Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stakeholders, soft systems and technology: separation and mediation in the analysis of information system requirements

This paper describes the application of stakeholder analysis and soft systems thinking for an investigation of information system requirements. It is argued that it is appropriate to approach IS development as an exercise in managing complexity (soft systems) and pluralism (stakeholder analysis). A framework for investigating IS requirements is proposed that contrasts the current situation with the future situation and the real world with conceptual thinking about the real world. These aspects are viewed as outcomes of the process of IS requirements analysis, for which the metaphor of mediation is adopted in preference to presenting requirements analysis as a binary distinction between social construction and objectivity. The IS requirements analysis framework is applied in action research and the findings and learning that arose are presented.
Infection of mice with respiratory syncytial virus during neonatal life primes for enhanced antibody and T cell responses on secondary challenge

Primary neonatal immune responses to infection or vaccines are weak when compared with those of adults. In addition, memory responses of neonatally primed animals may be absent, weak or T helper type 2 (Th2)‐biased. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important pathogen of human infants and infection during the neonatal period has been linked to the development of asthma in later life. Here we report that acute intranasal infection of neonatal mice with RSV induces significant RSV‐specific antibody and CD8 T cell responses. These responses were boosted after RSV rechallenge during adulthood, demonstrating the establishment of memory after neonatal priming. Primary infection during neonatal life was associated, following rechallenge, with limited viral replication in the lung. Recall responses of both spleen and lymph node cells from neonatally primed and adult‐primed mice were associated with interferon‐γ secretion, indicative of a Th1‐type response. However, interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐5 secretion were enhanced only in spleen and lymph node cells from neonatally primed mice. Rechallenge of neonatally primed mice was also associated with increased concentrations of chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α and regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted in the lung. These may play a role in the enhanced inflammatory cell recruitment and immunopathology induced following RSV reinfection. Our results demonstrate therefore that immunity to RSV can be established during neonatal life and, importantly, that the quality of the subsequent response is dependent upon the age of first infection.
Application of UPLC-MS/MS Method for Analyzing B-vitamins in Human Milk.

OBJECTIVE To determine ten B-vitamins in human milk by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). METHODS The pretreated human milk samples were adequately separated and quantified within 11 min by UPLC-MS/MS with an Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (2.1×100 mm, 1.8 µm). The mobile phase was a gradient of 2.5 mmol/L ammonium formate aqueous solution and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. Stable isotope internal standards were used in the analysis, to correct for the method variability, including matrix and ionization effects. The homogenized human milk samples were deproteinzed using methanol, unknown contaminants were extracted with diethyl ether and hydrophobic phase was discarded. The analytes were monitored via ESI+ionization and detected in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with three acquisition functions. RESULTS Calibration curves ranged from 0.5-160 ng/mL (thiamin, riboflavin, biotin, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal), and 2.5-800 ng/mL (pantothenic acid, FAD and nicotinamide) (R2=0.990-0.999). The relative recovery ranged from 80.1% to 120.2%; accuracy was determined to be 98.3% to 108.0%. Intra-day and inter-day variation were 3.4%-19.9% and 5.9%-18.1%, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for all vitamins was between 0.25 and 3 µg/L. CONCLUSION This method was successfully applied for simultaneous analysis of ten B-vitamins in human milk.
A Motivational Model of Microcomputer Usage

Survey data gathered from 471 professionals and managers in 62 companies in North America were used to test a motivational model of microcomputer usage. The model synthesized prior research findings and proposed that perceived usefulness, perceived fun/enjoyment, and social pressure would motivate increased use of microcomputers by professionals and managers. Results provided substantial support for the proposition that perceived usefulness (rather than perceived fun or social pressure) is the principal motivator. The findings also demonstrated that perceived complexity is a key intervening variable linking the antecedent variables (skills, organizational support, and organizational usage) with the three motivational variables. The results also suggested that skills play a critical role in affecting microcomputer usage. Skills directly promote microcomputer usage and influence usage through their effects on perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, and social pressure. The findings of the study contribute to an expanded understanding of the factors that promote microcomputer usage and also have important implications for the management of information systems.
Sclerostin Inhibition of Wnt-3a-induced C3H10T1/2 Cell Differentiation Is Indirect and Mediated by Bone Morphogenetic Proteins*

