Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glycosylation inhibition reduces cholesterol accumulation in NPC1 protein-deficient cells

Significance Plasma lipoproteins carrying cholesteryl esters are taken up by low density lipoprotein receptors and delivered to lysosomes, where cholesterol is released and then exported for cellular use. Although cholesterol can partition freely between membranes, it does not freely partition out of lysosomes—Niemann-Pick type C 1 (NPC1) protein is required for cholesterol export. We show here that the requirement for NPC1 is decreased in cells containing lower levels of protein glycosylation. These data support a model in which NPC1 protein helps transfer cholesterol past the glycocalyx barrier that lines the interior of lysosomes. Lysosomes are lined with a glycocalyx that protects the limiting membrane from the action of degradative enzymes. We tested the hypothesis that Niemann-Pick type C 1 (NPC1) protein aids the transfer of low density lipoprotein-derived cholesterol across this glycocalyx. A prediction of this model is that cells will be less dependent upon NPC1 if their glycocalyx is decreased in density. Lysosome cholesterol content was significantly lower after treatment of NPC1-deficient human fibroblasts with benzyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranoside, an inhibitor of O-linked glycosylation. Direct biochemical measurement of cholesterol showed that lysosomes purified from NPC1-deficient fibroblasts contained at least 30% less cholesterol when O-linked glycosylation was blocked. As an independent means to modify protein glycosylation, we used Chinese hamster ovary ldl-D cells defective in UDP-Gal/UDP-GalNAc 4-epimerase in which N- and O-linked glycosylation can be controlled. CRISPR generated, NPC1-deficient ldl-D cells supplemented with galactose accumulated more cholesterol than those in which sugar addition was blocked. In the absence of galactose supplementation, NPC1-deficient ldl-D cells also transported more cholesterol from lysosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum, as monitored by an increase in cholesteryl [14C]-oleate levels. These experiments support a model in which NPC1 protein functions to transfer cholesterol past a lysosomal glycocalyx.
Why Some Representations Are More Cooperative Than Others For Prisoner's Dilemma

In the work of D. Ashlock et al. (2006) it was shown that the representation used has a large impact on the cooperativeness of evolved prisoner's dilemma strategies. Why is this? This paper examines the look-up table representation, the finite state machine representation, and the neural net representation to gain insight into this somewhat surprising result. A tool called a prisoner's dilemma fingerprint is used to compare the strategies produced by the different representations, and a Voronoi tiling (based on which of 12 reference strategies is the closest neighbor) of the strategy space is done. The initial random populations are shown to have significantly different distributions, and the evolved populations are shown to favor different parts of the strategy space
Recent Progresses in Preparation and Characterization of RO Membranes

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purifcation technology that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles for the production of drinking water. The frst RO membrane for seawater desalination, wastewater treatment and other applications were made of cellulose acetate. But, the polyamide thin-flm composite membrane that can tolerate wide pH ranges, higher temperatures, and harsh chemical environments is the most popular, currently. To further improve the membranes’ performances, the recent trend in polymer-based membrane research has been focused to investigate various types of nanocomposite membranes, in which nanosized fllers such as SMCNT, MWCNT, graphene, graphene oxide, silica, or zeolite are incorporated. However, there are many challenges to commercialize the application of these membranes. Nowadays, it is a norm to characterize membranes by the advanced characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diﬀraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and others for studying the physical and chemical properties of membranes and to co-relate those properties to the performances of the membranes. In this work, diﬀerent aspects of RO membranes and proposed characterization methods, as well as recent progresses have been reviewed, comprehensively.
Automatic debugging of real-time systems based on incremental satisfiability counting

Real-time logic (RTL) is useful for the verification of a safety assertion with respect to the specification of a realtime system. Since the satisfiability problem for RTL is undecidable, the systematic debugging of a real-time system appears impossible. A first step toward this challenge was presented. With RTL, each prepositional formula corresponds to a verification condition. The number of truth assignments of a prepositional formula can help us determine the specific constraints which should be added or modified to get the expected solutions. This paper solves an even more challenging problem specified as future work, namely, the embedding and the integration of our debugger in autonomous systems which generate real-time control plans on-the-fly, since these specifications must meet timing constraints, but without human interaction. The idea is to consider in advance all the necessary information, such as the designer's guidance. We have implemented a tool (called ADRTL) that is able to perform automatic debugging. The confidence of our approach is high as we have successfully evaluated ADRTL on several existing industrial-based applications.
Real-time aggregation of Wikipedia data for visual analytics

