Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene deletion of inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 reveals inositol pyrophosphate regulation of insulin secretion, growth, and spermiogenesis

Inositol pyrophosphates, also designated inositol diphosphates, possess high-energy β-phosphates that can pyrophosphorylate proteins and regulate various cellular processes. They are formed by a family of inositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6Ks). We have created mice with a targeted deletion of IP6K1 in which production of inositol pyrophosphates is markedly diminished. Defects in the mutants indicate important roles for IP6K1 and inositol pyrophosphates in several physiological functions. Male mutant mice are sterile with defects in spermiogenesis. Mutant mice are smaller than wild-type despite normal food intake. The mutants display markedly lower circulating insulin.
HP1: Heterochromatin binding proteins working the genome

Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) is a transcriptional repressor that directly binds to the methylated lysine 9 residue of histone H3 (H3K9me), which is a hallmark histone modification for transcriptionally silenced heterochromatin. Studies of homologs in different organisms have provided significant insight into the function of HP1 and the role of H3K9me. Initially discovered to be a major constituent of heterochromatin important for gene silencing, HP1 is now known to be a dynamic protein that also functions in transcriptional elongation, centromeric sister chromatid cohesion, telomere maintenance, and DNA repair. Furthermore, recent studies have begun to uncover functional differences between HP1 variants and their H3K9me-independent mode of action. As our understanding of HP1 expands, however, conflicting data has also been reported that requires further reconciliation. Here we focus on some of the recent findings and controversies concerning HP1 functions in mammalian cells in comparison to studies in other organisms.
Role for FGFR2IIIb-mediated signals in controlling pancreatic endocrine progenitor cell proliferation

Pancreatic development is a classic example of epithelium–mesenchyme interaction. During embryonic life, signals from the mesenchyme control the proliferation of precursor cells within the pancreatic epithelium and their differentiation into endocrine or acinar cells. It has been shown that signals from the mesenchyme activate epithelial cell proliferation but repress development of the pancreatic epithelium into endocrine cells. Here, experiments with specific inhibitors established that mesenchymal effects on epithelial cell development depended on the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Then we demonstrated that these effects of the mesenchyme were mimicked by fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), a specific ligand of FGFR2IIIb, which is a tyrosine kinase receptor of the FGF-receptor family. When pancreatic epithelium expressing FGFR2IIIb was grown with FGF7, epithelial cell growth occurred in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas endocrine tissue development was repressed. The epithelial cells that proliferated in response to FGF7 were endocrine pancreatic precursor cells, as shown by their differentiation en masse into endocrine cells on FGF7 removal. Thus, efficient propagation of pancreatic progenitor cells can be achieved in vitro by exposure to FGF7, which does not affect their ability to differentiate en masse into endocrine cells on FGF7 removal.
A Markov chain approach to probabilistic swarm guidance

This paper introduces a probabilistic guidance approach for the coordination of swarms of autonomous agents. The main idea is to drive the swarm to a prescribed density distribution in a prescribed region of the configuration space. In its simplest form, the probabilistic approach is completely decentralized and does not require communication or collaboration between agents. Agents make statistically independent probabilistic decisions based solely on their own state, that ultimately guides the swarm to the desired density distribution in the configuration space. In addition to being completely decentralized, the probabilistic guidance approach has a novel autonomous self-repair property: Once the desired swarm density distribution is attained, the agents automatically repair any damage to the distribution without collaborating and without any knowledge about the damage.
Control of HVAC systems via scenario-based explicit MPC

Improving energy efficiency of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems is a primary objective for the society. Model Predictive Control (MPC) techniques for HVAC systems have recently received particular attention, since they can naturally account for several factors, such as weather and occupancy forecasts, comfort ranges and actuation constraints. Developing effective MPC based control strategies for HVAC systems is nontrivial, since buildings dynamics are nonlinear and affected by various uncertainties. Further, the complexity of the MPC problem and the burden of on-line computations can lead to difficulties in integrating this scheme into a building management system.
Coenzyme Q10 and Oxidative Stress: Inflammation Status in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients after Surgery

