Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peroxisome assembly: matrix and membrane protein biogenesis

The biogenesis of peroxisomal matrix and membrane proteins is substantially different from the biogenesis of proteins of other subcellular compartments, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, that are of endosymbiotic origin. Proteins are targeted to the peroxisome matrix through interactions between specific targeting sequences and receptor proteins, followed by protein translocation across the peroxisomal membrane. Recent advances have shed light on the nature of the peroxisomal translocon in matrix protein import and the molecular mechanisms of receptor recycling. Furthermore, the endoplasmic reticulum has been shown to play an important role in peroxisomal membrane protein biogenesis. Defining the molecular events in peroxisome assembly may enhance our understanding of the etiology of human peroxisome biogenesis disorders.
Patrons, Clients, and Policies: A research agenda for the study of citizen–politician linkages and democratic accountability

The systematic study of citizen-politician linkage mechanisms of accountability and responsiveness is challenging because we lack good comparative and historical data on both the exchanges involved, as well as on the non-clientelistic factors that might potentially also explain the political or economic outcomes in which we're interested. There are obvious reasons for voters and politicians to hide information on clientelistic exchanges: to deter competitors, to avoid social opprobrium, as well as to avoid prosecution. So in the absence of good data social scientists have been forced to rely on often-excellent qualitative studies on specific practices in individual countries, or on indirect quantitative tracers of such practices enabled by the idiosyncratic data opportunities in a single country. The studies assembled in this book, as well as the Introduction, primarily speak to the theoretical questions of (1) how to conceptualize alternative citizen-politician linkage mechanisms in democratic polities and (2) how to explain the empirical variation in linkage practices across polities and parties as our dependent variable. Empirically, the studies rely on qualitative cross-national assessments (e.g., contributions by Kitschelt, Levitsky, Muller, and van de Walle), on unique subnational quantitative measures not available in a cross-national framework (such as in Magaloni, Diaz-Cayeros, and Estevez, Wilkinson, Lyne, or in Scheiner), or on observation-based narratives (such as Krishna, Chandra, or Levitsky). Given this state of affairs, we need to start thinking about how to make advances in empirical research on democratic linkage mechanisms beyond the status quo.
Structures of self-assembled monolayer films of organosulfur compounds adsorbed on gold single crystals: electron diffraction studies

Abstract : Transmission electron microscopy and diffraction have been used to study the packing arrangements of docosyl thiol (RSH), didocosyl sulfide (RSR), and didocosyl disulfide (RSSR) on gold single crystal foils. The specimens include gold films in (100) and (111) orientations. Docosyl thiol and didocosyl disulfide adsorbed on (111) faces assemble in coincidence lattice structures yielding hexagonal overlayers c(7 x 7) in which the short interchain distance indicates freely rotating methylene chains. On a (100) surface both alkyl groups exhibit an in-plane structure consisting of a base-centered square array in which the interchain distance implies a hindered chain movement. We have presented evidence that substrate crystallography does control the packing of monolayer alkyl sulfides adsorbed from the solution phase.
Optimal design of parallel triplex forming oligonucleotides containing Twisted Intercalating Nucleic Acids—TINA

Twisted intercalating nucleic acid (TINA) is a novel intercalator and stabilizer of Hoogsteen type parallel triplex formations (PT). Specific design rules for position of TINA in triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) have not previously been presented. We describe a complete collection of easy and robust design rules based upon more than 2500 melting points (Tm) determined by FRET. To increase the sensitivity of PT, multiple TINAs should be placed with at least 3 nt in-between or preferable one TINA for each half helixturn and/or whole helixturn. We find that ΔTm of base mismatches on PT is remarkably high (between 7.4 and 15.2°C) compared to antiparallel duplexes (between 3.8 and 9.4°C). The specificity of PT by ΔTm increases when shorter TFOs and higher pH are chosen. To increase ΔTms, base mismatches should be placed in the center of the TFO and when feasible, A, C or T to G base mismatches should be avoided. Base mismatches can be neutralized by intercalation of a TINA on each side of the base mismatch and masked by a TINA intercalating direct 3′ (preferable) or 5′ of it. We predict that TINA stabilized PT will improve the sensitivity and specificity of DNA based clinical diagnostic assays.
Southern Tibet Detachment System at Khula Kangri, Eastern Himalaya: A Large‐Area, Shallow Detachment Stretching into Bhutan?

