Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological and proteomic analyses of leaves from the halophyte Tangut Nitraria reveals diverse response pathways critical for high salinity tolerance

Soil salinization poses a serious threat to the environment and agricultural productivity worldwide. Studies on the physiological and molecular mechanisms of salinity tolerance in halophytic plants provide valuable information to enhance their salt tolerance. Tangut Nitraria is a widely distributed halophyte in saline–alkali soil in the northern areas of China. In this study, we used a proteomic approach to investigate the molecular pathways of the high salt tolerance of T. Nitraria. We analyzed the changes in biomass, photosynthesis, and redox-related enzyme activities in T. Nitraria leaves from plant seedlings treated with high salt concentration. Comparative proteomic analysis of the leaves revealed that the expression of 71 proteins was significantly altered after salinity treatments of T. Nitraria. These salinity-responsive proteins were mainly involved in photosynthesis, redox homeostasis, stress/defense, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, protein metabolism, signal transduction, and membrane transport. Results showed that the reduction of photosynthesis under salt stress was attributed to the down-regulation of the enzymes and proteins involved in the light reaction and Calvin cycle. Protein–protein interaction analysis revealed that the proteins involved in redox homeostasis, photosynthesis, and energy metabolism constructed two types of response networks to high salt stress. T. Nitraria plants developed diverse mechanisms for scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) in their leaves to cope with stress induced by high salinity. This study provides important information regarding the salt tolerance of the halophyte T. Nitraria.
Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of VAsopressin versus Noradrenaline as Initial therapy in Septic sHock (VANISH)

Introduction Vasopressin is an alternative vasopressor in the management of septic shock. It spares catecholamine use but whether it improves outcome remains uncertain. Current evidence suggests that it may be most effective if used early and possibly in conjunction with corticosteroids. This trial will compare vasopressin to noradrenaline as initial vasopressor in the management of adult septic shock and investigate whether there is an interaction of vasopressin with corticosteroids. Methods and analysis This is a multicentre, factorial (2×2), randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 412 patients will be recruited from multiple UK intensive care units and randomised to receive vasopressin (0–0.06 U/min) or noradrenaline (0–12 µg/min) as a continuous intravenous infusion as initial vasopressor therapy. If maximum infusion rates of this first study drug are reached, the patient will be treated with either hydrocortisone (initially 50 mg intravenous bolus six-hourly) or placebo, before additional open-label catecholamine vasopressors are prescribed. The primary outcome of the trial will be the difference in renal failure-free days between treatment groups. Secondary outcomes include need for renal replacement therapy, survival rates, other organ failures and resource utilisation. Ethics and dissemination The trial protocol and information sheets have received a favourable opinion from the Oxford A Research Ethics Committee (12/SC/0014). There is an independent Data Monitoring and Ethics Committee and independent membership of the Trial Steering Committee including patient and public involvement. The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international scientific meetings. Trial registration number: ISRCTN 20769191 and EudraCT 2011-005363-24.
Multiple Promoters Direct Expression of Three AKAP12 Isoforms with Distinct Subcellular and Tissue Distribution Profiles*

A Kinase Anchoring Protein 12 (AKAP12; also known as src-suppressed C kinase substrate (SSeCKS) and Gravin) is a multivalent anchoring protein with tumor suppressor activity. Although expression of AKAP12 has been examined in a number of contexts, its expression control remains to be elucidated. Herein, we characterize the genomic organization of the AKAP12 locus, its regulatory regions, and the spatial distribution of the proteins encoded by the AKAP12 gene. Using comparative genomics and various wet-lab assays, we show that the AKAP12 locus is organized as three separate transcription units that are governed by non-redundant promoters coordinating distinct tissue expression profiles. The proteins encoded by the three AKAP12 isoforms (designated α, β, and γ) share >95% amino acid sequence identity but differ at their N termini. Analysis of the targeting of each isoform reveals distinct spatial distribution profiles. An N-terminal myristoylation motif present in AKAP12α is shown to be necessary and sufficient for targeted expression of this AKAP12 isoform to the endoplasmic reticulum, a novel subcellular compartment for AKAP12. Our results demonstrate heretofore unrecognized complexity within the AKAP12 locus and suggest a mechanism for genetic control of signaling specificity through distinct regulation of alternately targeted anchoring protein isoforms.
An Investigation into the Efficacy of Methods Commonly Employed by Mix Engineers to Reduce Frequency Masking in the Mixing of Multitrack Musical Recordings

