Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric functional interaction between chaperonin and its plastidic cofactors

The specific cochaperonin, chloroplast chaperonin (Cpn)20, consisting of two tandem GroES‐like domains, is present abundantly in plant and algal chloroplasts, in addition to Cpn10, which is similar in size to GroES. How Cpn20 oligomers, containing six or eight 10‐kDa domains, cooperate with the heptameric ring of chaperonin at the same time as encountering symmetry mismatch is unclear. In the present study, we characterized the functional cooperation of cochaperonins, including two plastidic Cpn20 homo‐oligomers from Arabidopsis (AtCpn20) and Chlamydomonas (CrCPN20), and one algal CrCPNs hetero‐oligomer, consisting of three cochaperonins, CrCPN11, CrCPN20 and CrCPN23, with two chaperonins, Escherichia coli GroEL and Chlamydomonas CrCPN60. AtCpn20 and CrCPNs were functional for assisting both chaperonins in folding model substrates ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum (RrRubisco) in vitro and complementing GroES function in E. coli. CrCPN20 cooperated only with CrCPN60 (and not GroEL) to refold RrRubisco in vitro and showed differential complementation with the two chaperonins in E. coli. Cochaperonin concatamers, consisting of six to eight covalently linked 10‐kDa domains, were functionally similar to their respective native forms. Our results indicate that symmetrical match between chaperonin and cochaperonin is not an absolute requisite for functional cooperation.
A Robust Regression-Based Stock Exchange Forecasting and Determination of Correlation Between Stock Markets

Knowledge-based decision support systems for financial management are an important part of investment plans. Investors are avoiding investing in traditional investment areas such as banks due to low return on investment. The stock exchange is one of the major areas for investment presently. Various non-linear and complex factors affect the stock exchange. A robust stock exchange forecasting system remains an important need. From this line of research, we evaluate the performance of a regression-based model to check the robustness over large datasets. We also evaluate the effect of top stock exchange markets on each other. We evaluate our proposed model on the top 4 stock exchanges—New York, London, NASDAQ and Karachi stock exchange. We also evaluate our model on the top 3 companies—Apple, Microsoft, and Google. A huge (Big Data) historical data is gathered from Yahoo finance consisting of 20 years. Such huge data creates a Big Data problem. The performance of our system is evaluated on a 1-step, 6-step, and 12-step forecast. The experiments show that the proposed system produces excellent results. The results are presented in terms of Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE).
Administration of a peptide inhibitor of alpha4-integrin inhibits the development of experimental autoimmune uveitis.

PURPOSE Recruitment of lymphocytes into the retina and to the vitreous during the development of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is governed by factors such as the state of activation of inflammatory cells and the repertoire of adhesion molecules expressed by the local vascular endothelia. alpha4 Integrins and their receptors play an important role during homing of cells to the inflammatory site. In the present study, the effect of alpha4-integrin inhibitor on the development of EAU was investigated. METHODS EAU was induced either by immunizing B10.RIII mice with the 161-180 peptide or by adoptive transfer of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP)-specific uveitogenic T cells. Animals were treated with an active peptide inhibitor (alpha4-api) or a peptide control at different time points after induction of disease. EAU was evaluated by histology 21 to 49 days after immunization. Antigen-specific cell proliferation was evaluated by thymidine incorporation. Cytokine synthesis in culture supernatants and anti-IRBP-specific serum IgG1 and IgG2a were evaluated by ELISA. Delayed-type hypersensitivity was evaluated by ear challenge 2 days before the termination of the experiment. RESULTS Treatment with alpha4-api had a significant ameliorating effect on EAU. The anti-IRBP antibody response and cellular proliferation were not affected by the treatment, whereas delayed-type hypersensitivity was significantly diminished. Cytokine synthesis was not changed by treatment, except for a decrease in IL-10 levels. CONCLUSIONS The results show that small-molecule inhibitors of alpha4-integrins can act therapeutically in EAU, possibly by interfering with cell adhesion events involved in the development of the disease.
Ecological traits and environmental affinity explain Red Sea fish introduction into the Mediterranean

