Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NRP/B, a Novel Nuclear Matrix Protein, Associates With p110RB and Is Involved in Neuronal Differentiation

The nuclear matrix is defined as the insoluble framework of the nucleus and has been implicated in the regulation of gene expression, the cell cycle, and nuclear structural integrity via linkage to intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton. We have discovered a novel nuclear matrix protein, NRP/B (nuclear restricted protein/brain), which contains two major structural elements: a BTB domain–like structure in the predicted NH2 terminus, and a “kelch motif” in the predicted COOH-terminal domain. NRP/B mRNA (5.5 kb) is predominantly expressed in human fetal and adult brain with minor expression in kidney and pancreas. During mouse embryogenesis, NRP/B mRNA expression is upregulated in the nervous system. The NRP/B protein is expressed in rat primary hippocampal neurons, but not in primary astrocytes. NRP/B expression was upregulated during the differentiation of murine Neuro 2A and human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Overexpression of NRP/B in these cells augmented neuronal process formation. Treatment with antisense NRP/B oligodeoxynucleotides inhibited the neurite development of rat primary hippocampal neurons as well as the neuronal process formation during neuronal differentiation of PC-12 cells. Since the hypophosphorylated form of retinoblastoma protein (p110RB) is found to be associated with the nuclear matrix and overexpression of p110RB induces neuronal differentiation, we investigated whether NRP/B is associated with p110RB. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrate that NRP/B can be phosphorylated and can bind to the functionally active hypophosphorylated form of the p110RB during neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells induced by retinoic acid. Our studies indicate that NRP/B is a novel nuclear matrix protein, specifically expressed in primary neurons, that interacts with p110RB and participates in the regulation of neuronal process formation.
Academic life under institutional pressures for AACSB accreditation: insights from faculty members in Mexican business schools

ABSTRACT Scholars have increasingly recognized how efforts among business schools to attain or maintain accreditation from external agencies (i.e. Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business [AACSB]) have engendered myriad consequences on the experiences of academic faculty members. Extant research that has investigated this phenomenon empirically has focused on business schools in advanced economy contexts, where such institutions are relatively better endowed – in terms of structural and human capital resources – than their counterparts in less-developed regions. Drawing on a qualitative study on two business schools in Mexico, this article illuminates how academic faculty members recognize and negotiate the intensifying pressures for restrictive forms of research output that is the corollary of their business school’s endeavor to satisfy the scholarly requirements for AACSB accreditation. This article further considers the problematic implications posed by this trend should it continue.
Association of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Lung Function and Exacerbations in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (NLR) is a widely available marker of inflammation. Several types of inflammatory cells and mediators have been found to be involved in the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We sought to evaluate the association of the NLR with severity of airflow limitation and disease exacerbations in a COPD population. Methods We analyzed 885 patients from the Korean COPD Subtype Study cohort that recruited subjects with COPD from 44 referral hospitals. We determined the relationship of NLR levels to severity of lung function using a linear regression model. In addition, we analyzed the experiences of COPD exacerbation according to the NLR quartiles. Results NLR levels were inversely associated with severity of airflow limitation as measured by FEV1% predicted and absolute values after adjustments for age, gender, body mass index, pack-years of smoking, and the use of inhaled corticosteroid (P<0.001, respectively). In the multivariate binary regression model, the NLR 4th quartile (vs. 1st quartile) was found to be a significant predictor of exacerbations during 1-year follow-up (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.03 to 4.06, P = 0.041). Adding an NLR to FEV1 significantly improved prediction for exacerbations during 1-year follow-up as measured by the net reclassification improvement (NRI = 7.8%, P = 0.032) and the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI = 0.014, P = 0.021). Conclusions The NLR showed a significant inverse relationship to airflow limitation and was a prognostic marker for future exacerbations in patients with COPD.
SAX: Generating Hypertext from SADT models

Conceptual model validation is crucial in the information system development process, but it may be diicult to accomplish if the domain expert is not acquainted with the formal language used by the analyst. In this paper we present SAX, a system that generates hypertext descriptions of conceptual models designed with the SADT methodology. The combination of natural language and hypertext signiicantly lowers the communicative barrier between the analyst and the domain expert, thus increasing validation eeectiveness. The application of hybrid techniques for text generation guarantees an optimal trade-oo between robustness and portability across domains on one side and text uency on the other.
Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy of Cancer1

