Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skin Aging-Dependent Activation of the PI3K Signaling Pathway via Downregulation of PTEN Increases Intracellular ROS in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in both chronological aging and photoaging. ROS induce skin aging through their damaging effect on cellular constituents. However, the origins of ROS have not been fully elucidated. We investigated that ROS generation of replicative senescent fibroblasts is generated by the modulation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) metabolism. Reduction of the PTEN protein, which dephosphorylates PIP3, was responsible for maintaining a high level of PIP3 in replicative cells and consequently mediated the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Increased ROS production was blocked by inhibition of PI3K or protein kinase C (PKC) or by NADPH oxidase activating in replicative senescent cells. These data indicate that the signal pathway to ROS generation in replicative aged skin cells can be stimulated by reduced PTEN level. Our results provide new insights into skin aging-associated modification of the PI3K/NADPH oxidase signaling pathway and its relationship with a skin aging-dependent increase of ROS in human dermal fibroblasts.
SOX9 is targeted for proteasomal degradation by the E3 ligase FBW7 in response to DNA damage

SOX9 encodes a transcription factor that governs cell fate specification throughout development and tissue homeostasis. Elevated SOX9 is implicated in the genesis and progression of human tumors by increasing cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We found that in response to UV irradiation or genotoxic chemotherapeutics, SOX9 is actively degraded in various cancer types and in normal epithelial cells, through a pathway independent of p53, ATM, ATR and DNA-PK. SOX9 is phosphorylated by GSK3β, facilitating the binding of SOX9 to the F-box protein FBW7α, an E3 ligase that functions in the DNA damage response pathway. The binding of FBW7α to the SOX9 K2 domain at T236-T240 targets SOX9 for subsequent ubiquitination and proteasomal destruction. Exogenous overexpression of SOX9 after genotoxic stress increases cell survival. Our findings reveal a novel regulatory mechanism for SOX9 stability and uncover a unique function of SOX9 in the cellular response to DNA damage. This new mechanism underlying a FBW7-SOX9 axis in cancer could have implications in therapy resistance.
Measuring and modelling the energy demand reduction potential of using zonal space heating control in a UK home

Most existing houses in the UK have a single thermostat, a timer and conventional thermostatic radiator valves to control the low pressure, hot water space heating system. A number of companies are now offering a solution for room-by-room temperature and time control in such older houses. These systems comprise of motorised radiator valves with inbuilt thermostats and time control. There is currently no evidence of any rigorous scientific study to support the energy saving claims of these zonal control systems. This thesis quantifies the potential savings of zonal control for a typical UK home. There were three components to the research. Firstly, full-scale experiments were undertaken in a matched pair of instrumented, three bedroom, un-furbished, 1930s, test houses that included equipment to replicate the impacts of an occupant family. Secondly, a dynamic thermal model of the same houses, with the same occupancy pattern, that was calibrated against the measured results. Thirdly, the experimental and model results were assessed to explore how the energy savings might vary in different UK climates or in houses with different levels of insulation. The results of the experiments indicated that over an 8-week winter period, the house with zonal control used 12% less gas for space heating compared with a conventionally controlled system. This was despite the zonal control system resulting in a 2 percentage point lower boiler efficiency. A calibrated dynamic thermal model was able to predict the energy use, indoor air temperatures and energy savings to a reasonable level of accuracy. Wider scale evaluation showed that the annual gas savings for similar houses in different regions of the UK would be between 10 and 14% but the energy savings in better insulated homes would be lower.
Seawater–freshwater mixing and resulting calcite dissolution: an example from a coastal alluvial aquifer in eastern South Korea

