Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Tissue Tropism Determinants of Adeno-Associated Virus Type 1

ABSTRACT Muscle is an attractive target for gene delivery because of its mass and because vectors can be delivered in a noninvasive fashion. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been shown to be effective for muscle-targeted gene transfer. Recent progress in characterization of AAV serotype 1 (AAV1) and AAV6 demonstrated that these two AAV serotypes are far more efficient in transducing muscle than is the traditionally used AAV2. Since all cis elements are identical in these vectors, the potential determinants for their differences in transducing muscle appear to be located within the AAV capsid proteins. In the present study, a series of AAV capsid mutants were generated to identify the major regions affecting AAV transduction efficiency in muscle. Replacement of amino acids 350 to 736 of AAV2 VP1 with the corresponding amino acids from VP1 of AAV1 resulted in a hybrid vector that behaved very similarly to AAV1 in vitro and in vivo in muscle. Characterization of additional mutants carrying smaller regions of the AAV1 VP1 amino acid sequence in the AAV2 capsid protein suggested that amino acids 350 to 430 of VP1 function as a major tissue tropism determinant. Further analysis showed that the heparin binding domain and the major antigenic determinants in the AAV capsid region were not necessary for the efficiency of AAV1 transduction of muscle.
The H Subunit (Vma13p) of the Yeast V-ATPase Inhibits the ATPase Activity of Cytosolic V1 Complexes*

V-ATPases are composed of a peripheral complex containing the ATP-binding sites, the V1 sector, attached to a membrane complex containing the proton pore, the Vo sector. In vivo, free, inactive V1 and Vo sectors exist in dynamic equilibrium with fully assembled, active V1 Vo complexes, and this equilibrium can be perturbed by changes in carbon source. Free V1 complexes were isolated from the cytosol of wild-type yeast cells and mutant strains lacking Vo subunit c (Vma3p) or V1 subunit H (Vma13p). V1 complexes from wild-type or vma3Δ mutant cells were very similar, and contained all previously identified yeast V1 subunits except subunit C (Vma5p). These V1 complexes hydrolyzed CaATP but not MgATP, and CaATP hydrolysis rapidly decelerated with time. V1 complexes from vma13Δ cells contained all V1 subunits except C and H, and had markedly different catalytic properties. The initial rate of CaATP hydrolysis was maintained for much longer. The complexes also hydrolyzed MgATP, but showed a rapid deceleration in hydrolysis. These results indicate that the H subunit plays an important role in silencing unproductive ATP hydrolysis by cytosolic V1 complexes, but suggest that other mechanisms, such as product inhibition, may also play a role in silencing in vivo.
Motivic functions, integrability, and applications to harmonic analysis on $p$-adic groups

We provide a short and self-contained overview of the techniques based on motivic integration as they are applied in harmonic analysis on p-adic groups; our target audience is mainly representation theorists with no back- ground in model theory (and model theorists with an interest in recent ap- plications of motivic integration in representation theory, though we do not provide any representation theory background). We aim to give a fairly com- prehensive survey of the results in harmonic analysis that were proved by such techniques in the last ten years, with emphasis on the most recent techniques and applications from (13), (8), and (32, Appendix B).
Investigating the Moderating Effects of Gender and Self-Efficacy in the Context of Mobile Payment Adoption: A Developing Country Perspective

The adoption rate of mobile payment technology is relatively low in the developing world, particularly in Jordan. The need to study why people in Jordan are unwilling to participate in its adoption is definitely imperative because the outcomes and conclusions of the current analysis could be thoughtfully and strategically utilized to improve and accelerate the adoption and diffusion of mobile payment in Jordan. To achieve this objective, the current study develops a theoretical research model as a framework based on modified Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM2). The moderating influence of gender and self-efficacy on the adoption process of mobile payment was integrated in the current model. The quantitative data was collected via a paper-based self-administered questionnaire. A valid 366 data sets (of those just above 50% are females) were used to assess the model. The model parameters were theoretically analyzed by using the WarpPLS 4.0 software. PLS has been selected on merits because it can statistically handle the complexity of the proposed model. This study has concluded that the perceptions of usefulness and ease of use, subjective norm, output quality, and result demonstrability are all important determining factors of behavioral intention towards mobile payment adoption. Further, image and output quality determinants were empirically observed to influence perceived usefulness construct and indirectly influencing behavioral intention. In the meantime, gender differences were determined to have little moderating influence on the adoption process of mobile payment. However, the self-efficacy aspect was found to have a moderating influence on some of the hypothesized relationships of this model, implying that self-efficacy is a significant decision factor to consider for adoption of mobile payment technology. Moreover, the theoretical and practical implications of the findings and recommendations for future research are presented and discussed.
Gr upSM Behcet ’ s Disease – Endothelial Function

