Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Reconstitution of an Isoform of the 116-kDa Subunit of the Vacuolar Proton Translocating ATPase*

We have identified a cDNA encoding an isoform of the 116-kDa subunit of the bovine vacuolar proton translocating ATPase. The predicted protein sequence of the new isoform, designated a2, consists of 854 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 98,010 Da; it has approximately 50% identity to the original isoform (a1) we described (Peng, S.-B., Crider, B. P., Xie, X.-S., and Stone, D.K. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 17262–17266). Sequence comparison indicates that the a2 isoform is the bovine homologue of a 116-kDa polypeptide identified in mouse as an immune regulatory factor (Lee, C.-K., Ghoshal, K., and Beaman, K.D. (1990) Mol. Immunol. 27, 1137–1144). The bovine a1 and a2 isoforms share strikingly similar structures with hydrophilic amino-terminal halves that are composed of more than 30% charged residues and hydrophobic carboxyl-terminal halves that contain 6–8 transmembrane regions. Northern blot analysis demonstrates that isoform a2 is highly expressed in lung, kidney, and spleen. To determine the possible role of the a2 isoform in vacuolar proton pump function, we purified from bovine lung a vacuolar pump proton channel (VO) containing isoform a2. This VO conducts bafilomycin-sensitive proton flow after reconstitution and acid activation, and supports proton pumping activity after assembly with the catalytic sector (V1) of vacuolar-type proton translocating ATPase (V-ATPase) and sub-58-kDa doublet, a 50–57-kDa polypeptide heterodimer required for V-ATPase function. These data indicate that the a2 isoform of the 116-kDa polypeptide functions as part of the proton channel of V-ATPases.
Uber Might Buy Me a Mercedes Benz: An Empirical Investigation of the Sharing Economy and Durable Goods Purchase

In this work, we examine how sharing-economy platforms affect durable goods purchase. On the one hand, the introduction of such platforms may cannibalize sales, as they may change the decision-making calculus of consumers by offering a lower cost “rental” option in lieu of purchase. On the other hand, such platforms might stimulate purchase, as their presence enhances the value of ownership by allowing participants to capture rents through the sharing economy. We examine this tension using a unique dataset of new vehicle registrations in China. In doing so, we exploit the variation in timing of Uber entry across different locations to estimate the effect on new vehicle purchase. Findings suggest Uber entry is associated with a considerable increase in new vehicle ownership, indicating that consumers are actively changing their stock of held resources in order to capture excess rents offered by these platforms. Further, results indicate that the effect of Uber entry varies considerably across vehicle type.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-8, MMP-9) and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) in patients with fungal keratitis.

PURPOSE To study the infiltrating cells and quantify the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-8, MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) in the cornea, tear, and serum of patients with fungal keratitis. METHODS Experimental study. Infected corneal tissue from 4 patients with fungal keratitis (group 1) scheduled to undergo therapeutic keratoplasty accounted for the histopathologic and cytospin smear analysis. Ten patients with fungal keratitis from group 2 served for the quantification of MMPs and TIMPs. Five patients with keratoconus undergoing penetrating keratoplasty and 5 cadaver corneas were chosen as controls for group 2. Corneal buttons obtained during keratoplasty, 15 to 20 microL of tears collected using the capillary flow method, and 3 mL of blood was obtained from patients with fungal keratitis and patients with keratoconus. Corneal button sections from group 1 were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Grocott methenamine silver nitrate for the histopathologic studies and Giemsa staining for the cytospin smear analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for the quantification of total MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in the corneal homogenates, tear, and serum samples of group 2. RESULTS Corneal sections from group 1 revealed dense fungal filaments and a large proportion (91.4% +/- 38%) of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Significant elevation in the levels of MMP-8 and MMP-9 (P < 0.05) in the fungal keratitis corneas was observed in group 2 compared with the cadaver and keratoconus corneas. The ratio of MMP/TIMP was also higher in the fungal keratitis corneas. CONCLUSIONS Infiltrating PMNs in the cornea of patients with fungal keratitis contributed to the increased activities of MMP-8 and MMP-9, thereby enhancing tissue destruction and derangement.
Effects of metformin on fertilisation of bovine oocytes and early embryo development: possible involvement of AMPK3-mediated TSC2 activation

