Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Helicobacter pylori CZB Cytoplasmic Chemoreceptor TlpD Forms an Autonomous Polar Chemotaxis Signaling Complex That Mediates a Tactic Response to Oxidative Stress

ABSTRACT Cytoplasmic chemoreceptors are widespread among prokaryotes but are far less understood than transmembrane chemoreceptors, despite being implicated in many processes. One such cytoplasmic chemoreceptor is Helicobacter pylori TlpD, which is required for stomach colonization and drives a chemotaxis response to cellular energy levels. Neither the signals sensed by TlpD nor its molecular mechanisms of action are known. We report here that TlpD functions independently of the other chemoreceptors. When TlpD is the sole chemoreceptor, it is able to localize to the pole and recruits CheW, CheA, and at least two CheV proteins to this location. It loses the normal membrane association that appears to be driven by interactions with other chemoreceptors and with CheW, CheV1, and CheA. These results suggest that TlpD can form an autonomous signaling unit. We further determined that TlpD mediates a repellent chemotaxis response to conditions that promote oxidative stress, including being in the presence of iron, hydrogen peroxide, paraquat, and metronidazole. Last, we found that all tested H. pylori strains express TlpD, whereas other chemoreceptors were present to various degrees. Our data suggest a model in which TlpD coordinates a signaling complex that responds to oxidative stress and may allow H. pylori to avoid areas of the stomach with high concentrations of reactive oxygen species. IMPORTANCE Helicobacter pylori senses its environment with proteins called chemoreceptors. Chemoreceptors integrate this sensory information to affect flagellum-based motility in a process called chemotaxis. Chemotaxis is employed during infection and presumably aids H. pylori in encountering and colonizing preferred niches. A cytoplasmic chemoreceptor named TlpD is particularly important in this process, and we report here that this chemoreceptor is able to operate independently of other chemoreceptors to organize a chemotaxis signaling complex and mediate a repellent response to oxidative stress conditions. H. pylori encounters and must cope with oxidative stress during infection due to oxygen and reactive oxygen species produced by host cells. TlpD's repellent response may allow the bacteria to escape niches experiencing inflammation and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
Quality of life in schizophrenia and dysthymia

Quality of life (QOL) was assessed in three groups of patients, consisting of 30 schizophrenic patients with duration of illness < 2 years, 30 schizophrenic patients with duration of illness ≥2 years and 30 dysthymic patients. The diagnoses were made according to ICD‐10. Two scales of quality of life were used, one of which was specific for schizophrenia, while the other was generic for all patients. On inter‐group comparison the two schizophrenia groups did not show significant differences in quality of life, but on comparing schizophrenic and dysthymic patients, significant differences emerged. Dysthymic patients were significantly less satisfied than schizophrenic patients with duration of illness < 2 years in the domain of physical health. In the domains of satisfaction with medication and leisure‐time activities, both schizophrenic groups were significantly more satisfied than the dysthymic group. Comparison of the quality of life ratings of our patients with those of a well‐known study from Sweden revealed some significant differences which relate to the domains of work, contacts, inner experience and leisure‐time activities. Cultural factors are invoked to account for these differences. The need for refinement of assessment of quality of life in multi‐racial and multi‐ethnic contexts is stressed.
Organizational knowledge and communities of practice

