Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of the Growth of Multinucleated Muscle Cells by an Nfatc2-Dependent Pathway

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors regulates the development and differentiation of several tissue types. Here, we examine the role of NFATC2 in skeletal muscle by analyzing adult NFATC2−/− mice. These mice exhibit reduced muscle size due to a decrease in myofiber cross-sectional area, suggesting that growth is blunted. Muscle growth was examined during regeneration after injury, wherein NFATC2-null myofibers form normally but display impaired growth. The growth defect is intrinsic to muscle cells, since the lack of NFATC2 in primary muscle cultures results in reduced cell size and myonuclear number in myotubes. Retroviral-mediated expression of NFATC2 in the mutant cells rescues this cellular phenotype. Myonuclear number is similarly decreased in NFATC2−/− mice. Taken together, these results implicate a novel role for NFATC2 in skeletal muscle growth. We demonstrate that during growth of multinucleated muscle cells, myoblasts initially fuse to form myotubes with a limited number of nuclei and that subsequent nuclear addition and increases in myotube size are controlled by a molecular pathway regulated by NFATC2.
PUL21a-Cyclin A2 Interaction is Required to Protect Human Cytomegalovirus-Infected Cells from the Deleterious Consequences of Mitotic Entry

Entry into mitosis is accompanied by dramatic changes in cellular architecture, metabolism and gene expression. Many viruses have evolved cell cycle arrest strategies to prevent mitotic entry, presumably to ensure sustained, uninterrupted viral replication. Here we show for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) what happens if the viral cell cycle arrest mechanism is disabled and cells engaged in viral replication enter into unscheduled mitosis. We made use of an HCMV mutant that, due to a defective Cyclin A2 binding motif in its UL21a gene product (pUL21a), has lost its ability to down-regulate Cyclin A2 and, therefore, to arrest cells at the G1/S transition. Cyclin A2 up-regulation in infected cells not only triggered the onset of cellular DNA synthesis, but also promoted the accumulation and nuclear translocation of Cyclin B1-CDK1, premature chromatin condensation and mitotic entry. The infected cells were able to enter metaphase as shown by nuclear lamina disassembly and, often irregular, metaphase spindle formation. However, anaphase onset was blocked by the still intact anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) inhibitory function of pUL21a. Remarkably, the essential viral IE2, but not the related chromosome-associated IE1 protein, disappeared upon mitotic entry, suggesting an inherent instability of IE2 under mitotic conditions. Viral DNA synthesis was impaired in mitosis, as demonstrated by the abnormal morphology and strongly reduced BrdU incorporation rates of viral replication compartments. The prolonged metaphase arrest in infected cells coincided with precocious sister chromatid separation and progressive fragmentation of the chromosomal material. We conclude that the Cyclin A2-binding function of pUL21a contributes to the maintenance of a cell cycle state conducive for the completion of the HCMV replication cycle. Unscheduled mitotic entry during the course of the HCMV replication has fatal consequences, leading to abortive infection and cell death.
Higher Apery-like numbers arising from special values of the spectral zeta function for the non-commutative harmonic oscillator

A generalization of the Apery-like numbers, which is used to describe the special values $\zeta_Q(2)$ and $\zeta_Q(3)$ of the spectral zeta function for the non-commutative harmonic oscillator, are introduced and studied. In fact, we give a recurrence relation for them, which shows a ladder structure among them. Further, we consider the `rational part' of the higher Apery-like numbers. We discuss several kinds of congruence relations among them, which are regarded as an analogue of the ones among Apery numbers.
Narrow‐band CCD photometry of giant H ii regions

We have obtained accurate CCD narrow band Hβ and Hα photometry of Giant HII Regions in M 33, NGC 6822 and M 101. Comparison with previous determinations of emission line fluxes show large discrepancies; their probable origins are discussed. Combining our new photometric data with global velocity dispersion (σ) derived from emission line widths we have reviewed the L(Hβ)) σ relation. A reanalysis of the properties of the GEHRs included in our sample shows that age spread and the superposition of components in multiple regions introduce a considerable spread in the regression. Combining the information available in the literature regarding ages of the associated clusters, evolutionary footprints on the interstellar medium, and kinematical properties of the knots that build up the multiple GEHRs, we have found that a subsample - which we refer to as young and single GEHRs - do follow a tight relation in the L σ plane.
Redundancy Rate-distortion Optimal Orthonormal Lter Banks for Multiple Description Coding

