Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Dietary Zinc, Manganese, and Copper on Tissue Accumulation of Cadmium by Japanese Quail

Abstract The beneficial effects of a combined dietary supplement of Zn, Cu, and Mn in decreasing Cd absorption was previously reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the individual and combined effects of these three elements. In the first two experiments, day-old Japanese quail were fed basal diets containing either requirement amounts of Zn (30 ppm) and Mn (12 ppm) and slightly above requirement levels of Cu (5 ppm). From Day 7 birds were fed either the basal diet or diets containing combinations at twice these concentrations; a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design was used. 109Cd content and Cd concentration of these diets were 100 μCi and 145 μg/kg, respectively. In the third experiment, day-old birds were fed either the basal diet or a basal diet containing 109Cd and single additional supplements of either Zn, Cu, or Mn. All birds were killed at 14 days of age. The Cd concentration was determined for the duodenum, jejunum-ileum, liver, and kidney. When the experimental diets were fed for 7 days, only Zn had a protective effect against Cd. Whereas none of the elements reduced the Cd concentration of the duodenum, Zn reduced the Cd in the jejunum-ileum, liver, and kidney by approximately 66, 21, and 11%, respectively. Cu and Mn caused occasional increases of Cd in some tissues. Feeding the experimental diets for 2 weeks resulted in similar responses. Zn nutrition appears to play an important role in protecting against dietary Cd absorption.
Structure and Properties of the Vacuolar (H+)-ATPases*

Function of V-ATPases The vacuolar (H)-ATPases (or V-ATPases) are a family of ATPdependent proton pumps that are responsible for acidification of intracellular compartments in eukaryotic cells (1–3). Acidification of vacuolar compartments plays an important role in a variety of cellular processes, particularly membrane traffic processes. In receptor-mediated endocytosis, acidification of endosomes serves as a signal that activates release of internalized ligands (such as low density lipoprotein and insulin) from their receptors. This uncoupling allows unoccupied receptors to recycle to the cell surface where they can be reutilized, whereas the ligands are targeted to lysosomes for degradation (1). Acidification of endosomes is also required for the formation of endosomal carrier vesicles (which are involved in moving ligands along the endocytic pathway (4)) and in activating fusion between the endosomal membrane and internalized envelope viruses (such as influenza virus) that is necessary for viral infection (5). In intracellular targeting of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes, vacuolar acidification plays a very similar role to that observed for endocytosis. Thus, lysosomal enzymes bound to the mannose 6-phosphate receptor are delivered to a late recycling compartment where the low pH causes dissociation, allowing receptors to recycle to the trans-Golgi and the enzymes to be targeted to lysosomes (6). Disruption of vacuolar acidification in yeast also causes a perturbation in vacuolar targeting (7), although the molecular basis of this effect is not yet clear. In lysosomes and other digestive organelles, like the central vacuole of yeast, the low pH is required to support the activity of acid hydrolases involved in degradation of macromolecules. In both central vacuoles and secretory vesicles, such as synaptic vesicles and chromaffin granules, the proton gradient or membrane potential generated by the VATPase is utilized to drive the coupled transport of small molecules into the vesicle lumen (8, 9). In addition to their role in intracellular compartments, V-ATPases have also been shown to play an important role in the plasma membrane of various specialized cells. Thus V-ATPases in the apical membrane of renal intercalated cells function in renal acidification (10), whereas plasma membrane V-ATPases in macrophages and neutrophils assist in pH homeostasis (11). Osteoclasts (12) and tumor cells (13) are able to target V-ATPases to the plasma membrane where they create an acidic extracellular environment that is necessary for bone resorption or tumor metastasis, respectively. V-ATPases in the midgut of insects have been shown to establish a membrane potential across the apical membrane that drives K transport via an electrogenic H/K antiporter (14). Finally, using the specific V-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin (15), V-ATPases have been implicated in apoptosis (16). It is thus clear that V-ATPases serve a wide variety of roles in eukaryotic cells.
Memory CD4+ T Cells Are the Earliest Detectable Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1)-Infected Cells in the Female Genital Mucosal Tissue during HIV-1 Transmission in an Organ Culture System

