Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Action of Novel Arginine Derivative on Catecholamine Secretion Evoked by Acetylcholine from Cultured Bovine Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

Summary: Anovel product, 4‐amino‐5‐guanidinopentanoic acid 15‐ [(4‐aminobutyl)‐3‐aminopropylcarbamoyl] pentadecyl ester (Arg‐ HSA‐Spm), was synthesized based on ptilomycalin A, which is one of the extracts from marine sponge. Arg‐HSA‐Spm contains arginine in its chemical structure. The pharmacological action of Arg‐HSASpm on catecholamine secretion from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells was examined. Arg‐HSA‐Spm inhibited catecholamine secretion stimulated by the physiological secretagog acetylcholine. This inhibitory action of Arg‐HSA‐Spm on catecholamine secretion induced by 10‐4 M acetylcholine was dose‐dependent from 10‐8 M to 10‐5 M. In the presence of 3 × 10‐7 M Arg‐HSA‐Spm, the stimulation of catecholamine secretion observed by increasing acetylcholine up to 10‐3 M did not reach the maximal level observed without Arg‐ HSA‐Spm. Arg‐HSA‐Spm at 10‐5 M suppressed both the increase in intracellular free Ca2+ level and the influx of 45Ca2+ induced by 10‐4M acetylcholine. The Arg‐HSA‐Spm‐induced suppression of intracellular free Ca2+ level, the influx of 45Ca2+ and catecholamine secretion were not observed in the presence of extracellular K+ at 56 mM. The results presented in this study suggested that Arg‐HSA‐Spm may inhibit the influx of extracellular Ca2+ into the cells, probably through its blocking action related to acetylcholine receptors, resulting in the inhibition of catecholamine secretion in adrenal chromaffin cells.
Expectations of stakeholders on the information disclosure from the Malaysian State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs) reporting

A good report should satisfy the expectations of the users based on their need of information. The present study views the users as a wide range of stakeholder groups as the concerned under the banner of public accountability, in which it explicates the right of the public to information about public sector organisations in discharging their accountability. Due to this, public managers are accountable to provide satisfactory information to the public for their actions and inactions to prevent any sanctions. SIRCs are not exempt. This study aims to identify the stakeholders’ expectations of information disclosure from the SIRCs annual reports by conducting an online questionnaire survey. Such annual reports consist of financial and non-financial information, the fact that the annual report is the only single document that can provide information comprehensively about the reporting entity as that commonly practiced among the companies. The findings reveal that both financial and non-financial information disclosure are important. External stakeholders expected more information from the SIRCs’ annual reports than SIRCs themselves. However, on average there is no significant difference in the responses of the disclosure items between internal and external stakeholders. But, there is significant difference across the six sub-stakeholder groups. Strategic information is the only information category significantly different. Nevertheless, comparing means for each of the disclosure item in every category of information, it infers several significant differences in their information expectations. As such, this study can be an avenue for future development of reporting framework to fairly satisfy the expectations of multiple stakeholders specifically for SIRCs in Malaysia yet it might be useful also for other not-for-profit (NPO), charities, religious bodies and public sectors in other countries.
Emotion-Specific Load Disrupts Concomitant Affective Processing

Findings in the neuroimaging literature suggest that separate brain circuitries are involved when individuals perform emotional compared to nonemotional working memory (WM) tasks. Here we test this hypothesis with behavioural measures. We predicted that the conceptual processing of affect would be disrupted more by concurrent affective than nonaffective load. Participants performed a conceptual task in which they verified affective versus sensory properties of concepts, and a second, concurrent, working memory (n-back) task in which the target stimuli were facial expressions. Results revealed that storing and updating affective (as compared with identity) features of facial expressions altered performance more for affective than for sensory properties of concepts. The findings are supportive of the ideas that affective resources exist and that these resources are specifically used during the processing and representation of affective properties of objects and events.
Exploring the Empirical Link Between Game Features, Player Motivation, and Game Behavior

