Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling Volatile Isoprenoid Emissions – A Story with Split Ends

Accurate prediction of plant-generated volatile isoprenoid fluxes is necessary for reliable estimation of atmospheric ozone and aerosol formation potentials. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the environmental and physiological controls on isoprenoid emission and in scaling these emissions to canopy and landscape levels. We summarize recent developments and compare different approaches for simulating volatile isoprenoid emission and scaling up to whole forest canopies with complex architecture. We show that the current developments in modeling volatile isoprenoid emissions are "split-ended" with simultaneous but separated efforts in fine-tuning the empirical emission algorithms and in constructing process-based models. In modeling volatile isoprenoid emissions, simplified leaf-level emission algorithms (Guenther algorithms) are highly successful, particularly after scaling these models up to whole regions, where the influences of different ecosystem types, ontogenetic stages, and variations in environmental conditions on emission rates and dynamics partly cancel out. However, recent experimental evidence indicates important environmental effects yet unconsidered and emphasize, the importance of a highly dynamic plant acclimation in space and time. This suggests that current parameterizations are unlikely to hold in a globally changing and dynamic environment. Therefore, long-term predictions using empirical algorithms are not necessarily reliable. We show that process-based models have large potential to capture the influence of changing environmental conditions, in particular if the leaf models are linked with physiologically based whole-plant models. This combination is also promising in considering the possible feedback impacts of emissions on plant physiological status such as mitigation of thermal and oxidative stresses by volatile isoprenoids. It might be further worth while to incorporate main features of these approaches in regional empirically-based emission estimations thereby merging the "split ends".
Thermal stability of carbonic anhydrase immobilized within polyurethane foam

Thermal stability of carbonic anhydrase (CA) immobilized within polyurethane (PU) foam was investigated. The catalytic activity of the enzyme was estimated by using p‐nitrophenyl acetate (p‐NPA) as the substrate in tris buffer containing 10% acetonitrile. The immobilized CA was stable during the repeatable washings and stability tests over 45 days stored in tris buffer at ambient conditions indicating that the CA was covalently attached to the polyurethane (PU) foam by crosslinking. The immobilized CA was found to be 98% stable below 50°C, whereas a drastic decrease was seen at temperatures between 50 and 60°C. The optimum temperature for the immobilized CA was found to be 45°C and it lost its activity completely at 60°C. Thermal deactivation energies for the free and immobilized CA were estimated to be 29 and 86 kcal/mol, respectively. The association of unfolded CA with the polymeric backbone chains of the PU foam was also addressed. It was concluded that the immobilized CA was highly stable at temperatures less than 50°C and could be used in biomimetic CO2 sequestration processes. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2010
Incidence and presentation of myocardial infarction in an English community.

An attempt was made to determine the incidence and presentation of myocardial infarction in a community of 375,ooo in the Oxford area. Through local general practitioners and hospital records supplemented by the Oxford Record Linkage Study and certificates of sickness incapacity, 357 patients aged under 70 werefound and divided into four categories according to the extent and type of diagnostic support. All patients or, if dead, their relatives were interviewed soon after the attack. The incidence of myocardial infarction in the Oxford area was appreciably lower than thatfound by similar methods in Edinburgh, confirming the difference implied by mortality rates in these two areas. The mortality pattern was distinctive, the likelihood of death being highest in the first few hours and quickly declining to much lower levels. This pattern was reflected in the high proportion offatal attacks which were medically unattended (65%), outside hospital (63%1), or unwitnessed and discovered after an appreciable delay (24%). Consequently, the clinician in hospital has a very limited view of myocardial infarction.
Physical and training characteristics of top-class marathon runners.

