Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Live Cell Analysis of G Protein β5 Complex Formation, Function, and Targeting

The G protein β5 subunit differs from other β subunits in having divergent sequence and subcellular localization patterns. Although β5γ2 modulates effectors, β5 associates with R7 family regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins when purified from tissues. To investigate β5 complex formation in vivo, we used multicolor bimolecular fluorescence complementation in human embryonic kidney 293 cells to compare the abilities of 7 γ subunits and RGS7 to compete for interaction with β5. Among the γ subunits, β5 interacted preferentially with γ2, followed by γ7, and efficacy of phospholipase C-β2 activation correlated with amount of β5γ complex formation. β5 also slightly preferred γ2 over RGS7. In the presence of coexpressed R7 family binding protein (R7BP), β5 interacted similarly with γ2 and RGS7. Moreover, γ2 interacted preferentially with β1 rather than β5. These results suggest that multiple coexpressed proteins influence β5 complex formation. Fluorescent β5γ2 labeled discrete intracellular structures including the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, whereas β5RGS7 stained the cytoplasm diffusely. Coexpression of αo targeted both β5 complexes to the plasma membrane, and αq also targeted β5γ2 to the plasma membrane. The constitutively activated αo mutant, αoR179C, produced greater targeting of β5RGS7 and less of β5γ2 than did αo. These results suggest that αo may cycle between interactions with β5γ2 or other βγ complexes when inactive, and β5RGS7 when active. Moreover, the ability of β5γ2 to be targeted to the plasma membrane by α subunits suggests that functional β5γ2 complexes can form in intact cells and mediate signaling by G protein-coupled receptors.
On the Distributive Costs of Drug-Related Homicides

We exploit the manifold increase in homicides in 2008–11 in Mexico resulting from its war on organized drug traffickers to estimate the effect of drug-related homicides on housing prices. We use an unusually rich data set that provides national coverage of housing prices and homicides and exploits within-municipality variations. We find that the impact of violence on housing prices is borne entirely by the poor sectors of the population. An increase in homicides equivalent to 1 standard deviation leads to a 3 percent decrease in the price of low-income housing.
Ventricular Fibrillation Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion Is Not Prevented by the NPY Y2 Receptor Antagonist BIIE0246

Neuropeptide Y is released together with norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve terminals during conditions of increased sympathetic activity. Neuropeptide Y is known to inhibit vagal activity, and accordingly, it might increase the risk for ventricular fibrillation during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, with concomitant sympathetic stimulation. Counteracting the inhibiting effect of neuropeptide Y by the specific neuropeptide Y2 antagonist, BIIE0246, we expected occurrence of ventricular fibrillation in association with repeated periods of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion to decrease. The midleft anterior descending coronary artery was repeatedly occluded in 16 open-chest pigs. Eight pigs received BIIE0246, and the controls received the vehicle only. Ventricular fibrillation developed in 2 animals of the control group, but in 4 pigs receiving BIIE0246. Occurrence of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, and in association with repeated periods of regional myocardial ischemia, did not decline in pigs treated by the specific neuropeptide Y2-receptor antagonist BIIE0246.
Measuring domain engineering effects on software change cost

Domain engineering (DE) is an increasingly popular process for efficiently producing software. DE uses detailed knowledge of a particular application domain to define rigorously a family of software products within that domain. We describe a methodology for precise quantitative measurement of DE impact on software change efforts. The methodology employs measures of small software changes to determine the effect of DE. We illustrate this approach in a detailed case study of DE in a telecommunications product. In the particular case the change effort was dramatically reduced. The methodology can precisely measure cost savings in change effort and is simple and inexpensive since it relies on information automatically collected by version control systems.
Modified Elliptical Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna with Elliptical Tapered Slot Edge and Circular loads

This letter presents a new design of an ultra-wideband Elliptical Antipodal Vivaldi antenna with elliptical tapered slot edge and circular loads. A new empirical formula for the ground structure was proposed for ease of design. The fabricated prototype has proven better low cut-off frequency performance in term of return loss, gain and radiation pattern throughout a bandwidth from 730 MHz to over 20 GHz with good radiation characteristics.
Prelamination: Defining the prefabricated flap—a case report and review

Modification of flaps prior to local or distant transfer has gained wide acceptance. The term prefabricated has been used to describe all possible modifications. In this article we introduce the term prelamination to refer to the implantation of tissue or other devices into a flap prior to transfer and suggest that prefabrication be restricted to the implantation of vascular pedicles. A case is presented illustrating these concepts. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthetic enzyme mixtures for biomass deconstruction: Production and optimization of a core set

