Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interrelated ecological impacts of climate change on an apex predator

Abstract Climate change has broad ecological implications for species that rely on sensitive habitats. For some top predators, loss of habitat is expected to lead to cascading behavioral, nutritional, and reproductive changes that ultimately accelerate population declines. In the case of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), declining Arctic sea ice reduces access to prey and lengthens seasonal fasting periods. We used a novel combination of physical capture, biopsy darting, and visual aerial observation data to project reproductive performance for polar bears by linking sea ice loss to changes in habitat use, body condition (i.e., fatness), and cub production. Satellite telemetry data from 43 (1991–1997) and 38 (2009–2015) adult female polar bears in the Baffin Bay subpopulation showed that bears now spend an additional 30 d on land (90 d in total) in the 2000s compared to the 1990s, a change closely correlated with changes in spring sea ice breakup and fall sea ice formation. Body condition declined for all sex, age, and reproductive classes and was positively correlated with sea ice availability in the current and previous year. Furthermore, cub litter size was positively correlated with maternal condition and spring breakup date (i.e., later breakup leading to larger litters), and negatively correlated with the duration of the ice‐free period (i.e., longer ice‐free periods leading to smaller litters). Based on these relationships, we projected reproductive performance three polar bear generations into the future (approximately 35 yr). Results indicate that two‐cub litters, previously the norm, could largely disappear from Baffin Bay as sea ice loss continues. Our findings demonstrate how concurrent analysis of multiple data types collected over long periods from polar bears can provide a mechanistic understanding of the ecological implications of climate change. This information is needed for long‐term conservation planning, which includes quantitative harvest risk assessments that incorporate estimated or assumed trends in future environmental carrying capacity.
Engineering approaches to control and design the in vitro environment towards the reconstruction of organs

In vitro experimental models pertaining to human cells are considered essential for most biological experiments, such as drug development and analysis of disease mechanisms, because of their genetic consistency and ease for detailed and long‐term analysis. Recent development of organoid cultures, such as intestine, liver, and kidney cultures, greatly promotes the potential of in vitro experiments. However, conventional culture methods that use manual pipetting have limitations in regenerating complex biosystems. Our body autonomously organizes cells to form a specific tissue shape, and the self‐organization process occurs in an extremely systematic manner. In order to emulate this sophisticated process in vitro; first, methodologies for cell culture and organization of in vitro systems need to be updated; second, understanding the self‐organizing system is a crucial issue. In this review, recent advancements in engineering technologies to control the microenvironment during cell culture are introduced. Both static and dynamic control have been developed for decades in engineering fields, and the means by which such technologies can help to elucidate and design a biosystem is discussed.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Decreases Emotional Memory Schemas

Abstract Mood-congruent memory bias is a critical characteristic of depression, but the underlying neural mechanism is largely unknown. Negative memory schemas might enhance encoding and consolidation of negative experiences, thereby contributing to the genesis and perpetuation of depressive pathology. To investigate this relationship, we aimed to perturb medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) processing, using neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting the mPFC. Forty healthy volunteers first underwent a negative mood induction to activate negative schema processing after which they received either active inhibitory (N = 20) or control (N = 20) stimulation to the mPFC. Then, all participants performed the encoding of an emotional false memory task. Recall and recognition performance was tested the following morning. Polysomnographic data were recorded continuously during the night before and after encoding. We observed a significantly lower false recognition of negative critical lures following mPFC inhibition, but no differences in veridical memory. These findings were supported by reaction time data, showing a relative slower response to negative compared with positive critical lures. The current findings support previous causal evidence for a role of the mPFC in schema memory processing and further suggest a role of the mPFC in memory bias.
Diagnostic performance of different cholangioscopes in patients with biliary strictures: a systematic review

Abstract Background Cholangioscopy provides direct intraductual imaging, which can enhance diagnostic efficacy during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with biliary strictures. This study aimed to review the diagnostic yield of different cholangioscopes for the diagnosis of malignant biliary stricture (MBS). Methods A comprehensive literature review was performed. Full papers of prospective studies using any type of peroral cholangioscope (POC) were included without language restriction. The primary outcomes were sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of various POCs to diagnose MBS. Results Data from 20 published articles, involving 1141 patients, were extracted. Overall sensitivities of POCs for diagnosing MBS were higher for the diagnosis made under visual impression compared with those from cholangioscopy-guided biopsy (67 % – 100 % vs. 38 % – 100 %), whereas the overall specificities were generally high and comparable (73 % – 100 % vs. 75 % – 100 %). Newer video cholangioscopes (digital single-operator POC [digital SOC], direct POC) with the exception of video dual-operator mother – baby POC (video DOC), provided better sensitivity of cholangioscopy-guided biopsy compared with fiberoptic scopes (digital SOC 80 % – 85 %, direct POC 80 % – 100 %, video DOC 38 % – 100 %, and fiberoptic SOC 49 % – 100 %, respectively). Among these video cholangioscopes, the digital SOC provided the highest technical success rate, at 100 %. Conclusions POCs enhanced the diagnostic yield for diagnosis of MBS. Compared with fiberoptic POCs that only provide good image impression, the digital SOC and direct POC were good at both image impression and cholangioscopy-guided biopsy to diagnose MBS. To ensure high technical success for MBS diagnosis, the digital SOC is a good option.
Plant species-specific recognition of long and short β-1,3-linked glucans is mediated by different receptor systems.

