Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ancient Plant Glyoxylate/Succinic Semialdehyde Reductases: GLYR1s Are Cytosolic, Whereas GLYR2s Are Localized to Both Mitochondria and Plastids

Plant NADPH-dependent glyoxylate/succinic semialdehyde reductases 1 and 2 (GLYR1 and GLYR2) are considered to be involved in detoxifying harmful aldehydes, thereby preserving plant health during exposure to various abiotic stresses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two GLYR isoforms appeared in the plant lineage prior to the divergence of the Chlorophyta and Streptophyta, which occurred approximately 750 million years ago. Green fluorescent protein fusions of apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.), rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Arabidopsis thaliana [L. ] Heynh GLYRs were transiently expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum L.) suspension cells or Arabidopsis protoplasts, as well in methoxyfenozide-induced, stably transformed Arabidopsis seedlings. The localization of apple GLYR1 confirmed that this isoform is cytosolic, whereas apple, rice and Arabidopsis GLYR2s were localized to both mitochondria and plastids. These findings highlight the potential involvement of GLYRs within distinct compartments of the plant cell.
Correlation between Asymptomatic Leukocyturia and Urinary N-Acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase in Women

Urinary N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) has been suggested as a marker for early diabetic nephropathy. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the relationship between asymptomatic leukocyturia (ASL) and NAG in women. One hundred and five female outpatients aged 31–86 years were selected for a 10-year follow-up study. We regarded ASL to be present if two consecutive samples were found to have 10 or more leukocytes/high-power field at 400× magnifications in a centrifuged midstream urine sample both at baseline and 10 years later. The urinary activities of NAG to creatinine ratios (NAG index) were measured in random spot urine samples. Patients without ASL at the beginning of the study were followed. The patients with ASL had diabetes mellitus more frequently than those without ASL at baseline and after 10 years. Residual urine volume and the NAG index were significantly higher in the former than in the latter (p = 0.014 and p = 0.002, respectively) at baseline. During the observation period, 15 patients had ASL (30.6%). Although a gradual increase in the NAG index was found during the study in both patients who had ASL and those who did not, the mean NAG index was significantly higher in the latter during study period (6.4 ± 3.0 vs. 9.8 ± 5.5, p = 0.004, 9.4 ± 5.2 vs. 11.5 ± 6.4, p = 0.328, respectively). On multiple logistic regression analysis, the NAG index at the beginning of the study was an independent predictor of ASL. These results demonstrate that the NAG index may serve as an indicator of ASL in women.
Electrical quality of 28nm HK/MG MOSFETs with PDA and DPN treatment

On the basis of tested data, the performance of NMOSFETs with PDA treatment in drive current, S.S. values and channel mobility is superior to that with DPN treatment. Comparing two nitridation treatment processes at the same annealing temperature, it seems that PDA proving the hydrogen to fix the dangling bond on the channel surface is more beneficial for device performance before the reliability test. Furthermore, the capability in healing of oxygen vacancy of gate dielectric is little better than that with DPN, illustrating in lower gate leakage, especially as the channel length is narrowed down.
Time and space travel by Brisbanites during road space restrictions: Are people smarter than traffic models?

The Infrastructure Restriction Behaviour Impact Study (IRBIS) aimed to understand the travel behaviour impacts of the closure of a lane on Coronation Drive in Brisbane for 8 weeks for construction works from 1 November to 19 December 2009. The study quantified the impact of restricting lane capacity on a major arterial, and provides learnings and recommendations for future similar projects and for congestion management in major cities. The lane restriction was expected to generate additional traffic congestion with delays of up to 50 minutes and long queues. However, the impacts were not nearly as severe as anticipated on Coronation Drive. This raised the fundamental question of “where did the traffic go? ” Alternately, the question could be “why did the modelling get it so wrong? ” IRBIS represents the first time a Queensland road authority has been able to quantify the full travel behaviour change impacts of planned road works. Both survey data and traffic data were analysed. By comparison, the Riverside Expressway Transport Investigation and Network Analysis (RETINA) study quantified the impact of an unplanned closure in 2006. Four in ten people surveyed in the study made some kind of change to their travel behaviour due to the lane restriction. The study concluded that people respond to capacity restrictions on major roads in fairly predictable ways - change travel route, time, mode, and cancel/postpone. If the congestion is likely to be severe due to capacity reductions, some trips “disappear” (onto other modes, are cancelled, and so on). The findings indicate that road works in areas where there are viable public transport and active transport facilities could be seen as an important “tool” or opportunity in achieving long term mode shift.
Petrogenesis and volatile stratigraphy of the Bishop Tuff: Evidence from melt inclusion analysis

