Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating Multiple Candidate Genes and Nutrients in the Folate Metabolism Pathway to Detect Genetic and Nutritional Risk Factors for Lung Cancer

Purpose Folate metabolism, with its importance to DNA repair, provides a promising region for genetic investigation of lung cancer risk. This project investigates genes (MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, CBS, SHMT1, TYMS), folate metabolism related nutrients (B vitamins, methionine, choline, and betaine) and their gene-nutrient interactions. Methods We analyzed 115 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 15 nutrients from 1239 and 1692 non-Hispanic white, histologically-confirmed lung cancer cases and controls, respectively, using stochastic search variable selection (a Bayesian model averaging approach). Analyses were stratified by current, former, and never smoking status. Results Rs6893114 in MTRR (odds ratio [OR] = 2.10; 95% credible interval [CI]: 1.20–3.48) and alcohol (drinkers vs. non-drinkers, OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.26–0.84) were associated with lung cancer risk in current smokers. Rs13170530 in MTRR (OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.10–2.87) and two SNP*nutrient interactions [betaine*rs2658161 (OR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.19–0.88) and betaine*rs16948305 (OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30–0.91)] were associated with lung cancer risk in former smokers. SNPs in MTRR (rs13162612; OR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11–0.58; rs10512948; OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.41–0.90; rs2924471; OR = 3.31; 95% CI: 1.66–6.59), and MTHFR (rs9651118; OR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.43–0.95) and three SNP*nutrient interactions (choline*rs10475407; OR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.11–2.42; choline*rs11134290; OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.27–0.92; and riboflavin*rs8767412; OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.15–0.95) were associated with lung cancer risk in never smokers. Conclusions This study identified possible nutrient and genetic factors related to folate metabolism associated with lung cancer risk, which could potentially lead to nutritional interventions tailored by smoking status to reduce lung cancer risk.
Characteristics of collagen from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) skin isolated by two different methods.

Acid-solubilized collagen (ASC) and pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) isolated from Nile tilapia skin using two different methods were compared for biochemical properties and thermal stability. Method 1 (the Noitup method) was performed at 4-6°C for the whole process with a centrifuge speed of 30,000 g, while Method 2 (the Ogawa method) was performed at a higher temperature of 22-23°C, with a centrifuge speed of 10,000 g. The dry weight yields of ASC from Methods 1 and 2 were 38.84 and 20.70%, while the dry weight yields of PSC were 48.21 and 38.27%, respectively. The denaturation temperatures of ASC from Methods 1 and 2 were 34.29 and 34.43°C, while those of PSC were 34.32 and 34.61°C, respectively. From these amino acid and molecular weight profiles and SDS-PAGE results, ASC and PSC obtained by both methods were characterized as type I collagen with no disulfide bond, which were composed of α-1 (2 chains) α-2 (1 chain), β, and γ subunits. Amino acid profiles of ASC and PSC obtained from both methods were similar. Except for the lower yield obtained from Method 2, there were no differences in the molecular weight, amino acid composition and denaturation temperature between ASC and PSC obtained from both methods.
Hydropower-Induced Displacement and Resettlement in the Lao PDR

The Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) is one of the poorest countries in South East Asia. Yet it has great potential for hydropower development, and the Government of Laos plans to build a large number of hydroelectric dams on the tributaries of the Mekong. Among the areas where these dams are being built is the Bolaven Plateau, the country's main coffee-producing region, inhabited by 22,000 smallholder households (15,000 of which produce coffee), distributed in small villages of 40 to 300 households each. This paper describes the attitudes of the farmers displaced due to the construction of dams. Fieldwork was carried out in communities displaced by two dams: the Huay Ho, completed in 1997, and the Xe Katam, whose construction, at the time of the fieldwork in early 2009, was planned to start in the near future. By comparing these different communities, the authors look at the attitudes, expectations and perceptions of those faced with future relocation, as well as the difficulties and coping strategies of those relocated, 13 years after they were resettled.
SNAREs in native plasma membranes are active and readily form core complexes with endogenous and exogenous SNAREs

