75 research outputs found

    Review of battery powered embedded systems design for mission-critical low-power applications

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    The applications and uses of embedded systems is increasingly pervasive. Mission and safety critical systems relying on embedded systems pose specific challenges. Embedded systems is a multi-disciplinary domain, involving both hardware and software. Systems need to be designed in a holistic manner so that they are able to provide the desired reliability and minimise unnecessary complexity. The large problem landscape means that there is no one solution that fits all applications of embedded systems. With the primary focus of these mission and safety critical systems being functionality and reliability, there can be conflicts with business needs, and this can introduce pressures to reduce cost at the expense of reliability and functionality. This paper examines the challenges faced by battery powered systems, and then explores at more general problems, and several real-world embedded systems

    Homeobox transcription factor muscle segment homeobox 2 (Msx2) correlates with good prognosis in breast cancer patients and induces apoptosis in vitro

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    Introduction: The homeobox-containing transcription factor muscle segment homeobox 2 (Msx2) plays an important role in mammary gland development. However, the clinical implications of Msx2 expression in breast cancer are unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate the potential clinical value of Msx2 as a breast cancer biomarker and to clarify its functional role in vitro. Methods: Msx2 gene expression was first examined in a well-validated breast cancer transcriptomic dataset of 295 patients. Msx2 protein expression was then evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray (TMA) containing 281 invasive breast tumours. Finally, to assess the functional role of Msx2 in vitro, Msx2 was ectopically expressed in a highly invasive breast tumour cell line (MDA-MB-231) and an immortalised breast cell line (MCF10a), and these cell lines were examined for changes in growth rate, cell death and cell signalling. Results: Examination of Msx2 mRNA expression in a breast cancer transcriptomic dataset demonstrated that increased levels of Msx2 were associated with good prognosis (P = 0.011). Evaluation of Msx2 protein expression on a TMA revealed that Msx2 was detectable in both tumour cell nuclei and cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic Msx2 expression was associated with low grade tumours (P = 0.012) and Ki67 negativity (P = 0.018). Nuclear Msx2 correlated with low-grade tumours (P = 0.015), estrogen receptor positivity (P = 0.038), low Ki67 (P = 0.005) and high cyclin D1 expression (P = 0.037). Increased cytoplasmic Msx2 expression was associated with a prolonged breast cancer-specific survival (P = 0.049), recurrence-free survival (P = 0.029) and overall survival (P = 0.019). Ectopic expression of Msx2 in breast cell lines resulted in radically decreased cell viability mediated by induction of cell death via apoptosis. Further analysis of Msx2-expressing cells revealed increased levels of p21 and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and decreased levels of Survivin and the 'split ends' (SPEN) protein family member RBM15. Conclusions: We conclude that increased Msx2 expression results in improved outcome for breast cancer patients, possibly by increasing the likelihood of tumour cell death by apoptosis

    Progesterone Receptor Activates Msx2 Expression by Downregulating TNAP/Akp2 and Activating the Bmp Pathway in EpH4 Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cells

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    Previously we demonstrated that EpH4 mouse mammary epithelial cells induced the homeobox transcription factor Msx2 either when transfected with the progesterone receptor (PR) or when treated with Bmp2/4. Msx2 upregulation was unaffected by Wnt inhibitors s-FRP or Dkk1, but was inhibited by the Bmp antagonist Noggin. We therefore hypothesized that PR signaling to Msx2 acts through the Bmp receptor pathway. Herein, we confirm that transcripts for Alk2/ActR1A, a non-canonical BmpR Type I, are upregulated in mammary epithelial cells overexpressing PR (EpH4-PR). Increased phosphorylation of Smads 1,5, 8, known substrates for Alk2 and other BmpR Type I proteins, was observed as was their translocation to the nucleus in EpH4-PR cells. Analysis also showed that Tissue Non-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase (TNAP/Akp2) was also found to be downregulated in EpH4-PR cells. When an Akp2 promoter-reporter construct containing a ½PRE site was transfected into EpH4-PR cells, its expression was downregulated. Moreover, siRNA mediated knockdown of Akp2 increased both Alk2 and Msx2 expression. Collectively these data suggest that PR inhibition of Akp2 results in increased Alk2 activity, increased phosphorylation of Smads 1,5,8, and ultimately upregulation of Msx2. These studies imply that re-activation of the Akp2 gene could be helpful in downregulating aberrant Msx2 expression in PR+ breast cancers

    Digital waveform recorders (digitizers)

