Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteomic Analysis of Bovine Sperm YWHA Binding Partners Identify Proteins Involved in Signaling and Metabolism1

Abstract Posttranslational modification of proteins by phosphorylation is involved in regulation of sperm function. Protein phosphatase 1 gamma isoform 2 (PPP1CC_v2) and protein YWHA (also known as 14-3-3) are likely to be key molecules in pathways involving sperm protein phosphorylation. We have shown that phosphorylated PPP1CC_v2 is bound to protein YWHAZ in spermatozoa. In somatic cells, protein YWHA is known to bind a number of phosphoproteins involved in signaling and energy metabolism. Thus, in addition to PPP1CC_v2, it is likely that sperm contain other YWHA-binding proteins. A goal of the present study was to identify these sperm YWHA-binding proteins. The binding proteins were isolated by affinity chromatography with GST-YWHAZ followed by elution with a peptide, R-11, which is known to disrupt YWHA complexes. The YWHA-binding proteins in sperm can be classified as those involved in fertilization, acrosome reaction, energy metabolism, protein folding, and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. A subset of these putative YWHA-binding proteins contain known amino acid consensus motifs, not only for YWHA binding but also for PPP1C binding. Identification of sperm PPP1CC_v2-binding proteins by microcystin-agarose chromatography confirmed that PPP1CC_v2 and YWHA interactomes contain several common proteins. These are metabolic enzymes phosphoglycerate kinase 2, hexokinase 1, and glucose phosphate isomerase; proteins involved in sperm-egg fusion; angiotensin-converting enzyme, sperm adhesion molecule, and chaperones; heat shock 70-kDa protein 5 (glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa; and heat shock 70-kDa protein 1-like. These proteins are likely to be phosphoproteins and potential PPP1CC_v2 substrates. Our data suggest that in addition to potential regulation of a number of important sperm functions, YWHA may act as an adaptor molecule for a subset of PPP1CC_v2 substrates.
Performance of a Direct Evaporation Thermal Storage System

A direct evaporation ice-on-coil thermal storage experimental equipment was designed with the copper tube of diameter 16 mm and wall thickness 1 mm. The direct evaporation ice-on-coil can be arrayed at 100 A 100 mm (system A), 100 A 50 mm (system B) or 60 A 60 mm (system C). The static state as well as dynamics direct evaporation ice-on-coil thermal storage experiment was done with disturbance and non-disturbance of the refrigerating medium (water) in the ice bank tank. The experimental results show that with the increasing of the ice-on-coil array density, the thermal storage system performance improved markedly, and the performance of the disturbance system is better than the non-disturbance. According to the results of the direct evaporation ice-on-coil thermal storage experiment, compared with system A, system C shortens the time for 2-3 hours at the same storage capacity.
Surface tension-induced high aspect-ratio PDMS micropillars with concave and convex lens tips

This paper reports a novel method for the fabrication of 3-dimensional (3D) Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micropillars with concave and convex lens tips in a one-step molding process, using a CO2 laser-machined Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) mold with through holes. The PDMS micropillars are 4 mm high and have an aspect ratio of 25:1. The micropillars are formed by capillary force drawing up PDMS into the through hole mold. The concave and convex lens tips of the PDMS cylindrical micropillars are induced by surface tension and are controllable by changing the surface wetting properties of the through holes in the PMMA mold. This technique eliminates the requirements of expensive and complicated facilities to prepare a 3D mold, and it provides a simple and rapid method to fabricate 3D PDMS micropillars with controllable dimensions and tip shapes.
Oldenlandia diffusa extracts exert antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on human breast cancer cells through ERα/Sp1‐mediated p53 activation

Breast cancer is the most frequent tumor and a major cause of death among women. Estrogens play a crucial role in breast tumor growth, which is the rationale for the use of hormonal antiestrogen therapies. Unfortunately, not all therapeutic modalities are efficacious and it is imperative to develop new effective antitumoral drugs. Oldenlandia diffusa (OD) is a well‐known medicinal plant used to prevent and treat many disorders, especially cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of OD extracts on breast cancer cell proliferation. We observed that OD extracts strongly inhibited anchorage‐dependent and ‐independent cell growth and induced apoptosis in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)‐positive breast cancer cells, whereas proliferation and apoptotic responses of MCF‐10A normal breast epithelial cells were unaffected. Mechanistically, OD extracts enhance the tumor suppressor p53 expression as a result of an increased binding of ERα/Sp1 complex to the p53 promoter region. Finally, we isolated ursolic and oleanolic acids as the bioactive compounds able to upregulate p53 expression and inhibit breast cancer cell growth. These acids were greatly effective in reducing tamoxifen‐resistant growth of a derivative MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line resistant to the antiestrogen treatment. Our results evidence how OD, and its bioactive compounds, exert antiproliferative and apoptotic effects selectively in ERα‐positive breast cancer cells, highlighting the potential use of these herbal extracts as breast cancer preventive and/or therapeutic agents. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3363–3372, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inducing implicit arguments via cross-document alignment: a framework and its applications

