Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pineal Cross‐Transplantation (Old‐to‐Young and Vice Versa) as Evidence for an Endogenous “Aging Clock”

Circadian (night), chronic administration of melatonin and young-to-old pineal grafting into the thymus have provided evidence for the existence of an endogenous, primary and central "aging clock" in the pineal gland. The new model described here serves to definitely demonstrate that the replacement of the pineal gland of an old mouse with the pineal from a young, syngeneic donor mouse remarkably prolongs its life and, conversely, the "old" pineal transplanted into a younger mouse will considerably shorten its life span. Pineal cross-transplantation thus provides clear-cut evidence for the central role of the pineal gland in the initiation and progression of senescence. It offers a novel basis for interventions in the aging process.
Midterm Results of the Salto Talaris Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Background: The Salto Talaris total ankle replacement is a modern fixed-bearing implant used to treat symptomatic ankle arthritis with the goals of providing pain relief, restoring mechanical alignment, and allowing motion of the ankle joint. The goal of this study was to report the midterm clinical results of one of the largest cohort of patients in the United States who underwent ankle replacement with this prosthesis. Methods: This is a review of patients with a minimum of 5 years up to 10 years’ follow-up. At the preoperative visit and each annual assessment, patients rated their current level of pain using the visual analog score (VAS) and reported their functional level using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores, the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health survey. These scores were analyzed to assess differences between their levels preoperatively, 1 year postoperatively, and at their most recent follow-up. Criteria for failure was defined as revision requiring exchange or removal of the metallic components for any reason. We identified 106 patients having a Salto Talaris total ankle replacement. Seventy-two patients (mean age, 61.9 years) met the minimum requirement for follow-up (range 60-115 months, mean 81.1 months). Results: Significant improvements were seen in the VAS, SMFA, AOFAS score, and SF-36 from preoperatively to their final follow-up (P < .001). Survivorship was 95.8% for those with at least 5-year follow-up, with 2 patients undergoing revision arthroplasty for aseptic loosening and a third patient scheduled for revision for a chronic wound infection. Fourteen patients (19%) required an additional surgery for a total of 17 additional operative procedures on the ipsilateral ankle or hindfoot. Conclusion: Patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty with the Salto Talaris prosthesis continued to show significant improvements in pain and functional outcomes at midterm follow-up. This prosthesis has shown to be an effective treatment option with durable results. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic, case series.
Selecting lncRNAs in gastric cancer cells for directed therapy with bioactive peptides and chemotherapy drugs

Selecting lncRNAs for directed therapy with bioactive peptides and chemotherapy drugs may be an effective approach to treating gastric cancer (GC). We show genome-scale identification and characterization of differentially expressed lncRNAs in GC cells treated with a novel anti-cancer bioactive peptide (ACBP) and the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin (ASLB). A total of 17,897 lncRNAs were identified through pairwise comparison, including 2,074 novel lncRNAs. Of those, 1,386 lncRNAs were differentially expressed (over 1.5-fold change vs. control, q-value < 0.05) in response to ACBP and ASLB treatment. These included 914 upregulated and 472 downregulated lincRNAs. Functional annotation of these lncRNAs through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed they activate metabolic pathways and protein-binding processes. Moreover, suppression of the DNA replication process and upregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in MKN45 cells exposed to ACBP alone or in combination with ASLB was predicted by hierarchical clustering analysis. By providing new insight into the transcriptomic effects of ACBP and ASLB in GC cells, these results provide the first evidence of ACBP inhibition of lincRNAs and may provide new mechanisms of action for ACBP and ASLB.
NARF, an Nemo-like Kinase (NLK)-associated Ring Finger Protein Regulates the Ubiquitylation and Degradation of T Cell Factor/Lymphoid Enhancer Factor (TCF/LEF)*

β-Catenin is a key player in the Wnt signaling pathway, and interacts with cofactor T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) to generate a transcription activator complex that activates Wnt-induced genes. We previously reported that Nemo-like kinase (NLK) negatively regulates Wnt signaling via phosphorylation of TCF/LEF. To further evaluate the physiological roles of NLK, we performed yeast two-hybrid screening to identify NLK-interacting proteins. From this screen, we isolated a novel RING finger protein that we term NARF (NLK associated RING finger protein). Here, we show that NARF induces the ubiquitylation of TCF/LEF in vitro and in vivo, and functions as an E3 ubiquitin-ligase that specifically cooperates with the E2 conjugating enzyme E2-25K. We found that NLK augmented NARF binding and ubiquitylation of TCF/LEF, and this required NLK kinase activity. The ubiquitylated TCF/LEF was subsequently degraded by the proteasome. Furthermore, NARF inhibited formation of the secondary axis induced by the ectopic expression of β-catenin in Xenopus embryos. Collectively, our findings raise the possibility that NARF functions as a novel ubiquitin-ligase to suppress the Wnt-β-catenin signaling.
Selective amplification of bacterial RNA: use of a DNA primer containing mismatched bases near its 3′ terminus to reduce false‐positive signals

