Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Aftiphilin/p200/γ-Synergin Complex

Aftiphilin is a protein that was recently identified in database searches for proteins with motifs that interact with AP-1 and clathrin, but its function is unknown. Here we demonstrate that aftiphilin has a second, atypical clathrin binding site, YQW, that colocalizes with AP-1 by immunofluorescence, and that is enriched in clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs), confirming that it is a bona fide component of the CCV machinery. By gel filtration, aftiphilin coelutes with two other AP-1 binding partners, p200a and γ-synergin. Antibodies against any one of these three proteins immunoprecipitate the other two, and knocking down any of the three proteins by siRNA causes a reduction in the levels of the other two, indicating that they form a stable complex. Like AP-1–depleted cells, aftiphilin-depleted cells missort a CD8-furin chimera and the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D. However, whereas AP-1–depleted cells recycle endocytosed transferrin more slowly than untreated cells, aftiphilin-depleted cells accumulate endocytosed transferrin in a peripheral compartment and recycle it more rapidly. These observations show that in general, the aftiphilin/p200/γ-synergin complex facilitates AP-1 function, but the complex may have additional functions as well, because of the opposing effects of the two knockdowns on transferrin recycling.
On prediction of the mold fungus formation probability on critical building components in residential dwellings

SUMMARY In buildings, favorable growing conditions for mold fungi can occur and cause fungus infestation. The danger for the occupants of dwellings lies in the spreading of pathogens through microorganisms. Mold fungi can occur not only on the surface of external walls, but also inside construction parts. A prerequisite for preventing mold fungus is the knowledge of the transient building physical boundary conditions under which fungus growth takes place. The decisive parameters of influence like temperature, humidity and substrate have to be available over a certain period of time simultaneously. Presently common evaluation methods do not take into account the transient physical boundary conditions or lack information on mold fungi species and their favorable growing conditions. The problem is uniquely suited for analysis by a numerical simulation model that accounts for coupled heat, air and moisture transport. A Combined Heat, Air, Moisture and Pollutants Simulation (CHAMPS) model has been supplemented by features to account for the local climate next to the internal surface of the building parts (micro climate) which is essential for predicting the formation of mold fungus under realistic climatic conditions. The paper presents recent advances in CHAMPS modeling as implementation of boundary layer equations for a wall-room coupling and a study on extension to multi-zone simulation.
DiDi Labs’ End-to-end System for the IWSLT 2020 Offline Speech TranslationTask

This paper describes the system that was submitted by DiDi Labs to the offline speech translation task for IWSLT 2020. We trained an end-to-end system that translates audio from English TED talks to German text, without producing intermediate English text. We use the S-Transformer architecture and train using the MuSTC dataset. We also describe several additional experiments that were attempted, but did not yield improved results.
Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) demography in central Massachusetts

From 1991 to 1993 we radio-collared and monitored 50 porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) in central Massachusetts to obtain estimates of survival and reproduction, and applied these estimates to a model of porcupine population dynamics to estimate the annual rate of change (A). The annual survival rate for all adult (> 1 year old) porcupines was 0.67 f 0.07 (mean f SE). Survival was higher, but not significantly so (P = 0.22), for adult females (0.74 f 0.08) than for adult males (0.56 + 0.12). Adult porcupines died of starvation (annual mortality rate 0.08), injuries (0.05), interactions with humans (0.04), and disease (0.05) but not predation. Annual survival of juveniles ( 2 years old, determined by sightings of young near females, lactation, and pregnancy status as determined by ultrasound, were 0.64 in 1992 and 0.62 in 1993. Incorporation of maximum and minimum values of demographic parameters from this study and from the literature into population models indicated a decreasing porcupine population. RCsumC : De 1991 a 1993, nous avons suivi 50 Porcs-Cpics (Erethizon dorsatum) munis d'un collier Cmetteur, dans le centre du Massachusetts, avec l'intention d'obtenir des estimations de leur survie et de leur reproduction et d'appliquer ces estimations a un modkle de dynamique de population permettant d'Cvaluer le taux annuel de changement (A). Le taux annuel de survie de tous les adultes (> 1 an) a CtC estimC a 0,67 f 0,07 (moyenne f erreur type). La survie Ctait plus ClevCe, mais pas significativement (P = 0,22), chez les femelles adultes (0,74 f 0,08) que chez les miles adultes (0,56 + 0,12). Les adultes sont morts d'inanition (taux annuel de mortalit6 0,08), de blessures (0,05), d'interactions avec des humains (0,04) ou de maladies (0,05), mais n'ont pas CtC victimes de predation. La survie annuelle des jeunes (< 1 an) se situait entre une valeur minimale de 0,37 en 1992 et une valeur maximale de 0,39 en 1993. Certains indices, l'observation de petits autour des femelles, l'allaitement, ou la grossesse dCcelCe par ultra-sons, ont permis l'estimation des taux minimaux de mise bas chez les femelles de plus de 2 ans porteuses d'un collier; ces taux ont CtC estimCs a 0,64 en 1992 et a 0,62 en 1993. L'incorportion aux modkles dCmographiques des valeurs maximale et minimale des variables dCmographiques obtenues au cours de cette Ctude et de celles obtenues par d'autres chercheurs indique que la population de porcs-Cpics est en dCclin. (Traduit par la Redaction)
Frequent copy number gains of SLC2A3 and ETV1 in testicular embryonal carcinomas

Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) appear as different histological subtypes or mixtures of these. They show similar, multiple DNA copy number changes, where gain of 12p is pathognomonic. However, few high-resolution analyses have been performed and focal DNA copy number changes with corresponding candidate target genes remain poorly described for individual subtypes. We present the first high-resolution DNA copy number aberration (CNA) analysis on the subtype embryonal carcinomas (ECs), including 13 primary ECs and 5 EC cell lines. We identified recurrent gains and losses and allele-specific CNAs. Within these regions, we nominate 30 genes that may be of interest to the EC subtype. By in silico analysis of data from 150 TGCTs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we further investigated CNAs, RNA expression, somatic mutations and fusion transcripts of these genes. Among primary ECs, ploidy ranged between 2.3 and 5.0, and the most common aberrations were DNA copy number gains at chromosome (arm) 7, 8, 12p, and 17, losses at 4, 10, 11, and 18, replicating known TGCT genome characteristics. Gain of whole or parts of 12p was found in all samples, including a highly amplified 100 kbp segment at 12p13.31, containing SLC2A3. Gain at 7p21, encompassing ETV1, was the second most frequent aberration. In conclusion, we present novel CNAs and the genes located within these regions, where the copy number gain of SLC2A3 and ETV1 are of interest, and which copy number levels also correlate with expression in TGCTs.
Regulation of smooth muscle contraction by monomeric non‐RhoA GTPases

Smooth muscle contraction in the cardiovascular system, airways, prostate and lower urinary tract is involved in the pathophysiology of many diseases, including cardiovascular and obstructive lung disease plus lower urinary tract symptoms, which are associated with high prevalence of morbidity and mortality. This prominent clinical role of smooth muscle tone has led to the molecular mechanisms involved being subjected to extensive research. In general smooth muscle contraction is promoted by three major signalling pathways, including the monomeric GTPase RhoA pathway. However, emerging evidence suggests that monomeric GTPases other than RhoA may be involved in signal transduction in smooth muscle contraction, including Rac GTPases, cell division control protein 42 homologue, adenosine ribosylation factor 6, Ras, Rap1b and Rab GTPases. Here, we review these emerging functions of non‐RhoA GTPases in smooth muscle contraction, which has now become increasingly more evident and constitutes an emerging and innovative research area of high clinical relevance.
In vitro anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity of different fractions of Artemisia armeniaca

