Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transforming growth factor alpha dramatically enhances oncogene-induced carcinogenesis in transgenic mouse pancreas and liver

To characterize the effect(s) of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) during multistage carcinogenesis, we examined tumor development in pancreas and liver of transgenic mice that coexpressed TGF alpha with either viral (simian virus 40 T antigens [TAg]) or cellular (c-myc) oncogenes. In pancreas, TGF alpha itself was not oncogenic, but it nevertheless dramatically accelerated growth of tumors induced by either oncogene alone, thereby reducing the host life span up to 60%. Coexpression of TGF alpha and TAg produced an early synergistic growth response in the entire pancreas together with the more rapid appearance of preneoplastic foci. Coexpression of TGF alpha and c-myc also accelerated tumor growth in situ and produced transplantable acinar cell carcinomas whose rate of growth was TGF alpha dependent. In liver, expression of TGF alpha alone increased the incidence of hepatic cancer in aged mice. However, coexpression of TGF alpha with c-myc or TAg markedly reduced tumor latency and accelerated tumor growth. Significantly, expression of the TGF alpha and myc transgenes in hepatic tumors was induced up to 20-fold relative to expression in surrounding nonneoplastic liver, suggesting that high-level overexpression of these proteins acts as a major stimulus for tumor development. Finally, in both pancreas and liver, combined expression of TGF alpha and c-myc produced tumors with a more malignant (less differentiated) appearance than did expression of c-myc alone, consistent with an influence of TGF alpha upon the morphological character of c-myc-induced tumor progression. These findings demonstrate the importance of TGF alpha expression during multistage carcinogenesis in vivo and point to a major role for this growth factor as a potent stimulator of tumor growth.
Determinants of Access to Credit for Low-Income Population in Brazil from 2002 to 2008

This study evaluates the supply of credit for the low-income population in Brazil in two periods – 2002 and 2008. During this period, an ascent of the population from the bottom of the pyramid, which has enlarged their real purchasing power due to the good economic period in Brazil and to the public policies of income transfer and real raise of minimum wage (from BRL200.00 or USD56.61 in 2002 to BRL415.00 or USD117.58 in 2008), was registered. The article contributes to the literature because it shows that, besides becoming more accessible, credit has become more democratic since attributes such as years of formal education of the people is now more important to determine the credit access than previously used characteristics as colour or gender. Moreover, its access has become more geographically distributed within the national territory, reducing regional difference traits in Brazil. At last, it is important to highlight the chance to companies and also to the government to act, since access to credit for the low-income population, although being in expansion, is still restrict. Therefore, considering the size and representativeness of this population in the Brazilian economy, there is still a long way to go, which may bring opportunities to companies and individuals.
Detection of Gamma‐Hydroxybutyric Acid in Various Drink Matrices via AccuTOF‐DART *

Abstract: A new screening method for detecting gamma‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in drink matrices, using the IonSense, Inc. (Saugus, MA) direct analysis in real time (DART) ion source coupled to a JEOL exact mass time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (AccuTOF), was validated and compared with the current screening methodology. The DART ion source allows for analysis of samples under ambient conditions with little to no sample preparation. Fifty drink specimens were spiked at levels of 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg/mL GHB, and analyzed on the AccuTOF‐DART. Positive detection of GHB occurred for each of the samples at each concentration level, giving 100% accuracy for the samples tested. Twenty‐five of the 50 drink specimens were spiked at 1 mg/mL GHB and tested using a color test known as the GHB Color Test #3. Only two of these 25 specimens tested positive for the presence of GHB, giving only 8% accuracy. Implementation of this new methodology as a screening tool for GHB analysis will quickly eliminate negative specimens allowing the examiner to focus analysis time on those that screened positive.
Delegation in Hard Times: The Financial Management of Arm's Length Bodies in the UK

This paper explores the effectiveness of financial management tools in regulating the use of resources by arm’s length bodies (ALBs) in a period of fiscal stress. The paper presents research undertaken into the implementation of a new financial management tool for ALBs in the UK since the 2008 financial crisis. Drawing on conflict ambiguity theory, the paper shows how the effectiveness of such tools is affected by deep-rooted tensions implicit within arm’s length governance. This gives rise to micro-level conflict over the means of achieving fiscal regulation, underpinned by macro-level ambiguity over the logic of governance pursued by the government.
Raman spectroscopic determination of norbixin and tartrazine in sugar

In this paper, a method for the detection of norbixin and tartrazine in sugar by means of resonance Raman spectroscopy is presented. The extraction was done in four steps using methanol and the measurements were performed in aqueous solution. The excitation wavelength was 514 nm for norbixin and 488 nm for tartrazine samples. The characteristic resonance Raman signals of the dyes were fitted by different functions. Depending on the R 2 values of the different fits, each spectrum was classified as positive or negative response. A detection limit of 250 ng g−1 for norbixin and 989 ng g−1 for tartrazine in solid sugar samples could be reached by logistic regression.
Measuring Financial Inclusion of Indian States

