Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ran-binding Protein-1 Is an Essential Component of the Ran/RCC1 Molecular Switch System in Budding Yeast (*)

We have performed a screen for genes that affect chromosome stability when overexpressed in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two of the genes recovered in the screen, CST17 and CST20, share a number of phenotypic properties, suggesting their involvement in the same cellular process. DNA sequence analysis of these genes revealed that they encode components of the Ran/RCC1 molecular switch system: CST17 is Ran itself (Ras-like nuclear protein) and CST20 is a novel yeast protein with a high degree of similarity to mammalian RanBP1, which is known to interact with Ran-GTP in vitro. We demonstrate that the CST20 protein can interact with Ran-GTP in vitro under similar conditions, indicating that it is the functional yeast homolog of mammalian RanBP1. The results of immunoprecipitation experiments show that the two yeast proteins form a complex in vivo. Deletion of the gene encoding RanBP1 revealed that it is essential for viability, as are Ran and RCC1. Similar phenotypic consequences of overproduction of either Ran or RanBP1 indicate that the latter protein is a functional component of the Ran/RCC1 molecular switch system, which is implicated in the control of a number of nuclear functions. Our finding that overproduction of two components of this system results in mitotic chromosome nondisjunction and sensitivity to an anti-microtubule drug benomyl suggest their involvement in mitosis as well. Thus RanBP1 is a functional component of a highly conserved molecular system that affects diverse cellular processes. The availability of this gene in S. cerevisiae provides a genetic system for the analysis of RanBP1 function in vivo.
Family history of alcoholism and gender: their combined effects on DSM-IV alcohol dependence and major depression.

OBJECTIVE Data from a representative sample of U.S. adults were used to assess the extent of familial alcoholism, to examine its association with the odds of DSM-IV lifetime alcohol dependence, major depression, and their comorbid occurrence, and to determine whether the magnitude of this association was different for men and women. METHOD Self-report data from a sample of 42,862 U.S. adults (25,043 women) 18 years of age and over were analyzed by means of multiple logistic regression models that predicted the odds of various combinations of DSM-IV alcohol dependence and major depression. RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounders through multiple logistic regression, family history saturation was associated with increased odds of dependence only, depression only, and all primary-secondary-concurrent combinations of these two disorders. The estimated effects were greatest for comorbid dependence and depression, next highest for dependence only and lowest for depression only. Differences in odds ratios among these groups increased with degree of family history saturation but were statistically significant at all levels of saturation. The effects of family history were greater for men than women for the outcome of primary depression followed by secondary dependence, but only at the higher levels of saturation. Among persons with lifetime major depression, family history of alcoholism had a positive independent association with the conditional odds of having experienced comorbid alcohol dependence. It had a weaker but still significant association with the odds of comorbid depression, conditional upon having experienced dependence, and this association was stronger among men than among women. For most outcomes, family history effects were stronger for paternal male and maternal female relatives than for paternal female and maternal male relatives. CONCLUSIONS These findings supported prior research showing more familial alcoholism among persons with comorbid dependence and depression than among those with dependence alone. Gender differences were supportive of the proposed distinction between pure depression and depressive-spectrum disease.
Dynamic Trust Model for Federated Identity Management

The goal of federated identity management is to allow principals, such as identities and attributes, to be shared across trust boundaries based on established policies. Since current Single Sign-On (SSO) mechanism excessively relies on the specifications of Circle of Trust (CoT), the need for service collaboration from different domains is being addressed on CoT. For the motivating issue of the cross-domain SSO mechanism, we need an emergent dynamic trust list for calculating the trust parties, thus, the CoT specifications require an initial effort on enrolling members automatically to adapt to the dynamic open environment. In this paper, we propose a Dynamic Trust Policy Language to support trust negotiation. The formal syntax of this language is presented in Backus Naur Form (BNF) based on the concept of role membership. We also systematically develop the Dynamic Trust Model (DTM) to allow Untrusted SP to join the existing CoT by trust negotiation. Finally, we identify the process and algorithm for communication between negotiation entities.
A mysterious duality