In the past decade, immunothÃ©rapieshave been developed that are capable of causing prolonged cancer regressions in selected patients with advanced metastatic disease. In the past year, attempts at the gene therapy of cancer have begun. These experimental cancer treatments deserve vigorous exploration. The last decade has witnessed the rise of new biological treatments for cancer based on stimulating natural immune reactions against the disease. These treatments, collectively referred to as biological therapy, are beginning to join surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy as effective means for treating cancer (1, 2). Biological therapy can be denned as cancer treatments that act primarily through natural host de fense mechanisms or by the administration of natural mam malian substances. An increased understanding of the cellular immune system as well as new developments in biotechnology have made new approaches to biological therapy feasible. Using recombinant DNA technology, many biological compounds have become available in large amounts for the first time. One approach to the development of biological therapies for the treatment of cancer has involved attempts to identify im mune cells in tumor-bearing animals and patients that can distinguish cancer from normal cells and can be used in adoptive immunotherapy. Adoptive immunotherapy can be defined as the transfer to the tumor-bearing host of immunological re agents such as immune cells that have antitumor reactivity and can mediate, either directly or indirectly, antitumor effects. The major obstacle to the development of effective adoptive immu nothÃ©rapieshas been the inability to identify cells with specific antitumor reactivity that could be generated in large enough numbers for use in cancer treatment. In the past decade, however, several cell types have been identified that can cause the regression of cancer in some patients. We began our work in this field with the description of LAK cells which were non-MHC-restricted killer cells ca pable of lysing fresh tumor but not fresh normal cells in culture. These studies led us to the description of more specific antitumor cells called TIL that were capable of recognizing unique antigens on tumor cells. More recently we have begun genetic modification of these TIL in an attempt to increase their antitumor reactivity. Development of Interleukin 2-based ImmunothÃ©rapies for
Processes of intraseasonal snow cover variations over the eastern China during boreal winter

This study reveals that the dominant time scale of intraseasonal snow cover variation over the eastern China is within 30 days by using the latest satellite snow cover data from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS)/Terra product. The leading empirical orthogonal function (EOF) mode of 10–30‐day snow cover variation during boreal winter from 2004 to 2018 over the eastern China has two centers: northwest part of the eastern China and north of the Yangtze River. Composite analysis based on 25 snow events identified from normalized leading principal time series (PC1) indicates that the southeastward intrusion of surface anticyclonic anomalies and accompanying low temperature anomalies provide the temperature condition for snow events. Negative Arctic Oscillation induces mid‐latitude wave train and leads to the development of surface anticyclonic anomalies and upper‐level cyclonic anomalies over East Asia. The cyclonic anomalies induce ascending motion and anomalous convergence of water vapor fluxes over the eastern China, which supplies moisture for snowfall.
Differential Modulation of Sodium- and Chloride-Dependent Opioid Peptide Transport System by Small Nonopioid Peptides and Free Amino Acids

We recently identified a novel opioid peptide transport system in the retinal pigment epithelium that transports opioid peptides by a Na+/Cl–-dependent process. Here we describe a similar transport system expressed in SK-N-SH cells (a human neuronal cell line) and show for the first time that the activity of the transport system is modulated differentially by lysine and small nonopioid peptides. The transport process in SK-N-SH cells, monitored with deltorphin II as the substrate, is Na+/Cl–-dependent and interacts with several opioid peptides, consisting of 5 to 13 amino acids. The activity of this transport system is markedly stimulated by specific dipeptides and tripeptides, with significant stimulation observable at low micromolar concentrations. The ion dependence, Na+/Cl–-activation kinetics, and opioid peptide selectivity of the transport system, however, remain unchanged. The stimulation by the modulatory peptides is associated with an increase in maximal velocity with no change in substrate affinity of the system. Amino acids have no or little effect on the transport system, with the exception of lysine. This cationic amino acid inhibits the transport system, with significant inhibition occurring at physiologic concentrations of the amino acid. The inhibitory effect is primarily associated with a decrease in the maximal velocity of the transport system with little change in substrate affinity. Methyl and ethyl esters of lysine retain the inhibitory potency, but most other structural analogs have no effect. The differential modulation of the transport system by lysine and specific small peptides has important implications in the biology and pharmacology of opioid peptides.
The Association between Perceived Discrimination and Suicide among Homosexuals: The Role of Self-Esteem as Mediator

Because of Malaysia’s conservative society, its homosexual citizens are often marginalized and discriminated. Past studies have shown a significant difference in psychological well-being between homosexuals and their heterosexual counterparts, which is attributed to differences in social treatment . Existing studies have discussed the underlying process of the relation between perceived discrimination and suicidal ideation among homosexuals globally. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relation between perceived discrimination and suicidal thoughts among homosexuals in Malaysia through the mediating effect of self-esteem. Research subjects were composed of 400 self-identified homosexuals who participated in an online survey. The Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale, Modified Acculturative Stress Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used to measure the variables under investigation. Results indicated a negative significant correlation between the perceived discrimination–self-esteem link and between the self-esteem–suicidal ideation link among homosexuals. Positive relations were found between perceived discrimination and suicidal ideation. Moreover, a significant mediating effect of self-esteem was found in the link between perceived discrimination and suicidal ideation, which showed that high perceived discrimination and low self-esteem are risk factors for suicidal thoughts. Hence, besides promoting psychological betterment among homosexuals, self-empowerment seems critical and necessary to reduce suicidal ideation risk among homosexuals.
Stationary space-time Gaussian fields and their time autoregressive representation

