Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distinct endocytic recycling of myelin proteins promotes oligodendroglial membrane remodeling

The central nervous system myelin sheath is a multilayered specialized membrane with compacted and non-compacted domains of defined protein composition. How oligodendrocytes regulate myelin membrane trafficking and establish membrane domains during myelination is largely unknown. Oligodendroglial cells respond to neuronal signals by adjusting the relative levels of endocytosis and exocytosis of the major myelin protein, proteolipid protein (PLP). We investigated whether endocytic trafficking is common to myelin proteins and analyzed the endocytic fates of proteins with distinct myelin subdomain localization. Interestingly, we found that PLP, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), which localize to compact myelin, periaxonal loops and abaxonal loops, respectively, exhibit distinct endocytic fates. PLP was internalized via clathrin-independent endocytosis, whereas MAG was endocytosed by a clathrin-dependent pathway, although both proteins were targeted to the late-endosomal/lysosomal compartment. MOG was also endocytosed by a clathrin-dependent pathway, but in contrast to MAG, trafficked to the recycling endosome. Endocytic recycling resulted in the association of PLP, MAG and MOG with oligodendroglial membrane domains mimicking the biochemical characteristics of myelin domains. Our results suggest that endocytic sorting and recycling of myelin proteins may assist plasma membrane remodeling, which is necessary for the morphogenesis of myelin subdomains.
Biochemical and genetic variation in Mycoplasma fermentans strains from cell line, human and animal sources

Aims: To investigate the inter‐strain variation in (i) substrate utilization and (ii) the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern based on the distribution of an insertion element (IS1550) in Mycoplasma fermentans strains, and to establish any correlation between subgroups within the species and their source or habitat.
Equity crowdfunding: anything to celebrate?

ABSTRACT The development of equity crowdfunding over the last 10 years has been accompanied by many successes and achievements, but also failures. At the same time, it still faces many challenges if it wants to become mainstream in entrepreneurial finance. These challenges are particularly severe in Continental Europe. This article reviews achievements made the last 10 years and discusses important challenges that remain to be solved such as delivering appropriate risk-adjusted returns to investors, enhancing platforms’ own profitability and enabling exit of investors from startups.
Adjustment to College and the Student Mentoring Programme / Prilagodba studiju i programu studentskog mentorstva

AbstractAccording to recent studies, the transition and adjustment to a higher level of education during the first year of college are influenced by various individual and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to observe the characteristics of first year students who decided to participate in the Student Mentoring Programme, designed to improve adjustment to college, and compare them to students who decided not to participate in the programme. A total of 230 first year students with an average age of 19.02 years participated in the study in which we observed differences regarding their initial adjustment (during the first month of college), personality and motivation. The majority of participants have stated that they enrolled into a college of their choice, expecting a better chance for employment after graduation. The predictors that proved significant in the initial adjustment of freshmen were: perceived competence, motivation for accomplishment, extraversion and agreeableness. This study also revealed that the majority of students who decided to participate in the Student Mentoring Programme are non-resident students, and that students seeking mentoring support had shown a more prominent fear of failure. Other observed variables showed no significant difference regarding the decision to participate in the mentoring programme.The results of this study reveal some protective factors regarding the process of initial adjustment to college, offering guidelines for further development of mentoring programmes and research.Key words: fear of failure; motivation; perceived competence; personality. ---SažetakIstraživanja potvrđuju kako je uspješan prijelaz u sustav visokog školstva tijekom prve godine studija pod utjecajem različitih individualnih i okolinskih faktora.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je usporediti studente prve godine koji su se odlučili za program studentskog mentorstva kao oblika pomoći u prilagodbi sa studentima koji se nisu željeli uključiti u taj program.Ispitano je 230 studenata prve godine studija prosječne dobi od 19,02 godine. Analizirana je razlika u početnoj prilagodbi na studij, u osobnosti i motivaciji. Većina ispitanih studenata navodi da su upisali studij koji ih zanima, uz očekivanje da će se nakon završetka izabranog studija moći zaposliti. Kao značajne prediktore prilagodbe na početku studija izdvojili su percepciju kompetentnosti, motivaciju za postignuće te ekstraverziju i ugodnost. Značajno više studenata koji su se odlučili sudjelovati u Programu mentorstva studira izvan mjesta prebivališta. Studenti koji žele podršku studenata mentora imaju značajno izraženiji strah od neuspjeha. Na ostalim ispitanim varijablama nije uočena statistički značajna razlika s obzirom na odluku za sudjelovanje u Programu mentorstva. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na zaštitne faktore u prilagodbi studenata na početku prve godine studija i daju smjernice za razvoj mentorskih programa i daljnja istraživanja. Ključne riječi: ličnost; motivacija; percipirana kompetentnost; strah od neuspjeha
Ultrastructural cytochemistry of biogenic amines in nervous tissue: methodologic improvements.

