Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A third L-proline permease in Salmonella typhimurium which functions in media of elevated osmotic strength

Exogenous proline specifically stimulates the growth rate of enteric bacteria in media of inhibitory osmotic strength (J. H. B. Christian, Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 8:490-497, 1955). I observed that Salmonella typhimurium mutants which lack both of the previously known proline permeases (putP proP) are stimulated by proline in media of inhibitory osmolarity. I propose that there is a third proline permease which functions only in media of elevated osmolarity. This conclusion is based on the observations that, in media of elevated osmolarity, (i) the sensitivity of putP proP mutants to toxic proline analogs increases, (ii) proline requirements for maximal growth of proline auxotrophic putP proP mutants decreases, and (iii) the specific rate of incorporation of radioactive proline into protein of growing cells increases. I obtained a Tn10-induced mutation in a gene (proU) required for the functioning of the third proline permease and determined the map location to be at 59 map units of the chromosome, between srlA and tct, 66% linked to nalB in P22 transduction. My results suggest that the function of the third, osmotically stimulated permease might be to accumulate high intracellular proline levels during osmotic stress. Possible mechanisms by which proline might cause growth stimulation are discussed.
Comparing the Quality of Health Care Providers

This article introduces a new approach for evaluating the quality of healthcare providers, including an integrated solution to several problems that limit the usefulness of available methods. Our approach combines information from all the quality indicators available for a provider (e.g., from other years, other patients, or other indicators for the same patients) to estimate more accurately the providers previous or expected quality. The approach also provides an empirical basis for comparing and combining alternative quality indicators, thereby enabling policy makers to choose among potential indicators, explore the potential bias in alternative measures, and increase the value of quality measures for assessing and improving care. Using hospital care for elderly heart attack patients as an example, we demonstrate that these methods can be used to create reliable, precise predictions about provider quality. Comparing quality of care across providers may be far more feasible than many now believe.
Graded dimensions of principal subspaces and modular Andrews–Gordon-type series

Our results in this paper are threefold: First, we establish the modular properties of the graded dimensions of principal subspaces of level one standard modules for , and of principal subspaces of certain higher level standard modules for . Second, we establish the modular properties of families of q-series that appear in identities due to Warnaar and Zudilin, which generalize Macdonald's identities and the Rogers–Ramanujan identities. Third, we formulate a number of conjectures regarding the modularity of series of this type related to AN-1 root systems.
Vitamin A Is a Negative Regulator of Osteoblast Mineralization

An excessive intake of vitamin A has been associated with an increased risk of fractures in humans. In animals, a high vitamin A intake leads to a reduction of long bone diameter and spontaneous fractures. Studies in rodents indicate that the bone thinning is due to increased periosteal bone resorption and reduced radial growth. Whether the latter is a consequence of direct effects on bone or indirect effects on appetite and general growth is unknown. In this study we therefore used pair-feeding and dynamic histomorphometry to investigate the direct effect of a high intake of vitamin A on bone formation in rats. Although there were no differences in body weight or femur length compared to controls, there was an approximately halved bone formation and mineral apposition rate at the femur diaphysis of rats fed vitamin A. To try to clarify the mechanism(s) behind this reduction, we treated primary human osteoblasts and a murine preosteoblastic cell line (MC3T3-E1) with the active metabolite of vitamin A; retinoic acid (RA), a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist (AGN194310), and a Cyp26 inhibitor (R115866) which blocks endogenous RA catabolism. We found that RA, via RARs, suppressed in vitro mineralization. This was independent of a negative effect on osteoblast proliferation. Alkaline phosphatase and bone gamma carboxyglutamate protein (Bglap, Osteocalcin) were drastically reduced in RA treated cells and RA also reduced the protein levels of Runx2 and Osterix, key transcription factors for progression to a mature osteoblast. Normal osteoblast differentiation involved up regulation of Cyp26b1, the major enzyme responsible for RA degradation, suggesting that a drop in RA signaling is required for osteogenesis analogous to what has been found for chondrogenesis. In addition, RA decreased Phex, an osteoblast/osteocyte protein necessary for mineralization. Taken together, our data indicate that vitamin A is a negative regulator of osteoblast mineralization.
Short Telomeres and Prognosis of Hypertension in a Chinese Population

