Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inositol Hexakisphosphate-Induced Autoprocessing of Large Bacterial Protein Toxins

Large bacterial protein toxins autotranslocate functional effector domains to the eukaryotic cell cytosol, resulting in alterations to cellular functions that ultimately benefit the infecting pathogen. Among these toxins, the clostridial glucosylating toxins (CGTs) produced by Gram-positive bacteria and the multifunctional-autoprocessing RTX (MARTX) toxins of Gram-negative bacteria have distinct mechanisms for effector translocation, but a shared mechanism of post-translocation autoprocessing that releases these functional domains from the large holotoxins. These toxins carry an embedded cysteine protease domain (CPD) that is activated for autoprocessing by binding inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6), a molecule found exclusively in eukaryotic cells. Thus, InsP6-induced autoprocessing represents a unique mechanism for toxin effector delivery specifically within the target cell. This review summarizes recent studies of the structural and molecular events for activation of autoprocessing for both CGT and MARTX toxins, demonstrating both similar and potentially distinct aspects of autoprocessing among the toxins that utilize this method of activation and effector delivery.
Cutting path as a Rural Postman Problem: solutions by Memetic Algorithms

The Rural Postman Problem (RPP) is a particular Arc Routing Problem (ARP) which consists of determining a minimum cost circuit on a graph so that a given subset of required edges is traversed. The RPP is an NP-hard problem with significant real-life applications. This paper introduces an original approach based on Memetic Algorithms - the MARP algorithm - to solve the RPP and, also deals with an interesting Industrial Application, which focuses on the path optimization for component cutting operations. Memetic Algorithms are a class of Metaheuristics which may be seen as a population strategy that involves cooperation and competition processes between population elements and integrates "social knowledge", using a local search procedure. The MARP algorithm is tested with different groups of instances and the results are compared with those gathered from other publications. MARP is also used in the context of various real-life applications.
Site-Directed Mutagenesis Study Revealed Three Important Residues in Hc-DAF-22, a Key Enzyme Regulating Diapause of Haemonchus contortus

Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) is one of the most important parasites of small ruminants, especially goats and sheep. The complex life cycle of this nematode is a main obstacle for the control and prevention of haemonchosis. So far, a special form of arrested development called diapause different from the dauer stage in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been found in many parasitic nematodes. In our previous study, we have characterized a novel gene Hc-daf-22 from H. contortus sharing high homology with Ce-daf-22 and functional analysis showed this gene has similar biological function with Ce-daf-22. In this study, Hc-daf-22 mutants were constructed using site-directed mutagenesis, and carried out rescue experiments, RNA interference (RNAi) experiments and in vitro enzyme activity analysis with the mutants to further explore the precise function site of Hc-DAF-22. The results showed that Hc-daf-22 mutants could be expressed in the rescued ok693 worms and the expression positions were mainly in the intestine which was identical with that of Hc-daf-22 rescued worms. Through lipid staining we found that Hc-daf-22 could rescue daf-22 mutant (ok693) from the fatty acid metabolism deficiency while Hc-daf-22 mutants failed. Brood size and body length analyses in rescue experiment along with body length and life span analyses in RNAi experiment elucidated that Hc-daf-22 resembled Ce-daf-22 in effecting the development and capacity of C. elegans and mutants impaired the function of Hc-daf-22. Together with the protease activity assay, this research revealed three important active resides 84C/299H/349H in Hc-DAF-22 by site-directed mutagenesis.
The in-vitro effects of nicotine, cotinine and leptin on sperm parameters analyzed by CASA system

