Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Diverse Range of Bacterial and Eukaryotic Chitinases Hydrolyzes the LacNAc (Galβ1–4GlcNAc) and LacdiNAc (GalNAcβ1–4GlcNAc) Motifs Found on Vertebrate and Insect Cells*

Background: The biological role(s) of chitinases other than hydrolysis/metabolism of chitin is currently not well understood. Results: A Salmonella chitinase binds N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), a common component of mammalian glycoconjugates. Furthermore, five bacterial and eukaryotic chitinases hydrolyze terminal LacNAc and LacdiNAc from model substrates. Conclusion: LacdiNAc and LacNAc- glycans are substrates for chitinases. Significance: Vertebrate and invertebrate molecules carrying LacNAc and LacdiNAc motifs are potential chitinase targets. There is emerging evidence that chitinases have additional functions beyond degrading environmental chitin, such as involvement in innate and acquired immune responses, tissue remodeling, fibrosis, and serving as virulence factors of bacterial pathogens. We have recently shown that both the human chitotriosidase and a chitinase from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium hydrolyze LacNAc from Galβ1–4GlcNAcβ-tetramethylrhodamine (LacNAc-TMR (Galβ1–4GlcNAcβ(CH2)8CONH(CH2)2NHCO-TMR)), a fluorescently labeled model substrate for glycans found in mammals. In this study we have examined the binding affinities of the Salmonella chitinase by carbohydrate microarray screening and found that it binds to a range of compounds, including five that contain LacNAc structures. We have further examined the hydrolytic specificity of this enzyme and chitinases from Sodalis glossinidius and Polysphondylium pallidum, which are phylogenetically related to the Salmonella chitinase, as well as unrelated chitinases from Listeria monocytogenes using the fluorescently labeled substrate analogs LacdiNAc-TMR (GalNAcβ1–4GlcNAcβ-TMR), LacNAc-TMR, and LacNAcβ1–6LacNAcβ-TMR. We found that all chitinases examined hydrolyzed LacdiNAc from the TMR aglycone to various degrees, whereas they were less active toward LacNAc-TMR conjugates. LacdiNAc is found in the mammalian glycome and is a common motif in invertebrate glycans. This substrate specificity was evident for chitinases of different phylogenetic origins. Three of the chitinases also hydrolyzed the β1–6 bond in LacNAcβ1–6LacNAcβ-TMR, an activity that is of potential importance in relation to mammalian glycans. The enzymatic affinities for these mammalian-like structures suggest additional functional roles of chitinases beyond chitin hydrolysis.
Glutatione peroxidase in bovine semen.

The roles ofselenium (Se) and glutathione peroxidase in reproductive function are poorly understood, but it is possible that they may be important for normal reproduction in the male. In rats fed a Se-deficient diet, the testes accumulated and retained more 75Se than did other tissues 1 week after injection (Brown & Burk, 1972; Burk, Brown, Seely & Scaief, 1972). Autoradiographic studies (Brown & Burk, 1972) of spermatozoa recovered from rat epididymides have shown that 75Se is associated with the midpiece of the spermatozoon. Gould (1970) has suggested that 75Se is probably incorporated into late spermatocytes or early spermatids in the rat. Rotruck et al. (1973) demonstrated that Se is a component of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme which has been reported to exist in dog, goat, ram and human semen (Li, 1975). The objectives of the present study were to determine whether glutathione peroxidase is present in ejaculated bovine semen and the relationship of the enzyme levels to sperm concentration and ejaculate volume. The first 2 successive ejaculates from each of 10 mature dairy bulls were collected by means of an artificial vagina. Immediately after collection and determination of ejaculate volume, sperm con¬ centration and percentage of motile spermatozoa, 0-4 ml whole semen was packaged in 1-ml glass ampoules and frozen in N2 vapour until assayed for glutathione peroxidase. The percentage ofmotile spermatozoa ranged from 40 to 70% with a mean motility for all ejaculates of 63 %. At the time of assay, samples were thawed at 37°C for approximately 4 min, and 1 part semen was diluted with 99 parts glass-distilled water. The diluted samples were assayed for glutathione peroxidase activity according to procedure II of Mills (1959) as modified by Hafeman, Sunde & Hoekstra (1974). A blank (with glass-distilled water substituted for the semen sample) was incubated simultaneously with the
The Influence of Doping of Fullerene Derivative (PCBM) on the Optical Properties of Vanadyl Phthalocyanine (VOPc)

