Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A journey Inside Sin3 and Mi-2/ NuRD Co-repressor. Complexes: A Structural and Biochemical Perspective

Histone acetylation and histone deacetylation are processes mediated by complexes containing histone acetyl transferases or histone deacetylases (HDAC) and play an important role in transcriptional regulation. Here, new molecular insights are presented for two class I HDACs containing complexes: Sin3 and Mi-2/NuRD. Chapter 1 introduces class I HDAC containing complexes. Chapter 2 presents a perspective on experimental approaches used in this thesis. In Chapter 3 we revealed a critical role for PAH2 residue Phe7 as well as a stabilizing role for PAH2 residues Val14 and Gln39 in the interaction between the PAH2 domain of the mSin3b co-repressor and the tumor suppressor Mad. In chapter 4 we identify peptides interacting with the PAH1 and PAH2 domain of mSin3b. Substitution in PAH2 of Phe7 and Val14 with their respective PAH1 residues affected PAH2 identified peptides. Two PAH1 identified peptides shared an LVXLL motif and were affected by substitution of Leu14 and Lys39 in PAH1 with their respective PAH2 residues. Our results suggest that amino acids 7, 14 and 39 define the specificity of the PAH1 and the PAH2 domain of Sin3 for recruitment of DNA binding repressors. In chapter 5 we revealed that MBD2 and MBD3 assemble into mutually distinct functional Mi-2/NuRD complexes. We observed co-purification of a novel putative tumor suppressor, DOC-1. We showed that the arginine methyl transferase PRMT5 associates and methylates the N-term region of MBD2. PRMT5 is recruited in vivo to methylated CpG islands, together with MBD2 in a DNA methylation dependent manner. Our data suggests that Mi-2/NuRD comprises a family of protein complexes with distinct biochemical and functional properties. This thesis should provide the necessary ground to understand how the PAH1 and PAH2 domain of Sin3 establish an association with their interacting partners and will help hopefully to elucidate the mechanism by which Mi-2/NuRD repress transcription.
Content Validity and Test-Retest Reliability of a Questionnaire to Measure Virtual Social Network Addiction Among Students

Background: Addiction to virtual social networks (VSNs), especially among students, has become a crisis during the recent years. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of a questionnaire on VSN addiction among Iranian university students. Patients and Methods: The initial questionnaire was designed based on extensive literature review and consulting with experts. To measure the item and content validity indexes (I-CVI and S-CVI) and to measure the content validity ratio (CVR), a panel of 24 experts reviewed the questionnaire. To measure the test-retest reliability, the questionnaire was administered on 30 students within the interval of 14 - 21 days and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated. Cronbach’s alpha and the corrected item-total correlation were calculated to measure internal consistency. All analysis was done using SPSS 20 software. Results: All items had satisfactory CVR and I-CVI. The S-CVI was 0.98. The value of Cronbach’s alpha was 0.88. The corrected item-total correlation for all items, except one, was in acceptable range. This item was removed from the final questionnaire. The test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was almost perfect (ICC = 0.9). Conclusions: The current study provides a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure VSN addiction among university students. The designed instrument could be used in addiction evaluation studies.
The Evolution and Growth of Nearby Galaxy Groups

To determine how galaxy groups grow and individual galaxies evolve in the local universe, this project used 19 high-richness, high-mass galaxy groups at z < 0.1 from the Berlind et al. 2006 paper to study the nearby group environment through its optical properties. Using position, g-r color, and r-band absolute magnitude data, the shapes, luminosities, and colors of each member galaxy was mapped in group combination plots and an inter-group color-magnitude diagram of all 477 sample galaxies. These figures show that members of the high-mass group environment trend towards redness where the most luminous members of each galaxy group are found to be red. Both findings are consistent with previous predictions of the group environment’s bias towards red elliptical galaxies. Future work using optical properties and the galaxy sequence will be crucial to identify galaxies in groups undergoing evolutionary change as potential indicators of a changing group environment.
Cassiicolin genes among Corynespora cassiicola isolates from Rubber plantations in Malaysia

