Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phosphorylation of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 and Stimulation of T-cell Factor Signaling following Activation of EP2 and EP4 Prostanoid Receptors by Prostaglandin E2 *

Recently we have shown that the FPB prostanoid receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor that couples to Gαq, activates T-cell factor (Tcf)/lymphoid enhancer factor (Lef)-mediated transcriptional activation (Fujino, H., and Regan, J. W. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 12489–12492). We now report that the EP2 and EP4 prostanoid receptors, which couple to Gαs, also activate Tcf/Lef signaling. By using a Tcf/Lef-responsive luciferase reporter gene, transcriptional activity was stimulated ∼10-fold over basal by 1 h of treatment with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in HEK cells that were stably transfected with the human EP2 and EP4receptors. This stimulation of reporter gene activity was accompanied by a PGE2-dependent increase in the phosphorylation of both glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and Akt kinase. H-89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA), completely blocked the agonist-dependent phosphorylation of GSK-3 in both EP2- and EP4-expressing cells. However, H-89 pretreatment only blocked PGE2-stimulated Lef/Tcf reporter gene activity by 20% in EP4-expressing cells compared with 65% inhibition in EP2-expressing cells. On the other hand wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, had the opposite effect and inhibited PGE2-stimulated reporter gene activity to a much greater extent in EP4-expressing cells as compared with EP2-expressing cells. These findings indicate that the activation of Tcf/Lef signaling by EP2 receptors occurs primarily through a PKA-dependent pathway, whereas EP4 receptors activate Tcf/Lef signaling mainly through a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent pathway. This is the first indication of a fundamental difference in the signaling potential of EP2 and EP4 prostanoid receptors.
Evaluation of multipath TCP load sharing with coupled congestion control option in heterogeneous networks

The evolution of technologies, particularly the emergence of multi-interface terminals (3G, WLAN, WMAN, etc), totally changes the vision of services offered to users in the future. Multi-homing and multipath transmission support becomes more and more indispensable to satisfy user demands. Multipath TCP (MPTCP) is a modified version of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) which allows using simultaneously multiple paths for data transmission. It aims to improve the throughput of TCP connection in a manner that a MPTCP connection over multiple paths should achieve at least a no worse throughput than a single TCP connection over the best constituent path. In a previous work, we have evaluated the load sharing of MPTCP without the coupled congestion control option. In this paper, the couple congestion control of MPTCP is enabled. The measurement results show that MPTCP with coupled congestion control provides a better performance. However, the heterogeneous networks environment (Ethernet, Wifi and 3G) still has a great impact on MPTCP throughput and reveals the need of an intelligent algorithm for interface selection in MPTCP.
Research of GPC implicit adaptive algorithm-based direct identification

Based on requirements of theory study and engineering application, a GPC (generalized predictive control) implicit adaptive algorithm was proposed that could adapt the system of time-varying parameters and rather large delay. The GPC algorithm adopted two identifiers to identify controller's parameters directly, so that it could omit computation of inverse matrix and Diophantine equations. As a result, it could greatly reduce operation process and operation time. Moreover, based on characteristics of the traditional identifying algorithm (least squares), the prediction algorithm was introduced and unified with the traditional one to form a new identifying algorithm. The new algorithm improved tracking ability to parameters change of the traditional one, and preserved its merit-less influence by initial value. Finally, the simulation of the proposed GPC algorithm for heat-exchanging process of district heating system was conducted. The simulation results prove the validity of the algorithm.
Neuronal pathways regulating food intake and body adiposity.

Comité de rédaction A. Belcourt (Strasbourg), M. -H. Bernard (Lyon) Ph. Bouchard (Paris), J. Bringer (Montpellier), T. Brue (Marseille), J.-M. Brun (Dijon), M. Chupin (Nantes), B. Delemer (Reims), N. Jeandidier (Strasbourg), V. Lassmann-Vague (Marseille), J. Leclère (Nancy), P. Lecomte (Tours), P. Lefebvre (Liège), Y. Lorcy (Rennes), Y. Morel (Lyon), H. Rochefort (Montpellier), V. Rohmer (Angers), J.-L. Sadoul (Nice), J. Saez (Lyon), G. Slama (Paris), H. Vaudry (Mont Saint-Aignan), J.-L. Wemeau (Lille), G. Weryha (Vandœuvre), Indexé dans, Indexed in : Biosis, Chemical Abstract, Current
Cellular mechanisms of Cnidarian bleaching: stress causes the collapse of symbiosis

