Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single-molecule tracking of small GTPase Rac1 uncovers spatial regulation of membrane translocation and mechanism for polarized signaling

Significance Rac1 activation involves two steps: translocation to plasma membrane and nucleotide exchange. Most previous studies focused on the nucleotide exchange cycle. Here we sought to understand membrane translocation dynamics by developing a single-particle tracking-based method. The labeled Rac1 molecules were further adapted for simultaneous FRET sensing of Rac1 nucleotide state, enabling a simultaneous comparison between Rac1 translocation dynamics and its nucleotide exchange dynamics. Elevated membrane recruitment can contribute significantly to polarized Rac1-signaling. This finding draws attention to the importance of spatial regulation of the Rac1 translocation process in the regulation of RhoGTPase signaling. Rac1 recruitment to membrane precedes its interaction with protein factors (e.g., GEFs) and is governed by phospholipid distributions. This finding resolves a long-standing question of the mechanism of Rac1 activation. Polarized Rac1 signaling is a hallmark of many cellular functions, including cell adhesion, motility, and cell division. The two steps of Rac1 activation are its translocation to the plasma membrane and the exchange of nucleotide from GDP to GTP. It is, however, unclear whether these two processes are regulated independent of each other and what their respective roles are in polarization of Rac1 signaling. We designed a single-particle tracking (SPT) method to quantitatively analyze the kinetics of Rac1 membrane translocation in living cells. We found that the rate of Rac1 translocation was significantly elevated in protrusions during cell spreading on collagen. Furthermore, combining FRET sensor imaging with SPT measurements in the same cell, the recruitment of Rac1 was found to be polarized to an extent similar to that of the nucleotide exchange process. Statistical analysis of single-molecule trajectories and optogenetic manipulation of membrane lipids revealed that Rac1 membrane translocation precedes nucleotide exchange, and is governed primarily by interactions with phospholipids, particularly PI(3,4,5)P3, instead of protein factors. Overall, the study highlights the significance of membrane translocation in spatial Rac1 signaling, which is in addition to the traditional view focusing primarily on GEF distribution and exchange reaction.
TiO2 Photocatalysis for Indoor Air Applications: Effects of Humidity and Trace Contaminant Levels on the Oxidation Rates of Formaldehyde, Toluene, and 1,3-Butadiene.

Persistent indoor air contaminants, those originating from emissions by interior furnishings, occupants, and materials of construction, typically exist in concentrations below 100 parts per billion (ppb) on an individual basis. The total of distinct contaminants may number in the hundreds with an equivalent accumulated concentration of one part per million. This study investigated the effects of humidity and trace (sub-ppmv) contaminant levels on the oxidation rates of formaldehyde, toluene, and 1,3-butadiene. The evaluation also included variations in UV intensity and flow residence time. UV intensities from inexpensive mercury fluorescent lamps, those which are expected to be employed in a practical photocatalytic purifier, are in the mW/cm 2 range. For this reason, the study included UV intensities in that range. The reactor element used in the study was a low pressure drop alumina reticulate, wash-coated with Degussa P25 titania. The data indicated that the reaction was first-order for the three reactants at the subppmv level. An important finding was that competitive adsorption between water and trace (sub-ppmv) contaminants has a significant effect on the oxidation rate. The dependencies of humidity and contaminant concentrations on the oxidation rates are explained as being the results of competitive adsorption on available hydroxyl adsorption sites and of changes in hydroxyl radical population levels
Credit Enhancement and Loan Default Risk Premiums

Using contingent claims analysis, we study the impact of private guarantees on the default risk premiums or credit spreads of discount loans. Specifically, we analyze the reduction of the default risk premium on a new junior loan by obtaining the numerical estimates under a stochastic interest rate. We demonstrate how the value of credit enhancement relates to the profitability and size of the new junior loan, as well as the leverage, asset risk, and debt seniority of the borrowing firm and the private insurer: The main results show that (a) for the new junior loan, although the benefits of financial insurance are substantial with an AAA-rated private insurer; in general, default risk premiums can only be reduced to a minute amount; and (b) even with complete insurance coverage from an MA-rated private insurer; loan issues command default risk premiums that reflect not only the intrinsic values and risks of the insured and the insured but also their covariance.
Assessing and changing career decision-making self-efficacy expectations

