Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stomatal and mesophyll limitations of photosynthesis in black spruce seedlings during multiple cycles of drought.

Container-grown black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) seedlings were planted in trays containing a sand and peat mixture, and placed in a climate-controlled greenhouse. One group of seedlings was kept well-watered, and another group was subjected to three cycles of drought. Gas exchange analysis showed that mesophyll photosynthetic function was largely unimpaired by drought. In contrast, stomatal conductance was sensitive to drought, although it became less sensitive with each drought cycle. Both stomatal and mesophyll conductances increased with time in control and drought-stressed seedlings, but mesophyll conductance increased with time more rapidly than did stomatal conductance. Limitation of photosynthetic rate was dominated by the mesophyll. In control seedlings, relative stomatal limitation increased from 6 to 16% by the end of the experiment. In drought-stressed seedlings, relative stomatal limitation of photosynthesis reached 40% during the first drought, but decreased to near control values immediately after rewatering. Because the third, most severe drought had only a minor effect on stomatal conductance, relative stomatal limitation of photosynthesis was similar to that in control seedlings by the end of the experiment. Inhibition of ontogenetic change during drought stress may be responsible for the apparent acclimation of mesophyll photosynthetic processes. We conclude that it would be more effective to select for high photosynthetic capacity than for reduced stomatal sensitivity when breeding for increased drought resistance in black spruce seedlings.
Gay Officers In Their Midst: Heterosexual Police Employees' Anticipation of the Consequences for Coworkers Who Come Out

While fear among gay men and lesbians about being out in a masculinist environment is not surprising, this article examines what heterosexuals expect will happen when gay men and lesbians come out. We draw on a unique dataset from a police department in the southwest United States to examine the consequences anticipated by heterosexual police department employees if a gay or lesbian officer's sexual orientation became known in the workplace. We test four main sets of factors: individual-level demographic characteristics and religious background; homophobia; organizational tolerance for discrimination; and intergroup contact theory to explain how heterosexuals expect gay and lesbian coworkers to be treated. Using ordinary least squares regression, we find that characteristics of workplaces, measured by tolerance of discrimination, as well as contact with gay men and lesbians on the job are more significant predictors of anticipated outcomes than are individual-level traits and homophobic attitudes. We conclude by discussing the policy implications of our research.
Intracutaneous botulinum toxin A versus ablative therapy of Hailey-Hailey disease - a case report

BACKGROUND: Hailey-Hailey disease is an autosomal-dominant blistering disease affecting the intertriginous skin. Dermabrasion and ablative laser treatment are known to be curative. Sweating is a common aggravating factor. Botulinum toxin A (BTXA) has been shown to inhibit sudoriferic nerves. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a treatment with BTXA induces remissions and can compete with ablative therapy. To compare dermabrasion with erbium:YAG laser therapy. METHOD: Case report with side-by-side comparison. We used intracutaneous BTXA on both sides of the submammary region. Four days later a limited area of 25 cm 2 on each side was treated with either dermabrasion or erbium:YAG laser. The follow-up was 12 months. RESULTS: Wound healing was complete within 7 days after erbium:YAG laser and two weeks after dermabrasion. Areas treated with BTXA alone also showed complete remission within two weeks. During a follow-up, no relapse occurred with either treatment. CONCLUSION: BTXA is capable of inducing remissions of Hailey-Hailey disease without abrasion for at least 12 months. Among ablative treatments, erbium: YAG laser therapy leads to a more rapid wound closure than dermabrasion, with both causing complete remissions.
Anti-IgE for chronic asthma.