Corynespora cassiicola isolates are periodically sourced from infected stands in rubber plantations throughout Malaysia. The severity of C. cassiicola infection varies among the clonally propagated Hevea brasiliensis. In this study, 26 C. cassiicola isolates collected from 1988 until 2006 were analysed for the gene encoding cassiicolin – an important fungal effector involved in the Corynespora leaf fall disease. Cassiicolin gene was successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from 13 C. cassiicola isolates. Deduced protein sequences revealed that 12 isolates harbour the Cas5 gene while one isolate (CKT05D) contains the Cas4 gene. The other 13 isolates in which no Cas gene was detected were classified as Cas0. PCR amplifications were also performed on all 26 isolates using primers specific to the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of ribosomal DNA, the random hyper variable loci ga4 and caa5, and the actin locus act1. A phylogenetic analysis performed on the 26 isolates using four loci (rDNA ITS, caa5, ga4 and act1) revealed three clusters. Cluster 1 encompasses all Cas5 isolates plus two Cas0 isolates, CSD1 and CBPP2. Cluster 2 is represented by the single Cas4 isolate (CKT05D) and clusters 3 groups all the other Cas0 isolates. When placed in a previously described phylogenetic tree of C. cassiicola isolates from various geographical origins and hosts, clusters 1 and 3 fell in clades B4 and A4 respectively. However, CKT05D (Cluster 2) was not placed in a highly supported clade. A detached Hevea leaf assay was performed on six clones with a selection of four C. cassiicola isolates originating from the different clusters that showed varying degree of infectivity. Interestingly, severe necrotic lesion was discerned in most of the clones inoculated with CKT05D (toxin class Cas4) while the other isolates caused moderate to mild infection on all the tested clones. (Resume d'auteur)
The immune response to live vaccines against bovine anaplasmosis

Anaplasma marginale causes bovine anaplasmosis, a hemolytic disease which is a serious problem for the cattle industry in tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. A. centrale is a less pathogenic species which is closely related to A. marginale and used as a live vaccine against anaplasmosis. Unfortunately the A. centrale vaccine can only be produced from the blood of infected cattle, risking contamination with other pathogens. This project compared the A. centrale live vaccine with A. marginale UFMG1, a low pathogenicity Brazilian strain which has been proposed as a potentially safer live vaccine derived from cell culture. Calves were infected with UFMG1 or A. centrale, and then challenged with the pathogenic Israeli A. marginale Gonen strain. Previous infection with UFMG1 did not significantly reduce the severity of disease caused by challenge with the Gonen strain, whereas A. centrale infection did provide cross-protection against Gonen. In comparison to the antibody response to UFMG1 infection, the response to A. centrale infection had higher overall levels of IgG and showed higher cross-reactivity to Gonen strain antigen. The antibody response to A. centrale also had higher levels of IgG2, and showed more opsonophagocytic activity. All of these characteristics correlated significantly with protection from disease upon challenge. Understanding how A. centrale infection stimulates this effective immune response would be a valuable direction for future vaccine research.
Performance Verification of a Digital Interface Suitable for a Broad Class of Resistive Sensors

An improved digital interface circuit for resistive sensors is proposed in this paper. The circuit offers many positive features, such as (1) use of single-reference voltage in its architecture, (2) facility to tune/preset the sensor-excitation current, even for different values of resistive sensors, (3) minimal dependence on many circuit non-ideal parameters. The working of the circuit is mathematically described in this paper, followed by its extensive error evaluation. Detailed simulation and experimental studies are performed to verify the feasibility of the interface for three different types of sensors. These studies show that the circuit can efficiently be used in temperature-monitors, magnetometers, and displacement-sensing. The maximum experimental nonlinearity observed from all of these sensor configurations does not exceed 0.06 %. Then, the extensive studies are carried out by simulation as well as experimentation to show the effect of environmental temperature changes on the proposed circuit. Finally, the proposed circuit is compared with some of the recent resistive digital interfaces.
Solvent effects and bioconcentration patterns of antimicrobial compounds in wetland plants

This study looked at effects of organic solvents dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide and acetone at 0.01%, 0.05% and 0.1% concentration on germination and seedling development wetland plants. Even at 0.01% level, all solvents affected some aspect of seed germination or seedling growth. Acetone at 0.01% was least toxic. Root morphological characteristics were most sensitive compared to shoot morphological characteristics. This study also looked at bioconcentration patterns of antimicrobial compounds triclosan, triclocarban and methyl-triclosan in wetland plants exposed to Denton Municipal Waste Water Treatment Plant effluent. Bioconcentration patterns of antimicrobial compounds varied among species within groups as well as within organs of species. The highest triclocarban, triclosan and methyltriclosan concentration were in shoot of N. guadalupensis, root of N. lutea and in shoots of P. nodous respectively.
THE EFFECT OF SERVICE QUALITY ON REVISIT INTENTION IN TOURIST BEACH

The purpose of beach management practices has widened in recent years, although there is still no complementary or bottom-up research that determines the preferences and demands of beach users. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the service quality perceptions of international tourists’ intentions to revisit beach routes. The study uses a cross-sectional questionnaire survey to collect data from 185 respondents who are international tourists. Specifically, this paper aims to assess service quality perceptions of international tourists based on a survey conducted in Langkawi Island in Malaysia. The study employs PLS-SEM to analyse the data collected on service quality perceptions and the revisit intentions of tourists to beach routes. The study shows that three factors namely assurance, responsiveness and tangible have influences on the service quality perceptions of international tourists. The findings are fundamental for service providers to gain better insights into the perceptions of service quality of international tourists.
Public Policy and Changing Pattern of Industrial R&D System in India: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-reform Periods

