Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single-Photon Detectors in the Terahertz Range

Semiconductor quantum dot detectors as well as semiconductor charge-sensitive infrared phototransistors are described. They are the only detectors that can count single photons in the terahertz region at present. In terms of the noise equivalent power (NEP), the detectors realize experimental values on the order of 10-21 W/Hz1/2, while theoretically expected values are even much lower, on the order of 10-24 W/Hz1/2. These NEP values are by several orders of magnitude lower than any other state-of-the-art highly sensitive detectors. In addition to the outstanding sensitivity, the detectors are featured by strong advantage of huge current responsivity (106-1010 A/W ) and extremely large dynamic range of response (106-108). The mechanism of detection as well as application of the detectors is discussed.
E-cadherin expression as a prognostic factor in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder after transurethral resection.

PURPOSE To analyze the role of negative versus positive immunoexpression of E-cadherin in recurrence rate of low-grade bladder tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 180 patients with unifocal, superficial, low-grade, papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were included in this study. The E-cadherin expression was evaluated using E-cadherin antibody. The patients were followed up for 36 months. Thereafter, recurrence rate of the tumor was compared between E-cadherin positive and negative groups. RESULTS Of 180 low-grade carcinomas, E-cadherin immunoexpression was negative in 101 (56%) and positive in 79 (44%) patients. The recurrence rate in negative and positive groups was 65.6% and 37.9%, respectively. Negative in comparison with positive E-cadherin expression was associated with more disease recurrence (P = .045). CONCLUSION There is an association between decreased E-Cadherin immunoexpression and tumor recurrence in low-grade and non-muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
Flexibility analysis on a supply chain contract : deterministic and stochastic settings

This thesis is based on the application of flexibility analysis on a supply chain contract. The work was implemented using a practical case exploring a relationship between a car manufacturer (buyer) and a parts supplying company (supplier). Commonly, such contracts are ratified for a fixed duration typically three years. A nominal order quantity (or initial capacity reservation) and a variation rate controlling the potential adjustments with respect to the nominal quantity for each period are imposed on the supplier when signing the contract. The supplier guarantees to meet the firm order should it fall within the range agreed upon, and charges a unit price of the product linear in the variation rate in order to protect himself from risks. The buyer in return is required to order the minimum quantity in each period defined by the nominal quantity and variation rate in the contract. The overall goal throughout the course of this PhD was to analyse this Quantity Flexibility (QF) contract at the strategic (or contracting) level. The prime focus from the buyer’s perspective was to develop a policy that determines the optimal nominal order quantity (Q) and variation rate (β) underpinning the contract that ensures the actual order quantity satisfies the actual demand as much as possible in each period and the total cost, including purchasing cost, inventory holding and backlogging costs, is minimised over the contract length. The approach taken in this study is aimed at solving the problem in two different settings. One is called the deterministic setting, where the demands are considered as deterministic and the other is called stochastic setting, where the demands are stochastic and stationary. For the deterministic setting, a parametric Linear Programming (pLP ) model is developed from the buyer/retailer’s perspective to help analyse the optimal combination of values of β and Q. In the pLP model, the decision variables are the actual order quantity in each period, represented by vector x and β and Q are treated as the parameters. For each combination of values of β and Q, the optimal value of the vector x can
Cysteine 64 of Ref-1 Is Not Essential for Redox Regulation of AP-1 DNA Binding

ABSTRACT Ref-1 participates in DNA repair as well as in redox regulation of transcription factor function. The redox function of Ref-1 involves reduction of oxidized cysteine residues within the DNA binding domains of several transcription factors, including Fos and Jun. Reduction of these residues is required for DNA binding, providing a redox-dependent mechanism for regulation of target gene expression. Previous in vitro studies implicated cysteine 65 of human Ref-1 (cysteine 64 of mouse Ref-1) as the redox catalytic site. We analyzed the in vivo role of cysteine 64 in redox regulation of AP-1 activity by introducing a cysteine-to-alanine point mutation into the endogenous mouse Ref-1 gene (ref-1 C64A). Unlike Ref-1 null mice, which die very early in embryonic development, homozygous ref-1 C64A mice are viable, they survive to normal life expectancy, and they display no overt abnormal phenotype. Although Ref-1 provides the major AP-1-reducing activity in murine cells, ref-1 C64A cells retain normal levels of endogenous AP-1 DNA binding activity in vivo as well as normal Fos- and Jun-reducing activity in vitro. These results demonstrate that Ref-1 cysteine 64/65 is not required for redox regulation of AP-1 DNA binding in vivo, and they challenge previous hypotheses regarding the mechanism by which Ref-1 regulates the redox-dependent activity of specific transcription factors.
The Efficient Prevascularization Induced by Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 With a Collagen-Coated Device Improves the Cell Survival of a Bioartificial Pancreas

