Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Warming and drying suppress microbial activity and carbon cycling in boreal forest soils

Climate warming is expected to have particularly strong effects on tundra and boreal ecosystems, yet relatively few studies have examined soil responses to temperature change in these systems. We used closed‐top greenhouses to examine the response of soil respiration, nutrient availability, microbial abundance, and active fungal communities to soil warming in an Alaskan boreal forest dominated by mature black spruce. This treatment raised soil temperature by 0.5 °C and also resulted in a 22% decline in soil water content. We hypothesized that microbial abundance and activity would increase with the greenhouse treatment. Instead, we found that bacterial and fungal abundance declined by over 50%, and there was a trend toward lower activity of the chitin‐degrading enzyme N‐acetyl‐glucosaminidase. Soil respiration also declined by up to 50%, but only late in the growing season. These changes were accompanied by significant shifts in the community structure of active fungi, with decreased relative abundance of a dominant Thelephoroid fungus and increased relative abundance of Ascomycetes and Zygomycetes in response to warming. In line with our hypothesis, we found that warming marginally increased soil ammonium and nitrate availability as well as the overall diversity of active fungi. Our results indicate that rising temperatures in northern‐latitude ecosystems may not always cause a positive feedback to the soil carbon cycle, particularly in boreal forests with drier soils. Models of carbon cycle‐climate feedbacks could increase their predictive power by incorporating heterogeneity in soil properties and microbial communities across the boreal zone.
CareCruiser: Exploring and visualizing plans, events, and effects interactively

In recent years, sophisticated visualization methods have been developed to support both, the logical structure and the time-oriented aspects of computer-executable clinical treatment plans. However, visualizing the effects of applying treatment plans as well as supporting the exploration of effects on the patient's condition are still largely unresolved tasks. To fill this gap, we have developed a prototype that enhances known visualization methods to communicate the processes of treatment plan application together with their effects on a patient's condition in an easily understandable way. Our prototype combines the advantages of enhanced visual recognition of patterns with traditional information of parameters' development. Thus, it provides means (1) to assess success or failure of previously applied treatment plans, (2) to explore the effects of each applied clinical action on the patient's condition, and (3) to identify sub-optimal treatment choices. These means help physicians to optimize their treatment choices and enable developers of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to investigate and readjust these treatment plans.
The Stoichiometry of Isoquercitrin Complex with Iron or Copper Is Highly Dependent on Experimental Conditions

Interaction of flavonoids with transition metals can be partially responsible for their impact on humans. Stoichiometry of the iron/copper complex with a flavonoid glycoside isoquercitrin, a frequent component of food supplements, was assessed using competitive and non-competitive methods in four (patho)physiologically-relevant pH values (4.5. 5.5, 6.8, and 7.5). Isoquercitrin chelated all tested ions (Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, and Cu+) but its affinity for Cu+ ions proved to be very low. In general, the chelation potency dropped with pH lowering. Metal complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry were mostly formed, however, they were not stable and the stoichiometry changed depending on conditions. Isoquercitrin was able to reduce both Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions at low ratios, but its reducing potential was diminished at higher ratios (isoquercitrin to metal) due to the metal chelation. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the need of using multiple different methods for the assessment of chelation potential in moderately-active metal chelators, like flavonoids.
A new bisphenol A derivative for estrogen receptor binding studies with surface plasmon resonance

A new bisphenol A (BPA) derivative was synthesized and immobilized onto the surface of a CM5 sensor chip for a binding study with orphan estrogen‐related receptor γ using the surface plasmon resonance technique. The kinetic parameters, including dissociation and association constants and dissociation and association rate constants, were investigated. Moreover, a competitive inhibition assay was conducted to understand the competition relationship between the free BPA molecules in solution and the immobilized BPA molecules on the sensor chip surface. The CM5 sensor chip immobilized with the BPA derivative can be regenerated by using a high‐concentration running buffer for repeated use more than 150 times without any adverse effect on its performance in the binding studies. The results indicate that the system has potential for further development as a sensitive surface plasmon resonance–based biosensor for endocrine‐disrupting chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1390–1396. © 2015 SETAC
Identification of Distinct Signaling Pathways Leading to the Phosphorylation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 3*

