Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Chronic Sleep Deprivation on the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathway in the Temporomandibular Joint of Rats

Objectives To examine the possible involvement and regulatory mechanisms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of rats subjected to chronic sleep deprivation (CSD). Methods Rats were subjected to CSD using the modified multiple platform method (MMPM). The serum levels of corticosterone (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were tested and histomorphology and ultrastructure of the TMJ were observed. The ERK and phospho-ERK (p-ERK) expression levels were detected by Western blot analysis, and the MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 expression levels were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. Results The elevated serum CORT and ACTH levels confirmed that the rats were under CSD stress. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed pathological alterations in the TMJ following CSD; furthermore, the p-ERK was activated and the mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 were upregulated after CSD. In the rats administered with the selective ERK inhibitor U0126, decreased tissue destruction was observed. Phospho-ERK activation was visibly blocked and the MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 mRNA and protein levels were lower than the corresponding levels in the CSD without U0126 group. Conclusion These findings indicate that CSD activates the ERK pathway and upregulates the MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 mRNA and protein levels in the TMJ of rats. Thus, CSD induces ERK pathway activation and causes pathological alterations in the TMJ. ERK may be associated with TMJ destruction by promoting the expression of MMPs.
An Enhanced Energy-Efficient Protocol with Static Clustering for WSN

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), consisting of a large number of sensor nodes connected through wireless medium has emerged as a ground-breaking technology that offers the unprecedented ability to monitor the physical world accurately. Because of resource-constrained nature of sensor nodes, a number of issues have emerged out of which energy-efficiency is an important matter of concern. In this work, we propose an energy-efficient routing scheme called Enhanced Energy-Efficient Protocol with Static Clustering (E3PSC) which is basically a modification of an existing routing scheme, Energy-Efficient Protocol with Static Clustering (EEPSC). Similar to EEPSC, the present work partitions the network into distance-based static clusters. However, unlike EEPSC, cluster-head selection is performed by taking into account both the spatial distribution of sensors nodes in network and their residual energy with an objective to reduce the intra-cluster communication overhead among the nodes making the scheme more energy-efficient. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis is performed to establish our claim of energy efficiency of the proposed scheme. A set of experiments is carried out to evaluate the performance of the scheme and to compare the results with EEPSC. Based on our experimental results, it has been found that E3PSC outperforms EEPSC in terms of network lifetime and energy consumption.
Building an Infrastructure for Empirical Research on Social Enterprise: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract Purpose Despite the increase in empirical studies of social enterprise in management and organization research, the lack of a cohesive knowledge base in this area is concerning. In this chapter, we propose that the underdevelopment of the attendant research infrastructure is an important, but oft-overlooked, barrier to the development of this body of empirical research. Design/methodology We explore this proposition through a review of 55 empirical studies of social enterprises published in the last fifteen years, in which we examine the mix and trajectory of research methods used and the research infrastructure on which these studies depend. Findings We find that empirical research has used social enterprise largely as a context for theory development, rather than deductively testing, and thus building upon, existing theories. The latter pattern is due largely to the absence of two key dimensions of infrastructure: well-defined samples, and consistent, operational measures of social enterprise success. Finally, we identify present trends along both dimensions that contribute to changing the research infrastructure for empirical social enterprise research. Originality/value Our analysis highlights the critical need for research infrastructure to advance empirical research on social enterprise. From this perspective, research infrastructure-building provides an important opportunity for researchers interested in social enterprise and others interested in enabling high-quality empirical research in this setting.
Distributed Leadership and its Impact on Teaching and Learning

Distributed leadership has been the subject of considerable educational research and discourse in recent years. This thesis explores how it is understood in the Irish post primary school context, with particular reference to its impact on teaching and learning. A study of distributed leadership is particularly timely, as a number of international studies have highlighted the need for leadership to be distributed throughout the organisation with a view to improving student outcomes. Following a preliminary study in one school, the research focused on a study of three schools. As the issues emerged, it became evident that by moving beyond case study to cross-school participation there would be a richer dialogue, participants would learn from each other and impetus would be created for further action. Therefore, three different crossschool focus group discussions were held: one with principals and deputy principals, one with teachers holding posts of responsibility and one with teachers not holding posts of responsibility. Although holding very different positions of leadership in their schools, principals, deputy principals and teachers shared a common understanding of distributed leadership. The term was understood to incorporate four dimensions: leadership roles (which may be formal or informal), individual traits (particularly those related to influencing others), having a sense of belonging to the school organisation and supporting the development of leadership capacity in individuals. While this study revealed that in general, teachers in each of the three schools perceive distributed leadership to be necessary and positive, this is not always matched by their experience of leadership practices. Principals acknowledged their role in leading learning and in developing leadership capacity among teachers. They highlighted two key areas: a more intentional focus on teaching and learning within the post of responsibility and subject department structures; and the development of individual leadership skills and talents among teachers. These provide opportunities for the exercise of leadership in informal as well as formal roles and actions. Participation in this study was part of a journey of leadership development in each school and is a stepping stone to further action. This research points to the usefulness of distributed leadership as a lens to analyse teaching and learning and presents hypotheses on leadership practices that could form the basis for empirical research.
EspJ of enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli inhibits opsono-phagocytosis

