An Architecture for Information Commerce Systems

The increasing use of the Internet in business and commerce has created a number of new business opportunities and the need for supporting models and platforms. One of these opportunities is information commerce (i-commerce), a special case of ecommerce focused on the purchase and sale of information as a commodity. In this paper we present an architecture for i-commerce systems using OPELIX (Open Personalized Electronic Information Commerce System) [11] as an example. OPELIX provides an open information commerce platform that enables enterprises to produce, sell, deliver, and manage information products and related services over the Internet. We focus on the notion of information marketplace, a virtual location that enables i-commerce, describe the business and domain model for an information marketplace, and discuss the role of intermediaries in this environment. The domain model is used as the basis for the software architecture of the OPELIX system. We discuss the characteristics of the OPELIX architecture and compare our approach to related work in the field

Isoscape of amount-weighted annual mean precipitation tritium (3H) activity from 1976 to 2017 for the Adriatic–Pannonian region – AP3H_v1 database

Tritium (3H) as a constituent of the water molecule is an important natural tracer in hydrological sciences. The anthropogenic tritium introduced into the atmosphere unintentionally became an excellent tracer of processes on a time scale of up to 100 years. A prerequisite for tritium applications is to know the distribution of tritium activity in precipitation. Here we present a database of isoscapes derived from 41 stations for amount-weighted annual mean tritium activity in precipitation for the period 1976 to 2017 on spatially continuous interpolated 1 km × 1 km grids for the Adriatic–Pannonian region (called the AP3H_v1 database), with a special focus on post-2010 years, which are not represented by existing global models. Five stations were used for out-of-sample evaluation of the model performance, independently confirming its capability of reproducing the spatiotemporal tritium variability in the region. The AP3H database is capable of providing reliable spatiotemporal input for hydrogeological application at any place within Slovenia, Hungary, and their surroundings.Results also show a decrease in the average spatial representativity of the stations regarding tritium activity in precipitation from∼440 km in 1970s, when bomb tritium still prevailed in precipitation, to∼235 km in the2010s. The post-2010 isoscapes can serve as benchmarks for background tritium activity for the region, helping to determine potential future local increases in technogenic tritium from these backgrounds. The gridded tritium isoscape is available in NetCDF-4 at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.896938 (Kern et al., 2019)

Phase separated ribosome-nascent chain complexes in genotoxic stress response

Assemblysomes are EDTA- and RNase-resistant ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes of paused ribosomes with protruding nascent polypeptide chains. They have been described in yeast and human cells for the proteasome subunit Rpt1, and the disordered N-terminal part of the nascent chain was found to be indispensable for the accumulation of the Rpt1-RNP into assemblysomes. Motivated by this, to find other assemblysome-associated RNPs we used bioinformatics to rank subunits of Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein complexes according to their N-terminal disorder propensity. The results revealed that gene products involved in DNA repair are enriched among the top candidates. The Sgs1 DNA helicase was chosen for experimental validation. We found that indeed nascent chains of Sgs1 form EDTA-resistant RNP condensates, assemblysomes by definition. Moreover, upon exposure to UV, SGS1 mRNA shifted from assemblysomes to polysomes, suggesting that external stimuli are regulators of assemblysome dynamics. We extended our studies to human cell lines. The BLM helicase, ortholog of yeast Sgs1, was identified upon sequencing assemblysome-associated RNAs from the MCF7 human breast cancer cell line, and mRNAs encoding DNA repair proteins were overall enriched. Using the radiation-resistant A549 cell line, we observed by transmission electron microscopy that 1,6-hexanediol, an agent known to disrupt phase-separated condensates, depletes ring ribosome structures compatible with assemblysomes from the cytoplasm of cells and makes the cells more sensitive to X-ray treatment. Taken together these findings suggest that assemblysomes may be a component of the DNA damage response from yeast to human

Despite its sequence identity with canonical H4, Drosophila H4r product is enriched at specific chromatin regions

Histone variants are different from their canonical counterparts in structure and are encoded by solitary genes with unique regulation to fulfill tissue or differentiation specific functions. A single H4 variant gene (His4r or H4r) that is located outside of the histone cluster and gives rise to a polyA tailed messenger RNA via replication-independent expression is preserved in Drosophila strains despite that its protein product is identical with canonical H4. In order to reveal information on the possible role of this alternative H4 we epitope tagged endogenous H4r and studied its spatial and temporal expression, and revealed its genome-wide localization to chromatin at the nucleosomal level. RNA and immunohistochemistry analysis of H4r expressed under its cognate regulation indicate expression of the gene throughout zygotic and larval development and presence of the protein product is evident already in the pronuclei of fertilized eggs. In the developing nervous system a slight disequibrium in H4r distribution is observable, cholinergic neurons are the most abundant among H4r-expressing cells. ChIP-seq experiments revealed H4r association with regulatory regions of genes involved in cellular stress response. The data presented here indicate that H4r has a variant histone function

