Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of regulatory features of the trp operon of Escherichia coli in mediating a response to a nutritional shift

Physiological studies were performed under nutritional stress and nonstress conditions to assess the relative importance of the various regulatory mechanisms that Escherichia coli can use to alter its rate of tryptophan synthesis. Mutants were examined in which the trp repressor was inactive, transcription termination at the trp attenuator was altered, transcription initiation at the trp promoter was reduced, or feedback inhibition of anthranilate synthase was abolished. Strains were examined in media with and without tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine, or acid-hydrolyzed casein and following shifts from one medium to another. Growth rates and anthranilate synthase levels were measured. In media lacking tryptophan, each of the mutants showed relief of repression and/or attenuation and maintained a near-normal growth rate. Following a shift from a medium containing tryptophan to a tryptophan-free medium containing phenylalanine and tyrosine or acid-hydrolyzed casein, mutants with abnormally low trp enzyme levels exhibited an appreciable growth lag before resuming growth. The wild-type strain displayed termination relief only under one extreme shift condition, upon transfer from a minimal medium containing tryptophan to minimal medium with only phenylalanine and tyrosine. A promoter down-mutant had difficulty adjusting to a shift from high tryptophan to low tryptophan levels in a medium containing acid-hydrolyzed casein. In all media tested, anthranilate synthase levels were lower in a feedback-resistant mutant than in the wild type. These studies demonstrate the capacity of E. coli to adjust its rate of tryptophan synthesis to maintain rapid growth following a shift to stressful nutritional conditions.
Rural Entrepreneurship Challenges and Opportunities: A Case Study of Uzumba Rural Area in Zimbabwe

This study investigated rural challenges and opportunities affecting the development of rural entrepreneurship. Local leadership and youth groups from a cluster of sixteen villages participated in this survey. The respondents presented similar views on the challenges and opportunities impacting the development of rural entrepreneurship to include: lack of skills, funding, not enough consultation by project sponsors (government and Non Governmental Organization) and market access. Opportunities included skills transfer, horticulture, retailing, wood and metal fabrication and value addition.
Gift exchange vs. repeated interaction as a source of reciprocal behavior

Humans reciprocate. We want to return favors we have received, but also respond appropriately to behavior that we regard as unfair against us. Whereas previous research has typically tried to isolate the most prominent explanations for reciprocal behavior - inherent preferences for reciprocity and repeated interaction - the present paper addresses the question if and how those interact. Developing a theoretical model of a long-term employment relationship, we first show that reciprocal preferences are more important when an employee is close to retirement. At earlier stages, repeated interaction is more important because more future rents (which increase players’ commitment in this case) can be used to provide incentives. Preferences for reciprocity still affect the structure of an employment relationship early on, though, because of two reasons. First, preferences for reciprocity effectively reduce the employee’s effort costs. Second, they allow to relax the enforceability constraint that determines the principal’s commitment in the repeated interaction. We test our main predictions using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and find cross-sectional evidence for a stronger positive effect of positive reciprocity on effort and wages for older workers.
Effects of aural atresia on speech development and learning: retrospective analysis from a multidisciplinary craniofacial clinic.

IMPORTANCE Aural atresia (AA) is associated with maximal conductive hearing loss in affected ears, and children with bilateral AA require amplification. Some recent research has suggested an increased risk for speech and learning problems among children with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether increased risk for speech and learning problems exists among children with AA. DESIGN Retrospective medical record review. SETTING Multidisciplinary craniofacial clinic. PARTICIPANTS Children with unilateral or bilateral AA. INTERVENTIONS Records review, including evaluations by audiologists, speech pathologists, and psychologists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rates of speech and/or language delay, prevalence of speech therapy and educational interventions, and parental report of psychosocial problems. RESULTS A total of 74 patients were identified who met inclusion and exclusion criteria: 48 with right-sided AA, 19 with left-sided AA, and 7 with bilateral AA. Children with AA demonstrated high rates of speech therapy (86% among bilateral, 43% among unilateral). Reports of school problems were more common among children with right-sided AA (31%) than those with left-sided AA (11%) or bilateral AA (0%) (P = .06). Educational interventions were common in all groups (33% right, 21% left, 43% bilateral). In the case of bilateral AA, all children who received additional interventions were enrolled in schools for the hearing impaired, without any identified learning deficiencies. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Children with unilateral AA may be at greater risk of speech and learning difficulties than previously appreciated, similar to children with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Whether amplification may alleviate this risk is unclear and warrants further study.
A Multi-Stage Model of Adoption of Online Buying in India

