Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of institutions in ICT innovation: learning from interventions in a Nigerian e-government initiative

Much research on developing countries highlights a link between information and communication technologies (ICTs) and development, albeit from different standpoints about the nature of such a link and the way that desired benefits may be achieved. Prompted by arguments about the developmental potential of ICTs, the Federal Republic of Nigeria has embarked on a mission to computerize all ministries and increase the level of adoption and use of ICTs in the country. This strategy involves the introduction of a wide range of information systems within different governmental organizations and relentless efforts at promoting them. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is one of several organizations targeted by this e-government initiative. We draw on research that highlights the role of institutions in the adoption and use of IT innovations to examine two attempts by the INEC to introduce an electronic voters’ registration (EVR) system. These efforts were intended to provide a more credible electoral process, leading to increased citizen participation in future voting exercises and the adoption of EVR as the status quo. However, despite a number of interventions promoting the innovation, these efforts failed to institutionalize the EVR system, which was poorly perceived after the elections amidst reports of high levels of electoral malpractice. We conclude by reflecting on the limitations in this context of institutional interventions and suggest some implications for policy-makers. Shirin Madon is the accepting Associate Editor for this article.
Development of Sertoli Cells during Mini-Puberty in Normal and Cryptorchid Testes

Background: Only a few studies have dealt with quantitative changes of Sertoli cells during human development, and the results of these studies are conflicting. Our hypothesis is that the development of Sertoli cells during mini-puberty follows the same pattern as germ cells. Methods: We examined the biopsies of cryptorchid and normal testes from patients aged 1–12 months. Fifty complete, rounded tubules were examined and the number of Sertoli cells per tubule was determined. We compared the numbers in cryptorchid and normal testes, as well as the average number of Sertoli cells in each age group separately. Results: The number of Sertoli cells per tubule in the cryptorchid testes of patients aged 1–4 months was 22.38 ± 1.01 compared to cryptorchid patients aged 5–12 months (23.20 ± 1.41). This number in patients with spontaneously descended testes aged 1–4 months was 23.53 ± 1.98, while this number in the same group of patients aged 5–12 months was 26.20 ± 1.40. The difference between the two age groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001, two-tailed test). Conclusions: Our results suggest the number of Sertoli cells increases with the hormonal surge. In cryptorchid patients, the number of Sertoli cells is diminished compared to the normal testis.
Stability of CSF beta-amyloid(1-42) and tau levels by APOE genotype in Alzheimer patients.

BACKGROUND Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measures of beta-amyloid(1-42 )and tau differ between patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and elderly normal controls. The effect of time and APOE genotype on these biomarkers continues to be elucidated. METHODS We assessed CSF beta-amyloid(1-42) and tau in 20 mild-to-moderate AD patients, 11 APOE epsilon4+ and 9 APOE epsilon4-, over a mean time of 3.8 years (range 1-11.1 years). RESULTS Over the period measured, CSF beta-amyloid(1-42) levels were lower in APOE epsilon4+ compared to APOE epsilon4- patients, and the levels decreased over time. Tau levels were stable over time and did not show an effect of APOE allele. CONCLUSIONS While this is a limited clinical sample, the further decrease in CSF beta-amyloid(1-42 )(i.e., more abnormal) combined with the CSF tau stability over a mean period of almost 4 years suggests that beta-amyloid(1-42 )and tau maintain their potential usefulness as diagnostic biomarkers over time. These findings should be taken into account if CSF beta-amyloid(1-42) and tau are used as measures of treatment response.
Achy breaky makey wakey heart? A randomised crossover trial of musical prompts

