Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FROM CAFFEINE TO PROTEIN: THE DETECTION OF A WIDE RANGE OF MOLECULES BY SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE NEBULIZATION (SAWN) MASS SPECTROMETRY

Surface acoustic waves (SAW) can be generated along the surface of a piezoelectric material and efficiently transferred into fluid deposited on the surface to induce its nebulization. Recently, we demonstrated that surface acoustic wave nebulization (SAWN) can produce ions that are readily detectable by mass spectrometry (MS). Here we present the detailed fabrication process of a SAWN chip and demonstrate the ability of SAWN to generate ions from a variety of analytes ranging from small molecules (MW~100Da) to whole protein (MW>10kDa). The development of this new soft-ionization process holds the potential to bridge the gap between microfluidics and mass spectrometry.
The history and impact of social security in South Africa: experiences and lessons

Abstract This paper examines the history and impact of the rapidly expanding social protection system in South Africa. We document the dominance of cash transfer-based assistance programmes compared to social insurance. There is a clear racial pattern of social protection coverage, with Africans benefitting largely from social assistance and whites being disproportionately covered by social insurance. We also find that the expanded social assistance has a substantial impact on poverty and nutrition, with little evidence of adverse labour market effects. The programme appears to be affordable and, in the South African context, administratively feasible. We discuss potential economic and political incentive problems with the co-existence of social assistance and social insurance and, finally, the implications for the design of social protection programmes in other sub-Saharan African countries. Résumé Cette rédaction étudie l'histoire et l'impact du système de protection sociale qui est en expansion rapide en Afrique du Sud. Nous décrivons la prépondérance des programmes d'assistance de transfert d'argent comparé aux programmes d'assurance sociale. Il y a une tendance raciale nette de la couverture de la protection sociale dans laquelle les africains profitent en grand partie de l'assistance sociale et les blancs, de façon disproportionnée, sont couverts par l'assurance sociale. Nous trouvons aussi que ce système d'assistance sociale expansé a un impact important sur la pauvreté et la nutrition, et très peu de preuve des effets défavorables sur le marché du travail. Il semble que le programme est abordable et, dans le contexte sud-africain, viable administrativement. Nous examinons les problèmes potentiels des incitations politiques et économiques avec l'existence simultanée de l'assistance sociale et de l'assurance sociale. Et finalement, nous examinons les possibles conséquences de créer des programmes de protection sociale dans d'autres pays de l'Afrique subsaharienne.
Topographic distribution of homing receptors on B and T cells in human gut-associated lymphoid tissue: relation of L-selectin and integrin alpha 4 beta 7 to naive and memory phenotypes.

In mice, integrin alpha 4 beta 7 is the main receptor used by lymphocytes that home to the Peyer's patches, although L-selectin contributes to the initial interaction with high endothelial venules. Less is known about the expression and function of these adhesion molecules in humans. The distribution of L-selectin and alpha 4 beta 7 on various B- and T-cell subsets was examined in human Peyer's patches (n = 8) and appendix (n = 4), collectively called gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Multicolor immunophenotyping was performed on cryosections, and dispersed cells were examined by flow cytometry. In cryosections, CD45RA+ T cells around and within interfollicular high endothelial venules, as well as surface (s)IgD+ B lymphocytes in the follicle mantles, often expressed abundant L-selectin but only intermediate levels of alpha 4 beta 7. CD45RO+ T cells and sIgD- B cells expressed higher levels of alpha 4 beta 7 and were often located near putative efferent lymphatics; only a small fraction (< 20%) of such memory cells expressed L-selectin. By flow cytometry, considerably more T than B lymphocytes co-expressed L-selectin and alpha 4 beta 7 (40% versus 25% and 67% versus 39%, respectively). In samples with many L-selectin+ cells (> 30%), more of these lymphocytes co-expressed alpha 4 beta 7 than in samples with few L-selectin+ cells. Because L-selectin and alpha 4 beta 7 were co-expressed on lymphocytes located near high endothelial venules, and because such co-expression was relatively common when many L-selectin+ cells were present, both of these molecules might participate in homing to human gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Such homing is probably most pronounced for T lymphocytes that were found to express L-selectin and alpha 4 beta 7 more often than B lymphocytes. The selective and relatively high expression of alpha 4 beta 7 on memory cells located near efferent lymphatics indicated a different migratory capacity; after exit from gut-associated lymphoid tissue, such stimulated cells might home mainly to mucosal effector sites.
The propagation of quality management concepts in the Indian manufacturing industry: some empirical observations

