Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Sarco-Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ ATPase Extends the Lifespan in C. elegans Worms

The sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) refills the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with Ca2+ up to the millimolar range and is therefore the main controller of the ER [Ca2+] level ([Ca2+]ER), which has a key role in the modulation of cytosolic Ca2+ signaling and ER-mitochondria Ca2+ transfer. Given that both cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics strongly interplay with energy metabolism and nutrient-sensitive pathways, both of them involved in the aging process, we have studied the effect of SERCA inhibitors on lifespan in C. elegans. We have used thapsigargin and 2,5-Di-tert-butylhydroquinone (2,5-BHQ) as SERCA inhibitors, and the inactive analog 2,6-Di-tert-butylhydroquinone (2,6-BHQ) as a control for 2,5-BHQ. Every drug was administered to the worms either directly in the agar or via an inclusion compound with γ-cyclodextrin. The results show that 2,6-BHQ produced a small but significant increase in survival, perhaps because of its antioxidant properties. However, 2,5-BHQ produced in all the conditions a much higher increase in lifespan, and the potent and specific SERCA inhibitor thapsigargin also extended the lifespan. The effects of 2,5-BHQ and thapsigargin had a bell-shaped concentration dependence, with a maximum effect at a certain dose and smaller or even toxic effects at higher concentrations. Our data show therefore that submaximal inhibition of SERCA pumps has a pro-longevity effect, suggesting that Ca2+ signaling plays an important role in the aging process and that it could be a promising novel target pathway to act on aging.
Are Small Grazers and/or Viruses a Structuring Factor of the Free-Living Bacterial Community in Lake Geneva?

Two experiments were conducted to test whether viruses, small auto- and heterotrophic nanoflagellates were key factors regulating at relatively short-term (4 days) and nearby periods (April vs. May) the bacterial community in surface waters of Lake Geneva. 2.5 L containing polycarbonate bottles were incubated in situ with either μm filtered water with additions of either virus-free water or a viral concentrate. Abundances of viruses, prokaryotes and small autotrophs were obtained each day using flow cytometry, while bacterial richness was assessed using 16S rDNA PCR-DGGE and auto- and heterotrophic flagellates counted with epifluorescence microscopy at t0 and t96. Transmission electron microscopy was also used to assess virus-induced bacterial mortality at the start and the end of the experiments. Cloning-sequencing was applied on PCR products obtained after excision of selected DGGE bands to highlight more specifically the identity of bacteria of interest in the context of the experiment. The autotrophs and grazer presence and/or the virus enrichment resulted in different effects on the structure of the bacterial community and the impact was also different with the period. In May, bacterial structure changes seemed to be related to the impact or influence of the eukaryotes (including nanoflagellate grazers), while viruses might have a higher impact on the bacterial community structure the month before. This study provides new persuasive evidence that the presence of viruses and small eukaryotes are likely to drive bacterial community composition and shifts on the short-term in lacustrine ecosystems. More interestingly, such effects seem to be different between viruses and grazers, the ones sustaining, the others reducing bacterial community composition.
Mutual Fund Disproportionate Portfolio Adjustment

This paper shows that mutual funds disproportionately adjust positions in their portfolio. Funds' discretionary portfolio adjustment is economically large at 2.75 times capital flow value. The disproportionate portfolio adjustment behavior is highly persistent and reflects both stock picking and timing abilities. Funds with high dispersion of holding adjustments persistently outperform those with low dispersion by over 2% annually, both before and after expenses. In the cross section, stocks over-weighted by high dispersion funds outperform those under-weighted by them. The facts that high dispersion funds hold stocks with worse information environment and exhibit stronger local bias suggest that they may have better information acquisition channel. Finally, I show that fund specific factors play a crucial role in generating disproportionate portfolio adjustment and outperformance.
Low vision rehabilitation: current perspectives

Quality of life in low vision patients is deeply conditioned by their visual ability, and increased rates of depression, domestic injury, and need for caregiver assistance can be expected as a result of low performance. Much effort have been made recently in order to develop new tools and aids for rehabilitation of low vision, and this research has led to better knowledge of visual function and increased the likelihood of new therapies in the future. Modern low vision rehabilitation is the result of recent advances in science and technology, and will soon have an important role in people with vision impairment, numbers of whom are likely to increase, give the increasing age of the population. This review outlines scientific developments in low vision rehabilitation based on a search of the literature, covers the role of digital technology and advances in neurofunctional rehabilitation, and the possibility of restoring vision by use of retinal prostheses and cellular therapy.
My house or our home? Transitions into sole home ownership in British couples