Anti-proliferative properties have been reported for certain species of the genus Artemisia.In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of n-hexane, CH2Cl2, EtOAc, n-BuOH and H2O fractions obtained from a crude methanol extract of A. armeniaca on two myeloid cell lines, apoptosis-proficient HL60 cells and apoptosis-resistant K562 cells; in addition, J774 cells were used as a control. Among the solvent fractions of A. armeniaca, the CH2Cl2 fraction was found to have the largest anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells. The IC50 values obtained using an MTS assay for the CH2Cl2 fraction were 75 and 130 µg/ml for HL-60 cells and K562, respectively. The control cells were not significantly affected by this fraction. A flow cytometry histogram of cells treated with the CH2Cl2 fraction of A. armeniacarevealed a sub-G1 peak. DNA fragmentation, increased protein levels of Bax and cleavage of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein confirmed the induction of apoptosis in cells after a 48-h exposure to the CH2Cl2 fraction. Our results corroborate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the CH2Cl2 fraction of A. armeniaca on K562 and HL-60 cancer cell lines.
The natural prey of larvae of the damselfly, Ischnura elegans (Odonata: Zygoptera)

SUMMARY. A method for determining the prey of a damselfly larva under natural conditions is described, with its shortcomings. Within the limits of the method, it would appear that Ischnura elegans consumes different prey items in roughly the same proportions as their occurrence in the field. Anomalous results are explained in terms of differences in encounter rates between predator and prey and/or ease with which prey can be handled.
Habits and self-efficacy moderate the effects of intentions and planning on physical activity.

OBJECTIVES Behavioural intentions as well as action planning can facilitate the adoption and maintenance of physical activity under certain conditions. The present study examined levels of plan-specific self-efficacy and habit strength as possible conditions that may modify this relationship. DESIGN As a secondary analysis of a larger randomized trial to improve physical activity, n = 225 recipients of a planning intervention were followed up at five measurement points over one year. METHODS Two-level models were fit. Within-person levels, that is, fluctuations of intention and action planning around person means, were modelled to predict self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Moreover, between-person, that is, average person, levels of self-efficacy and habit strength were specified as putative moderators of this relationship. RESULTS The within-person intention-activity relationship was moderated by between-person levels of habit strength, yielding a compensatory effect: higher-than-usual intention predicted physical activity only when average activity habit levels were low. The within-person planning-activity relationship was moderated by between-person levels of self-efficacy, yielding a synergistic effect: higher-than-usual planning combined with high average self-efficacy resulted in highest physical activity levels. CONCLUSION Higher-than-usual intention may only be required in the presence of low activity habits. Moreover, high self-efficacy seems to be required to translate higher-than-usual action planning into augmented physical activity because self-efficacious individuals may invest more efforts to enact their plans.
Hearing loss in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses‐1 and ‐6 after hematopoietic cell transplantation: A longitudinal analysis

Hearing loss is frequently seen in mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) patients. Although hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) increases overall survival, disease progression is observed in certain tissues. This study describes the course of hearing loss (HL) over time in transplanted MPS patients. Transplanted MPS patients between 2003 and 2018 were included and received yearly audiological evaluation, including auditory brainstem response (ABR) or pure tone audiometry (PTA). Twenty‐eight MPS‐1 and four MPS‐6 patients were analyzed with a median follow‐up of 5 years (range 11 months–16 years). Air conduction threshold improved significantly over time (P < .001) with a PTA 1‐year post‐HCT of 50 ± 0.7 dB to 23 ± 11 dB 13 years post‐HCT. Bone conduction threshold worsened with a PTA 1 year post‐HCT of 10 ± 7 dB to 18 ± 9 dB 13 years post‐HCT (P = .34). The degree of HL varied from mainly mild‐severe early after HCT to normal‐mild at longer follow‐up. The type of HL consisted of mainly conductive in the first years post‐HCT in contrast to mainly sensorineural at longer follow‐up. MRIs of the cerebellopontine angle did not show abnormalities. HL is still seen in patients with MPS despite HCT and consists of a conductive type early after HCT in contrast to a sensorineural type at longer follow‐up in the majority of cases. Yearly follow‐up of HL is necessary to timely intervene, as hearing is important in the speech and language development of children and their academic achievements.
Multi-Color Enhanced Fluorescence Imaging of a Breast Cancer Cell with A Hole-Arrayed Plasmonic Chip

