Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Metabolic Shift toward Pentose Phosphate Pathway Is Necessary for Amyloid Fibril- and Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate-induced Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) Formation*

Background: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are DNA meshes that snare and kill microorganisms, impeding their dissemination. Results: Glucose but not fructose supports NET formation through a metabolic shift toward pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Conclusion: PPP impairment leads to decreased NET production. Significance: This study provides novel knowledge about the mechanisms of NET induction, opening new avenues of study and intervention. Neutrophils are the main defense cells of the innate immune system. Upon stimulation, neutrophils release their chromosomal DNA to trap and kill microorganisms and inhibit their dissemination. These chromatin traps are termed neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and are decorated with granular and cytoplasm proteins. NET release can be induced by several microorganism membrane components, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate as well as by amyloid fibrils, insoluble proteinaceous molecules associated with more than 40 different pathologies among other stimuli. The intracellular signaling involved in NET formation is complex and remains unclear for most tested stimuli. Herein we demonstrate that a metabolic shift toward the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is necessary for NET release because glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), an important enzyme from PPP, fuels NADPH oxidase with NADPH to produce superoxide and thus induce NETs. In addition, we observed that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, which are NADPH-independent, are not effective in producing NETs. These data shed new light on how the PPP and glucose metabolism contributes to NET formation.
Revelatory or purposive? Making sense of a ’female register’

This discussion examines the purposeful, intentional dimension of sexdifferentiated speech. Three distinct clusters of differences are substantiated: in (1) the production of esteemed variants, (2) the degree of dynamism in pitch and intonation, and (3) conversational dominance. These differences may be treated as 'accomplishing' certain ends. It is suggested that they pertain to the tenor of discourse, and that collectively they may serve to capture an audience, affirm subordination, and attempt control. The most recent flurry of interest in the relative status of the sexes has yielded a sizeable body of research devoted to the study of language behavior. That research has tended in two directions: either it focuses on sexism in language, i.e. in the talk about the sexes, or it focuses on the identification of sex differentiation in language use, i.e. in the talk produced by women and men. Of the two fields, work on the sex differentiation of language has had an interesting history. If the success of the field were to be measured by the actual discovery of sex differentiation in the use of American English, we might be tempted to conclude that here we have the expenditure of much energy for little 'reward'. Witness remarks from some of those prominent in the field: 'What is notable is how few expected sex differences have been firmly substantiated by empirical studies of actual speech' (Kramer et al. 1978: 640). One indictment of this research area (i.e., sex-differentiated language) is that so many of the hypothesized differences that have been tested have not been found' (Spender 1980: 32). However, this 'failure' to find difference is primarily the failure to confirm pre-existent stereotypes about language use (Thome, Kramarae, and Henley, 1983). Thus, there is still reason to anticipate the operation of some degree of sex differentiation in American English. Though there is little to argue for the sex-exclusiveness of any language, a case might be made for sex-preferential differentiation, i.e. that certain patterns, intelligible and accessible to all members of a culture, would be used more frequently by, and heard as more
Cancer risks attributable to low doses of ionizing radiation: Assessing what we really know

High doses of ionizing radiation clearly produce deleterious consequences in humans, including, but not exclusively, cancer induction. At very low radiation doses the situation is much less clear, but the risks of low-dose radiation are of societal importance in relation to issues as varied as screening tests for cancer, the future of nuclear power, occupational radiation exposure, frequent-flyer risks, manned space exploration, and radiological terrorism. We review the difficulties involved in quantifying the risks of low-dose radiation and address two specific questions. First, what is the lowest dose of x- or γ-radiation for which good evidence exists of increased cancer risks in humans? The epidemiological data suggest that it is ≈10–50 mSv for an acute exposure and ≈50–100 mSv for a protracted exposure. Second, what is the most appropriate way to extrapolate such cancer risk estimates to still lower doses? Given that it is supported by experimentally grounded, quantifiable, biophysical arguments, a linear extrapolation of cancer risks from intermediate to very low doses currently appears to be the most appropriate methodology. This linearity assumption is not necessarily the most conservative approach, and it is likely that it will result in an underestimate of some radiation-induced cancer risks and an overestimate of others.
Syngas ( COH 2 ) production using high temperature micro-tubular solid oxide

