Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cofilin Activation during Podosome Belt Formation in Osteoclasts

Podosomes are dynamic actin-based structures found constitutively in cells of monocytic origin such as macrophages, dendritic cells and osteoclasts. They have been involved in osteoclast cell adhesion, motility and matrix degradation, and all these functions rely on the ability of podosomes to form supra-molecular structures called podosome belts or sealing zones on mineralized substrates. Podosomes contain two distinct domains, an actin-rich core enriched in actin polymerization regulators, surrounded by a ring of signaling and plaque molecules. The organization of podosome arrays into belts is linked to actin dynamics. Cofilin is an actin-severing protein that is known to regulate cytoskeleton architecture and cell migration. Cofilin is present in lamellipodia and invadopodia where it regulates actin polymerization. In this report, we show that cofilin is a novel component of the podosome belt, the mature osteoclast adhesion structure. Time-course analysis demonstrated that cofilin is activated during primary osteoclast differentiation, at the time of podosome belt assembly. Immunofluorescence studies reveal a localization of active cofilin in the podosome core structure, whereas phosphorylated, inactive cofilin is concentrated in the podosome cloud. Pharmacological studies unraveled the role of a specific cofilin phosphatase to achieve cofilin activation during osteoclast differentiation. We ruled out the implication of PP1/PP2A and PTEN in this process, and rather provided evidence for the involvement of SSH1. In summary, our data involve cofilin as a regulator of podosome organization that is activated during osteoclast differentiation by a RANKL-mediated signaling pathway targeting the SSH1 phosphatase.
A Comparison of Radiostereometric Analysis and Computed Tomography for the Assessment of Lumbar Spinal Fusion in a Sheep Model

Abstract Study Design Prospective animal study. Objective The aim of this animal study is to evaluate the accuracy of radiostereometric analysis (RSA) compared with computed tomographic (CT) scan in the assessment of spinal fusion after anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) using histology as a gold standard. Methods Three non-adjacent ALIFs (L1–L2, L3–L4, and L5–L6) were performed in nine sheep. The sheep were divided into three groups of three sheep. All the animals were humanely killed immediately after having the last scheduled RSA. The lumbar spine was removed and in vitro fine cut CT and histopathology were performed. Results Using histological assessment as the gold standard for assessing fusion, RSA demonstrated better results (100% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity; positive predictive value [PPV] = 27.3%, negative predictive value [NPV] =100.0%) compared with CT (66.7% sensitivity and 60.0% specificity [PPV = 16.7%, NPV = 93.8%]). Conclusions RSA demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity when compared with CT. Furthermore, RSA has the advantage of much lower radiation exposure compared with fine cut CT. Further studies are required to see if RSA remains superior to CT scan for the assessment spinal fusion in the clinical setting. Assessment of Class of Evidence (CoE) for individual studies of diagnostic test evaluation Methodological principle Study design Prospective cohort design X Retrospective cohort design Case–control design Broad spectrum of patients with expected condition a Appropriate reference standard used X Adequate description of test and reference for replication X Blinded comparison with appropriate reference X Reference standard performed independently of test X Evidence level II Note: Blank box indicates criterion not met, could not be determined, or information not reported by author or was not reported. aThis study contained nine animal subjects.
Myoblast determination in the somatic and visceral mesoderm depends on Notch signalling as well as on milliways(miliAlk) as receptor for Jeb signalling

The visceral muscles of the Drosophila midgut consist of syncytia and arise by fusion of founder and fusion-competent myoblasts, as described for the somatic muscles. A single-step fusion results in the formation of binucleate circular midgut muscles, whereas a multiple-step fusion process produces the longitudinal muscles. A prerequisite for muscle fusion is the establishment of myoblast diversity in the mesoderm prior to the fusion process itself. We provide evidence for a role of Notch signalling during establishment of the different cell types in the visceral mesoderm, demonstrating that the basic mechanism underlying the segregation of somatic muscle founder cells is also conserved during visceral founder cell determination. Searching for genes involved in the determination and differentiation of the different visceral cell types, we identified two independent mutations causing loss of visceral midgut muscles. In both of these mutants visceral muscle founder cells are missing and the visceral mesoderm consists of fusion-competent myoblasts only. Thus, no fusion occurs resulting in a complete disruption of visceral myogenesis. Subsequent characterisation of the mutations revealed that they are novel alleles of jelly belly (jeb) and the Drosophila Alk homologue named milliways (miliAlk). We show that the process of founder cell determination in the visceral mesoderm depends on Jeb signalling via the Milliways/Alk receptor. Moreover, we demonstrate that in the somatic mesoderm determination of the opposite cell type, the fusion-competent myoblasts, also depends on Jeb and Alk, revealing different roles for Jeb signalling in specifying myoblast diversity. This novel mechanism uncovers a crosstalk between somatic and visceral mesoderm leading not only to the determination of different cell types but also maintains the separation of mesodermal tissues, the somatic and splanchnic mesoderm.
Design of a 4 $\times$ 10 Gb/s VCSEL Driver Using Asymmetric Emphasis Technique in 90-nm CMOS for Optical Interconnection

