Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal pacing sites for cardiac resynchronization therapy for patients with a systemic right ventricle with or without a rudimentary left ventricle.

AIMS This study aims to assess the impact of pacing sites on the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in systemic right ventricle (sRV) patients with/without a rudimentary left ventricle (rLV). METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated 13 procedures in 11 sRV patients with a wide QRS (>150 ms). Based on the digitalization results of ventriculography, long-axis dyssynchrony (LD) was defined as extremely delayed right ventricular (RV) outflow tract movement: ≥100 ms delay from the RV apical contraction, and short-axis dyssynchrony (SD) was defined as a paradoxical contraction between the rLV and sRV caused by a conduction delay between the two ventricles. During the follow-up period (2.1 ± 1.9 years), the response rates were 71% (5/7) and 33% (2/6) in the sRV patients with and without an rLV, respectively (P = ns). Following the CRT, the QRS duration remained similar between the responders and nonresponders. Among five responders with an rLV, the leads were placed in the longitudinal RV direction in two with LD, longitudinal RV direction with fusion of the intrinsic QRS in two with LD + SD, and laterally on opposite sides of both ventricles in one with SD. Among two responders without an rLV, the leads were placed in the longitudinal RV direction in those two with LD. CONCLUSIONS In sRV patients with LD with/without an rLV, the leads should be placed at furthest sites in the longitudinal RV direction. In patients with an rLV and SD, the leads should be placed laterally on opposite sides of both ventricles.
Role of CXCR5 and CCR7 in Follicular Th Cell Positioning and Appearance of a Programmed Cell Death Gene-1High Germinal Center-Associated Subpopulation1

Th cell access to primary B cell follicles is dependent on CXCR5. However, whether CXCR5 induction on T cells is sufficient in determining their follicular positioning has been unclear. In this study, we find that transgenic CXCR5 overexpression is not sufficient to promote follicular entry of naive T cells unless the counterbalancing influence of CCR7 ligands is removed. In contrast, the positioning of Ag-engaged T cells at the B/T boundary could occur in the absence of CXCR5. The germinal center (GC) response was 2-fold reduced when T cells lacked CXCR5, although these T cells were able to access the GC. Finally, CXCR5highCCR7low T cells were found to have elevated IL-4 transcript and programmed cell death gene-1 (PD-1) expression, and PD-1high cells were reduced in the absence of T cell CXCR5 or in mice compromised in GC formation. Overall, these findings provide further understanding of how the changes in CXCR5 and CCR7 expression regulate Th cell positioning during Ab responses, and they suggest that development and/or maintenance of a PD-1high follicular Th cell subset is dependent on appropriate interaction with GC B cells.
Bank capital, profitability and risk in BRICS banking industry

This paper analyses the relationship between bank capital, risk and profitability for the BRICS banking industry data from 2004 to 2012. We use a dynamic panel data model based on two-step GMM estimation procedure. For the sake of analysis, we differentiate between before and after crisis periods in order to highlight the impact of financial crisis on clearing up the above relationship. The main empirical results are summarised as follows: 1) capital and risk are significantly and negatively related, while capital and profitability are significantly and positively linked; 2) bank capital has the greatest positive impact on ROE measure of profitability for investment banks; 3) BRICS investment banks are likely associated with a more sound financial supervision and technology; 4) regulatory quality and institutional developments are dependent upon differences in profitability and risk; 5) Results also provide evidence that financial crisis affects considerably the relationship between capital, risk and profitability.
In Vivo Production of Artificial Nonribosomal Peptide Products in the Heterologous Host Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Nonribosomal peptide synthetases represent the enzymatic assembly lines for the biosynthesis of pharmacologically relevant natural peptides, e.g., cyclosporine, vancomycin, and penicillin. Due to their modular organization, in which every module accounts for the incorporation of a single amino acid, artificial assembly lines for the production of novel peptides can be constructed by biocombinatorial approaches. Once transferred into an appropriate host, these hybrid synthetases could facilitate the bioproduction of basically any peptide-based molecule. In the present study, we describe the fermentative production of the cyclic dipeptide d-Phe-Pro-diketopiperazine, as a prototype for the exploitation of the heterologous host Escherichia coli, and the use of artificial nonribosomal peptide synthetases. E. coli provides a tremendous potential for genetic engineering and was manipulated in our study by stable chromosomal integration of the 4′-phosphopantetheine transferase gene sfp to ensure heterologous production of fully active holoenzmyes. d-Phe-Pro-diketopiperazine is formed by the TycA/TycB1 system, whose components represent the first two modules for tyrocidine biosynthesis in Bacillus brevis. Coexpression of the corresponding genes in E. coli gave rise to the production of the expected diketopiperazine product, demonstrating the functional interaction of both modules in the heterologous environment. Furthermore, the cyclic dipeptide is stable and not toxic to E. coli and is secreted into the culture medium without the need for any additional factors. Parameters affecting the productivity were comprehensively investigated, including various genetic setups, as well as variation of medium composition and temperature. By these means, the overall productivity of the artificial system could be enhanced by over 400% to yield about 9 mg of d-Phe-Pro-diketopiperazine/liter. As a general tool, this approach could allow the sustainable bioproduction of peptides, e.g., those used as pharmaceuticals or fine chemicals.
The lead-lag pattern of leading, coincident and lagging indicators in Malaysia

