Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction of two flapping filaments in a flowing soap film

Using the immersed boundary method, we have simulated the motion of two flexible filaments in a flowing soap film, which was experimentally studied by Zhang et al. [Nature (London) 408, 835 (2000)]. We found numerically two distinct modes of sustained oscillation of the two filaments: parallel flapping and mirror-image clapping, depending on the separation distance between the two filaments. Our simulation results agree with that of the experiment at least qualitatively, even though the Reynolds number of the flowing soap film in our simulation is about two orders of magnitude lower than that of the experiment.
Endoglin Is Not Critical for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engraftment and Reconstitution but Regulates Adult Erythroid Development

Endoglin is a transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) accessory receptor recently identified as being highly expressed on long‐term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). However, little is known regarding its function in these cells. We have used two complementary approaches toward understanding endoglin's role in HSC biology: one that efficiently knocks down expression via lentiviral‐driven short hairpin RNA and another that uses retroviral‐mediated overexpression. Altering endoglin expression had functional consequences for hematopoietic progenitors in vitro such that endoglin‐suppressed myeloid progenitors (colony‐forming unit‐granulocyte macrophage) displayed a higher degree of sensitivity to TGF‐β‐mediated growth inhibition, whereas endoglin‐overexpressing cells were partially resistant. However, transplantation of transduced bone marrow enriched in primitive hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells revealed that neither endoglin suppression nor endoglin overexpression affected the ability of stem cells to short‐term or long‐term repopulate recipient marrow. Furthermore, transplantation of cells altered in endoglin expression yielded normal white blood cell proportions and peripheral blood platelets. Interestingly, decreasing endoglin expression increased the clonogenic capacity of early blast‐forming unit‐erythroid progenitors, whereas overexpression compromised erythroid differentiation at the basophilic erythroblast phase, suggesting a pivotal role for endoglin at key stages of adult erythropoietic development.
A random change point model for assessing variability in repeated measures of cognitive function

Some cognitive functions undergo transitions in old age, which motivates the use of a change point model for the individual trajectory. The age when the change occurs varies between individuals and is treated as random. We illustrate the properties of a random change point model and use it for data from a Swedish study of change in cognitive function in old age. Variance estimates are obtained from Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation using Gibbs sampling. The random change point model is compared with models within the family of linear random effects models. The focus is on the ability to capture variability in measures of cognitive function. The models make different assumptions about the variance over the age span, and we demonstrate that the random change point model has the most reasonable structure. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Gene yjfQ Encodes the Repressor of the yjfR-X Regulon (ula), Which Is Involved in l-Ascorbate Metabolism in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Mutations in yjfQ allowed us to identify this gene as the regulator of the operon yjfS-X (ula operon), reported to be involved in l-ascorbate metabolism. Inactivation of this gene renders constitutive the expression of the ula operon, indicating that YjfQ acts as a repressor. We also demonstrate that this repressor regulates the nearby yjfR gene, which in this way constitutes a regulon with the ula operon.
The role of MAP kinases in rapid gene induction after lesioning of the rat sciatic nerve

Lesion of the sciatic nerve caused a rapid activation of p38MAP kinase in the injured nerve adjacent to the site of transection. This activation was detectable 3 min after lesioning, increased during the next 15 min and remained high for several hours. Erk1/2 activation was also observed as early as 15 min after lesioning. Activation of these MAP kinases was seen in both the external sheaths and the endoneurium. The separation of the external sheaths from the endoneurium accelerated the p38MAP kinase activation. To evaluate whether the injury‐activated MAP kinase cascades are implicated in the rapid gene induction observed after nerve lesion, experiments were performed with an ex vivo model. Segments of sciatic nerves were incubated in oxygenated Krebs–Ringer buffer. MAP kinases were activated at 15 min and remained active after 6 h. Induction of mRNA was also observed for nerve growth factor (NGF), interleukin 6 (IL‐6), leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and deiodinases of type 2 (D2) and type 3 (D3). Thus, the ex vivo model mimics events occurring in the animal after nerve section. Finally, nerve segments were incubated in the presence of specific inhibitors of Erk1/2 activation (U0126) and of p38MAP kinase activity (SB203580). U0126 inhibited D3, LIF and to a lesser extent NGF mRNA induction, but did not affect significantly the induction of D2 and IL‐6 mRNAs. SB203580 inhibited the expression of the genes for D3 and LIF. We conclude that MAP kinase cascades, activated by nerve transection, are involved in the rapid gene induction in the nerve.
Object permanence and relational words: a lexical training study

