Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Class A Scavenger Receptor-mediated Adhesion and Internalization Require Distinct Cytoplasmic Domains*

Class A scavenger receptors (SR-A) are transmembrane glycoproteins that mediate both ligand internalization and cell adhesion. Previous studies have identified specific amino acids in the cytoplasmic tail of SR-A that regulate receptor internalization; however, the role of cytoplasmic domains in regulating cell adhesion has not been addressed. To investigate the role of cytoplasmic domains in SR-A-mediated adhesion and to address whether SR-A-mediated adhesion and internalization require distinct cytoplasmic domains, different SR-A constructs were stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells. Deleting the entire cytoplasmic tail (SR-AΔ1–55) greatly reduced receptor protein abundance. Retaining the six amino acids proximal to the membrane (SR-AΔ1–49) restored receptor protein abundance. Although SR-AΔ1–49 localized to the cell surface, cells expressing this receptor failed to internalize the ligand acetylated low density lipoprotein. Replacing the cytoplasmic tail of SR-A with that of the transferrin receptor (TfR/SR-A) resulted in retention of the chimeric receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum suggesting a specific role for the membrane-proximal amino acids in trafficking SR-A from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. Like SR-A expressing cells, cells expressing SR-AΔ1–49 displayed increased spreading and adhesion, demonstrating that the membrane-proximal amino acids were sufficient for SR-A-mediated cell adhesion. Together, our results indicate a critical role for the membrane-proximal amino acids in SR-A trafficking and demonstrate that SR-A-mediated adhesion and internalization require distinct cytoplasmic domains.
Assessment of FDTD Accuracy in the Compact Hemielliptic Dielectric Lens Antenna Analysis

We assess the accuracy of a standard finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) code in the analysis of the near and far-field characteristics of two-dimensional (2-D) models of small-size dielectric lens antennas made of low or high-index materials and fed by the line sources. We consider extended hemielliptic lenses and use the Muller boundary integral equations (MBIE) method as a suitable reference solution. Inaccuracies of FDTD near so-called half-bowtie resonances are detected. Denser meshing reduces the error of FDTD only to a certain level determined by the type of absorbing boundary conditions used and other fine details of the code. Out of these resonances, FDTD code is demonstrated as capable of providing sufficient accuracy in the near and far-field analysis of small-size hemielliptic lenses typical for the millimeter-wave (mm- wave) applications.
Twice‐daily measurements of stature and body weight in two children and one adult

Stature and body weight of two children, 12.5 and 9.3 years, and their mother were measured twice daily for 488 days, immediately after rising and just before bed. The time of the measurements was also recorded and diurnal changes during daytime and nighttime were estimated. Stature began to decrease instantaneously after rising. Therefore, morning measurements were made immediately after rising. Stature decreased during the day, and the mean daytime loss was 1.78 cm in the older child, 1.61 cm in the younger child, and 1.43 cm in the adult. Stature increased during sleep hours at night, and the mean nighttime gain was 1.79 cm, 1.63 cm, and 1.43 cm in each subject, respectively. Stature also increased after naps and a bath. Body weight decreased during sleep hours at night, and the mean nighttime loss was 0.46 kg, and 0.38 kg, and 0.36 kg in each subject, respectively. Diurnal changes were largest in the older child, while the ratios of changes (ΔST/ST, ΔWT/WT) were largest in the younger child whose growth rate was the greatest. In the children, the nighttime gain of stature was not as highly correlated with hours of sleep as in the adult. Diurnal change varies depending upon sleep hours and stage of growth. Rapid growth in stature of 1 cm in only three weeks was observed once in the younger child. During this period, diurnal change was smaller than the mean value over 488 days. In the older child, the growth rate decreased in both stature and weight about three months after menarche. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experimental validation of a convolution- based ultrasound image formation model using a planar arrangement of micrometer-scale scatterers