Studio engineers use a variety of techniques to reduce frequency masking between instruments when mixing multi-track musical recordings. This study evaluates the efficacy of three techniques, namely mirrored equalization, frequency spectrum sharing and stereo panning, against their variations to confirm the veracity of accepted practice. Mirrored equalisation involves boosting one instrument and cutting the other at the same frequency. Frequency spectrum sharing involves low pass filtering one instrument and high pass filtering the other. Panning involves placing two competing instruments at different pan positions. Test subjects used eight tools comprising a single unlabeled slider to reduce frequency masking in several two instrument scenarios. Satisfaction values were recorded. Results indicate subjects preferred using tools that panned both audio tracks.
The role of operations for distantly metastatic well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The role of operations for distantly metastatic well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is poorly defined. We review the indications for operation for metastatic DTC. METHODS This study consists of 260 patients treated between 1941 and 2000 for metastatic DTC, of which 59 (23%) underwent operations. Median follow-up was 7 years (range, 1 to 49 years). Metastases were identified clinically in 157 (60%) and radiologically in 103 (40%) patients. The disease-specific survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS Twenty-four patients (9%) were disease-free with resection. Palliative resection was indicated for painful bone metastasis, pathologic fracture, or symptomatic spinal cord involvement (35/260, 14%). Patients who could undergo complete metastasectomy survived longer than those having incomplete/palliative resection or nonoperative treatment for metastatic DTC (5-year disease-specific survival, 78% vs 43% vs 46%, P =.03). CONCLUSIONS Solitary distant metastasis of DTC amenable to complete resection is infrequent. Complete metastasectomy may be associated with improved survival for localized distant disease. Palliative resection is indicated to improve quality of life for symptomatic distant metastasis.
In-home monitoring of older adults with vision impairment: exploring patients', caregivers' and professionals' views

OBJECTIVE To develop a conceptual framework for the design of an in-home monitoring system (IMS) based on the requirements of older adults with vision impairment (VI), informal caregivers and eye-care rehabilitation professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS Concept mapping, a mixed-methods statistical research tool, was used in the construction of the framework. Overall, 40 participants brainstormed or sorted and rated 83 statements concerning an IMS for older adults with VI. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis were employed to construct the framework. A questionnaire yielded further insights into the views of a wider sample of older adults with VI (n=78) and caregivers (n=25) regarding IMS. RESULTS Concept mapping revealed a nine-cluster model of IMS-related aspects including affordability, awareness of system capabilities, simplicity of installation, operation and maintenance, system integrity and reliability, fall detection and safe movement, user customization, user preferences regarding information delivery, and safety alerts for patients and caregivers. From the questionnaire, independence, safety and fall detection were the most commonly reported reasons for older adults and caregivers to accept an IMS. Concerns included cost, privacy, security of the information obtained through monitoring, system accuracy, and ease of use. DISCUSSION Older adults with VI, caregivers and professionals are receptive to in-home monitoring, mainly for fall detection and safety monitoring, but have concerns that must be addressed when developing an IMS. CONCLUSION Our study provides a novel conceptual framework for the design of an IMS that will be maximally acceptable and beneficial to our ageing and vision-impaired population.
Opposing Roles for RelB and Bcl-3 in Regulation of T-Box Expressed in T Cells, GATA-3, and Th Effector Differentiation 1