Aging is a major risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that telomere length is a marker for biological aging of the cardiovascular system. Telomere length is determined by genetic and environmental factors. Studies in different racial populations are required to determine the prognostic value of telomere length in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The main objective of this study was to investigate the association between leukocyte telomere length and the risk and prognosis of hypertension in a Chinese population. The relative telomere length of leukocytes was determined by a quantitative PCR-based method in 767 subjects: 379 healthy controls and 388 hypertensive patients, ages 30 to 80 years. The median telomere length ratio, 0.57 (interquartile range: 0.48 to 0.72), was shorter in hypertensive than in healthy normotensive subjects (0.67; interquartile range: 0.53 to 0.93; P<0.001). After 5 years of follow-up, subjects with shorter telomeres were at a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease than individuals with longer telomeres (odds ratio: 3.315; 95% CI: 1.662 to 6.609; P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that short telomere length and hypertension were independent risk factors for developing coronary artery disease. Our data suggest that mean leukocyte telomere length is a potential predictor of coronary artery disease and support the hypothesis that differences in biological aging can contribute to the risk and variability of developing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
Super-Resolution Reconstruction of Image Sequences

In an earlier work (1999), we introduced the problem of reconstructing a super-resolution image sequence from a given low resolution sequence. We proposed two iterative algorithms, the R-SD and the R-LMS, to generate the desired image sequence. These algorithms assume the knowledge of the blur, the down-sampling, the sequences motion, and the measurements noise characteristics, and apply a sequential reconstruction process. It has been shown that the computational complexity of these two algorithms makes both of them practically applicable. In this paper, we rederive these algorithms as approximations of the Kalman filter and then carry out a thorough analysis of their performance. For each algorithm, we calculate a bound on its deviation from the Kalman filter performance. We also show that the propagated information matrix within the R-SD algorithm remains sparse in time, thus ensuring the applicability of this algorithm. To support these analytical results we present some computer simulations on synthetic sequences, which also show the computational feasibility of these algorithms.
Low-Income Women's Use of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

This paper examines the utilization of mental health, alcohol, and drug treatment in a sample of low-income women. We analyze data from the Women's Employments Study, a study examining the barriers to employment for welfare recipients, and compare prevalence rates of mental health disorders and service utilization with the National Comorbidity Survey. Fewer than one in five of the respondents with a current mental health and/or substance dependence problem in the Women's Employment Study (WES) received treatment in the past 12 months. A logistic regression model of the association among demographic variables, risk factors, and service utilization in the WES found that having a co-occurring substance dependence and mental health disorder was significantly associated with receiving treatment. Those respondents with an increased number of barriers were significantly less likely to receive treatment. The authors argue that the success of welfare reform may hinge on low-income women's access to and utilization of appropriate services.
Comparison of problematic behaviours of 10th and 11th year Southern English adolescents in 1985 and 2005. Part 1: Trends in gender behaviour

