Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diverse Complexities, Complex Diversities

This paper highlights considerations for critical qualitative researchers in relation to the need to enact methodologies that are contextually responsive. It outlines a range of intersecting complexities that emerge from a critical reading of the context for research in Aotearoa (New Zealand), which include histories of colonisation of Indigenous peoples, increasing cultural diversity likely to be futher impacted by migration from Pacific Islands to Aotearoa because of the climate change crisis, and increasing economic disparities between rich and poor. It then draws upon scholarship by Māori and Pacific Island scholars that identifies alternative methodologies that arise from Indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing, and relating. It concludes with a series of questions that may be informative for researchers as they design methodologies which engage Indigenous and other diverse perspectives and peoples.
Women in public relations: The influence of gender on women leaders in public relations

The purpose of this research was to understand how gender has influenced the experiences of women in leadership positions in public relations. Data were collected through interviews with 10 women working in leadership positions in the public relations field and analyzed into themes. The findings revealed six major themes related to the experiences of these women leaders in public relations: (a) promotional barriers, (b) double standards for women, (c) pressure of stereotypes, (d) leadership styles, (e) female competition and bullying, and (f) optimism about the future. Findings revealed that these women think that gender has influenced the challenges and success they have faced in their careers; specifically, the participants described their challenges as promotional barriers as well as inequalities in salary and representation in leadership roles. The findings also indicated that these women think they are perceived as leaders in both a positive and negative light and believe a double standard exists between women and men leaders. Finally, the findings also revealed an issue with female competition in the form of workplace bullying. However, the participants see a shift happening in the field of public relations regarding gender issues, which they believe will benefit women.
Brush‐border membrane alkaline phosphatase activity in mouse Peyer's patch follicle‐associated enterocytes.

1. Using a new method of quantitative cytochemistry to determine alkaline phosphatase activity, it was possible to identify M cells and distinguish two further types of enterocytes present in mouse Peyer's patch follicle‐associated epithelial tissue. 2. A quantitative description of these three cell types was provided by making direct absorbance measurements of enzyme reaction product on the luminal surface of individual follicle‐associated enterocytes. M cells having a negligible alkaline phosphatase activity had a mean absorbance of 6 +/‐ 2 arbitrary units. The other two populations of enterocytes had overlapping but significantly different mean absorbances of 20 +/‐ 2 and 30 +/‐ 3 arbitrary units. 3. M cells accounted for 3.2 +/‐ 1% of the total number of cells present in the apical part of the follicle‐associated epithelium. This percentage is a minimum value describing an extreme example of cells having M cell‐like characteristics. The remaining epithelial cells were divided equally between those having high and low alkaline phosphatase activities in their brush‐border membranes. A small percentage of cells having low alkaline phosphatase activities could perform M cell functions. 4. Results obtained suggest that reduced alkaline phosphatase activity and brush‐border membrane Cl‐ conductance can both be used as differentiation markers to identify a large population of poorly differentiated enterocytes present in mouse follicle‐associated epithelial tissue.
Inner-sphere reorganization energy of iron-sulfur clusters studied with theoretical methods.

Models of several types of iron-sulfur clusters (e.g., Fe(4)S(4)(SCH(3))(4)(2-/3-/4-)) have been studied with the density functional B3LYP method and medium-sized basis sets. In a vacuum, the inner-sphere reorganization energies are 40, 76, 40, 62, 43, and 42 kJ/mol for the rubredoxin, [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin, Rieske, [4Fe-4S] ferredoxin, high-potential iron protein, and desulfoferrodoxin models, respectively. The first two types of clusters were also studied in the protein, where the reorganization energy was approximately halved. This change is caused by the numerous NH.S(Cys) hydrogen bonds to the negatively charged iron-sulfur cluster, giving rise to a polar local environment. The reorganization energy of the iron-sulfur clusters is low because the iron ions retain the same geometry and coordination number in both oxidation states. Cysteine ligands give approximately the same reorganization energy as imidazole, but they have the advantage of stabilizing a lower coordination number and giving more covalent bonds and therefore more effective electron-transfer paths.
A novel ATP‐binding cassette transporter from Leishmania is involved in transport of phosphatidylcholine analogues and resistance to alkyl‐phospholipids

ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters represent an important family of membrane proteins involved in drug resistance and other biological activities. The present work reports the characterization of the first ABC subfamily G (ABCG)‐like transporter, LiABCG4, in the protozoan parasite Leishmania. LiABCG4 localized mainly to the parasite plasma membrane. Overexpression of this half‐transporter reduced the accumulation of phosphatidylcholine analogues and conferred resistance to alkyl‐phospholipids. Likewise, when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the protein localized to the yeast plasma membrane and conferred resistance to alkyl‐phospholipids. Post‐Golgi secretory vesicles isolated from a LiABCG4‐overexpressing yeast mutant contained the leishmanial ABC transporter and exhibited ATP‐dependent, vanadate‐sensitive transport of phosphatidylcholine analogues from the cytosolic to the lumenal leaflet of the vesicle membrane. Cross‐linking showed dimerization of LiABCG4. These results suggest that LiABCG4 is involved in the active transport of phosphatidylcholine and resistance to alkyl‐phospholipids in Leishmania.
Exploring collective narratives of violence: intersections of gendered “selves” of place and time among members of an African women’s support network

8 Chapter 1: Background significance.9 Introduction.9 Rationale for the current study.10 Exploring collective narratives.11 Chapter 2: Literature Review: Contextualising Gender-Based Violence and Migrant Subjectivities in South Africa.14 Contextualising gender-based violence in South Africa.14 Gender-based violence in South Africa.14 Gender-based violence in countries of Sub-Saharan Africa -the extent of the problem.16 African migrant women: Subjectivity and Culture.17 Beyond gender, race, and socio-economic position.17 Migrant women and culture.18 Chapter 3: Literature Review: Agency, Resistance and Woman Abuse.22 Early theories of woman abuse.22 Literature on women‟s agency: „Choice‟ and leaving abusive men.24 Agency within the abusive relationship.24 Agency during the process of leaving an abuser.26 Leaving and shelters for abused women.28 The Landscape of memory: Social constructionist approaches to agency and identity.31 Feminist poststructuralist theory, gender-based violence, and women‟s agency.31
Intact-protein-based High-resolution Three-dimensional Quantitative Analysis System for Proteome Profiling of Biological Fluids*

The substantial complexity and vast dynamic range of protein abundance in biological fluids, notably serum and plasma, present a formidable challenge for comprehensive protein analysis. Integration of multiple technologies is required to achieve high-resolution and high-sensitivity proteomics analysis of biological fluids. We have implemented an orthogonal three-dimensional intact-protein analysis system (IPAS), coupled with protein tagging and immunodepletion of abundant proteins, to quantitatively profile the human plasma proteome. Following immunodepletion, plasma proteins in each of paired samples are concentrated and labeled with a different Cy dye, before mixing. Proteins are subsequently separated in three dimensions according to their charge, hydrophobicity, and molecular mass. Differences in the abundance of resolved proteins are determined based on Cy dye ratios. We have applied this strategy to profile the plasma proteome for changes that occur with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Using capillary HPLC ESI Q-TOF MS, we identified 75 proteins in the micromolar to femtomolar range that exhibited quantitative differences between the pre- and post-GVHD samples. These proteins included serum amyloid A, apolipoproteins A-I/A-IV, and complement C3 that are well-known acute-phase reactants likely reflecting the post-BMT inflammatory state. In addition, we identified some potentially interesting immunologically relevant molecules including vitamin D-binding protein, fetuin, vitronectin, proline-rich protein 3 and 4, integrin-α, and leukocyte antigen CD97. IPAS provides a combination of comprehensive profiling and quantitative analysis, with a substantial dynamic range, for disease-related applications.
QoS aware downlink scheduler for a carrier aggregation LTE-Advance network with efficient carrier power control

