Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of GSK3 in peripheral nerve regeneration

In recent years, GSK3 has emerged as a key regulatory kinase in the nervous system, which is involved in diverse processes ranging from neural development to mood stabilization to neurodegeneration. In addition, it has been described as a regulator of several aspects of neural morphology such as polarization, axon growth and branching (Seira and Del Rio, 2014). GSK3 exists as two isoforms (GSK3α and GSK3α), which are both generally expressed throughout the cell body, dendrites and axons of post-mitotic neurons and active in resting, unstimulated cells. Nevertheless, neuronal GSK3 activity can be differentially regulated in distinct cellular compartments as it is controlled by complex mechanisms (i.e., distribution, protein-protein interactions or posttranslational phosphorylation) (Beurel et al., 2015). This regulation depends on diverse signaling pathways including protein kinase B (AKT), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) (Doble and Woodgett, 2003). Phosphorylation of an amino-terminal serine residue (Ser 21 in GSK3α, Ser 9 in GSK3α) by AKT is one of the most prominent mechanisms of GSK3 inactivation (Seira and Del Rio, 2014). GSK3 itself acts on multiple and diverse targets, thereby regulating gene transcription, axonal transport and cytoskeletal dynamics (Figure 1). Therefore, GSK3 appears to be a nodal point for the integration of diverse extra- and intracellular cues affecting axonal growth.
The cystatin C polymorphism is not associated with early onset Alzheimer’s disease

There is growing evidence that vascular factors are involved in AD.1 In light of these findings, a polymorphism in the cystatin C gene ( CST3 ) that was recently found to be associated with late onset AD is a promising candidate gene.2 Cystatin C is an amyloidogenic protein found together with β-amyloid in the arteriolar walls of patients with AD and patients with congophilic amyloid angiopathy (CAA). 3 As CAA is also a prominent feature in early onset AD and Down syndrome4 and a mutation in cystatin C leads to CAA at very early age5 we investigated the role of the CST3 polymorphism in early onset AD. Patients were derived from a population-based study of early onset AD in the Netherlands, as described in detail before.6 AD was diagnosed using a protocol in accordance with the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke–Alzheimer’s …
HR Practices Impact on Firm Performance : An Empirical Study

Firms are continuously improving their human resource management (HRM) practices in order to achieve sustainable competitive advantage and increase their profitability. These practices include employee involvement, training, empowerment, compensation and rewards, etc. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between human resource practices and firm performance. Using companies in Saudi Arabia, this study tests the proposition that HR practices (including training, job design, employee skills, employee attitudes, employee motivation, etc) has an impact on the performance of the different business units in this group.
Atmospheric aerosol index of refraction and size-altitude distribution from bistatic laser scattering and solar aureole measurements.

The polarization and intensity of laser light scattered from a 500-m horizontal column of air was measured for angles from 8 degrees to 172 degrees . By photographing the sun's aureole, the intensity of sunlight scattered from a column of air between the earth and the sun was measured from 2 degrees to 12 degrees . These three simultaneous independent data sets were analyzed assuming single Mie scattering corrected for Rayleigh scattering. A regularized power law oversize distribution N(r) = N(O)/[1 + (r/a)(nu)] was used in the analyses. Typical parameters values obtained are a = 0.05 microm, nu = 3.5, and N(0) ~ 10(4) cm(-3). Although the laser and aureole techniques look at somewhat different volumes of air, under good vertical mixing conditions they are in quantitative agreement. The complex index of refraction of undisturbed aerosols, particles complete with liquid coatings, is found to be typically m(r) = 1.50 +/- 0.05, m(i) ~ 0.005.
Conference report: The 26th Annual Meeting of the German Mesolithic Workgroup

Auf Einladung von Annabell Zander (Universitat York) und Birgit Gehlen (SFB 806, Universitat zu Koln) fand die 26. Jahrestagung der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mesolithikum vom 10. -12. Marz 2017 in Wuppertal statt. Insgesamt nahmen mehr als 70 Wissenschaftler, Studierende und an der Mittelsteinzeit interessierte Amateurarchaologen aus acht verschiedenen Landern teil. Das internationale Tagungsprogramm bestand aus 24 Vortragen und 10 Posterprasentationen, welche auf Englisch oder Deutsch gehalten worden. Die Vortrage behandelten sowohl internationale als auch regionale Thematiken rund um das Spatpalaolithikum, Mesolithikum und Fruhneolithikum.
Assessing Earnings and Accruals Quality : U . S . and International Evidence

This paper examines the properties and validity of “accounting quality” proxies derived from the Dechow and Dichev (DD, 2002) accruals model. I analytically demonstrate that the underlying DD model has limited ability to distinguish between manipulated and “high quality” accruals. My empirical analyses show that prior validations of the DD model have significant limitations and the model cannot empirically distinguish between discretionary and non-discretionary accruals. Overall, the DD model does not appear to reliably capture “high quality accruals” and, in some settings, will even reverse rank firms‟ earnings quality. Implications for current and future research are discussed.
A Live Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Vaccine Allows Serological Differentiation between Vaccinated and Infected Animals

