Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plakophilins 1 and 3 Bind to FXR1 and Thereby Influence the mRNA Stability of Desmosomal Proteins

ABSTRACT Plakophilins 1 and 3 (PKP1/3) are members of the arm repeat family of catenin proteins and serve as structural components of desmosomes, which are important for cell-cell-adhesion. In addition, PKP1/3 occur as soluble proteins outside desmosomes, yet their role in the cytoplasm is not known. We found that cytoplasmic PKP1/3 coprecipitated with the RNA-binding proteins FXR1, G3BP, PABPC1, and UPF1, and these PKP1/3 complexes also comprised desmoplakin and PKP2 mRNAs. Moreover, we showed that the interaction of PKP1/3 with G3BP, PABPC1, and UPF1 but not with FXR1 was RNase sensitive. To address the cytoplasmic function of PKP1/3, we performed gain-and-loss-of-function studies. Both PKP1 and PKP3 knockdown cell lines showed reduced protein and mRNA levels for desmoplakin and PKP2. Whereas global rates of translation were unaffected, desmoplakin and PKP2 mRNA were destabilized. Furthermore, binding of PKP1/3 to FXR1 was RNA independent, and both PKP3 and FXR1 stabilized PKP2 mRNA. Our results demonstrate that cytoplasmic PKP1/3 are components of mRNA ribonucleoprotein particles and act as posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Elastography and Scintigraphic Imaging After Thermal Microwave Ablation of Thyroid Nodules

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate structural alterations of thyroid tissue after microwave ablation using elastography and scintigraphic imaging to investigate the applicability of these diagnostic methods for follow-up. Materials and Methods: 35 patients with 39 thyroid nodules were evaluated using elastography and scintigraphic imaging before and after ultrasound-guided microwave ablation. Elastography was analyzed according to color-coded output and results were classified using a fourfold elasticity score (ES). Nodules color-coded blue were classified ES1 for high elasticity through ES2 and ES3 for lower elasticity, and nodules with very low elasticity were color-coded red and classified as ES4. 99mTc-pertechnetate served as a tracer for scintigraphic imaging of hot and indifferent nodules and 99mTc-MIBI for cold nodules. Results: Before microwave ablation, elastography detected a median elasticity score of ES 2 ± 0.7, and after ablation the median score was ES 3 ± 0.6. Overall, the median score increased by 1ES ± 0.6 (p < 0.01). Scintigraphic imaging detected a median reduction of tracer uptake in ablated tissue of 38.7 %± 27.5(p < 0.01). 99mTc-pertechnetate scans showed a median decrease of tracer uptake of 26.3 %± 16.3 and 99mTc-MIBI scans detected uptake reduction of 54.7 %± 29.2. Conclusion: Scintigraphic imaging using 99mTc-pertechnetate and 99mTc-MIBI provides quantifiable results and is promising as a diagnostic follow-up after microwave ablation. Strain elastography detects decreasing tissue elasticity, but accuracy is limited by the necessary reduction of color-coded output to elasticity scores. Key points: • Scintigraphic imaging provides quantifiable information about tissue alterations after microwave ablation. • Elastography provides less precise diagnostic information after ablation than scintigraphy. • Microwave ablation is a promising technique for the treatment of thyroid nodules. • Scintigraphic imaging allows the drawing of conclusions about cell integrity in the ablated areas. Citation Format: • Korkusuz H, Happel C, Klebe J et al. Diagnostic Accuracy of Elastography and Scintigraphic Imaging After Thermal Microwave Ablation of Thyroid Nodules. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2015; 187: 353 – 359
Learning temporal, relational, force-dynamic event definitions from video

We present and evaluate a novel implemented approach for learning to recognize events in video. First, we introduce a sublanguage of event logic, called <i>k</i>-AMA, that is sufficiently expressive to represent visual events yet sufficiently restrictive to support learning. Second, we develop a specific-to-general learning algorithm for learning event definitions in <i>k</i>-AMA. Finally, we apply this algorithm to the task of learning event definitions from video and show that it yields definitions that are competitive with hand-coded ones.
Psychology in prisons

