Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mouse Siglec-1 Mediates trans-Infection of Surface-bound Murine Leukemia Virus in a Sialic Acid N-Acyl Side Chain-dependent Manner*

Background: Human Siglec-1 mediates HIV trans-infection by interaction with virion-associated sialylated gangliosides. Results: Here, Siglec-1 on mouse macrophages mediated trans-infection of surface-bound MLV. This could be inhibited by biosynthetic modification of sialic acids' N-acyl side chain in virus-producer cells. Conclusion: The N-acyl side chain is a critical determinant of Siglec-1-dependent MLV trans-infection. Significance: Glycoengineering allows manipulation of sialic acid-dependent virus/receptor interactions. Siglec-1 (sialoadhesin, CD169) is a surface receptor on human cells that mediates trans-enhancement of HIV-1 infection through recognition of sialic acid moieties in virus membrane gangliosides. Here, we demonstrate that mouse Siglec-1, expressed on the surface of primary macrophages in an interferon-α-responsive manner, captures murine leukemia virus (MLV) particles and mediates their transfer to proliferating lymphocytes. The MLV infection of primary B-cells was markedly more efficient than that of primary T-cells. The major structural protein of MLV particles, Gag, frequently co-localized with Siglec-1, and trans-infection, primarily of surface-bound MLV particles, efficiently occurred. To explore the role of sialic acid for MLV trans-infection at a submolecular level, we analyzed the potential of six sialic acid precursor analogs to modulate the sialylated ganglioside-dependent interaction of MLV particles with Siglec-1. Biosynthetically engineered sialic acids were detected in both the glycolipid and glycoprotein fractions of MLV producer cells. MLV released from cells carrying N-acyl-modified sialic acids displayed strikingly different capacities for Siglec-1-mediated capture and trans-infection; N-butanoyl, N-isobutanoyl, N-glycolyl, or N-pentanoyl side chain modifications resulted in up to 92 and 80% reduction of virus particle capture and trans-infection, respectively, whereas N-propanoyl or N-cyclopropylcarbamyl side chains had no effect. In agreement with these functional analyses, molecular modeling indicated reduced binding affinities for non-functional N-acyl modifications. Thus, Siglec-1 is a key receptor for macrophage/lymphocyte trans-infection of surface-bound virions, and the N-acyl side chain of sialic acid is a critical determinant for the Siglec-1/MLV interaction.
Large Scale Linear Coding for Image Classification

Image classification, including object recognition and scene classification, remains to be a major challenge to the computer vision community. As machine can be able to extract information from an image and classify it in order to solve some tasks. Recently SVMs using Spatial Pyramid Matching (SPM) kernel have been highly successful in image classification. Despite its popularity, this technique cannot handle more than thousands of training images. In this paper we develop an extension of the SPM method, by generalizing Vector Quantization to Sparse Coding followed by multi-scale Spatial Max Pooling, and also propose a large scale linear classifier based on Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) and Sparse Codes. This new adapted algorithm remarkably can handle thousands of training images and classify them into different categories.
Agent Influence and Nested Other-Agent Behaviour

Stit theory, based on the notion of an agent's capacity for seeing to it that something holds, provides a rich semantic framework for manipulating agent ability. Its potential for representing nested statements readily draws stit theory onto uncomfortable ground with syntactically well formed constructs where one agent sees to it that another agent sees to it that something holds. This is uncomfortable because in systems of simple reactive agent it involves compromising the agency of the other agent.We introduce an alternative reading for stit using the notion of influence and this does not result in compromised agency. After introducing influence we briefly outline some of its logical properties and discuss results of exploratory experiments.
Contribution of Follicular Dendritic Cells to Persistent HIV Viremia

