Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Terpene synthases are widely distributed in bacteria

Significance Terpenes are generally considered to be plant or fungal metabolites, although a small number of odoriferous terpenes of bacterial origin have been known for many years. Recently, extensive bacterial genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of deduced bacterial proteins using a profile based on a hidden Markov model have revealed 262 distinct predicted terpene synthases. Although many of these presumptive terpene synthase genes seem to be silent in their parent microorganisms, controlled expression of these genes in an engineered heterologous Streptomyces host has made it possible to identify the biochemical function of the encoded terpene synthases. Genes encoding such terpene synthases have been shown to be widely distributed in bacteria and represent a fertile source for discovery of new natural products. Odoriferous terpene metabolites of bacterial origin have been known for many years. In genome-sequenced Streptomycetaceae microorganisms, the vast majority produces the degraded sesquiterpene alcohol geosmin. Two minor groups of bacteria do not produce geosmin, with one of these groups instead producing other sesquiterpene alcohols, whereas members of the remaining group do not produce any detectable terpenoid metabolites. Because bacterial terpene synthases typically show no significant overall sequence similarity to any other known fungal or plant terpene synthases and usually exhibit relatively low levels of mutual sequence similarity with other bacterial synthases, simple correlation of protein sequence data with the structure of the cyclized terpene product has been precluded. We have previously described a powerful search method based on the use of hidden Markov models (HMMs) and protein families database (Pfam) search that has allowed the discovery of monoterpene synthases of bacterial origin. Using an enhanced set of HMM parameters generated using a training set of 140 previously identified bacterial terpene synthase sequences, a Pfam search of 8,759,463 predicted bacterial proteins from public databases and in-house draft genome data has now revealed 262 presumptive terpene synthases. The biochemical function of a considerable number of these presumptive terpene synthase genes could be determined by expression in a specially engineered heterologous Streptomyces host and spectroscopic identification of the resulting terpene products. In addition to a wide variety of terpenes that had been previously reported from fungal or plant sources, we have isolated and determined the complete structures of 13 previously unidentified cyclic sesquiterpenes and diterpenes.
Surgical excision of skin cancer: the importance of training

Background Skin cancers are the most common malignancy in New Zealand and their treatment imparts a huge burden on the healthcare system both in terms of the cost of surgical intervention and in treatment delivery (estimates are in excess of NZ$33 million per annum for the year 2000). Currently in New Zealand, skin cancers are excised by dermatologists, general practitioners (GPs), GPs with a special interest in skin surgery (GPSIs) and specialist surgeons with diverse training backgrounds including ear, nose and throat, ophthalmic and general surgeons. To date there is scant literature evaluating complete excision rates following surgical treatment of skin cancer between these vocational groups.
Evaluation of assumptions for estimating chemical light extinction at U.S. national parks

Studies were conducted at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NP) (GRSM), Tennessee, Mount Rainier NP (MORA), Washington, and Acadia NP (ACAD), Maine, to evaluate assumptions used to estimate aerosol light extinction from chemical composition. The revised IMPROVE equation calculates light scattering from concentrations of PM2.5 sulfates, nitrates, organic carbon mass (OM), and soil. Organics are assumed to be nonhygroscopic. Organic carbon (OC) is converted to OM with a multiplier of 1.8. Experiments were conducted to evaluate assumptions on aerosol hydration state, the OM/OC ratio, OM hygroscopicity, and mass scattering efficiencies. Sulfates were neutralized by ammonium during winter at GRSM (W, winter) and at MORA during summer but were acidic at ACAD and GRSM (S, summer) during summer. Hygroscopic growth was mostly smooth and continuous, rarely exhibiting hysteresis. Deliquescence was not observed except infrequently during winter at GRSM (W). Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) was separated from bulk OC with solid-phase absorbents. The average OM/OC ratios were 2.0, 2.7, 2.1, and 2.2 at GRSM (S), GRSM (W), MORA, and ACAD, respectively. Hygroscopic growth factors (GF) at relative humidity (RH) 90% for aerosols generated from WSOC extracts averaged 1.19, 1.06, 1.13, and 1.16 at GRSM (S), GRSM (W), MORA, and ACAD, respectively. Thus, the assumption that OM is not hygroscopic may lead to underestimation of its contribution to light scattering. Implications: Studies at IMPROVE sites conducted in U.S. national parks showed that aerosol organics comprise more PM2.5 mass and absorb more water as a function of relative humidity than is currently assumed by the IMPROVE equation for calculating chemical light extinction. Future strategies for reducing regional haze may therefore need to focus more heavily on understanding the origins and control of anthropogenic sources of organic aerosols.
Autophagy upregulation by inhibitors of caspase-3 and mTOR enhances radiotherapy in a mouse model of lung cancer

