Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition and Activation by CD244 Depends on CD2 and Phospholipase C-γ1*

Regulation by the NK and T cell surface receptor CD244 in mice and humans depends both on engagement at the cell surface by CD48 and intracellular interactions with SAP and EAT-2. Relevance to human disease by manipulating CD244 in mouse models is complicated by rodent CD2 also binding CD48. We distinguish between contributions of mouse CD244 and CD2 on engagement of CD48 in a mouse T cell hybridoma. CD2 and CD244 both contribute positively to the immune response as mutation of proline-rich motifs or tyrosine motifs in the tails of CD2 and CD244, respectively, result in a decrease in antigen-specific interleukin-2 production. Inhibitory effects of mouse CD244 are accounted for by competition with CD2 at the cell surface for CD48. In humans CD2 and CD244 are engaged separately at the cell surface but biochemical data suggest a potential conserved intracellular link between the two receptors through FYN kinase. We identify a novel signaling mechanism for CD244 through its potential to recruit phospholipase C-γ1 via the conserved phosphorylated tyrosine motif in the tail of the adaptor protein EAT-2, which we show is important for function.
Enzymic breakdown of amino acids and related compounds by suspensions of washed mycobacteria.

The ability of washed mycobacteria, harvested from Lowestein-Jensen medium, to break down amino acids and related compounds was investigated. One hundred and thirty mycobacteria representing 17 species were tested against 21 compounds. Three compounds were broken down by all strains, seven were not attacked by any strain and in the remainder there was variable degradation both between and within species.
Local Perfusion of the Tumor Necrosis Factor α Blocker Infliximab to the Inner Ear Improves Autoimmune Neurosensory Hearing Loss

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transtympanic administration of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) blockers to patients suffering from autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED). Study Design: Nonrandomized, prospective pilot study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: 9 patients (4 men and 5 women; aged 51.22 ± 13.11 years) presenting with autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss who responded to oral steroid treatment. Two groups of patients were treated. Group A consisted of 5 patients with AIED who could not be tapered off steroids. Group B consisted of 4 patients who were treated with intratympanic anti-TNF-α antibody therapy alone after a relapse of hearing loss following discontinuation of steroids. Intervention: A Silverstein MicroWickTM local delivery system was placed in the round window niche and the patients were treated for 4 weeks with a weekly infusion of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against TNF-α. Main Outcome Measure(s): Evaluation of hearing thresholds at 250–8000 Hz was performed before and after implantation of the Silverstein MicroWick and local delivery of the TNF-α blocker. Results: Local administration of the TNF-α blocker allowed methylprednisolone to be tapered off without loss of hearing function in 4/5 steroid-dependent patients. Four additional patients were treated only with anti-TNF-α perfusion to the round window membrane without concomitant systemic administration of methylprednisolone. In 3 of these 4 patients, the pure tone average improved to 22.6 ± 15.7 dB, resulting in hearing recovery comparable to treatment with systemic methylprednisolone. The 7 responding patients showed a significant reduction of recurrence of hearing loss to 0.028 ± 0.072 episodes per month over the 4.3 ± 2.4 months of the post-treatment period compared to 0.84 ± 0.4 recurrences per week seen in the pretreatment period. Conclusions: The results of this pilot trial demonstrate that in patients with AIED, transtympanic delivery of the TNF-α blocker infliximab once weekly for 4 weeks allowed steroids to be tapered off, resulted in hearing improvement and reduced disease relapses. These preliminary efficacy and safety results appear encouraging enough to warrant further follow-up and studies for better determination of the potential clinical utility of local administration of infliximab for autoimmune hearing loss.
AMPK Activation Stimulates Myofibrillar Protein Degradation and Expression of Atrophy-Related Ubiquitin Ligases by Increasing FOXO Transcription Factors in C2C12 Myotubes

In skeletal muscle, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic master switch regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. Recently, AMPK has been implicated in the control of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, but the effect of AMPK activation on myofibrillar protein degradation has yet to be elucidated. The present study was designed to examine the effect of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribonucleoside (AICAR)-induced AMPK signaling on effector mechanisms of myofibrillar protein degradation and the expression of atrophy-related genes (atrogin-1/MAFbx, MuRF1, proteasome C2 subunit, calpains, cathepsin B, and caspase-3) in C2C12 myotubes. AICAR stimulated myofibrillar protein degradation (as measured by Nτ-methylhistidine release), while also increasing the levels of atrogin-1/MAFbx and MuRF1 mRNA, but the expression of other atrophy-related genes was not enhanced by AICAR treatment in C2C12 myotubes. AICAR also stimulated the level of FOXO transcription factors mRNA and protein in C2C12 myotubes. These results indicate that activation of AMPK stimulates myofibrillar protein degradation through the expression of atrogin-1/MAFbx and MuRF1 by increasing FOXO transcription factors in skeletal muscles.
Second-order sliding mode control of electronic throttle valves

Higher-order sliding mode concepts eliminate undesired chattering arising in classical variable structure systems. In this paper the control of electronic throttle valves based on second-order sliding mode control is outlined from a practical point of view. First two control strategies, namely the twisting algorithm and the super-twisting algorithm, are tuned by numerical simulations. Then the realtime implementation of the control laws using Matlab is demonstrated. Finally experimental results are presented.
In vitro screening of Amazonian plants for hemolytic activity and inhibition of platelet aggregation in human blood

In the present study, different aerial parts from twelve Amazonian plant species found in the National Institute for Amazon Research's (INPA's) Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve (in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) were collected. Separate portions of dried, ground plant materials were extracted with water (by infusion), methanol and chloroform (by continuous liquid-solid extraction) and solvents were removed first by rotary evaporation, and finally by freeze-drying which yielded a total of seventy-one freeze-dried extracts for evaluation. These extracts were evaluated initially at concentrations of 500 and 100 µg/mL for in vitro hemolytic activity and in vitro inhibition of platelet aggregation in human blood, respectively. Sixteen extracts (23 % of all extracts tested, 42 % of all plant species), representing the following plants: Chaunochiton kappleri (Olacaceae), Diclinanona calycina (Annonaceae), Paypayrola grandiflora (Violaceae), Pleurisanthes parviflora (Icacinaceae), Sarcaulus brasiliensis (Sapotaceae), exhibited significant inhibitory activity towards human platelet aggregation. A group of extracts with antiplatelet aggregation activity having no in vitro hemolytic activity has therefore been identified. Three extracts (4 %), all derived from Elaeoluma nuda (Sapotaceae), exhibited hemolytic activity. None of the plant species in this study has known use in traditional medicine. So, these data serve as a baseline or minimum of antiplatelet and hemolytic activities (and potential usefulness) of non-medicinal plants from the Amazon forest. Finally, in general, these are the first data on hemolytic and inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation for the genera which these plant species represent.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Macro–EMG and twitch forces of single motor units

Macro–EMG potentials (MEP)s and twitch contractions (spike–triggered–averaging) of single motor units (MUs) have been recorded in the first dorsal interosseus muscle (FDI) of 10 control subjects and 20 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MUs over the full range of voluntary recruitment thresholds were studied. Patients with slightly affected FDIs (5) mainly showed MUs with enlarged MEPs and increased twitch forces. Incontrast, the patients with more severely affected FDIs (15) revealed decreased twitch forces, especially in the MUs with higher thresholds. The corresponding MEPs could be enlarged as well as normal. It apperas that MU sprouting and the resulting increase of twitch force can compensate for the loss of motoneuron in early stages of ALS. In more advanced stages, however, a decline of the force of the surviving MUs, especialy of those with higher thresholds, seems to contribute to the progressive muscle weakness, in addition to the corticospinal degeneration and the reduction in the number of motoneurons.
Ownership and Performance in Electric Utilities: The International Evidence on Privatization and Efficiency

This study fills in important gaps in our knowledge and is released at a time coinciding with the growing move towards restructuring and privatisation of large sections of state owned electricity industries across the world. Drawing on new empirical evidence and employing the latest measurement techniques, the author investigates the claim that privately owned utilities exhibit higher productive efficiency than those in the public sector. Data from the industry in a number of countries is used to look at the ownership-productive efficiency question form both the power plants and the electricity transmission and distribution systems. This book is intended for electricity companies, economists, energy economists, governments, regulators, international aid agencies.
Germline CBL mutation associated with a noonan‐like syndrome with primary lymphedema and teratoma associated with acquired uniparental isodisomy of chromosome 11q23

Germline mutations in the gene CBL (Casitas B‐lineage lymphoma), involved in the RAS‐MAPK signaling pathway, have been found as a rare cause of the neuro‐cardio‐facial‐cutaneous syndromes. Somatically acquired homozygous CBL mutations were initially identified in association with myeloproliferative disorders, particularly juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). We describe a girl with a Noonan‐like phenotype of bilateral ptosis, lymphedema of the lower limbs and moderate intellectual disability, due to a de novo heterozygous mutation in CBL. She developed an ovarian mixed germ cell/teratoma with later occurrence of mature liver, omental, and ovarian teratomas. Copy neutral loss of heterozygosity for the CBL mutation due to acquired segmental uniparental disomy of 11q23 was observed in three teratomas, suggesting a specific association of CBL mutations in germ cell tumor predisposition. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Job Satisfaction of District Officers in the Developing State Like; Pakistan A Survey of Local Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The Job satisfaction of district officers in Pakistan is affected by different factors like, Terrorism, political Instability, poverty and dysfunction of bureaucracy. There is uniqueness as well as differences in the perception of the officers about job satisfaction from situation to situation and from organization to organization. There are consensus among the researchers that job satisfaction increases employee’s productivity, commitment and Involvement and decreases absenteeism and turnover. This study is intended to pinpoint the causes, consequences of job satisfaction in developing state like; Pakistan.
Evolution and Animal Welfare

Animal welfare is a topic often thought to reside outside mainstream biology. The complexity of the methods used to assess welfare (such as health, physiology, immunological state, and behavior) require an understanding of a wide range of biological phenomena. Furthermore, the "welfare" of an animal provides a framework in which a diversity of its responses can be understood as fitness-enhancing mechanisms. Different methods for assessing animal welfare are discussed, with particular emphasis on the role of an animal's own choices and reinforcement mechanisms. No part of biology is as yet able to explain consciousness, but by confronting the possibility that nonhuman animals have conscious experiences of suffering, animal welfare studies force a consideration of even this hardest problem of all biological phenomena in a particularly direct and evolutionary way.
Sub-pixel edge detection method based on Zernike moment

This paper presents an image sub-pixel edge detection method based on Zernike moment. Firstly, we offered the edge model parameters calculation method through Zernike moment definition and the rotation invariance. Then, the orthogonal complex polynomial from 0 order to 2 order of the Zernike moment was calculated, in order to save time we calculate the image Zernike moment mask values in advance. Meanwhile, to improve the Zernike moment edge detection operator's positioning accuracy and suppressing noise abilities we use 9×9 grid mask. Finally, we applied these Zernike moment edge detection operators for some standard facial recognition. The experiment results show that this method has higher detection precision compared with traditional methods.
Norme MPEG pour la compression multirésolution de maillages tridimensionnels

RÉSUMÉ. Cet article introduit une nouvelle technique de compression de maillages 3D utilisant l’approximation de forme comme stratégie de prédiction. L’approche proposée, appelée Shape Approximation Compression (SAC), consiste à compresser directement les niveaux de détails définis par les créateurs de contenus, en exploitant leurs inter-correlations. La géométrie de chaque niveau est utilisée afin de calculer une approximation lisse du niveau de détails suivant. Une hiérarchie de maillages progressifs est ensuite construite à partir du maillage approché. Cela permet de prédire et de transmettre de façon efficace les erreurs d’approximation. Le codec SAC a été évalué par le groupe de travail ISO/MPEG sur le codage de maillage 3D multirésolution et a été retenu pour une normalisation future.
Trends in study methods used in undergraduate medical education research, 1969-2007.

CONTEXT Evidence-based medical education requires rigorous studies appraising educational efficacy. OBJECTIVES To assess trends over time in methods used to evaluate undergraduate medical education interventions and to identify whether participation of medical education departments or centers is associated with more rigorous methods. DATA SOURCES The PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry, Campbell Collaboration, and ERIC databases (January 1966-March 2007) were searched using terms equivalent to students, medical and education, medical crossed with all relevant study designs. STUDY SELECTION We selected publications in all languages from every fifth year, plus the most recent 12 months, that evaluated an educational intervention for undergraduate medical students. Four hundred seventy-two publications met criteria for review. DATA EXTRACTION Data were abstracted on number of participants; types of comparison groups; whether outcomes assessed were objective, subjective, and/or validated; timing of outcome assessments; funding; and participation of medical education departments and centers. Ten percent of publications were independently abstracted by 2 authors to assess validity of the data abstraction. RESULTS The annual number of publications increased over time from 1 (1969-1970) to 147 (2006-2007). In the most recent year, there was a mean of 145 medical student participants; 9 (6%) recruited participants from multiple institutions; 80 (54%) used comparison groups; 37 (25%) used randomized control groups; 91 (62%) had objective outcomes; 23 (16%) had validated outcomes; 35 (24%) assessed an outcome more than 1 month later; 21 (14%) estimated statistical power; and 66 (45%) reported funding. In 2006-2007, medical education department or center participation, reported in 46 (31%) of the recent publications, was associated only with enrolling more medical student participants (P = .04); for all studies from 1969 to 2007, it was associated only with measuring an objective outcome (P = .048). Between 1969 and 2007, the percentage of publications reporting statistical power and funding increased; percentages did not change for other study features. CONCLUSIONS The annual number of published studies of undergraduate medical education interventions demonstrating methodological rigor has been increasing. However, considerable opportunities for improvement remain.
Prognostication of the effect of mean temperature of thermal cycle on SAC305 leadfree reliability using damage pre-cursors

Electronics in automotive underhood applications may be subjected to temperatures in the neighborhood of 150°C to 175°C. Several electronic functions such as lane departure warning systems, collision avoidance systems are critical to vehicle operation. Prior studies have shown that low silver leadfree SnAgCu alloys exhibit pronounced deterioration in mechanical properties even after short exposure to high temperatures. Current life prediction models for second level interconnects do not provide a method for quick-turn assessment of the effect of mean temperature on cyclic life. In this paper, a method has been developed for assessment of the effect of mean cyclic temperature on the thermal fatigue reliability based on physics based leading damage indicators including phase-growth rate and the intermetallic thickness. Since the quantification of the thermal profile in the field applications may be often very difficult, the proposed method does not require the acquisition of the thermal profile history. Three environments of -50°C to +50°C, 0°C to 100°C, 50°C to 150°C with identical thermal excursion and different mean temperatures have been studied. Test assemblies with three different packages including CABGA 144, PBGA 324, and PBGA 676 have been used for the study. Damage-proxy based damage-equivalency relationships have been derived for the three thermal cycles. Weibull distributions have been developed for the three test assemblies to evaluate the effect of the mean cyclic temperature on the thermal fatigue life. Data indicates that the thermal fatigue lie drops with the increase in mean temperature of the thermal cycle even if the thermal excursion magnitude is kept constant. Damage equivalency model predictions of the effect of mean temperature of the thermal cycle have been validated versus weibull life distributions. The damage proxy based damage equivalency methodology shows good correlation with experimental data.
GABA and Nucleus Accumbens Glutamate Neurotransmission Modulate Ethanol Self‐Administration in Rats a