ConclusionEvidence that a significant percentage of career decision-makers may be helped only partially by traditional information-oriented approaches suggests that career counselors pay increased attention to the personal-emotional barriers which deter many individuals from making and enacting sound career plans. Self-efficacy theory seems to be especially promising as a guide for changing negative expectations, as it offers the counselor a set of specific strategies for assessing low expectations and for treating them. Social-cognitive theory provides a firm research-based framework from which the counselor can encourage clients to gather new efficacy information. Using the basic social-cognitive strategies, counseling can proceed to facilitate the changing of clients' cognitive schemata, by means of the counselor's encouraging clients to consider new evidence and to try further tests of old beliefs. Counselors are encouraged to continue to explore methods for assessing and treating low career decision-making self-efficacy expectations. A self-efficacy-based approach lends itself to the requirement for focused, short-term intervention which is typical of many settings in which career counseling is practiced, while it also ensures that important personal-emotional issues in career decision-making are addressed.
Astrometric observations of Nereid in 2006-2007

In this paper, we present 112 new CCD astrometric positions of Nereid, the second and faint satellite of Neptune (mv � 19). We observed this small satellite in the 2006–2007 period with the 1 and 2.16-m telescopes of Xinglong Station near Beijing, both equipped with large CCD detectors of 1340 × 1300 and 2080 × 2048 pixels, respectively. The high density and highly accurate star catalogue UCAC2 was used in the reduction so that a classical astrometric calibration method was applied. We have shown that our observations of Nereid appear to be of equal or higher precision (σ � 0.2 arcsec) than most of the recent CCD ones.
The Application Of The Excellence Model To Enhance Health Service Delivery And Performance Excellence In A State Department

This article examines the appropriateness of applying the South African Excellence Model for public service performance excellence in developing a strategy to enhance health service delivery and performance excellence in a state department. The results achieved by the application of the South African Excellence ModeI for Public Service Performance Excellence Self-assessment Questionnaire provide potential benefits for the state department to enhance health service delivery and performance excellence. The Excellence Model identifies the department’s strengths and areas for improvement based upon well-established internationally accepted the retical frameworks and recognised criteria for performance excellence. From this study it is inferred that determining health service performance excellence continues to be a challenge in the department. Opsomming Hierdie artikel ondersoek die geskiktheid van die toepassing van die Suid-Afrikaanse uitnemendheidsmodel vir openbare sektor prestasieuitnemendheid as die ontwikkeling van ‘n strategie vir die bevordering van gesondheidsdienslewering en prestasieuitnemendheid in ‘n staatsdepartment. Die resultate behaal met die toepassing van die Suid-Afrikaanse uitnemendheidsmodel vir openbare sektor prestasieuitnemendheidselfbeoordelingsvraelys bied potensiele voordeel vir die staatsdepartement om gesondheidsdienslewering en prestasieuitnemendheid te bevorder. Die uitnemendheidsmodel identifiseer die department se sterkpunte en ontwikkelingsareas gebaseer op internasionaal-gevestigde, teoretiese raamwerke en erkende kriteria vir prestasieuitnemendheid. Van hierdie studie kan dit afgelei word dat gesondheidsdiensprestasieuitnemendheid steeds ‘n uitdaging in die departement bly.gevolg deur ’n iteratiewe itemontleding. Die voorlopige bevindinge dui daarop dat die vraelys toegepas kan word vir die beoordeling van ’n klientintimiteitskultuur.
Real-time dynamic monochromatic ocular wavefront aberrations during accommodation: Preliminary results

It has been well known that wavefront aberrations of the eye are dynamic, changing continuously over time due to factors like accommodation, blinking, pupil size, tear film stability, etc. The goal of this work is to describe the developed methodologies for computing these dynamic aberrations. In this study, we present some preliminary results of real time measurement of monochromatic ocular aberrations during accommodative changes measured experimentally using a wavefront sensor.
A Review of the Combination of Experimental Measurements and Fibril-Reinforced Modeling for Investigation of Articular Cartilage and Chondrocyte Response to Loading

The function of articular cartilage depends on its structure and composition, sensitively impaired in disease (e.g. osteoarthritis, OA). Responses of chondrocytes to tissue loading are modulated by the structure. Altered cell responses as an effect of OA may regulate cartilage mechanotransduction and cell biosynthesis. To be able to evaluate cell responses and factors affecting the onset and progression of OA, local tissue and cell stresses and strains in cartilage need to be characterized. This is extremely challenging with the presently available experimental techniques and therefore computational modeling is required. Modern models of articular cartilage are inhomogeneous and anisotropic, and they include many aspects of the real tissue structure and composition. In this paper, we provide an overview of the computational applications that have been developed for modeling the mechanics of articular cartilage at the tissue and cellular level. We concentrate on the use of fibril-reinforced models of cartilage. Furthermore, we introduce practical considerations for modeling applications, including also experimental tests that can be combined with the modeling approach. At the end, we discuss the prospects for patient-specific models when aiming to use finite element modeling analysis and evaluation of articular cartilage function, cellular responses, failure points, OA progression, and rehabilitation.
The Perception of Ingroup and Outgroup Homogeneity: Reintroducing the Intergroup Context