A new map and cross sections of the Khula Kangri and Kankar Pünzum–Monlakarchung High Himalayan ranges in the Tibet‐Bhutan frontier area are presented from integration of unpublished mapping from the summit section of Khula Kangri and new remote sensing together with previous mapping. The ranges define an orographic bifurcation of the High Himalaya that results in a north‐south repetition of the main geological section and coincides with the morphological repetition. The Southern Tibet Detachment System that juxtaposes the Tethyan sedimentary rocks against the gneisses and granites of the High Himalayan Crystalline can be continuously traced around both ranges and is not imbricated. Postdetachment kilometer‐scale flexure and faulting account for the features of the observed bifurcation. The true map extent of the Khula Kangri and Monlakarchung‐Passalum granite batholiths is now apparent. We propose that the two plutons are part of the same originally continuous body.
Prevalence of child and adolescent mental disorders in Chile: a community epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND In Latin America, there is limited research on the prevalence of mental disorders in children and adolescents. This Chilean survey is the first national representative survey in the Latin American region to examine the prevalence of diagnostic and statistical manual-IV (DSM-IV) psychiatric disorders in the region in children and adolescents. METHODS Subjects aged 4-18 were selected using a stratified multistage design. The diagnostic interview schedule for children version IV (DISC-IV) was used to obtain 12-month DSM-IV diagnoses of affective, anxiety, conduct and substance use disorders, and supplemented with questionnaires examining family risk factors, family income, and service utilization. The parent or the primary caretaker was interviewed for children, aged 4-11, using the DISC-IV; however, adolescents, aged 12-18, were directly interviewed. RESULTS A sample of 1558 children and adolescents was evaluated. Using the most stringent DISC-IV impairment algorithm, the prevalence rate for any psychiatric disorders was 22.5% (19.3% for boys and 25.8% for girls). The prevalence rate was higher among the children, aged 4-11, in comparison with adolescents, aged 12-18 (27.8% and 16.5%, respectively). Less than half of the subjects in need of services sought some form of assistance. Nearly a quarter of those using services did not present with a psychiatric diagnosis in the past year. Comorbidity was found in 24.8% of those with a disorder, but only 6.3% had three or more diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Chile is high among children and adolescents. This study highlights the increasing need to reevaluate mental health services provided to children and adolescents in Latin America.
Extending the two-sample empirical likelihood method

In this paper we establish the empirical likelihood method for the two-sample case in a general framework. We show that the result of Qin and Zhao (2000) basically covers the following two-sample models: the differences of two sample means, smooth Huber estimators, distribution and quantile functions, ROC curves, probability-probability (P-P) and quantile-quantile (Q-Q) plots. Finally, the structural relationship models containing the location, the location-scale and the Lehmann alternative models also fit in this framework. The method is illustrated with real data analysis and simulation study. The R code has been developed for all two-sample problems and is available on the corresponding author’s homepage.
Internal dynamics of the massive cluster Abell 697: a multiwavelength analysis

