Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of insulin on polychlorinated biphenyls‐induced disruption of actin cytoskeleton in hippocampal neurons

Insulin receptors are widely distributed in the brain, and insulin improves learning and memory in some brain injury. Insulin elevates LIM kinase 1 (LIMK‐1) activity and induces actin polymerization in some cells, while actin cytoskeleton dynamics mediated via LIMK‐1/cofilin signal pathway is considered important to learning and memory formation. Our previous studies have shown that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) disrupt the actin cytoskeleton by inhibiting LIMK‐1/cofilin signaling pathway in the cultured hippocampal neurons. To determine potential neuronal protective effects by insulin, we administered insulin to the cultured hippocampal neurons after exposure to PCBs mixture Aroclor 1254 (A 1254). We found that insulin antagonized a loss of filamentous actin and the cytotoxicity induced by A 1254. Similarly, insulin restored the decrease of LIMK‐1 and cofilin phosphorylation induced by A 1254. We concluded that insulin could protect neurons, probably partly by ameliorating filamentous actin cytoskeleton disruption mediated via the activation of LIMK‐1/cofilin signal pathway in cultured hippocampal neurons after exposure to A 1254. The above protective effects in hippocampal neuron may have important implications in the treatment of PCBs‐induced neurotoxicity and the mechanism by which insulin improves learning and memory. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 152–158, 2007.
Ikaros, a Lymphoid-Cell-Specific Transcription Factor, Contributes to the Leukemogenic Phenotype of a Mink Cell Focus-Inducing Murine Leukemia Virus

ABSTRACT Mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) viruses induce T-cell lymphomas in AKR/J strain mice. MCF 247, the prototype of this group of nonacute murine leukemia viruses, transforms thymocytes, in part, by insertional mutagenesis and enhancer-mediated dysregulation of cellular proto-oncogenes. The unique 3′ (U3) regions in the long terminal repeats of other murine leukemia viruses contain transcription factor binding sites known to be important for enhancer function and for the induction of T-cell lymphomas. Although transcription factor binding sites important for the biological properties of MCF 247 have not been identified, pathogenesis studies from our laboratory suggested to us that binding sites for Ikaros, a lymphoid-cell-restricted transcriptional regulator, affect the biological properties of MCF 247. In this report, we demonstrate that Ikaros binds to predicted sites in U3 sequences of MCF 247 and that site-directed mutations in these sites greatly diminish this binding in vitro. Consistent with these findings, ectopic expression of Ikaros in murine cells that do not normally express this protein significantly increases transcription from the viral promoter in transient gene expression assays. Moreover, site-directed mutations in specific Ikaros-binding sites reduce this activity in T-cell lines that express Ikaros endogenously. To determine whether the Ikaros-binding sites are functional in vivo, we inoculated newborn mice with a variant MCF virus containing a mutant Ikaros-binding site. The variant virus replicated in thymocytes less efficiently and induced lymphomas with a delayed onset compared to the wild-type virus. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the Ikaros-binding sites in the U3 region of MCF 247 are functional and cooperate with other DNA elements for optimal enhancer function in vivo.
Using silhouette for pose estimation of object with surface of revolution

A novel approach of pose estimation is proposed for the object with surface of revolution(SOR). The silhouette of the object is the only information necessary for this method and no cross section circle (latitude circle) is needed. In this article, we explain the property of tangent circle and use it to establish constraint between two images of object with different poses. Such constraint can help to solve the pose of object in both images. We test our method with a simulation experiment and use it to estimate the pose for both rigid body and articulated object.
Preparation of recombinant baculoviruses with the BVboost system.

Cold Spring Harb Protoc; Kari J. Airenne, Olli H. Laitinen, Anssi J. Mähönen and Seppo Ylä-Herttuala Preparation of Recombinant Baculoviruses with the BVboost System Service Email Alerting click here. Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article Categories Subject Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. Browse articles on similar topics from (47 articles) Virus (72 articles) Viral Methods (100 articles) Vectors (88 articles) Preparation of Macromolecules and Introduction into Cells (109 articles) Plasmids (1009 articles) Molecular Biology, general (106 articles) High-Throughput Analysis, general (23 articles) High-Capacity Vectors, general (21 articles) High-Capacity Vectors (261 articles) DNA Delivery/Gene Transfer, general (228 articles) DNA Delivery/Gene Transfer (242 articles) Cell Culture (1037 articles) Cell Biology, general
Eğitim Örgütlerinde Çatışma Yönetimi ve Bir Örnek Olay

