Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coordination of the filament stabilizing versus destabilizing activities of cofilin through its secondary binding site on actin

Cofilin is a ubiquitous modulator of actin cytoskeleton dynamics that can both stabilize and destabilize actin filaments depending on its concentration and/or the presence of regulatory co‐factors. Three charge‐reversal mutants of yeast cofilin, located in cofilin's filament‐specific secondary binding site, were characterized in order to understand why disruption of this site leads to enhanced filament disassembly. Crystal structures of the mutants showed that the mutations specifically affect the secondary actin‐binding interface, leaving the primary binding site unaltered. The mutant cofilins show enhanced activity compared to wild‐type cofilin in severing and disassembling actin filaments. Electron microscopy and image analysis revealed long actin filaments in the presence of wild‐type cofilin, while the mutants induced many short filaments, consistent with enhanced severing. Real‐time fluorescence microscopy of labeled actin filaments confirmed that the mutants, unlike wild‐type cofilin, were functioning as constitutively active severing proteins. In cells, the mutant cofilins delayed endocytosis, which depends on rapid actin turnover. We conclude that mutating cofilin's secondary actin‐binding site increases cofilin's ability to sever and de‐polymerize actin filaments. We hypothesize that activators of cofilin severing, like Aip1p, may act by disrupting the interface between cofilin's secondary actin‐binding site and the actin filament. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Giant Planet Imaged in the Disk of the Young Star β Pictoris

Planet Is Born The 10-million-year-old star β Pictoris, has long been suspected to host a planet. Through images obtained with the Very Large Telescope, an array of four telescopes located in Chile, Lagrange et al. (p. 57, published online 10 June) now confirm the presence of a young, giant planet, β Pictoris b, orbiting within the dusty disk that surrounds the star. β Pictoris b orbits closer to its star than Uranus and Neptune do to the Sun in our solar system. This orbital separation is consistent with the in situ formation of the planet via a core accretion mechanism. Thus, giant planets can form within a stellar dust disk in only a few million years. The Very Large Telescope reveals that a huge planet formed within a star’s dusty disk in a few million years. Here, we show that the ~10-million-year-old β Pictoris system hosts a massive giant planet, β Pictoris b, located 8 to 15 astronomical units from the star. This result confirms that gas giant planets form rapidly within disks and validates the use of disk structures as fingerprints of embedded planets. Among the few planets already imaged, β Pictoris b is the closest to its parent star. Its short period could allow for recording of the full orbit within 17 years.
Moisture Sensing in Baled Crops

7 2.1 INTRODUCTION . 7 2.2 LITERATURE REVIEW & BACKGROUND PHYSICS . 8 2.2.1 Objectives . 11 2.3 MATERIALS AND METHODS . 11 2.3. 1 Impedance Analyzer . 11 2.3. 2 Fixture/Probe And Measurement Circuit . 11 2.3. 3 Test Stand Aparatus . 13 2.3. 4 Description of Cotton Sample Properties Used in Dielectric Measurements . 15 2.3. 5 Raw Cotton Dielectric Measurement Procedure . 18 2.3. 6 Summary of Experimental Design for Training Data . 20 2.4 RESULTS . 20 2.4. 1 General Electrical Characteristics of Fixture . 20 2.4. 2 Dielectric Probe Region of Influence . 23 2.4. 3 Fixture Parasitic Impedance . 26 2.4. 4 Standard Material Tests using Measurement Fixture . 28 2.4. 5 General Response of Permittivity and Loss Tangent . 31 2.4. 6 Model Development . 32 2.5 CONCLUSIONS . 38 2.6 REFERENCES. 39
Prospective randomized comparison of a steerable versus a non-steerable sheath for typical atrial flutter ablation.

