Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of Bacillus thuringiensis Toxin Binding with Brush Border Membrane Vesicles from Susceptible and Resistant Larvae of Plutella xylostella(*)

An optical biosensor technology based on surface plasmon resonance was used to determine the kinetic rate constants for interactions between the CryIA(c) toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis and brush border membrane vesicles purified from susceptible and resistant larvae of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). CryIA(c) association and dissociation rate constants for vesicles from susceptible larvae were determined to be 4.5 103M s and 3.2 10 s, respectively, resulting in a calculated affinity constant of 7 nM. CryIE toxin did not kill susceptible or resistant larvae and did not bind to brush border vesicles. Contrary to expectations based on previous studies of binding in resistant P. xylostella, the binding kinetics for CryIA(c) did not differ significantly between susceptible larvae and those that were resistant to CryIA(c). Determination of the number of CryIA(c) receptors revealed an approximately 3-fold decrease in total CryIA(c) receptor numbers for resistant vesicles. These results suggest that factors other than binding may be altered in our resistant diamondback moth strain. They also support the view that binding is not sufficient for toxicity.
Culture-Independent Analyses of Temporal Variation of the Dominant Fecal Microbiota and Targeted Bacterial Subgroups in Crohn's Disease

ABSTRACT Gut microbiota shows host-specific diversity and temporal stability and significantly contributes to maintenance of a healthy gut. However, in inflammatory bowel disease, this microbiota has been implicated as a contributory factor to the illness. This study compared bacterial dynamics in Crohn's disease patients to those in a control group using a culture-independent method to assess the temporal stability, relative diversity, and similarity of the dominant fecal microbiota, Clostridium spp. , Bacteroides spp. , Bifidobacterium spp. , and lactic acid bacteria spp. (LAB) for all individuals. Fecal samples were collected over several time points from individuals with Crohn's disease who were in remission (n = 11), from Crohn's disease patients who relapsed into an active Crohn's disease state (n = 5), and from a control group (n = 18). Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles were generated for the different microbial groups by specifically targeting different regions of the 16S rRNA gene and were compared on the basis of similarity and diversity. The temporal stability of dominant species for all Crohn's disease patients was significantly lower (P < 0.005) than that for the control group. Analysis of group-specific profiles for Bifidobacterium spp. found that they were similar in all samples, while the diversity of the LAB varied significantly between the groups, but temporal stability was not significantly altered. We observed significant changes in two functionally important mutualistic groups of bacteria, viz., Clostridium and Bacteroides spp. , which may have implications for the host's gut health, since some genera are involved in production of short-chain fatty acid, e.g., butyrate.
New Insights into the Physiology of Peritoneal Fluid Transport

A review is given on the mechanisms of free water transport, the various methodologies for its measurement, its dependency on the osmotic gradient, and the assessment of osmotic conductance in individual patients. The importance of impaired free water transport in long-term ultra-filtration failure is discussed, relative to peritoneal solute transport status. Furthermore, the relationship of free water transport with locally released potassium is considered, together with a potential role of impaired K+ channel function with peritoneal alterations. Finally, the role of impaired osmotic conductance to glucose and its effects on free water transport in long-term patients with ultrafiltration failure is reviewed.
PERCEPTION OF MANAGERS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTIONS: A CASE STUDY IN TNB

The main objective of this study is to examine the perception of managers on the effectiveness of the internal audit functions in an electric utility company, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). In addition, it also investigates the factors affecting the internal audit effectiveness in TNB. TNB is chosen as the object since it is largest electricity utility company in Malaysia. Moreover, its internal audit department is considered as one of the excellent internal audit departments among the Government-linked companies in Malaysia. This study used survey questionnaire in collecting the data. Samples are the managers in selected TNB offices across divisions in Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan. Based on the 114 sample size, the study found that TNB managers have positive perception on the internal audit effectiveness. Furthermore, all three factors (competence, independence, management supports) showed positive correlations with the effectiveness. The findings can be used by TNB management in order to better enhance its internal audit functions. They may come up with relevant policies or procedures to ensure the effectiveness of the internal audit department.
Motivations for Disclosing Past Partner Information to Current Partners: A New Measure

