Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Diversity of Isoamylase Oligomers: The ISA1 Homo-Oligomer Is Essential for Amylopectin Biosynthesis in Rice Endosperm1[W][OA]

Rice (Oryza sativa) endosperm has two isoamylase (ISA) oligomers, ISA1 homo-oligomer and ISA1-ISA2 hetero-oligomer. To examine their contribution to starch synthesis, expression of the ISA1 or ISA2 gene was differently regulated in various transgenic plants. Although suppression of ISA2 gene expression caused the endosperm to have only the homo-oligomer, no significant effects were detected on the starch phenotypes. In contrast, ISA2 overexpression led to endosperm having only the hetero-oligomer, and starch synthesis in the endosperm was drastically impaired, both quantitatively and qualitatively, because the starch was devoid of typical starch features, such as thermal and x-ray diffraction properties, and water-soluble highly branched maltodextrins were accumulated. In the ISA2 overexpressed line, about 60% to 70% of the ISA1-ISA2 hetero-oligomer was bound to starch, while the ISA homo- and hetero-oligomers from the wild type were mostly present in the soluble form at the early milking stage of the endosperm. Detailed analysis of the relative amounts of homo- and hetero-oligomers in various lines also led us to the conclusion that the ISA1 homo-oligomer is essential, but not the ISA1-ISA2 oligomer, for starch production in rice endosperm. The relative amounts of ISA1 and ISA2 proteins were shown to determine the ratio of both oligomers and the stoichiometry of both ISAs in the hetero-oligomer. It was noted when compared with the homo-oligomer that all the hetero-oligomers from rice endosperm and leaf and potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber were much more stable at 40°C. This study provides substantial data on the structural and functional diversity of ISA oligomers between plant tissues and species.
Incidence, mortality and five-year relative survival ratio of prostate cancer among Chinese residents in Singapore from 1968 to 2002 by metastatic staging.

INTRODUCTION This paper examines the incidence, mortality and survival patterns among all Chinese residents with prostate cancer reported to the Singapore Cancer Registry in Singapore from 1968 to 2002 by metastatic staging. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective population-based study including all prostate cancer cases aged over 20 reported to the Singapore Cancer Registry (SCR) from 1968 to 2002 who are Singapore Chinese residents. Follow-up was ascertained by matching with the National Death Register until 2002. Metastatic status was obtained from the SCR. Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates, as well as the 5-year relative survival ratios (RSRs), were obtained for each 5-year period and grouped by metastatic stage. A weighted linear regression was performed on the log-transformed age-standardised incidence and mortality rates over the study period. RESULTS In the most recent period of 1998 to 2002, the age-standardised incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000) for prostate cancer among the Chinese were 30.9 (95% CI, 29.1 to 32.8) and 9.6 (95% CI, 8.6 to 10.7), respectively. The percentage increase in the age-standardised incidence and age-standardised mortality rates per year were 5.6% and 6.0%, respectively, for all Chinese Singapore residents. There was an improvement in the 5-year RSRs for Chinese diagnosed with non-metastatic cases from 51.3% in 1973 to 1977, to 76.1% in 1998 to 2002. However, the RSR remains poor (range, 11.1% to 49.7%) for Chinese diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS Both age-standardised incidence and mortality rates for prostate cancer among Chinese Singapore residents are still on the rise especially since the 1990s. Since the 1990s, the improvement in RSRs was substantial for the Chinese non-metastatic cases.
Creative processes: From interventions in art to intervallic experiments through Bergson

The recent turn to creativity in geography has led to a proliferation of methodological frameworks that enable us to look at and think about the world differently. For the most part, creativity in geography gets mobilised as an artistic endeavour through empirical research with a particular person or product. One implication of this focus is that creativity gets tied to a foundational subject as the instigator of creative practice. In this paper I want to unpack creativity in geography through a particular theoretical lens, in order to explore a wider array of creative agencies. To this end I turn to Henri Bergson, and his very specific notion of creativity as a process of intuition at the interval. Crucially, Bergson offers a way of processually rethinking the corporeality and materiality of creative practice, enabling us to broaden our engagements with creativity so that they are more open to the diverse ways the material world engages us.
Effect of inhaled sulphur dioxide and carbon particles on heart rate variability and markers of inflammation and coagulation in human subjects

