 (p = 0.013) and 24 h (p = .005) after the A. fumigatus challenge compared to placebo. In subjects with previous occupational exposure in a moisture-damaged building, IL-4 concentrations were increased significantly both at 6 (p =.046) and 24 h (p =.008) after the A. fumigatus challenge compared with placebo. Furthermore, in the control group, TNF-α levels were significantly increased at 6 h after the A. fumigatus challenge compared to placebo (p = .028). Thus, these data show a link between markers of inflammation in NAL and experimental A. fumigatus challenge.
Intracellular Na+, K+ and Cl− activities in Acheta domesticus Malpighian tubules and the response to a diuretic kinin neuropeptide

SUMMARY The mechanism of primary urine production and the activity of a diuretic kinin, Achdo-KII, were investigated in Malpighian tubules of Acheta domesticus by measuring intracellular Na+, K+ and Cl− activities, basolateral membrane voltage (Vb), fluid secretion and transepithelial ion transport. Calculated electrochemical gradients for K+ and Cl− across the basolateral membrane show they are actively transported into principal cells, and basolateral Ba2+-sensitive K+ channels do not contribute to net transepithelial K+ transport and fluid secretion. A basolateral Cl− conductance was revealed after the blockade of K+ channels with Ba2+, and a current carried by the passive outward movement of Cl− accounts for the hyperpolarization of Vb in response to Ba2+. Ion uptake via Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransport, driven by the inwardly directed Na+ electrochemical gradient, is thermodynamically feasible, and is consistent with the actions of bumetanide, which reduces fluid secretion and both Na+ and K+ transport. The Na+ gradient is maintained by its extrusion across the apical membrane and by a basolateral ouabain-sensitive Na+/K+-ATPase. Achdo-KII has no significant effect on the intracellular ion activities or Vb. Electrochemical gradients across the apical membrane were estimated from previously published values for the levels of Na+, K+ and Cl− in the secreted fluid. The electrochemical gradient for Cl− favours passive movement into the lumen, but falls towards zero after stimulation by Achdo-KII. This coincides with a twofold increase in Cl− transport, which is attributed to the opening of an apical Cl− conductance, which depolarises the apical membrane voltage.
Switchable multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber ring laser with a multisection high-birefringence fiber loop mirror

We proposed and demonstrated a new concept of switchable multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber ring laser with a multisection high-birefringence fiber loop mirror (HiBi-FLM). The HiBi-FLM results in the laser operating on different allowed wavelengths. The wavelength switching can be achieved by modifying the reflection spectrum of HiBi-FLM through two polarization controllers. The experiment demonstrates the switchable lasing operation within the random combination of three wavelengths, as well as with a large (/spl sim/40 dB) output signal to background noise ratio.
First Record of the Rare Species Aeromonas culicicola from a Drinking Water Supply

ABSTRACT We describe the recovery of the rare species Aeromonas culicicola, so far known only in mosquitoes in India, from a drinking water supply in Spain. Typing, using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR, revealed that the 27 new isolates belonged to 3 very closely related strains. These strains were genetically identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Spanish strains differed from the mosquito strains in three nucleotide positions. The AHCYTOEN gene was present in these water strains, which may have a public health significance.
Clustering algorithms research for device-clustering localization

Crowdsourcing-based localization has attracted wide research concern to the metropolitan-scale positioning. However, crowdsourcing-based fingerprints collection with assorted mobile smart devices brings fingerprint confusion, which significantly degrades the localization accuracy. To solve the device diversity problem, many solutions have been raised like the Device-Clustering algorithm. Based on macro Device-Cluster (DC) rather than natural device, DC algorithm maintains less device types and slight calibration overhead. Despite high positioning accuracy, the selection of suitable clustering algorithms in DC system becomes another puzzle. In this paper, we reshape the novel Device-Clustering algorithm to enhance the indoor positioning by comparing the application of different clustering algorithms. The experimental result indicates the reliability of DC strategy in broad clustering scheme as well as the suitable locating process corresponding to distinct environment.
Polyethylene glycol hydrogel dural sealant may reduce incisional cerebrospinal fluid leak after posterior fossa surgery.

OBJECTIVE Incisional cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak remains a significant cause of morbidity, particularly after posterior fossa surgery, with ranges between 4 and 17% in most series. We aimed to determine whether the use of a new polyethylene glycol (PEG) dural sealant product (DuraSeal; Confluent Surgical, Waltham, MA) is effective at preventing incisional CSF leak after posterior fossa surgery. METHODS One hundred cases of posterior fossa surgery with the PEG dural sealant applied at the time of dural closure were prospectively observed from May 2005 to April 2006. All patients underwent posterior fossa craniotomy or craniectomy. Clinical histories were followed to document cases of incisional CSF leak, pseudomeningocele, meningitis, wound infection, and interventions required to treat a CSF leak or pseudomeningocele. A retrospective cohort of 100 patients treated in a similar fashion but with fibrin glue augmented dural closure served as controls. RESULTS In the PEG group, two of 100 (2%) patients developed an incisional CSF leak postoperatively. By comparison, 10 of 100 (10%) patients in whom fibrin glue was used developed an incisional CSF leak. This difference was statistically significant, with a P value of 0.03. There were no significant differences in the rates of pseudomeningocele, meningitis, or other postoperative interventions. CONCLUSION The application of PEG dural sealant to the closed dural edges may be effective at reducing incisional CSF leak after posterior fossa surgery.
Time Reversal of Ultrasonic Fields-Part 11: Experimental Results

A time-reversal mirror (TRM) is made of an array of transmit-receive transducers. The incident pressure field is sampled, digitized, stored, time-reversed and then re-emitted. This process can be used to focus, through inhomogeneous media, on a reflective target that may behave as an acoustic source after being insonified. A 64-channel prototype has been built and TRM experiments demonstrating the TRM performance are described. Present first is focusing experiments conducted on point targets through different aherrating media. The major result shows that the time-reversal focusing technique compensates for all the distortions whatever the TRM-aberrator distance. When the medium contains several targets, we show that the time-reversal process can be iterated in order to focus on the most reflective one. The last part of the paper deals with lithotripsy applications. Kidney stones are spatially extended targets and TRM exper- iments have been conducted on several kidney stones located behind inhomogeneous media. They show that the iterative TRM process is able to select one of the kidney stones and to focus on a small portion of it.