This paper attempts to study the structure of the relationships between leading, coincident and lagging indicators of Malaysian economy. The use of cross-autocorrelation between those indicators indicates the usefulness of those indicators in using them for forecasting. The results suggest that the leading indicator leads the coincident indicator by three months and the lagging indicator by about twelve months. The presence of the positive cross-autocorrelation between the leading indicator and excess returns provides another channel for information regarding the future Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) movement in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. It is found that the leading economic indicator leads the market excess return by one month. The relationship is not found subject to Lucas critique, thus usage of this relationship can be applied without much concern regarding the exogeneity of the leading economic indicator.
Influences of Electric-Field Distribution Along the String on the Aging of Composite Insulators

This paper studies the uneven aging of the composite insulators along the string caused by the nonuniform electric-field distribution. Sheds along the string of two 110-kV composite insulators with varied operation time on transmission lines are analyzed systematically by means of hydrophobicity and thermally stimulated current (TSC) tests, and the aging characteristics of different part of the axial sheds are compared. This paper studies the influences of the electric-field distribution along the string on the aging of composite insulators, combined with the results of electric-field simulation and electric aging tests. Results show that the higher the electric-field strength is, the worse the hydrophobicity of composite insulators surface is and the larger the amount of trap charge is. The study suggests the nonuniform electric-field distribution is the main reason for the uneven aging of the sheds along the composite insulators string.
LEED v4: Where Are We Now? Critical Assessment through the LCA of an Office Building Using a Low Impact Energy Consumption Mix

Various green building rating systems (GBRSs) have been proposed to reduce the environmental impact of buildings. However, these GBRSs, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4, are primarily oriented toward a building's use stage energy consumption. Their application in contexts involving a high share of renewable energy, and hence a low‐impact electricity mix, can result in undesirable side effects. This paper aims to investigate such effects, based on an existing office building in Quebec (Canada), where more than 95% of the electricity consumption mix is renewable. This paper compares the material impacts from a low‐energy context building to material considerations in LEED v4. In addition to their contributions to the building impacts, material impacts are also defined by their potential to change impacts with different material configurations. Life cycle assessment (LCA) impacts were evaluated using Simapro 8.2, the ecoinvent 3.1 database, and the IMPACT 2002+ method. The building LCA results indicated higher environmental impact contributions from materials (>50%) compared to those from energy consumption. This is in contrast with the LEED v4 rating system, as it did not seem to be as effective in capturing such effects. The conclusions drawn from this work will help stakeholders from the buildings sector to have a better understanding of building environmental profiles, and the limitations of LEED v4 in contexts involving a low‐impact energy mix. In addition, this critical assessment can be used to further improve the LEED certification system.
A Modeling Method for ISP Topologies Based on Network-Cost Optimization

Measurement studies of Internet topologies show that the degree distribution of the topologies exhibits the power- law attribute. However, it is apparent that only degree distributions do not determine the structure of ISP topologies, where ISP designs router-level topologies based on their own design policies. Other structural properties rather than degree distribution are important to generate realistic Internet topologies. In this paper, we propose a modeling method for generating realistic ISP Internet topologies that obey the power-law degree distribution and have similar structural properties observed in the measurement studies. Our modeling method adds nodes one by one, and each node connects to optimal nodes in terms of minimizing the overall network-cost. Then, we try to answer a following question: what design factors are important to form realistic Internet topologies? Our results show that node locations and traffic demands are important to form the realistic Internet topologies.
Capital Flows to BRICS Countries during 2000-2010

The objective of this paper is to analyze the dynamics of financial flows towards the BRICS in the period 2000-2010. Particularly, the paper examines the impacts of the capital controls adopted by each economy on the movements of specific types of capital registered in their financial accounts. The idea is to show that, regarding financial dynamics, the economies of the BRICS present peculiar characteristics that should be taken into account in the formulation of strategies for global financial regulation. To accomplish this goal, Minsky’s theoretical framework is used as background; the cycles of international liquidity are discussed as well as their impact on the behavior of capital flows toward emerging economies, specially the BRICS. The empirical analysis allows us to highlight the importance of an adequate capital management to attract long-term financial flows that are able to contribute to the productive growth of these economies.
Neuroprotective Profile of Novel Src Kinase Inhibitors in Rodent Models of Cerebral Ischemia