Backgrand: Cotinine (COT) is a major degradation product of nicotine (NIC). The participation of leptin in female reproduction is well-established, but any role in male reproductive function is at the best tenuous. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in-vitro effects of nicotine, cotinine and leptin on sperm parameters in normal semen of non-smokers fertile men. Materials and Methods: Ten healthy nonsmokers aged 25-40 years old were devided into 7 groups, Thier semens were divided into 7 aliquots. (A) was layered with basal solution 70 ng/ml NIC, (B) 35 µg/ml NIC, (C) 300 ng/ml COT, (D) 200 µg/ml COT, (E) 30 ng/ml leptin, (F) 300 ng/ml leptin respectively and (G) was layered with mHTF. After migration, the samples were examined at time 0, +1, +2, +4, +8, and + 24 h of incubation. Results: These findings were obtained: sperm count: 75.66±66.25x10 6 /ml, forward motility: 75.55±14.80%, progress: 33.66±13.01, VSL: 51.58±6.99 µm/s, VCL: 103.33±14.52 µm/s, ALH: 4.33±0.77 µm, BCF: 25.60±2.97 HZ, STR: 79.33±8.04 %, LIN: 52.55±10.52 %, ELO: 74.22 ± 12.76 % and ARE: 3.04 ± 1.50 u/sq. The parameters were similar before 8 hr and were being decreased after that. Conclusion: According to the results. nicotin and cotinin have negative effects on the sperm parameters but despite the positive effect of leptin, there is no correlation between leptin concentration in semen and its physical characteristics.
Web Proxy Cache Placement , Replacement , and the ProxyTeller 1

With this paper our intention is to first study comprehensively some key issues for the efficient delivery of internet content. In particular, we report the results of our study on the performance of prominent cache replacement algorithms and their key components, as they have been proposed in the literature. We chart the problem solution space, identifying under which conditions each algorithm is preferable, for which performance metric, and the impact of components such as the size of cached objects, their communication cost, and their popularity. Subsequently, we focus on the performance of proxy-cache placement algorithms. The results of the above two studies are finally used to meet our main goal with this research; that is to develop a tool which helps decide on the number and placement of proxy caches required to achieve certain performance goals with respect to network bandwidth requirements, mean user latency, and/or hit ratio. Such a tool is missing and can be additionally very useful in, for example, determining the required investment in order to meet certain performance goals, and test the performance of new proxy placement algorithms and how they interact with underlying replacement algorithms.
Algorithmic Applications of Baur-Strassen's Theorem: Shortest Cycles, Diameter and Matchings

Consider a directed or undirected graph with integral edge weights in [-W, W]. This paper introduces a general framework for solving problems on such graphs using matrix multiplication. The framework is based on the Baur-Strassen Theorem and Strojohann's determinant algorithm. For directed and undirected graphs without negative cycles we obtain simple Õ(Wnω) running time algorithms for finding a shortest cycle, computing the diameter or radius, and detecting a negative weight cycle. For each of these problems we unify and extend the class of graphs for which Õ(Wnω) time algorithms are known. In particular no such algorithms were known for any of these problems in undirected graphs with (potentially) negative weights. We also present an Õ(Wnω) time algorithm for minimum weight perfect matching. This resolves an open problem posed by Sankowski in 2006, who presented such an algorithm for bipartite graphs. Our algorithm uses a novel combinatorial interpretation of the linear program dual for minimum perfect matching. We believe this framework will find applications for finding larger spectra of related problems. As an example we give a simple Õ(Wnω) time algorithm to find all the vertices that lie on cycles of length at most t, for given t. This improves an Õ(Wnω) time algorithm of Yuster.
The Role of Trust and Technology Acceptance Model(TAM) on Customer Acceptance of Mobile Banking: An Integrated Model to Improve Mobile Banking in Banking Sector-A Conceptual Paper

This paper studies the need to integrate trust and Technology acceptance model TAM to understand the behaviour intention of the customer to use mobile banking. The present study focuses through literature review on trust related antecedents and technology related constructs and its influence on customer decision. It covers disposition to trust, institution-based trust, cognitive-base trust, security and privacy as five potential antecedents of trust. The study concludes that two technology attributes which are perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness to be beneficial for the usage of mobile banking. It suggests an integrated model that incorporates the five trust antecedents and two technology-related antecedents on its influence on customers' decision to use mobile banking.
Growth, structure and mechanical properties of phosphate based bio-composites studied by ex situ and in situ Raman spectroscopy

