Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RpoH Mediates the Expression of Some, but Not All, Genes Induced in Neisseria gonorrhoeae Adherent to Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus [GC]), is highly adapted to the human host, the only known reservoir for gonococcal infection. However, since it is sexually transmitted, infection of a new host likely requires a regulatory response on the part of the gonococcus to respond to this significant change in environment. We previously showed that adherence of gonococci to epithelial cells results in changes of gene expression in the bacteria that presumably prepare them for subsequent steps in the infection process. Expression of the heat shock sigma factor gene, rpoH, was shown to be important for the invasion step, as gonococci depleted for rpoH were reduced in their ability to invade epithelial cells. Here, we show that of the genes induced in adherent gonococci, two are part of the gonococcal RpoH regulon. When RpoH is depleted, expression of these genes is no longer induced by host cell contact, indicating that RpoH is mediating the host cell induction response of these genes. One RpoH-dependent gene, NGO0376, is shown to be important for invasion of epithelial cells, consistent with earlier observations that RpoH is necessary for this step of infection. Two genes, NGO1684 and NGO0340, while greatly induced by host cell contact, were found to be RpoH independent, indicating that more than one regulator is involved in the response to host cell contact. Furthermore, NGO0340, but not NGO1684, was shown to be important for both adherence and invasion of epithelial cells, suggesting a complex regulatory network in the response of gonococci to contact with host cells.
Characteristics of Rare or Recently Described Corynebacterium Species Recovered from Human Clinical Material in Canada

ABSTRACT Nineteen new Corynebacterium species or taxa described since 1995 have been associated with human disease. We report the characteristics of 72 strains identified as or most closely resembling 14 of these newer, medically relevant Corynebacterium species or taxa, as well as describe in brief an isolate of Corynebacterium bovis, a rare pathogen for humans. The bacteria studied in this report were nearly all derived from human clinical specimens and were identified by a polyphasic approach. Most were characterized by nearly full 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Some isolates were recovered from previously unreported sources and exhibited unusual phenotypes or represented the first isolates found outside Europe. Products of fermentation, with emphasis on the presence or absence of propionic acid, were also studied in order to provide an additional characteristic with which to differentiate among phenotypically similar species.
Healthcare utilization for pain in children and adolescents: a prospective study of laboratory and non-laboratory predictors of care-seeking

Abstract Background: Few studies have focused on identifying predictors of medical consultation for pain in healthy children and adolescents. Objective: This investigation sought to identify parent and child laboratory and non-laboratory predictors of pediatric healthcare utilization for pain problems. Study group: Participants were 210 healthy children and adolescents (102 girls), aged 8–17 years who took part in a laboratory pain session. Methods: Three months after the laboratory session, participants were contacted by telephone to ascertain whether they had experienced pain and whether they had seen a healthcare professional for pain. Zero-order correlations among sociodemographic status, child laboratory pain responses, parent physical/mental health status and medical consultation for pain were conducted to identify relevant correlates of pediatric healthcare utilization; these correlates were subjected to multivariate analyses. Results: Bivariate analyses indicated that higher anticipated pain and bother for the cold pressor task, as well as poorer parent physical health status, were associated with pediatric medical consultation for pain, but only among girls. Sequential logistic regression analyses controlling for child age indicated that only parent physical health status, not the laboratory indicators, significantly predicted healthcare consultation for pain among girls. No parent or child correlates of care-seeking for pain emerged for boys. Conclusion: The findings suggest that parents’ perceived physical health plays a role in determining whether medical care is sought for pain complaints in healthy girls. These results suggest that interventions to assist parents in managing their own physical health problems could lead to reductions in medical consultation for girls’ pain.
Price Effect of Domestic Oil Tax Under Vertically-Related Markets Structure

Domestic oil tax influences not only consumer price, but also oil company’s bid-ask spread and international oil price via vertically-related markets. Our empirical study found that, the domestic tax elasticity of international oil price in U.S., EU and Japan is negative, which means that increase in domestic oil tax in these countries will cause decrease in international oil price. While, impacts of domestic oil tax on consumer price are quite different for U.S., EU and Japan. It is found that the domestic tax elasticity of consumer price is negative in U.S., but positive in EU and Japan. An theoretical explanation is also explored for the reasonability of these empirical results. That is, domestic tax will cause both international oil price and the asking price of oil companies to fall when competition between oil companies is strong. By contrary, the price transmission elasticity of domestic oil tax is negative, and domestic tax will cause decrease in international oil price but large increase in the asking price of oil companies and consumer oil price in a relatively monopolistic market.
A Mesh-Insensitive Methodology for Magnetic Force Computation in Finite-Element Analysis

