Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteomic Analysis of the Extraembryonic Tissue from Cloned Porcine Embryos*S

Cloned animals developed from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos are useful resources for agricultural and medical applications. However, the birth rate in the cloned animals is very low, and the cloned animals that have survived show various developmental defects. In this report, we present the morphology and differentially regulated proteins in the extraembryonic tissue from SCNT embryos to understand the molecular nature of the tissue. We examined 26-day-old SCNT porcine embryos at which the sonogram can first detect pregnancy. The extraembryonic tissue from SCNT embryos was abnormally small compared with the control. In the proteomic analysis with the SCNT extraembryonic tissue, 39 proteins were identified as differentially regulated proteins. Among up-regulated proteins, Annexins and Hsp27 were found. They are closely related to the processes of apoptosis. Among down-regulated proteins, Peroxiredoxins and anaerobic glycolytic enzymes were identified. In the Western blot analysis, antioxidant enzymes and the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein were down-regulated, and caspases were up-regulated. In the terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay with the placenta from SCNT embryos, apoptotic trophoblasts were observed. These results demonstrate that a major reason for the low birth rate of cloned animals is due to abnormal apoptosis in the extraembryonic tissue during early pregnancy.
MA-Chord: A New Approach for Mobile Ad Hoc Network with DHT Based Unicast Scheme

We put DHT (distributed hash table) based P2P (peer to peer) application - chord into MANET (mobile ad hoc network) in this paper. Then, we propose a new routing modified scheme MA-chord which bases on a unicast scheme with DHT. MA-chord can be efficiently used to not only provide indirect, key-based overlay routing, but also conventional direct routing. Our simulation implies that MA-chord can markedly outperform conventional reactive ad hoc routing (AODV). Therefore, MANET nodes can run MA-chord for application purpose, especially P2P applications.
5′‐AMP‐activated protein kinase regulates skeletal muscle glycogen content and ergogenics

5′‐AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity is increased during exercise in an intensity‐ and glycogen‐dependent manner. We previously reported that a mutation in the AMPKγ3 subunit (Prkag3225Q) increases AMPK activity and skeletal muscle glycogen content. Transfection experiments revealed the R225Q mutation is associated with high basal AMPK activity and diminished AMP dependence. Thus, the R225Q mutation can be considered a loss‐of‐function mutation that abolished allosteric regulation by AMP/ATP, causing increased basal AMPK activity. We used AMPKγ3 transgenic (Tg‐Prkag3225Q) and knockout (Prkag3−/−) mice to determine the relationship between AMPK activity, glycogen content, and ergogenics (ability to perform work) in isolated extensor digitorum longus skeletal muscle after contractions induced by electrical stimulation. Contraction‐induced AMPK activity was inversely coupled to glycogen content in wild‐type and Tg‐Prkag3225Q mice, but not in Prkag3−/− mice, highlighting a partial feedback control of glycogen on contraction‐induced AMPK activity in the presence of a functional AMPKγ3 isoform. Skeletal muscle glycogen content was positively correlated to work performance, regardless of genotype. Thus, chronic activation of AMPK by the Prkag3225Q mutation directly influences skeletal muscle ergogenics by enhancing glycogen content. In conclusion, functional studies of the AMPKγ3 isoform further support the close connection between glycogen content and exercise performance in skeletal muscle. —Barnes, B. R. , Glund, S. , Long, Y. C. , Hjälm, G. , Andersson, L. , Zierath, J. R. 5'‐AMP‐activated protein kinase regulates skeletal muscle glycogen content and ergogenics. FASEB J. 19, 773–779 (2005)
Chaos between Stochasticity and Periodicity in the Prisoner's Dilemma Game

We study the transition from stochasticity to determinism in the three-strategy pair-approximated prisoner's dilemma game. We show that the stochastic solution converges to the deterministic limit cycle attractor as the number of participating players increases. Importantly though, between the stochastic and periodic solutions, we reveal a broad range of population sizes for which the system exhibits deterministic behavior, yet fails to settle onto the limit cycle attractor. We show that these states are characterized by chaos via a rigorous treatment. Results are discussed in view of their sociological importance.
Flux observer enhanced with low-frequency signal injection allowing sensorless zero-frequency operation of induction motors

