Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epstein-Barr Virus BNRF1 Protein Allows Efficient Transfer from the Endosomal Compartment to the Nucleus of Primary B Lymphocytes

ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a tumor virus with marked B lymphotropism. After crossing the B-cell membrane, the virus enters cytoplasmic vesicles, where decapsidation takes place to allow transfer of the viral DNA to the cell nucleus. BNRF1 has been characterized as the EBV major tegument protein, but its precise function is unknown. We have constructed a viral mutant that lacks the BNRF1 gene and report here its in vitro phenotype. A recombinant virus devoid of BNRF1 (ΔBNRF1) showed efficient DNA replication and production of mature viral particles. B cells infected with the ΔBNRF1 mutant presented viral lytic antigens as efficiently as B cells infected with wild-type or BNRF1 trans-complemented ΔBNRF1 viruses. Antigen presentation in B cells infected with either wild-type (EBV-wt) or ΔBNRF1 virus was blocked by leupeptin addition, showing that both viruses reach the endosome/lysosome compartment. These data were confirmed by direct observation of the mutant virus in endosomes of infected B cells by electron microscopy. However, we observed a 20-fold reduction in the number of B cells expressing the nuclear protein EBNA2 after infection with a ΔBNRF1 virus compared to wild-type infection. Likewise, ΔBNRF1 viruses transformed primary B cells much less efficiently than EBV-wt or BNRF1 trans-complemented viruses. We conclude from these findings that BNRF1 plays an important role in viral transport from the endosomes to the nucleus.
Forecasting: it is not about statistics, it is about dynamics

In 1963, the mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz published a paper (Lorenz 1963 J. Atmos. Sci. 20, 130–141) that changed the way scientists think about the prediction of geophysical systems, by introducing the ideas of chaos, attractors, sensitivity to initial conditions and the limitations to forecasting nonlinear systems. Three years earlier, the mathematician and engineer Rudolf Kalman had published a paper (Kalman 1960 Trans. ASME Ser. D, J. Basic Eng. 82, 35–45) that changed the way engineers thought about prediction of electronic and mechanical systems. Ironically, in recent years, geophysicists have become increasingly interested in Kalman filters, whereas engineers have become increasingly interested in chaos. It is argued that more often than not the tracking and forecasting of nonlinear systems has more to do with the nonlinear dynamics that Lorenz considered than it has to do with statistics that Kalman considered. A position with which both Lorenz and Kalman would appear to agree.
The Hosts of X-Ray Absorption Lines Toward AGNs

Most baryonic matter in the universe exists in gaseous form and can be found in structures such as galactic halos and the low-density intergalactic medium. Proposed X-ray spectroscopy missions such as Athena, Arcus, and Lynx will have the capability to identify absorption lines in spectra toward bright active galactic nuclei (AGNs), which can be used as tools to probe this missing matter. In this study, we examine the optical fields surrounding 15 primary observing targets and identify the foreground galaxies and galaxy groups that are potential hosts of absorption. We record the basic properties of the potential host and their angular and physical separation from the AGN line of sight. This process is done by marking the location of various galaxies and groups in optical images of the field surrounding the target and plotting their angular separation versus redshift to gauge the physical proximity to the background source. We identify the surrounding objects according to those with measured redshifts and those that require accurate redshift measurements.
Quality Minus Junk

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Segmentation of developing human embryo in time-lapse microscopy

Being able to efficiently segment a developing embryo from background clutter constitutes an important step in automated monitoring of human embryonic cells. State-of-the-art automatic segmentation methods remain ill-suited to handle the complex behavior and morphological variance of non-stained embryos. By contrast, while effective, manual approaches are impractically time-consuming. In this paper, we introduce an automated approach to segment human embryo in early-stage development from a sequence of dark field microscopy images. In particular, we express segmentation as an energy minimization problem, which can be solved efficiently via graph-cuts or dynamic programming. Our experiments on twenty embryo sequences demonstrates that our method can successfully segment complex and irregular embryo structures in time-lapse microscopy (TLM) sequences.
Operation and control of single-to-three-phase direct AC/AC Modular Multilevel Converters under asymmetric grid conditions