Plants survey their environment for the presence of potentially harmful or beneficial microbes. During colonization, cell surface receptors perceive microbe-derived or modified-self ligands and initiate appropriate responses. The recognition of fungal chitin oligomers and the subsequent activation of plant immunity are well described. In contrast, the mechanisms underlying β-glucan recognition and signaling activation remain largely unexplored. Here, we systematically tested immune responses towards different β-glucan structures and show that responses vary between plant species. While leaves of the monocots Hordeum vulgare and Brachypodium distachyon can recognize longer (laminarin) and shorter (laminarihexaose) β-1,3-glucans with responses of varying intensity, duration and timing, leaves of the dicot Nicotiana benthamiana activate immunity in response to long β-1,3-glucans, whereas Arabidopsis thaliana and Capsella rubella perceive short β-1,3-glucans. Hydrolysis of the β-1,6 side branches of laminarin demonstrated that not the glycosidic decoration but rather the degree of polymerization plays a pivotal role in the recognition of long-chain β-glucans. Moreover, in contrast to the recognition of short β-1,3-glucan in A. thaliana, perception of long β-1,3-glucan in N. benthamiana and rice is independent of CERK1, indicating that β-glucan recognition may be mediated by multiple β-glucan receptor systems.
Experimental animal models of coronary microvascular dysfunction

Abstract Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is commonly present in patients with metabolic derangements and is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to myocardial ischaemia, both in the presence and absence of epicardial coronary atherosclerosis. The latter condition is termed ‘ischaemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease’ (INOCA). Notwithstanding the high prevalence of INOCA, effective treatment remains elusive. Although to date there is no animal model for INOCA, animal models of CMD, one of the hallmarks of INOCA, offer excellent test models for enhancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of CMD and for investigating novel therapies. This article presents an overview of currently available experimental models of CMD—with an emphasis on metabolic derangements as risk factors—in dogs, swine, rabbits, rats, and mice. In all available animal models, metabolic derangements are most often induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and/or diabetes mellitus via injection of alloxan or streptozotocin, but there is also a wide variety of spontaneous as well as transgenic animal models which develop metabolic derangements. Depending on the number, severity, and duration of exposure to risk factors—all these animal models show perturbations in coronary microvascular (endothelial) function and structure, similar to what has been observed in patients with INOCA and comorbid conditions. The use of these animal models will be instrumental in identifying novel therapeutic targets and for the subsequent development and testing of novel therapeutic interventions to combat ischaemic heart disease, the number one cause of death worldwide.
Resting state structure of the hyperdepolarization activated two-pore channel 3

Significance Voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) initiate and transmit action potentials in nerve and muscle cells. Because they are generally activated by depolarization of the membrane potential, their structures usually represent activated channel states since they are necessarily determined in the absence of a voltage gradient. We determined the structure of a resting intact VGIC at 3.2 Å resolution by cryogenic electron microscopy. This structure provides the first resting state of a voltage sensor to be observed without the need for any inhibitory ligand, independent of any chemical, or mutagenic alteration. Voltage-gated ion channels endow membranes with excitability and the means to propagate action potentials that form the basis of all neuronal signaling. We determined the structure of a voltage-gated sodium channel, two-pore channel 3 (TPC3), which generates ultralong action potentials. TPC3 is distinguished by activation only at extreme membrane depolarization (V50 ∼ +75 mV), in contrast to other TPCs and NaV channels that activate between −20 and 0 mV. We present electrophysiological evidence that TPC3 voltage activation depends only on voltage sensing domain 2 (VSD2) and that each of the three gating arginines in VSD2 reduces the activation threshold. The structure presents a chemical basis for sodium selectivity, and a constricted gate suggests a closed pore consistent with extreme voltage dependence. The structure, confirmed by our electrophysiology, illustrates the configuration of a bona fide resting state voltage sensor, observed without the need for any inhibitory ligand, and independent of any chemical or mutagenic alteration.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors Negatively Regulate Respiration in Isolated Rodent Cardiac and Brain Mitochondria.

