Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geobacter sulfurreducens’ Unique Metabolism Results in Cells with a High Iron and Lipid Content

Geobacter sulfurreducens is an electroactive microorganism. In nature, it grows on metallic minerals by transferring electrons to them, effectively “breathing” metals. ABSTRACT Geobacter sulfurreducens is a ubiquitous iron-reducing bacterium in soils, and in engineered systems, it can respire an electrode to produce measurable electric current. Its unique metabolism, heavily dependent on an extensive network of cytochromes, requires a unique cell composition. In this work, we used metallomics, cell fraction and elemental analyses, and transcriptomics to study and analyze the cell composition of G. sulfurreducens. Elemental composition studies (C, H, O, N, and ash content) showed high C:O and H:O ratios of approximately 1.7:1 and 0.25:1, indicative of more reduced cell composition that is consistent with high lipid content. Our study shows that G. sulfurreducens cells have a large amount of iron (2 ± 0.2 μg/g dry weight) and lipids (32 ± 0.5% dry weight/dry weight) and that this composition does not change whether the cells are grown with a soluble or an insoluble electron acceptor. The high iron concentration, higher than similar microorganisms, is attributed to the production of cytochromes that are abundant in transcriptomic analyses in both solid and soluble electron acceptor growth. The unique cell composition of G. sulfurreducens must be considered when growing this microorganism for lab studies and commercial applications. IMPORTANCE Geobacter sulfurreducens is an electroactive microorganism. In nature, it grows on metallic minerals by transferring electrons to them, effectively “breathing” metals. In a manmade system, it respires an electrode to produce an electric current. It has become a model organism for the study of electroactive organisms. There are potential biotechnological applications of an organism that can bridge the gap between biology and electrical signal and, as a ubiquitous iron reducer in soils around the world, G. sulfurreducens has an impact on the global iron cycle. We measured the concentrations of metals, macromolecules, and basic elements in G. sulfurreducens to define this organism’s composition. We also used gene expression data to discuss which proteins those metals could be associated with. We found that G. sulfurreducens has a large amount of lipid and iron compared to other bacteria—these observations are important for future microbiologists and biotechnologists working with the organism.
A 12-Bit 1 GS/s RF Sampling Pipeline-SAR ADC With Harmonic Injecting Cross-Coupled Pair Achieving 7.5 fj/Conv-Step

We present an RF sampling 1 GS/s 12-bit single-channel successive approximation register (SAR) assisted pipeline analog to digital converter (ADC). A novel Harmonic-injecting Cross-Coupled Pair (HXCP) is proposed in a $\text{G}_{\text {m}}$ -R based residue amplifier design as a critical part of the presented ADC. This technique overcomes the challenges in designing analog amplifiers using advanced nanometer CMOS processes and achieves the gain and linearity required for the ADC. By implementing the HXCP in a residue amplifier (RA), the proposed technique successfully improves the RA linearity by at least 10 dB and meanwhile boosts the gain of the RA to be about 8. The entire ADC consists of three stages each with 4-bit, 4-bit, and 6-bit, respectively. Two one-bit interstage redundancies are implemented between the three stages. Various techniques are also implemented to help the ADC achieve the targeted speed and resolution. The presented ADC was implemented in a 28nm CMOS process and achieves an ERBW of 1 GHz, an SNDR of 60.7 dB, an SFDR of 73 dB at Nyquist input (495 MHz) and an SFDR of 82 dB at 1 GHz input. A 7.5 fj/conv-step FoMw and a 169.4 dB FoMs are achieved, which demonstrate one of the best Figure of Merits (FoMs) among ADCs of similar speed and resolution.
Microbial & Biochemical Comparative Efficacy of Potassium Salts Against Soil-borne and Air-borne Fungi and Their Ability to Suppress Tomato Wilt and Fruit Rots