This paper presents a spectroscopic study on doping of Vanadyl pathalocyanine (VOPc) by [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The films are characterized by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy. A drastic increase in the absorption coefficient has been observed with increasing dopant concentration. Optical properties of VOPc:PCBM films deposited by spin coating technique were studied in detail. Optical band gap decreased with the PCBM incorporation in the VOPc film. Optical band gap calculated from the absorption spectra decreased from 3.32 eV to 3.26 eV with a variation of 0–75 % of PCBM concentration in the VOPC films. Keywords—Optical properties, spin-coating, optical properties, optical energy gap
Comparison of Class B Scavenger Receptors, CD36 and Scavenger Receptor BI (SR-BI), Shows That Both Receptors Mediate High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesteryl Ester Selective Uptake but SR-BI Exhibits a Unique Enhancement of Cholesteryl Ester Uptake*

Scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) mediates the selective uptake of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesteryl ester (CE), a process by which HDL CE is taken into the cell without internalization and degradation of the HDL particle. The biochemical mechanism by which SR-BI mediates the selective uptake of HDL CE is poorly understood. Given that CE transfer will occur to some extent from HDL to protein-free synthetic membranes, one hypothesis is that the role of SR-BI is primarily to tether HDL close to the cell surface to facilitate CE transfer from the particle to the plasma membrane. In the present study, this hypothesis was tested by comparing the selective uptake of HDL CE mediated by mouse SR-BI (mSR-BI) with that mediated by rat CD36 (rCD36), a closely related class B scavenger receptor. Both mSR-BI and rCD36 bind HDL with high affinity, and both receptors mediate HDL CE selective uptake. However, SR-BI mediates selective uptake of HDL CE with a 7-fold greater efficiency than rCD36. HDL CE selective uptake mediated by rCD36 is dependent on HDL binding to the receptor, since a mutation that blocks HDL binding also blocks HDL CE selective uptake. These data lead us to hypothesize that one component of HDL CE selective uptake is the tethering of HDL particles to the cell surface. To explore the molecular domains responsible for the greater efficiency of selective uptake by mSR-BI, we compared binding and selective uptake among mSR-BI, scavenger receptor BII, and various chimeric receptors formed from mSR-BI and rCD36. The results show that the extracellular domain of mSR-BI is essential for efficient HDL CE uptake, but the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail also has a major influence on the selective uptake process.
Dual-band dual polarization microstrip antenna

This paper describes the development of a multilayer dual-band dual-polarized antenna operating at L and C bands with a common aperture. Unlike earlier approaches, slot coupled patches are employed at both bands to reach cross-polarization suppression better than 30 dB. The antenna has been conceived to be used as a basic module in large series-fed arrays featuring light weight, high efficiency and beam scanning. Moreover, by properly scaling the geometry, the antenna can operate at any else pairs of frequencies with a ratio between 3.5-4.5.
HDL Cholesterol: All Hope Is Not Lost After the Torcetrapib Setback—Emerging Therapeutic Strategies on the Horizon

Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) has been definitely shown to reduce cardiovascular events and improve clinical outcomes in the literature. As a result, LDL lowering has become the cornerstone of therapeutic approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention. Recently, there has been a focus on targeting other lipid fractions to improve the clinical risk profile of patients. Raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has received considerable attention. Low HDL levels are often seen in combination with elevated triglyceride levels. New therapeutic modalities are being developed to increase HDL levels. Recent failure of agents such as cholesteryl ester transferase protein inhibitor torcetrapib has highlighted the importance of measuring functionality of HDL particles and not just focus quantitatively on HDL-C levels. The heterogeneity of HDL within the systemic circulation results from constant remodeling of particles in response to several factors. Established dyslipidemia therapies such as stains, fibrates, and niacin have already been well known in the literature to have a substantial benefit. Lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and moderate alcohol consumption have also shown to have some benefit. Several novel HDL therapies are currently being developed, but only the cholesteryl ester transferase protein inhibitors have received considerable attention. Although torcetrapib has received some negative attention due to adverse effects, this overall class of therapeutic agents still holds a lot of promise. Newer agents without the concerned toxicities are currently being developed. ApoA-1–related peptides, peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor agonists, endothelial lipase inhibitors, and liver X receptor agonists are some of the other novel agents currently in various stages of development.
Cell-Directed Assembly of Lipid-Silica Nanostructures Providing Extended Cell Viability

Amphiphilic phospholipids were used to direct the formation of biocompatible, uniform silica nanostructures in the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and bacterial cell lines. The cell surfaces organize multilayered phospholipid vesicles that interface coherently with the silica host and help relieve drying stresses that develop with conventional templates. These host structures maintain cell accessibility, addressability, and viability in the absence of buffer or an external fluidic architecture. The cell surfaces are accessible and can be used to localize added proteins, plasmids, and nanocrystals. Prolonged cell viability combined with reporter protein expression enabled stand-alone cell-based sensing.
Composition of the Epifaunal Community Associated with the Seagrass Zostera marina in San Quintin Bay, Baja California

Abstract The epifaunal community associated with eelgrass beds in San Quintin Bay, Baja California, Mexico, was studied from April to November 1993. Taxonomic identification, univariate community descriptors, and biomass data were obtained for each sample. Multivariate analyses of community composition were also performed, and plant–animal relationships were analyzed. The epifaunal community was characterized by the high abundance of a few dominant species, with the mollusk Assiminea dubiosa representing 70% of the total abundance. Summer samples had the highest similarity, as indicated by the Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) test. Polychaetes and amphipod abundances seemed to follow the variations in eelgrass aboveground biomass.
Precise eye location in driver fatigue state surveillance system

Whether a driver is fatigued or not can be reflected by his eyes during the course of driving, so it is practical to use the information about the driver's eyes to monitor his fatigue state. Among these, eye location is the key problem. Based on the existing eye location algorithms, specifically for the driver fatigue state surveillance system, this paper presents a method based on facial features. The experiment results show that this method is robust and real-time, it's adaptive to human face in different conditions such as different backgrounds, different light conditions, different size and rotating angles, open and close eyes, with glasses on or not.
Vocal Shimmer in Sustained Phonation of Normal and Pathologic Voice

Vocal shimmer during sustained phonation was measured in normal subjects and patients with laryngeal polyps, using the mean amplitude difference between consecutive cycles expressed in dB. A small laboratory computer was then used for measuring each discrete amplitude and for data processing. The results showed some overlap between the values for two groups studied, but nevertheless it appears that the measured value may be a useful index in screening for laryngeal disorders and for definitive diagnosis of such disorders.
Giant Magneto-Impedance Sensor for Gate Driver-Insulated Signal Transmission Functions

A proof-of-concept of the use of a giant-magneto-impedance (GMI) sensor for the realization of signal transmission under high isolation voltage is presented. This technology, which has never been used for gate driver units before, can potentially provide low coupling capacitance (<1 pF) and high insulation voltage capability up to 40 kV for a gap of 1 mm. The signal information is carried by a magnetic field emitted by a specially designed magnetic coil. The receiver acquires datum thanks to a dedicated high sensitivity and large bandwidth GMI sensor. The technique ensures a high galvanic isolation and provides potentially fast transmission rates while maintaining a low coupling capacitance between the transmitter and the receiver. The aim of this new technology would be to proceed well beyond the performances of coil–coil transmitters. This letter deals with the principles of implementation of this new technique. A prototype has been designed, developed, and tested. First results are given with a discussion about the potential performance and strategies of improvements.
Effects of Institutional Mechanisms on Nursing Home Quality