BACKGROUND Omalizumab is a recombinant humanised monoclonal antibody directed against immunoglobulin E (IgE) to inhibit the immune system's response to allergen exposure. Omalizumab is directed against the binding site of IgE for its high affinity Fc receptor. It prevents free serum IgE from attaching to mast cells and other effector cells and prevents IgE mediated inflammatory changes. The complexes of Omalizumab and IgE formed as a result of treatment are small and not thought to be able to trigger complement activation or give rise to immune complex mediated pathology. OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy of anti-IgE in patients with allergic asthma. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Asthma trials register (February 2003) for potentially relevant studies. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised control trials examining anti-IgE administered in any manner for any duration. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently assessed study quality and extracted and entered data. Three modes of administration were identified from the published literature (inhaled, intravenous and subcutaneous injection). Subgroup analysis was performed by asthma severity. Data were extracted from published and unpublished sources. MAIN RESULTS Eight trials were included in the review, contributing a total of 2037 mild to severe allergic asthmatic participants with high levels of IgE. Treatment with intravenous and subcutaneous Omalizumab resulted in a 98 to 99% reduction in free IgE, reductions which were not observed following placebo treatment. Significant increases in the number of participants who were able to reduce (> 50% reduction in daily corticosteroid usage (four trials): odds ratio (OR) 2.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.02 to 3.10; or completely withdraw their daily steroid intake (four trials): OR 2.50, 95%CI 2.00 to 3.13, were observed. Participants treated with Omalizumab were less likely to suffer an asthma exacerbation (stable steroid phase (three trials): OR 0.46, 95%CI 0.35 to 0.61; steroid reduction phase (three trials) OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.59). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Omalizumab was significantly more effective than placebo at increasing the numbers of patients who were able to reduce or withdraw their inhaled steroids and was effective in reducing asthma exacerbations. Omalizumab was well tolerated, although the safety profile requires longer term assessment. Patient and physician assessment of the drug was positive. Further assessment in paediatric and severe adult populations is necessary, as is comparison with inhaled corticosteroids.
On the influence of Stark broadening on Si I lines in stellar atmospheres

We study the influence of Stark broadening and stratification e ects on Sii lines in the rapidly oscillating (roAp) star 10 Aql, where the Sii 6142.48 A and 6155.13 A lines are asymmetrical and shifted. First we have calculated Stark broaden- ing parameters using the semiclassical perturbation method for three Si i lines: 5950.2 A, 6142.48 A and 6155.13 A. We revised the synthetic spectrum calculation code taking into account both Stark width and shift for these lines. From the comparison of our calculations with the observations we found that Stark broadening+ the stratification eect can explain asymmetry of the Sii 6142.48 A and 6155.13 A lines in the atmospere of roAp star 10 Aql.
The Study of Customer Complaints Management Based on System Dynamics: Modeling and Simulation

In this paper, based on the relationships among customer satisfaction, repeated purchases, customer loyalty, complaint-voicing rate and complaint-dealing ability, a model is built to analysis customer flow resulting from the complaint management with the system dynamics method. Applying Vensim 5.0, customer flow is simulated with the data from China's mobile market. Through analyzing the simulation results we can identify the key factors of system. Finally we obtain the high-point of the system running by adjusting the key factors effectively and continuously. We have also studied how to adjust the factors according to the experimental datum which provides guidance to managers making decisions
A UNIFIED APPROACH TOWARDS E-COMMERCE ADOPTION BY SMMES IN SOUTH AFRICA

E-commerce has been identified as an enabler of economic development/growth in developing countries. This is due to the preponderant role that e-commerce plays in developing world as a catalyst towards improved customer service [4]; expansion of market reach [11]; improved customer relationship and communications [15,16] and supply chain integration [9]. In the South African case, the currently installed undersea cable which promises faster and more reliable Internet connection and the current government efforts to increase SMMEs online visibility make e-commerce an attractive platform to conduct online business. It is in this context that this paper seeks to investigate factors that contribute to e-commerce adoption. Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, this paper investigates the adoption of e-commerce from 180 SMMEs in Pietermaritzburg area in South Africa. The findings reveal that although facilitating conditions have not influenced the decision to adopt e-commerce in the surveyed SMMEs, social influence, effort expectancy, performance expectancy are determinants of e-commerce within the selected SMMEs. Thus, this paper recommends a managerial approach towards the adoption of e-commerce focusing on making it easier for employees to execute their daily tasks.
Analytical formulas and scaling laws for peak interaction forces in dynamic atomic force microscopy

