Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hedgehog Signaling in the Subventricular Zone Is Required for Both the Maintenance of Stem Cells and the Migration of Newborn Neurons

We examined the postnatal consequences of removing Hedgehog signaling within the adult stem cell niche. Although at birth the subventricular zone appears normal in mice lacking Hedgehog signaling, by postnatal day 8 it is greatly impaired, and cell death is increased. In addition, both the quiescent B stem cell population and transit-amplifying C cells become depleted postnatally. In contrast, the A cell population expands precociously, mostly fails to migrate to the olfactory bulbs, and is ultimately also depleted by postnatal day 30. In vitro and in vivo analyses demonstrate that this failure in migration is a result of nonautonomous signaling, possibly caused by a reduction in Slit1 ligand in A cells. These results suggest that Hedgehog signaling is required for the maintenance of the B and C cell populations and indirectly for the migration of the neurons that are generated from the adult stem cell niche.
Preliminary study of information sharing technology adoption by crime analysts

Recalcitrant groups (RGs) are those who reject new technology, in spite of having recognized a need for the technology and awareness of its potential benefits. This study proposes a survey method that combines logistic regression and usage statistics to examine technology adoption. This method was used to evaluate the effect of preference and usability factors on crime analysts' adoption of a Web portal for information sharing. The initial decision to adopt was assessed by survey results, usage statistics and user feedback. The portal did not succeed because of the following reasons: lack of time to use it; having only recently gained access to it; low Internet usage; and poor usability. As a result of this case study, preliminary design guidelines for RGs were developed
Formation and actions of cyclic ADP-ribose in renal microvessels.

Recent studies indicated that cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) serves as a second messenger for intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in a variety of mammalian cells. However, the metabolism and actions of cADPR in the renal vasculature are poorly understood. In the present study, we characterized the enzymatic pathway of the production and metabolism of cADPR along the renal vascular tree and determined the role of cADPR in the control of intracellular [Ca(2+)] and vascular tone. The high performance liquid chromatographic analyses showed that cADPR was produced and hydrolyzed along the renal vasculature. The maximal conversion rate of nicotinamide guanine dinucleotide (NGD) into cyclic GDP-ribose (that represents ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity for cADPR formation) was 8.69 +/- 2.39 nmol/min/mg protein in bulk-dissected intrarenal preglomerular vessels (n = 7) and 4.35 +/- 0.13, 2.23 +/- 0.27, 2.40 +/- 0.19, and 0.31 +/- 0.02 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively, in microdissected arcuate arteries (n = 6), interlobular arteries (n = 6), afferent arterioles (n = 7), and vasa recta (n = 10). The activity of cADPR hydrolase was also detected in the renal vasculature. Using the fluorescence microscopic spectrometry, cADPR was found to produce a large rapid Ca(2+) release from beta-escin-permeabilized renal arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In isolated, perfused, and pressurized small renal arteries, cADPR produced a concentration-dependent vasoconstriction when added into the bath solution. The vasoconstrictor effect of cADPR was completely blocked by tetracaine, a Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) inhibitor. These results suggest that an enzymatic pathway for cADPR production and metabolism is present along the renal vasculature and that cADPR may importantly contribute to the control of renal vascular tone through CICR.
A Model for Distance Education Delivery

Distance education, which has existed for many years, has become even more popular as a result of recent technological advances. This article proposes a model for distance education as a means for schools of social work to deliver curricula to students who face problems enrolling in campus-based or off-campus sites. The components of the model—videotapes, an on-site discussion leader/field instructor, computers, and direct observation by field instructors—fit well within the general requirements of group interaction in the delivery of a social work curriculum. Problems that may arise using the model include the extra time and training required for faculty to produce videotapes, the recruitment of discussion leaders/field instructors, and how to structure the delivery system so students can practice interviewing, assessment, and other abstract concepts. The author also suggests means for evaluating the model as well as policy changes universities and schools of social work may need to effect to successfull.
Long Term Planning for EFA and the MDGs: Modes and Mechanisms.

