Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rho/Rho Kinase Pathway Regulates Maintenance of the Differentiated Tubular Epithelial Cell Phenotype on Laminin-1

Background: Maintenance of a polarized tubular epithelium by appropriate intracellular signaling and extracellular matrix is critical both in normal renal function as well as in acute and chronic tubular injury. We examined the hypothesis that maintenance of a differentiated epithelial phenotype on the basement membrane glycoprotein laminin-1 is controlled by the Rho/Rho kinase pathway. Methods: Using the tubular epithelial cell lines LLC-PK1 and MDCK which were cultured on laminin-1 vs. collagen IV, we analyzed cell morphology and motility (cohort migration assay) as well as expression of differentiation and dedifferentiation markers (immunofluorescence microscopy). Results: Cohort migration of LLC-PK1 cells was significantly slowed down on laminin-1 (10.7 ± 2.2 m.u. (migratory units)) compared with collagen IV (16.6 ± 2.3 m.u.; BSA control: 2.8 ± 2.5 m.u.). Inhibition of the Rho/Rho kinase pathway by C3 exotoxin (1 µg/ml) or the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 (10 µM) significantly augmented cohort migration on laminin-1 (14.5 ± 1.4 and 16.0 ± 1.8 m.u. vs. 10.7 ± 2.2 m.u.). In parallel to the increased migratory activity, inhibition of the Rho/Rho kinase pathway resulted in a more mesenchymal phenotype of LLC-PK1 cells on laminin-1 with increased formation of lamellopodia and filopodia, distinct loss of focal contacts and stress fibers, upregulation of the dedifferentiation marker vimentin, and loss of cell-cell contacts with translocation of β-catenin from the adherens junctions to the cytosol and nucleus. Similarly, cohort migration of MDCK cells was retarded on laminin-1 when compared with collagen IV, and addition of the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 resulted in enhanced motility and a change in cell morphology. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the Rho/Rho kinase pathway is required to maintain a non-migratory epithelial phenotype of cultured renal tubular LLC-PK1 and MDCK cells on the basement membrane glycoprotein laminin-1.
A Twenty-One Year Surveillance of Adenoviral Conjunctivitis in Sapporo, Japan

We have studied the clinicoetiological, serological, and molecular epidemiological features of adenoviral conjunctivitis under the auspices of the nationwide surveillance project in Sapporo, located in northern Japan. We were able to analyze the results of 1,454 cases of adenoviral, herpetic, and chlamydial conjunctivitis. We found that adenonovirus serotypes 8, 19, and 37 caused severe conjunctivitis without systemic symptoms, whereas serotypes Ad3, Ad7, and Ad11 caused mild conjunctivitis with systemic involvement. Ad4 showed a broad range of symptoms, from PCF to EKC. Adenoviral conjunctivitis had seasonal outbreaks in the summer in association with adequate temperature and humidity in Sapporo. Neutralization antibodies against Ad8, Ad19, and Ad37 were detected in fewer than 20% of cases, and so the incidence of epidemics with these serotypes may rise in the coming years. The main genome types of adenovirus in Sapporo were Ad4a, Ad8e, Ad19a, Ad19b, and Ad37p, a, and b.
Phosphorylation status of heat shock protein 27 influences neurite growth in adult dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons in vitro