The shift-invariant convolution model of ultrasound is widely used in the literature, for instance to generate fast simulations of ultrasound images. However, comparison of the resulting simulations with experiments is either qualitative or based on aggregate descriptors such as envelope statistics or spectral components. In the current work, a planar arrangement of 49-μm polystyrene microspheres was imaged using macrophotography and a 4.7-MHz ultrasound linear array. The macrophotograph allowed estimation of the scattering function (SF) necessary for simulations. Using the coefficient of determination R2 between real and simulated ultrasound images, different estimates of the SF and point spread function (PSF) were tested. All estimates of the SF performed similarly, whereas the best estimate of the PSF was obtained by Hanningwindowing the deconvolution of the real ultrasound image with the SF: this yielded R2 = 0.43 for the raw simulated image and R2 = 0.65 for the envelope-detected ultrasound image. R2 was highly dependent on microsphere concentration, with values of up to 0.99 for regions with scatterers. The results validate the use of the shift-invariant convolution model for the realistic simulation of ultrasound images. However, care needs to be taken in experiments to reduce the relative effects of other sources of scattering such as from multiple reflections, either by increasing the concentration of imaged scatterers or by more careful experimental design.
Gemin2 Plays an Important Role in Stabilizing the Survival of Motor Neuron Complex*

The survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein, responsible for the neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), oligomerizes and forms a stable complex with seven other major components, the Gemin proteins. Besides the SMN protein, Gemin2 is a core protein that is essential for the formation of the SMN complex, although the mechanism by which it drives formation is unclear. We have found a novel interaction, a Gemin2 self-association, using the mammalian two-hybrid system and the in vitro pull-down assays. Using in vitro dissociation assays, we also found that the self-interaction of the amino-terminal SMN protein, which was confirmed in this study, became stable in the presence of Gemin2. In addition, Gemin2 knockdown using small interference RNA treatment revealed a drastic decrease in SMN oligomer formation and in the assembly activity of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP). Taken together, these results indicate that Gemin2 plays an important role in snRNP assembly through the stabilization of the SMN oligomer/complex via novel self-interaction. Applying the results/techniques to amino-terminal SMN missense mutants that were recently identified from SMA patients, we successfully showed that amino-terminal self-association, Gemin2 binding, the stabilization effect of Gemin2, and snRNP assembly activity were all lowered in the mutant SMN(D44V), suggesting that instability of the amino-terminal SMN self-association may cause SMA in patients carrying this allele.
Hospital Costs and Severity of Illness in Three Types of Elective Surgery

Background If patients who are more severely ill have greater hospital costs for surgery, then health‐care reimbursements need to be adjusted appropriately so that providers caring for more seriously ill patients are not penalized for incurring higher costs. The authors' goal for this study was to determine if severity of illness, as measured by either the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA PS) or the comorbidity index developed by Charlson, can predict anesthesia costs, operating room costs, total hospital costs, or length of stay for elective surgery. Methods The authors randomly selected 224 inpatients (60% sampling fraction) having either colectomy (n = 30), total knee replacement (n = 100), or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 94) from September 1993 to September 1994. For each surgical procedure, backward‐elimination multiple regression was used to build models to predict (1) total hospital costs, (2) operating room costs, (3) anesthesia costs, and (4) length of stay. Explanatory candidate variables included patient age (years), sex, ASA PS, Charlson comorbidity index (which weighs the number and seriousness of coexisting diseases), and type of insurance (Medicare/Medicaid, managed care, or indemnity). These analyses were repeated for the pooled data of all 224 patients. Costs (not patient charges) were obtained from the hospital cost accounting software. Results Mean total hospital costs were $3,778 (95% confidence interval +/‐ 299) for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, $13,614 (95% CI +/‐ 3,019) for colectomy, and $18,788 (95% CI +/‐ 573) for knee replacement. The correlation (r) between ASA PS and Charlson comorbidity scores equaled 0.34 (P <.001). No consistent relation was found between hospital costs and either of the two severity‐of‐illness indices. The Charlson comorbidity index (but not the ASA PS) predicted hospital costs only for knee replacement (P =.003). The ASA PS, but not the Charlson index, predicted operating room and anesthesia costs only for colectomy (P <.03). Conclusions Severity of illness, as categorized by ASA PS categories 1–3 or by the Charlson comorbidity index, was not a consistent predictor of hospital costs and lengths of stay for three types of elective surgery. Hospital resources for these lower‐risk elective procedures may be expended primarily to manage the consequences of the surgical disease, rather than to manage the patient's coexisting diseases.
Parkinsonism, Lrrk2 G2019S, and tau neuropathology

