Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor-mediated Smad Signaling Complexes Analyzed by Mass Spectrometry *S

ASmad proteins are the central feature of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) intracellular signaling cascade. They function by carrying signals from the cell surface to the nucleus through the formation of a series of signaling complexes. Changes in Smad proteins and their complexes upon treatment with TGF-β were studied in mink lung epithelial (Mv1Lu) cell cultures. A time course of incubation with TGF-β was carried out to determine the peak of appearance of phosphorylated Smad2. Immobilized monoclonal antibody against Smad2 was then used to isolate the naturally occurring complexes. Three strategies were used to identify changes in proteins partnering with Smad2: separation by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE followed by MALDI peptide mass fingerprinting, cleavable ICAT labeling of the protein mixtures analyzed by LC-MS/MS, and nano-LC followed by MALDI MS TOF/TOF. Smad2 forms complexes with many other polypeptides both in the presence and absence of TGF-β. Some of the classes of proteins identified include: transcription regulators, proteins of the cytoskeletal scaffold and other tethering proteins, motility proteins, proteins involved in transport between the cytoplasm and nucleus, and a group of membrane adaptor proteins. Although some of these have been reported in the literature, most have not been reported previously. This work expands the repertoire of proteins known to participate in the TGF-β signal transduction processes.
A Profitable Dividend Yield Strategy for Retirement Portfolios

With life expectancy rising and social security payouts diminishing, equities continue to be an important asset class in retirement portfolios. However, choosing the right type of stocks can make a significant difference to retirement wealth and funding adequacy. Motivated by clean surplus accounting theory, we propose a strategy that focuses on stocks with both high gross profitability and high dividend yield. Simulations of long-horizon returns show that this “profitable dividend yield,” or PDY, strategy significantly outperforms diversified equity portfolios in terms of funding adequacy. As a bonus, PDY stocks have lower downside risks than the market in the short term.
Human Cytomegalovirus pUL29/28 and pUL38 Repression of p53-Regulated p21CIP1 and Caspase 1 Promoters during Infection

ABSTRACT During infection by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), the tumor suppressor protein p53, which promotes efficient viral gene expression, is stabilized. However, the expression of numerous p53-responsive cellular genes is not upregulated. The molecular mechanism used to manipulate the transcriptional activity of p53 during infection remains unclear. The HCMV proteins IE1, IE2, pUL44, and pUL84 likely contribute to the regulation of p53. In this study, we used a discovery-based approach to identify the protein targets of the HCMV protein pUL29/28 during infection. Previous studies have demonstrated that pUL29/28 regulates viral gene expression by interacting with the chromatin remodeling complex NuRD. Here, we observed that pUL29/28 also associates with p53, an additional deacetylase complex, and several HCMV proteins, including pUL38. We confirmed the interaction between p53 and pUL29/28 in both the presence and absence of infection. HCMV pUL29/28 with pUL38 altered the activity of the 53-regulatable p21CIP1 promoter. During infection, pUL29/28 and pUL38 contributed to the inhibition of p21CIP1 as well as caspase 1 expression. The expression of several other p53-regulating genes was not altered. Infection using a UL29-deficient virus resulted in increased p53 binding and histone H3 acetylation at the responsive promoters. Furthermore, expression of pUL29/28 and its interacting partner pUL38 contributed to an increase in the steady-state protein levels of p53. This study identified two additional HCMV proteins, pUL29/28 and pUL38, which participate in the complex regulation of p53 transcriptional activity during infection.
Low-Noise Amplifier Design Considerations For Use in Antenna Arrays

This work analyzes the implications of noise coupling in arrays of antennas on the design of low-noise amplifiers (LNAs). To select LNA design parameters in a manner familiar to LNA designers, the effective noise temperatures Teff of LNAs are presented. The effect of beamformer coefficients and antenna coupling on Teff is analyzed in a manner similar to a stand-alone LNA analysis. This leads to the proposed LNA design strategy of selecting LNA Γopt near the reflection coefficient of antenna ports and selecting the largest practical |S11| with a proper phase. This strategy is based on the assumption that the antenna array may be used for various beamforming and nonbeamforming applications, unknown at the time of the design. Numerical simulations of a 38- and 41-element antenna arrays show that a global search of LNA S11 and Γopt, which result in the minimum average beam-equivalent receiver noise temperature Trec, finds nearly identical results to the proposed LNA design strategy. For a 41-element array with high antenna coupling at low frequencies, the proposed method shows as much as 80% improvement in the Trec over conventional LNA design strategies that do not account for the intended use of the amplifier in an array.
Cytological effects of the microinjection of antibody to ras p21 in early cleavage Xenopus embryos

