Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Silica Biomineralisation in Diatoms: The Model Organism Thalassiosira pseudonana

After complete genome sequencing, the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana has become an attractive model organism for silica biomineralisation studies. Recent progress, especially with respect to intracellular silicic acid processing, as well as to the natures of the biomolecules involved in diatom cell wall formation, is described. On the one hand, considerable progress has been made with respect to silicon uptake by special proteins (SITs) from the surrounding water, as well as to the storage and processing of silicon before cell division. On the other hand, the discovery and characterisation of remarkable biomolecules such as silaffins, polyamines and—quite recently—of silacidins in the siliceous cell walls of diatoms strongly impacts the growing field of biomimetic materials synthesis.
Year : 2005 Nuclear targeting of adenovirus type 2 requires CRM 1-mediated nuclear export

Incoming adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) and Ad5 shuttle bidirectionally along microtubules, biased to the microtubule-organizing center by the dynein/dynactin motor complex. It is unknown how the particles reach the nuclear pore complex, where capsids disassemble and viral DNA enters the nucleus. Here, we identified a novel link between nuclear export and microtubule-mediated transport. Two distinct inhibitors of the nuclear export factor CRM1, leptomycin B (LMB) and ratjadone A (RJA) or CRM1-siRNAs blocked adenovirus infection, arrested cytoplasmic transport of viral particles at the microtubule-organizing center or in the cytoplasm and prevented capsid disassembly and nuclear import of the viral genome. In mitotic cells where CRM1 is in the cytoplasm, adenovirus particles were not associated with microtubules but upon LMB treatment, they enriched at the spindle poles implying that CRM1 inhibited microtubule association of adenovirus. We propose that CRM1, a nuclear factor exported by CRM1 or a protein complex containing CRM1 is part of a sensor mechanism triggering the unloading of the incoming adenovirus particles from microtubules proximal to the nucleus of interphase
Measuring Engagement in Robot-Assisted Autism Therapy: A Cross-Cultural Study

During occupational therapy for children with autism, it is often necessary to elicit and maintain engagement for the children to benefit from the session. Recently, social robots have been used for this; however, existing robots lack the ability to autonomously recognize the children's level of engagement, which is necessary when choosing an optimal interaction strategy. Progress in automated engagement reading has been impeded in part due to a lack of studies on child-robot engagement in autism therapy. While there are large individual differences within the autistic population, little is known about variation across cultures. We analyzed the engagement of children (age 3-13) from two different cultural backgrounds: Asia (Japan, n=17) and Eastern Europe (Serbia, n=19). The children participated in a 25 minute therapy session during which we studied the relationship between the children's behavioural engagement (task-driven) and different facets of affective engagement (valence and arousal). Although our results indicate that there are statistically significant differences in engagement displays in the two groups, it is difficult to make any causal claims about these differences due to the large variation in age and behavioural severity of the children in the study. However, our exploratory analysis reveals important associations between target engagement and perceived levels of valence and arousal, indicating that these can be used as a proxy for the children's engagement during the therapy. We provide suggestions on how this can be leveraged to optimize social robots for autism therapy, while taking into account cultural differences.
Heavy metal intensification of DAB-based HRP reaction product.

Despite the health hazard posed by diaminobenzidine (DAB), it remains the substrate ofchoice for several applications for demonstrating the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in brain tissue. As a substrate, tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) is more sensitive and it poses much less ofa health hazard (see, e.g., ref. 3), but the reaction product formed by TMB does not complex with osmium to form an electron dense substance. Moreover, the TMB-based reaction product is decidedly inferior to DAB-based reaction product for immunohistochemistry, and for delineating cell process that contains a lot of HRP. Consequently DAB is still used for applications where electron microscopy is to be done and where cells are extremely well filled with HRP, such as when HRP has been iontophoresed into cells. Several years ago it was noted that the DAB reaction product could be made much darker than that of the Graham and Karnovski (2) procedure by performing the reaction in phosphate buffer in the presence of cobalt chloride ( 1 ). Because cobalt precipitates readily in phosphate buffer, the tissue was first exposed to the cobalt in a Tris buffer, excess cobalt rinsed from the tissue, and the reaction then carried out in phosphate buffer. It has since been learned that the sensitivity of the reaction can further be enhanced by adding nickel salts to the incubation medium. This communication describes this modification and includes a much simpler and faster means of carrying out the reaction. The procedure is simplified by adding the metal salts directly to the phosphate buffered DAB solution in concentrations that barely saturate the medium with the salts. It is done as follows:
Effects of Menstrual Cycle on Spatial Information-Processes

