Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule Promotes Migration and Invasion via JNK Activation in Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Cells with Activating KRAS Mutation

Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC), a malignant tumor of biliary origin, has a poor prognosis with limited treatment options. The KRAS oncogene is the most commonly mutated gene in ECC and one of the factors that predicts a poor prognosis and low survival rate. L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is expressed in ECC cells and acts as an independent poor prognostic factor in predicting patient survival. In this study we investigate the functional significance of L1CAM in ECC cells with activating KRAS mutation. We selected an ECC cell line, EGI-1, with activating KRAS mutation, and then confirmed its expression of L1CAM by RT-PCR, western blot analysis, and flow cytometry. The suppression of L1CAM expression (using a specific lentivirus-delivered shRNA) significantly decreased the migratory and invasive properties of EGI-1 cells, without altering their proliferation or survival. Analyses of signaling effectors in L1CAM-depleted and control EGI-1 cells indicated that L1CAM suppression decreased the levels of both phosphorylated MKK4 and total MKK4, together with c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. Further, exposure to a JNK inhibitor (SP600125) decreased migration and invasion of EGI-1 cells. These results suggest that L1CAM promotes cellular migration and invasion via the induction of MKK4 expression, leading to JNK activation. Our study is the first to demonstrate a functional role for L1CAM in ECC carrying the activating KRAS mutation. Given that KRAS is the most commonly mutated oncogene in ECC, L1CAM may serve as an attractive therapeutic target for ECC cells with activating KRAS mutation.
Generic biomass functions for Norway spruce in Central Europe--a meta-analysis approach toward prediction and uncertainty estimation.

To facilitate future carbon and nutrient inventories, we used mixed-effect linear models to develop new generic biomass functions for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ) in Central Europe. We present both the functions and their respective variance-covariance matrices and illustrate their application for biomass prediction and uncertainty estimation for Norway spruce trees ranging widely in size, age, competitive status and site. We collected biomass data for 688 trees sampled in 102 stands by 19 authors. The total number of trees in the "base" model data sets containing the predictor variables diameter at breast height (D), height (H), age (A), site index (SI) and site elevation (HSL) varied according to compartment (roots: n = 114, stem: n = 235, dry branches: n = 207, live branches: n = 429 and needles: n = 551). "Core" data sets with about 40% fewer trees could be extracted containing the additional predictor variables crown length and social class. A set of 43 candidate models representing combinations of lnD, lnH, lnA, SI and HSL, including second-order polynomials and interactions, was established. The categorical variable "author" subsuming mainly methodological differences was included as a random effect in a mixed linear model. The Akaike Information Criterion was used for model selection. The best models for stem, root and branch biomass contained only combinations of D, H and A as predictors. More complex models that included site-related variables resulted for needle biomass. Adding crown length as a predictor for needles, branches and roots reduced both the bias and the confidence interval of predictions substantially. Applying the best models to a test data set of 17 stands ranging in age from 16 to 172 years produced realistic allocation patterns at the tree and stand levels. The 95% confidence intervals (% of mean prediction) were highest for crown compartments (approximately +/- 12%) and lowest for stem biomass (approximately +/- 5%), and within each compartment, they were highest for the youngest and oldest stands, respectively.
Dynamic electro-thermo-mechanical modelling of a U-shaped electro-thermal actuator

In this paper, we develop original analytical electro-thermal and thermo-mechanical models for the U-shaped electro-thermal actuator. The dynamics of the temperature distribution and displacement are obtained as a direct relationship between the system’s dimensions, material properties and electrical input. The electro-thermal model provides an exact solution of the hybrid partial differential equations that describe the electro-thermal behaviour for each of the actuator’s three connected arms. The solution is obtained using a new calculation method that allows the representation of an integrable function by a hybrid infinite sum of sine and cosine functions. The displacement at the actuator’s tip is then calculated using a quasi-static model based on the superposition and virtual works principles. The obtained temperature and displacement solutions are then discussed and compared with finite element method simulations via ANSYS® and experimental results. Comparisons showed good agreement making the proposed modelling a reliable alternative which paves the way for improving the design and optimising the dimensions of U-shaped micro-actuators.
Soil Manganese Enrichment from Industrial Inputs: A Gastropod Perspective