A new fixation method has been developed for localizing biogenic amines in nervous tissue. The method is a modification of the chromaffin reaction in which all fixation steps are buffered with mixtures of sodium chromate and potassium dichromate. In this way the fixation and cytochemical reaction are carried out almost simultaneously. Using the rat vas deferens as a model tissue, it was found that the preservation of electron dense (chromaffin) cores in the vesicles of adrenergic nerve terminals depended on several factors: a short primary fixation using low concentrations of aldehydes, the presence of the chromate/dichromate buffer during all fixation steps and, finally, a long incubation period in a slightly acidic (pH 6.0) solution of this buffer before postfixation in osmium tetroxide. Using this method it was possible to identify not only small and large dense-cored vesicles as storage sites for amines but also a tubular reticulum (neuronal endoplasmic reticulum), the latter especially in nerve terminals of mesenteric arteries and iris. Biogenic amines were also visualized in sympathetic ganglion cells and in the central nervous system e.g., supraependymal nerve terminals, tissues that up to now proved the most difficult in terms of amine localization. In all the tissues examined the cytochemical reaction was highly selective and present in well preserved tissue, which is a significant advance over previously available techniques. It therefore offers new opportunities for further studies on the role of biogenic amines as neurotransmitters.
Compositional Evolution and Formation Conditions of Magmas and Fluids Related to Porphyry Mo Mineralization at Climax, Colorado

To reconstruct the magmatic–hydrothermal processes leading to porphyry Mo ore formation at the Climax Mo mine, Colorado, four magma units that were emplaced before, during and shortly after the mineralization events were investigated: (1) a pre-mineralization white dike of the Alma district; (2) the syn-mineralization Chalk Mountain Rhyolite; (3) a late- to post-mineralization rhyolite porphyry dyke; (4) a mafic enclave within the productive Bartlett stock. Melt inclusions, mineral inclusions and fluid inclusions in quartz phenocrysts were investigated by means of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, electron microprobe and microthermometry. Based on melt inclusion data both the Chalk Mountain Rhyolite and the rhyolite porphyry were � 10 times more fractionated than average granite and show geochemical characteristics of topaz rhyolites. They were saturated in magnetite, Mn-rich ilmenite, fluorite, aeschynite, monazite, pyrrhotite and thorite, and crystallized predominantly at 710–730 � C, 1� 2–2� 6 kbar and log fO2 � FMQ þ 2� 2 (where FMQ is fayalite–magnetite–quartz). The silicate melt of the Chalk Mountain Rhyolite contained 3� 5 6 0� 4 wt % F, 0� 09 6 0� 03 wt % Cl, � 3� 0w t %H 2O, 15–90m gg –1 Cs, 500–1500m gg –1 Rb and 5–7m gg –1 Mo, whereas that of the rhyolite porphyry contained 1� 1 6 0� 3 wt % F and 4� 9 6 1� 2w t % H2O, but otherwise had a virtually identical major and trace element composition. The fluid exsolving from the latter melt had a bulk salinity of 10 6 2 wt % NaClequiv and contained of the order of 100m gg –1 Mo. After emplacement of the Chalk Mountain Rhyolite magma at subvolcanic levels, extremely fractionated silicate melts coexisting with hypersaline brines (salt melts) and low-density vapor percolated at near-solidus conditions through the rock. These silicate melts contained 6� 6 6 0� 4w t % F,� 7� 5 6 0� 6w t %H 2O, 0� 51 6 0� 05 wt % Cl, and up to 0� 5 wt % Cs and 100m gg –1 Mo, whereas the hypersaline brines contained 1–2 wt % Cs and 0� 3–0� 6 wt % Mo. However, owing to their negligible masses these liquids are unlikely to have played a major role in the mineralization process. The majority of Mo in the Climax deposit appears to have been derived from melts containing 5–7m gg –1 Mo and bulk fluids containing � 100m gg –1 Mo. These concentrations are similar to those found in similarly fractionated melts and fluids in barren and sub-economically mineralized intrusions. However, whereas in the latter intrusions fractionated melts occurred in a rather dispersed state, they seem to have been present as large, coherent masses in the apical parts of Climax-type porphyry Mo-forming magma systems. Efficient segregation of fractionated melts and fluids into the top of mineralizing magma chambers appears to have been promoted by high fluorine concentrations in the silicate melt, which was partly a primary feature, and partly an indirect consequence of other characteristics of within-plate magmatism.
Mechanism of Gene Expression of Arabidopsis Glutathione S-Transferase, AtGST1, and AtGST11 in Response to Aluminum Stress1