SUMMARY Cnidarian bleaching is a breakdown in the mutualistic symbiosis between host Cnidarians, such as reef building corals, and their unicellular photosynthetic dinoflagellate symbionts. Bleaching is caused by a variety of environmental stressors, most notably elevated temperatures associated with global climate change in conjunction with high solar radiation, and it is a major contributor to coral death and reef degradation. This review examines the underlying cellular events that lead to symbiosis dysfunction and cause bleaching, emphasizing that, to date, we have only some pieces of a complex cellular jigsaw puzzle. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by damage to both photosynthetic and mitochondrial membranes, is shown to play a central role in both injury to the partners and to inter-partner communication of a stress response. Evidence is presented that suggests that bleaching is a host innate immune response to a compromised symbiont, much like innate immune responses in other host–microbe interactions. Finally, the elimination or exit of the symbiont from host tissues is described through a variety of mechanisms including exocytosis, host cell detachment and host cell apoptosis.
Fuentes termales y minerales en torno a la carretera austral, Regiones X-XI, Chile

RESUMEN. Durante los trabajos de construccion de la Carretera Longitudinal Austral, a partir de 1982, se registraron 25 fuentes termales (24 propiamente termales y una mineral), en las Regiones X y XI. Cinco de ellas poseen instalaciones para aprovechamiento como balneario termal (Llancahue, El Amarillo, Puerto Bonito, Puyuhuapi y Ouitralco). Los analisis quimicos indican que la mayoria de las aguas termales son cloruradas y/o sulfuradas y sodicas. Son predominantemente neutras y afloran a temperaturas entre 23° y 84°C, lo que permite calificarlas de hipertermales. Los regimenes de descarga son, generalmente, continuos, con leves oscilaciones atribuibles a precipitaciones pluviales y/o accion de mareas. La mayoria de las fuentes guarda una estrecha relacion espacial con las zonas de falla Liquine-Ofqui y Vanteles-Melimoyu. Estas constituyen vias de infiltracion para las aguas meteoricas; su posterior calentamiento en profundidad, debido al elevado gradiente geotermico local, favorecio su ascenso convectivo, portando elementos minerales extraidos por lixiviacion, a partir de los granitoides del Batolito Norpatagonico. ABSTRACT. Twenty-five hot springs (24 thermal and 1 mineral water occurrences) were identified and studied in Regiones X and XI, during the construction of the Carretera Longitudinal Austral (Southern Longitudinal Road), in the past seven years. Five of them have some kind of development as bathing resorts (Llancahue, El Amarillo, Puerto Bonito, Puyuhuapi and Ouitralco). Hydrochemical analyses indicate that nearly all the waters are neutral, and rich in chloride, sulfate and sodium. They reach the surface at temperatures between 23° and 84°C. Water flux is continuous, with slight fluctuations related to rains andlor tidal influences. Most of the springs are closely related to the Liquine-Ofqui and Vanteles-Melimoyu fault zones. These faults seem to control the inflow of meteoric waters; their subsequent heating at depth in a high geothermal gradient environment favours their convective rising, carrying dissolved minerals leached from the granitoids of the North-Patagonian Batholith.
Computing safe trajectories for an assistive cable-driven parallel robot by selecting the cables under tension and using interval analysis

Marionet-Assist is a CDPR designed for transfer operations. Our crane robot has a configuration that provides three translational d.o. f. Four wires are used to control the position of the end-effector, but as they have no elasticity, only three of them at most will be under tension. For a given position, different triplet of cables under tension are possible, and for a given trajectory, transition between two cable configurations may occur, which can lead to a loss of controllability. Therefore we propose a scheme that rank all the possible sequences for a given trajectory, using interval analysis to guaranty our computing. When a triplet of wires under tension is selected, the fourth one will be forced to be slack by adding purposely extra length. It allows to control changes of cable configurations and thus to have safer trajectories.
Tissue distribution of microbody, mitochondrial, and soluble malate dehydrogenase isoenzymes.