Determining the peak interaction force between an oscillating nanoscale tip and a sample surface has been a fundamental yet elusive goal in amplitude-modulated atomic force microscopy. Closed form analytical expressions are derived using nonlinear asymptotic theory for the peak attractive and repulsive forces that approximate with a high degree of accuracy the numerically simulated peak forces under ambient or vacuum conditions. Scaling laws involving van der Waals, chemical forces, nanoscale elasticity, and oscillator parameters are identified to demonstrate approximate similitude for the peak interaction forces under practical operating conditions.
Structure, organization, and dynamics of promyelocytic leukemia protein nuclear bodies.

The interphase nucleus compartmentalizes its components to give rise to a highly organized and tightly controlled environment. Individual chromosomes occupy discrete areas, termed “chromosome territories,” that are separated from each other by a channel called the “interchromosomal domain” (reviewed in Lamond and Earnshaw 1998). Actively transcribed genes tend to be at the periphery of chromosomal territories, whereas newly made RNA transcripts localize into the interchromosomal domain, where they can undergo further processing and transport. Movement within the nucleus (Ferreira et al. 1997) may permit chromosomes to enter “factories” that contain all the necessary enzymatic machinery for replication (reviewed in Jackson 1995). Of the many discrete domains identified throughout the nucleus, the largest are nucleoli, sites of ribosomal RNA synthesis and processing, and sites of preribosomal particle assembly (reviewed in Scheer and Weisenberger 1994). Other subnuclear bodies that appear as punctate structures under immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy include various dynamic structures involved in the maintenance and replication of DNA and RNA synthesis, processing, and transport (reviewed in Nickerson et al. 1995): replication foci, transcript foci, speckled domains, coiled bodies, gems, and promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) nuclear bodies. Spliceosomal small nuclear (sn) ribonucleoprotein (RNP) components and a subset of non-snRNP splicing factors can be found concentrated in discrete subnuclear domains called “coiled bodies” (Matera and Frey 1998 [in this issue]). It is becoming increasingly apparent that the nucleus has an organization and contains a number of discrete macromolecular domains that coordinate a variety of nuclear processes.
Efficient and accurate approximation of infinite series summation using asymptotic approximation and fast convergent series

We present an approach for very quick and accurate approximation of infinite series summation arising in electromagnetic problems. This approach is based on using asymptotic expansions of the arguments and the use of fast convergent series to accelerate the convergence of each term. It has been validated by obtaining very accurate solution for propagation constant for shielded microstrip lines using spectral domain approach (SDA). In the spectral domain analysis of shielded microstrip lines, the elements of the Galerkin matrix are summations of infinite series of product of Bessel functions and Green’s function. The infinite summation is accelerated by leading term extraction using asymptotic expansions for the Bessel function and the Green’s function, and the summation of the leading terms is carried out using the fast convergent series.
Free radicals act as effectors in the growth inhibition and apoptosis of iron-treated Burkitt's lymphoma cells