This study contains the investigation of the formation of carbonate apatite (cAp) from a citrate-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (cit-ACP) phase in various ionic solutions. This is primarily realized via in situ Raman spectroscopy by studying the variation of the v1 phosphate stretching mode as a function of maturation time. The transition is complemented by ex situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for microstructural characterization. These observations shed light on the possible pathway regulating in vivo formation of cAp in bone. Further, the impact of titanium substitution on the electronic properties of apatite was assessed via structural characterization of titanium substituted hydroxyapatite (Ti/HA) composites performed by ex situ Raman spectroscopy and TEM. Raman studies revealed the formation and evolution of titanium oxide and calcium phosphate related phases, whereas TEM studies showed the morphological evolution of particles. Following cit-ACP transformation, the mechanical and molecular properties of collagen/cAp bio-inspired structures are studied by in situ Raman spectroscopy under mechanical stress. The impact of cAp content on the molecular response of these structures is highlighted by a wavenumber shift of collagen related Raman bands. This interplay between cAp and collagen is associated to the mechanical properties of bone.
Decline in intelligence is associated with progression in white matter hyperintensity volume

Objectives: To quantify the time course of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and assess the association between progression and cognitive decline in non-demented octogenarians. Methods: From a Danish cohort of 698 people born in 1914, 26 participated in neuropsychological assessment (Wechsler adult intelligence scale) initiated at age 50, including cognitive testing and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging at the 80 and 85 year studies. WMH volumes were quantified and partial correlations were calculated between WMH volume change and decline in WAIS scores from 80 to 85. Results: Progression in WMH volume ranged from 0 ml to 20.7 ml, providing a median increase of 2.6 ml (range 0.1 to 20.7, p<0.001) and, with a mean time interval between scans of 3.8 years, a rate of progression of 0.63 (0 to 6.8) ml/year. WMH volume measures for the two hemispheres were highly correlated (r = 0.95) and did not differ significantly. Increase in WMH volume was correlated with a simultaneous decline in verbal IQ (r = −0.65, p = 0.001), while baseline WMH was associated with subsequent decline in performance subtests (digit symbol, r = −0.57, p = 0.02). Conclusions: The association between WMH and decline in essential cognitive abilities even in well preserved elderly people suggests that WMH should be regarded as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia.
Prospective study of atherosclerotic disease progression in the renal artery.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of and the risk factors associated with progression of renal artery disease in individuals with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS). METHODS AND RESULTS Subjects with >/=1 ARAS were monitored with serial renal artery duplex scans. A total of 295 kidneys in 170 patients were monitored for a mean of 33 months. Overall, the cumulative incidence of ARAS progression was 35% at 3 years and 51% at 5 years. The 3-year cumulative incidence of renal artery disease progression stratified by baseline disease classification was 18%, 28%, and 49% for renal arteries initially classified as normal, <60% stenosis, and >/=60% stenosis, respectively (P=0.03, log-rank test). There were only 9 renal artery occlusions during the study, all of which occurred in renal arteries having >/=60% stenosis at the examination before the detection of occlusion. A stepwise Cox proportional hazards model included 4 baseline factors that were significantly associated with the risk of renal artery disease progression during follow-up: systolic blood pressure >/=160 mm Hg (relative risk [RR]=2.1; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.5), diabetes mellitus (RR=2.0; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.3), and high-grade (>60% stenosis or occlusion) disease in either the ipsilateral (RR=1.9; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.0) or contralateral (RR=1.7; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.8) renal artery. CONCLUSIONS Although renal artery disease progression is a frequent occurrence, progression to total renal artery occlusion is not. The risk of renal artery disease progression is highest among individuals with preexisting high-grade stenosis in either renal artery, elevated systolic blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus.
THE WAVELET IMAGE DENOISING FAST ALGORITHM STUDY BASED ON DSP

: The speed of wavelet transform algorithm have restrained its application all the times. To this, the paper propose a fast wavelet denoising algorithm, which was identified in mathematics, and the algorithm step was given in this paper. Through analysis of Mallat tower algorithm principle, some step was improved, and fast FFT and long sequence signal volume fast algorithm was used in this paper, so that operation amount can be reduced greatly. DSP emulation experimental result indicated, compared with denoising algorithm using direct wavelet transform, this method can improve the speed of operation greatly. As to denoising effect, this method is superior to other several kinds of methods not only at the index of denoising performance, but also in visual effect.
Prevention of tumor metastasis formation by anti-variant CD44

