Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of macrophage 3D migration: a therapeutic challenge to limit tissue infiltration

Macrophages are professional migrating cells found in all body tissues from the early embryonic stages till the end of the adult life. Tissue macrophages do not only play beneficial roles. In several diseases, macrophages recruited from blood monocytes have a deleterious action such as favoring cancer progression and destroying tissues in chronic inflammation. To migrate in 3D environments, all leukocytes use the amoeboid movement while macrophages use the amoeboid and the mesenchymal migration modes. Mesenchymal migration takes place in dense matrices and involves podosomes and proteolysis of the extracellular matrix to create paths. Podosome disruption has been correlated with reduced mesenchymal migration of macrophages and unaffected amoeboid migration. Therefore, podosomes are proposed as a therapeutic target. Inhibiting podosome regulators that are only expressed in macrophages and few cell types would avoid collateral effects often encountered when ubiquitous proteins are used as drug targets. With the current status of our knowledge on human macrophage podosomes and 3D migration, the tyrosine kinase Hck appears to be a good candidate.
Earnings management and evolution of the banking regulation: The case of Tunisian banks following the IMF recommendations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the earnings management practices of Tunisian banks after the publication of the first International Monetary Fund (IMF) report (2002) over the period 1998-2007. Design/methodology/approach – The study relies on a mixed model that combines both the quantitative and qualitative approaches. First of all, we use the quantitative method to measure the discretionary loan loss provisions based on the model of Cornett et al. (2009), and then we validate the quantitative findings by using the interview approach. Findings – Since 2005, Tunisian banks have resorted less and less to accounting earnings management through the loan loss provisions, but conversely, real earnings management has been revealed instead by the sale of investment securities and the use of debt collection agencies. Despite the IMF recommendations, Tunisian banks continue to manage their earnings by changing only their strategies. Practical implications – The findings of this study show that th.
Restricting access with certificate attributes in multiple root environments - a recipe for certificate masquerading

The issue of certificate masquerading against the SSL protocol is pointed out in Hayes (1998). In Hayes, various forms of server certificate masquerading are identified. It should also be noted that the attack described is a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack that requires direct manipulation of the SSL protocol. This paper is a mirror of Hayes and involves client certificate masquerading. The motivation for this paper comes from the fact that this anomaly has shown up in commercial products. It is potentially more damaging than in Hayes since a MITM attack is not involved and the only requirement is that the application trust a given root certificate authority (CA). The problem arises when applications use multiple roots that do not cross-certify. The problem is further exacerbated since the applications themselves do not have the ability to apply external name constraints and policies. Unfortunately, the problem is a fairly well known problem, within the public key infrastructure (PKI) community, but continues to persist in practice despite this knowledge.
Regulation of the p21-activated Kinase-relatedDictyostelium Myosin I Heavy Chain Kinase by Autophosphorylation, Acidic Phospholipids, and Ca2+-Calmodulin*

The Dictyostelium myosin I heavy chain kinase (MIHCK) is a member of the p21-activated kinase family (Lee, S.-F., Egelhoff, T. T., Mahasneh, A., and Côté, G. P. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 27044–27048). MIHCK incubated with MgATP in the absence of effectors incorporates 1 mol of phosphate/mol, resulting in an ∼40-fold increase in kinase activity. Sequence analysis of tryptic peptides has identified the major site of phosphorylation as Ser-8. A peptide and a glutathioneS-transferase fusion protein containing the Ser-8 phosphorylation site were good substrates for MIHCK, indicating that MIHCK can catalyze its own activation. Guanosine 5′-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPγS)-Rac1 stimulates MIHCK autophosphorylation and kinase activity 10-fold. Phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, but not phosphatidylcholine or sphingosine, were as effective as GTPγS-Rac1 in enhancing MIHCK autophosphorylation and activity. Acidic lipids and GTPγS-Rac1 induced the autophosphorylation of a similar set of sites as judged by two-dimensional tryptic peptide maps. It is proposed that GTP-Rac and acidic phospholipids function cooperatively to associate MIHCK with membranes. Ca2+-calmodulin bound MIHCK and inhibited activation by acidic phospholipids but not by GTPγS-Rac1. These studies reveal a number of similarities between the regulatory properties of the Dictyostelium andAcanthamoeba MIHCK, suggesting that the signaling pathways that control myosin I are conserved.
Screening cognition in the elderly with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome reaches its highest prevalence in the elderly, and evidence suggests that metabolic syndrome could be an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment. The aims of this study were to detect whether patients with metabolic syndrome have lower cognition and to investigate whether there is a relationship with cognition and single metabolic syndrome components. METHODS We assessed fasting blood glucose (FBG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and anthropometric measurements. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. The population sample was divided into two groups according to the presence of metabolic syndrome. Cognitive function was investigated through the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS We enrolled 159 elderly subjects (mean age, 69.8±4.8 years). Seventy had metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome subjects had higher hsCRP values (P<0.0001) and lower MMSE scores (P<0.0001) than those without metabolic syndrome. MMSE scores were significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI), hsCRP, metabolic syndrome, the number of metabolic syndrome components, and each of them. However, at multivariate regression analysis, only fasting blood glucose [FBG; B=-0.046; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.066 to -0.028; P<0.0001] and the number of metabolic syndrome components (B=-0.317; 95% CI -0.572 to -0.010; P=0.042) were found to be independent predictors of lower MMSE scores. CONCLUSION We found that subjects with metabolic syndrome have lower MMSE scores than those without, even without symptomatic cognitive impairment, and that the number of metabolic abnormalities is independently associated to lower MMSE scores. We suggest that these patients should always undergo cognitive screening to prevent more severe outcomes.
Integrating Faculty Research Performance Evaluation And The Balanced Scorecard In AU Strategic Planning: A Collaborative Model