A novel mesh-insensitive methodology for magnetic force computation is presented. The force value is obtained by integration on several layers of mesh elements around the objects on which the force needs to be computed. The number of layers can be automatically determined during computation and the force computation on objects touching each other can also be evaluated accurately. The computation results are compared with those obtained using traditional Maxwell stress tensor method and normal virtual work method. The results confirm that the sensitivity of the computed force to the mesh quality is greatly reduced and the accuracy of the force computation is increased.
A two‐phase model of B‐cell activation

The current paradigm of lymphocyte activation, the two-signal model, has developed from the premise that recognition of antigen alone is insufficient to stimulate naive B cells, as this could potentially induce autoreactive responses, and that cognate T-B interaction is necessary to induce a full B-cell response. Recent evidence suggests, however, that T-cell-independent B-cell activation is part of the humoral immune response to pathogens, and therefore that antigen alone, or antigen plus signals provided by cells other than T cells, can provide all the necessary signals to induce a B-cell response. Furthermore, the presence of secreted IgM produced either as natural antibodies by CD5+ B-1 cells or as antigen-induced IgM by conventional (B-2) cells was shown to affect the kinetics and magnitude of the IgG response significantly. These data and the observed rapid kinetics of in vivo humoral responses seem at odds with a model that predicts that full B-cell activation and expansion is delayed until sufficient T-cell help is generated. I will therefore argue here that, in response to an infection, initial clonal B-cell expansion and secretion of IgM occurs in a T-cell-independent fashion (phase I) driven by the presence of antigen, and that secreted IgM serves as an autocrine growth factor at this time. B-cell-T-cell interaction occurs only during phase II of the response, thereby initiating the germinal center reaction, isotype switching and memory B-cell development. Hence, this model provides an explanation of how B-cell responses are induced rapidly in vivo at a time when T-cell help is rare.
Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Production by Human Dendritic Cells Results in the Inhibition of T Cell Proliferation

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the activation and regulation of B and T lymphocytes. Production of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) by macrophages has recently been described to result in inhibition of T cell proliferation through tryptophan degradation. Since DCs can be derived from monocytes, we sought to determine whether DCs could produce IDO which could potentially regulate T cell proliferation. Northern blot analysis of RNA from cultured monocyte-derived human DC revealed that IDO mRNA was induced upon activation with CD40 ligand and IFN-γ. IDO produced from activated DCs was functionally active and capable of metabolizing tryptophan to kynurenine. Activated T cells were also capable of inducing IDO production by DCs, which was inhibited by a neutralizing Ab against IFN-γ. DC production of IDO resulted in inhibition of T cell proliferation, which could be prevented using the IDO inhibitor 1-methyl-dl-tryptophan. These results suggest that activation of DCs induces the production of functional IDO, which causes depletion of tryptophan and subsequent inhibition of T cell proliferation. This may represent a potential mechanism for DCs to regulate the immune response.
Genetic diversity among Fusarium species associated with sorghum stalk rot in Southern Ethiopia

Fusaria are very diverse and destructive pathogens affecting different crops. However, their identity and diversity are unresolved in countries like Ethiopia, where various crop species are grown under differing environmental conditions. The objectives of this paper were to identify Fusarium spp. associated with sorghum stalk rot in Southern Ethiopia, and elucidate the genetic diversity within and between the species. For this purpose, Fusaria associated with sorghum from two locations in Southern Ethiopia were isolated. Sequencing of the elongation factor 1-alpha gene (EF-1α) was used for species identification. In addition, AFLP analysis was employed for further diversity studies within and between the Fusarium spp. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of two Fusarium spp. The first was identified as Fusarium andiyazi, while the identity of the second remains to be solved. AFLP analysis clustered the isolates into two major groups. The Dice similarity coefficients ranged from 0.39 to 0.91 for isolates of F. andiyazi while isolates within the new Fusarium spp. had a Dice similarity coefficient varying between 0.69 and 0.96. Cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis clearly indicated a genetic separation between the two species. Both groups were pathogenic to mature sorghum plants following a toothpick inoculation test. More researches are required to identify the new species and elucidate the pathogenicity of the isolates. Key words: EF-1α, Fusarium andiyazi, genetic similarity, sequence analysis, Sorghum bicolor.
Design of AC-DC power converters with LCL + tuned trap line filter using Si IGBT and SiC MOSFET modules

This paper presents a method for improving the design procedure of AC-DC power converters for power generation applications. The proposed methodology is based on selection of the most convenient configuration, in terms of switching frequency and design of the line filter, in order to minimize the overall losses in the system. In this work two types of semiconductor devices are considered: silicon IGBT and silicon carbide MOSFET for the design of a 100 kVA system, and they performance is compared. The AC-DC converter parameters, the design methodology and preliminary simulation results for representatives of Si IGBT and SiC MOSFET modules are presented.
Renewable Electricity Futures Study. Executive Summary

