Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Charging and discharging characteristics of Lead acid and Li-ion batteries

The secondary battery (or rechargeable battery) is such battery where electrical energy can be stored as chemical energy and this chemical energy is then converted to electrical energy as when required. Batteries are used for this purpose from more than a century. Use of battery for off grid power supply can increase overall system efficiency, and provide economic savings across the system life cycle. Reliability of power supply from renewable and conventional sources can improve by using battery as energy storage medium. Battery can be charge by using solar energy for use of renewable energy or by power supply for use of conventional energy supply. Different battery shows different voltage and current characteristics when charged by using power supply. This paper outlines the charging and discharging characteristics of Lead acid and Li-ion batteries Experiment was conducted in Solar Lighting Lab at TERI, New Delhi. The main aim of this paper is to introduce the reader to the concept of end of charge and discharge of battery.
Importance of the monomer–dimer–tetramer interconversion of the clock protein KaiB in the generation of circadian oscillations in cyanobacteria

The molecular machinery of the cyanobacterial circadian clock oscillator consists of three proteins, KaiA, KaiB and KaiC, which interact with each other to generate circadian oscillations in the presence of ATP (the in vitro KaiABC clock oscillator). KaiB comprises four subunits organized as a dimer of dimers. Our previous study suggested that, on interaction with KaiC, the tetrameric KaiB molecule dissociates into two molecules of dimeric KaiB. It is uncertain whether KaiB also exists as a monomer and whether the KaiB monomer can drive normal circadian oscillation. To address these questions, we constructed a new KaiB oligomer mutant with an N‐terminal deletion, KaiB10–108. KaiB10–108 was a monomer at 4 °C but a dimer at 35 °C. KaiB10–108 was able to drive normal clock oscillation in an in vitro reconstituted KaiABC clock oscillator at 25 °C, but it was not able to drive normal circadian gene expression rhythms in cyanobacterial cells at 41 °C. Wild‐type KaiB existed in equilibrium between a dimer and tetramer at lower KaiB concentrations or in the presence of 1 m NaCl. Our findings suggest that KaiB is in equilibrium between a monomer, dimer and tetramer in cyanobacterial cells.
The Structure of an Alternative Form ofParacoccus pantotrophus Cytochromecd 1 Nitrite Reductase*

Cytochrome cd 1 nitrite reductase is a bifunctional enzyme, which can catalyze the 1-electron reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide and the 4-electron reduction of dioxygen to water. Here we describe the structure of reduced nitrite reductase, crystallized under anaerobic conditions. The structure reveals substantial domain rearrangements with the c domain rotated by 60° and shifted by approximately 20 Å compared with previously known structures from crystals grown under oxidizing conditions. This alternative conformation gives rise to different electron transfer routes between the c andd 1 domains and points to the involvement of elements of very large structural changes in the function in this enzyme. In the present structure, the c heme has a His-69/Met-106 ligation, and this ligation does not change upon oxidation in the crystal. The d 1 heme is penta-coordinated, and the d 1 iron is displaced from the heme plane by 0.5 Å toward the proximal ligand, His-200. After oxidation, the iron moves into the d 1heme plane. A surprising finding is that although reduced nitrite reductase can be readily oxidized by dioxygen in the new crystal, it cannot turnover with its other substrate, nitrite. The results suggest that the rearrangement of the domains affects catalysis and substrate selectivity.
A regression analysis of determinants affecting crude oil price

Studies and researches have been carried out on factors affecting crude oil prices; however, in most of these studies factors that have contributed to the fluctuation in oil prices, e.g. days of forward supply, convenience yield, underinvestment and geopolitics have been ignored. The importance of financial variables and geopolitics has also increased volume of transactions that would today represent about thirty-five times the oil traded in the physical market. This paper describes a new model of the most important variables that affect crude oil prices by using a new technique called principal component analysis (PCA) that can capture the Fundamental and geopolitical variables. Results indicate that fundamentals and the role of organization of petroleum exporting countries are the most important variables that affect crude oil prices.
HIF-1α and HIF-2α correlate with migration and invasion in gastric cancer

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1) is a major determinant of invasion and metastasis in several tumor types. We previously reported that HIF-1α contributed to multidrug resistance in gastric cancer. However, the role of HIF-2α on progression of gastric cancer is seldom reported. In this study, we firstly examined the possible role of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in the process of invasiveness and metastasis of gastric cancer, using immunohistochemistry of 80 gastric cancer tissues, Western blot and real-time PCR of 8 fresh gastric cancer tissues. The results showed that HIF-1α and HIF-2α significantly correlated with clinical stage and were highly expressed in metastatic gastric cancers compared to nonmetastatic ones. Western blot analysis revealed that hypoxia (1% O2, 8 h) induced HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression in different gastric cancer cell lines, including SGC7901, AGS, MGC803, and MKN45. Adhesion and invasion assays found that hypoxia caused an increase in adhesive and invasive abilities of gastric cancer cells. Small interfering ( si ) RNA against HIF-1α and HIF-2α in SGC7901 cells significantly inhibited hypoxia-induced adhesive and invasive abilities. Finally, the JNK inhibitor SP600125 abolished hypoxia-induced HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression, and inhibited the adhesive and invasive abilities of gastric cancer cells exposed to hypoxia in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, the present work suggested that HIF-1α and HIF-2α were involved in metastasis and invasion of gastric cancer cells under hypoxia, with the involvement of JNK signal pathway.
Polylinker‐Encoded Peptides Can Confer Toxicity to Recombinant Proteins Produced in Escherichia coli

