Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of oligodendrocyte differentiation by activators of adenylate cyclase

Oligodendrocyte differentiation is accelerated by analogs of cyclic AMP (cAMP), such as N62‐′O‐dibutyryladenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP) or 8‐bromo cAMP, in developing rat glial cell cultures (Raible and McMorris, 1989). However, it is not known whether the immature developing oligodendrocytes have G protein‐coupled adenylate cyclase capable of generating cAMP, as would be required if development of the cells is normally regulated by endogenous cAMP. In the present study, we demonstrate that the diterpene forskolin, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase, or cholera toxin, which activates adenylate cyclase through G protein modification, can induce a precocious increase in oligodendrocyte number. When both forskolin and cholera toxin are added together, oligodendrocyte differentiation is induced to a level similar to that observed in response to cAMP analogs. These results establish for the first time that modulation of the endogenous cAMP regulatory system alters the schedule of oligodendrocyte differentiation.
The role of mobile forensics in terrorism investigations involving the use of cloud apps

Mobile technologies can be, and have been, exploited in terrorist activities. In this paper, we highlight the importance of mobile forensics in the investigation of such activities. Specifically, using a series of controlled experiments on Android and Windows devices, we demonstrate how mobile forensic techniques can be used to recover evidentiary artefacts from client devices when popular cloud apps -- Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive -- were used on the devices.
HIV infection.

INTRODUCTION Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) usually leads to 8-10 years of asymptomatic infection before immune function deteriorates and AIDS develops. Without treatment, about 50% of infected people will die of AIDS over 10 years. With treatment, prognosis depends on age, CD4 cell count, and initial viral load. METHODS AND OUTCOMES We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of preventive interventions? What are the effects of different antiretroviral drug treatment regimens in HIV infection? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to June 2007 (BMJ Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). RESULTS We found 17 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions. CONCLUSIONS In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: combination treatments containing either CCR5 inhibitors or fusion inhibitors; early diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); early and delayed antiretroviral treatment using triple antiretroviral regimens; non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) based triple regimens; nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and protease inhibitor-based triple regimens (standard, and boosted); post-exposure prophylaxis in healthcare workers; and presumptive mass treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Breakthroughs in field‐scale bacterial transport

Microbial transport in the subsurface environment has been of interest for decades due to concerns about contamination of water supplies by pathogenic bacteria or viruses. More recently, research has demonstrated that many bacteria can beneficially serve to degrade or immobilize other environmental contaminants. A research program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is currently investigating the potential for enhancing and targeting bacterial transport to improve bioremediation efforts. Of particular interest to DOE is the potential for bioremediation of metals and radionuclides that are common to many of their former nuclear materials processing facility sites.
Husband’s Alcohol Use, Intimate Partner Violence, and Family Maltreatment of Low-Income Postpartum Women in Mumbai, India

Husbands’ alcohol use has been associated with family-level stress and intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in India. Joint family systems are common in India and IPV often co-occurs with non-violent family maltreatment of wives (e.g., nutritional deprivation, deprivation of sleep, blocking access to health care). Alcohol use increases for some parents following the birth of a child. This study examined 1,038 postpartum women’s reports of their husbands’ alcohol use and their own experiences of IPV (by husband) and non-violent maltreatment from husbands and/or in-laws. We analyzed cross-sectional, quantitative data collected in 2008, from women (ages 15-35) seeking immunizations for their infants <6 months at three large urban health centers in Mumbai, India. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models estimated associations between the independent variable (husbands’ past month use of alcohol) and two dependent variables (postpartum IPV and maltreatment). Overall, 15% of husbands used alcohol, ranging from daily drinkers (10%) to those who drank one to two times per week (54%). Prevalence of postpartum IPV and family maltreatment was 18% and 42%, respectively. Prevalence of IPV among women married to alcohol users was 27%. Most abused women’s husbands always (27%) or sometimes (37%) drank during violent episodes. Risk for IPV increased with a man’s increasing frequency of consumption. Women who lived with a husband who drank alcohol, relative to non-drinkers, were more likely to report postpartum IPV, aOR = 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.3, 3.1]. Husbands’ drinking was marginally associated with increased risk for family maltreatment, aOR = 1.4, 95% CI = [1.0, 2.1]. Our findings suggest that men’s alcohol use is an important risk factor for postpartum IPV and maltreatment. Targeted services for Indian women contending with these issues are implicated. Postpartum care offers an ideal opportunity to screen for IPV, household maltreatment, and other health risks, such as husband’s use of alcohol. There is need to scale up proven successful interventions for reducing men’s alcohol use and design strategies that provide at-risk women protection from alcohol-related IPV.
Stability of maternal mRNA in Xenopus embryos: role of transcription and translation

