Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reorganization of Synaptic Connections and Perineuronal Nets in the Deep Cerebellar Nuclei of Purkinje Cell Degeneration Mutant Mice

The perineuronal net (PN) is a subtype of extracellular matrix appearing as a net-like structure around distinct neurons throughout the whole CNS. PNs surround the soma, proximal dendrites, and the axonal initial segment embedding synaptic terminals on the neuronal surface. Different functions of the PNs are suggested which include support of synaptic stabilization, inhibition of axonal sprouting, and control of neuronal plasticity. A number of studies provide evidence that removing PNs or PN-components results in renewed neurite growth and synaptogenesis. In a mouse model for Purkinje cell degeneration, we examined the effect of deafferentation on synaptic remodeling and modulation of PNs in the deep cerebellar nuclei. We found reduced GABAergic, enhanced glutamatergic innervations at PN-associated neurons, and altered expression of the PN-components brevican and hapln4. These data refer to a direct interaction between ECM and synapses. The altered brevican expression induced by activated astrocytes could be required for an adequate regeneration by promoting neurite growth and synaptogenesis.
Bilinear identity for q-hypergeometric integrals

We describe a bilinear identity satisfied by certain multidimensional q-hypergeometric integrals. The identity can be considered as a deformation of the Riemann bilinear relation for the twisted de Rham (co)homologies. The identity also gives an explicit formula for scalar products of solutions of the qKZ and the dual qKZ equations, therefore providing a deformation of Gaudin-Korepin's formula for norms of the Bethe vectors.
Substrate binding mode and reaction mechanism of undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase deduced from crystallographic studies

Undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase (UPPs) catalyzes eight consecutive condensation reactions of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) with isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) to form a 55‐carbon long‐chain product. We previously reported the crystal structure of the apo‐enzyme from Escherichia coli and the structure of UPPs in complex with sulfate ions (resembling pyrophosphate of substrate), Mg2+, and two Triton molecules (product‐like). In the present study, FPP substrate was soaked into the UPPs crystals, and the complex structure was solved. Based on the crystal structure, the pyrophosphate head group of FPP is bound to the backbone NHs of Gly29 and Arg30 as well as the side chains of Asn28, Arg30, and Arg39 through hydrogen bonds. His43 is close to the C2 carbon of FPP and may stabilize the farnesyl cation intermediate during catalysis. The hydrocarbon moiety of FPP is bound with hydrophobic amino acids including Leu85, Leu88, and Phe89, located on the α3 helix. The binding mode of FPP in cis‐type UPPs is apparently different from that of trans‐type and many other prenyltransferases which utilize Asprich motifs for substrate binding via Mg2+. The new structure provides a plausible mechanism for the catalysis of UPPs.
A simple heuristic based genetic algorithm for the maximum clique problem

This paper proposes a novel heuristic based genetic algorithm (HGA) for the maximum clique problem, which consists of the combination of a simple genetic algorithm and a naive heuristic algorithm. The heuristic based genetic algorithm is tested on the so-called DIMACS benchmark graphs, with up to 4000 nodes and up to 5506380 edges, consisting of randomly generated graphs with known maximum clique and of graphs derived from various practical applications. The performance of HGA on these graphs is very satisfactory both in terms of solution quality and running time. Despite its simplicity, HGA dramatically improves on all previous approaches based on genetic algorithms we are aware of, and yields results comparable to those of more involved heuris-tic algorithms based on local search. This provides empirical evidence of the eeectiveness of heuristic based genetic algorithms as a search technique for solving the maximum clique problem, which is competitive with respect to other (variants of local) search techniques, like simulated anneal-ing and tabu search. 1 Introduction A clique of a (undirected) graph is a subgraph such that all pairs of distinct nodes are connected by an edge. A maximum clique of a graph is a clique of the graph having the largest number of nodes. Computing the maximum clique of a graph (MC problem) is a paradigmatic combinatorial optimization problem which is encountered in many diierent real life applications, such as cluster analysis, information retrieval, mobile networks , computer vision (see, e.g., the survey paper 24]).
A New Aetosaur (Archosauria, Suchia) from the Upper Triassic Pekin Formation, Deep River Basin, North Carolina, U.S.A., and Its Implications for Early Aetosaur Evolution

