Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation, Characterization and Antibacterial Properties of Silver-Chitosan Nanocomposites Using Different Molecular Weight Grades of Chitosan

Purpose : To study the effect of chitosan molecular weight on the physicochemical and antibacterial properties of silver-chitosan nanoparticles. Methods : A series of silver-chitosan nanoparticles of different sizes were produced using various molecular weight (MW) grades of chitosan by an aqueous chemical reduction method. The nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and laser Doppler electrophoresis (LDE). The antibacterial properties of the nanoparticles were also evaluated by agar diffusion method. Results : The size of the silver-chitosan nanoparticles, ranging from 21.9 to 175.3 nm, was influenced by chitosan MW as well as by other process conditions. Although, the nanoparticles were not stable in liquid form, they however showed good stability in the solid state due to their low zeta potential. SEM images indicate that the nanoparticles were spherical. The antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus increased with decrease in particle size owing to increase in surface area. The smallest particle size (21.9 nm) was obtained by using high chitosan MW at 4 °C and a stirring speed of 800 rpm. Conclusion : Chitosan is an effective agent for the preparation of silver nanoparticles. The size of the nanoparticles can be modulated by varying both chitosan MW and process conditions such as temperature and stirring speed.
Anxiety and depression in adult untreated celiac subjects and in patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease: a personality "trait" or a reactive illness?

BACKGROUND/AIMS Psychiatric illness and psychological behavioral pathologies may be present in celiac disease and in IBD patients. In these subjects anxiety and depression could be a main cause in the reduction of the compliance to the treatment. Aim of our study was to carry out a psychometric evaluation using appropriate means to determine the level of anxiety and depression and to distinguish between "state" and "trait" forms. The correction of such disturbances would improve the quality of life and the patients' compliance to treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixteen adult celiac patients, 16 subjects affected by IBD and 16 healthy control subjects matched for sex, residence and marital status were studied by psychological assessment. All the subjects were given the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Ipat Depression Scale Questionnaire. RESULTS State anxiety was present in a higher percentage of celiac subjects and in the patients affected by IBD with respect to the healthy controls. Anxiety as a trait was present in a similar percentage in all the subjects evaluated. Depressive syndrome was present in a percentage of celiac patients statistically superior versus the healthy control group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Our results shown that anxiety is present as a "reactive" form and personality trait anxiety has no effect in celiac and IBD patients. As regard depression, our data confirm a possible linkage between brain functions and malabsorption.
CONFORMATION AND SELF-DIFFUSION OF SINGLE DNA MOLECULES CONFINED TO TWO DIMENSIONS

The conformation of DNA molecules electrostatically bound to fluid cationic lipid bilayers is investigated by fluorescence microscopy. The DNA diffuses freely in the plane and follows Rouse dynamics,D , 1yN , with an increasing number of base pairs N. The chain extension scales as kR2l , N2n , with n ­ 0.79 6 0.04 in good agreement with the exact exponent n ­ 3y4 for a selfavoiding random walk in two dimensions. The structure factor of dilute and semidilute DNA solutions shows fractal scaling behavior, Sskd , k21yn . In highly concentrated two-dimensional DNA solutions, the chains were found to segregate. [S0031-9007(99)08573-7]
Hemoglobin/myoglobin oxygen desaturation during Alpine skiing.