This study explores institutional mechanisms explaining the variation in nursing home quality. A two-level panel design with the national data is conducted. Structural equation modeling is employed to examine the main and interaction effects of institutional factors on nursing home quality at both facility and state levels. The findings indicate that the quality of nursing homes is more responsive to regulatory and payment constraints than to normative and mimetic mechanisms. The potential demand for care, Medicaid reimbursement rate, and occupancy rate are positively associated with nursing home quality. An interaction effect between the regulatory mechanism and nurse staffing is statistically significant. The findings lend support to the importance of multi-level analysis of nursing home quality.
A newly recognized virus associated with a fatal case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Louisiana

Genetic analysis of virus detected in autopsy tissues of a fatal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome-like case in Louisiana revealed the presence of a previously unrecognized hantavirus. Nucleotide sequence analysis of PCR fragments of the complete S and M segments of the virus amplified from RNA extracted from the tissues showed the virus to be novel, differing from the closest related hantavirus, Sin Nombre virus, by approximately 30%. Both genome segments were unique, and there was no evidence of genetic reassortment with previously characterized hantaviruses. The primary rodent reservoir of Sin Nombre virus, the deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus, is absent from Louisiana. Thus, the virus detected in Louisiana, referred to here as Bayou virus, must possess a different rodent reservoir.
The Membrane Phospholipid Binding Protein Annexin A2 Promotes Phagocytosis and Nonlytic Exocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans and Impacts Survival in Fungal Infection

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen with a unique intracellular pathogenic strategy that includes nonlytic exocytosis, a phenomenon whereby fungal cells are expunged from macrophages without lysing the host cell. The exact mechanism and specific proteins involved in this process have yet to be completely defined. Using murine macrophages deficient in the membrane phospholipid binding protein, annexin A2 (ANXA2), we observed a significant decrease in both phagocytosis of yeast cells and the frequency of nonlytic exocytosis. Cryptococcal cells isolated from Anxa2-deficient (Anxa2−/−) bone marrow–derived macrophages and lung parenchyma displayed significantly larger capsules than those isolated from wild-type macrophages and tissues. Concomitantly, we observed significant differences in the amount of reactive oxygen species produced between Anxa2−/− and Anxa2+/+ macrophages. Despite comparable fungal burden, Anxa2−/− mice died more rapidly than wild-type mice when infected with C. neoformans, and Anxa2−/− mice exhibited enhanced inflammatory responses, suggesting that the reduced survival reflected greater immune-mediated damage. Together, these findings suggest a role for ANXA2 in the control of cryptococcal infection, macrophage function, and fungal morphology.
Evolutionary Computer Aided Prototyping System (CAPS)

Describes a distributed development environment, called CAPS (Computer-Aided Prototyping System), to support rapid prototyping and automatic generation of source code based on designer specifications in an evolutionary software development process. The CAPS system uses a fifth-generation prototyping language to model the communication structure, timing constraints, I/O control and data buffering that comprise the requirements for an embedded software system. The language supports the specification of hard real-time systems with reusable components from domain-specific component libraries. CAPS has been used successfully as a research tool in prototyping large real-time control systems (e.g. a command-and-control station, Cruise missile flight control system, missile defense systems) and has demonstrated its capability to support the development of large, complex embedded software.
Neuro-Inspired Energy-Efficient Computing Platforms

