Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MAJOR CELL ENVELOPE PROTEIN RELATED TO AUTOAGGLUTINATION , ADHESION AND VIRULENCE

The purification of the major protein of the membrane fraction of an autoagglutinating strain of Aeromonas sMmonicida is described. This protein, designated as additional cell envelope protein, is water-insoluble, has a molecular weight of about 54000 and its amino terminal sequence is H2N-Asp-VaI-Leu-Leu. Neither sulphur-containing amino acids nor sugar residues were detected. Its amino acid composition, which shows that the additional cell envelope protein is hydrophobic in nature, is remarkably similar to those of various proteins known to be present in additional surface layers of other bacteria, to the adhesive K88 fimbriae of enteropathogenic Escherichia coil and to a pore protein of the outer membrane of E. cob KI2.
Alternative measures of liquidity on the Chilean government fixed income market

Differences on long term swap spreads measures, both in nominal and real terms, have been very volatile and even negative in recent periods for the Chilean financial market, since the data has been registered these last four years. In this subject, various authors have attributed the discrepancy to some economic factors that have an impact on the degree of liquidity in these markets. This article empirically tries to identify changing conditions in the liquidity of this market using high-frequency data from several sources of the financial market. The validity of such hypothesis could help to build alternative liquidity indicators for Central Bank benchmark markets.
Functional Maturation of Human Stem Cell-Derived Neurons in Long-Term Cultures

Differentiated neurons can be rapidly acquired, within days, by inducing stem cells to express neurogenic transcription factors. We developed a protocol to maintain long-term cultures of human neurons, called iNGNs, which are obtained by inducing Neurogenin-1 and Neurogenin-2 expression in induced pluripotent stem cells. We followed the functional development of iNGNs over months and they showed many hallmark properties for neuronal maturation, including robust electrical and synaptic activity. Using iNGNs expressing a variant of channelrhodopsin-2, called CatCh, we could control iNGN activity with blue light stimulation. In combination with optogenetic tools, iNGNs offer opportunities for studies that require precise spatial and temporal resolution. iNGNs developed spontaneous network activity, and these networks had excitatory glutamatergic synapses, which we characterized with single-cell synaptic recordings. AMPA glutamatergic receptor activity was especially dominant in postsynaptic recordings, whereas NMDA glutamatergic receptor activity was absent from postsynaptic recordings but present in extrasynaptic recordings. Our results on long-term cultures of iNGNs could help in future studies elucidating mechanisms of human synaptogenesis and neurotransmission, along with the ability to scale-up the size of the cultures.
Influence of flavonoid extracts from celery on oxidative stress induced by dichlorvos in rats

The present work was to investigate the effects of flavonoid extracts from celery on oxidative stress induced by dichlorvos (DIC) in male Wistar rats maintained on a normal diet. The rats were given DIC through intragastric administration by the dose of 7.2 mg/kg·body weight (bw)/day and additionally added 5% flavonoid extracts to the diet for 4 weeks continuously. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in livers of rats were measured at the end of the experiment. Under the influence of DIC, there were significant decrease in the activities of SOD, CAT and GST and significant increase in GPx activity and MDA content. The results also showed that the activities of SOD, GST and CAT in the DIC-treated group declined significantly when compared with the flavonoid extracts group and the DIC + flavonoid extracts group, respectively. With regard to GPx activity and MDA content, significant increase were showed in the DIC-treated group in comparison to those in the flavonoid extracts group and the DIC + flavonoid extracts group, respectively. The observations presented lead us to conclude the harmful effects of DIC during the exposure and the protective role of flavonoids in minimizing these effects.
Isozyme evidence for three sibling species in the Anopheles sundaicus complex from Indonesia

Electrophoretic studies of isoenzymes in three chromosomally distinct forms (A, B and C) of the mosquito Anopheles sundaicus Theobald (Diptera: Culiciae) were undertaken on wild samples collected from six geographically isolated populations in Indonesia. Analyses of 12 enzyme systems comprising 15 loci revealed significant allelic variations, genetic polymorphism, within and among the populations of the An. sundaicus complex. Phylogenetic dendrograms produced by analysis using the Biosys‐1 program based on upgma methods show that all the populations of form A fall into one cluster, which is closely related to the form C cluster, whereas the populations of form B belong to a more distinct cluster. Allelic frequency and Wright’s F statistics of Mpi (mannose phosphate isomerase) are sufficient to identify individuals of each cytological form. This isozyme data correlates with our previous cytological evidence for the existence of three isomorphic species within the taxon An. sundaicus in Indonesia. These three species of the An. sundaicus complex were found together sympatrically at one locality, Asahan in North Sumatra.
Ovarian follicular development during the estrous cycle in gilts following electrocautery of fillicles.

