Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Inylchek Glacier in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia: Insight on Surface Kinematics from Optical Remote Sensing Imagery

Abstract: Mountain chains of Central Asia host a large number of glaciated areas that provide critical water supplies to the semi-arid populated foothills and lowlands of this region. Spatio-temporal variations of glacier flows are a key indicator of the impact of climate change on water resources as the glaciers react sensitively to climate. Satellite remote sensing using optical imagery is an efficient method for studying ice-velocity fields on mountain glaciers. In this study, temporal and spatial changes in surface velocity associated with the Inylchek glacier in Kyrgyzstan are investigated. We present a detailed map for the kinematics of the Inylchek glacier obtained by cross-correlation analysis of Landsat images, acquired between 2000 and 2011, and a set of ASTER images covering the time period between 2001 and 2007. Our results indicate a high-velocity region in the elevated part of the glacier, moving up to a rate of about 0.5 m/day. Time series analysis of optical data reveals some annual variations in the mean surface velocity of the Inylchek during 2000–2011. In particular, our findings suggest an opposite trend between periods of the northward glacial flow in Proletarskyi and Zvezdochka glacier, and the rate of westward motion observed for the main stream of the Inylchek.
Cervical medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy in New Zealand.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cervical medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) performed by two practitioners trained according to rigorous guidelines. DESIGN The study was designed as a prospective, outcome study of consecutive patients with chronic neck pain treated in a community setting. INTERVENTIONS A total of 104 patients, selected on the basis of complete relief of pain following controlled, diagnostic, medial branch blocks, were treated with RFN according to the guidelines of the International Spine Intervention Society. OUTCOME MEASURES Successful outcome was defined as complete relief of pain, or at least 80% relief, for at least 6 months, with complete restoration of activities of daily living, no need for any further health care, and return to work. Patients who failed to meet any of these criteria were deemed to have failed treatment. RESULTS In the two practices, 74% and 61% of patients achieved a successful outcome. Relief lasted 17-20 months from the first RFN, and 15 months for repeat treatments. Allowing for repeat treatment, patients maintained relief for a median duration of 20-26 months, with some 60% still having relief at follow-up. CONCLUSION Cervical RFN can be very effective when performed in a rigorous manner in appropriately selected patients. Chronic neck pain, mediated by the cervical medial branches, can be temporarily, but completely, relieved and patients fully restored to desired activities of daily living, if treated with RFN.
Neogenin and RGMa Control Neural Tube Closure and Neuroepithelial Morphology by Regulating Cell Polarity

In humans, neural tube closure defects occur in 1:1000 pregnancies. The design of new strategies for the prevention of such common defects would benefit from an improved understanding of the molecular events underlying neurulation. Neural fold elevation is a key morphological process that acts during neurulation to drive neural tube closure. However, to date, the molecular pathways underpinning neural fold elevation have not been elucidated. Here, we use morpholino knock-down technology to demonstrate that Repulsive Guidance Molecule (RGMa)-Neogenin interactions are essential for effective neural fold elevation during Xenopus neurulation and that loss of these molecules results in disrupted neural tube closure. We demonstrate that Neogenin and RGMa are required for establishing the morphology of deep layer cells in the neural plate throughout neurulation. We also show that loss of Neogenin severely disrupts the microtubule network within the deep layer cells suggesting that Neogenin-dependent microtubule organization within the deep cells is essential for radial intercalation with the overlying superficial cell layer, thereby driving neural fold elevation. In addition, we show that sustained Neogenin activity is also necessary for the establishment of the apicobasally polarized pseudostratified neuroepithelium of the neural tube. Therefore, our study identifies a novel signaling pathway essential for radial intercalation and epithelialization during neural fold elevation and neural tube morphogenesis.
Molecular phylogenetics, tRNA evolution, and historical biogeography in anguid lizards and related taxonomic families.