ABSTRACT HIV-1 infections cannot be completely eradicated by drug therapy, as the virus persists in reservoirs. Low-level plasma viremia has been detected in patients treated for over 7 years, but the cellular compartments that support this low-level viremia have not been identified. The decay of HIV-1 during treatment appears to occur in four phases, with the 3rd and 4th phases occurring when the virus is below the limit of detection of conventional assays. Here, we focus on the 3rd phase of decay, which has been estimated to have a half-life of 39 months. We show that follicular dendritic cells (FDC), which have been identified as an HIV reservoir, can be the main source of the low-level viremia detected during the 3rd phase of decay and contribute to viremia at even longer times. Our calculations show that the kinetics of leakage of virus from FDC is consistent with three types of available clinical data.
Diterpenoids from germander, an herbal medicine, induce apoptosis in isolated rat hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Germander was withdrawn from the market after its use for weight control caused an epidemic of hepatitis. Its toxicity was shown to be caused by diterpenoids and their cytochrome P4503A-mediated metabolic activation into electrophilic metabolites that deplete cellular thiols. The aim of the present study was to determine the mechanisms of cell death. METHODS Isolated rat hepatocytes were incubated for 2 hours with germander diterpenoids (100 micrograms/mL). RESULTS Diterpenoids decreased cell glutathione, increased cytosolic [Ca2+], activated Ca(2+)-dependent tissue transglutaminase forming a cross-linked protein scaffold, and caused internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and the ultrastructural features of apoptosis. Cell death was prevented by decreasing metabolic activation (with troleandomycin), preventing depletion of glutathione (with cystine), blocking activation of Ca(2+)-modulated enzymes (with calmidazolium), or inhibiting internucleosomal DNA fragmentation (with aurintricarboxylic acid). Apoptosis was increased and diterpenoids caused overexpression of p53 and interleukin 1 beta-converting enzyme in rats treated with dexamethasone (cytochrome P4503A inducer). Apoptosis was also increased by a diet deficient in sulfur amino acids. CONCLUSIONS The germander furano diterpenoids cause apoptosis within 2 hours in isolated rat hepatocytes. Electrophilic metabolites may stimulate apoptosis by decreasing thiols, increasing [Ca2+], and activating Ca(2+)-dependent transglutaminase and endonucleases.
Non-thermal effects of radio frequency exposure on biologic pharmaceuticals for RFID applications

Radio frequency identification (RFID) has been an emerging technology over the past decade with applications ranging from simple supply chain utilizations to sensory monitoring of heat and humidity sensitive products during transportation. RFID has direct implications for the area of pharmaceutical distribution especially for temperature sensitive products where they are tagged and tracked in their shipping environment. Per FDA CPG Sec.400. 210, Drugs, Radiofrequency Identification, the FDA has not allowed RFID technology to be used for drugs covered under a Biologics License Application or protein drugs covered by a New Drug Application since the potential impact of radio frequency (RF) radiation on biologics and proteins is not well documented. The intent of this study is to determine the non-thermal effects on the protein structures of biopharmaceuticals by constant exposure to radio frequency energy at different wavelengths using twice the equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) allowed by FCC in the United States. As a contribution of this study, the test setup and protocol provide a fundamental and universally applicable methodology which combine the hardware to generate and radiate high power RF signals at different frequencies and a temperature controlled dark anechoic chamber where the temperature and light sensitive products can be exposed to RF radiation. Five different frequencies are used which account for the majority of commercially available RFID systems adopting high frequency (13.56 MHz) or ultra-high frequency (433 MHz, 868 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.4 GHz) radio waves as well as active or passive tags for communication. Multiple products from different pharmaceutical companies falling under three major protein groups and their integrity after exposure to 8 Watts EIRP RF radiation for a full 24 hours are investigated. The results show that even at twice the EIRP as regulated by FCC, the effects of RF energy on the purity of all the tested biopharmaceutical proteins remain undetectable after purity and potency stability-indicating assays.
Recycling Aquacultural Waste through Horticultural Greenhouse Production as a Resource Recovery Approach