A key strategy in microbial pathogenesis is the subversion of the first line of cellular immune defences presented by professional phagocytes. Enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC and EHEC respectively) remain extracellular while colonizing the gut mucosa by attaching and effacing mechanism. EPEC use the type three secretion system effector protein EspF to prevent their own uptake into macrophages. EPEC can also block in trans the internalization of IgG‐opsonized particles. In this study, we show that EspJ is the type three secretion system effector protein responsible for trans‐inhibition of macrophage opsono‐phagocytosis by both EPEC and EHEC. While EspF plays no role in trans‐inhibition of opsono‐phagocytosis, espJ mutants of EPEC or EHEC are unable to block uptake of opsonized sheep red blood cells (RBC), a phenotype that is rescued upon complementation with the espJ gene. Importantly, ectopic expression of EspJEHEC in phagocytes is sufficient to inhibit internalization of both IgG‐ and C3bi‐opsonized RBC. These results suggest that EspJ targets a basic mechanism common to these two unrelated phagocytic receptors. Moreover, EspF and EspJ target independent aspects of the phagocytic function of mammalian macrophages in vitro.
Progesterone Receptors Upregulate Wnt-1 To Induce Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Transactivation and c-Src-Dependent Sustained Activation of Erk1/2 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Breast Cancer Cells

ABSTRACT Progesterone receptor (PR) ligand binding induces rapid and transient (5- to 10-min) activation of cytosolic c-Src-Ras-Erk1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling that is independent of PR functioning as transcription factors. Here, we have explored the integration of PR-dependent transcription and rapid signaling events in breast cancer cells. PR-B, but not PR-A, induced robust and sustained (6- to 72-h) Erk1/2 activation that was required for elevated cyclin D1 protein but not mRNA levels. Sustained Erk1/2 activation in response to progestins occurred via a novel mechanism distinct from rapid signaling initiated by PR/c-Src interactions and required the PR-B DNA-binding domain (DBD). PR/progestin upregulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Wnt-1. In response to PR-induced Wnt-1 signaling, matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-mediated membrane-proximal shedding of EGFR ligands transactivated EGFR and induced persistent downstream c-Src and Erk1/2 activities. T47D cell anchorage-independent growth was stimulated by progestins and blocked by inhibition of Erk1/2, c-Src, EGFR, or RNA interference of Wnt-1. Similarly, cell growth in soft agar required the PR DBD but was sensitive to disruption of PR/c-Src interactions, suggesting that both PR-B-induced rapid signaling events and nuclear actions contribute to this response. Our discovery that progestins are capable of robust autocrine activation of EGFR and sustained Erk1/2 signaling provides further support for the physiological linkage of growth factor and steroid hormone signaling. PR-B-induced sustained MAPK signaling may provide prosurvival or proliferative advantages to early breast cancer lesions.
Cohomology of SL(2,C) character varieties of surface groups and the action of the Torelli group

We determine the action of the Torelli group on the equivariant cohomology of the space of flat SL(2,C) connections on a closed Riemann surface. We show that the trivial part of the action contains the equivariant cohomology of the even component of the space of flat PSL(2,C) connections. The non-trivial part consists of the even alternating products of degree two Prym representations, so that the kernel of the action is precisely the Prym-Torelli group. We compute the Betti numbers of the ordinary cohomology of the moduli space of flat SL(2,C) connections. Using results of Cappell-Lee-Miller we show that the Prym-Torelli group, which acts trivially on equivariant cohomology, acts non-trivially on ordinary cohomology.
Challenges facing the implementation of a parenting programme within a mainstream school setting

During the period of the Labour government schools were actively encouraged, and funded, to provide extended services to support parents. A number of schools decided to support families through the delivery of parenting programmes. Given that there was a paucity of research into parenting programmes when delivered in universal population samples in mainstream school settings this research seeks to gain understanding of their impact in this context. The research examined a cohort of parents participating in a programme in a mainstream school setting. In addition, key policy makers, both locally and nationally, were interviewed in order to garner knowledge of the influences on delivering parenting programmes. The research concluded that national policy was moving from a ‘reactionary’ to a ‘preventative’ model of delivering parenting programmes; this was being replicated in the local authority examined. Funding mechanisms for school had recently changed, removing the necessity for schools to support families; equally Ofsted was placing less emphasis on this aspect of the work of a school. Qualitative data in the fieldwork suggested there had been some improvements in the relationship between the parents and children studied; quantifiable data and evidence for improvements in the children’s behaviour at the school was less robust.
The Economics of New Technology Adaptation and Adoption

