Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Density Lipoprotein Phospholipid Composition Is a Major Determinant of the Bi-directional Flux and Net Movement of Cellular Free Cholesterol Mediated by Scavenger Receptor BI*

The role of high density lipoprotein (HDL) phospholipid in scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI)-mediated free cholesterol flux was examined by manipulating HDL3phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin content. Both phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin enrichment of HDL enhanced the net efflux of cholesterol from SR-BI-expressing COS-7 cells but by two different mechanisms. Phosphatidylcholine enrichment of HDL increased efflux, whereas sphingomyelin enrichment decreased influx of HDL cholesterol. Although similar trends were observed in control (vector-transfected) COS-7 cells, SR-BI overexpression amplified the effects of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin enrichment of HDL 25- and 2.8-fold, respectively. By using both phosphatidylcholine-enriched and phospholipase A2-treated HDL to obtain HDL with a graded phosphatidylcholine content, we showed that SR-BI-mediated cholesterol efflux was highly correlated (r 2 = 0.985) with HDL phosphatidylcholine content. The effects of varying HDL phospholipid composition on SR-BI-mediated free cholesterol flux were not correlated with changes in either the K d orB max values for high affinity binding to SR-BI. We conclude that SR-BI-mediated free cholesterol flux is highly sensitive to HDL phospholipid composition. Thus, factors that regulate cellular SR-BI expression and the local modification of HDL phospholipid composition will have a large impact on reverse cholesterol transport.
The impact of pensions, transfers and taxes on child poverty in Europe: the role of size, pro-poorness and child orientation

We assess the impact of redistributive policy on child poverty across 29 European welfare states, using EU SILC 2005–2012. We distinguish between spending on pensions, spending on other cash transfers and taxation. For each of these instruments of redistribution, we further distinguish three features: size, pro-poorness and targeting towards households with children. Pensions are generally neglected in analyses on child poverty, but are relevant through the presence of two, partially offsetting, forces. Increased pension spending weakens the relative income position of children, but pensions also substantially contribute to the household income of children from multigenerational households. This ambiguous result signals a challenge: while reductions in pension spending may be desirable in the long run in several European welfare states, policymakers — especially in Southern and Eastern Europe — should be aware that this not only directly involves income losses for the elderly, but also for a non-negligible share of (predominantly poor) children.
α-Synuclein, a chemoattractant, directs microglial migration via H2O2-dependent Lyn phosphorylation

Significance α-Synuclein (α-syn) aggregates released from neurons activate microglia, leading to chronic neuroinflammation that causes damage to neurons in brains with synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, little is known about the mechanism by which α-syn affects microglial activity, especially motility, and why microglia migrate toward the injured neurons and preferentially accumulate along with α-syn aggregates in the affected areas, e.g., in the substantia nigra of PD brains. Here we show that neuron-derived α-syn aggregates are chemoattractants that direct microglial migration by acting on NADPH oxidase and several specific downstream proteins. Blocking the targets involved in α-syn–mediated microglial directional migration may represent a therapeutic strategy to protect against progressive neuronal loss in PD and related synucleinopathies. Malformed α-Synuclein (α-syn) aggregates in neurons are released into the extracellular space, activating microglia to induce chronic neuroinflammation that further enhances neuronal damage in α-synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson’s disease. The mechanisms by which α-syn aggregates activate and recruit microglia remain unclear, however. Here we show that α-syn aggregates act as chemoattractants to direct microglia toward damaged neurons. In addition, we describe a mechanism underlying this directional migration of microglia. Specifically, chemotaxis occurs when α-syn binds to integrin CD11b, leading to H2O2 production by NADPH oxidase. H2O2 directly attracts microglia via a process in which extracellularly generated H2O2 diffuses into the cytoplasm and tyrosine protein kinase Lyn, phosphorylates the F-actin–associated protein cortactin after sensing changes in the microglial intracellular concentration of H2O2. Finally, phosphorylated cortactin mediates actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and facilitates directional cell migration. These findings have significant implications, given that α-syn–mediated microglial migration reaches beyond Parkinson’s disease.
DNA Cytometry for Differentiation Between Low- and Medium-grade Dysplasia in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND/AIM The indication for resection of cystic pancreatic lesions is usually performed by sectional imaging criteria, such as the Sendai criteria. The aim of this study was to analyze a possible correlation between DNA cytometry and Sendai criteria for the differentiation between low-grade intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN-A) and medium-grade dysplasia (IPMN-B). MATERIALS AND METHODS Histopathological analysis, DNA index and preoperative Sendai criteria were determined in 16 patients who underwent pancreatic resection for IPMN. RESULTS All patients with IPMN-B showed aneuploid histograms with DNA indices ≥1.3, whereas three out of four patients with IPMN-A had diploid DNA indices ≤1.3. All 11 patients with one or more high-risk stigmata and aneuploid histograms had IPMN-Bs, whereas both patients who were Sendai-negative and diploid in the DNA analysis had an IPMN-A. CONCLUSION DNA index may be an important diagnostic tool for the differentiation of different IPMN types beyond the traditional Sendai criteria.
The matter of style: Manifestations of personality in cognition, learning, and teaching