Carrier Aggregation (CA) features will enhance Quality of Service (QoS) for the users as well as cell throughput of the LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) base-station (eNodeB). To deliver a high QoS for users, an eNodeB requires a well-designed and efficient CA enabled downlink scheduling algorithm. Enabling aggregation of multiple component carriers leads to huge power consumption compared with non-CA scenario. To the best of our knowledge, CA enabled downlink scheduling mechanisms which have been proposed so far in the literature has not addressed simultaneously the QoS, carrier's power allocation and Physical Resource Block (PRB) utilization while taking scheduling decisions. In this paper, we propose a novel and efficient Multi Objective based CA Scheduling (MOCAS) algorithm, namely MOCAS-MinMax and MOCAS-NSGAII (Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic II). Analysis as well as simulation results reveal that for 100 cell user's scenario, MOCAS (MinMax and NSGAII) gives a minimum cell throughput gain of two times compared with well-referred CA schedulers like round robin (RR), Efficient Packet Scheduling (EPS), Joint Carrier Scheduler (JS), SJS-PF, Cross-CC User Migration (CUM). Moreover, MOCAS have higher PRB utilization as well scheduling energy efficiency compared with RR and EPS.
Using MODELTEST and PAUP* to Select a Model of Nucleotide Substitution

Models of nucleotide substitution are commonly used in the analysis of DNA sequences. This unit describes the use of the program MODELTEST (coupled with PAUP*) to find the best‐fit model of substitution for the sequence alignment at hand. An example data file is analyzed and the interpretation of the results is discussed. Some background theory on model selection and a discussion of the relevance of models is included at the end of the unit.
Proportionally Fair User Scheduling for Multiuser MIMO Systems with Unequal Average SNR Users

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communications systems have attracted a lot of attentions, because of their potential for high gain in channel capacity. Recently, attention has shifted to multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) systems. In the schemes for downlink MU-MIMO system, dirty paper coding (DPC) and block diagonalization (BD) algorithms can provide higher sum rate capacity of MU-MIMO systems; however, exhaustive user scheduling for them may cause prohibitive computation complexity. The greedy scheduling algorithms were proposed for DPC and for BD; and proportionally fair (PF) scheduling for MU-MIMO was also discussed in the previous works. However, the discussions in where mainly based on the system model with equal average signal to noise power ratio (SNR) users. In this paper, we focus on the user scheduling for the downlink of MU-MIMO systems with DPC transmission scheme, where each user is assumed to have only one receive antenna, which will simplify the analysis and is expected to give more insight of PF scheduling. We also assume each individual user has different average transmit SNR in the system. We modify the conventional user scheduling algorithm for DPC to modified Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization (M-GSO) based algorithm and extend it into PF scheduling. We also propose a modified PF metric corresponding to the unequal SNR users system model, that increases the sum rate capacity of MU-MIMO system.
Function of the Clavicular Part of the Pectoralis Major Muscle After Transplantation of Its Sternocostal Part

Background:Muscle-sparing transplantation of the sternocostal part of the pectoralis major muscle while preserving the clavicular part of the muscle may reduce donor-site morbidity, particularly in cases where dissection of the lymph nodes of the neck has been performed. The nerve supply and motor function of the clavicular part is alleged to be preserved when the sternocostal part is transposed through the deltopectoral groove. This study aims to objectify such preservation. Methods:Muscle activity of the remaining clavicular and abdominal muscle parts was determined electromyographically, dynamometrically, and goniometrically on 17 sides in 16 patients after head and neck reconstruction. Subjective assessment was obtained by use of a structured questionnaire. Results:The electromyogram proved preservation of innervation of 16 of 17 clavicular parts. The electromyogram of the abdominal part showed no signs of denervation on 10 sides and normal, full interference patterns at maximum voluntary effort in all patients. Selective functional testing of the clavicular part revealed decreased force in horizontal adduction in 11 out of 15 patients. Still, the isolated effect of the pectoralis major transposition on shoulder function could not be objectified statistically. Subjective evaluation yielded that shoulder disability was more likely to have been correlated with loss of trapezius muscle function. Conclusion:We conclude that the innervation of the clavicular part, indeed, is preserved by transposition of the sternocostal part through the deltopectoral groove. This supports the validity, effectiveness, and functional acceptability of our muscle-sparing technique of partial pectoralis major transplantation.
Lipopolysaccharide Modulates Chemotactic Peptide‐lnduced Actin Polymerization in Neutrophils