The small heat shock protein Hsp27 influences neurite growth, potentially via phosphorylation‐dependent interactions of Hsp27 with actin. To investigate the contribution of Hsp27 phosphorylation to neurite growth in adult DRG neurons, we employed hamster Hsp27 cDNA constructs (in pIRES‐EGFP) with mutations in the phosphorylation sites, either mimicking constitutively phosphorylated Hsp27 (with substitution of serines 15 and/or 90 by glutamate) or preventing phosphorylation at the site (serines 15/90 replaced by alanine). Five mutant constructs were employed in this study in addition to wild‐type hamster Hsp27; siRNA directed against the rat Hsp27 was used to depress endogenous Hsp27. Neurite growth was assessed in EGFP‐expressing cells following immunocytochemistry and tracing of neurite growth. Hsp27 staining and phalloidin labelling were used to examine Hsp27 and actin colocalization in neurons and growth cones. Overall, our results demonstrate that the role that Hsp27 plays in neurite growth can be affected by phosphorylation, oligomerization, or a combination of both. Hsp27 constructs that are able to dimerize and/or form large oligomers [WT, Hsp27‐AA, Hsp27‐AE, Hsp27−Δ(5–23)] rescued siRNA‐depressed neurite growth, whereas Hsp27 mutants that do not form dimers or oligomers (Hsp27‐EE and Hsp27‐EA) were unable to rescue the effect of the siRNA. The phalloidin labelling qualitatively showed a higher level of localization of actin with the Hsp27‐AA compared with the other constructs. Although phosphorylation appears to be important in growth, the ability of Hsp27 to exist in both phospho‐ and nonphospho‐ states is likely key to its role in regulating cytoskeletal elements involved in neurite growth. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gender, employment and the life course : the case of working daughters in Amman, Jordan

This thesis addresses two main gaps within social science research: the relative neglect of the household within general labour market theories and the relative neglect of the impact of life course changes in approaches to female labour force participation. In empirical terms, nowhere is the later gap more clear than the current research on female employment in the Middle East. Therefore, this thesis aims to identify changing female employment patterns in Jordan with particular reference to young single urban women. Unlike previous generations, women currently marry at a later age, have relatively high education levels and have access to expanding employment opportunities. The result is that women are experiencing a new life course trajectory: single employed adulthood. Given that Jordanian society has traditionally been based on rigid gender and generation hierarchies, the study explores the implications of the new trends at two main and inter-related levels: the workplace and the household. The research methodology utilises both quantitative and qualitative tools and consists of an employer survey of 36 private sector institutions, a questionnaire survey of 302 households, and a sub-sample of 40 semi-structured interviews with young women. At the workplace level it explores the bases of gender differentiated recruitment and occupational segregation and how this structures young women's work opportunities. At the household level the investigation assesses the characteristics that are likely to influence young female labour supply and considers inter-generational patterns of household income management. Synthesising these perspectives, the research then goes on to explore the ways in which normative patriarchal relations are responding to young women's prolonged single adulthood as well as young women's perceptions of their work. One of the main findings of the research is that single adulthood may have expanded opportunities and the aspirational horizon for some young women but it had not brought about a significant redistribution of either power relations or gender divisions in society at large.
Cutting CO2 Emissions: The Effects of Alternative Policy Approaches*

This paper starts from the premise that attempts to curtail global emissions of greenhouse gases are likely to be made in the next few decades. We discuss some of the possible international effects which could result from attempts to achieve such a cutback, and illustrate a methodology which we hope to extend, in subsequent work, to further evaluating the consequences of responding to the problem of global warming. We identify possible magnitudes of effects of cutting global C02 emissions, and illustrate ways in which intercountry terms-of-trade effects and changes in trade patterns may occur.
Internet of everything (IoE) exploiting organisational inside threats: Global network of smart devices (GNSD)

Various disruptive technologies have evolved a paradigm for setting up the Internet-of-Everything (IoE) and continuous evolution of technologies has demanded those devices to communicate and exchange information with each other. The marketing research company Gartner has surveyed and estimated that around 30 billion devices would be interconnected and exchanging information by 2020. The IoE is accompanied by several substantial opportunities in all fields of life, ranging from the energy sector to the healthcare industry. The trail of IoE development has opened new doors of attack vectors. The evolution in the plethora of ubiquitous devices has raised several insider threats, thus generating concerns of security and privacy within enterprises who have framed the use of smart devices through IoE. This paper discusses a different perspective of security and privacy issues in IoE by considering insiders bringing personal smart devices to use within the enterprise. The central theme of this research is to identify the challenges and explore the extent of security and privacy issues a global network of smart devices could exacerbate within the enterprise.
Frameworks for Formulating Environmental and Climate Change Policies: Perspectives from Environmental-Macroeconomics

