Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enriched Monolayer Precursor Cell Cultures from Micro-Dissected Adult Mouse Dentate Gyrus Yield Functional Granule Cell-Like Neurons

Background Stem cell cultures are key tools of basic and applied research in Regenerative Medicine. In the adult mammalian brain, lifelong neurogenesis originating from local precursor cells occurs in the neurogenic regions of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Despite widespread interest in adult hippocampal neurogenesis and the use of mouse models to study it, no protocol existed for adult murine long-term precursor cell cultures with hippocampus-specific differentiation potential. Methodology/Principal Findings We describe a new strategy to obtain serum-free monolayer cultures of neural precursor cells from microdissected dentate gyrus of adult mice. Neurons generated from these adherent hippocampal precursor cell cultures expressed the characteristic markers like transcription factor Prox1 and showed the TTX-sensitive sodium currents of mature granule cells in vivo. Similar to granule cells in vivo, treatment with kainic acid or brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) elicited the expression of GABAergic markers, further supporting the correspondence between the in vitro and in vivo phenotype. When plated as single cells (in individual wells) or at lowest density for two to three consecutive generations, a subset of the cells showed self-renewal and gave rise to cells with properties of neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The precursor cell fate was sensitive to culture conditions with their phenotype highly influenced by factors within the media (sonic hedgehog, BMP, LIF) and externally applied growth factors (EGF, FGF2, BDNF, and NT3). Conclusions/Significance We report the conditions required to generate adult murine dentate gyrus precursor cell cultures and to analyze functional properties of precursor cells and their differentiated granule cell-like progeny in vitro.
Theoretical Study on Time Delay of Slow Light by Remodeling SBS Gain and Absorption Spectrum

In this paper, we perform a theoretical study of processes that demonstrates additional time delay obtained by remodeling Brillouin gain spectrum, and we also study the main influence factors on pulse time delay and broadening, as well as analyze the ways which increases the delay, and further suppresses pulse broadening. The results show that by remodeling Brillouin gain spectrum, one obtains 25% delay improvement over the single intrinsic Brillouin gain spectrum; by deriving the expression of broadening factor, one finds that the increase of intrinsic SBS resonance linewidth leads to the decrease of the broadening quantity which corresponds to the maximum delay. Moreover, the increase of the peak power of absorption spectrum further leads to an increase of pulse delay. When the normalized frequency shift is below a certain value, probe pulse can be compressed; When the second-order gain is positive, pulse will be compressed; when the second-order gain is negative, pulse will become broad. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/telkomnika.v10i6. 1543 Full Text: PDF
The Neighbourhood Contact Hypothesis: Evidence from the Multicity Study of Urban Inequality

The paper provides evidence on the neighbourhood contact hypothesis, which states that interracial neighbourhood contact acts to break down prejudice. Contact, therefore, may result in stable racially integrated neighbourhoods. By exploiting unique features of new data from the Multicity Study of Urban Inequality, our estimates are the first to account directly for the endogeneity of contact. Results indicate that neighbourhood contact affects Whites' attitudes towards Black neighbours only if this contact is with Blacks of the same or higher social status. Blacks' attitudes towards White neighbours, on the other hand, are affected by neighbourhood contact regardless of the relative social status of participating Whites, although the effect is twice as strong if the contact is with Whites of equal or higher status.
Characterization of Amylin and Calcitonin Receptor Binding in the Mouse α-Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Thyrotroph Cell Line.