AIMS Although cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation can cure typical atrial flutter (AFL), it might be difficult to achieve a bidirectional conduction block in the isthmus in some patients. We investigated the usefulness of a steerable sheath for CTI ablation in patients with typical AFL or atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 40 consecutive patients (36 males; mean age 55.2 +/- 10.0 years) undergoing CTI ablation were randomized to one of the following two groups: group S (using a steerable long sheath) or group NS (using a non-steerable long sheath). Ablation was performed using an 8 mm tip catheter. The anatomy of the CTI was evaluated by a dual-source computed tomography scan prior to the procedure. The procedural endpoint was the achievement of a bidirectional isthmus conduction block. Bidirectional block in the CTI was achieved in all patients with 485.3 +/- 416.4 s of radiofrequency (RF) application. The CTI anatomy, including the length, depth, and morphology, was similar between the two groups. The duration and total amount of RF energy delivery were significantly shorter and smaller in group S than in group NS (310 +/- 193 vs. 661 +/- 504 s, P = 0.006, and 12,197 +/- 7306 vs. 26,906 +/- 21,238 J, P = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION The use of a steerable sheath reduced the time and amount of energy needed to achieve a bidirectional conduction block in the CTI. For patients in whom the establishment of a conduction block is difficult, a steerable sheath should be considered as a therapeutic option for typical AFL ablation.
Selective uptake of HDL cholesteryl esters and cholesterol efflux from mouse peritoneal macrophages independent of SR-BI Published, JLR Papers in Press, August 22, 2006.

Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) mediates the selective uptake of HDL cholesteryl esters (CEs) and facilitates the efflux of unesterified cholesterol. SR-BI expression in macrophages presumably plays a role in atherosclerosis. The role of SR-BI for selective CE uptake and cholesterol efflux in macrophages was explored. Macrophages and HDL originated from wild-type (WT) or SR-BI knockout (KO; homozygous) mice. For uptake, macrophages were incubated in medium containing 125I-/3H-labeled HDL. For lipid removal, [3H]cholesterol efflux was analyzed using HDL as acceptor. Selective uptake of HDL CE ([3H]cholesteryl oleyl ether − 125I-tyramine cellobiose) was similar in WT and SR-BI KO macrophages. Radiolabeled SR-BI KO-HDL yielded a lower rate of selective uptake compared with WT-HDL in WT and SR-BI KO macrophages. Cholesterol efflux was similar in WT and SR-BI KO cells using HDL as acceptor. SR-BI KO-HDL more efficiently promoted cholesterol removal compared with WT-HDL from both types of macrophages. Macrophages selectively take up HDL CE independently of SR-BI. Additionally, in macrophages, there is substantial cholesterol efflux that is not mediated by SR-BI. Therefore, SR-BI-independent mechanisms mediate selective CE uptake and cholesterol removal. SR-BI KO-HDL is an inferior donor for selective CE uptake compared with WT-HDL, whereas SR-BI KO-HDL more efficiently promotes cholesterol efflux.
Determination of bixin and norbixin in meat using liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection

The development of an analytical method that enables routine analysis of annatto dye, specifically bixin and norbixin, in meat tissue is described. Liquid-solid extraction was carried out using acetonitrile. Analysis was by HPLC with photodiode array detection using two fixed wavelengths (458 and 486 nm). The possibilities of ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) were also assessed. Method performance characteristics, according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, were determined, with recoveries between 99 and 102% and calibration curves being linear in the 0.5–10 mg kg−1 range. The limit of quantification was 0.5 mg kg−1.
Probiotic upregulation of peripheral IL-17 responses does not exacerbate neurological symptoms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse models

Context: It is of great importance to evaluate the safety of probiotics in dysregulated immune conditions, as probiotics can possibly modulate immune functions in the host. Objective: We tried to confirm the safety of using Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) to help prevent autoimmunity in the central nervous system. Methods: We used two chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models, a relapse and remission type EAE model in SJL/J mice and a durable type model in C57BL/6 mice. LcS was administered from 1 week before antigen sensitization until the end of the experiments, and neurological symptoms and histopathological changes of the spinal cord were observed. Immunological parameters were also examined in the SJL/J mouse model. Results: LcS administration did not exacerbate neurological symptoms or histopathological changes of the spinal cord in either model but instead tended to improve neurological symptoms in the SJL/J mouse EAE model. LcS administration transiently upregulated IL-17 production by antigen-stimulated lymphocytes of draining lymph nodes 7 days after sensitization. Enhanced production of IL-10 and an increase in the percentage of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells were also observed at the same sites. Strong expression of IL-17 mRNA was detected in the spinal cord of mice that displayed severe neurological symptoms on day 12, but this expression was not enhanced by LcS administration. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that LcS does not exacerbate, but instead may improve EAE depending on the immunization conditions, and that IL-17 responses at peripheral sites may not always result in a worsening of autoimmune diseases.
Simultaneous water vapor and dry air optical path length measurements and compensation with the large binocular telescope interferometer

