Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caenorhabditis elegans and Human Dual Oxidase 1 (DUOX1) “Peroxidase” Domains

The seven members of the NOX/DUOX family are responsible for generation of the superoxide and H2O2 required for a variety of host defense and cell signaling functions in nonphagocytic cells. Two members, the dual oxidase isozymes DUOX1 and DUOX2, share a structurally unique feature: an N-terminal peroxidase-like domain. Despite sequence similarity to the mammalian peroxidases, the absence of key active site residues makes their binding of heme and their catalytic function uncertain. To explore this domain we have expressed in a baculovirus system and purified the Caenorhabditis elegans (CeDUOX11–589) and human (hDUOX11–593) DUOX1 “peroxidase” domains. Evaluation of these proteins demonstrated that the isolated hDUOX11–593 does not bind heme and has no intrinsic peroxidase activity. In contrast, CeDUOX11–589 binds heme covalently, exhibits a modest peroxidase activity, but does not oxidize bromide ion. Surprisingly, the heme appears to have two covalent links to the protein despite the absence of a second conserved carboxyl group in the active site. Although the N-terminal dual oxidase motif has been proposed to directly convert superoxide to H2O2, neither DUOX1 domain demonstrated significant superoxide dismutase activity. These results strengthen the in vivo conclusion that the CeDUOX1 protein supports controlled peroxidative polymerization of tyrosine residues and indicate that the hDUOX1 protein either has a unique function or must interact with other protein factors to express its catalytic activity.
Characterization and Scalable Modeling of Power Semiconductors for Optimized Design of Traction Inverters with Si- and SiC-Devices

Silicon carbide (SiC) based power semiconductors are expected to contribute to an increase in inverter efficiency, switching frequencies, maximum permissible junction temperature, and system power density. This paper presents a comparison of silicon (Si) and SiC device technologies for the use in hybrid electric vehicle traction inverters. SiC-JFETs and SiC-MOSFETs are characterized and a scalable loss and scalable thermal modeling approach is used to find the optimum chip area for each Si or SiC traction inverter. This procedure also provides a proper technical comparison of the semiconductor technologies. The progressed simulations using standardized drive cycles and thermal-electrical coupled semiconductor models permit an inverter performance evaluation close to real load situations, leading to an improved estimation of the benefit which can be expected from systems utilizing SiC technology. This paper concludes that the SiC devices can lead to a reduction in chip area and semiconductor losses by more than 50% at the same time in hard switching applications with partial load dominated mission profiles.
Cholic acid functionalized star poly(DL‐lactide) for promoting cell adhesion and proliferation

Cholic acid functionalized star poly(DL‐lactide) was synthesized through the ring‐opening polymerization of DL‐lactide initiated by cholic acid. The properties and cell behaviour of the cholic acid functionalized star poly(DL‐lactide) were investigated as compared with linear poly(DL‐lactide)s with different molecular weights and a star poly(DL‐lactide) initiated by glycerol. In comparison to linear poly(DL‐lactide)s, the cholic acid functionalized star poly(DL‐lactide) had better wettability and slightly higher surface energy. The cell adhesion and proliferation on different materials were evaluated using two types of cells, 3T3 mouse fibroblasts and ECV304 human endothelial cells. Compared with the linear poly(DL‐lactide)s, the cholic acid functionalized star poly(DL‐lactide) showed obviously improved property for cell adhesion. The cell proliferation on the cholic acid functionalized star poly(DL‐lactide) was also enhanced. The improvement in cell proliferation was not so significant as compared with the improvement in cell adhesion. This modification strategy provides an effective and simple way to promote cell attachment and growth in tissue engineering. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Teachers’ Beliefs about the Effects of High Stakes Testing

Since the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, high stakes testing has continued to be one of the major driving forces behind educational reform. In this study, Georgia teachers’ beliefs about the effects of high stakes testing were examined. A random sample of teachers from 100 of Georgia’s elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools responded to a 49-item survey measured on a fivepoint Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Items were grouped into six domains: curriculum, teaching, work satisfaction, stress, accountability, and students. Teachers’ responses did not differ by gender, educational level, or school level. African American teachers responded more positively than White teachers on the survey. Teachers’ positive and negative responses were discussed and recommendations were made for teachers and school leaders.
Characterization of Heterogeneous MRSA and MSSA with Reduced Susceptibility to Chlorhexidine in Kuwaiti Hospitals