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the significant differences that would emerge in policy formulation, when environmental capital (KN) is explicitly accounted for in macroeconomic analyses. These differences are illustrated with reference to two selected Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) economies namely, Australia and Canada. The main analytic framework considered is a factor utilization function – which traditionally deals with Labour (L) and manufactured Capital (KM). The development of a three-factor function in terms of L, KM and KN enables the display of mistaken notions of economic performance. That is in the absence of KN, policy makers overstate the performance of L and KM. The recognition of mistaken levels of performance with reference to KM and L in standard macroeconomic analyses enables the identification of policy avenues to protect and enhance KN. As illustrated in the paper, the implication of developing and applying environmental-macroeconomic frameworks for formulating environmental and climate change policies is significant.
Cell population-based model of dermal wound invasion with heterogeneous intracellular signaling properties

A deterministic model of dermal wound invasion, which accounts for the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) gradient sensing mechanism in fibroblasts mediated by cell surface receptors and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signal transduction pathway, was previously described (Biophys J 2006; 90:2297-2308). Here, we extend that work and implement a hybrid modeling strategy that treats fibroblasts as discrete entities endowed with heterogeneous properties, namely receptor, PI3K and 3’ phosphoinositide phosphatase expression levels. Analysis of the model suggests that the wound environment fosters the advancement of cells within the population that are better fit to migrate and/or proliferate in response to PDGF stimulation. Thus, cell-to-cell variability results in a significantly higher rate of wound invasion as compared with the deterministic model, in a manner that depends on the way in which individual cell properties are sampled or inherited upon cell division.
Myotubularin and MTMR2, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Phosphatases Mutated in Myotubular Myopathy and Type 4B Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease*

Myotubularin is the archetype of a family of highly conserved protein-tyrosine phosphatase-like enzymes. The myotubularin gene, MTM1, is mutated in the genetic disorder, X-linked myotubular myopathy. We and others have previously shown that myotubularin utilizes the lipid second messenger, phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI(3)P), as a physiologic substrate. We demonstrate here that the myotubularin-related protein MTMR2, which is mutated in the neurodegenerative disorder, type 4B Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, is also highly specific for PI(3)P as a substrate. Furthermore, the MTM-related phosphatases MTMR1, MTMR3, and MTMR6 also dephosphorylate PI(3)P, suggesting that activity toward this substrate is common to all myotubularin family enzymes. A direct comparison of the lipid phosphatase activities of recombinant myotubularin and MTMR2 demonstrates that their enzymatic properties are indistinguishable, indicating that the lack of functional redundancy between these proteins is likely to be due to factors other than the utilization of different physiologic substrates. To this end, we have analyzed myotubularin and MTMR2 transcripts during induced differentiation of cultured murine C2C12 myoblasts and find that their expression is divergently regulated. In addition, myotubularin and MTMR2 enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion proteins exhibit overlapping but distinct patterns of subcellular localization. Finally, we provide evidence that myotubularin, but not MTMR2, can modulate the levels of endosomal PI(3)P. From these data, we conclude that the developmental expression and subcellular localization of myotubularin and MTMR2 are differentially regulated, resulting in their utilization of specific cellular pools of PI(3)P.
Molecular Correlations in Phenylketonuria: Mutation Patterns and Corresponding Biochemical and Clinical Phenotypes in a Heterogeneous California Population