(1) Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and surgical resection is the main treatment for HCC. To date, no published study has examined the status of coenzyme Q10 in patients with HCC after surgery. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between the level of coenzyme Q10, oxidative stress, and inflammation in patients with HCC after surgery; (2) Methods: 71 primary HCC patients were recruited. Levels of coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, oxidative stress (malondialdehyde), antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxidase dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), and inflammatory markers (high sensitivity C-reactive protein; tumor necrosis factor-α; and interleukin-6) were measured; (3) Results: Patients with HCC had a significantly lower levels of coenzyme Q10 (p = 0.01) and oxidative stress (p < 0.01), and significantly higher levels of antioxidant enzymes activities and inflammation after surgery (p < 0.05). The level of coenzyme Q10 was significantly positively correlated with antioxidant capacity (vitamin E and glutathione peroxidase activity) and negatively correlated with inflammation markers after surgery; (4) Conclusion: Hepatocarcinogenesis is associated with oxidative stress, and coenzyme Q10 may be considered an antioxidant therapy for patients with HCC, particularly those with higher inflammation after surgery.
Education system in acoustics of speech production using physical models of the human vocal tract

In this paper, we present and discuss an educational system in the fields of acoustics and speech science using a series of physical models of the human vocal tract. Because education in acoustics is relevant for several fields related to speech communication, it hosts students from a variety of educational backgrounds. Moreover, we believe that an education in acoustics is important for students of different ages: college, high school, middle school, and even elementary school students. Because of the varied student populations, we develop an educational system that instructs students intuitively and effectively and consists of the following models: lung models, an artificial larynx, Arai's models (cylinder and plate type models), Umeda and Teranishi's model (a variable-shape model), and head-shaped models. These models effectively demonstrate several principal aspects of speech production, such as phonation, source-filter theory, the relationship between vocal-tract shape/ tongue movement and vowel quality, and nasalization of vowels. We have confirmed that combining the models in an effective way produces complete education in the acoustics of speech production. The examinations and questionnaire surveys conducted before and after using our proposed system revealed that the learners' understanding of what improves with the use of the system. The system is also effective for voice and articulatory training in speech pathology and language learning.
The PARIS Ocean Altimeter In-Orbit Demonstrator

Mesoscale ocean altimetry remains a challenge in satellite remote sensing. Conventional nadir-looking radar altimeters can make observations only along the satellite ground track, and many of them are needed to sample the sea surface at the required spatial and temporal resolutions. The Passive Reflectometry and Interferometry System (PARIS) using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) reflected signals was proposed as a means to perform ocean altimetry along several tracks simultaneously spread over a wide swath. The bandwidth limitation of the GNSS signals and the large ionospheric delay at L-band are however issues which deserve careful attention in the design and performance of a PARIS ocean altimeter. This paper describes such an instrument specially conceived to fully exploit the GNSS signals for best altimetric performance and to provide multifrequency observations to correct for the ionospheric delay. Furthermore, an in-orbit demonstration mission that would prove the expected altimetric accuracy suited for mesoscale ocean science is proposed.
Response to Chemotherapy, Reexposure to Crizotinib and Treatment with a Novel ALK Inhibitor in a Patient with Acquired Crizotinib Resistance

The treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has dramatically changed over the last decade. It has developed from an unspecific approach based on platinum doublet chemotherapy to a personalized, molecularly targeted therapy. Crizotinib is a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of NSCLC with gene rearrangement of EML4 and ALK. Despite good initial responses, patients treated with crizotinib relapse after an average of 10 months. In this case report, we present a patient with acquired crizotinib resistance whose adenocarcinoma responded to a second course of crizotinib following a drug holiday and chemotherapy with pemetrexed. This is the second case report to suggest that retreatment with crizotinib is an option for patients with initial benefit from ALK inhibition.
Single dose effect of diazinon on biochemical parameters in testis tissue of adult rats and the protective effect of vitamin E

Background: Diazinon (DZN) is an organophosphate pesticide that widely used for agricultural pest control all over the world. DZN affects target organs including reproductive system by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase and inducing oxidative stress. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a strong antioxidant which inhibits free radicals, and probably can reduce lipid perxidation effectively in biological systems. Objective: The present study, aimed to evaluate the effects of DZN on malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in testis of rats and protective effect of vitamin E. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, thirty adult male Wistar rats (200-250 gr) were divided into 5 groups (n= 6): control group (did not receive any material), sham group (received only pure olive oil), experimental group 1 (DZN, 60 mg/kg), experimental group 2 (Vit E, 200 mg/kg) and experimental group 3 (DZN+Vit E, with the same dose). All groups were sacrificed after 6 weeks and right testis was used to measure the MDA and GSH levels. The amount of MDA was determined by the thiobarbituric acid assay and 5, 5-Dithio-bis (2nitrobenzoic acid) DTNB-recycling protocol was used for GSH assay. Results: The results showed that DZN increased MDA level (p<0.001) and reduced GSH level (p<0.001). Administration of DZN plus vitamin E decreased the MDA level (p<0.001) and increased GSH level (p=0.001). Conclusion: DZN induced lipid peroxidation in the testis of rats. Vitamin E by its antioxidant activity was able to improve the toxic effect of DZN.
Young age as a risk factor for complicated course and visual outcome in intermediate uveitis in children

