Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia Modifies the Transcriptome of Human NK Cells, Modulates Their Immunoregulatory Profile, and Influences NK Cell Subset Migration

Hypoxia, which characterizes most tumor tissues, can alter the function of different immune cell types, favoring tumor escape mechanisms. In this study, we show that hypoxia profoundly acts on NK cells by influencing their transcriptome, affecting their immunoregulatory functions, and changing the chemotactic responses of different NK cell subsets. Exposure of human peripheral blood NK cells to hypoxia for 16 or 96 h caused significant changes in the expression of 729 or 1,100 genes, respectively. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis demonstrated that these changes followed a consensus hypoxia transcriptional profile. As assessed by Gene Ontology annotation, hypoxia-targeted genes were implicated in several biological processes: metabolism, cell cycle, differentiation, apoptosis, cell stress, and cytoskeleton organization. The hypoxic transcriptome also showed changes in genes with immunological relevance including those coding for proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and chemokine-receptors. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis confirmed the modulation of several immune-related genes, prompting further immunophenotypic and functional studies. Multiplex ELISA demonstrated that hypoxia could variably reduce NK cell ability to release IFNγ, TNFα, GM-CSF, CCL3, and CCL5 following PMA+Ionomycin or IL15+IL18 stimulation, while it poorly affected the response to IL12+IL18. Cytofluorimetric analysis showed that hypoxia could influence NK chemokine receptor pattern by sustaining the expression of CCR7 and CXCR4. Remarkably, this effect occurred selectively (CCR7) or preferentially (CXCR4) on CD56bright NK cells, which indeed showed higher chemotaxis to CCL19, CCL21, or CXCL12. Collectively, our data suggest that the hypoxic environment may profoundly influence the nature of the NK cell infiltrate and its effects on immune-mediated responses within tumor tissues.
Dissociative recombination of vibrationally excited HD + : State-selective experimental investigation

measured. The method is based on using merged electron and molecular ion beams in a heavy-ion storage ring together with molecular fragment imaging techniques which allow us to probe the vibrational-state population of the stored beam as a function of time as well as the final state of the dissociation. The initial vibrational distribution of the stored ion beam ~from a Penning ion source! is found to be in good agreement with a Franck-Condon model of electron impact ionization, apart from slightly larger experimental populations found for low vibrational states; its time evolution in the storage ring reflects the predicted vibrational level lifetimes. Dissociative recombination measurements were performed with the electron and ion beams at matched velocities ~corresponding to average collision energies of about 10 meV! , and at several well-defined collision energies in the range of 3‐11 eV. The obtained vibrational-state specific recombination rate coefficients are compared with theoretical calculations and show that, although an overall agreement exists between experiment and theory, large discrepancies occur for certain vibrational states at low electron energy. @S1050-2947~99! 09411-1# PACS number~s! : 34.80. Gs
DISPOSABLE VS REUSABLE : PRACTICAL ASPECTS FROM END USERS AND REUSABILITY TEST OF THE BIOCHIP FOR ELECTROSTATIC MICROWELL-BASED SINGLE CELL TRAPPING AND CULTURING

Microfluidic technology has come in handy in single cell studies. Recently we have successfully constructed an alternative on-chip platform for single cell trapping and culturing using an electrostatic microwell trap. Although this type of device is considered disposable, it is of a great interest if, in practice, the biochip could be used multiple times to reduce cost. Here, we report our and our end users’ experiences in attempts to reuse the device, as well as the experimental results to demonstrate the extent of the reusability. It is found that flushing the device vigorously with water is an effective means to purge away trapped cells from the biochip. Autoclaving is a possible method to decontaminate the device. However, the single cell capturing efficiency of the biochip slightly declines but does not significantly deteriorate with the number of times it is repetitively autoclaved. The percentage of the single cells trapped goes down from 28.5 to 25.0 and 21.3, after sterilizing 5 and 10 times, respectively. It cannot be generally concluded as to whether the device is reusable. For instance, cleaned devices may acceptably be used in a classroom demonstration and for preliminary studies but perhaps not for experimental research. A further long term study on the biological effect on cell culture in a reused device may be required.
One-dimensional nanostructured materials for solar energy harvesting