Background: It is mostly assumed that both partners in couples own their homes jointly. We challenge this assumption and examine the individual ownership configurations within couples in Britain. We argue that the individual legal status as an owner will determine to what degree individuals can benefit from home ownership. Objective: Two research questions are addressed: (1) How frequent is home ownership by only one partner in a couple, i.e., sole home ownership, in Britain? (2) Which factors are associated with the transition into sole home ownership for partnered individuals? Methods: Using longitudinal data from the British Household Panel Survey (1992-2008) and the UK Household Longitudinal Study (2010-2011), we apply logistic regression and discrete-time event history analyses. Results: We find that 8% of partnered individuals in owner-occupancy are sole homeowners. Many individuals become sole homeowners at union formation by remaining the owner of a pre-union home. A substantial share of partnered individuals become sole homeowners during their unions. Overall, transitions into sole home ownership are more likely after divorce, with more economic resources, with stepchildren living in the home, for cohabitants, and with shorter union durations. Conclusions: Sole home ownership is partly an outcome of demographic processes such as increased union instability and more frequent cohabitation. In turn, sole home ownership may also impinge on these processes. For instance, sole home ownership may increase the risk of union dissolution compared to joint home ownership. This is one avenue for future research. Contribution: The current study is the first quantitative analysis to investigate the extent to which home ownership is jointly held within couples. By taking into account that home ownership may be an individual asset not shared in couples, this analysis substantially contributes to the emerging literature on within-union wealth inequalities.
Equivalent Linearization Analysis of Geometrically Nonlinear Random Vibrations Using Commercial Finite Element Codes

ABSTRACTTwo new equivalent linearization implementations for geometrically nonlinear randomvibrations are presented. Both implementations are based upon a novel approach for evaluatingthe nonlinear stiffness within commercial finite element codes and are suitable for use with anyfinite element code having geometrically nonlinear static analysis capabilities. The formulationincludes a traditional force-error minimization approach and a relatively new version of apotential energy-error minimization approach, which has been generalized for multiple degree-of-freedom systems. Results for a simply supported plate under random acoustic excitation arepresented and comparisons of the displacement root-mean-square values and power spectraldensities are made with results from a nonlinear time domain numerical simulation.1. INTRODUCTIONCurrent efforts to extend the performance and flight envelope of high-speed aerospace vehicleshave resulted in structures which may respond to the imposed dynamic loads in a geometricallynonlinear (large deflection) random fashion. What differentiates the geometrically nonlinearrandom response considered in this paper from a linear response is the presence of bending-membrane coupling, which gives rise to membrane stretching (in-plane stresses) in the former.This coupling has the effect of stiffening the structure and reducing the dynamic responserelative to that of the linear system. Linear analyses do not account for this effect andconsequently may significantly over-predict the response, leading to grossly conservativedesigns. Without practical design tools capable of capturing the nonlinear dynamics, furtherimprovements in vehicle performance and system design will be hampered.Methods currently used to predict geometrically nonlinear random response include perturbation,Fokker-Plank-Kolmogorov (F-P-K), numerical simulation and stochastic linearizationtechniques. All have various limitations. Perturbation techniques are limited to weak geometricnonlinearities. The F-P-K approach [1, 2] yields exact solutions, but can only be applied tosimple mechanical systems. Numerical simulation techniques using numerical integrationprovide time histories of the response from which statistics of the random response may becalculated. This, however, comes at a high computational expense due to the long time recordsor high number of ensemble averages required to get high quality random response statistics.Statistical linearization methods, for example equivalent linearization (EL) [[2-7]), have seen the
Meniscal transplantation: procedures, outcomes, and rehabilitation

Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) is a possible treatment option for patients with joint pain after meniscectomy. It is necessary that the joint be aligned and stable. Current evidence shows that MAT improves pain and mechanical function in the mid to long term with patients reporting significantly improved outcomes at up to 15 years following surgery. Studies on survivorship showed up to 76% graft survival at 10 years. Recent studies have suggested a chondroprotective effect, but there is, at present, no evidence to support MAT in the prevention of osteoarthritis. This review article reported the current evidence for MAT showing support for fresh frozen, nonirradiated allografts. However, further research is required to determine the ideal indications for MAT, the optimal graft fixation method, and the safest rehabilitation protocol.
Bioactivity of Centaurea Persica Boiss (Asteraceae)

