Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probing folding and fluorescence quenching in human γD crystallin Greek key domains using triple tryptophan mutant proteins

Human γD crystallin (HγD‐Crys), a major component of the human eye lens, is a 173‐residue, primarily β‐sheet protein, associated with juvenile and mature‐onset cataracts. HγD‐Crys has four tryptophans, with two in each of the homologous Greek key domains, which are conserved throughout the γ‐crystallin family. HγD‐Crys exhibits native‐state fluorescence quenching, despite the absence of ligands or cofactors. The tryptophan absorption and fluorescence quenching may influence the lens response to ultraviolet light or the protection of the retina from ambient ultraviolet damage. To provide fluorescence reporters for each quadrant of the protein, triple mutants, each containing three tryptophan‐to‐phenylalanine substitutions and one native tryptophan, have been constructed and expressed. Trp 42‐only and Trp 130‐only exhibited fluorescence quenching between the native and denatured states typical of globular proteins, whereas Trp 68‐only and Trp 156‐only retained the anomalous quenching pattern of wild‐type HγD‐Crys. The three‐dimensional structure of HγD‐Crys shows Tyr/Tyr/His aromatic cages surrounding Trp 68 and Trp 156 that may be the source of the native‐state quenching. During equilibrium refolding/unfolding at 37°C, the tryptophan fluorescence signals indicated that domain I (W42‐only and W68‐only) unfolded at lower concentrations of GdnHCl than domain II (W130‐only and W156‐only). Kinetic analysis of both the unfolding and refolding of the triple‐mutant tryptophan proteins identified an intermediate along the HγD‐Crys folding pathway with domain I unfolded and domain II intact. This species is a candidate for the partially folded intermediate in the in vitro aggregation pathway of HγD‐Crys.
Modern architectures for intelligent systems: reusable ontologies and problem-solving methods

When interest in intelligent systems for clinical medicine soared in the 1970s, workers in medical informatics became particularly attracted to rule-based systems. Although many successful rule-based applications were constructed, development and maintenance of large rule bases remained quite problematic. In the 1980s, an entire industry dedicated to the marketing of tools for creating rule-based systems rose and fell, as workers in medical informatics began to appreciate deeply why knowledge acquisition and maintenance for such systems are difficult problems. During this time period, investigators began to explore alternative programming abstractions that could be used to develop intelligent systems. The notions of "generic tasks" and of reusable problem-solving methods became extremely influential. By the 1990s, academic centers were experimenting with architectures for intelligent systems based on two classes of reusable components: (1) domain-independent problem-solving methods-standard algorithms for automating stereotypical tasks--and (2) domain ontologies that captured the essential concepts (and relationships among those concepts) in particular application areas. This paper will highlight how intelligent systems for diverse tasks can be efficiently automated using these kinds of building blocks. The creation of domain ontologies and problem-solving methods is the fundamental end product of basic research in medical informatics. Consequently, these concepts need more attention by our scientific community.
A selective X-masking for test responses in the presence of unknown values

As the unknown values (X's) appear in the output response, a large amount of scan cells may not be observed during test. In this paper we present a flexible X-masking logic called selective X-masking to handle the majority of X's, while the X-tolerant compactor is applied to handle the remained X's. The objective of this approach is to improve the observability of the test responses. The results show that this scheme can achieve a significant improvement of observability for output responses and reduce significantly the data overhead of the X-masking.
Overexpression of CYP 2 J 2 provides protection against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Yunfang Zhang, Haitham El-Sikhry, Ketul R. Chaudhary, Sri Nagarjun Batchu, Anooshirvan Shayeganpour, Taibeh Orujy Jukar, J. Alyce Bradbury, Joan P. Graves, Laura M. DeGraff, Page Myers, Douglas C. Rouse, Julie Foley, Abraham Nyska, Darryl C. Zeldin, and John M. Seubert Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
On the characterization of time-scale underwater acoustic signals using matching pursuit decomposition

We investigate a characterization of underwater acoustic signals using extracted time-scale features of the propagation channel model for medium-to-high frequency range. The underwater environment over these frequencies causes multipath and Doppler scale changes on the transmitted signal. This is the result of the time-varying nature of the channel and also due to the relative motion between the transmitter-channel-receiver configuration. As a sparse model is essential for processing applications and for practical use in simulations, we employ the matching pursuit decomposition algorithm to estimate the channel time delay and Doppler scale change model attributes for each propagating path. The proposed signal characterization was validated for sparse channel profiles using real-time data from the BASE07 experiment.
Mood-dependent changes in cognitive control

