Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Electrocatalytic Performance of Bifunctional Cobalt-Manganese-Oxynitride Nanocatalysts on Graphene.

We report the synthesis and characterization of graphenesupported cobalt-manganese-oxynitride nanocatalysts (CoMnON/G) as bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A nitriding treatment of spinel compound CoMnO increased the ORR activity considerably, and the most active material catalyzed the ORR with only a 30 mV half-wave potential difference from the commercial carbon-supported platinum (Pt/C) in alkaline media. In addition to high activity, the catalyst also exhibited an intrinsic stability that outperformed Pt/C. An appropriately designed nitridation thus facilitates new directions for developing active and durable non-precious-metal oxynitride electocatalysts.
CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIBODIES SPECIFIC FOR UV‐DAMAGED DNA BY ELISA

Abstract— The specificity of affinity purified antibodies raised against UV‐irradiated DNA was examined using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. DNA irradiated with UV doses higher than needed for saturation with pyrimidine dimers bound increasing amounts of antibody. Photosensitized DNA, containing high amounts of pyrimidine dimers, showed very poor binding of antibody. When UV‐irradiated DNA was given a second dose of 340‐nm UV light, the binding of antibodies was abrogated. Taken together, this indicates a major specificity for (6‐4)‐photoproducts, which are photochemically reversed by UV light in the 340‐nm region. The antibodies also showed little but detectable binding to pyrimidine glycols produced in DNA by oxidation with OsO4. Previously, we have used these antibodies for the detection of UV‐induced DNA damage and its repair in human skin in vivo. These findings indicate that (6‐4)‐photoproducts, considered highly mutagenic, are repaired in human skin.
A MEASUREMENT OF STEAM-WATER RELATIVE PERMEABILITY

Stanford Geothermal Program Stanford University Stanford, CA 94305-2220 This paper reports experimlmtal efforts towards measuring accurate steam-water relative permeability functions under steady-state and non-adiabatic conditions. A steady-state experiment was conducted and a set of relative permeability curves for simultaneous flow of steam and water in porous media has been obtained. These relations show that the relative permeabilities for both steam and water phases in porous media vary with saturation in a curvilinear fashion. The saturations in this experiment were measured by using a high resolution X-ray computer tomography (CT) scanner. In addition the pressure gradients were obtained from accurate measurements of liquid-phase pressure over regions with flat saturation profiles. These two aspects constitute a major improvement in the experimental method compared to those used in the past.
Durability of thermally modified Norway spruce and Scots pine in above-ground conditions

Abstract One of the main objectives of thermal modification is to increase the biological durability of wood. In this study the fungal resistance of Norway spruce and Scots pine, thermally modified at 195°C and 210°C, was studied with a lap-joint field test. Untreated pine and spruce and pine impregnated with tributyl tin oxide (TBTO) and copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA) were selected as reference materials. The evaluations were carried out after 1, 2 and 9 years of exposure. After 1 and 2 years of exposure mainly discoloration was detected. Only the untreated pine was slightly affected by decay fungi. There were significant differences in the decay ratings of untreated and thermally modified wood materials after 9 years in the field. While the untreated wood materials were severely attacked by decay fungi or reached failure rating, only small areas of incipient decay were detected in the thermally modified samples. Thermally modified pine was slightly more decayed than thermally modified spruce. The only wood material without any signs of decay was CCA-treated pine, since some of the TBTO-treated pine samples were also moderately attacked by fungal decay. The results of the lap-joint test had a good correlation with mass losses in a laboratory test with brown-rot fungi.
Photosynthesis and Inorganic Carbon Accumulation in the Acidophilic Alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae.