As the energy demand is rapidly increasing worldwide compared with the supply, there is an urgent need to develop alternative energy-harvesting technologies to sustain the economic growth. Among them, solar energy is one of the most promising sources as it is clean, abundant and renewable. Due to the unique optical and electrical properties, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured semiconductors are attractive materials for the construction of active energy-harvesting devices. In this review article, applications of 1D nanostructured materials – including photovoltaics, photoelectrochemical cells and solar hydrogen production – in solar energy harvesting are summarized. With the efficiency enhancement and cost reduction, 1D nanostructured solar energy harvesting devices are found to be promising to tackle the future energy issue.
Ectonocryptoides quadrimeropus , a new centipede genus and species from Jalisco, Mexico; proposal of Ectonocryptopinae, analysis of subfamilial relationships, and a key to subfamilies and genera of the Scolopocryptopidae (Scolopendromorpha)

Ectonocryptoides quadrimeropus , n. gen., n. sp. , is proposed for a minute scolopocryptopid centipede occurring near sea level in coastal Jalisco that is anatomically similar to the unillustrated, written description of Ectonocryptops kraepelini Crabill, 1977, from ca. 1,615 m (5,300 ft) elevation in the interior of Colima. Both possess enlarged, subclavate caudal legs that lack claws and in which the distal podomeres are inflated and bulbous, but this appendage has only 4 articles in the former (tibiae and 1 st tarsi enlarged) and 5 in the latter (tibiae and 1 st & 2 nd tarsi enlarged). The genera cannot be accommodated by an existing subfamily, necessitating proposal of Ectonocryptopinae, the fourth scolopocryptopid subfamily, the others being Newportiinae, Kethopinae, and Scolopocryptopinae. A key is provided to the subfamilies and eight component genera; each of the former contains two anatomically similar genera, as Tidops Chamberlin, 1915, is returned to the Newportiinae from the nominate taxon, where it was transferred without justification. Relationships among the four subfamilies are postulated as Kethopinae + (Scolopocryptopinae + (Ectonocryptopinae + Newportiinae)).
Intestinal permeability in pregnancy : dietary and microbial determinants and metabolic consequences

KATI MOKKALA Intestinal permeability in pregnancy: dietary and microbial determinants and metabolic consequences University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine (TuDMM) Annales Universitatis Turkuensis, MedicaOdontologia, Painosalama, Turku, Finland, 2017 Metabolic disorders during pregnancy may challenge the mother and child to longterm health complications. Emerging data indicates a link between increased intestinal permeability and metabolic risk markers in a non-pregnant population. Whether intestinal permeability changes in pregnancy and is related to metabolic risk markers is poorly known. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of gut microbiota and diet on serum zonulin concentration, a marker of intestinal permeability, and the relationship between serum zonulin concentration and metabolic risk markers during early pregnancy (n=100). The study also investigated the impact of supplemental probiotics and n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) on intestinal epithelial integrity in vitro as well as changes in serum zonulin concentration from early to late pregnancy (n=200). The study population consisted of overweight and obese pregnant women (BMI>25), who were participating in a larger randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. The results show that a richer gut microbiota composition, a higher abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a higher dietary intake of fibre and n-3 LCPUFA as well as multiple vitamins and minerals were associated with lower serum zonulin concentration, ie. lower intestinal permeability. Serum zonulin concentration correlated with serum endotoxin activity, markers of low grade inflammation and glucose metabolism in early pregnancy, suggesting that intestinal permeability may be of importance in regulating maternal metabolic health. Serum zonulin concentration increased with pregnancy progress. While Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 and n-3 LC-PUFA enhanced intestinal epithelium in vitro, they had no effect on serum zonulin levels during pregnancy.
JAK 2 V 617 F Mutation Affects Downstream LIN 28 A and HMGA 2 Methylation in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) is a hematological disease. The Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) V617F mutation (valine → phenylalanine at amino acid 617) has been identified in fifty (essential thrombocythemia) to ninety (polycythemia vera) percent of patients. JAK2 governs the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a transcription factor. Through this signaling relay, we hypothesized that JAK2V617F expression results in specific epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, and we aimed to identify these modifications. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect changes within JAK2-targeted genes before and after JAK2V617F expression and in MPN patient samples. To identify JAK2 targets, whole-genome sequencing was used to measure the enrichment of phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3), enhancer of zeste homolog (EZH2), and methylated DNA before and after JAK2V617F expression. We then tested whether methylation was altered concurrently. Methylation of JAK2-regulated genes Lin28A and HMGA2 is affected by JAK2V617F in BA/F3 cells; similar changes in methylation were also observed in MPN samples expressing JAK2V617F. JAK2V617F also affected pSTAT3 and EZH2 binding. The methylation profile was specifically altered. Therefore, JAK2V617F affected both the DNA methylation profile and binding of pSTAT3 and EZH2 at specific promoter sites. Specific changes in EZH2 binding and methylation suggest that aberrant JAK2 signaling results in the accumulation of heritable changes. Methylation changes in patient samples expressing JAK2V617F suggest that these changes occur in vivo. Future study of affected epigenomes is necessary to identify the critical factors required for cellular transformation.
Counting Equilibria of the Kuramoto Model Using Birationally Invariant Intersection Index

