Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The VP4 Peptide of Hepatitis A Virus Ruptures Membranes through Formation of Discrete Pores

ABSTRACT Membrane-active peptides, components of capsid structural proteins, assist viruses in overcoming the host membrane barrier in the initial stages of infection. Several such peptides have been identified, and their roles in membrane fusion or disruption have been characterized through biophysical studies. In several members of the Picornaviridae family, the role of the VP4 structural peptide in cellular-membrane penetration is well established. However, there is not much information on the membrane-penetrating capsid components of hepatitis A virus (HAV), an unusual member of this family. The VP4 peptide of HAV differs from its analogues in other picornaviruses in being significantly shorter in length and in lacking a signal for myristoylation, thought to be a critical requisite for VP4-mediated membrane penetration. Here we report, for the first time, that the atypical VP4 in HAV contains significant membrane-penetrating activity. Using a combination of biophysical assays and molecular dynamics simulation studies, we show that VP4 integrates into membrane vesicles through its N-terminal region to finally form discrete pores of 5- to 9-nm diameter, which induces leakage in the vesicles without altering their overall size or shape. We further demonstrate that the membrane activity of VP4 is specific toward vesicles mimicking the lipid content of late endosomes at acidic pH. Taken together, our data indicate that VP4 might be essential for the penetration of host endosomal membranes and release of the viral genome during HAV entry. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis A virus causes acute hepatitis in humans through the fecal-oral route and is particularly prevalent in underdeveloped regions with poor hygienic conditions. Although a vaccine for HAV exists, its high cost makes it unsuitable for universal application in developing countries. Studies on host-virus interaction for HAV have been hampered due to a lack of starting material, since the virus is extremely slow growing in culture. Among the unknown aspects of the HAV life cycle is its manner of host membrane penetration, which is one of the most important initial steps in viral infection. Here, we present data to suggest that a small peptide, VP4, a component of the HAV structural polyprotein, might be essential in helping the viral genome cross cell membranes during entry. It is hoped that this work might help in elucidating the manner of initial host cell interaction by HAV.
CARDIORESPIRATORY RESPONSES TO YO‐YO INTERMITTENT ENDURANCE TEST IN NONELITE YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS

This study examined the validity of the Yo-yo Intermittent Endurance Test (Level 1; YYIET) as indicator of aerobic power in youth soccer players. Cardiorespiratory responses were determined in 18 moderately trained nonelite youth soccer players (age, 16.6 ± 0.8 years; height, 178.7 ± 6.2 cm; body mass, 69.8 ± 6.0 kg; &OV0312;O2 peak, 52.8 ± 7.4 ml·kg−1·min−1) while performing the YYIET and an incremental treadmill test. Maximal heart rate (HRmax), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), O2 pulse, &OV0312;O2 peak, and maximal ventilation (&OV0312;Emax) were measured. Group YYIET &OV0312;O2 peak, HRmax, RER, and O2 pulse were not significantly different from treadmill responses (p > 0.05). &OV0312;E-max was significantly lower (p < 0.05) during the YYIET compared to the treadmill condition. No significant correlation was found between treadmill &OV0312;O2 peak and YYIET performance (p > 0.05). This study showed that the YYIET elicits peak &OV0312;O2 and HR responses. However, YYIET performance results were not related to &OV0312;O2peak measured in laboratory. Furthermore, the individual &OV0312;O2peak reached during the TM did not reflect the &OV0312;O2 peak obtained during the YYIET, as shown by the large limits of agreement. As a consequence, compared to other shuttle run field tests, YYIET seems to be a weak indicator of aerobic power in youth moderately trained youth soccer player.
Myosin IIA is required for neurite outgrowth inhibition produced by repulsive guidance molecule

Although myelin‐associated neurite outgrowth inhibitors express their effects through RhoA/Rho‐kinase, the downstream targets of Rho‐kinase remain unknown. We examined the involvement of myosin II, which is one of the downstream targets of Rho‐kinase, by using blebbistatin – a specific myosin II inhibitor – and small interfering RNA targeting two myosin II isoforms, namely, MIIA and MIIB. We found that neurite outgrowth inhibition by repulsive guidance molecule (RGMa) was mediated via myosin II, particularly MIIA, in cerebellar granule neurons. RGMa induced myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation by a Rho‐kinase‐dependent mechanism. After spinal cord injury in rats, phosphorylated MLC in axons around the lesion site was up‐regulated, and this effect depends on Rho‐kinase activity. Further, RGMa‐induced F‐actin reduction in growth cones and growth cone collapse were mediated by MIIA. We conclude that Rho‐kinase‐dependent activation of MIIA via MLC phosphorylation induces F‐actin reduction and growth cone collapse and the subsequent neurite retraction/outgrowth inhibition triggered by RGMa.
Factors Affecting Intellectual Capital Disclosures: A Case of Primary Sectors in Thailand

