Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of mprF1 and mprF2 in the Pathogenicity of Enterococcus faecalis

Background Enterococcus faecalis is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. Due to its innate and acquired resistance to most antibiotics, identification of new targets for antimicrobial treatment of E. faecalis is a high priority. The multiple peptide resistance factor MprF, which was first described in Staphylococcus aureus, modifies phosphatidylglycerol with lysin and reduces the negative charge of the membrane, thus increasing resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides. We studied the effect of mprF in E. faecalis regarding influence on bacterial physiology and virulence. Results Two putative mprF paralogs (mprF1 and mprF2) were identified in E. faecalis by BLAST search using the well-described S. aureus gene as a lead. Two deletion mutants in E. faecalis 12030 were created by homologous recombination. Analysis of both mutants by thin-layer chromatography showed that inactivation of mprF2 abolishes the synthesis of three distinct amino-phosphatidylglycerols (PGs). In contrast, deletion of mprF1 did not interfere with the biosynthesis of amino-PG. Inactivation of mprF2 increased susceptibility against several antimicrobial peptides and resulted in a 42% increased biofilm formation compared to wild-type mprF. However, resistance to opsonic killing was increased in the mutant, while virulence in a mouse bacteremia model was unchanged. Conclusion Our data suggest that only mprF2 is involved in the aminoacylation of PG in enterococci, and is probably responsible for synthesis of Lys-PG, Ala-PG, and Arg-PG, while mprF1 does not seem to have a role in aminoacylation. As in other Gram-positive pathogens, aminoacylation through MprF2 increases resistance against cationic antimicrobial peptides. Unlike mprF found in other bacteria, mprF2 does not seem to be a major virulence factor in enterococci.
An efficiency enhance mixed-structure charge pump

An enhanced high-efficiency switching-capacitor DC-DC voltage converter based on the combination of charge transfer switch (CTS) charge pump and cross-coupled output stage is presented. Some motivated methods to overcome the reverse charge sharing problem of traditional CTS charge pump are discussed and a new mixed structure is proposed to conquer the remaining problem of threshold drop at the output stage. The charge pump proposed can operate at 1MHz switching-frequency on the 0. 1µF pump-capacitors. After the simulation by using HSPICE 0.35 µm TSMC process, our work can convert the input low DC-voltage (VDD=1.5V) up near to 5 times of it (VOUT= 7.4483V) and the pump-efficiency reaches to 99.31%. The new proposed charge pump circuit is suitable for low-voltage applications in CMOS process because there is no threshold voltage drop in every stage even at the output stage. A great achievement has been obtained.
Interleukin‐15 production at the early stage after oral infection with Listeria monocytogenes in mice

We previously reported that exogenous interleukin‐15 (IL‐15) induces proliferation and activation of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (i‐IEL) in naive mice. To investigate the ability of endogenous IL‐15 to stimulate i‐IEL in vivo, we monitored i‐IEL and intestinal epithelial cells (i‐EC) in mice after an oral infection with Listeria monocytogenes. Although the populations of αβ and γδ i‐IEL were not significantly changed after the oral infection, the expression level of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) was increased both at transcriptional and protein levels, and a conversely marked decrease in interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) was detected in the i‐IEL on day 1 after infection as compared with before infection. The T helper 1 (Th1)‐biased response of i‐IEL coincided with a peak response of IL‐15 production in the i‐EC after oral infection. These results suggested that IL‐15 produced from i‐EC may be at least partly involved in the stimulation of i‐IEL to produce IFN‐γ after oral infection with L. monocytogenes.
Reaction time, inhibition, working memory and ‘delay aversion’ performance: genetic influences and their interpretation