Abstract In order to evaluate groundwater quality and geochemical reactions arising from mixing between seawater and dilute groundwater, we performed a hydrochemical investigation of alluvial groundwater in a limestone-rich coastal area of eastern South Korea. Two sites were chosen for comparison: an upstream site and a downstream site. Data of major ion chemistry and ratios of oxygen–hydrogen isotopes (δ18O, δD) revealed different major sources of groundwater salinity: recharge by sea-spray-affected precipitation in the upstream site, and seawater intrusion and diffusion zone fluctuation in the downstream site. The results of geochemical modelling showed that Ca2+ enrichment in the downstream area is caused by calcite dissolution enhanced by the ionic strength increase, as a result of seawater–groundwater mixing under open system conditions with a constant PCO2 value (about 10−1.5 atm). The results show that, for coastal alluvial groundwater residing on limestone, significant hydrochemical change (especially increased hardness) due to calcite dissolution enhanced by seawater mixing should be taken into account for better groundwater management. This process can be effectively evaluated using geochemical modelling. Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor Y. Guttman Citation Chae, G. -T. , Yun, S. -T. , Yun, S. -M. , Kim, K. -H. , and So, C. -S. , 2012. Seawater–freshwater mixing and resulting calcite dissolution: an example from a coastal alluvial aquifer in eastern South Korea. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (8),1–12.
Estimating Estuarine Pollutant Loading From Atmospheric Deposition Using Casco Bay, Maine as a Case Study

This paper provides a simple method for estimating the annual rate of direct atmospheric deposition of pollutants to an estuary when little or no local monitoring data is available. The approach we describe uses relevant regional data as well as literature values. The Casco Bay Estuary, located in the southwestern Maine, is used as a case study. The paper also includes the results of a field air deposition monitoring program conducted in Casco Bay (1998 - 2000) and favorably compares the estimates developed for rate of deposition of nitrogen, mercury and PAHs to the field monitoring results. The estimation approach is a useful starting point for understanding the sources of pollutants entering water bodies that cannot be accounted for through run-off or point source discharges.
Plant microfossils from Llandoverian and Wenlockian rocks of Pennsylvania

Abstract Macerations of greenish shales from the Tuscarora Formation (Llandoverian) and Clinton? strata (Wenlockian) in central and eastern Pennsylvania yield a remarkable assemblage of spores and probable spores, dyads, spore tetrads, tubular and cuticle‐like structures. These are considered as remains of a pre‐vascular plant, terrestrial flora and are discussed according to this interpretation. Although this study is preliminary in nature, we have described the following new taxa: Rugosphaera tuscarorensis (n.gen., n.sp.), Tetrahedraletes medinensis (n.gen., n.sp.), Nodospora burnhamensis (n.gen., n.sp.), Nodospora rugosa (n.sp.), Nodospora oyleri (n.sp.), Dyadospora murusattenuata (n.gen., n.sp.) and Dyadospora murusdensa (n.sp.).
Lineage-specific gene radiations underlie the evolution of novel betalain pigmentation in Caryophyllales

Betalain pigments are unique to the Caryophyllales and structurally and biosynthetically distinct from anthocyanins. Two key enzymes within the betalain synthesis pathway have been identified: 4,5-dioxygenase (DODA) that catalyzes the formation of betalamic acid and CYP76AD1, a cytochrome P450 gene that catalyzes the formation of cyclo-DOPA. We performed phylogenetic analyses to reveal the evolutionary history of the DODA and CYP76AD1 lineages and in the context of an ancestral reconstruction of pigment states we explored the evolution of these genes in relation to the complex evolution of pigments in Caryophylalles. Duplications within the CYP76AD1 and DODA lineages arose just before the origin of betalain pigmentation in the core Caryophyllales. The duplications gave rise to DODA-α and CYP76AD1-α isoforms that appear specific to betalain synthesis. Both betalain-specific isoforms were then lost or downregulated in the anthocyanic Molluginaceae and Caryophyllaceae. Our findings suggest a single origin of the betalain synthesis pathway, with neofunctionalization following gene duplications in the CYP76AD1 and DODA lineages. Loss of DODA-α and CYP76AD1-α in anthocyanic taxa suggests that betalain pigmentation has been lost twice in Caryophyllales, and exclusion of betalain pigments from anthocyanic taxa is mediated through gene loss or downregulation. [Correction added after online publication 13 May 2015: in the last two paragraphs of the Summary the gene name CYP761A was changed to CYP76AD1. ]
Geologic framework and structural evolution of Cheerchen fracture system in Tarim Basin