The symptomatology of depression includes affective and cognitive features. As such, depression has been associated both with maladaptive concern over emotional material, and also with general impairments in attentional control. In the current thesis, I investigated the potential influence of such depression-related dysfunctional emotional processing on a range of cognitive control abilities, using experimental paradigms containing either neutral or affective stimuli. In contrast to the hypothesis that depressive symptoms are associated with generally compromised cognitive control, depression-related impairments were not found on a range of ‘classic’ measures of cognitive control, including error-processing (pre-error speeding, posterror slowing and error-related ERPs), overriding response conflict (colourword Stroop interference, conflict adaptation) or more sustained control processes (cued-RT performance, preparatory ERPs, and maintaining long-term speed-accuracy tradeoffs). Interestingly, however, differences between groups with low and elevated levels of depressive symptoms emerged during the performance of emotionally valenced tasks. First, an elevated depressive symptom group showed a reduced ability to resolve emotional conflict arising between competing affective representations. When compared with spared performance on the classic Stroop task, this result suggests that depressive symptoms are associated with a specific impairment in the ability to regulate emotional distraction. Secondly, an ERP related to advanced preparation in cued-RT tasks (the CNV), but not those associated with early perceptual processing (P1, N170), was selectively modulated by negative, but not positive, task-irrelevant emotional distractors presented during the cue-target interval. This pattern of ERP results supports a late processing locus of affective attentional bias in depression. Together, the current results propose that control processes which facilitate the regulation of emotional material (i.e., over emotional sources of distraction) might be selectively affected by increased depressive symptoms, suggesting that future work should consider affective variables when investigating executive control processes in depression.
An adaptive resolution and improved relevance-based energy detection algorithm in cognitive radio

Spectrum sensing is an important technology of cognitive radio (CR), based on which cognitive terminals can access to the idle spectrum timely and reasonably. Energy detection (ED) forms an indispensable method of spectrum sensing since no prior Information of primary uses (PUs) is required. Conventional ED methods are not applicable to broadband detection with multiple signals of low SNRs. In this paper, we propose an adaptive resolution and improved relevance-based energy detection method specially for broadband spectrum with diverse signals/PUs. The method is capable of detecting signals with low SNRs more quickly and determining the bandwidth of signals precisely to avoid potential interference. The simulation results prove that the proposed method outperforms the conventional ones.
A Toy Cosmology Using a Hubble-Scale Casimir Effect

The visible mass of the observable universe agrees with that needed for a flat cosmos, and the reason for this is not known. It is shown that this can be explained by modelling the Hubble volume as a black hole that emits Hawking radiation inwards, disallowing wavelengths that do not fit exactly into the Hubble diameter, since partial waves would allow an inference of what lies outside the horizon. This model of “horizon wave censorship” is equivalent to a Hubble-scale Casimir effect. This incomplete toy model is presented to stimulate discussion. It predicts a minimum mass and acceleration for the observable universe which are in agreement with the observed mass and acceleration, and predicts that the observable universe gains mass as it expands and was hotter in the past. It also predicts a suppression of variation on the largest cosmic scales that agrees with the low-l cosmic microwave background anomaly seen by the Planck satellite.
Soy Mi Cuento: Latina Students Bridging Multiple Worlds in Independent Schools

The dissertation explores the hybrid identity, mestiza consciousness (Anzaldua, 1999), of Latina graduates of independent schools. Latinas currently represent one of the lowest performing, fastest growing, youngest ethnic minority groups in the United States (United States Census, 2010), and the smallest demographic in independent schools (Torres, 2012). Education offers Latinas academic and social capital for economic advancement and college opportunity (Gandara & Contreras, 2009; Santiago, 2013); independent schools are an important entry to gaining this capital. Latinas attending independent schools often enter heterogeneous educational environments for the first time and find the need to explore their identity more salient (French, Seidman, Allen, and Aber, 2006). The experience results in bridging multiple worlds as students experience dissonance (Alvarez, 2011) negotiating their place and their experience. The purpose of the research is to answer the question, “Does an awareness of identity development offer an advantage to navigate the elite independent school cultural milieu? ” Through testimonio (Perez Huber, 2009), a form of storytelling or personal narrative, and Gloria Anzaldua’s (1999) autohistoria-teoria, the research gathered data from successful Latina independent school graduates about their experiences in independent schools. The research explored Latina identity development in the context of her school experience from the perspective of a new mestiza consciousness (Anzaldua, 1999) and offers a countervailing perspective to Deficit Studies (Madrid, 2011). Latina participants underscored Anzaldua’s theory of hybrid identity development indicating that socioeconomic status and family influence had a profound impact on their identity development. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Education (EdD) Department Executive Leadership First Supervisor C. Michael Robinson, Second Supervisor Pamela N. Minyard Subject Categories Education This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: http://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/178 Soy Mi Cuento: Latina Students Bridging Multiple Worlds in Independent Schools By Lillian Diaz-Imbelli Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Ed.D. in Executive Leadership Supervised by C. Michael Robinson, Ed.D. Committee Member Pamela N. Minyard, Ed.D. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education St. John Fisher College
Acute inhibition of a cortical motor area impairs vocal control in singing zebra finches

