Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of lactate transport in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and human erythrocytes by a synthetic anhydride of lactic acid.

The synthesis and some of the physical and biological characteristics of a new inhibitor of lactate transport are described. The inhibitor is isobutylcarbonyl lactayl anhydride (iBCLA). It is formed by the condensation of lactic acid and isobutylchloroformate. It inhibits lactate transport 50% at 0.5 microgram/mg of protein in both Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and human erythrocytes. In contrast, 15 microgram of iBCLA/mg of protein is required for 50% inhibition of phosphate transport in erythrocytes, and phosphate transport in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells is unaffected at levels as high as 50 microgram of iBCLA/mg of protein. A time-dependent and concentration-dependent reversal of lactate transport inhibition took place on exposure of iBCLA-treated Ehrlich ascites cells to hydroxylamine or dithiothreitol. These data, along with the observed sensitivity of the lactate transporter to sulfhydryl reagents [Spencer, T. L. , & Lehninger, A. L. (1976) Biochem. J. 154, 405-414], suggest that iBCLA acylates an essential sulfhydryl group on the transporter. When glycolyzing Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were treated with concentrations of iBCLA sufficient for complete inhibition of lactate transport, intracellular lactate levels increased, intracellular pH and extra-cellular lactate levels decreased, and overall lactate production was inhibited.
Storage Compartments for Capillary Water Rarely Refill in an Intact Woody Plant1[OPEN]

Visualization of refilling dynamics in Laurus nobilis revealed that both capillary water storage and vessel refilling play minor roles under in vivo conditions. Water storage is thought to play an integral role in the maintenance of whole-plant water balance. The contribution of both living and dead cells to water storage can be derived from rehydration and water-release curves on excised plant material, but the underlying tissue-specific emptying/refilling dynamics remain unclear. Here, we used x-ray computed microtomography to characterize the refilling of xylem fibers, pith cells, and vessels under both excised and in vivo conditions in Laurus nobilis. In excised stems supplied with water, water uptake exhibited a biphasic response curve, and x-ray computed microtomography images showed that high water storage capacitance was associated with fiber and pith refilling as driven by capillary forces: fibers refilled more rapidly than pith cells, while vessel refilling was minimal. In excised stems that were sealed, fiber and pith refilling was associated with vessel emptying, indicating a link between tissue connectivity and water storage. In contrast, refilling of fibers, pith cells, and vessels was negligible in intact saplings over two time scales, 24 h and 3 weeks. However, those compartments did refill slowly when the shoot was covered to prevent transpiration. Collectively, our data (1) provide direct evidence that storage compartments for capillary water refill in excised stems but rarely under in vivo conditions, (2) highlight that estimates of capacitance from excised samples should be interpreted with caution, as certain storage compartments may not be utilized in the intact plant, and (3) question the paradigm that fibers play a substantial role in daily discharge/recharge of stem capacitance in an intact tree.
Epidermal growth factor receptor gene copy number may predict lapatinib sensitivity in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer

Objective: Lapatinib, a dual HER2/EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), associated to capecitabine represents the treatment of choice in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (BC) patients in progression after trastuzumab-based therapy. Though lapatinib-based therapy prolongs the time to progression, its efficacy is often limited by the development of drug resistance. It is aimed to evaluate novel biomarkers predictive of lapatinib response, we analyzed EGFR protein and gene status in a series of 50 metastatic HER2-positive BC patients. Methods: Lapatinib was given at 1250 mg/day continuously and capecitabine at 2000 mg/m2/day every 3 weeks. EGFR protein expression and gene copy number (GCN) were assessed by immunohistochemistry and FISH, respectively. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis identified the value of > 3.36 EGFR copies/nucleus as the cut-off point able to discriminate responders versus non-responders. Results: A statistical significant correlation between EGFR GCN value > 3.36 and response to lapatinib (p = 0.01) was found. Cox regression analysis further supported these findings evidencing that HER2 score 3+ and EGFR GCN increase are positive predictor factors of lapatinib response. Conclusions: Though further investigations are needed to confirm these findings, EGFR GCN could be a suitable screening to identify the subset of BC patients particularly responsive to the dual TKI lapatinib.
Buck converter controlled by using variable switching frequency technique

