Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction and Selection of Sox17-Expressing Endoderm Cells Generated from Murine Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells offer a valuable source for generating insulin-producing cells. However, current differentiation protocols often result in heterogeneous cell populations of various developmental stages. Here we show the activin A-induced differentiation of mouse ES cells carrying a homologous dsRed-IRES-puromycin knock-in within the Sox17 locus into the endoderm lineage. Sox17-expressing cells were selected by fluorescence-assisted cell sorting (FACS) and characterized at the transcript and protein level. Treatment of ES cells with high concentrations of activin A for 10 days resulted in up to 19% Sox17-positive cells selected by FACS. Isolated Sox17-positive cells were characterized by defini- tive endoderm-specific Sox17/Cxcr4/Foxa2 transcripts, but lacked pluripotency-associated Oct4 mRNA and protein. The Sox17-expressing cells showed downregulation of extraembryonic endoderm (Sox7, Afp, Sdf1)-, mesoderm (Foxf1, Meox1)- and ectoderm (Pax6, NeuroD6)-specific transcripts. The presence of Hnf4α, Hes1 and Pdx1 mRNA demonstrated the expression of primitive gut/foregut cell-specific markers. Ngn3, Nkx6.1 and Nkx2.2 transcripts in Sox17-positive cells were determined as properties of pancreatic endocrine progenitors. Immunocytochemistry of activin A-induced Sox17-positive embryoid bodies revealed coexpression of Cxcr4 and Foxa2. Moreover, the histochemical demonstration of E-cadherin-, Cxcr4-, Sox9-, Hnf1β- and Ngn3-positive epithelial-like structures underlined the potential of Sox17-positive cells to further differentiate into the pancreatic lineage. By reducing the heterogeneity of the ES cell progeny, Sox17-expressing cells are a suitable model to evaluate the effects of growth and differentiation factors and of culture conditions to delineate the differentiation process for the generation of pancreatic cells in vitro.
Factors regulating ovulation rate in the ewe.

Our knowledge of ovulation rate is still very rudimentary, but that is not to say that little information is available. The literature contains a vast body of data on the subject (Cumming, 1977) but a general model, such as those that are now widely accepted for the control of the oestrous cycle (Baird & McNeilly, 1981) or of seasonal reproduction (Goodman & Karsch, 1981), is not available. The ovulation rate of eutherian mammals is defined in two ways: (1) as the average number of eggs released in animals that ovulate, but this definition cannot produce an ovulation rate of less than 1\m=. \0as it makes no allowance for anovulatory animals which should then be reported as a separate datum; and (2) as the average number of eggs released in a group of animals\p=m-\this definition includes anovulatory animals and therefore can give values of less than 1\m=. \0.The physiological requirement for ovulation probably differs from that which regulates the number of follicles which do ovulate. For this reason the first definition is preferred, and the ovulation rate values reported in this paper have been calculated on this basis. The number of eggs shed at ovulation varies widely both within and between mammalian species (Asdell, 1964). The underlying causes can be both genetic and environmental. Furthermore, in many scientific reports these two general factors are very often confounded. The problem is further complicated by the presence of interactions between genotype and the environment in the expression of ovulation rate (Land, 1977; Gunn & Doney, 1979). The use of experimental animals of known genetic backgrounds maintained under defined and controlled environmental conditions is seen as essential to the study of ovulation rate.
Flow Characteristics of Macro-Synthetic Fiber-Reinforced Self-Consolidating Concrete

