Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early e(cid:128)ects of acute (cid:103) -radiation on vascular arterial tone

1 To determine the acute e(cid:128)ects of irradiation on the functionality of vessel, rat aortic rings were mounted in an organ bath for isometric tension measurements and irradiated ( 60 Co, 1 Gy min (cid:55) 1 , 15 min). 2 Irradiation, which is without e(cid:128)ect on non-contracted or endothelium-denuded vessels, led to an immediate and reversible increase in vascular tone on ( (cid:55) )-phenylephrine (1 (cid:109) M )-precontracted aortic rings. The tension reached a plateau about 5 min after the beginning of irradiation. 3 The maximal radiation-induced contraction occurred on aortic rings relaxed by acetylcholine (ACh) (1 (cid:109) M ). In this condition, the addition of catalase (1000 u ml (cid:55) 1 ), which reduces hydrogen peroxide, and DMSO (0.1% v/v), which scavenges hydroxyl radical, had no inﬂuence on tension level while superoxide dismutase (SOD) (100 u ml (cid:55) 1 ), a superoxide anion scavenger, reduced the observed contraction. A similar result was obtained in the presence of indomethacin (10 (cid:109) M ), a cyclo-oxygenase blocker. 4 Pretreatment of rings with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N (cid:111) -nitro- L -arginine methyl ester ( L - NAME) (10 –100 (cid:109) M ) inhibited the radiation-induced contraction. 5 This e(cid:128)ect was dose rate-dependent and even occurred for a very low dose rate (0.06 Gy min (cid:55) 1 ). 6 The present results indicate that (cid:103) -radiation induces an instantaneous vascular tone increase that is endothelium and dose rate-dependent. This e(cid:128)ect is (i) maximal when nitric oxide (NO) is produced, (ii) greatly reduced by SOD and (iii) inhibited by L -NAME, suggesting a major involvement of complexes between NO and superoxide anion. 1 ); (6) PE-precontracted aortic rings, dilated by ACh after L -NAME (10 (cid:109) M or 100 (cid:109) M ) preincubation.Tostudythe e(cid:128)ect of (cid:103) dose rate on induced contraction, experiments were performed on PE-precontracted aortic rings, dilated by ACh with three irradiation dose rates (1 Gy min (cid:55) 1 , 0.25 Gy min (cid:55) 1 , 0.06 Gy min (cid:55) 1 ) for 15 min.
Specific and Efficient Binding of XPA to Double-strand/Single-strand DNA Junctions with 3 ′ - and/or 5 ′ -ssDNA Branches

Human XPA is an important DNA damage recognition protein in nucleotide excision repair (NER). We previously observed that XPA binds to DNA lesion as a homodimer (1). Herein we report that XPA recognized undamaged DNA doublestrand/ single-strand (ds-ssDNA) junctions containing ssDNA branches with binding affinity (K d = 49.1±5.1 nM) much higher than its ability to bind to DNA damage. The recognized DNA junction structures include Y-shape junction (with both 3 ′ - and 5 ′ - ssDNA branches), 3 ′ -overhang junction (with a 3 ′ -ssDNA branch), and 5 ′ -overhang junction (with a 5 ′ -ssDNA branch). Using gel filtration chromatography and gel mobility shift assays, we showed that the highly efficient binding appeared to be carried out by the XPA monomer and that the binding was largely independent of RPA. Furthermore, XPA efficiently bound to six-nucleotide mismatched DNA bubble substrates with or without DNA adducts including C8 guanine adducts of AF, AAF, and AP, and the T[6,4] T photo products. Using a set of defined DNA substrates with varying degrees of DNA bending, we also found that the XPC-HR23B complex recognized DNA bending, whereas neither XPA nor the XPA-RPA complex could bind to bent DNA. We propose that besides DNA damage recognition, XPA may also play a novel role in stabilizing, via its high affinity to ds-ssDNA junctions, the DNA strand opening surrounding the lesion for stable formation of pre-incision NER intermediates. Our results provide a plausible mechanistic interpretation for the indispensable requirement of XPA for both global genome and transcription-coupled repairs. Since ds-ssDNA junctions are common intermediates in many DNA metabolic pathways, the additional potential role of XPA in cellular processes is discussed.
F RICTION IN A HYBRID SYSTEM . A N IN VITRO STUDY

