Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative analysis of olfactory receptor neuron projections in the antennal lobe of the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae

Mosquitoes are highly dependent on the olfactory sense to find their hosts. How olfactory information concerning host odors is represented and processed in the brain to elicit olfactory guided behavior is not known. We present an exploratory analysis of central projections of olfactory receptor neurons originating from antennal and maxillary palp sensilla known to be involved in the detection of host odors in the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. We developed computational neuroanatomic methods to determine quantitatively the positions of olfactory receptor neuron terminal arborizations and compare them between brains. These quantitative analyses suggested the existence of five nonoverlapping projection zones within the antennal lobe, with one zone receiving exclusive input from maxillary palp sensilla and two zones each receiving exclusive input from trichoid or grooved‐peg antennal sensilla. Projection patterns were not found to depend significantly on the odorants used during the staining procedure. The separate zones receiving input from different sensillum types seemed to represent a functional segregation because olfactory receptor neurons present in the different sensilla differed in their response profiles. J. Comp. Neurol. 475:315–326, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Introduction to Modern Information Retrieval

Some people may be laughing when looking at you reading in your spare time. Some may be admired of you. And some may want be like you who have reading hobby. What about your own feel? Have you felt right? Reading is a need and a hobby at once. This condition is the on that will make you feel that you must read. If you know are looking for the book enPDFd introduction to modern information retrieval as the choice of reading, you can find here.
Role of the ANKMY2-FKBP38 Axis in Regulation of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) Signaling Pathway*

Background: FK506-binding protein 38 (FKBP38) inhibits the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway in mouse embryos, but the underlying molecular mechanism has remained unclear. Results: ANKMY2 interacts with FKBP38 and acts downstream of FKBP38 to activate Shh signaling. Conclusion: The FKBP38-ANKMY2 axis plays a key role in regulation of Shh signaling in vivo. Significance: Our findings reveal a new mode of regulation of the Shh pathway. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a secreted morphogen that controls the patterning and growth of various tissues in the developing vertebrate embryo, including the central nervous system. Ablation of the FK506-binding protein 38 (FKBP38) gene results in activation of the Shh signaling pathway in mouse embryos, but the molecular mechanism by which FKBP38 suppresses Shh signaling has remained unclear. With the use of a proteomics approach, we have now identified ANKMY2, a protein with three ankyrin repeats and a MYND (myeloid, Nervy, and DEAF-1)-type Zn2+ finger domain, as a molecule that interacts with FKBP38. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed that endogenous FKBP38 and ANKMY2 interact in the mouse brain. Depletion or overexpression of ANKMY2 resulted in down- and up-regulation of Shh signaling, respectively, in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Furthermore, combined depletion of both FKBP38 and ANKMY2 attenuated Shh signaling in these cells, suggesting that ANKMY2 acts downstream of FKBP38 to activate the Shh signaling pathway. Targeting of the zebrafish ortholog of mouse Ankmy2 (ankmy2a) in fish embryos with an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide conferred a phenotype reflecting loss of function of the Shh pathway, suggesting that the regulation of Shh signaling by ANKMY2 is conserved between mammals and fish. Our findings thus indicate that the FKBP38-ANKMY2 axis plays a key role in regulation of Shh signaling in vivo.
Enhanced beta-adrenergic response in rat papillary muscle by inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase after myocardial infarction.

