Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weak mitochondrial targeting sequence determines tissue-specific subcellular localization of glutamine synthetase in liver and brain cells

Evolution of the uricotelic system for ammonia detoxification required a mechanism for tissue-specific subcellular localization of glutamine synthetase (GS). In uricotelic vertebrates, GS is mitochondrial in liver cells and cytoplasmic in brain. Because these species contain a single copy of the GS gene, it is not clear how tissue-specific subcellular localization is achieved. Here we show that in chicken, which utilizes the uricotelic system, the GS transcripts of liver and brain cells are identical and, consistently, there is no difference in the amino acid sequence of the protein. The N-terminus of GS, which constitutes a ‘weak’ mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS), is sufficient to direct a chimeric protein to the mitochondria in hepatocytes and to the cytoplasm in astrocytes. Considering that a weak MTS is dependent on a highly negative mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) for import, we examined the magnitude of ΔΨ in hepatocytes and astrocytes. Our results unexpectedly revealed that ΔΨ in hepatocytes is considerably more negative than that of astrocytes and that converting the targeting signal into ‘strong’ MTS abolished the capability to confer tissue-specific subcellular localization. We suggest that evolutional selection of weak MTS provided a tool for differential targeting of an identical protein by taking advantage of tissue-specific differences in ΔΨ.
Cas9-assisted recombineering in C. elegans: genome editing using in vivo assembly of linear DNAs

Recombineering, the use of endogenous homologous recombination systems to recombine DNA in vivo, is a commonly used technique for genome editing in microbes. Recombineering has not yet been developed for animals, where non-homology-based mechanisms have been thought to dominate DNA repair. Here, we demonstrate, using Caenorhabditis elegans, that linear DNAs with short homologies (∼35 bases) engage in a highly efficient gene conversion mechanism. Linear DNA repair templates with homology to only one side of a double-strand break (DSB) initiate repair efficiently, and short overlaps between templates support template switching. We demonstrate the use of single-stranded, bridging oligonucleotides (ssODNs) to target PCR fragments for repair of DSBs induced by CRISPR/Cas9 on chromosomes. Based on these findings, we develop recombineering strategies for precise genome editing that expand the utility of ssODNs and eliminate in vitro cloning steps for template construction. We apply these methods to the generation of GFP knock-in alleles and gene replacements without co-integrated markers. We conclude that, like microbes, metazoans possess robust homology-dependent repair mechanisms that can be harnessed for recombineering and genome editing.
The Binaural Masking-Level Difference of Mandarin Tone Detection and the Binaural Intelligibility-Level Difference of Mandarin Tone Recognition in the Presence of Speech-Spectrum Noise

Binaural hearing involves using information relating to the differences between the signals that arrive at the two ears, and it can make it easier to detect and recognize signals in a noisy environment. This phenomenon of binaural hearing is quantified in laboratory studies as the binaural masking-level difference (BMLD). Mandarin is one of the most commonly used languages, but there are no publication values of BMLD or BILD based on Mandarin tones. Therefore, this study investigated the BMLD and BILD of Mandarin tones. The BMLDs of Mandarin tone detection were measured based on the detection threshold differences for the four tones of the voiced vowels /i/ (i.e., /i1/, /i2/, /i3/, and /i4/) and /u/ (i.e., /u1/, /u2/, /u3/, and /u4/) in the presence of speech-spectrum noise when presented interaurally in phase (S0N0) and interaurally in antiphase (SπN0). The BILDs of Mandarin tone recognition in speech-spectrum noise were determined as the differences in the target-to-masker ratio (TMR) required for 50% correct tone recognitions between the S0N0 and SπN0 conditions. The detection thresholds for the four tones of /i/ and /u/ differed significantly (p<0.001) between the S0N0 and SπN0 conditions. The average detection thresholds of Mandarin tones were all lower in the SπN0 condition than in the S0N0 condition, and the BMLDs ranged from 7.3 to 11.5 dB. The TMR for 50% correct Mandarin tone recognitions differed significantly (p<0.001) between the S0N0 and SπN0 conditions, at –13.4 and –18.0 dB, respectively, with a mean BILD of 4.6 dB. The study showed that the thresholds of Mandarin tone detection and recognition in the presence of speech-spectrum noise are improved when phase inversion is applied to the target speech. The average BILDs of Mandarin tones are smaller than the average BMLDs of Mandarin tones.
Single-Epitope DNA Vaccination Prevents Exhaustion and Facilitates a Broad Antiviral CD8+ T Cell Response during Chronic Viral Infection1