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.v LIST OF TABLES.viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND NOTATIONS.ix CHAPTER 1: STUDY ONE INTRODUCTION.1 CHAPTER 2: STUDY ONE METHODS.10 CHAPTER 3: STUDY ONE RESULTS.13 CHAPTER 4: STUDY TWO INTRODUCTION.14 CHAPTER 5: STUDY TWO METHODS.20 CHAPTER 6: STUDY TWO RESULTS.24 CHAPTER 7: DISCUSSION.30 REFERENCES.42 APPENDICES A. Demographic Questionnaire.51 B. Motivations for TAPP Questionnaire.52 C. Self-Disclosure Index.58 D. Relationship Assessment Scale.59 E. Experiences in Close Relationships – Revised Scale.60 F. Silencing the Self Scale.64 vii G. Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire.66 H. Communication Patterns Questionnaire – Short Form.72 I. Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression Scale.74 J. Dyadic Trust Scale.76 K. Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Scale – Revised.78
A Look Into The Disclosure Improvements Of CSR Reporting In Bangladesh

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting is an embracing issue today that becomes the social perspective of accounting and reporting. Still, the international standard setters are lagging behind to bring this issue within the legal framework of accounting and reporting. As there is a huge demand from the stakeholders for such information, it becomes a common area of voluntary disclosure at the time of reporting. The paper targets to highlight the improvement of CSR reporting in Bangladesh over a period of six (6) years through the content analysis of financial statements of DSE 20 companies. Content analysis has helped us to identify a couple of common categories where most of the firms do social reporting. The analysis was based on secondary sources of information; i.e., published financial statements of DSE 20 companies for the year 2000 and 2006. Different descriptive statistics were used to organize and analyze the findings of the study. It concluded that the pattern of such reporting was far away from expectation; still, there was a positive indication that the volume and quality of reporting was increasing. Keywords : Corporate Social Reporting, DSE 20, Disclosures, content Analysis, Bangladesh.
Estimation of changes in side chain configurational entropy in binding and folding: General methods and application to helix formation

Theoretical estimations of changes in side chain configurational entropy are essential for understanding the different contributions to the overall thermodynamic behavior of important biological processes like folding and binding. The configurational entropy of any given side chain in any particular protein can be evaluated from the complete energy profile of the side chain. Calculations of the energy profiles can be performed using the side chain single bond dihedrals as the only independent variables as long as the structures at each value of the dihedrals are allowed to relax through small changes in the valence bond angles. The probabilities of different side chain conformers obtained from these energy profiles are very similar to the conformer populations obtained by analysis of side chain preferences in the proteins of the Protein Data Bank. Also, side chain conformational entropies obtained from the energy profiles agree extremely well with those obtained from the Protein Data Bank conformer populations. Changes in side chain configurational entropy in binding and folding can be computed as differences in conformational entropy because, in most cases, the frequency of the rotational oscillation around the energy minimum of any given conformer does not appear to change significantly in the reaction. Changes of side chain conformational entropy calculated in this way were compared with experimental values. The only available experimental data–the effect of side chain substitution on the stability of α‐helices–were used for this comparison. The experimental values were corrected to subtract the solvent contributions. This comparison yields an excellent agreement between calculated and experimental values, validating not only the theoretical estimates but also the separability of the entropic contributions into configurational terms and solvation related terms. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Business-Oriented Service Design in Practice: Learnings from a Swiss Universal Bank