The objective of this investigation was to identify the lineages of MRSA and MSSA with reduced susceptibility to chlorhexidine in Kuwaiti hospitals. 121 clinical MRSA and 56 MSSA isolates were included in this study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for a selection of agents including chlorhexidine and resistance genes were amplified and sequenced. PFGE, spa typing, and MLST were completed for a selection of isolates. The results showed SCCmec II, III, IV, and V were present in 0.8, 21.5, 69.4, and 8.3% of the MRSA isolates. agr-1Sa was the most prevalent type in both MSSA (48%) and MRSA (54%). Forty-five percentage of MRSA contained pvl and 39% contained lukE-lukD, however, as many as 86% of MSSA contained pvl and 96.4% contained lukE-lukD. qac A-C genes were identified in 12.3% of MRSA, norA was present in 82.6% and blaZ in 94.2%. Among MSSA only 5.4% harbored qacA, 83% contained norA, and 91% blaZ. Multi-drug resistant ST239/t945 lineage containing a qac gene was the most identified S. aureus. However, other lineages, including ST772-MRSA-V/t4867/pvl(+)qacC/smr and non-qac harboring lineages of ST217-MRSAIV/t3244/pvl(–), ST34-MSSA/t161/pvl(+), ST5-MSSA/t688/pvl(+), ST5-MSSA/t4867/norA(+), and ST672-MSSA/t003/pvl(–), also showed reduced susceptibility to chlorhexidine. The observed reduced susceptibility of non-qac dependent MSSA isolates to chlorhexidine suggests the involvement of other elements in promoting higher MBC (≥30 mg/L). Our results confirm that monitoring MSSA is essential as they may have the potential to survive low level biocide exposure.
Immobilized IL-8 Triggers Progressive Activation of Neutrophils Rolling In Vitro on P-Selectin and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-11

The chemokine IL-8 is found on the luminal side of vascular endothelial cells, where it is postulated to be immobilized during inflammation. In this study, we observed that immobilized IL-8 can stimulate neutrophils to firmly adhere to a substrate containing ICAM-1 in a static adhesion assay. Soluble IL-8 was then perfused over neutrophils rolling on P-selectin (P-sel) and ICAM-1, confirming that IL-8 in solution can quickly cause rolling neutrophils to arrest. To mimic a blood vessel wall with IL-8 expressed on the luminal surface of endothelial cells, IL-8 was immobilized along with P-sel and ICAM-1 at defined site densities to a surface. Neutrophils rolled an average of 200 μm on surfaces of P-sel, ICAM-1, and IL-8 before firmly adhering through ICAM-1-β2 integrin interactions at 2 dynes/cm2 wall shear stress. Increasing the density of IL-8 from 60 to 350 sites/μm2 on the surface decreased by 50% the average distance and time the neutrophils rolled before becoming firmly adherent. Temporal dynamics of ICAM-1-β2 integrin interactions of rolling neutrophils following IL-8 exposure suggest the existence of two classes of β2 integrin-ICAM-1 interactions, a low avidity interaction with a 65% increase in pause times as compared with P-sel-P-sel glycoprotein ligand-1 interactions, and a high avidity interaction with pause times 400% greater than the selectin interactions. Based on the proportionality between IL-8 site density and time to arrest, it appears that neutrophils may need to sample a critical number of IL-8 molecules presented by the vessel wall before forming a sufficient number of high avidity β2 integrin bonds for firm adhesion.
The Relationship Between Oil Price and Costs in the Oil Industry

Abstract We propose a simple structural model of the upstream sector in the oil industry to study the determinants of costs with a focus on its relationship with the price of oil. We use the real oil price, data on global drilling activity and real cost of drilling to estimate a three-dimensional VAR model. We use short run restrictions to decompose the variation in the data into three structural shocks. We estimate the dynamic effects of these shocks on drilling activity, costs of drilling and the real price of oil. Our main results suggest that (i) a 10% increase (decrease) in the oil price increases (decreases) global drilling activity by 4% and costs of drilling by 3% with a lag of 4 and 6 quarters respectively; (ii) positive shocks to drilling activity affect the oil price negatively within a year; (iii) shocks to cost of drilling have a relatively small and statistically insignificant effect on the price of oil.
Is Smoking a Predictor for Acute Mountain Sickness? Findings From a Meta-Analysis.

