Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Choline Transport for Phospholipid Synthesis

Choline is an essential nutrient for all cells because it plays a role in the synthesis of the membrane phospholipid components of the cell membranes, as a methyl-group donor in methionine metabolism as well as in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Choline deficiency affects the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and it has been associated with liver dysfunction and cancer. Abnormal choline transport and metabolism have been implicated in a number of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Therefore, the study of choline transport and the characteristics of choline transporters are of central importance to understanding the mechanisms that underlie membrane integrity and cell signaling in such disorders. Kinetic studies with radiolabeled choline and inhibitors distinguish three systems for choline transport: (i) low-affinity facilitated diffusion, (ii) high-affinity, Na+-dependent transport, and (iii) intermediate-affinity, Na+-independent transport. It is only recently, however, that the proteins having transport characteristics of at least one of these systems have been identified. They include (i) polyspecific organic cation transporters (OCTs) with low affinity for choline, (ii) high-affinity choline transporters (CHT1s), and (iii) intermediate-affinity choline transporter-like (CTL1) proteins. CHT1 and CTL1 but not OCT transporters are selectively inhibited with hemicholinium-3 and essentially display characteristics of specialized transporters for targeted choline metabolism. CHT1 is abundant in neurons and almost exclusively supplies choline for acetylcholine synthesis. The focus here is more on newly-discovered CTL1 choline transporters. They are expressed in different organisms and cell types, apparently not for the biosynthesis of acetylcholine but for the production of the most abundant metabolite of choline, the membrane lipid phosphatidylcholine.
A monoclonal cytolytic T-lymphocyte response observed in a melanoma patient vaccinated with a tumor-specific antigenic peptide encoded by gene MAGE-3

Vaccination of melanoma patients with tumor-specific antigens recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) produces significant tumor regressions in a minority of patients. These regressions appear to occur in the absence of massive CTL responses. To detect low-level responses, we resorted to antigenic stimulation of blood lymphocyte cultures in limiting dilution conditions, followed by tetramer analysis, cloning of the tetramer-positive cells, and T-cell receptor (TCR) sequence analysis of the CTL clones that showed strict specificity for the tumor antigen. A monoclonal CTL response against a MAGE-3 antigen was observed in a melanoma patient, who showed partial rejection of a large metastasis after treatment with a vaccine containing only the tumor-specific antigenic peptide. Tetramer analysis after in vitro restimulation indicated that about 1/40,000 postimmunization CD8+ blood lymphocytes were directed against the antigen. The same TCR was present in all of the positive microcultures. TCR evaluation carried out directly on blood lymphocytes by PCR amplification led to a similar frequency estimate after immunization, whereas the TCR was not found among 2.5 × 106 CD8+ lymphocytes collected before immunization. Our results prove unambiguously that vaccines containing only a tumor-specific antigenic peptide can elicit a CTL response. Even though they provide no information about the effector mechanisms responsible for the observed reduction in tumor mass in this patient, they would suggest that low-level CTL responses can initiate tumor rejection.
Microstructure Design Method for Multineedle Whisker Radar Absorbing Material

Multineedle whisker radar absorbing material (RAM) is a new kind of stealth nanocomposite, whose radar absorbing property is a function of microstructure. The availability of appropriate simulation models taking account of the microscopic structure of such interesting composite is important for its design and performance optimization. In this letter, a novel simulation model is presented to carry out the microstructure design for improving radar absorbing performance of multineedle whisker RAM. First, this computational model is established according to equivalent medium theory and transmission line method. Then, calculative curve is compared to existing experimental data, and good agreement suggests that the proposed model can be a useful tool for microstructure optimization of this kind of RAM. Finally, the microstructures of a three-layer multineedle zinc oxide whisker (M-ZnOw) RAM are optimized by using the simulation model and particle swarm algorithm, and the numerical results demonstrate the potential of microstructure design for improving the radar absorbing property of such interesting composite.
Interfaces in the prosodic hierarchy: New structures and the phonological parser

