Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Objective estimation of suicidal risk using vocal output characteristics

Vocal output characteristics of speech have previously been identified as possible cues to the assessment of suicide risk, and there is evidence that certain vocal parameters may be used as suicidal discriminators. The acoustic properties of male speech samples comprised of individuals carrying diagnoses of depression, suicide risk, and remission were analyzed and statistically compared. The male sample contained 10 high-risk suicidal patients, 13 depressed patients, and 9 remitted patients. Acoustic analyses of voiced power distribution were performed on speech samples extracted from audio recordings collected from the patients during clinical interviews. Features derived from the power spectral densities were found to be powerful discriminators of class membership in both studies of interview and reading passage sessions. The results support theories that identify psychomotor disturbances as central elements in depression and suicidality.
Role of the Lizard Teira dugesii as a Potential Host for Ixodes ricinus Tick-Borne Pathogens

ABSTRACT PCR screening of ticks and tissue samples collected from 151 Teira dugesii lizards seems to indicate a potential role of this lizard species in the maintenance and transmission cycle of some Ixodes ricinus tick-borne agents, such as Rickettsia monacensis, Rickettsia helvetica, and Borrelia lusitaniae, that are circulating on Madeira Island.
Chromatin Architecture and Transcription Factor Binding Regulate Expression of Erythrocyte Membrane Protein Genes

ABSTRACT Erythrocyte membrane protein genes serve as excellent models of complex gene locus structure and function, but their study has been complicated by both their large size and their complexity. To begin to understand the intricate interplay of transcription, dynamic chromatin architecture, transcription factor binding, and genomic organization in regulation of erythrocyte membrane protein genes, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) coupled with microarray analysis and ChIP coupled with massively parallel DNA sequencing in both erythroid and nonerythroid cells. Unexpectedly, most regions of GATA-1 and NF-E2 binding were remote from gene promoters and transcriptional start sites, located primarily in introns. Cooccupancy with FOG-1, SCL, and MTA-2 was found at all regions of GATA-1 binding, with cooccupancy of SCL and MTA-2 also found at regions of NF-E2 binding. Cooccupancy of GATA-1 and NF-E2 was found frequently. A common signature of histone H3 trimethylation at lysine 4, GATA-1, NF-E2, FOG-1, SCL, and MTA-2 binding and consensus GATA-1-E-box binding motifs located 34 to 90 bp away from NF-E2 binding motifs was found frequently in erythroid cell-expressed genes. These results provide insights into our understanding of membrane protein gene regulation in erythropoiesis and the regulation of complex genetic loci in erythroid and nonerythroid cells and identify numerous candidate regions for mutations associated with membrane-linked hemolytic anemia.
SRAM Variability and Supply Voltage Scaling Challenges

We have developed a methodology for SRAM cell design that unifies all the major design criterion - cell stability, write margin, read speed and leakage into a single metric. This metric has been used to design a 65nm cell while accounting for challenges posed by increased Vt variability, Vcc scaling and NBTI drift. The impact of NBTI drift on the periphery of a high speed SRAM has been simulated and measured
Treatment of diaphyseal forearm fractures in children by intramedullary Kirschner wires.

BACKGROUND This article presents a retrospective analysis of a case series of diaphyseal forearm fractures in children treated with intramedullary Kirschner wires (K-wires). METHODS Seventy-four diaphyseal forearm fractures in children (63 male subjects and 11 female subjects) with a mean age of 11 years (range, 4-15 years) were treated with percutaneous intramedullary K-wires. Under fluoroscopic control, a standard K-wire (diameter, 1.5-2.0 mm, depending on the age) was introduced into the distal radial metaphysis, proximal to the epiphysis. The K-wire was then advanced proximally across the fracture. For the ulna, the wire was introduced antegrade from the proximal end. The tip of the K-wire was prebent to 30 degrees to facilitate closed reduction of the displaced fracture. RESULTS All fractures healed between 6 and 10 weeks with minimum complications and excellent clinical results. CONCLUSION This surgical technique is convenient, effective, and safe for treating displaced diaphyseal forearm fractures in children.
Conductivity of a Lightning-Channel Corona Sheath During Return Stroke

