Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extended synaptotagmins are Ca2+-dependent lipid transfer proteins at membrane contact sites

Significance Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) operating at membrane contact sites play fundamental roles in lipid homeostasis, organelle dynamics, and cell–environment interactions. Imbalances in LTPs are associated with a range of human diseases. For example, aberrant extended synaptotagmin (E-Syt) activities are implicated in neurological disorders. Our findings establish E-Syts as a novel class of LTPs with activities that are controlled by Ca2+. We also show that lipid transport, like vesicle trafficking, can be subject to tight Ca2+ regulation, thus expanding the role of Ca2+ in intracellular membrane transport. These findings broaden our knowledge of lipid transport in the cell and set the stage for understanding the pathogenesis of LTP-associated diseases. Organelles are in constant communication with each other through exchange of proteins (mediated by trafficking vesicles) and lipids [mediated by both trafficking vesicles and lipid transfer proteins (LTPs)]. It has long been known that vesicle trafficking can be tightly regulated by the second messenger Ca2+, allowing membrane protein transport to be adjusted according to physiological demands. However, it remains unclear whether LTP-mediated lipid transport can also be regulated by Ca2+. In this work, we show that extended synaptotagmins (E-Syts), poorly understood membrane proteins at endoplasmic reticulum–plasma membrane contact sites, are Ca2+-dependent LTPs. Using both recombinant and endogenous mammalian proteins, we discovered that E-Syts transfer glycerophospholipids between membrane bilayers in the presence of Ca2+. E-Syts use their lipid-accommodating synaptotagmin-like mitochondrial lipid binding protein (SMP) domains to transfer lipids. However, the SMP domains themselves cannot transport lipids unless the two membranes are tightly tethered by Ca2+-bound C2 domains. Strikingly, the Ca2+-regulated lipid transfer activity of E-Syts was fully recapitulated when the SMP domain was fused to the cytosolic domain of synaptotagmin-1, the Ca2+ sensor in synaptic vesicle fusion, indicating that a common mechanism of membrane tethering governs the Ca2+ regulation of lipid transfer and vesicle fusion. Finally, we showed that microsomal vesicles isolated from mammalian cells contained robust Ca2+-dependent lipid transfer activities, which were mediated by E-Syts. These findings established E-Syts as a novel class of LTPs and showed that LTP-mediated lipid trafficking, like vesicular transport, can be subject to tight Ca2+ regulation.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Variability in Cercospora kikuchii Isolates from Santa Fe Province, Argentina

More than 100 fungal diseases affecting soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) culture have been found worldwide, though only 35 of them are of great economic concern since they cause a 10 to 15% yield decrease (Ivancovich & Botta, 2003; Yeh & Sinclair, 1980). In Argentina, “Late-cycle diseases” (LCD) constitute a complex of infections affecting the culture of this leguminous, particularly in the reproductive stages. The first symptoms appear from the onset of carpel formation, thus producing premature plant maturation, a reduction in yield (5 to 8%) and seed quality loss. Due to the climate conditions of the region, leaf blight and purple seed stain, is one of the LCD prevailing in the central-northern region of Santa Fe Province (Formento, 2005; Ivancovich & Botta, 2003). The causal agent of the disease is the fungus Cercospora kikuchii (T. Matsumoto & Tomoyasu) M.W. Gardner, which produces irregular injuries on the leaves, forming reddish-purple necrotic areas, pale pink to dark purple stains on the seeds, together with cracks on the outer coat (Formento, 2005). C. kikuchii belongs to the Cercospora taxonomic complex, which is assumed to be host-specific (Crous & Braun, 2003), and therefore its species are normally identified from the phenotypic characteristics they show when grown on their natural substrate, being much more difficult to be characterized from artificial media (Almeida et al., 2005; Gams et al., 2007). One of the most important factors determining the pathogenicity of this fungus is the production of cercosporin, a red exotoxin (Kuyama & Tamura, 1957; Upchurch et al.,1991). Another aspect to consider is the genetic variability found in some fungi, which has determined the description of different races; that is why the use of some methodology to detect interand intraspecific variations between isolates is recommended (Kuyama & Tamura, 1957). In this sense, the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique allows the differentiation between strains since amplification focuses only on the whole genome (Tigano et al., 2003; Williams et al., 1990). Although some Brazilian research groups have been studying aspects related with this phytopathogen (Almeida et al., 2003) only a few reports have been found in Argentina and, in particular in Santa Fe Province, about epidemiology and population structure of C. kikuchii.
Precise radial velocities of giant stars: IX. HD 59686 Ab: a massive circumstellar planet orbiting a giant star in a ~13.6 au eccentric binary system