The first 12 cell divisions of Xenopus laevis embryos do not require gene transcription. This means that the regulation of gene expression during this period is controlled at post transcriptional levels and makes Xenopus early development a potentially interesting biological system with which to study the mechanisms involved. We describe here the stability characteristics of several maternal Xenopus mRNAs which are deadenylated soon after fertilisation (J. Paris and M. Philippe, Dev. Biol., in press). We show that these mRNAs were only degraded in the embryo after the midblastula transition (MBT), when gene transcription was initiated. The kinetics with which the deadenylated maternal mRNAs decreased in the post-MBT embryos showed sequence specificity. The degradation of these mRNAs after the MBT was inhibited by cycloheximide but was not affected by dactinomycin. Therefore, the destabilization of these mRNAs does not appear to be initiated by new embryonic gene transcripts. Sequence comparisons of the 3' untranslated region of these mRNAs identified several motifs which may be involved in the posttranscriptional control of these gene products.
Adv-MMAC: An advertisement based multichannel MAC protocol for wireless sensor networks

A number of multichannel MAC protocols have been developed earlier with the objective of maximizing energy efficiency and guaranteeing QoS requirements in wireless sensor networks. However, the trade-off between energy efficiency and QoS requirements remains an open issue. In this paper, we propose a multichannel MAC protocol so that nodes dynamically switch their interface between the channels to achieve this goal. The proposed protocol works in two phases, the advertisement (ADV) phase and data phase, which run concurrently. During the ADV phase, the nodes having data try to contend the advertisement channel to transmit the ADV packet. The nodes after receiving the acknowledgement from the receiver switch to the available free channel for the transmission of data packet. We analyze the performance of our proposed protocol through simulation. The simulation results reveal the proposed protocol performs better than the existing MAC protocols in terms of data delivery ratio, end-to-end delay and energy efficiency.
Effect of herbal extracts on piglet performance and small intestinal epithelial villi

The effect of a mixture of herbal extracts on piglet performance was estimated on 178 piglets allocated to 3 groups comprising 6 litters each. Group I (control) was fed with the standard barley-wheat- soybean mixture. Group II received the same mixture supplemented with a blend of formic and propionic acids. Group III received the basal diet supplemented with a mixture of water extracts from sage, lemon balm, nettle and coneflower (20, 30, 30, and 20%, respectively) at 500 mg/kg feed. The experiment lasted for 84 days but on day 56 six piglets from each group were slaughtered and their gastrointestinal tract was removed. Apparent digestibility was estimated using the Cr 2 O 3 indicator method. Acidity of digesta was measured in the stomach, ileum, and caecum, and volatile fatty acid content was evaluated in the ileum and caecum. Amounts of bacteria and morphological structure were evaluated in the ileal digesta and epithelium, respectively. In the experimental groups less dead and culled piglets were observed than in the control group. Piglets in the herb-supplemented group grew faster than control animals and showed significantly higher final average body weights. There was no significant difference in feed utilization. Acetic acid content was higher in both groups receiving supplements. The amount of propionic acid in the caecum of animals from the herb-supplemented group was lower than in animals from groups I and II. There were no significant differences in bacteria population in ileum chyme. The herbal extract improved the structure of the ileal epithelium by significantly increasing villus height. Better digestibility of nutrients could be due to higher villi in this group.
The Effect of Wal-Mart on Wages and Employment in California

