Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity of Δ12 Fatty Acid Desaturases in Santalaceae and Their Role in Production of Seed Oil Acetylenic Fatty Acids*

Background: Unusual fatty acids occur in higher plants through the action of divergent Δ12 fatty acid desaturases (FADs). Results: Two new and one conserved group of Δ12 FADs were identified in Santalaceae plants. Conclusion: Santalaceae FADs modify common and acetylenic fatty acids and show plasticity of activities. Significance: This is the first report of FADs contributing to ximenynic acid formation. Plants in the Santalaceae family, including the native cherry Exocarpos cupressiformis and sweet quandong Santalum acuminatum, accumulate ximenynic acid (trans-11-octadecen-9-ynoic acid) in their seed oil and conjugated polyacetylenic fatty acids in root tissue. Twelve full-length genes coding for microsomal Δ12 fatty acid desaturases (FADs) from the two Santalaceae species were identified by degenerate PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of the predicted amino acid sequences placed five Santalaceae FADs with Δ12 FADs, which include Arabidopsis thaliana FAD2. When expressed in yeast, the major activity of these genes was Δ12 desaturation of oleic acid, but unusual activities were also observed: i.e. Δ15 desaturation of linoleic acid as well as trans-Δ12 and trans-Δ11 desaturations of stearolic acid (9-octadecynoic acid). The trans-12-octadecen-9-ynoic acid product was also detected in quandong seed oil. The two other FAD groups (FADX and FADY) were present in both species; in a phylogenetic tree of microsomal FAD enzymes, FADX and FADY formed a unique clade, suggesting that are highly divergent. The FADX group enzymes had no detectable Δ12 FAD activity but instead catalyzed cis-Δ13 desaturation of stearolic acid when expressed in yeast. No products were detected for the FADY group when expressed recombinantly. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that the FADY genes were expressed in leaf rather than developing seed of the native cherry. FADs with promiscuous and unique activities have been identified in Santalaceae and explain the origin of some of the unusual lipids found in this plant family.
Magma Ascent and the Pressurization of Mount Etna's Volcanic System

After a period of deflation during the 1991–1993 flank eruption, Mount Etna underwent a rapid inflation. Seismicity and ground deformation show that since 1994, a huge volume of magma intruded beneath the volcano, producing from 1998 onward a series of eruptions at the summit and on the flank of the volcano. The last of these, started on 27 October 2002, is still in progress and can be considered one of the most explosive eruptions of the volcano in recent times. Here we show how geodetic data and seismic deformation, between 1994 and 2001, indicate a radial compression around an axial intrusion, consistent with a repressurization of Mount Etna's plumbing system at a depth of 6 to 15 kilometers, which triggered most of the seismicity and provoked the dilatation of the volcano and the recent explosive eruptive activity.
Characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi TcRjl locus and analysis of its transcript

RJLs represent a recently described family of the Ras-related GTP-binding proteins. The Trypanosoma cruzi orthologue, TcRjl, was isolated and its locus was characterized in a region of almost 5 kb. Its 660 bp orf, predicting a protein of 24·13 kDa, is present as a single copy gene in T. cruzi I lineage, and from 1–2 copies in T. cruzi II lineage. TcRjl shares 73% aa sequence similarity with its closest identified orthologue, T. brucei TbRjl. RT–PCR experiments revealed that TcRjl is transcribed in mRNA in the 3 main life forms of the parasite, while Northern hybridization demonstrated that TcRjl is transcribed in T. cruzi epimastigotes as at least 2 transcripts, one of around 950 nt and the other of 1500 nt. Splice-leader addition was mapped to a single site at −69 bp upstream of TcRjl orf indicating that the two mRNA types may derive in differences at the 3′ of TcRjl mRNA. TcRjl locus presents considerable synteny with Rjl loci from Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major as available from their respective genome projects.
[Morphology, immunohistochemistry and hTERC gene in-situ hybridization in Barrett's esophagus].