SUMMARYFriction in a hybrid system. An in vitro study Aim. The aim of this study was to compare the frictional force generated by self-ligating and conventional brackets coupled with stainless steel wires when conventional elastomeric or stainless steel ligatures were applied. Method. Four types of brackets were selected for the study: one passive self-ligating bracket, two active self-ligating brackets, and one conventional bracket. For each type of bracket one molar tube and two upper premolars were used in combination with three different wires (0.016x0.022, 0.017x0.025 and 0.019x0.025 inch). Testing was performed with an Instron machine. Each bracket/wire combination was tested with conventional elastomeric and stainless steel ligatures. Tests performed with self-ligating brackets were carried out also without conventional ligatures. ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc tests were used to compare the results for the different bracket/wire/ligature assemblies. Results. Active self-ligating bracket/0.017x0. 025 inch or 0.019x0. 025 inch/stainless steel ligature assemblies showed significantly higher values of frictional forces than conventional bracket for the same combinations. Passive self-ligating brackets showed significantly lower values of friction than conventional brackets for each wire/ligature assembly. Conclusions. The use of stainless steel ligatures applied on active self-ligating brackets produced significantly higher level of frictional force than in combination with conventional brackets for 0.017x0. 025 inch and 0.019x0. 025 inch wires.
Portfolios of Agile Projects

While agile approaches can be extremely effective at a project level, they can impose significant complexity and a need for adaptiveness at the project portfolio level. While this has proven to be highly problematic, there is little research on how to manage a set of agile projects at the project portfolio level. What limited research that does exist often assumes that portfolio-level agility can be achieved by simply scaling project level agile approaches such as Scrum. This study uses a complex adaptive systems lens, focusing specifically on the properties of projects as agents in a complex adaptive portfolio to critically appraise current thinking on portfolio management in an agile context. We then draw on a set of 30 expert interviews to develop 16 complex adaptive systems (CAS)-based propositions as to how portfolios of agile projects can be managed effectively. We also outline an agenda for future research and discuss the differences between a CAS-based approach to portfolio management and traditional approaches.
Longitudinal error improvement by visual odometry trajectory trail and road segment matching

As one of the key requirements in the intelligent vehicle, accurate and precise localisation is essential to ensure swift route planning during the drive. In this study, the authors would like to reduce the longitudinal positioning error that remains as a challenge in accurate localisation. To solve this, they propose a data fusion method by integrating information from visual odometry (VO), noisy GPS, and road information obtained from the publicly available digital map with particle filter. The curve of the VO trajectory trail is compared with road segments curve to increase longitudinal accuracy. This method is validated by KITTI dataset, tested with different GPS noise conditions, and the results show improved localisation for both lateral and longitudinal positioning errors.
alpha-tropomyosin exon 2 Enhancer elements activate the weak 3' splice site of

