Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Virion Maturation by Simultaneous Deletion of Glycoproteins E, I, and M of Pseudorabies Virus

ABSTRACT Glycoprotein M (gM), the product of the UL10 gene of pseudorabies virus (PrV), is one of the few nonessential glycoproteins conserved throughout the Herpesviridae. In contrast to wild-type PrV strains, the UL10 gene product of the attenuated PrV vaccine strain Bartha (PrV-Ba) is not modified by N-glycans due to a mutation in the DNA sequence encoding the consensus N-glycosylation motif. To assay function of the UL10 protein in PrV-Ba, a UL10-deletion mutant (PrV-Ba-UL10−) was isolated. Surprisingly, in contrast to gM-deleted wild-type PrV, PrV-Ba-UL10− was severely impaired in plaque formation, inducing only foci of very few infected RK13, Vero, and PSEK cells and tiny plaques on MDBK cells. Since this effect was significantly more dramatic than in wild-type PrV, additional mutations known to be present in PrV-Ba were analyzed for their contribution to this phenotype.trans-complementation of the mutated PrV-Ba UL21 or gC protein by the wild-type version had no influence on the observed phenotype. In contrast, complementation of the gE/gI deletion rescued the phenotype. The synergistic effect of deletions in gE/gI and gM on plaque size was verified by construction of a gE/I/M triple mutant derived from wild-type PrV which exhibited the same phenotype. The dramatic effect of deletion of gM on plaque size in a gE/I− virus background was mainly attributable to a function of gM, and not of the gM/gN complex, as shown by analysis of a gE/I/N triple mutant. Interestingly, despite the strong effect on plaque size, penetration was not significantly impaired. In noncomplementing cells infected with the gE/I/M triple mutant, electron microscopy showed absence of secondary envelopment in the cytoplasm but occurrence of intracytoplasmic accumulations of nucleocapsids in association with electron dense material, presumably tegument proteins. These structures were not observed after infection of cells expressing either gE/I or gM. We suggest that gE/I and gM are required for late stages in virion morphogenesis prior to final envelopment in the cytoplasm.
The martensite transformation in thin foils of iron-nitrogen alloys

Abstract The martensite transformation in thin foils of an iron-nitrogen alloy has been investigated. Under these particular experimental conditions the martensite consists of very thin fibre crystals which me twin orientated. The orientation relationship is [1 10]γ ∥ [1 1 1]α ′ and [001]γ ∥ [1 10]α ′. This is different from all orientation relationships found in bulk materials. The difference is explained by the fact that in thin foils the transformation mechanism is leas hampered by the surrounding parent lattice than in bulk materials. A simple transformation mechanism is deduced consisting of a pure distortion and a half twin shear.
Characterization and Optimization of the Glyoxalation of a Methanol-Fractionated Alkali Lignin using Response Surface Methodology

The glyoxalation of a methanol-fractionated alkali lignin was executed at 60 °C for 8 h with different amounts of glyoxal (40% in water) and 30% NaOH. The weights of the lignin and water were fixed at 10.0 and 15.0 g, respectively. The gel permeation chromatography (GPC) results indicated that depolymerization of lignin molecules occurred during the glyoxalation process. However, a higher polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) of all glyoxalated lignins compared to the unmodified lignin (ML) showed that lignin polymers with a variety of chain lengths were generated through the crosslinking and through the repolymerization of lignin molecules via methylene (CH2) bridges and new, strong C-C bonds after the condensation reaction. This was confirmed by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Optimum amounts of glyoxal and NaOH to be used in the glyoxalation process were ascertained by quantifying the intensity of relative absorbance for the CH2 bands obtained from FT-IR spectra and by using response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD), which facilitated the development of a lignin with appropriate reactivity for wood adhesive formulation. The experimental values were in good agreement with the predicted ones, and the model was highly significant, with a coefficient of determination of 0.9164. The intensity of the relative absorbance for the CH2 band of 0.42 was obtained when the optimum amounts of glyoxal and NaOH, i.e., 0.222 and 0.353, respectively, were used in the glyoxalation process.
Multi-Informant Assessment of Temperament in Children With Externalizing Behavior Problems

