Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Membrane Interactions Accelerate the Self-Aggregation of Huntingtin Exon 1 Fragments in a Polyglutamine Length-Dependent Manner

The accumulation of aggregated protein is a typical hallmark of many human neurodegenerative disorders including Huntington’s disease. Misfolding of the amyloidogenic proteins gives rise to self-assembled complexes and fibers. The huntingtin protein is characterized by a segment of consecutive glutamines, which when exceeding a certain number of residues results in the occurrence of the disease. Furthermore, it has also been demonstrated that the 17-residue amino-terminal domain of the protein (htt17), located upstream of this polyglutamine tract, strongly correlates with aggregate formation and pathology. Here we demonstrate that membrane interactions strongly accelerate the oligomerization and β-amyloid fibril formation of htt17-polyglutamine segments. By using a combination of biophysical approaches the kinetics of fibre formation has been quantitatively investigated and found to be strongly dependent to the presence of lipids, the length of the polyQ expansion and the polypeptide-to-lipid ratio. Finally, the implications for therapeutic approaches are discussed. Statement of significance The quantitative analysis of the aggregation kinetics of amino-terminal fragments of huntingtin demonstrate the importance of the 17-residue amino-terminal membrane anchor and a resulting dominant effect of membranes in promoting the aggregation of polyglutamines. Other parameters further modulating the association kinetics are the length of the polyglutamine stretch and the peptide concentration. The findings can have important impact on finding new therapies to treat Huntington’s and other polyglutamine related diseases.
Pulsatile GnRH administration stimulates the number of pituitary GnRH receptors in seasonally anoestrous ewes.

Twenty seasonally anoestrous ewes were pretreated with progesterone for 4 days and divided into four equal groups. Ewes in Group 1 received no GnRH treatment and were slaughtered immediately after progesterone removal. Ewes in Groups 2, 3 and 4 received i.v. injections of 250 ng GnRH every 2 h for 36 h starting at the time of progesterone removal. Ewes in Group 2 were slaughtered immediately after the 36 h GnRH pulsing, while ewes in Groups 3 and 4 were given a bolus injection of 125 micrograms GnRH at this time and were slaughtered 2 and 10 h after the bolus injection, respectively. Blood samples were collected every 30 min from ewes in Group 4 only, from 4 h before the start of GnRH treatment until 10 h after the bolus injection. Pulsing with GnRH resulted in episodic release of LH, and the bolus injection of GnRH was immediately followed by a preovulatory type LH surge in those ewes in which an endogenous surge had no already begun. The pituitary GnRH receptor numbers were significantly higher for the ewes in Group 2 than for any of the other treatment groups, while there was no significant difference in the receptor numbers between Groups 1, 3 and 4. The results suggest an up-regulation of GnRH receptors resulting from pulsatile GnRH therapy.
The role of vitamins in the prevention and control of anaemia

Abstract Objective While iron deficiency is regarded as the major cause of nutritional anaemia, changes in vitamins A, B12, C and E, folic acid and riboflavin status have also been linked to its development and control. This paper provides a systematic review of vitamin supplementation trials relating to the control of nutritional anaemia. Methods A MEDLINE search was used to find reports of vitamin supplementation trials that reported changes in anaemia or iron status. Results Vitamin A can improve haematological indicators and enhance the efficacy of iron supplementation. Both folate and vitamin B12 can cure and prevent megaloblastic anaemia. Riboflavin enhances the haematological response to iron, and its deficiency may account for a significant proportion of anaemia in many populations. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of dietary iron, although population-based data showing its efficacy in reducing anaemia or iron deficiency are lacking. Vitamin E supplementation given to preterm infants has not reduced the severity of the anaemia of prematurity. Vitamin B6 effectively treats sideroblastic anaemia. Multivitamin supplementation may raise haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, but few studies have isolated the effect of multivitamins from iron on haematological status. Conclusions In general, the public health impact of vitamin supplementation in controlling anaemia is not clear. Neither are the complex interactions involving multiple vitamins in haematopoiesis sufficiently understood to explain the observed variability in haematological responses to vitamins by age, population, vitamin mixture and dosages. Further research is needed to understand the roles of individual and combined vitamin deficiencies on anaemia to design appropriate micronutrient interventions to prevent anaemia.
Thermal Buckling and Postbuckling of Euler-Bernoulli Beams Supported on Nonlinear Elastic Foundations