In this paper I investigate the assignation of syllabic structure to segments in second language learners invoking principles of parsing and learnability. Drawing on the model of Phillips (1996) in parsing, and the work of Fodor (1999) and Dresher (1999) in learnability, I discuss the implications for second language learning. I also look at the question of whether new phonological structure can be triggered if that structure is lacking in the first language. Drawing on evidence from the acquisition of (1) phonological features in Japanese, Chinese and French learners of English, as well as English learners of Czech, and (2) moraic structure by an English speaker learning Japanese consonant and vowel length contrasts, I argue that second language learners can trigger new prosodic structure. The process of acquisition is a combination of acquiring new structures, and mapping the interfaces of different levels of structure via a phonological parser.
Radiologic Outcome and Patient-Reported Function After Intramedullary Nailing: A Comparison of the Retropatellar and Infrapatellar Approach

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the patient-reported functional outcomes after intramedullary nailing of the tibia through a retropatellar or infrapatellar approach. Radiographic assessment of nail entry point and accuracy of fracture reduction were included to aid in the identification of variables that may explain any difference in patient-reported outcomes. Design: A retrospective radiographic and questionnaire-based assessment of patient-reported outcomes and complications after tibial nailing for trauma or limb reconstruction through a retropatellar or infrapatellar approach. Setting: Regional limb reconstruction unit within a university teaching hospital. Patients/Participants: Two consecutive series of 38 patients with intramedullary tibial nails inserted through a retropatellar approach, and 36 patients with a tibial nail inserted through an infrapatellar approach. Intervention: Tibial nail insertion through either a retropatellar or infrapatellar approach. Main Outcome Measures: Patient-reported outcomes and complication rates and radiographic assessment of fracture reduction and nail insertion entry point. Results: No significant difference was seen in Kujala score as a measure of anterior knee pain (P = 0.217), either in the physical (P = 0.372) or mental (0.504) components of the SF-12 between the groups, although there was a trend toward symptomatic intrusive knee pain in the infrapatellar group. A more accurate fracture reduction, both in terms of angulation (P = 0.003) and translation (P = 0.010) in the coronal plane, was seen in the retropatellar group. The entry point for nail insertion was more accurate in both the sagittal (P = 0.011) and coronal (P = 0.014) planes. Conclusions: Retropatellar tibial nail insertion is not associated with more anterior knee pain when compared with infrapatellar nail insertion but is associated with more accurate nail insertion and fracture reduction. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Medicaid expansion.

AIDS Action has requested that Medicaid be expanded to cover HIV-related medical care for low-income people. They are asking that Medicaid conform to current standards for treating HIV infections, which recommend treating HIV before it progresses to AIDS. This request is in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling in [name removed] v. [Name removed]. The ruling does not have any legal effect on the Medicaid program, but it has altered the way government should view HIV disease.
Critical behavior of the two-dimensional XY model.

We present detailed Monte Carlo results for the susceptibility {chi}, correlation length {xi}, and specific heat {ital C}{sub {ital v}} for the {ital XY} model. The simulations are done on 64{sup 2}, 128{sup 2}, 256{sup 2}, and 512{sup 2} lattices over the temperature range 0.98{le}{ital T}{le}1.43 corresponding to 2{lt}{xi}{lt}70. Fits to {chi} and {xi} data favor a Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) singularity over a second-order transition; however, unconstrained four-parameter KT fits do not confirm the predicted values {nu}=0.5 and {eta}=0.25. Our best estimate, {ital T}{sub {ital c}}=0.894(5), is obtained using KT fits with {nu} fixed at 0.5. The exponent {eta} is calculated as a function of temperature in the spin-wave phase using Monte Carlo renormalization-group and finite-size-scaling methods. Both methods give consistent results and we find {eta}{approx}0.235 at {ital T}=0.894. We also present results for the behavior of vortex density across the transition and exhibit how the dilute-gas approximation breaks down.
The `Murdochization' of news? The case of Star TV in India

