Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genes encoding farnesyl cysteine carboxyl methyltransferase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Xenopus laevis

The mam4 mutation of Schizosaccharomyces pombe causes mating deficiency in h- cells but not in h+ cells. h- cells defective in mam4 do not secrete active mating pheromone M-factor. We cloned mam4 by complementation. The mam4 gene encodes a protein of 236 amino acids, with several potential membrane-spanning domains, which is 44% identical with farnesyl cysteine carboxyl methyltransferase encoded by STE14 and required for the modification of a-factor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Analysis of membrane fractions revealed that mam4 is responsible for the methyltransferase activity in S. pombe. Cells defective in mam4 produced farnesylated but unmethylated cysteine and small peptides but no intact M-factor. These observations strongly suggest that the mam4 gene product is farnesyl cysteine carboxyl methyltransferase that modifies M-factor. Furthermore, transcomplementation of S. pombe mam4 allowed us to isolate an apparent homolog of mam4 from Xenopus laevis (Xmam4). In addition to its sequence similarity to S. pombe mam4, the product of Xmam4 was shown to have a farnesyl cysteine carboxyl methyltransferase activity in S. pombe cells. The isolation of a vertebrate gene encoding farnesyl cysteine carboxyl methyltransferase opens the way to in-depth studies of the role of methylation in a large body of proteins, including Ras superfamily proteins.
Variable Frequency Controller for Inductive Power Transfer in Dynamic Conditions

Inductive power transfer is a highly attractive option for powering unmanned aerial or underwater vehicles, in harsh environments and while in continuous motion. This study presents a variable frequency controller for series-series compensated contactless chargers operating in dynamic conditions. The controller tracks, in real time, the frequency for which the output voltage is load independent. The criterion for that is the zeroing of the phase difference between the secondary current and the primary-side inverter output voltage. Control is performed by a phase-locked loop with optical communication between the two sides. Experimental results on a 1-kW prototype, for power transfer while in motion, show fast frequency response, along with steady output voltage, despite load variations. Comparison is performed with two other fixed frequencies of operation; the natural frequency of the primary resonant circuit and the maximum output power frequency at nominal gap. The proposed control is proven superior in terms of output power level and stability, as well as safety to highly misaligned conditions.
The Influence of Nano Materials on Moisture Resistance of Asphalt Mixes

Nano materials have been used in asphalt research projects in recent years in order to enhance rheological properties of bitumen and mechanical properties of asphalt mixes. The application of nano materials to asphalt mixes has been mainly limited to laboratory investigations due to excessive costs of these materials. As moisture damage is one of the commonly occurring distresses in asphalt pavements, in this research, the effects of nano clay and nano hydrated lime were investigated on moisture susceptibility of a continuously graded asphalt mix. Moisture resistance of mixes were investigated, performing Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) testing on mixes that contained various amounts of the above additives. Nano hydrated lime was produced in this research using a planetary ball mill. The average particle size of the produced nano hydrated lime was 281 nanometers. Results indicated that the addition of nano hydrated lime at 5% level (by weight of bitumen) and nano clay at 2% level, increased Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) of asphalt mixes by 52 and 49%, respectively. It was also shown that the addition of hydrated lime in normal dosages (i.e. 20% by weight of bitumen) can be replaced by 5% nano hydrated lime in order to achieve mixes having maximum TSR values.
Milk Consumption and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Older Chinese: The Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

