Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of phospholipase A2 and tyrosine kinase in Clostridium difficile toxin A‐induced disruption of epithelial integrity, histologic inflammatory damage and intestinal secretion

Clostridium difficile‐associated disease causes diarrhea to fulminant colitis and death. We investigated the role of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors, aristolochic acid (AA), bromophenacyl bromide (BPB) and quinacrine (QUIN) on the C. difficile toxin A‐induced disruption of epithelial integrity, histologic inflammatory damage and intestinal secretion. Toxin A caused severe hemorrhagic and inflammatory fluid secretion at 6–8 h in rabbit ileal segments, an effect that was significantly inhibited by QUIN (71%, P < 0.01), AA (87%, P < 0.000l) or by BPB (51%, P < 0.01). The secretory effect of toxin A was also inhibited in segments adjacent to those with AA (89%, P < 0.01). Furthermore, QUIN or AA substantially reduced the histologic damage seen after 6–8 h in rabbit ileal segments. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, also significantly inhibited (96%; n = 6) the secretory effects of toxin A in ligated rabbit intestinal segments. The destruction by toxin A of F‐actin at the tight junctions of T‐84 cell monolayers was not inhibited by AA or BPB. AA or QUIN had no effect on the T‐84 cell tissue resistance reduction over 8–24 h after toxin A exposure. All the inhibitors were shown to be effective in the doses administered direct in ileal loops to inhibit PLA2 activity. The data suggest that PLA2 is involved in the major pathway of toxin A‐induced histologic inflammatory damage and hemorrhagic fluid secretion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beamforming Designs Based on an Asymptotic Approach in MISO Interference Channels

In this paper, we consider weighted sum-rate (WSR) maximization problems in multiple-input single-output (MISO) interference channels (IFC) and interfering broadcast channels (IFBC). Most of existing techniques have tried to improve the WSR performance by utilizing instantaneous channel state information. However, since these methods in general should be carried out for each channel realization, they require high computational complexity, which may not be suitable for practical systems. To overcome this issue, we propose a new low complexity beamforming scheme for IFC based on virtual signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio with constant parameters which depend only on the long-term channel statistics. In our approach, to obtain the constant parameters, the asymptotic values of the leakage coefficients which control the interference signal power are derived by employing asymptotic results from random matrix theory. Moreover, based on the results in MISO IFC, we extend the algorithm to the MISO IFBC case by applying a power allocation algorithm. Numerical results confirm that the proposed schemes provide the near-optimal WSR performance with much reduced system complexity.
Financial Risk Propensity, Business Cycles and Perceived Risk Exposure

We analyse whether individual financial risk propensity changes over time with background financial conditions, as well as personal and subjective portfolio risk exposure. We elicit risk propensity from six different self-assessed facets collected in a long panel data set from the DNB Household Survey, annually covering the period 1995–2015. Risk propensity is generally higher during periods of economic growth and lower during periods of recession, but is untrended when elicited, using questions referring to safe investments. Our risk propensity measure is also higher following positive stock market returns or subjectively large risk exposure in own past investments.
256×256, 100kfps, 61% Fill-factor time-resolved SPAD image sensor for microscopy applications

A 256×256 Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) image sensor operating at 100kfps with fill factor of 61% and pixel pitch of 16μm is reported. An all-NMOS 7T pixel allows high uniformity gated operation down to 4ns and ∼600ps fall time with on-chip delay generation. The sensor operates with 0.996 temporal aperture ratio (TAR) in rolling shutter and has a parasitic light sensitivity (PLS) in excess of −160dB when operated in global shutter. Gating and cooling allow the suppression of dark noise, which, in combination with the high fill factor, enables competitive low-light performance with electron multiplying CCDs (EMCCDs) whilst offering time-resolved imaging modes.
Folate receptor of human mammary adenocarcinoma

Binding of 3H‐folate to human mammary tumor homogenate was of a high‐affinity type (K= 1010 M−1) and displayed apparent positive cooperativity. Radioligand dissociation was slow at pH 7.4, but rapid at pH 3.5. As compared to methotrexate, 5‐formyltetrahydrofolate acted as a strong inhibitor of radioligand binding. Gel chromatography of radioligand‐labeled homogenate of tumor tissue revealed three peaks: a small 110 kDa peak and two major peaks of folate‐binding activity (Mr∼ 25 kDa and Mr∼ 100 kDa). Mammary tumor tissue showed immunostaining with rabbit antibodies against human milk folate binder. A parallel elevation in the concentrations of folate‐binding protein and triglyceride in tumor tissue as compared to normal tissue adjacent to the tumor was compatible with the localization of folate‐binding protein in the triglyceride‐rich fraction of mammary gland homogenate.
Complement protein C1q bound to apoptotic cells suppresses human macrophage and dendritic cell‐mediated Th17 and Th1 T cell subset proliferation