Presents findings from a study that investigated the propagation of quality management practices among Indian manufacturing companies over a period of 16 years from 1980 to 1996. Reports the findings of a mail questionnaire survey conducted on 500 selected companies from 14 manufacturing sectors. The extent to which quality management practices have been implemented is reported and the obstacles to adoption are identified. The spread of quality initiatives in various functional areas is analysed and discussed. The paper will be of particular interest to practicing managers as it identifies a number of policies that governments may use to stimulate the adoption of quality management concepts in developing countries.
Impact of Doppler on UWB-based rotor-telemetry signal

Most of the typical applications based on the UWB-technique are used on environments, where the channel is time invariant or very slow variant. This paper introduces a new scenario based on UWB-technique for transmission of data, which is the rotor-telemetry. The rotor-telemetry is a special type of a radio-telemetry, where measuring data of physical parameters like pressure or temperature are captured by sensors predominantly on rotating objects such as shafts or gear parts, transmitted over special on the rotor mounted along-moved antennas and received by static antennas. A new problem appears with this scenario: since such systems become faster and faster, the impact of Doppler rises significantly. The consideration of the effect of Doppler in UWB-signals is different than in narrowband signals. In narrowband systems, the Doppler shift is almost equal for all frequencies, so that the compensation is simple by translating the spectrum proportional to the carrier frequency. This assumption is no more fulfilled in UWB-systems, since the low frequencies of the band suffer from less Doppler shift than the upper ones.
Detection of Bacterial Virulence Genes by Subtractive Hybridization: Identification of Capsular Polysaccharide ofBurkholderia pseudomallei as a Major Virulence Determinant

ABSTRACT Burkholderia pseudomallei, the etiologic agent of melioidosis, is responsible for a broad spectrum of illnesses in humans and animals particularly in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, where it is endemic. Burkholderia thailandensisis a nonpathogenic environmental organism closely related to B. pseudomallei. Subtractive hybridization was carried out between these two species to identify genes encoding virulence determinants in B. pseudomallei. Screening of the subtraction library revealed A-T-rich DNA sequences unique toB. pseudomallei, suggesting they may have been acquired by horizontal transfer. One of the subtraction clones, pDD1015, encoded a protein with homology to a glycosyltransferase fromPseudomonas aeruginosa. This gene was insertionally inactivated in wild-type B. pseudomallei to create SR1015. It was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoelectron microscopy that the inactivated gene was involved in the production of a major surface polysaccharide. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) for wild-type B. pseudomallei is <10 CFU; the LD50 for SR1015 was determined to be 3.5 × 105 CFU, similar to that of B. thailandensis (6.8 × 105CFU). DNA sequencing of the region flanking the glycosyltransferase gene revealed open reading frames similar to capsular polysaccharide genes in Haemophilus influenzae,Escherichia coli, and Neisseria meningitidis. In addition, DNA from Burkholderia mallei andBurkholderia stabilis hybridized to a glycosyltransferase fragment probe, and a capsular structure was identified on the surface of B. stabilis via immunoelectron microscopy. Thus, the combination of PCR-based subtractive hybridization, insertional inactivation, and animal virulence studies has facilitated the identification of an important virulence determinant in B. pseudomallei.
A unified approach to detecting unit root and structural break

In the proposed approach, eight alternative data-generating processes (DGPs) are considered by combining a process with or without a unit root, a process with or without a trend break and a process with or without an innovation-variance break. It is determined on the basis of the selected model using the Bayesian information criterion which DGP generates the observed time series. The efficacy of the proposed approach is verified using comprehensive simulations, including comparisons with two conventional hypothesis-testing methods. The results of applying the proposed method to output time series for 20 developed countries suggest that 12 series have a trend break and 16 series have an innovation-variance break.
The Welfare Effects of Third-Degree Price Discrimination in Intermediate Good Markets

