Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protein Posttranslational Modifications: Roles in Aging and Age-Related Disease

Aging is characterized by the progressive decline of biochemical and physiological function in an individual. Consequently, aging is a major risk factor for diseases like cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The cellular and molecular mechanisms of aging are not well understood, nor is the relationship between aging and the onset of diseases. One of the hallmarks of aging is a decrease in cellular proteome homeostasis, allowing abnormal proteins to accumulate. This phenomenon is observed in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, suggesting that the underlying molecular processes are evolutionarily conserved. Similar protein aggregation occurs in the pathogenesis of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Further, protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs), either spontaneous or physiological/pathological, are emerging as important markers of aging and aging-related diseases, though clear causality has not yet been firmly established. This review presents an overview of the interplay of PTMs in aging-associated molecular processes in eukaryotic aging models. Understanding PTM roles in aging could facilitate targeted therapies or interventions for age-related diseases. In addition, the study of PTMs in prokaryotes is highlighted, revealing the potential of simple prokaryotic models to uncover complex aging-associated molecular processes in the emerging field of microbiogerontology.
Options for the intensification of insulin therapy when basal insulin is not enough in type 2 diabetes mellitus

In the early treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the addition of a basal insulin, such as insulin glargine, to existing oral therapy can help patients attain recommended glycaemic control targets, including haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) <7% and fasting blood glucose <5.5 mmol/l (<100 mg/dl). For patients close to but not at target, the management of postprandial glucose excursions with a rapid‐acting insulin, such as insulin glulisine, can provide further improvements in glycaemic control. In this review, the options for intensifying insulin therapy with the addition of one or more daily doses of prandial insulin are discussed. In addition, the advantages/disadvantages of choosing a basal–bolus vs. a premixed insulin strategy are discussed. A conceptually simple approach for the treatment of T2DM is for optimization of the basal insulin dose (added to oral antidiabetic drugs) to target fasting glycaemia followed by the addition of a single prandial dose of rapid‐acting insulin to target the largest glucose excursion. A second and third dose of prandial insulin can then be added if HbA1c remains above target and to manage postprandial glucose excursions at other meals. Prospective studies are underway to further examine this concept and determine the benefit of this approach not only on overall glycaemic control but also on cardiovascular risk.
Global sensitivity analysis of the radiative transfer model

With the recently launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission, it is very important to have a complete understanding of the radiative transfer model for better soil moisture retrievals and to direct future research and field campaigns in areas of necessity. Because natural systems show great variability and complexity with respect to soil, land cover, topography, precipitation, there exist large uncertainties and heterogeneities in model input factors. In this paper, we explore the possibility of using global sensitivity analysis (GSA) technique to study the influence of heterogeneity and uncertainties in model inputs on zero order radiative transfer (ZRT) model and to quantify interactions between parameters. GSA technique is based on decomposition of variance and can handle nonlinear and nonmonotonic functions. We direct our analyses toward growing agricultural fields of corn and soybean in two different regions, Iowa, USA (SMEX02) and Winnipeg, Canada (SMAPVEX12). We noticed that, there exists a spatio‐temporal variation in parameter interactions under different soil moisture and vegetation conditions. Radiative Transfer Model (RTM) behaves more non‐linearly in SMEX02 and linearly in SMAPVEX12, with average parameter interactions of 14% in SMEX02 and 5% in SMAPVEX12. Also, parameter interactions increased with vegetation water content (VWC) and roughness conditions. Interestingly, soil moisture shows an exponentially decreasing sensitivity function whereas parameters such as root mean square height (RMS height) and vegetation water content show increasing sensitivity with 0.05 v/v increase in soil moisture range. Overall, considering the SMAPVEX12 fields to be water rich environment (due to higher observed SM) and SMEX02 fields to be energy rich environment (due to lower SM and wide ranges of TSURF), our results indicate that first order as well as interactions between the parameters change with water and energy rich environments.
Beneficial effects of probiotics and prebiotics in livestock and poultry: the current perspectives.

