Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Characterization of Bacillus subtilis Phage from Soil Cultivated with Liquorices Root

One virulent phage specific to Bacillus Subtilis was isolated from soil cultivated with liquorices root in Matruh governorate, Cairo, Egypt. The B. subtilis phage isolate produced 0.13 cm diameter circular plaques; turbid and without central zone. In vitro determination of thermal inactivation point (TIP), dilution end point (DEP) and longevity in vitro (LIV) were found to be 68°C/10 min, 10 and 96 hrs, respectively. B. subtilis phage 4 isolate has a narrow host range and infected only the B. subtilis. Transmission electron microscopy examination showed that the purified phage is a tailed, isometric shape and the diameter was 59 nm. In protein pattern characterization of purified B. subtilis phage isolate showed 8 structural proteins with different molecular weights when compared with protein marker. In RAPD-PCR, only eight primers succeeded to generate polymorphic DNA products. Thirty five bands were unique polymorphism with all primer used and twenty three bands were monomorphic.
Pulmonary impedance in dogs measured by forced random noise with a retrograde catheter.

Retrograde catheter and forced random noise techniques were combined to study the distribution of resistance and compliance in dogs following the inhalation of aerosols containing 2.5 and 5.0 mg/ml of histamine. Mean base-line peripheral resistance was 0.367 cmH2O . l-1 . s, agreeing with previous estimates. After correction for the endotracheal tube, the mean central airway resistance was 0.040 cmH2O . l-1 . s, considerably lower than previous estimates. This discrepancy was attributed to an overcorrection for the endotracheal tube resistance. The lower histamine dose caused a substantial increase in peripheral resistance, a relatively small increase in central resistance, and substantial decreases in total and peripheral compliance. After the higher histamine dose, changes in peripheral resistance and both compliances were similar to those obtained with the lower dose; however, the increase in central resistance was much larger than at the lower dose. The difference between total and peripheral compliance yielded estimates of airway compliance of 0.00306 l/cmH2O before and 0.00104 l/cmH2O after 2.5 mg/ml of histamine.
Practices and knowledge of schoolchildren regarding chhaalia/paan masala in Mahmoodabad and Chanesar Goth, Karachi.

OBJECTIVE To determine the practices and knowledge about chhaalia and paan masala chewing among school children in Mahmoodabad and Chanesar Goth, Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in three government schools of Mahmoodabad and Chanesar Goth, Jamshed Town, Karachi. Students of either gender were interviewed using a pre-coded structured questionnaire. In addition to the demographic data, questions included frequency of use, practices among friends and family and procurement of these substances. Knowledge about harmful effects, source of the knowledge and practices in relation to knowledge were also assessed. RESULTS A total of 370 students, ages between 10 to 15 years were interviewed, of which 205 (55.4%) were boys. Thirty one percent of fathers and 62% of mothers were uneducated. The frequency of using chhaalia was 94% and that of paan masala was 73.8%, with 85% being regular users and 95% had friends with similar habits. Majority (88%) procured the substances near their homes, chhaalia was considered harmful for health by 96% and Paan Masala by 60% of the students. The commonest reason for continuing use was good taste (88.5%) followed by company of friends (57%). Knowledge about harmful effects was adequate in both "daily" and "less than daily users". CONCLUSION The frequency of chhaalia and paan masala chewing, among school children in lower socio-economic areas is high. The probable reasons might be the taste, widespread use of these substances by family members and friends, low cost and easy availability. Although knowledge about harmful effects of these habits was adequate, but very little students knew about Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF).
Executive function and genetic predisposition to schizophrenia—the Maudsley family study

Executive cognitive impairment has been found in families affected by schizophrenia and is a putative endophenotype. We wished to explore its genetic basis further by studying the association between impairment and genetic loading for schizophrenia. We studied 30 schizophrenia patients with a family history of schizophrenia, 53 of their nonpsychotic first‐degree relatives (familial), 32 patients with schizophrenia but no known family history of psychosis, 52 of their first‐degree relatives (nonfamilial), and 47 normal controls. They were tested using the National Adult Reading Test (NART), Trails A and B, Verbal fluency tasks, and a computerized version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Familial, but not nonfamilial, relatives were impaired on NART, letter fluency, Trails B, and WCST total errors. They were inferior to nonfamilial relatives on letter fluency and Trails A. Both sets of relatives were impaired on Trails B controlling for Trails A, and on WCST categories achieved. There were no significant differences between schizophrenia patients with and without a family history. Our results suggest that executive deficits qualitatively similar to those seen in those with schizophrenia reflect familial susceptibility, even taking early IQ and education into consideration, consistent with a genetic mechanism. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Application of a redox‐proteomics toolbox to Daphnia magna challenged with model pro‐oxidants copper and paraquat