AIM Studies of the potential association between cigarette smoking and acute mountain sickness (AMS) have reached contradictory conclusions. Our aim was to perform a meta-analysis of studies across a range of populations to ascertain better the true relationship between cigarette smoking and AMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used the PRISMA protocol to identify and screen eligible studies of smoking and AMS. Databases including Pubmed and Google Scholar were searched, using the terms "smoking" and "acute mountain sickness. " We conducted a meta-analysis of the selected studies in order to evaluate causal inference, evaluate potential biases, and investigate possible sources of heterogeneity across studies. RESULTS We identified 3907 publications, of which 29 were eligible for inclusion by reporting smoking status and AMS. Of these, eight publications were excluded because they were duplicative or were lacking quantitative data. The 21 studies analyzed included 16 566 subjects. These fell into two groups: occupational/military (n = 8) or volunteers/trekkers/mixed (n = 13). Study heterogeneity was high (X (2) = 55.5, P < . 001). Smoking was not statistically associated with increased risk of AMS: pooled OR = 0.88 (95% CI = 0.74-1.05). Stratification yielded similar risk estimates among the occupational/military studies versus all others and studies at relatively higher and lower altitudes. CONCLUSIONS Overall, smoking was not statistically significantly associated with AMS: there is no consistent effect of cigarette smoking acting as either a protective factor against or a risk factor for AMS. IMPLICATIONS This is the first quantitative assessment of published studies on smoking and AMS, which shows smoking to be neither a risk, nor protective. Studies specifically focusing on smoking as a risk factor, should guide further research on this issue. Although all smokers should be strongly advised to quit, studies on risk factors for AMS focusing on other exposures could shed light on the full range of risks for AMS.
c-Met and RON expression levels in endometrial adenocarcinoma tissue and their relationship with prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential relevance of c-Met and RON gene expression in patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium and analyze the relationships among the c-Met and RON expression, clinicopathological characteristics, and patient survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 60 cases diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma with more than five-years follow-up. Total RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of 60 adenocarcinomas of the endometrium and normal endometrium tissues were isolated for c-Met and RON quantitative analysis by real-time real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS The c-Met and RON expression in endometrial adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in normal endometrial tissues (p < 0.01), with average up-regulated levels of 3.94 ± 1.88 and 2.74 ± 0.88, respectively. Moreover, high c-Met expression was significantly correlated with the histological stage (p = 0.017), and high RON expression was related to histological stage (p = 0.035), muscle invasion (p = 0.006), and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.018). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the co-expression of c-Met and RON was an independent prognostic factor for adenocarcinoma of the endometrium and was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (HR = 3.571, p = 0.014). CONCLUSION The co-expression of c-Met and RON is associated with a poor prognosis in endometrial adenocarcinoma and is an independent prognostic marker for endometrioid adenocarcinoma.
Physiological and biomechanical responses to a prolonged repetitive asymmetric lifting activity

This study investigated the effects of a prolonged repetitive asymmetric lifting task on behavioural adaptations during repetitive lifting activity, measures of tissue oxygenation and spine kinematics. Seventeen volunteers repeatedly lifted a box, normalised to 15% of the participant's maximum lifting strength, at the rate of 10 lifts/min for a period of 60 min. The lifts originated in front of the participants at ankle level and terminated on their left side at waist level. Overall, perceived workload increased during the repetitive lifting task. Erector spinae oxygenation levels, assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy, decreased significantly over time. Behavioural changes observed during the repetitive lifting task included increases in the amount of forward bending, the extension velocity and the lateral bending velocity, and a reduced lateral bending moment on the spine. These changes, with the exception of the reduced lateral bending moment, are associated with increased risk of low back disorder. Practitioner Summary: Repetitive lifting is known to affect low back injury risk; however, the biomechanical mechanisms linking physical fatigue and back injury risk are not well understood. This study showed that behavioural adaptations made by people performing asymmetric repetitive lifting activity may increase risk through increased dynamic loading of the tissues.
Parâmetros genéticos da resistência à murcha-bacteriana em porta-enxertos de tomateiro