Summary Studies on bovine oocytes have revealed that the activation of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) by millimolar concentrations of metformin controls nuclear maturation. Tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) has been identified as a downstream target of AMPK. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of addition of low concentrations of metformin (1 nM to 10 μM) on the percentage of cultured cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) giving rise to cleavage-stage embryos and AMPK-mediated TSC2 activation. Metformin was supplemented either throughout in vitro embryo production (IVP) or only during in vitro fertilization (IVF). COC were matured in vitro, inseminated, and presumptive zygotes cultured for a further 72 h post insemination before the percentage of COC that gave rise to zygotes and early embryo development was assessed. The presence of TSC2 in bovine embryos and its possible AMPK-induced activation were assessed by immunocytochemistry. Metformin had a dose-dependent effect on the numbers of cultured COC that gave rise to embryos. Drug treatment either throughout IVP or only during IVF decreased the percentage of ≥8-cell embryos (1 μM, P < 0.05; 10 μM, P < 0.01; and 0.1 μM, 10 μM, P < 0.01, respectively) and increased the percentage of 2-cell embryos (10 μM, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively). The percentage of cultured COC that gave rise to zygotes was not affected by metformin. TSC2 is expressed in early embryos. Metformin (10 μM) either throughout IVP or during IVF only, increased AMPK-induced PhosphoS1387-TSC2 immunoreactivity (P < 0.01) and this increase corresponded to the total TSC2 protein levels expressed in cells. Our results suggest that there is a dose-dependent negative effect of metformin on the ability of oocytes to cleave following insemination, possibly mediated through an AMPK-induced activation of TSC2.
Higher rate and earlier peritonitis in Aboriginal patients compared to non‐Aboriginal patients with end‐stage renal failure maintained on peritoneal dialysis in Australia: Analysis of ANZDATA

Background: Aboriginal patients maintained on peritoneal dialysis (PD) have a higher rate of technique failure than any other racial group in Australia. Peritonitis accounts for the bulk of these technique failures, but it is uncertain whether the increased risk of peritonitis in Aboriginal patients was independent of associated comorbid conditions, such as diabetes mellitus.
The Structural Balance Rule in Chile: Ten Years, Ten Lessons

This paper describes the adoption and application of the structural fiscal balance rule in Chile, evaluates its outcomes after the first 10 years, and draws 10 lessons from the experiences that may be useful for the further development of fiscal policy in Chile, as well as for the implementation of a similar rule in other countries. The paper examines the fiscal rule in its conceptual, economic, institutional, and political dimensions, and concludes with a discussion of the future of the fiscal rule in Chile and an examination of some alternatives to improve its performance in an environment marked by the consequences of the 2008–09 international financial crisis, the 2010 earthquake in Chile, and changes in the Chilean government. JEL Codes: E62, H60
Demand for food safety in emerging and developing countries: A research agenda for Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose Food safety in emerging and developing regions is receiving increased attention from economists, researchers and policymakers. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the literature on the economics of food safety in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Of interest are studies exploring consumer demand and producer behavior regarding food safety. Particular attention is given to areas in need of additional research. The studies’ common implications for future research are discussed. Design/methodology/approach Two English language searches were conducted in the summer of 2013 to identify relevant studies on the economics of food safety, one each in Google Scholar and Web of Science. The authors carefully reviewed the abstracts of these studies for content, and select papers were identified that capture overarching themes found in the literature. Findings are presented by region. Findings Consumers in developing countries will become increasingly aware of food safety issues as urbanization proceeds and incomes continue to rise at robust rates. However, assuring food safety in modernizing food systems involves significant costs, and current incomes in developing SSA are far lower than in Asia. The authors find that overall consumer awareness of food safety problems in SSA is low relative to Asia. Moreover, knowledge of producer behavior and consumer demand for food safety in developing countries is very limited. Research limitations/implications Limitations include a lack of information available on domestic food safety issues and overall knowledge of how food safety affects developing agrifood systems. Originality/value The findings from this review contribute to a better understanding of the economics of food safety in emerging and developing regions.
Fruit thinning with specific reference to citrus species : A review