Deformations of homogeneous and isotropic pinned-pinned and fixed-fixed Euler-Bernoulli beams supported on nonlinear elastic foundations and heated uniformly into the postbuckling regime have been analyzed numerically. Geometric nonlinearities introduced by finite deflections and curvature of the deformed beams are incorporated in the problem formulation. First buckling due to the uniform temperature rise and buckling mode transitions are investigated analytically by analyzing the linear problem. Subsequently, the nonlinear boundary-value problems for postbuckling of beams are transformed into initial-value problems and analyzed by the shooting method. For different values of the elastic foundation parameters, postbuckled configurations are illustrated.
[Comparative assessment of survival of probiotic microorganisms from commercial preparations under the conditions in vitro].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Assessment of survival of probiotic microorganisms from commercial preparations under the conditions in vitro simulates digestion in human stomach and intestine. MATERIALS AND METHODS Probiotic microorganisms from domestic and foreign commercial preparations were used in experiments. Study of survival of probiotic microorganisms was carried out on the model in vitro simulates the conditions of digestion in the human body. RESULTS A significant reduction in the number of viable probiotic microorganisms in the 20 of 23 studied commercial preparations during their incubation in the model media is established. Probiotic microorganisms in the preparations Bactisubtil, Sporobacterin and Biosporin possess a good survival under the conditions in vitro. CONCLUSION The selection of probiotics for the correction of intestinal microbiocenosis requires an individual approach that takes into account the character of relations of probiotic microorganisms and indigenous microorganisms of patient as well as the possibility of using advanced prebiotics in the combine treatment of dysbacteriosis.
Quasi-periodic Wannier–Stark ladders from driven atomic Bloch oscillations

Periodic Wannier–Stark ladder structures of the energy resonances associated with Bloch oscillations can be readily modified into quasi-periodic ones that exhibit peculiar self-similar effects. A compact theoretical description of the dynamics of driven Bloch oscillations is developed here within the quasi-momentum representation. We identify a rather viable scheme based on ultracold atomic wavepackets subject to gravity in a driven optical lattice potential where a self-similar scaling could be observed. Its feasibility in terms of realistic experimental parameters is also discussed.
World Trade Center dyspnea: bronchiolitis obliterans with functional improvement: a case report.

BACKGROUND Bronchiolitis obliterans is a severe, often progressive, lung disease characterized by cough, exertional dyspnea, and airflow obstruction. It has been ascribed to specific causes such as lung or bone marrow transplant, medications for rheumatoid disease, and most recently in association with exposure to environmental agents. METHOD A 42-year-old, previously healthy New York City Highway Patrol officer who arrived at the World Trade Center (WTC), "ground zero," early on September 11, 2001 was evaluated. He has been followed for over 2 years with serial chest radiographs, CT scans, and pulmonary function studies. He eventually underwent an open lung biopsy. RESULTS His dyspnea started on September 12, 2001 and progressed despite aggressive therapy with inhaled bronchodilator as well as oral and inhaled corticosteroids. At no time did he have any radiographic evidence of pulmonary disease. His forced vital capacity (FVC) decreased from 5.32 L in October 2001 to 2.86 L in January 2003. He underwent an open lung biopsy because of the persistent exertional dyspnea coupled with the loss of over 2 L of lung volume. The pathological findings were chronic bronchiolitis with focal obliterative bronchiolitis and rare non-necrotizing granuloma. Symptoms and pulmonary function improved after therapy with Azithromycin was added to his treatment. DISCUSSION This process is believed to be secondary to his massive exposure to the cloud of dust that followed the collapse of the WTC. It is our conviction that many of those present at the WTC on September 11 who have persistent dyspnea and deterioration of pulmonary function may have a similar pathologic process despite absence of abnormalities on CT of the chest. CONCLUSION In view of the many signs and symptoms seen in first responders we feel that these findings provide important information about the pathophysiology and treatment of progressive disease resulting from this exposure.
Early Remodeling of Saphenous Vein Grafts: Proliferation, Migration and Apoptosis of Adventitial and Medial Cells Occur Simultaneously with Changes in Graft Diameter and Blood Flow