Aims. We conduct an intensive study of the rich, X-ray luminous, and hot galaxy cluster Abell 697 (at z = 0.282), likely containing a diffuse radio-emission, to determine its dynamical status. Methods. Our analysis is based on new spectroscopic data obtained at the TNG telescope for 93 galaxies and on new photometric data obtained at the INT telescope in a large field. We combine galaxy velocity and position information to select 68 cluster members (out to ∼1.3 h −1 70 Mpc from the cD galaxy), determine global dynamical properties, and detect possible substructures. The investigation of the dynamical status is also performed by using X-ray data stored in the Chandra archive. Results. We compute the line-of-sight (LOS) velocity dispersion of galaxies, σv = 1334 +114 −95 km s −1 , in agreement with the high average X-ray temperature TX = (10.2±0.8) keV recovered from Chandra data, as expected in the case of energy-density equipartition between galaxies and gas. Assuming that the cluster is in dynamical equilibrium and mass follows the galaxy distribution, we find that A697 is a very massive cluster obtaining M(
A GRASP WITH PATH-RELINKING FOR THE k-WAY GRAPH PARTITIONING PROBLEM

The balanced graph partitioning problem consists in finding a partition of size k for the vertices of a graph, minimizing the number of edges belonging to the cut and subject to a balance restriction, in which each part shall have a predefined maximum size. The problem has several applications, among them the partitioning of VLSI circuits, the optimization of communication in distributed computing and road network decomposition. In this paper we propose an approach for generating good solutions using the metaheuristic GRASP along with a path-relinking to some elite solutions and also using generalizations of heuristic operators proposed for graph bipartitioning, such as the constructive heuristic Differential Greedy and the Fiduccia-Mattheyses local search. We present experimental results that show that our partitioner is competitive with state-of-the-art in some cases.
Targeting interleukin-4 receptors for effective pancreatic cancer therapy.

We demonstrate that pancreatic cancer tissues express receptors for interleukin (IL)-4 in situ at high density. Using the approach of selective receptor targeting, we have tested the efficacy of a recombinant cytotoxin IL4-Pseudomonas exotoxin A, which is composed of a targeting moiety (IL-4) and a mutated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin. Our results demonstrate that this molecule exerts vigorous antitumor activity against human pancreatic tumors implanted s.c. in immunodeficient animals. Sixty percent of animals treated with intratumoral injections of IL4-Pseudomonas exotoxin A experienced complete disappearance of established tumors. Animals with pancreatic tumors implanted orthotopically exhibited prolonged survival that was significantly greater by comparison with untreated animals. Thus, IL-4 receptor-targeted cytotoxin represents a potent agent that may provide an effective therapy for pancreatic cancer.
The fraction of binary systems in the core of five Galactic open clusters

We used deep wide-field photometric observations to derive the fraction of binary systems in a sample of five high-latitude Galactic open clusters. By analysing the colour distribution of main-sequence stars, we derived the minimum fraction of binary systems required to reproduce the observed colour–magnitude diagram morphologies. We found that all the analysed clusters contain a minimum binary fraction larger than 11 per cent within the core radius. The estimated global fractions of binary systems range from 35 to 70 per cent depending on the cluster. The comparison with homogeneous estimates performed in globular clusters indicates that open clusters hold a significantly higher fraction of binary systems, as predicted by theoretical models and N-body simulations. A dependence of the relative fraction of binary systems on the cluster mass has been detected, suggesting that the binary disruption within the cluster core is the dominant process that drives the fraction of binaries in stellar systems.
A Novel Fully Humanized 3D Skin Equivalent to Model Early Melanoma Invasion

Metastatic melanoma remains incurable, emphasizing the acute need for improved research models to investigate the underlying biologic mechanisms mediating tumor invasion and metastasis, and to develop more effective targeted therapies to improve clinical outcome. Available animal models of melanoma do not accurately reflect human disease and current in vitro human skin equivalent models incorporating melanoma cells are not fully representative of the human skin microenvironment. We have developed a robust and reproducible, fully humanized three-dimensional (3D) skin equivalent comprising a stratified, terminally differentiated epidermis and a dermal compartment consisting of fibroblast-generated extracellular matrix. Melanoma cells incorporated into the epidermis were able to invade through the basement membrane and into the dermis, mirroring early tumor invasion in vivo. Comparison of our novel 3D melanoma skin equivalent with melanoma in situ and metastatic melanoma indicates that this model accurately recreates features of disease pathology, making it a physiologically representative model of early radial and vertical growth-phase melanoma invasion. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(11); 2665–73. ©2015 AACR.
A Classification Framework for Scheduling Algorithms in Wireless Mesh Networks

