Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Highly Selective End-Tagged Antimicrobial Peptides Derived from PRELP

Background Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are receiving increasing attention due to resistance development against conventional antibiotics. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two major pathogens involved in an array of infections such as ocular infections, cystic fibrosis, wound and post-surgery infections, and sepsis. The goal of the study was to design novel AMPs against these pathogens. Methodology and Principal Findings Antibacterial activity was determined by radial diffusion, viable count, and minimal inhibitory concentration assays, while toxicity was evaluated by hemolysis and effects on human epithelial cells. Liposome and fluorescence studies provided mechanistic information. Protease sensitivity was evaluated after subjection to human leukocyte elastase, staphylococcal aureolysin and V8 proteinase, as well as P. aeruginosa elastase. Highly active peptides were evaluated in ex vivo skin infection models. C-terminal end-tagging by W and F amino acid residues increased antimicrobial potency of the peptide sequences GRRPRPRPRP and RRPRPRPRP, derived from proline arginine-rich and leucine-rich repeat protein (PRELP). The optimized peptides were antimicrobial against a range of Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, also in the presence of human plasma and blood. Simultaneously, they showed low toxicity against mammalian cells. Particularly W-tagged peptides displayed stability against P. aeruginosa elastase, and S. aureus V8 proteinase and aureolysin, and the peptide RRPRPRPRPWWWW-NH2 was effective against various “superbugs” including vancomycin-resistant enterococci, multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus, as well as demonstrated efficiency in an ex vivo skin wound model of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa infection. Conclusions/Significance Hydrophobic C-terminal end-tagging of the cationic sequence RRPRPRPRP generates highly selective AMPs with potent activity against multiresistant bacteria and efficiency in ex vivo wound infection models. A precise “tuning” of toxicity and proteolytic stability may be achieved by changing tag-length and adding W- or F-amino acid tags.
Direct uptake and degradation of DNA by lysosomes

Lysosomes contain various hydrolases that can degrade proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates. We recently discovered “RNautophagy,” an autophagic pathway in which RNA is directly taken up by lysosomes and degraded. A lysosomal membrane protein, LAMP2C, a splice variant of LAMP2, binds to RNA and acts as a receptor for this pathway. In the present study, we show that DNA is also directly taken up by lysosomes and degraded. Like RNautophagy, this autophagic pathway, which we term “DNautophagy,” is dependent on ATP. The cytosolic sequence of LAMP2C also directly interacts with DNA, and LAMP2C functions as a receptor for DNautophagy, in addition to RNautophagy. Similarly to RNA, DNA binds to the cytosolic sequences of fly and nematode LAMP orthologs. Together with the findings of our previous study, our present findings suggest that RNautophagy and DNautophagy are evolutionarily conserved systems in Metazoa.
Impact of Principal Leadership Styles and Teacher Quality on Teacher Productivity

: The aim of this study is to predict teacher productivity from principal leadership styles and teacher quality using social productivity. This confirms that there is need for school principals to monitor instruction supervision to ensure quality teaching and learning. because it is classroom practice of a teacher that matters. One thing is for a teacher to have the required knowledge, it is another for him to effectively pass it on to the pupils to the extent of making them achieve academic success as he/she provides evidence of teaching productiveness.
Natural Light Exposure, Sleep and Depression among Day Workers and Shiftworkers at Arctic and Equatorial Latitudes

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the relationship between individual natural light exposure, sleep need, and depression at two latitudes, one extreme with a few hours of light per day during winter, and the other with equal hours of light and darkness throughout the year. Methods This cross-sectional study included a sample of Brazilian workers (Equatorial, n = 488 workers) and a Swedish sample (Arctic, n = 1,273). Results The reported mean total natural light exposure per 4-week cycle differed significantly between the Equatorial and Arctic regions. However, shiftworkers from both sites reported similar hours of natural light exposure. Short light exposure was a predictor for insufficient sleep. Conclusion Reduced exposure to natural light appears to increase the perception of obtaining insufficient sleep. Arctic workers were more prone to develop depression than Equatorial workers.
Predicting the Effects of Underage Drinking on Concomitant Alcohol Use Disorder and Poor Educational Attainment