Objective: To measure the inflammatory and autonomic responses of healthy humans and patients with coronary artery disease to controlled concentrations of two specific components of vehicle derived air pollution, carbon particles and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Methods: Placebo controlled, double blind, random order human challenge study examining the effects of carbon particles (50 μg/m3) and SO2 (200 parts per billion (ppb)) on heart rate variability (HRV) and circulating markers of inflammation and coagulation in healthy volunteers and patients with stable angina. Results: In healthy volunteers, markers of cardiac vagal control did not fall in response to particle exposure but, compared with the response to air, increased transiently immediately after exposure (root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD) 15 (5) ms with carbon particles and 4 (3) ms) with air, p < 0.05). SO2 exposure resulted in no immediate change but a significant reduction in HRV markers of cardiac vagal control at four hours (RMSSD −2 (3.6) ms with air, −7 (2.7) ms with SO2, p < 0.05). No such changes were seen in patients with stable angina. Neither pollutant caused any change in markers of inflammation or coagulation at zero, four, or 24 hours. Conclusion: In healthy volunteers, short term exposure to pure carbon particles does not cause adverse effects on HRV or a systemic inflammatory response. The adverse effects of vehicle derived particulates are likely to be caused by more reactive species found on the particle surface. SO2 exposure does, however, reduce cardiac vagal control, a response that would be expected to increase susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia.
Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on Kupffer cell phagosomal motility, bacterial clearance, and liver function

Background Zinc oxide engineered nanoparticles (ZnO ENPs) have potential as nanomedicines due to their inherent properties. Studies have described their pulmonary impact, but less is known about the consequences of ZnO ENP interactions with the liver. This study was designed to describe the effects of ZnO ENPs on the liver and Kupffer cells after intravenous (IV) administration. Materials and methods First, pharmacokinetic studies were conducted to determine the tissue distribution of neutron-activated 65ZnO ENPs post-IV injection in Wistar Han rats. Then, a noninvasive in vivo method to assess Kupffer cell phagosomal motility was employed using ferromagnetic iron particles and magnetometry. We also examined whether prior IV injection of ZnO ENPs altered Kupffer cell bactericidal activity on circulating Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Serum and liver tissues were collected to assess liver-injury biomarkers and histological changes, respectively. Results We found that the liver was the major site of initial uptake of 65ZnO ENPs. There was a time-dependent decrease in tissue levels of 65Zn in all organs examined, refecting particle dissolution. In vivo magnetometry showed a time-dependent and transient reduction in Kupffer cell phagosomal motility. Animals challenged with P. aeruginosa 24 hours post-ZnO ENP injection showed an initial (30 minutes) delay in vascular bacterial clearance. However, by 4 hours, IV-injected bacteria were cleared from the blood, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Seven days post-ZnO ENP injection, creatine phosphokinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in serum were significantly increased. Histological evidence of hepatocyte damage and marginated neutrophils were observed in the liver. Conclusion Administration of ZnO ENPs transiently inhibited Kupffer cell phagosomal motility and later induced hepatocyte injury, but did not alter bacterial clearance from the blood or killing in the liver, spleen, lungs, or kidneys. Our data show that diminished Kupffer cell organelle motion correlated with ZnO ENP-induced liver injury.
The Quandary of Preresection Biliary Drainage for Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract Surgery in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by a tumor in the pancreatic head area is associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications. Preoperative biliary drainage was introduced in an attempt to improve the general condition and reduce morbidity and mortality. Extensive experimental studies have been performed to analyze the beneficial effect of biliary drainage and showed improvement in liver function, nutritional status, and cell-mediated immune function as well as reduction in mortality. However, despite the results seen in the experimental studies, clinical studies reported both beneficial and adverse effects, and most studies advised against routinely performing preoperative biliary drainage. To add clarity to the ongoing controversy, a recent randomized controlled trial was performed and reported more overall complications in patients with jaundice who underwent preoperative biliary drainage followed by surgery compared to those who underwent surgery alone. Many of these complications were stent related. Like most clinical studies, a plastic stent was used to initiate biliary drainage. Patients with jaundice because of a tumor in the pancreatic head area without locoregional irresectability or metastases should be candidates for early surgery. Preoperative biliary drainage should not be performed routinely. However, some selected patients might benefit from preoperative biliary drainage, in cases of severe jaundice, neoadjuvant therapy, or postponed surgery due to logistics. In these cases, the use of metal biliary stents is indicated.
Debaryomyces hansenii strains differ in their production of flavor compounds in a cheese-surface model

