Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Sushi Domains of GABAB Receptors Function as Axonal Targeting Signals

GABAB receptors are the G-protein-coupled receptors for GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Two receptor subtypes, GABAB(1a,2) and GABAB(1b,2), are formed by the assembly of GABAB1a and GABAB1b subunits with GABAB2 subunits. The GABAB1b subunit is a shorter isoform of the GABAB1a subunit lacking two N-terminal protein interaction motifs, the sushi domains. Selectively GABAB1a protein traffics into the axons of glutamatergic neurons, whereas both the GABAB1a and GABAB1b proteins traffic into the dendrites. The mechanism(s) and targeting signal(s) responsible for the selective trafficking of GABAB1a protein into axons are unknown. Here, we provide evidence that the sushi domains are axonal targeting signals that redirect GABAB1a protein from its default dendritic localization to axons. Specifically, we show that mutations in the sushi domains preventing protein interactions preclude axonal localization of GABAB1a. When fused to CD8α, the sushi domains polarize this uniformly distributed protein to axons. Likewise, when fused to mGluR1a the sushi domains redirect this somatodendritic protein to axons, showing that the sushi domains can override dendritic targeting information in a heterologous protein. Cell surface expression of the sushi domains is not required for axonal localization of GABAB1a. Altogether, our findings are consistent with the sushi domains functioning as axonal targeting signals by interacting with axonally bound proteins along intracellular sorting pathways. Our data provide a mechanistic explanation for the selective trafficking of GABAB(1a,2) receptors into axons while at the same time identifying a well defined axonal delivery module that can be used as an experimental tool.
Kännsch-Adaptive Keyboard for iOS Bachelor Thesis

Texts that are written on smartphones are highly individual. The words and expressions typed in these mostly casual conversations differ from person to person. In Switzerland, there is a high diversity of dialects and no fixed dictionary that could capture this vastness of words. At the time of writing this paper, there exists no virtual keyboard for iOS that ships a Swiss German dictionary as a basis for word completion or correction. In this thesis we built an adaptive keyboard for the mobile operating system iOS. Basis dictionaries for English, German and Swiss German were constructed and added to the keyboard back-end. We implemented several mechanisms that enable the starting dictionary to expand and deliver accurate suggestions for word completion and correction. To measure the effectiveness of our algorithm, we conducted several statistical tests. Additionaly, we are gathering the inputs from the users and their locations in a form that they can be used for future dialect research.
Design of Continuous Authentication using Face Recognition

In this paper we describe the development of an experimental continuous authentication system which uses face recognition and the evaluation of this system. The system uses OpenCV libraries for and Local Binary Pattern as face recognizer. The performance of the system is tested on several aspects: the taxation on the CPU, dierent environmental conditions, how well an imposter is detected and how well an authorized user is detected. It is possible to design a continuous authentication system using face recognition, but it still needs improvements before it can eectively be used to provide an adequate level of added security.
Countertranscript‐driven attenuation system of the pAMβ1 repE gene

The plasmid‐encoded RepE protein is absolutely essential and rate‐limiting for replication of the promiscuous plasmid pAMβ1 originating from Enterococcus faecalis. We previously showed that the rep gene is transcribed from a promoter that is negatively regulated (10‐fold reduction) by the CopF repressor. In this report, we show that this transcription is decreased a further 10‐times by a countertranscript‐driven transcriptional attenuation system. Extensive mutagenesis revealed that this system operates by a mechanism similar to that previously described for the unrelated repC gene of plasmid pT181.
Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Isolates from Greek Patients with Sarcoidosis by Spoligotyping