Infection of host cells by viruses leads to the activation of multiple signaling pathways, resulting in the expression of host genes involved in the establishment of the antiviral state. Among the transcription factors mediating the immediate response to virus is interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) which is post-translationally modified as a result of virus infection. Phosphorylation of latent cytoplasmic IRF-3 on serine and threonine residues in the C-terminal region leads to dimerization, cytoplasmic to nuclear translocation, association with the p300/CBP coactivator, and stimulation of DNA binding and transcriptional activities. We now demonstrate that IRF-3 is a phosphoprotein that is uniquely activated via virus-dependent C-terminal phosphorylation. Paramyxoviridae including measles virus and rhabdoviridae, vesicular stomatitis virus, are potent inducers of a unique virus-activated kinase activity. In contrast, stress inducers, growth factors, DNA-damaging agents, and cytokines do not induce C-terminal IRF-3 phosphorylation, translocation or transactivation, but rather activate a MAPKKK-related signaling pathway that results in N-terminal IRF-3 phosphorylation. The failure of numerous well characterized pharmacological inhibitors to abrogate virus-induced IRF-3 phosphorylation suggests the involvement of a novel kinase activity in IRF-3 regulation by viruses.
Draft Genome of the Filarial Nematode Parasite Brugia malayi

Parasitic nematodes that cause elephantiasis and river blindness threaten hundreds of millions of people in the developing world. We have sequenced the ∼90 megabase (Mb) genome of the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi and predict ∼11,500 protein coding genes in 71 Mb of robustly assembled sequence. Comparative analysis with the free-living, model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans revealed that, despite these genes having maintained little conservation of local synteny during ∼350 million years of evolution, they largely remain in linkage on chromosomal units. More than 100 conserved operons were identified. Analysis of the predicted proteome provides evidence for adaptations of B. malayi to niches in its human and vector hosts and insights into the molecular basis of a mutualistic relationship with its Wolbachia endosymbiont. These findings offer a foundation for rational drug design.
Proteome profiling reveals tissue-specific protein expression in the male reproductive system of Drosophila melanogaster

The reproductive systems of male and female Drosophila have been well studied genetically and cytologically because of the importance of meiotic mechanisms in understanding inheritance and speciation. Recently, there has been increasing interest in proteomics of Drosophila melanogaster, because detailed and comprehensive gene annotations have made it straightforward to identify proteins analyzed by mass spectrometry. We have applied proteomic analysis to the male reproductive system with the aim of understanding sperm maturation not only during the process of spermatogenesis, but also during the movement of sperm from the seminal vesicle through the male reproductive system and into the uterus following copulation. In this article, we will provide an overview of the principles of recent proteomic technologies and describe a few proteomic profiles of the male reproductive organs.
Biomarkers of recovery after stroke

Purpose of reviewA better understanding of the molecular events underlying stroke recovery might be useful to optimize restorative therapies. Measurement of these events, however, is generally inaccessible in humans, at least at the molecular level. Substitute measures, or biomarkers, that are accessible might provide deeper insights into spontaneous recovery in humans. This review considers advances in use of biomarkers to understand recovery from stroke, and to serve as a surrogate measure of stroke recovery, including in a clinical trial context. Recent findingsAmong the key recent findings is that measures of brain function and injury are the strongest predictors of treatment effect, moreso than behavioral measures are, despite the reliance on behavioral measures as study entry criteria. Functional neuroimaging studies have provided insights into therapeutic mechanism of action. In addition, measures of central nervous system function have been used to estimate individual therapy needs, findings that suggest the potential to tailor restorative therapies to the specific needs of individual patients. SummaryMany therapies are emerging as potentially useful to promote improved recovery after stroke. Continued advances in biomarkers are providing new insights into the neurobiology of both spontaneous and therapy-induced brain repair after stroke.
LA GESTION DES RESULTATS LORS DES INTRODUCTIONS EN BOURSE EST ELLE INFORMATIVE

