Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organization of actin filaments and immunocolocalization of alpha‐actinin in the connecting cilium of rat photoreceptors

A small discrete concentration of actin filaments in the connecting cilium of vertebrate photoreceptors appears to have a role in the morphogenesis of the phototransductive disk membranes (Williams et al., '88). We have visualized these actin filaments in rat rod photoreceptors by decorating them with myosin subfragment‐1. At the site of disk morphogenesis, we observed a cluster of short filaments, with various orientations and their faster growing (barbed) ends at the ciliary plasma membrane. Their association with the liplike structure of an early nascent disk is consistent with their apparent involvement in the initiation of disk môrphogenesis. A few longer decorated filaments extended along the core of the connecting cilium, away from the site of disk morphogenesis, implying that they might have some function other than the shaping of a new disk. Most of the antiactin label was found in the region of the short filaments. The alpha‐actinin immunolabel coincided with that of actin, suggesting that the filaments may be crosslinked by alpha‐actinin.
Deep Spectral Clustering Learning

Clustering is the task of grouping a set of examples so that similar examples are grouped into the same cluster while dissimilar examples are in different clusters. The quality of a clustering depends on two problem-dependent factors which are i) the chosen similarity metric and ii) the data representation. Supervised clustering approaches, which exploit labeled partitioned datasets have thus been proposed, for instance to learn a metric optimized to perform clustering. However, most of these approaches assume that the representation of the data is ﬁxed and then learn an appropriate linear transformation. Some deep supervised clustering learning approaches have also been proposed. However, they rely on iterative methods to compute gradients resulting in high algorithmic complexity. In this paper, we propose a deep supervised clustering metric learning method that formulates a novel loss function. We derive a closed-form expression for the gradient that is efﬁcient to compute: the complexity to compute the gradient is linear in the size of the training mini-batch and quadratic in the representation dimensionality. We further reveal how our approach can be seen as learning spectral clustering. Experiments on standard real-world datasets conﬁrm state-of-the-art Recall@K performance.
Evaluation of the powder of Piper guineense and Pirimiphos- methly F for the control of cowpea beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.).

Cowpea is major source of dietary protein in tropical region of the world and damage caused by Callosobruchus maculatus impact negatively on its economic and nutritional values. In Nigeria today, the use of synthetic insecticides has been the major means of protecting stored grains from insect pest infestation. The drawback associated with the use of insecticides has necessitated the search for humanly safe, ecologically sound and cheap control measures. The effect of the combination of Piper guineense and Pirimiphos methyl as treatment in comparison with sole treatments of these powders was carried out in this study. Contact toxicity was tested for Piper guineense at 0.02g, 0.04g, 0.06g, 0.08g and 0.1g per 20g of cowpea seeds in separate petri-dish, while it was tested at 0.01g per 20g of cowpea seeds for Pirimiphos methyl in separate petri-dish. The combination (0.02g + 0.01g; 0.04g + 0.01g; 0.06g + 0.01g; 0.08g + 0.01g and 0.1g + 0.01 Piper guineense and Pirimiphos methyl respectively/20g cowpea seeds) of each of the concentrations was also tested in separate dish. Control with no treatment was also set up. Piper guineense at 0.10g sole concentration and 0.1g Piper guineense + 0.01g Pirimiphos methyl combined concentration significantly reduced the oviposition potential, egg hatching rate and emergence of adults Callosobruchus maculatus. The powders caused chronic toxicity and inhibit development. The inhibitory effects may due to the active ingredients that enter the digestive tract and be absorbed through it. The efficacy in respect of toxicity exhibited significant effect at 0.02g sole treatment of Piper guineense and 0.02g Piper guineense + 0.01g Pirimiphos methyl combined treatments at 12, 24 and 48 hours after infestation (HAI). All the responses were found the concentration dependent during the course of the study.
Toxicity Evaluation of the Liver and in vitro Metabolism in Wistar Rat on Exposure to N-NitrosaminePrecursors

