Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of human cytochrome P450 2B6 in Escherichia coli: characterization of catalytic activity and expression levels in human liver.

Expression of human cytochrome P450 (P450) 2B6 in Escherichia coli was achieved following supplementation of the expression medium with chloramphenicol. The recombinant protein was purified using Ni(2+)-nitrilotriacetate chromatography and was characterized with regard to its spectral properties and catalytic activities toward typical P450 substrates. The purified recombinant protein was also used to raise polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. Examination of a panel of human liver microsomal preparations revealed expression of P450 2B6 in most samples, with levels of <1 to 30 pmol 2B6/mg microsomal protein. Examination of purified P450 2B6 preparations revealed the presence of a protease-sensitive site located 126 residues away from the N-terminus. The identity of the cleavage boundary was verified by protein sequence analysis. Cleavage of P450 2B6 at that site results in the presence of a lower molecular weight fragment of approximately 35 kDa in purified preparations. An immunoreactive peptide of a similar molecular weight was consistently observed in some but not all human liver microsomal preparations suggesting cleavage at the same site. Examination of catalytic activities of the purified reconstituted protein indicated the potential utility of (S)-mephenytoin N-demethylation and testosterone 16beta-hydroxylation as markers for P450 2B6.
Inner City Regeneration

Introduction 1. The development of inner city policy 2. The agencies for inner city regeneration 3. Planning and land issues 4. Economic regeneration 5. Improving the housing stock 6. Social provision 7. Four governmental experiments 8. Learning from overseas experience 9. A future for the inner city
Leadership strategies for gaining business excellence through total quality management: A Finnish case study

This paper suggests two successful leadership strategies for gaining business excellence through total quality management (TQM). The Finnish case examples imply that inimitable competitive advantages can be gained through a deeply embedded quality ideology. It is important for managers to understand the leadership strategies for TQM implementation in order to capitalize on the strength that these strategies generate in the company's pursuit of business excellence.
Gene Regulation of Carbon Fixation, Storage, and Utilization in the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Acclimated to Light/Dark Cycles1[C][W][OA]

Summary: Analyses of gene regulation and cell chemistry in acclimated fed batch cultures of Phaeodactylum tricornutum identify genes and metabolic pathways of carbon metabolism, and the subcellular localization and timing of genes and processes during light/dark cycles. The regulation of carbon metabolism in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum at the cell, metabolite, and gene expression levels in exponential fed-batch cultures is reported. Transcriptional profiles and cell chemistry sampled simultaneously at all time points provide a comprehensive data set on carbon incorporation, fate, and regulation. An increase in Nile Red fluorescence (a proxy for cellular neutral lipids) was observed throughout the light period, and water-soluble glucans increased rapidly in the light period. A near-linear decline in both glucans and lipids was observed during the dark period, and transcription profile data indicated that this decline was associated with the onset of mitosis. More than 4,500 transcripts that were differentially regulated during the light/dark cycle are identified, many of which were associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Genes not previously described in algae and their regulation in response to light were integrated in this analysis together with proposed roles in metabolic processes. Some very fast light-responding genes in, for example, fatty acid biosynthesis were identified and allocated to biosynthetic processes. Transcripts and cell chemistry data reflect the link between light energy availability and light energy-consuming metabolic processes. Our data confirm the spatial localization of processes in carbon metabolism to either plastids or mitochondria or to glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, which are localized to the cytosol, chloroplast, and mitochondria. Localization and diel expression pattern may be of help to determine the roles of different isoenzymes and the mining of genes involved in light responses and circadian rhythms.
Analysis of a two-echelon inventory control system with complete redistribution