The free-radical-scavenging property, antibacterial activity and brine shrimp toxicity of petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of Centaurea persica, a Turkish medicinal plant, were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the resazurin microtiter plate based assay, and the brine shrimp lethality assay, respectively. Additionally, the disc diffusion assay was also used to assess antibacterial activity. Only the MeOH extract of C. persica exhibited a significant free-radical-scavenging property in the DPPH assay, with an RC50 value of 0.025 mg/mL. However, in the TLC-based qualitative assay, petroleum ether and DCM extracts showed an extremely low level of free-radical-scavenging property. Among the solid-phase extraction fractions of the MeOH extract, the fractions eluted with 60% and 80% MeOH in water exhibited the highest level of free-radicalscavenging activity (RC50 = 0.010 and 0.015 mg/mL, respectively). While DCM extract showed reasonable antibacterial activity against five out of the nine test strains both in the disc diffusion assay and in the resazurin assay, the MeOH extract was highly active against both Escherichia coli and ampicillin-resistant E. coli strains. Among the solid-phase extraction fractions of the MeOH extract, fractions eluted with 80% MeOH in water and 100% MeOH displayed significant antibacterial potencies against both E. coli species. None of the extracts showed any significant toxicity towards brine shrimps (LD50 = >1.00 mg/mL).
Comparison of Eulerian and Lagrangian moisture source diagnostics - the flood event in eastern Europe in May 2010

Abstract. Moisture convergence from different sources is an important prerequisite for a heavy-precipitation event. The contributions from different source regions can, however, hardly be quantified from observations, and their assessment based on model results is complex. Two conceptually different numerical methods are widely used for the quantification of moisture sources: Lagrangian approaches based on the analysis of humidity variations along backward trajectories and Eulerian methods based on the implementation of moisture tracers into a numerical model. In this study the moisture sources for a high-impact, heavy-precipitation event that affected eastern Europe in May 2010 are studied with both Eulerian and Lagrangian moisture source diagnostics. The precipitation event was connected to a cyclone that developed over northern Africa, moved over the Mediterranean towards eastern Europe and induced transport of moist air towards the Carpathian Mountains. Heavy precipitation and major flooding occurred in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia between 16 and 18 May 2010. The Lagrangian and Eulerian diagnostics consistently indicate a wide spatial and temporal range of moisture sources contributing to the event. The source with the largest share is local evapotranspiration from the European land surface, followed by moisture from the North Atlantic. Further contributions come from tropical western Africa (10–20° N) and the Mediterranean Sea. Contrary to what could be expected, the Mediterranean contribution of about 10% is relatively small. A detailed analysis of exemplary trajectories corroborates the general consistency of the two approaches, and underlines their complementarity. The Lagrangian method allows for mapping out moisture source regions with computational efficiency, whereas the more elaborate Eulerian model requires predefined moisture sources, but includes also processes such as precipitation, evaporation and turbulent mixing. However, in the Eulerian model, uncertainty concerning the relative importance of remote versus local moisture sources arises from different options to parameterise moisture tagging at the surface. Ultimately a more sophisticated parameterisation scheme will be required to reduce this uncertainty.
Comparison of Infant Gut and Skin Microbiota, Resistome and Virulome Between Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Environments

Background: There is a growing move to provide care for premature infants in a single family, private room neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in place of the traditional shared space, open bay NICU. The resultant effect on the developing neonatal microbiota is unknown. Study Design: Stool and groin skin swabs were collected from infants in a shared-space NICU (old NICU) and a single-family room NICU (new NICU) on the same hospital campus. Metagenomic sequencing was performed and data analyzed by CosmosID bioinformatics software package. Results: There were no significant differences between the cohorts in gestational age, length of stay, and delivery mode; infants in the old NICU received significantly more antibiotics (p = 0.03). Differentially abundant antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence associated genes were found between the cohorts in stool and skin, with more differentially abundant antimicrobial resistance genes in the new NICU. The entire bacterial microbiota analyzed to the genus level significantly differed between cohorts in skin (p = 0.0001) but not in stool samples. There was no difference in alpha diversity between the two cohorts. DNA viruses and fungi were detected but did not differ between cohorts. Conclusion: Differences were seen in the resistome and virulome between the two cohorts with more differentially abundant antimicrobial resistance genes in the new NICU. This highlights the influence that different NICU environments can have on the neonatal microbiota. Whether the differences were due to the new NICU being a single-family NICU or located in a newly constructed building warrants exploration. Long term health outcomes from the differences observed must be followed longitudinally.
Holistic Personas for Designers of a Context-Aware Accounting Information Systems e-Learning Application