The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer uses a near-infrared camera to measure the optical path length variations between the two AO-corrected apertures and provide high-angular resolution observations for all its science channels (1.5-13 microns). There is however a wavelength dependent component to the atmospheric turbulence, which can introduce optical path length errors when observing at a wavelength different from that of the fringe sensing camera. Water vapor in particular is highly dispersive and its effect must be taken into account for high-precision infrared interferometric observations as described previously for VLTI/MIDI or the Keck Interferometer Nuller. In this paper, we describe the new sensing approach that has been developed at the LBT to measure and monitor the optical path length fluctuations due to dry air and water vapor separately. After reviewing the current performance of the system for dry air seeing compensation, we present simultaneous H-, K-, and N-band observations that illustrate the feasibility of our feedforward approach to stabilize the path length fluctuations seen by the LBTI nuller.
Effect of Filler Incorporation on the Fracture Toughness Properties of Denture Base Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is the material of choice for denture base construction. In spite of its many good qualities, the application of PMMA as an ideal dental base material is still restricted by a few limitations. One of these is the difficulty in achieving intrinsic radiopacity in the material. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possibility of using barium titanate (BaTiO3) as a radiopacifier in PMMA. The formulation used in this study composed of PMMA 89.5 wt%, BaTiO3 10 wt% and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 0.5 wt% as an initiator, methyl methacrylate (MMA) 90 wt% as a monomer and ethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate (EGDMA) 10 wt% as a cross-linking agent. The BaTiO3 was treated by a silane coupling agent, 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (γ-MPS), prior to incorporation in the solid components (PMMA, BPO). The curing was carried out using a water bath at 78°C for 1.5 h. The samples were tested for fracture toughness before and after soaking for 28 days in simulated body fluid (SBF). Moreover, the morphology of the specimens was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the neat PMMA possessed slightly higher fracture toughness properties than the PMMA composite, and after 28 days of immersion, the fracture toughness values were reduced by 4.8% and 3.4% for neat PMMA and PMMA composite, respectively.
STRENGTH MODEL FOR CFRP-CONFINED CONCRETE IN SQUARE COLUMNS

An experimental study has been carried out on square plain concrete (PC) and reinforced concrete (RC) columns strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. A total of 78 specimens were loaded to failure in axial compression and investigated in both axial and transverse directions. Slenderness of the columns, number of wrap layers and concrete strength were the test parameters. Compressive stress, axial and hoop strains were recorded to evaluate the stress-strain relationship, ultimate strength and ductility of the specimens. Results clearly demonstrate that composite wrapping can enhance the structural performance of square columns in terms of both maximum strength and ductility. On the basis of the effective lateral confining pressure of composite jacket and the effective FRP strain coefficient, new peak stress equations were proposed to predict the axial strength and corresponding strain of FRP-confined square concrete columns. This model incorporates the effect of the effective circumferential FRP failure strain and the effect of the effective lateral confining pressure. The results show that the predictions of the model agree well with the test data.
Two-dimensional wideband interpolated root-MUSIC applied to measured seismic data

We apply two-dimensional (2-D) elementspace and beamspace extensions of Friedlander's (Friedlander 1993; Friedlander and Weiss 1993) wideband interpolated root-MUSIC technique to azimuth-velocity source location using measured seismic data from the GERESS array. Real data processing shows that 2-D interpolated root-MUSIC is able to estimate the parameters of a typical seismic source with good accuracy. The use of interpolated root-MUSIC and dimension reduction via beamspace is motivated by a dramatic reduction of processing time, allowing efficient on-line implementation.
Monitoring nicotine intake from e-cigarettes: measurement of parent drug and metabolites in oral fluid and plasma

