Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Shiga toxin B‐subunit targets antigen in vivo to dendritic cells and elicits anti‐tumor immunity

The non‐toxic B‐subunit of Shiga toxin (STxB) interacts with the glycolipid Gb3, which is preferentially expressed on dendritic cells (DC) and B cells. After administration of STxB chemically coupled to OVA (STxB‐OVA) in mice, we showed that the immunodominant OVA257–264 peptide restricted by Kb molecules is specifically presented by CD11c+CD8α– DC, some of them displaying a mature phenotype. Using mice carrying a transgene encoding a diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) under the control of the murine CD11c promoter, which allows inducible ablation of DC, we showed that DC are required for efficient priming of CTL after STxB‐OVA vaccination. Immunization of mice with STxB‐OVA induced OVA‐specific CD8+ T cells detected ex vivo; these cells were long lasting, since they could be detected even 91 days after the last immunization and were composed of both central and memory T cells. Vaccination of mice with STxB‐OVA and STxB coupled to E7, a protein derived from HPV16, inhibited tumor growth in prophylactic and therapeutic experiments. This effect was mainly mediated by CD8+ T cells. STxB therefore appears to be a powerful carrier directly targeting DC in vivo, resulting in a strong and durable CTL response associated with tumor protection.
Les aspects algorithmiques de la classification ascendante pyramidale et incrémentale

Ce travail presente une etude sur la classification pyramidale classique et incrementale. Plus precisement, il concerne deux principaux themes : la classification ascendante pyramidale (CAP) et la classification incrementale pyramidale (CIP). Une autre partie de ce travail est consacree a l'etude des liens entre l'incrementalite pyramidale et l'apprentissage symbolique-numerique. En classification ascendante pyramidale, nous proposons un algorithme qui respecte le principe fondamental de la CAP et ameliore d'au moins un facteur la complexite polynomiale des precedents algorithmes rencontres dans la litterature. D'abord, nous exposons les points cruciaux, en termes de complexite algorithmique, de la construction d'une pyramide. Ensuite, nous apportons des ameliorations en proposant une nouvelle methodologie conceptuelle basee sur la selection-agregation-elimination des couples d'elements appeles paliers. Nous demontrons egalement un theoreme de bijection sur les couples de paliers abregeables. En classification incrementale pyramidale, nous proposons une methode d'incrementation d'un nouvel objet dans une pyramide, apres une etude approfondie sur la formation et le caractere revisable des classes utilisant la notion de contexte. Ensuite, nous etudions les effets de l'ordre de presentation des objets sous l'hypothese d'un ordre de presentation aleatoire des objets. Par rapport a l'apprentissage, nous etudions les liens entre l'incrementallite et l'apprentissage (intelligence artificielle) numerique-symbolique, en montrant qu'une pyramide symbolique est un modele d'organisation des connaissances sous forme de regles que l'incrementalite permet de raffiner certaines et d'en decouvrir d'autres.
Automatic Prompting and Positive Attention to Reduce Tongue Protrusion and Head Tilting by Two Adults With Severe to Profound Intellectual Disabilities

This study assessed a simple behavioral strategy for reducing stereotypic tongue protrusion and forward head tilting displayed by a woman and a man with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. The strategy involved (a) auditory prompting (i.e., verbal encouragements to keep the tongue in the mouth or the head upright) delivered automatically at fixed intervals via a portable device, and (b) social approval delivered by a research assistant at adjustable intervals for the absence of the inappropriate behavior. The intervals arranged for the delivery of approval were extended if the inappropriate behavior occurred in concomitance with the expected delivery. Data showed that the intervention strategy was effective in reducing the stereotypic tongue protrusion and forward head tilting. Their occurrences dropped from above 40% (tongue protrusion) and close to 80% (head tilting) of the observation instances during the initial baseline to around or slightly above 10% of those instances during the second intervention period and the 3-month postintervention check.
The Bisphenol A Experience: A Primer for the Analysis of Environmental Effects on Mammalian Reproduction1

