Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activity of neutral endopeptidase and aminopeptidase N in mouse thymic stromal cells which bind double‐positive thymocytes

The activity of two peptidases was determined in immortalized lines of thymic stromal cells. A line of total stromal cells (T‐TG‐St) was grown from transgenic mouse expressing temperature‐sensitive SV40T antigen under the control of the regulatory elements of the mouse major histocompatibility complex class I gene. From these cells we isolated a subset (DP‐TG‐St) that binds thymocytes which are mainly CD4+8+. We also assayed a clone of fetal thymic epithelial cells (BA/10) that binds CD4+8+ thymocytes. Both lines of double‐positive cell‐binding stroma exhibited strong activity of two peptidases, neutral endopepti dase (NEP; EC 3.4.24.11) and aminopeptidase N (APN; EC 3.4.11.2). In contrast, the activity of both enzymes was very low in the total thymic stromal line. Use of specific inhibitors confirmed that these two enzymes were responsible for the activity observed but also suggested the presence of additional unidentified aminopeptidase(s) in the same stromal cells. The high activity of the two peptidases on stromal cells that bind thymocytes at the double‐positive stage raises the possibility that they might contribute to the microenvironment of the developing thymocytes.
Paradox of normal selective coronary arteriograms in patients considered to have unmistakable coronary heart disease.

CINE coronary arteriography affords a means of correlating clinical manifestations of coronary heart disease with responsible vascular abnormality in the living patient.1 2 3 4 5 Several of the comparative analyses have indicated that obstructing atherosclerosis can be demonstrated in at least 2 major coronary arteries in most patients with angina and abnormal electrocardiograms at rest and after exercise.1 2 3 4 In documenting the wide distribution and severity of the arterial disease in these patients the reports parallel earlier views based on comparisons between clinical and morbid findings.6 Obviously, the correlation does not hold when a significant anomaly of the coronary arteries, aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis .
Spatial Coupling of JNK Activation to the B Cell Antigen Receptor by Tyrosine-Phosphorylated Ezrin

The ezrin-radixin-moesin proteins regulate B lymphocyte activation via their effect on BCR diffusion and microclustering. This relies on their ability to dynamically tether the plasma membrane with actin filaments that is in turn facilitated by phosphorylation of the conserved threonine residue in the actin-binding domain. In this study, we describe a novel function of ezrin in regulating JNK activation that is mediated by phosphorylation of a tyrosine (Y353) residue that is unconserved with moesin and radixin. BCR, but not CD40, TLR4, or CXCR5 stimulation, induced phosphorylation of ezrin at Y353 in mouse splenic B cells. Ezrin existed in a preformed complex with Syk in unstimulated B cells and underwent Syk-dependent phosphorylation upon anti-IgM stimulation. Y353-phosphorylated ezrin colocalized with the BCR within minutes of stimulation and cotrafficked with the endocytosed BCRs through the early and late endosomes. The T567 residue of ezrin was rephosphorylated in late endosomes and at the plasma membrane at later times of BCR stimulation. Expression of a nonphosphorylatable Y353F mutant of ezrin specifically impaired JNK activation. BCR crosslinking induced the association of Y353-phosphorylated ezrin with JNK and its kinase MAPKK7, as well as spatial colocalization with phosphorylated JNK in the endosomes. The yellow fluorescent protein–tagged Y353F mutant displayed reduced colocalization with the endocytosed BCR as compared with wild-type ezrin-yellow fluorescent protein. Taken together, our data identify a novel role for ezrin as a spatial adaptor that couples JNK signaling components to the BCR signalosome, thus facilitating JNK activation.
The form and function of reconciliation in primates