This paper analyzes Wal Mart’s affects on wages and employment in California. We use a data set consisting of cross sectional data taken from the Current Population Survey on individuals pooled over time from 1986 to 2004 to examine the affects of Wal Mart’s entry into California in 1991. We also introduce a new measure of Wal Mart’s affects that accounts for the distance of Wal Mart to the affected workers and allows for cross regional spill over effects. Our results indicate a negative and statistically significant effect on the wages of workers in regions located within 20 miles of a Wal Mart. We fail to find a consistent effect on employment resulting from Wal Mart’s entry. We use a fixed effects model and correct for endogeneity of Wal Mart’s decision to enter into a region by using instrumental variable regression. *Steven Cuellar: Associate Professor of Economics, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. Phone 707 664-2305, Fax 707-664-4009, E-mail Steve.Cuellar@Sonoma.edu. Andres Estrugo, Research Assistant, Department of Economics, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA. Phone 707 664-2305, Fax 707664-4009, E-mail estrugo@Sonoma.edu. We would like to thank the Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics for financial support as well as the participants at the Sonoma State University Department of Economics research seminar series for their helpful comments.
Psychological distress and coping strategies in patients with psoriasis: the PSYCHAE Study

Objective Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of psychological distress in a large sample of Italian patients with psoriasis; to establish whether disease severity and psychological distress are associated; to identify the strategies employed to cope with psoriasis; to evaluate the coping strategies employed by dermatologists; and to identify potential predictors of psychological distress.
Label‐free detection of enhanced saccharide binding at pH 7.4 to nanoparticulate benzoboroxole based receptor units

Nanoparticles modified with either 6‐amino‐1‐hydroxy‐2,1‐benzoxaborolane (3‐aminobenzoboroxole) or 3‐aminophenylboronic acid were prepared by nucleophilic substitution of a styrene‐co‐DVB‐co‐vinylbenzylchloride latex (25 nm). Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used as a label‐free detection method for the analysis of the binding between monosaccharides and these two differently derivatized nanoparticle systems at pH 7.4. Because ITC reveals, thermodynamical parameters such as the changes in enthalpy ΔH, free energy ΔG, and entropy ΔS, possible explanations for the higher binding constants can be derived in terms of entropy and enthalpy changes. In case of the modified nanoparticles, the free energy of binding is dominated by the entropy term. This shows that interfacial effects, besides the intrinsic affinity, lead to a higher binding constant compared with the free ligand. The highest binding constant was found for fructose binding to the benzoboroxole modified nanoparticles: Its value of 1150 M−1 is twice as high as for the free benzoboroxole and five times as high as with phenylboronic acid or 3‐aminophenylboronic acid. In contrast to the binding of fructose to free boronic acids, which is an enthalpically driven process, the binding of fructose to the modified nanoparticles is dominated by the positive entropy term. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Comprehensive Review: Methodological Rigor of Studies on Residential Treatment Centers for Substance-Abusing Adolescents

This article examines the quality of research regarding the effectiveness of residential treatment centers for substance-abusing adolescents and begins to examine if methodological rigor is associated with substance abuse outcomes. A systematic review of each study is conducted using criteria based on a methodological analysis by Miller & Wilbourne (2002) and methodological issues specified by Chambless and Hollon (1998). Of eight studies reviewed, only three used a strong quasi-experimental design. Out of the four most rigorous studies reviewed, two found significant differences in substance use reduction between the treatment and comparison groups. Of the remaining studies, despite having strong selectivity bias, only one found significant differences between treatment and comparison groups, and it was for females only at the one-year follow-up. Social work researchers should conduct more rigorous studies to assess the effectiveness of residential treatment with substance-abusing adolescents, which would enable social workers, advocating for their clients to receive treatment, to understand the effectiveness of residential substance abuse treatment.
Tight-binding molecular-dynamics study of amorphous carbon.