A generalized lightning traveling current source (GTCS) return-stroke model has been used to examine the conductivity of the lightning-channel corona sheath surrounding a thin channel core. A model of lightning channel consisting of the charged corona sheath and the narrow high-conducting central core conducting the main current flow is assumed. A strong electric field, in a prevalent radial direction, has been created during the return stroke between the channel core and the outer channel sheath containing the negative channel charge. The return-stroke process is modeled with the positive charge coming from the channel core discharging the negative leader charge. The channel corona-sheath model that predicts the charge motion in the corona sheath is used to derive the expressions of the channel sheath conductivity during the return stroke. This model can be viewed as the generalization of the corona-sheath model proposed by Maslowski and Rakov in 2006. According to this model, the corona sheath consists of two zones, zone 1 (inner zone containing a net positive charge) and zone 2 (outer zone containing negative charge), respectively. Gauss' law, the charge conservation law, and the point form of Ohm's law are combined to form the differential equation which is analytically solved, yielding the expression for the sheath conductivity in zones 1 and 2. The expressions of the radial electric fields, the current densities, and the conductivities in zones 1 and 2 are derived using the GTCS return-stroke model. The measurements of the electric field in the immediate vicinity of the lightning channel by Miki in 2002 enabled the calculation of the channel sheath parameters. It is shown that the maximum radii of zones 1 and 2 at 2 m above ground are less than 1.5 and 6 cm, respectively. The minimum value of the channel sheath conductivity, about 10 muS/m , is obtained between zones 1 and 2 during the return stroke. The theoretical considerations given in this paper can be also applied to other types of ldquoengineeringrdquo return-stroke models.
Both the epitope specificity and isotype are important in the antitumor effect of monoclonal antibodies against Her‐2/neu antigen

The Her‐2/neu oncogene, which encodes a growth factor receptor, was implicated in the malignancy of human adenocarcinomas. Antibodies directed to this molecule have been previously shown to have an antitumor effect in vivo. In an attempt to understand the mechanisms of the antitumor activity, we generated 2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), HRO G1 and HRT G1, that recognize different epitopes on Her‐2/neu. Both of the mAbs bound HER2/neu on the tumor surface, resulting in phosphorylation of HER2/neu. We also generated IgG2a and IgG2b mAbs from these 2 mAbs, respectively. The results of in vitro studies showed that these anti‐Her‐2/neu mAbs could not inhibit the growth of the tumor cells that express Her‐2/neu molecules by themselves. However, in an antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity study using mouse splenocytes as effector cells, HRT mAbs had antitumor activities superior to those of HRO mAbs, indicating that the epitope specificity may also partake in antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity with antibody isotype. In a complement‐dependent cytotoxicity study, the IgG2a and IgG2b mAbs showed stronger effects than IgG1 isotype mAbs irrespective of the epitope specificities. The results of in vivo studies also showed that HRT mAbs had superior antitumor activity to those of HRO mAbs. The antitumor activity was most prominent in the HRT G2b isotype among HRT mAbs. HRT G1 also showed a moderate antitumor effect, while HRT G2a showed only slight inhibition effect. These data indicate that both the epitope specificity and the differences in Fc region of mAbs could play important roles in the antitumor activities. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Different possible approaches to RFV construction based on the available metrological information

Different approaches than those framed strictly within the theory of probability and recommended by the GUM have been proposed during the last recent years for uncertainty expression and estimation. The one based on Random-Fuzzy Variables (RFV) appears to be the most promising one, since it is based on the theory of evidence, that encompasses both the probability and possibility theories as particular cases. The correctness of the final uncertainty estimation depends, quite directly, on the way the RFVs are built, which depends on the available metrological information. After briefly recalling the fundamentals of the RFV approach, this paper discusses how the available information should be exploited to attain correct results.
Development of phagocytic function of cultured human monocytes is regulated by cell surface IL-10.

