Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of Mouse Hepatitis Virus Papain-Like Proteinase 2 Activity

ABSTRACT Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) is a 31-kb positive-strand RNA virus that is replicated in the cytoplasm of infected cells by a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, termed the replicase. The replicase is encoded in the 5′-most 22 kb of the genomic RNA, which is translated to produce a polyprotein of >800 kDa. The replicase polyprotein is extensively processed by viral and perhaps cellular proteinases to give rise to a functional replicase complex. To date, two of the MHV replicase-encoded proteinases, papain-like proteinase 1 (PLP1) and the poliovirus 3C-like proteinase (3CLpro), have been shown to process the replicase polyprotein. In this report, we describe the cloning, expression, and activity of the third MHV proteinase domain, PLP2. We show that PLP2 cleaves a substrate encoding the first predicted membrane-spanning domain (MP1) of the replicase polyprotein. Cleavage of MP1 and release of a 150-kDa intermediate, p150, are likely to be important for embedding the replicase complex in cellular membranes. Using an antiserum (anti-D11) directed against the C terminus of the MP1 domain, we verified that p150 encompasses the MP1 domain and identified a 44-kDa protein (p44) as a processed product of p150. Pulse-chase experiments showed that p150 is rapidly generated in MHV-infected cells and that p44 is processed from the p150 precursor. Protease inhibitor studies revealed that unlike 3CLpro activity, PLP2 activity is not sensitive to cysteine protease inhibitor E64d. Furthermore, coexpression studies using the PLP2 domain and a substrate encoding the MP1 cleavage site showed that PLP2 acts efficiently intrans. Site-directed mutagenesis studies confirmed the identification of cysteine 1715 as a catalytic residue of PLP2. This study is the first to report enzymatic activity of the PLP2 domain and to demonstrate that three distinct viral proteinase activities process the MHV replicase polyprotein.
Small Intestinal Submucosa as a Potential Bioscaffold for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration

Study Design. To evaluate the capacity of porcine small intestine submucosa to support the in vitro proliferation of human disc cells and the synthesis of extracellular matrix that could restore the biochemical properties of the disc. Objective. To evaluate if porcine small intestine submucosa is a potential bioactive scaffold for rescuing degenerative disc cells. Summary of Background Data. Discogenic back pain is associated with alterations of the disc and abnormal turnover of the disc extracellular matrix. We hypothesize that a biodegradable and biocompatible acellular scaffold such as small intestine submucosa, which contains entrapped growth factors, may stimulate disc cells to synthesize extracellular matrix, thereby arresting the degeneration, or even promoting the regeneration, of the disc. Methods. Human degenerative anulus and nucleus cells were seeded onto small intestine submucosa scaffolds, and evaluated over a 3-month period for cell growth (proliferation assay, deoxyribonucleic acid content) and matrix composition (glycosaminoglycan and collagen contents). Results. As hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed, more than 70% of seeded cells attached to the small intestine submucosa surface and invaded throughout the scaffold. The macroscopic appearance of cell-seeded scaffolds was dramatically modified over time. Cell metabolic activity was confirmed for up to 3 months. Seeded scaffolds showed a higher glycosaminoglycan content as compared to control scaffolds. Toluidine blue staining detected large areas of proteoglycans. Positive gene expression for collagens I, II, and X, aggrecan, and Sox-9 confirmed deposition of new extracellular matrix components. Conclusions. This pilot study shows that small intestine submucosa is a promising bioactive material that could potentially serve as a temporary scaffold for intervertebral disc regeneration.
Multi-Energy, Single-Isotope Pinhole Imaging Using Stacked Detectors

Nuclear imaging of small animals has proven to be an excellent tool for studying models of human disease and in drug development. Silicon double-sided strip detectors (DSSDs) have been adapted for imaging of low-energy emissions from radioisotopes such as 123I and 125I We examined stacking a DSSD with a modular scintillation camera (Modcam) from the FastSPECT II design for simultaneous imaging of the low- and high-energy emissions of 123I. This constitutes a specific implementation of the synthetic collimator. We also considered a novel aperture, the `sandwich aperture' to maintain sensitivity in the Modcam projection and higher resolution in the DSSD projection. Through simulations and basic measurements we found that stacked detectors and the sandwich aperture do not distort the point spread function of either imaging system significantly.
Intolerance for approach of ambiguity in social anxiety disorder

