Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detailed Per-residue Energetic Analysis Explains the Driving Force for Microtubule Disassembly

Microtubules are long filamentous hollow cylinders whose surfaces form lattice structures of αβ-tubulin heterodimers. They perform multiple physiological roles in eukaryotic cells and are targets for therapeutic interventions. In our study, we carried out all-atom molecular dynamics simulations for arbitrarily long microtubules that have either GDP or GTP molecules in the E-site of β-tubulin. A detailed energy balance of the MM/GBSA inter-dimer interaction energy per residue contributing to the overall lateral and longitudinal structural stability was performed. The obtained results identified the key residues and tubulin domains according to their energetic contributions. They also identified the molecular forces that drive microtubule disassembly. At the tip of the plus end of the microtubule, the uneven distribution of longitudinal interaction energies within a protofilament generates a torque that bends tubulin outwardly with respect to the cylinder's axis causing disassembly. In the presence of GTP, this torque is opposed by lateral interactions that prevent outward curling, thus stabilizing the whole microtubule. Once GTP hydrolysis reaches the tip of the microtubule (lateral cap), lateral interactions become much weaker, allowing tubulin dimers to bend outwards, causing disassembly. The role of magnesium in the process of outward curling has also been demonstrated. This study also showed that the microtubule seam is the most energetically labile inter-dimer interface and could serve as a trigger point for disassembly. Based on a detailed balance of the energetic contributions per amino acid residue in the microtubule, numerous other analyses could be performed to give additional insights into the properties of microtubule dynamic instability.
A local complex network communities' discovery algorithm

There have been more and more recent researches on communities' discovery in complex network. However, most existing approaches require the complete information of entire network, which is impractical for some networks, e.g. the dynamical network and the network that is too large to get the whole information. So the algorithms for local community discovery get more attention. In this paper, we propose a new measure of local community structure, and then a method to discovery community based on incremental model we created. We compare our result with the previous methods on some real world networks, and experimental results verify the feasibility and accuracy of our approach.
The prevalence of back injuries amongst figure skaters in relation to their functional movement

The high incidence of back injuries amongst competitive figure skaters is reason for concern. Little is known regarding on or off ice factors contributing to these types of injuries. Insight into the causes is essential for recommending changes to prevent back injuries, to make skaters more productive with their training and improve their skating. The uniqueness of figure skating requires an in-depth look at all aspects of their training in order to understand what might be causing these injuries to occur. The goal of this study was to evaluate members of the Skating Club of Boston (SCOB) training community for the on and off ice training patterns and movements and compare those skaters with repeated injuries to those who are uninjured. In this study, 34 competitive figure skaters were enrolled, and divided into categories of skaters with significant back injury history (BIH) and skaters with no back injury history (NBIH) and stratified by gender. All skaters completed an injury history questionnaire, an off-ice muscle strength and flexibility assessment, an off-ice analysis of a squat movement and an analysis of on-ice jump technique.
Constraints on Cardassian expansion

High-redshift supernovae and cosmic microwave background (CMB) data are used to constrain the Cardassian expansion model of Freese & Lewis, a cosmology in which a modification to the Friedmann equation gives rise to a flat, matter-dominated universe which is undergoing a phase of accelerated expansion. In particular, the precision of the positions of the Doppler peaks in the CMB angular power spectrum provided by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe tightly constrains the cosmology. The available parameter space is further constrained by various high-redshift supernova data sets taken from Tonry et al., a sample of 230 supernovae collated from the literature, in which fits to the distance and extinction have been recomputed where possible and a consistent zero-point has been applied. In addition, the Cardassian model can also be loosely constrained by inferred upper limits on the epoch at which the Cardassian term in the modified Friedmann equation begins to dominate the expansion (z eq ). Using these methods, a Cardassian cosmology is constrained at the 2σ level to 0.19 1, as opposed to the supernova data which support a high-Ω m , low-n cosmology.
Single-view sketch based modeling

This paper presents a new sketch modeling system that is able to generate complex objects drawn from a unique viewpoint. The user draws the model in an iterative manner, adding simple parts to the existing object until completion. Each part is constructed from two construction lines (lines on the surface of the object that are planar and perpendicular to each other) whose orientation in the 3D space is uniquely determined by the system, and an optional silhouette. The system is then able to produce rough 3D reconstructions of drawings very easily by tracing over a sketch for example. Such models are perfectly suited to investigate their shade or shadow and they can be used as substitutes for more detailed models when the need for quick models is present. The user can also explore shapes directly on the system, refining the shape on the go in a oversketching way. The creation of models is very efficient, as the user models the shapes directly in the correct pose and orientation. Results show that the system is able to create complex objects without ever having to change the viewpoint.
Paradoxical buffering of calcium by calsequestrin demonstrated for the calcium store of skeletal muscle

