Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased O‐glycosylation of insulin signaling proteins results in their impaired activation and enhanced susceptibility to apoptosis in pancreatic β‐cells

Because adverse effects of glucose were attributed to its increased routing through the hexosamine pathway (HBP), we inquired whether HBP activation affects pancreatic β‐cell survival. Exposure of human islets to high glucose resulted in increased apoptosis of β‐cells upon serum deprivation that was reversed by azaserine. Also, glucosamine, a direct precursor of the downstream product of the HBP, increased human β‐cells apoptosis upon serum deprivation, which was reversed by benzyl‐2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐α‐D‐galactopyranoside (BADGP), an inhibitor of protein O‐glycosylation. These results were reproduced in RIN rat β‐cells. Glucosamine treatment resulted in inhibition of tyrosine‐phosphorylation of the insulin receptor (IR), IRS‐1, and IRS‐2, which was associated with increased O‐glycosylation. These changes caused impaired activation of the PI 3‐kinase/Akt survival signaling that resulted in reduced GSK‐3 and FOXO1a inactivation. BADGP reversed the glucosamine‐induced reduction in insulin‐stimulated phosphorylation of IR, IRS‐1, IRS‐2, Akt, GSK‐3, and FOXO1a. Impaired FOXO1a inactivation sustained expression of the pro‐apoptotic protein Bim, without affecting Bad, Bcl‐XL, or Bcl‐2 expression. These results indicate that hyperglycemia may increase susceptibility to apoptosis of human and rat β‐cell through activation of the HBP. Increased routing of glucose through this metabolic pathway results in impaired activation of the IR/IRSs/PI3‐kinase/Akt survival pathway by induction of O‐glycosylation of signaling molecules.
An Exploratory Study on Socio Economic Status Scales in a Rural and Urban Setting

Background: There are many different scales to measure socioeconomic status (SES). The present study was conducted with the objective to compare the most commonly used SES in rural and urban setting. Materials and Methods: This exploratory study was conducted in the rural and urban field practice area of a medical college situated in Bangalore for a period of 3 months between January and April 2010. Statistical Analysis Used: To measure the agreement between the scales spearman's rank correlations was applied. Results: A total of 120 families were included in the study. Among the 60 families surveyed at rural setting, it was observed that, majority 40 (67%) belonged to high class when the Standard of Living Index (SLI) scale was applied. Among the 60 families surveyed at urban setting, majority 30 (50%) belonged to high class when the SLI scale was applied. Conclusions: The SLI scale gives a more accurate and realistic picture of the SES of the family and hence should be the scale recommended for classification of SES in urban and rural setting.
Structural Optimization of Silicon-On-Insulator Slot Waveguides

In this letter, we theoretically investigate the potential for further improvement of the slot waveguide structure in silicon-on-insulator at a wavelength of 1550 nm. Waveguide thickness and width, as well as slot thickness are optimized with respect to the optical power confined in the slot region by taking into account the modal behavior of the structure. A single-mode criterion is defined as a function of the geometry parameters
Effects of propafenone on KCNH2-linked short QT syndrome: A modelling study

The identified genetic short QT syndrome (SQTS) is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmia and sudden death. This study was to investigate the potential effects of propafenone on KCNH2-linked short QT syndrome (SQT1) using a multi-scale biophysically detailed model of the heart developed by ten Tusscher and Panfilov. The ion electrical conductivities were reduced by propafenone in order to simulate the pharmacological effects in healthy and SQT1 cells. Based on the experimental data of McPate et al., the pharmacological effect of propafenone was modelled by dose-dependent IKr blocking. Action potential (AP) profiles and 1D tissue level were analyzed to predict the effects of propafenone on SQT1. Both low- and high- dose of propafenone prolonged APD and QT interval in SQT1 cells. It suggests the superior efficacy of high dose of propafenone on SQT1. However, propafenone did not significantly alter the healthy APD or QT interval at low dose, whereas markedly shortened them at high dose. Our simulation data show that propafenone has a dose-dependently anti-arrhythmic effect on SQT1, and a pro-arrhythmic effect on healthy cells. These computer simulations help to better understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for the initiation or termination of arrhythmias in healthy or SQT1 patients using propafenone.
Site-specific monoubiquitination downregulates Rab5 by disrupting effector binding and guanine nucleotide conversion