Src kinase signaling has been implicated in multiple mechanisms of ischemic injury, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated vascular permeability that leads to vasogenic edema, a major clinical complication in stroke and brain trauma. Here we report the effects of two novel Src kinase inhibitors, 4-[(2,4-dichloro-5-methoxyphenyl)amino]-6-methoxy-7-[3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)propoxy]-3-quinolinecarbonitrile (SKI-606) and 4-[(2,4-dichloro-5-methoxyphenyl)amino]-6-methoxy-7-[4-(4-methypiperazin-1-yl)but-1-ynyl]-3-quinolinecarbonitrile (SKS-927), on ischemia-induced brain infarction and short- and long-term neurological deficits. Two well established transient [transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)] and permanent [permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO)] focal ischemia models in the rat were used with drug treatments initiated up to 6 h after onset of stroke to mimic the clinical scenario. Brain penetration of Src inhibitors, their effect on blood-brain barrier integrity and VEGF signaling in human endothelial cells were also evaluated. Our results demonstrate that both agents potently block VEGF-mediated signaling in human endothelial cells, penetrate rat brain upon systemic administration, and inhibit postischemic Src activation and vascular leakage. Treatment with SKI-606 or SKS-927 (at the doses of 3–30 mg/kg i.v.) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in infarct volume and robust protection from neurological impairments even when the therapy was initiated up to 4- to 6-h after tMCAO. Src blockade after pMCAO resulted in accelerated improvement in recovery from motor, sensory, and reflex deficits during a long-term (3 weeks) testing period poststroke. These data demonstrate that the novel Src kinase inhibitors provide effective treatment against ischemic conditions within a clinically relevant therapeutic window and may constitute a viable therapy for acute stroke.
Transcriptomic Analyses Indicate That Maize Ligule Development Recapitulates Gene Expression Patterns That Occur during Lateral Organ Initiation[W][OPEN]

Microdissection of maize leaf primordia reveals that genes utilized during initiation of leaves and branches are redeployed at the ligule blade-sheath boundary. Development of multicellular organisms proceeds via the correct interpretation of positional information to establish boundaries that separate developmental fields with distinct identities. The maize (Zea mays) leaf is an ideal system to study plant morphogenesis as it is subdivided into a proximal sheath and a distal blade, each with distinct developmental patterning. Specialized ligule and auricle structures form at the blade-sheath boundary. The auricles act as a hinge, allowing the leaf blade to project at an angle from the stem, while the ligule comprises an epidermally derived fringe. Recessive liguleless1 mutants lack ligules and auricles and have upright leaves. We used laser microdissection and RNA sequencing to identify genes that are differentially expressed in discrete cell/tissue-specific domains along the proximal-distal axis of wild-type leaf primordia undergoing ligule initiation and compared transcript accumulation in wild-type and liguleless1-R mutant leaf primordia. We identified transcripts that are specifically upregulated at the blade-sheath boundary. A surprising number of these “ligule genes” have also been shown to function during leaf initiation or lateral branching and intersect multiple hormonal signaling pathways. We propose that genetic modules utilized in leaf and/or branch initiation are redeployed to regulate ligule outgrowth from leaf primordia.
Preconditioning Results in S-Nitrosylation of Proteins Involved in Regulation of Mitochondrial Energetics and Calcium Transport

Nitric oxide has been shown to be an important signaling messenger in ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Accordingly, we investigated whether protein S-nitrosylation occurs in IPC hearts and whether S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) elicits similar effects on S-nitrosylation and cardioprotection. Preceding 20 minutes of no-flow ischemia and reperfusion, hearts from C57BL/6J mice were perfused in the Langendorff mode and subjected to the following conditions: (1) control perfusion; (2) IPC; or (3) 0.1 mmol/L GSNO treatment. Compared with control, IPC and GSNO significantly improved postischemic recovery of left ventricular developed pressure and reduced infarct size. IPC and GSNO both significantly increased S-nitrosothiol contents and S-nitrosylation levels of the L-type Ca2+ channel &agr;1 subunit in heart membrane fractions. We identified several candidate S-nitrosylated proteins by proteomic analysis following the biotin switch method, including the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, &agr;-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, and the mitochondrial F1-ATPase &agr;1 subunit. The activities of these enzymes were altered in a concentration-dependent manner by GSNO treatment. We further developed a 2D DyLight fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis proteomic method that used DyLight fluors and a modified biotin switch method to identify S-nitrosylated proteins. IPC and GSNO produced a similar pattern of S-nitrosylation modification and cardiac protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury, suggesting that protein S-nitrosylation may play an important cardioprotective role in heart.
Demystifying relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and financial performance: An Indian business perspective