Fruit thinning is defined as the removal of certain flowers or clusters of flowers or individual fruitlets after fruit set and natural dropping have occurred.it improves fruit yield and quality and return bloom for the following year.There are three types of thinning namely:hand,mechanical and chemical.Chemical thinning is the most common type of thinning.Various chemicals are used for thinning.Still many more are being introduced into the market and they have varying effects on fruit quality and yield,depending on the fruit species and cultivar in question.The effects of these chemicals on fruit set is affected by environmental and ecological factors among other crop factors such as vigour.Alot of research has been conducted or is being conducted on chemical thinning but varied results are generated due to many chemicals being released by the chemical companies and varying farmer situations,yet this topic is of immence interest to chemical companies,researchers ,farmers and the fruit industry.This paper discusses the various factors involved in fruit thinning but mainly the physiological principles behind the process of fruit thinning.A lot of research on thinning has been conducted on Apples and other temperate fruits but not on other fruits such as citrus which has worldwide significance.This review will mainly help pomologists who are conducting research on this area.
A Temporal Model of Speech Production

Abstract Existing models of speech production and coarticulation have failed to account for observations of real speech because they have considered timing to be a by-product of articulatory events instead of an integral organizing parameter of the speech motor plan. The model offered here considers time and timing relationships to be intrinsic to speech motor organization and the units of speech to be inherently dynamic gestures rather than static vocal tract configurations or invariant commands to the articulators.
Complete Human and Rat Ex Vivo Spermatogenesis from Fresh or Frozen Testicular Tissue1

ABSTRACT Until now, complete ex vivo spermatogenesis has been reported only in the mouse. In this species, the duration of spermatogenesis is 35 days, whereas it is 54 days in the rat and 74 days in humans. We performed long-term (until 60 days) cultures of fresh or frozen rat or human seminiferous tubule segments in a bioreactor made of a hollow cylinder of chitosan hydrogel. Testicular tissues were obtained from 8- or 20-day-old male rats or from adult human subjects who had undergone hormone treatments leading to a nearly complete regression of their spermatogenesis before bilateral orchiectomy for gender reassignment. The progression of spermatogenesis was assessed by cytological analyses of the cultures; it was related to a dramatic increase in the levels of the mRNAs specifically expressed by round spermatids, Transition protein 1, Transition protein 2, and Protamine 3 in rat cultures. From 2% to 3.8% of cells were found to be haploid cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of human cultures. In this bioreactor, long-term cultures of seminiferous tubule segments from prepubertal rats or from adult men allowed completion of the spermatogenic process leading to morphologically mature spermatozoa. Further studies will need to address the way of optimizing the yield of every step of spermatogenesis by adjusting the composition of the culture medium, the geometry, and the material properties of the chitosan hydrogel bioreactors. Another essential requirement is to assess the quality of the gametes produced ex vivo by showing their ability to produce normal offspring (rat) or their biochemical normality (human).
A comparative study of temporary splints: bonded polyethylene fiber reinforcement ribbon and stainless steel wire + composite resin splint in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

UNLABELLED The present clinical study was undertaken to determine the effects of splinting overunsplinted mobile teeth following periodontal surgery and compared the efficacy of two splinting materials, i.e. Ribbond ribbon + Composite with Stainless steel wire + Composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS Total of 30 patients (20 experimental and 10 control) formed the study group. Entire study was extended over a period of 12 weeks for each patient and treatment plan was divided into 8 phases. Healing response was monitored and application, durability, biocompatibility of splint material was assessed. RESULTS Splint had a promising and beneficial effects on anterior teeth exhibiting Grade I to Grade II degrees of mobility. Experimental group showed a greater reduction in tooth mobility compared to control group. There was no significant difference in plaque index and Ribbond Ribbon reinforced with composite resin was an excellent material for application, patient comfort, resistance to fracture, biocompatable and esthetic acceptability. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Splinting is recommended as an adjunct to periodontal surgery in the treatment of hypermobile teeth, especially in cases where patient discomfort is a prominent factor.
Comparison sorting on hybrid multicore architectures for fixed and variable length keys