A reverse transcription PCR (RT–PCR) method designed to reduce false‐positive results due to the co‐amplification of contaminating genomic DNA is reported. Feasibility of the method was evaluated using 16S rRNA sequences specific to Bacillus cereus. A DNA oligonucleotide primer, consisting of 22‐bases containing three consecutive mismatched bases near its 3′ terminus (primer B16RT), was used for reverse transcription and in subsequent cDNA amplification. Specific rRNA was reverse transcribed at low temperature (40 °C or 45 °C) in the presence of primer B16RT. As subsequent PCR using primer B16RT at high (62 °C) annealing temperatures is not nearly as efficient as amplification using the specific primer, amplification of genomic DNA was hindered relative to the amplification of cDNA. The method was readily adapted to the selective amplification of mRNA of the Listeria monocytogenes listeriolysin O (hly) gene.
Fault diagnosis and model reference tracking fault-tolerant control for the non-Gaussian nonlinear stochastic distribution control system using Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model

For the non-Gaussian stochastic distribution control system using Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model, a reference model with perfect dynamic features is presented. Besides, in order to diagnosis the fault that occurs in the system, an adaptive fault diagnosis algorithm is developed. Based on the estimated fault information, the fault tolerant controller can be designed to make the post-fault PDF still track the given distribution. Finally, simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness and potential of the proposed fault tolerant control scheme.
Identification and partial characterization of two eukaryotic UDP-galactopyranose mutases

Abstract Galactofuranose metabolism is valued as an important target for the development of new antituberculosis drugs. UDP-galactopyranose mutase, a central enzyme in galactofuranose biosynthesis, is essential for the growth and viability of mycobacteria. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of UDP-galactopyranose into UDP-galactofuranose, the donor used by various galacto-furanosyltransferases. While D-galactofuranose residues are often found in important surface glycoconjugates of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and protozoan parasites, they are absent in the mammalian host, and thus their biosynthesis is an attractive target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In contrast to mycobacteria, the importance of galactofuranose for eukaryotic pathogens has not been ascertained because the enzymes involved in galactofuranose metabolism are unknown. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the first eukaryotic UDP-galactopyranose mutases. The genes encoding the enzymes were cloned from two different human pathogens: the parasite Leishmania major and the opportunistic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The newly identified eukaryotic enzymes exhibit 51% sequence identity, but are less than 20% identical to the prokaryotic counterparts. The sequence identity between pro- and eukaryotic enzymes is concentrated at amino acid residues that are involved in substrate and cofactor binding. Therefore, an inhibitor of UDP-galactopyranose mutase might be effective against a wide range of pathogenic organisms.
Dynamic Stock Selection Strategies: A Structured Factor Model Framework

We propose a novel framework for estimating the time-varying covariation among stocks. Our work is inspired by asset pricing theory and associated developments in Financial Index Models. We work with a family of highly structured dynamic factor models that seek the extraction of the latent structure responsible for the cross-sectional covariation in a large set of financial securities. Our models incorporate stock specific information in the estimation of commonalities and deliver economically interpretable factors that are used both, as a vehicle to estimate large time-varying covariance matrix, and as a potential tool for stock selection in portfolio allocation problems. In an empirically oriented, high-dimensional case study, we showcase the use of our methodology and highlight the flexibility and power of the dynamic factor model framework in financial econometrics.
The structures and flows of a large tourist itinerancy network

This paper undertakes a detailed network analysis (NA) of the structures and flows of a large tourist itinerancy network emerging in six Southeast Asian countries, developed by aggregating 1668 tour itineraries accessed from 149 tour marketing websites. The analysis includes the examination of the network and of seven extracted subnetworks (modules). It identifies various macro-patterns in the network influenced by scale freeness, preferential attachment, and growth. It proposes that a small number of nodes and edges form supercores. These dynamical elements influence the network's emergence, which is occurring without central coordination. A network backbone formed by these supercores emphasizes the flows in the network. The implications are visualized by several conceptual models of tourist and related resource and revenue flows. It identifies that a basin and sink topology, which drains flows from the periphery towards a network backbone sink, is consistent with preferential attachment processes in the network. This paper assists in turning NA in tourism from textile metaphors towards research centred upon empirical relational data. In this case, it exposes a network emerging from the inherent physical connectedness of tourism.
Random differential equations with discrete delay

