Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wnt and BMP signaling govern lineage segregation of melanocytes in the avian embryo.

Recent studies show that specification of some neural crest lineages occurs prior to or at the time of migration from the neural tube. We investigated what signaling events establish the melanocyte lineage, which has been shown to migrate from the trunk neural tube after the neuronal and glial lineages. Using in situ hybridization, we find that, although Wnts are expressed in the dorsal neural tube throughout the time when neural crest cells are migrating, the Wnt inhibitor cfrzb-1 is expressed in the neuronal and glial precursors and not in melanoblasts. This expression pattern suggests that Wnt signaling may be involved in specifying the melanocyte lineage. We further report that Wnt-3a-conditioned medium dramatically increases the number of pigment cells in quail neural crest cultures while decreasing the number of neurons and glial cells, without affecting proliferation. Conversely, BMP-4 is expressed in the dorsal neural tube throughout the time when neural crest cells are migrating, but is decreased coincident with the timing of melanoblast migration. This expression pattern suggests that BMP signaling may be involved in neural and glial cell differentiation or repression of melanogenesis. Purified BMP-4 reduces the number of pigment cells in culture while increasing the number of neurons and glial cells, also without affecting proliferation. Our data suggest that Wnt signaling specifies melanocytes at the expense of the neuronal and glial lineages, and further, that Wnt and BMP signaling have antagonistic functions in the specification of the trunk neural crest.
Flux analysis of one novel SVPWM overmodulation algorithm and its application in PMSM drive

This paper analyses the characters of flux vector when employing space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) overmodulation algorithm. The algorithm can improve the utilization of DC bus voltage greater extent. One novel algorithm makes overmodulation easier and simple. Simulation results of the algorithm using in permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive verifies its effectiveness and utility.
Comparative efficacy of one versus two doses of praziquantel on cure rate of Schistosoma mansoni infection and re-infection in Mayuge District, Uganda.

BACKGROUND The current recommended control strategy for schistosomiasis is annual treatment using 40 mg/kg of praziquantel. However, praziquantel is only effective on adult worms and giving a second dose may increase its efficacy. We assessed the effect of one versus two doses of praziquantel on cure rate and re-infection with Schistosoma mansoni in a high endemic community along Lake Victoria, Uganda. METHODOLOGY To investigate the effect of the two regimens, 395 infected people were randomised into two groups; one received a single standard dose of praziquantel (Distocide® 600 mg, Shin Poong Pharmaceuticals, Seoul, Republic of Korea), 40mg/kg body weight, while the other group received a second dose 2 weeks later. Cure rate and infection intensity were assessed 9 weeks after the first treatment using standard parasitological procedures. Re-infection levels were monitored 8 and 24 months after treatment. RESULTS Those who received two doses were more likely to be cured (69.7%) compared to those who received a single dose (47.9%) (χ(2) = 18.5, p < 0.001). Geometric mean intensity (GMI) of infection at 9 weeks (eggs per gram of faeces [epg]) was 12.0 epg (CI95: 8.9-16.1) for individuals who received 2 doses and 22.1 epg (CI95: 16.9-28.8) for those in the single dose arm. Eight months after treatment, prevalence of re-infection for individuals in the double dose arm (61.6%, CI95: 50.2-73.1) was not significantly different from that of those in a single dose arm (68.3%, CI95: 59.9-76.8). The difference in GMI of re-infection for individuals in the single dose arm (33.8 epg, CI95: 23.2-49.3) and those in the double dose arm (34.5 epg, CI95: 24.7-48.1) was not significant. Twenty four months after treatment, prevalence of re-infection was not significantly different. The difference in GMI of re-infection for those in the single dose arm (57.5 epg, CI95: 33.9-97.5) and those in the double dose arm (42.2 epg, CI95: 29.9-59.6) was also insignificant. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that a second dose of praziquantel given 2 weeks after the first dose improves cure rate and reduces S. mansoni infection intensity. However, there is no added advantage on reduction of S. mansoni re-infection by administering two doses of praziquantel. CLINICAL TRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00215267.
3‐Hydroxykynurenine, an Endogenous Oxidative Stress Generator, Causes Neuronal Cell Death with Apoptotic Features and Region Selectivity