▪ Abstract Sociality is favored by natural selection because it enhances group members' access to valued resources or reduces their vulnerability to predators, but group living also generates conflict among group members. To enjoy the benefits of sociality, group living animals must somehow overcome the costs of conflict. Nonhuman primates have developed an effective mechanism for resolving conflicts: They participate in peaceful postconflict (PC) reunions with former opponents. These peaceful PC interactions are collectively labeled reconciliation. There is a broad consensus that peaceful contacts among former opponents relieve stressful effects of conflict and permit former opponents to interact peacefully. Primates may reconcile to obtain short-term objectives, such as access to desirable resources. Alternatively, reconciliation may preserve valuable relationships damaged by conflict. Some researchers view these explanations as complementary, but they generate different predictions about the patterning.
Electron microscopic studies of radiation-induced leukemia in mice: virus release following total-body x-ray irradiation.

Summary Within a few days after total-body X-ray irradiation, leukemia virus particles could be observed in several organs of irradiated C3Hf mice. This was observed not only after fractionated irradiation (5 × 150 R), but also after a single (250 R) total-body X-ray irradiation. Electron microscopic examination of several organs from the irradiated mice, such as spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow, revealed the presence of virus particles budding from the cell membranes; mature and immature type C particles were also present in the intercellular spaces. Leukemia virus particles were also consistently present in organs of eight C3Hf mice with radiation-induced leukemia. The distribution of virus particles in organs of mice with radiation-induced leukemia was similar to that observed in mice with spontaneous or virus-induced leukemia; however, the number of virus particles observed in organs of mice with radiation-induced leukemia was lower than that observed in mice with passage A (Gross) virus-induced leukemia. These observations contrasted sharply with results of electron microscopic examination of organs of nonirradiated, normal C3Hf mice, which revealed the presence of usually only a few isolated virus particles in the thymus and occasionally also in lymph nodes or in the bone marrow.
Simple Memristive SPICE Macro-Models and Reconfigurability in Filter and Antenna

Simple currentand voltage-controlled memristive circuit macro-models using SPICE are proposed to capture the nonlinear hysteresis loop behaviors in this paper. Different current-voltage characteristics are investigated by applying sinusoidal-wave, triangular-wave and square-wave source, respectively. Furthermore, using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) emulator incorporated with a SPICE circuit solver, the currentor voltagecontrolled memristive SPICE model is embedded into a planar microwave bandstop filter (BSF) and an ultrawideband (UWB) monopole antenna, which connects two ends of the half-wavelength open-loop resonator and two sides of the U-slot in the radiating patch, respectively. The reconfigurability of the BSF and antenna notched band can be achieved by switching the states of the memristor.
“Inflammatory” Cytokines

Abstract: If cytokines are constitutively expressed by and act on neurons in normal adult brain, then we may have to modify our current view that they are predominantly inflammatory mediators. We critically reviewed the literature to determine whether we could find experimental basis for such a modification. We focused on two “proinflammatory” cytokines, interleukin (IL)‐1 and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) because they have been most thoroughly investigated in shaping our current thinking. Evidence, although equivocal, indicates that the genes coding for these cytokines and their accessory proteins are expressed by neurons, in addition to glial cells, in normal brain. Their expression is region‐ and cell type‐specific. Furthermore, bioactive cytokines have been extracted from various regions of normal brain. The cytokines’ receptors selectively are present on all neural cell types, rendering them responsive to cytokine signaling. Blocking their action modifies multiple neural “house‐keeping” functions. For example, blocking IL‐1 or TNFα by several independent means alters regulation of sleep. This indicates that these cytokines likely modulate in the brain behavior of a normal organism. In addition, these cytokines are likely involved in synaptic plasticity, neural transmission, and Ca2+ signaling. Thus, the evidence strongly suggests that these cytokines perform neural functions in normal brain. We therefore propose that they should be thought of as neuromodulators in addition to inflammatory mediators.
Indices of plant competition