The gene expression of two Al-induced Arabidopsis glutathione S-transferase genes, AtGST1 and AtGST11, was analyzed to investigate the mechanism underlying the response to Al stress. An approximately 1-kb DNA fragment of the 5′-upstream region of each gene was fused to a β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene (pAtGST1::GUS and pAtGST11::GUS) and introduced into Arabidopsis ecotype Landsberg erecta. The constructed transgenic lines showed a time-dependent gene expression to a different degree in the root and/or leaf by Al stress. The pAtGST1::GUS gene was induced after a short Al treatment (maximum expression after a 2-h exposure), while the pAtGST11::GUS gene was induced by a longer Al treatment (approximately 8 h for maximum expression). Since the gene expression was observed in the leaf when only the root was exposed to Al stress, a signaling system between the root and shoot was suggested in Al stress. A GUS staining experiment using an adult transgenic line carrying the pAtGST11::GUS gene supported this suggestion. Furthermore, Al treatment simultaneously with various Ca depleted conditions in root region enhanced the gene expression of the pAtGST11::GUS in the shoot region. This result suggested that the degree of Al toxicity in the root reflects the gene response of pAtGST11::GUS in the shoot via the deduced signaling system. Both transgenic lines also showed an increase of GUS activity after cold stress, heat stress, metal toxicity, and oxidative damages, suggesting a common induction mechanism in response to the tested stresses including Al stress.
The Distributional Effects of Trade: Theory and Evidence from the United States

How much do consumption patterns matter for the impact of international trade on inequality? In neoclassical trade models, the effects of trade shocks on consumers' purchasing power are governed by the shares of imports in consumer expenditures, under no parametric assumptions on preferences and technology. This paper provides in-depth measurement of import shares across the income distribution in the United States, using new datasets linking expenditure and customs microdata. Contrary to common wisdom, we find that import shares are flat throughout the income distribution: the purchasing-power gains from lower trade costs are distributionally neutral. Accounting for changes in wages in addition to prices in a unified nonparametric framework, we find substantial distributional effects that arise within, but not across, income and education groups. There is little impact of a fall in trade costs on inequality, even though trade shocks generate winners and losers at all income levels, via wage changes. Institutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber. org.
Italian version of the Parkinson Neuropsychometric Dementia Assessment (PANDA): a useful instrument to detect cognitive impairments in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently characterized by cognitive and affective dysfunctions. The "Parkinson Neuropsychometric Dementia Assessment" (PANDA) is a screening tool designed for the early detection of mild cognitive impairment as well as dementia in PD. The PANDA is already validated in German and in French. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present work was to provide normative data for the Italian-speaking population, Swiss regions included; moreover, the effectiveness of the PANDA compared to the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was tested. METHODS One-hundred and eleven PD patients with and without cognitive impairment and one-hundred and three matched healthy subjects participated at this study; all patients underwent an extensive neuropsychological evaluation. RESULTS A PANDA total score of 13 appeared to be the most fitting cut-off with a sensitivity of 96.6% and a specificity of 82.2%; with the MMSE, the same value of sensitivity but with a specificity of 72,4% was reached only by adopting a cut-off of 28. Moreover, a PANDA range of 13-17 appeared to be suggestive for possible cognitive disturbance. CONCLUSIONS The present work provides evidence for the effectiveness of the PANDA in evaluating cognitive deficits also in PD Italian-speaking patients, even when their pathological degree is still initial or very mild.
Loss of HIV-infected patients on potent antiretroviral therapy programs in Togo: risk factors and the fate of these patients