This paper evaluated the flow characteristics of macro-synthetic fiber-reinforced self consolidating concrete (MSFRSCC). A total of 20 non-air entrainment self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mixtures with varying w/c ratios, macro-synthetic fiber lengths, and fiber dosages rates were evaluated.The flow characteristics of each mixture were evaluated using four typical SCC workability test methods: slump flow, filling capacity, L-box, and V-funnel tests. The plastic shrinkage cracking resistance, compressive strength and flexural strength of each mixture were also evaluated. The objective was to develop an understanding of the factors that influence the flow characteristics of MSFRSCC and determine if criteria set for conventional SCC can be applied to MSFRSCC. The testing results demonstrated that fiber lengths of 50 mm cause significant internal friction leading to mixture stability issues when attempting to increase the volume of high range water reducer to produce acceptable slump flow values without viscosity modifying admixtures. Reducing fiber length to 38mm led to reduction in the internal friction allowing satisfactory slump flow, filling capacity, and V-funnel flow time to be achieved with slight mixture modifications and no viscosity modifying admixtures were required. The addition of fibers did cause lower than acceptable L-Box test results where mixtures were made to change direction and flow between closely spaced bars. It was concluded that the slight increase in internal friction produced by the addition of fibers caused the low L-Box results and not any form of blockage. The plastic shrinkage test results showed that the addition of 0.40% fibers by volume led to as much as 70 % reduction in total crack area and up to 50% reduction in maximum crack width as compared to plain concrete. The results obtained from this research clearly shows that is it possible to develop highly crack resistant MSFRSCC mixtures for concrete structures.
Rate of decline of residual renal function is associated with all-cause mortality and technique failure in patients on long-term peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND Residual renal function (RRF) at the initiation of peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy can predict patient outcome. However, RRF declines with time at variable rates in different patients. This study was performed to compare the impact of baseline RRF and the rate of RRF decline on patient survival and on death-censored technique survival after initiation of long-term PD. METHODS We enrolled 270 patients with sufficient urine amount (daily urine volume >100 mL) from a medical centre in North Taiwan who began PD between January 1996 and December 2005 and followed them until December 2007. The study population was stratified by the decline rate of RRF into a fast, intermediate and slow decline group. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to determine patient survival and technique survival. The Cox regression model was used to identify factors associated with patient outcome. The proportional odds polychotomous logistic regression model was used to identify variables associated with rapid decline of RRF. RESULTS During an average follow-up period of 45 months, 50 (18.5%) deaths, 67 (24.8%) death-censored technique failures (transfer to haemodialysis) and 43 (15.9%) renal transplantations occurred. The median rate of RRF decline was 0.885 mL/min/1.73 m(2) per year. Survival analysis showed that patients with fast RRF decline had worse survival and increased risk of technique failure. The multivariate Cox regression model confirmed that the rate of RRF decline was an independent factor associated with patient and technique survival and was a more powerful prognostic factor than basal RRF. Variables associated with a rapid decline of RRF were larger body mass index, presence of diabetes, prior history of congestive heart failure, use of diuretics, peritonitis episodes and hypotensive events. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that the rate of decline of RRF is a more powerful prognostic factor than baseline RRF associated with all-cause mortality and technique failure in patients on long-term PD. To prevent accelerated loss of RRF, it is imperative that every effort be made to avoid overdiuresis, peritonitis and hypotensive episodes, especially in those with diabetes, obesity and congestive heart failure.
LEARNERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE DEFINITIONS AND HIERARCHICAL CLASSIFICATION OF QUADRILATERALS: TOWARDS A THEORETICAL FRAMING

Defining and classifying quadrilaterals, though an established component of the school mathematics curriculum, appears to be a difficult topic for many learners. The reasons for such difficulties relate to the complexities in learning to analyse the attributes of different quadrilaterals and to distinguish between critical and non-critical aspects. Such learning, if it is to be effective, requires logical deduction, together with suitable interactions between concepts and images. This paper reports on an analysis of data from a total of 263 learners. The main purpose of the paper is to present a theoretical framing that is intended to inform further studies of this important topic within mathematics education research. This theoretical framing relates prototype phenomenon and implicit models to common cognitive paths in the understanding of the relationship between quadrilaterals.
Rat brains also have a default mode network

The default mode network (DMN) in humans has been suggested to support a variety of cognitive functions and has been implicated in an array of neuropsychological disorders. However, its function(s) remains poorly understood. We show that rats possess a DMN that is broadly similar to the DMNs of nonhuman primates and humans. Our data suggest that, despite the distinct evolutionary paths between rodent and primate brain, a well-organized, intrinsically coherent DMN appears to be a fundamental feature in the mammalian brain whose primary functions might be to integrate multimodal sensory and affective information to guide behavior in anticipation of changing environmental contingencies.
Association of family income supplements in adolescence with development of psychiatric and substance use disorders in adulthood among an American Indian population.

CONTEXT In a natural experiment in which some families received income supplements, prevalence of adolescent behavioral symptoms decreased significantly. These adolescents are now young adults. OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of income supplements in adolescence and adulthood on the prevalence of adult psychiatric disorders. DESIGN Quasi-experimental, longitudinal. POPULATION AND SETTING A representative sample of children aged 9, 11, or 13 years in 1993 (349 [25%] of whom are American Indian) were assessed for psychiatric and substance use disorders through age 21 years (1993-2006). Of the 1420 who participated in 1993, 1185 were interviewed as adults. From 1996, when a casino opened on the Indian reservation, every American Indian but no non-Indians received an annual income supplement that increased from $500 to around $9000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of adult psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 3 age cohorts, adjusted for age, sex, length of time in the family home, and number of Indian parents. RESULTS As adults, significantly fewer Indians than non-Indians had a psychiatric disorder (106 Indians [weighted 30.2%] vs 337 non-Indians [weighted 36.0%]; odds ratio [OR], 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.72; P = .001), particularly alcohol and cannabis abuse, dependence, or both. The youngest age-cohort of Indian youth had the longest exposure to the family income. Interactions between race/ethnicity and age cohort were significant. Planned comparisons showed that fewer of the youngest Indian age-cohort had any psychiatric disorder (31.4%) than the Indian middle cohort (41.7%; OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24-0.78; P = .005) or oldest cohort (41.3%; OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.51-0.94; P = .01) or the youngest non-Indian cohort (37.1%; OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.48-0.90; P = .008). Study hypotheses were not upheld for nicotine or other drugs, or emotional or behavioral disorders. The income supplement received in adulthood had no impact on adult psychopathology. CONCLUSION Lower prevalence of psychopathology in American Indian youth following a family income supplement, compared with the nonexposed, non-Indian population, persisted into adulthood.
α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Mediate β-Amyloid Peptide-induced Tau Protein Phosphorylation*