Les AA. passent en revue les differentes approches utilisees dans la litterature pour traiter des communautes de pratiques. Trois domaines de recherche contribuent actuellement a definir les concepts de communautes de pratiques : les etudes sur l'apprentissage en situation et l'action en situation ; les etudes sur la cognition distribuee (ou l'interaction entre les gens, les artefacts et le contexte dans la resolution des problemes) ; les etudes en communication, en particulier une tradition linguistique explorant les reseaux sociaux au moyen de l'analyse du discours et de l'analyse des conversations. Les etudes de cas de communautes de pratiques sur le lieu de travail relevent de deux types : celles ecrites dans une perspective performative et celles ecrites dans une perspective interpretative ou constructiviste. Les etudes sur les motivations au partage des connaisances et a la participation a une communaute de pratiques appartiennent a deux grandes categories, fondees respectivement sur une philosophie de marche et sur une philosophie de l'attention. Les facteurs de motivations et les incitations identifies dans la litterature sont : les recompenses de type economique, les recompenses sous forme d'acces a l'information et a la connaissance, de creation du capital social, d'avancement et de reconnaissance professionnels, et la creation d'environnements propices a la participation aux communautes de pratiques. Les infrastructures de soutien aux communautes de pratiques sont les technologies pour la communication et la representation, les objets frontieres, les infrastructures sociales ou reseaux de contact. Les communautes virtuelles ne sont pas forcement synonymes de communautes de pratiques. En conclusion, le theme des communautes de pratiques peut etre aligne avec un certain nombre d'etudes en sciences de l'information centrees sur l'ecologie et l'ethologie du lieu de travail.
A new approach to identify the economic effects of disclosure: Information content of business risk disclosures in Japanese firms

We empirically examine the economic effects of disclosure by focusing on mandatory textual business risk disclosures in Japan. A unique feature of this study is the construction of a new risk measure, which enables us to isolate economic disclosure effects (i.e., information risk) from fundamental value effects (i.e., fundamental risk). We find that there is a positive association between the number of items within business risk disclosures and information risk. We also find that the results are more pronounced for firm-level disclosure that deviates from that of other firms in the same industry and year. This indicates that business risk disclosures affect investors' risk perceptions and thus increase the information component in the cost of capital.
Integrating Acupuncture With Exercise-Based Physical Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic disease associated with significant morbidity and economic cost. The efficacy of acupuncture in addition to traditional physical therapy has received little study. Objective The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of integrating a standardized true acupuncture protocol versus nonpenetrating acupuncture into exercise-based physical therapy (EPT). Methods This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial at 3 physical therapy centers in Philadelphia, PA. We studied 214 patients (66% African Americans) with at least 6 months of chronic knee pain and x-ray–confirmed Kellgren scores of 2 or 3. Patients received 12 sessions of acupuncture directly following EPT over 6 to 12 weeks. Acupuncture was performed at the same 9 points dictated by the traditional Chinese “Bi” syndrome approach to knee pain, using either standard needles or Streitberger non–skin-puncturing needles. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with at least a 36% improvement in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score at 12 weeks. Results Both treatment groups showed improvement from combined therapy with no difference between true (31.6%) and nonpenetrating acupuncture (30.3%) in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index response rate (P = 0.5) or report of minor adverse events. A multivariable logistic regression prediction model identified an association between a positive expectation of relief from acupuncture and reported improvement. No differences were noted by race, sex, or age. Conclusions Puncturing acupuncture needles did not perform any better than nonpuncturing needles integrated with EPT. Whether EPT, acupuncture, or other factors accounted for any improvement noted in both groups could not be determined in this study. Expectation for relief was a predictor of reported benefit.
Frequency of norovirus in stool samples from hospitalized children due to acute gastroenteritis in Anatolia, Turkey, 2006–2007

Noroviruses are among the most common causes of sporadic enteritis in childhood. In this pilot study, the frequency of norovirus infection in children in mid-western Turkey was investigated from November 2006 to June 2007. Noroviruses were detected in 17% of samples (15/88) by a combination of 2 different RT-PCR assays, both targeting an overlapping region of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene. By sequence analysis, most strains were characterized as GIIb/Hilversum. One strain was characterized as GII.4/2006a, a variant that appeared worldwide in 2006, while another strain was characterized as a rare genotype, GII.6. This study demonstrates the importance of norovirus in paediatric diarrhoea and suggests the heterogeneity of circulating strains in Turkey.
Evaluation of the impact of the Family Health Program on infant mortality in Brazil, 1990–2002

