Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterodimerization with c-Fos is not required for cell transformation of chicken embryo fibroblasts by Jun.

c-Jun belongs to a family of proteins that require dimerization for activity. Dimerization occurs through a leucine-rich region near the carboxy terminus called the leucine zipper. Jun can form dimeric complexes with other Jun family as well as Fos family members. The relative proportion of these different dimeric complexes is determined by the relative abundance of each family member at a particular time. Overexpression of v-Jun or c-Jun alone will lead to cell transformation of chicken embryo fibroblasts, albeit with varying efficiencies. Upon overexpression, v-Jun or c-Jun presumably becomes the predominant AP-1 component in the cell. Theoretically, this should lead to a larger proportion of homodimers than heterodimers. It is not clear what role, if any, the other Jun and Fos family proteins play during cell transformation. We have examined the ability of Jun to induce cell transformation in chicken embryo fibroblasts in the absence of interaction with other Jun or Fos family proteins. To this end, we have constructed a chicken v-Jun mutant that is incapable of heterodimerization. This was accomplished by replacing the leucine zipper region of Jun with that of the yeast transcription factor GCN4. This chimeric protein, VJ-GLZ, retains all of the DNA binding and transcriptional activation domains of v-Jun. As expected, in vitro translated VJ-GLZ was found to be incapable of forming heterodimers with c-Fos, FosB, and JunD. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Novel Method to Design Interstage Matching Network in the Smith Chart

In this paper, a novel method for interstage matching network design in the smith chart is presented. This technique is based on matching the reflection coefficients between input of interstage matching network and S22 of the first transistor with considering input VSWR and the gain of the complete amplifier (or output of the complete amplifier if the matching is applied to the output of the interstage matching network). Also, the novel locus of constant gain and VSWR of interstage matching network are presented in the smith chart.
Research on Mesh Generation Based on B-Rep Model for Virtual Rendering

To meet with the requirement in virtual rendering, an OpenFlight mesh generation method based on B-Rep model is proposed. The bridge construction method, which is flexible for arbitrary multi-loop regions, are employed on model planes. In order to get the closed parametric region for the curved surface, boolean trimming operations between surface grids and boundary poly-lines are implemented efficiently. Due to the node adjustment method, the mesh nodes on the public border are strictly matched, and no cracks are created on the joint of model boundaries. Experiments show that the proposed algorithm is satisfying in controlling the meshing count of the virtual objects. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/telkomnika.v10i7. 1454
A synergistic approach to the design, fabrication and evaluation of 3D printed micro and nano featured scaffolds for vascularized bone tissue repair

3D bioprinting has begun to show great promise in advancing the development of functional tissue/organ replacements. However, to realize the true potential of 3D bioprinted tissues for clinical use requires the fabrication of an interconnected and effective vascular network. Solving this challenge is critical, as human tissue relies on an adequate network of blood vessels to transport oxygen, nutrients, other chemicals, biological factors and waste, in and out of the tissue. Here, we have successfully designed and printed a series of novel 3D bone scaffolds with both bone formation supporting structures and highly interconnected 3D microvascular mimicking channels, for efficient and enhanced osteogenic bone regeneration as well as vascular cell growth. Using a chemical functionalization process, we have conjugated our samples with nano hydroxyapatite (nHA), for the creation of novel micro and nano featured devices for vascularized bone growth. We evaluated our scaffolds with mechanical testing, hydrodynamic measurements and in vitro human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) adhesion (4 h), proliferation (1, 3 and 5 d) and osteogenic differentiation (1, 2 and 3 weeks). These tests confirmed bone-like physical properties and vascular-like flow profiles, as well as demonstrated enhanced hMSC adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Additional in vitro experiments with human umbilical vein endothelial cells also demonstrated improved vascular cell growth, migration and organization on micro-nano featured scaffolds.
The origin and functions of the insect peritrophic membrane and peritrophic gel.

There is a a fluid (peritrophic gel) or membranous (peritrophic membrane, PM) film surrounding the food bolus in most insects. The PM is composed of chitin and proteins, of which peritrophins are the most important. It is proposed here that, during evolution, midgut cells initially synthesized chitin and peritrophins derived from mucins by acquiring chitin-binding domains, thus permitting the formation of PM. Since PM compartmentalizes the midgut, new physiological roles were added to those of the ancestral mucus (protection against abrasion and microorganism invasion). These new roles are reviewed in the light of data on PM permeability and on enzyme compartmentalization, fluid fluxes, and ultrastructure of the midgut. The importance of the new roles in relation to those of protection is evaluated from data obtained with insects having disrupted PM. Finally, there is growing evidence suggesting that a peritrophic gel occurs when a highly permeable peritrophic structure is necessary or when chitin-binding molecules or chitinase are present in food.
Ensuring intercultural maternal health care for Mayan women in Guatemala: a qualitative assessment