The addition of ferric citrate to Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines inhibits growth, leads to the accumulation of cells in the phase G2/M of the cell cycle and to the modulation of translocated c-myc expression. The increase in the labile iron pool (LIP) of iron-treated BL cells leads to cytotoxicity. Indeed, intracellular free iron catalyzes the formation of highly reactive compounds such as hydroxyl radicals and nitric oxide (NO) that damages macromolecular components of cells, eventually resulting in apoptosis. In this report, we have investigated the possible involvement of free radicals in the response of Ramos cells to iron. When added to Ramos cells, iron increased the intracellular levels of peroxide/peroxynitrite and NO. Moreover, the addition of free radicals scavengers (TROLOX® and Carboxy-PTIO) neutralized the effects of iron on Ramos cells while addition of an NO donor or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to cells generated effects which partially mimicked those induced by iron addition. Collectively, our results suggest the involvement of free radicals as effectors in the iron specific growth inhibition of BL cells observed in vitro.
Effects of indomethacin on the production of matrix metalloproteinase-3 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 by human articular chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVE To study the action of indomethacin on cartilage catabolic activity by comparing the production of a matrix degrading proteinase and its inhibitor in human articular chondrocyte cultures. METHODS Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in conditioned medium from human articular chondrocyte cultures were measured using a one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay. TIMP-1 mRNA expression was analyzed by Northern blotting using a 0.6 kb cDNA probe for human TIMP-1. RESULTS Human recombinant interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) increased MMP-3 levels in primary chondrocyte cultures. Indomethacin at 10(-5) M inhibited this IL-1 beta stimulation, but had no effect in the therapeutic range (10(-6)-10(-7) M). Low levels of indomethacin (10(-7) M) significantly increased the production of TIMP-1 by chondrocytes. Synthesis of TIMP-1 appeared to be inhibited by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), since exogenously added PGE2 reversed the stimulating effect of indomethacin on TIMP-1 production. Northern blot analysis showed that 10(-7) M indomethacin increased TIMP-1 mRNA levels in chondrocytes. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that low levels of indomethacin can benefit matrix metabolism by affecting the balance of proteinases to their inhibitors in human articular cartilage.
Determinants of rat albumin promoter tissue specificity analyzed by an improved transient expression system

The 150-base-pairs region located upstream of the transcriptional start site of the rat albumin gene contains all of the critical sequences necessary for this gene's tissue-specific expression in rat hepatoma cells. In transient expression assays using an improved CAT system or direct mRNA analysis we were able to detect a faithful transcription from the albumin promoter in albumin-negative dedifferentiated H5 hepatoma cells which was 250-fold weaker than in differentiated H4II hepatoma cells producing albumin. This strong tissue specificity could be completely overcome through the cis action of a non-tissue-specific enhancer. Two upstream regions from nucleotides -151 to -119 and from -118 to -94, were required for efficient transcription in H4II cells. Each region contained a sequence motif highly conserved among different species. The effect of the -151/-119 region was strictly tissue specific, while the -118/-94 region was also involved in the low level of transcription observed in H5 cells. Finally, sequences between the CCAAT box and the TATA box also contributed to the overall tissue specificity of rat albumin gene transcription.
House allocation with overlapping generations

Many real-life applications of house allocation problems are dynamic. For example, each year college freshmen move in and seniors move out of on-campus housing. Each student stays on campus for only a few years. A student is a `newcomerâ€™ in the beginning and then becomes an ''existing tenant. â€™ Motivated by this observation, we introduce a model of house allocation with overlapping generations. In terms of a dynamic rule without monetary transfers, we examine two static rules of serial dictatorship (SD) and top trading cycles (TTC), both of which are based on an ordering of agents and give a higher-order agent a more advantageous position in the assignment procedure. We support a seniority-based SD rule by showing its dynamic Pareto efficiency. Similarly, we support a seniority-based TTC rule under time-invariant preferences by showing its dynamic Pareto efficiency and incentive compatibility.
A comparison of kinetic and regulatory properties of the tetrameric and dimeric forms of wild-type and Thr427-->Pro mutant human phenylalanine hydroxylase: contribution of the flexible hinge region Asp425-Gln429 to the tetramerization and cooperative substrate binding.