Quality of research is a core property that enables a university to gain and sustain credibility. The evaluation and measurement of this core property needs to include a wide range of critical factors. This paper suggests the use of the balanced scorecard (BSC) approach as a powerful tool to link faculty research activity to university strategic planning. Though widely embraced by the corporate sector, BSC has not been applied in the higher education sector of the economy, in part because of the lack of quantitative performance measures. This paper presents application of BSC to a Canadian university, including a quantified performance measurement system. The development of the system, its components, the intended outcomes, and the necessary characteristics that should enable BSC to be applied generally to any university’s overall strategic plan are described.
Herpes Simplex Virus IE63 (ICP27) Protein Interacts with Spliceosome-Associated Protein 145 and Inhibits Splicing prior to the First Catalytic Step

ABSTRACT The multifunctional herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) protein IE63 (ICP27) interacts with the essential pre-mRNA splicing factor, spliceosome-associated protein 145 (SAP145), and in infected cells IE63 and SAP145 colocalize. This interaction was reduced or abrogated completely using extracts from cells infected with IE63 viral mutants, with mutations in IE63 KH and Sm homology domains, which do not exhibit host shutoff or inhibit splicing. In the presence of IE63, splicing in vitro was inhibited prior to the first catalytic step and the B/C complex formed during splicing was shifted up in mobility and reduced in intensity. With the use of splicing extracts, IE63 and SAP145 both comigrated with the B/C complex, suggesting that they interact within this complex to inhibit B/C complex formation or conversion. The inhibition of splicing may facilitate the export of viral or cellular transcripts, possibly via other protein partners of IE63. These data provide important new insights into how IE63 influences pre-mRNA processing during HSV-1 infection.
Posttranscriptional activation of gene expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes by microRNA–protein complexes (microRNPs)

MicroRNA–protein complexes (microRNPs) can activate translation of target reporters and specific mRNAs in quiescent (i.e., G0) mammalian cell lines. Induced quiescent cells, like folliculated immature oocytes, have high levels of cAMP that activate protein kinase AII (PKAII) to maintain G0 and immature states. We report microRNA-mediated up-regulated expression of reporters in immature Xenopus laevis oocytes, dependent on Xenopus AGO or human AGO2 and on FXR1, as in mammalian cells. Importantly, we find that maintenance of cAMP levels and downstream PKAII signaling are required for microRNA-mediated up-regulated expression in oocytes. We identify an important, endogenous cell state regulator, Myt1 kinase, as a natural target of microRNA-mediated up-regulation in response to xlmiR16, ensuring maintenance of oocyte immaturity. Our data reveal the physiological relevance of cAMP/PKAII-controlled posttranscriptional gene expression activation by microRNAs in maintenance of the immature oocyte state.
BACKYARD WOODLOTS: LARGE SCALE EDUCATION FOR SMALL ACREAGES

Land parcelization in the Eastern United States is resulting in more landowners and smaller holdings. These small acre properties are increasingly important to the environmental health of natural systems. Seventy-three percent of Virginia's privately owned forestland is in ownerships of 10 acres or less, yet little assistance has been available to them. Additionally, we find most small acre owners are first-time landowners with little knowledge of natural systems. There is general agreement that planning and professional assistance lead to better forest stewardship; however, smaller acreage owners are even less likely than larger acreage owners to have written plans or seek assistance. Locally initiated educational programming using a self-guided planning tool specific to small acreage owners has ushered hundreds individuals, families and Extension Volunteers through the planning process and resulted in high rates of written plan completion (average of 80%). According to exit and follow-up evaluations, most participants have implemented one or more practices based on their self-designed plan to improve and/or expand natural areas on their property. The program materials and design are an effective tool to excite, encourage, and affect stewardship on small acreages. Lessons learned from these interactions with landowners are allowing us to fine-tune outreach methods for this underserved and unique audience. A parallel issue surrounding small acreage ownerships is the lack of service providers. While some landowners want and are willing to pay for services, related industries and service providers are slow to respond. The work with small acreage landowners is leading to programs to create outreach efforts in the Mid- Atlantic area to potential services providers.
Power Saving Mechanism for Multi-cluster Resource Manager with Dynamic Loading Prediction Scheduling Algorithm

