Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NHERF2/SIP-1 Interacts with Mouse SRY via a Different Mechanism than Human SRY*

In mammals, male sex determination is controlled by the SRY protein, which drives differentiation of the bipotential embryonic gonads into testes by activating the Sertoli cell differentiation program. The morphological effects of SRY are well documented; however, its molecular mechanism of action remains unknown. Moreover, SRY proteins display high sequence variability among mammalian species, which makes protein motifs difficult to delineate. We previously isolated SIP-1/NHERF2 as a human SRY-interacting protein. SIP-1/NHERF2, a PDZ protein, interacts with the C-terminal extremity of the human SRY protein. Here we showed that the interaction of SIP-1/NHERF2 and SRY via the SIP-1/NHERF2 PDZ1 domain is conserved in mice. However, the interaction occurs via a domain that is internal to the mouse SRY protein and involves a different recognition mechanism than human SRY. Furthermore, we show that mouse and human SRY induce nuclear accumulation of the SIP-1/NHERF2 protein in cultured cells. Finally, a transgenic mouse line expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of the mouse Sry promoter allowed us to show that SRY and SIP-1/NHERF2 are co-expressed in the nucleus of pre-Sertoli cells during testis determination. Taken together, our results suggested that the function of SIP-1/NHERF2 as an SRY cofactor during testis determination is conserved between human and mouse.
Ubiquitin ligase SYVN1/HRD1 facilitates degradation of the SERPINA1 Z variant/α-1-antitrypsin Z variant via SQSTM1/p62-dependent selective autophagy

ABSTRACT SERPINA1/AAT/α-1-antitrypsin (serpin family A member 1) deficiency (SERPINA1/ AAT-D) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the retention of misfolded SERPINA1/AAT in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of hepatocytes and a significant reduction of serum SERPINA1/AAT level. The Z variant of SERPINA1/AAT, containing a Glu342Lys (E342K) mutation (SERPINA1E342K/ATZ), the most common form of SERPINA1/AAT-D, is prone to misfolding and polymerization, which retains it in the ER of hepatocytes and leads to liver injury. Both proteasome and macroautophagy/autophagy pathways are responsible for disposal of SERPINA1E342K/ATZ after it accumulates in the ER. However, the mechanisms by which SERPINA1E342K/ATZ is selectively degraded by autophagy remain unknown. Here, we showed that ER membrane-spanning ubiquitin ligase (E3) SYVN1/HRD1 enhances the degradation of SERPINA1E342K/ATZ through the autophagy-lysosome pathway. We found that SYVN1 promoted SERPINA1E342K/ATZ, especially Triton X 100-insoluble SERPINA1E342K/ATZ clearance. However, the effect of SYVN1 in SERPINA1E342K/ATZ clearance was impaired after autophagy inhibition, as well as in autophagy-related 5 (atg5) knockout cells. On the contrary, autophagy induction enhanced SYVN1-mediated SERPINA1E342K/ATZ degradation. Further study showed that SYVN1 mediated SERPINA1E342K/ATZ ubiquitination, which is required for autophagic degradation of SERPINA1E342K/ATZ by promoting the interaction between SERPINA1E342K/ATZ and SQSTM1/p62 for formation of the autophagy complex. Interestingly, SYVN1-mediated lysine 48 (K48)-linked polyubiquitin chains that conjugated onto SERPINA1E342K/ATZ might predominantly bind to the ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain of SQSTM1 and couple the ubiquitinated SERPINA1E342K/ATZ to the lysosome for degradation. In addition, autophagy inhibition attenuated the suppressive effect of SYVN1 on SERPINA1E342K/ATZ cytotoxicity, and the autophagy inducer rapamycin enhanced the suppressive effect of SYVN1 on SERPINA1E342K/ATZ-induced cell apoptosis. Therefore, this study proved that SYVN1 enhances SERPINA1E342K/ATZ degradation through SQSTM1-dependent autophagy and attenuates SERPINA1E342K/ATZ cytotoxicity.
Disputed (Disciplinary) Boundaries. Philosophy, Economics and Value Judgments