Foreword: David P. Farrington, Cambridge University. List of Contributors. Series Editors' Preface. Preface. 1. Psychological Services in HM Prison Service: Graham Towl, Prison Service Headquarters, London. 2. Psychologists' Recruitment: Zoe Ashmore, Prison Service Headquarters, London, and Debbie Tanner, Prison Service Headquarters, London. 3. Staff Training: Danielle Forbes, Prison Service, Eastern. 4. Incident Management: Zoe Ashmore, Prison Service Headquarters, London. 5. Applying the Research on Reducing Recidivism to Prison Regimes: Phil Wilmott. 6. Evaluating Groupwork in Prisons: Caroline Friendship, Prison Service Headquarters, London, and Louise Falshaw, Prison Service Headquarters, London. 7. Sex Offender Groupwork: Wayne Stockton, Prison Service, London area psychologist, and David Crighton, Prison Service Psychologist, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. 8. Violent-Offender Groupwork: Karen Brady, Prison Service, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and David Crighton, Prison Service psychologist, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. 9. Cognitive-Skills Groupwork: Michelle Thomas, Prison Service, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and Serena Jackson, Prison Service, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. 10. Anger-Management Groupwork: Michael Jennings, Prison Service, Lancashire and Cumbria. 11. Working with Lifers: Phil Willmot, Prison Service psychologist, East Midlands North. 12. Working with Young Offenders and Juveniles: Martha Blom-Cooper, Prison Service, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. 13. Working with Women Prisoners: Lorraine Mosson, Prison Service, West Midlands. 14. Working with Suicidal Prisoners: David Crighton, Prison Service psychologist, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. 15. Working with Bullies and Their Victims: Jane Ireland, Personality Disorder Unit, Ashworth Hospital, and Psychology Department, University of Central Lancashire. 16. Managing Disruptive Prisoners: Sarah Selvey, Forensic Psychology Unit, HMP Woodhill. References. Appendix: Revolving Doors Agency. Index.
A Two-Dimensional Micro Scanner Integrated with a Piezoelectric Actuator and Piezoresistors

A compact two-dimensional micro scanner with small volume, large deflection angles and high frequency is presented and the two-dimensional laser scanning is achieved by specular reflection. To achieve large deflection angles, the micro scanner excited by a piezoelectric actuator operates in the resonance mode. The scanning frequencies and the maximum scanning angles of the two degrees of freedom are analyzed by modeling and simulation of the structure. For the deflection angle measurement, piezoresistors are integrated in the micro scanner. The appropriate directions and crystal orientations of the piezoresistors are designed to obtain the large piezoresistive coefficients for the high sensitivities. Wheatstone bridges are used to measure the deflection angles of each direction independently and precisely. The scanner is fabricated and packaged with the piezoelectric actuator and the piezoresistors detection circuits in a size of 28 mm×20 mm×18 mm. The experiment shows that the two scanning frequencies are 216.8 Hz and 464.8 Hz, respectively. By an actuation displacement of 10 μm, the scanning range of the two-dimensional micro scanner is above 26° × 23°. The deflection angle measurement sensitivities for two directions are 59 mV/deg and 30 mV/deg, respectively.
Get the most out of blow hormones: validation of sampling materials, field storage and extraction techniques for whale respiratory vapour samples

Respiratory vapor (blow) of cetaceans may contain vital physiologic data, yet fundamental methodological issues remain to be addressed for this nascent technique. We validated sample field storage; hormone extraction methods; and assay interference from sampling materials in order to ensure that reliable hormone data is obtained from whale blow.
Gene silencing H-NS paralogue StpA forms a rigid protein filament along DNA that blocks DNA accessibility