ABSTRACT Spoligotyping was undertaken with 38 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Greek sarcoidosis patients and 31 isolates from patients with tuberculosis. Fifty percent of the isolates from sarcoidosis patients and 16.13% of the isolates from patients with tuberculosis were represented by a unique pattern, whereas the remaining isolates belonged to seven shared types. Interestingly, half of the isolates from sarcoidosis patients did not resemble the spoligotypes of the isolates from patients with tuberculosis, most of which pertained to shared spoligotypes.
Cardiovascular and catecholamine responses during endovascular and conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVES To compare changes in plasma catecholamines, acid-base status and cardiovascular dynamics in patients undergoing endovascular or conventional infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair under standard general anaesthesia. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. MATERIALS 30 patients scheduled for elective infrarenal AAA repair. METHODS Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations, acid-base status and cardiovascular measurement were compared before surgery, and 5 min after aortic clamping and clamp release (conventional group) or occlusion and release (endovascular group) in patients undergoing endovascular (n = 15) or conventional AAA repair (n = 15). RESULTS Arterial pH (p < 0.005) and base deficit (p < 0.05) increased, and plasma bicarbonate decreased (p < 0.005) during aortic cross-clamping in the conventional group. pH decreased further (p < 0.005), and base deficit and pCO2 increased (both p < 0.005) after clamp release. These changes were significantly greater than during endovascular repair, in whom within-group changes were not statistically significant. Values were similar in the two groups 30 min after reperfusion. Plasma epinephrine concentrations increased during conventional surgery (p < 0.05) and were greater than in the endovascular group (p < 0.05). Plasma norepinephrine concentrations increased during surgery in both groups but the changes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Plasma catecholamine concentrations, changes in cardiovascular variables and acid-base status were increased during conventional compared with endovascular AAA repair.
Cleavage at the Furin Consensus Sequence RAR/KR109 and Presence of the Intervening Peptide of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Protein Are Dispensable for Virus Replication in Cell Culture

ABSTRACT Proteolytic processing of the respiratory syncytial virus F (fusion) protein results in the generation of the disulfide-linked subunits F1 and F2 and in the release of pep27, a glycopeptide originally located between the two furin cleavage sites FCS-1 (RKRR136) and FCS-2 (RAR/KR109). We made use of reverse genetics to study the importance of FCS-2 and of pep27 for BRSV replication in cell culture. Replacement of FCS-2 in the F protein of recombinant viruses by either of the sequences NANR109, RANN109 or SANN109, respectively, abolished proteolytic processing at this position, whereas the cleavage of FCS-1 was not affected. All mutants replicated in calf kidney and Vero cells in the absence of exogenous trypsin, although somewhat higher titers of BRSV containing the NANR109 or the RANN109 motif were achieved in the presence of trypsin. The virus mutants showed a reduced cytopathic effect which was lowest in the case of the SANN109 mutant. These findings demonstrate that cleavage at FCS-2 is dispensable for replication of respiratory syncytial virus in cell culture. A deletion mutant containing FCS-1 but lacking FCS-2 and most of pep27 replicated in cell culture as efficiently as the parental virus, indicating that this domain of the F protein is not essential for virus maturation and infectivity.
Prosodic patterns in Hebrew child-directed speech*

ABSTRACT The study examines prosodic characteristics of Hebrew speech directed to children between 0 ; 9–3 ; 0 years, based on longitudinal samples of 228,946 tokens (8,075 types). The distribution of prosodic patterns – the number of syllables and stress patterns – is analyzed across three lexical categories, distinguishing not only between open- and closed-class items, but also between these two categories and a third, innovative, class, referred to as between-class items. Results indicate that Hebrew CDS consists mainly of mono- and bisyllabic words, with differences between lexical categories; and that the most common stress pattern is word-final, with parallel distributions found for all categories. Additional analyses showed that verbs take word-final stress, but nouns are both trochaic and iambic. Finally, a developmental analysis indicates a significant increase in the number of iambic words in CDS. These findings have clear implications regarding the use of prosody for word segmentation and assignment of lexical class in infancy.
Single-loop fiber ATR sensor enhanced by silver nanoparticles for continuous glucose monitoring