Multiple description coding refers to encoding an information source into multiple bitstreams, in a way that various levels of tradeoo between decoding quality and channel protection can be supported. This paper addresses the design of two-channel orthonormal lter banks to optimize the redundancy rate-distortion performance of multiple description subband coding. The problem is formulated in a Lagrangian optimization framework, and is solved directly in the frequency domain to produce the optimal lter responses. By varying the Lagrangian parameter, our design obtains all points on the information redundancy rate-distortion curve for Gaussian wide sense stationary input processes. Application of the proposed algorithm to the popular AR(1) model yields very interesting and insightful results. Comparisons with popularly deployed lter banks reveal large gaps from the theoretical performance bound.
Induction of stable microtubules in 3 T 3 fibroblasts by TGF-β and serum

Previous studies have shown that fibroblasts induced to migrate into an in vitro wound rapidly generate an array of stable, post-translationally detyrosinated microtubules (Glu MTs) oriented toward the direction of migration. To understand how cells generate a stable array of MTs at a specific location, we have analyzed the contribution of media components to the formation of oriented Glu MTs in wounded monolayers of 3T3 fibroblasts. When confluent monolayers were placed in serum-free medium (SFM) for 2 days before wounding, the cells contained virtually no Glu MTs or nocodazole-resistant MTs and were incapable of generating Glu MTs in response to wounding. Such SFM-treated monolayers were capable of generating oriented Glu MTs within 1 hour of wounding, if calf serum (CS) was added back to the medium. The Glu MTs in the CS refed cells were oriented toward the wound in cells at the wound edge, and were juxtanuclear in cells within the monolayer, demonstrating that CS restored the Glu MT array characteristic of each cell type. To determine the nature of the ‘Glu MT-inducing’ factor in CS, we subjected CS to different treatments and found that the CS factor was nondialyzable, resistant to heat, mild acid and trypsin, but inactivated by treatment with dithiothreitol. The factor was not absorbed by charcoal and was present in lipoprotein-deficient serum. These properties are consistent with the properties of a number of polypeptide growth factors, so we screened purified growth factors for their ability to induce Glu MTs in wounded SFMtreated monolayers. Of all the growth factors tested, only TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 induced a significant level (> 70% of the CS response) of oriented Glu MTs. The SFM-treated cells were exquisitely sensitive to TGF-β1, with significant induction of Glu MTs observed at 0.01 ng/ml TGF-β1. Induction of Glu MTs observed by immunofluorescence after CS or TGF-β treatments were paralleled by increases in Glu tubulin detected on western blots. The Glu MTs formed after either CS or TGF-β1 treatment showed enhanced resistance to nocodazole, confirming that both treatments increased the level of stable MTs in cells. The TGF-β1 induction of stable MTs was slower than that of CS (2-4 hours onset versus 1 hour onset), but by 24 hours the level of MT stabilization in TGF-β1 was even greater than that in CS. Unlike CS, TGF-β1 did not stimulate the migration of SFM-treated cells into the wound or the entry of SFM-treated cells into the cell cycle, showing that MT stabilization is independent of these events. These results demonstrate that MT stabilization can be regulated by external factors and that TGF-β is a potent inducing factor for stable MTs.
The Struggle of Giving Up Personal Goals

A critical phase in goal striving occurs when setbacks accumulate and goal disengagement becomes an issue. This critical phase is conceptualized as an action crisis and assumed to be characterized by an intrapsychic conflict in which the individual becomes torn between further goal pursuit and goal disengagement. Our theorizing converges with Klinger’s conceptualization of goal disengagement as a process, rather than a discrete event. Two longitudinal field studies tested and found support for the hypothesis that an action crisis not only compromises an individual’s psychological and physiological well-being, but also dampens the cognitive evaluation of the respective goal. In Study 3, marathon runners experiencing an action crisis in their goal of running marathons showed a stronger cortisol secretion and a lower performance in the race 2 weeks later. Results are interpreted in terms of action-phase–specific mindsets with a focus on self-regulatory processes in goal disengagement.
Atypical trait inferences from facial cues in alexithymia.

