Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SUMOylation regulates ciliary localization of olfactory signaling proteins

ABSTRACT Cilia are evolutionarily conserved organelles found on many mammalian cell types, including neuronal populations. Although neuronal cilia, including those on olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), are often delineated by localization of adenylyl cyclase 3 (AC3, also known as ADCY3), the mechanisms responsible for targeting integral membrane proteins are largely unknown. Post-translational modification by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins plays an important role in protein localization processes such as nuclear–cytosolic transport. Here, we identified through bioinformatic analysis that adenylyl cyclases harbor conserved SUMOylation motifs, and show that AC3 is a substrate for SUMO modification. Functionally, overexpression of the SUMO protease SENP2 prevented ciliary localization of AC3, without affecting ciliation or cilia maintenance. Furthermore, AC3-SUMO mutants did not localize to cilia. To test whether SUMOylation is sufficient for cilia entry, we compared localization of ANO2, which possesses a SUMO motif, and ANO1, which lacks SUMOylation sites and does not localize to cilia. Introduction of SUMOylation sites into ANO1 was not sufficient for ciliary entry. These data suggest that SUMOylation is necessary but not sufficient for ciliary trafficking of select constituents, further establishing the link between ciliary and nuclear import.
International evidence on obesity increases: legal systems and motor vehicle dependence

We find a significant positive link between motor vehicle ownership and obesity in industrialized countries. Surprisingly this association holds for countries with a common law tradition but not for those based on civil law. These relations hold whether we examine trend data, simple correlations, cross-section regression analysis, or panel data regressions. An increase of 100 motor vehicles per thousand residents is associated with a six percentage point increase in obesity in Common Law countries but not in Civil Law countries. The robustness of this main result and the clear link between increased ownership of motor vehicles and reduced physical activity suggests the association is causal. Motor vehicle dependence is an important link in the growth of obesity in countries with a tradition of common law where individual liberty is encouraged; the link is statistically non-existent in countries with a civil law background where the rights of the individual tend to be circumscribed by the power of the state. This suggests that efforts to discourage the over-reliance on the automobile would have the greatest obesity reducing impact precisely in those countries where it is most difficult, in terms of legal heritage, to implement such measures.
Modified Markovian decision process model for limited data rate usage algorithm

For supporting seamless high speed mobile multimedia communications over wireless channels, vertical handover (VHO) from wireless local area network (WLAN) to cellular network (e.g., UMTS) is very important and challenging. Limited data rate usage (LDU) algorithm addresses this issue by delaying the handoff event for a certain periodthrough utilizing low data-rate channels. Thealgorithm, however, fails to supportthemobile device that returns back to the previous network after initiating VHO. The problem is more critical for the user moving to-and-fro. Addressing this limitation of LDU algorithm, this paper proposes a modified LDU scheme by redesigning the Markovian decision model. Analytical and simulation results show that the propose scheme provides better performances in terms of successful VHO, while maintaining the capacity and service blocking rate at the same level of LDU algorithm.
In muscle lengthening surgery multiple aponeurotomy does not improve intended acute effects and may counter-indicate: an assessment by finite element modelling

The goal was to assess the effects of multiple aponeurotomy on mechanics of muscle with extramuscular myofascial connections. Using finite element modelling, effects of combinations of the intervention carried out at a proximal (P), an intermediate (I) and a distal (D) location were studied: (1) Case P, (2) Case P-I, (3) Case P-D and (4) Case P-I-D. Compared to Case P, the effects of multiple interventions on muscle geometry and sarcomere lengths were sizable for the distal population of muscle fibres: e.g. at high muscle length (1) summed gap lengths between the cut ends of aponeurosis increased by 16, 25 and 27% for Cases P-I, P-D and P-I-D, respectively, (2) characteristic substantial sarcomere shortening became more pronounced (mean shortening was 26, 29, 30 and 31% for Cases P, P-I, P-D and P-I-D, respectively) and (3) fibre stresses decreased (mean stress equalled 0.49, 0.39, 0.38 and 0.33 for Cases P, P-I, P-D and P-I-D, respectively). In contrast, no appreciable effects were shown for the proximal population. The overall change in sarcomere length heterogeneity was limited. Consequently, the effects of multiple aponeurotomy on muscle length–force characteristics were marginal: (1) a limited reduction in active muscle force (maximal ‘muscle weakening effect’ remained between 5 and 11%) and (2) an even less pronounced change in slack to optimum length range of force exertion (maximal ‘muscle lengthening effect’ distally was 0.2% for Case P-I-D) were shown. The intended effects of the intervention were dominated by the one intervention carried out closer to the tendon suggesting that aponeurotomies done additionally to that may counter-indicated.
Automatic fingerprint matching based on an innovative ergodic embedded hidden markov model (E2HMM) approach