This paper describes the design and experimental results of a 4 × 10 Gb/s vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) driver using the asymmetric emphasis technique. Conventional symmetric emphasis techniques can compensate for the influences of parasitic capacitances; however, they cannot compensate for the nonlinear effects of a VCSEL. To overcome this problem, an asymmetric emphasis technique that can separately control the emphasis pulses at the rising and falling edges is proposed. This allows fast transition in VCSEL output waveform suppressing ringing. A driver circuit that has two separate emphasis circuits for the rising and falling edges is proposed in order to implement the asymmetric emphasis technique. This configuration enables us to separately control the height, width, and setup time of the emphasis pulses at the rising and falling edges. The test chip fabricated by using 90-nm CMOS technology generates a clearly open optical eye at a data rate of 10 Gb/s, and we can confirm the existence of a wide phase margin by a transmission experiment.
Validation to the Requirement Elicitation Framework via Metrics

Requirement elicitation is the most significant factor in the requirement engineering process. It is already proven fact that improper elicitation of the requirements leads to the failure of the project, product. To improve the process quality and of that of industry we need a better elicitation technique or elicitation process (framework) to make it better. In this paper we have proposed a methodology that helps elicitor to validate the requirement elicitation using prioritization techniques and framework and further it will help the elicitor to effectively, efficiently select the elicitation technique.
MicroRNA Profile in CD8+ T-Lymphocytes from HIV-Infected Individuals: Relationship with Antiviral Immune Response and Disease Progression

Background The relationship between host microRNAs (miRNA), viral control and immune response has not yet been elucidated in the field of HIV. The aim of this study was to assess the differential miRNA profile in CD8+ T-cells between HIV-infected individuals who differ in terms of viral replication control and immune response. Methods miRNA profile from resting and CD3/CD28-stimulated CD8+ T-cells from uninfected individuals (HIV-, n = 11), Elite Controllers (EC, n = 15), Viremic Controllers (VC, n = 15), Viremic Progressors (VP, n = 13) and HIV-infected patients on therapy (ART, n = 14) was assessed using Affymetrix miRNA 3.1 arrays. After background correction, quantile normalization and median polish summarization, normalized data were fit to a linear model. The analysis comprised: resting samples between groups; stimulated samples between groups; and stimulated versus resting samples within each group. Enrichment analyses of the putative target genes were perfomed using bioinformatic algorithms. Results A downregulated miRNA pattern was observed when resting samples from all infected groups were compared to HIV-. A miRNA downregulation was also observed when stimulated samples from EC, ART and HIV- groups were compared to VP, being hsa-miR-4492 the most downregulated. Although a preferential miRNA downregulation was observed when stimulated samples were compared to the respective resting samples, VP presented a differential miRNA expression pattern. In fact, hsa-miR-155 and hsa-miR-181a were downregulated in VP whereas in the other groups, either an upregulation or no differences were observed after stimulation, respectively. Overall, functional enrichment analysis revealed that the predicted target genes were involved in signal transduction pathways, metabolic regulation, apoptosis, and immune response. Conclusions Resting CD8+ T-cells do not exhibit a differential miRNA expression between HIV-infected individuals but they do differ from non-infected individuals. Moreover, a specific miRNA pattern is present in stimulated CD8+ T-cells from VP which could reflect a detrimental pattern in terms of CD8+ T-cell immune response.
Euglycemic Hyperinsulinemia Alters the Response to Orthostatic Stress in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—Insulin has opposing influences on blood pressure by simultaneously increasing adrenergic activity and vasodilatating peripheral blood vessels. In this study, we sought to determine whether hyperinsulinemia affects tilt table responses in older adults with type 2 diabetes not complicated by orthostatic hypotension. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Twenty-two older adults (mean age 71.7 ± 1.1) with diet-controlled or oral hypoglycemic drug–controlled type 2 diabetes were recruited. All subjects with orthostatic hypotension, diabetic nephropathy, and sensory neuropathy were excluded. Subjects underwent euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp and placebo “sham clamp” sessions. Sequential euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps were performed for 2 h at 40 mU · m−2 · min−1 (low dose) and 2 h at 80 mU · m−2 · min−1 (high dose), and each was followed by a head-up tilt table test at 70°C for 10 min. RESULTS—There were no incidents of presyncope during the sham clamp, whereas there were four presyncopal events during both the low-dose and high-dose tilts. Although the low-dose clamp showed no difference in the response between sessions (two-way ANOVA), subjects demonstrated a significantly larger decrease in mean arterial pressure (P = 0.005) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.08) during the high-dose tilt. Doppler measures of middle cerebral artery velocity were no different between the two sessions at either dose. CONCLUSIONS—The vasodilatory response to insulin can unmask orthostatic intolerance in older adults with type 2 diabetes, resulting in presyncopal symptoms. This could contribute to orthostatic hypotension in combination with other factors such as hyperthermia, hypovolemia, and adverse effects from medications.
Response of methane emissions from wetlands to the Last Glacial Maximum and an idealized Dansgaard-Oeschger climate event: insights from two models of different complexity

