Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The p38-MSK1 Signaling Cascade Influences Cytokine Production through CREB and C/EBP Factors in Human Neutrophils

Neutrophils influence innate and adaptative immunity by generating numerous cytokines and chemokines whose regulation largely depends on transcriptional activators such as NF-κB and C/EBP factors. In this study, we describe the critical involvement of CREB transcription factors (CREB1 and activating transcription factor-1) in this functional response as well as relevant upstream signaling components. Neutrophil stimulation with LPS or TNF led to the phosphorylation, DNA binding activity, and chemokine promoter association of CREB1 and activating transcription factor-1. These responses occurred downstream of the p38-MSK1 signaling axis, as did the phosphorylation and promoter association of another bZIP factor, C/EBPβ. Conversely, inhibition of RSK1 failed to alter the phosphorylation of either CREB1 or C/EBPβ in neutrophils. From a more functional standpoint, the inhibition of p38 MAPK or MSK1 interfered with cytokine generation in neutrophils. Likewise, overexpression of a dominant-negative CREB1 mutant (K-CREB) or of a point mutant (S133A) resulted in a decreased ability of human neutrophil-like PLB-985 cells to generate inflammatory cytokines (CXCL8, CCL3, CCL4, and TNF-α). Collectively, our data show the involvement of CREB1 in neutrophil cytokine production, the key role of its S133 residue, important upstream signaling events, and the parallel activation of another bZIP factor. These are all potential molecular targets that could be exploited in the context of several chronic inflammatory diseases that prominently feature neutrophils and their products.
Spatial Clustering of the Curlin Secretion Lipoprotein Requires Curli Fiber Assembly

ABSTRACT Gram-negative bacteria assemble functional amyloid surface fibers called curli. CsgB nucleates the major curli subunit protein, CsgA, into a self-propagating amyloid fiber on the cell surface. The CsgG lipoprotein is sufficient for curlin transport across the outer membrane and is hypothesized to be the central molecule of the curli fiber secretion and assembly complex. We tested the hypothesis that the curli secretion protein, CsgG, was restricted to certain areas of the cell to promote the interaction of CsgA and CsgB during curli assembly. Here, electron microscopic analysis of curli-producing strains showed that relatively few cells in the population contacted curli fibers and that curli emanated from spatially discrete points on the cell surface. Microscopic analysis revealed that CsgG was surface exposed and spatially clustered around curli fibers. CsgG localization to the outer membrane and exposure of the surface domain were not dependent on any other csg-encoded protein, but the clustering of CsgG required the csg-encoded proteins CsgE, CsgF, CsgA, and CsgB. CsgG formed stable oligomers in all the csg mutant strains, but these oligomers were distinct from the CsgG complexes assembled in wild-type cells. Finally, we found that efficient fiber assembly was required for the spatial clustering of CsgG. These results suggest a new model where curli fiber formation is spatially coordinated with the CsgG assembly apparatus.
The MOY framework for collaborative play design in integrated shared and private interactive spaces

A novel Mine-Ours-Yours (MOY) interaction design framework is proposed for designing collaborative play activities in environments that combine both private and shared interactive spaces. A collaborative game designed on a system that integrates multiple mobile devices with an interactive tabletop was presented to demonstrate the implementation of the proposed MOY framework. Observations from field trials involving two groups of children were used to summarize the collaborative behaviors that are likely to be observed under the different interaction design configurations.
Pathway to psychiatric care in Bali