Objectives: The subcutaneous transplantation of a bioartificial pancreas is a very attractive cure for diabetes mellitus. We recently developed a new immunoisolatory device that has the ability to induce neovascularization for subcutaneous transplantation. We applied the newly developed device to subcutaneous transplantation of a bioartificial pancreas. Methods: We investigated the prevascularization-inducing activity of the device in diabetic rats by histologic analysis and evaluated the permeability of the device to insulin and BSA. We also evaluated the survival of cells enclosed in a bioartificial pancreas, which was composed of the device, from the viewpoint of the effects of prevascularization by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Results: The devices induced prevascularization more efficiently than fibroblast growth factor 2 impregnated in gelatin microspheres alone did and had more useful permeability than a noncollagen-coated device. Significantly higher expression of insulin mRNA was detected in the RT-PCR amplicons from cells retrieved from the bioartificial pancreas transplanted at the prevascularization-induced site as compared with at a nonprevascularization-induced site. Conclusion: We demonstrated that our newly developed device has a superior ability to induce prevascularization in diabetic rats, and the prevascularization improves the initial cell survival of the implanted cells following transplantation.
Robust prediction of B-factor profile from sequence using two-stage SVR based on random forest feature selection.

B-factor is highly correlated with protein internal motion, which is used to measure the uncertainty in the position of an atom within a crystal structure. Although the rapid progress of structural biology in recent years makes more accurate protein structures available than ever, with the avalanche of new protein sequences emerging during the post-genomic Era, the gap between the known protein sequences and the known protein structures becomes wider and wider. It is urgent to develop automated methods to predict B-factor profile from the amino acid sequences directly, so as to be able to timely utilize them for basic research. In this article, we propose a novel approach, called PredBF, to predict the real value of B-factor. We firstly extract both global and local features from the protein sequences as well as their evolution information, then the random forests feature selection is applied to rank their importance and the most important features are inputted to a two-stage support vector regression (SVR) for prediction, where the initial predicted outputs from the 1(st) SVR are further inputted to the 2nd layer SVR for final refinement. Our results have revealed that a systematic analysis of the importance of different features makes us have deep insights into the different contributions of features and is very necessary for developing effective B-factor prediction tools. The two-layer SVR prediction model designed in this study further enhanced the robustness of predicting the B-factor profile. As a web server, PredBF is freely available at: http://www.csbio. sjtu.edu. cn/bioinf/PredBF for academic use.
Resistance of Human Cytomegalovirus to Benzimidazole Ribonucleosides Maps to Two Open Reading Frames: UL89 and UL56

ABSTRACT 2,5,6-Trichloro-1-β-d-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole (TCRB) is a potent and selective inhibitor of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication. TCRB acts via a novel mechanism involving inhibition of viral DNA processing and packaging. Resistance to the 2-bromo analog (BDCRB) has been mapped to the UL89 open reading frame (ORF), and this gene product was proposed as the viral target of the benzimidazole nucleosides. In this study, we report the independent isolation of virus that is 20- to 30-fold resistant to TCRB (isolate C4) and the characterization of the virus. The six ORFs known to be essential for viral DNA cleavage and packaging (UL51, UL52, UL56, UL77, UL89, and UL104) were sequenced from wild-type HCMV, strain Towne, and from isolate C4. Mutations were identified in UL89 (D344E) and in UL56 (Q204R). The mutation in UL89 was identical to that previously reported for virus resistant to BDCRB, but the mutation in UL56 is novel. Marker transfer analysis demonstrated that each of these mutations individually caused ∼10-fold resistance to the benzimidazoles and that the combination of both mutations caused ∼30-fold resistance. The rate and extent of replication of the mutants was the same as for wild-type virus, but the viruses were less sensitive to inhibition of DNA cleavage by TCRB. Mapping of resistance to UL56 supports and extends recent work showing that UL56 codes for a packaging motif binding protein which also has specific nuclease activity (E. Bogner et al., J. Virol. 72:2259–2264, 1998). Resistance which maps to two different genes suggests that their putative proteins interact and/or that either or both have a benzimidazole ribonucleoside binding site. The results also suggest that the gene products of UL89 and UL56 may be antiviral drug targets.
Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Fibrosis in Neonatal Rats