Monocytes differentiating in vitro into macrophages increase their capacity to ingest particles via FcgammaR and CR3. Because human recombinant IL-10 is a potent up-regulator of phagocytosis in human monocytes, we investigated whether spontaneously produced IL-10 could be a signal for the modulation of phagocytosis by cultured monocytes. We show here that culture of monocytes in the presence of anti-IL-10 mAb completely abolished up-regulation of phagocytosis of both EIgG and EIgMC3bi, suggesting a role for spontaneously produced IL-10 in the modulation of phagocytosis by cultured human monocytes. The inhibition exerted by anti-IL-10 mAb on the development of FcgammaR-mediated ingestion was dependent on the concomitant inhibition of FcgammaRIII induction in cultured cells. On the other hand, a similar down-regulation of CR3 expression was not involved in the inhibitory effect exerted by anti-IL-10 mAb on the development of CR3-mediated ingestion. Monocytes secreted detectable levels of IL-10 when cultured in medium but the concentrations of IL-10 in the supernatants decreased with length of time in culture, the decrease being completely reversed by anti-IL-10 mAb. In addition, we showed that monocytes expressed immunoreactive IL-10 on their surface and this expression increased during differentiation into macrophages. Whether this IL-10 was bound to specific membrane receptors or it was an integral membrane protein remains to be determined; however, this latter possibility is consistent with our observations that IL-10 did not elute with acid treatment and exogenous IL-10 did not increase surface staining of monocytes. Our data indicate that human mononuclear phagocytes express IL-10 on their membrane and suggest that this cytokine may represent an autocrine signal for the increased phagocytic function observed during differentiation of monocytes into macrophages.
Identification of RNA Sequence Motifs Stimulating Sequence-Specific TLR8-Dependent Immune Responses1

The TLRs 7, 8, and 9 stimulate innate immune responses upon recognizing pathogen nucleic acids. U-rich RNA sequences were recently discovered that stimulate human TLR7/8-mediated or murine TLR7-mediated immune effects. In this study we identified single-stranded RNA sequences containing defined sequence motifs that either preferentially activate human TLR8-mediated as opposed to TLR7- or TLR7/8-mediated immune responses. The identified TLR8 RNA motifs signal via TLR8 and fail to induce IFN-α from TLR7-expressing plasmacytoid dendritic cells but induce the secretion of Th1-like and proinflammatory cytokines from TLR8-expressing immune cells such as monocytes or myeloid dendritic cells. In contrast, RNA sequences containing the TLR7/8 motif signal via TLR7 and TLR8 and stimulate cytokine secretion from both TLR7- and TLR8-positive immunocytes. The TLR8-specific RNA sequences are able to trigger cytokine responses from human and bovine but not from mouse, rat, and porcine immune cells, suggesting that these species lack the capability to respond properly to TLR8 RNA ligands. In summary, we describe two classes of single-stranded TLR7/8 and TLR8 RNA agonists with diverse target cell and species specificities and immune response profiles.
Production of fumonisins by Fusarium moniliforme strains from various substrates and geographic areas

Strains of Fusarium moniliforme from different geographic areas and from corn and other substrates were tested for the ability to produce fumonisins in culture. The test results indicate that the potential exists for production of fumonisins by such strains in agricultural commodities and other substrates in widespread geographic areas.
The majority of endogenous microRNA targets within Alu elements avoid the microRNA machinery

