Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mimicking Phosphorylation of &agr;B-Crystallin on Serine-59 Is Necessary and Sufficient to Provide Maximal Protection of Cardiac Myocytes From Apoptosis

Abstract— &agr;B-Crystallin (&agr;BC), a small heat shock protein expressed in high levels in the heart, is phosphorylated on Ser-19, 45, and 59 after stress. However, it is not known whether &agr;BC phosphorylation directly affects cell survival. In the present study, constructs were prepared that encode forms of &agr;BC harboring Ser to Ala (blocks phosphorylation) or Ser to Glu (mimics phosphorylation) mutations at positions 19, 45, and 59. The effects of each form on apoptosis of cultured cardiac myocytes after hyperosmotic or hypoxic stress were assessed. Compared with controls, cells that expressed &agr;BC with Ser to Ala substitutions at all three positions, &agr;BC(AAA), exhibited more stress-induced apoptosis. Cells expressing either &agr;BC(AAE) or (EEE) exhibited 3-fold less apoptosis than cells expressing &agr;BC(AAA), indicating that phosphorylation of Ser-59 confers protection. &agr;BC is known to bind to procaspase-3 and to decrease caspase-3 activation. Compared with cells expressing &agr;BC(AAA), the activation of caspase-3 was decreased by 3-fold in cells expressing &agr;BC(AAE). These results demonstrate that mimicking the phosphorylation of &agr;BC on Ser-59 is necessary and sufficient to confer caspase-3 inhibition and protection of cardiac myocytes against hyperosmotic or hypoxic stress. These findings provide direct evidence that &agr;BC(S59P) contributes to the cardioprotection observed after physiologically relevant stresses, such as transient hypoxia. Identifying the targets of &agr;BC(S59P) will reveal important details about the mechanism underlying the cytoprotective effects of this small heat shock protein.
Prevalence of intrinsic disorder in the hepatitis C virus ARFP/Core+1/S protein

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) Core+1/S polypeptide, also known as alternative reading frame protein (ARFP)/S, is an ARFP expressed from the Core coding region of the viral genome. Core+1/S is expressed as a result of internal initiation at AUG codons (85–87) located downstream of the polyprotein initiator codon, and corresponds to the C‐terminal part of most ARFPs. Core+1/S is a highly basic polypeptide, and its function still remains unclear. In this work, untagged recombinant Core+1/S was expressed and purified from Escherichia coli in native conditions, and was shown to react with sera of HCV‐positive patients. We subsequently undertook the biochemical and biophysical characterization of Core+1/S. The conformation and oligomeric state of Core+1/S were investigated using size exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, fluorescence, CD, and NMR. Consistent with sequence‐based disorder predictions, Core+1/S lacks significant secondary structure in vitro, which might be relevant for the recognition of diverse molecular partners and/or for the assembly of Core+1/S. This study is the first reported structural characterization of an HCV ARFP/Core+1 protein, and provides evidence that ARFP/Core+1/S is highly disordered under native conditions, with a tendency for self‐association.
A Multi-Domain Self-Report Measure of Coparenting

Objectives . This study reports the psychometric properties of a multidomain measure of the coparenting relationship in dual-parent families. Method . A total of 152 couples participating in a transition to parenthood study completed the Coparenting Relationship Scale and additional measures during home visits at child age 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years. Results . Psychometric and construct validity assessments indicated the measure performed satisfactorily. The 35-item measure demonstrated good reliability and strong stability. Subscales measuring theoretically and empirically important aspects of coparenting (coparenting agreement, coparenting closeness, exposure of child to conflict, coparenting support, coparenting undermining, endorsement of partner's parenting, and division of labor) demonstrated good reliability as well. A 14-item brief overall measure showed very strong associations with the overall measure. Relations of the full scale with a measure of social desirability were weak, and the full scale was positively associated with positive dimensions of the dyadic couple relationship (love, sex/romance, couple efficacy) and inversely associated with negative dimensions (conflict, ineffective arguing)—as expected. Conclusions . This initial examination of the Coparenting Relationship Scale suggests that it possesses good psychometric properties (reliability, stability, construct validity, and interrater agreement), can be flexibly administered in short and long forms, and is positioned to promote further conceptual and methodological progress in the study of coparenting.
Multiple Arithmetic Operations in a Single Neuron: The Recruitment of Adaptation Processes in the Cricket Auditory Pathway Depends on Sensory Context