PURPOSE This study compares the physical and training characteristics of top-class marathon runners (TC), i.e., runners having a personal best of less than 2 h 11 min for males and 2 h 32 min for females, respectively, versus high-level (HL) (< 2 h 16 min and < 2 h 38 min). METHODS Twenty marathon runners (five TC and HL in each gender) ran 10 km at their best marathon performance velocity (vMarathon) on a level road. This velocity was the target velocity for the Olympic trials they performed 8 wk later. After a rest of 6 min, they ran an all-out 1000-m run to determine the peak oxygen consumption on flat road (.VO(2peak)). RESULTS Marathon performance time (MPT) was inversely correlated with . VO(2peak). (r = -0.73, P < 0.01) and predicted 59% of the variance of MPT. Moreover, TC male marathon runners were less economical because their energy cost of running (Cr) at marathon velocity was significantly higher than that of their counterparts (212 +/- 17 vs 195 +/- 14 mL.km(-1). kg(-1), P = 0.03). For females, no difference was observed for the energetic characteristics between TC and HL marathon runners. However, the velocity reached during the 1000-m run performed after the 10-km run at vMarathon was highly correlated with MPT (r = -0.85, P < 0.001). Concerning training differences, independent of the gender, TC marathon runners trained for more total kilometers per week and at a higher velocity (velocity over 3000 m and 10,000 m). CONCLUSION The high energy output seems to be the discriminating factor for top-class male marathon runners who trained at higher relative intensities.
A Randomized Trial of Controlled-Release Oxycodone During Inpatient Rehabilitation Following Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: Reliance on “as-needed” analgesia following total knee arthroplasty may lead to inadequate control of pain and delayed recovery of function. Preemptive use of controlled-release opioids may improve pain control, accelerate recovery, and reduce the need for inpatient rehabilitative services. This study was designed to determine whether controlled-release opioids enhance post-arthroplasty pain control and facilitate functional recovery during rehabilitation. Methods: Fifty-nine patients admitted for inpatient rehabilitation following unilateral total knee arthroplasty were randomized to receive OxyContin (controlled-release oxycodone) (twenty-nine patients) or a placebo (thirty patients) every twelve hours. Both groups could receive on-request, immediate-release oxycodone (5 mg every four hours). The dose of study medication was increased on the basis of the frequency of requests for immediate-release oxycodone. Measures of interest included pain ratings as determined with a visual-analog scale, changes in the range of motion of the knee and quadriceps strength, and improvements in selected Functional Independence Measure scores during the first eight physical therapy sessions. The duration of the hospital stay for rehabilitation also was compared between the two groups. Results: Baseline demographic, clinical, and functional characteristics were similar between the OxyContin and placebo groups. Compared with the placebo group, the patients who received OxyContin reported significantly less pain as well as significantly greater range of motion of the knee (passive motion, p = 0.036; active motion, p < 0.001) and quadriceps strength (p = 0.001) by the eighth physical therapy session. The patients who received OxyContin also were discharged from the rehabilitation hospital at an average of 2.3 days earlier than the patients in the placebo group (p = 0.013). Conclusions: Preemptive use of controlled-release oxycodone during rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty leads to improved pain control, more rapid functional recovery, and a reduced need for inpatient rehabilitative services.
Mutations of Chk2 in primary hematopoietic neoplasms.

Chk2 is a novel checkpoint kinase isolated as a human homologue of yeast Cds1/Rad53. [1][1] Recent analyses have revealed that it is among key molecules signaling DNA damage via the ATM protein kinase to p53. [1][1] [2][2] Of great interest is the report that germ line mutations of the Chk2 gene are
toxB Gene on pO157 of Enterohemorrhagic EscherichiacoliO157:H7 Is Required for Full Epithelial Cell Adherence Phenotype

