Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The NF-ϰB transcription factor induces DNA bending which is modulated by its 65-kD subunit

Abstract This study describes a novel functional property of the eukaryotic transcription factor NF-kappa B in altering the DNA structure. We observed that the binding of purified NF-kappa B to DNA was facilitated by spermine and cations which are known to promote DNA bending, and by a nick in one position at the 3'-end of the binding site. Furthermore, the position of the NF-kappa B binding sequence 5'-GGGACTTTCC-3' (kappa B motif) within circularly permutated DNA fragments had a profound influence on the mobility of NF-kappa B-DNA complexes in a gel retardation assay while the mobility of unbound DNA fragments did not depend on the position of the kappa B motif. The mobility effect was slightly reduced at increased temperature. These observations suggested that binding of NF-kappa B to DNA induces bending. The estimated bending angle induced by the 50-kD DNA binding subunit of NF-kappa B (p50) was smaller than that induced by p50 which was associated with the 65-kD non-DNA binding subunit (p65). Moreover, the presence of p65 appeared to result in a shift of the bending center from the middle towards the 3'-end of the kappa B motif. This shows a role for the p65 subunit of NF-kappa B in modulating the extent and altering the position of protein-induced DNA bending.
Pacemaker Shift in the Rabbit Sinoatrial Node in Response to Vagal Nerve Stimulation

Effects of brief postganglionic vagal nerve stimulation on the activation sequence of the rabbit sinoatrial (SA) node were investigated. Activation sequences in a small area (7 mm × 7 mm) on the epicardial surface were measured in a beat‐to‐beat manner using an extracellular potential mapping system composed of 64 modified bipolar electrodes with high‐gain and low‐frequency band‐pass filtering. The leading pacemaker site was recognised clearly from both the activation sequence and the characteristic morphology of the potentials. Vagal stimulation resulted in a short‐lasting initial slowing of spontaneous rate followed by a long‐lasting secondary slowing; a brief period of relative or absolute acceleration was interposed between the two slowing phases. During these changes of spontaneous rate, the leading pacemaker site shifted in a complex beat‐to‐beat manner by 1‐6 mm alongside the crista terminalis in the superior or inferior direction. For the first spontaneous excitation following stimulation, the greater the slowing, the larger the distance of the pacemaker shift. There was no such linear relationship between the extent of slowing and the distance of pacemaker shift for the subsequent beats. These changes in the leading pacemaker site in response to vagal stimulation may be the result of the functional and morphological heterogeneity of the mammalian SA node in terms of innervation, receptor distribution and ion channel densities.
The Lung Is an Important Site for Priming CD4 T-Cell-Mediated Protective Immunity against Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites

ABSTRACT The rodent hookworm Nippostrongylus brasiliensis typically infects its host by penetrating the skin and rapidly migrating to the lungs and gut. Following primary infection, immunocompetent mice become highly protected from reinfection with N. brasiliensis, with the numbers of worms gaining access to the lungs and gut being reduced by up to 90%. We used green fluorescent protein/interleukin-4 (IL-4) reporter mice and truncated infection studies to identify both the tissue site and mechanism(s) by which the host protects itself from reinfection with N. brasiliensis. Strikingly, we demonstrated that the lung is an important site for priming immune protection. Furthermore, a lung-initiated, CD4 T-cell-dependent, and IL-4- and STAT6-dependent response was sufficient to confer protection against reinfection. In conclusion, vaccination strategies which seek to break the cycle of reinfection and egg production by helminths such as hookworms can include strategies which directly stimulate Th2 responses in the lung.
Understanding segregation and mixing effects in a riser using the quadrature method of moments