The intracellular pH and membrane potential were determined in the acidophilic algae Cyanidoschyzon merolae as a function of extracellular pH. The alga appear to be capable of maintaining the intracellular pH at the range of 6.35 to 7.1 over the extracellular pH range of 1.5 to 7.5. The membrane potential increase from -12 millivolts (negative inside) to -71 millivolts and thus DeltamuH(+) decreased from -300 to -47 millivolts over the same range of extracellular pH. It is suggested that the DeltamuH(+) may set the upper and lower limits of pH for growth. Photosynthetic performance was also determined as a function of pH. The cells appeared to utilize CO(2) from the medium as the apparent K(m(co(2))) was 2 to 3 micromolar CO(2) over the pH range of 1.5 to 7.5 C. merolae appear to possess a ;CO(2) concentrating' mechanism.
Perils of paralogy: using HSP70 genes for inferring organismal phylogenies.

Conserved genes have found their way into the mainstream of molecular systematics. Many of these genes are members of multigene families. A difficulty with using single genes of multigene families for phylogenetic inference is that genes from one species may be paralogous to those from another taxon. We focus attention on this problem using heat shock 70 (HSP70) genes. Using polymerase chain reaction techniques with genomic DNA, we isolated and sequenced 123 distinct sequences from 12 species of sharks. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the sequences cluster with constituitively expressed cytoplasmic heat shock-like genes. Three highly divergent gene clades were sampled. A number of similar sequences were sampled from each species within each distinct gene clade. Comparison of published species trees with an HSP70 gene tree inferred using Bayesian phylogenetic analysis revealed several cases of gene duplication and differential sorting of gene lineages within this group of sharks. Gene tree parsimony based on the objective criteria of duplication and losses showed that previously published hypotheses of species relationships and two novel hypothesis based on Bayesian phylogenetics were concordant with the history of HSP70 gene duplication and loss. By contrast, two published hypotheses based on morphological data were not significantly different from the null hypothesis of a random association between species relatedness and the HSP70 gene tree. These results suggest that gene tree parsimony using data from multigene families can be used for inferring species relationships or testing published alternative hypotheses. More importantly, the results suggest that systematic studies relying on phylogenetic inferences from HSP70 genes may by plagued by unrecognized paralogy of sampled genes. Our results underscore the distinction between gene and species trees and highlight an underappreciated source of discordance between gene trees and organismal phylogeny, i.e., unrecognized paralogy of sampled genes.
Predictive Characteristics of Elevated 1-Hour Glucose Challenge Test Results for Gestational Diabetes

Abstract Objective The objective was to estimate the optimal screen-positive 1-hour 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT) threshold for gestational diabetes (GDM) and predictive characteristics of increasing screen-positive GCT threshold values (135–199 mg/dL) for GDM. Study Design It is a secondary analysis of a multicenter mild GDM study. At 24 to 30 weeks' gestation, women with elevated GCT (135–199 mg/dL) completed a diagnostic 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A novel change-point analysis method was used to compare the GDM rates for the adjacent GCT values, delineating categories of changing risk such that values within categories have equal risk for GDM. Positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values for GDM were computed for increasing GCT cut-offs. Results In 7,280 women with both GCT (135–199 mg/dL) and OGTT results, 4 GDM risk-equivalent GCT categories were identified with escalations at 144, 158, and 174 mg/dL (all p-values <0.05). The PPV for GDM increased from 33 to 64% as GCT increased from 135 to 199 mg/dL, while the NPV decreased from 80 to 67%. PPVs were only 20% and 61% for risk-equivalent categories of 135 to 143 mg/dL and 174 to 199 mg/dL, respectively. Conclusion Elevated GCT cut-off values between 135 and 143 mg/dL may carry equivalent GDM risk. No threshold GCT value <199 mg/dL alone sufficiently predicts GDM.
Membrane Cofactor Protein (MCP; CD46): Isoform-Specific Tyrosine Phosphorylation1

