Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcription factors Foxa1 and Foxa2 are required for adult dopamine neurons maintenance

The proteins Foxa1 and Foxa2 belong to the forkhead family of transcription factors and are involved in the development of several tissues, including liver, pancreas, lung, prostate, and the neural system. Both Foxa1 and Foxa2 are also crucial for the specification and differentiation of dopamine (DA) neurons during embryonic development, while about 30% of mice with an embryonic deletion of a single allele of the Foxa2 gene exhibit an age-related asymmetric loss of DA neurons and develop locomotor symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease (PD). Notably, both Foxa1 and Foxa2 factors continue to be expressed in the adult dopamine system. To directly assess their functions selectively in adult DA neurons, we induced genetic deletions of Foxa1/2 transcription factors in mice using a tamoxifen inducible tissue-specific CreERT2 recombinase expressed under control of the dopamine transporter (DAT) promoter (DATCreERT2). The conditional DA neurons-specific ablation of both genes, but not of Foxa2 alone, in early adulthood, caused a decline of striatal dopamine and its metabolites, along with locomotor deficits. At early pre-symptomatic stages, we observed a decline in aldehyde dehydrogenase family 1, subfamily A1 (Aldh1a1) protein expression in DA neurons. Further analyses revealed a decline of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) and a complete loss of DAT expression in these neurons. These molecular changes ultimately led to a reduction of DA neuron numbers in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of aged cFoxa1/2−/− mice, resembling the progressive course of PD in humans. Altogether, in this study, we address the molecular, cellular, and functional role of both Foxa1 and Foxa2 factors in the maintenance of the adult dopamine system which may help to find better approaches for PD treatment.
Optimizing the Layout of Heaters for Distributed Active De-Icing of Wind Turbine Blades

Ice accumulation on wind turbines operating in cold regions reduces power generation by degrading aerodynamic efficiency and causes mass imbalance and fatigue loads on the blades. Due to blade rotation and variation of the pitch angle, different locations on each blade experience large variations of Reynolds number, Nusselt number, heat loss, and non-uniform ice distribution. Hence, applying different amounts of heat flux in different blade locations can provide more effective de-icing for the same total power consumption. This large variation of required heat flux highly motivates using distributed resistive heating with the capability of locally adjusting thermal power as a function of location on the blade. To optimize thermal actuation strategy, improving de-icing efficiency, and reducing power consumption, development of a numerical model was investigated for distributed resistive heaters using a computational approach with ANSYS. The numerical model was validated with experimental results. Then, ice melting was modeled on the blade for different heater layouts (aligned and staggered) and geometries. The result of this study showed more uniform and 40% faster de-icing, with approximately 30% reduction in the maximum applied temperature to the blade structure for circular heaters compared to square heaters. Furthermore, aligned heaters create relatively higher thermal stress to the blade structure than staggered heaters. This computational model can be used for the development of a pseudo-analytical aero-thermodynamic model for closed-loop active de-icing using distributed resistive heating on wind turbines and aircraft.
Is Statistical Learning Affected by Sleep Apnoea?

It is thought that sleep is important for learning yet we know strikingly little about the relationship between sleep and a form of implicit learning known as statistical learning (SL). SL can be assessed using a distinct familiarisation phase in which participants are exposed to a stream of stimuli that contains statistical regularities but are not given any instruction to learn or any form of reinforcement. This is followed by a surprise test phase some time later where implicit learning of those statistical regularities is assessed. In the current study we investigated the relationship between sleep and SL across a period that included night time sleep with polysomnography (PSG) monitoring. Participants were 47 adults (mean age = 48.79 years, sd = 8.76 years) known to have impaired sleep due to obstructive sleep apnea. They were exposed to familiarisation in the evening prior to going to sleep and undertook the surprise test phase the following evening, approximately 24 hours later (mean overnight sleep time = 399.60 mins). Results revealed that, as a group, participants showed statistically significant SL despite the substantial delay between familiarisation and test phases. Although we found no relationship between individual differences in SL and clinical measures of sleep apnea severity, our findings revealed that SL is positively correlated with non rapid eye movement sleep (NREM).
Intravenous Phosphate Loading Increases Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 in Uremic Rats