Induction of a monospecific antiviral CD8+ T cell response may pose a risk to the host due to the narrow T cell response induced. At the individual level, this may result in selection of CD8+ T cell escape variants, particularly during chronic viral infection. Second, prior immunization toward a single dominant epitope may suppress the response to other viral epitopes, and this may lead to increased susceptibility to reinfection with escape variants circulating in the host population. To address these issues, we induced a memory response consisting solely of monospecific, CD8+ T cells by use of DNA vaccines encoding immunodominant epitopes of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). We analyzed the spectrum of the CD8+ T cell response and the susceptibility to infection in H-2b and H-2d mice. Priming for a monospecific, CD8+ T cell response did not render mice susceptible to viral variants. Thus, vaccinated mice were protected against chronic infection with LCMV, and no evidence indicating biologically relevant viral escape was obtained. In parallel, a broad and sustained CD8+ T cell response was generated upon infection, and in H-2d mice epitope spreading was observed. Even after acute LCMV infection, DNA vaccination did not significantly impair naturally induced immunity. Thus, the response to the other immunogenic epitopes was not dramatically suppressed in DNA-immunized mice undergoing normal immunizing infection, and the majority of mice were protected against rechallenge with escape variants. These findings underscore that a monospecific vaccine may induce efficient protective immunity given the right set of circumstances.
Estimation of evapotranspiration from MODIS TOA radiances in the Poyang Lake basin, China

Routine and rapid estimation of ET (evapotranspi- ration) at regional scale is of great significance for agricul- tural, hydrological and climatic studies. A simplified single- source energy balance parameterization scheme, known as the LST/NDVI (land surface temperature/normalized differ- ence vegetation index) triangle method, has been applied suc- cessfully to estimate regional clear sky ET in many studies. Based on the triangle method, we proposed a new method in this study to estimate daily ET directly using the TOA (top of atmosphere) radiances without performing atmospheric correction and other complicated processes. Firstly, the EF (evaporative fraction, defined as the ratio of latent heat flux to surface available energy) was estimated by interpolation in the LST/NDVI triangular-shaped scatter space, which was constructed using the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imag- ing Spectroradiometer) TOA radiances over a heterogeneous area of the Poyang Lake basin in China. Then the net radia- tion over the same study area was derived based entirely on MODIS TOA radiances as well. Finally, daily ET maps were estimated from these EF maps and net radiation maps by us- ing a sinusoidal temporal interpolation model. The estimated EF, net radiation and ET have been validated against field ob- servations collected for the period October 2007-July 2008. The results indicate comparable accuracy to results of other current widely used satellite-based methods. In addition, in- tercomparisons between the proposed method-based esti- mates and MODIS products-based estimates were also car- ried out over the validation site. The results suggest that the proposed method could reach similar level of accuracy as the MODIS products-based triangle method. Overall, the pro- posed algorithm requires fewer assumptions and can avoid complex atmospheric corrections associated with the satel- lite derived products. It should facilitate direct use of satellite data for determining ET and relevant applications as well. Nonetheless, more validation work needs to be carried out with more integration of satellite data and ground-based mea- surements over various climatic regions and under different surface conditions in the future.
Dimensionality reduction based on fuzzy rough sets oriented to ischemia detection