Autophagy has been reported to be increased in irradiated cancer cells resistant to various apoptotic stimuli. We therefore hypothesized that induction of autophagy via mTOR inhibition enhances radiosensitization in apoptosis-inhibited H460 lung cancer cells in vitro and in a lung cancer xenograft model. To test this hypothesis, combinations of Z-DEVD (caspase-3 inhibitor), RAD001 (mTOR inhibitor) and irradiation were tested in cell and mouse models. The combination of Z-DEVD and RAD001 more potently radiosensitized H460 cells than individual treatment alone. The enhancement in radiation response was not only evident in clonogenic survival assays, but also was demonstrated through markedly reduced tumor growth, cellular proliferation (Ki67 staining), apoptosis (TUNEL staining), and angiogenesis (vWF staining) in vivo. Additionally, upregulation of autophagy as measured by increased GFP-LC3-tagged autophagosome formation accompanied the noted radiosensitization in vitro and in vivo. The greatest induction of autophagy and associated radiation toxicity was exhibited in the tri-modality treatment group. Autophagy marker, LC-3-II, was reduced by 3-methyladenine (3-MA), a known inhibitor of autophagy, but further increased by the addition of lysosomal protease inhibitors (pepstatin A and E64d), demonstrating that there is autophagic induction through type III PI3 kinase during the combined therapy. Knocking down of ATG5 and beclin-1, two essential autophagic molecules, resulted in radiation resistance of lung cancer cells. Our report suggests that combined inhibition of apoptosis and mTOR during radiotherapy is a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance radiation therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
Is Transaction Cost Economics Theory Able to Explain Contracts Used for and Success of Firm-Wide IT-Infrastructure Outsourcing?

Transaction cost economics (TCE) is much used in outsourcing research. We applied two TCE attributes - asset specificity and frequency - to characterise IT infrastructure services and to indicate what type of outsourcing contracts should be concluded. We classified outsourcing contracts of 213 enterprises to determine if TCE contracting recommendations were followed, and if outsourcing succeeded better when the contract type matched the IT infrastructure service characteristics. Results reveal that enterprises do not follow TCE contract recommendations. They probably should. In application services the match of contract type and service characteristics was positively related to absolute IT outsourcing success
The Effects of a Hyperinsulinemic-Euglycemic Clamp on Milk Fat Synthesis and the Expression of Fat Synthesis-Related Genes in the Mammary Gland Tissues of Lactating Goats

