Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An alternative vaccine target for bovine Anaplasmosis based on enolase, a moonlighting protein

The discovery of new targets for preventing bovine anaplasmosis has moved away from focusing on proteins that have already been extensively studied in Anaplasma marginale, including the Major Surface Proteins, Outer Membrane Proteins, and Type IV Secretion System proteins. An alternative is moonlighting or multifunctional proteins, capable of performing various biological functions within various cellular compartments. There are several reports on the role of moonlighting proteins as virulence factors in various microorganisms. Moreover, it is known that about 25% of all moonlighting is involved in the virulence of pathogens. In this work, for the first time, we present the identification of three enolase proteins (AmEno01, AmEno15, and AmEno31) in the genome of Mexican strains of A. marginale. Using bioinformatics tools, we predicted the catalytic domains, enolase signature, and amino acids binding magnesium ion of the catalytic domain and performed a phylogenetic reconstruction. In addition, by molecular docking analysis, we found that AmEno01 would bind to erythrocyte proteins spectrin, ankyrin, and stomatin. This adhesion function has been reported for enolases from other pathogens. It is considered a promising target since blocking this function would impede the fundamental adhesion process that facilitates the infection of erythrocytes. Additionally, molecular docking predicts that AmEno01 could bind to extracellular matrix protein fibronectin, which would be significant if we consider that some proteins with fibronectin domains are localized in tick gut cells and used as an adhesion strategy to gather bacteria before traveling to salivary glands. Derived from the molecular docking analysis of AmEno01, we hypothesized that enolases could be proteins driven by the pathogen and redirected at the expense of the pathogen’s needs.
Spatial Task Assignment Based on Information Gain in Crowdsourcing

Spatial crowdsourcing provides workers for performing cooperative tasks considering their locations, and is drawing much attention with the rapid development of mobile Internet. The key techniques in spatial crowdsourcing include worker-mobitlity-based task matching for more information gain and efficient cooperation among coworkers. In this paper, we first propose information gain based maximum task matching problem, where each spatial task needs to be performed before its expiration time and workers are moving dynamically. We then prove it is a NP-hard problem. Next, we propose two approximation algorithms: greedy and extremum algorithms. In order to improve the time efficiency and the task assignment accuracy, we further propose an optimization approach. Subsequently, for complex spatial tasks, we propose a feedback-based cooperation mechanism, model the worker affinity and the matching degree between a task and a group of coworkers, and design a feedback-based assignment algorithm with group affinity. We conducted extensive experiments on both real-world and synthetic datasets. The results demonstrate that our approach outperforms related schemes.
Overhead Optimized and Quadruple-Node-Upset Self-Recoverable Latch Design Based on Looped C-Element Matrix

In deep nanoscale and highly integrated complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies, storage circuits are increasingly sensitive to multiple-node upsets (MNUs) caused by charge sharing. In order to mitigate the impact of MNUs, many MNU-hardened latches based on C-elements matrices have been proposed by research scholars. In this article, we analyze and summarize the MNU-hardened latches based on the C-elements matrix, and propose the connection rules and general fault-tolerance principle of the looped C-element matrix. Based on this design idea, we propose a low-overhead and highly reliable quadruple-node upsets (QNUs) self-recovery latch (referred to as QR-R11C2). The proposed latch is based on a looped C-element matrix with 11 rows and 2 columns, forming a heterogeneous interconnect scheme, which can provide complete self-recovery from QNUs in harsh radiation environments. Simulation results show that the proposed latch has the lowest power consumption, area-power-delay product, and setup time among existing QNU self-recovery latches. In addition, this article also analyzes and summarizes the MNU statistics of the looped C-element matrix-based latch designs and proposes an MNU self-recoverability verification method for looped C-element matrix-based latch designs. Taking the example of verifying the self-recoverability of six looped C-element matrix-based latches, the proposed verification method can reduce MNU combinations by 95.24%–99.99% compared to the exhaustive combinations.
Nonlinear Analysis: Real World Applications

In this work we propose a model for optimal advertisement in new product diffusion based on the Bass model and assuming that the effect of the environmental pressure in the diffusion of the product is subject to a stochastic dependence. The optimal stopping problem is reduced to a free boundary problem which is analyzed and solved numerically, in order to determine an optimal stopping rule for the advertisement campaign. The numerical solution is obtained through a policy iteration like contraction scheme, the convergence properties of which are studied in detail. Furthermore, the expected time until the optimal stopping of the campaign is estimated. Finally, a combined optimal stopping and control problem for the optimization of the advertisement effectiveness is also proposed and solved numerically. Our results are expected to provide useful guidelines for campaign managers, for the choice of effectiveness and duration of an advertisement campaign. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Update on Anticoagulation Strategies in Patients with ECMO—A Narrative Review