In this paper, a linearly tunable voltage controlled oscillator with negatively proportional characteristic, termed VCOTheta, is described. Using the VCOTheta and analog PI controller in feedback path of a buck converter operating in continuous condition mode, a control technique with variable switching frequency is presented. No filtering capacitor is required in the proposed technique that provides the advantage of a simple and compact structure. Experimental results show that the output voltage ripple can be reduced. The output voltage regulation can be also kept in constant without stability problems.
Improving the GJK Algorithm for Faster and More Reliable Distance Queries Between Convex Objects

This article presents a new version of the Gilbert-Johnson-Keerthi (GJK) algorithm that circumvents the shortcomings introduced by degenerate geometries. The original Johnson algorithm and Backup procedure are replaced by a distance subalgorithm that is faster and accurate to machine precision, thus guiding the GJK algorithm toward a shorter search path in less computing time. Numerical tests demonstrate that this effectively is a more robust procedure. In particular, when the objects are found in contact, the newly proposed subalgorithm runs from 15% to 30% times faster than the original one. The improved performance has a significant impact on various applications, such as real-time simulations and collision avoidance systems. Altogether, the main contributions made to the GJK algorithm are faster convergence rate and reduced computational time. These improvements may be easily added into existing implementations; furthermore, engineering applications that require solutions of distance queries to machine precision can now be tackled using the GJK algorithm.
Approaches to Rural Typology in the European Union

This study aims to provide an overview of existing approaches and results concerning characterisation and typologies of rural areas for territorial/spatial impact assessment of policies, showing pros and cons of approaches to rural typologies in respect to territorial socio-economic modelling. The study is based on existing literature and methodologies on rural typologies to draw recommendation for an approach to be selected in further research.This study must be seen as a previous step towards establishing of rural typlogies. In the future research of JRC-IPTS rural typology will be used in conjunction with a socio- economic model for territorial impact assessment of the rural development policy defined in the RDR EC 1698/2005 and its successors. 132 The mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy- making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national. How to obtain EU publications Our priced publications are available from EU Bookshop (http://bookshop.europa.eu), where you can place an order with the sales agent of your choice. The Publications Office has a worldwide network of sales agents. You can obtain their contact details by sending a fax to (352) 29 29-42758.
Hydroalcoholic extract of Myrtus communis can alter anxiety and sleep parameters: a behavioural and EEG sleep pattern study in mice and rats

Abstract Context: Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae), myrtle, is an evergreen shrub with strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities. Also, it is used as a sedative-hypnotic plant in Iranian traditional medicine. Objective: This study evaluates the effect of 80% ethanolic extract of M. communis leaves on sleep and anxiety in mice and rats. Materials and methods: Male NMRI mice were subjected to open field, righting reflex, grip strength and pentylentetrazole-induced seizure tests. Male Wistar rats were used to evaluate the alterations in rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) sleep. They were treated with 25–400 mg/kg doses of the extract intraperitoneally. Results: The applied doses (50–200 mg/kg) of M. communis extract increased vertical (ED50 = 40.2 ± 6.6 mg/kg) and vertical and horizontal activity (ED50 = 251 ± 55 mg/kg), while treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg attenuated muscle tone significantly compared to vehicle treated animals (p < 0.001 for all) in a dose-independent manner. Also, a significant hypnotic and not anticonvulsant effect was observed when animals were treated with 200 mg/kg of the extract (p < 0.01). In this regard, electroencephalography results showed that REM sleep time was decreased (2.4 ± 0.5%), while total and NREM sleep times were increased significantly compared to the control group of mice (82.5 ± 7.6%). Discussion and conclusion: The data show the anxiolytic and muscle relaxant effect of the extract without anticonvulsant activities. The anxiolytic, myorelaxant and hypnotic effects without effect on seizure threshold are in line with the effect of a alpha 2 GABA receptor agonist.
Automated Recovery of Three-Dimensional Models of Plant Shoots from Multiple Color Images1[C][W][OPEN]