Service-Orientierung wird als wichtiger Faktor fur die verbesserte Effizienz und Flexibilitat von Geschaftsprozessen gesehen. Dennoch stellt die Verknupfung von primar technologischen Konzepten und der Geschaftswelt noch immer eine Herausforderung dar. Es soll weiter eine Konsistenz zwischen Geschaftsprozessen und Service Architekturen hergestellt werden sowie mogliche Vorgehensweisen und Governance Modelle fur die Implementierung von service-orientierten Applikationssystemen definiert werden.
The Spread of Substance Use and Delinquency Between Adolescent Twins

This investigation examines the spread of problem behaviors (substance use and delinquency) between twin siblings. A sample of 628 twins (151 male twin pairs and 163 female twin pairs) drawn from the Quebec Newborn Twin Study completed inventories describing delinquency and substance use at ages 13, 14, and 15. A 3-wave longitudinal actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) identified avenues whereby problem behaviors spread from one twin to another. Problems did not spread directly between twins across domains. Instead, 2 indirect pathways were identified: (a) Problems first spread interindividually (between twins) within a behavioral domain, then spread intraindividually (within twins) across behavioral domains (e.g., Twin A delinquency → Twin B delinquency → Twin B substance use); and (b) problems first spread intraindividually (within twins) across behavioral domains, then spread interindividually (between twins) within a behavioral domain (e.g., Twin A delinquency → Twin A substance use → Twin B substance use). Controls for genetic effects, gene–environment correlations, friend substance use and delinquency, and parenting behaviors increase confidence in the conclusion that twin siblings uniquely contribute to the spread of problem behaviors during adolescence. Twin sibling influence is a risk factor for illicit substance use, both because substance use by one twin predicts substance use by the other twin, but also because delinquency in one twin predicts delinquency in the other twin, which then gives rise to greater substance use.
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical and histologic subtypes, pathophysiology, recognition, and treatment options for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, and the molecular biology of sunlight-induced carcinogenesis. DATA SOURCES Journal and review articles, research studies, textbooks, and clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma will occur in more than one million cases annually in the United States, and are highly curable when detected and treated early. During the last decade, significant progress has been made in elucidating the molecular basis of skin carcinogenesis and in identifying newer approaches for the management and treatment of these keratinocyte cancers. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Nurses can play crucial roles in decreasing the morbidity and mortality from the skin cancer epidemic by identifying and referring patients with lesions suspicious for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
Effects of cigarette smoking on reward responsivity and cognitive function in brain injured individuals

Abstinence from smoking has been associated with acute impairments of performance in a number of tasks associated with incentive motivation and executive functioning in non-injured participants. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of smoking on various cognitive and motivational measures in 18 brain injured smokers, thus generalising previous findings from non-injured participants. A within-subjects cross-over design was utilised, to compare performance after an acute period of abstinence from smoking with performance after smoking. The test battery included measures of reward responsivity (a card-sorting task providing a behavioural index of incentive motivation), verbal fluency, and working memory. Reward responsivity was enhanced after a cigarette had been smoked compared to when abstinent. Performance on the card sorting task was particularly enhanced when the task was novel. There was no significant enhancement on any other measure. It was concluded that smoking has a direct effect on responsiveness to incentive, which we have found elsewhere to be closely related to motivation in therapy. Implications for clinical neuropsychological assessment and treatment are discussed.
Analysis of Public Health Risks From Consumption of Informally Marketed Milk in Kenya

Despite an unfavorable policy environment against informal milk markets, these market account for most milk sales in Kenya. Convenient delivery and lower prices are the principal benefits for poor consumers. Current milk handling and safety regulations in Kenya are derived from models in industrialized countries. These may not be appropriate for local market conditions. An important step in targeting policies better is to collect quantitative and qualitative information about milk-borne health risk under different market situations. Preliminary results of assessments of milk quality and handling practices of informal milk market agents and consumers in central Kenya show very low apparent prevalence of zoonotic health hazards in milk from smallholder herds o[that contribute most marketed milk. Higher bacterial counts were associated with longer market chains and distance to urban areas. Most (up to 80%) of samples did not meet national bacterial quality standards. Over 96% of consumes boiled milk before consumption mainly to lengthen shelf life but also for health reasons. The most important health risks were judged to be from antimicrobial residues found in up to 16% of milk samples tested. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 27 2004: pp. 15-17
When 1 + 1 > 2: How Investors React to New Product Releases Announced Concurrently with Other Corporate News

