Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reflections of Researchers Involved in the Evaluation of Pedagogical Technological Innovations in a University Setting

It is widely assumed that developments in information and communication technologies are fundamentally transforming and improving higher education. As a part of an ongoing evaluation of technology-supported pedagogy in one university, our three-year research project was designed, on the one hand, to determine if and how selected technologies were beneficial for learning and, on the other hand, to offer professional development for faculty members. In this paper, we reflect on our participation in a pedagogy and technology (referred to as PedTech) pilot project, describe some of the relationships that developed between ourselves as researchers and evaluators and our faculty collaborators, and share what we have learned from this experience. We suggest that a scholarship of teaching approach to evaluating innovations in teaching and learning is one way to support institution-wide adoption.
P. falciparum Enhances HIV Replication in an Experimental Malaria Challenge System

Co-infection with HIV and P. falciparum worsens the prognosis of both infections; however, the mechanisms driving this adverse interaction are not fully delineated. To evaluate this, we studied HIV-1 and P. falciparum interactions in vitro using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from human malaria naïve volunteers experimentally infected with P. falciparum in a malaria challenge trial.PBMCs collected before the malaria challenge and at several time points post-infection were infected with HIV-1 and co-cultured with either P. falciparum infected (iRBCs) or uninfected (uRBCs) red blood cells. HIV p24Ag and TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and MIP-1α were quantified in the co-culture supernatants. In general, iRBCs stimulated more HIV p24Ag production by PBMCs than did uRBCs. HIV p24Ag production by PBMCs in the presence of iRBCs (but not uRBCs) further increased during convalescence (days 35, 56, and 90 post-challenge). In parallel, iRBCs induced higher secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and MIP-1α) than uRBCs, and production increased further during convalescence. Because the increase in p24Ag production occurred after parasitemia and generalized immune activation had resolved, our results suggest that enhanced HIV production is related to the development of anti-malaria immunity and may be mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Return Predictability under Equilibrium Constraints on the Equity Premium

This paper proposes a new approach for incorporating theoretical constraints on return forecasting models such as non-negativity of the conditional equity premium and sign restrictions on the coefficients linking state variables to the equity premium. Our approach makes use of Bayesian methods that update the estimated parameters at each point in time in a way that optimally exploits information in these constraints. Using a variety of predictor variables from the literature on predictability of stock returns, we find that theoretical constraints have an important effect on the coefficient estimates and can significantly reduce biases and estimation errors in these. In out-of-sample forecasting experiments we find that models that exploit the theoretical restrictions produce better forecasts than unconstrained models.
Numerically Efficient Modeling of CNT Transistors With Ballistic and Nonballistic Effects for Circuit Simulation

This paper presents an efficient carbon nanotube (CNT) transistor modeling technique that is based on cubic spline approximation of the nonequilibrium mobile charge density. The approximation facilitates the solution of the self-consistent voltage equation in a CNT so that calculation of the CNT drain-source current is accelerated by at least two orders of magnitude. A salient feature of the proposed technique is its ability to incorporate both ballistic and nonballistic transport effects without a significant computational cost. The proposed models have been extensively validated against reported CNT ballistic and nonballistic transport theories and experimental results.
Down‐regulation of cardiac lineage protein (CLP‐1) expression in CLP‐1 +/− mice affords cardioprotection against ischaemic stress

