Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Degradation of cyclic diguanosine monophosphate by a hybrid two-component protein protects Azoarcus sp. strain CIB from toluene toxicity

Significance Some bacteria have a remarkable ability to grow on toxic aromatic hydrocarbons under anaerobic conditions. Although bacteria have evolved cellular mechanisms to cope with hydrocarbon toxicity, it was unclear if signal transduction systems might exist to coordinate a protective response. Here we describe a hybrid two-component system, the TolR protein, from the bacterium Azoarcus sp. strain CIB that on binding toluene and other aromatic hydrocarbons degrades intracellular cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). A drop in c-di-GMP protects cells from toluene toxicity. C-di-GMP, found universally in bacteria, is involved in diverse functions including biofilm formation and virulence. Our finding of hydrocarbon sensing and c-di-GMP degradation by TolR for purposes of modulating hydrocarbon toxicity describes an additional role for c-di-GMP in bacterial physiology. Cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a second messenger that controls diverse functions in bacteria, including transitions from planktonic to biofilm lifestyles, virulence, motility, and cell cycle. Here we describe TolR, a hybrid two-component system (HTCS), from the β-proteobacterium Azoarcus sp. strain CIB that degrades c-di-GMP in response to aromatic hydrocarbons, including toluene. This response protects cells from toluene toxicity during anaerobic growth. Whereas wild-type cells tolerated a sudden exposure to a toxic concentration of toluene, a tolR mutant strain or a strain overexpressing a diguanylate cyclase gene lost viability upon toluene shock. TolR comprises an N-terminal aromatic hydrocarbon-sensing Per–Arnt–Sim (PAS) domain, followed by an autokinase domain, a response regulator domain, and a C-terminal c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) domain. Autophosphorylation of TolR in response to toluene exposure initiated an intramolecular phosphotransfer to the response regulator domain that resulted in c-di-GMP degradation. The TolR protein was engineered as a functional sensor histidine kinase (TolRSK) and an independent response regulator (TolRRR). This classic two-component system (CTCS) operated less efficiently than TolR, suggesting that TolR was evolved as a HTCS to optimize signal transduction. Our results suggest that TolR enables Azoarcus sp. CIB to adapt to toxic aromatic hydrocarbons under anaerobic conditions by modulating cellular levels of c-di-GMP. This is an additional role for c-di-GMP in bacterial physiology.
International Journal of Biological & Medical Research Prevalence of Different Virulence Factors and Biofilm Production Ability of Urinary Escherichia Coli Isolates a B C D

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common bacterial infections in humans. Escherichia coli is responsible for more than 80% of all UTIs and causes both symptomatic UTI and asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) . UropathogenicEscherichia coli (UPEC)is the mostpredominant pathogen causing 80 to 90% of community-acquiredUTIs and more than 30% of hospital acquired UTIs. In comparison to commensalstrains UPEC has several virulence factors thatallow them to colonize host mucosal uro-epithelium, injure and invade host tissues, overcome host defence mechanisms, incite a host inflammatory response and eventually proceed from the lower urinary tract to the renal cavities and tissues. Biofilm formation may be consideredanother pathogenic determinant, which allows thestrains to persist a long time in the urinary tract andinterfere with bacterial eradication. Biofilms are currently defined as an assemblage of microbial cells that are irreversibly associated (not removed by gentle rinsing) with a surface and enclosed in a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix allowing growth and survival in sessile environment. In fact, biofilms are probably typical living conditions of bacteria in natural environments and are, indeed,regularly involved in infections associated with biomaterials such as catheters or prostheses.It acts by protecting bacteria from the clearing out effect of hydrodynamic forces and the killing activity of host defence mechanisms and antibiotics. E. coli biofilm formation is controlled by Several surface factors such as antigen 43, type-1 fimbriae, flagell, F conjugative pilus, exopolysaccharide and curli. The aim of this study was to investigatein vitro biofilm-forming capabilitiesof 170 clinically isolated strains Escherichia coli, associated with urinary tract infectionsand possible relations with antibiotic resistance and other virulence factors (haemolysins, curli, antigen 43, exopolysaccharideand flagell). One of the initial steps of uropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC) to establish the urinary system and causes urinary tract infection (UTI) is biofilm formation. Several genes known to affect biofilm formation. The aim of this study was assess the ability of biofilm formation andfrequency of the three effective genes of urinary E. coli isolates in Gorgan. A total of 170 isolates of urinary Escherichia coliwere collected and biofilm formation was investigated withmicrotiter plate method inBHI medium containing 1% sucrose. Prevalence of Curliadhesin, Antigen 43 and extracellular polysaccharide Colanic acidgenes were investigated with PCR methode and using specific primers. Statistical comparison of data was performed using the x2 and P <0.05 was considered significant.105 (61.8%)UPEC isolatescould form biofilm. Isolates without colanic acid, were not been able to form biofilms. Prevalence of csgA, flu and wca genes …
Mechanics of chiral, anti-chiral, and hierarchical honeycombs