MOTIVATION The massive spread of repetitive elements in the human genome presents a substantial challenge to the organism, as such elements may accidentally contain seemingly functional motifs. A striking example is offered by the roughly one million copies of Alu repeats in the genome, of which ∼0.5% reside within genes' untranslated regions (UTRs), presenting ∼30 000 novel potential targets for highly conserved microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we examine the functionality of miRNA targets within Alu elements in 3'UTRs in the human genome. RESULTS Using a comprehensive dataset of miRNA overexpression assays, we show that mRNAs with miRNA targets within Alus are significantly less responsive to the miRNA effects compared with mRNAs that have the same targets outside Alus. Using Ago2-binding mRNA profiling, we confirm that the miRNA machinery avoids miRNA targets within Alus, as opposed to the highly efficient binding of targets outside Alus. We propose three features that prevent potential miRNA sites within Alus from being recognized by the miRNA machinery: (i) Alu repeats that contain miRNA targets and genuine functional miRNA targets appear to reside in distinct mutually exclusive territories within 3'UTRs; (ii) Alus have tight secondary structure that may limit access to the miRNA machinery; and (iii) A-to-I editing of Alu-derived mRNA sequences may divert miRNA targets. The combination of these features is proposed to allow toleration of Alu insertions into mRNAs. Nonetheless, a subset of miRNA targets within Alus appears not to possess any of the aforementioned features, and thus may represent cases where Alu insertion in the genome has introduced novel functional miRNA targets. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Extending assembly of short DNA sequences to handle error

UNLABELLED Inexpensive de novo genome sequencing, particularly in organisms with small genomes, is now possible using several new sequencing technologies. Some of these technologies such as that from Illumina's Solexa Sequencing, produce high genomic coverage by generating a very large number of small reads ( approximately 30 bp). While prior work shows that partial assembly can be performed by k-mer extension in error-free reads, this algorithm is unsuccessful with the sequencing error rates found in practice. We present VCAKE (Verified Consensus Assembly by K-mer Extension), a modification of simple k-mer extension that overcomes error by using high depth coverage. Though it is a simple modification of a previous approach, we show significant improvements in assembly results on simulated and experimental datasets that include error. AVAILABILITY http://152.2. 15.114/~labweb/VCAKE
Development of a visual courseware for surface mining education

In this paper, new visual courseware for surface mining education is described. It has been developed to help and support the lecturer when teaching and as a self‐study tool for students in learning surface mining methods. The software enables the constructors, students and engineers to analyze whole mining and economical aspects of surface mining methods and is fully implemented using graphical user interface technology. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 56–65, 2011
Activity Metabolism in the Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis

Standard levels of oxygen consumption and oxygen consumption and lactate production during and after burst activity were measured in the iguanid lizard Sceloporus occidentalis. The activity capacity of this animal is restricted; it sustains vigorous movement for only 1-2 min. The contribution of aerobic metabolism to that activity is strongly thermally dependent. Maximal levels of oxygen consumption are achieved during activity at 30-40 C. At lower temperatures, significant lags occur in oxygen uptake, which appear to result from restricted ventilation. The maximum aerobic increase above resting levels occurs at 35 C, preferred body temperature of this species. Repayment of the initial stages of oxygen debt is also most rapid at 35 C. Lactic acid concentration reaches high levels during activity, and its formation is greatest at 30 C. Anaerobic metabolism represents 62%-82% of the energy utilized during burst activity, accounting for nearly all of the carbohydrate catabolized. The combination of energy utilization in both aerobic and anaerobic modes gives Sceloporus its highest activity capacity at 30-35 C, the range of body temperatures normally experienced diurnally by this species throughout the year.
Oligodendrocytes and myelination: The role of iron

Iron is an essential trophic factor that is required for oxygen consumption and ATP production. Thus it plays a key role in vital cell functions. Although the brain has a relatively high rate of oxygen consumption compared to other organs, oligodendrocytes are the principal cells in the CNS that stain for iron under normal conditions. The importance of iron in myelin production has been demonstrated by studies showing that decreased availability of iron in the diet is associated with hypomyelination. The timing of iron delivery to oligodendrocytes during development is also important because hypomyelination and the associated neurological sequelae persist long after the systemic iron deficiency has been corrected. Therefore, identifying the molecular roles of iron in oligodendrocyte development and myelin production, and the mechanisms and timing of iron acquisitions are important prerequisites to developing effective therapies for dysmyelinating disorders. It is the purpose of this review to give a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on role of iron in oligodendrocytes and the mechanisms of iron acquisition and intracellular handling. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bio‐corrosion of stainless steel by osteoclasts—in vitro evidence