CO2 and/or H2O were reduced to CO/H2 in micro-tubular solid oxide electrolysers with yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte, Ni-YSZ cermet cathode and strontium(II)-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM) oxygen-evolving anode. At 822 C, the kinetics of CO2 reduction were slower (ca. 0.49 A cm 2 at 1.8 V) than H2O reduction or co-reduction of CO2 and H2O, which were comparable (ca. 0.83 to 0.77 A cm 2 at 1.8 V). Performances were improved ( 0.85 and 1.1 A cm 2 for CO2 and H2O electrolysis, respectively) by substituting the silver current collector with nickel and avoiding blockage of entrances to pores on the inner lumen of micro-tubes induced by silver paste applied previously to decrease contact losses. The change in current collector materials increased ohmic potential losses due to substituting the lower resistance Ag with Ni wire, but decreased electrode polarization losses by 80–93%. For co-electrolysis of CO2 and H2O, isotopically-labelled CO2was used to try to distinguish between direct cathodic reduction of CO2 and its Ni-catalysed chemical reaction with hydrogen from reduction of steam. Unfortunately, oxygen was exchanged between CO2 and H2O, enriching oxygen-18 in the steam and substituting oxygen-16 in the carbon dioxide, so the anode off-gas isotopic fractions were meaningless. This occurred even in alumina and YSZ tubes without the micro-tubular reactor, i.e. in the absence of Ni catalyst, though not in quartz tubes. Unfortunately, larger differences between the thermal expansion coefficients of quartz and YSZ precluded using a quartz tube to house the micro-tubular reactor. However, the kinetic results, CO/H2 yields from off-gas analysis, diffusional considerations and model predictions of reactant and product gas adsorption on Ni suggested that syngas should be produced by electrochemical reduction of steam to H2, followed by its Ni-catalysed chemical reaction with CO2. ã 2015 Z. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Euclidean distance matrix analysis of surgical changes in prepubertal craniofacial microsomia patients treated with an inverted L osteotomy.

OBJECTIVES Correction of craniofacial microsomia (CFM) presents several challenges concerning the modality of surgical intervention. The aim of this study was to assess early and late surgical outcome, by undertaking Euclidean distance matrix analysis (EDMA) of CFM patients exhibiting an unilateral mandibular deformity that was surgically corrected by an inverted L osteotomy and autogenous bone graft. DESIGN Longitudinal study. Preoperative, approximately =1-year postoperative and approximately 3-year postoperative assessments of 14 consecutive children (mean age 9 years) with CFM. Posteroanterior cephalographs were scanned and five homologous mandibular landmarks were digitized in triplicate (< 1% digitization error). Average mandibular geometries, scaled to an equivalent size, were generated using a generalized rotational fit program (Procrustes superimposition) and subjected to EDMA. RESULTS The mean pre- and both postoperative mandibular configurations differed statistically (p < .01). Early postoperative improvements in mandibular form were noted; increases in length arising in the treated mandibular body (approximately =19%) and ramus (approximately =13%). Comparing early and late postoperative configurations, a decrease of approximately =22% in the late postoperative mandibular body length was evident, but the ramus maintained steady vertical growth (approximately =7%). Comparing the preoperative and late postoperative configurations, the decrease observed in the mandibular body on the treated side was reduced to approximately =8% while the ramus maintained good growth (approximately =20%) on that side. CONCLUSION Mandibular morphology is improved significantly in CFM patients surgically treated by an inverted L osteotomy, but relapse in the mandibular body is evident after approximately =3 years. Nevertheless, ramus growth proceeds well after the surgical reconstruction.
The Relationship between Socio-Economic Status, General Language Learning Outcome, and Beliefs about Language Learning.

