Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impaired Flagellar Regeneration Due to Uncoordinated Expression of Two Divergent Actin Genes in Chlamydomonas

Abstract Chlamydomonas has two actin genes: one encoding a conventional actin (90% amino acid identity with mammalian actin) and the other a highly divergent actin (NAP; 64% identity). The expression of the two genes is regulated in a mutually exclusive manner. Thus, ida5, a mutant that lacks the conventional actin (CrA) gene, expresses NAP abundantly, whereas wild-type cells express NAP only negligibly under normal conditions. To explore the physiological significance of the two actins, chimeric genes with the 5′ upstream region of one gene replaced by that of the other were constructed and used to transform ida5. The transformant (TF5) with a chimeric clone comprising the 5′-untranslated region from the NAP gene and the CrA-encoding sequence recovered the dyneins missing in ida5 and showed almost normal motility. After deflagellation of this transformant, however, only about 30% of cells grew flagella, unlike wild-type cells, >80% of which displayed reflagellation. Transformant TF10, which contains the CrA upstream region and NAP coding region, underwent reflagellation normally, as did the parent strain, ida5. In TF5, the mRNA level of both CrA and NAP was increased greatly during reflagellation. In light of the recent finding that NAP mRNA is expressed transiently upon reflagellation in wild-type cells, the described results suggest that 1) the expression of NAP mRNA is indispensable for flagellation and 2) robust expression of CrA may inhibit proper flagellation by interfering with the function of NAP in the early stages of reflagellation.
Influenza A Viruses with Mutations in the M1 Helix Six Domain Display a Wide Variety of Morphological Phenotypes

ABSTRACT Several functions required for the replication of influenza A viruses have been attributed to the viral matrix protein (M1), and a number of studies have focused on a region of the M1 protein designated “helix six. ” This region contains an exposed positively charged stretch of amino acids, including the motif 101-RKLKR-105, which has been identified as a nuclear localization signal, but several studies suggest that this domain is also involved in functions such as binding to the ribonucleoprotein genome segments (RNPs), membrane association, interaction with the viral nuclear export protein, and virus assembly. In order to define M1 functions in more detail, a series of mutants containing alanine substitutions in the helix six region were generated in A/WSN/33 virus. These were analyzed for RNP-binding function, their capacity to incorporate into infectious viruses by using reverse genetics, the replication properties of rescued viruses, and the morphological phenotypes of the mutant virus particles. The most notable effect that was identified concerned single amino acid substitution mutants that caused significant alterations to the morphology of budded viruses. Whereas A/WSN/33 virus generally forms particles that are predominantly spherical, observations made by negative stain electron microscopy showed that several of the mutant virions, such as K95A, K98A, R101A, and K102A, display a wide range of shapes and sizes that varied in a temperature-dependent manner. The K102A mutant is particularly interesting in that it can form extended filamentous particles. These results support the proposition that the helix six domain is involved in the process of virus assembly.
Cognition-enabled Task Interpretation for Human-Robot Teams in a Simulation-based Search and Rescue Mission

Due to humans and robots complementary capabilities, mixed human-robot teams are considerably deployed in real-world settings. A favored communication means is the natural language used by humans that is still a challenge for robotic teammates. They need to understand the environment from the viewpoint of their human teammates in order to be able to translate the instructions received in the natural language into plans. To deal with human-robot teaming, we report the results from an empirical study in a visual search and rescue task application for mixed human-robot teams. We show how those results and ideas can be interpreted into robot action plans by using a cognition-enabled task interpretation system.
Discrete second order sliding mode control for nonlinear multivariable systems

The design of accurate control becomes more difficult due to the complexities of real systems. In this paper, a new discrete second order sliding mode control for nonlinear multivariable systems with external disturbances is proposed. The new control strategy is designed in order to reduce the chattering phenomenon that appears in classical sliding mode control. A necessary conditions to reject periodic disturbances are given. A numerical example show the effectiveness of the proposed control to reject periodic disturbances when the necessary condition is verified.
Gene therapy for newborns