Background Dairy products consumption is increasingly common globally. Most of the evidence concerning dairy products comes from observational studies in western populations which are inevitably open to confounding. To triangulate the evidence concerning dairy products, we examined the associations of whole cow's milk consumption with cardiovascular risk factors in a non-Western setting with a different pattern of milk consumption and cardiovascular diseases from Western populations. Methods We used multivariable censored linear or logistic regression to examine cross-sectionally the adjusted associations of whole cow's milk consumption (none (n = 14892), 1–3/week (n = 2689) and 3+/week (n = 2754)) with cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese (≥50 years) in the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study. Results Whole cow's milk consumption was negatively associated with systolic blood pressure (3+/week compared to none −2.56 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) −3.63 to −1.49), diastolic blood pressure (−1.32 mmHg, 95% CI −1.87 to −0.77) and triglycerides (−0.06 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.11 to −0.002), but was positively associated with HDL-cholesterol (0.02 mmol/L,95% CI 0.01 to 0.04) and fasting glucose (0.08 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.16) adjusted for age, sex, phase of study, socio-economic position, lifestyle (smoking, alcohol use and physical activity) and adiposity, but had no obvious association with LDL-cholesterol or the presence of diabetes. Conclusions Whole cow's milk consumption had heterogeneous associations with cardiovascular risk factors. Higher whole cow's milk consumption was associated with lower levels of specific cardiovascular risk factors which might suggest risk factor specific biological pathways with different relations to blood pressure and lipids than glucose.
Performance, Workload, and Stress Correlates of Temporal and Spatial Task Demands

Increased understanding of the mechanisms by which stress impacts performance is essential to the design and operation of complex information systems. This study represents a test of the hypothesis of Hancock, Szalma, and Weaver (2002) that the attentional narrowing observed under stressful conditions results from spatial and temporal perception drawing on common resource capacities. Although the present results were unable to resolve the specific issue to a satisfactory degree, a novel finding was observed that noise increases leniency in responding. The impact of noise on performance thus depends on the characteristics of the task to be performed, with spatial uncertainty exerting a significant influence on perceived workload.
The Arabidopsis YELLOW STRIPE LIKE4 and 6 Transporters Control Iron Release from the Chloroplast[C][W]

YSL4 and YSL6 are two members of the yellow stripe–like family of metal transporters in Arabidopsis. This study reveals that YSL6 is a protein of the chloroplast envelope, which together with YSL4, is required for the release of iron from the chloroplast. They are active in dedifferentiating chloroplasts of mature embryos and senescent leaves, likely protecting them from free iron toxicity. In most plant cell types, the chloroplast represents the largest sink for iron, which is both essential for chloroplast metabolism and prone to cause oxidative damage. Here, we show that to buffer the potentially harmful effects of iron, besides ferritins for storage, the chloroplast is equipped with specific iron transporters that respond to iron toxicity by removing iron from the chloroplast. We describe two transporters of the YELLOW STRIPE1-LIKE family from Arabidopsis thaliana, YSL4 and YSL6, which are likely to fulfill this function. Knocking out both YSL4 and YSL6 greatly reduces the plant’s ability to cope with excess iron. Biochemical and immunolocalization analyses showed that YSL6 resides in the chloroplast envelope. Elemental analysis and histochemical staining indicate that iron is trapped in the chloroplasts of the ysl4 ysl6 double mutants, which also accumulate ferritins. Also, vacuolar iron remobilization and NRAMP3/4 expression are inhibited. Furthermore, ubiquitous expression of YSL4 or YSL6 dramatically reduces plant tolerance to iron deficiency and decreases chloroplastic iron content. These data demonstrate a fundamental role for YSL4 and YSL6 in managing chloroplastic iron. YSL4 and YSL6 expression patterns support their physiological role in detoxifying iron during plastid dedifferentiation occurring in embryogenesis and senescence.
High-Normal C-Reactive Protein Levels Do Not Affect the Vitamin A Transport Complex in Serum of Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is associated with the presence of inflammation, which in turn affects parameters used to assess the vitamin A status. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of inflammatory status on retinol, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), and transthyretin (TTR) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. A total of 40 children with type 1 diabetes (median age, 14.2 y; median BMI-SDS, 0.53; median diabetes duration, 5.8 y; median HbA1c, 7.3%) and 46 healthy subjects (median age, 12.8 y; median BMI-SDS, 0.34; median HbA1c 5.4%) were recruited. Serum levels of CRP were significantly elevated (p = 0.005) and retinol concentrations were significantly lower (p = 0.02) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes compared with healthy subjects. Serum RBP4 and TTR showed no differences between the groups. Healthy children with CRP levels above 0.6 mg/L had significant lower levels of retinol (p = 0.03). This was not observed in children with type 1 diabetes. The results suggest that, in contrast to healthy children, minor CRP elevation does not affect vitamin A transport complex in serum of children with type 1 diabetes.
Marriage, Sex, and Hydrocele: An Ethnographic Study on the Effect of Filarial Hydrocele on Conjugal Life and Marriageability from Orissa, India

Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF), a leading cause of permanent and long-term disability, affects 120 million people globally. Hydrocele, one of the chronic manifestations of LF among 27 million people worldwide, causes economic and psychological burdens on patients and their families. The present study explores and describes the impact of hydrocele on sexual and marital life as well as on marriageability of hydrocele patients from rural areas of Orissa, an eastern state of India. Methodology/Principal Findings This paper is based on ethnographic data collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with hydrocele patients, wives of hydrocele patients, and other participants from the community. The most worrisome effect of hydrocele for patients and their wives was the inability to have a satisfactory sexual life. The majority of patients (94%) expressed their incapacity during sexual intercourse, and some (87%) reported pain in the scrotum during intercourse. A majority of hydrocele patients' wives (94%) reported dissatisfaction in their sexual life. As a result of sexual dissatisfaction and physical/economic burden, communication has deteriorated between the couples and they are not living happily. This study also highlights the impact on marriageability. The wives of hydrocele patients said that a hydrocele patient is the “last choice” and that girls show reluctance to marry hydrocele patients. In some cases, the patients were persuaded by their wives to remove hydrocele by surgery (hydrocelectomy). Conclusions/Significance The objective of the morbidity management arm of the Global Programme to Eliminate LF should be to increase access to hydrocelectomy, as hydrocelectomy is the recommended intervention. Though the study area is covered by the programme, like in other endemic areas, hydrocelectomy has not been emphasised by the national LF elimination programme. The policy makers and programme managers should be sensitised by utilising this type of research finding.
Serum vitamin C and the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency in the United States: 2003‐2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

In NHANES III (1988‐1994), 11.6±0.8% (SE) of the US population was vitamin C deficient based on serum concentrations <11.4 ìmol/L. The distribution of serum vitamin C concentrations in the United States and the prevalence of deficiency in selected subgroups for 2003‐2004 were estimated. Total serum ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was measured in 7,277 non‐institutionalized civilians aged 6 years and older from the cross‐sectional, nationally representative NHANES 2003‐2004. The overall age‐adjusted mean from the square‐root transformed (SM) concentration was 51.4 ìmol/L (95% confidence interval: 48.4‐54.6). The highest concentrations were found in children and older persons. Within each race/ethnic group, females had higher concentrations than males (p<0.05). Smokers′ mean concentrations were one‐third lower than those of nonsmokers′(SM: 37.7 vs. 56.2 ìmol/L; p<0.001). Obese adults had serum ascorbic acid concentrations that were 14‐21% lower than those of overweight or healthy weight adults (p<0.01). The overall prevalence of age‐adjusted ascorbic acid deficiency was 7.10. 9% (SE). Smokers were at risk for deficiency more than three times as often as nonsmokers. In 2003‐2004, the population weighted distribution of serum ascorbic acid concentrations in the United States showed an improvement in vitamin C status, and the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency was significantly lower than during NHANES III.
Female brain size affects the assessment of male attractiveness during mate choice

Variation in brain size and cognitive ability affects mate quality assessment and underlies variation in mate choice. Mate choice decisions are central in sexual selection theory aimed to understand how sexual traits evolve and their role in evolutionary diversification. We test the hypothesis that brain size and cognitive ability are important for accurate assessment of partner quality and that variation in brain size and cognitive ability underlies variation in mate choice. We compared sexual preference in guppy female lines selected for divergence in relative brain size, which we have previously shown to have substantial differences in cognitive ability. In a dichotomous choice test, large-brained and wild-type females showed strong preference for males with color traits that predict attractiveness in this species. In contrast, small-brained females showed no preference for males with these traits. In-depth analysis of optomotor response to color cues and gene expression of key opsins in the eye revealed that the observed differences were not due to differences in visual perception of color, indicating that differences in the ability to process indicators of attractiveness are responsible. We thus provide the first experimental support that individual variation in brain size affects mate choice decisions and conclude that differences in cognitive ability may be an important underlying mechanism behind variation in female mate choice.
Creative idea exploration within the structure of a guiding framework: the card brainstorming game