ABSTRACT Aetosaurs are an extinct clade of quadrupedal, heavily armored archosaurs that had a worldwide distribution during the Late Triassic. Aetosaur fossils from the Upper Triassic Pekin Formation in the Deep River Basin of North Carolina (U.S.A.) consist primarily of isolated osteoderms and, rarely, more associated material. Here we describe a new genus and species, Gorgetosuchus pekinensis, based on an associated incomplete anterior carapace, consisting of a total of 19 nearly complete paramedian and lateral osteoderms from the first 10 rows of armor as well as some associated fragments. An important feature of Gorgetosuchus is that an articulated fifth row of cervical osteoderms almost encloses the neck, with prominent spines on both the dorsal and lateral osteoderms. This is a novel configuration among aetosaurs. Otherwise, NCSM 21723 preserves a mosaic of character states found in Longosuchus, Lucasuchus, or both taxa while simultaneously preserving several more plesiomorphic character states, such as cervical osteoderms that are wider than long. Our reevaluation of other Pekin Formation specimens that various authors have assigned to Desmatosuchus, Longosuchus, or Lucasuchus confirms that some possess characteristics of Lucasuchus, whereas others are not generically determinate. Incorporating Gorgetosuchus into existing phylogenies of aetosaurs results in a reshuffling of basal aetosaur relationships, but a variety of analyses consistently place Gorgetosuchus as a basal desmatosuchine. Using current taxonomic practices, there are at least three aetosaur genera in the Pekin Formation: Lucasuchus, Coahomasuchus, and Gorgetosuchus.
Biological Phosphorus Removal Performance and Relevant Microorganism Characteristics of Activated Sludge in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants, China

Municipal wastewater discharge is threatening the ecological security of the local water environment. This study investigated the field process performance and microorganism characteristics of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in China. The results showed that three WWTPs met the required criteria of phosphorus for discharge (≤1 mg/L), but with a low level of Accumulibacter (6.4 to 3.8%, on average) and a relatively high level of Competibacter (3.2 to 9.1%) in sludge. The phosphorus release and uptake rates were varied from 0.224 to 7.770 mg/gVSS·h and 0.386 to 7.901 mg/gVSS·h, respectively. Denitrifying polyphosphate‐accumulating organisms were estimated to be 28.2% of the polyphosphate‐accumulating organisms. Sludge characteristics (phosphorus release and uptake rates) were positively correlated with the abundance of Accumulibacter and negatively correlated with the proportion of Competibacter. Moreover, the lower the ratio of anaerobic phosphorus/acetate (e.g., 0.496) is, the more abundant the Competibacter would be. Further discussion on an improvement strategy for these WWTPs for EBPR should be comprehensively based on the data of periodic investigations on field operation, sludge activities, and microbial populations.
Evolution of Hypervariable Regions, V4 and V7, of Insect 18S rRNA and Their Phylogenetic Implications

Abstract We compared primary and secondary structures of V4 (helices E23-2 to E23-5) and V7 (helix 43) regions of 18S rRNAs in insects and the other three major arthropod groups (crustaceans, myriapods, and chelicerates) known so far. We found that the lengths of primary sequences and the shapes of secondary structures of these two hypervariable regions of insect 18S rRNA even at infraclass levels are phylogenetically informative and reflect major steps in insect evolution. The long sequence insertion and bifurcated shape of helices E23-2 to E23-5 in the V4 region are unique synapomorphic characters for winged insects (Pterygota). The long sequence insertion and expanded stem length of helix 43 in the V7 region are synapomorphic characters for holometabolous insects which conduct complete metamorphosis. The strongly conserved secondary structures suggest the possibility that these hypervariable regions may be related with certain important cellular functions unknown thus far. The comparison with insect fossil records revealed that the pterygote synapomorphy (V4) and the holometabolous synapomorphy (V7) were established prior to the acquisition of insect wings (flight system) and prior to the development of complete metamorphosis, respectively. These synapomorphies have been also relatively stable over at least 300 Myr and 280 Myr, respectively as well. It implies that the expansion events of the V4 and V7 regions have not occurred simultaneously but independently at different periods during the insect evolution. Then this suggests that V4 and V7 regions are not functionally correlated as recently suggested by Crease and Coulbourn.
Effect of Recombinant Cytokines on the Expression of Natural Killer Cell Receptors from Patients with TB or/and HIV Infection