In order to understand the transcriptional mechanism that underlies cell protection to stress, we evaluated the role of CLP‐1, a known inhibitor of the transcription elongation complex (pTEFb), in CLP‐1 +/− mice hearts. Using the isolated heart model, we observed that the CLP‐1+/− hearts, when subjected to ischaemic stress and evaluated by haemodynamic measurements, exhibit significant cardioprotection. CLP‐1 remains associated with the pTEFb complex in the heterozygous hearts, where as it is released in the wild‐type hearts suggesting the involvement of pTEFb regulation in cell protection. There was a decrease in Cdk7 and Cdk9 kinase activity and consequently in phosphorylation of serine‐5 and serine‐2 of Pol II CTD in CLP‐1 +/− hearts. However, the levels of mitochondrial proteins, PGC‐1α and HIF‐1α, which enhance mitochondrial activity and are implicated in cell survival, were increased in CLP‐1+/− hearts subjected to ischaemic stress compared to that in wild‐type CLP‐1+/+ hearts treated identically. There was also an increase in the expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK‐1), which facilitates cell adaptation to hypoxic stress. Taken together, our data suggest that regulation of the CLP‐1 levels is critical to cellular adaptation of the survival program that protects cardiomyocytes against stress due collectively to a decrease in RNA Pol II phosphorylation but an increase in expression of target proteins that regulate mitochondrial function and metabolic adaptation to stress.
Heterogeneity of Gleason grade in multifocal adenocarcinoma of the prostate

The Gleason grading system uniquely combines data from different areas of carcinoma in the same prostate specimen. Prostatic adenocarcinoma often is multifocal, and different Gleason grades may be present in different foci. The current study was undertaken to compare the Gleason grades of individual adenocarcinoma foci in a given specimen with the overall Gleason grades (primary and secondary) of that specimen.
The Impact of Multi-site Software Governance on Knowledge Management

Software Development Governance (SDG) is an emerging field of research, under the umbrella of information technology governance. SDG challenges increase when software development activities are distributed across multiple locations. Coordination of knowledge management processes requires specific attention in multi-site development. This paper outlines a multi-site software governance structure, based on three aspects: the business strategy that binds the relationship of the remote offices, the structure and composition of the remote teams and the way tasks are allocated across sites. Knowledge management processes (including knowledge creation, knowledge transfer and communication) are identified and the influence of different governance structures on these processes is discussed. We do so through a case study at Océ, a multi-national company in printing systems.
The elimination of selected chronic diseases in a population: the compression and expansion of morbidity.

OBJECTIVES This study evaluates the effect of eliminating a specific disease on the mortality, long-term disability, and overall health status of a population. Primarily, it examines whether elimination leads to a compression of morbidity. METHODS The Sullivan method was used to calculate disability-free life expectancy. Cause-deleted disability prevalence was estimated with a multiple logistic regression model that used data from the Dutch National Survey of General Practice. Cause-deleted probabilities of dying were derived with the cause-elimination life-table technique, assuming independence among competing causes of death. RESULTS Eliminating disabling nonfatal diseases such as arthritis/back complaints results in a decline in life expectancy with disability--that is, an absolute compression of morbidity. Eliminating highly fatal diseases such as cancer leads to an increase in the number of years and the proportion of life with disability--that is, a relative expansion of morbidity. CONCLUSIONS While eliminating fatal diseases leads to an increase in disability-free life expectancy, life expectancy with disability may increase as well. This represents an increasing burden to society. On the other hand, eliminating nonfatal disabling diseases leads to absolute compression of morbidity.
Endothelium-Derived Endothelin-1 Reduces Cerebral Artery Sensitivity to Nitric Oxide by a Protein Kinase C–Independent Pathway