A miniaturized fiber Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) sensor based on mid-infrared spectroscopy was proposed to overcome the drawbacks of enzyme electrode sensor for implantable continuous glucose monitoring. Two methods were proposed to improve the sensitivity of fiber ATR sensors. A single-loop structure of fiber ATR sensor was used to increase the effective optical length to enhance the sensitivity. By growing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the cylindrical surface of the fiber ATR sensor with chemical silver mirror method, the sensitivity of the infrared absorption signal was further enhanced. In the experiment, the AgNPs modified fiber ATR sensor showed an intense absorption signal for glucose with enhancement factors of two to six times at different absorption wavenumbers compared with the bare fiber ATR sensors. The prediction of glucose concentration with high accuracy was achieved by using the five-variable partial least-squares model yielding a root-mean-square error of prediction as small as 4.45 mg/dL.
Polynomial Radial Base Function: A New Local Similarity Measure

This paper studies the local similarity measure function. First, we propose polynomial radial base function (PRBF) as a local similarity measure. Then we compare the properties between Gaussian radial base function (GRBF) and PRBF, and show PRBF not only is similar to GRBF but also is of a faster computational rapidity. PRBF is a good substitute for GRBF when high computational rapidity is demanded.
Saline Contrast Echocardiography for the Detection of Patent Foramen Ovale in Hypoxia: A Validation Study Using Intracardiac Echocardiography

Although the “3 beat rule” is widely utiized to discriminate patent foramen ovale (PFO)‐mediated right‐to‐left shunt (RTLS) from intrapulmonary RTLS using saline contrast transthoracic echocardiography (SCE), SCE diagnostic performance has yet to be validated using an invasive intracardiac standard. Percutaneous PFO occluder placement was recently shown to ameliorate hypoxia in patients with suspected PFO‐mediated RTLS. We evaluated the ability of SCE to predict PFO presence and size using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) as a gold standard in a hypoxic cohort. Sixty‐three hypoxic patients with suspected PFO‐mediated RTLS who underwent SCE at rest, with Valsalva maneuver, and with cough prior to ICE were evaluated retrospectively. PFO RTLS was defined by ICE findings including PFO anatomy, RTLS by saline contrast and color Doppler, and probe patency. SCE shunt severity and timing of left heart saline target appearance were compared to the presence of ICE‐defined PFO RTLS. Forty‐seven patients (75%) met criteria for PFO‐mediated RTLS. A 4 beat cutoff for resting SCE provided optimal diagnostic performance for detection of PFO‐mediated RTLS with a 71% sensitivity, 94% specificity, and 97% positive predictive value (PPV). Valsalva and cough maneuvers improved sensitivity compared to rest SCE (89% and 80%, respectively). Valsalva SCE shunt severity more accurately predicted PFO size than resting SCE. In contrast to the widely accepted “3 beat rule,” resting SCE for the detection of PFO RTLS in a hypoxic population performs optimally using a 4‐cycle cutoff with both excellent specificity and PPV.
Modeling Guidelines and a Benchmark for Power System Simulation Studies of Three-Phase Single-Stage Photovoltaic Systems

This paper presents modeling guidelines and a benchmark system for power system simulation studies of grid-connected, three-phase, single-stage Photovoltaic (PV) systems that employ a voltage-sourced converter (VSC) as the power processor. The objective of this work is to introduce the main components, operation/protection modes, and control layers/schemes of medium- and high-power PV systems, to assist power engineers in developing circuit-based simulation models for impact assessment studies, analysis, and identification of potential issues with respect to the grid integration of PV systems. Parameter selection, control tuning, and design guidelines are also briefly discussed. The usefulness of the benchmark system is demonstrated through a fairly comprehensive set of test cases, conducted in the PSCAD/EMTDC software environment. However, the models and techniques presented in this paper are independent of any specific circuit simulation software package. Also, they may not fully conform to the methods exercised by all manufacturers, due to the proprietary nature of the industry.
GSM/GPRS Bearers Efficiency Analysis for Machine Type Communications