Synchronization in networks of interconnected oscillators is a fascinating phenomenon that appear naturally in many independent fields of science and engineering. A substantial amount of work has been devoted to understanding all possible synchronization configurations on a given network. In this setting, a key problem is to determine the total number of such configurations. Through an algebraic formulation, for tree and cycle graphs, we provide an upper bound on this number using the birationally invariant intersection index of a system of rational functions on a toric variety.
Increase in Bay Scallop (Argopecten irradians) Populations Following Releases of Competent Larvae in Two West Florida Estuaries

ABSTRACT We propose the release of ready-to-set pediveliger larvae as a restoration strategy for bivalve shellfish. In this study, bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) larvae were released within two West Florida estuaries (Pine Island Sound and Boca Cicga Bay) currently closed to scallop harvest and where local scallop populations arc severely depleted relative to historical abundances. Populations in both estuaries appear to have limited larval supply and show no tendency toward natural recovery after decades of decline. Larvae were either released into enclosures or free released on four separate dates in each estuary. On a given day we used 1, 2, 3, or 4 enclosures per site; multiple release sites; and multiple releases within a year. Assessments were made via several methods, including larval recruitment to collectors, juvenile quadrat surveys, adult timed surveys, and adult transect surveys. In Pine Island Sound, following the initial larval releases in 2003, an isolated recovery in adult scallops was observed at the release site in 2004 followed by a massive resurgence in the local population in 2005. This population declined dramatically in 2006, however, and had completely collapsed by 2007. In Boca Ciega Bay, the series of larval releases did not immediately produce any detectable scallop patches, but the combined releases did immediately precede a population resurgence to levels greater than had been observed in the past three decades. Scallop abundance increased 10-fold at 10 stations in Boca Ciega Bay from 2007 to 2008. In both Pine Island Sound and Boca Ciega Bay, the increases in scallop populations were probably the result of successful survival, growth, and reproduction of the released larvae, followed by successful recruitment and growth of the subsequent generation.
Measurements of carbon sequestration by long‐term eddy covariance: methods and a critical evaluation of accuracy

