Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology Open Access Expression and Importance of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (mmp-2 and -9) in Human Trophoblast Invasion

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the invasiveness of first trimester trophoblasts according to the secretion profile of MMP-2 and-9 at different gestational stages, and to test the similarity between primary trophoblast cell-culture and the JAR choriocarcinoma cell-line.
Active site mutants in the six regulatory particle ATPases reveal multiple roles for ATP in the proteasome

A family of ATPases resides within the regulatory particle of the proteasome. These proteins (Rpt1–Rpt6) have been proposed to mediate substrate unfolding, which may be required for translocation of substrates through the channel that leads from the regulatory particle into the proteolytic core particle. To analyze the role of ATP hydrolysis in protein breakdown at the level of the individual ATPase, we have introduced equivalent site‐directed mutations into the ATPbinding motif of each RPT gene. Non‐conservative substitutions of the active‐site lysine were lethal in four of six cases, and conferred a strong growth defect in two cases. Thus, the ATPases are not functionally redundant, despite their multiplicity and sequence similarity. Degradation of a specific substrate can be inhibited by ATP‐binding‐site substitutions in many of the Rpt proteins, indicating that they co‐operate in the degradation of individual substrates. The phenotypic defects of the different rpt mutants were strikingly varied. The most divergent phenotype was that of the rpt1 mutant, which was strongly growth defective despite showing no general defect in protein turnover. In addition, rpt1 was unique among the rpt mutants in displaying a G1 cell‐cycle defect. Proteasomes purified from an rpt2 mutant showed a dramatic inhibition of peptidase activity, suggesting a defect in gating of the proteasome channel. In summary, ATP promotes protein breakdown by the proteasome through multiple mechanisms, as reflected by the diverse phenotypes of the rpt mutants.
Which Shorts are Informed?

We construct a long daily panel of short sales using proprietary NYSE order data. From 2000 to 2004, shorting accounts for more than 12.9% of NYSE volume, sug- gesting that shorting constraints are not widespread. As a group, these short sellers are well informed. Heavily shorted stocks underperform lightly shorted stocks by a risk-adjusted average of 1.16% over the following 20 trading days (15.6% annualized). Institutional nonprogram short sales are the most informative; stocks heavily shorted by institutions underperform by 1.43% the next month (19.6% annualized). The re- sults indicate that, on average, short sellers are important contributors to efficient stock prices. THROUGHOUT THE FINANCIAL ECONOMICS LITERATURE, short sellers occupy an exalted place in the pantheon of investors as rational, informed market participants who act to keep prices in line. Theoreticians often generate a divergence be- tween prices and fundamentals by building models that prohibit or constrain short sellers (e.g., Miller (1977), Harrison and Kreps (1978), Duffie, Garleanu, and Pedersen (2002), Hong, Scheinkman, and Xiong (2006)). Empirical evidence uniformly indicates that when short sale constraints are relaxed, overvalua- tions become less severe, suggesting that short sellers move prices toward fun- damentals (examples include Lamont and Thaler (2003), Danielsen and Sorescu (2001), Jones and Lamont (2002), Cohen, Diether, and Malloy (2007)). But there is surprisingly little direct evidence that short sellers know what they are doing. There is indirect evidence in the existing literature. For example, Aitken et al. (1998) show that in Australia, where some short sales were immediately disclosed to the public, the reporting of a short sale causes prices to decline immediately. Some authors (but not all) find that short interest predicts fu- ture returns. 1 Dechow et al. (2001) find that short sellers generate positive
Fast characterization method and error sequence analysis for narrowband indoor powerline channel

Designing new communication protocols on the powerline network requires knowledge of the nature of the channel and the error pattern on real scenarios. This paper presents 3 main outcomes: (i) a simplified methodology for fast characterization of the narrowband powerline channel on scenarios with varying degrees of harshness, without requiring the use of expensive hardware equipment and not strictly defined measurement boundary conditions. (ii) A detailed analysis of the obtained results using the proposed methodology, comparing the results with those obtained using other more complex methods, and a study of the Self-Similar characteristic of the error sequence. (iii) On the basis of the measurements obtained for different scenarios, we propose a simplified narrowband PLC channel model for generating realistic error patterns in discrete event simulation environments.
What are the Odds? The Neural Correlates of Active Choice during Gambling