Recombinant human phenylalanine hydroxylase (hPAH, phenylalanine 4-monooxygenase EC 1.14.16.1) is catalytically active both as a tetramer and a dimer [Knappskog, P.M. , Flatmark, T. , Aarden, J.M. , Haavik, J. and Martínez, A. (1996) Eur. J. Biochem. 242, 813-821]. In the present study we have further characterized the differences in kinetic and regulatory properties of the two oligomeric forms when expressed in Escherichia coli. The positive cooperativity of L-Phe binding to the tetrameric form both in enzyme kinetic studies (h = 1.6) and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence measurements (h = 2.3) was abolished in the dimer, which also revealed a catalytic efficiency (Vmax/[S]0.5) of only 35% of the tetramer. Whereas the catalytic activity of the tetramer was activated fivefold to sixfold by preincubation with L-Phe, the dimer revealed only a 1.6-fold activation. The crystal structure has identified a five-residue flexible hinge region (Asp425-Gln429) that links the beta-strand Tbeta2 (Ile421-Leu424) and the 24 residue amphipathic alpha-helix Talpha1 (Gln428-Lys452) at the C-terminus which forms an antiparallel coiled-coil structure in the center of the tetramer [Fusetti, F. , Erlandsen, H. , Flatmark, T. & Stevens, R.C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 16962-16967]. The potential role of this flexible hinge in the tetramerization and the conformational transition of wt-hPAH on the cooperative binding of L-Phe was examined by site-specific mutagenesis. Substitution of Thr427 by a Pro (as in tyrosine hydroxylase) resulted in a mutant protein which was isolated mainly (about 95%) as a dimer. The isolated tetramer of T427P revealed no kinetic cooperativity of L-Phe binding, the catalytic efficiency (Vmax/[S]0.5) was decreased to about 39% of the wild-type tetramer and it was not activated by L-Phe preincubation. The dimeric forms of T427P and wt-hPAH revealed rather similar kinetic properties. The lack of kinetic cooperativity of the T427P tetramer was associated with a corresponding change in the binding isotherm for L-Phe as studied by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence measurements. Protein stability was also reduced both for the E. coli expressed and the in vitro synthesized mutant enzyme. Collectively, these results indicate that the positive cooperativity of L-Phe binding to wt-hPAH requires a tetrameric enzyme with a C-terminal flexible hinge region (Asp425-Gln429) which has a structural role in the formation of the enzyme tetramer. Furthermore, this hinge region represents a motif in the PAH structure that is involved in the conformational change transmitted through the protein on the cooperative binding of L-Phe to tetrameric wt-hPAH. This conclusion is further supported by studies on two disease (phenylketonuria)-associated mutant forms.
The influence of the 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist tropisetron on pain in fibromyalgia: a functional magnetic resonance imaging pilot study

Objective: Central pain processing is altered in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The serotonin metabolism, especially the 5‐HT3 receptor, seems to play an important role. Methods: We investigated the effect of the local injection of the 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist tropisetron on the perception and central processing of pain in FMS patients using painful mechanical stimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) within the framework of a pre‐/posttreatment double‐blind design. Results: In the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex, contralateral posterior insula, and anterior cingulate cortex, we found that the activation was significantly reduced after treatment. On average, patients rated the stimulation‐induced pain intensity as stronger in the session after treatment compared to before treatment, although the individual data revealed a heterogeneous pattern. All patients showed sensitisation during the painful stimulation, which was not influenced by the treatment. Conclusions: Both the sensory‐discriminative and motivational‐affective components of pain as measured by fMRI were altered by tropisetron.
Phase transitions and shapes of two component membranes and vesicles II : weak segregation limit

We investigate unilamellar membranes and vesicles composed of an A/B mixture of partially miscible amphiphiles. Assuming a simple bilinear coupling between relative composition and local curvature, and in the strong segregation limit of the A/B mixture, we show for unilamellar open-shape membranes that the competition between surface tension and curvature results in a phase with a selected periodiaty (modulated phase) both in the shape and in the A/B composition. The limits of large and small surface tension are discussed separately. These findings extend previous results obtained close to the A/B critical point (shallow quench). For the same limit of strong segregation, we also investigate the coupling between the separation of the system into A and B domains, and the overall shape of closed-shape vesicles. For cylindrical vesicles of fixed overall area (or equivalently vesicles embedded in a two-dimensional space), equilibrium shapes and phase diagrams are obtained. We also consider the effect of an added pressure difference (osmotic pressure) across the vesicle. The results are extended to axial symmetric vesicles embedded in a three-dimensional space