The turbulent exchanges of CO2 and water vapour between an aggrading deciduous forest in the north-eastern United States (Harvard Forest) and the atmosphere were measured from 1990 to 1994 using the eddy covariance technique. We present a detailed description of the methods used and a rigorous evaluation of the precision and accuracy of these measurements. We partition the sources of error into three categories: (1) uniform systematic errors are constant and independent of measurement conditions (2) selective systematic errors result when the accuracy of the exchange measurement varies as a function of the physical environment, and (3) sampling uncertainty results when summing an incomplete data set to calculate long-term exchange. Analysis of the surface energy budget indicates a uniform systematic error in the turbulent exchange measurements of -20 to 0%. A comparison of nocturnal eddy flux with chamber measurements indicates a selective systematic underestimation during calm (friction velocity < 0.17 m S-l) nocturnal periods. We describe an approach to correct for this error. The integrated carbon sequestration in 1994 was 2.1 t C ha-l y-l with a 90% confidence interval due to sampling uncertainty of :! :0.3 t C ha-l y-l determined by Monte Carlo simulation. Sampling uncertainty may be reduced by estimating the flux as a function of the physical environment during periods when direct observations are unavailable, and by minimizing the length of intervals without flux data. These analyses lead us to place an overall uncertainty on the annual carbon sequestration in 1994 of --0.3 to +0.8 t C ha-l y-l.
Novel Dual-Effect Side Reactive Distillation for Improving Energy Efficiency of Methyl Acetate Hydrolysis Process

In a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) plant, reaction stoichiometry indicates that equal molar of methyl acetate (MA) is generated for every mole of PVA produced. One possible way is to convert MA back to acetic acid and methanol, which are raw materials of PVA plant, using MA hydrolysis. Tough environmental regulations, intense competition, and expensive fossil energy use have prompted efforts to retrofit the existing hydrolysis processes to reduce their energy requirements. Thus, in this paper, a novel dual-effect side stream reactive distillation was proposed to reduce the energy requirements. The design and optimization procedures using the response surface methodology, which can handle both structure and operating variables simultaneously, were employed for retrofit design with particular emphasis on simple and efficient efforts. This was found to be a simple and effective optimization methodology for a complex system. The simulation work was performed using simulator Aspen Plus V8.6. Furthermore, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were considered and calculated when retrofitting an existing MA process to the proposed sequence. As a result, the proposed retrofitted sequence resulted in operating cost savings of 54% compared to the existing sequence. The short payback period of 2 months and reduced CO2 emissions of up to 52% showed that the proposed sequence is an attractive option for retrofitting in industrial implementation. This sequence can be also employed for grass-root designs.
Non-Financial Performance Measures in Small Medium Enterprises’ Supply Chain Management

Abstract Performance measures in the supply chain have become one of the vital factors in enhancing the growth and profitability of small medium enterprises (SMEs), however, with focus more on financial indicators than non-financial ones. This paper therefore attempts to redress the balance by discussing the extent to which SMEs make use of non-financial performance measures and argues for their importance. It is based on research within a positivistic paradigm, with the use of questionnaires administered to purposively selected SMEs in manufacturing around Cape Town, South Africa. The data was analysed to generate descriptive results through SPSS. The major findings indicate that SMEs do consider and recognise the significance of non-financial measures and to some extent incorporate them in their supply chain management (SCM). However these measures are not formally implemented.
Expression of Alpha Crystallin Protein in Osteoarticular Tuberculosis in Latent Phase: A Review of Evidences

Due to scarcity of bacilli, an accurate diagnosis of osteoarticular tuberculosis is always being a challenge. Though conventional methods lack sensitivity and are time consuming, molecular diagnostic modalities are very effective for early diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Timely diagnosis even in latent period will improve the efficacy of the treatment of osteoarticular tuberculosis. Under some stress conditions like hypoxia, nitric oxide stress, long term viability of M. tuberculosis is favoured by alpha crystallin protein (acr), which is a dominant protein of latent phase. In this article we focuses on protein that shows significant expression in the latent phase of M. tuberculosis. It may be further used as a prognostic biomarker for differentiating latent and active tuberculosis.
Physics‐based solar wind driver functions for the magnetosphere: Combining the reconnection‐coupled MHD generator with the viscous interaction