Gambling is a widespread recreational activity and requires pitting the values of potential wins and losses against their probability of occurrence. Neuropsychological research showed that betting behavior on laboratory gambling tasks is highly sensitive to focal lesions to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and insula. In the current study, we assessed the neural basis of betting choices in healthy participants, using functional magnetic resonance imaging of the Roulette Betting Task. In half of the trials, participants actively chose their bets; in the other half, the computer dictated the bet size. Our results highlight the impact of volitional choice upon gambling-related brain activity: Neural activity in a distributed network – including key structures of the reward circuitry (midbrain, striatum) – was higher during active compared to computer-dictated bet selection. In line with neuropsychological data, the anterior insula and vmPFC were more activated during self-directed bet selection, and responses in these areas were differentially modulated by the odds of winning in the two choice conditions. In addition, responses in the vmPFC and ventral striatum were modulated by the bet size. Convergent with electrophysiological research in macaques, our results further implicate the inferior parietal cortex (IPC) in the processing of the likelihood of potential outcomes: Neural responses in the IPC bilaterally reflected the probability of winning during bet selection. Moreover, the IPC was particularly sensitive to the odds of winning in the active-choice condition, when the processing of this information was required to guide bet selection. Our results indicate an important role of the IPC in human decision-making under risk and help to integrate neuropsychological data of risk-taking following vmPFC and insula damage with models of choice derived from human neuroimaging and monkey electrophysiology.
On the Performance of Ultra Wideband Radio in Stochastic Tapped Delay Line Model of the Ultra Wideband Channel

This paper demonstrates the performance of Ultra Wideband (UWB) systems in the Stochastic Tapped Delay Line (STDL) model of the UWB channel with RAKE receiver. System models are based on Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) principle. The system has been studied in presence of multiple user interference and Gaussian noise. During the analysis, various types of narrow, sub-nanosecond pulses with same power were used and extensive simulations were run in 3.1 to 10.6 GHz frequency band. The simulation results show that pulse shape has noticeable impact on the performance of the system. The performance of the pulse waveform based on third derivative of Gaussian pulse has proved to be better than other pulses that were used. With a thorough analytical approach, spectral behavior of higher order Gaussian pulses has been explained. Finally, it is concluded that the third derivative of Gaussian pulse is the most suitable pulse shape for fulfilling the FCC regulated power spectral diagram (PSD) has also been illustrated and in multi-user interference environment.
Differentially Expressed Plasma MicroRNAs and the Potential Regulatory Function of Let-7b in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a progressive disease characterized by misguided thrombolysis and remodeling of pulmonary arteries. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs involved in multiple cell processes and functions. During CTEPH, circulating microRNA profile endued with characteristics of diseased cells could be identified as a biomarker, and might help in recognition of pathogenesis. Thus, in this study, we compared the differentially expressed microRNAs in plasma of CTEPH patients and healthy controls and investigated their potential functions. Microarray was used to identify microRNA expression profile and qRT-PCR for validation. The targets of differentially expressed microRNAs were identified in silico, and the Gene Ontology database and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway database were used for functional investigation of target gene profile. Targets of let-7b were validated by fluorescence reporter assay. Protein expression of target genes was determined by ELISA or western blotting. Cell migration was evaluated by wound healing assay. The results showed that 1) thirty five microRNAs were differentially expressed in CTEPH patients, among which, a signature of 17 microRNAs, which was shown to be related to the disease pathogenesis by in silico analysis, gave diagnostic efficacy of both sensitivity and specificity >0.9. 2) Let-7b, one of the down-regulated anti-oncogenic microRNAs in the signature, was validated to decrease to about 0.25 fold in CTEPH patients. 3) ET-1 and TGFBR1 were direct targets of let-7b. Altering let-7b level influenced ET-1 and TGFBR1 expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) as well as the migration of PAECs and pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). These results suggested that CTEPH patients had aberrant microRNA signature which might provide some clue for pathogenesis study and biomarker screening. Reduced let-7b might be involved in the pathogenesis of CTEPH by affecting ET-1 expression and the function of PAECs and PASMCs.
Physical Properties of Blood Are Altered in Young and Lean Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Classic features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) include derangement of metabolic and cardiovascular health, and vascular dysfunction is commonly reported. These comorbidities indicate impaired blood flow; however, other than limited reports of increased plasma viscosity, surprisingly little is known regarding the physical properties of blood in PCOS. We aimed to investigate whether haemorheology was impaired in women with PCOS. We thus measured a comprehensive haemorheological profile, in a case-control design, of lean women with PCOS and age-matched healthy controls. A clinical examination determined similar cardiovascular risk for the two groups. Whole blood and plasma viscosity was measured using a cone-plate viscometer. The magnitude and rate of red blood cell (RBC) aggregation was determined using a light-transmission aggregometer, and the degree of RBC deformability was measured via laser-diffraction ektacytometry. Plasma viscosity was significantly increased in women with PCOS. Blood viscosity was also increased for PCOS at lower-to-moderate shear rates in both native and standardised haematocrit samples. The magnitude of RBC aggregation–a primary determinant of low-shear blood viscosity–was significantly increased in PCOS at native and 0.4 L·L-1 haematocrit. No difference was detected between PCOS and CON groups for RBC deformability measurements. A novel measure indicating the effectiveness of oxygen transport by RBC (i.e., the haematocrit-to-viscosity ratio; HVR) was decreased at all shear rates in women with PCOS. In a group of young and lean women with PCOS with an unremarkable cardiovascular risk profile based on clinical data, significant haemorheological impairment was observed. The degree of haemorheological derangement observed in the present study reflects that of overt chronic disease, and provides an avenue for future therapeutic intervention in PCOS.
Relations Between Children ' s Overestimation of Their Physical Abilities and Accident Proneness

