Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“Spiked” GaInP Quantum Wells for Shorter Red Wavelength Emission

Compositional and strain limitations are often restricting the emission wavelength from quantum-well (QW) lasers. The letter presents simulation and experimental results on the effects of including thin higher bandgap layers into GalnP QWs emitting in the short red wavelength range. These were considered "spiked" single QWs since the thin higher bandgap layers used in our studies varied in composition and led to carrier wavefunctions that are like perturbed single QW wavefunctions rather than wavefunctions of coupled QWs. The edge-emitting lasers having up to four-monolayer AlGalnP "spikes" in the QWs had an emission blueshift of up to 25 nm, whereas the degradation of other laser characteristics was in line with the degradation observed when similar emission blueshift was generated by conventional QW modification.
Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies ZNF354C Variants Associated with Depression from Interferon-Based Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C

The therapeutic use of interferon (IFN) is known to cause depression that frequently interrupts treatment. To identify genetic variants associated with IFN-induced depression, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 224 Japanese chronic hepatitis C patients receiving IFN-based therapy in a multicenter prospective study and stratified them into two groups according to the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II) score. In the GWAS stage, we selected 42 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to perform replication analysis in an independent set of 160 subjects. The SNP rs1863918 in strong linkage disequilibrium with SNPs located around the Zinc finger 354C (ZNF354C) gene on chromosome 5 showed a significant association when the results of GWAS and replication were combined (odds ratio = 2.55, P = 7.89×10−8 in the allele frequency model), suggesting that the rs1863918 T allele was associated with IFN-induced depression. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that rs1863918 T allele, a history of depression, and younger age were independent predictive factors for IFN-induced depression. Interestingly, western blotting and immunofluorescence showed that ZNF354C was highly expressed in the hippocampus in mice, a region implicated in the pathology of psychiatric symptoms. In conclusion, we identified rs1863918 as significantly associated with IFN-induced depression, and revealed that the candidate gene ZNF354C is highly expressed in the hippocampus of mice. Our data might be useful for elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms of depression induced by drugs including IFN.
A new technique for monitoring the behaviour of free-ranging Adélie penguins.

Measurement of the time allocation of penguins at sea has been a major goal of researchers in recent years. Until now, however, no equipment has been available that would allow measurement of the aquatic and terrestrial behaviour of an Antarctic penguin while it is commuting between the colony and the foraging grounds. A new motion detector, based on the measurement of acceleration, has been used here in addition to current methods of inferring behaviour using data loggers that monitor depth and speed. We present data on the time allocation of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) according to the different types of behaviours they display during their foraging trips: walking, tobogganing, standing on land, lying on land, resting at the water surface, porpoising and diving. To illustrate the potential of this new technique, we compared the behaviour of Adélie penguins during the chick-rearing period in a fast sea-ice region and an ice-free region. The proportion of time spent standing, lying on land and walking during foraging trips was greater for penguins in the sea-ice region (37.6+/-13.3% standing, 21.6+/-15.6% lying and 5.9+/-6.3% walking) than for those in the ice-free region (12.0+/-15.8 % standing, 0.38+/-0.60% lying and 0 % walking), whereas the proportion of time spent resting at the water surface and porpoising was greater for birds in the ice-free region (38.1+/-6.4% resting and 1.1+/-1.1% porpoising) than for those in the sea-ice region (3.0+/-2.3% resting and 0% porpoising; means +/- s.d., N=7 for the sea-ice region, N=4 for the ice-free region). Using this new approach, further studies combining the monitoring of marine resources in different Antarctic sites and the measurement of the energy expenditure of foraging penguins, e.g. using heart rates, will constitute a powerful tool for investigating the effects of environmental conditions on their foraging strategy. This technique will expand our ability to monitor many animals in the field.
Robot Clustering