For intensive production systems like the Blue Ridge Aquaculture (BRA), based in Martinsville, VA, there are significant economic incentives to reuse the waste by diverting it into a cropping system that would increase the total productivity and total resource-reuse efficiency, and decrease the environmental, ecological, and financial costs of aquacultural waste disposal. In order to facilitate the reuse of effluent from the tilapia production at the BRA, a green house was developed. On this site, sludge waste from recirculating aquaculture was separated and composted using a vermicomposting technique and the resulting compost was utilized as an amendment to conventional greenhouse potting mixes. These aquacultural waste products were compared to conventional greenhouse culture of a common ornamental annual plant. It was hypothesized that (1) vermicomposted aquaculture sludge would increase the growth of plants over conventional greenhouse potting mixes, and (2) recycled aquacultural wastewater can serve as a quality source of irrigation water, and plant response would differ with irrigation method. Plant growth and 11 out of 12 plant tissue nutrients were greater when compost was increased in the substrate. Plant root growth and 3 out of 12 tissue nutrients were increased when irrigated with wastewater. Plant shoot mass and total mass was greater when irrigated by ebb and flow irrigation compared to overhead mist irrigation, and 4 out of 12 tissue nutrients were greater when irrigated with mist irrigation. Overall plant performance was greatest with 15% vermicomposted sludge in the substrate and watered with wastewater by ebb and flow irrigation.
The importance of quality assurance in surgical oncology.

AIMS The aims were to review the existing methods of quality assurance in surgical oncology and to determine a relationship between surgery-related factors and the variety in outcomes in the treatment of solid cancers. METHODS The literature was reviewed by searching Medline and Cancerlit databases. RESULTS Wide variations were found in virtually all tumour types. Clear evidence was found that an improvement in the quality of the surgical procedure could have major implications for the prognosis and quality of life of cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS These findings emphasize the need for strict quality control procedures in surgical oncology and might imply a considerable change in cancer treatment strategies, because the routine use of adjuvant therapies could be questioned.
Orbital three-player differential game using semi-direct collocation with nonlinear programming

An orbital three-player differential game among Target spacecraft, Pursuer spacecraft and Evader spacecraft is studied in this work. It is assumed that Target spacecraft runs in its orbit without the ability of maneuver, while Pursuer spacecraft and Evader spacecraft have continuous maneuverability. There are opposing objectives between Pursuer spacecraft and Evader spacecraft. The objective of Pursuer spacecraft is to keep Evader spacecraft far away from Target spacecraft while Evader spacecraft tries its best to shorten the distance from it to Target spacecraft prior to being intercepted. The orbital three-player differential game terminates when Evader spacecraft performs successful interception of Target spacecraft or it is intercepted by Pursuer spacecraft. The semi-direct collocation with nonlinear programming incorporated with NSGA-II algorithm which provides the initial guess is employed to solve the current three-player differential game. Numerical simulation was provided to verify the availability of the algorithm in finding the optimal solution of the orbital three-player differential game presented in this paper, and the results show that this work will be useful to some practical applications.
The Lipid Droplet Binding Domain of Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein Is a Major Determinant for Efficient Virus Assembly*

Hepatitis C virus core protein forms the viral capsid and is targeted to lipid droplets (LDs) by its domain 2 (D2). By using a comparative analysis of two hepatitis C virus genomes (JFH1 and Jc1) differing in their level of virus production in cultured human hepatoma cells, we demonstrate that the core of the genotype 2a isolate J6 that is present in Jc1 mediates efficient assembly and release of infectious virions. Mapping studies identified a single amino acid residue in D2 as a major determinant for enhanced assembly and release of infectious Jc1 particles. Confocal microscopy analyses demonstrate that core protein in JFH1-replicating cells co-localizes perfectly with LDs and induces their accumulation in the perinuclear area, whereas no such accumulation of LDs and only a partial co-localization of core and LDs were found with the Jc1 genome. By using a fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assay, we found that green fluorescent protein-tagged D2 variants are mobile on LDs and that J6- and JFH1-D2 differ in their mobility. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the binding strength of the D2 domain of core for LDs is crucial for determining the efficiency of virus assembly.
On defects in different phases of two-dimensional lipid bilayers