Abstract Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cig) known as electronic nicotine devices recently gained popularity among smokers. Despite many studies investigating their safety and toxicity, few examined the delivery of e-cig-derived nicotine and its metabolites in alternative biological fluids. Methods: We performed a randomized, crossover, and controlled clinical trial in nine healthy smokers. Nicotine (NIC), cotinine (COT), and trans-3′-hydroxycotinine (3-HCOT) were measured in plasma and oral fluid by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry after consumption of two consecutive e-cig administrations or two consecutive tobacco cigarettes. Results: NIC and its metabolites were detected both in oral fluid and plasma following both administration conditions. Concentrations in oral fluid resulted various orders of magnitude higher than those observed in plasma. Oral fluid concentration of tobacco cigarette and e-cig-derived NIC peaked at 15 min after each administration and ranged between 1.0 and 1396 μg/L and from 0.3 to 860 μg/L; those of COT between 52.8 and 110 μg/L and from 33.8 to 94.7 μg/L; and those of 3-HCOT between 12.4 and 23.5 μg/L and from 8.5 to 24.4 μg/L. The oral fluid to plasma concentration ratio of both e-cig- and tobacco cigarette-derived NIC peaked at 15 min after both administrations and correlated with oral fluid NIC concentration. Conclusions: The obtained results support the measurement of NIC and metabolites in oral fluid in the assessment of intake after e-cig use and appear to be a suitable alternative to plasma when monitoring nicotine delivery from e-cig for clinical and toxicological studies.
Effect of simulated refractive error on adult visual acuity for paediatric tests

Although vanishing optotype preferential‐looking tasks are commonly used to measure visual acuity (VA), the relative sensitivity of these tests to refractive error is not well understood. To address this issue, we determined the effect of spherical and astigmatic simulated refractive errors on adult VA measures obtained using vanishing optotypes, picture optotypes and Sloan letters.
HURST EXPONENT AND FINANCIAL MARKET PREDICTABILITY

The Hurst exponent (H) is a statistical measure used to classify time series. H=0.5 indicates a random series while H>0.5 indicates a trend reinforcing series. The larger the H value is, the stronger trend. In this paper we investigate the use of the Hurst exponent to classify series of financial data representing different periods of time. Experiments with backpropagation Neural Networks show that series with large Hurst exponent can be predicted more accurately than those series with H value close to 0.50. Thus Hurst exponent provides a measure for predictability.
Carotid Endarterectomy Versus Carotid Stenting to Treat Carotid Stenosis: There Is More to Than Meets the Eye.

Reply: I n response to the question regarding if there is any planned follow-up of the STOMAMESH study, we are happy to inform you that we are currently working on the 3-year followup, a health economic study and a paper describing Quality of Life. We hope that these data are ready to publish in late 2018. We agree that the long-term information on the inserted mesh is of uttermost importance and we are looking forward to providing both 3 and 10year data from our study. Sincerely On behalf of the Clinical Surgical Trials Epidemiological Research group (www.CLISTER.se).
Quantifying the Impact of Deprivation on Preterm Births: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background Social deprivation is associated with higher rates of preterm birth and subsequent infant mortality. Our objective was to identify risk factors for preterm birth in the UK's largest maternity unit, with a particular focus on social deprivation, and related factors. Methodology/Principal Findings Retrospective cohort study of 39,873 women in Liverpool, UK, from 2002–2008. Singleton pregnancies were stratified into uncomplicated low risk pregnancies and a high risk group complicated by medical problems. Multiple logistic regression, and generalized additive models were used to explore the effect of covariates including area deprivation, smoking status, BMI, parity and ethnicity on the risk of preterm birth (34+0 weeks). In the low risk group, preterm birth rates increased with deprivation, reaching 1.6% (CI95 1.4 to 1.8) in the most deprived quintile; the unadjusted odds ratio comparing an individual in the most deprived quintile, to one in the least deprived quintile was 1.5 (CI95 1.2 to 1.9). Being underweight and smoking were both independently associated with preterm birth in the low risk group, and adjusting for these factors explained the association between deprivation and preterm birth. Preterm birth was five times more likely in the high risk group (RR 4.8 CI95 4.3 to 5.4), and there was no significant relationship with deprivation. Conclusions Deprivation has significant impact on preterm birth rates in low risk women. The relationship between low socio-economic status and preterm births appears to be related to low maternal weight and smoking in more deprived groups.
A randomized, controlled community-wide intervention to reduce environmental tobacco smoke exposure.