Abstract. The role of different sources and sinks of CH4 in changes in atmospheric methane ([CH4]) concentration during the last 100 000 yr is still not fully understood. In particular, the magnitude of the change in wetland CH4 emissions at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) relative to the pre-industrial period (PI), as well as during abrupt climatic warming or Dansgaard–Oeschger (D–O) events of the last glacial period, is largely unconstrained. In the present study, we aim to understand the uncertainties related to the parameterization of the wetland CH4 emission models relevant to these time periods by using two wetland models of different complexity (SDGVM and ORCHIDEE). These models have been forced by identical climate fields from low-resolution coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation model (FAMOUS) simulations of these time periods. Both emission models simulate a large decrease in emissions during LGM in comparison to PI consistent with ice core observations and previous modelling studies. The global reduction is much larger in ORCHIDEE than in SDGVM (respectively −67 and −46%), and whilst the differences can be partially explained by different model sensitivities to temperature, the major reason for spatial differences between the models is the inclusion of freezing of soil water in ORCHIDEE and the resultant impact on methanogenesis substrate availability in boreal regions. Besides, a sensitivity test performed with ORCHIDEE in which the methanogenesis substrate sensitivity to the precipitations is modified to be more realistic gives a LGM reduction of −36%. The range of the global LGM decrease is still prone to uncertainty, and here we underline its sensitivity to different process parameterizations. Over the course of an idealized D–O warming, the magnitude of the change in wetland CH4 emissions simulated by the two models at global scale is very similar at around 15 Tg yr−1, but this is only around 25% of the ice-core measured changes in [CH4]. The two models do show regional differences in emission sensitivity to climate with much larger magnitudes of northern and southern tropical anomalies in ORCHIDEE. However, the simulated northern and southern tropical anomalies partially compensate each other in both models limiting the net flux change. Future work may need to consider the inclusion of more detailed wetland processes (e.g. linked to permafrost or tropical floodplains), other non-wetland CH4 sources or different patterns of D–O climate change in order to be able to reconcile emission estimates with the ice-core data for rapid CH4 events.
Equalization with an H 1 Criterion

In this paper we study the problem of equalizing a communications channel from an H 1 point of view. H 1 estimation theory has been recently introduced as a method for designing lters that have acceptable performance in the face of model uncertainty and lack of statistical information on the exogenous signals. The approach may therefore be attractive for channel equalization problems where rapid changes in the system parameters lead to such model uncertainty, and where conventional statistical methods may not be directly applicable. In this paper we obtain a closed-form solution to the H 1 equalization problem and parametrize all possible H 1-optimal equalizers. In particular, we show that, for minimum phase channels, a scaled version of the zero-forcing equalizer is H 1-optimal. The results also indicate an interesting dichotomy between minimum phase and non-minimum phase channels: for minimum phase channels the best causal equalizer performs as well as the best noncausal equalizer, whereas for non-minimum phase channels, causal equalizers cannot reduce the estimation error bounds from their a priori values. In other words, causal equalization of non-minimum phase channels is not possible. ] Our analysis also suggests certain remedies in the non-minimum phase case, namely, allowing for nite delay, oversampling, or using multiple sensors. For example, we show that H 1 equalization of non-minimum phase channels requires a time delay of at least d units, d is the number of non-minimum phase zeros of the channel.
The Promise of Transformational Leadership for Closing the Achievement Gap

High-stakes accountability mandates such as No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top set minimum achievement criteria for students in US schools. Instituting the change necessary to meet these student achievement goals requires leadership. School leaders often need to implement changes to the curriculum and culture of schools to meet the academic needs of the students served. Especially in schools that are identified as underperforming, principals are held accountable for transforming failing schools into systems that provide academic support. Prior research suggests that transformational leadership may be a critical factor in school improvement. Through the lens of transformational leadership, this study sought to discover the key leadership attributes shared by principals and other personnel in schools formerly under sanction, specifically Program Improvement (PI) Schools. Using case study methods, this research focused on principals and teacher leaders of two California middle schools formerly designated as PI schools in order to understand which leadership attributes help middle schools transition out of PI status. The following seven themes were discovered in relation to the leadership attributes and practices shared by principals and teacher leaders in two middle schools formerly under sanctions : (1) teamwork, support, and collaboration; (2) accountability; (3) planning and structure; (4) modeling and leading by example; (5) using data in decision making of data; (6) fostering increased parent involvement; and (7) promoting respect. Transformational leadership played a key role in the two schools studied. Findings from this study also suggest that school leaders who implement the tenets of transformational leadership could promote the requirements for a school to improve and exit PI status. As such, transformational leadership does hold promise for helping to narrow the achievement gap in schools
Estimating Abnormal Accruals for Detection of Earnings Management