A splice variant of CD44 (CD44v) originally discovered on metastases of a rat pancreatic adenocarcinoma (BSp73ASML) has been shown by transfection to confer metastatic behavior to nonmetastatic tumor cells (Gunthert U., M. Hofmann, W. Rudy, S. Reber, M. Zoller, I. Haussmann, S. Matzku, A. Wenzel, H. Ponta, and P. Herrlich. 1991. Cell. 65:13). A monoclonal antibody (mAb), 1.1ASML, to the metastasis-specific domain of the CD44v molecule retards growth of lymph node and lung metastases of the metastatic tumor line BSp73ASML, and can efficiently prevent formation of metastases by the transfected line. The antibody is only effective when given before lymph node colonization. Anti-CD44v does not downregulate the expression of CD44v, and prevention of metastatic growth by anti-CD44v is not due to activation of any kind of immune defense. We suggest that the mAb interferes with proliferation of metastasizing tumor cells in the draining lymph node, most probably by blocking a ligand interaction. The interference with metastatic spread will greatly facilitate the exploration of the function of CD44v and, in particular, may also open new strategies for the therapy of human metastases.
Impact of E1 and Cre on Adenovirus Vector Amplification: Developing MDCK CAV-2-E1 and E1-Cre Transcomplementing Cell Lines

Adenovirus vectors have been extensively studied through the manipulation of viral genome. However, little attention is being paid to their producer cell-lines; cells are selected according to virus yields, neglecting the expression profile of transcomplementing gene products underlying cell performance. This work evaluates the impact of E1 (E1A and E1B) and Cre recombinase levels in the production of E1-deleted and helper-dependent canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) vectors using MDCK cells. E1A and E1B gene expression and Cre activity were evaluated in different cell clones and compared with the corresponding cell productivity and susceptibility to oxidative stress injury. CAV-2 production was proportional to E1A expression (the highest levels of E1A corresponding to productivities of 3000–5000 I.P./cell), while E1B prolonged host cell viability after infection, conferring protection against apoptosis. Cre recombinase counteracted E1B anti-apoptotic properties, however viral production was maintained under high levels of Cre. Yet, Cre recombinase side effects can be reduced using cell lines with lower Cre-activities, without compromising the excision efficiency of helper vector packaging signal. These results highlight the influence of transcomplementing gene products on CAV-2 producer cell line performance, and the ability to express high levels of E1A and E1B as an important feature for cell line establishment and high adenovirus titers.
Dynamic Partitioning of the Main Memory Using the Working Set Concept

An algorithm to divide the main memory among N competing programs with different characteristics, running in a multiprogramming and virtual memory environment, is proposed. The algorithm is based on an optimal allocation policy, which is derived in this paper, using the concept of the working set. A brief description of the hardware implementation of the algorithm is also presented. It is shown that under this optimal allocation policy "the value of a page-frame" (the amount of reduction in the page fault rate if an additional page frame is allocated to that program) to each program is the same.
Thrombosis: A major contributor to global disease burden

Summary Thrombosis is a common pathology underlying ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010) documented that ischaemic heart disease and stroke collectively caused one in four deaths worldwide. GBD 2010 did not report data for VTE as a cause of death and disability. We performed a systematic review of the literature on the global disease burden due to VTE in low, middle and high income countries. Studies from Western Europe, North America, Australia, and Southern Latin America (Argentina) yielded consistent results with annual incidences ranging from 0.75 to 2.69 per 1,000 individuals in the population. The incidence increased to between 2 and 7 per 1,000 among those 70 years of age or more. Although the incidence is lower in individuals of Chinese and Korean ethnicity, their disease burden is not low because of population aging. VTE associated with hospitalisation was the leading cause of disability-adjusted-lifeyears (DALYs) lost in low and middle income countries, and second in high income countries, responsible for more DALYs lost than nosocomial pneumonia, catheter-related blood stream infections, and adverse drug events. VTE causes a major burden of disease across low, middle, and high income countries. More detailed data on the global burden of VTE should be obtained to inform policy and resource allocation in health systems, and to evaluate if improved utilisation of preventive measures will reduce the burden. Note: The copyright for the article is being held by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis under a CC-BY-NC-ND license.
Design of a live and maximally permissive Petri net controller using the theory of regions