The paper aims to address the following two questions: what kind of discourse is that which attempt to found or defend the autonomy or the boundaries of a discipline? Why do such discourses tend to turn into normative, dogmatic-excommunicating discourses between disciplines, schools or scholars? I will argue that an adequate answer may be found if we conceive disciplines as dogmatics, where such discourses often take the form of a discourse on the foundation of a discipline, a foundation in the name of which the scholar speaks and with which he/she entertains an identity relationship. To this purpose I will re-examine the methodological discourses of (and debates between)Pareto, Croce and Einaudi on the demarcation issue between philosophy, economics and value-judgments as highly instructive to understand such issues.
Towards secure integration of cryptographic software

While cryptography is now readily available to everyone and can, provably, protect private information from attackers, we still frequently hear about major data leakages, many of which are due to improper use of cryptographic mechanisms. The problem is that many application developers are not cryptographic experts. Even though high-quality cryptographic APIs are widely available, programmers often select the wrong algorithms or misuse APIs due to a lack of understanding. Such issues arise with both simple operations such as encryption as well as with complex secure communication protocols such as SSL. In this paper, we provide a long-term solution that helps application developers integrate cryptographic components correctly and securely by bridging the gap between cryptographers and application developers. Our solution consists of a software product line (with an underlying feature model) that automatically identifies the correct cryptographic algorithms to use, based on the developer's answers to high-level questions in non-expert terminology. Each feature (i.e., cryptographic algorithm) maps into corresponding Java code and a usage protocol describing API restrictions. By composing the user's selected features, we automatically synthesize a secure code blueprint and a usage protocol that corresponds to the selected usage scenario. Since the developer may change the application code over time, we use the usage protocols to statically analyze the program and ensure that the correct use of the API is not violated over time.
How to design tools for supporting self-regulated learning in MOOCs? Lessons learned from a literature review from 2008 to 2016

This paper presents a systematic literature review that examines and analyzes the articles from 2008 to 2016 that have addressed the development of tools to support Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) in online and MOOC environments. The findings denote that: (1) there is a lack of tools to support SRL in MOOC environments; (2) the evaluation of the existing tools are not aligned whit the objectives of the research; (3) current research presents proposal of tools but very few achieve the stage of implementation; and (4) current existing tools tend to support many SRL strategies at the same time. We end up with a set of lessons learned for guiding the implementation of tools to support SRL strategies in MOOCs environments.
A hybrid approach for searching in the semantic web

This paper presents a search architecture that combines classical search techniques with spread activation techniques applied to a semantic model of a given domain. Given an ontology, weights are assigned to links based on certain properties of the ontology, so that they measure the strength of the relation. Spread activation techniques are used to find related concepts in the ontology given an initial set of concepts and corresponding initial activation values. These initial values are obtained from the results of classical search applied to the data associated with the concepts in the ontology. Two test cases were implemented, with very positive results. It was also observed that the proposed hybrid spread activation, combining the symbolic and the sub-symbolic approaches, achieved better results when compared to each of the approaches alone.
Text Summarization Model Based on Maximum Coverage Problem and its Variant

We discuss text summarization in terms of maximum coverage problem and its variant. We explore some decoding algorithms including the ones never used in this summarization formulation, such as a greedy algorithm with performance guarantee, a randomized algorithm, and a branch-and-bound method. On the basis of the results of comparative experiments, we also augment the summarization model so that it takes into account the relevance to the document cluster. Through experiments, we showed that the augmented model is superior to the best-performing method of DUC'04 on ROUGE-1 without stopwords.
A Search for Sub-TeV Gamma Rays from the Vela Pulsar Region with CANGAROO-III

