Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Everybody Need Good Neighbors? Labor Mobility Costs, Cities and Matching

We develop an assignment model for a city with central and suburban labor markets connected by commuting. We show that not all workers benefit from the agglomeration economies created by the dense central business district. Low-skilled workers in the suburban district are worse off by being close to the dense central business district. High-skilled workers gain more from the urban scale. The existence of labor mobility costs induces only high-skilled workers in the suburbs to commute to the central business district, which results in a decrease in the local contact efficiency for the left-behind low-skilled workers. The empirical evidence from a Belgian linked employer–employee dataset confirms this novel finding.
Processing of N-linked oligosaccharides from precursor- to mature-form herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein gC

Immature and mature forms of glycoprotein gC were purified by immunoadsorbent from herpes simplex virus type 1-infected BHK cells labeled with [3H]mannose for a 20-min pulse or for 11 h followed by a 3-h chase. The nature of N-asparagine-linked oligosaccharides carried by the immature form, pgC (molecular weight = 92,000), and the mature gC (molecular weight = 120,000) has been investigated. All pronase-digested glycopeptides of pgC were susceptible to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H treatment; thus they have a high-mannose structure. Using thin-layer chromatography to separate endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H-cleaved oligosaccharides, polymannosyl chains of different sizes, ranging from Man9GlcNAc to Man5GlcNAc, were separated. The major components were Man8GlcNAc and Man7GlcNAc, suggesting that pgC labeled in a 20-min pulse represents the form of glycoprotein already routed to the Golgi apparatus. Analysis of glycopeptides of mature gC showed that the majority (95%) of N-linked glycans were converted to complex-type glycans. Ion-exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose and leucoagglutinin-agarose revealed that diantennary and triantennary glycans predominated, whereas tetrantennary chains were not present. Parts of the di- and triantennary chains were not fully sialylated. The high heterogeneity of complex-type chains found in mature gC may be related to the high number of N-glycosylation sites of the glycoprotein as predicted by DNA sequencing studies (Frink et al., J. Virol. 45:634-647, 1983).
Quantitation of Immunoglobulin to Hepatitis E Virus by Enzyme Immunoassay

ABSTRACT We developed a quantitative enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for antibody to hepatitis E virus (HEV) by using truncated HEV capsid protein expressed in the baculovirus system to improve seroepidemiology, to contribute to hepatitis E diagnosis, and to enable vaccine evaluations. Five antigen lots were characterized; we used a reference antiserum to standardize antigen potency. We defined Walter Reed antibody units (WR U) with a reference antiserum by using the four-parameter logistic model, established other reference pools as assay standards, and determined the conversion factor: 1 WR U/ml = 0.125 World Health Organization unit (WHO U) per ml. The EIA performed consistently; median intra- and intertest coefficients of variation were 9 and 12%, respectively. The accurate minimum detection limit with serum diluted 1:1,000 was 5.6 WR U/ml; the test could detect reliably a fourfold antibody change. In six people followed from health to onset of hepatitis E, the geometric mean antibody level rose from 7.1 WR U/ml to 1,924.6 WR U/ml. We used the presence of 56- and 180-kDa bands by Western blotting as a confirmatory test and to define true-negative and -positive serum specimens. A receiver-operating characteristics plot identified 30 WR U/ml as an optimum cut-point (sensitivity, 86%; specificity, 89%). The EIA detected antibody more sensitively than a commercially available test. The EIA was transferred to another laboratory, where four operators matched reference laboratory results for a panel of unknowns. Quantitation of antibody to HEV and confirmation of its specificity by Western blotting make HEV serology more meaningful.
Disentangled Correlations and the Risk-Return Tradeoff

This paper evaluates the impact of co-movement in equity return correlations on the equity risk-return trade-off. By applying a principal components analysis on conditional correlations, conditional covariances between the return of a security and the market return are decomposed in a sum of three terms: pure volatility dynamics, the interaction of volatility and market-wide (common) correlation dynamics, and the interaction of volatility and idiosyncratic correlation dynamics. The importance of each of these covariance terms on the risk-return trade-off is analyzed, in different cross-sections. For portfolios sorted on industry, size and momentum, the risk-return trade-off is originated by the interaction of volatility and common correlation dynamics, whereas in the book-to-market cross-section, the trade-off comes from the interaction of volatility and idiosyncratic correlation dynamics. This suggests that investors conditionally price book-to market differently than industry, size and momentum.
Aerospace energy conservation utilizing optimum methods