This paper examines third-degree price discrimination by an intermediate good monopolist selling to downstream firms that differ in their abilities to integrate backward into supply of the input. It is shown that discrimination may lead to all buyers facing higher prices, and conditions under which discrimination reduces welfare by lowering total output are presented. It is shown that discrimination may raise welfare in some cases by preventing socially inefficient backward inteoratrnn
Impact of early-onset seizures on grading and outcome in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECT After subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), seizure occurs in up to 26% of patients. The impact of seizure on outcome has been studied, yet its impact on grading is unknown. The authors evaluated the impact of early-onset seizures (EOS) on grading of spontaneous SAH and on outcome. METHODS This retrospective analysis included consecutive patients with SAH who were treated at the NeuroCenter, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland, between January 2005 and December 2010. Demographic data, clinical data, and reports of EOS were recorded. The EOS were defined as seizures occurring within 24 hours after ictus. Patients were graded according to the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) scale pre- and postresuscitation and dichotomized into good (WFNS I-III) and poor (WFNS IV-V) grades. Outcome was assessed at 6 months by using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS); an mRS score of 0-3 was considered a good outcome and an mRS score of 4-6 was considered a poor outcome. RESULTS Forty-one of 425 patients with SAH had EOS. Twenty-seven of those 41 patients (65.9%) had a poor WFNS grade. Twenty-eight (68.3%) achieved a good outcome, 11 (26.8%) had a poor outcome, and 2 (4.9%) were lost to followup. Early-onset seizures were proven in 9 of 16 electroencephalograms. The EOS were associated with poor WFNS grade (OR 2.81, 97.5% CI 1.14-7.46; p=0.03) and good outcome (OR 4.01, 97.5% CI 1.63-10.53; p=0.03). Increasing age, hydrocephalus, intracerebral hemorrhage, and intraventricular hemorrhage were associated with poor WFNS grade, whereas only age, intracerebral hemorrhage (p<0.001), and poor WFNS grade (p<0.001) were associated with poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS Patients with EOS were classified significantly more often in a poor grade initially, but then they significantly more often achieved a good outcome. The authors conclude that EOS can negatively influence grading. This might influence decision making for the care of patients with SAH, so grading of patients with EOS should be interpreted with caution.
Governance and Scope Economies in Microfinance Institutions

This paper studies the relation between board size and composition and cost savings (scope economies) from combining savings mobilisation and lending by microfinance institutions (MFIs). The findings support the hypothesis that employee representation on the board is associated with positive scope economies, possibly due to internal knowledge. However, CEO-Chairman duality is associated with equal or larger probability of scope diseconomies, which is consistent with previous findings. Representation of other stakeholders on the MFI board does not affect scope economies. The results seem to support the notion that, in highly uncertain environments, group cohesion may be an advantageous mechanism of control.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae and community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND Community-acquired pneumonia is an important cause of mortality and hospitalization in all age groups. In temperate climates, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen causing pneumonia. Information on human Mycoplasma infection in India is scarce. METHODS We aimed to determine the frequency of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among patients with community-acquired pneumonia in a prospective cross-sectional study. The assessment included clinical and radiological evaluation followed by microbiological evaluation for the specific pathogen. Microbiological investigations included aerobic and anaerobic blood culture, anti-Mycoplasma IgM antibody detection by gelatin particle agglutination test and ELISA, culture of respiratory tract secretions for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other organisms, and detection of specific Mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen by indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS Sixty-two patients (42 men and 20 women; mean age 41.7 years) with community-acquired pneumonia were investigated prospectively. They included 42 immunocompetent and 20 immunocompromised patients. Six patients had definitive evidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and an additional 16 patients had a probable diagnosis. In all, 22 (35.5%) patients with pneumonia had Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Of these, 12 patients belonged to the immunocompromised group and 10 to the immunocompetent group. Patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection also had secondary bacterial infection as evidenced by organisms isolated from blood in 50% and from respiratory tract secretions in 68%. CONCLUSION Community-acquired pneumonia has a polymicrobial aetiology, of which the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is 35%. The study has two implications: (i) Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is frequently associated with secondary bacterial infection; and (ii) initial empirical antibiotic therapy for community-acquired pneumonia in India must include antibiotics with activity against Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Bank Debt Restructurings and the Composition of Exchange Offers in Financial Distress

This article examines the relation between bank debt forgiveness and the structure of public debt exchange offers in financial distress. The author finds that the structure of exchange offers and the likelihood of an offer's success are significantly related to whether the bank participates in the restructuring transaction. Exchange offers made in conjunction with bank concessions are characterized by significantly greater reductions in public debt outstanding and significantly less senior debt offered to bondholders. Overall, the results suggest that the structure of a firm's public and private claims significantly affects the firm's ability to modify its capital structure in financial distress. Copyright 1996 by American Finance Association.
Comparison of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived From Adipose Tissue and Bone Marrow for Ex Vivo Gene Therapy in Rat Spinal Fusion Model