The microbial population in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract is very complex and consists of different groups of microbes and the GI system is the place where complex interactions occur between feed, microbes and host cells. Probiotics, which are live microorganisms provides a positive impact on the host by altering the intestinal microbial balance, thus helping to reduce the harmful effects of pathogenic bacteria in the gut. In livestock as well as poultry, probiotics have been shown to improve growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and immune responses. They exert there action by competitive exclusion or producing antibacterial substances that are detrimental to pathogenic microbes. Similarly, prebiotics, which are nondigestible feed supplements, are selectively fermented by beneficial microflora and are utilized by them to exclude the pathogenic microbes. These non-digestible substrates comprises of oligosaccharides which also has the ability to stimulate absorption of several minerals in intestine. Also, nowadays, combination of Probiotics and Prebiotics (Synbiotics) are effectively used to counter the negative impact of stress factors or pathogens in animal and poultry production systems. Presently, the prospects of identifying or evolving novel strains of probiotics using various modern amenities and techniques have been explored. For this purpose, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, 16S rRNA sequencing, real time PCR and microarray techniques are utilized. These techniques are capable to assess the influence and interaction of intestinal microflora on host systems. The technique of genetic engineering has also been used to modify the effects of existing strains or to create novel probiotics that can play multiple roles in the intestinal environment.
Assessment of the Comparative Ability of Accounting Bases in Predicting Future Cash Flows: Evidence from Nigeria

Purpose of the article: This study examines the comparative abilities of accrual-based and cash-based accounting information to predict future operating cash flows with particular focus on quoted Nigerian non-financial companies. Secondary data were utilized for the study and were extracted from published annual statements and accounts of eighty (80) quoted firms in Nigeria between 2005–2015. Methodology/methods: Data collected were statistically analysed with the aid of the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression method, correlation analysis, variance inflation factor (VIF) tests for multicollinearity, and the Breusch-Pagan/Cook Weisberg test for heteroscedasticity. 5% level of the test of significance was employed to measure the degree of statistical relationship between stated variables. Scientific aim: This research is aimed at empirically ascertaining, by means of available statistics, the comparative predictive abilities of accrual-based and cash-based accounting information in forecasting future cash flows for quoted non-financial companies in the Nigerian stock exchange. Findings: It has been revealed in this study that historical earnings data prepared under the accrual-basis possessed superior predictive ability over operating cash flows data in forecasting future cash flows of quoted non-financial firms in Nigeria. Conclusions: Company management who are saddled with the responsibility of preparation and presentation of financial statements as part of their management responsibility should, as a matter of utmost priority, uphold integrity and transparency by adhering strictly to the provisions of accounting standards so as to enhance reliability and decision-usefulness of financial disclosures with a view to improving the predictive ability of accounting information.
Induction heating inverter with simultaneous dual-frequency output

Induction surface hardening of parts with nonuniform cylindrical shape requires a multi-frequency process in order to obtain a uniform surface hardened depth. This paper presents an induction heating high power supply composed by a single inverter circuit and a specially designed output resonant circuit. The whole circuit supplies simultaneously both medium and high frequency power signals to the heating inductor.
Citrate anticoagulation: Are blood donors donating bone?

An estimated 2.4 million volunteer apheresis blood donation procedures were performed in the United States in 2010, and increases in the proportion of transfused blood products derived from apheresis blood collections have been consistently reported. Anticoagulation is required during apheresis and is achieved with citrate. Donor exposure to citrate causes an acute physiological response to maintain serum mineral homeostasis. Some data are available on the sequelae of this acute response in the days and weeks following exposure, raising questions about bone mineral density in regular apheresis donors. New research is emerging that addresses the potential long‐term health outcomes of repeated citrate exposure. This article reviews the acute physiological response to citrate anticoagulation in volunteer blood donors, presents contrasting perspectives on the potential effects of citrate exposure on bone density, and identifies key knowledge gaps in our understanding of long‐term health outcomes in apheresis donors. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:459–463, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cancer-testis antigens in tumor biology and immunotherapy

Commentary to: Expression of cancer-testis antigens as possible targets for antigen-specific immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Atanackovic D, Blum I, Cao Y, Wenzel S, Bartels K, Faltz C, Hossfeld DK, Hegewisch-Becker S, Bokemeyer C, Leuwer R
Research on Communication Security of VCPS

VCPS (Vehicular Cyber Physical System) effectively improves road safety and improves driver's driving environment. However, due to the large scale of the VANET network, the predictability of the trajectory, and the open nature of the wireless channel, it is more vulnerable to privacy and security threats. This paper proposes security requirements for VCPS communication, security threats and trust-based security analysis.
Effects of Physical Activity on the Frequency of and Medical Expenses Incurred for Treating Diabetes and Hypertension in Japan

Increasing of obesity people is a global health problem in a lot of countries including Japan. Promoting policies to increase the awareness of and changed attitudes toward physical activity and encouraging greater participation from people in such an activity is important from the perspective of sound financing policies for health care in Japan. This paper’s purpose is to test the hypothesis that physical activity affects the frequency of and the medical expenses incurred for treating diabetes and hypertension in a prefecture. This study’s data were taken from the Family Income and Expenditure Survey, Patient Surveys, the Survey of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists, the Report on Health Center Activities and Health Services for the Aged, and Social Indicators by Prefecture. The method is least-squares regression analysis with prefectural data. Physical activity is defined by sports-related expenses as a proxy variable. The variable of medical expenses incurred for treating hypertension and diabetes is defined as the money spent on medical treatment for each household. The frequency of diabetes and hypertension is defined as data per 100,000 people. The results showed that sports-related expenses were negatively related to the frequency of and the medical expenses incurred for treating diabetes and hypertension. The coefficients of the following factors are as given medical expenses incurred for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension: −0.00585, coefficient of the frequency of diabetes: −0.4942, and coefficient of the frequency of hypertension: −0.1005. Since all the three factors are negative values, it shows that physical activity has the possibility to reduce both medical expenses incurred for treating of diabetes and hypertension and frequency of diabetes and hypertension.
Epithelial cells as immunoregulators in allergic airway diseases

Introduction It is becoming increasingly evident that the prevalence of allergic diseases such as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic asthma and atopic dermatitis is increasing [1±3]. Indeed, such diseases range in prevalence from 10 to 50% of the general population and they are considered to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. A variety of factors are regarded as possible contributing factors to this increased prevalence, including environmental pollution, changes in lifestyle and dietary habits, and reduction in infections, and environmental control is considered important in preventing this rise. Nevertheless, a better understanding of the pathophysiology of these diseases is also crucial in developing improved therapeutic strategies.
Do literal ó figurado: descodifica-las expresións idiomáticas na clase de LE

Dentro do ambito da aprendizaxe das expresions idiomaticas (EI) nunha lingua estranxeira (LE), este estudo centrase no gran papel cognitivo que pode ter unha reflexion analitico-inferencial sobre a imaxe literal. Mais precisamente, examinaremo-la posibilidade de fomentar unha comprension metaforica das EI que lle permita o alumnado tanto fixarse mais na sua dimension iconico-literal como acceder, de maneira util para a aprendizaxe, o seu significado figurado. Para isto, explicaremo-las principais etapas cognitivas deste procesamento fraseoloxico (comprension e visualizacion da dimension literal; rexeitamento da literalidade; descodificacion metaforica e acceso inferencial a dimension figurada) e os diversos aspectos da nova EI (caracteristicas do sintagma literal; graos de iconicidade, de literalidade e de transparencia semantica da sua imaxe) que, para un alumno de LE, poden facilitar ou dificulta-la realizacion de cada unha destas etapas. Ademais, amosaremos, mediante propostas de actividades aplicadas o caso especifico do espanol, como o profesor poderia estimula-la implicacion cognitiva dos aprendices, e orientar adecuada e eficazmente este tipo de procesamento arredor da iconicidade fraseoloxica.
Activities of four bus terminals of Semarang City gateway and the related GHG emission

The activities of the bus terminal, including loading-unloading passengers, bus idling, and bus movements at the terminal, will emit GHG’s emission. This research analyzes GHG emission from four terminals, i.e., Mangkang, Terboyo, Penggaron, and Sukun in Semarang City. The emission was estimated by observing detail activities of public transport means, especially for moving and idling time. The emission was calculated by Tier 2 method based on the vehicle type as well as fuel consumption. The highest CO2e during vehicle movements at Sukun area was contributed by large bus about 2.08 tons/year, while at Terboyo terminal was contributed by medium bus about 347.97 tons/year. At Mangkang terminals, the highest emission for vehicle movements was attributed by medium bus as well of about 53.18 tons/year. At last, Penggaron terminal’s highest GHG emission was attributed by BRT about 26.47 tons/year. During idling time, the highest contributor to CO2e was the large bus at the three terminals, i.e., Sukun of 43.53 tons/year, Terboyo of 196.56 tons/year, and Mangkang of 84.26 tons/year, while at Penggaron, BRT dominated with CO2e of 26.47 tons/year. The management of public transport in terminals is crucial to mitigate the emission related to bus terminals activities.
Reliable Electricity: The Effects of System Integration and Cooperative Measures to Make it Work