This paper examines a two-level distribution system consisting of a central warehouse CW supplying several branch warehouses BW's, which, in turn, supply normally-distributed customer demands in a periodic-review environment. The CW replenishes system inventory using a base-stock replenishment policy and a predetermined order cycle of H time periods; i.e., every H periods, the CW orders enough from an outside supplier to bring the systemwide inventory position to a certain level to be determined based on a given minimum level of customer service. Upon receipt of this order, the CW allocates it entirely to the BW's so as to minimize the expected total units short at the BW's. This simple allocation scheme, may, of course, lead to out-of-balance BW inventories towards the end of the CW's order cycle. Hence, redistribution during the cycle should be considered. The redistribution treated here is a complete redistribution of all BW inventories one period before the end of the order cycle. Approximate formulas are derived which allow for a comparison of the system-wide inventories appropriate to each of two allocation schemes: 1 the simple allocation scheme only; and 2 the simple allocation scheme with total redistribution one period before the end of the order cycle. Limited computational tests indicate the magnitude of the improvements possible with total redistribution, and the sensitivities of these improvements to model parameters.
Novel Spiking Neuron-Astrocyte Networks based on nonlinear transistor-like models of tripartite synapses

In this paper a novel and efficient computational implementation of a Spiking Neuron-Astrocyte Network (SNAN) is reported. Neurons are modeled according to the Izhikevich formulation and the neuron-astrocyte interactions are intended as tripartite synapsis and modeled with the previously proposed nonlinear transistor-like model. Concerning the learning rules, the original spike-timing dependent plasticity is used for the neural part of the SNAN whereas an ad-hoc rule is proposed for the astrocyte part. SNAN performances are compared with a standard spiking neural network (SNN) and evaluated using the polychronization concept, i.e., number of co-existing groups that spontaneously generate patterns of polychronous activity. The astrocyte-neuron ratio is the biologically inspired value of 1.5. The proposed SNAN shows higher number of polychronous groups than SNN, remarkably achieved for the whole duration of simulation (24 hours).
Distant cutaneous manifestation of Crohn's disease presenting as a granulomatous erysipelas‐like lesion

To the Editor: Granulomatous inflammation of the skin in Crohn’s disease, non-contiguous to the gastrointestinal tract, is a rare manifestation with varying clinical appearances [ 1-31. We report here on a 31-year-old man suffering from ileocolic Crohn’s disease who developed an erysipelas-like lesion on the left shank with histological characteristics of non-caseating epitheloid granuloma and sarcoid structure. The patient who had an 8-year history of Crohn’s disease had been treated with prednisolone (5 mg/ day); and for 3 years additionally with azathioprine (25 mg/day) and mesalazine (500 mg/day twice daily); the patient had good control of gastrointestinal symptoms in the last 6 months. He presented in our Department with a painful, oedematous, erythematous plaque on the left shank with a central, violaceous infiltration (Fig. 1). Left inguinal lymph nodes were enlarged and the temperature was raised up to 38°C. Acute gastrointestinal symptoms were not noted. Laboratory investigations showed elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (52162 mm), increased C-reactive protein (57 mg/l), and 9800 leukocytednl. No further abnormalities were detected in hematologic and biochemical examinations. X-ray of the shank showed no signs of osteomyelitis, osteitis or periosteitis. Initial antibiotic therapy with penicillin was substituted by ciprofloxacin (200 mg/day twice daily) since diarrhoea was noted. After 10 days of therapy the acute inflammatory skin lesion only improved slightly. Histopathological examination of the residual lesion showed non-caseating epitheloid granulomas in deep dermis, composed of numerous epithelioid cells, lymphocytes, Langhans giant cells, focal necrobiosis and erythrocyte extravasates. No foreign bodies were found by polarising microscopy. Ziehl-Neelsen stain and PAS stain were negative for mycobacteria and fungal elements. After therapy with prednisolone (20 mg/day), azathioprine (100 mg/ day), continuation of oral mesalazine (500 mg twice daily) and local application of 3% mesalazine creme for 4 weeks complete remission of the lesion was noted. The presentation of cutaneous Crohn’s disease may imitate several dermatoses. Infiltrated dull-red papules, plaques, and nodules, some with erosions, ulceration’s, or erysipelas-like eruptions may be mistaken as severe acne vulgaris, chronic cheilitis, severe seborrhoeic dermatitis, intertrigo. erythema nodosum, hidradenitis suppurativa, lichenoid eruptions or erysipelas, dependent on the area where they occur [461. Histologic appearance of the skin lesions is usually suggestive of nodular-patterned, non-caseating granulomas like seen in the case presented here. Since cutaneous granuloma formation can also be seen in foreign body reactions, sarcoidosis, and a number of mycobacterial and fungal infections, these conditions must be excluded. Appropriate treatment of Crohn’s disease is well described and consists primarily of systemic corticosteroids, sulfasalazine, antibiotics and azathioprine, either as
Valuing Locational Externalities: A GIS and Multilevel Modelling Approach