Genetically targeted approaches that permit acute and reversible manipulation of neuronal circuit activity have enabled an unprecedented understanding of how discrete neuronal circuits control animal behavior. Zebra finch singing behavior has emerged as an excellent model for studying neuronal circuit mechanisms underlying the generation and learning of behavioral motor sequences. We employed a newly developed, reversible, neuronal silencing system in zebra finches to test the hypothesis that ensembles of neurons in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) control the acoustic structure of specific song parts, but not the timing nor the order of song elements. Subunits of an ivermectin‐gated chloride channel were expressed in a subset of RA neurons, and ligand administration consistently suppressed neuronal excitability. Suppression of activity in a group of RA neurons caused the birds to sing songs with degraded elements, although the order of song elements was unaffected. Furthermore some syllables disappeared in the middle or at the end of song motifs. Thus, our data suggest that generation of specific song parts is controlled by a subset of RA neurons, whereas elements order coordination and timing of whole songs are controlled by a higher premotor area.
Negotiating a Resolution to the Cyprus Problem: Is Potential European Union Membership a Blessing or a Curse?

This article provides a game theoretic analysis of how the candidacy of Cyprus for European Union (EU) membership presents an important challenge for both the Union's eastern enlargement plans and current international efforts aimed at resolving the Cyprus problem. The conclusions indicate that the Cypriot conflict has entered a very delicate period in its protracted and troublesome history characterized by a deadlock game. Strong domestic and international factors have created the conditions for each side to follow a non-cooperative strategy aimed at unilateral victory rather than a compromise. In this regard, the EU's promise to the Greek Cypriots of membership in the Union, regardless of the settlement of the Cyprus problem, serves as a side payment that enforces non-cooperative strategy. Likewise, Turkey's overwhelming military superiority in the region and its unconditional support for the Turkish Cypriots strengthens the Turkish side's rigid position in the Cyprus negotiations. Under these circumstances, it is argued that an influential third party like the United States is needed to coordinate the efforts of the UN and EU to move the two parties away form a deadlock game. This effort requires a package approach to the issues surrounding the Cyprus problem, the island's membership in the EU, and EU-Turkey relations.
Contraceptive steroids increase hepatic uptake of chylomicron remnants in healthy young women.

In an investigation of alterations in cholesterol metabolism during contraceptive steroid use, we studied plasma clearance of chylomicron remnants. Six healthy women were studied on and off contraceptive steroid therapy. Remnant clearance was measured from the disappearance of retinyl palmitate administered intravenously in plasma endogenously labeled with retinyl palmitate. We also measured cholesterol in HDL and its subfractions and postheparin lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triglyceride lipase activities. Plasma decay of retinyl palmitate was biexponential. The rapid component, reflecting chylomicron remnant removal, accounted for about 90% of the total clearance in all studies. During contraceptive steroid intake, both rapid and slow decay constants and the calculated plasma clearance rates were significantly increased (mean values: rapid decay constant, control 0.048 versus treated 0.101 min-1, P less than 0.05; slow decay constant, 0.004 versus 0.014 min-1, P less than 0.01; plasma clearance 74 versus 115 ml/min, P less than 0.025) indicating enhanced hepatic uptake of chylomicron remnants and probably an increased hepatic uptake of higher density lipoproteins (d greater than 1.006 g/ml). Total postheparin lipolytic activity and lipoprotein lipase activity were depressed in all six women (P less than 0.05) and hepatic triglyceride lipase activity was increased in four of five subjects. Contraceptive steroids also caused a decrease in the HDL2/HDL3 cholesterol ratio (P less than 0.05), implying impaired peripheral lipoprotein triglyceride hydrolysis and/or increased HDL2 clearance by hepatic triglyceride lipase. In conclusion, during intake of contraceptive steroids, the plasma clearance of chylomicron remnants and higher density lipoproteins was increased. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Test anxiety: contributions of gender, age, parent's occupation and self-esteem among secondary school students in Nigeria

Most of the previous studies on test anxiety have focused on students in higher institutions with little research on test anxiety in secondary school students. The present study examined the contributions of gender, age, parent's occupation and self-esteem on test anxiety among secondary school students. Participants were 281 students (males = 156, females = 125; mean age = 17.05, SD = 1.87) who were candidates for centralised, high-stakes examinations in two randomly selected secondary schools in Onitsha, Anambra state, Nigeria. Data were collected using questionnaires comprising the State Self-esteem Scale, the Test Anxiety Inventory and spaces for the provision of relevant socio-demographic information. Results of a hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that age and gender did not significantly contribute to test anxiety. Parent's occupation explained 2% of the variance in test anxiety and self-esteem contributed 10% in explaining test anxiety. Based on the findings, personal predispositions explain test anxiety among school students more than do their demographics.
Self-stabilization by local checking and correction