Phylogenetic relationships among lizards of the families Anguidae, Anniellidae, Xenosauridae, and Shinisauridae are investigated using 2001 aligned bases of mitochondrial DNA sequence from the genes encoding ND1 (subunit one of NADH dehydrogenase), tRNA(Ile), tRNA(Gln), tRNA(Met), ND2, tRNA(Trp), tRNA(Ala), tRNA(Asn), tRNA(Cys), tRNA(Tyr), and COI (subunit I of cytochrome c oxidase), plus the origin for light-strand replication (O(L)) between the tRNA(Asn) and the tRNA(Cys) genes. The aligned sequences contain 1013 phylogenetically informative characters. A well-resolved phylogenetic hypothesis is obtained. Because monophyly of the family Xenosauridae (Shinisaurus and Xenosaurus) is statistically rejected, we recommend placing Shinisaurus in a separate family, the Shinisauridae. The family Anniellidae and the anguid subfamilies Gerrhonotinae and Anguinae each form monophyletic groups receiving statistical support. The Diploglossinae*, which appears monophyletic, is retained as a metataxon (denoted with an asterisk) because its monophyly is statistically neither supported nor rejected. The family Anguidae appears monophyletic in analyses of the DNA sequence data, and statistical support for its monophyly is provided by reanalysis of previously published allozymic data. Anguid lizards appear to have had a northern origin in Laurasia. Taxa currently located on Gondwanan plates arrived there by dispersal from the north in two separate events, one from the West Indies to South America and another from a Laurasian plate to Morocco. Because basal anguine lineages are located in western Eurasia and Morocco, formation of the Atlantic Ocean (late Eocene) is implicated in the separation of the Anguinae from its North American sister taxon, the Gerrhonotinae. Subsequent dispersal of anguine lizards to East Asia and North America appears to have followed the Oligocene drying of the Turgai Sea. The alternative hypothesis, that anguine lizards originated in North America and dispersed to Asia via the Bering land bridge with subsequent colonization of Europe and Morocco, requires a phylogenetic tree seven steps longer than the most parsimonious hypothesis. North African, European, and West Asian anguines were isolated from others by the rapid uplift of Tibet in the late Oligocene to Miocene. Phylogenetic analysis of evolutionary changes in the gene encoding tRNA(Cys) suggests gradual reduction of dihydrouridine (D) stems by successive deletion of bases in some lineages. This evolutionary pattern contrasts with the one observed for parallel elimination of the D-stem in mitochondrial tRNAs of eight other reptile groups, in which replication slippage produces direct repeats. An unusual, enlarged TpsiC (T) stem is inferred for tRNA(Cys) in most species.
Huntingtin toxicity in yeast model depends on polyglutamine aggregation mediated by a prion-like protein Rnq1

The cause of Huntington's disease is expansion of polyglutamine (polyQ) domain in huntingtin, which makes this protein both neurotoxic and aggregation prone. Here we developed the first yeast model, which establishes a direct link between aggregation of expanded polyQ domain and its cytotoxicity. Our data indicated that deficiencies in molecular chaperones Sis1 and Hsp104 inhibited seeding of polyQ aggregates, whereas ssa1, ssa2, and ydj1–151 mutations inhibited expansion of aggregates. The latter three mutants strongly suppressed the polyQ toxicity. Spontaneous mutants with suppressed aggregation appeared with high frequency, and in all of them the toxicity was relieved. Aggregation defects in these mutants and in sis1–85 were not complemented in the cross to the hsp104 mutant, demonstrating an unusual type of inheritance. Since Hsp104 is required for prion maintenance in yeast, this suggested a role for prions in polyQ aggregation and toxicity. We screened a set of deletions of nonessential genes coding for known prions and related proteins and found that deletion of the RNQ1 gene specifically suppressed aggregation and toxicity of polyQ. Curing of the prion form of Rnq1 from wild-type cells dramatically suppressed both aggregation and toxicity of polyQ. We concluded that aggregation of polyQ is critical for its toxicity and that Rnq1 in its prion conformation plays an essential role in polyQ aggregation leading to the toxicity.
Pertinent autonomy for residents with dementias: Modification of the physical environment to enhance independence

