Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD5‐low expression lymphocytes in canine peripheral blood show characteristics of natural killer cells

NK cell markers and receptors have been discovered in many mammalian species, such as humans, mice, rats, pigs, and cows. However, there is still a lack of information concerning NK cell markers or receptors in canines. We have discovered that canine CD5‐low density (CD5lo) cells in PBL are closely associated with NK cell characteristics. CD5lo cells comprised 14.9 ± 6.68% of the total PBL. A high proportion of the CD5lo cell population expressed CD3 (96.6%), CD8α (77.7%), CD8β (53%), α/β TCR (83%), and CD11/18 (80%), but the expression of γ/δ TCR (6.5%), CD4 (10.6%), and CD21 (2.4%) was low. CD5lo cells were larger than CD5‐high density (CD5hi) cells. Light and electron microscopy revealed numerous large cytoplasmic granules in CD5lo cells, especially after IL‐2 stimulation, which was in contrast to CD5hi, in which intracytoplasmic granules were not frequently seen. After IL‐2 stimulation, CD5lo cells had significantly stronger NK cytotoxicity than CD5hi cells. CD5lo cells had much higher mRNA levels for NKG2D, CD16, CD94, CD160, perforin, and granzyme than CD5hi. Following IL‐2 stimulation, CD5lo cells had significantly higher mRNA levels of NKp30, NKp44, CD16, and CD94 than CD5hi cells. In addition, IL‐2‐stimulated, CD5lo‐depleted PBL showed a loss of NK cytotoxicity. CD5lo cells also showed significantly lower antigen‐specific cytotoxic T cell activity as compared with CD5hi cells. Taken together, the CD5lo subset in canine PBL is closely related to canine NK cells, and CD5lo can be used as a phenotypic marker for an IL‐2‐dependent canine NK cell enrichment.
Microbial processes driving coral reef organic carbon flow

Coral reefs are one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, with primary production rates compared to that of rain forests. Benthic organisms release 10-50% of their gross organic production as mucus that stimulates heterotrophic microbial metabolism in the water column. As a result, coral reef microbes grow up to 50 times faster than open ocean communities. Anthropogenic disturbances cause once coral-dominated reefs to become dominated by fleshy organisms, with several outcomes for trophic relationships. Here we review microbial processes implicated in organic carbon flux in coral reefs displaying species phase shifts. The first section presents microbial players and interactions within the coral holobiont that contribute to reef carbon flow. In the second section, we identify four ecosystem-level microbial features that directly respond to benthic species phase shifts: community composition, biomass, metabolism and viral predation. The third section discusses the significance of microbial consumption of benthic organic matter to reef trophic relationships. In the fourth section, we propose that the 'microbial phase shifts' discussed here are conducive to lower resilience, facilitating the transition to new degradation states in coral reefs.
An extended technology acceptance model in behavioral intention toward hotel tablet apps with moderating effects of gender and age

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether a customer’s perceptions of hotel tablet apps serve as determinants of customers’ behavioral intention in terms of the app’s ease of use, usefulness, credibility and subjective norm. It also explored age and gender as moderators of the relationships between these determinants and customers’ behavioral intention as well as customers’ likelihood of using specific app functions across age and gender. Design/methodology/approach A research model, grounded in the technology acceptance model (TAM), used data collected from 751 hotel customers in the USA. The model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Findings The results showed that three of the four proposed determinants positively influenced customers’ behavioral intention toward hotel tablet apps. Neither gender nor age played significant moderating roles in the relationships between the four determinants and the behavioral intention. The study also revealed age- and gender-related differences in preferences for specific hotel tablet app functions. Practical implications This study helps operators successfully plan for investing in and implementing hotel apps. It assists operators in developing effective marketing strategies by understanding factors influencing customers’ app adoption and between group differences in their preferences on app functions. Originality/value This is the first tablet app adoption study that extends TAM to the hotel industry. Thus, it extends the literature on technology adoption by exploring both existing and new variables and testing them in a new context.
The Amino-terminal Immunoglobulin-like Domain of Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule Binds Specifically to the Membrane-proximal Scavenger Receptor Cysteine-rich Domain of CD6 with a 1:1 Stoichiometry*