Sorting has been a topic of immense research value since the inception of computer science. Hybrid computing on multicore architectures involves computing simultaneously on a tightly coupled heterogeneous collection of devices. In this work, we consider a multicore CPU along with a manycore GPU as our experimental hybrid platform. In this work, we present a hybrid comparison based sorting algorithm which utilizes a many-core GPU and a multi-core CPU to perform sorting. The algorithm is broadly based on splitting the input list according to a large number of splitters followed by creating independent sublists. Sorting the independent sublists results in sorting the entire original list. On a CPU + GPU platform consisting of an Intel i7-980X and an NVidia GTX 580, our algorithm achieves a 20% gain over the current best known comparison sort result that was published by (Davidson et al., 2012). On the above experimental platform, our results are better by 40% on average over a similar GPU-alone algorithm proposed by (Leischner et al., 2010). We also extend our sorting algorithm for fixed length keys to variable length keys. We use a look-ahead based approach to sort strings and obtain around a 24% benefit compared to the current best known solution. Our results also show that our algorithm and its implementation scale with the size of the input. We also show that such performance gains can be obtained on other hybrid CPU + GPU platforms.
Liner experiment on verification of Rayleigh-Taylor instability magnetic stabilization effect (joint LANL/VNIIEF experiment Pegasus-2)

A liner implosion experiment was conducted on facility Pegasus-2, in which two perturbation type growth was compared. On one half (through height) of the cylindrical liner sinusoidal azimuthally symmetric perturbations were produced. On the other liner half the perturbations were of the same wavelength and the same amplitude, but the angle between the wave vector and the cylinder axis was 45/spl deg/ (screw perturbations). The experimental radiographs show that there is essentially no screw perturbation growth, while the azimuthally symmetric perturbations grow many-fold. This result agrees with the theoretical predictions.
Clinical effectiveness of early treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for severe late‐onset hemorrhagic cystitis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients

HC is a possible cause of morbidity and extended hospitalization after HSCT. Recent studies have reported the efficiency of HOT in adult patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT, but data in children are scarce. We report our single center experience with HOT in late‐onset HC after HSCT. Treatment with HOT consisted of daily sessions of breathing 100% O2 for a total of 75 min in the hyperbaric chamber with a minimum of eight sessions. HOT had been associated with a concomitant treatment with oral oxybutynin, hyperhydration and/or irrigation of the bladder through the catheter. Cidofovir had been administered based on the demonstration of viral infection. Between 2004 and 2011, 10 patients developed severe HC after a median of 26 days after HSCT. HOT was started after a median of six days since the clinical diagnosis of HC. After a median of 10 sessions of HOT, seven of 10 patients were in complete remission. HOT is a well‐tolerated procedure also in the pediatric setting. The early start of HOT might be effective in the treatment of HC offering advantages in terms of duration of symptoms and hospitalization.
Effectiveness of water immersion on postmatch recovery in elite professional footballers.

