Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toxic effects of amyloid fibrils on cell membranes: the importance of ganglioside GM1

The interaction of amyloid aggregates with the cell plasma membrane is currently considered among the basic mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction in amyloid neurodegeneration. We used amyloid oligomers and fibrils grown from the yeast prion Sup35p, responsible for the specific prion trait [PSI+], to investigate how membrane lipids modulate fibril interaction with the membranes of cultured H‐END cells and cytotoxicity. Sup35p shares no homology with endogenous mammalian polypeptide chains. Thus, the generic toxicity of amyloids and the molecular events underlying cell degeneration can be investigated without interference with analogous polypeptides encoded by the cell genome. Sup35 fibrils bound to the cell membrane without increasing its permeability to Ca2+. Fibril binding resulted in structural reorganization and aggregation of membrane rafts, with GM1 clustering and alteration of its mobility. Sup35 fibril binding was affected by GM1 or its sialic acid moiety, but not by cholesterol membrane content, with complete inhibition after treatment with fumonisin B1 or neuraminidase. Finally, cell impairment resulted from caspase‐8 activation after Fas receptor translocation on fibril binding to the plasma membrane. Our observations suggest that amyloid fibrils induce abnormal accumulation and overstabilization of raft domains in the cell membrane and provide a reasonable, although not unique, mechanistic and molecular explanation for fibril toxicity. —Bucciantini, M. , Nosi, D. , Forzan, M. , Russo, E. , Calamai, M. , Pieri, L. , Formigli, L. , Quercioli, F. , Soria, S. , Pavone, F. , Savistchenko, J., Melki, R. , Stefani, M. Toxic effects of amyloid fibrils on cell membranes: the importance of ganglioside GM1. FASEB J. 26, 818–831 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Prevalence and risk factors for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Asian people who are not obese

Fatty liver (hepatic steatosis) is prevalent in industrialized countries. It is typically linked to obesity, central obesity and the presence of metabolic syndrome. With the introduction of a Westernized lifestyle and the increasing frequency of obesity in the Asia‐Pacific region, the prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been increasing over the past two decades. The risk factors are similar to those in other ethnic populations; but it is important to adopt the regional (ethnic‐specific) anthropometric criteria to define overweight, obesity (including central obesity) and metabolic syndrome. To be noted, even using strict ethnic‐specific criteria, a high percentage (15–21%) of Asia‐Pacific NAFLD subjects in some series have been found to be non‐obese, i.e. to have a normal body mass index (BMI) (17.5–22.4 kg/m2) or to be overweight (BMI 22.5–24.9 kg/m2). Differential distribution of visceral adipose tissue, recent increase in body weight, intake of high cholesterol diet and genetic background are factors likely associated with the development of NAFLD in these non‐obese (but often overweight) Asia‐Pacific subjects. Furthermore, insulin resistance may be the underlying key mechanism. In addition, since NAFLD may be the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, the presence of NAFLD is a predictor of future type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, interventions at the public health level are indicated to halt the trend of overweight as well as obesity in Asia‐Pacific region, particularly among those with relevant family history. Since the pathophysiology of NAFLD is closely related to metabolic derangement, lifestyle modification remains the cornerstone of management.
Hybrid Temporal Correlation Based on Gaussian Mixture Model Framework for View Synthesis

As 3D video is explored as a hot research topic in the last few decades, free-viewpoint TV (FTV) is no doubt a promising field for its better visual experience and incomparable interactivity. View synthesis is obviously a crucial technology for FTV; it enables to render images in unlimited numbers of virtual viewpoints with the information from limited numbers of reference view. In this paper, a novel hybrid synthesis framework is proposed and blending priority is explored. In contrast to the commonly used View Synthesis Reference Software (VSRS), the presented synthesis process is driven in consideration of the temporal correlation of image sequences. The temporal correlations will be exploited to produce fine synthesis results even near the foreground boundaries. As for the blending priority, this scheme proposed that one of the two reference views is selected to be the main reference view based on the distance between the reference views and virtual view, another view is chosen as the auxiliary viewpoint, just assist to fill the hole pixel with the help of background information. Significant improvement of the proposed approach over the state-of –the-art pixel-based virtual view synthesis method is presented, the results of the experiments show that subjective gains can be observed, and objective PSNR average gains range from 0.5 to 1.3 dB, while SSIM average gains range from 0.01 to 0.05. Keywords—View synthesis, Gaussian mixture model, hybrid framework, fusion method.
Corporate Takeover and the Politics of Community: The Case of Norton Company in Worcester