Sensory pathways process behaviorally relevant signals in various contexts and therefore have to adapt to differing background conditions. Depending on changes in signal statistics, this adjustment might be a combination of two fundamental computational operations: subtractive adaptation shifting a neuron's threshold and divisive gain control scaling its sensitivity. The cricket auditory system has to deal with highly stereotyped conspecific songs at low carrier frequencies, and likely much more variable predator signals at high frequencies. We proposed that due to the differences between the two signal classes, the operation that is implemented by adaptation depends on the carrier frequency. We aimed to identify the biophysical basis underlying the basic computational operations of subtraction and division. We performed in vivo intracellular and extracellular recordings in a first-order auditory interneuron (AN2) that is active in both mate recognition and predator avoidance. We demonstrated subtractive shifts at the carrier frequency of conspecific songs and division at the predator-like carrier frequency. Combined application of current injection and acoustic stimuli for each cell allowed us to demonstrate the subtractive effect of cell-intrinsic adaptation currents. Pharmacological manipulation enabled us to demonstrate that presynaptic inhibition is most likely the source of divisive gain control. We showed that adjustment to the sensory context can depend on the class of signals that are relevant to the animal. We further revealed that presynaptic inhibition is a simple mechanism for divisive operations. Unlike other proposed mechanisms, it is widely available in the sensory periphery of both vertebrates and invertebrates.
Ecofriendly Concrete with High Volume of Lagoon Ash

A high volume of lagoon (pond) ash produced as a waste from the thermal power station in India is used as a replacement of cement (55–65%) in concrete. The test specimens were prepared with and without superplasticizer. No air-entraining agent was used. At constant slump, the required amount of water reduced with the addition of lagoon ash. The slump retention property of the concrete with superplasticizer and lagoon ash was studied. A substantial increase in the setting time (initial and final) was observed. The development of early strength (1,3 days) was low. The 28-day strength for concrete with lagoon ash, without the addition of superlasticizer, was in the range of 16.4–24.3 MPa for 65 and 55% cement replacement, respectively. The change in strength of concrete was observed over a period of 365 days in the present study. The investigation shows a scope to utilize lagoon ash in concrete. An attempt was made to use lagoon ash in the concrete mix, referred as dry lean concrete, used as base course for .
Morphology and topography of retinal pericytes in the living mouse retina using in vivo adaptive optics imaging and ex vivo characterization.

PURPOSE To noninvasively image retinal pericytes in the living eye and characterize NG2-positive cell topography and morphology in the adult mouse retina. METHODS Transgenic mice expressing fluorescent pericytes (NG2, DsRed) were imaged using a two-channel, adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO). One channel imaged vascular perfusion with near infrared light. A second channel simultaneously imaged fluorescent retinal pericytes. Mice were also imaged using wide-field ophthalmoscopy. To confirm in vivo imaging, five eyes were enucleated and imaged in flat mount with conventional fluorescent microscopy. Cell topography was quantified relative to the optic disc. RESULTS We observed strong DsRed fluorescence from NG2-positive cells. AOSLO revealed fluorescent vascular mural cells enveloping all vessels in the living retina. Cells were stellate on larger venules, and showed banded morphology on arterioles. NG2-positive cells indicative of pericytes were found on the smallest capillaries of the retinal circulation. Wide-field SLO enabled quick assessment of NG2-positive distribution, but provided insufficient resolution for cell counts. Ex vivo microscopy showed relatively even topography of NG2-positive capillary pericytes at eccentricities more than 0.3 mm from the optic disc (515 ± 94 cells/mm(2) of retinal area). CONCLUSIONS We provide the first high-resolution images of retinal pericytes in the living animal. Subcellular resolution enabled morphological identification of NG2-positive cells on capillaries showing classic features and topography of retinal pericytes. This report provides foundational basis for future studies that will track and quantify pericyte topography, morphology, and function in the living retina over time, especially in the progression of microvascular disease.
An Exploratory Investigation of Organizational Antecedents to New Product Success

The authors present a model that suggests that integration between marketing and research and development (R&D), managerial controls, and relational norms influences new product success. The model is tested with a sample of 115 engineers and marketing personnel involved in 19 new product projects for a multinational computer manufacturer. The results indicate that managerial controls influence integration, relational norms, and perceived effectiveness. Integration between marketing and R&D fosters stronger relational norms, perceived effectiveness, and new product success. Relational norms enhance perceptions of effectiveness, yet they have a negative influence on new product success. The authors conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings for best practice in new product research and application.
Exercise Hemodynamics in Patients With and Without Diastolic Dysfunction and Preserved Ejection Fraction After Myocardial Infarction