INTRODUCTION Tobacco use in low- to middle-income countries is a major public health concern for both smokers and those exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Egypt has made important strides in controlling tobacco use, but smoking and ETS remain highly prevalent. This randomized intervention sought to improve the target population's knowledge regarding the hazards of smoking and ETS and to change attitudes and smoking behaviors within the community and the household. METHODS In this 2005-2006 study in Egypt's Qalyubia governorate, trained professionals visited schools, households, mosques, and health care centers in rural villages randomly selected for the intervention to discuss the adverse effects of smoking and ETS exposure and ways to reduce one's ETS exposure. Data collected in interviewer-facilitated surveys before and after the intervention period were analyzed in pairwise comparisons with data from control villages to assess the effectiveness of the intervention in achieving its aims. RESULTS The intervention group showed a greater increase in understanding the dangers associated with smoking cigarettes and waterpipes and became more proactive in limiting ETS exposure by asking smokers to stop, avoiding areas with ETS, and enacting smoking bans in the home. However, the intervention had little to no impact on the number of smokers and the amount of tobacco smoked. CONCLUSIONS Results are consistent with previous studies showing that changing smokers' behavior can be difficult, but community-wide efforts to reduce ETS exposure through smoking bans, education, and empowering people to ask smokers to stop are effective. The method can be generalized to other settings.
MEASUREMENT OF AIRBORNE PARTICLE CONCENTRATIONS NEAR THE SUNSET CRATER VOLCANO, ARIZONA

Direct measurements of airborne particle mass concentrations or mass loads are often used to estimate health effects from the inhalation of resuspended contaminated soil. Airborne particle mass concentrations were measured using a personal sampler under a variety of surface-disturbing activities within different depositional environments at both volcanic and nonvolcanic sites near the Sunset Crater volcano in northern Arizona. Focused field investigations were performed at this analog site to improve the understanding of natural and human-induced processes at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The level of surface-disturbing activity was found to be the most influential factor affecting the measured airborne particle concentrations, which increased over three orders of magnitude relative to ambient conditions. As the surface-disturbing activity level increased, the particle size distribution and the majority of airborne particle mass shifted from particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 &mgr;m (0.00039 in) to particles with aerodynamic diameters greater than 10 &mgr;m (0.00039 in). Under ambient conditions, above average wind speeds tended to increase airborne particle concentrations. In contrast, stronger winds tended to decrease airborne particle concentrations in the breathing zone during light and heavy surface-disturbing conditions. A slight increase in the average airborne particle concentration during ambient conditions was found above older nonvolcanic deposits, which tended to be finer grained than the Sunset Crater tephra deposits. An increased airborne particle concentration was realized when walking on an extremely fine-grained deposit, but the sensitivity of airborne particle concentrations to the resuspendible fraction of near-surface grain mass was not conclusive in the field setting when human activities disturbed the bulk of near-surface material. Although the limited sample size precluded detailed statistical analysis, the differences in airborne particle concentration over 900-y weathered volcanic and nonvolcanic deposits appeared to be potentially significant only under heavy surface disturbances.
Scharlemann's manifold is standard

In his 1974 thesis, Martin Scharlemann constructed a fake homotopy equivalence from a closed smooth manifold f Q S3 X SI#S2 X S2, and asked the question whether or not the manifold Q itself is diffeomorphic to S3 X S1#S2 X S2. Here we answer this question affirmatively.