Breast cancer cells of MDA-MB-231 express various types of membrane proteins in the cell membrane. In this study, two types of membrane proteins in MDA-MB-231 cells were observed using a plasmonic chip with an epifluorescence microscope. The targeted membrane proteins were epithelial cell adhesion molecules (EpCAMs) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and Alexa®488-EGFR antibody and allophycocyanin (APC)-labeled EpCAM antibody were applied to the fluorescent detection. The plasmonic chip used in this study is composed of a two-dimensional hole-array structure, which is expected to enhance the fluorescence at different resonance wavelengths due to two kinds of grating pitches in a square side and a diagonal direction. As a result of multi-color imaging, the enhancement factor of Alexa®488-EGFR and APC-EpCAM was 13 ± 2 and 12 ± 2 times greater on the plasmonic chip, respectively. The excited wavelength or emission wavelength of each fluorescent agent is due to consistency with plasmon resonance wavelength in the hole-arrayed chip. The multi-color fluorescence images of breast cancer cells were improved by the hole-arrayed plasmonic chip.
Birth seasonality and offspring production in threatened neotropical primates related to climate

Given the threatened status of many primate species, the impacts of global warming on primate reproduction and, consequently, population growth should be of concern. We examined relations between climatic variability and birth seasonality, offspring production, and infant sex ratios in two ateline primates, northern muriquis, and woolly monkeys. In both species, the annual birth season was delayed by dry conditions and El Niño years, and delayed birth seasons were linked to lower birth rates. Additionally, increased mean annual temperatures were associated with lower birth rates for northern muriquis. Offspring sex ratios varied with climatic conditions in both species, but in different ways: directly in woolly monkeys and indirectly in northern muriquis. Woolly monkeys displayed an increase in the proportion of males among offspring in association with El Niño events, whereas in northern muriquis, increases in the proportion of males among offspring were associated with delayed onset of the birth season, which itself was related, although weakly, to warm, dry conditions. These results illustrate that global warming, increased drought frequency, and changes in the frequency of El Niño events could limit primate reproductive output, threatening the persistence and recovery of ateline primate populations.
Age-based mate choice improves reproductive performance and offspring attributes in parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract The present study was designed to investigate the influence of mate choice in terms of age on reproductive performance and offspring attributes of parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Age-based mate choice was most evident in the middle-aged adults. Results revealed that middle-aged males and females were significantly preferred as mates by their middle-aged counterparts. Younger and older females did not show any preference for males of any age group. On the other hand, younger males showed a bias against old females, while older ones did not show any age-based preference for mates. Both fecundity and percent egg viability were significantly influenced by female and male age, respectively. Fecundity was highest in middle-aged females followed by young- and old-aged ones, with similar trend observed in relation to male age effects on egg viability. The development and survival of immature stages borne out of mate choice decisions of adults was influenced by mother's age. Offspring of middle-aged females developed fastest and survived longer than those of younger and older ones. Résumé Notre étude cherche à déterminer l'influence du choix du partenaire en fonction de l’âge sur la performance reproductive et les attributs des rejetons chez la chrysomèle de la paternelle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Le choix du partenaire en fonction de l’âge est le plus manifeste chez les adultes d’âge médian. Nos résultats indiquent que les mâles et les femelles d’âge médian sont choisis significativement de manière préférentielle par leurs homologues d’âge médian. Les femelles plus jeunes et plus âgées ne montrent aucune préférence pour les mâles d'un groupe d’âge particulier. En revanche, les mâles plus jeunes font de la discrimination contre les femelles âgées, alors que les mâles plus vieux ne montrent aucune préférence pour leurs partenaires en fonction de l’âge. Tant la fécondité que le pourcentage de viabilité des œufs sont affectés par l’âge, respectivement des femelles et des mâles. La fécondité est maximale chez les femelles d’âge médian suivies des femelles jeunes et des femelles âgées; une tendance semblable se manifeste en ce qui a trait aux effets de l’âge des mâles sur la viabilité des œufs. Le développement et la survie des stades immatures en fonction des décisions du choix de partenaire par les adultes sont influencés par l’âge de la mère. Les rejetons des femelles d’âge médian se développent le plus rapidement et ils survivent plus longtemps que ceux des femelles plus jeunes ou plus âgées.
Importance of fire in influencing the occurrence of snakes in an upland region of arid Australia