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46) is a widely expressed type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein that inhibits complement activation on host cells. It also is a receptor for several pathogens including measles virus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Neisseria gonorrhea, and Neisseria meningitidis. That MCP may have signaling capability was suggested by its microbial interactions. That is, binding of MCP on human monocytes by measles virus hemagglutinin or cross-linking by an anti-MCP Ab resulted in IL-12 down-regulation, while binding to MCP by Neisseria on epithelial cells produced a calcium flux. Through alternative splicing, MCP is expressed on most cells with two distinct cytoplasmic tails of 16 (CYT-1) or 23 (CYT-2) amino acids. These play pivotal roles in intracellular precursor processing and basolateral localization. We investigated the putative signal transduction pathway mediated by MCP and demonstrate that CYT-2, but not CYT-1, is phosphorylated on tyrosine. We examined MCP tail peptides and performed Ab cross-linking experiments on several human cell lines and MCP isoform transfectants. We found an MCP peptide of CYT-2 was phosphorylated by a src kinase system. Western blots of the cells lines demonstrated that cells bearing CYT-2 were also phosphorylated on tyrosine. Additionally, we provide genetic and biochemical evidence that the src family of kinases is responsible for the latter phosphorylation events. In particular, the src kinase, Lck, is required for phosphorylation of MCP in the Jurkat T cell line. Taken together, these studies suggest a src family-dependent pathway for signaling through MCP.
Relevant Sampling of Band-limited Functions

We study the random sampling of band-limited functions of several variables. If a bandlimited function with bandwidth one has its essential support on a cube of volume $R^d$, then $\cO (R^d \log R^d)$ random samples suffice to approximate the function up to a given error with high probability.
Phaeochromocytoma: Phentolamine (Rogitine) as a Diagnostic Screening Agent in Sustained Hypertension

PH A E 0 C H ROM 0 C Y TOM A may present with hypertension which is paroxysmal or sustained. In the former instance the bouts of elevated blood pressure, frequently associated with other generalised metabolic effects of excessive circulating adrenaline or nor-adrenaline may make recognition relatively simple. In cases with sustained hypertension the resemblance to essential hypertension can render diagnosis extremely difficult and phaeochromocytoma may present as uncomplicated essential hypertension (Swan, 1951; Lumb, 1951), as malignant essential hypertension (Gutman, 1947), as acute pulmonary oedema (Harrison & Seward, 1954) or as a possible cause of coronary thrombosis in young people (Priest, 1952). As a cause of potentially remediable hypertensive disease phaeochromocytoma should not be overlooked and for this reason it is important that a simple and reliable screening agent should be found. There can be no doubt that at the present time estimation of the excretion of urinary catechols is the most sensitive and certain method of diagnosis (Van Euler, 1951; West & Taylor, 1955). This is, however, a complex test with a biological end-point which cannot readily be used as a routine screening method outwith special centres. The pharmacological tests in use fall easily into two groups, those which stimulate a further secretion of pressor amines and those which have an adrenergic-blocking and, hence, a suppressive effect. The risk of producing a further rise of pressure excludes drugs in the former group for patients with persistent hypertension and the use of histamine for this purpose should be restricted to those patients with a blood pressure of less than 170/110. In sustained hypertension, however, the adrenergic-blocking agents, dibenamine, benzodioxane (piperoxane) or phentolamine (Rogitine), can be used to cause a fall of pressure either for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The object of this paper is to describe experience with the use of phentolamine (Rogitine) as a diagnostic screening agent for detecting phaeochromocytoma in patients with sustained hypertension.
Aspirin resistance is associated with glycemic control, the dose of aspirin, and obesity in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE Aspirin resistance (AR) is increased in diabetic patients. It is not known whether glycemic control has effect on AR. DESIGN To test the hypothesis that glycemic control might have influence on aspirin resistance, we measured aspirin resistance and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in diabetic patients. We also measured aspirin resistance in nondiabetic subjects and compared the results with the diabetic group. METHODS We examined AR in 108 diabetic patients and 67 nondiabetic subjects with impedance platelet aggregometry. Glycemic control was evaluated according to both fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c levels. RESULTS According to the analyses, diabetic patients had significantly higher AR (P < 0.01), alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.005), and body mass index (P < 0.05) and significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.005) levels compared with nondiabetic controls. A correlation analysis revealed that AR was positively correlated with body mass index (r = 0.190, P < 0.01), fasting blood glucose (r = 0.224, P < 0.001), and HbA1c levels (r = 0.297, P < .0001). Using low-dose aspirin (100 mg/d) was a risk factor for aspirin-resistant status in both diabetic patients (odds ratio 1.26, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.58, P < 0.05) and overall study group (odds ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.56, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that glycemic control, obesity, and the dose of aspirin have influence on AR in diabetic subjects. Further studies with larger groups are needed to clarify the role of glycemic control on AR.
Vav Proteins Regulate the Plasma Cell Program and Secretory Ig Production1