Abstract The aim of the present study was to trace the help‐seeking pathway of mental patients and to elucidate the role of traditional healing in Bali. The source of care before attending Bangli Mental Hospital (Bali) of 54 consecutive patients with no prior psychiatric treatment was investigated. Subjects who had sought help from traditional healers were asked to evaluate treatment effect retrospectively according to a 5‐point scale. The pathway to psychiatric care was dominated by traditional healers. Of the patients, 47 (87.0%) consulted a healer (mean number 2.9) before visiting the mental hospital. Consultation with the healers was associated with treatment delay. However, of the 137 traditional healers on the pathway, 11 (8.0%) recommended that the subjects to go to a mental hospital, and all 11 subjects immediately followed the advice. Of the 47 subjects, 14 (29.8%) evaluated the treatment effect as much improved by at least one traditional healer on the pathway, although they ultimately attended the mental hospital. Subjects without psychotic symptoms tended to evaluate the treatment effect as much improved more often than psychotic subjects. Traditional healers function not only as a barrier to reaching psychiatric care, but as either an effective provider of care or a decision‐making support for seeking help from psychiatric care for some mental patients in Bali. The knowledge and recognition of psychological disorders by the traditional healers are crucial for early treatment intervention for psychiatric patients.
Multivariate analysis of risk factors in stage 4 neuroblastoma patients over the age of one year treated with megatherapy and stem-cell transplantation: a report from the European Bone Marrow Transplantation Solid Tumor Registry.

PURPOSE The European Bone Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Solid Tumor Registry (STR) contains detailed information on children with advanced neuroblastoma who, after standard-dose induction chemotherapy and surgery, received myeloablative megatherapy (MGT) followed by stem-cell transplantation (SCT). This data base was analyzed to identify factors that predict event-free survival (EFS). PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligibility criteria were stage IV neuroblastoma, age over 1 year at diagnosis, and no relapse before MGT/SCT. Between February 1978 and July 1992, 549 patients were registered by 36 European transplant centers. The median age at diagnosis was 36 months (range, 13 to 216 months) and the male-female ratio was 1:45. Before MGT, 157 patients were in complete remission (CR), 156 in very good partial remission (VGPR), and 208 in partial remission (PR), whereas 24 had had only a minor response (MR). One hundred ten of 546 patients had undergone two successive MGT procedures. The median observation time was 60 months (range, 12 to 187 months). RESULTS Actuarial EFS is 26% at 5 years. Multivariate analysis by the Cox proportional hazards regression model included 529 patients with complete data sets. After adjustment for treatment duration before MGT and double MGT procedures, two adverse, independent risk factors that influenced EFS were identified: (1) persisting skeletal lesions before MGT as defined by technetium (99TC) scans and/or meta-iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) scans (P = .004) and (2) persisting bone marrow involvement before MGT (P = .03). CONCLUSION After induction treatment, persisting skeletal disease as defined above and persisting bone marrow involvement may be predictive of a particularly poor outcome. Physicians may consider this an additional important tool to decide the patient's management.
Biosynthetic control of the natural abundance of carbon 13 at specific positions within fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Isotopic fractionation in lipid synthesis as evidence for peroxisomal regulation.

Measurements of the natural abundance of 13C at C-1, C-9, and C-10 in fatty acids synthesized by Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown aerobically at 30 degrees C show that alkyl chain positions derived from the carboxyl group of the acetate precursor must be enriched in 13C by 2.5 +/- 0.6 parts per thousand while those derived from the methyl group in acetate must be depleted in 13C by an equal amount. Selective depletions of 13C observed at the C-9 and C-10 positions of palmitoleate and oleate require that (i) the carbon kinetic isotope effect associated with the action of desaturase at C-9 must be between 1.2 and 1.6% in vivo, (ii) at C-10 the effect must be between 0.9 and 1.3%, and (iii) less than 20% of the C18 carbon skeletons synthesized are preserved within the cell, the remainder apparently being degraded. It is shown that the novo synthesis (i.e. by fatty acid synthetase) is responsible for the production of more than 95% of the supply of 18-carbon acyl groups, the remainder being provided by all other elongation pathways. In an ancillary study designed to test the accuracy and generality of these results, it was observed that still larger specific depletions occurred at olefinic carbon position in fatty acids from soybeans, thus suggesting that the degradation of substantial quantities of C18 carbon skeletons may be a widespread feature of fatty acid metabolism in eukaryotes. It is suggested that the required degradation is associated with the action of peroxisomes.
Racial Disparities in Foreclosures and Wealth Building in Southern California

