Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids—novel cell permeant and red fluorescing DNA probes

Quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids (QBAs) are naturally occurring compounds isolated from plants in the Fumariaceae, Papaveraceae, Ranunculaceae, and Rutaceae families. In addition to having a wide range of biological activities, they are also attractive for their fluorescent properties. We observed interesting fluorescent characteristics in the QBAs–macarpine (MA), sanguirubine (SR), chelirubine (CHR), sanguilutine (SL), chelilutine (CHL), sanguinarine (SA) and chelerythrine (CHE) after interaction with living cells.
Off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery and postoperative pulmonary dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE To investigate how off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) affects postoperative pulmonary function when compared with on-pump CABG. DESIGN Prospective clinical study. SETTING University-affiliated teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS Adult patients (n = 39) undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS Two groups of patients were compared: 19 consecutive patients undergoing off-pump CABG surgery and 20 consecutive patients undergoing conventional CABG surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Pulmonary function tests (flow volume loops and lung volumes with plethysmography) were done preoperatively and 72 hours postoperatively. Arterial blood gases and PaO2/FIO2 were measured at various stages. Sequential chest x-rays were obtained and evaluated for pleural changes, pulmonary edema, and atelectasis. In both groups, PaO2/FIO2 ratios decreased progressively throughout the perioperative period, with no significant differences between the groups at any stage during the study. There was a significant decline in postoperative pulmonary function tests in both groups, but there was no difference between groups at 72 hours postoperatively. No differences were found in the time to extubation, atelectasis scores, or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS Off-pump CABG does not confer major protection from postoperative pulmonary dysfunction compared with CABG surgery with CPB. Strategies for minimizing pulmonary impairment after CABG surgery should be directed to factors other than the use of CPB.
4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal upregulates and phosphorylates cytosolic phospholipase A2 in cultured Ra2 microglial cells via MAPK pathways

Several studies have suggested the involvement of neuroinflammation in the pathomechanism of neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We recently demonstrated increased levels of protein‐bound 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (HNE) as a highly reactive lipid peroxidation product and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) as a proinflammatory enzyme in glial cells as well as motor neurons in the spinal cord of sporadic ALS patients. However, a link between HNE and cPLA2 in ALS remains to be determined. To address this issue, we investigated effects of HNE stimulation on the state of cPLA2 expression in cultured microglial cell line (Ra2). Exposure of Ra2 cells to HNE significantly increased expression levels of cPLA2 and its activated form phosphorylated at amino acid residue S505 (p‐cPLA2) on immunoblots. Pretreatment of Ra2 cells with the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine, the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059 or the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 prevented the HNE‐induced increased expression of cPLA2 and p‐cPLA2. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that staining for p‐cPLA2 in Ra2 cells was localized in the cytoplasm and more intense in the HNE‐stimulated group than in the vehicle group. The present results provide in vitro evidence that HNE upregulates and phosphorylates cPLA2 in microglia via the ERK and p38 MAPK pathways.
[German version of the math anxiety questionnaire (FRA) for 6- to 9-year-old children].

OBJECTIVES Is the FRA a reliable and valid instrument? Are there any gender differences concerning math anxiety? Are there any developmental changes in this regard in the course of the early grades? METHODS Together with the dyscalculia test TEDI-MATH, the FRA was presented to a total of 450 children from the first to the third grade of primary school (at least 40 girls and 40 boys per semester). RESULTS The total scale has an internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) between 0.83 and 0.91. Correlations between arithmetic skills and the FRA scales were mostly significant. The significantly higher negative scores for girls were taken into account by providing standard scores corrected for gender. No systematic developmental changes could be observed. CONCLUSIONS The FRA is the first German math anxiety questionnaire for primary school children. High reliability, standard scores corrected for gender, and economic handling make it an instrument well suited for use in clinical settings (e.g., dyscalculia diagnostics and intervention).
3D vector velocity estimation using a 2D phased array

A method to estimate the three dimensional (3D) velocity vector is presented is this paper. 3D velocity vector techniques are needed to measure the full velocity and characterize the complicated flow patterns in the human body. The Transverse Oscillation (TO) method introduces oscillations transverse to the ultrasound beam, which enables the estimation of the transverse velocity. To expand the method from 2D to 3D, it is proposed to decouple the velocity estimation into separate estimates of vx, vy, and vz in combination with a 2D phased matrix array. Through simulations the feasibility of using the TO method for estimation 3D velocity vectors, and the proposed decoupling is demonstrated. A 64×64 and a 32×32 elements transducer are emulated using Field II. Plug flow with a speed of 1 m/s in a small region is rotated in the XY -plane. A binary flow example with [vx,vy]=[1,0] and [0,1] m/s shows, that the velocity estimation can be decoupled into the transverse and elevation velocity components. This is substantiated by the results for seven different angles, where the mean and the standard deviation of the estimated speed are 0.97±0.05 m/s and of the angle bias are -0.73±3.3° for the 64×64 matrix transducer. For the 32×32 transducer, the mean and standard deviation for the speed are 0.94± 0.11 m/s and for the angle bias -0.48±7.7°. The simulation study clearly demonstrates, that the new method can be used to estimate the 3D velocity vector using a 2D phased matrix array, and that the velocity vector estimation can be decoupled into separate estimates of vx, vy, and vz.
Tidal Expiratory Flow Limitation at Rest as a Functional Marker of Pulmonary Emphysema in Moderate-to-Severe COPD