The Bishop Tuff (BT), erupted from the Long Valley Caldera at 0.74 Ma, is composed of a Plinian tephra and ignimbrite (Hildreth, 1979). Based on ion and electron microprobe analyses of melt inclusions (MI) in quartz and sanidine phenocrysts, a strong H2O gradient was present in the upper portion of the magma chamber, mainly in the first 120 km3 of erupted material. The H2O content of the magma which formed the Plinian tephra drops from 6 wt % to 3.5 wt %. In contrast, the magma which formed the ignimbrite contained a relatively constant amount of H2O, between 2 and 4 wt %. The strong drop in H2O content of the magma which formed the Plinian tephra suggests that only in its extreme upper part, if any, was the PH20 in the magma close to Ptotal. The halogen content of the BT magma was low and relatively constant at ∼700 ppm Cl and ∼ 500 ppm F. The trace and major element composition of MI from the Plinian and first-erupted ash flow lobes of the BT are similar to that of bulk tephra. The range in the trace element concentrations of inclusions suggests that fractional crystallization may have affected magmatic composition. However, in addition to fractional crystallization, the composition of MI, phenocrysts and bulk pumice lumps suggests that magma mixing may have been an important process in establishing the final trace element zonation within the Bishop magma chamber and may be responsible for some of the most dramatic observed trace element variations. The BT eruption appears to have removed sequential stratigraphic compositional layers from the magma chamber, whereas fhe Lower Bandelier Tuff (LBT) appears to have erupted chaotically, although both magma chambers are characterized by essentially the same volatile and therefore density zonation. However, the H2O content of the Plinian:ignimbrite transition is different for the two (∼3 wt % for the BT, 4–5 wt % for the LBT), suggesting that the LBT Plinian eruption may have ended prematurely, possibly due to caldera collapse. Therefore, the magma withdrawal dynamics of these eruptions may be more strongly controlled by external factors, such as vent configuration, rather that the volatile gradient of the melt.
AGS-3 Alters Caenorhabditis elegans Behavior after Food Deprivation via RIC-8 Activation of the Neural G Protein Gαo

Proteins containing the G protein regulator (GPR) domain bind the major neural G protein Gαo in vitro. However, the biological functions of GPR proteins in neurons remain undefined, and based on the in vitro activities of GPR proteins it is unclear whether these proteins activate or inhibit G protein signaling in vivo. We found that the conserved GPR domain protein AGS-3 activates Gαo signaling in vivo to allow Caenorhabditis elegans to alter several behaviors after food deprivation, apparently so that the animals can more effectively seek food. AGS-3 undergoes a progressive change in its biochemical fractionation upon food deprivation, suggesting that effects of food deprivation are mediated by modifying this protein. We analyzed one C. elegans food-regulated behavior in depth; AGS-3 activates Gαo in the ASH chemosensory neurons to allow food-deprived animals to delay response to the aversive stimulus octanol. Genetic epistasis experiments show the following: (1) AGS-3 and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor RIC-8 act in ASH in a mutually dependent fashion to activate Gαo; (2) this activation requires interaction of the GPR domains of AGS-3 with Gαo; and (3) Gαo-GTP is ultimately the signaling molecule that acts in ASH to delay octanol response. These results identify a biological role for AGS-3 in response to food deprivation and indicate the mechanism for its activation of Gαo signaling in vivo.
Strategic Decision Comprehensiveness and New Product Development Outcomes in New Technology Ventures

