Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strain-specific innate immune signaling pathways determine malaria parasitemia dynamics and host mortality

Significance Malaria infection causes a severe disease with diverse symptoms. The molecular mechanisms underlying the differences of malaria pathology remain unknown or controversial. Here we infected mice with two closely related strains of rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii and characterized host genome-wide responses to the infections. We found that in mice infected with parasite N67, type I interferon was produced to a high level, leading to suppression of parasitemia. We further characterized the molecular mechanisms and identified host receptors in recognizing parasite ligands. In contrast, mice infected with N67C parasite mounted a strong inflammatory response, leading to severe pathology and host death. This study reveals previously unrecognized mechanisms associated with strain-specific malaria infection and provides important information for studying human malaria pathogenesis. Malaria infection triggers vigorous host immune responses; however, the parasite ligands, host receptors, and the signaling pathways responsible for these reactions remain unknown or controversial. Malaria parasites primarily reside within RBCs, thereby hiding themselves from direct contact and recognition by host immune cells. Host responses to malaria infection are very different from those elicited by bacterial and viral infections and the host receptors recognizing parasite ligands have been elusive. Here we investigated mouse genome-wide transcriptional responses to infections with two strains of Plasmodium yoelii (N67 and N67C) and discovered differences in innate response pathways corresponding to strain-specific disease phenotypes. Using in vitro RNAi-based gene knockdown and KO mice, we demonstrated that a strong type I IFN (IFN-I) response triggered by RNA polymerase III and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5, not Toll-like receptors (TLRs), binding of parasite DNA/RNA contributed to a decline of parasitemia in N67-infected mice. We showed that conventional dendritic cells were the major sources of early IFN-I, and that surface expression of phosphatidylserine on infected RBCs might promote their phagocytic uptake, leading to the release of parasite ligands and the IFN-I response in N67 infection. In contrast, an elevated inflammatory response mediated by CD14/TLR and p38 signaling played a role in disease severity and early host death in N67C-infected mice. In addition to identifying cytosolic DNA/RNA sensors and signaling pathways previously unrecognized in malaria infection, our study demonstrates the importance of parasite genetic backgrounds in malaria pathology and provides important information for studying human malaria pathogenesis.
Impairment of nuclear factor‐κB activation increased glutamate excitotoxicity in a motoneuron–neuroblastoma hybrid cell line expressing mutant (G93A) Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase

Mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene are linked to glutamate excitotoxicity in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We investigated whether nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation is involved in glutamate excitotoxicity by using motor neuron–neuroblastoma hybrid cells that expressed a mutant (G93A) SOD1 (mtSOD1) or wild‐type SOD1 (wtSOD1). MtSOD1 cells were more vulnerable to glutamate excitotoxicity than wtSOD1 cells and showed higher NF‐κB activity, higher nuclear cRel expression, and lower nuclear RelA expression under basal conditions. Glutamate treatment increased NF‐κB activation along with nuclear expressions of RelA and cRel in wtSOD1 cells but induced only weak nuclear RelA expression in mtSOD1 cells. Suppression of NF‐κB activation using transfection of the superrepressive mutant form of IκBα (mIκBα) inhibited nuclear RelA expression in both types of SOD1 cells, which increased glutamate excitotoxicity in wtSOD1 cells but not in mtSOD1 cells. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry confirmed stronger RelA immunoreactivity in the nuclei of motor neurons of spinal cord in wild‐type SOD1 transgenic mice than in those in SOD1 G93A transgenic mice. In addition, we found that glutamate treatment decreased XIAP expression and increased caspase‐3 activity in mtSOD1 cells and mIκBα‐overexpressing wtSOD1 cells. Our results suggest that glutamate excitotoxicity in motor neurons of SOD1‐linked fALS is attributable, at least in part, to the impairment of IκBα‐dependent RelA activation and subsequent apoptosis mediated by XIAP inhibition and caspase‐3 activation. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro biomechanical comparison of an anterior and anterolateral lumbar plate with posterior fixation following single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

OBJECT Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is often supplemented with instrumentation to increase stability in the spine. If anterior plate fixation provided the same stability as posterior pedicle screw fixation (PSF), then a second approach and its associated morbidity could be avoided. METHODS Seven human cadaveric L4-5 spinal segments were tested under three conditions: ALIF with an anterior plate, ALIF with an anterolateral plate, and ALIF supplemented by PSF. Range of motion (ROM) was calculated for flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial torsion and compared among the three configurations. RESULTS There were no significant differences in ROM during flexion/extension, lateral bending, or axial torsion among any of the three instrumentation configurations. CONCLUSIONS The addition of an anterior plate or posterior PS/rod instrumentation following ALIF provides substantially equivalent biomechanical stability. Additionally, the position of the plate system, either anterior or anterolateral, does not significantly affect the stability gained.
R&D, Human Capital and Export Behavior of Manufacturing and Service Firms in Ghana