During neuronal exocytosis, the vesicle-bound soluble NSF attachment protein (SNAP) receptor (SNARE) synaptobrevin 2 forms complexes with the plasma membrane–bound SNAREs syntaxin 1A and SNAP25 to initiate the fusion reaction. However, it is not known whether in the native membrane SNAREs are constitutively active or whether they are unable to enter SNARE complexes unless activated before membrane fusion. Here we used binding of labeled recombinant SNAREs to inside-out carrier supported plasma membrane sheets of PC12 cells to probe for the activity of endogenous SNAREs. Binding was specific, saturable, and depended on the presence of membrane-resident SNARE partners. Our data show that virtually all of the endogenous syntaxin 1 and SNAP-25 are highly reactive and readily form SNARE complexes with exogenously added SNAREs. Furthermore, complexes between endogenous SNAREs were not detectable when the membranes are freshly prepared, but they slowly form upon prolonged incubation in vitro. We conclude that the activity of membrane-resident SNAREs is not downregulated by control proteins but is constitutively active even if not engaged in fusion events.
Surface Contents Author Index

The continuous improvement and application of computer technology is rapidly changing the way the people manage their environments. With the sophisticated software in use, data acquisition is becoming the most expensive part of establishing a road network database. For this challenge, the mobile mapping technology is developed to quickly and accurately collect roadway infrastructures. One of these systems is the GPSVision system which integrates the Global Positioning System (GPS), an Inertial Navigation System (INS) and digital cameras into a moving platform. The GPSVision system captures the images of road environment at the normal driving speed. The position and orientation of each image are known from the GPS and INS. Based on the photogrammetric triangulation method, the location and attributes of any visible object can be determined from images. Single point features such as signs and signals, line features such as street marking and guard rails, polyline features such as road edges and centerlines as well as area features can be identified, positioned, tagged with attributes and delivered in standard CAD and GIS formats. A typical user can accurately measure and inspect the infrastructures from images, can simulate the view as one drives down the road and can create complete vector map from images. The GPSVision data is also used together with aerial images to create complete vector map with detailed view both from the air and on the ground. This paper will discuss the basic issues of a mobile mapping system. A brief description of the system configuration is given, followed by data processing procedure. Variety mapping projects are presented to demonstrate the application of the mobile mapping technology in transportation and telecommunication market.
New Genetic Lineage of Tula Hantavirus in Microtus arvalis obscurus in Eastern Kazakhstan

Genomic sequences of Tula (TULV) hantavirus were recovered from tissue samples of European common voles Microtus arvalis (subspecies obscurus) captured in Kazakhstan, Central Asia. Phylogenetic analysis of the S genomic segment of Kazakh TULV strains showed that they form distinct, well supported genetic lineage and share a more ancient common ancestor with two Russian lineages of TULV. The deduced sequence of the nucleocapsid (N) protein of Kazakh TULV strains carried specific amino acid signature: T274Q276T281. The Microtus arvalis group includes several sibling species and/or subspecies in Eurasia, indicating recent and ongoing evolutionary radiation. Our data on TULV lineages in Central Asia, the region not studied for hantaviruses earlier, highlight the diversity of both Microtus host and the virus and also their co-evolution.
Body Composition From Birth to 4.5 Months in Infants Born to Non-Obese Women

Infant body composition is affected by maternal obesity, which results in increased % body fat in the infant. With the rapidly increasing incidence of obesity, it is important that normative data are available for infant body composition that is not affected by this trend in maternal obesity. This study assessed body composition in infants born at term to women with a BMI between 18.5 and 25. Infant % body fat, fat mass (FM), and fat free mass (FFM) were assessed at birth, 6 wk, 3 mo, and 4.5 mo of age by air displacement plethysmography, using the PEA POD body composition system. The effects of age, gender, GA, and feeding mode on these parameters were assessed. The % body fat doubled between birth and 6 wk of age and then increased at a slower rate. FFM was higher in male infants at all ages, whereas % body fat was higher in female infants at 4.5 mo. There was a trend to increased % fat and decreased FFM in breastfed (BF) infants. The study provides unique data regarding changes in infant body composition and growth in infants born to women in the healthy weight range.
Noether Symmetries Quantization and Superintegrability of Biological Models