Application of gene therapy to treat genetic and infectious diseases may have several advantages if performed in newborns. Because of the minimal adverse effect of the underlying disease on cells of the newborn, the relatively small size of infants, and the large amount of future growth, gene therapy may be more successful in newborns than in older children or adults. The presence of umbilical cord blood from newborns provides a unique and susceptible target for the genetic modification of hematopoietic stem cells. In our first trial of gene therapy in newborns, we inserted a normal adenosine deaminase gene into umbilical cord blood cells of three neonates with a congenital immune deficiency. The trial demonstrated the successful transduction and engraftment of stem cells, which continue to contribute to leukocyte production more than 3 years later. A similar approach may be taken to insert genes that inhibit replication of HTV‐1 into umbilical cord blood cells of HTV‐1‐infected neonates. Many other metabolic and infectious disorders could be treated by gene therapy during the neonatal period if prenatal diagnoses are made and the appropriate technical and regulatory requirements have been met. —Kohn, D. B. , Parkman, R. Gene therapy for newborns. FASEB J. 11, 635–639 (1997)
The Design of Spherical Conformal Antennas Using Customized Techniques Based on NURBS

What do we do when there is a need to model antennas and ground planes that have a geometry that is not planar? The accurate representation of our geometry can make a significant difference in the results, especially at higher frequencies. This paper describes how some powerful computer-aided design (CAD) tools can be developed to represent difficult non-planar antenna geometries that cannot always be drawn using the commercial EM modeling packages. These CAD tools not only become very useful design tools, but are also essential when it comes to designing the complicated geometry associated with spherical conformal antennas.
Novalike cataclysmic variables are significant radio emitters

Radio emission from non-magnetic cataclysmic variables (CVs, accreting white dwarfs) could allow detailed studies of outflows and possibly accretion flows in these nearby, numerous and non-relativistic compact accretors. Up to now, however, very few CVs have been detected in the radio. We have conducted a Very Large Array pilot survey of four close and optically bright novalike CVs at 6 GHz, detecting three, and thereby doubling the number of radio detections of these systems. TT Ari, RW Sex and the old nova V603 Aql were detected in both of the epochs, while V1084 Her was not detected (to a 3σ upper limit of 7.8 μ {Jy} {beam}^{-1}). These observations clearly show that the sensitivity of previous surveys was typically too low to detect these objects and that non-magnetic CVs can indeed be significant radio emitters. The three detected sources show a range of properties, including flaring and variability on both short (˜200 s) and longer term (days) time-scales, as well as circular polarization levels of up to 100 per cent. The spectral indices range from steep to inverted; TT Ari shows a spectral turnover at ˜6.5 GHz, while the spectral index of V603 Aql flattened from α = 0.54 ± 0.05 to 0.16 ± 0.08 (Fν ∝ να) in the week between observations. This range of properties suggests that more than one emission process can be responsible for the radio emission in non-magnetic CVs. In this sample we find that individual systems are consistent with optically thick synchrotron emission, gyrosynchrotron emission or cyclotron maser emission.
The effects of different frequency treadmill exercise on lipoxin A4 and articular cartilage degeneration in an experimental model of monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats

The aim was to investigate the effects of different frequencies treadmill exercise with total exercise time being constancy on articular cartilage, lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and the NF-κB pathway in rat model of monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis (OA). Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10): controls (CG), knee OA model (OAG), OA + treadmill exercise once daily (OAE1), OA + treadmill exercise twice daily, rest interval between exercise>4h (OAE2) and OA + treadmill exercise three times daily, rest interval between exercise>4h (OAE3). Rats were evaluated after completing the treadmill exercise program (speed, 18 m/min; total exercise time 60 min/day; 5 days/week for 8 weeks). Interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and LXA4 in serum and intra-articular lavage fluid were measured by ELISA. Changes in articular cartilage were evaluated by histology, immunohistochemistry, western blotting and quantitative real-time-PCR. LXA4 in the serum and intra-articular lavage fluid increased in all OAE groups, and histological evaluation indicated that the OAE3 group had the best treatment response. The expression of COL2A1 and IκB-β in articular cartilage increased in all OAE groups vs the OAG group, whereas expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, and NF-κB p65 was reduced in all OAE groups compared with the OAG. Under the condition of 60 min treadmill exercise with moderate-intensity, to fulfill in three times would have better chondroprotective effects than to fulfill in two or one time on monosodium iodoacetate-induced OA in rats. And it may be worked through the anti-inflammatory activity of LXA4 and the NF-κB pathway.
Researches of intelligent control system for the sludge activity in the aeration tank of wastewater treatment

The level of the microbial activity of the activated sludge determined the efficiency of the activated sludge wastewater treatment essentially. An intelligent optimal control system in the nature of the best activity of the activated sludge is constituted in this paper. According to the influent water quality, constituted a MIMO-LSSVM soft measurement model to predict the sludge activity with a variety of physical and chemical parameters such as the influent conditions, and took the activity of the activated sludge as a feedback signal, and used fuzzy neural networks to optimize the dissolved oxygen and sludge density setting value. Finally, the inverse control system based on least squares support vector machine was used to decouple and track the setting value of dissolved oxygen density and sludge density. In this paper, Under the constraints of achieving the best activity of the activated sludge, this method not only ensuring the stability of water quality, but also reducing power consumption significantly and improving the energy efficiency of wastewater treatment effectively.
Impact of the transcriptional regulator, Ace2, on the Candida glabrata secretome

Candida glabrata is a major fungal pathogen of humans, and the virulence of C. glabrata is increased by inactivation of the transcription factor, Ace2. Our previous examination of the effects of Ace2 inactivation upon the intracellular proteome suggested that the hypervirulence of C. glabrata ace2 mutants might be caused by differences in the secretome. Therefore in this study we have characterised the C. glabrata secretome and examined the effects of Ace2 inactivation upon this extracellular proteome. We have identified 31 distinct proteins in the secretome of wild‐type C. glabrata cells by MS/MS of proteins that were precipitated from the growth medium and enriched by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A. Most of these proteins are predicted to be cell wall proteins, cell wall modifying enzymes and aspartyl proteinases. The endochitinase Cts1 and the endoglucanase Egt2 were not detected in the C. glabrata secretome following Ace2 inactivation. This can account for the cell separation defect of C. glabrata ace2 cells. Ace2 inactivation also resulted in the detection of new proteins in the C. glabrata secretome. The release of such proteins might contribute to the hypervirulence of ace2 cells.
A rolling circle replication initiator protein with a nucleotidyl‐transferase activity encoded by the plasmid pGT5 from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi

The plasmid pGT5 from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi presents similarities to plasmids from the pC194 family that replicate by the rolling circle mechanism. These plasmids encode a replication initiator protein, which activates the replication origin by nicking one of the two DNA strands. The gene encoding the putative Rep protein of pGT5 (Rep75) has been cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant protein has been purified to homogeneity. Rep75 exhibits a highly thermophilic nicking‐closing activity in vitro on single‐stranded oligonucleotides containing the putative double‐stranded replication origin sequence of pGT5. Gel shift analyses on single‐stranded oligonucleotides indicate that Rep75 recognizes the single‐stranded DNA region upstream of the nicking site via non‐covalent interaction and remains covalently linked to the 5′‐phosphate of the downstream fragment after nicking. Besides these expected activities, Rep75 contains a dATP (and ATP) terminal transferase activity at the 3′‐OH extremity of the nicking site, which had not been reported previously for proteins of this type. Rep75, which is the first replication initiator protein characterized in an archaeon, offers an attractive new model for the study of rolling circle replication.
Multiple nontrivial solutions for a nonhomogeneous Schrödinger–Poisson system in ℝ3