Abstract: 3‐Hydroxykynurenine (3‐HK) is a potential endogenous neurotoxin whose increased levels have been described in several neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we characterized in vitro neurotoxicity of 3‐HK. Of the tested kynurenine pathway metabolites, only 3‐HK, and to a lesser extent 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid, were toxic to primary cultured striatal neurons. 3‐HK toxicity was inhibited by various antioxidants, indicating that the generation of reactive oxygen species is essential to the toxicity. 3‐HK‐induced neuronal cell death showed several features of apoptosis, as determined by the blockade by macromolecule synthesis inhibitors, and by the observation of cell body shrinkage with nuclear chromatin condensation and fragmentation. In addition, 3‐HK toxicity was dependent on its cellular uptake via transporters for large neutral amino acids, because uptake inhibition blocked the toxicity. Cortical and striatal neurons were much more vulnerable to 3‐HK toxicity than cerebellar neurons, which may be attributable to the differences in transporter activities of these neurons. These results indicate that 3‐HK, depending on transporter‐mediated cellular uptake and on intracellular generation of oxidative stress, induces neuronal cell death with brain region selectivity and with apoptotic features, which may be relevant to pathology of neurodegenerative disorders.
Relationships between career resilience and career beliefs of employees in Taiwan

Relationships between Career Resilience and Career Beliefs of Employees in Taiwan. (December 2003) Yu-Ching Liu, B.S., Chung Yuan Christian University; M.A., University of Kansas Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Linda H. Parrish The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between career resilience and career beliefs among employees in Taiwan. This study also examined whether selected demographic variables had effects on career resilience and career beliefs. A pilot study involving 178 participants was conducted in Taiwan to validate the instruments used in the main study. Twenty items were selected for measuring career resilience. These items were taken from London’s Career Motivation Inventory (1993b), Noe, R. A. , Noe, A. W. , and Bachhuber’s measures of career motivation (1990), and Michigan’s Career Resilience Scale (Bice, 1999, January 24-30). Forty-nine items consisting of 10 subscales in the Career Beliefs Scale were adopted from Yang’s Chinese Career Beliefs Inventory—Form B (1996). The study had 578 current employees from diverse work settings in Taiwan. Career resilience scores were negatively correlated with the total career beliefs scores (r = –.22, p < .01), which indicated that participants who were higher on career resilience tended to possess fewer irrational career beliefs. Career resilience scores were negatively correlated with belief in fate, avoidance of decision making, the belief that
Templating effect in DNA proximity ligation enables use of non-bioorthogonal chemistry in biological fluids

Here we describe the first example of selective reductive amination in biological fluids using split aptamer proximity ligation (StAPL). Utilizing the cocaine split aptamer, we demonstrate small-molecule-dependent ligation that is dose-dependent over a wide range of target concentrations in buffer, human blood serum and artificial urine medium. We explore the substrate binding preferences of the split aptamer and find that the cinchona alkaloids quinine and quinidine bind to the aptamer with higher affinity than cocaine. This increased affinity leads to improved detection limits for these small-molecule targets. We also demonstrate that linker length and hydrophobicity impact the efficiency of split aptamer ligation. The ability to carry out selective chemical transformations using non-bioorthogonal chemistry in media where competing reactive groups are present highlights the power of the increased effective molarity provided by DNA assembly. Obviating the need for bioorthogonal chemistry would dramatically expand the repertoire of chemical transformations available for use in templated reactions such as proximity ligation assays, in turn enabling the development of novel methods for biomolecule detection.
Programmed cell death in the developing heart: Regulation by BMP4 and FGF2

