Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modulation of Immunogenicity and Conformation of HA1 Subunit of Influenza A Virus H1/N1 Hemagglutinin in Tubular Immunostimulating Complexes

The HA1 subunit of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) is a valuable antigen for the development of vaccines against flu due to the availability of most antigenic sites which are conformational. Therefore, a novel adjuvanted antigen delivery system, tubular immunostimulating complexes (TI-complexes) comprising monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) from different marine macrophytes as a lipid matrix for an antigen, was applied to enhance the immunogenicity of recombinant HA1 of influenza A H1N1 and to study the relation between its immunogenicity and conformation. The content of anti-HA1 antibodies and cytokines was estimated by ELISA after the immunization of mice with HA1 alone, and HA1 was incorporated in TI-complexes based on different MGDGs isolated from green algae Ulva lactuca, brown algae Sargassum pallidum, and seagrass Zostera marina. Conformational changes of HA1 were estimated by differential scanning calorimetry and intrinsic fluorescence. It was shown that the adjuvant activity of TI-complexes depends on the microviscosity of MGDGs, which differently influence the conformation of HA1. The highest production of anti-HA1 antibodies (compared with the control) was induced by HA1 incorporated in a TI-complex based on MGDG from S. pallidum, which provided the relaxation of the spatial structure and, likely, the proper presentation of the antigen to immunocompetent cells.
Constraint Reduction for Linear Programs with Many Inequality Constraints

Consider solving a linear program in standard form where the constraint matrix $A$ is $m \times n$, with $n \gg m \gg 1$. Such problems arise, for example, as the result of finely discretizing a semi-infinite program. The cost per iteration of typical primal-dual interior-point methods on such problems is $O(m^2n)$. We propose to reduce that cost by replacing the normal equation matrix, $AD^2A^{\T}$, where $D$ is a diagonal matrix, with a "reduced" version (of same dimension), $A_QD_Q^2A_Q^{\T}$, where $Q$ is an index set including the indices of $M$ most nearly active (or most violated) dual constraints at the current iterate, with $M\geq m$ a prescribed integer. This can result in a speedup of close to $n/|Q|$ at each iteration. Promising numerical results are reported for constraint-reduced versions of a dual-feasible affine-scaling algorithm and of Mehrotra's predictor-corrector method [S. Mehrotra, it SIAM J. Optim. , 2 (1992), pp. 575-601]. In particular, while it could be expected that neglecting a large portion of the constraints, especially at early iterations, may result in a significant deterioration of the search direction, it appears that the total number of iterations typically remains essentially constant as the size of the reduced constraint set is decreased down to some threshold. In some cases this threshold is a small fraction of the total set. In the case of the affine-scaling algorithm, global convergence and local quadratic convergence are proved.
Static Deadlock Prevention in Dynamically Configured Communication Networks

We propose a technique to avoid deadlocks in a system of communicating processes. Our network model is very general. It supports dynamic process and channel creation and the ability to send channel endpoints over channels, thereby allowing arbitrary dynamically configured networks. Deadlocks happen in such networks if there is a cycle created by a set of channels, and processes along the cycle circularly wait for messages from each other. Our approach allows cycles of channels to be created, but avoids circular waiting by ensuring that for every cycle C , some process P breaks circular waits by selecting to communicate on both endpoints involved in the cycle C at P . We formalize this strategy as a calculus with a type system. Our type system keeps track of markers called obstructions where wait cycles are intended to be broken. Programmers annotate message types with design decisions on how obstructions are managed. Using these annotations, our type checker works modularly and independently on each process, without suffering any state space explosion. We prove the soundness of the analysis (namely deadlock freedom) on a simple but realistic language that captures the essence of such communication networks. We also describe how the technique can be applied to a substantial example.
Laxatives and the production of autacoids by rat colon

The effects of some laxatives were examined on the formation of histamine, 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and prostaglandin‐like material (PG‐LM) by rat intestine in‐vitro. Castor oil, senna, sulphosuccinate and bisacodyl, but not mannitol or lactulose, in doses that cause laxation, increased the formation of histamine, 5‐HT and PG‐LM. Indomethacin or hydrocortisone reduced the increase of PG‐LM formation. The data support the idea that the laxative effects of these intestinal secretagogues are due to increased intestinal production of PG‐LM, histamine and 5‐HT.
GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic input to identified granule cells in salamander olfactory bulb.