This discussion paper provides an overview and analytic guide to long term planning of education systems in the context of Education for All and the Millennium Development Goals. Long term gains in educational access depend on anticipating future financial and non-financial constraints on growth and on successful implementation of plans which support growth that can be sustained. Some recent expansion of primary schooling has failed to take a sufficiently long term approach to growth and has risked the creation of resource bottlenecks, poor trade offs between quality and quantity, and dependence on uncertain financing. The paper first outlines three different styles of long term planning – Planning Lite, Framework National Planning, and Participatory Planning. It distinguishes between aspirational and target-generating approaches. It then describes the processes and tools that are needed to develop long term plans for expanded access that can reconcile goals and targets with realistic resource envelopes. These processes are designed to include mechanisms to promote consensus and build commitment. The nature of Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEF) is then explored as a necessary tool to manage implementation. Appendix 1 provides more detailed discussion of the three approaches to planning. Appendix 2 elaborates on aspirational planning and gradients of achievement. Appendix 3 explores issues concerned with targets and indicators of performance. Appendix 4 contains a selected list of source materials.
Therapeutic Alliance during Prolonged Exposure Versus Client-Centered Therapy for Adolescent Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

OBJECTIVES To examine the relationship between improvements in adolescent ratings of therapeutic alliance and reductions in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity over time among adolescent girls during prolonged exposure therapy for adolescents (PE-A) versus client-centered therapy (CCT), as well as to examine differences in changes in alliance between treatment groups. METHOD A total of 61 adolescent girls (aged 13-18 years) with sexual assault-related PTSD received PE-A or CCT in a randomized controlled trial. Participants rated alliance at session 3, midtreatment, and posttreatment. RESULTS The rate of improvement in adolescent-rated alliance was greater in PE-A than CCT over the course of treatment. In addition, improvement in adolescent-rated alliance significantly contributed to improvements in PTSD (regardless of treatment condition), but not vice versa. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to beliefs that trauma-focused treatments fail to establish strong therapeutic alliance in sexually abused adolescents, improvement in adolescent ratings of alliance were greater in PE-A compared to CCT, and improvements in adolescent-rated alliance were significantly associated with better treatment outcome across both types of treatments.
Circumvention of multidrug resistance by a newly synthesized quinoline derivative, MS-073.

Newly synthesized quinoline derivatives were investigated for their efficacy to reverse multidrug resistance (MDR). In this study, one of the most effective quinoline derivatives, MS-073, was compared with verapamil with regard to its ability to overcome MDR in vitro and in vivo. MS-073 at 0.1 microM almost completely reversed in vitro resistance to vincristine (VCR) in VCR-resistant P388 cells. The compound also reversed in vitro VCR, adriamycin (ADM), etoposide, and actinomycin D resistance in ADM-resistant human myelogenous leukemia K562 (K562/ADM) cells, ADM-resistant human ovarian carcinoma A2780 cells, and colchicine-resistant human KB cells. MS-073 administered i.p. daily for 5 days with VCR enhanced the chemotherapeutic effect of VCR in VCR-resistant P388-bearing mice. Increases in life span of 19-50% were obtained by the combination of 100 micrograms/kg of VCR with 3-100 mg/kg of MS-073, as compared to the control. The ability of MS-073 to reverse MDR was remarkably higher, especially at low MS-073 doses, than that of verapamil, both in vitro and in vivo. MS-073 enhanced accumulation of [3H]VCR in K562/ADM cells. Photolabeling of P-glycoprotein with 200 nM [3H]azidopine in K562/ADM plasma membranes was completely inhibited by 10 microM MS-073, indicating that MS-073 reverses MDR by competitively inhibiting drug binding to P-glycoprotein.
Important Role of a Putative Lytic Transglycosylase Cj0843c in β-Lactam Resistance in Campylobacter jejuni