Matching is an important step in any fingerprint recognition system. In this paper, a fingerprint matching technique based on hidden markov model is proposed. This method uses only the ridge orientation information around the reference point of registered fingerprint image. At the first step, fingerprint images are aligned according to a suitable reference point. Then in the second step, the ridge orientation field around this point is applied to the HMM based on an innovative topology. This topology provides many significant advantages such as simplicity, flexibility and generality. The selected orientation field forms specific feature vectors so that can be used for proposed HMM matching process. In the HMM matching process, the maximum likelihood between training and test feature vectors are tested according to a predefined threshold. For evaluating the proposed matching method, an artificial continuous classification had been applied over FVC2000 DB2_A. The results of experiment have proved the higher efficiency and robustness of the proposed method in comparison with the competing one.
Stock market integration - an application of the stochastic permanent breaks model

Using the Stochastic Permanent Breaks (STOPBREAK) model, this study examines the relationships of the US stock market with the Japanese and eight European stock markets. The evidence indicates that the US stock market is temporally cointegrated with the markets in Japan, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. However, cointegration relationship exists only between the US and Netherlands market when the Johansen cointegration test is used. In other words, some sort of cointegrating relationships may exist between two markets even if the standard cointegration test indicates that the two markets are not cointegrated. According to the STOPBREAK model, when two markets are temporally cointegrated, the movement of the two markets does not follow a random walk and market inefficiency is implied.
Evaluation of upper extremity rehabilitation in hemiplegic patients with and without complex regional pain syndrome type 1

We investigated the effects of the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type 1 on upper extremity rehabilitation in hemiplegic patients. Eighty patients were enrolled and were randomly assigned to either study (40 hemiplegic patients with CRPS) or control (40 hemiplegic patients without CRPS) groups. All patients participated in a hemiplegia rehabilitation program consisting of neurodevelopmental techniques, stretching and strengthening exercises, and conventional methods. Additionally, participants in the study group received analgesic and calcitonin therapy, elevation, range of movement therapy for the affected joints, and contrast baths. Clinical findings were assessed before and after rehabilitation using the upper-limb function (ULF), hand movements (HM), and advanced hand activities (AHA) subscales of the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) and the Ashworth scale for upper extremities. A statistically significant difference in MAS ULF was apparent at admission and upon discharge in both groups. In the control group, a significant difference was found between MAS HM and MAS AHA on admission and at discharge, no difference was found in the study group for these parameters. No difference was found for either group with regard to the Ashworth scale. No between-group differences were found regarding MAS ULF, MAS HM, and MAS AHA at admission and at discharge. Our data showed no influence of CRPS on MAS ULF, MAS HM, and MAS AHA and the Ashworth scale for upper extremities.
Construction and identification of an RNA interference lentivirus vector targeting the Ras homology C gene of melanoma cells

Background Melanoma has the highest mortality among all superficial malignant tumors. The poor prognosis is due to its high metastasis rate and the lack of therapeutic targets. As a molecular switch that controls tumor metastasis, Ras homology C (RhoC) has been correlated with tumor progression, especially tumor invasion and metastasis. However, little research has been done about the effects of RNA interference (RNAi) targeting RhoC on the invasion and metastasis of melanoma. In this study, we constructed an RNAi lentivirus vector targeting the RhoC gene of melanoma cells and identified its silencing effects on the RhoC gene. Methods Based on the RhoC gene encoding information, three pGPU6/GFP/Neo‐short hairpin (shRNA) plasmids were constructed. After detecting their silencing effects on the RhoC gene of A375 cells, the most effective pGPU6/GFP/ Neo‐shRNA plasmid was packed with lentivirus to construct the recombinant pLenti6.3‐EGFP‐453 targeting RhoC. The lentivirus vector was used to infect A375 cells, and then the expression of RhoC mRNA and protein were determined with real‐time PCR and Western blotting. Results The plasmids pGPU6/GFP/Neo‐shRNA 336, pGPU6/GFP/Neo‐shRNA 453, and pGPU6/GFP/Neo‐shRNA 680 were constructed. After they were transfected into A375 cells, the expressions of RhoC mRNA and protein were 1.47±0.26, 1.13±0.16, 1.39±0.11 and 70.98±9.21, 50.67±6.06, 65.77±4.06, respectively. pGPU6/GFP/Neo‐shRNA 453 was the most effective sequence, and was used to successfully construct the pLenti6.3‐EGFP‐453 lentiviral vector targeting RhoC. pLenti6.3‐EGFP‐453 was used to infect A375 cells. The expression of RhoC mRNA and protein were 1.05±0.05 and 62.04±15.86 in the lentivirus group, 4.21±0.24 and 220.86±24.07 in the negative lentivirus control group, and 4.63±0.32 and 257.39±12.30 in the normal control group respectively with the difference between the lentivirus group and the control groups being statistically significant (P <0.05). Conclusion The successfully constructed pLenti6.3‐EGFP‐453 vector targeting the RhoC can effectively infect human melanoma A375 cells in vitro, and significantly inhibit the RhoC mRNA and protein expression.
The Concepts of Mild Depression