Background—Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) is common after myocardial infarction (MI) despite preservation of left ventricular ejection fraction, yet it remains unclear how or whether DD affects cardiac hemodynamics with stress. Methods and Results—Invasive hemodynamic exercise testing was performed in 46 patients with a recent MI and left ventricular ejection fraction >45% and in 10 healthy volunteers. MI patients were enrolled prospectively and divided into those with DD (MI+DD; left atrial volume index >34 mL/m2 and diastolic E/e′ ratio>8; n=35) and those without DD (MI–DD; left atrial volume index <34 mL/m2 and E/e′ ratio<8; n=11). All underwent a supine cycle ergometer test with simultaneous right heart catheterization and echocardiography. At rest, 10 patients in MI+DD (29%) had pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >15 (14±4 mm Hg), whereas none of the MI−DD (10±2 mm Hg) or controls (9±2 mm Hg) displayed pulmonary capillary wedge pressure elevation (P=0.03). During exercise, an abnormal rise in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (>25 mm Hg) was observed in 94% of MI+DD (36±6 mm Hg) compared with 36% of MI−DD (24±6 mm Hg) and none of the controls (16±6 mm Hg; P<0.0001). Exercise right atrial pressure was the highest in MI+DD followed by MI−DD and control (15±5 versus 9±4 versus 7±5 mm Hg; P<0.001), whereas no difference in cardiac index was found between groups. Conclusions—In post-MI patients with preserved ejection fraction and left ventricular DD, cardiac output with exercise is maintained at the expense of substantially increased filling pressure. DD and loss of diastolic reserve may promote progression from stage B to stage C heart failure after MI.
Interspecific in vitro assay for the chimera-forming ability of human pluripotent stem cells

Functional assay limitations are an emerging issue in characterizing human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). With rodent PSCs, chimera formation using pre-implantation embryos is the gold-standard assay of pluripotency (competence of progeny to differentiate into all three germ layers). In human PSCs (hPSCs), however, this can only be monitored via teratoma formation or in vitro differentiation, as ethical concerns preclude generation of human-human or human-animal chimeras. To circumvent this issue, we developed a functional assay utilizing interspecific blastocyst injection and in vitro culture (interspecies in vitro chimera assay) that enables the development and observation of embryos up to headfold stage. The assay uses mouse pre-implantation embryos and rat, monkey and human PSCs to create interspecies chimeras cultured in vitro to the early egg-cylinder stage. Intra- and interspecific chimera assays with rodent PSC lines were performed to confirm the consistency of results in vitro and in vivo. The behavior of chimeras developed in vitro appeared to recapitulate that of chimeras developed in vivo; that is, PSC-derived cells survived and were integrated into the epiblast of egg-cylinder-stage embryos. This indicates that the interspecific in vitro chimera assay is useful in evaluating the chimera-forming ability of rodent PSCs. However, when human induced PSCs (both conventional and naïve-like types) were injected into mouse embryos and cultured, some human cells survived but were segregated; unlike epiblast-stage rodent PSCs, they never integrated into the epiblast of egg-cylinder-stage embryos. These data suggest that the mouse-human interspecies in vitro chimera assay does not accurately reflect the early developmental potential/process of hPSCs. The use of evolutionarily more closely related species as host embryos might be necessary to evaluate the developmental potency of hPSCs. Summary: An approach to assess the chimera-forming ability of PSCs is developed and used to assess the developmental potential of rodent, monkey and human PSCs.
Comparison of UTCI with Other Thermal Indices in the Assessment of Heat and Cold Effects on Cardiovascular Mortality in the Czech Republic

We compare the recently developed Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) with other thermal indices in analysing heat- and cold-related effects on cardiovascular (CVD) mortality in two different (urban and rural) regions in the Czech Republic during the 16-year period from 1994–2009. Excess mortality is represented by the number of deaths above expected daily values, the latter being adjusted for long-term changes, annual and weekly cycles, and epidemics of influenza/acute respiratory infections. Air temperature, UTCI, Apparent Temperature (AT) and Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) are applied to identify days with heat and cold stress. We found similar heat effects on CVD mortality for air temperature and the examined thermal indices. Responses of CVD mortality to cold effects as characterised by different indices were much more varied. Particularly important is the finding that air temperature provides a weak cold effect in comparison with the thermal indices in both regions, so its application—still widespread in epidemiological studies—may underestimate the magnitude of cold-related mortality. These findings are important when possible climate change effects on heat- and cold-related mortality are estimated. AT and PET appear to be more universal predictors of heat- and cold- related mortality than UTCI when both urban and rural environments are of concern. UTCI tends to select windy rather than freezing days in winter, though these show little effect on mortality in the urban population. By contrast, significant cold-related mortality in the rural region if UTCI is used shows potential for UTCI to become a useful tool in cold exposure assessments.
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) - a potent medicinal herb.

