Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase in neural cell adhesion molecule‐mediated neuronal differentiation and survival

The neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM, is known to stimulate neurite outgrowth from primary neurones and PC12 cells presumably through signalling pathways involving the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), the Ras‐mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and an increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels. Stimulation of neurones with the synthetic NCAM‐ligand, C3, induces neurite outgrowth through signalling pathways similar to the pathways activated through physiological, homophilic NCAM‐stimulation. We present here data indicating that phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) is required for NCAM‐mediated neurite outgrowth from PC12‐E2 cells and from cerebellar and dopaminergic neurones in primary culture, and that the thr/ser kinase Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) is phosphorylated downstream of PI3K after stimulation with C3. Moreover, we present data indicating a survival‐promoting effect of NCAM‐stimulation by C3 on cerebellar and dopaminergic neurones induced to undergo apoptosis. This protective effect of C3 included an inhibition of both DNA‐fragmentation and caspase‐3 activation. The survival‐promoting effect of NCAM‐stimulation was also shown to be dependent on PI3K.
ABCA1 and ABCG1 Protect Against Oxidative Stress–Induced Macrophage Apoptosis During Efferocytosis

Rationale: Antiatherogenic effects of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) include the ability to inhibit apoptosis of macrophage foam cells. The ATP-binding cassette transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 have a major role in promoting cholesterol efflux from macrophages to apolipoprotein A-1 and HDL and are upregulated during the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis). Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the roles of ABCA1 and ABCG1 in preserving the viability of macrophages during efferocytosis. Methods and Results: We show that despite similar clearance of apoptotic cells, peritoneal macrophages from Abca1−/−Abcg1−/−, Abcg1−/−, and, to a lesser extent, Abca1−/− mice are much more prone to apoptosis during efferocytosis compared to wild-type cells. Similar findings were observed following incubations with oxidized phospholipids, and the ability of HDL to protect against oxidized phospholipid-induced apoptosis was markedly reduced in Abca1−/−Abcg1−/− and Abcg1−/− cells. These effects were independent of any role of ABCA1 and ABCG1 in mediating oxidized phospholipid efflux but were reversed by cyclodextrin-mediated cholesterol efflux. The apoptotic response observed in Abca1−/−Abcg1−/− macrophages after oxidized phospholipid exposure or engulfment of apoptotic cells was dependent on an excessive oxidative burst secondary to enhanced assembly of NADPH oxidase (NOX)2 complexes, leading to sustained Jnk activation which turned on the apoptotic cell death program. Increased NOX2 assembly required Toll-like receptors 2/4 and MyD88 signaling, which are known to be enhanced in transporter deficient cells in a lipid raft–dependent fashion. Conclusions: We identified a new beneficial role of ABCA1, ABCG1 and HDL in dampening the oxidative burst and preserving viability of macrophages following exposure to oxidized phospholipids and/or apoptotic cells.
Synthèse des connaissances et quelques acquis de recherche sur le sésame (Sesamum Indicum L.) au Sénégal

Plante herbacee annuelle, a plusieurs proprietes, le sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.) a ete introduit au Senegal pour une rotation et une diversification des cultures afin d’augmenter la productivite et les revenus des populations rurales et contribuer a la securite alimentaire. Afin d'ameliorer les conditions de culture du sesame, des recherches ont ete entreprises sur cette plante oleagineuse. L’objectif de cette etude etait de faire une revue de la composition, l’etat de la recherche et les utilisations du sesame au Senegal. Les recherches bibliographiques ont permis de montrer quelques acquis au plan de la recherche. C’est le cas de la connaissance des conditions pedoclimatiques et les techniques de culture de cette plantation au Senegal. Les parametres agro-morphologiques de la plante et l’amelioration varietale par les phenomenes de mutation ou de mycorhization ont egalement ete etudies. Les futurs programmes de recherche devraient mettre l'accent sur la composition biochimique, nutritionnelle et minerale, ainsi que sur son utilisation et sa biotransformation, de meme que sur les aspects de defense des cultures et phytosanitaires de ces produits derives. Mots cles: Sesame, synthese, acquis de recherche, composition, Senegal
Overexpression of Cytochrome P-450 Isoforms Involved in Aflatoxin B1 Bioactivation in Human Liver with Cirrhosis and Hepatitis

