Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Urban Public Squares

Urban public spaces have had a prominent role in social and economic life of people. Among different types of urban public spaces, square has always played a central role through the history of urbanity and urban life. Square is a mixed-use and multi-dimensional environment, where all kinds of activities including social, political, religious, environmental, economical, etc. are taken place there. A place designed for all people from different social levels and incomes. Accordingly, to understand how a square could serve urban life efficiently and improve the quality of urban life, the concept of sustainable squares should be considered. As it is clear, sustainability deals with society, environment, and economy. Therefore, when the term of sustainability is merged with urban squares, it is necessary to investigate how an urban square could be sustainable and serve the sustainability of urban communities. To do so, in this study through seminal literature the concept of urban public square and the principals of its designing are defined. Then, the indicators making an urban square environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable are determined. Keywords: Urban Public Square, Sustainability, Physical Environment, Society, Economy
SAMP32, a Testis-Specific, Isoantigenic Sperm Acrosomal Membrane-Associated Protein1

Abstract To identify novel human sperm membrane antigens, we analyzed two-dimensional gels of sperm extracts containing hydrophobic proteins that partitioned into Triton X-114. Four protein spots with isoelectric points (pIs) ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 and apparent molecular weights from 32 to 34 kDa were sequenced by mass spectrometry and found to contain common peptide sequences. Cloning the corresponding cDNA revealed that these protein spots were products of a single gene (SAMP32), encoding a protein of 32 kDa with a predicted pI of 4.57. SAMP32 has a potential transmembrane domain in the carboxyl terminus and is phosphorylated in vivo on serine 256. Northern blotting of eight human tissues and RNA dot blotting of 76 human tissues showed that SAMP32 expression was testis specific. SAMP32 contained an amino terminal domain homologous to the major malarial circumsporozoite surface protein and a domain similar to that of Krp1 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe in its carboxyl terminus. The SAMP32 locus consists of seven exons on chromosome 6q15-16.2. Antiserum against recombinant SAMP32 recognized protein spots originally cored from a two-dimensional gel. This antiserum strongly stained the equatorial segment and faintly stained the acrosome cap of ejaculated human spermatozoa by immunofluorescence. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that SAMP32 was associated with the inner acrosomal membrane in the principal and the equatorial segments of the sperm acrosome. By immunostaining enzyme-dissociated testicular cells, SAMP32 was localized to Golgi phase round spermatids and subsequent stages of acrosome biogenesis. Recombinant SAMP32 reacted with serum from an infertile man, suggesting that it is isoantigenic. Antibodies against recombinant SAMP32 inhibited both the binding and the fusion of human sperm to zona-free hamster eggs.
Immune recovery after conventional and non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation

The immune recovery of 66 patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation with either conventional or non-myeloablative conditioning regimen was studied. Infections post-transplant were enumerated and quantitative immunoglobuilins (IgG, IgA, IgM) and lymphocyte sub-sets 3, 6 and 12 months post-transplant were measured. A significant difference was found in the immunologic recovery of non-myeloablative and conventional ASCT in the patient population. The T-helper cell reconstitution was significantly faster after NMA than conventional transplantation and the recovery of B cells was faster after conventional transplantation. Regarding immunoglobulin levels, a faster recovery of IgM levels after NMA-ASCT and a delayed recovery of IgA levels was observed in both groups. These were accompanied by a significant difference in the frequency and severity of infectious episodes.
Spatial Patterns of Ocean Economic Efficiency and their Influencing Factors in Chinese Coastal Regions

Since the Chinese government’s ocean power strategy was launched in 2011, the ocean economy plays an increasingly important role in the Chinese national economy. This paper uses stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and spatial econometric methods to measure ocean economic efficiency and analyze the distribution characteristics, spatial effects, and its influencing factors. Panel data for 11 coastal regions in China covering the 2007-2013 period are employed to illustrate the advantage of the method. The results show that the ocean economic efficiency of most coastal regions is at medium or high levels, and the longitudinal changes in spatial distribution of 11 coastal regions remain relatively stable. Furthermore, the efficiency of coastal regions has positive spatial correlation and spatial agglomeration, where a spatial spillover effect exists between adjacent regions due to geographical distance. The results also present the significant positive influences on the efficiency of ocean economy are regional openness, scientific research and regional ocean economic development.
Formation of nuclear stress granules involves HSF2 and coincides with the nucleolar localization of Hsp70