The term ‘depression’ is now used to cover a wider range of emotional disturbances than was the case when psychiatrists confined their attention to patients referred to psychiatric hospitals. There is considerable confusion about the variety of meanings and the loose terminology leads to claims and counter-claims about aetiology and treatment. The current classificatory systems and the variety of rating scales do not clarify issues concerning appropriate management. The guidelines for a clearer definition of a biogenic form of the concept of depression, which is likely to respond to antidepressant drug therapy, would be of considerable value to psychiatrists, non-psychiatric physicians and others who try to treat or help people in states of disordered emotion. Such guidelines are proposed.
GDP per capita and its challengers as measures of happiness

Purpose – The paper attempts to empirically assess whether GDP per capita or the human capital index is a better measure of happiness. Design/methodology/approach – Cross-country regressions are run to see how GDP per capita fairs in comparison to the human capital index in explaining happiness based on survey questionnaires. Findings – The paper finds that GDP per capita accounts for a far greater share of the cross country variation in happiness based on survey data than the human capita index and assorted other measures of human welfare. Practical implications – The important implication is that the often heard criticism that GDP per capita is inappropriate for use in economic analysis, especially in the area of economic development and other international fields, because it is not specifically designed as a measure of welfare, may be unfounded. Originality/value – The paper shows that GDP per capita is a better measure of happiness defined in surveys than the human capital index.
Microscopic oxygen imaging based on fluorescein bleaching efficiency measurements

Photobleaching of the fluorophore fluorescein in an aqueous solution is dependent on the oxygen concentration. Therefore, the time‐dependent bleaching behavior can be used to measure of dissolved oxygen concentrations. The method can be combined with epi‐fluorescence microscopy. The molecular states of the fluorophore can be expressed by a three‐state energy model. This leads to a set of differential equations which describe the photobleaching behavior of fluorescein. The numerical solution of these equations shows that in a conventional wide‐field fluorescence microscope, the fluorescence of fluorescein will fade out faster at low than at high oxygen concentration. Further simulation showed that a simple ratio function of different time‐points during a fluorescence decay recorded during photobleaching could be used to describe oxygen concentrations in an aqueous solution. By careful choice of dye concentration and excitation light intensity the sensitivity in the oxygen concentration range of interest can be optimized. In the simulations, the estimation of oxygen concentration by the ratio function was very little affected by the pH value in the range of pH 6.5–8.5. Filming the fluorescence decay by a charge‐coupled‐device (ccd) camera mounted on a fluorescence microscope allowed a pixelwise estimation of the ratio function in a microscopic image. Use of a microsensor and oxygen‐consuming bacteria in a sample chamber enabled the calibration of the system for quantification of absolute oxygen concentrations. The method was demonstrated on nitrifying biofilms growing on snail and mussel shells, showing clear effects of metabolic activity on oxygen concentrations. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:341–347, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of autoimmune bullous dermatoses: An update

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is being increasingly utilized as an off-label therapy for a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions across various specialties. Numerous reports have shown that it is an effective treatment for autoimmune skin blistering disorders. Unlike most therapies for blistering disorders, IVIg is not immunosuppressive and has a favorable side effect profile. This has allowed its use to expand dramatically over the last decade. However, due to the rarity and severity of autoimmune skin blistering diseases, well-designed prospective trials are generally lacking. This work highlights major research developments and the best evidence to date regarding the treatment of autoimmune pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, pemphigoid gestationis, and linear IgA dermatosis with IVIg, providing an update on its efficacy, proposed mechanisms of action, side effect profile, and indications for use.
Short Selling and the Weekend Effect for Nyse Securities

Using short-sale transactions data, we examine the relation between short selling and the weekend effect. We do not find that short selling is more abundant on Monday than on Friday, even for stocks that have higher Friday returns. We find that short sellers execute more short sale volume during the middle of the week, and that the positive correlation between short selling and returns on Monday is greater, on average, than the correlation on the other days of the week. Our results are robust to subsamples of stocks with larger weekend effects and stocks that do not have listed options.
Effect of autophagy on multiple myeloma cell viability