ABSTRACT An understanding of adoption of online buying is important in order to develop the right strategies to promote ecommerce in emerging markets. The article reviews various models of adoption in the Internet and technology areas and presents a multi-stage model of adoption of online buying. The model was tested with an empirical study which supports the stages of the model proposed. Further, the model explains certain situations in which an Internet user may skip a stage in the adoption process. The skipping of a stage is also supported by the findings. The article also explores various antecedents, motivating factors, and demographic characteristics which propel an Internet user to move from one stage to the next in the adoption process. The findings confirm that trust plays an important role in one of the stages of the adoption process. Further, online buyers were found to be more affluent than offline buyers.
Gold for now and the golden years

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to draw from regulatory focus theory, to examine the effects of the “gain/no gain” nature of stock options and retirement pay on the decision to engage in cross-border acquisitions. The moderating effects of managerial discretion arising from the external industry context and internal organizational leadership structure are also examined. Design/methodology/approach The authors employ random effects negative binomial regression analysis with a longitudinal (2006–2016) data set of US public companies operating in four industries with differing levels of industry discretion: the oil and gas, paper and packaging, aerospace and defense, and telecommunications. Findings The findings indicate that both CEO in-the-money stock options and retirement pay are positively related to cross-border acquisition activity. The results also demonstrate that managerial discretion, arising from the firm’s external industry context, accentuates the positive relationship between both the value of CEO in-the-money stock options and retirement pay with cross-border acquisition activity. Practical implications The findings provide implication for practice as understanding how retirement pay and stock options, both of which make up a substantial portion of overall CEO pay in the USA, motivate cross-border acquisition activity, may improve decisions by executives. The evidence also provides guidance to boards of directors who are charged with the responsibility of creating CEO compensation contracts. Originality/value The paper fills important gaps in the existing research on the influence of compensation elements on firm outcomes, by offering a novel explanation for how in-the-money stock options and retirement pay affect CEOs’ motivations to engage in cross-border acquisitions.
Multiple Sclerosis and the Accumulation of Iron in the Basal Ganglia: Quantitative Assessment of Brain Iron Using MRI T2 Relaxometry

The aim of this work was to quantify the accumulation of iron in the basal ganglia in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and in a control group, and to investigate the relationship between iron accumulation and other parameters assessed in MS, i.e. lesion load (LL) and brain parenchymal fraction (BPF). Magnetic resonance imaging T2 relaxometry was used for the measurement. 970 patients with clinically definite MS and 117 controls were examined. Patients were divided into three subgroups according to LL and BPF. This work provides quantitative evidence of increased iron accumulation in the basal ganglia in MS patients in comparison to healthy controls. We also found that in the subgroup with small LL value, iron accumulation is higher than in the subgroup with large LL value. The hypothesis of a neurodegenerative component of MS is supported by the changes in iron content in the brain.
The Deuterium Oxide-to-the-Mother Method Documents Adequate Breast-Milk Intake among Sri Lankan Infants.