This chapter investigates the influence of the intergroup context on the perception of ingroup and outgroup homogeneity. Specifically, three determinants of perceived group homogeneity which originate in the intergroup context are examined: (1) the numerical relation between ingroup and outgroup; (2) the relevance of the dimensions or attributes in question for ingroup definition or social identity; (3) the socially prevailing group stereotypes. It is shown that the outgroup homogeneity effect (i.e. the tendency to perceive more outgroup than ingroup homogeneity) is by no means a universal law—rather, both outgroup and ingroup homogeneity effects are found—and that models of category representation which ignore the influence of the intergroup context are insufficient. Finally, the relations between perceived group homogeneity and three other social psychological phenomena, namely minority influence, ingroup favouritism and self-stereotyping, are briefly discussed.
Can hydroxyurea serve as a free radical scavenger and reduce iron overload in β-thalassemia patients?

Abstract In this study, we hypothesize that hydroxyurea could provide an additional benefit as a free radical scavenger and/or iron chelator in β-thalassemia patients with iron overload. Twenty-one β-thalassemia intermedia patients who presented between 3 and 17 years but later required regular blood transfusions were enrolled for hydroxyurea therapy for a year. Fourteen patients responded to the therapy with hemoglobin levels maintained above 7.5 g/dl without transfusions. Hydroxyurea was discontinued after 6 months in seven patients who did not respond to the therapy and had to be continued on regular blood transfusions. We observed a statistically significant decrease in serum ferritin levels from 4194 ± 4850 ng/ml to 2129 ± 2380 ng/ml among the responders and from 2955 ± 2909 ng/ml to 2040 ± 2432 ng/ml among the non-responders and statistically significant decrease in labile iron pool from 18678.7 ± 10067.4 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) to 14888.5 ± 5284.0 MFI among responders and from 17986.3 ± 9079.8 MFI to 15634.8 ± 8976.9 MFI among the non-responders after therapy. Phosphatidylserine externalization also showed a statistically significant decrease from 44.2 ± 22.2 MFI to 16.6 ± 6.7 MFI among the responders and from 46.9 ± 33.1 MFI to 39.8 ± 7.4 MFI among the non-responders along with a statistically significant decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species from 72.8 ± 35.5 MFI to 29.0 ± 8.3 MFI among the responders and from 80.9 ± 41.4 MFI to 40.5 ± 15.8 MFI among the non-responders after therapy. A statistically significant increase in reduced glutathione levels was also observed from 430.8 ± 201.1 MFI to 715.5 ± 292.4 MFI among the responders and from 359.6 ± 165.6 MFI to 450.3 ± 279.5 MFI among the non-responders after therapy. This suggests the possible additional role of hydroxyurea as a free radical scavenger and/or iron chelator but requires a larger study for substantiation.
Two-Component Model of Chemyon-Oriented Behaviors in Korea

Chemyon in Confucian societies has been considered as the social face having an influence on an individual’s behavior and interpersonal relationships. However, few studies have investigated its psychological structure and processes. The present study developed a Chemyon-Oriented Behaviors Scale, measuring individual differences in proclivity for doing chemyon-oriented behaviors and examined the dimensions of chemyon. Data collected from Korean undergraduate students indicate that the Chemyon-Oriented Behaviors Scale is internally consistent and valid. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrates that chemyon- oriented behaviors consist of two distinct components: constructive and defensive, and that the two components are significantly correlated. Conceptual differences between chemyon and the social face in Western culture are discussed. Cross-cultural studies of investigating a universal theory of chemyon are proposed for future study.
Who Gets the Daddy Bonus?

Using the 1979-2006 waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, we investigate how the earnings bonus for fatherhood varies by characteristics associated with hegemonic masculinity in the American workplace: heterosexual marital status, professional/managerial status, educational attainment, skill demands of jobs, and race/ethnicity. We find the earnings bonus for fatherhood persists after controlling for an array of differences, including human capital, labor supply, family structure, and wives’ employment status. Moreover, consistent with predictions from the theory of hegemonic masculinity within bureaucratic organizations, the fatherhood bonus is significantly larger for men with other markers of workplace hegemonic masculinity. Men who are white, married, in households with a traditional gender division of labor, college graduates, professional/managerial workers and whose jobs emphasize cognitive skills and deemphasize physical strength receive the largest fatherhood earnings bonuses.
Development of measurement system for analyzing the power quality