Scheduling MAC-layer transmissions in multi-hop wireless networks is an active and stimulating area of research. There are several interesting algorithms proposed in the literature in the problem space of scheduling for multi-hop wireless networks, specifically for (a) WiMAX mesh networks, (b) long distance multi-hop WiFi networks, and (c) Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs). In general, these algorithms have several dimensions in terms of the assumptions made, the input space considered and the solution space generated. In this context, the goal of this survey is three-fold. Firstly, we classify the scheduling algorithms proposed in the literature based on following parameters: problem setting, problem goal, type of inputs and solution technique. Secondly, we describe different scheduling algorithms based on this classification framework. We specifically cover the state-of-the-art scheduling mechanisms proposed for generic multi-channel, multi-radio wireless mesh networks and in particular scheduling algorithms for WiMAX mesh networks, long distance mesh networks and vehicular ad-hoc networks. We describe scheduling algorithms which consider scheduling data, voice as well as video traffic. Finally, we compare these algorithms based on our classification parameters. We also critique individual mechanisms and point out the practicality and the limitations, wherever applicable. We observe that, the literature in the domain of scheduling for wireless mesh network is quite extensive, in terms of depth as well as breadth. Our classification framework helps in understanding the pros and cons of various aspects of scheduling for wireless multi-hop (popularly known as wireless mesh) networks. We also list desirable properties of any scheduling mechanism and use our classification framework to point out the open research issues in the space of scheduling for wireless mesh networks.
Regulation of ghrelin secretion by somatostatin analogs in rats.

OBJECTIVE Ghrelin is a hormone present in the plasma in two forms: octanoylated and des-octanoylated ghrelin. In pathophysiological conditions such as Prader-Willi syndrome and ghrelinoma, elevated ghrelin plasma levels are associated with pathological obesity. Clinical studies have shown that somatostatin downregulates ghrelin plasma levels in healthy volunteers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two somatostatin analogues, SOM230 and octreotide, on ghrelin secretion in rats. METHODS Ghrelin secretion was either unstimulated or stimulated by overnight fasting. Treatment with SOM230 and octreotide was either acute (s.c. injection 1 h before blood sampling) or prolonged (continuous s.c. infusion via 14-day osmotic minipumps). RESULTS Acute treatment with octreotide dose-dependently inhibited unstimulated and stimulated secretion of total and active ghrelin. SOM230 (30 microg/kg) inhibited active ghrelin in fasted rats. Lower doses had no effect. After 7 days of treatment, active ghrelin was strongly inhibited by both compounds in fasted animals, with a stronger effect for octreotide. Lower inhibition was achieved in fed rats. After 14 days, the inhibition with octreotide in fasted rats was lower and SOM230 had no effect. Somatostatin receptor expression analysis in the rat glandular stomach revealed a predominant sst(1) and sst(2) expression, low expression of sst(3) and sst(4), and hardly detectable sst(5) mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS Somatostatin analogues may be useful for the inhibition of physiologically elevated ghrelin plasma levels. This inhibition appears to be mediated by sst(2) receptors in the rat, and desensitizes after 14 days of treatment.
Macroeconomic fluctuations and mortality in postwar Japan 1 Jos