AbstractCorporate takeovers have added to the social and economic problems of industrial communities already devastated by plant closures. Foreign takeover activity has increased significantly in recent years in the United States, yet surprisingly little is known about community-based anti-takeover movements. One such movement occurred in March and April 1990 in Worcester, Massachusetts, where a coalition of workers, employers, public officials, and community groups mobilized to change legislation affecting takeovers of corporations in Massachusetts. The legislation prevented the acquisition of Norton Company, a multinational manufacturer of abrasives and Worcester's largest private employer, by B.T. R. , a British multinational corporation. The changes in takeover legislation gave Norton directors time to negotiate a friendly merger with a Paris-based multinational, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain. This merger met no opposition in Worcester. The extent and depth of community opposition to B.T. R. , compared to the.
Mixed chimerism through donor bone marrow transplantation: a tolerogenic cell therapy for application in organ transplantation

Purpose of reviewOrgan transplantation is the state-of-the-art treatment for end-stage organ failure; however, long-term graft survival is still unsatisfactory. Despite improved immunosuppressive drug therapy, patients are faced with substantial side effects and the risk of chronic rejection with subsequent graft loss. The transplantation of donor bone marrow for the induction of mixed chimerism has been recognized to induce donor-specific tolerance a long time ago, but safety concerns regarding toxicities of current bone marrow transplantation (BMT) protocols impede widespread application. Recent findingsRecent studies in nonhuman primates and kidney transplant patients have demonstrated successful induction of allograft tolerance even though – in contrast to murine models – only transient chimerism was achieved. Progress toward the development of nontoxic murine BMT protocols revealed that Treg therapy is a potent therapeutic adjunct eliminating the need for cytotoxic recipient conditioning. Furthermore, new insight into the mechanisms underlying tolerization of CD4 and CD8 T cells in mixed chimeras has been gained and has identified possible difficulties impeding clinical translation. SummaryThis review will address the recent advances in murine models as well as findings from the first clinical trials for the induction of tolerance through mixed chimerism. Both the potential for more widespread clinical application and the remaining hurdles and challenges of this tolerance approach will be discussed.
Trust Breakthrough in the Sharing Economy: an Empirical Study of Airbnb1

Despite the acknowledged importance of trust in the sharing economy, especially for continuance use intention, a solid understanding of this phenomenon is still lacking. Due to the nature of the unique characteristics of Airbnb, as one of the most representative cases of sharing economy businesses, the effort of this research contributes to the literature by integrating attachment theory with the trust building model (TBM), which leads us to identify two types of trust initiators: cognitiveand affectbased trust. This work also reveals the mediating role of attachment in the relationship between trust and the behavioral outcome (i.e., continuous use intention). As the first stage of research in progress, the current paper presents a conceptual research model to be empirically tested in the next stage. At the end of the paper, expected implications for both theories and practices are discussed.
Error detection and correction options for data services in B-ISDN

Error detection and correction options for data services in B-ISDN (broadband integrated services digital network) are examined. B-ISDN uses the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technique for transporting voice, data, and video services. Currently, the ATM cell header size, functions, and adaption layer fields for data services are being standardized in CCITT. Error protection for data payloads will be provided by a per-cell CRC (cyclic redundancy check) field. Different data services may need different degrees of error protection. The authors discuss and analyze different options for error detection and correction by considering various schemes ranging from no error protection to only error detection. Based on the analysis and results presented, a per-cell CRC has been adopted in the adaptation layer for all data services. The per-cell CRC substantially improves cell misdelivery for all data services. For error-insensitive data services, single-bit correction over MID and segment-type fields improves cell loss substantially. At the same time, single-bit correction keeps cell misdelivery sufficiently low (1 in 10/sup 13/ in the worst case). <<ETX>>
Bullying Predicts Reported Dating Violence and Observed Qualities in Adolescent Dating Relationships