We investigate the effects of system integration for reliability of supply in regional electricity systems along with cooperative measures to support it. Specifically, we set up a model to contrast the benefits from integration through statistical balancing (i.e., a positive externality) with the risk of cascading outages (a negative externality). The model is calibrated with a comprehensive dataset comprising 28 European countries on a high spatial and temporal resolution. We find that positive externalities from system integration prevail, and that cooperation is key to meet reliability targets efficiently. To enable efficient solutions in a non-marketed environment, we formulate the problem as a cooperative game and study different rules to allocate the positive and negative effects to individual countries. Strikingly, we find that without a mechanism, the integrated solution is unstable. In contrast, proper transfer payments can be found to make all countries better off in full integration, and the Nucleolus is identified as a particularly promising candidate. The rule could be used as a basis for compensation payments to support the successful integration and cooperation of electricity systems.
Primary Care Physician Specialty Referral Decision Making: Patient, Physician, and Health Care System Determinants

Purpose. To examine the effects of patient, physician, and health care system characteristics on primary care physicians’ (PCPs’) specialty referral decision making. Methods. Physicians (n = 142) and their practices (n = 83) located in 30 states completed background questionnaires and collected survey data for all patient visits (n = 34,069) made during 15 consecutive workdays. The authors modeled the occurrence of any specialty referral, which occurred during 5.2% of visits, as a function of patient, physician, and health care system structural characteristics. A subanalysis was done to examine determinants of referrals made for discretionary indications (17% of referrals), operationalized as problems commonly managed by PCPs, high level of diagnostic and therapeutic certainty, low urgency for specialist involvement, and cognitive assistance only requested from the specialist. Results. Patient characteristics had the largest effects in the any-referral model. Other variables associated with an increased risk of referral included PCPs with less tolerance of uncertainty, larger practice size, health plans with gatekeeping arrangements, and practices with high levels of managed care. The risk of a referral being made for discretionary reasons was increased by capitated primary care payment, internal medicine specialty of the PCP, high concentration of specialists in the community, and higher levels of managed care in the practice. Conclusions. PCPs’ referral decisions are influenced by a complex mix of patient, physician, and health care system structural characteristics. Factors associated with more discretionary referrals may lower PCPs’ thresholds for referring problems that could have been managed in their entirety within primary care settings.
Proteomic Profiling of Escherichiacoli Proteins under High Cell Density Fed‐Batch Cultivation with Overexpression of Phosphogluconolactonase

In this study, we used proteomics to better understand the growth on glucose of Escherichia coli in high cell density, fed‐batch cultures and the response to overexpression of plasmid‐encoded 6‐phosphogluconolactonase (PGL). Using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray mass spectrometry, at least 300 proteins were identified in the cytosolic fraction of the six time points used to monitor the fermentation. The relative abundance changes of selected proteins were obtained by comparing the peak area of the corresponding peptides at a particular m/z (mass over charge ratio) value. During the time course of samples collected during the rapid growth achieved under batch and fed‐batch conditions, both the control and recombinant E. coli strains showed up‐regulation of proteins participating in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, particularly acetyl‐CoA synthetase (AcCoAS), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and succinyl‐CoA synthetase (SuccCoAS). In the recombinant strain culture, fumarase was up‐regulated until 35 h after inoculation but was not in the control strain culture. In addition, the proteomic measurement detected up‐regulation of three well‐characterized binding transport proteins in both control and recombinant strains. The up‐regulation of TCA cycle enzymes is consistent with the increase in growth rate observed in the cell culture. In addition, up‐regulation of these proteins demonstrated the importance of both the pentose‐phosphate shunt and TCA cycle to the increased biosynthetic activity required by a high level protein synthesis. This study shows the potential of proteomics using shotgun sequencing (LC/MS of tryptic digests) to measure global changes in protein abundance during a fermentation process and will facilitate the development of robust manufacturing systems.
Young Men on the Move to Polish Shoes in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

In sub-Saharan Africa, young unemployed persons often migrate to the cities in search of employment, especially in the informal sector. This paper focuses on young migrants in the shoe-shine business which is common in Ghana but has attracted little or no research over the years. The study, which is guided by the migration networks theory and a conceptual framework on migration of young people to the urban informal sector, shows that the main motive for migrating is economic. There are migration networks which make it possible for new members to join the business. Most of the young migrants claim they have personally benefited from the business and are able to cater for their households better than before, while others have invested their earnings in various small projects at the places of origin, which has created some employment for others in the community. It is recommended that the government and the relevant stakeholders should occasionally organize entrepreneurship training for the shoe-shine operators to enable them operate effectively and sustain their business.