The present study examined effects of menstrual cycle (i.e., ovulatory vs menstrual phase) on performance on spatial information-processes. Participants included 20 spontaneously cycling women (with regular 28- to 30-day menstrual cycles) who were tested on a reaction-time task developed to assess specific spatial information-processes and the Spatial Relations subtest of the PMA battery. For the spatial information-processing task, women responded faster and applied relatively less stringent criteria in the decision process during the ovulatory phase. No effects of cycle changes were found for accuracy of performance on either of the spatial tasks. It is suggested that studies examining effects of menstrual cycle on spatial ability consider an information-processing approach in measuring spatial performance and an application of signal-detection theory to separate components (strategy vs aptitude) of problem solving.
POISSON KRIGING

This work revisits a simple model for geostatistical count data and make explicit the assumptions under which the model is constructed. We review the parameter estimators and predictors for a latent that appear in the literature, and propose new estimators and predictors. Finally, we plan to carry a detailed simulation experiment to investigate and compare the statistical properties of the different parameter estimators and predictors.
To pop a balloon: aeromedical evacuation in the 1870 siege of Paris.

H. G. Armstrong, in the 3rd edition of his Principles and Practice of Aviation Medicine stated: "The first use of air transportation in support of medical activities occurred during the siege of Paris in 1870 when a total of 160 patients were removed from that city by means of an observation balloon. " Careful review of the available literature and of reports during and subsequent to that time have offered no corroboration of this statement, whereas the names and missions of some 167 balloonists and passengers are amply documented. An extensive bibliography and footnotes, available upon request from the author, attest to the multiple uses to which this new form of transportation was put; unfortunately, aeromedical evacuation was not one of them.
Alternative Conformations of the Tau Repeat Domain in Complex with an Engineered Binding Protein*

Background: Aggregates of the protein Tau are associated with Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Results: The engineered binding protein TP4, targeting the Tau repeat domain, was obtained from a novel β-wrapin protein library. Conclusion: TP4 interacts with two alternative conformations of Tau, thereby inhibiting Tau aggregation. Significance: Binding of aggregation-prone sequence stretches is an approach to interfere with Tau aggregation. The aggregation of Tau into paired helical filaments is involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease. The aggregation reaction is characterized by conformational conversion of the repeat domain, which partially adopts a cross-β-structure in the resulting amyloid-like fibrils. Here, we report the selection and characterization of an engineered binding protein, β-wrapin TP4, targeting the Tau repeat domain. TP4 was obtained by phage display using the four-repeat Tau construct K18ΔK280 as a target. TP4 binds K18ΔK280 as well as the longest isoform of human Tau, hTau40, with nanomolar affinity. NMR spectroscopy identified two alternative TP4-binding sites in the four-repeat domain, with each including two hexapeptide motifs with high β-sheet propensity. Both binding sites contain the aggregation-determining PHF6 hexapeptide within repeat 3. In addition, one binding site includes the PHF6* hexapeptide within repeat 2, whereas the other includes the corresponding hexapeptide Tau(337–342) within repeat 4, denoted PHF6**. Comparison of TP4-binding with Tau aggregation reveals that the same regions of Tau are involved in both processes. TP4 inhibits Tau aggregation at substoichiometric concentration, demonstrating that it interferes with aggregation nucleation. This study provides residue-level insight into the interaction of Tau with an aggregation inhibitor and highlights the structural flexibility of Tau.
Association of Hypoalbuminemia With the Presence and Size of Pleural Effusion in Children With Pneumonia

OBJECTIVE. Hypoalbuminemia is a common finding in children with massive parapneumonic pleural effusion; however, its incidence and pathogenesis are unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the presence and severity of hypoalbuminemia in children with parapneumonic pleural effusion and to propose a possible pathophysiologic mechanism. METHODS. The clinical charts of patients who were hospitalized in a tertiary pediatric center with bacterial pneumonia complicated by pleural effusion were reviewed. The volume of pleural fluid was assessed semiquantitatively and categorized as small, moderate, or large. The lowest serum albumin level was recorded, and caloric intake and protein loss were evaluated. Findings were compared with age- and gender-matched children who had bacterial pneumonia without pleural effusion and with children who had acute illnesses other than pneumonia. RESULTS. Of the 50 patients in the study group, 15 (30%) had small effusions, 16 (32%) had moderate effusions, and 19 (38%) had large effusions. Moderate-to-severe hypoalbuminemia was found in 52% of the study group, 6% of the patients with pneumonia without pleural effusion, and none of the patients with other illnesses. Mean serum albumin level was lower in patients with large pleural effusions than in patients with small effusions (2.66 ± 0.37 vs 3.66 ± 0.47 g/dL). There was no evidence of albumin loss or significant malnutrition. Estimation of the amount of albumin in the drained pleural fluid suggested an albumin shift from blood to pleural fluid. CONCLUSIONS. Significant hypoalbuminemia is common in children with parapneumonic pleural effusion. Large effusions are associated with low serum albumin levels, which might be explained in part by a shift from blood to pleural fluid.
Inferior Results of Salvage Arthrodesis After Failed Ankle Replacement Compared to Primary Arthrodesis