Abstract Background: Tidal expiratory flow limitation (EFL) is a step of paramount importance in the functional decline in COPD. Among mechanisms contributing to EFL, loss of airway-parenchymal interdependence could mostly be involved. Aim: To assess if EFL is a functional marker more frequently linked to prevalent pulmonary emphysema rather than to prevalent chronic bronchiolitis in COPD patients with moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction. Methods: Forty consecutive stable COPD patients with FEV1 between 59 and 30% of predicted were functionally evaluated by measuring spirometry, maximal flow-volume curve and lung diffusion capacity (DLCO) and coefficient of diffusion (KCO). EFL was assessed by the negative expiratory pressure (NEP) method both in sitting and supine position. Chronic dyspnea was also scored by modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale. Results: In sitting position 13 patients (33%) were flow limited (FL) and 27 were non-flow limited (NFL). Only FEV1/FVC, FEV1 and MEF25–75% were different between FL and NFL patients (p < 0.01). In supine position, however, among NFL patients in sitting position those who developed EFL, had significantly lower values of DLCO and KCO (p < 0.05) and higher mMRC score (p < 0.01), but similar values of FEV1 as compared to those who did not have EFL. Conclusions: In COPD EFL in sitting position is highly dependent by the severity of airflow obstruction. In contrast, the occurrence of EFL in supine position is associated with worse DLCO and KCO and greater chronic dyspnea, reflecting a prevalent emphysematous phenotype in moderate-to-severe COPD patients.
Fast and easy multiresidue method employing acetonitrile extraction/partitioning and "dispersive solid-phase extraction" for the determination of pesticide residues in produce.

A simple, fast, and inexpensive method for the determination of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables is introduced. The procedure involves initial single-phase extraction of 10 g sample with 10 mL acetonitrile, followed by liquid-liquid partitioning formed by addition of 4 g anhydrous MgSO4 plus 1 g NaCl. Removal of residual water and cleanup are performed simultaneously by using a rapid procedure called dispersive solid-phase extraction (dispersive-SPE), in which 150 mg anhydrous MgSO4 and 25 mg primary secondary amine (PSA) sorbent are simply mixed with 1 mL acetonitrile extract. The dispersive-SPE with PSA effectively removes many polar matrix components, such as organic acids, certain polar pigments, and sugars, to some extent from the food extracts. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is then used for quantitative and confirmatory analysis of GC-amenable pesticides. Recoveries between 85 and 101% (mostly > 95%) and repeatabilities typically < 5% have been achieved for a wide range of fortified pesticides, including very polar and basic compounds such as methamidophos, acephate, omethoate, imazalil, and thiabendazole. Using this method, a single chemist can prepare a batch of 6 previously chopped samples in < 30 min with approximately 1 dollar (U.S.) of materials per sample.
Is GDP Overstating Economic Activity

Since late 2015, growth in real GDP has consistently exceeded that in real GDI, a prominent alternative measure of aggregate output, with an average difference of about 0.65 percentage point. Is real GDP overstating the expansion? One way to address this question is by comparing the accuracy of these measures in forecasting a benchmark measure of economic activity, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index. The comparison suggests that GDP consistently outperforms GDI in predicting recent real economic activity. Therefore, the weaker GDI growth does not necessarily indicate slower economic growth.
Tracking of Primary Human Hepatocytes with Clinical MRI: Initial Results with Tat-Peptide Modified Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Particles

The transplantation of primary human hepatocytes is a promising approach in the treatment of specific liver diseases. However, little is known about the fate of the cells following application. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could enable real-time tracking and long-term detection of transplanted hepatocytes. The use of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles as cellular contrast agents should allow for the non-invasive detection of labelled cells on high-resolution magnetic resonance images. Experiments were performed on primary human hepatocytes to transfer the method of detecting labelled cells via clinical MRI into human hepatocyte transplantation. For labelling, Tat-peptide modified nano-sized superparamagnetic MagForce particles were used. Cells were investigated via a clinical MR scanner at 3.0 Tesla and the particle uptake within single hepatocytes was estimated using microscopic examinations. The labelled primary human hepatocytes were clearly detectable by MRI, proving the feasibility of this new concept. Therefore, this method is a useful tool to investigate the effects of human hepatocyte transplantation and to improve safety aspects of this method.
Base excision repair activities required for yeast to attain a full chronological life span