Natural language texts frequently contain related information in different positions in discourse. As human readers, we can recognize such information across sentence boundaries and correctly infer relations between them. Given this inference capability, we understand texts that describe complex dependencies even if central aspects are not repeated in every sentence. In linguistics, certain omissions of redundant information are known under the term ellipsis and have been studied as cohesive devices in discourse (Halliday and Hasan, 1976). For computational approaches to semantic processing, such cohesive devices are problematic because methods are traditionally applied on the sentence level and barely take surrounding context into account. In this dissertation, we investigate omission phenomena on the level of predicate-argument structures. In particular, we examine instances of structures involving arguments that are not locally realized but inferable from context. The goal of this work is to automatically acquire and process such instances, which we also refer to as implicit arguments, to improve natural language processing applications. Our main contribution is a framework that identifies implicit arguments by aligning and comparing predicate-argument structures across pairs of comparable texts. As part of this framework, we develop a novel graph-based clustering approach, which detects corresponding predicate-argument structures using pairwise similarity metrics. To find discourse antecedents of implicit arguments, we further design a heuristic method that utilizes automatic annotations from various linguistic pre-processing tools. We empirically validate the utility of automatically induced instances of implicit arguments and discourse antecedents in three extrinsic evaluation scenarios. In the first scenario, we show that our induced pairs of arguments and antecedents can successfully be applied to improve a pre-existing model for linking implicit arguments in discourse. In two further evaluation settings, we show that induced instances of implicit arguments, together with their aligned explicit counterparts, can be used as training material for a novel model of local coherence. Given discourse-level and semantic features, this model can predict whether a specific argument should be explicitly realized to establish local coherence or whether it is inferable and hence redundant in context.
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus infections in cats in the Pisa district of Tuscany, and attempts to control FeLV infection in a colony of domestic cats by vaccination

The seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in 203 apparently healthy domestic cats living in the district of Pisa, central Italy, was 11·3 per cent, and the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) was 8·4 per cent. The prevalence of FIV depended significantly on the lifestyle and age of the cats; cats living outdoors were more likely to be FIV-positive than cats living indoors, and the proportion of FIV-positive cats increased with age. In contrast, there was no significant relationship between these variables and the prevalence of FeLV. There was no significant relationship between the cats’ seropositivity for FIV and FeLV. The results of a five-year field study to control FeLV infection by vaccination in a colony of 30 domestic adult cats naturally exposed to the infection suggest that the vaccination was effective in FIV-negative cats, but failed to protect FIV-positive cats against FeLV.
GENERAL SOLUTION FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL SURFACE STRUCTURES USING DIRECT METHODS

A general method for solving surface structures in three dimensions using surface x-ray-diffraction data coupled with direct methods is outlined. The method exploits the existence of a support constraint normal to the surface, and couples the concepts of projections, operators, and sets used in the image reconstruction literature with statistical operators used in direct methods. The approach presumes nothing beyond the fact that the scattering comes from atoms, and is a true model-independent approach. @S0163-1829~99! 06324-9#
Hand Surgeon Reporting of Tendon Rupture Following Distal Radius Volar Plating

Background: Volar plate fixation with locked screws has become the preferred treatment of displaced distal radius fractures that cannot be managed nonoperatively. This treatment, however, is not without complication. The purpose of this study was to determine what percentage of hand surgeons, over a 12-month period, have experienced a tendon complication when using volar plates for the treatment of distal radius fractures. Methods: A total of 3022 hand surgeons were e-mailed a link to an online questionnaire regarding their observation and treatment of tendon injuries associated with volar plating of distal radius fractures. Responses were reported using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 596 (20%) respondents, 199 (33%) surgeons reported encountering at least one flexor tendon injury after distal radius volar plating over the past year of practice. The flexor pollicis longus was the most commonly reported tendon injury (254, 75%). Palmaris longus grafting (118, 37%) and tendon transfer (114, 36%) were the most often reported treatments following this complication. A total of 216 respondents (36%) also encountered 324 cases of extensor tendon rupture after volar plating of distal radius fractures, with tendon transfer (88%) being the preferred treatment option. Conclusions: Both flexor and extensor tendon ruptures can be seen after volar plating of distal radius fractures. Surgeons should be aware of these complications. Critical assessment of hardware position at the time of index procedure is recommended to avoid complications. Long-term studies are needed to standardize approaches to managing tendon rupture following volar plating of distal radius fractures.
Coping Strategies and Cognitive Functioning in Elderly People from a Rural Community in Italy

