Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Demonstration of wireless data harvesting from a subsea node using a “ship of opportunity”

The optical communications group at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has demonstrated wireless optical transmission of video for the purpose of performing tasks using the ROV Jason as well as the offload of data from a seafloor instrument to a surface vessel using a lowered optical telemetry system (OTS). Both of these efforts are based on the same optical telemetry concept designed for high bandwidth, deep water, and 100+ meter range operations. To demonstrate the basic capabilities of data harvesting from a seafloor node, we installed optical modems at two seafloor CORK borehole observatories (CORK 857D and CORK 1025C) in the northeast Pacific in 2012 using ROV Jason. The seafloor optical modems enable remote data offload directly to the surface without the need for a submersible. The original concept of the demonstration was to revisit the installed CORK optical modems after a year-long deployment in order to test an OTS lowered by wire from a ship and to utilize the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Sentry for a remote data off-load. Due to scheduling issues related to the submersible Alvin program and shiptime, we were unable to field the experiment as first conceived. However, we were fortunate to obtain a short amount of shiptime on a research vessel with modest capabilities in terms of station keeping - i.e., no dynamic positioning, no bow thruster, and no ultrashort baseline (USBL) navigation - in order to download data after a year-long deployment. In this paper, we report on the successful data harvesting mission from two seafloor CORK observatory nodes using a “ship of opportunity. ” The lessons learned from this exercise will inform our next scheduled trip in 2014 to use AUV Sentry or similar “mobile platforms” for future remote data downloads.
The role of calcium in the nuclear maturation of Bufo arenarum oocytes

In Bufo arenarum, progesterone is the physiological maturation inducer. However, in this species, oocytes reinitiate meiosis with no need of an exogenous hormonal stimulus when deprived of their enveloping cell, a phenomenon called spontaneous maturation. We demonstrated that in Bufo arenarum spontaneous maturation occurs only in oocytes obtained during the reproductive period, which can be considered competent to mature spontaneously, in contrast to those in the non-reproductive period, which are incompetent. Interestingly, full-grown Bufo arenarum oocytes always respond to progesterone regardless of the season in which they are obtained. There is a general consensus that both a transient increase in intracellular calcium and a decrease in cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity are the first steps in the mechanisms by which progesterone induces maturation in amphibians. In the present work we analysed the role of calcium in the spontaneous and progesterone-induced maturation of Bufo arenarum oocytes. Results demonstrated that the absence of calcium in the incubation medium or the prevention of Ca2+ influx by channel blockers such as CdCl2 or NiCl2 did not prevent meiosis reinitiation in either type of maturation. The inhibition of the Ca2+-calmodulin complex in no case affected the maturation of the treated oocytes. However, when the oocytes were deprived of calcium by incubation in Ca2+-free AR + A23187, meiosis resumption was inhibited. In brief, we demonstrated that in Bufo arenarum the reinitiation of meiosis is a process independent of extracellular calcium at any period of the year and that oocytes require adequate levels of intracellular calcium for germinal vesicle breakdown to occur.
HBV Core Particles as a Carrier for B Cell/T Cell Epitopes

In the middle 80s, recombinant hepatitis B virus cores (HBc) gave onset to icosahedral virus-like particles (VLPs) as a basic class of non-infectious carriers of foreign immunological epitopes. The recombinant HBc particles were used to display immunodominant epitopes of hepatitis B, C, and E virus, human rhinovirus, papillomavirus, hantavirus, and influenza virus, human and simian immunodeficiency virus, bovine and feline leukemia virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, murine cytomegalovirus and poliovirus, and other virus proteins, as well as of some bacterial and protozoan protein epitopes. Practical applicability of the HBc particles as carriers was enabled by their ability to high level synthesis and correct self-assembly in heterologous expression systems. The interest in the HBc VLPs was reinforced by the resolution of their fine structure by electron cryomicroscopy and X-ray crystallography, which revealed an unusual α-helical organization of dimeric units of HBc shells, alternative packing into icosahedrons with T = 3 and T = 4 symmetry, and the existence of long protruding spikes. The tips of the latter seem to be the optimal targets for the display of foreign sequences up to 238 amino acid residues in length. Combination of numerous experimental data on epitope display with the precise structural information enables a knowledge-based design of diagnostic, and vaccine and gene therapy tools on the basis of the HBc particles.
Demand response control of residential HVAC loads based on dynamic electricity prices and economic analysis