PURPOSE The efficacy of a single exposure to 14 min of contrast water therapy (CWT) or cold-water immersion (COLD) on recovery postmatch in elite professional footballers was investigated. METHOD Twenty-four elite footballers participated in a match followed by 1 of 3 recovery interventions. Recovery was monitored for 48 h postmatch. Repeat-sprint ability (6 × 20-m), static and countermovement jump performance, perceived soreness, and fatigue were measured prematch and immediately, 24 h, and 48 h after the match. Soreness and fatigue were also measured 1 h postmatch. Postmatch, players were randomly assigned to complete passive recovery (PAS; n = 8), COLD (n = 8), or CWT (n = 8). RESULTS Immediately postmatch, all groups exhibited similar psychometric and performance decrements, which persisted for 48 h only in the PAS group. Repeat-sprinting performance remained slower at 24 and 48 h for PAS (3.9% and 2.0%) and CWT (1.6% and 0.9%) but was restored by COLD (0.2% and 0.0%). Soreness after 48 h was most effectively attenuated by COLD (ES 0.59 ± 0.10) but remained elevated for CWT (ES 2.39 ± 0.29) and PAS (ES 4.01 ± 0.97). Similarly, COLD more successfully reduced fatigue after 48 h (ES 1.02 ± 0.72) than did CWT (ES 1.22 ± 0.38) and PAS (ES 1.91 ± 0.67). Declines in static and countermovement jump were ameliorated best by COLD. CONCLUSIONS An elite professional football match results in prolonged physical and psychometric deficits for 48 h. COLD was more successful at restoring physical performance and psychometric measures than CWT, with PAS being the poorest.
Tumor-Directed Radiation and the Immunotoxin SS1P in the Treatment of Mesothelin-Expressing Tumor Xenografts

Purpose: Mesothelin is a cell surface protein overexpressed in mesotheliomas and pancreatic and ovarian cancers. The goal of this study was to determine if radiation therapy in combination with the antimesothelin immunotoxin SS1(dsFv)PE38 (SS1P) would result in enhanced antitumor activity against mesothelin-expressing xenografts in nude mice. Experimental Design: Female athymic nude mice bearing s.c. mesothelin-expressing xenografts were treated with SS1P alone, tumor-focused radiation alone, or the combination of the two. Two different regimens of the combination therapy were tested. In the low-dose combination schedule, mice were treated with either 5 Gy radiation alone, 0.2 mg/kg SS1P alone, or the same doses of radiation and SS1P in combination. In the high-dose combination experiments, mice were treated with either 15 Gy radiation alone, 0.3 mg/kg SS1P alone, or the combination of radiation and SS1P. Results: In the low-dose radiation and SS1P combination studies, mice treated with the combination of radiation and SS1P had a statistically significant prolongation in time to tumor doubling or tripling compared with control, SS1P, or radiation alone. A similar increase in time to tumor doubling or tripling was seen in mice treated with high-dose radiation and SS1P combination. Conclusions: Combination of SS1P with tumor-directed radiation results in enhanced antitumor activity against mesothelin-expressing tumor xenografts. This effect was seen when either low or high doses of radiation were used.
High Lifetime Incidence of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia among Hispanics in California

Background: The higher incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) among Hispanic children relative to that in other racial/ethnic groups is well-known. We evaluated the incidence patterns of ALL in adults. Methods: We analyzed the incidence patterns of ALL (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology 3 codes 9835-9837) among all patients diagnosed from 1988 to 2004 in California using data from the California Cancer Registry to determine whether adult Hispanics also had higher incidence rates of ALL compared with non–Hispanic Whites (Whites). Age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR), incidence rate ratios (IRR), and 5-year survival rates were obtained using SEER*Stat. AAIRs of other leukemia subtypes and IRRs relative to non–Hispanic Whites were also examined as references for ALL. Results: AAIRs of ALL in Hispanic males and females ages 20 to 54 years were higher compared with those in White males and females (IRR, 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.74-2.28 and IRR, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.60-2.25, respectively). A higher AAIR of ALL was also observed among older (55+ years) Hispanic females (IRR, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.52-2.21), but not in males (IRR, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.34). Among Hispanics, low socioeconomic status was associated with a higher AAIR compared with high/middle socioeconomic status (IRR, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.70). The respective 5-year survival rates among ALL patients were 38% and 30% for Whites and Hispanics ages 20 to 54 years, and 8% and 12% for patients 55 years of age or older. Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, Hispanics did not have an increased IRR of the other major leukemia subtypes. Conclusion: Hispanics experience a higher incidence of ALL throughout life, but not other subtypes. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(2):611–5)