With a sample of new technology ventures in China, we investigated the contingent effect of strategic decision comprehensiveness on new product performance and product quality. The relationship between strategic decision comprehensiveness and new product performance was negatively moderated by technology uncertainty but positively moderated by demand uncertainty. The effect of decision comprehensiveness on new product quality was positively moderated by demand uncertainty but unaffected by technology uncertainty. The comprehensiveness-performance link emerges as more complex than previous research has shown. A key distinguishing characteristic of the strategic management discipline is the emphasis it places on firms’ competitive environments. Firms are viewed as information-processing or interpretation systems that scan and collect data from their environments, interpret the data, and then learn by acting upon the interpretation (Daft & Weick, 1984). This notion is central to the contingency perspective that underlies information processing theory. According to the contingency perspective, the fit between the information-processing requirements facing a firm and the information-processing capac
A feasibility study of non-invasive motor-imagery BCI-based robotic rehabilitation for Stroke patients

This paper describes an initial study of non-invasive electroencephalograph (EEG)-based Brain Computer Interface (BCI) application on Stroke patients. The purpose of this study is to combine BCI and robotic arm for after-stroke rehabilitation exercises. A clinically-proven MANUS robotic rehabilitation shell is integrated with the NeuroComm BCI platform, whereby the robotic control mechanism is complemented by the motor imagery of the patient. 8 hemiparetic stroke patients with varying degrees of paralysis on the unilateral upper extremity are recruited for this study. The results show that most BCI-naïve hemiparetic stroke patients are capable of operating the BCI effectively, hence motivates further clinical studies on the extent of how BCI-based robotic rehabilitation are comparable with the control group that uses only robotic rehabilitation.
How GroES Regulates Binding of Nonnative Protein to GroEL*

At present, it is still enigmatic how the reaction cycle by which the Escherichia coli GroE chaperones mediate protein folding in the cell is coordinated with respect to the sequential order of binding and release of GroES, nucleotide, and nonnative protein. It is generally assumed that the asymmetric GroEL·GroES complex is the acceptor state for substrate protein. Nevertheless, this species is poorly understood in its binding characteristics for nucleotide and nonnative protein. We show here that this species has a high affinity binding site for nonnative protein. In addition to this, binding of nucleotide to one GroEL ring is strongly favored by GroES binding to the other ring. However, the slow rate of release of substrate protein from the unproductive trans-position kinetically favors the binding of a second GroES, thereby forming a symmetric GroEL14·(GroES7)2complex and simultaneously ensuring that substrate protein is sequestered in a position underneath GroES. Our results demonstrate that the intrinsic binding characteristics of the trans-bullet complex determine the sequence of events during the reaction cycle.
Microarray analysis of embryonic retinoic acid target genes in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis

Many chordate‐ and vertebrate‐specific characteristics develop depending on retinoic acid (RA). Because the gene encoding the RA receptor exists only in chordates, RA function seems to be involved in chordate evolution. A cDNA microarray analysis of 9287 non‐redundant cDNA clones was used to screen for RA target genes in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. In addition, the spatial expression pattern of 94 candidate RA target genes was examined by in situ hybridization in RA‐treated and control embryos. Strong RA‐induced upregulation of Hox‐1 and Cyp26 was observed, as is the case in vertebrates. In addition, a number of novel candidate target genes was identified. These included transcription factors and signaling molecules, suggesting that various differentiation and/or morphogenetic pathways are modulated by RA. The expression of cell adhesion molecules, cytoskeletal proteins and extracellular matrix components was affected by RA. Changes in the expression pattern of these genes may be a direct cause of abnormal morphogenesis of the anterior neural tissues. RA also affected the expression of genes that seemed to be involved in neuronal functions. Although obvious homeotic transformation has not been observed, the function of various neural cell types seemed to be impaired by RA. The microarray data are reliable and will contribute to comprehensive understanding of RA action in the development and evolution of chordates.
Size versus Sorting in Some Caribbean Sediments

