Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oncolytic potential of E1B 55 kDa‐deleted YKL‐1 recombinant adenovirus: Correlation with p53 functional status

YKL‐1, E1B 55 kDa‐deleted recombinant adenovirus vector, capable of harboring a transgene casette of up to 4.9 kb, was newly constructed by reintroducing E1A and E1B 19 kDa into E1/E3‐deleted adenoviral vector with a homologous recombination in E. coli. Virus replication and cytotoxicity were dramatically attenuated in all 3 different types of normal human cells. In contrast, YKL‐1 efficiently replicated and induced cytotoxicity in most cancer cells, especially Hep3B and C33A cells with an inactivating p53 mutation. However, both H460 and HepG2 exhibited intermediate sensitivity to YKL‐1, which was between that of Hep3B or C33A and normal human cells. The YKL‐1 and DNA damaging agent, camptothecin effectively induced p53 in H460 and HepG2 as well as in normal cells. Furthermore, YKL‐1 effectively prohibited both Hep3B and C33A tumor growth in nu/nu mice in a dose‐dependent manner. H/E staining and TUNEL assay indicated a largely distributed necrotic area and apoptosis on its periphery. This study, therefore, indicates that YKL‐1, possesses promising potential as an oncolytic adenoviral vector, which acts partially in a p53‐dependent manner. Int. J. Cancer 88:454–463, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extending the Tourism Destination Image Concept into Customer-Based Brand Equity For A Tourism Destination

Abstract This paper explores the demand-side perspective on tourism destination phenomenon and investigates whether more comprehensive measure for its evaluation could be applied to the destination brand. Unlike many previous studies dealing mostly with a tourism destination image concept, the approach employed in this paper proposes a more comprehensive measure of destination image and includes the dimensions of tourism destination awareness, quality, and loyalty. The theoretically proposed model was empirically verified for two competitive European tourism destinations (Slovenia and Austria) from the perspective of two culturally heterogeneous tourist markets (Germans and Croatians). The results imply that the traditionally investigated image concept represents the most important dimension in a destination’s evaluation. However, for a more comprehensive evaluation the dimensions of tourism destination awareness, quality and loyalty should be added. Drawing on the results, the paper also offers some implications for tourism organizations in developing and implementing destination marketing strategies in foreign markets.
Observation‐based global biospheric excess radiocarbon inventory 1963–2005

[1] For the very first time, we present an observation-based estimate of the temporal development of the biospheric excess radiocarbon (14C) inventory IB14,E, i.e., the change in the biospheric 14C inventory relative to prebomb times (1940s). IB14,E was calculated for the period 1963–2005 with a simple budget approach as the difference between the accumulated excess 14C production by atmospheric nuclear bomb tests and the nuclear industry and observation-based reconstructions of the excess 14C inventories in the atmosphere and the ocean. IB14,E increased from the late 1950s onward to maximum values between 126 and 177 × 1026 atoms 14C between 1981 and 1985. In the early 1980s, the biosphere turned from a sink to a source of excess 14C. Consequently, IB14,E decreased to values of 108–167 × 1026 atoms 14C in 2005. The uncertainty of IB14,E is dominated by uncertainties in the total bomb 14C production and the oceanic excess 14C inventory. Unfortunately, atmospheric Δ14CO2 from the early 1980s lack the necessary precision to reveal the expected small change in the amplitude and phase of atmospheric Δ14C seasonal cycle due to the sign flip in the biospheric net 14C flux during that time.
Why you should care about quantile regression