Wikipedia has been built to gather encyclopedic knowledge using a collaborative social process that has proved its effectiveness. However, the workload required for raising the quality and increasing the coverage of Wikipedia is exhausting the community. Based on several participatory design sessions with active Wikipedia contributors (a.k.a. Wikipedians), we have collected a set of measures related to Wikipedia activity that, if available and visualized effectively, could spare a lot of monitoring time to these Wikipedians, allowing them to focus on quality and coverage of Wikipedia instead of spending their time navigating heavily to track vandals and copyright infringements. However, most of these measures cannot be computed on the fly using the available Wikipedia API. Therefore, we have designed an open architecture called WikiReactive to compute incrementally and maintain several aggregated measures on the French Wikipedia. This aggregated data is available as a Web Service and can be used to overlay information on Wikipedia articles through Wikipedia Skins or for new services for Wikipedians or people studying Wikipedia. This article describes the architecture, its performance and some of its uses.
Reciprocity in Parent–Child Exchange and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly: A Cross‐National Perspective

This study explores the role of intergenerational exchange relationships in the life satisfaction of a cross-national sample of older people. Specifically, it replicates and extends the study by Lee, Netzer, and Coward (1995), which examined the effects of aid exchanged between generations—older parents and their adult children. Social exchange and equity theories serve as the theoretical frameworks for the present research. The current research is based on data collected in the OASIS cross-national five countries project from 1,703 respondents (75+) living in urban settings. The main results are that the capacity to be an active provider in exchange relations enhances elders' life satisfaction. Being mainly a recipient of help from adult children is related to a lower level of life satisfaction. Filial norms are negatively related to life satisfaction. The study also underscores the importance of the emotional component in intergenerational family relations to the well-being of the older population. Intergenerational family bonds reflect a diversity of forms related to individual, familial, and social structural characteristics. The research highlights the importance of reciprocity in intergenerational relations between older parents and their adult children.
Evaluation of a School-Based Gambling Prevention Program for Adolescents : Ef fi cacy of Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the concept of negative anticipated emotions (NAEs) have attracted research attention in the formulation of effective preventive interventions. This approach has identified several key constructs of the TPB (i.e., intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of behavioural control) and NAEs as valid predictors of gambling behaviours and problems. However, no empirical investigation has used these constructs in the design or evaluation of a preventive intervention for adolescent problem gambling. The current research aimed to assess the efficacy of targeting NAEs and key TPB constructs in a prevention video for modifying gambling beliefs, intentions, and behaviours. A sample of 280 high school students were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control condition. Participants were assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Results reveal that the video was not effective in producing desired changes in NAEs, the key constructs of the TPB, or the frequency of gambling behaviour. The findings suggest that the video, delivered as a universal preventive intervention, may be insufficient for modifying NAEs and other TPB key constructs, or for changing gambling behaviours.
Mobile Banking and its Adopting Challenges

Nowadays banking through mobile is vital for the individuals who are busy with their occupations furthermore for the individuals who are employed. The reason behind this study is to inspect the factors that influence the people to adopt mobile banking as the tool for their banking purpose. This observational review tried to examine the pertinence of the expansion of the eminent structure of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in determining the factors that influence mobile banking. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire that was distributed among different positions of people such as lecturers, students, technicians, administrative staff and the helpers in one of the college in Oman. The model was tested in a review led in this college. From the sample of 548 individuals, we applied Factor Analysis and Composite Reliability to test the reliability of the proposed model. The study findings were presented in form of tables that will reflect summary statistics . It was established that, there exists a strong, positive, and significant relationship between relative advantage and adoption of mobile banking. The empirical conclusion of this study is that the intention of the individuals to adopt mobile banking was considerably influenced by financial cost, trust, perceived risk and
Mixed-Modality Stimulation to Evoke Two Modalities Simultaneously in One Channel for Electrocutaneous Sensory Feedback