ABSTRACT The virologic and cellular factors that are involved in transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) across the female genital tissue are poorly understood. We have recently developed a human cervical tissue-derived organ culture model to study heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 that mimics the in vivo situation. Using this model we investigated the role of phenotypic characteristics of HIV-1 and identified the cell types that are first infected during transmission. Our data indicate that the cell-free R5 HIV-1 was more efficiently transmitted than cell-free X4 HIV-1. Cell-free and cell-associated HIV-1 had comparable transmission efficiency regardless of whether the virus was of R5 or X4 type. We have demonstrated that memory CD4+ T cells and not Langerhans cells were the first HIV-1 RNA-positive cells detected at the epithelial-submucosal junction 6 h after virus exposure. Multicolor laser confocal microscopy demonstrated a globular distribution of HIV-1 gag-pol mRNA in the cytoplasm, and the distribution of CD4 and the CD45RO isoform was irregular on the cellular membrane. At 96 h postinoculation, in addition to memory CD4+ T cells, HIV-1 RNA-positive Langerhans cells and macrophages were also detected. The identification of CD4+ T cells in the tissue at 6 h was confirmed by flow cytometric simultaneous immunophenotyping and ultrasensitive fluorescence in situ hybridization assay on immune cells isolated from disaggregated tissue. Furthermore, PMPA {9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl] adenine}, an antiretroviral compound, and UC781, a microbicide, inhibited HIV-1 transmission across the mucosa, indicating the utility of the organ culture to screen topical microbicides for their ability to block sexual transmission of HIV-1.
Effects of Nurse Staffing and Nurse Education on Patient Deaths in Hospitals With Different Nurse Work Environments

Context:Better hospital nurse staffing, more educated nurses, and improved nurse work environments have been shown to be associated with lower hospital mortality. Little is known about whether and under what conditions each type of investment works better to improve outcomes. Objective:To determine the conditions under which the impact of hospital nurse staffing, nurse education, and work environment are associated with patient outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants:Outcomes of 665 hospitals in 4 large states were studied through linked data from hospital discharge abstracts for 1,262,120 general, orthopedic, and vascular surgery patients, a random sample of 39,038 hospital staff nurses, and American Hospital Association data. Main Outcome Measures:A 30-day inpatient mortality and failure-to-rescue. Results:The effect of decreasing workloads by 1 patient/nurse on deaths and failure-to-rescue is virtually nil in hospitals with poor work environments, but decreases the odds on both deaths and failures in hospitals with average environments by 4%, and in hospitals with the best environments by 9% and 10%, respectively. The effect of 10% more Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree nurses decreases the odds on both outcomes in all hospitals, regardless of their work environment, by roughly 4%. Conclusions:Although the positive effect of increasing percentages of Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree nurses is consistent across all hospitals, lowering the patient-to-nurse ratios markedly improves patient outcomes in hospitals with good work environments, slightly improves them in hospitals with average environments, and has no effect in hospitals with poor environments.
Determinants of E-Learning Acceptance: An Empirical Study in the Tunisian Context

This study proposes to identify the determinants of accepting e-learning by the employees of the Tunisian Post Office using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). An empirical study was conducted over a sample of 200 Tunisian employees. Our results indicated that for the Tunisian employees perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, mastery of new information and communication technologies (NICT) as individual factors as well as the proposed technique as an organisational factor represented the main determinants of e-learning acceptance.
Interfacial current induced torques in Pt|Co|GdOx

Current-driven domain wall (DW) motion is investigated in Pt/Co/GdOx nanostrips with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Measurements of the propagation field and the energy barrier for thermally activated DW motion reveal a large current-induced torque equivalent to an out-of-plane magnetic field of ∼60 Oe per 1011 A/m2. This same field-to-current scaling is shown to hold in both the slow thermally activated and fast near-flow regimes of DW motion. The current-induced torque decreases with 4 A of Pt decorating the Co/GdOx interface and vanishes entirely with Pt replacing GdOx, suggesting that the Co/GdOx interface contributes directly to highly efficient current-driven DW motion.
Task Model Representation of a Collaborative System using Hypermedia Networks

This paper presents a method for representing the task models of collaborative systems using hypermedia networks. The aim is to represent these models flexibly and extensibly so that they may be managed in web environments. This approach considers three relevant aspects of collaborative systems: the organization’s structure (roles), the tasks to be performed by organization members, and the resources necessary for carrying out these tasks. The AMENITIES methodology will be used to represent the initial models which describe these three aspects in collaborative systems. These initial models will be the basis for representing the transformation process for achieving our hypermedia network.
Handwritten Tifinagh Text Recognition Using Fuzzy K-NN and Bi-gram Language Model

In this paper we present a new approach in Tifinagh character recognition using a combination of, k-nearest neighbor algorithm and the bigram language model. After the preprocessing of the text image, and the word segmentation, for each image character, the k-NN algorithm proposes candidates weighted of their membership degree. Then we use the bigram language model to choose the most appropriate sequence of characters. Results show that our method increases the recognition rate.
Predicting the lifetimes of LiFePO4 batteries on the basis of the gamma process through accelerated degradation measurements