2014 The phospholipid bilayer is the basic structure of biological membranes as well as a suitable model of a two-dimensional system. Defects within these bilayers are studied electron microscopically by application of the freeze fracture method Topological and non-topological defects can be distinguished The first type is analysed in terms of the homotopy theory. Two defect systems, an Abelian and a non-Abelian, are found which are a consequence of a symmetry breaking. The effect of small amounts of impurities on the defect structure is studied An outline of the possible biological relevance of defects is given in the last part. J. Physique 44 (1983) 1025-1034 SEPTEMBRE 1983,
No effect of larval experience on adult host preferences in Polygonia c‐album (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae): on the persistence of Hopkins’ host selection principle

Abstract 1. The possible effect of juvenile imprinting or ‘chemical legacy’ on the subsequent oviposition – often called the ‘Hopkins’ host selection principle’– has been a controversial but recurrent theme in the literature on host‐plant preference. While it appears possible in principle, experimental support for the hypothesis is equivocal. The present study points out that it is also important to consider its theoretical implications, and asks under what circumstances, if any, it should be favoured by natural selection.
Nervus intermedius function after vestibular schwannoma removal: Clinical features and pathophysiological mechanisms

The results of facial nerve outcome following vestibular schwannoma removal have generally ignored the sensory component of the nerve. This lack of reporting occurs partly because the distress relating to these functions is less obvious to the surgeon, and partly because the facial nerve grading systems currently used do not include the functions of the nervus intermedius.
Inorganic polyphosphate interacts with ribosomes and promotes translation fidelity in vitro and in vivo

Inorganic polyphosphate is a biological macromolecule consisting of multiple phosphates linked by high‐energy bonds. Polyphosphate occurs in cells from all domains of life, and is known to play roles in a diverse collection of cellular functions. Here we examine the relationship between polyphosphate and protein synthesis in Escherichia coli. We report that polyphosphate associates with E. coli ribosomes in vitro. Characterization of this interaction reveals that both long‐chain and short‐chain polyphosphates interact with the ribosome. Intact 70S ribosomes, as well as 50S and 30S subunits, display a specific interaction with polyphosphate that is mediated primarily by contacts with ribosomal proteins. Additionally, we examined functional consequences of a ppk mutation, which severely reduces levels of intracellular polyphosphate. Extracts from ppk mutants contain lower levels of polysomes than wild‐type cells, suggesting a defect in mRNA utilization or the mRNA–ribosome interaction. Ribosomes from wild‐type and ppk mutant cells were isolated, and their activities were compared using a polyU RNA in vitro translation assay. While rates of polyphenylalanine synthesis are similar, use of ribosomes from ppk cells results in a misincorporation rate about five times higher compared with the rate observed when ribosomes from wild‐type cells are used. Mistranslation rates in vivo were measured directly, and ppk mutants displayed higher readthrough frequencies for two different stop codons. Taken together, these results indicate that polyphosphate plays an important role in maintaining optimal translation efficiency in vivo and in vitro.
Enterprise size matters: objectives and constraints of ERP adoption

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the discussion on enterprise resource planning (ERP) system adoption by investigating the relationship of enterprise size to the objectives and constraints of ERP adoption.Design/methodology/approach – In the paper, survey data, based on the responses of 44 companies, are analyzed, by dividing the companies into small, medium‐sized, and large enterprises; and comparing these groups, using statistical methods.Findings – The paper finds significant differences exist between small, medium‐sized and large enterprises regarding the objectives and constraints of ERP system adoption. While small enterprises experience more knowledge constraints, large enterprises are challenged by the changes imposed by ERP adoption. Further, large and medium‐sized enterprises are more outward‐oriented in ERP adoption than small enterprises. Business development, as opposed to mere efficiency improvement, while being the most prevalent objective for ERP adoption in all the .
Substance identification by quantitative characterization of oscillatory activity in murine spinal cord networks on microelectrode arrays

