Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Release of putative exocytic transport vesicles from perforated MDCK cells.

Mechanically perforated MDCK cells were used to study membrane transport between the trans‐Golgi network and the apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains in vitro. Three membrane transport markers–an apical protein (fowl plague virus haemagglutinin), a basolateral protein (vesicular stomatitis virus G protein), and a lipid marker destined for both domains (C6‐NBD‐sphingomyelin)–were each accumulated in the trans‐Golgi by a 20 degrees C block of transport and their behaviour monitored following cell perforation and incubation at 37 degrees C. In the presence of ATP and in the absence of calcium ions a considerable fraction of the transport markers were released from the perforated cells in sealed membrane vesicles. Control experiments showed that the vesicles were not generated by non‐specific vesiculation of the Golgi complex or the plasma membrane. The vesicles had well defined sedimentation properties and the orientation expected of transport vesicles derived from the trans‐Golgi network.
A true low voltage class-AB current mirror

Class-AB circuits, which are able to deal with currents which are orders of magnitude larger than their quiescent current, are good candidates for low-power analog design. This paper presents a new, simple, class-AB current-mirror, based on the Flipped Voltage Follower [1]. In the authors knowledge this is the first class-AB current-mirror which operates with a supply voltage smaller than two transistor threshold voltages without an additional clock signal or voltage doubler. Experimental results are provided which show proper operation at 1.5V in a 0. 5µm standard CMOS technology.
Differential stimulation of collagenase and chemotactic activity in fibroblasts derived from rat wound repair tissue and human skin by growth factors

Epidermal growth factor and cartilage‐derived basic fibroblast growth factor (EGF and CD‐bFGF) are mitogens shown to increase the rate of wound repair in animal models. In addition to being a mitogen for granulation tissue, CD‐bFGF stimulates the recruitment of cells to the wound site. CD‐bFGF and a closely‐related chondrosarcoma‐derived fibroblast growth factor stimulated chemotaxis of granulation tissue cells in vitro, each factor having a maximum activity at a concentration of 55 pM. Epidermal growth factor was also a potent chemoattractant for rat granulation tissue fibroblasts; however, maximum activity was obtained at 1.7 nM. Cells from all stages of wound repair were chemotactically responsive to these factors, but there was some attenuation of the response to bFGF in cells derived from fully‐organized day 28 granulation tissue. Collagenase‐catalyzed restructuring of collagen, an additional significant feature of wound repair, is probably critical to cell movement in an extracellular matrix. Cells derived from organizing (6–day old) sponge granulation tissue secreted latent collagenase constituitively in vitro. In the presence of serum, the production of collagenase was stimulated three‐four fold by 1.8 nM bFGF derived either from cartilage or chondrosarcoma. When serum was present, as at a wound site, collagenase production was not enhanced by the addition of EGF. Cells from fully organized, day 21 sponge granulation tissue did not secrete latent collagenase constitutively and could not be stimulated to do so by the addition of EGF, bFGF, or phorbol ester. Human skin fibroblast collagenase production was also stimulated by bFGF and was refractory to EGF. While both classes of growth factor have the ability to promote wound healing, the varying responses they elicit in cell populations from the wound site emphasize the different pathways of cellular activation.
Mapping of DNase I-hypersensitive sites in the upstream DNA of human embryonic E-globin gene in K 562 leukemia cells ( gene expression / enhancer cores / HL 60 cells / c-myc gene / Southern blots )