The historical roots of cognitive styles are traced in differential psychology, psychoanalytic ego psychology, Gestalt, and cognitive-developmental psychology to illuminate the varied theoretical issues that energize (and fragment) style research. Optimal measurement of cognitive styles as information-processing regularities and as intraindividual contrasts of abilities or other attributes is discussed in terms of both typical performance and contrasted performance on measures of opposing ends of bipolar style dimensions, with special emphasis on the contrasted measurement of field independence versus field dependence. The role of styles as both performance variables and competence variables in learning and teaching is examined, as are various critiques of style research that appear to be excessively polarized in either supporting or undercutting styles as meaningful constructs. This polarization appears to reflect different stances not just with respect to scientific evidence but also with respect to ide.
Oral vaccination of weaned rabbits against enteropathogenic Escherichia coli-like E. coli O103 infection: use of heterologous strains harboring lipopolysaccharide or adhesin of pathogenic strains

To test the importance of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adhesin as major antigens in vaccination against rabbit enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC)-like E. coli O103 infection, we used two nonpathogenic wild-type strains to immunize rabbits at weaning. One of these strains (C127) harbors the O103 LPS but does not express the 32,000-molecular-weight adhesin that characterizes the highly pathogenic O103 strains. The other (C6) belongs to the O128 serogroup, which does not cross-react with the O103 serogroup, but expresses the adhesin. These strains were administered orally, either live or after Formalin inactivation. After vaccination, the animals were challenged with highly pathogenic O103 strain B10. Compared with rabbits vaccinated with the Formalin-killed homologous strain, rabbits vaccinated with killed C127 or C6 showed partial but significant protection. When given live, these strains colonized more or less heavily the digestive tract of the animals and provided nearly complete (C127) or complete (C6) protection against challenge. They induced a quick local immune response, as judged by fecal immunoglobulin A anti-LPS kinetics. Furthermore, strain C6 induced an ecological effect of "resistance to colonization" against challenge strain B10. This effect may have been due to the adhesin that is shared by both strains and to the production of a colicin. Strain C6 could inhibit in vitro the growth of highly pathogenic O103 strains. On the whole, our results show that adhesins and LPS are important, although probably not exclusive, protection-inducing components in rabbit EPEC-like colibacillosis and provide insight into possible protection of rabbits against EPEC-like E. coli infection with live strains.
Identification of a Novel Inhibitor of Dengue Virus Protease through Use of a Virtual Screening Drug Discovery Web Portal

We report the discovery of a novel small-molecule inhibitor of the dengue virus (DENV) protease (NS2B-NS3pro) using a newly constructed Web-based portal (DrugDiscovery@TACC) for structure-based virtual screening. Our drug discovery portal, an extension of virtual screening studies performed using IBM's World Community Grid, facilitated access to supercomputer resources managed by the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) and enabled druglike commercially available small-molecule libraries to be rapidly screened against several high-resolution DENV NS2B-NS3pro crystallographic structures. Detailed analysis of virtual screening docking scores and hydrogen-bonding interactions between each docked ligand and the NS2B-NS3pro Ser135 side chain were used to select molecules for experimental validation. Compounds were ordered from established chemical companies, and compounds with established aqueous solubility were tested for their ability to inhibit DENV NS2B-NS3pro cleavage of a model substrate in kinetic studies. As a proof-of-concept, we validated a small-molecule dihydronaphthalenone hit as a single-digit-micromolar mixed noncompetitive inhibitor of the DENV protease. Since the dihydronaphthalenone was predicted to interact with NS2B-NS3pro residues that are largely conserved between DENV and the related West Nile virus (WNV), we tested this inhibitor against WNV NS2B-NS3pro and observed a similar mixed noncompetitive inhibition mechanism. However, the inhibition constants were ∼10-fold larger against the WNV protease relative to the DENV protease. This novel validated lead had no chemical features or pharmacophores associated with adverse toxicity, carcinogenicity, or mutagenicity risks and thus is attractive for additional characterization and optimization.
Method sequence generation for multiple object states using dynamic symbolic execution

