Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Cytomegalovirus Envelope Glycoproteins B and H Are Necessary for TLR2 Activation in Permissive Cells1

Human CMV (HCMV) is a ubiquitous member of the Herpesviridae family and an opportunistic pathogen that poses significant health risks for immunocompromised patients. HCMV pathogenesis is intimately tied to the immune status of the host, thus characterization of the innate immune response to HCMV infection is critical for understanding disease progression. Previously, we identified TLR2 as a host factor that detects and initiates inflammatory cytokine secretion in response to HCMV independent of viral replication. In this study, we show that two entry-mediating envelope gp, gp B (gB) and gp H (gH), display determinants recognized by TLR2. Neutralizing Abs against TLR2, gB and gH inhibit inflammatory cytokine responses to HCMV infection, suggesting that inflammatory cytokine stimulation by HCMV is mediated by interactions between these envelope gp and TLR2. Furthermore, both gB and gH coimmunoprecipitate with TLR2 and TLR1, indicating that these envelope gp directly interact with TLR2 and that a TLR2/TLR1 heterodimer is a functional sensor for HCMV. Because our previous studies were conducted in model cell lines, we also show that TLR2 is expressed by HCMV permissive human fibroblast cell strains, and that TLR2 is a functional sensor in these cells. This study further elucidates the importance and potency of envelope gp as a class of molecules displaying pathogen-associated molecular patterns that are recognized with immediate kinetics by TLRs in permissive cells.
An artificial bee colony algorithm hybrid with differential evolution for multi-temporal image registration

Image registration is a hot topic in the field of image processing, the aim of which is to find the best spatial transformation between two images by optimizing a similarity metric. Mutual information, as an effective and reliable criterion, is used in this paper. Local optimization technique always fail in this process because the function of this metric with respect to transformation parameters is usually non-convex and irregular, thus, global optimization method is required. This paper proposes an improved artificial bee colony algorithm hybrid with a differential evolution for image registration. Experiments are conducted to optimize the mutual information similarity metric in comparison with several evolutionary algorithms, results indicate that the hybrid algorithm produces more accuracy registration results.
Genetic Characterization, Pathogenicity, and Protection Studies with an Avian Adenovirus Isolate Associated with Inclusion Body Hepatitis

Abstract An avian adenovirus (AAV) was isolated from liver samples of two 2-wk-old broiler-breeder flocks obtained from grandparents vaccinated at 10 and 17 wks of age with an autogenous inactivated vaccine containing the European AAV 8 (8565 strain) and 11 (1047 strain) serotypes (AAV8/11 vaccine). Affected broiler-breeders exhibited clinical signs and macroscopic and microscopic lesions associated with inclusion body hepatitis (IBH). The isolated adenovirus, identified as Stanford, was molecularly characterized as European serotype 9. The pathogenicity of the Stanford strain was confirmed after inoculation of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens at 1–7 days of age, causing 100% and 20% mortality, respectively. The level of protection against IBH was evaluated in two broiler-breeder progenies from AAV 8/11–vaccinated grandparent flocks and a commercial broiler flock by challenge at 1 or 7 days of age with the AAV 8 and 11 serotypes and/or the Stanford strain. The broiler-breeder progenies and the commercial broiler flock exhibited protection against IBH after challenge. No significant differences in mean body weights were observed at 3 wk of age in any of the evaluated groups. We conclude that broiler-breeder progenies from 30- to 50-wk-old grandparents vaccinated with the AAV 8/11 vaccine were adequately protected against challenge with the AAV 8 and 11 serotypes and the Stanford strain.
An acceptance and commitment therapy self-help intervention for carers of patients in palliative care: Protocol of a feasibility randomised controlled trial

Undertaking a caregiving role at end of life can have enduring psychological consequences for carers, including poor adjustment in bereavement. Acceptance and commitment therapy–based interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in helping people cope with a range of life challenges. This article presents the protocol of a feasibility randomised controlled trial of an acceptance and commitment therapy self-help intervention for psychological distress and grief in carers of patients in palliative care. We will assess feasibility and acceptability of the trial procedures and intervention as well as preliminary effectiveness of the intervention on carer well-being outcomes.
A critical evaluation of ecological indices for the comparative analysis of microbial communities based on molecular datasets

