Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive conformational analysis of the nucleoside analogue 2'-beta-deoxy-6-azacytidine by DFT and MP2 calculations.

A comprehensive conformational analysis of isolated 2'-beta-deoxy-6-azacytidine (d6AC), an analogue of therapeutically active 6-azacytidine (6AC), has been performed by means of ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-311++G(2df,pd)//DFT B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. Among the 81 conformers located within a 7.83 kcal/mol Gibbs energy range at T = 298.15 K, 38 contain syn-oriented bases with respect to 2'-deoxyribose; the other conformers include anti-oriented bases. Energetic analysis of these conformers shows that conformational equilibrium of isolated d6AC at T = 298.15 K is shifted to syn conformation with a syn/anti ratio estimated as 61.4%:38.6%. As far as the sugar conformation is concerned, 40 conformers contain north (N) (with 0.3 degrees < or = P < or = 40.1 degrees), and the rest possess south (S) (with 157.1 degrees < or = P < or = 207.0 degrees) puckers, where P is the pseudorotational angle of the furanose ring. The S/N occupancy ratio is estimated as 80.2%:19.8% (T = 298.15 K). The two most stable conformers are energetically quasidegenerate and correspond to both C2'-endo/syn conformers differing only by orientation of the O3'H hydroxyl group. They are both stabilized by means of similar intramolecular H-bonds, i.e., O5'H.O2, C2'H2.O2, and C2'H2.O5'. As examined by AIM criteria, from 1 to 3 H-bonds per conformer were identified among 13 possible interactions: O5'H.O2, O5'H.N6, O3'H.O5', O5'H.O3', C1'H.O2, C2'H2.O2, C2'H2.O5', C3'H.O2, C3'H.N6, C5'H1.O2, C5'H2.O2, C5'H1.N6, and C5'H2.N6. The biological effect of d6AC is conceived as an inhibition of replicative DNA polymerase caused by an unusual orientation of the sugar residue against the base in the only A form DNA-like conformer.
Recruitment and Allegiance

Civil war is fought between two political organizations, the state and a rebel group. Myriad theories of civil war have examined the role of state institutions and state strength, but little attention has been devoted to theorizing about rebel organizations themselves. The organizational structure of rebel groups is examined to understand patterns of recruitment and allegiance. Drawing on principal-agent analysis of participation and incentive compatibility constraints and the analytical tradition of rent-seeking contests, a model is developed to demonstrate that three factors—geography, ethnicity, and ideology—play an important role in determining military success, deterring defection within the rebel group, and shaping recruitment.
Antibody‐mediated activation of the classical pathway of complement may compensate for mannose‐binding lectin deficiency

Deficiency of mannose‐binding lectin (MBL), a recognition molecule of the lectin pathway of complement, is associated with increased susceptibility to infections. The high frequency of MBL deficiency suggests that defective MBL‐mediated innate immunity can be compensated by alternative defense strategies. To examine this hypothesis, complement activation by MBL‐binding ligands was studied. The results show that the prototypic MBL ligand mannan can induce complement activation via both the lectin pathway and the classical pathway. Furthermore, antibody binding to mannan restored complement activation in MBL‐deficient serum in a C1q‐dependent manner. Cooperation between the classical pathway and the lectin pathway was also observed for complement activation by protein 60 from Listeria monocytogenes. MBL pathway analysis at the levels of C4 and C5b–9 in the presence of classical pathway inhibition revealed a large variation of MBL pathway activity, depending on mbl2 gene polymorphisms. MBL pathway dysfunction in variant allele carriers is associated with reduced MBL ligand binding and a relative increase of low‐molecular‐mass MBL. These findings indicate that antibody‐mediated classical pathway activation can compensate for impaired target opsonization via the MBL pathway in MBL‐deficient individuals, and imply that MBL deficiency may become clinically relevant in absence of a concomitant adaptive immune response.
T cell receptor for antigen induces linker for activation of T cell-dependent activation of a negative signaling complex involving Dok-2 , SHIP-1 , and Grb2