Research has shown that correctly conducting and analysing computer performance experiments is difficult. This paper investigates what is necessary to conduct successful computer performance evaluation by attempting to repeat a prior experiment: the comparison between two Linux schedulers. In our efforts, we found that exploring an experimental space through a series of incremental experiments can be inconclusive, and there may be no indication of how much experimentation will be enough. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), a traditional analysis method, is able to partly solve the problems with the previous approach, but we demonstrate that ANOVA can be insufficient for proper analysis due to the requirements it imposes on the data. Finally, we demonstrate the successful application of quantile regression, a recent development in statistics, to computer performance experiments. Quantile regression can provide more insight into the experiment than ANOVA, with the additional benefit of being applicable to data from any distribution. This property makes it especially useful in our field, since non-normally distributed data is common in computer experiments.
Significance of Coniferous Rain Forests and Related Organic Matter in Generating Commercial Quantities of Oil, Gippsland Basin, Australia

Contrary to the conventional belief that humic coal generates primarily gas, 3 billion bbl of recoverable oil has been discovered in the humic coaly succession of the fluviodeltaic Latrobe Group (Upper Cretaceous-Tertiary) that serves as both the reservoir and the source for hydrocarbons in the offshore Gippsland basin of southeastern Australia. Evidence for generation of liquid hydrocarbons from the coaly succession includes: (1) similarity of n-alkane distribution in the oil and in the coal extracts; (2) high wax content of oil (up to 27% by weight); (3) high ratio of pristane/phytane in oil (5-6); and (4) dominance of C29 steranes in the oil. In the Gippsland basin, coniferous rain forests dominated by kauri vegetation flourished in a raised bog setting. Present temperate climate and kauri vegetation of New Zealand are considered to be the modern analog to the Gippsland basin. The coniferous vegetation provided large quantities of hydrogen-rich exinite macerals, such as cutinite and resinite, with potential to generate oil. High rainfall, raised ground-water level, low oxygen, high acidity, and low-nutrient conditions of a raised bog setting were suitable for preserving organic matter. A comparison of gas chromatograms of oils in the Gippsland basin with gas chromatograms of oils generated by hydrous pyrolysis in the laboratory from the immature source rocks suggests that the paraffinic fraction of the oil was derived from coal, and the naphthenic fraction was derived chiefly from resin.
Molecular Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus among Patients with Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Two Chinese Hospitals

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the predominant causes of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), but limited data were available regarding the characterization of S. aureus from SSTIs patients in Jiangsu Province in China. We aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology of S. aureus among SSTIs patients in two hospitals of Jiangsu Province. Methods: Sixty-two patients with SSTIs from two Chinese hospitals in Jiangsu Province were enrolled in this study, and 62 S. aureus isolates were collected from February 2014 to January 2015. S. aureus isolates were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, toxin gene detection, and molecular typing with sequence type, Staphylococcus protein A gene type, accessory gene regulator (agr) group, and Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type. Results: Sixteen (25.8%) methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates were detected, and there was no isolate found resistant to vancomycin, teicoplanin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and linezolid. The sei was the toxin gene most frequently found, and no lukS/F-PV-positive isolates were detected among the SSTIs’ patients. Molecular analysis revealed that ST398 (10/62, 16.1%; 2 MRSA and 8 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus) to be the dominant clone, followed by ST5 (8/62, 12.9%) and ST7 (8/62, 12.9%). Conclusions: The livestock ST398 was the most common clone among patients with S. aureus SSTIs in Jiangsu Province, China. Surveillance and further studies on the important livestock ST398 clone in human infections are necessarily requested.
Is obesity a possible modifier of periodontal disease as a chronic inflammatory process? A case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted to provide a comparative evaluation of clinical periodontal measurements, together with serum levels of certain bioactive peptides and inflammatory cytokines, in relation to obesity. For this purpose, clinical periodontal measurements and the levels of serum leptin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 of obese female individuals and their nonobese counterparts were compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty obese (body mass index (BMI) > 30) and 31 nonobese (BMI < 30) female subjects were recruited for the present study. Before any periodontal intervention, serum samples were obtained and full-mouth clinical periodontal measurements were recorded at six sites per tooth. ELISA was used for the biochemical analysis. Data were tested statistically. RESULTS Clinical attachment level was significantly higher in the obese group compared with the nonobese control group (p < 0.05). Serum levels of leptin and IL-6 were significantly higher in the obese group (p < 0.05). BMI correlated with the serum levels of inflammatory molecules (p < 0.05), but not with clinical periodontal parameters, in the obese group. CONCLUSION In conclusion, obesity does not seem to have a prominent effect on clinical periodontal parameters but it does have many correlations with circulating inflammatory molecules. As suggested in the literature, increased levels of leptin and IL-6 in the obese group might be one explanation for a possible relationship between obesity and periodontal disease. A prospective study is warranted to clarify, in greater detail, the effects of obesity on periodontal health.
Sexual behavior and male volatile compounds in wild and mass‐reared strains of the Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) held under different colony management regimes

