Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examination Of Environmental Conditions that Affect fimA Gene Expression in Escherichia coli

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli are a significant cause of urinary tract infections because of their ability to bind to uroepithelial cells. Long, thin appendages called type 1 pili mediate this adherence. The structural gene coding for the pilin monomer units is fimA. This fimA gene has an invertible element associated with the expression of the gene. When the invertible element is in the “ON” position, transcription of fimA occurs, whereas being in the “OFF” position results in a lack of transcription and a nonpiliated phenotype. Two plasmids containing a fimA-lacZ fusion were tested to try to ascertain how the fimA gene is regulated when E. coli cells are grown under different osmotic conditions. The first plasmid was a multicopy number plasmid containing the fimA promoter locked in the “ON” position. The second plasmid was a single copy number plasmid containing the fimA promoter locked in the “ON” position. High osmolarity did not affect transcription of the fimA gene in the multicopy number plasmid, while high osmolarity increased transcription of the fimAgene in the single copy number plasmid.
Year : 2008 Key role of splenic myeloid DCs in the IFN-alphabeta response to adenoviruses in vivo

The early systemic production of interferon (IFN)-alphabeta is an essential component of the antiviral host defense mechanisms, but is also thought to contribute to the toxic side effects accompanying gene therapy with adenoviral vectors. Here we investigated the IFN-alphabeta response to human adenoviruses (Ads) in mice. By comparing the responses of normal, myeloid (m)DCand plasmacytoid (p)DC-depleted mice and by measuring IFN-alphabeta mRNA expression in different organs and cells types, we show that in vivo, Ads elicit strong and rapid IFN-alphabeta production, almost exclusively in splenic mDCs. Using knockout mice, various strains of Ads (wild type, mutant and UV-inactivated) and MAP kinase inhibitors, we demonstrate that the Ad-induced IFN-alphabeta response does not require Toll-like receptors (TLR), known cytosolic sensors of RNA (RIG-I/MDA-5) and DNA (DAI) recognition and interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-3, but is dependent on viral endosomal escape, signaling via the MAP kinase SAPK/JNK and IRF-7. Furthermore, we show that Ads induce IFN-alphabeta and IL-6 in vivo by distinct pathways and confirm that IFN-alphabeta positively regulates the IL-6 response. Finally, by measuring TNF-alpha responses to LPS in Ad-infected wild type and IFN-alphabetaR(-/-) mice, we show that IFN-alphabeta is the key mediator of Ad-induced hypersensitivity to LPS. These findings indicate that, like endosomal TLR signaling in pDCs, TLR-independent virus recognition in splenic mDCs can also produce a robust early IFN-alphabeta response, which is responsible for the bulk of IFN-alphabeta production induced by adenovirus in vivo. The signaling requirements are different from known TLR-dependent or cytosolic IFN-alphabeta induction mechanisms and suggest a novel cytosolic viral induction pathway. The hypersensitivity to components of the microbial flora and invading pathogens may in part explain the toxic side effects of adenoviral gene therapy and contribute to the pathogenesis of adenoviral disease. Key Role of Splenic Myeloid DCs in the IFN-ab Response to Adenoviruses In Vivo György Fejer*, Lisa Drechsel, Jan Liese, Ulrike Schleicher, Zsolt Ruzsics, Nicola Imelli, Urs F. Greber, Simone Keck, Bernd Hildenbrand, Anne Krug, Christian Bogdan, Marina A. Freudenberg* 1 Max-Planck-Institute for Immunobiology, Freiburg, Germany, 2 Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Clinic of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, 3 Microbiology Institute Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Clinic of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany, 4 Max von Pettenkofer Institut für Virologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany, 5 Institute of Zoology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland, 6 Tumor Biology Center, Freiburg, Germany, 7 Department of Internal Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Testing oral proficiency: what does pronunciation tell us?