I present a card brainstorming exercise that transforms a conceptual tangible interaction framework into a tool for creative dialogue and discuss the experiences made in using it. Ten sessions with this card game demonstrate the frameworks' versatility and utility. Observation and participant feedback highlight the value of a provocative question format and of the metaphor of a card game.
Computational Approaches for Automatic Structural Analysis of Large Biomolecular Complexes

We present computational solutions to two problems of macromolecular structure interpretation from reconstructed three-dimensional electron microscopy (3D-EM) maps of large bio-molecular complexes at intermediate resolution (5A-15A). The two problems addressed are: (a) 3D structural alignment (matching) between identified and segmented 3D maps of structure units (e.g. trimeric configuration of proteins), and (b) the secondary structure identification of a segmented protein 3D map (i.e. locations of alpha-helices, beta-sheets). For problem (a), we present an efficient algorithm to correlate spatially (and structurally) two 3D maps of structure units. Besides providing a similarity score between structure units, the algorithm yields an effective technique for resolution refinement of repeated structure units,by 3D alignment and averaging. For problem (b), we present an efficient algorithm to compute eigenvalues and link eigenvectors of a Gaussian convoluted structure tensor derived from the protein 3D Map, thereby identifying and locating secondary structural motifs of proteins. The efficiency and performance of our approach is demonstrated on several experimentally reconstructed 3D maps of virus capsid shells from single-particle cryo-EM, as well as computationally simulated protein structure density 3D maps generated from protein model entries in the Protein Data Bank.
Mutation Patterns of 16 Genes in Primary and Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) with Normal Cytogenetics

Acute myeloid leukemia patients with normal cytogenetics (CN-AML) account for almost half of AML cases. We aimed to study the frequency and relationship of a wide range of genes previously reported as mutated in AML (ASXL1, NPM1, FLT3, TET2, IDH1/2, RUNX1, DNMT3A, NRAS, JAK2, WT1, CBL, SF3B1, TP53, KRAS and MPL) in a series of 84 CN-AML cases. The most frequently mutated genes in primary cases were NPM1 (60.8%) and FLT3 (50.0%), and in secondary cases ASXL1 (48.5%) and TET2 (30.3%). We showed that 85% of CN-AML patients have mutations in at least one of ASXL1, NPM1, FLT3, TET2, IDH1/2 and/or RUNX1. Serial samples from 19 MDS/CMML cases that progressed to AML were analyzed for ASXL1/TET2/IDH1/2 mutations; seventeen cases presented mutations of at least one of these genes. However, there was no consistent pattern in mutation acquisition during disease progression. This report concerns the analysis of the largest number of gene mutations in CN-AML studied to date, and provides insight into the mutational profile of CN-AML.
Smoking Out Reproductive Hormone Actions in Lung Cancer

Experimental and population-based evidence has been steadily accumulating that steroid hormones are fundamentally involved in the biology of the lung. Both estrogen and progesterone receptors are present in normal and malignant lung tissue, and the reproductive hormones that bind these receptors have a role in lung development, lung inflammation, and lung cancer. The estrogen receptor-β (ER-β) was discovered in the 1990s as a novel form of ER that is transcribed from a gene distinct from ER-α, the receptor previously isolated from breast tissue. Interestingly, ER-β is the predominate ER expressed in normal and malignant lung tissue, whereas inflammatory cells that infiltrate the lung are known to express both ER-α and ER-β. Although there is evidence from animal models for the preferential effects of ER-β in the lungs of females, human lung tumors from males often contain comparable numbers of ER-β–positive cells and male-derived lung cancer cell lines respond to estrogens. Lung tumors from both males and females also express CYP19 (aromatase), the rate-limiting enzyme in estrogen synthesis that converts testosterone to estrone and β-estradiol. Thus, testosterone acts as a precursor for local estrogen production within lung tumors, independent of reproductive organs. This review discusses the recent literature findings about the biology of the ERs, aromatase, and the progesterone receptor in lung cancer and highlights the ongoing clinical trials and future therapeutic implications of these findings. Mol Cancer Res; 12(1); 24–31. ©2014 AACR.
Cross-correlation patterns of air and soil temperatures, rainfall and Diaprepes abbreviatus root weevil in citrus.