ABSTRACT The paper carries out a detailed analysis of the effects of R&D and human capital as well as their interactions with innovation on export behavior of manufacturing and service firms in Ghana using a dataset of 720 firms that merges the Enterprise, Innovative Capability and the Innovation Follow-up Surveys respectively for Ghana. Using a bivariate probit regression, the results show that R&D and human capital (employees’ education, slack time and formal training) are positive and significantly related to the propensity for firms to export in Ghana. The cross derivatives (differences) for the interaction terms (R&D and innovation, and education and innovation) also showed that these interaction terms have positive effects on the likelihood for firms to export but are significant only for a negligibly small fraction of the sample. Thus, there is no much statistically significant evidence in support of the mediation role of innovation in the relationship between R&D/education and the export behavior.
Delivery vehicles for small interfering RNA in vivo.

RNA interference (RNAi) as a mechanism to selectively silence messenger mRNA (mRNA) expression has revolutionized the biological sciences. With the identification and sequencing of the entire human genome complete, RNAi can be harnessed to rapidly develop novel drugs against any disease target. The ability of synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) to potently, but reversibly, silence genes in vivo, has made them particularly well suited as a drug therapeutic. Development of therapeutics using siRNA has advanced rapidly, with five different clinical trials ongoing and several more poised to enter the clinic in the coming years. Although challenges remain, delivery represents the main hurdle for faster and broader development of siRNA therapeutics. In this review, a summary of the advances in in vivo siRNA delivery is presented and discussed. Multiple different delivery approaches have demonstrated success ranging from the relative simplicity of direct local administration of saline-formulated siRNA, to li.
Entrepreneurs Breed ESG-Rich Companies: Reap Exceptional Returns as Harvest Byproduct

ESG- (Environment, Social, and Governance) oriented strategies have become desirable among individual and institutional investors in recent years, corresponding with qualities desired by entrepreneurial employees, investors, and community stakeholders. Consistent with a long-term, value-creating orientation, entrepreneurs forgo immediate rewards and devote enormous resources to advance their vision. It is this group that the author studies. The research concludes that entrepreneurial organizations develop stronger governance traits compared with “typical” companies. Perhaps, in part, because the cause represents more than financial rewards, entrepreneurial owners pursue a more focused perspective shared by key stakeholders. The analytics indicate that an entrepreneur factor exists, and is one of the most significant factors in explaining excess returns. These entrepreneurs also contribute measurable ESG benefits. The author provides a detailed analysis of an Entrepreneur Index, spanning several positive and negative economic cycles that points to a consistent conclusion. The evidence suggests investment managers, especially those interested in ESG, would be wise to partake in an entrepreneur approach.
Dynamic electric vehicle charging load modeling: From perspective of transportation

This paper proposes a methodology to model and analyze the impact of large scale adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as movable charging loads in power system and transportation network based on driving pattern. A driving pattern model is introduced to emulate the spatial and temporal randomness of EVs. Several important variables can be obtained, including parking locations, trip distances, driving times, parking durations and charging durations. The aggregated EV charging loads at each bus of power system are determined by Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) based on the number of charging EVs at the corresponding charging station of transportation network. The simulation result shows that the number of parking EVs and EV charging loads profile vary among different locations and nodes. Driving pattern plays a key role in EV charging load modeling.
Integrating a Calculus with Mobility and Quality for Wireless Sensor Networks

Unreliability of communication links is a very common problem in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), and it may result in abnormalities and decrease the quality of service provided by a wireless system. The unreliability may be caused by many reasons, among which, node mobility as one of the essential and interesting features of WSNs, may significantly affect the reliability of communication links. To capture the node mobility and increase the quality of WSNs, in this paper we propose the mCWQ calculus (i.e., CWQ calculus with mobility) by focusing on the quality issue of the system due to node movements. In this calculus, we introduce a parametric framework to describe the node movement patterns through a general mobility model depending on time elapse. We also investigate the structure congruence and develop the operational semantics for mCWQ calculus. Finally, a real-world traffic information sharing system based on vehicle ad hoc networks is used to illustrate the applicability of the mCWQ calculus.
Development and Testing of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Resource for Children’s Dental Anxiety