Puck clustering systems are systems in which simple agents move building material, or pucks, in a spatially limited area in a random or pseudo-random way. While we adapt puck clustering theory to robot clustering systems to generate a decentralized swarm of robots which coalesces using only stigmergic in formation and local sensing into a single cluster, this paper does not discuss puck clustering. Rather, its focus is on aggregation. Robot clustering systems may be characterized by the number of active robots in the system and the average variance of the robots from a determined center. The number of active robots de creases as cluster is formed, mirroring the analogous result of puck clustering. There is a sharp decline in the average variance of the robots, indicating a rapid coalescence of the robot swarm
Identification of Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Inhibitors

ABSTRACT Using a cell-based replicon screen, we identified a class of compounds with a thiazolidinone core structure as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. The concentration of one such compound, BMS-824, that resulted in a 50% inhibition of HCV replicon replication was ∼5 nM, with a therapeutic index of >10,000. The compound showed good specificity for HCV, as it was not active against several other RNA and DNA viruses. Replicon cells resistant to BMS-824 were isolated, and mutations were identified. A combination of amino acid substitutions of leucine to valine at residue 31 (L31V) and glutamine to leucine at residue 54 (Q54L) in NS5A conferred resistance to this chemotype, as did a single substitution of tyrosine to histidine at amino acid 93 (Y93H) in NS5A. To further explore the region(s) of NS5A involved in inhibitor sensitivity, genotype-specific NS5A inhibitors were used to evaluate a series of genotype 1a/1b hybrid replicons. Our results showed that, consistent with resistance mapping, the inhibitor sensitivity domain also mapped to the N terminus of NS5A, but it could be distinguished from the key resistance sites. In addition, we demonstrated that NS5A inhibitors, as well as an active-site inhibitor that specifically binds NS3 protease, could block the hyperphosphorylation of NS5A, which is believed to play an essential role in the viral life cycle. Clinical proof of concept has recently been achieved with derivatives of these NS5A inhibitors, indicating that small molecules targeting a nontraditional viral protein like NS5A, without any known enzymatic activity, can also have profound antiviral effects on HCV-infected subjects.
In vitro and in vivo investigation of a novel monoclonal antibody to plasma cells (W5 mAb)

Abstract: Natural antibodies (Abs), predominately anti‐Galα1–3Gal (Gal) Abs, in non‐human primates and human beings present a major hurdle to successful pig‐to‐primate xenotransplantation. Attempts to inhibit anti‐Gal Ab production in naïve baboons using non‐specific immunosuppressive or B cell‐specific reagents have failed. A new rat monoclonal antibody (W5 mAb) has been generated, which binds to all B cells, including memory cells, and to the majority of plasma cells, but not to T cells. It has been tested in vitro and in vivo. By immunoprecipitation, W5 mAb bound a human leukocyte antigen class II (HLA‐DR) determinant. Sorting splenic or bone marrow W5+ cells resulted in a highly enriched anti‐Gal Ab and total immunoglobulin (Ig)‐secretory population. In vivo studies in baboons demonstrated that W5 mAb was safe but, despite the concomitant administration of an anti‐CD154 mAb to inhibit sensitization, anti‐rat Abs were detected within 10 days and inhibited the effect of the W5 mAb. High levels of W5 mAb were able to completely deplete B cells in the blood, but not in lymphoid tissues. Enzyme‐linked spot‐forming assay (ELISPOT) demonstrated that only 50 to 60% of secreting cells (SC) were depleted in the bone marrow. No reduction in the serum levels of anti‐Gal Ab was observed. W5 mAb did not cause complete inhibition of anti‐Gal Ab production, probably as a result of its inability to completely deplete B and plasma cells from all lymphoid compartments.
EGFR in triple negative breast carcinoma: significance of protein expression and high gene copy number.