Indigenous (Mayan) women in Guatemala experience a disproportionate burden of maternal mortality and morbidity, as well as institutional failures to respect their rights. The Guatemalan Ministry of Health has started to offer ‘intercultural’ services that respect Mayan obstetric practices and integrate them with biomedical care. We purposefully selected 19 secondary-level public health facilities of 9 departments that provided maternal healthcare to indigenous women. We carried out semi-structured interviews with biomedical providers (44), Mayan midwives or comadronas (45), and service users (18), exploring the main characteristics of intercultural care. We found that most facilities initiated the implementation of culturally appropriate services, such as accompaniment by a comadrona or family member, use the traditional teas or choosing the birthing position, but they still lacked standardisation. Comadronas generally felt excluded from the health system, although most biomedical providers reported that they were making important strides to be respectful and inclusive. Most users wanted the option of culturally appropriate services but typically did not receive them. In the health facilities, biomedicine is still the dominant discourse. Efforts at offering intercultural care still need strengthening and further monitoring. Involvement and participation of comadronas and indigenous women is key to moving forward to true intercultural services.
Repression by an auxin/indole acetic acid protein connects auxin signaling with heat shock factor-mediated seed longevity

The plant hormone auxin regulates growth and development by modulating the stability of auxin/indole acetic acid (Aux/IAA) proteins, which in turn repress auxin response factors (ARFs) transcriptional regulators. In transient assays performed in immature sunflower embryos, we observed that the Aux/IAA protein HaIAA27 represses transcriptional activation by HaHSFA9, a heat shock transcription factor (HSF). We also found that HaIAA27 is stabilized in immature sunflower embryos, where we could show bimolecular fluorescence complementation interaction between native forms of HaIAA27 and HaHSFA9. An auxin-resistant form of HaIAA27 was overexpressed in transgenic tobacco seeds, leading to effects consistent with down-regulation of the ortholog HSFA9 gene, effects not seen with the native HaIAA27 form. Repression of HSFs by HaIAA27 is thus likely alleviated by auxin in maturing seeds. We show that HSFs such as HaHSFA9 are targets of Aux/IAA protein repression. Because HaHSFA9 controls a genetic program involved in seed longevity and embryonic desiccation tolerance, our findings would suggest a mechanism by which these processes can be auxin regulated. Aux/IAA-mediated repression involves transcription factors distinct from ARFs. This finding widens interpretation of auxin responses.
CD1d-restricted NKT regulatory cells: functional genomic analyses provide new insights into the mechanisms of protection against Type 1 diabetes.

Deficiencies in NKT cell number and function mediate the development of Type 1 diabetes (TID). NKT cell activation with the CD1d ligand alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) corrects these deficiencies and prevents the onset and recurrence of T1D in NOD mice. To investigate how alpha-GalCer accomplishes this, we conducted three sets of studies. First, gene microarray analyses showed that alpha-GalCer treatment decreases interleukin (IL)16 and increases IL10 and MIP1beta gene expression in the spleen. Anti-IL16 antibody treatment protects NOD mice against insulitis and T1D, and neutralization of MIP1beta abrogates IL4 induced protection from T1D. Second, alpha-GalCer treatment of NOD.ILA(-/-) mice demonstrated that IL4 expression is required for prevention of T1D but not for NKT cell development. Third, we found that diabetes resistance in three novel congenic NOD.B6Idd4 mouse strains is associated with an increased number of NKT cells in pancreatic lymph nodes (PLNs). This increase was not evident in the spleen or PLNs of NOD.MIP1a(-/-) mice after alpha-GalCer treatment. Our data suggest that MIP1beta is a candidate gene in Idd4 that regulates NKT cell function and diabetes susceptibility. By controlling the expression and activity of IL16 and MIP1beta alpha-GalCer treatment may modulate the number, localization and function of NKT cells and regulate susceptibility to T1D.
Identification of a Contaminating Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain with a Transposition of an IS6110Insertion Element Resulting in an Altered Spoligotype