Plasma cell (PC) development is initiated following B cell activation and controlled by a B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein (Blimp)-1-dependent program involving the concerted action of several proplasma transcriptional regulators. However, the factors that control Blimp-1 expression remain largely unknown. In this context, mice deficient for all three of the Vav family of proteins (Vavnull) develop substantial B cell populations, including marginal zone B cells, yet have a virtual absence of serum Igs, indicating that Vav may be specifically required in PC development and Ig production. We show in this study that mature marginal zone B cells from Vavnull mice proliferate following stimulation with TLR ligands but exhibit severe defects in PC differentiation and Ig secretion. Under conditions inducing PC differentiation, Vavnull B cells fail to efficiently induce Blimp-1, X box-binding protein-1, J chain, or secretory Ig μ transcripts but express IFN-regulatory factor-4 at levels similar to wild-type cells. These data indicate a previously unknown role for Vav as an upstream regulator of Blimp-1.
Pediatric Oligodendrogliomas: A Study of Molecular Alterations on 1p and 19q Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Oligodendrogliomas (OGs) are rare in children and have not been well characterized from a molecular viewpoint. In adults, losses on chromosomes 1p and/or 19q are common in “oligodendroglial” neoplasms and are highly associated with chemosensitivity and greater length of survival, especially in the anaplastic category. We have analyzed the 1p/19q status of pediatric OGs and compared it with similar alterations in adult OGs. Paraffin sections from 26 pediatric OGs (21 WHO Grade II OGs; 2 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas [AOGs]; and 3 mixed oligo-astrocytomas [MOA]) were retrieved. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed using probes spanning the 1p32 and 19q13 regions. In tumors from children 0 to 9 years of age (n =15), none had any deletions on 1p or 19q, but 2 had polysomies for 1p and/or 19q. All are alive and 4 have had recurrences. In tumors from children >9 years, losses were identified on chromosomes 1p (5/11; 45%) and/or 19q (3/11; 27%), but to a much lesser extent than that observed in adult OGs. Tumors from 6 older patients also had polysomies for 1p and/or 19q. Although the majority of the older children are alive, 4 had recurrences. Curiously, 2 of the older children with AOGs had combined losses and polysomies on 1p and 19q, but responded poorly to treatment and died within a year. We conclude that alterations on 1p or 19q are infrequent in pediatric compared to adult OGs and are virtually absent in OGs presenting in the first decade of life. Compared to adults therefore, different genetic pathways are likely involved in the pathogenesis of most pediatric OGs. Genomic screening on a larger series is clearly indicated to delineate the unique molecular characteristics of these rare pediatric tumors.
Evolution of plasma sheet particle content under different interplanetary magnetic field conditions

[1] We have statistically analyzed Geotail data to investigate the processes that result in a plasma sheet that is denser under a prolonged northward than southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) period. The observations show that the change of number density with the IMF conditions is mainly due to the changes of particle number per unit magnetic flux (particle content N), with N increasing (decreasing) as the period of northward (southward) IMF extends. The changes are quicker in the first ∼2 to 4 h then substantially slow down. The Y profiles show that N is always lowest around midnight and becomes higher toward the flanks. The observed plasma velocities suggest that plasma sheet particles undergo earthward and flankward drift transport, as well as diffusive transport resulting from drift fluctuations. The diffusion coefficients associated with fluctuating drift are estimated to be ∼105 to 106 km2/s. We have simulated evolution of N resulting from drift and diffusive transport with particle sources along the flanks. The simulation results show that the observed temporal and Y variations of N under different IMF conditions can be accounted for by the competition between the particle increase owing to particles diffusing toward midnight from the flank sources and the particle decrease owing to particles drifting away from midnight. As the IMF turns northward (southward), it is mainly the strengthening (weakening) of diffusive transport owing to the increase (decrease) of the flank source that results in the increase (decrease) of N.
Functional balance training, with or without exercise sandals, for subjects with stable or unstable ankles.

