Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cowhage-Induced Itch as an Experimental Model for Pruritus. A Comparative Study with Histamine-Induced Itch

Background Histamine is the prototypical pruritogen used in experimental itch induction. However, in most chronic pruritic diseases, itch is not predominantly mediated by histamine. Cowhage-induced itch, on the other hand, seems more characteristic of itch occurring in chronic pruritic diseases. Objectives We tested the validity of cowhage as an itch-inducing agent by contrasting it with the classical itch inducer, histamine, in healthy subjects and atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. We also investigated whether there was a cumulative effect when both agents were combined. Methods Fifteen healthy individuals and fifteen AD patients were recruited. Experimental itch induction was performed in eczema-free areas on the volar aspects of the forearm, using different itch inducers: histamine, cowhage and their combination thereof. Itch intensity was assessed continuously for 5.5 minutes after stimulus application using a computer-assisted visual analogue scale (COVAS). Results In both healthy and AD subjects, the mean and peak intensity of itch were higher after the application of cowhage compared to histamine, and were higher after the combined application of cowhage and histamine, compared to histamine alone (p<0.0001 in all cases). Itch intensity ratings were not significantly different between healthy and AD subjects for the same itch inducer used; however AD subjects exhibited a prolonged itch response in comparison to healthy subjects ( p<0.001). Conclusions Cowhage induced a more intense itch sensation compared to histamine. Cowhage was the dominant factor in itch perception when both pathways were stimulated in the same time. Cowhage-induced itch is a suitable model for the study of itch in AD and other chronic pruritic diseases, and it can serve as a new model for testing antipruritic drugs in humans.
A small scale Static VAR Compensator for laboratory experiment

This paper presents a small scale static VAR compensator (SVC) circuit that could be used as either a laboratory demonstration or a laboratory experiment. The small scale SVC lab experiment effectively demonstrates SVCpsilas function in correcting power factor through the use of power thyristors in a phase-controlled circuit. The laboratory setup of the SVC circuit using a thyristor controlled reactor in parallel with a capacitor will discussed in this paper. Results from the lab setup to exhibit firing angle adjustment to inject or absorb VARs into the system will also be described.
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the medicinal plant Morinda officinalis (Rubiaceae), an endemic to China

Abstract The complete chloroplast genome of Morinda officinalis, an endangered and important Chinese medicine with great economic value, has been sequenced in this article. The genome size is 153 398 bp in length, with 38.05% GC content. A pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 51 834 bp) are separated by a large single copy region (LSC, 83 996 bp) and a small single copy region (SSC, 17 566 bp). The chloroplast genome contains 103 unique genes, 80 protein-coding genes, 19 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. In these genes, 8 genes contained 1 intron, and 2 genes comprised of 2 introns.
DMBT1 expression in biliary carcinogenesis with correlation of clinicopathological data

Deleted in malignant brain tumours 1 (DMBT1) exerts functions in the regulation of epithelial differentiation and inflammation and has been proposed as a tumour suppressor. Because chronic inflammation is a hallmark of cholangiocarcinogenesis, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of DMBT1 in biliary tract cancer (BTC) and to correlate this expression with clinicopathological data.
Real-Time Ultrasound Thermography and Thermometry [Life Sciences]

This article describes the basic principles of ultrasound thermography (UST) and its real-time implementation using graphics processing unit (GPU)-enabled software architecture. In medicine, the term thermography is mostly associated with heat-sensing infrared cameras for recording surface temperature changes. In this article, we use this term to describe the qualitative noninvasive imaging of tissue temperature change using any imaging modality. Examples of these modalities include microwave radiometry, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), US imaging, and photoacoustic tomography. Of these imaging methods, US and MR are the most widely investigated. Table S1 in "Real-Time Thermography in Medicine" lists some US- and MRbased methods for tissue thermography reported in recent literature.
Production of Recombinant Antimicrobial Polymeric Protein Beta Casein-E 50-52 and Its Antimicrobial Synergistic Effects Assessment with Thymol

Accelerating emergence of antimicrobial resistance among food pathogens and consumers’ increasing demands for preservative-free foods are two contemporary challenging aspects within the food industry. Antimicrobial packaging and the use of natural preservatives are promising solutions. In the present study, we used beta-casein—one of the primary self-assembly proteins in milk with a high polymeric film production capability—as a fusion partner for the recombinant expression of E 50-52 antimicrobial peptide in Escherichia coli. The pET21a-BCN-E 50-52 construct was transformed to E. coli BL21 (DE3), and protein expression was induced under optimized conditions. Purified protein obtained from nickel affinity chromatography was refolded under optimized dialysis circumstances and concentrated to 1600 µg/mL fusion protein by ultrafiltration. Antimicrobial activities of recombinant BCN-E 50-52 performed against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans. Subsequently, the synergistic effects of BCN-E 50-52 and thymol were assayed. Results of checkerboard tests showed strong synergistic activity between two compounds. Time–kill and growth kinetic studies indicated a sharp reduction of cell viability during the first period of exposure, and SEM (scanning electron microscope) results validated the severe destructive effects of BCN E 50-52 and thymol in combination on bacterial cells.
Energetic costs of performance in trained and untrained Anolis carolinensis lizards