In general, the minimum path problem is concerned with finding shortest paths between a start to an end node in the minimum distance sense. There are many interesting algorithms which may be utilized for that purpose, that fall under the category of the Euclidian travelling salesman problem [1] and [2]. Although these methodologies determine the optimum waypoint guidance to be traversed by an aerial vehicle, to reach a destination, there is need for the inclusion of dynamical and functional constraints in order to describe the means to reach the goal. While the resulting path(s) are of minimum-distance sense they do not take into account the energy requirements. Consequently wasting fuel the path may not be feasible or reachable. In the included work the arbitrary energy requirements for the mission are described with a focus on optimum-energy demand for a waypoint based sequence of elementary walks. The later is illustrated through a simulation of an aircraft which needs to reach a goal from a source point passing via intermediate waypoints of interest. In addition wind disturbances are included in the formulation and analysis.
Identification of TIAR as a Protein Binding to the Translational Regulatory AU-rich Element of Tumor Necrosis Factor α mRNA*

In monocyte/macrophages, the translation of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) mRNA is tightly regulated. In unstimulated cells, translation of TNF-α mRNA is blocked. Upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharides, this repression is overcome, and the mRNA becomes efficiently translated. The key element in this regulation is the AU-rich element (ARE). We have previously reported the binding of two cytosolic protein complexes to the TNF-α mRNA ARE. One of these complexes (complex 1) forms with extracts of both unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages and requires a large fragment of the ARE containing clustered AUUUA pentamers. The other complex (complex 2) is only detected after cell activation, binds to a minimal UUAUUUAUU nonamer, and is composed of a 55-kDa protein. Here, we report the identification of the RNA-binding protein TIAR as a protein involved in complex 1. The RNA sequence bound by TIAR and the cytoplasmic localization of this protein in macrophages argue for an involvement of TIAR in TNF mRNA posttranscriptional regulation.
The fluorescent antibody method in medical and biological research.

The introduction by A. H. Coons of the fluorescent antibody method for the localization and identification of antigens has been followed, over the last ten years, by numerous applications of this technique to various fields of biology and medicine. Owing to its relative simplicity, this immunohistochemical method has proved easily adaptable to diagnostic procedures as well as to more fundamental studies of bacterial and viral pathogenesis. It also proved to be of value in the pathogenetic studies of the so-called collagen diseases.The immunofluorescent method is not a quantitative one and is 20 000 times less sensitive than the radioautographic technique; however, it is superior in its capacity for the specific localization of antigens and antibodies in tissue sections.The method has some limitations, such as non-specific staining or poor contrast with some of the tissues showing autofluorescence, but experience has shown that, when applied and interpreted critically, it can render services to medical investigators throughout the world.
The Means and Ends of Foreign Policy as Determinants of Presidential Support

Previous research has not found foreign policy attitudes to be an important determinant of political evaluations (such as voting or presidential evaluation). Such findings, though, may have underestimated the importance of foreign policy because they are based on aggregate data and because they measure such attitudes at a level which is much too specific. We argue that citizens base presidential evaluations on foreign policy in two ways: first, by focusing on international outcomes as retrospective judges; and second, by evaluating the general foreign policy postures of the administration. Based on a sample of Twin Cities adults, it is found that foreign policy has a substantial impact on evaluations of President Reagan.
Insertion of short transmembrane helices by the Sec61 translocon