Context. For over 12 yr, we have carried out a precise radial velocity (RV) survey of a sample of 373 G- and K-giant stars using the Hamilton Echelle Spectrograph at the Lick Observatory. There are, among others, a number of multiple planetary systems in our sample as well as several planetary candidates in stellar binaries. Aims. We aim at detecting and characterizing substellar and stellar companions to the giant star HD 59686 A (HR 2877, HIP 36616). Methods. We obtained high-precision RV measurements of the star HD 59686 A. By fitting a Keplerian model to the periodic changes in the RVs, we can assess the nature of companions in the system. To distinguish between RV variations that are due to non-radial pulsation or stellar spots, we used infrared RVs taken with the CRIRES spectrograph at the Very Large Telescope. Additionally, to characterize the system in more detail, we obtained high-resolution images with LMIRCam at the Large Binocular Telescope. Results. We report the probable discovery of a giant planet with a mass of m p sin i = 6.92 -0.24 +0.18 M Jup orbiting at a p = 1.0860 -0.0007 +0.0006 au from the giant star HD 59686 A. In addition to the planetary signal, we discovered an eccentric ( e B = 0.729 -0.003 +0.004 ) binary companion with a mass of m B sin i = 0.5296 -0.0008 +0.0011 M ⊙ orbiting at a close separation from the giant primary with a semi-major axis of a B = 13.56 -0.14 +0.18 au. Conclusions. The existence of the planet HD 59686 Ab in a tight eccentric binary system severely challenges standard giant planet formation theories and requires substantial improvements to such theories in tight binaries. Otherwise, alternative planet formation scenarios such as second-generation planets or dynamical interactions in an early phase of the system’s lifetime need to be seriously considered to better understand the origin of this enigmatic planet.
Women with endometriosis at first pregnancy have an increased risk of adverse obstetric outcome

Abstract Objective: To evaluate pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcome in singleton primiparous versus multiparous women with/without endometriosis. Methods: Multicentric, observational and cohort study on a group of Caucasian pregnant women (n = 2239) interviewed during their hospitalization for delivery in five Italian Gynecologic and Obstetric Units (Siena, Rome, Padua, Varese and Florence). Results: Primiparous women with endometriosis (n = 219) showed significantly higher risk of small for gestational age fetuses (OR: 2.72, 95% CI 1.46–5.06), gestational diabetes (OR: 2.13, 95% CI 1.32–3.44), preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR: 2.93, 95% CI 1.24–6.87) and preterm birth (OR: 2.24, 95% CI 1.46–3.44), and were hospitalized for a longer period of time (p < 0.0001) comparing with control group (n = 1331). Multiparous women with endometriosis (n = 97) delivered significantly more often small for gestational age fetuses (OR: 2.93, 95% CI 1.28–6.67) than control group (n = 592). Newborns of primiparous women with endometriosis needed more frequently intensive care (p = 0.05) and were hospitalized for a longer period of time (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Women with endometriosis at first pregnancy have an increased risk of impaired obstetric outcome, while a reduced number of complications occur in the successive gestation. Therefore, it is worthy for obstetricians to increase the surveillance in nulliparous women with endometriosis during pregnancy.
Cyclin E and c‐Myc promote cell proliferation in the presence of p16INK4a and of hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma family proteins