Two experiments examined developmental changes in the accuracy of children's judgments about their physical abilities. Experiment 1 showed that 6and 8-year-olds overestimated their ability to perform tasks just beyond and well beyond their ability. Adults only had difficulty making judgments about tasks just beyond their ability. Experiment 2 investigated how experience with performing activities influences judgments about physical abilities. Six-year-olds again overestimated their ability to perform tasks just beyond and well beyond their ability. Eight-year-olds were more accurate about tasks well beyond than just beyond their ability. In both experiments, overestimation of ability was associated with accidental injuries for 6but not for 8-year-olds. The discussion focuses on children's overestimation of physical abilities and the relation between overestimation and accident proneness.
The Dynamics of Diverse Segmental Amplifications in Populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Adapting to Strong Selection

Population adaptation to strong selection can occur through the sequential or parallel accumulation of competing beneficial mutations. The dynamics, diversity, and rate of fixation of beneficial mutations within and between populations are still poorly understood. To study how the mutational landscape varies across populations during adaptation, we performed experimental evolution on seven parallel populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae continuously cultured in limiting sulfate medium. By combining quantitative polymerase chain reaction, array comparative genomic hybridization, restriction digestion and contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis, and whole-genome sequencing, we followed the trajectory of evolution to determine the identity and fate of beneficial mutations. During a period of 200 generations, the yeast populations displayed parallel evolutionary dynamics that were driven by the coexistence of independent beneficial mutations. Selective amplifications rapidly evolved under this selection pressure, in particular common inverted amplifications containing the sulfate transporter gene SUL1. Compared with single clones, detailed analysis of the populations uncovers a greater complexity whereby multiple subpopulations arise and compete despite a strong selection. The most common evolutionary adaptation to strong selection in these populations grown in sulfate limitation is determined by clonal interference, with adaptive variants both persisting and replacing one another.
A general framework for waves in random media with long-range correlations.

We consider waves propagating in a randomly layered medium with long-range correlations. An example of such a medium is studied in \citeMS and leads, in particular, to an asymptotic travel time described in terms of a fractional Brownian motion. Here we study the asymptotic transmitted pulse under very general assumptions on the long-range correlations. In the framework that we introduce in this paper, we prove in particular that the asymptotic time-shift can be described in terms of non-Gaussian and/or multifractal processes.
The Mediating Effect of Team Reflection on the Relationship Between a Challenging Learning Goal and New Product Success

The success rate of new products in the marketplace is dismal. A survey, based on setting a specific, challenging learning goal and team reflection, was administered to 194 members of 78 new product development teams in Turkey to determine whether there are teams who engage in reflection (i.e., deep level of critical thinking) when a specific, challenging learning goal is set. The results showed that setting a specific, challenging learning goal is associated with new product success, and team reflection mediates this relationship. These findings increase the external validity of the relationship between learning goals and the performance of individuals in laboratory settings to teams in work settings. Le taux de succès de nouveaux produits sur le marché n’est pas très édifiant. Un sondage, fondé sur l’établissement d’un objectif d’apprentissage particulier et difficile, a été réalisé auprès de 194 membres faisant partie de 78 équipes de développement de nouveaux produits en Turquie afin de déterminer si certaines équipes peuvent s’engagent dans une réflexion (c.-à-d. un niveau profond de pensée critique) lorsqu’un objectif d’apprentissage particulier et difficile est défini. Les résultats ont montré que l’établissement d’un objectif d’apprentissage particulier et difficile est associé au taux de succès de nouveaux produits, et la réflexion de l’équipe intervient dans cette relation. Ces constats rehaussent la validité externe de la relation entre les objectifs d’apprentissage et le rendement d’individus dans un environnement de laboratoire allant jusqu’à des équipes en milieu de travail.
Functional osteoclastogenesis: the baseline variability in blood donor precursors is not associated with age and gender