It is often difficult to distinguish a stranger's permanent facial shape from their transient facial expressions; for example, whether they are scowling or rapid character judgments we make about others. Someone with narrow eyes might be judged to be untrustworthy, because of strong associations between facial anger and threat. The emotion overgeneralization hypothesis suggests that judgments of character traits are based on subtle resemblance to emotional cues in others' neutral faces. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the trait judgments made by individuals with severe alexithymia, associated with impaired recognition of facial emotion. Participants viewed emotionally neutral faces and rated them according to how trustworthy, aggressive, attractive and intelligent they appeared. Participants then rated the same faces according to subtle expressions of six basic emotions. Consistent with the emotion overgeneralization hypothesis, alexithymic participants demonstrated reduced inter-rater consistency when judging trustworthiness, aggressiveness and intelligence of unfamiliar faces, and the presence of subtle emotions. Judgments of attractiveness were more consistent in the alexithymic than control group. Nevertheless, where alexithymics perceived, or misperceived, emotion cues, the character traits inferred thereafter were broadly typical. The finding that individuals with developmental deficits of emotion recognition exhibit atypical attribution of character traits, confirms the hypothesis that emotion recognition mechanisms play a causal role in character judgments. For attractiveness inferences, which may be more objectively made using non-emotional cues, such as symmetry and averageness, it seems that alexithymic individuals are able to use these cues more reliably, due to being influenced by emotional cues less. The fact that trait inferences were made in line with judgments of emotion in both groups suggests that all individuals base trait inferences on subtle emotional cues, regardless of their emotion recognition accuracy. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2015.
Superconformal N = 2, D = 5 matter with and without actions

We investigate N = 2, D = 5 supersymmetry and matter-coupled supergravity theories in a superconformal context. In a first stage we do not require the existence of a lagrangian. Under this assumption, we already find at the level of rigid supersymmetry, i.e. before coupling to conformal supergravity, more general matter couplings than have been considered in the literature. For instance, we construct new vector-tensor multiplet couplings, theories with an odd number of tensor multiplets, and hypermultiplets whose scalar manifold geometry is not hyperkahler. Next, we construct rigid superconformal lagrangians. This requires some extra ingredients that are not available for all dynamical systems. However, for the generalizations with tensor multiplets mentioned above, we find corresponding new actions and scalar potentials. Finally, we extend the supersymmetry to local superconformal symmetry, making use of the Weyl multiplet. Throughout the paper, we will indicate the various geometrical concepts that arise, and as an application we compute the non-vanishing components of the Ricci tensor of hypercomplex group manifolds. Our results can be used as a starting point to obtain more general matter-couplings to Poincare supergravity.
Context-aware design and interaction in computer systems

