Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interfacial Positioning and Stability of Transmembrane Peptides in Lipid Bilayers Studied by Combining Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange and Mass Spectrometry*

Nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to analyze hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange properties of transmembrane peptides with varying length and composition. Synthetic transmembrane peptides were used with a general acetyl-GW2(LA)nLW2A-ethanolamine sequence. These peptides were incorporated in large unilamellar vesicles of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The vesicles were diluted in buffered deuterium oxide, and the H/D exchange after different incubation times was directly analyzed by means of ESI-MS. First, the influence of the length of the hydrophobic Leu-Ala sequence on exchange behavior was investigated. It was shown that longer peptide analogs are more protected from H/D exchange than expected on the basis of their length with respect to bilayer thickness. This is explained by an increased protection from the bilayer environment, because of stretching of the lipid acyl chains and/or tilting of the longer peptides. Next, the role of the flanking tryptophan residues was investigated. The length of the transmembrane part that shows very slow H/D exchange was found to depend on the exact position of the tryptophans in the peptide sequence, suggesting that tryptophan acts as a strong determinant for positioning of proteins at the membrane/water interface. Finally, the influence of putative helix breakers was studied. It was shown that the presence of Pro in the transmembrane segment results in much higher exchange rates as compared with Gly or Leu, suggesting a destabilization of the α-helix. Tandem MS measurements suggested that the increased exchange takes place over the entire transmembrane segment. The results show that ESI-MS is a convenient technique to gain detailed insight into properties of peptides in lipid bilayers by monitoring H/D exchange kinetics.
Enhanced Expression of Single Immunoglobulin IL-1 Receptor-Related Molecule Ameliorates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Single Ig IL-1 receptor-related molecule (SIGIRR) is one of the members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-IL-1 receptor superfamily. Previous studies demonstrated that SIGIRR can function as a negative regulator of IL-1 and LPS signaling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of enhanced expression of SIGIRR on LPS-induced acute lung injury. We constructed a recombinant adenoviral vector expressing murine SIGIRR (Ad.mSIGIRR) and a control adenoviral vector containing no transgene (Ad.V). A total of 4 × 107 plaque-forming units of Ad.mSIGIRR or Ad.V adenoviral vector were administered intranasally to BALB/c mice. Forty-eight hours later, all the mice were administered a single dose of LPS via i.p. injection to induce lung injury. Lungs and blood were harvested at several time points. The expression of SIGIRR in lung, the histological changes in the lung, the levels of TNF-&agr; in serum and lung, the concentration of nitric monoxide (NO) in lung, and the activity of myeloperoxidase and nuclear transcription factor &kgr;B in the lung were examined. A second cohort of mice was followed for survival for 7 days. Administration of Ad.mSIGIRR increased the expression of SIGIRR in lung tissue, as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Administration of Ad.mSIGIRR significantly suppressed the inflammatory reaction to LPS, attenuated the lung pathological changes, and improved the survival of mice, relative to a control adenovirus. These findings suggest that modulating the expression level of SIGIRR may be a promising potential treatment for acute lung injury.
Functional HAK/KUP/KT-like potassium transporter encoded by chlorella viruses.

Chlorella viruses are a source of interesting membrane transport proteins. Here we examine a putative K(+) transporter encoded by virus FR483 and related chlorella viruses. The protein shares sequence and structural features with HAK/KUP/KT-like K(+) transporters from plants, bacteria and fungi. Yeast complementation assays and Rb(+) uptake experiments show that the viral protein, termed HAKCV (high-affinity K(+) transporter of chlorella virus), is functional, with transport characteristics that are similar to those of known K(+) transporters. Expression studies revealed that the protein is expressed as an early gene during viral replication, and proteomics data indicate that it is not packaged in the virion. The function of HAKCV is unclear, but the data refute the hypothesis that the transporter acts as a substitute for viral-encoded K(+) channels during virus infection.
Assessing the Implicit Beliefs of Sexual Offenders Using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure

Researchers have proposed that the cognitive distortions of sexual offenders are underpinned by a number of implicit cognitive processes termed implicit theories. Until recently, however, the implicit theory hypothesis has received little empirical support due to broader limitations with standard forensic assessment procedures. The current research aimed to determine whether a new assessment methodology, the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP), could provide further evidence for Ward and Keenan's (1999) children as sexual beings implicit theory. The results indicated that the IRAP was significantly more effective at identifying core implicit differences between sexual offenders against children and nonoffenders than a cognitive distortion questionnaire. Furthermore, although both groups demonstrated an overall response bias towards adults as sexual and children as nonsexual, this bias was significantly impaired in the sexual offender group. The findings are discussed in relation to previous implicit theory research and recommendations for the development of implicit methodologies are made.
Congestion-aware proactive vertical handoff algorithm in heterogeneous wireless networks

In heterogeneous wireless networks, when a mobile host/handset (MH) with multiple wireless interfaces changes its location or requires a certain network service, the MH will require a switch between different wireless networks (namely vertical handoff). A congestion-aware proactive vertical handoff algorithm is proposed, which uses a data pre-deployment technology to realise soft handoff between cellular interface and ad hoc interface. Here, the vertical handoff algorithm is implemented in an experimental heterogeneous network structure called converged ad hoc and cellular network, which is an ad hoc overlay system considering the balancing of the traffic between adjacent cellular cells. By evaluations, it is shown that the proposed algorithm can realise low handoff delay and low packet losses, and help to ease congestion issue existing in the heterogeneous networks.
Noninvasive Ventilation Coupled With Nebulization During Asthma Crises: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Despite the clinical improvements attributed to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) during asthma crises, and the well established effects of nebulization, there are few studies on the effects of these interventions together. We hypothesized that nebulization coupled to NIV should raise radio-aerosol pulmonary deposition in asthmatics. The aims of this study were to assess the effects of coupling β-agonist nebulization and NIV during asthma exacerbations on radio-aerosol pulmonary deposition, using scintigraphy and cardiopulmonary parameters, to correlate pulmonary function with radio-aerosol deposition index, radio-aerosol penetration index, and pulmonary clearance. METHODS: In this controlled trial, 21 adults with moderate to severe asthma attack were randomized to a control group (n = 11) or experimental group (NIV + nebulizer group, n = 10). All subjects inhaled bronchodilators for 9 minutes, and after particles were counted with a gamma camera to analyze regions of interest and pulmonary clearance at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min. RESULTS: Breathing frequency (P = < .001) and minute ventilation (P = .01) were reduced, and tidal volume was increased (P = .01) in the NIV + nebulizer group, compared with the control group. The NIV + nebulizer group had improvement from baseline values, compared to the control group in the following parameters: FEV1 46.7 ± 0.5% of predicted vs 29.8 ± 8.9% of predicted, P = . 02), FVC (41.2 ± 1.5% of predicted vs 23.2 ± 7.1% of predicted, P = .02), peak expiratory flow (67.3 ± 38.3% of predicted vs 26.9 ± 12.1% of predicted, P = .01), and inspiratory capacity (54.9 ± 28.8% of predicted vs 31.2 ± 9.1% of predicted, P = .01). No differences were observed between groups regarding radio-aerosol deposition index or pulmonary clearance. Negative correlations were found between FEV1, forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC maneuver (FEF25–75%), inspiratory capacity, and radio-aerosol penetration index. CONCLUSIONS: Coupling nebulization and NIV during asthma exacerbation did not improve radio-aerosol pulmonary deposition, but we observed clinical improvement of pulmonary function in these subjects. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT01012050)
Reconstruction of A Deformed, Partially Edentulous Ridge with A Free Gingival Onlay Graft- A Case Report

Soft tissue augmentation with autogenous grafts is widely used in various disciplines of dentistry. Indicated in partially and fully edentulous patients to augment areas with reduced width of keratinized gingiva, as well as to increase soft tissue volume. The following case report describes an unusual presentation of preprosthetic surgery, where ridge reconstruction was done using a free gingival auto graft.
Skinning Techniques for Articulated Deformable Characters