Measurement of financial inclusion is necessary to study the impact of various initiatives by stakeholders and to decide on the future course of action. The various indices developed take into account only banking-related initiatives. Recent focus on financial inclusion has also included other financial services like insurance, pension, financial literacy and remittances in its fold. We have taken these into consideration, in addition to banking services, and have developed measures based on the indicators of three dimensions namely demand, supply and infrastructure, as suggested by Ambarkhane, Singh and Venkataramani (2014). This index also takes into account the impact of negative factors, termed as drag factors, on financial inclusion. The index is developed for 21 major Indian states and ranking is done. The robustness of the index is tested. Comparison with other studies shows that index computed corroborates with them and focuses on poor.
Assessment of individual and conspecific reproductive success as determinants of breeding dispersal of female tree swallows: A capture–recapture approach

Abstract Breeding dispersal is a key process of population structure and dynamics and is often triggered by an individual's breeding failure. In both colonial and territorial birds, reproductive success of conspecifics (RSc) can also lead individuals to change breeding sites after a failure on a site. Yet, few studies have simultaneously investigated the independent contribution of individual reproductive success (RSi) and of RSc on dispersal decision. Here, we develop a modeling framework to disentangle the effects of RSi and RSc on demographic parameters, while accounting for imperfect individual detection and other confounding factors such as age or dispersal behavior in the previous year. Using a 10‐year capture–recapture dataset composed of 1,595 banded tree swallows, we assessed the effects of nonmanipulated RSi and RSc on female breeding dispersal in this semicolonial passerine. Dispersal was strongly driven by RSi, but not by RSc. Unsuccessful females were 9.5–2.5 times more likely to disperse than successful ones, depending if they had dispersed or not in the previous year, respectively. Unsuccessful females were also three times less likely to be detected than successful ones. Contrary to theoretical and empirical studies, RSc did not drive the decision to disperse but influenced the selection of the following breeding site once dispersal had been initiated. Because detection of individuals was driven by RSi, which was positively correlated to RSc, assuming a perfect detection as in previous studies may have lead us to conclude that RSc affected dispersal patterns, yet our approach corrected for this bias. Overall, our results suggest that the value and use of RSc as public information to guide dispersal decisions are likely dictated by multiple ecological determinants, such as landscape structure and extent, if this cue is indeed used.
Rapd Analysis of Trichoderma Isolates for Superior Selection for Biopesticide Preparation

Thirty five isolates of Trichoderma species collected from seven different locations of Bangladesh were studied for morphological characters and molecular variation. Mycelial diameters of the isolates varied from 8.28 ㎝ to 9.00 ㎝. Based on colony colour, isolates were grouped into five such as dark green, green, light green, yellowish green and whitish green. Maximum isolates were green and light green. On the basis of growth habit and colony consistency, the isolates were categorized into three groups, in which most species had fast growth and were compact in appearance. PCR-based Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPO) technique employing 3 decamer primers produced 36 scorable bands of which all (100%) were polymorphic. The co-efficient of gene differentiation (Gst) was 1.0000 reflecting the existence of high level of genetic diversity among the isolates. The Unweighted Pair Group Method of Arithmetic Means (UPGMA) dendrogram constructed from Nei's (1972) genetic distance produced 2 main clusters (13 isolates in cluster 1 and 22 isolates in cluster 2). The result indicating their genetic diversity has opened new possibility of using the most efficient and more isolates of Trichoderma in the preparation of bio-pesticide and decomposition of municipality waste.
Smart AC grid integrating dispersed small hydropower sources

The paper presents a variable speed solution for optimal operation of a group of small water turbines integrated in a medium voltage AC grid. As the efficiency of hydro machines is dependent on the water flow, which usually exhibits a large variation, operation at variable speed is considered. Due to the fact that all hydro generators are AC machines, the connection to the 50 Hz power grid can be done using an AC/DC-DC/AC interface. This power electronics-based interface, additional to transferring the energy from the generator to the grid, will also operate as a reactive power and a harmonic voltage compensator. A small AC micro grid was designed, comprising an 45 kW Frances turbo group, an 7 kW diesel synchronous generator, an 1.2 kW Ballard fuel cell, an 1.5 PV solar panel, an 3 kW energy storage acid lead battery and various loads.
Temporal genetic stability in natural populations of the waterflea Daphnia magna in response to strong selection pressure