The presence of two ras‐related proteins (22 and 23 kDa) was demonstrated in Xenopus embryonic extracts by selective immunoprecipitation using anti‐ras monoclonal antibodies 142‐24EO5 and Y13‐259. We further describe the cytological effects of the microinijection of anti‐ras monoclonal antibody Y13‐259 into early cleavage blastomeres of Xenopus embryos. Injection of the antibody into a blastomere at the two‐, four‐, or eight‐cell stage caused cleavage arrest in the descendants of the injected blastomere. Light microscopy (LM) of cleavage‐arrested cells revealed extensive deformation of the cells as well as heterogeneity of distribution of yolk platelets and pigment granules. LM analysis of serial sections of cleavage‐arrested cells revealed the presence of multiple nuclei. Although the nuclei expressed similar morphological properties, indicating that they were probably in the same stage of the nuclear cycle, they revealed highly variable chromatin densities. Electron microscope (EM) analysis of the cytoplasm of cleavage‐arrested cells revealed the accumulation of vesicles and large membranous elements coincident with cleavage arrest. Further‐more, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) existed in two forms, as closed, circular profiles and as long, linear arrays. Mitochondria were characteristically aligned in single file on both sides of the two types of ER cisternae. EM analysis of nuclei confirmed variations in chromatin organization and suggested the occurrence of unique nuclear envelope fusion among micronuclei in cleavage‐arrested cells. Cleavage arrest and changes in cytological features were not observed in the cytoplasm of cells microinjected with normal rat lgG. Thus the immunochemical data and microinjection experiments suggest that ras‐like or ras antigenicity exists within rapidly replicating Xenopus blastomeres and may be involved in the organization of a number of its cytoplasmic elements.
An Empirical High-Frequency Large-Signal Model for High-Voltage LDMOS Transistors

The Chalmers HEMT and MESFET large-signal model has been extended to model high-voltage LDMOS transistors. The model's ability to accurately predict harmonics at the output of the transistor makes it very useful in power amplifier designs where efficiency and intermodulation are important quantities. The large-signal performance was evaluated by a power spectrum method in order to get a global picture of the model's large-signal performance. The models' benefits, compared to standard MOSFET models, are the simplicity of both the extraction procedure and the implementation into commercial microwave CAE tools.
Towards understanding differences in european household finances

This paper documents facts about differences in household portfolio composition across European countries, using the Eurosystem’s Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) as a data source. On the asset side of balance sheets, the focus of our analysis is on the distinction between housing wealth and other assets. On the liability side, we distinguish types of debt which are collateralized by housing. As a consequence, this paper addresses cross-European differences in home-equity positions. These facts inform the design of a European Household Finance Common Reference Model (HFCRM). This reference model identifies a common structure of key factors in household financial decision making. At the same time the HFCRM is flexible enough to admit parameterizations which fit the diversity of financial and legal institutions across European countries.
The More the Merrier? Immigrant Share and Entrepreneurial Activities

We examine the relationship between immigrant share and entrepreneurial activities in a country. Building on knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship (KSTE), we hypothesize that immigrant share positively relates to the creation, growth, and export activities of new firms through knowledge spillover between immigrant and native communities. We further suggest that favorable attitudes of natives toward immigrants positively moderate this relationship. Using data for 32 countries from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, we find support for the hypothesized direct relationships and for the moderating influence of a nation's attitude toward immigrants. Our study has implications for KSTE and research on entrepreneurship and immigration.
Origin and diversification of African ferns with special emphasis on Polypodiaceae

Although Africa harbors low species diversity compared to the neotropics or South East Asia, the African fern flora is of interest because of its specific composition and geographic location between the neotropics and Asia. We address the question of how the evolution of the African fern flora may have been enriched by repeated input from the neotropics and Asia. For the purpose of this paper we consider ihree major biogeographic regions: the neotropics, Africa and Madagascar, and Asia including Malesia and Australasia. We interpret distribution data for six clades of Polypodiaceae in a molecular phylogenetic framework. We conclude that African fern taxa shared with or closely related to ones in the neotropics or Asia have been brought about by ancient and recent dispersal events with or without subsequent speciation. The African fern flora is interpreted as being composed of endemic, neotropical, and Asian elements and as being situated in a zone of overlap of typical neotropical and Asian fern floras.
Re-irradiation and hyperthermia for recurrent breast cancer in the orbital region: a case report

