Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic Gamma-Irradiation Induces a Dose-Rate-Dependent Pro-inflammatory Response and Associated Loss of Function in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

A central question in radiation protection research is dose and dose-rate relationship for radiation-induced cardiovascular diseases. The response of endothelial cells to different low dose rates may contribute to help estimate risks for cardiovascular diseases by providing mechanistic understanding. In this study we investigated whether chronic low-dose-rate radiation exposure had an effect on the inflammatory response of endothelial cells and their function. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were chronically exposed to radiation at a dose of 1.4 mGy/h or 4.1 mGy/h for 1, 3, 6 or 10 weeks. We determined the pro-inflammatory profile of HUVECs before and during radiation exposure, and investigated the functional consequences of this radiation exposure by measuring their capacity to form vascular networks in matrigel. Expression levels of adhesion molecules such as E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as MCP-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were analyzed. When a total dose of 2 Gy was given at a rate of 4.1 mGy/h, we observed an increase in IL-6 and MCP-1 release into the cell culture media, but this was not observed at 1.4 mGy/h. The increase in the inflammatory profile induced at the dose rate of 4.1 mGy/h was also correlated with a decrease in the capacity of the HUVECs to form a vascular network in matrigel. Our results suggest that dose rate is an important parameter in the alteration of HUVEC inflammatory profile and function.
Low Temperature-Responsive Changes in the Anther Transcriptome’s Repeat Sequences Are Indicative of Stress Sensitivity and Pollen Sterility in Rice Strains1,2[W]

Low-temperature stress in the rice anther causes genome-wide transcriptional changes, including repeat-sequence expression levels that coordinate pollen sterility. Genome-wide transcriptome analyses using microarray probes containing genes and repeat sequences have been performed to examine responses to low temperatures in rice (Oryza sativa). We focused particularly on the rice anther at the booting stage, because a low temperature at this stage can result in pollen abortion. The five rice strains examined in this study showed different pollen fertilities due to a low-temperature treatment during the booting stage. The microarray analyses demonstrated that the low-temperature stress caused genome-wide changes in the transcriptional activities not only of genes but also of repeat sequences in the rice anther. The degree of the temperature-responsive changes varied among the five rice strains. Interestingly, the low-temperature-sensitive strains revealed more changes in the transcriptome when compared with the tolerant strains. The expression patterns of the repeat sequences, including miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements, transposons, and retrotransposons, were correlated with the pollen fertilities of the five strains, with the highest correlation coefficient being 0.979. Even in the low-temperature-sensitive strains, the transcriptomes displayed distinct expression patterns. The elements responding to the low temperatures were evenly distributed throughout the genome, and the major cis-motifs involved in temperature-responsive changes were undetectable from the upstream sequences in the corresponding repeats. The genome-wide responses of transcription to the temperature shift may be associated with chromatin dynamics, which facilitates environmental plasticity. A genome-wide analysis using repeat sequences suggested that stress tolerance could be conferred by insensitivity to the stimuli.
Tektin3 encodes an evolutionarily conserved putative testicular microtubules‐related protein expressed preferentially in male germ cells

Tektins are microtubule‐associated cytoskeletal proteins that are expressed primarily in the male germ cell‐lineage in centrioles and basal bodies and within ciliary and flagellar doublet microtubules. They are proposed to be important for axonemal architecture and microtubule stability in the sperm tail and in other ciliated and flagellar structures. Using an in silico (electronic database) subtractive approach to identify germ cell‐specific genes in vertebrates, we isolated a new member of the Tektin gene family from mice, Tektin3. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Northern blot analyses confirm that Tektin3 encodes a 1.7 kb transcript detectable preferentially in the testes of adult mice. In situ hybridization analysis in the testes revealed Tektin3 mRNA expression exclusively in late pachytene spermatocytes and early round spermatids. The putative TEKTIN3 protein shares 83.5% overall sequence identity with the human ortholog and includes a fully conserved carboxy terminal nonapeptide signature sequence present in all TEKTIN family members. In addition, using database mining, highly conserved TEKTIN3 orthologs were identified in puffer fish (Fugu rubripes) and rats (Rattus norvegicus) which shared 60.9 and 91.4% identity, respectively, with mouse TEKTIN3. The Tekt3 gene maps to murine chromosome 11 in a region that is syntenic to the human 17p12 chromosomal region containing the human TEKTIN3 gene. Our studies demonstrate that TEKTIN3 is a novel evolutionarily conserved male germ cell‐enriched protein and suggest that it might perform important roles in male reproductive development and physiology. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 67: 295–302, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimal Design of Type_1 TSK Fuzzy Controller Using GRLA for AVR System