Les Big Data mettent en evidence tous les defauts du paradigme de l'informatique classique. Au contraire, le Neuro-Inspire traite les Big Data comme ressources pour progresser. Dans cette these, nous adoptons les principes de Hierarchical Temporal Memory (HTM) comme references neuroscientifiques et nous elaborons sur la facon dont le Bayesian Machine Learning (BML) mene les approches dans le Neuro-Inspire a s’unifier et a atteindre nos objectives: (i) la simplification et l'amelioration des algorithmes de BML et (ii) l'approche au Neuro-Inspire avec une prospective Ultra-Low-Power. Donc, nous nous efforcons d'apporter le traitement intelligent proche aux sources de donnees et de populariser le BML sur l'electronique strictement limitees tels que les appareils portables, mettable et implantables. Cependant, les algorithmes de BML ont besoin d’etre optimises. En fait, leur mise en œuvre en HW est ni efficaces, ni realisables en raison de la memoire, la puissance de calcul requises. Nous proposons un algorithme moins complexe, en ligne, distribue et non parametrique et montrons de meilleurs resultats par rapport aux solutions de l’etat de l’art. En fait, nous gagnons deux ordres de grandeur de reduction en complexite au niveau algorithmique et un autre ordre de grandeur grâce a des techniques traditionnelles d'optimisation HW. En particulier, nous concevons une preuve de concept sur une plateforme FPGA pour l'analyse en temps reel d’un flux de donnees. Enfin, nous demontrons d’etre en mesure de resumer les ultimes decouvertes du domaine du BML sur un algorithme generalement valide qui peut etre mis en œuvre en HW et optimise pour des applications avec des ressources limitees.
The Evolution of Future Directions of Neuroendovascular Therapy: From Clips to Coils to ?

L ike many specialties, vascular neurosurgery has evolved over the past several decades, and the nature of the discipline continues to change. This subspecialty of neurological surgery has survived and flourished because of its ability to reinvent itself in the normal process of evolution and scientific advancement. Vascular neurosurgery is a field that should be disease, not procedure, oriented. The environment illustrated in Figure 1 is one that we are familiar and comfortable with, in terms of microsurgical technology, tools, and procedures. Added to our current armamentarium is the utility of intraoperative angiography. However, the scene illustrated in Figure 2 is an extension of the operating room; it is essentially neurosurgical care delivered in a critical care environment in its own right, with dedicated neuroanesthesia and neurophysiologic monitoring, suitable for treatment of complex intracranial revascularization, aneurysm, and arteriovenous malformation therapies. The question arises, What tools and skills are necessary for a complete neurovascular surgeon? Certainly, they involve the microsurgical skills of the cerebrovascular physician and surgeon such as basic neurosurgical skills and a working knowledge of critical care medicine. Complete knowledge of medical therapy of ischemic and hemorrhagic disease is an absolute necessity if we are to be considered stroke specialists not only in the surgical arena but also in the medical arena. However, vascular neurosurgery at present requires additional tools and skills beyond the traditional ones listed above. Vascular neurosurgery can now be described as extraluminal and endoluminal. The extraluminal approach, or open cranial microsurgical technique, involves the use and knowledge of the aneurysm clip and bipolar cautery. Cortical mapping still has its role in arteriovenous malformation resection and/or cavernous malformation resection. The endoluminal approach requires mastery of the microcatheter, coils, balloon systems, liquid embolic materials, and stent technology. Finally, stereotactic neurosurgery/stereotactic radiosurgery has become an integral part for the treatment of certain select cerebral arteriovenous malformations.
De quoi les outils de gestion sont-ils faits ? La structure « listique » des artefacts de gestion

La litterature sur les outils de gestion a montre qu’ils sont composes de trois elements en interaction: une philosophie de gestion, une vision simplifiee des relations organisationnelles et un substrat technique (Hatchuel & Weil, 1992). Cet article focalise sur ce dernier element, qui est rarement pris comme objet de recherche specifique, et explore donc la dimension « artefactuelle » des outils de gestion. Nous montrons, par le recours aux travaux de l’anthropologue Jack Goody (1979) sur les societes orales evoluant vers les societes ecrites, que certains artefacts de gestion reposent sur une structure « listique ». Cela permet de proposer: 1. une description de la dynamique de structuration de ces artefacts de gestion, qui evolue entre rationalisation et contextualisation selon un principe d’ordonnancement de la liste; 2. une distinction entre outils ouverts et outils fermes, deux genres qui appellent des modes de conception et d’implementation differents; 3. un renouvellement des recherches critiques autour de trois phenomenes typiques de la liste: le « gap-spotting », le « table-des-matierisme » et le « donjuanisme »; et 4. deux voies de recherches sur l’appropriation et la conception des artefacts de gestion.