OBJECTIVE To study the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of proximal gastric mucosa and mucosa of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in biopsy specimens. METHOD Thirty-eight cases of Barrett's esophagus (diagnosed using WHO criteria) and 44 cases of proximal gastric mucosa were studied by immunohistochemistry (for CK7, CK20, CK4, CK8, S-100 protein, MUC6, COX2 and bcl-2) and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) (for hTERC gene). The pathologic features were analyzed. RESULTS The differences in expression of CK7, CK20, MUC6, COX2 and bcl-2 between BE and proximal gastric mucosa with intestinal metaplasia were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There was however a statistically significant difference in expression of S-100 protein (P < 0.05). The expression of CK7/CK4 and CK7/CK8 in BE showed positive correlation (P < 0.05). However, such correlation was not demonstrated in proximal gastric mucosa (P > 0.05). The results of hTERC gene expression by FISH showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups: 57.9% (22/38) in BE and 13.6% (6/44) in proximal gastric mucosa (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The significance of CK7 and CK20 expression is uncertain in the differential diagnosis between BE and proximal gastric mucosa. On the other hand, positivity for CK7/CK4/CK8 may support the diagnosis of BE and play a role in distinguishing between the two groups. S-100 protein expression and detection of hTERC gene amplification also contribute to the diagnosis of BE.
Collaborative leadership as the lens for co-creating an innovation - A curriculum reform in management education

The paper presents collaborative leadership to create a curriculum reform in management education. In our case study, a particular business school wanted to re-modify its curriculum according to turbulence coming, first, outside of the school in terms of increasing complexity in business life and, second, from inside in terms of a large merger. As a consequence, in the co-creation process, a socially-mediated perturbance process started in the school in order to answer the turbulence. According our preliminary results, this kind of process seems to be multilevel and multiphase. It requires new attitudes and a change of the mindset to see management education containing not only knowledge but also the whole doing and being of a student. In sum, the co-creation process appeared to be crucial to foster the change and manage perturbance.
Sinonasal cancer and occupational exposure to formaldehyde and other substances

A case‐control study of cancer of the nose and paranasal sinuses was conducted in France to determine whether occupational exposure to formaldehyde was associated with an Increased risk of sinonasal cancer. Exposures to 14 other substances or groups of substances were also studied (wood dust, leather dust, textile dust, flour dust, sugar dust, coal/coke dust, nickel compounds, chromium compounds, chromium VI, welding fumes, soldering fumes, cutting oils, paints and lacquers, glues and adhesives). Cases (n = 207) and controls (n = 409) were interviewed to obtain detailed information on job history and other potential risk factors for sinonasal cancer. In addition, a questionnaire specially designed for this study was used to help assess exposures to formaldehyde and other substances of interest. The questionnaires were translated into history of occupational exposure by an expert in industrial hygiene, without knowledge of case‐control status. Several exposure variables (lifetime average level, duration, cumulative level) were used to describe the risks related to exposure to formaldehyde. Potential confounding factors (occupational and non occupational) were examined and adjusted for when necessary.
What Explains the Union Membership Gap between Migrants and Natives?

This article explores the differences in unionization rates between migrant and native-born workers in 23 European countries. It explores whether individual characteristics or contextual factors explain the variation across countries in the degree of trade unions’ inclusion of migrant workers. The analyses show that individual characteristics cannot explain the variation in the difference between migrant and native unionization rates. Characteristics of the industrial relations regime in the country of destination, in particular the institutional embeddedness of trade unions, affect the likelihood that migrants join trade unions as compared to native workers.
Comparison of Coxiella burnetii Plasmids to Homologous Chromosomal Sequences Present in a Plasmidless Endocarditis‐Causing Isolate a

Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of human Q fever and chronic endocarditis. Different plasmids have been found in C. burnetii isolates and a correlation between disease state and plasmid type has been established. The plasmid QpRS was found in all but four of the endocarditis-causing isolates examined. These four isolates did not contain a detectable plasmid. However, when DNA from the plasmidless isolates is hybridized with 32P-labeled QpRS, homologous sequences are detected. It was hypothesized that plasmid sequences had inserted into the chromosomal DNA of the plasmidless isolate. A cosmid chromosomal gene bank was constructed from one of the plasmidless isolates and a number of clones were obtained. One clone, pEAS137, contained all of the EcoR I fragments with homology to the C. burnetii plasmids plus several non-homologous fragments. The EcoR I fragments in pEAS137 were in the same linear order as present in the chromosome of the plasmidless isolate and were shown to exist as a single contiguous sequence. This information supports the hypothesis that plasmid sequences have inserted into the chromosomal DNA and makes pEAS137 a good candidate for studying the relationships between the plasmids. Initial studies comparing pEAS137 to QpRS and QpH1 suggest that pEAS137 is more closely related to QpRS than to QpH1.
Histidine residues near the N terminus of staphylococcal alpha-toxin as reporters of regions that are critical for oligomerization and pore formation

Chemical modification of histidine residues in staphylococcal alpha-toxin leads to loss of functional activity. Site-directed mutants of the toxin in which each of the four histidine residues was replaced by several amino acids were therefore produced. The mutant proteins were purified and characterized. Exchange of H-259 or H-144 was sometimes tolerated without reduction in hemolytic activity. These histidine residues are thus not essential for toxin function. Exchange of H-35 and H-48, however, had marked effects. H-35 mutant toxins bound with high affinity to rabbit erythrocytes but displayed faulty oligomerization and were unable to form pores. H-48 mutant toxins also had severely impaired hemolytic activity due probably to faulty hexamerization. We interpret these results to indicate that the N-terminal domain of alpha-toxin in the region of H-35 and H-48 is involved in protomer-protomer interactions that underlie the hexamerization and pore-forming process.
Age and sex differences in physical activity of Portuguese adolescents.

PURPOSE This study sought to examine sex- and age-associated variations in physical activity (PA) among Portuguese adolescents aged 10-18 yr. METHODS A total of 12,577 males and females at the primary or secondary education level were sampled across four regions of Portugal. PA was assessed by a questionnaire, producing four different indexes: work/school (WSI), sport (SI), leisure time (LI), and total physical activity index (PAI). We examined sex and age differences by using two-way analysis of variance. RESULTS Males had higher mean values of PA than did females. In both sexes, mean values for all four PA indexes increased from ages 10 to 16 yr. After age 16, females decreased their mean values, whereas males continued to increase their values (except for LI). In both sexes, the average annual rate of change for the mean values of all four PA indexes correspond to three sensitive age periods (10-13, 13-16, and 16-18 yr). Until age 16, average mean changes for females ranged from +0.7 to +1.6% per year, except for SI in the youngest group (a modest decrease). For males under 16 yr, the pattern was similar, with increases ranging from 0.4 to 1.9% per year. After age 16, females experienced decreases of 1-2.1% per year for the four PA indexes, whereas males showed an increase for three indexes and an average decrease of 1.3% per year for LI. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that it is important to consider sex differences in PA levels among Portuguese adolescents. Unlike their male counterparts, Portuguese females may reduce much of their PA during late adolescence.
Cerebral Xanthomatosis in Three Green Water Dragons (Physignathus cocincinus)

Abstract Cerebral xanthomatosis was diagnosed in three female green water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus), all of which presented with progressive neurologic signs. No antemortem evidence for xanthomatosis was identified, but on postmortem examination cholesterol granulomas, composed of cholesterol clefts surrounded by macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, were found in the forebrain of each animal and were associated with significant displacement and pressure on the adjacent brain. Although the cause of xanthomatosis in these animals is unknown, nutrition and trauma may be involved in the pathogenesis of this condition.
Does Ceos Hubris Affecting Dividends Payout