AIM Myocardial infarction (MI) induces a progressive ventricular remodelling leading to a contractility depression. During the acute phase of MI inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) production increases in the heart. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of iNOS in the left ventricular contractility at 3 days after MI. METHODS Wistar rats were divided into: sham operated (SHAM, n = 23), infarction (INF, n = 18); sham operated plus the iNOS inhibitor, S-methylisothiourea (SMT) 5 mg kg(-1) day(-1), i.p. treatment (SHAM-SMT, n = 26) and infarction plus SMT (INF-SMT, n = 22). Concentration-response curves for isoprenaline, Ca(2+) and frequency-force curve were studied in isolated papillary muscle from left ventricle. RESULTS After 3 days infarct area was similar between groups. SMT treatment reduced the time to peak tension during frequency-force curve in the infarct group (SHAM = 63 +/- 3; SHAM-SMT = 71 +/- 3; INF = 90 +/- 4; INF-SMT = 79 +/- 4 ms, P < 0.05) and increased the maximal response to isoprenaline (SHAM = 0.93 +/- 0.11; SHAM-SMT = 1.13 +/- 0.1; INF =0.84 +/- 0.16; INF-SMT = 1.49 +/- 0.15 g mm(-2), P < 0.05). The response to Ca(2+) was equally reduced in the INF and INF-SMT groups. SMT treatment did not change the reduced post-rest potentiation performed by INF group, but attenuated the plasma nitrite and nitrate (NOx) levels in the INF group without any haemodynamic effect. CONCLUSION These finding suggest that at 3 days after MI the iNOS modulates the isolated papillary muscle response to isoprenaline and its inhibition improves the beta-adrenergic inotropic responses.
Smart grid integrated green data centres as ancillary service providers

In this paper a review of Green Data Centres facilities to support smart grids operation is proposed. The paper describes the ancillary services a Green Data Centre can provide both in terms of spinning reserve provision and different regulation services. In the application section, a real electrical grid hosting a data centre is considered. The infrastructure is owned by Engineering S.p.A. and is installed in northern Italy. The system has been considered as connected to the MV distribution grid in presence of other renewable energy sources. The impact of possible power management operations over the considered data centre has been studied by means of a simulation software and the spinning reserve it can supply to the grid in case of wind farm power production reduction has been analysed.
Supercell differentiation and organization for the 19 April 1996 Illinois tornado outbreak

On April 19, 1996, an outbreak of tornadic supercells struck portions of Illinois and adjacent states (Storm Data, 4/96). In Illinois alone, 36 tornadoes were documented, setting a single day record while additionally exceeding the average number of tornadoes for an entire year. An estimated $30 million in damage was reported in 31 counties in Illinois with 1 fatality. Most of the tornadoes on this day were shortlived, but a few persisted for over 20 min and had damage paths of nearly 25 km with peak intensity rated at F3. To underscore the scope of this outbreak, Iowa, Indiana and Missouri reported 2, 13 and 5 tornadoes, respectively. A fascinating aspect of this case involves the early evolution, interaction and merger of cells that initiated along the dry trough (Martin et al. 1995) just west of the Mississippi River in Missouri and the warm front that was located along a northwest-southeast line from southern Iowa to east central Illinois (Fig. 1). Radar analysis of this evolving convection presented in section 3 reveals a complex pattern of storm splits and mergers. Tornadic supercells simultaneously occurred along both fronts on this day. Of particular interest, from more than a dozen cells initiating along the dry trough in northeast Missouri and western Illinois, only 2 large long-lived supercells remained that tracked across central Illinois, spawning numerous tornadoes. We will investigate whether a relationship exists between cell mergers and supercell intensification and the timing of tornadogenesis. A companion presentation by the authors (P2.4) will present modeling results that address the role of the prominent boundaries on this day in terms of their local environment influence on storm intensity, structure and organization. It is hoped that studies such as this will better our understanding of thunderstorm interactions and local environment effects as they influence the evolution of supercell thunderstorms and related phenomena.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in an urban Indian diabetic population using the NCEP ATP III guidelines.

OBJECTIVE To study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in an urban Indian diabetic population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 5088 type 2 diabetes patients (2908 men and 2180 women) presenting to endocrinology clinics at four centers across Mumbai (a large metropolitan city in India) were selected for the study. Anthropometric (waist circumference), clinical (blood pressure) and biochemical (serum triglycerides, HDL, fasting and post-prandial blood glucose) data were recorded. Patients receiving treatment for hypertension or dyslipidemia were also included in the study and these were considered in the diagnosis of MetS even if the parameters were normal. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines were used to diagnose MetS. The chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance, which was taken as a p value < 0.05. RESULTS The prevalence of MetS among urban Indian diabetic patients was 77.2% and was significantly higher in women (87.71%) as compared to men (69.33%) (p < 0.0001). The most prevalent risk factors for MetS were hypertension, followed by hypertriglyceridemia, in men, and central obesity, followed by hypertension, min women. CONCLUSIONS MetS is highly prevalent in the urban Indian diabetic population. It should be identified by regular screening in individuals from the general population to avert or delay the progression to type 2 diabetes in order to reduce diabetes-related morbidity and mortality.
Properties of crude Campylobacter jejuni heat-labile enterotoxin