Most metals in contact with biological systems undergo corrosion by an electrochemical process. This study investigated whether human osteoclasts (OC) are able to grow on stainless steel (SS) and directly corrode the metal alloy leading to the formation of corresponding metal ions, which may cause inflammatory reactions and activate the immune system. Scanning electron microscopy analysis demonstrated long‐term viable OC cultures and evident resorption features on the surface of SS discs on which OC were cultured for 21 days. The findings were confirmed by atomic emission spectrometry investigations showing significantly increased levels of chromium, nickel, and manganese in the supernatant of OC cultures. Furthermore, significant levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α, which are considered to be major mediators of osteolysis, were revealed in the same cultures by cytometric bead array analysis. Within the present study, it was shown that human osteoclast precursors are able to grow and differentiate towards mature OC on SS. The mature cells are able to directly corrode the metal surface and release corresponding metal ions, which induce the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines that are known to enhance osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival. Enhanced corrosion and the subsequently released metal ions may therefore result in enhanced osteolytic lesions in the peri‐prosthetic bone, contributing to the aseptic loosening of the implant. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 841–846, 2009
Data-Centric to the Max - The SPLICE Architecture Experience

Over the past 10 years, Thales Naval Nederland (TNN) has successfully applied a pure data-centric architecture called SPLICE in its naval Combat Management Systems This fielded architecture provides the essential non-functional properties as demanded in these mission-critical environments such as (real-time) performance, scalability, fault-tolerance and evolveability. Thales recently contributed this knowledge and experience in a joint submission regarding the OMG's Data Distribution Service (DDS) for Real-time systems. The SPLICE architecture is characterized by autonomous applications with minimal dependencies where function and interaction are clearly separated and SPLICE-agents act as real-time information brokers. SPLICE thus offers a normalized environment that is designed once for all applications and which delivers 'the right information at the right place at the right time'.
Molecular and developmental biology of the hemangioblast

The hemangioblast hypothesis was proposed a century ago. The existence of hemangioblasts is now demonstrated in mouse and human embryonic stem cell (ESC) ‐derived embryoid bodies (EBs), in the mouse and zebrafish gastrula, and in adults. The hemangioblast is believed to derive from mesodermal cells, and is enriched in the Bry+Flk1+ and Flk1+Scl+ cell populations in EBs and in the posterior primitive streak of the mouse gastrula and in the ventral mesoderm of the zebrafish gastrula. However, recent studies suggest that the hemangioblast does not give rise to all endothelial and hematopoietic lineages in mouse and zebrafish embryos. Although several signaling pathways are known to involve the generation of hemangioblasts, it remains largely unknown how the hemangioblast is formed and what are the master genes controlling hemangioblast development. This review will summarize our current knowledge, challenges, and future directions on molecular and developmental aspects of the hemangioblast. Developmental Dynamics 237:1218–1231, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of an Implantable Oxygenator with Cross-Flow Pump

Thrombogenicity, a problem with long-term artificial lungs, is caused by blood-biomaterial interactions and is made worse by nonuniform flow, which also causes decreased gas exchange. To overcome these obstacles, we changed the inlet and added a uniform flow pump to our previous oxygenator design. Conventional membrane oxygenators have a ½-inch port for the inlet of blood. These port structures make it difficult for the blood to flow uniformly in the oxygenator. In addition, the complex blood flow patterns that occur in the oxygenator, including turbulence and stagnation, lead to thrombogenicity. A cross-flow pump (CFP) can result in uniform blood flow to the inlet side of an oxygenator. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of an integrated oxygenator with a fiber bundle porosity of 0.6 and a membrane surface area of 1.3 m2. The inlet part of the oxygenator is improved and better fits the outlet of the CFP. Each of the three models of the improved oxygenator has a different inlet taper angle. The computational fluid dynamics analysis showed that, compared with the original design, uniform flow of the integrated oxygenator improved by 88.8% at the hollow fiber membrane. With the integrated oxygenator, O2 transfer increased by an average of 20.8%, and CO2 transfer increased by an average of 35.5%. The results of our experiments suggest that the CFP, which produces a wide, uniform flow to the oxygenator, is effective in attaining high gas exchange performance.