Studies were carried out to test the hypothesis that inflammatory liver disease increases the expression of specific cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes involved in aflatoxin B1 (AFB) activation. The immunohistochemical expression and localization of various human cytochrome P-450 isoforms, including CYP2A6, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2B1, were examined in normal human liver and liver with hepatitis and cirrhosis. The constitutive expression of CYP3A4 in normal liver showed a characteristic pattern of distribution in centrilobular hepatocytes, whereas CYP1A2, CYP2A6, and CYP2B1 1 were expressed uniformly throughout the liver acinus. In sections of liver infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), the expression of CYP2A6 was markedly increased in hepatocytes immediately adjacent to areas of fibrosis and inflammation. CYP3A4 and CYP2B 1 were induced to a lesser degree, and expression of CYP1A2 was unaffected. In HBV-infected liver, double immunostaining revealed that overexpression of CYP2A6 occurred in hepatocytes expressing the HBV core antigen. In HCV-infected liver, CYP2A6, CYP3A4, and CYP2B 1 were overexpressed in hepatocytes with hemosiderin pigmentation. These results suggest that alterations in phenotypic expression of specific P-450 isoenzymes in hepatocytes associated with hepatic inflammation and cirrhosis might increase susceptibility to AFB genotoxicity.
Persistencias y rupturas en el uso del espacio

Uno de los componentes del sentido de identidad es, sin duda, el espacio fisico. El concepto contemporaneo de nacion debio tener algun tipo de correlato en las sociedades sedentarias del pasado, siendo la similitud conceptual creciente en forma directamente proporcional a la complejidad de su organizacion politica. Asumiendo una correspondencia estructural entre el concepto de espacio y estrategias socio-culturales (Criado 1991), consideramos que una manera muy efectiva de afianzar espacios es asignandoles un valor sagrado e irremplazable para una determinada sociedad. Pocas cosas pueden ser mas “propias” y mas sagradas que los muertos de la misma familia o del mismo grupo, los que se convertiran en los ancestros; las tumbas constituyen por tanto “contenedores” de identidad social y su colocacion en un espacio fisico determinado afianza el sentido de pertenencia del grupo a tal espacio. Las observaciones realizadas por los autores durante la ultima etapa de investigacion en el sitio Rumipamba (Quito), han provocado algunas reflexiones alrededor del uso del espacio desde una perspectiva diacronica. El largo rango temporal con el que usualmente trabajan los arqueologos, hace que la arqueologia sea ideal para ofrecer una perspectiva cronologica en aspectos de identidad en el pasado (Diaz-Andreu y Lucy, 2005). La persistencia de la utilizacion de un espacio reducido como cementerio de ninos a lo largo de dos momentos ocupacionales, de un lado, y la reutilizacion de un espacio domestico como basural, de otro, invitan a preguntarse sobre las relaciones identidad-espacio para esta sociedad prehispanica.
Selection, Agriculture and Cross-Country Productivity Differences

Cross-country labor productivity differences are larger in agriculture than in non-agriculture. We propose a new explanation for these patterns in which the self-selection of heterogeneous workers determines sector productivity. We formalize our theory in a general-equilibrium Roy model in which preferences feature a subsistence food requirement. In the model, subsistence requirements induce workers that are relatively unproductive at agricultural work to nonetheless select into the agriculture sector in poor countries. When parameterized, the model predicts that productivity differences are roughly twice as large in agriculture as non-agriculture even when countries differ by an economy-wide efficiency term that affects both sectors uniformly. (JEL J24, J31, J43, O11, O13, O40)
Partial sick leave associated with disability pension: propensity score approach in a register-based cohort study