The aim of this study is to describe the reasons of conflict in schools and how it is managed based on a case study. The research was carried out in a school in Manisa. Subjects consisted of three teachers in the department of computer, one vice principal and a principal. The case study method was used and participant observer type of monitoring was applied to collect data. The story of the case study was written based on the data obtained through observations. The case study was analyzed based on the data related to the conflict obtained through literature review. The basic findings of this study are as follows: The conflict in the organization is natural, the conflict at the department of computer is due to the limited resources, the ambiguity in sharing the duties at the department; lack of communication and power struggle. It could be concluded that managers should learn how to manage the conflict instead of ignoring it.
Optimized access points deployment for WLAN indoor positioning system

Indoor positioning in wireless local area network (WLAN) has been attracting increasing attentions for its cost effectiveness and reasonable positioning accuracy. Existing positioning methods all pay attention to establish more accurate relationship between received signal strength (RSS) and physical locations. However, the deployment of access points (APs) is ignored. This paper proposes an optimized APs deployment method for improving WLAN positioning accuracy. The objective of APs deployment is to maximize the RSS Euclidean distance between physical locations. We investigate and demonstrate the importance of RSS Euclidean distance to WLAN positioning. Simulation studies and experimental results show that the proposed APs deployment method can improve positioning accuracy significantly.
Subcutaneous Autologous Serum Therapy in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Background: There is a felt need for trying newer therapeutic modalities in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria, especially in the subset of patients classified as non-responders to antihistamines. Autologous serum therapy is an upcoming modality of treatment, and we decided to study its efficacy by subcutaneous route. Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of subcutaneous autologous serum therapy (AST) in CSU. Methods: This was a single blind, placebo-controlled parallel group, randomized, controlled study. Twenty-four patients with CSU (11M: 13 F) were given subcutaneous AST and seventeen patients (7 M: 10F) patients were given subcutaneous injection normal saline (placebo), along with levocetirizine in an on-demand basis in both groups. Results: Urticaria activity score (UAS) came down from 35.74 to 7 at the end of 9 weeks and the patients' requirement of antihistamines also reduced remarkably from 5.8 to 1.7 per week in the serum group. Sub-cutaneous saline group did not show statistically significant fall in UAS. Saline group showed UAS 32.8 at zero week to 22.1 at the end of 9 weeks. DLQI showed significant fall in serum group, from 14.26 to 4 at the end of 9 weeks. Conclusion: Subcutaneous autoserum therapy is effective in treatment of CSU.
miR156 and miR390 Regulate tasiRNA Accumulation and Developmental Timing in Physcomitrella patens[C][W][OA]

Many plant microRNAs are deeply conserved in all land plants, from mosses to flowering plants. We carry out functional studies of two such microRNAs, miR156 and miR390, in the moss Physcomitrella patens and identify them as components of a broadly conserved gene regulatory network that controls the timing of plant development. microRNA156 (miR156) affects developmental timing in flowering plants. miR156 and its target relationships with members of the SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) gene family appear universally conserved in land plants, but the specific functions of miR156 outside of flowering plants are unknown. We find that miR156 promotes a developmental change from young filamentous protonemata to leafy gametophores in the moss Physcomitrella patens, opposite to its role as an inhibitor of development in flowering plants. P. patens miR156 also influences accumulation of trans-acting small interfering RNAs (tasiRNAs) dependent upon a second ancient microRNA, miR390. Both miR156 and miR390 directly target a single major tasiRNA primary transcript. Inhibition of miR156 function causes increased miR390-triggered tasiRNA accumulation and decreased accumulation of tasiRNA targets. Overexpression of miR390 also caused a slower formation of gametophores, elevated miR390-triggered tasiRNA accumulation, and reduced level of tasiRNA targets. We conclude that a gene regulatory network controlled by miR156, miR390, and their targets controls developmental change in P. patens. The broad outlines and regulatory logic of this network are conserved in flowering plants, albeit with some modifications. Partially conserved small RNA networks thus influence developmental timing in plants with radically different body plans.
The CVS-Server Case Study: A Formalized Security Architecture

CVS is a widely known version management system. Configured in server mode, it can be used for the distributed development of software as well as its distribution from a central database called the repository. In this setting, a number of security mechanisms have to be integrated into the CVS-server architecture. We present an abstract formal model of the access control aspects of a CVS-server architecture enforcing a role-based access control on the data in the repository. This abstract architecture is refined to an implementation architecture, which represents (an abstraction of) a concrete CVS-server configuration running in a POSIX/UNIX environment. Both the abstract as well as the concrete architecture are specified in the language Z. The specification is compiled to HOL-Z, such that refinement proofs for this case study can be done in Isabelle/HOL.
Abnormal Cardiac Norepinephrine Storage in Isoproterenol‐Treated Rats

