Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intracellular Immunization of Prokaryotic Cells against a Bacteriotoxin

ABSTRACT Intracellularly expressed antibodies have been designed to bind and inactivate target molecules inside eukaryotic cells. Here we report that an antibody fragment can be used to probe the periplasmic localization of the colicin A N-terminal domain. Colicins form voltage-gated ion channels in the inner membrane of Escherichia coli. To reach their target, they bind to a receptor located on the outer membrane and then are translocated through the envelope. The N-terminal domain of colicins is involved in the translocation step and therefore is thought to interact with proteins of the translocation system. To compete with this system, a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) directed against the N-terminal domain of the colicin A was synthesized and exported into the periplasmic space of E. coli. The periplasmic scFv inhibited the lethal activity of colicin A and had no effect on the lethal activity of other colicins. Moreover, the scFv was able to specifically inactivate hybrid colicins possessing the colicin A N-terminal domain without affecting their receptor binding. Hence, the periplasmic scFv prevents the translocation of colicin A and probably its interaction with import machinery. This indicates that the N-terminal domain of the toxin is accessible in the periplasm. Moreover, we show that production of antibody fragments to interfere with a biological function can be applied to prokaryotic systems.
Have Inflation Dynamics Changed

Using a flexible statistical model to project inflation outcomes into the future, this Commentary finds that the most likely path for inflation based on recent inflation dynamics is generally similar to what would have been expected given inflation dynamics in the late 1990s, but there is more uncertainty around the forecast now than in the late 1990s.
A high oxidised frying oil content diet is less adipogenic, but induces glucose intolerance in rodents

Oxidised frying oil (OFO) and fish oil have been shown to be peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α activators and their ingestion results in pleotropic peroxisome proliferator responses in rats. To examine the effect of dietary OFO on adiposity, four groups of weanling Sprague–Dawley rats were fed isoenergetically with, respectively, a low fat basal diet containing 5 g/100 g of fresh soybean oil (LSB) or a high fat diet containing 20 g/100 g of fresh soybean oil (HSB), OFO (HO) or fish oil (HF). The tissue mass, cell size and lipid/DNA ratio in the retroperitoneal fat pad and serum leptin levels were lowest in the HO group (P < 0·05), indicating that dietary OFO has a greater anti-adipogenic action than dietary fish oil. However, a tendency to hyperglycaemia was observed in the HO group (P = 0·0528). To examine the effect of dietary OFO on glucose tolerance, three groups of rats and three groups of mice were fed, respectively, the LSB, HSB or HO diet, and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed. After oral glucose load, the area under the curve for blood glucose (AUCglu) over 2 h was significantly higher, and that for serum insulin (AUCins) over 90 min was significantly lower, in the HO group than in the other two groups (P < 0·05). These results demonstrate that, in rats and mice, a high OFO diet is less adipogenic, but induces glucose intolerance.
Predictable Biases in Macroeconomic Forecasts and Their Impact Across Asset Classes

This paper investigates how biases in macroeconomic forecasts are associated with economic surprises and market responses across asset classes around US data announcements. We find that the skewness of the distribution of economic forecasts is a strong predictor of economic surprises, suggesting that forecasters behave strategically (rational bias) and possess private information. Our results also show that consensus forecasts of US macroeconomic releases embed anchoring. Under these conditions, both economic surprises and the returns of assets that are sensitive to macroeconomic conditions are predictable. Our findings indicate that local equities and bond markets are more predictable than foreign markets, currencies and commodities. Economic surprises are found to link to asset returns very distinctively through the stages of the economic cycle, whereas they strongly depend on economic releases being inflation- or growth-related. Yet, when forecasters fail to correctly forecast the direction of economic surprises, regret becomes a relevant cognitive bias to explain asset price responses. We find that the behavioral and rational biases encountered in US economic forecasting also exists in Continental Europe, the United Kingdom and Japan, albeit, to a lesser extent.
A question of context: Enhancing intrusion detection by providing context information

Due to the fourth industrial revolution, and the resulting increase in interconnectivity, industrial networks are more and more opened to publicly available networks. Apart from the huge benefit in manageability and flexibility, the openness also results in a larger attack surface for malicious adversaries. In comparison to office environments, industrial networks have very high volumes of data. In addition to that, every delay will most likely lead to loss of revenue. Hence, intrusion detection systems for industrial applications have different requirements than office-based intrusion detection systems. On the other hand, industrial networks are able to provide a lot of contextual information due to manufacturing execution systems and enterprise resource planning. Additionally, industrial networks tend to be more uniform, making it easier to determine outliers. In this work, an abstract simulation of industrial network behaviour is created. Malicious actions are introduced into a set of sequences of valid behaviour. Finally, a context-based and context-less intrusion detection system is used to find the attacks. The results are compared and commented. It can be seen that context information can help in identifying malicious actions more reliable than intrusion detection with only one source of information, e.g. the network.
Functional Authentication of a Novel Gastropod Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Reveals Unusual Features and Evolutionary Insight

A gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-like molecule was previously identified in a gastropod, Aplysia californica, and named ap-GnRH. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA of a putative ap-GnRH receptor (ap-GnRHR) and functionally authenticated this receptor as a bona fide ap-GnRHR. This receptor contains two potential translation start sites, each accompanied by a Kozak sequence, suggesting the translation of a long and a short form of the receptor is possible. The putative ap-GnRHR maintains the conserved structural motifs of GnRHR-like receptors and shares 45% sequence identity with the octopus GnRHR. The expression of the putative ap-GnRHR short form is ubiquitous in all tissues examined, whereas the long form is only expressed in parts of the central nervous system, osphradium, small hermaphroditic duct, and ovotestis. The cDNA encoding the long or the short receptor was transfected into the Drosophila S2 cell line and subject to a radioreceptor assay using 125I-labeled ap-GnRH as the radioligand. Further, the transfected cells were treated with various concentrations of ap-GnRH and measured for the accumulation of cAMP and inositol monophosphate (IP1). Radioreceptor assay revealed that only the long receptor bound specifically to the radioligand. Further, only the long receptor responded to ap-GnRH with an increased accumulation of IP1, but not cAMP. Our studies show that despite the more prevalent expression of the short receptor, only the long receptor is the functional ap-GnRHR. Importantly, this is only the second report on the authentication of a protostome GnRHR, and based on the function and the phylogenetic grouping of ap-GnRHR, we suggest that this receptor is more similar to protostome corazonin receptors than chordate GnRHRs.
Pulmonary and leg VO2 during submaximal exercise: implications for muscular efficiency.

Insights into muscle energetics during exercise (e.g., muscular efficiency) are often inferred from measurements of pulmonary gas exchange. This procedure presupposes that changes of pulmonary O2 (VO2) associated with increases of external work reflect accurately the increased muscle VO2. The present investigation addressed this issue directly by making simultaneous determinations of pulmonary and leg VO2 over a range of work rates calculated to elicit 20-90% of maximum VO2 on the basis of prior incremental (25 or 30 W/min) cycle ergometry. VO2 for both legs was calculated as the product of twice one-leg blood flow (constant-infusion thermodilution) and arteriovenous O2 content difference across the leg. Measurements were made 3-5 min after each work rate imposition to avoid incorporation of the VO2 slow component above the lactate threshold. For all 17 subjects, the slope of pulmonary VO2 (9.9 +/- 0.2 ml O2.W-1.min-1) was not different (P greater than 0.05) from that for leg VO2 (9.2 +/- 0.6 ml O2.W-1.min-1). Estimation of "delta" efficiency (i.e., delta work accomplished divided by delta energy expended, calculated from slope of VO2 vs. work rate and a caloric equivalent for O2 of 4.985 cal/ml) using pulmonary VO2 measurements (29.1 +/- 0.6%) was likewise not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) from that made using leg VO2 measurements (33.7 +/- 2.4%). These data suggest that the net VO2 cost of metabolic "support" processes outside the exercising legs changes little over a relatively broad range of exercise intensities. Thus, under the conditions of this investigation, changes of VO2 measured from expired gas reflected closely those occurring within the exercising legs.
A static approach towards mobile botnet detection

The use of mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart watches and notebooks are increasing day by day in our societies. They are usually connected to the Internet and offer nearly the same functionality, same memory and same speed like a PC. To get more benefits from these mobile devices, applications should be installed in advance. These applications are available from third party websites, such as google play store etc. In existing mobile devices operating systems, Android is very easy to attack because of its open source environment. Android OS use of open source facilty attracts malware developers to target mobile devices with their new malicious applications having botnet capabilities. Mobile botnet is one of the crucial threat to mobile devices. In this study we propose a static approach towards mobile botnet detection. This technique combines MD5, permissions, broadcast receivers as well as background services and uses machine learning algorithm to detect those applications that have capabilities for mobile botnets. In this technique, the given features are extracted from android applications in order to build a machine learning classifier for detection of mobile botnet attacks. Initial experiments conducted on a known and recently updated dataset: UNB ISCX Android botnet dataset, having the combination of 14 different malware families, shows the efficiency of our approach. The given research is in progress.
Mainstreaming sustainable tourism with user-centred design