Objective Compared with no music (NM), does listening to ‘Achy breaky heart’ (ABH) or ‘Disco science’ (DS) increase the proportion of prehospital professionals delivering chest compressions at 2010 guideline-compliant rates of 100–120 bpm and 50–60 mm depths? Methods A randomised crossover trial recruiting at an Australian ambulance conference. Volunteers performed three 1-min sequences of continuous chest compressions on a manikin accompanied by NM, repeated choruses of ABH and DS, prerandomised for order. Results 37 of 74 participants were men; median age 37 years; 61% were paramedics, 20% students and 19% other health professionals. 54% had taken cardiopulmonary resuscitation training within 1 year. Differences in compression rate (mode, IQR) were significant for NM (105, 99–116) versus ABH (120, 107–120) and DS (104, 103–107) versus ABH (p<0.001) but not NM versus DS (p=0.478). Differences in proportions of participants compressing at 100–120 bpm were significant for DS (61/74, 82%) versus NM (48/74, 65%, p=0.007) and DS versus ABH (47/74, 64%, p=0.007) but not NM versus ABH (p=1). Differences in compression depth were significant for NM (48 mm, 46–59 mm) versus DS (54 mm, 44–58 mm, p=0.042) but not NM versus ABH (54 mm, 43–59 mm, p=0.065) and DS versus ABH (p=0.879). Differences in proportions of subjects compressing at 50–60 mm were not significant (NM 31/74 (42%); ABH 32/74 (43%); DS 29/74 (39%); all p>0.5). Conclusions Listening to DS significantly increased the proportion of prehospital professionals compressing at 2010 guideline-compliant rates. Regardless of intervention more than half gave compressions that were too shallow. Alternative audible feedback mechanisms may be more effective.
Carotid hemodynamics is associated with monocyte count determined by serum homocysteine level in patients with essential hypertension

Abstract To examine the association between pulsatility index (PI) in the common carotid artery (CCA) as a marker of vascular resistance and cardiovascular risk factors, including serum homocysteine and inflammation, 67 hypertensive patients were enrolled. PI correlated with homocysteine and interleukin-6, monocyte count, gender, age and BMI, with monocyte count and age being independent determinants for PI. In turn, monocyte count correlated with homocysteine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and HDL-cholesterol, BMI, and gender, with HDL-cholesterol and homocysteine being independent determinants for monocyte count. These results indicated monocyte count determined by homocysteine is associated with arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients.
Cascade of structures in long-wavelength Marangoni instability

The long-wavelength instability for thermocapillary-driven convection in two dimensions is studied numerically. The system under consideration consists of a horizontal periodical liquid layer bounded from below by a rigid wall and from above by a deformable free surface. The liquid is heated from the bottom wall and cooled from above. The problem can be approximated by the Stokes equation and has two dimensionless parameters. One parameter is the dynamic Bond number which is the ratio between gravity and thermocapillary force. The other is the static Bond number, which describes the ratio between gravity and the surface tension. Using the boundary integral method we present full-scale direct numerical simulations of the long-wavelength Marangoni instability in two dimensions. The time evolution of the free surface leads to the formation of drained regions (so-called “dry spots”). The simulations demonstrate a remarkable complexity of the touchdown process, involving a deep cascade from large to increasing.
Improvement in SNR of signal detection using filtering in pulsar-based navigation systems

This paper focuses on application of pulsar signals for pulsar-based navigation. The aim of the study is to present a possible algorithm for signal processing of pulsar signals, which consists of epoch folding, filtering and detection, and evaluate it using the real experimental data obtained from the radio observatory Dwingeloo, the Netherlands.
Plasma Membrane-bound Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 Specifically Inhibits Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (Gelatinase A) Activated on the Cell Surface*

The cell-surface activation of pro-matrix metalloproteinase 2 (pro-MMP-2) is considered to be critical for cell migration and invasion. Treatment of human uterine cervical fibroblasts with concanavalin A activates pro-MMP-2 on the cell surface by converting it to the 65-kDa form with a minor form of 45 kDa. However, the 65-kDa MMP-2 was inactivated by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 that was bound to the plasma membrane upon concanavalin A treatment. TIMP-2 binds to the plasma membrane through its N-terminal domain by two different modes of interaction as follows: one is sensitive to a hydroxamate (HXM) inhibitor of MMPs and the other is HXM-insensitive. TIMP-2 bound to the membrane in a HXM-insensitive manner, comprising about 40–50% of TIMP-2 on the membrane, is the inhibitor of the cell surface-activated MMP-2. It, however, does not inhibit MMP-3, MMP-9, and the 45-kDa MMP-2 lacking the C-terminal domain. The inhibition of the 65-kDa MMP-2 by TIMP-2 is initiated by the interaction of their C-terminal domains. Subsequently, the MMP-2·TIMP-2 complex is released from the membrane, and the activity of MMP-2 is blocked by TIMP-2. In the presence of collagen types I, II, III, V, or gelatin, the rate of inhibition of the 65-kDa MMP-2 by the membrane-bound TIMP-2 decreased considerably. These results suggest that the pericellular activity of MMP-2 is tightly regulated by membrane-bound TIMP-2 and surrounding extracellular matrix components.
Use of 12-Hour Clinical Shifts in Nursing Education: Faculty, Staff, and Student Response