Single-to-three-phase direct AC/AC Modular Multilevel Converters have gained a significant interest in the field of railway interties. The use of such an MMC-based structure implies more advanced control techniques as well as design requirements, especially in the case where the three-phase side experiences grid asymmetries. This paper proposes a global control scheme, which is capable of ensuring high performance in such operating conditions. In addition, the impact of grid unbalances on the MMC capacitive energy storage requirements is evaluated by using different line current control techniques with current amplitude limitation as well as taking into consideration a three-phase reactive power injection. The proposed concepts are validated by means of simulation results. Finally, preliminary experimental results from a down-scaled laboratory prototype are provided.
Splitting Irritable Bowel Syndrome: From Original Rome to Rome II Criteria

OBJECTIVES:Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other functional bowel disorders (FBD) is based on symptom evaluation. Clinical criteria have changed over time, yielding different proportions of subjects fulfilling diagnostic requirements. According to new diagnostic criteria (Rome II), subjects considered some years ago to have IBS no longer do so. The aim of this article is to evaluate how patients diagnosed as having IBS according to original Rome criteria have been split, and to which clinical diagnosis they belong today.METHODS:Two hundred and eleven subjects meeting original Rome IBS diagnostic criteria were studied: 65 also met Rome II criteria while 146 did not. Subjects were extracted from an epidemiological survey, using home-based personal interviews, on 2,000 subjects randomly selected as representative of the Spanish population. Clinical complaints, personal well-being, resource utilization, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were compared.RESULTS:Of the subjects meeting original Rome but not Rome II criteria, the present diagnosis should be: 40%“minor” IBS (IBS symptoms of less than 12 wk duration), 37% functional constipation, 12% alternating bowel habit, 7% functional diarrhea, 3% functional abdominal bloating, and 1% unspecified functional bowel disorder (FBD). Thus, 52 subjects (36%) should not be diagnosed with IBS because they really had other FBD, 59 (40%) because of symptoms consistent with IBD diagnosis but not the required duration or frequency, and 35 (24%) because of symptoms consistent with some other FBD diagnosis but not meeting the required duration. Clinical complaints, personal well-being, resource utilization, and HRQOL were more severely affected in IBS than in other FBD as a group, and in “major” rather than in “minor” forms.CONCLUSIONS:Many subjects meeting original Rome criteria for IBS do not meet Rome II criteria: approximately one quarter of subjects do not have sufficient symptom duration or frequency to be diagnosed with IBS and almost half are now considered as having other (“major” or “minor”) FBD.
[Repair of the radial defect of rabbit by polyester/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds prepared by rapid prototyping technology].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the repairing effect of the rabbits radial defects of by polyester/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds prepared by rapid forming technology loaded with bovine BMP, and find a new carrier for growth factor. METHODS Polyester/Tricalcium phosphate scaffolds prepared by rapid prototyping (RP) technology loaded with and without bovine BMP were used to repair the 15 mm radial defect of rabbit. Then results of radiography, histology, scaffolds degrade rates and bone density were appraised to examine the repairing effects of the scaffolds at 12 weeks. RESULTS At 12 weeks, all defects treated with bBMP were radiographically repaired. No radii implanted polyester/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds alone showed radiographic and historical union. At experimental groups, longitudinal alignment of lamellar structure was observed histologically at 12 weeks, indicating that remodeling of regenerated bone almost completed, the scaffolds degradation rates were different by 12 weeks, and no abnormalities were observed in the surrounding soft tissue in all groups. CONCLUSION Polyester/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds prepared by rapid prototyping technology loaded with bovine BMP can repair the rabbits radical defects. As for the effects, the poly (L-lactic-co-glycolide)/tricalcium phosphate (PLGA/TCP) scaffold are ideal and better than poly (L-lacide-co-D, L-lactide)/tricalcium phosphate (PDLLA/TCP) scaffold, but the poly (L-lactic acid)/tricalcium phosphate (PLLA/TCP) is not so good for its low degradation rates.
Highly specific anti-estradiol antibodies: structural characterisation and binding diversity.