To study the effect of endotoxin (LPS) on the basal and chemotactic peptide, formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP) ‐induced alterations in neutrophil cytoskeleton, we purified (>98%) LPS‐free neutrophils (LPS‐ < 10 pg/ml LPS), compared their cytoskeletal organization to that of circulating neutrophils, and examined the effect of LPS exposure on the basal and fMLP‐induced change in the cytoskeleton as reflected by F‐actin content and distribution. Shape, F‐actin content and distribution were monitored by FACS analysis and fluorescence microscopy of NBDphallicidin‐stained cells. The F‐actin content of basal and fMLP‐activated, purified LPS‐ cells is similar to that of circulating neutrophils (defined as cells drawn in LPS‐ buffers at 37°C and analyzed after <10 seconds of ex vivo manipulation). LPS‐ cells are round with a diffuse F‐actin distribution. Exposure of LPS‐ cells to LPS causes cell polarization and F‐actin redistribution without net gain in F‐actin content. Peptide activation of the LPS‐ cell causes actin polymerization, which is preceded by a brief lag time. Exposure of LPS‐ cells to LPS (LPS+) enhances fMLP‐induced actin polymerization by: 1) increasing the maximal extent of polymerization; 2) shortening the lag time preceding polymerization and increasing the rate of polymerization; and 3) lowering fMLP dose required for half maximal F‐actin response. The enhancement depends on LPS dose, duration of exposure, and temperature. To examine the mechanism whereby LPS enhances fMLP‐induced actin polymerization, we determined the predominant end for filament growth in LPS‐ and LPS+ cells, the number of actin nuclei generated in LPS‐ and LPS+ by fMLP activation, and the number and affinity of fMLP receptors on LPS‐ and LPS+ cells by 3[H]fMLP binding. Actin polymerization in both LPS‐ and LPS+ occurs predominantly by monomer addition to the barbed ends of nuclei, and the number of actin nuclei in basal and fMLP‐activated LPS‐ and LPS+ cells is similar. LPS+ cells express three times more fMLP receptors than LPS‐ cells. The results show that LPS‐ cells are similar in cytoskeletal organization to circulating neutrophils, LPS causes shape change without change in F‐actin content, and LPS enhances fMLP‐induced actin polymerization response in neutrophils. The results suggest that LPS enhancement of actin polymerization response is associated with an increase in the number of fMLP receptors expressed on the cell surface.
Novel Synthetic, Host-defense Peptide Protects Against Organ Injury/Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Severe Hemorrhagic Shock

Objective: To evaluate (1) levels of the host-defense/antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in patients with trauma and hemorrhagic shock (HS) and (2) the effects of a synthetic host-defense peptide; Pep19-4LF on multiple organ failure (MOF) associated with HS. Background: HS is a common cause of death in severely injured patients. There is no specific therapy that reduces HS-associated MOF. Methods: (1) LL-37 was measured in 47 trauma/HS patients admitted to an urban major trauma center. (2) Male Wistar rats were submitted to HS (90 min, target mean arterial pressure: 27–32 mm Hg) or sham operation. Rats were treated with Pep19-4LF [66 (n = 8) or 333 &mgr;g/kg · h (n = 8)] or vehicle (n = 12) for 4 hours following resuscitation. Results: Plasma LL-37 was 12-fold higher in patients with trauma/HS compared to healthy volunteers. HS rats treated with Pep19-4LF (high dose) had a higher mean arterial pressure at the end of the 4-hour resuscitation period (79 ± 4 vs 54 ± 5 mm Hg) and less renal dysfunction, liver injury, and lung inflammation than HS rats treated with vehicle. Pep19-4LF enhanced (kidney/liver) the phosphorylation of (1) protein kinase B and (2) endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Pep19-4LF attenuated the HS-induced (1) translocation of p65 from cytosol to nucleus, (2) phosphorylation of I&kgr;B kinase on Ser176/180, and (3) phosphorylation of I&kgr;B&agr; on Ser32/36 resulting in inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B and formation of proinflammatory cytokines. Pep19-4LF prevented the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha caused by heparan sulfate in human mononuclear cells by binding to this damage-associated molecular pattern. Conclusions: Trauma-associated HS results in release of LL-37. The synthetic host-defense/antimicrobial peptide Pep19-4LF attenuates the organ injury/dysfunction associated with HS.
Nonstochastic information concepts for estimation and control