The amount of crude Campylobacter jejuni enterotoxin present in culture products was quantitated by comparing the response of these preparations with that of pure Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin (LT) in the Chinese hamster ovary assay and in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays that used GM ganglioside or antisera to LT or both. Maximum C. jejuni enterotoxin production was achieved by growth at 42 degrees C for 24 h under agitation in supplemented GC medium. Adding polymyxin separately to either the broth supernatant or the cells enhanced the recovery of toxin; the yield from cell lysates was much lower. The quantity of C. jejuni enterotoxin produced by clinical isolates obtained locally or provided from Mexico varied widely, over a spectrum from none to large amounts; quantitative values for the amount of C. jejuni enterotoxin determined by the Chinese hamster ovary and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays correlated with the degree of secretory potency of this material in ligated rat ileal loops. The cytotonic activity of C. jejuni enterotoxin in Chinese hamster ovary cells was abolished by heating at 96 degrees C for 10 min and by preincubation either with GM ganglioside or with LT or cholera toxin antisera. The secretory activity of C. jejuni enterotoxin in ligated rat ileal loops was passively neutralized by antiserum to LT, and immunizing rats with either LT or its B subunit significantly (P less than 0.001) reduced fluid response to active challenge with C. jejuni enterotoxin in ligated ileal loops. These observations indicate that strains of C. jejuni vary in their capacity to elaborate a heat-labile enterotoxin that has close immunological homology with LT and cholera toxin.
Expanding access to voluntary HIV counselling and testing in sub‐Saharan Africa: alternative approaches for improving uptake, 2001–2007

The changing face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic has resulted in new opportunities to increase access to voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT), especially during the past 7 years (2001–2007). As access to HIV treatment becomes more widely available in sub‐Saharan Africa, the need for enhanced access to VCT would become even greater. When given the opportunity, many more adults in sub‐Saharan African would accept VCT, and many clearly express the desire to learn their HIV sero‐status. However, in most parts of sub‐Saharan Africa, fewer than one in 10 people know their HIV status. Stigma, fear of receiving an HIV‐positive status, lack of confidentiality, long distances to VCT sites, and long delays in returning HIV test results limit people’s access to traditional VCT systems. Alternative VCT delivery models, such as mobile VCT, routine offer of VCT and home‐based VCT increase access to and uptake of VCT. We recommend that these alternative models be implemented in more settings and on a much larger scale in sub‐Saharan Africa, where VCT uptake rates remain low.
Antagonistic effects of dual PTS‐catalysed phosphorylation on the Bacillus subtilis transcriptional activator LevR

LevR, which controls the expression of the lev operon of Bacillus subtilis, is a regulatory protein containing an N‐terminal domain similar to the NifA/NtrC transcriptional activator family and a C‐terminal domain similar to the regulatory part of bacterial anti‐terminators, such as BglG and LicT. Here, we demonstrate that the activity of LevR is regulated by two phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)‐dependent phosphorylation reactions catalysed by the phosphotransferase system (PTS), a transport system for sugars, polyols and other sugar derivatives. The two general components of the PTS, enzyme I and HPr, and the two soluble, sugar‐specific proteins of the lev‐PTS, LevD and LevE, form a signal transduction chain allowing the PEP‐dependent phosphorylation of LevR, presumably at His‐869. This phosphorylation seems to inhibit LevR activity and probably regulates the induction of the lev operon. Mutants in which His‐869 of LevR has been replaced with a non‐phosphorylatable alanine residue exhibited constitutive expression from the lev promoter, as do levD or levE mutants. In contrast, PEP‐dependent phosphorylation of LevR in the presence of only the general components of the PTS, enzyme I and HPr, regulates LevR activity positively. This phosphorylation most probably occurs at His‐585. Mutants in which His‐585 has been replaced with an alanine had lost stimulation of LevR activity and PEP‐dependent phosphorylation by enzyme I and HPr. This second phosphorylation of LevR at His‐585 is presumed to play a role in carbon catabolite repression.
Vegetable and fruit intake and non-Hodgkin lymphoma survival in Connecticut women

