Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment with BB‐94, a broad spectrum inhibitor of zinc‐dependent metalloproteinases, causes deviation of the cytokine profile towards Type‐2 in experimental pulmonary tuberculosis in Balb/c mice

BB‐94 (batimastat) is a broad‐ spectrum hydroxamic acid‐based zinc metalloproteinase inhibitor that inhibits both the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and members of the ADAM family of enzymes such as Tumour Necrosis Factor‐α Cleaving Enzyme (TACE). These enzymes are involved in the regulation of inflammatory processes in tuberculosis. Balb/c mice infected with M. tuberculosis via the intratracheal route were treated with BB‐94 for 1 month, starting on the day of infection. Immunohistochemistry, semiquantitative RT‐PCR and ELISA assays for cytokines revealed a deficit in IL‐1 and IL‐2 expression and a premature bias towards IL‐4 expression, accompanied by a delay in granuloma formation and more rapid progression of disease in BB‐94‐treated animals. This situation corrected itself after the drug was withdrawn at 28 days. In contrast, when BB‐94 was administered only after 1 month there were no significant changes apart from the presence of amyloid, and a paradoxically increased expression of IL‐1α. These results cast light on mechanisms of immunity in tuberculosis and also indicate that in patients treated with similar broad‐spectrum MMP inhibitors there may be a risk of inappropriate deviation of some immune responses towards a Type‐2 cytokine profile.
Detection of the Finnish-type congenital nephrotic syndrome by restriction fragment length polymorphism and dual-color oligonucleotide ligation assays.

BACKGROUND Congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finnish type (NPHS1) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe proteinuria of intrauterine onset. Ninety-four percent of the Finnish NPHS1 chromosomes have been reported to carry either a 2-bp deletion in exon 2 (Fin(Major)) or a nonsense mutation in exon 26 (Fin(Minor)) of the NPHS1 gene. The high prevalence of only two mutations in the Finnish population enables the use of molecular techniques in the diagnosis of NPHS1 and for carrier screening. METHODS AND RESULTS We describe two different molecular methods for the detection of the NPHS1 mutations: a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and a dual-color oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA). The dual-color OLA, which enables simultaneous detection of the NPHS1 Fin(Major) and Fin(Minor) mutations, can be used for rapid analysis of large sets of samples. The analysis of 2004 Finnish blood samples revealed 34 carriers of the Fin(Major) mutation and 1 carrier of the Fin(Minor) mutation, indicating a carrier frequency of 1:59 (95% confidence interval, 1:89-1:44) for the NPHS1 Fin(Major) mutation and 1:2004 (95% confidence interval, 0 to 1:677) for the NPHS1 Fin(Minor) mutation, respectively. CONCLUSION PCR-RFLP and dual-color OLA are suitable for molecular diagnosis and carrier screening of the major mutations that cause NPHS1.
A Sub-100 $\mu{\rm W}$ Ku-Band RTD VCO for Extremely Low Power Applications

This letter presents the microwave performance of a sub-100 ¿W Ku-band differential-mode resonant tunneling diode (RTD)-based voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with an extremely low power consumption of 87 ¿W using an InP-based RTD/HBT MMIC technology. In order to achieve the extremely low-power Ku-band RTD VCO, the device size of RTD is scaled down to 0.6 × 0.6 ¿m2. The obtained dc power consumption of 87 ¿W is found to be only 1/18 of the conventional-type MMIC VCOs reported in the Ku-band. The fabricated RTD VCO has a phase noise of -100.3 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency and a tuning range of 140 MHz with the figure-of-merit (FOM) of -194.3 dBc/Hz.
Wide-angle beam scanning reflectarray antenna design using phase matching method

