Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SHP-2 Is a Dual-specificity Phosphatase Involved in Stat1 Dephosphorylation at Both Tyrosine and Serine Residues in Nuclei*

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are both tyrosine- and serine-phosphorylated, mediating signal transduction and gene regulation. Following gene regulation, STAT activity in the nucleus is then terminated by a nuclear protein phosphatase(s), which remains unidentified. Using novel antibody arrays to screen the Stat1-specific protein phosphatase(s), we identified a SHP-2-Stat1 interaction in the A431 cell nucleus. SHP-2 and Stat1 nuclear localization and their association in response to either epidermal growth factor or interferon-γ (IFNγ) were confirmed by immunofluorescent staining and affinity precipitation assays. The SHP-2 C-terminal region containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity interacted with the C-terminal SH2 transcriptional activation domain of Stat1. In SHP-2−/− mouse fibroblast cells, Stat1 phosphorylation at both the tyrosine residue Tyr701 and the serine residue Ser727 by IFNγ was enhanced and prolonged. Consistently, purified GST-SHP-2 dephosphorylated Stat1 at both tyrosine and serine residues when immunoprecipitated phospho-Stat1 or a peptide corresponding to the sequence surrounding Tyr(P)701 or Ser(P)727 of Stat1 was used as the substrate. Overexpression of SHP-2 in 293T cells inhibited IFNγ-dependent Stat1 phosphorylation and suppressed Stat1-dependent induction of luciferase activity. Our findings demonstrate that SHP-2 is a dual-specificity protein phosphatase involved in Stat1 dephosphorylation at both tyrosine and serine residues and plays an important role in modulating STAT function in gene regulation.
Cardiovascular and lung mesh generation based on centerlines

We present a fully automatic procedure for the mesh generation of tubular geometries such as blood vessels or airways. The procedure is implemented in the open‐source Gmsh software and relies on a centerline description of the input geometry. The presented method can generate different type of meshes: isotropic tetrahedral meshes, anisotropic tetrahedral meshes, and mixed hexahedral/tetrahedral meshes. Additionally, a multiple layered arterial wall can be generated with a variable thickness. All the generated meshes rely on a mesh size field and a mesh metric that is based on centerline descriptions, namely the distance to the centerlines and a local reference system based on the tangent and the normal directions to the centerlines. Different examples show that the proposed method is very efficient and robust and leads to high quality computational meshes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deep Steering: Learning End-to-End Driving Model from Spatial and Temporal Visual Cues

In recent years, autonomous driving algorithms using low-cost vehicle-mounted cameras have attracted increasing endeavors from both academia and industry. There are multiple fronts to these endeavors, including object detection on roads, 3-D reconstruction etc., but in this work we focus on a vision-based model that directly maps raw input images to steering angles using deep networks. This represents a nascent research topic in computer vision. The technical contributions of this work are three-fold. First, the model is learned and evaluated on real human driving videos that are time-synchronized with other vehicle sensors. This differs from many prior models trained from synthetic data in racing games. Second, state-of-the-art models, such as PilotNet, mostly predict the wheel angles independently on each video frame, which contradicts common understanding of driving as a stateful process. Instead, our proposed model strikes a combination of spatial and temporal cues, jointly investigating instantaneous monocular camera observations and vehicle's historical states. This is in practice accomplished by inserting carefully-designed recurrent units (e.g., LSTM and Conv-LSTM) at proper network layers. Third, to facilitate the interpretability of the learned model, we utilize a visual back-propagation scheme for discovering and visualizing image regions crucially influencing the final steering prediction. Our experimental study is based on about 6 hours of human driving data provided by Udacity. Comprehensive quantitative evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of our model, even under scenarios like drastic lighting changes and abrupt turning. The comparison with other state-of-the-art models clearly reveals its superior performance in predicting the due wheel angle for a self-driving car.
Prespore Cell Fate Bias in G1 Phase of the Cell Cycle in Dictyostelium discoideum