This study examined whether and how underage drinking (UD) relates with concomitant alcohol use disorder and poor educational attainment (CAUDAPEA). A total of 39,860 participants (25-75 years old), roughly 59% of the 2010 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) sample, were drawn for the study. Correlation and regression analyses were used to address the research question. Demographic characteristics of respondents were analyzed using t-test or Chi-square statistics. Alpha was set at . 05 to determine statistical significance. Underage drinking alone was a strong and statistically significant predictor of CAUDAPEA. The simple binary logistic regression model identified was statistically significant: (chi-square = 24.19, df =1, p < .05), (Cox and Snell R2 = 0.001), and (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.015), which suggests that using the Nagelkerke R2, the model explains roughly 1.5% of the variation in CAUDAPEA. The regression coefficient and the Wald statistic show that the effect of having underage drinking history (UDHISTORY) on CAUDAPEA is highly significant (Wald F = 14.44, df = 1, p < .05) with odds ratio = 4.86 indicating that currently legal age drinkers with UDHISTORY were about five times more likely to experience CAUDAPEA than their counterparts without UDHISTORY. When demographic variables (age, gender, race/ethnicity) were added to the model, the identified final multiple logistic regression model was statistically significant, (chi-square = 132.33, df = 10, p < .05), (Cox and Snell R2 = 0.008), and (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.079) which suggests that using the Nagelkerke R2, the model explains roughly 7.9% of the variance in CAUDAPEA, an improvement over the model with UDHISTORY alone. Results suggest different ways of looking at relationships between underage drinking, alcohol use disorder, and educational attainment. Implications for rehabilitation and prevention are discussed. Keywords: underage drinking, alcohol use disorder, poor educational attainment, concomitance
Biologia Plantarum Xx (x): Xxx-xxx, 20xx Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Pathogenesis Related Pr2 Gene and Its Promoter from Brassica Juncea

Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins play key roles in plant disease resistance. Here, we isolated and characterized pathogenesis-related PR2 gene encoding β-1,3-glucanase from Brassica juncea and was named BjPR2 (GenBank accession number DQ359125). The amino acid sequence of BjPR2 showed ~99 % similarity with β-1,3-glucanase of Brassica rapa, B. napus, and B. oleracea. BjPR2 transcription was rapidly increased after Alternaria brassicae infection, salicylic acid application, and wounding treatments but the induction was delayed in response to jasmonic acid. To investigate the transcriptional regulation of BjPR2 gene, its promoter was isolated. In silico analysis of BjPR2 promoter showed cis-regulatory elements upstream of TATA and CAAT boxes responsive to defense, hormones, wounding, and plant developmental stage. Homozygous Arabidopsis thaliana lines were developed with plasmid construct having β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene driven by BjPR2 promoter. The analysis of GUS protein in Arabidopsis lines showed that BjPR2 promoter drives distinct pattern of pathogen inducible expression after fungal infection (Alternaria brassicae, Erysiphe orontii), phytohormones, and wounding. It also showed age dependent and organ specific expression. BjPR2 promoter drove strong GUS activity in Arabidopsis seedlings and showed organ specific expression at the later growth stages (lateral organ junctions, leaf serrate, base of siliques, and receptacle). Due to stress-inducible and tissue specific nature, the BjPR2 promoter can serve as a potential candidate in genetic engineering.
The role of academic major and academic year for self-determined motivation in cooperative education