The insertion efficiency of transmembrane (TM) helices by the Sec61 translocon depends on helix amino acid composition, the positions of the amino acids within the helix, and helix length. We have used an in vitro expression system to examine systematically the insertion efficiency of short polyleucine segments (Ln, n = 4 … 12) flanked at either end by 4-residue sequences of the form XXPX-Ln-XPXX with X = G, N, D, or K. Except for X = K, insertion efficiency (p) is <10% for n < 8, but rises steeply to 100% for n = 12. For X = K, p is already close to 100% for n = 10. A similar pattern is observed for synthetic peptides incorporated into oriented phospholipid bilayer arrays, consistent with the idea that recognition of TM segments by the translocon critically involves physical partitioning of nascent peptide chains into the lipid bilayer. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that insertion efficiency is determined primarily by the energetic cost of distorting the bilayer in the vicinity of the TM helix. Very short lysine-flanked leucine segments can reduce the energetic cost by extensive hydrogen bonding with water and lipid phosphate groups (snorkeling) and by partial unfolding.
Unbalacing the I/O Pins Partitioning for Minimizing Inter-Tier Vias in 3D VLSI Circuits

The 3D Circuit technologies appear as a possible solution for interconnect optimization. For most of the 3D technologies, the 3D-Vias represent a very complex issue because of large pitch requirements and heavy usage of routing constraints. New algorithms and CAD methods must be developed in order to take advantage of the high integration of elements and potentially shorter wire lengths while keeping track of the 3D-Vias. One of the CAD problems, addressed by this paper, is the partition and placement of the I/O pins of a block into sub-blocks that are partitioned into the circuit tiers. In this paper, we extend our previous work in the field to trade-off the I/O pins balance for improved cut. The new version of our partitioning algorithm outperformed the widely used hMetis algorithm in number of 3D-Vias from 2% to 10% (depending on the I/O pins balance), while the standard deviation of the number of I/Os increased. We also observed that the maximum number of 3D-Vias between pairs of adjacent tiers dropped by 14% (in the best case) with the I/O pin unbalance.
Lipid Rafts of Primary Endothelial Cells Are Essential for Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus/Human Herpesvirus 8-Induced Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and RhoA-GTPases Critical for Microtubule Dynamics and Nuclear Delivery of Viral DNA but Dispensable for Binding and Entry

ABSTRACT Early during de novo infection of human microvascular dermal endothelial (HMVEC-d) cells, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) (human herpesvirus 8 [HHV-8]) induces the host cell's preexisting FAK, Src, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), Rho-GTPases, Diaphanous-2 (Dia-2), Ezrin, protein kinase C-ζ, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and NF-κB signal pathways that are critical for virus entry, nuclear delivery of viral DNA, and initiation of viral gene expression. Since several of these signal molecules are known to be associated with lipid raft (LR) domains, we investigated the role of LR during KSHV infection of HMVEC-d cells. Pretreatment of cells with LR-disrupting agents methyl β-cyclo dextrin (MβCD) or nystatin significantly inhibited the expression of viral latent (ORF73) and lytic (ORF50) genes. LR disruption did not affect KSHV binding but increased viral DNA internalization. In contrast, association of internalized viral capsids with microtubules (MTs) and the quantity of infected nucleus-associated viral DNA were significantly reduced. Disorganized and disrupted MTs and thick rounded plasma membranes were observed in MβCD-treated cells. LR disruption did not affect KSHV-induced FAK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation; in contrast, it increased the phosphorylation of Src, significantly reduced the KSHV-induced PI3-K and RhoA-GTPase and NF-κB activation, and reduced the colocalizations of PI3-K and RhoA-GTPase with LRs. Biochemical characterization demonstrated the association of activated PI3-K with LR fractions which was inhibited by MβCD treatment. RhoA-GTPase activation was inhibited by PI3-K inhibitors, demonstrating that PI3-K is upstream to RhoA-GTPase. In addition, colocalization of Dia-2, a RhoA-GTPase activated molecule involved in MT activation, with LR was reduced. KSHV-RhoA-GTPase mediated acetylation and aggregation of MTs were also reduced. Taken together, these studies suggest that LRs of endothelial cells play critical roles in KSHV infection and gene expression, probably due to their roles in modulating KSHV-induced PI3-K, RhoA-GTPase, and Dia-2 molecules essential for postbinding and entry stages of infection such as modulation of microtubular dynamics, movement of virus in the cytoplasm, and nuclear delivery of viral DNA.
Primary thrombophilia in Mexico IX