In this study we discuss the role of pronunciation in languagetesting and investigate two features of pronunciation of eightcandidates of the Test of Oral Proficiency in English (TEPOLI)along four bands of the test scale. Deviations in vowel segmentsand in syllable structure are analyzed. The results point to theneed for a global assessment of the candidates’ phonologicalsystems.
Wearable Carbon Nanotube Fabric Sensors for Strain and Temperature Monitoring

The safe, efficient, and reliable operations of structural systems often rest upon the performance of the human operator. In numerous historical examples, catastrophic failure was a result of human-related factors. Thus, the objective of this research is to develop wearable fabric sensors for monitoring human performance. In particular, the goal is to monitor human physiological parameters, namely respiratory rate and body temperature, as a means for assessing human operator performance (e.g., correlating them to fatigue or pre-existing medical conditions). This study presents preliminary results as to how these sensors can be fabricated, and their performance is characterized in the lab. First, multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-latex thin films with different MWNT concentrations were fabricated. The flexible films and stretchable fabric were combined to form a sandwich structure so that they could be worn directly. Second, its sensing properties were characterized by subjecting the fabric sensor to applied load patterns and temperature changes while its electrical response was measured. The results showed that the wearable fabric sensors’ electrical response exhibited sensitivity to strain and temperature. Its flexibility and conformable nature make them ideally suited as wearable sensors.
In-structure shock assessment of underground structures with consideration of rigid body motion

The present study assesses the in-structure shock of an underground structure induced by a nearby subsurface detonation. Both the rigid body motion of the entirely buried structure and the local response of the structural element are considered in characterizing the in-structure shock. Soil-structure interaction, behaving as an interfacial damping, is taken into account, and the effect of different surrounding soils is investigated. A response spectrum is plotted for assessing in-structure shock induced by a typical subsurface detonation, and subsequently the safety of the internal facilities and equipment mounted on the buried structure is evaluated. For safety purposes, the protective structures are better constructed in a site with small acoustic impedance and a large attenuation factor. Results show that the proposed in-structure shock assessment method is effective and can be used as a supplement to TM-5-855-1 and TM-5-1300.
Counting subgraphs: from static to dynamic networks

Networks are ubiquitous representations of many real-world systems. As such, there is a need to develop tools and methods to analyze them, so as to gather information of their underlying systems. In the large set of techniques that were developed on the last few decades, methods that rely on looking into the frequency of certain small subgraphs, like frequent subgraph discovery, network motif discovery and graphlet based metrics, were extensively studied and improved. At the core of these techniques is one common problem: counting subgraphs, which is formally known as the subgraph census problem. In this problem we are given a graph and are asked to compute the frequency of a set of subgraphs. This is a hard problem, closely related to the subgraph isomorphism problem, a known NP-Complete problem. We looked into this problem from two different complementary perspectives: a static one and a dynamic one. From the static point of view, we developed two algorithms that directly tackle this problem by finding all subgraphs of a given size k. The first one computes this exactly, whereas the second one computes an approximation of the real value, by obtaining an unbiased sample of the full set of subgraphs. From the dynamic point of view, we first built an algorithm that updates the frequency of subgraphs when the input graph has an edge added or removed. Furthermore, we defined the dynamic isomorphism problem as the problem that consists of finding the isomorphism information (or a canonization) of a graph in a stream, that is, has edges being added or removed. Finally, we thoroughly analyzed each technique, comparing it with the appropriate past approaches and relevant baselines, in order to establish their meaningfulness and to show they live up to what was theorized about them and also that they outperform their corresponding past approaches.
Exploring Postmethod Pedagogy in Teaching English as Second Language in South African Higher Education

This article investigated the use postmethod pedagogy for professional growth of lecturers to improve ESL students’ English proficiency using qualitative approach with open-ended questionnaires and in-depth interviews to collect data. The research population of this study included twelve ESL lecturers (six females and six males) in the faculty of education at three institutions of higher education five to twenty years of teaching experience. The study found that postmethod pedagogy recognises the need for inclusivity of students and the empowerment of lecturers to ensure that what happens in the classroom is making a difference outside the classroom. The results suggest that lecturers recognize their own powers as great sources in creating methods for their professional growth and creation of a meaningful learning environment. This study recommends that lecturers should consider student choices and initiative as a fundamental factor for successful ESL learning and teaching, while striving for professional growth. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n1p517
What really matters? A qualitative analysis on the adoption of innovations in agriculture