1. Whole‐cell patch clamp recording techniques were applied to granule cells in an in vitro salamander olfactory bulb preparation to study their morphology, membrane properties and pharmacology of postsynaptic responses to electrical stimulation of either the olfactory nerve (ON) or medial olfactory tract (MOT). Optical recordings of the same preparations stained with the voltage‐sensitive dye RH414 were also made. 2. Anatomical reconstructions of biocytin‐filled granule cells showed that they extend widespread spine‐bearing dendrites and an axon‐like process that branched within the external plexiform layer. 3. ON or MOT stimulation evoked a long‐lasting depolarization, usually generating only a single action potential, in granule cells studied under standard recording conditions. Bath application of bicuculline methiodide (BMI, a GABAA receptor antagonist, 20 or 25 microM) enhanced the spontaneous and electrically evoked excitatory drive to granule cells. 4. The electrically evoked synaptic responses consisted of both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. Using symmetrical Cl‐ conditions inside and outside the cell to enhance Cl‐ currents, spontaneous and electrically driven BMI‐sensitive inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) were revealed, indicating that granule cells receive GABAergic synaptic input. 5. Bath application of GABA (250 microM to 1 mM) shunted and hyperpolarized granule cells as observed directly from whole‐cell recordings and indirectly from cell‐attached patch single channel recordings. 6. Bath application of the glutamate receptor antagonists 6‐cyano‐2,3‐dihydroxy‐7‐nitroquinoxaline (CNQX, 10 microM) and/or DL‐2‐amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoic acid (DL‐AP5, 100 microM) showed that granule cell dendrodendritic EPSPs are shaped by both non‐NMDA and NMDA receptors. 7. The time course and pharmacological sensitivity of both single granule cell responses and ensemble responses recorded optically in the deeper layers of the bulb correlated well. 8. It is concluded that salamander granule cells integrate several types of synaptic input, may have both dendritic and axonal output, and play a major role in generating voltage‐sensitive dye signals in the olfactory bulb.
Paying More for Less: Why Don't Households in Tanzania Take Advantage of Bulk Discounts?

Do poor households shop in a way that leaves money on the table? A simple way to maximize consumption, conditional on available cash, is to avoid regularly purchasing small amounts of nonperishable goods when bulk discounts are available at modestly larger quantities. Using two-week transaction diaries covering 48,501 purchases by 1,493 households in Tanzania, this article finds that through bulk purchasing the average household could spend 8.7 percent less without reducing purchasing quantities. Several explanations for this pattern are investigated, and the most likely mechanisms are found to be worries about over-consumption of stocks and avoidance of social taxation. Contrary to prior work, there is little indication that liquidity constraints prevent poorer households in the sample from buying in bulk, possibly because the bulk quantities under examination are not very large.
Value of Foxp3 expressing T-regulatory cells in renal tissue in lupus nephritis; an immunohistochemical study

Background Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) functions as a master regulator in the development and function of T-regulatory (Treg) cells. Recent studies have shown that autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are associated with an imbalance with the Treg cells and T helper (Th) subtypes. Objectives To evaluate immunohistochemical expression of Foxp3 positive Treg cells in lupus nephritis (LN) and analyze its association with clinicopathologic parameters. Materials and Methods Renal biopsy specimens of 50 patients with LN were studied. Specimens were divided into; group A; 25 LN cases without proliferative activity (Class II and V) and group B: 25 cases with proliferative activity (Class III and IV). Immunohistochemical staining for anti-human Foxp3 antibody and grading from grade 0 to grade 3 was done. Results Foxp3 expression in group A was (grade 0 in 14 [56.0%], grade +1 in 11 [44.0 %]) in comparison to group B (grade +1 in 6 [24.0%], grade +2 in 11 [44.0%] and grade +3 in 8 [32.0%]) (P < 0.001). Foxp3 expression was significantly correlated to National Institutes of Health (NIH) activity and chronicity indices (P < 0.05), as well as serum creatinine (P < 0.01) in both groups A and B and there was a highly significant correlation with proteinuria (P < 0.01) in group B with proliferative LN. Conclusions Immunohistochemical Foxp3 expression in renal tissue was higher in proliferative versus non-proliferative LN and is associated with activity and severity of LN. Further studies are needed to determine its prognostic value in LN.
Inviting Self-Efficacy Revisited: The Role of Invitations in the Lives of Women with Mathematics-Related Careers.