1 Mathematical indices, formed by combining several primary measures, can help researchers summarize, interpret and display results from plant competition experiments. This essay compiles and discusses more than 50 indices that have been used in studies of plant competition. 2 Indices allow researchers to quantify and express several attributes of plant competition, including competition intensity and importance, competitive effects and responses, and the outcome of competition. 3 Several qualities should be considered when selecting a competition index for use. These include specificity and clarity of meaning, mathematical and statistical properties, density dependence, versatility and freedom from size bias. 4 Many indices are based on comparisons of plant performance in mixtures compared with pure stands or control plots. Additional measures of competition are also available from yield‐density functions, size distributions and neighbourhood analysis. 5 Indices reflect the consequences of competition. In order to appreciate competitive processes, indices have to be used in conjunction with studies of the chronology, circumstances and composition of plant associations.
G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinase-2 Constitutively Regulates D2 Dopamine Receptor Expression and Signaling Independently of Receptor Phosphorylation*

We investigated the regulatory effects of GRK2 on D2 dopamine receptor signaling and found that this kinase inhibits both receptor expression and functional signaling in a phosphorylation-independent manner, apparently through different mechanisms. Overexpression of GRK2 was found to suppress receptor expression at the cell surface and enhance agonist-induced internalization, whereas short interfering RNA knockdown of endogenous GRK2 led to an increase in cell surface receptor expression and decreased agonist-mediated endocytosis. These effects were not due to GRK2-mediated phosphorylation of the D2 receptor as a phosphorylation-null receptor mutant was regulated similarly, and overexpression of a catalytically inactive mutant of GRK2 produced the same effects. The suppression of receptor expression is correlated with constitutive association of GRK2 with the receptor complex as we found that GRK2 and several of its mutants were able to co-immunoprecipitate with the D2 receptor. Agonist pretreatment did not enhance the ability of GRK2 to co-immunoprecipitate with the receptor. We also found that overexpression of GRK2 attenuated the functional coupling of the D2 receptor and that this activity required the kinase activity of GRK2 but did not involve receptor phosphorylation, thus suggesting the involvement of an additional GRK2 substrate. Interestingly, we found that the suppression of functional signaling also required the Gβγ binding activity of GRK2 but did not involve the GRK2 N-terminal RH domain. Our results suggest a novel mechanism by which GRK2 negatively regulates G protein-coupled receptor signaling in a manner that is independent of receptor phosphorylation.
Asymmetric localization of Drosophila pair‐rule transcripts from displaced nuclei: evidence for directional nuclear export.

Drosophila pair‐rule transcripts accumulate exclusively apical of the layer of peripheral nuclei in syncytial blastoderm stage embryos. Here, we use aneuploid embryos to test zygotic gene requirements for pair‐rule transcript localization. As apical localization is maintained in all genotypes tested, the required components must be maternally encoded. In aneuploid embryos with multiple layers or cortical nuclei, pair‐rule transcripts lie apical of both superficial and internalized nuclei. In the latter case, the transcripts are ‘pseudo‐apical’, i.e. apical of the nuclei from which they derive, but basal of superficial nuclei. We show that internalized nuclei maintain their apico‐basal nuclear orientation, and that they lack the apical cytoskeletal assemblies which lie adjacent to superficial nuclei. These results support a mechanism of localizing pair‐rule transcripts by directional (vectorial) nuclear export.
Intergroup Perception as a Compromise Between In-Group Bias and Fair-Mindedness

Previously, perceived competence of and attraction toward targets categorized by race showed in-group bias and no bias, respectively. Consequently, previous investigators regarded intergroup perception as a compromise between the norms of in-group bias and fair-mindedness. An alternative hypothesis for such findings is that attraction is not as relevant a dimension for intergroup discrimination as is competence. To test contrasting predictions of these hypotheses, the present authors asked participants from the majority and minority groups in Singapore (ns = 320) to evaluate either competence of or attraction toward one of the five targets. Consistent with the hypothesis that intergroup perception is a compromise, both dimensions yielded a uniform but weak in-group bias. The participants' equating of the in-group with one out-group further illustrated fair-mindedness. The authors discussed implications of the findings.
On the Use of Stable Isotopes in Trophic Ecology