Cette etude constitue l'une des premieres etudes traitant de la gestion des resultats et la performance boursiere a long terme des introductions en bourse dans un pays europeen notamment la France. Nous examinons les ‘accruals' discretionnaires avant et apres l'introduction en bourse et la performance economique et boursiere futures. Nous utilisons deux methodologies d'estimation des ‘accruals' discretionnaires, soit le modele de Dechow et al. (2003) et une methode plus recente developpee par Kothari et al. (2005) appelee ‘performancematched discretionary accruals' et nous mesurons les rentabilites anormales avec differents benchmarks. Nos resultats montrent que quelques soit la methodologie d'estimation de la gestion des resultats (Dechow VS Kothari), les ‘accruals' discretionnaires atteignent leur maximum a l'annee d'introduction en bourse. Cependant, la performance boursiere semble dependre avec la methodologie d'estimation des rentabilites anormales.
Actividad de ocio-turístico y personas mayores. Análisis de diferencias sociales entre "viajeros" y "no viajeros"

Los objetivos generales de esta tesi son: a) explorar los principales aspectos psicosociales que intervienen en el uso y consumo del ocio-turistico, del colectivo de personas mayores, en las sociedades industriales avanzadas, teniendo en cuenta variables sociodemograficas, de ocupacion del tiempo libre y de experiencia-relacion con el ocio-turistico, b) determinar los factores que distinguen a las personas mayores que viajan de las que no viajan y c) aportar criterios para la gestion turistica para facilitar el accesso de las personas mayores al viaje turistico. Se disena un estudio empirico con una muestra de 353 personas mayores entre 55 y 90 anos, en el que se aplican tecnicas de encuesta y analisis de funcion discriminante (Fisher y Redes Neuronales) para tratar de discriminar entre las variables mas relevantes que clasifican al "viajero" del "no viajero". De ahi, se deducen los principales factores y criterios que condicionan el viaje turistico de las personas mayores.Los resultados demuestran que los principales aspectos que intervienen en el uso y consumo del ocio-turistico son el poseer determinadas condiciones sociodemograficas, el realizar actividades de tiempo libre, manteniendo un estilo de vida "activo" y la socializacion con el viaje turistico. Tambien, se confirma la necesidad de utilizar mucha mas informacion para la gestion turistica, ademas de la edad por ejemplo, considerando especificamente la utilidad y los beneficios que los productos turisticos proporcionan a las personas mayores en funcion de sus necesidades psicosociales.
Some mass-spectral and n.m.r. analytical studies of a glutathione conjugate of aflatoxin B1.

A system for the formation of an aflatoxin B1-reduced glutathione conjugate in vitro was developed, capable of yielding 80% conversion of aflatoxin B1 into the conjugate. A reverse-phase high-pressure-liquid-chromatography system was also devised that not only facilitates improved resolution of the compound but that, by manipulation of the pH, is also capable of an extensive purification of the compound from other aflatoxin B1 metabolites in a single step. Material produced by these techniques, after further purification, has been used in 1H-n.m. r. and mass-spectroscopic studies. Results were obtained that support the proposed linkage of the aflatoxin B1 to reduced glutathione in a 1:1 molar ratio via a thioether linkage. Amino acid analyses were also consistent with this structure. The absence of a Schiff-base linkage of aflatoxin B1 8,9-dihydrodiol to glutamate was further demonstrated by the presence of a gamma-glutamyltransferase-catalysed-transferable glutamate moiety. These data are consistent with the structure 8,9-dihydro-8-(S-glutathionyl)-9-hydroxy-aflatoxin B1.
Hubungan amalan pengurusan keselamatan dengan pematuhan keselamatan pekerjaan di Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menguji hubungan antara amalan pengurusan keselamatan dengan tingkah laku pematuhan keselamatan pekerjaan. Enam dimensi amalan pengurusan keselamatan adalah komitmen pengurusan, latihan keselamatan, penglibatan pekerja, komunikasi dan maklum balas, peraturan dan prosedur serta dasar promosi keselamatan. Bagi mencapai objektif kajian, sebanyak 270 set soal selidik telah diedarkan kepada pegawai bomba gred KB17 di 9 buah balai bomba di Selangor. Analisis regresi mendapati bahawa komitmen pihak pengurusan, latihan keselamatan dan peraturan, dan prosedur keselamatan mempunyai hubungan yang signifikan dengan pematuhan keselamatan pekerjaan. Manakala faktor-faktor lain iaitu penglibatan pekerja, dasar promosi keselamatan, dan komunikasi dan maklum balas tidak mempunyai hubungan yang signifikan dengan pematuhan keselamatan pekerjaan. Kertas ini turut membincangkan implikasi dan limitasi kajian, dan cadangan untuk kajian susulan.
Heteroscedastic Conditional Ordinal Random Fields for Pain Intensity Estimation from Facial Images