Flavor production among 12 strains of Debaryomyces hansenii when grown on a simple cheese model mimicking a cheese surface was investigated by dynamic headspace sampling followed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The present study confirmed that D. hansenii possess the ability to produce important cheese flavor compounds, primarily branched‐chain aldehydes and alcohols, and thus important for the final cheese flavor. Quantification of representative aldehydes (2‐Methylpropanal, 3‐Methylbutanal) and alcohols (2‐Methyl‐1‐propanol, 3‐Methyl‐1‐butanol, and 3‐Methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol) showed that the investigated D. hansenii strains varied significantly with respect to production of these flavor compounds. Contrary to the alcohols (2‐Methyl‐1‐propanol, 3‐Methyl‐1‐butanol, and 3‐Methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol), the aldehydes (2‐Methylpropanal, 3‐Methylbutanal) were produced by the D. hansenii strains in concentrations higher than their sensory threshold values, and thus seemed more important than alcohols for cheese flavor. These results show that D. hansenii strains may have potential to be applied as cultures for increasing the nutty/malty flavor of cheese due to their production of aldehydes. However, due to large strain variations, production of flavor compounds has to be taken into consideration for selection of D. hansenii strains as starter cultures for cheese production.
Entrenched gendered pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics: Engaging girls through collaborative career development

Gendered educational and occupational pathways are entrenched in many countries. The underrepresentation of women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields has ramifications for individuals and for workforces. Girls’ declining interest in STEM coincides with an increasing demand for STEM-skilled professionals across the globe. This conceptual analysis establishes the extent of STEM gender inequality in Australia and argues that the lack of women in these fields is problematic. Research using Eccles’ expectancy-value theory explains gender differences in mathematics and science expectations and values. Implications for career advisers are outlined including: recommendations for engaging girls in STEM while they are in primary school; collaborating with teachers; using role models and mentors; working with families to promote STEM; and focussing on specific groups of girls. The aim of this analysis is to assist career advisers to explore STEM educational and occupational pathways with girls.
Diversity and equality in academic publishing: the case of educational leadership

Abstract There have been ongoing criticisms of the field of educational leadership and management with respect to over-reliance on research from ‘Western’ contexts. However, evidence on the extent to which voices alternative to the dominant ‘Western’ discourse are represented in the international English-medium discourse of educational leadership and management is thin. Using a three-phase sequential mixed-methods approach, this paper explores knowledge production in the field by analysing the prevalence and impact of empirical articles published in four English-medium international journals. Additionally, the membership of editorial boards and editors is analysed to geographically locate key decision makers. Findings demonstrate that an exceptionally small set of core inner-circle Anglophone and non-inner-circle Anglophone settings enjoys disproportionate influence in the field. There is need for a knowledge base enriched with leadership and management practices from different sociocultural contexts and system structures with a multiplicity of voices to portray a more nuanced and balanced picture of leadership and management practices.
On-line relative clause attachment strategy in heritage speakers of Spanish