This paper addresses certain methodological issues that arise in estimating abnormal (or discretionary) accruals for detection of event-specific earnings management. This paper examines the specification of time-series models as well as cross-sectional models of expected accruals using annual as well as quarterly data. I show that time-series models provide highly imprecise estimates of abnormal accruals due to the small number of observations used in estimating the parameters of the models. I also show that the cross-sectional Jones model, though well specified for randomly chosen firms, is mis-specified for firms with cash flows either above or below their industry median. This paper develops a model for expected accruals which is well specified for all cash flow levels. Further, using simulation analysis, I show that the model developed in this paper is more powerful at detecting earnings management than the cross-sectional Jones model. In addition, this paper examines the impact of audits on the ability of managers to manage reported earnings. Finally, this paper examines the limitations of the models proposed by Dechow, Sloan and Sweeney (Accounting Review, 1995) and by Kang and Sivaramakrishnan (Journal of Accounting Research, 1995).
Gene Expression in Developing Wheat Endosperm : Accumulation of Gliadin and ADPglucose Pyrophosphorylase Messenger RNAs and Polypeptides.

The developmental accumulation pattern of messenger RNA transcripts and polypeptides for wheat gliadins and ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase was determined using cDNA and antibody probes. Gliadin mRNA was detected on Northern and RNA dot blots at 3 days after flowering, it increased 100-fold by 10 days and decreased subsequent to 14 days. The abundant mRNAs encoding alpha/beta- and gamma-type gliadins and mRNA for ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase, a key regulatory enzyme of starch biosynthesis, accumulated coordinately. Despite the coordinate accumulation of their mRNA transcripts, the accumulation of gliadin and ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase polypeptides, as determined by Western blot, differed significantly. The time at which gliadin and ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase mRNAs began accumulating was also the time when the overall pattern of gene expression, as seen by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of in vitro translation products, changed most significantly. However, the accumulation of a number of other mRNAs or polypeptides having unknown function occurred at other times during endosperm development. The pattern of expression in the earliest stages of development was strikingly similar to that of coleoptile, another rapidly growing, nonphotosynthetic tissue. Thus, the pattern of gene expression reflects the program of development observed cytologically.
AN ANALYSIS OF POSITIVE POLITENESS STRATEGY IN BALLERINA MOVIE BASED ON BROWN AND LEVINSON’S THEORY

Zumrotus Sholikah. 2018. An Analysis Positive Politeness Strategy in Ballerina Movie Based on Brown and Levinson’s Theory. English Letters Study Program, Islamic Education and Teacher Training Faculty. Advisor :Kurniawan, S.S, M.Hum Key Words :Politeness, Positive Politeness, Ballerina movie. This research was conducted to determine positive politeness reflected by the characters in Ballerina movie. Ballerina is a movie released by L’Atelier Animation Studio in 2016. The researcher formulated the problems into: 1)What kinds of positive politeness strategy are employed by the characters in Ballerina movie? and 2)What factors influence the characters to employ positive politeness strategy in Ballerina movie? This research aims at analyzing the positive politeness form in Ballerina movie and the factors influence the characters to employ the strategies. This research is qualitative research. The source of the data is Ballerina movie, meanwhile, the data are the dialogue. Positive politeness in Ballerina movie can be analyzed from the dialogue of the characters. Data were collected by process of analyzing and giving codes to the data as identity, categorized, and classification. Then, researcher uses data or source triangulation as trustworthiness of the data in seeking credibility. Based on the analysis, it found total of 72 data of positive politeness form. There are 3 data notice, 4 data exaggerate, and 6 data intensify interest to the hearer, 4 data use in-group identity marker, 6 data seek agreement, 9 data avoid disagreement, 5 data of presuppose, 3 data joke, 1 data assert of presuppose, 7 data offer; promise, 10 data be optimistic, 4 data include both, 5 data give (or ask for) reason, 3 data assume, 2 data give gifts.The dominant strategy is be optimistic because this movie is tell about dreams, so that there are motivation and optimistic aspect occurs. This research result that there are 29 data of relative power, 34 data of social distance, and 9 data of absolute ranking. The dominant positive politeness strategy is be optimistic. The dominant factor is social distance because they feel close to each other because they had similar in terms of age, then they will get closer to him and the rating will get smaller.