Nucleoid-associated proteins are bacterial proteins that are responsible for chromosomal DNA compaction and global gene regulation. One such protein is Escherichia coli Histone-like nucleoid structuring protein (H-NS) which functions as a global gene silencer. Whereas the DNA-binding mechanism of H-NS is well-characterized, its paralogue, StpA which is also able to silence genes is less understood. Here we show that StpA is similar to H-NS in that it is able to form a rigid filament along DNA. In contrast to H-NS, the StpA filament interacts with a naked DNA segment to cause DNA bridging which results in simultaneous stiffening and bridging of DNA. DNA accessibility is effectively blocked after the formation of StpA filament on DNA, suggesting rigid filament formation is the important step in promoting gene silencing. We also show that >1 mM magnesium promotes higher order DNA condensation, suggesting StpA may also play a role in chromosomal DNA packaging.
Developmental Alterations and Osmoregulatory Physiology of a Larval Anuran under Osmotic Stress

Water salinity represents an environmental stress for many species. Amphibians are particularly sensitive because they are generally poor osmoregulators, and most species are completely absent from brackish and saline environments. We experimentally examined the effect of different salinity levels on larvae of the toad Bufo calamita L. , a species that occupies freshwater ponds but can also breed in brackish ponds. Two independent experiments are reported here. In both experiments, tadpoles under saline conditions (ranging between 85 and 200 mOsm) showed a slower developmental rate, metamorphosing between 4 and 9 d later than the controls. Bufo calamita tadpoles reared in brackish water increased their osmolality and solute concentration (mainly sodium and chloride), decreased their levels of glucose, and decreased the total protein content, all measured from whole‐animal extracts. Although most larval anurans are strictly ammoniotelic until the completion of metamorphosis, a few species exposed to dehydrating environments have evolved the ability to use urea as an osmolyte during the larval phase. The data presented here reveal that although B. calamita seems to be yet another exception to the rule of larval strict ammoniotelism, the tadpoles are not able to use urea as an osmolyte and rely on sodium‐chloride balance instead. Preliminary immunoassays of thyroid hormone content suggest a possible decrease in hormone levels induced in water salinity conditions that correlate with a decreased developmental rate.
ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN INTERNET ACCESS

Internet adoption has expanded rapidly in recent years and its use is been associated with the formation of social networks, the accumulation of social capital and a wage premium. Thus, lack of Internet access might reflect and even enlarge existing social inequalities. Considering the need for a better understanding of Internet inaccessibility, we investigated differences in access in relation to ethnicity. Presumably, in deeply divided societies, with a partial but significant overlap between ethnicity and the occupational structure, disadvantaged minorities lack digital access as they are concentrated in occupations that are not exposed to computers and the Internet. The hypotheses were tested with a representative sample of the Israeli population, a society deeply divided according to ethnic lines. Israeli Arabs proved less likely to have access to the Internet because they are concentrated in blue-collar occupations that do not involve work with computers and the Internet. Lack of exposure foments the development of negative attitudes to technology, which presumably deter them from adopting the Internet.
Barthel Index for Stroke Trials: Development, Properties, and Application

Background and Purpose— Robust measures of functional outcome are required to determine treatment effects in stroke trials. Of the various measures available, the Barthel index (BI) is one of the more prevalent. We aimed to describe validity, reliability, and responsiveness (clinimetric properties) of the BI in stroke trials. Methods— Narrative review of published articles describing clinimetric properties or use of the BI as a stroke trial end point. Results— Definitive statements on properties of BI are limited by heterogeneity in methodology of assessment and in the content of “BI” scales. Accepting these caveats, evidence suggests that BI is a valid measure of activities of daily living; sensitivity to change is limited at extremes of disability (floor and ceiling effects), and reliability of standard BI assessment is acceptable. However, these data may not be applicable to contemporary multicenter stroke trials. Conclusions— Substantial literature describing BI clinimetrics in stroke is available; however, questions remain regarding certain properties. The “BI” label is used for a number of instruments and we urge greater consistency in methods, content, and scoring. A 10-item scale, scoring 0 to 100 with 5-point increments, has been used in several multicenter stroke trials and it seems reasonable that this should become the uniform stroke trial BI.
Systematic Deletion Analysis of Fission Yeast Protein Kinases

