Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Localization of dystrophin relative to acetylcholine receptor domains in electric tissue and adult and cultured skeletal muscle

Two high-affinity mAbs were prepared against Torpedo dystrophin, an electric organ protein that is closely similar to human dystrophin, the gene product of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy locus. The antibodies were used to localize dystrophin relative to acetylcholine receptors (AChR) in electric organ and in skeletal muscle, and to show identity between Torpedo dystrophin and the previously described 270/300-kD Torpedo postsynaptic protein. Dystrophin was found in both AChR-rich and AChR-poor regions of the innervated face of the electroplaque. Immunogold experiments showed that AChR and dystrophin were closely intermingled in the AChR domains. In contrast, dystrophin appeared to be absent from many or all AChR-rich domains of the rat neuromuscular junction and of AChR clusters in cultured muscle (Xenopus laevis). It was present, however, in the immediately surrounding membrane (deep regions of the junctional folds, membrane domains interdigitating with and surrounding AChR domains within clusters). These results suggest that dystrophin may have a role in organization of AChR in electric tissue. Dystrophin is not, however, an obligatory component of AChR domains in muscle and, at the neuromuscular junction, its roles may be more related to organization of the junctional folds.
Machine vision of traffic state estimation using fuzzy logic

One of the problems encountered by motorists are congested roads. Current technology cannot easily broadcast the information about which roads are heavily congested and which are not to the motorists. As such, planning of the route to take to their destinations is compromised. This paper proposes a fuzzy logic method approach to the estimation of the traffic state of a road. Images from IP cameras installed in different roads can be used to determine the state of the traffic in an area at any point in time. The vehicles within the image are needed to be detected first via edge detection. As the vehicles are detected within the image, so are their position and size with respect to the whole image are obtained. As such, three different parameters namely vehicle density, distance between neighboring vehicles and vehicle sizes can be computed. Using these three parameters, a fuzzy logic system can be created. Three degrees of intensity for each parameter was used, creating 27 rules. The center of gravity method was used to defuzzify the traffic density parameter. Based on the results, the designed algorithm was able to identify six different road images of different traffic states accurately.
E-Learning Platform Used for Monitoring and Analyzing User Traffic

Student activities may be monitored within an e-learning platform. The platform itself provides the means by which students, professors and secretaries interact one with each other in a collaborative manner. Monitoring student activities is accomplished through various techniques like creating log files or adding records into a table from a database. A challenging task is to analyze student's traffic by employing different techniques to obtain interesting behavioral patterns or predict proficiency which finally may guide other students in learning process
Functional Characterization of the Arabidopsis Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 5A-2 That Plays a Crucial Role in Plant Growth and Development by Regulating Cell Division, Cell Growth, and Cell Death1[OA]

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) is a highly conserved protein found in all eukaryotic organisms. Although originally identified as a translation initiation factor, recent studies in mammalian and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells suggest that eIF-5A is mainly involved in RNA metabolism and trafficking, thereby regulating cell proliferation, cell growth, and programmed cell death. In higher plants, the physiological function of eIF-5A remains largely unknown. Here, we report the identification and characterization of an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant fumonisin B1-resistant12 (fbr12). The fbr12 mutant shows an antiapoptotic phenotype and has reduced dark-induced leaf senescence. Moreover, fbr12 displays severe defects in plant growth and development. The fbr12 mutant plant is extreme dwarf with substantially reduced size and number of all adult organs. During reproductive development, fbr12 causes abnormal development of floral organs and defective sporogenesis, leading to the abortion of both female and male germline cells. Microscopic studies revealed that these developmental defects are associated with abnormal cell division and cell growth. Genetic and molecular analyses indicated that FBR12 encodes a putative eIF-5A-2 protein. When expressed in a yeast mutant strain carrying a mutation in the eIF-5A gene, FBR12 cDNA is able to rescue the lethal phenotype of the yeast mutant, indicating that FBR12 is a functional eIF-5A. We propose that FBR12/eIF-5A-2 is fundamental for plant growth and development by regulating cell division, cell growth, and cell death.
Game changing value from Artificial Intelligence: eight strategies