The opportunity to own a home in a decent neighborhood is a basic part of the American dream and has been a fundamental goal of housing policy for the last 80 years. Yet there are deep and persisting racial differences in the realization of this dream which have been intensified by the Great Recession. This dissertation attempts to explain the origins of this disparity, its strong connection to the home finance system, and its contemporary function in the alarming increase in the already massive racial wealth accumulation gap found in the United States. This study is guided by the following research questions: How have foreclosures impacted minority borrowers? How have foreclosures impacted mortgage lending for minority borrowers since the housing market crash? And what is the estimated wealth loss for minority families after foreclosure? An analysis of race on foreclosures and loan application outcomes in six Southern California counties for a period of 8 years between 2006 and 2013 was conducted. A negative binomial regression of proprietary foreclosure data indicates that foreclosures increase with increases in the population of Blacks or Latinos in a census tract. This effect decreases with the addition of demographic variables commonly associated with loan performance—however, those demographic variables are correlated with race. A mixed Poisson model using data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act indicates that even as the number of loan applications drops substantially over time, the proportional disadvantage in prime loan denial and subprime loan origination rates faced by Blacks and Latinos remains fairly consistent. A simple mathematical model estimated that in aggregate, both Black and Latino homeowners lost twice as much wealth held in home value as did Whites and Asians. While many reasons for this phenomenon are possible, Critical Race Theory suggests that these disparities are the result of systemic bias deeply rooted in historical advantages enjoyed by White families in this country.
The use of Twitter to promote e-participation: connecting government and people

Twitter, the fastest growing social media tool, with its millions of users and being freely available and accessible, has become suitable for public organisations to communicate with stakeholders. Saudi Arabia has the largest percentage of online users using Twitter in the world. This paper discusses how Saudi municipalities use Twitter to communicate with citizens, by analysing tweeting patterns, tweet types, tweet content, follower reactions, and other statistics, in around 12,000 tweets, which account for all tweets sent out from the ten main municipalities. Results show that municipalities send out nine different types of tweets, with project information and calls for action tweets causing the most user reactions. Although, these types are seldom used despite their importance in improving citizen participation. Other detailed statistics and correlations are discussed in the paper and recommendations on how to maximise benefits of Twitter as a successful e-participation tool are explained.
Indoor Frame Recovery from Refined Line Segments

An important yet challenging problem in understanding indoor scene is recovering indoor frame structure from a monocular image. It is more difficult when occlusions and illumination vary, and object boundaries are weak. To overcome these difficulties, a new approach based on line segment refinement with two constraints is proposed. First, the line segments are refined by four consecutive operations, i.e., reclassifying, connecting, fitting, and voting. Specifically, misclassified line segments are revised by the reclassifying operation, some short line segments are joined by the connecting operation, the undetected key line segments are recovered by the fitting operation with the help of the vanishing points, the line segments converging on the frame are selected by the voting operation. Second, we construct four frame models according to four classes of possible shooting angles of the monocular image, the natures of all frame models are introduced via enforcing the cross ratio and depth constraints. The indoor frame is then constructed by fitting those refined line segments with related frame model under the two constraints, which jointly advance the accuracy of the frame. Experimental results on a collection of over 300 indoor images indicate that our algorithm has the capability of recovering the frame from complex indoor scenes.
RNA1 Encodes a GTPase-activating Protein Specific for Gsp1p, the Ran/TC4 Homologue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae(*)

Ran/TC4 is a ras-related GTP-binding protein predominantly located in the nucleus. Ran/TC4 is essential for nuclear transport and is involved in mitotic control. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae a gene highly homologous to Ran/TC4 has been identified and named GSP1. Like all ras-related GTP-binding proteins, Gsp1p undergoes cycles of GTP hydrolysis and GDP/GTP exchange. The switching between the two different nucleotide bound states regulates the function of these GTP-binding proteins. Here we identify the product of the yeast RNA1 gene as the GTPase-activating protein (GAP) of Gsp1p. RNA1 belongs to a group of genes which are conserved in a variety of different organisms. We have expressed and purified recombinant Gsp1p and Rna1p from Escherichia coli. The GTPase activity of Gsp1p is stimulated 107-fold by Rna1p. In addition, we find that the previously identified human RanGAP1 and rna1p from Schizosaccharomyces pombe are also able to induce GTPase activity of Gsp1p. The GTP hydrolysis of Ran is induced by RanGAP1 and rna1p but not by Rna1p. Implications for the suggested functions of Ran/TC4/Gsp1p in nuclear transport and mitotic control are discussed.
Tc‐99m HMPAO Brain Perfusion SPECT in Acute Aphasia Correlation With Clinical and Structural Findings