It is increasingly evident that environmental factors are a veritable Pandora's box from which new concerns and complications continue to emerge. Although previously considered the domain of toxicologists, it is now clear that an understanding of the effects of the environment on reproduction requires a far broader range of expertise and that, at least for endocrine-disrupting chemicals, many of the tenets of classical toxicology need to be revisited. Indeed, because of the wide range of reproductive effects induced by these chemicals, interest among reproductive biologists has grown rapidly: in 2000, the program for the annual Society for the Study of Reproduction meeting included a single minisymposium on the fetal origins of adult disease, one platform session on endocrine disruption, and 23 toxicology poster presentations. In contrast, environmental factors featured prominently at the 2009 meeting, with strong representation in the plenary, minisymposia, platform, and poster sessions. Clearly, a lot has happened in a decade, and environmental issues have become an increasingly important research focus for reproductive biologists. In this review, we summarize some of the inherent difficulties in assessing environmental effects on reproductive performance, focusing on the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) to illustrate important emerging concerns. In addition, because the BPA experience serves as a prototype for scientific activism, public education, and advocacy, these issues are also discussed.
Moderating Role of Access to Finance on Entrepreneurial Orientation, Market Orientation, Learning Orientation and SMEs Performance of Gem and Jewelry Industry in Thailand

Purpose: This study aims to propose a model that depicts the moderating effect of access to finance on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation, learning orientation and SMEs performance.Design/Methodology/Approach: This study adopts a survey research design by collecting primary data from the respondents due to the study involves collecting data directly from SME owner-managers in order to determine the moderating role of access to finance on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation, learning orientation and SMEs Performance. &Findings: This study will provide a clear understanding of the impact of entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation, learning orientation on firm performance in the area of strategic management and entrepreneurship. & &Implications/Originality/Value: The findings will be beneficial to owner-managers of SMEs to understand the key factors that should be encouraged and avoided in improving business performance.
Excavating Big Data associated to Indian Elections Scenario via Apache Hadoop

Data is not a new term in the field of computer science, but Big Data is essentially a new word. When data grows beyond the capacity of currently existing database tools, it begins to be referred as Big Data. Big Data posses a grand challenge for both data analytics and database. It has been only in 2013 to 2015 that we humans have created 90 percent of data existing on the planet earth since existence of humans on this planet. The huge technological up gradation in social network, in retail industry, in health sector, in engineering disciplines, in the field of wireless sensors, in stock market, in public and private sector, all has collectively amassed enormous data. This data is very huge in volume, it gets created at very high speed, it may be structured, unstructured, semi-structured or may be in text, audio or video format and most important that it is not totally precise and can be messy or misleading. The central theme of our research work is concerned with handling huge amount of data that is concerned with different formats of elections that are been contested in India. The framework used in this research work is Apache Hadoop. Apache Hadoop framework makes use of Map-Reduce technology which operates in three steps: mapping, shuffling and reduction. Map-Reduce is the same technique which Facebook use for handling its section of “People you may know”. Research paper also discusses the working of Map-Reduce technology with competent examples. Keywords - Big Data, Big Data analytics, elections, Hadoop framework, Map-Reduce.
Genetic association between leptin-2548 G / A polymorphism and risk of cancer : a meta analysis

Objective: Abundance of evidence implicated that leptin may play a decisive role in cancer occurrence, but the reported results varied across the individually published studies. The objective of this study is to access to what extent the extensively studied -2548G/A polymorphism of LEP gene acts on the onset of multiple cancers. Methods: Eligible studies included in this meta-analysis were identified electronically in PubMed and Embase, and manually in relevant literature. Crude odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to estimate the risk of cancer associated with the -2548G/A polymorphism. Results: 12 association studies with a total of 5,618 cancer cases and 6,509 healthy controls were pooled into this meta-analysis. The results revealed that compared with the G allele, the A allele was associated with modestly increased risk of overall cancer (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02-1.44). Following further stratified analyses, a borderline association was indicated in prostate cancer (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.00-1.39), breast cancer (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.00-1.22) and Caucasians (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.00-1.41). Conclusions: This meta-analysis reveals that the A allele of -2548G/A polymorphism may be a determinant of cancer development.
Sialoadhesin Ligand Expression Identifies a Subset of CD4+Foxp3− T Cells with a Distinct Activation and Glycosylation Profile