A complete genetic deficiency of the complement protein C1q results in SLE with nearly 100% penetrance in humans, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for this association have not yet been fully determined. C1q opsonizes ACs for enhanced ingestion by phagocytes, such as Mφ and iDCs, avoiding the extracellular release of inflammatory DAMPs upon loss of the membrane integrity of the dying cell. We previously showed that human monocyte‐derived Mφ and DCs ingesting autologous, C1q‐bound LALs (C1q‐polarized Mφ and C1q‐polarized DCs), enhance the production of anti‐inflammatory cytokines, and reduce proinflammatory cytokines relative to Mφ or DC ingesting LAL alone. Here, we show that C1q‐polarized Mφ have elevated PD‐L1 and PD‐L2 and suppressed surface CD40, and C1q‐polarized DCs have higher surface PD‐L2 and less CD86 relative to Mφ or DC ingesting LAL alone, respectively. In an MLR, C1q‐polarized Mφ reduced allogeneic and autologous Th17 and Th1 subset proliferation and demonstrated a trend toward increased Treg proliferation relative to Mφ ingesting LAL alone. Moreover, relative to DC ingesting AC in the absence of C1q, C1q‐polarized DCs decreased autologous Th17 and Th1 proliferation. These data demonstrate that a functional consequence of C1q‐polarized Mφ and DC is the regulation of Teff activation, thereby “sculpting” the adaptive immune system to avoid autoimmunity, while clearing dying cells. It is noteworthy that these studies identify novel target pathways for therapeutic intervention in SLE and other autoimmune diseases.
G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1)/GPR30 increases ERK1/2 activity through PDZ motif-dependent and -independent mechanisms

G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30), also called G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1), is thought to play important roles in breast cancer and cardiometabolic regulation, but many questions remain about ligand activation, effector coupling, and subcellular localization. We showed recently that GPR30 interacts through the C-terminal type I PDZ motif with SAP97 and protein kinase A (PKA)-anchoring protein (AKAP) 5, which anchor the receptor in the plasma membrane and mediate an apparently constitutive decrease in cAMP production independently of Gi/o. Here, we show that GPR30 also constitutively increases ERK1/2 activity. Removing the receptor PDZ motif or knocking down specifically AKAP5 inhibited the increase, showing that this increase also requires the PDZ interaction. However, the increase was inhibited by pertussis toxin as well as by wortmannin but not by AG1478, indicating that Gi/o and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) mediate the increase independently of epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation. FK506 and okadaic acid also inhibited the increase, implying that a protein phosphatase is involved. The proposed GPR30 agonist G-1 also increased ERK1/2 activity, but this increase was only observed at a level of receptor expression below that required for the constitutive increase. Furthermore, deleting the PDZ motif did not inhibit the G-1-stimulated increase. Based on these results, we propose that GPR30 increases ERK1/2 activity via two Gi/o-mediated mechanisms, a PDZ-dependent, apparently constitutive mechanism and a PDZ-independent G-1-stimulated mechanism.
RNA quality in fresh frozen prostate tissue from patients operated with radical prostatectomy

Abstract Background: High-throughput technologies such as microarray have enhanced the discovery of new biomarkers in prostate cancer. However, the reliability of transcriptome analyses is limited by the RNA quality. Objective: Identification of variables influencing the RNA quality in radical prostatectomy specimens. Material and methods: RNA was extracted using an automatic extraction method for 354 samples from 38 fresh frozen prostate slices, and by manual extraction for 28 samples from 5 slices. RNA quality was measured using the RIN method (RNA Integrity Number). Evaluation of tissue composition was performed by light-microscopy for each sample. Age, total operative time, estimated blood loss, prostate volume, prostate specific antigen (s-PSA) and postoperative Gleason score were registered. The independent variables were correlated to the RIN score in a multiple linear regression model, taking p < 0.05 as the significance limit. Results: The amount of blood loss during prostatectomy and the amount of stroma in the tissue sample both correlated negatively with the RIN score (p = 0.03 and 0.02). Automatically extracted samples which were exposed to heat according to the RNA extraction protocol, had lower mean RNA quality (5.5, 1.46 SD) than manually extracted samples, not exposed to heat (8.7, 0.86 SD), suggesting degradation by temperature sensitive RNases, mainly residing in the stroma. Conclusion: The highest RNA quality isolated by an automatic method from fresh frozen prostate tissue is obtained from patients with low peroperative blood loss and from samples with a low stromal fraction.
Organizational adoption of digital information and technology: a theoretical review