ABSTRACT By generating a population of Dictyostelium cells that are in the G1 phase of the cell cycle we have examined the influence of cell cycle status on cell fate specification, cell type proportioning and its regulation, and terminal differentiation. The lack of observable mitosis during the development of these cells and the quantification of their cellular DNA content suggests that they remain in G1 throughout development. Furthermore, chromosomal DNA synthesis was not detectable these cells, indicating that no synthesis phase had occurred, although substantial mitochondrial DNA synthesis did occur in prespore cells. The G1-phase cells underwent normal morphological development and sporulation but displayed an elevated prespore/prestalk ratio of 5.7 compared to the 3.0 (or 3:1) ratio normally observed in populations dominated by G2-phase cells. When migrating slugs produced by G1-phase cells were bisected, each half could reestablish the 5.7 (or 5.7:1) prespore/prestalk ratio. These results demonstrate that Dictyostelium cells can carry out the entire developmental cycle in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and that passage from G2 into G1 phase is not required for sporulation. Our results also suggest that the population asymmetry provided by the distribution of cells around the cell cycle at the time of starvation is not strictly required for cell type proportioning. Finally, when developed together with G2-phase cells, G1-phase cells preferentially become prespore cells and exclude G2-phase cells from the prespore-spore cell population, suggesting that G1-phase cells have an advantage over G2-phase cells in executing the spore cell differentiation pathway.
Arm and leg cycle cross-training effect on anaerobic threshold and heart rate in patients with coronary heart disease.

It has been suggested that the anaerobic threshold (AT) represents a minimal intensity for eliciting an exercise training adaptation. Thirteen men (age = 66 +/- 9; weight = 81 +/- 13kg) and two women (age = 58 +/- 21; weight = 70 +/- 3kg) with coronary heart disease (CHD) trained for 12 weeks to determine the effect of an exercise regimen composed of three- to six-minute intervals of alternating arm and leg cycling (cross-training) on AT. The patients cross-trained for a total of 30 minutes per session, three days per week. Maximal cycle ergometer tests with breath by breath ventilatory gas analyses were performed before and after training. Peak oxygen uptake increased by 8.9% and peak power output increased (p < .05) by 28.3%, whereas resting heart rate (HR) decreased (p < .05) by 9.6% as a result of the cross-training regimen. Cross-training did not effect a significant change in AT but HR at AT was decreased by 6.3% (p < .05). Arm and leg cross-training produced a physiological adaptation and may have reduced the HR threshold for effective exercise training.
Pathogenesis of experimental bovine spongiform encephalopathy: preclinical infectivity in tonsil and observations on the distribution of lingual tonsil in slaughtered cattle

The infectivity in tissues from cattle exposed orally to the agent of BSE was assayed by the intracerebral inoculation of cattle. In addition to the infectivity in the central nervous system and distal ileum at stages of pathogenesis previously indicated by mouse bioassay, traces of infectivity were found in the palatine tonsil of cattle killed 10 months after exposure. Because the infectivity may therefore be present throughout the tonsils in cattle infected with BSE, observations were made of the anatomical and histological distribution of lingual tonsil in the root of the tongue of cattle. Examinations of tongues derived from abattoirs in Britain and intended for human consumption showed that macroscopically identifiable tonsillar tissue was present in more than 75 per cent of them, and even in the tongues in which no visible tonsillar tissue remained, histological examination revealed lymphoid tissue in more than 90 per cent. Variations in the distribution of the lingual tonsil suggested that even after the most rigorous trimming of the root of the tongue, traces of tonsillar tissue may remain.
Lymphatic Vessel Endothelial Hyaluronan Receptor 1 Immunocytochemical Staining for Pancreatic Islets and Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors

Objectives: Immunocytochemical staining for lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1) is able to recognize lymphatic vessel endothelium and pancreatic endocrine cells (PETs). Pancreatic endocrine tumors were studied for LYVE-1 immunocytochemical staining compared with normal pancreatic islets to detect possible presence of LYVE-1 in PETs. Methods: Twenty-five cases of primary and metastatic PETs were immunocytochemically stained for LYVE-1, including insulinomas, glucagonomas, somatostatinoma, pancreatic polypeptidomas, gastrinomas, and nonfunctioning tumors. With routinely formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues, LYVE-1 immunostaining was performed with polyclonal goat antihuman LYVE-1. Results: All normal pancreatic islet cells were positive for LYVE-1, whereas 2 cases of 25 PETs, 1 each of gastrinoma and nonfunctioning tumor, were positive for LYVE-1, retaining immunocytochemical reactivity of islet cells. Conclusions: Normal pancreatic islets were positive for LYVE-1, whereas only 2 of 25 PETs were positive, suggesting that most PETs lost LYVE-1 or contained below detectable levels of LYVE-1. The presence of LYVE-1 in pancreatic islets and in some PETs may suggest structure-function relationship of LYVE-1/lymphatic vessel in hormone synthesis and secretion.
The web-sensor gateway architecture for Zigbee

This paper investigates an architecture for interconnecting Internet and Zigbee sensor network which is founded on IEEE802.15. 4 standard. We present a web-sensor gateway to deliver data between Internet protocol and Zigbee/IEEE802.15. 4 protocol, transparently. We also introduce the common gateway interface (CGI) technology to satisfy users on the web browser to efficiently manage and query the Zigbee sensor network, ubiquitously. Finally, a simulation prototype is proposed.
Some Properties of Five New Salmonella Bacteriophages

Five bacteriophages were isolated from lysogenic strains of Salmonella potdam. On the basis of plaque morphology, thermostability, serology, host range, one-step growth parameters, and phage morphology, they were divided into three groups: group A, phages P4 and P9c; group B, phages P3 and P9a; and group C, phage P10. Group A phages had a hexagonal head 55 nm in diameter with a short tail 15 nm long. These phages were particularly characterized by high thermostability, lack of serological relationship with any of the other phages, and restriction of lysis to other Salmonella strains of Kauffmann-White group C1. Group B phages had a head identical in size and shape to that of the A phages, but they possessed a tail 118 nm long with a contractile sheath. A unique feature was the occurrence of tail fibers at the end of the core rather than at the base of the sheath. These phages were considerably less thermostable, had extended host ranges, and were serologically distinct from each other but unrelated to the A phages. The group C phage, P10, had a head identical to that of the A and B phages. It had a tail 95 nm in length, with tail fibers attached to a base plate at the end of a contractile sheath. P10 was highly sensitive to heat, lysed only smooth strains of Salmonella, and showed a degree of serological relationship to both B phages. The relationship of these phage groups to previous Salmonella phage grouping schemes is discussed.
Association of interleukin-1 polymorphisms with aggressive periodontitis.

BACKGROUND Genetic polymorphisms for interleukin (IL)-1alpha and -1beta have been proposed as potential genetic markers for periodontal diseases. Since the prevalence of these polymorphisms could be race-related, and no data exist about the frequency of these polymorphisms in the Chilean population, the aim of the current study was to investigate the association of the interleukin-1 gene polymorphisms with aggressive periodontitis (AgP). METHODS Thirty-six patients with AgP, 75 healthy controls, and 75 subjects of unknown periodontal status (reference population) were genotyped for the IL-1A -889 and IL-1B +3954 loci, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, calculating odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS The prevalence of the positive composite IL-1 genotype was higher in patients (25%) than in healthy controls (12%), but the difference was not significant (P= 0.14). The IL-1B +3954 homozygous for allele 1 frequency was higher in controls than in patients suggesting a protective factor for AgP. The heterozygous for allele 2 of the IL- 1B showed a significant association with AgP (OR = 2.86, 95% CI 1.06 to 7.71, P= 0.030). No association was observed in localized AgP and generalized AgP between the extent of disease and the presence of the composite positive genotype. Because the number of smokers was too small in patients and in controls, no other analyses were performed. CONCLUSION The results of the present study support a positive association between AgP and the presence of the IL-1B +3954 allele 2 polymorphism.
Inference and intraday analysis of diversified world stock indices