Tc-99m hexamethylpropylene amineoxime (HMPAO) brain perfusion SPECT was correlated with CT, MRI, and clinical findings in 17 patients with acute and subacute aphasia to determine its diagnostic potential in the early phases of stroke-associated language dysfunction. SPECT was performed using a dedicated brain imaging system after intravenous injection of 20 mCI (740 MBq) of Tc-99m HMPAO. Transaxial and three-dimensional surface rendered images were evaluated visually, and perfusion defects were correlated with CT, MRI, and a standard battery of clinical tests for aphasia. Clinical examination was insufficient for anatomic localization of aphasia in more than 40% of patients. CT exams were normal in 5 patients, although SPECT demonstrated perfusion defects in all 17. Nonfluent aphasia was present in only 6 of 10 patients with perfusion defects in Broca's area and fluent aphasia was present in only 5 of 10 patients with lesions in Wernicke's area. Auditory comprehension defect was associated with perfusion defects in the inferior parietal region in 9 of 12 patients (P = 0.05); reading and writing abnormalities were associated with perfusion defects in the posterior frontal, superior and inferior parietal cortex, and superior temporal gyri, and repetition deficit was associated with defects involving the inferior parietal cortex, the supramarginal and angular gyri, and the ipsilateral thalamus in 8 of 11 patients (P < 0.05). Brain perfusion SPECT should be included in the initial evaluation of aphasic patients, because clinical tests of aphasia and morphological imaging have limited value for accurately determining the extent and location of functional deficits.
The House of Worth: Portrait of an Archive

The House of Worth: Portrait of an Archive stands as a challenge to the ways we research, write and teach fashion and visual cultural histories. This landmark book invites a wide readership. A work of such magnitude calls for an extended response. Following the framework of chapters set out in this large format, visually appealing book, I consider how, in using the archive images as the basis for their focused case studies, the authors build a detailed portrait of couture garments and clients of the House of Worth. The opening and closing chapters importantly serve to set the House of Worth in 98 years of national and international history. At times, using different research material, I press for extending the frames of reference, risking alternative readings that serve to expand the debates in this text, in Worth studies and in fashion and photographic histories. Finally, I offer a detailed analysis of the 18 archive images included in the book, but not commented on by the authors, of the House of Worth at work in 1927 that forms a necessary compliment to the images of couture garments so carefully scrutinized and evaluated by the authors, serving to extend our understandings of some aspects the politics of haute couture labour. This landmark text stands as a valuable reminder that couture and fashionable dress histories are fluid, unstable, ongoing and full of surprises. Key Words: Fashion: status, function. Atelier Flou and Tailleur. Couture Fabrics – Sources, Patterns. Ready Mades. Couture Labour and Photography. Fancy Dress. Royal Mistresses. British Empire, India. Paris World Fairs. Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.
*** DRAFT: COMMENTS WELCOME*** Removal Roulette: Does Place Matter for Predicting Deportation Rates under Secure Communities?