The aim of this paper is to explore the quality of Intellectual Capital Disclosure (ICD) in the modern economic era. Using the data from both agricultural sector and resources sector listed in The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) between 2013-2017 (15 companies each), the study finds that firm size has an influence on all aspects of ICD (Human Capital Disclosure, Internal Capital Disclosure, and External Capital Disclosure). Meanwhile, profitability affects Human Capital Disclosure and Internal Capital Disclosure. As a contribution to previous researches, the findings support the view in which information asymmetry has a positive relationship with External Capital Disclosure. Furthermore, it finds that market share has a significant influence on the quality of Human Capital Disclosure and Intellectual Capital Disclosure. Since the study applies content analysis which investigates companies annual reports according to ICD terms used in the reports, there is a possibility that the quality of ICD will not be wholly captured. In addition, firms may use other sources of information to communicate their ICD. To sum up, this paper assists in giving some insight about the quality of ICD in Thailand, especially agricultural sector and resource sector, as well as trying to inspect other factors related to ICD that was rarely used in previous research, such as market share.
A Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization for Sizing and Placement of DGs from DG Owner's and Distribution Company's Viewpoints

Distributed generations (DGs) have significant benefits in the electric power industry, such as a reduction in CO2 and NOX emissions in electricity generation, improvement of voltage profile in distribution feeders, amending voltage stability in heavy load levels, enhancement of reliability and power quality, as well as securing the power market. Despite the numerous advantages of DG technologies, weak capability in dispatching and management of DGs is a major challenge for distribution system operators. Hence, during recent years, several studies about various aspects of control, operation, placement, and sizing of DGs have been conducted. This paper presents a novel application of multiobjective particle swarm optimization with the aim of determining the optimal DGs places, sizes, and their generated power contract price. In the proposed multiobjective optimization, not only are the operational aspects, such as improving voltage profile and stability, power-loss reduction, and reliability enhancement taken into account, but also an economic analysis is performed based on the distribution company's and DG owner's viewpoints. The simulation study is performed on the IEEE 33-bus distribution test system and the consequent discussions prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Stb1 Collaborates with Other Regulators To Modulate the G1-Specific Transcriptional Circuit

ABSTRACT G1-specific transcription in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae depends upon SBF and MBF. Whereas inactivation of SBF-regulated genes during the G1/S transition depends upon mitotic B-type cyclins, inactivation of MBF has been reported to involve multiple regulators, Nrm1 and Stb1. Nrm1 is a transcriptional corepressor that inactivates MBF-regulated transcription via negative feedback as cells exit G1 phase. Cln/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-dependent inactivation of Stb1, identified via its interaction with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) component Sin3, has also been reported to inactivate MBF-regulated transcription. This report shows that Stb1 is a stable component of both SBF and MBF that binds G1-specific promoters via Swi6 during G1 phase. It is important for the growth of cells in which SBF or MBF is inactive. Although dissociation of Stb1 from promoters as cells exit G1 correlates with Stb1 phosphorylation, phosphorylation is only partially dependent upon Cln1/2 and is not involved in transcription inactivation. Inactivation depends upon Nrm1 and Clb/CDK activity. Stb1 inactivation dampens maximal transcriptional induction during late G1 phase and also derepresses gene expression in G1-phase cells prior to Cln3-dependent transcriptional activation. The repression during G1 also depends upon Sin3. We speculate that the interaction between Stb1 and Sin3 regulates the Sin3/HDAC complex at G1-specific promoters.
Preliminary qualitative findings on technology adoption of Malaysian SMEs

Technology has been recognized as one of strategic resources for sustaining competitiveness among firms regardless of their sizes. Challenges in globalizations and strategic alliances are some of the issues underpinning technology adoption among SMEs. However, existing models on technology adoption have not provided sufficient insights on factors that could influence the successful adoption of technology among SMEs in Malaysia. In particular, uniqueness of SMEs characteristics, especially in terms of pervasive influence of SMEs' owner-managers, has not been considered. Therefore, this study aims to identify significant factors that could have pervasive influence on technology adoption among SMEs in Malaysia by integrating internal and external factors together with the SME unique characteristics. A preliminary study was conducted to propose the SME technology adoption model to validate the influence of external factors, internal factors and SMEs' owner-manager characteristics. This study employed multiple case study strategy as its research design and interviews as primary data collection method. Collected data were analyzed using thematic analyses to identify recurring factors across cases. The findings showed that notwithstanding of the technologies adopted by the firms, internal factors and SME's owner-managers characteristics have significant influence on technology adoption among SMEs.
Isolation and Immunochemical Characterization of Plant Glutamine Synthetase in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Nodules.