Autonomy and independence have recently become important issues for the elderly, but have not been applied to Alzheimer's disease patients. This project explores pertinent autonomy for the cognitively disabled by studying exit door behaviors. A specially designed environment satisfied safety and health concerns and enabled residents to have free access to the outdoors during daylight hours. Twenty two residents in early to advanced stages of the disease participated in the project. The results indicate that the number of agitated behaviors in five categories decreased under the unlocked door condition.
Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of feather pecking in laying hens in alternative systems and its associations with management and disease

A cross-sectional study of risk factors for feather pecking in layings hens in alternative systems was carried out in July 1998. A total of 637 questionnaires were sent out to farmers and producer groups and, after two reminders, the final response rate was 51.5 per cent. The outcome variable was feather pecking after point of lay. Over 55 per cent of the farmers reported that feather pecking had occurred in the last depopulated flock. This outcome was compared with the management procedures reported by flock managers by using univariate statistics. Factors associated with feather pecking with a significance ≤0.05 were then tested in two logistic regression models. In the first model the following factors were associated with an increased risk of feather pecking: less than 50 per cent of the flock using the outdoor area on a fine and sunny day, the occurrence of egg peritonitis and the occurrence of infectious bronchitis. The direction of the association between feather pecking and these infectious diseases was unclear, so in the second model only factors which were consistent throughout the laying period were tested. The following factors were associated with an increased risk of feather pecking: less than 50 per cent of the flock using the outdoor area on a fine and sunny day; three or more changes of diet during lay; the inspection of the flock by one person; an absence of loose litter at the end of lay; a temperature in the hen house of less than 20°C; turning the lights up when the flock was inspected; and the use of bell-drinkers. It is concluded that some of these factors could inhibit foraging and dust-bathing behaviour and others may increase competition or frustration, both of these changes having been shown experimentally to initiate feather pecking behaviour.
A lumped-element circuit model of ferrite chokes

An RLC model of ferrite chokes for suppressing common-mode (CM) currents is presented. The equivalent lumped-element circuit parameters are obtained from the frequency-dependent input impedance of a ferrite choke on a wire above the ground plane. This input impedance can be either measured (using vector network analyzer or impedance analyzer), or numerically modeled based on the known ferrite material properties (permittivity and permeability). An example of using both numerical modeling and measurements is provided. Results show good agreement at comparatively low frequencies (below 200 MHz). The upper frequency limit for the proposed equivalent lumped-circuit model is discussed.
Direction of Arrival Estimation Using Microphone Array Processing for Moving Humanoid Robots

The auditory system of humanoid robots has gained increased attention in recent years. This system typically acquires the surrounding sound field by means of a microphone array. Signals acquired by the array are then processed using various methods. One of the widely applied methods is direction of arrival estimation. The conventional direction of arrival estimation methods assume that the array is fixed at a given position during the estimation. However, this is not necessarily true for an array installed on a moving humanoid robot. The array motion, if not accounted for appropriately, can introduce a significant error in the estimated direction of arrival. The current paper presents a signal model that takes the motion into account. Based on this model, two processing methods are proposed. The first one compensates for the motion of the robot. The second method is applicable to periodic signals and utilizes the motion in order to enhance the performance to a level beyond that of a stationary array. Numerical simulations and an experimental study are provided, demonstrating that the motion compensation method almost eliminates the motion-related error. It is also demonstrated that by using the motion-based enhancement method it is possible to improve the direction of arrival estimation performance, as compared to that obtained when using a stationary array.
Changes in placental CRH, urocortins, and CRH-receptor mRNA expression associated with preterm delivery and chorioamnionitis.