ABSTRACT Three precisely defined deletion mutants of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis were constructed, a guanine auxotrophic ΔguaB mutant, a nonflagellated ΔfliC mutant, and an auxotrophic and nonflagellated ΔguaB ΔfliC double mutant. All three mutants were less invasive than the wild-type strain in primary chicken cecal epithelial cells and the human epithelial cell line T84 and less efficiently internalized in the chicken macrophage cell line HD11. The ΔfliC mutant was pathogenic in orally infected BALB/c mice, while the ΔguaB mutant was attenuated and conferred protection against a challenge with the pathogenic parent strain. The ΔguaB ΔfliC double mutant was totally asymptomatic and conferred better protection than the ΔguaB mutant. This indicates that the major flagellar protein flagellin is not required for efficient vaccination of BALB/c mice against Salmonella infection. The ΔguaB ΔfliC mutant was also safe for vaccination of 1-day-old chickens. After two immunizations, it induced statistically significant protection against infection of the internal organs of the birds by a virulent S. enterica serovar Enteritidis challenge strain but not against intestinal colonization. These data demonstrate that nonflagellated attenuated Salmonella mutants can be used as marker vaccines.
Effects of forest cover, topography, and sampling extent on the measured density of shallow, translational landslides

We use regionally available digital elevation models and land cover data, calibrated with ground‐ and photo‐based landslide inventories, to produce spatially distributed estimates of shallow, translational landslide density (number/unit area). To discern effects of land use, we focus on resolving landslide density relationships with forest cover. We account for topographic variability between sites and landslide detection bias in air photo mapping. Even so, for sites in the Oregon Coast Range, we find great variability in the ratios of landslide density in forest classes among sites. We present strategies for subsampling available data to quantify this variability. For these data, we find that older forests, when sampled over tens of square kilometers, commonly exhibited the highest landslide densities but over hundreds of square kilometers always exhibited the lowest densities, averaging 30% of that in recently harvested areas and 79% of that in younger, managed forests.
5‐Hydroxytryptamine uptake and release in relation to aggregation of rabbit platelets

1. The aggregation of blood platelets was measured in vitro at different time intervals after the addition of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) or of reserpine to platelet‐rich plasma of untreated rabbits and of rabbits injected with reserpine and 5‐HT, i.e. while the platelets were taking up 5‐HT or releasing it under the influence of reserpine.
The issue of gender within computing: reflections from the UK and Scandinavia

Abstract. Thispaper explores some of the reasons that may underlie the gender segregation and declining levels of female participation within the field of computing in Europe during the 1990s in both the professional (industrial) and academic spheres. The interrelationships between three areas – communicative processes, social networks and legitimizing claims to knowledge overlaid by gendered‐power relations – are used to analyse and explain the existing situation. The paper draws upon statistical data to explore the extent of gender segregation and then focuses on the authors' own experiences within the UK and Scandinavia in order to explore some of the underlying causes. While direct discrimination does still occur, the paper suggests that indirect, deep‐rooted discrimination is the major reason for the situation that currently exists. Drawing upon our own experiences in academia and business and acknowledging the importance of the institutional context, the paper offers a number of recommendations as to how the current situation may be improved. We suggest first that consideration is given to the pedagogical design and marketing of computing courses so that individuals are initially attracted to computing from far more diverse backgrounds, approaches and interests than at present. Second, we suggest that those with influence in the field reflect upon the constitution and behaviours of the informal networks in which they are involved and seek to include female researchers more actively here. Finally we suggest that consideration is given in more general terms to how the field may become more gender neutral and, thus, more inclusive in the future. Masculine discourses and ‘hard’ skills have dominated within computing for too long and contribute significantly to the declining participation of women within computing.
Reproductive outcomes and nononcologic complications after radioactive iodine ablation for well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND Radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation is frequently performed after initial surgery for well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC). We examined the frequency and timing of childbirth as well as nononcologic complications after RAI ablation for WDTC on a population level. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of 25,333 patients (18,850 women) with WDTC was performed using the California Cancer Registry and California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database, 1999-2008. The primary outcomes were birthrate and median time to first live birth among women of childbearing age. Secondary outcomes were nononcologic diagnoses occurring outside the acute setting (>30 days) after ablation. RESULTS RAI ablation did not affect birthrate among women in the full dataset. However, in subgroup analyses, birthrate among women age 35-39 was significantly decreased in those who received RAI versus those who did not (11.5 versus 16.3 births per 1000 woman-years, p<0.001). Median time to first live birth after diagnosis of WDTC was prolonged among women who received RAI compared to those who did not (34.5 versus 26.1 months; p<0.0001). When 5-year age groups were examined individually, delay to first live birth was observed in women age 20-39 (p<0.05). This remained significant after adjustment for tumor characteristics, socioeconomic status, and marital status. The only nononcologic, nonreproductive adverse effect associated with RAI ablation was an increased rate of nasolacrimal stenosis (RR 3.44, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS RAI ablation is associated with delayed childbearing in women across most of the reproductive lifespan, and with decreased birthrate in the late reproductive years. The underlying mechanism likely involves physician recommendation to delay pregnancy, as well as a potential impact of RAI on both reproductive choice and reproductive health. Further investigation is merited.
[Ultrastructure changes in chronic corneal allograft dysfunction after penetrating keratoplasty].

