Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assembly of viral membranes: nature of the association of vesicular stomatitis virus proteins to membranes

To explore the interaction of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) proteins with cellular membranes, we have isolated membranes from infected cells that have been radioactively pulse-labeled. We have found conditions of isolation that result in membrane preparation which contain primarily the VSV membrane protein (M) and glycoprotein (G). Both of these proteins are very firmly attached to membranes: conditions known to release peripherally associated membrane proteins from membranes (S. Razin, Biochim, Biophys. Acta 265:241-246, 1972; S. J. Singer, Annu. Rev. Biochem. 43:805-826, 1974; S. J. Singer and G. L. Nicholson, Science 175:720-731, 1972) are ineffective in detaching either the G or the M protein. The results of trypsin digestion of these membrane fractions suggest that the M protein resides primarily on one side, the cytoplasmic side of cellular membranes, whereas the glycoprotein has been transported to the lumen of the membrane vesicle. However, we present evidence that the glycoprotein is transmembranal and that approximately 3,000 daltons of one end of the molecule is on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. We have also found that undenatured VSV M protein contains a trypsin-resistant core with a molecular weight of 22,000. This region of the M protein is trypsin-resistant regardless of its association with membranes.
Season and landscape composition affect pollen foraging distances and habitat use of honey bees.

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) show a large variation in foraging distances and use a broad range of plant species as pollen resources, even in regions with intensive agriculture. However, it is unknown how increasing areas of mass-flowering crops like oilseed rape (Brassica napus; OSR) or a decrease of seminatural habitats (SNH) change the temporal and spatial availability of pollen resources for honey bee colonies, and thus foraging distances and frequency in different habitat types. We studied pollen foraging of honey bee colonies in 16 agricultural landscapes with independent gradients of OSR and SNH area within 2 km and used waggle dances and digital geographic maps with major land cover types to reveal the distance and visited habitat type on a landscape level. Mean pollen foraging distance of 1347 decoded bee dances was 1015 m (± 26 m; SEM). In spring, increasing area of flowering OSR within 2 km reduced mean pollen foraging distances from 1324 m to only 435 m. In summer, increasing cover of SNH areas close to the colonies (within 200 m radius) reduced mean pollen foraging distances from 846 to 469 m. Frequency of pollen foragers per habitat type, measured as the number of dances per hour and hectare, was equally high for SNH, grassland, and OSR fields, but lower for other crops and forests. In landscapes with a small proportion of SNH a significantly higher density of pollen foragers on SNH was observed, indicating that pollen resources in such simple agricultural landscapes are more limited. Overall, we conclude that SNH and mass-flowering crops can reduce foraging distances of honey bee colonies at different scales and seasons with possible benefits for the performance of honey bee colonies. Further, mixed agricultural landscapes with a high proportion of SNH reduce foraging densities of honey bees in SNH and thus possible competition for pollen resources.
Treating Individuals with Eating Disorders in Family Practice: A Needs Assessment

With their myriad of serious and occasionally life-threatening physical sequelae, in addition to their complex emotional issues, individuals with eating disorders can be among the most challenging a physician may see in primary practice. A two-page, 10-item survey based on a literature review of family physicians’ experiences with individuals with eating disorders was distributed to a sample of 500 Manitoba family physicians. Two hundred and one surveys were returned for a province-wide return rate of 40%. Eighty percent of physicians who saw individuals with eating disorders felt there were some patients they were unable to treat for a variety of reasons including lack of physician skills, limited resources, problems with patient cooperation, the severity of the patient's illness, and a lack of time to deal with the demands of an eating disordered patient. The services most often provided by the physicians included medical management of symptoms, referral to specialized services, information on nutrition and exercise, and limited counseling. Referrals were most often made to psychiatrists, dieticians, Winnipeg's Eating Disorder Program, and community mental health workers. The strong response indicates that eating disorders are a serious concern in primary practice. The role of the family physician is very much dependent upon the individual physician's skills and degree of comfort in dealing with the disorders. Continuing education is seen as vital to improve diagnostic skills and enhance physicians’ level of comfort. More support for physicians in the short term and enhanced interdisciplinary programming in the longer term are crucial in meeting patients’ complex needs.
Southeast Asia: Voting Against Disorder

