Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crystal Structure of a Bacterial Endospore Coat Component

Endospores produced by the Gram-positive soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis are shielded by a proteinaceous coat formed by over 30 structural components, which self-assemble into a lamellar inner coat and a thicker striated electrodense outer coat. The 65-kDa CotA protein is an abundant component of the outer coat layer. CotA is a highly thermostable laccase, assembly of which into the coat is required for spore resistance against hydrogen peroxide and UV light. Here, we report the structure of CotA at 1.7-Å resolution, as determined by x-ray crystallography. This is the first structure of an endospore coat component, and also the first structure of a bacterial laccase. The overall fold of CotA comprises three cupredoxin-like domains and includes one mononuclear and one trinuclear copper center. This arrangement is similar to that of other multicopper oxidases and most similar to that of the copper tolerance protein CueO of Escherichia coli. However, the three cupredoxin domains in CotA are further linked by external interdomain loops, which increase the packing level of the structure. We propose that these interdomain loops contribute to the remarkable thermostability of the enzyme, but our results suggest that additional factors are likely to play a role. Comparisons with the structure of other monomeric multicopper oxidases containing four copper atoms suggest that CotA may accept the largest substrates of any known laccase. Moreover, and unlike other laccases, CotA appears to have a flexible lidlike region close to the substrate-binding site that may mediate substrate accessibility. The implications of these findings for the properties of CotA, its assembly and the properties of the bacterial spore coat structure are discussed.
ASSESSING PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT

In this chapter, we discuss assessment of perceived social support with respect to three inseparable issues: defining perceived support, selecting particular approaches to assess it, and systematically organizing hypotheses regarding its origins, nature, and effects. Based on a brief history of social support research, we explain our focus on perceived social support. We observe that our understanding of perceived support is still hampered by vague definitions and urge that, because of its importance for theory and intervention, perceived support research must develop beyond tests of its direct, moderating, and mediating effects in different populations. Toward that end, we make three recommendations. First, the perceived support construct should be clarified through hypothesis testing in the context of contemporary psychological paradigms. Cognitive and attachment-theory approaches appear particularly promising in this regard. Second, investigators who construct and use perceived support assessments should be aware of the implicit assumptions and consequences associated with differ­ ent assessment approaches. Finally, we suggest a conceptual framework to articulate hypotheses regarding perceived support's origins, nature, and effects. The framework consists of culture, development, personality, social settings, and activities.
Base camp facility layout

The primary purpose of the project presented was to aid in the development of an optimal military base camp facility layout by studying and identifying proximity relationships between essential facility components. These relationships were determined through extensive research, surveys, and interviews with key stakeholders. Three separate relationship charts were created representing the mean, median, and mode response scores from research and an online survey of critical base camp stakeholders from around the world. These charts were then used in conjunction with score and rectilinear distance matrices to organize the data for software optimization. The Computerized Relative Allocation of Facilities Technique (CRAFT) was used in the solution for a near-optimal layout for three base camps with 15 facilities. These three layouts were then compared to each other as well as to standard base camps found in Theater Construction Management System (TCMS) software and Camp Bondsteel.
Paeoniflorin improves cardiac function and decreases adverse postinfarction left ventricular remodeling in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction

Background Paeoniflorin (PF) is the active component of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. or Paeonia veitchii Lynch. This study was, therefore, aimed to evaluate the improvement and mechanism of the PF on ventricular remodeling in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Materials and methods In this study, AMI model was established by ligating the anterior descending coronary artery in Wistar rats. After 4 weeks gavage of PF, the apparent signs and the left ventricle weight index of Wistar rats were observed. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography. Changes in cardiac morphology were observed by pathologic examination, and apoptosis was observed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) interleukin-10 (IL-10) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot method were applied to detect Caspase-3 and Caspase-9. Results Compared with the model control, the survival conditions of rats in all treatment groups were generally improved after PF treatment. LVEF was significantly increased, and both left ventricular end-diastolic inner diameter and left ventricular end-systolic inner diameter were significantly reduced. Moreover, pathologic examination showed that the myocardium degeneration of the rats treated with PF was decreased, including neater arrangement, more complete myofilament, more uniform gap and less interstitial collagen fibers. Furthermore, the mitochondrial structure of cardiomyocytes was significantly improved. The ultrastructure was clear, and the arrangement of myofilament was more regular. Also, the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 was inhibited, and apoptosis was obviously reduced in the PF treatment groups. BNP, TNF-α and IL-6 were also decreased and IL-10 was increased in the treated rats. Conclusion PF could significantly improve the LVEF of rats. It decreased adverse left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in rat models. The potential mechanism could be that PF decreased and inhibited BNP, TNF-α and IL-6, increased IL-10 and further inhibited the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, thus promoting ventricular remodeling.
African Indigenous Knowledge: An Underutilised and Neglected Resource for Development