This experiment was designed . to study follicular development at various days of the estrous cycle in intact gilts for comparison with follicular growth following the removal of surface follicles from the ovaries by electrocautery at different stages of the estrous cycle. Thirty-five Yorkshire-Poland China gilts were divided equally into seven subgroups. Four of the subgroups served as controls and were slaughtered on day-2, -8, -14 o r 2 0 of the estrous cycle (day-0 = first day of estrus), respectively, and three of the subgroups were subjected to follicle-cautery on day-2,-8 or -14 of the estrous cycle, respectively, and were slaughtered 6 days after surgery. The following cyclical variations in follicular development were found in the intact control gilts: (1) the weight of the ovarian fluid increased (P<.05) to day-8, decreased (P<.05) to day-14 and then increased (P<.05) to day-20; (2) the number of small follicles (1 to 2 mm dia.) did not differ significantly among day-2, -8 and -14, but was reduced (P<.01) at day-20; (3) the number of medium follicles (3 to 6 mm dia.) and the total
2.4 GHz GaAs PHEMT medium power amplifier for wireless LAN applications

This paper describes the design and measurement of a medium power amplifier (MPA) using 0. 15µm GaAs PHEMT technology for wireless application. At 2.4 GHz and 3.0 V of VDS, a fabricated MPA exhibits a P1dB of 15.20 dBm, PAE of 12.70% and gain of 9.70 dB. The maximum current, Imax is 84.40mA and the power consumption for this device is 253.20mW. The die size of this amplifier is 1.2mm × 0.7mm.
Predictive validity of Rappaport's Disability Rating Scale in subjects with acute brain dysfunction.

We implemented a correlational study to evaluate the effectiveness of Rappaport's Disability Rating Scale in predicting length of hospital stay and discharge status. We evaluated 128 patients who had had cerebrovascular accidents or head injuries using Rappaport's Disability Rating Scale and documented their lengths of stay and discharge dispositions. Significant correlations were obtained between initial Disability Rating scores and lengths of hospital stay (r = .50, p less than .01), discharge Disability Rating scores (r = .66, p less than .01), and discharge status (r = .40, p less than .01). Higher initial ratings of disability were associated with higher discharge ratings and longer terms of hospitalization. Higher ratings of disability were also associated with discharge to another treatment facility rather than home. Despite this evidence supporting the predictive validity of Rappaport's Disability Rating Scale, accurate prediction of length of hospitalization remains difficult because of extreme sample variability. Areas of further investigation are considered.
Developing a Kaupapa Māori Framework for Whānau Ora

The use of whānau ora (healthy families) to represent individual health while also encompassing the collective of family means there is a need to address connectedness that goes beyond wider family structures to include health, education and social service providers. The views of kaumātua (Māori elders) were sought through a series of hui (meetings) to develop an understanding of the term “whānau ora” and its practical application. The hui highlighted that whānau ora has many interconnecting facets, including some tension around the notions of interdependent whānau and individual health care needs. Te Korowai has been developed from seven interconnecting themes raised by kaumātua. Te Korowai represents the concepts and practicalities of whānau ora.
Effect of smoking on tissue oxygen supply.

The purpose of this study was to determine if chronic exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide (CO) in man results in tissue hypoxia. For this reason, nine smokers (more than one pack of cigarettes per day) were studied. The presence of hypoxia was assessed by measurement of red cell mass (RCM). The effect of CO on intraerythrocytic factors involved with oxygen delivery was determined by measurement of oxygen-hemoglobin affinity (P50) and of red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Values were compared to those of 18 nonsmokers of similar age, sex, and race. Values for carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), RCM, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red cell count were significantly higher in the smokers. DPG levels were unaltered, while P50 and ATP levels were significantly lower in smokers. These data suggest that chronic exposure to low levels of CO results in tissue hypoxia, probably as a result of decreased blood oxygen carrying capacity and increased blood-O2 affinity. Adaption is reflected in an increased RCM and not by intraerythrocytic changes. The response in RCM may be to levels seen in polycythemia vera, as evidenced by a value of 37.6 in one smoker whose RCM fell to normal after discontinuing cigarettes. This study indicates that smoking causes mild erythrocytosis comparable to that seen in spurious or stress polycythemia. It also suggests that chronic exposure to low levels of CO may further embarrass tissue oxygen supply in patients with anemia, heart disease, chronic lung disease, and cerebral vascular disease in whom oxygen delivery to tissues is already marginal.
Multi-focal Myxopapillary Ependymoma in the Lumbar and Sacral Regions Requiring Cranio-spinal Radiation Therapy: A Case Report