This paper addresses the forbidden state problem of Petri nets (PN) with liveness requirement and uncontrollable transitions. The proposed approach computes a maximally permissive PN controller, whenever such a controller exists. The first step, based on a Ramadge-Wonham-like reasoning (1989), determines the legal and live maximal behavior the controlled PN should have. In the second step, the theory of regions is used to design control places to add to the original model to realize the desired behavior. Furthermore, necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of control places realizing the maximum permissive control are given. A parameterized manufacturing application of significant state space is used to show the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Inhibition of lipolysis stimulates whole body glucose production and disposal in normal postabsorptive subjects.

The role played by circulating free fatty acids (FFA) and fat oxidation in the regulation of whole body glucose production and uptake in the basal state is still a matter of debate. This question was analyzed in nine normal overnight fasted volunteers in whom glucose kinetics ([3-3H]glucose infusion) and substrate oxidation rates (indirect calorimetry) were measured during 10.5 h both under placebo conditions and during experimental antilipolysis induced by Acipimox given orally during the last 8 h of the study. During the last 2 h of the tests, the following mean changes (delta) from baseline were recorded in Acipimox vs. placebo studies: delta FFA, -0.26 +/- 0.08 vs. +0.29 +/- 0.06 mmol/L (P < 0.001); delta glucose, -12 +/- 2 vs. -12 +/- 1 mg/dL (P > 0.05); delta glucose production, +16 +/- 5 vs. -15 +/- 3 mg/min (P < 0.001); delta C peptide, -1.11 +/- 0.10 vs. -0.66 +/- 0.10 ng/mL (P < 0.001); delta glucagon, +64 +/- 25 vs. +21 +/- 9 pg/mL (P < 0.05); delta GH, +37 +/- 9 vs. +4 +/- 2 ng/mL (P < 0.007); delta cortisol, +37 +/- 25 vs. -30 +/- 26 ng/mL (P < 0.04). Acipimox inhibited fat oxidation (-18 +/- 4 vs. +19 +/- 4 mg/min; P < 0.001) and enhanced carbohydrate oxidation (+18 +/- 8 vs. -24 +/- 11 mg/min; P < 0.02). Protein catabolism calculated over the 8-h study period was significantly stimulated (+5.7 +/- 2.5 vs. -1.9 +/- 1.7 g/8 h; P < 0.02). During the Acipimox studies, the increased protein breakdown could theoretically account for about 75% of the increased glucose production. Thus, contrary to current opinion, FFA suppression stimulates glucose production and whole body glucose disposal in normal overnight fasted subjects.
The relationship between healthy work environments and retention of nurses in a hospital setting.

AIM The purpose of the present paper was to determine the effect a healthy work environment has on the retention of nurses in a hospital setting. BACKGROUND There is a nursing shortage that has been ongoing and is expected to continue, resulting in challenges for the healthcare system in the United States. The significance of this issue is the impact the nursing shortage will have on healthcare organizations and patients. EVALUATION The present paper included an extensive review of the current literature. The literature reviewed encompassed scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles. This article focused on nurses, work environments and the impact of the work environments on retention. KEY ISSUES Important issues that emerged from this analysis were the dangers of an unhealthy environment, the impact a healthy work environment has on patient outcomes and retention, the Magnet link to healthy work environments and the manager's role in creating and sustaining a healthy work environment. CONCLUSION The literature provided evidence of the link between healthy work environments and the retention of nurses in a hospital setting. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT The implications for management are to implement changes now to create a healthy work environment that will recruit and retain nurses to secure their position in the future.