Short Message Service (SMS) over circuit switched (CS), Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and GPRS are the main bearers to support different Machine Type Communications (MTC) over a 2G network. Communications of a large amount of Machine to Machine (M2M) terminals may have a significant impact on worldwide deployed 2G networks. This paper compares the efficiency for each of the 2G bearers when M2M terminals perform mobile originated (MO) data calls under a predefined M2M application. The efficiency of each bearer is evaluated at Layers 2 (L2) and 3 (L3) by the ratio of user data payload to the total L3 messages and by the amount of M2M terminals the radio interface can support within one hour. Results show that USSD is the most efficient bearer in L3. When considering L2 messages in radio interface, GPRS proves to be the most efficient bearer.
Myoeletric Activity of the Quadriceps During Leg Press Exercise Performed With Differing Techniques

Abstract Machado, W, Paz, G, Mendes, L, Maia, M, Winchester, JB, Lima, V, Willardson, JM, and Miranda, H. Myoeletric activity of the quadriceps during leg press exercise performed with differing techniques. J Strength Cond Res 31(2): 422–429, 2017—The quadriceps muscle supplies the motive force for dynamic knee extension. During this action, the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) co-contract to stabilize the patella as it tracks within the patellofemoral groove. The purpose of this study was to analyze surface electromyographic (SEMG) responses for the VL, VMO, rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF), as well as the VMO:VL ratio during an open-kinetic chain 45° angled leg press (LP45). The traditional LP45 technique was compared with 2 alternative LP45 exercise techniques that used a physioball and elastic band, respectively. Thirteen female college students performed 3 protocols in random order: TRAD—1 LP45 set performed using the traditional exercise technique, PBALL—1 LP45 set performed with a physioball held between the knee joints, and PEB—1 LP45 set performed with an elastic band proximal to the knee joints. Ten repetitions at 70% of a 10 repetition maximum load were performed in each protocol, and the SEMG data were recorded for the VMO, VL, RF, and BF muscles. Significant increases in VMO activity were noted during PBALL vs. PEB (p = 0.001) and TRAD (p = 0.002). Higher VMO activity was noted during TRAD vs. PEB (p = 0.001). Greater VL activity was noted during PBALL vs. TRAD (p = 0.0001) and PEB (p = 0.0001). The PBALL condition elicited a greater VMO:VL ratio during the concentric phase vs. the PEB (p = 0.001) and TRAD (p = 0.001) protocols. Greater RF activity was observed during PEB vs. TRAD (p = 0.001) and PBALL (p = 0.001). Therefore, practitioners should consider placing a physioball between the knees during the LP45 exercise as an alternative technique when greater overall quadriceps activity is desired for clinical rehabilitation or a muscle strengthening program.
Isolation and characterization of antisuppressor mutations in Escherichia coli

Nonsense mutations in lacI have been shown to be useful as indicators of the efficiency of nonsense suppression. From strains containing supE and a lacI nonsense mutation, selection for LacI- mutants has resulted in the isolation of four antisuppressor mutations. Tn10 insertions linked to these mutations were isolated and used to group the four mutations into three loci. The asuA1 and asuA2 mutations are linked to trp, reduce suppression by supE approximately twofold, and affect a variety of suppressors. The asuB3 mutation was mapped by P1 cotransduction to rpsL but does not confer resistance to streptomycin. The asuC4 mutation reduced suppression by supE by 95% and was shown biochemically to result in the loss of two pseudouridine modifications from the 3' side of the anticodon stem and loop of tRNA2Gln. This mutation is linked to purF, suggesting that it is a new allele of hisT.
C‐ring requirement in flagellar type III secretion is bypassed by FlhDC upregulation

The cytoplasmic C‐ring of the flagellum consists of FliG, FliM and FliN and acts as an affinity cup to localize secretion substrates for protein translocation via the flagellar‐specific type III secretion system. Random T‐POP transposon mutagenesis was employed to screen for insertion mutants that allowed flagellar type III secretion in the absence of the C‐ring using the flagellar type III secretion system‐specific hook–β‐lactamase reporter ( Lee and Hughes, 2006 ). Any condition resulting in at least a twofold increase in flhDC expression was sufficient to overcome the requirement for the C‐ring and the ATPase complex FliHIJ in flagellar type III secretion. Insertions in known and unknown flagellar regulatory loci were isolated as well as chromosomal duplications of the flhDC region. The twofold increased flhDC mRNA level coincided in a twofold increase in the number of hook‐basal bodies per cell as analysed by fluorescent microscopy. These results indicate that the C‐ring functions as a nonessential affinity cup‐like structure during flagellar type III secretion to enhance the specificity and efficiency of the secretion process.
Assembly and Micromanipulation of Xenopus In Vitro–Assembled Mitotic Chromosomes