Objective To identify prognostic factors in intermediate uveitis (IU) in children. Methods Retrospective case series of 35 patients with onset of IU ≤16 years and a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Demographic and numerous clinical data were documented. Visual outcomes and development of complications were analysed in relation to age of onset and ocular signs at presentation. Results Forty-six per cent of patients had onset ≤7 years, and 54% >7 years. The younger-onset group had a shorter event-free survival for secondary glaucoma (p=0.04) and vitreous haemorrhage (p=0.01). The mean age of onset in children with cataract (5.9 vs 8.7 years), glaucoma (5.0 vs 8.4) and vitreous haemorrhage (5.6 vs 8.5) was lower than in children without these complications (all p=0.03). Frequencies of other complications did not differ between both groups. The younger-onset group had worse BCVAs at presentation (0.3 vs 0.6), at 1 year (0.4 vs 0.9) and at 3 years' follow-up (0.6 vs 0.9; all p≤0.04), and they needed longer treatment (p=0.01). Children with young onset of IU reached remission less frequently (p=0.05). Development of cystoid macular oedema was independently associated with papillitis (adjusted HR=3.4; p=0.02) and snowbanking (adjusted HR=3.3; p=0.03) at presentation. Other complications at onset were not predictive for future complications. Conclusions Children with young onset of IU carry a higher risk of complications and worse visual outcome. The authors would recommend considering more intensive monitoring and earlier threshold for systemic treatment in those children with risk factors as early onset, papillitis and/or snowbanking at initial presentation.
Evolution of discrete populations and the canonical diffusion of adaptive dynamics

The biological theory of adaptive dynamics proposes a description of the long-term evolution of a structured asexual population. It is based on the assumptions of large population, rare mutations and small mutation steps, that lead to a deterministic ODE describing the evolution of the dominant type, called the 'canonical equation of adaptive dynamics'. Here, in order to include the effect of stochasticity (genetic drift), we consider self-regulated randomly fluctuating populations subject to mutation, so that the number of coexisting types may fluctuate. We apply a limit of rare mutations to these populations, while keeping the population size finite. This leads to a jump process, the so-called 'trait substitution sequence', where evolution proceeds by successive invasions and fixations of mutant types. Then we apply a limit of small mutation steps (weak selection) to this jump process, that leads to a diffusion process that we call the 'canonical diffusion of adaptive dynamics', in which genetic drift is combined with directional selection driven by the gradient of the fixation probability, also interpreted as an invasion fitness. Finally, we study in detail the particular case of multitype logistic branching populations and seek explicit formulae for the invasion fitness of a mutant deviating slightly from the resident type. In particular, second-order terms of the fixation probability are products of functions of the initial mutant frequency, times functions of the initial total population size, called the invasibility coefficients of the resident by increased fertility, defence, aggressiveness, isolation, or survival.
The role of talker similarity in the perceptual learning of L2 tone categories

Different hypotheses were proposed concerning the role of talker variability in lexical learning. It remains unclear whether new phonetic categories are acquired as episodic memory traces with talkers’ voice information preserved or as abstract categories. The current study investigated the role of voice similarity in perceptual learning of Cantonese tones. Six high-variability training sessions were given to 12 Mandarin speakers. Voice similarity was controlled in the training and pre-and posttests. Results indicate that the training positively transferred to both similar and dissimilar talkers. However, in the pretest, the performance was not significantly different between similar and dissimilar voices, whereas significant better performance was found in the similar voices in the posttest. These results suggest that learners retained speakers’ information in the learning process and made use of such information for future perception. This implies that lexical tones are probably encoded episodically in the mental representation of Mandarin L2 learners.
Event‐Based Stormwater Quality and Quantity Loadings from Elevated Urban Infrastructure Affected by Transportation