CD4+ T cells with a block in the NF-κB signaling pathway exhibit decreases in Th1 responses and diminished nuclear levels of multiple transactivating NF-κB/Rel/IκB proteins. To determine the lineage-intrinsic contributions of these transactivators to Th differentiation, T cells from mice deficient in specific subunits were cultured in exogenous cytokines promoting either Th1 or Th2 differentiation. RelB-deficient cells exhibited dramatic defects in Th1 differentiation and IFN-γ production, whereas no consistent defect in either Th1 or Th2 responses was observed with c-Rel-deficient cells. In sharp contrast, Bcl-3-null T cells displayed no defect in IFN-γ production, but their Th2 differentiation and IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 production were significantly impaired. The absence of RelB led to a dramatic decrease in the expression of T-box expressed in T cells and Stat4. In contrast, Bcl-3-deficient cells exhibited decreased GATA-3, consistent with evidence that Bcl-3 can transactivate a gata3 promoter. These data indicate that Bcl-3 and RelB exert distinct and opposing effects on the expression of subset-determining transcription factors, suggesting that the characteristics of Th cell responses may be regulated by titrating the stoichiometry of transactivating NF-κB/Rel/IκB complexes in the nuclei of developing helper effector cells.
The Prestige Motive for Making Charitable Transfers

If people are so self-interested, why do they give their money away to charities? One possibility is that people care about the level of the public good their donations provide. But this is not a good explanation: free-riding typically dominates donating even for people who care a great deal about the good in question, and even in groups that are substantially smaller than those in which people contribute. An alternative explanation for giving is that the benefit comes from the donation itself, not from the good it buys. This idea is ancient. In the Old Testament, God promises those giving to the temple that he will
Barriers to Acceptance, Satisfaction and Career Growth: Implications for Career Development and Retention of Women in Selected Male Occupations in Nigeria

Purpose – This study aims to examine the barriers to female executives' experience in terms of perceived acceptance, growth and job satisfaction in male occupations in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approach – The research is a descriptive survey design involved with the exploratory and interpretive investigation of factors associated with female executives' perceived acceptance, growth and job satisfaction in male‐oriented occupations. The data were interpreted in the light of existing career development grounded theories.Findings – The findings indicated that subtle discrimination expressed in form of exclusion and perception women as incompetent signified lack of lack of acceptance, perceived lack of job satisfaction was influenced by low self confidence and lack of support. Personal and organizational factors negatively influenced career growth.Originality/value – The results provide further evidence supporting earlier findings on the hostile climate of male dominated occupations and recommendations were .
Robust clipping demapper for LDPC decoding in impulsive channel

Low-Density Parity-Check codes, are a class of linear block codes and have recently received a great deal of attention owing to their excellent performances over Additive White Gaussian Noise channels. However they are not well investigated in non-Gaussian environments, for instance when the noise is impulsive. In this paper we discuss the use of clipping to mitigate the effect of impulsive noise modeled as an α-stable random variable. The slope in the linear section of the demapper and the threshold have a significant impact on the Belief Propagation decoder performance. We show that judicious choices of those parameters can result in an important performance improvement.
Construction and Validation of an Instrument for Measuring Programming Skill

Skilled workers are crucial to the success of software development. The current practice in research and industry for assessing programming skills is mostly to use proxy variables of skill, such as education, experience, and multiple-choice knowledge tests. There is as yet no valid and efficient way to measure programming skill. The aim of this research is to develop a valid instrument that measures programming skill by inferring skill directly from the performance on programming tasks. Over two days, 65 professional developers from eight countries solved 19 Java programming tasks. Based on the developers' performance, the Rasch measurement model was used to construct the instrument. The instrument was found to have satisfactory (internal) psychometric properties and correlated with external variables in compliance with theoretical expectations. Such an instrument has many implications for practice, for example, in job recruitment and project allocation.
Post‐adolescent acne