The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of CEOs Overconfidence (KDB) on non-financial firms dividend that listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2004 to 2013. It is being said that almost every person has overconfidence, similarly with a CEO of a company, particularly because of the scale of power that they hold. CEO with overconfidence has a tendency to lower their dividend payout because they are driven by their subjective consciousness of the possibility of getting an investment opportunity in the future. The samples of this study are 327 companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). The model is using a logit regression. The result shows that company being lead by CEO with overconfidence will have a tendency to hold or reduce their dividend payout. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh Kepercayaan Diri yang Berlebihan (KDB) dari para CEO terhadap dividen non-financial perusahaan yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) dari tahun 2004-2013. Hal ini dikatakan bahwa hampir setiap orang memiliki KDB, sama halnya dengan CEO dari sebuah perusahaan. Hal ini terutama karena skala kekuasaan yang mereka pegang. Para CEO dengan KDB memiliki kecenderungan untuk menurunkan pembayaran dividennya karena mereka selalu didorong oleh kesadaran subjektif mereka tentang kemungkinan untuk mendapatkan kesempatan investasi di masa mendatang. Sampel penelitian ini berjumlah 327 perusahaan yang terdaftar di BEI. Model yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah regresi logit. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa perusahaan yang dipimpin oleh CEO dengan KDB akan memiliki kecenderungan untuk menahan atau mengurangi pembayaran dividen.
The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly: a New Tool

This report describes the development and standardization of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE). This self-assessment tool is designed to assess the effects of hearing impairment on the emotional and social adjustment of elderly people. The inventory is comprised of two subscales: a 13-item subscale explores the emotional consequences of hearing impairment; a 12-item subscale explores both social and situational effects. The inventory was administered to 100 elderly subjects (mean age = 75 years) with hearing threshold levels in the better ear ranging from normal to severe. The reliability of the HHIE was evaluated by assessing its internal consistency through the computation of Chronbach's alpha. Alpha values ranged from 0.88 (social/situational subscale) to 0.95 for the entire inventory. Split-half reliabilities were equally high. The validity of the HHIE was not directly evaluated. Certain aspects of the data, however, support the construct validity of the instrument, while analysis of the questions themselves appears to attest to its content validity. Possible uses of the inventory were described and suggestions were made regarding future research on the instrument. The reliability and validity of the HHIE as well as its brevity, simplicity, and ease of administration and interpretation all recommend its use in assessing hearing handicap in the elderly.
Examining sustainability performance at ports: port managers’ perspectives on developing sustainable supply chains

ABSTRACT This research examined the effects of sustainable supply chain management (i.e. internal sustainable development and external sustainable collaboration) on sustainability performance in the port context. Structural equation modeling was employed in this study using survey data collected from 135 respondents holding the position of supervisor or above in three major international port authorities in Taiwan (i.e. Keelung, Taichung, and Kaohsiung). Results indicated that external sustainable collaboration is positively associated with internal sustainable management, and internal sustainable management positively influences sustainability performance. This research also found that internal sustainable management mediates the effects of external sustainable collaboration on sustainability performance. The implication of the findings for port decision-makers, authorities, managers, and sustainable development are discussed.
Antiplatelet therapy – ticagrelor

Summary Ticagrelor, a cyclopentyltriazolopyrimidine (CPTP), is the representative of a new chemical class of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors that differ from thienopyridines (ticlopidin, clopidogrel, prasugrel) as ticagrelor is not a prodrug requiring active biotransformation by cytochromes in the liver and thus is characterized by a more rapid, more effective and more consistent platelet inhibition than ticlopidin or clopidogrel. An extensive study program for dose finding and safety for AZD6140 (DISPERSE studies) and a large-scaled phase III trial (PLATO) were undertaken on more than 18 000 patients for validation of efficacy and safety. In the PLATO trial, patients presenting with the broad spectrum of ACS, i.e. unstable angina, non-STEMI or STEMI, were randomized to ticagrelor (Brilique, Brilinta) or clopidogrel within 24 hours after onset of symptoms, regardless whether they were allocated to a planned invasive or conservative treatment. Compared to clopidogrel, ticagrelor reduced rates of the primary endpoint consisting of cardiovascular death, non-fatal MI, or stroke, without an excess of the primary safety endpoint that was PLATO-defined major bleedings. Results from the pre-specified confirmatory subgroup of patients undergoing planned invasive treatment was consistent with PLATO main trial. In addition, the primary endpoint, as well as CV death and all cause death were consistently reduced with ticagrelor in numerous exploratory subgroups including STEMI patients, those planned for non-invasive treatment, patients undergoing CABG, patients with renal failure, and those with diabetes mellitus, although patients were pretreated before coronary angiography and patients with clopidogrel pretreatment were not excluded. Conclusions: The pharmacological properties and convincing study results of the PLATO trial have stimulated a paradigm change for dual antiplatelet therapy. The new ESC guidelines on the management of ACS without ST segment elevation recommend the use of clopidogrel only when a new antiplatelet drug, e. g. ticagrelor or prasugrel is not available or contraindicated.
Similarity-based approximate reasoning: methodology and application

