Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial Protein Cox7b Is a Metabolic Sensor Driving Brain-Specific Metastasis of Human Breast Cancer Cells

Simple Summary What controls organotropism during cancer metastasis is still largely unknown. The “seed-and-soil hypothesis” of Stephen Paget (1889) proposes that metastatic onset strictly depends on a match between the needs of a given metastatic progenitor cell (the seed) and the resources provided by a given organ (the soil). Here, we decided to challenge this old theory in the context of cancer metabolism. Considering that metastasis can be prevented, we focused on triple-negative breast cancer brain metastasis. Comparing RNAseq data from wild-type human cancer cells and two independent brain-seeking variants, we identified cyclooxygenase 7b (Cox7b) in Complex IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain as a driver of triple-negative breast cancer brain metastasis. Cox7b is not an easy therapeutic target and is most probably not unique in driving brain metastasis. Therefore, our general approach could be used to identify other metabolic proteins responsible for organotropism and amenable for metastasis-prevention therapy. Abstract Distant metastases are detrimental for cancer patients, but the increasingly early detection of tumors offers a chance for metastasis prevention. Importantly, cancers do not metastasize randomly: depending on the type of cancer, metastatic progenitor cells have a predilection for well-defined organs. This has been theorized by Stephen Paget, who proposed the “seed-and-soil hypothesis”, according to which metastatic colonization occurs only when the needs of a given metastatic progenitor cell (the seed) match with the resources provided by a given organ (the soil). Here, we propose to explore the seed-and-soil hypothesis in the context of cancer metabolism, thus hypothesizing that metastatic progenitor cells must be capable of detecting the availability of metabolic resources in order to home in a secondary organ. If true, it would imply the existence of metabolic sensors. Using human triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and two independent brain-seeking variants as models, we report that cyclooxygenase 7b (Cox7b), a structural component of Complex IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, belongs to a probably larger family of proteins responsible for breast cancer brain tropism in mice. For metastasis prevention therapy, this proof-of-principle study opens a quest for the identification of therapeutically targetable metabolic sensors that drive cancer organotropism.
DETERMINANTS OF SOCIAL PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY OF ESG AND NON-ESG FIRMS: EVIDENCE FROM SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES

The skewed research attention of past literature relatively failed to emphasize on the true objective of firms’ social responsibility; which is upholding stakeholders’ wellbeing. Hence, this study investigated the efficiency of firms in giving back to the masses. Primarily, this study examined firms’ social performance (SP) efficiency by using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Next, by using Panel Regression Analysis; this study investigated the determinants of SP efficiency (internally and externally) , based on Institutional Theory. The study focused on both ESG and non-ESG firms in Malaysia and Singapore from 2010 to 2019. First, novelties on SP efficiency are that both countries’ ESG firms are far more efficient in giving back to the masses, compared to non-ESG firms. Additionally, firms’ SP efficiency is significantly influenced by firm’s pure technical inefficiency in directing their financial returns toward ESG contribution. Second, for determinants of SP efficiency; the study yielded findings that are unique to each country. Both firm characteristics (internal) and country characteristics (external) had a significant influence of Malaysia’s ESG firms. While, only country characteristics were significant influence of Singapore’s ESG firms. Moreover, only firm characteristics were found to be significant predictors of SP efficiency for both countries’ non-ESG firms.
Observation of Optical Near-Field as Photo-Induced Surface Relief Formation

The spatial distribution and the polarization condition of the optical near-field has successfully been visualized for the first time. It is realized in connection with the photo-induced surface relief formation on the azobenzene functionalized polymer film that had been reported so far only on the optical far-field condition. In this study, the observation was performed for linear and circular polarized light irradiation. The proposed technique is considered to be as a simple and an effective method to analyze the optical near-field.
Research on the impact of the COVID-19 in service industry in U.S. stock market based on the Fama French Five Factor Model

Since the outbreak, the U.S. economy has experienced a great recession, in which the service sector has been hit hard, while it accounts for a large share of U.S. GDP, and twists and turns have hit the stock market. Based on the Fama-French five factor model, this paper conducted a regression analysis and coefficients comparison on the data of 26 months before and after the epidemic, with March 2020 as the node. The results show that the market rebounds quickly under the federal government's intervention and shows a state of continuous growth. However, the investors tended to make the overall investment style of the market more speculative. Investors no favor the value stocks with stable earnings but relatively slow growth. The book-to-market ratio, an important indicator, has less influence on overall investors, and companies with poor profitability have become the targets for speculators to bet on. It is worth noting that when the trend of the stock market is not consistent with the real economic conditions, investors must remain vigilant and cannot ignore the impact of the epidemic on the economy and enterprises because of the prosperity of the stock market.
Arsenic-Induced Injury of Mouse Hepatocytes through Lysosome and Mitochondria: An In Vitro Study