We have identified four purine-rich sequences that act as splicing enhancer elements to activate the weak 3 9 splice site of a -tropomyosin exon 2. These elements also activate the splicing of heterologous substrates containing weak 3 9 splice sites or mutated 5 9 splice sites. However, they are unique in that they can activate splicing whether they are placed in an upstream or downstream exon, and the two central elements can function regardless of their position relative to one another. The presence of excess RNAs containing these enhancers could effectively inhibit in vitro pre-mRNA splicing reactions in a substrate-dependent manner and, at lower concentrations of competitor RNA, the addition of SR proteins could relieve the inhibition. However, when extracts were depleted by incubation with biotinylated exon 2 RNAs followed by passage over streptavidin agarose, SR proteins were not sufficient to restore splicing. Instead, both SR proteins and fractions containing a 110-kD protein were necessary to rescue splicing. Using gel mobility shift assays, we show that formation of stable enhancer-specific complexes on a -tropomyosin exon 2 requires the presence of both SR proteins and the 110-kD protein. By analogy to the doublesexexon enhancer elements in Drosophila, our results suggest that assembly of mammalian exon enhancer complexes requires both SR and non-SR proteins to activate selection of weak splice sites. exon 2 RNA and streptavidin-agarose + The agarose beads were then pelleted , and the supernatant (biotin-E2 depleted NE) was assayed for splicing activity + Control extract was carried through the above incubations but buffer was substituted for the RNA and streptavidin agarose + Similarly , mock-depleted extract was treated with streptavidin–agarose , but not biotinylated RNA + SR proteins alone could not restore splicing to the depleted extracts but the combination of SR proteins and fractions containing the 110-kDa protein was sufficient to rescue splicing + B : Enhancer complex formation + A 25–45% ammonium sulfate fraction of HeLa nuclear extract containing the 110-kDa protein was subjected to further purification in which the presence of the 110-kDa protein was assayed by Northwestern blots (see Materials and Methods) + Enriched fractions were incubated with wild-type exon 2 RNA probes in the presence or absence of wild-type (wt) or mutant (mt) competitor RNAs and purified SR proteins and subjected to native gel electrophoresis + Only the combination of SR proteins and the 10-kDa protein could form a stable , enhancer-specific complex +
Smartphone Placement Within Vehicles

Smartphone-based driver monitoring is quickly gaining ground as a feasible alternative to competing in-vehicle and aftermarket solutions. Currently the main challenges for data analysts studying smartphone-based driving data stem from the mobility of the smartphone. In this paper, we use kernel-based k-means clustering to infer the placement of smartphones within vehicles. The trip segments are mapped into fifteen different placement clusters. As a part of the presented framework, we discuss practical considerations concerning e.g., trip segmentation, cluster initialization, and parameter selection. The proposed method is evaluated on more than 10 000 kilometers of driving data collected from approximately 200 drivers. To validate the interpretation of the clusters, we compare the data associated with different clusters and relate the results to real-world knowledge of driving behavior. The clusters associated with the label “Held by hand” are shown to display high gyroscope variances, low maximum speeds, low correlations between the measurements from smartphone-embedded and vehicle-fixed accelerometers, and short segment durations.
The Impact of Printing Substrate on Dot Deformation in Flexography

This study characterizes and compares the dot properties in flexography on coated and uncoated paper and on OPP film, with the use of conventional AM screening technology and photopolymer plate with flat top dots. A monochrome test form was created and printed with cyan ink on three different printing substrates. For the study of the dot deformation, microscopic images were taken from the prints and analyzed using ImageJ software. The primary area of the study are highlight tones since the reproduction of small dots is synonymous with high quality reproduction. All significant parameters of the dot deformation were evaluated, including the dot geometry, dot sharpness and uniformity of density. The image analysis showed that dot deformation is the result of spreading and penetration of the ink. The microscopic snapshots of the test areas on the prints show that ink penetrates significantly into the pores and holes of the uncoated paper, resulting in a non-homogeneous dot, thus losing its original shape. On coated paper and OPP film, the ink spreads more on the surface of the printing substrate and in such way gives a more homogeneous dot shape.
Diffusion of Innovation in Long-Term Care (DOI-LTC) Measurement Battery

, Abstract Poor understanding of factors influencing integration of new practices into long-term care (LTC) hinders timely implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs). Using the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) framework, a new instrument measuring staff perceptions of an EBP was developed as part of a DOI-LTC battery, and tested in a cross-sectional survey of North Carolina LTC nursing personnel. Valid questionnaires were received from 95 licensed nurses and 102 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Internal consistency reliability for five of seven subscales was acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = .77 to .95). Perception of innovation attributes was associated with intention to adopt the new practice (licensed nurses Spearman Rho = .41–.68, p < .0001; CNAs = . 26–.54, p = .05 to < .0001). The DOI-LTC battery represents a promising new approach to studying implementation of EBPs in LTC. Future work should examine its responsiveness to interventions that facilitate implementation of EBPs in LTC.
Changes in Weight Status and the Intestinal Microbiota among Adolescent College Freshman

