Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A conserved glutamine plays a central role in LOV domain signal transmission and duration

Light is a key stimulus for plant biological functions, several of which are controlled by light-activated kinases known as phototropins, a group of kinases that contain two light-sensing domains (LOV, Light-Oxygen-Voltage domains) and a C-terminal serine/threonine kinase domain. The second sensory domain, LOV2, plays a key role in regulating kinase enzymatic activity via the photochemical formation of a covalent adduct between a LOV2 cysteine residue and an internally-bound flavin mononucleotide (FMN) chromophore. Subsequent conformational changes in LOV2 lead to the unfolding of a peripheral J α helix, and ultimately, phototropin kinase activation. To date, the mechanism coupling bond formation and helix dissociation has remained unclear. Previous studies found that a conserved glutamine residue (Q513 in the Avena sativa phototropin 1 LOV2 ( As LOV2) domain) switches its hydrogen-bonding pattern with FMN upon light stimulation. Located in the immediate vicinity of the FMN binding site, this Gln residue is provided by the I β strand that interacts with the J α helix, suggesting a route for signal propagation from the core of the LOV domain to its peripheral J α helix. To test whether Q513 plays a key role in tuning the photochemical and transduction properties of As LOV2, we designed two point mutations, Q513L and Q513N, and monitored the effects on the chromophore and protein using a combination of UV-visible absorbance and circular dichroism spectroscopy, limited proteolysis, and solution NMR. The results show that these mutations significantly dampen the changes between the dark and lit state As LOV2 structures, leaving the protein in a pseudo-dark state (Q513L) or a pseudo-lit state (Q513N) conformation. and (C-terminal) residues as cloning artifacts.
Vaginal impedance measurement used for mating in the rat

An apparatus consisting of 2 silver ring electrodes attached to a plastic rod and connected to a transistor indicator was used to measure electrical impedance changes in the vagina of rats. A statistically significant increase in electrical impedance occurred at proestrus. By determining when this peak occurs, the optimal time for pairing can be established. In paired animals the absence of the peak provides a reliable means of diagnosing pregnancy.
Dynamic modeling and kinematic analysis of Frog robot

The traditional movement forms adopted by robot include wheeled, tracked, walking style etc. Each of these forms can not fit in both land and underwater environments unless assisted by others. Inspired by the Long board, a new movement form is applied to the Frog robot and this form gets driving force from the friction between ground and anti-bias wheels attached to two legs' ends while the legs are swinging. This form acts like breaststroke and thus it can also generate driving force under water, and by controlling the swing range of the legs, Frog robot can adapt to the change of the road width. The paper first analyzes the characteristics of this form, and then establishes the dynamic model through mechanical analysis, and according to the model a speed control scheme is proposed. Simulation reveals the kinematic characteristics of the movement form.
Training methods to improve vertical jump performance.

AIM This study aims to review the main methods used to improve vertical jump performance (VJP). METHODS Although many training routines have been proposed, these can be grouped into four main categories: plyometric training (PT), weight training (WT), whole body vibration training (VT) and electromyostimulation training (ET). PT enhances muscular force, the rate of force development (RFD), muscular power, muscle contraction velocity, cross-sectional area (CSA), muscle stiffness allowing greater storage and release of elastic energy. WT improve muscular force, velocity, power output, and RFD during jumping on a force plate, muscle hypertrophy and neural adaptations. One of the most effective methods to improve VJP is the combination of PT with WT, which takes advantage of the enhancement of maximal dynamic force through WT and the positive effects of PT on speed and force of muscle contraction through its specific effect on type II fibers. RESULTS Some authors have found an increase in VJP with the use of VT while other did not see such an effect. However, it remains unknown by which mechanisms VT could enhance VJP. ET has been shown to elicit muscle hypertrophy. The VJP may be improved when ET is applied concomitantly with PT or practice of sports. CONCLUSION In summary, scientific evidence suggests that the best way to improve VJP is through the combination of PT with WT. Further research is needed to establish if better results are possible by more complex strategies.
200 IDEN 2014 EUS ‐ guided Management of Pancreatic Pseudocysts and Walled ‐ off Necrosis