The aim of this study is to evaluate liver toxicity on exposure to n-nitrosamine precursors as well as the effect of ultraviolet light on n-nitrosamines and its precursors. Toxicological evaluation of the liver following single dose treatment of wistar rat with 8.2125 mg NaNO2/adult rat and in rats given a combined dose of 50 mgDMA-HCl and 8.2125 mg NaNO2/adult rat showed a steady elevation of the liver function enzymes. Histopathological analysis of the liver showed hepatic necrosis in the chemical induced rats. Following UV exposure after in vitro incubation of rat liver microsomal plus soluble fraction with NaNO2 and NaNO2 plus DMA-HCl, nitrite concentration in the NaNO2 incubation medium was 19.5 and 2.2 μg/mL before and after UV exposure respectively while the nitrite concentration in the NaNO2 plus DMA-HCl incubation medium was 23.5 and 2.5 μg/mL, respectively. Nitrite loss was significant (p<0.05) between before and after UV exposure in all groups. UV exposure, thus degraded the nitrosamine precursors, nitrite and DMA-HCl, thereby inhibiting possible nitrosation. The high values of the activities of serum transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatases (ALP) and gammaglutamyltransferses (γ-GT), relative to control values are indicative of severe intrahepatic cell damage
A crucial role for the phosphorylation of STRAP at Ser188 by MPK38 in STRAP-dependent cell death through ASK1, TGF-β, p53, and PI3K/PDK1 signaling pathways

Serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) is a TGF-β receptor-interacting protein that participates in the regulation of cell proliferation and cell death in response to various stresses. Here, we demonstrate that STRAP phosphorylation plays an important role in determining the pro- or anti-apoptotic function of STRAP. Murine protein serine/threonine kinase 38 (MPK38) phosphorylates STRAP at Ser188 via direct interaction. Complex formation between STRAP and MPK38 is mediated by Cys152 and Cys270 of STRAP and Cys339 and Cys377 of MPK38, suggesting the redox dependency of this interaction. MPK38-mediated STRAP Ser188 phosphorylation contributes to the pro-apoptotic function of STRAP by modulating key steps in STRAP-dependent ASK1, TGF-β, p53, and PI3K/PDK1 signaling pathways. Moreover, knockdown of endogenous MPK38 using an inducible MPK38 shRNA system and in vivo activation of MPK38 by treatment of HEK293 and STRAP-null MEF cells with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB), a specific inhibitor of Trx reductase, provide evidence that STRAP Ser188 phosphorylation plays a key role in STRAP-dependent cell death. Adenoviral delivery of MPK38 in mice also demonstrates that STRAP Ser188 phosphorylation in the liver is tightly associated with cell death and proliferation through ASK1, TGF-β, p53, and PI3K/PDK1 pathways, resulting in apoptotic cell death.
Managing Big Data for Firm Performance: a Configurational Approach

Big data are challenging organizations to find a thoughtful, holistic approach to data, analysis and information management to facilitate timely and sound decisions making, and in turn to gain competitive advantages. Managing big data is not a simple technical issue, but a complex managerial and strategic one. To achieve the vast potential of big data not only will enterprise IT architectures need to change, firms also need a new strategy, a new mind set, and a capability to deal with unexpected environmental turbulences. In this paper, we present a conceptual model and a novel analysis method, fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to model and interpret interdependent non-linear relationships among elements and the outcome, performance. We posit that data management strategy, big data competence, IT capability and organization improvisational capability are interdependent and mutual reinforcing that form a network of nonlinear influential factors for firm decision quality and in turn, performance.
Effects of selenium supplement forms on the diet–cow–calf transfer of selenium in Simmental cattle