We investigated whether an increased intake of vegetables and fruits favors NHL survival. A cohort of 568 female cases of incident NHL diagnosed during 1996–2000 in Connecticut was followed up for a median of 7.7 years. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated by Cox proportional hazard models. Our results show that a pre-diagnostic high intake of vegetables appeared to favor overall survival (HR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.57–0.98) among patients with NHL who survived longer than 6 months. In particular, pre-diagnostic high intakes of green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits were associated with 29% (95% CI 0.51–0.98) and 27% (95% CI 0.54–0.99) reduced risk of death, respectively. When different types of vegetables and fruits were investigated separately, their impacts were found to vary in NHL subtypes. Our study suggests that increasing vegetable and citrus fruit consumption could be a useful strategy to improve survival in NHL patients.
Search for the decay modes D[superscript 0]→e[superscript +]e[superscript -], D[superscript 0]→μ[superscript +]μ[superscript -], and D[superscript 0]→e[superscript ±]μ∓

We present searches for the rare decay modes D 0 ! e þ e (cid:1) , D 0 ! (cid:1) þ (cid:1) (cid:1) , and D 0 ! e (cid:2) (cid:1) (cid:3) in continuum e þ e (cid:1) ! c (cid:1) c events recorded by the BABAR detector in a data sample that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 468 fb (cid:1) 1 . These decays are highly Glashow–Iliopoulos–Maiani suppressed but may be enhanced in several extensions of the standard model. Our observed event yields are consistent with the expected backgrounds. An excess is seen in the D 0 ! (cid:1) þ (cid:1) (cid:1) channel, although the observed yield is consistent with an upward background ﬂuctuation at the 5% level. Using the Feldman– Cousins method, we set the following 90% conﬁdence level intervals on the branching fractions: B ð D 0 ! e þ e (cid:1) Þ < 1 : 7 (cid:4) 10 (cid:1) 7 , B ð D 0 ! (cid:1) þ (cid:1) (cid:1) Þ within ½ 0 : 6 ; 8 : 1 (cid:5)(cid:4) 10 (cid:1) 7 , and B ð
What do patients and their carers want to know about stroke? A two-year follow-up study

Objective: To clarify what issues are important to stroke patients and their carers. To determine whether these issues change over time. Design: Prospective study of consecutive patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of an acute stroke. Each participant had interviews at six and 24 months. In addition, a subgroup of these patients (consecutive discharges over a two-month period) were also seen at two weeks post discharge. Setting and subjects: Hospital-based cohort of stroke survivors. Interviewed in their own homes. Main outcome measures: Documentation of the questions asked. Results: At two weeks, six and 24 months, a median of three, two and three questions were asked by each patient respectively. Enquiries about basic aspects of stroke were common but diminished over time. Fear of recurrence was apparent at all three interview periods. Enquiries about the psychological sequelae of stroke became more prevalent at six and 24 months. At two years, 32% of respondents asked about concentration/memory difficulties with smaller numbers commenting on tiredness, depression and frustration. At two years, 18% of the sample were still uncertain of their chances of further recovery. Conclusions: Patients with stroke continue to have unanswered questions even two years after their stroke. The types of questions asked changed over time.
Changes in hematological parameters in α‐thalassemia individuals co‐inherited with erythroid Krüppel‐like factor mutations