Although acne has traditionally been viewed as predominantly affecting adolescents, a significant and growing body of literature suggests an adult (i.e. post‐adolescent) form of the disease. This review summarizes selected publications on post‐adolescent acne, and discusses possible causes and treatment options. Recent epidemiological studies show that there appears to be an increase in post‐adolescent acne, and that the disease is lasting longer and is requiring treatment well into the mid forties. There is good agreement that, unlike teenage acne, where males tend to show the most severe forms of the disease, post‐adolescent acne mainly affects females (the lesions are frequently perioral and occur premenstrually) and that there are two forms of the disease. The terms ‘persistent’ and ‘late onset’ are now generally accepted as describing these two types. The causes of post‐adolescent acne remain to be fully elucidated and hormones, colonization by resistant bacteria and the use of cosmetics have been put forward and debated in the literature. Additionally, some clues to the cause of post‐adolescent acne may be gleaned from an individual's response to therapy. Perhaps one of the most intriguing explanations for the increase in this disease is the proposed relationship between increasing stress levels, androgen hormones and increasing levels of acne found in women in fast paced jobs.
Validation of patient and nurse short forms of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale and their relationship to return to the hospital.

OBJECTIVE To validate patient and nurse short forms for discharge readiness assessment and their associations with 30-day readmissions and emergency department (ED) visits. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING A total of 254 adult medical-surgical patients and their discharging nurses from an Eastern US tertiary hospital between May and November, 2011. STUDY DESIGN Prospective longitudinal design, multinomial logistic regression analysis. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Nurses and patients independently completed an eight-item Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale on the day of discharge. Patient characteristics, readmissions, and ED visits were electronically abstracted. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Nurse assessment of low discharge readiness was associated with a six- to nine-fold increase in readmission risk. Patient self-assessment was not associated with readmission; neither was associated with ED visits. CONCLUSIONS Nurse discharge readiness assessment should be added to existing strategies for identifying readmission risk.
A NEW PHASE AND PRESSURE INDUCED AMORPHIZATION IN SILICA

Using first principles variable cell shape molecular dynamics, we predict a new structure for silica. This structure results from annealing {alpha} -quartz at pressures near a major phonon instability. The new phase is obtained by rotations of SiO{sub 4} tetrahedra producing edge-sharing SiO{sub 6} octahedra and SiO{sub 5} cuboids. This type of mechanism was proposed to account for structural transitions in silicate melts and amorphous solids under pressure. Here this mechanism is observed in a crystalline to crystalline phase transformation for the first time. The diffraction pattern of the new phase compares favorably with that of the unidentified intermediate crystalline phase found in silica during the amorphization. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Computing fluxes and chemical potential distributions in biochemical networks: energy balance analysis of the human red blood cell

The analysis of non-equilibrium steady states of biochemical reaction networks relies on finding the configurations of fluxes and chemical potentials satisfying stoichiometric (mass balance) and thermodynamic (energy balance) constraints. Efficient methods to explore such states are crucial to predict reaction directionality, calculate physiologic ranges of variability, estimate correlations, and reconstruct the overall energy balance of the network from the underlying molecular processes. While different techniques for sampling the space generated by mass balance constraints are currently available, thermodynamics is generically harder to incorporate. Here we introduce a method to sample the free energy landscape of a reaction network at steady state. In its most general form, it allows to calculate distributions of fluxes and concentrations starting from trial functions that may contain prior biochemical information. We apply our method to the human red blood cell's metabolic network, whose space of mass-balanced flux states has been sampled extensively in recent years. Specifically, we profile its thermodynamically feasible flux configurations, characterizing in detail how fluctuations of fluxes and potentials are correlated. Based on this, we derive the cell's energy balance in terms of entropy production, chemical work done and thermodynamic efficiency.
Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry in patients with ocular hypertension and normal tension glaucoma