To determine whether insulin exerts an effect on milk fat yield through the direct regulation of milk fat synthesis in the mammary gland, the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure was performed in lactating goats in the present study. The effects of the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp on milk yield, milk composition, milk fatty acid yield and the expression levels of mRNAs of milk fat synthesis-related genes were examined. The results revealed that the hyperinsulinemiceuglycemic clamp had no significant effect on the milk yield, the milk protein yield, the yield and content of lactose or the yield and content of solids-not-fat (SNF) (P > 0.05). In contrast, the milk fat percentage and milk fat yield were decreased by 35.3% and 33.6%, respectively (P C16) and 5 fatty acids synthesized de novo in the mammary gland ( 0.05), including acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), fatty acidbinding protein (FABP), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT). However, the expression level of the SCD gene was significantly reduced during the post-procedure period (P
Characterization of immunosuppressive factors expressed in serum by rat tolerogenic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND In a rat tolerogenic model of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), recipient serum after OLT (post-OLT serum) possesses strong immunosuppressive activity. This study aimed to identify immunosuppressive factors present in early post-OLT serum. METHODS Immunosuppressive activity was evaluated in vitro by inhibition of the mixed-lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Autoantigens recognized by MLR-inhibitory IgG were identified by the internal protein sequencing. RESULTS Recipient post-OLT serum inhibited MLR, and OLT-inducible IgG was the major immunosuppressive factor. IgG from post-OLT sera (2 to 3 weeks) specifically reacted to 31; 34; and 73-kd autoantigens on spleen cells. The internal sequences of the 31- and 34-kd antigens coincided completely with those of histone H1 molecules. Immunodepletion of anti-histone H1 antibodies (Abs) from early post-OLT serum abolished the MLR-inhibitory activity. Furthermore, rabbit polyclonal Ab-directed histone H1 not only significantly suppressed rat and human MLR but also prolonged survival of heart allografts. Flow-cytometric analysis revealed that some live PVG splenocytes were stained with antihistone H1 Abs, and that these positive cells increased on Con A stimulation. Western blot analysis indicated that several cross-reactive antigens against anti-histone H1 Abs were found in their membrane fraction. CONCLUSIONS In this study we provide evidence that autoreactive Abs, against histone H1 are a major OLT-induced graft survival factor, and may play at least a part in overcoming the acute rejection phase to establish solid allograft tolerance.
Hemoadsorption removes tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10, reduces nuclear factor-&kgr;B DNA binding, and improves short-term survival in lethal endotoxemia*

ObjectivesPrevious studies have shown that inflammatory mediators can be removed from the circulation with hemofiltration and that adsorption plays an important role. Because adsorptive capacity of hollow-fiber dialyzers is limited, we sought to determine whether hemoadsorption using high surface area beads would result in greater mediator removal and improved survival in experimental sepsis. DesignRandomized controlled laboratory experiment. SettingUniversity laboratory. SubjectsSixty-six adult Sprague-Dawley rats. InterventionsWe conducted two ex vivo and two in vivo experiments. For in vivo experiments, we administered Escherichia coli endotoxin (20 mg/kg) by intravenous infusion and then randomized each animal to receive either hemoadsorption or a sham circuit for 4 hrs. Hemoadsorption was performed for 4 hrs using an arterial-venous circuit and a CytoSorb cartridge containing 10 g of polystyrene divinyl benzene copolymer beads with a biocompatible polyvinylpyrrolidone coating. Survival time was measured to a maximum of 12 hrs. In a separate set of experiments, we studied 12 animals using the same protocol except that we killed all animals at 4 hrs and removed standardized sections of liver for analysis of nuclear factor-&kgr;B DNA binding. Measurements and Main ResultsMean survival time among hemoadsorption-treated animals was 629 ± 114 vs. 518 ± 120 mins for sham-treated animals (p < .01). Overall survival (defined at 12 hrs) was also significantly better in the hemoadsorption group, seven of 20 vs. one of 20 (p < .05). Plasma interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 concentrations and liver nuclear factor-&kgr;B DNA binding were significantly reduced by hemoadsorption. Ex vivo experiments showed no endotoxin adsorption but strengthened our in vivo observations by showing rapid adsorption of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10. ConclusionsHemoadsorption was associated with reduced inflammation and improved survival in this murine model of septic shock.
Nitrogen-Terminated Semiconducting Zigzag GNR FET With Negative Differential Resistance

We investigate the effects of nitrogen passivation on band structure and density of states in zigzag graphene nanoribbon (zzGNR) using first principle quantum mechanical simulations. The results show that nitrogen edge termination of zzGNR produces a bandgap (~0.7eV) around the Fermi level. We analyze the Bloch functions and projected density of states for understanding the origin of the bandgap. Based on these findings, we propose a nitrogen-passivated zzGNR FET structure having n-type electrodes and p-type scattering region using nitrogen and boron doping, respectively. We simulate and analyze its current-voltage (I-V ) characteristics using DFT combined with NEGF formalism and device density of states (DDOS). We observe a new negative differential resistance phenomenon in GNR FET, which can be controlled by the variation of the potential applied at gate of the zzGNR FET. This device has potential applications in logic, high frequency, and memory devices.
Prognostication of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) patient survival