Subtle modulation of antibody-binding properties by protein engineering often lies with an accurate structural and energetic description of how an antigen is recognised. Thus, with the intent to increase the affinity and add a bias in favour of natural estradiol compared with its chemically modified immunogen, we have determined the crystal structure of two anti-estradiol monoclonal antibodies, 10G6D6 and 17E12E5. Although generated against the same estradiol derivative, these antibodies share little sequence identity, which is reflected in dissimilar binding pockets and in different positioning of the steroid. In both antibodies the characteristic 17-hydroxyl group is buried deeply at the bottom of hydrophobic pockets and stabilised by hydrogen bonds. Apart from this similarity, the steroid is oriented differently in the respective binding pockets. The high specificity of both antibodies has been mapped out, and even closely related steroids show low cross-reactivity. The structural studies of the complex formed between 10G6D6 and 6-CMO-estradiol have identified contacts between the 6-CMO coupling linker and an arginine residue from the heavy chain CDR2 segment. This segment is now being targeted by random mutagenesis to select mutants with a preference for natural estradiol compared to the branched hapten.
Models of Financial Return With Time-Varying Zero Probability

The probability of an observed financial return being equal to zero is not necessarily zero. This can be due to price discreteness or rounding error, liquidity issues (e.g. low trading volume), market closures, data issues (e.g. data imputation due to missing values), characteristics specific to the market, and so on. Moreover, the zero probability may change and depend on market conditions. In standard models of return volatility, however, e.g. ARCH, SV and continuous time models, the zero probability is zero, constant or both. We propose a new class of models that allows for a time-varying zero probability, and which can be combined with standard models of return volatility: They are nested and obtained as special cases when the zero probability is constant and equal to zero. Another attraction is that the return properties of the new class (e.g. volatility, skewness, kurtosis, Value-at-Risk, Expected Shortfall) are obtained as functions of the underlying volatility model. The new class allows for autoregressive conditional dynamics in both the zero probability and volatility specifications, and for additional covariates. Simulations show parameter and risk estimates are biased if zeros are not appropriately handled, and an application illustrates that risk-estimates can be substantially biased in practice if the time-varying zero probability is not accommodated.
Complete mitochondrial genome of a Pheretimoid earthworm Metaphire vulgaris (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae)

Abstract We have determined the mitochondrial genome of the first Pheretimoid earthworm, Metaphire vulgaris (Chen, 1930). This mitogenome is 15,061 bp in length containing 37 genes typical of other annelid. All genes are encoded by the same strand, ATP8 is not adjacent to ATP6, all 13 PCGs use ATG as a start codon. These features are consistent with first determined earthworm Lumbricus terrestris, but unusual among animal mtDNAs.
Hybrid Control of Powered Orthosis and Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation for Restoring Gait

The restoration of motor functions of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of important subjects for study. For this purpose, methods of functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) have been investigated in medical science and practice during these three decades. However, we have not achieved complete restoration of motor functions in SCI patients. On the other hand, we have achieved useful devices in human-scaled transportation by using power assist technology. Thus, applying power assist technology to the problem of restoring motor functions is one of possible solutions and sounds practical. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid system to combine power assist technology and FNS for restoring motor functions of lower extremity in SCI patients. Both powered orthosis and FNS are used to generate and control the joints moments of lower extremity in the proposed hybrid system. The main role of powered orthosis Vs is to compensate the joints moments generated by FNS and to enhance the controllability of FNS with the actuators. The proposed hybrid control system has been experimentally evaluated in gait motions by measuring the angle trajectories and generated moments around the knee and hip joints in the cases when only actuators are used and both FNS and actuators of the orthosis are used. The results prove that the control method for the hybrid system is useful to restore motor functions of lower extremity in SCI patients.
Integration within and between muscles during terrestrial locomotion: effects of incline and speed