The structural and electronic properties of amorphous carbon are studied with tight-binding molecular-dynamics simulations. An amorphous carbon structure with 216 atoms obtained from our simulation gives a structure factor [ital S]([ital Q]) in very good agreement with the results of neutron scattering from a sputtered [ital a]-C sample. We found that the amorphous structure consists of graphitelike fragments embedded in a matrix of both twofold and fourfold coordinated atoms. We also found a small pseudogap in the electronic density of states at the Fermi level.
Leukoaraiosis: from an ancient term to an actual marker of poor prognosis.

See related article, pages 1409–1413. The term leukoaraiosis (from the Greek leuko , white, and araiosis , rarefaction) was introduced in 1986 by Hachinski, Potter and Merskey to designate bilateral and symmetrical areas in the periventricular and centrum semiovale white matter that appeared hypodense on CT scans and hyperintense on T2-weighted MRI.1,2 Leukoaraiosis was supposed to be “a neutral term, exact enough to define white-matter changes, sufficient as a description or label, and demanding enough to require precise clinical and imaging descriptions. ”1,2 It was clear in Hachinski and coworkers’ proposal the aim of contrasting the tendency to immediately identify a radiological aspect with a clinical picture. At that time, changes or lesions of the white matter were recognized with increasing frequency on the brain CT scans of elderly patients,3 and some authors had begun to attribute a clinical significance to these radiological findings, particularly interpreting them as a correlate of cognitive decline. According to some, the introduction of CT had made possible the identification in vivo of subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy (or Binswanger disease), a form of vascular dementia with only few cases reported on pathological grounds until the eighties.4,5 The issue became even more complex after the introduction of MRI in neurological clinical practice because it was soon apparent …
High-Efficiency Compact Circularly Polarized Microstrip Antenna With Wide Beamwidth for Airborne Communication

The letter presents a compact circularly polarized (CP) microstrip antenna for airborne communications. The antenna adopts a square radiation patch with a cross slot to reduce the antenna dimensions and improve the impedance matching. For the high radiation efficiency of the proposed antenna, the no-resistor series feeding network is utilized to construct the antenna. In addition, the proposed structure also brings a superwide beamwidth in axial ratio (AR) radiation patterns. To confirm the performances of the novel structure, an L-band prototype of the antenna is manufactured and tested. The thickness and the side length of the antenna are 0. 073λ0 and 0. 275λ0, respectively (λ0 is the wavelength in free space). The impedance bandwidth for VSWR ≤ 2 reaches 22.4%, and the AR bandwidth for AR ≤ 3 dB reaches 6.8%. In the overlap band, the radiation efficiency of more than 97% and the gains of more than 5.2 dBic are obtained. Especially, the beamwidth for AR ≤ 3 dB can cover more than 180°.
Loss of the Rpb4/Rpb7 Subcomplex in a Mutant Form of the Rpb6 Subunit Shared by RNA Polymerases I, II, and III

