Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Psb27 Assembly Factor Binds to the CP43 Complex of Photosystem II in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 68031[C][W][OA]

We have investigated the location of the Psb27 protein and its role in photosystem (PS) II biogenesis in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Native gel electrophoresis revealed that Psb27 was present mainly in monomeric PSII core complexes but also in smaller amounts in dimeric PSII core complexes, in large PSII supercomplexes, and in the unassembled protein fraction. We conclude from analysis of assembly mutants and isolated histidine-tagged PSII subcomplexes that Psb27 associates with the “unassembled” CP43 complex, as well as with larger complexes containing CP43, possibly in the vicinity of the large lumenal loop connecting transmembrane helices 5 and 6 of CP43. A functional role for Psb27 in the biogenesis of CP43 is supported by the decreased accumulation and enhanced fragmentation of unassembled CP43 after inactivation of the psb27 gene in a mutant lacking CP47. Unexpectedly, in strains unable to assemble PSII, a small amount of Psb27 comigrated with monomeric and trimeric PSI complexes upon native gel electrophoresis, and Psb27 could be copurified with histidine-tagged PSI isolated from the wild type. Yeast two-hybrid assays suggested an interaction of Psb27 with the PsaB protein of PSI. Pull-down experiments also supported an interaction between CP43 and PSI. Deletion of psb27 did not have drastic effects on PSII assembly and repair but did compromise short-term acclimation to high light. The tentative interaction of Psb27 and CP43 with PSI raises the possibility that PSI might play a previously unrecognized role in the biogenesis/repair of PSII.
MMOG based on MAS: the MMOG layer

Massively Multiplayer Online Games present a new and exciting domain for service-oriented agent computing, Multi-Agent Systems, Agent Organizations and Electronic Institutions in order to face the challenges of designing a modern Massively Multiplayer On-line Game. This article follows previous pieces of work in the line of Multi-Agent Systems and Massively Multiplayer Online Games research being its main focus the so called MMOG Layer: a software layer which is independent of the environment simulation and the human-interface devices.
The second leg home advantage: Evidence from European football cup competitions

Abstract The home advantage is a widely acknowledged sporting phenomenon, especially in association football. Here, we examine the second leg home advantage, an effect that is discussed in the public domain but which has received very little scientific attention. The second leg home advantage effect occurs when on average teams are more likely to win a two-stage knock-out competition when they play at home in the second leg. That is, both teams have a home advantage but this advantage is significantly greater for the team that plays at home second. Examining data from three different European Cup football competitions spanning 51 years, we show that the second leg home advantage is a real phenomenon. The second leg home team has more than a 50% probability to qualify for the next round in the competition even after controlling for extra time and team ability as possible alternative explanations. The second leg home advantage appears, however, to have decreased significantly over the past decade. Possible reasons for its existence and subsequent decline are presented.
Transient Depolarization and Spontaneous Voltage Fluctuations in Isolated Single Cells from Guinea Pig Ventricles: Calcium‐Mediated Membrane Potential Fluctuations

Under the influence of cardiotonic steroids, single ventricular cells exhibit transient depolarization after a train of driven action potentials or, in voltage clamp experiments, transient inward current after a depolarizing clamp pulse. Transient depolarization or transient inward current was abolished by an intracellular injection of ethyleneglycol-bis β-aminoethyl ether)-JV,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or by superfusion of 5 mM caffeine. Transient depolarization was elicited even in the control Tyrode's solution by an intracellular injection of CaCl2 or augmented by an injection of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphoric acid (cAMP). Along with transient depolarization or transient inward current, digitalis intoxication promoted spontaneous oscillatory fluctuations in membrane potential or in membrane current. Their power spectra showed peaks at frequencies ranging from 2 to 7 Hz, which coincided well with the frequency of repetitive transient depolarization or transient inward current. The fluctuations were eliminated by intracellular injections of EGTA and decreased in amplitude by 5 mM caffeine with a shift toward higher frequencies. Depolarization of the membrane caused a shift of the spectrum peak toward higher frequencies. These results suggest that an oscillatory release of Ca from intracellular storage sites is the common basis underlying both the transient events (depolarization or inward current) and the spontaneous miniature fluctuations in membrane potential or current.
A Novel Dual-Broadband and Dual-Polarized Antenna for 2G/3G/LTE Base Stations