We have mapped the DNase I-hypersensitive sites around the e-globin and c-myc genes in two human leukemia cell lines K562 and HL60. In K562 cells in which the Eglobin gene is transcribed, six DNase I-hypersensitive sites are found in 6 kilobases (kb) of upstream flanking DNA; in HL60 cells in which the c-myc gene is expressed, two DNase I-hypersensitive sites are observed in 2 kb of upstream DNA. Neither the inactive e-globin gene in HL60 cells nor the inactive c-myc gene in K562 cells displays such upstream DNase I-hypersensitive sites. Our results are consistent with previous studies that have shown DNase I-hypersensitive sites within 1 kb of the 5' end of other expressed genes. In addition, we have found sites displaying even more DNase I sensitivity further upstream of expressed E-globin and c-myc genes. Among the six DNase Ihypersensitive sites of the expressed E-globin gene in K562 cells, the most sensitive site is located about 6 kb upstream of the e-globin gene. When correlated with the DNA sequence upstream of the e-globin gene, this site was found to correspond to a region that contains a stretch of 28 consecutive Ts, three enhancer core-like sequences, and a stretch of consecutive (C-A)15(T-A)6 alternating purine and pyrimidine bases. These findings suggest the possibility that an enhancer element for e-globin gene expression resides within this DNase I-hyper-
Odor-induced cAMP production in Drosophila melanogaster olfactory sensory neurons

ABSTRACT Insect odorant receptors are seven transmembrane domain proteins that form cation channels, whose functional properties such as receptor sensitivity are subject to regulation by intracellular signaling cascades. Here, we used the cAMP fluorescent indicator Epac1-camps to investigate the occurrence of odor-induced cAMP production in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) of Drosophila melanogaster. We show that stimulation of the receptor complex with an odor mixture or with the synthetic agonist VUAA1 induces a cAMP response. Moreover, we show that while the intracellular Ca2+ concentration influences cAMP production, the OSN-specific receptor OrX is necessary to elicit cAMP responses in Ca2+-free conditions. These results provide direct evidence of a relationship between odorant receptor stimulation and cAMP production in olfactory sensory neurons in the fruit fly antenna and show that this method can be used to further investigate the role that this second messenger plays in insect olfaction. Summary: Odor stimulation induces cAMP production in Drosophila melanogaster olfactory sensory neurons via a process requiring a functional odorant receptor complex.
Enabling resource scheduling in cloud distributed videoconferencing systems

When deploying videoconferencing systems in Cloud based infrastructures, one of the most complex challenges is to distribute Multipoint Control Units (MCUs) among different servers. By addressing this challenge, we can improve the flexibility and the performance of this type of systems. However, to actually take advantage of the Cloud possibilities we have also to introduce mechanisms to dynamically schedule the distribution of the MCUs across the available resources. In this paper, we propose a resource scheduling model for videoconferencing systems and, starting from an existing MCU distribution architecture, we design a solution to enable the resource scheduling basing on custom criteria. These criteria can be based on the characteristics of each server or in their status in real time. We validate the extended model by setting up a typical videoconferencing deployment among a set of Cloud providers and testing a decision algorithm. We conclude that the proposed model enables the use of a wide range of algorithms that can be adapted to the needs of different Cloud deployment.
Basic FGF augments hypoxia induced HIF‐1‐alpha expression and VEGF release in T47D breast cancer cells

Aim: Both hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) play important roles in tumour angiogenesis. This study was designed to clarify the cooperative effect of these two mediators in induction of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) release from breast cancer and probe possible mechanisms involved. Methods: Release of VEGF from a breast cancer cell line (T47D) was quantitated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of HIF‐1 and ERK was assayed using Western blotting. Transient transfection and dual luciferase reporter assay were used to study HIF‐1 transactivity. Results: The data showed that hypoxia induced the expression of HIF‐1&agr; protein, the transactivity of HIF‐1 and the release of VEGF. bFGF further augmented these hypoxic inductions. The PI3K pathway was required for these processes as demonstrated by application of PI3Kinase inhibitor (LY294002) or mutant construct transfections. In contrast, the MEK1 inhibitor PD98059 showed no effect on either activation of HIF‐1 or VEGF release, which is in agreement with our finding that ERK1/2 was not activated by hypoxia. Under hypoxic conditions, bFGF activated the MEK1/ERK pathway. PD98059 blocked the activation of ERK1/2 and suppressed bFGF‐induced HIF‐1 transactivity, yet the protein expression of HIF‐1&agr; or VEGF release was not affected by PD98059. Conclusion: bFGF augments hypoxia induced VEGF release mainly through the PI3K pathway and partly depending on HIF‐1 activity. Elucidation of this mechanism may provide a new target for anti‐angiogenesis in cancer therapy.
Statistical Methods for Detecting Latent Periodicity in Biological Sequences: Solving a Problem of Small-Size Samples