Introduction National programs are facing challenges of loss to follow-up of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We sought to identify risk factors associated with early loss to follow-up among HIV-infected patients on ART in Togo and the outcome of such patients. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study using medical records of all patients older than age 15 years enrolled at 28 treatment centers who were on ART programs and who were lost to follow-up from 2008 to 2011. Results Of the 16,617 patients on ART, 1,216 (7.3%) were lost to follow-up. Most (94.1%) were infected with HIV-1 and 32.6% were in WHO stage III or IV. The median CD4 count was 118/mm3 (IQR: 58-178 cells/mm3). No telephone number was mentioned in the medical records of 212 patients. Of the 1004 patients whose phone number was listed, 802 patients (79.9%) were not reachable on the recorded number, 114 patients (11.4%) were alive and 88 patients (8.8%) had died. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with loss to follow-up during the first 6 months of ART were: age below 35 years (OR = 1.6; 95%CI: 1.2-2.2), female sex (OR = 1.8; 95%CI: 1.3-2.5), WHO stage III or IV (OR = 1.7; 95%CI: 1.3-2.2), existence of an opportunistic infection (OR = 2.3; 95%CI: 1.5-3.1), and follow-up in a public centre (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.2-3.3). Conclusion This study identified several factors associated with lost to follow-up during the first 6 months of ART, and confirmed high mortality among these patients. The National AIDS Program should strengthen medical support of PLWHA in Togo including active case follow-up.
How U.S. Agriculture Will Fare Under the USMCA and Retaliatory Tariffs

A hallmark of the Trump Administration has been to reverse the post-World War II consensus on lowering of trade barriers and a commitment towards multilateral free trade, towards a more protectionist and perhaps mercantilist position vis-A -vis trade policy. One of the Administration's first actions in this regard was the decision to leave the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, followed thereafter by raising tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. President Trump left no doubt where he stood on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which he often stated was the "worst trade deal maybe ever signed anywhere". The administration's actions on trade are likely to have significant implications for U.S. farmers as these actions target three of the largest markets for U.S. agricultural exports ”Canada, China and Mexico accounting" for some 44% of U.S. agricultural exports representing an average of $63 billion from 2013 to 2015.
Control of HIV replication in astrocytes by a family of highly conserved host proteins with a common Rev-interacting domain (Risp)

Objective:In human astrocytes, restriction of HIV replication involves inhibition of HIV Rev activity. We previously identified a Rev-interacting human protein fragment (16.4.1) that can reduce Rev activity. The 16.4. 1 sequence is contained in a group of highly similar host cell proteins, which we call the Risp family. Here we investigate whether the Risp family is connected to HIV replication in astrocytes. Methods:Cell/tissue lysates were analyzed for Risp expression by western blot with various anti-Risp antibodies. The interaction of astrocytic Risp members with Rev was investigated by affinity chromatography. Astrocytes were transfected with expression plasmids containing cDNAs encoding full-length Risp or the isolated 16.4. 1 region for Risp overexpression or with siRNAs designed for Risp knock-down. Rev activity was investigated with a Rev-reporter assay. RNA levels were quantified by real-time RT-PCR, HIV Gag levels by p24ELISA. Results:Expression of the Risp family was demonstrated in human brain tissues and astrocytes. Astrocytes were shown to produce Risp family members that interact with Rev. Production of HIV Gag proteins and Rev-dependent RNAs in persistently infected astrocytes increased upon Risp knock-down and decreased upon Risp overexpression. Risp knock-down increased Rev activity and raised proportions of Rev proteins in the nucleus of astrocytes. Conclusion:Our results link the Risp family to restriction of HIV production and inhibition of Rev activity in astrocytes. We conclude that the Risp family represents a novel family of host factors that can control HIV replication and may be important for the containment of HIV infection in brain reservoirs.
Effect of maturation and aging on the histomorphometric and biochemical characteristics of equine superficial digital flexor tendon.