Purpose The article shares the results of a survey Accenture undertook to measure AI’s potential economic impact on 16 industries. Design/methodology/approach The goal was to understand the chief reasons for AI’s potential impact and to identify a set of strategies that companies in any industry can use to benefit from advances in AI technologies. Findings AI’s unique characteristics as a capital–labor hybrid, which confers the ability to augment human labor at scale and speed, self-learn and continuously improve over time—will require organizations to adopt new approaches and models in a variety of functional areas. Practical implications AI can augment labor productivity by taking on low value-added or supporting tasks and thus enable workers to focus on high value work. Bosch has adopted a “thinking factory” approach in one of its German automotive plants…to enable AI-powered machines to self-diagnose technical failures, order replacement parts autonomously and anticipate maintenance needs. Originality/value All industries studied stand to benefit from AI, though three -- information and communication, manufacturing and financial services sectors -- will likely realize the biggest gains. Businesses in every industry will need to consider AI as a potential change agent in their investment, innovation and human capital development strategies. To prepare their organizations for a successful future with AI, business leaders should adopt eight strategies.
Protection of bone marrow, mononuclear, and CD34+ cells by enclosing within the biochemical compound solution during and after transplantation

We have chosen collagen, chitosan acetate, hyaluronic acid, and propolis as model biochemical compound solution to determine the influence of cell carrier mechanics on cell viability and functionality during and after transplantation. Suspending of bone marrow (BM), mononuclear (MN), and CD34+ cells into a biochemical compounds solution is an attractive tool to achieve to protect and ensure reproducible deliver. Hyperglycemic rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: to receive no cell treatment or approximately 1 × 105 of BM, MN, and CD34+ cells within the PBS or biochemical compound solution. These cells were infused into the hyperglycemic rats on day 10 and again on day 20. At each time point, the animals were anaesthetized with ether, and 200 μL of blood was drawn from the tail vein. Samples were collected to determine whether BM, MN, and CD34+ cell affected glucose content and insulin production.
H4-Writer: A Text Entry Method Designed For Gaze Controlled Environment with Low KSPC and Spatial Footprint

This paper presents a new text entry technique, namely H4-Writer, designed for gaze controlled environments and aimed at reducing average KSPC . and spatial footprint. It also presents an empirical evaluation of this proposed system by using three different input devices: mouse, gamepad, and eye tracker. The experiment was conducted using 9 participants and the obtained data were used to compare the entry speeds, efficiency and KSPC of H4-Writer for all the devices. Over three blocks, the average entry speed was 3.54 wpm for the mouse, 3.33 wpm for the gamepad and only 2.11 wpm for the eye tracker. While the eye tracker fared poorly compared to the mouse and the gamepad on entry speed, it showed significant improvement in entry speed over progressing blocks indicating increase in entry speed with practice. A full longitudinal study was conducted to indicate this. The average KSPC of all the three devices over all the text phrases entered was 2.62, which is significantly lower compared to other hand writing recognizing text entry techniques like EdgeWrite. An analysis of the blocks revealed improvement in error rate, efficiency and KSPC values with progressing block numbers as the participants got more acclimatized with the key codes for corresponding characters.
Purification and Characterization of Pyranose Oxidase from the White Rot Fungus Trametes multicolor

