Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pretarsal structures in Leiodidae and Agyrtidae (Coleoptera, Staphylinoidea)

We analysed pretarsal characters of 87 species of Leiodidae (including 10 cholevines and representatives of all tribes and ca. 60% of the genera of non‐cholevines), five species of Agyrtidae, and nine representatives of outgroup taxa (Hydraenidae, Staphylinidae, Hydrophilidae, and Histeridae) using scanning electron microscopy. We focused our observations on the architecture of the empodium (including the sclerites and associated setae), the shape and composition of the medial projection of the distal margin of the terminal tarsomere, and the armature of the claws, which were considered a promising source of information for delimiting supraspecific taxa in our previous study. We identified several diagnostic features and recognize potential synapomorphies at the tribal, subtribal and generic levels. The internal systematic arrangement and/or even the monophyletic status of most of the subfamilies of Leiodidae (Camiarinae, Catopocerinae, Leiodinae, and Platypsyllinae) are challenged. We identified potential synapomorphies for Camiarinae (Camiarini and Agyrtodini) and Leiodinae. The non‐monophyly of Cholevinae is possible because part of the tribe (Anemadini, Eucatopini, and Oritocatopini) shares potentially apomorphic features with Leiodinae (e.g., a triangular medial projection with a diagonal row of conical spines), whereas another part (Leptodirini and Ptomaphagini) shares a potentially apomorphic feature with Coloninae and Platypsyllinae (a typical medial projection with two distinct triangular projections).
El Medio Natural en la LOE: ¿continuidad o cambio en el currículo de educación primaria?

En este articulo se analizan, desde una perspectiva critica y constructiva, las orientaciones de la LOE para el desarrollo de curriculo del area de Conocimiento del Medio (Natural) en la Educacion Primaria. Para valorar los cambios que supone esta reforma, se realiza un estudio comparativo con las dos que la han precedido -LOGSE y LOCE-, en cuanto a sus planteamientos educativos de caracter general, objetivos, contenidos de ensenanza y criterios de evaluacion. Como conclusion mas destacada se puede senalar que, si bien a la vista de la orientacion que caracterizo a la LOCE, la nueva reforma era necesaria, algunas de sus propuestas no resultan las mas adecuadas para este nivel educativo.
Changes of Enzymes Involved in Prostaglandin Metabolism and Prostaglandin Binding Proteins in Rat Brain During Development and Aging

Abstract: In the developing rat brain, the enzymatic formation of prostaglandin D2 from prostaglandin H2 increased 60‐fold from day 12 of gestation to birth. The activity still rose gradually to the highest level (90 nmol/min/g wet tissue) at day 7 after birth. The activities of prostaglandin E2 and F2α synthetases in rat brain were highest at gestational age 19 days (30 nmol/min/g wet tissue) and at gestational age 14 days (15 nmol/min/g wet tissue), respectively. The specific activity of NADP‐dependent 15‐hydroxy‐prostaglandin D2 dehydrogenase in rat brain was highest at the earliest gestational age we examined (day 12 of gestation), The specific bindings of prostaglandin D2 and E2 to the crude mitochondrial fraction of rat brain were observed from day 16 of gestation and increased to day 7 after birth. Although the activities of the enzymes responsible for prostaglandin metabolism were unchanged postmaturationally, the maximal concentrations of the binding sites on the synaptic membrane for both prostaglandins D2 and E2 decreased with constant affinity to less than one‐sixth with age from 1 week to 24 months after birth. These results indicate that prostaglandins may play important roles during maturation and aging in rat brain.
Remediation of a mine soil with insoluble polyacrylate polymers enhances soil quality and plant growth

