Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural biology of supramolecular assemblies by magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy

Abstract In recent years, exciting developments in instrument technology and experimental methodology have advanced the field of magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to new heights. Contemporary MAS NMR yields atomic-level insights into structure and dynamics of an astounding range of biological systems, many of which cannot be studied by other methods. With the advent of fast MAS, proton detection, and novel pulse sequences, large supramolecular assemblies, such as cytoskeletal proteins and intact viruses, are now accessible for detailed analysis. In this review, we will discuss the current MAS NMR methodologies that enable characterization of complex biomolecular systems and will present examples of applications to several classes of assemblies comprising bacterial and mammalian cytoskeleton as well as human immunodeficiency virus 1 and bacteriophage viruses. The body of work reviewed herein is representative of the recent advancements in the field, with respect to the complexity of the systems studied, the quality of the data, and the significance to the biology.
Production of extracellular lipase by the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium solani FS1

A Brazilian strain of Fusarium solani was tested for extracellular lipase production in peptone-olive oil medium. The fungus produced 10,500 U.l-1 of lipase after 72 hours of cultivation at 25oC in shake-flask at 120 rpm in a medium containing 3% (w/v) peptone plus 0.5% (v/v) olive oil. Glucose (1% w/v) was found to inhibit the inductive effect of olive oil. Peptone concentrations below 3% (w/v) resulted in a reduced lipase production while increased olive oil concentration (above 0.5%) did not further stimulate lipase production. The optimum lipase activity was achieved at pH 8.6 and 30oC and a good enzyme stability (80% activity retention) was observed at pH ranging from 7.6 to 8.6, and the activity rapidly dropped at temperatures above 50oC. Lipase activity was stimulated by the addition of n-hexane to the culture medium supernatants, in contrast to incubation with water-soluble solvents.
Deformation of biconcave Red Blood Cell in the Dual-beam Optical Tweezers

Red Blood Cell (RBC) suspended in aquatic buffer is trapped and deformed by the dual-beam optical tweezers in order to measure the elasticity of the cell’s membrane. In this experiment, the RBCs were in the natural form of biconcave disc shape. We modeled a highly focused trapping beam of numerical aperture NA=1.25 as a spherical wave with Gaussian intensity distribution in a stationary study mode, and built the background optical field by adding two such waves shifted in a lateral direction. The perfect matched layers (PML) were selected to define the computation domain. The 3D radiation stress distribution on the biconcave RBC surface was computed by Comsol multi-physics Radio Frequency Module TM via the Maxwell stress tensor, and the 3D deformation of the biconcave RBC was then computed with the elastic membrane theory with Comsol Structure Mechanics Module TM . The linear elastic material model with nearly incompressible material and geometric nonlinearity were set up to study large deformation of the cell. The two modules were fully coupled and used the moving mash to compute in a recursive process the electromagnetic field and the radiation stress distribution on the deformed RBC of any geometric shape and its consequent deformation until the final equilibrium state. The computed deformations in the background field with different beam separations and laser powers can fit to the experimental data in order to determine the Young’s elasticity module of the cell membrane.
Staining electrophoretic gels for laccase and peroxidase activity using 1,8-diaminonaphthalene.

A new chromogenic substrate for laccases and peroxidases, 1,8-diaminonapthalene, was used to detect phenoloxidase activity in gels after SDS-PAGE. This substrate has several advantages over other widely used phenoloxidase stains in that it is inexpensive, and the oxidized product has both high molar absorptivity and very low solubility. Furthermore, neither the substrate nor the product is known to have toxicity problems of the type associated with many other phenoloxidase stains. The sensitivity of detection using 1,8-diaminonapthalene was comparable to that obtained using the most sensitive stains commonly used for phenoloxidases, e.g., 3,3-diaminobenzidine, and was close to that attainable for protein detection using silver staining. Zymograms developed with 1,8-diaminonapthalene can be used with video densitometry to monitor the specific enzymatic activity of phenoloxidases during enzyme purification.
Prolonged grief symptoms related to loss of physical functioning: examining unique associations with medical service utilization

Abstract Purpose: Prolonged grief, a severe and chronic form of grieving most commonly studied in the context of bereavement, may have relevance to losses associated with chronic illness (e.g. grief related to loss of functioning or loss of a planned future). The purpose of the present study is to examine the unique associations between prolonged grief symptoms and service utilization patterns. Methods: An online self-report assessment battery was administered among a sample of 275 older adults with at least one chronic illness that caused significant physical impairment. Results: Even after statistically controlling for relevant physical health (e.g. severity of physical limitations, somatic symptoms, number of chronic illnesses) and psychosocial variables (e.g. social support, depression/anxiety), more severe prolonged grief symptoms were associated with a greater number of emergency room visits, overnight stays in the hospital and total nights in the hospital. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of screening for prolonged grief symptomatology with older individuals with a debilitating chronic illness. Implications for Rehabilitation Recent evidence suggests that prolonged grief may have relevance for losses associated with physical illness. The present study shows that prolonged grief reactions related to physical illness (e.g. grieving the loss of functioning) are uniquely associated with increased hospital-based service utilization. Given the relevance of prolonged grief reactions in this population, practitioners may wish to assess for these symptoms. Future clinical research should focus on developing interventions to target prolonged grief symptoms associated with these losses.
Replication Checkpoint Protein Mrc1 Is Regulated by Rad3 and Tel1 in Fission Yeast