Background: This study was designed to determine how migration and proliferation of adventitial and medial cells correlate temporally with hemodynamic characteristics including changes in diameter and blood flow in vein grafts. Methods: Male mongrel dogs underwent end-to-side reversed saphenous vein bypass grafting across a ligated femoral artery. Hemodynamic parameters were assessed by duplex ultrasound. Proliferating cells were labeled 24–48 h after grafting with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Grafts were removed on postoperative days 2, 5, 7 and 14. Immunohistochemistry was performed on graft sections with antibodies to nuclear antigen Ki-67 (MIB-1), BrdU and smooth muscle cell markers. Apoptosis was identified by modified TUNEL staining. Proliferating/apoptotic cells were quantified digitally. Results: Mean luminal cross-sectional area, blood flow and velocity increased from day 2 to 7. Cell proliferation was evident in adventitia and media on day 2, maximum on day 5 and decreased significantly by day 14. Apoptosis was maximum on day 5. Early proliferating cells (BrdU labeled) localized in the adventitia and media on day 2 were more prevalent in the neointima on days 5–14 suggesting inward migration. On day 2, proliferating cells stained positive only for vimentin. By days 5–14, proliferating cells stained for α-smooth-muscle actin, a phenotype characteristic of myofibroblasts. Conclusion: These results indicate that cell proliferation and apoptosis occur simultaneously within the adventitia and media of the vein during the first week following grafting, when changes in diameter and blood flow are greatest. In addition, proliferating adventitial cells subsequently migrate inwards to contribute to the formation of neointima.
The User IS the Enemy, and (S)he Keeps Reaching for that Bright Shiny Power Button!

Children represent a unique challenge to the security and privacy considerations of the home and technology deployed within it. While these challenges posed by children have long been researched, there is a gaping chasm between the traditional approaches technologists apply to problems of security and privacy and the approaches used by those who deal with this adversary on a regular basis. Indeed, addressing adversarial threats from children via traditional approaches to computer and information security would be a recipe for disaster: it is rarely appropriate to remove a child’s access to the home or its essential systems; children require flexibility; children are often threats to themselves; and children may use the home as a theater of conflict with each other. Further, the goals of security and privacy must be adjusted to account for the needs of childhood development. A home with perfect security – one that prevented all inappropriate behavior or at least ensured that it was recorded so that the adversary could be held accountable – could severely stunt children’s moral and personal growth. We discuss the challenges posed by children and childhood on technologies for the home, the philosophical gap between parenting and security technologists, and design approaches that technology designers could borrow when building systems to be deployed within homes containing this special class of user/adversary.
Bupivacaine Hastens the Ischemia-Induced Decrease of the Electrical Ventricular Fibrillation Threshold