Sialoadhesin (Sn) is a sialic acid–binding Ig-like lectin expressed selectively on macrophage subsets. In a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, Sn interacted with sialylated ligands expressed selectively on CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and inhibited their proliferation. In this study, we examined the induction of Sn ligands (SnL) on all splenic CD4+ T cells following in vitro activation. Most CD4+ Tregs strongly upregulated SnL, whereas only a small subset of ∼20% CD4+Foxp3− T cells (effector T cells [Teffs]) upregulated SnL. SnL+ Teffs displayed higher levels of activation markers CD25 and CD69, exhibited increased proliferation, and produced higher amounts of IL-2 and IFN-γ than corresponding SnL− Teffs. Coculture of activated Teffs with Sn+ macrophages or Sn+ Chinese hamster ovary cells resulted in increased cell death, suggesting a regulatory role for Sn–SnL interactions. The key importance of α2,3-sialylation in SnL expression was demonstrated by increased binding of α2,3-linkage–specific Maackia amurensis lectin, increased expression of α2,3-sialyltransferase ST3GalVI, and loss of SnL following treatment with an α2,3-linkage–specific sialidase. The induction of SnL on activated CD4+ T cells was dependent on N-glycan rather than O-glycan biosynthesis and independent of the mucin-like molecules CD43 and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1, previously implicated in Sn interactions. Induction of ligands on CD4+Foxp3− Teffs was also observed in vivo using the New Zealand Black × New Zealand White F1 murine model of spontaneous lupus and SnL levels on Teffs correlated strongly with the degree of proteinuria. Collectively, these data indicate that SnL is a novel marker of activated CD4+ Teffs that are implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
No figures submitted with text ) STABILITY OF FROZEN MINCE FROM CHANNEL CATFISH FRAMES

The demand for farm-raised channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) has grown tremendously in recent years due to year round availability, consistent quality, and healthy attributes of catfish. In 1993, over 459 million tons of catfish were produced in the United States (Anon., 1994). As this industry has grown, so has the amount of offal, trimmings, and other solid waste generated and the need to provide effective means of waste removal and disposal.
The EEG-based local brain activity (LBA-) feedback training

In this paper a training procedure for EEG-based Local Brain Activity (LBA-) Feedback and first highly promising results are presented. The procedure utilizes multi-channel single trial evoked brain potentials that accompany stimulus-guided cognition. Up to three potential topographies at adjustable latencies are analyzed by means of BEM (boundary element method)-based SMS (simultaneous multiple sources)-LORETA (Pllana & Bauer 2011). If and only if a source can be localized within a predefined region of training (ROT), feedback will be given via a computer screen according to the strongest within-ROT source. In a screening experiment consisting of 7 session of 2 runs with 120 covert action naming items each, 5 healthy subjects trained to get feedback more frequently and more intensively in order to enhance the activity in their left hemi sphere language areas. All subjects gained in both frequency and intensity of feedback, whereas 5 healthy control subjects who got the same instruction but sham feedback (frequency: random, 20% of items; intensity: random) did not learn. Group differences were statistically highly significant. The results are promising with respect to possible applications in rehabilitation, psychotherapy and training of cognitive functions.
Terrorism risks, chasing ghosts and infrastructure resilience