During peak hours, electrical loads of residential HVAC systems can cause imbalance between electricity supply and demand. Demand response control has the potential to facilitate supply–demand balance. The demand side load control can help reduce electricity consumption through demand response programs. Since HVAC loads are the major contributors to peak loads, reducing HVAC load at peak hours is an objective of many demand response technologies. This article analyzes performance of the dynamic thermostat controller of HVAC systems in homes that have dynamic price of electricity. Based on a price signal, the dynamic thermostat controller sets back the thermostat temperature to save electricity consumption and costs. The consumers choose participation in the demand response program based on the real-time price of electricity and set a threshold price that the thermostat uses to set the temperature during peak power price period. The performance of dynamic thermostat controller was analyzed for two cities, Austin TX and Chicago IL, and historical market price data were used to generate hourly based real-time price. In addition to different climate zones, two different types of residential buildings were modeled. Based on detailed energy simulation, the changes in HVAC system operation were analyzed when considering electric energy saving, peak power reduction, cost saving, as well as the potential thermal discomfort. The specific results show that dynamic pricing combined with dynamic thermostat controller results in 12% annual energy cost savings for HVAC operation with the energy saving of up to 6%, but without significantly changing the thermal comfort.
An Inclusive Psychoanalyst: Sidney Blatt’s Contribution In Perspective

Sidney Blatt personified in many ways the striving toward an inclusive, broad-minded, nonsectarian, and nondogmatic psychoanalysis. Intrigued and inspired by many trends in psychoanalytic thought and neighboring disciplines, he believed deeply in the coexistence and mutual contributions of a psychoanalytic clinical practice and of systematic empirical research on development and its disruptions, evolving personality traits, and the ways psychoanalytic treatment becomes effective. Carl Rogers, David Rapaport, and John Bowlby were among the figures who played a significant role in the development of his rich and complex thinking and productive work.
“They Just Whisper in Their Hearts That He's Doing a Bad Thing”: A Qualitative Study of Tanzanian Perceptions of Cross-Generational Sex

HIV prevalence among young Tanzanian women is twice that of men, and risk doubles if a partner is ten or more years older. Cross-generational sex (CGS) is typified by transactions, economic asymmetries, power differentials, and inconsistent condom use. By investigating perceptions of CGS in families, schools, and communities, this study explored the role each plays in addressing or condoning CGS and where interventions are needed. Qualitative data were collected in Tanzania's Iringa and Pwani regions after a campaign to reduce CGS. Community leaders suggested key informants and provided household lists used to randomly select participants. Individual interviews were conducted with 20 women (M age = 20.7, SD = 3.1, range = 15 to 26) and 20 men (M age = 37.1, SD = 7.3, range = 30 to 56), focus groups with 15 women (M age = 20.4, SD = 2.9, range = 17 to 25) and 26 men (M age = 39.2, SD = 7.9, range = 30 to 55), and key informant focus groups with 10 women (M age = 47.6, SD = 10, range = 37 to 70) and 16 men (M age = 55.5, SD = 9.5, range = 37 to 67). CGS was viewed as detrimental to girls' education and a financial loss to parents, but barriers, including reluctance to approach parents and older men, prevented community action. Interventions may involve community leaders transcending restrictions on confronting older men and promoting communication between teachers, communities, parents, and young women regarding CGS.
Multimode Transverse Resonance of Multilayer Crystal Slabs

An effective tool for accurate analysis and design of a wide range of optical devices involving three-dimensional (3-D) photonic crystals is provided. The advantages of using transverse resonance in conjunction with full-wave numerical solvers in order to characterize this kind of structures are highlighted. This paper focuses on the study of a practical example of an asymmetric crystal slab and shows the features of the proposed method in terms of accuracy and flexibility. The concept of Floquet modes of a periodic crystal is applied, and a multimode transverse equivalent network is developed in the aim of obtaining the resonant 3-D modes of the slab containing the photonic crystal
Blessing and Curse