ABSTRACT Previous research has utilised the approach–avoidance task (AAT) to measure approach and avoidance action tendencies in socially anxious individuals. “Neutral” social stimuli may be perceived as ambiguous and hence threatening to socially anxious individuals, however it is unclear whether this results in difficulty approaching ambiguous (“neutral”) versus unambiguous threat (e.g. disgust) faces (i.e. intolerance of ambiguity). Thirty participants with social anxiety disorder (SADs) and 29 non-anxious controls completed an implicit AAT in which they were instructed to approach or avoid neutral and disgust faces (i.e. pull or push a joystick) based on colour of the picture border. Results indicated that SADs demonstrated greater difficulty approaching neutral relative to disgust faces. Moreover, intolerance for approach of ambiguity predicted social anxiety severity while controlling for the effects of trait anxiety and depression. Our results provide further support for the role of intolerance of ambiguity in SAD.
New dual-mode bandpass filters based on dual-plane structure

New dual-plane bandpass filters based on the coplanar-waveguide (CPW) square-ring resonators are proposed. In this study, the elevated metal air-bridges are used to suppress the parasitic coupled slotline mode and also to provide the shunt- capacitance perturbation. Moreover, the microstrip-to-CPW T- shaped transition is utilized as the feeding structure so that a large coupling may be achieved without using the surface-mount ceramic capacitors. By taking advantages of dual-plane layout capability, a wide bandwidth filter may be realized. Specifically, two filters with 3-dB fractional bandwidth of 20.85% and 31% are implemented and measured. Agreement between the measured and simulated results is also observed.
Communicative Action and the Trans-Disciplinary Education in Taiwan

B ased on the theory of communicative action developed by the German sociologist Jürgen Habermas, we performed a systematic review of the development of Trans-Disciplinary Education in Taiwan. The development of Trans-Disciplinary Education in Taiwan is initiated by MOE Program for TransDisciplinary Education on Society-HumanityScience and is also abbreviated as SHS Program. There are three sections in this paper. In the first section, we explained the SHS Program and its organizational framework. We examined then the theory of communicative action and discuss why his theory is adopted in this study. In the final section, we reviewed a plan of ten discussion topics with communicative action to illustrate how the SHS program mobilizes the faculty members to participate in public affairs. Since this program is still in progress, we are following four essential guidelines to describe the development of the Trans-Disciplinary Education in Taiwan.
HOW MUCH DESIGN DOES RESEARCH NEED: AN INQUIRY OF THE SYNERGETIC POTENTIAL OF METHODS OF SOCIAL AND DESIGN RESEARCH.

This paper presents the findings of a study with end-user involvement with the ultimate goal to test the synergetic potential of methods of two different research realms: on the one hand methods of qualitative social research and on the other hand methods of design research. The case for the appliance of this new mixed methods approach is the end-user requirements engineering phase 1 for the research project RelaxedCare, organized and co-funded within the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) Joint Programme of the European Commission. The purpose of the project is to develop solutions and products to connect elderly persons (assisted persons) and their relatives/friends (informal caregivers) in order to create a more relaxed care situation. AAL projects use in general quantitative and qualitative methods of social research for accessing user requirements. For the phase 1 of the end-user requirements engineering methods of both areas are chosen to find out if a trans-disciplinary research approach would reveal more significant findings concerning their translation in a holistic product development process and aim at creating a "best of both" research methodology.
Purification and characterization of the plasmodial phosphatase that hydrolyses the phosphorylated light chain of Physarum myosin II from Physarum polycephalum