Software testing in object-oriented programming requires not only test input data, but also method sequences. Method sequences create new instances and change object states as desired. Method sequence generation to get desired object states is challenging. Seeker is one of the state-of-the-art implementation to generate test cases with method sequences. However, the technique generates method sequences to change a value of only a single variable. Therefore, it cannot cover the branches that need to modify values of multiple variables. In this paper, we extend the technique in order to cover branches which require multiple desired object states. The proposed approach detects all related variables in uncovered branches and uses a fitness function to give method sequences an evaluation value to reduce candidate methods. We applied Seeker and the proposed approach to four open source projects. The result shows a 1-5% improvement of branch coverage over Seeker and also indicates that the effectiveness of the proposed approach varies depending on some specific features of projects.
Social Entrepreneurs Wanted: Quality of Life Approach as a Basis for Recruitment Practice in Beit Ekstein Schools in Israel (Poszukiwani przedsiebiorcy spoleczni – jakosc zycia jako podstawa praktyki rekrutacyjnej w szkolach Beit Ekstein w Izraelu)

The following paper examines the relationship between the Quality of Life approach and the recruiting practice of Beit Ekstein special education school managers. First, the paper explores three main fields: the Beit Ekstein Quality of Life model relative to quality of life concept; the role of school managers in general and specifically at Beit Ekstein; teachers as social entrepreneurs. Through a content analysis of data gathered in interviews with Beit Ekstein school managers, the article aims to identify the special characteristics that the school managers are looking for in their recruiting practice. Findings show that Beit Ekstein school managers have a specific perception of their teams and seek to hire people with the characteristics of social entrepreneurs, since the qualities held by such recruits will play a significant role in the development of their special needs pupils. Moreover, findings bring an understanding of the school manager’s perception of the Quality of Life model.
In vivo total antioxidant capacity: comparison of two different analytical methods

Abstract Several methods to assess the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) are available. However, the final value of measured TAC in the sample depends on the procedure used in every specific assay. This makes crucial the comparison of different analytical methods. The aim of our study was to evaluate analytical characteristics and laboratory reliability of two different assays: the ferric-reducing ability (FRAP) assay and a new spectrophotometric test (OXY-adsorbent test, Diacron, Italy). Unselected outpatients referred to the Institute of Clinical Physiology were studied (n=187, 58 females, 129 males, mean age: 65±13 years). All blood samples were maintained on ice, centrifuged within 15 minutes after blood collection and then stored at −80°C until performance of assay procedures. OXY assay: The lower limit of sensitivity was 6 μmol HClO/ml. The assay was found to be linear up to 440 μmol HClO/ml (r=−0.99, p<0.001). Absorbance was linear over a wide concentration range with solutions containing uric acid in purified form (0–1000 μmol/l, r=−0.996, p<0.001), serum (r=−0.99, p<0.01) or plasma serially diluted (r=−0.99, p<0.01). Mean value in plasma samples accounted for 366.2±7.2 μmol HClO/ml. Mean OXY value in females (353.4±13.2 mmol HClO/ml) was not different from that detected in males (372±8.6 mmol HClO/ml). A significant difference was observed between subjects without and with hypertension in serum OXY levels (344.8±9.9 and 383.2±10 μmol HClO/ml, p<0.01, respectively). FRAP assay: The lower limit of sensitivity was 15 μmol/l. Linearity was observed up to 1000 μmol/l (r=−0.998, p<0.001). Absorbance was linear over a wide concentration range with solutions containing uric acid in purified form (0–1000 μmol/l, r=0.997, p<0.001), serum (r=0.99, p<0.01) or plasma serially diluted (r=0.99, p<0.01). FRAP mean value in plasma samples, evaluated in 102 patients, accounted for 514.1±19.1 μmol/l. Mean FRAP in females (469±22.5 μmol/l) was not different from that detected in males (535±25.6 mmol/l). FRAP vs. OXY: A significant direct relationship was observed when comparing FRAP with OXY levels in the whole population (r=0.22, p<0.05). Neither of the methods are expensive and they are speedy and simple to perform. Values are reproducible and linearly correlated to the concentration of antioxidants present in the samples. For this reason, these methods may be considered practicable indicators of total antioxidant capacity, for routinely potential use in every laboratory and useful in all the studies concerning the evaluation of oxidative stress.
Trauma Symptoms, Sexual Behaviors, and Substance Abuse: Correlates of Childhood Sexual Abuse and HIV Risks Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