The purpose of this study was to explore the personal stories of women who selected careers in mathematics, science, and technology to examine whether the verbal persuasions and invitations they received influenced their academic paths. Results revealed that self-beliefs were nurtured by familial, academic, and work-related influences. The selfbeliefs, in turn, nurtured the effort, persistence, and resilience required to overcome obstacles. Three interrelated themes emerged: (a) invitations and verbal persuasions were instrumental sources for the development and maintenance of confidence: (b) self-efficacy beliefs, nourished by invitations, fostered resilience to academic and social obstacles: and (c) invitations from others reemerged at critical points as self-invitations that the women used to buttress themselves against challenges.
Direct detection of additives and degradation products from polymers by liquid extraction surface analysis employing chip-based nanospray mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE Polymer-based surface coatings in outdoor applications experience accelerated degradation due to exposure to solar radiation, oxygen and atmospheric pollutants. These deleterious agents cause undesirable changes to the aesthetic and mechanical properties of the polymer, reducing its lifetime. The use of antioxidants such as hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) retards these degradative processes; however, mechanisms for HALS action and polymer degradation are poorly understood. METHODS Detection of the HALS TINUVIN®123 (bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate) and the polymer degradation products directly from a polyester-based coil coating was achieved by liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) coupled to a triple quadrupole QTRAP® 5500 mass spectrometer. The detection of TINUVIN®123 and melamine was confirmed by the characteristic fragmentation pattern observed in LESA-MS/MS spectra that was identical to that reported for authentic samples. RESULTS Analysis of an unstabilised coil coating by LESA-MS after exposure to 4 years of outdoor field testing revealed the presence of melamine (1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine) as a polymer degradation product at elevated levels. Changes to the physical appearance of the coil coating, including powder-like deposits on the coating's surface, were observed to coincide with melamine deposits and are indicative of the phenomenon known as polymer 'blooming'. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, in situ detection of analytes from a thermoset polymer coating was accomplished without any sample preparation, providing advantages over traditional extraction-analysis approaches and some contemporary ambient MS methods. Detection of HALS and polymer degradation products such as melamine provides insight into the mechanisms by which degradation occurs and suggests LESA-MS is a powerful new tool for polymer analysis.
Evidence for a regulatory role of cholesterol superlattices in the hydrolytic activity of secretory phospholipase A2 in lipid membranes.