Abstract:In the past fifteen years, Southeast Asian electoral democracies have seen illiberal politicians contest—and in some cases win—democratic elections. The presidency of Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines, whose government has overseen extrajudicial killings while celebrating its promise to provide order and stability to Philippine politics, is but one recent example. Voting against disorder is a threat to democracy throughout Southeast Asia, even in countries such as Indonesia where illiberal politicians have been defeated in competitive elections. When politicians emphasize order over the law, even when they seek electoral legitimation, they undermine democracy itself.
A Biomechanical Comparison of Intramedullary Nail and Crossed Lag Screw Fixation for Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis

This study compared the mechanical bending and torsional properties of intramedullary nail fixation and lag screw fixation for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. Seven matched pairs of human cadaver lower extremities were studied, with one hindfoot in each pair stabilized with a 12 mm × 150 mm interlocked intramedullary nail inserted retrograde across the subtalar and ankle joints. The contralateral hindfoot was stabilized with two crossed 6.5 mm cannulated screws inserted across both the ankle and subtalar joints. Specimens were subjected to cantilever bending tests in plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion and to torsional tests in internal and external rotation. The intramedullary nail construct was significantly (P < 0.05) stiffer than the crossed lag screw construct in all four bending directions and both rotational directions: plantarflexion (nail, 42.8 N/mm; screws, 16.4 N/mm; P = 0.0003), dorsiflexion (nail, 43.0 N/mm; screws, 10.3 N/mm; P = 0.0005), inversion (nail, 37.7 N/mm; screws, 12.3 N/mm; P = 0.0024), eversion (nail, 35.4 N/mm; screws, 10.8 N/mm; P = 0.0004), internal rotation (nail, 1.29 N-m/°; screws, 0.82 N-m/°; P = 0.01), external rotation (nail, 1.35 N-m/°; screws, 0.44 N-m/°; P = 0.0001). Intramedullary fixation is biomechanically stiffer than crossed lag screws in all bending and torsional directions tested and therefore this construct may aid in maintaining alignment of the hindfoot during union and may help increase fusion rate through increased stability of the internal fixation.
Changes of Vertical Skeletal Morphology in Patients with Complete Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective The aim of this retrospective investigation was to qualify and quantify changes of the vertical skeletal morphology during puberty in cleft patients compared with an age-matched noncleft control. Methods Patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP; n = 12) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP; n = 11) who fulfilled strict inclusion criteria according to the Hanover treatment protocol were evaluated by means of cephalometric analysis. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed for each cleft patient at age 10 and 15 and compared with corresponding data of a noncleft control (n = 20). Results and Conclusions It was concluded that a vertical growth impairment of the maxilla is found in patients with cleft lip and palate. The maxilla of cleft patients shows a significant clockwise rotation, whereas the inclination of the mandible shows little difference. Consequently, there is a skeletal superposition of the jaws. The posterior height of the maxilla is significantly shorter in patients both with UCLP and BCLP at T0 and T1. An increase of the anterior height of the mandible is found in the cleft groups.
Parvalbumin‐immunoreactive axon terminals in macaque monkey and human prefrontal cortex: Laminar, regional, and target specificity of type I and type II synapses