The relationship between average size (phi median) and sorting (phi percentile deviation) in sediments is explored empirically by means of statistical analysis of data from over twelve hundred individual samples taken from Miocene and Oligocene horizons in southern Trinidad, the Eocene Scotland series from Barbados, and the Pliocene Superficial Gravels of British and Dutch Guiana. The association between size and sorting is estimated by means of the correlation coefficient, and the relationship is reduced to linear equations of the form $$PD\phi = bMd\phi + a$$. Deviations from the trends are measured in terms of the standard error of estimate (Sy). On the basis of the statistics it is shown that, in water-deposited sediments, size varies with sorting over the range oΦ (I.oo mm.) to 6Φ (0.0156 mm.) in median diameter and 0-4. 5Φ in phi percentile deviation. Best-sorted sediments (PDΦ < IΦ) possess median diameters around 2. 5Φ (0.177 mm.), and sorting becomes poorer with both increasing and decreasing size from the fine-sand range (2-3Φ). Departures from the trend of over 1 Sy unit indicate that in finer-grained sediments (clays and fine silts) flocculation had taken place during grain-size analysis; whereas in coarser-grained sediments (very fine sands and coarse silts) the departures imply events of geological significance which interfered with normal sedimentation.
Effects of tidal stresses on volcanic activity at Mount Etna, Italy

Here we model quantitatively the stress and strain induced by tidal forces as possible triggers of Mount Etna eruptions during 1989, 2000 and 2001, by means of 2D numerical analysis by finite difference method applied to the volcano edifice. Spectral and vectorial analysis of tidal acceleration indicates that the quasi‐diurnal, semi‐diurnal and ter‐diurnal constituents may have induced decompressions up to some kPa in the shallow (i.e., 1,500 m) gas‐saturated magma reservoir, which controlled magma vesiculation and the timing of lava fountain activity from the South East Crater (SEC). We consider the geological heterogeneities in the volcanic edifice (i.e., rock geometries and properties, feeder conduit and vent systems, volcanic landforms), the magma properties (i.e., Bulk modulus, volatile content) and the ongoing volcano‐tectonic stresses (i.e., volcano flank deformations), which strongly influence the response of eruptive activity to tidal forces. Indeed, the tidal factor may act on flank deformation concomitant to shallow magma inflation. The implications of our model may help understand the eruptive behaviour and the disequilibrium state of the volcano and may be useful for hazard assessment at Mount Etna.
Electrical Modeling of Three-Dimensional Carbon-Based Heterogeneous Interconnects

One three-dimensional (3-D) carbon-based heterogeneous interconnect scheme, consisting of a couple of horizontal multilayer graphene transmission lines (MLG-TL) and vertical through silicon carbon nanotube bundle vias (TS-CNTBV), is proposed and investigated theoretically. For its realization, some metallic bumps are used to integrate MLG-TLs with TS-CNTBVs, and contact resistance among them are characterized and compared. The lumped-element circuit model of a couple of MLG-TLs is also combined with that of TS-CNTBVs, with anomalous skin effect treated in an appropriate way. Numerical studies are performed for capturing distributed parameters as well as transmission characteristics of MLG-TLs, TS-CNTBVs, and whole 3-D interconnects at different operating frequencies. It is believed that this study can provide some useful information about carbon-based heterogeneous interconnects, where both graphene and carbon nanotube advantages can be exploited for the future 3-D ICs.
The impact of plutonium speciation on the distribution coefficients in a sediment-sea water system, and radiological assessment of doses to humans.