The Renewable Electricity Futures (RE Futures) Study investigated the challenges and impacts of achieving very high renewable electricity generation levels in the contiguous United States by 2050. The analysis focused on the sufficiency of the geographically diverse U.S. renewable resources to meet electricity demand over future decades, the hourly operational characteristics of the U.S. grid with high levels of variable wind and solar generation, and the potential implications of deploying high levels of renewables in the future. RE Futures focused on technical aspects of high penetration of renewable electricity; it did not focus on how to achieve such a future through policy or other measures. Given the inherent uncertainties involved with analyzing alternative long-term energy futures as well as the multiple pathways that might be taken to achieve higher levels of renewable electricity supply, RE Futures explored a range of scenarios to investigate and compare the impacts of renewable electricity penetration levels (30%-90%), future technology performance improvements, potential constraints to renewable electricity development, and future electricity demand growth assumptions. RE Futures was led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Estimation of Metal Emissions From Tropical Peatland Burning in Indonesia by Controlled Laboratory Experiments

The tropical peatland burning in Indonesia is one of the most significant types of wildfires on a global scale. Previous studies indicated the importance of metal emissions from Indonesian wildfires. However, metal emission profiles from Indonesian wildfires have not been quantified well yet. To address this issue, we analyzed metals and metalloids emitted from combustion experiments of peat and vegetation growing over peatland in Indonesia. The analyzed elements include Mg, Al, Ca, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Sn, and Pb. The emission ratios of aerosol particles emitted from combustion of the ombrotrophic peat and vegetation agreed within a factor of few, regardless of the variability in the elemental compositions of the original fuel. In both cases, the emission ratios of Ca were the highest, followed by crustal elements Fe and Al. The concentration ratios of crustal and biogenic elements (Fe/Al and Zn/Fe) were found to be a useful metric to infer dominant fuel types. Namely, the concentration ratio of Fe/Al was high (6.2 ± 4.4) for peat combustion particles, while the value was lower (1.9 ± 1.3) when plant burning was conducted. The emission ratios of the metals were combined with an existing emission inventory to estimate the emission rates of the analyzed metals. The emission rates of carcinogenic metals, such as Cr and Ni, were estimated to be 0.02 and 0.013 Gg/year, respectively. The analysis also indicated that the peatland burning could be one of the important sources of atmospheric Fe in the region.
Toxicity of Cephalaria Species and their Individual Constituents against Aedes aegypti

Crude acetone and ethanol extracts of the aerial parts of 21 Cephalaria species collected from Turkey were investigated for larvicidal and adult topical activity against Aedes aegypti. The ethanol extracts from C. elazigensis var. purpurea, C. anatolica, and C. elmaliensis possessed the highest mortality against first instar Ae. aegypti larvae. Luteolin-7-O-β-D-glycoside (1), isolated from C. elmaliensis ethanol extract, demonstrated 33% and 53% mortality at 0.1 μg/mL concentration against first instar ORL (susceptible) and PR (pyrethroid resistant) strains, respectively. C. scoparia acetone extract showed 100% mortality against adult Ae. aegypti. From this extract compounds 2-8 were isolated. Compound 2 (isoorientin) possessed the highest toxicity with 31.7% and 65% mortality at a 10 μg/mL concentration against adult ORL and PR strains, respectively. This is the first screening report of potential insecticides from Cephalaria species against the yellow fever mosquito, Ae. aegypti, and the active compounds (1 and 2) could lead to the development of a new class of insecticide.
Network competence based on resource-based view and resource dependence theory

The Resource-Based View (RBV) acknowledges that firms' resources contribute a lot to achieve competitive advantage. Therefore, it is critical to gain necessary resources to become more competitive relative to their competitors. Thus, network competence is the mechanism for firms to gain crucial resources. Based on Resource Dependence Theory (RDT), firms have to develop and maintain the relationships with their customers, suppliers and other relevant organisations to achieve important resources. By recognising the important role of network competence in achieving business success, this study aims to improve understanding of the concept of network competence and its relationship with the RBV and RDT, types of networking and their contributions towards small firms' business success. This paper concludes that network competence is an important organisational capability that leads towards competitive advantage and the firm's success. Thus, it is strongly recommended for firms to develop this competence to obtain critical resources for their businesses.
Nucleotide sequence of the Rickettsia prowazekii citrate synthase gene