Contractile activation in striated muscles requires a Ca2+ reservoir of large capacity inside the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), presumably the protein calsequestrin. The buffering power of calsequestrin in vitro has a paradoxical dependence on [Ca2+] that should be valuable for function. Here, we demonstrate that this dependence is present in living cells. Ca2+ signals elicited by membrane depolarization under voltage clamp were compared in single skeletal fibers of wild-type (WT) and double (d) Casq-null mice, which lack both calsequestrin isoforms. In nulls, Ca2+ release started normally, but the store depleted much more rapidly than in the WT. This deficit was reflected in the evolution of SR evacuability, E, which is directly proportional to SR Ca2+ permeability and inversely to its Ca2+ buffering power, B. In WT mice E starts low and increases progressively as the SR is depleted. In dCasq-nulls, E started high and decreased upon Ca2+ depletion. An elevated E in nulls is consistent with the decrease in B expected upon deletion of calsequestrin. The different value and time course of E in cells without calsequestrin indicate that the normal evolution of E reflects loss of B upon SR Ca2+ depletion. Decrement of B upon SR depletion was supported further. When SR calcium was reduced by exposure to low extracellular [Ca2+], release kinetics in the WT became similar to that in the dCasq-null. E became much higher, similar to that of null cells. These results indicate that calsequestrin not only stores Ca2+, but also varies its affinity in ways that progressively increase the ability of the store to deliver Ca2+ as it becomes depleted, a novel feedback mechanism of potentially valuable functional implications. The study revealed a surprisingly modest loss of Ca2+ storage capacity in null cells, which may reflect concurrent changes, rather than detract from the physiological importance of calsequestrin.
Untangling the Temporal Dynamics of Bilateral Neural Activation in the Bilingual Brain

A persistent unanswered question in cognitive neuroscience has been what are the neural origins of human brain lateralization? Language is strongly lateralized to the left-hemisphere, however, lateralization varies with language experience. Bilinguals demonstrate a greater extent and variability of right-hemisphere involvement for language relative to monolinguals. Here, bilingualism is used as a lens into the conditions that drive brain lateralization. Why does bilingual language processing yields more robust bilateral neural activation relative to monolingual language processing? Neural activation and functional connectivity were measured to test hypotheses about the temporal dynamics of hemispheric recruitment during language processing in monolingual and bilingual children with varying ages of first bilingual language exposure. Hypothesis (1), The human brain is strongly left-hemisphere lateralized for language, but, when faced with the demands of two languages, additional right-hemisphere resources are recruited. Hypothesis (2), The human brain has the potential for enhanced dual hemispheric language processing that can be either potentiated or not based on early life bilingual versus monolingual language experience. If dual language experience places increased cognitive demands on the bilingual brain requiring
Environmental Regulation , Anti-Corruption , Government Efficiency and FDI Location in China : a Province-level Analysis

In this paper we search for pollution haven consistent evidence within China. Using a province level data set and three different measures of environmental stringency, we investigate whether inward foreign direct investment (FDI) is attracted to those regions with relatively low environmental regulations. Our results are consistent with pollution haven seeking behaviour by foreign investors. In addition, using detailed Chinese regional data we construct two proxies to measure the level of regional government efficiency and corruption and find that FDI is attracted to regions with high levels of government efficiency and that are actively involved in the fight against corruption. JEL Classification: O13, L60, Q21, Q25, Q28
Morphology of physiologically identified retinogeniculate X- and Y-axons in the cat.