Recent research has shown that, once the long-term declining trends are excluded, mortality rates in industrial countries tend to rise in economic expansions and fall in recessions. In the present work the comovements between economic fluctuations and mortality changes in postwar Japan are investigated by analyzing time series of mortality rates and eight economic indicators. To eliminate spurious associations due to trends, series were detrended either with the Hodrick-Prescott filter or through differencing. As previously found in other industrial economies, in Japan general mortality and age-specific death rates tend to increase in expansions and drop in recessions, both for males and females. The effect is slightly stronger for males, and particularly noticeable in those aged 45–64. Deaths attributed to heart disease, pneumonia, accidents, liver disease, and senility, making up about 41% of total mortality, tend to fluctuate procyclically, increasing in expansions. Suicides, and deaths attributed to diabetes and hypertensive disease, making up about 4% of total mortality, fluctuate countercyclically, increasing in recessions. Deaths attributed to other causes, making up about half of total deaths, don’t show a clearly defined relationship with the fluctuations of the economy. INTRODUCTION In recent years a number of publications have shown that mortality rates, once long-term declining trends are excluded, tend to oscillate with the so-called business cycles or trade cycles, increasing during expansions of the economy and dropping during recessions, fluctuating procyclically. Though this observation has been made in industrialized countries of high or medium income (Dehejia and Lleras-Muney 2004; Johansson 2004; Laporte 2004; Neumayer 2004; Ruhm 2000, 2003, 2004; Tapia Granados 2005a, 2005b), there are reports suggesting that this parallel fluctuation of death rates and the economy can also be observed in recent decades in some medium-income Latin American and Asian countries (Abdala, Geldstein, and Mychaszula 2000; De Rios Neto and Carvalho 1997; Khang, Lynch, and Kaplan 2005; Ortega Osona and Reher 1997), as well as in the turbulent 1990s in Russia (McKee and Suhrcke 2005). A possible 1 Besides minor editorial changes, this is a slightly expanded version of the paper published in Demography, Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 323-343, May 2008. The section of supplementary tables and figures on pages 29-34 of the present paper includes tables and figures (all with the prefix “S”) that either were suppressed in the Demography version, or are expanded versions of the tables in the body of the paper (for instance, table S-2 is an expanded version of table 1). This paper benefited from comments of two anonymous reviewers. Chiho Kabeya and Mieko Yoshihama kindly helped with linguistic issues. Their valuable help is here acknowledged. 2 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. e-mail: jatapia@umich.edu.
Assessing Executive Functions in Preschoolers Using Shape School Task

Over the last two decades, there has been a growing interest in the study of the development of executive functions (EF) in preschool children due to their relationship with different cognitive, psychological, social and academic domains. Early detection of individual differences in executive functioning can have major implications for basic and applied research. Consequently, there is a key need for assessment tools adapted to preschool skills: Shape School has been shown to be a suitable task for this purpose. Our study uses Shape School as the main task to analyze development of inhibition, task-switching and working memory in a sample of 304 preschoolers (age range 3.25–6.50 years). Additionally, we include cognitive tasks for the evaluation of verbal variables (vocabulary, word reasoning and short-term memory) and performance variables (picture completion and symbol search), so as to analyze their relationship with EFs. Our results show age-associated improvements in EFs and the cognitive variables assessed. Furthermore, correlation analyses reveal positive relationships between EFs and the other cognitive variables. More specifically, using structural equation modeling and including age direct and indirect effects, our results suggest that EFs explain to a greater extent performance on verbal and performance tasks. These findings provide further information to support research that considers preschool age to be a crucial period for the development of EFs and their relationship with other cognitive processes.
New parametrization of the seesaw mechanism and applications in supersymmetric models

We present a new parametrization of the minimal seesaw model, expressing the heavy-singlet neutrino Dirac Yukawa couplings (Y n) ij and Majorana masses MNi in terms of effective light-neutrino observables and an auxiliary Hermitian matrix H. In the minimal supersymmetric version of the seesaw model, the latter can be related directly to other low-energy observables, including processes that violate charged lepton flavor and CP . This parametrization enables one to respect the stringent constraints on muon-number violation while studying the possible ranges for other observables by scanning over the allowed parameter space of the model. Conversely, if any of the lepton-flavor-violating process is observed, this measurement can be used directly to constrain ( Y n) ij and MN i . As applications, we study flavor-violating t decays and the electric dipole moments of leptons in the minimal supersymmetric seesaw model.