Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional expression of the yes proto‐oncogene protein in Xenopus oocytes injected with chicken cerebellar mRNA

Using monospecific antibodies raised against the amino terminal domain of viral‐yes protein, we precipitated a 58 kD protein‐tyrosine kinase from the brain of Xenopus laevis frog. By a number of criteria, including pattern of expression in various tissues and one‐dimensional peptide mapping, we concluded that pp58 is very likely the authentic amphibian yes protein because it is more similar to the chicken yes protein than to any other known tyrosine kinases. The pp58c–yes is expressed in adult brain at elevated levels. In contrast, its level of expression in follicular and denuded oocytes is 30–50 times lower. Because of the low endogenous expression of the oocyte‐associated yes kinase, we were able to transiently express and analyze pp62c‐yes by injecting oocytes with 27S size fraction of poly(A)+ mRNA isolated from chicken cerebella. The pp62c‐yes expressed in oocytes from the exogenous message comigrated on SDS polyacrylamide gel with pp62c‐yes from cerebellum and was indistinguishable from it by one‐dimensional peptide mapping. The pp62c‐yes expressed in oocytes was enzymatically active. A number of phosphotyrosine‐containing proteins were detected specifically in the c‐yes mRNA‐injected oocytes. The usefulness of the Xenopus oocyte expression system to study the functional aspects of c‐yes protein and other tyrosine kinases was evaluated.
Analysis of End-Winding Thermal Effects in a Totally Enclosed Fan-Cooled Induction Motor With a Die Cast Copper Rotor

Thermal overload protection techniques commonly use a simplified 1st order thermal model, which does not provide accurate stator winding temperature prediction and causes frequent undesirable stoppage of the motor in the processes. This paper proposes a higher order lumped parameter thermal network model to accurately predict stator winding temperature. First, the comparison of the predicted stator winding temperature from a 1st order thermal model with a higher order thermal model is performed. Second, a comparison between the actual and the predicted stator winding temperature rise is verified for a 20 hp totally enclosed fan-cooled copper rotor induction motor that has no rotor fins on its short-circuit ring to enhance heat dissipation compared with an aluminum rotor induction motor.
Discontinuous-current mode operation of a semi-dual-bridge resonant converter

A semi-dual-bridge resonant converter derived from the popular dual-bridge resonant converter (DBRC) topology is proposed in this paper for applications requiring only unidirectional power flow such as various types of DC power supplies, battery chargers in electric vehicles and dc-dc stage of different types of photovoltaic inverters. Based on the similarity of topology to the DBRC converter, the new converter is expected to inherit most advantages from the DBRC converter - such as soft-switching, high power density and simple control. Besides, the proposed converter has a simpler structure with lower cost and the high circulation energy in output bridge is eliminated. The operating principles and waveforms in discontinuous-current mode (DCM) are presented in detail. It can be shown that all switches can be turned off softly at zero current. Steady-state analysis of the converter in DCM is performed using differential equation (DE) approach. A design example based on the analysis results is presented and then verified through simulation and experiment.
Tacrolimus Predose Concentrations Do Not Predict the Risk of Acute Rejection After Renal Transplantation: A Pooled Analysis From Three Randomized‐Controlled Clinical Trials †

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for tacrolimus (Tac) is universally applied. However, the concentration–effect relationship for Tac is poorly defined. This study investigated whether Tac concentrations are associated with acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients. Data from three large trials were pooled. We used univariate and multivariate analysis to investigate the relationship between biopsy‐proven acute rejection (BPAR) and Tac predose concentration at five time points (day 3, 10 and 14, and month 1 and 6 after transplantation). A total of 136/1304 patients experienced BPAR, giving an overall incidence of 10.4%. We did not find any significant correlations between Tac predose concentrations and the incidence of BPAR at the different time points. In the multivariate analysis, only delayed graft function (DGF) and the use of induction therapy were independently correlated with BPAR, with an odds ratio of 2.7 [95% CI: 1.8–4.0; p < 0.001] for DGF and 0.66 [95% CI: 0.44–0.99; p = 0.049] for induction therapy. The other variables, including the Tac predose concentrations, were not statistically significantly associated with BPAR. We did not find an association between the Tac predose concentrations measured at five time points after kidney transplantation and the incidence of acute rejection occurring thereafter. Based on this study it is not possible to define the optimal target concentrations for Tac.
The Ecumenical Commitment of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church