ABSTRACT The energetic costs of performance constitute a non-trivial component of animals' daily energetic budgets. However, we currently lack an understanding of how those costs are partitioned among the various stages of performance development, maintenance and production. We manipulated individual investment in performance by training Anolis carolinensis lizards for endurance or sprinting ability. We then measured energetic expenditure both at rest and immediately following exercise to test whether such training alters the maintenance and production costs of performance. Trained lizards had lower resting metabolic rates than controls, suggestive of a maintenance saving associated with enhanced performance as opposed to a cost. Production costs also differed, with sprint-trained lizards incurring a larger energetic performance cost and experiencing longer recovery times compared with endurance trained and control animals. Although performance training modifies metabolism, production costs are probably the key drivers of trade-offs between performance and other life-history traits in this species. Summary: Locomotor performance training modifies baseline metabolic expenditure such that trained animals have lower resting metabolic costs than controls.
Optimal component selection for component based software development using pliability metric

Component Based Software Development (CBSD) has gained widespread acceptance as it often results in higher quality software with a significant reduction in development time and costs. A key idea behind CBSD is the extensive reuse and composition of preexisting modules into new software. In this paper we introduce the pliability metric, which is well suited to a component-based orientation and extends previous metrics. Pliability is a flexible measure that assesses software quality across different quality attributes in terms of the quality of its components. In addition, we have developed an optimal component selection model based on integer programming, for maximizing pliability. Through computational experimentation we demonstrate that this model is capable of finding optimal solutions to problems with a very large number of components and requirements in a short time.
Advances of the reverse lactate threshold test: Non-invasive proposal based on heart rate and effect of previous cycling experience

Our first aim was to compare the anaerobic threshold (AnT) determined by the incremental protocol with the reverse lactate threshold test (RLT), investigating the previous cycling experience effect. Secondarily, an alternative RLT application based on heart rate was proposed. Two groups (12 per group-according to cycling experience) were evaluated on cycle ergometer. The incremental protocol started at 25 W with increments of 25 W at each 3 minutes, and the AnT was calculated by bissegmentation, onset of blood lactate concentration and maximal deviation methods. The RLT was applied in two phases: a) lactate priming segment; and b) reverse segment; the AnT (AnTRLT) was calculated based on a second order polynomial function. The AnT from the RLT was calculated based on the heart rate (AnTRLT-HR) by the second order polynomial function. In regard of the Study 1, most of statistical procedures converged for similarity between the AnT determined from the bissegmentation method and AnTRLT. For 83% of non-experienced and 75% of experienced subjects the bias was 4% and 2%, respectively. In Study 2, no difference was found between the AnTRLT and AnTRLT-HR. For 83% of non-experienced and 91% of experienced subjects, the bias between AnTRLT and AnTRLT-HR was similar (i.e. 6%). In summary, the AnT determined by the incremental protocol and RLT are consistent. The AnT can be determined during the RLT via heart rate, improving its applicability. However, future studies are required to improve the agreement between variables.
KREX2 Is Not Essential for Either Procyclic or Bloodstream Form Trypanosoma brucei

Background Most mitochondrial mRNAs in Trypanosoma brucei require RNA editing for maturation and translation. The edited RNAs primarily encode proteins of the oxidative phosphorylation system. These parasites undergo extensive changes in energy metabolism between the insect and bloodstream stages which are mirrored by alterations in RNA editing. Two U-specific exonucleases, KREX1 and KREX2, are both present in protein complexes (editosomes) that catalyze RNA editing but the relative roles of each protein are not known. Methodology/Principal Findings The requirement for KREX2 for RNA editing in vivo was assessed in both procyclic (insect) and bloodstream form parasites by methods that use homologous recombination for gene elimination. These studies resulted in null mutant cells in which both alleles were eliminated. The viability of these cells demonstrates that KREX2 is not essential in either life cycle stage, despite certain defects in RNA editing in vivo. Furthermore, editosomes isolated from KREX2 null cells require KREX1 for in vitro U-specific exonuclease activity. Conclusions KREX2 is a U-specific exonuclease that is dispensable for RNA editing in vivo in T. brucei BFs and PFs. This result suggests that the U deletion activity, which is required for RNA editing, is primarily mediated in vivo by KREX1 which is normally found associated with only one type of editosome. The retention of the KREX2 gene implies a non-essential role or a role that is essential in other life cycle stages or conditions.
SUMO2/3 modification of activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) controls its dynamic translocation at the centrosome

Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) is a member of the ATF/cAMP response element–binding protein family of transcription factors. ATF5 regulates stress responses and cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation and also plays a role in viral infections, cancer, diabetes, schizophrenia, and the olfactory system. Moreover, it was found to also have a critical cell cycle–dependent structural function at the centrosome. However, the mechanism that controls the localization of ATF5 at the centrosome is unclear. Here we report that ATF5 is small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) 2/3–modified at a conserved SUMO-targeting consensus site in various types of mammalian cells. We found that SUMOylation of ATF5 is elevated in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and diminished in the G2/M phase. ATF5 SUMOylation disrupted the interaction of ATF5 with several centrosomal proteins and dislodged ATF5 from the centrosome at the end of the M phase. Of note, blockade of ATF5 SUMOylation deregulated the centrosome cycle, impeded ATF5 translocation from the centrosome, and caused genomic instability and G2/M arrest in HeLa cells. Our results indicate that ATF5 SUMOylation is an essential mechanism that regulates ATF5 localization and function at the centrosome.
Defense Expenditures, External Public Debt and Growth in Developing Countries

This study reexamines the relationship between growth and defense spending in developing countries. It differs from previous studies as it recognizes differences in the borrowing capacity of each country. We hypothesize that a negative relationship will exist between defense and economic growth in countries which are financially resource constrained, and a positive relationship will exist in countries which are relatively resource unconstrained. A factor and discriminate analysis are used to group countries. The variables chosen for the factor analysis depict a country's external debt, structural condition, growth, and balance of payments position. Regression equations were estimated for the total sample and each group, with the growth in Gross Domestic Product as the dependent variable. The results confirm the hypothesized positive relationship between defense and growth in the unconstrained group, but was not confirmed for the constrained group. The results suggest the importance of variables such as foreign ex change, net inflows of capital, external debt, and the growth of the public sector in general, on economic growth.
Barriers to innovation in service SMEs: evidence from Mexico

Purpose Specific research related to the study of innovation barriers in service SMEs in the Latin American region is limited. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects that external environmental, financial and human barriers have on innovation activities, particularly, within the context of Mexican service SMEs. Design/methodology/approach Three hypotheses were formulated and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were collected through an instrument that was developed based on relevant constructs adapted from the literature. The instrument was validated using confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s α test and the composite reliability index to ensure reliability of the theoretical model. The instrument was distributed among service SMEs in the Aguascalientes state of Mexico, from were 308 valid responses were obtained. Findings In general, the results indicate that all the three barriers investigated (i.e. external environmental, financial and human) hinder innovation in service SMEs, with the external environmental barrier being the most significant of the three. Practical implications The findings of this research can inform managers of service SMEs and policy makers when formulating and implementing strategies to reduce innovation barriers. Originality/value Evidence suggests that specific research related to the study of innovation barriers in service SMEs in the Latin American region is limited. This paper fills this research gap by expanding the limited body of knowledge in this field and providing further evidence on this phenomenon. The study also enables the distinctive characteristics of innovation barriers to be understood within a particular context, expanding in this way the body of knowledge on this field.
Enzyme replacement prevents neonatal death, liver damage, and osteoporosis in murine homocystinuria

Classical homocystinuria (HCU) is an inborn error of sulfur amino acid metabolism caused by deficient activity of cystathionine β‐synthase (CBS), resulting in an accumulation of homocysteine and a concomitant decrease of cystathionine and cysteine in blood and tissues. In mice, the complete lack of CBS is neonatally lethal. In this study, newborn CBS‐knockout (KO) mice were treated with recombinant polyethyleneglycolylated human truncated CBS (PEG‐CBS). Full survival of the treated KO mice, along with a positive impact on metabolite levels in plasma, liver, brain, and kidneys, was observed. The PEG‐CBS treatment prevented an otherwise fatal liver disease characterized by steatosis, death of hepatocytes, and ultrastructural abnormalities of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Furthermore, treatment of the KO mice for 5 mo maintained the plasma metabolite balance and completely prevented osteoporosis and changes in body composition that characterize both the KO model and human patients. These findings argue that early treatment of patients with HCU with PEG‐CBS may prevent clinical symptoms of the disease possibly without the need of dietary protein restriction. —Majtan, T. , Hůlková, H. , Park, I. , Krijt, J., Kožich, V. , Bublil, E. M. , Kraus, J. P. Enzyme replacement prevents neonatal death, liver damage, and osteoporosis in murine homocystinuria. FASEB J. 31, 5495–5506 (2017). www.fasebj. org
Collaborative enterprise architecture by Stefan Bente, Uwe Bombosch, and Shailendra Langade