Characterization of Neurons Expressing the Novel Analgesic Drug Target Somatostatin Receptor 4 in Mouse and Human Brains

Somatostatin is an important mood and pain-regulating neuropeptide, which exerts analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant effects via its Gi protein-coupled receptor subtype 4 (SST4) without endocrine actions. SST4 is suggested to be a unique novel drug target for chronic neuropathic pain, and depression, as a common comorbidity. However, its neuronal expression and cellular mechanism are poorly understood. Therefore, our goals were (i) to elucidate the expression pattern of Sstr4/SSTR4 mRNA, (ii) to characterize neurochemically, and (iii) electrophysiologically the Sstr4/SSTR4-expressing neuronal populations in the mouse and human brains. Here, we describe SST4 expression pattern in the nuclei of the mouse nociceptive and anti-nociceptive pathways as well as in human brain regions, and provide neurochemical and electrophysiological characterization of the SST4-expressing neurons. Intense or moderate SST4 expression was demonstrated predominantly in glutamatergic neurons in the major components of the pain matrix mostly also involved in mood regulation. The SST4 agonist J-2156 significantly decreased the firing rate of layer V pyramidal neurons by augmenting the depolarization-activated, non-inactivating K+ current (M-current) leading to remarkable inhibition. These are the first translational results explaining the mechanisms of action of SST4 agonists as novel analgesic and antidepressant candidates

Predictive Potential of RNA Polymerase B (II) Subunit 1 (RPB1) Cytoplasmic Aggregation for Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Failure

We aimed to investigate the contribution of co-translational protein aggregation to the chemotherapy resistance of tumor cells. Increased co-translational protein aggregation reflects altered translation regulation that may have the potential to buffer transcription under genotoxic stress. As an indicator for such an event, we followed the cytoplasmic aggregation of RPB1, the aggregation-prone largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, in biopsy samples taken from patients with invasive carcinoma of no special type. RPB1 frequently aggregates co-translationally in the absence of proper HSP90 chaperone function or in ribosome mutant cells as revealed formerly in yeast. We found that cytoplasmic foci of RPB1 occur in larger sizes in tumors that showed no regression after therapy. Based on these results, we propose that monitoring the cytoplasmic aggregation of RPB1 may be suitable for determining—from biopsy samples taken before treatment—the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Poly(amino acid) based fibrous membranes with tuneable in vivo biodegradation

In this work two types of biodegradable polysuccinimide-based, electrospun fibrous membranes are presented. One contains disulfide bonds exhibiting a shorter (3 days) in vivo biodegradation time, while the other one has alkyl crosslinks and a longer biodegradation time (more than 7 days). According to the mechanical measurements, the tensile strength of the membranes is comparable to those of soft the connective tissues and visceral tissues. Furthermore, the suture retention test suggests, that the membranes would withstand surgical handling and in vivo fixation. The in vivo biocompatibility study demonstrates how membranes undergo in vivo hydrolysis and by the 3rd day they become poly(aspartic acid) fibrous membranes, which can be then enzymatically degraded. After one week, the disulfide crosslinked membranes almost completely degrade, while the alkyl-chain crosslinked ones mildly lose their integrity as the surrounding tissue invades them. Histopathology revealed mild acute inflammation, which diminished to a minimal level after seven days

Significant benefits of AIP testing and clinical screening in familial isolated and young-onset pituitary tumors

Context Germline mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene are responsible for a subset of familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) cases and sporadic pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs). Objective To compare prospectively diagnosed AIP mutation-positive (AIPmut) PitNET patients with clinically presenting patients and to compare the clinical characteristics of AIPmut and AIPneg PitNET patients. Design 12-year prospective, observational study. Participants & Setting We studied probands and family members of FIPA kindreds and sporadic patients with disease onset ≤18 years or macroadenomas with onset ≤30 years (n = 1477). This was a collaborative study conducted at referral centers for pituitary diseases. Interventions & Outcome AIP testing and clinical screening for pituitary disease. Comparison of characteristics of prospectively diagnosed (n = 22) vs clinically presenting AIPmut PitNET patients (n = 145), and AIPmut (n = 167) vs AIPneg PitNET patients (n = 1310). Results Prospectively diagnosed AIPmut PitNET patients had smaller lesions with less suprasellar extension or cavernous sinus invasion and required fewer treatments with fewer operations and no radiotherapy compared with clinically presenting cases; there were fewer cases with active disease and hypopituitarism at last follow-up. When comparing AIPmut and AIPneg cases, AIPmut patients were more often males, younger, more often had GH excess, pituitary apoplexy, suprasellar extension, and more patients required multimodal therapy, including radiotherapy. AIPmut patients (n = 136) with GH excess were taller than AIPneg counterparts (n = 650). Conclusions Prospectively diagnosed AIPmut patients show better outcomes than clinically presenting cases, demonstrating the benefits of genetic and clinical screening. AIP-related pituitary disease has a wide spectrum ranging from aggressively growing lesions to stable or indolent disease course

