Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tri‐iodothyronine induces hepatocyte proliferation by protein kinase a‐dependent β‐catenin activation in rodents

Thyroid hormone (T3), like many other ligands of the steroid/thyroid hormone nuclear receptor superfamily, is a strong inducer of liver cell proliferation in rats and mice. However, the molecular basis of its mitogenic activity, which is currently unknown, must be elucidated if its use in hepatic regenerative medicine is to be considered. F‐344 rats or C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing T3 for 2‐7 days. In rats, administration of T3 led to an increased cytoplasmic stabilization and nuclear translocation of β‐catenin in pericentral hepatocytes with a concomitant increase in cyclin‐D1 expression. T3 administration to wild‐type (WT) mice resulted in increased hepatocyte proliferation; however, no mitogenic response in hepatocytes to T3 was evident in the hepatocyte‐specific β‐catenin knockout mice (KO). In fact, T3 induced β‐catenin‐TCF4 reporter activity both in vitro and in vivo. Livers from T3‐treated mice demonstrated no changes in Ctnnb1 expression, activity of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β, known to phosphorylate and eventually promote β‐catenin degradation, or E‐cadherin‐β‐catenin association. However, T3 treatment increased β‐catenin phosphorylation at Ser675, an event downstream of protein kinase A (PKA). Administration of PKA inhibitor during T3 treatment of mice and rats as well as in cell culture abrogated Ser675‐β‐catenin and simultaneously decreased cyclin‐D1 expression to block hepatocyte proliferation. Conclusion: We have identified T3‐induced hepatocyte mitogenic response to be mediated by PKA‐dependent β‐catenin activation. Thus, T3 may be of therapeutic relevance to stimulate β‐catenin signaling to in turn induce regeneration in selected cases of hepatic insufficiency. (Hepatology 2014;59:2309–2320)
Feature Analysers, Optical Illusions, and Figural Aftereffects

Simple displacement models cannot explain some aspects of optical illusions and figural aftereffects. The orientation-detector interaction model proposed by Blakemore and others is more suitable to explain many aspects of the Zöllner illusion, positive and negative illusions, the effect of gap between the inducing and test lines, and the anisotropy of illusions. If we hypothesize size detectors whose tuning width and distribution steps are proportional to logarithmic size, interactions between them explain well the fact that the Delboeuf illusion and figural aftereffects of circles are determined by the size ratio of the inducing to test circle, not by the absolute distance between the contours of these circles.
Pho23 Is Associated with the Rpd3 Histone Deacetylase and Is Required for Its Normal Function in Regulation of Gene Expression and Silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae *

The Rpd3 histone deacetylase (HDAC) functions in a large complex containing many proteins including Sin3 and Sap30. Previous evidence indicates that the pho23,rpd3, sin3, and sap30 mutants exhibit similar defects in PHO5 regulation. We report thatpho23 mutants like rpd3, sin3, andsap30 are hypersensitive to cycloheximide and heat shock and exhibit enhanced silencing of rDNA, telomeric, andHMR loci, suggesting that these genes are functionally related. Based on these observations, we explored whether Pho23 is a component of the Rpd3 HDAC complex. Our results demonstrate that Myc-Pho23 co-immunoprecipitates with HA-Rpd3 and HA-Sap30. Furthermore, similar levels of HDAC activity were detected in immunoprecipitates of HA-Pho23, HA-Rpd3, or HA-Sap30. In contrast, HDAC activity was not detected in immunoprecipitates of HA-Pho23 or HA-Sap30 from strains lacking Rpd3, suggesting that Rpd3 is the HDAC associated with these proteins. However, HDAC activity was detected in immunoprecipitates of HA-Sap30 or HA-Rpd3 from cells lacking Pho23, although levels were significantly lower than those detected in wild-type cells, indicating that Rpd3 activity is compromised in the absence of Pho23. Together, our genetic and biochemical studies provide strong evidence that Pho23 is a component of the Rpd3 HDAC complex, and is required for the normal function of this complex.
Validation of Sun Exposure Reported Annually Against Interim Self‐report and Daily Sun Diaries

Data on personal sun exposure over a period exceeding the immediate past days or weeks are typically self‐reported in brief questionnaire items. The validity of such self‐reporting of longer term personal sun exposure, for example over a year, including detail on variation across seasons, has not previously been investigated. In a volunteer sample (n = 331) of Australian adults aged 18 years and over, we assessed the 12‐month reliability of sun exposure reported separately for each season, and its accuracy compared to a daily sun diary in the same season. Seasonal time outdoors displayed fair‐to‐good reliability between baseline and end of study (12 months), with responses showing higher agreement at lower levels of time outdoors. There was good agreement for ranking of individuals' time outdoors with the daily sun diary data, although the actual diary time outdoors was typically considerably lower than the self‐reported questionnaire data. Place of residence, education, being a smoker, day of the week (i.e. working day vs nonworking day) and working mainly outdoors were significant predictors of agreement. While participants overestimated their actual time outdoors, the self‐report questionnaire provided a valid ranking of long‐term sun exposure against others in the study that was reliable over time.
Fault detection and diagnosis in an induction Machine drive: a pattern recognition approach based on concordia stator mean current vector