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to exert inhibitory control on mitochondrial respiration in the heart and brain. Evidence supports the presence of NOS in the mitochondria (mtNOS) of cells, however, the functional role of mtNOS in the regulation of mitochondrial respiration is unclear. Our objective was to examine the effect of NOS inhibitors on mitochondrial respiration and protein S-nitrosylation. Freshly isolated cardiac and brain non-synaptosomal mitochondria were incubated with selective inhibitors of neuronal (nNOS; ARL-17477, 1µmol/L) or endothelial (eNOS; N5-(1-iminoethyl)-L-ornithine, NIO, 1µmol/L) NOS isoforms. Mitochondrial respiratory parameters were calculated from the oxygen consumption rates (OCR) measured using Agilent Seahorse XFe24 analyzer. Expression of NOS isoforms in the mitochondria was confirmed by immunoprecipitation and western blotting. In addition, we determined the protein S-nitrosylation by biotin-switch method followed by immunoblotting. nNOS inhibitor decreased the state IIIu respiration in cardiac mitochondria and both state III and state IIIu respiration in brain mitochondria. In contrast, eNOS inhibitor had no affect on the respiration in the mitochondria from both heart and brain. Interestingly, NOS inhibitors reduced the levels of protein S-nitrosylation only in brain mitochondria but nNOS and eNOS immunoreactivity was observed in the cardiac and brain mitochondrial lysates. Thus, the effects of NOS inhibitors on S-nitrosylation of mitochondrial proteins and mitochondrial respiration confirm the existence of functionally active NOS isoforms in the mitochondria. Notably, our study presents first evidence of positive regulation of mitochondrial respiration by mitochondrial nNOS contrary to the current dogma representing inhibitory role attributed to NOS isoforms.
Global socio-technical regimes 1 2

15 This paper addresses the question why socio-technical transitions follow similar trajectories in 16 various parts of the world, even though the relevant material preconditions and institutional 17 contexts vary greatly between different regions and countries. It takes a critical stance on the 18 implicit methodological nationalism in transition studies’ socio-technical regime concept and 19 proposes an alternative ‘global’ regime perspective that embraces the increasingly multi-scalar 20 actor networks and institutional rationalities, which influence transition dynamics beyond 21 national or regional borders. By drawing on globalization theories from sociology and human 22 geography, we show that socio-technical systems often develop institutional rationalities that 23 are diffused via international networks and thus become influential in various places around 24 the world. In so doing, we shed light on the multi-scalar interrelatedness of institutional 25 structures and actors in socio-technical systems and elaborate on the implications for the 26 conceptualization of transition dynamics. The paper illustrates this with the case study of an 27 unsuccessful transition in the Chinese wastewater sector. Recent studies indicate that key 28 decisions on wastewater infrastructure expansion were not only influenced by path29 dependencies stemming from China’s national context, but equally (or even more critically) by 30 the dominant rationality of the water sector’s global socio-technical regime. We conclude by 31 discussing the contours of a new research agenda around the notion of global socio-technical 32 regimes. 33 This document is the accepted manuscript version of the following article: Fuenfschilling, L. , & Binz, C. (2018). Global socio-technical regimes. Research Policy, 47(4), 735-749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol. 2018.02. 003 This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Multistatic Laser Ranging to Space Debris

Using a strong laser (200 mJ @ 532 nm, 3 ns pulse length, 80 Hz) borrowed from DLR Stuttgart, the SLR station Graz tracked space debris targets up to distances of > 3000 km. Several cooperating SLR stations within Europe – synchronized to the Graz laser firing times successfully detected and time-tagged also these Graz photons, diffusely reflected from the space debris targets. These quasi-simultaneously measured distances from several laser stations to the same orbital arc should allow for better and faster orbit determination using only few passes of such noncooperative targets.
A Portrait of the Health and Well-being of Newcomer Children and Youth in the Prairies1

This paper provides a snapshot of some findings from the Prairie region sample of the New Canadian Children and Youth Study. Nearly 900 newcomer families and their children participated in a longitudinal study of health and well-being in six Canadian cities (Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal). This working paper focuses on the results of Phase 1 from participants in the three prairie cities. We examine various aspects related to social integration, physical and mental health, education and ethnic identity of newcomer families with children ages 4-6 years and adolescents aged 11-13 years who have been in Canada for ten years or less.
Exploring the Boundary Conditions of Social Influence for Social Media Research

Along with the proliferation of social networking sites (SNS), people around the world have gained the ability to influence each other in terms of many aspects of lives may it be a political interest or a simple purchase decision. However, most of the SNS studies have employed social influence constructs that were established prior to the advent of SNS to understand the nature and impact of social influence. Even though the application of such theories for SNS has generated a wealth of knowledge, it is vital to acknowledge the necessity of a new perspective that is specific to the current context. Therefore, we conducted a review of 65 studies to explore which social influence constructs have been employed by previous SNS studies and introduced five boundary conditions that should be taken into consideration when employing social influence theory for future SNS studies.
Employability and innovative work behaviours in SMEs in a Euroregion