This research-in-progress paper aims to propose a framework for predicting use continuance and subsequent in-game purchases in the context of online, free-to-play (F2P) mobile games. Using previous games research, we first propose Perceived Enjoyment (PE) and Use Continuance (UC) as the key predictors of Purchase Intention (PI). However, in order to extend the extant literature and generate practical insights for game developers into how to enhance the level of PE and UC generated by their games, we further explore the relations between a set of technical game features and their impact on users’ motivations for playing online F2P mobile games. Specifically, we look at three groups of features—connect, bonding, and share-in features—and test their effect on three key motivations underpinning perceived enjoyment in the context of digital game play, namely Achievement, Social, and Immersion motivations. Using data from a scenario-based questionnaire, our findings show that although all three motivations—Achievement, Social, and Immersion—result in greater enjoyment, and in turn, use continuance and purchase intention, only a single technical feature of the games—namely the share-in feature—triggers greater perceived immersion motivation. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Well-being and Conservation Implication of Forest Rights Act in the Protected Areas of Odisha, India

The implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 has been extended to the protected areas (PAs) with a view to promote livelihoods of socially and economically vulnerable forest dwellers and thereby encouraging their participation in the forest management. In this context, this study examines the relationship between ecosystem services and human well-being, and how the recognition of forest rights under FRA has influenced this relationship by taking a case study of Odisha. By using primary data collected from 221 sample households located inside the Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary of Odisha, the article explains the levels of household well-being and their attitude towards conservation after provision of land rights under the FRA. The study also constructs multidimensional poverty index (MPI) and ecosystem conservation index (ECI) and tests their relationship by a simultaneous probit model. JEL Classification: Q01, Q15, Q23, Q28
Developing embedded software using compile-time virtualisation

The architectures of embedded systems are becoming increasingly non-standard and app\-lic\-a\-tion-specific. They frequently contain multiple heterogenous processing cores, non-uniform memory, complex interconnect or custom hardware elements such as DSP and SIMD cores. However, programming languages have traditionally assumed a single processor architecture with a uniform logical address space and abstract away from hardware and implementation details. As a result, the programmer is prevented from making efficient use of unique hardware features by the abstraction models of the programming language and must use abstraction-breaking techniques such as libraries, OS calls, or inline low-level coding. This thesis describes Compile-Time Virtualisation (CTV), a virtualisation-based technique for assisting the mapping of general-purpose software onto complex hardware. CTV introduces the Virtual Platform, an idealised view of the underlying hardware that presents a simplified programming model. The Virtual Platform ensures that general-purpose code will execute correctly regardless of the complexity of the actual platform. In order to effectively exploit application-specific architectures, CTV allows the programmer to influence the mappings implemented by the Virtual Platform, for example to target specific processors or hardware elements. CTV differs from existing run-time virtualisation systems in that its virtualisation layer only exists at compile-time, resulting in a system which displays minimal run-time overheads. An implementation of CTV called Anvil is developed which is evaluated alongside the general CTV approach. Experiments and simulations demonstrate that CTV-based systems can be used to efficiently target a wide range of complex systems.
Expression and characterization of the HMG-CoA reductase of the thermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus.

The thermostable class I HMG-CoA reductase of Sulfolobus solfataricus offers potential for industrial applications and for the initiation of crystallization trials of a biosynthetic HMG-CoA reductase. However, of the 15 arginine codons of the hmgA gene that encodes S. solfataricus HMG-CoA reductase, 14 (93%) are AGA or AGG, the arginine codons used least frequently by Escherichia coli. The presence of these rare codons in tandem or in the first 20 codons of a gene can complicate expression of that gene in E. coli. Problems include premature chain termination and misincorporation of lysine for arginine. We therefore sought to improve the expression and subsequent yield of S. solfataricus HMG-CoA reductase by expanding the pool size of tRNA(AGA,AGG), the tRNA that recognizes these two rare codons. Coexpression of the S. solfataricus hmgA gene with the argU gene that encodes tRNA(AGA,AGG) resulted in an over 10-fold increase in enzyme yield. This has provided significantly greater quantities of purified enzyme for potential industrial applications and for crystallographic characterization of a stable class I HMG-CoA reductase. It has, in addition, facilitated determination of kinetic parameters and of pH optima for all four catalyzed reactions, for determination of the K(i) for inhibition by the statin drug mevinolin, and for comparison of the properties of the HMG-CoA reductase of this thermophilic archaeon to those of other class I HMG-CoA reductases.
Developmental stress selectively affects the song control nucleus HVC in the zebra finch