Ependymomas are uncommon tumors that arise in the brain, spinal cord or cauda equina. Myxopapillary ependymomas is located exclusively in the conus medullaris or cauda equina, or film terminale region. In most myxopapillary ependymomas, the histological examination reveals low mitotic activity that is associated with a low MIB-1 labeling index (LI). The prognosis is generally favorable, when the appropriate treatment, including a total resection, is performed. The authors encountered a 39-year-old man with multifocal type of myxopapillary ependymomas compressing the cauda equina from the L2 to L3 level and L5-S1 level. A subtotal resection of the tumor was carried out. The histological examination revealed extremely high mitotic activity with a MIB-1 LI of 9.1%. Therefore, cranio-spinal radiation was added after surgery. The postoperative course was uneventful over the 3.5 year follow-up period.
SELF-ASSEMBLY OF SHALLOW MAGNETIC SPOTS THROUGH STRONGLY STRATIFIED TURBULENCE

Recent studies have demonstrated that in fully developed turbulence, the effective magnetic pressure of a large-scale field (non-turbulent plus turbulent contributions) can become negative. In the presence of strongly stratified turbulence, this was shown to lead to a large-scale instability that produces spontaneous magnetic flux concentrations. Furthermore, using a horizontal magnetic field, elongated flux concentrations with a strength of a few percent of the equipartition value were found. Here we show that a uniform vertical magnetic field leads to circular magnetic spots of equipartition field strengths. This could represent a minimalistic model of sunspot formation and highlights the importance of two critical ingredients: turbulence and strong stratification. Radiation, ionization, and supergranulation may be important for realistic simulations, but are not critical at the level of a minimalistic model of magnetic spot formation.
The Effect of Hydroxychloroquine on Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder of articular cartilage and is the most common type of arthritis in the elderly. There are only a few reports regarding the use of Hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Methods: To investigate the effects of Hydroxychloroquine on the symptoms of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren and Lawrence grade II and III), we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 44 patients. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: one group received Hydroxychloroquine pills (200 mg twice daily) and the other group received placebo pills. Symptoms were assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at baseline and at the end of weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24. Results: Approximately, 98% of the patients were women at an average age of 47 years. There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. In the placebo group, maximum improvement occurred at the 4th week; and during the remaining time, there was no significant improvement. In the Hydroxychloroquine group, maximum improvement occurred at the 8th week and persisted over the entire remaining follow-up period. There were significant differences between the two groups regarding the degree of reduction in the WOMAC total score and the WOMAC subscales scores of pain, stiffness, and function at the end of weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24. Conclusion: Hydroxychloroquine conferred significant improvement in the symptoms of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis in our patients and may, accordingly, be recommended for knee osteoarthritis treatment.
Racing line optimization @ race optimal

Race Optimal (www.raceoptimal.com) is a project aimed at creating an effective and fully automated process for racing line optimization in order to produce a database of racing line for racing circuits around the world. The ideal racing line is defined as the trajectory around a track that allows a given vehicle to traverse the circuit in the minimum time. In practice, it is an abstraction that varies with track, environmental conditions, vehicle type and condition, competitive traffic, and other factors. A certain extent of the talent possessed by the elite driver is the ability to perceive this optimal path and its variations, as well as to navigate it as quickly as possible. Until now, automated methods have struggled to match the performance of human-generated or human-guided racing lines [1]. This article describes the optimization engine and representation scheme used at Race Optimal to compute realistic and high performing racing lines for a wide variety of vehicle types.
Pentraxin 3 Production in the Adipose Tissue and the Skeletal Muscle in Diabetic-Obese Mice

Abstract:Inflammation has been shown to promote obesity-induced insulin resistance. Although pentraxin (PTX) 3 is known as an anti-inflammatory factor, the effect of PTX3 on insulin sensitivity has not yet been elucidated. The aim of this study is to investigate a part of the role of PTX3 on insulin sensitivity. The authors studied the PTX3 and glucose transport protein expression levels in epididymal adipose tissue and soleus muscles of male diabetic-obese [Tsumura Suzuki obese-diabetic (TSOD)] and lean control mice. The levels of PTX3 in both skeletal muscle and adipose tissue were significantly lower in TSOD mice than in controls, and there was a significant positive correlation between them. They observed a significant positive correlation between PTX3 and glucose transport protein 4 levels in skeletal muscle. This study suggests that PTX3 may play a part of role as promoting insulin sensitivity of skeletal muscle in TSOD mice.
Usual interstitial pneumonia and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia with and without concurrent emphysema: thin-section CT findings.