Objectives To support sustainability of the welfare society enhanced work retention is needed among those with impaired work ability. Partial health-related benefits have been introduced for this target. The aim was to estimate the effects of partial sick leave on transition to disability pension applying propensity score methods. Design Register-based cohort study. Setting Sample from the national sickness insurance registers representative of the Finnish working population (full-time workers) with long-term sickness absence due to musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, traumas or tumours. Participants All recipients of partial or full sickness benefit whose sick leave period had ended between 1 May and 31 December 2007 were included. The sample was limited to four most prevalent diagnostic groups—mental and musculoskeletal disorders, traumas and tumours. The total sample consisted of 1047 subjects on partial sick leave (treatment group) and 28 380 subjects on full sick leave (control group). A subsample (1017 and 25 249 subjects, respectively) was formed to improve the comparability of the two groups. Outcome measures A three-category measure and a binary measure for the occurrence of disability pension on the last day of 2008 were computed. Results Partial sickness benefit reduced the risk (change in absolute risk) of full disability pension by 6% and increased the risk of partial disability pension by 8% compared with full sick leave. The effects did not differ markedly for the two main diagnostic groups of musculoskeletal and mental disorders. In men, the use of full disability pension was reduced by 10% with a 5% increase in the use of partial disability pension, while in women the effects were close to those of the total sample. Conclusions Our findings suggest that combining work with partial sick leave may provide one means to increase work retention at population level. The use of partial sick leave could be encouraged among men.
Hyperglycaemia and convulsions in children.

Her baby daughter was born at term by a spontaneous delivery, weighing 2 75 kg. The sutures were widely separated, the fontanelle large, and the skull bones soft and easily indented. There was no swelling at the wrists or ankles, but the rib ends seemed enlarged. The clinical diagnosis of rickets was confirmed by a wrist x-ray (Fig.) and the results of biochemical investigations showed a low serum calcium and raised alkaline phosphatase levels. These and subsequent investigations are shown in the Table. Her level of25-HCC was
Formation of Majorana fermions in finite-size graphene strips

We investigate the formation of Majorana fermions in finite-size graphene strips with open boundary conditions in both directions, in the presence of an in-plane magnetic field and in the proximity of a superconducting substrate. We show that for long enough strips the Majorana states can form in the presence of a Rashba-like spin-orbit coupling, as well as in the presence of an inhomogeneous magnetic field. We find that, unlike infinite graphene ribbons in which Majorana states arise solely close to the bottom of the band and the Van Hove singularities, for finite-size systems this can happen also at much smaller doping values, close to the Dirac points, and depends strongly on the type of the short edges of the systems (e.g. armchair vs. zigzag), as well as on the width of the ribbons.
Immunomodulation of fetal pig islet‐like cell clusters by gamma‐irradiation

Pretreatment of tissues to reduce their immunogenicity is an attractive option, and exposure of donor islets to gamma‐irradiation has previously been shown to result in their prolonged survival when transplanted into rodents. Fetal pig islet‐like cell clusters (ICCs) are currently under trial as a potential xenogeneic tissue for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine in vivo and in vitro the immunomodulatory effects of gamma‐irradiation on ICCs in a xenogeneic situation. The immunogenicity of gamma‐irradiated ICCs was determined in a mixed islet lymphocyte culture (MILC), in which fetal pigs ICCs were able to stimulate human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Exposure of the ICCs to gamma‐irradiation significantly reduced their ability to stimulate PBMCs in a MILC when 10 Gy but not lower doses of irradiation were applied. However, this effect of gamma‐irradiation was variable and was present only in those experiments in which the stimulation index was relatively low. Gamma‐irradiation was toxic to ICCs in vitro, causing a reduction in the [3H]‐thymidine incorporation of 82–94% at 5–20 Gy. This toxic effect of gamma‐irradiation was also demonstrated in vivo: the insulin content of ICCs beneath the renal capsule in SCID mice treated with 5–20 Gy significantly was reduced (P < 0.05) 6 weeks after transplantation. Exposure of ICCs to gamma‐irradiation (2.5 Gy) alone in vitro or in combination with injection of cyclosporine (12.5 mg/kg per day) did not prevent the rejection of ICCs transplanted beneath the renal capsule of BALB/c mice. We conclude that gamma‐irradiation is toxic to fetal pig ICCs at a higher dose and at a lower dose, alone or in combination with cyclosporine, and was unable to prolong discordant islet xenograft survival in mice.
/r/ as Language Marker in Bilingual Speech Production and Perception