The redox status of cells is involved in the regulation of several cellular stress–response pathways. It is frequently altered by xenobiotics, as well as by environmental stressors. As such, there is an increasing interest in understanding the redox status of proteins in different scenarios. Recent advances in proteomics enable researchers to measure oxidative lesions in a wide range of proteins. This opens the door to the sensitive detection of toxicity targets and helps decipher the molecular impact of pollutants and environmental stressors. The present study applies the measurement of protein carbonyls, the most common oxidative lesion of proteins, to gel‐based proteomics in Daphnia magna. Daphnids were exposed to copper and paraquat, 2 well‐known pro‐oxidants. Catalase activity was decreased by paraquat, whereas global measurement of protein carbonyls and thiols indicated no change with treatment. Despite the absence of observed oxidative stress, 2‐dimensional electrophoresis of the daphnid proteins and measurement of their carbonylation status revealed that 32 features were significantly affected by the treatments, showing higher sensitivity than single measurements. Identified proteins affected by copper indicated a decrease in the heat‐shock response, whereas paraquat affected glycolysis. The present study demonstrates the applicability of redox‐proteomics in daphnids, and indicates that the heat‐shock response plays a counterintuitive role in metal resistance in daphnids. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:84–91. © 2014 SETAC
Trends in the Transitory Variance of Earnings in the United States

We decompose the rise in cross-sectional variance of male annual earnings in the United States from 1969 to 1996 into permanent and transitory components. We find that the variance of permanent earnings began rising in the the late 1970s and has continued to rise in the 1980s. The variance of transitory earnings also rose in the 1980s but declined in the 1990s. There are lags in the earnings process which require a structural model to pinpoint the exact calendar times at which the changes in trends occurred.
A randomized controlled trial of rituximab following failure of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis.

OBJECTIVE To perform a randomized controlled trial of rituximab in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated mixed cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. METHODS We conducted a single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial of rituximab (375 mg/ m(2) /week for 4 weeks) compared to the best available therapy (maintenance or increase in immunosuppressive therapy) for HCV-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis in patients in whom antiviral therapy had failed to induce remission. The primary end point was disease remission at 6 months from study entry. RESULTS A total of 24 patients were enrolled (12 in each treatment group). Baseline disease activity and organ involvement were similar in the two groups. Ten patients in the rituximab group (83%) were in remission at study month 6, as compared with 1 patient in the control group (8%), a result that met the criterion for stopping the study (P < 0.001). The median duration of remission for rituximab-treated patients who reached the primary end point was 7 months. No adverse effects of rituximab on HCV plasma viremia or on hepatic transaminase levels were observed. CONCLUSION Rituximab was a well-tolerated and effective treatment in patients with HCV-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis in whom antiviral therapy failed to induce remission.
Micro Econometric Modelling of Household Energy Use: Testing for Dependence between Demand for Electricity and Natural Gas

This paper contains a micro econometric analysis of household electricity and natural gas demand for a cross section of 2,885 Danish households observed in 1996. The sample includes fulltime employed couples in single-family houses. The specification of the model is guided by an explorative nonparametric data analysis. The analysis reveals, among other things, the fairly surprising result that demand for heating is unaffected by the number of children in the household. The dependence between demand for gas and demand for electricity is examined in the paper. This is done by testing for separability of demand for gas from demand for electricity, and vice versa. Separability of electricity (gas) from gas (electricity) is tested by estimating demand for electricity (gas) conditional on demand for gas (electricity). The model allows for endogeneity of the conditional variable. Building regulations and individual time variation, that is panel data, identify the test. The test indicates that demand for electricity is separable from demand for natural gas, and that demand for natural gas is separable from demand for electricity. The result of the test is evidence in favour of single equation modelling of household energy demand in this context.
Decreasing Returns to Shareholders From R&D Spending in the Computer Industry