High bone mass diseases are caused both by activating mutations in the Wnt pathway and by loss of SOST, a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist, leading to the activation of BMP signaling. Given the phenotypic similarity between mutations that activate these signaling pathways, it seems likely that BMPs and Wnts operate in parallel or represent components of the same pathway, modulating osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we show that in C3H10T1/2 cells, Wnt-3A and BMP-6 proteins were inducers of osteoblast differentiation, as measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) induction. Surprisingly, sclerostin, noggin, and human BMP receptor 1A (BMPR1A)-FC fusion proteins blocked Wnt-3A-induced ALP as well as BMP-6-induced ALP activity. Dkk-1, a Wnt inhibitor, blocked Wnt-induced ALP activity but not BMP-induced ALP activity. Early Wnt-3A signaling as measured by β-catenin accumulation was not affected by the BMP antagonists but was blocked by Dkk-1. Wnt-3A induced the appearance of BMP-4 mRNA 12 h prior to that of ALP in C3H10T1/2 cells. We propose that sclerostin and other BMP antagonists do not block Wnt signaling directly. Sclerostin blocks Wnt-induced ALP activity by blocking the activity of BMP proteins produced by Wnt treatment. The expression of BMP proteins in this autocrine loop is essential for Wnt-3A-induced osteoblast differentiation.
Treating and Drinking Well Water in the Presence of Health Risks from Arsenic Contamination: Results from a U.S. Hot Spot

The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 regulates water quality in public drinking water supply systems but does not pertain to private domestic wells, often found in rural areas throughout the country. The recent decision to tighten the drinking water standard for arsenic from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb may therefore affect some households in rural communities, but may not directly reduce health risks for those on private wells. The article reports results from a survey conducted in a U.S. arsenic hot spot, the rural area of Churchill County, Nevada. This area has elevated levels of arsenic in groundwater. We find that a significant proportion of households on private wells are consuming drinking water with arsenic levels that pose a health risk. The decision to treat tap water for those on private wells in this area is modeled, and the predicted probability of treatment is used to help explain drinking water consumption. This probability represents behaviors relating to the household's perception of risk.
The effect of oral bacteria on Candida albicans germ‐tube formation Note

Abstract: A total of eight bacterial isolates belonging to six species, and a select group of 12 oral Candida albicans isolates, were used to study the effect of bacteria on germ‐tube formation. Briefly, each bacterial suspension (105–6 cells/ml) was mixed with a C. albicans suspension (107 cells/ml) and incubated at 37 °C for 90 min with bovine serum, and the percentage germ‐tube‐positive Candida cells was quantified using a haemocytometer, under light microscopy. In general, out of eight bacteria, Streptococcus sanguis SK21A, Streptococcus salivarius SK56, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and S. salivarius OBU3 suppressed germ‐tube formation to varying degrees, with different C. albicans isolates. Porphyromonas gingivalis Pg 50, Lactobacillus casei ATCC 7469 and Prevotella intermedia OBU4 elicited significant enhancement of germ‐tube formation, whereas S. sanguis OBU 2 had no effect. E. coli ATCC 25922 was the only organism to show statistically significant suppression of germ‐tube formation (p=0.0312). A significant increase in the germ tube production of C. albicans isolated from HIV‐infected compared with HIV‐free individuals was also noted. The current results tend to suggest that commensal and transient oral bacterial populations may selectively influence the differential expression of germ‐tube‐forming ability of C. albicans isolates.
Same Same But Different: Dialects and Trade