CONTEXT The pathogenesis of preterm delivery (PTD) is not clear, although inflammation/infection play a major role. Corticotropin releasing-hormone (CRH) and Urocortins (Ucns) are involved in the pathophysiology of PTD. OBJECTIVE This study evaluates trophoblast mRNA expression of CRH, Ucn, Ucn2, Ucn3, and their receptors [CRH-type 1 receptor (CRH-R1), CRH-R2] in infective conditions. To determine whether infection or glucocorticoids contribute to change their placental mRNA expression, the effects of lipopolysaccharide or dexamethasone was evaluated. DESIGN Placentas were obtained from spontaneous PTD; premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) and pPROM with chorioamnionitis. SETTING Placental specimens were collected from women receiving perinatal care at our Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Pregnant women delivered preterm were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Because CRH and Ucns are involved in immunological functions we evaluated their involvement in PTD with or without infection. RESULTS CRH, Ucn2, and CRH-R1 mRNA expression were higher, while Ucn and CRHR-2 were lower in pPROM with chorioamnionitis than in PTD and pPROM. Ucn3 mRNA expression was lower in pPROM with and without chorioamnionitis than in PTD. The addition of lipopolysaccharide in trophoblast explants decreased Ucn, Ucn3, and CRH-R2 and increased CRH, Ucn2, and CRH-R1 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Dexamethasone increased CRH and decreased Ucn2 mRNA expression in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Our findings showed a significant impact of pPROM with chorioamnionitis on placental CRH peptides and receptors, suggesting that placental expression of stress-related pathways is activated in infective process.
Effects of osmolytes on solvent features of water in aqueous solutions

The solvatochromic solvent features of water (dipolarity/polarizability, π*, hydrogen bond donor acidity, α, and hydrogen bond acceptor basicity, β) of water have been determined in aqueous solutions of erythritol, glucose, inositol, sarcosine, xylitol and urea with concentrations from 0 to ~3 M and higher. The concentration effects of the osmolytes on the solvent features of water were characterized and compared with those reported previously for sorbitol, sucrose, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and trehalose. The solvent features of water in solutions of all osmolytes except TMAO and sarcosine were established to be linearly interrelated. It is shown that the concentration effects of essentially all nonionic osmolytes depend on osmolytes’ lipophilicity, molecular polarizability, and polar surface area. It is demonstrated that solubility of various compounds in aqueous solutions of glucose, sucrose, sorbitol, and urea of varied concentrations may be described in terms of solvent dipolarity/polarizability of water in these solutions. Surface tension of aqueous solutions of sucrose and sorbitol may also be described in the same terms. The relative permittivity of aqueous solutions of glucose and sucrose may be described in terms of the solvent hydrogen bond donor acidity of water. It is suggested that the effects of nonionic osmolytes on behavior of proteins and nucleic acids in aqueous media may be considered in terms of the altered solvent features of water instead of “nano-molecular crowding” effect.
Effective Protective Immunity to Yersinia pestis Infection Conferred by DNA Vaccine Coding for Derivatives of the F1 Capsular Antigen

ABSTRACT Three plasmids expressing derivatives of the Yersinia pestis capsular F1 antigen were evaluated for their potential as DNA vaccines. These included plasmids expressing the full-length F1, F1 devoid of its putative signal peptide (deF1), and F1 fused to the signal-bearing E3 polypeptide of Semliki Forest virus (E3/F1). Expression of these derivatives in transfected HEK293 cells revealed that deF1 is expressed in the cytosol, E3/F1 is targeted to the secretory cisternae, and the nonmodified F1 is rapidly eliminated from the cell. Intramuscular vaccination of mice with these plasmids revealed that the vector expressing deF1 was the most effective in eliciting anti-F1 antibodies. This response was not limited to specific mouse strains or to the mode of DNA administration, though gene gun-mediated vaccination was by far more effective than intramuscular needle injection. Vaccination of mice with deF1 DNA conferred protection against subcutaneous infection with the virulent Y. pestis Kimberley53 strain, even at challenge amounts as high as 4,000 50% lethal doses. Antibodies appear to play a major role in mediating this protection, as demonstrated by passive transfer of anti-deF1 DNA antiserum. Taken together, these observations indicate that a tailored genetic vaccine based on a bacterial protein can be used to confer protection against plague in mice without resorting to regimens involving the use of purified proteins.
Are Principal Background and School Processes Related to Teacher Job Satisfaction? A Multilevel Study Using Schools and Staffing Survey 2003-04