Songbirds sing complex songs as a result of evolution through sexual selection. The evolution of such sexually selected traits requires genetic control, as well as selection on their expression. Song is controlled by a discrete neural pathway in the brain, and song complexity has been shown to correlate with the volume of specific song control nuclei. As such, the development of these nuclei, in particular the high vocal centre (HVC), is thought to be the mechanism controlling signal expression indicating male quality. We tested the hypothesis that early developmental stress selectively affects adult HVC size, compared with other brain nuclei. We did this by raising cross–fostered zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) under stressed and controlled conditions and determining the effect on adult HVC size. Our results confirm the strong influence of environmental conditions, particularly on HVC development, and therefore on the expression of complex songs. The results also show that both environmental and genetic factors affect the development of several brain nuclei, highlighting the developmental plasticity of the songbird brain. In all, these results explain how the complex song repertoires of songbirds can evolve as honest indicators of male quality.
Erythrocyte and plasma zinc and magnesium levels in health and disease.

Abstract Zinc and magnesium levels were measured in erythrocytes and plasma of patients with various disorders by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Erythrocyte zinc and magnesium levels were found to be elevated in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma. Plasma zinc was significantly decreased in patients with cirrhosis, pernicious anemia, pregnancy, lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Elevated magnesium levels were observed in the plasma of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia; whereas low levels were detected in pregnant women. Problems inherent in the interpretation of these data are discussed.
Intraoperative radiofrequency thermal ablation combined with portal vein infusion chemotherapy and transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable HCC.

BACKGROUND/AIMS We conducted a preliminary study to determine the feasibility of therapy consisting of intraoperative radiofrequency thermal ablation combined with portal vein infusion chemotherapy and transarterial chemoembolization (IRFAPA) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODOLOGY Between September 2001 and June 2004, 34 patients with unresectable HCC were enrolled into a prospective study. 18 cases underwent IRFAPA (group I and 16 cases underwent percutaneous RF ablation (PRFA, group II). Patients' outcomes for IRFAPA and PRFA were recorded and compared. RESULTS Patients undergoing IRFAPA or PRFA were similar in age, liver function, tumor size, serum AFP, distribution of tumor, mortality, complication and complete ablation rates. In five patients in group II seven new lesions were found during operation. The rate of distant intrahepatic recurrence between the two groups had differences (11.1% vs. 50.0%, P=0.023) although the cumulative recurrence-free survival between the two groups had no differences (P=0.7808). There was a significant difference in the overall survival (P=0.0407). The 1-year and 3-year cumulative overall survival rate was 87.5% and 73.3%, 52.2% and 20.4% in group I and group II, respectively. CONCLUSIONS IRFAPA is an effective and safe procedure for unresectable HCC. IRFAPA is preferred to PRFA therapy if the patients' conditions can tolerate laparotomy.
Allele frequencies for the 13 CODIS STR loci in a sample of southern Croatians.