Segregation and mixing effects of particle diameter distributions are numerically investigated in the riser section of a circulating fluidized bed. A granular kinetic theory based approach, which implements the Eulerian quadrature-based moment method to describe the particle phase, is coupled to an Eulerian multi-fluid solver through a population balance model. The gas-solid multiphase flow is two-dimensional, transient and isothermal. The particle distributions fed from each side inlet of the riser have different variances, but the same mean diameter. The core-annular regime used as a numerical benchmark for riser flows is well predicted. A comparison in the homogeneity of particle mixing is made from the lower-order moments of the particle distribution obtained at various positions and at different axial lengths along the riser. It is seen that the relative standard deviation of the particle distribution varies spatially, indicating dynamic mixing inside the riser.
Some properties of frog skin mechanoreceptors

The properties of single sensory units in the skin have been studied in the past using the single-fibre preparation. This has been achieved in the frog either by the recording of antidromic impulses evoked in a severed branch of skin nerve by stimulation of a nearby area of skin innervated by an adjacent nerve branch (Adrian, Cattell & Hoagland, 1931), or by isolation of single afferent fibres in a skin nerve (Maruhashi, Mizuguchi & Tasaki, 1952). An alternative method is to excite individual endings by sharply localized stimulation, and to record from the intact skin nerve. This has the advantages of saving much time in dissection, and of ensuring that measurements, such as velocity of conduction of afferent spikes, are made on the fibre in its normal situation in the nerve trunk, and not exposed to air. Thus using a fine shielded metal tip (diameter 20,) both for mechanical and electrical stimulation, it was possible to elicit single unit responses by either means of stimulation. Owing to the simple nature of the method many observations could be made on one preparation. Preliminary accounts of parts of this work have already been presented (Catton, 1957 a, b). The sensory innervation of frog skin may be briefly described as follows. Myelinated and non-myelinated axons entering the subepidermal layers form a deep and a superficial plexus. From these plexuses arise axons which branch into fine non-myelinated fibres, some ending in the subepidermal layers,. some in association with the skin glands and blood vessels and many penetrating and ending freely in the epidermis (Ecker & Wiedersheim, 1904). Only one kind of anatomically differentiated ending has been described, the so-called 'tactile corpuscle' (Merkel, 1880), having a limited distribution. Eberth & Bunge (1893) described 'endzellen', lying close under the epidermis, from which some of the epidermal endings were derived; these do not appear to have been described by subsequent authors. The general picture is one of a closely interwoven network of naked axons, derived by profuse branching of
Molecular analysis of the key cytokinetic components of cyanobacteria: FtsZ, ZipN and MinCDE

Using a bacterial two‐hybrid system and a combination of in vivo and in vitro assays that take advantage of the green fluorescent reporter protein (GFP), we have investigated the localization and the protein–protein interaction of several key components of the cytokinetic machinery of cyanobacteria (i.e. the progenitor of chloroplast). We demonstrate that (i) the ftsZ and zipN genes are essential for the viability of the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, whereas the minCDE cluster is dispensable for cell growth; (ii) the GTP‐binding domain of FtsZ is crucial to FtsZ assembly into the septal ring at mid‐cell; (iii) the Z‐ring of deeply constricted daughter cells is oriented perpendicularly to the mother Z‐ring, showing that Synechocystis divides in alternating perpendicular planes; (iv) the MinCDE system affects the morphology of the cell, as well as the position and the shape of FtsZ structures; and (v) MinD is targeted to cell membranes in a process involving its C‐terminal amphipathic helix, but not its ATP‐binding region. Finally, we have also characterized a novel Z‐interacting protein, ZipN, the N‐terminal DnaJ domain of which is critical to the decoration of the Z‐ring, and we report that this process is independent of MinCDE.
Integrated technology-organization-environment (T-O-E) taxonomies for technology adoption