BACKGROUND As up to 60 % of triple negative breast carcinomas are reported to express EGFR, the receptor is a potential target for biological therapy. The exact role EGFR plays in triple negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) biology, however, remains uncertain. We aimed to discover associations between EGFR protein expression as well as gene copy number changes and clinico-pathologic TNBC characteristics. METHODS We performed an immunohistochemical and dual in situ hybridization study on a set of 52 archive cases of pre-treatment TNBC in order to detect EGFR protein expression and EGFR gene copy number changes. Clinico-pathologic and follow up data were compared with EGFR status for determining possible links between EGFR and tumor characteristics and/or behavior. RESULTS 88.5 % of our cases showed EGFR expression. We found no significant links between EGFR expression and tumor grade (p = 0.204), lymph node status (p = 0.514) or p53 status (p = 0.078). Though EGFR gene amplification (EGFR gene:chromosome 7 ratio 2) was rare (1.9 % of all cases), a high gene copy number ( 4 copies per cell) was observed in 15.4 % of all cases. High EGFR gene copy number appeared to be more common in non-ductal, special-type carcinomas than in ductal carcinomas. Neither EGFR expression nor EGFR gene copy number was associated with event-free survival. CONCLUSION EGFR changes do not appear to be associated with markers of aggressive behavior in TNBC. Further studies with much larger sample sizes are essential in understanding the role EGFR plays in TNBC biology in order to identify the patients that could benefit from EGFR targeted therapy.
Epidemiology and Vector Efficiency During a Dengue Fever Outbreak in Cixi, Zhejiang Province, China

ABSTRACT: An emigrant worker returning from Southeast Asia triggered the outbreak of a DF epidemic in Zhejiang province, China, in October, 2004. Eighty-three cases, mainly young and middle-aged people between 20 and 50 (78.3%), were reported in the area of Cixi. There were no obvious occupational patterns. The majority of cases were female, with a sex ratio of 1:1.86 (m:f). The dengue virus (DENV) strains from the epidemic area were isolated and identified as DENV-1, which belongs to Asian strain 1. According to the epidemiological investigation, the incidence of DF had no relationship to temperature, humidity, or precipitation, and the Breteau index of larvae showed a clear relationship only with the House Index and Container Index. Recent dengue problems in the town have been associated with the complex social factors and hygienic conditions for endemic villagers and immigrant workers. Some hygienic measures should be taken by the local government to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease. These measures should aim to eliminate the breeding sites of the vector Aedes albopictus in indoor and outdoor containers filled with rainwater and thus reducing the risk of DF transmission.
Notice of RetractionPRA based reliability analysis of complexly astronautic phased-mission system

Because of the complexity of the theoretical analysis, and the difficulty of giving the quantitative analysis result for complexly astronautic phased-mission system (PMS), such as the Lunar or Mars exploration plan, a reliability analysis method based PRA of PMS is proposed in this paper. With the combined model based on scenario, and comprehensive analysis of the related assessment data and information, this method can not only give the mission reliability level for PMS, but also analyze the weakness of the mission plan. Besides, we can get the importance rank through uncertainty analysis. This method overcomes the dynamics, dependency and uncertainty analysis difficulty of PMS. All results obtained from this method will support the improvement of the system design and optimizing, trade-off for mission plan. The application effect of lunar exploration mission shows the engineering applicability of this method.
A Survey of Methods Used to Detect Nosocomial Legionellosis Among Participants in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System

Objective: To help define the scope of nosocomial legionnaire's disease (LD) and to assess use of recommended diagnostic methods and transmission control practices. Methods: We surveyed 253 hospitals participating in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System. The anonymous survey included questions about episodes of nosocomial LD, environmental sampling practices, maintenance of hospital water systems, and diagnostic techniques. Results: Of 192 hospitals that responded, 29% reported at least one episode of nosocomial ID from 1990 through 1996, and 61% of these reported at least two episodes. Of 79 hospitals with transplant programs, 42% reported nosocomial LD, compared with 20% of hospitals without transplant programs. Environmental sampling had been conducted by 55% of hospitals, including 79% of those reporting nosocomial LD. Legionella were isolated in 34% that sampled potable water and 19% that sampled cooling system reservoirs. Supplemental potable-water decontamination systems were installed in 20% of hospitals. Only 19% routinely performed testing for legionellosis among patients at high risk for nosocomial LD. Conclusions: Nosocomial LD is relatively common among NNIS hospitals, especially those performing organ transplants. Environmental sampling for Legionella is a common practice among NNIS hospitals, and Legionella often are isolated from sampled hospital cooling towers and hospital potable-water systems. Hospitals have responded to suspected nosocomial LD infection with a variety of water sampling and control strategies; some have not attempted to sample or decontaminate water systems despite identified transmission.
Identification of a Truncated Form of the G-protein Regulator AGS3 in Heart That Lacks the Tetratricopeptide Repeat Domains*