We investigated the effects of different application rates of insoluble hydrophilic polyacrylate polymers on plant growth and soil quality from a Pb‐contaminated mine soil. The polymer increased the water‐holding capacity of the soil from about 250 g/kg in unamended soil to almost 1000 g/kg in soil with 0.6% polymer. However, the capacity of the polymer to retain water decreased progressively, presumably as the polymer sorbed Pb. Growth of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L. cv. Amba) was stimulated in the polymer‐amended soil. The greatest accumulated biomass over four cuts was obtained in soil amended with 0.4% of polymer. After orchardgrass had been growing for 101 days, the amounts of CaCl2‐extractable Pb present in the polymer‐amended soil were 15–66% of those in the unamended soil, depending on polymer application rate. The number of bacteria culturable on agar enriched with ‘Nutrient’ and yeast extract, and the activities of dehydrogenase, phosphatase, β‐glucosidase, protease and cellulase increased following polymer application. In contrast, urease activity was impaired by polymer application, presumably due to the presence of ammonium as a counter ion. Principal component analysis was used to compare the effects of the different rates of polymer application. Overall, the application of 0.2 or 0.4% polymer resulted in closer values for the indicators of soil quality used than the treatment with 0.6% polymer.
Improving pedestrian navigation system performance through the use of non-orthogonal redundant inertial measurement units

Employing the redundant number of inertial MEMS sensors is a promising line of pedestrian positioning technologies development offering a great potential in reliability, measurement accuracy and low level of noise. For this reason the article considers the design and realization features of a miniature pedestrian navigation system implementing this principle. Firstly, the model of a non-orthogonal redundant measurement unit measuring channels is presented in the article. Furthermore, details of algorithmic and hardware solutions used in the proposed pedestrian navigation system based on redundant inertial measurement unit are discussed. The results of the developed system's field tests demonstrating higher navigation accuracy for redundant navigation system than for non-redundant are also presented.
An Analytical Prediction of the Bifurcation Scheme of a Clarinet-Like Instrument: Effects of Resonator Losses

The understanding of the relationship between excitation parameters and oscillation regimes is a classical topic concerning bowed string instruments. The paper aims to study the case of reed woodwinds and attempts to find consequences on the ease of playing. In the minimum model of clarinet-like instruments, three parameters are considered: i) the mouth pressure, ii) the reed opening at rest, iii) the length of the resonator \ assumed to be cylindrical. Recently a supplementary parameter was added: the loss parameter of the resonator (using the \textquotedblleft Raman model\textquotedblright , that considers resonator losses to be independent of frequency). This allowed explaining the extinction of sound when the mouth pressure becomes very large. The present paper presents an extension of the paper by Dalmont et al (JASA, 2005), searching for a diagram of oscillation regimes with respect to the reed opening and the loss parameter. An alternative method is used, which allows easier generalization and simplifies the calculation. The emphasis is done on the emergence bifurcation: for very strong losses, it can be inverse, similarly to the extinction one for weak losses. The main part of the calculations are analytical, giving clear dependence of the parameters. An attempt to deduce musical consequences for the player is given.
P-Rex1 Links Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling to Rac Activation and Cell Migration*

Polarized cell migration results from the transduction of extra-cellular cues promoting the activation of Rho GTPases with the intervention of multidomain proteins, including guanine exchange factors. P-Rex1 and P-Rex2 are Rac GEFs connecting Gβγ and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling to Rac activation. Their complex architecture suggests their regulation by protein-protein interactions. Novel mechanisms of activation of Rho GTPases are associated with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/threonine kinase known as a central regulator of cell growth and proliferation. Recently, two independent multiprotein complexes containing mTOR have been described. mTORC1 links to the classical rapamycin-sensitive pathways relevant for protein synthesis; mTORC2 links to the activation of Rho GTPases and cytoskeletal events via undefined mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that P-Rex1 and P-Rex2 establish, through their tandem DEP domains, interactions with mTOR, suggesting their potential as effectors in the signaling of mTOR to Rac activation and cell migration. This possibility was consistent with the effect of dominant-negative constructs and short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of P-Rex1, which decreased mTOR-dependent leucine-induced activation of Rac and cell migration. Rapamycin, a widely used inhibitor of mTOR signaling, did not inhibit Rac activity and cell migration induced by leucine, indicating that P-Rex1, which we found associated to both mTOR complexes, is only active when in the mTORC2 complex. mTORC2 has been described as the catalytic complex that phosphorylates AKT/PKB at Ser-473 and elicits activation of Rho GTPases and cytoskeletal reorganization. Thus, P-Rex1 links mTOR signaling to Rac activation and cell migration.
Impact of Individual Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen-DNA Contacts on Clamp Loading and Function on DNA*