Rab GTPases, which are involved in intracellular trafficking pathways, have recently been reported to be ubiquitinated. However, the functions of ubiquitinated Rab proteins remain unexplored. Here we show that Rab5 is monoubiquitinated on K116, K140, and K165. Upon co-transfection with ubiquitin, Rab5 exhibited abnormalities in endosomal localization and EGF-induced EGF receptor degradation. Rab5 K140R and K165R mutants restored these abnormalities, whereas K116R did not. We derived structural models of individual monoubiquitinated Rab5 proteins (mUbRab5s) by solution scattering and observed different conformational flexibilities in a site-specific manner. Structural analysis combined with biochemical data revealed that interactions with downstream effectors were impeded in mUbRab5K140, whereas GDP release and GTP loading activities were altered in mUbRab5K165. By contrast, mUbRab5K116 apparently had no effect. We propose a regulatory mechanism of Rab5 where monoubiquitination downregulates effector recruitment and GDP/GTP conversion in a site-specific manner.
A three-week multidisciplinary in-patient rehabilitation programme had positive long-term effects in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the mean overall effects over a 1-year period of a multidisciplinary in-patient rehabilitation programme for patients with ankylosing spondylitis. DESIGN Observer-blinded, randomized controlled trial, with assessments made after 4 and 12 months. PATIENTS Forty-six patients received a 3-week in-patient rehabilitation programme and 49 patients received treatment as usual. METHODS Primary outcomes were disease activity measured with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scale (BASDAI), and function measured with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI). Secondary outcomes included well-being, spinal and hip mobility, and health-related quality of life measured with the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36. Overall treatment effects were estimated with Mixed models repeated measures analyses. RESULTS Significant overall treatment effects in favour of the rehabilitation group were found in the BASDAI score (mean difference over the 1-year period -10.0, 95% confidence interval: -3.7 to -16.3), in well-being (-7.3, 95% confidence interval: -1.0 to -14.7), and in the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 variables social functioning, role physical, role mental and bodily pain (mean differences ranging from 5.8 (pain) to 10.7 (role physical)). CONCLUSION A 3-week in-patient rehabilitation programme had positive overall effects on disease activity, pain, function and well-being, and should be considered an important complement to medical disease management in persons with ankylosing spondylitis.
High-resolution ocean color remote sensing of benthic habitats: a case study at the Roatan island, Honduras

Natural resource managers clamor for detailed reef habitat maps for monitoring smaller scale disturbances in reef communities. Coastal ocean color remote sensing techniques permit benthic habitats to be explored with higher resolution than ever before. The objective of this research was to develop an accurate benthic habitat map for an area off the northwest coast of Roatan Island, Honduras, using high-resolution multispectral IKONOS data. Atmospheric (Rayleigh and aerosol path radiance) and water column corrections (water depth and water column attenuation) were applied to the imagery, making it a robust method for mapping benthic habitats. Water depth for each pixel was calculated based on a site-specific polynomial model. A mechanistic radiative transfer approach was developed that removed the confound effect of the water column (absorption and scattering) from the imagery to retrieve an estimate of the bottom reflectance (albedo). Albedos were /spl les/ 12% for seagrass benthos, 12% to 24% for coral areas, and /spl ges/ 24% for sand-dominated areas. The retrieved bottom albedos were then used to classify the benthos, generating a detailed map of benthic habitats, followed by accuracy assessment.
Two photon induced lasing in 1550 nm quantum dash optical gain media

We report on a unique lasing mechanism observed in quantum dash Gain media. While the gain media is electrically pumped below lasing threshold, a strong optical pulse excites carriers by two photon absorption into high energy states of the quantum dashes and wetting layer. Fast inter band carrier relaxation and capture processes into the ground states of the quantum dashes result in increased gain followed by lasing at the gain peak irrespective of the stimulating pulse wavelength. The temporal response of the lasing line is examined on a 40 GHz scope and full characterization of the pulse by the XFROG scheme is performed. We show the lasing mechanism to be governed mainly by the wetting layer dynamics and extract a direct measurement of the carrier-carrier scattering time constant.
Stereological Measurement of Testicular Volume in Kivircik Rams

In this study, measurement of testis volume by stereology in Kivircik rams, Turkey’s traditional sheep breed, was purposed. Right and left testes with epididymis were taken from a total of 42 Kivircik rams whose carcass weights were measured previously. Fifteen, 14, and 13 of them were 5, 6, and 7 months old, respectively. Weights and morphometric measurements (length, width, and thickness) of the testis and epididymis were taken. Theirs volumes were estimated according to the Archimedes principle. According to Cavalier’s principle, 0.6 cm thick 8-11 parallel sections were taken. In these sections for whole testis (testis + epididymis) volume 0.8 cm, and for testis and epididymis volumes, grids with 0.4 cm intervals randomly placed on sections and convergent points were counted. By using Microsoft Excel (XP version), contained volume, volume ratio and coefficient error estimation formulas were used for estimating values automatically. In the study, statistical difference was not observed (P>0.05) between right and left testes volumes values acquired from Archimedes and Cavalier’s methods. The highest increase in epididymis, testis, and whole testis volumes, which were measured separately, was observed between rams at 6-7 months of age. In correlation analyses, estimated according to months by using mean values, it was recorded that there was a correlation between carcass weight and epididymis volume (P<0.05). Correlation was observed by ratio of P<0.01 between epididymis volume and testis thickness for 7 months old rams. Although there was no correlation observed between testis volume and epididymis volume for 7 months old rams. Instead of above evaluations, correlation ratio of P<0.01 was observed between morphometric measurements and stereological data of all analysis. Regarding features, showed higher correlations, regression analyses were made. In the presence of some morphometric data, regression equations, which required us to get stereological data, were calculated. Our thought is the collected data of this study can support the further experimental animal studies.
Materiality matters---experience materials