This paper presents a novel and comprehensive method to identify substances on the basis of electrical activity and is a substantial improvement for drug screening. The spontaneous activity of primary neuronal networks is influenced by neurotransmitters, ligands, and other substances in a similar fashion as known from in vivo pharmacology. However, quantitative methods for the identification of substances through their characteristic effects on network activity states have not yet been reported. We approached this problem by creating a database including native activity and five drug‐induced oscillatory activity states from extracellular multisite recordings from microelectrode arrays. The response profiles consisted of 30 activity features derived from the temporal distribution of action potentials, integrated burst properties, calculated coefficients of variation, and features of Gabor fits to autocorrelograms. The different oscillatory states were induced by blocking neurotransmitter receptors for: (i) GABAA; (ii) glycine; (iii) GABAA and glycine; (iv) all major synaptic types except AMPA, and (v) all major synapses except NMDA. To test the identification capability of the six substance‐specific response profiles, five blind experiments were performed. The response features from the unknown substances were compared to the database using proximity measures using the normalized Euclidian distance to each activity state. This process created six identification coefficients where the smallest correctly identified the unknown substances. Such activity profiles are expected to become substance‐specific ‘finger prints’ that classify unique responses to known and unknown substances. It is anticipated that this kind of approach will help to quantify pharmacological responses of networks used as biosensors.
The prevalence, clinical correlates and treatment of apathy in Alzheimer's disease

The aim for this article is to review the frequency, clinical correlates and treatment of apathy in Alzheimer's disease. Apathy is currently defined as diminished motivation as expressed in poor goal-oriented behaviours and cognitions. A structured clinical interview and a specific set of diagnostic criteria to diagnose apathy in dementia have been recently validated. There are several valid and reliable scales to measure the severity of apathy in adults with neuropsychiatric disorders. Apathy is present in about 20% of patients with mild dementia and in 60% of those with severe dementia. Among patients with Alzheimer's disease, apathy is significantly associated with older age, the presence of depression, and more severe cognitive and functional deficits, and also predicts a faster cognitive and functional decline. The mechanism of apathy in neuropsychiatric disorders is still unknown, but several studies suggest an important role for frontal lobe and basal ganglia dysfunction. There are no specific randomized controlled trials of psychoactive compounds to treat apathy in neuropsychiatric disorders. Evidence from case reports and small case series suggest the usefulness of psychostimulants to treat apathy in traumatic brain injury, whereas pharmacological trials for behavioural and psychological problems in dementia suggest that anticholinesterases may have some efficacy.
TO COMPARE THE EFFECTS OF COMPUTER BASED LEARNING AND THE LABORATORY BASED LEARNING ON STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENT REGARDING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

In this study, the research problem was: “Is the computer based physics instruction as effective as laboratory intensive physics instruction with regards to academic success on electric circuits 9 th grade students? ” For this research of experimental quality the design of pre-test and post-test are applied with an experiment and a control group. The data are collected by “Computer Laboratory Interest Survey (CLIS)”, “Physics Laboratory Interest Survey (PLIS)”, “Electrical Circuits Success Test (ECST)”. For the analyses of the data, the arithmetic mean, the standard deviation, dependent and independent t-tests are used. At the end of the study it is seen that there does not exist a significant difference between the instruction in laboratory and the instruction with computer to influence the success of the students. Thereby, it can be concluded that the computer based learning is as effective as the laboratory based learning on students’ achievement.
Pollen deposition by Bombus terrestris L, between male-fertile and male-sterile plants in Vicia faba L

L'etude portait sur le transfert de pollen et plus particulierement sur les sequences de depots de pollen par Bombus terrestris, d'une lignee mâle fertile (D-27) a une lignee mâle sterile (INRA Ad 23) de Vicia faba. Le dispositif experimental constitue de plantes sous des cages permettait de controler, pour chaque ouvriere, le nombre de fleurs fertiles visitees et de noter l'ordre de visite des fleurs steriles. Le nombre de grains de pollen fertile etait evalue apres coloration d'Alexander. Les analyses statistiques realisees par des procedures de Monte-Carlo ont montre leur interet pour l'etude des problemes d'autocorrelation entre fleurs et de distribution du pollen