ABSTRACT Adherence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichiacoli (EHEC) to the intestinal epithelium is critical for initiation of a bacterial infection. An in vitro infection study previously indicated that EHEC bacteria initially adhere diffusely and then proliferate to develop MC, a process that is mediated by various secreted proteins, such as EspA, EspB, EspD, Tir, and intimin, as well as other putative adherence factors. In the present study, we investigated the role of a large 93-kb plasmid (pO157) in the adherence of O157:H7 (O157Sakai) and found the toxB gene to be involved in the full adherence phenotype. A pO157-cured strain of O157Sakai (O157Cu) developed microcolonies on Caco-2 cells; however, the number of microcolonies was lower than that of O157Sakai, as were the production and secretion levels of EspA, EspB, and Tir. Introduction of a mini-pO157 plasmid (pIC37) composed of thetoxB and ori regions restored full adherence capacity to O157Cu, including production and secretion of the proteins. In contrast, introduction of a pO157 mutant possessingtoxB::Km into O157Cu could not restore the full adherence phenotype. Expression of truncated versions of His-tagged ToxB also promoted EspB production and/or secretion by O157Cu. These results suggest that ToxB contributes to the adherence of EHEC to epithelial cells through promotion of the production and/or secretion of type III secreted proteins.
Electrical test structures for verifying continuity of ultra-thin insulating and conducting films

In this work, electrical characterization on insulating aluminium nitride (AlN) and conducting tungsten (W) films was performed using dedicated test structures, in order to determine the thickness at which the films reached continuity. A discontinuous-to-continuous transformation of the AlN layer (occurring around 11 nm) resulted in a transition from ohmic to non-ohmic current conduction, in addition to drastically reduced current density levels. For similar transformation of the W layer (occurring between 2–3 nm) the reverse transition was observed, which was accompanied by a rapid convergence of the film resistivity to the bulk value. The electrical analysis of film continuity was complemented optically by in-situ monitoring of the film growth and its closure, with the spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) technique.
The essential role of mast cells in orchestrating inflammation

Mast cells (MCs) are distributed in virtually all organs and vascularized tissues. They are present in the skin, the entire gastrointestinal tract, and the airways, where they are in close contact with the outside environment. They are also normal residents of the brain, peritoneum, synovium, hair follicles, and many other organs. This diverse distribution, recognized long ago, is associated with the heterogeneity of the MCs. MCs were divided into two general categories: the connective tissue MCs and the mucosal MCs. These two categories highlighted the fact that MCs residing in mucosal surfaces and in connective tissues were clearly different. The observed differences were based initially on histological staining and later on differences in the intracellular proteoglycans and proteases. However, it is clear now that the heterogeneity ofMCs is muchmore complex, and their environments play a bigger role than anticipated in shaping the different characteristics of MCs. Our current knowledge on MC progenitors and development will be reviewed in an article of this issue of Immunological Review on MCs, which also discusses the various factors involved in MC constitutive homing and trafficking to sites of inflammation (1). MCs have long been known to participate in the inflammatory process. This knowledge was based on the fact that MCs are present in and recruited to the sites of inflammation. For example, they were observed long ago in the lesions of patients with Crohn’s disease and in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the participation level of MCs in the inflammatory processes leading to these diseases and the importance of their role were not fully appreciated until very recently. It is becoming clear that MCs are essential for promoting inflammation; they are not simple participants. There is evidence that they orchestrate the inflammatory reactions. What is this evidence? In my view, the first key experiment to point in that direction is the one performed by Dr Melissa Brown’s group (2), using the experimental allergic
ETHICAL ASPECTS OF PLACEBO ( “ SHAM ” ) SURGERY