The objective of this study is to explore the probable relationship between Iranian students’ socioeconomic status, general language learning outcome, and their beliefs about language learning. To this end, 350 postgraduate students, doing English for specific courses at Islamic Azad University of Neyshabur participated in this study. They were grouped in terms of their socioeconomic status. They answered a questionnaire in which they indicated their beliefs about language learning in different contexts of language use. Besides, a general language test of proficiency (a Practice test of a TOEFL Test) was administered to all the participants to homogenize them in terms of general language proficiency or general language learning outcome. The quantitative data were subjected to a set of parametric statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The findings manifested a positive relationship between the students’ economic status and general language learning outcome. Besides, the findings manifested a significant relationship between the participants’ language learning outcome and their beliefs about language learning. The findings suggest if language instructors are equipped with the necessary information to assist language learners in coping with their negative beliefs, the process of language learning is not only accelerated, but also probable measurement errors may decrease.
Trypanomosis in Camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Delo-Mena District, Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Southwest Ethiopia

Across sectional study was carried to determine the prevalence of camel trypanosomiasis (surra) in Delo-Mena district, Bale Zone, Oromia region, southwestern Ethiopia from September to December 2004. Blood samples were collected from randomly selected 395 camels. Wet film and Giemsa-stained blood smears were used for the detection of trypanosomes. Among these, 72 (18.22%) samples were positive for Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi), the only Trypanosoma species identified. A higher infection was found in males (20.25%) as compared to females (17.72%). However, there was no statistically significant difference in prevalence between sex categories (p >0.05). Highest 27.63% infection was noted in age group > 4 years, followed by 14.54 and 10.52% in 1 to 3 years and 3 to 4 years old camels, respectively. There was statistical significant difference (p <0.05) in susceptibility among age groups. These results seem to indicate that T. evansi infection has a relatively low prevalence in the study area. There is a need of further study on the distribution and seasonality of the disease and its vectors in order to establish control measures in affected herds and avoid dissemination of the disease.
Effect of Inhaled Carbon Ultrafine Particles on Reactive Hyperemia in Healthy Human Subjects

Background Ultrafine particles (UFP) may contribute to the cardiovascular effects of exposure to particulate air pollution, partly because of their relatively efficient alveolar deposition and potential to enter the pulmonary vascular space. Objectives This study tested the hypothesis that inhalation of elemental carbon UFP alters systemic vascular function. Methods Sixteen healthy subjects (mean age, 26.9 ± 6.5 years) inhaled air or 50 μg/m3 elemental carbon UFP by mouthpiece for 2 hr, while exercising intermittently. Measurements at preexposure baseline, 0 hr (immediately after exposure), 3.5 hr, 21 hr, and 45 hr included vital signs, venous occlusion plethysmography and reactive hyperemia of the forearm, and venous plasma nitrate and nitrite levels. Results Peak forearm blood flow after ischemia increased 3.5 hr after exposure to air but not UFP (change from preexposure baseline, air: 9.31 ± 3.41; UFP: 1.09 ± 2.55 mL/min/100 mL; t-test, p = 0.03). Blood pressure did not change, so minimal resistance after ischemia (mean blood pressure divided by forearm blood flow) decreased with air, but not UFP [change from preexposure baseline, air: −0.48 ± 0.21; UFP: 0.07 ± 0.19 mmHg/mL/min; analysis of variance (ANOVA), p = 0.024]. There was no UFP effect on pre-ischemia forearm blood flow or resistance, or on total forearm blood flow after ischemia. Venous nitrate levels were significantly lower after exposure to carbon UFP compared with air (ANOVA, p = 0.038). There were no differences in venous nitrite levels. Conclusions Inhalation of 50 μg/m3 carbon UFP during intermittent exercise impairs peak forearm blood flow during reactive hyperemia in healthy human subjects.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat upregulates interleukin-2 secretion in activated T cells