Background NK cells express several specialized receptors through which they recognize and discriminate virally-infected/tumor cells efficiently from healthy cells and kill them. This ability to lyse is regulated by an array of inhibitory or activating receptors. The present study investigated the frequency of various NK receptors expressed by NK cell subsets from HIV-infected TB patients. The effect of IL-15+IL-12 stimulation on the expression of NK receptors was also studied. Methodology/Principal Findings The study included 15 individuals each from normal healthy subjects, pulmonary tuberculosis patients, HIV-infected individuals and patients with HIV and tuberculosis co-infection. The expression of NK cell receptors was analyzed on two NK cell subsets within the peripheral blood: CD16+CD3− and CD56+CD3− using flow cytometry. The expression of inhibitory receptors (CD158a, CD158b, KIRp70, CD85j and NKG2A) on NK subsets was increased in HIV, when compared to NHS. But the response in HIV-TB was not uniform. Stimulation with IL-15+IL-12 dropped (p<0.05) the expression of CD85j and NKG2A in HIV. The basal expression of natural cytotoxicity receptors (NKp30 and NKp46) on NK cell subsets was lowered (p<0.05) in HIV and HIV-TB as compared to NHS. However, the expression of NKp44 and NKG2D was elevated in HIV. Enhanced NKp46 and NKG2D expression was observed in HIV with IL-15+IL-12 stimulation. The coreceptor NKp80 was found to be expressed in higher numbers on NK subsets from HIV compared to NHS, which elevated with IL-15+IL-12 stimulation. The expression of NK receptors and response to stimulation was primarily on CD56+CD3− subset. Conclusions/Significance IL-15+IL-12 has an immunomodulatory effect on NK cell subsets from HIV-infected individuals viz down-regulation of iNKRs, elevation of activatory receptors NKp46 and NKG2D, and induction of coreceptor NKp80. IL-15+IL-12 is not likely to be of value when co-infected with TB probably due to the influence of tuberculosis.
Atmospheric carbonyl compounds at a rural southeastern United States site

Atmospheric concentrations of a series of carbonyl compounds known as formaldehyde (FA), acetaldehyde (AC), acetone (AN), glycolaldehyde (GA), glyoxal (GL), methylglyoxal (MG), glyoxylic acid (GD), and pyruvic acid (PD) were measured at a rural site in Georgia in summers of 1991 and 1992. The midafternoon median concentrations, in parts per billion, determined for 1991–1992 were FA, 3.6/3.1; AC, 0.58/0.74; AN, 1.7/1.8; GA, 0.21/0.26; GL, 0.02/0.09; MG, 0.03/0.08; GD, 0.46; and PD, 0.11, the latter two for 1992 only. All of the carbonyls except AC and AN exhibited a strong diurnal dependence, with maxima in the midafternoon and minima during the night, consistent with a rapid in situ photochemical production in the daytime and a loss by dry deposition in a shallow inversion during the night. FA correlated well with O3, GA and MG, consistent with their photochemical production near the surface at the measurement site. GL and MG showed the strongest correlation among all species, suggesting common origins as well as similar atmospheric lifetimes. The presence of GA, MG, and GL along with FA at the observed relative concentrations are consistent with laboratory developed isoprene oxidation mechanism and the expectation that isoprene represents a major reactive hydrocarbon in this rural region. At the concentrations observed, these carbonyls serve as important radical sources. The contribution of FA accounts for half of that by O3 and the higher carbonyls approximates half of that by FA. With respect to production of peroxyacetyl nitrate, isoprene contributes as much as acetaldehyde. These results lend further credence to the notion that isoprene plays a pivotal role in photochemical processes, especially in rural environments.
A model for the analysis of drifter data with an application to a warm core ring in the Gulf of Mexico

