Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating models of community psychology: Social transformation in South Africa

Tricket (1996) described community psychology in terms of contexts of diversity within a diversity of contexts. As abstract representations of reality, various community psychological models provide further diverse contexts through which to view the diversity of community psychological reality.The Zululand Community Psychology Project is a South African initiative aimed at improving community life. This includes treating the violent sequelae of the unjust Apartheid system through improving relationships among communities divided in terms of historical, colonial, racial, ethnic, political, gender, and other boundaries as well as promoting health and social change. The aim of this article is to evaluate the applicability of various models of community psychology used in this project.The initial quantitative investigation in the Zululand Community Psychology Project involved five coresearchers, who evaluated five community psychology models —the mental health, social action, organizational, ecological, and phenomenological models—in terms of their differential applicability in three partnership centers, representing health, education, and business sectors of the local community. In all three contexts, the models were rank ordered by a representative of each center, an intern community psychologist, and his supervisor in terms of the models’ respective applicability to the particular partnership center concerned. Results indicated significant agreement with regard to the differential applicability of the mental health, phenomenological, and organizational models in the health, education, and business centers respectively, with the social action model being most generally applicable across all centers. This led to a further qualitative individual and focus group investigation with eight university coresearchers into the experience of social transformation with special reference to social changes needed in the South African context. These social transformation experiences and perceived changes needed are explicated.Finally, there is discussion with regard to the evaluation of various models of community psychology in international perspective.
Improved photon detection efficiency of single photon avalanche diodes with buried layer structure

A single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) device with deep P-well is proposed, which is protected by surrounding P-implantation layer, P buried layer and P+ buried layer. The P+ buried layer of this SPAD device has great help to enhance the uniformity of electric field in avalanche multiplication region. The primary contribution of the P buried layer is to improve the electric field at the edge. Therefore, the two buried layer of the SPAD device have contributed to the improvement of photon detection efficiency (PDE). With deep P-well instead of deep N-well, the parasitic competing p-n junction of traditional SPAD can be eliminated to improve PDE. A modeling and simulation method is applied by using some important parameters which is obtained by TCAD simulator SILVACO to predict the performance of PDE and DCR. Model calculation shows that this SPAD achieves a high peak PDE of 34%, while its dark count rates (DCR) is below 87Hz at 3V excess bias voltage in room temperature.
Inhibition of protein kinase C phosphorylation of hepatitis B virus capsids inhibits virion formation and causes intracellular capsid accumulation

Capsids of hepatitis B virus and other hepadnaviruses contain a cellular protein kinase, which phosphorylates the capsid protein. Some phosphorylation sites are shown to be essential for distinct steps of viral replication as pregenome packaging or plus strand DNA synthesis. Although different protein kinases have been reported to phosphorylate the capsid protein, varying experimental approaches do not allow direct comparison. Furthermore, the activity of a specific protein kinase has not yet been correlated to steps in the hepadnaviral life cycle. In this study we show that capsids from various sources encapsidate active protein kinase Cα, irrespective of hepatitis B virus genotype and host cell. Treatment of a virion expressing cell line with a pseudosubstrate inhibitor showed that inhibition of protein kinase C phosphorylation did not affect genome maturation but resulted in capsid accumulation and inhibited virion release to the medium. Our results imply that different protein kinases have distinct functions within the hepadnaviral life cycle.
Long-Term Outcomes After Overlapping Sphincteroplasty for Cloacal-Like Deformities.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to report subjective, long-term outcomes and describe patient demographics, presenting symptoms, perioperative management, and complications after overlapping sphincteroplasty repair for chronic fourth-degree lacerations (cloacal-like deformities). METHODS In this retrospective study, hospital records were reviewed for women who underwent overlapping anal sphincteroplasty for a cloacal-like deformity of the perineum at a single institution from 1996 to 2013. Details including patient demographics, presenting symptoms, perioperative management, and complications were abstracted from the medical record. As a follow-up, subjects were contacted by telephone and were administered the validated Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire to assess anal continence status and anal incontinence-related quality of life since the time of surgery. RESULTS Of 57 women who underwent an anal sphincteroplasty within the study period, 29 met inclusion criteria. Median parity was 3 (range, 1-7) and 24.5% reported a history of forceps or vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery. Presenting symptoms included fecal incontinence (58.6%), flatal incontinence (41%), sexual dysfunction (20.7%), and poor body self-image (3.4%). Thirteen (45%) women could be contacted by telephone and all agreed to participate. Overall, 46.2% of the 13 women who completed the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire reported some form anal of incontinence, whereas 53.8% reported complete continence at a mean follow-up of 7.0 ± 3.6 years. Perioperative morbidity was uncommon, and postoperative antibiotics were used in 75.9% of cases for a median duration of 8.8 ± 3.3 days. CONCLUSIONS Perioperative morbidity after overlapping sphincteroplasty for cloacal-like deformities after obstetrical injury is rare. Although long-term complete anal continence may be difficult to achieve in all cases, good quality of life measures and low symptom severity were noted at a mean interval of 7 years after surgery.
Cell wall biochemical alterations during Agrobacterium‐mediated expression of haemagglutinin‐based influenza virus‐like vaccine particles in tobacco

