Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The transmembrane domain of N –acetylglucosaminyltransferase I is the key determinant for its Golgi subcompartmentation

Golgi-resident type–II membrane proteins are asymmetrically distributed across the Golgi stack. The intrinsic features of the protein that determine its subcompartment-specific concentration are still largely unknown. Here, we used a series of chimeric proteins to investigate the contribution of the cytoplasmic, transmembrane and stem region of Nicotiana benthamiana N–acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnTI) for its cis/medial-Golgi localization and for protein–protein interaction in the Golgi. The individual GnTI protein domains were replaced with those from the well-known trans-Golgi enzyme α2,6–sialyltransferase (ST) and transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Using co-localization analysis and N–glycan profiling, we show that the transmembrane domain of GnTI is the major determinant for its cis/medial-Golgi localization. By contrast, the stem region of GnTI contributes predominately to homomeric and heteromeric protein complex formation. Importantly, in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana, a chimeric GnTI variant with altered sub-Golgi localization was not able to complement the GnTI-dependent glycosylation defect. Our results suggest that sequence-specific features in the transmembrane domain of GnTI account for its steady-state distribution in the cis/medial-Golgi in plants, which is a prerequisite for efficient N–glycan processing in vivo.
Activity in the lateral occipital cortex between 200 and 300 ms distinguishes between physically identical seen and unseen stimuli

There is converging evidence that electrophysiological responses over posterior cortical regions in the 200–300 ms range distinguish between physically identical stimuli that reach consciousness or remain unseen. Here, we attempt at determining the sources of this awareness-related activity using magneto-encephalographic (MEG). Fourteen subjects were presented with faint colored gratings at threshold for contrast and reported on each trial whether the grating was seen or unseen. Subjects were primed with a color cue that could be congruent or incongruent with the color of the grating, to probe to what extent two co-localized features (color and orientation) would be bound in consciousness. The contrast between neural responses to seen and unseen physically identical gratings revealed a sustained posterior difference between 190 and 350 ms, thereby replicating prior studies. We further show that the main sources of the awareness-related activity were localized bilaterally on the lateral convexity of the occipito-temporal region, in the Lateral Occipital (LO) complex, as well as in the right posterior infero-temporal region. No activity differentiating seen and unseen trials could be observed in frontal or parietal regions in this latency range, even at lower threshold. Color congruency did not improve grating's detection, and the awareness-related activity was independent from color congruency. However, at the neural level, color congruency was processed differently in grating-present and grating-absent trials. The pattern of results suggests the existence of a neural process of color congruency engaging left parietal regions that is affected by the mere presence of another feature, whether this feature reaches consciousness or not. Altogether, our results reveal an occipital source of visual awareness insensitive to color congruency, and a simultaneous parietal source not engaged in visual awareness, but sensitive to the manipulation of co-localized features.
Social Shaping &amp; Standardization: A Case Study from Auto Industry

Inter-organizational collaboration requires systems interoperability which is not possible in the absence of common standards. However, empirical research has shown that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) standards can be a major barrier in the progress of Information Technology (IT)-enabled inter-organizational collaboration. Though often portrayed as a narrow technical matter, standard setting is a complex social process, shaped by an array of factors and representing embodiments of social relationships between the actors. This paper approaches standardization from a Social Shaping of Technology (SST) perspective. The paper explores the characteristics and factors that shape the development and implementation of a standard in the case of a portal implementation in the automotive industry.
Vision and Driving after Stroke

Driving a car is often an essential part of maintaining mobility and quality of life, but after a stroke many are forced to cease driving. Homonymous visual field defects (HVFDs) and unilateral spatial neglect (USN) are common sequelae of stroke. For people with HVFDs a legal threshold for extent of field loss exists beyond which a person is not allowed to drive, and most people with clinically detectable USN are also censured from driving. However, some people with HVFDs have been deemed safe to drive, and some with USN have shown normal performance on other skilled visuo-motor tasks. It seems that there is great variation in abilities across individuals with HVFDs and USN, and driving performance cannot be predicted from simple measures such as extent of visual field loss. Several studies have suggested that compensatory eye-movement strategies (particularly saccades into the affected visual field) may be linked with functional improvements post-stroke. This thesis investigates whether eye-movement behaviours are important for stroke patients performing skilled actions such as driving. To test this theory 18 people with HVFDs and/or USN following a stroke and 18 older adult controls were recruited. A series of behavioural measures were taken using a battery of tests: Cognitive and visuospatial measures from classic pen and paper tasks and visual field mapping, saccadic and smooth pursuit accuracy, visual search, simulated steering and simulated hazard perception measures. Across these measures there was a consistent theme that impairments to perception-action functions varied considerably across participants with stroke, but that some individuals were able to function remarkably well. Compensatory eye movement patterns were observed in many, and driving performance was predicted to some extent by saccadic accuracy and visual search performance. The implications are discussed with respect to using eye-movements as a potential target for rehabilitation treatment.
How Short is Too Short According to Parents of Primary Care Patients.