A phosphatase was purified through a combination of ion‐exchange and hydrophobic chromatography followed by native PAGE from Physarum plasmodia. Recently, we demonstrated that this phosphatase isoform has a hydrolytic activity towards the PMLC (phosphorylated light chain of Physarum myosin II) at pH 7.6. The apparent molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated at approximately 50 kDa by means of analytical gel filtration. The enzyme was purified 340‐fold to a final phosphatase activity of 400 pkat/mg of protein. Among the phosphorylated compounds tested for hydrolytic activity at pH 7.6, the enzyme showed no activity towards nucleotides. At pH 7.6, hydrolytic activity of the enzyme against PMLC was detected; at pH 5.0, however, no hydrolytic activity towards PMLC was observed. The K m of the enzyme for PMLC was 10 μM, and the V max was 1.17 nkat/mg of protein. Ca2+ (10 μM) inhibited the activity of the enzyme, and Mg2+ (8.5 μM) activated the dephosphorylation of PMLC. Mn2+ (1.6 μM) highly stimulated the enzyme's activity. Based on these results, we concluded that the enzyme is likely to be a phosphatase with hydrolytic activity towards PMLC.
Combination of peptide OFFGEL fractionation and label‐free quantitation facilitated proteomics profiling of extraocular muscle

Several label‐free quantitation strategies have been introduced that obliterate the need for expensive isotopically labeled molecules. However label‐free approaches have considerably higher demands in respect of repeatability of sample preparation and fractionation than multiplexing isotope labeling‐based strategies. OFFGEL fractionation promises the necessary separation efficiency and repeatability. To test this platform, 12‐fraction peptide OFFGEL electrophoresis and online reversed‐phase LC connected to a quadrupole TOF mass spectrometer were used to determine differences of the physiological, pathological and biochemical distinct extraocular muscle allotype in comparison to hind‐limb muscle. Close to 70% of the peptides separated by OFFGEL electrophoresis were detected only in a single fraction. To determine the separation repeatability of four samples, we compared the ion volumes of multiple peptides deriving from the thick filament‐associated protein titin over several fractions and determined a coefficient of variation below 20%. Of the 474 proteins identified, 61 proteins were differently expressed between the two muscle allotypes and were involved in metabolism, muscle contraction, stress response, or gene expression. Several expression differences were validated using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. We therefore consider peptide OFFGEL fractionation an effective and efficient addition to our label‐free quantitative proteomics workflow.
Heartwood extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes and its active constituent fisetin attenuate vasoconstriction through calcium-dependent mechanism in rat aorta

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) exert cardiovascular protective activity by promoting blood circulation, but its active ingredients and underlying mechanism have yet to be identified. This study investigated the vascular effects of RVS, focusing on vasoconstriction and smooth muscle Ca2+ signaling. RVS heartwood extract attenuated contraction of aortic rings induced by the vasoconstrictors serotonin and phenylephrine, and inhibited the Ca2+ signaling evoked by serotonin in vascular smooth muscle cells. Subsequent activity-guided fractionation identified fisetin as an active constituent exerting a Ca2+ inhibitory effect. Fisetin could inhibit major Ca2+ mobilization pathways including extracellular Ca2+ influx mediated by the L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel, Ca2+ release from the intracellular store and store-operated Ca2+ entry. In accordance with Ca2+ inhibitory effect, fisetin attenuated vasoconstriction by serotonin and phenylephrine. These results suggest that the anticontractile effect, which is presumably mediated by inhibition of Ca2+ signaling, may contribute to the improvement of blood circulation by RVS. Graphical abstract Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract and its active constituent fisetin improve blood circulation by inhibiting smooth muscle Ca2+ signaling and thereby attenuating vasoconstriction.
Enhanced optical properties and (Zn, Mg) interdiffusion in vapour transport grown ZnO/MgO core/shell nanowires