Summary Influenza virus‐like particles (VLPs) have been shown to induce a safe and potent immune response through both humoral and cellular responses. They represent promising novel influenza vaccines. Plant‐based biotechnology allows for the large‐scale production of VLPs of biopharmaceutical interest using different model organisms, including Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Through this platform, influenza VLPs bud from the plasma membrane and accumulate between the membrane and the plant cell wall. To design and optimize efficient production processes, a better understanding of the plant cell wall composition of infiltrated tobacco leaves is a major interest for the plant biotechnology industry. In this study, we have investigated the alteration of the biochemical composition of the cell walls of N. benthamiana leaves subjected to abiotic and biotic stresses induced by the Agrobacterium‐mediated transient transformation and the resulting high expression levels of influenza VLPs. Results show that abiotic stress due to vacuum infiltration without Agrobacterium did not induce any detectable modification of the leaf cell wall when compared to non infiltrated leaves. In contrast, various chemical changes of the leaf cell wall were observed post‐Agrobacterium infiltration. Indeed, Agrobacterium infection induced deposition of callose and lignin, modified the pectin methylesterification and increased both arabinosylation of RG‐I side chains and the expression of arabinogalactan proteins. Moreover, these modifications were slightly greater in plants expressing haemagglutinin‐based VLP than in plants infiltrated with the Agrobacterium strain containing only the p19 suppressor of silencing.
Vitreous induces heme oxygenase-1 expression mediated by transforming growth factor-β and reactive oxygen species generation in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Purpose When human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells come in contact with vitreous, they undergo changes in gene expression that include inflammatory and anti-oxidant responses. The effects of vitreous on expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), metallothionein (MT) -1a and -2a, and c-fos were investigated. Activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding sites are located in the promoter region of HO-1 and MT genes and the effects of vitreous on c-fos activity were investigated. Methods Low passage cultures of human RPE cells were grown in the presence or absence of vitreous or transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The expression of HO-1 and MTs was measured by real time PCR and, in the case of HO-1, by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Specific inhibitors were used to investigate possible signaling pathways. The effect of vitreous on activation of AP-1 transcription factor was determined by immunoblotting, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, or immunofluorescence microscopy. Results Incubation of RPE cells with vitreous resulted in increased expression of HO-1, MT-1a and MT-2a. TGF-β caused an increase in HO-1 expression, although not to the extent mediated by vitreous, but had little effect on MT expression. Addition of inhibitors of TGF-β signaling (SB431542 or TGF-β-neutralizing antibodies) decreased the vitreous induction of HO-1. Several reactive oxygen species (ROS) quenchers inhibited the TGF-β-induced or vitreous-induced elevation of HO-1 mRNA but had no effect on vitreous-mediated induction of MT expression. Inhibitors of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK; SB203580) and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK; SP600125) pathways inhibited vitreous-induction of HO-1. C-fos, a component of AP-1 transcription factor complexes, exhibited increased expression and activation in the presence of vitreous. Conclusions TGF-β, a known component of vitreous, can account for some but not all of the regulation of the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory HO-1 gene in human RPE cells, but it does not participate in the vitreous-mediated upregulation of MTs. Both vitreous and TGF-β signals increased HO-1 expression via ROS but the latter were not involved in vitreous-mediated MT expression. Increased p38, JNK, and c-fos activation may be implicated in vitreous modulation of HO-1.
Phosphoproteomics of the goat milk fat globule membrane: New insights into lipid droplet secretion from the mammary epithelial cell