In aridAustralia,changes to historic fire regimes may now produce more large-scale wildfire events.The impacts of these fires on fauna communities are poorly known. We sought to test the impacts of fire on the occurrence of two arid-zone snake species, the desert death adder (Acanthophis pyrrhus) and monk snake (Parasuta monachus), specialist inhabitants of hummock grassland and mulga shrubland, respectively.We also examined the influence of fire on the occurrence of a habitat generalist, the sympatric Stimson's python (Antaresia stimsoni). Under an Information-Theoretic framework we modelled the occurrence of each species with a range of habitat variables, including fire history, using logistic regression. As predicted, the two habitat specialists were more likely to be encountered at locations that had a lower percentage of surrounding area burnt in the most recent wildfires (2002), while fire variables failed to predict the occurrence of the habitat generalist. Acanthophis pyrrhus, already predisposed to endangerment through a suite of life-history characteristics, may be at increased risk through accidental and deliberate burning and fragmentation of old-growth hummock grasslands.We stress the importance of prescribed burning and natural fire breaks in maintaining areas of old-growth hummock grassland across the landscape.
The ventral attention network: the mirror of the language network in the right brain hemisphere

Resting‐state functional MRI (RfMRI) analyses have identified two anatomically separable fronto‐parietal attention networks in the human brain: a bilateral dorsal attention network and a right‐lateralised ventral attention network (VAN). The VAN has been implicated in visuospatial cognition and, thus, potentially in the unilateral spatial neglect associated with right hemisphere lesions. Its parietal, frontal and temporal endpoints are thought to be structurally supported by undefined white matter tracts. We investigated the white matter tract connecting the VAN. We used three approaches to study the structural anatomy of the VAN: (a) independent component analysis on RfMRI (50 subjects), defining the endpoints of the VAN, (b) tractography in the same 50 healthy volunteers, with regions of interest defined by the MNI coordinates of cortical areas involved in the VAN used in a seed‐based approach and (c) dissection, by Klingler’s method, of 20 right hemispheres, for ex vivo studies of the fibre tracts connecting VAN endpoints. The VAN includes the temporoparietal junction and the ventral frontal cortex. The endpoints of the superior longitudinal fasciculus in its third portion (SLF III) and the arcuate fasciculus (AF) overlap with the VAN endpoints. The SLF III connects the supramarginal gyrus to the ventral portion of the precentral gyrus and the pars opercularis. The AF connects the middle and inferior temporal gyrus and the middle and inferior frontal gyrus. We reconstructed the structural connectivity of the VAN and considered it in the context if the pathophysiology of unilateral neglect and right hemisphere awake brain surgery.
Relation of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus to thyroid cancer

Objective Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) generally experience a higher incidence of cancer. However, the association between T2DM and thyroid cancer is inconclusive. Methods Case-control prospective study, where 722 patients were screened for T2DM and prediabetes (PDM) and underwent thyroid ultrasound and biochemical tests. The patients were assigned to groups of PDM (n = 55), T2DM (n = 79) or a non-diabetes group (NDM) (n = 588). Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was carried out in 263 patients. Histological examinations were done for 109 patients after surgery, with findings of 52 benign (BS) and 57 malignant tumors (MS). Results Thirty-three percent of patients with T2DM and especially PDM were newly diagnosed by our screening: 6.5% with T2DM and 72% with PDM, respectively. The percentage of thyroid cancers did not significantly differ between the groups (χ2 test = 0.461; P = 0.794). Relevant positive thyroid predictors for T2DM (t-statistic = 25.87; P < 0.01) and PDM (21.69; P < 0.01) contrary to NDM (−26.9; P < 0.01) were thyroid volume (4.79; P < 0.01), thyroid nodule volume (3.25; P < 0.01) and multinodular thyroid gland (4.83; P < 0.01), while negative relevant predictors included the occurrence of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) (−2.01; P < 0.05). Conclusion In general, we did not observe an increased risk for thyroid cancer in the diabetic and prediabetic groups in comparison to controls, in spite of well-established increased risk for other malignancies. Structural and benign changes such as larger and multinodular thyroid glands, in comparison to autoimmune thyroid disease, are present more often in diabetics.