Urban‐rainfall runoff affected by transportation is a complex matrix of a very wide gradation of particulate matter (<1 to >10 000 μm) and dissolved inorganic and organic constituents. Particulate matter transported by rainfall runoff can be a significant vector for many reactive particulate‐bound constituents, particularly metal elements. The water quality and hydrology of nine events from a representative elevated section of Interstate 10 (I‐10) (eastbound average daily traffic load of 70 400 vehicles) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were characterized and compared with respect to the passage of each hydrograph. Residence time on the paved concrete surface was less than 30 minutes for all events. Results indicate that event‐mean concentrations (EMCs) of particulate matter as total‐suspended solids (TSS) (138 to 561 mg/L) and chemical‐oxygen demand (COD) (128 to 1440 mg/L) were greater than those found in untreated municipal wastewater from the same service area. Particulate‐matter dissolution and COD partitioned as a function of pH, pavement residence time, and organic content. In general, delivery of mass for aggregate indices, such as particulate matter (measured as TSS) and COD mass, were driven by the hydrology of the event, while concentrations of aggregate‐constituent measurements, such as total‐dissolved solids (TDS), illustrated an exponential‐type decline during the rising limb of the hydrograph. Despite the short residence times, wide solids gradation, partitioning, and complexity of the rainfall‐runoff chemistry, conductivity and dissolved solids were strongly correlated. Characterization of the transport and loads of constituents in urban‐rainfall runoff, as a function of hydrology, is a necessary first step when considering treatability, structural or nonstructural controls, and mass trading for discharges from paved infrastructure.
Influence of customized cutting edge geometries on the workpiece residual stress in hard turning

Depending on the intensity of mechanical and thermal loads during hard turning, compressive and/or tensile residual stress can be obtained. However, only compressive residual stress contributes to avoid crack initiation and propagation and increase fatigue life. In order to induce compressive residual stress in the workpiece surface and subsurface, cutting edge geometry is one of the most important influence factors. Taking this into account, the influence of new customized cutting edge geometries on the parameters of a hook-shaped residual stress profile (typical of a hard turning process) is investigated and possible causes for the encountered phenomena are explained. It was found that edge geometries, which provide an increase in contact length between tool and workpiece, lead to higher compressive residual stress in the subsurface and deeper affected zones.
Translating the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) into Lithuanian

Abstract Viliū nienė R, Evans C, Hilbig J, Pakalniškienė V, Danilevičiū tė V, Laurinaitis E, Navickas A. Translating the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) into Lithuanian. Nord J Psychiatry 2012;Early Online:1–7. Background: There are no standardized tools in Lithuanian feasible for ongoing routine use to measure the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic treatment. The CORE-OM is a widely used 34-item self-report measure for such purpose. Aims: To explore the reliability, validity and sensitivity of the Lithuanian translation of CORE-OM questionnaire. Methods: A validation study of the CORE-OM was conducted in the psychiatric clinic attached to Vilnius University. A Lithuanian translation of the English original CORE-OM was prepared by a team of translators. Then 39 psychotherapy outpatients and 187 students were asked to complete the Lithuanian version of the CORE-OM; 66 were tested twice to determine test–retest stability. Analysis included both internal and test–retest reliability, acceptability, influence of gender, principal component analysis and criteria for reliable and clinically significant change. Results: Internal and test–retest reliability were good (0.61–0.94), though somewhat lower for the risk domain (α: 0.57–0.79, Spearman's rho 0.25–0.60). Differences between scores of the clinical and non-clinical samples were large and significant (P < 0.001). Some of the Lithuanian criteria for clinically significant change were a bit lower than those of the original UK criteria (e.g. well-being) and others higher (symptoms, functioning, overall score), illustrating the need for local exploration. Conclusions: In spite of small differences in psychometric properties from the original, the Lithuanian version of the CORE-OM was reliable and sensitive in both clinical and non-clinical settings. It has the potential to become a practical, sensitive and reliable tool for psychotherapists in Lithuania. • CORE-OM; outcome measures; psychotherapy; reliability; validation.
Nestin Is Not Essential for Development of the CNS But Required for Dispersion of Acetylcholine Receptor Clusters at the Area of Neuromuscular Junctions

Nestin is expressed in many different progenitors during development including those of the CNS, heart, skeletal muscle, and kidney. The adult expression is mainly restricted to the subependymal zone and dentate gyrus of the brain, the neuromuscular junction, and renal podocytes. In addition, this intermediate filament protein has served as a marker of neural stem/progenitor cells for close to 20 years. Therefore it is surprising that its function in development and adult physiology is still poorly understood. Here we report that nestin deficiency is compatible with normal development of the CNS. The mutant mice, however, show impaired motor coordination. Furthermore, we found that the number of acetylcholine receptor clusters, the nerve length, and the endplate bandwidth are significantly increased in neuromuscular junction area of nestin-deficient mice. This is similar to the phenotype described for deficiency of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), a candidate downstream affecter of nestin. Moreover, we demonstrate that nestin deficiency can rescue maintenance of acetylcholine receptor clusters in the absence of agrin, similar to Cdk5/agrin double knock-outs, suggesting that the observed nestin deficiency phenotype is the consequence of aberrant Cdk5 activity.