Potassium sorbate (PS), potassium bicarbonate (PB) and dipotassium hydrogenphosphate (DPHP) were assessed for their antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL), F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL), F. solani , Verticillium dahliae (VD), Rhizoctonia solani , Colletotrichum coccodes , Pythium aphanidermatum , Sclerotinia sclerotiorum , Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria solani . They were screened for their ability to suppress Verticillium and Fusarium wilts, and Fusarium Crown and Root Rot (FCRR), for their effects on tomato growth, and for their potential control of Botrytis, Alternaria, Rhizoctonia and Anthracnose fruit rots. PS (0.25-1.5%), DPHP (0.1-0.6 M) and PB (0.1-0.6 M) inhibited fungal growth in a concentration-dependent manner, with the greatest inhibition achieved using the highest concentrations. Inter specific variations in sensitivity were detected with P. aphanidermatum , S. Sclerotiorum and B. cinerea being the most sensitive to all salts. Single treatments using PS (0.25%), PB (50 mM) and DPHP (50 mM) resulted in varied degree of protection against wilts. PS led to 50, 78.26 and 65% lower wilt severity as respectively compared to VD-, FOL- and FORL-inoculated controls . PS had significantly increased plant height, root and aerial part fresh weights by 20.61, 30.76 and 33.02%, respectively, compared to FORL-inoculated plants and had improved r oot fresh weight by 42.18 and 32.87% compared to FOL-and VD- inoculated plants, respectively. PB-based treatment led to 60.86 and 30% lower Fusarium wilt and FCRR severity but did not suppress Verticillium wilt. DPHP suppressed only Fusarium wilt by 65.21% . Used as fruit treatment, DPHP and PS significantly decreased Botrytis, Rhizoctonia, Alternaria and Anthracnose fruit rots by 46.68 and 30.81%, 14.04 and 15.74%, 20 and 31.67%, and 19.17 and 25.24%, respectively, compared to inoculated and untreated controls. PB-based treatment resulted in 12.83% significantly lower Rhizoctonia fruit rot. These results showed that PS may be used as potential abiotic agent for successfully controlling fungal tomato diseases.
On the use of sensorimotor coordinations for intuitive and ecological robotic assistance to gesture

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. On the use of sensorimotor coordinations for intuitive and ecological robotic assistance to gesture Nathanaël Jarrassé
REGULATION OF MYC AND ITS LOCALIZATION TO HISTONE LOCUS BODY IN DROSOPHILA

ABID KHAN. Regulation of Myc and its localization to Histone Locus Body in Drosophila. (Under the direction of DR. JULIE GOODLIFFE) Myc is a transcriptional factor required for normal growth and development in vertebrates and invertebrates alike. Loss of function mutations in Myc can cause embryonic lethality in mammals and larval death in flies whereas an increase in its activity can lead to tumorigenesis. Therefore, proper regulation of Myc is very important to ensure normal development. Regulation of Myc occurs by several context specific mechanisms. One such mechanism is the negative feedback autoregulation of Myc and this mechanism is lost in all tumorigenic cell lines. Like its mammalian homolog, the Drosophila Myc (dMyc) undergoes autoregulation in the presence of an ectopic myc gene leading to a Myc null phenotype. Polycomb (Pc), a chromatin binding repressor is required for Myc autoregulation. Upon Pc knockdown, levels of Su(z)2, a Pc group related protein increase significantly, suggesting that Pc represses Su(z)2. We show here that ectopic Su(z)2 can interfere with Myc autorepression and restore endogenous Myc levels as well as rescue larval lethality caused due to Myc autorepression. Su(z)2 does not however, affect general repression by Myc suggesting that repression of myc locus occurs by a different mechanism. During this study we observed that Myc protein forms distinct puncta in certain tissues. Upon investigating we found that these Myc ―spots‖ localize to sub-nuclear organelles known as Histone Locus Body (HLB). HLBs are histone pre-mRNA processing centers formed at histone gene locus. We show here that Myc localizes to the HLBs only during S phase. Since hisones are transcribed only during S phase we hypothesize that Myc aids in histone transcription, a novel role for Myc.
Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Registration of Increased Risk of Brain Cancer after the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis

Background: We studied the cancer comorbidity of 18,212 Danish Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods: Using data from the Danish National Patient Registry we identified all persons with a first-time MS diagnosis during 1980-2013. Cancer outcomes of the study cohort were ascertained using diagnoses from the Danish Cancer Registry. Patients with cancer prior to MS were excluded. We computed standardized incidence ratios with 95% confidence intervals calculated as the number of observed cancers relative to the expected based on national incidence rates by sex, age and calendar year. Results: All sites of cancers in the CNS were significantly increased, namely cancers of 1) membrane of the brain and spinal meninges, 2) brain, as well as 3) spinal cord, cranial nerves and central nervous system. MS is a disease of the CNS, and the 3 CNS cancer groups were individually significant. Several other cancers were also increased, namely 1) overall cancer, 2) urinary bladder cancer, 3) metastases and non-specified cancer in lymph nodes and 4) basal cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Multiple sclerosis is associated with increased registration of a range of cancers, in particular in the period following debut of MS. The results may be due to detection bias and misregistration. Finally, the results could be due to confounding.
Molecular dynamics studies of peptide-membrane interactions : insights from coarse-grained models

Peptide-membrane interactions play an important role in a number of biological processes, such as antimicrobial defence mechanisms, viral translocation, membrane fusion and functions of membrane proteins. In particular, amphipathic α-helical peptides comprise a large family of membrane-active peptides that could exhibit a broad range of biological activities. A membrane, interacting with an amphipathic α-helical peptide, may experience a number of possible structural transitions, including stretching, reorganization of lipid molecules, formation of defects, transient and stable pores, formation of vesicles, endoand pinocytosis and other phenomena. Naturally, theoretical and experimental studies of these interactions have been an intense on-going area of research. However, complete understanding of the relationship between the structure of the peptide and the mechanism of interaction it induces, as well as molecular details of this process, still remain elusive. Lack of this knowledge is a key challenge in our efforts to elucidate some of the biological functions of membrane active peptides or to design peptides with tailored functionalities that can be exploited in drug delivery or antimicrobial strategies.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of milk production in Brazil Dinâmica espaço-temporal da produção de leite no Brasil

Milk production is concentrated in the state of Minas Gerais and Southern Brazil. Brazil has 118 microregions and 1,238 municipalities specialize in milk production. Approximately 20% of the microregions in Brazil specialize in milk production. More than 22% of Brazilian municipalities specialize in milk production. Technological overflow occurred among the milk-producing regions in Brazil. Abstract The milk production chain has relevance for the Brazilian economy, generating jobs and income. In addition, milk production, because of family-based farms, has an important social function. However, milk production is spatially heterogeneous in Brazil, especially due to the different technological patterns of production. In this context, the objective of this study was to verify the spatio-temporal distribution and dynamics of milk production in Brazil. For this purpose, milk production in Brazil in 2000 and 2016 was analyzed. The Brazilian microregions that specialize in milk production were identified using location quotient (LQ). An exploratory analysis of spatial data and Moran’s I were used to measure spatial autocorrelation among regions. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess the grouping relationships of variables as a function of the regions that specialize in milk production. Between 2000 and 2016, there was a decrease in the number of microregions that specialize in milk production. Thus, in 2016, approximately 20% of the microregions and over 22% of Brazilian municipalities specialized in milk production. The microregions and municipalities that specialize in milk production were concentrated mainly in the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás and in the Southern region of Brazil. There was an increase in milk productivity in all regions of the country, especially in those regions where production was concentrated. The formation of high-high clusters was found in the most productive regions of the country, i.e., in the South and Southeast, where the effects of technological spillover were observed, and the formation of low-low clusters was observed in the less productive regions, i.e., in the North and Northeast. Two main components were formed. The first component aggregated variables related to milk production in volume, and the second component aggregated variables inherent to productivity. It was possible to verify the recent growth in milk production and productivity in the country as well as to demonstrate the heterogeneity in production. Although there was a decrease in the number of microregions and municipalities that specialize in milk production, there was a concentration and increase in milk production and productivity in Brazil. Heterogeneidade.
Multiple Restrictions of Human Immunodeﬁciency Virus Type 1 in Feline Cells (cid:1)