Oral phosphate loading and calcitriol stimulate Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) secretion, but the mechanisms underlying the stimulation of FGF23 remain to be studied. We compared the effect of intravenous phosphate loading with that of oral loading on FGF23 levels in normal and 5/6 nephrectomized uremic rats. Uremic rats (Nx) and sham-operated rats were fed a normal phosphate diet for 2 weeks and then divided into 3 groups: 1) with the same phosphate diet (NP), 2) with a high phosphate diet (HP), and 3) NP rats with intravenous phosphate infusion using a microinfusion pump (IV). Blood and urine were obtained 1 day (early phase) and 7 days (late phase) after the interventions. In the early and late phases, serum phosphate levels and fractional excretion of phosphate (FEP) were comparable in the HP and IV groups in both Sham and Nx rats. Serum phosphate levels in the HP and IV groups were equally and significantly higher than those in the NP group only in the late phase in Nx rats. In the early phase, FGF23 levels were comparable in the NP, HP, and IV groups, but were significantly higher in the HP and IV groups compared to the NP group in the late phase in Nx rats. 1α-hydroxylase and sodium dependent phosphate co-transporter 2a expression levels in the kidney in Nx rats were equally and significantly decreased in the HP and IV groups compared with the NP group, while 24-hydroxylase expression was equally and significantly increased. These results show that chronic intravenous phosphate loading increases bioactive FGF23, indicating that an alternative pathway for FGF23 regulation, in addition to the dietary route, may be present. This pathway is clearer under conditions produced by a kidney injury in which phosphate is easily overloaded.
Social dynamics of early stage co-design in developing regions

Technology arguably has the potential to play a key role in improving the lives of people in developing regions. However, these communities are not well understood and designers must thoroughly investigate possibilities for technological innovations in these contexts. We describe findings from two field studies in India and one in Uganda where we explore technological solutions in the domains of communication, microfinance and education. Two common underlying themes emerge from these studies: (1) local stakeholders can contribute cultural information relevant to design such as needs and practices through interaction with technology artifacts and (2) unique social network structures embedded within communities are crucial to the acceptance and potential adoption of technology. We end with a synthesis of the three experiences that draws some practical lessons for ICT designers to elicit meaningful feedback and participation from local stakeholders in developing regions communities.
Identification of Contact Dynamics Parameters for Stiff Robotic Payloads

This paper investigates and demonstrates the feasibility of identifying contact dynamics parameters for stiff robotic payloads using a robotic system. The contact dynamics model for stiff payloads is motivated, and theoretical parameter values and bounds are provided. Then, the effect of nonidealities such as surface roughness and plastic deformation on the theoretical values is demonstrated. A row-wise-scaled total least-squares parameter estimation algorithm is proposed and applied to experimental data measured using the special purpose dexterous manipulator task verification facility manipulator at the Canadian Space Agency. The experimental results are compared to a separate set of experiments with a material testing machine as well as finite-element modeling results. Finally, the experimental findings are generalized by providing guidelines for the maximum identifiable payload stiffness as a function of the position resolution, the maximum exertable force, and the structural stiffness of the robotic system.
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC25 gene product binds specifically to catalytically inactive ras proteins in vivo