Alien species are considered one of the prime threats to biodiversity, driving major changes in ecosystem structure and function. Identifying the traits associated with alien introduction has been largely restricted to comparing indigenous and alien species or comparing alien species that differ in abundance or impact. However, a more complete understanding may emerge when the entire pool of potential alien species is used as a control, information that is rarely available. In the eastern Mediterranean, the marine environment is undergoing an unparalleled species composition transformation, as a flood of aliens have entered from the Red Sea following the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. In this study, we compile data on species traits, geographical distribution, and environmental affinity of the entire pool of reef‐associated fish species in the Red Sea and more generally across the Indo‐Pacific. We use this extensive data to identify the prime characteristics separating Red Sea species that have become alien in the Mediterranean from those that have not. We find that alien species occupy a larger range of environments in their native ranges, explaining their ability to colonize the seasonal Mediterranean. Red Sea species that naturally experience high maximum temperatures in their native range have a high probability of becoming alien. Thus, contrary to predictions of an accelerating number of aliens following increased water temperatures, hotter summers in this region may prevent the establishment of many alien species. We further find that ecological trait diversity of alien species is substantially more evenly spaced and more divergent than random samples from the pool of Red Sea species, pointing at additional processes, such as competition, promoting ecological diversity among alien species. We use these results to provide a first quantitative ranking of the potential of Red Sea species to become established in the eastern Mediterranean.
Radar cross section of a coated elliptic cylinder using addition theorem

For a coated conducting structure, it is necessary to deal with the field both inside and outside the structure for its scattering analysis. In this paper, the scattering of dielectric coated conducting elliptic cylindrical body is determined for both principal polarizations (TE/TM). The addition theorem is employed to analytically obtain the scattered field and hence radar cross section (RCS). The incident field, scattered field and the field within the dielectric coating are analytically derived in terms of angular and radial Mathieu functions and unknown scattering coefficients. These unknowns are obtained by applying appropriate boundary conditions. The parametric analysis of RCS of coated elliptic cylinder is presented.
Specific and nonspecific mediation of protective immunity to Toxoplasma gondii

We studied the specificity of protection conferred by Toxoplasma gondii immune lymphocytes and their supernatants on infected hamster kidney cells, using Besnoitia jellisoni immune lymphocytes as a nonspecific control. The intracellular growth of the organisms was measured by [3H]uracil incorporation, and inhibition of multiplication was used as a measurement of immunity. Although the immune lymphocytes restricted principally the multiplication of homologous organisms, partial protection, expressed against the heterologous organism, was found. This was true for either parasite with intact lymphocytes or their supernatants. Exposure of immune lymphocytes to antigen for 18 to 24 h and treatment of kidney cells with supernatant fluids for 18 to 24 h were required for maximal protection. The specific protective mediator in supernatants of immune lymphocytes was characterized by dialysis as having a molecular weight between 3,000 and 12,000 and was found in the 3,000 to 5,000 peak after Sephadex G-50 chromatography. Nonspecific protective activity was greater than 12,000 by dialysis; it chromatographed in the excluded peak, measuring over 43,000, and was destroyed by exposure to pH 2. In vitro production of lymphokines from toxoplasma immune lymphocytes was first detected 7 to 10 days after vaccination of hamsters. At about the same time, hamsters began to resist challenge infection with the pathogenic RH strain of T. gondii and were able to prevent its multiplication in lungs, liver, spleen, and the subcutaneous infection site. The expression of tissue immunity and the production of toxoplasma-immune lymphokines appear to be time-related events.
Output voltage sensor based DMPPT with parallel configuration for PV systems under partial shading conditions

Photovoltaic (PV) module mismatching and non-uniform insolation conditions are the major drawbacks of the PV systems. The distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) method is an effective solution to mitigate these drawbacks but, the DMPPT with conventional algorithms requires more sensors to implement. A single output voltage sensor based DMPPT algorithm with parallel configuration is presented in this paper. The operating point of each PV module is regulated independently through a single microcontroller. The output voltage sensor based DMPPT is developed based on the output voltage characteristics with respect to the converter duty cycle and its mathematical validation is presented in this paper. The proposed DMPPT algorithm is validated through experimentation by using the developed prototype with two designed SEPIC (single ended primary inductance converter) converters, two PV modules and a microcontroller.
The cost of treating anxiety: the medical and demographic correlates that impact total medical costs

The purpose of this retrospective, multivariate analysis is to examine how medical conditions and demographic characteristics affect the costs of treating individuals diagnosed with anxiety. Data from MarketScan Databases [The MEDSTAT Group, 2000] were used to identify individuals with new episodes of anxiety. Multivariate analysis was used, with the dependent variable being the log of total medical costs. This analysis controlled for demographic characteristics, medical comorbidities, anxiety diagnosis, and prior resource utilization. A smearing estimate is used to calculate the total medical costs for patients with any anxiety disorder. The mean estimated total medical cost for individuals diagnosed with any anxiety disorder was $6,475. The multivariate model indicates that controlling for demographics and other disease states, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with a $2,138, $1,603, and $3,940 increase, respectively, in the total medical cost (P < .0001). The incremental impact of depression, other anxiety disorders, and prior mental health diagnoses on the total medical costs were $1,945, $1,900, and $1,515, respectively (P < .0001). Individuals with the highest costs, and therefore the greatest need for intervention, are anxious patients with depression, individuals diagnosed with PTSD or GAD, and individuals diagnosed with both anxiety and a comorbid medical condition such as an acute myocardial infarction or diabetes. Depression and Anxiety 21:178–184, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic characterization of Strongyloides spp. from captive, semi-captive and wild Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in Central and East Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia

SUMMARY Orangutans (Pongo spp.), Asia's only great apes, are threatened in their survival due to habitat loss, hunting and infections. Nematodes of the genus Strongyloides may represent a severe cause of death in wild and captive individuals. In order to better understand which Strongyloides species/subspecies infect orangutans under different conditions, larvae were isolated from fecal material collected in Indonesia from 9 captive, 2 semi-captive and 9 wild individuals, 18 captive groups of Bornean orangutans and from 1 human working with wild orangutans. Genotyping was done at the genomic rDNA locus (part of the 18S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer 1, ITS1) by sequencing amplicons. Thirty isolates, including the one from the human, could be identified as S. fuelleborni fuelleborni with 18S rRNA gene identities of 98·5–100%, with a corresponding published sequence. The ITS1 sequences could be determined for 17 of these isolates revealing a huge variability and 2 main clusters without obvious pattern with regard to attributes of the hosts. The ITS1 amplicons of 2 isolates were cloned and sequenced, revealing considerable variability indicative of mixed infections. One isolate from a captive individual was identified as S. stercoralis (18S rRNA) and showed 99% identity (ITS1) with S. stercoralis sequences from geographically distinct locations and host species. The findings are significant with regard to the zoonotic nature of these parasites and might contribute to the conservation of remaining orangutan populations.
Prevalence of leukoencephalopathy in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia with high-dose methotrexate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE An effective treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), intravenous (IV) methotrexate (MTX) has a notable toxic effect on the CNS, with leukoencephalopathy (LE) being the most common form. The purpose of this study was to use objective quantitative MR imaging to prospectively assess potential risk factors on the temporal evolution of LE in patients treated for ALL. METHODS We evaluated the longitudinal prevalence of LE in 45 children treated for ALL in a single institutional protocol including seven courses of IV MTX and no cranial irradiation. Differences in signal intensity on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images between hyperintense regions and normal-appearing genu were used to quantitatively detect LE. Cox proportional regression was used to estimate the effect of covariates (e.g., sex, MTX dose, age at diagnosis) on the prevalence of LE. After influential factors were identified, a generalized linear model was determined to predict the probability of LE in new patients. The model was necessary to facilitate statistical testing between examinations. RESULTS Increasing exposure, which corresponding to more courses and higher doses of IV MTX, influenced the prevalence of LE. The prevalence of LE was significant reduced approximately 1.5 years after the completion of IV MTX. CONCLUSION Higher doses and more courses of IV MTX placed patients at a higher risk for LE; many of the changes resolved after the completion of therapy. The effect of these changes on neurocognitive functioning and quality of life in survivors remains to be determined.
No participation without representation

ABSTRACT How does the degree to which European citizens see themselves represented by political parties relate to their willingness to participate in an election? We argue that the closer citizens are to the parties running in an election in terms of the socio-economic left-right conflict and the European integration policy dimension, the more likely they participate in elections to the European Parliament. The analysis, which is based on the 2009 and 2014 European Election Studies datasets, indicates that the ideological left-right distance between citizens and parties mattered for participation in both EP elections under study. Moreover, the European integration dimension has become relevant for citizens’ turnout decision over the course of the European economic and sovereign debt crisis, but only in countries that are part of the Eurozone. These findings have implications for the nature of European elections and representative democracy on the European level, and indicate that missing policy responsiveness can lead to lower voter turnout.
New drug‐resistant cassettes for gene disruption and epitope tagging in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We describe new heterologous modules for PCR‐based gene targeting in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Two bacterial genes, hph and nat, which display dominant drug‐resistance phenotypes, are used as new selectable markers in these modules. Both genes have been used successfully in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in which hph confers resistance to hygromycin B, while nat confers nourseothricin resistance (Goldstein and McCusker, 1999 ). Vector modules for gene disruption and C‐terminal tagging with 3HA, 13Myc and GFP(S65T) are constructed using previously constructed pFA6a–MX6–derived plasmids (Bähler et al., 1998 ; Wach et al., 1997 ). In combination with the existing systems that are based upon the G418‐resistance gene (kan), triple gene deletions or tags could be constructed. In addition a vector for one‐step integration of a monomeric RFP (mRFP) to the C‐terminus of proteins of interest is developed. Finally, oligonucleotides that allow a simple marker switch from kan to hph or nat, and vice versa, are described. The new constructs developed here should facilitate post‐genomic molecular analysis of protein functions in fission yeast. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EZR-MZR Resonators for Compact Low-Profile Omnidirectional Circular-Polarized Antenna Design