Driver functions for the Earth's magnetosphere‐ionosphere system are derived from physical principles. Two processes act simultaneously: a reconnection‐coupled MHD generator 𝒢 and a viscous interaction. 𝒢 accounts for the dayside reconnection rate, the length of the reconnection X line, and current saturation limits for the solar wind generator. Two viscous drivers are derived: Bohm viscosity ℬ and the freestream‐turbulence effect ℱ. A problematic proxy effect is uncovered wherein the viscous driver functions also describe the strength of reconnection. Two magnetospheric‐driver functions written in terms of upstream solar wind parameters are constructed: 𝒢 + ℬ and 𝒢 + ℱ. The driver functions are tested against seven geomagnetic indices. The reaction of the geomagnetic indices to 𝒢 + ℬ and 𝒢 + ℱ is nonlinear: Nonlinear versions of the driver functions are supplied. Applying the driver functions at multiple time steps yields correlation coefficients of ~85% with the AE and Kp indices; it is argued that multiple time stepping removes high‐frequency uncorrelated signal from the drivers. Autocorrelation‐function analysis shows strong 1 day and 1 year periodicities in the AE index, which are not in the solar wind driver functions; correspondingly, high‐pass and low‐pass filtering finds uncorrelated signal at 1 day and 1 year timescales. Residuals (unpredicted variance) between the geomagnetic indices and the driver functions are analyzed: The residuals are anticorrelated with the solar wind velocity, the solar F10.7 radio flux, and the solar wind current saturation parameter. Removing diurnal, semiannual, and annual trends from the indices improves their correlation with the solar wind driver functions. Simplified versions of the driver functions are constructed: The simplified drivers perform approximately as well as the full drivers.
Cognitive, Social, and Teaching Presence as Predictors of Students' Satisfaction in Distance Learning

The purpose of this study was to examine whether cognitive, social, and teaching presence were significant predictors of the overall students’ satisfaction in hybrid learning courses. The used research design was non-experimental and correlational in nature. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to determine to what extent cognitive, social, and teaching presence predicted the overall students’ satisfaction. The data in this quantitative study was collected using a self-report survey. Participants were two hundred fourteen (n=214) undergraduate students, between the ages from 19-24 years old. The findings of this study showed that cognitive, social, and teaching presence explained 39% of the variance in students’ satisfaction. Cognitive presence was found to have the largest contribution in predicting students’ satisfaction and it was a better predictor of students satisfaction compared with teaching and social presence. Due to the importance of cognitive, social, and teaching presence in predicting students’ satisfaction, it is recommended that improving these factors in the distance courses be taken into consideration. Furthermore, since cognitive presence in this study was found to be a strong predictor of students’ satisfaction, it is recommended that faculty need to focus on this presence especially, and assure that students are able to reach the final stage of cognitive presence. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016. v7n2s1p439
A framework for estimating anchor ice extent at potential formation sites in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

Abstract A distinctive feature of polar regions is the formation of ice clusters attached to the seabed, known as ‘anchor ice’. Anchor ice plays an important role in mobilizing bed sediments, and serves ecological roles providing habitats, or as an agent of disturbance creating potentially fatal environments to benthic fauna. The sublittoral zone associated with the landward margin represents the most likely environment for anchor ice formation, where conditions conducive to the advection of supercooled water from sub-ice-shelf cavities are favourable. We develop a framework to estimate the areal extent of anchor ice formation assuming a northerly flow of 75m deep supercooled water plumes from the Ross and McMurdo Ice Shelf cavities, Antarctica. In McMurdo Sound our results indicate that regions beneath the McMurdo Ice Shelf, extending along Brown Peninsula and White and Black Islands, are likely conducive to anchor ice formation. Anchor ice may also form along the Hut Point Peninsula and around Ross Island, and in pockets along the southern Victoria Land coast. The limitations of our approach include an imposed northerly flow of Ice Shelf Water, poorly constrained sub-ice-shelf bathymetry, and temporal variability in supercooled water depth production, particularly in the eastern Sound.