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for dental anxiety; however, access to therapy is limited. The current study aimed to develop a self-help CBT resource for reducing dental anxiety in children, and to assess the feasibility of conducting a trial to evaluate the treatment efficacy and cost-effectiveness of such an intervention. A mixed methods design was employed. Within phase 1, a qualitative “person-based” approach informed the development of the self-help CBT resource. This also employed guidelines for the development and evaluation of complex interventions. Within phase 2, children, aged between 9 and 16 y, who had elevated self-reported dental anxiety and were attending a community dental service or dental hospital, were invited to use the CBT resource. Children completed questionnaires, which assessed their dental anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) prior to and following their use of the resource. Recruitment and completion rates were recorded. Acceptability of the CBT resource was explored using interviews and focus groups with children, parents/carers and dental professionals. For this analysis, the authors adhered to the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool criteria. There were 24 families and 25 dental professionals participating in the development and qualitative evaluation of the CBT resource for children with dental anxiety. A total of 56 children agreed to trial the CBT resource (66% response rate) and 48 of these children completed the study (86% completion rate). There was a significant reduction in dental anxiety (mean score difference = 7.7, t = 7.9, df = 45, P < 0.001, Cohen’s d ES = 1.2) and an increase in HRQoL following the use of the CBT resource (mean score difference = -0.03, t = 2.14, df = 46, P < 0.05, Cohen’s d ES = 0.3). The self-help approach had high levels of acceptability to stakeholders. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness and acceptability of the resource in reducing dental anxiety in children and support the further evaluation of this approach in a randomized control trial. Knowledge Transfer Statement: This study details the development of a guided self-help Cognitive Behavioral Therapy resource for the management of dental anxiety in children and provides preliminary evidence for the feasibility and acceptability of this approach with children aged between 9 and 16 y. The results of this study will inform the design of a definitive trial to examine the treatment- and cost-effectiveness of the resource for reducing dental anxiety in children.
Support for collective action against refugees: The role of national, European, and global identifications, and autochthony beliefs

Abstract To understand recent anti‐refugee protests in Europe, we examined how different levels of inclusiveness of group identities (national, European, and global) are related to intentions to protest among native Europeans. We focused on the mediating role of autochthony (a belief that the first inhabitants of a territory are more entitled) and the moderating role of threat. Survey data from 11 European countries (N = 1,909) showed that national identification was positively associated with autochthony, and therefore, with the intention to protest against refugees. In contrast, global identification was related to lower protest intentions via lower autochthony. These paths were found only among Europeans who perceived refugees as a threat. European identification was not related to the endorsement of autochthony or to collective action. These findings indicate why and when majority members are willing to participate in collective action against refugees, and underscore the importance of global identification in the acceptance of refugees.
Is low-dose aspirin therapy to prevent preeclampsia more efficacious in non-obese women or when initiated early in pregnancy?

Abstract Objective: Late timing of intervention and maternal obesity are potential explanations for the modest effect of aspirin for preeclampsia prevention. We explored whether low-dose aspirin (LDA) is more effective in women at increased risk when initiated before 16 weeks' gestation or given to non-obese women. Methods: Secondary analysis of a trial to evaluate LDA (60 mg/d) for preeclampsia prevention in high-risk women. Participants were randomized to LDA or placebo between 13 and 26 weeks. We stratified the effect of LDA on preeclampsia by (a) timing of randomization (< 16 or ≥ 16 weeks gestation) and (b) body mass index (BMI) class (non-obese and obese). The Breslow–Day test for homogeneity was used to assess for variations in effect of LDA across gestational age and BMI groups. Results: Of 2503 women, 461 (18.4%) initiated LDA < 16 weeks. LDA effect was not better when initiated < 16 weeks (RR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.67–1.31) versus ≥ 16 weeks (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.75–1.08), (p value for interaction = 0.87). Similarly, LDA effect was not better in non-obese (RR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.7–1.13) versus obese women (RR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.7–1.13), (p value for interaction = 0.85). Conclusion: LDA for preeclampsia prevention was not more effective when initiated < 16 weeks or used in non-obese women at risk for preeclampsia. No particular subgroup of women was more or less likely to benefit from LDA therapy.
A Compact and Broadband Microstrip Stacked Patch Antenna With Circular Polarization for 2.45-GHz Mobile RFID Reader

A compact and broadband microstrip stacked patch antenna with circular polarization (CP) for a mobile 2.45-GHz passive radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is presented. The proposed antenna consists of two stacked patches fed with an S-shaped impedance-matching network (IMN), which is connected by a probe. With the proposed S-shaped IMN feed technique, a good impedance matching and symmetrical broadside radiation patterns could be obtained. The CP operation could be attained simply by the upper parasitic patch rotating 90° sequentially based on the lower patch and truncating corners. Additionally, with four symmetric-L narrow slots on the patches, the compact operation could be obtained. The proposed reader antenna matching is optimized by regulating the sizes of the S-shaped IMN: Sx and Sy. Experimental results show that the reader antenna of size 58 × 58 × 11 mm3 has a 3-dB beamwidth of more than 91°. The peak gain is optimized in the frequency range from 2.31 to 2.56 GHz of larger than 6 dBi, and it achieves 6.32 dBi in the center frequency 2.45 GHz. The voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) <; 2 impedance bandwidth is larger than 15.1%.
Resonance in neocortical neurons and networks