New zeroth-order resonator (ZOR): the curved EZR-MZR resonator [epsilon-zero resonance (EZR) and mu-zero resonance (MZR)] was proposed for circular-polarized (CP) antenna design with low-profile and omnidirectional characteristics. The proposed curved EZR-MZR resonator has two orthogonal polarizations with 90° phase difference (PD). By forming four resonators in a circular ring array, the MZR can be characterized as a magnetic dipole. Then, the unidirectional pattern of the horizontal polarization was transformed to be omnidirectional while the EZR with vertical polarization can be characterized as an electric dipole and it radiates omnidirectional pattern. As the PD of the vertical and the horizontal polarizations is inherently 90°, the allying of the two orthogonal polarizations leads to a CP radiation with an omnidirectional pattern. To feed the resonators with uniform amplitude and phase, a feeding network with four equal radial arms is used. The proposed omnidirectional CP antenna has the advantages of low profile from ZOR characteristics and high design efficiency from the inherent 90° PD between the orthogonal polarizations. A prototype with resonant frequency of 1.544 GHz was designed with a diameter of 57 mm (0.29 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda _{r}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> $\lambda _{r}$</tex-math></inline-formula> is the free space wavelength of the resonant frequency) and a height of 4 mm (0.02 <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda _{r}$</tex-math></inline-formula>).
Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene) Study Design

ABSTRACT Background: COPDGene is a multicenter observational study designed to identify genetic factors associated with COPD. It will also characterize chest CT phenotypes in COPD subjects, including assessment of emphysema, gas trapping, and airway wall thickening. Finally, subtypes of COPD based on these phenotypes will be used in a comprehensive genome-wide study to identify COPD susceptibility genes. Methods/Results: COPDGene will enroll 10,000 smokers with and without COPD across the GOLD stages. Both Non-Hispanic white and African-American subjects are included in the cohort. Inspiratory and expiratory chest CT scans will be obtained on all participants. In addition to the cross-sectional enrollment process, these subjects will be followed regularly for longitudinal studies. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) will be done on an initial group of 4000 subjects to identify genetic variants associated with case-control status and several quantitative phenotypes related to COPD. The initial findings will be verified in an additional 2000 COPD cases and 2000 smoking control subjects, and further validation association studies will be carried out. Conclusions: COPDGene will provide important new information about genetic factors in COPD, and will characterize the disease process using high resolution CT scans. Understanding genetic factors and CT phenotypes that define COPD will potentially permit earlier diagnosis of this disease and may lead to the development of treatments to modify progression.
Upstream Quantity Discounts and Double Marginalization in the New York Liquor Market

This paper exploits a unique data set of price schedules to provide the �? rst empirical estimate of the welfare impact of second degree price discrimination in an intermediate goods market. Theoretical welfare predictions in such a context are ambiguous and depend on retailer pass through of input cost discounts to consumers and the distribution of retailer purchase size. I estimate a structural model of the New York retail liquor market where wholesalers oﬀer a multi-part nonlinear tariﬀ for each product. I �? nd that banning quantity discounts reduces total welfare by approximately 13% on average.
Safety and Efficacy of Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Neuromuscular Disorders

Abstract Many neuromuscular diseases may be treated with immunoglobulins. In the United States, the major form of immunoglobulin used is intravenous (IV). Recently, there has been an increased interest in research regarding the use of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg), mainly for improved patient quality of life, convenience, potential for fewer systemic adverse events, and avoiding wear-off. The widespread use of the subcutaneous formulation in neurology has been affected by some limitations, mainly the smaller volume and higher frequency of infusions compared to IV administration. Also, there are different pharmacokinetic properties that should be considered to evaluate whether they change the immunomodulatory effect. There are several formulations available that address some limitations. Several studies have assessed efficacy, safety, and quality of life of SCIg in neurology. This review article summarizes the current evidence for the use of SCIg in neuromuscular diseases. It also addresses the pharmacokinetic differences and the different formulations available. The current available preliminary evidence indicates that SCIg is at least as effective as the IV formulations.