Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of O-Glycosylation and Expression of CD43 and CD45 on the Surfaces of Effector T Cells in Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Cell-to-Cell Infection

ABSTRACT We used replication-dependent retroviral vectors to identify cell surface antigens involved in the cell-to-cell transmission of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). We generated monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Jurkat T cells and selected several IgM MAbs that strongly inhibited HTLV-1 but not human immune deficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cell-to-cell infection. These MAbs recognized the so-called Tn antigen (GalNAcα1-O-Ser/Thr) that arises on Jurkat cells from a mutation in the T-synthase-specific chaperone Cosmc and the consequent loss of O-glycan elongation. Anti-Tn MAbs precipitated two major O-glycan carrier proteins, CD43 and CD45, and caused a strong aggregation of Jurkat cells. The restoration of O-glycosylation in Jurkat cells by stably transducing the wild-type Cosmc gene resulted in a 3- to 4-fold increase in the level of surface expression of CD43 and enhanced HTLV-1 transmission 10-fold in comparison to that of parental cells. The short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of CD43 or CD45 expression in Jurkat-Cosmc, HBP-ALL, and CEM T cells decreased HTLV-1 infection severalfold. The knockdown of CD45 in Jurkat cells severely reduced both HTLV-1 and HIV-1 infections, but Cosmc coexpression partially rescued infection. HTLV-1 proteins, which assembled in small patches on Jurkat cells, formed large clusters on the surface of Jurkat-Cosmc cells. These data indicate that large aggregates of HTLV-1 assemblies are more infectious than multiple clustered virions. We suggest that heavily O-glycosylated CD43 and CD45 molecules render cells less adhesive, prevent inappropriate cell-cell contacts, and favor the assembly of HTLV-1 particles into large, highly infectious structures on the surface of T cells.
Non-Intrusive Appliance Load Monitoring and Identification for smart home

There are many negative impacts to the earth as the consumption of energy increases. Climate change is one of them. Therefore, monitoring energy consumption is one of the ways to reduce the negative impacts. This paper explores about Non-Intrusive Appliance Load Monitoring and Identification System which eventually helps in reducing energy consumption. It also analyzes the benefits of implementing such a load monitoring system. Simulation studies carried out on the developed system show that it is perfectly identify load signatures from the acquiring waveform. Current version of the system only has commonly used household appliances current signatures. They were captured and stored into a database which is used for identification purposes. The system is able to identify and monitor the household energy consumption. By doing so, users will be able to keep track of the daily activities in the house and they will be aware of energy consumption of each appliance in order to reduce energy consumption.
Three-Dimensional Structure of the Bovine Sperm Connecting Piece Revealed by Electron Cryotomography 1

The sperm connecting piece is a complex structure that, from a mechanical perspective, appears to play a role in stabilizing the proximal part of the sperm tail. We report the threedimensional structure of the intact bovine sperm connecting piece, revealing an intricate, asymmetrical architecture with the segmented columns held together by filamentous linkages. The columns fuse, at the proximal end, with each other into structures that form the centriolar vault, and at the distal end, with the outer dense fibers (ODFs). The grouping of the fibers into these structures is consistent with bending only in the plane of the head. Structures reminiscent of the proximal centriole were observed in the vault, while the association of a novel bar structure with ODFs 3 and 8 organizes the distal centriolar vault. It has been proposed that the elastic compliance of the connecting piece provides the underlying mechanism behind initiation of the sperm beat cycle and bend propagation. According to the basal sliding theory of sperm movement, distortion of the connecting piece may store energy that initiates a new beat. The intersegment linkers could serve as mechanosensitive elements that regulate alternation of the sperm tail’s bending direction in the beat cycle in addition to providing structural stabilization for the connecting piece segmented structures. On the other hand, our video recordings of the bull sperm movement show little bending of the head with respect to the tail, so it appears that there may be normally little strain within the connecting piece. axoneme, centriole, electron cryotomography, flagella, outer dense fiber, sperm neck
Xodx - A node for the Distributed Semantic Social Network