Recent studies on the subnational resource curse contend that subnational rentier units suffer from the same nondemocratic tendency as their national counterparts. However, subnational rentier states worldwide exhibit contrasting political outcomes. Why are some subnational rentier units politically competitive whereas others are not? This article argues that rent-sharing regimes—the fiscal institutions for sharing resource revenues among levels of government—condition political competitiveness at the provincial level. Using novel time-series cross-sectional data on Argentina, a case with several hydrocarbon-rich units with exogenously created rent-sharing regimes, I show that oil creates negative political effects at the provincial level only when these institutions do not share—or share minor amounts of—rents with municipal governments. Conversely, political competition emerges when rent-sharing regimes distribute rents to municipal governments, as this shrinks large provincial budgets, allows municipalities to deliver public and private goods, and gives municipal politicians fiscal independence from provincial governments.
A unique configuration of genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in the testis

In the mammalian lifecycle, the two periods of genome-wide epigenetic reprogramming are in the early embryo, when somatic patterns are set, and during germ cell development. Although some differences between the reprogrammed states of somatic and germ cells have been reported, overall patterns of genomic methylation are considered to be similar. Using restriction landmark genomic scanning to examine ≈2,600 loci distributed randomly throughout the genome, we find that the methylation status of testicular DNA is highly distinct, displaying eightfold the number of hypomethylated loci relative to somatic tissues. Identification and analysis of >300 loci show that these regions are generally located within nonrepetitive sequences that are away from CpG islands and 5′ regions of genes. We show that a contributing factor for these differences is that the methylation state of non-CpG-island DNA is correlated with the regional level of GC content within chromosomes and that this relationship is inverted between the testis and somatic tissues. We also show that in Dnmt3L-deficient mice, which exhibit infertility associated with abnormal chromosomal structures in germ cells, this unique testicular DNA methylation pattern is not established. These special properties of testicular DNA point to a broad, distinct epigenetic state that may be involved in maintaining a unique chromosomal structure in male germ cells.
Twin Attributes of Tyrosyl-tRNA Synthetase of Leishmania donovani

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are housekeeping enzymes essential for protein synthesis. Apart from their parent aminoacylation activity, several aaRSs perform non-canonical functions in diverse biological processes. The present study explores the twin attributes of Leishmania tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (LdTyrRS) namely, aminoacylation, and as a mimic of host CXC chemokine. Leishmania donovani is a protozoan parasite. Its genome encodes a single copy of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. We first tested the canonical aminoacylation role of LdTyrRS. The recombinant protein was expressed, and its kinetic parameters were determined by aminoacylation assay. To study the physiological role of LdTyrRS in Leishmania, gene deletion mutations were attempted via targeted gene replacement. The heterozygous mutants showed slower growth kinetics and exhibited attenuated virulence. LdTyrRS appears to be an essential gene as the chromosomal null mutants did not survive. Our data also highlights the non-canonical function of L. donovani tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. We show that LdTyrRS protein is present in the cytoplasm and exits from the parasite cytoplasm into the extracellular medium. The released LdTyrRS functions as a neutrophil chemoattractant. We further show that LdTyrRS specifically binds to host macrophages with its ELR (Glu-Leu-Arg) peptide motif. The ELR-CXCR2 receptor interaction mediates this binding. This interaction triggers enhanced secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 by host macrophages. Our data indicates a possible immunomodulating role of LdTyrRS in Leishmania infection. This study provides a platform to explore LdTyrRS as a potential target for drug development
Effect of a Varnish Containing Chlorhexidine and Thymol (Cervitec®) on Approximal Caries in 13- to 16-Year-Old Schoolchildren in a Low Caries Area