Studies monitoring changes in genetic diversity and composition through time allow a unique understanding of evolutionary dynamics and persistence of natural populations. However, such studies are often limited to species with short generation times that can be propagated in the laboratory or few exceptional cases in the wild. Species that produce dormant stages provide powerful models for the reconstruction of evolutionary dynamics in the natural environment. A remaining open question is to what extent dormant egg banks are an unbiased representation of populations and hence of the species’ evolutionary potential, especially in the presence of strong environmental selection. We address this key question using the water flea Daphnia magna, which produces dormant stages that accumulate in biological archives over time. We assess temporal genetic stability in three biological archives, previously used in resurrection ecology studies showing adaptive evolutionary responses to rapid environmental change. We show that neutral genetic diversity does not decline with the age of the population and it is maintained in the presence of strong selection. In addition, by comparing temporal genetic stability in hatched and unhatched populations from the same biological archive, we show that dormant egg banks can be consulted to obtain a reliable measure of genetic diversity over time, at least in the multidecadal time frame studied here. The stability of neutral genetic diversity through time is likely mediated by the buffering effect of the resting egg bank.
New Schottky-Gate Bipolar-Mode Field-Effect Transistor (SBMFET): Design and Analysis Using Two-Dimensional Simulation

A new Schottky-gate bipolar-mode field-effect transistor (SBMFET) is proposed and verified by a two-dimensional simulation. Unlike in the case of conventional BMFET, which uses deep-diffused p+ regions as the gate, the proposed device uses the Schottky gate formed on the silicon planar surface for injecting the minority carriers into the drift region. The SBMFET is demonstrated to have an improved current-gain, identical breakdown voltage, and on-voltage drop when compared to the conventional BMFET. Since the fabrication of the SBMFET is much simpler and obliterates the need for deep thermal diffusion of p + gates, the SBMFET is expected to be of great practical importance in medium-power high-current switching applications
Restriction fragment length polymorphisms among the flagellar genes of the Lior heat-labile serogroup reference strains and field strains of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli

SUMMARY Several typing systems have been described for Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli, to assess the complex epidemiology of these important enteric pathogens. In the present study two typing methods, slide agglutination according to the Lior scheme, and the demonstration of restriction-fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of flagellar genes, have been used in parallel on a set of 194 strains. This set comprised 118 sero-reference strains of C. jejuni and C. coli of the Lior scheme, as well as 76 clinical isolates. All isolates were serotyped and subjected to PCR for amplification of flagellar genes, and the PCR product was restricted with Alu I. Flagellar genes could be amplified in 152 strains. Among 85 seroreference strains, 74 different RFLP patterns were observed, and among 67 clinical isolates, there were 36 patterns. There was only limited correlation between flagellar RFLP and the Lior serogroup, and the variability of patterns in serogroups HL2 and HL4 were as marked as the variability between serogroups. Flagellar gene RFLP patterns are shown to be stable, highly discriminatory epidemiologic markers.
Testing an Enhanced, Process-Based View of the Sales Process

This paper proposes that traditional process-based frameworks of selling may be underspecified given three realities affecting the sales role today: (1) longer sales cycles, (2) an increased customer demand for total solutions, and (3) a shift from a product- to a services-centric economy. An argument is offered that suggests that there are additional, plausible phases in the modern sales process that extant frameworks of the sales process have yet to fully consider. The paper then develops a research model to test key portions of this framework. “Downstream” sales behaviors and outcomes of these behaviors are thus the focal point of the enhanced framework, with behavioral outcomes operationalized via the subjective value inventory, a well-validated instrument on interpersonal negotiation style. Data collected from key account managers (n = 211) for a large services-based, consultative selling organization are used to test the model. The results show an encouraging pattern of relationships within the model. Furthermore, a robust amount of variance in sales performance is explained given both self-reported and objective measures. The paper concludes with a summary of contributions and limitations as well as suggested directions for future research.
Whole‐Cell Voltage Clamp Recording

This unit describes the use of whole‐cell voltage clamping to study voltage‐gated channels. Stepwise changes in voltage produced by this technique cause channels to interconvert between different states, and these transitions are monitored as changes in membrane current. The time course of this redistribution of states contains a great deal of information about the mechanism of channel gating. Furthermore, the voltage clamp can be used to activate different populations of channels selectively. In this way, a specific channel targeted by biological or pharmacological manipulations can often be identified and studied in detail. This technique is also readily adapted to the study of ligand‐gated channels, synaptic potentials, and exocytosis.
EGFR Mutation-specific Antibodies in Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma: A Comparison With DNA Direct Sequencing