In this paper, we study the following Schrödinger–Poisson system { −∆u + V(x)u + φu = f (x, u) + g(x), x ∈ R3, −∆φ = u2, x ∈ R3. Under appropriate assumptions on V, f and g, using the Mountain Pass Theorem and the Ekeland’s variational principle, we establish two existence theorems to ensure that the above system has at least two different solutions. Recent results from the literature are extended and improved.
A qualitative meta-analysis of trust in supervisor-subordinate relationships

Purpose – Interpersonal trust is often considered as the “glue” that binds supervisors together with their subordinates, and creates a positive organisational climate. The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors affecting subordinates’ trust to their supervisor, and the consequences of such a trusting relationship. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a qualitative meta-analysis of the trust literature between 1995 and 2011, to identify 73 articles and review 37 theoretical propositions, 139 significant model parameters and 58 further empirical findings. Findings – Four distinct clusters of trust antecedents are found: supervisor attributes; subordinate attributes; interpersonal processes and organisational characteristics. Similarly, the authors identify three categories of trust consequences: subordinates’ work behaviour; subordinates’ attitude towards the supervisor; and organisational level effects. Research limitations/implications – The authors find a bias towards studying sup.
Cutaneous Rosai–Dorfman disease

We report a patient with purely cutaneous Rosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) who presented with a solitary, asymptomatic plaque on the back of her left thigh, with characteristic, large histiocytoid cells exhibiting emperipolesis histologically. Cutaneous lesions occur in 27% of patients with lymph node involvement in RDD however purely cutaneous disease has only been reported on 18 previous occasions. The aetiology is unknown, although it is thought to be a reactive disorder rather than neoplastic, possibly an immunological response to an infectious agent.
A fast algorithm based on DDM and FMM for scattering by multi-cylinders

A new algorithm based on the domain decomposition method (DDM) is presented for the analysis of scattering by multi-cylinders. The method is combined with the fast multipole method (FMM) and is suitable for large and complex problems. By decomposing the involved cylinders into several sub-domains, the total memory requirements during computation is only O(max(N/sub t/)). Meanwhile, the computational effort of the method is O(N/sup 1.5/logN) by taking advantage of both the DDM and the FMM. The numerical results demonstrated the validity of the new method.
The MYB 96 Transcription Factor Mediates Abscisic Acid Signaling during Drought Stress Response in Arabidopsis 1 [ W ]

Molecular Signaling Laboratory, Department of Chemistry (P.J.S., S.-G.K., C.-M.P.), Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis (J.-Y.P., Y.-H.L.), and Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute (C.-M.P.), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea 151–742; Key Laboratory of Plant Cell Engineering and Germplasm Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, Shandong, China (F.X., M.Q.); and Department of Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Graduate Program for RNA Biology, Institute of Nanosensor and Biotechnology, Dankook University, Yongin, Korea 448–701 (Y.N.L., W.J.P.)
Residues in the Stalk Domain of the Hendra Virus G Glycoprotein Modulate Conformational Changes Associated with Receptor Binding

ABSTRACT Hendra virus (HeV) is a member of the broadly tropic and highly pathogenic paramyxovirus genus Henipavirus. HeV is enveloped and infects cells by using membrane-anchored attachment (G) and fusion (F) glycoproteins. G possesses an N-terminal cytoplasmic tail, an external membrane-proximal stalk domain, and a C-terminal globular head that binds the recently identified receptors ephrinB2 and ephrinB3. Receptor binding is presumed to induce conformational changes in G that subsequently trigger F-mediated fusion. The stalk domains of other attachment glycoproteins appear important for oligomerization and F interaction and specificity. However, this region of G has not been functionally characterized. Here we performed a mutagenesis analysis of the HeV G stalk, targeting a series of isoleucine residues within a hydrophobic α-helical domain that is well conserved across several attachment glycoproteins. Nine of 12 individual HeV G alanine substitution mutants possessed a complete defect in fusion-promotion activity yet were cell surface expressed and recognized by a panel of conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and maintained their oligomeric structure. Interestingly, these G mutations also resulted in the appearance of an additional electrophoretic species corresponding to a slightly altered glycosylated form. Analysis revealed that these G mutants appeared to adopt a receptor-bound conformation in the absence of receptor, as measured with a panel of MAbs that preferentially recognize G in a receptor-bound state. Further, this phenotype also correlated with an inability to associate with F and in triggering fusion even after receptor engagement. Together, these data suggest the stalk domain of G plays an important role in the conformational stability and receptor binding-triggered changes leading to productive fusion, such as the dissociation of G and F.
Words count: how interest in stem cells has made the embryo available--a look at the French law of bioethics.