Many tissues which have been investigated have at least two malate dehydrogenase isoenzymes. One is an organelle form localized in mitochondrial fractions whereas the other does not appear to associate with organelles sedimenting after high speed centrifugation (17). Spinach leaf tissue has an additional malate dehydrogenase isoenzyme localized in the peroxisome or leaf microbody fraction (12, 19). Microbodies are single membrane, dense protein-containing bodies which occur in almost all plant tissues (3, 7). The leaf microbodies or peroxisomes are believed to function in photorespiration (16). It was important, therefore, to investigate microbody fractions isolated from nongreen spinach tissue (with no photorespiration) in order to ascertain if the peroxisomal or microbody malate dehydrogenase of spinach is exclusively a form associated with green tissue metabolism or if it occurs in microbodies of nongreen tissues as well. It should be noted that glyoxysomes, microbodies with the glyoxylate cycle metabolism, have malate dehydrogenase activity (2). Green stem tissue of Opuntia also has three distinctly different isoenzymes of malate dehydrogenase (10). Spinach seeds (Spinacia oleracea L. var Bloomsdale) were germinated in the dark at 25 C on moistened filter paper. From the dark-grown tissue, nongreen root and hypocotyl tissue and etiolated cotyledon tissue were obtained. In some experiments, the young seedlings were exposed to light in the greenhouse in order to obtain green cotyledon tissue. Mature green leaf tissue was either grown in the greenhouse or purchased locally. Tissue homogenates were obtained by grinding the tissue in 0.05 M tris buffer, pH 7.5, and precipitating the protein with solid ammonium sulfate (0-0.8 of saturation). The precipitate was resuspended by dialysis in 5 mm sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. The resulting preparation was assayed for malate dehydrogenase by starch gel electrophoresis (5) or layered on analytical 1 x 10 DEAE2-cellulose anion exchange columns (1.5 x 15 cm of 0.61 meq/g) equilibrated with 5 mi sodium phosphate buffer (10, 11). Protein was eluted with a 0.02 to 0.2 M sodium phosphate gradient (14). Three-milliliter fractions were collected and assayed for malate dehydrogenase. In order to obtain intact organelle preparations, the various tissues were gently minced with a chopper in 0.5 M sucrose-0.05 M tris buffer (pH 7.5) containing 1 mm EDTA, 1 mm 2-mercaptoethanol, and 0.1 % bovine serum albumin. After mincing, the suspension was gently ground in a mortar for 30 sec. The resulting homgenate was filtered through eight layers of cheesecloth, and the filtrate was centrifuged at 250g for 90 sec to remove cellular debris. The supernatant containing intact organelles
Nonpharmacological interventions aimed at modifying health and behavioural outcomes for adults with asthma: a critical review

Evidence suggests that living with asthma is linked with psychological and behavioural factors including self‐management and treatment adherence, and therefore, there is a reasonable hypothesis that nonpharmacological treatments may improve health outcomes in people living with this condition. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of nonpharmacological interventions for adults with asthma was designed. Databases searched included The Cochrane Airways Group Register of trials, CENTRAL and Psychinfo. The literature search was conducted until May 2014. Twenty‐three studies met the inclusion criteria and were organized into four groups: relaxation‐based therapies (n = 9); mindfulness (n = 1), biofeedback techniques (n = 3); cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT) (n = 5); and multicomponent interventions (n = 5). A variety of outcome measures were used, even when trials belonged to the same grouping, which limited the ability to conduct meaningful meta‐analyses. Deficiencies in the current evidence base, notably trial heterogeneity, means that application to clinical practice is limited and clear guidelines regarding the use of nonpharmacological therapies in asthma is limited. Relaxation and CBT, however, appear to have a consistent positive effect on asthma‐related quality of life and some psychological outcomes, and lung function (relaxation only). Future trials should be informed by previous work to harmonize the interventions under study and outcome measures used to determine their effectiveness; only then will meaningful meta‐analyses inform clinical practice.
Selection and analysis of spontaneous reciprocal mitotic cross-overs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We developed a system that allows the selection of the reciprocal products resulting from spontaneous mitotic cross-overs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A number of other types of genetic events, including chromosome loss, can be monitored with this system. For a 120-kb chromosome interval on chromosome V (CEN5-CAN1), the rate of mitotic cross-overs was 4 × 10−5 per division, a rate ≈25,000-fold lower than the meiotic rate of cross-overs. We found no suppression of mitotic cross-overs near the centromere of chromosome V, unlike the suppression observed for meiotic exchanges. The rate of reciprocal cross-overs was substantially (38-fold) elevated by treatment of cells with hydroxyurea, a drug that reduces nucleotide pools and slows DNA replication.
Fundamental-Frequency-Modulated Six-Level Diode-Clamped Multilevel Inverter for Three-Phase Stand-Alone Photovoltaic System