Adaptation is a critical aspect of applied agricultural research but is one that should be better understood. Accordingly, its dimensions are explored here through analogies with the adaptive behaviour of a person seeking a change in employment. A similar process is then used to illustrate the sequential phases of the adoption of a new technique by farmer-in this case through analogy with the purchase of an automobile. Although adaptation and adoption are quite different phases of the implementation of new technology, their economics are closely interrelated, since an ex ante investigation of the economics of adoption is a necessary consideration in the ex ante appraisal of a process of adaptive research.
All-Cause Mortality Risk of Metabolically Healthy Obese Individuals in NHANES III

Mortality risk across metabolic health-by-BMI categories in NHANES-III was examined. Metabolic health was defined as: (1) homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) <2.5; (2) ≤2 Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III metabolic syndrome criteria; (3) combined definition using ≤1 of the following: HOMA-IR ≥1.95 (or diabetes medications), triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol/L, HDL-C <1.04 mmol/L (males) or <1.30 mmol/L (females), LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L, and total cholesterol ≥5.2 mmol/L (or cholesterol-lowering medications). Hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality were estimated with Cox regression models. Nonpregnant women and men were included (n = 4373, mean ± SD, age 37.1 ± 10.9 years, BMI 27.3 ± 5.8 kg/m2, 49.4% female). Only 40 of 1160 obese individuals were identified as MHO by all definitions. MHO groups had superior levels of clinical risk factors compared to unhealthy individuals but inferior levels compared to healthy lean groups. There was increased risk of all-cause mortality in metabolically unhealthy obese participants regardless of definition (HOMA-IR HR 2.07 (CI 1.3–3.4), P < 0.01; ATP-III HR 1.98 (CI 1.4–2.9), P < 0.001; combined definition HR 2.19 (CI 1.3–3.8), P < 0.01). MHO participants were not significantly different from healthy lean individuals by any definition. While MHO individuals are not at significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality, their clinical risk profile is worse than that of metabolically healthy lean individuals.
Heat shock response: presence and effects in burn patient neutrophils

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are present in neutrophils (PMNs) from critically ill patients. We investigated whether HSPs were present in PMNs from burn patients and whether heat shock contributed to the functional defects observed in burn PMNs. Using both flow cytometry and Western blot techniques it was observed that inducible HSP72 (iHSP72) was present in PMNs and leukocytes from burn patients, especially in patients with inhalation injury. Similar to burn PMNs, and in contrast to normal cells, heat shocked PMNs (43° incubation) expressed iHSP72 and were unable to increase the expression of CD11b/CD18 in response to pro‐inflammatory stimuli. Degranulation after pro‐inflammatory stimuli was decreased for both burn‐ and heat‐shocked PMNs when compared to normal controls. In burn PMNs these functional abnormalities were mainly due to decreased quantities of proteins (CD11b, albumin, B12 binding protein, β‐glucuronidase) present within cytoplasmic granules. However, in heat‐shocked PMNs the abnormalities were primarily related to abnormal exocytosis. In conclusion, our data show that decreased quantities of cytoplasmic granule proteins and, to a smaller degree, defective exocytosis are involved in the functional abnormalities observed in burn PMNs. J. Leukoc. Biol. 66: 773–780; 1999.
Learning dynamic Boltzmann machines with spike-timing dependent plasticity

We propose a particularly structured Boltzmann machine, which we refer to as a dynamic Boltzmann machine (DyBM), as a stochastic model of a multi-dimensional time-series. The DyBM can have infinitely many layers of units but allows exact and efficient inference and learning when its parameters have a proposed structure. This proposed structure is motivated by postulates and observations, from biological neural networks, that the synaptic weight is strengthened or weakened, depending on the timing of spikes (i.e., spike-timing dependent plasticity or STDP). We show that the learning rule of updating the parameters of the DyBM in the direction of maximizing the likelihood of given time-series can be interpreted as STDP with long term potentiation and long term depression. The learning rule has a guarantee of convergence and can be performed in a distributed matter (i.e., local in space) with limited memory (i.e., local in time).
Scattering configuration spaces

For a compact manifold with boundary $X$ we introduce the $n$-fold scattering stretched product $X^n_{\text{sc}}$ which is a compact manifold with corners for each $n,$ coinciding with the previously known cases for $n=2,3. $ It is constructed by iterated blow up of boundary faces and boundary faces of multi-diagonals in $X^n. $ The resulting space is shown to map smoothly, by a b-fibration, covering the usual projection, to the lower stretched products. It is anticipated that this manifold with corners, or at least its combinatorial structure, is a universal model for phenomena on asymptotically flat manifolds in which particle clusters emerge at infinity. In particular this is the case for magnetic monopoles on $\mathbb{R}^3$ in which case these spaces are closely related to compactifications of the moduli spaces with the boundary faces mapping to lower charge idealized moduli spaces.
A Robust Numerical Method for Stokes Equations Based on Divergence-Free H(div) Finite Element Methods