ZnO/MgO (core/shell) nanowires (NWs) grown by a two-step vapour transport method under different MgO shell growth conditions are examined by x-ray diffraction, photoluminescence (PL) excitation and temperature (10–300 K) dependent PL. The excitonic-to-defect PL ratio is increased by more than two orders of magnitude in the core/shell as compared to bare ZnO NWs. Concomitantly, a strong depression of the PL thermal quenching, most particularly for the visible part of the PL spectrum, occurs. Using a semi-quantitative model, results are interpreted as a strong radiative to non-radiative lifetime ratio reduction due to defect passivation at the ZnO NW walls and photocarrier confinement within the ZnO core by the MgO shell. These beneficial effects are, however, significantly weakened when metal interdiffusion across the core/shell interface is favoured during the shell growth. Non-radiative recombination lifetime in the sample with sharp core/shell interface is described by a single activation energy of 15 meV (bound exciton release). For interdiffused cases and bare ZnO an additional activation energy of 60 meV (free exciton breakup) is observed.
The impact of organizational learning and network competence on service innovation performance

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relations among organizational learning, network competence and service innovation performance. We use SPSS 20.0 to test the effects among constructs. Through an empirical survey of 243 samples in South China, the results show that: (1) Different dimensions of organizational learning have significant effects on service innovation performance. (2) Network competence has a positive effect on service innovation performance. (3) The two dimensions of network competence have different moderating effect on the relationships between organizational learning and service innovation performance. The segmentation study in this paper gives some theoretical value on research of organization learning, network competence and service innovation performance, and enriches the empirical research of these areas in some extent.
Age related increase in mTOR activity contributes to the pathological changes in ovarian surface epithelium

Ovarian cancer is a disease of older women. However, the molecular mechanisms of ovarian aging and their contribution to the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer are currently unclear. mTOR signalling is a major regulator of aging as suppression of this pathway extends lifespan in model organisms. Overactive mTOR signalling is present in up to 80% of ovarian cancer samples and is associated with poor prognosis. This study examined the role of mTOR signalling in age-associated changes in ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). Histological examination of ovaries from both aged mice and women revealed OSE cell hyperplasia, papillary growth and inclusion cysts. These pathological lesions expressed bonafide markers of ovarian cancer precursor lesions, Pax8 and Stathmin 1, and were presented with elevated mTOR signalling. To understand whether overactive mTOR signalling is responsible for the development of these pathological changes, we analysed ovaries of the Pten trangenic mice and found significant reduction in OSE lesions compared to controls. Furthermore, pharmacological suppression of mTOR signalling significantly decreased OSE hyperplasia in aged mice. Treatment with mTOR inhibitors reduced human ovarian cancer cell viability, proliferation and colony forming ability. Collectively, we have established the role of mTOR signalling in age-related OSE pathologies and initiation of ovarian cancer.
Using automatic speech processing to analyze fundamental frequency of child-directed speech stored in a very large audio corpus

Child-Directed-Speech (CDS) is associated with raised fundamental frequency (f0). In a previous paper we claimed that f0 could be extracted from 500 hours of audio recordings using soft computing techniques and that mothers, but not fathers, increase f0 in CDS. Using an audio corpus more than ten times larger, this paper reports that fathers do raise f0 but not as much as mothers. The principle finding is a proof of concept: 1) very large speech corpora, unavailable until recently, can be processed using soft computing techniques; 2) the use of very large corpora may force revisions of conclusions based on smaller datasets.
Morphological Suitability of Patients with Aortoiliac Aneurysms for Endovascular Preservation of the Internal Iliac Artery Using Commercially Available Iliac Branch Graft Devices