Using nationally representative samples for public school teachers and principals, the authors inquired into whether principal background and school processes are related to teacher job satisfaction. Employing hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), the authors were able to control for background characteristics at both the teacher and school levels. They found that 17% of the total variance in teacher job satisfaction is between schools, a statistically significant amount that indicates schools can make a difference in teacher job satisfaction. The authors found that school processes—particularly career and working conditions, staff collegiality, administrative support, and to a lesser extent, positive student behavior and teacher empowerment—are positively associated with teacher job satisfaction. Although two principal background variables—the experience of being a department head or an athletic coach/director—are statistically significant, the authors found the block of school process variables explains far more variance than the block of principal background variables. Based on the findings, the authors discussed issues such as the complexity of the phenomenon of teacher job satisfaction, the role of school process versus principal background, and monetary versus cultural factors.
Local Business Leveraging of a Sport Event: Managing an Event for Economic Benefit

Four studies are reported that examine the status and potentials for local businesses to leverage the Gold Coast Honda Indy. The leveraging efforts of local businesses are identified in Study 1. Most local business managers fail to recognize the event as a leveraging opportunity. Tactics used by businesses that do attempt to leverage the event are examined in Study 2. Businesses that leverage the event obtain benefits through the use of standard promotional and theming tactics. Experts’ views about leveraging the event are obtained in Study 3. The experts conclude that some coordination of local businesses' leveraging efforts would be advantageous. The views of local business leaders are solicited in Study 4. The business leaders favor leveraging but prefer that the coordination come from an existing business organization or association, rather than through government or a new bureaucracy. The studies suggest that the potentials for leveraging are largely unrealized and that some degree of inertia would n.
Novel splice variants of the voltage‐sensitive sodium channel alpha subunit

IN this study, we have identified novel splice variants of the Na+ channel α subunit mRNA from cultured rat astrocytes and neuroblastoma cells. These splice variants are characterized by premature truncation or deletion of a segment in the third domain of the Na+ channel α subunit. The expression of three splice variants was up-regulated by exposure to 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP in spinal cord astrocytes but not in cerebral astrocytes and in B50 and B104 neuroblastoma cells. The calcium ionophore 1 μM A23187, did not influence the expression of splice variants in either astrocytes or neuroblastoma cells. These findings suggest that spinal cord astrocytes may maintain a unique regulatory pathway that participates in the control of Na+ channel mRNA expression.
Algebraic approach to sensitivity analysis in optimal feedback control system design

This paper is concerned with the sensitivity analysis of optimal feedback control system design with respect to design parameters that may be determined based on various requirements other than control. Once such parameters are fixed, there are established computational tools to accomplish optimal control design. Nevertheless it is usually unclear how optimal control design is affected in case the values of design parameters are changed. In particular, the problem becomes more complicated in the presence of another type of parameters, i.e., tuning parameters, that can (and will) be tuned for the best possible control performance. Such a case requires analysis of the effect of the change in design parameters on the best choice of the values of tuning parameters. The approach presented in this paper utilizes a recently developed algebraic approach to polynomial spectral factorization that employs the Sum of Roots to acquire an explicit relationship between parameters and the optimal performance level, and analyzes optimal design in the presence of design parameters. More specifically, algebraic approaches to the sensitivity analysis of the optimal feedback control performance with respect to design parameters, the optimal choice of tuning parameter values, and the relationship among parameters in optimal design are presented.