The “Green Computing,” is especially important and timely. As computing becomes increasingly pervasive, the energy consumption attributable to computing is climbing, despite the clarion call to action to reduce consumption and reverse greenhouse effects. A high performance-computing cluster is a set of computers gathered together and connected with the intent of merging their processing power towards the same goal. In this paper we developed a multi-cluster resource manager with proposed scheduling algorithm to solve this problem. The multi-cluster resource manager can control and balance loading of various heterogeneous clusters more efficiently. To echo today’s energy saving issues, we also proposed a power saving mechanism. Furthermore, this algorithm also considers several properties of the multi-cluster system, including heterogeneous, dynamic adaptation and the dependent relationship of jobs. And, the power saving mechanism can wake up these idle machines when computing power is requested and power down when the job is done.
Towards a Realistic Model of Incentives in Interdomain Routing: Decoupling Forwarding from Signaling

We model the task of interdomain routing—the task of connecting the networks that compose the Internet—as an iterative, highly distributed, asynchronous game. Unlike previous examinations of this game that assumed quasi-linear utilities, we assume that each node has a quasi-bilinear utility depending not only on the route it believes it is assigned in the outcome, but also on other nodes assigned to route through it. This more realistic model captures out-of-band business relationships that may affect nodes’ behavior in the game and the difficulty of monitoring traffic flows on the Internet. We show by example that conditions that guarantee incentive compatibility when utility does not depend on signaling do not provide this assurance in the model we study. We also extend the Stable Paths Problem to decouple forwarding from signaling and show that this allows stable signaling solutions to have forwarding loops, and we give a sufficient condition to prevent this. Finally, we provide positive results about incentive compatibility when using utility functions that depend on both forwarding and signaling; this relies on nodes having next-hop policies (so that their forwarding preferences depend only on the next hops of available routes) and certain other assumptions. In conjunction with these results, we provide examples of networks that violate these conditions and in which nodes have incentive to lie about their chosen paths.
Sulfur‐Doped Carbon with Enlarged Interlayer Distance as a High‐Performance Anode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

S‐doped carbon is investigated as a high‐performance anode material for sodium‐ion batteries. Due to the introduction of a high‐content of S atoms, the as‐obtained S‐doped carbon shows an enlarged interlayer distance. As an anode, a high specific capacity of up to 303 mAh g−1 is achieved, even after 700 cycles at 0.5 A g−1.
Suicidal Tendencies: Apoptotic Cell Death by Caspase Family Proteinases*

Certain proteases are not merely degradative enzymes but are highly regulated signaling molecules that control critical biological processes via specific limited proteolysis. Caspase proteinases and their central role in apoptotic cell death provide a prime example of this concept. These cysteine proteinases exist as latent zymogens; however, once activated by apoptotic signals, they systematically dismantle and package the cell by cleaving key cellular proteins solely after aspartate residues. Here we review caspase proteinases with an emphasis on their structure, activation, and critical role in the apoptotic mechanism.
Disruption of the DT Diaphorase (NQO1) Gene in Mice Leads to Increased Menadione Toxicity*

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a flavoenzyme that catalyzes two-electron reductive metabolism and detoxification of quinones and their derivatives leading to protection of cells against redox cycling and oxidative stress. To examine thein vivo role of NQO1, a NQO1-null mouse was produced using targeted gene disruption. Mice lacking NQO1 gene expression showed no detectable phenotype and were indistinguishable from wild-type mice. However, NQO1-null mice exhibited increased toxicity when administered menadione compared with wild-type mice. These results establish a role for NQO1 in protection against quinone toxicity. The NQO1-null mice are a model for NQO1 deficiency in humans and can be used to determine the role of this enzyme in sensitivity to toxicity and carcinogenesis.
Factors Influencing on Online Shopping Attitude and Intention of Mongolian Consumers