PURPOSE To investigate muscle blood volume (BV) change and hemoglobin/myoglobin oxygen desaturation (OD) during simulated giant slalom (GS) and slalom (SL) Alpine ski racing. METHODS Joint angle, BV, OD, and heart rate (HR) were evaluated during GS and SL events in 30 junior elite skiers ages 9--17 yr (13.5 +/- 2.3). Subjects were stratified by ski class and age: group I, J1 and J2, ages 15--18 yr (16.8 +/- 0.8); group II, J3, 13--14 yr (13.6 +/- 0.7); and group III, J4 and J5, 9--12 yr (11.5 +/- 1.2). Near-infrared spectrophotometry (NIRS) was used to measure BV and OD in the capillary bed of the vastus lateralis during trials. Maximal OD was determined during thigh cuff ischemia (CI). Quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) was estimated by skin-fold and thigh circumference. RESULTS Joint angles were smaller (P < 0.05) during GS than SL for ankle (83.8 +/- 11.9 degrees; 98.6 +/- 15.7 degrees ), knee (107.4 +/- 14.9 degrees; 118.3 +/- 18.0 degrees ), and hip (98.8 +/- 14.3 degrees; 107.5 +/- 16.2 degrees ). BV reduction from rest to peak exercise (Delta BV) was 30% greater (P < 0.05) during the GS than SL, whereas Delta OD was 33% greater (P < 0.05) during GS. Delta OD, relative to CI OD, was greater for all subjects during GS (79.2 +/- 3.7%) than SL (65.7 +/- 4.4%). This pattern continued within groups; group II displayed the greatest relative desaturation (82.9 +/- 7.6%). CSA was larger in older skiers (92.5 +/- 21.6; 72.5 +/- 12.3; 65.3 +/- 21.2 cm(2)) and correlated with Delta OD (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The larger reduction in BV (Delta BV change) and greater OD when skiers assumed lower posture during GS than SL may be related to greater effective static load secondary to higher percent of maximal voluntary contraction and is consistent with compromised blood flow to working muscle.
The Autocatalytic Release of a Putative RNA Virus Transcription Factor from Its Polyprotein Precursor Involves Two Paralogous Papain-like Proteases That Cleave the Same Peptide Bond*

The largest replicative protein of coronaviruses is known as p195 in the avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and p210 (p240) in the mouse hepatitis virus. It is autocatalytically released from the precursors pp1a and pp1ab byone zinc finger-containing papain-like protease (PLpro) in IBV and by two paralogous PLpros, PL1pro and PL2pro, in mouse hepatitis virus. The PLpro-containing proteins have been recently implicated in the control of coronavirus subgenomic mRNA synthesis (transcription). By using comparative sequence analysis, we now show that the respective proteins of all sequenced coronaviruses are flanked by two conserved PLpro cleavage sites and share a complex (multi)domain organization with PL1pro being inactivated in IBV. Based upon these predictions, the processing of the human coronavirus 229E p195/p210 N terminus was studied in detail. First, an 87-kDa protein (p87), which is derived from a pp1a/pp1ab region immediately upstream of p195/p210, was identified in human coronavirus 229E-infected cells. Second, in vitro synthesized proteins representing different parts of pp1a were autocatalytically processed at the predicted site. Surprisingly, both PL1pro and PL2pro cleaved between p87 and p195/p210. The PL1pro-mediated cleavage was slow and significantly suppressed by a non-proteolytic activity of PL2pro. In contrast, PL2pro, whose proteolytic activity and specificity were established in this study, cleaved the same site efficiently in the presence of the upstream domains. Third, a correlation was observed between the overlapping substrate specificities and the parallel evolution of PL1pro and PL2pro. Collectively, our results imply that the p195/p210 autoprocessing mechanisms may be conserved among coronaviruses to an extent not appreciated previously, with PL2pro playing a major role. A large subset of coronaviruses may employ two proteases to cleave the same site(s) and thus regulate the expression of the viral genome in a unique way.
Use of health care services by ethnic minorities in The Netherlands: do patterns differ?