We studied 133 California phenylketonuria (PKU) patients and one obligate heterozygote to delineate the molecular basis of PKU in a population with greater ethnic diversity than in previous studies, and to determine whether a correlation exists between genotype and clinical phenotype, with the latter defined by both the diagnostic pretreatment blood phenylalanine (PHE) level and cognitive (IQ) test scores. To determine PAH genotypes, we used PCR-mediated amplification, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and direct sequencing on dried whole blood samples. Where possible, mutation severity was defined according to predicted in vitro PAH enzyme activity estimated by using Cos cell expression analysis for a given mutation. We then asked whether mutation severity, as defined by such expression analysis, correlated with pretreatment PHE levels or with IQ test results. A mutation was identified in 236 (88%) of 267 mutant alleles. Seventeen new mutant alleles were found; A47E, T81P, I102T, E182G, T328D, Y343P, K371R, Y387H, A389E, E422K, IVS9nt5, IVS11nt20, delS70, del364–368/del198–220, delF299, delT323, and −1C/T. In striking contrast to a number of studies in other populations, in this study, based on predicted PAH activity, we observed no correlation between mutation severity and pretreatment PHE levels. There was also no correlation between genotype and IQ. We conclude that in samples collected from an ethnically heterogeneous population, there is no correlation of mutation severity with either pretreatment PHE levels or IQ measurement in treated patients. We caution that genetic counseling in PKU should incorporate the notion that prognosis may not be predicted with precision based on mutation analysis in a given patient.
Performance improvement of servo machine for low speed operation using RBFN disturbance observer

A new scheme to estimate the moment of inertia in the servo motor drive system in very low speed is proposed in this paper. The typical speed estimation scheme in most servo system for low speed operation is sensitive to the variation of machine parameters, especially the moment of inertia. To estimate the motor inertia value, the observer using the radial basis function networks (RBFN) is applied. The effectiveness of the proposed inertia estimation method is verified by experiments. It is concluded that the speed control performance in the low speed region is improved with the proposed disturbance observer using RBFN.
Simulation of Constrained Musculoskeletal Systems in Task Space

Objective: This paper proposes an operational task space formalization of constrained musculoskeletal systems, motivated by its promising results in the field of robotics. Methods: The change of representation requires different algorithms for solving the inverse and forward dynamics simulation in the task space domain. We propose an extension to the direct marker control and an adaptation of the computed muscle control algorithms for solving the inverse kinematics and muscle redundancy problems, respectively. Results: Experimental evaluation demonstrates that this framework is not only successful in dealing with the inverse dynamics problem, but also provides an intuitive way of studying and designing simulations, facilitating assessment prior to any experimental data collection. Significance: The incorporation of constraints in the derivation unveils an important extension of this framework toward addressing systems that use absolute coordinates and topologies that contain closed kinematic chains. Task space projection reveals a more intuitive encoding of the motion planning problem, allows for better correspondence between observed and estimated variables, provides the means to effectively study the role of kinematic redundancy, and most importantly, offers an abstract point of view and control, which can be advantageous toward further integration with high level models of the precommand level. Conclusion: Task-based approaches could be adopted in the design of simulation related to the study of constrained musculoskeletal systems.
Complexity of Innovation in the public sector: A workgroup-level analysis of related factors and outcomes

Abstract Complex innovation incorporates more than one innovation type. Using the number of dimensions of the ‘most significant innovation’ implemented by each public employee’s workgroup as a proxy for innovation complexity, this study explores factors that are associated with complexity and examines how complexity affects innovation outcomes. Employing a sample of 4,369 Australian Government employees, we find that the more complex the innovation, the greater the number of barriers a workgroup has to face in its implementation. A broader (but selective) range of idea sources and a more decentralized workplace where both individual and team creativity is encouraged increase the likelihood of implementing complex innovations. Innovation complexity is positively correlated with the variety of beneficial outcomes, suggesting both policy and management interest in supporting complex innovation in the public sector.
Global Land Grabs: historical processes, theoretical and methodological implications and current trajectories