It is shown that quantization and superintegrability are not concepts that are inherent to classical Physics alone. Indeed, one may quantize and also detect superintegrability of biological models by means of Noether symmetries. We exemplify the method by using a mathematical model that was proposed by Basener and Ross (2005), and that describes the dynamics of growth and sudden decrease in the population of Easter Island.
Inhibition of Human Kallikrein 5 Protease by Triterpenoids from Natural Sources

Stratum corneum tryptic enzyme kallikrein 5 (KLK5) is a serine protease that is involved in the cell renewal and maintenance of the skin barrier function. The excessive activation of KLK5 causes an exacerbation of dermatoses, such as rosacea and atopic dermatitis. Some triterpenoids are reported to suppress the serine proteases. We aimed to investigate whether bioactive triterpenoids modulate the KLK5 protease. Nineteen triterpenoids occurring in medicinal crude drugs were evaluated using an enzymatic assay to measure the anti-KLK5 activity. The KLK5-dependent cathelicidin peptide LL-37 production in human keratinocytes was examined using immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Screening assays for evaluating the anti-KLK5 activity revealed that ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, saikosaponin b1, tumulosic acid and pachymic acid suppressed the KLK5 protease activity, although critical molecular moieties contributing to anti-KLK5 activity were unclarified. Ursolic acid and tumulosic acid suppressed the proteolytic processing of LL-37 in keratinocytes at ≤10 μM; no cytotoxicity was observed. Both triterpenoids were detected in the plasma of rats administered orally with triterpenoid-rich crude drug Jumihaidokuto. Our study reveals that triterpenoids, such as ursolic acid and tumulosic acid, modulate the KLK5 protease activity and cathelicidin peptide production. Triterpenoids may affect the skin barrier function via the regulation of proteases.
Clinical outcome of dental implants placed in fibula-free flaps for orofacial reconstruction.

BACKGROUND Functional reconstruction of the jaw defect due to tumor resection poses a challenging problem in maxillofacial surgery. The osteocutaneous fibula free flap in combination with simultaneous or second stage insertion of dental implants has exhibited growing popularity for such reconstructions. This study was aimed at evaluating the clinical status and the success rates of dental implants inserted in fibula-free flaps for orofacial reconstruction following ablation of tumors. METHODS We conducted a clinical follow-up study based on 29 patients after oral tumor surgery, who received vascularized fibula bone grafts and endosseous implants for functional jaw reconstruction during a 5-year period. The follow-up protocol included clinical examination and radiological evaluation. The clinical records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Information on treatment modalities, dentition, implant parameters, and prostheses was collected and analyzed. RESULTS In general, a high primary stability for implants placed into the free fibula grafts was achieved. The 1-year and 5-year cumulative survival rates of the implants were 96% and 91%, respectively, using the Kaplan-Meier method. The 1-year and 5-year cumulative success rates of implants placed into the fibula bone grafts were 95% and 87%, respectively. The main reasons for failure of the dental implants were infection, tumor recurrence and soft tissue proliferation. The fibula flap presents many advantages for implant placement, but its limited height sometimes makes implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation difficult. CONCLUSIONS Vascularized fibula bone grafts provide a firm basis for the placement of dental implants in jaw reconstruction. Implants placed in fibula bone grafts were shown to integrate normally. The double-barrel technique, or increasing the height of the fibula flap by vertical distraction osteogenesis before implant placement in the mandible, is desirable from a functional and esthetic point of view.
The planar cell polarity gene Vangl2 is required for mammalian kidney-branching morphogenesis and glomerular maturation

The planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, incorporating non-canonical Wnt signalling, controls embryonic convergent (CE) extension, polarized cell division and ciliary orientation. It also limits diameters of differentiating renal tubules, with mutation of certain components of the pathway causing cystic kidneys. Mutations in mouse Vangl genes encoding core PCP proteins cause neural tube defects (NTDs) and Vangl2 mutations also impair branching of embryonic mouse lung airways. Embryonic metanephric kidneys also undergo branching morphogenesis and Vangl2 is known to be expressed in ureteric bud/collecting duct and metanephric mesenchymal/nephron lineages. These observations led us to investigate metanephroi in Vangl2 mutant mice, Loop-tail (Lp). Although ureteric bud formation is normal in Vangl2Lp/Lp embryos, subsequent in vivo and in vitro branching morphogenesis is impaired. Null mutant kidneys are short, consistent with a CE defect. Differentiating glomerular epithelia express several PCP genes (Vangl1/2, Celsr1, Scrib, Mpk1/2 and Fat4) and glomeruli in Vangl2Lp/Lp fetuses are smaller and contain less prominent capillary loops than wild-type littermates. Furthermore, Vangl2Lp/+ kidneys had modest reduction in glomerular numbers postnatally. Vangl2Lp/Lp metanephroi contained occasional dilated tubules but no overt cystic phenotype. These data show for the first time that a PCP gene is required for normal morphogenesis of both the ureteric bud and metanephric mesenchyme-derived structures. It has long been recognized that certain individuals with NTDs are born with malformed kidneys, and recent studies have discovered VANGL mutations in some NTD patients. On the basis of our mutant mouse study, we suggest that PCP pathway mutations should be sought when NTD and renal malformation co-exist.
Investigating the Role of Responsible Gambling Strategy in Perspective of Employees

Abstract As companies have an increasing impact on society, their social activities have been focused on numerous studies. However, many studies of corporate social responsibility (CSR) did not consider that CSR can be appeared differently depending on the nature of industry. In this regard, responsible gambling (RG) is very important concept as one of the CSR to minimize negative social effects in casino setting. A corporate which implements RG has a significant impact on attitude of employees who are member of the corporate company in terms of social identity theory. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine relationships among responsible gambling (RG), organizational trust, job satisfaction, and job loyalty to casino employees.As a result of structural equation modeling for the relationships, each RG (compulsory RG, supplementary RG) had significant impacts on organizational trust, which influenced both job satisfaction and job loyalty. Also, job satisfaction had an effect on job loyalty. Based on the result, academic and practical implications were provided.
Sensor Selection for Target Tracking in Wireless Sensor Networks With Uncertainty

In this paper, we propose a multiobjective optimization framework for the sensor selection problem in uncertain Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The uncertainties of the WSNs result in a set of sensor observations with insufficient information about the target. We propose a novel mutual information upper bound (MIUB)-based sensor selection scheme, which has a low computational complexity, same as the Fisher information (FI)-based sensor selection scheme, and gives an estimation performance similar to the mutual information-based sensor selection scheme. Without knowing the number of sensors to be selected a priori, the multiobjective optimization problem (MOP) gives a set of sensor selection strategies that reveal different tradeoffs between two conflicting objectives: minimization of the number of selected sensors and minimization of the gap between the performance metric (MIUB and FI) when all the sensors transmit measurements and when only the selected sensors transmit their measurements based on the sensor selection strategy. Illustrative numerical results that provide valuable insights are presented.
Electrothermal Characterization in 3-D Resistive Random Access Memory Arrays

Resistive random access memory (RRAM) is a promising candidate for next generation nonvolatile memory technology. In this paper, electrothermal simulation in 3-D RRAM arrays is performed by using our in-house developed finite difference algorithm, which is validated by comparing the simulated temperature distribution with its counterpart obtained by commercial software. Both crossbar RRAM array and vertical RRAM array are studied comprehensively with careful consideration of the temperature-dependent constitute parameters. Simulations show that the temperature and thermal crosstalk are sensitive to the size and shape of conductive filament, which can further limit the scaling potential of RRAM array through affecting its reliability, such as retention time, current leakage, and so on. Scaling behavior of 3-D RRAM array is studied, and optimization guidance for reducing thermal crosstalk is proposed. The fabrication inaccuracy resulted cell offset has also been examined for investigation of thermal crosstalk.
Two-dimensional magnetic interactions in LaFeAsO