Lrrk2 G2019S is predominantly associated with α-synuclein–immunopositive Lewy body pathology. We have identified Family SK where Lrrk2 G2019S segregates with slowly progressive parkinsonism and the affected proband has tau-immunopositive neurofibrillary tangle pathology. Thus α-synucleinopathy and tauopathy, the predominant pathologies associated with parkinsonism, may be alternate outcomes of the same underlying genetic cause. Intriguingly, we observe no evidence of a direct interaction between either the tau or α-synuclein protein with Lrrk2.
Influence of standardized patient body habitus on undergraduate student performance in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that the standardized patient's (SP) gender may affect student performance in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the SPs’ body habitus on students’ performance in an OSCE counseling station. Methods: Four equally trained female SPs, with either a normal or an obese BMI participated in an OSCE counseling station for cardiovascular risk factors. Ninety-two, second year medical students were randomly assigned to one of the SPs. Station scores were compared and student behavior and opinion regarding the influence of their SP's body habitus on their performance was assessed. Results: There was no difference in mean exam scores for students interacting with SPs with a normal BMI versus increased BMI (14.9 ± 2.2 versus 14.01 ± 2.2/20 respectively, p = 0.06). Additionally, almost all students gave advice about healthy diets (93.5% versus 95.7%) with no specificity regarding the BMI of the SP. Conclusions: The body habitus of the SP did not significantly affect students’ performance in an undergraduate OSCE about cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting that students at that level may primarily focus on gaining points the diagnostic checklist without considering SPs as real patients.
Assessment of the correlation between wing size and body weight in captive Culex quinquefasciatus.

INTRODUCTION Mass production of mosquitoes under laboratory conditions allows implementing methods to control vector mosquitoes. Colony development depends on mosquito size and weight. Body size can be estimated from its correlation with wing size, whereas weight is more difficult to determine. Our goal was to test whether wing size can predict the weight. METHODS We compared dry weight and wing centroid size of Culex quinquefasciatus reared at different temperatures and four diets. RESULTS Weight and wing size were strongly correlated. The diets did not influence wing size. CONCLUSIONS Wing centroid size is a good predictor of Cx. quinquefasciatus body weight.
Investigating the reliability and validity of the Dutch versions of the illness management and recovery scales among clients with mental disorders

Abstract Background: The Illness Management and Recovery scales (IMRS) can measure the progress of clients’ illness self-management and recovery. Previous studies have examined the psychometric properties of the IMRS. Aims: This study examined the reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the IMRS. Method: Clients (n = 111) and clinicians (n = 40) completed the client and clinician versions of the IMRS, respectively. The scales were administered again 2 weeks later to assess stability over time. Validity was assessed with the Utrecht Coping List (UCL), Dutch Empowerment Scale (DES), and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Results: The client and clinician versions of the IMRS had moderate internal reliability, with α = 0.69 and 0.71, respectively. The scales showed strong test–retest reliability, r = 0.79, for the client version and r = 0.86 for the clinician version. Correlations between client and clinician versions ranged from r = 0.37 to 0.69 for the total and subscales. We also found relationships in expected directions between the client IMRS and UCL, DES and BSI, which supports validity of the Dutch version of the IMRS. Conclusions: The Dutch version of the IMRS demonstrated good reliability and validity. The IMRS could be useful for Dutch-speaking programs interested in evaluating client progress on illness self-management and recovery.
Lifetime experiences of self-employment