Niwińska B. , Andrzejewski M. (2017): Effects of selenium supplement forms on the diet–cow–calf transfer of selenium in Simmental cattle. Czech J. Anim. Sci., 62, 201–210. The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of diet–cow–calf transfer of selenium (Se) depending on the forms of Se-supplement given to cows of Simmental breed during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first week of lactation. On day 195 of pregnancy the cows were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups (n = 6), and the newborn calves belonged to the same group as their mothers (n = 6). The cows in the control group received diet without Se-supplement, while the supplemented groups received Se in equivalent doses in a powder form (Se-unprotected) or in a protected form (Se-protected) of sodium selenite or in organic compounds (Se-yeast), the calves received colostrum and milk from their mothers. The data about feed and Se intake, colostrum and milk daily production, Se concentration in colostrum, milk, and cows and calves blood serum were recorded. The diet–cow Se transfer efficiency was estimated as the following ratios: the concentration of Se in cows’ serum after parturition/daily Se intake during prepartum; Se secretion in colostrum/daily Se intake during prepartum; and Se secretion in milk at 7 days of lactation/daily Se intake. The ratios were higher (P ≤ 0.02) in the Se-yeast group than in the other supplemented groups, in the Se-unprotected and Se-protected groups the ratios were similar (P > 0.05). The cow–calf Se transfer efficiency estimated as calves’ serum concentration after birth/cows’ serum concentration after parturition was similar (P > 0.05) in all experimental groups. The results showed that the form of Se supplement modulated the Se transfer from the diet to cows; Se was transferred more efficiently from the Se-yeast than from sodium selenite. The form of Se supplement did not affect the cow–calf Se transfer efficiency.
Evaluation of Changes in Nasal Airway in Patients Having Undergone Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion

IntroductionSurgically assisted maxillary expansion (SAME) is used to treat transverse maxillary discrepancies. The effect of this technique on the nasal airway has been the subject of a large number of studies. ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to identify changes in the nasal airway in patients having undergone SAME. Materials and MethodsA prospective study was carried out on a sample of 10 patients having undergone SAME who agreed to participate in all phases of the study. Data acquisition involved a questionnaire, Glatzel mirror, and computed tomography measurements in both the preoperative and postoperative periods. ResultsNasal width increased in all patients following SAME (mean increase: 1.29 mm). The mean opening of the intermaxillary space was 5.30 mm. The postoperative nasal airway was larger in 8 patients (80%), with a mean increase of 0.30 cm2 (18.52%). A significant overall increase (P < 0.05) in the nasal valve angle occurred in the postoperative period. The use of the Glatzel mirror revealed a smaller area of condensation in the postoperative period in only 1 patient. ConclusionsThe nasal airway underwent a positive change following surgically assisted maxillary expansion. Moreover, the nasal valve angle is suggested as a new parameter for the analysis of this improvement.
Polysilicon TFT structures for kink-effect suppression

Experimental results and numerical simulations of asymmetric fingered polysilicon thin-film transistors (AF-TFTs) are analyzed in detail. In the AF-TFTs, the transistor channel region is split into two zones with different lengths separated by a floating n/sup +/ region. This structure allows an effective reduction of the kink effect depending on the relative length of the two subchannels, without introducing any additional series resistance. In addition, an appreciable reduction of the leakage current is also observed. The AF-TFTs characteristics have been analyzed by two-dimensional numerical simulation and by modeling the device with two transistors in series. This model clarifies the mechanisms of kink effect suppression in AF-TFT. On the basis of this analysis, two new modified device structures for kink-effect suppression are also proposed and discussed.
Assessing patient outcomes and cost‐effectiveness of nurse‐led follow‐up for women with breast cancer – have relevant and sensitive evaluation measures been used?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore how interventions using nurse-led follow-up in breast cancer care have been evaluated with a focus on patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness. BACKGROUND As part of the advancement of breast care, nurse-led follow-up is increasingly used as an alternative to routine hospital follow-up in outpatient clinics. There is evidence suggesting that patients appear to be satisfied with the nurse-led follow-up, but there is a lack of evidence of whether this perception equates to patients' satisfaction with the model of physician-led follow-up. DESIGN Systematic review. METHOD Three databases were searched, and 29 RCT were initially screened. Finally, 13 articles were critically appraised. Searches included articles between 2005-2013. The quality of appraisal assessment was inspired by the GRADE system. RESULTS The results show that there are many different instruments used when evaluating nurse-led follow-up, which makes it difficult to compare the studies. Several of the studies used QoL as an outcome measure; this is a broad concept that includes several aspects ranging from social role and psychosocial issues to symptoms and therefore difficult to use as an outcome measure. Only two of the studies made any cost-effective analyses, and the results are hard to interpret. CONCLUSIONS Nurse-led follow-up can potentially result in better continuity of care and the availability of more time to provide psychosocial support and address patients' information needs. However, more well-conducted research is needed before equivalence to physician-led follow-up can be assessed in terms of survival, recurrence, patient well-being and cost-effectiveness. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Results from well-conducted evaluation studies of nurse-led services based on theory are needed so that relevant interventions can be implemented in clinical practice. There is a need to in future studies include cost-effectiveness analyses to compare nurse-led services with other types of follow-up.
The performance of the GSM random access procedure