In sensorless induction motor drives, flux estimators based only on the standard motor model work well at sufficiently high stator frequencies, but they fail at frequencies close to zero. To solve this problem, a new observer structure is proposed, combining a speed-adaptive full-order flux observer with a low-frequency signal-injection method. An error signal obtained from the signal-injection method is used as an additional feedback signal in the speed-adaptation law of the observer, resulting in a wide speed range, excellent dynamic properties, and zero-frequency operation capability. The enhanced observer is also robust against parameter errors. Experimental results are shown, including very slow speed reversals and long-term zero-frequency operation under rated load torque, as well as rated load torque steps and fast speed reversals under rated load torque.
Changing conceptions of Chinese groupwork: collaboration, culture and context

I DECLARATION III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . IV ACRONYMS VI LIST OF FIGURES . XI LIST OF TABLES . XII CHAPTER 1. THE CHINESE LEARNER AND GROUPWORK. 1 1.1 THE CHINESE LEARNER. 2 1.2 GROUPWORK AND THE CHINESE STUDENT . 3 1.3 THE INTERNATIONAL LEARNING CONTEXT . 5 1.4 CULTURE AND CONTEXTS AS INFLUENCING LEARNING EXPERIENCE . 7 1.5 AIM OF THIS STUDY . 8 1.6 SCOPE OF THIS STUDY . 9 1.7 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY . 10 1.8 OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY . 11 CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW . 15 2.1 THE CHINESE LEARNER. 17 2.1.1 The boundaries of being “Chinese” . 18 2.1.2 The paradox of Chinese learning and teaching . 18 2.1.3 The changing face of Chinese learning and teaching . 23 2.1.4 The Chinese learners in groupwork . 26 2.2 ACTIVE LEARNING . 30 2.2.1 The constructivist perspective on learning . 30 2.2.2 The zone of proximal development (ZPD) . 31 2.3 LEARNING IN GROUPS . 32 2.3. 1 Definition of groupwork . 33 2.3. 2 Impact of collaborative groupwork . 35 2.4 COLLABORATIVE LEARNING . 37 2.4. 1 Social interaction . 38 2.4. 2 Knowledge construction . 40 2.5 CULTURE OF LEARNING . 45 2.6 ADAPTING LEARNING TO THE NEW CONTEXTS . 46 2.7 THE TEACHER’S ROLE IN LEARNING . 47 2.8 SUMMARY OF THIS CHAPTER . 49
Do REM (lucid) dreamed and executed actions share the same neural substrate

This paper addresses the correlation of dreamed and actual actions. This issue is related to the theory of neural simulation of action. The simulation theory postulates that, in general, covert actions are actual actions relying on the same brain regions, except for the fact that they are not executed. By reviewing studies conducted in the field of dream and lucid dream research on REM sleep it will be shown that correlations between dreamed and actual actions can be found for central nervous activity, autonomic responses and time aspects. Recent findings from research on lucid dreaming and motor learning further support the notion that actions in dreams are represented on higher cognitive levels - equivalent to actual movements - and therefore share, to some extent, the same central structures. The reviewed findings will be discussed and future directions will be given.
Radiation collapse and gravitational waves in three dimensions.

Two non-static solutions for three dimensional gravity coupled to matter fields are given. One describes the collapse of radiation that results in a black hole. This is the three dimensional analog of the Vaidya metric, and is used to construct a model for mass inflation. The other describes plane gravitational waves for coupling to a massless scalar field.
GNSS Spoofing Detection Using Two-Antenna Differential Carrier Phase