We establish a correspondence between toroidal compactifications of M-theory and del Pezzo surfaces. M-theory on T k corresponds to P 2 blown up at k generic points; Type IIB corresponds to P 1 × P 1 . The moduli of compactifications of M-theory on rectangular tori are mapped to Kahler moduli of del Pezzo surfaces. The U-duality group of M-theory corresponds to a group of classical symmetries of the del Pezzo represented by global diffeomorphisms. The 1 -BPS brane charges of M-theory corre- spond to spheres in the del Pezzo, and their tension to the exponentiated volume of the corresponding spheres. The electric/magnetic pairing of branes is determined by the condition that the union of the corresponding spheres represent the anticanonical class of the del Pezzo. The condition that a pair of 1 -BPS states form a bound state is mapped to a condition on the intersection of the corresponding spheres. We present some speculations about the meaning of this duality.
Functional Mapping of the U3 Small Nucleolar RNA from the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT The U3 small nucleolar RNA participates in early events of eukaryotic pre-rRNA cleavage and is essential for formation of 18S rRNA. Using an in vivo system, we have developed a functional map of the U3 small nucleolar RNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The test strain features a galactose-dependent U3 gene in the chromosome and a plasmid-encoded allele with a unique hybridization tag. Effects of mutations on U3 production were analyzed by evaluating RNA levels in cells grown on galactose medium, and effects on U3 function were assessed by growing cells on glucose medium. The major findings are as follows: (i) boxes C′ and D and flanking helices are critical for U3 accumulation; (ii) boxes B and C are not essential for U3 production but are important for function, most likely due to binding of a trans-acting factor(s); (iii) the 5′ portion of U3 is required for function but not stability; and, (iv) strikingly, the nonconserved hairpins 2, 3, and 4, which account for 50% of the molecule, are not required for accumulation or function.
Moderation of Doing and Mastery orientations in relationships among justice, commitment, and trust: A cross-cultural perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how two individual value orientations – Doing (the tendency to commit to goals and hold a strong work ethic) and Mastery (an orientation toward seeking control over outside forces) – moderate: the relationship between organizational justice and affective organizational commitment, and the mediation role of organizational trust in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach – The authors collected data from 706 employees working in 65 universities across China, South Korea, and Australia. Multi-group confirmatory factor analyses were employed to examine the cross-cultural equivalence of the measures. Hierarchical regressions were performed to test moderating effects of the two cultural value orientations. Findings – Results from the full sample showed that Doing and Mastery moderated the distributive justice-commitment relationship and the procedural justice-trust relationship. Comparisons between countries demonstrated limited cross-cultural.
No-reference contrast metric for medical images

The problem of no-reference measurement of generalized contrast of complex medical images is considered. The histogram-based method for no-reference measuring the generalized contrast by finding the weighted mean of all possible values of the generalized contrast which correspond to all possible values of the adaptation level for current image is proposed. The proposed method of contrast measurement is intended for automatic contrast assessment of multi-element medical images with complex structure. A comparison of the proposed and known histogram-based methods of no-reference measurement of image contrast was carried out. Examples to illustrate the effectiveness of proposed method of contrast measurement are given.
Germline Missense Variants in the BTNL2 Gene Are Associated with Prostate Cancer Susceptibility

Background: Rare, inherited mutations account for 5% to 10% of all prostate cancer cases. However, to date, few causative mutations have been identified. Methods: To identify rare mutations for prostate cancer, we conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES) in multiple kindreds (n = 91) from 19 hereditary prostate cancer (HPC) families characterized by aggressive or early-onset phenotypes. Candidate variants (n = 130) identified through family- and bioinformatics-based filtering of WES data were then genotyped in an independent set of 270 HPC families (n = 819 prostate cancer cases; n = 496 unaffected relatives) for replication. Two variants with supportive evidence were subsequently genotyped in a population-based case–control study (n = 1,155 incident prostate cancer cases; n = 1,060 age-matched controls) for further confirmation. All participants were men of European ancestry. Results: The strongest evidence was for two germline missense variants in the butyrophilin-like 2 (BTNL2) gene (rs41441651, p.Asp336Asn and rs28362675, p.Gly454Cys) that segregated with affection status in two of the WES families. In the independent set of 270 HPC families, 1.5% (rs41441651; P = 0.0032) and 1.2% (rs28362675; P = 0.0070) of affected men, but no unaffected men, carried a variant. Both variants were associated with elevated prostate cancer risk in the population-based study (rs41441651: OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.27–5.87; P = 0.010; rs28362675: OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.16–5.46; P = 0.019). Conclusions: Results indicate that rare BTNL2 variants play a role in susceptibility to both familial and sporadic prostate cancer. Impact: Results implicate BTNL2 as a novel prostate cancer susceptibility gene. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(9); 1520–8. ©2013 AACR.
Large–Scale Movement and Reef Fidelity of Grey Reef Sharks

Despite an Indo-Pacific wide distribution, the movement patterns of grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and fidelity to individual reef platforms has gone largely unstudied. Their wide distribution implies that some individuals have dispersed throughout tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, but data on large-scale movements do not exist. We present data from nine C. amblyrhynchos monitored within the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea off the coast of Australia. Shark presence and movements were monitored via an array of acoustic receivers for a period of six months in 2008. During the course of this monitoring few individuals showed fidelity to an individual reef suggesting that current protective areas have limited utility for this species. One individual undertook a large-scale movement (134 km) between the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef, providing the first evidence of direct linkage of C. amblyrhynchos populations between these two regions. Results indicate limited reef fidelity and evidence of large-scale movements within northern Australian waters.
Application of a Theoretical Model to the Development of a New Instrument for Assessing Self-Destructive Potential: The Firestone Voice Scale for Self-Destructive Behavior.