We compared the calling and mating behavior and volatile release of wild males Anastrepha ludens (Loew) with males from 4 mass‐reared strains: (i) a standard mass‐reared colony (control), (ii) a genetic sexing strain (Tap‐7), (iii) a colony started from males selected on their survival and mating competitiveness abilities (selected), and (iv) a hybrid colony started by crossing wild males with control females. Selected and wild males were more competitive, achieving more matings under field cage conditions. Mass‐reared strains showed higher percentages of pheromone calling males under field conditions except for Tap‐7 males, which showed the highest percentages of pheromone calling males under laboratory cage conditions. For mature males of all strains, field‐cage calling behavior increased during the last hour before sunset, with almost a 2 fold increase exhibited by wild males during the last half hour. The highest peak mating activity of the 4 mass‐reared strains occurred 30 min earlier than for wild males. By means of solid phase microextraction (SPME) plus gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), the composition of volatiles released by males was analyzed and quantified. Wild males emitted significantly less amounts of (E,E)‐α‐farnesene but emitted significantly more amounts of (E,E)‐suspensolide as they aged than mass‐reared males. Within the 4 mass‐reared strains, Tap‐7 released significantly more amounts of (E,E)‐α‐farnesene and hybrid more of (E,E)‐suspensolide. Differences in chemical composition could be explained by the intrinsic characteristics of the strains and the colony management regimes. Characterization of calling behavior and age changes of volatile composition between wild and mass‐reared strains could explain the differences in mating competitiveness and may be useful for optimizing the sterile insect technique in A. ludens.
Observed changes in precipitation extremes across 11 basins in China during 1961–2013

Extremes of weather and climate can cause disasters such as floods and droughts. Further studies of precipitation extremes are crucial for enabling reliable projections of future changes. In this study, we used a high‐resolution (0.5° × 0.5°) gridded precipitation data set to analyse these events across the 11 basins in China between 1961 and 2013 mainly by the Mann–Kendall and generalized extreme value methods. Our results indicated a wetter trend in the Tarim River Basin (TRB) but drier conditions in the central Yangtze River Basin (YRB), western Pearl River Basin and eastern Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin. There was an increasing risk of flooding in the mid‐lower YRB and Minjiang River Basin (MRB), and an increasing risk of drought in the central Lantsang River Basin. The results revealed strengthened maximum 1‐day precipitation (RX1DAY) in the Liaohe River Basin (LB), YRB, MRB and TRB, together with strengthened maximum 5‐day precipitation (RX5DAY) in the Songhua River Basin, MRB and TRB during 1987–2013. RX1DAY and RX5DAY for return periods of 20 and 50 years gradually decreased from southeast to northwest. Along the south‐eastern coastline of the Mainland and on Hainan Island, the RX1DAY for the 20‐ and 50‐year return periods would exceed 165 and 195 mm, respectively, whereas the RX5DAY would exceed 270 and 320 mm for the same return periods. Furthermore, summer Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) positively impacted precipitation extremes in the Yellow River Basin and YRB, and autumn SOI negatively impacted the extremes of the next year in LB and YRB, while winter SOI negatively impacted the extremes of the next year in YRB. Additionally, the East Asia summer monsoon (EASM) and the South Asia summer monsoon (SASM) were both associated with precipitation extremes across China; however, EASM contributed more to these events than did the SASM.
Building community–agency trust in fire-affected communities in Australia and the United States