A novel dual-broadband and dual-polarized antenna is proposed in this communication for 2G/3G/LTE base station applications. The antenna comprises of a lower band element and an upper band element which are separated by a ring-shaped baffle. The lower band element employs two pairs of folded dipoles achieving polarization diversity operation at the GSM 850/900 band, and the upper band element uses two crossed dipoles to work at the GSM1800/1900/UMTS and LTE 2300/2500 band. Then, a metal baffle is set in between the lower band and upper band elements for the sake of reducing the mutual coupling and getting good radiation performance. Measured results show that the antenna can get an impedance bandwidth of 23.5% (SWR <; 2) from 0.79 to 1 GHz for the lower band and 50.9% from 1.64 to 2.76 GHz for the upper band. High port-to-port isolation can be realized at both the lower and upper bands. Half-power beam widths at horizontal plane of around 69° over the lower band and 73° over the upper band, along with high gain across the entire working band are obtained. An array that consists of four lower band elements and eight upper band elements is also developed. The proposed antenna and its array can be used for multiband base stations in next generation communication systems.
In vivo behaviour of human muscle tendon during walking

In the present study we investigated in vivo length changes in the fascicles and tendon of the human gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle during walking. The experimental protocol involved real–time ultrasound scanning of the GM muscle, recording of the electrical activity of the muscle, measurement of knee– and ankle–joint rotations, and measurement of ground reaction forces in six men during walking at 3 km h–1 on a treadmill. Fascicular lengths were measured from the sonographs recorded. Musculotendon complex length changes were estimated from anatomical and joint kinematic data. Tendon length changes were obtained combining the musculotendon complex and fascicular length–change data. The fascicles followed a different length–change pattern from those of the musculotendon complex and tendon throughout the step cycle. Two important features emerged: (i) the muscle contracted near–isometrically in the stance phase, with the fascicles operating at ca. 50 mm; and (ii) the tendon stretched by ca. 7 mm during single support, and recoiled in push–off. The behaviour of the muscle in our experiment indicates consumption of minimal metabolic energy for eliciting the contractile forces required to support and displace the body. On the other hand, the spring–like behaviour of the tendon indicates storage and release of elastic–strain energy. Either of the two mechanisms would favour locomotor economy.
New Technology Stock Market Indexes Contagion: A VAR-dccMVGARCH Approach

The episodes of stock market crises in Europe and the U.S.A. since the year 2000,and the fragility of the New Technology sector after the explosion of the speculative bubble,have sparked the interest of researchers in understanding and in modeling this market’s high volatility to prevent against crises.The strong linkage of the American and European New Technology sectors has brought up the co-movement and the contagion hypothesis,especially after the fall in new technology stock prices in Europe following the explosion of the IT speculative bubble in the U.S.A.In this article,we attempt to show that the NASDAQ- 100 is a major origin for the shocks that the IT.CAC and the NEMAX undergo.We construct a VAR model with GARCH errors to show this linkage and we ﬁnd that the NASDAQ-100 has a strong effect on the French IT.CAC;this approach is an original work on contagion in the case of stock market indexes.
Review: The chemokine receptor CXCR3 and its ligands CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 in neuroimmunity – a tale of conflict and conundrum

M. Müller, S. Carter, M. J. Hofer and I. L. Campbell (2010) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology36, 368–387 The chemokine receptor CXCR3 and its ligands CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 in neuroimmunity – a tale of conflict and conundrum
Temperature-Regulated Bleaching and Lysis of the Coral Pocillopora damicornis by the Novel Pathogen Vibrio coralliilyticus