A fully automatic approach to 3D plant shoot reconstruction uses multiple images taken with a single camera. Increased adoption of the systems approach to biological research has focused attention on the use of quantitative models of biological objects. This includes a need for realistic three-dimensional (3D) representations of plant shoots for quantification and modeling. Previous limitations in single-view or multiple-view stereo algorithms have led to a reliance on volumetric methods or expensive hardware to record plant structure. We present a fully automatic approach to image-based 3D plant reconstruction that can be achieved using a single low-cost camera. The reconstructed plants are represented as a series of small planar sections that together model the more complex architecture of the leaf surfaces. The boundary of each leaf patch is refined using the level-set method, optimizing the model based on image information, curvature constraints, and the position of neighboring surfaces. The reconstruction process makes few assumptions about the nature of the plant material being reconstructed and, as such, is applicable to a wide variety of plant species and topologies and can be extended to canopy-scale imaging. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on data sets of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oryza sativa) plants as well as a unique virtual data set that allows us to compute quantitative measures of reconstruction accuracy. The output is a 3D mesh structure that is suitable for modeling applications in a format that can be imported in the majority of 3D graphics and software packages.
Hierarchical Framework for Implementation of Intelligent Space

In this paper, the problem of implementation of Intelligent Space (iSpace) is considered. iSpace is a room or area where many intelligent sensors and actuators are distributed and networked. In iSpace, the embedded sensors can monitor the whole environment by communicating with each other through the network. Based on the observed information, the actuators provide informative and physical services to users. Such a system should have flexibility and scalability so that we can easily change the configuration of embedded devices and switch applications depending on the situation. It is also important for the system to have a function that fuses the information acquired by each sensor and share it with other devices efficiently. We present a basic framework of Intelligent Space and show the current configuration developed in our laboratory. Some experimental results are also shown.
INTERNAL LABOR MARKETS AND INVESTMENT IN CONGLOMERATES

The literature on conglomerates has focused on the misallocation of investments as the cause of the conglomerate discount. I study frictions in the internal labor market as a possible cause of misallocation of investments. Using detailed plant-level data, I document wage convergence in conglomerates: workersin low-wage industries collect higher-than-industry wages when the diversified rm is also present in high-wage industries (by 5.2%). I con rm this effect by exploiting a quasi-experiment involving the implementation of the NAFTA agreement that exogenously increases worker wages of exporting plants. I track the evolution of wages in non-exporting plants in diversi ed rms that also own exporting plants and nd a signi cant increase in wages of these plants relative to una liated non-exporting plants after the event. This pattern of wage convergence affects investments. Plants where workers collect higher-than-industry wages increase the capital-labor ratio in response to their higher labor cost -- and this response to higher wages is associated with higher investment in some divisions.
Kernel-based hashing for content-based image retrval in large remote sensing data archive

This paper presents hashing based approximate nearest neighbor search algorithms that allow fast and accurate image retrieval in huge remote sensing data archives. Hashing methods aim at mapping high-dimensional image feature vectors into short binary codes based on hashing functions. Then, the image retrieval is accomplished according to Hamming distances of image hash codes. In particular, in this paper two hashing methods are adopted for RS image retrieval problems. The former aims at defining hash functions in the kernel space by using only unlabeled images. The latter leverages on the semantic similarity given in terms of annotated images to define much distinctive hash functions in the kernel space. The effectiveness of both methods is analyzed in terms of RS image retrieval accuracy as well as retrieval time. Experiments carried out on an archive of aerial images show that the presented hashing methods are one hundred times faster than those that exploit an exact nearest neighbor search while keeping a high retrieval accuracy.
Thallium toxicosis in a dog consequent to ingestion of Mycoplasma agar plates