Background and Purpose— Nitric oxide (NO) reduces endothelin-1 (ET-1) production and blunts ET-1 dependent vasoconstriction. The direct effects of smooth muscle ETA receptor stimulation on NO-mediated relaxation are unknown. We hypothesized that endothelium-derived ET-1 regulates vascular tone by reducing smooth muscle sensitivity to NO, possibly through activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Methods— Rings of rabbit middle cerebral artery were mounted on microvessel myographs to measure isometric tension. Dose-response curves to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP; an NO donor) were obtained with or without ET-1 receptor blockade. Experiments were performed in the presence of indomethacin (10 &mgr;mol/L). Results are expressed as mean±SEM. Results— In depolarized conditions (40 mmol/L KCl physiological solution), ACh-induced relaxation was entirely NO-dependent, as indicated by its suppression by N&ohgr;-nitro-l-arginine (P <0.05). Arterial sensitivity (pD2) to ACh (6.32±0.11, n=6) was increased (P <0.05) to 6.77±0.10 (n=6) by BQ123 (ETA receptor antagonist, 5 &mgr;mol/L) but not by BQ788 (ETB receptor antagonist, 5 &mgr;mol/L; 6.08±0.22, n=5). Consistent with this finding, blockade of ETA receptors increased (P <0.05) vascular sensitivity to SNP (6.95±0.10, n=8), whereas BQ788 had no influence on arterial sensitivity to SNP (6.17±0.07, n=7) compared with control (6.43±0.13, n=11). In denuded arteries, the sensitivity to SNP (7.10±0.08, n=8) was reduced by exogenous ET-1 (6.51±0.35, n=7, P <0.05). Chelerythrine, a PKC inhibitor, did not alter smooth muscle sensitivity to NO, whereas phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a PKC activator, strongly increased it. Conclusions— Blockade of ETA but not ETB receptors sensitizes vascular smooth muscle to exogenous and endothelium-derived NO. This suggests that ET-1 regulates smooth muscle sensitivity to NO by a PKC-independent pathway. This represents an alternative pathway by which NO and ET-1 interact to regulate vascular tone.
Mapping and Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of the Three Types of Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia in Nonischemic Heart Disease

Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation, Introduction. Sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) associated with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) is uncommon. Optimal approaches to catheter mapping and ablation are not well characterized, but they are likely to depend on the VT mechanism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms of sustained monomorphic VT encountered in nonischemic CMP and to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of catheter radiofrequency ablation for treatment.
Preliminary Study of Motion Artifact Rejection for NIBP measurement in an Ambulance

Motion artifact resulting from patient's movement is a significant source for disturbing accurate noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurement. In an ambulance, patients are exposed to unstable circumstances due to vehicle's movement and vibration during emergency transportation. Since NIBP is indirectly measured using oscillometry based on the change of cuff pressure, it can be affected by motion artifact much more than other biosignals. In this paper, we developed a new NIBP system with improved accuracy by measuring acceleration of the system caused by patient's motion. The NIBP module including a 3-axis accelerometer was directly mounted on a cuff to minimize the interference induced through connecting tube. The results show that the proposed NIBP system has the capability to reject the interference of motion artifact effectively in an ambulance.
A domain-independent system for sketch recognition

Freehand sketching is a natural and powerful means of interpersonal communication. But to date, it still cannot be supported effectively by human-computer interface. In this paper, we describe a domain-independent system for sketch recognition. Our system allows users to draw sketches as naturally as how they do on paper, and it recognizes the drawing through imprecise stroke approximation which is implemented in a unified and incremental procedure. This method can handle smooth curves and hybrid shapes as gracefully as it does to polylines. With a feature-area verification mechanism and the intelligent adjustment in the post-process, the system can produce user-intended results. Moreover, the output is organized in a hierarchical structure which includes syntactic and semantic information as well as raw data. Our system mainly utilizes low-level geometric features and does not rely on any domain-specific knowledge. Therefore, it will serve as a general and solid foundation for future high-level applications.
Identification of a new P450 expressed in human lung: complete cDNA sequence, cDNA-directed expression, and chromosome mapping.