The heat-shock response is characterized by the activation of heat-shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1), followed by increased expression of heat-shock proteins (Hsps). The stress-induced subnuclear compartmentalization of HSF1 into nuclear stress granules has been suggested to be an important control step in the regulation of stress response and cellular homeostasis in human cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the less-well characterized HSF2 interacts physically with HSF1 and is a novel stress-responsive component of the stress granules. Based on analysis of our deletion mutants, HSF2 influences to the localization of HSF1 in stress granules. Moreover, our results indicate that the stress granules are dynamic structures and suggest that they might be regulated in an Hsp70-dependent manner. The reversible localization of Hsp70 in the nucleoli strictly coincides with the presence of HSF1 in stress granules and is dramatically suppressed in thermotolerant cells. We propose that the regulated subcellular distribution of Hsp70 is an important regulatory mechanism of HSF1-mediated heat shock response.
Least‐Square Deconvolution: A Framework for Interpreting Short Tandem Repeat Mixtures *

ABSTRACT: Interpreting mixture short tandem repeat DNA data is often a laborious process, involving trying different genotype combinations mixed at assumed DNA mass proportions, and assessing whether the resultant is supported well by the relative peak‐height information of the mixture sample. If a clear pattern of major–minor alleles is apparent, it is feasible to identify the major alleles of each locus and form a composite genotype profile for the major contributor. When alleles are shared between the two contributors, and/or heterozygous peak imbalance is present, it becomes complex and difficult to deduce the profile of the minor contributor. The manual trial and error procedures performed by an analyst in the attempt to resolve mixture samples have been formalized in the least‐square deconvolution (LSD) framework reported here for two‐person mixtures, with the allele peak height (or area) information as its only input. LSD operates on the peak‐data information of each locus separately, independent of all other loci, and finds the best‐fit DNA mass proportions and calculates error residual for each possible genotype combination. The LSD mathematical result for all loci is then to be reviewed by a DNA analyst, who will apply a set of heuristic interpretation guidelines in an attempt to form a composite DNA profile for each of the two contributors. Both simulated and forensic peak‐height data were used to support this approach. A set of heuristic guidelines is to be used in forming a composite profile for each of the mixture contributors in analyzing the mathematical results of LSD. The heuristic rules involve the checking of consistency of the best‐fit mass proportion ratios for the top‐ranked genotype combination case among all four‐ and three‐allele loci, and involve assessing the degree of fit of the top‐ranked case relative to the fit of the second‐ranked case. A different set of guidelines is used in reviewing and analyzing the LSD mathematical results for two‐allele loci. Resolution of two‐allele loci is performed with less confidence than for four‐ and three‐allele loci. This paper gives a detailed description of the theory of the LSD methodology, discusses its limitations, and the heuristic guidelines in analyzing the LSD mathematical results. A 13‐loci sample case study is included. The use of the interpretation guidelines in forming composite profiles for each of the two contributors is illustrated. Application of LSD in this case produced correct resolutions at all loci. Information on obtaining access to the LSD software is also given in the paper.
Sites of Neocortical Reorganization Critical for Remote Spatial Memory

The hippocampus is crucial for spatial memory formation, yet it does not store long-lasting memories. By combining functional brain imaging and region-specific neuronal inactivation in mice, we identified prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex as critical for storage and retrieval of remote spatial memories. Imaging of activity-dependent genes also revealed an involvement of parietal and retrosplenial cortices during consolidation of remote memory. Long-term memory storage within some of these neocortical regions was accompanied by structural changes including synaptogenesis and laminar reorganization, concomitant with a functional disengagement of the hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortices. Thus, consolidation of spatial memory requires a time-dependent hippocampal-cortical dialogue, ultimately enabling widespread cortical networks to mediate effortful recall and use of cortically stored remote memories independently.
Refined crystal structure of the catalytic domain of dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2p) from Azotobacter vinelandii at 2.6 A resolution.

Dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2p) is both structurally and functionally the central enzyme of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex. The crystal structure of the catalytic domain, i.e. residues 382 to 637, of Azotobacter vinelandii E2p (E2pCD) was solved by multiple isomorphous replacement and refined by energy minimization procedures. The final model contains 2182 protein atoms and 37 ordered water molecules. The R-factor is 18.7% for 10,344 reflections between 10.0 and 2.6 A resolution. The root-mean-square shift deviation from the ideal values is 0.017 A for bond lengths and 3.3 degrees for bond angles. The N-terminal residues 382 to 394 are disordered and not visible in the electron density map, otherwise all residues have well-defined density. The catalytic domain forms an oligomer of 24 subunits, having octahedral 432 symmetry. In the E2pCD crystals, the 24 subunits are related by the crystallographic symmetry. The cubic arrangement of subunits gives rise to a large hollow cube with edges of 120 A. The faces of the cube have pores of diameter of 30 A. The true building block of the cube is the E2p trimer, eight of which occupy the corners of the cube. Two levels of intermolecular contacts can be distinguished: (1) the extensive interactions between 3-fold related subunits leading to a tightly associated trimer; and (2) the interactions along the 2-fold axis leading to the assembly of the trimers into the cubic 24-mer. Each subunit has a topology similar to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and comprises a central beta-sheet surrounded by five alpha-helices. The comparison of the two proteins indicates a large rotation of the N-terminal residues 395 to 426 of E2pCD, which reshapes the substrate binding site and extends the interaction between threefold related subunits. The catalytic centre consists of a 30 A long channel extending from the "inner" side of the trimer to the "outer" side, where inner and outer refer to the position in the 24-meric cubic core of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and correspond with CoA and lipoamide binding sites, respectively. The active site is formed by the residues with the lowest mobility as indicated by the atomic B-factors. Five proline residues surround the active site. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Microencapsulation of L. acidophilus (La-05) and B. lactis (Bb-12) and evaluation of their survival at the pH values of the stomach and in bile