This paper aims at demonstrating the manner in which the recent focus of the public and legislative debate in France on the issue of embryonic stem cells has contributed to silencing the previously strong opposition to any kind of embryonic research. After explaining what the legal state of affairs was subsequent to the 1994 law of bioethics as far as the embryo was concerned, the article presents and analyzes the new provisions of the 2004 law of bioethics. It then stresses all the rhetoric tricks that have made the 2004 legalization of research on embryos and embryonic stem cells possible (ambiguous legal provisions, strategic uses of scientific imagery, opportunistic changes in vocabulary). Finally, it assesses the 2004 legislative construction as a compromise that embodies no particularly coherent axiological choice, thus as a fragile and unsettled agreement.
Modulation of protein composition of nuclear lamina. Reduction of lamins B1 and B2 in livers of griseofulvin-treated mice.

Chronic griseofulvin (GF) intoxication of mice leads to severe alterations of the hepatocytic intermediate filament cytoskeleton similar to that found in alcoholic hepatitis in humans (i.e., derangement and diminution of the keratin filament network and appearance of cytoplasmic aggregates of keratin-containing material, termed Mallory bodies). To investigate eventual alterations of nuclear lamins under these pathologic situations monoclonal antibodies were produced. One of these, GL-35, was directed to lamin B1 and lamin B2. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed in GF-treated livers, in comparison to normal mouse livers, a highly reduced immunoreaction for lamins B1 and B2, whereas the staining for lamins A and C was unchanged. This reduction of both B-type lamins occurred before detectable alterations of keratin filaments and was reversible after cessation of GF intoxication. A diminished content of both B-type lamins in relation to lamins A and C in GF-intoxicated livers was also revealed by analysis of isolated nuclear envelopes on two-dimensional gels. Moreover, there was a clear predominance of more acidic isoelectric variants of lamins B1 and B2. In contrast to the reduced amount of B-type lamin proteins no reduction in the concentration of the mRNA for lamin B1 was found. For lamin B2 even an increase of mRNA was detected in GF-treated livers. These results indicate that GF not only interferes with expression of the keratin intermediate filament skeleton of hepatocytes but also leads to selective alterations of the nuclear lamins, most likely by posttranslational modifications of intermediate filament proteins.
Multidetector‐row computed tomography in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

With the introduction of spiral computed tomography and the development of novel imaging technology in recent years, multidetector–row computed tomography (MDCT) has increasingly been used for the diagnosis of various lesions, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), due to its volume acquisitions, short scanning time, and especially its double‐phase scanning nature, which takes advantage of the dual blood supply of liver. Multidetector–row computed tomography is used to classify HCC into several types based on the blood supply and the histological characteristics of HCC. The evaluation of HCC by MDCT provides crucial clues for the doctors to adopt correct clinical management strategies such as the selection of the appropriate dose of lipiodol before transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and the prediction of the prognosis of HCC after TACE. The MDCT scanning allows doctors to choose the region of interest and to evaluate the blood supply according to the lipiodol uptake in order to decide whether there is recrudescence and whether a repeated therapy should be taken. This review describes MDCT, its biphasic scanning, its evaluation of blood supply in HCC and the subsequent classification of HCC, its therapeutic significance before TACE and the prognostic value after TACE.