The outcome for endoscopic management of pancreatic fluid collections is dependent on the type of collection being treated. While pseudocysts have an excellent treatment response, the outcomes are modest for walled ‐off pancreatic necrosis. Recent advances in cross‐sectional body imaging have enabled more accurate distinction of pancreatic fluid collections, which in turn facilitates correct triage of patients to receive the appropriate treatment. Newly described endoscopic techniques and development of dedicated accessories have improved the clinical outcomes in WOPN with treatment success rates comparable to that of minimally invasive surgery. This review summarizes the key concepts and provides a concise update on the endoscopic management of pancreatic fluid collections.
High-Speed Optical Phase Modulator Based on Graphene-Silicon Waveguide

A high-speed optical phase modulator based on graphene-silicon waveguide (GSW) is presented. Two graphene flakes, sandwiched by insulating dielectric spacers, are embedded in a silicon waveguide to enhance the interaction between the graphene and light. By applying a bias on the graphene flakes, the refractive index variation of TE mode in the waveguide shows a large quasi-linear dynamic range, which is ideal for achieving optical phase modulation. Based on this structure, a π phase shift can be achieved by a 75.6 μm-long GSW. Calculations show that the 3 dB modulation bandwidth of the optical phase modulator can be as high as 119.5 GHz with a low consumption of 0.452 pJ/bit.
A Tutorial on Multilevel Survival Analysis: Methods, Models and Applications

Data that have a multilevel structure occur frequently across a range of disciplines, including epidemiology, health services research, public health, education and sociology. We describe three families of regression models for the analysis of multilevel survival data. First, Cox proportional hazards models with mixed effects incorporate cluster‐specific random effects that modify the baseline hazard function. Second, piecewise exponential survival models partition the duration of follow‐up into mutually exclusive intervals and fit a model that assumes that the hazard function is constant within each interval. This is equivalent to a Poisson regression model that incorporates the duration of exposure within each interval. By incorporating cluster‐specific random effects, generalised linear mixed models can be used to analyse these data. Third, after partitioning the duration of follow‐up into mutually exclusive intervals, one can use discrete time survival models that use a complementary log–log generalised linear model to model the occurrence of the outcome of interest within each interval. Random effects can be incorporated to account for within‐cluster homogeneity in outcomes. We illustrate the application of these methods using data consisting of patients hospitalised with a heart attack. We illustrate the application of these methods using three statistical programming languages (R, SAS and Stata).
A single-pinhole confocal laser scanning microscope for 3-D imaging of biostructures.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is a powerful three-dimensional (3-D) tool at the microscopic level, both for functional and for structural studies. The confocal microscope provides a practical and well-established method for obtaining microscopic volume imaging. It has become more and more evident that it permits one to obtain a large amount of information on biological systems in terms of their (slow) dynamics and 3-D structure. Moreover, when linked to bioimage-oriented interfaces, CLSM adds the ability to examine the spatial distribution and the temporal behaviour of specific cellular components to the already intriguing properties of confocal imaging. In this article, we discuss a new ultracompact confocal microscope based on a single-pinhole optical architecture.
Determining carotid artery pressure from scaled diameter waveforms: comparison and validation of calibration techniques in 2026 subjects