The Rickettsia prowazekii citrate synthase (gltA) gene, previously cloned in Escherichia coli, was localized to a 2.0-kilobase chromosomal fragment. DNA sequence analysis of a portion of this fragment revealed an open reading frame of 1,308 base pairs that encodes a protein of 435 amino acids with a molecular weight of 49,171. This translation product is comparable in size to both the E. coli and pig heart citrate synthase monomers and to the protein synthesized in E. coli minicells containing the rickettsial gene. Comparisons between the deduced amino acid sequence of R. prowazekii citrate synthase and those of the E. coli and pig heart enzymes revealed extensive homology (59%) between the two bacterial proteins. In contrast, only 20% of the rickettsial enzyme residues were shared with the functionally similar pig heart enzyme residues. Upstream from the open reading frame and in close proximity to one another, sequences with homology to E. coli consensus sequences for RNA polymerase and ribosome binding were identified. S1 nuclease mapping experiments demonstrated that the start of transcription for this gene in E. coli was located in the upstream region. Codon usage in the rickettsial gltA gene was found to be very biased and differed from the pattern observed in E. coli. Adenine and uracil were used preferentially in the third base position of rickettsial codons.
Financial globalisation and financial development in Africa: assessing marginal, threshold and net effects

The present inquiry contributes to extant literature by simultaneously accounting for variations in financial development and financial globalisation in the assessment of hypothetical initial financial development conditions for the rewards of financial globalisation. The policy relevance for assessing these variations simultaneously builds on the intuition that, thresholds for financial development benefits of financial globalisation may also be contingent on initial levels of financial development. For this purpose, we examine marginal, threshold and net effects of financial globalisation on financial development throughout the conditional distributions of financial development. The empirical evidence is based on contemporary and non-contemporary quantile regressions with data from 53 African countries for the period 1996-2011. Financial globalisation is measured with Net Foreign Direct Investment inflows whereas financial development entails all dimensions identified by the Financial Development and Structure Database of the World Bank. The findings consistently reveal: (i) positive marginal effects, (ii) unfeasible financial globalisation positive thresholds and (iii) negative financial globalisation net effects. The second and third findings are fundamentally due to marginal effects of low positive magnitude. Policy implications are discussed.
Fuzzy relation equations and fuzzy inference systems: an inside approach

This paper investigates and extends the use of fuzzy relation equations for the representation and study of fuzzy inference systems. Using the generalized sup-t (t is a triangular norm) composition of fuzzy relations and the study of sup-t fuzzy relation equations, interesting results are provided concerning the completeness and the theoretical soundness of the representation, as well as the ability to mathematically formulate and satisfy application-oriented design demands. Furthermore, giving a formal study of fuzzy partitions and some useful aspects of fuzzy associations and fuzzy systems, the paper can be used as a theoretical background for designing consistent fuzzy inference systems.
Regulation of Oocyte and Cumulus Cell Interactions by Intermedin/Adrenomedullin 2*

Background: Oocytes are known to secrete factors that regulate the tertiary structure of cumulus cell-enclosed oocyte complexes (COCs). Results: Intermedin (IMD) signaling promotes cumulus cell survival and cell contacts in COCs. Conclusion: Endogenous IMD plays a critical role in coordinating COC development. Significance: The study provided new insight into how the tertiary structure of COCs is maintained during folliculogenesis. Ovarian folliculogenesis has been studied as a model of hormonal regulation of development and differentiation, cell death, and cell-cell communication. In addition to gonadotropins from the pituitary and follicular paracrine factors, oocyte secreted factors have been shown to play critical roles in the regulation of follicular cell functions. Except for the well characterized BMP family proteins, including GDF9 and BMP15, oocytes are known to secrete oocyte secreted factors that are important for the regulation of cumulus cell survival and the maintenance of tertiary structure of cumulus cell-enclosed oocyte complexes (COCs). Based on genomic screening and studies of COCs cultured in vitro, we showed that intermedin (IMD)/adrenomedullin 2 (ADM2) is a novel oocyte-derived ligand important for the regulation of cell interactions in COCs that functions, in part, by suppressing cumulus cell apoptosis. Consistently, we showed that suppression of IMD/ADM2 signaling in growing rat ovaries in vivo leads to oocyte atresia and aberrant cell cycle progression in follicular cells. Together, our studies indicated that mammalian oocytes deploy a G protein-coupled receptor ligand to coordinate normal interactions of oocytes and cumulus cells and provided a better understanding of how the tertiary structure of a COC is maintained as follicles undergo exponential growth during the late stages of folliculogenesis.
Estimating the Cost of Construction of Light Water Reactor Plants Using Multiple Regression Model

– This paper is an approach to estimate the cost of construction of light water reactor (LWR) plants using information about previous research. A number of variables that are expected to be effective in predicting this cost have been selected. The multiple regression models for the estimation of the cost of construction of light water reactor (LWR) plants using the set of predictors have been developed. The nuclear data frame has 32 rows and 11 columns which mean that we have 10 independent variables and 32 samples. The outcome of the regression analysis shows that the Cost of a future power plant can be estimated using the following independent variables: The date on which the construction permit was issued. The data are measured in years since January 1 1990 to the nearest month. The net capacity of the power plant (MWe). The location of the power plant in the US (If the Plant was constructed in the north-east region of USA). In the end of the paper the equation of estimating the cost of a future power plant has been developed.