Background and Aims The cellular mechanism of liver injury related to arsenic toxicity is ill defined. It is thought that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction may play some role in arsenic-induced liver damage. In this study, we evaluated subcellular events within the primary cultured mouse hepatocytes when exposed to inorganic arsenic. Methods Primary cultured mouse hepatocytes were treated with 10 μM arsenic for different time periods. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, functional changes of the lysosome and mitochondria, and mode of hepatocytes death were studied by laser confocal microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and flow cytometry. Expression of proapoptotic member of the BCL-2 family of genes BAX and antiapoptotic BCL-2 mRNA expression were studied by real-time PCR. Cytochrome c expression was studied by Western blotting. Results Fluorescence spectroscopy as well as flow cytometric analysis revealed that arsenic-induced formation of ROS was time dependent. Confocal microscopy showed initiation of ROS formation from periphery of the hepatocytes at 30 min of arsenic exposure that progressed to central part of the hepatocytes at 3 h of arsenic exposure. The ROS formation was found to be NADPH oxidase (NOX) dependent. This low level of intracellular ROS induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and subsequently released cathepsin B to the cytosol. The LMP further increased intracellular ROS which in turn triggered induction of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). Pretreatment of hepatocytes with LMP inhibitor bafilomycin A (BafA) significantly decreased, and LMP inducer chloroquine (ChQ) significantly increased the production of ROS suggesting that LMP preceded enhanced ROS generation in response to arsenic. MPT was accompanied with increase in BAX : BCL2 mRNA ratio resulting in upregulation of caspase 3 and increased hepatocyte apoptosis. Conclusion Although arsenic-related oxidative liver injury is well established, neither the site of origin of ROS nor the early sequence of events in arsenic toxicity due to ROS is known. We believe that our study provides evidences elucidating the early sequence of events that culminates in the death of the mouse hepatocytes during arsenic exposure.
Frequency dependent interpolation for image based models

We present a novel perception based technique of texture interpolation for view dependent projective texture mapping of image based models. When interpolating projected texture maps, regions of texture incongruence can generate artefacts. Non congruent texture regions are the result of unmodelled features in the geometric scene model. We show how a perception based metric can be used to control the interpolation process and reduce these artefacts. The metric, based upon the human perception of Mach bands, is also used to evaluate the new interpolation method against current techniques.
HYBRID POLICY IN NEW JERSEY BEAR MANAGEMENT CONFLICT

ABSTRACT Bear management in New Jersey is controversial. The Division of Fish and Wildlife’s policies have not reassured factions who oppose their tools, namely hunting, despite being informed by science. This study applies qualitative content analysis to 43 policy documents to understand how actors pursue policy objectives, and how they are shaped. I find that actors pursue their policy objectives by making hybrid arguments that, in addition to science, involve history, values, and institutional power. Thus, they make scientific claims—or claims to what the science might mean—that are incompatible with each other. This study identifies four ways in which this occurs: science gets framed, science gets applied to certain ends, science gets weaponized, and science gets minimized. Comprehending the ways in which these factors supplement and frame science could reduce conflict, improve communication, and build consensus.
Parameter redundancy with applications in statistical ecology

This thesis is concerned with parameter redundancy in statistical ecology models. If it is not possible to estimate all the parameters, a model is termed parameter redundant. Parameter redundancy commonly occurs when parameters are confounded in the model so that the model could be reparameterised in terms of a smaller number of parameters. In principle, it is possible to use symbolic algebra to determine whether or not all the parameters of a certain ecological model can be estimated using classical methods of statistical inference. We examine a variety of different ecological models: We begin by exploring models based on marking a number of animals and observing the same animals at future time points. These observations can either be when the animal is marked and then recovered dead in mark-recovery modelling, or when the animal is marked and then recaptured alive in capture-recapture modelling. We also explore capture-recapture-recovery models where both dead recoveries and alive recaptures can be observed in the same study. We go on to explore occupancy models which are used to obtain estimates of the probability of presence, or absence, for living species by the use of repeated detection surveys, where these models have the advantage that individuals are not required to be marked. A variety of different occupancy models are examined included the addition of season-dependent parameters, group-dependent parameters and species-dependent, along with other models. We investigate parameter redundancy by deriving general results for a variety of different models where the model's parameter dependencies can be relaxed suited to different studies. We also analyse how the results change for specific data sets and how sparse data influence whether or not a model is parameter redundant using procedures written in Maple. This theory on parameter redundancy is vital for the correct use of these ecological models so that valid statistical inference can be made.
Dynamo theory for the interface between the convection zone and the radiative interior of a star part