Background: Oxygen toxicity plays an important role in lung injury and may lead to bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We previously demonstrated that hyperoxia activated the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in cultured human fetal lung fibroblasts. Objective: To examine whether the upregulation of RAS components is associated with hyperoxia-induced lung fibrosis in neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: Experimental rat pups were exposed to 1 week of >95% O2 and a further 2 weeks of 60% O2. Control pups were exposed to room air over the same periods. Lung tissues were taken for biochemical and histochemical assays on postnatal days 7 and 21. Results: Hyperoxia significantly increased total collagen content and the expression of type I collagen and alpha smooth muscle actin when compared to control rats. RAS components including angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin II, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor were significantly upregulated by hyperoxia. The results also demonstrated that only the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway was activated by hyperoxia exposure. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase were not activated. Conclusions: Local RAS activation is involved in the pathogenesis of hyperoxia-induced lung fibrosis in neonatal rats. ERK phosphorylation might mediate angiotensin II type 1 receptor activation.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and suicidality in inpatients with substance use disorders.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS The international literature suggests that traumatic events are common for patients with substance use disorders (SUDs), and are often associated with the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric comorbidities. However, limited research has been conducted among Australian SUD patients. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of these disorders in a group of Australian patients admitted for detoxification. DESIGN AND METHODS Data were collected from 253 inpatients using a modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, the 10-item Trauma Screening Questionnaire, the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale and questions from the PsyCheck. RESULTS Approximately 20% of inpatients experienced moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and 37% had a lifetime history of self-harm or attempted suicide. Approximately 80% of patients had experienced at least one traumatic event, most experiencing multiple traumas. The mean age of first trauma was 14years. Almost 45% of patients screened positive for current PTSD symptoms. Women were nine times more likely to have been raped and five times more likely to have been sexually molested than men. PTSD symptoms were associated with greater trauma exposure, younger age of first trauma, specific trauma types, moderate to severe depressive symptoms and a history of self-harm or attempted suicide. Despite their difficulties, patients with PTSD symptoms had high rates of retention in treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Patients entering treatment for SUDs should be assessed for PTSD, depression and suicidality. These conditions impact significantly on treatment outcomes, and require the development of appropriate treatment strategies.
Effects of aminoguanidine on nitric oxide production induced by inflammatory cytokines and endotoxin in cultured rat hepatocytes.

AIM To study the effects of aminoguanidine (AG) and two L-arginine analogues N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) on nitric oxide (NO) production induced by cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IFN-gamma) and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mixture (CM) in the cultured rat hepatocytes, and examine their mechanisms action. METHODS Rat hepatocytes were incubated with AG, L-NAME, L-NNA, Actinomycin D (ActD) and dexamethasone in a medium containing CM (LPS plus TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IFN-gamma) for 24h. NO production in the cultured supernatant was measured with the Griess reaction. Intracellular cGMP level was detected with radioimmunoassy. RESULTS NO production was markedly blocked by AG and L-NAME in a dose-dependent manner under inflammatory stimuli condition triggered by CM in vitro. The rate of the maximum inhibitory effects of L-NAME (38.9%) was less potent than that obtained with AG(53.7%, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the inhibitory effects of AG and two L-arginine analogues on intracellular cGMP accumulation in rat cultured hepatocytes. Non-specific NOS expression inhibitor dexamethasone (DEX)and iNOS mRNA transcriptional inhibitor ActD also significantly inhibited CM-induced NO production. AG(0.1 mmol x L(-1)) and ActD (0.2 ng x L(-1)) were equipotent in decreasing NO production induced by inflammatory stimuli in vitro, and both effects were more potent than that induced by non-selectivity NOS activity inhibitor L-NAME (0.1 mmol x L(-1)) under similar stimuli conditions (P<0.01). CONCLUSION AG is a potent selective inhibitor of inducible isoform of NOS,and the mechanism of action may be not only competitive inhibition in the substrate level, but also the gene expression level in rat hepatocytes.
A forward loop between glioma and microglia: Glioma‐derived extracellular matrix‐activated microglia secrete IL‐18 to enhance the migration of glioma cells

The mediators and cellular effectors of inflammation are important constituents of the local environment of tumors. In some occasions, oncogenic changes induce an inflammatory microenvironment that promotes the progression of tumors. In gliomas, the presence of microglia may represent tumor‐related inflammation and microglia activation, and subsequent inflammatory responses may influence tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we found that C6 glioma—but not primary astrocyte‐derived extracellular matrix (ECM) could activate microglia, including primary microglia and BV‐2 cell line, and activated microglia‐secreted interleukin (IL)‐18, a potent inflammatory cytokine of the IL‐1 family, to promote C6 migration. In addition, by coating purified ECM components, it was found that secretion of IL‐18 by activated microglia was enhanced when microglia encountered with fibronectin and vitronectin. Furthermore, IL‐18‐induced C6 migration and microfilament disassembly were antagonized by iNOS inhibitor, guanylate cyclase inhibitor, and protein kinase G inhibitor. Taken together, these results indicate that IL‐18 secreted by microglia, which was activated by C6 glioma‐derived ECM, enhanced migration of C6 glioma through NO/cGMP pathway. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 558–568, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Performance effects of international knowledge transfer: A panel analysis of human mobility between knowledge environments

In this paper, we build on the argument that knowledge transfer is a source for competitive advantage. We test the proposition whether knowledge transfer from knowledge-rich to knowledge-indigent environments leads to better performance. Empirically, we test the performance effects of the flow of knowledge carriers between European and African countries in an industry in which human capital is the main input. Using panel data, we find mixed support for our hypotheses. We find that performance increases with the proportion of members having experience in knowledge-rich environments. We also find evidence that with increasing quality of such experience, performance decreases. In the last sections of the paper, we discuss these results and their implications for theories of organizational learning and knowledge transfer in general as well as for management research and practice in the African context.
Rate of the Bohr shift in human red cell suspensions.