The aim of this paper is to study the feasibility of fault detection and diagnosis in a three-phase inverter feeding an induction motor. The proposed approach is a sensor-based technique using the mains current measurement. A localization domain made with seven patterns is built with the stator Concordia mean current vector. One is dedicated to the healthy domain and the last six are to each inverter switch. A probabilistic approach for the definition of the boundaries increases the robustness of the method against the uncertainties due to measurements and to the PWM. In high-power equipment where it is crucial to detect and diagnose the inverter faulty switch, a simple algorithm compares the patterns and generates a Boolean indicating the faulty device. In low-power applications (less than 1 kW) where only fault detection is required, a radial basis function (RBF) evolving architecture neural network is used to build the healthy operation area. Simulated experimental results on 0.3- and 1.5-kW induction motor drives show the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Cell Cycle-dependent Expression and Spindle Pole Localization of a Novel Human Protein Kinase, Aik, Related to Aurora of Drosophila and Yeast Ipl1*

Mutations in Aurora of Drosophila and related Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ipl1 kinase are known to cause abnormal chromosome segregation. We have isolated a cDNA encoding a novel human protein kinase of 402 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 45.9 kDa, which shares high amino acid identities with the Aurora/Ipl1 protein kinase family; hence the cDNA is designated as aik(aurora/IPL1-related kinase). Amino acid sequence of C-terminal kinase domain of Aik shares 86, 86, 72, 59, and 49% identity with those of Xenopus XLP46APK and XLP46BPK, mouse STK-1, Aurora of Drosophila, and yeast Ipl1, respectively, whereas N-terminal domain of Aik shares high homology only with those of XLP46APK and XLP46BPK. Northern and Western blotting analyses revealed that Aik is expressed highly in testis and various proliferating cells including HeLa cells. In HeLa cells, the endogenous levels of aik mRNA and protein contents are tightly regulated during cell cycle progression. Both of these levels are low in G1/S, accumulate during G2/M, and reduce rapidly after mitosis. Its protein kinase activity is also enhanced at mitosis as inferred by exogenous casein phosphorylation. Immunofluorescence studies using a specific antibody have shown that Aik is localized to the spindle pole during mitosis, especially from prophase through anaphase. These results strongly suggest that Aik is a novel member of a protein kinase family possibly involved in a centrosome function(s) such as chromosome segregation or spindle formation.
Dynamic indium-111-pentetreotide scintigraphy in breast cancer.

UNLABELLED The efficacy of imaging breast cancer with 111In-pentetreotide (somatostatin receptor scintigraphy) was evaluate before surgery. METHODS Seventy-one whole-body scintigrams in 24 patients with known breast cancer and 24 whole-body scintigrams in 8 controls were obtained at 0.5, 5 and 24 hr after intravenous injection of 110 MBq 111In-pentetreotide. Anterior and posterior projection images were acquired simultaneously. SPECT of the thorax was performed at 5 or 24 hr after injection in all breast cancer patients. The specimens were imaged immediately after surgery and the distribution of pentetreotide was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS Somatostatin receptor-positive tumors were found in 18/24 patients with breast cancer. Pentetreotide uptake was significantly greater in breast cancer patients compared to control patients. In all patients with positive images, the early scintigram (0.5 hr) showed abnormal uptake. It was possible to delineate three different dynamic patterns. Increased uptake was visually most distinct at each time (9 patients). Moreover, bilaterally increased pentetreotide uptake was observed in 10/18 true-positive patients (in 8 at each time and in 2 patients only at 5 hr), but only one patient had a known bilateral tumor. CONCLUSION We found higher incidence of somatostatin receptors in patients with breast cancer than in the control group. Moreover, bilaterally increased pentetreotide uptake in clinically unilateral disease was an unexpected finding.
The Impact of Electricity Production from Renewable Sources, Nuclear Source and the Conversion of Land Use into Agricultural Land on CO2 Emissions