We examined the criterion validity of parent and self-report versions of the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI) in children with high levels of externalizing problems. The sample included 412 children (206 participants and 206 siblings) participating in a family study of attention and aggressive behavior problems. Criterion validity analyses included (a) correlations between temperament scales and emotional and behavioral scales and (b) correlations between temperament and intelligence and achievement scales. Temperament scales displayed strong convergent and discriminant validity. Across informants and samples, JTCI scales assessing novelty seeking and harm avoidance discriminated between internalizing and externalizing problems. Reward dependence, persistence, cooperativeness, and self-directedness displayed similar patterns of negative relations to emotional and behavioral scales and positive relations to intelligence, achievement, and competence.
CTGF Increases IL-6 Expression in Human Synovial Fibroblasts through Integrin-Dependent Signaling Pathway

Background Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; also known as CCN2) is an inflammatory mediator, and shows elevated levels in regions of severe injury and inflammatory diseases. CTGF is abundantly expressed in osteoarthritis (OA). However, the relationship between CTGF and IL-6 in OA synovial fibroblasts (OASFs) is mostly unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings OASFs showed significant expression of CTGF, and expression was higher than in normal SFs. OASFs stimulation with CTGF induced concentration-dependent increases in IL-6 expression. CTGF mediated IL-6 production was attenuated by αvβ5 integrin neutralized antibody and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) shRNA. Pretreatment with p38 inhibitor (SB203580), JNK inhibitor (SP600125), AP-1 inhibitors (Curcumin and Tanshinone IIA), and NF-κB inhibitors (PDTC and TPCK) also inhibited the potentiating action of CTGF. CTGF-mediated increase of NF-κB and AP-1 luciferase activity was inhibited by SB203580 and SP600125 or ASK1 shRNA or p38 and JNK mutant. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that CTGF increased IL-6 production in OASFs via the αvβ5 integrin, ASK1, p38/JNK, and AP-1/NF-κB signaling pathways.
S-Nitrosylation of Calcium-Handling Proteins in Cardiac Adrenergic Signaling and Hypertrophy.

RATIONALE The regulation of calcium (Ca(2+)) homeostasis by β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) activation provides the essential underpinnings of sympathetic regulation of myocardial function, as well as a basis for understanding molecular events that result in hypertrophic signaling and heart failure. Sympathetic stimulation of the βAR not only induces protein phosphorylation but also activates nitric oxide-dependent signaling, which modulates cardiac contractility. Nonetheless, the role of nitric oxide in βAR-dependent regulation of Ca(2+) handling has not yet been explicated fully. OBJECTIVE To elucidate the role of protein S-nitrosylation, a major transducer of nitric oxide bioactivity, on βAR-dependent alterations in cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) handling and hypertrophy. METHODS AND RESULTS Using transgenic mice to titrate the levels of protein S-nitrosylation, we uncovered major roles for protein S-nitrosylation, in general, and for phospholamban and cardiac troponin C S-nitrosylation, in particular, in βAR-dependent regulation of Ca(2+) homeostasis. Notably, S-nitrosylation of phospholamban consequent upon βAR stimulation is necessary for the inhibitory pentamerization of phospholamban, which activates sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase and increases cytosolic Ca(2+) transients. Coincident S-nitrosylation of cardiac troponin C decreases myocardial sensitivity to Ca(2+). During chronic adrenergic stimulation, global reductions in cellular S-nitrosylation mitigate hypertrophic signaling resulting from Ca(2+) overload. CONCLUSIONS S-Nitrosylation operates in concert with phosphorylation to regulate many cardiac Ca(2+)-handling proteins, including phospholamban and cardiac troponin C, thereby playing an essential and previously unrecognized role in cardiac Ca(2+) homeostasis. Manipulation of the S-nitrosylation level may prove therapeutic in heart failure.
Intrusion Detection in TCP/IP Networks Using Immune Systems Paradigm and Neural Network Detectors