In sensory regions of primate neocortex, the calcium‐binding protein parvalbumin (PV) is present in axon terminals that form both Gray's type I (asymmetric) and type II (symmetric) synapses. Those terminals forming type I synapses appear to arise from relay nuclei in the thalamus, whereas those forming type II synapses derive from cortical local circuit neurons. However, whether PV is present in both of these two types of terminals in the association regions of the primate prefrontal cortex (PFC) is not known. In the present study, PV‐immunoreactive (IR) axon terminals in the superficial layers (layers 2–3a) of monkey PFC area 9 were found to form exclusively type II synapses onto the dendritic spines (44%), shafts (39%), or somata/axon initial segments (17%) of pyramidal neurons. In contrast, in the middle layers (layers 3b–4), 52% of the PV‐IR axon terminals formed type I synapses, and 79% of these terminals contacted dendritic spines. However, in the adjacent area 46, only 12% of the PV‐IR terminals in the middle layers formed type I synapses. In addition, the PV‐IR axon terminals forming type I synapses were 50% larger than those terminals forming type II synapses. Similar to the macaque monkey, in area 9 of the human PFC, PV‐IR axon terminals forming type I synapses onto dendritic spines were found in the middle layers. These findings indicate that PV‐IR axon terminals in macaque monkey and human PFC are likely to have both intrinsic and extrinsic sources. In addition, the laminar, regional, and target specificity of the labeled terminals forming type I synapses suggests that they arise from PV‐IR neurons in the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus. J. Comp. Neurol. 408:11–22, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antibiotic resistance in Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhimurium, Enteritidis and Infantis from human infections, foodstuffs and farm animals in Italy

The antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates of Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Infantis isolated from humans, foodstuffs and farm animals in Italy between 1999 and 2001 was examined. All the isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin, but high rates of resistance were observed for several other drugs, especially for S. Typhimurium. The rates of resistance and multiresistance were generally higher among animal and food isolates than in human strains; conversely, no significant difference was observed between animal and food isolates. Among S. Typhimurium, multiresistance was more common in bovine, poultry and rabbit strains than in swine isolates, and was rare in strains from pigeon. Resistance to trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole was mainly found in isolates of swine and human origin. This study confirms the role of livestock as a reservoir of drug-resistant Salmonella spp. and underlines the need for integrated surveillance systems of antibiotic resistance that consider isolates not only from human disease but also from the animal reservoirs and the food vehicles.
Ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid attenuate doxorubicin‐induced testicular injury in rats

The anticancer drug doxorubicin causes testicular toxicity as an undesirable effect. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible protection of ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid during doxorubicin administration. For this purpose eight groups of male Sprague–Dawley rats were used (n = 10), one group received vehicle served as control, and other groups received 5 mg/kg doxorubicin twice a week for 2 weeks for a cumulative dose of 20 mg/kg, ellagic acid (10 mg/kg/day, 14 consecutive days p.o.), rosmarinic acid (75 mg/kg/day, 14 consecutive days p.o.), ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid. The latter three regimens were given to control and doxorubicin‐received rats. Doxorubicin decreased testicular relative weight, sperm count, motility, serum testosterone, testicular glycogen, and sialic acid with increased incidence of histopathological changes, oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, as well as cholinesterase activity. Conversely, ellagic and rosmarinic acid treatment ameliorated such damage, thus showing the possibility to use as an adjuvant during doxorubicin treatment.
Specific Immunosuppression with Inducible Foxp3-Transduced Polyclonal T cells

Forkhead box p3 (Foxp3)-expressing regulatory T cells are key mediators of peripheral tolerance suppressing undesirable immune responses. Ectopic expression of Foxp3 confers regulatory T cell phenotype to conventional T cells, lending itself to therapeutic use in the prevention of autoimmunity and transplant rejection. Here, we show that adoptive transfer of polyclonal, wild-type T cells transduced with an inducible form of Foxp3 (iFoxp3) can be used to suppress immune responses on demand. In contrast to Foxp3-transduced cells, iFoxp3-transduced cells home “correctly” into secondary lymphoid organs, where they expand and participate in immune responses. Upon induction of iFoxp3, the cells assume regulatory T cell phenotype and start to suppress the response they initially partook in without causing systemic immunosuppression. We used this approach to suppress collagen-induced arthritis, in which conventional Foxp3-transduced cells failed to show any effect. This provides us with a generally applicable strategy to specifically halt immune responses on demand without prior knowledge of the antigens involved.
Subclinical leaflet thickening and stent frame geometry in self-expanding transcatheter heart valves.