Background: Crystal structures reveal direct clamp-DNA contacts whose functions are unclear. Results: Mutations of single N-terminal arginines/lysines in the inner PCNA ring affect DNA binding-linked steps in the clamp loading mechanism. Conclusion: Loss of individual PCNA-DNA contacts disrupts clamp loading and its interaction with DNA. Significance: DNA binding to specific locations within circular clamps influences other proteins that work with clamps on DNA. Ring-shaped clamp proteins encircle DNA and affect the work of many proteins, notably processive replication by DNA polymerases. Crystal structures of clamps show several cationic residues inside the ring, and in a co-crystal of Escherichia coli β clamp-DNA, they directly contact the tilted duplex passing through (Georgescu, R. E., Kim, S. S., Yurieva, O., Kuriyan, J., Kong, X. P., and O'Donnell, M. (2008) Structure of a sliding clamp on DNA. Cell 132, 43–54). To investigate the role of these contacts in reactions involving circular clamps, we examined single arginine/lysine mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in replication factor C (RFC)-catalyzed loading of the clamp onto primer template DNA (ptDNA). Previous kinetic analysis has shown that ptDNA entry inside an ATP-activated RFC-PCNA complex accelerates clamp opening and ATP hydrolysis, which is followed by slow PCNA closure around DNA and product dissociation. Here we directly measured multiple steps in the reaction (PCNA opening, ptDNA binding, PCNA closure, phosphate release, and complex dissociation) to determine whether mutation of PCNA residues Arg-14, Lys-20, Arg-80, Lys-146, Arg-149, or Lys-217 to alanine affects the reaction mechanism. Contrary to earlier steady state analysis of these mutants (McNally, R., Bowman, G. D., Goedken, E. R., O'Donnell, M., and Kuriyan, J. (2010) Analysis of the role of PCNA-DNA contacts during clamp loading. BMC Struct. Biol. 10, 3), our pre-steady state data show that loss of single cationic residues can alter the rates of all DNA-linked steps in the reaction, as well as movement of PCNA on DNA. These results explain an earlier finding that individual arginines and lysines inside human PCNA are essential for polymerase δ processivity (Fukuda, K., Morioka, H., Imajou, S., Ikeda, S., Ohtsuka, E., and Tsurimoto, T. (1995) Structure-function relationship of the eukaryotic DNA replication factor, proliferating cell nuclear antigen. J. Biol. Chem. 270, 22527–22534). Mutations in the N-terminal domain have greater impact than in the C-terminal domain, indicating a positional bias in PCNA-DNA contacts that can influence its functions on DNA.
Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering DETERMINATION OF THE LIQUID POOL SURFACTANT AND PROTEIN CONCENTRATION FOR SEMI-BATCH FOAM FRACTIONATION COLUMNS

A model is derived for the change with time of the concentration of a surface-active component in the liquid pool of a semi-batch foam fractionation process. The transport of surface-active material to the gasliquid interface was assumed to be limited by the mass transfer rates, and the concentration of the adsorbed material at the interface was assumed to be in equilibrium with the concentration of liquid adjacent to the bubble gas surface. This model was compared to experimental data obtained for semi-batch foam fractionation of aqueous solutions of bovine serum albumin and cetyltrimetylammonium bromide.
An 8-bit 2-Gsample/s folding-interpolating analog-to-digital converter in SiGe technology

This paper deals with the design and implementation of an 8-bit 2-Gsample/s folding-interpolating analog-to-digital converter (ADC) using a SiGe technology with a unity gain cutoff frequency f/sub T/ of 47 GHz. The high-speed high-resolution ADC has applications in direct IF sampling receivers for wideband communication systems. The converter occupies an area of 3.5 mm/spl times/3.5 mm including pads and exhibits an effective resolution bandwidth of 700 MHz at a sampling rate of 2 Gsample/s. The maximum DNL and INL are 0.5 and 1 LSB, respectively. The ADC dissipates 3.5W (including output buffers) from a 3.3-V power supply.
LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE ACTIVITY AND GENE EXPRESSION IN LUNG CANCER AND IN ADJACENT NONCANCER LUNG TISSUE