Prognostic methods are potentially beneficial for public health management. The blending of data-driven methods with the domain knowledge is essential to efficiently advance feature selection, anomaly detection, prognostics forecasting, data matching and clustering. This paper attempts to demonstrate how prognostic methods enable accurate Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) patient life prediction. The methodology is applied to MRSA patient survival analysis. Significant linear relationship is found between log (hazard) and age (p&#60;0.001). By adjusting the time-depending effect of age, we construct more accurate Cox's proportional hazard models. It is believed that understanding age effect on MRSA patient survival is able to receive more robust result using prognostic approaches. To further enhance model prediction power, it is suggested to explore statistical data transformation and adjustment under various attributes.
Discovery and functional characterization of a novel small molecule inhibitor of the intracellular phosphatase, SHIP2

Background and purpose: The lipid phosphatase known as SH2 domain‐containing inositol 5′‐phosphatase 2 (SHIP2) plays an important role in the regulation of the intracellular insulin signalling pathway. Recent studies have suggested that inhibition of SHIP2 could produce significant benefits in treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, there were no small molecule SHIP2 inhibitors and we, therefore, aimed to identify this type of compound.
Leisure Luxuries and the Labor Supply of Young Men

We propose a methodology exploiting time diary data and “leisure Engel curves” to infer quality changes across leisure activities and measure the effects on the marginal return to leisure. We study leisure returns for men aged 21–30, who have shifted leisure toward video gaming and recreational computing and have had larger market work hour declines than older men or women since 2004. We show that recreational computing is distinctly a leisure luxury for younger men. By increasing the value of time, innovations to this leisure technology have lowered young men's work hours by 2%, or much of their work hours decline compared to older men's.
[Possible relationship between psychological stress and bleeding erosive upper gastrointestinal lesions].

The development of gastric and/or duodenal erosive lesions with bleeding is often related to an identified pathogenic factor such as the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or alcohol. Extreme physiologic stress has also been shown to cause similar erosive lesions, known as "stress ulcer syndrome. " We describe a 42-year-old woman, who over the course of a few months had 6 episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to various gastroduodenal erosive lesions. Prior to all these episodes she reported anxiety and stress of varied origins, but no other pathogenic factor was identified.
Detection of plasmid-mediated AmpC in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis

Aims: This study investigated the prevalence of plasmid-mediated AmpC production in selected clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species and Proteus mirabilis, and compared the results of boronic acid disc screening with conventional susceptibility testing for the detection of AmpC-positive isolates. Methods: E coli, Klebsiella species and P mirabilis with reduced susceptibility to amoxycillin-clavulanate, cefuroxime and cephalexin, but without phenotypic evidence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases were screened for AmpC activity using enzyme-extraction methods. The presence of plasmid-mediated ampC was determined by multiplex PCR. Antibiotic susceptibilities were determined using both disc and dilution-based methods. A disc-based screening method for detection of AmpC-producing strains was evaluated using boronic acid as an inhibitor of AmpC, and cefoxitin as the antibiotic substrate. Results: Plasmid-mediated ampC was present in 26% of study isolates, with CMY-like enzymes detected predominantly in E coli and DHA-like enzymes predominantly in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Current susceptibility methods failed to detect a significant proportion of plasmid-mediated AmpC-producing isolates, with 33% of such strains interpreted as susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins using current Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute breakpoints. The boronic acid disc method showed sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 98% respectively in detecting AmpC-positive isolates. Conclusion: The prevalence of plasmid-mediated ampC was high in the study population, and may be missed by conventional susceptibility testing methods. Inhibitor-based screening methods would improve detection of this emerging resistance phenotype.
Cultural Background and Technology Acceptance: Evaluation of ICT Projects that Bridge the Digital Divide

