Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SK3 channel and mitochondrial ROS mediate NADPH oxidase-independent NETosis induced by calcium influx

Significance Formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is a recently described process by which neutrophils combat microbial pathogens. Recent studies demonstrate causative relationships between NETs and debilitating disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, thrombosis, cystic fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, the understanding of signaling pathways governing the process termed “NETosis” remains elusive. Two major types of NETosis have been reported; however, the mechanistic differences between these two types are not clearly established. Here we describe that NETosis induced by calcium ionophores is fast, NADPH-oxidase independent, and is mediated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a calcium-activated small conductance potassium channel. Thus, drugs that target mitochondrial ROS production or the potassium channels may provide previously unidentified therapeutic approaches for combating disorders with unregulated NETosis. Neutrophils cast neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to defend the host against invading pathogens. Although effective against microbial pathogens, a growing body of literature now suggests that NETs have negative impacts on many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Identifying mechanisms that regulate the process termed “NETosis” is important for treating these diseases. Although two major types of NETosis have been described to date, mechanisms regulating these forms of cell death are not clearly established. NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) generates large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is essential for NOX-dependent NETosis. However, major regulators of NOX-independent NETosis are largely unknown. Here we show that calcium activated NOX-independent NETosis is fast and mediated by a calcium-activated small conductance potassium (SK) channel member SK3 and mitochondrial ROS. Although mitochondrial ROS is needed for NOX-independent NETosis, it is not important for NOX-dependent NETosis. We further demonstrate that the activation of the calcium-activated potassium channel is sufficient to induce NOX-independent NETosis. Unlike NOX-dependent NETosis, NOX-independent NETosis is accompanied by a substantially lower level of activation of ERK and moderate level of activation of Akt, whereas the activation of p38 is similar in both pathways. ERK activation is essential for the NOX-dependent pathway, whereas its activation is not essential for the NOX-independent pathway. Despite the differential activation, both NOX-dependent and -independent NETosis require Akt activity. Collectively, this study highlights key differences in these two major NETosis pathways and provides an insight into previously unknown mechanisms for NOX-independent NETosis.
Una teoría integradora de la función de producción al rendimiento empresarial

El estudio de la contribucion que la funcion de produccion puede hacer a los resultados empresariales se ha realizado fundamentalmente desde dos enfoques aparentemente inconsistentes entre si: uno basado en el alineamiento estrategico y otro en la identificacion de mejores practicas. En el primero las practicas seran utiles solo si son consistentes con la estrategia que se pretende implantar mientras que el segundo vincula un mayor rendimiento a determinadas practicas independientemente del contexto estrategico en que se desarrollen. Este trabajo propone un marco teorico que integra y compatibiliza ambos enfoques. Se distinguen dos tipos de alineamiento de la funcion de produccion, interno y externo, argumentando que los resultados organizativos dependen de la interaccion entre ambos. Tambien se propone que el nivel de alineamiento interno depende de las practicas de produccion elegidas, pero que algunas de ellas facilitan dicho alineamiento en cualquier circunstancia competitiva mientras que otras solo cuando se persiguen determinadas prioridades competitivas. Los resultados obtenidos en un estudio empirico basado en 148 empresas industriales apoyan estas proposiciones. Por lo tanto, este trabajo refuerza la idea de que el alineamiento entre las capacidades productivas y la estrategia empresarial es fundamental, pero tambien reconoce la existencia de practicas de orden superior que facilitan este alineamiento en cualquier circunstancia.
Contribution of two different mechanisms to erythromycin resistance in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli BM2570 was resistant to high levels of erythromycin by two different mechanisms. The two genes conferring resistance to erythromycin in BM2570 were carried by a 150-kilobase self-transferable plasmid, pIP1527, and were cloned separately in E. coli. A single polypeptide with an Mr of 27,000 was encoded by the gene erxA and conferred high-level resistance to macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B-type antibiotics by a mechanism other than drug inactivation. This resistance phenotype, not previously reported for a clinical isolate of enterobacteria, was probably due to modification of the ribosomes. The gene ereB encoded an enzyme with an Mr of 51,000 which inactivated erythromycin and oleandomycin. The two different mechanisms specified by erxA and ereB contributed in more than an additive fashion to the high level of resistance to erythromycin conferred by plasmid pIP1527 to E. coli BM2570.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder: A Critical Review of Pharmacologic Treatments

Treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is complicated by the presence of psychiatric comorbidity including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is a critical review of the literature to date on pharmacotherapy treatments of AUD and PTSD. A systematic literature search using PubMed MESH terms for alcohol and substance use disorders, PTSD, and treatment was undertaken to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The studies were independently evaluated (ILP and TLS) and those that evaluated the efficacy of a pharmacotherapy for individuals diagnosed with AUD and PTSD and were RCTs were selected. Studies were grouped in 3 categories: (i) those that evaluated first-line treatments for PTSD, (ii) those that evaluated medications to target AUD, and (iii) those that evaluated medications hypothesized to be effective in targeting alcohol consumption as well as PTSD symptoms. Nine RCTs were identified; 3 focused on medications to treat PTSD, 4 focused on AUD, and 3 to target both. One study included both a medication to treat PTSD and 1 to treat AUD so was discussed twice. All but 1 of the studies found that PTSD symptoms and drinking outcomes improved significantly over time. There is not 1 agent with clear evidence of efficacy in this comorbid group. The results for medications to treat PTSD are inconclusive because of contradictory results. There was weak evidence to support the use of medications to treat AUD among those with comorbidity with PTSD. Findings for medications that were hypothesized to treat both disorders were also contradictory. Most studies provided a combination of interventions to treat both disorders. Despite the contradictory results, this review suggests that individuals with AUD and comorbid PTSD can safely be prescribed medications used in noncomorbid populations and patients improve with treatment.
Smoothing Spline ANOVA for Variable Screening

Smoothing Spline ANOVA is a statistical modeling algorithm based on a function decomposition similar to the classical analysis of variance (ANOVA) decomposition and the associated notions of main effect and interaction. It represents a suitable screening technique for detecting important variables (Variable Screening) in a given dataset. We present the mathematical background together with possible industrial applications.
A conserved ncRNA-binding protein recruits silencing factors to heterochromatin through an RNAi-independent mechanism

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can trigger repressive chromatin, but how they recruit silencing factors remains unclear. Marina et al. find that Seb1, the S. pombe ortholog of the RNA-binding protein Nrd1, is associated with pericentromeric lncRNAs. Mutation of dcr1+ (Dicer) or seb1+ results in equivalent partial reductions of pericentromeric H3K9me levels, while a double mutation eliminates this mark. Seb1 functions independently of RNAi by recruiting the NuRD-related chromatin-modifying complex SHREC.
Software Fault Prediction using Machine Learning Algorithm

Software fault prediction indicates the likelihood of software fault at an early stage of software development process and hence it will be easier to identify and correct them and also reduce faults that would occur at later stages. This will improve the overall quality of the software product. In the recent years, several machine learning techniques which uses examples of faulty and non-faulty modules to build prediction models. Software metric have been used as input to these machine learning techniques to represent the software modules. Support Vector Machines (SVM) is the main algorithm which has been used for classification of faulty and non-faulty modules. But prior to using SVM, A few data pre-processing methods has been proposed such as bootstrapping, clustering and random projection. These methods are needed because of certain problems with metric datasets such as class imbalance, noise, small dataset size and high dimension. It has showed by experiments that when software metrics dataset is preprocessed and transformed using above techniques, the performance of SVM in predicting faulty and non-faulty modules is better. The accuracy measure used for comparing performances of different models was F-measure. F-measure has been used because of its robustness to class imbalance. For some models F-measure has increased by about 40%, which is very encouraging. Experimental results shows that the proposed approach worked better than existing approach using MATLAB and Weka programming.
Measurement-based load modeling at distribution level with complete model structure

Load modeling plays an important role in power system operation and control. With increasingly complex grid and emergence of various new load components, load modeling becomes an intractable task. In this paper, our research work will focus on load modeling at distribution level. In order to capture specific load characteristics of various load components, a complete load model at distribution level with equivalent capacitor, large motor and small motor is applied. Disturbance data is processed in advance through MATLAB programs according to the requirements of measurement-based approach. In case study, the measurements and simulated model outputs are demonstrated. For comparison purpose, three load models are used to access model accuracy, which are respectively complete load model at distribution level, composite load model at transmission level and dynamic load model in PowerFactory at distribution level. By contrast, the complete load model proved to have better performance in transient conditions. By splitting the induction motor into two parts, some issues are introduced at the same time. Future work will focus on the generalization capability of this compete load model.
A fuzzy sliding-mode controller design for a synchronous reluctance motor drive

A new method for controlling a synchronous reluctance drive system using a sliding mode with fuzzy controller design is presented. The fuzzy controller is used to adjust the sliding line of the sliding-mode controller. Using this method, the system has a fast response and a good disturbance rejection capability. In addition, the chattering of the speed is reduced. In this work, the mathematical model of the motor is described first. Then, the design procedures for a high performance drive system using a sliding mode with fuzzy control are explained. Next, the system enhanced by a high performance 32 bit digital signal processor (DSP) and simple hardware circuits is shown. Both the current-loop and speed-loop controllers are executed by the DSP. Finally, some experimental and computer simulation results are presented. The experimental results validate the simulation results.
Scale‐dependent relationships between tree species richness and ecosystem function in forests