BACKGROUND This article examines the nature of ethnic differences in health care utilisation by assessing patterns of use in addition to single service utilisation. METHODS Data were derived from the Second Dutch National Survey of General Practice. A nationally representative sample of 104 general practices participated in this survey. Data on health and health service utilisation were collected through face-to-face interviews. Based on a random sample per practice, a total of 12 699 Dutch-speaking people were interviewed, regardless of ethnic background. An additional study among a random sample of 1339 people from the four largest minority groups in The Netherlands was conducted. These four groups comprised people from Turkey, Surinam, Morocco, and The Netherlands Antilles. Multilevel analyses were performed to investigate ethnic differences in health care utilisation, adjusting for socio-economic status, health status, and level of urbanisation. RESULTS Differences in utilisation patterns were particularly marked for people with a Moroccan, Turkish, or Antillean background. Compared to the other groups, Surinamese were more likely to have had contact with any professional health care service. No evidence was found that the gate keeping role of general practitioners in The Netherlands functions less effectively among the ethnic minority groups as compared to the indigenous population. CONCLUSION The analysis of patterns of utilisation proved to supply useful information concerning the relationship between ethnicity and use of health care services in addition to figures concerning single service use only.
Uncovering the Mechanism of Aggregation of Human Transthyretin*

Background: Transthyretin (TTR) aggregation is associated with systemic amyloidosis. Results: Residue replacements on the F and H strands hinder TTR aggregation. Conclusion: The F and H strands are aggregation-driving segments of TTR. The binding of designed peptides inhibits protein aggregation. Significance: We point the way to new therapeutic approaches against TTR aggregation by using peptides to block amyloid segments. The tetrameric thyroxine transport protein transthyretin (TTR) forms amyloid fibrils upon dissociation and monomer unfolding. The aggregation of transthyretin has been reported as the cause of the life-threatening transthyretin amyloidosis. The standard treatment of familial cases of TTR amyloidosis has been liver transplantation. Although aggregation-preventing strategies involving ligands are known, understanding the mechanism of TTR aggregation can lead to additional inhibition approaches. Several models of TTR amyloid fibrils have been proposed, but the segments that drive aggregation of the protein have remained unknown. Here we identify β-strands F and H as necessary for TTR aggregation. Based on the crystal structures of these segments, we designed two non-natural peptide inhibitors that block aggregation. This work provides the first characterization of peptide inhibitors for TTR aggregation, establishing a novel therapeutic strategy.
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Profiles of Some Senecio Species from Egypt

Alkaloid profiles of two Egyptian Senecio species (Senecio aegyptius var. discoideus and S. desfontainei) in addition to a cultivated species (S. cineraria) were studied using capillary GLC and GLC-mass spectrometry with respect to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Four alkaloids were identified in S. aegyptius var. discoideus, 8 in S. desfontainei and 13 in S. cineraria. Some of these alkaloids have not been reported from these plants. The alkaloidal pattern of different plant organs (flowers, leaves, stem, root) were also investigated. Senecionine has been found to be a one of the major alkaloid in all studied species, it was isolated and its structure was elucidated by 1H- and 13C-NMR.
Use of the one‐minute preceptor as a teaching tool in the gross anatomy laboratory

The one‐minute preceptor (OMP) is a time‐efficient technique used for teaching in busy clinical settings. It consists of five microskills: (1) get a commitment from the student, (2) probe for supporting evidence, (3) reinforce what was done right, (4) correct errors and fill in omissions, and (5) teach a general rule. It can also be used to address structure‐identification questions in gross anatomy laboratory small‐group settings. The OMP is an active learner‐centered teaching approach that prepares students for a style of learning that they need to master in clinical settings, provides novice anatomy teachers with an efficient and effective teaching strategy, and moves anatomy learning beyond mere name tagging to active knowledge construction. Anat Sci Educ. © 2011 American Association of Anatomists.
Crop Production, Gender Roles and the Use of Mobile Phones and Radios for Agricultural Information by Farmers in Apac District, Northern Uganda