ABSTRACT Fission yeast Mrc1 (mediator of replication checkpoint 1) is an adaptor checkpoint protein required for Rad3-dependent activation of the checkpoint kinase Cds1 in response to arrest of replication forks. Here we report studies on the regulation of Mrc1 by phosphorylation. Replication arrest induced by hydroxyurea (HU) induces Mrc1 phosphorylation that is detected by a change in Mrc1 electrophoretic mobility. Phosphorylation is maintained in cds1Δ, rad3Δ, and tel1Δ single mutants but eliminated in a rad3Δ tel1Δ double mutant. Mrc1 has two clusters of S/TQ motifs that are potential Rad3/Tel1 phosphorylation sites. Mutation of six S/TQ motifs in these two clusters strongly impairs Mrc1 phosphorylation. Two motifs located at S604 and T645 are vital for HU resistance. The T645A mutation strongly impairs a Cds1-Mrc1 yeast two-hybrid interaction that is dependent on a functional forkhead-associated (FHA) domain in Cds1, indicating that phosphorylation of T645 mediates Mrc1's association with Cds1. Consistent with this model, the T645 region of Mrc1 effectively substitutes for the T11 region of Cds1 that is thought to be phosphorylated by Rad3 and to mediate FHA-dependent oligomerization of Cds1. The S/TQ cluster that includes S604 is needed for Mrc1's increased association with chromatin in replication-arrested cells. These data indicate that Rad3 and Tel1 regulate Mrc1 through differential phosphorylation to control Cds1.
Brain Tissue Characterization via Non-supervised One-Dimensional Kohonen Networks

This work is devoted to describe a potential use of the 1-Dimensional Kohonen Networks in the automatic non-supervised classification of tissue in the human brain. Possible perspectives of application include the automatic delineation of areas on the cerebral map. One of the main aspects considered in this work is related to the fact that tissue classification obtained through Kohonen Networks is achieved by taking in account the tissue and its associated neighborhood. By this way, it is possible to argue that the obtained characterizations are sustained in the topology and geometry of the human cranium.
Transmission Characteristics of Overhead Medium-Voltage Power-Line Communication Channels

This paper considers broadband signal transmission via three-phase overhead medium-voltage (MV) lines above the lossy plane ground. The established methods dealing with transmission along MV power lines are examined in terms of the end-to-end transfer function under various network configurations. The MV broadband over the power-lines transmission channel is investigated with regard to its spectral behavior, the usable bandwidth, and the end-to-end signal attenuation. It is found that the aforementioned features depend drastically on the number and type of branches existing along the end-to-end broadband over power-lines signal propagation.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone-binding protein and stress: from invertebrates to humans

Abstract Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a key regulator of the stress response. This peptide controls the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as well as a variety of behavioral and autonomic stress responses via the two CRH receptors, CRH-R1 and CRH-R2. The CRH system also includes an evolutionarily conserved CRH-binding protein (CRH-BP), a secreted glycoprotein that binds CRH with subnanomolar affinity to modulate CRH receptor activity. In this review, we discuss the current literature on CRH-BP and stress across multiple species, from insects to humans. We describe the regulation of CRH-BP in response to stress, as well as genetic mouse models that have been utilized to elucidate the in vivo role(s) of CRH-BP in modulating the stress response. Finally, the role of CRH-BP in the human stress response is examined, including single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human CRHBP gene that are associated with stress-related affective disorders and addiction. Lay summary The stress response is controlled by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), acting via CRH receptors. However, the CRH system also includes a unique CRH-binding protein (CRH-BP) that binds CRH with an affinity greater than the CRH receptors. In this review, we discuss the role of this highly conserved CRH-BP in regulation of the CRH-mediated stress response from invertebrates to humans.
Resource Adaptation Methods for Improving Multimedia Streaming Throughput to Mobile Nodes in HeterogeneousWireless Environments