Recently, a high affinity amylin binding site was identified in the mouse α-TSH thyrotroph cell line. In this study, we have characterized binding sites for 125I-salmon calcitonin (125I-sCT), 125I-rat α-calcitonin gene-related peptide (125I-CGRP), and 125I-rat amylin in α-TSH cells. Using 125I-CGRP or 125I-rat amylin, equilibrium was rapidly reached, and binding was fully reversible. Competition binding revealed the relative potency of peptides was sCT>amylin, CGRP≫rCT, which is similar to the specificity profile of amylin receptors characterized in rat brain. Furthermore, specific binding of 125I-rat amylin and 125I-CGRP to membrane preparations was reduced by 52% and 39%, respectively, in the presence of 20 μm GTP-γ-s, indicating a requirement of G protein coupling for high affinity binding. In contrast, 125I-sCT binding reached equilibrium more slowly, was essentially irreversible, and was unaltered by GTP-γ-s. Competition binding studies using 125I-sCT as radioligand demonstrated only weak interaction.
The importance of virus‐associated host ICAM‐1 in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 dissemination depends on the cellular context

The primary objective of this study was to define whether the nature of virion‐bound host cell membrane proteins influenced the process of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1) capture and transmission. We pulsed cells of monocytoid lineage (established and primary) and CD4‐ negative epithelial cells transiently expressing DC‐SIGN or LFA‐1 with isogenic HIV‐1 particles either devoid or bearing host‐derived ICAM‐1 or ICAM‐3 before incubation with an indicator cell line. To our surprise, the ICAM‐1/LFA‐1 association was a more efficient transmission factor than the combined gp120/DC‐SIGN and ICAM‐3/DC‐SIGN interactions. The involvement of the association between virus‐bound ICAM‐1 and its natural ligand LFA‐1 in virus binding and carriage was confirmed when using more physiological cellular targets, i.e., human lymphoid tissues cultured ex vivo. However, the contribution of virus‐anchored host ICAM‐1 to the process of retention and transmission of HIV‐1 could not be confirmed when using primary human cells of macrophage/dendritic lineage as transmitter cells and autologous CD4+ T lymphocytes as targets. Altogether these data underscore the complexity of factors participating in virus‐cell contact and efficient dissemination of HIV‐1 to target cells.
The Importance of Power-Tail Distributions for Modeling Queueing Systems

Power-tail distributions are those for which the reliability function is of the form x-α for large x. Although they look well behaved, they have the singular property that E(Xl) = infinity for all l ≥ α. Thus it is possible to have a distribution with an infinite variance, or even an infinite mean. As pathological as these distributions seem to be, they occur everywhere in nature, from the CPU time used by jobs on main-frame computers to sizes of files stored on discs, earthquakes, or even health insurance claims. Recently, traffic on the "electronic super highway" was revealed to be of this type, too. In this paper we first describe these distributions in detail and show their suitability to model self-similar behavior, e.g., of the traffic stated above. Then we show how these distributions can occur in computer system environments and develop a so-called truncated analytical model that in the limit is power-tail. We study and compare the effects on system performance of a GI/M/1 model both for the truncated and the limit case, and demonstrate the usefulness of these approaches particularly for Markov modeling with LAQT (Linear Algebraic Approach to Queueing Theory, Lipsky 1992) techniques.
Tax Evasion and Perceptions of Tax Fairness: A Research Note

This research note addresses the debate as to whether tax evasion resultsfrom increased tax rates and economic incentives-as many economists claim -orfrom other factors as well, specifically taxpayers 'perceptions that taxes are unfair. Using survey data collectedfrom 1960-1980 and information on tax rates and estimates of tax evasion for that period, the authorfinds that tax evasion increased during this time, as did the percentage of Americans considering taxes unfair, even as tax rates remained stable. Moreover, those Americans presumably having the lowest incentives to cheat were most likely to consider taxes unfair. This information leads the author to conclude that a growing sense that taxes are unfair is more likely than increasing tax rates and one's level of income to lead to tax evasion.
An Overview of SMES Applications in Power and Energy Systems

Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is known to be a very good energy storage device. This article provides an overview and potential applications of the SMES technology in electrical power and energy systems. SMES is categorized into three main groups depending on its power conditioning system, namely, the thyristor-based SMES, voltage-source- converter-based SMES, and current-source-converter-based SMES. An extensive bibliography is presented on the applications of these three types of SMES. Also, a comparison is made among these three types of SMES. This study provides a basic guideline to investigate further technological development and new applications of SMES, and thus benefits the readers, researchers, engineers, and academicians who deal with the research works in the area of SMES.
PENGARUH GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN TRANSFORMASIONAL DANKOMPENSASI TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN PADAKARYAWAN PAMELLA SUPERMARKET 7

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui: (1) pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan transformasional terhadap kinerja karyawan Pamella Supermarket 7, (2) pengaruh kompensasi terhadap kinerja karyawan Pamella Supermarket 7, dan (3) pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan transformasional dan kompensasi terhadap kinerja karyawan Pamella Supermarket 7. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian replikasi dari penelitian Rolasmana (2013). Penelitian ini termasuk penelitian asosiatif kausal dengan menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif. Populasi ini merupakan penelitian populasi karena jumlah subjek kurang dari 100 orang, sehingga seluruh anggota populasi diambil semua. Populasi penelitian ini adalah seluruh karyawan Pamella Supermarket 7 yang berjumlah 65 orang. Data dikumpulkan dengan kuesioner yang telah diuji validitas dan reliabilitasnya. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah regresi berganda. Hasil penelitian pada taraf signifikansi 5% menunjukkan bahwa: (1) Gaya kepemimpinan transformasional berpengaruh positif terhadap kinerja karyawan. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan koefisien beta (β) 0,317 (**p<0.05; p=0,000) dan kontribusi pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan transformasional terhadap kinerja karyawan sebesar (ΔR2) 0,088; (2) Kompensasi berpengaruh positif terhadap kinerja karyawan. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan hasil koefisien beta (β) 0,236 (**p<0.05; p=0,008) dan kontribusi pengaruh kompensasi terhadap kinerja karyawan sebesar (ΔR2) 0,039; dan (3) Gaya kepemimpinan transformasional dan kompensasi mempunyai pengaruh positif terhadap kinerja karyawan. Hal ini dibuktikan untuk gaya kepemimpinan transformasional dengan koefisien beta (β) 0,286 (**p<0.05; p=0,000) dan untuk kompensasi dengan koefisien beta (β) 0,174 (*p<0.05; p=0,031). Kontribusi pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan transformasional dan kompensasi terhadap kinerja karyawan sebesar (ΔR2) 0,108.
AODV-PA: AODV with path accumulation

Ad hoc networks meet the demands of spontaneous network set-up. They are characterized by the use of wireless links, dynamically changing topology, multi-hop connectivity and decentralized routing mechanisms and decision-making. AODV and DSR are the two most widely studied on-demand ad hoc routing protocols. Previous studies have shown limitations of these protocols in certain network scenarios. To improve the performance of AODV, we modify AODV to include the source route accumulation feature of DSR. We call this AODV with path accumulation. This protocol optimizes AODV to perform effectively in terms of routing overhead and delay during high load. The performance of the protocol is evaluated by a simulation model under a variety of network conditions. We also compare its performance with that of unmodified AODV and DSR. We demonstrate how a small change to the AODV protocol can lead to significantly improved performance results.
The factors involved in glossophobia in a non-clinical student population

Glossophobia can be described as an individual’s fear of public speaking, which can have a negative influence on their way of living. The aim of the present study was to assess the factors associated with glossophobia in a non-clinical student population. An opportunity sample recruited one hundred and twenty students (N = 120) to assess factors associated with glossophobia. The questionnaire survey incorporated vignettes to evaluate whether the gender of a hypothetical audience or the audience’s level of interest would influence scores on the social phobia inventory (SPIN), self-esteem (SE) and public self-consciousness (PSC) scales. Pearson’s r correlations, t-tests and ANOVAs were conducted. Findings established a significant relationship between scores reported on SPIN and PSC. T-tests revealed significantly higher mean scores for female participants on SPIN and PSC, but a non-significant difference between male and female participants on SE. Other findings revealed a non-significant interaction between the gender of an audience and the audience’s level of interest on SPIN, SE and PSC scores. The present study extends research related to glossophobia, however future research should consider whether vignettes as a method should be used to assess factors associated with glossophobia.
Incidence of thromboembolic events in asymptomatic carriers of IgA anti ß2 glycoprotein-I antibodies