A new methodology for designing optimal systematic GA-based fuzzy controller is presented in this paper. Our design is based on genetic reinforcement learning algorithm (GRLA), unlike normal GA, GRLA is only based on the competition and cooperation among chromosomes for survival. The proposed method tries to find best chromosomes with good combination to form an optimal fuzzy controller. GRLA as design method has been applied to the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) system. The controller is able to follow the input reference. A Mamdani controller designated via an ordinary GA is applied using five membership functions for inputs and output variables. A PID controller designed by Ziegler-Nichols method is also implemented to the same problem. A comparison between the obtained results shows the effectiveness of the proposed GRLA method.
Three-dimensional analysis of a lofted instep kick by male and female footballers

Abstract There is a paucity of data describing the lofted instep kick and little information on the kinematic differences between male and female footballers. This study provides a preliminary investigation into the differences in motion patterns between the sexes. A four-camera motion analysis system videoed 13 amateur footballers (7 female and 6 male) attempting a standardised task that represented a lofted instep kick of approximately 35 m. Footballers performed 20 kicks, with the three trials categorised closest to the standardised distance retained for statistical analysis. Three-dimensional motion patterns for kicks of 35 m illustrated that female footballers produced greater fluctuation in movement patterns for pelvic, hip joint and thoracolumbar spine motion in the frontal plane; thorax and hip joint transverse rotation; and ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion motion. Peak hip extension (P = 0.018), impact hip abduction (P = 0.032), impact ankle plantar flexion (P = 0.030) and resultant ball velocity (P = 0.004) differed significantly between sexes. Principle component analysis highlighted associations between kinematic variables related to ball velocity and sex including a reduced hip abduction and increased internal rotation approaching impact, and greater peak knee flexion, respectively. In summary, increased variation in direction of segment motion, increased backswing and formation of a tension arc by females compared to males, may be related to anthropometric, strength and muscle activation differences. Specifically, this exploratory study indicates future research would benefit from exploring trunk, pelvis and hip kinematics and kinetics, and whether training the trunk, pelvis and hip musculature assists female footballers.
Generation of a MDCK cell line with constitutive expression of the Enteropathogenic E. coli effector protein Map as an in vitro model of pathogenesis

Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) cause diarrhea and are the major cause of mortality in developing countries. EPEC use a type III secretion system to deliver effector proteins into the host epithelial cells. To understand the functions of these effectors, majority of studies on EPEC pathogenesis have relied on infections of animals or cell lines with wild type strains of EPEC or mutant strains deficient in one or more effectors. While these studies have provided valuable data, it can be difficult to assess functions of an individual effector in the presence of other EPEC effectors. Recent studies have reported the use of transient transfections with plasmids encoding various EPEC effectors into different cell lines. However, variable transfection efficiencies and expression levels of the effector proteins coupled with their expression for relatively short periods of time pose a problem if the long term effects of these effectors need to be examined. We have generated a MDCK cell line with constitutive expression of the EPEC effector Map (Mitochondrial associated protein) for efficient stable expression of EGFP-tagged Map. We observed that the constitutive expression of Map increased the permeability of charged and non-charged molecules. We also generated polyclonal antibodies against Map and checked for their specificity in MDCK-Map expressing cells. Map has been reported to contribute to the onset of diarrhea but the underlying mechanism is yet to be identified. The MDCK-Map cell line and the anti-Map antibodies generated by us can be used for in vitro studies to examine the role of Map in EPEC pathogenesis.
Joint Analysis of Three European Nested Case-control Studies of Lung Cancer among Radon Exposed Miners: Exposure Restricted to Below 300 WLM

AbstractAnalyses of lung cancer risk were carried out using restrictions to nested case-control data on uranium miners in the Czech Republic, France, and Germany. With the data restricted to cumulative exposures below 300 working-level-months (WLM) and adjustment for smoking status, the excess relative risk (ERR) per WLM was 0.0174 (95% CI: 0.009–0.035), compared to the estimate of 0.008 (95% CI: 0.004–0.014) using the unrestricted data. Analysis of both the restricted and unrestricted data showed that time since exposure windows had a major effect; the ERR/WLM was six times higher for more recent exposures (5–24 y) than for more distant exposures (25 y or more). Based on a linear model fitted to data on exposures <300 WLM, the ERR WLM−1 of lung cancer at 30 y after exposure was estimated to be 0.021 (95% CI: 0.011–0.040), and the risks decreased by 47% per decade increase in time since exposure. The results from analyzing the joint effects of radon and smoking were consistent with a sub-multiplicative interaction; the ERR WLM−1 was greater for non-smokers compared with current or ex-smokers, although there was no statistically significant variation in the ERR WLM−1 by smoking status. The patterns of risk with radon exposure from the combined European nested case-control miner analysis were generally consistent with those based on the BEIR VI Exposure-Age-Concentration model. Based on conversions from WLM to time weighted averaged radon concentration (expressed per 100 Bq m−3), the results from this analysis of miner data were in agreement with those from the joint analysis of the European residential radon studies.
The limits of racial prejudice