We propose a novel method for automatic pain intensity estimation from facial images based on the framework of kernel Conditional Ordinal Random Fields (KCORF). We extend this framework to account for heteroscedasticity on the output labels(i.e., pain intensity scores) and introduce a novel dynamic features, dynamic ranks, that impose temporal ordinal constraints on the static ranks (i.e., intensity scores). Our experimental results show that the proposed approach outperforms state-of-the art methods for sequence classification with ordinal data and other ordinal regression models. The approach performs significantly better than other models in terms of Intra-Class Correlation measure, which is the most accepted evaluation measure in the tasks of facial behaviour intensity estimation.
Human Hepatobiliary Transport of Organic Anions Analyzed by Quadruple-Transfected Cells

Hepatobiliary elimination of many organic anions is initiated by OATP1B1 (OATP2, LST-1, OATP-C), OATP1B3 (OATP8), and OATP2B1 (OATP-B), which are the predominant uptake transporters of human hepatocytes. Thereafter, the unidirectional efflux pump ABCC2 (multidrug resistance protein 2) mediates the transport of organic anions, including glutathione conjugates and glucuronosides, into bile. In this study, we generated a Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCKII) cell line stably expressing recombinant OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and OATP2B1 in the basolateral membrane and ABCC2 in the apical membrane. Double-transfected MDCKII cells stably expressing ABCC2 together with OATP1B1, OATP1B3, or OATP2B1 served as control cells. The quadruple-transfected cells exhibited high rates of vectorial transport of organic anions, including bromosulfophthalein, cholecystokinin peptide (CCK-8), and estrone 3-sulfate. The quadruple-transfected cells enabled the identification of substrates for uptake or vectorial transport that may be missed in studies with a double-transfected cell line, as exemplified by CCK-8, which is a substrate for OATP1B3 but not for OATP1B1 or OATP2B1. The broad substrate spectrum covered by the three hepatocellular OATP transporters enables representative analyses of the uptake of many organic anions into human hepatocytes. The broad spectrum of organic anions transported vectorially by the quadruple-transfected cells also provides valuable information on the substrate selectivity of ABCC2, without the need for studies in inside-out membrane vesicles containing the ABCC2 protein. The quadruple-transfected MDCKII-ABCC2/OATP1B1/1B3/2B1 cells may thus be useful for the identification of substrates and inhibitors, including drug candidates, undergoing uptake and secretion by human hepatocytes, under conditions that may be better defined than in primary cultures of human hepatocytes.
Non‐cholinergic nervous control of catecholamine secretion from perfused bovine adrenal glands.