Collaborative Enterprise Architecture breathes some new thought into a still emerging field. There is much discussion about enterprise architecture (EA) process and how best to create an enterprise architecture. One only has to search LinkedIn's various forums to get a glimpse of the ongoing discussions and debates. The book provides a high level survey of the field and then describes how the authors extend EA through the use of Agile and Lean techniques along with aspects of Enterprise 2.0. The authors first provide an overview of EA. In the first chapter they describe their experiences as practicing enterprise architects which helped them to define several anti-patterns in the context of caricatures that describe challenges seen by many enterprise architecture organizations. After the introduction they describe the core services provided by an enterprise architecture organization. They then provide a high level review of the major EA frameworks. The overview is concluded by a discussion regarding EA maturity models. The second half of the book describes how the authors extend EA by applying Agile, Lean, and Enterprise 2.0. The authors begin by first framing the challenges associated with following an EA approach that does not take into account the complexities of organizations. After summarizing the challenges they describe the specific techniques of Agile and Lean they believe are appropriate for EA. They then describe Enterprise 2.0 and how aspects of it can be applied to EA. The authors describe the extensions as building blocks, each building on top of the other. A fictitious company is used throughout the book to elaborate upon or demonstrate concepts. The last chapter provides insights as to how to implement the techniques in the book by understanding change management by understanding why people are resistant to change and how to overcome the resistance. I enjoyed reading this book. I found the first chapter fun reading. I have been called an enterprise architect for the last 10 years and I have dealt with enterprise architects for far longer. I found myself laughing out loud as I read the anti-patterns as I could relate to all of them. Who should read this book? Those new to EA should not use this book as an introduction to EA (though it should be in the top five books to read). I believe practicing enterprise architects will get the most from the book as it will give them new perspectives to consider. …
Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against Shiga-like toxin from Escherichia coli

Three monoclonal antibodies, designated MAb 16E6, MAb 13C4, and MAb 19G8, were produced which recognize Shiga-like toxin (SLT) from Escherichia coli. All three monoclonal antibodies neutralized the cytotoxicity of E. coli SLT and were able to immunoprecipitate intact labeled toxin with Staphylococcus aureus protein A. The three antibodies were of the G1 heavy and kappa light chain classes. MAb 16E6 bound to the B subunit of SLT in Western blots and also neutralized the lethality of the toxin for mice and the enterotoxicity of the toxin in ligate rabbit ileal loops. The ability of MAb 16E6 to neutralize the cytotoxicity, lethality, and enterotoxicity of E. coli confirms the hypothesis that all three activities are associated with a single toxin. MAb 16E6 and MAb 13C4 also neutralized the cytotoxicity of purified Shiga toxin from Shigella dysenteriae type 1 and Shiga-like toxic activities in crude cell extracts from Shigella flexneri, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Salmonella typhimurium. Thus, Shiga toxin and the SLTs from E. coli, Shigella flexneri, V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and Salmonella typhimurium share a common B subunit epitope that is involved in neutralization. MAb 13C4 has been successfully used in a colony blot assay for the detection of bacterial colonies which produce high levels of SLT. Sixty-two different strains of bacteria were tested by both the cytotoxicity and colony blot assays for the presence of SLT. The colony blot assay detected all strains of bacteria which produce greater than or equal to 10(5) 50% cytotoxic doses of SLT per ml of sonic lysate. There were no false-positive results among the 62 samples tested.
Time-Delay estimation via CPD-GEVD applied to tensor-based GNSS arrays with errors

Safety-critical applications (SCA), such as autonomous driving, and liability critical applications (LCA), such as fisheries management, require a robust positioning system in demanding signal environments with coherent multipath while ensuring reasonably low complexity. In this context, antenna array-based Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers with array signal processing schemes allow the spatial separation of line-of-sight (LOS) from multipath components. In real-world scenarios array imperfections alter the expected array response, resulting in parameter estimation and filtering errors. In this paper, we propose an approach to time-delay estimation for a tensor-based GNSS receiver that mitigates the effect of multipath components while also being robust against array imperfections. This approach is based on the Canonical Polyadic Decomposition by a Generalized Eigenvalue Decomposition (GPD-GEVD) to recover the signal for each impinging component. Our scheme outperforms both the Higher-Order Singular Value Decomposition (HOSVD) eigenfilter and Direction of Arrival and Khatri-Rao factorization (DoA/KRF) approaches, which are state-of-the-art tensor-based schemes for time-delay estimation, particularly when array imperfections are present.