Endothelial cells form a multifunctional cell lining that covers all of the inner surface of blood vessels and regulates several important physiological and pathological reactions. These include inflammation/immune reaction, blood vessel tonus, hemostasis/thrombosis, angiogenesis and so on. Behçet’s Disease (BD) is a chronic, relapsing, multisystemic disorder characterized by urogenital ulcers and ocular inflammation with cutaneous, musculoskeletal, vascular and nervous system manifestations. People from the Far East, the Middle East and the Mediterranean basin are more commonly affected than those from other parts of the world. In Northern Europe, Central Africa and the United States the disease is infrequent. Affection for all ages with male predominance is a well-known clinical entity.
High-Performance Germanium p- and n-MOSFETs With NiGe Source/Drain

In this paper, we report Ge pand n-channel metal- oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with NiGe source/drain (S/D) with high performance and low leakage current. The forward/reverse current ratio of the NiGe/n-Ge and NiGe/p-Ge junctions were ~10<sup>5</sup> and ~2 × 10<sup>4</sup> at |V| = ±1 V, respectively. Interface state densities Dit of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/GeO<sub>2</sub>/Ge stack is improved to be around 10<sup>12</sup>/eV<sup>-1</sup> cm<sup>2</sup> near the midgap after forming gas annealing; the gate-stack also shows excellent reliability under constant field stressing. Both p- and n-channel MOSFETs show sufficiently high I<sub>ON</sub>/I<sub>OFF</sub> ratio. High driving current of ~9 and ~4 μA/μm at |V<sub>GS</sub> - V<sub>T</sub>| = ±0.8 V and |V<sub>DS</sub>| = ± V is obtained, respectively, for pand n-MOSFETs. Moreover, S/D series resistance R<sub>SD</sub> of the p- and n-MOSFET is reduced by ~25% and ~42% as compared with that of the transistors with conventional p/n junctions.
Phosphorus acquisition and internal utilization efficiency in tropical maize genotypes

The objective of this work was to determine the relative importance of phosphorus acquisition efficiency (PAE - plant P uptake per soil available P), and phosphorus internal utilization efficiency (PUTIL - grain yield per P uptake) in the P use efficiency (PUE - grain yield per soil available P), on 28 tropical maize genotypes evaluated at three low P and two high P environments. PAE was almost two times more important than PUTIL to explain the variability observed in PUE, at low P environments, and three times more important at high P environments. These results indicate that maize breeding programs, to increase PUE in these environments, should use selection index with higher weights for PAE than for PUTIL. The correlation between these two traits showed no significance at low or at high P environments, which indicates that selection in one of these traits would not affect the other. The main component of PUTIL was P quotient of utilization (grain yield per grain P) and not the P harvest index (grain P per P uptake). Selection to reduce grain P concentration should increase the quotient of utilization and consequently increase PUTIL.
Point and distributed current density analysis of interictal epileptic activity recorded by magnetoencephalography

Equivalent current dipole (ECD) analysis and fully three-dimensional distributed source solutions have been applied to interictal multichannel magnetoencephalographic recordings of a patient with complex partial epilepsy (CPE). Averaged signals were used. At certain instances ECD solutions could be found with a very high cross-correlation coefficient between the measurements and the field, produced by the current dipole solution, typically in excess of 0.97. At these instances a highly localized distribution, very close to the ECD location, was obtained from the distributed source analysis. The ECD solution started to move when the distributed source solution began to develop activity at more than one centre. This clearly contrasted with the way the activity of the distributed source solutions changed, which turned out to be highly stable. Stringent selection criteria for using the different solutions therefore seem mandatory, especially in identifying pathological areas and volumes of the human brain.
A New Trabecular Region of Interest for Femoral Dual X‐Ray Absorptiometry: Short‐Term Precision, Age‐Related Bone Loss, and Fracture Discrimination Compared with Current Femoral Regions of Interest

We defined a new region of interest (ROI) for femoral Ward's triangle, centered on the femoral neck axis including comparatively trabecular‐rich bone. Forty‐seven premenopausal, 39 healthy postmenopausal, and 35 osteoporotic postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures were evaluated comparing the new with the standard femoral ROIs, using a Hologic QDR‐2000. Additionally, spinal dual X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed. The short‐term precision error of the new ROI expressed as the root mean square of the coefficient of variations was 1.34% for premenopausal women, 1.69% for healthy postmenopausal women, and 2.46% for osteoporotic postmenopausal women. Bone mineral density (BMD) values of the new ROI correlated highly with those of the standard femoral ROIs (r = 0.91 − 0.96) and the spinal BMD (r = 0.74). Age‐related bone loss of the new ROI was 0.75% per year (r = 0.66) in healthy women, which was approximately 1.5 times higher than the bone loss of the standard femoral ROIs, except for Ward's triangle. Regarding the intergroup discrimination, the t‐value of the new ROI was similar to the t‐value of Ward's triangle, and the intergroup percent decrements in BMD of the new ROI approximated those of Ward's triangle. For discriminating women with vertebral fractures, the new ROI demonstrated odds ratios of 1.6 similar to most ROIs but lower than that of the trochanteric region. The new, substantially trabecular ROI appears to be an alternative to the Ward's ROI traditionally used in femoral DXA having improved short‐term precision and comparable sensitivity.
Perceptual and Positional Saliencies Influence Children's Sequence Learning Differently with Age and Instructions at Test