UNLABELLED To compare the problematic behaviours of 1985 adolescent 10th and 11th year students with that of 2005 pupils, and to examine current drink, drug and sexual activity. METHOD Utilised a standardised questionnaire from 1985 and replicated the survey in broadly the same area in 2005. The study was self-administered and guaranteed anonymity for pupil and school, and was able to eliminate any bravado reporting. In 1985 it was not possible to inquire about sexual behaviour nor 'binge' drinking but this study was able to explore current respondents drink and sexual behaviour, utilising a linkage analysis to examine any drink-drug-sexual behaviour axis. RESULTS In 1985 males significantly smoked, truanted, fought, vandalised, stole and 'drugged' more than girls, but by 2005 females significantly smoked, drank, used cannabis more than boys. Current adolescent girls were more often were 'binge drinkers' (29%-15%) and sexually active than boys (23% to 11%). Amongst 10th year 8% of boys and 16% of girls were actively sexually, by the 11th year it was 15% of boys and 31% of girls. DISCUSSION Over the 20 years the traditional differences in troublesome youth behaviour has changed, with girls behaving similar or worse than boys, which along with Binge Drinking and greater sexual activity, puts them at greater risk, which is a challenge to parents and services, nonetheless, the majority of young people do Not engage in these problematic behaviours.
Mortality in a cohort of children born to HIV-1 infected women from Durban, South Africa.

OBJECTIVES To describe mortality in a cohort of infants with vertically transmitted HIV-1 infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS Children of HIV-1 infected women were followed up from birth and a record was made at each visit of growth, development and all illnesses. Details surrounding death were obtained from hospital records. RESULTS The final cohort comprised 48 infected and 93 uninfected children; there were 25 deaths, 17 of which (35%) were regarded as being HIV-related. The mean age at death of HIV-related cases was 10.1 months (range 1-48 months), with 83% of HIV-related deaths occurring before the age of 10 months. The commonest diagnoses at the time of death were diarrhoea, pneumonia, failure to thrive and severe thrush. These findings, together with neurological abnormalities, often presaged rapid deterioration and death. CONCLUSIONS Mortality among children with vertically acquired HIV infection is high in the first year of life. Death in these subjects was due to the common causes of morbidity and mortality among all children in developing countries. A combination of diarrhoea, pneumonia, failure to thrive, and neurological abnormalities should alert one to the possibility of rapidly progressive disease and death.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Text Message Reminders for Increasing Influenza Vaccination

PURPOSE Seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended and funded for groups at higher risk of serious infection, but uptake is suboptimal. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of short message service (SMS) reminders for influenza vaccination. METHODS Six weeks after seasonal influenza vaccinations began, we identified high-risk patients who had a mobile telephone number on record at 10 practices in Western Australia. Thirty-two percent of the selected patients had already been vaccinated in the current year and were ineligible. Of the remaining 12,354 eligible patients at each practice one-half were randomly assigned to receive a vaccination reminder by SMS (intervention) and the rest received no SMS (control). Approximately 3 months after the SMS was sent (the study period), vaccination data were extracted from the patients’ electronic medical records. Log-binomial regression models were used to calculate the relative risk (RR) of vaccination between the intervention and control group. RESULTS Twelve-percent (769 of 6,177) of the intervention group and 9% (548 of 6,177) of the control group were vaccinated during the study period, a 39% relative increase attributable to the SMS (RR = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.26–1.54). For every 29 SMSs sent, costing $3.48, 1 additional high-risk patient was immunized. The greatest effect was observed for children younger than 5 years, whose parents were more than twice as likely to have their child vaccinated if they received a SMS reminder (RR = 2.43; 95% CI, 1.79–3.29). CONCLUSION We found SMS reminders to be a modestly effective, low-cost means to increase seasonal influenza vaccine coverage among high-risk patients.
Polymorphism in Endothelial Connexin40 Enhances Sensitivity to Intraluminal Pressure and Increases Arterial Stiffness