Abstract This article is an attempt to examine the trends of industrial R&D expenditure by the private sector and public sector during pre-reform (1980–1992) and post-reform period (1993–2010). The agenda of economic reform is to liberalise the industrial sector and make it more competitive in the global scenario. The analysis indicates that in the post-reform period, the percentage share of R&D expenditure drastically shifted from public sector to private sector. The major share of R&D expenditure remained in capital goods manufacturing sector. R&D expenditure is highly concentrated in the capital goods sector by public and private sectors. Second, preferential sector in terms of share of R&D expenditure has been intermediate sector by the public sector and consumer non-durables by the private sector overtime. Consumer durables sector is a completely ignored sector across the board. R&D intensity has been in the range of low and medium across industry groups and time. It may be argued that industries might not be enabling to realise spillovers from the transfer of technology and also would be fragile to enhance its ability to make product and process innovations of its own. The changing pattern of R&D expenditure by the industrial sector confirms the supremacy and autonomy of the market. These are the areas where R&D expenditure is required to gain technological capabilities and absorptive capacity for a low R&D intensity country like India. The article argues that technological and industrial policies should be taken into consideration with respect to the demand and production processes. Especially since the Indian economy is a low-income country with a massive agrarian and rural labour force, it needs to transform technological capabilities and organisation of industrialisation according to the indigenous and categorised necessities by both the public and the private sectors.
Just Different Hats? Comparing UN and Non-UN Peacekeeping

ABSTRACT In the past two decades, regional organizations and coalitions of states have deployed more peace operations than the UN. Yet most quantitative studies of peacekeeping effectiveness focus on UN peacekeeping exclusively, a decision owed to data availability more than to theories about the differential impact of UN and non-UN missions. As a result, we know little about the effectiveness of non-UN peacekeeping in mitigating violence. In this paper, we introduce and analyse monthly data on the approximate number of troops, police, and observers in both UN and non-UN peacekeeping operations between 1993 and 2016. Using these data, we show that when accounting for mission size and composition, UN and regional peacekeeping operations are equally effective in mitigating violence against civilians by governments, but only UN troops and police curb civilian targeting by non-state actors. We offer some theoretical reflections on these findings, but the main contribution of the article is the novel dataset on non-UN peacekeeping strength and personnel composition to overcome the near-exclusive focus on UN missions in the scholarship on peacekeeping effectiveness.
Stability and change in well-being among middle-aged and older Japanese

Prior evidence suggests that subjective well-being (SWB) remains relatively stable across adulthood. However, longitudinal evidence is sparse except in Western societies such as North America and Western Europe. We examined age-related changes in SWB (life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) among middle-aged and older Japanese. We applied multilevel growth models to 14-year seven-wave longitudinal data of a dynamic cohort study. A total of 3,890 participants aged 40–81 at first assessment were included in the analysis. The longitudinal results demonstrated differential trajectories of SWB. Life satisfaction exhibited an accelerated increase in middle age but decreased and leveled off in old age. Positive affect increased in midlife and declined in late life. Negative affect remained stable in middle age but increased in old age. Demographics, health, and methodological correlates did not fully account for age-related changes in SWB. Of note, increases in negative affect in old age remained evident even after controlling for the correlates. In conclusion, life satisfaction was stable across adulthood, which was not the case with positive and negative affect. We discussed the possible mechanisms in these observed trajectories of SWB, in particular, negative affect in late life.
Multiple Sensor on Clustering Wireless Sensor Network to Tackle Illegal Cutting

This paper is intended to purpose a designed system using Wireless Sensor Network application. It is multiple sensors to tackle illegal cutting in the stage of a timber harvesting. This paper also discusses network performance and the costs of the purposed system. In every node in the networks, the system was built using a combined sound sensor and vibration sensor in which incorporated using Xbee Pro S2C. It is considered as a communication module at each sensor node and Arduino Nano to process the data. The Wireless Sensor Network has been designed in three networks with the configuration of master and slave nodes in each network. This system was testing using several scenarios to have the data performance of the networks and the performance of the proposed system in the small forest and the opened area. The costs of the purposed system also compared related to the previous system. The result showed the optimum distance that can be applied in the WSN network as a real-time application using Xbee Pro S2C is less than 30 meters; meanwhile the time consumed to communicate between nodes is below 5 s. Therefore, the more slaves in the subnetwork will affect the performance of the system. The proposed system runs smoothly as predicted in the purposed system. All the testing is 100% completed and can be handled by the proposed system.
400Gb/s Real-Time Transmission Supporting CPRI and eCPRI Traffic for Hybrid LTE-5G Networks