1. Field stimulation of adrenal nerves was used to study nervous control of adrenal catecholamine secretion in isolated, retrogradely perfused, bovine adrenal glands. 2. Secretion of both adrenaline and noradrenaline was maximal at 10 Hz. Secretion at 2 Hz was < 10% of maximum. Stimulating with trains of pulses at ten times the average frequency for 1 s out of every 10 s gave 2‐fold greater secretion at 2 Hz average frequency, similar release at 5 Hz, and only half the secretion at 10 Hz, compared to continuous stimulation at the average frequency. 3. At 10 Hz, adrenaline and noradrenaline secretion was virtually abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 microM), but was only reduced by 75% by prolonged perfusion with a combination of mecamylamine (5 microM) and atropine (1 microM). Mecamylamine and atropine completely abolished the secretory response to 2 Hz stimulation. Tetrodotoxin had no significant effect on secretion induced by perfusing glands with nicotine (5 microM), while mecamylamine abolished this response. Mecamylamine and atropine had no effect on secretion induced by K+ depolarization. 4. The secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline induced by 10 Hz stimulation was not inhibited by naloxone at either 1 or 30 microM. 5. The results suggest that bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, like those in the rat, receive a significant non‐cholinergic secretomotor innervation. In contrast to the rat, however, the non‐cholinergic component in the bovine adrenal is negligible at low‐frequency nerve stimulation and substantial at higher frequencies, and is not antagonized by naloxone. The identity of the non‐cholinergic transmitter remains to be determined.
Self-perception of body changes in persons living with HIV/AIDS: prevalence and associated factors

Background:Highly active antiretroviral therapy has brought about a substantial improvement in the prognosis of HIV/AIDS. In this context, therapy-related body changes (lipodystrophy) gain in importance, in light of the psychological distress they cause and of their association with adherence to treatment. This study analyses patients' self-perception of central fat gain (CFG) and peripheral fat loss (PFL). Methods:A total of 457 patients were interviewed in a university outpatient facility for the treatment of adults and adolescents with HIV/AIDS in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between September and December 2001. Results:Two-thirds of subjects (64.3%) perceived body changes. The self-perception of CFG and PFL was associated with greater schooling. The self-perception of CFG was more frequent among women and in patients who used protease inhibitors for longer periods. The self-perception of PFL was more frequent among older patients, patients who used stavudine for longer periods, and patients who reported a lack of adherence to antiretroviral agents. The quality of affective/social relationships with friends and family was inversely associated with the self-perception of PFL. Conclusion:The evaluation of self-perceived body changes and their determinants in individuals living with HIV/AIDS may help improve provided care. Listening to what patients have to say concerning antiretroviral therapy-related body changes and how they perceive them, as well as including the patient in therapeutic decisions in this regard will contribute towards greater adherence to proposed interventions and towards an improvement in the quality of life.
The Legendary “Rediscovery” of George Perkins Marsh

Abstract. The conventional narrative regarding the American reception of George Perkins Marsh, author of Man and Nature (1864), is that his work and ideas were “lost,”“forgotten,” or “neglected” until Lewis Mumford “rediscovered” him and introduced him to geographers at the University of California‐Berkeley through The Brown Decades (Mumford [1931] 1955) and until Carl Sauer made him known to the profession at large beginning in 1938. This article upends the conventional narrative by looking at earlier references to Marsh's later versions of Man and Nature, which were published as The Earth as Modified by Human Action from 1874 to 1907. Analysis reveals that a number of geographers and historians cited these editions between 1875 and the early 1950s. Examining the legend of loss and rediscovery suggests the value of methods utilized in reception studies for research on the history of geography.
The association between serum Dickkopf-1 levels and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Serum Dickkopf-1(DKK-1) is elevated in many malignancies and is an important indicator of malignant potential. However, its significance in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) has not yet been clarified. We hypothesized a role for DKK-1 in patients with ESCC. The study consisted of 90 ESCC patients and 85 healthy controls. After diagnosis, the level of DKK-1 was measured in the serum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the levels of DKK-1 were much higher in the ESCC patients than in the healthy control group (p < 0.0001). For serum DKK-1, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 70 and 80%, respectively. The preoperative serum DKK-1 level was elevated in the ESCC patients. Although serum DKK-1 is not a specific biomarker for ESCC, it might be a useful marker for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.
Transforming online communities into support environments for chronic disease management through cell phones and social networks

Diabetes is a chronic disease that increases exponentially. Its consequences are long-term and problematic. To date, there is no cure and patients must rely on appropriate and constant monitoring to maintain a state of health that is as good as possible. This paper proposes a superior method that is grounded in wireless technology and social networks to enable the effective and efficient monitoring of patients suffering from diabetes.