Host plant glutamine synthetase (GS) has been purified 100-fold from N(2)-fixing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) nodules by a new procedure involving preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) as a final step. An SDS-polypeptide fraction corresponding to plant GS was identified and consisted of two major polypeptides of 40,000 to 45,000 molecular weight. Antibodies to the SDS-polypeptide fraction were raised in mice by intraperitoneal injection, and antisera were collected as ascitic fluid. Crude extracts of soluble protein from the plant fraction of nodules were resolved by SDS-PAGE and then subjected to electrophoresis in the second dimension into antibody-containing agarose gel. A single immunochemically active protein species was observed using this crossed immunoelectrophoresis method, even though both major GS SDS-polypeptides were apparently resolved in the first (SDS-PAGE) dimension. Plant GS protein in crude nodule extracts was quantitated immunochemically by comparison with immunoprecipitin arcs of similarly treated amounts of pure antigen. Using this technique, it was determined that plant GS was present at 150 micrograms per gram fresh weight or 1.2% of total plant soluble protein in N(2)-fixing alfalfa nodules.Results suggest that alfalfa nodule plant GS consists of two major subunit polypeptides, but only a single immunochemically active native protein was observed. The crossed immunoelectrophoresis procedure described here should be generally applicable for immunochemical detection of lower abundance components of crude plant extracts.
Organization of meissner corpuscles in the glabrous skin of monkey and cat

Reconstructing neural-population responses in the form of spatial event plots assumes that the receptors are organized in a dense linear array. We have found that this assumption is not valid by determining the spatial organization of Meissner corpuscles (MCs) in the glabrous skin of both cat and monkey. The tissue was excised from animals that had been cardiac perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. One-micrometer plastic sections revealed that the morphology of these receptors is different in the two animal species. However, in both species, they reside in approximately the same place in the dermal pegs of the skin, between the epidermal ridges, and electrophysiologically they both respond to ramp-and-hold stimuli with a rapidly adapting firing pattern. Thus, in this study we will refer to the receptors of the cat as “Meissner-like”. In monkey, MCs are located in the dermal papillae between the epidermal limiting and intermediate ridges, forming orderly rows, the contours of which follow the overlying fingerprint. Although the average density of MCs is 45/mm2, they are distributed along the dermal pegs in such a manner as to give rise to three significantly ( p < 0.017) different average distances between corpuscles. We note that “fingerprints” vary in topography across the hand and this is also reflected in the underlying MC arrays. In the cat, these “Meissner-like” receptors display no specific pattern and have a density much lower than in the monkey. Cat glabrous skin does not have “fingerprints”. The results emphasize that the spatial organization of tactile receptors must be taken into account when interpreting reconstructed population responses.
Employment Protection Legislation and Cooperation

I argue how cooperative behaviors are influenced by employment protection legislation (EPL), which is viewed in terms of two types of firing costs: administrative costs (such as notification procedures) and monetary transfers (such as severance pay). I focus on the minimum discount factor for mutual cooperation under trigger strategies in a relational contract model, where a firm has two payment options: a formal wage and an informal bonus. It will be shown that administrative costs enhance cooperation when they are low, whereas monetary transfers dampen cooperation when they are high. In addition, I show under what wage scheme cooperation is most likely selfâ€ enforced.
Empathy and social functioning in anorexia nervosa before and after recovery

Introduction People with anorexia nervosa (AN) are known to have difficulties with social and emotional functioning, as indicated by their symptom presentation and also performance on tests of emotion perception. This study explores the level of empathy in AN, in terms of resonant experience of emotion in other people using a self-report measure. Methods Twenty-eight women with acute AN were compared to 25 women who have recovered from AN, and a further 54 healthy control (HC) participants. They were assessed using a questionnaire to measure reported levels of empathy, emotional recognition, social conformity, and antisocial behaviour. Results The acute AN group reported lower levels of empathy than the recovered AN group and HC, but they also reported less antisocial behaviour. No differences were found in emotional recognition or social conformity. Conclusions These results suggest that emotional empathy is reduced during acute AN. Lower levels of antisocial behaviour may reflect a contrasting desire of people with AN to minimise presentation of antisocial behaviour in the acute state.
Developing a Smartphone Software Package for Predicting Atmospheric Pollutant Concentrations at Mobile Locations

There is considerable evidence that exposure to air pollution is harmful to health. In the U.S., ambient air quality is monitored by Federal and State agencies for regulatory purposes. There are limited options, however, for people to access this data in real-time which hinders an individual's ability to manage their own risks. This paper describes a new software package that models environmental concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM10), and ozone concentrations for the state of Oregon and calculates personal health risks at the smartphone's current location. Predicted air pollution risk levels can be displayed on mobile devices as interactive maps and graphs color-coded to coincide with EPA air quality index (AQI) categories. Users have the option of setting air quality warning levels via color-coded bars and were notified whenever warning levels were exceeded by predicted levels within 10 km. We validated the software using data from participants as well as from simulations which showed that the application was capable of identifying spatial and temporal air quality trends. This unique application provides a potential low-cost technology for reducing personal exposure to air pollution which can improve quality of life particularly for people with health conditions, such as asthma, that make them more susceptible to these hazards.
Genome Sequence of Strain TW25, a Novel Member of the Genus Ornithinibacillus in the Family Bacillaceae