This correspondence elucidates the importance of similarity, as modeled by a measure of similarity, in approximate reasoning. A set of axioms is proposed to compute a reasonable measure of similarity between two imprecise concepts represented as fuzzy sets. For approximate reasoning, a similarity index between the fact and the antecedent of a rule is computed and is used in the reasoning mechanism. Accordingly, the existing reasoning mechanism is modified. A new similarity-based approximate reasoning methodology is proposed. As an illustration of its effectiveness, the proposed mechanism is used to develop a rule-based pattern classifier.
Supplementary Materials for Conservation Risks : When Will Rhinos be Extinct ?

The extinction of species carry several risks to society [1]. Biological diversity provides numerous services to humans [1], most of these non-tangible and hard to quantify [1]. Conservationists, thus seek to minimize extinction risks because biological diversity provides ecosystem resilience [2], and human quality of livelihoods associate with system resilience [3]. The material value basis of most socio-economic-ecological systems [4], however, reduces conservation outcomes to a basic price judgment. If a species pays, it stays [5]. Wildlife trafficking of charismatic mammal products, fueled by Asian demand, poses significant threats to biodiversity persistence. International trade bans may result in poachingfed illegal supply chains because high demand and low supply stimulate high commodity prices attractive to organized crime [6]. Some conservationists argue that the reliance of a species’ persistence on its economic value is the basis of its recovery from near extinction (e.g. the Vicuña [7]). Reducing the demand for rhino horn [8], protecting rhinos better [9] and providing horn to consumers [10] offer strategic options to combat rhino poaching. Promoters of introducing trade in rhino horn [6], [11] relies strongly on the dependence of a species’ existence relating to its economic value. The focal mechanism, however, is a form of central selling organization [6]. This is effectively a legal monopoly replacing or competing with an illegal one. Cost-benefit analyses illustrate strategies that stockpile horn, provides best financial return when the species go extinct [12], [10], [13]. Proponents of trade bans recognize non-tangible commodity values [14] and advocate demand reduction [15] along with intensified anti-poaching tactics [9]. Trade-banners accidentally and unknowingly trade in extinction anxiety, the key source of non-government organization (NGO) funding. Costbenefit analyses predict that unintended extinction anxiety trade provides best financial return when a species remains highly endangered. The bankers (legal and illegal stockpile traders) and betters (inadvertent extinction anxiety traders) thus challenge the reliance of a species’ persistence on its economic value. When will rhinos be extinct? It is not a trivial question. For conservationists, extinction is complete failure. For Asian users, extinction collapses a medicinal tradition. For betters,
Multicell cooperation: evolution of coordination and cooperation in large-scale networks

Due to the large growth of mobile communications over the past two decades, the supporting cellular systems have continuously needed to expand and evolve in order to meet the ever increasing demand of wireless connections. While simple frequency reuse and power control were enough to manage the demand of these networks at first, multicellular cooperation and coordination have become paramount to the operation of larger and more highly utilized communication systems. This article discusses the development of different techniques for cooperation in large cellular networks, and offers insights into the need for such an evolution. We investigate various branches of multicell cooperation, including user-based cooperation, system-wide optimization, and the opportunity of multiple-base-station transmission. Furthermore, we offer an example of a recently proposed technique designed for multicell cooperation in full frequency reuse orthogonal frequency-division multiple access networks.