The relationship between reported bullying, reported dating violence, and dating relationship quality measured through couple observations was examined. Given past research demonstrating similarity between peer and dating contexts, we expected that bullying would predict negative dating experiences. Participants with dating experience (n = 585; 238 males, Mage = 15.06) completed self-report assessments of bullying and dating violence perpetration and victimization. One month later, 44 opposite-sex dyads (Mage = 15.19) participated in behavioral observations. In 10-min sessions, couples were asked to rank and discuss areas of relationship conflict while being video-recorded. Qualities of the relationship were later coded by trained observers. Regression analysis revealed that bullying positively predicted dating violence perpetration and victimization. Self-reported bullying also predicted observations of lower relationship support and higher withdrawal. Age and gender interactions further qualified these findings. The bullying of boys, but not girls, was significantly related to dating violence perpetration. Age interactions showed that bullying was positively predictive of dating violence perpetration and victimization for older, but not younger adolescents. Positive affect was also negatively predicted by bullying, but only for girls. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that adolescents carry forward strategies learned in the peer context to their dating relationships.
Antepartum Treatment Without Early Cordocentesis for Standard-Risk Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of two antenatal treatment regimens designed to optimally protect fetuses against intracranial hemorrhage resulting from alloimmune thrombocytopenia while minimizing the risks associated with fetal blood sampling. The study was limited to “standard-risk” patients, who were defined as women with documented alloimmune thrombocytopenia who had not delivered an infant with an intracranial hemorrhage in a prior pregnancy. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter study of 73 women with documented alloimmune thrombocytopenia, patients were randomized to receive either intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) 2 g/kg/wk (group A) or IVIG 1 g/kg/wk plus prednisone 0.5 mg/kg/d (group B), starting at approximately 20 weeks of gestation. Fetal blood sampling was performed at approximately 32 weeks of gestation, and those with fetal platelet counts less than 30,000/mL3 were given salvage therapy. RESULTS: There were two intracranial hemorrhages; neither was due to treatment failure. The average platelet counts at the time of fetal blood sampling were 121,600/mL3 and 116,100/mL3, and the average birth platelet counts were 169,400/mL3 and 134,000/mL3 for groups A and B, respectively. Twenty-seven percent of patients in group A and 17% in group B received salvage therapy, and only one neonate in each of these subsets had a birth platelet count less than 30,000/mL3. There were four complications after 79 fetal blood sampling procedures, leading to cesarean deliveries between 32 and 37 weeks. There was a higher incidence of gestational diabetes and a tendency to more fluid retention, mood swings, insomnia, and jitteriness in patients on prednisone and of moderate-to-severe fatigue in those on high-dose IVIG alone. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of both treatment groups were excellent and comparable. Early cordocentesis is not necessary when treating alloimmune thrombocytopenia in patients who have not delivered an infant with an intracranial hemorrhage in a prior pregnancy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials. gov, NCT00194987 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I
Amnesia in monkeys after lesions of the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus

Recent successes in developing an animal model of human amnesia in the monkey have made it feasible to try to identify with certainty the specific structures in the diencephalon and medial temporal region that cause amnesia when damaged. Monkeys with small lesion restricted largely to the posterior portion of the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus were given a test of memory sensitive to human amnesia and a second test that is analogous to the skill‐based tasks performed normally by manesic patients. The monkeys exhibited a marked impairment on the first test and performed normally on the second. The results show that circumscribed lesions of the mediodorsal nucleus can cause substantial amnesia.
Contribution of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein to species difference in lincosamides-plasma protein binding kinetics.

Protein binding kinetics of lincomycin (LM) and clindamycin (CM) were studied using plasma, albumin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) derived from humans, dogs, cattle and sheep. Based on Rosenthal plots of LM and CM, drug-binding property in plasma presented specific and non-specific binding, except for LM in cattle and sheep and for CM in sheep, where only non-specific binding was demonstrated. Dissociation constant (Kd) and binding capacity (Bmax) for specific binding and proportionality constant (PC) for non-specific binding were as follows: Kd = 3.14 mumol/L, Bmax = 15.28 mumol/L, PC = 0.19 for humans; Kd = 3.84 mumol/L, Bmax = 6.55 mumol/L, PC = 0.14 for dogs; PC = 0.12 for cattle; PC = 0.16 for sheep in LM and Kd = 0.94 mumol/L, Bmax = 12.24 mumol/L, PC = 4.98 for humans; Kd = 1.48 mumol/L, Bmax = 9.52 mumol/L, PC = 2.91 for dogs; Kd = 1.22 mumol/L, Bmax = 4.45 mumol/L, PC = 2.40 for cattle; PC = 1.48 for sheep in CM. The specific binding for each species was different, showing more difference in Bmax compared with Kd. The non-specific binding of LM was similar among species whereas that of CM was different, implying species difference. The drug-binding property of AGP for each species was all specific binding and the Kd was comparable to that obtained from plasma, indicating that AGP is a major specific binder in plasma. The lack of detection of specific binding for LM in cattle and sheep and for CM in sheep plasma could be attributable to a higher Kd and lower plasma AGP concentration compared with other species. The drug-binding property of albumin was characterized as all non-specific, without a great difference among species. Except for CM in sheep, the lower PC in albumin solution compared with that in plasma suggested the presence of another non-specific binder in plasma, i.e. lipoprotein. From the simulation of drug-binding percentage to AGP concentrations, AGP could be a major contributor to drug-plasma protein binding in pathological states. The degree of AGP-drug binding for each species could vary according to the degree of increase of AGP concentrations from a healthy to a pathological state, inducing a decrease in the unbound fraction (fp): 6.1 fold for dogs, 4.6 fold for humans, 1.8 fold for sheep and 1.4 fold for cattle in LM; 5.8 fold for dogs, 5.7 fold for cattle, 4.0 fold for humans and 1.5 fold for sheep in CM. Therefore, the disposition and efficacy of lincosamides affected by fp can be modified differently by the change of fp attributable to the alteration of plasma AGP concentration in each species.
Complete reductive dechlorination of 1,2-dichloropropane by anaerobic bacteria