We made stereoscopic observations of the Vela pulsar region with two of the 10 m diameter CANGAROO-III imaging atmospheric Cerenkov telescopes in 2004 January and February in a search for sub-TeV gamma rays from the pulsar and surrounding regions. We describe the observations, provide a detailed account of the calibration methods, and introduce the improved and bias-free analysis techniques employed for CANGAROO-III data. No evidence of gamma-ray emission is found from either the pulsar position or the previously reported position offset by 0. °13, and the resulting upper limits are a factor of 5 less than the previously reported flux from observations with the CANGAROO-I 3.8 m telescope. Following the recent report by the H.E. S.S. group of TeV gamma-ray emission from the pulsar wind nebula, which is ~0. °5 south of the pulsar position, we examined this region and found supporting evidence for emission extended over ~0. °6.
Iterative interference cancellation and channel estimation for mobile OFDM

In mobile reception, the reliability of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is limited because of the time-varying nature of the channel. This causes intercarrier interference (ICI) and increases inaccuracies in channel tracking. We model the ICI using derivatives of the channel amplitude. This allows us to design a relatively simple receiver scheme that iteratively cancels the ICI. The design of the canceler aims at maximizing the signal-to-noise-plus-ICI ratio at the detector input. We also propose a new channel estimator, and we show that it achieves reliable mobile reception in practical situations that are relevant to terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T). Extensive simulations for a receiver with one or two antennas show that a small number of iterations between ICI cancellation and channel estimation allow a reliable reception at vehicle speeds above 100 km/h.
Electromagnetic Performance Analysis of a New Stator-Permanent-Magnet Doubly Salient Flux Memory Motor Using a Piecewise-Linear Hysteresis Model

The concept of flux memory is due to the nature that the magnetization level of the AlNiCo permanent magnet (AlNiCo-PM) in the motor can be regulated by a temporary dc current pulse and memorized automatically. In this paper, a new type of memory motor, namely the stator-permanent-magnet (stator-PM) doubly salient flux memory (DSFM) motor is proposed. The key is to incorporate both AlNiCo-PM and NdFeB-PM into the proposed memory motor. Thus, the resulting new memory motor can not only retain high power density, but also offer efficient air-gap flux control. To accurately analyze the stator-PM DSFM motor, a piecewise-linear hysteresis model is employed in the time-stepping finite element method. Both static and transient electromagnetic performances of the motor are given to verify the validity of the new method.
A Survey on Anonymous Routing Protocols in Mobile Ad hoc Networks

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANET) use anonymous routing protocols that hide node identities and routes from outside observers in order to provide anonymity protection. Existing anonymous routing protocols relay on hop by hop encryption or redundant traffic by generation high cost. The high cost exacerbates the inherent resource constraint problem in MANETs. Existing anonymous routing protocols provides full anonymity for the data sources, destinations, routing path with increased cost, delay . It consumes the bandwidth of the network. In proposed multicast routing scheme, the network field is partitioned into multicast zones and each zone has a zone head. The data packets will be transferred through the nodes which satisfies the position verification test and the zones through with the packet is transferred is dynamic. Routing misbehavior is mitigated using witness nodes. The proposed system is evaluated in terms of delay, packet delivery ratio and energy consumption.
Psychopathology in young adults with congenital heart disease. Follow-up results.

AIMS The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of a wide range of behavioural and emotional problems long-term (> 9 years) after surgical correction for congenital heart disease in infancy and childhood. METHODS The problem scores on the Young Adult Self-Report of 166 19-25-year-old adults with congenital heart disease were compared with those of subjects of similar age from the general population. RESULTS On most Young Adult Self-Report scales no differences were found between the mean problem scores of the congenital heart disease-adults and reference peers. On only two Young Adult Self-Report scales (i.e. Somatic Complaints and Strange) and the total problem score were significant though small differences found between the mean problem scores of the congenital heart disease adults and reference peers. No significant relationship was found between cardiac diagnosis and problem behaviours in congenital heart disease adults. No relationship was found between IQ scores and problem behaviours in congenital heart disease adults. CONCLUSION Overall, it can be concluded that the results of the congenital heart disease adults were not unfavourable, since the differences in mean (total) problem scores between the congenital heart disease sample and reference group were small and limited to only two specific problem areas.
The Normalized LMS Algorithm with Dependent Noise