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) was recently identified as a ligand for CD6, a signaling receptor expressed on T cells, a subset of B cells, and some cells in the brain. Receptor-ligand binding assays, antibody blocking experiments, and examination of the tissue distribution of these two cell surface proteins suggest that CD6-ALCAM interactions play an important role in mediating the binding of thymocytes to thymic epithelial cells and of T cells to activated leukocytes. Presently, the details of CD6-ALCAM interactions and of signaling through CD6 are unknown. A series of truncated human ALCAM and CD6 immunoglobulin fusion proteins were produced and tested in different binding assays to analyze ALCAM-CD6 interactions in more detail. In this study, we report that the amino-terminal Ig-like domain of human ALCAM specifically binds to the third membrane-proximal scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domain of human CD6. Using thrombin-cleaved Ig fusion proteins containing single or multiple ALCAM or CD6 domains, we were able to determine that the stoichiometry of the interaction between the amino-terminal ALCAM domains and the membrane-proximal CD6 SRCR domain is 1:1. These results provide the first example of an Ig-like domain mediating an interaction with an SRCR domain.
Erratum for Walker et al., Full Genome of Phialocephala scopiformis DAOMC 229536, a Fungal Endophyte of Spruce Producing the Potent Anti-Insectan Compound Rugulosin

Author(s): Walker, Allison K; Frasz, Samantha L; Seifert, Keith A; Miller, J David; Mondo, Stephen J; LaButti, Kurt; Lipzen, Anna; Dockter, Rhyan B; Kennedy, Megan C; Grigoriev, Igor V; Spatafora, Joseph W | Abstract: © 2016 Walker et al. Volume 4, no. 1, e01768-15, 2016. Page 2: The final sentence in the Funding Information should read as follows. "This work was funded by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under grant DE-AC02-05CH11231".
Effect of Polymorphism of Apolipoprotein E and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Genes on Arterial Wall Thickness

We examined the association between the polymorphism of the apolipoprotein E (apoE) and the ACE genes and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid and femoral arteries measured using ultrasonography. The values of IMT of each artery were significantly higher in NIDDM patients (n = 356) than in control subjects (n = 235). The E4 allele or the D allele did not affect clinical characteristics, including age, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or blood pressure, in NIDDM or control subjects. No difference in the carotid IMT value was noted among the apoE genotypes in control or diabetic subjects. The carotid IMT was significantly higher in diabetic patients with the DD genotype (1.200 ± 0.586 mm) than in those with the II genotypes (0.990 ± 0.364 mm). Neither the E4 allele nor the D allele affected the femoral IMT in control or diabetic subjects. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the carotid IMT of NIDDM patients was associated with age, the D allele, and LDL cholesterol but not with the E4 allele, whereas that of control subjects was associated with age, sex, systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, inversely. These results suggested that the E4 allele was not associated with the carotid or femoral IMTs, but that the D allele was statistically associated with carotid IMT in NIDDM patients but not control subjects. However, since the association was weak (2.3% explanatory power), its biological significance remains to be determined.
The Crystal Structure of 1-D-myo-Inosityl 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside Deacetylase (MshB) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis Reveals a Zinc Hydrolase with a Lactate Dehydrogenase Fold*

Mycothiol (1-d-myo-inosityl 2-(N-acetyl-l-cysteinyl)amido-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside, MSH or AcCys-GlcN-inositol (Ins)) is the major reducing agent in actinomycetes, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The biosynthesis of MSH involves a deacetylase that removes the acetyl group from the precursor GlcNAc-Ins to yield GlcN-Ins. The deacetylase (MshB) corresponds to Rv1170 of M. tuberculosis with a molecular mass of 33,400 Da. MshB is a Zn2+ metalloprotein, and the deacetylase activity is completely dependent on the presence of a divalent metal cation. We have determined the x-ray crystallographic structure of MshB, which reveals a protein that folds in a manner resembling lactate dehydrogenase in the N-terminal domain and a C-terminal domain consisting of two β-sheets and two α-helices. The zinc binding site is in the N-terminal domain occupying a position equivalent to that of the NAD+ co-factor of lactate dehydrogenase. The Zn2+ is 5 coordinate with 3 residues from MshB (His-13, Asp-16, His-147) and two water molecules. One water would be displaced upon binding of substrate (GlcNAc-Ins); the other is proposed as the nucleophilic water assisted by the general base carboxylate of Asp-15. In addition to the Zn2+ providing electrophilic assistance in the hydrolysis, His-144 imidazole could form a hydrogen bond to the oxyanion of the tetrahedral intermediate. The extensive sequence identity of MshB, the deacetylase, with mycothiol S-conjugate amidase, an amide hydrolase that mediates detoxification of mycothiol S-conjugate xenobiotics, has allowed us to construct a faithful model of the catalytic domain of mycothiol S-conjugate amidase based on the structure of MshB.
Population genetic data of a model symbiotic cnidarian system reveal remarkable symbiotic specificity and vectored introductions across ocean basins