ABSTRACT We have identified a conditional mutation in the shared Rpb6 subunit, assembled in RNA polymerases I, II, and III, that illuminated a new role that is independent of its assembly function. RNA polymerase II and III activities were significantly reduced in mutant cells before and after the shift to nonpermissive temperature. In contrast, RNA polymerase I was marginally affected. Although the Rpb6 mutant strain contained two mutations (P75S and Q100R), the majority of growth and transcription defects originated from substitution of an amino acid nearly identical in all eukaryotic counterparts as well as bacterial ω subunits (Q100R). Purification of mutant RNA polymerase II revealed that two subunits, Rpb4 and Rpb7, are selectively lost in mutant cells. Rpb4 and Rpb7 are present at substoichiometric levels, form a dissociable subcomplex, are required for RNA polymerase II activity at high temperatures, and have been implicated in the regulation of enzyme activity. Interaction experiments support a direct association between the Rpb6 and Rpb4 subunits, indicating that Rpb6 is one point of contact between the Rpb4/Rpb7 subcomplex and RNA polymerase II. The association of Rpb4/Rpb7 with Rpb6 suggests that analogous subunits of each RNA polymerase impart class-specific functions through a conserved core subunit.
Molecular Cloning and Biochemical Characterisation of Proteases from Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract We report the complete coding sequence and the partial amino acid sequence (determined by chemical sequencing) of Staphylococcus epidermidis extracellular cysteine (Ecp) and serine (Esp) proteases. The first enzyme shows an extended sequence similarity to Staphylococcus aureus cysteine protease (staphopain) and the second one resembles the serine protease produced by that species. The region directly upstream of the sequence coding for the mature protein in both enzymes displays significant homology to the profragments encoded by sspB and sspA, respectively, thus suggesting that the characterised enzymes may also be produced as proproteins. Furthermore, we report some biological properties of the cysteine protease, contributing to a better understanding of its role as a possible virulence factor. The proteolytic activity of this enzyme was rapidly and efficiently inhibited by human α-2-macroglobulin; however, human kininogen as well as cystatins (A, C and D) were not inhibitory. Moreover, the protease was capable of inactivating, by limited proteolysis, both α-1-antitrypsin and HMWkininogen, but neither α-1-antichymotrypsin nor antithrombin III.
Molecular dynamics simulation of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase and its protein fragments: Relative stabilities in experiment and simulations

We have carried out molecular dynamics simulations of the native dihydrofolate reductase from Escherichia coli and several of its folded protein fragments at standard temperature. The simulations have shown fragments 1–36, 37–88, and 89–159 to be unstable, with a CαRMSD (Cα root mean squared deviation) >5 Å after 3.0 nsec of simulation. The unfolding of fragment 1–36 was immediate, whereas fragments 37–88 and 89–159 gradually unfolded because of the presence of the β‐sheet core structure. In the absence of residues 1–36, the two distinct domains comprising fragment 39–159 associated with each other, resulting in a stable conformation. This conformation retained most of its native structural elements. We have further simulated fragments derived from computational protein cutting. These were also found to be unstable, with the exception of fragment 104–159. In the absence of α4, the loose loop region of residues 120–127 exhibited a β‐strand‐like behavior, associating itself with the β‐sheet core of the protein fragment. The current study suggests that the folding of dihydrofolate reductase involves cooperative folding of distinct domains which otherwise would have been unstable as independent folded units in solution. Finally, the critical role of residues 1–36 in allowing the two distinct domains of fragment 104–159 to fold into the final native conformation is discussed.
NFXL2 modifies cuticle properties in Arabidopsis

Loss of the Arabidopsis NFX1-LIKE2 (NFXL2) gene (At5g05660) results in elevated ABA levels, elevated hydrogen peroxide levels, reduced stomatal aperture, and enhanced drought stress tolerance. Introduction of the NFXL2–78 isoform into the nfxl2–1 mutant is largely sufficient for complementation of the phenotype. We show here that cuticular properties are altered in the nfxl2–1 mutant. The NFXL2–78 protein binds to the SHINE1 (SHN1), SHN2, SHN3, and BODYGUARD1 (BDG1) promoters and mediates weaker expression of these genes. The SHN AP2 domain transcription factors influence cuticle properties. Stronger SHN1, SHN2, and SHN3 expression in the nfxl2–1 mutant may cause altered cuticle properties including reduced stomatal density, and partly explain the enhanced drought stress tolerance. The BDG1 protein also controls cuticle development and is essential for osmotic stress regulation of ABA biosynthesis. Stronger BDG1 expression in nfxl2–1 plants may allow elevated ABA accumulation under drought stress. We conclude that the NFXL2–78 protein is part of a regulatory network that integrates the biosynthesis and action of ABA, ROS, and cuticle components.