Genetic data suggest that the yeast cell cycle control gene CDC25 is an upstream regulator of RAS2. We have been able to show for the first time that the guanine nucleotide exchange proteins Cdc25 and Sdc25 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae bind directly to their targets Ras1 and Ras2 in vivo. Using the characteristics of the yeast Ace1 transcriptional activator to probe for protein-protein interaction, we found that the CDC25 gene product binds specifically to wild-type Ras2 but not to the mutated Ras2Val-19 and Ras2 delta Val-19 proteins. The binding properties of Cdc25 to Ras2 were strongly diminished in yeast cells expressing an inactive Ira1 protein, which normally acts as a negative regulator of Ras activity. On the basis of these data, we propose that the ability of Cdc25 to interact with Ras2 proteins is strongly dependent on the activation state of Ras2. Cdc25 binds predominantly to the catalytically inactive GDP-bound form of Ras2, whereas a conformational change of Ras2 to its activated GTP-bound state results in its loss of binding affinity to Cdc25.
The effect of a 4-week comprehensive rehabilitation program on postural control and lower extremity function in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of a 4-week rehabilitation program for chronic ankle instability (CAI) on postural control and lower extremity function. BACKGROUND CAI is associated with residual symptoms, performance deficits, and reinjury. Managing CAI is challenging and more evidence is needed to guide effective treatment. METHODS AND MEASURES Subjects with unilateral CAI were randomly assigned to the rehabilitation (CAI-rehab, n=16) or control (CAI-control, n=13) group. Subjects without CAI were assigned to a healthy group (n=19). Baseline testing included the (1) center of pressure velocity (COPV), (2) star excursion balance test (SEBT), and (3) Foot and Ankle Disability index (FADI) and FADI-Sports Subscale (FADI-Sport). The CAI-rehab group completed 4 weeks of rehabilitation that addressed range of motion, strength, neuromuscular control, and functional tasks. After 4 weeks, all subjects were retested. Nonparametric analyses for group differences and between-group comparisons were performed. RESULTS Subjects with CAI demonstrated deficits in postural control and SEBT reach tasks of the involved limb compared to the uninvolved limb and reported functional deficits of the involved limb compared to healthy subjects. Following rehabilitation, the CAI-rehab group had greater SEBT reach improvements on the involved limb than the other groups and greater improvements in FADi and FADI-Sport scores. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate postural control and functional limitations exist in individuals with CAl. In addition, rehabilitation appears to improve these functional limitations. Finally, there is evidence to suggest the SEBT may be a good functional measure to monitor change after rehabilitation for CAI.
Abnormalities induced by the mutant gene, lpr. Patterns of disease and expression of murine leukemia viruses in SJL/J mice homozygous and heterozygous for lpr

SJL/J mice heterozygous or homozygous for the lpr mutation were compared with SJL/J-+/+ mice for longevity, histopathology, antigenic characteristics of lymphocytes and expression of murine leukemia viruses (MuLV). In comparison to +/+ mice, lpr homozygotes had a markedly shortened life span, died with infiltrative pulmonary disease, but little or no renal disease, and expressed high levels of infectious ecotropic MuLV in lymphoid tissues. SJL-lpr/+ mice had a life span intermediate between SJL-+/+ and -lpr/lpr mice, died with lymphomas that histologically resembled the neoplasms of +/+ mice, and sometimes expressed high levels of ecotropic MuLV. The lymphomas of lpr/+ could be transplanted to +/+ recipients in 78% of cases, and continuous in vitro lines were established from some of them. Similar effects on virus expression or lymphoma development were not observed in other strains homozygous or heterozygous for the lpr mutation. These results indicate that the diseases expressed by mice homozygous for the lpr mutation are highly strain-dependent, and that this gene can have an effect in the heterozygous state in SJL mice.
The Effects of Cohesion and Structural Position on the Top Management Team Boundary Spanning–Firm Performance Relationship

Top management teams (TMTs) interact with key external stakeholders through boundary spanning, often by holding outside directorships. Yet research suggests these activities have an equivocal relationship with firm financial performance. Although outside directorships promise informational benefits (i.e., the social network perspective), they also present challenges in the form of managerial opportunism (i.e., the agency perspective). Here, we adopt a contingency perspective to reconcile these perspectives, investigating the moderating role of cohesion, or the degree to which team members mutually support and get along with one another. We argue that boundary spanning will yield performance benefits for TMTs with high cohesion, because their increased commitment to the team will enable members to use their external relationships for the benefit of their firms. However, we also identify a boundary condition for this effect based on structural position in the TMT: that cohesion is especially relevant when proportionally more non-chief executive officer (CEO) TMT members span boundaries than CEOs span boundaries. Results from an archival study of TMTs using q-sort methodology provide support for these predictions.
Alternative Cycling Strategies for Shrimp Farming in Arid Zones of Mexico: Dealing with Risk and Uncertainty