Beta-lactam antibiotics are an important class of antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. Despite prevalent β-lactam resistance in Campylobacter jejuni, the leading bacterial cause of human diarrhea in developed countries, molecular mechanism of β-lactam resistance in C. jejuni is still largely unknown. In this study, C. jejuni 81–176 was used for random transposon mutagenesis. Screening of a 2,800-mutant library identified 22 mutants with increased susceptibility to ampicillin. Of these mutants, two mutants contains mutations in Cj0843c (a putative lytic transglycosylase gene) and in its upstream gene Cj0844c, respectively. Complementation experiment demonstrated that the Cj0843 contributes to β-lactam resistance. The Cj0843c insertional mutation was subsequently introduced to diverse C. jejuni clinical strains for MIC test, showing that Cj0843c contributes to both intrinsic and acquired β-lactam resistance of C. jejuni. Consistent with this finding, inactivation of Cj0843c also dramatically reduced β-lactamase activity. Genomic examination and PCR analysis showed Cj0843c is widely distributed in C. jejuni. High purity recombinant Cj0843c was produced for generation of specific antiserum. The Cj0843 was localized in the periplasm, as demonstrated by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. Turbidimetric assay further demonstrated the capability of the purified Cj0843c to hydrolyze cell walls. Inactivation of Cj0843c also significantly reduced C. jejuni colonization in the intestine. Together, this study identifies a mechanism of β-lactam resistance in C. jejuni and provides insights into the role of cell wall metabolism in regulating β-lactamase activity.
Uptake of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling among women attending an urban sexually transmitted disease clinic in South Africa – missed opportunities for early diagnosis of HIV infection

Abstract This study assessed the uptake of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) among women attending an urban sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in South Africa. From July 2005 to June 2006, women were offered HIV testing following group information and education on HIV and STDs in the clinic waiting area. Of those who were provided with education, information, and offered HIV testing, uptake was 43.5% (2439/5612). The overall HIV prevalence among those tested was 56.5% and the prevalence of acute HIV infection was 1.2%. Of the 56.5% (3173/5612) refusing to test, the reasons for not testing were having already been tested for HIV (61.8%), being afraid to test or felt unready to test (32.5%), the need to consult with partner (0.9%), and refusing with no explanation (4.8%). In settings where high-risk patients await health care services, such as an STD clinic, failure to implement PITC is a missed opportunity for patients to benefit from counseling, prevention, early diagnosis, and referral into care and treatment for HIV infection.
A Delay System Method for Designing Event-Triggered Controllers of Networked Control Systems

This note is concerned with event-triggered H∞ controller design for networked control systems. A novel event-triggering scheme is proposed, which has some advantages over some existing schemes. A delay system model for the analysis is firstly constructed by investigating the effect of the network transmission delay. Then, based on this model, criteria for stability with an H∞ norm bound and criteria for co-designing both the feedback gain and the trigger parameters are derived. These criteria are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Simulation results have shown that the proposed event-triggering scheme is superior to some existing event-triggering schemes in the literature.
[1,2-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane-κ2 P,P′](2-carboxylatothiophenolato-κ2 O,S)nickel(II) methanol solvate

In the title complex, [Ni(C7H4O2S)(C26H24P2)]·CH3OH, the nickel(II) centre adopts an approximately square-planar geometry, with the Ni atom coordinating to the S and O atoms of the bidentate thiosalicylate ligand and the two P atoms of the chelating Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2 ligand. There is hydrogen bonding between the methanol solvent molecule and the carbonyl O atom of the thiosalicylate ligand.
A fourth-order /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ interface for micromachined inertial sensors

This paper presents the design and implementation of a high-order /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ interface for micromachined inertial sensors, which employs an electronic filter in series with the mechanical sensor element to reject the excessive in-band quantization noise inherently present in state-of-the-art second-order solutions. A fourth-order prototype was fabricated in a standard 0.5-/spl mu/m CMOS process. The active circuit area measures 0.9 mm/sup 2/, and the interface consumes 13 mW from a 5-V supply and achieves resolution of 1/spl deg//s//spl radic/Hz with a gyroscope and 150/spl mu/g//spl radic/Hz with an accelerometer. Comparison between the measured and simulated behavior of the system shows that the contribution of the quantization error to the total noise is negligible.
A role for nitric oxide in hydroxyurea-mediated fetal hemoglobin induction.