Stable isotope analysis (SIA) has proven to be a useful tool in reconstructing diets, characterizing trophic relationships, elucidating patterns of resource allocation, and constructing food webs. Consequently, the number of studies using SIA in trophic ecology has increased exponentially over the past decade. Several subdisciplines have developed, including isotope mixing models, incorporation dynamics models, lipid-extraction and correction methods, isotopic routing models, and compound-specific isotopic analysis. As with all tools, there are limitations to SIA. Chief among these are multiple sources of variation in isotopic signatures, unequal taxonomic and ecosystem coverage, over-reliance on literature values for key parameters, lack of canonical models, untested or unrealistic assumptions, low predictive power, and a paucity of experimental studies. We anticipate progress in SIA resulting from standardization of methods and models, calibration of model parameters through experimentation, and continu.
The Competence Factor βFtz-F1 Potentiates Ecdysone Receptor Activity via Recruiting a p160/SRC Coactivator

ABSTRACT Hormones provide generalized signals that are interpreted in a specific spatial and temporal manner by a developing or reproducing multicellular organism. The ability to respond to hormones is determined by the competence of a cell or a tissue. The βFtz-F1 orphan nuclear receptor acts as a competence factor for the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in Drosophila melanogaster metamorphosis and mosquito reproduction. The molecular nature of the βFtz-F1 action remains unclear. We report that the protein-protein interaction between βFtz-F1 and a p160/SRC coactivator of the ecdysone receptor, FISC, is crucial for the stage-specific expression of the 20E effector genes during mosquito reproduction. This interaction dramatically increases recruitment of FISC to the functional ecdysone receptor in a 20E-dependent manner. The presence of βFtz-F1 facilitates loading of FISC and the ecdysone receptor on the target promoters, leading to enhanced local histone H4 acetylation and robust activation of the target genes. Thus, our results reveal the molecular basis of competence for the stage-specific 20E response.
A novel battery/ ultracapacitor hybrid energy storage system analysis based on physics-based lithium-ion battery modeling

A hybrid energy storage system topology which combines battery and ultracapacitor at the cell level is proposed. In each hybrid cell, lithium-ion cell and ultracapacitor cell are connected through a bi-directional converter for power split. This configuration provides more flexible control capability. In order to observe the internal state and chemical processes of the battery, the single particle (SP) model which includes SEI growth model is applied to lithium-ion cell modeling. The performance of hybrid cell and benefits on aging mechanisms are discussed in different driving cycle tests.
Chemical Ecology and Management of Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

ABSTRACT The moth Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) feeds on grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), reducing yield and increasing susceptibility to fungal infections. L. botrana is among the most economically important insects in Europe and has recently been found in vineyards in Chile, Argentina, and California. Here, we review L. botrana biology and behavior in relation to its larval host (the grapevine) and its natural enemies. We also discuss current and future control strategies in light of our knowledge of chemical ecology, with an emphasis on the use of the sex pheromone-based strategies as an environmentally safe management approach. Pheromone-mediated mating disruption is the most promising technique available on grapes and is currently implemented on ≈140,000 ha in Europe. Experience from several growing areas confirms the importance of collaboration between research, extension, growers, and pheromone-supply companies for the successful implementation of the mating disruption technique. In the vineyards where mating disruption has been successfully applied as an areawide strategy, the reduction in insecticide use has improved the quality of life for growers, consumers, as well as the public living near wine-growing areas and has thereby reduced the conflict between agricultural and urban communities.
Incident subcortical infarcts induce focal thinning in connected cortical regions