A model developed primarily for the analysis of drifter data is discussed. The model is based on a parametric representation of the drifter velocity in terms of Monge potentials, two of which are constants following the motion of the fluid. In the application presented here, one of the potentials is taken as the frequency of rotation about a ring by a parcel. A more restricted interpretation of the velocity gradient in variant for horizontal flow is also discussed. The other potential is taken as the streamline of a parcel that is locally approximated as a conic section. For the restricted interpretation, solutions to the model equations are critically dependent on the relative sizes of the squares of the vertical vorticity and the total deformation rate. This model differs from drifter cluster models in that each drifter provides independent estimates of the vorticity and deformation rates. Application is made to path data from three drifters that were seeded in a warm core ring in the Gulf of Mexico in November 1980. The model provided estimates of the ring translation and swirl velocities along with the ring geometry. The analysis showed that the ring was persistently elliptical with the major axis aligned in the east-west direction. A satellite infrared photo on January 21,1981, confirmed this orientation.
HOST DEFENSES AGAINST RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION—IMPLICATIONS FOR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG DEVELOPMENT AND TREATMENT

The human respiratory tract is exposed to a constantly changing environment which may bring it into contact with a variety of pathogenic organisms. A range of innate and acquired defence mechanisms have evolved to counter these threats. Several new classes of therapeutic agent which may interfere with these defence mechanisms have recently been marketed or are under clinical development; this paper reviews some key examples, with the potential implications for disease management.
CALCIOCARBONATITE DYKES AT OLDOINYO LENGAI, TANZANIA: THE FATE OF NATROCARBONATITE

Nous decrivons pour la premiere fois des filons de carbonatite decouverts sur le volcan natrocarbonatitique actif de Oldoinyo Lengai, en Tanzanie. Ces filons possedent une granulometrie fine, avec une texture microporphyritique et des microphenocristaux polycristallins et granulaires. La texture poreuse semble indiquer un processus de solution et de lessivage. La matrice contient fluorite avec entre 2.1 et 3.9% Sr (poids), magnetite riche en Mn (jusqu'a 10.2% MnO), fluorapatite riche en terres rares et Si (jusqu'a 20.6% d'oxydes de terres rares, 9.9% SiO 2 ) et un hydroxyde de Mn-Ba. Chimiquement, les filons ont une composition calciocarbonatitique, et montrent une forte teneur en F, Sr, Fe et Mn. Le total des alcalins est inferieur a 2%. En comparaison d'une natrocarbonatite saine, les teneurs en terres rares, Y, Zr, Th, Nb et Pb sont enrichies, tandis que celles de Rb, Cs, Ba Cl et S sont tres faibles. Les rapports des isotopes stables, δ 13 C egal a -1.95 ‰ PDB et δ 18 O egal a +24.12 ‰ SMOW, sont nettement en dehors des valeurs typiques de la natrocarbonatite saine de Lengai, ce qui indique un echange important avec l'atmosphere et un re-equilibrage, impliquant surtout l'oxygene. Ces filons seraient le produit d'une alteration d'une natrocarbonatite typique. D'apres l'evidence recueillie a Oldoinyo Lengai, nous croyons que les calciocarbonatites pourraient avoir plus d'une origine. En comparaison de la cristallisation primaire de carbonatites a partir d'un magma, l'alteration et le remplacement de natrocarbonatite a Oldoinyo Lengai peuvent mener a une carbonatite calcitique secondaire. Il s'avere possible de distinguer entre une natrocarbonatite remplacee par la calcite et une calciocarbonatite extrusive primaire en utilisant les criteres presentes ici, par exemple, l'evidence texturale simulant la texture porphyritique de la natrocarbonatite, et le caractere polycristallin de la calcite remplacant la nyerereite. Aussi, la calcite secondaire possede des teneurs elevees en Sr (2.2-3.5% SrO), et des teneurs variables en Ba (0.3-2.2% BaO). Une caracteristique de la calciocarbonatite de ces filons est la presence d'une texture en intercroissance de la fluorite, ce qui est typique de natrocarbonatite saine a Oldoinyo Lengai. Les rapports des isotopes stables fournissent des criteres independants indiquant une alteration avancee et un echange secondaire.
Comparing artificial neural networks and regression models for predicting faecal coliform concentrations