As deportations from the U.S. have risen, county jails have become a key stage where authorities address immigration challenges. In recent years, local entities have undertaken unprecedented action to address such challenges, including controversial steps to investigate immigrants’ legal status. Do state and local immigration initiatives predict immigration enforcement outcomes? Federal authorities outlined enforcement priorities through Secure Communities, a data-sharing program designed to identify removable immigrants. This paper uses county-level data and multivariate analyses to examine factors related to deportation outcomes. Although regional context explains some variation in enforcement indicators, other factors also matter. Places with especially beleaguered economies, extensive jail personnel, and high drug crime rates report higher deportation rates. Unlike policies designed to provide relief from deportation, partisanship and restrictive immigration experiments also predict deportation rates. Predictors of deportation rates appear to operate before the booking stage. In sum, Secure Communities operates in jurisdictions with divergent local contexts.
A compact wideband quad-element planar antenna for WiMAX MIMO Application

In this paper, a compact wideband quad-element planar antenna for WiMAX MIMO Application is proposed. It is printed on a square shape FR-4 based substrate whose dimension is only 45mm×45mm (0.37λ ×0.37λ). The -10dB matching bandwidth reaches 390MHz (2300MHz-2690MHz), which covers both the 2.3GHz (2305MHz-2360MHz) and 2.5GHz (2500MHz-2690MHz) WiMAX bands. The mutual coupling level throughout the band is lower than -10dB between the adjacent elements (S12, S14) and is below -15dB as for the opposite element (S13). Moreover, four rotationally-symmetric directional patterns are acquired with the interval of 90°, which can provide high space diversity along with full range coverage. It is very suited to WiMAX MIMO system, which can be implemented in a size limited application.
Correlates of simulated hill climb cycling performance

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between several commonly used aerobic and anaerobic cycle ergometer tests and performance during a treadmill cycling hill climb. Eight competitive cyclists (age 27 +/- 7 years; body mass 73.2 +/- 5.2 kg; height 177 +/- 6 cm; mean +/- s) completed six tests in random order: a lactate minimum test; a Wingate anaerobic power test; and two 6-km climbs at 6% and two 1-km climbs at 12% gradient performed on a motorized treadmill. The mean times and power outputs for the 6-km and 1-km climbs were 16:30 +/- 1:08 min:s and 330 +/- 17.8 W, and 4:19 +/- 0:27 min:s and 411 +/- 24.4 W, respectively. The best individual predictor of 6-km and 1-km performance times was the time for the corresponding climb at the other distance (r = 0.97). The next strongest predictor of both hill climb performances was the average power produced during the Wingate test divided by body mass. Stepwise regression analysis showed that the two variables contributing most to the prediction equation for both climbs were the Wingate average power per unit of body mass and maximal aerobic power divided by total mass (rider + bike), which together accounted for 92 and 96% of the variability in the 6-km and 1-km climbs. In conclusion, among competitive cyclists, the Wingate average power per unit of body mass was the best single predictor of simulated cycling hill climb performance at the distance and gradient used.
Opportunistic Space-Division Multiple Access With Beam Selection

In this paper, a novel transmission technique for the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) broadcast channel is proposed that allows simultaneous transmission to multiple users under a limited feedback requirement. During a training phase, the base station modulates a training sequence on multiple sets of randomly generated orthogonal beamforming vectors. Then, based on the users' feedback, the base station opportunistically selects the users and corresponding orthogonal vectors that maximize the sum capacity. From theoretical analysis, the optimal amount of training to maximize the sum capacity is derived as a function of the system parameters. The main advantage of the proposed system is that it provides throughput gains for the MIMO broadcast channel with a small feedback overhead, and provides these gains even with a small number of active users. Numerical simulations show that a 20% gain in sum capacity is achieved (for a small number of users) over conventional opportunistic space division multiple access, and a 100% gain (for a large number of users) over conventional opportunistic beamforming. I. INTRODUCTION Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology can in- crease throughput in cellular systems by exploiting the spatial dimensions of the MIMO broadcast channel (MIMO-BC) to support transmissions to multiple users. The theoretical sum capacity achievable over the MIMO-BC has been recently
The Multifractal Analysis on Stock Market Returns in China

This paper researches multifractality of Shanghai synthesis index returns and Shenzhen composition index returns by use of MF-DFA. The results show both Shanghai synthesis index returns and Shenzhen composition index returns have multifractality, present long-rang correlation and fat trail distribution; Shenzhen composition index returns has stronger correlation than Shanghai synthesis index, thus the fluctuation of Shanghai synthesis index is bigger than that of Shenzhen composition index returns.