The productive replication of human immunodeﬁciency virus type 1 (HIV-1) occurs exclusively in deﬁned cells of human or chimpanzee origin, explaining why heterologous animal models for HIV replication, pathogenesis, vaccination, and therapy are not available. This lack of an animal model for HIV-1 studies prompted us to examine the susceptibility of feline cells in order to evaluate the cat ( Felis catus ) as an animal model for studying HIV-1. Here, we report that feline cell lines harbor multiple restrictions with respect to HIV-1 replication. The feline CD4 receptor does not permit virus infection. Feline T-cell lines MYA-1 and FeT-1C showed postentry restrictions resulting in low HIV-1 luciferase reporter activity and low expression of viral Gag-Pol proteins when pseudotyped vectors were used. Feline ﬁbroblastic CrFK and KE-R cells, expressing human CD4 and CCR5, were very permissive for viral entry and HIV-long terminal repeat-driven expression but failed to support spreading infection. KE-R cells displayed a profound block with respect to release of HIV-1
Platelet-derived microRNA-223 attenuates TNF-α induced monocytes adhesion to arterial endothelium by targeting ICAM-1 in Kawasaki disease

Background Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis that may result in permanent coronary artery damage with unknown etiology. Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction and platelet hyperactivity are the hallmarks of KD. Platelets are involved in the development of endothelial dysfunction. MiR-223 transferred by platelet microparticles (PMPs) has been found to involve in the functional regulation of endothelial cells in sepsis. However, the role of platelet-derived miR-223 in endothelial dysfunction has not yet been investigated in KD. Objectives We seek to investigate the role of platelet-derived miR-223 in endothelial dysfunction of KD vasculopathy. Methods and results Forty-five acute KD patients and 45 matched controls were randomly recruited in the study. When co-cultured with human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), KD platelets with higher levels of miR-223 were incorporated into HCAECs, resulting in the horizontal transfer of miR-223. Using KD platelets, PMPs, and platelet-releasate from the same amount of blood co-cultured with HCAECs, we found the increased expression of miR-223 in HCAECs was primarily derived from KD platelets, rather than PMPs or free miRNAs from platelet- releasate. KD platelet-derived miR-223 attenuated TNF-α induced intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in HCAECs. KD platelet-derived miR-223 also suppressed the monocyte adhesion to HCAECs. In vivo, platelet-specific miR-223 knockout (PF4-cre: miR-223flox/flox) C57BL/6 mice and miR-223flox/flox C57BL/6 mice were used. Using Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE) to establish KD murine model, we showed that in LCWE-injected PF4-cre: miR-223flox/flox mice, deficiency of platelet-miR-223 exacerbates the medial thickening of the abdominal aorta, increased ICAM-1 expression with concomitant CD45+ inflammatory cells infiltration into the endothelium compared to LCWE-injected miR-223flox/flox mice. Conclusions The horizontal transfer of platelet-derived miR-223 suppresses the expression of ICAM-1 in HCAECs, which at least in part attenuates leukocyte adhesion, thereby reducing endothelial damage in KD vasculitis
Gazing the dusty mirror: Joint effect of narcissism and sadism on workplace incivility via indirect effect of paranoia, antagonism, and emotional intelligence