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has recently increased exponentially. ECMO has become the preferred mode of organ support in refractory respiratory or circulatory failure. The fragile balance of haemostasis physiology is massively altered by the patient’s critical condition and specifically the aetiology of the underlying disease. Furthermore, an application of ECMO conveys another disturbance of haemostasis due to blood-circuit interaction and the presence of an oxygenator. The purpose of this review is to summarise current knowledge on the anticoagulation management in patients undergoing ECMO therapy. The unfractionated heparin modality with monitoring of activated partial thromboplastin tests is considered to be a gold standard for anticoagulation in this specific subgroup of intensive care patients. However, alternative modalities with other agents are comprehensively discussed. Furthermore, other ways of monitoring can represent the actual state of coagulation in a more complex fashion, such as thromboelastometric/graphic methods, and might become more frequent. In conclusion, the coagulation system of patients with ECMO is altered by multiple variables, and there is a significant lack of evidence in this area. Therefore, a highly individualised approach is the best solution today.
It takes a town to build a trail : relationships between nonprofit organizations and local governments in rail-trail and greenway development in three West Virginia communities

It Takes a Town to Build a Trail: Relationships between Nonprofit Organizations and Local Governments in Rail-Trail and Greenway Development in Three West Virginia Communities Kelly L. Pack As more communities across the country are developing rail-trails and greenways, relationships among community-based nonprofit organizations and local government entities evolve during trail development. Twenty-three participants from the nonprofit and local government sectors in three West Virginia municipalities were interviewed about their relationships and experience in rail-trail and greenway development. This qualitative analysis employs a grounded theory framework and reveals several practical and theoretical findings. Perceived benefits and costs of trail development reported by participants provided a context for how participants relayed experiences indicative of their political and built environments. Factors that constrain or facilitate relationship building between nonprofit organizations and local government entities, as well as the role of community involvement, leadership, attitudes, and planning principles and processes were categories that emerged to support the importance of individual and organizational level social capital in exploring nonprofit and local government relations in rail-trail and greenway development.
Agronomic, Physiological, and Post-Harvest Aspects of Different Blueberry Cultivars Treated with Silicon

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of silicon in different blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) cultivars. The treatments were installed in a factorial design with six replications, and consisted of three different cultivars (Brightwell, Beckblue and Climax) with or without regular application of silicon via foliar, using silicon oxide at 1.5 g L-1. It was evaluated the following plant attributes: leaf area, chlorophyll fluorescence, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity, meanwhile the following postharvest attributes were evaluated: fruit number, diameter and weight, yield, pH, content of soluble solids, titratable acidity, contents of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, and activity of peroxidase. Vegetative development of blueberry plants in response to Si presented higher yield, leaf area, phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity, and higher chlorophyll fluorescence relationships such as maximum photochemical efficiency and PSII potential activity, as well as less stressed plants, especially in cultivars Climax and Brightwell. For post-harvest physicochemical characteristics, silicon foliar application improved fruit weight and diameter for cvs. Beckblue and Climax, and fruit number for cv. Brightwell. All cultivars, in response to silicon application increased the titratable acidity, the levels of phenolic compounds, the level of anthocyanins, whereas peroxidase activity decreased. The performance of the evaluated blueberry cultivars was better through silicon application, with greater performance of vegetative growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality, especially in cultivar Climax, which was the most suitable in terms in of fruit yield in this study.
Sleep Disorders in Early-Onset Parkinsonism: A Population-Based Study

Background: Sleep disturbances are common in parkinsonian disorders; however, whether sleep disorders affect individuals with early-onset parkinsonism and whether they differ from individuals with typical-onset parkinsonism is unknown. Objective: To compare the prevalence and incidence of sleep disorders before and after parkinsonian motor symptom onset between individuals with early onset parkinsonism (age ≤50 at motor symptom onset) and typical-onset parkinsonism (age >50 at motor symptom onset). Methods: We used a population-based, 1991 to 2015 incident-cohort study of parkinsonism including 38 patients with early-onset and 1,001 patients with typical-onset parkinsonism. Presence or absence and type of sleep disorder as well as the relationship between motor and sleep symptoms were abstracted from the medical records. Rates of sleep disorders before and after onset of parkinsonism were compared with logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The prevalence of sleep disorders prior to the onset of parkinsonism in early vs. typical parkinsonism (24% vs. 16% p = 0.19) and incidence of sleep disorders after parkinsonism onset (5.85 cases per 100 person-years vs. 4.11 cases per 100 person-years; HR 1.15 95% CI: 0.74–1.77) were similar between the two groups. Early-onset parkinsonism had a higher risk for developing post-motor insomnia compared with typical-onset parkinsonism (HR 1.73, 95% CI: 1.02–2.93); the risk for developing all other sleep disorders considered was similar between groups. Conclusion: Sleep disorders are common in individuals with early-onset parkinsonism and occur with similar frequency to those with typical-onset parkinsonism, except for insomnia, which was more frequent in the early-onset group.
Proprioceptive and tactile processing in individuals with Friedreich ataxia: an fMRI study