As a result of the increasing environmental and social costs of wildfire, fire management agencies face ever-growing complexity in their management decisions and interactions with the public. The success of these interactions with community members may be facilitated through building community-agency trust in the process of providing public input opportunities and community engagement and education activities. Without trust, the public may become frustrated in their interactions with the agency and withhold support for management decisions. This study takes a comparative case approach using interview data from communities near the King Valley fires in Victoria, Australia, and the Bear & Booth Complex fires in Oregon, USA. Several themes emerge that are common to both sites, including components of trustworthiness and actions or activities that contribute to a trusting relationship or environment. Key findings suggest trust and trustworthiness can be addressed interpersonally and institutionally and that flexible policies are important for implementation of locally appropriate outreach and management plans. Language: en
Photographic but not line-drawn faces show early perceptual neural sensitivity to eye gaze direction

Our brains readily decode facial movements and changes in social attention, reflected in earlier and larger N170 event-related potentials (ERPs) to viewing gaze aversions vs. direct gaze in real faces (Puce et al., 2000). In contrast, gaze aversions in line-drawn faces do not produce these N170 differences (Rossi et al., 2014), suggesting that physical stimulus properties or experimental context may drive these effects. Here we investigated the role of stimulus-induced context on neurophysiological responses to dynamic gaze. Sixteen healthy adults viewed line-drawn and real faces, with dynamic eye aversion and direct gaze transitions, and control stimuli (scrambled arrays and checkerboards) while continuous electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was recorded. EEG data from 2 temporo-occipital clusters of 9 electrodes in each hemisphere where N170 activity is known to be maximal were selected for analysis. N170 peak amplitude and latency, and temporal dynamics from Event-Related Spectral Perturbations (ERSPs) were measured in 16 healthy subjects. Real faces generated larger N170s for averted vs. direct gaze motion, however, N170s to real and direct gaze were as large as those to respective controls. N170 amplitude did not differ across line-drawn gaze changes. Overall, bilateral mean gamma power changes for faces relative to control stimuli occurred between 150–350 ms, potentially reflecting signal detection of facial motion. Our data indicate that experimental context does not drive N170 differences to viewed gaze changes. Low-level stimulus properties, such as the high sclera/iris contrast change in real eyes likely drive the N170 changes to viewed aversive movements.
Feature-Based Retinal Image Registration Using D-Saddle Feature

Retinal image registration is important to assist diagnosis and monitor retinal diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. However, registering retinal images for various registration applications requires the detection and distribution of feature points on the low-quality region that consists of vessels of varying contrast and sizes. A recent feature detector known as Saddle detects feature points on vessels that are poorly distributed and densely positioned on strong contrast vessels. Therefore, we propose a multiresolution difference of Gaussian pyramid with Saddle detector (D-Saddle) to detect feature points on the low-quality region that consists of vessels with varying contrast and sizes. D-Saddle is tested on Fundus Image Registration (FIRE) Dataset that consists of 134 retinal image pairs. Experimental results show that D-Saddle successfully registered 43% of retinal image pairs with average registration accuracy of 2.329 pixels while a lower success rate is observed in other four state-of-the-art retinal image registration methods GDB-ICP (28%), Harris-PIIFD (4%), H-M (16%), and Saddle (16%). Furthermore, the registration accuracy of D-Saddle has the weakest correlation (Spearman) with the intensity uniformity metric among all methods. Finally, the paired t-test shows that D-Saddle significantly improved the overall registration accuracy of the original Saddle.
Dermatan Sulfate and LMW Heparin Enhance the Anticoagulant Action of Activated Protein C