The concept of the "voice" as developed by Robert W, Firestone (1984 and later) has been hypothesized as an essential mechanism in self-destructive behavior in general and suicide in particular. This study applies the theory of the voice to the development of the Firestone Voice Scale for Self-Destructive Behavior (FVSSDB). The FVSSDB consists of 110 items equally drawn from 11 levels of progressively self-destructive thoughts. To investigate the reliability and validity of the FVSSDB, it was administered to 507 subjects currently in psychotherapy. Respondents also completed a battery of nine other instruments covering diverse areas of self-destructiveness in order to assess construct validity. Results were consistent with a Gutman scale of increasing self-destructiveness, providing support for the hierarchical and continuous nature of self-destructiveness. Construct validity was suggested by significant correlations between the levels and corresponding instruments. Criterion validity was supported by a high correlation of scores with past suicide attempts. Overall results reflect favorably on the voice theory and the hypothesis that assessing the level of destructive voices contributes to an understanding of suicide potential. (Contains 38 references and 2 figures.) (Author/SLD) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EARS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************* ,************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educatatnet Research and Imcworament EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) EIKTC"::s document has been reproduced as re:timed from O. person or ononizathon oncanating 0 Mmor chang411% Key. bowl made lo ornprOve riproduction Qua MY Points of wear or opmona stated in this document Oo not necessenly represent ollicaol OE RI oosaton or peaty "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC). " APPLICATION OF A THEORETICAL MODEL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW INSTRUMENT FOR ASSESSING SELF-DESTRUCT1VE POTENTIAL: The Firestone Voice Scale for Self-Destructive Behavior LISA FIRESTONE, Ph.D. Los Angeles, California
Multiple signaling pathways in flow-mediated endothelial mechanotransduction: PYK-ing the right location.

The endothelial monolayer is a signal transduction interface for blood-borne mechanical as well as chemical stimuli. The structural deformation arising from a mechanical stimulus, such as a change of hemodynamic shear stress, is conceptually different from the binding of a hormone or other agonist to its specific receptor, yet both elicit important endothelial signaling responses. Mechanical and chemical signaling appear to use common as well as unique pathways downstream of the initial stimulus. For example, signaling pathways arising from membrane deformation and hormone-receptor coupling may appear to converge through activation of phospholipases1 or nuclear factor κB transcription factor complex2 but later diverge at the level of DNA binding3 (Figure 1). However, simple interpretations of mechanotransduction are confounded by intracellular and pericellular force transfer, principally by the cytoskeleton,4,5⇓ that results in the generation of transduction pathways at multiple sites throughout the cell, ie, decentralized mechanotransduction.6,7⇓ Thus, although flow-induced shear stress acts at the luminal surface of the endothelial monolayer, the forces are transmitted to cell junctions, nuclear structures, basal adhesion sites, and organelles that are structurally interconnected. This spatial organization of intracellular signaling may result in the stimulation of multiple parallel, convergent, and/or divergent mechanotransduction pathways. The mechanism of transduction of a purely mechanical signal to second messenger pathways such as IP3-driven intracellular calcium mobilization8 or mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) activation9 is unknown. Major efforts are therefore underway to understand endothelial mechanotransduction in terms of the initial stimulus, the generation of …
Immunomodulatory Effects of Viral TLR Ligands on Experimental Asthma Depend on the Additive Effects of IL-12 and IL-101

Based on epidemiological data, the hygiene hypothesis associates poor hygienic living conditions during childhood with a lower risk for the development of allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma. The role of viral infections, and especially of viral TLR ligands, within this context remains to be clarified. Viral TLR ligands involve dsRNA and ssRNA which are recognized by TLR-3 or TLR-7, respectively. In this study, we evaluated the impact of TLR-3 or TLR-7 activation on experimental asthma in mice. Systemic application of the synthetic TLR-3 or TLR-7 ligands polycytidylic-polyinosinic acid (p(I:C)) or R-848, respectively, during the sensitization phase prevented the production of OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 Abs and subsequently abolished all features of experimental asthma including airway hyperresponsiveness and allergic airway inflammation. Furthermore, administration of p(I:C) or R-848 to animals with already established primary allergic responses revealed a markedly reduced secondary response following allergen aerosol rechallenges. In contrast to wild-type animals, application of p(I:C) or R-848 to IL-12p35−/− mice had no effect on airway inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and airway hyperresponsiveness. However, in the absence of IL-12, the numbers of eosinophils and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids were still significantly reduced. These partial effects could also be abolished by neutralizing anti-IL-10 Abs in IL-12p35−/− mice. These data indicate that TLR-3 or TLR-7 activation by viral TLR ligands has both preventive as well as suppressive effects on experimental asthma which is mediated by the additive effects of IL-12 and IL-10.
The Hebbian-LMS Learning Algorithm