Dysregulation of cytokines secreted by T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AIDS. To investigate the effects of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat on interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression, we used IL-2 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase constructs and IL-2-secreting Jurkat T cells as a model system. Transient expression of HIV-1 Tat induced a five- to eightfold increase in IL-2 promoter activity in Jurkat T cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and phorbol myristate acetate. IL-2 secretion was increased more than twofold in both Jurkat T cells and primary T cells stimulated by extracellular HIV-1 Tat protein. Analysis of mRNA suggested that Tat exerts its effect on IL-2 primarily at the transcriptional level. The NF-kappa B site at positions -206 to -195 of the IL-2 promoter was required but not sufficient for the Tat effect. The Tat-mediated increase in IL-2 promoter activity could selectively be blocked by antisense tat or-unlike the analogous effect of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 Tax-by cyclosporin A. The observed increase in IL-2 levels might facilitate virus spread from or to T cells. Furthermore, it might contribute to the hypergammaglobulinemia or, together with other cytokines found to be dysregulated, the T-helper cell dysfunctions observed in AIDS patients.
Individual microtubules viewed by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy in the same PtK2 cell

PtK2 cells were grown on gold grids and treated with Triton X-100 in a microtubule stabilizing buffer. The resulting cytoskeletons were fixed with glutaraldehyde and subjected to the indirect immunofluorescence procedure using monospecific tubulin antibodies. Grids were examined first by fluorescence microscopy, and the display of fluorescent cytoplasmic microtubules was recorded. The grids were then stained with uranyl acetate and the display of fibrous structures recorded by electron microscopy. Thus the display of cytoplasmic microtubular structures in the light microscope and the electron microscope can be compared within the same cytoskeleton. The results show a direct correspondence of the fluorescent fibers in the light microscope with uninterrupted fibers of diameter approximately 550 A in the electron microscope. This is the diameter reported for a single microtubule decorated around its circumference by two layers of antibody molecules. Thus under optimal conditions immunofluorescence microscopy can visualize individual microtubules.
The Influence of Destination-Country Image on Prospective Tourists’ Visit Intention: Testing Three Competing Models

The concept of destination-country image (DCI) in tourism context is an integration of two constructs from different fields: country image from international marketing and destination image from tourism. Based on the concept of attitude in the theory of reasoned action and halo effect view, this study explains the macro and micro structures that support DCI, and tests the influence of the original DCI on visit intention of prospective tourists through three competing models. The results show that the macro DCI includes four dimensions: country character, country competence, people character and people competence; the micro DCI is composed of three dimensions: natural attraction, cultural attraction and service facility. Full mediating model is supported, which indicates that macro DCI has an indirect effect on visit intention through micro DCI. This study proposes an integrated construct of the DCI and full mediating model, which adds knowledge of the relationship between original image and potential tourist's visit intention.
Stromal CD8+ T-cell Density—A Promising Supplement to TNM Staging in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: Immunoscore is a prognostic tool defined to quantify in situ immune cell infiltrates, which appears to be superior to the tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) classification in colorectal cancer. In non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), no immunoscore has been established, but in situ tumor immunology is recognized as highly important. We have previously evaluated the prognostic impact of several immunological markers in NSCLC, yielding the density of stromal CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) as the most promising candidate. Hence, we validate the impact of stromal CD8+ TIL density as an immunoscore in NSCLC. Experimental Design: The prognostic impact of stromal CD8+ TILs was evaluated in four different cohorts from Norway and Denmark consisting of 797 stage I–IIIA NSCLC patients. The Tromso cohort (n = 155) was used as training set, and the results were further validated in the cohorts from Bodo (n = 169), Oslo (n = 295), and Denmark (n = 178). Tissue microarrays and clinical routine CD8 staining were used for all cohorts. Results: Stromal CD8+ TIL density was an independent prognostic factor in the total material (n = 797) regardless of the endpoint: disease-free survival (P < 0.001), disease-specific survival (P < 0.001), or overall survival (P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed significant prognostic impact of stromal CD8+ TIL density within each pathologic stage (pStage). In multivariate analysis, stromal CD8+ TIL density and pStage were independent prognostic variables. Conclusions: Stromal CD8+ TIL density has independent prognostic impact in resected NSCLC, adds prognostic impact within each pStage, and is a good candidate marker for establishing a TNM-Immunoscore. Clin Cancer Res; 21(11); 2635–43. ©2015 AACR.
The effect of texture representations on AAM performance