A cDNA coding for a P450 expressed in human lung was isolated from a lambda gt11 library constructed from human lung mRNA using a cDNA probe to rat P450 IVA1. The cDNA-deduced amino acid sequence of this P450, designated IVB1, consisted of 511 amino acids and had a calculated molecular weight of 59,558. The IVB1 amino acid sequence bore 51%, 53%, and 52% similarities to rat IVA1, IVA2, and rabbit P450p-2, respectively. Comparison of the primary amino acid sequence of human IVB1 with rat IVA and rabbit p-2 P450 sequences revealed a region of absolute sequence identity of 17 amino acids between residues 304 and 320. However, the functional significance of this conserved sequence is unknown. Human IVB1 also appears to be related to P450 isozyme 5 that has been extensively characterized in rabbits. The IVB1 cDNA was inserted into a vaccinia virus expression vector and the enzyme expressed in human cell lines. The expressed enzyme had an absorption spectrum with a lambda max at 450 nm when reduced and complexed with carbon monoxide, typical of other cytochrome P450s. Unlike rabbit P450 isozyme 5, however, human IVB1 was unable to activate the promutagen 2-aminofluorene. Human lung microsomal P450s were also unable to metabolize this compound despite the presence of IVB1 mRNA in three out of four human lungs analyzed. In contrast to its expression in lung, IVB1 mRNA was undetectable in livers from 14 individuals, including those from which the lungs were derived. IVB1-related mRNA was also expressed in rat lung and was undetectable in untreated rat liver. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Methods and dimensions of electronic health record data quality assessment: enabling reuse for clinical research

Objective To review the methods and dimensions of data quality assessment in the context of electronic health record (EHR) data reuse for research. Materials and methods A review of the clinical research literature discussing data quality assessment methodology for EHR data was performed. Using an iterative process, the aspects of data quality being measured were abstracted and categorized, as well as the methods of assessment used. Results Five dimensions of data quality were identified, which are completeness, correctness, concordance, plausibility, and currency, and seven broad categories of data quality assessment methods: comparison with gold standards, data element agreement, data source agreement, distribution comparison, validity checks, log review, and element presence. Discussion Examination of the methods by which clinical researchers have investigated the quality and suitability of EHR data for research shows that there are fundamental features of data quality, which may be difficult to measure, as well as proxy dimensions. Researchers interested in the reuse of EHR data for clinical research are recommended to consider the adoption of a consistent taxonomy of EHR data quality, to remain aware of the task-dependence of data quality, to integrate work on data quality assessment from other fields, and to adopt systematic, empirically driven, statistically based methods of data quality assessment. Conclusion There is currently little consistency or potential generalizability in the methods used to assess EHR data quality. If the reuse of EHR data for clinical research is to become accepted, researchers should adopt validated, systematic methods of EHR data quality assessment.
Update on Secretory Pathways in Plant Immune Responses Secretory Pathways in Plant Immune Responses 1

Innate immune receptors in plants detect the presence of microbial pathogens and trigger defense responses to terminate or restrict pathogen growth. The molecular mechanisms of receptor-mediated nonself recognition and subsequent intracellular signaling pathways have received much attention in the past. Less is known about the cellular mechanisms that contribute to the execution of immune responses. Recent studies revealed the existence of a secretory machinery that becomes engaged in the execution of extracellular immune responses. At least two vesicleassociated and SNARE protein-mediated exocytosis pathways appear to drive focal and/or nondirectional secretion of antimicrobial cocktails comprising proteins, small molecules, and cell wall building blocks into the apoplastic space. Both pathways have additional functions in plant development and might have been coopted for immune responses. Bacteria and fungi appear to have evolved counterdefense molecules that intercept the secretion machinery by blocking vesicle formation from intracellular membranes. Independently from this, plant plasma membrane ATP-binding cassette-type (ABC) transporters act in parallel defense pathways and serve as efflux pumps for the targeted delivery of antimicrobials and/or agents promoting chemical cross-linking of plant cell wall polymers. All multicellular eukaryotic organisms are exposed to the danger of microbial pathogens. Unlike animals, plants lack specialized and mobile immune cells to engulf and dismantle microbial intruders. Plants resist microbial attack using elaborate nonself surveillance systems consisting of a repertoire of cell surface and intracellular immune sensors. These receptors detect the presence of parasites and trigger powerful immune responses (for review, see Jones and Dangl, 2006). Microbial parasites have evolved diverse strategies to enter hosts for nutrient retrieval and multiplication. It is conceivable that plants have invented execution mechanisms for immune responses that are fine tuned to microbial entry routes. For example, most
Cleavage of sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) by CPP32 during apoptosis.