An original spectral-statistical approach for detectinglatent periodicity in biological sequences isproposed. This approach can be applied under conditionsof limited statistical sample. It allows oneto avoid redundancy and instability when identifyingthe latent periodicity structure. The resultsof spectral-statistical approach application for latentperiodicity search in genomes of model organismsare collected in the HETEROGENE databasehttp://www.jcbi. ru/ lp baze/ .
Encoding strategy training and self-reported everyday prospective memory in people with Parkinson disease: a randomized-controlled trial

Abstract Objective To compare the effects of laboratory-based training in implementation intentions (II; experimental strategy) and verbal rehearsal (VR; control strategy) on self-reported everyday prospective memory among people with Parkinson disease (PD) and to investigate potential correlates of change in self-reported everyday prospective memory in response to this training. Method This was a randomized-controlled trial. Participants with mild to moderate PD without dementia underwent one session of training in either II (n = 25) or VR (n = 27). Then they were instructed to use their strategy as much as possible in their everyday lives to help them remember to do things. The Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire Prospective Scale (PRMQ-Pro) administered at baseline and one month after training assessed training-related change in self-reported everyday prospective memory. Baseline depressive symptoms, perceptions of the strategy (credibility, expectancy), prospective memory-related awareness, global cognition, and disease severity were correlated to PRMQ-Pro Change scores (post minus pre) to determine their association with response to training. Results The VR group’s PRMQ-Pro scores declined from pre to post training, while the II group’s remained stable (p = .03). This effect was driven by change in self-cued everyday prospective memory tasks. Higher baseline depressive symptoms, treatment expectancy, and global cognition related to better response to training in the II group (rs ≤ −.40, ps ≤ .05). Conclusions II training may prevent everyday prospective memory decline among people with PD. In addition, people with higher depression, stronger expectations of improvement from strategy training, or better global cognition may benefit the most from II training.
Sexual assault at Rowan University

Kathleen Oriti SEXUAL ASSAULT AT ROWAN UNIVERSITY 2004/05 Linda Jeffrey Ph.D. Master of Arts in Applied Psychology The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey about sexual assault at Rowan University and to compare the survey results with reports from the Rowan University Crime Incidents Log. Data were collected anonymously from 531 male and female students from the Glassboro campus of Rowan University. Twenty-two students indicated they were sexually assaulted on or off campus from 2001 to March 2005. Three off-campus victims reported to police. None of the on-campus victims reported the crime to Rowan officials. Based on the results of this study, 5.2% of female students and 1.8% of male students surveyed indicated they had been sexually assaulted on or off campus. The rate of sexual assault reported in the Crime Incidents Log may be a severe underestimation. Over half of the victims said they chose not to report the crime because they had been under the influence of alcohol or other drugs when the assault occurred. None of the victims sought or received counseling.
The research on electric load forecasting based on nonlinear gray bernoulli model optimized by cosine operator and particle swarm optimization

According to the characteristics of the power system with nonlinear operation, this paper analyzed the application limitations of traditional gray model. This study processed original data sequence with Cosine function, which could weaken the influence of outliers, improve the smoothness of the sequence and reduce reduction error. The particle swarm optimization algorithm was employed to optimize the parameter r and the background value structure coefficient α in nonlinear gray bernoulli model with the purpose of searching for the optimal parameters of the model, which could make up for the insufficient caused by given the parameters on experience. Finally, this paper discussed the implementation process of the optimized model. The history load data of Beijing grid was applied to inspect the forecasting effect of the optimized model. The numerical results and error analysis illustrated that the model has a favorable prediction effect and wide applications.
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF POPULATION AGING IN JAPAN: EFFECTS THROUGH CHANGES IN DEMAND STRUCTURE