Significance Racial segregation in romantic networks is a robust and ubiquitous social phenomenon—but one we understand remarkably poorly. In this paper, I analyze a large network of interactions among users of a popular online dating site. First, I find that users from all racial backgrounds are equally likely or more likely to cross a racial boundary when reciprocating than when initiating romantic contact. Second, I find that certain subsets of users who receive—and reply to—a cross-race message initiate more new interracial exchanges in the short-term future than they would have otherwise. These findings illustrate an important mechanism whereby racial biases in assortative mating may be reduced temporarily by the actions of others. The racial segregation of romantic networks has been documented by social scientists for generations. However, because of limitations in available data, we still have a surprisingly basic idea of the extent to which this pattern is generated by actual interpersonal prejudice as opposed to structural constraints on meeting opportunities, how severe this prejudice is, and the circumstances under which it can be reduced. I analyzed a network of messages sent and received among 126,134 users of a popular online dating site over a 2.5-mo period. As in face-to-face interaction, online exchanges are structured heavily by race. Even when controlling for regional differences in meeting opportunities, site users—especially minority site users—disproportionately message other users from the same racial background. However, this high degree of self-segregation peaks at the first stage of contact. First, users from all racial backgrounds are equally likely or more likely to cross a racial boundary when reciprocating than when initiating romantic interest. Second, users who receive a cross-race message initiate more new interracial exchanges in the future than they would have otherwise. This effect varies by gender, racial background, and site experience; is specific to the racial background of the original sender; requires that the recipient replied to the original message; and diminishes after a week. In contrast to prior research on relationship outcomes, these findings shed light on the complex interactional dynamics that—under certain circumstances—may amplify the effects of racial boundary crossing and foster greater interracial mixing.
Changing Perceptions of Tourism as a Respectable Career Choice for Omani Women

Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Master’s Degree Visamäki Campus, Hämeenlinna, Finland Author Jaana Räisänen Year 2018 Subject Changing Perceptions of Tourism as a Respectable Career Choice for Omani Women Supervisor(s) First Supervisor: Dr. Helena Turunen, Principal Lecturer Second Supervisor: Tarja Pääkkönen, Senior Lecturer
Is the Australian housing market in a bubble

This paper aims to explore principal drivers affecting prices in the Australian housing market, aiming to detect the presence of housing bubbles within it. The data set analyzed covers the past two decades, thereby including the period of the most recent housing boom between 2012 and 2015. ,The paper describes the application of combined enhanced rigorous econometric frameworks, such as ordinary least square (OLS), Granger causality and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) framework, to provide an in-depth understanding of house price dynamics and bubbles in Australia. ,The empirical results presented reveal that Australian house prices are driven primarily by four key factors: mortgage interest rates, consumer sentiment, the Australian SP Flood and Hodrick, 1986). ,The foremost contribution of this paper is that it is the first rigorous study of housing bubbles in Australia at the national level. Additionally, the data set renders the study of particular interest because it incorporates an analysis of the most recent housing boom (2012-2015). The policy implications from the study arise from the discussion of how best to balance monetary policy, fiscal policy and macroeconomic policy to optimize the steady and stable growth of the Australian housing market, and from its reconsideration of affordability schemes and related policies designed to incentivize construction and the involvement of complementary industries associated with property.
Clinical benefits and drawbacks of local corticosteroids injections in tendinopathies

ABSTRACT Introduction: local glucocorticoids injections are widely administered for the treatment of tendinopathies. positive results have been observed in some tendinopathies but not in others. moreover, worsening of symptoms, and even spontaneous tendon ruptures has been reported. the characteristics of the tendinopathies, the clinical peculiarities of the patient, and the technique used to administer glucocorticoids, can influence the therapeutic response. Areas covered: After reviewing the pertinent literature on the clinical results, basic information, both on the pathogenesis of tendinopathies and the effects of glucocorticoids on tendons, is reported. The pharmacological properties of glucocorticoids are useful to counteract some pathogenetic mechanisms of tendinopathies. However, several experimental studies suggest that the direct action of glucocorticoids on tendons is detrimental. Loss of collagen organization, impaired viability of fibroblasts, depletion of stem cells pool, and reduced mechanical properties have been observed. Expert opinion: Drawbacks of local glucocorticoids injections could be predicted on an individual basis, after a careful appraisal of patient characteristics and concomitant medications, along with the specific stage of tendon disease.
Osmoprotective Effect of Glycine Betaine on Thrombopoietin Production in Hyperosmotic Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Culture: Clonal Variations