Manganese is one of the most abundant metal in natural environments and serves as an essential microelement for all living systems. However, the enrichment of soil with manganese resulting from industrial inputs may threaten terrestrial ecosystems. Several studies have demonstrated harmful effects of manganese exposure by cutaneous contact and/or by soil ingestion to a wide range of soil invertebrates. The link between soil manganese and land snails has never been made although these invertebrates routinely come in contact with the upper soil horizons through cutaneous contact, egg-laying, and feeding activities in soil. Therefore, we have investigated the direct transfer of manganese from soils to snails and assessed its toxicity at background concentrations in the soil. Juvenile Cantareus aspersus snails were caged under semi-field conditions and exposed first, for a period of 30 days, to a series of soil manganese concentrations, and then, for a second period of 30 days, to soils with higher manganese concentrations. Manganese levels were measured in the snail hepatopancreas, foot, and shell. The snail survival and shell growth were used to assess the lethal and sublethal effects of manganese exposure. The transfer of manganese from soil to snails occurred independently of food ingestion, but had no consistent effect on either the snail survival or shell growth. The hepatopancreas was the best biomarker of manganese exposure, whereas the shell did not serve as a long-term sink for this metal. The kinetics of manganese retention in the hepatopancreas of snails previously exposed to manganese-spiked soils was significantly influenced by a new exposure event. The results of this study reveal the importance of land snails for manganese cycling in terrestrial biotopes and suggest that the direct transfer from soils to snails should be considered when precisely assessing the impact of anthropogenic Mn releases on soil ecosystems.
A GUI modeling DSL for pattern-based GUI testing PARADIGM

Today's software feature user interface (UI) patterns. Those patterns describe generic solutions for common recurrent problems. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no specific testing methodology that is particularly suited for testing those patterns providing generic testing solutions that can be reused after minor configurations in order to test slightly different implementations. Pattern-Based Graphical User Interface Testing (PBGT) is a recent methodology that aims at systematizing and automating the GUI testing process, by sampling the input space using "UI Test Patterns" that express generic solutions to test common recurrent GUI's behaviour. This paper describes the development process of PARADIGM, a domain specific language (DSL) to be used in the context of PBGT and empirically evaluates PARADIGM to assess its diminished modeling efforts, usefulness, graphical power, and acceptability.
Effect of shade and thermo-mechanical viscosity stimulation methods on the rheological properties of nanohybrid resin composite

Abstract The aim of the present study is to measure the rheological properties of nanohybrid resin composite of three shades in pre-polymerized phase using different thermomechanical stimulations. Nanohybrid composite (Kerr Herculite XRV Ultra) in enamel, dentin, and incisal shades was included. Rheological measurements were made with a rotational rheometer in dynamic oscillation mode using three methods: (a) Strain Sweep test explored a range of deformation γ0 from 0.025 to 3% with a frequency ω = 1 Hz (temperature set at 25 and 65 °C), (b) Frequency Sweep test explored frequencies between 1 and 100 rad/s applying a deformation γ0 = 0.5% (temperature set at 25; 45; 65 °C), and (c) Ramp Temperature test explored a heating phase from 25 to 75 °C then a cooling phase back to 25 °C applying a γ0 = 0.5% and a ω = 10 rad/s. Data were analyzed using a three-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Viscosity measurement (p < 0.05) and shade of the composites (p < 0.05) significantly affected the results. Viscosity turned out to be subordinate to strain amplitude, frequency, temperature, and axial force applied during each test. Enamel shade was the most viscous whereas dentin shade was 8% less viscous (p < 0.05). The incisal shade was significantly less viscous (70%) than enamel (p < 0.05). Pre-heating decreased viscosity of incisal shade (30%) above 50 °C but this value was 90 and 98%, respectively, for strain and frequency sweep test. Preheating had a side effect as in the cooling phase, viscosity increased from 66 to 450% exceeding the value recorded at the beginning of the test. Preheating was not effective to reduce viscosity, and may reveal some side effects. The composite tested might not be pre-heated above 45 °C.
Impacts of Temperature on Primary Productivity and Respiration in Naturally Structured Macroalgal Assemblages