OBJECTIVE To assess tendon morphology and non-reducible crosslink concentration, and associations of these findings with horse age and previously reported mechanical and ultrasonographic findings. SAMPLE POPULATION Superficial digital flexor tendon samples were obtained from 23 horses aged 2 to 23 years. The tendons had undergone ultrasonography and were submitted to biomechanical testing in the physiologic range prior to sample acquisition. PROCEDURE Samples were sectioned in a transverse plane; then dorsal, palmar, central, lateral, and medial regions were evaluated for fascicle cross-sectional area (CSA), septal width, and vessel density (the product of vessel numbers and vessel CSA per field). Contiguous samples were analyzed for collagen crosslinking. RESULTS Central fascicles were significantly larger than fascicles in other tendon regions. Fascicle CSA decreased significantly with increasing age. Because total tendon CSA is unrelated to increasing age, fascicle numbers appeared to increase with increasing age. Regional or age effects on septal width were not found. There was no age or regional effect on vessel numbers, density, or fractional area. Fascicle CSA was positively correlated with total tendon CSA; fascicle CSA was negatively correlated with elastic modulus. Hydroxypiridinium concentration tended to increase with increasing horse age; this effect was associated with a positive correlation between hydroxypiridinium values and elastic modulus. CONCLUSIONS Equine superficial digital flexor tendon undergoes an increase in structural organization and an increase in nonreducible crosslinks with maturation and aging. These changes are associated with an increase in elastic modulus.
Postoperative racing performance in standardbreds and thoroughbreds with osteochondrosis of the tarsocrural joint: 109 cases (1984-1990).

Medical records for 64 Thoroughbred and 45 Standardbred horses with osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) of the tarsocrural joint that were treated by means of arthroscopic removal of the fragments before 2 years of age and before beginning racing were reviewed. Lesion site was recorded for all horses. The other foals from the dams of these surgically treated horses (siblings) were identified from mare progeny records. Racing data, including number of starts and money won during the 2- and 3-year-old racing years were obtained from the Jockey Club and the United States Trotting Association for affected horses and their siblings. Statistical analysis was performed to test the hypothesis that there was no difference between the racing performance of horses with OCD of the tarsocrural joint that were surgically treated by means of arthroscopic removal of the fragments prior to racing and that of their siblings. One hundred and seventy-four lesions were recorded in 109 horses. The distribution of lesions was similar to that previously reported. For the Standardbreds, 22% of those that had surgery raced as 2 year olds and 43% raced as 3 year olds, compared with 42 and 50% of the siblings that raced as 2 year olds and 3 year olds, respectively. For the Thoroughbreds, 43% of those that had surgery raced as 2 year olds and 78% raced as 3 year olds, compared with 48% and 73% of the siblings that raced as 2 year olds and 3 year olds, respectively. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The design and development of a FM band passive radar test-bed for long term qualification testing

Passive radars are yet to be considered a mature technology despite the excellent progress made by researchers around the globe over the last three decades. This apparent stagnation can likely be attributed to a lack of well defined performance parameters, that is in contrast to active monostatic radar where the performance is relatively well characterised and understood. This paper discusses the development of a multi-static passive radar test-bed to determine the detection and tracking performance of air-targets, with emphasis toward air traffic monitoring. A central objective of the test-bed will be for the collection of passive radar data over several years, which is essential for technology adoption and market acceptance. As an initial input to the design of the system, a model is presented to determine the passive radar target detection range with limited dynamic range in the receiver. This model is validated with historic measurements and shown to be consistent with the results obtained.