Three DNA segments encoding fragments of the p60 capsid protein of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) have been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The cDNAs were placed under the control of the T7 promoter in a pET‐derived expression vector designed to produce C‐terminal histidine tail fusions. By using different cloning strategies, cell toxicity exhibited by some of the expressed products was dramatically affected, coincident with minor modifications in the carboxy terminus sequences of the recombinant proteins. In particular, the presence of a nonhydrophobic peptide encoded by polylinker sequences promotes cell death and a reduced yield after induction of gene expression, whereas a histidine tail has no detectable effect. These data point out the critical role that needless peptide tails, accidentally introduced into recombinant proteins by nonrelevant DNA stretches, can have on protein expression and final yield of a production process.
Application of the Cockcroft–Gault method to estimate lithium dosage requirement

Abstract The aim of the present study was to assess the precision and bias of a priori methods in the estimation of lithium dosage requirement among bipolar patients. The charts of 82 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder–fourth edition bipolar patients with previous history of lithium intoxication were reviewed. After excluding patients who had discontinued lithium treatment, 69 patients were entered to the study. Another 60 bipolar patients without history of lithium intoxication were also included in the study. The demographic data regarding factors thought to affect serum lithium concentrations, including gender, weight, and renal function, was retrospectively collected. Predicted daily lithium doses were calculated by using the new equation derived by the present authors and a priori methods proposed by Pepin et al., Zetin et al., Terao et al. and Keck et al. Mean error was calculated to assess the precision and bias of each a priori method. The Zetin method, the Terao method, and the Keck method had a significant tendency to overpredict dosage requirement. The Pepin method significantly underpredicted dosage. Only the 95% confidence interval of mean error of the present authors' equation was across zero. The present authors' equation represents a precise approach to estimate the lithium dose requirement and is easy to calculate. Regardless of the accuracy of each a priori method in predicting a patient's drug dosage, there is no substitute for proper serum drug concentration monitoring and good clinical judgment. Predictions made by any method should always be assessed clinically before applying its use in a patient.
Analysis of the Notes to the Financial Statement Related to Balance Sheet in Case of Hungarian Information-Technology Service Companies

Abstract The main aim of the study to examine the extent to which the companies of a specific Hungarian sector fulfil their obligation to provide information in their notes to the financial statements as stipulated by the Accounting Act. Accordingly, it should be examined whether the notes to financial statements contains the required data regarding the balance sheets of companies investigated. For the analyses, it was used the notes to the financial statement of 8,226 companies with Hungarian headquarters, which are regulated by the Hungarian Accounting Act and which have information-technology services as the main business activity. It was investigated 95.78% of the financial reports containing the notes. The analysis was performed using text mining method, utilizing every available notes to the financial statement of the sector. Findings of the study reveal that the amount of published information shows greater and lesser differences and in many cases, the quantity of published data does not fulfil even the minimal obligations stipulated legally.
Two Types of cDNAs Encoding Proopiomelanocortin of Sockeye Salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka

Abstract To investigate regulatory mechanisms of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene expression in sockeye salmon, we have isolated and characterized cDNAs encoding two types of sockeye salmon POMC, which are referred to as ssPOMC-A and -B. Two types of PCR products were amplified from total RNA of sockeye salmon pituitaries by use of rainbow trout sequences. Full length cDNA clones encoding ssPOMCA and ssPOMC-B were obtained from a pituitary cDNA library of sockeye salmon using the PCR products as probes. The ssPOMC-A and -B cDNAs have a length of 1072 and 1709 bps, respectively. Northern blot analysis showed that both ssPOMC-A and -B mRNAs were expressed only in the pituitary, and their sizes were about 1.2 kb and 1.8 kb, respectively. The presence of two ssPOMC genes was confirmed by Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA obtained from a single sockeye salmon. The deduced amino acid sequences of the ssPOMC-A and -B contained 230 and 226 residues, respectively. The amino terminal of &bgr;-endorphin in ssPOMC-B which corresponds to Met-enkephalin domain is YSGFM, which is different from YGGFM of Met-enkephalin found in many other vertebrate species. The homology of nucleotide sequences between ssPOMC-A and -B is 59% in the entire coding region, whereas &agr;-MSH coding regions are highly homologous (91 %). Although the deduced amino acid sequences of ssPOMCs show 43% overall similarity, their hydropathy profiles are coincident with those of several other vertebrate species, particularly the amino terminal of N-terminal peptide (NPP) shows almost the same pattern with other vertebrate NPPs.
Functional analysis of the cya promoter of Bordetella pertussis