The performance of the GSM version of the slotted ALOHA random access protocol has been investigated by means of computer simulation. Investigations have been carried out neglecting and taking into account radio aspects such as the capture effect and mobile stations of different power classes. Diagrams have been produced showing the blocking, the throughput and the time between the initialisation and the successful end of the procedure as a function of the traffic load for different random access control parameter values. Blocking is very low for a wide range of traffic load but increases drastically at a certain critical load. The degree of blocking increase and the position of the critical point depend on the control parameter values and the capture ratio. <<ETX>>
Deconstruction of Vulnerability to Complex Diseases: Enhanced Effect Sizes and Power of Intermediate Phenotypes

The deconstruction of vulnerability to complex disease with the help of intermediate phenotypes, including the heritable and disease-associated endophenotypes, is a legacy of Henri Begleiter. Systematic searches for genes influencing complex disorders, including bipolar disorder, have recently been completed using whole genome association (WGA), identifying a series of validated loci. Using this information, it is possible to compare effect sizes of disease loci discovered in very large samples to the effect sizes of replicated functional loci determining intermediate phenotypes that are of essential interest in psychiatric disorders. It is shown that the genes influencing intermediate phenotypes tend to have a larger effect size. Furthermore, the WGA results reveal that the number of loci of large effect size for complex diseases is limited, and yet multiple functional loci have already been identified for intermediate phenotypes relevant to psychiatric diseases, and without the benefit of WGA.
Aproximación paramétrica y no paramétrica para la estimación de la disposición a pagar por servicios ambientales

En este estudio se realiza la comparacion de la Disposicion a Pagar (DAP) por el servicio ambiental de proteccion hidrica, mediante el uso de intervalos de confianza, obtenida a partir de aproximaciones parametricas y no parametricas en el contexto de una aplicacion del metodo de Valoracion Contingente (VC). Para el analisis empirico se utiliza datos del estudio de VC aplicado en la Cuenca del Rio Jequetepeque. Se utiliza un modelo Logit lineal y las tecnicas de Turnbull y Kristrom para las aproximaciones parametricas y no parametricas, respectivamente. Los resultados muestran que no existen diferencias significativas entre los dos tipos de aproximaciones. Las DAPs obtenidas son 12,0 (USD 3,69), 10,41 (USD 3,20) y 11,78 (USD 3,62) soles/mes para la aproximacion parametrica y las tecnicas de Turnbull y Kristrom, respectivamente. Por tanto, la estimacion y validacion de resultados mas precisos y confiables, son una herramienta util para el diseno de politicas ambientales enfocadas hacia la gestion sostenible de los recursos naturales.
Gender difference in support for Democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Do social institutions matter?