Background. For candidate endophenotypes to be useful for psychiatric genetic research, they first of all need to show significant genetic influences. To address the relative lack of previous data, we set to investigate the extent of genetic and environmental influences on performance in a set of theoretically driven cognitive-experimental tasks in a large twin sample. We further aimed to illustrate how test–retest reliability of the measures affects the estimates. Method. Four-hundred 7- to 9-year-old twin pairs were assessed individually on tasks measuring reaction time, inhibition, working memory and ‘delay aversion’ performance. Test–retest reliability data on some of the key measures were available from a previous study. Results. Several key measures of reaction time, inhibition and working-memory performance indicated a moderate degree of genetic influence. Combining data across theoretically related tasks increased the heritability estimates, as illustrated by the heritability estimates of 60% for mean reaction time and 50% for reaction-time variability. Psychometric properties (reliability or ceiling effects) had a substantial influence on the estimates for some measures. Conclusions. The data support the usefulness of several of the variables for endophenotype studies that aim to link genes to cognitive and motivational processes. Importantly, the data also illustrate specific conditions under which the true extent of genetic influences may be underestimated and hence the usefulness for genetic mapping studies compromised, and suggest ways to address this.
Interacting Cannabinoid and Opioid Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Core Control Adolescent Social Play

Social play behavior is a highly rewarding, developmentally important form of social interaction in young mammals. However, its neurobiological underpinnings remain incompletely understood. Previous work has suggested that opioid and endocannabinoid neurotransmission interact in the modulation of social play. Therefore, we combined behavioral, pharmacological, electrophysiological, and genetic approaches to elucidate the role of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in social play, and how cannabinoid and opioid neurotransmission interact to control social behavior in adolescent rodents. Systemic administration of the 2-AG hydrolysis inhibitor JZL184 or the opioid receptor agonist morphine increased social play behavior in adolescent rats. These effects were blocked by systemic pretreatment with either CB1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) or mu-opioid receptor (MOR) antagonists. The social play-enhancing effects of systemic morphine or JZL184 treatment were also prevented by direct infusion of the CB1R antagonist SR141716 and the MOR antagonist naloxone into the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC). Searching for synaptic correlates of these effects in adolescent NAcC excitatory synapses, we observed that CB1R antagonism blocked the effect of the MOR agonist DAMGO and, conversely, that naloxone reduced the effect of a cannabinoid agonist. These results were recapitulated in mice, and completely abolished in CB1R and MOR knockout mice, suggesting that the functional interaction between CB1R and MOR in the NAcC in the modulation of social behavior is widespread in rodents. The data shed new light on the mechanism by which endocannabinoid lipids and opioid peptides interact to orchestrate rodent socioemotional behaviors.
CCR4-NOT Deadenylates mRNA Associated with RNA-Induced Silencing Complexes in Human Cells

ABSTRACT MicroRNAs (miRNAs) repress gene expression posttranscriptionally by inhibiting translation and by expediting deadenylation so as to trigger rapid mRNA decay. Their regulatory influence is mediated by the protein components of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which deliver miRNAs and siRNAs to their mRNA targets. Here, we present evidence that CCR4-NOT is the deadenylase that removes poly(A) from messages destabilized by miRNAs in human cells. Overproducing a mutationally inactivated form of either of the catalytic subunits of this deadenylase (CCR4 or CAF1/POP2) significantly impedes the deadenylation and decay of mRNA targeted by a partially complementary miRNA. The same deadenylase initiates the degradation of “off-target” mRNAs that are bound by an imperfectly complementary siRNA introduced by transfection. The greater inhibitory effect of inactive CAF1 or POP2 (versus inactive CCR4) suggests a predominant role for this catalytic subunit of CCR4-NOT in miRNA- or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated deadenylation. These effects of mi/siRNAs and CCR4-NOT can be fully reproduced by directly tethering RISC to mRNA without the guidance of a small RNA, indicating that the ability of RISC to accelerate deadenylation is independent of RNA base pairing. Despite its importance for mi/siRNA-mediated deadenylation, CCR4-NOT appears not to associate significantly with RISC, as judged by the failure of CAF1 and POP2 to coimmunoprecipitate detectably with either the Ago or TNRC6 subunit of RISC, a finding at odds with deadenylase recruitment as the mechanism by which RISC accelerates poly(A) removal.
PROBING THE ACTIVE MASSIVE BLACK HOLE CANDIDATE IN THE CENTER OF NGC 404 WITH VLBI