ABSTRACT In times of global change and intensified resource exploitation, advanced knowledge of ecophysiological processes in natural and engineered systems driven by complex microbial communities is crucial for both safeguarding environmental processes and optimising rational control of biotechnological processes. To gain such knowledge, high‐throughput molecular techniques are routinely employed to investigate microbial community composition and dynamics within a wide range of natural or engineered environments. However, for molecular dataset analyses no consensus about a generally applicable alpha diversity concept and no appropriate benchmarking of corresponding statistical indices exist yet. To overcome this, we listed criteria for the appropriateness of an index for such analyses and systematically scrutinised commonly employed ecological indices describing diversity, evenness and richness based on artificial and real molecular datasets. We identified appropriate indices warranting interstudy comparability and intuitive interpretability. The unified diversity concept based on ‘effective numbers of types’ provides the mathematical framework for describing community composition. Additionally, the Bray‐Curtis dissimilarity as a beta‐diversity index was found to reflect compositional changes. The employed statistical procedure is presented comprising commented R‐scripts and example datasets for user‐friendly trial application. &NA; Graphical Abstract Figure. Generally applicable ecological indices for the statistical analysis of microbial community composition and dynamics based on fingerprinting and NGS datasets are presented warranting interstudy comparability and intuitive interpretability.
Gluten-dependent Small Bowel Mucosal Transglutaminase 2–specific IgA Deposits in Overt and Mild Enteropathy Coeliac Disease

Objectives: In coeliac disease, immunoglobulin (Ig)A–class autoantibodies against transglutaminase-2 are produced in the small intestinal mucosa, where they are deposited extracellularly. It remains unclear whether positive intestinal transglutaminase-2-targeted IgA deposits in subjects having normal small bowel mucosal morphology are signs of early-stage coeliac disease. We evaluated the gluten dependency of these deposits in overt and mild enteropathy coeliac disease. Patients and Methods: All together 48 subjects suspected of coeliac disease but having normal small bowel mucosal villi were enrolled; 28 of them had latent coeliac disease. The remaining 20 having positive intestinal IgA deposits adopted a gluten-free diet before villous atrophy had developed. For comparison, 13 patients with overt coeliac disease and 42 noncoeliac controls were studied. Small bowel mucosal transglutaminase-2–specific autoantibodies were compared with villous morphology, intraepithelial lymphocyte densities, and serum coeliac autoantibodies. Results: Intestinal IgA deposits were seen in all but 1 of the patients with latent coeliac disease, when the morphology was still intact; the intensity of these deposits increased as villous atrophy developed and decreased again on a gluten-free diet. In 20 patients with intestinal IgA deposits in normal villi, the intensity of the deposits decreased with the diet similarly to that seen in patients with overt coeliac disease. Mucosal IgA deposits were seen initially only in 5% of noncoeliac controls and in 8% after extended gluten consumption. Conclusions: The response of small bowel mucosal transglutaminase-2–specific IgA deposits for dietary intervention was similar in overt and mild enteropathy coeliac disease. Detection of such IgA deposits thus offers a good diagnostic tool to uncover early-stage coeliac disease.
Hybrid Acoustic-Lexical Deep Learning Approach for Deception Detection

Automatic deception detection is an important problem with far-reaching implications for many disciplines. We present a series of experiments aimed at automatically detecting deception from speech. We use the Columbia X-Cultural Deception (CXD) Corpus, a large-scale corpus of within-subject deceptive and non-deceptive speech, for training and evaluating our models. We compare the use of spectral, acoustic-prosodic, and lexical feature sets, using different machine learning models. Finally, we design a single hybrid deep model with both acoustic and lexical features trained jointly that achieves state-of-the-art results on the CXD corpus.
Characterization of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase in human subcutaneous adipocytes and search for novel functions

Numerous studies have characterized semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase activity (SSAO) in rat fat cells but this oxidase is scarcely documented in human adipose tissue. Our aim was to further characterize SSAO in human adipose tissue (activity, mRNA and protein abundance) and to investigate whether SSAO activity can interplay with glucose and lipid metabolism in human adipocytes via the hydrogen peroxide it generates. Polyclonal antibodies directed against bovine lung SSAO allowed the detection of a substantial amount of immunoreactive protein (apparent molecular mass 100 kDa) in human subcutaneous adipocytes from either mammary or abdominal fat depots. A 4-kb mRNA was detected in fat depots using a cDNA probe designed from the placenta SSAO sequence. Almost all the oxidation of benzylamine found in adipose tissue homogenates was due to fat cells and was located in the adipocyte membrane fraction. The oxidation of benzylamine and methylamine were similar and totally inhibited by semicarbazide or hydralazine but resistant to pargyline. Histamine was poorly oxidized. Benzylamine and methylamine dose-dependently stimulated glucose transport in intact adipocytes. This insulin-like effect of amines did not increase in the presence of 0.1 mM vanadate but was inhibited by semicarbazide and antioxidants. Benzylamine and methylamine also exhibited antilipolytic effects, with complete inhibition of lipolysis at 1 mM. These results show that fat cells from non-obese subjects express a membrane-bound SSAO which readily oxidizes exogenous amines, generates hydrogen peroxide and exerts short-term insulin-like actions on glucose and lipid metabolism.
Relations between short-term memory deficits, semantic processing, and executive function

