Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cataracts are caused by alterations of a critical N-terminal positive charge in connexin50.

PURPOSE To elucidate the basis of the autosomal dominant congenital nuclear cataracts caused by the connexin50 mutant, CX50R23T, by determining its cellular distribution and functional behavior and the consequences of substituting other amino acids for arginine-23. METHODS Connexin50 (CX50) mutants were generated by PCR and transfected into HeLa or N2a cells. Expressed CX50 protein was detected by immunoblot analysis and localized by immunofluorescence. Intercellular communication was assessed by microinjection of neurobiotin or by double whole-cell patch-clamp recording. RESULTS HeLa cells stably transfected with CX50R23T or wild-type CX50 produced immunoreactive CX50 bands of identical electrophoretic mobility. Whereas HeLa cells stably expressing CX50 contained abundant gap junction plaques, CX50R23T localized predominantly in the cytoplasm. HeLa cells expressing wild-type CX50 showed large gap junctional conductances and extensive transfer of neurobiotin, but those expressing CX50R23T did not show significant intercellular communication by either assay. Moreover, CX50R23T inhibited the function of coexpressed wild-type CX50. Three CX50R23 substitution mutants (CX50R23K, CX50R23L, and CX50R23W) formed gap junction plaques, whereas two mutant substitutions with negatively charged residues (CX50R23D, CX50R23E) did not form detectable plaques. Only the mutant with a positive charge substitution (CX50R23K) allowed neurobiotin transfer at levels similar to those of wild-type CX50; none of the other mutants induced transfer. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that replacement of amino acid 23 in CX50 by any residue that is not positively charged would lead to cataract formation.
Duplication-assisted reliability enhancement in flash storage system

: To recover the errors occurred in ﬂ ash-based storage, well-known error correction codes (ECC) are integrated into ﬂ ash memory controller. However, the existing error correction codes have their inherent limits to recover more error than they recover, so more additional schemes should be considered for the higher reliable ﬂ ash storage systems. In this paper, we investigate duplicated data management to enhance data reliability as replication. To minimize space overhead of the duplication management, we consider two issues, minimizing ﬁ ngerprint length and enlarging hash chunk size of duplication checking. At most cases, the proposed duplication management scheme can have better reliability than adding more ECC parity bits in the aspect of space overhead.
Non-Gaussian equilibrium distributions arising from the Langevin equation.

We study the Langevin equation of a point particle driven by random noise, modeled as a two-state Markov process. The corresponding master equation differs from the Fokker-Planck equation. In equilibrium, the velocity of the particle is distributed according to a binomial power law. We discuss transient (i.e., nonequilibrium) behavior, and the consequences of non-Markovian noise statistics.
An Event-Triggered Approach for Load Frequency Control With Supplementary ADP

The modern power system is evolving towards a new generation of smart grid, with significant benefits from the latest computer-based communication network technologies. Furthermore, as the incremental deployment of phase measurements units (PMUs) and the use of Smart Meters, there will be a substantial increase of the real-time system measurements. Under this trend, event-triggered control (ETC) will play an important role in reducing the communication and computation cost. In this paper, a novel ETC architecture design for load frequency control (LFC) with supplementary adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) is presented. The primary proportional-integral (PI) controller uses different proportional and integral thresholds for updating the actions, while the supplementary ADP controller is updated in an aperiodic manner. A strategy for the parameters calculation is introduced in a systematic way, and theoretical analysis of the ultimate boundedness for the closed-loop event-triggered system is also included. Simulation studies are carried out on one-area and three-area IEEE LFC benchmarks, and the results demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed design.
Overexpression of Oncogenic STK 15 / BTAK / Aurora A Kinase in Human Pancreatic Cancer 1