Abstract Language is a strong and robust determinant of international trade patterns: Countries sharing a common language trade significantly more with each other than countries using different languages, holding other factors constant. In this article we present the first analysis of the effect of language on trade in an intra-national context. Analyzing unique data for a single-language country, Germany, we find that similarities in the local dialect have a significantly positive impact on regional trade. We interpret this finding as evidence for the trade-promoting effect of culture, because linguistic similarities likely reflect cultural ties across regions, rather than lower costs of communication or similar institutions.
Prediction of Lactate Threshold (LT) and Fixed Blood Lactate Concentrations (FBLC) from 3200-m Running Performance in Women*

The present study evaluated the accuracy of predicting velocity and oxygen consumption (VO2) at the LT lactate threshold and FBLC fixed blood lactate concentrations from a 3200-m time trial in women. Forty-four women (mean age = 31.1 yrs, mean ht = 164.9 cm, mean wt = 65.0 kg) completed a treadmill protocol for the determination of LT and FBLC and a 3200-m time trial. Velocity and VO2 values at LT, FBLC of 2.0 2.5, and 4.0 mM, and peak were determined. Mean VO2 and velocity ranged from 27.8 +/- 10.8 ml/kg.min-1 at LT to 42.5 ml/kg.min-1 at peak and from 129.8 +/- 44.0 m.min-1 at LT to 187.0 +/- 52.4 m.min-1 at peak, respectively. Results indicated that a 3200-m time trial (mean time = 20.6 +/- 6.6 min) was a good predictor of VO2 and velocity at LT, FBLC, and peak. Correlation coefficients (using a quadratic model) for velocity ranged from R = 0.96 to R = 0.98 with SEE ranging from 9.0 to 13.1 m.min-1. Correlation coefficients for VO2 ranged from R = 0.94 to R = 0.96 with SEE ranging from 2.8 to 3.6 ml/kg.min. The validity of these regression equations was examined in 13 women who completed a 12-month running program (VO2 LT, VO2 at FBLC of 2.0, 2.5 and 4.0 mM, and VO2 peak increased by 34.7, 19.9, 16.9, 11.9, and 5.4%, respectively, p less than 0.05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Exenatide: pharmacokinetics, clinical use, and future directions

ABSTRACT Introduction: The first-in-class glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) exenatide, which was initially approved in 2005, is available in twice-daily (BID) and once-weekly (QW) formulations. Clinical trial data suggest both formulations are effective and safe for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), both as monotherapy and as part of combination therapy. Since exenatide was approved, several other GLP-1RAs have become available for clinical use. Areas covered: Many ongoing clinical trials involving exenatide BID and exenatide QW are investigating new indications (exenatide BID) and new end points and combination therapies (exenatide QW). This review provides an overview of the delivery and pharmacokinetics of both formulations of exenatide, reviews existing data in T2D, and summarizes ongoing investigations. Expert opinion: Exenatide BID and QW have substantial clinical benefits. Comparisons with other GLP-1RAs demonstrate some differences in efficacy and safety profiles that make assessment of benefit:risk ratios complex. Head-to-head comparisons of QW GLP-1RA formulations may assist in the ranking of GLP-1RAs according to efficacy and safety. Results on the impact of exenatide QW on cardiovascular outcomes are eagerly awaited. The potential clinical utility of exenatide BID in other indications will clarify whether exenatide holds clinical promise in diagnoses other than T2D.
Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the Mandible: A Laser Raman Spectroscopic Study

Laser Raman spectroscopy has been used in this study to characterize mandibular bone samples from patients who had undergone radiation therapy for oral cancer. The paper discusses spectral changes resulting in osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandibular bone, a serious complication that may occur after radiation therapy. Histopathological studies normally reveal the radiation damage on vascular canals and loss in bone cells, but will not reveal any structural or biochemical changes. All radiation-induced side effects are attributed to this hypovascularity and hypocellularity caused by early- and/or late-delayed effects. Our Raman studies on normal and ORN bone and on bone exposed to radiation, but not in the ORN state, show that irradiation produces immediate structural changes in the inorganic bone matrix with a slight loss in cells. ORN bone, in addition to the structural changes that had already occurred on radiation exposure, shows almost complete loss of cellular components. Since bone tissue is continuously being remodeled (dissolved and rebuilt) under normal conditions, our results suggest that the immediate structural changes in the calcium hydroxy apatite mineral part is not repaired in ORN, due to loss of the highly transient osteoblasts and osteoclasts resulting from destruction of stem cells. The spectral studies also show changes in the organic matrix, which is mostly type I collagen.
The effect of a culturally tailored smoking cessation for Chinese American smokers.