Using self-determination theory, this research explores the characteristics of the basic needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University, one of the largest institutions for cooperative education in Germany. By comparing the results from two different academic majors and two academic years, the authors examined different cultures at the university. They collected data from 426 students in a cross-sectional study. Using an analysis of variance approach (repeated-measures designs), the results show differences between relatedness with the highest characteristic values and the two other basic needs. Multivariate analysis of variance shows the significant effect of academic majors (partial η 2 = 0.10) and academic years (partial η 2 = 0.05) on all basic needs. The results are discussed in the context of different academic cultural backgrounds. Recommendations are made for improving teaching and curricula in the field of cooperative higher education.
Myocardial Tension and Oxygen Uptake

Data obtained in 94 tests in nine anesthetized, thoracotomized dogs were re-examined to determine relationships among oxygen uptake per minute (qO 2), cardiac frequency (F), mean aortic pressure (P), stroke volume (V), and heart weight (G). Statistical analysis supports the concept that during each systole qO2/G is empirically related most closely to the peak mechanical tension (T) developed by a spherical heart, in accord with the relationship qO2/G-b/F = aT, in which a and b are derived constants for each heart. Peak tension is half the product of the mean pressure and the radius (estimated from the stroke volume). Myocardial oxygen uptake is viewed as developing through a mechanical positive feedback mechanism which triggers the shortening of contractile elements. The number of such elements triggered in each beat determines the peak tension, the oxygen requirement of that beat, the resulting energy release, and the work. The oxygen costs of tension increase with the size of the heart since tension must be applied throughout the entire surface of each shell of contractile elements. Mechanical efficiency varies with the square of the stroke radius; it is not directly affected by mean aortic pressure or cardiac frequency. Factors affecting the all-or-none phenomenon, mobilization of tension, myocardial efficiency, the law of the heart, myocardial oxygen uptake, and the coronary flow are discussed in light of these findings.
Securing Trust Online: Wisdom or Oxymoron?

This essay is about trust in the online world. It is not a manual on how to achieve trust, nor an empirical study of trust’s presence or absence online. Rather, it is an attempt to show that the way we stipulate the conditions of the online world may be decisive for whether or not trust is achieved. Applying this perspective to a dominant vision of trust as security, the essay argues that if conditions are wrongly stipulated, then efforts to achieve trust may be misdirected, indeed, even thwarted.
Sex-Biased Transcriptome Evolution in Drosophila

Sex-biased genes are thought to drive phenotypic differences between males and females. The recent availability of high-throughput gene expression data for many related species has led to a burst of investigations into the genomic and evolutionary properties of sex-biased genes. In Drosophila, a number of studies have found that X chromosomes are deficient in male-biased genes (demasculinized) and enriched for female-biased genes (feminized) and that male-biased genes evolve faster than female-biased genes. However, studies have yielded vastly different conclusions regarding the numbers of sex-biased genes and forces shaping their evolution. Here, we use RNA-seq data from multiple tissues of Drosophila melanogaster and D. pseudoobscura, a species with a recently evolved X chromosome, to explore the evolution of sex-biased genes in Drosophila. First, we compare several independent metrics for classifying sex-biased genes and find that the overlap of genes identified by different metrics is small, particularly for female-biased genes. Second, we investigate genome-wide expression patterns and uncover evidence of demasculinization and feminization of both ancestral and new X chromosomes, demonstrating that gene content on sex chromosomes evolves rapidly. Third, we examine the evolutionary rates of sex-biased genes and show that male-biased genes evolve much faster than female-biased genes, which evolve at similar rates to unbiased genes. Analysis of gene expression among tissues reveals that this trend may be partially due to pleiotropic effects of female-biased genes, which limits their evolutionary potential. Thus, our findings illustrate the importance of accurately identifying sex-biased genes and provide insight into their evolutionary dynamics in Drosophila.
ANALISIS FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG BERPENGARUH TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN INVESTASI PADA PERUSAHAAN FOOD AND BEVERAGES DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA(Studi pada Perusahaan Food and Beverages yang Terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia Periode 2006-2009)