The high cost of enzymes is a major bottleneck preventing the development of an economically viable lignocellulosic ethanol industry. Commercial enzyme cocktails for the conversion of plant biomass to fermentable sugars are complex mixtures containing more than 80 proteins of suboptimal activities and relative proportions. As a step toward the development of a more efficient enzyme cocktail for biomass conversion, we have developed a platform, called GENPLAT, that uses robotic liquid handling and statistically valid experimental design to analyze synthetic enzyme mixtures. Commercial enzymes (Accellerase 1000 +/− Multifect Xylanase, and Spezyme CP +/− Novozyme 188) were used to test the system and serve as comparative benchmarks. Using ammonia‐fiber expansion (AFEX) pretreated corn stover ground to 0.5 mm and a glucan loading of 0.2%, an enzyme loading of 15 mg protein/g glucan, and 48 h digestion at 50°C, commercial enzymes released 53% and 41% of the available glucose and xylose, respectively. Mixtures of three, five, and six pure enzymes of Trichoderma species, expressed in Pichia pastoris, were systematically optimized. Statistical models were developed for the optimization of glucose alone, xylose alone, and the average of glucose + xylose for two digestion durations, 24 and 48 h. The resulting models were statistically significant (P < 0.0001) and indicated an optimum composition for glucose release (values for optimized xylose release are in parentheses) of 29% (5%) cellobiohydrolase 1, 5% (14%) cellobiohydrolase 2, 25% (25%) endo‐β1,4‐glucanase 1, 14% (5%) β‐glucosidase, 22% (34%) endo‐β1,4‐xylanase 3, and 5% (17%) β‐xylosidase in 48 h at a protein loading of 15 mg/g glucan. Comparison of two AFEX‐treated corn stover preparations ground to different particle sizes indicated that particle size (100 vs. 500 µm) makes a large difference in total digestibility. The assay platform and the optimized “core” set together provide a starting point for the rapid testing and optimization of alternate core enzymes from other microbial and recombinant sources as well as for the testing of “accessory” proteins for development of superior enzyme mixtures for biomass conversion. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;106: 707–720. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain, Pain Sensitivity, and Function in People With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is commonly used for the management of pain; however, its effects on several pain and function measures are unclear. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high-frequency TENS (HF-TENS) and low-frequency TENS (LF-TENS) on several outcome measures (pain at rest, movement-evoked pain, and pain sensitivity) in people with knee osteoarthritis. Design The study was a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Setting The setting was a tertiary care center. Participants Seventy-five participants with knee osteoarthritis (29 men and 46 women; 31–94 years of age) were assessed. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to receive HF-TENS (100 Hz) (n=25), LF-TENS (4 Hz) (n=25), or placebo TENS (n=25) (pulse duration=100 microseconds; intensity=10% below motor threshold). Measurements The following measures were assessed before and after a single TENS treatment: cutaneous mechanical pain threshold, pressure pain threshold (PPT), heat pain threshold, heat temporal summation, Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG), and pain intensity at rest and during the TUG. A linear mixed-model analysis of variance was used to compare differences before and after TENS and among groups (HF-TENS, LF-TENS, and placebo TENS). Results Compared with placebo TENS, HF-TENS and LF-TENS increased PPT at the knee; HF-TENS also increased PPT over the tibialis anterior muscle. There was no effect on the cutaneous mechanical pain threshold, heat pain threshold, or heat temporal summation. Pain at rest and during the TUG was significantly reduced by HF-TENS, LF-TENS, and placebo TENS. Limitations This study tested only a single TENS treatment. Conclusions Both HF-TENS and LF-TENS increased PPT in people with knee osteoarthritis; placebo TENS had no significant effect on PPT. Cutaneous pain measures were unaffected by TENS. Subjective pain ratings at rest and during movement were similarly reduced by active TENS and placebo TENS, suggesting a strong placebo component of the effect of TENS.
Combined use of spaceborne SAR interferometry and in-situ measurements for glacier monitoring in mountain areas

In mountain areas, the monitoring of Alpine glaciers is crucial to assess the local impact of global warming. The motion of glaciers and the instabilities in their surrounding moraines, due to glacial conditions and local geomorphological factors, represent a major issue of risk and require the development of sophisticated monitoring techniques. Earth observation satellites provide important information for regular observation of the glacier surface over large areas. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery can be used to derive surface displacement fields by two main techniques: offset tracking based on the amplitude information and SAR Interferometry (InSAR) based on the phase information with an accuracy on the order of centimeters. In this paper, we combine both spatially extended InSAR measurements and point like in situ measurements (including GPS data and information on Corner Reflectors installed over the moraines) in order to measure the surface displacement over the glaciers and the surrounding moraines. The uncertainties associated with each type of measurements are quantified. The spatial and temporal characteristics between both types of measurements are analysed, from which the combination strategy is determined. In situ measurements are used to improve the InSAR processing and to reduce the InSAR measurements uncertainty. The techniques to obtain different measurements and the combined use of the latter are illustrated over the Argentière glacier with SAR images acquired by Sentinel-1 satellites since 2015.
Electronic transport in conducting polymer nanowire array devices