INTRODUCTION Tobacco use is a serious public health problem among low-income Chinese Americans with limited English proficiency. Chinese men are at high risk for smoking-related morbidity and mortality. We tested the feasibility of a culturally and linguistically sensitive smoking intervention program with combined counseling and pharmacological components for Chinese smokers in New York City; identified factors and techniques that enhance the administration and appropriateness of the intervention program; and examined the overall impact of this program on quit attempts, quit rates, and overall smoking reduction. METHODS We were guided by the transtheoretical model and used an adapted motivational interviewing (MI) approach. The study involved a randomized sample with pretreatment assessment and multiple follow-up measures. Eligible participants (N = 122) were randomly assigned to intervention (4 individualized counselor-led MI sessions and nicotine replacement therapy [NRT]) or control groups (4 general health education sessions, self-help materials, and NRT). RESULTS Quit rate at 6 months in the intervention group was 67% versus 32% for the control group, indicating minimal relapse and a highly successful intervention program. Increase in self-efficacy and decease in pros of smoking from baseline to 6-month follow-up were positively associated with smoking cessation. The number of cigarette smoked at baseline was inversely related to smoking cessation. Results indicate that a combined intensive behavioral counseling and pharmacological intervention can reduce smoking substantially. CONCLUSION The results of this pilot will be used as a basis for a large-scale randomized trial of an intervention with combined culturally and linguistically sensitive MI and NRT components for Chinese and other Asian ethnic groups.
VO1, a temperate bacteriophage of the type 19A multiresistant epidemic 8249 strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae: analysis of variability of lytic and putative C5 methyltransferase genes.

A temperate bacteriophage (VO1) has been isolated from the Streptococcus pneumoniae type 19F multiresistant epidemic 8249 strain (South African strain). Structural analysis of the specific integration site, protein composition, restriction patterns, and molecular dissection of the lytic system of this phage revealed high sequence similarity with MM1, a temperate phage from the Spain23F-1 strain of pneumococcus, another multiresistant epidemic clone. The different pneumococcal strains sequenced so far exhibit an identical and single attB located in the same site of the genome. Remarkably, the LytA amidase coded by VO1 showed clear differences with that of the host bacterium in contrast with the situation previously documented for bacterial- and phage-coded amidases of pneumococcus. In addition, a new gene (orfmet) putatively coding for a C5 methyltransferase has been identified. A noticeable variability affecting the presence (or absence) of this supernumerary gene(s) in the same region of the genomes of three otherwise highly similar phages (i.e., VO1, MM1, and HB-3) suggests frequent recombinational events leading to introduce variability in this genome region. The peculiarities of genes like lytA and orfmet in VO1 provide interesting insights on mechanisms of horizontal transfer and lysogenic state co-evolution.
Gene transfer for hemophilia: can therapeutic efficacy in large animals be safely translated to patients?

Summary. Gene transfer is a novel area of therapeutics in which the active agent is a nucleic acid rather than a protein or small molecule. As early as 1997, investigators reported long‐term expression of therapeutic levels of factor IX using gene transfer techniques in hemophilia B mice, and similar data were thereafter reported in mice with hemophilia A. Efforts to translate these results to hemophilic dog models at first yielded only marginally therapeutic levels (1%–2% normal circulating levels), but within the past few years have achieved levels in the range of 10%–20% through multiple different gene transfer strategies. Early phase clinical testing has revealed that many aspects of gene transfer in humans were accurately predicted by studies in hemophilic dogs, but that other aspects were not, and were only appreciated as a result of clinical testing. Studies in the next few years will determine whether the problems identified in preclinical and early phase clinical testing can be solved to develop a therapeutic gene transfer approach to hemophilia.
Immunocytochemical analysis of basket cells in rat piriform cortex