AIMS This study aimed to assess the potential relationship between subclinical leaflet thickening and stent frame geometry in patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with a self-expanding transcatheter heart valve (THV). METHODS AND RESULTS Seventy-five patients with a self-expanding THV were studied with 4D-computed tomography and analysed for leaflet thickening. There was no difference in THV size, overall THV expansion, eccentricity or implantation depth between patients with and those without leaflet thickening. Moderate-to-severe regional THV underexpansion (≤90°) more frequently occurred at the non-coronary and right coronary cusps with a significantly higher incidence of leaflet thickening than in cases of full regional THV expansion (24% vs. 3%, p<0.01). Regional THV underexpansion at the inflow level more often translated into the same issue at the valvular level in THV with intra-annular as compared to supra-annular valve position (54% vs. 17%; p=0.04). In case of post-dilatation, regional THV underexpansion occurred less frequently as compared to THV that were not post-dilated (18% vs. 43%, p=0.028). A similar but non-significant trend was found for leaflet thickening. CONCLUSIONS Regional THV stent frame underexpansion is associated with an increased risk of leaflet thickening. Post-dilatation of self-expanding THV as well as a supra-annular valve position seem to reduce the occurrence of this phenomenon.
P-I-N photodiodes for optical control of microwave circuits

The full-device model of the p-i-n photodiode based on a harmonic balance method and drift-diffusion description of charge carrier transport in semiconductor heterostructure in time domain, taking into account external equivalent circuit, is developed. Computer simulation of p-n junction capacitance and resistance under different optical powers in the frequency range up to 60 GHz and zero bias voltage is presented. The influence of such photodiode design parameters as thickness, concentration, absorption coefficient, and charge carriers' life time of the absorption layer on the p-n junction capacitance ratio under different control optical powers is studied.
Amiloride derivatives induce apoptosis by depleting ER Ca2+ stores in vascular endothelial cells

Background and purpose: Amiloride derivatives are blockers of the Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) and at micromolar concentrations have protective effects on cardiac and brain ischaemia/reperfusion injury but at higher concentrations also induce apoptosis. Here, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism related to this cytotoxic action.
Surfactant Treatment and Ventilation by High Frequency Oscillation in Premature Newborn Rabbits: Effect on Survival, Lung Aeration, and Bronchiolar Epithelial Lesions

ABSTRACT: Premature rabbit neonates delivered at gestational age 27 days were ventilated by high frequency oscillation for 60 min with 100% O2, using a frequency of 7-8 Hz, 50% inspiration time and mean airway pressures of 6-8 cm H2O. Twenty-five animals received bovine surfactant (2 ml/kg body weight; phospholipid concentration 85-100 mg/ml) in the tracheal cannula before onset of ventilation, and 22 littermates served as controls. In the surfactant-treated group, average tidal volume was about 10 times larger than in controls, yet only 15% of the estimated dead space. Judged from ECG recordings, the treated animals also had a much higher survival rate: 96 versus 5% (p < 0.001). Morphometrically, mean alveolar volume density was increased in the surfactant-treated animals in comparison with controls: 0.65 ± 0.08 versus 0.37 ± 0.08 (x ± SD; p < 0.005). Bronchiolar epithelial lesions were found in all control animals and were severe in almost all cases. In the surfactant-treated group, epithelial lesions were absent in 12, mild in 11, and fairly prominent in two animals. We conclude that after treatment with surfactant, the premature newborn rabbit can be ventilated adequately with high frequency oscillation at comparatively low mean airway pressures and that surfactant replacement effectively reduces the development of epithelial lesions in conducting airways during high frequency oscillation.
School choice, school costs : the case of inner city Johannesburg private schools