Skinning is an indispensable component of the content creation pipeline for character animation in the context of feature films, video games, and in the special effects industry. Skinning techniques define the deformation of the character skin for every animation frame according to the current state of skeletal joints. In this state of the art report, we focus on the existing research in the areas of skeleton-based deformation, volume preserving techniques and physically based skinning methods. We also summarize the recent research in deformable and soft bodies simulations for articulated characters, and discuss various geometric and examples-based approaches.
Ictal and Interictal Electrographic Seizure Durations in Preterm and Term Neonates

Summary: The effect of gestational age on neonatal ictal and interictal durations has not been investigated. Sixty‐eight neonates with 644 electrographic seizures were identified retrospectively. Thirty‐five full‐term (FT) neonates were compared with 33 preterm (PT) neonates. Eighteen older preterm infants (OPT) [>31 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA)] were also compared with 15 young preterm infants (YPT) of ≤31 weeks EGA. Ictal/ interictal durations were calculated for the total cohort with and without status epilepticus (SE). Statistical analyses were two‐tailed t tests, chi‐square calculations, and one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Duncan's multiple‐range test. Eleven of 35 (33%) FT had SE as compared with 3 of 33 (9%) PT (chi‐square = 7.8, p < 0.05). The mean ictal duration was 14.2 min for FT infants as compared with 3.1 min for PT infants (p < 0.01); only borderline differences were noted after those with SE were excluded. Interictal durations were longer for OPT than YPT (p < 0.05). By ANOVA and Duncan's multiple‐range tests, group differences included longer mean ictal durations for FT infants as compared with OPT infants (p = 0.06, ANOVA; p < 0.05, Duncan's), and longer mean interictal durations for FT infants versus OPT and OPT versus YPT (p = 0.02, ANOVA; p < 0.05, Duncan's). More developed neuronal networks result in longer ictal durations in FT than in PT neonates, including FT infants with SE. Inhibitory networks responsible for longer interictal periods are more dominant in OPT infants than in YPT infants, reflecting maturational changes that suppress seizure activity during the latter part of the third trimester before the infant reaches an FT corrected age.
Adolescents in Therapeutic Communities: One-Year Posttreatment Outcomes

Abstract Given the dearth of information concerning outcomes for adolescents who have been in treatment for substance abuse and related problems, the purpose of the present article is to examine the posttreatment status of adolescents who have been in residential therapeutic communities (TCs). One-year posttreatment outcome data are described for 485 adolescents, and separately for treatment “completers” and “noncompleters. ” The majority of the sample had been mandated to treatment by the criminal justice system. Most reported marijuana as their main drug of abuse. There were significant reductions in drug use and criminal activity, and the most consistent predictors of positive outcomes were completion of treatment and not associating with deviant peers posttreatment. The findings were obtained on a treatment sample for whom there is relatively little research to date; they provide important evidence for the effectiveness of the therapeutic community for this population.
Aquachloridobis[2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl-κN)-1H-benzimidazole-κN 3]nickel(II) nitrate

In the title compound, [NiCl(C10H7N3S)2(H2O)]NO3, the NiII ion is coordinated by four N atoms from two chelating 2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-1H-benzimidazole ligands, one Cl atom and one water molecule in a distorted octahedral geometry. In the crystal, O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link the complex cations and nitrate anions into a three-dimensional network. π–π interactions between the thiazole and imidazole rings and between the thiazole and benzene rings are observed [centroid–centroid distances = 3.592 (3) and 3.735 (3) Å].
GROSS PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY IN DUKE FOREST: MODELING SYNTHESIS OF CO2 EXPERIMENT AND EDDY -FLUX DATA