Abstract This article explores the relationship between stockholder value changes and corporate research and development (R&D) spending in the computer industry. Researchers attempted to tie R&D expenditures and its various measurable effects to future results of the firms within an industry, with mixed results. They identify a positive, short-term relationship between stockholder share price movements and firm announcements of plans to increase R&D expenditures. They also show that industries with higher R&D intensities grow faster than those with low R&D intensities. However, little research is available that effectively relates R&D expenditures to future share price performance of the firms within an industry over a period of years. In this study, computer firm R&D intensity is correlated to future stockholder compound annual returns over both 1- and 5-year periods, based on research activity and financial results from 1992 to 1997. Results indicate a statistically significant negative relationship between routine R&D spending intensity and actual stockholder returns over both the 1- and 5-year periods studied. This work suggests there are diminishing returns to increased R&D spending in the computer industry and that computer firms are overspending on R&D at the expense of their stockholders.
Home or away? An analysis of how institutions shape *representation

In the American political system we expect some meaningful connection between citizen opinion and legislative voting behavior. The literature has told us that on a broad scale this connection exists. However, we really know very little about influences on that relationship. The question here is how institutions shape representation. I use the variance available in state legislatures to explore how legislative and electoral institutions influence policy responsiveness. Results presented throughout the manuscript show that institutions benefit or constrain representation. Legislative institutions benefit representation by defining the capacity for representation, and electoral institutions provide the incentives for representation. And second, results show that legislators less responsive to the preferences of their geographic district are more likely to be defeated in future elections. The effect of representation on re-election in this analysis is greater than other indicators of electoral defeat.
Confusions of Self With Close Others

This article explores the cognitive underpinnings of interpersonal closeness in the theoretical context of “including other in the self” and, specifically, the notion of overlap between cognitive representations of self and close others. In each of three studies, participants first rated different traits for self, close others (e.g., romantic partner, best friend), and less close others (e.g., media personalities), followed by a surprise source recognition task (who was each trait rated for? ). As predicted, in each study, there were more source confusions between traits rated for self and close others (e.g., a trait rated for self recalled as having been rated for the close other) than between self (or close others) and non-close others. Furthermore, several results suggest that the greater confusions between self and close others are due specifically to interpersonal closeness and not to greater familiarity or similarity with close others
Study of recurrence after surgical resection of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The aim of this study was to determine recurrence and long-term survival after resection of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and to correlate recurrence and survival with histology, extent of resection, and duration of follow-up. METHODS A single pathologist, without knowledge of previous interpretations of histology or clinical data, retrospectively reviewed and classified 113 resected intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms as invasive carcinoma (n = 40) or as noninvasive neoplasms (adenoma, borderline, or carcinoma in situ; n = 73). Data on recurrence (locoregional or metastatic), follow-up, and cause of death were obtained from patient records and/or by contacting patients and their physicians. RESULTS In invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, recurrence was similar after partial pancreatectomy (18/27; 67%) and total pancreatectomy (8/13; 62%) and occurred within 3 years of resection in 91%. Among noninvasive neoplasms, 5 of 60 (8%) recurred after partial pancreatectomy (median follow-up, 37 months); none recurred after total pancreatectomy (n = 13; median follow-up, 32 months). Recurrence after resection in noninvasive neoplasms was diagnosed after a median of 40 months (range, 23-75 months); recurrence was noninvasive in 3 and invasive cancer in 2. Five-year survival was better for noninvasive compared with invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (84.5% vs. 36%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm recurs frequently even after a complete "curative" resection and portends poor survival. In contrast, noninvasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm recurs infrequently after resection, and survival is excellent regardless of the degree of epithelial dysplasia in the tumor.
Doctor-Patient Relationship in Psychiatry*

The paper discusses the issue of doctor-patient relationship in view of a changing world with special emphasis on mental health professionals. It takes into account transference and counter-transference issues in doctor-patient relationships. It deals with issues pertaining to consent and liabilities, confidentiality and patient protection. Role of a psychiatrist as a leader in the art of communication is touched upon. In the end issues about professional fees and ethics too is dealt with.
The Effect of the Quasi-Market on the Efficiency-Equity Trade-Off in the Secondary School Sector

Britain's education system was radically transformed during the 1990s following the Education Reform Act (1988). The primary objective of these reforms was to raise educational standards through the creation of a quasi-market based upon greater parental choice and the transfer of control over resources from local education authorities to schools. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of the quasi-market on efficiency and equity in the secondary education sector in England during the 1990s. Two primary questions are addressed. Has the quasi-market led to an improvement in efficiency in the secondary education sector? Has the quasi-market had any adverse consequences on the social segregation of pupils between schools? Using data obtained from the Schools' Census and the School Performance Tables, we find strong evidence that the quasi-market has led to a substantial improvement in efficiency (as measured by a school's exam performance and by the productivity of staff) during the 1990s. The same market forces have led to a greater social segregation of pupils between schools. ) Copyright 2002 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the Board of Trustees of the Bulletin of Economic Research
Socio-Demographic Variables and Successful Aging of the Angolan Elderly