E-learning systems have been increasingly used to train and empower employees to take a more active role in the creation and dissemination of system knowledge, when, either new systems are installed, or existing systems are changed due to organizational changes. In recent years, there is a greater demand for information from Accounting Information Systems (AIS). Despite a growing demand for e-learning systems, there is a lack of research on eliciting requirements for design of a Context-Aware Accounting Information Systems e-Learning Application (CAAISeLA). This paper describes how Holistic Personas, archetypical learners and users of AIS, can assist designers to elicit requirements for design of a context-aware AIS e-learning application for employees. We designed AIS e-learning resources using Holistic Personas and empirically tested them. The use of Holistic Personas demonstrates that users’ needs were addressed which otherwise would not have been detected. We present empirical results of 20 employees at an Australian university who participated in evaluating the effectiveness of various e-learning resources. The results demonstrate that learners’ characteristics and educators’ teaching methods influence learners’ choice of e-learning resources and Holistic Personas can be used for design of a CAAISeLA. The novel contribution of this paper is the application of the Holistic Personas to the design of AIS e-learning resources and the empirical findings that extend the multiple-perspectives of the Adult Learning theory, the Self-Determination theory and the Constructivist Learning theory to the design of CAAISeLA.
Trace Element Levels, Cytokine Profile and Immune Activation Status in Plasma among Repeat Blood Donors with Asymptomatic HIV-1, HBV and HCV Infection

Imbalance of essential trace elements viz. Zinc, Selenium, Iron, Copper and Magnesium has been reported to influence disease course in HIV-1, HBV and HCV infections by altering immune status. A study was taken up to examine plasma levels of Th1 (IFN-γ and IL-2) and Th2 (IL-4 and IL-10) categories of cytokines and immune activation markers (TNF-α, TNFR I and TNFR II) in an asymptomatic group of HIV-1, HBV and HCV infected blood donors in relation to trace elements. Plasma levels of Zn, Se and Mg were depressed in all the three groups of blood donors (P γ were depressed in all the three groups of blood donors (P γ, and in HBV infection while positive correlations were found between Mg and TNFR I and TNFR II and Se with TNFR II. HCV infection showed a positive correlation between Se and IFN-γ (P < 0.001), Mg and IL-4 (P = 0.02), Fe and IL-10 (P < 0.01). The present study reveals possible relationship between trace element level alterations and alterations in cytokine and immune activation levels in HIV-1, HBV and HCV infection.
Utilization of the Flipped Classroom in Anesthesiology Graduate Medical Education: An Initial Survey of Faculty Beliefs and Practices About Active Learning.

Background Flipped classroom (FC) is an active learning (AL) technique thought to have potential benefits in anesthesiology resident education. This survey aimed to determine the frequency of FC utilization, barriers of utilization, and means to overcome these barriers. Method A web-based questionnaire was developed to survey anesthesiology faculty on their knowledge of and experience with FC. The Society of Academic Associations of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine sent the survey to all United States core program directors (PD) via their list serve with a request for the PDs to forward the survey invitation to their clinical faculty. Descriptive statistics were summarized. Results A total of 244 anesthesiology faculty completed the survey. Reported faculty understanding of AL and FC were 57%. Of these faculty, 87% utilized AL and 57% utilized FC in their personal teaching practice during the past year (spring 2015-spring 2016). The most prevalent barriers to utilization of FC were faculty concern that learners would not come to class prepared or participate in class, faculty comfort with delivering traditional lectures, lack of faculty knowledge of necessary technological tools, and faculty concern about perceived increase in time needed to create a FC session. Eighty-nine percent of all faculty desired education on FC with preference for institutional workshops or grand rounds. Conclusions Our survey found a discrepancy between faculty knowledge of FC and usage of this method in anesthesiology resident teaching. More educational resources are warranted to address barriers and familiarize faculty with FC applications in anesthesiology resident education.
Point by point responses to referees

We thank the reviewers for the helpful comments, which allowed us to improve the paper. The clarification requested were included in this new version, and new references have been included. As suggested, Figures 7 and 8 have been adapted to improve their readability using different colors and the map formats. The methodology and interpretation of the comparison between precipitation sampling and water vapour measurements have been clarified. Figure 9 has been modified to include error bars taking into account the variability of temperature into account for isotopic fractionation calculation. We also provide a detailed reply to each individual comment made by the reviewers.
Scattering, Absorption, and Emission of Light by Small Particles

Preface Acknowledgements Part I. Basic Theory of Electromagnetic Scattering, Absorption, and Emission: 1. Polarization characteristics of electromagnetic radiation 2. Scattering, absorption, and emission of electromagnetic radiation by an arbitrary finite particle 3. Scattering, absorption and emission by collections of independent particles 4. Scattering matrix and macroscopically isotropic and mirror-symmetric scattering media Part II. Calculation and Measurement of Scattering and Absorption Characteristics of Small Particles: 5. T-matrix method and Lorenz-Mie theory 6. Miscellaneous exact techniques 7. Approximations 8. Measurement techniques Part III. Scattering and Absorption Properties of Small Particles and Illustrative Applications: 9. Scattering and absorption properties of spherical particles 10. Scattering and absorption properties of nonspherical particles Appendices References Index.