The chronological life span of yeast, the survival of stationary (G0) cells over time, provides a model for investigating certain of the factors that may influence the aging of non‐dividing cells and tissues in higher organisms. This study measured the effects of defined defects in the base excision repair (BER) system for DNA repair on this life span. Stationary yeast survives longer when it is pregrown on respiratory, as compared to fermentative (glucose), media. It is also less susceptible to viability loss as the result of defects in DNA glycosylase/AP lyases (Ogg1p, Ntg1p, Ntg2p), apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonucleases (Apn1p, Apn2p) and monofunctional DNA glycosylase (Mag1p). Whereas single BER glycosylase/AP lyase defects exerted little influence over such optimized G0 survival, this survival was severely shortened with the loss of two or more such enzymes. Equally, the apn1Δ and apn2Δ single gene deletes survived as well as the wild type, whereas a apn1Δapn2Δ double mutant totally lacking in any AP endonuclease activity survived poorly. Both this shortened G0 survival and the enhanced mutagenicity of apn1Δapn2Δ cells were however rescued by the overexpression of either Apn1p or Apn2p. The results highlight the vital importance of BER in the prevention of mutation accumulation and the attainment of the full yeast chronological life span. They also reveal an appreciable overlap in the G0 maintenance functions of the different BER DNA glycosylases and AP endonucleases.
Symmetric Error Estimates for Moving Mesh Mixed Methods for Advection-Diffusion Equations

A mixed method allowing a general class of mesh movements is proposed for an advection-diffusion equation in either conservative or nonconservative form. Several symmetric error estimates are derived for the method under certain conditions. In one space dimension, optimal order L2 convergence and superconvergence are proved as corollaries of the symmetric estimates.
Authoritarianism, Social Structure and Economic Policy Preferences

While elite level and political party ideological positions broadly reflect a one dimensional structure, at the mass level ideological positions appear to be unstructured or multidimensional. In this paper we reconcile this apparent disconnect and argue that economic policy preferences among the general public arise from an interaction between universalistic (socially liberal) and particularistic (authoritarian) dispositions, and social position. The economic preferences of universalistic liberals tend to economic left-leaning regardless of social position, whereas the preferences of particularistic authoritarians reflect their standing in the social order. For example, poor authoritarians tend to favour redistribution while better off authoritarians tend to be economic right-leaning. Using British Election Study, American National Election Study and European Election Study data we demonstrate this pattern across a range of policy areas and social groups. We find a consistent pattern whereby liberals support policies that promote fairness and equality, and authoritarians support policies that benefit their own social group.
PWM switched capacitor converter integrating voltage equalizers for series-connected energy storage cells and photovoltaic modules

In recent photovoltaic (PV) systems, an energy storage source is often installed for power leveling and/or night-time power supply. However, such PV systems require multiple converters, including a voltage equalizer for series-connected PV modules to preclude negative impacts of partial shading, central converter for PV string control, and equalizer for series-connected energy storage cells to ensure years of safe operation, and therefore, PV systems are prone to complexity. To realize the system-level simplification, a PWM converter integrating voltage equalizers for PV modules and energy storage cells is proposed in this paper. The proposed integrated converter comprises a switched capacitor converter (SCC), PWM buck converter, and series-resonant voltage multiplier (SRVM) that perform PV equalization, string control, and cell equalization, respectively. The derivation procedure of the integrated converter is explained and discussed, followed by operation analysis. An experimental test was performed using series-connected supercapacitor (SC) modules and solar array simulators to emulate a partial-shading condition. With the integrated converter, the extractable maximum power from the PV modules was significantly improved while voltage imbalance of SC modules was adequately eliminated, demonstrating the integrated performance of the proposed converter.
The impact of minimum wages on wages and employment: evidence from Greece

This paper investigates the impact of minimum wages on wages and employment in Greece between 2009 and 2017. Our main contribution is the examination of the effects of minimum wages under a dramatically changing context, as during this period Greece has experienced the deepest recession in its recent history, extensive labour market reforms, and several changes in the minimum wage, including a large decrease. Employing a unique administrative panel matched employer-employee data set and a range of estimators, such as difference-in-differences, fixed effects, and Instrumental Variables, we find that minimum wages have a positive and significant effect on individual and firm-level wages with significant positive wage spill-overs extending, sometimes, above the median wage, but no systematic employment effects.
Earnings management and corporate social responsibility: UK evidence