Northwest Mexican coastal waters have large seasonal temperature variations, high salinity, and are subject to intense solar radiation. Shrimp farms in this region have been using two annual production strategies; six-to eight-month cycle with one complete harvest and several partial harvests, or two, three-to four-month cycles with complete harvests. The preferred strategy depends on two uncertain variables; shrimp growth, which varies across the region, and market price, which varies across the season. A bioeconomic model was used to compare the economic yield of the two cycling strategies for three zones across the region, under three alternative average annual temperatures states. Simple decision theory criteria are used to show that the two-cycle strategy dominates the one-cycle strategy in the Bahia de La Paz zone. Results for central and northern Sonora are conditional on temperature.
Chapter 8: The Effect of Religion on Financial and Investing Decisions

Religion has a major impact on people’s daily life and is closely connected with their economic condition. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the connection between religion and economic factors and to show how religion affects investment and financing decisions. It focuses on this interplay by emphasizing various corporate and personal facets. For instance, the chapter analyzes the effect of religious beliefs on investors’ preferences, risk perception, ethical values, and psychological behavior. This aspect is often missing in academic finance including the behavioral paradigm. Furthermore, the chapter discusses how religious beliefs can conflict with financial theory involving making financial and investing decisions.
The AD8

Background: Brief measures that accurately discriminate normal cognitive aging from very mild dementia are lacking. Cognitive tests often are insensitive to very mild dementia. Informant-based measures may be more sensitive in detecting early dementia. Objective: To identify informant-reported clinical variables that differentiate cognitively normal individuals from those with very mild dementia. Methods: A 55-item battery of informant queries regarding an individual's cognitive status was derived from a semistructured interview and a consensus panel of dementia experts. The battery was evaluated with informants for 189 consecutive participants of a longitudinal study of memory and aging and compared with an independently obtained Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score for the participant. Multiple regression and receiver operator characteristic curves assessed subsets of the items to discriminate between CDR 0 (no dementia) and CDR 0.5 (very mild dementia). Results: The final version (AD8) querying memory, orientation, judgment, and function was administered to an additional sample of 112 CDR 0 and 68 CDR 0.5 participants. Using a cut-off of two items endorsed, the area under the curve was 0.834, suggesting good to excellent discrimination, sensitivity was 74%, and specificity was 86% (prevalence of 0.38 for very mild dementia). Inclusion of 56 additional individuals with mild to severe dementia (increasing dementia prevalence to 0.53) increased sensitivity to 85%. Conclusions: The AD8 is a brief, sensitive measure that reliably differentiates between nondemented and demented individuals. Use of the AD8 in conjunction with a brief assessment of the participant could improve diagnostic accuracy in general practice.
Assessing the potential of amino acid 13 C patterns as a carbon source tracer in marine sediments: effects of algal growth conditions and sedimentary diagenesis