The relationship between species richness and ecosystem function, as measured by productivity or biomass, is of long‐standing theoretical and practical interest in ecology. This is especially true for forests, which represent a majority of global biomass, productivity and biodiversity. Here, we conduct an analysis of relationships between tree species richness, biomass and productivity in 25 forest plots of area 8–50 ha from across the world. The data were collected using standardized protocols, obviating the need to correct for methodological differences that plague many studies on this topic. We found that at very small spatial grains (0.04 ha) species richness was generally positively related to productivity and biomass within plots, with a doubling of species richness corresponding to an average 48% increase in productivity and 53% increase in biomass. At larger spatial grains (0.25 ha, 1 ha), results were mixed, with negative relationships becoming more common. The results were qualitatively similar but much weaker when we controlled for stem density: at the 0.04 ha spatial grain, a doubling of species richness corresponded to a 5% increase in productivity and 7% increase in biomass. Productivity and biomass were themselves almost always positively related at all spatial grains. Synthesis. This is the first cross‐site study of the effect of tree species richness on forest biomass and productivity that systematically varies spatial grain within a controlled methodology. The scale‐dependent results are consistent with theoretical models in which sampling effects and niche complementarity dominate at small scales, while environmental gradients drive patterns at large scales. Our study shows that the relationship of tree species richness with biomass and productivity changes qualitatively when moving from scales typical of forest surveys (0.04 ha) to slightly larger scales (0.25 and 1 ha). This needs to be recognized in forest conservation policy and management.
A comparison of x-ray detectors for mouse CT imaging

There is significant interest in using computed tomography (CT) for in vivo imaging applications in mouse models of disease. Most commercially available mouse x-ray CT scanners utilize a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector coupled via fibre optic taper to a phosphor screen. However, there has been little research to determine if this is the optimum detector for the specific task of in vivo mouse imaging. To investigate this issue, we have evaluated four detectors, including an amorphous selenium (a-Se) detector, an amorphous silicon (a-Si) detector with a gadolinium oxysulphide (GOS) screen, a CCD with a 3:1 fibre taper and a GOS screen, and a CCD with a 2:1 fibre taper and both GOS and thallium-doped caesium iodide (CsI:Tl) screens. The detectors were evaluated by measuring the modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), detective quantum efficiency (DQE), stability over multiple exposures, and noise in reconstructed CT images. The a-Se detector had the best MTF and the highest DQE (0.6 at 0 lp mm−1) but had the worst stability (45% reduction after 2000 exposure frames). The a-Si detector and the CCD with the 3:1 fibre, both of which used the GOS screen, had very similar performance with a DQE of approximately 0.30 at 0 lp mm−1. For the CCD with the 2:1 fibre, the CsI:Tl screen resulted in a nearly two-fold improvement in DQE over the GOS screen (0.4 versus 0.24 at 0 lp mm−1). The CCDs both had the best stability, with less than a 1% change in pixel values over multiple exposures. The pixel values of the a-Si detector increased 5% over multiple exposures due to the effects of image lag. Despite the higher DQE of the a-Se detector, the reconstructed CT images acquired with the a-Si detector had lower noise levels, likely due to the blurring effects from the phosphor screen.
Interactive Technology and Smart Education DGIST : a digital game for international students ' adjustment

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the use of digital game to help international student to acquire adjustment-related information. Design/methodology/approach – The study introduces a digital game called Digital Game for International Student Training (DGIST) which is intended to satisfy important aspects of international students’ information needs. To evaluate the efficacy of DGIST, a before-and-after with control experimental design was adopted. The experimental group students were exposed to DGIST, while the control group was given a paper-based document. A total of 80 participants were involved in the study. They were from nine different countries with average age of 26. The analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data collected. Findings – Statistical analyses reveal that there was a significant difference between DGIST and paper-based document in helping international students acquire adjustment-related information on post-test score. Originality/value – Although digital games have been developed for various subject areas, little attention has been focused on using digital games to address international students’ adjustment issues. This paper thus represents a step towards an uncharted research territory.
Traditional IP Network Address Translator (Traditional NAT)

Basic Network Address Translation or Basic NAT is a method by which IP addresses are mapped from one group to another, transparent to end users. Network Address Port Translation, or NAPT is a method by which many network addresses and their TCP/UDP (Transmission Control Protocol/User Datagram Protocol) ports are translated into a single network address and its TCP/UDP ports. Together, these two operations, referred to as traditional NAT, provide a mechanism to connect a realm with private addresses to an external realm with globally unique registered addresses.
Why and how the tobacco industry sells cigarettes to young adults: evidence from industry documents.