Objective Friedreich ataxia (FA) neuropathology affects dorsal root ganglia, posterior columns in the spinal cord, the spinocerebellar tracts, and cerebellar dentate nuclei. The impact of the somatosensory system on ataxic symptoms remains debated. This study aims to better evaluate the contribution of somatosensory processing to ataxia clinical severity by simultaneously investigating passive movement and tactile pneumatic stimulation in individuals with FA. Methods Twenty patients with FA and 20 healthy participants were included. All subjects underwent two 6 min block-design functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigms consisting of twelve 30 s alternating blocks (10 brain volumes per block, 120 brain volumes per paradigm) of a tactile oddball paradigm and a passive movement paradigm. Spearman rank correlation tests were used for correlations between BOLD levels and ataxia severity. Results The passive movement paradigm led to the lower activation of primary (cSI) and secondary somatosensory cortices (cSII) in FA compared with healthy subjects (respectively 1.1 ± 0.78 vs. 0.61 ± 1.02, p = 0.04, and 0.69 ± 0.5 vs. 0.3 ± 0.41, p = 0.005). In the tactile paradigm, there was no significant difference between cSI and cSII activation levels in healthy controls and FA (respectively 0.88 ± 0.73 vs. 1.14 ± 0.99, p = 0.33, and 0.54 ± 0.37 vs. 0.55 ± 0.54, p = 0.93). Correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between cSI activation levels in the tactile paradigm and the clinical severity (R = 0.481, p = 0.032). Interpretation Our study captured the difference between tactile and proprioceptive impairments in FA using somatosensory fMRI paradigms. The lack of correlation between the proprioceptive paradigm and ataxia clinical parameters supports a low contribution of afferent ataxia to FA clinical severity.
Strategic Management in Public Procurement: The Role of Dynamic Capabilities in Equity and Efficiency

A key issue in strategic management in the public sector is how government creates economic and social value through procurement. Unfortunately, most procurement studies are based on contract theories, which fail to incorporate the growing role of strategic management in performance. We fill this gap by analyzing longitudinal data on contracting to assess the equity and efficiency effects of a form of affirmative action used by governments: set-aside programs. Employing a machine learning-augmented propensity score weighting approach, we find that set-aside contracts are negatively associated with contract performance. These effects are attenuated by an agency’s dynamic capabilities and the extent to which the agency uses more competitive procedures. Our findings illustrate how the dynamic capabilities of a federal agency can simultaneously enhance equity and efficiency. JEL codes: D73, H57, O38, L22.
Thermodynamique du bord interne de la zone morte dans les disques protoplanétaires

La zone morte, region laminaire confinee au coeur des disques protoplanetaires dont la turbulence de l'ecoulement a petite echelle explique l'accretion de matiere sur l'etoile en formation, semble etre un lieu propice a la formation planetaire. En effet, au bord interne de la zone morte la difference d'accretion entraine le developpement d'une sur-densite capable de pieger les grains de poussiere qui derivent vers l'etoile. L'ecoulement a cet endroit est de plus potentiellement instable. Le cas echeant, il s'organise en structures tourbillonnaires appelees ''vortex'' qui collectent efficacement la poussiere. La position du bord interne est toutefois tres incertaine et depend en particulier de la thermodynamique du modele de disque considere. Recemment, le deplacement du bord interne a ete envisage pour expliquer la variabilite de l'accretion des etoiles jeunes. Cette these aborde le probleme pose par l'influence de la thermodynamique sur la dynamique du bord interne de la zone morte. Des simulations MHD qui incluent le couplage entre les processus thermodynamiques avec la dynamique de l'ecoulement ont tout d'abord permis de confirmer le comportement dynamique du bord interne ainsi que de realiser la mesure inedite de sa vitesse typique de deplacement. La comparaison de ces resultats avec les predictions donnees par un modele de champ moyen a revele le role du transport d'energie par des ondes excitees au bord interne de la zone morte. Ces simulations presentent de plus un phenomene nouveau: les vortex formes a l'interface suivent un cycle de formation-migration-destruction. Cette decouverte est susceptible de modifier notre vision du scenario de formation planetaire. En resume, cette these met en evidence le fait que les processus thermodynamiques sont au coeur du fonctionnement de la region du bord interne de la zone morte dans les disques protoplanetaires.
Risk of hospitalization in synucleinopathies and impact of psychosis

