Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Closure Duration and Release Burst Amplitude Cues To Stop Consonant Manner and Place of Articulation

The perception of stop consonants was studied in a constant neutral [s-1] context. Truncated natural [p] , [t], and [k] release bursts at two intensities were preceded by variable silent closure intervals. The bursts, though spectrally distinct, conveyed little specific place information but contributed to the perception of stop manner by reducing the amount of silence required to perceive a stop (relative to a burstless stimulus). Burst amplitude was a cue for both stop manner and place; higher amplitudes favored "t," lower amplitudes favored "p" responses. The silent closure interval, a major stop manner cue, emerged as the primary place cue in this situation: Short intervals led to "t," long ones to "p" responses. All these perceptual effects probably reflect listeners' tacit knowledge of systematic acoustic differences in natural speech.
In Situ Localization of P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) in Human and Rat Brain

Transport of several xenobiotics including pharmacological agents into or out of the central nervous system (CNS) involves the expression of ATP-dependent, membrane-bound efflux transport proteins such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Previous studies have documented gene and protein expression of P-gp in brain microvessel endothelial cells. However, the exact localization of P-gp, particularly at the abluminal side of the BBB, remains controversial. In the present study we examined the cellular/subcellular distribution of P-gp in situ in rat and human brain tissues using immunogold cytochemistry at the electron microscope level. P-gp localizes to both the luminal and abluminal membranes of capillary endothelial cells as well as to adjacent pericytes and astrocytes. Subcellulary, P-gp is distributed along the nuclear envelope, in caveolae, cytoplasmic vesicles, Golgi complex, and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). These results provide evidence for the expression of P-gp in human and rodent brain capillary along their plasma membranes as well as at sites of protein synthesis, glycosylation, and membrane trafficking. In addition, its presence at the luminal and abluminal poles of the BBB, including pericytes and astrocyte plasma membranes, suggests that this glycoprotein may regulate drug transport processes in the entire CNS BBB at both the cellular and subcellular level.
Laboratory Testing for Lupus Anticoagulants: Diagnostic Criteria and Use of Screening, Mixing, and Confirmatory Studies

The presence of lupus anticoagulants (LA) in plasma is a strong risk factor for thromboembolism and fetal loss. Because of this, demand for testing for LA is increasing, but the performance of clinical laboratories in terms of its detection is still a matter of concern. This is due in part to the lack of specific tests but also to the lack of standardization and application of the diagnostic criteria. The aim of this article is to review the diagnostic criteria and the many issues that may affect test results.
Differential Expression and Topography of Adhesion Molecules in Laryngeal and Oropharyngeal Carcinomas

This work describes the different patterns of expression of integrins and extracellular matrix proteins in normal and transformed mucosa in laryngeal and oropharyngeal carcinomas. Samples from each tumor group were sectioned and examined by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies raised against integrin chains ( f 2, f 3, f 6, g 1 and g 4) and their ligands (laminins 1 and 5, collagen type IV and two fibronectin isoforms: ED-A and ED-B). Controls were provided by samples of tumor-free laryngeal and oropharyngeal mucosa that had been removed during the surgical procedure. We found that the known distinct topographical pattern of integrins and the continuity of basement membrane components was altered in both groups but that the extent of changes was significantly more marked in oropharyngeal tumors, which are known to be more infiltrating and diffusive and to have a bad prognosis. These molecular patterns of expression can be used as an additional prognostic factor as they suggest a greater biological tumor aggressiveness of oropharyngeal tumors. We suggest that performing immunohistochemical analysis on biopsy samples may help in selecting the correct therapeutic strategy for these tumors and enable more accurate follow-up. The above-mentioned molecules may become part of the diagnostic toolbox of head and neck surgical pathologists.
WEAK LINKING THEOREMS AND SCHR¨ ODINGER EQUATIONS WITH CRITICAL SOBOLEV EXPONENT