Purpose The paper aims to re-interpret the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in limiting the extreme practices in earnings management (EM) by using evidence from large UK companies. Design/methodology/approach The study has used content analysis and disclosure index to measure the level of CSR. The authors measured EM based on discretionary accruals by using cross-sectional version of the modified Jones model. Findings The findings of this study reveal that companies with a higher commitment to CSR activities are less likely to manage earnings through accruals. Originality/value This study shed more light on the potential impact of CSR on earnings management in the context of the UK. Prior research on the impact of CSR on earnings management has used exclusively CSR scores, provided by CSR score indices. The manual measurement used in this study for CSR (disclosure index/content analysis) is considered to provide a more detailed and precise measure.
Adoption and impact of fertiliser trees on heterogeneous farmer classified soil types in the Chongwe district of Zambia

ABSTRACT Adoption of fertiliser trees in Zambia remains very low while efforts to understand the farmers’ decision-making process in embracing sustainable agricultural practices still eludes research. One area not vigorously pursued in understanding the farmers’ adoption process is the role that farmer classification of on-farm soils plays in adoption and impact of sustainable technologies such as the fertiliser trees. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate adoption rates and impact of fertiliser trees on heterogeneous soil types according to farmers’ classifications. Using data randomly collected from 324 households in the 2011 farming season in Chongwe district of Zambia, it was found that farmers were able to classify the dominant soils on their farms into sandy, clay, sand loamy and loamy soils. Most of the farmers (60%) who perceived their soils to be sandy also indicated facing soil fertility challenges. Perception of being on sandy soils was significantly associated with adoption of the fertiliser trees. Propensity score estimates showed that the technology significantly increased maize productivity on soils perceived to be sandy and sand loamy. The non-significant impact results of the technology on relatively perceived high fertile loamy and clay soils could be indicative of diminishing marginal effect of the technology on already fertile soils. Although adoption of the technology on relatively fertile soils is important for fertility sustainability, its promotion on farms with degraded soils could ensure full expression of its potential, and hence, increase its adoptability chances. Targeting of farmers who receive fertiliser tree seedlings should embrace this condition.
Monkey primary motor and premotor cortex: single-cell activity related to prior information about direction and extent of an intended movement.

1. This study was devoted to the neuronal processes underlying the construction of the motor program. Two monkeys were trained in a choice reaction time task to perform precise wrist flexion and extension movements of small and large extent. During a trial, the first visual signal, the preparatory signal (PS), informed the animal completely, partially, or not at all about direction and/or extent of the forthcoming movement. After a constant waiting period, a second visual signal, the response signal (RS), was illuminated calling for execution of the requested movement. 2. Reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT) measurements during the training as well as the recording sessions revealed that providing prior information about movement parameters strongly affected RT, but only slightly affected MT. Reaction time decreased in relation to the amount (number of movement parameters precued) and the type of prior information. Providing information about movement direction shortened RT much more than providing information about movement extent. Behavioral data support a parametric conception of motor programming, i.e., that the programming of the different movement parameters results from assembling separate processes of different duration. These results are compatible with the model in which programming processes are serially and hierachically ordered, movement direction being processed before movement extent. 3. Single-cell recording techniques were used to study neuronal activity of the primary motor (MI) and the premotor (PM) cortex, contralateral to the active arm. The activity of 155 neurons of MI and 158 neurons of PM was recorded during performance of the task. Of these 313 neurons, only 14 neurons did not change their activity during execution of the task. Two hundred and seven neurons whose activity changes were related to movement direction and/or movement extent have been selected for the further study. They were classified into three main groups: 1) execution-related neurons (49 in MI, 27 in PM), 2) preparation- and execution-related neurons (48 in MI, 54 in PM), and 3) preparation-related neurons (8 in MI, 21 in PM). 4. Directionally selective, execution-related neurons were found to be more frequently located within MI (81/105, 77.1%) than within PM (55/102, 53.9%), whereas directionally selective, preparation-related neurons appeared to be more frequently located within PM (47/102, 46.1%) than within MI (24/105, 22.9%). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Controlling kinesin motor proteins in nanoengineered systems through a metal‐binding on/off switch

A significant challenge in utilizing kinesin biomolecular motors in integrated nanoscale systems is the ability to regulate motor function in vitro. Here we report a versatile mechanism for reversibly controlling the function of kinesin biomolecular motors independent of the fuel supply (ATP). Our approach relied on inhibiting conformational changes in the neck‐linker region of kinesin, a process necessary for microtubule transport. We introduced a chemical switch into the neck‐linker of kinesin by genetically engineering three histidine residues to create a Zn2+‐binding site. Gliding motility of microtubules by the mutant kinesin was successfully inhibited by ≥10 µM Zn2+, as well as other divalent metals. Motility was successfully restored by removal of Zn2+ using a number of different chelators. Lastly, we demonstrated the robust and cyclic nature of the switch using sequential Zn2+/chelator additions. Overall, this approach to controlling motor function is highly advantageous as it enables control of individual classes of biomolecular motors while maintaining a consistent level of fuel for all motors in a given system or device. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 478–486. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.