The world wide web (WWW) is not anymore just an information retrieval system [1] but rather an interactive communication medium. Within the last decade online social networks have evolved and constantly increased in popularity. The currently most used online social network services, according to their estimated monthly active users1, are Facebook (1.27 billion, facebook.com), Google Plus (541million, plus.google.com) and Twitter (283million, twitter.com). Compared to the estimated total users of the WWW of 2.93billion, over 40% of the users of the WWW are actively using Facebook. This concentration on some single services contradicts the actual organisation of the WWW and the whole Internet as a network of decentrally organised and interconnected computer nodes. This situation bears risks regarding the privacy, data security, data ownership, reliability of the services and freedom of communication. By building up a distributed online social network with multiple interconnected services this risks can be minimised and a much more flexibly expendable network is created. We present Xodx (http://aksw.org/Projects/Xodx, includes a live demo) an implementation of a node for the Distributed Semantic Social Network (DSSN). The DSSN is a general architecture for building an online social network using Semantic Web standards and additional protocols for real-time communication. Xodx provides functionality for publishing and editing personal profiles, adding friends to the friend list, sending and receiving friendship requests, publishing posts and following other users activities across distributed nodes.
Activation-Dependent TRAF3 Exon 8 Alternative Splicing Is Controlled by CELF2 and hnRNP C Binding to an Upstream Intronic Element

ABSTRACT Cell-type-specific and inducible alternative splicing has a fundamental impact on regulating gene expression and cellular function in a variety of settings, including activation and differentiation. We have recently shown that activation-induced skipping of TRAF3 exon 8 activates noncanonical NF-κB signaling upon T cell stimulation, but the regulatory basis for this splicing event remains unknown. Here we identify cis- and trans-regulatory elements rendering this splicing switch activation dependent and cell type specific. The cis-acting element is located 340 to 440 nucleotides upstream of the regulated exon and acts in a distance-dependent manner, since altering the location reduces its activity. A small interfering RNA screen, followed by cross-link immunoprecipitation and mutational analyses, identified CELF2 and hnRNP C as trans-acting factors that directly bind the regulatory sequence and together mediate increased exon skipping in activated T cells. CELF2 expression levels correlate with TRAF3 exon skipping in several model systems, suggesting that CELF2 is the decisive factor, with hnRNP C being necessary but not sufficient. These data suggest an interplay between CELF2 and hnRNP C as the mechanistic basis for activation-dependent alternative splicing of TRAF3 exon 8 and additional exons and uncover an intronic splicing silencer whose full activity depends on the precise location more than 300 nucleotides upstream of the regulated exon.
Transcription Regulation of the rRNA Gene by a Multifunctional Nucleolar Protein, B23/Nucleophosmin, through Its Histone Chaperone Activity

ABSTRACT It is well established that the transcription rate of the rRNA gene is closely associated with profound alterations in the cell growth rate. Regulation of rRNA gene transcription is likely to be dependent on the dynamic conversion of the chromatin structure. Previously, we identified B23/nucleophosmin, a multifunctional nucleolar phosphoprotein, as a component of template activating factor III that remodels the chromatin-like structure of the adenovirus genome complexed with viral basic proteins. It has also been shown that B23 has histone chaperone activity. Here, we examined the effect of B23 on rRNA gene transcription. B23 was found to be associated with the rRNA gene chromatin. Small-interfering-RNA-mediated down-regulation of the B23 expression level resulted in reduction of the transcription rate of the rRNA gene. We constructed a B23 mutant termed B23ΔC, which lacks the domain essential for the histone chaperone activity and inhibited the histone binding activity of B23 in a dominant-negative manner. Expression of B23ΔC decreased rRNA gene transcription and the rate of cell proliferation. These results suggest that B23 is involved in the transcription regulation of the rRNA gene as a nucleolar histone chaperone.
Handover Performance Improvement for Ultra Dense Network of High-Speed Railway