Burial of organic carbon in marine sediments has a profound influence in marine biogeochemical cycles and provides a sink for greenhouse gases such as CO2 and CH4. However, tracing organic carbon from primary production sources as well as its transformations in the sediment record remains challenging. Here we examine a novel but growing tool for tracing the biosynthetic origin of amino acid carbon skeletons, based on naturally occurring stable carbon isotope patterns in individual amino acids (δ13CAA). We focus on two important aspects for δ13CAA utility in sedimentary paleoarchives: first, the fidelity of source diagnostic of algal δ13CAA patterns across different oceanographic growth conditions, and second, the ability of δ13CAA patterns to record the degree of subsequent microbial amino acid synthesis after sedimentary burial. Using the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii, we tested under controlled conditions how δ13CAA patterns respond to changing environmental conditions, including light, salinity, temperature, and pH. Our findings show that while differing oceanic growth conditions can change macromolecular cellular composition, δ13CAA isotopic patterns remain largely invariant. These results emphasize that δ13CAA patterns should accurately record biosynthetic sources across widely disparate oceanographic conditions. We also explored how δ13CAA patterns change as a function of age, total nitrogen and organic carbon content after burial, in a marine sediment core from a coastal upwelling area off Peru. Based on the four most informative amino acids for distinguishing between diatom and bacterial sources (i.e., isoleucine, lysine, leucine and tyrosine), bacterially derived amino acids ranged from 10 to 15 % in the sediment layers from the last 5000 years, and up to 35 % during the last glacial period. The greater bacterial contributions in older sediments indicate that bacterial activity and amino acid resynthesis progressed, approximately as a function of sediment age, to a substantially larger degree than suggested by changes in total organic nitrogen and carbon content. It is uncertain whether archaea may have contributed to sedimentary δ13CAA patterns we observe, and controlled culturing studies will be needed to investigate whether δ13CAA patterns can differentiate bacterial from archeal sources. Further research efforts are also needed to understand how closely δ13CAA patterns derived from hydrolyzable amino acids represent total sedimentary proteineincous material, and more broadly sedimentary organic nitrogen. Overall, however, both our culturing and sediment studies suggest that δ13CAA patterns in sediments will represent a novel proxy for understanding both primary production sources, and the direct bacterial role in the ultimate preservation of sedimentary organic matter.
Assessment of ovarian tissues autografted to various body sites followed by IVM in mouse

Background: Ovarian tissue transplantation is emerging technologies for fertility preservation. In addition, in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes retrieved from ovarian tissues may overcome the fertility defects in certain cases. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the best site for ovarian tissue transplantation in mice. Also, feasibility of IVM of oocytes retrieved from auto grafted ovarian tissues was freshly assessed. Materials and Methods: Hemi-ovaries from 6 weeks old mice were auto grafted into kidney capsule (K) versus the back muscle (B) and leg muscle (L) in a mouse auto graft model which was stimulated with gonadotrophins. Then ovarian grafts were recovered and processed histologically for follicle assessment compared with control, also the ability of oocytes to mature with IVM was studied 14 days after transplantation. Results: Total follicle count was significantly higher in K-graft (3.5±3.17) and the antral follicles were only observed in K-site model. The number of retrieved immature oocytes as well as successful IVM in K-grafts was significantly higher than other groups (p=0.008, p=0.016). Conclusion: The kidney capsule is a promising site for ovarian tissue auto graft in mice. This resulted in better follicular survival and IVM outcomes.
Real Rigidities and Nominal Price Changes

A large literature seeks to provide microfoundations of price setting for macro models. A challenge has been to develop a model in which monetary policy shocks have the highly persistent effects on real variables estimated by many studies. Nominal price stickiness has proved helpful but not sufficient without some form of "real rigidity" or "strategic complementarity. " We embed a model with a real rigidity a la Kimball (1995), wherein consumers flee from relatively expensive products but do not flock to inexpensive ones. We estimate key model parameters using micro data from the U.S. CPI, which exhibit sizable movements in relative prices of substitute products. When we impose a significant degree of real rigidity, fitting the micro price facts requires very large idiosyncratic shocks and implies large movements in micro quantities.
Finite-horizon robust Kalman filtering for uncertain discrete time-varying systems with uncertain-covariance white noises

A finite-horizon robust Kalman filtering approach for discrete time-varying uncertain systems with additive uncertain-covariance white noises is presented. The system under consideration is subject to uncertainties in both the state and output matrices. The state and gain matrices of the filter are optimized to give a minimal upper bound on the state estimation error covariance for all admissible uncertainties