This paper presents a dimensionality reduction study based on fuzzy rough sets with the aim of increasing the discriminant capability of the representation of normal ECG beats and those that contain ischemic events. A novel procedure is proposed to obtain the fuzzy equivalence classes based on entropy and neighborhood techniques and a modification of the Quick Reduct Algorithm is used to select the relevant features from a large feature space by a dependency function. The tests were carried out on a feature space made up by 840 wavelet features extracted from 900 ECG normal beats and 900 ECG beats with evidence of ischemia. Results of around 99% classification accuracy are obtained. This methodology provides a reduced feature space with low complexity and high representation capability. Additionally, the discriminant strength of entropy in terms of representing ischemic disorders from time-frequency information in ECG signals is highlighted.
Generic Schema Matching with Cupid

Schema matching is a critical step in many applications, such as XML message mapping, data warehouse loading, and schema integration. In this paper, we investigate algorithms for generic schema matching, outside of any particular data model or application. We first present a taxonomy for past solutions, showing that a rich range of techniques is available. We then propose a new algorithm, Cupid, that discovers mappings between schema elements based on their names, data types, constraints, and schema structure, using a broader set of techniques than past approaches. Some of our innovations are the integrated use of linguistic and structural matching, context-dependent matching of shared types, and a bias toward leaf structure where much of the schema content resides. After describing our algorithm, we present experimental results that compare Cupid to two other schema matching systems.
Localization and Potential Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase-1 and -2 in Different Phases of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) can evolve in prematurely born infants who require mechanical ventilation because of hyaline membrane disease (HMD). The development of BPD can be divided in an acute, a regenerative, a transitional, and a chronic phase. During these different phases, extensive remodeling of the lung parenchyma with re-epithelialization of the alveoli and formation of fibrosis occurs. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is an enzyme that is involved in re-epithelialization processes, and dysregulation of MMP-1 activity contributes to fibrosis. Localization of MMP-1 and its inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2, were investigated in lung tissue obtained from infants who died during different phases of BPD development. In all studied cases (n = 50) type-II pneumocytes were found to be immunoreactive for MMP-1, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. During the acute and regenerative phase of BPD, type-II pneumocytes re-epithelialize the injured alveoli. This may suggest that MMP-1 and its inhibitors, expressed by type-II pneumocytes, play a role in the re-epithelialization process after acute lung injury. Although MMP-1 staining intensity remained constant in type-II pneumocytes during BPD development, TIMP-1 increased during the chronic fibrotic phase. This relative elevation of TIMP-1 compared with MMP-1 is indicative for reduced collagenolytic activity by type-II pneumocytes in chronic BPD and may contribute to fibrosis. Fibrotic foci in chronic BPD contained fibroblasts immunoreactive for MMP-1 and TIMP-1 and -2. This may indicate that decreased collagen turnover by fibroblasts contributes to fibrosis in BPD development.
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology Effects of a Single Administration of Prostaglandin F2alpha, or a Combination of Prostaglandin F2alpha and Prostaglandin E2, or Placebo on Fertility Variables in Dairy Cows 3–5 Weeks Post Partum, a Randomized, Double-blind Clinical Trial

Background: Delayed uterine involution has negative effects on the fertility of cows; use of prostaglandin F2alpha alone as a single treatment has not been shown to consistently improve fertility. Combined administration of PGF2alpha and PGE2 increased uterine pressure in healthy cows. We hypothesized, that the combination of both prostaglandins would accelerate uterine involution and have, therefore, a positive effect on fertility variables. In commercial dairy farming, the benefit of a single post partum combined prostaglandin treatment should be demonstrated.
Patients with Helicobacter pylori positive and negative duodenal ulcers have distinct clinical characteristics.