Based on the good results of re-irradiation plus hyperthermia in breast cancer recurrences on the chest wall, it was decided to offer similar treatment to a patient with recurrent metastatic breast cancer in the orbital region. A female patient was diagnosed in 1997 with breast cancer stage T4N0M0. She was treated with six neo-adjuvant chemotherapy courses and mastectomy, followed by hormonal treatment. In December 1998, she was diagnosed with metastatic disease in the medial upper quadrant of the left orbit. This was excised, followed by 40 Gy radiotherapy. Nine months later, the tumour had recurred in the left orbit at the margin of the radiotherapy field. This again was treated with surgery, followed by 30 Gy radiotherapy. Two months thereafter, the eyelid tumour progressed and hormonal therapy was changed, without an effect on the eyelid tumour. Screening gave no evidence of tumour activity elsewhere. The patient preferred treatment with re-irradiation plus hyperthermia to a surgical approach. Eight fractions of 4 Gy were given in 4 weeks, combined with once weekly hyperthermia. One week after treatment, the tumour had regressed completely. The patient died 22 months following treatment. Until last follow-up, a few weeks before death, the patient mentioned a dry left eye for which she used eyedrops, an unchanged vision and no further difficulties. On examination, there was epilation of the eyelids, a slight conjunctival oedema, no subcutaneous fibrosis and no evidence of tumour regrowth. For this patient, a surgical approach would have resulted in loss of the left eye. Toxicity of re-irradiation plus hyperthermia might lead to either a loss of vision or a delayed loss of her left eye due to treatment-induced toxicity. The chosen local treatment resulted in a very good palliative effect, which lasted for the patient’s remaining lifetime of 22 months.
Effect of an unrepaired fracture of the ulnar styloid base on outcome after plate-and-screw fixation of a distal radial fracture.

BACKGROUND The impact of an unrepaired fracture of the ulnar styloid base on recovery after internal fixation of a fracture of the distal part of the radius is uncertain. We evaluated a series of patients with an internally fixed fracture of the distal part of the radius to test the hypothesis that there is no difference in wrist motion or function scores between those with an untreated fracture of the ulnar styloid base and those with no ulnar fracture. METHODS Two cohorts of seventy-six matched patients, one with a fracture of the ulnar styloid base and the other with no ulnar fracture, were retrospectively analyzed by examining data gathered in a prospective study of plate-and-screw fixation of distal radial fractures. Patients were matched for age, sex, AO fracture type, and injury mechanism. The two cohorts were analyzed for differences in motion, grip strength, pain, the Gartland and Werley score, the DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score, and the SF-36 (Short Form-36) score at six, twelve, and twenty-four months postoperatively. In a second analysis, sixty-four patients with <2 mm of displacement of a fracture of the ulnar styloid base were compared with forty-nine patients with greater displacement. Differences between cohorts and within cohorts over time were determined with use of regression analysis and the likelihood ratio test. RESULTS No significant differences were found between patients with an unrepaired fracture of the ulnar styloid base and those with no ulnar fracture at any of the follow-up intervals. However, a trend was observed toward less grip strength at six months (71% [of that on the contralateral side] compared with 79%; mean difference, -8% [95% confidence interval=-15.3% to -0.6%]; p=0.03) and less flexion (54 degrees compared with 59 degrees ; mean difference, -5 degrees [95% confidence interval=-11.7 degrees to -0.8 degrees ]; p=0.02) and ulnar deviation (32 degrees compared with 36 degrees ; mean difference, -4 degrees [95% confidence interval=-7 degrees to -0.1 degrees ]; p=0.05) at twenty-four months after surgery in patients with an untreated fracture of the ulnar styloid base. There were no significant differences with regard to any tested outcome measure between the patients with >or=2 mm of displacement of an unrepaired fracture of the ulnar styloid base and those with less displacement. CONCLUSIONS An unrepaired fracture of the base of the ulnar styloid does not appear to influence function or outcome after treatment of a distal radial fracture with plate-and-screw fixation, even when the ulnar fracture was initially displaced >or=2 mm.
Hungarian Higher Education 2016. Strategic progress report

The next edition of our strategic progress reports evaluates the priority areas of the Hungarian higher education in relation to the developments of the years of 2015 and 2016. Following the pattern of the previous reports, the authors of the individual chapters will outline past trends and potential future consequences in the context of the current events. While in our last analysis we put certain areas into an international context by presenting several detailed international comparisons , this time we will primarily focus on the current situation in Hungary. Our study is constituted by the material previously sent to the participants of the “Hungarian Higher Education” conference held on 26 January 2017, completed by the presentations of the speakers followed by a discussion. At the beginning of our report – in accordance with our established routine –, we provide an overview of the most important claims stated in the individual chapters. However, the picture will only be complete with the figures and analyses presented in the chapters. After the introductory chapter on educational policy, our report touches upon three major areas. First we take a look at the most recent developments of the institutional structure and management as well as the economic conditions of the Hungarian higher education. Wherever possible, we present the practices in place through figures or surveys, contrasting them with government expectations. In the next big block, we examine the situation on the national as well as on the institutional level in light of the admission data and analyse some figures in relation to graduate employment before moving on to the detailed discussion of the issue of qualifications and learning and teaching, including dual education. Finally, the analysis of domestic and international data regarding researcher performance and student mobility allow for international comparison. Our report intends to offer some claims for consideration for both educational policy makers and heads of institutions. At the same time, we have also tried to formulate our chapters in a way so as to make our message comprehensible for a readership interested in, but less familiar with higher education. The year of 2017 – as a pre-election year – will definitely have a few surprises up its sleeve. According to one of the dimensions of our report, we look forward to finding out whether the wide-ranging measures launched in 2015/2016 (which perhaps intervened somewhat excessively in the functioning of the institutions) will be able to reverse the trends that have been established over the years, influence seemingly entrenched practices and bring the Hungarian higher education closer to the international cutting edge. Although most of our authors are rather sceptical or at least cautious in that respect, we still hope that at our January 2018 conference and in the progress report to be published then, we will be able to report about coherent examples of the results of educational policy interventions.
Development of the Intervention Materials for the HomeStyles Obesity Prevention Program for Parents of Preschoolers