This report, by the Policy Studies Institute, explores the patterns of labour market participation and pension provision among self-employed people. It is based on analyses of the 1994-95 Family and Working Lives Survey, a representative sample of more than 9,000 people in Great Britain aged 16 to 69 years. It draws on lifetime information on economic activity, family circumstances and pension provision.
Are Regional Political Decisions the Key Element in Reducing Seasonal Variation in Tourism? The Case of the Balearic Islands

As a mature tourism destination, the Balearic Islands suffer the normal effects of the stagnation stage of the tourism area life cycle (TALC) model. During stagnation, reorientation policies are used in an attempt to mitigate some of those effects in order to reduce the prevalence of seasonality. Various planning instruments have been designed and implemented by successive local governments, a key priority being the attempt to find a strategic answer to reducing this phenomenon. Based on the analysis of successive marketing plans of the Autonomous Region of the Balearic Islands, and using the Gini index to measure seasonality, this study explores the link between the two and demonstrates that regional political policies adopted over the last 20 years have not reduced seasonal variation in tourism. The demand remains at the same levels of seasonality as in the 1990s, suggesting the ineffectiveness of the policies implemented.
The application of TOPSIS in the study of the comprehensive performance of lithium-ion power battery

The performance of power battery has a significant impact on operational safety, efficiency and economy of electric vehicles. In this paper, we use TOPSIS to evaluate the performance of power battery. Through experimental modeling method we can get the parameters of Lithium-ion batteries and analyze the effects of these parameters on overall performance of the battery by using TOPSIS. The results show that the comprehensive performances we get through TOPSIS are consistent with experimental data, which indicates that it is accurate to evaluate the comprehensive performance of the battery by using TOPSIS.
Analytical methods for physicochemical characterization of antibody drug conjugates

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), formed through the chemical linkage of a potent small molecule cytotoxin (drug) to a monoclonal antibody, have more complex and heterogeneous structures than the corresponding antibodies. This review describes the analytical methods that have been used in their physicochemical characterization. The selection of the most appropriate methods for a specific ADC is heavily dependent on the properties of the linker, the drug, and the choice of attachment sites (lysines, inter-chain cysteines, Fc glycans). Improvements in analytical techniques such as protein mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis have significantly increased the quality of information that can be obtained for use in product and process characterization, and for routine lot release and stability testing.
A classical bipartite nuclear localization signal on Thogoto and influenza A virus nucleoproteins.

We have previously shown that the nucleoprotein (NP) of Thogoto virus (THOV), a tick-borne member of the Orthomyxoviridae family, accumulates in the cell nucleus. Here we demonstrate that THOV NP contains a motif (KRxxxxxxxxxKTKK) at amino acid positions 179-193 that represents a classical bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS). This sequence motif (named cNLS) was able to translocate a cytoplasmic 80-kDa reporter protein into the nucleus. Targeted mutations substituting lysines for alanines in the downstream cluster of the bipartite motif abolished the capacity of cNLS to mediate nuclear import. In contrast, identical mutations had no effect on nuclear localization when introduced into THOV NP, indicating that additional transport signals are present in NP. Amino-acid sequence comparisons revealed that THOV NP lacks the N-terminal nonconvential NLS (named here nNLS), which has been implicated in nuclear import of influenza A virus NP. Accordingly, THOV NP failed to interact in coprecipitation assays with the cellular NPI-1/3 transport factors of the karyopherin alpha family. A highly conserved motif identified in THOV NP was the so-called nuclear accumulation sequence (NAS). Mutating NAS alone, or in combination with cNLS, had no gross effect on the intracellular distribution of the protein, indicating that a functional NAS is not required for nuclear accumulation of THOV NP in mammalian cells. We also studied nuclear transport of influenza A/PR/8/34 virus NP. Interestingly, we found a cNLS motif at amino acid positions 198-216 in addition to the previously described nonconventional nNLS. To further assess the functional role of cNLS, nNLS, and NAS, we analyzed single, double, and triple mutants of influenza A virus NP. When nNLS was destroyed, the protein stayed in the cytoplasm as expected. When NAS was disrupted in addition to nNLS, the double mutant accumulated in the nucleus, suggesting that cNLS was active. Indeed, when cNLS was also inactivated, the triple mutant protein localized again predominantly to the cytoplasm. These findings suggest that NP of orthomyxoviruses have two independent NLSs, namely cNLS and nNLS. They further suggest that NAS and NLSs may assume opposing roles in nucleocytoplasmic transport of NP.
Xor on one-defect systems