A method is developed to detect GNSS spoofing by processing beat carrier-phase measurements from a pair of antennas in a CDGPS-type calculation. This system Copyright © 2014 by Mark L. Psiaki, Brady W. O'Hanlon, Steven P. Powell, Jahshan A. Bhatti, Kyle D. Wesson, Todd E. Humphreys, & Andrew Schofield. All rights reserved. Preprint from ION GNSS+ 2014 detects spoofing attacks that are resistant to standard RAIM technique, and it can sense an attack in a fraction of a second without external aiding. The signal-in-space properties used to detect spoofing are the relationships of the signal arrival directions to the vector that points from one antenna to the other. In the un-spoofed case, there are a multiplicity of relationships between the interantenna vector and the arrival directions of the multiple signals, which results in a quantifiable multiplicity of carrier-phase single-differences between the antennas. In the spoofed case, there is a single direction of arrival, assuming a single spoofer transmission antenna, and the carrier phase single-differences are identical for all channels, up to an integer cycle ambiguity. A real-time implementation of this detection method has been developed, and it has been tested against live-signal spoofing attacks aboard a superyacht that was cruising around Italy en route from Monaco to Venice. The prototype system demonstrated an ability to detect spoofing attacks in a fraction of a second, though lags in the system’s signal processing lengthened the detection delay to as much as 6 seconds. The system experienced challenges during the initial phase of a spoofing attack if the spoofer power was not much greater than that of the true signal. The true and spoofed signals interfere in a beating pattern in this case, making the composite signal harder to track and harder to classify as being either spoofed or non-spoofed. After the spoofer drags the victim receiver off to an erroneous position or timing fix, the beating subsides, and the new spoofing detection system performs well.
Robust connectivity analysis for multi-agent systems

In this paper we provide a decentralized robust control approach, which guarantees that connectivity of a multi-agent network is maintained when certain bounded input terms are added to the control strategy. Our main motivation for this framework is to determine abstractions for multi-agent systems under coupled constraints which are further exploited for the synthesis of high level plans.
The motor protein myosin 1G functions in Fc&ggr;R-mediated phagocytosis

Summary Phagocytosis is the force-dependent complex cellular process by which immune cells engulf particles. Although there has been considerable progress in understanding ligand-receptor-induced actin polymerisation in pushing the membrane around the particle, significantly less is known about how localised contractile activities regulate cup closure in coordination with the actin cytoskeleton. Herein, we show that the unconventional class-I myosin, myosin 1G (Myo1G) is localised at phagocytic cups following Fc&ggr;-receptor (Fc&ggr;R) ligation in macrophages. This progressive recruitment is dependent on the activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and is particularly important for engulfment of large particles. Furthermore, point mutations in the conserved pleckstrin homology-like domain of Myo1G abolishes the localisation of the motor protein at phagocytic cups and inhibits engulfment downstream of Fc&ggr;R. Binding of Myo1G to both F-actin and phospholipids might enable cells to transport phospholipids towards the leading edge of cups and to facilitate localised contraction for cup closure.
Blazing New Trails: Strengthening Policy Research in Gifted Education

Policy research in gifted education has occurred at much lower rates than other areas of research within the field, such as identification and talent development. However, without changes and implementation of these policies, systematic change is unlikely to occur. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to argue that policy research should be a top priority. To begin, we define and contrast three terms common in crafting policy—policy, advocacy, and intervention. Next, we provide a context of previous policy research in gifted education. We then detail areas in which policy research is the most critical. Finally, we conclude with action steps to engage more researchers and practitioners in policy development, implementation, and monitoring.
The definition and rendering of terrain maps

This paper examines three methods, two existing and one new, for the generation of fractals based on recursive subdivision. Both existing methods are found to have defects, which are not present in the new method. A parallel processing algorithm is proposed for the rendering of height fields which is exact and distributes the load evenly between the processors. A method is described for the 'fan-tracing' of height fields to allow the realistic simulation of water reflections.
Estimating Production Functions with Robustness Against Errors in the Proxy Variables

This paper proposes a new semi-nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation method for estimating production functions. The method extends the literature on structural estimation of production functions, started by the seminal work of Olley and Pakes (1996), by relaxing the scalar-unobservable assumption about the proxy variables. The key additional assumption needed in the identification argument is the existence of two conditionally independent proxy variables. The assumption seems reasonable in many important cases. The new method is straightforward to apply, and a consistent estimate of the asymptotic covariance matrix of the structural parameters can be easily computed.
Chemical signals associated with life inhibit necrophoresis in Argentine ants