This study mainly focused on evaluating the capacity fade of LiFePO4 batteries by using a novel dual dynamic stress accelerated degradation test, called D2SADT. This test method was developed to simulate a situation involving driving an electric vehicle in the city. D2SADT contains two controllable dynamic stress variables: the environmental factor corresponding to temperature cycling and the power factor corresponding to charging-discharging currents and times at which they were implemented simultaneously. A reference power test was performed repeatedly at a certain time (e.g., five temperature cycles), and the cell capacity was then calculated to monitor the degradation of the batteries. A compositional reliability assessment using the gamma process and Monte Carlo simulation was implemented to calculate the likelihood values of the test samples, LiFePO4 batteries, on the basis of their capacity loss. The test results indicate that the battery capacity decreases over time, validating the novel test method (D2SADT). Moreover, the modeling results indicate that the gamma process combined with Monte Carlo simulation provide superior accuracy for predicting the lifetimes of the test batteries compared with the baseline lifetime data (true degradation route and lifetime). Furthermore, the results indicate the high prediction performance of the proposed model because an error rate of within 5% was obtained after half of the cycles were completed (70 temperature cycles), including the measurements.
Industrial Robot : An International Journal Manual guidance for industrial robot programming

Purpose – This paper aims to deal with the problem of programming robots in industrial contexts, where the need of easy programming is increasing, while robustness and safety remain fundamental aspects. Design/methodology/approach – A novel approach of robot programming can be identified with the manual guidance that permits to the operator to freely move the robot through its task; the task can then be taught using Programming by Demonstration methods or simple reproduction. Findings – In this work, the different ways to achieve manual guidance are discussed and an implementation using a force/torque sensor is provided. Experimental results and a use case are also presented. Practical implications – The use case shows how this methodology can be used with an industrial robot. An implementation in industrial contexts should be adjusted accordingly to ISO safety standards as described in the paper. Originality/value – This paper presents a complete state-of-the-art of the problem and shows a real practical use case where the approach presented could be used to speed up the teaching process.
Local and systemic impact of transcriptional up-regulation of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in adipose tissue in human obesity.

In idiopathic obesity circulating cortisol levels are not elevated, but high intraadipose cortisol concentrations have been implicated. 11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11HSD1) catalyzes the conversion of inactive cortisone to active cortisol, thus amplifying glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation. In cohorts of men and women, we have shown increased ex vivo 11HSD1 activity in sc adipose tissue associated with in vivo obesity and insulin resistance. Using these biopsies, we have now validated this observation by measuring 11HSD1 and GR mRNA and examined the impact on intraadipose cortisol concentrations, putative glucocorticoid regulated adipose target gene expression (angiotensinogen and leptin), and systemic measurements of cortisol metabolism. From aliquots of sc adipose biopsies from 16 men and 16 women we extracted RNA for real-time PCR and steroids for immunoassays. Adipose 11HSD1 mRNA was closely related to 11HSD1 activity [standardized beta coefficient (SBC) = 0.58; P < 0.01], and both were positively correlated with parameters of obesity (e.g. for BMI, SBC = 0.48; P < 0.05 for activity, and SBC = 0.63; P < 0.01 for mRNA) and insulin sensitivity (log fasting plasma insulin; SBC = 0.44; P < 0.05 for activity, and SBC = 0.33; P = 0.09 for mRNA), but neither correlated with urinary cortisol/cortisone metabolite ratios. Adipose GR-alpha and angiotensinogen mRNA levels were not associated with obesity or insulin resistance, but leptin mRNA was positively related to 11HSD1 activity (SBC = 0.59; P < 0.05) and tended to be associated with parameters of obesity (BMI: SBC = 0.40; P = 0.09), fasting insulin (SBC = 0.65; P < 0.05), and 11HSD1 mRNA (SBC = 0.40; P = 0.15). Intraadipose cortisol (142 +/- 30 nmol/kg) was not related to 11HSD1 activity or expression, but was positively correlated with plasma cortisol. These data confirm that idiopathic obesity is associated with transcriptional up-regulation of 11HSD1 in adipose, which is not detected by conventional in vivo measurements of urinary cortisol metabolites and is not accompanied by dysregulation of GR. Although this may drive a compensatory increase in leptin synthesis, whether it has an adverse effect on intraadipose cortisol concentrations and GR-dependent gene regulation remains to be established.
What everybody knows: embodied information in serious leisure