Cheerchen fracture system can be divided into three parts: imbricate overthrust sheets in western Tanggu area,the typical and complex construction modalities of foreland basin in Gucheng,and simple anticlines in eastern Tadong.The areas were affected by releasing stress when different geological bodies accepted the same compressive stress,thus the different parts of Cheerchen fracture system had various structural patterns.The Cheerchen fracture system are mainly affected by the two period activities of the Altyn Mountain,one is in late Caledonian-early Hercynian,when the compressive stress source came from the south,and the border of basin and mountain is located on a line of northern Yutian-northern Tanggu1well-northern Gucheng 2-southern Tadong 2 well;The other is in late Indosinian-early Yanshanian,during this time the compressive stress source moved to south little by little from east to west,and the border of basin and mountain is in front of the Altyn Mountain.The two period geologic movements lead to the modern Cheerchen fracture system structural patterns.
Another View on the Longquanguan Ductile Shear Zone

Longquanguan ductile shear zone is located in the conjunction part between Shanxi and Hebei Province.It is about 100 km long and 2 ～ 14 km wide. The deformation characters changed obviously both in horizontal and in longitudinal directions. According to the deformation characters the shear zone can be divided into three parts: the northern part, middle part and southern part. In the northern part,the shear zone is made up of augen gneiss, felsic mylonite and structural lenses, and varied kinds of ratational mortar texture developed well, the upper wall shears left-laterally. The main rocks in the middle part are the strong-straight gneisses with mineral stretch lineation, called S-L tectonite. In the southern part, the rocks formed linear strong deformation zones and weak deformation domains. The banding and rodding structure developed well. In the shear zone there are some metamorphic rock series with different eras, in which the Middle-Archean Fuping complex is predominant one. They formed a multiphase-overprint ductile shear zone. During Early Wutai period, its deformation is almost horizontal ductile shearing, which was the reflection of the extension and cracking of Wutai sea-basin. In Luliang period, the ductile shearing deformation turned to be thrusting nappe structure.
REMOVAL OF LITHOSPHERIC MANTLE IN THE NORTH CHINA CRATON: Re-Os ISOTOPIC EVIDENCE FOR COUPLED CRUST-MANTLE GROWTH

Mantle xenoliths from Ordovician kimberlite at Fuxian, Liaoning and from Neogene alkaline basalts at Hannuoba and Qixia of the North China craton were measured for Re-Os isotopic compositions. Xenoliths from the kimberlite yield Re depleted Os model ages (T_(RD)) of 2.5～2.8 Ga. This confirms the presence of Archean lithospheric mantle beneath the North China Craton. The Hannuoba xenoliths give a Re-Os isotopic isochron of (1.9±0.18) Ga, which demonstrates that the present-day lithospheric mantle preserved there is Paleoproterozoic in age. The surface of the Hannuoba area is dominated by Archean crustal rocks, suggesting former presence of Archean mantle. However, lack of Archean ages in the Hannuoba peridotite xenoliths show that the Archean mantle had been replaced by the newly formed Paleoproterozoic mantle. This event coincides with the widespread Paleoproterozoic granulite-facies metamorphism resulting from continental collision. This in turn implies that the Paleoproterozoic removal of the lithospheric mantle were associated with lithospheric delamination. The Qixia xenoliths have Os isotopic compositions similar to the present-day convecting mantle and show no correlations between Os isotopic and Re/Os ratios, which suggest that they are very young in age. Together with other lines of geological and geochemical evidence, these results point to Mesozoic removal of the lithospheric mantle in the eastern North China Craton, which is speculated to be associated with delamination of the lower crust and lithospheric mantle induced by the Triassic collision between the North China and Yangtze cratons. The present study documents that timing and location of removal of the lithospheric mantle vary from the western to the eastern parts of the North China craton. The 2.5～2.8 Ga and 1.9 Ga lithospheric mantle forming events agree with the two most important crustal growth episodes in the North China craton. Therefore, formation of the continental crust and lithospheric mantle is coupled in time in the North China craton.
Pulses as replacement of summer fallow in semiarid steppes of Northern Kazakhstan