This paper attempts to introduce factors which are linked to the sources of CO2 emissions using a standard scale, technique and composition approach. In their early work, Grossman & Krueger (1991) suggest that the impact of economic factors such as growth and trade on the environment can be decomposed into scale, technique and composition effects. Later work of Antweiler et al. (1998) provides a well-completed theoretical guideline that allows researchers to estimate separately these 3 effects. However, studies of Cole & Elliott (2003) and Managi et al. (2009), while providing partial support for Antweiler et al., show that the relationship between economic factors and pollution vary by pollutant given the differences between many common pollutants, "particularly with regards to their sources" (Cole & Elliott (2003)). Thus, this study contributes to this literature and pay attention to variables which are linked to the sources of CO2 emissions. Since electricity production and the conversion of land use into agricultural land are two main single sources of carbon dioxide emissions, I examine these impact on per capita CO2 emissions. The results of estimation for a panel of 99 countries spanning the period 1971-2010 indicate that :(1) increasing the share in electricity production from nuclear and renewable sources can decrease CO2 emissions whereas (2) the conversion of land use into agriculture land raises the amount of carbon emitted.
Educational future orientation of middle school Latino students

EDUCATIONAL FUTURE ORIENTATION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL LATINO STUDENTS by Alonso Romero The lack of educational attainment among Latino youth, as evidenced by high school dropout rates, is a growing and costly problem that affects not only Latinos but society as a whole. Using a sample of 139 middle school Latino students, primarily of Mexican descendant, the current study used cluster analysis to identify a typology of students based on their educational aspirations, expectations, and perceived academic competence. Three distinct profiles emerged: a college-bound-congruent group with college aspirations and similar college expectations, and high academic confidence; a college-bound-incongruent group with college aspirations but vocational expectations, and medium academic confidence; and a vocationalbound congruent group with vocational or technical school aspirations and similar expectations, and low academic confidence. Students’ relationship with teachers was a factor that helped differentiate students across the different profiles. Relationships with parents and peers were not. Students’ gender, immigration status, and ethnic identity did not contribute to the differences in profiles. The findings suggest that future educational profiles of middle school Latino students are an important component of a comprehensive “early warning system” that could help identify students who may be at risk of dropping out school. EDUCATIONAL FUTURE ORIENTATION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL LATINO STUDENTS by Alonso Romero
Protein reconstitution and three‐dimensional domain swapping: Benefits and constraints of covalency

The phenomena of protein reconstitution and three‐dimensional domain swapping reveal that highly similar structures can be obtained whether a protein is comprised of one or more polypeptide chains. In this review, we use protein reconstitution as a lens through which to examine the range of protein tolerance to chain interruptions and the roles of the primary structure in related features of protein structure and folding, including circular permutation, natively unfolded proteins, allostery, and amyloid fibril formation. The results imply that noncovalent interactions in a protein are sufficient to specify its structure under the constraints imposed by the covalent backbone.
Gravitational search algorithm based approach for optimal reactive power dispatch

This paper presents the solution for Optimal Reactive Power Dispatch problem(ORPD) using Gravitational Search Algorithm(GSA). ORPD is a Multi-Objective Optimization Problem which consists of the following objectives: Minimization of real power loss, Minimization of total voltage deviation and Minimization of voltage stability indicator. The Proposed GSA Algorithm is used to find the optimal settings of control variables such as Generator Voltages, Transformer Tap settings and Reactive power output of Shunt Capacitor. In this study, GSA is tested in an standard IEEE 14 and IEEE 30 bus system with different test cases such as Minimization of Real Power Loss, Minimization of total voltage deviation, Minimization of Voltage Stability Indicator.
Prefrontal and amygdala volumes are related to adolescents' affective behaviors during parent–adolescent interactions

Adolescence is a key period for the development of brain circuits underlying affective and behavioral regulation. It remains unclear, however, whether and how adolescent brain structure influences day-to-day affective behavior. Because of significant changes in the nature of family relations that also typically occur during adolescence, parent–child interactions provide a meaningful context where affective behavior and its regulation may be assessed. In a sample of 137 early adolescents, we investigated the relationship between aspects of the adolescents' brain structure and their affective behavior as assessed during observation of parent–child interactions. We found a significant positive association between volume of the amygdala and the duration of adolescent aggressive behavior during these interactions. We also found male-specific associations between the volume of prefrontal structures and affective behavior, with decreased leftward anterior paralimbic cortex volume asymmetry associated with increased duration of aggressive behavior, and decreased leftward orbitofrontal cortex volume asymmetry associated with increased reciprocity of dysphoric behavior. These findings suggest that adolescent brain structure is associated with affective behavior and its regulation in the context of family interactions, and that there may be gender differences in the neural mechanisms underlying affective and behavioral regulation during early adolescence. Particularly as adolescence marks a period of rapid brain maturation, our findings have implications for mental health outcomes that may be revealed later along the developmental trajectory.
Measuring entrepreneurship environments in Africa: challenges in using international reports