Rising global temperatures caused by human-mediated change has already triggered significant responses in organismal physiology, distribution and ecosystem functioning. Although the effects of rising temperature on the physiology of individual organisms are well understood, the effect on community-wide processes has remained elusive. The fixation of carbon via primary productivity is an essential ecosystem function and any shifts in the balance of primary productivity and respiration could alter the carbon balance of ecosystems. Here we show through a series of tests that respiration of naturally structured algal assemblages in southern New Zealand greatly increases with rising temperature, with implications for net primary productivity (NPP). The NPP of in situ macroalgal assemblages was minimally affected by natural temperature variation, possibly through photo-acclimation or temperature acclimation responses, but respiration rates and compensating irradiance were negatively affected. However, laboratory experiments testing the impacts of rising temperature on several photosynthetic parameters showed a decline in NPP, increasing respiration rates and increasing compensating irradiance. The respiration Q10 of laboratory assemblages (the difference in metabolic rates over 10°C) averaged 2.9 compared to a Q10 of 2 often seen in other autotrophs. However, gross primary productivity (GPP) Q10 averaged 2, indicating that respiration was more severely affected by rising temperature. Furthermore, combined high irradiance and high temperature caused photoinhibition in the laboratory, and resulted in 50% lower NPP at high irradiance. Our study shows that communities may be more severely affected by rising global temperatures than would be expected by responses of individual species. In particular, enhanced respiration rates and rising compensation points have the potential to greatly affect the carbon balance of macroalgal assemblages through declines in sub-canopy NPP, the impacts of which may be exacerbated over longer time-scales and could result in declines in sub-canopy species richness and abundance.
The Sources of Value Destruction in Acquisitions by Entrenched Managers

Prior work has established that entrenched managers make value-decreasing acquisitions. In this study, we determine how they destroy that value. Overall, we find that value destruction by entrenched managers comes from a combination of factors. First, they disproportionately avoid private targets, which have been shown to be generally associated with value creation. Second, when they do buy private targets or public targets with blockholders, they tend not to use all-equity offers, which has the effect of avoiding the transfer of a valuable blockholder to the bidder. We further test whether entrenched managers simply overpay for good targets or choose targets with lower synergies. We find that while they overpay, they also choose low synergy targets in the first place, as shown by combined announcement returns and post-merger operating performance.
A novel approach to characterize dynamic pressure on lower limb wearing compression cycling shorts

Dynamic pressure plays an important role in the cyclists’ performance and comfort. The purpose of this study is to qualitatively characterize dynamic pressure on lower limb with compression cycling shorts in a continuous cycling motion. Ten male cyclists participated in this study while wearing six pairs of compression cycling shorts with different ease allowances. Eight pressure measurement points were selected based on skeletal muscle simulation and surface curvature. A novel approach was developed to transform consecutive static pressures into dynamic pressure with interpolation technique. Firstly, a circular motion was evenly divided up into 12 postures. Secondly, static pressures in 12 postures were consecutively measured with an air pack-type pressure measuring instrument. Lastly， dynamic pressure was achieved with cubic spline interpolation in MATLAB based on static pressures in 12 postures. It was found that dynamic pressures at eight points were great difference. Maximum dynamic pressure at eight points was produced when pedal was at the top. Pressure linearly rose when ease allowance was gradually reduced at seven points (except at abdomen). Dynamic pressure fluctuation at four points (middle rectus femoris, middle biceps femoris, distal vastus medialis, and distal vastus lateralis) was significantly related with muscle activation (p < 0.01). Dynamic pressure at convex point of hip was mainly depended on skin deformation and surface curvature. Dynamic pressure of convex point of abdomen was controlled by breath rhythm. The findings are helpful to propose reasonable ease allowance at different parts of compression cycling shorts and provide theoretical guideline for fashion designers to improve pressure comfort and motion performance.
Effect of blood contamination on the push-out bond strength of two endodontic biomaterials

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of blood contamination on the push-out bond strength of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) at different time intervals. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty dentin slices from single-rooted human teeth were sectioned and instrumented to achieve a diameter of 1.3 mm. The specimens were allocated into eight groups based on the materials used, the presence or absence of blood contamination, and the time. MTA and CEM were mixed and introduced into the lumens of dentin slices in groups 1–4 and 5–8, respectively. In blood-contaminated groups (1, 3, 5, and 7), the specimens were in direct contact with blood. The push-out test was performed in groups 1, 2, 5, and 6 after 3 days and in othergroups after 21 days. For the evaluation of failure modes, the samples were examined under a light microscope at × 40 magnifications. Data were analyzed by three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The bond strength of MTA was higher than that of CEM, regardless of contamination and time (P < 0.05). For both materials, regardless of contamination, there was an increase in the bond strength from days 3to 21 (P < 0.05). Regardless of materials and time, blood contamination had no significant effect on the bond strength of materials (P > 0.05). Inspection of the samples revealed that the bond failure was predominantly of the mixed type in all groups. Conclusion: Blood contamination had no adverse effect on the bond strengths of both MTA and CEM; resistance of MTA to displacement was greater than that of CEM cement. However, the elapsed time, from 3 to 21 days, resulted in an increase in bond strength of both materials.
Epstein-Barr Virus Encoded dUTPase Containing Exosomes Modulate Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in Human Dendritic Cells and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