Introduction:Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations are usually detected by direct sequencing to identify patients with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinomas as candidates for tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of EGFR mutation-specific antibodies in identifying EGFR-mutated adenocarcinomas. Materials and Methods:Thirty-three consecutive cases of pulmonary adenocarcinomas sequenced for EGFR mutations were retrieved from our files. Immunohistochemistry was performed with the rabbit monoclonal antibodies E746-A750del (6B6) and L858R (43B2). The results obtained using the 2 procedures were statistically compared by Coehn &kgr; and by calculation of sensitivity and specificity. Results:There were 21 women and 12 men, ranging in age from 48 to 78 years. All cases were lung adenocarcinomas, 23 primaries and 10 metastatic. The mutational spectrum was as follows: 12 cases mutated in exon 19 (9 with E746-A750del, 1 with homozygote L747-T751del, 1 with L747-P753del, 1 with E747-S752del), 6 in exon 21 (5 with L858R, 1 with L861Q+L862L), and 15 EGFR wild type. Immunohistochemistry detected 6/9 cases with an E746-A750del mutation (&kgr;=0.744, sensitivity: 66.7%, specificity: 100%) and 5/5 cases with an L858R mutation (&kgr;=1, sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 100%). Four cases showed faint and focal immunostaining and were interpreted as negative. All other cases were negative. Overall, the 2 antibodies had 61.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity for EGFR mutations. Conclusions:EGFR mutation-specific antibodies may represent a first-line screening tool to identify patients as candidates for tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.
Structural and biochemical characterization of the protease domain of the mosaic botulinum neurotoxin type HA

Abstract The extreme toxicity of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) relies on their specific cleavage of SNARE proteins, which eventually leads to muscle paralysis. One newly identified mosaic toxin, BoNT/HA (aka H or FA), cleaves VAMP‐2 at a unique position between residues L54 and E55, but the molecular basis underlying VAMP‐2 recognition of BoNT/HA remains poorly characterized. Here, we report a ˜2.09 Å resolution crystal structure of the light chain protease domain of BoNT/HA (LC/HA). Structural comparison between LC/HA and LC of BoNT/F1 (LC/F1) reveals distinctive hydrophobic and electrostatic features near the active sites, which may explain their different VAMP‐2 cleavage sites. When compared to BoNT/F5 that cleaves VAMP‐2 at the same site as BoNT/HA, LC/HA displays higher affinity for VAMP‐2, which could be caused by their different surface charge properties surrounding a VAMP‐2 exosite‐binding cleft. Furthermore, systematic mutagenesis studies on VAMP‐2 and structural modeling demonstrate that residues R47 to K59 spanning the cleavage site in VAMP‐2 may adopt a novel extended conformation when interacting with LC/HA and LC/F5. Taken together, our structure provides new insights into substrate recognition of BoNT/HA and paves the way for rational design of small molecule or peptide inhibitors against LC/HA.
Quadrature spatial modulation with non-uniform lattice constellation

The transmission structure of quadrature spatial modulation (QSM) restricts the signal constellation to be lattice style. Meanwhile, both the minimum amplitude and minimum Euclidean distance (MED) in quadrature and in-phase domain should be taken into account for the constellation design of QSM. In this paper, a non-uniform lattice constellation is designed for quadrature spatial modulation (QSM), which provides noticeable performance gains compared to the uniform quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) that is designed only based on the MED of constellation. The analysis and simulation results show that the gains over uniform QAM become more notable as the number of transmit antennas increases.
Decision tree-based fault detection and classification in solar photovoltaic arrays

Because of the non-linear output characteristics of PV arrays, a variety of faults may be difficult to detect by conventional protection devices. To detect and classify these unnoticed faults, a fault detection and classification method has been proposed based on decision trees (DT). Readily available measurements in existing PV systems, such as PV array voltage, current, operating temperature and irradiance, are used as "attributes" in the training and test set. In experimental results, the trained DT models have shown high accuracy of fault detection and fault classification on the test set.
Changes in VO2max, physical activity, and body fat with chronic exercise: effects on plasma lipids.

The effect of changes in physical activity levels during chronic exercise on plasma lipids and lipoproteins has not been reported. We examine the relationships between changes in VO2max, leisure time physical activity (LTPA), and percent body fat on changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins in 137 men without coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or dyslipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus who participated in an employee exercise program. Measurements obtained at entry and 1- and 4-yr follow-up include VO2max, LTPA in kcal.wk-1, percent body fat, and plasma lipids and lipoproteins. The relationship between changes in the measurements between 1 and 4 yr of follow-up (N = 34) revealed the following significant (P < 0.05) correlations: i) changes in VO2max with changes in percent body fat (r = -0.289) and changes in plasma triglycerides (r = -0.354), ii) changes in LTPA with changes in percent body fat (-0.361), and iii) changes in percent body fat with changes in the total/high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol ratio (0.358), HDL-cholesterol (-0.212), and triglycerides (0.289). Multiple regression analysis revealed that changes in percent body fat affected changes in plasma triglycerides (P < 0.05). The effects of chronic physical activity on plasma triglycerides appear to result from exercise-related effects on body adiposity. These findings support the role of regular physical activity as mandated by Healthy People 2000 for CAD risk reduction.