The Alzheimer's disease pathogenic peptide, β-amyloid42 (Aβ42), induces tau protein phosphorylation. Because hyperphosphorylated tau is a consistent component of neurofibrillary tangles, a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, we investigated the signaling molecules involved in Aβ42-induced tau phosphorylation. We show that Aβ42 elicited rapid and reversible tau protein phosphorylation on three proline-directed sites (Ser-202, Thr-181, and Thr-231) in systems enriched in α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR) including serum-deprived human SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells and hippocampal synaptosomes. Although α7nAChR agonists induced similar phosphorylation, pretreatment with antisense-α7nAChR oligonucleotides (in cells) or α7nAChR antagonists (in cells and synaptosomes) attenuated Aβ-induced tau phosphorylation. Western analyses showed that the mitogen-activated kinase cascade proteins, ERKs and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK-1), were concomitantly activated by Aβ42, and their respective kinase inhibitors suppressed Aβ-induced tau phosphorylation. More importantly, recombinant-activated ERKs and JNK-1 could differentially phosphorylate tau protein in vitro. Thus, the α7nAChR may mediate Aβ-induced tau protein phosphorylation via ERKs and JNK-1.
Fault-Tolerant Control for Nonlinear Markovian Jump Systems via Proportional and Derivative Sliding Mode Observer Technique

This paper investigates the problem of sensor fault estimation and fault-tolerant control for Markovian jump systems with time delay and Lipschitz nonlinearities. The issues involved here are: i) sensor faults; ii) model Lipchitz nonlinearities; iii) system structure changes governed by Markovian jumping parameters; and iv) time delay in system states. Such type of mathematical models can represent a large number of practical systems in the actual engineering. A new estimation technique (named proportional and derivative sliding mode observer) is developed to deal with this design problem. The proposed observer is mode-dependent type in which a derivative gain and a proportional gain are introduced to provide more design freedom, and a discontinuous input term is introduced to eliminate the effects of sensor faults. By employing the developed estimation technique, the asymptotic estimations of system states and sensor faults can be obtained simultaneously. Based on the estimation, an observer-based fault-tolerant control scheme is developed to stabilize the resulting closed-loop system. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed technique.
Changing Inequalities in Cervical Cancer: Modeling the Impact of Vaccine Uptake, Vaccine Herd Effects, and Cervical Cancer Screening in the Post-Vaccination Era

Background: Inequalities in cervical cancer may be increased following mass vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) if girls with low vaccine uptake also have low future participation in cervical cancer screening. We evaluated how vaccine uptake distribution affects inequalities in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) incidence between groups with different screening participation. Methods: We used an individual-based transmission dynamic model of HPV infection and disease (HPV-ADVISE). Females were stratified by routine screening frequency. We modeled the impact of vaccination on SCC incidence rate differences (absolute inequality) and incidence rate ratios (relative inequality) between women who have routine screening intervals of <5 years (frequently screened), ≥5 years (underscreened), and who are never screened. We compared simulations with uniform vaccine uptake with scenarios with unequal vaccine uptake, in which never and underscreened women have lower vaccine uptake than frequently screened women. Results: Absolute SCC inequalities between groups with different screening rates were predicted to decrease after vaccination, even when women with the lowest screening participation had the lowest vaccine uptake. Herd effects helped reduce absolute inequalities when vaccine uptake was unequal. Conversely, relative SCC inequalities remained unchanged or increased after vaccination. Results were robust to different overall vaccination coverages and sexual mixing scenarios. Conclusion: Though mass HPV vaccination is predicted to substantially decrease SCC incidence rates, never screened women will still have the highest disease burden after vaccination. Impact: To reduce both absolute and relative SCC inequalities, public health initiatives will need to address inequalities in both vaccine uptake and in cervical cancer screening participation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(1); 276–85. ©2014 AACR.
Amine‐functionalized poly(styrene) microspheres as thermoplastic toughener for epoxy resin