There is growing evidence that, faced with a complex environment, participants subdivide the incoming information into small perceptual units, called chunks. Although statistical properties have been identified as playing a key role in chunking, we wanted to determine whether perceptual (repetitions) and positional (initial units) features might provide immediate guidance for the parsing of information into chunks. Children aged 5 and 8 years were exposed to sequences of 3, 4, or 5 colours. Sequence learning was assessed either through an explicit generation test (Experiment 1) or through a recognition test (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 showed that perceptual and positional saliencies benefited learning and that sensitivity to repetitions was age dependent and permitted the formation of longer chunks (trigrams) in the oldest children. Experiment 2 suggested that children became sensitive to perceptual and positional saliencies regardless of age and that the both types of saliencies supported the formation of longer chunks in the oldest children. The discussion focuses on the multiple factors intervening in sequence learning and their differential effects as a function of the instructions used at test to assess sequence learning.
Classes of calcium channels in vertebrate cells.

Voltage-dependent Ca channels help regulate a wide range of cellular func­ tions, including secretion, contraction, and excitability (56, 61, 73, 123). The diversity of Ca channels has long been clear, especially from comparative studies on invertebrates (see 55), which have included descriptions of multi­ ple Ca channel types in single cells (57). This article summarizes a recent wave of papers describing multiple Ca channel types in vertebrate cells. Space limitations prevent inclusion of recent work on invertebrate Ca channels, receptor-operated Ca channels, or Ca channels of organelles.
Approximate calculation of leaky-mode loss coefficients for Ti-diffused LiNbO3waveguides

A hybrid-mode model is developed which allows analytical calculation of the leaky-mode loss coefficient in Ti-diffused LiNbO3waveguides. Field representations correspond to the approximation of geometrical optics. Hybrid-mode effective indexes are approximated utilizing the known anisotropy of LiNbO3. ForX- orY-cut waveguides the leaky mode is shown to be an extraordinary-like hybrid mode with a small ordinary field component which arises from extraordinary to ordinary power conversion at the abrupt index boundary. This ordinary index component is not bound by the graded index boundary, giving rise to the power loss. The theoretical dependence of the loss coefficient on propagation direction is in agreement with experiment.
Feeding and reproduction of Calanus finmarchicus during non-bloom conditions in the Irminger Sea

Simultaneous ingestion and egg production experiments were conducted with female Calanus finmarchicus in April/May and July/August 2002 in the Irminger Sea. Experimental animals were provided with natural microplankton food assemblages and incubated under in situ conditions for 24 h. The quantity of food consumed was significantly related to the concentration of prey cells, with total daily ingestion rates ranging from 0.6 to 8.1 µg of carbon female–1 day–1, corresponding to carbon-specific rates of 0.6–4.7% day–1. Egg production rates (EPRs) remained relatively low (0.3–11 eggs female–1 day–1) during both periods of investigation and were not influenced by food availability. The data were used to construct energetic budgets in which the microplankton carbon ingested, including ciliates, was compared with the carbon utilized for egg production and respiration. These budgets showed that ingestion alone could not provide the necessary carbon to sustain the observed demands for growth and metabolism. Although ciliates constituted >80% of the total material ingested at times, they were not sufficient to provide the metabolic shortfall. Indeed, the females were typically lacking 5 µg of carbon each day, 5% of their carbon biomass. Our study results highlight the possible importance of internal reserves in sustaining reproduction in C. finmarchicus during periods of food scarcity.
Belief in life after death, salivary 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol, and well‐being among older people without cognitive impairment dwelling in rural Japan

Research has found that spirituality/religiosity has a salutary association with mental/physical health. However, the association of belief in life after death with well‐being has rarely been studied, and the same is true of its association with biological indices, such as monoamine transmitters. Therefore, we examined the associations between well‐being and religiosity, salivary 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (sMHPG), and demographic characteristics.
Effect of Four Voluntary Regulated Yoga Breathing Techniques on Grip Strength