Introduction: The sticky platelet syndrome (SPS) seems to be a common cause of thrombosis, although no molecular substrate to explain platelet hyperaggregability has been found. Objective: To analyze an association between the SPS phenotype and the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIIa PLA1/A2 (human platelet antigen [HPA]-1a/b) gene polymorphism. Methods: Along an 18-month period, Mexican mestizo thrombophilic patients were prospectively accrued. The SPS phenotype was assessed by aggregometry, whereas a tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to detect the PLA1 and PLA2 alleles. Results: A total of 95 individuals with SPS and 127 healthy donors were studied; in 11 of the donors and 16 of the patients with SPS the A2 allele of the GP IIb/IIIA was found, yielding a weak and nonsignificant association (odds ratio 2.14, 95% CI 0.94-4.85). Conclusion: In Mexican mestizo patients, the platelet GP IIIa PLA1/A2 gene polymorphism does not lead to the SPS phenotype.
Progression of pre-hypertension, stage 1 and 2 hypertension (JNC 7): a population-based study in Keelung, Taiwan (Keelung Community-based Integrated Screening No. 9)

Objective To investigate the prevalence and progression of, and identify risk factors for, pre-hypertension, stage 1 and 2 hypertension in a population-based study. Design A prospective cohort study. Setting An integrated community-based multiple screening program in Keelung, Taiwan. Participants A total of 67 011 individuals aged 20–79 years between 1999 and 2003 were included. Of these, 22 111 re-attended, yielding 53 689 repeated recordings of blood pressure, including movement between normal and pre-hypertension and progression from pre-hypertension to stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension. Main outcome measures Blood pressure was defined and classified according to the JNC 7 Report as normal, pre-hypertension, stage 1, and stage 2 hypertension. Results Below 50 years of age, males had a higher progression rate, particularly from normal to pre-hypertension, than females. Annual regression rates from pre-hypertension to normal were higher in the young age group than in the old age group, particularly for females. Factors associated with the occurrence of pre-hypertension were old age, male gender, high waist circumference, abnormal blood lipids, smoking, chewing betel nuts, lack of exercise, and having parents with hypertension. Factors associated with regression from pre-hypertension to normal were body mass index, fasting glucose, high-density lipoprotein level, smoking, and parents with hypertension. Progression from pre-hypertension to stage 1 hypertension was positively related to male gender, higher waist circumference, and having parents with hypertension. Conclusions The rates of progression and regression of hypertension vary with age and gender, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, and family history.
Poverty–Growth–Inequality Triangle by Principal Component Analysis

The objective of the study is to investigate the associations among rural poverty, agriculture growth and income inequality in Pakistan as problems that have emerged in Pakistan during 1990s and 2000s (i.e., the reduction of agricultural share in GDP, widening income disparities and increasing vulnerability) by adjusting for the influences of rural development, sanitation and education. The regression result indicates that rural development and national income per capita has a negative association with poverty and income inequality, and a positive association with agriculture growth in Pakistan. Similarly, FDI has a positive impact on rural development, income inequality and poverty. External debt has positive associations with the poverty and income inequality in rural Pakistan. Finally, health expenditures have a positive relationship with the poverty and inequality which indicates that Pakistan’s health reforms are intrinsically anti-poor.
An Overview of Treatment Drugs Affecting Survival of Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a blood cancer characterized by accumulation of immature white blood cells known as lymphoblasts. Commonly, ALL appears in childhood however, it is also present in adulthood. One of the causes of ALL is BCR-ABL translocation called Philadelphia chromosome which includes chromosome 9 and 22. The fusion of BCR-ABL results in hybrid protein (tyrosine kinase protein) which causes cells to divide uncontrollably. Consequently, the main role of the treatment drugs is to target this protein and to stop its function. This paper evaluates three different types of targeted treatment drug: imatinib, dasatinib and nilotinib and their effect on patients’ survival. Based on overall survival most successful drug for the treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia was imatinib (75%). Highest median age (69 years) was observed in patients with dasatinib. Targeted cancer therapy is the treatment strategy which can precisely target the basis of the disease and stop its progression. In order for patients to respond best to particular therapy the production of new and improved targeted drugs is unavoidable. KeywordsAcute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Overall Survival, Philadelphia Chromosome, Translocation.
Conditional firing probabilities in cultured neuronal networks: a stable underlying structure in widely varying spontaneous activity patterns