Whole blood obtained by venipuncture was collected in EDTA vacutainer tubes from individuals attending Split Hospital, Split,Croatia. Blood was dried onto clean cotton cloth, sealed in individual plastic bags and transported to the United States for testing. Approximately 3 mm squares were extracted using Chelex (1). The DNA was not quantified. PCR amplification was performed using the AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus™ and Cofiler™ PCR amplification kits (PE-Biosystems, Foster City, CA) following the manufacturer's protocol using 2 µL of sample. The amplified products were separated and detected using the ABI Prism™ 377 DNA sequencer (PE-Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Allele frequencies and goodness of fit tests were performed using Excel spread sheets. Each locus (n = 13) was tested for the following: Hardy-Weinberg Global Chi-square goodness of fit using all genotypes with expected values greater than 1.0, all other genotypes were pooled to form a residual class (df = number of genotypes minus the number of alleles)( p1); T statistic testing θ = 0 recommended by NRC 2 (2)(p2); and the Chi-square comparing expected and observed total homozygosity and heterozygosity (df = 1)(p3). The Bonferroni corrected threshold was 0.0038. No loci exceeded the Bonferroni threshold; only one locus (D8S1179) was significant (p (0.05) for one of three tests of deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium due to an excess of heterozygotes and deficiency of homozygotes prior to the Bonferroni correction for multiple tests.
Information Asymmetry of Corporate Korean World: (Bid-Ask Spread)

This paper followed a similar Amihud and Mendelson (1986) methodology to empirically examine the relationship between expected stock's return and the bid-ask spread in the Korean corporate market. We could noticed a significant and positive bid-ask spread. The result recognized information asymmetry or market frictions. After confirming market efficiency in previous studies, and information asymmetry in this study, we concluded that the market are weak and semi-strong but we doubt if the market are strongly efficient. We recommended that investors should limit their effort to technical and fundamental analysis. However digging some private information could be of advantage to active strategist. This can only be confirm through a comparative Korean stock's earning analysis of both domestic and foreign investors.
Development of an Engineered Bioluminescent Reporter Phage for Detection of Bacterial Blight of Crucifers

ABSTRACT Bacterial blight, caused by the phytopathogen Pseudomonas cannabina pv. alisalensis, is an emerging disease afflicting important members of the Brassicaceae family. The disease is often misdiagnosed as pepper spot, a much less severe disease caused by the related pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola. We have developed a phage-based diagnostic that can both identify and detect the causative agent of bacterial blight and differentiate the two pathogens. A recombinant “light”-tagged reporter phage was generated by integrating bacterial luxAB genes encoding luciferase into the genome of P. cannabina pv. alisalensis phage PBSPCA1. The PBSPCA1::luxAB reporter phage is viable and stable and retains properties similar to those of the wild-type phage. PBSPCA1::luxAB rapidly and sensitively detects P. cannabina pv. alisalensis by conferring a bioluminescent signal response to cultured cells. Detection is dependent on cell viability. Other bacterial pathogens of Brassica species such as P. syringae pv. maculicola, Pseudomonas marginalis, Pectobacterium carotovorum, Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, and X. campestris pv. raphani either do not produce a response or produce significantly attenuated signals with the reporter phage. Importantly, the reporter phage detects P. cannabina pv. alisalensis on diseased plant specimens, indicating its potential for disease diagnosis.
Investigating the Moderating Roles of Age and Ethnicity in Mobile Commerce Acceptance

Mobile commerce (m-commerce) is becoming a major aspect of our human endeavours with the advancements in wireless technology. However, acceptance of m-commerce by consumers is critical to the successful implementation of m-commerce system by business organizations. This chapter examines key factors that influence mobile commerce adoption, and the moderating roles of age and ethnicity. The conceptual framework is underpinned on an extended technology acceptance model. The survey data was collected from participants selected from Malaysia. The analysis was based on 260 valid responses, and the findings reveal that age and ethnicity moderate behavioral intention to adopt m-commerce. Different age groups exhibit different perceptions. Further, cost and subjective norm become more important as age increases, while perceived usefulness becomes more significant as age decreases. Perceived cost and subjective norm are the common predictors for m-commerce adoption regardless of ethnicity. The contributions to research and practice including suggestions for future studies are discussed.
Comparative genomics of NAD(P) biosynthesis and novel antibiotic drug targets