Bilateral hand-grip strength was studied in 21 male volunteers (M age = 25.6 yr., SD = 5.2). All were assessed before and after five practice sessions of 20 min. duration: right-nostril yoga breathing, left-nostril yoga breathing, alternate-nostril yoga breathing, breath awareness, and a no-intervention session. Data were analyzed with analyses of variance and an analysis of variance using the no-breath awareness control condition as a covariate. There were no significant changes. The left-hand-grip strength reduced after left-nostril yoga breathing. However, findings were not considered significant, so methodological issues in yoga research which could contribute to null findings and even mask actual changes were discussed.
The Characteristics and Age Effects of Emotional Lability in ADHD Children With and Without Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Objective: This study evaluated the concurrent validity of emotional lability (EL) in children with ADHD. Method: A total of 2,015 children with ADHD and 745 typically developed controls (TDCs) were assessed and compared on EL. Results: ADHD participants expressed higher EL scores than TDCs, not influenced by gender or IQ. Higher levels of EL symptoms were found in children with comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and with ADHD-combined subtype. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses showed a strong screening efficacy of EL symptoms on ADHD. The effect of developmental age on EL showed a desisting pattern in TDCs, as opposed to a persisting pattern in ADHD (not influenced by ODD comorbid status). ODD symptoms in ADHD showed an ascending pattern. Conclusion: EL can potentially serve as a sentinel index for the presence of ADHD, especially when the ADHD presentation is atypical. ODD may embody a developmental entity distinct from EL.
Maintenance of Thymic Epithelial Phenotype Requires Extrinsic Signals in Mouse and Zebrafish1

Thymopoiesis strictly depends on proper differentiation of the thymic epithelial anlage. Differentiation of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) is controlled by the Foxn1 transcription factor. The in vivo signals initiating and maintaining Foxn1 expression in the future thymus anlage are unknown. In the mouse, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is required for the maintenance of Foxn1 expression in TECs, as shown here by lineage tracing using a Foxn1-driven Cre transgene. Loss of Foxn1 expression after BMP inhibition reverts TECs to a basal state of pharyngeal epithelium unable to support T cell development; it does not divert them into a parathyroid fate. In zebrafish larvae, BMP inhibition likewise causes loss of foxn1 expression in the thymic anlage and subsequent impairment of thymopoiesis. These results indicate an evolutionarily conserved role of BMP signaling in the maintenance of Foxn1 expression.
Chemical Modification of Milk Xanthine Oxidase with Different Modifiers

Abstract Xanthine oxidase (XO), purified from buttermilk was subjected to modification with N-phenylmaleimide, p-toluene-sulfonyl chloride, and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole. Spectrophotometric monitoring of the enzyme before and after treatment with these modifiers are presented. The results show that the interaction of XO with the modifiers was accompained by a change in UV absorption, as compared with untreated enzyme. The data indicate that these modifiers caused conformational changes in the polypeptide chain of milk XO due to interaction of these modifiers with sulfahydryl and/or hydroxyl groups. Moreover, the modifiers induce uptake inhibition of milk XO and appeared to be dependant upon either the concentration or incubation time.
Taming Evasions in Machine Learning Based Detection Pipelines

This thesis presents and evaluates three mitigation techniques for evasion attacks against machine learning based detection pipelines. Machine learning based detection pipelines provide much of the security in modern computerized system. For instance, these pipelines are responsible for the detection of undesirable content on computing platforms and Internet-based services, such as malicious software and email spam. By its adversarial nature, the security application domain exhibits a permanent arms race between attackers who aim to avoid, or evade, detection and the pipeline's maintainers whose aim is to catch all undesirable content.The first part of this thesis examines a defense technique for the concrete application domain of comment spam on social media. We propose content complexity, a compression-based normalized measure of textual redundancy that is mostly insensitive to the underlying language used and adversarial word spelling variations. We demonstrate on a real dataset of tens of millions of comments that content complexity alone achieves 15 percentage points higher precision than a state-of-the-art detection system.The second part of this thesis takes a quantitative approach to evasion and introduces one machine learning algorithm and one learning framework for building hardened detection pipelines. Both techniques are generic and suitable for a large class of application domains. We propose the convex polytope machine, a non-linear large-scale learning algorithm which aims at finding a large-margin polytope separator and thereby decrease the effectiveness of evasion attacks. We show that as a general purpose machine learning algorithm, the convex polytope machine displays an outstanding trade-off between classification accuracy and computational efficiency. We also demonstrate on a benchmark handwritten digit recognition task that the convex polytope machine is quantitatively as evasion-resistant as a classic neural network.We finally introduce adversarial boosting, a boosting-inspired framework for iteratively building ensemble classifiers that are hardened against evasion attacks. Adversarial boosting operates by repeatedly constructing evasion attacks and adding the corresponding corrective sub-classifiers to the ensemble. We implement this technique for decision tree sub-classifiers by constructing the first exact and approximate automatic evasion algorithms for tree ensembles. For our benchmark task, the adversarially boosted tree ensemble is respectively five times and two times less evasion-susceptible than regular tree ensembles and the convex polytope machine.