AIM To assess the clinical characteristics of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) negative duodenal ulcer. METHODS Patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of duodenal ulcer between 1996 and 2002 were included in the present study. Patients were considered to be negative for H pylori, if both histological examination and rapid urease test of biopsy specimens were negative. A comparison was made between patients with H pylori positive and negative duodenal ulcers. RESULTS A total of 1 343 patients were studied. Their mean age was 54.7+/-0.5 years. There was a male preponderance (M:F=2.5:1). Three hundred and ninety-eight patients (29.6%) did not have H pylori infection. The annual proportion of patients with H pylori negative duodenal ulcers increased progressively from 1996 to 2002. On multivariate analysis, patients with H pylori negative duodenal ulcer were more likely to be older, have concomitant medical problem, pre-existing malignancy, recent surgery, underlying sepsis, or taken non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In terms of clinical presentations, patients with H pylori negative duodenal ulcer were more likely to present with bleeding, multiple ulcers and larger ulcers. CONCLUSION The proportion of patients with H pylori negative duodenal ulcers is on the rise because of a continued drop in incidence of H pylori positive duodenal ulcers in recent years. Such patients have distinct clinical characteristics and it is important to ascertain the H pylori status before starting eradication therapy.
A Spatially Explicit Model of Functional Connectivity for the Endangered Przewalski’s Gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) in a Patchy Landscape

Background Habitat fragmentation, associated with human population expansion, impedes dispersal, reduces gene flow and aggravates inbreeding in species on the brink of extinction. Both scientific and conservation communities increasingly realize that maintaining and restoring landscape connectivity is of vital importance in biodiversity conservation. Prior to any conservation initiatives, it is helpful to present conservation practitioners with a spatially explicit model of functional connectivity for the target species or landscape. Methodology/Principal Findings Using Przewalski’s gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) as a model of endangered ungulate species in highly fragmented landscape, we present a model providing spatially explicit information to inform the long-term preservation of well-connected metapopulations. We employed a Geographic Information System (GIS) and expert-literature method to create a habitat suitability map, to identify potential habitats and to delineate a functional connectivity network (least-cost movement corridors and paths) for the gazelle. Results indicated that there were limited suitable habitats for the gazelle, mainly found to the north and northwest of the Qinghai Lake where four of five potential habitat patches were identified. Fifteen pairs of least-cost corridors and paths were mapped connecting eleven extant populations and two neighboring potential patches. The least-cost paths ranged from 0.2 km to 26.8 km in length (averaging 12.4 km) and were all longer than corresponding Euclidean distances. Conclusions/Significance The model outputs were validated and supported by the latest findings in landscape genetics of the species, and may provide impetus for connectivity conservation programs. Dispersal barriers were examined and appropriate mitigation strategies were suggested. This study provides conservation practitioners with thorough and visualized information to reserve the landscape connectivity for Przewalski’s gazelle. In a general sense, we proposed a heuristic framework for species with similar biological and ecological characteristics.
Use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a framework for analyzing the Stroke Impact Scale-16 relative to falls

Abstract Objective: To determine if subscores based on grouping Stroke Impact Scale 16 (SIS-16) items according to International Classification of Functioning, Health and Disability (ICF) components are more accurate in identifying individuals with a history of falls than the total SIS-16 score. Design: Case series. Subjects: 43 community-dwelling people with chronic stroke. Methods: Participants were grouped based on six month fall history (no fall versus one or more falls). The SIS-16 items were categorized as belonging to the Body Structure and Function (BSF), Activity (ACT) or Participation (PART) component of the ICF. SIS-16 total score and ICF component subscores were analyzed for their association with falls. Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves were (ROC) analyzed. Results: There were significant differences between groups on SIS-16 total (p = 0.006), BSF (p = 0.041) and ACT (p = 0.003) scores. The BSF and ACT component subscores had the highest specificity (0.91) and sensitivity (0.80), respectively, for categorizing participants according to fall history. The BSF + ACT component subscore demonstrated greater accuracy than the total SIS-16 for identifying people with falls (area under the curve = 0.78). Conclusion: The ICF may be a useful model for analysis of fall screening tools for people with chronic stroke. ICF component subscores are more accurate than the SIS-16 total score for this purpose.
Semiconductors for Solar Cells