In this paper, a multi-focus phase matching method is presented for the design of wide-angle beam scanning reflectarray antenna with mechanical steering. A single-layer 16×16-element reflectarray antenna with variable-size square patch elements operating at 12GHz has been designed utilizing the introduced optimization technique. Numerical results show that the gain variation less than 2dB is achieved across the scan coverage from −45° to +45° by mechanically rotating the feed antenna. Meanwhile, the simulated side lobe level (SLL) below − 15dB and −13dB is also observed when the beams are scanned to ±30° and ±45°, respectively.
Management′s Report on Internal Control, and the Accountant′s Response

Internal Control – Integrated Framework (COSO Report, 1992) defines internal control, suggests a framework for internal control, and presents criteria to use in evaluating controls. The document also provides guidance to management developing a report on controls for use by external parties. SSAE 2, “Reporting on an Entity′s Internal Control Structure over Financial Reporting” (1993) offers assistance to the practitioner reporting on management′s assertion regarding internal control over financial reporting. Discusses and provides an example of management′s report on internal control prepared according to COSO. Also discusses the accountant′s examination under SSAE guidance of management′s assertions and subsequent report and provides an example of the accountant′s report. Concludes by discussing the new business opportunities for the accountant which may result from external reporting on internal controls over financial reporting.
Architectural switch in plant photosynthetic membranes induced by light stress

Unavoidable side reactions of photosynthetic energy conversion can damage the water-splitting photosystem II (PSII) holocomplex embedded in the thylakoid membrane system inside chloroplasts. Plant survival is crucially dependent on an efficient molecular repair of damaged PSII realized by a multistep repair cycle. The PSII repair cycle requires a brisk lateral protein traffic between stacked grana thylakoids and unstacked stroma lamellae that is challenged by the tight stacking and low protein mobility in grana. We demonstrated that high light stress induced two main structural changes that work synergistically to improve the accessibility between damaged PSII in grana and its repair machinery in stroma lamellae: lateral shrinkage of grana diameter and increased protein mobility in grana thylakoids. It follows that high light stress triggers an architectural switch of the thylakoid network that is advantageous for swift protein repair. Studies of the thylakoid kinase mutant stn8 and the double mutant stn7/8 demonstrate the central role of protein phosphorylation for the structural alterations. These findings are based on the elaboration of mathematical tools for analyzing confocal laser-scanning microscopic images to study changes in the sophisticated thylakoid architecture in intact protoplasts.
The chromatin accessibility complex: chromatin dynamics through nucleosome sliding.

its facets has been a fascinating challenge for generations of researchers. The organization of eukaryotic genomes into chromatin serves three functions. First and foremost, the packaging of DNA as chromatin involves neutralization of the negative charges in the phosphodiester backbone of DNA and its bending around molecular spools, the histone octamers, to form nucleosomes. Not only is this organization necessary for fitting a genome into the nuclear interior, but it also serves to protect the valuable genetic information from damage and instability. At the same time, chromatin organization hinders the interaction of DNA-binding regulators, thereby creating a globally repressed ground state of gene activity. The majority of all genes have to remain switched off in any given cell and primary mechanisms of tight repression build on a basic chromatin infrastructure. Finally, this organization creates opportunities for regulation: Utilization of the DNA—be it to transcribe genes, to replicate the genome, to recombine chromosomal segments, or to repair DNA damage—involves changing the occlusive chromatin environment, thereby allowing regulators to gain access to the substrate. Although nucleosomes are dynamic entities due to the very nature of the histone–DNA interactions (Widom 1999), the opening and closing of chromatin is not left to chance: A large number of enzymes dedicated to this task have been identified during recent years. Besides those that covalently modify histones to change their interaction properties (Jenuwein and Allis 2001), one interesting class of enzymes is fueled by chemical energy: They couple ATP hydrolysis to changing chromatin organization (Becker and Hörz 2002; Narlikar et al. 2002; Peterson 2002; Lusser and Kadonaga 2003). In broadest terms, the process of changing histone–DNA interactions in order to modulate the access of DNA is called “nucleosome remodeling. ” About 10 years ago we discovered a nucleosome remodeling entity, the Chromatin Accessibility Complex (CHRAC), during our search for an energy-dependent chromatin opening (Varga-Weisz et al. 1997). Since then, we and several other groups have studied the molecular anatomy of CHRAC and its mechanism of nucleosome remodeling. Although its physiological function has not been clearly established, all available results point to crucial functions of CHRAC for the assembly and maintenance of dynamic chromatin structure. IN SEARCH OF ATP-DEPENDENT NUCLEOSOME REMODELING ACTIVITIES
Concurrent Detection and Tracking using Multiple, Flying, Sensors