How do faculty respond to an increasing student load when clinical placement sites are already filled to capacity? How do faculty find openings in hospitals for an increasing numbers of students? Faced with limited availability of clinical sites and clinical faculty, often in conjunction with a mandate to increase student census, we decided to maximize available resources through 12hour clinical shifts. The idea was met with some skepticism among our peers. Some faculty felt that students would be too tired to function effectively over the course of the entire 12hour rotation. Others worried that students would not be exposed to the same variety of patients as experienced with traditional 6or 8-hour shifts. However, nursing staff at the 2 facilities we used for clinical experiences were positive, as were students. For 1 semester, we decided to assign clinical groups to 12-hour shifts. There were no options for shifts of fewer hours. Evaluation of the use of 12-hour shifts in nursing education is uncommon in the literature. Previous studies focus almost exclusively on the effects of 12-hour shift work for nursing staff, with varied conclusions. Although anecdotal evidence suggests that a 12hour clinical rotation is not unusual in schools of nursing, little research has explored the effectiveness of such shifts for education. What little research is available focuses primarily on student preference.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the i‐gel® vs laryngeal mask airway in children

We systematically reviewed randomised controlled trials of the i‐gel® vs different types of laryngeal mask airway in children. We included nine studies. There was no evidence for differences in: rate of insertion at first attempt; insertion time; ease of insertion; or gastric tube insertion. The mean (95% CI) oropharyngeal leak pressure was 3.29 (2.25–4.34) cmH2O higher with the i‐gel, p < 0.00001. The relative rate (95% CI) of a good fibreoptic view through the i‐gel was 1.10 (1.01–1.19), p = 0.02. There were no significant differences in the rates of complications, except for blood on the airway, relative rate with the i‐gel 0.46 (0.23–0.91), p = 0.02. We concluded that the clinical performance of the i‐gel and LMA was similar, except for three outcomes that favoured the i‐gel.
Evaluation of synergistic osteogenesis between icariin and BMP2 through a micro/meso hierarchical porous delivery system

BMP2 is well known as an outstanding growth factor for inducing new bone formation. However, improvements are still required to use BMP2 effectively and expand its clinical application due to the potential side effects at high doses. In this study, icariin (IC), a type of traditional Chinese medicine, was originally proposed to be a cooperative factor for BMP2. An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay showed that IC promoted BMP2 osteogenesis in a concentration-dependent manner with significant enhancement at 38.4 µM versus that for BMP2 at 0.8 µg/mL. Furthermore, we developed a composite hierarchical porous scaffold (SF/SBA15; composed of micropores of silk fibroin [SF] scaffold and mesopores of SBA15) for the controlled delivery of BMP2 and IC. This composite scaffold was investigated by a series of physical characterizations and displayed good in vitro cell biocompatibility. In addition, the composite scaffold also showed the degradation rate of 12% dry weight loss and a slight change in the microstructures within 10 days. Moreover, BMP2 and IC were loaded into the SF and SBA15 structures, respectively, of the SF/SBA15 scaffold. This protein/drug loading system (SFBMP2/SBA15IC) provided delivery of BMP2 with an initial burst release of 60.9%±0.9% in the first 24 hours and a gradual release over the subsequent 6 days to 97.9%±0.8%, whereas IC exhibited a burst release of 64.2%±0.7% in the first 24 hours, followed by a sustained release to 92.4%±0.8% over 10 days. With the prolonged local retention and interaction duration of BMP2 and IC, the SFBMP2/SBA15IC scaffold provided better osteogenic differentiation than other groups with different loading modes of BMP2 or IC, as determined by ALP staining and quantitation and Alizarin red staining. Finally, the results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the SFBMP2/SBA15IC scaffold induced a significantly higher increase in the RUNX2, ALP, COL I, and OCN expression levels of cocultured bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells than other payload composite scaffolds. This study suggests that a micro/meso hierarchical porous delivery system of BMP2 and IC ensures osteogenic synergy and demonstrates promise for bone tissue engineering.
Susceptibility of bacterioplankton to nutrient enrichment of oligotrophic and ultraoligotrophic lake waters