Calibrated diameter distension waveforms could provide an alternative for local arterial pressure assessment more widely applicable than applanation tonometry. We compared linearly and exponentially calibrated carotid diameter waveforms to tonometry readings. Local carotid pressures measured by tonometry and diameter waveforms measured by ultrasound were obtained in 2026 subjects participating in the Asklepios study protocol. Diameter waveforms were calibrated using a linear and an exponential calibration scheme and compared to measured tonometry waveforms by examining the mean root-mean-squared error (RMSE), carotid systolic blood pressure (SBPcar) and augmentation index (AIx) of calibrated and measured pressures. Mean RMSE was 5.2(3.3) mmHg (mean(stdev)) for linear and 4.6(3.6) mmHg for exponential calibration. Linear calibration yielded an underestimation of SBPcar by 6.4(4.1) mmHg which was strongly correlated to values of brachial pulse pressure (PPbra) (R = 0.4, P < 0.05). Exponential calibration underestimated true SBPcar by 1.9(3.9) mmHg, independent of PPbra. AIx was overestimated by linear calibration by 1.9(10.1)%, the difference significantly increasing with increasing AIx (R = 0.25, P < 0.001) and by exponential calibration by 5.4(10.6)%, independently of the value of AIx. Properly calibrated diameter waveforms offer a viable alternative for local pressure estimation at the carotid artery. Compared to linear calibration, exponential calibration significantly improves the pressure estimation.
Asteroseismology of HD 129929: Core Overshooting and Nonrigid Rotation

We have gathered and analyzed 1493 high-quality multicolor Geneva photometric data taken over 21 years of the B3Vstar HD 129929. We detect six frequencies, among which appear the effects of rotational splitting with a spacing of ∼0.0121 cycles per day, which implies that the star rotates very slowly. A nonadiabatic analysis of the oscillations allows us to constrain the metallicity of the star to Z ϵ [0.017,0.022], which agrees with a similar range derived from spectroscopic data. We provide evidence for the occurrence of core convective overshooting in the star, with αov = 0.10 ± 0.05, and we rule out rigid rotation.
Comparison of dot blot hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, and virus isolation for detection of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) in artificially infected bovine semen.

Bovine semen samples spiked with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) were used to compare dot blot hybridization, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and virus isolation for detection of BHV-1 in bovine semen. The PCR amplification used primers targeting the BHV-1 thymidine kinase gene and a nucleic acid releasing cocktail (GeneReleaser); the PCR product was used as the DNA probe in dot blot hybridization; virus isolation was done in primary bovine fetal testis (BFT) cell cultures. Semen diluted 1:20 in tissue culture medium had the least cytotoxicity and inhibition of viral cytopathic effects in BFT cells, allowing detection of 1 TCID50/100 microL of BHV-1 suspension by virus isolation. The presence of foreign DNA such as bovine sperm DNA or salmon sperm DNA increased the sensitivity of dot blot hybridization in detecting BHV-1, allowing detection of 20,000 TCID50/100 microL of neat semen. The inhibition of PCR amplification of BHV-1 DNA in bovine semen was eliminated by diluting the samples 1:20 in tissue culture medium. The best PCR amplification was obtained when semen was diluted 1:20 and when a reaction buffer of pH 9.0, with 1.0 mM MgCl2 was used. Under these conditions, the PCR followed by ethidium bromide staining of agarose gels could detect 1 TCID20/100 microL of sample, whereas PCR followed by Southern blot hybridization could detect 0.01 TCID50/100 microL of sample. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Refinement of 2q and 7p loci in a large multiplex NTD family.

BACKGROUND NTDs are considered complex disorders that arise from an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. NTD family 8776 is a large multigenerational Caucasian family that provides a unique resource for the genetic analysis of NTDs. Previous linkage analysis using a genome-wide SNP screen in family 8776 with multipoint nonparametric mapping methods identified maximum LOD* scores of approximately 3.0 mapping to 2q33.1-q35 and 7p21.1-pter. METHODS We ascertained an additional nuclear branch of 8776 and conducted additional linkage analysis, fine mapping, and haplotyping. Expression data from lymphoblast cell lines were used to prioritize candidate genes within the minimum candidate intervals. Genomic copy number changes were evaluated using BAC tiling arrays and subtelomeric fluorescent in situ hybridization probes. RESULTS Increased evidence for linkage was observed with LOD* scores of approximately 3.3 for both regions. Haplotype analyses narrowed the minimum candidate intervals to a 20.3 Mb region in 2q33.1-q35 between markers rs1050347 and D2S434, and an 8.3 Mb region in 7p21.1-21.3 between a novel marker 7M0547 and rs28177. Within these candidate regions, 16 genes were screened for mutations; however, no obvious causative NTD mutation was identified. Evaluation of chromosomal aberrations using comparative genomic hybridization arrays, subtelomeric fluorescent in situ hybridization, and copy number variant detection techniques within the 2q and 7p regions did not detect any chromosomal abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS This large NTD family has identified two genomic regions that may harbor NTD susceptibility genes. Ascertainment of another branch of family 8776 and additional fine mapping permitted a 9.1 Mb reduction of the NTD candidate interval on chromosome 7 and 37.3 Mb on chromosome 2 from previously published data. Identification of one or more NTD susceptibility genes in this family could provide insight into genes that may affect other NTD families.
Pythagorean Fuzzy Choquet Integral Based MABAC Method for Multiple Attribute Group Decision Making