We report on the temperature dependent conductivity and current–voltage (I–V) properties of novel polyaniline nanowire array devices. Below 60 K, I–V measurements show a transition to non-linear behaviour, leading to the onset at 30 K of a threshold voltage, for potentials below which little current flows. By considering an intrinsic morphology of small conducting regions separated by tunnel junctions, we show that charging of the conducting regions leads to Coulomb blockade effects that can account for this behaviour.
Sox6 is required for normal fiber type differentiation of fetal skeletal muscle in mice

Sox6, a member of the Sox family of transcription factors, is highly expressed in skeletal muscle. Despite its abundant expression, the role of Sox6 in muscle development is not well understood. We hypothesize that, in fetal muscle, Sox6 functions as a repressor of slow fiber type‐specific genes. In the wild‐type mouse, differentiation of fast and slow fibers becomes apparent during late fetal stages (after approximately embryonic day 16). However, in the Sox6 null‐p100H mutant mouse, all fetal muscle fibers maintain slow fiber characteristics, as evidenced by expression of the slow myosin heavy chain MyHC‐β. Knockdown of Sox6 expression in wild‐type myotubes results in a significant increase in MyHC‐β expression, supporting our hypothesis. Analysis of the MyHC‐β promoter revealed a Sox consensus sequence that likely functions as a negative cis‐regulatory element. Together, our results suggest that Sox6 plays a critical role in the fiber type differentiation of fetal skeletal muscle. Developmental Dynamics 236:2062–2076, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GIS for District-Level Administration in India: Problems and Opportunities

This paper describes a research study, carried out over the period 1993-95, of the efforts made in India to develop and use geographical information systems (GIS) to aid district-level administration. We give a detailed description of our research approach, drawing from contextualism as a broad research methodology and using actor-network theory for analytical purposes. The main section of the paper provides an in-depth analysis of a major GIS initiative from a particular Indian government ministry. We conclude that the creation and maintenance of a relatively stable set of key actors with aligned interests related to the GIS technology had not been achieved in any of the districts studied by the end of the research period. Our analysis leads to implications for future action that go beyond traditional prescriptions, such as improved participation or better training, toward the need for higher level-interventions in such areas as educational processes and administrative structures. We then turn to criteria for judging the merits of an intensive research study and illustrate to what extent this study satisfies the criteria. Finally, we draw conclusions on the contribution of this paper to the promotion of intensive research and to the opening up of new fields of IS research.
Identification of robots inertial parameters by means of spectrum analysis

A common way to identify the inertial parameters of robots is to use a linear model as function of a minimal set of base parameters and standard least squares techniques. In experimental applications, noise on position and torque measurements, friction modeling error and bad excitation restrict dramatically the identification. This paper presents a methodology to overcome these difficulties. The proposed identification method is based on experiments which are designed by means of physical interpretation and spectrum analysis of the robot dynamic model in order to reduce sensitivity to noise. These experiments are planned in order to ensure optimal condition number of the observation matrix. The proposed algorithms have been integrated in a software package called Robot Identification Software Tool (RIST). The successful application of this new method to a 3 degrees of freedom robot proves the efficiency of the algorithms.
ALOS/PALSAR and TerraSAR-X persistent scatterer interferometry around Tokyo: Interferometric phase evaluation and validation

In this paper we investigate the surface displacement pattern before and after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake using persistent scatterer interferometry of ALOS/PALSAR and TerraSAR-X images. For confirming the accuracy of the estimated displacement, interferometric phase components were evaluated and simulated data were created. Using the simulated data, the accuracy of filtering methods to mitigate tropospheric methods was evaluated. Real data processing clarified detailed spatial patterns of previously unrecognized displacement. Comparison with GPS data showed that the estimated displacement was within the expected accuracy of the simulated data. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the combination of ALOS/PALSAR and TerraSAR-X data analysis, and the accuracy evaluation by quantifying interferometric phase components.
A 150 Mb/s PRML chip for magnetic disk drives

Recent magnetic disk drives require high transfer rates and recording densities. PRML signaling is now prevalent in digital read/write channels. This PRML chip operates at a maximum data rate of 150 Mb/s with 1550 mW and includes all basic functions such as servo demodulation and write pre-compensation for magnetic disk drives with optimized circuit size. The chip is fabricated in 0.7 /spl mu/m double-poly double-metal BICMOS suitable for low-power devices and is packed in a 100-pin quad flat package with a die approximately 7 mm/sup 2/. This chip has a single 5 V power supply.
Suicidal disorders: A nosological entity per se?