In this paper, I investigate the effects of changes in demand structure caused by population aging on the Japanese economy using a multi-sector new Keynesian model with job creation/destruction analysis. I consider upward revisions in forecast for the speed of Japanese population aging as unexpected shocks to its demand structure. I find that the shocks caused around 0.3% point deflationary pressure on year-to-year inflation, 0.3% to 0.4% point increase in unemployment rates, and 1.8% point decrease in real GDP from the early 1990s to the 2000s in Japan. I also find that the repetition of such upward revisions made those effects look more persistent.
On the Convergence of the Jacobi Method for Arbitrary Orderings

This paper presents new results concerning the effect of the ordering on the rate of convergence of the Jacobi iteration for computing eigenvalues of symmetric matrices. We start by showing that the diagonal elements converge for any ordering. Next we emphasize that different parts of the matrix converge at different speeds. Taking advantage of this phenomenon, we propose a strategy that leads to a convergence exponent of $ 3^{4/5} \approx 2.41$. Then we show that choosing the rotations to sort the diagonal can improve the convergence by a constant factor and we present experimental results on the performance of this new strategy.
Dietary trans α-linolenic acid from deodorised rapeseed oil and plasma lipids and lipoproteins in healthy men: the TransLinE Study

Trans isomers of α-linolenic acid, which are formed by deodorization of refined vegetable oils, can be found in significant amounts in edible oils. Effects of trans α-linolenic acid on plasma lipoproteins are unknown. We therefore investigated the effects of trans α-linolenic acid on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in healthy European men. Eighty-eight healthy men from three European countries (France, Scotland, UK and the Netherlands) first consumed for 6 weeks a diet with experimental oils ‘free’ of trans fatty acids (run-in period). For the next 6 weeks, they were randomly allocated to a diet with experimental oils ‘high’ or ‘low’ in trans α-linolenic acid. Daily total trans α-linolenic acid intake in the high trans group was 1410 (range 583–2642) mg. Experimental oils were provided as such, or incorporated into margarines, cheeses, muffins and biscuits. The high trans α-linolenic acid diet significantly increased the plasma LDL-:HDL-cholesterol ratio by 8.1 % (95 % CI 1.4, 15.3; P=0.02), and the total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio by 5.1 % (95 % CI 0.4, 9.9; P=0.03) compared with the low-trans diet. This was largely explained by an increase in LDL-cholesterol on the high-trans diet, while no change was observed in the low-trans group (mean treatment effect of 4.7 % (95 % CI -0.8, 10.5; P=0.10). No effects were found on total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, apolipoprotein B and A-1, and lipoprotein(a) concentrations. In conclusion, trans α-linolenic acid may increase plasma LDL-:HDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratios. Whether diet-induced changes in these ratios truly affects the risk for CHD remains to be established.
New Crops for Arid Lands

Five plants are described that could be grown commercially under arid conditions. Once the most valuable component has been obtained from each plant (rubber from guayule; seed oil from jojoba, buffalo gourd, and bladderpod; and resin from gumweed), the remaining material holds potential for useful products as well as fuel. It is difficult to realize the full potential of arid land plants, however, because of the complexities of developing the necessary agricultural and industrial infrastructure simultaneously. To do so, multicompany efforts or cooperative efforts between government and the private sector will be required.
Decision-making strategies for patients with localized prostate cancer.