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. T cell receptor for antigen induces linker for activation of T cell-dependent activation of a negative signaling complex involving Dok-2, SHIP-1, and Grb-2. Shen Dong, Béatrice Corre, Elodie Foulon, E. Dufour, A. Veillette, Oreste Acuto, Frédérique Michel
Prandial States Modify the Reactivity of the Gustatory Cortex Using Gustatory Evoked Potentials in Humans

Previous functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies evaluated the role of satiety on cortical taste area activity and highlighted decreased activation in the orbito-frontal cortex when food was eaten until satiation. The modulation of orbito-frontal neurons (secondary taste area) by ad libitum food intake has been associated with the pleasantness of the food's flavor. The insula and frontal operculum (primary taste area) are also involved in reward processing. The aim was to compare human gustatory evoked potentials (GEP) recorded in the primary and secondary gustatory cortices in a fasted state with those after food intake. Fifteen healthy volunteers were enrolled in this observational study. In each of two sessions, two GEP recordings were performed (at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm) in response to sucrose gustatory stimulation, and a sucrose-gustatory threshold was determined. During one session, a standard lunch was provided between the two GEP recordings. During the other session, subjects had nothing to eat. Hunger sensation, wanting, liking, and the perception of the solution's intensity were evaluated with visual analog scales. GEP latencies measured in the Pz (p < 0.001), Cz (p < 0.01), Fz (p < 0.001) recordings (primary taste area) were longer after lunch than in the pre-prandial condition. Fp1 and Fp2 latencies (secondary taste area) tended to be longer after lunch, but the difference was not significant. No difference was observed for the sucrose-gustatory threshold regardless of the session and time. Modifications in the primary taste area activity during the post-prandial period occurred regardless of the nature of the food eaten and could represent the activity of the frontal operculum and insula, which was recently shown to be modulated by gut signals (GLP-1, CCK, ghrelin, or insulin) through vagal afferent neurons or metabolic changes of the internal milieu after nutrient absorption. This trial was registered at clinicalstrials.gov as NCT02472444.
Extracellular ATP and nerve growth factor intensify hypoglycemia‐induced cell death in primary neurons: role of P2 and NGFRp75 receptors

In this study, we monitored the direct expression of P2 receptors for extracellular ATP in cerebellar granule neurons undergoing metabolism impairment. Glucose deprivation for 30–60 min inhibited P2Y1 receptor protein, only weakly modulated P2X1, P2X2 and P2X3, and up‐regulated by about two‐fold P2X4, P2X7 and P2Y4. The P2X/Y antagonist basilen blue, protecting cerebellar neurons from hypoglycemic cell death, maintained within basal levels only the expression of P2X7 and P2Y4 proteins, but not P2X4 or P2Y1. Glucose starvation transiently increased (up to three‐fold) the expression of NGFRp75 receptor protein and strongly stimulated the extracellular release of nerve growth factor (NGF; about 10‐fold). Exogenously added NGF then augmented hypoglycemic neuronal death by about 60%, increasing the percentage of Höechst‐positive nuclei (from approximately 62 to 95%), reducing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release (from about 50 to 14%) and significantly overstimulating the hypoglycemia‐induced expression of P2X7 and P2Y4. Conversely, extracellular ATP augmented hypoglycemic neuronal death by about 80%, reducing the number of Höechst‐positive nuclei (from approximately 62% to 14%), augmenting LDH outflow (by about 30%) and further increasing the hypoglycemia‐induced expression of NGFRp75. Our results indicate that P2 and NGFRp75 receptors are modulated during glucose starvation and that extracellular ATP and NGF drive features of, respectively, necrotic and apoptotic hypoglycemic cell death, aggravating the consequences of metabolism impairment in cerebellar primary neurons.
The impact of electronic word-of-mouth: The adoption of online opinions in online customer communities