Purpose: Multiple chromosome abnormalities, including gain of chromosome 20q, have been detected frequently in human pancreatic cancers. Overexpression of the STK15/ BTAK/Aurora A gene located on chromosome 20q13, which encodes a centrosome-associated serine/threonine kinase, has been shown to induce chromosomal instability, leading to aneuploidy and cell transformation in multiple in vitro experimental systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and copy number alteration of STK15 in pancreatic cancer. Experimental Design: STK15 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels together with the copy number of STK15 gene was measured in nine pancreatic carcinoma cell lines: (a) HPAF-II; (b) Aspc-1; (c) Panc-1; (d) Panc-3; (e) Panc-28; (f) Panc-48; (g) HS766T; (h) MIAPaCa-2; and (i) BxPc3. STK15 protein expression was also examined in normal pancreatic tissues and tumors by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: STK15 was overexpressed in all of the nine cell lines examined, but gene amplification was infrequent. Western Blot analysis of primary tumor tissues revealed 2–10 times overexpression of STK15 protein compared with normal adjacent tissues from pancreatic cancer patients. Concurrent overexpression of cdc20, an STK15-associated protein, and reduced expression of cdc25, a mitosis-activating protein phosphatase, were detected in the same tumor samples. Elevated STK15 protein expression was detected in 22 of 38 tumor sections (58%) from pancreatic cancer patients. The extent of STK15 expression was not significantly correlated with the size, degree of differentiation, and metastasis status of the tumors. Conclusions: These results show that STK15 is overexpressed in pancreatic tumors and carcinoma cell lines and suggest that overexpression of STK15 may play a role in pancreatic carcinogenesis.
The Ras‐like GTPase Gem is involved in cell shape remodelling and interacts with the novel kinesin‐like protein KIF9

Gem belongs to the Rad/Gem/Kir (RGK) subfamily of Ras‐related GTPases, which also comprises Rem, Rem2 and Ges. The RGK family members Ges and Rem have been shown to produce endothelial cell sprouting and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton upon overexpression. Here we show that high intracellular Gem levels promote profound changes in cell morphology and we investigate how this phenotype arises dynamically. We also show that this effect requires intact microtubules and microfilaments, and that Gem is associated with both cytoskeletal components. In order to investigate the mechanisms of Gem recruitment to the cytoskeleton, we performed a yeast two‐hybrid screen and identified a novel kinesin‐like protein, termed KIF9, as a new Gem interacting partner. We further show that Gem and KIF9 interact by co‐immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, Gem and KIF9 display identical patterns of gene expression in different tissues and developmental stages. The Gem–KIF9 interaction reported here is the first molecular link between RGK family members and the microtubule cytoskeleton.
Human capital inequality and income inequality: Developing countries

This paper examines the effect of human capital inequality on income inequality in Developing Countries. Gini coefficient is used as a consistent measurement for both inequalities. This paper also adds a few control variables: Globalization Index, GDP per capita and total population.It uses dynamic panel data two-Step System Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) for 52 countries over the period of 1970-2010. The empirical results show that human capital inequality has a significance positive effect on income inequality. This result is similar with the theoretical framework,where the human capital inequality and income inequality are positively correlated. However, other control variables such as Global and total population are insignificant with income inequality except for GDP per capita at 5 and 10 percent level. Thus, in order to reduce income inequality and to give citizens equal opportunities, governments of developing countries and policymakers need to minimise human capital inequality.
Constructive approach for frustration-free models using Witten's conjugation

We extend Witten's conjugation argument [Nucl. Phys. B 202, 253 (1982)] to spin chains, where it allows us to derive frustration-free systems and their exact ground states from known results. We particularly focus on $\mathbb{Z}_p$-symmetric models, with the Kitaev and Peschel--Emery line of the axial next-nearest neighbour Ising (ANNNI) chain being the simplest examples. The approach allows us to treat two $\mathbb{Z}_3$-invariant frustration-free parafermion chains, recently derived by Iemini et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 170402 (2017)] and Mahyaeh and Ardonne [Phys. Rev. B 98, 245104 (2018)], respectively, in a unified framework. We derive several other frustration-free models and their exact ground states, including $\mathbb{Z}_4$- and $\mathbb{Z}_6$-symmetric generalisations of the frustration-free ANNNI chain.
Effect of the Functionalization of the Axial Phthalocyanine Ligands on the Energy Transfer in QD‐based Donor–Acceptor Pairs