We have conducted a detailed study of the effect of membrane cholesterol content on the initial hydrolytic activity of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) in large unilamellar vesicles of cholesterol/dimyristoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and cholesterol/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) at 37 degrees C. The activity was monitored by using the acrylodan-labeled intestinal fatty acid binding protein and HPLC. In contrast to conventional approaches, we have used small cholesterol concentration increments ( approximately 0.3-1.0 mol %) over a wide concentration range (e.g., 13-54 mol % cholesterol). In both membrane systems examined, the initial hydrolytic activity of sPLA2 is found to change with cholesterol content in an alternating manner. The activity reaches a local minimum when the membrane cholesterol content is at or near the critical cholesterol mole fractions (e.g., 14.3, 15.4, 20.0, 22.2, 25.0, 33.3, 40.0, and 50.0 mol % cholesterol) predicted for cholesterol regularly distributed in either hexagonal or centered rectangular superlattices. According to the sterol regular distribution model [Chong, P. L. -G. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91, 10069-10073; Liu et al. (1997) Biophys. J. 72, 2243-2254], the extent of lipid superlattices is maximal at the critical cholesterol mole fractions, at which the membrane free volume is minimal. Thus, our present data can be taken to indicate that the initial hydrolytic activity of sPLA2 is governed by the extent of cholesterol superlattice. These data provide the first functional evidence for the formation of cholesterol superlattices in both saturated (e.g., DMPC) and unsaturated (e.g., POPC) liquid-crystalline phospholipid bilayers. The data also illustrate the functional importance of cholesterol superlattice and demonstrate a new type of regulation of sPLA2. Furthermore, upon binding to cholesterol/POPC large unilamellar vesicles, the intrinsic fluorescence intensity of sPLA2 shows an alternating variation with cholesterol content, exhibiting a minimum at the critical cholesterol mole fractions. This result suggests that either the number of sPLA2 bound to lipid vesicles or the conformation of membrane-bound sPLA2 or both vary with the extent of the cholesterol superlattice in the plane of the membrane.
Resolving register bank conflicts for a network processor

We discuss a register bank assignment problem for a popular network processor-Intel's IXP. Due to limited data paths, the network processor has a restriction that the source operands of most ALU instructions must be resident in two different banks. This results in higher register pressure and puts additional burden on the register allocator. The current vendor-provided register allocator leaves the problem to users, leading to poor compilation interface and low quality code. We present three different approaches for performing register allocation and bank assignment. Bank assignment can be performed before register allocation, can be performed after register allocation or it could be combined with the register allocation. We propose a structure called register conflict graph (RCG) to capture the dual-bank constraints. To further improve the effectiveness of the algorithm, we also propose some enabling transformations. Our results show the phase ordering of first doing register allocation and then assigning banks can reduce the number of spills with affordable costs of additional instructions.
Curation of characterized glycoside hydrolases of Fungal origin

Fungi produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes to break down plant cell walls, which are composed mainly of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. Among them are the glycoside hydrolases (GH), the largest and most diverse family of enzymes active on these substrates. To facilitate research and development of enzymes for the conversion of cell-wall polysaccharides into fermentable sugars, we have manually curated a comprehensive set of characterized fungal glycoside hydrolases. Characterized glycoside hydrolases were retrieved from protein and enzyme databases, as well as literature repositories. A total of 453 characterized glycoside hydrolases have been cataloged. They come from 131 different fungal species, most of which belong to the phylum Ascomycota. These enzymes represent 46 different GH activities and cover 44 of the 115 CAZy GH families. In addition to enzyme source and enzyme family, available biochemical properties such as temperature and pH optima, specific activity, kinetic parameters and substrate specificities were recorded. To simplify comparative studies, enzyme and species abbreviations have been standardized, Gene Ontology terms assigned and reference to supporting evidence provided. The annotated genes have been organized in a searchable, online database called mycoCLAP (Characterized Lignocellulose-Active Proteins of fungal origin). It is anticipated that this manually curated collection of biochemically characterized fungal proteins will be used to enhance functional annotation of novel GH genes. Database URL: http://mycoCLAP.fungalgenomics. ca/
Airways hyperresponsiveness, bronchodilator response, allergy and smoking predict improvement in FEV1 during long-term inhaled corticosteroid treatment. Dutch CNSLD Study Group.