The introduction of information communication technologies like mobile phones and radios as a form of agricultural extension has the capacity to alter household gender roles. The information access that was previously more available to men than women, has the capacity to empower farmers by improving their ability to turn food crops into market oriented crops. This implies that food crops, previously seen as women’s crops, also become cash crops, which were thought to be men’s crops. This change also leads to changes in agricultural gender roles. The anticipated increase in agricultural productivity also leads to men or hired labour participating in agricultural roles that were previously thought to be women’s roles, so as to meet the market demands in a timely manner. The dual purpose of the crops leads to more joint labour provision along the agricultural production process and blurs the gender divide. The study used a sequentially mixed methods’ approach among farmers belonging to five farmer groups in Apac district in Northern Uganda. The study indicated that the use of mobile phones in agricultural production altered agricultural gender roles, as well as the participation of women and men in the production of food crops and cash crops. The changes greatly benefited women farmers as they moved into commercial production alongside their husbands, which changed their socio-economic status. The use of mobile phones and radios is important in fostering the participation of both men and women in agricultural roles that they previously did not engage in, since there is limited monopoly of information once a couple navigates issues of power relations surrounding the access to and use of the technologies.
The process of innovation in five industries in Europe and Japan

The study examines the relationship between outside influences and the firm's innovation process. A sample of commercially successful and unsuccessful R&D projects of a number of firms is discussed in terms of diverse market, resource, technical and organizational factors. The stimulus for a project, the sources of ideas used and the influences of competition and regulatory constraints were expected to vary among industries, and these differences are described. The authors suggest that their findings might be understood based on the evolution of a business from one having initially fluid and independent product and process technologies to one having a highly automated process technology designed for a specific standard product. Consequently, the relationship between product and process will shape and constrain the firm's ability to innovate in response to a changing environment.
Determinants of self-reported food safety practices among youths

The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of food safety practices and their determinants among youths in the city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ,An online cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,178 students at a premier university in the city of Kuala Lumpur. A web-based questionnaire pertaining to food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices was e-mailed to all registered students. ,This study found that 61.7 per cent of the respondents had good food safety practices, 89.7 per cent had fair knowledge and slightly less than half of them had positive attitudes regarding food safety. There was significant association between respondents’ attitudes and their food safety practices. No association was found between socio-demographic characteristics, year and field of study and their food safety practices. There was also no significant association between knowledge and food safety practices. Respondents with positive food safety attitudes had higher odds (OR=7.55, 95 per cent CI: 5.66, 10.07) for food safety practices compared to those with negative attitudes. ,As the study population consisted only of university students, the results may not be generalised to all youths in the country. Data collection using online self-reported questionnaires may cause misinterpretation. However, the questionnaire was validated and pilot tested prior to data collection. The results can be used in creating greater awareness of food safety practices, especially on positive attitudes among Malaysian youths. ,This study describes self-reported food safety practices and their relationship with socio-demographic factors, knowledge, and attitudes of Malaysian university students.
The Earnings Quality and Stock Returns of Listed Manufacturing Companies in Colombo Stock Exchange

M.R. P.Wijesinghe Abstract The earnings of the companies are imperative since it communicates information to stakeholders and to predict stock prices in future. However, as there is a greater possibility of managers to manipulate the recorded earnings as explain by the earnings management, the importance of recorded earnings has been eroded. Therefore, it is essential to consider the quality of earnings over reported earnings since it communicates the true portrait of the business for the stakeholders. With this milieu this study investigates the impact of earnings quality on stock returns of listed manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka during the period of 2010 to 2015. For this purpose, the study employs accruals as to measure the quality of earnings. In addition to that the study considered whether earnings or earnings quality is more influential to determine market return and whether size of the companies matters in measuring the above impact. The findings reveal that there is no significant positive impact of earnings or earnings quality on stock returns suggesting that the proxy used is not suitable to explain the impact of earnings quality on stock return. That is may be due to the lack of investors' ability to analyze financial statements; including earnings and quality of the items and have not sufficient knowledge of the earnings quality, and institutional framework and operational bottlenecks. In addition to that, the impact of company size is not a determining factor to quantify the impact of earning and earnings quality of the Sri Lankan listed manufacturing sector.
A Rho3 Homolog Is Essential for Appressorium Development and Pathogenicity of Magnaporthe grisea