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, plays an important role in embryonic development. To provide new insights into the role of programmed cell death in cardiac development, we examined the hearts of the murine embryos from E9.5 to postnatal day 3. Using terminal transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling assays, apoptosis was detected in the endocardial cushions and myocardium from E11.5 to postnatal day 3 (P3). In the ventricular myocardium, more apoptotic cells were observed in the left than right ventricles throughout embryonic and early postnatal development. Apoptosis was also present in the trabeculae and papillary muscles of the ventricles. In the outflow tract, cell death was present in the endocardial cushions before they fuse to form the conotruncal septum (E11.5–E12.5) and reached a peak intensity when the conotruncal septum formed (E13.5). In the atrioventricular (AV) endocardial cushions, cell death was detected in the fusion seam of the cushion tissues at E12.5 and E13.5 during AV septation. When the patterns of apoptosis were compared with patterns of cell division, we found that programmed cell death occurred in the areas in the endocardial cushions and trabeculae where rates of cell proliferation were low. We also found that programmed cell death was regulated by the growth factors, BMP4 and FGF2, in vitro. BMP4 induced, whereas FGF2 inhibited, apoptosis in both endocardial cushions and ventricular myocardium. Overall, our observations show that there is apoptosis in the regions where fusion or remodeling of tissues occurs. We also show that cardiac programmed cell death can be influenced by growth factors. Dev Den;217:388–400. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CULTURAL DIMENSION IN MARKETING MANAGERS' DECISION MAKING: AN APPLICATION OF GEERT HOFSTEDE INDEX FOR GHANA

The objective of the study was to profile the Ghanaian Marketing culture using Geert Hofstede index and further examined its relationship with Marketing Managers decision making. The paper examined the cultural dimension of marketing managers in Ghana using the predefined matrix of Geert Hofstede that is Strong vs. Weak power distance; Individualism vs. Collectivism; High vs. Low uncertainty avoidance as well as Masculinity vs. Femininity. Convenient and purposive sampling techniques were used in selecting 50 Marketing Managers for the study. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was in a form of self-administered questionnaires and interviews in eliciting information for the study while the secondary data was culled from other related works, libraries as well as information from the internet. Qualitative and Quantitative research approaches were also adopted . SPSS was used in analyzing the data. It was revealed from the study that, power distance was somewhat big among marketing managers in the indigenous companies. The study also revealed that, Ghanaians marketing managers tend to be more collectivistic in nature and were also not interested in taking risk for fear of losing in the end. The study recommended for marketers to take risk in bringing new ideas to their organizations. There is also the need for marketers to be motivated through merit-based pay and promotion policies so as to improve profitability in a more masculine culture like Ghana.
ATR, Claspin and the Rad9-Rad1-Hus1 Complex Regulate Chk1 and Cdc25A in the Absence of DNA Damage

The ATR and Chk1 kinases are essential to maintain genomicintegrity. ATR, with Claspin and the Rad9-Rad1-Hus1 complex,activates Chk1 after DNA damage. Chk1-mediated phosphorylation ofthe Cdc25A phosphatase is required for the mammalian S-phasecheckpoint. Here, we show that during physiological S phase theregulation of the Chk1-Cdc25A pathway depends on ATR, Claspin,Rad9, and Hus1. Human cells with chemically or genetically ablatedATR showed inhibition of Chk1-dependent phosphorylation of Cdc25A,and they accumulated Cdc25A without external DNA damage.Furthermore, siRNA-mediated depletion of Claspin, Rad9 and Hus1also stabilized Cdc25A. ATR ablation also inhibited the activatoryphosphorylation of Chk1 on serine 345. Thus, the ATR-Chk1-Cdc25Apathway represents an integral part of physiological S-phaseprogression, and interference with this mechanism underminesviability of somatic mammalian cells. DNA damage further activatesand switches this pathway from its constitutively operating“surveillance mode” compatible with DNA replication into an“emergency” checkpoint response.
Securing software defined wireless networks