AGS3, a 650-amino acid protein encoded by an ∼4-kilobase (kb) mRNA enriched in rat brain, is a Gαi/Gαt-binding protein that competes with Gβγ for interaction with GαGDP and acts as a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor for heterotrimeric G-proteins. An ∼2-kb AGS3 mRNA (AGS3-SHORT) is enriched in rat and human heart. We characterized the heart-enriched mRNA, identified the encoded protein, and determined its ability to interact with and regulate the guanine nucleotide-binding properties of G-proteins. Screening of a rat heart cDNA library, 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends, and RNase protection assays identified two populations of cDNAs (1979 and 2134 nucleotides plus the polyadenylation site) that diverged from the larger 4-kb mRNA (AGS3-LONG) in the middle of the protein coding region. Transfection of COS-7 cells with AGS3-SHORT cDNAs resulted in the expression of a major immunoreactive AGS3 polypeptide (M r ∼ 23,000) with a translational start site at Met495 of AGS3-LONG. Immunoblots indicated the expression of the M r ∼ 23,000 polypeptide in rat heart. Glutathione S-transferase-AGS3-SHORT selectively interacted with the GDP-bound versus guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS)-bound conformation of Gαi2 and inhibited GTPγS binding to Gαi2. Protein interaction assays with glutathioneS-transferase-AGS3-SHORT and heart lysates indicated interaction of AGS3-SHORT with Gαi1/2 and Gαi3, but not Gαs or Gαq. Immunofluorescent imaging and subcellular fractionation following transient expression of AGS3-SHORT and AGS3-LONG in COS-7 and Chinese hamster ovary cells indicated distinct subcellular distributions of the two forms of AGS3. Thus, AGS3 exists as a short and long form, both of which apparently stabilize the GDP-bound conformation of Gαi, but which differ in their tissue distribution and trafficking within the cell.
Deficits in cerebellar granule cell development and social interactions in CD47 knockout mice

CD47 is involved in neurite differentiation in cultured neurons, but the function of CD47 in brain development is largely unknown. We determined that CD47 mRNA was robustly expressed in the developing cerebellum, especially in granule cells. CD47 protein was mainly expressed in the inner layer of the external granule layer (EGL), molecular layer, and internal granule layer (IGL), where granule cells individually become postmitotic and migrate, leading to neurite fasciculation. At postnatal day 8 (P8), CD47 knockout mice exhibited an increased number of proliferating granule cells in the EGL, whereas the CD47 agonist peptide 4N1K increased the number of postmitotic cells in primary granule cells. Knocking out the CD47 gene and anti‐CD47 antibody impaired the radial migration of granule cells from the EGL to the IGL individually in mice and slice cultures. In primary granule cells, knocking out CD47 reduced the number of axonal collaterals and dendritic branches; by contrast, overexpressing CD47 or 4N1K treatment increased the axonal length and numbers of axonal collaterals and dendritic branches. Furthermore, the length of the fissure between Lobules VI and VII was decreased in CD47 knockout mice at P21 and at 14 wk after birth. Lastly, CD47 knockout mice exhibited increased social interaction at P21 and depressive‐like behaviors at 10 wk after birth. Our study revealed that the cell adhesion molecule CD47 participates in multiple phases of granule cell development, including proliferation, migration, and neurite differentiation implying that aberrations of CD47 are risk factors that cause abnormalities in cerebellar development and atypical behaviors. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 463–484, 2015
Big Data and AI – A transformational shift for government: So, what next for research?