The agricultural industry is confronted with the need of increasing the production to feed a growing population, and contemporarily to manage the decreased availability of natural resources. This major challenge boosts agriculture sector to adopt new approaches and technical innovations; anyway, the adoption of innovations in agriculture is not immediate, due to the interaction of many drivers that impact on individuals and enterprises’ decisions. This paper aims at providing a list of drivers for the adoption of technological innovations in agriculture, on the basis of the outcomes of in-depth interviews and focus groups performed in three European countries (Italy, Greece, Turkey). With specific reference to innovations, ease of use, effectiveness, usefulness, resource savings, and compatibility were mentioned as relevant features for an innovation to be adopted. Trials, demonstrations, experience and knowledge sharing, and support from qualified third parties were included among the facilitating factors for conveying and promoting innovations. Finally, public funding, agricultural policies and market conditions were identified as factors that may tip the balance in the process of innovations’ adoption.
Synthesis of Nickel/ Molybdenum Oxide Bimetallic Nanoparticles via Microwave Irradiation Technique

Nickel-molybdenum oxidebimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized in ethylene glycol using the microwave irradiation technique. According to the results, successive reduction of nickel and molybdenum ions, followed by thermal treatment of obtained nanoparticles led to formation of core-shell structured nickel-molybdenum oxide nanoparticles. According to the results, the thickness of the shell and core were 5 and 40 nm, respectively. The structure and composition of nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).
EFFECT OF GENOTYPE, AGE AT SLAUGHTER AND

Correspondence: B. Zlender, bozidar.zlender@bf.uni-lj.si Received October 2005 Accepted December 2005. ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition (moisture, protein, ash, fat, cholesterol, fatty acid composition) and sensory profile of meat from rabbits of both sexes belonging to two genotypes (Slovenian male line – SIKA and commercial hybrid breed imported from Italy – Hybrid) and slaughtered at different ages (77 and 90 days). Rabbits were fed a commercial diet ad libitum. The Longissimus lumborum muscles, abdominal wall and hind leg were sampled from thirty-two animals. On average, homogenized rabbit meat contains 72.7% moisture, 22.1% proteins, 1.31% ash, 4.1% fat, 76.6 mg cholesterol/100 g of fresh meat. Fatty acids are composed of 28.7% monounsaturated, 28.9% to polyunsaturated and 42.4% saturated fatty acids. The Polyunsaturated/Saturated ratio (0.69), the atherogenic index (0.64), the n-6/n-3 ratio (6.7) and the cholesterol content show that rabbit meat can be included in a balanced diet. The genotype had significant impact on the chemical composition: moisture (SIKA 72.3%, Hybrid 73.1%; P<0.01), ash (SIKA 1.34%, Hybrid 1.30%; P<0.01), protein (SIKA 22.0%, Hybrid 22.3%; P<0.05) and fat (SIKA 3.8%, Hybrid 4.3%; P<0.05). Meat originating from females contains more fat (4.3 vs. 3.7%; P<0.05) and lower ash (1.30 vs. 1.43%; P<0.05) than that originating from males. A very few differences due to genotype, sex and age were found in the sensory profile of roasted rabbit meat (after-taste, mouth feel and colour). With increased age, from 77 to 90 days, rabbit meat quality did not significantly improve.
Empirical Relationships between Aftershock Zone Dimensions and Moment Magnitudes for Plate Boundary Earthquakes in Taiwan