Abstract In this article, we study random differential equations with discrete delay with initial condition The uncertainty in the problem is reflected via the outcome ω. The initial condition g(t) is a stochastic process. The term x(t) is a stochastic process that solves the random differential equation with delay in a probabilistic sense. In our case, we use the random calculus approach. We extend the classical Picard theorem for deterministic ordinary differential equations to calculus for random differential equations with delay, via Banach fixed-point theorem. We also relate solutions with sample-path solutions. Finally, we utilize the theoretical ideas to solve the random autonomous linear differential equation with discrete delay.
Parvalbumin Is Expressed in Normal and Pathological Human Parathyroid Glands

The parathyroid glands are of major importance in calcium homeostasis. Small changes in the plasma calcium (Ca2+) concentration induce rapid changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion to maintain the extracellular Ca2+ levels within the physiological range. Extracellular Ca2+ concentration is continuously measured by a G-protein-coupled Ca2+-sensing receptor, which influences the expression and secretion of PTH. The mechanism of signal transduction from receptor sensing to PTH secretion is not well understood, but changes in PTH secretion are tightly linked to changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, we detected the EF Ca2+ binding protein parvalbumin (PV) in normal and in hyperplastic and adenomatous human parathyroid glands. The strongest PV signal was present in chief cells and water clear cells, whereas in oxyphilic cells only a weak signal was observed. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization of the PTH indicated a co-localization of PV and PTH in the same cell types. Because changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration are believed to influence the process of PTH secretion, a possible role of PV as a modulator of this Ca2+ signaling is envisaged.
High Efficiency GaN 2.5 to 9 GHz Power Amplifiers Realized in Multilayer LCP Hybrid Technology

This letter presents wide bandwidth and high efficiency hybrid balanced and push-pull amplifier circuit topologies using Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors and Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) multilayer circuit techniques. Push-pull circuit configurations allow differential and common mode impedances to be presented at even and odd harmonics independently, enabling the continuous mode (class BJ) design space to be exploited. Push-pull amplifiers display drain efficiencies <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$>$</tex-math></inline-formula> 40%, output power <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$>$</tex-math></inline-formula> 5 W over a bandwidth of 3.5 to 8.5 GHz at 2 dB compression levels, and under CW conditions. By comparison, although designed with identical performance goals, a conventional quadrature balanced amplifier performance is below that of the push-pull configuration.
How to motivate external open innovation-partners: Identifying suitable measures

Shorter product life cycles require shorter innovation cycles which forces companies to launch new innovative products on the market at increasingly shorter intervals to stay competitive. A promising approach to face this challenge is described as the new paradigm of Open Innovation (OI) where knowledge of external partners (e.g. suppliers, product users or universities) is used to accelerate the company internal innovation process. Thereby, the motivation of external partners is, among other things, crucial for the success of an OI-collaboration. So far there is no systematic approach available in literature that provides guidance for finding the right “levers” to motivate these external partners to contribute their knowledge within an Ol-collaboration. For this purpose, the present paper provides a methodology for identifying appropriate measures to motivate external partners depending on the type of cooperation (e.g. Idea Platform, Lead-User-Workshop or Cross-Industry Innovations). Based on existing models in the research field of motivation psychology, suitable motivational factors are derived and considered. Finally, an interactive software-tool for raising the usability of the methodology is introduced.
Prediction of Flow Effect on Crystal Growth of Semi-Crystalline Polymers Using a Multi-Scale Phase-Field Approach

A multi-scale phase-field approach, which couples the mesoscopic crystallization with the microscopic orientation of chain segments and macroscopic viscoelastic melt flow, is proposed to study how the crystal growth of semi-crystalline polymers is affected by flows. To make the simulation feasible, we divide the problem into three parts. In the first part, a finitely extensible nonlinear elastic (FENE) dumbbell model is used to simulate the flow induced molecular structure. In the second part, formulas for estimating the density, orientation and aspect ratio of nuclei upon the oriented molecular structure are derived. Finally, in the third part, a massive mathematical model that couples the phase-field, temperature field, flow field and orientation field is established to model the crystal growth with melt flow. Two-dimensional simulations are carried out for predicting the flow effect on the crystal growth of isotactic polystyrene under a plane Poiseuille flow. In solving the model, a semi-analytical method is adopted to avoid the numerical difficult of a “high Weissenberg number problem” in the first part, and an efficient fractional step method is used to reduce the computing complexity in the third part. The simulation results demonstrate that flow strongly affects the morphology of single crystal but does not bring a significant influence on the holistic morphology of bulk crystallization.
"Pathological Gait Abnormality Detection and Segmentation by Processing the Hip Joints Motion Data to Support Mobile Gait Rehabilitation"