In this article the artificial immune system and neural network techniques for intrusion detection have been addressed. The AIS allows detecting unknown samples of computer attacks. The integration of AIS and neural networks as detectors permits to increase performance of the system security. The detector structure is based on the integration of the different neural networks namely RNN and MLP. The KDD-99 dataset was used for experiments performing. The experimental results show that such intrusion detection system has possibilities for detection and recognition computer attacks.
A Voice Enabled Procedure Browser for the International Space Station

Clarissa, an experimental voice enabled procedure browser that has recently been deployed on the International Space Station (ISS), is to the best of our knowledge the first spoken dialog system in space. This paper gives background on the system and the ISS procedures, then discusses the research developed to address three key problems: grammar-based speech recognition using the Regulus toolkit; SVM based methods for open microphone speech recognition; and robust side-effect free dialogue management for handling undos, corrections and confirmations.
Role of α-Galactosylceramide-activated Vα14 Natural Killer T Cells in the Regulation of Allergic Diseases.

Vα14 natural killer T (NKT) cells produce large amounts of both IL-4 and IFN-γ upon stimulation with a ligend, α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), and play a crucial role in various immune responses, including allergic reactions. Interestingly, Vα14 NKT cells are not essential for the induction of specific IgE response but they instead tend to induce suppression of specific IgE upon α-GalCer activation in vivo. The suppression in the IgE production is not detected either in Va14 NKT cell-deficient mice or in IFN-γ-deficient mice. Therefore, activated Vα14 NKT cells are able to exert a potent suppressive activity on Th2 cell differentiation and subsequent IgE production by producing a large amount of IFN-γ. In an OVA-induced asthma model, α-GalCer administration inhibited airway inflammation and airway hyperreactivity by IFN-γ from activated Vα14 NKT cells, thus suggesting the negative regulation of Th2-responses by the activated Vα14 NKT cells.
Betweenness Centrality Dynamics in Networks of Changing Density

Dynamic networks are recently in the foreground of interest in various fields that deal with complex systems, such as sociology and biology (especially ecology and systems biology and epidemiology). Betweenness centrality of nodes is a particularly valued concept as a tool for characterizing large networks by way of selected nodes. In the present study, we were interested in the effects of various network changes on average betweenness (BW) centrality in networks of changing densities. We applied two different treatments in 100 trials on classic random networks models. In treatment one, we created various instances of the studied network models with different densities. We used classic network model families such as Erdős-Rényi (ER), Barabási-Albert (BA) models, among others, and compared these with empirical network data at various densities. In treatment two, we studied the robustness of networks by simulating random node failures and planned attacks according to two scenarios.
Adiabatic technique for energy efficient logic circuits design

The Energy dissipation in conventional CMOS circuits can be minimized through adiabatic technique. By adiabatic technique dissipation in PMOS network can be minimized and some of energy stored at load capacitance can be recycled instead of dissipated as heat. But the adiabatic technique is highly dependent on parameter variation. With the help of TSPICE simulations, the energy consumption is analyzed by variation of parameter. In analysis, two logic families, ECRL (Efficient Charge Recovery Logic) and PFAL (Positive Feedback Adiabatic Logic) are compared with conventional CMOS logic for inverter and 2∶1 multiplexer circuits. It is find that adiabatic technique is good choice for low power application in specified frequency range.
Frequency Effects on the Fatigue of Glass Reinforced Plastics