Purpose This paper aims to review previous studies on how organizations, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), adopt digital information and technology, especially on the drivers and the outcomes of the adoption itself. Design/methodology/approach The present study follows a literature review design. Previous studies that examine SMEs’ digital information and technology adoption are taken into account in building the conclusion. Findings The review reveals that digital information and technology that is used for marketing-related position allows SMEs to be more competitive. In general, there are three main theories that have been used to understand the adoption process (i.e. diffusion of innovation theory, technology-organization-environment framework and institutional theory). These theories should be used in conjunction with each other to better explain the adoption process. Additionally, there are three characteristics (i.e. innovation, firm and environmental) that are related to the risks and barriers of the adoption process. Originality/value This theoretical review is among the few that put forward the findings reported in research articles on the digital information and technology adoption process within SMEs. Moreover, this paper summarizes the issues (i.e. drivers, outcomes, risks and barriers) related to the adoption process.
In vivo modulation of CYP enzymes by quinidine and rifampin

The metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics is mediated by enzymes whose activities can be modulated by different compounds. The activities of these modulators have the potential to be used to optimize drug action, prevent toxicity, or identify the enzymes involved in a reaction. This approach requires that selective agents be used for specific enzymes. However, selectivity of action has been poorly characterized in vivo.
Will Small Population Sizes Warn Us of Impending Extinctions?

Several models are used to show that population sizes are often relatively insensitive to deteriorating environmental conditions over most of the range of environments that allow population persistence. As conditions continue to worsen in these cases, equilibrium population sizes ultimately decline rapidly toward extinction from sizes similar to or larger than those before environmental decline began. Consumer‐resource models predict that equilibrium or average population size can increase with deteriorating environmental conditions over a large part of the range of the environmental parameter that allows persistence. The initial insensitivity or increase in the population of the focal species occurs because changes in the populations of other components of the food web compensate for the decline in one or more fitness components of the focal population. However, the compensatory processes are generally nonlinear and often approach their limits abruptly rather than gradually. When there is steady directional change in the environment, populations lag behind the equilibrium population size specified by current environmental conditions. The environmental variable can then decline below the level required for population persistence while the population size is still close to or greater than its original value. Efficient consumers and self‐reproducing resources are especially likely to produce this outcome. More complex models with adaptive behavior, additional consumers, or additional resources often exhibit similar trajectories of population size under environmental deterioration.
Efficient Synthetic Light Field Rendering on Heterogeneous Systems Using a Pipeline-Based Runtime Design

The research interest of real-time global illumination has increased due to the growing demand of graphics applications such as virtual reality. Recently, the design that combines Image-based rendering (IBR) and Ray-Tracing to create Synthetic Light Field (SLF) has been widely adopted to provide delicate visual experience for multiple viewpoints at an acceptable frame rate. However, despite its parallel characteristic, constructing a SLF is still inefficient on modern Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) due to the irregularities. For instance, the issues caused by branch divergence, early-termination and irregular memory access prolong the execution time that cannot be simply resolved by workload merging. In this paper, we proposed a Runtime design that reorganizes the execution into a pipeline-based pattern with grouping of primary rays. With this approach, the number of valid rays can be maintained at a high level with less divergence of paths. Based on the experiment on a heterogeneous system, the throughput becomes 2.48 times higher than the original on average.
Classifications of Patterned Hair Loss: A Review

Patterned hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss seen in both the sexes after puberty. Numerous classification systems have been proposed by various researchers for grading purposes. These systems vary from the simpler systems based on recession of the hairline to the more advanced multifactorial systems based on the morphological and dynamic parameters that affect the scalp and the hair itself. Most of these preexisting systems have certain limitations. Currently, the Hamilton-Norwood classification system for males and the Ludwig system for females are most commonly used to describe patterns of hair loss. In this article, we review the various classification systems for patterned hair loss in both the sexes. Relevant articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE. Search terms included but were not limited to androgenic alopecia classification, patterned hair loss classification, male pattern baldness classification, and female pattern hair loss classification. Further publications were identified from the reference lists of the reviewed articles.
Mini mental status examination (MMSE) in stable chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis: The effects of hemodialysis on the MMSE score. A prospective study