OBJECTIVE Height is a physical trait on a continuum. The threshold between normal and abnormal is arbitrarily set but can potentially influence medical decision-making. We sought to examine parents' perceptions of adult heights and associated demographic factors. METHODS Parents of pediatric primary care patients of various heights completed a one-time survey. Parents answered the question "How short is too short? " for adult males and females. The results were summarized as median [interquartile range]. Factors significantly associated with height threshold by simple linear regression were included in a multivariable mixed effects analysis of covariance model. RESULTS A total of 1,820 surveys were completed (83% response rate; 1,587 females, 231 males). The median threshold height deemed too short for adult females was 56 inches [48, 59] among male respondents and 57 inches [50, 60] among females (P<.05). The median threshold height for adult males was 61 inches among males [60, 64] and females [59, 66] (P<.05). The median of male minus female heights per respondent (delta heights) was 5 [2, 7] inches. Factors found to be significant main effects in a parsimonious model were sex of the adult considered, height of respondent, sex of respondent, respondent race, primary care practice, income, and having concerns about their child's height. CONCLUSION Taller acceptable height thresholds were perceived by respondents who were taller, wealthier, white, female, from nonurban practices, or who had a personal concern about their child's height. Male heights were expected to be taller than female heights. Such traits may influence who is concerned and more likely to seek medical treatment for their children.
Assessing Professional Competence by Using Occupational Judgment Tests Derived From Job Analysis Questionnaires

Abstract : Based on the historical success of job analysis questionnaires and the related expectation that respondents with technical expertise are required to obtain valid job analysis ratings data, we hypothesized that these questionnaires can be converted into judgment tests to measure individual differences in occupational expertise. As an initial test of this hypothesis, Occupational Judgment Tests (OJTs) were derived from job analysis questionnaires, and job incumbents were asked to objectively rate the frequency of job tasks and the importance of employee attributes to occupational performance. The OJTs required 3 minutes to complete, were administered to 302 job incumbents from four diverse occupations, and were scored using consensually derived standards and through factor analysis. As hypothesized, OJT consensus-based scores were valid against measures of incumbent job knowledge (p = .34 to .35), cognitive aptitude (p = .17 to .25), and career attitudes (p = .19). OJT factor scores were valid against career attitudes (p = .21 to .29). This method provides broadly sensitive and inexpensive measures of job competence that could expand the predictor and criterion space in personnel selection studies for many occupations.
Social and cultural aspects of language learning in study abroad

1. Acknowledgement 2. Part I. Orientation 3. Introduction: Social and cultural aspects of language learning in study abroad (by Kinginger, Celeste) 4. Researching whole people and whole lives (by Coleman, James A.) 5. Part II. Qualitative and case studies 6. Self-regulatory strategies of foreign language learners: From the classroom to study abroad and beyond (by Allen, Heather Willis) 7. "Opening up to the world"? : Developing interculturality in an international field experience for ESL teachers (by Smolcic, Elizabeth) 8. Politics of identification in the use of lingua francas in student mobility to Finland and France (by Dervin, Fred) 9. An American in Paris: Myth, desire, and subjectivity in one student's account of study abroad in France (by Wolcott, Timothy) 10. Exploring the potential of high school homestays as a context for local engagement and negotiation of difference: Americans in China (by Tan, Dali) 11. The transformation of "a frog in the well": A path to a more intercultural, global mindset (by Jackson, Jane) 12. Part III. Pragmatics and identity 13. "I joke you don't": Second language humor and intercultural identity construction (by Shardakova, Maria) 14. Getting over the hedge: Acquisition of mitigating language in L2 Japanese (by Iwasaki, Noriko) 15. Identity and honorifics use in Korean study abroad (by Brown, Lucien) 16. A corpus-based study of vague language use by learners of Spanish in a study abroad context (by Fernandez, Julieta) 17. Afterword (by Kinginger, Celeste) 18. Name index 19. Subject index
Mitochondrial amplification of death signals determines thymidine kinase/ganciclovir-triggered activation of apoptosis.