An extensive body of data has repeatedly shown in the past decades that suicidal behaviors are associated with several external validators such as low serotonergic activity in body fluids and in brains of suicide victims, genetic transmission of suicide risk independently of transmission of associated major psychiatric disorders, and more recently association with several serotonin‐related genes. Despite these concordant findings, suicidal behaviors are still not considered as a nosological entity per se in standardized classification. The aim of this study is to review the existing literature establishing the validity of this entity through clinical, genetic, biochemical, and therapeutic arguments all leading to the need to recognizing suicidal behavior as an independent and possibly dimensional clinical entity. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tissue dosimetry of liposome-radionuclide complexes for internal radiotherapy: toward liposome-targeted therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

BACKGROUND Quantitative examination of the important physical parameters, such as the tumor absorbed dose and the tumor-to-normal-tissue (T-NT) absorbed dose ratios, for effective use of radionuclide-liposome conjugates m internal radiotherapy was carried out. METHODS The Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) formalism was used to develop a set of dosimetric equations. Pharmacokinetic functions used as input information to the dosimetric model were derived from experimental time-biodistribution data. Multilamellar (MLV), small unilamellar (SUV) and sterically stabilized (GM1- and PEG-coated) liposomes were examined in combination with the very promising particle emitting radionuclides: 67Cu, 188Re and 211At. For comparative purposes, the widely used: 90Y and 131I were also included in the study. For all radionuclide-liposome combinations, the mean absorbed dose per amount of radioactivity administered was obtained: (i) for two different types of human xenografts located in the muscle and liver tissue, and (ii) for normal liver, spleen, kidneys, and total body. RESULTS Regardless of radionuclide, the poorest values were obtained for the MLV liposomes. Due to more rapid uptake of sterically stabilized (GM,-coated) liposomes to the muscle tumor tissue as compared to SUVs, 211At and 188Re deliver higher tumor doses when combined with the former, while 67Cu, 90Y and 131I are more effective with SUVs. The most promising results were obtained for the [211At-GM1] complex in the liver tumor. CONCLUSION The importance of liposome size and steric barrier when designing effective radionuclide-carrier systems was revealed, but most importantly the optimal matching between the radionuclide half-life and the time of maximum liposome accumulation ratio between the tumor and normal tissue.
Analysis of the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi infection through hosts and vectors

SUMMARY Calculating epidemiological measures of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, is complex, because it involves several species, different stages of infection in humans and multiple transmission routes. Using the next-generation matrix method, we analysed a model which considers the three stages of human infection, triatomines and dogs (the main domestic reservoirs of T. cruzi when triatomines are present) and the main transmission routes. We derived R 0 and type-reproduction numbers T. We deduced formulas for the number of new infections generated through each transmission route by each infected individual. We applied our findings in Argentine Gran Chaco. The expressions achieved allowed quantifying the high infectivity of dogs and emphasizing the epidemiological importance of the long and asymptomatic chronic indeterminate stage in humans in the spread of the infection. According to the model, it is expected that one infected human infects 21 triatomines, that 100 infected triatomines are necessary to infect one human and 34 to infect a dog, and that each dog infects on average one triatomine per day. Our results may allow quantifying the effect of control measures on infected humans, triatomines and dogs (or other highly infected vertebrate) or on a specific route of transmission, in other scenarios.
Development of a Quantitative PCR Assay for Differentiating the Agent of Heartwater Disease, Ehrlichia ruminantium, from the Panola Mountain Ehrlichia.

Panola Mountain Ehrlichia (PME) is an emerging Ehrlichia sp. reported in ten US states. Based on the sequence homology of all known genes, PME is closely related to Ehrlichia ruminantium (ER), the causative agent of heartwater. Heartwater is an economically important tick-borne disease of cattle, sheep and goats responsible for stock losses in sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, ER was imported to the Caribbean islands in the 19th century, and the presence of this foreign animal disease in the Caribbean poses a threat to the US mainland. If introduced, a heartwater outbreak would cause massive losses of naïve livestock. The serologic assay of choice to diagnose heartwater is cross-reactive with Ehrlichia spp. , including PME, as we demonstrate here, which would confound disease surveillance in the event of a heartwater outbreak. The purpose of this study was to develop a diagnostic assay capable of rapidly distinguishing between these pathogens. Using synthetic MAP-1B peptides for ER and PME, we tested the cross-reactivity of this assay using sera from infected livestock. The MAP-1B ELISA cannot distinguish between animals infected with PME and ER. Therefore, a dual-plex Taqman™ qPCR assay targeting the groEL gene of PME and ER was developed and validated. Primers were designed that are conserved among all known strains of ER, allowing for the amplification of strains from the Caribbean and Africa. The assay is highly sensitive (10 copies of DNA) and specific. This assay distinguishes between infection with PME and ER and will be a valuable tool in the event of heartwater outbreak on the US mainland, or for epidemiological studies involving either disease-causing organism.