The Ecumenical Commitment of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church has been at the centre of its ecclesiology and theological thought especially in relation to its sister-church the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch since the Second Vatican Council. The Antiochene context has provided a unique and creative context for a renewed ecumenical engagement as viewed through the developing relations between the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. This paper sets out in detail how these relations have developed over the last decades, however, with the caveat that the author, Patriarch Gregorios III who has been deeply involved in these discussions, notes that the significant proposals mentioned in the final part of this article remain to be received within the wider ecclesial communities.
History of maternal fetal loss and increased risk of childhood acute leukemia at an early age. A report from the childrens cancer group

Background. Maternal reproductive history of fetal loss previously has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of leukemia in subsequent offspring. Data from a Childrens Cancer Group (CCG) case‐control study were analyzed to test the hypothesis that this association was dependent on the number of previous fetal losses age at leukemia diagnosis.
Digital Entrepreneurship: Innovative Business Models for the Sharing Economy

What's mine is yours. An increasing number of people are participating in sharing and exchanging information, knowledge, data and goods. As research addressing the so-called ‘sharing economy’ is still in its infancy, this article aims to shed light on it. To do this, a qualitative research approach comprising guided interviews with 14 companies from Germany, Austria and Switzerland provides detailed insights into different aspects of the sharing economy phenomenon. Our results make a direct contribution to sharing economy research, especially regarding the new business models of start-ups. Here, we find a clear difference between the relevance of economic and social orientation. The latter appears to be in higher demand among customers than entrepreneurs. The increasingly digitalized environment has led to a changed living situation characterized by urbanity, openness to new solutions, changed working situations and new mindsets. All of these aspects drive the sharing economy. The results of this paper are summarized in a framework highlighting the requirements, drivers and goals of the sharing economy. Considering the limited research in this field, the developed framework is a strong basis for discussion, critique and/or support of future research.
The apoB/apoA-I ratio is better than the cholesterol ratios to estimate the balance between plasma proatherogenic and antiatherogenic lipoproteins and to predict coronary risk

Abstract Background: The apolipoprotein B (apoB)/apoA-I ratio represents the balance of proatherogenic and antiatherogenic lipoproteins. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the apoB/apoA-I ratio was superior to any of the cholesterol ratios – total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C and non-HDL-C/HDL-C – in predicting the risk of coronary disease. Moreover, we examined whether any lipids, lipoproteins or cholesterol ratios add significant predictive information beyond that provided by the apoB/apoA-I ratio. Methods: Plasma lipids, lipoproteins, apoB, and apoA-I were measured in 69,030 men and 57,168 women above 40years of age. After a mean follow-up of 98months, 1183 men and 560 women had died from a myocardial infarction in this prospective apolipoprotein-related mortality risk (AMORIS) study. Results: High apoB and a high apoB/apoA-I ratio were strongly related to increased coronary risk, while high apoA-I was inversely related to risk. The apoB/apoA-I ratio was superior to any of the cholesterol ratios in predicting risk. This advantage was most pronounced in subjects with LDL-C levels <3.6mmol/l. Addition of lipids, lipoproteins or any cholesterol ratio to apoB/apoA-I in risk models did not further improve the strong predictive value of apoB/apoA-I. Conclusions: These results indicate that the apoB/apoA-I ratio is at present the best single lipoprotein-related variable to quantitate coronary risk. Given the additional advantages apolipoproteins possess – fasting samples are not required, apoB/apoA-I is a better index of the adequacy of statin therapy than LDL-C, and the measurement of apoB and apoA-I are standardized, whereas LDL-C and HDL-C are not – there would appear to be considerable advantage to integrating apolipoproteins into clinical practice.
Does Joint Modelling of the World Economy Pay Off? Evaluating Multivariate Forecasts from a Bayesian GVAR

To assess the performance of multivariate density forecasts for the world economy based on a Bayesian global vector autoregressive (GVAR) model, we decompose the predictive joint density into its marginals and a copula term that captures the dependence structure among variables and countries. Moreover, we use the stochastic search variable selection prior (SSVS) on the coefficients in its conjugate form to account for model uncertainty at the national level and augment the GVAR framework to allow for stochastic volatility. Our results are as follows: First, the GVAR systematically outperforms forecasts based on country-specific models in terms of predictive joint density. Second, the good GVAR performance is driven by superior predictions for the dependence structure across variables, whereas the GVAR model does not yield better predictive marginal densities. Third, the relative performance gains of the GVAR model are particularly pronounced during the Great Recession. Finally, our results imply that for some countries a more parsimonious GVAR model can further improve the forecast quality.
Topological insulators based on coupled nonlinear resonators