Software defined wireless networking (SDWN) is a new paradigm of wireless networking, physically separating the data and control planes of various elements in the wireless infrastructure. Similar to its wired counterpart, SDWN is expected to introduce a wide range of benefits to the operation and management of wireless networks. Security is always important to any network. On one hand, SDWN enables new security mechanisms. On the other hand, some new threats are introduced due to the separation of the control and data planes and the introduction of the logically centralized controller. In this article, we discuss its security threat vectors as well as design issues in making it secure. Also, we analyze the security requirements of SDWN, and then summarize the security attacks and countermeasures in this area and suggest some future research directions.
Competing Models for Understanding Differentiated Integration

Debates about differentiated integration are among the rituals of European integration. Whenever the EU enters a critical stage, politicians and academic observers evoke the option of ‘multiple speeds’, ‘concentric circles’ or related terminology and call upon some Member States to proceed towards closer integration without the participation of others. More recent arguments about differentiated integration replicate earlier debates and yet, there is something novel about them. It is true that the experience with various forms of differentiated integration over the past two decades has been fairly positive: defence policy, justice and home affairs and the generic mechanism for enhanced cooperation demonstrate that differentiated integration within the EU framework may proceed rather smoothly in practice. Also, the crisis of monetary union does not originate primarily in the asymmetric non-participation of some Member States, but in the structural deficits of both the Treaty design and its implementation. This shows that differentiated integration can support the integration process.What is new about recent developments, however, is the pertinence and visibility of differentiated integration as a result of the euro crisis. It is no longer a peripheral occurrence, but takes centre stage in legal and political debates. The assessment of the constitutional implications of differentiated integration has become a vital question for the future of Europe: Does it undermine the supranational rule of law? Is Union law capable of domesticating ‘satellite treaties’ outside the EU framework? What are the consequences for the institutional balance and the role of Member States? In addressing these questions, this contribution will defend the proposition that legal difficulties can be contained – both in the case of intra-EU differentiation and satellite treaties under public international law (III.). Differentiated integration may stabilise the rule of law by accommodating internal tensions and heterogeneities, while it may, at the same time, undermine the legitimatory infrastructure of the European project (IV.).
Structure of a Classical Broadly Neutralizing Stem Antibody in Complex with a Pandemic H2 Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin

ABSTRACT We report the structural characterization of the first antibody identified to cross-neutralize multiple subtypes of influenza A viruses. The crystal structure of mouse antibody C179 bound to the pandemic 1957 H2N2 hemagglutinin (HA) reveals that it targets an epitope on the HA stem similar to those targeted by the recently identified human broadly neutralizing antibodies. C179 also inhibits the low-pH conformational change of the HA but uses a different angle of approach and both heavy and light chains.
BIGnav: Bayesian Information Gain for Guiding Multiscale Navigation

This paper introduces BIGnav, a new multiscale navigation technique based on Bayesian Experimental Design where the criterion is to maximize the information-theoretic concept of mutual information, also known as information gain. Rather than simply executing user navigation commands, BIGnav interprets user input to update its knowledge about the user's intended target. Then it navigates to a new view that maximizes the information gain provided by the user's expected subsequent input. We conducted a controlled experiment demonstrating that BIGnav is significantly faster than conventional pan and zoom and requires fewer commands for distant targets, especially in non-uniform information spaces. We also applied BIGnav to a realistic application and showed that users can navigate to highly probable points of interest on a map with only a few steps. We then discuss the tradeoffs of BIGnav--including efficiency vs. increased cognitive load--and its application to other interaction tasks.
Calpain activation in apoptosis

Programmed cell death is an active process wherein the cell initiates a sequence of events culminating in the fragmentation of its DNA, nuclear collapse, and disintegration of the cell into small, membrane‐bound apoptotic bodies. Examination of the death program in various models has shown common themes, including a rise in cytoplasmic calcium, cytoskeletal changes, and redistribution of membrane lipids. The calcium‐dependent neutral protease calpain has putative roles in cytoskeletal and membrane changes in other cellular processes; this fact led us to test the role of calpain in a well‐known model of apoptotic cell death, that of thymocytes after treatment with dexamethasone. Assays for calcium‐dependent proteolysis in thymocyte extracts reveal a rise in activity with a peak at about 1 hr of incubation with dexamethasone, falling to background at approximately 2 hr. Western blots indicate autolytic cleavage of the proenzyme precursor to the calpain I isozyme, providing additional evidence for calpain activation. We have also found that apoptosis in thymocytes, whether induced by dexamethasone or by low‐level irradiation, is blocked by specific inhibitors of calpain. Apoptosis of metamyelocytes incubated with cycloheximide is also blocked by calpain inhibitors. These studies suggest a required role for calpain in both “induction” and “release” models of apoptotic cell death. © 1994 wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clustering and co‐ordinated activation of carotenoid genes in Myxococcus xanthus by blue light