Big Data and artificial intelligence will have a profound transformational impact on governments around the world. Thus, it is important for scholars to provide a useful analysis on the topic to public managers and policymakers. This study offers an in-depth review of the Policy and Administration literature on the role of Big Data and advanced analytics in the public sector. It provides an overview of the key themes in the research field, namely the application and benefits of Big Data throughout the policy process, and challenges to its adoption and the resulting implications for the public sector. It is argued that research on the subject is still nascent and more should be done to ensure that the theory adds real value to practitioners. A critical assessment of the strengths and limitations of the existing literature is developed, and a future research agenda to address these gaps and enrich our understanding of the topic is proposed.
Resilience as an Emergent European Project? The EU's Place in the Resilience Turn

This article looks at the development of the resilience approach in EU foreign policy. Building state and societal resilience in the EU's neighbourhood has been identified as one of the key priorities in the EU global strategy. Here we critically analyse these developments and seek to provide an account of the complex dynamics within which the EU's approach to resilience is located. We argue that EU resilience‐thinking is influenced by three broad dynamics – the neoliberal and Anglo‐Saxon approaches to resilience in the sphere of global governance; the particular normative discourse of the EU as a certain type of global actor (the EU as a normative/liberal power); and the multilevel character of the EU with its complex institutional structure and path dependencies which results in decoupling. As a consequence, the ‘translation’ of resilience constitutes an emergent project at the EU level, but also brings with it new challenges. The argument will be illustrated through a study of the EU global strategy and the Joint Communication on resilience in the neighbourhood.
Couples' willingness to donate embryos for research: a longitudinal study

Decision‐making on embryo disposition is a source of distress and is subject to change over time. This paper analyzes the willingness of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization to donate cryopreserved embryos for research from 15 days after embryo transfer to 12 months later, taking into account the influence of psychosocial, demographic, and reproductive factors.
Intracellular Free Magnesium Deficiency Plays a Key Role in Increased Platelet Reactivity in Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Objective Mg deficiency may be an important factor leading to cardiovascular disease. Diabetic subjects show an increase in platelet reactivity that can enhance the risks of vascular disease. In addition, diabetic patients have been reported to be at risk of developing extracellular Mg deficiency. However, the intracellular free Mg concentration and its role in the enhanced platelet reactivity in diabetes is not known. Research Design and Methods We evaluated the intracellular erythrocyte (RBC) Mg2+ concentration in 20 non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetics. In addition, the effects of intravenous 3-h drip or 8 wk of oral Mg supplementation on intracellular RBC Mg2+ levels and platelet reactivity was studied. To more clearly evaluate the direct role of Mg in these effects, we induced isolated Mg deficiency in 16 nondiabetic control subjects with an Mg-free liquid diet for 3 wk. Results The intracellular RBC Mg2+ concentration of diabetic patients was significantly reduced compared with values in nondiabetic control subjects (166 ± 7 vs. 204 ± 7 μM, P < 0.01). Serum Mg levels were also reduced in the diabetic patients compared with the control subjects (1.59 ± 0.04 vs. 1.9 ± 0.1 mEq/L, P < 0.05). Oral Mg supplementation for 8 wk (400 mg/day) restored RBC Mg2+ concentration to normal without significantly changing serum Mg concentration. Both intravenous and oral Mg supplementation markedly reduced platelet reactivity in response to the thromboxane A2 analog, U46619. The Mg-free diet resulted in a significant reduction in RBC Mg2+ concentration and markedly enhanced the sensitivity of platelet aggregation to U46619 and ADP. Conclusions These results suggest that type II diabetic patients have intracellular Mg2+ deficiency and that Mg deficiency may be a key factor in leading to enhanced platelet reactivity in type II diabetes. Therefore, Mg supplementation may provide a new therapeutic approach to reducing vascular disease in patients with diabetes.