ABSTRACT Coral bleaching is the disruption of symbioses between coral animals and their photosynthetic microalgal endosymbionts (zooxanthellae). It has been suggested that large-scale bleaching episodes are linked to global warming. The data presented here demonstrate that Vibrio coralliilyticus is an etiological agent of bleaching of the coral Pocillopora damicornis. This bacterium was present at high levels in bleached P. damicornis but absent from healthy corals. The bacterium was isolated in pure culture, characterized microbiologically, and shown to cause bleaching when it was inoculated onto healthy corals at 25°C. The pathogen was reisolated from the diseased tissues of the infected corals. The zooxanthella concentration in the bacterium-bleached corals was less than 12% of the zooxanthella concentration in healthy corals. When P. damicornis was infected with V. coralliilyticus at higher temperatures (27 and 29°C), the corals lysed within 2 weeks, indicating that the seawater temperature is a critical environmental parameter in determining the outcome of infection. A large increase in the level of the extracellular protease activity of V. coralliilyticus occurred at the same temperature range (24 to 28°C) as the transition from bleaching to lysis of the corals. We suggest that bleaching of P. damicornis results from an attack on the algae, whereas bacterium-induced lysis and death are promoted by bacterial extracellular proteases. The data presented here support the bacterial hypothesis of coral bleaching.
Correction to “Molecular Crowding Accelerates Ribozyme Docking and Catalysis”

All biological processes take place in highly crowded cellular environments. However, the effect that molecular crowding agents have on the folding and catalytic properties of RNA molecules remains largely unknown. Here, we have combined single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and bulk cleavage assays to determine the effect of a molecular crowding agents on the folding and catalysis of a model RNA enzyme, the hairpin ribozyme. Our single-molecule data reveal that PEG favors the formation of the docked (active) structure by increasing the docking rate constant with increasing PEG concentrations. Furthermore, Mg2+ ion-induced folding in the presence of PEG occurs at concentrations ∼7-fold lower than in the absence of PEG, near the physiological range (∼1 mM). Lastly, bulk cleavage assays in the presence of the crowding agent show that the ribozyme’s activity increases while the heterogeneity decreases. Our data is consistent with the idea that molecular crowding plays an important role in the stabilization of ribozyme active conformations in vivo.
The Influence of RECD Transducer When Deriving Real-Ear Sound Pressure Level

Objective: The main aim of the present study was to compare the derived and directly measured real-ear hearing instrument performance for a range of commonly used hearing instruments. A secondary aim was to compare the real-ear to coupler difference (RECD) measured using the ER-3A insert earphone and a selection of hearing instruments. Design: The real-ear SPL was measured for four models of hearing instrument in 20 adult participants using an Audioscan RM500 real-ear system. This was compared with the derived real-ear SPL obtained by adding the RECD (measured using the ER-3A insert earphone) to the 2-cc coupler response of each hearing instrument. Measurements were made at 1/12 octave intervals from 0.2 to 6 kHz, using both the HA1 and HA2 2-cc coupler. In addition, the RECD was measured using four models of hearing instrument for comparison with the ER-3A insert earphone values. Results: The procedures were very reliable with mean differences on retest of less than 1 dB. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differences between the measured and derived real-ear SPL (p < 0.001) for several models of hearing instrument. The derived responses using the HA1 coupler yielded good accuracy, whereas the HA2 yielded less accuracy. For three models of hearing instrument, the maximum difference was between 5 and 10 dB when using the HA2 coupler. The mean RECD measured with the ER-3A insert earphone and HA2 coupler was not always equivalent to the RECD measured with the hearing instruments. Conclusions: The accuracy of the derived real-ear response obtained using an RECD, measured with an ER-3A insert earphone, is very good when an HA1 is used for the coupler component of the RECD. The accuracy diminishes somewhat with the HA2 coupler, especially for undamped hearing instruments. The accuracy of the derived real-ear response is very good when the RECD is measured using the hearing instrument and the HA1 or the HA2 coupler.
Experimental Lyme Arthritis in the Absence of Interleukin-4 or Gamma Interferon