Mechanisms of milk lipid secretion are highly controversial. Analyzing the fine protein composition of the “milk fat globule membrane” (MFGM), the triple‐layered membrane surrounding milk lipid droplets (LDs) can provide mechanistic clues to better understand LD biosynthesis and secretion pathways in mammary epithelial cells (MECs). We therefore combined a high‐sensitive Q‐Exactive LC‐MS/MS analysis of MFGM‐derived peptides to the use of an in‐house database intended to improve protein identification in the goat species. Using this approach, we performed the identification of 442 functional groups of proteins in the MFGM from goat milk. To get a more dynamic view of intracellular mechanisms driving LD dynamics in the MECs, we decided to investigate for the first time whether MFGM proteins were phosphorylated. MFGM proteins were sequentially digested by lysine‐C and trypsin proteases and the resulting peptides were fractionated by a strong cation exchange chromatography. Titanium beads were used to enrich phosphopeptides from strong cation exchange chromatography eluted fractions. This approach lets us pinpoint 271 sites of phosphorylation on 124 unique goat MFGM proteins. Enriched GO terms associated with phosphorylated MFGM proteins were protein transport and actin cytoskeleton organization. Gained data are discussed with regard to lipid secretory mechanisms in the MECs. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001039 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001039).
Segmented corpus callosum diffusivity correlates with the Expanded Disability Status Scale score in the early stages of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the microscopic damage to the corpus callosum in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with diffusion tensor imaging and to investigate the correlation of this damage with disability. The diffusion tensor imaging parameters of fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity provide information about the integrity of cell membranes, offering two more specific indices, namely the axial and radial diffusivities, which are useful for discriminating axon loss from demyelination. METHOD: Brain magnetic resonance imaging exams of 30 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were acquired in a 3T scanner. The axial diffusivities, radial diffusivities, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity of five segments of the corpus callosum, correlated to the Expanded Disability Status Scale score, were obtained. RESULTS: All corpus callosum segments showed increased radial diffusivities and mean diffusivity, as well as decreased fractional anisotropy, in the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis group. The axial diffusivity was increased in the posterior midbody and splenium. The Expanded Disability Status Scale scores correlated more strongly with axial diffusivities and mean diffusivity, with an isolated correlation with radial diffusivities in the posterior midbody of the corpus callosum. There was no significant correlation with lesion loads. CONCLUSION: Neurological dysfunction in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis can be influenced by commissural disconnection, and the diffusion indices of diffusion tensor imaging are potential biomarkers of disability that can be assessed during follow-up.
Duration of shoot elongation in Scots pine varies within the crown and between years.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Shoot elongation in boreal and temperate trees typically follows a sigmoid pattern where the onset and cessation of growth are related to accumulated effective temperature (thermal time). Previous studies on leader shoots suggest that while the maximum daily growth rate depends on the availability of resources to the shoot, the duration of the growth period may be an adaptation to long-term temperature conditions. However, other results indicate that the growth period may be longer in faster growing lateral shoots with higher availability of resources. This study investigates the interactions between the rate of elongation and the duration of the growth period in units of thermal time in lateral shoots of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). METHODS Length development of 202 lateral shoots were measured approximately three times per week during seven growing seasons in 2-5 trees per year in a mature stand and in three trees during one growing season in a sapling stand. A dynamic shoot growth model was adapted for the analysis to determine (1) the maximum growth rate and (2) the thermal time reached at growth completion. The relationship between those two parameters and its variation between trees and years was analysed using linear mixed models. KEY RESULTS The shoots with higher maximum growth rate within a crown continued to grow for a longer period in any one year. Higher July-August temperature of the previous summer implied a higher requirement of thermal time for growth completion. CONCLUSIONS The results provide evidence that the requirement of thermal time for completion of lateral shoot extension in Scots pine may interact with resource availability to the shoot both from year to year and among shoots in a crown each year. If growing season temperatures rise in the future, this will affect not only the rate of shoot growth but its duration also.
Neogene Paleomagnetic Study of the Western Baicheng Depression: Implications for the Intensified Deformation of Tian Shan Since the Latest Miocene

The fold‐and‐thrust belts in the southern forelands of Tian Shan were tectonically deformed as a result of intracontinental deformation in response to the India‐Asia collision; therefore, they are essential for understanding tectonic evolution and basinward propagation of the Tian Shan Range. Although the reactivation of Tian Shan has long been studied, when and how this deformation was initiated and propagated are still controversial. In this study, we present new paleomagnetic results, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, tectonic rotations, and interpretations of subsurface seismic images on the Kalayuergun Structural Belt, western Baicheng Depression. Our new results suggest that the deformation of the Kalayuergun Structural Belt initiated at ~5.3 Ma and became young southeasterly, indicating that the deformation reached to the study area in the latest Miocene and propagated basinward progressively since then. The clockwise rotations, about half amounts of which must have been occurred at around ~5.3 Ma, can be linked to the activity of the Kalayuergun dextral strike‐slip fault on the western end of the anticline. Combined with previous results around Tian Shan, we suggest that the long range has been subjected to an episode of intensified tectonic deformation since the latest Miocene, which was caused by the accelerated northward motion of the Tarim Block and Pamir in response to the India‐Asia collision.
Hydropathic evolution of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase glycoproteins of A(H1N1 and H3N2) viruses