Indigenous knowledge points to the fact that Africa has been able to generate, test and apply knowledge through its own methodologies and approaches. This knowledge sustained communities for years prior to colonialism which somehow downplayed the value of indigenous knowledge and promoted western knowledge systems. Colonialism created dependence on western knowledge systems and Africa has over the years neglected its own rich indigenous knowledge. This paper sought to highlight challenges faced in the quest to incorporate IK into developmental goals and projects. Furthermore, the study also sought to recommend ways through which Africans can promote IK in its developmental projects. A desk research was carried out to show the challenges faced in African indigenous knowledge. The results of the study showed that there was a need for policies, legislation, standards, research capacitation, investment and local inclusion in indigenous knowledge research, documentation and use. The study also pointed to the fact that indigenous knowledge could be tapped into for developmental goals and projects.
Unraveling the neuroimaging predictors for motor dysfunction in long-standing multiple sclerosis

Objective: To find the strongest neuroimaging predictors for motor dysfunction using conventional and quantitative imaging measures focusing on the corticospinal tract (CST) in a large cohort of patients with long-standing multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a wide spectrum of neuroimaging measures at the whole-brain, cervical, and CST level were analyzed in 195 patients with MS and 54 healthy controls. Motor function was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), 9-Hole Peg Test, Timed 25-Foot Walk Test, and Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale. Associations between damage in different parts of the motor system and motor functioning were assessed using stepwise linear regression. Results: Patients had an average disease duration of 19.98 (±6.99) years and a median EDSS score of 4 (range: 1.0–8.0). EDSS score was associated with number of infratentorial and cervical cord lesions, lesion volume in the CST, and mean upper cervical cord area (adjusted R2 = 0.403). Timed 25-Foot Walk Test score was associated with number of infratentorial lesions and cerebellar volume (adjusted R2 = 0.150), 9-Hole Peg Test score with number of infratentorial lesions and thickness of the cortex connected to the CST (adjusted R2 = 0.245), and Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale with number of infratentorial and cervical lesions, thickness of the cortex connected to the CST, and mean upper cervical cord area (adjusted R2 = 0.354). Conclusions: Motor dysfunction in MS has a complex substrate that cannot be ascribed to a single neuroimaging finding, but is the consequence of infratentorial and spinal cord damage, as well as damage in the CST.
Automated monitoring of vocal rutting activity in red deer ( Cervus elaphus )

Vocal performances represent an important part of advertising male reproductive potential in red deer. Stag total vocal activity in rut period was studied on daily and weekly basis in two translocated herds of Siberian red deer Cervus elaphus sibiricus, kept at two farms in Central Russia (“Tver” and “Kostroma”). On both farms, stag rutting calls were recorded for 5 min each hour of a 24-hour period for the duration of 70-day rut period of 2013 using two automated recording systems, with simultaneous recording ambient temperature. Spectrographic analysis revealed that total number of calls was 30 times higher at Tver than at Kostroma (4341 and 145 calls respectively). Although the correlation between the daily average ambient temperatures in both farms was positive and highly significant, the average numbers of calls per hour did not correlate between herds. Over the course of the season, calling activity was singlehumped at Tver and two-humped at Kostroma. In relation to daily activity patterns, the number of calls per hour had one peak between 18:00–09:00 at Tver and two peaks at Kostroma (between 07:00–09:00 and between 16:00–18:00). The estimation of the effect of ambient temperature together with the effect of the week during the rut and time of day revealed that temperature does not have a significant effect on the number of stag rutting calls in either herd. Substantial differences in stag vocal activity between the farms could be due to herd composition and time passed since translocation.
Relations between Associative and Structured Knowledge in Category-based Induction