The T-O-E framework enjoys robust scholarly accolade but it rarely espouses clearly task and individual factors. Although task and individual contexts had been separately addressed by task-technology-fit (TTF) and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), respectively, the purpose of this paper is to complement and/or extend the T-O-E’s insights by integrating TTF and UTAUT frameworks, and developing and empirically testing a 12-factor framework that spans five contexts. ,Survey data were proportionally collected from six groups of small service enterprises with strong operations in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and the mode of sampling was purposive and snow-ball while analysis involved logistic likelihood regression. ,The relationship between adoption and the factors within the contexts of technology, organization, environment and task were statistically supported though some had negative coefficients. For individual context, social factor had a statistically significant negative coefficient but hedonistic drive was not statistically supported. ,The study is limited by its scope of coverage; therefore, extended data are needed to apply the findings to other sectors/industries and to factor in the implementation and post-adoption phases and business-to-business adoption in order to forge a more integrated and holistic adoption framework. ,The findings encourage vendors and policy makers to place more premiums on organizational and task factors than on technological, environmental and individual factors and to craft informed marketing programs that would appeal to actual and potential adopters and cause them to progress in the loyalty ladder. ,This paper contributes to the growing research on technology adoption; it uses factors within the T-O-E, TTF and UTAUT frameworks to explain adoption of technologies and to establish the underlying relationships amongst T-O-E factors through integrating other useful frameworks.
A study on correlation and path analysis for seed yield and yield components in sunflower [Helianthus annuus (L.)]

Correlation and path coefficient analysis in Forty genotypes of sunflower [ Helianthus annuus (L.)]. Association analysis between seed yield per plant and other fourteen characters revealed that seed yield per plant showed highly significant and positive correlation with head diameter, number of seeds per capitula, number of filled seeds per capitula and 100 seed weight at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. These seed yield per plant also possessed positive association with days to maturity, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, leaf area at flowering, plant height, oil content and vacant inner diameter. The characters days to 50 per cent flowering, days to initiation of flower and number of unfilled seeds per capitula exhibited negative correlation with seed yield per plant. Path analysis indicated that days to 50 per cent flowering had highest positive direct effect on seed yield per plant followed by number of leaves per plant. The character days to initiation of flower exhibited high negative direct effects, while leaf area at flowering, number of seeds per capitula, plant height, vacant inner diameter showed negative but low direct effects.
Learning how to learn using a virtual learning environment for philosophy

Many students find theoretical subjects hard and challenging. Although they may pass modules in the subject, they often fail to attain a deeper, conceptual understanding. coMentor, a virtual learning environment on the WWW was developed to support such conceptual subjects by providing facilities for debate, discussion, groupwork, resource sharing and vicarious learning. The system was evaluated with undergraduates taking a philosophy module. Although there was no unequivocal evidence of gains in final assessment in those using the system, there was evidence of other forms of learning. Students learned from seeing each other's work, from having to 'write' down their ideas and share them with others and they adopted learning styles that were beneficial to learning a theoretical subject matter. Using a Learning Styles Inventory Scale, those using coMentor showed higher levels of deep learning and significantly higher levels of strategic learning than those who used the system little.
The Influence of Insects on Decomposition Rate in Buried and Surface Remains

Abstract: This article reports results of a comparative study of decomposition rates of wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) which were either (i) buried after exposure to insect activity, (ii) buried without exposure, (iii) kept above ground behind an insect screen, or (iv) continuously exposed above ground in a field experiment. Results showed that dipteran oviposition occurred consistently in groups i and iv only. Decomposition rates (measured by Total Body Score every c. 50 accumulated degree days [ADD]) of rabbits kept behind the screen and those buried without exposure showed no difference (p = 0.450). This was significantly slower than those buried after exposure (p = 0.0016) which was in turn significantly slower than those continuously exposed (p << 0.001). Temperatures collected from animals showed the presence of feeding larvae increased intra‐abdominal temperatures to >5°C above ambient. The findings support the assertion that insect presence is the primary agent affecting decomposition rate via tissue consumption and also the heat they generate.
An Investigation of the Differential Effects of Ursane Triterpenoids from Centella asiatica, and Their Semisynthetic Analogues, on GABAA Receptors

The ursane triterpenoids, asiatic acid 1 and madecassic acid 2, are the major pharmacological constituents of Centella asiatica, commonly known as Gotu Kola, which is used traditionally for the treatment of anxiety and for the improvement of cognition and memory. Using the two‐electrode voltage‐clamp technique, these triterpenes, and some semisynthetic derivatives, were found to exhibit selective negative modulation of different subtypes of the GABAA receptor expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Despite differing by only one hydroxyl group, asiatic acid 1 was found to be a negative modulator of the GABA‐induced current at α1β2γ2L, α2β2γ2L and α5β3γ2L GABAA receptors, while madecassic acid 2 was not. Asiatic acid 1 exhibited the greatest effect at α1β2γ2L (IC50 37.05 μm), followed by α5β3γ2L (IC50 64.05 μm) then α2β2γ2L (IC50 427.2 μm) receptors. Conversion of the carboxylic acid group of asiatic acid 1 to a carboxamide group (2α,3β,23‐trihydroxy‐urs‐12‐en‐28‐amide 5) resulted in enhanced inhibition at both the α1β2γ2L (IC50 14.07 μm) and α2β2γ2L receptor subtypes (IC50 28.41 μm). The results of this study, and the involvement of α5‐containing GABAA receptors in cognition and memory, suggest that asiatic acid 1 may be a lead compound for the enhancement of cognition and memory.
Remission status defined by immunofixation vs. electrophoresis after autologous transplantation has a major impact on the outcome of multiple myeloma patients

We have retrospectively analysed 344 multiple myeloma (MM) patients (202 de novo patients) treated in a non‐uniform way in whom high‐dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) response was simultaneously measured by both electrophoresis (EP) and immunofixation (IF). Patients in complete remission (CR) by EP were further subclassified as CR1 when IF was negative and CR2 when it remained positive. Partial responders (PR) were also subclassified as PR1 (very good PR, > 90% reduction in M‐component) or PR2 (50–90% reduction). CR1 patients showed a significantly better event‐free survival (EFS) [35% at 5 years, 95% confidence interval (CI) 17–53, median 46 months] and overall survival (OS) (72% at 5 years, CI 57–86, median not reached) compared with any other response group (univariate comparison P < 0·00000 to P = 0·004). In contrast, comparison of CR2 with PR1 and with PR2 did not define different prognostic subgroups (median EFS 30, 30 and 26 months respectively, P = 0·6; median survival 56, 44 and 42 months respectively, P = 0·5). The non‐responding patients had the worst outcome (5‐year OS 8%, median 7 months). Multivariate analysis confirmed both the absence of differences among CR2, PR1 and PR2 and the highly discriminatory prognostic capacity of a three‐category classification: (i) CR1 (ii) CR2 + PR1 + PR2, and (iii) non‐response (EFS P < 0·00000; OS P < 0·00000; both Cox models P < 0·00000). In the logistic regression analysis, the factors significantly associated with failure to achieve CR1 were the use of two or more up‐front chemotherapy lines, status of non‐response pre‐ASCT and inclusion of total body irradiation (TBI) in the preparative regimen. Tandem transplants or the use of multiple agents (busulphan and melphalan) in the preparative regimen resulted in a higher CR1 level; none of the biological factors explored influenced the possibility of achieving CR1. These results confirm that, in MM patients undergoing ASCT, achieving a negative IF identifies the patient subset with the best prognosis; accordingly, therapeutic strategies should be specifically designed to achieve negative IF.
Metamizole Sodium-Induced Severe Aplastic Anemia and its Recovery with a Short-Course Steroid Therapy

The authors treated a girl with severe aplastic anemia that developed following urinary tract infection. She was referred to our hospital for bone marrow transplantation. The detailed medical history of the patient revealed iatrogenic metamizole sodium overdose that was given during her infection. She responded to a 3-day, high-dose methylprednisolone therapy and consequent conventional dose steroid. The authors observed at first partial and subsequently complete remission of all the hematologic parameters of the patient within 30 days and 4 months, respectively. This case suggests that the history of drug use should be questioned carefully in the patients with aplastic features. Steroid treatment may be an appropiate alternative therapy for aplastic anemia if associated drug use is detected in the medical history.
Title : Rural-urban differences in health worker motivation and quality care in selected health facilities in Ghana

Nicole Spieker PharmAccess Foundation, Amsterdam, Netherlands Tobias F. Rinke de Wit Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands; and PharmAccess Foundation, Amsterdam, Netherlands Corresponding author: Robert Kaba, Alhassan Email: arkabason@gmail.com/arkabason@yahoo.com Tel: +233 241 22 64 09 Running title: Rural-urban differences in quality care and staff motivation Word count for abstract: 268 Word count for text of manuscript: 4,379 (excluding tables, figures and references)
Handling Valency and Coordination in Database Semantics

Abstract Database Semantics is designed to reconstruct the mechanism of natural language communication computationally in the form of a talking robot. For this, the traditional components of grammar, such as the lexicon, the morphology, the syntax, and the semantics must be reconstructed and integrated into a functioning agent-oriented system. After explaining the basic model of natural language communication, this paper reconstructs the notions of Valency Theory in Database Semantics. It also shows, how the grammatical relations of valency are to be combined with the grammatical relations of coordination.1
Cost-Effective VoIP Services for Reducing Digital Divide in Developing Countries: Case of Study and Practical Implementation

Digital divide is one of the most relevant emergencies of developing countries. The situation is particularly difficult in central Africa, where wide zones are totally disconnected by any kind of communication services. In these areas (sometimes not very far from big towns) many people are living and critical infrastructures, like e.g. hospitals, cannot communicate with the external world. In this work, we are going to propose a feasible and low-cost solution for installing VoIP-based telephone services in peripheral areas not reached by fixed and cellular networking infrastructures. The proposed solution is based on a Wi-Fi radio bridge connecting a remote disconnected site with a gateway placed in a town. The gateway consists only of a PC connected to the PSTN by a suitable interfacing card. The gateway is equipped with the ASTERISK server, a software tool able at routing VoIP calls to a PSTN, as it would happen if a regular push-button telephone was employed. The system was developed and tested in open field and provided very good results in terms of efficiency and reliability. Such a positive testing phase encouraged developers to propose such kind of solution also for practical installation in interested countries. In particular, low hardware costs, easy of use and totally open-source software availability are regarded by potentially interested users as real strength points with respect to other available commercial solutions.
Possibilities for antihypertensive drug therapy withdrawal in the elderly.

The aims of this study were to determine: (1) the proportion of elderly hypertensive subjects currently attending a hospital hypertension clinic suitable for a trial of antihypertensive drug withdrawal, (2) the proportion of suitable patients who can be successfully withdrawn from drug therapy while receiving nonpharmacological advice, and (3) the factors associated with successful withdrawal. One hundred and five consecutive hypertensive subjects, 53% female, mean age 76 years (range 65-84 years) on pharmacological antihypertensive therapy for > 1 year were studied, of whom 78 (74%) had a clinic SBP < 175 mmHg and DBP < 100 mmHg. Subjects with recent myocardial infarction or stroke or with symptoms of ischaemic heart disease were excluded. Antihypertensive drug therapy was withdrawn in this group and nonpharmacological advice to lower BP was instituted. Clinic BP and weight were subsequently recorded monthly for 12 months in all subjects and at every three months in those who had a possible follow-up period of 24 months. The 24h ambulatory BP was measured at baseline and repeated one month off therapy; 24h urine electrolytes were also assessed at baseline and at 12 months or before restarting drug therapy. Seventy-four (70%) subjects had a potential follow-up of 12 months (four were withdrawn from the study) and 64 were available for two years of follow-up. Antihypertensive treatment was restarted if SBP > or = 160 mmHg and/or DBP > or = 90 mmHg on two consecutive visits. After 12 months, 20 (25%) of those withdrawn remained normotensive, the majority restarting therapy did so in the first three months. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)