The effects of two geometric refinement strategies widespread in natural structures, chirality and self-similar hierarchy, on mechanical response of two-dimensional honeycombs were studied systematically. First, by employing the concepts of mechanics of materials, simple closed-form expressions were derived for the elastic moduli of several chiral, anti-chiral, and hierarchical honeycombs with hexagon and square based networks. The analytical results were validated using finite element analysis and experimental data available in the literature. Next, a new class of hierarchical fractal-like honeycombs inspired by the topology of the “spiderweb” was introduced and investigated for its small and large deformation response through analytical modeling, detailed numerical simulations, and mechanical testing. For small deformations, the elastic moduli can be controlled by geometrical ratios in the hierarchical pattern, and the response can vary from bending to stretching dominated. These structures exhibit auxetic behavior at large deformations. Next, we exploit mechanical instabilities and structural hierarchy to induce negative Poisson’s ratio over a wide range of applied compressive strains in hierarchical structures which otherwise exhibit positive Poisson’s ratio at small deformations. This unusual behavior is demonstrated experimentally and analyzed computationally. Finally, we highlighted the effects of structural hierarchy and deformation on band structure and wave-propagation behavior of two-dimensional phononic crystals. We employed finite element analysis along with Bloch theorem to show that the topological hierarchical architecture and instability-induced pattern transformations of the structure under compression can be effectively used to tune the band gaps and directionality of phononic crystals.
Regulatory Mechanisms and Algorithms towards Trust in AI / ML

Recent studies suggest that automated processes that are prevalent in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) can propagate and exacerbate systemic biases in society. This has led to calls for regulatory mechanisms and algorithms that are transparent, trustworthy, and fair. However, it remains unclear what form such mechanisms and algorithms can take. In this paper we survey recent formal advances put forth by the EU, and consider what other mechanisms can be put in place in order to avoid discrimination and enhance fairness when it comes to algorithm design and use. We consider this to be an important first step – enacting this vision will require a concerted effort by policy makers, lawyers and computer scientist alike.
An essential role for SKAP-55 in LFA-1 clustering on T cells that cannot be substituted by SKAP-55R

Lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 clustering, which is needed for high avidity binding to intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and -2, regulates T cell motility and T cell–antigen-presenting cell (APC) conjugation. In this study, down-regulation of SKAP-55 by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) identified an essential role for this adaptor molecule in the T cell receptor (TCR)–mediated ”inside-out signaling” that is needed for LFA-1 clustering and T cell–APC conjugation. In contrast, down-regulation of SKAP-55 had no effect on TCR–CD3 clustering. Furthermore, the expression of the related protein SKAP-55R failed to compensate for the loss of SKAP-55 in LFA-1 clustering, indicating that SKAP-55 has a unique function that cannot be replaced by this closely related protein. Our findings therefore indicate that SKAP-55, unlike SKAP-55R, is specifically tailored as an essential component of the inside-out signaling events that couple the TCR to LFA-1 clustering and T cell–APC conjugation.
Radioembolization in the setting of liver transplantation: great expectations or hard times?

Trans-arterial radio-embolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 represents one of the most efficacious approaches for the treatment of selected patients with advanced hepatocellular cancer (HCC) (1). Recent studies have confirmed the superiority of TARE when compared with other intraarterial treatments (2,3).
Multi-agent rigid formations: A study of robustness to the loss of multiple agents

In this paper we study the robustness of information architectures to control a formation of autonomous agents. If agents are expected to work in hazardous environments like battle-fields, the formations are prone to multiple agent/link loss. Due to the higher severity of agent loss than link loss, the main contribution of this paper is to propose information architectures for shape-controlled multi-agent formations, which are robust against the loss of multiple agents. A formation is said to be rigid if by actively maintaining a designated set of inter-agent distances, the formation preserves its shape. We will use the rigidity theory to formalize the robust architecture problem. In particular we study the properties of formation graphs which remain rigid after the loss of any set of up to k−1 vertices. Such a graph is called k-vertex rigid. We provide a set of distinct necessary and sufficient conditions for these graphs. We then show that 3-vertex rigidity is the highest possible robustness one can achieve by just adding a small number of edges to a minimally rigid graph, i.e. retention of rigidity given the loss of 3 or more agents of a formation requires many more inter-agent distances to be specified than when maintaining rigidity with no, one or two agent losses. Based on this result, we further focus on 3-vertex rigid graphs and characterize a class of information architectures (with minimum number of control links) which are robust against the loss of up to two agents.
International Journal of Biological & Medical Research Reference Range Values of Haematological Parameters of Healthy Adults in Western Rajasthan Original Article International Journal of Biological and Medical Research Www.biomedscidirect.com Int J Biol Med Res