Basket cells, defined by axons that preferentially contact cell bodies, were studied in rat piriform (olfactory) cortex with antisera to γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic markers (GABA, glutamate decarboxylase) and to peptides and calcium binding proteins that are expressed by basket cells. Detailed visualization of dendritic and axonal arbors was obtained by silver‐gold enhancement of staining for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), cholecystokinin (CCK), parvalbumin, and calbindin. Neuronal features were placed into five categories: soma‐dendritic and axonal morphologies, laminar distributions of dendritic and axonal processes, and molecular phenotype. Although comparatively few forms were distinguished within each category, a highly varied co‐expression of features from different categories produced a “combinatorial explosion” in the characteristics of individual neurons. Findings of particular functional interest include: dendritic distributions suggesting that somatic inhibition is mediated by feedforward as well as feedback pathways, axonal variations suggesting a differential shaping of the temporal aspects of somatic inhibition from different basket cells, evidence that different principal cell populations receive input from different combinations of basket cells, and a close association between axonal morphology and molecular phenotype. A finding of practical importance is that light microscopic measurements of boutons were diagnostic for the molecular phenotype and certain morphological attributes of basket cells. It is argued that the diversity in basket cell form in the piriform cortex, as in other areas of the cerebral cortex, reflects requirements for large numbers of specifically tailored inhibitory processes for optimal operation that cannot be met by a small number of rigidly defined neuronal populations. J. Comp. Neurol. 434:308–328, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nasal nitric oxide and nasal allergy

Measurements of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) are attractive because they are completely noninvasive and can easily be performed. The measurements may be useful in the early diagnosis of patients with chronic airway disorders such as Kartager's syndrome and cystic fibrosis. The possible use of nNO measurements in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis still needs to be further evaluated because of the variable and also contradicting findings of nNO concentrations in this disease. In this review we will discuss the origin, production and measurement of nNO as well as the effect of allergic rhinitis, nasal allergen challenge and medication on nNO. Subsequently, we examine published data on allergic rhinitis and nNO, and summarize the effect of treatment of rhinitis on nNO. Finally, we discuss the potential future role for nNO in the diagnosis and management of allergic rhinitis.
Effects of Asphyxia on Renal Function in the Newborn Piglet

Summary: This investigation was undertaken to determine the nature of acute alterations in renal function following the production of hypoxemia, hypercarbia, and acidosis in newborn piglets 6–96 hr of age. After completion of the surgical procedure piglets were allowed to recover from the effects of anesthesia. When respiratory dead space was increased arterial oxygen tension decreased whereas arterial carbon dioxide tension and hydrogen ion concentration increased. There was little change in glomerular filtration rate. Total renal blood flow decreased and renal vascular resistance increased significantly (504 ± 78 mm Hg/liter/mm/m2 to 1422 ± 504). There was no change in distribution of intrarenal blood flow. Sodium excretion and urinary flow rate demonstrated significant parallel increases following the increase in dead space. Plasma renin concentration increased from 67 to 110 ng/ml.Speculation: Hypoxia, hypercarbia, and acidosis produced changes in renal function in newborn piglets. Therapeutic approaches to the newborn human with respiratory distress must consider the potential for modifications of renal function which may be detrimental to the infant.
The Redux' server

Redux' is a subset of the full REDUX model. The latter performs problem solving. In contrast, Redux' acts only as a decision maintenance server. It takes objects of types defined in an ontology of decision components and maintains dependencies between them. Redux' is domain-independent. The dependency relationships are maintained on the basis of proposition type and not content, except for some string matching. Redux' servers are proposed as a mechanism for federating heterogeneous design agents by encapsulating their design decisions within a simple model and providing coordination services, especially for design revision. This proposal is described within the context of the SHADE and PACT projects. <<ETX>>