Abstract Scholars, practitioners and activists generally agree that investor interest in land has climbed sharply, although they differ about what to call this phenomenon and how to analyse it. This introduction discusses several contested definitional, conceptual, methodological and political issues in the land grab debate. The initial ‘making sense’ period drew sweeping conclusions from large databases, rapid-appraisal fieldwork and local case studies. Today research examines financialisation of land, ‘water grabbing’, ‘green grabbing’ and grabbing for industrial and urbanisation projects, and a substantial literature challenges key assumptions of the early discussion (the emphasis on foreign actors in Africa and on food and biofuels production, the claim that local populations are inevitably displaced or negatively affected). The authors in this collection, representing a diversity of approaches and backgrounds, argue the need to move beyond the basic questions of the ‘making sense’ period of the debate and share a common commitment to connecting analyses of contemporary land grabbing to its historical antecedents and legal contexts and to longstanding agrarian political economy questions concerning forms of dispossession and accumulation, the role of labour and the impediments to the development of capitalism in agriculture. They call for more rigorous grounding of claims about impacts, for scrutiny of failed projects and for (re)examination of the longue durée, social differentiation, the agency of contending social classes and forms of grassroots resistance as key elements shaping agrarian outcomes.
Completion of Kunjin virus RNA sequence and recovery of an infectious RNA transcribed from stably cloned full-length cDNA

Completion of the Kunjin virus (KUN) RNA sequence showed that it is the longest flavivirus sequence reported (11,022 bases), commencing with a 5' noncoding region of 96 bases. The 3' noncoding sequence of 624 nucleotides included a unique insertion sequence of 46 bases adjacent to the stop codon, but otherwise it had properties similar to those of RNAs of closely related flaviviruses. A full-length KUN cDNA clone which could be stably propagated in Escherichia coli DH5 alpha was constructed; SP6 polymerase RNA transcripts from amplified cDNA were infectious when transfected into BHK-21 cells. A mutational change abolishing the BamHI restriction site at position 4049, leading to a conservative amino acid change of Arg-175 to Lys in the NS2A protein, was introduced into the cDNA during construction and was retained in the recovered virus. Extra terminal nucleotides introduced during cloning of the cDNA were shown to be present in the in vitro RNA transcripts but absent in the RNA of recovered virus. Although recovered virus differed from the parental KUN by a smaller plaque phenotype and delayed growth rate in BHK-21 cells and mice, it was very similar as assessed by several other criteria, such as peak titer during growth in cells, infectivity titer in cells and in mice, rate of adsorption and penetration in cells, replication at 39 degrees C, and neurovirulence after intraperitoneal injection in mice. The KUN stably cloned cDNA will provide a useful basis for future studies in defining and characterizing functional roles of all the gene products.
The FMEA-Risk Analysis of Oil and Gas Process Facilities with Hazard Assessment Based on Fuzzy Logic

The paper considers the practical application of the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis method to assess the operational reliability of the oil refineries' equipment, which is a pressing problem for the oil-producing regions and countries. Oil refineries are hazardous industries, and therefore the construction, adaptation and testing of effective risk analysis methods is an important task. The solution to this problem provides the basis for corrective management action to reduce the probability of damage from accidents to humans and the environment. The method is based on the detection probability of inconsistencies and involves elaborate ways to increase the reliability and security through risk analysis method. The approbation is performed for the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis method to assess the reliability based on the detection of defects typical to oil and gas facilities. The basic steps of the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis method are provided and show the possible options for scaling required to obtain quantitative risk assessments. The result was the quantitative risk assessment for oil transportation facilities. The supporting method for quantifying risk in emergency situations on the equipment are encouraged to use a fuzzy logic approach. The paper describes the main steps of this approach shows its applicability and the possibility of formation for quantitative estimates of the hazards of various defects in the equipment.
Optimization of non-uniform constellations with reduced degrees of freedom

In this paper, multiple algorithms to design non-uniform constellations (NUCs) are reviewed, it is found that the degrees of freedom (DOF) is still large when designing 2-dimensional NUC (2D-NUC). To this end, we propose a two-step algorithm to design 2D-NUC, which consists of initial constellations design and a subsequent iterative optimization. By imposing more limitations on the initial constellations, the number of parameters to be optimized is reduced. Based on that, a set of 2D-NUC which outperforms that adopted by ATSC 3.0 is finally presented by applying the proposed iterative optimization algorithm.