Firms routinely use press releases to announce the launch of their new products. An examination of these press releases shows that in approximately 7% of cases, firms issue new product announcements concurrently with other corporate announcements. However, the consequences of these actions are unknown because event studies typically eliminate concurrent announcements in an attempt to avoid their confounding effects. The authors use a comprehensive sample of press releases issued by publicly traded U.S. firms to document the consequences of firms announcing the release of a new product concurrently with another corporate announcement that conveys good news. Drawing on Merton's (1987) model of capital market equilibrium with incomplete information, the authors identify three conditions that are conducive to the issuance of concurrent new product announcements. They then verify that under these conditions, the increase in shareholder value associated with concurrent announcements is higher than that associated with issuing two similar announcements separately. This research provides insights into how firms can leverage corporate communications to increase stock prices.
The Brain Correlates of Personality and Sex Differences

Personality neuroscience is a rapidly expanding field of study fueled by a growing interest in understanding the structural brain correlates of individual differences in personality. Data on the structural brain correlates of personality are especially lacking from large-scale studies, and are nearly nonexistent in the adolescent age group. Furthermore, the role of sex differences in structural brain changes associated with personality are rarely considered. To address this gap in knowledge, this thesis investigates the structural brain correlates of personality and sex differences in structure at age fourteen. A large sample of adolescents (N = 2000) were drawn from the IMAGEN project. Data on adolescents’ puberty status, IQ, and personality were collected through adolescent-reported questionnaires and interviews. The structural brain correlates of personality were examined utilizing personality variables from the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM). Our results showed few correlations between any dimension of the NEO-FFI and regional grey matter volume (GMV). In the total sample, a negative correlation was found for agreeableness and bilateral supplementary motor area (SMA), which was also present in the male subsample. The female sample showed a significant negative correlation between extraversion and the right SMA, and a positive correlation in the left cerebellum. A nonlinear effect of extraversion positively correlated with the right precuneus in females. The present study suggests personality traits are not strongly reflected in GMV during adolescence. This thesis includes a discussion on future directions and suggestions for assessing the brain correlates of personality.
The Relationship between R&D investment and Ownership Structure in KOSDAQ Pharmaceutical Firms

본 연구는 우리나라 코스닥 제약기업을 대상으로 소유구조가 제약기업의 연구개발투자(R&D)에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 실증분석을 위한 표본은 2000년부터 2012년까지 상장된 기업들 중 코스닥 제약기업을 대상으로 하였으며사용된 전체 표본은 13개년 자료로써 358개 관측치를 가진 불균형패널자료이다. 본 연구에 사용된 주요 변수들 중 개별기업 별 재무자료는 상장회사 협의회의 TS-2000을, 임원현황 및 주주분포 등은 금융감독원 전자공시 시스템의 각 기업 사업보고서 자료를 통해 자료를 직접 수집하였으며 기업나이, 기업크기 등은 NICE신용평가정보의 KISVALUE-Ⅲ 등의 자료를 참고하였다. 연구결과, 첫째 주요주주율과 외국인투자율은 연구개발투자에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳤다. 둘째, 사외이사율은 연구개발투자에 부정적인 영향을 미쳤다. 셋째, 기관투자율은 통계적으로 유의한 결과를 미치지 못했다.
Oxygen consumption in the first stages of strenuous work as a function of prior exercise.