Myocardial ischemia sensitizes the cardiotoxic effects of bupivacaine, especially the propensity to ventricular fibrillation.To investigate this sensitization and to elucidate its mechanism, the influence of bupivacaine alone, or associated with ischemia, was studied on electrical fibrillation threshold in anesthetized, open chest pigs. Determination of fibrillation threshold was performed with impulses of 100 ms duration at the rate of 180 bpm, in the absence of ischemia and at the end of increasing periods of ischemia (30, 60, 120, 180 s) obtained by complete occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery close to its origin. The effect of bupivacaine (1.00 mg/kg initial dose plus 0.04 mg centered dot kg-1 centered dot min-1 over 25 min) was compared to the control in the same animals. This effect corresponded to 1.4-1.8 micro gram/mL plasma concentrations likely to be observed in humans after regional anesthesia. Bupivacaine significantly increased the fibrillation threshold before coronary occlusion from approximately 7.0 to 9.5 mA. In contrast, during ischemia the fibrillation threshold was shifted to the left and down, with a hastening of spontaneous fibrillation. Recording of monophasic action potentials in the ischemic area revealed that conduction time was prolonged by more than 100% under the combined influence of ischemia and bupivacaine, whereas the major enhancement of excitability due to ischemia was not attenuated by bupivacaine. Therefore, bupivacaine should be used with caution in the condition of ischemia, especially if heart rate is rapid. In the present experiments, tachycardia is another factor in the enhancement of bupivacaine effects on conduction. (Anesth Analg 1995;80:657-63)
Measuring functional ability of autism spectrum disorder in a global context

association between nutritional status and gross motor function in children with CP: (1) low birthweight that can independently influence the body composition and motor coordination of children during growth and development; and (2) nutritional status based on energy requirements in children with CP. For the current emergency of Zika and Chikungunya virus infection, nutritional assessment should be included to improve quality of life of these patients.
Good Intentions and Unintended Evil: The Case against Selective Credit Allocation

Good Intentions and Unintended Evil: The Case Against Selective Credit AllocationAuthor(s): Edward J. KaneSource: Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Vol. 9, No. 1, Part 1 (Feb., 1977), pp. 55-69Published by: Ohio State University PressStable URL: http://www.jstor. org/stable/1991999 . Accessed: 10/07/2013 13:13
Postreperfusion Syndrome During Liver Transplantation

Each Roundtable Discussion involves discussion of a clinical case scenario with various experts in the field. This issue will be a discussion regarding postreperfusion syndrome and involves 3 anesthesiologists and a liver transplant surgeon as our discussants. Matthew Fiegel, MD, is an Associate Professor of anesthesiology at University of Colorado Denver. He is a liver transplant specialist as well as the head of the Acute Pain Service. Sara Cheng MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of anesthesiology at the University of Colorado Denver. She is an active research scientist with interest in liver transplant and coagulation studies, as well as a specialist in liver transplantation. Micheal Zimmerman, MD, is an Associate Professor of surgery in the Transplant Surgery Division of the University of Colorado Denver. He is an active research scientist, with a clinical and research interest in liver transplant. Tamas Seres MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of anesthesiology and the Chief of the Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Service at the University of Colorado Denver. He has an active interest in transesophageal echocardiography applications in both cardiac surgery and transplant.
PENGARUH MEKANISME GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE TERHADAP PROFITABILITAS PERUSAHAAN (Studi pada Perusahaan Makanan dan Minuman Tahun 2011-2014)

This research focus on the influence of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) mechanism towards the profitability of food and beverage industries in Indonesia. The type of this research is explanatory research with quantitative approach. Independent Board of Commissioners, Board of Directors, and institutional ownership are chosen as GCG mechanism in this research. Rate of return on equity (ROE) are used as profitability ratio. This study uses secondary data of food and beverage companies in 2011-2014 which are downloaded from the official website of Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI). Those secondary data analyzed by using multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this study indicate that the Board of Independent Commissioners, Directors, and institutional ownership simultaneously has significant effect on ROE. Partially, the Board of Directors have a significant effect on ROE. On the other hand, the regression coefficient indicates that the independent board and institutional ownership has a positive but not significant to ROE. Keywords: Good Corporate Governance Mechanism, independent board, board of directors, institutional ownership, return on equity. ABSTRAK Penelitian ini menyoroti mengenai pengaruh mekanisme Good Corporate Governance (GCG) terhadap profitabilitas industri makanan dan minuman di Indonesia. Jenis penelitian ini adalah explanatory research dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Mekanisme GCG yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini, yaitu Dewan Komisaris Independen, Direksi, dan kepemilikan institusional. Rasio profitabilitas yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini, yaitu menggunakan tingkat return on equity (ROE). Penelitian ini menggunakan data sekunder perusahaan makanan dan minuman tahun 2011-2014 yang diperoleh melalui website resmi Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI). Metode analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi linear berganda. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Dewan Komisaris Independen, Direksi, dan kepemilikan institusional secara simultan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap ROE. Secara parsial, Dewan Direksi memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap ROE. Di sisi lain, koefisien regresi menunjukkan bahwa dewan komisaris independen dan kepemilikan institusional memiliki nilai positif tetapi tidak signifikan terhadap ROE. Kata kunci: Mekanisme Good Corporate Governance , dewan komisaris independen, dewan direksi, kepemilikan institusional, return on equity .
IMPACT OF FINANCIAL LEVERAGE ON FIRM PERFORMANCE: EVALUATION OF TOTAL NIGERIA PLC