Background: Previous research has suggested separable short-term memory (STM) buffers for the maintenance of phonological and lexical-semantic information, as some patients with aphasia show better ability to retain semantic than phonological information and others show the reverse. Recently researchers have proposed that deficits to the maintenance of semantic information in STM are related to executive control abilities. Aims: The present study investigated the relationship of executive function abilities with semantic and phonological short-term memory (STM) and semantic processing in such patients, as some previous research has suggested that semantic STM deficits and semantic processing abilities are critically related to specific or general executive function deficits. Method & Procedures: A total of 20 patients with aphasia and STM deficits were tested on measures of short-term retention, semantic processing, and both complex and simple executive function tasks. Outcome & Results: In correlational analyses we found no relation between semantic STM and performance on simple or complex executive function tasks. In contrast, phonological STM was related to executive function performance in tasks that had a verbal component, suggesting that performance in some executive function tasks depends on maintaining or rehearsing phonological codes. Although semantic STM was not related to executive function ability, performance on semantic processing tasks was related to executive function, perhaps due to similar executive task requirements in both semantic processing and executive function tasks. Conclusions: Implications for treatment and interpretations of executive deficits are discussed.
The Cotton ACTIN1 Gene Is Functionally Expressed in Fibers and Participates in Fiber Elongation

Single-celled cotton fiber (Gossypium hirsutum) provides a unique experimental system to study cell elongation. To investigate the role of the actin cytoskeleton during fiber development, 15 G. hirsutum ACTIN (GhACT) cDNA clones were characterized. RNA gel blot and real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that GhACT genes are differentially expressed in different tissues and can be classified into four groups. One group, represented by GhACT1, is expressed predominantly in fiber cells and was studied in detail. A 0.8-kb GhACT1 promoter sufficient to confirm its fiber-specific expression was identified. RNA interference of GhACT1 caused significant reduction of its mRNA and protein levels and disrupted the actin cytoskeleton network in fibers. No defined actin network was observed in these fibers and, consequently, fiber elongation was inhibited. Our results suggested that GhACT1 plays an important role in fiber elongation but not fiber initiation.
Ultra-low specific on-resistance SOI high voltage trench LDMOS with dielectric field enhancement based on ENBULF concept

An ultra-low specific on-resistance (Ron, sp) high voltage trench SOI LDMOS based on the enhanced bulk field (ENBULF) concept is proposed. The key feature of this new device is heavily doped N/P pillars parallel to the trench oxide layer. The bulk electric field of the trench LDMOS is enhanced both in the dielectric and the silicon layer by using the N/P pillars. Firstly, the highly doped N/P pillars introduce two new electric field peaks in the bulk of the drift region, which enhances the bulk electric fields both under the drain and source. Secondly, the additional electric field of the trench oxide layer is produced by N/P pillars, leading to a shrink of the drift area. Thirdly, the enhanced dielectric layer field (ENDIF) effect of the BOX layer occurs self-adaptively with different thicknesses of the BOX layer. Combining the trench and SJ technologies, the cell pitch is reduced and the optimized doping concentration of the drift region is increased. The Ron,sp is therefore reduced efficiently. The 2-D analytical model of the ENBULF LDMOS is developed to guide the design of the novel device. Based on the model and the simulation, the ENBULF LDMOS exhibits a offstate BV of 684 V and a Ron, sp of 48.5 mΩ·cm2. The new device breaks through the silicon limit in a wide applied voltage levels.
Regulated Proteolysis of Nonmuscle Myosin IIA Stimulates Osteoclast Fusion*

The nonmuscle myosin IIA heavy chain (Myh9) is strongly associated with adhesion structures of osteoclasts. In this study, we demonstrate that during osteoclastogenesis, myosin IIA heavy chain levels are temporarily suppressed, an event that stimulates the onset of cell fusion. This suppression is not mediated by changes in mRNA or translational levels but instead is due to a temporary increase in the rate of myosin IIA degradation. Intracellular activity of cathepsin B is significantly enhanced at the onset of osteoclast precursor fusion, and specific inhibition of its activity prevents myosin IIA degradation. Further, treatment of normal cells with cathepsin B inhibitors during the differentiation process reduces cell fusion and bone resorption capacity, whereas overexpression of cathepsin B enhances fusion. Ongoing suppression of the myosin IIA heavy chain via RNA interference results in formation of large osteoclasts with significantly increased numbers of nuclei, whereas overexpression of myosin IIA results in less osteoclast fusion. Increased multinucleation caused by myosin IIA suppression does not require RANKL. Further, knockdown of myosin IIA enhances cell spreading and lessens motility. These data taken together strongly suggest that base-line expression of nonmuscle myosin IIA inhibits osteoclast precursor fusion and that a temporary, cathepsin B-mediated decrease in myosin IIA levels triggers precursor fusion during osteoclastogenesis.
Fluctuating asymmetry and psychometric intelligence