The cyaA gene of Bordetella pertussis and of Bordetella bronchiseptica encodes a toxin which is a bifunctional protein exhibiting adenylate cyclase and haemolytic activities. In Bordetella, virulence factors are synthesized under the control of the bvg regulatory locus, in response to environmental signals. In Escherichia coli the cyaA gene is not expressed, nor is it activated by bvg indicating that the activation of cya by bvg is indirect. To characterize cis‐acting regulatory regions required for the activation of the cyaA gene we constructed cyaA–lacZY fusions containing progressive deletions in the promoter upstream region and isolated promoter mutations by chemical and site‐directed mutagenesis. Deletion analysis shows that a region extending from −569 to −136 bp upstream from the start site of transcription is required for transactivation by bvg, suggesting that multiple binding sites are involved in the activation of the cyaA promoter. No single or double mutations in the promoter upstream region were found which conferred inactive or bvg‐independent Cya phenotype. A double mutation in positions +10 and +13, relative to the transcription start site, rendered the promoter bvg‐independent and functional in E. coli. The constitutive mutations create a new transcription start site, 20 bp downstream from the witd‐type site, by providing new −10 and −35 elements recognized by RNA polymerase alone.
Health benefits of primary care social work for adults with complex health and social needs: a systematic review

The prevalence of complex health and social needs in primary care patients is growing. Furthermore, recent research suggests that the impact of psychosocial distress on the significantly poorer health outcomes in this population may have been underestimated. The potential of social work in primary care settings has been extensively discussed in both health and social work literature and there is evidence that social work interventions in other settings are particularly effective in addressing psychosocial needs. However, the evidence base for specific improved health outcomes related to primary care social work is minimal. This review aimed to identify and synthesise the available evidence on the health benefits of social work interventions in primary care settings. Nine electronic databases were searched from 1990 to 2015 and seven primary research studies were retrieved. Due to the heterogeneity of studies, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Although there is no definitive evidence for effectiveness, results suggest a promising role for primary care social work interventions in improving health outcomes. These include subjective health measures and self-management of long-term conditions, reducing psychosocial morbidity and barriers to treatment and health maintenance. Although few rigorous study designs were found, the contextual detail and clinical settings of studies provide evidence of the practice applicability of social work intervention. Emerging policy on the integration of health and social care may provide an opportunity to develop this model of care.
Comparison of the forced oscillation technique and the interrupter technique for assessing airway obstruction and its reversibility in children.

The forced oscillation technique (FOT) and interrupter technique are particularly attractive for pediatric use as they require only passive cooperation from the patient. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of these methods for detecting airway obstruction and its reversibility in 118 children (3-16 yr) with asthma or chronic nocturnal cough. FOT (R(0) and R(16)) and interruption (Rint) parameters were measured at baseline and after bronchodilator inhalation (n = 94). Rint was significantly lower than R(0), especially in children with high baseline values. Baseline parameters were normalized for height and weight [R(SD)]. In children able to perform forced expiratory maneuvers (n = 93), the best discrimination between those with baseline FEV(1) < 80% or > or = 80% of predicted values was obtained with R(0)(SD). At a specificity of 80%, R(0)(SD) yielded 66% sensitivity, whereas Rint(SD) yielded only 33% sensitivity. Similarly, postbronchodilator changes in R(0)(SD) [DeltaR(0)(SD)] yielded the best discrimination between children with and without significant reversibility in FEV(1). At a specificity of 80%, DeltaR(0)(SD) yielded 67% sensitivity and DeltaRint(SD) yielded 58% sensitivity. In children unable to perform forced expiratory maneuvers (n = 25), FOT, contrary to the interrupter technique, clearly identified a subgroup of young children with high resistance values at baseline, which returned to normal after bronchodilation. We conclude that, in asthmatic children over 3 yr old, FOT measurements provide a more reliable evaluation of bronchial obstruction and its reversibility compared with the interrupter technique, especially in young children with high baseline values.
Electroporation Enhances Immunogenicity of a DNA Vaccine Expressing Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Surface Antigen in Woodchucks