BACKGROUND The WHO recommends that exclusive breastfeeding should last up to 6 mo. However, human milk intake of Sri Lankan infants has not been quantified scientifically. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to measure the human milk intake of Sri Lankan infants during the first 6 mo of age and to document the breastfeeding practices of their mothers. METHODS Forty-eight healthy mother-infant dyads were randomly recruited for this cross-sectional study at well-baby clinics. Milk intake was measured using the deuterium oxide-to-the-mother technique over a period of 2 wk. Information on breastfeeding practice and living standards of the participants were gathered using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. RESULTS Human milk intake was 672 ± 123 g ⋅ d(-1) (mean ± SD), 776 ± 212 g ⋅ d(-1), and 801 ± 51 g ⋅ d(-1) for infants <2 mo, 2 to <4 mo, and 4-6 mo of age, respectively. The milk intakes were not different among the age groups. Maternal body composition, age, or parity had no effects on milk intake of the infants. However, mother's education : P < 0.05, r = 0.35), infant's age (P < 0.05, r = 0.30), and body mass index (P < 0.05, r = 0.41 : positively correlated with the milk intake. Over 63% of mothers had commenced breastfeeding within 30 min of delivery. About 60% of the mothers were feeding the baby 6-10 times during the daytime and >81% intended to continue exclusive breastfeeding until 6 mo of age. CONCLUSION This study, for the first time, documented the adequacy of breast-milk intake among Sri Lankan infants and the nutrition status of the mothers.
Inhibitory mechanisms of resveratrol in platelet activation: pivotal roles of p38 MAPK and NO/cyclic GMP

Resveratrol has been reported to have antiplatelet activity; however, the detailed mechanisms have not yet been resolved. This study aimed to systematically examine the detailed mechanisms of resveratrol in the prevention of platelet activation in vitro and in vivo. Resveratrol (0·05–0·25 μmol/l) showed stronger inhibition of platelet aggregation stimulated by collagen (1 μg/ml) than other agonists. Resveratrol (0·15 and 0·25 μmol/l) inhibited collagen‐induced platelet activation accompanied by [Ca+2]i mobilization, thromboxane A2 (TxA2) formation, phosphoinositide breakdown, and protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Resveratrol markedly increased levels of NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP), and cyclic GMP‐induced vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation. Resveratrol markedly inhibited p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) but not Jun N‐terminal kinase or extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐2 phosphorylation in washed platelets. Resveratrol‐reduced hydroxyl radical (OH−) formation in the electron spin resonance study. In an in vivo study, resveratrol (5 mg/kg) significantly prolonged platelet plug formation of mice. In conclusion, the main findings of this study suggest that the inhibitory effects of resveratrol possibly involve (i) inhibition of the p38 MAPK‐cytosolic phospholipase A2‐arachidonic acid‐TxA2‐[Ca+2]i cascade and (ii) activation of NO/cyclic GMP, resulting in inhibition of phospholipase C and/or PKC activation. Resveratrol is likely to exert significant protective effects in thromboembolic‐related disorders by inhibiting platelet aggregation.
Quality Considerations in the Internationalization of Higher Education: the International Students’ Experiences Within Joint Degree Studies

The paper discusses the considerations on qualitative indicators regarding the quality of the teaching and learning in joint degree studies. Method used for data collection was focus group discussions with students of joint degree programs implemented by seven European universities. Findings revealed that general dimensions on the quality of internationalization are focused on students and academic staff. Following the examination of student experience within joint degree studies in Lithuania, the key challenges faced by joint degree consortiums are highlighted. Keywords: internationalization, joint degree studies, quality of teaching and learning, qualitative indicators, international students’ experiences. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.15823/p.2017. 49
Changes in passive tension of muscle in humans and animals after eccentric exercise

This is a report of experiments on ankle extensor muscles of human subjects and a parallel series on the medial gastrocnemius of the anaesthetised cat, investigating the origin of the rise in passive tension after a period of eccentric exercise. Subjects exercised their triceps surae of one leg eccentrically by walking backwards on an inclined, forward‐moving treadmill. Concentric exercise required walking forwards on a backwards‐moving treadmill. For all subjects the other leg acted as a control. Immediately after both eccentric and concentric exercise there was a significant drop in peak active torque, but only after eccentric exercise was this accompanied by a shift in optimum angle for torque generation and a rise in passive torque. In the eccentrically exercised group some swelling and soreness developed but not until 24 h post‐exercise. In the animal experiments the contracting muscle was stretched by 6 mm at 50 mm s−1 over a length range symmetrical about the optimum length for tension generation. Measurements of passive tension were made before and after the eccentric contractions, using small stretches to a range of muscle lengths, or with large stretches covering the full physiological range. After 150 eccentric contractions, passive tension was significantly elevated over most of the range of lengths. Measurements of work absorption during stretch‐release cycles showed significant increases after the contractions. It is suggested that the rise in passive tension in both human and animal muscles after eccentric contractions is the result of development of injury contractures in damaged muscle fibres.
Cytomegalovirus Treatment Strategy After a Liver Transplant: Preemptive Therapy or Prophylaxis for Cytomegalovirus Seropositive Donor and Recipient.

OBJECTIVES Cytomegalovirus infections cause the most frequent infection after solid-organ transplant. While Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis is established in high-risk patients (donor+/ recipient-), data on Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in other serostatus constellation are rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Cytomegalovirus treatment strategy after a liver transplant (preemptive therapy vs general prophylaxis) in the largest group of patients: Cytomegalovirus seropositive donor and recipient. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-seven seropositive recipients of seropositive donor liver transplants (D+/R+, 2005-2012) were included in this retrospective study. Twenty-one patients received oral valganciclovir as Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis 100 days after transplant. Cytomegalovirus infection and Cytomegalovirus disease were monitored during the first 6 months. RESULTS A Cytomegalovirus infection could be detected in 4 out of 47 patients (8.5%), including Cytomegalovirus disease in 2 patients (Cytomegalovirus pneumonia and Cytomegalovirus-CNS disease). Three of these patients received no Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis (P = .408). Eight patients developed a graft failure; this occurred more frequently among patients without Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis (P = .044). Patients receiving Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis more often developed leukopenia. No difference was seen regarding the number of platelets, hemoglobin, and creatinine. CONCLUSIONS Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis can minimize the risk of Cytomegalovirus reactivation and graft failure. However, disadvantages of the prophylaxis as leukopenia should be considered.
Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase Cδ activation induces close homolog of adhesion molecule L1 (CHL1) expression in cultured astrocytes

Upregulation of expression of the close homolog of adhesion molecule L1 (CHL1) by reactive astrocytes in the glial scar reduces axonal regeneration and inhibits functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Here, we investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying upregulation of CHL1 expression by analyzing the signal transduction pathways in vitro. We show that astrogliosis stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) upregulates CHL1 expression in primary cultures of mouse cerebral astrocytes, coinciding with elevated protein synthesis and translocation of protein kinase δ (PKCδ) from cytosol to the membrane fraction. Blocking PKCδ activity pharmacologically and genetically attenuates LPS‐induced elevation of CHL1 protein expression through a phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) dependent pathway. LPS induces extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK1/2) phosphorylation through PKCδ and blockade of ERK1/2 activation abolishes upregulation of CHL1 expression. LPS‐triggered upregulation of CHL1 expression mediated through translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) to the nucleus is blocked by a specific NF‐κB inhibitor and by inhibition of PI3K, PKCδ, and ERK1/2 activities, implicating NF‐κB as a downstream target for upregulation of CHL1 expression. Furthermore, the LPS‐mediated upregulation of CHL1 expression by reactive astrocytes is inhibitory for hippocampal neurite outgrowth in cocultures. Although the LPS‐triggered NO‐guanylate cyclase‐cGMP pathway upregulates glial fibrillary acid protein expression in cultured astrocytes, we did not observe this pathway to mediate LPS‐induced upregulation of CHL1 expression. Our results indicate that elevated CHL1 expression by reactive astrocytes requires activation of PI3K/PKCδ‐dependent pathways and suggest that reduction of PI3K/PKCδ activity represents a therapeutic target to downregulate CHL1 expression and thus benefit axonal regeneration after SCI. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of the lipid-binding site of the ankyrin-binding domain of erythroid β-spectrin on the properties of natural membranes and skeletal structures

It was previously shown that the beta-spectrin ankyrin-binding domain binds lipid domains rich in PE in an ankyrin-dependent manner, and that its N-terminal sequence is crucial in interactions with phospholipids. In this study, the effect of the full-length ankyrin-binding domain of β-spectrin on natural erythrocyte and HeLa cell membranes was tested. It was found that, when encapsulated in resealed erythrocyte ghosts, the protein representing the full-length ankyrin-binding domain strongly affected the shape and barrier properties of the erythrocyte membrane, and induced partial spectrin release from the membrane, while truncated mutants had no effect. As found previously (Bok et al. Cell Biol. Int. 31 (2007) 1482–94), overexpression of the full-length GFP-tagged ankyrin-binding domain aggregated and induced aggregation of endogenous spectrin, but this was not the case with overexpression of proteins truncated at their N-terminus. Here, we show that the aggregation of spectrin was accompanied by the aggregation of integral membrane proteins that are known to be connected to spectrin via ankyrin, i.e. Na+K+ATP-ase, IP3 receptor protein and L1 CAM. By contrast, the morphology of the actin cytoskeleton remained unchanged and aggregation of cadherin E or N did not occur upon the overexpression of either full-length or truncated ankyrin-binding domain proteins. The obtained results indicate a substantial role of the lipid-binding part of the β-spectrin ankyrin-binding domain in the determination of the membrane and spectrin-based skeleton functional properties.
Acute Neck Infections: Prospective Comparison Between CT and MRI in 47 Patients

Purpose The purpose of this work was to assess the advantages and disadvantages of MRI versus CT in the initial evaluation of acute infections involving the neck. Method We prospectively evaluated 47 patients with neck infections. All patients underwent CT and MRI with contrast of the area of interest using similar slice thickness. Final diagnosis was achieved by percutaneous aspiration, surgical exploration and drainage, or follow-up after successful antibiotic therapy in all patients. Two radiologists reviewed all imaging studies with special attention to lesion conspicuity, location, extension, bone involvement, source of infection (odontogenic versus nonodontogenic), and presence of gas and/or calcium in the lesions. A 3 point scale was used to grade these parameters, and statistical comparison was done using paired t test. Results As used in our population, MRI was superior to CT in regard to lesion conspicuity, number of anatomic spaces involved, extension, and source. Additionally, although not statistically significantly, MRI detected a greater number of abscess collections. CT was superior to MRI in the detection of intralesional gas and calcium and showed fewer motion artifacts. These advantages of CT were, however, not significantly better than those of MRI. Conclusion As used in our study, MRI was considered superior to CT in the initial evaluation of neck infections. Our findings suggest that MRI may be used as the first and perhaps the only modality to initially evaluate patients with neck infections when clinically feasible.
Productivity and economics of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A field study was conducted during Kharif season of 2011 and 2012, to evaluate direct seeded rice options as compared to transplanted rice with an objective to improve farm productivity and efficiency. Labour and cost saving of 97% and 80% were observed in direct seeded rice (DSR) as compared to manual puddled transplanted rice in sowing/transplanting. Tillage and crop establishment methods had a significant effect on rice yields. Yield of manual puddled transplanted rice was significantly higher (10-12%) than DSR during both the years. DSR consumed 12-17 percent less water as compared to puddled transplanted rice during 2011, whereas, it consumed 5-9 per cent more water as compared to puddled transplanted rice during 2012. When compared to manual puddled transplanted rice, a labour saving of 7-8 percent (overall) was observed in DSR during both the years. The B: C ratio was highest in DSR in zero till condition (1.74) as compared to manual puddled transplanted rice (1.62). The study showed that the conventional practice of puddled transplanting could be replaced with zero till DSR to save water and labour.