Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utilization of Enzymes in Biochemistry and Analytical Biochemistry

Volume 1 • Issue 4 • 1000e110 Biochem Anal Biochem ISSN:2161-1009 Biochem, an open access journal Enzymes as catalyzers of biochemical reaction are very important components of not only analytical and clinical methods but they are also utilized in various other fields of life sciences, including biochemical, physiological, and biomedical research [1]. Well known are the determination of enzyme activities (e.g. alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase, phosphatase, amylase, cholinesterase, lipase etc.) and the enzyme-coupled determinations of metabolites (such as D-glucose, acetoacetate, creatinine, cholesterol, L-phenylalanine) as a diagnostics of various diseases, however enzymes serve also as a part of immuno-assay and biosensors, which have a wide range of applications. Biosensors are now on the horizon that will allow us to quantify local changes of ions, signaling intermediates, and metabolites in real time. They can be defined as molecules (typically RNAs or proteins) or cells that report analytes or processes in live organisms or in their environment [2]. Biosensors are analytical devices, which converts a biological response into an electrical signal, they are composed of bioreceptor (enzyme in this case), which recognize the target analyte and a transducer, which converts the recognition event into a measurable electrical signal [3]. Biosensors showed desirable sensitivity, selectivity, and response time and generally they are designed to avoid interference from components present in a complex sample, which is analyzed [4]. Whereas a wide scale of enzymes can be used in biosensors, in immunochemical methods (such as ELISA, EIA) participates mainly alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase, which are conjugated with secondary antibody. Peroxidase caused oxidation of various chromogenic dyes, such as ABTS; phosphatase cleaves e.g. p-nitrophenylphosphate to p-nitrophenol and phosphate, which provides in alkaline pH yellow color. However primary antibody can be prepared against wide scale of antigens. Recently enzymes began to be used in extraction procedures of pharmaceutically interesting compounds and food (mainly cellulases, pectinases, hemicellulases, proteases, β-glucosidase etc.) [5] and as alternative (cheaper and less time consuming) method for determination of pesticides (using acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, alkaline phosphatase, organophosphorus hydrolase and tyrosinase) [6].
Phonon Dispersion in Amorphous Ni-Alloys

The well-known model potential is used to investigate the longitudinal and transverse phonon dispersion curves for six Ni-based binary amorphous alloys, viz. Ni31Dy69, Ni33Y67, Ni36Zr64, Ni50Zr50, Ni60Nb40, and Ni81B19. The thermodynamic and elastic properties are also computed from the elastic limits of the phonon dispersion curves. The theoretical approach given by Hubbard–Beeby is used in the present study to compute the phonon dispersion curves. Five local field correction functions proposed by Hartree, Taylor, Ichimaru–Utsumi, Farid et al. and Sarkar et al. are employed to see the effect of exchange and correlation in the aforesaid properties.
Incremental and stable training algorithm for wind turbine neural modeling

Training and topology design of artificial neuralnetworks are important issues with largeapplication. This paper deals with an improvedalgorithm for feed forward neural networks (FNN) straining. The association of an incrementalapproach and the Lyapunov stability theoryaccomplishes both good generalization and stabletraining process. The algorithm is tested on windturbine modeling. Compared to the incrementalapproach and to the Lyapunov stability basedmethod, the association of both strategies givesinteresting results.
A single-atom heat engine