Abstract This paper compares the performance of ordinary least squares (OLS) and binary logistic regression methods, and artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the prediction of surface water faecal coliform concentrations in a 8.2 km2 mixed land-use watershed. Model inputs consist of precipitation and temperature data, as well as instantaneous measurements of streamflow and conductivity. The ANNs are able to correctly classify 69% and 85% of faecal coliform concentrations relative to 20 and 200 cfu/100 mL water quality standards, respectively, results moderately better than those observed for the regression models. The ANN models using only meteorological inputs were able to correctly classify 72% and 81% of the observations relative to the 20 and 200 cfu/100 mL standards, respectively. The ANN models are notably better at predicting when the 200 cfu/100 mL standard is violated. In addition, the ANN models have lower percentages of false negatives, a characteristic desirable for protection of public health.
An Optimization Model for Industrial Load Management

This paper presents a physically based model and formulation for industrial load management. The formulation utilizes integer linear programming techniques for minimizing electricity costs by scheduling the loads satisfying the process, storage, and production constraints. The proposed strategy is evaluated by a case study for a typical flour mill with different load management options. The results show that significant reductions in peak electricity consumption are possible under time of use tariffs.
Respiratory reflexes from the trachea and bronchi of the cat

Although considerable work has been carried out on respiratory reflexes from the lungs, less attention has been paid to the trachea and bronchi. Having completed an analysis of afferent nerve fibres from the tracheobronchial tree of the cat (Widdicombe, 1954 a), it was desirable to identify the reflexes from this area, so that the functions of each afferent fibre group could be distinguished. This paper describes the experiments on tracheobronchial reflexes. The best known of these is the cough reflex which, although of obvious physiological and pathological importance, has been little investigated experimentally. As well as the cough reflex another tracheobronchial reflex has been described. Hammouda & Wilson (1936) showed that changes in the tracheal diameter of the dog caused a slowing of respiration. This reflex has been investigated in cats.
Translation and validation of the wound-specific quality of life instrument Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule in a Swedish population.

PURPOSE To translate and validate the wound-specific health-related quality of life instrument, the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule (CWIS) in a Swedish population. METHODS The instrument was first translated into Swedish, using the Standard Linguistic Validation Process. The Swedish version of the CWIS was then tested for its psychometric properties in a Swedish context. A total of 117 patients with acute and hard-to-heal wounds were included. The patients were asked to fill in the Swedish version of the CWIS and the generic instrument SF-36 at baseline and after 1 week. Patients with acute wounds were also asked to fill in both instruments after 6 weeks. RESULTS Face validity and content validity were assessed by patients and an expert group, and judged as good. Criterion validity was calculated with correlation between CWIS and SF-36, reaching moderate to high values. Reliability of the three domains of the CWIS measured with internal consistency and test-retest stability was acceptable to excellent. Internal responsiveness was assessed with standardised response mean and showed moderate to high sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS This study concludes that the Swedish version of CWIS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring health-related quality of life in patients with acute and hard-to-heal wounds.
The Influence of Website Environment on Brand Loyalty: Brand Trust and Brand Affect as Mediators

Previous studies on e-commerce have focused on the influence of the online website environment on purchasing decisions but rarely examined online brand loyalty from perspectives of brand trust and brand affect. Though antecedents of brand affect and trust have received attention, the relationship among these antecedents, brand affect and brand trust still remains unclear. Therefore, this study views website environmental design and website interactivity as the independent variables, brand trust and brand affect as the mediators, and brand loyalty as the dependent variable to construct a conceptual model. We choose online bookstores as the research sample and conduct Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the hypotheses. Study result shows that website environment design and interactivity will generate higher brand loyalty through an increase in brand affect and brand trust. Managerial implications and suggestions for future research are provided in the