One of the long-standing challenges in upper limb prosthetics is restoring the sensory feedback that is missing due to amputation. Two approaches have previously been presented to provide various types of sensory information to users, namely, multi-modality sensory feedback and using an array of single-modality stimulators. However, the feedback systems used in these approaches were too bulky to be embedded in prosthesis sockets. In this paper, we propose an electrocutaneous sensory feedback method that is capable of conveying two modalities simultaneously with only one electrode. The stimulation method, which we call mixed-modality stimulation, utilizes the phenomenon in which the superposition of two electric pulse trains of different frequencies is able to evoke two different modalities (i.e., pressure and tapping) at the same time. We conducted psychophysical experiments in which healthy subjects were required to recognize the intensity of pressure or the frequency of tapping from mixed-modality or two-channel stimulations. The results demonstrated that the subjects were able to discriminate the features of the two modalities in one electrode during mixed-modality stimulation and that the accuracies of successful recognitions (mean ± standard deviation) for the two feedback variables were 84.3 ± 7% for mixed-modality stimulation and 89.5 ± 6% for two-channel dual-modality stimulation, showing no statistically significant difference. Therefore, mixed-modality stimulation is an attractive method for modulating two modalities independently with only one electrode, and it could be used for implementing a compact sensory feedback system that is able to provide two different types of sensory information from prosthetics.
A genetic algorithm for the multi-source and multi-sink minimum vertex cut problem and its applications

We present a new penalty-based genetic algorithm for the multi-source and multi-sink minimum vertex cut problem, and illustrate the algorithm's usefulness with two real-world applications. It is proved in this paper that the genetic algorithm always produces a feasible solution by exploiting some domain-specific knowledge. The genetic algorithm has been implemented on the example applications and evaluated to show how well it scales as the problem size increases.
A flexible rate slepian-wolf code construction

A flexible rate Slepian-Wolf (SW) code is constructed, which is vital for wireless sensor network applications. The proposed solution is based on an efficient and practical algorithm to compute the syndrome of the rate-compatible convolutional codes (RCPC). Using this algorithm, there is no need to compute the syndrome of punctured version of the mother code for each puncturing matrix, which is complex. Instead, the syndrome of the punctured code is the punctured version of the syndrome of the mother code using the same pattern of puncturing. The algorithm is general for all convolutional codes in Zq. The strategy is also generalized for parallel and serial concatenated convolutional codes. For the cases, where the dependencies among sources are modeled as a virtual discrete channel, a simplified decoding scheme is suggested. This method is generalized to achieve all points on the SW boundary using a simple code design technique. Simulation results demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Extended Heuristic Bubble Algorithm for the Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Windows

In this study, the Vehicle Routing Problem Pickup and Delivery with Time Windows (VRPPDTW) is considered. The VRPPDTW problem is seen in many practical applications such as logistics, distribution and transportation. Firstly, a new model of the very close to real-life problem is defined. Secondly, a novel heuristic algorithm with a new objective function is proposed to solve the daily macro routing problem with time windows. The method proposed to solve VRPPDTW problem is an extended version of a nature-inspired algorithm called Heuristic Bubble Algorithm (HBA). In order to express the benefit of using extended HBA, five case studies are discussed using RouteArt. The obtained results provide promising solutions in terms of average vehicle load efficiency, average service time, and total waiting time of the vehicle.
Differences in aggression as a relationship between sex and levels of video game playing

Video games have grown into a multibillion-dollar industry over the past 40 years. A number of studies have been carried out to explain the relationship between playing video games and the different levels of aggression it generates. This pilot study examines the differences in aggression present in males and females following video game playing. The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between the amount of time spent playing video games and the type of video games played by both males and females with the amount of aggression it stimulates across different sex. The study uses theories like Uses and Gratification and the General Aggression model to explain the links between length of violent game play and aggression.
Classifying insulin regimens – difficulties and proposal for comprehensive new definitions