Making a teeny tiny engine Steam locomotives, cars, and the drinking bird toy all convert heat into useful work as it cycles between two reservoirs at different temperatures. Usually, the working substance where the heat-work conversion occurs is a liquid or a gas, consisting of many molecules. Roβnagel et al. have made a working substance of a single calcium ion in a tapered ion trap. A laser-cooling beam plays the part of a cold reservoir for the calcium ion, and in turn, electric field noise acts as a hot reservoir. Science, this issue p. 325 A calcium ion held in a tapered trap is used as the working substance of a tiny thermodynamic engine. Heat engines convert thermal energy into mechanical work and generally involve a large number of particles. We report the experimental realization of a single-atom heat engine. An ion is confined in a linear Paul trap with tapered geometry and driven thermally by coupling it alternately to hot and cold reservoirs. The output power of the engine is used to drive a harmonic oscillation. From direct measurements of the ion dynamics, we were able to determine the thermodynamic cycles for various temperature differences of the reservoirs. We then used these cycles to evaluate the power P and efficiency η of the engine, obtaining values up to P = 3.4 × 10–22 joules per second and η = 0.28%, consistent with analytical estimations. Our results demonstrate that thermal machines can be reduced to the limit of single atoms.
The Investigation of Cell Culture Conditions to Maintain Chicken Embryonic Stem Cells as Totipotent Cells

The ES cell can provide a useful system for studying differentiation and development in vitro and a powerful tool for producing transgenic animalds. To investigate the culture condition of chicken embryonic stem (CES) cells which can retain their multipotentiality or totipotency, three kinds of feeder layer cells, SNL cells, primary mice embryonic fibroblasts (PMEF) cells and primary chicken embryonic fibroblasts (PCEF) cells, were used as the feeder cells in media of DMEM supplemented with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and stem cell factor (SCF) for co-culture with blastoderm cells from stage X embryos of chicken. The alkaline phosphatase (AKP) test, differentiation experiment in vitro and chimeric chicken production were carried out. The results showed that culture on feeder layer of PMEF yielded high quality CES cell colonies. The typical CES cells clone shape revealed as follows: nested aggregation (clone) with clear edge and round surface as well as close arrangement within the clone. Strong alkaline phosphatase (AKP) reactive cells were observed in the fourth passage cells. On the other hand, the fourth passage CES cells could differentiate into various cells in the absence of feeder layer cells and LIF in vitro. The third and fourth passage cells were injected into the subgerminal cavity of recipient embryos at stage X. Of 269 Hailan embryos injected with CES cells of Shouguang Chickens, 8.2% (22/269) survived to hatching, 5 feather chimeras had been produced. This suggests that an effective culture system established in this study can promote the growth of CES cells and maintain them in the state of undifferentiated and development, which lays a solid foundation for the application of CES cells and may provide an alternative tool for genetic modification of chickens.
Lead-tellurium oxysalts from Otto Mountain near Baker, California, USA: XII. Andychristyite, PbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O), a new mineral with hcp stair-step layers

Abstract Andychristyite, PbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O), is a new tellurate mineral from Otto Mountain near Baker, California, USA. It occurs in vugs in quartz in association with timroseite. It is interpreted as having formed from the partial oxidation of primary sulfides and tellurides during or following brecciation of quartz veins. Andychristyite is triclinic, space group P1̅ with unit-cell dimensions a = 5.322(3), b = 7.098(4), c = 7.511 (4) Å, α = 83.486(7), β = 76.279(5), γ = 70.742(5)°, V = 260.0(2) Å3 and Z = 2. It forms as small tabular crystals up to ~50 μm across, in sub-parallel aggregates. The colour is bluish green and the streak is very pale bluish green. Crystals are transparent with adamantine lustre. The Mohs hardness is estimated at between 2 and 3. Andychristyite is brittle with an irregular fracture and one perfect cleavage on {001}. The calculated density based on the empirical formula is 6.304 g/cm3. The mineral is optically biaxial, with large 2V, strong dispersion, and moderate very pale blue-green to medium blue-green pleochroism. The electron microprobe analyses (average of five) provided: PbO 43.21, CuO 15.38, TeO3 35.29, H2O 3.49 (structure), total 97.37 wt. %. The empirical formula (based on 6 O apfu) is: Pb0.98Cu2+0.98Te6+1.02O6H1. 96. The Raman spectrum exhibits prominent features consistent with the mineral being a tellurate, as well as an OH stretching feature confirming a hydrous component. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs in Å(I)(hkl)]: 6.71(16)(010), 4.76(17)(110), 3.274(100)(120,102,012), 2.641(27)(1̅02, 211, 1̅1̅2), 2.434(23)(multiple), 1.6736(17)(multiple), 1.5882(21)(multiple) and 1.5133(15)(multiple). The crystal structure of andychri styite (R1 =0.0165 for 1511 reflections with Fo>4σF) consists of stair-step-like hcp polyhedral layers of Te6+O6 and Cu2+O6 octahedra parallel to {001}, which are linked in the [001] direction by bonds to interlayer Pb atoms. The structures of eckhardite, bairdite, timroseite and paratimroseite also contain stair-step-like hcp polyhedral layers.
Atmospheric pressure graphitization of SiC(0001)- A route towards wafer-size graphene layers