Retroviral expression of the cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p16INK4a in rodent fibroblasts induces dephosphorylation of pRb, p107 and p130 and leads to G1 arrest. Prior expression of cyclin E allows S‐phase entry and long‐term proliferation in the presence of p16. Cyclin E prevents neither the dephosphorylation of pRb family proteins, nor their association with E2F proteins in response to p16. Thus, cyclin E can bypass the p16/pRb growth‐inhibitory pathway downstream of pRb activation. Retroviruses expressing E2F‐1, ‐2 or ‐3 also prevent p16‐induced growth arrest but are ineffective against the cyclin E‐CDK2 inhibitor p27Kip1, suggesting that E2F cannot substitute for cyclin E activity. Thus, cyclin E possesses an E2F‐independent function required to enter S‐phase. However, cyclin E may not simply bypass E2F function in the presence of p16, since it restores expression of E2F‐regulated genes such as cyclin A or CDC2. Finally, c‐Myc bypasses the p16/pRb pathway with effects indistinguishable from those of cyclin E. We suggest that this effect of Myc is mediated by its action upstream of cyclin E‐CDK2, and occurs via the neutralization of p27Kip1 family proteins, rather than induction of Cdc25A. Our data imply that oncogenic activation of c‐Myc, and possibly also of cyclin E, mimics loss of the p16/pRb pathway during oncogenesis.
Examining the Uptake of Central Nervous System Drugs and Candidates across the Blood-Brain Barrier

Assessing the equilibration of the unbound drug concentrations across the blood-brain barrier (Kp,uu) has progressively replaced the partition coefficient based on the ratio of the total concentration in brain tissue to blood (Kp). Here, in vivo brain distribution studies were performed on a set of central nervous system (CNS)–targeted compounds in both rats and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) genetic knockout mice. Several CNS drugs are characterized by Kp,uu values greater than unity, inferring facilitated uptake across the rodent blood-brain barrier (BBB). Examples are shown in which Kp,uu also increases above unity on knockout of P-gp, highlighting the composite nature of this parameter with respect to facilitated BBB uptake, efflux, and passive diffusion. Several molecules with high Kp,uu values share common structural elements, whereas uptake across the BBB appears more prevalent in the CNS-targeted drug set than the chemical templates being generated within the current lead optimization paradigm. Challenges for identifying high Kp,uu compounds are discussed in the context of acute versus steady-state data and cross-species differences. Evidently, there is a need for better predictive models of human brain Kp,uu.
A control scheme combining state-of-charge balancing and voltage/current regulation for a distributed battery system based on fly-back converter

This paper presents a control scheme combining SoC balancing and voltage/current regulation for a distributed battery system based on fly-back converters. In discharging operation, the proposed control scheme consists of two control loops. The first control loop is designed to regulate all battery terminal voltages to be identical, thus SoC imbalance issue is solved from the root. The other control loop is designed to regulate the output voltage. These two control objectives are combined into one system. In charging operation, the flyback converters are operated in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). As a result, the charging power of each battery is identical. Therefore, SoC imbalance issue is avoided. The analysis of the control scheme and prototype validation based on flyback converters are provided to illustrate and demonstrate the proposed control scheme.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and the upcoming Hajj.