This study aims to analysis the influence of: 1) the liquidity to investment decision; 2) investment opportunity to investment decision; 3) profitability to investment decision; 4) leverage to investment decision; 5) growth opportunity to investment decision; and 6) growth opportunity as moderator of leverage to investment decision. This study was executed on food and beverages manufacture in Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) (Indonesian Capital Market Directory) on 2006-2009. Sampling technique using purposive sampling, so the collected sample was 17 firms. The data in this study was collected by documenter and analyzed by using multi linear regresion. The results showed that: 1) the liquidity (current ratio) doesn’t influence to investment decision; 2) investment opportunity doesn’t influence to investment decision; 3) profitability (ROI) influence to investment decision; 4) leverage doesn’t influence to investment decision; 5) growth opportunity doesn’t influence to investment decision; and 6) growth opportunity as moderator of leverage influence to investment decision
Compact Sensing Design of a Handheld Active Tremor Compensation Instrument

Active physiological tremor compensation instruments have been under research and development recently. The sensing unit of the instruments provides information on three degrees-of-freedom (DOF) motion of the instrument tip using accelerations provided by accelerometers placed inside the instruments. A complete vector of angular acceleration of the instrument needs to be known to obtain information on three DOF motions of the tip. Sensing resolution of angular acceleration about the instrument axis is directly proportional to the width of the proximal-end sensing unit. To keep the sensing resolution high enough, the width of the unit has to be made large. As a result, the proximal-end sensing unit of the instruments is bulky. In this paper, placement of accelerometers is proposed such that the angular acceleration about the instrument axis need not be known to obtain information on the three DOF motions of the tip. With the proposed placement, the instrument is no longer bulky and fewer number of accelerometers is required, thereby making the instrument compact and better in terms of ergonomics and reliability. Experiments were conducted to show that the proposed design of placement works properly.
Strategic Business Management: A Practical Framework and Causal Model of Empowering Leadership, Team Cohesion, Knowledge-Sharing Behavior, and Team Performance

Research objectives were to determine a practical framework and to create a causal model of empowering leadership, team cohesion, knowledge-sharing behavior, and team performance of petroleum refinery plant employees in Thailand. The study reported the responses of 594 operational employees from seven petroleum refinery plants operating in different parts of Thailand. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS (version 11.5) and path analysis using LISREL (version 8). Research findings indicate that dimensions of empowering leadership, team cohesion, and knowledge-sharing behavior have mediated positive effect on team performance. Knowledge-sharing behavior positively mediates the relationships between empowering leadership and team performance and between team cohesion and team performance. Furthermore, empowering leadership is positively correlated with team cohesion.
Power-law behavior in millennium climate simulations

Abstract. Using a method of discrete Fourier transform with varying starting point and length of time window and the long time series provided by millennium Earth System Model simulations, we get good fits to power laws between two characteristic oscillatory timescales of the model climate: multidecadal (50–80 yr) and El Nino (3–6 yr) timescales. For global mean temperature, we fit β ~ 0.35 in a relation S(f) ~ f−β in a simulation without external climate forcing and β over 0.7 in a simulation with external forcing included. We also fit a power law with β ~ 8 to the narrow frequency range between El Nino frequencies and the Nyquist frequency. Regional variability in best-fit β is explored and the impact of choosing the frequency range on the result is illustrated. When all resolved frequencies are used, land areas seem to have lower βs than ocean areas on average, but when fits are restricted to frequencies below 1/(6 yr), this difference disappears, while regional differences still remain. Results compare well with measurements both for global mean temperature and for the Central England temperature record.
Analyzing the footprints of near-surface aqueous turbulence: An image processing-based approach