Repeated administration of large doses of isoproterenol to rats produced myocardial enlargement and a fall in blood pressure. A defect in storage of norepinephrine (NE) was manifested by a decrease in endogenous NE, unimpaired uptake of 3H-NE, and an accelerated rate of loss of accumulated 3H-NE. This accelerated loss of 3H-NE was characterized by a more rapid disappearance of 3H-NE from the granular or microsomal than from the supernatant NE fraction. The increased rate of loss of 3H-NE could be reversed by treatment with a ganglionic blocking agent, chlorisondamine, by salt restriction and mercurial diuresis, and by withholding isoproterenol treatment for 7 days. The NE storage defect resembled that previously described in the hearts of rats made hypertensive by administration of desoxycorticosterone and NaCl. It is possible that the NE storage defect in the hearts of isoproterenol-treated rats is the result of a combination of changes in sympathetic nervous activity and altered neuronal electrolytes.
The “Never Again” State of Israel: The Emergence of the Holocaust as a Core Feature of Israeli Identity and Its Four Incongruent Voices

For the vast majority of contemporary Israelis, the Holocaust is an acquired memory. However, over the years its presence has not diminished but rather is on the rise. We describe how perceptions of the Holocaust have changed from “what Israeliness is not” in the 1940s and 1950s to a core element in Israeli identity. Inspired by Bauer, we present four different and sometimes incompatible voices related to the Holocaust that greatly affect the Israeli society. They are: Never be a passive victim; never forsake your brothers; never be passive bystander; and never be a perpetrator. Experimental evidence related to these voices is also described.
Non-Financial Information: State of the Art and Research Perspectives Based on a Bibliometric Study

We conduct a bibliometric analysis of academic articles published on the topic of non-financial information (NFI). This analysis covers 787 articles published in 53 journals over the timespan 1973 to 2013. We examine several important questions about the state of the art of academic research on NFI: How is NFI defined in the literature? Can NFI be precisely defined? How has interest in NFI evolved over time in the academic literature? What are the main topics covered by NFI research? What are the main methodologies used by researchers? To what extent are studies country-specific? We find that many articles do not define the concept of NFI but refer to underlying concepts such as social, environmental, human capital or corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting. We document that academic research on NFI reached a certain degree of maturity around the late 1990s / early 2000s, a time when several new specialized journals were created that now capture an important share of the market. We identify 10 topics covered by research on NFI and show that the most frequently-studied topic in NFI research is CSR reporting. We also discover that the volume of research concerning auditing of NFI is growing, whereas management accounting/control research on NFI is limited. We find that the growth in NFI research is fueled mainly by articles using archival data (quantitative or qualitative) and essay methodologies. Finally, we suggest directions for future research.
The Effects of Risk on Initial Trust Formation

This paper seeks to expand our understanding of initial trust by looking at how variation in risk influences the nature of trust and the process of initial trust formation. Four hypotheses were tested in two experiments involving participants with and without work experience. A first hypothesis suggested a positive relationship between a general propensity to trust and initial trust; a second hypothesis, a negative relationship between risk and initial trust; whereas a third hypothesis posited that risk would increase the importance participants place on benevolence and integrity. A fourth hypothesis suggested that risk would have a positive and moderating influence on the effect of out-of-role behavior when presented after role-conformant in-role behavior. Findings are presented and discussed and practical implications suggested.
Spoken Word Recognition Strategy for Tamil Language

This paper outlines a strategy for recognizing a preferred vocabulary of words spoken in Tamil language. The basic philosophy is to extract the features using mel frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) from the spoken words that are used as representative features of the speech to create models that aid in recognition. The models chosen for the task are hidden Markov models (HMM) and autoassociative neural networks (AANN). The HMM is used to model the temporal nature of speech and the AANNs to capture the distribution of feature vectors in the feature space. The created models provide a way to investigate an unexplored speech recognition arena for the Tamil language. The performance of the strategy is evaluated for a number of test utterances through HMM and AANN and the results project the reliability of HMM for emerging applications in regional languages.
Effects of Syllable Language Model on Distinctive Phonetic Features (DPFs) based Phoneme Recognition Performance

This paper presents a distinctive phonetic features (DPFs) based phoneme recognition method by incorporating syllable language models (LMs). The method comprises three stages. The first stage extracts three DPF vectors of 15 dimensions each from local features (LFs) of an input speech signal using three multilayer neural networks (MLNs). The second stage incorporates an Inhibition/Enhancement (In/En) network to obtain more categorical DPF movement and decorrelates the DPF vectors using the Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure. Then, the third stage embeds acoustic models (AMs) and LMs of syllable-based subwords to output more precise phoneme strings. From the experiments, it is observed that the proposed method provides a higher phoneme correct rate as well as a tremendous improvement of phoneme accuracy. Moreover, it shows higher phoneme recognition performance at fewer mixture components in hidden Markov models (HMMs).
Are avoidant wives and anxious husbands unhappy in a collectivist context? Dyadic associations in established marriages

We examined culturally relevant gender differences in the attachment dimensions and their dyadic associations with relationship functioning using a large sample (N = 1228). Considering that attachment avoidance is culturally incongruent with Turkish culture and there exist a sharp gender role difference in marriage, we anticipated that avoidance for women and anxiety for men would be strong dyadic predictors of satisfaction and conflict among married couples. Dyadic analyses revealed that attachment dimensions which are incongruent with cultural characteristics and gender roles predicted marital conflict and satisfaction. Avoidance, but not anxiety, had both actor and partner effects on marital satisfaction. Attachment anxiety of husbands, but not wives, was linked with marital conflict. Attachment avoidance seems to be a primary risk factor for satisfaction and attachment anxiety for conflict in the Turkish cultural context.
Functional Organization of the GluR1 Glutamate Receptor Promoter*

The GluR1 glutamate receptor subunit is expressed in most brain areas and plays a major role in excitatory synaptic transmission. We cloned and sequenced 5 kilobase pairs of the rat GluR1 promoter and identified multiple transcriptional start sites between −295 and −202 (relative to the first ATG). Similar to other glutamate receptor subunit promoters, the GluR1 promoter lacks TATA and CAAT elements in that region but binds Sp1 proteins at two sites. Promoter activity of GluR1 fragments cloned into pGL3 was assessed by immunocytochemistry and by measuring luciferase activity after transfection into primary cultures of rat cortical neurons and glia. GluR1 promoter activity was stronger in neurons, with neuronal specificity appearing to reside mainly within the neuronal expression-enhancing regions, −1395 to −743 and −253 to −48. The latter region contains 4 sites that bound recombinant cAMP-response element-binding proteins and a glial silencing region between −253 and −202. In both neurons and glia, promoter activity was increased by a 64-base pair GA repeat upstream of the initiation sites and reduced by a 57-base pair region that contained an N box. In contrast to the GluR2 promoter the regulatory regions are mainly located outside of the GluR1 initiation region.
Comparative analysis of discrete exosome fractions obtained by differential centrifugation

Background Cells release a mixture of extracellular vesicles, amongst these exosomes, that differ in size, density and composition. The standard isolation method for exosomes is centrifugation of fluid samples, typically at 100,000×g or above. Knowledge of the effect of discrete ultracentrifugation speeds on the purification from different cell types, however, is limited. Methods We examined the effect of applying differential centrifugation g-forces ranging from 33,000×g to 200,000×g on exosome yield and purity, using 2 unrelated human cell lines, embryonic kidney HEK293 cells and bladder carcinoma FL3 cells. The fractions were evaluated by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), total protein quantification and immunoblotting for CD81, TSG101, syntenin, VDAC1 and calreticulin. Results NTA revealed the lowest background particle count in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium media devoid of phenol red and cleared by 200,000×g overnight centrifugation. The centrifugation tube fill level impacted the sedimentation efficacy. Comparative analysis by NTA, protein quantification, and detection of exosomal and contamination markers identified differences in vesicle size, concentration and composition of the obtained fractions. In addition, HEK293 and FL3 vesicles displayed marked differences in sedimentation characteristics. Exosomes were pelleted already at 33,000×g, a g-force which also removed most contaminating microsomes. Optimal vesicle-to-protein yield was obtained at 67,000×g for HEK293 cells but 100,000×g for FL3 cells. Relative expression of exosomal markers (TSG101, CD81, syntenin) suggested presence of exosome subpopulations with variable sedimentation characteristics. Conclusions Specific g-force/k factor usage during differential centrifugation greatly influences the purity and yield of exosomes. The vesicle sedimentation profile differed between the 2 cell lines.