This paper presents a fundamental-frequency-modulated diode-clamped multilevel inverter (DCMLI) scheme for a three-phase stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system. The system consists of five series-connected PV modules, a six-level DCMLI generating fundamental-modulation staircase three-phase output voltages, and a three-phase induction motor as the load. In order to validate the proposed concept, simulation studies and experimental measurements using a small-scale laboratory prototype are also presented. The results show the feasibility of the fundamental frequency switching application in three-phase stand-alone PV power systems.
The mutator pattern

The Mutator pattern is a simple behavioral pattern that applies a series of successive modifications to a mutable object. The Mutator pattern is similar to the Iterator pattern but operates only on a single object as opposed to a collection of objects. Mutators have a significant performance benefit in situations where a small modification to an existing object is more efficient than creating a new object from scratch.
The chronic myelocytic cell line K562 contains a breakpoint in bcr and produces a chimeric bcr/c-abl transcript

In the DNAs of all Ph1-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia patients studied to date, a breakpoint on chromosome 22 (the Ph1 chromosome) can be demonstrated with a probe from the bcr (breakpoint cluster region). Although the K562 cell line was established from cells of a chronic myelocytic leukemia patient, we have been unable to detect the Ph1 chromosome by cytogenetic means. Employing a probe from the 5' region of bcr, we have cloned an amplified Ph1 breakpoint fragment from K562. This demonstrates that K562 contains multiple remnants of a Ph1 chromosome with a breakpoint within bcr and thus may serve as a model system for the study of Ph1-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia at a molecular level. The isolation of bcr cDNA sequences shows that parts of bcr encode a protein. Employing K562, we demonstrate the presence of an abnormally sized mRNA species hybridizing to c-abl and to a bcr cDNA probe, indicating the possible consequence of the Ph1 translocation on a transcriptional level in chronic myelocytic leukemia. The isolation and sequencing of a cDNA containing the breakpoint area of this mRNA provide further evidence for its chimeric structure. Cloning of large stretches of chromosomal DNA flanking bcr and c-abl sequences in K562 and identification of the exons participating in the formation of the chimeric mRNA shows that a splice of at least 99 kilobases is made to fuse the 3' bcr exon to the 5' c-abl exon. Furthermore two chimeric cDNAs were isolated containing chromosome 9 sequences that map 43.5 kilobases downstream from the K562 breakpoint. These chromosome 9 sequences neither hybridize to the 8.5-kilobase chimeric c-abl mRNA nor to normal c-abl mRNAs in Hela cells and probably represent incorrect splicing products present in the K562 cell line.
The MC-ELM: Learning an ELM-like network with minimum VC dimension

Though the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) has become quite popular in recent years, there are no performance guarantees; the resultant networks also tend to be densely connected. The complexity of a learning machine may be measured by the Vapnik-Chervonenkis (VC) dimension, and a small VC dimension leads to good generalization and lower test set errors. The Minimal Complexity Machine (MCM), that has been proposed very recently, shows that it is possible to learn a classifier with minimal VC dimension, leading to sparse representations and good generalization. In this paper, we draw on results from the MCM to propose a hybrid variant of the ELM, termed the Minimal Complexity - Extreme Learning Machine (MC-ELM), in order to realize a robust classifier that minimizes an exact bound on the VC dimension. The MC-ELM solves a linear programming problem for the last layer and offers the advantages of large margin and low VC dimension. In effect, the learning paradigm elucidated in this paper helps us build a classifier which is based on a minimal representation of the training data owing to MCM, and high training speed attributed to ELM. This makes it feasible for use in complex machine learning applications, where these advantages are of significance.
Generalized pain is associated with more negative consequences than local or regional pain: a study of chronic whiplash-associated disorders.