In this paper we establish a variant and generalized weak linking theorem, which contains more delicate result and insures the existence of bounded Palais{Smale sequences of a strongly indenite functional. The abstract result will be used to study the semilinear Schrodinger equation u + V (x)u = K(x)juj 2 2 u +g(x;u);u2 W 1;2 (R N ), where N 4;V;K;g are periodic inxj for 1 j N and 0 is in a gap of the spectrum of +V ; K> 0. If 0 <g (x;u)u cjuj 2 for an appropriate constant c, we show that this equation has a nontrivial solution.
A New Adaptive Code-Acquisition Algorithm Using Parallel Subfilter Structure

This paper presents a new adaptation algorithm using parallel subfilter structure, which enables fast-code acquisition for direct-sequence spread-spectrum systems. The proposed algorithm adapts the filter, based on a concept of dividing it into several subfilters, thus reducing the adaptation time. The detection and false-alarm probabilities are derived analytically. Simulation results show that the adaptive code-acquisition scheme, using the proposed algorithm, improves the mean-acquisition-time performance by 4-5 and 3-4 dB on additive white Gaussian noise and multipath Rayleigh fading channels for 64 taps, respectively
The Degradation of Apolipoprotein B100 Is Mediated by the Ubiquitin-proteasome Pathway and Involves Heat Shock Protein 70*

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) is the major protein component of atherogenic lipoproteins of hepatic origin. In HepG2 cells, the standard cell culture model of human hepatic lipoprotein metabolism, there is a limited availability of core lipids in the endoplasmic reticulum for association with nascent apoB. Under these conditions, apoB is partially translocated, interacts with cytosolic Hsp70, and undergoes rapid degradation. We show that increasing the expression of Hsp70 in HepG2 cells promotes apoB degradation. In addition, apoB is polyubiquitinated and its degradation both normally and after Hsp70 induction is blocked by inhibitors of the proteasome. The apoB that accumulates after proteasome inhibition is endoplasmic reticulum-associated and can be assembled into lipoproteins and secreted if new lipid synthesis is stimulated. Thus, apoB is the first example of a wild-type mammalian protein whose secretion is regulated by degradation in the cytosol via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Furthermore, targeting of this secretory protein to the proteasome is regulated by the molecular chaperone Hsp70 and the availability of apoB’s lipid-ligands.
Age patterns of marriage.

Abstract In different populations there is a common curve describing first-marriage frequency (first marriages per woman) as a function of age for each cohort. To fit the variety of patterns of human nuptiality it suffices to choose the age that serves as origin for a standard curve of first-marriage frequency, and to choose appropriate horizontal and vertical scales for the curve. The prevalence of a standard form for first-marriage frequency implies that the proportion ever-married in any cohort also rises along a standard curve, subject to choice of origin (the earliest age of first marriage), vertical scale (the proportion ever-marrying by the end of life), and horizontal scale (the pace at which the proportion ever-married increases with age). A mathematical expression (a double exponential) is found to fit the risk offirst marriage (among those who ever marry), and some of the implications of uniform features of nuptiality in different populations are discussed.
Regulation of Compound Leaf Development in Medicago truncatula by Fused Compound Leaf1, a Class M KNOX Gene[C][W]

This study describes isolation and characterization of loss-of-function mutants of Fused Compound Leaf1 (FCL1) in Medicago truncatula that encodes a class M KNOX transcription factor. Phenotypic and genetic studies demonstrate that FCL1 is required for boundary separation of leaflet primordia and elongation of petioles. Models of genetic interactions of fcl1 with sgl1 and palm1 are discussed. Medicago truncatula is a legume species belonging to the inverted repeat lacking clade (IRLC) with trifoliolate compound leaves. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying development of trifoliolate leaves in legumes remain largely unknown. Here, we report isolation and characterization of fused compound leaf1 (fcl1) mutants of M. truncatula. Phenotypic analysis suggests that FCL1 plays a positive role in boundary separation and proximal-distal axis development of compound leaves. Map-based cloning indicates that FCL1 encodes a class M KNOX protein that harbors the MEINOX domain but lacks the homeodomain. Yeast two-hybrid assays show that FCL1 interacts with a subset of Arabidopsis thaliana BEL1-like proteins with slightly different substrate specificities from the Arabidopsis homolog KNATM-B. Double mutant analyses with M. truncatula single leaflet1 (sgl1) and palmate-like pentafoliata1 (palm1) leaf mutants show that fcl1 is epistatic to palm1 and sgl1 is epistatic to fcl1 in terms of leaf complexity and that SGL1 and FCL1 act additively and are required for petiole development. Previous studies have shown that the canonical KNOX proteins are not involved in compound leaf development in IRLC legumes. The identification of FCL1 supports the role of a truncated KNOX protein in compound leaf development in M. truncatula.
Activating transcription factor 3 regulates survivability and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells

Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is a member of the ATF/CREB (CAMP responsive element binding protein) family of transcription factors. The expression and the function of ATF3 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remain unknown. The aim of this work is to determine the expression and possible function of ATF3 in VSMCs. We found that VSMCs expressed ATF3, and expression of ATF3 in VSMCs was induced by a variety of stimuli including serum, angiotensin II, and H2O2. Knockdown of ATF3 induced apoptosis of VSMCs, caspase‐3 cleavage, and cytochrome c release. The results suggest that ATF3 regulates survivability of VSMCs. Moreover, we found that overexpression of ATF3 promoted migration of VSMCs and induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1, 3, and 13. These results suggest that ATF3 plays a role in regulating migration of VSMCs. In addition, we found that the expression of ATF3 was upregulated in smooth muscle cells in the injured mouse femoral arteries compared with the uninjured control group. These results suggest that ATF3 is relevant to disease physiology. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life,63(1):62–69, 2011.
Short Communication: Expression of Apoptosis Regulating Factors on T Lymphocytes in Multiple Myeloma Patients

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant proliferation of plasma cells in which dysregulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis) is responsible for tumor cell expansion. However some phenotypic and functional alterations of T cells in MM patients have been reported, that also can influence the plasma cell growth. The aim of the study was to assess some aspects of T lymphocyte apoptosis in MM to obtain a better understanding of the changes in the immune system in this disease. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the expression of two main regulators of apoptosis: the pro-apoptotic Fas antigen and the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 in patients with untreated MM and in healthy controls. ELISA was used to determine soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) serum levels in patients and control groups. We detected statistically significant higher Fas expression in patients than in controls both on CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, but no differences in BCL-2 expression by these cells. The sFasL level was statistically significant lower in patients than in controls. Our results indicate that T cells in MM are controlled by up-regulation of Fas. The Fas/FasL system induces the killing of T cells expressing Fas antigen, what could account for the incapability of the immune system to protect host against tumor expansion.
Effect of loading strip and U slot on the performance of trisul shape UWB antenna

An ultra-wide band (UWB) monopole antenna with a band-notch characteristic is presented which needs only two parameters to tune the notch frequency. The proposed monopole antenna is embedded with loading strip, whose length is determined by parametric study. By adjusting the loading strip length and width, the notched frequency bandwidth the antenna's operating bandwidth can be easily controlled. The time-domain behaviors are discussed. The antenna is suitable for operating frequency of 7.5 GHz. It is shown that return loss of the antenna at 7.5 GHz is better than -10 dB. The VSWR obtained is less than 2. Details of the proposed antenna design and measured results are discussed.
Vibrio cholerae O139: How great is the threat of a pandemic?

The emergence of the new strain Vibrio cholerae O139 and its rapid spread in Bangladesh and India together with its detection in several other countries, have raised the question whether this constitutes the beginning of the eighth pandemic of cholera, and if so, how large a threat it poses. In an attempt to answer this question, epidemic spread patterns of Vibrio cholerae O139 strain in Bangladesh were studied. Initially the epidemic moved quickly and affected the entire coastal and estuarine tidal plains of southern Bangladesh. In the flood plains of the northern regions it affected mostly the north‐eastern and north‐central areas, at a slower pace than in the southern areas. In the beginning the new strain totally displaced both biotypes (classic and El Tor) of Vibrio cholerae O1. Nearly 2 years after its initial detection, striking differences in the distribution of V. cholerae O139 and O1 were observed. In most northern areas, the new strain was replaced by V. cholerae O1, whereas in the southern coastal regions, the O139 strain continues to dominate epidemics. The study suggests that the O139 strain may become endemic in the coastal ecosystem. The threat of a pandemic, therefore, may not be as large as it first seemed.
Nerve Growth Factor as a Mitogen for a Pancreatic Carcinoid Cell Line

Abstract: Carcinoid tumors are a group of neuroendocrine neoplasms distributed widely throughout the body but most commonly occurring in the gut. These tumors retain many characteristics of their neural crest origin, including secretion of neuroactive peptides and responsiveness to neurotrophic substances. Nerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophic protein involved in maintenance and differentiation of peripheral sympathetic and sensory neurons, regulates growth of several neural tumor cells by inducing a differentiated phenotype and subsequent inhibition of cell growth rate. We examined the actions of NGF in a functioning human pancreatic carcinoid cell line (termed BON). NGF has no effect on the cytoarchitecture or constitutive secretion of bioamines in this carcinoid cell line. NGF, however, stimulates the in vitro cellular proliferation of BON cells. BON cells possess mRNA for the NGF receptors (p75LNGFR and p140trkA) and membrane‐associated tyrosine kinase activity is increased in response to NGF. Both the mitogenic activity of NGF, as well as the receptor‐linked tyrosine kinase activity, can be abrogated in BON cells by the trkA inhibitor K‐252a and specific anti‐NGF antibody. Our studies demonstrate that NGF is a mitogen for this carcinoid cell line without effect on cellular phenotype or cytoarchitecture. NGF may play a role in the development and progression of human carcinoid tumors.
Estimation of center of mass of the object to be held by barycentric coordinate system and polygon parcelling

Estimation of appropriate contact areas on object is an important problem to determine suitable robot hand shape and contact force to be exerted by the fingers. In this study, a novel method based on barycentric coordinates is proposed for calculating the center of mass of an object to determine the contact points for grasping. Results obtained from barycentric coordinates system are compared against quadrangle/hexagon parcelling algorithms and processing of pixels of the object in image data.
Comparison of serum free light chain and urine electrophoresis for the detection of the light chain component of monoclonal immunoglobulins in light chain and intact immunoglobulin multiple myeloma

Response criteria for multiple myeloma are based upon changes in monoclonal protein levels quantified using serum and/or urine protein electrophoresis. The latter lacks sensitivity at low monoclonal protein levels and since 2001, the serum free light chain test has been available and its clinical utility proven, yet guidelines have not recommended it as a replacement for urine assessment. Herein we evaluated responses using serum free light chain measurements and serum and urine electrophoresis after 2 and 4 cycles of therapy and after stem cell transplantation in 25 light chain and 157 intact immunoglobulin myeloma patients enrolled in the IFM 2007-02 MM trial. All 25 light chain patients had measurable disease by serum free light chain and urine methods at presentation. By contrast 98 out of 157 intact immunoglobulin patients had measurable disease by serum free light chain compared to 55 out of 157 by urine electrophoresis. In all patients there was substantial agreement between predicate (serum/urine protein electrophoresis) and test (serum protein electrophoresis and serum free light chain) methods for response assessment (Weighted Kappa=0.83). Urine immunofixation became negative in 47% light chain and 43% intact immunoglobulin patients after 2 cycles of therapy. At this time the serum free light chain ratio normalised in only 11% and 27% patients, respectively. In summary we found good agreement between methods for response assessment, but the serum free light chain test provided greater sensitivity than urine electrophoresis for monitoring. To our knowledge this is the first report comparing both methods for response assignment based on the International Myeloma Working Group guidelines.
LDPC Code Based on Cyclic Shift Register Structure