Közös lónak valóban túros a háta?! – avagy a magyar géphasználati együttműködések vizsgálatának néhány tapasztalata

Empíriák sora azt mutatja, hogy a magyar mezőgazdaságban a gazdálkodók közötti együttműködési aktivitás meglehetősen alacsony, ugyanakkor az ágazat jelenlegi helyzetét értékelve, arra rendkívül nagy szükség lenne. E problémához kapcsolódva, a tanulmány a morális kockázat hatását elemzi a szántóföldi növénytermelő gazdaságok géphasználati együttműködéseiben. Az új intézményi közgazdaságtan, s azon belül főként az ügynökelmélet biztosította elméleti hátteret felhasználva, abba a Sholtes-féle bizalommegközelítést integrálva, statisztikai „útmodellek” felhasználásával végeztük kutatásunkat. A vizsgálatok adatbázisát egy, a békés megyei gazdálkodók körében végzett felmérés adta. Az empirikus kutatás eredményei azt mutatják, hogy a gazdálkodók közötti együttműködési kapcsolatokban a morális kockázat jelen van, vagyis a gazdálkodók rendelkeznek kooperációból származó negatív tapasztalatokkal, de ennek nagysága relatíve nem jelentős. A statisztikai vizsgálatok igazolták, hogy a morális kockázat negatívan hat az együttműködési aktivitásra, amely hatás két részre bontható: a direkt hatás mellett kimutatható egy indirekt hatás is, azaz a morális kockázat a bizalom rombolásán keresztül is képes csökkenteni a gazdálkodók együttműködési hajlandóságát. Az eredmények továbbá arra is rámutattak, hogy a napjainkban tapasztalható alacsony kooperációs aktivitás csak kis mértékben magyarázható a morális kockázat jelenlétével, vagyis a „közös ló háta nem feltétlen túros”! Kiegészítő vizsgálatok során elvégeztük a Sholtes-féle bizalommodell empirikus tesztelését is. A tapasztalatok szerint az elméleti modell, amely a bizalmat a partner lojalitásába és képességébe vetett hitre vezeti vissza, alapvetően helytálló. Megerősítést nyert az a tétel, mely szerint a partnerek között akkor alakul ki magas szintű bizalom, amennyiben mind a lojalitásba, mind pedig a képességbe vetett hit magas értékeket vesz fel. A kutatás feltárta ugyanakkor, hogy a partnerek közötti bizalom szintjét az említett két tényező eltérő mértékben determinálja: a lojalitásba vetett hit hatása statisztikailag igazolhatóan nagyobb.-----------------Numerous experiences illustrate that the cooperation activity among farmers is rather low in Hungarian agriculture, although – by evaluating the current situation of the sector – it would be extremely necessary. In connection with this problem this paper analyses the impact of moral hazard in the machinery sharing arrangements of field crop farms. The research was made on the basis of the theoretical background provided by the new institutional economics, including mostly the agency theory and integrating the Sholtes approach of trust as well as by using statistical “waymodels”. The database of our research was a survey made among farmers in Békés county. The results of the empirical research confirm that the moral hazard exists in the partnership among farmers, which means that the farmers have some negative experiences concerning cooperation but its volume is relatively insignificant. We have shown by statistical analysis that the moral hazard negatively affects the cooperation activity. This effect can be divided into two parts: a direct and a traceable indirect impact, so the moral hazard can reduce the cooperation willingness of farmers by undermining trust, too. Our results have also underlined that the currently low cooperation activity is only slightly due to the existence of moral hazard, that is “the common horse is not necessarily the worst shod”! The empirical testing of Sholtes trust-model was made in the frames of complementary examinations. It was concluded that the theoretical model, which leads the trust back to the faith in the loyalty and competence of partners, is basically correct. That thesis was also confirmed according to which high-level trust is formed among partners if both the faith in loyalty and competence has high values. Our research, however, has revealed that the level of trust among partners is differently affected by the above mentioned two factors: it is statistically shown that the effect of faith in loyalty is stronger