The Aiptasia–Symbiodinium symbiosis is a promising model for experimental studies of cnidarian–dinoflagellate associations, yet relatively little is known regarding the genetic diversity of either symbiotic partner. To address this, we collected Aiptasia from 16 localities throughout the world and examined the genetic diversity of both anemones and their endosymbionts. Based on newly developed SCAR markers, Aiptasia consisted of two genetically distinct populations: one Aiptasia lineage from Florida and a second network of Aiptasia genotypes found at other localities. These populations did not conform to the distributions of described Aiptasia species, suggesting that taxonomic re‐evaluation is needed in the light of molecular genetics. Associations with Symbiodinium further demonstrated the distinctions among Aiptasia populations. According to 18S RFLP, ITS2‐DGGE and microsatellite flanker region sequencing, Florida anemones engaged in diverse symbioses predominantly with members of Symbiodinium Clades A and B, but also C, whereas anemones from elsewhere harboured only S. minutum within Clade B. Symbiodinium minutum apparently does not form a stable symbiosis with other hosts, which implies a highly specific symbiosis. Fine‐scale differences among S. minutum populations were quantified using six microsatellite loci. Populations of S. minutum had low genotypic diversity and high clonality (R = 0.14). Furthermore, minimal population structure was observed among regions and ocean basins, due to allele and genotype sharing. The lack of genetic structure and low genotypic diversity suggest recent vectoring of Aiptasia and S. minutum across localities. This first ever molecular‐genetic study of a globally distributed cnidarian and its Symbiodinium assemblages reveals host–symbiont specificity and widely distributed populations in an important model system.
MicroRNA-184 Regulates Corneal Lymphangiogenesis.

PURPOSE MicroRNAs are a class of small noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression by binding to complimentary sequences of target messenger RNA. Their roles in corneal lymphangiogenesis are largely unknown. This study was to investigate the specific role of microRNA-184 (mir-184) in corneal lymphangiogenesis (LG) in vivo and lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in vitro. METHODS Standard murine suture placement model was used to study the expressional change of mir-184 in corneal inflammatory LG and the effect of synthetic mir-184 mimic on this process. Additionally, a human LEC culture system was used to assess the effect of mir-184 overexpression on cell functions in vitro. RESULTS Expression of mir-184 was significantly downregulated in corneal LG and, accordingly, its synthetic mimic suppressed corneal lymphatic growth in vivo. Furthermore, mir-184 overexpression in LECs inhibited their functions of adhesion, migration, and tube formation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS These novel findings indicate that mir-184 is involved critically in LG and potentially could be used as an inhibitor of the process. Further investigation holds the promise for divulging new therapies for LG disorders, which occur inside and outside the eye.
Increasing walking among older people: A test of behaviour change techniques using factorial randomised N-of-1 trials

Objective: Evaluations of techniques to promote physical activity usually adopt a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Such designs inform how a technique performs on average but cannot be used for treatment of individuals. Our objective was to conduct the first N-of-1 RCTs of behaviour change techniques with older people and test the effectiveness of the techniques for increasing walking within individuals. Design: Eight adults aged 60–87 were randomised to a 2 (goal-setting vs. active control) × 2 (self-monitoring vs. active control) factorial RCT over 62 days. The time series data were analysed for each single case using linear regressions. Main outcome measures: Walking was objectively measured using pedometers. Results: Compared to control days, goal-setting increased walking in 4 out of 8 individuals and self-monitoring increased walking in 7 out of 8 individuals. While the probability for self-monitoring to be effective in 7 out of 8 participants was beyond chance (p = .03), no intervention effect was significant for individual participants. Two participants had a significant but small linear decrease in walking over time. Conclusion: We demonstrate the utility of N-of-1 trials for advancing scientific enquiry of behaviour change and in practice for increasing older people’s physical activity.
Performance analysis of a novel hetero-junction tunnel FET based SRAM at 0.3V supply voltage

In this paper, the stability/performance of the conventional SRAM cell architectures have been demonstrated using a novel hetero-junction double gate tunnel FET (H-DGTFET) device at 15 nm technology node. This device has improved ON-current (ION) because of the decrease in width of the depletion region due to a highly doped layer placed in the channel near the source-channel junction. It results in an improved ION /IOFF ratio, consuming significantly less amount of static power. The conventional 6T and 8T SRAM architectures have been implemented using this novel H-DGTFET operating at low supply voltage of 0.3 V. The performance of the 6T and 8T SRAM cells have been analyzed in terms of hold, read & write SNMs and total average power consumption. The read SNM for 6T and 8T SRAM cells have been found to be 54 mV and 69 mV respectively; hold and write SNM for 6T are 90 mV and 103 mV respectively. Total average power consumption for 6T and 8T SRAM cells are 2.13 μW and 2.68 μW respectively in one cycle consisting of two reads and one write “0”/write “1” operations.
MR properties of excised neural tissue following experimentally induced inflammation