The non-rule circulates LDPC code is the core of the forward-acting error correction code of our country digital television broadcasts in ground DTMB transmission standard. In view of sub block characteristic of this LDPC code generates matrix. It has designed a kind of LDPC encoder based on the linear feedback shift register structure to achieve the LDPC real-time encoding under three different code rates. The whole design occupies 4699 ALUTs, it shorten 20% logical resources compared with same designable project. It fits low complexity DTMB standard transmitter to develop.
Directionality of recent bird distribution shifts and climate change in Great Britain

There is good evidence that species' distributions are shifting poleward in response to climate change and wide interest in the magnitude of such responses for scientific and conservation purposes. It has been suggested from the directions of climatic changes that species' distribution shifts may not be simply poleward, but this has been rarely tested with observed data. Here, we apply a novel approach to measuring range shifts on axes ranging through 360°, to recent data on the distributions of 122 species of British breeding birds during 1988–1991 and 2008–2011. Although previously documented poleward range shifts have continued, with an average 13.5 km shift northward, our analysis indicates this is an underestimate because it ignores common and larger shifts that occurred along axes oriented to the north‐west and north‐east. Trailing edges contracted from a broad range of southerly directions. Importantly, these results are derived from systematically collected data so confounding observer‐effort biases can be discounted. Analyses of climate for the same period show that whilst temperature trends should drive species along a north–north‐westerly trajectory, directional responses to precipitation will depend on both the time of year that is important for determining a species' distribution, and the location of the range margin. Directions of species' range centroid shift were not correlated with spatial trends in any single climate variable. We conclude that range shifts of British birds are multidirectional, individualistic and probably determined by species‐specific interactions of multiple climate factors. Climate change is predicted to lead to changes in community composition through variation in the rates that species' ranges shift; our results suggest communities could change further owing to constituent species shifting along different trajectories. We recommend more studies consider directionality in climate and range dynamics to produce more appropriate measures of observed and expected responses to climate change.
Towards interactive mindfulness training using breathing based feedback

Although regular meditation practice is linked to numerous mental health and cognitive benefits, it is often difficult for beginners to maintain focus during practice and persevere with the activity over time. To tackle this issue, we externalised the ability of self reporting loss of focus by developing a feedback loop that helps the user track and maintain their concentration levels in a non-invasive manner. We hypothesise that the change in breathing pattern can indicate a loss of concentration and the act of audibly amplifying a person's breathing sounds during meditation can help them regain and maintain focus on their breathing, leading to a more effective meditation session. We present experimental designs and findings towards this end.
PDL for Qualitative Reasoning about moving objects. A first step

We propose an initial approach to the development of a general logic framework for a qualitative description of the movement of objects. To this end, we represent the movement of an object with respect to another with different qualitative labels such as velocity, orientation, relative movement, allowed directions, relative longitude and relative latitude. The use of PDL allows us to construct new relations between moving objects and the use of a language very close to programming languages. Some of the advantages of our approach are explained on the basis of examples.
Introduction to This Special Issue on the Lived Experience of Personal Informatics

Over the last decade, the idea of a “quantified self” has become increasingly well-known (Swan, 2013). The main premise is to collect and reflect on data about oneself in order to gain new insights or meet other goals. Quantified self activities usually involve active and passive data collection combined with using tools for automated and/or user driven data curation. Much of the research conversation around the quantified self, as well as related concepts such as personal informatics systems and persuasive technologies, focuses on technological innovation, rational decision making, and self-improvement outcomes (Li, Dey, & Forlizzi, 2010; Purpura, Schwanda, Williams, Stubler, & Sengers, 2011). Often lost in this framing of rational self-improvement through technology is the actual practice and experience of the self being quantified as people engage with their data and the systems they use to track and reflect on that data (Choe, Lee, Lee, Pratt, & Kientz, 2014; Epstein, Ping, Fogarty, & Munson, 2015). This is also referred to as “lived informatics” (Rooksby, Rost, Morrison, & Chalmers, 2014). The rational