ABSTRACT The development of therapeutic vaccines for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been hampered by host immune tolerance and the generally low magnitude and inconsistent immune responses to conventional vaccines and proposed new delivery methods. Electroporation (EP) for plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccine delivery has demonstrated the enhanced immunogenicity of HBV antigens in various animal models. In the present study, the efficiency of the EP-based delivery of pDNA expressing various reporter genes first was evaluated in normal woodchucks, and then the immunogenicity of an analog woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) surface antigen (WHsAg) pDNA vaccine was studied in this model. The expression of reporter genes was greatly increased when the cellular uptake of pDNA was facilitated by EP. The EP of WHsAg-pDNA resulted in enhanced, dose-dependent antibody and T-cell responses to WHsAg compared to those of the conventional hypodermic needle injection of WHsAg-pDNA. Although subunit WHsAg protein vaccine elicited higher antibody titers than the DNA vaccine delivered with EP, T-cell response rates were comparable. However, in WHsAg-stimulated mononuclear cell cultures, the mRNA expression of CD4 and CD8 leukocyte surface markers and Th1 cytokines was more frequent and was skewed following DNA vaccination compared to that of protein immunization. Thus, the EP-based vaccination of normal woodchucks with pDNA-WHsAg induced a skew in the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1 immune responses, which may be considered more appropriate for approaches involving therapeutic vaccines to treat chronic HBV infection.
The long-Run and Short-Run Analysis between Stock Market Index and Macroeconomic Variables in Jordan: Bounds Tests Approach

This paper investigates the long-run and short-run relationship between stock market index and the macroeconomic variables in Jordan. Annual time series data for the 1978–2017 periods and the ARDL bounding test are used. The results identify long-run equilibrium relationship between stock market index and the macroeconomic variables in Jordan. Jordanian policy makers have to pay more attention to the current regulation in the Amman Stock Exchange(ASE) and manage it well, thus ultimately helping financial development.
WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative: School Nutrition Environment and Body Mass Index in Primary Schools

Background: Schools are important settings for the promotion of a healthy diet and sufficient physical activity and thus overweight prevention. Objective: To assess differences in school nutrition environment and body mass index (BMI) in primary schools between and within 12 European countries. Methods: Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) were used (1831 and 2045 schools in 2007/2008 and 2009/2010, respectively). School personnel provided information on 18 school environmental characteristics on nutrition and physical activity. A school nutrition environment score was calculated using five nutrition-related characteristics whereby higher scores correspond to higher support for a healthy school nutrition environment. Trained field workers measured children’s weight and height; BMI-for-age (BMI/A) Z-scores were computed using the 2007 WHO growth reference and, for each school, the mean of the children’s BMI/A Z-scores was calculated. Results: Large between-country differences were found in the availability of food items on the premises (e.g., fresh fruit could be obtained in 12%−95% of schools) and school nutrition environment scores (range: 0.30−0.93). Low-score countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania) graded less than three characteristics as supportive. High-score (≥0.70) countries were Ireland, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden. The combined absence of cold drinks containing sugar, sweet snacks and salted snacks were more observed in high-score countries than in low-score countries. Largest within-country school nutrition environment scores were found in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania. All country-level BMI/A Z-scores were positive (range: 0.20−1.02), indicating higher BMI values than the 2007 WHO growth reference. With the exception of Norway and Sweden, a country-specific association between the school nutrition environment score and the school BMI/A Z-score was not observed. Conclusions: Some European countries have implemented more school policies that are supportive to a healthy nutrition environment than others. However, most countries with low school nutrition environment scores also host schools with supportive school environment policies, suggesting that a uniform school policy to tackle the “unhealthy” school nutrition environment has not been implemented at the same level throughout a country and may underline the need for harmonized school policies.
PrP mRNA and protein expression in brain and PrPc in CSF in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease MM1 and VV2

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a heterogenic neurodegenerative disorder associated with abnormal post-translational processing of cellular prion protein (PrPc). CJD displays distinctive clinical and pathological features which correlate with the genotype at the codon 129 (methionine or valine: M or V respectively) in the prion protein gene and with size of the protease-resistant core of the abnormal prion protein PrPsc (type 1: 20/21 kDa and type 2: 19 kDa). MM1 and VV2 are the most common sporadic CJD (sCJD) subtypes. PrP mRNA expression levels in the frontal cortex and cerebellum are reduced in sCJD in a form subtype-dependent. Total PrP protein levels and PrPsc levels in the frontal cortex and cerebellum accumulate differentially in sCJD MM1 and sCJD VV2 with no relation between PrPsc deposition and spongiform degeneration and neuron loss, but with microgliosis, and IL6 and TNF-α response. In the CSF, reduced PrPc, the only form present in this compartment, occurs in sCJD MM1 and VV2. PrP mRNA expression is also reduced in the frontal cortex in advanced stages of Alzheimer disease, Lewy body disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and frontotemporal lobe degeneration, but PrPc levels in brain varies from one disease to another. Reduced PrPc levels in CSF correlate with PrP mRNA expression in brain, which in turn reflects severity of degeneration in sCJD.