Modern insulin regimens for the treatment of type 1 diabetes are highly individualized. The concept of an individually tailored medicine accounts for a broad variety of different insulin regimens applied. Despite clear recommendations for insulin management in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes there is little distinctiveness about concepts and the nomenclature is confusing. Even among experts similar terms are used for different strategies. The aim of our review – based on the experiences of the Hvidoere Study Group (HSG) – is to propose comprehensive definitions for current insulin regimens reflecting current diabetes management in childhood and adolescence. The HSG – founded in 1994 – is an international group representing 24 highly experienced pediatric diabetes centers, from Europe, Japan, North America and Australia. Different benchmarking studies of the HSG revealed a broad variety of insulin regimens applied in each center, respectively. Furthermore, the understanding of insulin regimens has been persistently different between the centers since more than 20 yr. Not even the terms ‘conventional’ and ‘intensified therapy’ were used consistently among all members. Besides the concepts ‘conventional’ and ‘intensified’, several other terms for the characterization of insulin regimens are in use: Basal Bolus Concept (BBC), multiple daily injections (MDI), and flexible insulin therapy (FIT) are most frequently used, although none of these expressions is clearly or consistently defined. The proposed new classification for insulin management will be comprehensive, simple, and catchy. Currently available terms were included. This classification may offer the opportunity to compare therapeutic strategies without the currently existing confusion on the insulin regimen.
Characterization of Fluoroquinolone and Carbapenem Susceptibilities in Clinical Isolates of Levofloxacin-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background:Pseudomonas aeruginosa can rapidly acquire resistance to antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones and carbapenems. Methods: We characterized fluoroquinolone, carbapenem and other β-lactam susceptibilities and analyzed fluoroquinolone and carbapenem resistance in 16 clinical isolates of levofloxacin-resistant P. aeruginosa. Results: All levofloxacin-resistant isolates showed high MICs (≧32 µg/ml) for fluoroquinolones including norfloxacin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, gatifloxacin and pazufloxacin, whereas the MICs for sitafloxacin were between 2 and 16 µg/ml. These isolates had both a Thr83Ile mutation in GyrA and a Ser87Leu mutation in ParC. An additional mutation, Glu469Asp in GyrB, was detected in 3 isolates. Three of 16 isolates found during antibiotic therapy showed resistance to carbapenems (MIC, 16–32 µg/ml) because of a reduced production of OprD. Fluoroquinolones, β-lactams and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim were used for 3 months before the isolation of levofloxacin-resistant P.aeruginosa. Conclusions: Emergence of resistant isolates to both fluoroquinolones and carbapenems during antibiotic therapy is a serious clinical problem. Our results suggest that susceptibilities to fluoroquinolones as well as carbapenems should be monitored during a prolonged course of antibiotic therapy against P. aeruginosa infection.
Estimation of generic reusability for object-oriented software an empirical approach

Inheritance and templates are key concepts in object-oriented programming (OOP), and are essential for achieving reusability and extendibility. The aim of this paper is to explore traditional Halstead's metrics and use them to propose more software metrics related to generic method and attributes in an object-oriented software. These metrics measure quantitative generic construct with inheritance in an object-oriented code. Two metrics GRr (Generic Reusability Ratio) and ERr (Effort Ratio) are proposed in this paper. First metric GRr (Generic Reusability Ratio) measures impact of template in program volume and second metric ERr (Effort Ratio) measures impact of template in development effort. These metrics will be a tool for estimating and evaluating costs of program design and program tests as well as program complexity.
Proteomic Analysis of Proteins Associated with Lipid Droplets of Basal and Lipolytically Stimulated 3T3-L1 Adipocytes*

Adipocytes hold the body's major energy reserve as triacylglycerols packaged in large lipid droplets. Perilipins, the most abundant proteins on these lipid droplets, play a critical role in facilitating both triacylglycerol storage and hydrolysis. The stimulation of lipolysis by β-adrenergic agonists triggers rapid phosphorylation of perilipin and translocation of hormone-sensitive lipase to the surfaces of lipid droplets and more gradual fragmentation and dispersion of micro-lipid droplets. Because few lipid droplet-associated proteins have been identified in adipocytes, we isolated lipid droplets from basal and lipolytically stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and identified the component proteins by mass spectrometry. Structural proteins identified in both preparations include perilipin, S3-12, vimentin, and TIP47; in contrast, adipophilin, caveolin-1, and tubulin selectively localized to droplets in lipolytically stimulated cells. Lipid metabolic enzymes identified in both preparations include hormone-sensitive lipase, lanosterol synthase, NAD(P)-dependent steroid dehydrogenase-like protein, acyl-CoA synthetase, long chain family member (ACSL) 1, and CGI-58. 17-β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, type 7, was identified only in basal preparations, whereas ACSL3 and 4 and two short-chain reductase/dehydrogenases were identified on droplets from lipolytically stimulated cells. Additionally, both preparations contained FSP27, ribophorin I, EHD2, diaphorase I, and ancient ubiquitous protein. Basal preparations contained CGI-49, whereas lipid droplets from lipolytically stimulated cells contained several Rab GTPases and tumor protein D54. A close association of mitochondria with lipid droplets was suggested by the identification of pyruvate carboxylase, prohibitin, and a subunit of ATP synthase in the preparations. Thus, adipocyte lipid droplets contain specific structural proteins as well as lipid metabolic enzymes; the structural reorganization of lipid droplets in response to the hormonal stimulation of lipolysis is accompanied by increases in the relative mass of several proteins and the recruitment of additional proteins.