Summary Unfractionated heparin potentiates the anticoagulant action of activated protein C (APC) through several mechanisms, including the recently described enhancement of proteolytic inactivation of factor V. Possible anticoagulant synergism between APC and physiologic glycosaminoglycans, pharmacologic low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), and other heparin derivatives was studied. Dermatan sulfate showed potent APC-enhancing effect. Commercial LMWHs showed differing abilities to promote APC activity, and the molecular weight of LMWHs correlated with enhancement of APC activity. Degree of sulfation of the glycosaminoglycans influenced APC enhancement. However, because dextran sulfates did not potentiate APC action, the presence of sulfate groups per se on a polysaccharide is not sufficient for APC enhancement. As previously for unfractionated heparin, APC anticoagulant activity was enhanced by glycosaminoglycans when factor V but not factor Va was the substrate. Thus, dermatan sulfate and LMWHs exhibit APC enhancing activity in vitro that could be of physiologic and pharmacologic significance.
Examination of New Environmental Control Applications

The aim of this study was to examine the application of new Environmental Control Systems (ECSs) in the homes of users and caregivers. The research questions were: (1) Can new ECS applications improve the activities of daily living (ADL) of people with significant functional limitations who require personal assistance? (2) Can new ECS applications replace home services and lessen caregiver burden? To answer these questions, user satisfaction regarding ECS applications, impact on ADL, technical performance, and caregiver burden were examined. This collaborative investigation involving a local community health care center, a telephone monitoring service, an industrial partner, and a university research team used a case study approach. Five users with moderate cognitive problems or significant functional limitations who required personal assistance were chosen, along with their caregivers, for a 3-month in-home trial to test new ECS alternatives. The ECS in the study featured remote control functions (e.g., door lock release, outside intercom), specific verbal reminders (e.g., reminders to turn off stove elements), and automatic functions (e.g., night-lights in the bathroom and hallway). Information was collected in the users' homes with three standardized questionnaires and a company-designed questionnaire. The overall technical performance of the ECS was found to be in most cases moderately efficient. Participant satisfaction revealed that ECS alternatives needed improvement with respect to the service aspects such as follow-up services and repair/servicing. Caregiver burden was lessened for psychological aspects but not for physical tasks. Users seemed to have a positive perception of the impact of the ECS on many of their ADL. We learned six lessons from this 15-month case study, namely: (1) the use of remote control by people with moderate cognitive impairments was difficult; (2) verbal reminders were greatly appreciated; (3) the automatic ECS applications needed more adjustment; (4) reactions varied depending on the participant's perspective; (5) other assessment tools might have been better suited to mild cognitive problems; and (6) removal of a beneficial product at the conclusion of the evaluation phase raised ethical considerations.
Molecular clocks indicate turnover and diversification of modern coleoid cephalopods during the Mesozoic Marine Revolution

Coleoid cephalopod molluscs comprise squid, cuttlefish and octopuses, and represent nearly the entire diversity of modern cephalopods. Sophisticated adaptations such as the use of colour for camouflage and communication, jet propulsion and the ink sac highlight the unique nature of the group. Despite these striking adaptations, there are clear parallels in ecology between coleoids and bony fishes. The coleoid fossil record is limited, however, hindering confident analysis of the tempo and pattern of their evolution. Here we use a molecular dataset (180 genes, approx. 36 000 amino acids) of 26 cephalopod species to explore the phylogeny and timing of cephalopod evolution. We show that crown cephalopods diverged in the Silurian–Devonian, while crown coleoids had origins in the latest Palaeozoic. While the deep-sea vampire squid and dumbo octopuses have ancient origins extending to the Early Mesozoic Era, 242 ± 38 Ma, incirrate octopuses and the decabrachian coleoids (10-armed squid) diversified in the Jurassic Period. These divergence estimates highlight the modern diversity of coleoid cephalopods emerging in the Mesozoic Marine Revolution, a period that also witnessed the radiation of most ray-finned fish groups in addition to several other marine vertebrates. This suggests that that the origin of modern cephalopod biodiversity was contingent on ecological competition with marine vertebrates.