[1] In this contribution, a detailed investigation of surface thermal patterns on the water surface is presented, with wind speeds ranging from 1 to 7 m s − 1 and various surface conditions. Distinct structures can be observed on the surface—small-scale short-lived structures termed fish scales and larger-scale cold streaks that are consistent with the footprints of Langmuir circulations. The structure of the surface heat pattern depends strongly on wind-induced stress. Consistent behavior regarding the spacing of cold streaks can be observed in a range of laboratory facilities when expressed as a function of water-sided friction velocity, u * . This behavior systematically decreased until a point of saturation at u * = 0.7 cm/s. We present a new image processing-based approach to the analysis of the spacing of cold streaks based on a machine learning approach to classify the thermal footprints of near-surface turbulence. Comparison is made with studies of Langmuir circulation and the following key points are found. Results suggest a saturation in the tangential stress, anticipating that similar behavior will be observed in the open ocean. A relation to Langmuir numbers shows that thermal footprints in infrared images are consistent with Langmuir circulations and depend strongly on wind wave conditions.
PD-L1 expression in tonsillar cancer is associated with human papillomavirus positivity and improved survival: implications for anti-PD1 clinical trials

In this study, we examined PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry in 99 patients with tonsillar cancer and known human papillomavirus (HPV) status to assess its clinical significance. We showed that the pattern of PD-L1 expression is strongly related to HPV status. The PD-L1 positivity rate was 83.3% in HPV-positive cases and 56.9% in HPV-negative cases (p < 0.05). Patients with HPV-positive/PD-L1-positive cancer had significantly better event free survival and overall survival compared with patients with HPV-negative/PD-L1-negative cancer. Relative to those patients with HPV-negative/PD-L1-negative disease who had the highest risk of death, patients with HPV-positive/PD-L1-positive cancers had a 2.85 fold lower risk of developing an event (HR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16–0.79) and a 4.5 fold lower risk of death (HR =0.22, 95% CI: 0.09–0.53). Our findings will help to guide future clinical trial design in immunotherapy based on PD-L1 expression in tonsillar cancer.
The properties and the effect of operating parameters on nickel plating (review)

The energy required in an electroplating process and the material costs are important considerations in product manufacturing. The most important plating criteria, however, are quality and the uniformity of the deposited metals. The nickel plating process is used extensively for decorative, engineering, and electroforming purposes. Because of the appearance and other properties of the electrodeposited material, nickel deposition can be varied, over a wide range, by controlling the composition and the operating parameters of the plating solution. Decorative applications account for about 80% of the nickel consumed in plating; 20% is consumed for engineering and electroforming purposes. Autocatalytic (electroless) nickel plating processes are commercially important but are outside the scope of this review. In this review, the basic facts of nickel electroplating processes, thickness test and methods, are discussed. The properties of nickel and the different effects of the operating parameters on nickel plating, together with the simulation and design tools, are also reviewed. Simulation tools can help to obtain better plating results. Non-destructive techniques to evaluate the coatings on a microstructural and the technical evaluation with TEM, SEM, XRD and other techniques were also reviewed. Key words: Electroplating, nickel plating, metal distribution, nickel thickness, electroforming and thickness test.
Dynamics of Population Response to Changes of Motion Direction in Primary Visual Cortex

The visual system is thought to represent the direction of moving objects in the relative activity of large populations of cortical neurons that are broadly tuned to the direction of stimulus motion, but how changes in the direction of a moving stimulus are represented in the population response remains poorly understood. Here we take advantage of the orderly mapping of direction selectivity in ferret primary visual cortex (V1) to explore how abrupt changes in the direction of a moving stimulus are encoded in population activity using voltage-sensitive dye imaging. For stimuli moving in a constant direction, the peak of the V1 population response accurately represented the direction of stimulus motion, but following abrupt changes in motion direction, the peak transiently departed from the direction of stimulus motion in a fashion that varied with the direction offset angle and was well predicted from the response to the component directions. We conclude that cortical dynamics and population coding mechanisms combine to place constraints on the accuracy with which abrupt changes in direction of motion can be represented by cortical circuits.