More virulent strains of influenza virus subtypes H1N1 appeared in 2007 and H3N2 in 2011. The amino acid differences from prior less virulent strains appear to be small when tabulated through sequence alignments and counting site identities and similarities. Here we show how analyzing fractal hydropathic forces responsible for globular compaction and modularity quantifies the mutational origins of increased virulence, and also analyzes receptor sites and N-linked glycan accretion.
Protective Roles for RGS2 in a Mouse Model of House Dust Mite-Induced Airway Inflammation

The GTPase-accelerating protein, regulator of G-protein signalling 2 (RGS2) reduces signalling from G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that signal via Gαq. In humans, RGS2 expression is up-regulated by inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) and long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonists (LABAs) such that synergy is produced in combination. This may contribute to the superior clinical efficacy of ICS/LABA therapy in asthma relative to ICS alone. In a murine model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced airways inflammation, three weeks of intranasal HDM (25 μg, 3×/week) reduced lung function and induced granulocytic airways inflammation. Compared to wild type animals, Rgs2-/- mice showed airways hyperresponsiveness (increased airways resistance and reduced compliance). While HDM increased pulmonary inflammation observed on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, there was no difference between wild type and Rgs2-/- animals. HDM-induced mucus hypersecretion was also unaffected by RGS2 deficiency. However, inflammatory cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of Rgs2-/- animals were significantly increased (57%) compared to wild type animals and this correlated with increased granulocyte (neutrophil and eosinophil) numbers. Likewise, cytokine and chemokine (IL4, IL17, IL5, LIF, IL6, CSF3, CXCLl, CXCL10 and CXCL11) release was increased by HDM exposure. Compared to wild type, Rgs2-/- animals showed a trend towards increased expression for many cytokines/chemokines, with CCL3, CCL11, CXCL9 and CXCL10 being significantly enhanced. As RGS2 expression was unaffected by HDM exposure, these data indicate that RGS2 exerts tonic bronchoprotection in HDM-induced airways inflammation. Modest anti-inflammatory and anti-remodelling roles for RGS2 are also suggested. If translatable to humans, therapies that maximize RGS2 expression may prove advantageous.
Opaque interactions between vowel merger and metaphony

Metaphony is a common process in most Italo-Romance varieties, whereby an unstressed high vowel inﬂec-tional su (cid:14) x causes raising of a stressed root vowel. In some varieties, metaphony interacts with a process in which phonetic contrast among a set of su (cid:14) xes neutralizes ( i.e. vowel merger). This paper develops a parallel analysis of two opaque interactions between vowel merger and metaphony in Turbidity Theory, a model assuming containment, combined with privative features and maximal economy in the representation of segments. The basic idea is that metaphony in opaque environments is computed synchronically as a non-local licensing condition of a feature [high] only if it is underlyingly present. On the one hand, overapplication of metaphony is due to prohibiting the realization of a feature [high] lexically linked to a su (cid:14) x, which needs to be licensed non-locally by associating it with a stressed vowel. On the other hand, underapplication of metaphony is due to insertion of a feature [high] in non-low su (cid:14) xes, which does not need to be licensed because it is not lexical.
A Novel Predicted Calcium-Regulated Kinase Family Implicated in Neurological Disorders

The catalogues of protein kinases, the essential effectors of cellular signaling, have been charted in Metazoan genomes for a decade now. Yet, surprisingly, using bioinformatics tools, we predicted protein kinase structure for proteins coded by five related human genes and their Metazoan homologues, the FAM69 family. Analysis of three-dimensional structure models and conservation of the classic catalytic motifs of protein kinases present in four out of five human FAM69 proteins suggests they might have retained catalytic phosphotransferase activity. An EF-hand Ca2+-binding domain in FAM69A and FAM69B proteins, inserted within the structure of the kinase domain, suggests they may function as Ca2+-dependent kinases. The FAM69 genes, FAM69A, FAM69B, FAM69C, C3ORF58 (DIA1) and CXORF36 (DIA1R), are by large uncharacterised molecularly, yet linked to several neurological disorders in genetics studies. The C3ORF58 gene is found deleted in autism, and resides in the Golgi. Unusually high cysteine content and presence of signal peptides in some of the family members suggest that FAM69 proteins may be involved in phosphorylation of proteins in the secretory pathway and/or of extracellular proteins.