1. We studied the morphology of individual, physiologically identified retinogeniculate axons in normal adult cats. The axons were recorded in the lateral geniculate nucleus or in the subjacent optic tract, characterized as X or Y by physiological criteria, penetrated, and injected with horseradish peroxidase. With subsequent application of appropriate histochemistry, the enzyme provides a complete label of the terminal arbors and parent trunks for morphological analysis. We have recovered for such analysis 26 X- and 25 Y-axons; of these, 14 X- and 12 Y-axons were studied in detail. 2. Within the optic tract, the parent trunk of every X-axon is located closer to the lateral geniculate nucleus and thus further from the pial surface than that of every Y-axon. This probably reflects the earlier development of X- than of Y-axons. Furthermore, the parent axon trunks of the X-axons are noticeably thinner than are those of the Y-axons. Every retinogeniculate X- and Y-axon in our sample branches within the optic tract. One of these branches heads dorsally to innervate the lateral geniculate nucleus and one heads medially and rostrally toward the midbrain, although none of these labeled axons were traced to a terminal arbor beyond the lateral geniculate nucleus. For Y-axons, all branches are of comparable diameter, but for X-axons, the branch heading toward the lateral geniculate nucleus is always noticeably thicker than is the branch directed toward the midbrain. 3. Every retinogeniculate X- and Y-axon produces the greatest portion of its terminal arbor in lamina A (if from the contralateral retina) or A1 (if from the ipsilateral retina). These arbors typically extend across most of the lamina along a projection line. Not a single terminal bouton from any axon was found in the inappropriate lamina A or A1 (i.e., in lamina A for ipsilaterally projecting axons or in lamina A1 for contralaterally projecting ones). Occasionally, an X-axon also innervates the medial interlaminar nucleus, and even more rarely does an X-axon innervate the C-laminae. In contrast, nearly all Y-axons from the contralateral retina branch to innervate part of the C-laminae (probably lamina C), and most from either retina also innervate the medial interlaminar nucleus. Although these details imply considerable variation in the overall pattern of retinogeniculate innervation for both X- and Y-axons, we found no physiological properties to correlate with this variation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Arabidopsis D-Type Cyclin CYCD4 Controls Cell Division in the Stomatal Lineage of the Hypocotyl Epidermis[W]

Cyclin D (CYCD) plays an important role in cell cycle progression and reentry in response to external signals. Here, we demonstrate that Arabidopsis thaliana CYCD4 is associated with specific cell divisions in the hypocotyl. We observed that cycd4 T-DNA insertion mutants had a reduced number of nonprotruding cells and stomata in the hypocotyl epidermis. Conversely, CYCD4 overexpression enhanced cell division in nonprotruding cell files in the upper region of the hypocotyls, where stomata are usually formed in wild-type plants. The overproliferative cells were of stomatal lineage, which is marked by the expression of the TOO MANY MOUTHS gene, but unlike the meristemoids, most of them were not triangular. Although the phytohormone gibberellin promoted stomatal differentiation in the hypocotyl, inhibition of gibberellin biosynthesis did not prevent CYCD4 from inducing cell division. These results suggested that CYCD4 has a specialized function in the proliferation of stomatal lineage progenitors rather than in stomatal differentiation. We propose that CYCD4 controls cell division in the initial step of stomata formation in the hypocotyl.
Prediction of glucose concentration in type 1 diabetic patients using support vector regression

Diabetic patients must adhere continually to a complex daily regime in order to maintain the blood glucose levels within a safe range. Many factors impact glucose variations such as diet, medication and exercise. This work presents a modeling methodology for glucose prediction in type 1 diabetic patients. The physiological processes related to diabetes (i.e. insulin absorption, gut absorption) as well as the effects of exercise on blood glucose and insulin dynamics are quantified using compartmental models. Furthermore, the method employs Support Vector Machines for Regression to provide predictions of glucose concentration. The predictive capabilities of the resulting model are evaluated using data from three type 1 diabetic patients. The Clarke's Error Grid Analysis is used to assess the clinical utility of the proposed prediction method.
A graph based backward chaining method for Web service composition

This paper proposes a new method for the automatic composition of semantic Web services. The proposed method consists in constructing a graph and then searching for a sub-graph of this graph, which will represent a candidate composition solution. First, the method constructs a directed acyclic graph, which represents the functional semantics of the Web services as well as the semantic dependency between the inputs and the outputs of the services. Second, composition sub-graphs that satisfy the functionality requested by a client are searched for and ranked according to certain criteria such as user preferences and QoS. The different sub-graphs found represent different service compositions. Finally, the method selects the best service composition for a given user request. To evaluate the method, an experimental framework that automatically composes services has been implemented. The effectiveness of the method has been demonstrated by using a scenario from the trip planning domain.
An Open Economy Model of the Credit Channel Applied to Four Asian Economies Four Asian Economies