Aim: To compare central corneal thickness measurements using an ultrasound pachymeter and an Orbscan. Patients and methods: Normal subjects and patients with ocular hypertension, and with normal tension glaucoma were recruited at the Tung Wah Eastern Hospital Eye Centre, Hong Kong. Central corneal thickness was measured using the ultrasound pachymeter and the Orbscan for one selected eye per patient and the results compared between groups. Results: Mean central corneal thickness for normal subjects, patients with ocular hypertension, and patients with normal tension glaucoma were 550.1 ± 21.4 mm, 598.5 ± 27.2 mm, and 525.8 ± 24.9 mm, respectively, when measured by ultrasound. Using the Orbscan, mean central corneal thickness was 561.9 ± 26.0 mm for normal subjects, 590.2 ± 26.4 mm for those with ocular hypertension, and 528.8 ± 28.7 mm for those with normal tension glaucoma. Pearson’s correlation coefficients between ultrasound and Orbscan measurements were 0.82 (p < 0.001), 0.87 (p < 0.001), and 0.83 (p < 0.001) for normal subjects, those with ocular hypertension, and normal tension glaucoma, respectively. Conclusions: Central corneal thickness is increased in ocular hypertension but decreased in normal tension glau- coma. Ultrasound and Orbscan measurements of central corneal thickness were highly correlated in this study.
Influence of midday naps on declarative memory performance and motivation

SummaryQuestion of the studyIn the current literature it is still matter of discussion in which ways sleep might be beneficial for memory consolidation/enhancement. Former studies successfully demonstrated that sleep after learning produces greater (procedural/implicit) memory enhancements than equal amounts of waking. As far as naps are concerned, only few studies have been published on this issue; with respect to the influence of naps on declarative/explicit memory performance, there is even a complete lack of empirical data.Subjects and methodsTo find out whether 60-min naps (time in bed) might have a positive effect on declarative memory performance, we tested 22 subjects aged between 19 and 30 years. Subjects were trained on a declarative word-pair association task (prior to sleep) and were tested (cued recall) before and after 1 h of midday napping.ResultsOverall performance was significantly greater after sleep than before the nap. The data indicated that only those participants entering slow wave sleep (M=18.23 min) during the nap showed memory enhancement thereafter. Furthermore, quantitative EEG analyses revealed strong positive associations of (occipital) theta activity during the nap with memory performance enhancement.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the present findings support the sleep-dependent memory consolidation hypothesis and extend its scope to declarative learning in short midday naps.ZusammenfassungFragestellungIn der aktuellen Literatur wird nach wie vor diskutiert, ob und auf welche Art und Weise Gedächtniskonsolidierung bzw. Gedächtnisverbesserung von Schlaf profitiert. Vorangegangene experimentelle Befunde stützen die Hypothese, dass Schlaf-im Vergleich zu äquivalenten Wachphasen-unmittelbar nach dem Lernen die (prozedural/implizite) Gedächtnisleistung stärker verbessert. Zum Thema Mittagschlaf und Gedächtniskonsolidierung existieren kaum (publizierte) Studien, wobei empirische Daten zu deklarativ-explizitem Gedächtnis praktisch gänzlich fehlen.Probanden und MethodikUm zu untersuchen, ob ein 60-minütiges (Bettzeit) Nickerchen einen positiven Einfluß auf die deklarative Gedächtnisleistung hat, wurden 22 Versuchspersonen (Alter: 19–30 Jahre) getestet. Die Versuchspersonen trainierten vor dem Nickerchen eine deklarative Wortpaar-Assoziationsaufgabe und wurden jeweils unmittelbar nach dem Lernen bzw. nach einem einstündigen Nickerchen getestet (“cued recall”). ErgebnisseInsgesamt hatten die Versuchspersonen nach dem Nickerchen eine signifikant bessere Gedächtnisleistung. Es zeigte sich weiter, dass sich nur die Gedächtnisleistung jener Versuchspersonen verbesserte, deren Nickerchen auch Tiefschlaf (M=18,23 min) beinhaltete. Eine quantitative Analyse des Schlaf-EEGs zeigte zudem einen stark positiven Zusammenhang zwischen okzipitaler Theta-Aktivität und verbesserter Gedächtnisleistung. SchlussfolgerungenDie präsentierten Ergebnisse stützen die “schlafabhängige Gedächtniskonsolidierungshypothese” und erweitern diese um deklaratives Lernen während des Mittagschlafes.