Changes in the MR parameters of inflamed neural tissue were measured in vitro. Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) was injected into rat sciatic nerves to induce inflammation with negligible axonal loss and demyelination. The MR parameters, such as T1/T2 relaxation and magnetization transfer (MT), were measured 2 days after TNF‐α injection and were found to be substantially different from those of normal nerves. The average T1/T2 relaxation times increased, whereas the MT ratio (MTR) and the quantitative MT parameter M0B (which describes the semisolid pool of protons) decreased. The MR parameters correlated very well with the extracellular volume fraction (EM) of neural tissue evaluated by quantitative histopathology. The multicomponent T2 relaxation was shown to provide the best quantitative assessment of changes in neural tissue microstructure, and allowed us to distinguish between the processes of inflammation and demyelination. In comparison, the MT measurements were less successful due to competing contributions of demyelination and pH‐sensitive changes in the MT effect. Magn Reson Med 51:473–479, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mating system and population structure of the primitively eusocial wasp Ropalidia revolutionalis: a model system for the evolution of complex societies

Mating systems are important determinants of genetic structure in cooperative groups, and their effects can influence profoundly the interactions of group members. The primitively eusocial wasp, Ropalidia revolutionalis, has an interesting genetic and social structure that makes it an excellent model system for examining the evolution of more complex societies. In particular, its colonies sometimes have multiple queens, a key characteristic of more advanced wasp societies. In this study, we have characterized the mating system of the social wasp Ropalidia revolutionalis to understand better its colony genetic structure. R. revolutionalis females nearly always mate singly and they are unrelated to their mates. However, different females in the same colony do mate with males, on average, who are related as cousins. Single mating will help to maintain high relatedness, which should be important for continued cooperation in multiple queen societies, but it creates potential conflicts in single queen colonies over the production of males as well as over the timing of male production. We have also characterized the population structure of R. revolutionalis from Townsville, in tropical north Queensland, to Brisbane in the subtropics. Even at such a large scale, the population is remarkably unstructured with an average FST of 0.0546. There is weak isolation by distance, and evidence for subtle differentiation between a southern region with no dry season, which extends as far north as Rockhampton, and a northern region with a severe to moderate dry season. This may reflect historical effects of extreme aridity on the population structure.
LcrG is Required for Efficient Translocation ofYersinia Yop Effector Proteins into Eukaryotic Cells

ABSTRACT Extracellular Yersinia disables the immune system of its host by injecting effector Yop proteins into host cells. We show that a Yersinia enterocolitica nonpolar lcrGmutant is severely impaired in the translocation of YopE, YopH, YopM, YpkA/YopO, and YopP into eukaryotic cells. LcrG is thus required for efficient internalization of all the known Yop effectors.
Rasch analysis of the Norwegian version of the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES)

Objectives: To apply the Rasch model to the Norwegian version of the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES). Method: The ASES was included in a self-administered questionnaire sent to 224 patients attending one of three rehabilitation centres for rheumatic diseases in Norway in 2009. The fit of the ASES to the Rasch model was assessed together with hypothesized associations with the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ), the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain, and NRS fatigue. Results: A total of 145 (64.7%) patients responded to the questionnaire. The two scales of other symptoms and pain showed good fit to the Rasch model with no evidence for differential item functioning (DIF) according to eight sociodemographic and disease-related variables. The Person Separation Index (PSI), which is equivalent to Cronbach’s alpha, ranged from 0.74 to 0.78. Correlations with scores for other instruments were as hypothesized: ASES pain had the highest correlations with SF-36 pain and NRS pain and ASES other symptoms had the highest correlations with other aspects of the SF-36 and NRS fatigue. Conclusions: The ASES had good fit to the Rasch model and correlations with other instrument scores that followed hypotheses, lending further support to the application of the instrument in patients with rheumatic diseases.
Competition and Interoperability in Mobile Money Platform Markets: What Works and What Doesn’t?

The development of mobile payment platforms in developing countries is revolutionizing access to finance for the poor. Mobile payment platforms allow their users to pay and transfer funds in mobile money, but also offer access to other financial products, such as savings or insurance. In this paper we first review the economic features of mobile payment systems in developing countries, and study the cooperation models that can emerge between the different firms potentially involved in a mobile payment transaction. We then discuss the main competition concerns that public authorities should be concerned about, and which regulatory tools they can consider as a remedy.
Implementation of a novel ultra fast metabolic stability analysis method using exact mass TOF-MS.

AIM Increasing numbers of compounds requiring stability data means highly optimized methods capable of rapid turnaround are desirable during early discovery. Materials and methods/results: An advanced, generic analytical workflow for metabolic stability has been developed that utilizing ballistic gradient LC (sub 1 min run times), exact mass TOF-MS (Waters Xevo-G2-XS Q-TOF) and automated data processing (Waters UNIFI software) allowed for rapid integration and interpretation of all data produced, eliminating the need for method development and manual processing. We can analyze and process 96 compounds across two species in quadruplicate in a 24-h period with no method development. CONCLUSION An advanced bioanalytical workflow has increased our capacity threefold and reduced our instrument/processing needs threefold.