SUMMARY Animals must continually adapt to varying locomotor demands when moving in their natural habitat. Despite the dynamic nature of locomotion, little is known about how multiple muscles, and different parts of a muscle, are functionally integrated as demand changes. In order to determine the extent to which synergist muscles are functionally heterogeneous, and whether this heterogeneity is altered with changes in demand, we examined the in vivo function of the lateral (LG) and medial (MG) gastrocnemius muscles of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) during locomotion on different inclines (level and uphill at 14°) and at different speeds (0.5 and 2.0 m s–1). We also quantified function in the proximal (pMG) and distal (dMG) regions of the MG to examine the extent to which a single muscle is heterogeneous. We used electromyography, sonomicrometry and tendon force buckles to quantify activation, length change and force patterns of both muscles, respectively. We show that the LG and MG exhibited an increase in force and stress with a change in gait and an increase in locomotor speed, but not with changes in incline. While the LG and MG exhibited similar levels of stress when walking at 0.5 m s–1, stress in the LG was 1.8 times greater than in the MG when running at 2.0 m s–1. Fascicle shortening increased with an increase in speed on both inclines for the LG, but only on the level for the pMG. Positive work performed by the LG exceeded that of the pMG and dMG for all conditions, and this difference was magnified when locomotor speed increased. Within the MG, the pMG shortened more, and at a faster rate than the dMG, resulting in a greater amount of positive work performed by the pMG. Mean spike amplitude of the electromyogram (EMG) bursts increased for all muscle locations with an increase in speed, but changes with incline were more variable. The functional differences between the LG and MG are likely due to the different moments each exerts at the knee, as well as differences in motor unit recruitment. The differences within the MG are likely due to motor unit recruitment differences, but also differences in architecture. Fascicles within the dMG insert into an extensive aponeurosis, which results in a higher apparent dynamic stiffness relative to fascicles operating within the pMG. On the level surface, the greater compliance of the pMG leads to increased stretch of its fascicles at the onset of force, further enhancing force production. Our results demonstrate the capacity for functional diversity between and within muscle synergists, which occur with changes in gait, speed and grade.
CO2, Quality of Life and Economic Growth in East Asian 8

The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between CO2 on quality of life and on economic growth in Asean 8. Pollution may directly decrease output and quality of life by decreasing productivity of man-made capital and labor. The income levels per capita gross domestic product per capita were measured from the year 1965 to 2010. This study formulates a three equation simultaneous model for empirical research. For panel data, the Hausman speci� cation test is the classical test of whether the � xed or random effects model should be used. In the pollution indicator emissions CO2 in Asean 8, the Environmental Kuznets Curve relationship is found.
Insights from the classroom: Student fieldwork contributions to NYC public health

A novel approach to expand ing student training in graduate masters of public health is to incorporate ethnographic methodological training, both observation and fieldwork, into courses teaching students about structural and environmental factors impacting on health outcomes. One such course is offered at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, where a course entitled ‘Structural Approaches in Global Health’ has both extended students’ prior methodological training, while also harnessing students’ insightful observations from their fieldwork and analysis of the New York City public health landscape.
Signaling of Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor (HGF) to the Small GTPase Rap1 via the Large Docking Protein Gab1 and the Adapter Protein CRKL*