Time series cross-correlation analysis is appropriate when measuring relationships between two different time series. Using this approach, the authors quantified the relationship between the time series air temperature (AT), soil temperature (ST), rainfall, relative humidity (RH) and Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) root weevil across a period of 30 months, and examined how closely the distribution of Diaprepes root weevil was related to AT, ST, rainfall and RH within this period of time. The study was conducted on a poorly drained Spodosol in a citrus [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. ] grove in DeSoto County, south-west Florida, from April 2001 to September 2003. Adult weevil populations were monitored using 100 Tedders traps in a 30 x 15 m grid. Weather data (0.6 m AT, 0.1 m ST, 2 m rainfall and 2 m RH) were monitored by Florida Automated Weather Networks. The monthly mean and standard deviation were 22.3 +/- 4.0 degrees C for AT, 24.7 +/- 4.2 degrees C for ST, 146.0 +/- 122.7 mm for rainfall, 78.2 +/- 4.7% for RH and 0.74 +/- 0.59 adults trap(-1) for the root weevil. Weevil density was positively correlated with AT (r = 0.45, P < 0.0133), ST (r = 0.49, P < 0.0067) and rainfall (r = 0.38, P < 0.0450). The environmental variables AT, ST, rainfall and RH were correlated with each other (0.42 < r < 0.99, 0.0246 < P < 0.0001). All weather and Diaprepes variables were autocorrelated with each other within a time of 3 months. The cross-correlation coefficients varied between - 0.59 and 0.65 for the pair-variable between Diaprepes, AT, ST and rainfall, and these pair-variables were correlated across a time period of 4 months. The present results suggested that warm, wet conditions contributed to the root weevil outbreaks, and environmental temperature and rainfall were the variables most closely related to Diaprepes root weevil distribution in time.
Incremental value of contrast enhanced computed tomography on diagnostic accuracy in evaluation of small pulmonary ground glass nodules.

BACKGROUND To evaluate the information gain by the application of both non-contrast and contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) with extended mediastinal display window settings in the evaluation of pure ground glass nodules (pGGNs) and or mixed ground glass nodules (mGGNs) in the context of pre-invasive or early stage lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS One hundred and fifty patients with ground glass nodules (GGNs) and mGGNs, with contrast enhanced CT scans within 2 weeks of thoracic surgery were included in the study. Quantitative evaluation of all nodules was performed in a conventional mediastinal window (CMW) and an extended mediastinal window (EMW) both on non-contrast images and contrast-enhanced images. RESULTS Contrast-enhanced images with CMW demonstrated amplification of solid portion in 23 (43%), 41 (77%) with EMW out of 53 minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) nodules, and in 34 of 37 (91%) of invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) nodules. Using the increase in size of solid portion of the nodule measured on the enhanced CT images with EMW, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.872 and 0.899 was utilized for differentiating between the pre-invasive nodules and MIA and between MIA and IAC nodules, respectively. Statistically significant differences existed between the pre-invasive and the MIA groups, and MIA and the IAC groups in smaller nodules (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Comparative quantitative analysis of the pre and post contrast images can help differentiate between atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), MIAs, and IACs. Extension of the CT mediastinal window setting improves the evaluation of small GGNs, and can augment the diagnostic accuracy when evaluating small pGGNs and mGGNs.