ABSTRACT We purified an intracellular pyranose oxidase from mycelial extracts of the white rot fungus Trametes multicolor by using ammonium sulfate fractionation, hydrophobic interaction, ion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. The native enzyme has a molecular mass of 270 kDa as determined by equilibrium ultracentrifugation and is composed of four identical 68-kDa subunits as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Each subunit contains one covalently bound flavin adenine dinucleotide as its prosthetic group. The enzyme oxidizes several aldopyranoses specifically at position C-2, and its preferred electron donor substrates are d-glucose,d-xylose, and l-sorbose. During this oxidation reaction electrons are transferred to oxygen, yielding hydrogen peroxide. In addition, the enzyme catalyzes the two-electron reduction of 1,4-benzoquinone, several substituted benzoquinones, and 2,6-dichloroindophenol, as well as the one-electron reduction of the ABTS [2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazolinesulfonic acid)] cation radical. As judged by the catalytic efficiencies (kcat/Km), some of these quinone electron acceptors are much better substrates for pyranose oxidase than oxygen. The optimum pH of the pyranose oxidase-catalyzed reaction depends strongly on the electron acceptor employed and varies from 4 to 8. It has been proposed that the main metabolic function of pyranose oxidase is as a constituent of the ligninolytic system of white rot fungi that provides peroxidases with H2O2. An additional function could be reduction of quinones, key intermediates that are formed during mineralization of lignin.
Detection and Typing of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) in Mucocutaneous Samples by TaqMan PCR Targeting a gB Segment Homologous for HSV Types 1 and 2

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) are major causes of mucocutaneous lesions and severe infections of the central nervous system. Here a new semiautomated method for detecting and typing of HSV was used to analyze 479 mucocutaneous swab samples. After DNA extraction using a Magnapure LC robot, a 118-bp segment of the gB region was amplified by real-time PCR utilizing type-specific TaqMan probes to identify HSV-1 or HSV-2. HSV detection in a single well using probes labeled with carboxyfluorescein (FAM) for HSV-1 and JOE (6-carboxy-4′,5′-dichloro-2′,7′-dimethoxyfluorescein) for HSV-2 had a sensitivity similar to that seen in separate reactions. All but one of 217 samples (99.5%) that had been positive by virus culture were positive by TaqMan PCR, with a correct identification of type in all cases. Out of 262 samples negative by virus culture, 48 (18.3%) were positive by TaqMan PCR, with higher Ct values compared with culture positive samples (P < 0.0001). Overall, the Ct values for HSV-1 were lower than for HSV-2 (mean, 25.5 versus 27.9), but to some extent this could be due to weaker fluorescence by JOE. Lower Ct values for HSV-1 were seen also in the 202 genital samples (79 HSV-1, 122 HSV-2, 1 HSV-1 and HSV-2), indicating that HSV-1 replicates as well as HSV-2 in the genital area. HSV-1 constituted 40% of genital infections and was associated with lower mean age (29.2 versus 36.4 years), probably reflecting the fact that recurrent genital HSV-1 infections are rare.
Pathogenic Old World Arenaviruses Inhibit TLR2/Mal-Dependent Proinflammatory Cytokines In Vitro

ABSTRACT Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), the prototype arenavirus, and Lassa virus (LASV), the causative agent of Lassa fever (LF), have extensive strain diversity and significant variations in pathogenicity for humans and experimental animals. The WE strain of LCMV (LCMV-WE), but not the Armstrong (Arm) strain, induces a fatal LF-like disease in rhesus macaques. We also demonstrated that LASV infection of human macrophages and endothelial cells resulted in reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Here we have shown that cells infected with LASV or with LCMV-WE suppressed Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent proinflammatory cytokine responses. The persisting isolate LCMV clone 13 (CL13) also failed to stimulate interleukin-6 (IL-6) in macrophages. In contrast, nonpathogenic Mopeia virus, which is a genetic relative of LASV and LCMV-Arm induced robust responses that were TLR2/Mal dependent, required virus replication, and were enhanced by CD14. Superinfection experiments demonstrated that the WE strain of LCMV inhibited the Arm-mediated IL-8 response during the early stage of infection. In cells transfected with the NF-κB–luciferase reporter, infection with LCMV-Arm resulted in the induction of NF-κB, but cells infected with LCMV-WE and CL13 did not. These results suggest that pathogenic arenaviruses suppress NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory cytokine responses in infected cells.
H2O2 induces apoptosis of pig thyrocytes in culture.