Purpose— The transition to college is a vulnerable period for weight gain and the onset of obesity. Gut microbes differ in obese compared to lean individuals, but gut microbiota in adolescent-aged college freshmen during a known period of weight gain have never been studied. This pre-post observational pilot study assessed associations between intestinal microbiota changes and weight-related outcomes in healthy adolescent college freshmen living in on-campus dormitories at Arizona State University (n=39). Methods— We measured anthropometrics (waist circumference, height, weight, and body mass index) and collected fecal samples at the beginning and end of the 2015–2016 academic year. Fold changes in species-level microbes across time were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and used in correlation and multivariate regression analyses. Results— A total of 24 female and 15 male adolescents (aged 18.54 ± 0.67 y) participated in this study. Over the academic year, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) increased by 0.97±1.28 kg/m 2 and 2.64±4.90 cm, respectively. Correlation analyses indicated a significant negative association between A. muciniphila and both % WC change and % BMI change (r= −0.66; p<0.01 and r= −0.33; p=0.04, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis controlling for sociodemographics showed a significant association between A. muciniphila and % WC change, but not % BMI change (R 2 =0.53; p<0.01 and R 2 =0.24; p=0.15, respectively). Conclusion— As this was the first study in a university-based adolescent population to show a relationship between A. muciniphila and weight-related outcomes, further research is needed to explore these findings. negative association between A. muciniphila fold changes and changes in WC in freshman students living in on-campus housing over a 9-month academic year. More research is needed to confirm these findings and further explore relationships between the intestinal microbiome and weight-related outcomes in college students. A larger sample size and more comprehensive sequencing of microbial communities could provide more information on potential associations and mechanisms. A specific area for further investigation is to observe how both dietary and physical activity behaviors may contribute to weight and microbial changes across the freshman year of college. Ultimately, such findings may inform future interventions aimed at preventing weight gain in this high-risk population.
Analysis of Variable Frequency Energy-Saving Operation of Beam Pumping Unit

The frequency converter has been applied in the beam pumping unit, but the field application is still immature, and the energy saving effect is not ideal. This paper briefly analyzes the movement law of the beam pumping unit, and makes a proper simplification of the suspension point load. It derives the work done by the motor in one stroke of the steam head, and combines the oil recovery per unit time of the pumping unit. The operating law of the inverter when the ratio of motor energy consumption to oil production is the smallest. Finally, through simulation analysis, it is verified that the energy consumption of the slow and fast operation mode is lower than that of the constant speed operation mode.
Sequence and spatial expression of zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) α A-crystallin