Because accumulation of potentially toxic malfolded protein may be extensive in immunoglobulin-producing multiple myeloma (MM) cells, we investigated the phenomenon of autophagy in myeloma, a physiologic process that can protect against malfolded protein under some circumstances. Autophagy in MM cell lines that express and secrete immunoglobulin and primary specimens was significantly increased by treatment with the endoplasmic reticulum stress–inducing agent thapsigargin, the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor rapamycin, and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Inhibition of basal autophagy in these cell lines and primary cells by use of the inhibitors 3-methyladenine and chloroquine resulted in a cytotoxic effect that was associated with enhanced apoptosis. Use of small interfering RNA to knock down expression of beclin-1, a key protein required for autophagy, also inhibited viable recovery of MM cells. Because the data suggested that autophagy protected MM cell viability, we predicted that autophagy inhibitors would synergize with bortezomib for enhanced antimyeloma effects. However, the combination of these drugs resulted in an antagonistic response. In contrast, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine did synergize with thapsigargin for an enhanced cytotoxic response. These data suggest that autophagy inhibitors have therapeutic potential in myeloma but caution against combining such drugs with bortezomib. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(7):1974–84]
Partnership and capacity-building strategies in community sports and recreation programs

Partnerships between the health sector and various organizations in the community have been encouraged as a new strategy to develop sports and recreation programs, and achieve public health objectives related to obesity prevention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the partnership-related processes and capacity-building strategies associated with the successful implementation of sports and recreation programs. The research design was a multiple-case study with cross-case comparisons. Eight sports and recreation programs funded by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation were investigated. Data collection included: semi-structured interviews with grant recipients and key partnership members (n=22); and document analysis. A capacity-building framework was used to guide data analysis. The findings showed that partnerships without the engagement of key stakeholders and a diversity of skills, resources, and approaches were limited to ‘come and try’ events rather than structured sports and recreation programs in the short term. Addressing the development of partnerships, by implementing a phased approach to program development and implementation may assist the sports and recreation sector build capacity to participate in partnership approaches to health promotion.
Investigating the Effects of Social Influence on the Choice to Telework

This paper contributes to the telework literature by investigating empirically the impact of social influence on the decision to telework. An innovative web-based telework survey was developed and used to obtain data from a sample of employees of a large postsecondary institution in Ontario, Canada, between January and March 2009. A unique feature of the survey instrument is that it allowed employees to easily construct their workplace social networks. Using a univariate (binary) probit model, we identify three mutually exclusive sources of social influence on the decision to telework: friends who telework, neighbors who telework, and colleagues at the workplace. With respect to colleagues, we find that the net impact of social influence is governed by both the composition and the size of an employee's workplace social network. Composition is captured by interacting telework status with relationship strength.
Near infrared absorption of CdSe(x)Te(1-x) alloyed quantum dot sensitized solar cells with more than 6% efficiency and high stability.

CdSe0.45Te0. 55 alloyed quantum dots (QDs) with excitonic absorption onset at 800 nm and particle size of 5.2 nm were prepared via a noninjection high-temperature pyrolysis route and used as a sensitizer in solar cells. A postsynthesis assembly approach with use of bifunctional linker molecule mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) capped water-soluble QDs, obtained via ex situ ligand exchange from the initial oil-dispersible QDs, was adopted for tethering QDs onto mesoporous TiO2 film. With the combination of high loading of the QD sensitizer and intrinsic superior optoelectronic properties (wide absorption range, high conduction band edge, high chemical stability, etc., relative to their constituents CdSe and CdTe) of the adopted CdSe0.45Te0. 55 QD sensitizer, the resulting CdSexTe1-x alloyed QD-based solar cells exhibit a record conversion efficiency of 6.36% (Jsc = 19.35 mA/cm(2), Voc = 0.571 V, FF = 0.575) under full 1 sun illumination, which is remarkably better than that of the reference CdSe and CdTe QD based ones. Furthermore, the solar cells with Cu2S counter electrodes based on eletrodeposition of Cu on conductive glass show long-term (more than 500 h) stability.
Axioms of Cooperative Decision Making

Axioms of Cooperative Decision Making provides a unified and comprehensive study of welfarism, cooperative games, public decision making, and voting and social choice theory - technically heterogeneous subjects that are linked by common axioms. HervA© Moulin studies these areas from an axiomatic perspective. Every axiom conveys a certain ethical principle (e.g. 'one man one vote', or 'to each according to his contribution'). Axiomatic theory examines the compatibility of various combinations of axioms. The book describes recent successes of this method. It gives many examples of the axiomatic approach, ranging from the construction of numerical indices for measuring inequality, to the pricing of a regulated monopoly, to the comparison of various voting rules. The book will be useful to mathematical modellers, especially those interested in economics and political science.