Patients diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer not only have to cope with the impact of the cancer diagnosis, but also need to interpret complicated medical information to make an informed treatment decision. We report initial results from an ongoing longitudinal investigation examining treatment decision making among men diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer. Men (N = 654) were recruited into the assessment study after an initial treatment consultation with a urologic surgeon or radiation oncologist. Patients were, on average, 66 years old, married (85%), had at least a high school education (45%), were retired (58%), and were Caucasian (91%) or African American (7%). Guided by a cognitive-affective theoretical framework, we assessed treatment and disease-relevant beliefs and affects in addition to clinical variables. The majority of patients decided on external beam radiation therapy (52%), followed by brachytherapy (25%), prostatectomy (17%), and watchful waiting (6%). Patients who decided on prostatectomy were significantly younger (mean age, 58 yr) than patients who received radiation therapy (mean age, 67 yr) and brachytherapy (mean age, 66 yr). When asked for the most important reason influencing their treatment decision, patients indicated physician recommendation (51%), advice from friends and family (19%), information obtained from books and journals (18%), or the Internet (7%). Among cognitive variables, patients who decided on surgery perceived prostate cancer as being significantly more serious (P <.001), and had greater difficulties in making a treatment decision (P <.005) compared with patients receiving radiation therapy or brachytherapy. Surgical patients were also more distressed about their treatment decision (P <.001) and concerned that the cancer might spread (P <.005). To date, patients followed-up after treatment have not indicated significant regrets about their therapeutic choice. These data suggest that unique treatment-related beliefs and affects need to be taken into account during the treatment counseling process. Implications for the development of decision aids are discussed.
Collaboration Support for Activity Management in a Personal Cloud Environment

This paper describes a framework supporting the development of open collaboration environments which integrate heterogeneous business services. The framework facilitates the user cooperation in the execution of shared activities by offering a workspace awareness support which abstracts from the business services employed to operate. The management of the workspaces of the user's collaborations is based on the functions offered by the Collaborative Task Manager CTM, which offers a lightweight and flexible model for handling more or less complex collaborations. The CTM is integrated with business services in a loosely coupled way which supports the management of parallel workspaces for accessing the user's collaboration contexts, their objects and the related awareness information.
Nasobronchial interaction mechanisms in allergic airways disease

Purpose of reviewDuring the past few decades, the incidence of sensitization to inhaled allergens as well as allergic airways disease has grown steadily. Genetic and environmental factors are recognized as etiologic factors in the development of allergic airway disease, with allergic rhinitis often preceding the development of asthma. Allergic rhinitis is considered a risk factor for the development of asthma, and almost all allergic asthmatic patients have rhinitis. Insight into the risk factors responsible for allergic airways disease and the interaction between the involved organs results in a better diagnostic and therapeutic approach in global airway allergy syndrome. Recent findingsRecent studies have shown that local tissue factors, such as microbial stimuli and systemic inflammatory mechanisms, play a role in the clinical expression of the allergic airway syndrome. In addition, impaired nasal function affects the lower airways of asthmatic patients via different pathways. To date, most human and animal data point towards a systemic pathway linking the upper and lower airways, involving both bloodstream and bone marrow. Recent clinical trials and current guidelines underline the importance of an integrated treatment strategy involving both ends of the respiratory tract. SummaryThis review provides an overview of recent epidemiological and immunopathologic evidence concerning the link between upper and lower airways in allergic disease and its therapeutic implications.
Hedging the Risk of Delayed Data in Defaultable Markets

ABSTRACT We investigate hedging the risk of delayed data in certain defaultable securities through the local risk minimization approach. From a financial point of view, this indicates that in addition to the risk of default, investors also face incomplete accounting data. In our analysis, the delay is modelled by a random time change, and different levels of information, including the full market’s, management’s, and investors’ information, are distinguished. We obtain semi-explicit solutions for pseudo locally risk minimizing hedging strategies from the perspective of investors where the results are presented according to the solutions of partial differential equations. In obtaining the main results of this paper, we apply a filtration expansion theorem that determines the canonical decomposition of stopped special semimartingales in an enlarged filtration of investors’ information.