Objective—To determine whether impairment of endothelial connexin40 (Cx40), an effect that can occur in hypertension and aging, contributes to the arterial dysfunction and stiffening in these conditions. Approach and Results—A new transgenic mouse strain, expressing a mutant Cx40, (Cx40T202S), specifically in the vascular endothelium, has been developed and characterized. This mutation produces nonfunctional hemichannels, whereas gap junctions containing the mutant are electrically, but not chemically, patent. Mesenteric resistance arteries from Cx40T202S mice showed increased sensitivity of the myogenic response to intraluminal pressure in vitro, compared with wild-type mice, whereas transgenic mice overexpressing native Cx40 (Cx40Tg) showed reduced sensitivity. In control and Cx40Tg mice, the sensitivity to pressure of myogenic constriction was modulated by both NO and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization; however, the endothelium-derived hyperpolarization component was absent in Cx40T202S arteries. Analysis of passive mechanical properties revealed that arterial stiffness was enhanced in vessels from Cx40T202S mice, but not in wild-type or Cx40Tg mice. Conclusions—Introduction of a mutant form of Cx40 in the endogenous endothelial Cx40 population prevents endothelium-derived hyperpolarization activation during myogenic constriction, enhancing sensitivity to intraluminal pressure and increasing arterial stiffness. We conclude that genetic polymorphisms in endothelial Cx40 can contribute to the pathogenesis of arterial disease.
Beyond the Language Program Model: The Importance of Student Identity for the English Language Learner

This ethnographic dissertation study focuses on life in fourth grade classrooms, examining how sociocultural experiences and influences in the local learning environment impact native Spanish-speaking English language learners’ (ELL) identities, and subsequently how students perceive their schooling experience and language practices. Connections are made between their learning and experiences that occur in their classrooms and schools at large, specifically through language of instruction and schooling practices, and how ELLs identify themselves as individuals and members of society. This qualitative research looks at ELLs in transitional bilingual and dual language classroom contexts through the frameworks of sociocultural theory and language as a resource. Qualitative data (observations, interviews, focus groups, document analysis) was examined through discourse analysis. Findings suggest that naming a language instructional program is not enough, and educators must also consider instructional and curricular practices to best prepare ELLs in becoming productive
Functional domains of the capsid protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

A series of deletions was introduced into the CA domain of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag polyprotein to examine its role in virus particle and core formation. The mutations resulted in two phenotypes, indicating the existence of two functionally distinct regions within the CA domain. Deletions within a conserved stretch of 20 amino acids referred to as the major homology region (MHR) and deletions C terminal to this region blocked virus replication and significantly reduced the ability to form viral particles. Deletions N terminal to the MHR also prevented virus replication, but the mutants retained the ability to assemble and release viral particles with the same efficiency as the wild-type virus. The mutant particles contained circular rather than cone-shaped cores, and while they were of a density similar to that of wild-type particles, they were more heterogeneous in size. These results indicate that CA domain sequences N terminal to the MHR are essential for the morphogenesis of the mature cone-shaped core.
Visual Responses of Neurons in the Middle Temporal Area of New World Monkeys after Lesions of Striate Cortex

In primates, lesions of striate cortex (V1) result in scotomas in which only rudimentary visual abilities remain. These aspects of vision that survive V1 lesions have been attributed to direct thalamic pathways to extrastriate areas, including the middle temporal area (MT). However, studies in New World monkeys and humans have questioned this interpretation, suggesting that remnants of V1 are responsible for both the activation of MT and residual vision. We studied the visual responses of neurons in area MT in New World marmoset monkeys in the weeks after lesions of V1. The extent of the scotoma in each case was estimated by mapping the receptive fields of cells located near the lesion border and by histological reconstruction. Two response types were observed among the cells located in the part of MT that corresponds, in visuotopic coordinates, to the lesioned part of V1. Many neurons (62%) had receptive fields that were displaced relative to their expected location, so that they represented the visual field immediately surrounding the scotoma. This may be a consequence of a process analogous to the reorganization of the V1 map after retinal lesions. However, another 20% of the cells had receptive fields centered inside the scotoma. Most of these neurons were strongly direction-selective, similar to normal MT cells. These results show that MT cells differ in their responses to lesioning of V1 and that only a subpopulation of MT neurons can be reasonably linked to residual vision and blindsight.
Circulating YKL-40 Level, but not CHI3L1 Gene Variants, Is Associated with Atherosclerosis-Related Quantitative Traits and the Risk of Peripheral Artery Disease