In this study, we establish the empirical relationships between the spatial dimensions of the aftershock zones and moment magnitudes ( M w) for the Taiwan region. The length ( l ) and width ( w ) of the aftershock zone of an earthquake is measured by the major and minor axes, respectively, of the ellipse of a two‐dimensional Gaussian distribution of one‐day aftershocks. Our data is composed of 649 mainshocks (depth≤70 km, M w 4.0–7.6) between 1990 and 2011. The relationships between aftershock zone dimensions and M w were obtained by least‐squares method with the corresponding uncertainties estimated by bootstrap. Our study confirms that aftershock zone dimensions are independent of faulting types and the seismic moment is proportional to l 3. The ratio ( w / l ) increases slightly with M w and is independent of faulting types. Together with previous study, our results suggest that earthquakes of both small ( M w=4.0) and large ( M w≥7.0) magnitudes have similar focal zone geometrical parameters. By using the M w– S relation, where the aftershock zone area S is estimated from l and w , we also provide an independent examination of the variations in the median stress drop. We find that the median stress drops of strike‐slip earthquakes are higher than those of thrust events. Moreover, the median stress drops are independent of the moment magnitudes for normal and strike‐slip events but decrease for large thrust events. These results are consistent with the latest global observations. Regardless of faulting types, the median stress drop decreases for larger (6≤ M w≤7.6) and relatively deep (depth∼60–70 km) earthquakes. Online Material: Effect of up‐dip rupture propagation on estimated maximum slip duration, details on teleseismic and geodetic stations, and figures of far‐field displacements, temporal change in slip, and snapshots of the semblance‐value distribution.
Macroscopic gonadal deviations and intersex in developing whitefish Coregonus lavaretus.

In Lake Thun, Switzerland, a significant number of whitefish Coregonus lavaretus were found to exhibit abnormal gonadal morphology. To determine the time at which the morphological deviations from a normal gonadal arrangement develop, we conducted experiments designed to: (1) examine whether the morphologic gonadal variations develop during or after gonadal differenti- ation, and (2) characterise the entire ontogenetic gonadal development in whitefish from hatching until maturity. For these experiments, whitefish were reared under controlled conditions with distinct water sources and temperature regimes (Lake Thun water: 4 to 22°C; spring water: 8 to 9°C). Gonadal development in the spring water group was clearly delayed with respect to age, but similar to the Lake Thun water group with respect to degree-days in Celsius (°D). Undifferentiated gonads were first seen at 65 d post-hatch and 491°D. Ovarian differentiation (starting from 1734 to 1820°D) preceded testicular differentiation (starting from 1989 to 3673°D). The first fish with mature germ cells were recognised at 8163 to 8356°D. Morphological gonadal deviations became evident during gonadal differentiation. Constrictions and asymmetries developed for the first time in the first (0+) or second (1+) year-of-life, at a body length of 13 to 18 cm. Aplasia and compartmentation were recorded in the third (2+) year-of-life at a body length of 16 to 18 cm. Intersex fish occurred at a fre- quency of 8 to 9% during gonadal sex differentiation. Because no evidence for the presence of exo- genic endocrine active substances was revealed, we suppose that there is a naturally increased mosaic intersex condition in whitefish during the ontogenetic gonadal differentiation process.
High temperature water electrolysis using metal supported solid oxide electrolyser cells (SOEC)

Metal supported cells as developed according to the DLR SOFC concept by applying plasma deposition technologies were investigated for use as solid oxide electrolyser cells (SOEC) for high temperature steam electrolysis. Cells consisting of a porous ferritic steel support, a diffusion barrier layer, a Ni/YSZ hydrogen electrode, a YSZ electrolyte and a LSCF oxygen electrode were electrochemically characterised by means of i-V characteristics and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements including a long-term test over 2000 h. The cell voltage during electrolysis operation at a current density of −1.0 A cm−2 was 1.28 V at an operating temperature of 850 °C and 1.4 V at 800 °C. A long-term test run over 2000 h with a steam content of 43% at 800 °C and a current density of −0.3 A cm−2 showed a degradation rate of 3.2% per 1000 h. The impedance spectra revealed a significantly enhanced polarisation resistance during electrolysis operation compared to fuel cell operation which was mainly attributed to the hydrogen electrode.
Response of Antelope Bitterbrush Shrubsteppe to Variation in Livestock Grazing