Little is known about the genetic nature of human psychometric intelligence (IQ), but it is widely assumed that IQ's heritability is at loci for intelligence per se. We present evidence consistent with a hypothesis that interindividual IQ differences are partly due to heritable vulnerabilities to environmental sources of developmental stress, an indirect genetic mechanism for the heritability of IQ. Using fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of the body (the asymmetry resulting from errors in the development of normally symmetrical bilateral traits under stressful conditions), we estimated the relative developmental instability of 112 undergraduates and administered to them Cattell's culture fair intelligence test (CFIT). A subsequent replication on 128 students was performed. In both samples, FA correlated negatively and significantly with CFIT scores. We propose two non–mutually exclusive physiological explanations for this correlation. First, external body FA may correlate negatively with the developmental integrity of the brain. Second, individual energy budget allocations and/or low metabolic efficiency in high–FA individuals may lower IQ scores. We review the data on IQ in light of our findings and conclude that improving developmental environmental quality may increase average IQ in future generations.
Immunophenotyping of T cells in the peripheral circulation in psoriasis

Abstract Background: Psoriasis is a T-helper (Th)-1/Th17-mediated chronic inflammatory disease. Cytokine mediated interaction between T lymphocytes and keratinocytes lead to keratinocyte hyper-proliferation, which leads to further inflammation in the psoriatic plaques. There is an increased population of T-helper cells in the skin lesions as well as in the peripheral circulation in psoriasis. However, the relative percentage of each T-cell phenotype in the disease pathogenesis is understudied. Our aim was to study the immune-phenotype of the different T-helper/T-reg cell subsets in patients with psoriasis, with respect to healthy controls. Materials and methods: A total of 189 cases of psoriasis and 189 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Disease severity was determined by psoriasis area severity index (PASI) scoring. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll-Paque density centrifugation, and T-cell immunophenotyping was done by flow cytometric analysis. Results: In psoriasis, we observed an imbalance in T-cell immunophenotype, characterised by an increase in Th1/Th17 cells and a relative decrease in Th2/T-reg cells, as compared to the healthy controls. We also found that the percentage of Th1/Th17 cells showed a linear trend, increasing with increasing disease severity (PASI). Conclusion: Our results suggest an immune-dysregulation in psoriasis associated with a predominance of Th1/Th17 phenotype, especially with increasing severity of the disease.
Maternal condition, yolk androgens and offspring performance: a supplemental feeding experiment in the lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus)

It has been proposed that the maternal androgens in avian egg yolk enhance offspring fitness by accelerating growth and improving competitive ability. Because egg quality is strongly influenced by maternal condition, we predicted that females in good condition would produce high–quality eggs with relatively high androgen content. We experimentally enhanced maternal condition by supplementary feeding lesser black–backed gulls (Larus fuscus) during egg formation and compared the concentrations of androstenedione (A4), 5α–dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone (T) in their eggs with those in eggs laid by control females. We also measured circulating levels of T in females immediately after laying. Egg androgens could affect offspring performance directly through chick development and/or indirectly through changes in the competitive ability of a chick relative to its siblings. To avoid confounding these two routes, and to separate effects operating through the egg itself with those operating through experimental changes in parental chick rearing capacity, we fostered eggs from both maternal treatment groups singly into the nests of unmanipulated parents. Contrary to expectation, mothers with experimentally enhanced body condition laid eggs with lower levels of androgens, while exhibiting higher circulating T concentrations post–laying. Despite these lower levels of egg androgen, offspring hatched from eggs laid by mothers in good condition did not show reduced growth or survival when reared in the absence of sibling competition. Our results demonstrate that yolk androgen concentrations vary with the body condition of the female at the time of egg formation and that females in good condition reduced the yolk androgen content of their eggs without altering offspring performance.
Simulation of custom power electronic device D-STATCOM — A case study

In this paper, a Distribution STATic COMpensator (DSTATCOM) is proposed for compensation of reactive power and unbalance caused by various loads in distribution system. Distribution static compensator is based on the VSC principle. A D-STATCOM injects a current into the system to correct the voltage sag, swell and interruption An evaluation of a methods is made to derive reference currents for a DSTATCOM. This method is known as synchronous reference frame theory. This scheme are simulated under MATLAB environment using SEVIULINK and PSB toolboxes. A distribution system supplying an unbalanced and nonlinear load is taken up for study. Simulation results demonstrate the performance of this schemes for the control of DSTATCOM.