To properly observe induced connectivity changes after training sessions, one needs a network model that describes individual relationships in sufficient detail to enable observation of induced changes and yet reveals some kind of stability in these relationships. We analyzed spontaneous firing activity in dissociated rat cortical networks cultured on multi-electrode arrays by means of the conditional firing probability. For all pairs (i, j) of the 60 electrodes, we calculated conditional firing probability (CFPi,j[τ]) as the probability of an action potential at electrode j at t = τ, given that one was detected at electrode i at t = 0. If a CFPi,j[τ] distribution clearly deviated from a flat one, electrodes i and j were considered to be related. For all related electrode pairs, a function was fitted to the CFP-curve to obtain parameters for ‘strength’ and ‘delay’ (i.e. maximum and latency of the maximum of the curve) of each relationship. In young cultures the set of identified relationships changed rather quickly. At 16 days in vitro (DIV) 50% of the set changed within 2 days. Beyond 25 DIV this set stabilized: during a week more than 50% of the set remained intact. Most individual relationships developed rather gradually. Moreover, beyond 25 DIV relational strength appeared quite stable, with coefficients of variation (100 × SD/mean) around 25% in periods of ≈10 h. CFP analysis provides a robust method to describe the underlying probabilistic structure of highly varying spontaneous activity in cultured cortical networks. It may offer a suitable basis for plasticity studies, in the case of changes in the probabilistic structure. CFP analysis monitors all pairs of electrodes instead of just a selected one. Still, it is likely to describe the network in sufficient detail to detect subtle changes in individual relationships.
Cationic polymer modified PLGA nanoparticles encapsulating Alhagi honey polysaccharides as a vaccine delivery system for ovalbumin to improve immune responses

Background: Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles and surface modified PLGA nanoparticles have been widely studied as antigens or drugs carriers due to their controlled release characteristics and biocompatibility. However, most PLGA nanoparticles have lower antigens loading efficiency and adjuvanticity. Purpose: The aim of this study was to improve the antigen loading efficiency and adjuvant activity of PLGA nanoparticles. Materials and methods: Surface cationic polymer modification can improve the antigens loading efficiency of PLGA nanoparticles by surface adsorption. Therefore, in this study, chitosan modified PLGA nanoparticles (CS-AHPP/OVA), polyethyleneimine modified PLGA nanoparticles (PEI-AHPP/OVA), and ε-Poly-L-lysine modified PLGA nanoparticles (εPL-AHPP/OVA) were prepared as antigen delivery carriers to investigate the characterization and stability of these nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were evaluated for their efficacies as adjuvants pre- and post-modification. Results: The AHP and OVA-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (AHPP/OVA) were positively charged after surface cationic polymers modification, and their structural integrity was maintained. Their antigen loading capacity and stability of nanoparticles were improved by the surface cationic polymers modification. Increased positive surface charge resulted in greater OVA adsorption capacity. Among AHPP/OVA and the three surface cationic polymers synthesized from modified PLGA nanoparticles, PEI-AHPP/OVA showed the highest antigen loading efficiency and good stability. AHPP/OVA, CS-AHPP/OVA PEI-AHPP/OVA, and εPL-AHPP/OVA formulations significantly enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and improved the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells. In addition, AHPP/OVA, PEI-AHPP/OVA and εPL-AHPP/OVA formulations induced secretion of cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-6), antibodies (IgG) and antibody subtypes (IgG1 and IgG2a) in immunized mice. These results demonstrate that these formulations generated a strong Th1-biased immune response. Among them, PEI-AHPP/OVA induced the strongest Th1-biased immune response. Conclusion: In conclusion, PEI-AHPP/OVA nanoparticles may be a potential antigen delivery system for the induction of strong immune responses.