7 1. INTRODUÇÃO. 9 REFERÊNCIAS . 12 2. COMPARAÇÃO DE MÉTODOS DE INDUÇÃO DE MURCHA-BACTERIANA EM TOMATEIRO POR MEIO DE INFECÇÃO ARTIFICIAL CONTROLADA . 15 RESUMO. 15 ABSTRACT . 15 2.1. INTRODUÇÃO . 16 2.2. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS . 17 2.3. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO . 19 2.4. CONCLUSÃO . 23 REFERÊNCIAS . 23 3. ANÁLISE DIALÉLICA PARA RESISTÊNCIA À MURCHA BACTERIANA EM TOMATEIRO . 27 RESUMO. 27 ABSTRACT . 27 3.1. INTRODUÇÃO . 28 3.2. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS . 30 3.2.1. Material vegetal e hibridações . 30 3.2.2. Material microbiano para experimento de avaliação precoce de resistência à murcha-bacteriana . 30 3.2.3. Inoculação de Ralstonia solanacearum em plântulas de tomateiro . 31 3.2.4. Avaliação de resistência à murcha-bacteriana em área de campo naturalmente infestada com Ralstonia spp. 32 3.2. 5. Análises estatísticas. 33 3.2. 6. Análise da capacidade de combinação . 33 3.2. 7. Estimativa das Heteroses . 34 3.3. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO . 34 3.3.1. Avaliação precoce de resistência ao biovar 2 de Ralstonia solanacearum em tomateiro . 34 3.3.2. Avaliação da resistência à murcha-bacteriana em tomateiro em de solo infestado com Ralstonia spp. 41 3.4. CONCLUSÕES . 48 REFERÊNCIAS . 48 4. AVALIAÇÃO DO DESEMPENHO DE PORTA ENXERTOS DE TOMATEIRO CULTIVADOS EM SOLO INFESTADO E NÃO INFESTADO POR RALSTONIA SPP. 51 RESUMO. 51 ABSTRACT . 51 4.1. INTRODUÇÃO . 52 4.2. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS . 54 4.2.1. Material vegetal e hibridações . 54 4.2.2. Experimentos em área infestada e não infestada com Ralstonia spp. 54 4.2.3. Avaliação de parâmetros de desenvolvimento da parte aérea e sistema radicular em ambiente protegido . 55 4.2.4. Análises genético-estatísticas dos experimentos de campo . 56 4.2.4.1. Análise da capacidade de combinação nos experimentos de campo . 56 4.2.4.2. Estimativa das heteroses nos experimentos de campo . 57 4.2. 5. Análises genético-estatísticas do experimento em ambiente protegido . 57 4.2. 5.1. Análise da capacidade de combinação do experimento em ambiente protegido . 58 4.2. 5.2. Estimativa das heteroses no experimento em ambiente protegido . 58 4.2. 6. Coeficientes de Correlação . 59 4.3. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO . 59
Soft Wireless Battery-Free UHF RFID Stretchable Sensor Based on Microfluidic Technology

Stretchable microfluidic sensors have recently been developed and employed in many sensing applications. However, they are still in their early stage of development and facing considerable challenges, such as practical system integration due to the limitation of costs, wired connections, and sensitivity. In this paper, we present a compact soft wireless battery-free radio frequency identification (RFID) stretchable sensor based on microfluidic technology. The proposed RFID sensor has high sensitivity and is able to be stretched to 160% of its original size. Moreover, the sensor is completely wireless powered and battery-free. It can be fully embedded into sensor carriers, such as robots to eliminate wires, reduce the weight, and increase the agility. Difference to known received signal strength indicator (RSSI) techniques for RFID sensing monitoring, resonance frequency shift is used in this paper, significantly increasing the measurement accuracy, usefulness, and reliability for many practical applications.
A randomized head-to-head study of small-bowel imaging comparing MiroCam and EndoCapsule