Abstract Risk is the integration of threat, vulnerability and consequences, but threat is often based on worse-case thinking about the capability of terrorists to successfully plan and execute large-scale bombings. The paper looks at the nature of terrorists by exploring their capabilities and motivation, technical skills, and target selection. Key among this is the risk of progressive collapse of multi-storey buildings, and the track record of terrorists attacking targets in the West. In the past decade, most deaths from terrorists in the West have arisen from shooting attacks, vehicle impact, and mass transit bombings. In this case, there is little or no need to protect civilian buildings, bridges and other infrastructure from car or truck bombs unless there is a specific threat. Existing infrastructure has also proven to be highly resilient and robust against car and truck bombings. It is easy to overestimate the impacts of terrorist attacks. An improved understanding of the threat allows decision-makers to more effectively deploy resources to counter it, which includes appropriate design and assessment of civilian and military protective structures. A case study describes existing fatality risks from progressive collapse caused by a large vehicle bomb, and then assesses the costs and benefits of design (protective) measures mandated by the United States to mitigate against progressive collapse for new or leased federal government (civilian and defence) buildings.
Hepatitis C virus among childbearing women in Scotland: prevalence, deprivation, and diagnosis

Objectives: (A) To examine the prevalence and demographic characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among childbearing women in Scotland; and (B) to determine the extent of maternal HCV infection diagnosed prior to birth. Methods: (A) Residual dried blood spot samples from routine neonatal screening, collected throughout Scotland during March-October 2000, were unlinked from identifiers and tested anonymously for HCV antibodies; and (B) electronic record linkage of Scotland’s databases of births and diagnosed HCV infections was performed. Results: (A) Of 30 259 samples, 121 were enzyme linked immunosorbent assay repeat reactive and 88 of these were confirmed as anti-HCV positive in the recombinant immunoblot assay, representing a seroprevalence of 0.29–0.40%. HCV seroprevalence was high among 25–29 year olds (0.4–0.57%), in high deprivation areas (0.92–1.07%), and in Greater Glasgow (0.83–0.96%) and Grampian (0.38–0.62%). Adjusted relative risk for HCV infection was highest among residents in high deprivation areas of Glasgow (7.2 (95% confidence interval 2.0–25.5)). (B) Of 121 HCV infections found among women at delivery, 24% and 46% were estimated to have been diagnosed prior to pregnancy and birth, respectively. Conclusions: HCV prevalence among Scottish childbearing women is consistent with that expected from injecting drug use. Based on reported rates of mother to child transmission, 8–11 paediatric infections are expected per annum. Diagnosis in only 24% of infected women prior to pregnancy indicates the extent to which HCV goes unrecognised in the injecting community. The current HCV screening approach—to test only those with a history of injecting drug use (or other risk factors for infection)—identifies approximately a quarter of previously undetected infections among pregnant women.
The Role of Relationship Learning and Institutional Environment in Business Model Innovation

The business model innovation based on the Internet and information technology changes the method of value creation and the source of the competitive advantage of the company. Study has shown that entrepreneur political social capital has a positive impact on novel business model innovation. However, with the improvement of the institutional environment, the resources will be gradually optimally deployed, and will no longer be subject to political association of entrepreneurs too much, that is, the impact of the entrepreneur political social capital will be reduced. At the same time, the positive impact of entrepreneur commercial social capital on business model innovation is moderated by relationship learning.
Synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging of leaf venation in soybean (Glycine max) after exclusion of solar UV (280-400 nm) radiation.

The hydraulic efficiency of a leaf depends on its vascular structure as this is responsible for transport activities. To investigate the effect of exclusion of UVAB and UVB radiation from the solar spectrum on the micro-structure of leaves of soybean (Glycine max, variety JS-335), a field experiment was conducted using synchrotron-based phase contrast imaging (PCI). Plants were grown in specially designed UV exclusion chambers, and wrapped with filters that excluded UVB (280-315 nm) or UVAB (280-400 nm), or transmitted all the ambient solar UV (280-400 nm) radiation (filter control). Qualitative observation of high-resolution X-ray PCI images obtained at 10 keV has shown the differences in major and minor vein structures of the leaves. The mid-rib width of the middle leaflet of third trifoliate leaves, for all treatments, were obtained using quantitative image analysis. The width of the mid-rib of the middle leaflet of third trifoliate leaves of UVB excluded plants was found to be more compared to leaves of filter control plants, which are exposed to ambient UV. The mid-rib or the main conducting vein transports water and sugars to the whole plant; therefore, mid-rib enhancement by the exclusion of solar UV radiation possibly implies enhancement in the leaf area which in turn causes an increased rate of photosynthesis.
In L6 Skeletal Muscle Cells, Glucose Induces Cytosolic Translocation of Protein Kinase C-α and Trans-activates the Insulin Receptor Kinase*