Although most patients with obstructive airways disease show some amelioration with long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy, the extent of improvement may vary considerably between patients. Patients with mild to moderately severe obstructive airways disease (asthma and COPD) were selected if provocative concentration producing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (PC20) < or = 8 mg.ml-1, and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) < 95% confidence intervals (CI) of predicted normal. The independent influences of baseline PC20FEV1, inspiratory vital capacity (IVC), bronchodilator response, smoking habits, and allergy both on the "immediate" (within 3 months) response in FEV1 and the change in long-term (from 3 months onwards) slope of FEV1 with inhaled corticosteroids were analysed. Patients had a larger "immediate" improvement in their FEV1 with inhaled corticosteroids with each doubling doses lower PC20, with each ten-fold higher immunoglobulin E (IgE), and if they did not smoke. Total IgE proved a better independent predictor of "immediate" response than specific IgE for house dust mite, skin tests, or blood eosinophils. A more favourable long-term slope of FEV1 was predicted by a larger baseline bronchodilator response, but not by smoking. In conclusion, PC20, total IgE, and smoking habits are independent predictors of immediate treatment response to inhaled corticosteroids. Bronchodilator response is the single independent predictor of changes in long-term slope of FEV1 with corticosteroid treatment.
Hubungan antara kecerdasan emosi, kepuasan kerja dan komitmen terhadap organisasi

Abstract The aim of the research is to study the relationship between emotional intelligence, job satisfaction and organizational commitment among staff in State of Sabah Public Service Department (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Negeri Sabah -JPANS). Furthermore, this research also to identify the relationship between age and organizational commitment. A number of 67 JPANS staff was selected as a research subject. Three instruments were used in this research namely Emotional Competency Inventory (ECI), Job Survey Satisfaction (JSS) and Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ). Data was analysed using SPSS programme version 15.0. Pearson Correlation test was used to answer research objective. The finding showed that emotional intelligence has a positive significant relationship with organizational commitment. However, result shown that age has an insignificant negative relationship with organizational commitment. Abstrak Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji hubungan antara kecerdasan emosi, kepuasan kerja dan komitmen organisasi dalam kalangan pekerja di Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Negeri Sabah (JPANS). Selain itu, kajian ini juga mengenal pasti hubungan antara umur dan komitmen organisasi. Seramai 67 orang pekerja di JPANS telah dipilih sebagai subjek kajian. Terdapat tiga instrumen yang telah digunakan daam kajian ini iaitu Emotional Compentency Inventory (ECI), Job Servey Satisfaction (JSS) dan Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ). Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan program SPSS versi 15.0. Ujian korelasi Pearson telah digunakan untuk menjawab objektif kajian. Hasil kajian menunjukkan kecerdasan emosi berhubung secara positif dan signifikan dengan komitmen organisasi. Kajian turut mendapati bahawa kepuasan kerja berhubung secara positif dan signifikan dengan komitmen organisasi. Namun, keputusan kajian menunjukkan umur berhubung secara negatif dan tidak signifikan dengan komitmen organisasi. Perbincangan dan kesimpulan kajian turut dikemukakan.
Molecular Predictors of Response to Antiangiogenesis Therapies

Angiogenesis is a crucial component of tumor growth and metastasis. Targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway represents therapeutic potentials for treating cancer. To date, 3 Food and Drug Administration-approved agents targeting angiogenesis have been developed, bevacizumab, sunitinib, and sorafenib. However, no validated biomarkers are available to identify those patients who are likely to benefit from antiangiogenesis therapy. Molecular biomarker research in antiangiogenesis inhibition is an actively growing field. Although current data are extremely promising, it is still uncertain which biomarker(s) can reliably predict their efficacy. With increasing numbers of inhibitors being developed, the need for biomarkers is more critical than ever. This review will focus on translational research that strives to identify molecular biomarkers (tissue, circulating and genomic) for approved antiangiogenesis therapies that can indicate benefit, resistance, and toxicity.
Using Likert-Type Scales in the Social Sciences.

Likert scales are useful in social science and attitude research projects. The General Self-Efficacy Exam is a test used to determine whether factors in educational settings affect participant’s learning self-efficacy. The original instrument had 10 efficacy items and used a 4-point Likert scale. The Cronbach’s alphas for the original test ranged from 0.76 to 0.90. A 5-item Likert scale was created from this instrument by first adding a “3 = neutral/undecided” option and also by adding five negatively-worded items to the instrument. The instrument was piloted with 20 participants. The Cronbach’s alpha for this pilot study was 0.87. The instrument was subsequently used in a large research study, and the Cronbach’s alpha was found to be 0.88. This yielded an instrument that showed strong internal consistency.