Workplace productivity is badly affected by many negative factors such as narcissism, and sadism. In addition, paranoia and antagonism play an important role in increasing workplace incivility. Through emotional intelligence, such negative behaviors could be addressed by managers and their junior colleagues. The current study aims to investigate the parallel mediating role of paranoia, antagonism, and emotional intelligence on the relationship between narcissism, sadism, and workplace incivility. A survey approach was used. Primary data was collected in PLS-SEM. The population of the study was all faculty members in higher education institutions in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan) region. A measurement model and structural model were developed. The measurement model demonstrated that convergent and discriminant validities were established. The structural model's findings revealed that narcissism, antagonism, and emotional intelligence were not mediated between narcissism and workplace incivility. Similarly, emotional intelligence did not play any mediating role between sadism and workplace incivility. This implied that emotional intelligence has no role in decreasing or reducing workplace uncivil behavior.
The role of osteocalcin in regulation of glycolipid metabolism and muscle function in children with osteogenesis imperfecta

Objective Osteoblasts are discovered to secrete hormones with endocrine effects on metabolism, and osteocalcin (OC) is the most abundant non-collagenous protein in bone. We investigate the relationship between serum OC levels and glycolipid metabolism and muscle function in children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Methods A total of 225 children with OI and 80 healthy controls matched in age and gender were included in this single center study. Serum levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, HDL-C) were measured by automated analyzers. Serum levels of fasting insulin (FINS) were measured using an automated electrochemiluminescence system. Serum levels of OC and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Grip strength and timed-up-and-go (TUG) test were measured. Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results OI patients had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), FBG, and HOMA-IR, but lower HDL-C levels, lower grip strength and longer TUG than control group (all P<0.05). Serum OC, ucOC levels, and ucOC/OC in OI type III patients were significantly lower than those in OI patients with type I and IV. Serum levels of OC, ucOC, and ucOC/OC were negatively correlated to BMI, FBG, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR (all P<0.05). The ratio of ucOC/OC was positively correlated to grip strength (r=0.512, P=0.036), lean mass percentage (%LM) of the total body and limbs, and negatively correlated to fat mass percentage (%FM) of the total body, %FM and fat mass index (FMI) of the trunk (all P<0.05). Conclusions Obesity, glucolipid metabolic abnormalities, and reduced grip strength were common in children with OI. Circulating osteocalcin and ucOC may play an important role in the regulation of glucose metabolism, as well as the muscle function of children with OI.
Factors related to sustainable employment of people with acquired brain injury or spinal cord injury: The employer's perspective

Background Of those people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) or spinal cord injury (SCI) who initially successfully returned to paid employment, some exit the workforce before reaching official retirement age. Employers play a central role in ensuring a sustainable work situation for employees with a disability and in preventing such exits. However, the factors and mechanisms involved from the employer's perspective are still poorly understood. Purpose The purpose was to determine factors which, from employer's perspective, have a particularly positive or negative influence on sustainable employment of people with ABI or SCI. Methods Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with employers of people with ABI or SCI and thematically analyzed. Results Identified factors could be assigned to four thematic areas for both health conditions: socio-demographic and psychological characteristics of the disabled person, their work performance, the work environment, and other social/environmental conditions. Good disability self-management and proactive communication of needs on the part of the employee are contributing factors to long-term employment from the employer's perspective. Differing expectations and assessments of work performance by employees and employers pose a challenge. Employers feel a responsibility to provide an optimal work environment to allow the employee with a disability to reach his or her full potential. This includes appropriate work tasks, development opportunities, a compassionate work team, flexible work arrangements, providing resources to address specific needs, and an inclusive culture. Employers find the support provided by occupational specialists very helpful, as they often lack the knowledge to design the work environment to meet the person's needs. Conclusions Employers emphasize the benefits of professional support during vocational rehabilitation to prepare employers and employees for long-term, sustainable employment. Such support is often lacking when changes and problems occur at a later stage. Therefore, people with a disability should be able to communicate their work-related needs and take charge of their own health so that problems that arise can be addressed as early as possible. Continued awareness of the environment is also beneficial. In addition, the expansion of low-threshold health-specific support services for long-term problems was found to be of great importance for employers in Switzerland.