Traditional crop rotation in northern Kazakhstan is spring wheat-summer fallow monoculture (SF-W-W-W-(W-W) with fallow practiced once in 4-6 years. Summer fallow is known to cause land degradation. Pulses are the best replacement of summer fallow but so far, they are grown on small areas. In this paper, results of long-term experiment on comparison of summer fallow replaced by three pulses followed by spring wheat are presented. Dry pea provided the highest grain yield followed by chickpea. Spring wheat grain yield was lower after pulses compared with wheat yield after summer fallow. Protein content in spring wheat grain was the same when sown after fallow or pulses in dry years while it was higher in wheat sown after pulses under favorable weather conditions. Replacing fallow with pulses provided production of valuable crops with high market values. Pulse crops were more profitable than spring wheat sown after fallow. Average annual net profit of sequences consisting of pulse crops or fallow followed by wheat was the highest on lentil-wheat followed by chickpea-wheat and the lowest was on fallow–wheat. This was due to the very high market prices of lentil and chickpea grain. This shows that summer fallow can be successfully replaced by pulse crops resulting in more profitable use of cropland and reduction of soil degradation.
Nd isotopic characteristics of post-Archean sediments from the Eastern Nanling Range: Evidence for crustal evolution

A systematic Sm-Nd isotopic study was carried out for sediments and metasediments of different ages from Mesoproterozoic to early Mesozoic era in southwestern Fujian, Eastern Nanling Range. The results show that Nd model age (tDM) and εNd(t) value of most sediments are closely similar to those of Paleoproterozoic Mayuan Group, indicating that they may mainly be the recycling product of Paleoproterozoic crustal materials. However, the Nd model age significantly decreases with a corresponding increase in the εNd(t) value at Neoproterozoic (ca. 0.8-0.7 Ga) and Late Paleozoic (ca. 0.25 Ga), respectively. This is manifested by prominent vales and apexes on the diagrams of tDM vs. tStr. (stratum age) and εNd(t) vs. tStr. The decrease in tDM and the increase in εNd(t) are explained as a result of the significant incorporation of juvenile crustal materials that originated from depleted mantle due to strong lithospheric extension during both periods. It appears that tectonic magmatism in the Neoproterozoic and the Late Paleozoic is of prominent importance in affecting the geochemical nature of sediments in South China.
Origen de concreciones dolom´iticas en el Terciario de la Cuenca de Calatayud (Zaragoza)

Carbonate concretions in deposits of Tertiary (Calatayud-Zaragoza) were studied. The concretions are included in dolomitic mudstones, and contain dolomite and detrital particles of host. The cement is micritic dolomite. Content in authigenic cement decreases outwards the concretions related to the ground waters. A precompactacional model, and a reemplacement growth are proposed. ´ %
Using the Past to Construct Present Identities: Memories of Bolivian Ex-Miners.

The restructuring of the mining sector in Bolivia in the mid-1980s is a good example of the social and cultural consequences of the adjustments in economic policies and changes in development planning that have been carried out in Latin America during the past two decades. The forced exodus of the miners and their families from the mining centres, and their struggle to make ends meet as newcomers to the informal labour market in Bolivia's larger cities, illustrate the depth of the changes in the quality of work and livelihood that are taking place throughout the region, and not only in Bolivia.
Dynamics of organic matter under eucalyptus clonal plantations in Congo

In fast-growing plantation ecosystems under the tropics, soil organic matter (SOM) plays a key role with regards to soil fertility and production sustainability. The main objective of this study was to understand and model SOM decomposition dynamics under an industrial eucalyptus plantation, in relation with environmental factors and silvicultural practices. Combining isotopic tracing (in natural abundance of 13C for a savannah/eucalyptus land use change and in enrichment with 15N) and particle-size fractionation enabled us to follow the fate of mineral and organic nitrogen inputs. Decomposition experiments using 15N labelled-litter, which were designed and tested in European beech forests and reproduced in the Congo, helped elaborate and calibrate a continuous evolution model of SOM carbon and nitrogen.
Stacking of G-quadruplexes: NMR structure of a G-rich oligonucleotide with potential anti-HIV and anticancer activity†