The thesis formulates effective strategies for delivery of streaming content for mobile users in resource-limited networks. We consider the entire end-to-end delivery path from the source to the destination. In the work, we take into account 1) the presence of a large number of mobile devices operating inside an area with overlapping coverage of several mobile networks; and 2) the ability of the mobile devices to exploit several network technologies and to be connected to different access points simultaneously. We aim to improve the performance of the whole system by jointly considering users’ requirements and network limitations and by identifying and implementing adaptation mechanisms for different parts of the delivery path. Taking into account the complexity of the whole system, the thesis aims to design mechanisms operating in a decentralized manner with partial knowledge of the system. For this purpose, we study the ADIMUS architecture which addresses the problem of distributing streaming content for mobile users. The ADIMUS architecture clearly separates the system into two distinct parts: the backbone part of the network and the wireless part. We study resource adaptation mechanisms for both of these parts that include 1) overlay routing for the backbone and 2) multi-access approaches for heterogeneous wireless network. For overlay routing in the backbone, we consider multipath streaming techniques. For the wireless part, we improve the utilization of resources by intelligently redistributing mobile devices among the available wireless connections. To evaluate the adaptation mechanisms for both of these parts, we build mathematical models for the overlay network and for the heterogeneous wireless network. These mathematical models are used as upper bounds for operation of the adaptation solutions. We also define the lower bounds to these solutions based on earlier proposed solutions from the literature. For the overlay network, we develop and evaluate a distributed rate-allocation algorithm for delivery of video in a Video-on-Demand (VoD) system built upon multipath delivery. The algorithm’s operation is based on information collected by overlay nodes. The algorithm is evaluated in the OMNet++ simulation environment and analyzed against the aforementioned lower and upper bounds. We show that the algorithm performs close to the optimal solution in terms of proportionally fair bandwidth allocation between receivers of the overlay part of the architecture. For the heterogeneous wireless network, we consider the network selection to use for multiuser environments with possible multicast configurations that allows the network to perform load balancing, improve the users’ overall QoS, and increase the throughput of the networks. The novelty of the proposed solutions is that the network selection is done in a decentralized manner with only limited information available to decision makers. The solutions are evaluated through multiple simulations. We show that the solutions provide a substantial improvement in
Earlier detection of microalbuminuria in diabetic patients using a new urinary albumin assay.

BACKGROUND Microalbuminuria is regarded as the most important predictor of high risk for the development of diabetic nephropathy. Early detection may allow treatment to prevent progression to persistent albuminuria and renal failure. Recent studies have shown that conventional immunoassays underestimate urinary albumin concentration, as albumin in urine may exist in two forms, immuno-reactive and immuno-unreactive. The present study examines the differential lead-time for the development of microalbuminuria as measured by both conventional radioimmunoassay (RIA; measures immuno-reactive) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC; measures total albumin = immuno-reactive plus immuno-unreactive) analysis in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS Analysis was performed on 511 stored urine samples collected over the last 13 years from type 1 diabetic patients who either progressed from normo- to microalbuminuria (progressors, N= 17), or who remained normoalbuminuric (nonprogressors, N= 25) as defined by RIA, and on 634 urine samples collected from patients with type 2 diabetes defined as either progressors (N= 24) or nonprogressors (N= 25). RESULTS For type 1 progressors, the mean lead-time for the HPLC assay versus the RIA was 3.9 years, with a 95% CI of 2.1 to 5.6 years. For type 2 progressors, the mean lead-time was 2.4 years with a 95% CI of 1.2 to 3.5 years. There was no significant difference between the lead-time analysis between type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that measurement of total albumin may allow earlier detection of microalbuminuria associated with diabetic nephropathy.
Muscle control-pain control. What exercises would you prescribe?

A very specific type of exercise has been devised which is proving to provide effective pain relief for chronic and recurrent back pain sufferers. The exercise approach focuses on retraining a precise co-contraction pattern of the deep trunk muscles, the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus. The approach is based on the knowledge of how muscles provide stability for the spine in normal situations. It has been further developed according to research evidence which has demonstrated dysfunction in the deep trunk muscles in patients with back pain. The mechanism for pain relief with this specific exercise approach is believed to be through enhanced stability of the lumbar spine segments.
Numerical Simulation and Optimal Design on a new Dielectrophoretic-based Cytosorter

This paper is an attempt to investigate, through numerical simulation and optimization methods, the optimal design of dielectrophoretic (DEP) ctyosorters under certain constrains. DEP electrodes is designed to maximize the sorting resolution of a cytosorter, defined as the degree of (bio)particle deflection. In order to obtain the maximal particle deflection, different non-uniform electrical fields are produced by combinations of electrodes with different lengths. The findings of numerical simulation indicate that the design of electrodes near Xf/L= 0.283 and Xb/L=0.25 can maximize the particle deflection in the current flow sorter design constraints. In this study, an optimization method to accelerate the cytosorter design process is also presented. By using the numerical simulation and the optimization method, the cases for optimal design processes can reduce from 465 to 50 and still get a reasonable result.
Bounds on the capacity of ofdm under spread frequency selective fading channels