Mononuclear osteoclast precursors circulate in the monocyte fraction of peripheral blood and form multinuclear cells with all osteoclastic phenotypic characteristics when cultured in the presence of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (RANKL). The method to obtain osteoclast precursors from peripheral blood is simple but the number of recovered osteoclasts is often largely insufficient for functional analyses. The original aim of this study was to develop a rapid and efficient method that could overcome the donor variability and enrich the osteoclast precursors from a small volume of peripheral blood as a basis for future clinical studies to correlate the differentiation potential of circulating osteoclast precursors with bone lesions in cancer patients. We improved the efficiency of osteoclastogenesis by reducing isolation and purification times and overcame the use of flow cytometry and immunomagnetic purification procedures. In our culture system the osteoclast number was increased several-fold and the precursors were able to reach a full differentiation within seven days of culture. Both age as well as gender differences in osteoclastogenesis efficiency were no longer evident by processing limited volume blood samples with this simple and rapid method.
IR Background Anisotropies in Spitzer GOODS Images and Constraints on First Galaxies

We describe the angular power spectrum of unresolved 3.6 μm IR light in Spitzer GOODS fields. The amplitude of the anisotropy spectrum decreases with the decreasing flux threshold to which resolved sources are removed from images. When all pixels above a flux threshold of 24.6 Vega magnitudes are removed, the power spectrum of the remaining pixels has a shape on arcminute angular scales that is consistent with unresolved, faint galaxies at 1 < z < 4 with flux below 23 Vegamag and a total 3.6 μm intensity between 0.1 and 0.8 nW m-2 sr-1. The amplitude of unresolved IR background clustering is further reduced when regions containing optical ACS sources with no IR counterparts are also masked out. We take this as evidence that the most likely identification of the sources responsible for the excess power are low-redshift galaxies. Our anisotropy measurements, however, allow for the possibility that unresolved sources at z > 8 contribute to the IR background with a 3.6 μm intensity below about 0.6 nW m-2 sr-1. Based on resolved counts and unresolved fluctuations, we find that, at most, about 7.0 nW m-2 sr-1 can be ascribed to galaxies.
Statistical geometry approach to the study of functional effects of human nonsynonymous SNPs

The ability to predict the effect of nonsynonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) on protein function is important for the success of genetic disease association studies. Here we present a statistical geometry approach to nsSNP classification based on Delaunay tessellation, whereby the impact of nsSNPs on protein function is correlated with the change in the four‐body statistical potential (ΔQ) of the protein caused by the amino acid substitution. We observed that the ΔQ of polymorphic proteins with disease‐associated nsSNPs (daSNPs) was on average significantly lower than the ΔQ of the proteins with neutral SNPs (ntSNPs). Clustering amino acid substitutions into conservative and nonconservative groups, and using a three‐letter alphabet based on side‐chain polarity showed significantly lower ΔQ in nonconservative changes to daSNPs and when hydrophobic residues were substituted by charged or by polar residues. We also found that the daSNPs in the protein core caused much lower ΔQ than surface daSNPs. This approach demonstrates a strong correlation between the computed ΔQ and SNP classification. Integration of our approach with the existing models will help achieve a more precise recognition of nsSNPs that underlie polygenic diseases. All of the programs were written in Java and are available from the authors upon request. Supplementary results and data are available at http://rna.gmu. edu/DTSNPData/. Hum Mutat 26(5), 471–476, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Beyond organizational ties: foundations of persistent commitment in environmental activism

ABSTRACT Movement scholars commonly treat persistent commitment as an aspect of activism that is set in motion when recruits join a group or organization. To investigate the phenomenon of sustained activist commitment that exists separately from or in addition to organizational membership, I examine activist commitment to environmental causes. I base this analysis on thirty open-ended interviews, averaging eighty minutes, with activists whose persistent commitments to environmental causes range from ten to fifty years. I (a) identify patterns that long-term environmental activists express in their personal biographies and activist trajectories, (b) generate insights about commitment mechanisms that exist independently of organizational membership, (c) discuss how existing conceptions of activist commitment might be extended. I recommend that scholars look beyond organizational ties to pinpoint specific mechanisms that produce and sustain activist commitment to causes. I find that committed environmental activists link their activism to strong connections with nature, biographical influences, individual tactics, and personal missions rather than to organizations.
Bayesian resolution-enhancement framework for transform-coded video

Resolution enhancement for video sequences has always been an attractive application in multimedia signal processing. "Superresolution" methods, that combine non-redundant information from a set of low-resolution images, are beginning to be applied to the most popular video compression standard, MPEG. Bayesian approaches, which are very successful for raw video, largely fail for MPEG video, since they do not incorporate the compression process into their models. This compression process introduces quantization noise, which is comparable to the additive noise that is used in the Bayesian models. We present an analytical derivation that combines the quantization and additive noises in a stochastic framework for MPEG-compressed video. This is a general framework in the sense that different video acquisition models, source statistics, implementation techniques can be used with it.