Microcapsules were prepared using the probiotic microorganisms Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-05) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bb-12) and the spray drying technique and cellulose acetate phthalate as the wall material. This study evaluated the resistance of these microorganisms to drying at three temperatures and also the in vitro tolerance of the free and microencapsulated form to pH values and bile concentrations similar to those found in the human stomach and intestine. With an air entry temperature of 130#176;C and exit temperature of 75#176;C, the number of viable cells of B. lactis was practically unaltered, whereas the population of L. acidophilus was reduced by two logarithmic cycles. B. lactis was more resistant to the drying process than L. acidophilus under all conditions tested. The morphology of the microcapsules was determined by scanning electron microscopy and the microcapsules presented a rounded external surface containing concavities, a continuous wall with no apparent porosity, average size of 22 #181;m, moisture content varying from 5.3 to 3.2% and water activity between 0.230 and 0.204. After inoculation into HCl solutions with pH values adjusted to 1 and 2, incubated anaerobically at 37#176;C, and plated after 0, 1 and 2 h of incubation, microcapsules were effective in protecting the microorganisms, while the populations of both free microorganisms were eliminated after only 1 h at the acidic conditions. Microencapsulated B. lactis and L. acidophilus, both free and microencapsulated, were also resistant after 12h to bile solutions.
Overweight and Metabolic and Hormonal Parameter Disruption Are Induced in Adult Male Mice by Manipulations During Lactation Period

Neonatal manipulations (10 min of maternal separation plus s.c. sham injection, daily for the first 21 d of life) determine overweight in male adult mice. In this work, we investigated the mechanisms underlying mild obesity and the alteration of caloric balance. Neonatally manipulated mice become overweight after onset of maturity, showing increased fat tissue and hypertrophic epididymal adipocytes. Increase in body weight occurs in the presence of a small increase in daily food intake (significant only in the adult period) and the absence of a decrease in spontaneous locomotor activity, while the calculated caloric efficiency is higher in manipulated mice, especially in adulthood. Fasting adult animals show hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperleptinemia. Soon after weaning and in the adulthood, plasma corticosterone and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) are also significantly increased. Thus, neonatal manipulations in nongenetically susceptible male mice program mild obesity, with metabolic and hormonal alterations that are similar to those found in experimental models of diabetes mellitus, suggesting that this metabolic derangement may have at least part of its roots early on in life and, more interestingly, that psychological and nociceptive stimuli induce these features.
Reorientation in virtual environments using interactive portals

Real walking is the most natural method of navigation in virtual environments. However, physical space limitations often prevent or complicate its continuous use. Thus, many real walking interfaces, among them redirected walking techniques, depend on a reorientation technique that redirects the user away from physical boundaries when they are reached. However, existing reorientation techniques typically actively interrupt the user, or depend on the application of rotation gain that can lead to simulator sickness. In our approach, the user is reoriented using portals. While one portal is placed automatically to guide the user to a safe position, she controls the target selection and physically walks through the portal herself to perform the reorientation. In a formal user study we show that the method does not cause additional simulator sickness, and participants walk more than with point-and-fly navigation or teleportation, at the expense of longer completion times.
Return to education by ethnicity: A case of Malaysia

This study investigates the factors that influence earning differentials across three different ethnics in Malaysia—Bumiputra, Chinese and Indian. A specific focus is given to the effects of education on earnings. The variable is considered vital in restructuring the socioeconomic positions of these Malaysian ethnics. Mincerian earning functions have been estimated. Positive effects of education with varying magnitudes on earnings across the three ethnics have been found. Estimates on returns to education also vary across educational levels and gender for all the ethnics. The marginal rate of returns to university degree is the highest, as compared to other lower qualifications. A comparison across ethnicity shows that for those with university degrees, the returns for Indian ethnic were the highest at 24.85%, followed by Bumiputra at 22.55% and Chinese at 14.8%. There is also significant evidence of earning differentials attributable to occupational activities and regional/urban-rural locations in Malaysia.
Aromatase Inhibition Reduces Insulin Sensitivity in Healthy Men