An experimental investigation has been conducted to determine the effects of cyclic frequency on the tensile fatigue characteristics of glass fiber (non-woven) reinforced plastics. A 3-M material was used, XP251, and the fiber orientations thus far studied include cross-ply (0°-90°) and isotropic (-60°, 0°, + 60°). The surface temper atures of the specimens were carefully recorded during the fatigue testing and studied as a function of frequency over the range from 1 cps to 40 cps. The hystersis has also been determined for a single cycle closed loop tension test. Analyses have been conducted and equations developed to predict the temperature distribution due to hystersis heating, the time to achieve steady state at interior points and the steady state surface temperatures. Surface temperatures as high as 265°F have been measured for the isotropic material. The hystersis heat generated in a cyclic fatigue test for a given material is dependent on the product σ 2 f. The temperature difference be tween the center of a specimen (thickness-2a) and its surface is a function of (ασ) 2 f. The fatigue life of these materials is lowered with increasing cyclic frequency, the effect becoming more pronounced at lower stress levels.
Simulation of dislocations imaged moiré fringe contrast

Transemission electron microscope (TEM) images of dislocations as produced via moiré fringe contrast are simulated using many‐beam diffraction theory. The effect of edge dislocations on both parallel and rotational moiré fringe patterns is considered. For the parallel moiré fringe pattern, images of dislocations both perpendicular to the film plane and those inclined to the film plane are produced. The effect of an inclined dislocation is shown to cause a distortion of the dislocation image. Finally, a comparison between predicted and experimentally observed images is made, with the results indicating that threating dislocations in the FeAl/GaAs system have line directions nearly perpendicular to the (001)FeAl/GaAs film plane. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is Chytridiomycosis an Emerging Infectious Disease in Asia?

The disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has caused dramatic amphibian population declines and extinctions in Australia, Central and North America, and Europe. Bd is associated with >200 species extinctions of amphibians, but not all species that become infected are susceptible to the disease. Specifically, Bd has rapidly emerged in some areas of the world, such as in Australia, USA, and throughout Central and South America, causing population and species collapse. The mechanism behind the rapid global emergence of the disease is poorly understood, in part due to an incomplete picture of the global distribution of Bd. At present, there is a considerable amount of geographic bias in survey effort for Bd, with Asia being the most neglected continent. To date, Bd surveys have been published for few Asian countries, and infected amphibians have been reported only from Indonesia, South Korea, China and Japan. Thus far, there have been no substantiated reports of enigmatic or suspected disease-caused population declines of the kind that has been attributed to Bd in other areas. In order to gain a more detailed picture of the distribution of Bd in Asia, we undertook a widespread, opportunistic survey of over 3,000 amphibians for Bd throughout Asia and adjoining Papua New Guinea. Survey sites spanned 15 countries, approximately 36° latitude, 111° longitude, and over 2000 m in elevation. Bd prevalence was very low throughout our survey area (2.35% overall) and infected animals were not clumped as would be expected in epizootic events. This suggests that Bd is either newly emerging in Asia, endemic at low prevalence, or that some other ecological factor is preventing Bd from fully invading Asian amphibians. The current observed pattern in Asia differs from that in many other parts of the world.
Orthorectification and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Generation Using Cartosat-1 Satellite Stereo Pair in Himalayan Terrain

High resolution data have high relief displacement in hilly terrains. Development of Digital Elevation model helps to assess bio resources more accurately in such terrains. While estimating bio resources in the Himalayan hilly terrain using multispectral LISS-III data of 23 m spatial resolution, the need for orthorectifcation of satellite data was necessary to correct for spatial distances due to high undulating slopes. Therefore, Cartosat stereo pair based Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was generated using the Rational Polynomial Coefficients (RPC) supplied along with the data products. By using the DEM orthorectification of LISS-III was created. In order to evaluate the positional accuracy of ortho rectified LISS-III Ground control points were selected using the Global Positioning System in differential GPS mode. As there is variation in the spatial distances and height over few points, the GCP corrected DEM was used for ortho rectifcation of Cartosat PAN and LISS-III data. This paper presents the procedure followed for ortho rectification and digital elevation model generation using Cartosat stereo pair data. The result of the study indicated high spatial resolution stereo images helped generation of three dimensional mountainous regions more accurately which helps in estimating the bio resources using multispectral LISS III data.
Catalysis of Rare Earth Element Nd on Boriding of AISI 1045 Steel