The benchmark framework provides an alternative paradigm for financial market modelling. Firstly, approaches to parameter estimation of discretely observed diffusion processes are examined, with particular emphasis on estimating function techniques. A new estimating function technique, called the transform function method, is introduced and applied to a class of stochastic differential equations. The advantage of the transform function method is that explicit information is not required about conditional moments and the existence of stationary transition densities. Despite the flexibility of the transform function technique, it suffers the same drawbacks as existing estimation methods with respect to drift estimation of financial data. The observation period required to estimate the drift function is much greater than what is available in financial markets. Notwithstanding the lack of available data for drift estimation, the diffusion function can be reliably estimated by the transform function method from short periods of frequently observed data. This thesis highlights that the benchmark approach of Platen (2002), where only estimates for diffusion coefficients are required, resolves the issue of drift estimation from financial market data. Secondly, we extend the benchmark approach to incorporate modelling aspects particular to intraday data. This requires the construction of high-frequency diversified portfolios to approximate the growth optimal portfolio, the central building block of the benchmark model. Three different high-frequency indices are considered and it is demonstrated that an index with proportions based on total world market capitalisation provides the best proxy for the growth optimal portfolio. The benchmark model is then extended to intraday data through the introduction of a market activity process. This process is shown to be readily observable and as such, properties of market activity can be characterised. The analysis includes the consideration of the high- frequency indices in US Dollars and a further twenty currency denominations. As such, we reveal the pairwise co-variation structures between the currency denominations considered. It is shown that the intraday benchmark model, which has market activity as the main parameter of interest, provides a largely accurate intraday description of financial markets.
Effect of planting pattern and intercrop on yield and economics of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) based intercropping system

A field experiment was conducted from 1997 98 to 1999 2000 to work out the suitable planting pattern with different intercrops in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.1 based intercropping system for Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh under rainfed conditions. Overall soybean [Glysine max (L.) Merr. ] intercropped with pigeonpea gave the highest net returns (Rs 19,465tha). In general, replacement series resulted in significantly higher pigeonpea equivalent yield than additive series. Highest net profitlrupee investment was recorded with blackgram (Phasolus mungo L.) pigeonpea (1.45). Key words : Additive series, Replacement series, Intercropping, Pigeonpea equivalent
A Portfolio of Academic, Therapeutic Practice and Research Work Including an Investigation of "Maternal Eating Disorders: Adult Daughters' Reported Experiences".

This paper reviews the existing literature on offspring of parents with eating disorders. In order to gain a deeper understanding of these findings, the present review draws on research and knowledge of children and adult children of alcoholics, as there are superficial similarities between alcoholism and eating disorders. From the research to date, it is possible to deduce three broad mechanisms by which a parental eating disorder can affect offspring, and each of these mechanisms is discussed. The evidence from the present review seems to suggest that the most serious consequences of a parental eating disorder on offspring are a direct result of the parent’s eating disorder symptomatology. Further research on the possible intergenerational transmission of eating disorders can expand the knowledge of the aetiology of eating disorders. Implications for treatment are discussed and suggestions for future research are made.
Renal resistive indexes: variability in Doppler US measurement in a healthy population.