Theories of category-based human inductive reasoning typically rely on either associative or structured knowledge about relationships between categories. Here, we test a prediction, derived from a hybrid theory that utilizes both kinds of knowledge representation, that participants will experience conflict on a reasoning task in which associative and structured knowledge support different responses. Participants completed a triad task that tested their ability to generalize a genetic property from a target species to a taxonomically related response. The strength of association between the target and an alternative non-taxonomic (i.e., foil) response was manipulated across trials. Analysis of participants’ mouse cursor trajectories revealed that they were initially drawn toward strongly associated foil responses, even when they ultimately chose the correct (taxonomic) option.
Water security in the Syr Darya Basin

The importance of water security has gained prominence on the international water agenda, but the focus seems to be directed towards water demand. An essential element of water security is the functioning of public organizations responsible for water supply through direct and indirect security approaches. Despite this, there has been a tendency to overlook the water security strategies of these organizations as well as constraints on their operation. This paper discusses the critical role of water supply in achieving sustainable water security and presents two case studies from Central Asia on the management of water supply for irrigated agriculture. The analysis concludes that existing water supply bureaucracies need to be revitalized to effectively address key challenges in water security.
Sexual dimorphism in striatal dopaminergic responses promotes monogamy in social songbirds

In many songbird species, males sing to attract females and repel rivals. How can gregarious, non-territorial songbirds such as zebra finches, where females have access to numerous males, sustain monogamy? We found that the dopaminergic reward circuitry of zebra finches can simultaneously promote social cohesion and breeding boundaries. Surprisingly, in unmated males but not in females, striatal dopamine neurotransmission was elevated after hearing songs. Behaviorally too, unmated males but not females persistently exchanged mild punishments in return for songs. Song reinforcement diminished when dopamine receptors were blocked. In females, we observed song reinforcement exclusively to the mate’s song, although their striatal dopamine neurotransmission was only slightly elevated. These findings suggest that song-triggered dopaminergic activation serves a dual function in social songbirds: as low-threshold social reinforcement in males and as ultra-selective sexual reinforcement in females. Co-evolution of sexually dimorphic reinforcement systems can explain the coexistence of gregariousness and monogamy.
Asymmetrical effects of macro variables on commercial bank deposits: evidence from Maldives based on NARDL

The study investigates the asymmetrical effects of macroeconomic performance variables (if any) on other depository corporations. Maldives is taken as a case study. The variables selected for macroeconomic presentation are Trade Balance, Exchange Rate, Consumer Price Index, Broad Money Supply (M2) and Interest Rate, while for other depository corporations the proxy used is commercial deposits. Monthly data are taken from statistical publications supplied by Maldives Monetary Authority website from January 2007 to December 2016. Understanding the deposit behaviour to macroeconomic changes is crucial for financial corporations as it serves to generate much needed loans for the required parties. The significance of this study, unlike the previous studies is, to the best of my knowledge, that this is the first attempt made to test the existence of any asymmetry through Nonlinear Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag model developed by Shin et al. (2014). Also, this research is the first such examination on commercial deposits behaviour in response to macroeconomic variables in the Maldives. In order to find any non-linearity between the variables in long run and short run, the variables are decomposed into both positive and negative components applying nonlinear ARDL approach. Findings tend to indicate that only the short run interest rates to commercial deposits signify asymmetrical relationship unlike all other macroeconomic variables including both long and short-run variables confirming that most macroeconomic variables have symmetrical (linear) relationship with commercial deposits in the Maldives.
Scale-Dependent Nonaffine Elasticity of Semiflexible Polymer Networks

The cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells provides mechanical support and governs intracellular transport. These functions rely on the complex mechanical properties of networks of semiflexible protein filaments. We study the impact of local network deformations on the scale-dependent mobility of probe particles in entangled networks of actin filaments using high-bandwidth microrheology. We find that micron-sized particles in these networks experience two opposing noncontinuum elastic effects: entropic depletion reduces the effective network rigidity, while local nonaffine deformations of the network substantially enhance the rigidity at low frequencies, eventually leading to a size-independent response and strong violation of the generalized Stokes formula. We show that a simple model of lateral bending of filaments embedded in a viscoelastic background leads to an intermediate scaling regime for the apparent elastic modulus G′(ω)∼ω9/16, closely matching the experiments. These results demonstrate that nonaffine bending deformations can be dominant for the mobility of objects of the size of vesicles and organelles in the cell. © 2014 American Physical Society.
The potential improvement of team-working skills in Biomedical and Natural Science students using a problem-based learning approach