Recently, Nyland et al. argued that the radio emission observed in the center of the dwarf galaxy NGC 404 originates in a low-luminosity active galactic nucleus powered by a massive black hole (MBH, M ≲ 106 M☉). High-resolution radio detections of MBHs are rare. Here we present sensitive, contemporaneous Chandra X-ray, and very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) radio observations with the European VLBI Network. The source is detected in the X-rays, and shows no long-term variability. If the hard X-ray source is powered by accretion, the apparent low accretion efficiency would be consistent with a black hole (BH) in the hard state. Hard state BHs are known to show radio emission compact on the milliarcsecond scales. However, the central region of NGC 404 is resolved out on 10 mas (0.15–1.5 pc) scales. Our VLBI non-detection of a compact, partially self-absorbed radio core in NGC 404 implies that either the BH mass is smaller than M☉, or the source does not follow the fundamental plane of BH activity relation. An alternative explanation is that the central BH is not in the hard state. The radio emission observed on arcsecond (tens of parsecs) scales may originate in nuclear star formation or extended emission due to AGN activity, although the latter would not be typical considering the structural properties of low-ionization nuclear emission-line region galaxies with confirmed nuclear activity.
Compared seismic response of degrading systems to artificial and real records

In the paper different procedures to obtain sets of spectral matching records for nonlinear dynamic analysis of structures are compared in terms of nonlinear seismic response. Six classes of records were considered: unscaled real records, real moderately linearly scaled, real significantly linearly scaled, real adjusted by wavelets, artificial generated by means of two different procedures. The study is spectral shape-based, which means that all the record set match in some sense the same target spectral shape. In a previous study the authors considered elasticplastic with hardening single degree of freedom systems; herein two other backbones and hysteretic loops were employed. In general, it is found that artificial or adjusted records may underestimate the displacement-related non linear response if compared to real records, especially those unscaled which are considered as a benchmark herein. Conversely, if the cyclic response is considered, artificial record sets show a more evident overestimation of the demand, while wavelet-adjusted seem to not display significant differences. Finally the two groups of linearly scaled records seem to show no systematic bias for both types of response considered.
Cloning and molecular characterisation of resuscitation promoting factor-like gene from Mycobacterium avium subspecies avium

Purpose: Resuscitation promoting factor (Rpf)-like gene of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis has been known to stimulate the growth of mycobacteria and enhances the recovery of replicating cells from non-replicating phases. The objective of the study was to produce recombinant rpf-like protein of M. avium subspecies avium protein for purification and physico-chemical characterisation. Materials and Methods: The identified rpf gene of M. avium subspecies avium was cloned, subcloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli expression system for the production of the recombinant protein. The expressed recombinant Rpf protein was confirmed by Western blot and the extract was purified to yield a pure recombinant protein. Results: An rpf-like gene of 675 bp size in the M. avium subspecies avium was identified. This gene was expressed and the recombinant Rpf weighed 65 kDa as confirmed by Western blot. The M. avium recombinant Rpf protein was extracted under denatured conditions and purified yielding a recombinant protein with >90% purity. Conclusions: Identification, cloning, sequencing and expression of a rpf-like gene from M. avium suggest that RpfA is present in this species also, which might be involved in reactivation phenomenon in this high-risk pathogen.
State-Dependent Fragility Curves for Aftershock Seismic Risk Assessment of Japanese Steel Frames