The transformation of 1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-D) was observed in anaerobic microcosms and enrichment cultures derived from Red Cedar Creek sediment. 1-Chloropropane (1-CP) and 2-CP were detected after an incubation period of 4 weeks. After 4 months the initial amount of 1,2-D was stoichiometrically converted to propene, which was not further transformed. Dechlorination of 1,2-D was not inhibited by 2-bromoethanesulfonate. Sequential 5% (vol/vol) transfers from active microcosms yielded a sediment-free, nonmethanogenic culture, which completely dechlorinated 1,2-D to propene at a rate of 5 nmol min(sup-1) mg of protein(sup-1). No intermediate formation of 1-CP or 2-CP was detected in the sediment-free enrichment culture. A variety of electron donors, including hydrogen, supported reductive dechlorination of 1,2-D. The highest dechlorination rates were observed between 20(deg) and 25(deg)C. In the presence of 1,2-D, the hydrogen threshold concentration was below 1 ppm by volume (ppmv). In addition to 1,2-D, the enrichment culture transformed 1,1-D, 2-bromo-1-CP, tetrachloroethene, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, and 1,2-dichloroethane to less halogenated compounds. These findings extend our knowledge of the reductive dechlorination process and show that halogenated propanes can be completely dechlorinated by anaerobic bacteria.
Using Bayesian statistics and Gabor Wavelets for recognition of human faces

In this paper, we present a novel approach for recognition of human faces using Markov Random Fields (MRF) and Bayesian models. We examine the relationship between feature vectors in a close proximity system. The feature vectors are coefficients of the 2D Gabor Wavelet Transform (DWGT). The MRF is implemented to match the constraint configurations between the feature vectors. The MRFs posterior probability is formulated to evaluate the MRF configuration for matching constraints between the feature vectors in the query and the test image. The best match is classified using the maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) solution using Mahalanobis distance metrics. The consequent Maximum-A-Posteriori resultant is the expected similarity score for the two face images using ESOP minimization algorithm.
Symptoms of anal and urinary incontinence following cesarean section or spontaneous vaginal delivery.

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to compare the prevalence of incontinence disorders in relation with spontaneous vaginal delivery or cesarean section. STUDY DESIGN Two hundred women with spontaneous vaginal deliveries only were compared with 195 women with cesarean deliveries only 10 years after first delivery. RESULTS When compared with cesarean section, vaginal delivery was associated with an increased frequency of stress urinary incontinence (P = .006) and an increased use of protective pads (P = .008) as well as an increased frequency of fecal urgency (P = .048) and gas incontinence (P = .01). At multivariate regression analysis, mode of delivery showed no significant association with incontinence symptoms other than an increased risk for flatus incontinence in women with a history of obstetric anal sphincter injury (odds ratio 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 8.9). CONCLUSION Incontinence symptoms are more common following spontaneous vaginal delivery when compared with cesarean section 10 years after first delivery. However, cesarean section is not associated with a major reduction of anal and urinary incontinence.
Equity Trading: The Trouble with Value

Recently, liquidity-driven economic policies have mounted a challenge to time-series value investing. In this paper, we examine the risk-return performance of simple value indicators.We find that: 1) even though long term equity returns are partially predictable, directional value investing delivers mediocre results; 2) the "Central Bank put" is a fly in the ointment for value investors; 3) relative value has broadly outperformed absolute value. Lastly, we conjecture that the poor performance of directional value investing hides substantial overvaluations in U.S. equities.
Terahertz emission and optical second harmonic generation from Si surfaces

We study polarity reversal in terahertz pulses generated from p-doped Si(001) surfaces with different doping levels. The azimuthal dependence of both terahertz emission and second-harmonic generation caused by the bulk electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole process is measured to determine the contributions of optical rectification and the surface depletion field direction, respectively. By comparing the penetration depth of the excitation laser and the depletion field strength on Si surfaces, we show that competition between the photo-Dember effect and surface field accelerations causes the polarity reversal.