Background: Up to now, there has been no evidence that salvage arthrodesis would perform inferior when compared with primary ankle arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to compare their clinical and radiographic results. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using 2 validated scores and assessment of radiographic union by comparing 23 patients who underwent salvage ankle arthrodesis (group SA = salvage arthrodesis) after failed total ankle replacement with 23 matched patients who received primary ankle arthrodesis (group PA = primary arthrodesis). The mean follow-up period was 38 (range 16-92) months in group SA and 56 (23-94) months in group PA. Results: Complete union was achieved in 17 patients (74%) after a mean time of 50 (13- 114) weeks in group SA and in 16 patients (70%) after a mean time of 23 (10-115) weeks in group PA. The SF-36 score averaged 48 points (7-80) in SA and 66 points (14-94; P = .006) in group PA. In group SA the mean FFI was 57% (22-82) for pain and 71% (44-98) for function. In group PA significantly better results for pain with 34% (0-88; P = .002) and function with 48% (1-92; P = .002) were found. Conclusion: Salvage arthrodesis led to impaired life quality and reduced function combined with significantly higher pain when compared with primary ankle arthrodesis. These findings can be used to counsel our patients preoperatively. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective case series.
Battle city based on SAPF algorithm

Battle City, I believe we are not unfamiliar. Suppose such a rule: on the map there are total of n mine, white and black tanks; Within the specified time, who occupies most of mine will come to victory. Notice that, the tank is running automatically, not manually controlled. Obviously, an efficient AI which is the core of game determines game's outcome. How to occupy more mine in the shortest possible time, in other words, we should choose the shortest path to reach mine. Therefore, designing an efficient pathfinding algorithm is the key.
MicroRNAs: potential therapeutic targets in diabetic complications of the cardiovascular and renal systems

Diabetes mellitus is a serious health problem that can lead to several pathological complications in numerous organs and tissues. The most important and most prevalent organs affected by this disease are the heart and the kidneys, and these complications are the major causes of death in patients with diabetes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short non‐coding RNAs, have been found to be functionally important in the regulation of several pathological processes, and they are emerging as an important therapeutic tool to avoid the complications of diabetes mellitus. This review summarizes the knowledge on the effects of miRNAs in diabetes. The use of miRNAs in diabetes from a clinical perspective is also discussed, focusing on their potential role to repair cardiovascular and renal complications.
High mobility group box 1 orchestrates tissue regeneration via CXCR4

Inflammation and tissue regeneration follow tissue damage, but little is known about how these processes are coordinated. High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein that, when released on injury, triggers inflammation. We previously showed that HMGB1 with reduced cysteines is a chemoattractant, whereas a disulfide bond makes it a proinflammatory cytokine. Here we report that fully reduced HMGB1 orchestrates muscle and liver regeneration via CXCR4, whereas disulfide HMGB1 and its receptors TLR4/MD-2 and RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) are not involved. Injection of HMGB1 accelerates tissue repair by acting on resident muscle stem cells, hepatocytes, and infiltrating cells. The nonoxidizable HMGB1 mutant 3S, in which serines replace cysteines, promotes muscle and liver regeneration more efficiently than the wild-type protein and without exacerbating inflammation by selectively interacting with CXCR4. Overall, our results show that the reduced form of HMGB1 coordinates tissue regeneration and suggest that 3S may be used to safely accelerate healing after injury in diverse clinical contexts.
"Endless" viral DNA in cells infected with channel catfish virus

The state of intracellular viral DNA in cells infected with channel catfish virus has been studied by the Hirt selective extraction procedure and by restriction endonuclease digestion. The sedimentation properties and restriction patterns of viral DNA in the Hirt supernatant fraction indicate that the majority, if not all, of the DNA is in the form of linear unit-length (Mr approximately equal to 85 x 10(6)) molecules. However, restriction digests of viral DNA in the pellet fraction lacked two fragments corresponding to the molecular ends of unit-length DNA. In addition, there appeared in HpaI digests of pellet DNA a new restriction fragment interpretable as the product of fusion between the ends of unit-length molecules. The size of the new fragment requires that fusion occur in such a way that one copy of the terminally repeated sequences (Mr approximately equal to 12.3 x 10(6)) of the unit-length DNA is lost in the process. In pulse-chase experiments, radioactivity flowed from the pellet fraction to the supernatant fraction, suggesting a precursor-product relationship for these DNA species. The results are easily understood if unit-length virion DNA is generated by excision from concatemeric structures.
Proteogenomic Re‐Annotation of Coccidioides posadasii Strain Silveira