conceptualize the inseparability of digital materials, user experiences, and the social context. Aiming to address the current theoretical discourse in HCI focused on conceptualizing material integrations under the notion of materiality, we realized our panel session was quite timely. In browsing the technical program of last year’s CHI conference, we noticed that it contained at least three full papers on materials and materiality, one best paper, one alt.chi talk, two Doctoral Consortium papers, two posters, one interactivity presentation, one video presentation, and one complete paper session explicitly focused on materiality as a way to conceptualize these issues. We sought to contribute to this vibrant stream of research in our field.
Perceptual difference evaluation of video alternatives in adaptive streaming

Adaptivity, which is the most important requirement for any video streaming systems, is usually supported by creating multiple versions of video content at the server. A practical question in this context would be “Which versions should be generated to support adaptivity? ” For this purpose, we investigate, through subjective tests, the number of JND (Just Noticeable Difference) levels existing in the practical quality range of streaming video content. It is found that the typical number of video versions is 4 to 7, among which most versions are located in low bitrate range. The results of this study give useful insights for streaming content providers to prepare a reasonable set of video versions.
Copper tolerant yeasts isolated from polluted area of Argentina

Eleven yeasts were isolated from wastewater sediment samples collected from a copper filter mine plant, located in the province of Tucumán, Argentina, and tested for their heavy metal tolerance. Two isolates were selected based on their multiple tolerance to different heavy metals and their copper biosorption capacity was studied. Analysis of the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain sequences indicates that isolate RCL‐3 showed similarity with Candida sp. and RCL‐11 with Rhodotorula mucilaginosa . Growth performance and copper toxicity of both yeasts were evaluated using YNB‐glucose medium supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1 mM of Cu2+ solutions. Candida sp. RCL‐3 was able to grow up to 7 mg ml–1 biomass in the presence of either 0.1 or 0.2 mM Cu2+, and at 0.5 mM Cu2+ growth reached 5.5 mg ml–1. R. mucilaginosa RCL‐11 reached 8 mg ml–1 in the presence of 0.1 mM Cu2+, and values of 6.5 and 5.5 mg ml–1 biomass were obtained at 0.2 and 0.5 mM Cu2+, respectively. Copper accumulation profiles were different: the metal was librated from the intact cells by Candida sp. whereas R. mucilaginosa did not show release from the cells indicating intracellular storage. Specific biosorption of copper by both isolated yeasts showed increase with the initial copper supplied with the medium (up to 11.5 and 8.0 mg Cu g–1 biomass for Candida sp. and R. mucilaginosa , respectively). However, specific biosorption decreased with time. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Gastroprotective Effect of Glycyrrhiz aglabra Linn . on Aspirin Induced Ulcer in Albino Rats

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research Available online at www.globalresearchonline. net © Copyright protected. Unauthorised republication, reproduction, distribution, dissemination and copying of this document in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. © Copyright protected. Unauthorised republication, reproduction, distribution, 13 Bhama Dhanabalan, Sampathkumar Palanisamy, B. Dheeba, Sheikabdulla Shahul Hameed* Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, SRCSASTRA University, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, South India. *Corresponding author’s E-mail: sheikhaneef@src.sastra. edu
New reference charts for weight-related body measurements in children.

Body mass index (BMI) is used to diagnose overweight and obesity. Charts for sexand age-adjusted body mass index, based on data from the Bergen Growth Study, have been published previously. We now present new charts for waist circumference, waist-height ratio, triceps skinfolds and subscapular skinfolds. These are measurements that provide a be er description than BMI of fat mass and distribution in Norwegian children.
[Tri-test: clinical considerations on 1784 cases].