Entrepreneurial environments are significant for entrepreneurial activities. Investigating such environments is necessary because of their complexity and dynamism. This work attempted to analyse international reports that measure entrepreneurship environments in Africa in order to identify the challenges faced by researchers when using these datasets. The reports or indices selected for the analysis usually measure the different dimensions of the entrepreneurship environment. A combination of these datasets provided a thorough coverage of entrepreneurship environments because of the wide spectrum of indicators whilst, a comparison revealed their convergence and divergence. The main challenges were: 1) not all of countries were included in most of the datasets; 2) the survey periods differed making it difficult to conduct longitudinal studies when comparing different countries. The findings suggested ways and means by which such challenges could be mitigated so that scholars, practitioners and institutions could have improved datasets measuring entrepreneurship environments in Africa.
Career development event preparation and experiential learning strategies employed by Pennsylvania secondary agricultural education teachers

Career development events are an important facet of the National [Future Farmers of America] FFA organization as well as the teaching and learning segment of the national research agenda for career and technical education (Lambeth, Elliot and Joerger, 2008). Students are often prepared to compete in these events by their FFA advisor. Career development events provide students the opportunity to practice, in a competitive setting, the skills and knowledge gained through classroom and laboratory instruction. Thus, these events could be described as an experiential learning opportunity that allows students to practice skills, model procedures, receive feedback, and apply knowledge. The current study sought to determine the linkages between the implementation of experiential learning strategies and the approaches employed by agricultural education teachers to prepare students for state-level events. A stratified random sample of current agricultural education teachers in Pennsylvania was selected for participation. Data were collected utilizing an electronic survey technique. Results indicated that agricultural education teachers use experiential learning and a variety of techniques, time schedules, and preparation strategies in preparing for career development event competition.
Serum CA 15.3, CEA and ESR Patterns in Breast Cancer

Serum CA 15.3, CEA and ESR were longitudinally determined in 298 patients with breast cancer during postsurgical follow-up and/or therapy. Observation lasted until the death of the patient or at least for three years. With regard to longitudinal serum markers and ESR curves, four different patterns have been identified: pattern I: the markers and ESR stayed at normal levels; pattern II: the markers and ESR decreased from a peak level; pattern III: the markers and ESR fluctuated widely; pattern IV: the markers and ESR increased steadily. We have looked at overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) versus longitudinal CA 15.3, CEA and ESR patterns. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that OS and RFS were significantly associated with all four patterns.
Polyester-based microdisc systems for sustained release of neuroprotective phosphine-borane complexes

Abstract Phosphine-borane complexes are recently developed redox-active drugs that are neuroprotective in models of optic nerve injury and radioprotective in endothelial cells. However, a single dose of these compounds is short-lived, necessitating the development of sustained-release formulations of these novel molecules. We screened a library of biodegradable co- and non-block polyester polymer systems for release of incorporated phosphine-borane complexes to evaluate them as drug delivery systems for use in chronic disease. Bis(3-propionic acid methyl ester)phenylphosphine borane complex (PB1) was combined with biodegradable polymers based on poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA), poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), poly(caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactide-co-glycide) (PLGA), or poly(dioxanone-co-caprolactone) (PDOCL) to make polymer microdiscs, and release over time quantified. Of 22 polymer-PB1 formulations tested, 17 formed rigid polymers. Rates of release differed significantly based on the chemical structure of the polymer. PB1 released from PLGA microdiscs released most slowly, with the most linear release in polymers of 60:40 LA:GA, acid endcap, Mn 15 000–25 000 and 75:25 LA:GA, acid endcap, Mn 45 000–55 000. Biodegradable polymer systems can, therefore, be used to produce sustained-release formulations for redox-active phosphine-borane complexes, with PLGA-based systems most suitable for very slow release. The sustained release could enable translation to a clinical neuroprotective strategy for chronic diseases such as glaucoma.
Attention and other cognitive deficits in aphasia: presence and relation to language and communication measures.

PURPOSE This study was designed to further elucidate the relationship between cognition and aphasia, with a focus on attention. It was hypothesized that individuals with aphasia would display variable deficit patterns on tests of attention and other cognitive functions and that their attention deficits, particularly those of complex attention functions, would be related to their language and communication status. METHOD A group of individuals with varying types and severity of aphasia and a group of age- and education-matched adults with no brain damage completed tests of attention, short-term and working memory, and executive functioning. RESULTS Overall, the group with aphasia performed significantly more poorly than the control group on the cognitive measures but displayed variability in the presence, types, and severity of their attention and other cognitive deficits. Correlational and regression analyses yielded significant relations between participants' attention deficits and their language and communication status. CONCLUSION The findings accorded well with prior research identifying (a) attention and other cognitive deficits in most but not all individuals with aphasia; (b) heterogeneity in the types and severity of attention and other cognitive symptoms among individuals with cognitive impairments; and (c) potent associations among attention, language, and other cognitive domains. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.