Nowadays the implementation of mobile Internet access services for high-speed railway (HSR) passengers are facing several challenges. In particular, the extra penetration loss of the train, frequent handovers, poor received signal and handover lag caused by fast time-varying fading channel may result in serious communication interruption. This paper investigates the mobility management of heterogeneous ultra dense network for HSR, in which macro base stations (BS) provide seamless coverage and millimeter-wave (mmWave) super micro BS provide high data rate services. With this network approach, a gray model (GM) prediction based handover algorithm is designed to prevent handover lag. To ensure service continuity for passengers, a combination factor is introduced into the handover decision to select target BS. Extensive simulation results prove the superiority of the proposed handover scheme in reducing handover failure probability and providing passengers with continuous services.
Validation of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Normalization

Abstract The normalization of quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) is important to obtain accurate gene expression data. The most common method for qRT-PCR normalization is to use reference, or house keeping genes. However, there is emerging evidence that even reference genes can be regulated under different conditions. qRT-PCR has only recently been used in terms of zebrafish gene expression studies and there is no validated set of reference genes. This study characterizes the expression of nine possible reference genes during zebrafish embryonic development and in a zebrafish tissue panel. All nine reference genes exhibited variable expression. The β-actin, EF1α and Rpl13α genes comprise a validated reference gene panel for zebrafish developmental time course studies, and the EF1α, Rpl13α and 18S rRNA genes are more suitable as a reference gene panel for zebrafish tissue analysis. Importantly, the zebrafish GAPDH gene appears unsuitable as reference gene for both types of studies.
Long-term safety of riluzole in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

OBJECTIVES : This international, open-label, multicentre extension of riluzole pivotal studies was designed to assess the long-term safety of riluzole in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHOD : The studies were carried out at 31 different centres, 23 in Europe and eight in North America. 516 patients with diagnosed probable or definite ALS and who had participated previously in one of two international multicentre randomized double-blind placebo-controlled, parallel-group trials, were enrolled in the extensions. 58 of these patients had taken part in a randomized phase II trial (placebo or riluzole 100 mg/day) and 458 in a randomized, dose-ranging phase III trial (placebo or riluzole, 50, 100 or 200 mg/day). All participants in the open-label continuation received 100 mg/day of riluzole (50 mg b.i.d. ) RESULTS : At the end of the open-label study, the average exposure time of the patients to riluzole was 28.7 - 14.4 months, with a maximum exposure time of 81 months. Most of the adverse events recorded reflected the progression of ALS, in particular the deterioration of the respiratory status of the patients. No particular adverse event, or frequency of adverse event, appeared to be related to the dose level of the previous double-blind riluzole treatment. Nor were any adverse events associated with the switch-over from double-blind placebo to open-label riluzole. CONCLUSIONS : This open-label extension study reinforces and extends the results of the preceding double-blind trials regarding the safety of riluzole and shows that the drug is well tolerated for long periods of up to almost 7 years.
Oxytocin, its antagonist Atosiban, and preterm labor: a role for placental nitric oxide

Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to understand the role played by Atosiban, an oxytocin receptor antagonist, on trophoblastic human cells, and the molecular bases of its efficacy and safety in the treatment of preterm labor. NO, peroxinitrite production and NOS expression have been evaluated on placenta obtained from term and preterm labors. Patients and methods: We studied trophoblast cells isolated from selected placental tissue from 20 controls and 20 preterm patients after cesarean sections. Each sample was studied at basal state and after 2 hours incubation with oxytocin and Atosiban. Results: Significant variations of NO levels, peroxynitrite production and iNOS and eNOS expression both in the preterm, term samples and in each of the considered groups were observed. In the control group Atosiban re-established NO levels that were reduced after incubation with oxytocin, while in preterm samples NO levels were not only re-established but, after incubation with Atosiban, significantly increased compared to basal levels. Conclusions: This confirms the beneficial role of Atosiban in prolonging the pregnancy of spontaneous labor at very early gestational periods. In conclusion, Atosiban might be an effective drug to prevent preterm labor, in the therapeutic approach to this pathology.
The pharmacology of Adrenomedullin 2/Intermedin