ABSTRACT Ornithinibacillus sp. strain TW25, belonging to the family Bacillaceae, was isolated from a dead ark clam during a mass mortality event. Here, the draft genome sequence of strain TW25 (3,843,870 bp, with a G+C content of 36.7%) is reported. This is the first Ornithinibacillus genome to be sequenced.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Population: Increased Frequency of White-Matter Abnormalities and Temporal Lobe Atrophy

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia results from an adrenal enzyme deficiency, that causes an underproduction of glucocorticoids and sometimes mineralocorticoids and a resultant overproduction of androgens, until treatment with replacement glucocorticoids is instituted. The goal of this study was to determine the frequency and etiology of white-matter changes and temporal lobe atrophy demonstrable on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a group of children and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. About one third of the patients evidenced white-matter abnormalities or temporal lobe atrophy. All patients, except one with a known stroke, had normal neurologic examinations. Exposure to excess exogenous glucocorticoids in the process of being treated for congenital adrenal hyperplasia is the most theoretically appealing explanation for these MRI findings. However, the relationship of MRI findings to treatment status (over- versus under-suppressed) does not run in clear parallel. (J Child Neurol 1997;12:181-186).
Quantifying the trade impact of non-tariff measures: Econometric and CGE Analysis

i Acknowledgements.iii Chapter I: Introduction: Data and Methodological Issues in Estimating the Effect of Non-Tariff Measures.1 Chapter II: The Impact of Diseases on International Beef Trade: Market Switching and Persistent Effects.26 Chapter III: Market Access Implications of Non-Tariff measures: Estimates for Four Developed Country Markets.43 Chapter IV: Impacts of Geographical Restrictions: New Zealand Fruit and Vegetable Imports.79 Chapter V: Modelling the Impact of Non-Tariff Measures on Supply Chains in the Asia Pacific Region . 100 Chapter VI: Conclusion and Synthesis.133 Appendix I: Non-Tariff Measures in New Zealand (Data Collection). 142 Appendix II: Co-authorship Forms.161
Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity in central nerve endings. I. Ionic conditions that discriminate 45Ca2+ uptake through the exchanger from that occurring through voltage-operated Ca2+ channels.

Ca2+ entrance in central nerve endings can occur through voltage-operated Ca2+ channels and/or through the Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporter. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, in brain synaptosomes, the possible contribution of these two Ca2+ entrance pathways in the process of 45Ca2+ uptake elicited by different extracellular ionic conditions. The decrease in extracellular Na+ concentration from 145 mM to 95 mM and its concomitant substitution with complemental concentration of K+ (5-55 mM) caused an increase in 45Ca2+ uptake, whereas an equimolar concentration of choline (50 mM), although in the presence of the same Na+ concentration (95 mM), failed to stimulate 45Ca2+ uptake. Only when the extracellular Na+ concentration was further lowered from 95 mM to 0 mM and substituted with equivalent amounts of choline (50-145 mM) did a dose-dependent stimulation of 45Ca2+ uptake occur. In addition, when the lowering of the extracellular Na+ concentration from 95 mM to 0 mM was compensated for by K+ concentrations higher than 55 mM (55-150 mM), 45Ca2+ uptake was higher than that elicited by Na+ ion substitution with equimolar amounts (50-145 mM) of choline. The amount of 45Ca2+ uptake induced by 55 mM K+ did not differ either in Na(+)-preincubated or in Na(+)-depleted synaptosomes. Synaptosomal membrane potential, monitored with the potential-sensitive fluorescent dye bis-(1,3-diethyltiobarbiturate)trimethineoxonol, showed a progressive depolarization when extracellular K+ concentrations were raised from 5 to 150 mM, reaching a plateau at 55 mM extracellular K+ concentration, whereas when choline (145 mM) completely substituted for extracellular Na+ ions, synaptosomal membrane potential did not show any depolarization. Collectively, these results demonstrate that 45Ca2+ uptake induced by 55 mM K+ ions occurs selectively through voltage-operated Ca2+ channels, whereas, in choline-substituted media, starting from 70 mM choline, Ca2+ ions seemed to utilize the Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporter to penetrate into synaptosomes. In contrast, when extracellular K+ concentrations are raised above 55 mM, 45Ca2+ entrance may occur through two cumulative mechanisms, the opening of Ca2+ channels that are activated by high K(+)-induced depolarization and the activation of the Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporter, which follows the reduction of the transmembrane Na+ electrochemical gradient. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)