Global media magnate Rupert Murdoch has been a key player in the exponential growth of the Indian television market, attracted by the large and increasingly affluent urban middle classes. The success of his Star network in India reflects marketdriven strategies, which include the skilful localization of content. This article examines the case of Star News as exemplifying the trend in television news towards infotainment in the context of a more general ‘Murdochization’ of the media in India. It then goes on to analyse its impact on the quality of public discourse in television news. This, the article argues, has implications for the role of the media in a developing country where one-third of the population is illiterate.
Effects of social intention on movement kinematics in cooperative actions

Optimal control models of biological movements are used to account for those internal variables that constrain voluntary goal-directed actions. They, however, do not take into account external environmental constraints as those associated to social intention. We investigated here the effects of the social context on kinematic characteristics of sequential actions consisting in placing an object on an initial pad (preparatory action) before reaching and grasping as fast as possible the object to move it to another location (main action). Reach-to-grasp actions were performed either in an isolated condition or in the presence of a partner (audience effect), located in the near or far space (effect of shared reachable space), and who could intervene on the object in a systematic fashion (effect of social intention effect) or not (effect of social uncertainty). Results showed an absence of audience effect but nevertheless an influence of the social context both on the main and the preparatory actions. In particular, a “localized” effect of shared reachable space was observed on the main action, which was smoother when performed within the reachable space of the partner. Furthermore, a “global” effect of social uncertainty was observed on both actions with faster and jerkier movements. Finally, social intention affected the preparatory action with higher wrist displacements and slower movements when the object was placed for the partner rather than placed for self-use. Overall, these results demonstrate specific effects of action space, social uncertainty and social intention on the planning of reach-to-grasp actions, in particular on the preparatory action, which was performed with no specific execution constraint. These findings underline the importance of considering the social context in optimal models of action control for human–robot interactions, in particular when focusing on the implementation of motor parameters required to afford intuitive interactions.
Discrete-time Markov chain approach to contact-based disease spreading in complex networks

Many epidemic processes in networks spread by stochastic contacts among their connected vertices. There are two limiting cases widely analyzed in the physics literature, the so-called contact process (CP) where the contagion is expanded at a certain rate from an infected vertex to one neighbor at a time, and the reactive process (RP) in which an infected individual effectively contacts all its neighbors to expand the epidemics. However, a more realistic scenario is obtained from the interpolation between these two cases, considering a certain number of stochastic contacts per unit time. Here we propose a discrete-time formulation of the problem of contact-based epidemic spreading. We resolve a family of models, parameterized by the number of stochastic contact trials per unit time, that range from the CP to the RP. In contrast to the common heterogeneous mean-field approach, we focus on the probability of infection of individual nodes. Using this formulation, we can construct the whole phase diagram of the different infection models and determine their critical properties.
The use of dynamic O-(2-18F-fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine PET in the diagnosis of patients with progressive and recurrent glioma.

BACKGROUND We evaluated the diagnostic value of static and dynamic O-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine ((18)F-FET) PET parameters in patients with progressive or recurrent glioma. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 132 dynamic (18)F-FET PET and conventional MRI scans of 124 glioma patients (primary World Health Organization grade II, n = 55; grade III, n = 19; grade IV, n = 50; mean age, 52 ± 14 y). Patients had been referred for PET assessment with clinical signs and/or MRI findings suggestive of tumor progression or recurrence based on Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria. Maximum and mean tumor/brain ratios of (18)F-FET uptake were determined (20-40 min post-injection) as well as tracer uptake kinetics (ie, time to peak and patterns of the time-activity curves). Diagnoses were confirmed histologically (95%) or by clinical follow-up (5%). Diagnostic accuracies of PET and MR parameters for the detection of tumor progression or recurrence were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analyses/chi-square test. RESULTS Tumor progression or recurrence could be diagnosed in 121 of 132 cases (92%). MRI and (18)F-FET PET findings were concordant in 84% and discordant in 16%. Compared with the diagnostic accuracy of conventional MRI to diagnose tumor progression or recurrence (85%), a higher accuracy (93%) was achieved by (18)F-FET PET when a mean tumor/brain ratio ≥2.0 or time to peak <45 min was present (sensitivity, 93%; specificity, 100%; accuracy, 93%; positive predictive value, 100%; P < .001). CONCLUSION Static and dynamic (18)F-FET PET parameters differentiate progressive or recurrent glioma from treatment-related nonneoplastic changes with higher accuracy than conventional MRI.
Lentivirus‐Mediated Silencing of Myosin VI Inhibits Proliferation and Cell Cycle Progression in Human Lung Cancer Cells