This study examines the electronic coupling between quantum dots (QDs) and molecules on their surfaces as a function of the modality of their interaction. As a probe, the energy transfer (ET) between CdSe QDs and phthalocyanines (Pcs) was monitored and evaluated with regard to the functionalization of the axial phthalocyanine ligand, bulkiness of the functional group bridging the QD donor and Pc acceptor, and the number of the functionalized axial ligands. New silicon PCs and their conjugates with CdSe QDs were synthesized. The ET efficiency and kinetics were studied by steady state and femtosecond time‐resolved absorption spectroscopy. We observed a decrease in ET efficiency with the increase in functional group bulkiness, which could be explained by increasing steric hindrance between the ET pair. In addition, a higher ET efficiency was observed for amino and thiol functionalized Pcs compared to Pcs without functional group on the axial alkyl chain.
On the Placement and Delivery Schemes for Decentralized Coded Caching System

Network based on distributed caching of content is a new architecture to alleviate the ongoing explosive demands for rate of multi-media traffic. In caching networks, coded caching is a recently proposed technique that achieves significant performance gains compared to uncoded caching schemes. In this paper, we derive a lower bound on the average rate with a memory constraint for a family of caching allocation placement and a family of XOR cooperative delivery. The lower bound inspires us how placement and delivery affect the rate memory tradeoff. Based on the clues, we design a new placement and two new delivery algorithms. On one hand, the new placement scheme can allocate the cache more flexibly compared to grouping scheme. On the other hand, the new delivery can exploit more cooperative opportunities compared to the known schemes. The simulations validate our idea.
Evaluation of mosquito repellent formulations.

□ N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide was formulated with several acrylate polymers in ethanol solution and various silicone polymers in 2-propanol suspension; the ratio of polymer to N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide(I) was varied. Formulations that had drying times of < 10 min were evaluated for film hardness and elasticity. Contact angles made by water on films cast from the formulations were measured when such films were uniform. For the acrylate formulations, containing polymers that are solid at room temperature, the presence of I increased drying times; decreased film hardness and elasticity resulted from decreasing the ratio of polymers to I. Lower contact angle with water resulted from decreasing the ratio of acrylate polymer to I. However, this effect was less pronounced with the lower molecular weight acrylate polymer formulations. Films cast from the silicone formulations had low contact angles with water. In addition, formulations of repellents, ethohexadiol and N,N-diethyl-p-toluamide, each in combination with a silicone polymer, were evaluated. Films with short drying times, high contact angle, and measurable hardness could be cast from the N,N-diethyl-p-toluamide–silicone formulations due to the film-forming ability of the repellent itself. The physical properties of the ethohexadiol–silicone formulations were similar to the I–silicone formulations. Selected formulations received preliminary evaluation for duration of effectiveness against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in vitro and in animal test systems. Except for one formulation of I with a lower molecular weight acrylate polymer, these formulations did not enhance the duration of effectiveness of I on hairless dogs. The in vitro ED50 of the test repellent for A. aegypti was significantly enhanced in 5 of 15 formulations tested. The 4-hr ED50 of the test repellent on white mice was significantly enhanced in 6 of 15 formulations tested. Keyphrases Repellents, mosquito—film hardness and elasticity evaluation for N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide–acrylate polymer formulations; N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide—formulation with acrylate polymer, evaluation for film hardness and elasticity in mosquito repellents; Polymers—N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide formulations, evaluation for film hardness and elasticity in mosquito repellents
MovieFinder: A Movie Search System via Graph Pattern Matching

In this demo, we present MovieFinder, a user-friendly movie search system with following characteristics: it (1) searches movies on social networks via the technique of top-k graph pattern matching; (2) supports distributive computation to handle sheer size of real-life social networks; (3) applies view-based technique to optimize local evaluation, and employs incremental computation to keep cached views up to date; and (4) provides graphical interface to help users construct queries, explore data and inspect results.
Factors Affecting Forearm Compartment Pressures in Children with Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus

This study evaluated forearm compartment pressures in 29 children with supracondylar humerus fractures. Pressures were measured before and after reduction in the dorsal, superficial volar, and deep volar compartments at the proximal 1/6th and proximal 1/3rd forearm. Pressures in the deep volar compartment were significantly elevated compared with pressures in other compartments. There were also significantly higher pressures closer to the elbow within each compartment. Fracture reduction did not have a consistent immediate effect on pressures. The effect of elbow flexion on post-reduction pressures was also evaluated; flexion beyond 90° produced significant pressure elevation. We conclude that forearm pressures after supracondylar fracture are greatest in the deep volar compartment and closer to the fracture site. Pressures greater than 30 mm Hg may exist without clinical evidence of compartment syndrome. To avoid unnecessary elevation of pressures, elbows should not be immobilized in >90° of flexion after these injuries.
Population dynamics of Norwegian red deer: density–dependence and climatic variation

We present a model on plant—deer—climate interactions developed for improving our understanding of the temporal dynamics of deer abundance and, in particular, how intrinsic (density–dependent) and extrinsic (plants, climate) factors influence these dynamics. The model was tested statistically by analysing the dynamics of five Norwegian red deer populations between 1964 and 1993. Direct and delayed density–dependence significantly influenced the development of the populations: delayed density–dependence primarily operated through female density, whereas direct density–dependence acted through both female and male densities. Furthermore, population dynamics of Norwegian red deer were significantly affected by climate (as measured by the global weather phenomenon, the North Atlantic Oscillation: NAO). Warm, snowy winters (high NAO) were associated with decreased deer abundance, whereas the delayed (two–year) effect of warm, snowy winters had a positive effect on deer abundance. Our analyses are argued to have profound implications for the general understanding of climate change and terrestrial ecosystem functioning.
Acupuncture Combined with Curcumin Disrupts Platelet-Derived Growth Factor β Receptor/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signalling and Stimulates Extracellular Matrix Degradation in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats

Background Acupuncture treatment has been increasingly used to treat chronic liver diseases. We previously reported that acupuncture combined with curcumin, a natural antifibrotic compound, could remarkably attenuate liver fibrosis in chemically intoxicated rats, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of acupuncture combined with curcumin on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signalling and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation in the fibrotic liver. Methods A total of 60 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into control, model, sham, acupuncture, curcumin and combination treatment groups. During the establishment of fibrosis using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), acupuncture at LR3, LR14, BL18 and ST36 and/or curcumin treatment by mouth were performed simultaneously. After treatment, serum PDGF levels were measured. Protein and mRNA expression of key effectors in PDGF pathway and fibrinolysis in the liver was determined. Results Acupuncture combined with curcumin potently reduced serum PDGF levels and selectively disrupted the PDGF-βR/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade. Combination treatment also significantly repressed expression of connective tissue growth factor and upregulated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9, promoting fibrinolysis in the fibrotic liver. Conclusions The beneficial effects of acupuncture and its combination with curcumin could be attributed to the disruption of PDGF-βR/ERK pathway and stimulated ECM degradation in the fibrotic liver. Acupuncture treatment significantly enhanced curcumin effects at the molecular level. These findings may provide molecular insights into the potential of acupuncture combined with curcumin for prevention of hepatic fibrosis.
High-Throughput LDPC Decoder on Low-Power Embedded Processors

Real-time efficient implementations of LDPC decoders have long been considered exclusively reachable using dedicated hardware architectures. Attempts to implement LDPC decoders on CPU and GPU devices have lead to high power consumptions as well as high processing latencies that are incompatible with most embedded and mobile transmission systems. In this letter, we propose ARM-based decoders that go from 50 to 100 Mbps while executing 10 layered-decoding iterations. We hereby demonstrate that efficient LDPC decoders can be implemented on a low-power programmable architecture. The proposed decoders are competitive with recent GPU related works. Therefore, software LDPC decoders constitute a response to software defined radio constraints.
High Extinction-Ratio Integrated Mach–Zehnder Modulator With Active Y-Branch for Optical SSB Signal Generation