ABSTRACT Observational/correlational research has established that children in stage 5 object permanence development use words that refer to the visible movement of objects, while it is not until stage 6 that they use words referring to the invisible movement of objects (e.g. gone). It is not clear, however, whether the cognitive competence evidenced by performance in the object permanence task is a prerequisite for these linguistic productions or whether they both emerge simultaneously from some underlying representation. The current study used a lexical training paradigm to teach object words, visible movement words, and invisible movement words to children at stage 5 and stage 6 object permanence development. Stage 6 children learned all three types of words equally well. Stage 5 children learned object and visible movement words, especially in comprehension, but did not learn the invisible movement word. These results indicate that the cognitive structures underlying performance in the object permanence task are genuine prerequisites for learning these types of words.
Concentration Dependence and Time Course of the Effects of Glucose on Adenine and Guanine Nucleotides in Mouse Pancreatic Islets*

Changes in the ATP:ADP ratio in pancreatic B cells may participate in the regulation of insulin secretion by glucose. Here, we have investigated the possible role of guanine nucleotides. Mouse islets were incubated in a control medium (when K+-ATP channels are the major site of regulation) or in a high K+ medium (when glucose modulates the effectiveness of cytosolic Ca2+ on exocytosis). Glucose induced a concentration-dependent (0-20 mM) increase in GTP and a decrease in GDP in both types of medium, thus causing a progressive rise of the GTP:GDP ratio. ATP and ADP levels were 4-5-fold higher but varied in a similar way as those of guanine nucleotides. Insulin secretion was inversely correlated with ADP and GDP levels and positively correlated with the ATP:ADP and GTP:GDP ratios between 6 and 20 mM glucose in control medium and between 0 and 20 mM glucose in high K+ medium. The increases in the GTP:GDP and ATP:ADP ratios induced by a rise of glucose were faster than the decreases induced by a fall in glucose, but the changes of both ratios were again parallel. In conclusion, glucose causes large, concentration-dependent changes in guanine as well as in adenine nucleotides in islet cells. This raises the possibility that both participate in the regulation of nutrient-induced insulin secretion.
Formulation and optimization of oxaliplatin immuno-nanoparticles using Box–Behnken design and cytotoxicity assessment for synergistic and receptor-mediated targeting in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Abstract Conventional chemotherapy majorly lacks clinical application attributed to its inspecificity, adverse effects and inability to penetrate into tumor cells. Hence, the aim of the study was to prepare oxaliplatin solid lipid nanoparticles (OP-SLN) by microemulsion method optimizing it by Box–Behnken design and then covalently conjugated to TRAIL (CD-253) monoclonal antibody (TR-OP-SLN) for targeting colorectal cancer cells. The optimized OP-SLN3 has shown an appreciable particle size (121 ± 1.22 nm), entrapment efficiency (78 ± 0.09%) and drug loading (32 ± 1.01%). Fluorescence study and the Bradford assay further confirmed the binding of the protein. A 1.5-fold increase in cytotoxicity of immuno-nanoparticles (4.9 μM) was observed.
Wireless communication in automation

The paper shows the challenges associated with attempts to utilize Bluetooth communication interface for automation purposes like control and data acquisition. The paper describes major challenges, selected approach, first tests, first experiences with Bluetooth on Linux. and first prototypes of embedded devices used for testing. Moreover the paper discusses some specific challenges associated with utilization of wireless communication techniques (focused to Bluetooth) in automation. Finally the paper presents ideas (formal methods) that could be used to analyze, and improve reliability of such system, and approach (time triggered approach with clock synchronization) that could be used to improve the deterministicity of wireless communication channels.
The amino-terminal one-third of the influenza virus PA protein is responsible for the induction of proteolysis

We have previously described the fact that the individual expression of influenza virus PA protein induced a generalized proteolysis (J.J. Sanz-Ezquerro, S. de la Luna, Ortin, and A. Nieto, J. Virol. 69:2420-2426, 1995). In this study, we have further characterized this effect by mapping the regions of PA protein required and have found by deletion analysis that the first 247 amino acids are sufficient to bring about this activity. PA mutants that were able to decrease the accumulation levels of coexpressed proteins also presented lower steady-state levels due to a reduction in their half-lives. Furthermore, the PA wild type produced a decrease in the stationary levels of different PA versions, indicating that is itself a target for its induced proteolytic process. All of the PA proteins that induced proteolysis presented nuclear localization, being the sequences responsible for nuclear transport located inside the first 247 amino acids of the molecule. To distinguish between the regions involved in nuclear localization and those involved in induction of proteolysis, we fused the nuclear localization signal of the simian virus 40 T antigen to the carboxy terminus of the cytosolic versions of PA. None of the cytosolic PA versions affected in the first 247-amino-acid part of PA, which were now located in the nucleus, were able to induce proteolysis, suggesting that conservation of a particular conformation in this region of the molecule is required for the effect observed. The fact that all of the PA proteins able to induce proteolysis presented nuclear localization, together with the observation that this activity is shared by influenza virus PA proteins from two different type A viruses, suggests a physiological role for this PA protein activity in viral infection.
Molecular modeling of a T‐cell receptor bound to a major histocompatibility complex molecule: Implications for T‐cell recognition