Myosin VI (MYO6) is a unique actin motor, which moves toward the pointed ends of actin filaments. In this study, we found that MYO6 is overexpressed in lung cancer tissues and associated with lung cancer progression, particularly lymph node metastasis. To investigate its functions in lung cancer cells, we generated recombinant lentivirus taking shRNA of MYO6. Using two lung cancer cell lines, A549 and 95D, we found that Lv‐shMYO6 could infect lung cancer cells with high efficiency and downregulate MYO6 on both mRNA and protein levels. After knockdown of MYO6, the proliferation rates of lung cancer cells were decreased significantly. The colony‐formation ability of MYO6‐silenced lung cancer cells was also impaired with reduced colony numbers and fewer cells per colony. Flow cytometry showed that cell cycle progression was stuck at the G0/G1 phase, especially at the sub‐G1 phase, which represents apoptotic cells. Moreover, knockdown of MYO6 downregulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Further experiments using another shRNA of MYO6 confirmed the above results. These results suggest that MYO6 is crucial in maintaining cell cycle and cell growth of lung cancer cells. MYO6 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer treatment.
Some Geometric Clustering Problems

This paper investigates the computational complexity of several clustering problems with special objective functions for point sets in the Euclidean plane. Our strongest negative result is that clustering a set of 3k points in the plane into k triangles with minimum total circumference is NP-hard. On the other hand, we identify several special cases that are solvable in polynomial time due to the special structure of their optimal solutions: The clustering of points on a convex hull into triangles; the clustering into equal-sized subsets of points on a line or on a circle with special objective functions; the clustering with minimal cluster-distances. Furthermore, we investigate clustering of planar point sets into convex quadrilaterals.
A Universal Temperature Profile for Galaxy Clusters

We investigate the predicted present-day temperature profiles of the hot, X-ray-emitting gas in galaxy clusters for two cosmological models—a current best-guess ΛCDM model and a standard cold dark matter (SCDM) model. Our numerically simulated catalogs of clusters are derived from high-resolution (15 h-1 kpc) simulations which make use of a sophisticated, Eulerian-based, adaptive mesh-refinement code that faithfully captures the shocks that are essential for correctly modeling cluster temperatures. We show that the temperature structure on Mpc scales is highly complex and non-isothermal. However, the temperature profiles of the simulated ΛCDM and SCDM clusters are remarkably similar and drop off as T ∝ (1 + r/ax)-δ, where ax ~ rvir/1.5 and δ ~ 1.6. This decrease is in good agreement with the observational results of Markevitch et al. but diverges, primarily in the innermost regions, from their fit which assumes a polytropic equation of state. Our result is also in good agreement with a recent sample of clusters observed by BeppoSAX, though there is some indication of missing physics at small radii (r < 0.2 rvir). We discuss the interpretation of our results and make predictions for new X-ray observations that will extend to larger radii than previously possible. Finally, we show that for r > 0.2 rvir, our universal temperature profile is consistent with our most recent simulations, which include both radiative cooling and supernovae feedback.
[The associations of polymorphism of N-acetyltransferase 2 gene is associated with antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity in tuberculosis patients].