We have investigated epitaxial graphene films grown on SiC(0001) by annealing in an atmosphere of Ar instead of vacuum. Using AFM and LEEM we observe a significantly improved surface morphology and graphene domain size. Hall measurements on monolayer graphene films show a carrier mobility of around 1000 cm^2/Vs at room temperature and 2000 cm^2/Vs at 27K. The growth process introduced here establishes the synthesis of graphene films on a technologically viable basis.
Sliding mode controller design for linear time delay systems

The present results deal with the stabilization of linear delay systems. Stabilizing control laws proposed are of discontinuous type and constitute the main contribution of the paper. A "toolbox" used in the control synthesis is based on conversion of a state representation to a regular form and on a new delay-dependent stability criterion. Different discontinuous unit controllers ensuring the global asymptotic stability are developed. By using an appropriate Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, the control algorithms are proven to be robust with respect to matching disturbances with apriori-known upperbounds. Also, admissible upperbounds for the delay is derived. The study is supported by an example.
Wrestling Sprawl to the Ground: Defining and measuring an elusive concept

Abstract The literature on urban sprawl confuses causes, consequences, and conditions. This article presents a conceptual definition of sprawl based on eight distinct dimensions of land use patterns: density, continuity, concentration, clustering, centrality, nuclearity mixed uses, and proximity. Sprawl is defined as a condition of land use that is represented by low values on one or more of these dimensions. Each dimension is operationally defined and tested in 13 urbanized areas. Results for six dimensions are reported for each area, and an initial comparison of the extent of sprawl in the 13 areas is provided. The test confirms the utility of the approach and suggests that a clearer conceptual and operational definition can facilitate research on the causes and consequences of sprawl.
The pathophysiology of MuSK myasthenia gravis

Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular autoimmune disease that is hallmarked by fatigable muscle weakness of in particular the cranial and bulbar muscles. The disease is caused by auto-antibodies binding MuSK on the post-synaptic muscle membrane. MuSK orchestrates formation, differentiation and maintenance of neuromuscular synapses. The research outlined in this thesis aimed at identifying the pathomechanism of MuSK MG. In passive transfer studies with immune incompetent mice we showed that IgG4 subclass antibodies from these patients exclusively induced myasthenia. We furthermore showed that anti-MuSK IgG4 causes the disease by inhibiting MuSK-Lrp4 interaction which results in loss of acetylcholine receptor clustering and synaptic disassembly. Our retrospective longitudinal study in 53 patients from three different cohorts identified the N-terminal Ig-like domain of MuSK as the main immunogenic region of the protein and showed that titers against this domain correlate with disease severity. Epitope patterns did not correlate with sensitivity to acetylcholine esterase inhibitors. Lastly we observed that, next to MuSK MG, 12 other antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases are hallmarked by predominant involvement of IgG4 antibodies. As IgG4 antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases differ in several aspects from other autoimmune disease they might form a new niche in antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases
Optimal ordering policy in simple inventory models with modularization and postponement