The main functions of the T‐cell receptor (TCR) involve its specific interaction with short and linear antigenic peptides bound to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In the absence of a 3D structure for TCR and for the TCR/peptide/MHC complex, several attempts to characterize the structural components of the TCR/peptide/MHC interaction have been made. However, this subject is still troublesome.
"Half empty or half full": The importance of the definition of part-time sick leave when estimating its effects

This paper analyzes the impact of the definition of part-time sick leave (PTSL) when analyzing the effect of PTSL on employees’ probability to fully recover lost work capacity. Using a random sample of 3,607 employees, we estimate an econometric model that aims to answer the hypothetical question of what happens to an employee who has lost his/her work capacity if he/she instead of continuing to be sicklisted full time starts working some hours. The estimated treatment parameters vary across definitions, yet all results show that, regardless of the timing of the intervention, PTSL had a positive effect on the probability of full recovery of lost work capacity one year after the spell started. Moreover, the most attractive definition shows the highest impact: About 48% of those with a reduced degree of sick leave from full time to part time during the spell were recovered about one year after the spell started, and only about 6% of them would have been better off had they remained on full-time.
Life Stage Toxicity and Residual Activity of Insecticides to Codling Moth and Oriental Fruit Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

ABSTRACT The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck), are two key pests of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) in North Carolina. Growers extensively relied on organophosphate insecticides, primarily azinphosmethyl, for >40 yr to manage these pests. Because of organophosphate resistance development and regulatory actions, growers are transitioning to management programs that use new, reduced-risk, and OP-replacement insecticides. This study evaluated the toxicity of a diversity of replacement insecticides to eggs, larvae, and adults, as well as an assessment of their residual activity, to codling moth and oriental fruit moth. Laboratory-susceptible strains of both species were used for all bioassays. Fresh field-harvested apples were used as a media for assessing the ovicidal activity of insecticides. For larval studies, insecticides were topically applied to the surface of lima bean-based diet, onto which neonates were placed. Toxicity was based on two measures of mortality; 5-d mortality and development to adult stage. Ovicidal bioassays showed that oriental fruit moth eggs were generally more tolerant than codling moth eggs to insecticides, with novaluron, acetamiprid, and azinphoshmethyl having the highest levels of toxicity to eggs of both species. In contrast, codling moth larvae generally were more tolerant than oriental fruit moth to most insecticides. Methoxyfenozide and pyriproxyfen were the only insecticides with lower LC50 values against codling moth than oriental fruit moth neonates. Moreover, a number of insecticides, particularly the IGRs methoxyfenozide and novaluron, the anthranilic diamide chlorantriliprole, and the spinosyn spinetoram, provided equal or longer residual activity against codling moth compared with azinphosmethyl in field studies. Results are discussed in relation to their use in devising field use patterns of insecticides and for insecticide resistance monitoring programs.
Synchronous high‐voltage spindles in the cortex–basal ganglia network of awake and unrestrained rats

Synchronous oscillations in various frequency ranges have been recorded in several nuclei of the basal ganglia (BG) and are thought to be an information processing mechanism. High‐voltage spindles (HVSs) are 5–13 Hz spike‐and‐wave oscillations, which are commonly recorded in rats and which have been reported in some recent studies where their occurrence in the BG has been investigated. We recorded single neurons and local field potentials (LFPs) simultaneously in the motor cortex, striatum and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) of the freely moving rat. We took advantage of the high level of synchronization observed during HVSs to study signal transmission in the cortex–BG network in the awake animals. The results show that LFPs are synchronized in the motor cortex, striatum and SNr during HVS episodes and that the latter propagate from the cortex to the SNr via the striatum. Moreover, > 50% of single neurons in each of these structures are triggered by the HVS. Following the discharge of cortical cells, SNr neurons are first inhibited after ∼ 19 ms and then activated after ∼ 45 ms. This response is probably driven by the direct and indirect pathways, respectively, without any involvement of the hyperdirect pathway. Here, it is shown that cortex–BG connectivity can be studied using physiological signals in the freely moving animal as opposed to artificial stimulation under anaesthetized conditions. This opens the door to further studies under various experimental conditions, such as animal models of basal ganglia disorders.
Optimisation of automatic face annotation system used within a collaborative framework for online social networks