We carried out laboratory experiments in one ultraoligotrophic pristine Andean lake (Lake Gutierrez, Argentina) and in one subalpine lake that is now at the edge of the oligo- to mesotrophic condition (Lake Maggiore, Italy). Lake water was amended with phosphorus (+P), organic carbon (+C), alone or in combination (+CP), to test for short-term changes (48 hours) in bacteria activity and community structure (CARD FISH). Experiments were carried out in spring and summer. Results showed that bacterial production increased in the +CP treatment in both lakes, and in the +P treatment in the ultroligotrophic lake. In both lakes the bacterial activity increased more rapidly in summer (within 24 hours). Bacteria composition changed in both seasons in all the treatments. At the beginning of the experiments the subclass of β-Proteobacteria dominated both lakes, while γ-Proteobacteria showed higher percentage in spring in Lake Maggiore and in summer in Lake Gutierrez. After incubation, in spring and in particular in the +CP treatment, we observed an increase in the relative importance of γ-Proteobacteria in both lakes, whereas in Lake Maggiore this group declined in the summer experiments following an increase in β-Proteobacteria. All our results indicate the different response of bacterioplankton in systems at the edges of the oligotrophic range.
Consonant and vowel duration in Parkinsonian French speech

The current study compared vowel and consonant duration in speech read by 10 French Parkinsonian speakers and 10 control speakers. The results show a different impact of Parkinson’s disease (PD) on speech segments. Consonants were shortened in PD speech while vowels were significantly longer. This results from the concomitance of articulatory movements of reduced amplitude of articulatory movements and orofacial bradykinesia. As a consequence syllabic productions are of the same overall duration in PD speech as in normal speech. The durational contrast of consonants was maintained, although for vowels there was less agreement with the normal pattern of intrinsic durations, especially for high vowels.
The RTX haemolysins ApxI and ApxII are major virulence factors of the swine pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae: evidence from mutational analysis

The involvement of the RTX haemolysins (Apxl and ApxII) of the swine pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in virulence was investigated using haemolysin‐deficient mutants constructed by a mini‐Tn10 mutagenesis procedure. Two types of haemolysin mutant with single insertions of the transposon were obtained from a serotype 1 strain producing both ApxI and ApxII. One presented a complete loss of haemolytic activity because of the absence of ApxI and ApxII production. The other displayed weaker haemolysis than the wild type and produced only ApxII. The chromosomal regions flanking mini‐Tn10 were cloned and sequenced. In the non‐haemolytic mutant, the transposon had inserted in apxIB, a gene involved in the exportation of ApxI and ApxII toxins. The weakly haemolytic mutant resulted from the disruption of the structural gene for ApxI. Both mutations In the apxI operon were associated with a significant loss of virulence for mice and pigs, demonstrating that haemolysins are involved in A. pleuropneumoniae pathogenicity. The non‐haemolytic mutant was apathogenic and the weakly haemolytic mutant retained some virulence for pigs, suggesting that both ApxI and ApxII are needed for full virulence.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human auditory cortex

Magnetic resonance imaging methods recently demonstrated regional cerebral signal changes in response to limb movement and visual stimulation, attributed to blood flow enhancement. We studied 5 normal subjects scanned while listening to auditory stimuli including nonspeech noise, meaningless speech sounds, single words, and narrative text. Imaged regions included the lateral aspects of both hemispheres. Signal changes in the superior temporal gyrus and superior temporal sulcus were observed bilaterally in all subjects. Speech stimuli were associated with significantly more widespread signal changes than was the noise stimulus, while no consistent differences were observed between responses to different speech stimuli. Considerable intersubject variability in the topography of signal changes was observed. These observations confirm the utility of magnetic resonance imaging in the study of human brain structure‐function relationships and emphasize the role of the superior temporal gyrus in perception of acoustic‐phonetic features of speech, rather than processing of semantic features.
Exact resummations in the theory of hydrodynamic turbulence. III. Scenarios for anomalous scaling and intermittency.