One of the most conspicuous and stereotyped activities of social insects such as ants and honey bees is necrophoresis, the removal of dead colony members from the nest. Previous researchers suggested that decomposition products such as fatty acids trigger necrophoric behavior by ant workers. However, fatty acids elicit both foraging and necrophoric responses, depending on the current nest activities (e.g., feeding or nest maintenance). Furthermore, workers often carry even freshly killed workers (dead for <1 h) to refuse piles before significant decomposition has a chance to occur. Here, we show that the cuticular chemistry of Argentine ant workers, Linepithema humile, undergoes rapid changes after death. When the workers are alive or freshly killed, relatively large amounts of 2 characteristic ant-produced compounds, dolichodial and iridomyrmecin, are present on the ants' cuticle. However, these compounds disappear from the cuticle within about 1 h after death. We demonstrate how this phenomenon supports an alternative mechanism of ant necrophoresis in which the precise recognition and rapid removal of dead nestmates are elicited by the disappearance of these chemical signals associated with life.
Association of low birth weight and placental malarial infection in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Malaria causes significant morbidity and mortality among pregnant women in Nigeria. However, the contribution of malaria infection to neonatal development is incompletely understood. Here we determined the prevalence of placental malarial infection in six communities in Anambra State, Nigeria, between 2005 and 2006, and compare these data to neonatal birth weight. METHODOLOGY Blood samples were obtained from the placenta of 500 parturient mothers and examined for the presence of malaria parasites. Newborn birth weight was then compared with the malaria status of their mothers. RESULTS Placental malarial infection was found in 322 of 500 mothers (64.4%). The prevalence of infection did not differ among the six different Nigerian communities (P = 0.978). Furthermore, there was no difference in infection rates between rural and urban areas (64.9% vs. 64.0%, respectively, P = 0.827). Interestingly, neonates born from mothers with placental malaria had lower birth weights than neonates born from uninfected mothers [2500 g (range 1900 g - 3200 g) vs. 3800 g (range 3200 g - 4700 g), P < 0.001]. Forty-five percent (145/322) of the newborns born from infected mothers were of low birth weight (defined as birth weight less than 2,500 g). CONCLUSION Malaria infection during pregnancy is common in Nigeria and is likely associated with low newborn birth weight.
The Effect of Prolonged Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy in Subacute Stroke Patients

Objective To evaluate the effect of prolonged inpatient rehabilitation therapy in subacute stroke patients. Method We enrolled 52 subacute stroke patients who had received 3 months of inpatient rehabilitation therapy. Thirty stroke patients received additional inpatient rehabilitation therapy for 3 months and 22 control patients received only home-based care. The evaluation was measured at 3 and at 6 months after stroke occurrence. Functional improvement was measured using the modified motor assessment scale (MMAS), the timed up and go test (TUG), the 10-meter walking time (10 mWT), the Berg balance scale (BBS) and the Korean-modified Barthel index (K-MBI). The health-related quality of life was evaluated using the medical outcome study, 36-item short form survey (SF-36). Results In the experimental group, significant improvements were observed for all parameters at 6 months (p<0.05). However, significant improvements were observed only in MMAS, BBS, and K-MBI at 6 months in the Control group (p<0.05). In comparing the 2 groups, significant difference were observed in all parameters (p<0.05) except 10 meter walking time (p=0.73). The improvement in SF-36 was meaningfully higher in experimental group compared to control group. Conclusion This study demonstrates that subacute stroke patients can achieve functional improvements and an enhanced quality of life through prolonged inpatient rehabilitation therapy.
Design of mechatronic system to inspect power transmission lines and towers

The inspection of power transmission line is currently carried out by a group of technicians that use gondolas, off-road vehicles or helicopters and airplanes to perform the task. Unfortunately, in most cases defects are rarely recognized in the early stages because of inadequate inspection. Based on this difficulty and taking into account that a new inspection system should attend requirements such as safety, cost, accuracy, autonomy, and the ability of negotiating obstacles along its path, we developed a mechatronic feasibility study of six different proposals. This paper presents the design concepts and the mechanisms used. Outlooks on the subject are also addressed. The design methodologies and tools applied during the feasibility study are underlined. The feasibility study was promising and the project is in progress
Combined Effects of Ocean Acidification and Light or Nitrogen Availabilities on 13C Fractionation in Marine Dinoflagellates