Physical principles of photovoltaic energy conversion technology of solar cell devices fundamental material parameters structural and electrical properties of lattice defects single crystal and polycrystalline silicon single crystal and epitaxial compound semiconductors thin-film compound semiconductors amorphous thin-film semiconductors.
Novel Amine Modified Nanoporous SBA-15 Sorbent for the Removal of H2S from Gas Streams in the Presence of CH4 (RESEARCH NOTE)

A new sorbent has been developed by grafting Hexamethylenetetramine on a mesoporous molecular sieve (SBA-15) by wet impregnation method. This sorbent (Hexamine/SBA-15) has been characterized using N2 physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) at low angles (2θ°) and FT-IR. To investigate the H2S removal capacity of this adsorbent from CH4-containing gas mixtures, the breakthrough tests have been performed on a fixed-bed flow system. The results show that after the amine loading, hexamine is dispersed inside the mesochannels of mesoporous SBA-15. Effects of the amine loading and sorption temperature on the sorption behavior of this developed sorbent have also been studied. Increase of amine loading enhances the H2S sorption on this sorbent, while increase in temperature, both the breakthrough capacity (qb) and the saturation capacity (qs) decrease. High sorption capacity is observed at low temperature which provides a promoting effect in removal of H2S from gas mixtures streams on the developed Hexamine/SBA-15 sorbent. This developed sorbent is regenerated easily at 100°C, and shows very good stability. Therefore it can be effectively used for removing H2S from industrial gas stream.
A Chronic Model for Investigation of Experimental: Spinal Anesthesia in the Dog

A chronic model for investigation of spinal anesthesia in the dog is described. This model incorporates the use of a chronically implanted catheter in the lumbar subarachnoid space. An 18-gauge thin-walled Crawford needle is passed percutaneously into the subarachnoid space. An 18-gauge epidural catheter is then threaded through the needle into the subarachnoid space and the distal end attached to a special metal valve which is sutured under the skin. One-milliliter volumes of various local anesthetic solutions were injected intrathecally via the valve and catheter. Durations of the effects of the local anesthetics were evaluated. Duration of subarachnoid conduction blockade was defined as the time during which hind-limb paralysis persisted in the dog. The times to onset and durations of motor blockades were evaluated following the intrathecal injection of dibucaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, bupivacaine, chloroprocaine, and mepivacaine. Times to onset ranged from 1.1 to 2.3 min. Durations of motor blockade were longest for dibucaine and tetracaine, followed in order of decreasing duration by bupivacaine, lidocaine, chloroprocaine, and mepivacaine. The durations of subarachnoid conduction motor blockades in the dog are qualitatively similar to reported values for spinal anesthesia in man. Therefore, the technique described may provide a useful model to evaluate factors that may influence spinal anesthesia.
Job satisfaction of nurses in a Saudi Arabian university teaching hospital: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND Saudi Arabia is developing very fast in all disciplines, especially in nursing and health. Only about five studies between 1990 and 2010 have been undertaken in Saudi Arabia concerning factors influencing job satisfaction of nurses, although a body of knowledge exists globally. AIM The purpose of this research was to measure nurses' job satisfaction in Saudi Arabia in a university teaching hospital and to determine the influencing factors. METHODS A quantitative, cross sectional method, self-administered questionnaire was used for this study. A systematic sample of N=189 nurses was used to collect data. The SPSS version 16.0. was used to analyze the data. An independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used to test hypotheses concerning different groups, and correlation tests (the Pearson's and Spearman's rank tests) were used to examine relationships between variables. RESULTS Overall, nurses were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with their jobs. However, nurses indicated satisfaction with supervision, co-workers and nature of work. The sources of dissatisfaction were with subscales such as pay, fringe benefits, contingent rewards and operating conditions. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that there is a need to increase nurses' salaries and bonuses for extra duties. More training programmes and further education also should be encouraged for all nurses. Therefore, it is imperative that nursing managers and policy makers in Saudi Arabia consider these findings to improve nurses' job satisfaction.