ABSTRACT Genetic resistance and susceptibility to experimental Lyme arthritis have been linked with the production of interleukin-4 (IL-4) or gamma interferon (IFN-γ), respectively. To determine the absolute requirement for these cytokines in disease outcome, we compared arthritis development in wild-type, IL-4-deficient (IL-4°), and IFN-γ-deficient (IFN-γ°) mice. While susceptible C3H mice developed swelling of ankle joints during the second week of infection, this swelling was exacerbated in C3H IFN-γ° mice. Their arthritis severity scores at day 21, however, were similar. Resolution of arthritis was also similar between C3H and C3H IFN-γ° mice. Arthritis-resistant DBA mice did not develop ankle swelling during the experimental period. There were no differences in ankle swelling or arthritis severity scores between control DBA mice and DBA IL-4° mice at any of the time points tested. While the presence of spirochetes in various tissues was similar among all strains at day 21, DBA IL-4° mice had a higher presence of spirochetes in blood, heart, and spleen than the DBA, C3H, and C3H IFN-γ° mice did at day 60. DBA IL-4° mice also had impaired ability to produce Borrelia-specific antibody responses, especially immunoglobulin G1. Thus, while IFN-γ and IL-4 are not absolutely required for arthritis susceptibility or resistance, the production of IL-4 does appear to play an important role in Borrelia-specific antibody production and spirochete clearance.
Application of self adapts to RGB threshold value for robot soccer

A new vision for robot soccer system for color image segmentation technologies[1][2], Adaptive threshold method, which uses RGB color space segmentation threshold value, the binary image obtained using the automatic region based on distance growth approach divided goal, when there is color shift when the H of the HSV color space to extend the use of the extended H-tone re-segmentation goals, and through statistical ways of calculating the threshold of the new RGB, RGB threshold to achieve the automatic expansion of HSV color space and overcome the existing singularity of image segmentation's effect. The experimental results show that the method is not only the target location and direction angle is more accurate and dynamic environment to improve robustness.
Trade and the Environment: New Methods, Measurements, and Results

We review recent research linking international trade to the environment, with a focus on new results and methods. The review is given structure by a novel decomposition linking changes in emissions to changes in productive activity at the plant, firm, industry, and national levels. Although some new results have emerged from the application of a Melitz-style approach to trade and the environment, the full potential of this approach has not yet been realized. We discuss existing empirical and theoretical work, introduce three new hypotheses, and suggest paths for future researchers to follow.
Photoactive Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Nanoweb for Optoelectrical Stimulation to Enhance Neurogenesis of Human Stem Cells

Optoelectrical manipulation has recently gained attention for cellular engineering; however, few material platforms can be used to efficiently regulate stem cell behaviors via optoelectrical stimulation. In this study, we developed nanoweb substrates composed of photoactive polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) to enhance the neurogenesis of human fetal neural stem cells (hfNSCs) through photo-induced electrical stimulation. Methods: The photoactive nanoweb substrates were fabricated by self-assembled one-dimensional (1D) P3HT nanostructures (nanofibrils and nanorods). The hfNSCs cultured on the P3HT nanoweb substrates were optically stimulated with a green light (539 nm) and then differentiation of hfNSCs on the substrates with light stimulation was examined. The utility of the nanoweb substrates for optogenetic application was tested with photo-responsive hfNSCs engineered by polymer nanoparticle-mediated transfection of an engineered chimeric opsin variant (C1V1)-encoding gene. Results: The nanoweb substrates provided not only topographical stimulation for activating focal adhesion signaling of hfNSCs, but also generated optoelectrical stimulation via photochemical and charge-transfer reactions upon exposure to 539 nm wavelength light, leading to significantly enhanced neuronal differentiation of hfNSCs. The optoelectrically stimulated hfNSCs exhibited mature neuronal phenotypes with highly extended neurite formation and functional neuron-like electrophysiological features of sodium currents and action potentials. Optoelectrical stimulation with 539 nm light simultaneously activated both C1V1-modified hfNSCs and nanoweb substrates, which upregulated the expression and activation of voltage-gated ion channels in hfNSCs and further increased the effect of photoactive substrates on neuronal differentiation of hfNSCs. Conclusion: The photoactive nanoweb substrates developed in this study may serve as platforms for producing stem cell therapeutics with enhanced neurogenesis and neuromodulation via optoelectrical control of stem cells.
Pyramidal effects in dorsal neck motoneurones of the cat.