A 1-year-old dog ingested a mixture of blood agar and Mycoplasma agar plates. The Mycoplasma agar plates contained thallium acetate, which resulted in an estimated minimum dose of 5 mg thallium acetate/kg bodyweight. Clinical signs over the course of 2–3 weeks included vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, alopecia, dysphonia, ataxia, paresthesia, intension tremors, megaesophagus with subsequent aspiration pneumonia, and several seizure episodes. The dog was treated with intravenous fluids and placement of a gastric feeding tube. Thallium concentrations in hair were 8.2 µg/g in samples taken on day 19, 16.4 µg/g in samples taken 3 months after exposure, 13.4 µg/g in samples taken 5 months after exposure, and nondetectable in samples taken 7 months after exposure. The blood thallium concentration was 190 µg/l on day 19 and nondetec table 3 months after exposure. Megaesophagus and dysphonia continued for 10 months after exposure. This case of thallium poisoning following ingestion of mycoplasma agar plates demonstrates that unusual sources of thallium still exist and suggests that thallium toxicosis should be included in the list of differential diagnoses in dogs presented with megaesophagus, especially if alopecia and other unexplained peripheral neuropathies are present. Hair and blood samples are useful specimens to reach an accurate diagnosis even if taken several weeks post exposure. The postexposure blood and hair thallium concentrations reported in this case are useful data for diagnosticians investigating dogs with potential thallium poisoning.
Evolution and mutations of hepatitis B virus quasispecies in genotype B and C during vertical transmission

Evolution patterns of HBV QS between genotype B and C during vertical transmission are not well understood. In this study, we enrolled 10 HBV infected mother‐infant pairs (four pairs with genotype B, four pairs with genotype C, and two with co‐infection) without anti‐viral therapy. Serum HBV DNA of mothers and infants were sequenced, HBV QS complexity and diversity were analyzed, polymorphisms and mutation sites were recorded, and phylogenetic trees were performed. Our result showed that the QS complexities in P (amino acid), C/PreC (amino acid), and PreS1 (nucleotide) gene were significantly higher in mothers than in infants in pairs with genotype C (P < 0.05), however, full‐length and other genes showed non‐significant differences (P > 0.05). Unlike genotype C, QS complexity of P gene (nucleotide) was significantly higher in infants than in mothers (P < 0.05) in pairs with genotype B, similarly, QS complexities of full‐length and other genes (except Pre S2) were also higher in infants than in mothers but without significant differences (P > 0.05). QS diversities of full‐length and most genes in genotype B were comparable between mothers and their infants (P > 0.05), in pairs with genotype C, dS of P, X, RT genes, genetic distance of Pre S1 gene (amino acid) and dN of Pre S1 gene were significant higher in mothers than in infants (P < 0.05). Several HBV mutations correlated with immune escape, e antigen loss and drug resistance were observed in infants. The results indicated that differences of HBV QS evolution patterns between genotype B and C during vertical transmission might contribute to distinct prognosis. J. Med. Virol. 88:1018–1026, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A tale of two universities: graduates perceived value of entrepreneurship education