PURPOSE To determine the variability in resistive index (RI) in normal kidneys, possible causes of variability, and consequences of reporting a single value. MATERIALS AND METHODS Doppler ultrasound RI measurements were obtained in the upper, middle, and lower regions of 118 kidneys in 58 healthy subjects (aged 24-70 years; 35 women, 23 men) who subsequently underwent angiography. The effects of sampling a particular parenchymal region, vascular territory, or kidney were assessed. RESULTS Kidney region, vascular territory, and right versus left kidney had no consistently significant effect (P < or = .05) on RI. Age had a statistically significant effect. RI readings were highly correlated with each other both within a subject and within a kidney. The probability that a single RI value would exceed 0.70 in a healthy 45-year-old subject was 6%; this decreased to 3% when three readings were averaged. CONCLUSION The variability of RI measurements in a kidney suggests that a number of RI readings should be averaged before a single representative value is reported.
The government bond buying programmes of the European Central Bank: an analysis of their policy settings

ABSTRACT This article investigates why the European Central Bank's (ECB's) unconventional monetary policies were relatively modest during the crisis, focusing specifically on the design of its government bond purchase programmes. Building from available explanations of the ECB's behaviour in the political science and public policy literature, we extrapolate a number of testable propositions with a view to helping to account for the specific features of the policies under investigation. These propositions build from scholarly works that emphasize three distinct fundamentals of the ECB's behaviour: legal; doctrinal; and institutional. We then provide evidence supporting our propositions by evaluating the ECB's policy settings during the crisis. In addition, we identify other factors that have shaped the design of the ECB's bond buying policies, namely the ECB's conception of its own independence.
Motivations for implementing TQM through the EFQM model in Spain: an empirical investigation

This paper presents the results of the empirical study conducted in 68 Spanish firms which are following the implementation process of the Total Quality Management (TQM) through the EFQM excellence model, according to the Excellence in Management Club (the official representative and partner of EFQM in Spain which is a non-profit making organisation with the aim of being the reference and meeting point for organisations on their way towards excellence). The objective of this paper is to analyse the motivations that lead Spanish firms to implement the TQM through the EFQM. First a review of literature is provided, followed by methodology which consists of a descriptive analysis and factor analysis in order to determine the importance and the structure of these motivations. Finally, cluster firms and these groups are analysed to establish their profile by cluster analysis. The results show that the most important motivations that drive firms to implement the TQM through the EFQM are internal motivations. The structure of motivations in these firms is made up of three groups: internal reasons, external reasons of requirements, and external market reasons.
How You Ask is What You Get: Willingness-to-Pay for a QALY in Germany

We report results of a survey of a representative sample of the German population in which respondents were asked in various scenarios for their willingness-to-pay (WTP) for a gain of one quality-adjusted life year. While one version of the survey exactly copied the setting (online survey) and the questionnaire used in the EuroVaQ project, in the second version the hypothetical nature of the questions was emphasized more strongly, and the survey was conducted as a computer-assisted personal interview. The results show that the average and median WTP responses differed between scenarios but, overall, became considerably larger in the second version.
Epidermal egr‐like zinc finger protein of Drosophila participates in myotube guidance.

We have cloned and molecularly characterized the Drosophila gene stripe (sr) required for muscle‐pattern formation in the embryo. Through differential splicing, sr encodes two nuclear protein variants which contain a zinc finger DNA‐binding domain in common with the early growth response (egr) family of vertebrate transcription factors. The sr transcripts and their protein products are exclusively expressed in the epidermal muscle attachment cells and their ectodermal precursors, but not in muscles or muscle precursors. The results suggest that sr activity induces a subset of ectodermal cells to develop into muscle attachment sites and to provide spatial cues necessary to orient myotubes along the basal surface of the epidermis to their targeted attachment cells.
The Effectiveness of Therapeutic Class IV (10 W) Laser Treatment for Epicondylitis

Photobiomodulation has been shown to modulate cellular protein production and stimulate tendon healing in a dose‐dependent manner. Previous studies have used class IIIb lasers with power outputs of less than 0.5 W. Here we evaluate a dual wavelength (980/810 nm) class IV laser with a power output of 10 W for the purpose of determining the efficacy of class IV laser therapy in alleviating the pain and dysfunction associated with chronic epicondylitis.