Objectives: This study was done to establish the normal values of various haematological parameters for healthy adult of Western Rajasthan (males and females) and to compare these values with those obtained for other population in both India and tropical countries. Methods: This study was under taken in reference adult Western Rajasthan Population in the area of Jodhpur, India. A total 1000 healthy volunteers whose ages ranged between 20–50 years, were investigated. All laboratory analysis was conducted under standardized conditions atL.N. Results:In Males, the mean Haemoglobin concentration (Hb) of 14.03 g/dl and Haematocrit (HCT) ratio of 44% were significantly higherthan femalevalue of 12.50 g/dl and 40% respectively. The mean Red Blood Cell (RBC) 6 countof 4.90 x 10 /µL in males was also significantly higher than the corresponding value of 6 4.50 x 10 /µL infemales (p<0.05). The value of Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) in males (88.12 fL) wassignificantly higher than in females (86.32 fL), (p<0.05). Similarly the Mean CorpuscularHaemoglobin (MCH) was significantly higher in males than corresponding values in females (p<0.05). Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) was significantly higher in females than corresponding values in males (p<0.05). On the other hand,the mean 3 White Blood Cell count (WBC) of 7.76x 10 /µL in males was lower than mean value of7.95 x 3 10 /µLin females (p<0.05). Similarly the values for Platelet count of 211 x 103/µL in males 3 werealso significantly lower than corresponding values of 278 x 10 /µL in females (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study has established baseline values for haematological parameters in healthy Western Rajasthanadults and surrounding areas. The sex difference of measured levels of all of theseparameters has attained statistical significance. When the observed values of this study werecompared with those quoted for the methods in use and those drawn from different populations,significant differences were revealed. Such differences are of accurate clinical interpretation ofhaematological investigation of patients.
Penalty learning for changepoint detection

We consider the problem of signal segmentation in the setup of supervised learning. The supervision lies here in the existence of labelled change points in a historical database of similar signals. Typical segmentation techniques rely on a penalized least square procedure where the smoothing parameter is fixed arbitrarily. We introduce the alpin (Adaptive Linear Penalty INference) algorithm to tune automatically the smoothing parameter. ALPIN has linear complexity with respect to the sample size and turns out to be robust with respect to noise and diverse annotation strategies. Numerical experiments reveal the efficiency of ALPIN compared to state-of-the-art methods.
In vivo enhancement of anticancer therapy using bare or chemotherapeutic drug-bearing nanodiamond particles

Background This study investigated the use of nanodiamond particles (NDs) as a promising material for drug delivery in vivo and in vitro. Methods HepG2 cells (a human hepatic carcinoma cell line) were used to determine the characteristics of a nanodiamond-doxorubicin complex (ND-DOX) when taken up by cells in vitro using laser scanning confocal microscopy and dialysis experiments. We also compared the survival rate and histopathology of tumor-bearing mice after treatment with NDs or ND-DOX in vivo. Results In vitro investigation showed that ND-DOX has slow and sustained drug release characteristics compared with free doxorubicin. In vivo, the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice treated with ND-DOX was four times greater than that of mice treated with free doxorubicin. Interestingly, the survival rate in mice treated with NDs alone was close to that of mice treated with free doxorubicin. This indicates that treatment with ND-DOX can prolong the lifespan of tumor-bearing mice significantly compared with conventional doxorubicin and that NDs can have this effect as well. Histopathological analysis showed that neither the NDs nor ND-DOX were toxic to the kidney, liver, or spleen in contrast with the well-known toxic effects of free doxorubicin on the kidney and liver. Further, both the bare NDs and ND-DOX could suppress tumor growth effectively. Conclusion NDs can potentially prolong survival, and ND-DOX may act as a nanodrug with promising chemotherapeutic efficacy and safety.
Progress in Studies on Shape Memory Effect and its Engineering Applications of TiNi Alloys

The recent progress in research on characteristics, influencing factors and engineering applications of shape memory effect (SME) in TiNi alloys were reviewed. The characteristics and engineering significance of SME and the effects of chemical composition, heat treatment and working processes on SME in TiNi alloy are discussed.The engineering applications of TiNi alloy SME in making actuator, connector and the fastener, the control of structure deformation and fracture, and the active control of structural vibration are evaluated.State-of-the-arts and future outlook in the research field of TiNi alloy are also given.
Polymorphisms in Fibronectin Binding Proteins A and B among Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Isolates Are Not Associated with Arthroplasty Infection