Phenotypic variations in α‐thalassemia mainly depend on the defective α‐globin gene number. Genetic modifiers of the phenotype of Hemoglobin H (HbH) disease were poorly reported, apart from β‐thalassemia allele that was identified ameliorating the severity of α‐thalassemia. Because erythroid Krüppel‐like factor (KLF1) mutations can modulate the red blood phenotype, we evaluated its effect on the α‐thalassemia phenotype. Overall, we identified 72 subjects with five different KLF1 heterozygous mutations in 1468 individuals, including 65 out of 432 α‐thalassemia carriers with fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels ≥1%, 0 out of 310 carriers with HbF levels <1% and 7 out of 726 HbH disease patients. We firstly established the link between KLF1 mutations and relatively elevated hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) and HbF levels, along with lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values in a group of α‐thalassemia carriers. However, we concluded that KLF1 mutations were not significantly linked to HbH disease severity. On the basis of HBA or HBB genotype and gender, clinical severity of patients with HbH disease was correctly predicted in 73.3% cases. It may improve the screening and diagnostic assessment of α‐thalassemia.
Instrument : disentangling dimensions using published validation models

Objective. To better understand the structure of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) instrument. More specifically to test all published validation models, using one single data set and appropriate statistical tools. Design. Validation study using data from cross-sectional survey. Participants. A population-based sample of non-institutionalized adults with diabetes residing in Switzerland (canton of Vaud). Main outcome measure. French version of the 20-items PACIC instrument (5-point response scale). We conducted validation analyses using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The original five-dimension model and other published models were tested with three types of CFA: based on (i) a Pearson estimator of variance–covariance matrix, (ii) a polychoric correlation matrix and (iii) a likelihood estimation with a multinomial distribution for the manifest variables. All models were assessed using loadings and goodness-of-fit measures. Results. The analytical sample included 406 patients. Mean age was 64.4 years and 59% were men. Median of item responses varied between 1 and 4 (range 1–5), and range of missing values was between 5.7 and 12.3%. Strong floor and ceiling effects were present. Even though loadings of the tested models were relatively high, the only model showing acceptable fit was the 11-item single-dimension model. PACIC was associated with the expected variables of the field. Conclusions. Our results showed that the model considering 11 items in a single dimension exhibited the best fit for our data. A single score, in complement to the consideration of single-item results, might be used instead of the five dimensions usually described.
Multitaper spectral estimation and off-grid compressive sensing: MSE estimates

We present our recent work on Mean Squared Error (MSE) bounds for Thomson's multitaper spectral estimator [5]. The main result provides a description of the average of the critical number of squared Slepian functions. As a further application we obtain MSE bounds for the approximation of multi-band signals using the dictionary of modulated Slepian sequences introduced by Davenport and Wakin.
Avoidance in Negative Ties: Inhibiting Closure, Reciprocity and Homophily (Presentation Slides)

Abstract Theorising of negative ties has focused on simplex negative tie networks or multiplex signed tie networks. We examine the fundamental differences between positive and negative tie networks measured on the same set of actors. We test six mechanisms of tie formation on face-to-face positive (affect/esteem) and negative (dislike/disesteem) networks of 282 university students. While popularity, activity, and entrainment are present in both networks, closure, reciprocity, and homophily are largely absent from negative tie networks. We argue this arises because avoidance is inherent to negative sentiments. Avoidance reduces information transfer through negative ties and short-circuits cumulative causation.
TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION UNDER EMBODIMENT: A TWO-STAGE OPTIMAL CONTROL APPROACH

We use two-stage optimal control techniques to solve some adoption problems under embodied technical change. We first solve a benchmark problem without learning behavior. At the date of switching, the consumption level is shown to drop, as the relative price of capital goes down (obsolescence). In such a case, the economy sticks to the initial technology, or immediately switches to a new technology with a higher level of embodiment, depending on how the obsolescence costs compare to the induced growth advantage. In a second step, we introduce learning. The learning curve involves fixed costs and incentives to wait as well. Adoption is shown to depend on the growth advantage of switching net of obsolescence and learning fixed costs. The economy will switch if and only if this indicator is positive. If it is big enough to “compensate” the option of waiting, then the economy switches immediately. Otherwise, the economy waits.