Across languages of the world /r/ is known for its variability. Recent literature incorporates sociolinguistic factors, such as bilingualism, in order to explain /r/ variation. The current study investigates to what extent /r/ is a marker of a bilingual’s dominant language. Specifically, the effects of several sociolinguistic and phonotactic factors on the production and perception of /r/ are investigated, such as the bilingual speaker’s linguistic background, the language spoken as well as syllable position and place of articulation. To this end a reading task is carried out with bilingual speakers from South Tyrol (Italy). The major languages spoken in this region are Tyrolean (German dialect) and Italian. The recorded reading data is subsequently used in a perception experiment to investigate whether South Tyrolean listeners can identify the dominant language of the speaker on the basis of the presence of /r/ and the /r/ variant. Results show that listeners can identify the dominant language of the bilingual speakers on the basis of /r/. Specifically, the more Italian dominant the sociolinguistic background of the speaker, the more /r/ is produced frontally and the more that speaker is perceived as Italian dominant.
Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus: an Australian experience

TO THE EDITOR: Wiseman and colleagues reported the 9-month virological follow-up of babies born to pregnant women attending urban antenatal clinics who tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Evaluation of outcomes is vital to determine implementation and effectiveness of current policy. The authors state that hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine were delivered within 12 hours of birth to all infants of HBsAg-positive mothers. Nine months after birth, transmission was documented in only four infants, all of whom were born to mothers who were positive for hepatitis B “e” antigen (HBeAg) and had very high HBV DNA levels (>10 copies/mL). Yet one of the four infected infants had inadvertently not received the “routinely offered” HBIG. Whether any other babies (even if not infected) also failed to receive timely active and passive immunisation was not explicitly reported. The other three infected infants completed HBIG injection and HBV vaccination according to the “recommended schedule”. Given that the Australian immunisation handbook states that
Quantitative antibody responses to structural (core) and nonstructural (NS3, NS4, and NS5) hepatitis C virus proteins among seroconverting injecting drug users: Impact of epitope variation and relationship to detection of HCV RNA in blood

To gain insight into the natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV), 13 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐seronegative injecting drug users were studied who seroconverted for HCV as determined by third‐generation enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, showed an ensuing antibody response to HCV, and were not treated with any antiviral drugs during follow‐up. Subjects included 13 untreated HIV‐negative individuals, of whom 5 (38.5%) apparently cleared HCV and were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐negative in at least 3 consecutive samples, 3 (23.1%) showed transient viremia and were PCR‐negative in 1 sample during the study period, and the other 5 (38.5%) showed persistent viremia. Viremia was determined longitudinally by reverse‐transcription PCR (RT‐PCR) and quantified by branched DNA (bDNA). HCV genotypes were determined on serial samples during follow‐up. Quantitative antibody levels to core, NS3, NS4, and NS5 were determined using the Chiron RIBA HCV‐titering Strip Immunoblot Assay, which is based on HCV genotype 1. The antibody responses to core, NS3, NS4, and NS5 were erratic. In individuals infected with HCV genotype 1, significantly higher median antibody responses to core (P = .02) and to NS4 (P = .04) were found as compared with those infected with other genotypes, showing a significant impact of HCV genotype specificity of the assay. In groups infected with HCV genotype 1, significantly higher median NS3 antibody titers (2.61 relative intensity [RI] vs. 0.38 RI; P = .003) were found in the individuals with persistent viremia than in those with apparent resolution of HCV RNA in blood. In groups infected with genotypes other than genotype 1, significantly higher median NS3 antibody titers (0.89 RI vs. 0.03 RI; P = .0004) and NS5 antibody titers (1.86 RI vs. 0.01 RI;P = .006) were found in the individuals with persistent viremia than in those with apparent resolution of HCV RNA in blood. Individuals with viral persistence had higher HCV‐RNA loads with higher antibody responses as compared with individuals with apparent viral clearance from blood. Apparent viral clearance from blood was observed in an unexpectedly high percentage (38.5%), associated with a significant decrease of antibodies to NS3, independent of HCV genotype, as compared with individuals with persistent viremia (P < .005). Apparent viral clearance from blood with gradual loss of antibodies to various HCV proteins, independent of HCV genotype, was observed in 4 of the 5 individuals within approximately 1 year after HCV seroconversion, whereas 1 of these individuals apparently cleared the virus from blood, with complete seroreversion.
The Impact of Information Systems on user Performance: An Exploratory Study