Hydroxyurea is a newly approved therapeutic agent for the treatment of sickle-cell disease. Hydroxyurea reduces the number of painful crises in sickle-cell patients presumably by increasing the levels of fetal hemoglobin, which has a large solubilizing effect on sickle-cell hemoglobin and reduces polymerization (1). Despite being used to treat a number of cancers for nearly 30 years, the mechanism of how hydroxyurea increases fetal hemoglobin levels remains unclear. In this issue of the JCI, Cokic et al. present results that provide the first explanation of how hydroxyurea increases fetal hemoglobin levels (2). Specifically, they show that fetal hemoglobin increases in response to activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) by hydroxyurea-derived NO. The importance of this work manifests itself in at least three ways: 1) the in vitro identification of some of the molecular species involved in fetal hemoglobin induction, 2) a further demonstration of a role for NO in the activity of hydroxyurea, and 3) the application of this work to the development of new NO based treatments for sickle-cell disease. The work described in this study (2) relies on the authors’ ability to recognize clues from previous basic and clinical research. First, hydroxyurea reacts with enzymes and proteins, particularly heme-containing proteins, to release NO (3–7). Other studies reveal that patients taking hydroxyurea demonstrate increased levels of nitrite, nitrate, and iron nitrosyl hemoglobin, all of which are markers for NO (8–10). Finally, sGC activators increase γ-globin gene expression in both eryth-roleukemic cells and primary human erythroblasts and sGC inhibitors prevent this increase (11). The combination of these results with the ability of NO to stimulate sGC led to the design and execution of the described experiment to determine the effect of nitric oxide donors and hydroxyurea on fetal hemoglobin induction.
Pharmacophore Modelling and Virtual Screening for Identification of New Aurora‐A Kinase Inhibitors

Aurora‐A has been identified as one of the most attractive targets for cancer therapy and a considerable number of Aurora‐A inhibitors have been reported recently. In order to clarify the essential structure–activity relationship for the known Aurora‐A inhibitors as well as identify new lead compounds against Aurora‐A, 3D pharmacophore models were developed based on the known inhibitors. The best hypothesis, Hypo1, was used to screen molecular structural databases, including Specs and China Natural Products Database for potential lead compounds. The hit compounds were subsequently subjected to filtering by Lipinski’s rules and docking study to refine the retrieved hits and as a result to reduce the rate of false positive. Finally, 39 compounds were purchased for further in vitro assay against several human tumour cell lines including A549, MCF‐7, HepG2 and PC‐3, in which Aurora‐A is overexpressed. Two compounds show very low micromolar inhibition potency against some of these tumour cells. And they have been selected for further investigation.
N-(2-Chlorophenyl)-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamide

In the title compound, C12H9ClN2O4S, the N—H bond in the –SO2—NH– segment is syn to both the ortho-nitro group in the sulfonylbenzene ring and the ortho-Cl atom in the aniline ring. The molecule is twisted at the S—N bond with a torsion angle of 75.0 (2)°. The dihedral angle between the sulfonylbenzene and aniline rings is 54.97 (11)°. The amide H atom shows bifurcated hydrogen bonding, generating S(7) and C(4) motifs. In the crystal, N—H⋯O(S) hydrogen bonds link the molecules into chains.
Molecular Docking Studies and Anti−Snake Venom Metalloproteinase Activity of Thai Mango Seed Kernel Extract

Snakebite envenomations cause severe local tissue necrosis and the venom metalloproteinases are thought to be the key toxins involved. In this study, the ethanolic extract from seed kernels of Thai mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. ‘Fahlun’) (Anacardiaceae) and its major phenolic principle (pentagalloylglucopyranose) exhibited potent and dose−dependent inhibitory effects on the caseinolytic and fibrinogenolytic activities of Malayan pit viper and Thai cobra venoms in in vitro tests. Molecular docking studies revealed that the binding orientations of the phenolic principles were in the binding pockets of snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs). The phenolic principles could form hydrogen bonds with the three histidine residues in the conserved zinc−binding motif and could chelate the Zn2+ atom of the SVMPs, which could potentially result in inhibition of the venom enzymatic activities and thereby inhibit tissue necrosis.
Drosophila Fascin is a novel downstream target of prostaglandin signaling during actin remodeling