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel virus which was first isolated in April 2012 from a patient with severe acute respiratory infection in Jordan. As of September 7, 2013, there have been 114 cases of laboratory-confirmed infection with MERS-CoV in the Middle East (predominantly Saudi Arabia) and Europe, including 54 deaths. All reported cases outside of the Middle East have occurred in recent travelers to the Middle East or their close contacts, and the majority of fatalities have occurred in individuals with underlying medical conditions. Much remains unknown about the epidemiology of MERS-CoV, including the exact mode of transmission, number of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases, and presence of an animal reservoir. Transmission seems to occur primarily among household contacts and has also been reported in health care facilities, including an outbreak with 23 confirmed and 11 probable cases in four health care facilities in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia during April and May 2013. The incubation period of MERSCoV is thought to be up to 14 days, which can facilitate spread of the virus when infected individuals travel prior to becoming symptomatic. At present, there is no available vaccine for MERS-CoV, and treatment consists of supportive measures only. However, due to lack of sustained transmission in communities, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not consider MERS-CoV to be a public health emergency at this time. The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia is one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, drawing more than three million Muslims from around the globe each year. Transmission of communicable diseases during mass gatherings such as the Hajj has become an increasing concern, as such gatherings bring individuals from all over the world into close contact for days at a time. In fact, “mass gathering medicine” has recently emerged as a medical specialty focused on preventing and treating illness and injury during such events. In order to prevent transmission of communicable diseases during the Hajj, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health currently requires certain vaccines (for yellow fever, meningococcal meningitis, and poliomyelitis) depending on a traveler's country of origin. Influenza vaccination, strict attention to personal hygiene (especially handwashing and cough etiquette), and avoidance of unnecessary contact with animals are also strongly recommended. Despite reassurance by the WHO that the risk of infection with MERS-CoV among those traveling to Saudi Arabia this October for the Hajj is very low, there remains significant concern among the international community about the poDepartment of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell, Medical College, New York, NY, USA
LOS SISTEMAS DE INFORMACIÓN GEOGRÁFICA : SU IMPORTANCIA Y SU UTILIDAD EN LOS ESTUDIOS MEDIOAMBIENTALES

Los estudios medioambientales surgen como una herramienta de gestion en la politica medioambiental actual, encaminada hacia la conservacion de los recursos naturales y la proteccion del medio ambiente. En la realizacion de este tipo de estudios es necesaria no solo la participacion de un equipo multidisciplinar de profesionales, sino el posterior almacenamiento, unificacion y conjuncion de los datos "geograficos" aportados por cada uno de dichos profesionales, con el fin de obtener una vision conjunta e integrada del territorio que permita la racionalizacion de las actividades antropicas dentro del mismo. Es precisamente en esta tarea de almacenamiento de datos "geograficos, de cuantificacion de impactos y riesgos de tratamiento conjunto de la informacion, donde los SISTEMAS DE INFORMACION GEOGRAFICA se han configurado como herramientas cada vez mas utiles e imprescindibles para las tareas de planeamiento territorial, por lo que su uso resulta imprescindible, en la actualidad para llevar a cabo este tipo de estudios. En el presente articulo se esquematizan de forma resumida las principales caracteristicas de dichos sistemas asi como la importancia de los mismos en la realizacion de los estudios medioambientales
Drain induced barrier thinning on TFETs with different source/drain engineering

The goal of this work is to study the effect of high drain voltage bias on short channel devices of tunnel field effect transistors (TFETs). This work will analyze the drain induced barrier thinning (DIBT) calculated for devices with different source and drain engineering, varying characteristics such as channel length, junction doping abruptness and drain/channel junction gate underlap. The first part of this work explained the phenomenon based on Energy Band Diagrams and revealed the effect on transfer characteristic curves. In the second part, the DIBT has been chosen as a relevant parameter, since it includes the threshold voltage susceptibility to the bias conditions, which is important for both analog and digital applications. Finally, plotting DIBT for each parameter variation, it was noticed that devices with Gaussian doping profile and lower drain/channel junction gate underlap tend to present better results in terms of DIBT. The suitability of TFETs has been discussed based on these results.
Relationship between the sensation of activity limitation and the results of functional assessment in asthma patients

ABSTRACT Objective: In asthma patients, the assessment of activity limitation is based on questions evaluating how limited the patient feels in their activities. However, the lack of functional data complicates the interpretation of the answers. We aimed to evaluate the intensity of relationships between the patient's perception of activity limitation and the results of several functional tests. Methods: Twenty patients complaining of asthma exacerbation were invited to complete three scores (Chronic Respiratory Disease questionnaire, Asthma Control Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale). They also underwent lung function measurements, a 6-minute walk test and a cardio-pulmonary exercise test. In addition, physical activity was studied by actigraphy. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between the patient's perception of activity limitation and each of the other parameters were analysed. Results: Five parameters were significantly correlated with the perception of activity limitation: ACQ question 4, related to dyspnea (rs 0.74, p < 0.001); Emotion domain of the Chronic Respiratory Disease questionnaire (rs −0.57, p = 0.02); HAD anxiety (rs 0.48, p = 0.032); HAD depression (rs 0.46, p = 0.041); ACQ question 6, related to reliever use (rs 0.46, p = 0.046). No parameters from the lung function test, 6MWT, CPET or actigraphy, were significantly correlated with the perception of activity limitation. Conclusions: In response to questions about limitation of activity, patients do not specifically answer mentioning physical limitation but rather the psychological burden associated with this constraint.
A ciliate memorizes the geometry of a swimming arena