This study exanined the extent to which ]. 0 minutes of prior exercise (PE) at a workload adjusted to maintain a heart rate (HR) of 140 bpm could facilitate the mobilization of the 02 transport system in a strenuous criterion task (CT). The interval between the PE and CT was 30 seconds. The CT required the S to pedal for 2 minutes at a load of 1632 kpm/min The control treatment involved completion of the CT following 10 minutes of rest on the ertometer. Comparisons between treatments were made during the 30 seconds between PR and CT, for four 30 second periods during the CT and for the 6o seconds following the CT. VO2 was significantly higher following PR at every stage except the second 30 second period of the CT and the 6o second post-CT period. Ventilation was significantly higher following ps at every stage except the last 30 seconds of the CT and the 60 second post-CT period. HR was significantly higher following PR at every stage. And 02 pulse was significantly higher following PE only during the 30 second pre-CT period and the first 30 seconds of the CT, indicating that the PE facilitated the mobilization of stroke volume (SV) and/or A -V 02 difference. The similar values for 02 pulse during the last 90 seconds of the CT indicate that the higher V02 following PR was a function of higher HR, not higher SV or A-V 02 difference.
Seismic cycle and rheological effects on estimation of present-day slip rates for the Agua Blanca and San Miguel-Vallecitos faults, northern Baja California, Mexico

[1] Geodesy can be used to infer long-term fault slip rates, assuming a model for crust and upper mantle rheology. We examine the sensitivity of fault slip rate estimates to assumed rheology for the Agua Blanca and San Miguel-Vallecitos faults in northern Baja California, Mexico, part of the Pacific–North America plate boundary zone. The Agua Blanca fault is seismically quiet, but offset alluvial fans indicate young activity. Current seismicity is confined to the nearby San Miguel-Vallecitos fault, a small offset fault better aligned with plate motion. GPS measurements between 1993 and 1998 suggest that both faults are active, with a combined slip rate of 4–8 mm yr � 1 regardless of rheological model. However, slip rate estimates for the individual faults are sensitive to assumed rheology. Elastic half-space models yield 2–3 mm yr � 1 for the Agua Blanca fault, and somewhat faster rates for the San Miguel-Vallecitos fault, 2–4 mm yr � 1 , with uncertainties of about 1 mm yr � 1 . Models incorporating viscoelastic rheology and seismic cycle effects suggest a faster slip rate for the Agua Blanca fault, 6 ± 1 mm yr � 1 , and a slower rate for the San Miguel-Vallecitos fault, 1 ± 1 mm yr � 1 , in better agreement with geological data, but these rates are sensitive to assumed rheology. Numerical simulations with a finite element model suggest that for similar rheological and friction conditions, slip on the San Miguel-Vallecitos fault should be favored due to better alignment with plate motion. Long-term faulting processes in the larger offset Agua Blanca fault may have lowered slip resistance, allowing accommodation of motion despite misalignment with plate motion. INDEX TERMS: 1206 Geodesy and Gravity: Crustal movements—interplate (8155); 1236 Geodesy and Gravity: Rheology of the lithosphere and mantle (8160); 8107 Tectonophysics: Continental neotectonics; KEYWORDS: fault slip rates and the seismic cycle; northern Baja California
Capital structure decisions: evidence from large capitalised companies in Malaysia

This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the capital structure decisions in Malaysia using the companies listed on the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Top 100 Index. The objectives of this study were achieved by examining the relationship between leverage (dependent variable) and four determinants identified as independent variables, which included profitability, tangibility, liquidity and firm size. Data of 69 firms which covered the period from 2007 to 2011 were evaluated using the panel data analysis with total observations of 345 firm-years. By applying the fixed effects regression model, results showed that profitability, tangibility and liquidity had significant negative relationship with leverage while firm size is positively related with leverage. Moreover, results also revealed that profitability was the most influential factor of the capital structure in Malaysia. The findings of this study were consistent with several previous studies as well as the theoretical background of capital structure determinants. These results also may represent the unique characteristics of capital structure of firms in Malaysia.