In this paper, we define the Choquet integral operator for Pythagorean fuzzy aggregation operators, such as Pythagorean fuzzy Choquet integral average (PFCIA) operator and Pythagorean fuzzy Choquet integral geometric (PFCIG) operator. The operators not only consider the importance of the elements or their ordered positions but also can reflect the correlations among the elements or their ordered positions. It is worth pointing out that most of the existing Pythagorean fuzzy aggregation operators are special cases of our operators. Meanwhile, some basic properties are discussed in detail. Later, we propose two approaches to multiple attribute group decision making with attributes involving dependent and independent by the PFCIA operator and multi‐attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) in Pythagorean fuzzy environment. Finally, two illustrative examples have also been taken in the present study to verify the developed approaches and to demonstrate their practicality and effectiveness.
Self-Efficacy, Perceived Preparedness, and Psychological Distress in Women Completing Primary Treatment for Breast Cancer

The present analyses were conducted to examine demographic and clinical variables associated with mood and health-related distress in a sample of 440 women completing primary treatment for early-stage breast cancer. The authors’ aim was to test the hypothesis that higher levels of self-efficacy and perceived preparedness for the end of treatment—the reentry phase—are associated with better mood and lower health-related distress in this sample. Women who had received chemotherapy and who were younger (<50 years) had significantly higher mood disturbance and health-related distress scores. Younger age, preparedness, and self-efficacy predicted 36% of the variance in mood disturbance scores. Self-efficacy and age predicted 26% of the variance in health-related distress. Although further research is needed, our findings suggest that self-efficacy and perceived preparedness represent important constructs to target in the development of interventions for women at the reentry transition.
Changes in stress and coping from a randomized controlled trial of a three-month stress management intervention.

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether a group-based stress management intervention, based on principles from cognitive behaviour therapy, can reduce stress and alter coping strategies in an occupationally diverse population with extensive symptoms of work-related stress. METHODS Using a randomized wait list control design, 102 participants were divided into two groups: intervention and wait list control (WLC). The intervention was a three-month group-based stress management program. Outcomes measures were the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10, range 0-40 points) and five dimensions from the Brief COPE questionnaire (range 2-8 points) at baseline and three-, six- and nine-months follow-up. Data were analyzed with a univariate analysis of variance. RESULTS On the PSS-10 from baseline to three months, the intervention group changed -6.45 (95% CI -8.25--4.64) points, compared to -1.12 (95% CI -2.94-0.70) points in the WLC group. The between-groups difference was -5.32 (95% CI -7.89--2.76) points, equalling a standardized mean difference of -0.84 (95% CI -1.27--0.42) favouring the intervention. One coping dimension, positive reframing, differed between the two groups. Here the intervention group changed -0.86 (95% CI -1.25--0.48) points from baseline to three months, compared to -0.18 (-0.58-0.22) points in the WLC-group. We found a between-groups difference of -0.67 (95% CI -1.24--0.11) points, equalling a standardized mean difference of -0.48 (95% CI -0.89--0.07) favouring the intervention. The gains achieved during treatment were maintained when followed up three months later. CONCLUSIONS Treatment is superior to the control condition in positively affecting perceived stress and positive reframing. When followed up, the gains achieved are maintained.
A survey on monopolar radiofrequency treatment