The purpose of this paper is to reconsider the role of the body in information in serious leisure by reviewing existing work in information behaviour that theorises the role of the body, and by drawing selectively on literature from beyond information studies to extend our understanding. ,After finding a lack of attention to the body in most influential works on information behaviour, the paper identifies a number of important authors who do offer theorisations. It then explores what can be learnt by examining studies of embodied information in the hobbies of running, music and the liberal arts, published outside the discipline. ,Auto-ethnographic studies influenced by phenomenology show that embodied information is central to the hobby of running, both through the diverse sensory information the runner uses and through the dissemination of information by the body as a sign. Studies of music drawing on the theory of embodied cognition, similarly suggest that it is a key part of amateur music information behaviour. Even when considering the liberal arts hobby, the core activity, reading, has been shown to be in significant ways embodied. The examples reveal how it is not only in more obviously embodied leisure activities such as sports, in which the body must be considered. ,Embodied information refers to how the authors receive information from the senses and the way the body is a sign that can be read by others. To fully understand this, more empirical and theoretical work is needed to reconcile insights from practice theory, phenomenology, embodied cognition and sensory studies. ,The paper demonstrates how and why the body has been neglected in information behaviour research, reviews current work and identifies perspectives from other disciplines that can begin to fill the gap.
The biological complexity of colorectal cancer: insights into biomarkers for early detection and personalized care

Colorectal cancer has been ranked the third and second most prevalent of all cancers in men and women, respectively, and it represents the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths. In 2012, there were 1.4 million estimated cases of colorectal cancer worldwide, and 700,000 estimated deaths, which implies significant impact on public health, especially in economically-developed countries. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of tumors, although this has been accompanied by decreased mortality, due to more appropriate and available information, earlier diagnosis, and improvements in treatment. Colorectal cancers are characterized by great genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity, including tumor microenvironment and interactions between healthy and cancer cells. All of these traits confer a unique peculiarity to each tumor, which can thus be considered as an individual disease. Well conducted molecular and clinical characterization of each colorectal cancer is essential with a view to the implementation of precision oncology, and thus personalized care. This last aims at standardization of therapeutic plans chosen according to the genetic background of each specific neoplasm, to increase overall survival and reduce treatment side effects. Thus, prognostic and predictive molecular biomarkers assume a critical role in the characterization of colorectal cancer and in the determination of the most appropriate therapy.
Importance of early surgical treatment of crainosynostosis; review of 36 cases treated during the first six months of life.

One hundred and twenty children have been treated surgically for premature fusion of the cranial sutures in this clinic. Thirty-six of these have been operated on in the first six months of life and constitute the material on which this report is based. These have included 19 instances of sagittal suture closure, 10 of coronal closure, 5 of multiple suture involvement and 2 miscellaneous cases. The marked reduction in incidence and degree of mental retardation, the prevention of visual impairment, and the improvement in cosmetic appearance which can be achieved by recognition and surgical treatment of this lesion in early infancy are emphasized. The operation of choice in this clinic is linear craniectomy parallel to the suture which is prematurely fused with insertion of polyethylene film over the bony margins to delay closure. With proper precautions and supportive treatment this type of surgery is well tolerated and the complications are negligible during the first few months of life.
Approches vectorielles ou marginales pour le traitement d'images multi-composantes

Ce travail envisage deux approches pour le traitement numerique des images multicomposantes : l'approche marginale (chaque composante est traitee separement), et l'approche vectorielle (l'image est traitee globalement en considerant chaque pixel comme un vecteur). La premiere partie traite de l'approche vectorielle pour les operateurs utilisant la notion d'ordre (filtres d'ordre et morphologiques). Une reflexion sur la notion d'ordre dans les espaces multidimensionnels est menee. Nous montrons quels avantages presente l'utilisation d'une veritable relation vectorielle d'ordre total (par opposition aux relations de pre-ordre et aux ordres partiels), et nous proposons une relation originale baptisee «par entrelacement de bits». L'etude geometrique de la representation equivalente de toute relation d'ordre total sous forme de «space filling curve» permet de caracteriser les relations etudiees et de justifier notre approche. Les resultats de notre methode sont presentes sur des images couleur. La seconde partie traite de la detection automatique des structures lineaires sur des images satellitaires (failles geologiques en imagerie SPOT multispectrale, routes en imagerie radar multidate) et met en œuvre l'approche marginale. Un detecteur de lignes a base d'operateurs morphologiques est propose, et l'interet d'un pre-filtrage est mis en evidence par une etude comparative. Les resultats obtenus sur chaque composante sont fusionnes afin d'ameliorer les performances (detections et fausses alarmes). Pour pallier les insuffisances des operateurs de type union ou intersection, deux approches sont proposees. La premiere consiste a utiliser un operateur realisant directement un compromis, la seconde a combiner deux operateurs opposes pour un resultat intermediaire. Differentes implantations de ces strategies, utilisant notamment des operateurs flous, sont presentees.