We study the behavior of the NLMS algorithm when the “noise” (the optimal estimation error) is uncorrelated, but dependent of the regressor sequence . This is the most general situation in applications, arising, for example, when linear estimation is applied to systems with nonlinearities. We show that, unlike the LMS algorithm, NLMS computes biased estimates even if the step-size is small and is iid, but is not independent of . We provide expressions for the bias, the MSD, and the MSE, which are also valid for the case of correlated regressor sequences. In this paper we analyze the behavior of the normalizedLMS (NLMS) algorithm in the general case where both the regressor and noise sequences are correlated in time. Our expressions hold even when the noise and regressor are not independent one from the other. This includes the case of non-Gaussian variables, as well as Gaussian variables going through some kinds of nonlinearities. In this section we provide a few motivating examples, and compare our analysis with previous results in the literature.
High Throughput MR Image Reconstruction Using Compressed Sensing

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an essential soft tissue imaging technique. Major limitation of this imaging technique is due to its slow acquisition. MR image reconstruction using the compressed sensing (CS) has mainly two research areas, one, how efficiently MRI data can be acquired and the other is how fast the reconstruction can be done without degrading the quality of the reconstructed images. From the recent study, it is observed that the TV-l1 – l2 model for MR image reconstruction from random under-sampled data gives the best result. In this paper, we propose a novel high throughput MR image reconstruction algorithm without compromising the quality. The experimental results show that the proposed method is quite efficient compared to the state-of-the-art MR image reconstruction techniques based on compressed sensing in terms of the cpu time and the quality of the reconstructed images.
Design Considerations of a Direct Drive Brushless Machine With Concentrated Windings

This paper discusses the performance attributes of the open-slot, modular-wound, external-rotor, topology of electrical machine. Combinations of pole and slot numbers are presented for which the winding factor is maximal and torque ripple is minimal. An optimization of the magnetic circuit design of six promising pole-slot configurations is undertaken using a parametric finite element model (FEM) combined with a genetic algorithm (GA). These designs are benchmarked against a conventional 1.5 slots/pole external-rotor brushless dc machine. These candidate electrical machine versions are characterized by having the same external-rotor diameter, total slot area available for the winding and by equal volumes of permanent magnet (PM). Based on the analysis, the most promising motor structure was selected and a prototype wheel-hub motor has been built for application in a small electrical vehicle. Test data from the prototype is used to validate the findings of the initial analyses and practically demonstrate the attributes of the topology.
Containment control of multi-agent systems with unbounded communication delays