Background Nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in fibronectin binding protein A (fnbA) of Staphylococcus aureus are associated with cardiac device infections. However, the role of fnbA SNPs in S. aureus arthroplasty infection is unknown. Methods Bloodstream S. aureus isolates from a derivation cohort of patients at a single U.S. medical center with S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) and prosthetic hip or knee arthroplasties that were infected (PJI, n = 27) or uninfected (PJU, n = 43) underwent sequencing of fnbA and fnbB. A validation cohort of S. aureus bloodstream PJI (n = 12) and PJU (n = 58) isolates from Germany also underwent fnbA and fnbB sequencing. Results Overall, none of the individual fnbA or fnbB SNPs were significantly associated with the PJI or PJU clinical groups within the derivation cohort. Similarly, none of the individual fnbA or fnbB SNPs were associated with PJI or PJU when the analysis was restricted to patients with either early SAB (i.e., bacteremia occurring <1 year after placement or manipulation of prostheses) or late SAB (i.e., bacteremia >1 year after placement or manipulation of prostheses). Conclusions In contrast to cardiac device infections, there is no association between nonsynonymous SNPs in fnbA or fnbB of bloodstream S. aureus isolates and arthroplasty infection. These results suggest that initial steps leading to S. aureus infection of cardiovascular and orthopedic prostheses may arise by distinct processes.
Compression of BN Nanotubes:A Molecular Dynamics Study

With molecular dynamics(MD) method,axial compression of both perfect and defective armchair(7,7) single-walled BN nanotubes is simulated.Tersoff potential is used to simulate interaction among atoms.To verify the method,armchair(7,7) single-walled carbon nanotubes are calculated.It shows that compressive failure mode of BN nanotubes is almost the same of carbon nanotubes,in which locally-buckling on walls are observed.It is revealed that compressive strength of nanotubes,such as critical axial load,is related to applied strain rate and is affected by temperature especially at low temperatures.However,elastic deformation of nanotubes is not affected by strain rate.It is found that vacancy defects are quite harmful to mechanical properties.Compared with perfect nanotubes,compressive axial strength of defective nanotubes is not affected by temperature significantly.
Assessing the Reliability of Die Attach Materials in Electronic Packages for High Temperature Applications

The operation of electronic packages under exceptionally harsh environments presents a significant challenge for the microelectronics industry. The traditional temperature limit for high temperature exposure of electronics system (for example, in down-hole, well-logging and aero-engine applications) has now to be extended from 125 to 250°C. The present work aims at developing understanding of how and why attach materials for Si dies degrade/fail under harsh environments. Two types of die attach materials have been studied: electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) that offer low temperature assembly, low cost, and relatively low stresses imparted on the die and substrate but are generally considered unsuitable for harsh environments; and Au-2wt. %Si eutectic that offers elevated temperature stability and stiffness but requires high temperature processing and more complex manufacturing steps. Die attach assembly has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy and scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) a.
Why Do Employees Have Better Family Lives When They Are Highly Engaged at Work?

Past research on the effects of work engagement on the family has demonstrated contrasting effects, with some suggesting that work engagement is beneficial for family life whereas others suggesting that it may be detrimental. In this research, using a sample of 125 employees who responded to daily surveys both at work and at home for 2 consecutive weeks, the authors present a multilevel examination of the relationships of work engagement to family outcomes aimed at elucidating such work–family effects. Their findings revealed that employees’ daily work engagement experiences related positively, within individuals, to work–family interpersonal capitalization, which in turn, related positively to daily family satisfaction and to daily work–family balance. The findings also indicate that both the relationship between daily work engagement and work–family interpersonal capitalization and the indirect effects of daily work engagement on the family outcomes were stronger for employees with higher intrinsic motivation than for those with lower intrinsic motivation. The authors discuss theoretical and practical implications of the findings and offer directions for future research.
ADAP–SLP-76 Binding Differentially Regulates Supramolecular Activation Cluster (SMAC) Formation Relative to T Cell–APC Conjugation

T cell–APC conjugation as mediated by leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)–intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 binding is followed by formation of the supramolecular activation cluster (SMAC) at the immunological synapse. The intracellular processes that regulate SMAC formation and its influence on T cell function are important questions to be addressed. Here, using a mutational approach, we demonstrate that binding of adaptor adhesion and degranulation promoting adaptor protein (ADAP) to SLP-76 differentially regulates peripheral SMAC (pSMAC) formation relative to conjugation. Although mutation of the YDDV sites (termed M12) disrupted SLP-76 SH2 domain binding and prevented the ability of ADAP to increase conjugation and LFA-1 clustering, M12 acted selectively as a dominant negative (DN) inhibitor of pSMAC formation, an effect that was paralleled by a DN effect on interleukin-2 production. ADAP also colocalized with LFA-1 at the immunological synapse. Our findings identify ADAP–SLP-76 binding as a signaling event that differentially regulates SMAC formation, and support a role for SMAC formation in T cell cytokine production.