Hebbian learning is widely accepted in the fields of psychology, neurology, and neurobiology. It is one of the fundamental premises of neuroscience. The LMS (least mean square) algorithm of Widrow and Hoff is the world's most widely used adaptive algorithm, fundamental in the fields of signal processing, control systems, pattern recognition, and artificial neural networks. These are very different learning paradigms. Hebbian learning is unsupervised. LMS learning is supervised. However, a form of LMS can be constructed to perform unsupervised learning and, as such, LMS can be used in a natural way to implement Hebbian learning. Combining the two paradigms creates a new unsupervised learning algorithm that has practical engineering applications and provides insight into learning in living neural networks. A fundamental question is, how does learning take place in living neural networks? "Nature's little secret," the learning algorithm practiced by nature at the neuron and synapse level, may well be the Hebbian-LMS algorithm.
Valgus deformity and proximal subluxation of the rheumatoid elbow: a radiographic 15 year follow up study of 148 elbows

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the nature of positional changes of humeroulnar (HU) and humeroradial (HR) joints in a cohort of 74 patients with seropositive and erosive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) followed up prospectively. METHODS At the 15 year follow up standard anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of 148 elbow joints were evaluated. The mediolateral HU angle of the elbow was measured from anteroposterior radiographs. The proximal subluxation of the HU joint was measured from lateral radiographs as the distance between the posterior aspect of the olecranon process and the posterior surface of the humerus. The anteroposterior subluxation of the HR joint was measured from lateral radiographs as the relation of the midpoint of head of the radius to the midpoint of the capitellum of the humerus. Destruction of the elbow joints was assessed with the Larsen method on a scale of 0 to 5 and compared with the measurements. RESULTS Mean HU angle in 148 elbows of patients with RA was 11.5° (SD 6.1), range −21° (varus) to 34° (valgus); 9.9° (SD 4.3) in men and 12.0° (SD 6.4) in women. The mean HU angle, 14.4° (SD 6.0) of the affected joints (Larsen grades 2–4), showed more valgus than the mean 9.8° (SD 2.5) of the non-affected (Larsen grades 0 to 1) joints; totally destroyed and unstable Larsen 5 joints were excluded. Mean HU and HR subluxations, 2.0 mm (SD 3.8) and 0.8 mm, of the affected joints (Larsen 2–5) were greater than the means, −1.1 mm (SD 1.5) and −0.4 mm (SD 0.9), of the non-affected joints. Both the HU proximal subluxation and the HR anterior subluxation correlated,r s=0.64 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.73 ) and r s=0.48 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.60), with the destruction of the elbow joint. CONCLUSIONS The elbow seems to turn into valgus during rheumatoid destruction and excision of the radial head may speed up this process. However, totally unstable Larsen grade 5 joints may also have varus deformity owing to mutilating bone destruction. The ulna subluxates proximally in relation to the humerus, whereas the radius moves slightly anteriorly as a consequence of elbow involvement.
Orthopoxvirus Genome Evolution: The Role of Gene Loss

Poxviruses are highly successful pathogens, known to infect a variety of hosts. The family Poxviridae includes Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, which has been eradicated as a public health threat but could potentially reemerge as a bioterrorist threat. The risk scenario includes other animal poxviruses and genetically engineered manipulations of poxviruses. Studies of orthologous gene sets have established the evolutionary relationships of members within the Poxviridae family. It is not clear, however, how variations between family members arose in the past, an important issue in understanding how these viruses may vary and possibly produce future threats. Using a newly developed poxvirus-specific tool, we predicted accurate gene sets for viruses with completely sequenced genomes in the genus Orthopoxvirus. Employing sensitive sequence comparison techniques together with comparison of syntenic gene maps, we established the relationships between all viral gene sets. These techniques allowed us to unambiguously identify the gene loss/gain events that have occurred over the course of orthopoxvirus evolution. It is clear that for all existing Orthopoxvirus species, no individual species has acquired protein-coding genes unique to that species. All existing species contain genes that are all present in members of the species Cowpox virus and that cowpox virus strains contain every gene present in any other orthopoxvirus strain. These results support a theory of reductive evolution in which the reduction in size of the core gene set of a putative ancestral virus played a critical role in speciation and confining any newly emerging virus species to a particular environmental (host or tissue) niche.