G-rich oligonucleotides T30695 (or T30923), with the sequence of (GGGT)4, and T40214, with the sequence of (GGGC)4, have been reported to exhibit anti-HIV and anticancer activity. Here we report on the structure of a dimeric G-quadruplex adopted by a derivative of these sequences in K+ solution. It comprises two identical propeller-type parallel-stranded G-quadruplex subunits each containing three G-tetrad layers that are stacked via the 5′-5′ interface. We demonstrated control over the stacking of the two monomeric subunits by sequence modifications. Our analysis of possible structures at the stacking interface provides a general principle for stacking of G-quadruplexes, which could have implications for the assembly and recognition of higher-order G-quadruplex structures.
The Epithelial Sodium Channel

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) was cloned just 10 years ago. Since that time, the study of human monogenic diseases (pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 [PHA-1] and Liddle syndrome), as well as mouse models mimicking salt-losing syndromes (PHA-1) or salt-sensitive hypertension (Liddle syndrome), have greatly contributed to our understanding of the function of ENaC in vivo. In this brief review, I will first discuss ENaC as a limiting factor in the control of ionic composition of the extracellular fluid and then, more specifically, the activation of ENaC by membrane-bound serine proteases. Recent in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that membrane-bound serine proteases (channel activating proteases [CAP-1, -2, or-3]) may be of critical importance in the activation of ENaC in different organs, such as the kidney, the lung or the cochlea.
Biosecurity

What is biosecurity? Biosecurity includes those set of management practices that pre‐ vent disease from entering the farm or ranch or prevent disease from being transmitted between animals. When you look at a cow‐ calf ranch, the extensive nature of the range the cattle inhabit can make the thought of biosecurity impractical. However, even large ranches can implement some disease prevention practices to re‐ duce the risks for their cattle. We think that if we keep cattle vaccinated, we can increase their resistance and prevent any disease problems. However, pathogens can overwhelm or even evade the immune system (Srikumaran et al., 2007). Nevertheless, there are certain things we can do to help reduce a herd’s exposure to the agents that cause bovine respira‐ tory disease (BRD), regardless of the extent of the range.
The Case for Huge Earthquakes

We generally assume that the limiting magnitudes of future earthquakes can be inferred from the length of mapped faults or fault segments. This assumption is based on empirical observations relating earthquake magnitude with fault length or fault area. This assumption is in conflict with seismological observations and other reasonable assumptions, namely the conservation of seismic moment and the stationarity of earthquake occurrence. In many regions, the rate of earthquakes required to explain the observed seismic moment rate exceeds the historic rate, if the earthquake magnitudes are limited by fault length. The rare occurrence of huge earthquakes (moment magnitude of 8 or greater) could resolve the conflict by providing the moment rate without the need for an excessive rate of “ordinary” large earthquakes. One magnitude 8 earthquake releases the seismic moment of about 30 magnitude 7's. On average, the huge earthquake may even do less damage than the many large ones, although the damage.
A Maturity Model for Sustainability in New Product Development

OVERVIEW: This article describes the development of a maturity model for assessing and guiding R&D organizations in creating innovative sustainable products and services that drive growth. While sustainability in the broadest sense includes people, planet, and profit, the opportunities for R&D and new product development (NPD) organizations to influence sustainability are typically focused on the environmental aspects of sustainability. Therefore, the maturity model developed in this work focuses primarily on environmental sustainability. The assessment tool allows a company to benchmark itself as it progresses along the maturity continuum from beginning through improving, succeeding, and leading. The sustainability maturity model and assessment tool can be used by teams or individuals to benchmark progress on the journey to integrate sustainability into NPD for competitive advantage. The model was validated using data gathered from 20 companies and by comparing this model with other sustainability ranking systems.