NAD(P) is an indispensable cofactor for all organisms and its biosynthetic pathways are proposed as promising novel antibiotics targets against pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Six NAD(P) biosynthetic pathways were reconstructed by comparative genomics: de novo pathway (Asp), de novo pathway (Try), NmR pathway I (RNK‐dependent), NmR pathway II (RNK‐independent), Niacin salvage, and Niacin recycling. Three enzymes pivotal to the key reactions of NAD(P) biosynthesis are shared by almost all organisms, that is, NMN/NaMN adenylyltransferase (NMN/NaMNAT), NAD synthetase (NADS), and NAD kinase (NADK). They might serve as ideal broad spectrum antibiotic targets. Studies in M. tuberculosis have in part tested such hypothesis. Three regulatory factors NadR, NiaR, and NrtR, which regulate NAD biosynthesis, have been identified. M. tuberculosis NAD(P) metabolism and regulation thereof, potential drug targets and drug development are summarized in this paper. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 331–340, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bio-Inspired Locomotion Control with Coordination between Neural oscillators

Central Pattern Generator (CPG) is used in bipedal locomotion control to provide the basic rhythm signal for actuators. Generally, the CPG is composed of many neural oscillators coupled together. In this paper, the coordination between neural oscillators in CPG is studied to achieve robust rhythm motions. By using the entrainment property of the neural oscillator, we develop a method which uses the difference between oscillator's output and desired output to adjust the inner states of neural oscillators. In the simulation, a CPG structure with coordination between neural oscillators is used to control a 2D bipedal robot. The robot can walk continuously when several external forces are applied on the robot during walking. The method is also implemented on our humanoid robot NUSBIP-III ASLAN for the test of walking forward. With the coordination between neural oscillators, the CPG generated rhythmic and robust control signals which enable the robot to walk forward stably.
5 Cyclic di-GMP as an Intracellular Signal Regulating Bacterial Biofilm Formation

Cyclic di-GMP is a novel second messenger in bacteria that was first described as an allosteric activator of cellulose synthase in Gluconacetobacter xylinus. It is now established that this nucleotide regulates a range of functions including developmental transitions, aggregative behavior, adhesion, biofilm formation and virulence in diverse bacteria. The level of cyclic di-GMP in bacterial cells is influenced by both synthesis and degradation. The GGDEF protein domain synthesizes cyclic di-GMP, whereas EAL and HD-GYP domains are involved in cyclic di-GMP hydrolysis. Bacterial genomes encode a number of proteins with GGDEF, EAL and HD-GYP domains. The majority of these proteins contain additional signal input domains, suggesting that their activities are responsive to environmental cues. An emerging theme is that high cellular levels of cyclic di-GMP promote biofilm formation and aggregative behavior whereas low cellular levels promote motility. The mechanism(s) by which cyclic di-GMP exerts its effects on these cellular functions is however poorly understood.
An Adaptive Finite Element Method for Minor Shape Modification in Optimization Algorithms

In this paper, we propose a method of adaptive finite element meshing, which is effective for minor shape modifications in optimization of electric machines. In the method, the mesh for the new shape in the optimization process is generated from the mesh of the previous shape with minimum modification. The locations of the nodes for the new shape are decided by solving the Laplace's equation, whose unknowns are displacements of the nodes. The adaptive finite element meshing is started from the modified mesh. The method can reduce the calculation time and improve the quality of the optimized results.
Constructing Indicators of Competence Development in the Photovoltaics Industry

With worldwide growth of photovoltaics (PV), the production of solar energy has accelerated. In 2004, Taiwan’s solar cell production value was nearly NT$2.6 billion, and its global market share was 3%, while only 38.14 MW were produced. Talent is the foundation of any organization and it achieves its goals and development usually through educational trainings. This study constructed indicators of competence development in the PV industry based on literature review. A questionnaire survey among experts from industries, government, and academia was conducted and the Fuzzy Delphi Method was employed to investigate the development of PV professional knowledge and its indicators and to provide a reference for relevant future research. The findings can be applied in industrial, government, and academic policy making and accreditation mechanism.