As human computer interface gets more immersive, it will need to explicitly draw upon cognitive science as a basis for understanding what people are capable of doing. User experience and situation should be integrated into the computer system design process. Situational awareness can be used to reduce the amount of explicit input a person has to give a computer. Contextual information of where and what the user task is, what the user knows and what the system is capable of can greatly simplify the user scenario. Such use of contextual models in computers can also reduce the teaching needed to accomplish tasks. An approach for contextual-computing framework for design is illustrated though examples.
ABCA3 as a Possible Cause of Drug Resistance in Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background: A major issue in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Multidrug resistance can be caused by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters that function as drug efflux pumps. The majority of these proteins have not yet been examined in malignant diseases. Experimental Design: A newly developed microarray for the simultaneous quantification of 38 ABC transporter genes and Taqman real-time PCR was used to analyze the expression of ABC transporters in pediatric AML and healthy bone marrow. Small interfering RNA was used to verify the role of ABCA3 in drug resistance. Results: Using the microarray, we identified four new ABC transporters, which were overexpressed in many AML samples compared with healthy bone marrow: ABCA2, ABCA3, ABCB2, and ABCC10. The overexpression of these four genes was verified by real-time PCR in 42 samples from children with AML and 18 samples of healthy bone marrow. The median expression of ABCA3 was three times higher in 21 patients who had failed to achieve remission after the first course of chemotherapy than in a well-matched group of 21 patients who had achieved remission at this stage (P = 0.023). Incubation of cell lines with a number of different cytostatic drugs induced an up-regulation of ABCA3. Down-regulation of ABCA3 by small interfering RNA sensitized cells to doxorubicin. Conclusion: Our results show that ABCA2, ABCA3, ABCB2, and ABCC10 are overexpressed in childhood AML compared with healthy bone marrow. ABCA3 is the most likely transporter to cause drug resistance.
Patho-epidemiological features of esophageal and gastric cancers in an endemic region: a 20-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND Gastric and esophageal cancers are among the most lethal human malignancies worldwide. Of all malignancies estimated in Iran (47,100), gastric and esophageal cancers were responsible for 7,800 and 3,500 deaths in 2008 respectively. The present study aimed to provide an image of patho-epidemiological characteristics with their trends during two past decades with emphasis on topographic, morphologic, and some demographic features. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a hospital-based retrospective study in 2009, all pathological reports from esophageal endoscopies and gastric biopsies through a 20 years period (1989-2008) were collected and analyzed in four interval periods (five years each). Also, all eligible samples in hospital archives were enrolled for further testing. Besides, demography, topography and morphology of all samples were determined and analyzed by statistical software. RESULTS No significant statistical difference was seen in frequency of esophageal and gastric tumors throughout the study. Esophageal cancer cases were older than gastric. Sex ratio was 2.33/1 and men had a higher rate of both esophageal and gastric tumors. Stomach cancer included 64.3% of all cases. Inferior third and end of esophagus were common locations for esophageal tumors whereas proximal stomach was common for gastric tumors. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were common morphological types of tumors in esophagus and stomach respectively. CONCLUSIONS Morphological trends showed an increase of esophageal adenocarcinoma and diffuse/intestinal ratio in stomach cancers. Trends in incidence from gastric cancer decreased based on topographic studies but we could not find a topographical trend toward cardia.
A Narnavirus-Like Element from the Trypanosomatid Protozoan Parasite Leptomonas seymouri

ABSTRACT Genome sequences were determined for a novel RNA virus, Leptomonas seymouri Narna-like virus 1 (LepseyNLV1). A 2.9-kb segment encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), while a smaller 1.5-kb segment showed no database search matches. This is the first report of bisegmented Narnaviridae from insect trypanosomatids.
Spatial Attention Interacts With Serial-Order Retrieval From Verbal Working Memory

The ability to maintain the serial order of events is recognized as a major function of working memory. Although general models of working memory postulate a close link between working memory and attention, such a link has so far not been proposed specifically for serial-order working memory. The present study provided the first empirical demonstration of a direct link between serial order in verbal working memory and spatial selective attention. We show that the retrieval of later items of a sequence stored in working memory—compared with that of earlier items—produces covert attentional shifts toward the right. This observation suggests the conceptually surprising notion that serial-order working memory, even for nonspatially defined verbal items, draws on spatial attention.
Comparison of Rough-Set and Interval-Set Models for Uncertain Reasoning

In the rough-set model, a set is represented by a pair of ordinary sets called the lower and upper approximations. In the interval-set model, a pair of sets is referred to as the lower and upper bounds which define a family of sets. A significant difference between these models lies in the definition and interpretation of their extended set-theoretic operators. The operators in the rough-set model are not truth-functional, while the operators in the interval-set model are truth-functional. Within the framework of possible-worlds analysis, we show that the rough-set model corresponds to the modal logic system S 5, while the interval-set model corresponds to Kleene's three-valued logic system K 3. It is argued that these two models extend set theory in the same manner as the logic systems S 5 and K 3 extend standard propositional logic. Their relationships to probabilistic reasoning are also examined.
Passage of parasites across the blood-brain barrier