We develop a probabilistic technique for performing multiple target detection and tracking based on data from multiple, flying, sensors. Multiple sensors can facilitate detecting and discriminating low signal-to-clutter targets by allowing correlation between different sensor types and/or different aspect angles. However, the data association problem can cause the computational complexity of standard trackers to become prohibitively high when combining too much data - a problem which will be exacerbated when including data from multiple sensors. Dynamic logic (DL) is a probabilistic technique for performing data association, based upon maximum likelihood parameter estimation of mixture models, which does not suffer from a computational explosion with increasing amounts of data. Previously, a DL-based tracker was developed for the relatively simple case incorporating data from a stationary sensor platform. In this paper we expand the framework to incorporate multiple, moving, sensor platforms, which requires a revision in the parameter estimation equations. The framework is general enough to be valid for different sensor types, for example radar or electro-optical. Sample results from synthetic data are presented
Isolation and characterization of glycosaminoglycans from bovine follicular fluid and their effect on sperm capacitation

The majority of published studies have reported the use of commercial heparin to capacitate bovine sperm. However, heparin is not present in the female genital tract fluids. In this study, we purified large amounts of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) from bovine follicular fluid (FF), characterized them and determined their potential to capacitate sperm. FF‐GAGs were isolated by protease digestion, lipid extraction, and by different precipitation conditions and then purified by ion exchange chromatography. Two GAGs, heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate B, were present in FF. To determine the capacitation potential of FF‐GAGs, bovine ejaculated sperm were incubated 5 hr with or without 12 or 24 μg/ml of each of the FF‐GAG fractions or with heparin (12 μg/ml). The purified FF‐GAGs and heparin did not stimulate sperm acrosome reaction (AR), but stimulated sperm capacitation. Fractions 1 and 2 (heparan sulfate) were more active to promote capacitation (stimulated up to 3.2‐fold) than fractions 3 and 4 (mostly chondroitin sulfate B). Fractions 3 and 4 stimulated capacitation two times more than the control (without FF‐GAGs or heparin). When the heparan sulfate impurity was removed from fractions 3 and 4 by acid hydrolysis, the capacitation‐promoting activity associated with these fractions did not change significantly. When 24 μg/ml of fraction 1 or 2 were used, the percentage of sperm capacitation observed was similar to the capacitation with 12 μg/ml of heparin. Our results also indicated that the FF‐GAGs interact strongly with the BSP proteins. Therefore, it is concluded that heparan sulfate is the GAG that is the most potent capacitating factor present in bovine FF. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 71: 97–106, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Discovery of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei Ornithine Decarboxylase*

Human African trypanosomiasis, caused by the eukaryotic parasite Trypanosoma brucei, is a serious health problem in much of central Africa. The only validated molecular target for treatment of human African trypanosomiasis is ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which catalyzes the first step in polyamine metabolism. Here, we describe the use of an enzymatic high throughput screen of 316,114 unique molecules to identify potent and selective inhibitors of ODC. This screen identified four novel families of ODC inhibitors, including the first inhibitors selective for the parasitic enzyme. These compounds display unique binding modes, suggesting the presence of allosteric regulatory sites on the enzyme. Docking of a subset of these inhibitors, coupled with mutagenesis, also supports the existence of these allosteric sites.
Effect of Customer Orientation and Innovativeness on Business Performance: a Study of Small-Sized Service Retailers