The first self-stabilizing end-to-end communication protocol and the most efficient known self-stabilizing network reset protocol are introduced. A simple method of local checking and correction, by which distributed protocols can be made self-stabilizing without the use of unbounded counters, is used. The self-stabilization model distinguishes between catastrophic faults that abstract arbitrary corruption of global state, and other restricted kinds of anticipated faults. It is assumed that after the execution starts there are no further catastrophic faults, but the anticipated faults may continue to occur. <<ETX>>
The action of prism adaptation on intact visuospatial cognition : when time matters to space

We are functionally and structurally asymmetric. The perfect symmetry we subjectively experience through vision of the space around us is, to some extent, an illusion. Visuospatial cognition, as indexed by performance on line bisection tasks, is generally biased leftward in healthy individuals and pathologically rightward after right brain damage causing unilateral spatial neglect (USN). These biases can be modulated and prism adaptation (PA) is capable of both alleviating USN symptoms and inducing a rightward shift (the so-called “neglect-like behavior”) in healthy individuals. How this type of sensorimotor adaptation modulates spatial cognition is still debated. The goal of this thesis was to use both behavioral and physiological approaches to investigate the underlying mechanisms of PA’s effects on visuospatial cognition in healthy individuals. In a first behavioral study we found the presence of a temporal dynamic in PA after-effects. Based on this first finding we tested, over a longer period of time the PA after-effects following both right and leftward PA and unveiled, with the second study, different temporal dynamics depending on PA direction. In a third study we used transcranial magnetic stimulation to investigate the physiology underlying the effective visuospatial modulation induced by PA. The results of this thesis call for a refinement of the current models of PA action on visuospatial cognition
Robust image watermarking using multiresolution analysis

The paper proposes an image watermarking scheme using wavelet domain. Wavelet transform, due to its sub bands decomposition, offers better trade-off between embedding strength and robustness performance compared to other unitary transforms such as DCT, DFT, Fourier-Mellin, Walsh-Hadamard etc. Data embedding in different sub bands of the cover image offers resiliency against various types of image impairments. Degree of resiliency is increased further by embedding the same watermark information in multi-level wavelet coefficients of the cover image. Experiment results show that the scheme is resilient to various linear and non linear filtering, image sharpening, cropping, rescaling, noise addition, JPEG and JPEG 2000 compression operations etc. Compression adaptive negative modulation increases robustness against low quality compression. The proposed algorithm shows better visual as well as statistical imperceptibility and resiliency against JPEG and JPEG 2000 compression compared to two popular DCT domain algorithms and data recovery process does not require the cover image, watermarked image and/or watermark message unlike the latter two schemes.
Explicit and Implicit Attitudes and Attitude Changes toward Tourism Destinations: Las Vegas, USA, versus Jeongseon, South Korea

Implicit and explicit attitudes toward two casino cities, Las Vegas, USA, and Jeongseon, Korea, were compared in this study. Seventy-two Koreans willing to visit both cities participated in the study. Implicit attitudes gaged by the Implicit Association Test were more favorable to Las Vegas than to Jeongseon. This was in accord with explicit attitudes. That is, participants had positive attitudes to Las Vegas and negative attitudes to Jeongseon at the explicit level. After watching 15 min of film showing negative aspects of the casino in Jeongseon, implicit attitudes did not change; however, explicit attitudes to both cities became negative. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal cutoff points for body mass index, waist circumference and HOMA-IR to identify a cluster of cardiometabolic abnormalities in normal glucose-tolerant Brazilian children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to establish the best cutoff values for waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and HOMA-IR (HR) to identify a cluster (≥ 3) of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in normal glucose-tolerant (NGT) Brazilian children and adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Cross-sectional study of 319 individuals (aged 10 to 19y) from a southern Brazilian city. Gender-specific receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed to assess cutoffs values of BMI (kg/m(2), WC (cm), and HR. RESULTS The areas under the ROC curves to detect a cluster of CVRF were 0.92, 0.93 and 0.68 (females), and 0.93, 0.93 and 0.89 (males), for WC, BMI and HR, respectively. The cutoff values were 83.0 and 80.5 cm (WC), 22.7 and 20.4 kg/m(2) (BMI), and 1.65 and 1.95 (HR), for females and males, respectively, to detect the cluster of CVRF. CONCLUSION These values of BMI, WC-) and (HR) detected a high proportion of NGTt Brazilian children and adolescents with a cluster of CVRF.