Adrenomedullin 2 (AM2) or intermedin is a member of the calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP)/calcitonin family of peptides and was discovered in 2004. Unlike other members of this family, no unique receptor has yet been identified for it. It is extensively distributed throughout the body. It causes hypotension when given peripherally, but when given into the CNS, it increases blood pressure and causes sympathetic activation. It also increases prolactin release, is anti‐diuretic and natriuretic and reduces food intake. Whilst its effects resemble those of AM, it is frequently more potent. Some characterization of AM2 has been done on molecularly defined receptors; the existing data suggest that it preferentially activates the AM2 receptor formed from calcitonin receptor‐like receptor and receptor activity modifying protein 3. On this complex, its potency is generally equivalent to that of AM. There is no known receptor‐activity where it is more potent than AM. In tissues and in animals it is frequently antagonised by CGRP and AM antagonists; however, situations exist in which an AM2 response is maintained even in the presence of supramaximal concentrations of these antagonists. Thus, there is a partial mismatch between the pharmacology seen in tissues and that on cloned receptors. The only AM2 antagonists are peptide fragments, and these have limited selectivity. It remains unclear as to whether novel AM2 receptors exist or whether the mismatch in pharmacology can be explained by factors such as metabolism.
The A2a adenosine receptor modulates the reinforcement efficacy and neurotoxicity of MDMA

Adenosine is an endogenous purine nucleoside that plays a neuromodulatory role in the central nervous system. A2a adenosine receptors have been involved in reward-related processes, inflammatory phenomena and neurotoxicity reactions. In the present study, we investigated the role of A2a adenosine receptors on the acute pharmacological effects, reinforcement and neuroinflammation induced by MDMA administration. First, the acute effects of MDMA on body temperature, locomotor activity and anxiety-like responses were measured in A2a knockout mice and wild-type littermates. Second, MDMA reinforcing properties were evaluated using the intravenous self-administration paradigm. Finally, we assessed striatal astrogliosis and microgliosis as markers of MDMA neurotoxicity. Our results showed that acute MDMA produced a biphasic effect on body temperature and increased locomotor activity and anxiogenic-like responses in both genotypes. However, MDMA reinforcing properties were dramatically affected by the lack of A2a adenosine receptors. Thus, wild-type mice maintained MDMA self-administration under a fixed ratio 1 reinforcement schedule, whereas the operant response appeared completely abolished in A2a knockout mice. In addition, the MDMA neurotoxic regime produced an enhanced inflammatory response in striatum of wild-type mice, revealed by a significant increase in glial expression, whereas such activation was attenuated in mutant mice. This is the first report indicating that A2a adenosine receptors play a key role in reinforcement and neuroinflammation induced by the widely used psychostimulant.
MULTIMODAL SENSORY PROCESSING FOR HUMAN ACTION RECOGNITION IN MOBILITY ASSISTIVE ROBOTICS

One of the main objectives of the EU project MOBOT [1], which generally aims at the development of an intelligent active mobility assistance robot, is to provide multimodal sensory processing capabilities for human action recognition. Specifically, a reliable multimodal information processing and action recognition system needs to be developed, that will detect, analyze and recognize the human user actions based on the captured multimodal sensory signals and with a reasonable level of accuracy and detail within the context of the MOBOT framework for intelligent assistive robotics. Different sensory modalities need to be combined into an integrated human action recognition system. One of the main thrusts in the above effort is the development of robust and effective computer vision techniques to achieve the visual processing goals based on multiple cues such as spatiotemporal RGB appearance data as well as depth data from Kinect sensors. Another major challenge is the integration of recognizing specific verbal and gestural commands in the considered human-robot interaction context. In this presentation we summarize advancements in three tasks of the above multimodal processing system for humanrobot interaction (HRI): action recognition, gesture recognition and spoken command recognition.
Effects of RF impairments in transmitter for the future beyond-3G communications systems