An accurate detection of the gait sub-phases is fundamental in clinical gait analysis to interpret kinetic and kinematic data. In general, detecting the gait events that mark the transition from one gait sub-phase to another as well as the sequence of sub-phases is essential to evaluate gait abnormalities. However, finding a reliable segmentation for pathological gait has been a challenging task. This manuscript entails a generic approach for the gait segmentation into sub-phases in the CORBYS1 system. A number of distinctive features are extracted from the Hip joints motion data which are able to partition and segment the gait cycles in an efficient way. The degree of deviation (i.e. anomaly) in each sub-phase is then calculated with respect to an optimal gait reference which is used for robot-assisted gait rehabilitation. The proposed gait segmentation method is applicable to gait with many types of pathology since training on the pathology specific templates is not required. Performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated by statistical analysis of results which produced 100% gait segmentation accuracy for healthy subjects and over 99% for pathological subjects.
Cost-effective system for the classification of muscular intent using surface electromyography and artificial neural networks

This paper presents the implementation of a system to classify muscular intent. A neural network is used for this purpose. After skin preparation, feature extraction, network training and real-time testing, an average overall classification accuracy of 93.3% over three possible gestures was obtained. Ultimately, the results obtained speak to the suitability of an Arduino-based system for the acquisition and decoding of muscular intent. This result is indicative of the potential of the Arduino microcontroller in this application, to provide effective performance at a far lower price-point than its competition.
Are we looking for positivity or similarity in a partner's outlook on life? Similarity predicts perceptions of social attractiveness and relationship quality

Previous research has shown that people with an optimistic life orientation are perceived as socially more attractive than pessimists. However, following the similarity-attraction hypothesis, we assumed that both the perceiver's and the target's life orientation affects perceptions of social attractiveness. Moreover, we were interested in how the composition of romantic partners’ life orientation (similar vs. dissimilar) affects perceived relationship quality. The results of an experimental online study (N = 316) confirmed previous findings: Overall, optimists were perceived as socially more attractive than pessimists. Furthermore, perceivers’ life orientation moderated that effect, which was larger with optimistic than with pessimistic perceivers. Moreover, with respect to ongoing relationships optimistic participants indicated higher relationship quality if they perceived their partners as similarly optimistic. The findings are in line with the similarity-attraction hypothesis. They are discussed with regard to the benefits of optimism in social interactions and relationships.
Evaluating the Patient Safety Indicators: How Well Do They Perform on Veterans Health Administration Data?

Background:The Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs), an administrative data-based tool developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, are increasingly being used to screen for potential in-hospital patient safety problems. Although the Veterans Health Administration (VA) is a national leader in patient safety, accurate information on the epidemiology of patient safety events in the VA is still unavailable. Objectives:Our objectives were to: (1) apply the AHRQ PSI software to VA administrative data to identify potential instances of compromised patient safety; (2) determine occurrence rates of PSI events in the VA; and (3) examine the construct validity of the PSIs. Methods:We examined differences between observed and risk-adjusted PSI rates in the VA, compared VA and non-VA PSI rates, and investigated the construct validity of the PSIs by examining correlations of the PSIs with other outcomes of VA hospitalizations. Results:We identified 11,411 PSI events in the VA nationwide in FY'01. Observed PSI rates per 1000 discharges ranged from 0.007 for “transfusion reaction” to 155.5 for “failure to rescue. ” There were significant, although small, differences between VA and non-VA risk-adjusted PSI rates. Hospitalizations with PSI events had longer lengths of stay, higher mortality, and higher costs than those without PSI events. Conclusions:Our results suggest that the PSIs may be useful as a patient safety screening tool in the VA. Our PSI rates were consistent with the national incidence of low rates; however, differences between VA and non-VA rates suggest that inadequate case-mix adjustment may be contributing to these findings.
Macroeconomic Volatility: Dynamic Futures Hedging Strategies

Economic instability in emerging countries has often been attributed to countercyclical fiscal policy. The problem is further exacerbated by income volatility caused by international commodity price fluctuations, while directional hedging, as a favourite policy response, has been both costly and ineffective. We propose efficient and effective volatility hedging strategies for emerging countries in a dynamic stochastic setting based upon partial portfolio optimisation. Our first contribution is a dynamic overlay futures hedging strategy with substantial reduction in hedging cost. Second, we account for stochastic volatility in commodity prices by adopting GARCH and Error Correction Methods (ECM) to improve the forecasting accuracy of dynamic hedge ratios. Thirdly, we account for non-linear dependence in the pairwise combinations of the bivariate spot and futures sample data by employing Archimedian Copula models to estimate dynamic hedge ratios used for the state-contingent dynamic overlay sovereign hedging strategies. Finally, we combine GARCH and dynamic Copula models for the estimation of dynamic-Copula-GARCH hedge ratios that significantly improve hedge efficiency.