Background: Previous studies on the effect of the chlorhexidine and thymol-containing varnish (Cervitec®) have consistently shown a reduction in Streptococcus mutans, while the data on the caries-inhibiting effect are conflicting. Aim: To measure the effect of a chlorhexidine- and thymol-containing varnish (Cervitec) on approximal caries in a low caries population. Material: Eighty-five schoolchildren, 13 years of age, entered the study after being selected on the basis of bitewing radiographs. Children with at least one approximal lesion were included after informed consent. Methods: The study was carried out as a double-blind, randomized controlled trial according to a split-mouth design using Cervitec on one side and a placebo varnish on the other side. All approximal surfaces between molars and premolars were treated every 3rd month. After 2 years new bitewing radiographs were taken. A total of 73 children completed the 2-year study. Results: Neither the difference in number of new lesions between the Cervitec-treated and the placebo-treated side (d: –0.21; 95% CI: –0.57; 0.16) nor the mean difference in number of already existing lesions that progressed (d: –0.01; 95% CI: –0.33; 0.30) were statistically significant (pairedt test; p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of our study do not indicate an effect of Cervitec on initiation or progression of approximal caries in a population with a low DMFS.
Improving bone marrow stromal cell attachment on chitosan/hydroxyapatite scaffolds by an immobilized RGD peptide

Ample cell adhesion to scaffolds is essential for effective bone tissue engineering. Chitosan/hydroxyapatite (CS/HA) scaffolds with channel-shaped and spherically shaped pore morphologies were prepared via in situ compositing hybridization in combination with lyophilization. The sizes of channel-shaped and spherically shaped pores of the CS/HA scaffolds were 150–650 µm and 3–15 µm, respectively. The RGD peptide (Arg-Gly-Asp) was bound to the surface of CS/HA scaffolds via physical adsorption. More than 63% of RGD present in a PBS solution spontaneously adsorbed onto CS/HA scaffolds. High numbers of viable bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were observed by confocal and fluorescence microscopy for cells cultured on CS/HA scaffolds with and without RGD for 3 days. BMSCs on CS/HA scaffolds with RGD (RGD-CS/HA) were incubated for 4 h under standard culture conditions, and the degree of cell adhesion was calculated. Cell adhesion to RGD-CS/HA scaffolds with different RGD concentrations was 71.6% and 80.7%, respectively. This was 30.9% and 47.5% higher than adhesion to the CS/HA scaffold without RGD, respectively. BMSCs cultured on the scaffolds for 14 days with osteogenic supplements expressed 103% higher alkaline phosphatase on the RGD-CS/HA scaffold (0.001 97 ± 0.000 31 U/L/ng), than on the unmodified scaffold (0.000 97 ± 0.000 25 U/L/ng) (p < 0.01), indicating that a RGD peptide significantly promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs on CS/HA scaffolds. The results of this study indicate that RGD-CS/HA scaffolds promote initial cell adhesion, spread and differentiation toward an osteogenic phenotype.
E1 Protein of Bovine Papillomavirus Type 1 Interferes with E2 Protein-Mediated Tethering of the Viral DNA to Mitotic Chromosomes

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic viruses can maintain latency in dividing cells as extrachromosomal plasmids. It is therefore of vital importance for viruses to ensure nuclear retention and proper segregation of their viral DNA. The bovine papillomavirus (BPV) E2 enhancer protein plays a key role in these processes by tethering the viral DNA to the host cell chromosomes. Viral genomes that harbor phosphorylation mutations in the E2 gene are transformation defective, and for these mutant genomes, neither the viral DNA nor the E2 protein is detected on mitotic chromosomes, while other key functions of E2 in transcription and replication were wild type. Moreover, secondary mutations in both the E2 and E1 proteins lead to suppression of the phosphorylation mutant phenotype and resulted in reattachment of the viral DNA and the E2 protein onto mitotic chromosomes, suggesting that E1 also plays a role in viral genome partitioning. The E1 protein was cytologically always excluded from mitotic chromatin, either as a suppressor allele or as the wild type. In the absence of other viral proteins, an E2 protein containing alanine substitutions for phosphorylation substrates in the hinge region (E2-A4) was detected as wild-type on mitotic chromosomes. However, when wild-type E1 protein levels were increased in cells expressing either the A4 mutant E2 proteins or wild-type E2, the E2-A4 protein was much more sensitive to chromosomal dislocation than was the wild-type protein. In contrast, suppressor alleles of E1 were not capable of such abrogation of E2 binding (A4 or wild-type) to chromosomes. These results suggest that wild-type E1 can be a negative regulator of the chromosomal attachment of E2.
Imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9 and MMP-2) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients

ObjectiveMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known to be involved in degradation of extracellular matrix. We aimed to assess the role of MMPs and their natural inhibitors (TIMPs) in the genesis and the evolution of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). DesignProspective, clinical study. SettingIntensive care unit of a university hospital. PatientsTwenty-one patients were assigned to three different groups: Group 1 patients developed ARDS that rapidly resolved in <4 days; Group 2 patients developed ARDS lasting >8 days; Group 3 (control group) patients had clinical criteria for hospital-acquired pneumonia without ARDS. InterventionBronchoalveolar lavages were performed on day 0 of the onset of ARDS and on days 4, 8, and 12 for unresolving ARDS. For group 3, the bronchoalveolar lavages were performed on day 0 of the pneumonia. On these bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, we measured the amount of MMP-9 and -2 and their inhibitors TIMP-1 and -2. Measurements and Main ResultsThe amount of MMP-9 measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was significantly lower in the bronchoalveolar lavages from patients with ARDS (group 1 and group 2) compared with the control group (p < .01) throughout the study. The ratio MMP-9/TIMP-1 was also significantly smaller and was less than one in the two ARDS groups (p < .05) compared with the control group (group 3), where this ratio was greater than one. In the second bronchoalveolar lavages, this ratio was greater than one only in the ARDS group that rapidly resolved (group 1), whereas it stayed less than one when the ARDS was lasting (group 2). Concerning the quantity of MMP-2 and the ratio MMP-2/TIMP-2, there was no statistical difference between the three groups throughout the study. Using zymography, there was no significant difference in the amounts of active and latent MMP-9 between the three groups. Moreover, no significant difference in the quantity of latent and active MMP-2 in the three groups was noted. ConclusionThese results suggest that the MMP-9 level and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio play a role in the pathogenesis of ARDS and, namely, the imbalance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 would participate in airway remodeling leading to either short- or long-course ARDS. The ratio MMP-9/TIMP-1 could be a predictive factor of the ARDS evolution.
Visual techniques applied to the ATV/1SS rendezvous monitoring

The proposed paper deals with an automatic trajectory monitoring system designed for the rendezvous between the automatic transfer vehicle (ATV) and the Iautononternational Space Station (ISS). During final approach phase, a TV camera on the ISS currently provides images of ATV visual targets to be used by ISS crew for visual monitoring. The proposed monitoring system, based on a dedicated image-processing algorithm applied to these TV images of the approach, is intended to autonomously and automatically determine relative ATV-ISS position and attitude. Artificial intelligence techniques for edge detection, Hough transform and pattern matching are used to implement a recognition algorithm, able to fast and accurately indicate ATV visual targets position and orientation with respect to ISS. Those values are then processed in order to calculate the full set of relative ATV navigation data. Finally, an estimation of the relative trajectory evolution via a classical astrodynamic tool as the Euler-Hill relative motion equations follows, enabling the crew and the control centre to verify that trajectory corridors and attitude constraints are respected. According to ATV mission constraints, which require using existing sensors (i.e. ATV visual cues and ISS TV camera), the performances and the accuracy of the monitoring system are evaluated for significant approach cases. Overall, computation time and hardware requirements of the proposed system easily fall into the limits foreseen for a real-time on-board application. Both the ATV Control Centre (real-time GNC data check against telemetry) and the ISS (automatic monitoring tool for ISS crew) could take advantages of the output data provided by this system. Moreover, obtained results clearly show that the monitoring system is a suitable candidate for further developments and improvements aimed to provide a complete support tool for ATV mission operations during final approach phase.