This questionnaire‐based study was aimed to measure the level of appreciation, awareness of the special tips, and practice patterns of monopolar radiofrequency among Korean dermatologists practicing a specific monopolar radiofrequency device (Thermage® Inc., Hayward, CA). A total of 82 surveys were analyzed to show that the majority of participants (78.8%) were highly satisfied with the outcomes of monopolar radiofrequency treatment. All respondents were aware of the Eye Tip 0.25 cm2, and the majority knew the difference between the Face tip (blue) and the Total tip (orange). Most (86.3%) agreed to the statement that 900 shots were appropriate for facial tightening in those between the ages of 35 and 65 years. 66.2% of participants reported to have perform monopolar radiofrequency to extra‐facial sites within the past year. As for the tips, the Total tip was most popular for all body sties and the Big tip was favored for the abdomen, thighs and buttock. We hope our data allow dermatologists to better utilize monopolar radiofrequency.
On the Use of Hidden Markov Modeling and Time-frequency Features for Damage Classification in Composite Structures

A novel approach based on hidden Markov models (HMMs) is proposed for damage classification in composite structures. Time-frequency damage features are first extracted from the measured signals using the matching pursuit decomposition algorithm. The features are then incorporated as observation sequences to be modeled statistically by the HMMs. Once built, the HMMs are integrated very efficiently into a Bayesian framework for the classification of structural damage. Both discrete and continuous observation density HMMs are considered; continuous HMMs are shown to yield better accuracy, but at the cost of added computational complexity. A decision fusion procedure is employed to combine the local classification results at each sensor, significantly enhancing the overall classification performance. The utility of the proposed technique is demonstrated by its application to the classification of delamination damage, impact damage, and progressive tensile damage in laminated composites.
Heparin co‐factor II enhances cell motility and promotes metastasis in non‐small cell lung cancer

Using the Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) database from the Cancer Genome Anatomy Project, we identified heparin co‐factor II (HCII), which is over‐expressed in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we investigated the clinical significance of HCII and provided molecular evidence to support the suggestion that HCII could enhance cancer metastasis in NSCLC. We found that high HCII expression in tumour tissue was associated with increased cancer recurrence and shorter overall survival times in 75 clinically operable NSCLC patients. High pretreatment plasma concentration of HCII was associated with reduced overall survival in 57 consecutive NSCLC patients. We over‐expressed and knocked down HCII expression in lung cancer cell lines and confirmed that HCII could promote cell motility, invasion ability and filopodium dynamics in NSCLC cells in vitro and increased metastatic colonization in an in vivo mouse model. Exogenous treatment of HCII promoted cancer cell migration, and this promigratory effect of HCII was independent of thrombin. We further showed that HCII could up‐regulate cancer cell migration through the activation of PI3K, which acts upstream of Rac1 and Cdc42, and this effect could be blocked by heparin. We suggest that HCII is a novel metastasis enhancer and may be used as a prognostic predictor for heparin treatment in NSCLC. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Saving Gradient and Negative Curvature Computations: Finding Local Minima More Efficiently

We propose a family of nonconvex optimization algorithms that are able to save gradient and negative curvature computations to a large extent, and are guaranteed to find an approximate local minimum with improved runtime complexity. At the core of our algorithms is the division of the entire domain of the objective function into small and large gradient regions: our algorithms only perform gradient descent based procedure in the large gradient region, and only perform negative curvature descent in the small gradient region. Our novel analysis shows that the proposed algorithms can escape the small gradient region in only one negative curvature descent step whenever they enter it, and thus they only need to perform at most $N_{\epsilon}$ negative curvature direction computations, where $N_{\epsilon}$ is the number of times the algorithms enter small gradient regions. For both deterministic and stochastic settings, we show that the proposed algorithms can potentially beat the state-of-the-art local minima finding algorithms. For the finite-sum setting, our algorithm can also outperform the best algorithm in a certain regime.