Abstract We discuss numerical solutions of nonlinear equations that model magnetic field generation in a thin layer beneath the convection zone of a late type star. The model equations were derived previously in Paper I (DeLuca and Gilman, 1986b). Three main results are found: first, the oscillating, dynamo wave solutions discussed in DeLuca and Gilman (1986a) are shown to be a result of the severe truncation used in those calculations; second, the induced velocity feld is shown to have an important role in determining the spatial structure of the magnetic field solutions; time dependent solutions have been found. These are not wave-like solutions, rather the amplitude of different horizontal wave modes vary in time. Further, we show that the exact solutions found in Paper I are generally unstable, with the exception of those that are independent of ŷ (latitude in our Cartesian geometry), which are stable if the transient induced velocity field remains small. We conclude that the induced velocity fields a.
A Systematic Review of a City in a City: An Aerotropolitan Perspective

The purpose of this research is to demystify literature on aerotropolis using systematic review. Literature on aerial life and aeronautical studies suggests that airports are frequently cited outside urban centres. However, recent events surrounding the growth of aerotropolis contradicts existing realities. In fact, the pull and push factors constitute the life cycle of aerotropolis in urban enclaves. In generating data for this study, Dimensions, an artificial intelligence databank, was adopted, and a hybrid method which combines both VOSviewer and Citespace software was the preferred analytical tool for analysis. Key findings were imperative in establishing certain parameters regarding aerial life, including but not limited to knowledge about the technologies adopted, quality of stakeholders, in addition to existing relationships of urban space, urbanisation, and geography. Furthermore, two recurrent themes were identified, such as the development in ICT, and smart technologies, which corresponds with the multiple potentials that exist for developing sustainable airports, such as eco-innovation, greenovation, and social innovation. This study contributes to the concept of transit-bound tourism, a concept we coined to depict the role tourism can play in transit philosophy and economics.
Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 Observations of the Young Bipolar H II Region S106

We present narrowband Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 images of the bipolar H II region S106 in the Hα line. The high-resolution images show unprecedented detail in the two nebular lobes, including prominent scalloped structure of the emission at the ionization front. The illuminating source of the nebula, S106 IR, is detected in Hα but not in an adjacent passband that excludes bright nebular lines. Our estimate of the extinction to the exciting source is AV ≈ 19–22, which is in agreement with past determinations. The northern lobe of S106 is seen through a nearly opaque veil of foreground material, so that its structure is hard to discern. Most of the nebular emission toward the southern lobe emanates from the scalloped ionization fronts at the surfaces of hemispherical clumps located at the back side of the H II region. We infer the existence of a translucent layer of foreground extinction in front of the southern lobe that decreases with distance from the exciting source. Despite the presence of a cluster of 50 to 150 young stars, externally illuminated young stellar objects similar to the over 100 "proplyds" seen in the Orion Nebula are not found in S106. This nondetection is most likely a result of the complete absence of young stars within the nebular lobes. However, if some of the stars seen toward the nebular lobes are found to be low-mass members of the S106 cluster and embedded within the photoionized region, the lack of extended Hα emission would imply a nebular photoionization age greater than 105 yr, the photoevaporation timescale for circumstellar disks.
Pore Segmentation Techniques for Low-Resolution Data: Application to the Neutron Tomography Data of Cement Materials

The development of neutron imaging facilities provides a growing range of applications in different research fields. The significance of the obtained structural information, among others, depends on the reliability of phase segmentation. We focused on the problem of pore segmentation in low-resolution images and tomography data, taking into consideration possible image corruption in the neutron tomography experiment. Two pore segmentation techniques are proposed. They are the binarization of the enhanced contrast data using the global threshold, and the segmentation using the modified watershed technique—local threshold by watershed. The proposed techniques were compared with a conventional marker-based watershed on the test images simulating low-quality tomography data and on the neutron tomography data of the samples of magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKP). The obtained results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed techniques over the conventional watershed-based approach.
The effect of hypnotherapy methods on understanding and readiness on swimming learning in higher education