Study Design. Rat spinal fusion model. Objective. To compare the efficacy of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HATDMSCs) and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HBMDMSCs) transduced with an adenovirus containing the cDNA for bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-2 for inducing spinal fusion in an athymic rat model. Summary of Background Data. Recombinant BMPs have successfully induced spinal fusion in clinical trials. However, large doses are required for adequate bone repair. Regional gene therapy may deliver proteins to specific anatomic sites more efficiently. Gene transfer techniques using HATDMSCs have recently been tested. Methods. Spinal fusion was performed in rats with different treatments: Group I (n = 10) collagen sponge containing HATDMSCs transfected with adeno-BMP-2, Group II (n = 10) collagen sponge containing HBMDMSCs transfected with adeno-BMP-2, Group III (n = 10) collagen sponge containing recombinant BMP-2 (10 &mgr;g), Group IV (n = 6) collagen sponge containing HATDMSCs transfected with adeno-LacZ, Group V (n = 6) collagen sponge containing HBMDMSCs transfected with adeno-LacZ, and Group VI (n = 6) collagen sponge alone. Radiographs were obtained at 4, 6, and 8 weeks. After sacrifice, the rat spines were assessed by manual palpation, microcomputed tomography, and histologic analysis. Results. At 8 weeks, spinal fusion was observed in all Groups I, II, and III rats. 75% (15 of 20) of the gene therapy treatment animals (Groups I and II rats) had spontaneous extension of the fusion to a second level. No Groups IV, V, and VI rats developed fusion. New bone volume was significantly greater in Groups I and II than in Group VI. Conclusion. HATDMSCs transfected with adeno-BMP-2 induce abundant bone formation and have a similar posterolateral spinal fusion in rats as similarly genetically modified HBMDMSCs. Both are potential strategies for spinal fusion and may be a more efficient method of obtaining spinal fusion over currently used grafting substances.
dl-3n-Butylphthalide Promotes Angiogenesis Via the Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase 1/2 and Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt-endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Signaling Pathways

Abstract: We have previously demonstrated that dl-3n-butylphthalide (NBP) has a potential angiogenic activity. In this study, we investigated the angiogenic effect of NBP and the molecular mechanisms underlying NBP-mediated angiogenesis. Zebrafish embryos and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with various doses of NBP and several signaling pathway inhibitors. NBP induced ectopic subintestinal vessel production in zebrafish embryos and induced invasion, migration, and endothelial cell tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. These NBP-induced angiogenic effects were partially suppressed by SU5402, a fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 inhibitor; U0126, an extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor; LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor; 1L6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol-2-(R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecyl-sn-glycerocarbonate, an Akt inhibitor; cavtratin, an endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor and completely inhibited by a combination of U0126 and LY294002. NBP enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 expression, which were inhibited by U0126. NBP increased the phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS at serine 1177, which was blocked by LY294002. NBP-stimulated nitric oxide production, which was reduced by LY294002. Our data demonstrated that (1) NBP promoted angiogenesis and (2) the angiogenic effects of NBP were mediated by the ERK1/2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt-eNOS signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that NBP could be a novel agent for therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic diseases.
Business as environmental steward: the growth of greening

Purpose – Business initiatives that improve environmental impact are increasing in number and the trend continues to accelerate. However, there is a growing consensus that transformations to protect the environment and conserve natural resources should be more pervasive and much larger steps than those already being taken are needed. Among the difficult challenges that business leaders and practitioners face today is to understand the driving forces that encourage environmental sustainability in the context of their own operation. This work articulates the key drivers of “green” activities that support environmental stewardship, and their relevance to business management.Design/methodology/approach – Environmental stewardship is positioned as a growth area, business leaders are already taking action to apply environmental sustainability principles, and each key driver of environmental stewardship is discussed separately. A rationale for each driver is provided, business management implications are articul.
Stress‐activated signalling pathways in yeast

Eukaryotic cells have developed response mechanisms to combat the harmful effects of a variety of stress conditions. In the majority of cases, such responses involve changes in the gene expression pattern of the cell, leading to increased levels and activities of proteins that have stress‐protective functions. Over the last few years, considerable progress has been made in understanding how stress‐dependent transcriptional changes are brought about, and it transpires that the underlying mechanisms are highly conserved, being similar in organisms ranging from yeast to man. Many of the stress signals derive from the extracellular environment and accordingly these signals require transduction from the cell surface to the nucleus. This is accomplished through stress‐activated signalling pathways, key amongst which are the highly conserved stress‐activated MAP kinase pathways. Stimulation of these pathways leads to the increased activity of specific transcription factors and consequently the increased expression of certain stress‐related genes. In this review, we focus on the progress that has been made in understanding these stress responses in yeast.
The Transition of Punjab Agriculture: A Choice of Technique Approach

The introduction of modern crop varieties in Punjab, India, led to rapid income growth. Adoption rate and level of the new varieties is examined using a choice-of-technique approach, in which techniques of production are identified by crop variety, season of growth, and method of production. Modeling the dynamic effects of technology, resource availability, and incentives reveals a consistent picture of the transition process. The results show the importance of incentives and availability of quasi-fixed inputs such as irrigation, fertilizers, and roads. By the late 1970s, the long-run aggregate supply elasticity was between 1.3–1.5.