OBJECTIVE To study the ultrastructure changes of failed graft caused by chronic corneal allograft dysfunction (CCAD) after penetrating keratoplasty (PK), and to reveal the possible mechanism of these changes. METHODS In CCAD group, corneas of 12 patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for CCAD who underwent repeated PK operation were studied. The average interval of these 12 patients between two PK operations was 69 months. All but two patients suffered at least once acute rejection episode during follow-up period. The mean time that the first acute immune rejection occurred was 39.4 months. Five healthy donor corneas were also studied as the control group. Both failed corneal grafts and healthy corneas were examined by light and electron microscopy. RESULTS Compared with normal cornea, the cornea epithelium of CCAD became thinner, the quantity of microvillus apparently reduced, number of dark cells was increased, fibers of cornea stroma arranged disorderly, and there was no obvious invasion of inflammation cell into the stroma. The thickness of Descemet's membrane was uneven, abnormal lacuna and red cell could be seen between the Descemet's membrane and the endothelium. The number of cornea endothelial cells was decreased, cells became thinner, the organelle was reduced obviously, notch appeared in the cell nucleus, chromatin was condensed and inflammatory cells was adherent to the endothelium. CONCLUSIONS The special ultrastructure changes of CCAD grafts consist of atrophic changes of the endothelium and fibrosis without inflammatory cells. Chronic subclinical alloantigen specific and non-alloantigen specific factors are both contributed to the CCAD process. Acute immune rejection perhaps induces and accelerates the occurrence and development of CCAD.
Processing of the equine arteritis virus replicase ORF1b protein: identification of cleavage products containing the putative viral polymerase and helicase domains

The replicase open reading frame lb (ORF1b) protein of equine arteritis virus (EAV) is expressed from the viral genome as an ORF1ab fusion protein (345 kDa) by ribosomal frameshifting. Processing of the ORF1b polyprotein was predicted to be mediated by the nsp4 serine protease, the main EAV protease. Several putative cleavage sites for this protease were detected in the ORF1b polyprotein. On the basis of this tentative processing scheme, peptides were selected to raise rabbit antisera that were used to study the processing of the EAV replicase ORF1b polyprotein (158 kDa). In immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting experiments, processing products of 80, 50, 26, and 12 kDa were detected. Of these, the 80-kDa and the 50-kDa proteins contain the putative viral polymerase and helicase domains, respectively. Together, the four cleavage products probably cover the entire ORF1b-encoded region of the EAV replicase, thereby representing the first complete processing scheme of a coronaviruslike ORF1b polyprotein. Pulse-chase analysis revealed that processing of the ORF1b polyprotein is slow and that several large precursor proteins containing both ORF1a- and ORF1b-encoded regions are generated. The localization of ORF1b-specific proteins in the infected cell was studied by immunofluorescence. A perinuclear staining was observed, which suggests association with a membranous compartment.
Binding and Cross-linking Studies Show That Scavenger Receptor BI Interacts with Multiple Sites in Apolipoprotein A-I and Identify the Class A Amphipathic α-Helix as a Recognition Motif*

Scavenger receptor, class B, type I (SR-BI) mediates the selective uptake of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesteryl ester without the uptake and degradation of the particle. In transfected cells SR-BI recognizes HDL, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and modified LDL, protein-free lipid vesicles containing anionic phospholipids, and recombinant lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apoA-II, apoE, or apoCIII. The molecular basis for the recognition of such diverse ligands by SR-BI is unknown. We have used direct binding analysis and chemical cross-linking to examine the interaction of murine (m) SR-BI with apoA-I, the major protein of HDL. The results show that apoA-I in apoA-I/palmitoyl-oleoylphosphatidylcholine discs, HDL3, or in a lipid-free state binds to mSR-BI with high affinity (K d ≅ 5–8 μg/ml). ApoA-I in each of these forms was efficiently cross-linked to cell surface mSR-BI, indicating that direct protein-protein contacts are the predominant feature that drives the interaction between HDL and mSR-BI. When complexed with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, the N-terminal and C-terminal CNBr fragments of apoA-I each bound to SR-BI in a saturable, high affinity manner, and each cross-linked efficiently to mSR-BI. Thus, mSR-BI recognizes multiple sites in apoA-I. A model class A amphipathic α-helix, 37pA, also showed high affinity binding and cross-linking to mSR-BI. These studies identify the amphipathic α-helix as a recognition motif for SR-BI and lead to the hypothesis that mSR-BI interacts with HDL via the amphipathic α-helical repeat units of apoA-I. This hypothesis explains the interaction of SR-BI with a wide variety of apolipoproteins via a specific secondary structure, the class A amphipathic α-helix, that is a common structural motif in the apolipoproteins of HDL, as well as LDL.
Adaptive Fuzzy Output-Feedback Control of Pure-Feedback Uncertain Nonlinear Systems With Unknown Dead Zone