Mitotic chromosomes have fascinated scientists for several decades. Despite the numerous microscopy studies, chromosome structure is, however, still poorly understood. This is due to both the high complexity of the mitotic chromosomes and the lack of other appropriate techniques suitable for studying their organization. This unit describes a novel physical approach based on measurements of mitotic chromosome elasticity. The elasticity properties are determined by the underlying structure, and knowledge of them has allowed a description of the organization of the mitotic chromosomes and critical analysis of the available models. In this unit, a detailed protocol for the measurements of the elastic response of in vitro assembled mitotic chromosomes in Xenopus egg extract is presented.
Chronic Adolescent Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Treatment of Male Mice Leads to Long-Term Cognitive and Behavioral Dysfunction, Which Are Prevented by Concurrent Cannabidiol Treatment

Abstract Introduction: The high prevalence of adolescent cannabis use, the association between this use and later psychiatric disease, and increased access to high-potency cannabis highlight the need for a better understanding of the long-term effects of adolescent cannabis use on cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Furthermore, increasing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in high-potency cannabis is accompanied by a decrease in cannabidiol (CBD), thus an understanding of the interactions between CBD and THC in the neurodevelopmental effects of THC is also important. The current study examined the immediate and long-term behavioral consequences of THC, CBD, and their combination in a mouse model of adolescent cannabis use. Materials and Methods: Male CD1 mice received daily injections of THC (3 mg/kg), CBD (3 mg/kg), CBD+THC (3 mg/kg each), vehicle, or remained undisturbed in their home cage (no handling/injections), either during adolescence (postnatal day [PND] 28–48) or during early adulthood (PND 69–89). Animals were then evaluated with a battery of behavioral tests 1 day after drug treatment, and again after 42 drug-free days. The tests included the following: open field (day 1), novel object recognition (NOR; day 2), marble burying (day 3), elevated plus maze (EPM; day 4), and Nestlet shredding (day 5). Results: Chronic administration of THC during adolescence led to immediate and long-term impairments in object recognition/working memory, as measured by the NOR task. In contrast, adult administration of THC caused immediate, but not long term, impairment of object/working memory. Adolescent chronic exposure to THC increased repetitive and compulsive-like behaviors, as measured by the Nestlet shredding task. Chronic administration of THC, either during adolescence or during adulthood, led to a delayed increase in anxiety as measured by the EPM. All THC-induced behavioral abnormalities were prevented by the coadministration of CBD+THC, whereas CBD alone did not influence behavioral outcomes. Conclusion: These data suggest that chronic exposure to THC during adolescence leads to some of the behavioral abnormalities common in schizophrenia. Interestingly, CBD appeared to antagonize all THC-induced behavioral abnormalities. These findings support the hypothesis that adolescent THC use can impart long-term behavioral deficits; however, cotreatment with CBD prevents these deficits.
Investigating the effects of information quality and perceived risk on information adoption on travel websites

Seeking for and adopting information and purchasing travel products on travel websites have been quite popular. By understanding individual information adopting behavior on travel websites, the tourism industry can share suitable information and offer efficient service. This paper discusses the motivators (utilitarian component of usefulness and hedonic component of enjoyment) for individual information adoption on travel websites and investigates how individual information adopting behavior is affected by the information features (i.e. central cues and peripheral cues) provided by travel websites. We also analyze the effects of perceived risk. We integrate the modified motivational technology acceptance model with the information adoption model (which is based on the elaboration likelihood model) to build a research model. The expected theoretical and practical contributions are proposed.