In this article, the potential of amine-functionalized poly(styrene) (PS) microspheres as toughening agent for epoxy resin has been explored. PS microspheres were prepared by suspension polymerization, where the monomer concentration and stirring speed was varied to control the microsphere dimensions (52–183 µm). The obtained microspheres were chemically functionalized with an aim to improve its dispersion within the epoxy matrix. The amine groups generated on the microsphere surface offer a potential site of covalent linkage with the epoxy matrix, thereby resulting in increased compatibility and improved properties. Epoxy composites containing varying amounts of microspheres (1–7% w/w) were prepared and their mechanical properties were evaluated under both quasi-static as well as dynamic conditions. The amination of poly(styrene) (APS) led to improved dispersion of the rigid microspheres in the epoxy matrix, which was evident from higher impact strength and fracture energies (GIC) as compared to its neat analogs. The izod impact strength and GIC increased by 33% and 150%, respectively, on introduction of 3% APS. This was accompanied with an increase in the tensile modulus and strength of the epoxy resin. Further increase in loading led to agglomeration of the microspheres, which in turn resulted in lowering of impact strength and toughness. Excellent agreement was found between the experimentally measured modulae and the predictions made on the basis of Halpin–Tsai and Lewis–Neilson models. Fracture surface morphology was studied to arrive at the principal toughening mechanisms behind the experimental findings. POLYM. COMPOS. , 36:174–183, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Accurate Blur Models vs. Image Priors in Single Image Super-resolution

Over the past decade, single image Super-Resolution (SR) research has focused on developing sophisticated image priors, leading to significant advances. Estimating and incorporating the blur model, that relates the high-res and low-res images, has received much less attention, however. In particular, the reconstruction constraint, namely that the blurred and down sampled high-res output should approximately equal the low-res input image, has been either ignored or applied with default fixed blur models. In this work, we examine the relative importance of the image prior and the reconstruction constraint. First, we show that an accurate reconstruction constraint combined with a simple gradient regularization achieves SR results almost as good as those of state-of-the-art algorithms with sophisticated image priors. Second, we study both empirically and theoretically the sensitivity of SR algorithms to the blur model assumed in the reconstruction constraint. We find that an accurate blur model is more important than a sophisticated image prior. Finally, using real camera data, we demonstrate that the default blur models of various SR algorithms may differ from the camera blur, typically leading to over-smoothed results. Our findings highlight the importance of accurately estimating camera blur in reconstructing raw lowers images acquired by an actual camera.
References and Notes Materials and Methods Figs. S1 and S2 Table S1 Movies S1 and S2 Neuronal Activity in the Lateral Intraparietal Area and Spatial Attention

The most natural solution to this problem that would make the results consistent with observations would be to assume that the turbulent flame triggers a detonation. A thermonuclear detonation wave could propagate through the WD with velocities ϳ10 9 cm/s (49, 50) and would quickly burn all the material near the center, leaving only the low-density outer layers unburned. For a density below 5 ϫ 10 7 g/cm 3 , a detonation would produce intermediate mass elements (25) that are observed in spectra of SNe Ia. A detonation would also partially smooth out composition inhomoge-neities that are predicted by the deflagration model and that may be incompatible with observations (51). Remaining asymmetries may account for a weak polarization recently detected in SN Ia spectra (52, 53). One-dimensional (25, 28 –32) and 2D (26, 27) delayed-detonation models were the most successful in explaining observable characteristics of SNe Ia. These models, however, use the time for detonation initiation as a free parameter because the DDT problem is in-trinsically 3D and still unsolved. A large-scale 3D model also cannot reproduce DDT phenomena that involve physical processes occurring on small unresolved scales. One approach to solving this problem is to study in much more detail the types of reacting flows created by 3D deflagrations and to look for situations that create the right types of " hot spots " that we know (54) are the sources of detonation initiation. Although the parietal cortex has been implicated in the neural processes underlying visual attention, the nature of its contribution is not well understood. We tracked attention in the monkey and correlated the activity of neurons in the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) with the monkey's attentional performance. The ensemble activity in LIP across the entire visual field describes the spatial and temporal dynamics of a monkey's attention. Activity subtending a single location in the visual field describes the attentional priority at that area but does not predict that the monkey will actually attend to or make an eye movement to that location. Visual attention, the ability to select a portion of the visual world for further processing, is necessary for the perception of the world around us (1). A number of studies have suggested that the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) of the posterior parietal cortex is involved in the generation of visual attention (2–6), on the basis of the well-established phenomenon of attentional enhancement of visual …