This study explores school choice and school commuting within the City of Johannesburg, with specific reference to enrolment in low cost inner city private high schools. The study found that the majority of learners enrolled in these schools were black and hailed from upper working class or lower middle class homes. Although most commuted to school, the schools also serve a resident inner city community. That is, private school enrolment is partly due to the changing land use patterns of the Johannesburg inner city, from residential to commercial. While much of the inner city has been transformed into housing, there has been no provision of essential social infrastructure such as public schools, leaving residents with little choice but to enrol in a private school, despite their low incomes. Learners from peripheral areas such as Soweto and Alexandria embark on a financially and socially costly school commute in order to access what they perceive to be quality education. That is, parents perceive these schools to be good academic performers, to be 'disciplined' and to offer quality teaching. These parents are shunning the no-fee, public township schools, deeming them dysfunctional and poorly resourced. It does appear that access to quality education in South Africa is becoming linked to ability to pay school fees - not only for the wealthy but also for those of lower socio-economic status.
Hurricane Risk Management with Climate and Co Indices

We propose a regime-switching Poisson process incorporating climate and carbon dioxide (CO2) indices (RPCM) to model hurricane frequency. Model accuracy shows that two-state RPCM (2-RPCM) is superior to the existing climate methods, as forecast errors under 2-RPCM are smaller than previous models by about 60–75 percent. We derive the pricing formula of reinsurance premiums by assuming the aggregate loss following the regime-switching compound process. Pricing errors under 2-RPCM for reinsurance premiums are 35–54 percent lower than those from previous models. The climate and regime-switching effects dominate the CO2 effect in reducing pricing errors and producing more effective tail value at risk.
An average model of solid state transformer for dynamic system simulation

The Solid State Transformer (SST) is one of the key elements proposed in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Generation-III Engineering Research Center (ERC) “Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management” (FREEDM) Systems Center established in 2008. The SST is used to enable active management of distributed renewable energy resources, energy storage devices and loads. In this paper, a 20kVA solid state transformer based on 6.5kV IGBT is proposed for interface with 12kV distribution system voltage. The average model and control scheme of SST including AC/DC rectifier, Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter and DC/AC inverter are developed to enable dynamic system level simulation. The developed average model is verified by comparing with the detailed switching model simulation. The dynamic system level SST simulation verifies the proposed controller and the corresponding average model illustrates the functionalities and advantages of the SST in FREEDM system.
The in vivo effect of melatonin on cellular activation processes in human blood during strenuous physical exercise

Abstract: Melatonin has been reported to have anti‐ as well as pro‐inflammatory properties. Because physical stress is associated with the activation of blood cells, the present study examines melatonin's role in exercise‐induced cell activation processes. Eight healthy volunteers (aged 20–62 yr, mean = 31), exercised on an ‘Ergometric’ bike for 30 min at 80% of their calculated maximum pulse rate. Blood samples were taken just before melatonin administration, directly after exercise, and 2 hr after exercise completion. Cytokine and eicosanoid parameters were measured in plasma from blood stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 2 hr whereas tissue factor (TF) activity was measured in isolated monocytes. Melatonin significantly decreased LPS‐induced TF activity by 48% (P < 0.01) directly after exercise, and a 44% reduction was seen 2 hr later (P < 0.02). Furthermore, melatonin significantly reduced the lymphocyte count rise produced directly after exercising by more than 30% (P < 0.01). A trend was also seen for melatonin suppressing the increase of WBC by around 10% and to strengthen the platelet increase by about 8% after physical stress. Melatonin also significantly lowered RBC and hemoglobin counts by 5 and 3–4% during exercise (P < 0.005 and <0.02 respectively). Two hours after exercise, melatonin tended to lower leukotriene B4 levels by 30%. Interleukin‐8 and tumor necrosis factor‐α levels tended to be lower in individuals who had taken melatonin following hard physical activity and a larger sample size may show significance. Thromboxane B2 production seemed unaffected by melatonin during exercise. In conclusion, in vivo intake of melatonin appears to suppress LPS‐induced activation of monocytes in whole blood reactions associated with physical exercise and facilitates the down‐regulation of inflammatory mediators.