Elements of the analytic structure of anomalous scaling and intermittency in fully developed hydrodynamic turbulence are described. We focus here on the structure functions of velocity differences that satisfy inertial range scaling laws $S_n(R)\sim R^{\zeta_n}$, and the correlation of energy dissipation $K_{\epsilon\epsilon}(R) \sim R^{-\mu}$. The goal is to understand the exponents $\zeta_n$ and $\mu$ from first principles. In paper II of this series it was shown that the existence of an ultraviolet scale (the dissipation scale $\eta$) is associated with a spectrum of anomalous exponents that characterize the ultraviolet divergences of correlations of gradient fields. The leading scaling exponent in this family was denoted $\Delta$. The exact resummation of ladder diagrams resulted in the calculation of $\Delta$ which satisfies the scaling relation $\Delta=2-\zeta_2$. In this paper we continue our analysis and show that nonperturbative effects may introduce multiscaling (i.e. $\zeta_n$ not being linear in $n$) with the renormalization scale being the infrared outer scale of turbulence $L$. It is shown that deviations from K41 scaling of $S_n(R)$ ($\zeta_n\neq n/3$) must appear if the correlation of dissipation is mixing (i.e. $\mu>0$). We derive an exact scaling relation $\mu = 2\zeta_2-\zeta_4$. We present analytic expressions for $\zeta_n$ for all $n$ and discuss their relation to experimental data. One surprising prediction is that the time decay constant $\tau_n(R)\propto R^{z_n}$ of $S_n(R)$ scales independently of $n$: the dynamic scaling exponent $z_n$ is the same for all $n$-order quantities, $z_n=\zeta_2$.
Grapheme Frequency and Color Luminance in Grapheme-Color Synaesthesia

Individuals with grapheme-color synaesthesia experience vivid colors whenever they see, hear, or just think of ordinary letters and digits (Dixon, Smilek, Cudahy, & Merikle, 2000; Mattingley, Rich, Yelland, & Bradshaw, 2001). Currently, little is known about how specific colors become associated with specific letters and digits in synaesthesia. Beeli, Esslen, and Jancke (2007, this issue) report an interesting relation between grapheme frequency and the luminance and saturation of synaesthetic color experiences. They had 19 synaesthetes choose colors for spoken digits and letters from a digital color palette. The colors were quantified in terms of their hue, saturation, and luminance (the HSL color system). The results showed (a) that the luminance of synaesthetic colors increased with the frequency of digits in everyday language and (b) that the saturation of synaesthetic colors increased with increased letter and digit frequency. These findings indicate that there is a relation between how graphemes are encountered (and perhaps learned) in language and the basic qualities of synaesthetic color experiences. To assess the replicability of the findings reported by Beeli et al., we analyzed the grapheme-color pairings we have collected on-line over the past 5 years for large groups of synaesthetes and nonsynaesthetes.
In vivo MR studies of glycine and glutathione metabolism in a rat mammary tumor

The metabolism of glycine into glutathione was monitored noninvasively in vivo in intact rat mammary adenocarcinomas (R3230Ac) by MRI and MRS. Metabolism was tracked by following the isotope label from intravenously infused [2‐13C]‐glycine into the glycinyl residue of glutathione. Signals from [2‐13C]‐glycine and γ‐glutamylcysteinyl‐[2‐13C]‐glycine (13C‐glutathione) were detected by nonlocalized 13C spectroscopy, as these resonances are distinct from background signals. In addition, using spectroscopic imaging methods, heterogeneity in the in vivo tumor distribution of glutathione was observed. In vivo spectroscopy also detected isotope incorporation from [2‐13C]‐glycine into both the 2‐ and 3‐carbons of serine. Analyses of tumor tissue extracts showed single‐ and multiple‐label incorporation from [2‐13C]‐glycine into serine from metabolism through the serine hydroxymethyltransferase and glycine cleavage system pathways. Mass spectrometric analysis of extracts also showed that isotope‐labeled serine is further metabolized via the trans‐sulfuration pathway, as 13C isotope labels appear in both the glycinyl and cysteinyl residues of glutathione. Our studies demonstrate the use of MRI and MRS for the monitoring of tumor metabolic processes central to oxidative stress defense. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.