Teamwork has become an integral part of most organisations today, and it is clearly important in Science and other disciplines. In Science, research teams increase in size while the number of single-authored papers and patents decline. Team-work in laboratory sciences permits projects that are too big or complex for one individual to be tackled. This development requires that students gain experience of team-work before they start their professional career. Students working in teams this may increase productivity, confidence, innovative capacity and improvement of interpersonal skills. Problem-based learning (PBL) is an instructional approach focusing on real analytical problems as a means of training an analytical scientist. PBL may have a positive impact on team-work skills that are important for undergraduates and postgraduates to enable effective collaborative work. This survey of the current literature explores the development of the team-work skills in Biomedical Science students using PBL.
Concept Mapping - Exploring its Value as a Meaningful Learning Tool in Accounting Education

This paper provides a framework for using concept mapping as an enabling technique for meaningful learning in accounting education. It includes a developed inventory of ready-to-use concept maps for introductory financial accounting courses, facilitating the use and experimentation with concept maps to enhance students' learning experiences. A comprehensive review of the extant literature reveals concept mapping as an effective educational tool and technique that promotes meaningful learning by students in many other disciplines. From this, one can conclude that it may be a valuable and versatile tool in accounting education as well. It is also an innovative classroom pedagogy that promotes the development of self-learning and life-long learning skills sought by the early change agents in our profession, validated more recently in the joint AAA, AICPA, IMA report (Albrecht & Sack 2000). Concept mapping is a profoundly enriching learning tool that involves a process of externalizing, through drawing and diagrams, the mental connections and association patterns that a student makes on knowledge learned (Angelo & Cross 1993). It has been widely used in other disciplines to develop more complete and organized knowledge structures from which meaningful learning develops and higher-order thinking skills build. Originally designed by Joseph Novak in connection with concept learning in science courses, concept mapping is based on Ausubel's (1963, 1968) learning assimilation theory of how cognitive knowledge is developed structurally by a learner (Novak & Gowin 1984). This underlying learning theory includes elements essential to the development of meaningful learning: hierarchical structure (inclusive framework), progressive differentiation (enlarged set of ideas and concepts), and integrative reconciliation (perceived interrelationships).
The delivery of water by impacts from planetary accretion to present

Impact melts and breccias trap surprisingly large quantities of water carried by carbonaceous chondrite–like impactors. Dynamical models and observational evidence indicate that water-rich asteroids and comets deliver water to objects throughout the solar system, but the mechanisms by which this water is captured have been unclear. New experiments reveal that impact melts and breccias capture up to 30% of the water carried by carbonaceous chondrite–like projectiles under impact conditions typical of the main asteroid belt impact and the early phases of planet formation. This impactor-derived water resides in two distinct reservoirs: in impact melts and projectile survivors. Impact melt hosts the bulk of the delivered water. Entrapment of water within impact glasses and melt-bearing breccias is therefore a plausible source of hydration features associated with craters on the Moon and elsewhere in the solar system and likely contributed to the early accretion of water during planet formation.
Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) on Ru, Ir, and Pt Catalysts: A Comparative Study of Nanoparticles and Bulk Materials

A comparative investigation was performed to examine the intrinsic catalytic activity and durability of carbon supported Ru, Ir, and Pt nanoparticles and corresponding bulk materials for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The electrochemical surface characteristics of nanoparticles and bulk materials were studied by surface-sensitive cyclic voltammetry. Although basically similar voltammetric features were observed for nanoparticles and bulk materials of each metal, some differences were uncovered highlighting the changes in oxidation chemistry. On the basis of the electrochemical results, we demonstrated that Ru nanoparticles show lower passivation potentials compared to bulk Ru material. Ir nanoparticles completely lost their voltammetric metallic features during the voltage cycling, in contrast to the corresponding bulk material. Finally, Pt nanoparticles show an increased oxophilic nature compared to bulk Pt. With regard to the OER performance, the most pronounced effects of nanosca.