Information systems play an important supportive role in most sectors of the economy. This study was developed to answer the question related to the impact of information systems on user performance in Tunisian companies. This article proposes a model combining the Task Technology Fit (TTF), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Delone & McLean model to evaluate the performance of users in the Tunisian organizations. The model was tested using survey data collected from 314 users of the information system. The results of structural equation analyzes supported the proposed model and highlighted the important role of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness in mediating effects between TTF, system quality and information quality and performance users. The results show that TTF, system quality and information quality directly influences the performance of users and indirectly through perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use.
Controlling for Geographic Dispersion When Estimating the Japanese Phillips Curve

This paper argues that estimation of the Phillips curve for Japan should take account of the geographic dispersion of labor-market conditions. We find evidence that the relationship between wage inflation and the unemployment rate is convex. With such convexity, wage inflation can occur when unemployment rates across regions become more disperse, even if the aggregate unemployment rate is unchanged. We show that controlling for the geographic dispersion of unemployment rates yields a flatter Phillips curve and a higher natural rate of unemployment.
High gain observers based on immersion technics

The high gain observer based on normal forms is initially proposed in [9], [10]. These normal forms characterize single input uniformly observable systems (systems which are observable independently on the input). Next, in [12], this observable normal form together with observer synthesis have been extended to a class of MIMO nonlinear systems by assuming that some regular flag of co-distribution does not depend on the input. In this paper, the regularity hypothesis of the above flag of co-distribution is omitted and an immersion (embedding map) is proposed in order to transform a nonlinear system into a normal form defined on a higher dimensional state space.
Signalling with a cryptic trait: the regularity of barred plumage in common waxbills

Sexual signals often compromise camouflage because of their conspicuousness. Pigmentation patterns, on the contrary, aid in camouflage. It was hypothesized that a particular type of pattern—barred plumage in birds, whereby pigmented bars extend across feathers—could simultaneously signal individual quality, because disruptions of these patterns should be perceptually salient at close range and help assess plumage condition. Here we show that common waxbills (Estrilda astrild), which have extensive barred plumage, have more regular patterns as adults than as juveniles, and that adult males have more regular patterns than females. Both these differences are indicative of sexual signalling in species with conventional sex roles. More regular barred plumage was related to better body condition in adult males. Colour ornamentation traits were also related to aspects of quality, either the same as barred plumage (body condition) or a different one (good feather development), supporting both the ‘redundant message’ and the ‘multiple message’ hypotheses for the coexistence of multiple sexual signals. Although receiver responses to the regularity of barred plumage were not studied here, research on other species has shown that barred plumage can mediate social interactions. We conclude that using barred plumage as a signal of quality helps circumvent the functional compromise between camouflage and communication.
Comparison of the low voltage distribution network voltage control schemes

This paper presents the results from simulation tests of low voltage distribution network voltage control schemes. The voltage is controlled by the real and reactive power control of Distributed Generators (DG) and the on-load tap changer at the secondary substation. Besides the local control schemes, Coordinated Voltage Control (CVC) schemes capable of optimization were also tested. Simulation network model was constructed based on real network data and simulations were run using multiple sequences of load and production. The results confirm superiority of the CVC compared to local schemes, although some local schemes achieved also good results.