Background The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is defined by simultaneous presence of vascular clinical events and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). The aPL considered as diagnostics are lupus anticoagulant and antibodies anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-ß2 glycoprotein-I (aB2GP1). During recent years, IgA aB2GP1 antibodies have been associated with thrombotic events both in patients positive, and mainly negative for other aPL, however its value as a pro-thrombotic risk-factor in asymptomatic patients has not been well defined. Objective To test the role of IgA anti B2GP1 as a risk factor for the development of APS-events (thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity) in asymptomatic population with a 5-year follow-up. Methods 244 patients isolated positive for anti-beta2-glycoprotein I IgA (Group-1 study) and 221 negative patients (Group-2 control) were studied. All the patients were negative for IgG and IgM aCL. Results During the follow-up, 45 patients (9.7%) had APS-events, 38 positive for IgA-aB2GP1 and 7 negative (15.6% vs 3.2%, p<0.001). The incidence rate of APS-events was 3.1% per year in IgA-aB2GP1 positive patients and 0.6% per year in the control group. Arterial thrombosis were the most frequent APS-events (N = 25, 55%) and were mainly observed in Group-1 patients (21 vs 4, p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis were shown as independent risk-factors for the development of APS-events, age, sex (men) and presence of IgA-aB2GP1 (odds ratio 5.25, 95% CI 2.24 to 12.32). Conclusion The presence of IgA-aB2GP1 in people with no history of APS-events is the main independent risk factor for the development of these types of events, mainly arterial thrombosis.
Rate Pressure Product as a Determinant of Physical Fitness in Normal Young Adults

Rate Pressure Product (RPP) is a valuable marker of cardiac function.It is the product of heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (HR x SBP/1000). RPP up to 12 at rest and up to 22 in stressed conditions is considered as normal. This study deals with RPP evaluation in60 young normal subjects of 18 to 22 years old (30 males and 30 females). HR and SBP were recorded before and after 5 min of mental stress (mental arithmetic) and physical stress (cycling) from which RPP was calculated.RPP increased significantly after mental stress in both the genders (males (M) p< 0.0001 and females (F) p< 0.0005). But there was no gender difference in the level of increase. After physical stress also RPP increased in males significantly (p<0.0004)and in females non-significantly (p<0.143). Determination of RPP is the best non-invasive and time sparing method of assessing the functional status of heart. It is controlled by autonomic nervous system (ANS) through HR and SBP. Increase in RPP under stressed condition implies the normal buffering function of ANSand good coronary perfusion. In the present study, RPP increased significantly in males and nonsignificantly in females after physical stress, implying that ANS buffering function is better in males than in females. We conclude that RPP is a good index to assess cardiovascular competency in stress which may help to determine the intensity and duration of exercise in developing physical fitness and in patient-care without overloading the heart.
Prediction of School Enrolment of Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Kenya: The role of parents' expectations, beliefs, and education

The purpose of this study was to develop a logistic regression model for the prediction of school enrolment of Kenyan children with intellectual disabilities. The initial set of predictors included three demographic variables (child's gender, child's level of intellectual disability, and parents' level of education) and six factors of parents' expectations and beliefs about future outcomes and education of children with intellectual disabilities. Previous research implicated some of these concepts in school enrolment of children with disabilities in African countries without providing a particular prediction model. The hypothesised factor structure of the instrument developed in this study was tested by using a confirmatory maximum likelihood factor analysis. A stepwise logistic regression was conducted with the initial model including all nine predictors of school enrolment of children with intellectual disabilities in Kenya. Significant predictors in the final logistic regression model were (a) parents' expectations about social acceptance of the child, (b) parents' bias against educating children with intellectual disabilities, (c) parents' beliefs about a segregated school option, (d) parents' beliefs about the appropriateness of the child's school education, and (e) parents' level of education.
The Emergency Department presenting complaint as predictor of in-hospital fatality