Inelastic neutron scattering measurements demonstrate that the magnetic interactions in antiferromagnetic LaFeAsO are two dimensional. Spin-wave velocities within the Fe layer and the magnitude of the spin gap are similar to the $A$Fe${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$ based materials. However, the ratio of interlayer and intralayer exchange is found to be less than $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ in LaFeAsO, very similar to the cuprates, and $\ensuremath{\sim}$100 times smaller than that found in $A$Fe${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$ compounds. The results suggest that the effective dimensionality of the magnetic system is highly variable in the parent compounds of the iron arsenides and weak three-dimensional interactions may limit the maximum attainable superconducting ${T}_{c}$.
Polysaccharides Cellulose, Poly-β-1,6-N-Acetyl-d-Glucosamine, and Colanic Acid Are Required for Optimal Binding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains to Alfalfa Sprouts and K-12 Strains to Plastic but Not for Binding to Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT When Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria are added to alfalfa sprouts growing in water, the bacteria bind tightly to the sprouts. In contrast, laboratory K-12 strains of E. coli do not bind to sprouts under similar conditions. The roles of E. coli O157:H7 lipopolysaccharide (LPS), capsular polysaccharide, and exopolysaccharides in binding to sprouts were examined. An LPS mutant had no effect on the binding of the pathogenic strain. Cellulose synthase mutants showed a significant reduction in binding; colanic acid mutants were more severely reduced, and binding by poly-β-1,6-N-acetylglucosamine (PGA) mutants was barely detectable. The addition of a plasmid carrying a cellulose synthase gene to K-12 strains allowed them to bind to sprouts. A plasmid carrying the Bps biosynthesis genes had only a marginal effect on the binding of K-12 bacteria. However, the introduction of the same plasmid allowed Sinorhizobium meliloti and a nonbinding mutant of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to bind to tomato root segments. These results suggest that although multiple redundant protein adhesins are involved in the binding of E. coli O157:H7 to sprouts, the polysaccharides required for binding are not redundant and each polysaccharide may play a distinct role. PGA, colanic acid, and cellulose were also required for biofilm formation by a K-12 strain on plastic, but not for the binding of E. coli O157:H7 to mammalian cells.
Flow Patterns in an Open Channel Confluence with Increasingly Dominant Tributary Inflow

Despite the ratio of incoming discharges being recognized as a key parameter in open-channel confluence hydrodynamics, little is known about the flow patterns when the tributary provides more than 90% of the total discharge. This paper offers a systematic study of flow features when the tributary becomes increasingly dominant in a 90° confluence with a fixed concordant bed. Large-eddy simulations are used to investigate the three-dimensional complex flow patterns for three different discharge ratios. It is found that the tributary flow impinges on the opposing bank when the tributary flow becomes sufficiently dominant, causing a recirculating eddy in the upstream channel of the confluence, which induces significant changes in the incoming velocity distribution. Moreover, it results in stronger helicoidal cells in the downstream channel, along with zones of upwelling flow. In turn, the changed flow patterns also influence the mixing layer and the flow recovery. Finally, intermittent events of stronger upwelling flow are discerned. Improved understanding of flow patterns at confluences where the tributary is dominant is applicable to both engineering and earth sciences.
Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer Prevention by 5-Aminosalicylates: Current Status and Perspectives

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. This risk increased mainly with longer duration of colitis, greater anatomic extent, and/or association to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Recent work highlighted also the carcinogenetic role of long-standing – despite if mild or moderate – mucosal inflammation, bringing an additional argument to support the growing concept of mucosal healing as the final target of current and future treatments (Lichtenstein & Rutgeerts, 2010). Until now, repeated colonoscopic surveillance with biopsies targeted on visible lesions associated to multiple random biopsies in endoscopically normal-appearing mucosa, remains the major way to detect mucosal dysplasia (a precancerous lesion), thereby decreasing colitis-associated cancer (CAC) mortality in UC patients. Colorectal cancer chemoprevention is a second promising strategy to reduce CAC risk in this patients’ population. In particular, most of the available epidemiological data indicate a preventive role for 5-aminosalicylic acid derivatives (5-ASA), despite recent work suggested also a protective role for purine derivatives. Although the main mechanisms by which 5-ASA may reduce CAC risk is not exactly known and remains controversial, some interesting