ABSTRACT Several recent papers have noted gender differences in support for democracy in Africa, but the causes of this difference remain unclear. This article investigates whether the observed gender gap is due to the related gender inequality in social institutions, which affects women's daily life and deprives them of social and economic empowerment inside and outside the home. Using Afrobarometer survey data (rounds 2 [2002–3], 3 [2004–5], and 4 [2008–9]), the study finds that the gender difference in support for democracy is no longer significant once gender discrimination is controlled for in the family code, physical integrity, or civil liberties components of the Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI). Interaction terms show that women's support for democracy is only lower in places where gender inequality in these social institutions is particularly large. This study thus provides evidence that women who live in countries with favorable institutions toward women are more supportive of democracy than women who do not.
Development of an in-solution observation method using atmospheric scanning electron microscopy (ASEM): — Interdisciplinary research between semiconductor fabrication technology and biological electron microscopy —@@@ー 半導体の超薄膜技術とバイオ顕微鏡の融合研究 ー

Protein complexes in cells and tissues play critical roles in various physiological functions, including embryogenesis and signal processing. To observe the dynamics of protein complexes, high resolution and high throughput electron microscopy (EM) in aqueous solution is required. However, standard EM requires the sample to be in a vacuum. With ASEM, an inverted scanning electron microscope (SEM) observes the wet sample from beneath an open dish while an optical microscope (OM) observes it from above. The disposable dish with a silicon nitride (SiN) film window can hold a few milliliters of culture medium, allowing various types of cells to be cultured in a stable environment. This system was used for the development of in situ correlative OM/SEM immuno-microscopy in liquid. We observed a dynamic string-like gathering of STIM1 on the endoplasmic reticulum in Jurkat T cells in response to Ca 2+ store depletion. We have also observed filamentous-actin (F-actin) and tubulin in the growth cones of primary-culture neurons as well as in synapses. We monitored in-situ electrochemical reactions in electrolytes, and melting and solidification of solder using ASEM.
Comparison of dynamic contour tonometry with goldmann applanation tonometry.

PURPOSE The dynamic contour tonometer (DCT; Pascal tonometer) is a novel tonometer designed to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) independent of corneal properties. The purpose of this study was a comparison of the DCT with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) with respect to mean of IOP readings, the influence of ocular structural factors on IOP readings, and both intra- and interobserver variability, in a large group of healthy subjects. METHODS In a prospective study of 228 eyes, IOP measurements by GAT and DCT were compared, and the effects of central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal curvature, axial length, and anterior chamber depth were analyzed. To evaluate intra- and interobserver variability, IOP was measured in eight eyes by four observers. RESULTS There was a high concordance between the IOP readings obtained by DCT and GAT. However, IOP readings were consistently higher with DCT than with GAT (median difference: +1.7 mm Hg, interquartile range [25th-75th percentile] = 0.8-2.7 mm Hg). In contrast to GAT, multivariable regression analysis showed no significant effect of corneal thickness, corneal curvature, astigmatism, anterior chamber depth, and axial length on DCT readings. For repeated measurements the intraobserver variability was 0.65 mm Hg for the DCT and 1.1 mm Hg for the GAT (P = 0.008). Interobserver variability was 0.44 mm Hg for the DCT and 1.28 mm Hg for the GAT (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS IOP measurements by DCT are highly concordant with IOP readings obtained from GAT but do not vary in CCT and have a lower intra- and interobserver variability. DCT seems to be an appropriate method of tonometry for routine clinical use.
Dynamic programming equations for discounted constrained stochastic control

In this paper, the application of the dynamic programming approach to constrained stochastic control problems with expected value constraints is demonstrated. Specifically, two such problems are analyzed using this approach. The problems analyzed are the problem of minimizing a discounted cost infinite horizon expectation objective subject to an identically structured constraint, and the problem of minimizing a discounted cost infinite horizon minimax objective subject to a discounted expectation constraint. Using the dynamic programming approach, optimality equations, which are the chief contribution of this paper, are obtained for these problems. In particular, the dynamic programming operators for problems with expectation constraints differ significantly from those of standard dynamic programming and problems with worst-case constraints. For the discounted cost infinite horizon cases, existence and uniqueness of solutions to the dynamic programming equations are explicitly shown by using the Banach fixed point theorem to show that the corresponding dynamic programming operators are contractions. The theory developed is illustrated by numerically solving the constrained stochastic control dynamic programming equations derived for simple example problems. The example problems are based on a two-state Markov model that represents an error prone system that is to be maintained.