Background Few studies have investigated the risk of hospitalization among patients with synucleinopathies (Parkinson disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Parkinson disease dementia, Multiple System Atrophy) with associated psychosis and the impact of antipsychotic treatments on hospital admissions and duration of the stay. Objective To determine the risk of hospitalization among patients with synucleinopathies and in patients with associated psychosis. To evaluate the impact of antipsychotic treatments on hospital admission of patients with synucleinopathies and psychosis in an incident cohort study in Olmsted County, Minnesota (MN). Methods We used the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP) to define an incident cohort of patients with clinically diagnosed synucleinopathies (1991–2010) in Olmsted County, MN. A movement disorder specialist reviewed all medical records to confirm the clinical diagnosis of synucleinopathies using the NINDS/NIMH unified diagnostic criteria. Results We included 416 incident cases of clinically diagnosed synucleinopathies from 2,669 hospitalizations. 409 patients (98.3%) were admitted to the hospital at least once for any cause after the onset of parkinsonism. The median number of hospitalizations for a single patient was 5. In total, 195 (46.9%) patients met the criteria for psychosis: patients with psychosis had a 49% (HR = 1.49, p < 0.01) increased risk of hospitalization compared to patients without psychosis. Among patients with psychosis, 76 (39%) received antipsychotic medication. Treatment with antipsychotic medications did not affect the risk of hospitalization (HR = 0.93, p = 0.65). The median length of hospitalization among the entire cohort was 1 (IQR 0–4) day. There was no difference between hospitalization length for patients with no psychosis and patients with active psychosis (RR = 1.08, p = 0.43) or patients with resolved psychosis (RR = 0.79, p = 0.24). Conclusion Psychosis increases the risk of hospitalization in patients with clinically defined synucleinopathies; however, it does not affect the length of hospital stays in our cohort. Antipsychotic treatment does not affect the risk of hospitalization in our study.
Molecular modeling in support of CO2 sequestration and enhanced oil recovery.

Classical molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the formation of water droplets on two kaolinite surfaces: the gibbsite-like surface which is hydrophilic and the silica surface which is hydrophobic. Two methods for calculating contact angles were investigated in detail. The method of Giovambattista et al. was successful in calculating contact angles on both surfaces that compare well to the experimental data available. This is the first time that contact angles have been calculated for kaolinite surfaces from molecular simulations. This preliminary study provides the groundwork for investigating contact angles for more complex systems involving multiple fluids (water, CO{sub 2}, oil) in contact with different minerals in the subsurface environment.
Raising Learner Satisfaction in Online Computer Programming and Information Technology Courses: One Instructor’s Five Successful Strategies

Online learning has continued to rise in popularity among learners, educators, and university administrators over the last three decades. However, one of the biggest challenges for educators is adapting to best practices, pedagogies, tools, and technologies when delivering instruction in this environment. Remembering that learners have a choice when enrolling in a university degree program, it is critical that educators focus on learner satisfaction. Many universities are concentrated on retention and recruitment and having a high learner satisfaction rate can improve these two areas. When an educator finds a strategy that helps improve learner satisfaction, it is critical that they share this knowledge with other professionals. This case study highlights five strategies that worked within computer programming and information technology courses to help improve learner satisfaction. These strategies consisted of providing individualized video feedback, using simulation products, integrating real-world projects, offering conversations with industry experts, and providing prompt learner engagement.
Role of membrane estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in the rapid regulation of male sexual behavior

The activation of male sexual behavior depends on brain estrogen synthesis. Estrogens act through nuclear and membrane receptors producing effects within hours/days or seconds/minutes, respectively. In mice, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is the main estrogen receptor (ER) controlling the activation of male sexual behavior. Although neuroestrogens rapidly modulate mouse sexual behavior, it is not known whether these effects involve membrane ERα (mERα). This study combines two complementary approaches to address this question. C451A‐ERα mice carry an ERα that cannot signal at the membrane, while estetrol (E4) is a natural estrogen acting as an agonist on nuclear ERα but as an antagonist on membrane ERα. In wild‐type males, E4 decreased the number of mounts and intromissions after 10 min. In C451A‐ERα males, E4 also altered sexual performance but after 30 min. E4 did not affect time spent near the female in both wild‐type and C451A‐ERα mice. However, regardless of genotype, the aromatase inhibitor 1,4,6‐Androstatriene‐3,17‐dione (ATD) decreased both sexual performance and the time spent near the female after 10 and 30 min, confirming the key role of aromatization in the rapid control of sexual behavior and motivation. In conclusion, the shift in timing at which the effect of E4 is observed in mice lacking mERα suggests a role for mERα in the regulation of rapid effects of neuroestrogens on sexual performance, thus providing the first demonstration that E4 acts as an antagonist of a mER in the brain. The persisting effect of ATD on behavior in C451A‐ERα mice also suggests the implication of another ER.