This research was conducted because understanding and readiness for swimming learning are still problematic. Hypnotherapy methods are assumed to be the factors that influence the understanding and readiness of swimming learning of students in higher education. This study aims to determine the effect of using hypnotherapy methods on the understanding and readiness of swimming lessons in higher education. This research uses the quantitative correlation method. The population is 150 students who take swimming lessons in higher education, and a sample of 50 students who were selected using purposive random sampling. The questionnaire is an effective data collection method to test the variables to be measured and the answers expected by the respondents. The questionnaire applies a Likert scale by providing an opportunity to answer each item. Data were analyzed using regression analysis. The results showed that (1) there was an increase in students' understanding of swimming lessons using hypnotherapy methods, (2) there was an increase in student readiness in swimming lessons using hypnotherapy methods.
Efficient Exciton Dislocation and Ultrafast Charge Extraction in CsPbI3 Perovskite Quantum Dots by Using Fullerene Derivative as Semiconductor Ligand

CsPbI3 quantum dots (QDs) are of great interest in new-generation photovoltaics (PVs) due to their excellent optoelectronic properties. The long and insulative ligands protect their phase stability and enable superior photoluminescence quantum yield, however, limiting charge transportation and extraction in PV devices. In this work, we use a fullerene derivative with the carboxylic anchor group ([SAM]C60) as the semiconductor ligand and build the type II heterojunction system of CsPbI3 QDs and [SAM]C60 molecules. We find their combination enables obvious exciton dislocation and highly efficient photogenerated charge extraction. After the introduction of [SAM]C60, the exciton-binding energy of CsPbI3 decreases from 30 meV to 7 meV and the fluorescence emission mechanism also exhibits obvious changes. Transient absorption spectroscopy visualizes a ~5 ps electron extraction rate in this system. The findings gained here may guide the development of perovskite QD devices.
Digital Holographic Interferometry for Radiation Dosimetry

A novel optical calorimetry approach is proposed for the dosimetry of therapeutic radiation, based on the optical technique of Digital Holographic Interferometry (DHI). This detector determines the radiation absorbed dose to water by measurement of the refractive index variations arising from radiation induced temperature increases. The output consists of a time series of high resolution, two dimensional images of the spatial distribution of the projected dose map across the water sample. This absorbed dose to water is measured directly, independently of radiation type, dose rate and energy, and without perturbation of the beam. These are key features which make DHI a promising technique for radiation dosimetry. A prototype DHI detector was developed, with the aim of providing proof-of-principle of the approach. The detector consists of an optical laser interferometer based on a lensless Fourier transform digital holography (LFTDH) system, and the associated mathematical reconstruction of the absorbed dose. The conceptual basis was introduced, and a full framework was established for the measurement and analysis of the results. Methods were developed for mathematical correction of the distortions introduced by heat diffusion within the system. Pilot studies of the dosimetry of a high dose rate Ir-192 brachytherapy source and a small field proton beam were conducted in order to investigate the dosimetric potential of the technique. Results were validated against independent models of the expected radiation dose distributions. Initial measurements of absorbed dose demonstrated the ability of the DHI detector to resolve the minuscule temperature changes produced by radiation in water to within experimental uncertainty. Spatial resolution of approximately 0.03 mm/pixel was achieved, and the dose distribution around the brachytherapy source was accurately measured for short irradiation times, to within the experimental uncertainty. The experimental noise for the prototype detector was relatively large and combined with the occurrence of heat diffusion, means that the method is predominantly suitable for high dose rate applications. The initial proof-of-principle results confirm that DHI dosimetry is a promising technique, with a range of potential benefits. Further development of the technique is warranted, to improve on the limitations of the current prototype. A comprehensive analysis of the system was conducted to determine key requirements for future development of the DHI detector to be a useful contribution to the dosimetric toolbox of a range of current and emerging applications. The sources of measurement uncertainty are considered, and methods suggested to mitigate these. Improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio, and further development of the heat transport corrections for high dose gradient regions are key areas of focus highlighted for future development.