In this paper, the performance degradation of a MIMO OFDM-based beyond-3G system, due to various impairments in the radio frequency (RF) circuitry such as AM-AM distortion of power amplifier (PA), in-phase/quadrature-phase (IQ) mismatch effects, is investigated. In order to accurately assess the overall effects of RF impairments on the system performance, constellation diagram and power spectral density (PSD) of the waveform as well as the traditional quantitative figures of merits like error vector magnitude (EVM) of the complete baseband/RF link are used. By analyzing the experimental results, the specification for the RF impairments that ensures a tolerable level of performance can be determined
DBQuote : A Social Web based System for Collecting and Sharing Wisdom Quotes

Wikiquote, as a project in the Wikipedia family, contains a great number of wisdom quotes and can be consumed by people like journalists for writing. However, statistics show that the number of active editors of Wikiquote is decreasing (-15% for the English Wikiquote and -100% for the Korean Wikiquote). In contrast, Social Web platforms such as Twitter have been increasing in popularity and users are creating more User-Generated-Content (UGC) ever before. In this paper, we present a system named DBQuote, a Wiki and Social Web based system to collect and process wisdom quotes, and then share them with semantic annotation using standard vocabularies such as FOAF, SIOC(T). The system shows that UGC can be used as a source to collect wisdom quotes and that those quotes can be reused instead of providing transient consumption within the Social Web.
Distributed Energy Resource ICT Reference Architecture - Distributed Control Architecture for Hardware Limited Internet of Things DERs

For Distributed Energy Resources to participate in the grid, and help solve the problems of unreliability and inefficiency, caused by weather dependent, and distributed energy resources, they must have a processing unit, data connection, and an ICT architecture. The aim of the paper is to describe the software components of the ICT architecture, thereby improving the design of scalable ICT architectures for automatically controlled DERs. Future plug ‘n’ play software components that improve the scalability and eases the development of such ICT architectures are also described in the paper. The ICT architecture should be scalable to many different types of DERs with minimal effort and should enable control by automated generic controlling entities. The ICT architecture primarily consists of three layers, the driver layer that uses native communication to talk to the unit hardware, the data layer that supplies historical data, real-time data, and future prediction to the communication layer, which is responsible for talking to the controlling entities. With the plug ‘n’ play extension components which adds the application launcher, automatic configuration, selfhealing and topology detection.
Performance Analysis of Artificial Neural Networks Training Algorithms and Transfer Functions for Medium-Term Water Consumption Forecasting

Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is a widely used machine learning pattern recognition technique in predicting water resources based on historical data. ANN has the ability to forecast close to accurate prediction given the appropriate training algorithm and transfer function along with the model’s learning rate and momentum. In this study, using the Neuroph Studio platform, six models having different combination of training algorithms, namely, Backpropagation, Backpropagation with Momentum and Resilient Propagation and transfer functions, namely, Sigmoid and Gaussian were compared. After determining the ANN model’s input, hidden and output neurons from its respective layers, this study compared data normalization techniques and showed that Min-Max normalization yielded better results in terms of Mean Square Error (MSE) compared to Max normalization. Out of the six models tested, Model 1 which was composed of Backpropagation training algorithm and Sigmoid transfer function yielded the lowest MSE. Moreover, learning rate and momentum value for the models of 0.2 and 0.9 respectively resulted to very minimal error in terms of MSE. The results obtained in this research clearly suggest that ANN can be a viable forecasting technique for medium-term water consumption forecasting.