Purpose – Web‐based technologies have created numerous opportunities for electronic word‐of‐mouth (eWOM) communication. This phenomenon impacts online retailers as this easily accessible information could greatly affect the online consumption decision. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which opinion seekers are willing to accept and adopt online consumer reviews and which factors encourage adoption.Design/methodology/approach – Using dual‐process theories, an information adoption model was developed to examine the factors affecting information adoption of online opinion seekers in online customer communities. The model was tested empirically using a sample of 154 users who had experience within the online customer community, Openrice.com. Users were required to complete a survey regarding the online consumer reviews received from the virtual sharing platform.Findings – The paper found comprehensiveness and relevance to be the most effective components of the argument quality construct .
Chemopreventive Efficacy of a Specific Inhibitor , Nimesulide 4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide-induced Rat Tongue Carcinomas and Increased Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 Protein in Updated Version

Expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein in 4-nitroquinoline-1oxide (4-NQO)-induced rat tongue lesions and the postinitiation chemopreventive potential of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, nimesulide (NIM), were examined in Fischer 344 male rats. NIM was administered in the diet at doses of 150, 300, and 600 ppm for 14 weeks after treatment with 25–35 ppm 4-NQO in the drinking water for 12 weeks. Western blot analysis revealed COX-2 protein to be barely expressed in the normal tongue epithelia, whereas it was increased;6-fold in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Immunohistochemically, COX-2 protein was diffusely present in SCCs and dysplasia but expressed only in basal cells in hyperplasia and papillomas. In basal cells of normal epithelia, it was also occasionally weakly stained. NIM dose-dependently decreased at doses of 150 and 300 ppm, the incidences of SCCs to 4 of 12 (33.3%) and 1 of 13 (7.7%) and their multiplicity to 0.33 6 0.49 and 0.086 0.28 per rat, respectively, as compared with 4-NQO alone group values of 9 of 11 (81.8%) and 1.00 6 0.77. A lesser decrease was observed with 600 ppm, the values being 5 of 12 (41.7%) and 0.506 0.67. NIM did not significantly affect the development of hyperplasias, dysplasias, and papillomas. These results clearly indicate chemopreventive potential of a selective COX-2 inhibitor against the postinitiation development of SCCs in rat tongue carcinogenesis.
The Rostral Medial Prefrontal Cortex Regulates the Expression of Conditioned Eyelid Responses in Behaving Rabbits

We studied the contribution of the rostral mPFC (rmPFC) to the acquisition and performance of classical eyeblink conditioning in rabbits using a delay paradigm. The rmPFC was determined by its afferent projections from the medial half of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus. The rmPFC neurons were identified by their antidromic activation from the mediodorsal nucleus and/or by their firing characteristics. The rmPFC neurons increased their firing during the first conditioning sessions, but decreased it when conditioned responses (CRs) reached asymptotic values. Therefore, no significant relationships could be established between neuronal firing rates and the percentage of CRs or the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the orbicularis oculi muscle during conditioning. Electrical train stimulation of the rmPFC produced a significant inhibition of air-puff–evoked blinks and reduced the generation of CRs compared with controls. Inhibition of the rmPFC by the local injection of lidocaine produced an increase in the amplitude of evoked reflex and conditioned eyeblinks and in the percentage of CRs. The rmPFC seems to be a potent inhibitor of reflex and conditioned eyeblinks, controlling the release of newly acquired eyelid responses until advanced stages of the acquisition process—i.e., until the need for the acquired response is fully confirmed. Therefore, the rmPFC seems to act as a “flip-flop” mechanism in controlling behavior.
Reading–writing integrated tasks, comprehensive corrective feedback, and EFL writing development