Aims: Previous research on relative clause attachment has found that late Spanish–English bilinguals tend to parse both languages with a single strategy that is consistent with that of the language in which they are currently immersed. One recent investigation using an off-line measure has suggested that the same may not be true of early Spanish–English bilinguals, who did not show effects of greater exposure to English in the comprehension of ambiguous relative clauses (RCs). The present study sought to determine whether on-line RC attachment behavior in heritage Spanish was similarly unaffected by extensive exposure to English. Design: Forty-six monolinguals and 28 heritage speakers of Mexican Spanish participated in a self-paced reading experiment in which stimuli contained temporarily ambiguous relative clauses that were biased toward either high or low syntactic attachment. Data and analysis: Analysis of variance by subject and by item was performed on reading time data and on responses to post-stimulus comprehension questions. Findings: Statistical analyses revealed similar preferences for high attachment in Spanish among both monolinguals and heritage speakers. Originality: These results suggest that Spanish heritage speakers, as early bilinguals, may be less affected by ongoing exposure to English than the late bilinguals tested in prior studies. Significance: The outcome also suggests that, within Spanish as a heritage language, relative clause attachment may be unique compared to other aspects of sentence processing in that it shows little influence from English.
Gray scale and power Doppler ultrasonography in evaluation of early rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION Ultrasonography provides information regarding synovial membrane proliferation and its vascularization. The AIM of our study was to evaluate the role of gray scale and power Doppler ultrasonography in assessing early rheumatoid arthritis by analyzing the scores determined by the evaluation of synovial proliferation, joint effusion, erosion or soft tissue swelling. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was prospective comprising 34 patients (31 female, 3 men), mean age 45.68 years, with clinical changes and biochemical early rheumatoid arthritis. Bilateral wrist, II-V metacarpophalangeal, and proximal interphalangeal joints were evaluated by dorsal and palmar scans. RESULTS The mean duration from the onset of symptoms was 3.46 months. Based on the clinical, biochemical and US scores the patients from our study presented early stages of RA. Also, statistically significant correlations were observed between the time elapsed from the onset, the changes highlighted by ultrasound and the stage of the disease (stage 0 or 1). CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms that US evaluation of changes in the joints of the hand offers useful information for staging the diagnosis of RA.
Throughput Scaling in Cognitive Multiple Access With Average Power and Interference Constraints

This paper derives tight ergodic sum-rate capacity scaling limits for cognitive radio secondary networks under five different communication environments (CoE) for two different network types when secondary users' (SUs) transmission powers are optimally allocated. The network types studied are power-interference limited (PIL) networks and interference limited (IL) networks. In PIL networks, SUs' transmissions are limited by both an average total power constraint and a constraint on the average interference that they cause to primary users (PUs). In IL networks, SUs' transmissions are only limited by an average interference constraint. The capacity scaling results in PIL networks are derived for three different CoEs in which secondary transmitter to secondary base station (STSB) channel gains are Rayleigh distributed while secondary transmitter to primary base station (STPB) channel gains are Rayleigh, Rician or Nakagami distributed. It is shown that secondary network capacity scales according to log log(N) in these three CoEs, where N is the number of SUs. In addition to these three CoEs, two more CoEs are also studied for IL networks: Rician or Nakagami distributed STSB channel gains and Rayleigh distributed STPB channel gains. It is shown that the secondary network capacity scales according to log(N) for all live CoEs in IL networks. This result implies exponential capacity gains in IL networks over PIL networks. The same capacity scaling results are shown to hold even for heterogeneous cognitive radio networks in which different SUs experience statistically different channel conditions. In some cases, our analysis leads to a new notion called effective number of users, which signifies the effective number of users contributing to multiuser diversity in cognitive radio networks. For example, effective number of users is given by K+1/eK N when STSB channel gains are Rayleigh distributed and STPB channel gains are Rician distributed with a Rician factor K.
IGFBP3 suppresses retinopathy through suppression of oxygen-induced vessel loss and promotion of vascular regrowth