Probabilistic seismic risk assessment of civil infrastructures has been attracting attention in Japan, especially after recent mega-earthquakes with a long-lasting series of aftershocks capable of accumulating building damage; e.g., the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. To this aim, it is valuable to be able to assess the failure probability of a particular structure and its evolution in time due to sequential earthquake events, which may cause a difficulty for stakeholders to perform consistent decision making to warrant business continuity. This kind of risk analysis may require state-dependent fragility curves, which in the study were developed for a Japanese steel frame. To construct the curves, a numerical model of a three-story steel moment-resisting frame was first constructed and calibrated according to the results of shake table tests for a typical Japanese steel structure. This model was subsequently transformed in an equivalent single degree of freedom (ESDOF) system, based on the results of the nonlinear static (pushover) analysis. The probabilistic damage model was then constructed via nonlinear dynamic analysis of the ESDOF system. The spectral acceleration of the elastic period of the ESDOF system was selected as the ground motion intensity measure while the drift angle was selected as response measure. All the records used in the analysis were selected from the Japanese strong-motion network, K-Net. Finally, the state-dependent fragility curves were developed for five levels of damage: As-New (AN), Immediate Occupancy (IO), Life Safety (LS), Collapse Prevention (CP) and Failure (F). The limit state value for each damage state (DS) was set in compliance with the results of the shake table tests. After computing the damage state probability due to the mainshock, the time-variant aftershock risk of the steel structure was quantified integrating the developed state-dependent fragility curves with the seismic hazard, following a Markov chain model already available in the literature, which makes use of aftershock probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (APSHA). Hazard was computed assuming that the structure was located in Osaka, a site that may be affected by a mega-earthquake at the Nankai Trough subduction-zone. In particular, in the considered exercise, the most probable damage state due to the considered mainshock scenario was found to be IO, followed, in probability terms, by LS, F, AN, and CP. Given the probability distribution of the mainshock-induced damage, the daily evolution of aftershock damage was computed, and it was found that the most likely DS after two months since the mainshock was still IO followed by F, LS, CP and AN.
Evaluation of the Seismic Performance of Circular and Interlocking RC Bridge Columns under Bidirectional Bidirectional Shake Table Loading

Evidence found after significant earthquakes have shown that the force and deformation capacity of reinforced concrete bridge columns (RCBC) can be significantly affected by the combined effect of dynamic loads (axial, shear, bending and torsion); these load combinations can seriously affect the seismic performance of bridges resulting in unexpected large deformations and extensive damage. To study the impact of different loadings combinations on both circular and oblong sections (double interlocking spirals), eight scaled cantilever-type RCBC specimens were tested on the bidirectional shake table facility at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). As part of the study, a unique inertial loading system was developed to allow shake table testing of single columns under biaxial ground motions. Two sets of circular and interlocking specimens were subjected to different levels of biaxial, torsion and vertical loads through real time earthquake motions. The performance of the specimens was assessed in terms of strength, deformation, and failure mode.
Alzheimer's Disease: Exploring the Role of Inflammation and Implications for Treatment

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by both structural abnormalities and inflammation in the brain. While recent research has chiefly focused on the structural changes involved in AD, understanding the pathophysiology and associated inflammation of the AD brain helps to elucidate potential therapeutic and preventative options. By exploring the data supporting an inflammatory etiology of AD, we present a case for the use of existing evidence-based treatments addressing inflammation as promising options for treating and preventing AD. We present data demonstrating tumor necrosis factor alpha association with the inflammation of AD. We also discuss data supporting TNF alpha associated inflammation in traumatic brain injury, stroke, and spinal disc associated radiculopathy. We augment this previously unarticulated concept of a unifying pathophysiology of central nervous system disease, with reports of benefits of TNF alpha inhibition in many hundreds of patients with those diseases, including AD. We also assess the pathophysiologic and clinical trial evidence supporting the role of other inflammation resolving treatments in AD. In aggregate, the data from the several potentially effective therapeutic and preventative options contained within this report presents a clearer picture of next steps needed in research of treatment alternatives.
Enrichment of Wheat / Cassava Noodles with Partially Defatted Protein-Rich Flours