OBJECTIVES To improve tobacco control campaigns, we analyzed tobacco industry strategies that encourage young adults (aged 18 to 24) to smoke. METHODS Initial searches of tobacco industry documents with keywords (e.g., "young adult") were extended by using names, locations, and dates. RESULTS Approximately 200 relevant documents were found. Transitions from experimentation to addiction, with adult levels of cigarette consumption, may take years. Tobacco marketing solidifies addiction among young adults. Cigarette advertisements encourage regular smoking and increased consumption by integrating smoking into activities and places where young adults' lives change (e.g., leaving home, college, jobs, the military, bars). CONCLUSIONS Tobacco control efforts should include both adults and youths. Life changes are also opportunities to stop occasional smokers' progress to addiction. Clean air policies in workplaces, the military, bars, colleges, and homes can combat tobacco marketing.
On the cost, latency, and bandwidth of LIGHTNESS data center network architecture

We investigate and compare the cost, bandwidth, and latency of the LIGHTNESS data center network (DCN) architecture adopting optical switching technologies with current DCN architectures based on electrical switching technologies. The studies include the cost and latency models of all the required opto-electronics (electronic switches, transceivers, cables) and optical (circuit and packet switches) components to build the DCN architectures. Numerical results show that the LIGHTNESS DCN architecture has the lowest cost due to the huge reduction of expensive transceivers. Moreover, the flat LIGHTNESS DCN architecture outperforms the multi-stage electronic DCN architecture in terms of latency, while the bisection bandwidth can be dynamically and flexibly reconfigured according to the required applications.
Cytophotometric DNA determination in human oligodendroglial tumours

Cytophotometric DNA determination was performed on 11 surgically resected oligodendroglial tumours and on oligodendroglial cells in two normal brains. The results are compared with the histological findings, the mitotic index and the degree of clinical malignancy. In this type of glioma there is no correlation between the DNA pattern and the histological appearances and the mitotic index. It is concluded that an aneuploid DNA distribution curve corresponds to a bad prognosis, whilst a diploid DNA curve does not allow prediction of the degree of clinical malignancy.
Postexercise Hypotension After Continuous, Aerobic Interval, and Sprint Interval Exercise

Abstract Angadi, SS, Bhammar, DM, and Gaesser, GA. Postexercise hypotension after continuous, aerobic interval, and sprint interval exercise. J Strength Cond Res 29(10): 2888–2893, 2015—We examined the effects of 3 exercise bouts, differing markedly in intensity, on postexercise hypotension (PEH). Eleven young adults (age: 24.6 ± 3.7 years) completed 4 randomly assigned experimental conditions: (a) control, (b) 30-minute steady-state exercise (SSE) at 75–80% maximum heart rate (HRmax), (4) aerobic interval exercise (AIE): four 4-minute bouts at 90–95% HRmax, separated by 3 minutes of active recovery, and (d) sprint interval exercise (SIE): six 30-second Wingate sprints, separated by 4 minutes of active recovery. Exercise was performed on a cycle ergometer. Blood pressure (BP) was measured before exercise and every 15-minute postexercise for 3 hours. Linear mixed models were used to compare BP between trials. During the 3-hour postexercise, systolic BP (SBP) was lower (p < 0.001) after AIE (118 ± 10 mm Hg), SSE (121 ± 10 mm Hg), and SIE (121 ± 11 mm Hg) compared with control (124 ± 8 mm Hg). Diastolic BP (DBP) was also lower (p < 0.001) after AIE (66 ± 7 mm Hg), SSE (69 ± 6 mm Hg), and SIE (68 ± 8 mm Hg) compared with control (71 ± 7 mm Hg). Only AIE resulted in sustained (>2 hours) PEH, with SBP (120 ± 9 mm Hg) and DBP (68 ± 7 mm Hg) during the third-hour postexercise being lower (p ⩽ 0.05) than control (124 ± 8 and 70 ± 7 mm Hg). Although all exercise bouts produced similar reductions in BP at 1-hour postexercise, the duration of PEH was greatest after AIE.
Equilibrium microstates which generate second law violating steady states.

For reversible deterministic N-particle thermostatted systems, we examine the question of why it is so difBcult to find initial microstates that will, at long times under the influence of an external dissipative field and a thermostat, lead to second law violating nonequilibrium steady states. Vfe prove that the measure of those phases that generate second law violating phase space trajectories vanishes exponentially with time.