Modularization and postponement are the two issues regarding product and process redesign required for adaptation of enterprises to the trends of globalization, customization, quick response and rapid technology changes. Past studies have explored these issues in abstracts or through practical discussion of specific cases. This study discusses the effects of these two issues on inventory control. A cost, hereafter called the service cost, is used to reduce the risk of underestimating the variable costs. Specifically, a simple multi-item inventory system (a vanilla box and optional components) with periodic review is proposed, and solution procedures are developed for the models. Depending on the characteristics of the proposed models, some heuristic methods are suggested. The results reveal that (1) the time required for the generic production process plays an important role, and thus, outsourcing, reprocessing, and the vanilla box redesign are suitable and considerable policies to reduce the time of generic production process. (2) The larger aggregate service level enables the demands of the end-product with the smaller end-item demand to be completely fulfilled. (3) The proposed models provide a reference for a multilevel inventory model for component commonality in an inventory/production system.
Perustutkimuksen vaikuttavuus ja aikaikkunan haaste

Helsingin yliopisto, Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia ja Suomen Akatemia jarjestivat Tieteen vaikuttavuus -seminaarin 11.3. 2010 Helsingin yliopiston pienessa juhlasalissa. Tassa lehdessa julkaistaan Allan Tiitan, Markku Loytosen, Mari Vaattovaaran ja Markku Mattilan tilaisuudessa pitamat puheenvuorot.
Relações Públicas Políticas: raízes, desafios e aplicações

Resumo Quando comparado com as relacoes publicas empresariais, as relacoes publicas politicas sao ainda um campo de estudo emergente, mas com grande potencial de desenvolvimento. Neste artigo, apresenta-se uma reflexao sobre as relacoes publicas na esfera politica atraves do estudo das suas raizes conceptuais e de os desafios colocados a sua pratica pelos novos media. Enquadrado pela teoria da gestao das relacoes e pelo ideal da comunicacao simetrica e dialogica, este texto apresenta caminhos possiveis para a investigacao aplicada no campo das relacoes publicas politicas.
Fomites: Possible vehicle of nosocomial infections.

Nosocomial infections (NI) are infections contracted during the cause of hospital treatments, which are secondary to the patients’ original condition. A retrospective survey of nosocomial infection rates was carried out, using patients’ medical files and diagnosis index. Surfaces of non-invasive fomites which frequently come in contact with patients were swabbed; drip stands, door knobs, fan switches, bed rails, bed linens, pillow cases, light-plug-ins, and sink knobs for microbial contamination. Microbes isolated from the 225 swabs samples were identified using standard microbiological methods. An overall prevalence of 11.9% nosocomial infections was recorded. The Intensive Care Unit (37.5%) and Children ward (7.6%) recorded the highest and lowest prevalence respectively. Prevalence of nosocomial infections in the sampled wards was significantly different at (P>0.05). Door knobs (22.76%) recorded the highest microbial contamination; while light-plug-ins (4.88%) and pillow case (4.88%) were the least contaminated fomites. The highest bacterial colony count of 9.6 × 106 cfu/ml which is higher than the infectious dose of 106 cfu/ml was recorded on the door knob of Female surgical ward while pillow case shows insignificant count across most wards. Surface contamination of fomites within healthcare setting is significant issue of concern in public health thus the need to implement strict policy to reduce the rate of surface bio-contamination of hospital environment.
Mistaken Beliefs and the Facts About Milk and Dairy Foods