OBJECTIVE To study the possible relationship between polymorphic N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) acetylator status and antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity and to elucidate the molecular mechanism of antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity. METHODS Blood samples from 101 tuberculosis cases with antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity and from 107 tuberculosis without antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity were collected for a case-control study. DNA of the subjects was extracted and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The single nucleotide polymorphisms of NAT2 were determined by direct PCR sequencing. The genotype frequencies were compared between cases and controls by χ(2) test, using SPSS 12.0 software, and the association between the disease and genotypes was analyzed. RESULTS Among the 101 patients with antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury, 36 patients (35.6%) were found with 282 T/T, 12 (11.9%) with 590 A/A, and 48 (47.5%) with 857 G/A or A/A. However, among the 107 controls, 9 patients (8.4%) were found with 282 T/T, 3 (2.8%) with 590 A/A, and 33 (33.8%) with 857 G/A or A/A. The patients with 282 T/T, 590 A/A, or 857 G/A or A/A genotype had a higher risk of antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity than those with 282 C/C or C/T, 590 G/G or G/A, or 857 G/G, and the OR values were 6.03 (95%CI: 2.88 - 12.62; χ(2) = 22.73, P < 0.05), 4.67 (95%CI: 1.42 - 15.44; χ(2) = 6.40, P < 0.05) and 2.03 (95%CI: 1.16 - 3.57; χ(2) = 6.08, P < 0.05) respectively. There were 40 patients with slow acetylator (39.6%) in cases with hepatotoxicity and 13 with slow acetylator (12.2%) in controls without hepatotoxicity. Patients with slow acetylator genotype (OR = 4.74, 95% CI = 2.42 - 9.28; χ(2) = 20.62, P < 0.05) had a significantly higher risk of antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity than those with rapid or intermediate acetylator genotypes. Among the cases, 19.8% (20/101) were found with NAT2(*)6A/7B, and 11.9% (12/101) with NAT2(*)6A/6A, whereas among the controls, 2.8% (3/107) were found with NAT2(*)6A/7B, and 2.8% (3/107) with NAT2(*)6A/6A respectively, the patients with NAT2(*)6A/7B and NAT2(*)6A/6A had a much higher risk of antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity, and the OR values were 8.40 (95%CI: 2.85 - 24.73; χ(2) = 14.90, P < 0.05) and 4.67 (95%CI: 1.42 - 15.44; χ(2) = 6.40, P < 0.05) respectively. CONCLUSION Perhaps, the slow acetylation genotypes of NAT2 were the main risk factors of developing antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity.
Education Matters: Global Schooling Gains from the 19th to the 21st Century

Education has significant and far-reaching effects not only on individuals, but also on the societies in which they live and to which they contribute. The education level of a population affects how a country supports itself and others and the degree to which it can participate in the global field. While everyone from politicians to policymakers to celebrities has stressed the importance of education, there has not been-until now-a vigorous yet comprehensible examination of data to support what has long been common knowledge: education matters. In Education Matters: Global Gains from the 19th to the 21st Century, renowned economists Robert Barro and Jong-Wha Lee present a revolutionary new data set on education in 146 countries since 1870 and projected through 2040. With case studies from the United States, China, and Korea, Barro and Lee evaluate schooling both quantitatively and qualitatively and assess the role of education in political development. The book also addresses sensitive and controversial topics, such as international disparities in education and the role of education in modernization and development. Both challenging and enlightening, Education Matters has exciting implications for the future of education and promises to be a ground-breaking work in the fields of economics and educational attainment. In this comprehensive study, Barro and Lee establish the critical role that education plays - particularly for women and girls - in economic growth, fertility, and democracy. Engaging and informative, Education Matters is a compelling read for students, scholars, and anyone with a passion for education. Available in OSO: