Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Energy Sensor AMP-activated Protein Kinase Directly Regulates the Mammalian FOXO3 Transcription Factor*

The maintenance of homeostasis throughout an organism's life span requires constant adaptation to changes in energy levels. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in the cellular responses to low energy levels by switching off energy-consuming pathways and switching on energy-producing pathways. However, the transcriptional mechanisms by which AMPK acts to adjust cellular energy levels are not entirely characterized. Here, we find that AMPK directly regulates mammalian FOXO3, a member of the FOXO family of Forkhead transcription factors known to promote resistance to oxidative stress, tumor suppression, and longevity. We show that AMPK phosphorylates human FOXO3 at six previously unidentified regulatory sites. Phosphorylation by AMPK leads to the activation of FOXO3 transcriptional activity without affecting FOXO3 subcellular localization. Using a genome-wide microarray analysis, we identify a set of target genes that are regulated by FOXO3 when phosphorylated at these six regulatory sites in mammalian cells. The regulation of FOXO3 by AMPK may play a crucial role in fine tuning gene expression programs that control energy balance and stress resistance in cells throughout life.
Biologically Extending the Gen 2 ANN Model

In this paper the generations of artiﬁcial neural networks (ANN) are surveyed. The assumptions present in Gen 1 and 2 ANNs are enumerated. In the process of reformulating the Gen 2 ANN an extension was observed that could increase the biological plausibility of the model. This new model makes use of the neurological interneuron structures that provide inhibition and input gain control in the cortical regions of the brain. The resultant interneuron neural network (INN) is applied to the MNIST data set. The ﬁrst attempt at applying the INN achieves a higher accuracy than an equivalent ANN. The application of the model serves as the initial validation for the derivation of the model and associated backpropagation.
Evaluation of Serum Adenosine Deaminase and Inflammatory Markers in Psoriatic Patients

Background: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme involved in purine metabolism and it is a marker of nonspecific T-cell activation. Few studies have shown high levels of ADA in the epidermis and sera of psoriatic patients. Other inflammatory markers such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and serum uric acid (SUA) have shown correlations with psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score. The correlation between ADA and PASI score is still a matter of debate. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum ADA, hsCRP, SUA, and ESR in psoriatic patients and their correlation with PASI score. Patients and Methods: This study included 60 psoriatic patients divided according to PASI score into three groups (mild, moderate, and severe) each containing 20 patients. PASI score <10 was defined as mild, (10–20) moderate, and >20 severe. Twenty healthy subjects of matched age and sex were included as control. Serum ADA, hsCRP, SUA, and ESR were evaluated for patients and controls. Correlations of ADA, hsCRP, SUA, and ESR with PASI scores were done. Results: While ADA, hsCRP, SUA, and ESR showed a significant increase in psoriatic patients compared with that of the controls (P<001), they showed no significant difference between different psoriatic groups (P>0.05) and no correlations with PASI score (P>0.05). The frequency of joint affection increased with increasing severity of psoriasis (5%, 10%, and 25% in mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis, respectively). Conclusion: Serum ADA, hsCRP, SUA, and ESR showed higher levels among psoriatic patients than in controls. The increased ADA in psoriatic patients supports the role of T-cell activation and proliferative disorder in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. No significant correlations were found between these biomarkers and PASI score. Further studies are needed to validate these biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic factors in psoriasis.
The Dangerous Boda Boda Transport Mode: Mitigating an Impending War on the Roads in a Transforming City? Case of Kampala City

This paper investigates the tyranny of motorbike (boda boda) socio economic costs associated with commercial motorbike accidents in a city setting and provides strategies to reduce the negative effect of such transport mode. Existing research has focused on social economic costs with vehicles automobile related accidents leaving silent but impactful broader indirect costs and strategies for managing boda boda in the city un debated and in limbo. The study borrows from the view that cities and their streets are for everyone. City dwellers no matter the economic and social status must have an opportunity to enjoy life in cities. Based on a cross-sectional survey and documents analysis, this paper concludes that the costs of boda boda accidents is alarming and may be silently impacting on economic growth and prosperity of city dwellers especially the bottom of the pyramid. The outcome of the study point to the need to continuously review such costs and institute mitigants to reduce boda boda fatalities and injuries through various interventions but more importantly underpins the need to establish the true delivered of boda boda accidents to their victims. The study findings are relevant since they provide an assessment of not only economic but social costs associated with motorbike accidents. The study provides strategies that are informed by empirical and secondary evidence in Uganda’s context and from international experiences. These are necessary for Uganda that seeks to create 9 cities and other countries are envision not at transforming their cities into smart cities but transiting existing municipal authorities into cities and gradually into smart cities.
Loi de comportement d'une structure de tenségrité élémentaire : application à la mécanique cellulaire

Un modele de structures spatiales reticulees base sur le concept de tensegrite, est developpe dans le but de comprendre le comportement mecanique de cellules vivantes a partir de la connaissance des proprietes physiques des elements constitutifs du cytosquelette. Dans ce cadre, les relations contrainte-deformation d'une structure de tensegrite elementaire comportant 6 barres rectilignes quasi-rigides en equilibre avec 24 cables hyper-elastiques sont etudiees pour differentes conditions de chargements quasi-statiques et sur une large gamme de deformations (0 a 100%). Un modele mathematique permet d'extraire la solution linearisee d'un systeme d'equations traduisant (i) l'equilibre des forces aux nuds, (ii) la compatibilite entre deplacements nodaux et deformations des elements et (iii) la loi de comportement des dits elements. Un modele experimental a egalement ete developpe pour valider le modele mathematique. Une analyse dimensionnelle a permis d'identifier les parametres physiques caracteristiques du comportement mecanique des structures de tensegrite. Les resultats sont obtenus sur des structures de dimensions variees, pour differents etats d'autocontrainte et de rigidite des elements. Ils ont ete mis sous forme d'une relation adimensionnelle mettant en jeu la longueur normalisee l* et la tension de reference normalisee t* des elements elastiques. Cette relation qui decrit la rigidite de ces structures en fonction de la deformation globale, permet le passage des echelles macroscopique (des structures physiques) a microscopique (des cellules vivantes). Les resultats numeriques sont en accord avec les resultats biologiques issus de differentes methodes experimentales, notamment concernant l'ordre de grandeur de la rigidite de cellules endotheliales. Ils confirment l'interet du concept de tensegrite pour la comprehension des proprietes mecaniques de la cellule en relation avec le rearrangement des filaments constitutifs et leurs proprietes physiques.
Relationship of insulin dose, A1c lowering, and weight in type 2 diabetes: comparing insulin glargine and insulin detemir.

BACKGROUND A pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was conducted to compare dosing and impact of two basal insulin analogs, insulin glargine (glargine) and insulin detemir (detemir), on weight and hemoglobin A1c (A1c). METHODS Twenty-two studies of at least 20 weeks in duration in individuals with T2DM initiating glargine/detemir were included. Results were combined using a weighted-average method and a bivariate random effect model. Outcomes included changes in weight, A1c, and insulin dose from study start to end. RESULTS One study was head-to-head comparison of glargine and detemir. Detemir (four studies) was administered once or twice daily, with 50% starting on detemir once daily but needing therapy intensification. Glargine was used once daily in all 22 studies. The Egger test was borderline significant for change in weight over the course of the treatment for glargine (0.29; 90% confidence interval [CI] -0.01, 0.58), and heterogeneity was not observed for detemir (-0.18; 90% CI -0.59, 0.23). Heterogeneity was observed for change in A1c over the course of the treatment (glargine, -1.19, 90% CI -1.74, -0.63; detemir, -2.65, 90% CI -4.86, -0.45). Nonheterogeneity for change in A1c over the course of the treatment was achieved by excluding five studies for glargine and one study for detemir; however, all studies were included in subsequent analyses. In the unadjusted model, glargine and detemir showed similar results for mean A1c change (-1.4% vs. -1.4%), weight gain (2.5 vs. 1.7 kg), and weight/A1c (1.8 vs. 1.2 kg/%). A significantly higher detemir dose was needed to achieve the same A1c change (51.5 vs. 38.8 U/day). CONCLUSIONS Although absolute weight gain was higher with glargine versus detemir, weight gain per A1c change was similar. A higher detemir dose was required to achieve a similar A1c reduction.
Interaction of serum ferritin and body mass index in patients with chronic hepatitis B: Improved prediction of cirrhosis

SAYAK OHNO, B.S. HARUNA YAMAMOTO, M.S. KEIKO FUJIWARA, B.S. TOSHIHIKO YOSHIDA, B.S. YUJI SAWABE, B.S. KAZUYUKI SOGAWA, PH.D. KAZUYUKI MATSUSHITA, M.D., PH.D OSAMU YOKOSUKA, M.D., PH.D FUMIO NOMURA, M.D., PH.D. Division of Laboratory Medicine, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan Clinical Proteomics Research Center, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan Department of Molecular Diagnosis, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan Department of Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan References
3D-dvshop: a 3D Dynamic Virtual Shop

In recent years, virtual reality has shown all its potential in a large spectrum of applications: training, simulation, CAD, and so on. Although existing technologies allow the creation of immersive virtual reality browsing experiences, little has been devoted to applying this new tool to electronic commerce (e-commerce) since almost all e-commerce web sites present products in a 2D on-line catalog. In this paper we present 3D-dvshop, a dynamic 3D virtual shop: a user can build his or her own shop, choosing a set of products that will be dynamically placed in a collection of specially created "rooms". The use of technologies such as VRML and Java allows full 3D interaction with products. In this way, the browsing experience can be more natural, attractive, realistic, and fun.
PWM Energy Converters: Fractal Method of Dynamics Forecasting in Practical Application

A fractal method of dynamics forecasting is investigated from the viewpoint of practical application regarding pulsewidth modulation (PWM) energy converters (PECs). The method realizes the idea of PEC state estimation relative to the preliminary formed domains of periodic processes. With this purpose, a special space ldquois designedrdquo into which the periodic process domains are mapped from the parametrical space and transient phase trajectories-from the phase space. Mapping is provided with use of geometrical interpretation of fractal regularities that exist in the structures of both periodic process and transient phase trajectories. Computational and experimental investigations of the fractal method efficiency are carried out within the bounds of the scenario of dynamics evolution toward chaos through period doubling.
Balancing the activation state of the endothelium via two distinct TGF‐β type I receptors

The generation of mice lacking specific components of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signal tranduction pathway shows that TGF‐β is a key player in the development and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Both pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic properties have been ascribed to TGF‐β, for which the molecular mechanisms are unclear. Here we report that TGF‐β can activate two distinct type I receptor/Smad signalling pathways with opposite effects. TGF‐β induces phosphorylation of Smad1/5 and Smad2 in endothelial cells and these effects can be blocked upon selective inhibition of ALK1 or ALK5 expression, respectively. Whereas the TGF‐β/ALK5 pathway leads to inhibition of cell migration and proliferation, the TGF‐β/ALK1 pathway induces endothelial cell migration and proliferation. We identified genes that are induced specifically by TGF‐β‐mediated ALK1 or ALK5 activation. Id1 was found to mediate the TGF‐β/ALK1‐induced (and Smad‐dependent) migration, while induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 by activated ALK5 may contribute to the TGF‐β‐induced maturation of blood vessels. Our results suggest that TGF‐β regulates the activation state of the endothelium via a fine balance between ALK5 and ALK1 signalling.
Low‐level laser therapy for protection against skeletal muscle damage after ischemia–reperfusion injury in rat hindlimbs

Despite numerous hypotheses regarding the action of laser light, the use of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) in ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury is still being verified. The present study investigates the effects of low‐level laser irradiation (LLLI) on I/R injury of the musculus gracilis in rats.
Low-cost and reliable nanowire fabrication method for ultrasensitive pressure sensor

This paper presents piezoresistive nanowires based pressure sensor with a novel and low-cost nanowire fabrication technique. Silicon nanowire sensing element (width<100 nm) is chosen because of their higher piezoresistive coefficient compared to bulk silicon and integrated into MEMS diaphragm to measure pressure up to 2 bar. The novelty of the proposed process lies in making nanowires with controllable dimensions (CD < 100 nm) and with no dependency on the lithography tool limitations. Initially, this process is optimised for nanowires and then simulations are carried out for the pressure sensor. Simulation results are presented for a pressure sensor having a diaphragm thickness of 10 μm and the sensor fabrication is currently ongoing. Proposed nanowire fabrication process can potentially be utilized to obtain any nano-dimension structure without using expensive masks and special lithography tools.
To ICO or not to ICO – Empirical Analysis of Initial Coin Offerings and Token Sales

The current paper is the holistic study on ICOs and token sales and presenting key stages of the industry evolution from 2013 to date. We argue that blockchain technology has created a new viable vehicle for early stage capital raising. We trace the evolution of ICOs and token sales using a hand-constructed complete database from small contribution campaigns from a project’s backers and the community in 2013, to the multibillion-dollar industry as it is at the beginning of 2018. We show that successful ICOs tend to be more self-compliant with the forthcoming potential regulation and spend more effort on signalling their quality and reducing the asymmetric information problem. We also look into various proxies for ICOs’ success and show these are only weakly correlated with projects’ tokens long-run performance that is instead mostly influenced by the Ether cryptocurrency performance.
Pengaruh Pergantian Manajemen, Kepemilikan Publik dan Financial Distress terhadap Auditor Switching

Auditor switching is the change of auditor or Public Accountant Firm which conducted by company. The purpose of this research is to get the empirical evidence about : (1) The influence of The Change of Management to Auditor Switching, (2) The influence of Public Ownership to Auditor Switching, (3) The influence of Financial Distress to Auditor Switching, The influence of The Change of Management, Public Ownership, and Financial Distress simultaneously to Auditor Switching, in Manufacture Companies which listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) periode 2013 – 2017. The population in this research are The Manufacture Companies which listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2012-2016. Sampling technique that used in this study was purposive sampling technique, where as 32 manufacture companies are the sample in this research, with the total observation are 155 observations. Data analysis techniques are logistic regression analysis. The result of this research shows that : (1) The Changes of Management doesn’t influence to Auditor Switching, (2) Public Ownership doesn’t influence to Auditor Switching, (3) Financial Distress doesn’t influence to Auditor Switching, (4) The Change of Management, Public Ownership and Financial Distress don’t influence simultaneously to Auditor Switching.
Bankruptcy prediction: A model for the casino industry

Bankruptcy Prediction: A Model for the Casino Industry by David W. Patterson, CPA Dr. Bernard Fried, Examination Committee Chair Associate Professor o f Hospitality Finance and Accounting University o f Nevada, Las Vegas This study shows the development o f a discriminant model to predict failure or non-failure in the casino industry. The objective o f the study is to provide a model developed for the casino industry using financial data from a sample o f failed and non­ failed casinos. The data was provided by the Nevada Gaming Control Board from information they collect from all licensed casinos w ith over $ l m illion in annual revenue. The theoretical model developed for the study includes five constructs that indicate success or failure in the casino business. The five constructs are: Management, Location, Ambiance, Marketing and Financial Strength. Due to limitations in the data, two o f these constructs were not included in the development o f the discriminant model; Location and Ambiance. The model includes twelve predictor variables: A&P/Total Revenues, Cash Flow/Liabilities, Net Income/Assets, Sales/Assets, Operating Margin, Payroll/Revenues,
Development of Sindbis Viruses Encoding nsP2/GFP Chimeric Proteins and Their Application for Studying nsP2 Functioning

ABSTRACT Sindbis virus (SINV) is one of almost 30 currently known alphaviruses. In infected cells, it produces only a few proteins that function in virus replication and interfere with the development of the antiviral response. One of the viral nonstructural proteins, nsP2, not only exhibits protease and RNA helicase activities that are directly involved in viral RNA replication but also plays critical roles in the development of transcriptional and translational shutoffs in the SINV-infected cells. These multiple activities of nsP2 complicate investigations of this protein's functions and further understanding of its structure. Using a transposon-based approach, we generated a cDNA library of SINV genomes with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene randomly inserted into nsP2 and identified a number of sites that can be used for GFP cloning without a strong effect on virus replication. Recombinant SIN viruses encoding nsP2/GFP chimeric protein were capable of growth in tissue culture and interfering with cellular functions. SINV, expressing GFP in the nsP2, was used to isolate nsP2-specific protein complexes formed in the cytoplasm of the infected cells. These complexes contained viral nsPs, all of the cellular proteins that we previously coisolated with SINV nsP3, and some additional protein factors that were not found before in detectable concentrations. The random insertion library-based approach, followed by the selection of the viable variants expressing heterologous proteins, can be applied for mapping the domain structure of the viral nonstructural and structural proteins, cloning of peptide tags for isolation of the protein-specific complexes, and studying their formation by using live-cell imaging. This approach may also be applicable to presentation of additional antigens and retargeting of viruses to new receptors.
A target tracking algorithm based on the continuous wavelet transform of spatio-temporal processing block

A novel target tracking approach based on the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is proposed. Three energy densities are used to estimate motion parameters by sequentially optimizing a state vector composed of velocity, position, and size parameters. The practical functional relation is created to reasonably obtain the scale parameter. For the purpose of lowering computational cost, the spatio-temporal processing block for each frame is adopted as the tracking strategy. Both results in the simulation and in the real video data show that our approach is effective and has the advantages of being robust to local illumination variations as well as temporary partial occlusion by processing all the image windows in every built spatio-temporal processing block simultaneously during the tracking.
Properties of Actin from the Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Interaction with Fission Yeast Profilin*

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe serves as a model system for studying role of actin cytoskeleton, since it has simple actin cytoskeletons and is genetically tractable. In contrast, biochemical approaches using this organism are still developing; fission yeast actin has so far not been isolated in its native form and characterized, and therefore, biochemical assays of fission yeast actin-binding proteins (ABPs) or myosin have been performed using rabbit skeletal muscle actin that may interact with the fission yeast ABPs in a manner different from fission yeast actin. Here, we report a novel method for isolating functionally active actin from fission yeast cells. The highly purified fission yeast actin polymerized with kinetics somewhat different from those of muscle actin and forms filaments that are structurally indistinguishable from skeletal muscle actin filaments. The fission yeast actin was a significantly weaker activator of Mg2+-ATPase of HMM of skeletal muscle myosin than muscle actin. The fission yeast profilin Cdc3 suppressed polymerization of fission yeast actin more effectively than that of muscle actin and showed an affinity for fission yeast actin higher than for muscle actin. The establishment of purification of fission yeast actin will enable reconstruction of physiologically relevant interactions between the actin and fission yeast ABPs or myosins and contribute to clarification of function of actin cytoskeleton in various cellular activities.