Objective: To use publicly available secondary data to assess the impact of Brazil’s Family Health Program on state level infant mortality rates (IMR) during the 1990s. Design: Longitudinal ecological analysis using panel data from secondary sources. Analyses controlled for state level measures of access to clean water and sanitation, average income, women’s literacy and fertility, physicians and nurses per 10 000 population, and hospital beds per 1000 population. Additional analyses controlled for immunisation coverage and tested interactions between Family Health Program and proportionate mortality from diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections. Setting: 13 years (1990–2002) of data from 27 Brazilian states. Main results: From 1990 to 2002 IMR declined from 49.7 to 28.9 per 1000 live births. During the same period average Family Health Program coverage increased from 0% to 36%. A 10% increase in Family Health Program coverage was associated with a 4.5% decrease in IMR, controlling for all other health determinants (p<0.01). Access to clean water and hospital beds per 1000 were negatively associated with IMR, while female illiteracy, fertility rates, and mean income were positively associated with IMR. Examination of interactions between Family Health Program coverage and diarrhoea deaths suggests the programme may reduce IMR at least partly through reductions in diarrhoea deaths. Interactions with deaths from acute respiratory infections were ambiguous. Conclusions: The Family Health Program is associated with reduced IMR, suggesting it is an important, although not unique, contributor to declining infant mortality in Brazil. Existing secondary datasets provide an important tool for evaluation of the effectiveness of health services in Brazil.
SHORT‐ AND LONG‐TERM EFFECTS OF ELEVATED CO2 ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND RESPIRATION IN THE MARINE MACROALGA HIZIKIA FUSIFORMIS (SARGASSACEAE, PHAEOPHYTA) GROWN AT LOW AND HIGH N SUPPLIES 1

The short‐term and long‐term effects of elevated CO2 on photosynthesis and respiration were examined in cultures of the marine brown macroalga Hizikia fusiformis (Harv.) Okamura grown under ambient (375 μL · L−1) and elevated (700 μL · L−1) CO2 concentrations and at low and high N availability. Short‐term exposure to CO2 enrichment stimulated photosynthesis, and this stimulation was maintained with prolonged growth at elevated CO2, regardless of the N levels in culture, indicating no down‐regulation of photosynthesis with prolonged growth at elevated CO2. However, the photosynthetic rate of low‐N‐grown H. fusiformis was more responsive to CO2 enrichment than that of high‐N‐grown algae. Elevation of CO2 concentration increased the value of K1/2(Ci) (the half‐saturation constant) for photosynthesis, whereas high N supply lowered it. Neither short‐term nor long‐term CO2 enrichment had inhibitory effects on respiration rate, irrespective of the N supply, under which the algae were grown. Under high‐N growth, the Q10 value of respiration was higher in the elevated‐CO2‐grown algae than the ambient‐CO2‐grown algae. Either short‐ or long‐term exposure to CO2 enrichment decreased respiration as a proportion of gross photosynthesis (Pg) in low‐N‐grown H. fusiformis. It was proposed that in a future world of higher atmospheric CO2 concentration and simultaneous coastal eutrophication, the respiratory carbon flux would be more sensitive to changing temperature.
Closing Loopholes in the Accounting of Convertible Debt and the Impact of Call Features

Cash settlements became a popular design feature in convertible securities once they obtained favorable accounting treatment for diluted earnings per share in 2002. The unexpected proliferation of cash settlements provoked the FASB to eliminate their favorable accounting treatment in 2008. We find that shareholders of firms that use cash-settled convertibles react negatively to the announcement of these changes. Firms that issued cash-settled convertible debt to avoid earnings dilution no longer have an incentive to keep them on their balance sheets. Consistent with this observation, we find that investors respond more favorably if the cash-settled convertibles of these firms include call features. We conclude that call features can be valuable in times of accounting changes as they allow the firm to mitigate the effects of the accounting changes on their financial reporting. Our results therefore provide an accounting-based motivation for incorporating call features into securities.
Interaction between IgE complexes and macrophages in the rat: a new mechanism of macrophage activation