Milk and other dairy products are an important part of the human diet, but some people believe that they are harmful. This article explores some of these beliefs, examines the scientific evidence, and gives suggestions so that nutritionists can help consumers make informed decisions. The topics include lactose intolerance, raw milk, pasteurization, milk and mucus, milk and asthma, milk and allergies, and recombinant bovine growth hormone. Many people believe that lactose-intolerant individuals should not consume milk or dairy products, but in fact lactose tolerance varies, and drastic dietary restrictions may not be needed. Others believe that if someone has once suffered from lactose intolerance, that person always will. The fact is that a person’s tolerance can change over time. In addition, self-diagnosis of lactose intolerance is often incorrect. Some people drink raw milk rather than pasteurized milk because they believe it is healthier and safer and that pasteurization destroys beneficial things in milk. These beliefs are all false, and in fact, raw milk poses a significant health risk. There are other beliefs that exist surround milk and its effect on the respiratory tract and allergies. The facts are that milk does not cause increased mucus production, nor does it cause or worsen allergies or asthma. Some members of the public fear that the hormones in milk can affect the humans who drink it, but this is false. Belief in many of the mistaken notions outlined in this article is widespread and pervasive in the United States at present. Even health professionals often accept such fallacies as truth. Health professionals can play an important role in dispelling these nutrition myths through nutrition education and counseling.
Thymocyte apoptosis drives the intrathymic generation of regulatory T cells

Significance Thymus-derived regulatory T cells (tTregs) are vital to maintaining immune homeostasis, and as such the signals driving their development have been extensively studied. Despite this, a cohesive model describing tTreg generation and aligning all conflicting data has been elusive. Here we outline a comprehensive model controlling the generation of tTregs and show that tTreg generation is tied to thymic apoptosis. We show that the presence of apoptotic cells in the thymus drives the production of TGFβ intrathymically and that this cytokine then acts to specify the tTreg fate. Thus, our results reveal an apoptosis–TGFβ–Foxp3 axis that mediates the development of tTregs. Maintenance of immune tolerance critically depends upon regulatory T cells that express the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3). These CD4+ T cells can be generated in the thymus, termed thymus-derived regulatory T cells (tTregs), but their developmental pathway remains incompletely understood. tTreg development has been shown to be delayed compared with that of CD4+ single positive (SP) thymocytes, with tTregs being detected only in neonatal thymi by day 3 after birth. Here, we outline the reasons for this delayed emergence of Foxp3+ tTregs and demonstrate that thymocyte apoptosis is intrinsically tied to tTreg development. We show that thymic apoptosis leads to the production of TGFβ intrathymically from thymic macrophages, dendritic cells, and epithelial cells. This TGFβ then induces foxp3 expression and drives tTreg generation. Thymocyte apoptosis has previously been shown to accelerate after birth, which drives increases in TGFβ in the neonatal thymus. We highlight a paucity of TGFβ in the neonatal thymus, accounting for the delayed development of tTregs compared with CD4+ SP thymocytes. Importantly, we show that enhanced levels of apoptosis in the thymus result in an augmented tTreg population and, moreover, that decreasing thymic apoptosis results in reduced tTregs. In addition to this, we also show that T-cell receptor (TCR) signals of different affinity were all capable of driving tTreg development; however, to achieve this TGFβ signals must also be received concomitant with the TCR signal. Collectively, our results indicate that thymic apoptosis is a key event in tTreg generation and reveal a previously unrecognized apoptosis–TGFβ–Foxp3 axis that mediates the development of tTregs.
Cocoon : Encrypted Substring Search

Homomorphic encryption schemes allow for computations to be done on encrypted data without the need to decrypt the file first. There is an assortment of real world applications in which such schemes would find themselves useful. However, current implementations of fully homomorphic systems add an impractical amount of computation for today’s hardware to handle. This limitation can be side-stepped by instead using partially-homomorphic schemes, which limit the kinds of computations that can be done on the encrypted data in exchange for vast performance improvements. Our goal for this project is to develop such a system, particularly one that is able to do substring search. The system we have developed, called Cocoon1, uses suffix trees to perform queries returning all the indices in the original text file in which the queried sub-string is present. Prior to being uploaded, text files are encrypted through a Python script which we provide to the user. This allows for a communication protocol between the server and the client in which the server is kept in the dark regarding the true contents of uploaded encrypted file.