YKL-40, a pleotropic cytokine, is emerging as a risk factor and a prognostic predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We attempted to elucidate the genetic, clinical and biochemical correlates of circulating YKL-40 level and, by combining it with CHI3L1 gene variants, with the risk and long-term mortality of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Plasma YKL-40 concentrations were measured in 612 Taiwanese individuals who had no clinically overt systemic disease. Clinical parameters, CHI3L1 gene promoter variants and 18 biomarker levels were analyzed. Eighty-six PAD patients were further enrolled for analysis. Significant associations were found between CHI3L1 genotypes/haplotypes and YKL-40 levels for the health examination subjects (smallest p = 8.36 × 10−7 for rs4950928 and smallest p = 1.72 × 10−10 for haplotype TGG) and also for PAD patients. For the health examination subjects, circulating YKL-40 level, but not CHI3L1 gene variants, were positively associated with age, smoking, and circulating levels of triglyceride, lipocalin 2 and multiple inflammatory biomarkers and negatively associated with low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Circulating YKL-40 level is also significantly associated with the risk of PAD (p = 3.3 × 10−23). Circulating YKL40 level, but not CHI3L1 gene promoter variants, is associated with the risk of PAD in Taiwanese. The association of YKL-40 levels with multiple quantitative traits relating to the risk of PAD may provide a molecular basis linking YKL-40 to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Laryngotracheal involvement of relapsing polychondritis in a Korean girl

We describe a young girl presenting with acute dyspnea because of laryngotracheal involvement of relapsing polychondritis (RP). RP, a multisystemic disorder of unknown etiology, is a very rare disease in children. It is characterized by inflammation and destruction of the cartilaginous structure of many organs, including the respiratory tract. Early respiratory tract involvement in younger patients is the greatest threat to life, and aggressive therapy, including tracheostomy and intravenous high‐dose steroids, is advocated. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:314–317. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Young People and Housing : Transitions, Trajectories and Generational Fractures

Chapter 1 Making Sense of the Housing Trajectories of Young People Ray Forrest Part 1 The Family, Demography and the Transition to Adulthood Chapter 2 Balancing Autonomy, Status and Family in the Transition to Adulthood: Class and Housing Aspects of the Southern European Model in Athens, 1987-2004 Dimitris Emmanuel Chapter 3 The First Steps into the Italian Housing System: Inequality between Generational Gaps and Family Intergenerational Transfers Teresio Poggio Chapter 4 The Housing Transitions of Young People in Australia: Change, Continuity and Challenge Andrew Beer and Debbie Faulkner Chapter 5 The Living Arrangements of Just Married Adults in Taiwan William Li Part 2 Housing Affordability and Youth Housing Trajectories Chapter 6 Youth Housing and Exclusion in Sweden Mats Lieberg Chapter 7 Homeownership, Cohort Trajectories and Hong Kong's Post-80 Generation Ngai-ming Yip Chapter 8 Youth Housing Problems in China Yapeng Zhu Part 3 Economic Change and Generational Fractures Chapter 9 Housing and Generational Fractures in Japan Yosuke Hirayama Chapter 10 Residential Trajectories of Young French People : The French Generational Gap Fanny Bugeja Chapter 11 Young People's Trajectories through Irish Housing Booms and Busts: Headship, Housing and Labour Market access among the under 30s since the Late 1960s Michelle Norris and Nessa Winston Chapter 12 The Lived Experience of Housing among Young People in Russia Jane Zavisca
A Normalization Method for Arithmetic Data-Path Verification

We propose a normalization technique for verifying arithmetic circuits in a bounded model-checking environment. Our technique operates on the arithmetic bit-level (ABL) description of the arithmetic circuit parts and property. The ABL description can easily be provided by the front-end of a register transfer level property checker. The proposed normalization greatly simplifies the SAT instances to be solved for arithmetic circuit verification. Our approach has been successfully applied to verify the integer pipeline of an industrial microprocessor with advanced DSP capabilities.