There is an increasing demand for herbal medicines, health products, pharmaceuticals. Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn is a plant used in traditional medicine across the world for its ethnopharmacological value. It is found to contain important phytoconstituents such as glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizinic acid, glabrin A and B and isoflavones. It is effectively used as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, antiviral, anti-ulcer, antitussive, anti-oxidant, skin whitening, anti-diuretic agent. The present article is an effort to compile the available literature on Glycyrrhiza glabra with respect to its traditional uses, bioactive constituents and pharmacologic activities. This may be useful in discovering potential therapeutic effects and developing new formulations.
TripletGAN: Training Generative Model with Triplet Loss

As an effective way of metric learning, triplet loss has been widely used in many deep learning tasks, including face recognition and person-ReID, leading to many states of the arts. The main innovation of triplet loss is using feature map to replace softmax in the classification task. Inspired by this concept, we propose here a new adversarial modeling method by substituting the classification loss of discriminator with triplet loss. Theoretical proof based on IPM (Integral probability metric) demonstrates that such setting will help the generator converge to the given distribution theoretically under some conditions. Moreover, since triplet loss requires the generator to maximize distance within a class, we justify tripletGAN is also helpful to prevent mode collapse through both theory and experiment.
Apatite Biominerals

Calcium phosphate apatites offer outstanding biological adaptability that can be attributed to their specific physico-chemical and structural properties. The aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the specific characteristics of calcium phosphate apatite biominerals in vertebrate hard tissues (bone, dentine and enamel). Firstly, the structural, elemental and chemical compositions of apatite biominerals will be summarized, followed by the presentation of the actual conception of the fine structure of synthetic and biological apatites, which is essentially based on the existence of a hydrated layer at the surface of the nanocrystals. The conditions of the formation of these biominerals and the hypothesis of the existence of apatite precursors will be discussed. Then, we will examine the evolution of apatite biominerals, especially during bone and enamel aging and also focus on the adaptability of apatite biominerals to the biological function of their related hard tissues. Finally, the diagenetic evolution of apatite fossils will be analyzed.
Wettability of Sanded and Aged Fast-growing Poplar Wood Surfaces: I. Surface Free Energy

The sanding process influences the surface morphology and chemical components of wood, which are two important factors that influence the surface free energy and wettability of wood. The objective of this study was to investigate the roughness of sanded poplar wood and the effects of sanding and aging on the surface free energy using different methods. The roughness parameter (Ra) decreased as the grit number increased, but no change was evident when the grit number increased from 120 to 240. The contact angle of water on the fresh wood samples decreased as the grit number increased. Fresh wood samples were more easily wetted by water than was the aged wood sample, and the contact angles increased as the surface roughness decreased. The surface free energy of sanded, aged wood obtained by the Zisman method may be unsuitable. For the fresh wood samples, the change of surface free energy and its components were not significantly changed when the grit number was higher than 120; for the aged wood samples, the dispersion component appeared to increase slightly as the grit number decreased. The effect of roughness on the acid/base component, acid component, and base component calculated by the vOCG method was unremarkable. The surface free energy of the wood samples (obtained using the liquid parameters provided by Volpe and Siboni (1997)) can effectively balance the relationship between the acid and base components.
Probabilistic bisimulations of switching and resetting diffusions

This contribution presents sufficient conditions for the existence of probabilistic bisimulations between two diffusion processes that are additionally endowed with switching and resetting behaviors. A probabilistic bisimulation between two stochastic processes is defined by means of a bisimulation function, which induces an approximation metric over the distance between the two processes. The validity of the proposed sufficient conditions results in the explicit characterization of one such bisimulation function. The conditions depend on contractivity properties of the two stochastic processes.
A basis for understanding fishery management dynamics

Fishery management complexity conspires to defeat seemingly obvious solutions to overfishing. Management may not adequately include decisions of fishers, management, and politicians. A new, simple, but acceptably complex fish population model is meshed with both fishery activities and management decision making. The population component is based on the common single stock biomass dynamic model. Modifications allow biomass feedback on rates of addition to the stock due to growth and to entry of young fish. Delayed and seasonal entry of new fish biomass is possible. A co-flow structure tracks age of biomass without using cohorts. Fishers enter the fishery only if catch rates are sufficiently high. When catch rates are low fishers improve their efficiency. Excessive fishing damages ecosystem support of the fish population. Managers attempt to maintain fish stocks at acceptable biomass levels, but lobbying by fishers and varying support of politicians limits their efforts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Syst. Dyn. Rev. 24, 1–29, (2008)