The active appearance model (AAM) algorithm matches statistical models of shape and texture to images rapidly by assuming a linear relationship between the texture residual and changes in the model parameters. When the texture is represented as raw intensity values, this has been shown to be a reasonable approximation in many cases. However, models built on them are sensitive to changes in illumination conditions. This paper examines the effect of using different representations of image texture to improve the accuracy and robustness of the AAM search. We show that normalising the gradient images by non-linear techniques can give much improved matching with higher accuracy and a wider effective range of convergence
Assessment of Laser Range Finders in risky environments

This paper characterizes four commercial laser range finders (LRF) while operating under adverse conditions, namely: low visibility, and multiple types of target surfaces, including different optical properties, angles and radiant surfaces. The study considered two scanning LRF commonly used in mobile robotics: the Sick LMS200 and the Hokuyo URG-04LX, and two industrial punctual LRFs: the IFM Efector O1D100 and the Sick DT60. Based on the results obtained, a set of conclusions and recommendations are taken considering the utilization of LRF in mobile robots operating in risky and adverse environments, like firefighting applications.
Life Events and Schizophrenia in Nigerians

Forty-two first-episode RDC schizophrenic patients were matched on sociodemographic variables with an equal number of control subjects. The life-event histories of both groups for 6 months before onset or interview were compared. Onset of illness was not preceded by an increase in life events. The only significant observation was that control subjects had experienced more events in the month previous to interview. These were reported mainly by male control subjects, involved the family, and were possibly related to the period when the control subjects were interviewed. The observations are discussed within the context of the Nigerian culture.
A 0.4-V Supply Curvature-Corrected Reference Generator With 84.5-ppm/°C Average Temperature Coefficient Within −40 °C to 130 °C

This brief describes a low-power current-mode voltage reference based on subthreshold transistors. A novel circuit configuration together with a high-order temperature compensation scheme allow this voltage reference to operate with a supply voltage down to 0.4 V over a large temperature range (from −40 °C to 130 °C). The circuit, which is fabricated with a standard 0.18- <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu\text{m}$</tex-math></inline-formula> CMOS technology, provides an output voltage of 212 mV, while consuming 192 nW. The measured average temperature coefficient is 84.5 ppm/°C.
Histopathologic determinants of regional lymph node metastasis in early colorectal cancer

Early colorectal cancer (ECC) is curable by endoscopic local resection; however, 10% of patients with ECC exhibit lymph node (LN) metastasis. In the current study, accurate predictors for LN metastasis in patients with ECC were examined by using immunohistochemistry with the lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE‐1) antibody to discriminate between lymphatics and blood vessels.
Disciplinary convergence and interdisciplinary curricula for students in an information society

Abstract In this essay, disciplinary ‘convergence’ is offered as a construct that references the blurring of disciplinary walls, academic borders and institutional divisions, a construct that can frame conversations about the role of disciplines in addressing today’s student needs in higher education. Convergence as a construct allows for a consideration of converging academic structures as well as the obligation of scholars and practitioners in higher education to address the needs of contemporary students aiming for life and work in a converging and increasingly mediated world. Ultimately, this work suggests that contemporary problems in an information society can be best addressed with broadly trained experts who can think, imagine and solve problem across traditional academic boundaries.