We compare two different modelling strategies for continuous space discrete time data. The first strategy is in the spirit of Gaussian kriging. The model is a general stationary space-time Gaussian field where the key point is the choice of a parametric form for the covariance function. In the main, covariance functions that are used are separable in space and time. Nonseparable covariance functions are useful in many applications, but construction of these is not easy. The second strategy is to model the time evolution of the process more directly. We consider models of the autoregressive type where the process at time t is obtained by convolving the process at time t − 1 and adding spatially correlated noise. Under specific conditions, the two strategies describe two different formulations of the same stochastic process. We show how the two representations look in different cases. Furthermore, by transforming time-dynamic convolution models to Gaussian fields we can obtain new covariance functions and by writing a Gaussian field as a time-dynamic convolution model, interesting properties are discovered. The computational aspects of the two strategies are discussed through experiments on a dataset of daily UK temperatures. Although algorithms for performing estimation, simulation, and so on are easy to do for the first strategy, more computer-efficient algorithms based on the second strategy can be constructed.
School Culture and School Performance

Perbedaan antara budaya sekolah yang dimiliki oleh sekolah yang memiliki prestasi tinggi dengan sekolah yang prestasinya lebih rendah, baik dalam norma, kepercayaan, maupun nilai-nilai yang berlaku di sekolah tersebut. Perbedaan budaya sekolah dari kedua sekolah tersebut ditunjukkan dengan angka 3.56. Walau secara statistic berbeda, namun perbedaannya tidak terlalu jauh. Hal ini disebabkan oleh adanya budaya masyarakat di sekitar sekolah yang ikut berpengaruh dalam proses pendidikan di sekolah. Kesimpulan ini merupakan hasil penelitian kuantitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner dengan skala Likert dan wawancara tidak terstruktur serta observasi. Analisis data menggunakan deskriptif statistic dan analisis inferensial (uji beda/t-test).
Gender differences and influence of impact mechanism and location on head impact kinematics in high school soccer

Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; University of Pennsylvania, Department of Bioengineering University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing University of Pennsylvania, Department of Bioengineering Drexel University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration; University of Pennsylvania, Department of Neurosurgery The Shipley School University of Pennsylvania, Departments of Neurosurgery & Bioengineering Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP), Sports Medicine and Performance Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics
Forecasting the Istanbul Stock Exchange National 100 Index Using an Artificial Neural Network

Many studies have shown that Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) have been widely used for forecasting financial markets, because of many financial and economic variables are nonlinear, and an ANN can model flexible linear or non-linear relationship among variables. The purpose of the study was to employ an ANN models to predict the direction of the Istanbul Stock Exchange National 100 Indices (ISE National-100). As a result of this study, the model forecast the direction of the ISE National-100 to an accuracy of 74, 51%. Keywords—Artificial Neural Networks, Istanbul Stock Exchange, Non-linear Modeling.
Dark Matter Searches with AMS-02

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), to be installed on the International Space Station, will provide data on cosmic radiation in a large range of energy from 0.5 GeV to 3 TeV. The main physics goals in the astroparticle domain are the anti-matter and the dark matter searches. Observations indicate that the Universe may include a large amount of unknown Dark Matter. It should be composed of non-baryonic Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), a good WIMP candidate being the lightest supersymmetric particle in R-parity conserving models. AMS offers a unique opportunity to study simultaneously SUSY dark matter in three decay channels from the neutralino annihilation: positrons, antiprotons and gamma rays. The supersymmetric theory frame is considered together with alternative scenarios (extra-dimensions). The expected flux sensitivities in 3 year exposure for the e+/eratio, antiproton and gamma yields as a function of energy are presented.
Exploiting MISD Performance Opportunities in Multi-core Systems

A number of important system services, particularly network system services, need strong scaling on multi-core systems, where a fixed workload is executed more quickly with increased core counts. Unfortunately, modern multiple-instruction/multiple-data (MIMD) approaches to multi-core OS design cannot exploit the fine-grained parallelism needed to provide such scaling. In this paper, we propose a replicated work approach to parallelizing network system services for multi-core systems based on a multiple-instruction/single-data (MISD) execution model. In particular, we discuss the advantages of this approach for scalable network system services and we compare past methods for addressing the challenges this approach presents. We also present preliminary results that examine the viability of the basic approach and the software abstractions needed to support it.
Fuzzy modelling of nonlinear systems for stability analysis based on piecewise quadratic Lyapunov functions