Context: Deficiency of aromatase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens, is associated with insulin resistance in humans and mice. Objective: We hypothesized that pharmacological aromatase inhibition results in peripheral insulin resistance in humans. Design: This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover study. Setting: The study was conducted at a clinical research facility. Participants: Seventeen healthy male volunteers (18–50 y) participated in the study. Intervention: The intervention included oral anastrozole (1 mg daily) and placebo, each for 6 weeks with a 2-week washout period. Main Outcome Measure: Glucose disposal and rates of lipolysis were measured during a stepwise hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Data are mean (SEM). Results: Anastrozole therapy resulted in significant estradiol suppression (59.9 ± 3.6 vs 102.0 ± 5.7 pmol/L, P = < .001) and a more modest elevation of total T (25.8 ± 1.2 vs 21.4 ± 0.7 nmol/L, P = .003). Glucose infusion rate, during the low-dose insulin infusion, was lower after anastrozole administration (12.16 ± 1.33 vs 14.15 ± 1.55 μmol/kg·min, P = .024). No differences in hepatic glucose production or rate of lipolysis were observed. Conclusion: Aromatase inhibition reduces insulin sensitivity, with respect to peripheral glucose disposal, in healthy men. Local generation and action of estradiol, at the level of skeletal muscle, is likely to be an important determinant of insulin sensitivity.
Proline carrier mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 with altered cation sensitivity of substrate-binding activity: cloning, biochemical characterization, and identification of the mutation

Two putP mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 that were defective in proline transport but retained the binding activities of the major proline carrier were isolated (T. Mogi, H. Yamamoto, T. Nakao, I. Yamato, and Y. Anraku, Mol. Gen. Genet. 202:35-41, 1986). One of these mutations and three null-type mutations (K. Motojima, I. Yamato, and Y. Anraku, J. Bacteriol. 136:5-9, 1978) were cloned into a pBR322 putP+ hybrid plasmid (pTMP5) by in vivo recombination. Cytoplasmic membrane vesicles were prepared from the mutant strains and strains harboring pTMP5 putP plasmids, and the properties of the proline-binding reaction of the mutant putP carriers in membranes were examined under nonenergized conditions. The putP19, putP21, and putP22 mutations, which were mapped in the same DNA segment of the putP gene (Mogi et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 202:35-41, 1986), caused the complete loss of proline carrier activity. The proline carriers encoded by the mutant putP genes, putP9 and putP32, and putP32 in pTMP5-32, which was derived from in vivo recombination with the putP32 mutation, had altered sodium ion and proton dependence of binding affinities for proline and were resistant to N-ethylmaleimide inactivation without changes in the specificities for substrates and alkaline metal cations. The nucleotide sequence of the putP32 lesion located on the 0.35-megadalton RsaI-PvuII fragment in the putP gene in pTMP5-32 was determined; the mutation changed a cytosine at position 1001 to a thymine, causing the alteration of arginine to cysteine at amino acid position 257 in the primary structure of the proline carrier. It was shown that this one point mutation was enough to produce the phenotype of pTMP5-32 by in vitro DNA replacement of the AcyI-PvuII fragment of the wild-type putP gene with the DNA fragment containing the mutated nucleotide sequence.
SPICE Modeling of Double-Gate Tunnel-FETs Including Channel Transports

SPICE modeling of double-gate (DG) tunnel FETs (TFETs) including channel transports is reported. An ideal drain current model neglecting the channel transport is developed first. It captures the interband tunneling characteristics, describes their geometry dependences, and is suitable for DG TFETs with limited drivability. The ideal current model and previously proposed charge model are then extended to include the channel transports. One way to model the transport is appending a DG MOSFET in series with the ideal TFET model. The dependences of TFETs current and terminal charges on channel transports are reproduced. Another way by inserting a resistance at the TFET source side is also proposed with reduced simulation time.
Bidirectional Pattern-Dependent Noise Prediction With LDPC Codes for HAMR

As areal densities increase, substantial jitter noise is expected in heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). To mitigate the effects of jitter noise, in an earlier work we proposed the bidirectional pattern-dependent noise prediction (BiPDNP) detector, which employs backward linear prediction as well as the conventional forward linear prediction. However, no error correction codes were used in this earlier work. In this paper, we implement BiPDNP in the Bahl-Cocke-Jelinek-Raviv (BCJR) detector, and investigate its performance with low-density parity check (LDPC) codes. For the LDPC coded channel, by combining the BCJR detector with BiPDNP, we observe that a SNR gain of 1 dB (at bit error rate 10$^{-4}$ with 30% microtrack jitter) is achieved over the conventional BCJR detector. Further, in HAMR channel modeling we employ the thermal Williams-Comstock (TWC) model. Conventionally, a linear relationship for coercivity with temperature is used. In this paper, we update the TWC model by using a nonlinear relationship for coercivity with temperature.