When 23 recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell clones were cultivated in hyperosmolar medium resulting from NaCl addition (533 mOsm/kg), their specific thrombopoietin (TPO) productivity (qTPO) was increased. However, due to depressed cell growth at elevated osmolality, no enhancement in the maximum TPO titer was made in batch cultures of all 23 clones. To test the feasibility of using glycine betaine, known as a strong osmoprotective compound, for improved TPO production in hyperosmotic rCHO cell cultures, hyperosmotic batch cultures of 23 clones were performed in the presence of 15 mM glycine betaine. Glycine betaine was found to have a strong osmoprotective effect on all 23 clones. Inclusion of 15 mM glycine betaine in hyperosmolar medium enabled 22 clones to grow at 542 mOsm/kg, where most clones could not grow in the absence of glycine betaine, but at a cost of reduced qTPO. However, the relative decrease in qTPO varied significantly among clones. Thus, efficacy of the simultaneous use of hyperosmotic pressure and glycine betaine as a means to improve foreign protein production was variable among clones. Six out of 23 clones displayed more than a 40% increase in the maximum TPO titer in the hyperosmolar medium containing glycine betaine, compared with that in the standard medium with a physiological osmolality. Taken together, the results obtained here emphasize the importance of selection of clones for the successful use of hyperosmotic pressure and glycine betaine as an economical means to improve TPO production.
Binge drinking among youths and young adults in the United States: 1979-2006.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate trends in the past 30-day prevalence of binge drinking by age, sex, and student status, among youths and young adults in the United States between 1979 and 2006, a period that encompasses the federally mandated transition to a uniform legal drinking age of 21 years, and other policy changes aimed at curbing underage drinking. METHOD Data were analyzed from 20 administrations of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, yielding a pooled sample of more than 500,000 subjects. Trends in relative risk for four different age groups, stratified by sex, relative to the 24- to 34-year-old reference group were calculated. We also examined trends in risk for binge drinking associated with student status (among college-age students) and race/ethnicity. RESULTS Significant reductions in relative risk for binge drinking over time were observed for 12- to 20-year-old males, but no changes were observed for females in this age range, and binge drinking among minority females increased. Risk for binge drinking increased among 21- to 23-year-old women, with college women outpacing nonstudents in this age range. Trends also indicate that no reduction in binge drinking occurred for college men. CONCLUSIONS Although the overall trend is toward lower rates of binge drinking among youths, likely a result of a higher legal drinking age and other changes in alcohol policy, little improvement has occurred for college students, and increases in binge drinking among women has offset improvements among youths. Understanding these specific demographic trends will help inform prevention efforts.
Identification of HIV Mutation as Diagnostic Biomarker through Next Generation Sequencing.

INTRODUCTION Current clinical detection of Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) is used to target viral genes and proteins. However, the immunoassay, such as viral culture or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), lacks accuracy in the diagnosis, as these conventional assays rely on the stable genome and HIV-1 is a highly-mutated virus. Next generation sequencing (NGS) promises to be transformative for the practice of infectious disease, and the rapidly reducing cost and processing time mean that this will become a feasible technology in diagnostic and research laboratories in the near future. The technology offers the superior sensitivity to detect the pathogenic viruses, including unknown and unexpected strains. AIM To leverage the NGS technology in order to improve current HIV-1 diagnosis and genotyping methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten blood samples were collected from HIV-1 infected patients which were diagnosed by RT PCR at Singapore Communicable Disease Centre, Tan Tock Seng Hospital from October 2014 to March 2015. Viral RNAs were extracted from blood plasma and reversed into cDNA. The HIV-1 cDNA samples were cleaned up using a PCR purification kit and the sequencing library was prepared and identified through MiSeq. RESULTS Two common mutations were observed in all ten samples. The common mutations were identified at genome locations 1908 and 2104 as missense and silent mutations respectively, conferring S37N and S3S found on aspartic protease and reverse transcriptase subunits. CONCLUSION The common mutations identified in this study were not previously reported, therefore suggesting the potential for them to be used for identification of viral infection, disease transmission and drug resistance. This was especially the case for, missense mutation S37N which could cause an amino acid change in viral proteases thus reducing the binding affinity of some protease inhibitors. Thus, the unique common mutations identified in this study could be used as diagnostic biomarkers to indicate the origin of infection as being from Singapore.