While researchers have explored the relationship between customer orientation and innovativeness with business performance in different organisations, such studies in small-sized service retailers are scarce. This study investigates potential influences of these two variables on small-sized service retailer performance. Data for this study were collected through personal interviews from 174 Swiss small-sized service retailers to examine the interrelation between innovativeness, customer orientation and service business performance dimensions (i.e., profit goal achievement, sales goal achievement and ROI achievement). The findings are mixed with prior research, but provide a new insight by exploring customer orientation and innovativeness, and how these factors impact upon the performance of small-sized service retailers. In the light of existing literature, the implications of our findings for service managers and owners, the study's limitations and future research directions are subsequently addressed.
The Hedging Effectiveness Of Foreign Currency Futures

This study provides an initial analysis of the hedging potential of the foreign currency futures markets. Numerous studies exist on the pricing efficiency and hedging effectiveness of the foreign currency forward markets, but little research exists on the foreign currency futures market. An adequate price history has only recently become available to carry out such an investigation. Minimum risk hedges and hedging effectiveness measures are presented for five currencies: the British pound, German mark, Canadian dollar, Japanese yen and Swiss franc. Analysis indicates the relative desirability of positions in futures contracts to minimize the risk of spot currency exposure. Results also show hedging effectiveness increases with the investment horizon.
Determining Alignment of Expectations and Assessments in Mathematics and Science Education.

v Introduction . 1 Importance of Alignment 1 Alignment in Principle 3 Alignment of Expectations and Assessments 4 Alignment in Practice 5 Interpretation of Alignment by States 7 Three Methods for Aligning Documents 8 Sequential Development 8 Expert Review 9 Document Analyses 11 Quality Control 13 Specific Criteria 14 1 Content Focus 14 A Categorical Concurrence 14 B Depth of Knowledge Consistency 15 C Range of Knowledge Correspondence 17 D Structure of Knowledge Comparability 19 E Balance of Representation 20 F Dispositional Consonance 22
The Nigerian press and environmental information for sustainable development

The prominence accorded the environment and the importance of public engagement in sustainable development issues during the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development underscores the role of environmental information in achieving local environmental sustainability goals. The paper examines the role of the Nigerian press, one of the most vibrant in sub-Saharan Africa, in reporting environmental issues at the turn of the twenty-first century. Two national newspapers, The Daily Times and The Guardian were content analysed for coverage of environmental issues, including climate change, for the 5-year period 1999–2003. The degree of prominence and nature of environmental reports are assessed. The results show that energy issues dominate reports on the environment in both newspapers while climate change, a critical global environmental issue is accorded very little attention. Both newspapers assessed are yet to actively feature environmental articles tailored to issues of everyday life as majority of environmental publications are news reports.
Constrained by managerialism: Caring as participation in the voluntary social services

Participation in the predominantly female voluntary social services is the norm that most workers expect, but little is known about how participation plays out in the circumscribed realities of managerialism and outsourcing. This paper asserts that there are three kinds of overlapping participative processes in the voluntary social services: (1) procedural-formal; (2) practice-professional; and (3) affinity processes, and that these are closely associated with the gendered notions of caring and care’s connection to social mission and values. Our data suggest that rather than expanding in the context of third way politics, opportunities for all three kinds of participation have been severely curtailed by managerialism. This paper presents arguments drawn from two case studies of conditions in voluntary agencies (in Scotland and Australia) where caring was found to be a form of workplace participation, as well as the basis for exploitation and abuse of the workers by employers and clients.
Survival of, and induced stress resistance in, carbon-starved Pseudomonas fluorescens cells residing in soil