Apoptosis might be involved in the reduction of the thyroid cell population in physiopathological situations such as goitre involution and autoimmune deleterious processes. Up to now, little attention has been paid to the apoptotic phenomenon in the normal thyroid gland the specialized metabolism of which is expected to generate reactive oxygen species. Indeed, thyroid cells have the capacity to synthesize H2O2. In this study, we have analyzed the capacity of H2O2 to trigger apoptosis of pig thyrocytes in culture to try to determine whether thyrocytes exhibit a particular resistance to apoptosis induced by an oxidative stress. We show that exposure of thyrocytes cultured as monolayers to exogenous H2O2 induced cell death with characteristics of apoptosis. The effect of H2O2 was concentration-dependent; apoptotic cells were already observed after exposure to 50 micro M H2O2. At high concentrations (millimolar range), H2O2 exerted toxic effects leading to rapid cell disruption. Within the first hour after the onset of exposure to 50-300 micro M H2O2, early signs of apoptosis, i.e. DNA fragmentation, appeared in a low (0.1-1%) but definite fraction of thyrocytes. The proportion of adherent cells exhibiting DNA fragmentation remained fairly constant after 6, 15 and 24 h. During the 24-h period, an increasing number of cells detached from the culture dish and up to 30-40% of cells in suspension displayed apoptotic features. The fraction of cells that lost contact with the culture dish amounted to up to 25% 24 h after addition of 300 micro M H2O2. In conclusion, as reported for other cell types, low H2O2 concentrations are capable of triggering apoptosis in thyrocytes cultured as monolayers. Thyrocytes that undergo apoptosis secondarily lose contact with neighbour cells and the substratum; cell detachment from the monolayer probably happens within 1-2 h after initiation of DNA fragmentation. Our data show that the apoptotic commitment can take place many hours after initiation of the oxidative stress.
Mechanism for Leadership Development and Effectiveness: The Relationship between Followership, Leadership, and Psychological Capital

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iv DEDICATION . v LIST OF TABLES . xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . xiv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xv CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION . 1 Background of the Study . 2 Statement of Problem . 5 Statement of Purpose . 6 Research Objectives . 7 Conceptual Framework . 8 Significance of the Study . 10 Delimitations of the Study . 11 Limitations of the Study. 12 Assumptions . 12 Definition of Terms. 13 Chapter Summary . 15 Organization of the Study . 16 vii CHAPTER II – LITERATURE REVIEW . 17 Leadership . 17 Full Range Leadership Model . 19 Transformational Leadership . 19 Transactional Leadership . 20 Passive/Avoidant Leadership . 21 Instructor Leadership . 21 Leadership Development and Leadership Effectiveness . 25 Followership . 27 Types of Followers . 30 Followership and Workplace Outcomes . 34 Student Followership . 35 The Science of Positive Psychology . 37 Psychological Capital. 39 Constructs of Psychological Capital . 40 Hope . 40 Self-efficacy . 41 Resilience . 41 Optimism. 42 Psychological Capital and Workplace Outcomes . 42 viii Positive Psychology in Higher Education. 44 Psychological Capital and Student Outcomes . 46 Predicting and Enhancing Psychological Capital . 47 Chapter Summary . 49 CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY . 51 Research Design. 52 Population and Sample . 52 Research Instrument. 54 Psychological Capital Questionnaire . 55 Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire . 56 Followership Style Questionnaire . 58 Data Collection . 59 Institutional Review Board . 63 Internal and External Validity . 63 Data Analysis . 64 Data Screening . 71 Assessment of Normality of the Data Distribution . 72 Investigation of Common-Method Bias. 72 Descriptive Statistics Analysis . 73 Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling. 73 ix Measurement Model Assessment . 77 Internal Consistency Reliability . 83 Indicator Reliability . 83 Convergent Validity . 83 Discriminant Validity. 84 Structural Model Assessment . 84 Collinearity Assessment. 84 Path Coefficient . 84 Coefficient of Determination . 85 Effect Size (f). 85 Predictive Relevance . 85 Effect Size (q) . 86 Mediation Analysis . 86 Limitations . 87 Chapter Summary . 88 CHAPTER IV – RESULTS . 89 Data Screening . 90 Assessment of Normality of the Data Distribution . 90 Investigation of Common-Method Bias. 90 Results of Descriptive Statistics. 91 x Results of the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling . 95 Measurement Model Assessment . 95 Indicator Reliability . 96 Internal Consistency. 98 Convergent Validity . 98 Discriminant Validity.
Differing patterns of striatal 18F‐dopa uptake in Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy

Using positron emission tomography (PET), we studied regional striatal 18F‐dopa uptake in 16 patients with L‐dopa‐responsive Parkinson's disease (PD), 18 patients with multiple system atrophy, and 10 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy. Results were compared with those of 30 age‐matched normal volunteers. The patients with PD showed significantly reduced mean uptake of 18F‐dopa in the caudate and putamen compared to controls, but while function in the posterior part of the putamen was severely impaired (45% of normal), function in the anterior part of the putamen and in the caudate was relatively spared (62% and 84% of normal). Mean 18F‐dopa uptake in the posterior putamen was depressed to similar levels in all patients. Unlike patients with PD, the patients with progressive supranuclear palsy showed equally severe impairment of mean 18F‐dopa uptake in the anterior and posteior putamen. Caudate 18F‐dopa uptake was also significantly lower in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy than in patients with PD, being depressed to the same level as that in the putamen. Mean 18F‐dopa uptake values in the anterior putamen and caudate in patients with multiple system atrophy lay between PD and progressive supranuclear palsy levels. Locomotor disability of individual patients with PD or multiple system atrophy correlated with decline in striatal 18F‐dopa uptake, but this was not the case for the patients with progressive supranuclear palsy. We conclude that patients with PD have selective nigral pathological features with relative preservation of the dopaminergic function in the anterior putamen and caudate, whereas there is progressively more extensive nigral involvement in multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy. If an akinetic‐rigid patient has equally depressed 18F‐dopa uptake in the caudate and putamen, that person is likely to have neuropathological changes other than those of idiopathic PD.
Debit Value Adjustment a Funding Value Adjustment

Recognizing the growing importance of the Debit Value Adjustment (DVA) and the Funding Value Adjustment (FVA), there are several challenges to implementing the DVA and the FVA, not least since there is no standard definition for these valuation adjustments as of today. Moreover, due to the fact that there is no commonly agreed method of how to price these, there are no market consensus nor regulatory guidelines on accurate approaches to compute the DVA and the FVA, which leaves the vast banks with this challenging and demanding task. This paper considers different approaches when pricing DVA and FVA, which stems from different authors in the financial industry. Furthermore, we will provide a comprehensive overview of both the implications and drawbacks for the valuation adjustments with respect to double counting, hedging strategies and its inclusion on a balance sheet. By not considering DVA and FVA would leave any bank behind the market and at a disadvantage to the banks that have adopted these valuation adjustments.
Forecasting tourist arrivals at attractions: Search engine empowered methodologies

Tourist decision to visit attractions is a complex process influenced by multiple factors of individual context. This study investigates how the accuracy of tourism demand forecasting can be improved at the micro level. The number of visits to five London museums is forecast and the predictive powers of Naïve I, seasonal Naïve, seasonal autoregressive moving average, seasonal autoregressive moving average with explanatory variables, SARMAX-mixed frequency data sampling and artificial neural network models are compared. The empirical findings extend understanding of different types of data and forecasting algorithms to the level of specific attractions. Introducing the Google Trends index on pure time-series models enhances the forecasts of the volume of arrivals to attractions. However, none of the applied models outperforms the others in all situations. Different models’ forecasting accuracy varies for short- and long-term demand predictions. The application of higher frequency search query data allows for the generation of weekly predictions, which are essential for attraction- and destination-level planning.
Multibrand Pricing as a Strategy for Consumer Search Obfuscation in Online Markets

This paper argues that a firm with multiple brands can obfuscate consumer search by excluding the brands of other firms from a consumer's consideration set. This is examined empirically by regressing price data for a leading U.K. motor insurance price comparison site (or â€œshopbotâ€ ). It finds that multibrand firms own threeâ€ quarters of brands in this market, and that allowing for other brand strategies, they post significantly lower and clustered prices relative to other firms. The firms also conceal their brand ownership, consistent with search obfuscation. The results are not otherwise explained and they have implications for market competitiveness.