in a limited fashion in orthopaedic research but is not without controversy. The debate over sham surgery controls involves two predominant issues. The first is whether a randomized clinical trial with sham surgery control is a scientifically superior method to test either novel or questionably effective interventions for orthopaedic conditions. Secondly, one must ask whether the risks to subjects in randomized clinical trials with sham surgery controls is reasonable in relation to the potential benefit to the subjects and to society. Some ethicists believe that a placebo surgery should be used as a control condition specifically when testing a novel surgical intervention. Unlike the inert placebos used in pharmacological trials, sham operations involve cutting into the human body and the administration of active drugs such as antibiotics and anesthetics. As a consequence, a series of moral and ethical concerns have been raised, including the use of deception, the violation of the doctor-patient relationship and a deep seated cultural ‘distaste’ for conducting surgery for reasons other than essential treatment.
Induction of ovalbumin-specific tolerance by oral administration of Lactococcus lactis secreting ovalbumin.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Obtaining antigen-specific immune suppression is an important goal in developing treatments of autoimmune, inflammatory, and allergic gastrointestinal diseases. Oral tolerance is a powerful means for inducing tolerance to a particular antigen, but implementing this strategy in humans has been difficult. Active delivery of recombinant autoantigens or allergens at the intestinal mucosa by genetically modified Lactococcus lactis (L lactis) provides a novel therapeutic approach for inducing tolerance. METHODS We engineered the food grade bacterium L lactis to secrete ovalbumin (OVA) and evaluated its ability to induce OVA-specific tolerance in OVA T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice (DO11.10). Tolerance induction was assessed by analysis of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, measurement of cytokines and OVA-specific proliferation, phenotypic analysis, and adoptive transfer experiments. RESULTS Intragastric administration of OVA-secreting L lactis led to active delivery of OVA at the mucosa and suppression of local and systemic OVA-specific T-cell responses in DO11.10 mice. This suppression was mediated by induction of CD4(+)CD25(-) regulatory T cells that function through a transforming growth factor beta-dependent mechanism. Restimulation of splenocytes and gut-associated lymph node tissue from these mice resulted in a significant OVA-specific decrease in interferon gamma and a significant increase in interleukin-10 production. Furthermore, Foxp3 and CTLA-4 were significantly up-regulated in the CD4(+)CD25(-) population. CONCLUSIONS Mucosal antigen delivery by oral administration of genetically engineered L lactis leads to antigen-specific tolerance. This approach can be used to develop effective therapeutics for systemic and intestinal immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Ulcerogenic and healing impairing actions of monochloramine in rat stomachs: effects of zinc L-carnosine, polaprezinc.

Effects of a novel zinc compound (polaprezinc), N-(3-aminopropionyl)-L-histidinato zinc, on the mucosal ulcerogenic and healing impairing responses induced by monochloramine (NH2Cl) were examined in rat stomach. Oral administration of NH2Cl (> 60 mM) produced severe hemorrhagic lesions in unanesthetized rat stomachs with a marked increase of thiobarbituric acid reactants (TBAR). Pretreatment of the animals with polaprezinc (3 approximately 30 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a dose-dependent inhibition against gastric ulcerogenic and TBAR responses induced by NH2Cl (120 mM). Likewise, mucosal exposure to NH4OH (60 mM) in urethane anesthetized stomachs made ischemic by bleeding from the carotid artery (1 ml per 100 g body w.t.) resulted in severe gastric lesions. This ulcerogenic response caused NH4OH plus ischemia was also attenuated by prior application of polaprezinc as well as taurine (25 mg/ml, 1 ml). On the other hand, the healing of gastric mucosal lesions induced by NH2Cl occurred more slowly than of ethanol-induced lesions, and the latter was significantly delayed by the repeated administration of NH2Cl. Polaprezinc (> 10 mg/kg, p.o.) given twice daily for 7 days not only accelerated the healing of NH2Cl-induced gastric lesions but also antagonized the delayed healing of ethanol-induced lesions in the presence of NH2Cl as well. Polaprezinc showed a scavenging action against NH2Cl in vitro. These results suggest that NH2Cl caused deleterious action on the healing of pre-existing acute lesions as well as irritating action to the mucosa in the rat stomach. Polaprezinc not only protects the stomach against injury caused by NH2Cl but also promotes healing of NH2Cl-induced gastric lesions as well as the delayed healing of ethanol-induced lesions caused by NH2Cl. Although the detailed mechanisms underlying these actions of polaprezinc remain unknown, they may be partly attributable to a scavenging action of this agent against NH2Cl.
Do Some Enterprise Zones Create Jobs?