We have measured the rate at which the O 2 tension rises in a partially oxygenated suspension of normal human red cells at 37 C as a result of a sudden rise in CO 2 tension (the Bohr shift) in a Hartridge-Roughton rapid reaction apparatus. A Teflon covered platinum electrode was used to measure O 2 tension. The rise in O 2 tension had an average half time of 0.12 sec following increments of 18–65 mm Hg in CO 2 tension in twelve experiments on the blood of three normal individuals. The comparable movement of O 2 out of the red cell as a result of a decrease in ambient O 2 tension at a constant CO 2 tension had an average half time of 0.012 sec in four experiments on the blood from the same three subjects. This suggests that the velocities of the reactions of CO 2 are rate-limiting in the Bohr shift. Acetazolamide (10 -3 m) slowed the rate of the Bohr shift to less than one-seventh; no measurable change in O 2 tension occurred until about 0.03 sec. measurable change in O2 tension occurred until about 0.03 sec. Submitted on July 2, 1962
Government Facilitation of Private Higher Education in Bangladesh: The Partnership Approach

This study aimed to identify the key areas in which private universities in Bangladesh require government support, and to analyze the current sectoral context for delineating the optimal nature of required government facilitation. The country's private tertiary institutions are facing restrictive governance strategies at a time when effective government support is vital for enhancing private universities' increasingly important role in nation-building. This qualitative study was based on particular tenets of grounded theory, using open-ended, axial and selective coding for analyzing data collected from open-ended interviews and secondary sources. Interview participants were selected through purposive sampling on the basis of their administrative, policymaking and pedagogical roles in private higher education. The coded results showed the need for government support in the areas of quality assurance, curriculum standardization, research facilitation and faculty development through foresighted governance and policy approaches. The emergent theory of "the Partnership Approach" shows that instead of regulation-focused government interventions, collaborative and supportive governance policies are required for bolstering private higher education in Bangladesh.
Does Patient Gender Affect Outcomes after Concomitant Coronary Artery Bypass Graft and Aortic Valve Replacement? An Australian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons Database Study

Objectives: Women undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery have been previously shown to be at an independently increased risk for post-operative morbidity and mortality. However, there are considerably less data on whether this trend remains true in patients undergoing concomitant aortic valve replacement (AVR) and CABG surgery. The aim of our study was to investigate this pertinent issue. Methods: Data obtained between June 2001 and December 2009 by the Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons Cardiac Surgery Database Program were retrospectively analysed. Demographic, operative data and post-operative complications were compared between male and female patients using χ2 and t tests. Long-term survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test. Independent risk factors for short- and long-term mortality were identified using binary logistic and Cox regression, respectively. Results: Concomitant AVR and CABG surgery was undertaken in 2,563 patients; 31.8% were female. Female patients were older (mean age 76 vs. 73 years; p < 0.001) and presented more often with hypertension (p < 0.001) but less often with severely impaired ejection fraction (p < 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.001) and triple vessel disease (p < 0.001). Women did not demonstrate an increased risk of 30-day mortality (4.8 vs. 3.3%) on univariate (p = 0.069) or multivariate (p = 0.236) analysis. Female gender was independently associated with post-operative myocardial infarction (p = 0.022) and red blood cell transfusion (p < 0.001). There was no difference in long-term survival between men and women on multivariate analysis (p = 0.413). Conclusion: Female gender is not associated with poorer short- or long-term outcomes after concomitant CABG and AVR surgery.
A COMPARISON OF NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND FOOD HABITS OF COLLEGIATE AND NON-COLLEGIATE ATHLETES

SUMMARY Nutrition is an important component of any physical fitness program. The main dietary goal for active individuals is to obtain adequate nutrition to optimize health fitness and to increase sports performance. The purpose of this study was to compare nutritional knowledge and food habits in collegiate s and non-collegiate athletes. The target population of this study was all male and female collegiate and non-collegiate athletes in Rasht city of Iran. After translate of the standard nutrition knowledge and attitudes survey questionnaire Zawila et al., and adjust of some questions, questionnaire was evaluated by Professors of faculty of physical education and sport sciences. The reliability guided Cronbach Alpha value of . 81. A researcher-built questionnaire which was developed to measure