Neocortical networks produce oscillations that often correspond to characteristic physiological or pathological patterns. However, the mechanisms underlying the generation of and the transitions between such oscillatory states remain poorly understood. In this study, we examined resonance in mouse layer V neocortical pyramidal neurons. To accomplish this, we employed standard electrophysiology to describe cellular resonance parameters. Bode plot analysis revealed a range of resonance magnitude values in layer V neurons and demonstrated that both magnitude and phase response characteristics of layer V neocortical pyramidal neurons are modulated by changes in the extracellular environment. Specifically, increased resonant frequencies and total inductive areas were observed at higher extracellular potassium concentrations and more hyperpolarised membrane potentials. Experiments using pharmacological agents suggested that current through hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated channels (Ih) acts as the primary driver of resonance in these neurons, with other potassium currents, such as A‐type potassium current and delayed‐rectifier potassium current (Kv1.4 and Kv1.1, respectively), contributing auxiliary roles. The persistent sodium current was also shown to play a role in amplifying the magnitude of resonance without contributing significantly to the phase response. Although resonance effects in individual neurons are small, their properties embedded in large networks may significantly affect network behavior and may have potential implications for pathological processes.
Structural and mechanistic insights into guanylylation of RNA-splicing ligase RtcB joining RNA between 3′-terminal phosphate and 5′-OH

The RtcB protein has recently been identified as a 3′-phosphate RNA ligase that directly joins an RNA strand ending with a 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate to the 5′-hydroxyl group of another RNA strand in a GTP/Mn2+-dependent reaction. Here, we report two crystal structures of Pyrococcus horikoshii RNA-splicing ligase RtcB in complex with Mn2+ alone (RtcB/ Mn2+) and together with a covalently bound GMP (RtcB-GMP/Mn2+). The RtcB/ Mn2+ structure (at 1.6 Å resolution) shows two Mn2+ ions at the active site, and an array of sulfate ions nearby that indicate the binding sites of the RNA phosphate backbone. The structure of the RtcB-GMP/Mn2+ complex (at 2.3 Å resolution) reveals the detailed geometry of guanylylation of histidine 404. The critical roles of the key residues involved in the binding of the two Mn2+ ions, the four sulfates, and GMP are validated in extensive mutagenesis and biochemical experiments, which also provide a thorough characterization for the three steps of the RtcB ligation pathway: (i) guanylylation of the enzyme, (ii) guanylyl-transfer to the RNA substrate, and (iii) overall ligation. These results demonstrate that the enzyme’s substrate-induced GTP binding site and the putative reactive RNA ends are in the vicinity of the binuclear Mn2+ active center, which provides detailed insight into how the enzyme-bound GMP is tansferred to the 3′-phosphate of the RNA substrate for activation and subsequent nucleophilic attack by the 5′-hydroxyl of the second RNA substrate, resulting in the ligated product and release of GMP.
Les externalités de la R&D et la capacité d’innovation : implications sur données camerounaises pour une politique de promotion d’innovation

This article seeks to analyze the R&D externalities effect on innovation effort. The data analyzed based on a sample of 640 enterprises located in Douala, Yaounde and Bafoussam. The method of estimation is a probit with selection based on the framework proposed by Heckman (1979). The first equation explains the cooperation in R&D and the second shows the innovation effort of enterprises. The empirical analysis focused on the unobserved heterogeneity of externalities. Our results reveals the existence of unobserved elements, due to cooperation between the firms, which reinforce their innovation effort. Our results reveals that cooperation can be a vector of positive externalities that reinforce their innovation effort. Moreover, our results tend to show the importance of the social returns of R&D in the innovation process. These results question the relevance of current innovation policies, mainly focused on the promotion of private R&D. Thus, innovation promotion policies should be oriented towards open innovation and intensified innovation cooperation.
Fine directional interpolation for spatial error concealment

This paper presents a block loss recovery technique for the image block data corrupted by transmission losses through the employment of fine directional interpolation (FDI). The proposed algorithm introduces a spatial direction vector (SDV). The SDVs are extracted from the edge information of the neighboring image data. Subsequently, the SDVs are adaptively applied to interpolate lost pixels on a pixel-by-pixel basis. This approach improves the capability to more reliably recover high-detailed contents in the corrupted block. Experimental results demonstrate that the FDI method performs better as compared to previous techniques