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF; scatter factor) is a multipotent protein with mitogenic, motogenic, and developmental functions. Upon activation, the HGF-receptor c-Met binds and phosphorylates the multisite docking protein Gab1. Besides binding motifs for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Grb2, Gab 1 contains multiple Tyr-X-X-Pro (YXXP) motifs which, when phosphorylated, are potential binding sites for the adapter proteins c-Crk and Crk-like (CRKL). Stimulation of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) with HGF leads to Gab1 association with CRKL. The Gab1-CRKL interaction requires both, the SH2 domain of CRKL and the region containing the YXXP motifs in Gab1. CRKL binds via its first SH3 domain to several downstream signal transducers, including C3G an activator of the small GTPase Rap1. Indeed, Rap1 was rapidly activated after HGF stimulation of HEK293 cells. Rap1 activation through HGF was suppressed through transfection of a truncated C3G protein which only contains the SH3-binding motifs of C3G. Transfection of nonmutated Gab1 led to a strong increase of Rap1·GTP in the absence of HGF. In contrast, transfection of the GabΔYXXP mutant abolished the elevation of Rap1·GTP by HGF. A replating assay indicated that HGF decreases the adhesion of HEK293 cells. The results presented here delineate a novel signaling pathway from HGF to the GTPase Rap1 which depends on the interaction of the adapter protein CRKL with the exchange factor C3G and could be linked to cell migration.
Revision of the fungus-farming ant genus Sericomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae)

Abstract The genus Sericomyrmex Mayr (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini) is a Neotropical group of fungus-farming ants known for its problematic taxonomy, caused by low morphological variability across the species, vague and old species descriptions, and an outdated and incomplete key published in 1916. Recent molecular studies revealed that Sericomyrmex is the product of a rapid recent radiation, with a divergence date of 4.3 million years ago. Here we present a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Sericomyrmex based on morphology and a recently published molecular phylogeny. We discuss and illustrate morphological characters for Sericomyrmex workers, males, queens, and larvae. We report 18 standard morphological measurements and 5 indices for 529 workers, 50 queens, and 39 males, which we employ in morphometric analyses. The revised genus Sericomyrmex comprises eleven species, including three new species, here described as S. maravalhas sp. n. , S. radioheadi sp. n. , and S. saramama sp. n. We also redescribe S. amabilis Wheeler, S. bondari Borgmeier, S. lutzi Wheeler, S. mayri Forel, S. opacus Mayr, S. parvulus Forel, S. saussurei Emery, and S. scrobifer Forel. The number of recognized species (11) is lower than the previously recognized 19 species and 3 subspecies. The following species and subspecies are synonymized: under S. opacus [=S. aztecus Forel syn. n. , S. zacapanus Wheeler syn. n. , and S. diego Forel syn. n. ]; under S. bondari [=S. beniensis Weber syn. n. ]; under S. mayri [=S. luederwaldti Santschi syn. n. , S. moreirai Santschi syn. n. , S. harekulli Weber syn. n. , S. harekulli arawakensis Weber syn. n. , S. urichi Forel syn. n. ]; under S. saussurei [=S. burchelli Forel syn. n. , S. impexus Wheeler syn. n. , S. urichi maracas Weber syn. n. ]; and under S. parvulus [=S. myersi Weber syn. n. ]. We provide a key to Sericomyrmex species for the worker caste and information on the geographic distributions of all species.
From powerlessness to empowerment: Mothers expect more than information from the prenatal consultation for preterm labour.

BACKGROUND Guidelines recommend supportive care for all newborns >26 weeks' gestational age and recognize the importance of prenatal consultation by a neonatalogist for mothers at risk of premature delivery. These recommendations are drawn from medical expert opinions and emphasize informing parents about prematurity. The literature regarding parents' perspectives of prenatal consultation is lacking. OBJECTIVE To explore mothers' concerns about preterm labour and their expectations from the prenatal consultation with a neonatologist. METHODS Interviews of women hospitalized for preterm labour (26 to 32 weeks' gestation) were conducted before they met with the neonatologist. The analysis was informed by grounded theory. RESULTS The women's stressful experience was their main focus; they expressed a strong sense of loss of control and powerlessness. The consultation was perceived as an added source of stress, but they all hoped that it would reassure them. They wanted information about prematurity and the roles they would play for their baby. They expected the neonatologist to be supportive, open and trustworthy. CONCLUSION Prenatal consultation is perceived as a source of both stress and reassurance. Women believe the latter can be achieved through a supportive consultation with the neonatologist, during which tools providing them with a sense of empowerment are presented.