Previous research suggests that ethanol (EtOH) facilitates the activity of the yaminobutyric acid (GABA)/benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor complex1 and inhibits the activity of the N-methyl-waspartate (NMDA) subtype of the glutamate receptor.2 The nucleus accumbens (N.Acc.) is a mesolimbic-forebrain region that receives glutamatecgic afferent projections from the amygdala and hippocampus3 and is an important neumnatomical substrate for the reinforcing effects of psychostimulant drugs.4 The present study examined the effects of isopmpylbicyclophosphate (IPPO), a picrotoxin ligand5 and RO 15-4513, a BZ inverse agonist, in rats trained to orally selfadminister EtOH in a fi-ee-choice operant task. To examine the role of glutamate receptors in mediating EtOH reinfbrcement, the effects of systemic administration of acamprosate, a non-selective glutamate receptor antagonist6 and microinjection of 2-amino-5-phosphopentanoic acid (AP-5), a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, into the nucleus accumbens were tested. Male rats were trained to orally self-administer EtOH in a fi-ee-choice operant task using a variant of Samson’s sucrose fading techniquq7 with saccharin used to overcome EtOH’s taste aversive properties. Behavioral testing was conducted in operant
Discrete Partial Barrier Options with a Moving Barrier

Barrier options come in many forms. In this article we study the pricing of discrete partial barrier options where the barrier level may change deterministically during the monitoring period and monitoring takes place at not-necessarily equally spaced points in time. We provide closed-form pricing formulas for the prices of these options in a Black-Scholes (1973) world. Using these results, we show that monitoring the reference index discretely instead of continuously may have a very significant effect on the prices of barrier options.
Zygomatico-orbital intra-arterial melphalan infusion for intraocular retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a rare and curable malignancy affecting the pediatric population. For advanced stage intraocular retinoblastoma, enucleation remains the primary treatment modality, although the use of laser photocoagulation, cryotherapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are frequently used, particularly in the setting of bilateral disease. Intravenous chemotherapy is the long-standing method of delivery, but local administration (subtenon, intravitreal or intra-arterial) is gaining in popularity because of the reduced side effects related to systemic administration. Of these newer methods, intra-arterial infusion has demonstrated technical feasibility, few procedural complications and robust tumor response. A case is described where a collateral supply to the affected ophthalmic artery was via the zygomatico-orbital branch of the ipsilateral superficial temporal artery. Melphalan infusion was performed via this pathway without incident.
Prevalence of obesity in Australia

Australia is a large country approximately equal in area to mainland United States. The relatively small population of around 20 million are composed primarily of Caucasians. Extensive immigration from many different countries has made Australia one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world. Indigenous Australians make up only 2.4% of the total population. Australia has a prosperous Western‐style capitalist economy, and spends approximately $830 million on the direct health care costs of obesity. For Australians, it is now more common to have a weight problem, with overweight affecting 48% of men and 30% of women and obesity affecting a further 19% of men and 22% of women. This paper reports on recent epidemiological studies documenting the extent of overweight and obesity in adults and children in Australia.
Study of How To Protect ETC System Security

ETC service on the expressways in Japan has been spread widely at a faster pace in recent years due to several promotion measures; lower price of ETC on-board unit, financial assistance for the unit purchase by the government, and introduction of a variety of discount services exclusive for ETC users. Since other infrastructure in other fields where ETC system can also be used are expected to be prepared, a higher level of ETC system security and operation is more required. This paper first shows the history, application, and scheme of ETC service in Japan, and then mentions how to deal with the issues concerning misuse under the current ETC system, with emphasis on its tighter security as well as eradication of its misuse.