The aims of this study are to provide protein‐based evidence upon which to reannotate the genome of Coccidiodes posadasii, one of two closely related species of Coccidioides, a dimorphic fungal pathogen that causes coccidioidomycosis, also called Valley fever. Proteins present in lysates and filtrates of in vitro grown mycelia and parasitic phase spherules from C. posadasii strain Silveira are analyzed using a GeLC‐MS/MS method. Acquired spectra are processed with a proteogenomics workflow comprising a Silveira proteome database, a six‐frame translation of the Silveira genome and an ab initio gene prediction tool prior to validation against published ESTs. This study provides evidence for 837 genes expressed at the protein level, of which 169 proteins (20.2%) are putative proteins and 103 (12.3%) are not annotated in the Silveira genome. Additionally, 275 novel peptides are derived from intragenic regions of the genome and 13 from intergenic regions, resulting in 172 gene refinements. Additionally, we are the first group to report translationally active retrotransposon elements in a Coccidioides spp. Our study reveals that the currently annotated genome of C. posadasii str. Silveira needs refinement, which is likely to be the case for many nonmodel organisms.
A hierarchical order of factors in the generation of FLK1- and SCL-expressing hematopoietic and endothelial progenitors from embryonic stem cells

The receptor tyrosine kinase FLK1 and the transcription factor SCL play crucial roles in the establishment of hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages in mice. We have previously used an in vitro differentiation model of embryonic stem (ES) cells and demonstrated that hematopoietic and endothelial cells develop via sequentially generated FLK1+ and SCL+ cells. To gain a better understanding of cellular and molecular events leading to hematopoietic specification, we examined factors necessary for FLK1+ and SCL+ cell induction in serum-free conditions. We demonstrate that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 4 was required for the generation of FLK1+ and SCL+ cells, and that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was necessary for the expansion and differentiation of SCL-expressing hematopoietic progenitors. Consistently, Flk1-deficient ES cells responded to BMP4 and generated TER119+ and CD31+ cells, but they failed to expand in response to VEGF. The Smad1/5 and map kinase pathways were activated by BMP4 and VEGF, respectively. The overexpression of SMAD6 in ES cells resulted in a reduction of FLK1+ cells. In addition, a MAP kinase kinase 1 specific inhibitor blocked the expansion of SCL+ cells in response to VEGF. Finally, VEGF mediated expansion of hematopoietic and endothelial cell progenitors was inhibited by TGFβ1, but was augmented by activin A. Our studies suggest that hematopoietic and endothelial commitment from the mesoderm occurs via BMP4-mediated signals and that expansion and/or differentiation of such progenitors is achieved by an interplay of VEGF, TGFβ1 and activin A signaling.
Web intelligence in information retrieval

Web Intelligence is a fascinating area in the very early stages of research and development. It combines the interaction of the human mind and artificial intelligence with networks and technology. How will the next generation Web mature? With the imminent growth of Web intelligence what expectations do users have? Users will expect more from the Web than for it to merely pass raw data between people via search engines. We attempt to define and summarise the concept of Web Intelligence, highlight the key elements of Web Intelligence, and explore the topic of Web information retrieval with particular focus on multimedia/information retrieval and intelligent agents.
Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Changes in Chronic Alcoholism Using Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT: Comparison with CT Parameters

Twenty-eight patients were studied for regional cerebral blood flow changes as a result of chronic alcoholism. After the administration of 550 to 600 MBq Tc-99m HMPAO, tomographic slices were obtained using a SPECT camera. Eight regions per hemisphere were drawn on each transaxial section, and tracer redistribution was calculated for each region. Region-to-whole slice ratios were determined for each patient. Patients had significantly decreased frontal/whole slice (1 ± 0.02) ratios in comparison with a normal group (p< 0.01). Twenty-four out of 26 patients (85.7%) demonstrated abnormal rCBF. Eighteen out of 28 (64.3%) showed activity lower in the left hemisphere than in the right. Using CT parameters, 60% of the patients had either sulcal widening and/or ventricular enlargement. The frontal region and the left hemisphere were more affected by alcohol than other regions. More cerebral blood flow changes than morphologic changes were found caused by alcoholism.
Linking Organizational Structure, Job Characteristics, and Job Performance Constructs: a Proposed Framework

A growing emphasis has been given on employees’ job performance as a source of competitive advantage to promote responsiveness in enhancing overall organizational effectiveness. Although performance depends very much on personality traits, other external factors, also known as system factors or opportunities to perform, have a significant amount of influence on employees’ task and contextual performance. Constraints to perform, such as bureaucratic structure and ineffective job design, will influence individual task and contextual performance negatively. Such circumstance inadvertently hinders high organizational performance. This paper proposes that organizational structure, namely formalization and centralization, have direct effects on employee task performance and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Also, this paper posits that job characteristics, namely skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback, exert influence on employee task performance and OCB. To examine the applicability of the proposed framework, seven main propositions are identified and analyzed.