The authors tested the hypothesis that lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene expression and enzyme activity are increased in lung cancer tissue, as compared to adjacent, apparently healthy, lung tissue. Paired samples of lung cancer tissue and adjacent noncancer lung tissue were collected from 42 patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer. LPL activity was higher in cancer tissue (1.9-fold median difference, P < .0001); however, LPL gene expression was higher in noncancer tissue (3.8-fold median difference, P < .0001). The higher LPL activity in lung cancer tissue provides a possible mechanism for increasing the supply of lipid nutrients to the tumor, necessary for tumor growth.
Mucosal FOXP3-Expressing CD4+ CD25high Regulatory T Cells in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Patients

ABSTRACT Helicobacter pylori chronically colonizes the stomach and duodenum and causes peptic ulcers or gastric adenocarcinoma in 10 to 20% of infected individuals. We hypothesize that the inability of patients to clear H. pylori infections is a consequence of active suppression of the immune response. Here we show that H. pylori-infected individuals have increased frequencies of CD4+ CD25high T cells in both the stomach and duodenal mucosa compared to uninfected controls. These cells have the phenotype of regulatory T cells, as they express FOXP3, a key gene for the development and function of regulatory T cells, as well as high levels of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) protein. In contrast, mucosal CD4+ CD25low and CD4+ CD25− cells express little FOXP3 mRNA and low levels of the CTLA-4 protein. Mucosal CD4+ CD25high T cells are present in individuals with asymptomatic H. pylori infections as well as in duodenal ulcer patients. The frequencies of CD4+ CD25high cells are also increased in the stomachs of H. pylori-infected patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, particularly in cancer-affected tissues. These findings suggest that regulatory T cells may suppress mucosal immune responses and thereby contribute to the persistence of H. pylori infections.
Cyclooxygenase-2 polymorphism: another piece in the cardiovascular puzzle.

This editorial refers to ‘Association of cyclooxygenase-2 genetic variant with cardiovascular disease’[†][1], by S. Ross et al . , on page 2242. Prostaglandin–endoperoxidase synthases, commonly referred as cyclooxygenases (COX), are key enzymes in the metabolism of arachidonic acid because they lead to the production of prostaglandins (PGs). These molecules are critically involved in key biological processes, including inflammation, blood clotting, and vascular homeostasis. Two main isoforms of cyclooxygenases have been described, named COX-1 and COX-2, which are encoded by two separated genes. In particular, COX-1 is encoded by a gene mapped to chromosome 9q32-q33.3 and is constitutively expressed in many tissues. In contrast, COX-2 is encoded by a gene mapped to chromosome 1q25.2-q25.3 and its expression is induced by pro-inflammatory stimuli. Figure 1 Role of cyclooxygenase-2 in the different vascular cell types. The role of COX-2 in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases has been thoroughly investigated in both pre-clinical and clinical settings. It has been shown that COX-2 expression is increased in response to several pro-atherosclerotic stimuli (i.e. angiotensin II, oxidized low-density lipoprotein) and is evident in animal and human atherosclerotic plaques.1–4 Interestingly, COX-2 (as well as COX-1) catalyses the biosynthesis of prostaglandin H2 (PGH2), a highly unstable molecule, which is further metabolized by other enzymes to produce different series of prostaglandins and thromboxane. Although every cell may produce PGH2, only one or two final eicosanoids tend to be prevalent for a specific cell type, owing to the differential expression of downstream enzymes. In particular, in … [1]: #fn-2
Discussion of Papers.