Recently, the development of automatic face annotation techniques in online social networks has become a promising research area for the purpose of management of the large numbers of photographs uploaded to social network platforms. In this study, the authors first construct the personalised pyramid database units for each member in the pyramid database access control module by effectively making use of various types of social network context to drastically reduce time expenditure and further boost the accuracy of face identification. Next, they train and optimise the personalised multiple-kernel learning (MKL) classifier unit for each member, which utilises the MKL algorithm to locally adapt to each member, resulting in the production of high-quality face identification results for the current owner in the MKL face recognition module. Experimental results demonstrate that their proposed face annotation approach provides a substantially higher level of efficacy and efficiency than other face annotation approaches for real-life personal photographs with pose variations.
Cognitive dysfunction, gait, and motor impairment in neurofibromatosis type 1

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Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology A SNP Streak Model for the Identification of Genetic Regions Identical-by-descent

The availability of very dense genetic maps is changing in a fundamental way the methods used to identify the genetic basis of both rare and common inherited traits. The ability to directly compare the genomes of two related individuals and quickly identify those regions that are inherited identical-by-descent (IBD) from a recent common ancestor would be of utility in a wide range of genetic mapping methods. Here, we describe a simple method for using dense SNP maps to identify regions of the genome likely to be inherited IBD by family members. This method is based on identifying obligate recombination events and examining the pattern of distribution of such events along the genetic map. Specifically, we use the length of a consecutive set of biallelic markers that have a high probability of having avoided such obligate recombination events. This ``SNP streak" is derived from subsets of samples within a pedigree and allows us to make statistical inferences about the ancestry of the region(s) containing stretches of markers with these properties. We show that the use of subsets of more than two samples has the advantage of identifying shorter shared subsegments as significant. This mitigates the effects of errors in SNP calls. We provide specific examples of microarray-based SNP data, using a family with a complex pedigree and with a rare form of inherited kidney disease, to illustrate this approach.
Violence Risk Assessment and Facet 4 of the Psychopathy Checklist: Predicting Institutional and Community Aggression in Two Forensic Samples

The Psychopathy Checklist and Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (PCL/PCL-R) were used to predict institutional aggression and community violence in two groups of forensic patients. Results showed that Facet 4 (Antisocial) of the PCL/PCL-R or one of its parcels consistently achieved incremental validity relative to the first three facets, whereas the first three facets failed to achieve incremental validity relative to Facet 4. One of the two Facet 4 parcels, Parcel G (General Acting Out), was the only PCL-R measure to consistently achieve success in classifying individual cases using the receiver operating characteristic approach. These findings suggest that Facet 4 and its parcels may play a role in violence risk assessment, although the generalizability of these findings to various forensic settings and contexts requires further study.
Bipolar Ablation of the Interventricular Septum is More Efficient at Creating a Transmural Line than Sequential Unipolar Ablation

Introduction: Post infarct ventricular tachycardia (VT) often involves the interventricular septum (IVS) and requires transmural septal ablation. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of bipolar ablation (BIA) versus sequential unipolar ablation (SUA) in creating a transmural ablation line along the IVS scar border.
Evaluation of the nitric oxide scavenging potential of Harungana madagascariensis Lam ex poir (Hypericaceae) fruits oil

This study investigated the in vitro nitric oxide scavenging activity of the oil extract from the non-utilised fruits of Harungana madagascariensis a plant widely used in ethno-medicine. The H. madagascariensis fruits oil (HMO) was obtained by de-fatting the chloroform extract of the air-dried fruits with n-hexane and the n-hexane extract further separated on a normal phase silica gel column to afford the HMO. Nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay was done using standard spectrophotometric method. The HMO exhibited a concentration dependent NO scavenging potential comparable (p=0.05) to that of Vitamin A at 50 μg/ml. Compared to the reference antioxidants used for comparison the trend in NO activity inhibition IC50 (μg/ml) of : HMO(IC50=214.1)<Vit.A(IC50=146.0)<Vit.C(IC50=128.1)<Vit.E(IC50=96.4) was observed. The observed NO scavenging activity profile of the HMO pointed to the nutraceutical benefits of the oil extract from the fruits of H. Madagascariensis thus validating some of the ethno-medicinal uses.