ABSTRACT Childhood sexual abuse is associated with high-risk sexual behavior in men who have sex with men. This study examined psychological and behavioral correlates of HIV risk behavior associated with childhood sexual abuse in a sample of men who have sex with men. Men attending a large gay pride event (N = 647) completed anonymous surveys that assessed demographic characteristics, childhood sexual abuse history, symptoms of dissociation and trauma-related anxiety, borderline personality characteristics, substance use, and sexual risk behavior. Results indicated that men who have a history of childhood sexual abuse were more likely to: engage in high-risk sexual behavior (i.e., unprotected receptive anal intercourse), trade sex for money or drugs, report being HIV positive, and experience non-sexual relationship violence. Results of this study extend previous research to show that men who have sex with men and who have a history of child sexual abuse are more likely to be at high risk for HIV infection.
Visualization for Competitive Intelligence

The overreliance on quantitative, numeric information and the underuse of qualitative, textual information is a common weakness in strategic management. This affects particularly the practice of competitive intelligence, which aims to provide actionable information about the company-external environment for decision making. Yet, forward-looking and insightful information about the environment often comes in qualitative form, much of it as publicly available text documents, whereas public quantitative information often arrives too late to be useful for strategic management. This thesis proposes that text visualization, and in particular, a method called collocational networks, could increase the use of textual information in competitive intelligence. Collocational networks are networks consisting of words that co-occur in a statistically significant way in a text, or in a collection of texts. They are particularly useful for discovering changes between sequences of texts of a similar nature, e.g. annual or quarterly reports. In line with design science research practice, the proposed method is also evaluated for utility. The evaluation is carried out in two stages. First, collocational networks of quarterly report texts are compared to self-organizing maps created out of the financial figures of the same reports. This evaluation shows that changes in the collocational network of a company’s quarterly report are followed by a change in the position of the company in the self-organizing map in the next quarter. Second, a series of interviews with competitive intelligence practitioners are carried out, in which the interviewees are shown collocational networks created out of annual reports from telecommunications service companies during 2003-2008. This evaluation shows that the interviewees consider the networks to reflect actual developments within the industry. They also consider them to be a useful tool for discovering changes that may go unnoticed when reading the texts. In summary, the evaluations suggest that by using collocational networks, competitive intelligence practitioners could easily have access to forward-looking, qualitative information about the company-external environment to strengthen strategic management practice.
The generalized multidelay adaptive filter: structure and convergence analysis

Frequency-domain adaptive filters have long been recognized as an attractive alternative to time-domain algorithms when dealing with systems with large impulse response and/or correlated input. New frequency-domain LMS adaptive schemes have been proposed. These algorithms essentially retain the attractive features of frequency-domain implementations, while requiring a processing delay considerably smaller than the length of the impulse response. The authors show that these algorithms can be seen as particular implementations of a more general scheme, the generalized multidelay filter (GMDF). Within this general class of algorithms, we focus on implementations based on the weighted overlap and add reconstruction algorithms; these variants, overlooked in previous contributions, provide an independent control of the overall processing delay and of the rate of update of the filter coefficients, allowing a trade-off between the computational complexity and the rate of convergence. We present a comprehensive analysis of the performance of this new scheme and to provide insight into the influence of impulse response segmentation on the behavior of the adaptive algorithm. Exact analytical expressions for the steady-state mean-square error are first derived. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence of the algorithm to the optimal solution within finite variance are then obtained, and are translated into bounds for the stepsize parameter. Simulations are presented to support our analysis and to demonstrate the practical usefulness of the GMDF algorithm in applications where large impulse response has to be processed. >
Effect of encapsulated carvacrol on the incidence of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT There is an urgent need to control necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens in chickens when antibiotics are withdrawn from feed. Carvacrol has strong antimicrobial activity and its delivery to the animal intestine can be significantly enhanced after encapsulation. The present study has investigated the potential of encapsulated carvacrol in controlling NE. In general, micro-encapsulation of carvacrol in an alginate-whey protein matrix showed no adverse effect on its antimicrobial activity towards C. perfringens in either Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth or a simulated gastrointestinal model. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of both encapsulated and un-encapsulated carvacrol were approximately 200 μl/l against C. perfringens in BHI. In a broiler infection model with C. perfringens, the diets supplemented with encapsulated carvacrol at the dose of either 250 or 650 μg/g significantly reduced NE in the chicken intestine, which was close to the degree of lesions observed in bacitracin/salinomycin treated birds. Supplementation with either bacitracin/salinomycin or encapsulated carvacrol showed no significant impact on intestinal burden of Lactobacillus. However, the treatment with bacitracin/salinomycin or the low dose of encapsulated carvacrol reduced the level of C. perfringens in the ileum of birds at 35 days of age. These results suggest that our encapsulated carvacrol can be used to combat NE disease in chickens.