Background and study aims: The MiroCam is a new video capsule device offering a higher frame rate and a longer battery life-expectancy. We aimed to quantify its clinical impact and performed a randomized head-to-head comparison with the EndoCapsule device with respect to the rate of complete small-bowel examinations, diagnostic yield in the small bowel, and capsule transit time. Patients and methods: Patients referred for video capsule endoscopy because of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic diarrhea, and anemia of unknown origin were randomly assigned to swallow either the MiroCam first, followed by the EndoCapsule 2 hours later, or vice versa. All videos were analyzed by two independent investigators. Results: A total of 50 patients (median age 61, range 21 – 84) were included. Complete small-bowel examination was achieved in 48 /50 patients using the MiroCam and 45 /50 using the EndoCapsule (96 % vs. 90 %, odds ratio [OR] 2.67, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.49 – 14.45; P = 0.38). There was diagnostic yield in the small bowel for 25 /50 patients using the MiroCam and 24 /50 using the EndoCapsule (50 % vs. 48 %, OR 1.08, 95 %CI 0.49 – 2.37; P > 0.99). However, the findings were concordant in 68 % only (kappa = 0.50). The combined diagnostic yield was 58 %. Even solitary findings had a relevant clinical impact during a 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: In this direct comparison the MiroCam and EndoCapsule devices were not statistically different with regard to their rates of complete small-bowel examinations or diagnostic yield. Their moderate concordance, mainly caused by missed pathological findings, which affected both devices, needs consideration in clinical practice.
Adaptation of Escherichia coli to glucose promotes evolvability in lactose

The selective history of a population can influence its subsequent evolution, an effect known as historical contingency. We previously observed that five of six replicate populations that were evolved in a glucose‐limited environment for 2000 generations, then switched to lactose for 1000 generations, had higher fitness increases in lactose than populations started directly from the ancestor. To test if selection in glucose systematically increased lactose evolvability, we started 12 replay populations—six from a population subsample and six from a single randomly selected clone—from each of the six glucose‐evolved founder populations. These replay populations and 18 ancestral populations were evolved for 1000 generations in a lactose‐limited environment. We found that replay populations were initially slightly less fit in lactose than the ancestor, but were more evolvable, in that they increased in fitness at a faster rate and to higher levels. This result indicates that evolution in the glucose environment resulted in genetic changes that increased the potential of genotypes to adapt to lactose. Genome sequencing identified four genes—iclR, nadR, spoT, and rbs—that were mutated in most glucose‐evolved clones and are candidates for mediating increased evolvability. Our results demonstrate that short‐term selective costs during selection in one environment can lead to changes in evolvability that confer longer term benefits.
Monte Carlo Cash Flows and Sustainability: How to Decide on Going Green

Green, sustainable or energy-efficient buildings apparently outperform other buildings with respect to rental level, value, and/or occupancy rates according to empirical findings. Most studies focus on commonly accepted databases to analyze the value or rent differences from a top-down perspective, that is, investigating value or rent differences between subject and control groups. But the decision-making problem at hand is mainly omitted from detailed discussions. We propose a framework using cash flow simulations in order to mirror the decision-making problem that owners face. By enabling both costs and benefits in different ways as inputs to a simulation model, we set up a large variety of realistic scenarios. We also consider findings and indications from previous decision modeling research. Our approach may be employed at all levels of detail that is needed and assists in economic-based decisions for sustainable investing.
Overexpression of Osteopontin Is Associated with More Aggressive Phenotypes in Human Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: The extracellular matrix (ECM) molecule osteopontin is implicated in many pathologic processes, including inflammation, cell proliferation, ECM invasion, tumor progression, and metastasis. The present study evaluated the clinical and biological importance of osteopontin in human lung cancer. Experimental Design and Results: Tissue microarrays derived from non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were analyzed immunohistochemically. Osteopontin protein expression was observed in 64.5% (205 of 318) of primary tumors and 75.5% (108 of 143) of lymph node metastases, but in only 27.9% (12 of 43) of normal-appearing bronchial epithelial and pulmonary tissues. Osteopontin expression was associated with tumor growth, tumor staging, and lymph node invasion. In vitro osteopontin enhanced ECM invasion of NSCLC cells, and an osteopontin antibody abolished this effect. We further analyzed osteopontin levels in circulating plasma derived from 158 patients with NSCLC, 54 patients of benign pulmonary disease, and 25 healthy donors, and found that the median osteopontin levels for the three groups were 319.1, 161.6, and 17.9 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Overexpression of osteopontin is common in primary NSCLC and may be important in the development and progression of the cancer. Osteopontin levels in the plasma may serve as a biomarker for diagnosing or monitoring patients with NSCLC.