Abstract Efforts to design and communicate sustainable tourism products have been based on the premise of explicit market demand for sustainability. This study tests whether it is possible to design mainstream sustainable tourism products that circumvent customer scrutiny of their sustainability features, by making sustainability implicit (as part of quality product design) and communicating hedonistic benefits instead. This is akin to using the peripheral route of communication, as explained in the Elaboration Likelihood Model, as the central route emphasises the consumer-driven message of overall quality of experience; the approach lessens the need for customers to be conscious of the sustainability consequences of their actions. The methodology proposed to achieve this is user-centred design (UCD), which places insights into customer needs, values and demands at the heart of new product design. We designed sustainable tourist activities using UCD and then appraised customer demand for them. Although this may seem counterintuitive, the results show that it can be more effective than traditional methods in mainstreaming sustainable activities, through choice-editing of unsustainable ones and normalising the appearance and communication of sustainability, provided a focus on sustainability is maintained by the product provider.
A real-time selective harmonic extraction approach based on adaptive notch filtering

This paper introduces a new adaptive notch filtering approach as a selective harmonic extraction technique. This method is capable of detecting a selective order of harmonics. This feature is useful where elimination of certain harmonics is of concern. Moreover, the proposed method can successfully detect and track the variations in the frequency and amplitude of the signal and extract the time-varying harmonics. The theoretical analysis is presented and the performance of the method is evaluated by applying it on a shunt active power filter (APF). The methodology is applicable for a wide range of equipment like uninterrupted power supplies, regenerative converters, active power filters, etc.
Prediction of Hip Fracture Risk by Quantitative Ultrasound in More Than 7000 Swiss Women ≥70 Years of Age: Comparison of Three Technologically Different Bone Ultrasound Devices in the SEMOF Study

To compare the prediction of hip fracture risk of several bone ultrasounds (QUS), 7062 Swiss women ≥70 years of age were measured with three QUSs (two of the heel, one of the phalanges). Heel QUSs were both predictive of hip fracture risk, whereas the phalanges QUS was not.
Tracking of feature points in image sequence by SMC implementation of PHD filter

We investigate a method for filtering of feature points' trajectories in image sequence by using a novel technique named sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) implementation of probability hypothesis density (PHD) filter. PHD filter uses finite random set (FRS) on state space to represent and to track multiple targets in clutter. It can deal with appearance/disappearance of target due to the FRS representation. PHD is 1st order moment of finite random set, which corresponds to mean vector of the Kalman filter in continuous variable state case. SMC implementation of PHD filter is an elaborated filter that approximates the PHD by many number of realization, which are called particles, and it properly control the number of particles according to appearance/disappearance of targets. We apply this idea to track trajectories of feature points in image sequence. Simulation and real image analysis show the efficiency of the method.
Large aperture PPMgLN based high-power optical parametric oscillator at 3.8 µm pumped by a nanosecond linearly polarized fiber MOPA.

We report a large aperture PPMgLN based OPO generating 21W of average output power at a slope efficiency of 45%. The OPO is pumped with the output from a polarization maintaining Ytterbium doped fiber MOPA operating at 1060nm producing 20ns pulses at a repetition rate of 100kHz and an average output power of 58W (after the isolators). A maximum of 5.5W of optical power was recorded at the idler wavelength of 3. 82µm without thermal roll-off. The pulse rise/fall time plays a significant role in the OPO conversion efficiency and that further enhancements in the efficiency should be possible using pulses with faster rise and fall times.
Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on the Red and Near-infrared Optical Properties of the Human Breast¶

Abstract Time-resolved reflectance and transmittance spectroscopy was applied to measure in vivo the absorption and transport scattering spectra of the female breast from 610 to 1010 nm. Three measurement configurations were used to probe different breast regions, and data were collected two or three times in each of the five phases of the menstrual cycle. The absorption spectra were best-fitted with a linear combination of the spectra of the main tissue constituents (water, lipids, oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin). This allowed us to evaluate percentage contents of water and lipids, total hemoglobin content and hemoglobin oxygen saturation. The scattering spectra were interpreted with a function derived from Mie theory, providing information on the density and average size of the tissue scatterers. Significant changes in the estimated variables were observed with measurement geometry, reflecting the heterogeneous nature of the breast, and with time, in agreement with expected physiological changes over the menstrual cycle.
Granule cell hyperexcitability in the early post‐traumatic rat dentate gyrus: the ‘irritable mossy cell’ hypothesis