This study was designed to estimate gross primary productivity (GPP) in the Duke Forest at both ambient and elevated CO2 (ambient + 200 fLL/L) concentrations using a physiologically based canopy model. The model stratified the canopy of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forest into six layers and estimated photosynthesis in each layer according to the Farquhar sub model coupled with the Ball-Berry stomatal conductance sub model. The model was parameterized with a suite of physiological measurements, in- cluding leaf area index (LAI), leaf nitrogen (N) concentration, photosynthesis-N relation- ships, and stomatal conductance. The model was validated against measured leaf photo- synthesis and canopy carbon (C) fluxes estimated from eddy-covariance measurements (ECM). Application of this model to simulate canopy C fixation from 28 August 1996, the onset of CO2 fumigation, to 31 December 1998 suggested that elevation of atmospheric (CO2J to ambient + 200 fLL/L resulted in increase of canopy C fixation by 35% in 1996, 39% in 1997, and 43% in 1998. The modeled GPP and its response to elevated (CO2J were sensitive to parameter values of quantum yield of electron transport, leaf area index, and the vertical distribution of LAI within the canopy. Thus, further investigation on those parameters will help improve the precision of estimated ecosystem-scale C fluxes. Fur- thermore, comparison between the modeled and ECM-estimated canopy C fluxes suggested that soil moisture, in addition to air vapor pressure, controlled canopy photosynthesis during the drought period.
Expression of Green Fluorescent Protein in Streptococcus gordonii DL1 and Its Use as a Species-Specific Marker in Coadhesion with Streptococcus oralis 34 in Saliva-Conditioned Biofilms In Vitro

ABSTRACT Streptococcus gordonii is one of the predominant streptococci in the biofilm ecology of the oral cavity. It interacts with other bacteria through receptor-adhesin complexes formed between cognate molecules on the surfaces of the partner cells. To study the spatial organization of S. gordonii DL1 in oral biofilms, we used green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a species-specific marker to identify S. gordonii in a two-species in vitro oral biofilm flowcell system. To drive expression of gfp, we isolated and characterized an endogenous S. gordonii promoter,PhppA, which is situated upstream of the chromosomalhppA gene encoding an oligopeptide-binding lipoprotein. A chromosomal chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) gene fusion with PhppA was constructed and used to demonstrate that PhppA was highly active throughout the growth of bacteria in batch culture. A promoterless 0.8-kb gfp(′gfp) cassette was PCR amplified from pBJ169 and subcloned to replace the cat cassette downstream of the S. gordonii-derived PhppA in pMH109-HPP, generating pMA1. Subsequently, the PhppA-′gfp cassette was PCR amplified from pMA1 and subcloned into pDL277 and pVA838 to generate the Escherichia coli-S. gordonii shuttle vectors pMA2 and pMA3, respectively. Each vector was transformed into S. gordonii DL1 aerobically to ensure GFP expression. Flow cytometric analyses of aerobically grown transformant cultures were performed over a 24-h period, and results showed that GFP could be successfully expressed in S. gordonii DL1 fromPhppA and that S. gordonii DL1 transformed with the PhppA-′gfp fusion plasmid stably maintained the fluorescent phenotype. Fluorescent S. gordonii DL1 transformants were used to elucidate the spatial arrangement ofS. gordonii DL1 alone in biofilms or with the coadhesion partner Streptococcus oralis 34 in two-species biofilms in a saliva-conditioned in vitro flowcell system. These results show for the first time that GFP expression in oral streptococci can be used as a species-specific marker in model oral biofilms.
To Move or Not to Move: Cranial Joints in European Gekkotans and Lacertids, an Osteological and Histological Perspective

Lepidosaurs are frequently described as having highly kinetic skulls, and different forms of cranial kinesis have been described as being characteristic of their radiation. The model of amphikinesis proposed by Frazzetta, J Morphol 1962; 111:287–319, which was long considered a synapomorphy of the large suborder Sauria, is now much debated given its uncertain distribution among the various lizard taxa and the lack of data about its morphological correlates. In this article, we analyze the anatomical correlates of different forms of cranial kinesis, with particular regard to the putative saurian amphikinesis, describing the possible diverse skull movements of several species of European gekkotans (Hemidactylus turcicus, Mediodactylus kotschyi, and Tarentola mauritanica) and lacertids (Lacerta agilis, L. bilineata, Podarcis muralis, P. siculus, and Teira dugesii). Using serial and whole‐mount histology, we found clear differences between gekkotans and lacertids in the structure of several cranial joints underlining the existence of two degrees of intracranial mobility. The lacertid species possess the anatomical features for streptostyly (quadrate joints) and metakinesis (parietal‐supraoccipital and parabasisphenoid‐pterygoid joints) and lack the anatomical correlates for mesokinesis (mobility of frontal‐parietal and palatine‐pterygoid joints) and amphikinesis (coupled mesokinesis, metakinesis, and streptostyly). In contrast, geckos present all the anatomical correlates for amphikinesis as described by the traditional quadratic crank model. Finally, we present a comprehensive summary of the different forms of squamate cranial kinesis, advancing two alternative hypotheses about the evolutionary origin of amphikinesis. Anat Rec, 297:463–472, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feasibility of Using Accelerometer Measurements to Assess Habitual Physical Activity in Rural Heart Failure Patients