Previous clinical experience shows that the efficacy of suicide gene transfer in tumor therapy is limited, resulting from inefficient gene transfer or alternatively, from intrinsic resistance of the tumor in vivo. Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (TK/GCV), a paradigmatic suicide gene therapy system, has been described to exert its cytotoxic effect, at least in part, by inducing apoptosis in target cells. Here, we report that mitochondria amplify TK/GCV-induced apoptosis by regulating p53 accumulation and the effector phase of apoptosis. Treatment with TK/GCV led to mitochondrial perturbations including loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, inducing caspase activation and nuclear fragmentation. Inhibition of TK/GCV-induced mitochondrial perturbations by Bcl-2 overexpression or by the mitochondrion-specific inhibitor bongkrekic acid also strongly inhibited TK/GCV-induced activation of caspases and apoptosis. TK/GCV-induced mitochondrial perturbations depended on caspase activity possibly initiated by death receptor signaling. Perturbation of mitochondrial function mediated accumulation of wild-type p53 protein, since Bcl-2 overexpression, bongkrekic acid, or inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis with chloramphenicol strongly reduced TK/GCV-induced accumulation of wild-type p53 protein. These findings suggest that TK/GCV therapy may be less efficient in tumors in which the mitochondrial amplification of TK/GCV-induced apoptosis is blocked, e.g., by Bcl-2 overexpression. Given the low efficacy of currently used gene therapy systems, our data on molecular mechanisms that regulate sensitivity or resistance toward TK/GCV-induced cytotoxicity might have important implications to improve the clinical application of suicide gene therapy.
Rethinking Friendship: Hidden Solidarities Today

Foreword ix Acknowledgements xi INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER ONE: The Fragmentation of Social Life? 9 CHAPTER TWO: Capturing Personal Communities 32 CHAPTER THREE: The Nature of Friendship 57 CHAPTER FOUR: Patterns of Friend-Making 87 CHAPTER FIVE: Friends and Family: The Case for Suffusion 108 CHAPTER SIX: Personal Communities Today 128 CHAPTER SEVEN: Micro-SocialWorlds in theMaking 156 CHAPTER EIGHT: Hidden Solidarities Revealed 190 APPENDIX: HowWe Carried Out Our Study 213 Notes 241 Index 293
Clinical Outcomes After Evaluation of Stable Chest Pain by Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography Versus Usual Care: A Meta-Analysis

Background—Limited data exist on how noninvasive testing options compare for evaluating patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease. In this study, we have performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the use of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) with usual care. Methods and Results—We systematically searched databases for randomized clinical trials comparing coronary CTA with usual care for the evaluation of stable chest pain with follow-up for cardiovascular outcomes. The primary outcomes were myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality. We identified 4 randomized clinical trials, including a total of 7403 patients undergoing coronary CTA and 7414 patients undergoing usual care with various functional testing approaches. When compared with usual care, the use of coronary CTA was associated with a significant reduction in the annual rate of myocardial infarction (rate ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.49–0.98; P=0.038), but no difference was found in all-cause mortality. There was a trend toward more invasive coronary angiographies among patients undergoing coronary CTA (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.95–1.84; P=0.09) and higher use of coronary revascularizations (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–2.75). Significant heterogeneity for invasive coronary angiography and revascularization was noted, which was attributable to the Scottish Computed Tomography of the HEART (SCOT-HEART) study. We found no difference in the rate of admission for cardiac chest pain (rate ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.95–1.54). Conclusions—In comparison to usual care, an initial investigation of suspected stable coronary artery disease using coronary CTA resulted in a significant reduction in myocardial infarction, an increased incidence of coronary revascularization, and no effect in all-cause mortality. Future studies should further define whether the potential reduction in myocardial infarction identified justifies the increased resource utilization associated with coronary CTA.
A Study of Self-Efficacy of Chinese Students in English Study

The purpose of the study was to investigate the self-efficacy of Chinese students in their English study. The sample included 250 third-year students at one Teacher College in China selected by simple random sampling. Questionnaires were used as research tools and consisted of two sections: the General Self-efficacy Scale and Self-efficacy Scale in English learning. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients of the first and the second sections were 0.78 and 0.84 respectively. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient. The major results of this study showed that students in this college had high self-efficacy in dealing with problems in their daily life; whereas, they had low self-efficacy in their English study.
Multiple-Symbol Detection for Photon-Counting Free-Space Optical Communications

Free-space optics (FSO) have received increased attention recently for last-mile, line-of-sight wireless links. In this paper, we employ a photon-counting signal model of an FSO system and investigate noncoherent detection, i.e. detection assuming the absence of channel state information at the receiver, of on-off keying (OOK). To partially recover the performance loss associated with symbol-by-symbol noncoherent detection, we consider the application of multiple-symbol detection (MSD), in which block-wise decisions are made using an observation window of N bit intervals. We develop a fast search algorithm for optimal MSD, which corresponds to a fixed bit-wise implementation complexity effectively independent of N. Furthermore, we obtain performance expressions for an ideal decision-feedback receiver, which serve as an upper bound to the performance of the MSD receiver. Analytical and simulation results indicate that the performance of the MSD receiver approaches the coherent detection lower bound with increasing N.
A Probe-Based Harmonic Balance Method to Simulate Coupled Oscillators