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    NRC publication: Ye

    Decline of Black Alder Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. along the Narewka River in the Białowieża Forest District

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    Black Alder Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. is an important tree commonly growing in Poland. Alders are actinorhizal plants that play an important ecological role in riparian ecosystems through atmospheric nitrogen fixation, filtration and purification of waterlogged soils as well as providing a refuge for terrestrial and aquatic organisms thus helping to stabilize stream banks. Black Alder used to be considered a very pest and disease resistant species but, the situation changed in 2000, when an unprecedented decline of Alders was observed in Poland. In the Białowieża Forest District, this decline has been observed on wet meadow habitats and along rivers or watercourses. Currently, there are several hypotheses explaining Alder dieback, among them climatic changes and Phytophthora infections. In terms of climate, Black Alder requires a high atmospheric humidity during all phases of its reproductive cycle. It tolerates neither long-term summer flooding nor a significant decrease in the groundwater level. In terms of pests, oomycete pathogens of the genus Phytophthora are the most destructive plant pathogens known and many of them are present in forests and nurseries all over Europe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health of Black Alder along the Narewka River in the Białowieża Forest District. Selected areas were monitored in 2012 and 2018, but no relationship between drought and alder health was found. A preliminary analysis of soil and water samples by real time PCR revealed the presence of two Phytophthora species: P. alni and P. cactorum. Further and more detailed research is required to elucidate the role of these pathogens in Alder dieback

    Multiplex detection of Phytophthora spp. using the Fluidigm platform

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    The genus Phytophthora plays an important role not only in agriculture but also in forest ecosystems. As the number of known Phytophthora species continues to grow, identifying new isolates in this genus has become increasingly challenging even by DNA sequencing. Therefore, the development of proper techniques for detection and identification is crucial for monitoring and control of these pathogens in the forestry sector. In recent years, new molecular methods using innovative approaches have indeed been developed. However, the majority of these methods was designed to detect single Phytophthora species. Techniques that are able to target multiple species would offer advantages, especially for the assessment of Phytophthora diversity in the environment. This paper describes a multiplex assay for the identification of eight Phytophthora isolates, down to the species level, based on a Fluidigm platform employing pyrosequencing. The obtained results showed that for an accurate determination of the species, it is sufficient to know the sequence of two markers, ITS and COX1. The sensitivity of this test is sufficient to identify Phytophthora in a pure culture. Unfortunately, analysis based on a pyrosequencing platform does not provide enough data to simultaneous identify multiple Phytophthora species in samples collected in the field. This problem could be resolved in the future by sequencing using more efficient platforms like Illumina or IonTorrent

    Molecular diagnostic of Phytophthora pathogens as a tool for Integrated Pest Management

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    Traditional detection methods such as baiting or direct isolation take a long time and are incapable to handling large volume of material to be tested. The real−time PCR−based techniques are faster, more sensitive, more easily automated, and do not require post−amplification procedures. Species−specific primers for Phytophthora were designed based on the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of rDNA collected from the NCBI DNA database. Primers and probes were designed using the Allele ID 7 at default search criteria. Specific probes were labeled with the reporter dyes JOE (6−carboxy−4,5−dichloro−2,7−dimethoxyfluorescein) at the 5' end and HBQ1 quencher at the 3' end (Sigma−Aldrich). The specificity of primers and fluorogenic probes was tested against genomic DNA of P. alni subsp. multiformis, P. lacustris and P. taxon hungarica. The real−time PCR reactions with the specific probes and primers yielded positive results with five concentrations of standards obtained by standard PCR reaction for corresponding Phytophthora species. The negative control (lack of DNA pathogens) yielded no amplification products. Standard curves showed a linear correlation between input DNA and cycle threshold (Ct) values with R² from 0.994 (P. alni) to 0.998 (P. taxon hungarica). The amplification efficiency of target DNA varied from 94.6% (P. alni) to 100% (P. taxon hungarica). The validation of the primers and probes designed for analysed Phytophthora species was performed on pure cultures, on soil samples from the forest nursery and declining oak stands. The designed probes displayed the high specificity of the detection of investigated species in pure cultures. The presented new molecular TaqMan probes can fully assist the integrated pest management as a powerful tool for a quick detection of above pathogenic organisms in forest nurseries. The molecular detection of harmful phytophthoras and in consequences diminishing of fungicides use for their control in forestry fully support European Union directives as well as the ‘Good plant protection practice measures' elaborated by European and Mediterranean Organisation of Plant Protection
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