Cellular cholesterol homeostasis is controlled by sterol‐regulated proteolysis of membrane‐bound transcription factors called sterol‐regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs). CPP32, a cysteine protease, was shown previously to cleave SREBP‐1 and SREBP‐2 in vitro at an aspartic acid between the basic helix‐loop‐helix leucine zipper domain and the first trans‐membrane domain, liberating a transcriptionally active fragment. Here, we show that CPP32 exists in an inactive 32 kDa form in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. When apoptosis was induced with the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine, CPP32 was cleaved to subunits of 20 and 10 kDa to form the active protease. Under these conditions membrane‐bound SREBP‐1 and SREBP‐2 were both cleaved, and the transcriptionally active N‐terminal fragments were found in nuclear extracts. Similar results were obtained in human U937 cells induced to undergo apoptosis by anti‐Fas and etoposide. The apoptosis‐induced cleavage of SREBPs was not suppressed by sterols, indicating that apoptosis‐induced cleavage and sterol‐regulated cleavage are mediated by different proteases. CHO cells expressing a mutant SREBP‐2 with an Asp–> Ala mutation at the CPP32 cleavage site showed sterol‐regulated cleavage but no apoptosis‐induced cleavage. These data are consistent with the emerging concept that CPP32 is a central mediator in apoptosis. They also indicate that SREBPs, like poly (ADP) ribose polymerase, are cleaved by CPP32 during programmed cell death.
Second-Site Mutations Selected in Transcriptional Regulatory Sequences Compensate for Engineered Mutations in the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Nucleocapsid Protein

ABSTRACT The active template for RNA synthesis for vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and other negative-strand viruses is the RNA genome in association with the nucleocapsid (N) protein. The N protein molecules sequester the genomic RNA and are linked together by a network of noncovalent interactions. We previously demonstrated that mutations predicted to weaken interactions between adjacent N protein molecules altered the levels of RNA synthesis directed from subgenomic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) templates. To determine if these mutations affect virus replication, recombinant viruses containing single-amino-acid substitutions in the N protein were recovered. Four mutations altered transcription and genome replication levels, perturbed viral protein synthesis, and inhibited virus replication. Selective pressure for improved virus replication was applied by eight sequential passages. After five passages, virus replication improved and RNA synthesis recovered concomitantly with the restoration of the protein molar ratios to near-wild-type levels. Genome sequences were compared before and after passage to determine whether compensatory mutations were selected and to potentially identify interactions between N protein molecules or between the RNP template and the viral polymerase. Improved virus replication correlated with the selection of additional mutations located in cis-acting transcriptional regulatory sequences at the gene junctions of the genome rather than in coding sequences, with one exception. The engineered N gene mutations perturbed mRNA and protein expression levels, but the selection of modified transcriptional regulatory sequences with passage facilitated the restoration of wild-type protein expression by modulating transcription levels, reflecting the adaptability and versatility of gene regulation by transcriptional control.
The research & application of Business Intelligence system in retail industry

In modern retail business, increasing standards, automation, and technologies have led to vast amounts of data becoming available, however, business decision-making process has become complicated. Traditional database system has been unable to meet userspsila demand in mass data intelligent analysis & forecast. How to change the existing situation of ldquomass data, poor knowledgerdquo, support better business decision-making and help enterprises increase profits and market share become the business and IT sector issues of mutual concern. Business intelligence technologies emerge as the times require. Business intelligence is a very wide-ranging set of the collection, consolidation, analysis and information access capabilities for a solution, including ETL, data warehouse, data query and reporting, multidimensional data analysis, data mining and other technologies. This article sets out an overview of Business Intelligence, the key technology of Business Intelligence, as well as the establishment & application of Business Intelligence System in retail industry. Business subject and dimension design, ETL tool design, data display middleware design and the main innovation are the key points of the system.