The present study evaluate the catalysis of Nd 2 O 3 on the boriding of AISI 1045 steel using a 5% Nd 2 O 3 containing boriding agent in a temperature range of 1 213 K to 1 350 K for 2 h–5 h. The morphology and types of borides formed on the steel surface were confirmed by optical microstructure, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the Nd 2 O 3 has contrary effects on boriding process, i.e. promotion at high temperatures or hindrance at low temperatures. Nd 2 O 3 addition can significantly reduce the activation energy of boride growth at high temperatures, decreased it from 198 kJ/mol to 137 kJ/mol, reduced by 31% in the high temperature range of 1133 K–1213 K as compared with that without Nd 2 O 3 addition. The catalysis mechanism of RE element Nd during boriding process was discussed through the analysis of chemical reactions probably occurred in boriding agent, changes in surface morphology and chemical composition.
Sequential measurements of serum matrix metalloproteinase 9 to monitor chemotherapy responses in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Background Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis, including lung cancer. However, whether variations in serum MMP-9 levels can serve as a biomarker for monitoring chemotherapy curative effect remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate the association between variations in serum MMP-9 levels and chemotherapy curative effect in patients with lung cancer. Patients and methods A total of 82 patients with advanced lung cancer were included. All newly diagnosed patients were treated with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. Serial measurements of serum MMP-9 levels were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In this manner, we chose four time points to examine the association, including before chemotherapy, and 3 weeks after the beginning of the first, second, and fourth cycles of chemotherapy. Results Compared with the serum level of MMP-9 before progressive disease, patients with progressive disease had elevated serum levels of MMP-9. Compared with the previous time point of collecting specimens, the serum levels of MMP-9 in the patients with a complete response/partial response/stable disease decreased or were maintained stable. The differences of variation in serum MMP-9 levels in patients with different chemotherapy curative effects were all statistically significant after one cycle, two cycles, and four cycles (after one cycle: P<0.001; after two cycles: P<0.001; after four cycles: P=0.01). However, patients with small-cell lung cancer did not exhibit similar test results. Conclusion The variation in serum MMP-9 levels in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer during chemotherapy was closely related to chemotherapy curative effect and could be useful to monitor chemotherapy curative effect for a small portion of patients.
Matching Games: The Least Core and the Nucleolus

A matching game is a cooperative game defined by a graph G = (N, E). The player set is N and the value of a coalition S ⊆ N is defined as the size of a maximum matching in the subgraph induced by S. We show that the nucleolus of such games can be computed efficiently. The result is based on an alternative characterization of the least core, which may be of independent interest. The general case of weighted matching games remains unsolved.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Networks Vary throughout the Growing Season and between Successional Stages

To date, few analyses of mutualistic networks have investigated successional or seasonal dynamics. Combining interaction data from multiple time points likely creates an inaccurate picture of the structure of networks (because these networks are aggregated across time), which may negatively influence their application in ecosystem assessments and conservation. Using a replicated bipartite mutualistic network of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal-plant associations, detected using large sample numbers of plants and AM fungi identified through molecular techniques, we test whether the properties of the network are temporally dynamic either between different successional stages or within the growing season. These questions have never been directly tested in the AM fungal-plant mutualism or the vast majority of other mutualisms. We demonstrate the following results: First, our examination of two different successional stages (young and old forest) demonstrated that succession increases the proportion of specialists within the community and decreases the number of interactions. Second, AM fungal-plant mutualism structure changed throughout the growing season as the number of links between partners increased. Third, we observed shifts in associations between AM fungal and plant species throughout the growing season, potentially reflecting changes in biotic and abiotic conditions. Thus, this analysis opens up two entirely new areas of research: 1) identifying what influences changes in plant-AM fungal associations in these networks, and 2) what aspects of temporal variation and succession are of general importance in structuring bipartite networks and plant-AM fungal communities.