When radionuclides are released from a source into the marine environment, the assessment of long term consequences to humans depends on information on the source term, transport in water, interactions with sediments (KD) and biological uptake (CF). Sensitivity analysis of assessment models demonstrates that KD is one of the most sensitive parameters contributing to large uncertainties in the assessment. Furthermore, the interaction of Pu-species with sediments is a time and temperature dependent process. The distribution coefficient, Bq kg(-1) sediment per Bq L(-1) sea water, increases with time until pseudo-equilibrium/equilibrium is reached (KD). Thus, the contact time between contaminated sea water and sediments should be taken into account in dispersion and dose assessment models. In the present work, dynamic tracer experiments have been performed where different Pu-species are added to a sediment-sea water system to obtain information on KD's. After a defined contact time, the samples have been sequentially extracted to determine mobile and bound fractions. The results indicate that the distribution coefficient, KD, for plutonium depends on Pu-species in question. Thus, sediments act as a sink for Pu(III, IV) (high KD), while Pu(III, IV)-organic and Pu(V, VI) should be considered more mobile (low KD). Furthermore, the interaction with inert fractions obtained from sequential extraction depends less on Pu-species but increase with time. For short time interactions, species-specific time functions rather than KD constants should be applied in assessment models. When the accepted KD (10(5) L kg(-1)) is implemented in the model, the estimated collective dose is about 8 x 10(-4) person-Sv, i.e., a factor of about 2 lower than for Pu(III, IV)-organic and Pu(V, VI). So changes in KD have an impact on the assessment of collective dose received from a potential release of plutonium from fallout, reactor accidents, etc., which underlines the need for more detailed studies on speciation, kinetics, and KD's in different sediment-sea water systems.
Conversion Disorder Revisited: Severe Parasomnia Discovered

In light of recently described and reviewed disorders of movement and behaviour during sleep, the long standing diagnosis of conversion disorder in a forty-nine year old Vietnam veteran was reappraised. Polysomnographic studies showed that the nocturnal component of his “pseudoseizures’ was due to physical disorder, a severe mixed parasomnia comprising the recently described REM behaviour disorder and a non-REM parasomnia. His sleep architecture was also deranged, featuring reduced REM latency and increased REM density. An association between these abnormalities and psychological trauma is recognised in the literature. Treatment with clonazepam has abolished the nocturnal behavioural disturbance. His daytime pseudo-seizures occur less frequently and his general well being is improved. The case is a reminder that physical disorder may underlie and act as prototype to the psychologically-driven symptom. Before attributing behavioural disturbance at night to psychological causes alone, polysomnographic studies should be done to exclude a treatable parasomnia.
Hydraulic Efficiency in RANS of the Flow in Multichambered Contactors

AbstractAccurate and practical models are in demand for optimization of ozone contactor designs. This paper reports results from Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulation (RANS) of the flow and passive nonreactive tracer transport inside a multichambered, laboratory-scale ozone contactor using a structured, collocated, finite volume discretization. Simulations are posed following previously published laboratory experiments. Results are presented in terms of velocity distributions, tracer concentration distributions, and tracer residence times. The flow is characterized by short-circuiting and dead zone regions that reduce the hydraulic (disinfection) efficiency or baffling performance of the contactor. RANS-predicted cumulative residence time distribution (RTD) of the tracer (released at the inflow as a pulse) is shown to be in excellent agreement with published experimental data despite the under resolution of the RANS methodology compared with better-resolved methodologies, such as large-eddy simulatio.
Evaluating parameterizations of aerodynamic resistance to heat transfer using field measurements

Abstract. Parameterizations of aerodynamic resistance to heat and water transfer have a significant impact on the accuracy of models of land – atmosphere interactions and of estimated surface fluxes using spectro-radiometric data collected from aircrafts and satellites. We have used measurements from an eddy correlation system to derive the aerodynamic resistance to heat transfer over a bare soil surface as well as over a maize canopy. Diurnal variations of aerodynamic resistance have been analyzed. The results showed that the diurnal variation of aerodynamic resistance during daytime (07:00 h–18:00 h) was significant for both the bare soil surface and the maize canopy although the range of variation was limited. Based on the measurements made by the eddy correlation system, a comprehensive evaluation of eight popularly used parameterization schemes of aerodynamic resistance was carried out. The roughness length for heat transfer is a crucial parameter in the estimation of aerodynamic resistance to heat transfer and can neither be taken as a constant nor be neglected. Comparing with the measurements, the parameterizations by Choudhury et al. (1986), Viney (1991), Yang et al. (2001) and the modified forms of Verma et al. (1976) and Mahrt and Ek (1984) by inclusion of roughness length for heat transfer gave good agreements with the measurements, while the parameterizations by Hatfield et al. (1983) and Xie (1988) showed larger errors even though the roughness length for heat transfer has been taken into account.