Vessel loss precipitates many diseases. In particular, vessel loss resulting in hypoxia induces retinal neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy and in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), major causes of blindness. Here we define insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) as a new modulator of vascular survival and regrowth in oxygen-induced retinopathy. In IGFBP3-deficient mice, there was a dose-dependent increase in oxygen-induced retinal vessel loss. Subsequent to oxygen-induced retinal vessel loss, Igfbp3−/− mice had a 31% decrease in retinal vessel regrowth versus controls after returning to room air. No difference in serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) levels was observed among groups. Wild-type mice treated with exogenous IGFBP3 had a significant increase in vessel regrowth. This correlated with a 30% increase in endothelial progenitor cells in the retina at postnatal day 15, indicating that IGFBP3 could be serving as a progenitor cell chemoattractant. In a prospective clinical study, we measured IGFBP3 (and IGF1) plasma levels weekly and examined retinas in all premature infants born at gestational ages <32 weeks at high risk for ROP. The mean level of IGFBP3 at 30–35 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) for infants with proliferative ROP (ROP stages 3>, n = 13) was 802 μg/liter, and for infants with no ROP (ROP stage 0, n = 38) the mean level was 974 μg/liter (P < 0.03). These results suggest that IGFBP3, acting independently of IGF1, helps to prevent oxygen-induced vessel loss and to promote vascular regrowth after vascular destruction in vivo in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in less retinal neovascularization.
Dust, endotoxin, fungi, and bacteria exposure as determined by work task, season, and type of plant in a flower greenhouse.

BACKGROUND Greenhouse workers are exposed to dust, endotoxin, fungi, and bacteria potentially causing airway inflammation as well as systemic symptoms. Knowledge about determinants of exposure is a prerequisite for efficient prevention through knowledge-based reduction in exposure. The objective of this study was to assess the occupational exposure in a flower greenhouse and to investigate the impact of work tasks on the intensity and variability in exposure. METHODS Seventy-six personal full-shift exposure measurements were performed on 38 employees in a Danish flower greenhouse producing Campanula, Lavandula, Rhipsalideae, and Helleborus. The samples were gravimetrically analysed for inhalable dust. Endotoxin was assessed by the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate test and culture-based quantification of bacteria and fungi was performed. Information on the performed tasks during sampling was extracted from the greenhouse electronic task logging system. Associations between log-transformed exposure outcomes, season, and work tasks were examined in linear mixed-effects regression with worker identity as random effect. RESULTS Measured concentrations ranged between 0.04 and 2.41mg m(-3) for inhalable dust and between 0.84 and 1097 EU m(-3) for endotoxin exposure, with the highest mean levels measured during Lavandula and Campanula handling, respectively. Personal exposure to fungi ranged between 1.8×10(2) and 3.4×10(6) colony-forming units (CFU) m(-3) and to bacteria between 1.6×10(1) and 4.2×10(5) CFU m(-3). Exposure to dust, endotoxin, fungi, and bacteria differed between seasons. Packing Lavandula, sticking, potting, and grading Rhipsalideae, and all examined tasks related to Campanula production except sticking increased dust exposure. Endotoxin exposure was increased during sticking Campanula and pinching or packing Rhipsalideae, and fungi exposure was elevated by subtasks performed in the research and development area for Campanula, and by potting, packing/dumping Campanula. Sticking and working with subtasks in the research and development area for Campanula increased bacteria exposure. CONCLUSION This study revealed moderate dust exposure levels compared to the levels observed in other greenhouse productions and other occupations with organic dust exposure such as farming. However, high exposures to bacteria and fungi were detected during selected tasks and the proposed health-based endotoxin exposure limit of 90 EU m(-3) was exceeded in 30% of the samples, which may have health implications for the employees. Exposure levels were found to vary depending on the tasks performed, and thereby results can be used to direct task-based initiatives to reduce workplace exposures.