We present a network experiment that investigates the computational power of cellular automata on the simplest irregular lattice. One cellular automaton whose apparent complexity increased is Rule 60, the left neighbor Xor operator. It went from being nested to complex. That makes Xor a candidate for universal computational power. We present the evidence in terms of the size of cycle lengths, transients, and size of boolean expressions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 12: 13–29, 2006
Regional variations in vital capacity in adult males in India: comparison of regression equations from four regions and impact on interpretation of spirometric data.

BACKGROUND Information on variations in vital capacity predicted from various regional equations for adult males in India and on their impact on interpretation of spirometric data is not available. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a retrospective study, spirometry data of 1672 male patients, aged 15 years and above were studied. Predicted values of forced vital capacity (FVC), labelled as FVC(North), FVC(East), FVC(West) and FVC(South) were calculated from the available regional prediction equations. A prediction equation for FVC for south Indian adults above 40 years of age is not available. Spirometry data was interpreted using these and the extent of agreement between pairs of equations in detection of pattern of abnormality was analysed. RESULTS The FVC(North) and FVC(East) were close and greater than FVC(West) and FVC(South), which were in turn, close to each other. Up to the age of 40 years, the FVC(North) exceeded FVC(East), FVC(West) and FVC(South) by 2.4%, 11.8% and 13.3%, respectively, while in the above 40 years age group, it exceeded FVC(East) and FVC(West) by 5.1% and 9.67%, respectively. The differences, however, decreased substantially with increasing FVCs and even reversed at higher values with FVC(East) tending to exceed FVC(North) in both the age groups, and FVC(West) tending to exceed FVC(North) in the above 40 years age group. While northern and eastern, and, western and southern equations gave acceptable differences (less than 5%) in interpretation of abnormality in spirometric data in patients up to 40 years of age, differences between other pairs of equations in this age group, and between all pairs in the above 40 years age group were large and unacceptable. CONCLUSIONS Substantial variations exist in vital capacity predicted from various regional equations in adult males in India. In general, northern and eastern equations, and, western and southern equations yield closer values. While the northern Indian equation gives the highest predicted vital capacity, this is true only for lower values of vital capacities and at higher values, this may be less than that predicted from eastern or western equations. The regional differences may result in unacceptable errors in interpretation of spirometry data, if inappropriate prediction equations are used.
Constructional dyspraxia in preterm diplegia: isolation from visual and visual perceptual impairments

Objective: To evaluate ophthalmological profiles, visual perception and constructional function in preterm children with spastic diplegia (SD) and to clarify their neuropsychological deficits in comparison with a control group. Methods: Thirty‐five SD and 34 control children were investigated for visual acuity, eye position, stereoacuity, depth perception, visual perception, visuo‐spatial construction and constructional praxis. Each of the results was compared among the four groups as SD with and without strabismus, and control with and without strabismus. Results: Strabismic SD showed worse visual acuity, worse stereoacuity and worse depth perception than the other groups. Constructional dyspraxia was detected in 94. 1% of SD either with or without strabismus, while it was rare in the control group. There was no significant contribution of visual acuity, eye position, stereoacuity or depth perception to constructional dyspraxia by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Conclusion: Strabismic preterm SD children are at high risk for visual dysfunction. Constructional dyspraxia was frequently found in SD children and may be a dysfunction isolated from ophthalmological and visual perceptual dysfunctions.