In L6 skeletal muscle cells expressing human insulin receptors (L6hIR), exposure to 25 mm glucose for 3 min induced a rapid 3-fold increase in GLUT1 and GLUT4 membrane translocation and glucose uptake. The high glucose concentration also activated the insulin receptor kinase toward the endogenous insulin receptor substrates (IRS)-1 and IRS-2. At variance, in L6 cells expressing kinase-deficient insulin receptors, the exposure to 25 mm glucose elicited no effect on glucose disposal. In the L6hIR cells, the acute effect of glucose on insulin receptor kinase was paralleled by a 2-fold decrease in both the membrane and the insulin receptor co-precipitated protein kinase C (PKC) activities and a 3-fold decrease in receptor Ser/Thr phosphorylation. Western blotting of the receptor precipitates with isoform-specific PKC antibodies revealed that the glucose-induced decrease in membrane- and receptor-associated PKC activities was accounted for by dissociation of PKCα but not of PKCβ or -δ. This decrease in PKCα was paralleled by a similarly sized increase in cytosolic PKCα. In intact L6hIR cells, inhibition of PKCα expression by using a specific antisense oligonucleotide caused a 3-fold increase in IRS phosphorylation by the insulin receptor. This effect was independent of insulin and accompanied by a 2.5-fold increase in glucose disposal by the cells. Thus, in the L6 skeletal muscle cells, glucose acutely regulates its own utilization through the insulin signaling system, independent of insulin. Glucose autoregulation appears to involve PKCα dissociation from the insulin receptor and its cytosolic translocation.
Wireless Sensor Network analysis and optimization by 3D electromagnetic simulations for research rocket application

In this work we propose a method based on 3D electromagnetic simulations to design and optimize Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). We investigate the performance of WSN based on ZigBee modules for the application of collecting the data obtained from sensors distributed inside a research rocket. The propagation conditions inside the rocket are simulated and optimized using commercial 3D electromagnetic simulator CST MWS. The experiments performed in a real research rocket based on the measurement of lost packets shows a good network performance thus validated proposed approach.
A NEW SERINE PROTEASE FROM THE LEAVES OF Thespesia populnea

A serine protease was purified 6.9-fold from the leaves of Thespesia populnea using ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by CM-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. The purified enzyme was named populnein and was characterized. It was made up of a single polypeptide, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) analysis showed that the enzyme had a molecular mass of 14,518 Da. Inhibition of enzyme activity by phenyl methane sulfonyl fluoride indicates that populnein belongs to the class of serine proteases. The enzyme had appreciable pH and temperature stability. The activity of the enzyme was optimal at pH 8.0 and temperature 40°C. The enzyme was thermostable and retained 85% of its activity at 70°C after 1 hr. The enzyme was also resistant to autodigestion. The stabilization of the membrane of red blood cells exhibited by the protease populnein was found to be higher than for diclofenac. More studies are necessary to investigate the biological activity and applications of serine protease of T. populnea. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Preparative Biochemistry and Biotechnology to view the supplemental file.
Common community respiratory viruses in patients with cancer

Community respiratory viruses long have been recognized as primary respiratory pathogens among infants and young children. More recently, it has become clear that these viruses cause a considerable disease burden throughout life. The consequences of repeated infections are most evident in elderly and immunocompromised persons. Even in otherwise healthy persons, reinfections often require medical attention but generally are undiagnosed and unrecognized. These reinfections may spread from healthy persons to those at highest risk. Control requires a multifaceted approach combining vaccination, chemoprophylaxis, and aggressive early antiviral treatment of high‐risk individuals, as well as education of all populations affected by these viruses. Cancer 2003;97:2576–87. © 2003 American Cancer Society.