Home environment is key to the development of obesity-preventing behaviors during childhood, yet few resources help preschool parents address factors at home associated with obesity risk. This paper describes creation of materials for an in-home intervention (HomeStyles) with this population. An advisory group of stakeholders and target audience members determined salient factors affecting childhood obesity to address in-home and developed program materials. The Social Cognitive Theory, Faith’s Core Behavior Change Strategies to Treat Childhood Obesity, Adult Learning Theory and motivational interviewing techniques guided development of 12 guides targeting strategies parents can use to shape the home environment. Interviews were conducted to determine effectiveness of the guides. Cognitive testing of guide design (n = 251) and content (n = 261) occurred in English and Spanish in New Jersey and Arizona with parents and home visitation staff who would present the guides. Interviews investigated perceptions of content usefulness and parent comprehension. Findings were also examined in light of theoretical underpinnings. Both home visitation staff and parents felt the guides were very readable and useful. Parents appreciated use of motivational interviewing techniques and Adult Learning Theory. Current research is testing these guides through an in-home, randomized control trial.
Targeting cognitive-behaviour therapy to patients' implicit model of psoriasis: results from a patient preference controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a cognitive-behavioral psoriasis symptom management programme (PSMP) on patient-held perceptions about their condition and patients' use of self-reported coping strategies, and to examine the influence of alexithymia scores at induction on response to treatment. DESIGN Age- and sex-matched case-controlled prospective study. METHODS A total of 40 patients with psoriasis were treated in the PSMP, and an age- and sex-matched cohort received standard pharmacological care only. The Illness Perception Questionnaire was used to assess patients' beliefs about illness identity, time-line, consequences, cure/control and perceptions of the cause of their psoriasis. Participants also completed the COPE questionnaire and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). RESULTS Results suggested that at 6-month follow-up, patients who chose the PSMP showed significant reductions in illness identity (the frequency and severity of symptoms that patients associate with their condition), the strength of belief in severity of consequences of their illness, and their attributions for emotional causes of their psoriasis. Perceptions about the anticipated course of the disease (time-line), its cure or controllability, ideas about physical agents of causation, and coping strategies did not differ between PSMP patients or controls at 6-week or 6-month follow-up. Alexithymia had no effect on response to treatment. Regression analyses demonstrated the importance of both participation in the PSMP and demographic/clinical history variables in accounting for significant variance in illness-perception-change scores. CONCLUSION The findings are generally supportive of multivariate models of intervention, but the lack of a demonstrated effect of the intervention on coping may have implications for both the assessment of coping in psoriasis and the nature of psychological interventions proposed for its management.
Organic amendment based on vermicompost and compost: differences on soil properties and maize yield

The objective of the present study was to study the effect of two vermicomposts [animal (VCD) and vegetal origin (VGF)] and a cotton gin compost (C) at rates of 1780 and 3560 kg fresh organic matter ha−1 for 3 years on an Typic Xerofluvent located near Seville (Spain) on soil biological properties, nutrition (leaf N, P and K concentration, pigments and soluble carbohydrate concentrations) and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays cv. Tundra) crop. All organic waste materials had a positive effect on the soil biological properties, plant nutrition and crop yield parameters, although at the end of the experimental period and at the high organic matter rate, the soil microbial biomass and dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities increased more significantly in the VCD-amended soils (86.4, 85.8, 94.5, 99.3, 70.1 and 63.8%, respectively) respect to the control soil, followed by VGF-amended soils (84.8, 80.6, 92.7, 99.1, 68.3 and 61.6%, respectively) and CC-amended soils (80.5, 75.9, 89.7, 99, 65.7 and 59.9%, respectively). Leaf N, P and K contents and pigments and soluble carbohydrate contents were highest in VCD-amended soils, followed by VGF and CC treatments. Compared with the control soil, the application of VCD in soils at high doses increased the crop yield parameters, followed by VGF and CC treatments. This may have been due to a greater labile fraction of organic matter in the VCD than the VGF and CC, respectively.