The study examines whether there is any difference between the effects of a reading–writing integrated task and comprehensive corrective feedback (CF) on English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ writing development, and whether the input language in the integrated task makes a difference in L2 writing development over time and the language accuracy of the writing resulting from the integrated task. It also explores the possible relationships among language, content alignment and language accuracy and the relationship between language alignment and content alignment. To this end, a quasi-experimental study was conducted to assess participants’ L2 writing development based on a pretest–posttest–delayed-posttest design implemented in four intact EFL freshman classes. Four groups were created: an English-reading–English-writing (EE) group, a Chinese-reading–English-writing (CE) group, a comprehensive CF group, and a control group, which engaged solely in writing practice. The results demonstrated that (1) the EE and CF groups outperformed the control and CE groups on the posttest and outscored the control group on the delayed posttest with respect to language, although there were no significant differences among the three experimental groups in overall, content, and organization scores; (2) the input language of the integrated reading–writing task had a significant effect on language accuracy in the resulting essays; and (3) there was no significant correlation between content alignment and language accuracy for the CE group, whereas for the EE group, a significant positive correlation was observed not only between content and language alignment, on the one hand, and language accuracy, on the other hand, but also between content alignment and language alignment.
Recombinant human collagen-based microspheres mitigate cardiac conduction slowing induced by adipose tissue-derived stromal cells

Background Stem cell therapy to improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction is hampered by poor cell retention, while it may also increase the risk of arrhythmias by providing an arrhythmogenic substrate. We previously showed that porcine adipose tissue-derived-stromal cells (pASC) induce conduction slowing through paracrine actions, whereas rat ASC (rASC) and human ASC (hASC) induce conduction slowing by direct coupling. We postulate that biomaterial microspheres mitigate the conduction slowing influence of pASC by interacting with paracrine signaling. Aim To investigate the modulation of ASC-loaded recombinant human collagen-based microspheres, on the electrophysiological behavior of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM). Method Unipolar extracellular electrograms, derived from microelectrode arrays (8x8 electrodes) containing NRVM, co-cultured with ASC or ASC loaded microspheres, were used to determine conduction velocity (CV) and conduction heterogeneity. Conditioned medium (Cme) of (co)cultures was used to assess paracrine mechanisms. Results Microspheres did not affect CV in control (NRVM) monolayers. In co-cultures of NRVM and rASC, hASC or pASC, CV was lower than in controls (14.4±1.0, 13.0±0.6 and 9.0± 1.0 vs. 19.5±0.5 cm/s respectively, p<0.001). Microspheres loaded with either rASC or hASC still induced conduction slowing compared to controls (13.5±0.4 and 12.6±0.5 cm/s respectively, p<0.001). However, pASC loaded microspheres increased CV of NRVM compared to pASC and NRMV co-cultures (16.3±1.3 cm/s, p< 0.001) and did not differ from controls (p = NS). Cme of pASC reduced CV in control monolayers of NRVM (10.3±1.1 cm/s, p<0.001), similar to Cme derived from pASC-loaded microspheres (11.1±1.7 cm/s, p = 1.0). The presence of microspheres in monolayers of NRVM abolished the CV slowing influence of Cme pASC (15.9±1.0 cm/s, p = NS vs. control). Conclusion The application of recombinant human collagen-based microspheres mitigates indirect paracrine conduction slowing through interference with a secondary autocrine myocardial factor.
When Distraction Holds Relevance: A Prospective Memory Benefit for Older Adults

Evidence is accumulating to show that age-related increases in susceptibility to distracting information can benefit older more than young adults in several cognitive tasks. Here we focus on prospective memory (i.e., remembering to carry out future intentions) and examine the effect of presenting distracting information that is intention-related as a function of age. Young and older adults performed an ongoing 1-back working memory task to a rapid stream of pictures superimposed with to-be-ignored letter strings. Participants were additionally instructed to respond to target pictures (namely, animals) and, for half of the participants, some strings prior to the targets were intention-related words (i.e., animals). Results showed that presenting intention-related distracting information during the ongoing task was particularly advantageous for target detection in older compared to young adults. Moreover, a prospective memory benefit was observed even for older adults who showed no explicit memory for the target distracter words. We speculate that intention-related distracter information enhanced the accessibility of the prospective memory task and suggest that when distracting information holds relevance to intentions it can serve a compensatory role in prospective remembering in older adults.
Estimation of Gross Domestic Product Using Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing Data: A Case Study in Zhejiang Province, East China