(1) Background: Physical inactivity is prevalent in rural heart failure (HF) patients. To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving physical activity (PA), we need an accurate, reliable PA assessment tool that is feasible and acceptable to HF patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and reliability of using an accelerometer to assess HF patients’ PA. (2) Method: A total of 100 HF patients discharged from a rural hospital participated in the study and wore an accelerometer at baseline, 3, and 6 months following discharge. (3) Result: The daily average wear time across all three time points was 15.7 (±3.3) h for weekdays, and 15.8 (±3.7) h for weekends. Approximately 50% of the participants adhered to the device wear protocol at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Factors related to wear time were also examined. Acceptable reliability assessed by intra-class correlation (ICC > 0.879) was found for daily activity calories, activity counts per minutes, and time spent on moderate or greater PA. (4) Conclusion: The present findings suggest that an accelerometer is a feasible and reliable measure of habitual PA in rural HF patients over time.
Estudio de los Algoritmos Genéticos para el desarrollo de sistemas de control

En este articulo se describen las principales aplicaciones de los algoritmos geneticos: la optimizacion de funciones, identificacion de sistemas lineales y no lineales y el diseno de sistemas de control. Para evaluar las aplicaciones mencionadas se desarrollaron herramientas en Matlab y se compararon los resultados obtenidos con Algoritmos Geneticos con respecto a los obtenidos con otras herramientas. Estos experimentos demostraron que, en general, el tiempo de ejecucion de los Algoritmos Geneticos es mas lento que el de otras herramientas. En casos como la identificacion no lineal y el diseno de sistemas de control es una herramienta muy util que producelos resultados deseados en corto tiempo y por medio de una facil implementacion.
On the locality of virtual networks: Informal learning in the San Francisco Bay Area

Since the 1990s, informal and personal networks have gained increasing attention as repositories of learning and innovation. Social network analyses so far largely concentrate on the impact of network structures on innovation processes. The role of social network dynamics and the interrelation of structure and agency in these processes however need to be more intensively analyzed. This research concentrates on learning dynamics in personal online business networks of communication and computing industry professionals based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The technological potential for online global multi-connectivity of the studied LinkedIn networks showed limited realization due to the users‟ stickiness to their physical practice communities and localities. Physical social interaction served as the prime motor of network formation and maintenance.
Oscillator strength and sum rule for intersubband transitions in a superlattice.

The oscillator strength for inter-minisubband optical absorption is calculated for a superlattice. For periodic structures the matrix element is ill defined and we show how the definition of the position operator has to be modified in order to obtain the correct result which then leads to the same result as a calculation of the oscillator strength using the matrix element ( . A new sum rule for superlattices is derived, which involves averaging over wave vectors in the first Brillouin zone
Opportunities and Challenges in the Use of Public Deliberation to Inform Public Health Policies

Cambridge, MA: Harvard Uni-versity Press.University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, Pandemic In-ﬂuenza Working Group. 2005. Stand on guard for thee: Ethicalconsiderations in preparedness planning for pandemic inﬂuenza. Available at: http://www.utoronto. ca/jcb/home/documents/pandemic.pdf (accessed January, 6, 2006). Viens, A. M. , C. M. Bensimon, and R. E. G. Upshur. 2009.