ABSTRACT Objective: Brain atrophy is common in subcortical ischemic vascular disease, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We set out to examine the effects of incident subcortical infarcts on cortical morphology. Methods: A total of 276 subjects with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, an inherited small vessel disease, were enrolled in a prospective study. Incident subcortical infarcts were identified on follow-up magnetic resonance scans after 18, 36, and 54 months using difference images. Probabilistic fiber tracking and cortical thickness measurements were applied to study the longitudinal relationship between incident infarcts and connected cortical areas. Cortical thickness was assessed before and after infarction using FreeSurfer software. Focal cortical thinning was defined as change of cortical thickness in the connected region of interest exceeding the global change of cortical thickness. Results: Nine subjects had a single incident infarct during the follow-up and were suitable for analysis. There was a strong correlation between the probability of connectivity and mean focal cortical thinning (p = 0.0039). In all subjects, there was focal cortical thinning in cortical regions with high probability of connectivity with the incident infarct. This pattern was not observed when using control tractography seeds. Conclusions: Our findings provide in vivo evidence for secondary cortical neurodegeneration after subcortical ischemia as a mechanism for brain atrophy in cerebrovascular disease.
Identification of a Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein Implicated in Splicing of Intron 1 of Mitochondrial nad7 Transcripts

Splicing of plant organellar transcripts is facilitated by members of a large protein family, the pentatricopeptide repeat proteins. We have identified a pentatricopeptide repeat protein in a genetic screen for mutants resistant to inhibition of root growth by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis and consequently named BIR6 (BSO-insensitive roots 6). BIR6 is involved in splicing of intron 1 of the mitochondrial nad7 transcript. Loss-of-function mutations in BIR6 result in a strongly reduced accumulation of fully processed nad7 transcript. This affects assembly of Complex I and results in moderate growth retardation. In agreement with disruption of Complex I function, the genes encoding alternative NADH oxidizing enzymes are induced in the mutant, and the mutant plants are less sensitive to mannitol and salt stress. Mutation in the BIR6 gene allowed normal root growth in presence of BSO and strongly attenuated depletion of glutathione content at these conditions. The same phenotype was observed with other mutants affected in function of Complex I, thus reinforcing the importance of Complex I function for cellular redox homeostasis.
Recent Progress in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Using Nanocrystallite Aggregates

Nanocrystallite aggregates are spherical assemblies of nanometer‐sized crystallites and feature a size on the order of sub‐micrometers. This paper reports and summarizes recent progress in nanocrystallite aggregates for applications in dye‐sensitized solar cells. It emphasizes that nanocrystallite aggregates are a promising class of materials with the capability to generate light scattering, enhance electron transport, retain high specific surface area for dye adsorption, and facilitate electrolyte diffusion while serving as the photoelectrode film of a dye‐sensitized solar cell. In the Perspectives section, it is suggested that optimization of the porosity of the aggregates, the facets of nanocrystallites forming the aggregates, and the structure of photoelectrode film could possibly lead to breakthroughs in improving the power conversion efficiency of the current state‐of‐the‐art dye‐sensitized solar cells.
Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: Hospital Cost and Reimbursement Analysis

Revision total hip arthroplasty is a complex surgical procedure that frequently requires high levels of hospital resources. The purpose of the current study was to report the actual costs and reimbursement to the hospital for a stratified group of patients having revision total hip arthroplasty based on a severity index. The clinical and financial records of 49 patients (51 hips) stratified by complexity of revision were reviewed. Clinical variable included age, length of stay, operating time, estimated blood loss, number of transfusions, implant type, metallic augmentation, use of bone graft, and time spent in the postanesthesia care unit. Financial review included the actual fixed and variable costs associated with each procedure. Hospital costs associated with revision total hip arthroplasty were significantly greater in the most complex revisions and in older patients. The use of bone grafting techniques on the femur resulted in significantly greater costs. The average loss to the hospital was $5402 per procedure with a range of $5657 profit to $28,780 loss. Procedures in patients younger than 65 years has an average loss of $1133. All procedures in patients who were 65 years or older resulted in a loss to the hospital, with the average loss being $8617. Despite improvements in length of stay, use of clinical pathways, and negotiated discounts on implants, the hospital loss on each hip revision procedure averaged $5402.