Cognitive impairment is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The mini mental status examination is a simple screening test for dementia. The objectives of this study were to (1) study and compare the predialysis and postdialysis mini mental status examination score and 2 subscores and compare them with those of a control group and (2) determine the factors affecting these scores. This was a prospective study of 54 HD patients, which involved calculation of their predialysis (PrHDSc) and (2–4 weeks later) postdialysis (PoHDSc) scores and comparison of these with the control scores (CoSc). The mean scores for PreHDSc and PoHDSc were 26.5±2.7 and 26.4±3.3, respectively. Both were significantly lower than CoSc, 28.4±1.6 (95% CI for score difference 0.99–2.97, P<0.001). The subscores for orientation, registration, and recall (ORR) and attention (ATT) before and after HD were 14.2±1.3, 14.3±1.8, and 3.5±1.7, 3.2±1.8, respectively. Both were significantly lower than the CoSc, 15.2±1.2 and 4.2±1.1 (P=0.001 and 0.004, respectively). There were no significant differences between the PrHDSc and PoHDSc (P values of 0.87, 0.63, and 0.45, respectively). Patients' PrHDSc correlated positively with PoHDSc and dialysis efficiency measured by the urea reduction ratio and Kt/V (r=0.58, 0.4, and 0.34, respectively). Education level correlated positively with PrHDSc r=0.41 but not PoHDSc. Hemodialysis duration correlated negatively with PrHDSc r=−0.3. There was no correlation among age, chronic renal failure duration, HD frequency, weight loss, systolic or diastolic blood pressure drop, and PrHDSc or PoHDSc. Hemodialysis patients scored significantly less than the control patients. Their score was not affected by HD. This may reflect the stable cognitive function/dysfunction or the mild sensitivity of the test.
Musashi1‐CreERT2: A new cre line for conditional mutagenesis in neural stem cells

The RNA‐binding protein Musashi1 (Msi1) is one of two mammalian homologues of DrosophilaMusashi, which is required for the asymmetric cell division of sensory organ precursor cells. In the mouse central nervous system (CNS), Msi1 is preferentially expressed in mitotically active progenitor cells in the ventricular zone (VZ) of the neural tube during embryonic development and in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the postnatal brain. Previous studies showed that cells in the SVZ can contribute to long‐term neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb (OB), but it remains unclear whether Msi1‐expressing cells have self‐renewing potential and can contribute to neurogenesis in the adult. Here, we describe the generation of Msi1‐CreERT2 knock‐in mice and show by cell lineage tracing that Msi1‐CreERT2‐expressing cells mark neural stem cells (NSCs) in both the embryonic and adult brain. Msi1‐CreERT2 mice thus represent a new tool in our arsenal for genetically manipulating NSCs, which will be essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neural development. genesis, 51:128–134, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Device-Physics-Based Analytical Model for Single-Event Transients in SOI CMOS Logic

An analytical model is developed to calculate the single-event transient (SET) pulse widths in advanced silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS logic. Waveform analysis reveals that the width of the pulses is large enough to exhibit rail-to-rail trapezoidal waveforms, which are a typical shape for SET pulses in SOI CMOS logic irradiated by ions hitting the center of MOS gates at normal incidence, consisting of two time components. Based on their physical mechanisms, they are modeled as functions of the irradiation and device parameters. The widths and their trends predicted by the model are in good agreement with numerical device simulations and pulsed-laser experimental results.
Person centered, technology enhanced learning in action: Action research in a course on organizational development

In the preceding years we practiced person centered, technology enhanced learning in a course on organizational development that was particularly well received by students. In this paper we share the underlying philosophy, discuss the current course design, students' reactions, and our experiences and lessons learned in order to provide a realistic picture and open pool of inspiration for other educators. Concurrently, we confirm the applicability of participatory action research as a methodological framework suited for improving course design, specific interventions, and theory building. Within that framework we suggest to apply qualitative and quantitative methods in order to address specific research questions and to allow for quality management. Initial results indicate that students consider exchange and discussion, cooperation with peers, as well as interpersonal contacts within the team as the top factors for their significant learning. Students felt that besides gaining intellectual knowledge they benefited on the level of social skills and interpersonal attitudes and, furthermore, grew together as a community.
Reconstructing Traceability between Bugs and Test Cases: An Experimental Study

In manual testing, testers typically follow the steps listed in the bug report to verify whether a bug has been fixed or not. Depending on time and availability of resources, a tester may execute some additional test cases to ensure test coverage. In the case of manual testing, the process of finding the most relevant manual test cases to run is largely manual and involves tester expertise. From a usability standpoint, the task of finding the most relevant test cases is tedious as the tester typically has to switch between the defect management tool and the test case management tool in order to search for test cases relevant to the bug at hand. In this paper, we use IR techniques to recover trace ability between bugs and test cases with the aim of recommending test cases for bugs. We report on our experience of recovering trace ability between bugs and test cases using techniques such as Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) through a small industrial case study.