The proportion of elderly people is growing faster than any other age group. Amongst them, the group of oldest old is indeed the segment of the elderly population with the fastest growth rate. The increase in the proportion of elderly in the Angolan population makes research on this area badly needed. Within the theoretical framework of successful aging, the study aims to test for sociodemographic group differences in perceived health, life satisfaction, and social relations in Angolan elderly. The dependent variables are three of the components of what has been called successful aging. Data came from a cross-sectional survey of elderly people living in Luanda. 1003 Angolan elderly were surveyed on sociodemographic information, perceived health, life satisfaction, and social support. MANOVAs were calculated to test for mean differences in the dependent variables. Results permit to conclude that the factors associated with the largest differences on the Angolan elderly's quality of life and social relations were age (becoming oldest old) and institutionalization. The interactions of several factors with age pointed out that the oldest old were clearly a group in which the decreased quality of life due to becoming oldest old could not be compensated by other factors, as it was the case in the group of young old.
Governance of International Business Relationships: A Cross-Cultural Study on Alternative Governance Modes

The authors examine the effects of both transnationality (cross-border versus domestic exchange) and national culture (U.S. versus German buyers) on the use of three primary modes of governance: (1) the market mechanism, (2) trust, and (3) formal contracts. Drawing on theory, the authors develop a series of hypotheses. Then, they test the model on a sample of more than 500 buyer–supplier relationships. The results show that transnationality and culture both affect the choice of governance modes.
Single Amino Acid Substitutions in HXT2.4 from Scheffersomyces stipitis Lead to Improved Cellobiose Fermentation by Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT Saccharomyces cerevisiae cannot utilize cellobiose, but this yeast can be engineered to ferment cellobiose by introducing both cellodextrin transporter (cdt-1) and intracellular β-glucosidase (gh1-1) genes from Neurospora crassa. Here, we report that an engineered S. cerevisiae strain expressing the putative hexose transporter gene HXT2.4 from Scheffersomyces stipitis and gh1-1 can also ferment cellobiose. This result suggests that HXT2.4p may function as a cellobiose transporter when HXT2.4 is overexpressed in S. cerevisiae. However, cellobiose fermentation by the engineered strain expressing HXT2.4 and gh1-1 was much slower and less efficient than that by an engineered strain that initially expressed cdt-1 and gh1-1. The rate of cellobiose fermentation by the HXT2.4-expressing strain increased drastically after serial subcultures on cellobiose. Sequencing and retransformation of the isolated plasmids from a single colony of the fast cellobiose-fermenting culture led to the identification of a mutation (A291D) in HXT2.4 that is responsible for improved cellobiose fermentation by the evolved S. cerevisiae strain. Substitutions for alanine (A291) of negatively charged amino acids (A291E and A291D) or positively charged amino acids (A291K and A291R) significantly improved cellobiose fermentation. The mutant HXT2.4(A291D) exhibited 1.5-fold higher Km and 4-fold higher V max values than those from wild-type HXT2.4, whereas the expression levels were the same. These results suggest that the kinetic properties of wild-type HXT2.4 expressed in S. cerevisiae are suboptimal, and mutations of A291 into bulky charged amino acids might transform HXT2.4p into an efficient transporter, enabling rapid cellobiose fermentation by engineered S. cerevisiae strains.
Analysing Determinants of Foreclosure among High-income African-American and Hispanic Borrowers in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area

Abstract Foreclosures have disproportionately affected minority borrowers and communities. Many academic studies have focused either on the nation as a whole or on specific metropolitan areas, but few have concentrated on the nation's capital. Using a merged dataset consisting of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), US Census, and Lender Processing Services (LPS) data and utilizing a logistic regression model, we analyse the likelihood of foreclosure in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We find that high-income African-American borrowers are 36 per cent and Hispanic borrowers 79 per cent more likely to go into foreclosure, controlling for key financial variables. Moreover, we find that exotic mortgage products, such as adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs), high-cost mortgages, balloon mortgages and interest-only mortgages, have a higher likelihood of foreclosure than standard 30-year fixed rate mortgages.