ABSTRACT Molecular fingerprinting with the IS6110insertion sequence is useful for tracking transmission ofMycobacterium tuberculosis within a population or confirming specimen contamination in the laboratory or through instrumentation. Secondary typing with other molecular methods yields additional information as to the relatedness of strains with similar IS6110 fingerprints. Isolated, relatively rare, random events within the M. tuberculosis genome alter molecular fingerprinting patterns with any of the methods; therefore, strains which are different by two or more typing methods are usually not considered to be closely related. In this report, we describe two strains of M. tuberculosis, obtained from the same bronchoscope 2 days apart, that demonstrated unique molecular fingerprinting patterns by two different typing methods. They were closely linked through the bronchoscope by a traditional epidemiologic investigation. Genetic analysis of the two strains revealed that a single event, the transposition of an IS6110 insertion sequence in one of the strains, accounted for both the differences in the IS6110pattern and the apparent deletion of a spacer in the spoligotype. This finding shows that a single event can change the molecular fingerprint of a strain in two different molecular typing systems, and thus, molecular typing cannot be the only means used to track transmission of this organism through a population. Traditional epidemiologic techniques are a necessary complement to molecular fingerprinting so that radical changes within the fingerprint pattern can be identified.
Electrospray Ionization of a Whole Virus: Analyzing Mass, Structure, and Viability

Electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) were the result of decades of research effort dedicated toward analyzing intact biomolecules. The practicality of these ionization methods fueled the explosion of mass spectrometry witnessed in the past decade. In fact, the widespread utility of ESI and MALDI led to the awarding of the 2002 Nobel prize in Chemistry to Fenn and Tanaka for their roles in developing these techniques. The focus of this article is largely on ESI, which has the unique ability to gently generate gas-phase ions directly from solution. Initially, the ability to transfer intact proteins and nucleic acids into the gas phase was reason enough for excitement, yet soon after it was shown that even noncovalent interactions could survive the ESI ionization/desolvation process. The first noncovalent interactions observed included a protein heme and receptor ligand complexes, multimeric enzyme inhibitor complexes, and, ultimately, whole-virus analysis was achieved.
Extracellular matrix and its receptors in drosophila neural development

Extracellular matrix (ECM) and matrix receptors are intimately involved in most biological processes. The ECM plays fundamental developmental and physiological roles in health and disease, including processes underlying the development, maintenance, and regeneration of the nervous system. To understand the principles of ECM‐mediated functions in the nervous system, genetic model organisms like Drosophila provide simple, malleable, and powerful experimental platforms. This article provides an overview of ECM proteins and receptors in Drosophila. It then focuses on their roles during three progressive phases of neural development: (1) neural progenitor proliferation, (2) axonal growth and pathfinding, and (3) synapse formation and function. Each section highlights known ECM and ECM‐receptor components and recent studies done in mutant conditions to reveal their in vivo functions, all illustrating the enormous opportunities provided when merging work on the nervous system with systematic research into ECM‐related gene functions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 71: 1102‐1130, 2011
Infrared Target Tracking Using Naïve-Bayes-Nearest-Neighbor

Robust yet efficient techniques for detecting and tracking targets in infrared (IR) images are a significant component of automatic target recognition (ATR) systems. In our previous works, we have proposed infrared target detection and tracking systems based on sparse representation method. The proposed infrared target detection and tracking algorithms are based on sparse representation and Bayesian probabilistic techniques, respectively. In this paper, we adopt Naı̈ve Bayes Nearest Neighbor (NBNN) that is an extremely simple, efficient algorithm that requires no training phase. State-of-the-art image classification techniques need a comprehensive learning and training step (e.g., using Boosting, SVM, etc.) In contrast, non-parametric Nearest Neighbor based image classifiers need no training time and they also have other more advantageous properties. Results of tracking in infrared sequences demonstrated that our algorithm is robust to illumination changes, and the tracking algorithm is found to be suitable for real-time tracking of a moving target in infrared sequences and its performance was quite good. key words: target detection, Naı̈ve Bayes Nearest Neighbor, infrared sequences, night vision
Pharmacotherapy of scleritis: current paradigms and future directions

Introduction: Scleritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the eye wall that may be associated with a number of systemic inflammatory diseases. Because scleritis can be refractory to standard treatment, knowledge of the body of available and emerging therapies is paramount and is reviewed here. Areas covered: This review focuses on both traditional and emerging therapies for noninfectious scleritis. The authors cover the mechanisms of action and potential adverse effects of each of the treatment modalities. In addition, a summary of the significant MEDLINE indexed literature under the subject heading ‘scleritis', ‘treatment', ‘immunomodulator' will be provided on each therapy, including commentary on appropriate use and relative contraindications. Novel treatments and potential drug candidates that are currently being evaluated in clinical trials with therapeutic potential will also be reviewed. Expert opinion: While oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oral corticosteroids are widely used, effective, first-line agents for inflammatory scleritis, refractory cases require antimetabolites, T-cell inhibitors, or biologic response modifiers. In particular, there is emerging evidence for the use of targeted biologic response modifiers, and potentially, for local drug delivery.
Combating Midnight Regulation