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate career impact of entrepreneurship education (EE) considering evidence drawn from a quantitative study of alumni within two UK higher education institutions (HEIs) from a retrospective perspective. The findings inform the value of the EE experience and its impact on both self-employability and wider employability career choices. This study will be of relevance to both enterprise support agencies and government policy makers. Design/methodology/approach This research study considers evidence drawn from an online quantitative survey of EE within two UK HEIs. The survey evaluated a range of issues including course design, programme satisfaction, impact, career outcomes and respondents demographics. Over 80 respondents completed the survey in full which was analysed using a range of bivariate techniques. Findings The evidence suggested here indicates that EE programmes provide value both in terms of helping to enable business start-ups and also in supporting other career paths, through the enterprising knowledge and skill sets graduates acquire during their specialised studies. This study contributes to the literature by recognising and measuring these contributions. For example, this study enables discernment between different EE course components and their value for different career outcomes. Research limitations/implications The study recognises the limitations of this survey data in terms of the size of the sample, number of HEIs evaluated and its point in time design. Practical implications The HEI sector must evaluate its practices and measure the effectiveness of its graduates in terms of achieving sustainable business start-up. In course design, the evidence suggested that students value both the enterprising and entrepreneurial skills and knowledge components and discern value between them in their later careers. The findings suggest that EE graduates typically experience portfolio careers with multiple occupations in different sectors and roles within both employment and self-employment. Thus it is important that EE programme design includes both enterprising and entrepreneurial components to meet the future requirements of their graduates postgraduation. Originality/value This study contributes new evidence regarding the value of EE in UK HEIs. This evidence should inform course design and policy makers regarding the value of EE in creating self-employment and creating enterprising employees.
Vitamin D–related Host Genetic Variants Alter HIV Disease Progression in Children

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is common in HIV infection and has been associated with advanced disease. This study investigated whether vitamin D–related genetic variants were associated with disease progression in HIV-infected children. Methods: The Fok-I (C/T), Bsm-I (G/A), GC (A/C), DHCR7 (G/T) and CYP2R1 (G/A) genetic variants were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction in HIV-infected children who participated in the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group P152 and P300 protocols, which predated the availability of effective combination antiretroviral therapy. The primary endpoints included time to progression to the first HIV-related disease endpoint (≥2 opportunistic infection, weight growth failure) or death, which constituted the progression-free survival. Analyses were performed for age >2 years and ⩽2 years separately adjusting for race and treatment effect. Results: Of the 998 children evaluated, 139 experienced HIV disease progression. For children >2 years, rapid disease progression was associated with the DHCR7 G allele compared with the T allele (G/G vs. T/T: hazard ratio [HR] = 5.0, P = 0.035; G/T vs. T/T: HR = 4.5, P = 0.042; G/G+G/T vs. T/T: HR = 4.8, P = 0.036) and the Bsm-I A allele compared with the G allele (A/G vs. G/G: HR = 2.2, P = 0.014 and A/G+A/A vs. G/G: HR = 2.0, P = 0.026). In children ⩽2 years, the Bsm-I A allele increased the risk of disease progression in Hispanics (A/A vs. G/A+G/G: HR = 2.8, P = 0.03 and A/A vs. G/G: HR = 2.8, P = 0.046) and whites (A/A vs. G/G: HR = 6.6, P = 0.025 and A/A vs. G/A+G/G: HR = 3.6, P = 0.038). Conclusions: Vitamin D–related host genetic variants that alter the availability and activity of vitamin D are associated with risk of HIV disease progression in children and may vary by age and race.
Effects of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership on Tunisian FDI Inflows

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the effect of regional integration agreements (RIA) on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to developing countries, particularly on the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement signed by the Tunisian government in 1995. The econometric study is based on an extended gravity model treated with the Heckman technique to account for censorship of the explained variable. The main findings are that traditional economic determinants are still the main motivation for foreign investors to invest in Tunisia and that the regional integration process had no effect on this choice.
Bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-κ2 N,N′)(nitrato-κ2 O,O′)(trifluoroacetato-κO)cadmium(II)

In the title complex, [Cd(C2F3O2)(NO3)(C10H8N2)2], the Cd(II) ion is heptacoordinated by two chelating 2,2′-bipyridyl ligands [Cd⋯N 2.370 (6)–2.416 (6) Å], one carboxylate O atom [Cd⋯O 2.290 (6) Å] from the trifluoroacetate ligand and two O atoms [Cd⋯O 2.386 (6), 2.633 (6) Å] from a chelating nitrate anion. The trifluoromethyl fragment is rotationally disordered between two orientations in a 0.640 (7):0.360 (7) ratio. In the crystal, weak intermolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds contribute to the crystal packing stability.