Previous studies on adaptive behaviour in single-celled organisms have given hints to the origin of their memorizing capacity. Here we report evidence that a protozoan ciliate Tetrahymena has the capacity to learn the shape and size of its swimming space. Cells confined in a small water droplet for a short period were found to recapitulate circular swimming trajectories upon release. The diameter of the circular trajectories and their duration reflected the size of the droplet and the period of confinement. We suggest a possible mechanism for this adaptive behaviour based on a Ca2+ channel. In our model, repeated collisions with the walls of a confining droplet result in a slow rise in intracellular calcium that leads to a long-term increase in the reversal frequency of the ciliary beat.
Recommender System Challenges and Methodologies in Social Network: Survey

: Recommender system aims to provide user with guidance related to the useful services based on their personalized service recommendation, Past behaviors or neighbor’s preferences. With the popularity of social network, many users like to share their views on social media such as rating, blogs, tweets etc, which helps to recommend users interest items. Service recommender system provides an appropriate recommendation of services like shopping, gadgets, hotels, movies etc, which produces big data on the web. This results in the problem of information overload. To get over this problem, Personalized Recommendation System have been affluently used. This paper presents a survey on various challenges and methodologies in recommendation system.
Trayectorias laborales y de vida. Una aproximación al modelo de empleo español

Este informe presenta el trabajo realizado por el subgrupo de trayectorias laborales en el marco de la investigacion "El cambio del modelo de empleo en Espana" (TRANSMODE. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, PN I+D+I 2008-2011 (Ref.CSO2008- 01321). El objetivo general de dicha investigacion es analizar el modelo de empleo espanol a la luz de los cambios socioeconomicos que se han dado en los ultimos quince anos. Para ello se maneja un concepto de modelo de empleo que representa un triangulo de tres vertices relacionados: mercado de trabajo, division sexual del trabajo y politicas publicas relacionadas con el empleo y la familia. Uno de los interrogantes a responder plantea el papel que juega la division sexual del trabajo en la definicion del modelo de empleo. El trabajo de cuidados que asume la familia emerge como un factor clave para analizar el modelo de empleo en un contexto de cambio marcado por los intensos flujos migratorios, la mayor presencia de la mujer en el mercado de trabajo y el envejecimiento de la poblacion
Prevalence ’ s of Overweight and Obesity among Saudi Children

The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalences of overweight and obesity among Saudi children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the National Guard Comprehensive Specialized Clinic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected over a period of 6 months between December 2014 and May 2015. The study sample included 1000 children of Saudi nationality aged 2–14 years who visited the National Guard Comprehensive Clinic. Anthropometric measurements of weight and height were performed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2000 growth charts were used to assess body mass index (BMI). The children were classified into the following four weight categories: underweight (BMI less than the 5th percentile for age and sex), normal weight (BMI between the 5th and 84th percentiles), overweight (BMI between the 85th and 95th percentiles), and obese (BMI more than the 95th percentile). The weight categories were then studied according to sex and age (2–4 years, 5–9 years, and 10–14 years). In boys and girls, the prevalences of overweight were 9.5% and 14.4% and those of obesity were 13.5% and 18%, respectively. The overall prevalences of overweight and obesity were higher among girls than boys. Additionally, the prevalences of overweight and obesity were the highest in the 10–14-year group. Overweight and obesity are important public health problems among Saudi children. A national prevention program is recommended to avoid obesity-related morbidity in adulthood.