In this paper, an adaptive fuzzy output-feedback control is investigated for a class of pure-feedback uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown dead-zone inputs and immeasurable states. In this research, fuzzy logic systems are used to identify the unknown nonlinear functions, and a state filter observer is designed to estimate the unmeasured states. Based on the information of the dead-zone slopes as well as treating the unknown inputs coefficients as a system uncertainty, a new adaptive fuzzy output feedback control approach is developed via the backstepping recursive design technique. The stability of the resulting closed-loop system is proved and a simulation example is provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed control approach. The important feature of the proposed adaptive fuzzy controller is that it can solve the states immeasurable and the unknown dead-zone problems that exist in the previous publications and extends the existing results on strict-feedback control to the counterpart on pure-feedback control.
Digital Background Calibration Techniques for Pipelined ADC Based on Comparator Dithering

A digital background calibration technique based on comparator dithering is proposed to correct the nonlinear errors resulting from capacitor mismatches, finite opamp gain, and other nonlinearities. It changes the threshold levels of sub analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) according to a pseudorandom noise sequence. In our scheme, except adding multiplexers, the analog circuits need no modification. The first- and third-order errors are measured and corrected in digital domain. In order to reduce the input interference, adaptive digital windows which need no extra analog circuits are presented. Behavioral simulation results show that, using the proposed calibration technique, the signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio is increased from 59 to 84 dB and the spurious-free dynamic range is increased from 62 to 105 dB, in a 14-bit pipelined ADC with 0.2% capacitor mismatches and 60-dB nonideal opamp gain.
ENABLING STAR FORMATION VIA SPONTANEOUS MOLECULAR DIPOLE ORIENTATION IN ICY SOLIDS

It is shown here how new experimental data, for the electrical properties of solid CO, can be used to fill important gaps in our understanding of the evolution of prestellar cores. Dust grains with a mantle of CO lead to a reduction in the degree of ionization in these cores by a factor of between 5 and 6. The lifetimes for expulsion of magnetic fields from cores, a process generally necessary for gravitational collapse, are reduced from current estimates of several megayears, by a similar factor. This removes a major inconsistency, since lifetimes now tally with typical ages of prestellar cores of a few hundred thousand to 106 yr, derived from observations. With the reduced timescales, cores also escape disruption by Galactic supernova remnants. Our results provide a natural mechanism for the generation of so-called magnetically supercritical cores, in which the magnetic field alone cannot prevent gravitational collapse. In addition, we find a minimum value for the density of prestellar cores of ≥(1.1 ± 0.1) × 104 H2 cm−3, in agreement with observations.
Cystatin C: A new biochemical marker in livestock sector -

The livestock sector contributes largely to the economy of India. Different systemic diseases like renal diseases, neurological and cardiovascular diseases cause huge loss in production and productive potential of livestock in India, which is considered as a major concern for both small and large ruminants. Early detection of diseseses is essential to combat the economic loss. An efficient biochemical marker can be developed which would provide more specific, sensitive and reliable measurement of functions of different organs. Determination of endogenous marker Cystatin C may fulfill the above need which can provide a detection platform not only for Kidney function but also for assaying other organs’ function. Cystatin C is a low molecular weight protein which is removed from the bloodstream by glomerular filtration in the kidneys. Thus, it may act as a potential biological tool in diagnosis of renal and other systemic diseases in livestock. This mini-review focuses on the Cystatin C and its clinical importance which can be extensively employed in the livestock sector.
First cases of squirrelpox in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Scotland

Squirrelpox, caused by a poxvirus, is a major threat to the remaining UK red squirrel population. The spread of antibody-positive grey squirrels has been monitored in the UK for the past decade. In 2005 grey squirrels that had been exposed to the virus appeared in the south of Scotland for the first time, followed approximately two years later by the appearance of squirrelpox disease in the local red squirrels. Four squirrels were examined. They all had gross external lesions and histological lesions typical of squirrelpox disease, but no significant internal lesions. The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR, electron microscopy and serology.