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a desirable approach considering it reduces risks, increases brand value, improves transparency, and has a possible impact on the financial health of the business. Initiated as an act of philanthropy, it has recently become mandatory as a part of the Companies Act, 2013 in India which mandates CSR spending. The study had an objective to validate that CSR disclosures lead to better financial performance of a company and vice-versa. The study analyzed the relationship between CSR disclosure and financial performance and vice versa using various approaches viz., exploratory to understand the trends and practices and statistical by adopting multiple regression modelling techniques. The results of the study reveal that the company’s financial performance (profitability) has a cause and effect relationship with the CSR disclosure and vice versa, which substantiated the theories predicting that CSR can affect the financial performance of the company.
[The voice evaluation protocol of the European Laryngological Society (ELS) -- first results of a multicenter study].

INTRODUCTION A multidimensional protocol has been established by the ELS in order to reach better agreement and standardisation for functional assessment of pathologic voices. In order to evaluate the validity, practicability and applicability of this protocol the experiences of 6 european voice centres have been analysed in a retrospective study. MATERIAL AND METHODS The ELS protocol comprises 5 dimensions: perceptual voice evaluation, videostroboscopy, acoustics, aerodynamics and subjective rating by the patient. Results obtained in 94 patients with benign voice disorders were evaluated retrospectively in a multicenter study. RESULTS According to our results, the validity, practicability and applicability of the ELS protocol was largely satisfactory. This was true for all "common" voice disorders, but not for extreme voice alterations (e. g. spasmodic dysphonia, aphonia, substitution voices). The 5 dimension proofed to be not redundant and were able to selectively differentiate pre- post changes among various etiologies of voice disorders, various types of treatment and genders.
Different circuit and monoamine mechanisms consolidate long‐term memory in aversive and reward classical conditioning

There has been considerable recent interest in comparing the circuit and monoamine‐based mechanisms of aversive and reward‐associative conditioning in a number of vertebrate and invertebrate model systems. The mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis provides a unique opportunity to explore changes in the neural and chemical pathways underlying these two different types of conditioning as its feeding circuitry has been thoroughly characterised. Animals can learn after a single trial to associate the same CS (amyl acetate) either with a punishment (quinine) or reward (sucrose), showing either a reduced or an elevated feeding response, respectively, to the CS. We previously showed that reward conditioning strengthened the direct excitatory pathway from the lips to the feeding central pattern generator in the buccal ganglia through the activation of feeding interneurons in the cerebral ganglia. Now we demonstrate that aversive conditioning enhances the strength of a different inhibitory pathway that suppresses feeding but has no effect on the excitatory pathway. Here we show that consolidation of long‐term memory (LTM) in reward conditioning depends on dopamine but not octopamine. In contrast, aversive LTM depends on octopamine but not dopamine. Octopamine is the invertebrate equivalent of noradrenalin, so these results on the monoamine dependence of reward and aversive conditioning in Lymnaea resemble, at the transmitter receptor level, those in mammals but are the opposite of those in another invertebrate group, the insects.
Three-step approach to camera pose estimation

Camera pose estimation is one of the oldest and most frequent tasks in computer vision and photogrammetry. The paper presents a three-step (namely determination of camera-point distances, pose angles and line elements) approach to camera pose estimation, and derives the basic mathematic models and introduces the computational method in each step; especially puts forward the direct calculus to determine the rotation matrix. The case study shows the approach is correct and efficient no matter the pose angles are small or large.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ACTIVITIES OF NON-STATE FORENSIC INSTITUTIONS: THEORY, LEGISLATION, LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICE (CRIMINAL PROCEDURAL ASPECT)

This article comprehensively and adequately considered some theoretical and practical aspects concerning the types of expert activities, the implementation of which non-state forensic-expert institution should have an appropriate license issued by them in the manner prescribed by law. Reflected the current system of voluntary certification for the test subject non-state forensic activities. The analysis of judicial practice on sample questions provided law enforcement mistakes of actors eligible to appoint a forensic examination in the criminal case, invited some of the trends of the current legislation. As shown in the examples, despite explicit legal requirements on licensing of certain types of expertise-there are still violations of non-state forensic agencies. Regarding the certification of the institutions, we note that the absence in the law on forensic examination requirements for mandatory certification activities of non-state forensic institutions allow these organizations to make a decision about the need of certification of their activities. This approach of the legislator to the activities of non-state forensic institutions in light of the discussion in this section is not correct, in view of what we have proposed recommendations to improve normative-legal regulation in the field of forensics.