We investigated the survival, cell length, and development of general stress resistance in populations of Pseudomonas fluorescens R2f and its rifampin-resistant mutant, R2f Rpr, following exposure to carbon starvation conditions in liquid cultures and residence in two different soils, Flevo silt loam (FSL) and Ede loamy sand (ELS). In much the same way as was recently shown for P. putida KT2442, carbon-starved P. fluorescens R2f populations revealed enhanced resistance to otherwise lethal treatments, such as exposure to ethanol, high temperature, osmotic tension, and oxidative stress. A large population of nonculturable P. fluorescens R2f Rpr cells arose shortly after their introduction into ELS soil, whereas the formation of nonculturable cells was not observed in FSL soil. Also, the inoculant cell (based on immunofluorescence) and CFU counts decreased faster in ELS soil than in FSL soil. Introduction of carbon-starved instead of exponential-growth-phase R2f Rpr cells into ELS soil did not affect bacterial survival. The inoculant cell length decreased in soil, and no large differences in cell length in the two soil types were observed. Addition of glucose to ELS soil resulted in a stable cell length of R2f Rpr cells, whereas carbon-starved cells introduced into ELS soil remained small. Exponentially growing R2f Rpr cells developed enhanced resistance to ethanol, high temperature, osmotic tension, and oxidative stress within 1 day in both soils, whereas cells introduced into ELS soil amended with glucose showed decreased resistance. Cells that were carbon starved prior to introduction into ELS soil showed unchanged stress resistance levels upon residence in soil.
The Impact of Domestic Tourism on Perceptions of Australia's National Capital

Abstract Political national capitals provide the location for national institutions, represent national values and are the seat of government. Despite the importance of political national capital cities as tourism destinations, they may be faced with a poor image and perceptions from potential tourists because of their association with government and negative media coverage. This paper presents research undertaken to examine the images, values and perceptions that Australian's hold of Canberra (the national capital) and to explore whether perceptions differed based on previous visitation. The results suggest that a significant number of images and perceptions changed if respondents had visited Canberra previously. Furthermore, a visit can lead to an increased agreement that the national capital represents national values. Three cluster segments were also determined and named the misinformed, the capital lovers and the uninformed based on their characteristics. The paper concludes by suggesting both tourism agencies and national capital agencies should work more closely together in fostering greater visitation to political capitals which will help to build feelings of nationhood as well as correct negative destination perceptions.
University of Birmingham Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in English freshwater lakes, 2008-2012

18 Concentrations of tri-to-hexa-BDEs were determined in water samples taken from 9 English 19 lakes on 13 occasions between April 2008 and February 2012. Across all sites, concentrations 20 of ΣBDEs in individual samples ranged from 9.2 to 171.5 pg L -1 , with an average of 61.9 pg L -1 . 21 Notwithstanding the far greater use of the Penta-BDE commercial formulation in the USA, 22 concentrations in this study are comparable to the limited data available for the Great Lakes. 23 PBDE concentrations showed no evidence of a decline at any monitored location over the 24 study period. This may be because this study commenced 4 years after the introduction of 25 restrictions on the Penta-and Octa-BDE formulations. While concentrations normalised to 26 water volume at the different locations were statistically indistinguishable; significant spatial 27 variation was apparent when the data were normalised to total suspended solids (TSS) content. 28 However, this spatial variation was not correlated with factors such as population density and 29 lake catchment area, suggesting that concentrations of PBDEs in lake water in this study are a 30 complex integral of numerous factors. BDE-47:99 ratios and concentrations of ΣBDEs 31 respectively decreased and increased significantly with increasing TSS content. As TSS 32 content was elevated in colder compared with warmer periods, such seasonal variation in TSS 33 content appears a major contributor to the observed elevation of  BDE concentrations in 34 colder periods, and higher BDE-47:99 ratios in warmer periods.
Improved force-directed scheduling

Presents a mathematical justification of the technique of force-directed scheduling and propose two modifications of the basic algorithm introduced by Paulin and Knight. The newly presented modifications improve the effectiveness of force-directed scheduling without affecting its time complexity. This is illustrated by an empirical performance analysis based on a number of problem instances. <<ETX>>