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic protein kinases are key molecules mediating signal transduction that play a pivotal role in the regulation of various biological processes, including cell cycle progression, cellular morphogenesis, development, and cellular response to environmental changes. A total of 106 eukaryotic protein kinase catalytic-domain-containing proteins have been found in the entire fission yeast genome, 44% (or 64%) of which possess orthologues (or nearest homologues) in humans, based on sequence similarity within catalytic domains. Systematic deletion analysis of all putative protein kinase-encoding genes have revealed that 17 out of 106 were essential for viability, including three previously uncharacterized putative protein kinases. Although the remaining 89 protein kinase mutants were able to form colonies under optimal growth conditions, 46% of the mutants exhibited hypersensitivity to at least 1 of the 17 different stress factors tested. Phenotypic assessment of these mutants allowed us to arrange kinases into functional groups. Based on the results of this assay, we propose also the existence of four major signaling pathways that are involved in the response to 17 stresses tested. Microarray analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between the expression signature and growth phenotype of kinase mutants tested. Our complete microarray data sets are available at http://giscompute.gis. a-star.edu. sg/∼gisljh/kinome .
On the periods of the linear congruential and power generators

We consider the periods of the linear congruential and the power generators modulo $n$ and, for fixed choices of initial parameters, give lower bounds that hold for ``most'' $n$ when $n$ ranges over three different sets: the set of primes, the set of products of two primes (of similar size), and the set of all integers. For most $n$ in these sets, the period is at least $n^{1/2+\epsilon(n)}$ for any monotone function $\epsilon(n)$ tending to zero as $n$ tends to infinity. Assuming the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis, for most $n$ in these sets the period is greater than $n^{1-\epsilon}$ for any $\epsilon >0$. Moreover, the period is unconditionally greater than $n^{1/2+\delta}$, for some fixed $\delta>0$, for a positive proportion of $n$ in the above mentioned sets. These bounds are related to lower bounds on the multiplicative order of an integer $e$ modulo $p-1$, modulo $\lambda(pl)$, and modulo $\lambda(m)$ where $p,l$ range over the primes, $m$ ranges over the integers, and where $\lambda(n)$ is the order of the largest cyclic subgroup of $(\Z/n\Z)^\times$.
Long term changes in the visual fields of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy using vigabatrin

AIM To study the long term changes in the concentric contraction of the visual field in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy on vigabatrin medication. METHODS Repeated Goldmann visual field examinations were compared in 27 patients with drug resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and concentric contraction of the visual field. Two groups were studied: 16 patients who had already stopped vigabatrin medication before surgery and 11 patients who continued vigabatrin medication. RESULTS Concentric contraction of the visual field did not change in 16 patients who stopped vigabatrin before the first examination; there was slight but significant progress in visual field loss in 11 patients who continued the use of vigabatrin. CONCLUSION Long term follow up of concentric contraction in this selected group of patients indicates that vigabatrin associated visual field loss is not reversible and that progression is possible when vigabatrin is continued.
An Innovative Cloning Platform Enables Large-Scale Production and Maturation of an Oxygen-Tolerant [NiFe]-Hydrogenase from Cupriavidus necator in Escherichia coli

Expression of multiple heterologous genes in a dedicated host is a prerequisite for approaches in synthetic biology, spanning from the production of recombinant multiprotein complexes to the transfer of tailor-made metabolic pathways. Such attempts are often exacerbated, due in most cases to a lack of proper directional, robust and readily accessible genetic tools. Here, we introduce an innovative system for cloning and expression of multiple genes in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Using the novel methodology, genes are equipped with individual promoters and terminators and subsequently assembled. The resulting multiple gene cassettes may either be placed in one vector or alternatively distributed among a set of compatible plasmids. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed tool by production and maturation of the NAD+reducing soluble [NiFe]-hydrogenase (SH) from Cupriavidus necator H16 (formerly Ralstonia eutropha H16) in E. coli BL21Star™ (DE3). The SH (encoded in hoxFUYHI) was successfully matured by co-expression of a dedicated set of auxiliary genes, comprising seven hyp genes (hypC1D1E1A2B2F2X) along with hoxW, which encodes a specific endopeptidase. Deletion of genes involved in SH maturation reduced maturation efficiency substantially. Further addition of hoxN1, encoding a high-affinity nickel permease from C. necator, considerably increased maturation efficiency in E. coli. Carefully balanced growth conditions enabled hydrogenase production at high cell-densities, scoring mg·(Liter culture)−1 yields of purified functional SH. Specific activities of up to 7.2±1.15 U·mg−1 were obtained in cell-free extracts, which is in the range of the highest activities ever determined in C. necator extracts. The recombinant enzyme was isolated in equal purity and stability as previously achieved with the native form, yielding ultrapure preparations with anaerobic specific activities of up to 230 U·mg−1. Owing to the combinatorial power exhibited by the presented cloning platform, the system might represent an important step towards new routes in synthetic biology.
In vivo characterization of transplanted human embryonic stem cell‐derived pancreatic endocrine islet cells