The purpose of this study was to investigate Mongolian consumer perception of online shopping, as well as the factors influencing on their attitude toward online shopping and their effect on their intention toward online shopping. Sample of this study included online shopping consumers of Mongolian. The study used e-survey to collect data with 107 (10.7%) valid data. The regression analysis was used to analysis the relationship between dependent and independent variables, and discovered mediation. The results of this study found that consumer innovativeness, perceived benefits and perceived risk are important determining factors influencing online shopping. Also the findings shown that consumer innovativeness, perceived benefits had positive impact on consumer shopping attitude, and perceived risk had a negative impact on consumer online shopping attitude. Moreover, consumer innovativeness, perceived benefits, perceived risk had an indirect effect on the intention of online shopping. The results of this study nearly supported all hypotheses.
Review of Genetics in Age Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of the retina and the leading cause of blindness in industrialized countries. AMD is a complex disease caused by the combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. The prevalence of AMD increases with age. The adverse effect of smoking is well established. Genetic predisposition has been demonstrated by familial aggregation studies and twin studies. Using genome linkage scan and association studies, multiple potentially causative genes have been identified. The chromosomes most commonly implicated are 1q25-31 and 10q26. In particular, variants in the gene for the complement factor H (CFH) and the genes PLEKHA1/LOC387715/HTRA1, Factor B (BF) and complement component 2 (C2) have been implicated as major risk or protective factors for the development of AMD. There have been some advances in the treatment of this condition; however, a complete cure remains remote but hopeful. Understanding the causative environmental and genetic interactions will facilitate the development of future preventive methods and treatments.
The Emb proteins of mycobacteria direct arabinosylation of lipoarabinomannan and arabinogalactan via an N‐terminal recognition region and a C‐terminal synthetic region

The arabinans of the mycobacterial cell wall are key structural and immunological polymers in the context of arabinogalactan (AG) and lipoarabinomannan (LAM) respectively. The three homologous membrane proteins EmbA, EmbB and EmbC are known to be involved in the synthesis of arabinan but their biochemical functions are not understood. Herein we show, that synthesis of LAM, but not AG, ceases after inactivation of embC in Mycobacterium smegmatis by insertional mutagenesis. LAM synthesis is restored upon complementation with the embC wild‐type gene. Previously we have shown that the synthesis of the arabinan of AG is affected by embA or embB disruption. Thus the Emb proteins are capable of differential recognition of the galactan or mannan acceptors prior to appropriate arabinosylation. In addition, a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches have allowed us to assign some specific functions to the regions of emb gene products. Complementation of the embC¯ mutant with a hybrid gene encoding the N‐terminus of EmbC and the C‐terminus of EmbB resulted in LAM with a lower molecular weight than the wild‐type LAM. Structural studies involving enzyme digestion, chromatography and mass spectrometry analyses revealed that the arabinan of the ‘LAM’ formed in the hybrid was of AG kind rather than LAM type of arabinan.
Profit and loss calculation model of data synchronization based on Markov chain

This paper puts forward one kind of profit and loss computation model based on the Markov chain for the data synchronization application between data subset and application system on university information platform. The data synchronization Markov model of a single link and dual link is given, computation model based on the profit or loss of the stationary distribution of a single link and dual link is deduced, and whether to upgrade a single link to a dual link is changed from qualitative interpretation into quantitative calculation.
Amnesia Produced by Electroconvulsive Shock or Cycloheximide: Conditions for Recovery

Retrograde amnesia for a passive avoidance response was produced in rats by electroconvulsive shock and in mice by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. One day after training the memory could be restored if a "reminder" of the original foot shock was given after the retention test on which the amnesia was demonstrated. Memory did not return if the reminder was given without the prior retention test or if the reminder and the test were separated by 23 hours.
Isolated noncompaction of the myocardium in adults.

OBJECTIVE To describe the entity of isolated ventricular noncompaction (IVNC) and present a series of cases of this rare disorder in an adult population. MATERIAL AND METHODS We review a 10-year experience with the diagnosis of IVNC and discuss the clinical, echocardiographic, and pathologic features of this condition. Echocardiographic diagnostic criteria included the absence of coexisting cardiac abnormalities, the presence of prominent and excessive trabeculations of one or more ventricular wall segments, and intertrabecular spaces perfused from the ventricular cavity. Pathologic examination focused on regions with exaggerated trabeculations and deep intertrabecular spaces. RESULTS IVNC is an unexplained arrest of myocardial morphogenesis previously encountered mainly in pediatric patients. Among 37,555 transthoracic echocardiographic studies performed at our hospital between January 1984 and October 1993, 17 cases of IVNC were identified in adult subjects (14 men and 3 women, 18 to 71 years of age). The mean time from onset of symptoms to correct diagnosis was 3.5 +/- 5.7 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 30 +/- 28 months. Common clinical symptoms were heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, and a history of embolic events. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed 10 patients with left ventricular and 7 (41%) with biventricular IVNC. During a 6-year follow-up period, eight patients died and two underwent heart transplantation. CONCLUSION Although the diagnosis of IVNC in an adult population is often delayed because of similarities with more frequently diagnosed conditions, two-dimensional echocardiography will facilitate the diagnosis of IVNC in this subset of patients. Because of the high incidence of heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, and embolization in adults with IVNC, early diagnosis is important.