There exists a spatial mismatch between socioeconomic data, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and physical and environmental datasets. This study provides a dasymetric approach for GDP estimation at a fine scale by combining the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) nighttime imagery, enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and land cover data. Despite the advantages of DMSP/OLS nighttime imagery in estimating human activities, its drawbacks, including coarse resolution, overglow, and saturation effects, limit its application. Hence, high-resolution EVI data were integrated with DMSP/OLS in this study to create a Human Settlement Index (HSI) for estimating the GDP of secondary and tertiary industries. The GDP of the primary industry was then estimated on the basis of land cover data, and the area with the GDP of the primary industry was classified by a threshold technique (DN ≤ 8). The regression model for GDP distribution estimation was implemented in Zhejiang Province in southeast China, and a GDP density map was generated at a resolution of 250 m × 250 m. Compared with the outcome of taking DMSP/OLS as a unique parameter, estimation errors obviously decreased. This study offers a low-cost and accurate approach for rapidly estimating high-resolution GDP distribution to construct an important database for the government when formulating developmental strategies.
A randomized study of four cards designed to prevent problems during college students' 21st birthday celebrations.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of sending cards designed to prevent alcohol-related problems during 21st birthday celebrations. METHOD College students were randomly assigned to receive cards with one of the following messages: (1) a neutral birthday greeting; (2) harm reduction information; (3) messages designed by the Be Responsible About Drinking (B.R.A.D.) Foundation, including harm reduction information and a description of the tragic death of Brad McCue during his 21st birthday celebration; (4) social norming messages designed to correct misperceptions of drinking; or (5) the combination of messages from Cards 2 and 4. A total of 994 students completed a post-21st birthday phone survey. Effects were evaluated in two cohorts with 444 and 550 students, respectively. RESULTS There were no significant effects of the cards on drinking or alcohol-related problems. CONCLUSIONS These null findings, plus some unexpected trends in our data, highlight the importance of carefully evaluating mailed interventions before deploying them on a large scale.
A systematic review of the interventions to promote the wearing of hearing protection.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Noise-induced hearing loss can only be prevented by eliminating or lowering noise exposure levels. When the source of the noise cannot be eliminated, workers have to rely on hearing protection equipment. The aim here was to summarize the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to enhance the wearing of hearing protection among workers exposed to noise in the workplace. DATA SOURCE Studies with random assignment were identified by an electronic search of the medical literature up to 2005. Data were double-entered into the Review Manager software, version 4.2. 5. DATA SYNTHESIS Two studies were found. A computer-based intervention tailored to individual workers risks and lasting 30 minutes was not found to be more effective than a video providing general information for workers. A second randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of a four-year school-based hearing loss prevention program among schoolchildren working on their parents farms. The intervention group was twice as likely to wear some kind of hearing protection as was the control group (which received only minimal intervention). REVIEWERS CONCLUSIONS: The limited evidence does not show whether tailored interventions are more or less effective than general interventions among workers, 80% of whom already use hearing protection. Long-lasting school-based interventions may increase the use of hearing protection substantially. Better interventions to enhance the use of hearing protection need to be developed and evaluated in order to increase the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss among workers.
A study of relative clauses in Williams syndrome

Despite growing empirical evidence to the contrary, claims continue to be made that the grammar of people with Williams syndrome (WS) is intact. We show that even in a simple elicited imitation task examining the syntax of relative clauses, older children and adults with WS (n = 14, mean age = 17;0 years) only reach the level of typical five-year-old controls. When tested systematically in a number of different laboratories, all aspects of WS language show delay and/or deviance throughout development. We conclude that the grammatical abilities of people with WS should be described in terms of relative rather than absolute proficiency, and that the syndrome should no longer be used to bolster claims about the existence of independently functioning, innately specified modules in the human brain.