The effects of contralateral pyramidal stimulation have been investigated with intracellular recording from cat alpha‐motoneurones that innervate the dorsal neck musculature. A short train of stimuli evoked three types of synaptic effects: predominant excitation or inhibition and mixed effects characterized chiefly by early excitation followed by inhibition. Latency measurements indicated a minimal disynaptic linkage for excitation and for inhibition. Splenius motoneurones received primarily excitation whereas biventer cervicis‐complexus motoneurones received a more varied input characterized by mixed effects or inhibition. Following transection of the pyramid just rostral to the decussation (lower pyramidal lesion) pyramidal stimulation above the lesion still produced disynaptic excitation and longer latency (possibly trisynaptic) inhibition. Pyramidal stimulation just caudal to this transection evoked inhibition with a minimal disynaptic latency, as well as longer latency excitation. The incidence of longer latency excitation was found to be reduced in cats with corticospinal tract transections at the level of the second cervical spinal segment. No post‐synaptic potentials were evoked by pyramidal stimulation rostral to a pyramidal transection at the level of the trapezoid body. It is suggested that disynaptic excitation evoked by pyramidal stimulation above the lower pyramidal lesion is mediated by medullary reticulospinal neurones possessing monosynaptic excitatory connexions with neck motoneurones. Longer latency excitation appears to be mediated by neurones that receive corticospinal tract input and are located in the spinal segments containing the neck motoneurones. Disynaptic inhibition is mediated by neurones likely to be situated between the second cervical spinal segment and the level of the lower pyramidal lesion. The results also suggest that the first neurone in the chain mediating longer latency inhibition is located in the brain stem. The differences in pyramidal synaptic input between splenius and biventer cervicis‐complexus motoneurones are considered in relation to the roles these muscles may serve in head position control.
Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in gastric antral mucosa before and after eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection

Objective:Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes chronic gastritis. The inducible prostaglandin synthetase cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) plays an important role in inflammatory conditions. We hypothesized that H. pylori-associated chronic gastritis would express COX-2 protein. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of eradication of H. pylori infection on COX-2 expression in the antral mucosa of patients before and after antibiotic therapy.Methods:Tissues were obtained from patients with nonulcer dyspepia undergoing H. pylori eradication. Ten patients with proven H. pylori infection and subsequent successful eradication were studied. Three biopsies of antral mucosa were evaluated before and after H. pylori eradication. The amount of acute and chronic inflammation was quantitated. Immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 was expressed as a percentage of the total number of cells and correlated with the degree of chronic inflammation.Results:Specific immunostaining for COX-2 was observed in antral mucosa of patients infected with H. pylori. Patchy cytoplasmic staining was seen in surface epithelial cells and strong cytoplasmic staining for COX-2 was seen in parietal cells. Spotty cytoplasmic staining for COX-2 was also seen in lamina propria plasma cells, as well as there being macrophages present in the germinal centers of lymphoid aggregates. COX-2 expression could be detected both before and after eradication of H. pylori. The mean percentage of cells staining for COX-2 was significantly higher in H. pylori-infected mucosa, compared with mucosa after successful H. pylori eradication (33.4%± 5.4 vs 18.9%± 3.3, p= 0.038). COX-2 immunostaining correlated best with the chronic inflammation score (r2= 0.78, p < 0.001). There was a strong correlation for those subjects who were H. pylori infected, as well as for those who had successful H. pylori eradication.Conclusions:H. pylori associated acute and chronic antral inflammation was associated with immunohistochemical detection of COX-2 protein in epithelial cells, in addition to associated mononuclear cells and parietal cells. Expression was reduced, but not eliminated, in the epithelium after successful eradication of H. pylori. Despite the reduction in COX-2 expression after H. pylori eradication, expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells remained and strongly correlated with the extent of the chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate. The clinical implications of H. pylori-associated induction of COX-2 expression for patients on selective COX-2 inhibitors, in addition to the role of COX-2 in gastric carcinogenesis, deserve further study.