The flurry of regulatory activity by the outgoing administration of President George W. Bush has raised, once again, the specter of midnight regulation. Whatever the reason for midnight regulation, there seems to be a general consensus that something has gone wrong when an outgoing administration takes important action while the incoming administration is essentially waiting to take over. Most late term action is subject to the obvious question of "if this action was so important, why didn't the administration take it in the last seven and three-quarters years or so? " Even though the Constitution leaves the incumbent in office for approximately eleven weeks after election day, we feel uncomfortable when an outgoing administration waits until late in the term to take politically controversial action or loads up on late term actions to project its policy preferences in the future. This article examines possible ways to combat midnight regulation, beginning with a recent proposal in Congress to restrict rulemaking activity during the last 90 days of an outgoing administration by giving the incoming administration the power to "disapprove" of regulations adopted in the final 90 days of a President's term. The first part of the article explains the bill and identifies problems with it. The second part of the article offers two alternative approaches, one involving a reform to administrative law and another outlining statutory proposals different from the bill proposed by Representative Nadler.
Energy Harvesting From Two-Wire Power Cords Using Magnetoelectric Transduction

This paper presents an energy harvester using a Terfenol-D/PMNT/Terfenol-D magnetoelectric (ME) transducer for scavenging ac magnetic field energy from two-wire power cords connected to household and commercial appliances. The harvester uses a magnetic circuit consisting of six NdFeB magnets mounted on the free end of a cantilever beam. The magnets produce concentrated flux gradient on the ME transducer, and the vertical Ampere forces acting on the two conductors of the power cord are superimposed. An enhanced movement is then induced on the magnetic circuit. The ME transducer undergoes magnetic field variations and generates power output. A prototype is fabricated and tested. Because of the high magnetomechanical coupling effect of the magnetostrictive material and the large flux gradient on the ME transducer, the harvester can generate a maximum power of 671.2 Ω W with a matching load resistance of 991 kΩ at 6 A. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed device applied to electricity end-use environment in electric power systems.
Multilayer Formation upon Compression of Surfactant Monolayers Depends on Protein Concentration as Well as Lipid Composition

The determinants for the formation of multilayers upon compression of surfactant monolayers were investigated by compressing films, beyond the squeeze-out plateau, to a surface tension of 22 millinewtons/m. Atomic force microscopy was used to visualize the topography of lipid films containing varying amounts of native surfactant protein B (SP-B). These films were compared with films containing synthetic peptides based on the N terminus of human SP-B: monomeric mSP-B-(1–25) or dimeric dSP-B-(1–25). The formation of typical hexagonal network structures as well as the height of protrusions were shown to depend on the concentration of SP-B. Protrusions of bilayer height were formed from physiologically relevant concentrations of 0.2–0.4 mol % (4.5–8.5 wt %) SP-B upwards. Much higher concentrations of SP-B-(1–25) peptides were needed to obtain network structures, and protrusion heights were not equal to those found for films with native SP-B. A striking observation was that while protrusions formed in films of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC)/1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-(phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)) (DPPG) (80/20) had single bilayer thickness, those formed in DPPC/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-(phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)) (80/20) had various heights of multilayers, whereas those seen in DPPC/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/DPPG (60/20/20) were mainly of bilayer height. For the first time direct observations by atomic force microscopy show (i) that a certain minimal concentration of SP-B is required for the formation of layered protrusions upon film compression, (ii) that protrusion height depends on whether the phospholipids contain an unsaturated fatty acyl chain, and (iii) that protrusion height also depends on whether the unsaturated acyl chain is present in phosphatidylcholine or in phosphatidylglycerol.
Le nom propre et le partitif

Le travail presente ici s'efforce de repondre a trois questions qui sont en debat depuis quelques annees a propos des emplois du nom propre precede du determinant partitif. La premiere concerne les emplois metonymiques du type lire du Sand, admirer un Matisse. Ces emplois correspondent-ils a une categorie homogene ? La reponse avancee est negative : la langue semble bien distinguer, parmi les œuvres artistiques designees par un nom propre d'auteur, entre celles qui sont munies d'une extension dans le temps, celles qui sont munies d'une extension dans l'espace et celles qui sont pourvues des deux : extension temporelle et extension spatiale. La deuxieme question porte sur le statut d'un autre type de metonymie, qualitative celle-la, illustree par un exemple comme Ca, c'est bien du Marie! L'analyse proposee s'efforce de montrer la radicale difference - insuffisamment degagee ici - entre cette metonymie et la precedente : les actes ou les comportements n'ont rien a voir avec des œuvres et le rapport d'un sujet a ses actes n'est pas du meme type que celui qui unit un createur a ses œuvres. La troisieme question porte sur le statut des formes DU, DE LA et DE L' qui apparaissent devant les noms propres en antonomase (Il y a de la Jeanne d'Arc dans cette fille) : s'agit-il vraiment de partitif ? Sinon, pourquoi ?