OBJECTIVE The main aims of this study were: (i) to determine, for chronic whiplash-associated disorders, whether widespread pain has more severe consequences for other symptoms and different aspects of perceived health than does local/regional pain; (ii) to investigate whether pain, depression, and symptoms not directly related to pain are intercorrelated and to what extent these symptoms correlate with catastrophizing according to the Coping Strategy Questionnaire. DESIGN Descriptive cross-sectional study. PATIENTS A total of 275 consecutive chronic pain patients with whiplash-associated disorders who were referred to a university hospital. METHODS Background history, Beck Depression Inventory, Coping Strategy Questionnaire, Life Satisfaction Checklist, the SF-36 Health Survey and EuroQol were used to collect data. RESULTS Spreading of pain was associated with negative consequences with respect to pain intensity and prevalence of other symptoms, life satisfaction/quality and general health. The subjects differ with respect to the presence of symptoms not directly related to pain. A minor part of the variation in Back Depression Inventory was explained by direct aspects of pain, indicating that, to some extent, generalization of pain is related to catastrophizing thoughts. CONCLUSION Widespread pain was associated with negative consequences with respect to pain intensity, prevalence of other symptoms including depressive symptoms, some aspects of coping, life satisfaction and general health.
Amplitude of the Ocular Pneumoplethysmography Waveform Is Correlated With Cardiac Output

Background and Purpose Ocular pulse amplitude, the amplitude of the ocular pneumoplethysmographic waveform, is altered in several ophthalmologic diseases that disturb ocular blood flow, implying that ocular pulse amplitude may provide an estimate of ocular blood flow. Because ocular blood flow currently cannot be quantified in humans, two experiments were undertaken to evaluate the association of ocular pulse amplitude with total body blood flow. Methods In experiment 1, cardiac output was determined by cardiac catheterization in 181 patients who underwent OPG-Gee testing during the same hospitalization. In experiment 2, 110 instances of atrial arrhythmia captured on ocular pneumoplethysmographic tracings were evaluated for transient changes in heart rate (R-R ratio) associated with transient changes in ocular pulse amplitude (ocular pulse amplitude ratio). Results In experiment 1, average ocular pulse amplitude in the two eyes (OPAAV) was significantly correlated with cardiac output/heart rate (r=0.53; p<0.0001) and cardiac index/heart rate (r=0.43; p< 0.0001). In experiment 2, R-R ratio was significantly correlated with ocular pulse amplitude ratio (r=0.85;p< 0.001). Conclusions These results show that ocular pulse amplitude, a physiological measurement obtained from the globe, is correlated with cardiac output They imply that ocular pulse amplitude may provide a clinically useful estimate of at least the pulsatile component of ocular blood flow.
Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Fat Mass in Children: A Bias-Adjusted Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies

Background Studies investigating the prevention of weight gain differ considerably in design and quality, which impedes pooling them in conventional meta-analyses, the basis for evidence-based policy making. This study is aimed at quantifying the prospective association between measured physical activity and fat mass in children, using a meta-analysis method that allows inclusion of heterogeneous studies by adjusting for differences through eliciting and incorporating expert opinion. Methods Studies on prevention of weight gain using objectively measured exposure and outcome were eligible; they were adopted from a recently published systematic review. Differences in study quality and design were considered as internal and external biases and captured in checklists. Study results were converted to correlation coefficients and biases were considered either additive or proportional on this scale. The extent and uncertainty of biases in each study were elicited in a formal process by six quantitatively-trained assessors and five subject-matter specialists. Biases for each study were combined across assessors using median pooling. Results were combined across studies by random-effects meta-analysis. Results The combined correlation of the unadjusted results from the six studies was −0.04 (95%CI: −0.22, 0.14) with considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 78%), which makes it difficult to interpret the result. After bias-adjustment the pooled correlation was −0.01 (95%CI: −0.18, 0.16) with apparent study compatibility (I2 = 0%). Conclusion By using this method the prospective association between physical activity and fat mass could be quantitatively synthesized; the result suggests no association. Objectively measured physical activity may not be the key determinant of unhealthy weight gain in children.