Debt is used by many companies to leverage their capital and profit. Empirically, the issue has received considerable attention, but the evidence is mixed. Against this backdrop this study presents an empirical insight into the relationship between financial leverage and return on equity and of a company in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria for the period 2004-2007. Secondary data obtained from the factbook and annual reports of the purposively selected company were analysed with the use of ordinary least square regression. The results showed that there is positive and significant relationship between financial leverage and financial performance of the company. As leverage increases by one unit, profitability also increases by 1.028 units. The 46.6% of the variations in the profitability are accounted for by leverage. The study therefore concluded that the company should take more debt to boost profitability.
When Energy Policy Meets Free-Market Capitalists: The Moderating Influence of Worldviews on Risk Perception and Investment Decisions

Several countries have set targets and implemented policies to increase the share of renewable energy sources. Whether or not those targets will eventually be met critically hinges upon the effectiveness of policies to mobilize private investment. An implicit assumption shared by many policy makers is that there is a positive correlation between renewable energy policies and private investment. However, just as energy policy can create opportunities, it can also create risk, and perceptions may differ between policy makers and investors. This paper adds to a growing stream of research in Energy Policy that empirically investigates investor perceptions of policies, and their influence on investment decision-making. Based on a survey of 29 venture capital investors conducting 1,064 experimental investment decisions, we show that high levels of regulatory exposure have a significantly negative effect on their likelihood to invest in renewable energy. However, venture capitalists are less risk-averse when it comes to low levels of regulatory exposure. Our findings suggest that investors' worldviews are an important moderating factor: respondents who expose strong "free-market" worldviews are more risk-averse under high levels of regulatory exposure than other investors.
Optimal Training Signal Design for Estimation of Correlated MIMO Channels in Two-Way Amplify-and-Forward Relay Systems

In this study, we design a training signal for a correlated two-way amplify-and-forward (AF) relay channel, where the relay system consists of two sources and one relay, and each terminal is equipped with multiple antennas. In the system, given that a mean square error (MSE) exists at each source, we minimize the sum of the two MSEs. In particular, we first derive a linear minimum MSE channel estimator with an arbitrary training signal. Second, we formulate the training signal design problem to minimize the sum of the MSEs of the two sources. Finally, we present the optimal structure of the training signal. The optimal training signal is obtained numerically, and a suboptimal training signal is obtained in a closed form. The simulation results show that the MSE performance of the closed-form training signal is almost the same as that of the optimal training signal.
Venture Capital Financing In Emerging Economies

The problem of how financing through venture capital functions in environments that significantly differ from mature and developed markets, begins to be an important issue for researchers. In this article we aim to analyze the venture capital practice in the emerging markets. Obtaining venture capital is different from applying for a loan, because venture capitalists are usually very selective in deciding where to invest. We analyze the venture capital financing process, and what the conditions are for a firm to be able to benefit from this type of financing in the emerging economies of the Central and Eastern European countries. The results obtained have implications also for the entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ventures that seek venture capital financing in emerging economies.