A computational method based on a divergence-free $H$(div) approach is presented for the Stokes equations in this article. This method is designed to find velocity approximation in an exact divergence-free subspace of the corresponding $H$(div) finite element space. That is, the continuity equation is strongly enforced a priori and the pressure is eliminated from the linear system in calculation. A strength of this approach is that the saddle-point problem for Stokes equations is reduced to a symmetric positive definite problem in a subspace for which basis functions are readily available. The resulting discrete system can then be solved by using existing sophisticated solvers. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of $H$(div) finite element methods for Stokes equations. The results not only confirm the existing theoretical results but also reveal additional advantages of the method in dealing with discontinuous boundary conditions.
Methods and Algorithms for Searching Arabic Name Entity

This research paper is an attempt to revise the basic algorithms which have been developed for name matching, such as English Soundx and n-gram. It’s an attempt to developed the basic algorithms to process the Arabic names . The main objective of this work is to develop new algorithm to improve the name matching for Arabic names . The developed algorithm could be used also to process other names from other languages . It’s an attempt to develop and enhance work places who in charge to collect customer information such as Civil Service Department ,Bank Systems ,and other organizations. This work will study and analyze the most common used algorithms that used to process personal names. For this purpose this wok builds database of specific Arabic names of 6753 along with 93 training queries and 60 test queries. The basic rustles are based on the comparative analysis of ASoundx and n-gram algorithm respectively . Recall and precision measuring effectiveness have been used to evaluate the proposed algorithm. The obtained results are superior to existing approaches . This work also develop a special software that could be used by entry data worker to help them to process and to select the proper personal Arabic name entry for a particular client . General Terms Arabic name matching, Recall, Precision , Algorithms.
Analysis of adhoc routing protocols: A retrospective view

Adhoc networking field has been interestingly accepted by the research society due to its surprising features. Almost every aspect of the network has been explored by the researchers at some level of detail. A lot of analyses/surveys have been presented in the literature for showing the performance of well accepted adhoc routing protocols viz. AODV, DSR, AOMDV, CBRP etc. This paper presents some rationale behind these analyses and identifies certain open routing issues which are yet to be worked upon. This work has been done to show and believe that routing in Mobile Adhoc Networks (MANETs) may continue to be an active research effort for the years to come.
Protein Kinase C (cid:2) Selectively Regulates Protein Kinase D-Dependent Activation of NF- (cid:3) B in Oxidative Stress Signaling

Protein kinase D (PKD) participates in activation of the transcription factor NF- (cid:1) B (nuclear factor (cid:1) B) in cells exposed to oxidative stress, leading to increased cellular survival. We previously demonstrated that phosphorylation of PKD at Tyr463 in the PH (pleckstrin homology) domain is mediated by the Src-Abl pathway and that it is necessary for PKD activation and subsequent NF- (cid:1) B induction. Here we show that activation of PKD in response to oxidative stress requires two sequential signaling events, i.e., phosphorylation of Tyr463 by Abl, which in turn promotes a second step, phosphorylation of the PKD activation loop (Ser738/Ser742). We show that this is mediated by PKC (cid:2) (protein kinase C (cid:2) ), a kinase that is activated by Src in response to oxidative stress. We also show that other PKCs, including PKC (cid:3) and PKC (cid:4) , do not participate in PKD activation or NF- (cid:1) B induction. We propose a model in which two coordinated signaling events are required for PKD activation. Tyrosine phosphorylation in the PH domain at Tyr463, mediated by the Src-Abl pathway, which in turn transfection reagent transient transfections manufactur-er’s Expression plasmids and RNA interference (RNAi) constructs. The cloning of an expression vector for N-terminal HA-tagged human PKD has been described All expression plasmids for mutant PKDs are on this construct. The PKD.K612W, PKD.Y463F, PKD.Y463E, and PKD. (cid:11) PH mutant have been Mutagenesis out following or PKD were immunoprecipitated, and autophosphorylation kinase assays were performed. Immunoblot assays of im- munoprecipitated PKC (cid:2) or PKD were used to monitor equal amounts of endogenous protein. All results are typical of three independent experiments. (cid:2) and/or 20 ng of Abl, 150 (cid:5) M unlabeled ATP). PKD was immunoprecipitated, and after extensive washing in kinase buffer, a PKD substrate peptide assay was performed as described in Materials and Methods. All results are typical of two inde- pendent experiments.