Purpose: To quantify the proportion of patients with morphology suitable for the use of a commercially available iliac branch graft device (IBD), which offers an endovascular alternative to avoid the morbidity of internal iliac artery (IIA) embolization during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of aortoiliac aneurysms. Methods: A retrospective single-center study was conducted of 51 patients (44 men; mean age 75±7 years) undergoing IIA embolization (36 unilateral, 15 bilateral) prior to EVAR between June 2005 and August 2009. Three-dimensional volume-rendered reconstructions of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) scans were compared to criteria published by experienced surgeons and to manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU). Morphological suitability for IBD was graded with a score reflecting 15 variables (morphological score) extracted from the IFU and publications from experienced endovascular centers. The higher the score, the more adverse morphological features were encountered. Results: In the 51 patients, 66 target IIAs were studied. Of these, 25 (38%) target IIAs with a mean morphological score 4.44±1.96 were compliant with the manufacturer's IFU. Nineteen (29%) target IIA were compliant with experienced surgeons' criteria, with a mean morphological score of 4.2±2.0. The most common adverse feature was an aneurysmal IIA. Conclusion: In a population of patients with aortoiliac aneurysms, morphological applicability of a commercially available IBD was low, with the majority of patients possessing at least 1 adverse anatomical feature. A validated morphological scoring system derived from registry-type data is needed, with quantification of outcomes in IBD deployment that extends the IFU.
Mission profile translation to capacitor stresses in grid-connected photovoltaic systems

DC capacitors are widely adopted in grid-connected PhotoVoltaic(PV) systems for power stabilization and control decoupling. They have become one of the critical components in grid-connected PV inverters in terms of cost, reliability and volume. The electrical and thermal stresses of the DC capacitors are varying along with the intermittent solar PV energy (i.e. of weather-dependency) and also the grid conditions (e.g. voltage fault transients). This paper serves to translate real-field mission profiles (i.e. solar irradiance and ambient temperature) into voltage, current, and temperature stresses of the DC capacitors under both normal and abnormal grid conditions. As a consequence, this investigation provides new insights into the sizing and reliability prediction of those capacitors with respect to priorart studies. Two study cases on a single-stage PV inverter and a two-stage PV inverter are demonstrated by simulations and experiments. The results have verified the discussions.
Randomized controlled trial testing an internet physical activity intervention for sedentary adults.

OBJECTIVE Internet-based physical activity (PA) interventions have shown promise, although findings remain equivocal. We used formative research to enhance a previously demonstrated program (Step into Motion) with the goal of developing an Internet program poised for dissemination. METHODS We conducted focus groups to identify Internet features targeted to theoretical constructs (social cognitive theory) predictive of PA behavior and rated as "useful for increasing PA. " We identified 5 theory-targeted Internet features as useful for increasing PA: (1) a PA tracking/logging calendar targeting self-monitoring and goal setting; (2) geographic mapping tools targeting perceived environment; (3) a discussion forum targeting social support; (4) exercise videos targeting observational learning; and (5) regular updates of peer PA progress targeting situation. We then tested the efficacy of the enhanced program (enhanced Internet, EI; N = 25) in relation to publicly available PA Websites (standard Internet, SI; N = 28) among 53 participants in a randomized controlled trial. RESULTS The EI arm increased PA in relation to the SI arm at 3 months (18.4 to 186.0 min/wk vs. 20.9 to 57.3 min/wk; p = .03) but between-groups differences were not observed at 6 months (176.8 vs. 133.5 min/wk; p = .44). EI participants maintained PA from 3 to 6 months (186.0 to 176.8 min/wk), and the SI group increased PA (57.3 to 133.5 min/wk). CONCLUSION The EI program was efficacious at improving PA levels in relation to publicly available Websites initially, but differences in PA levels were not maintained at 6 months. Future research should identify Internet features that promote long-term maintenance.
Transplantation of Normal and Leukemic Human Bone Marrow into Immune‐Deficient Mice: Development of Animal Models for Human Hematopoiesis

The successful engraftment of human hematopoietic cells into immune-deficient mice offers a novel approach to characterize the developmental program of human hematopoiesis. While it is not yet possible to achieve high-level engraftment of all human lineages, several methods have been developed to successfully engraft human lymphoid cells and reconstitute partial immune function. In addition to mature cell types, there is evidence that progenitors and perhaps stem cells can engraft the murine bone marrow. Recent work suggests that provision of exogenous human cytokines significantly increases the level of human cell engraftment and stimulates the development of multiple lineages. Progress has also been made to establish animal models of human hematopoietic diseases such as leukemia, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases.