Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa AlgB, a two-component response regulator of the NtrC family, is required for algD transcription

Most strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the respiratory tracts of cystic fibrosis patients have a mucoid colony morphology due to the synthesis of an expolysaccharide called alginate. The algB gene product (AlgB) is necessary for the high-level production of alginate in mucoid P. aeruginosa. In this study, AlgB was shown to be involved in the transcription of algD, a gene previously demonstrated to be activated in mucoid P. aeruginosa. In vitro and in vivo expression studies reveal that algB encodes a protein with a molecular size of 49 kDa. The DNA sequence of a 2.2-kb P. aeruginosa fragment containing algB was also determined. The amino-terminal domain of AlgB was found to be conserved with the amino-terminal domains of the response regulator class of two-component regulatory proteins. The central domain of AlgB has sequences highly conserved with those in the NtrC subfamily of transcriptional activators (NtrC, NifA, HydG, DctD, FlbD, TyrR, and PgtA). The central domain of AlgB also contains a potential nucleotide binding site. AlgB is the first NtrC homolog described from P. aeruginosa. At the carboxy terminus of AlgB, a helix-turn-helix motif was observed, suggesting that AlgB is a DNA-binding protein. The strongly conserved NtrC-like central domain of AlgB is not present in AlgR, another alginate response regulator. This study therefore identifies and characterizes the second of at least two unique response regulators used by P. aeruginosa to control alginate gene expression.
Key Factors Influencing B2B Relationship Marketing in the Telecommunications Industry

There are plenty of studies on relationship marketing; however, few of them focus on a leading industry, the telecom industry, and on the important outcome variable of intention to expand purchase. Therefore the purpose of this study aims to investigate into key factors influencing B2B relationship marketing in the telecommunication industry. This study established a key variables framework for telecom B2B relationship marketing based on the KMV model and found that (1) Supplier capabilities, switching costs, and relationship benefits all positively correlated with customer trust in and commitment to their suppliers. (2) Trust and relationship commitment had positive effects on both intention to stay and intention to expand purchase. (3) The hypothesis that trust and relationship commitment are key mediators in relationship marketing for the B2B telecom industry is supported. The study discussed the managerial implications of the findings and directions for future research.
Cyber security for a Smart Grid - What about phishing?

Lack of awareness for cyber security threats is an important topic to address for the future smart grid. A particularly troubling issue is social engineering by email, or as it is more commonly depicted, phishing. This study analyzes important aspects of phishing using two unannounced experiments. The results show that applying more context specific information to an attack is not necessarily effective; users still get deceived but nobody reports of the occurrence of phishing. From an enterprise perspective, a phishing exercise rouse discussions on security awareness without significantly agitating participants.
Age- and Hypertension-induced Changes in Abnormal Contractions in Rat Aorta

The current investigation explored the potential age-dependant modulation of abnormal spontaneous constrictions (thromboxane-like) in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) aorta, observed only after the inhibition of endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO). Aortic rings from SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats of varying ages (4, 8, 12, and 18 months) were mounted in organ baths, and changes in tension were monitored. Inhibition of NO with Nω-nitro-L-arginine (NOLA) unmasked a slow contraction, which appeared to be age dependent (p < 0.05). This contraction was found in SHRs of all age groups and in older WKY rats. Denuding the endothelium in young SHRs did not influence the constriction, confirming a nonendothelial cell origin, while in the older groups this led to a 30–40% reduction in contraction. Comparable attenuation of the constrictor response was observed after incubation of endothelium intact rings with superoxide dismutase (100 U/ml) or 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. Of the residual activity that was unaffected by free radical scavengers or de-endothelialization, 60–70% was sensitive to cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin and/or ibuprofen. The thromboxane (TxA2) receptor antagonist SQ29548 induced a complete reversal of the abnormal constriction. In contrast, thromboxane synthetase inhibition had no effect, ruling out any involvement of TxA2 in mediating this abnormality. Collectively, these observations support the view that as compared with the normotensive setting, contraction induced by NO inhibition in the SHR develops prematurely and deteriorates more rapidly during the aging process. In aged rats, prostaglandin endoperoxide intermediates PGG2/H2 and endothelium-derived free radicals rather than TxA2 per se appear to contribute to the NOLA-dependent TxA2-like vasoconstriction.
[Placental histopathological changes in gestational hypertension].

BACKGROUND Preeclampsia develops after a partial disorder in the process of placental formation, perhaps due to a deficiency of the trophoblast invasion by its spiral arteries and acute aterosis in its miometrial segments. It has not been reported if these changes also appear in placentas of women with gestational hypertension without proteinuria. OBJECTIVE To describe histopathological changes in the placenta of patients with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cross-sectional study carried out in 138 patients divided into three groups: 46 with normotensive pregnancy (A group or control), 46 with gestational hypertension (group B), and 46 with preeclampsia (group C). There were registered sociodemographic and clinical variables; and the histopathological study of the placenta was performed. Mean, standard error and percentages were used. We calculated analysis of variance for comparing groups and linear regression for determining correlation between histopathological changes and blood pressure (it was assigned an alpha value of 0.05). RESULTS There were more histopathological changes in groups of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia compared with controls (p < 0.01). Most frequent changes in all groups were: sincitial hyperplasia and fibrin deposits around the villi. There was correlation between histopathological changes and blood pressure (r= 0.27, p <0.01). CONCLUSION There are more histopathological changes in placentas of women with hypertensive disease; number of histopathological changes is correlated with the severity of hypertension.
Hydrogen iodide production in radiolysis of organic liquids containing dissolved iodine: cyclohexane, n-hexane, benzene.

Radiolysis of cyclohexane, n-hexane, and benzene solutions containing dissolved iodine gives hydrogen iodide with initial G(HI) estimated to be, respectively, about are attributed in part to rapid reactions of HI with intermediate products during irradiation. In the case of cyclohexane, an alternative possibility is HI disappearance catalyzed by some intermediate. In addition, in all cases, postirradiation disappearance of HI also occurs. The kinetics are examined, and a tentative interpretation is offered. In benzene, G/ sub 2/ , hardness, 0.7 is, in the scheme suggested, the 100-ev yield of a species which can react rapidly with HI. These results may lead to modification of previously expressed views of the mechanism of cyclohexane radiolysis. (auth)
Haematological findings in healthy and diseased rabbits, a multivariate analysis

Haematological data from 94 diseased rabbits and 23 healthy adult rabbits were analysed statistically using principal components analysis and multiple discriminant function analysis. The 1st principal component accounted for 32% of the variation and was interpreted as showing total blood cellularity. This was decreased in the majority of diseased rabbits, principally due to anaemia, although in a few it was slightly increased possibly as a result of dehydration. The 2nd principal component (22% of the variation) had high positive loadings on monocyte and heterophil counts and weak negative loadings on the red cell characters. This component was interpreted as the response of the white blood cells to disease. When classification analysis was used to decide whether or not an animal was 'normal' the heterophil and lymphocyte counts alone provided almost as accurate an assessment as when all the blood parameters were taken into account. The role of these analyses in the diagnosis of disease is discussed.
Aberrant bispecific antibody pharmacokinetics linked to liver sinusoidal endothelium clearance mechanism in cynomolgus monkeys

ABSTRACT Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) can affect multiple disease pathways, thus these types of constructs potentially provide promising approaches to improve efficacy in complex disease indications. The specific and non-specific clearance mechanisms/biology that affect monoclonal antibody (mAb) pharmacokinetics are likely involved in the disposition of BsAbs. Despite these similarities, there are a paucity of studies on the in vivo biology that influences the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of BsAbs. The present case study evaluated the in vivo disposition of 2 IgG-fusion BsAb formats deemed IgG-ECD (extracellular domain) and IgG-scFv (single-chain Fv) in cynomolgus monkeys. These BsAb molecules displayed inferior in vivo pharmacokinetic properties, including a rapid clearance (> 0.5 mL/hr/kg) and short half-life relative to their mAb counterparts. The current work evaluated factors in vivo that result in the aberrant clearance of these BsAb constructs. Results showed the rapid clearance of the BsAbs that was not attributable to target binding, reduced neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) interactions or poor molecular/biochemical properties. Evaluation of the cellular distribution of the constructs suggested that the major clearance mechanism was linked to binding/association with liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) versus liver macrophages. The role of LSECs in facilitating the clearance of the IgG-ECD and IgG-scFv BsAb constructs described in these studies was consistent with the minimal influence of clodronate-mediated macrophage depletion on the pharmacokinetics of the constructs in cynomolgus monkeys The findings in this report are an important demonstration that the elucidation of clearance mechanisms for some IgG-ECD and IgG-scFv BsAb molecules can be unique and complicated, and may require increased attention due to the proliferation of these more complex mAb-like structures.
Un analisis psicosocial de la motivacion y participacion emocional en un caso de aprendizaje individual

Una gran parte de nuestra comprension de como aprende el nino nos ha sido dada por los que trabajan en las varias ramas de la psicologia, sea por el lado del con ductismo, de las diversas teorias cognitivas, o bien de la teoria psicoanalitica. Tanto es asi que hemos llegado a aceptar que cuando se busca una explicacion del aprendizaje desde el punto de vista de la experiencia del individuo que aprende, el proceso deberia definirse antes que nada como un proceso psicologico.1 Y, sin duda, los enfoques psicologicos han aportado conocimientos importantes sobre el aprendizaje. Sin embargo, existe la posibilidad de estudiar y comprender el aprendizaje individual como un proceso psicosocial, o sea, un proceso que se determina tanto por su naturaleza social como por su naturaleza psicologica.2 Aunque esta perspectiva psicosocial reconoce que el elemento cognitivo del aprendizaje individual es, en un momento dado, lo esencial del proceso (Mead, 1972: 228), al mismo tiempo sostiene que lo cognitivo no puede explicar por si misINFORMES Y NOTAS
Rhizobium meliloti and Rhizobium leguminosarum dctD gene products bind to tandem sites in an activation sequence located upstream of sigma 54-dependent dctA promoters

Free-living rhizobia transport external C4-dicarboxylates to use as sole carbon sources, and uptake of these compounds is essential for nitrogen fixation by rhizobial bacteroids. In both Rhizobium leguminosarum and Rhizobium meliloti, the genes dctB and dctD are believed to form an ntrB/ntrC-like two-component system which regulates the synthesis of a C4-dicarboxylate transport protein encoded by dctA. Here we confirm the identity of sigma 54-dependent promoters previously hypothesized for the R. leguminosarum and R. meliloti dctA genes and demonstrate that repeated, partial dyad symmetry elements located about 75 base pairs upstream of each promoter are essential for fully regulated transcription. Furthermore, we show that both repeats bound dctD protein and that together they resulted in succinate-sensitive transcription when placed upstream of another sigma 54 consensus promoter, that of R. meliloti nifH.
The Area under the ROC Curve and Its Competitors

The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is a popular measure of the power of a (two-disease) diagnostic test, but it is shown here to be an inconsistent criterion: tests of indistinguishable clinical impacts may have different areas. A class of diagnosticity measures (DMs) of proven optimality is proposed instead. Once a regret(-like) measure of diagnostic uncertainty is agreed upon, the associated DM is uniquely defined and, indeed, calculable from the ROC curve configuration. Two scaled variants of the ROC are introduced and used to advantage in the analysis. They may also be helpful to students of medical decision making.
Haptic Perception of Virtual Surfaces: Scaling Subjective Qualities and Interstimulus Differences

We examined, in two experiments, the perceptual scaling of the properties of haptically examined virtual surfaces, and the way in which these properties subjectively combine. Participants used a consistent movement pattern to explore, with a stylus, virtual surfaces generated by a force-feedback device. In experiment 1, four surface properties (bump size, friction, resistance to normal force, and vibration amplitude) were varied individually, in separate blocks of trials. Free magnitude estimates of the subjective dimensions corresponding to these properties showed that all four dimensions conformed closely to the power law, except at very low stimulus values. Exponents for bump size (0.80) and stiffness (1.01) were consistent with values established in earlier work with direct touch of real surfaces. Surprisingly, the exponent for stickiness, not previously measured, was much higher than those for other dimensions (1.49). In experiment 2, dimensional combinations were analyzed by asking subjects to give magnitude estimates of the subjective difference between pairs of surfaces differing in one or two properties. Magnitude estimates of a given one-dimensional difference were generally larger when the subject was pressing down firmly on the surfaces, than when only gentle downward pressure was required; this result suggests that forces generated when a surface is haptically examined are interpreted as invariant indicators of the magnitudes of the surface properties themselves. Estimates of one-dimensional differences were also used to make predictions of two-dimensional differences, under assumptions of dimensional integrality and separability. The results fell between these two sets of predictions, indicating only modest integration of surface properties examined with indirect touch.
Análise da Institucionalização de Artefatos de Custos no Controle Gerencial em uma Empresa Têxtil

O presente estudo objetivou analisar o processo de institucionalizacao de artefatos de custos no controle gerencial de empresa paranaense do setor textil. Para isso, desenvolveu-se pesquisa descritiva, qualitativa com desenvolvimento de estudo de caso conduzido por entrevista semiestruturada, aplicacao de questionarios e analise documental. A empresa em estudo foi selecionada por acessibilidade e intencionalmente por estar em fase de implementacao de mudanca nas praticas de controle gerencial. Estruturou-se roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada e questionarios com base em Burns e Scapens (2000), Guerreiro et al. (2005) e Rocha e Guerreiro (2010). Foram entrevistados o controller e um funcionario da controladoria, assim como, dois funcionarios envolvidos na alimentacao do sistema de informacoes. A empresa busca implementar novo plano de contas e relatorios gerenciais pelo sistema que oferece melhor tempestividade e gestao dos custos e despesas fixas e variaveis, centros de custos, entre outros. Os resultados da pesquisa demonstram que a etapa de codificacao foi realizada pelo controller e por consultor ao codificaram os principios e desejos institucionais em rotinas, regras e normas e assim elaborar a proposta de mudancas. A empresa nao atendeu adequadamente alguns fatores de institucionalizacao elencados por Guerreiro et al. (2005), referentes treinamento das pessoas envolvidas, elementos de repeticao e percepcao da consequencias da implantacao da mudanca pelas pessoas. Ao analisar o estudo de caso e refletir os resultados com a lente da teoria institucional, conclui-se que obter informacoes gerenciais de artefatos de custos depende de adequados processos de coleta de dados, sendo que mesmo quando utilizando de tecnologias atualizadas, necessita-se de diversos fatos para que esse processo torne-se institucionalizado, o que pode ser melhor compreendido com base nessa lente.
Induced Premaxillary Suture Fusion: Class III Malocclusion Model

The etiology of class III malocclusion remains unknown. The present study investigates the relationship between craniofacial morphology and premaxillary suture fusion to test the hypothesis that class III malocclusion may be related to premaxillary suture fusion. Cyanoacrylate was applied to immobilize the left premaxillary suture in the experimental group. Sham surgeries in rats were used for controls. Dental impressions and radiographs were taken before and after surgery for comparison of craniofacial differences between groups. Overall cranial base lengths, craniofacial widths, and craniofacial angulations related to the anterior base showed significant differences between groups. At the end of the experiment, the growth of the snout in the experimental group was inhibited and deviated to the treated side, while no obvious change was seen in the control group. The results show that induced premaxillary suture fusion can affect craniofacial morphology and indicate that premature premaxillary suture fusion may result in class III malocclusion.
Impact of a temporary stoma on patients' everyday lives: feelings of uncertainty while waiting for closure of the stoma.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To examine patients' experiences of impact of a temporary stoma on their everyday life. Furthermore, we wanted to generate new knowledge and comprehension of learning how to live with a temporary stoma. BACKGROUND There are many aspects, largely unexplored, that may influence patients' adaptation to life with a stoma. Amongst these, being in a temporary state is relatively unexplored and may have a restrictive impact on patients' adaptation. DESIGN Focus group interviews conducted with seven patients with temporary stoma were set up with a hermeneutic phenomenological perspective. METHODS Data were processed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The creation of a temporary stoma led to feelings of uncertainty related to being in an undecided situation. Stoma creation led to feelings of stigma and worries about disclosure. Patients proposed group-based patient education with lay educators with a stoma to make sure that information about the stoma was based on real-life experiences. CONCLUSIONS Creation of a temporary stoma was linked to uncontrollable feelings of uncertainty. Professionals should assist patients with focus on coping strategies, as they are associated with positive re-evaluation of the situation. Introducing a coherent and structured learning environment involving both lay educators with a stoma and group-based learning would be useful. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Nurses and other health professionals should support patients in problem-focused coping strategies. These strategies may be supported when patients have a high sense of coherence. Furthermore, patients' disclosure of the stoma as a way to master feelings of stigma should be facilitated. Stoma education is central for patients, and group-based learning that involves lay educators with a stoma is seen as a way to empower patients with temporary stomas.
The RANTES promoter polymorphism: a genetic risk factor for near-fatal asthma in Chinese children.

BACKGROUND RANTES promoter polymorphisms were found associated with asthma/atopy in some studies but not others, possibly reflecting the genetic heterogeneity among different ethnicities and different asthma severity. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this investigation was to test the genetic association between the RANTES -28C/G and -403G/A polymorphisms and asthma/atopy in a cohort of Chinese children, with particular emphasis on those patients who had experienced life-threatening asthma attacks. METHODS Forty-eight children with near-fatal asthma, 134 children with mild-to-moderate asthma, 69 children with allergic disorders but no asthma, and 107 nonasthmatic nonatopic control children were genotyped through use of a PCR-based assay. RESULTS No significant difference was demonstrated for frequency of the RANTES -28C/G polymorphism when the mild-to-moderate asthma, atopic/nonasthmatic, and normal control groups were compared. The RANTES -28G allele was present in a significantly higher proportion of the children with near-fatal asthma compared with the nonasthmatic nonatopic controls (odds ratio, 2.93 [1.41-6.06]; P =.006) and the children with mild-to-moderate asthma (odds ratio, 3.52 [1.73-7.16]; P =.001). The frequency of -28G allele carriage correlated with asthma severity. The RANTES -28G allele was also associated with an increased blood eosinophil count and a higher degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The RANTES -403G/A polymorphism did not influence asthma/atopy susceptibility, blood eosinophil count, or bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Interestingly, a higher frequency of -403A allele carriage was observed in the moderate asthma subgroup compared with the mild asthma analog. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the RANTES -28C/G polymorphism exacerbates asthma severity, representing a genetic risk factor for life-threatening asthma attacks in Chinese children. In addition, the linkage disequilibrium between these 2 polymorphisms is a potential confounder that must be considered in the design and interpretation of RANTES gene association studies.