The probe-based harmonic balance (HB) method is a well-known and largely used tool to compute the steady state behavior of autonomous circuits (oscillators). In this paper, the method is extended to analyze coupled oscillators, where the working frequencies and conditions, i.e., pulling and locking modes, have great relevance. It is shown that probe insertion can be considered as a specific matrix-bordering technique applied to the Jacobian matrix of the HB method. It transforms the original coupled autonomous system in a non-autonomous one, forcing the circuit to lock to the probes themselves. In this context, a novel approach to find the steady state solution is introduced. This approach exploits the properties of the power exchanged among the probes and the coupled oscillators. Possibly, more than one steady state solution with the oscillators working in pulling or locking modes can be found.
Interhemispheric transmission time in persons with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND The study of cerebral specialization in persons with Down syndrome (DS) has revealed an anomalous pattern of organization. Specifically, persons with DS elicit a right cerebral hemisphere lateralization for receptive language and a left cerebral hemisphere lateralization for the production of simple and complex movements: a pattern quite different from the left hemisphere lateralization typically characterizing the aforementioned processes in the non-DS population. It is thought that the putative separation between speech perception and movement planning systems as well as the cost of interhemispheric integration impedes verbal-motor behaviours in persons with DS. Moreover, morphological anomalies of callosal structure may further amplify between-hemisphere communication difficulties in the DS population. In the present investigation, we employed a behavioural technique (i.e. the Poffenberger paradigm; Poffenberger) to determine whether global anomalies of callosal structure further amplify deficits in interhemispheric communication. METHODS Fourteen individuals with DS and 25 chronological age-matched and gender-equated participants without intellectual disability performed a visuomotor reaction time (RT) test with their left or right hand to visual stimuli appearing left or right of visual fixation. Typically it is reported that responses to visual stimuli appearing ipsilateral to the responding hand (i.e. the uncrossed condition) are faster than responses wherein visual stimuli and responding hand are contralaterally mapped (i.e. the crossed condition). The increased RT associated with the crossed condition is reported on the order of 4 ms and has been interpreted to reflect the physiological result of interhemispheric transmission. RESULTS Not surprisingly persons with DS exhibited slower and more variable RTs relative to control counterparts. In addition, a reliable RT advantage favouring the uncrossed conditions was observed among control participants but not persons with DS. CONCLUSIONS In keeping with the extant literature, RT performance of the DS group was slower and more variable than control counterparts. This finding has been interpreted to reflect an 'adaptive reaction' wherein the perceptual-motor abilities of persons with DS are not optimized to respond to externally paced stimuli. In terms of evaluating interhemispheric transmission via the Poffenberger paradigm, our results show the finite measures of explicit brain-behaviour relations characterizing so-called healthy controls are not always tenable in the DS population. Indeed, we believe such a finding underpins the aforementioned 'adaptive reaction' exemplifying preferred movement control in persons with DS.
Comparing the Decision Making of Specialized Courts and General Courts: An Exploration of Tax Decisions

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is a unique federal agency because it is subject to the jurisdiction of different trial courts, the two most important of which are the United States Tax Court, a specialized court of limited jurisdiction, and the United States District Court, a court of general jurisdiction. This article offers an exploratory comparison of the tax-case decision-making process of the United States Tax Court and the United States District Courts. Using data from 1996 and 1997, the article examines the differences in decision making of these courts, specifically focusing on expertise and ideology. The United States Tax Court uses its expertise and lack of realistic structural or hierarchical constraints to decide the cases in a far more ideological manner than does the district court; this is consistent with the complexity and political nature of tax assessment and tax collection.
Temperature-dependent electron mobility in InAs nanowires

Effective electron mobilities are obtained by transport measurements on InAs nanowire field-effect transistors at temperatures ranging from 10 to 200 K. The mobility increases with temperatures below ∼30–50 K, and then decreases with temperatures above 50 K, consistent with other reports. The magnitude and temperature dependence of the observed mobility can be explained by Coulomb scattering from ionized surface states at typical densities. The behaviour above 50 K is ascribed to the thermally activated increase in the number of scatterers, although nanoscale confinement also plays a role as higher radial subbands are populated, leading to interband scattering and a shift of the carrier distribution closer to the surface. Scattering rate calculations using finite-element simulations of the nanowire transistor confirm that these mechanisms are able to explain the data.