Wheat/cassava composite flour was produced. Partially defatted peanut (Arachis hypogaea), bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean), melon (Cucumeropsis manni) and soybean (Glycine max) flours were incorporated into the composite flour in the ratios of 80:10:10 (wheat:cassava:defatted flour). The blends were used to produce noodles. Proximate composition and functional properties of the flour blends were determined. Proximate analysis of all the samples showed significant differences (p>0.05) except the moisture content of the flour blends which ranged from 12.84 sample (201) to 13.38% sample (205). Addition of the defatted flour samples increased the protein content of the flour samples. Solubility of the flour blends ranged from 8.0% for sample 205 (10% CF and 90% WF) to 25.0% for sample 204 (10% PDSF, 10% CF and 80% WF). The foaming capacity also followed the same trend, with samples 205 (11.35%) and 204 (28.35%) having the lowest and highest values respectively. Addition of the defatted protein rich locally available flours affected the proximate and functional properties of the blends.
Underlying Assets Distribution in Derivatives: The BRIC Case

This paper addresses one of the main issues regarding numerical derivatives valuation, particularly the search for an alternative to the normality assumption of underlying asset returns, to obtain the price by using numerical techniques. There might be difficulties in making normality assumptions, which could produce over-valuated or sub-valuated prices of derivatives. Under this consideration, the Generalized Hyperbolic family has been proven to be a proper selection to model heavy tailed distribution behavior. The Normal Inverse Gaussian (NIG) distribution is a member flexible enough to model financial returns. NIG distribution can be used to model distribution returns under different states of nature. The indexes of the Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) economies were studied at different time-periods using return data series from 2002 to 2005, 2006 to 2010 and 2011 to 2015, in such a manner to demonstrate with statistical criteria that NIG fits the empirical distribution in the three periods; even throughout economic downturn. This result may be used as an improvement in derivatives valuation with indexes as underlying assets.
Usability of IT-systems is more than interaction quality - The need of communication and business process criteria

The design and evaluation of IT-systems are usually supported by different usability criteria. Our hypothesis is that criteria are predominantly formulated as supporting interaction between a user and an IT-system. We are claiming that there is a need for criteria formulated at higher levels such as communication and business processes. One example of a criterion formulated at the interaction level is "Visibility of system status" and one example of a criterion formulated at the business process level is "Quality of work". If criteria is formulated and used on the interaction level only, the impact on design and evaluation can only take place at this level. This choice will also mean that you are only able to speculate whether the IT-system is supporting higher levels. We are not saying that criteria belonging to the interaction level are unimportant; rather we are saying that there is a need for formulating complementing criteria that resides on the communication and business process level.
Effects of Desflurane in Senescent Rat Myocardium

Background:The myocardial negative inotropic effects of desflurane are less pronounced than those of other halogenated anesthetics, partly because of intramyocardial catecholamine store release. However, the effects of desflurane on aging myocardium are unknown, whereas aging is known to be associated with an attenuation of catecholamine responsiveness. Methods:The effects of desflurane (1.9–9.3 vol%) were studied in left ventricular papillary muscle of adult and senescent rats (29°C; 0.5 mm Ca2+; stimulation frequency 12 pulses/min). The inotropic effects were compared under low and high loads, using the maximum unloaded shortening velocity and maximum isometric active force, and without or with α- and β-adrenoceptor blockade. Results:Desflurane induced a moderate positive inotropic effect in adult rats but a negative inotropic effect in senescent rats. After α- and β-adrenoceptor blockade, desflurane induced a comparable negative inotropic effect in adult and senescent rats. No lusitropic effect under low load was observed, whereas desflurane induced a slight but significant positive lusitropic effect under high load similar between the two groups of rats. This positive effect was abolished by adrenoceptor blockade. Conclusion:The authors’ study suggests that desflurane does not induce significant intramyocardial catecholamine release in senescent myocardium, a result that should be integrated in the well-known alteration in the catecholamine response during aging.