Stressful situations may contribute to pathological states in elderly people facing harmful events. This study investigated the relationships between adopting appropriate coping strategies, transforming circumstances to personal preferences or adjusting personal preferences to situational constraints, and the efficiency of cognitive functioning in an elderly sample of 121 residents drawn from a rural community in southern Italy. They were administered the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Tenacious Goal Pursuit, Flexible Goal Adjustment, and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations. Intercorrelations of scores suggested that facing stressful situations is somewhat associated with efficient cognitive functioning and coping strategies that ensure a wide range of solutions.
The Shedler–Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP): Making Personality Diagnosis Clinically Meaningful

There is a schism between science and practice in understanding and assessing personality. Approaches derived from the research laboratory often strike clinical practitioners as clinically naíve and of dubious clinical relevance. Approaches derived from clinical observation and theory often strike empirical researchers as fanciful speculation. In this article, we describe an approach to personality designed to bridge the science–practice divide. The Shedler–Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP; Shedler & Westen, 2004a, 2004b; Westen & Shedler, 1999a, 1999b) is an empirically rigorous diagnostic method that preserves the richness and complexity of clinical case description. In this article, we describe its use in diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment planning. We review evidence for reliability, validity, and clinical utility. Finally, in the article, we present a system for personality diagnosis, as an alternative to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) Axis II, that is empirically grounded, clinically relevant, and practical for routine use in both clinical and research contexts.
Method of Capacity Compensation for Independent Distributed Generation in Distribution Network within the Context of Smart Grid

One of the characteristics of smart grid is the largescale access of distributed generation to distribution network, thus encouraging distributed generation investments is of great significance to the construction of smart grid. A method of economic compensation for independent distributed generation investment in the distribution network is presented. First of all, the reliability incremental value for the customers at different load points and the saving value of distribution network expansion investment for distribution companies, after the incorporating of distributed generation, are concerned; and then, the capacity compensation charge of the customers at different load points and the distribution company is calculated respectively based on the benefit from the employment of distributed generation. This method provides a price signal for independent distributed generation investors in the distribution network and also stimulates investors for corresponding investment, and plays a guiding role in choosing the right location and capacity of distributed generation. Finally, based on a simplified distribution system, the article verifies the rationality and feasibility of the capacity compensation method studied.
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in metastatic renal cell cancer: latest results and clinical implications

Metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC) accounts for 25–30% of patients with renal cell cancer at presentation. In addition to this, a significant proportion of patients with localized disease at presentation will develop metastatic disease. With the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the treatment of mRCC has been radically altered. Several newer generation vascular endothelial growth factor receptor TKIs have been tested in the clinical setting over recent years, resulting in the availability of more drugs. We review the latest results from clinical trials and the implications these have on the management of patients with mRCC.
Anticholinergics for urinary symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the commonest physically disabling chronic neurological disease affecting young people. Urinary symptoms are present in about 68% of people with MS but their basis has a number of potential aetiologies that can change with time. OBJECTIVES To assess the absolute and comparative efficacy, tolerability and safety of anticholinergic agents in MS patients. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Multiple Sclerosis Group Specialised Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue1), MEDLINE (January 1966 to January 2008), EMBASE (January 1974 to January 2008), supplemented with search of reference lists, personal communication with authors and relevant drug manufacturers. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised trials and cross-over trials (blinded and unblinded) that are either placebo-controlled or comparing two or more treatments. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS All four review authors independently assessed eligibility and trial quality, and extracted data. Data were processed as described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. MAIN RESULTS Our search strategy identified 33 articles of which thirty were excluded. Three single centre trials were included. No details were given regarding randomisation and blinding in the first two trials but side effects were frequent with all treatments.The first (Hebjorn 1977) was a double blind randomised crossover trial. Thirty four persons with MS received three drugs Methantheline Bromide, Flavoxate Chloride and Meladrazine Tartrate each for 14 days, washout periods were not mentioned. Median volume measurements at the first bladder contraction were statistically significant at a 5% level for Methantheline Bromide only compared to no treatment.The second (Gajewski 1986) was a prospective parallel group randomised study. Thirty four persons with MS were treated for 6-8 weeks with Oxybutynin (19 subjects) or Propantheline (15 subjects). For frequency, nocturia, urgency, and urge incontinence differences in symptom grade in favour of Oxybutynin were found. However, only for frequency the difference was statistically significant at 5% level.The third (Fader 2007) was a double blind crossover trial. Sixty four persons with MS received oral Oxybutynin or intravesical Atropine for 14 days. Details of randomisation and blinding were given. There was no significant difference between the two treatments in any efficacy outcome measure. Side effects and QOL scores showed significant differences in favour of atropine. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS From the available evidence we cannot advocate the use of anticholinergics in MS.
Tracing armed conflicts with diachronic word embedding models