Along with increasing oceanic CO2 concentrations, enhanced stratification constrains phytoplankton to shallower upper mixed layers with altered light regimes and nutrient concentrations. Here, we investigate the effects of elevated pCO2 in combination with light or nitrogen-limitation on 13C fractionation (εp) in four dinoflagellate species. We cultured Gonyaulax spinifera and Protoceratium reticulatum in dilute batches under low-light (‘LL’) and high-light (‘HL’) conditions, and grew Alexandrium fundyense and Scrippsiella trochoidea in nitrogen-limited continuous cultures (‘LN’) and nitrogen-replete batches (‘HN’). The observed CO2-dependency of εp remained unaffected by the availability of light for both G. spinifera and P. reticulatum, though at HL εp was consistently lower by about 2.7‰ over the tested CO2 range for P. reticulatum. This may reflect increased uptake of (13C-enriched) bicarbonate fueled by increased ATP production under HL conditions. The observed CO2-dependency of εp disappeared under LN conditions in both A. fundyense and S. trochoidea. The generally higher εp under LN may be associated with lower organic carbon production rates and/or higher ATP:NADPH ratios. CO2-dependent εp under non-limiting conditions has been observed in several dinoflagellate species, showing potential for a new CO2-proxy. Our results however demonstrate that light- and nitrogen-limitation also affect εp, thereby illustrating the need to carefully consider prevailing environmental conditions.
Acupuncture Relieves the Excessive Excitation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Cortex Axis Function and Correlates with the Regulatory Mechanism of GR, CRH, and ACTHR

It had been indicated in the previous studies that acupuncture relieved the excessive excitation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis (HPAA) function induced by stress stimulation. But the changes in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) induced by acupuncture have not been detected clearly. The objective of the study was to observe the impacts of acupuncture on the protein expressions of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor (ACTHR), and GR under the physiological and stress states. The results showed that under the stress state, acupuncture upregulated the protein expression of GR in the hippocampus, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and pituitary gland, downregulated the protein expression of GR in the adrenal cortex, and obviously reduced the protein expressions of CRH and ACTHR. Under the physiological state, acupuncture promoted GR protein expression in the hippocampus and CRH protein expression in the hippocampus and PVN. The results explained that acupuncture regulated the stress reaction via promoting the combination of glucocorticoids (GC) with GR, and GR protein expression. The increase of GR protein expression induced feedback inhibition on the overexpression of CRH and ACTHR, likely decreased GC level, and caused the reduction of GR protein expression in the adrenal cortex.
Electron-impact rotational excitation of linear molecular ions

Molecular R-matrix calculations are performed to give rotational excitation rates for electron collisions with linear molecular ions. Results are presented for CO+, HCO+, NO+ and H2+ up to electron temperatures of 10 000 K. De-excitation rates and critical electron densities are also given. It is shown that the widely used Coulomb-Born approximation is valid for Δj=1 transitions when the molecular ion has a dipole greater than about 2D, but otherwise is not reliable for studying electron-impact rotational excitation. In particular, transitions with Δj>1 are found to have appreciable rates and are found to be entirely dominated by short-range effects.
Information Technology and Organizational Complements: Firm Value Implications

Complementary investment in information technology (IT) and organizational work practices enable a firm to respond strategically to competitive challenges. Specific combinations of these investments, as called for in organizational programs, are implemented in a coordinated manner to bring about a change more consistent with the external environment, resulting in improved firm performance. While a plethora of existing research examines the value generated from each factor individually, there is a need for research that examines the performance implications of complementary investments in organizational programs and IT across a broad set of firms. In this research-in-progress, we examine the performance impacts of Employee Involvement and Total Quality Management; two participative management programs selected specifically to involve employees in daily decision making. Preliminary empirical results indicate that IT is a key enabler of select work practices of these participative programs and that together, these complementary investments can positively contribute to firm performance.