PURPOSE To determine whether concurrent emphysema influences the distinction between usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) at thin-section computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board approval was obtained for this retrospective study; informed consent was not required. The study included 54 patients with NSIP and 42 patients with UIP (55 men, 41 women; mean age, 60.2 years +/- 9.2 [standard deviation]; age range, 33-77 years). Two independent readers assessed the CT images and made a first-choice diagnosis. The appearances of UIP and NSIP at CT were compared with univariate and multivariate analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine how concurrent emphysema influences the distinction of UIP from NSIP at thin-section CT. RESULTS The diagnosis was correct in 136 (71%) of 192 readings. In patients with concurrent emphysema, the diagnosis was correct in 30 (44%) of 68 readings. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosis were lower in patients with concurrent emphysema than in patients without concurrent emphysema. In patients with concurrent emphysema, there were no significant differences in extent of fibrosis, extent of honeycombing, extent of consolidation, coarseness of fibrosis score, extent of traction bronchiectasis, upper lung irregular lines, peribronchovascular distribution, and nodules between UIP and NSIP. According to multivariate analysis, the CT feature that helped best differentiate UIP from NSIP in patients with emphysema was traction bronchiolectasis. CONCLUSION Concurrent emphysema influenced the distinction between UIP and NSIP.
Stone tools, language and the brain in human evolution

Long-standing speculations and more recent hypotheses propose a variety of possible evolutionary connections between language, gesture and tool use. These arguments have received important new support from neuroscientific research on praxis, observational action understanding and vocal language demonstrating substantial functional/anatomical overlap between these behaviours. However, valid reasons for scepticism remain as well as substantial differences in detail between alternative evolutionary hypotheses. Here, we review the current status of alternative ‘gestural’ and ‘technological’ hypotheses of language origins, drawing on current evidence of the neural bases of speech and tool use generally, and on recent studies of the neural correlates of Palaeolithic technology specifically.
Accelerating Dependent Cache Misses with an Enhanced Memory Controller

On-chip contention increases memory access latency for multi-core processors. We identify that this additional latency has a substantial effect on performance for an important class of latency-critical memory operations: those that result in a cache miss and are dependent on data from a prior cache miss. We observe that the number of instructions between the first cache miss and its dependent cache miss is usually small. To minimize dependent cache miss latency, we propose adding just enough functionality to dynamically identify these instructions at the core and migrate them to the memory controller for execution as soon as source data arrives from DRAM. This migration allows memory requests issued by our new Enhanced Memory Controller (EMC) to experience a 20% lower latency than if issued by the core. On a set of memory intensive quad-core workloads, the EMC results in a 13% improvement in system performance and a 5% reduction in energy consumption over a system with a Global History Buffer prefetcher, the highest performing prefetcher in our evaluation.
Initial studies on the properties of a bovine lymphoid cell culture line infected with Theileria parva.

Observations were made on a bovine lymphoblast cell culture line, C2, permanently infected with the protozoan parasite Theileria parva. No specific parasite antigen was detected on the C2 cell surface, either by a fluorescent technique or by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. There was no detectable surface immunoglobulin or secretion of immunoglobulins into the tissue culture medium. Using immunofluorescence and calf thymus and bone marrow antisera, C2 cells were found to share a membrane antigen with normal calf thymus cells, and also to possess a strong transplantation antigen. Bovine antisera against the latter antigen can initiate killing of C2 cells by normal bovine mononuclear leucocytes in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. C2 cells can also act as weak stimulators in a mixed leucocyte reaction. The possible role of such transformed parasite-infected lymphoblasts in the strong functional immunity that follows recovery from Theileria parva infection is discussed.
Cultivating compassion in psychological therapists: the potential of loving-kindness meditation

Section A: summarises theory and research relevant to the role of compassion in the work of psychological therapists. Two approaches that are thought to cultivate compassion, namely, mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness meditation (LKM), are introduced and their potential for fostering compassion in therapists is explored. Following this, extant empirical studies examining the effects of mindfulness-based and loving-kindness interventions on compassion are critically evaluated. Limitations and gaps in the existing evidence base are discussed, and the need for further research, such as studies using LKM with therapists, is outlined. Section B: Objectives. Emerging research suggests that loving-kindness meditation (LKM) increases well-being and compassion whilst being difficult to engage with. Since there is a need to cultivate self-care and compassion in trainee therapists (TT), this study aimed to explore how TT experience a course of LKM. Design. A qualitative design using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was applied in order to gain a detailed understanding of the experience of LKM and the meaning participants gave to it. Methods. Twelve TT who had previously attended a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy course took part in a six-session long LKM course and were interviewed about their experience. Results. Five master themes were identified ‘Engaging with the practice’, ‘Impact on self’, ‘Impact on relationships’, ‘Bringing compassion into the therapy room’, and ‘Integrating LKM into life’. Participants perceived LKM to have led to increased self-awareness, compassion for self and others, and therapeutic presence and skills. At the same time, LKM was experienced as emotionally challenging. Conclusions. LKM may be a useful tool for enhancing self-care and compassion in TT. Further research is needed to extend the findings and implications for the use of LKM with TT and other populations are discussed. Section C: summarises critical reflections on the process of conducting this research study, including the researcher‟s learning experience, implications for training and clinical practice, and further research.