Recent studies have shown that word embedding models can be used to trace time-related (diachronic) semantic shifts in particular words. In this paper, we evaluate some of these approaches on the new task of predicting the dynamics of global armed conflicts on a year-to-year basis, using a dataset from the conflict research field as the gold standard and the Gigaword news corpus as the training data. The results show that much work still remains in extracting ‘cultural’ semantic shifts from diachronic word embedding models. At the same time, we present a new task complete with an evaluation set and introduce the ‘anchor words’ method which outperforms previous approaches on this set.
A full-scale house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) larvae bioconversion system for value-added swine manure reduction

Manure produced from confined animal farms can threaten public and environmental health if not managed properly. Herein, a full-scale commercial bioconversion operation in DeQing County, China for value-added swine manure reduction using house fly, Musca domestica L. , larvae is reported. The greenhouse-assisted larvae bioreactor had a maximum daily treatment capacity of 35 m3 fresh raw manure per day. The bioconversion process produced a fresh larvae yield of 95–120 kg m3 fresh raw manure. This process provided an alternative animal foodstuff (having 56.9 and 23.8% protein and total fat as dry matter, respectively), as well as captured nutrients for agricultural re-utilization. Bioconversion reduced odour emission (characterized by 3-methylindole) and the Escherichia coli (E. coli) index by 94.5 and 92.0%, respectively, and reductions in total weight, moisture and total Kjeldahl nitrogen in solids were over 67.2, 80.0 and 76.0%, respectively. Yearly profit under this trial period ranged from US$33.4–46.1 per m3. It is concluded that swine manure larvae bioconversion technology with subsequent production of value-added bio-products can be a promising avenue when considering a programme to reduce waste products in an intensive animal production system.
Patterns and Predictors of Long-Term Weight Change in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This study describes patterns of long-term weight changes among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and identifies factors associated with weight changes. During the mean follow-up period of 9.1 (SD 3.6; range 1–15) years, 7,820 patients with type 2 DM have been examined to determine weight changes. Their weight at the last clinic visit was compared with that at the initial visit. The mean age of the participants was 51.3 (SD 10.5) years, with a mean DM duration of 6.1 (SD 5.6) years at initial registration. Mean weight change was –1.9% (95% confidence interval, CI –2.1 to –1.7) and varied according to the severity of baseline obesity (–4.1%; 95% CI –4.6 to –3.6) for normal weight, –8.9% (95% CI –13.0 to –4.8) for underweight, –1.7% (95% CI –2.1 to –1.3) for overweight and –0.3% (95% CI –0.03 to +0.73) for obese, and +0.2% (95% CI –1.8 to +2.1) for morbidly obese patients. Using a stepwise multiple regression model, higher body mass index, follow-up, fasting plasma glucose, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride level and treatment with insulin increased the percent weight change, and higher number of follow-up, cholesterol and smoking significantly decreased it. Although this Iranian patients with type 2 DM had negligible weight change over 9.1 years on average, several clinical and lifestyle characteristics were associated with weight change.
Kinetics Study of KPC-3, a Plasmid-Encoded Class A Carbapenem-Hydrolyzing β-Lactamase

ABSTRACT The kinetic activity of KPC-3, a plasmid-encoded class A carbapenemase, was studied. It hydrolyzed penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and even sulbactam. The best substrate was cephalothin (kcat/Km = 3.48 μM−1 s−1). The efficiency of the enzyme was similar for imipenem and meropenem (kcat/Km, 1.4 and 1.94 μM−1 s−1, respectively).