In this paper, we address the containment control problem for multi-agent systems under heterogeneous unbounded communication delays with emphasis on the convergence rate analysis. Different from most works on multi-agent systems, we resort to a viewpoint from the area of positive delay systems. We first cast the containment control problem into the stability analysis of an associated error system. In order to capture the convergence rate, we introduce a nondecreasing positive function whose reciprocal represents the decay rate of the associated error system. Under the assumption that each follower has access to at least one leader and some mild hypotheses on the communication delays, an explicit condition is given to characterise the decay rate of the associated error system in terms of linear programming. In addition, we provide several special cases when the communication delays are restricted by linear, sublinear and logarithmic growth rates, respectively. Finally, through numerical examples, it is shown that the convergence rate is dominated by the delays being the highest order infinitely large quantity.
Effect on glycemic control of exenatide (synthetic exendin-4) additive to existing metformin and/or sulfonylurea treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE AC2993 (synthetic exendin-4; exenatide) is a peptide that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses inappropriately elevated glucagon secretion, and slows gastric emptying. AC2993 also promotes beta-cell proliferation and neogenesis in vitro and in animal models. This study examines the activity and safety of subcutaneously injected AC2993 in patients with type 2 diabetes currently treated with diet and/or oral antidiabetic agents (OAAs). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 109 patients treated with diet and a sulfonylurea and/or metformin were enrolled in a blinded study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three subcutaneously (SC) injected regimens of AC2993 (0.08 micro g/kg) or placebo for 28 days. RESULTS All three AC2993 regimens led to significant reductions in serum fructosamine relative to placebo (P <or= 0.004). Mean reductions ranged from 39 to 46 micro mol/l. All AC2993 groups had reductions in HbA(1c) ranging from 0.7 to 1.1% (P <or= 0.006). An end-of-study HbA(1c) <7% was achieved by 15% of AC2993 patients versus 4% of placebo patients, confirming AC2993 effects on fasting and postprandial glycemia. On days 14 and 28, the beta-cell index (homeostasis model assessment) for patients treated with AC2993 was 50-100% higher than baseline, contrasting with unchanged levels for placebo. The most common adverse event was transient mild-to-moderate nausea. CONCLUSIONS AC2993 is a promising therapeutic for patients with type 2 diabetes. In this study, it had significant effects on HbA(1c) levels in patients not currently achieving optimal glucose control with diet and/or OAAs.
Family firms as incubators for ethical behavior: An exploratory study from the perspective of stewardship theory

Abstract This work aims to determine whether family firms have differential characteristics that make them better incubators for ethical behavior from the perspective of stewardship theory. Results show that the psychological and situational factors that stewardship theory points to as determinants in the construction of principal–steward relationships are more evident in family firms than in non-family firms. These factors result in the behavior of owners and non-family employees becoming more ethical – with all the benefits this implies for these firms.
Near-wall scaling for incompressible and compressible flows

The paper presents near-wall scaling in incompressible and compressible flows. It concen- trates on flows with streamwise pressure gradients which render traditional scaling inapplicable. For incompressible flows a scaling for the velocity profiles is introduced based on both the friction velocity and the pressure gradient. For compressible flows a scaling is developed for the velocity and the tem- perature. This scaling is based on wall friction, pressure gradient and wall heat flux. We define two new parameters α and β where α defines a measure for the ratio between wall friction and pressure gra- dient and β defines the ratio between wall heat flux and pressure gradient. For zero pressure gradient flows the traditional scaling is recovered. A priori tests are performed by means of Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS). The compressible scaling is analyzed on channel flow with non-adiabatic walls and adverse pressure gradient. The incompressible scaling is analyzed on channel flow with periodic hill constrictions. Finally a wall model based on the new scaling is tested a posteriori by means of Large Eddy Simulation (LES).
EVALUATING EFFECTIVENESS AND PORTABILITY OF REINFORCEMENT LEARNED DIALOGUE STRATEGIES WITH REAL USERS: THE TALK TOWNINFO EVALUATION

We report evaluation results for real users of a learnt dialogue management policy versus a hand-coded policy in the TALK project's "Townlnfo" tourist information system. The learnt policy, for filling and confirming information slots, was derived from COMMUNICATOR (flight-booking) data using reinforcement learning (RL) as described in [2], ported to the tourist information domain (using a general method that we propose here), and tested using 18 human users in 180 dialogues, who also used a state-of-the-art hand- coded dialogue policy embedded in an otherwise identical system. We found that users of the (ported) learned policy had an average gain in perceived task completion of 14.2% (from 67.6% to 81.8% at p < .03), that the hand-coded policy dialogues had on average 3.3 more system turns (p < .01), and that the user satisfaction results were comparable, even though the policy was learned for a different domain. Combining these in a dialogue reward score, we found a 14.4% increase for the learnt policy (a 23.8% relative increase, p < .03). These results are important because they show a) that results for real users are consistent with results for automatic evaluation [2] of learned policies using simulated users [3, 4], b) that a policy learned using linear function approximation over a very large policy space [2] is effective for real users, and c) that policies learned using data for one domain can be used successfully in other domains. We also present a qualitative discussion of the learnt policy.