In this paper we derive novel bounds on the capacity of OFDM under spread frequency selective fading channels without prior knowledge of the channel (non-coherent channel). The derived bounds are characterized by a newly defined parameter termed effective coherence time, which characterize the number of effective number of samples that can be used for channel estimation for a given SNR. We also show that the effective coherence time is a non-increasing function of the SNR. The presented bounds are tight for any SNR as long as the effective coherence time is large enough.
Angiotensin II Receptors Are Coupled to ω‐Conotoxin‐Sensitive Calcium Influx in Bovine Adrenal Medullary Chromaffin Cells

Abstract: The contribution of an ω‐conotoxin GVIA (ωCgtx)‐sensitive Ca2+ influx pathway to the effects of angiotensin II (AII) receptor activation was examined in bovine adrenal medullary (BAM) cells. Pretreatment of BAM cells with 10–6MωCgtx blocked stimulation of exocytosis by the degradation‐resistant analogue, sarcosine1–angiotensin II (S1‐AII). In contrast, ωCgtx had no effect on basal secretion, nor did it inhibit [3H]norepinephrine and [32P]ATP release in response to bradykinin, another phospholipase C‐linked receptor agonist. Similarly, ωCgtx pretreatment inhibited the stimulation of 45Ca2+ uptake by S1‐AII, but did not affect the response to bradykinin. This selective inhibition did not appear to be due to blockade of AII receptors by ωCgtx, as the accumulation of 3H‐labeled inositol phosphates in response to S1‐AII was not inhibited. The peak S1‐AII‐stimulated increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration (Cai) in fura 2‐loaded BAM cells also was not significantly reduced by ωCgtx (or by stimulating in nominally Ca2+‐free buffer), indicating that this response is dependent on intracellular Ca2+ pools. However, a small ωCgtx‐sensitive Cai response was detected after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ pools with ionomycin. This study shows that AII receptors, but not bradykinin receptors, are linked to an ωCgtx‐sensitive Ca2+ influx pathway in BAM cells.
Packet reservation multiple access for local wireless communications

Packet reservation multiple-access (PRMA) allows a variety of information sources to share the same wireless access channel. Some of the sources, such as speech terminals, are classified as periodic and others, such as signaling are classified as random. Packets from all sources contend for access to channel time slots. When a periodic information terminal succeeds in gaining access, it reserves subsequent time slots for uncontested transmission. Computer simulations reveal that PRMA combines high bandwidth efficiency with low control complexity and the flexibility to accept information from a diversity of sources. It is considered a promising technique for wireless access to future telecommunications networks. <<ETX>>
Maximum likelihood non-linear transformation for environment adaptation in speech recognition

Abstract In this paper, we describe an adaptation method for speechrecognition systems that is based on a piecewise-linear approx-imation to a non-linear transformation of the feature space.The method extends a previously proposed non-linear trans-formation (NLT) technique by making the transformation func-tion more sophisticated (piecewise-linear instead of piecewise-constant), and by computing the transformation to maximizethe likelihood of the adaptation data given its transcription (in-stead of just matching the global statistics of the test and train-ing data). This method also differs from other linear techniques(such as MLLR, linear feature space transforms, etc.) in twoways - ﬁrst, the computed transformation is non-linear, second,the tying structure of the transformation depends not on the pho-netic class but rather on the location in the feature space. Exper-imental results show that the method performs well for the caseof limited adaptation data, and the performance gains appear tobe additive to those provided by MLLR - yielding upto 3.4%relative improvement over MLLR.
Circadian Clock Proteins LHY and CCA1 Regulate SVP Protein Accumulation to Control Flowering in Arabidopsis[W]

The floral regulators GIGANTEA (GI), CONSTANS (CO), and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) play key roles in the photoperiodic flowering responses of the long-day plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The GI-CO-FT pathway is highly conserved in plants. Here, we demonstrate that the circadian clock proteins LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) and CIRCADIAN CLOCK–ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1) not only repressed the floral transition under short-day and long-day conditions but also accelerated flowering when the plants were grown under continuous light (LL). LHY and CCA1 accelerated flowering in LL by promoting FT expression through a genetic pathway that appears to be independent of the canonical photoperiodic pathway involving GI and CO proteins. A genetic screen revealed that the late-flowering phenotype of the lhy;cca1 double mutant under LL was suppressed through mutations in SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP), a MADS box transcription factor. Yeast two-hybrid analysis demonstrated an interaction between SVP and FLOWERING LOCUS C, and genetic analysis indicated that these two proteins act as partially redundant repressors of flowering time. SVP protein accumulated in lhy;cca1 plants under LL. We propose a model in which LHY and CCA1 accelerate flowering in part by reducing the abundance of SVP and thereby antagonizing its capacity to repress FT expression under LL.