In earlier studies we found that normal rat macrophages, preincubated at 37°C with the serum of syngeneic rats immune to Schistosoma mansoni, strongly adhered to S. mansoni schistosomules whereas no significant adherence was induced with serum from normal rat. Using51 chromium release assay, it now proved that immune serum‐incubated macrophages lysed the schistosomules in 18 h. Absorption experiments and ultracentrifugation of the immune serum showed that immune complexes containing specific IgE antibody against S. mansoni and soluble parasite antigens induced macrophage adherence and cytotoxicity. Using various labeling techniques, the binding of aggregated rat IgE to the macrophage surface at 37°C is evident in conditions where endocytosis is negligible. The binding of immune complexes containing IgE antibody to S. mansoni elicits dramatic ultra structural changes in the macrophage and an increase of its lysosomal enzymes together with specific lytic activity for the schistosomules. The parallel development of immune serum‐induced macrophage adherence or cytotoxicity with the level of circulating IgE antibody to the parasite in correlation with the development of immunity in the rat, suggests that this new mechanism of macrophage activation could play a role in immune effector mechanisms against S. mansoni. Therefore, IgE acts as a humoral mediator of cellular immunity.
sustaining rag trade

Over the last decade, the clothing sector has been at the forefront of efforts to raise the social and environmental standards of international trade. The challenge now facing the ‘rag trade’ is how these efforts can be transformed into a coordinated strategy for the sustainable development of the supply chain. Focusing on UK retailers, Sustaining the rag trade outlines the key market and sustainability challenges facing the sector, the corporate responses to them and their implications for developing country suppliers. The report contains case studies of leading clothing chains, including Marks and Spencer, Next, C&A, Bhs and Littlewoods.
Abnormal Accruals and Firm Value, Panel Data Analysis of Banking Industry of Pakistan

Value of Bank has been estimated using Tobin's Q formula while total accruals have been measured through income statement approach i.e. difference between net income and net cash flows from operating activities. In this study, Cross Sectional Modified Jones Model [1995] has been used to segregate total accruals into discretionary and non-discretionary components. Using ordinary least square method (OLS), in a sample of 21 commercial banks operating in Pakistan, I document negative relationship between discretionary accruals and firm value and very strong positive relationship between firm value and profitability of bank in a particular year. However, relationship of firm value with total accruals has been found positive but insignificant. These findings are the indicators that commercial banking firms face negative response if they deliberately report less earnings in good times and comparatively higher earnings in bad times.
A Modified Model of Power in the Marketing Channel

A modified model for examining power and its sources in marketing channels is developed and tested. The results of testing this model indicate that its predictive ability is no better than that of previous approaches. Some unexpected results obtained in this and other studies are discussed in the context of an overall framework of power sources and their consequences in marketing channels.
Bilateral endogenous Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis secondary to endocarditis following cardiac surgery

Introduction Endogenous endophthalmitis is a sight-threatening condition caused by microorganisms crossing the blood–ocular barrier and inducing profound intraocular inflammation. Case report A 65-year-old female experienced bilateral loss of vision after developing infective endocarditis as a complication of combined Bentall procedure and coronary artery bypass grafting. She was diagnosed with bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to Serratia marcescens. Despite aggressive treatment with intravitreal injections of antibiotics and steroids, intensive topical and systemic antibiotic therapy, there was permanent loss of sight in both eyes. Conclusion The case highlights the importance of early recognition of the symptoms and signs of endogenous endophthalmitis in any patient with systemic infection by all clinicians and the necessity of prompt ophthalmological referral if a useful level of vision is to be preserved.
Tetanus as Cause of Mass Die-off of Captive Japanese Macaques, Japan, 2008

In 2008 in Japan, 15/60 captive Japanese macaques died. Clostridium tetani was isolated from 1 monkey, and 11 had tetanus-specific symptoms. We conclude the outbreak resulted from severe environmental C. tetani contamination. Similar outbreaks could be prevented by vaccinating all monkeys, disinfecting housing areas/play equipment, replacing highly C. tetani–contaminated soil, and conducting epidemiologic surveys.
A rising tide of Foreign Direct Investment ( FDI ) has swept the developing countries over the last ten years

1.A rising tide of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has swept the developing countries over the last ten years. Between 1990 and 1998, the net annual inflow of FDI in developing countries rose from 30.5 billion to 163 billion in constant (1998) U.S. dollars. 2. The increased FDI has not been equally absorbed in the developing world. In fact, the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC), East Asia and Pacific (EAP), and Europe and Central Asia regions (ECA) have captured most of the increased investment. For example, the LAC and EAP regions each received over $60 3. The explosion of FDI in Latin America during the nineties constitutes a clear break with the situation in the last 50 years. In fact, one must go back to the golden age of FDI in Latin America, during the decades before the Great Depression, to obtain comparable FDI inflows to the region. 4. The increased FDI in Latin America has not flowed in equal magnitude to the various countries in the region. Two countries dominate Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America: Brazil, which in 1998 received on a net basis over $25 billion in FDI, and Mexico, which in 1998 received close to $10 billion. These were followed by Argentina ($5.7 billion), Chile ($4.8 billion), Venezuela ($3.8 billion) and Colombia ($3.0 billion). These six countries were the recipients to more than 80 percent of all the FDI flows to Latin America in 1998. At the other extreme, there are some countries that have not shared as much in the growth of FDI. These include Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Uruguay. In addition, both Guatemala and El Salvador were minor recipients of FDI until 1998, when they received $673 million and $872 million, respectively. 5. The great majority of FDI in Latin America originates in the United States, Europe, and Latin America itself. Only a small fraction is contributed by the Asia and Pacific region. 6. Despite the relatively small proportion of Asian and Pacific FDI in Latin America, compared to other regions, the share is rising. Between 1992 and 1998, Japan's net FDI flows to Latin America were approximately $32 billion, increasing from $2. 7. There is no overall sectoral concentration of FDI investments in Latin America, but there are substantial variations by country. In Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile, FDI in minerals and agriculture predominates. In Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela, manufacturing FDI dominates; and in Mexico …
At your service! Circular business model prototypes for a service provider in the construction industry

In recent years the circular economy has gained significant popularity, however practical implementation of the concept has not followed accordingly. Especially in the construction industry there is a need for a practical translation of the concept. This research makes this translation through the mutual development of circular economy theory and business model prototypes for a circular construction industry. These prototypes are aimed at service providers in the construction industry as it follows from a literature study that these are essential in developing the circular economy in the construction industry. With the development of both the prototypes and theory two important questions surrounding the circular economy are answered in this research. First, how should a service provider organize itself according to the circular economy, and second, how does the service provider relate to current stakeholders in the construction process?
Deploying ibrutinib to lung cancer: another step in the quest towards drug repurposing.

Exploiting the inherent promiscuity of drugs can enable recognition of important “off-target” effects that can be leveraged to repurpose drugs toward medical conditions not originally intended. Perhaps the classic example is the repurposing of imatinib, originally intended for breakpoint cluster region-Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 (BCR-ABL)-driven chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), toward mast/stem cell growth factor receptor (KIT)-driven gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) tumors (1). Compounds that have already demonstrated safety and utility in one disease can be rapidly redirected toward another disease entity, thereby quickening the pace of clinical trial development and proof of benefit from compounds. It is under this context that the report by Gao and colleagues (2) is important. This group took advantage of the recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of ibrutinib, a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against the Bruton tyrosine kinase and efficacy in mantle cell lymphoma (3). Previous studies had demonstrated that other tyrosine kinases,