This paper presents a constructive Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy modeling method for a general class of nonlinear systems. This method is particularly suitable for stability analysis based on piecewise quadratic Lyapunov functions. The modeling error is appropriately inserted into the model and an algorithm is proposed to automatically determine the model parameters to keep the modeling error smaller than a desired upper bound. Based on the constructed fuzzy model, exponential stability analysis is performed and the stability constraints are transformed into linear matrix inequalities. Modeling error is also included in the stability analysis to validate the results for the original nonlinear system. The way to utilize the modeling method and stability analysis to systematically find a Lyapunov function for a nonlinear system is demonstrated via an example and the potential capability of the method in estimating the domain of attraction is discussed.
Nucleoporin NUP153 Phenylalanine-Glycine Motifs Engage a Common Binding Pocket within the HIV-1 Capsid Protein to Mediate Lentiviral Infectivity

Lentiviruses can infect non-dividing cells, and various cellular transport proteins provide crucial functions for lentiviral nuclear entry and integration. We previously showed that the viral capsid (CA) protein mediated the dependency on cellular nucleoporin (NUP) 153 during HIV-1 infection, and now demonstrate a direct interaction between the CA N-terminal domain and the phenylalanine-glycine (FG)-repeat enriched NUP153 C-terminal domain (NUP153C). NUP153C fused to the effector domains of the rhesus Trim5α restriction factor (Trim-NUP153C) potently restricted HIV-1, providing an intracellular readout for the NUP153C-CA interaction during retroviral infection. Primate lentiviruses and equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) bound NUP153C under these conditions, results that correlated with direct binding between purified proteins in vitro. These binding phenotypes moreover correlated with the requirement for endogenous NUP153 protein during virus infection. Mutagenesis experiments concordantly identified NUP153C and CA residues important for binding and lentiviral infectivity. Different FG motifs within NUP153C mediated binding to HIV-1 versus EIAV capsids. HIV-1 CA binding mapped to residues that line the common alpha helix 3/4 hydrophobic pocket that also mediates binding to the small molecule PF-3450074 (PF74) inhibitor and cleavage and polyadenylation specific factor 6 (CPSF6) protein, with Asn57 (Asp58 in EIAV) playing a particularly important role. PF74 and CPSF6 accordingly each competed with NUP153C for binding to the HIV-1 CA pocket, and significantly higher concentrations of PF74 were needed to inhibit HIV-1 infection in the face of Trim-NUP153C expression or NUP153 knockdown. Correlation between CA mutant viral cell cycle and NUP153 dependencies moreover indicates that the NUP153C-CA interaction underlies the ability of HIV-1 to infect non-dividing cells. Our results highlight similar mechanisms of binding for disparate host factors to the same region of HIV-1 CA during viral ingress. We conclude that a subset of lentiviral CA proteins directly engage FG-motifs present on NUP153 to affect viral nuclear import.
Adaptive Password-Strength Meters from Markov Models

Measuring the strength of passwords is crucial to ensure the security of password-based authentication. However, current methods to measure password strength have limited accuracy, first, because they use rules that are too simple to capture the complexity of passwords, and second, because password frequencies widely differ from one application to another. In this paper, we present the concept of adaptive password strength meters that estimate password strength using Markov-models. We propose a secure implementation that greatly improves on the accuracy of current techniques.
Hierarchical Aggregation and Intelligent Monitoring and Control in Fault-Tolerant Wireless Sensor Networks

The primary idea behind deploying sensor networks is to utilize the distributed sensing capability provided by tiny, low powered, and low cost devices. Multiple sensing devices can be used cooperatively and collaboratively to capture events or monitor space more effectively than a single sensing device. The realm of applications envisioned for sensor networks is diverse including military, aerospace, industrial, commercial, environmental, and health monitoring. Typical examples include: traffic monitoring of vehicles, cross-border infiltration detection and assessment, military reconnaissance and surveillance, target tracking, habitat monitoring, and structure monitoring, to name a few. Most of the applications envisioned with sensor networks demand highly reliable, accurate, and fault-tolerant data acquisition process. In this paper, we focus on innovative approaches to deal with multivariable, multispace problem domains (data integrity, energy-efficiency, and fault-tolerant framework) in wireless sensor networks and present novel ideas that have practical implementation in developing power-aware software components for designing robust networks of sensing devices.