2 Acknowledgement. 3 Table of contents. 4 Tables and Figures. 6 Chapter 1: Introduction. 7 1.1 MOTIVE.7 1.2 STRUCTURE . 8 Chapter 2: Theoretical background . 10 2.1 TECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.10 2.1.1 benefits of ICT in developing countries.10 2.1.2 problems of ICT projects in developing countries . 11 2.1. 3 some successful ICT-projects.14 2.2 THE EFFECTS, ACCEPTATION AND ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGY . 15 2.2.1 effects of technology in the society . 15 2.2.2 The importance of acceptation and adoption of technology.16 2.2.3 Understanding acceptation and adoption of technology . 16 2.2.4 A review of the acceptance models and applications of the TAM.21 2.2.5 A model for technology acceptance in developing countries . 24 2.3 DEFINITIONS OF CULTURE . 26 2.3.1 Layers of culture . 27 2.3.2 Culture as a constantly changing entity . 28 2.3.3 Culture includes communication and language . 29 2.3.4 More definitions of culture.30 2.3. 5 Towards a working definition of culture.31 2.4 METHODS TO MEASURE CULTURE.32 2.4. 1 Cultural models.32 2.4. 2 Measuring culture and product design.36 2.4. 3 Measuring culture in a local community . 38 2.5 CONCLUSION LITERATURE REVIEW . 38 Chapter 3: Research methodology . 41 3.1 PURPOSE OF THIS RESEARCH . 41 3.2 EXPECTATIONS OF THIS STUDY.41 3.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH MODEL . 43 3.4 AKSHAYA PROJECT.45 3.4. 1 Background of India.45 3.4. 2 South India.45 3.4. 3 Kerala . 46 3.4. 4 Malappuram.47 3.4. 5 Akshaya.47
Amplitude optimization and pitch prediction in multipulse coders

Although the multipulse model is conceptually simple, the problem of locating the pulses is computationally complex. The authors discuss the basic multipulse model and describe a procedure to compute the excitation with optimally adjusted amplitudes. The algorithm provides a framework for computing multipulse excitation with varying degrees of optimization and computational complexity. The authors find that speech quality depends on the pulse rate. They also find that for the same quality, female speech requires a higher pulse rate than male speech. The pitch dependence can be reduced and speech quality improved for high-pitched speakers by incorporating long delay prediction in the multipulse model. >
Sepsis alters myocardial and plasma concentrations of endothelin and nitric oxide in rats.

Cardiovascular derangements during sepsis may arise from a mismatch between endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO). We hypothesized that progression of chronic peritoneal sepsis would affect cardiac performance and would modulate the concentrations of NO and ET in the heart and plasma. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (340-390 g) were catheterized and made septic with a cecal slurry (200 mg/kg: i.p.). Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and plasma ET and nitrite/nitrate (NOX) were determined at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h after induction of sepsis. Septic rats were found to have tachycardia at 48 h following induction of sepsis. Mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure were not altered in septic and non-septic rats. In a separate series of experiments, the function of isolated hearts from septic and non-septic rats was assessed at preload pressures of 2, 5, and 10 mmHg. Sepsis produced a significant decrease in rates of pressure development and relaxation (+/-dP/dt) at 24 and 48 h as compared to the hearts of non-septic rats. In septic rats, plasma concentrations of ET were significantly increased at t = 4, 8, 12 h as compared to basal values, and at 12 h as compared to non-septic rats, and returned to basal levels at 24 and 48 h. In contrast, circulating NO levels did not become elevated until t = 8 h and remained elevated throughout the remaining times. In the left ventricle, the concentration of ET was found to be significantly increased both in septic and non-septic rats at 4 and 8 h as compared to t = 0 h. In the left ventricles of non-septic rats, ET levels returned to baseline values at 12 h, while in septic rats, the concentration of ET remained significantly elevated until 12 h. In septic rats, left ventricular NO levels were found to be significantly increased at t = 12 h. It appeared that induction of sepsis contributed to an imbalance in the plasma concentration of ET and NO 12 h after the induction of sepsis. However, a similar imbalance was not observed in the left ventricle. It is concluded from these observations that peritoneal sepsis in a chronic rat model produced a divergence of plasma NO and ET levels. This suggests a homeostatic imbalance between vasoactive mediators, i.e. ET and NO, could contribute to the cardiovascular derangements that occur during sepsis.