Hart et al. (2008) discuss the often confusing presence of unusually high vertical hydraulic gradients in some layered aquifer systems. By assuming a priori steady-state flow conditions and specifying an overall gradient less than or equal to 1, however, they bypass the role of broader hydrodynamic processes and other controls on vertical hydraulic gradients. Analysis of any vertical hydraulic gradient (hydrodynamically, a value of 1 has no inherent physical significance) depends on whether the flow system is transient or steady state, and the geometry, head difference, and elevations of the layered system in question. So, no, 1 is not an upper limit for “natural” hydraulic gradients. In addition, because of storage changes, simple notions of mass balance do not apply over periods on the order of the time constant (T∗ = SsLc/K) of transient systems (Alley et al. 2002). Thus, a more complete analysis would consider transient conditions also. Although the thought experiment presented by Hart et al. (2008) may represent near-surface soils, heads in confined systems are commonly much greater than the physical elevations of the boundaries of the aquifer system layers (e.g., Taylor et al. 2003). Under transient stresses, not limited to pumping (see below), there is no physical reason why an aquifer hydraulic head value cannot be changed by a magnitude greater than the adjacent aquitard thickness to generate a vertical gradient greater than 1 across the aquitard (Figure 1). This situation has occurred notably in the Cambrian–Ordovician system in the upper Midwest (Fetter 1981), where the pumped aquifer system is under transient conditions, and a nonlinear profile of hydraulic head was measured across the aquitard (Eaton and Bradbury 2003; Eaton et al. 2007). A linear, steadystate vertical head gradient greater than 1 could have
Closed-loop control in a flame and a dump combustor

A closed-loop control system was constructed to control the lift-off height of a premixed flame at the lean flammability limit. Control authority was obtained by forcing the initial shear layer of the fuel-air mixture, thus generating small scale vortices which improved the flame stability. An AM controller was developed using the open-loop frequency as a carrier signal. Bode and Nyquist analyses showed that the flame is stable only in a limited range due to convective time lag, related to the convection time of the vortices. The application of lead and lag compensations was studied to extend the stability margins. The control system response to changes in operating conditions was superior to that of the open-loop control operation. The same actuation technique investigated in the flame experiments is used, in conjunction with a different control strategy, for active combustion control in the dump combustor. Parameters affecting the efficiency of the various methods for active combustion control were studied. The effectiveness of the acoustic shear-layer excitation on the combustion characteristics was evaluated. <<ETX>>
In vitro activities of the oxazolidinone antibiotics U-100592 and U-100766 against Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species

U-100592 and U-100766 are closely related antibiotics of the oxazolidinone class. Their in vitro activities were determined against 100 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 100 isolates of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species by broth and agar dilution test methods. The MICs of both compounds by either test method at which 50 and 90% of isolates are inhibited were 2 and 4 micrograms/ml, respectively, for S. aureus and 1 to 2 micrograms/ml for coagulase-negative staphylococci. Time-kill assay with selected strains indicated a primarily bacteriostatic effect against staphylococci.
Needle Stick Injuries and Health Workers: A Preventable Menace

Accidental needle stick and sharp object injuries carry major risk factors for bloodâborne infections amongst health workers. The bloodâborne infections that are mostly contracted through occupational hazards are Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Regeneration of Entorhinal Fibers in Mouse Slice Cultures Is Age Dependent and Can Be Stimulated by NT-4, GDNF, and Modulators of G-Proteins and Protein Kinase C

Axonal regeneration after lesions is normally not possible in the mature central nervous system, but occurs in the embryonic and neonatal nervous system. Slice cultures offer a convenient experimental system to study the decline of axonal regeneration with increasing maturation of central nervous system tissue. We have used mouse entorhinohippocampal slice cultures to assess regeneration of entorhinal fibers after mechanical lesions in vitro. We found that entorhinal axons regenerate well in cultures derived from postnatal days 5-7 mouse pups when the lesion is made at the second and fourth days in vitro (DIV 2 and DIV 4). Only little regenerative outgrowth is seen after lesions made at DIV 6 and DIV 10. This indicates that a maturation of the cultures occurs within a short time period in vitro resulting in a loss of the regenerative potential. We have used this system to screen for neurotrophic factors and pharmacological compounds that may promote axonal regeneration. Treatments were added to the cultures 1 day before the lesion was made. We found that most added factors did not promote regeneration. Only treatment with the neurotrophic factors NT-4 and GDNF stimulated regeneration in cultures where normally little regeneration is found. A similar improvement of regeneration was found after treatment with pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G(i)-proteins, and with GF109203X, an inhibitor of protein kinase C. These substances may promote regeneration by interfering with intracellular signaling pathways activated by outgrowth inhibitors. Our findings indicate that the application of neurotrophic factors and the modulation of intracellular signal transduction pathways could be useful strategies to enhance axonal regeneration in a complex microenvironment.