Abstract Shrubsteppe ecosystems in the Intermountain West have suffered extreme alteration from a variety of factors. Using a retrospective approach, I studied the effects of horse and cattle grazing at the northern edge of the range in southern British Columbia, Canada, where the shrubsteppe is not as heavily altered and ungrazed sites remain in areas dominated by antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata). I measured shrub and understory cover at 10 sites that were either ungrazed, lightly grazed, or heavily grazed. Cover of antelope bitterbrush decreased with grazing, and cover of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) increased with grazing intensity. I sampled 72 species of vascular plants in the understory. Livestock grazing resulted in more bare soil, especially at sandy rather than rocky sites, and in quadrats located in the interspaces between shrubs. More bare soil was associated with less spikemoss (Selaginella spp.) and less microbiotic crust cover. Of the 3 most common bunchgrasses, sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) was associated with more bare soil but only at sites without spikemoss. Red three-awn (Aristida purpurea var. longiseta), which grew best without litter or microbiotic crust, was most commonly found with spikemoss. Needle-and-thread grass (Hesperostipa comata), the most palatable abundant bunchgrass, was affected by livestock grazing, with shrub canopy cover offering some protection from grazers at the most heavily grazed sites. Rangeland management prescriptions in this area should take soil differences into account, with sandy soils being more prone to overgrazing and disturbance of the microbiotic crust cover than rocky soils.
Comparison of protein patterns among some Salmonella serovars and E. coli by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

The study was conducted to compare the protein patterns among some Salmonella serovars and E. coli using Two Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gel Electophoresis. The Two Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gel Electophoresis showed a 37.81 kDa well separated protein spots with all Salmonella serovars at the same time with E. coli a 36.5 kDa protein. However, these protein spots of Two Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gel Electophoresis were further tested with Immunoblotting analysis with specific antiserum against Salmonella typhimurium infected chicks. All selected Salmonella serovars successfully identified a common 37.81 kDa protein whereas E. coli spots identified as 36.5 kDa protein instead of 37.81 kDa. As a further monitoring of these proteins as to check the homogeneity and heterogeneity for N-terminal amino acid sequencing, the specific protein bands from all Salmonella serovars and E. coli were excised, purified and subjected to sequence analysis. The amino acid sequence alignment showed the 37.81 kDa proteins of some Salmonella serovars were identical or homologous among the Salmonella serovars. The N-terminal amino acid alignments of the 37.81 kDa proteins were determined as alanineglutamine- valine-isoleucine-asparagine-threonine-asparagine. On the other hand, the N-terminal amino acid alignment of the 36.5 kDa protein of E . coli ACLD2201 was found to be heterologous as alanine-proline-lysine-aspartic acid-aspararginethreonine- tryptophan. The findings of this study can be concluded that the 37.81 kDa protein of some Salmonella serovars and 36.5 kDa protein of E. coli were completely different though there is some identity of these organisms due to the presence of Enterobacterial common antigen. Key words: Salmonella, 2D-PAGE, amino acid sequence doi: 10.3329/bjvm.v6i2. 2324 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2008). 6 (2): 127-138
MONITORING AND MODELLING GROUND DEFORMATIONS DURING TUNNELLING

An apparatus for dispensing a hydratable material includes a source of the hydratable material to be dispensed, including a container and a metering unit. A continuous-flow first mixer has a truncated conical mixing chamber with an open upper end and an open lower end of smaller diameter than the upper end. The upper end is disposed to receive the flow from the metering unit and the lower end delivers a flow of a mixture of the hydratable material and water. A plurality of water inlet openings at an upper end of an inner surface of the conical mixing chamber introduce water tangentially along the inner circumference of the cone to create a vortex effect within the cone. A continuous-flow second mixer is positioned directly adjacent to and below the first mixer and receives the flow of mixture from the first mixer. The second mixer includes at least one outlet opening of a size less than a preselected size, an impeller disposed to mix the mixture of hydratable material and water with high energy and force the mixture toward the outlet opening, and a motor that turns the impeller to have a tip speed of at least about 25 feet per second.