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate possible differences in the degrees of employability, leader–member exchange (LMX) and innovative work behaviours in a comparison between Belgium and the Netherlands. Although neighbouring countries, disparate national cultures between the two are assumed to influence the amount of employability, LMX and innovative work behaviours among their respective working populations. Furthermore, this paper aims to validate a mediation model across the two countries to test whether employability (partially) mediates the relationship between LMX and innovative work behaviours.Design/methodology/approachData from employees and their immediate supervisors working in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Belgium and the Netherlands supported the hypothesized model. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the mediation model using a multi-source approach.FindingsThe amount of employability and innovative work behaviours of employees appeared to differ significantly between Belgium and the Netherlands. Furthermore, the results suggested that for both countries a positive relationship with one’s immediate supervisor (LMX) is beneficial in the light of workers’ innovative work behaviours, through its impact on employability, which was found to be a full mediator in this relationship.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies using a longitudinal approach could give more insight into the model relationships. Moreover, the variation in systems, national contexts and managerial practices in the Euroregion calls for more cross-national comparative scholarly research.Practical implicationsSMEs often do not employ professionals to manage human resources, that is, supervisors themselves have to carry the responsibility to encourage employees to further develop themselves and to enhance their innovative work behaviours. This while the challenge of more cross-national cooperation encourages a boost for innovations in the Euroregion.Originality/valueThis study is the first cross-national validation of a mediation model wherein a competence-based measure of employability is incorporated as a possible mediator in the relationship between LMX and innovative work behaviours.
LEVERAGING ON COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES TO GAIN COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES IN NAIROBI COUNTY

Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) form a key component of the economy and are regarded as key drivers of socio-economic development worldwide. However, research shows that most of these enterprises do not survive for long due to the turbulent nature of the environment in which they operate. This paper presents findings on the relationship between innovation and the competitive advantage of MSEs in Toi Market in Kenya, and the influence of focus/niche strategy on the competitive advantage of MSEs in Toi Market in Kenya. A descriptive design was adapted and a population of 1896 was targeted from which a sample size of 400 was selected and 344 responded. The findings showed that though MSEs were engaging in competitive strategies, they did not reap much in terms of improving their competitive posture in the market place. However, innovation and focus/ niche strategies were positively and statistically significant but weakly related to competitiveness of the MSEs. The paper concludes and recommends that MSEs may not greatly benefit from mainstream strategies and may need to be more creative and innovative in focusing the right customers for their products and services.
OTT_A_206142 10841..10850

Min Chen Bin Tang Shenhao Xie Jian Yan Le Yang Xinhui Zhou Erming Zeng 1Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, Republic of China Background: Tankyrase1 (TNKS1), which often shows abnormal expression in many malignant tumor cells, plays an important role in tumor progression. In our previous study, we found that TNKS1 is also closely related to pathologic grade in human astrocytoma and its expression level is positively correlated with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This study is aimed to further elucidate the biological functions of TNKS1 as well as its relationship with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Methods: TNSK1 overexpression and knockdown vectors were constructed and transfected into glioblastoma cell lines U251 MG and U87, respectively. Viability, apoptosis, cell cycle and cell invasiveness in the treated cells were investigated. Results: In comparison with untreated cells, U251 and U87 cells overexpressing TNSK1 showed significantly increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis, while the TNKS1 knockdown U251 and U87 cells had reduced cell invasive ability and increased apoptosis, respectively. In addition, immunoprecipitation study showed that TNKS1 could be detected by β-catenin antibody after pull-down, indicating that TNKS1 directly interacts with βcatenin, further indicating that TNKS1 could be regarded as a positive regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in astrocytoma. Moreover, knockdown of TNKS1 in U251 and U87 cells also leads to suppressed Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and subsequent decrease of cell growth and proliferation, reduced invasion ability and increased apoptosis. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that TNKS1 might be a potential new therapeutic target for human astrocytoma in gene therapy.
ESC Guidelines for cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy

ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG): Alec Vahanian (Chairperson) (France), John Camm (UK), Raffaele De Caterina (Italy), Veronica Dean (France), Kenneth Dickstein (Norway), Christian Funck-Brentano (France), Gerasimos Filippatos (Greece), Irene Hellemans (The Netherlands), Steen Dalby Kristensen (Denmark), Keith McGregor (France), Udo Sechtem (Germany), Sigmund Silber (Germany), Michal Tendera (Poland) Petr Widimsky (Czech Republic), José Luis Zamorano (Spain)