Blue light activates carotenoid production in the non‐photosynthetic, Gram‐negative bacterium Myxococcus xanthus. Light is known to stimulate the expression of two unlinked genes for carotenoid synthesis, carB and carC, through a mechanism in which the regulatory genes carA, carQ and carR take part. Genes carQ and carR are linked together at a separate locus, whereas carA is linked to carB. We have introduced Tn5 at various sites between carA and carB. Chemical analyses of the mutant strains demonstrate the presence in this region of a cluster of genes for carotenoid synthesis. Gene expression analysis strongly argues for most (or all) of the genes in the cluster being transcribed from a single, light‐inducible promoter under the control of genes carA, carQ and carR.
Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Proliferation Marker MIB1 Are Influenced by Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has become the standard of care for patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). This was a retrospective review of 21 consecutive women who received NACT as initial treatment of LABC, followed by surgical excision. The pre- and post-treatment breast specimens and post-treatment axillary lymph nodes with metastases were immunostained to evaluate for proliferative index (PI) (MIB-1 Immunotech) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression (Santa Cruz, CA, clone A-20). Thirteen of the 21 patients (62%) had more than 50% tumor shrinkage following NACT. The breast’s mean PI decreased from 47.86% to 23.95% after treatment (P = 0.005). The mean PI in the post-treatment lymph nodes was 24.47%. A nodal post-NACT PI of less than 10% and progesterone receptor-positive tumor status were associated with better survival, as all such patients are alive. A high PI after NACT was associated with recurrence or death. All of the patients who showed an excellent clinical response had either a decrease in the PI or an absence of a high level of VEGF after NACT. Most patients exhibited persistent expression of VEGF after NACT. Pathologic response in the primary tumor did not correlate with the response in the lymph nodes or with overall survival. NACT reduces the size and PI of the primary breast tumor independent of the patient’s node status. The PI may be an early means by which to identify tumors most likely to reduce in size with chemotherapy. A low PI after NACT is associated with better survival. There is persistent expression of VEGF in post-NACT residual breast carcinoma. Thus, anti-VEGF drugs after conventional chemotherapy may benefit patients with residual carcinoma.
Prevention and Mitigation of Acute Death of Mice after Abdominal Irradiation by the Antioxidant N-Acetyl-cysteine (NAC)

Abstract Gastrointestinal (GI) injury is a major cause of acute death after total-body exposure to large doses of ionizing radiation, but the cellular and molecular explanations for GI death remain dubious. To address this issue, we developed a murine abdominal irradiation model. Mice were irradiated with a single dose of X rays to the abdomen, treated with daily s.c. injection of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) or vehicle for 7 days starting either 4 h before or 2 h after irradiation, and monitored for up to 30 days. Separately, mice from each group were assayed 6 days after irradiation for bone marrow reactive oxygen species (ROS), ex vivo colony formation of bone marrow stromal cells, and histological changes in the duodenum. Irradiation of the abdomen caused dose-dependent weight loss and mortality. Radiation-induced acute death was preceded not only by a massive loss of duodenal villi but also, surprisingly, abscopal suppression of stromal cells and elevation of ROS in the nonirradiated bone marrow. NAC diminished these radiation-induced changes and improved 10- and 30-day survival rates to >50% compared with <5% in vehicle-treated controls. Our data establish a central role for abscopal stimulation of bone marrow ROS in acute death in mice after abdominal irradiation.