Prostaglandins (PGs) regulate the actin cytoskeleton. However, their mechanisms of action are unknown. Use of Drosophila oogenesis—specifically nurse cell dumping—as a model shows that PGs regulate the actin bundler Fascin to control parallel actin filament bundle formation and cortical actin integrity.
Anti-inflammatory effect of supercritical extract and its constituents from Ishige okamurae

The anti-inflammatory properties of the supercritical fluid extract of Ishige okamurae (SFEIO) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. The lipid profile of the SFEIO, reviled the presence of palmitic acid (220.2 mg/g), linoleic acid (168.0 mg/g), and oleic acid (123.0 mg/g). SFEIO was found to exert it's anti-inflammatory effects through inhibiting nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, without inducing cytotoxicity. SFEIO did not effect on the LPS-induced p38 kinase phosphorylation, whereas it attenuated the extracellular-related signaling kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, SFEIO inhibited the LPS-induced IκB-α degradation and p50 NF-κB activation. These results suggest that SFEIO exerts its anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells by down-regulating the activation of ERK, JNK, and NF-κB.
Sense of community in science fiction fandom, Part 1 : understanding sense of community in an international community of interest

Within the discipline of community psychology there is debate as to the dimensions underlying the construct psychological sense of community (PSOC). One of the few theoretical discussions is that of McMillan and Chavis (1986), who hypothesized four dimensions: Belonging; Fulfillment of Needs; Influence; and Shared Connections. Discussion has also emerged in the literature regarding the role of identification within PSOC. It has been suggested that differences in PSOC may be understood in terms of the degree to which members identify with their community (Fisher & Sonn, 1999). However, few studies have explored the place of identification in PSOC. In addition, while PSOC has been applied to both communities of interest and geographical communities, little research has looked in depth at PSOC within communities of interest. The current study therefore explored PSOC in science fiction fandom, a community of interest with membership from all over the world, by means of a questionnaire distributed at an international science fiction convention (N = 359). In an endeavor to clarify the underlying dimensions of PSOC, the questionnaire included several measures of PSOC, and measures of identification with the community. Results showed that science fiction fandom reported high levels of PSOC. Support emerged for McMillan and Chavis' (1986) four dimensions of PSOC, with the addition of a fifth dimension, that of Conscious Identification. These results, and implications for PSOC research, are discussed.
Skinning with dual quaternions

Skinning of skeletally deformable models is extensively used for real-time animation of characters, creatures and similar objects. The standard solution, linear blend skinning, has some serious drawbacks that require artist intervention. Therefore, a number of alternatives have been proposed in recent years. All of them successfully combat some of the artifacts, but none challenge the simplicity and efficiency of linear blend skinning. As a result, linear blend skinning is still the number one choice for the majority of developers. In this paper, we present a novel GPU-friendly skinning algorithm based on dual quaternions. We show that this approach solves the artifacts of linear blend skinning at minimal additional cost. Upgrading an existing animation system (e.g., in a videogame) from linear to dual quaternion skinning is very easy and has negligible impact on run-time performance.
A NOTE ON MAJORANA NEUTRINOS, LEPTONIC CKM AND ELECTRON ELECTRIC DIPOLE MOMENT

The electric dipole moment of the electron, de, is known to vanish up to three-loop in the standard model with massless neutrinos. However, if neutrinos are massive Majorana particles, we obtain the result that de induced by leptonic CKM mechanism is nonvanishing at two-loop order, and it applies to all massive Majorana neutrino models.
Position Auctions with Consumer Search

This paper examines a model in which advertisers bid for "sponsored-link" positions on a search engine. The value advertisers derive from each position is endogenized as coming from sales to a population of consumers who make rational inferences about firm qualities and search optimally. Consumer search strategies, equilibrium bidding, and the welfare benefits of position auctions are analyzed. Implications for reserve prices and a number of other auction design questions are discussed.