We have recently demonstrated that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) modulates innate immunity in human primary monocyte-derived macrophages through toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 leading to NF-κB activation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our previous depletion studies indicated that dendritic cells (DCs) may also be a target of the EBV-encoded dUTPase. However, the role of EBV-encoded dUTPase in DC activation/function and its potential contribution to the inflammatory cellular milieu characteristic of EBV-associated diseases remains poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that EBV-encoded dUTPase significantly altered the expression of genes involved in oncogenesis, inflammation and viral defense mechanisms in human primary DCs by microarray analysis. Proteome array studies revealed that EBV-encoded dUTPase modulates DC immune responses by inducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory TH1/TH17 cytokines. More importantly, we demonstrate that EBV-encoded dUTPase is secreted in exosomes from chemically induced Raji cells at sufficient levels to induce NF-κB activation and cytokine secretion in primary DCs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Interestingly, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in DCs and PBMCs was TLR2-dependent. Together these findings suggest that the EBV-encoded dUTPase may act as an intercellular signaling molecule capable of modulating the cellular microenvironment and thus, it may be important in the pathophysiology of EBV related diseases.
Overview of plate tectonic history and its unresolved tectonic problems

“Although several of the ideas basic to the following discussion have been presented in earlier publications, no attempt has been made to integrate these separate ideas into a broader outline of the geologic history of the Caribbean, nor have many of these ideas been presented in the context of plate tectonics. ” B.T. Malfait and M.G. Dinkelman: Circum-Caribbean Tectonic and Igneous Activity and the Evolution of the Caribbean Plate. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 83, pp. 251–272, 1972.
High-frequency trading and the efficient market hypothesis

The Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) was established by Fama and Samuelson in the 1960s. According to the Hypothesis, prices encompass market information and it is therefore impossible to consistently make abnormal profits, above the ones achievable with a buy-and-hold strategy. Whenever inefficiency in securities pricing arises, arbitraging will immediately sweep it out, re-aligning prices to their fundamental value. The EMH still holds in presence of arbitraging because the abnormal profit would not be consistent, being it shared by the very many market players. However, a relatively new phenomenon arisen in the last ten years or so has put the EMH under severe questioning that phenomenon is High-Frequency Trading (HFT). Although price discrepancies between markets, related instruments or related securities have always been observed and exploited by arbitrageurs, HFT allows a limited number of traders to beat the rest of market operators by exploiting its higher speed, due to superior technology, faster networks and colocation. If the abnormal profits caused by arbitrage are shared by a small number of High-Frequency traders, the assumption that nobody can consistently beat the market does no longer hold and the Efficient Market Hypothesis should therefore be deemed as false. I have simulated a simple model representing two markets trading the same securities, with a small number of High-Frequency traders and a large number of slower ones, to show how the former traders do make consistent, abnormal, risk-free profit at the expenses of the latter ones. The profit HF traders make is statistically significant.
A Study on User Acceptance of Different Auditory Content for Relaxation

The use of auditory interface at the relaxation-assisted interactive system is becoming increasingly popular. This study aims to investigate the effects of different types of auditory content on the subjective relaxation experience. The participants listened to fifteen sound samples from five categories: (a) nature white noise, (b) natural soundscape, (c) ambient music, (d) instrumental music, (e) instrumental music mixed with the natural soundscape. These auditory contents were selected or designed specifically for assisting relaxation. The study measured the subjective relaxation rating after listening to each sample and interviewed the listeners to understand what causes the differences in relaxation experience. The results indicate that the instrumental music and the combination of nature soundscape and music might be a better auditory content or audio form to induce relaxation compared to the ambient music, pure natural soundscape, and nature white noise. The findings of this study can be used in the design of musical and auditory display in many interactive systems for stress mitigation and relaxation exercises.