1 Cytochemical and in vitro whole‐cell patch clamp techniques were used to investigate granule cell hyperexcitability in the dentate gyrus 1 week after fluid percussion head trauma. 2 The percentage decrease in the number of hilar interneurones labelled with either GAD67 or parvalbumin mRNA probes following trauma was not different from the decrease in the total population of hilar cells, indicating no preferential survival of interneurones with respect to the non‐GABAergic hilar cells, i.e. the mossy cells. 2 Dentate granule cells following trauma showed enhanced action potential discharges, and longer‐lasting depolarizations, in response to perforant path stimulation, in the presence of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline. 3 There was no post‐traumatic alteration in the perforant path‐evoked monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), or in the intrinsic properties of granule cells. However, after trauma, the monosynaptic EPSC was followed by late, polysynaptic EPSCs, which were not present in controls. 4 The late EPSCs in granule cells from fluid percussion‐injured rats were not blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist 2‐amino‐5‐phosphonovaleric acid (APV), but were eliminated by both the non‐NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (CNQX) and the AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI 53655. 5 In addition, the late EPSCs were not present in low (0·5 mM) extracellular calcium, and they were also eliminated by the removal of the dentate hilus from the slice. 6 Mossy hilar cells in the traumatic dentate gyrus responded with significantly enhanced, prolonged trains of action potential discharges to perforant path stimulation. 7 These data indicate that surviving mossy cells play a crucial role in the hyperexcitable responses of the post‐traumatic dentate gyrus.
A cross-cultural study of guanxi and auditor independence in two economies: evidence from China and the United States

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of guanxi on auditor independence in China and the U.S. Using panel data from 2012–2015 surveys, fixed-effects regression models are used to analyse survey data with observations drawn from a total of 1076 Big 4 and 1044 non-Big 4 auditor-years for Chinese auditors, and 1168 Big 4 and 1140 non-Big 4 auditor-years for the U.S. auditors. The results indicate that ‘guanxi with clients’ has a negative influence on perceptions of auditor independence for Chinese auditors, but not for the U.S. auditors. According to our findings, both groups agree that imposing regulations/code has a positive influence on perceptions of auditor independence. Gender has no influence on the perceived independence of either group. After controlling for social desirability bias, our results remain robust. Sensitivity analysis further increases the robustness of the findings. Our results provide empirical support for public interest theory and pose implications for Western multinational companies contemplating doing business in the Chinese economy. This investigation is particularly relevant in the wake of the rise of China as a global power. Regulators should consider the implications of this study when setting auditing guidelines and codes of ethics.
Significance of increasing levels of minimal residual disease in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia in complete cytogenetic response.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of increases in quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) levels in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) who are in complete cytogenetic response (CGCR) on therapy. Patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive CML receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are frequently monitored for response by QPCR studies for minimal molecular disease. The clinical significance of increasing levels of QPCR in patients in CGCR is uncertain. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred sixteen patients in durable CGCR, and on imatinib therapy for at least 18 months, had increases in QPCR levels (documented at least twice consecutively) as defined by literature reports. These were further analyzed by the achievement of major molecular response (MMR) defined as QPCR < or = 0.05%, as well as by the degree of increase in QPCR. RESULTS Only 11 (9.5%) of 116 patients with increases in QPCR had CML progression; 10 of them were among 44 patients (23%) who either lost a MMR or never had a MMR, and had more than 1 log increase of QPCR. CONCLUSION Most patients with increases in QPCR remain in CGCR. Patients who lose a MMR or never achieve a MMR, and have more than 1 log increase of QPCR, should be monitored more closely, and may be evaluated for mutations of BCR-ABL kinase domain and considered for investigational therapeutic interventions.
The Cell Cycle in Polyploid Megakaryocytes Is Associated with Reduced Activity of Cyclin B1-dependent Cdc2 Kinase (*)

The platelet precursor, the megakaryocyte, matures to a polyploid cell as a result of DNA replication in the absence of mitosis (endomitosis). The factors controlling endomitosis are accessible to analysis in our megakaryocytic cell line, MegT, generated by targeted expression of temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T antigen to megakaryocytes of transgenic mice. We aimed to define whether endomitosis consists of a continuous phase of DNA synthesis (S) or of S phases interrupted by gaps. Analysis of the cell cycle in MegT cells revealed that, upon inactivation of large T antigen, the cells shifted from a mitotic cell cycle to an endomitotic cell cycle consisting of S/Gap phases. The level of the G/S cyclin, cyclin A, as well as of the G phase cyclin, cyclin D3, were elevated at the onset of DNA synthesis, either in MegT cells undergoing a mitotic cell cycle or during endomitosis. In contrast, the level of the mitotic cyclin, cyclin B1, cycled in cells displaying a mitotic cell cycle while not detectable during endomitosis. Comparable levels of the mitotic kinase protein, Cdc2, were detected during the mitotic cell cycle or during endomitosis; however, cyclin B1-dependent Cdc2 kinase activity was largely abolished in the polyploid cells. Fibroblasts immortalized with the same heat-labile oncogene do not display reduced levels of cyclin B1 upon shifting to high temperature nor do they become polyploid, indicating that reduced levels of cyclin B1 is a property of megakaryocytes and not of the T-antigen mutant. We conclude that cellular programming during endoreduplication in megakaryocytes is associated with reduced levels of cyclin B1.