This paper provides a theoretical model of an open economy credit channel including currency mismatch and financial fragility where exporting firms have access to international credit but non-exporting firms do not. It considers the post-crisis outcome which is predicted to be dramatically different for exporters/ non-exporters. We examine firms' access to external finance in four Asian economies after 1997 using a large panel of balance sheet data. Our paper demonstrates that firm heterogeneity is critical to understanding the open economy credit channel effects post-crisis since smaller and less profitable firms are indeed less likely to obtain credit than larger, export-oriented firms.
Research Article Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice regarding Food, and Waterborne Outbreak after Massive Diarrhea Outbreak in Yazd Province, Iran, Summer 2013

Objective. This Study was conducted after a diarrhea outbreak that occurred in Yazd Province, Iran. The aim of the study was to compare knowledge, attitude, practice, and other risk factors of the affected communities regarding diarrhea outbreak (the cities of Zarch, Meybod, and Ardakan) to nonaffected communities (the cities of Yazd and Taft). Methods. A knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) survey study was conducted from August to September 2013 enrolling 505 subjects who were referred to health centers anonymously during the epidemic. The questionnaire included the following four parts: (a) general characteristics such as gender, education level, source of health information obtaining; (b) 12 questions on knowledge (Min = 0, Max = 36); (c) 10 questions on attitude (Min = 0, Max = 50); and (d) nine questions on practice (Min = 0, Max = 27). Practice on food-and waterborne outbreaks was significantly higher in females (í µí± = 0.001) and in nonaffected communities (í µí± = 0.031). Conclusions. Nonaffected communities had a considerably better practice score. With the increase in the score of knowledge about food-and waterborne outbreaks, the score of practice increased slightly.
Patients’ knowledge and perspectives on wet age-related macular degeneration and its treatment

Summary: There have been no studies examining the level of understanding age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) patients have about their disease, or their perceptions about intraocular injections as treatment. In this study, patient knowledge about ARMD risk factors was low but patients appeared more optimistic than fearful when confronted with intraocular antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections as treatment. Purpose: In recent years there has been an increase in our understanding of wet ARMD, and a dramatic shift in the treatment paradigm. However, to our knowledge, no studies have examined how much ARMD patients understand their disease, or how they feel about receiving intraocular injections as treatment. The primary objectives of this study are to identify areas in which ARMD patients may be uninformed about their disease, and to recognize specific fears or expectations that patients may have regarding treatment with intraocular anti-VEGF injections. Design: Prospective, survey-based study. Methods: This is a prospective survey-based study. An anonymous 32-item questionnaire was compiled and distributed to patients with wet ARMD who underwent at least one intraocular anti-VEGF injection. Eighty-three patients from a retina practice in a suburban setting completed the questionnaire that gauged both their knowledge of ARMD and their perspectives on its treatment. Data was analyzed using chi-square testing. Results: Seventy-eight percent of patients received most of their knowledge of ARMD from their physician. Eighty-nine percent of patients prefer to receive more information on ARMD, if needed, directly from their physician. Only 21%, 48%, 37%, 48%, and 36%, respectively, correctly identified how diet, special vitamins, high blood pressure, family history, and smoking can affect ARMD. Sixty percent felt somewhat afraid or very afraid about getting their first intraocular injection but this did not correlate with pain or discomfort during treatment (P = 0.075, P = 0.117). Eighty-nine percent were very satisfied and 11% were somewhat satisfied with the explanation their physician gave them about the injections. Eighty percent reported feeling hopeful (significantly more than any other emotion) when they were first told they needed an intraocular injection for treatment of their disease. Conclusions: Knowledge of risk factors and risk factor modification among patients with ARMD is low. Since the vast majority of ARMD patients prefer to receive information directly from their physician, patient education is crucial in improving risk factor modification and alleviating fears of treatment. With the advent of anti-VEGF agents, patients appear more hopeful of regaining vision than they are fearful of treatment with intraocular injections.
Reflection and abstraction in learning software engineering's human aspects

Intertwining reflective and abstract modes of thinking into the education of software engineers, especially in a course that focuses on software engineering's human aspects, can increase students' awareness of the discipline's richness and complexity while enhancing their professional performance in the field. The complexity of software development environments includes the profession's cognitive and social aspects. A course designed to increase students' awareness of these complexities introduces them to reflective mental processes and to tasks that invite them to apply abstract thinking. For the past three years, we have taught a Human Aspects of Software Engineering course at both the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. This course aims to increase software engineering students' awareness of the richness and complexity of various human aspects of software engineering and of the problems, dilemmas, question, and conflicts these professionals could encounter during the software development process.