CONTEXT Improving postural stability through balance training may prevent ankle sprains. Exercise Sandals may increase the demands placed on ankle muscles during rehabilitation, which could improve postural stability. OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of functional balance training, with and without the use of Exercise Sandals, on postural stability in subjects with stable or unstable ankles. DESIGN Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. SETTING Sports medicine research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Sixteen subjects with functional ankle instability and 16 subjects with no history of ankle sprains. INTERVENTION(S) Subjects were assigned to an Exercise Sandal functional balance training group or a shoe functional balance training group. Subjects trained 3 times per week for 8 weeks and then performed a single-limb stance posttest. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Subjects were required to remain as motionless as possible during a single-limb stance pretest. Anterior-posterior and medial-lateral center-of-pressure excursions were measured. RESULTS Exercise Sandal balance training improved anterior-posterior postural stability in both ankle groups ( P < .05). Both training interventions improved medial-lateral postural stability in stable and unstable ankles ( P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Postural stability improved after subjects performed functional balance training programs, both with and without Exercise Sandals. Training with Exercise Sandals might not be any more effective in improving postural stability than performing functional balance training without Exercise Sandals. However, Exercise Sandals did not impair postural stability and, consequently, might serve as an alternative therapy to improve postural stability.
Endogenous interleukin-12 is involved in resistance to Brucella abortus infection

Protective immunity against Brucella abortus is mediated by acquired cellular resistance, with gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-producing T cells playing a key role. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a cytokine that has a profound effect on the induction of IFN-gamma-producing Th1 and NK cells. Here we report that depletion of endogenous IL-12 before infection of mice significantly exacerbated brucella infection. IL-12-depleted mice also had reduced splenomegaly resulting from infection and showed a decrease in percentage and absolute numbers of macrophages compared with those in control infected mice. Furthermore, spleen cells from IL-12-depleted mice had a reduced ability to produce nitrite, a product of activated macrophages. This could be the result of the low production of IFN-gamma by splenic T cells observed in the IL-12-depleted mice. The mechanism whereby IL-12 controls antibacterial resistance is discussed.
Germination Protein Levels and Rates of Germination of Spores of Bacillus subtilis with Overexpressed or Deleted Genes Encoding Germination Proteins

ABSTRACT Deletion of Bacillus subtilis spores' GerA germinant receptor (GR) had no effect on spore germination via the GerB plus GerK GRs, and loss of GerB plus GerK did not affect germination via GerA. Loss of one or two GRs also did not affect levels of GRs that were not deleted. Overexpression of GRs 5- to 18-fold increased rates of germination via the overexpressed GR and slowed germination by other GRs up to 15-fold. However, overexpression of one or two GRs had no effect on levels of GRs that were not overexpressed. These results suggest that either interaction between different GRs reduces the activity of GRs in triggering spore germination or all GRs compete for interaction with a limiting amount of a downstream signaling molecule in the germination pathway. Overexpression or deletion of GRs also had no effect on spores' levels of the GerD protein needed for normal GR-dependent germination or of the SpoVAD protein likely involved in dipicolinic acid release early in germination. Loss of GerD also had no effect on levels of GRs or SpoVAD. Spores of a strain lacking the only B. subtilis prelipoprotein diacylglycerol transferase, GerF, also had no detectable GerD or the GerA's C subunit, both of which are most likely lipoproteins; GerA's A subunit was also absent. However, levels of GerB's C subunit, also almost certainly a lipoprotein, and GerK's A subunit were normal in gerF spores. These results with gerF spores were consistent with effects of loss of GerF on spore germination by different GRs.