BACKGROUND To evaluate the triple screen serum test as a noninvasive screening test for expectant mothers > 35 years old, who are not usually considered for invasive screening for trisomy 21. METHODS 1784 tri-tests (triple serum screening tests) were performed on expectant mothers between their 15th and 18th week of pregnancy, using the radioimmunological Ria-Kodak with an Alpha program (Logical Medical System LTD) with a cut-off value of 1:350. RESULTS 244 positive equal to 13.60%. The percentage of false positives was respectively 12.9% (age < 35) and 28% (age > 35). Only in two of these cases did we have a positive response in amniocentesis for a fetus affected with Down syndrome. Of the 1540 patients with a negative tri-test, one woman gave birth to a fetus with Down syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed a sensitivity of 66%. The elevated number of false positives has led us to decide on a variation on the cut off in the future: from 1:350 to 1:300.
Unsupervised Algorithms for Cross-Lingual Text Analysis, Translation Mining, and Information Retrieval (Algoritmen voor ongesuperviseerde cross-linguale tekstanalyse, het identificeren van vertalingen en informatieontsluiting)

With the ongoing growth of the global network and information influx in today’s increasingly connected world, more and more content becomes readily available in a plethora of different languages, dialects, unofficial and community languages. Considering the large amount of multilingual data which are typically unstructured but thematically aligned and comparable, there is a pressing need to build unsupervised algorithms which can deal with such multilingual data, and address the problems of meaning, translation and information retrieval in multilingual settings. The thesis has four major contributions in the research fields of data mining, natural language processing and information retrieval. First, we present and describe a full overview of the newly developed multilingual probabilistic topic modeling (MuPTM) framework for mining multilingual data. The framework is utilized to induce high-level language-independent representations of textual information (e.g., words, phrases and documents). Second, we propose a new statistical framework for inducing bilingual lexicons (i.e., addressing the problem of translation) from parallel data that is based on the novel paradigm of sub-corpora sampling. Third, we introduce a new statistical framework for modeling cross-lingual semantic similarity (i.e., addressing the problem of meaning) and inducing bilingual lexicons (i.e., the problem of translation) from comparable data. Here, we make a series of contributions to the field of (multilingual) natural language processing and its sub-field of distributional semantics by (i) proposing a series of MuPTM-based models of cross-lingual semantic similarity, (ii) designing an algorithm for detecting only highly reliable
Rotation Effect on MHD Flow Past an Impulsively Started Vertical Plate with Variable Mass Diffusion

Rotation effects on MHD flow past an impulsively started vertical plate with variable mass diffusion is studied here. The governing equations involved in the present analysis are solved by the Laplace-transform technique. The velocity, concentration and skin friction are studied for different parameters like mass Grashof number, Schmidt number, magnetic field parameter, rotation parameter and time.
Ageing selected for its own sake

Ageing has a negative impact on individual fitness. From this, it has been inferred that ageing could not have arisen as an adaptation. Two alternative hypotheses were proposed more than 40 years ago: (1) that ageing has been selected as a side-effect of fertility maximization (‘antagonistic pleiotropy’) and (2) that ageing is a manifestation of mutational load (‘mutation accumulation’). There was good theoretical support for these hypotheses at the time. But in the intervening years, a body of experimental data has accumulated that is surprisingly distant from theoretical expectations. Indeed, some results may be interpreted as a direct refutation of each of the two theories. The evidence reviewed here is adduced in support of an adaptive theory, in which ageing has been selected for its own sake. This possibility has been dismissed historically because it requires strong group selection. In a companion paper, I intend to address this objection and describe a computational model in which ageing is affirmatively selected for its contribution to demographic homeostasis.
Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in normal glucose tolerant brazilian adolescents with family history of type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic syndrome increases risk for cardiovascular disease (1,2). The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in patients might hold promise for enhanced prevention of cardiovascular disease. Currently, there is no consensus on the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents, with variable prevalence of metabolic syndrome from 4.2 to 32% in several populations (3–5). The highest rates of metabolic syndrome were found in adolescents with Latino or African backgrounds (3,6). However, this racial/ethnic predisposition to metabolic syndrome is not well defined. The Brazilian population has a high degree of mis-cegenation that includes a mix of indigenous people, Afro- and Euro-Brazilians, and a widespread Latin ancestry. We do not know if this genetic and environmental diversity can modify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome or its relationship to obesity. In this study, we determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a group of Brazilian adolescents with a family history of type 2 diabetes. Inclusion criteria were age between 10 and 19 years, good health, and family history of type 2 diabetes. The Sao Paulo Federal University Ethics Committee reviewed and approved the study. Informed consent and assent were obtained from all participants or relatives. BMI cut points for overweight and obesity by sex and age in children were defined as 25 and 30 kg/m2, respectively, at age 18 years. These criteria were chosen because of the inclusion of Brazilian children and adolescents …