Background The relationship between major discharge diagnoses and prediction of in-hospital death has been intensively studied. The relation between the presenting complaint at the Emergency Department (ED) and in-hospital fatality, however, is less well known. Objective To investigate if presenting complaints add information regarding in-hospital fatality risk for nonsurgical ED patients. Methods Investigating the relationship of in-hospital fatality rate and presenting complaint by comparing the presenting complaints, discharge diagnoses and in-hospital fatality for all nonsurgical patients visiting the ED during 1 year. Results Of 12 995 nonsurgical admissions, 40% were treated as in-hospital patients. Among these, 328 in-hospital deaths occurred. Age was the most powerful predictor of death in hospitalized patients (P<0.0001). After adjustment for age, the female sex was found to be protective [odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58–0.92, P=0.007)]. Compared with the largest complaint group, chest pain with an in-hospital fatality rate of 2.5%, there was a significantly increased risk of dying among those with stroke-like symptoms (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.35–3.08, P=0.0007), dyspnoea (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.27–3.00, P=0.002) or general disability (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.17–2.79, P=0.008). Conclusions The presenting complaint at the ED carries valuable information of the risk for in-hospital fatality in nonsurgical patients. This knowledge can be valuable in the prioritization between different patient groups in the process of initiating diagnostics and treatment procedures at the ED.
Small Mammals of the Mayo River Basin in Northern Peru, with the Description of a New Species of Sturnira (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

ABSTRACT We present the results of an inventory of small mammals in the Mayo River basin, one of the least-studied regions of the Central Andes in Peru. We conducted inventories at three locations in May 2007. We collected 47 species of small mammals in the study area: five marsupials, 31 bats, and 11 rodents. A new species of Sturnira was encountered and is described. The new species, which was previously confused with S. lilium, occurs east of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and Brazil, with an isolated record on the western slope of the Andes in Peru. Additionally, we report the presence of Anoura geoffroyi in Peru, Carollia sp. sensu Solari and Baker (2006) south of the Marañon River, and extend the elevational range of Neacomys spinosus and Oligoryzomys destructor. Our results highlight the need to conduct additional inventories to increase our understanding of the biodiversity of this rich and increasingly impacted region.
Genetic and Expression Analysis of the SIRT1 Gene in Gastric Cancers

Purpose: Silent mating-type information regulation 2 homologue 1 (SIRT1) is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase. SIRT1 plays an important role in the regulation of cell death/survival and stress response in mammals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the SIRT1 gene is involved in the development or progression of gastric cancers. Materials and Methods: SIRT1 and p53 genes in 86 gastric cancers were examined for genetic alterations by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism sequencing, as well as SIRT1 protein expression in 170 gastric cancers by immunohistochemistry. Results: In the genetic analysis, we found SIRT1 and p53 mutations in two and 12 cases, respectively. Two missense mutations, c.599 C>T (T200I) and c.1258 G>A (E420K), were detected in the SIRT1 gene coding region. The SIRT1 and p53 mutation were found in mutually exclusive gastric cancers. The immunohistochemistry revealed that SIRT1 overexpression was found in 95 (55.9%) of 170 gastric cancers. Altered SIRT1 expression was not statistically associated with clinicopathological parameters, including tumor differentiation, location, lymph node metastasis, or p53 expression. Two cases with an SIRT1 mutation showed increased SIRT1 expression. Conclusions: These results suggest that genetic alterations and overexpression of the SIRT1 gene may contribute to gastric cancer development.