We propose a high extinction-ratio (ER) Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) with an active Y-branch optical intensity trimmer. In addition, we investigate a high ER integrated MZM for optical single-sideband (SSB) signal generation, where the active Y-branch trimmers are embedded in a dual-parallel MZM. Optical SSB generation with high suppression ratio of main carrier (47 dB) and undesired sidebands (>42 dB) is achieved by optimizing the optical amplitude imbalances corresponding to the ER.
Serum Antibody and Glomerular Antigen of Antiphospholipase A2 Receptor in Chinese Patients with Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy

Background M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) is the first autoantigen responsible for idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). However, serum PLA2R antibody (PLA2R-Ab) can be inaccurate in distinguishing between IMN and secondary membranous nephropathy, while renal PLA2R antigen (PLA2R-Ag) emerges as an ancillary diagnostic. The present study is aimed at examining the associations between PLA2R-Ab in sera and PLA2R-Ag in kidneys in IMN patients. Methods A total of 93 patients with IMN were retrospectively identified. Their serum PLA2R-Ab and renal PLA2R-Ag expression levels were determined, and the clinical correlations between these parameters and clinical features were examined. Results The sensitivities of serum PLA2R-Ab and renal PLA2R-Ag for diagnosing IMN were 74.2% and 88.2%, respectively (P < 0.001), with poor consistency. Higher serum PLA2R-Ab levels were correlated to stronger renal PLA2R-Ag expression (P = 0.048). Patients with positive PLA2R-Ab significantly differed from those with negative levels, in terms of proteinuric levels over 24 hours (4.54 vs. 3.46 g/day, P = 0.015) and serum albumin (23.28 vs. 27.95 g/L, P = 0.038). Among patients with positive renal PLA2R-Ag, patients with positive PLA2R-Ab had significantly higher 24-hour proteinuria, when compared to patients with negative PLA2R-Ab (4.57 vs. 3.08 g/day, P = 0.005). Among those with positive PLA2R-Ab in sera, their PLA2R-Ab levels were correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration and serum creatinine. Conclusion Serum PLA2R-Ab exhibits a closer correlation with proteinuric severity and renal function, when compared to renal PLA2R-Ag.
Perfil nutricional de gestantes atendidas em uma unidade básica de saúde

Objetivo: avaliar o perfil nutricional de gestantes atendidas em uma Unidade Basica de Saude. Metodo: estudo observacional, transversal, com abordagem quali-quantitativa. Foram avaliadas 60 gestantes entre abril e maio de 2014. Para avaliacao antropometrica, utilizou-se peso pre-gestacional a partir do registro no cartao da gestante e verificou-se o peso atual gestacional em balanca antropometrica e a altura em estadiometro acoplado a balanca. Para classificacao do estado nutricional pre-gestacional e gestacional utilizou-se o IMC. Foram aplicados: questionario de dados socioeconomicos e questionario de frequencia alimentar. Resultados: antes do periodo gestacional, a maioria das mulheres estavam eutroficas (55%), 33,3% com excesso de peso (sobrepeso ou obesidade) e 11,7% com baixo peso. Durante o periodo gravidico, 50,0% mantiveram a eutrofia, enquanto o indice de excesso de peso aumentou para 41,7%. Das sete gestantes diagnosticadas com baixo peso pre-gestacional, duas adequaram o peso. As gestantes relataram ingerir 5 ou mais vezes por semana, carnes, leites, cereais e leguminosas. Mais da metade delas nao consumiam frutas e verduras 5 ou mais vezes por semana e 60,0% adicionava acucar em suas preparacoes. Consideracoes finais: o perfil nutricional das gestantes demonstrou um indice alto de excesso de peso para essa fase da vida, sendo necessarias intervencoes, em relacao ao estado nutricional pre-gestacional, ganho de peso gestacional e na adequacao do consumo alimentar.