ABSTRACT The small GTPase Rho3 is conserved in fungi and plays a key role in the control of cell polarity and exocytosis in yeast. In this report, we show that a Rho3 homolog, MgRho3, is dispensable for polarized hyphal growth in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea. However, MgRho3 is required for plant infection. Appressoria formed by the Mgrho3 deletion mutants are morphologically abnormal and defective in plant penetration. Conidia of the Mgrho3 deletion mutants are narrower than those of the wild-type strain and delayed in germination. Transformants expressing a dominant negative Mgrho3 allele exhibit similar phenotypes as the Mgrho3 deletion mutant, while transformants expressing a constitutively active allele of MgRho3 can produce normal conidia but remain defective in appressorium formation and plant infection. In contrast, overexpression of wild-type MgRho3 increases the infectivity of M. grisea. Our results reveal a new role for the conserved Rho3 as a critical regulator of developmental processes and pathogenicity of M. grisea.
Risk in Stream and Royalty Financing of Infrastructure Development

Stream financing and royalty financing are relatively new ways of enabling the development of infrastructure in the resources sector and provide risk sharing between the parties involved (financing company and resource company), different to other financing methods. The paper explores the peculiarities of stream and royalty financing, and presents a straightforward method, via moments, of assessing the risk associated with the parties losing/gaining money. Analysis variables are characterized by expected values and variances, the latter being used to incorporate any uncertainty or variability. The method assists in understanding the sensitivity of the risk to changes in the underlying terms of the financing agreements and underlying variables. It permits the selection of preferred financing dependent on the risk attitudes of the parties. A case example study is given demonstrating the calculations involved, along with some commentary on non-financial risk issues.
Acute Toxicity and Hepatotoxicokinetic Studies of Tamarindus indica Extract

Tamarindus indica is widely used as a food and beverage and in traditional medicine. The apparent lack of dose standardization in herbal medicine necessitates the evaluation of the lethality T. indica on Artemia salina nauplii and chicken embryos via in vitro and in vivo techniques. Furthermore, hepatotoxicokinetics of the crude extract and fractions on Wister rats was also assessed. At concentrations of 200, 20 and 2 µg/mL, crude extract and fractions showed brine shrimp death percentages ranging from 86.70% to 3.30% and the sub-fractions showed death percentage ranges of 46.70% to 3.30%. Calculated LD50 values ranged from 832 µg/mL to 5,019 µg/mL. Dosing Wister rats with 25% and 50% concentration of LD50 determined for crude extract and fractions on chicken embryos showed an elevation in the ALT and AST levels in the serum. Brine shrimps and chicken embryos showed a positive correlation, with R2 values of 0.541 and 0.588 (P ≤ 0.05) for fractions and subfractions, respectively, as media for the lethality assay. Dose standardization in folk herbal medicine is imperative as T. indica used as food and medicine has been shown to be toxic at high doses. Brine shrimp and chicken embryos may be comparably used as medium for toxicity assay.
AN ANALYSIS OF TEACHER PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON TEACHER PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA

Every organization has an objective towards optimum performance and the employees are the key drivers in achieving that. It is necessary therefore that the employees’ performance reach optimality for the success of the organization which is a primary goal of every organization including learning institutions. The present research investigated the influence of teacher performance appraisals on teacher performance in secondary schools in Kenya. Employing stratified and simple random sampling methods, 46 secondary schools with 460 teachers in two counties in Kenya were taken as samples. The variables under research included teacher remuneration, government policies, school administration, the school environment, and the school curriculum, which were under investigation in form of comparisons, explanations, and relationships on the aspects of teacher motivation to perform well. The research found that teacher appraisals influenced teacher performance. In general, the teachers perceived that government policies are unfavorable to them in terms of career advancement and introduction of the policies in place. The paper concludes with recommendations on application of the appraisal system to motivate teachers and thereby improve the performance of learners.