We present the first CMOS ASIC to support either 4×25Gb/s eCPRI or 4×24.33Gb/s CPRI-10 traffic per optical wavelength and demonstrate 200Gb/s and 400Gb/s transmissions in O and C bands over 20km for hybrid LTE-5G fronthaul networks.
Biotherapeutics for human eosinophil associated disorders

Eosinophils which play an important role in pathophysiology of eosinophil associated diseases (EADs) contain plethora of mediators of inflammation and immune responses, including lipid mediators and eosinophil granules containing secretory cationic proteins. When secreted, they cause significant tissue damage. to circumvent the effects, numerous strategies have been employed for development of biologic medicines for EADs. strategies used for development of biotherapeutics for EADs include eosinophil modulating therapies, destruction of eosinophils by means of ADcc or opsonization with removal by reticuloendothelial system, targeting key eosinophil survival cytokines and blocking eosinophil migration into inflamed tissues is another promising strategy for the reduction of end-organ manifestation of eosinophilia. EADs are categorized as ‘‘orphan’’ diseases and most of the current treatment options for patients with these conditions are used off-label. better therapeutic targets
Managing Phosphorus Loss from Agroecosystems of the Midwestern United States: A Review

Best management practices (BMPs) are site-specific and their implementation, long-term management, and maintenance are important for successful reduction of phosphorus (P) loss into headwater streams. This paper reviews published research on managing P loss from agricultural cropping systems in the Midwestern United States and classified the available research based on BMPs and their efficacy in reducing P loss. This review paper also identifies the areas where additional research could provide insight for managing P losses. Our literature review shows that cover crops, reduced tillage, saturated buffers, and constructed wetlands are the most evaluated areas of current research. However, additional research is necessary on the site-specific area to measure the effectiveness of BMPs in managing P loss. The BMPs that serve as a sink of P need further evaluation in long-term field-scale trials. Studies evaluating adsorption and desorption mechanisms of P in surface and subsurface soils with materials or amendments that bind P in the soil are needed. The time required and pathways, where the flush of available P is lost or fixed in the soil matrix, need further investigation. Measured P loss from BMPs like bioreactors and saturated buffers supplemented with P adsorption materials or filters need to be simulated with models for their prediction and validation. Field evaluations of P index and critical source area concepts should be investigated for identifying problematic areas in the watersheds. Identification of overlapping areas of high P source and transport can help in strategic planning and layout, thereby resulting in reducing the cost of implementing BMPs at field and watershed scales.
Adipose Expression and Regulation of Selenoprotein P in Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Oxidative stress and inflammation have been implicated in obesity and insulin resistance. As a selenium transporter, ubiquitously expressed selenoprotein P (SePP1) has been known to play a role in the regulation of antioxidant enzyme activity. However, its adipose expression and regulation in obesity and insulin resistance has not been explored. Herein, we investigate the adipose expression of SePP1 in obesity and insulin resistance and its regulation in response to oxidative and inflammatory molecules in 3T3L1 adipocytes. We showed that the expression of Sepp1 gene was significantly reduced in both adipose tissue and liver of ob/ob mice and high fat diet‐induced obese mice. Moreover, the expression of Sepp1 gene was decreased in isolated adipose cells from Zucker obese rats and insulin‐resistant patients. Our studies in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes demonstrated that both undifferentiated 3T3‐L1 fibroblasts and differentiated adipocytes were capable of synthesizing Sepp1 protein in the glycosylated and non‐glycosylated forms. The treatment of either TNFα or hydrogen peroxide for 24 hours caused a significant reduction in SePP1 gene expression in a dose‐dependent manner in 3T3L1 adipocytes. Thus, we demonstrate that the adipose expression of SePP1 is decreased in obesity and down‐regulated by oxidative and inflammatory molecules, suggesting a possible role of Sepp1 in oxidative stress/inflammation‐associated insulin resistance in adipocytes.
University students profiles of self-regulated learning and motivation

The aim of the study was to identify students’ self-regulation through learning strategies adoption in connection with motivation. A sample of 212 freshmen students answered a Likert-type questionnaire with the aim to assess learning strategies, mastery achievement goal, extrinsic goals, procrastination, and discipline valuation. Strategy use consisted in a specific task of writing a text. A person-centered approach was adopted according to the statistical data and four self-regulation clusters were identified, namely, highly self-regulated students, low regulation students, and two clusters with mixed scores. Through variance analysis mastery achievement goal appeared significantly associated only with the highly self-regulated students cluster. Results were discussed in the framework of a self-regulated learning model and achievement goals theory. Finally, future investigations on other specific learning activities were proposed.