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a structural and functional barrier that protects the central nervous system (CNS) from invasion by blood-borne pathogens including parasites. However, some intracellular and extracellular parasites can traverse the BBB during the course of infection and cause neurological disturbances and/or damage which are at times fatal. The means by which parasites cross the BBB and how the immune system controls the parasites within the brain are still unclear. In this review we present the current understanding of the processes utilized by two human neuropathogenic parasites, Trypanosoma brucei spp and Toxoplasma gondii, to go across the BBB and consequences of CNS invasion. We also describe briefly other parasites that can invade the brain and how they interact with or circumvent the BBB. The roles played by parasite-derived and host-derived molecules during parasitic and white blood cell invasion of the brain are discussed.
Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: Predictors of Plaque Occurrence and Progression Over 24 Weeks

Introduction: This study evaluated the prevalence and progression of subclinical carotid artery atherosclerosis in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Carotid arteries of RA patients were scanned using 3D ultrasound at baseline and 24 weeks for total plaque area, vessel wall volume, and intima-media thickness (IMT), as well as arterial stiffness measured using pulse wave velocity. Variables related to inflammation, lipids and cardiovascular (CV) risk were assessed for associations with plaque progression. Of 195 screened patients, 31 met inclusion criteria (66 Swollen joint count (SJC) plus 68 Tender joint count (TJC)≥8 OR SJC plus TJC≥4 with elevated acute phase reactants) and were enrolled (27 female; mean age 59.3±9.8years). Patients using lipid lowering drugs and uncontrolled comorbidities were excluded. Results: Atherosclerotic plaque occurred in 35% and arterial wall hypertrophy (IMT≥0.6mm) in 86% of patients. Most (68%) had an abnormal lipid profile characterized by reduced HDL and/or increased total cholesterol/HDL index, which was adversely affected by disease activity. Stepwise binary logistic regression analysis showed that Framingham risk score (OR=1.155, 95%CI:1.002-1.332, p=0.046) and ESR (OR=1.148, 95%CI:1.015-1.299, p=0.028) predicted plaque burden most strongly. Plaque progression was significantly associated with baseline higher hsCRP, ESR, and heavy smoking, but only hsCRP predicted plaque growth in multivariate regression analysis (p=0.004); and hsCRP was related to higher disease activity (r=0.443, p=0.016), LDL (r=0.544, p=0.007), and smoking (r=0.384, p=0.04). Conclusion: RA-related inflammation contributed to augmented CV burden in RA and might mediate its effect on atherosclerosis through hsCRP and modulation of the traditional CV risk factors, such as dyslipidemia.
An efficient two-level partitioning algorithm for VLSI circuits

In this paper, a new two-level bipartitioning algorithm TLP, combining a hybrid clustering technique with an iterative improvement based partitioning process, is proposed. The hybrid clustering algorithm consisting of a local bottom-up clustering technique to merge modules and a global top-down ratio-cut technique for decomposition can be used to reduce the partitioning complexity and improve the performance. To generate a high-quality partitioning solution, a module migration based partitioning algorithm MMP is also proposed as the base partitioner for the TLP algorithm. The MMP algorithm implicitly promotes the move of clusters during the module migration processes by paying more attention to the neighbors of moved modules, relaxing the size constraints temporarily during the migration process, and controlling the module migration direction. Experimental results obtained show that the TLP algorithm generates stable and high-quality partitioning results. The TLP algorithm improves the unstable property of module migration based algorithms such as FM and STABLE in terms of the average net cut value. On the other hand, TLP outperforms MELO, GFM/sub t/ and CDIP/sub LA3/ by 23%, 7%, and 10%, respectively and is competitive with hMetis, ML/sub c/ and LSR/MFFS which have generated better results than many recent state-of-the-art partitioning algorithms.