Abstract. Objectives: Islet‐like clusters (ILCs), differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), were characterized both before and after transplantation under the kidney capsule of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic immuno‐incompetent mice. Materials and methods: Multiple independent ILC preparations (n = 8) were characterized by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and cell insulin content, with six preparations transplanted into diabetic mice (n = 42), compared to controls, which were transplanted with either a human fibroblast cell line or undifferentiated hESCs (n = 28). Results: Prior to transplantation, ILCs were immunoreactive for the islet hormones insulin, C‐peptide and glucagon, and for the ductal epithelial marker cytokeratin‐19. ILCs also had cellular insulin contents similar to or higher than human foetal islets. Expression of islet and pancreas‐specific cell markers was maintained for 70 days post‐transplantation. The mean survival of recipients was increased by transplanted ILCs as compared to transplanted human fibroblast cells (P < 0.0001), or undifferentiated hESCs (P < 0.042). Graft function was confirmed by secretion of human C‐peptide in response to an oral bolus of glucose. Conclusions: hESC‐derived ILC grafts continued to contain cells that were positive for islet endocrine hormones and were shown to be functional by their ability to secrete human C‐peptide. Further enrichment and maturation of ILCs could lead to generation of a sufficient source of insulin‐producing cells for transplantation into patients with type 1 diabetes.
Police on Camera: The Impact of Watching User-Generated Police Videos on Students’ Attitudes towards the Police

This research investigated the impact of user-generated videos on students’ attitudes towards the police. A survey was conducted at Wilfrid Laurier University in Brantford and was administered to 200 students consisting of a number of control variables such as age, race, police contact, and neighbourhood context, along with measurements of attitudes towards the police. It measured online video viewing habits along with familiarity of three online videos. Multivariate analysis showed that watching user generated videos had little to no impact on students attitudes towards the police. The analysis showed that police contact was the most influential factor in impacting attitudes towards the police. It is therefore important for police to develop positive contact opportunities with the public. VIDEO SHARING AND POLICE 3
Vibrational communication facilitates cooperative foraging in a phloem-feeding insect

Insects are the dominant herbivores in tropical forests, with a range of mechanisms for exploiting plant resources. For group-living species, such mechanisms may involve communication. The Neotropical treehopper Calloconophora pinguis (Hemiptera: Membracidae) is a sap-feeding species in which groups of siblings feed on new leaves during the brief period of leaf expansion. Using an experimental approach, a process of cooperative foraging among siblings was documented, in which a few individuals in a group behave as scouts, locating a new feeding site and advertising it using plant-borne vibrational signals. Signalling leads to a period of positive feedback in which newly recruited individuals signal in concert with those already there. The food signalling system of C. pinguis is unique in its use of synchronized group displays and in the tight coordination of receiver responses with collective signals. Examples from a number of taxonomic groups show that vibrational communication can allow group-living insects to solve the challenges of feeding on plants, such as remaining in a foraging group or avoiding predation. While most research has focused on leaf-feeding species, sap-feeding species may remove just as much biomass. This study shows that cooperative vibrational communication underlies the ability of a sap-feeding species to exploit plant resources during a narrow window of availability.