Purpose— To determine the nucleotide sequence, amino acid sequence and tissue specificity of zebrafish α A-crystallin. Methods— RACE, both 3 ′ and 5 ′ , was used to clone the zebrafish α A-crystallin gene. The peptide sequence of the encoded protein was deduced and compared to cavefish, shark, amphibian, bird and human orthologues using the CLUSTAL W algorithm. α A-crystallin transcript was evaluated in brain, heart, lens, liver, skeletal muscle/skin, and spleen by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results— The 173 amino acid sequence of zebrafish α A-crystallin was determined to be 73% and 86% similar to its human and cavefish orthologues, respectively. We detected high expression of zebrafish α A-crystallin in the lens and very low expression in liver and spleen. Conclusions— Few amino acids identified as being functionally important to chaperone function differ between zebrafish and mammalian α A-crystallin. The expression of α A-crystallin is mainly confined to the lens in both taxa. These data suggest that zebrafish α A-crystallin plays a physiologically limited role outside of the zebrafish lens, similar to its mammalian orthologues.
Proteome Profiling in Lung Injury Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Introduction— Pulmonary complications due to infection and Idiopathic Pneumonia Syndrome (IPS), a non-infectious lung injury in the hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, are frequent causes of transplant-related mortality and morbidity. Our objective was to characterize the global bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein expression of IPS to identify proteins and pathways that differentiate IPS from infectious lung injury following HSCT. Methods— We studied 30 BALF samples from patients who developed lung injury within 180 days of HSCT, or cellular therapy transfusion (natural killer cell transfusion). Adult subjects were classified as IPS or infectious lung injury by the criteria outlined in the 2011 ATS statement. BALF was depleted of hemoglobin and 14 high abundance proteins, treated with trypsin and labeled with iTRAQ® 8-plex reagent for 2D capillary LC and data dependent peptide tandem MS on an Orbitrap Velos system in HCD mode. Protein identification employed a target-decoy strategy using ProteinPilot within Galaxy P. The relative protein abundance was determined with reference to a global internal standard consisting of pooled BALF from patients with respiratory failure and no history of HSCT. A variance weighted t-test controlling for a false discovery rate of ≤ 5% was used to identify proteins that showed differential expression between IPS and infectious lung injury. The biological relevance of these proteins was determined by using Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Results— We characterized 12 IPS and 18 infectious lung injury BALF samples. In the five iTRAQ LC-MS/MS experiments 845, 735, 532, 615 and 594 proteins were identified for a total of 1125 unique proteins and 368 common proteins across all five LC-MS/MS experiments. When comparing IPS to infectious lung injury, 96 proteins were differentially expressed. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that these proteins participate in biological processes involved in the development of lung injury after HSCT. These include acute phase response signaling, complement system, coagulation system, LXR / RXR, and FXR/RXR modulation. We identified two canonical pathways modulated by TNF- α , FXR/RXR activation and IL2 signaling in macrophages. The proteins also mapped to blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, and wound healing; processes that participate in organ repair. Cell movement was identified as significantly overrepresented by proteins with differential expression between IPS and infection. Conclusion— The BALF protein expression in IPS differed significantly from infectious lung injury in HSCT recipients. These differences provide insights into mechanisms that are activated in lung injury in HSCT recipients and suggest potential therapeutic targets to augment lung repair.
Advanced technologies for next‐generation RF front‐end modules

The complexity of RF front‐end (RFFE) modules of wireless devices has increased dramatically over the past decade. In order to meet the demands for future mobile communications, RFFEs will need to enable multiband for global roaming, and multi‐mode to support multiple cellular modes, incorporate beamforming antennas, and operate at mm‐wave frequencies. To this end, this article presents a summary of the recent progress in RF substrate technologies, waveguide architectures and multi‐band design techniques for 5G RFFE modules, and summarizes the present and future challenges in RFFE module design.
High-Speed MS/MS in Situ Imaging by Nanospray Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Nanospray desorption electrospray ionization (nano-DESI) combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), high-resolution mass analysis of the fragment ions (m/ Δ =17,500 at m/z 200), and rapid spectral acquisition enabled simultaneous imaging and identification of a large number of metabolites and lipids from 92 selected m/z windows (± 1 Da) with a spatial resolution of better than 150 μ m. Mouse uterine sections of implantation sites on day 6 of pregnancy were analyzed in the ambient environment without any sample pre-treatment. MS/MS imaging was performed by scanning the sample under the nano-DESI probe at 10 μ m/s while acquiring higher-energy collision-induced dissociation (HCD) spectra for a targeted inclusion list of 92 m/z values at a rate of ~6.3 spectra/s. Molecular ions and their corresponding fragments, separated using high-resolution mass analysis, were assigned based on accurate mass measurement. Using this approach, we were able to identify and image both abundant and low-abundance isobaric and isomeric species within each m/z window. MS/MS analysis enabled efficient separation and identification of isomeric and isobaric phospholipids that are difficult to separate in a full-scan mode. Furthermore, we identified several metabolites associated with early pregnancy and obtained the first 2D images of these molecules.