We study how the employment effects of enterprise zones vary with their location, implementation, and administration, based on evidence from California. We use new establishment-level data and geographic mapping methods, coupled with a survey of enterprise zone administrators. Overall, the evidence indicates that enterprise zones do not increase employment. However, the evidence also suggests that the enterprise zone program has a more favorable effect on employment in zones that have a lower share of manufacturing and in zones where managers report doing more marketing and outreach activities. On the other hand, devoting more effort to helping firms get hiring tax credits reduces or eliminates any positive employment effects, which may be attributable to idiosyncrasies of California's enterprise zone program during the period we study. © 2010 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Dietary specialization in two sympatric populations of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in coastal British Columbia and adjacent waters

Two forms of killer whale (Orcinus orca), resident and transient, occur sympatrically in coastal waters of British Columbia, Washington State, and southeastern Alaska. The two forms do not mix, and differ in seasonal distribution, social structure, and behaviour. These distinctions have been attributed to apparent differences in diet, although no comprehensive comparative analysis of the diets of the two forms had been undertaken. Here we present such an analysis, based on field observations of predation and on the stomach contents of stranded killer whales collected over a 20-year period. In total, 22 species of fish and 1 species of squid were documented in the diet of resident-type killer whales; 12 of these are previously unrecorded as prey of O. orca. Despite the diversity of fish species taken, resident whales have a clear preference for salmon prey. In field observations of feeding, 96% of fish taken were salmonids. Six species of salmonids were identified from prey fragments, with chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) being the most common. The stomach contents of stranded residents also indicated a preference for chinook salmon. On rare occasions, resident whales were seen to harass marine mammals, but no kills were confirmed and no mammalian remains were found in the stomachs of stranded residents. Transient killer whales were observed to prey only on pinnipeds, cetaceans, and seabirds. Six mammal species were taken, with over half of observed attacks involving harbour seals (Phoca vitulina). Seabirds do not appear to represent a significant prey resource. This study thus reveals the existence of strikingly divergent prey preferences of resident and transient killer whales, which are reflected in distinctive foraging strategies and related sociobiological traits of these sympatric populations. 1471
Direct and indirect receptor‐independent G‐protein activation by cationic‐amphiphilic substances. Studies with mast cells, HL‐60 human leukemic cells and purified G‐proteins

Abstract Studies from several laboratories have revealed that structurally diverse substances including the wasp venom, mastoparan (MP), activate purified regulatory heterotrimeric guanine nucleotidc‐binding proteins (G‐proteins) in a receptor‐independent manner, presumably by mimicking the effects of heptahelical receptors. Mast cells and differentiated HL‐60 human leukemic cells are useful model systems for the analysis of receptor‐independent G‐protein activation. We compared the effects of 2‐phenylhistamines which are cationic‐amphiphilic, too, and of MP on G‐protein activation in dibutyryl cAMP‐differentiated HL‐60 cells and in the rat basophilic leukemia cell line, RBL 2H3. In HL‐60 cells, 2‐phenylhistamines show stimulatory effects which resemble those of formyl peptide receptor agonists but which cannot be attributed to agonism at classical receptors. 2‐phenylhistamines do not, however, activate RBL 2H3 cells and various other myeloid cell types, pointing to cell type‐specificity of receptor‐independent G‐protein activation. In HL‐60 cells, MP shows effects on G‐protein activation which differ substantially from those of formyl peptides. In RBL 2H3 membranes, MP shows similar effects on G‐prolein activation as in HL‐60 membranes. We develop a model according to which receptor‐independent G‐protein activation can be subdivided into direct and indirect receptor‐independent G‐protein activation. In case of the former mechanism, substances like 2‐phenylhislamines interact with G‐protein α‐subunits and in case of the latter mechanism, substances like MP interact with nucleoside diphosphate kinase which catalyzes the formation of GTP. This newly formed GTP is then transferred to, and cleaved by, G‐protein a‐subunits. NDPK is a novel target for the design of drugs which interfere with G‐protein‐mcdiated signal transduction at a post‐receptor level and may modulate the function of various cell types including mast cells.