The discovery of the topological phase of matter has largely influenced solid state physics, photonics and acoustics research in recent years, offering not only deep physical insights into a new generation of materials and light-matter interactions, but also new engineering tools to tailor signal transport with electrons, light and sound, providing unique features in terms of robustness to defects and disorder. In recent years, we have explored opportunities to enable topologically non-trivial propagation in periodic lattices of resonators based on mechanical motion, spatio-temporal modulation and nonlinearities in the realm of optics and photonics, electromagnetics, acoustics and mechanics. Here we review our recent theoretical and experimental progress in inducing topological transitions in nonlinear arrays of resonators, and triggering the topological nature of their band properties. These transitions are associated with unusual propagation properties, including the insurgence of nonlinear solitons guided by moving domain walls, edge modes, and broadband non-reciprocal responses. The emergence of these novel topological states opens the possibility of designing novel electronic, electromagnetic, acoustic and mechanical devices with new functionalities and responses highly tolerant to imperfections in fabrication and disorder, as well as to unwanted parasitic effects.
Secrecy transmission capacity of primary network with help of cognitive interference

The secrecy transmission performance of cognitive radio ad hoc networks is investigated in this paper. The existing work on secrecy capacity of cognitive radio networks focus on order sense results like scaling laws, however, these results only give asymptotic predictions without an exact expression. In order to overcome this limitation, we propose a new method to derive the closed-form expression of secrecy transmission capacity of the primary network. The nearest neighbour routing protocol is considered. Furthermore, we evaluate the optimal PR density maximizing the secrecy transmission capacity under constraints of the connection outage probability (COP) and the secrecy outage probability (SOP), and obtain the maximum achievable secrecy transmission capacity. Analytical results show that cognitive interference is helpful to improve the secrecy connection performance satisfying the constraint that the average channel condition of primary networks is better than that of eavesdropping networks. Numerical results indicate that there is a tradeoff between the reliability and security in cognitive radio networks.
Increased body satisfaction after exposure to thin ideal children's television in young girls showing thin ideal internalisation

This study tested the direct effect of watching thin ideal children's television on body satisfaction in preadolescent girls (6–8 years old). A within-subject design was used in which girls (N = 51) were tested three times. They watched television clips in random order containing either (1) thin ideal animated characters or (2) animated characters with no thin ideal features or (3) ‘real’ human actors with no thin ideal features. After watching, their state body satisfaction was measured. Girls with higher levels of thin ideal internalisation showed higher body satisfaction after exposure to the thin ideal characters than after exposure to animated or real characters featuring no thin ideal features. No differences on body satisfaction between the exposure conditions were found in girls with lower levels of thin ideal internalisation. The results might suggest that young girls who internalised the thin ideal are inspired by thin ideal characters in children's media.
Parathyroid hormone-related protein in milk and its correlation with bovine milk calcium.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) has been shown to be present in milk of various mammals. We have assayed PTHrP in milk of various species by radioimmunoassay and estimated the molecular weights by Western blot analysis. PTHrP concentrations in bovine, ovine and human milk were 59.2 +/- 18.5, 74.1 +/- 35.0 and 36.6 +/- 20.7 micrograms/l (mean +/- S.D.) respectively, in pooled samples collected at various stages of lactation. PTHrP in mammalian milk was found to exist in two forms with molecular weights of 17.5 kDa and 21.5 kDa approximating those of PTHrP(1-108) and (1-141) respectively. In comparison, marsupial milk PTHrP appeared as a single low molecular weight form of 14.4 kDa which approximated to that of PTHrP(1-84). We performed a longitudinal study measuring the concentration of PTHrP in milk throughout lactation in cows, and found it to increase with the duration of lactation (r = 0.669, n = 91). We further examined the relationship between the concentration of PTHrP and total calcium in bovine milk, and the differences between these constituents in milk from Friesian and Jersey cows. PTHrP concentrations correlated positively with total milk calcium (r = 0.346, n = 105). The mean milk concentration of PTHrP of the Jerseys was significantly higher than that of the Friesians (52.6 +/- 5.4 micrograms/l compared with 41.0 +/- 4.8 micrograms/l, P less than 0.01), as was the mean milk calcium concentration (30.5 +/- 3.0 mmol/l compared with 26.7 +/- 2.7 mmol/l, P less than 0.01). We therefore postulate that production of PTHrP by the mammary gland may be associated with calcium transport from blood to milk. Also PTHrP may play a role in the development of milk fever in Jerseys which are predisposed to this condition.
Ciliary neurotrophic factor delivered by encapsulated cell intraocular implants for treatment of geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration

There is no treatment available for vision loss associated with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or geographic atrophy (GA). In a pilot, proof of concept phase 2 study, we evaluated ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) delivered via an intraocular encapsulated cell technology implant for the treatment of GA. We designed a multicenter, 1-y, double-masked, sham-controlled dose-ranging study. Patients with GA were randomly assigned to receive a high-or low-dose implant or sham surgery. The primary endpoint was the change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 mo. CNTF treatment resulted in a dose-dependent increase in retinal thickness. This change was followed by visual acuity stabilization (loss of less than 15 letters) in the high-dose group (96.3%) compared with low-dose (83.3%) and sham (75%) group. A subgroup analysis of those with baseline BCVA at 20/63 or better revealed that 100% of patients in the high-dose group lost <15 letters compared with 55.6% in the combined low-dose/sham group (P = 0.033). There was a 0.8 mean letter gain in the high-dose group compared with a 9.7 mean letter loss in the combined low-dose/sham group (P = 0.0315). Both the implant and the implant procedure were well-tolerated. These findings suggest that CNTF delivered by the encapsulated cell technology implant appears to slow the progression of vision loss in GA, especially in eyes with 20/63 or better vision at baseline.
The European Crisis Without End: The Consequences of European Monetary Integration

This study tackles the Euro-Zone sovereign debts through recognizing the crisis origins, reasons, and the stages it has gone through to decide on its financial and economic effects and the approaches to deal with these effects. The study concludes that there is a real crisis at the European monetary system mechanism besides a lack of any implementable mechanism regarding growth and convergence among the Euro-Zone countries. Add to that the absence of a united financial policy for these countries. The study has approached some recommendations among which: the necessity to expedite the adoption of a united financial policy for all the Euro-Zone countries, the necessity to activate the role of the European Central Bank, the necessity to create mechanisms that can confront any emerging crises in the future.
The Role of Carnitine in the Male Reproductive System

Abstract: Carnitine is highly concentrated in the epididymis and spermatozoa, where it may serve as an intramitochondrial vehicle for the acyl group, which in the form of acyl CoA acts as a substrate for the oxidation process producing energy for sperm respiration and motility. To date, studies in rodents and humans suggest that sperm count, motility, and maturation are related to epididymal free carnitine concentrations. Moreover, supplementation with carnitine improves sperm quality and/or quantity in testes of mice exposed to physical insults, such as heat and X‐irradiation, and in men with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia. These benefits may be due to increased mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation resulting in improvement in motility of epididymal sperm. The antiapoptotic effect(s) of carnitine in the testes may also contribute, but this remains speculative and requires further investigation. Research to uncover the many characteristics and mechanisms of action of carnitine in somatic and germ cells may provide insights into the pathophysiology of germ cell apoptosis, the prevention of germ cell death, and possibly specific therapy of some forms of infertility. Further well‐controlled, carefully designed, larger‐scale studies are necessary and desirable before widespread clinical use as an infertility therapy can be contemplated.
Epigenetic Regulation of Cellular Senescence and Aging

Aging is characterized by functional decline of diverse organs and an increased risk for several diseases. Therefore, a high interest exists in understanding the molecular mechanisms that stimulate aging at all levels, from cells and tissues to organs and organisms, in order to develop ways to promote healthy aging. While many molecular and biochemical mechanisms are already understood in some detail, the role of changes in epigenetic regulation has only begun to be considered in recent years. The age-dependent global reduction in heterochromatin, along with site-specific changes in the patterns of DNA methylation and modification of histones, have been observed in several aging model systems. However, understanding of the precise role of such changes requires further research. In this review, we will discuss the role of epigenetic regulation in aging and indicate future research directions that will help elucidate the mechanistic details of it.
Rate of beta-structure formation in polypeptides.

An explanation is suggested for why a marginally stable beta-structure folds extremely slowly; it is predicted that even a small increase in stability drastically accelerates beta-folding. According to the theory, this folding is a first-order phase transition, and the rate-limiting step is nucleation. The rate-determining "nucleus" (transition state) is the smallest beta-sheet that is sufficiently large to provide an overall free energy reduction during subsequent folding. If the stability of the beta-structure is low, the nucleus is large and possesses a high free energy due to having a large perimeter. When the net stability of the final beta-structure increases (due to either an increase of the beta-sheet stability or a decrease in stability of the competing structures, e.g., alpha-helices), the size and energy of a nucleus decrease and the rate of folding increases exponentially. This must result in a fast folding of polypeptides enriched by beta-forming residues (e.g., protein chains). The theory is developed for intramolecular beta-structure, but it can also explain the overall features of intermolecular beta-folding; it is applicable both to antiparallel and parallel beta-sheets. The difference in folding of beta-sheets, alpha-helices, and proteins is discussed.