Entropy and information are crucial notions in stochastic communication systems. However, they have arguably not been as central in control theory, which has a rich tradition of non-random models and techniques. This tutorial session aims to describe the key elements of certain non-probabilistic entropy and information concepts for state estimation and control. In this paper, which comprises the first half of the session, the focus is on a recently developed theory of nonstochastic information. Motivated by worst-case estimation and control, this framework allows non-statistical analogues of mutual independence, Markovness, information, and directed information to be rigorously defined. This yields powerful information-theoretic tools for finding fundamental bounds in zero-error communication and worst-case control systems. In the second half of this session, notions of entropy for deterministic nonlinear control systems are described, based on dynamical systems theory. These notions lead to characterisations of minimal feedback data rates for set-invariance. Taken together, the concepts discussed in this session give deterministic control theorists a way to use information and entropy ideas, without having to adopt a stochastic formulation.
Leaders, Tenure, and the Politics of Sovereign Credit

ABSTRACT Sovereign creditworthiness is as much a function of politics as economic fundamentals. Previous research has focused on the relationship between creditworthiness and political factors such as regime type, regional effects, and international organization membership. These factors, while important, often change slowly and do not always capture the more dynamic political determinants of creditworthiness. As an alternative, this study focuses on the role of leaders. We argue that leaders’ tenure reduces uncertainty in the sovereign credit market. Time in power allows leaders to better manage expectations related to sovereign credit policy of both domestic supporters and market actors. As a result, we expect that creditworthiness improves as a leader’s tenure increases. We find supporting evidence for our argument using two distinct empirical approaches: panel data analysis and a natural experiment. Our findings provide a better understanding of the relationship between leaders, politics, and sovereign credit.
Phospholipid Synthesis in the Squid Giant Axon: Incorporation of Lipid Precursors

Abstract: The squid giant axon and extruded axoplasm from the giant axon were used to study the capacity of axoplasm for phospholipid synthesis. Extruded axoplasm, suspended in chemically defined media, catalyzed the synthesis of phospholipids from all of the precursors tested. 32P‐Labeled inorganic phosphate and γ‐labeled ATP were actively incorporated into phosphatidylinositol phosphate, while [2‐3H]myo‐inositol and l‐[3H(G)]serine were actively incorporated into phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine, respectively. Though less well utilized, [2‐3H]glycerol was incorporated into phosphatide acid, phosphatidylinositol, and triglyceride, and [methyl‐3H]choline and [1‐3H]ethanolamine were incorporated into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. Isolated squid giant axons were incubated in artificial seawater containing the above precursors. The axoplasm was extruded following the incubations. Although most of the product lipids were recovered in the sheath (composed of cortical axoplasm, axolemma, and surrounding satellite cells), significant amounts (4–20%) were present in the extruded axoplasm. With tritiated choline and myo‐inositol, the major labeled phospholipids found in both the extruded axoplasm and the sheath were phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol, respectively. With both glycerol and phosphate, phosphatidylethanolamine was a major labeled lipid in both axoplasm and sheath. These findings demonstrate that all classes of phospholipids are formed by endogenous synthetic enzymes in axoplasm. In addition, we feel that the different patterns of incorporation by intact axons and extruded axoplasm indicate that surrounding sheath cells contribute lipids to axoplasm. A comprehensive picture of axonal lipid metabolism should include axoplasmic synthesis and glial‐axon transfer as pathways complementing the axonal transport of perikaryally formed lipids.