In this paper is presented an approach in development of measurement system (MS) for analyzing the power quality (PQ). The main aim of this paper is to present procedures of PQ measurements according to the strictest norms and standards and to develop a system for measuring specific indicators of PQ. The developed MS is implemented on several examples. In this paper is presented an example of implementing the MS in analyzing the loads mode of an apartment with appliances of new generation (energy-efficient appliances). In the paper is also explored the problem of implementation of universal acquisition cards for their application in analyzing PQ. The main focus of conclusions in this paper is comparison of present and future systems for monitoring the PQ.
How to anticipate the Internet's global diffusion

T racking the Internet’s global diffusion is a daunting but increasingly important task, especially for network capacity planners [8]. A 1997 report found that the Internet consists of more than 16 million registered host computers. Conceived initially as a demonstration project for the U.S. government, the Internet today aggregates traffic from a vastly wider set of constituencies. And commercial use now accounts for 58% of Internet traffic, far exceeding the network’s original purposes in research and education [2]. But consumers of Internet-related services are regularly frustrated by slow response time, inaccessible online services, and breakdowns leading to services being unavailable. These problems can follow inadequate capacity planning caused by ignorance of the Internet growth process. For example, planning for the number of hosts that can be supported has to account for the network’s potential future use. Rapid growth could lead to the saturation of address spaces for new hosts much more quickly than expected. Developing models that explain the growth process is critical for policy formulation, capacity planning, and introducing new network hardware and software. Growth projections inform providers of Internet products and services of the potential consumer base. Many other businesses, including training and educational enterprises, also need to reorient their strategic plans to account for Internet diffusion. Understanding Internet growth patterns involves assessing alternative models for the Internet diffusion process. The internal influence model is one class of models used to study the diffusion phenomenon. These models are informed by the diffusion of innovation and various economic theories and assume that nonadopters of an innovation are increasingly likely to imitate adopters over time. Empirical studies have used these models to investigate the diffusion of such communication systems as residential telephones [1], telecommunication sysHow to Anticipate the Internet’s Global Diffusion
The Changing Epidemiologic Spectrum of Single-Suture Synostoses

Purpose: Classic literature indicates an infrequency of metopic craniosynostosis (3 to 10 percent) compared to other single-suture craniosynostosis. Recent observation challenges these conceptions, warranting long-term demographic analysis. Methods: Syndromic craniofacial dysostoses and multiple suture involvement were exclusion criteria, leaving only single suture synostoses treated between 1975 and 2004. A chart review was performed and patient information recorded. Chi square analysis and Fisher's exact were used to determine differences in patient characteristics. A Moran's I statistic was used to determine differences in spatial means and whether changes in incidence of single-suture synostoses over time are a function of regional phenomena. Results: Over 800 patients presented to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with a diagnosis of single-suture synostosis. There was an outpacing of sagittal suture involvement over other sutures. Data demonstrate a decrease in unicoronal synostosis and an increase in metopic synostosis (p = 0.011). Geostatistical analysis reveals increasing separation between populations over the study period: 9.8 miles in the first 5 years to 20.8 miles in the last 5 years. Metopic maternal age increased between 1975–1989 and 1990–2004 (p = 0.002, 0.0002), while unicoronal maternal age did not. The proportion of male patients increased considerably in the metopic group compared to unicoronals from 1990–2004 (p = 0.0001), as did the proportion of syndromic metopic patients (p = 0.02). Plausible etiologies for these epidemiological shifts are discussed. Conclusions: Metopic synostosis is on the rise. Changing demographic bases and increasing proportions of syndromic patients may be clues to the etiology of this epidemiologic event.
New White Matter Brain Injury After Infant Heart Surgery Is Associated With Diagnostic Group and the Use of Circulatory Arrest

Background— Abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging scans are common both before and after surgery for congenital heart disease in early infancy. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the nature, timing, and consequences of brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging in a cohort of young infants undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease both with and without cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods and Results— A total of 153 infants undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease at <8 weeks of age underwent serial magnetic resonance imaging scans before and after surgery and at 3 months of age, as well as neurodevelopmental assessment at 2 years of age. White matter injury (WMI) was the commonest type of injury both before and after surgery. It occurred in 20% of infants before surgery and was associated with a less mature brain. New WMI after surgery was present in 44% of infants and at similar rates after surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. The most important association was diagnostic group (P<0.001). In infants having arch reconstruction, the use and duration of circulatory arrest were significantly associated with new WMI. New WMI was also associated with the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, postoperative lactate level, brain maturity, and WMI before surgery. Brain immaturity but not brain injury was associated with impaired neurodevelopment at 2 years of age. Conclusions— New WMI is common after surgery for congenital heart disease and occurs at the same rate in infants undergoing surgery with and without cardiopulmonary bypass. New WMI is associated with diagnostic group and, in infants undergoing arch surgery, the use of circulatory arrest.