Hedonic house price modelling has been used extensively in the valuation of locational externalities. However, the theory of how locational externalities impact upon house prices is not reflected in the traditional measurements of location used in these studies. The result is that many hedonic house price models suffer from parameter estimates that are either insignificant or counterintuitive. In this paper I attempt to move towards a more realistic valuation of locational externalities by examining the effects of location upon house prices from a geographical as opposed to a purely economic perspective. A multilevel conceptualisation is presented, which takes into account the spatial effects of locational externalities upon house prices. A location-sensitive GIS of Cardiff and a multilevel specification of the hedonic model is then used to model these effects. I conclude that a more realistic treatment of location is required if locational externalities are to be valued successfully.
Glutathione-dependent One-electron Transfer Reactions Catalyzed by a B12 Trafficking Protein*

Background: CblC is a B12-processing enzyme that converts cyanocobalamin to cob(II)alamin. Results: CblC catalyzes two previously unknown reactions: GSH-dependent reductive decyanation of CNCbl and reduction of OH2Cbl. Conclusion: Worm and human CblC activities show different susceptibilities to oxygen. Significance: The use of GSH for single-electron transfer is unexpected and expands the range of catalytic reactions supported by CblC. CblC is involved in an early step in cytoplasmic cobalamin processing following entry of the cofactor into the cytoplasm. CblC converts the cobalamin cargo arriving from the lysosome to a common cob(II)alamin intermediate, which can be subsequently converted to the biologically active forms. Human CblC exhibits glutathione (GSH)-dependent alkyltransferase activity and flavin-dependent reductive decyanation activity with cyanocobalamin (CNCbl). In this study, we discovered two new GSH-dependent activities associated with the Caenorhabditis elegans CblC for generating cob(II)alamin: decyanation of CNCbl and reduction of aquocobalamin (OH2Cbl). We subsequently found that human CblC also catalyzes GSH-dependent decyanation of CNCbl and reduction of OH2Cbl, albeit efficiently only under anaerobic conditions. The air sensitivity of the human enzyme suggests interception by oxygen during the single-electron transfer step from GSH to CNCbl. These newly discovered GSH-dependent single-electron transfer reactions expand the repertoire of catalytic activities supported by CblC, a versatile B12-processing enzyme.
Neurophysiological Monitoring of S1 Root Function During Microsurgical Posterior Discectomy Using H-Reflex and Spinal Nerve Root Potentials

Study Design. Tibial H-reflex and epidural recordings of the spinal nerve root potentials (SRP) of the S1 root were performed intermittently during microsurgical posterior discectomy. Objective. To obtain reversible conduction dysfunction of dynamically retracted spinal nerve root S1 in an on-line manner to control the surgical manipulation and prevent iatrogenic root injury. Summary of Background Data. Excessive force and duration of nerve root retraction during posterior lumbar discectomy may result in additional nerve root injury and battered root syndrome. Methods. The S1 root was exposed by fenestration and the epidural electrodes were placed along the root above and below the compression site in 12 patients. H wave and SRP changes were recorded intermittently during discectomy and related to different manipulative phases of surgery. The desynchronisation index of SRP was computed off-line as a ratio between a/b, where a represents the positive deflection of the signal from the zero line and b represents peak-to-peak amplitude. Results. The reflex muscle evoked potential from the soleus muscle (H wave), SRP1 (ascendant) and SRP2 (descendant volley) paralleled the surgical manipulation. The amplitude of the H wave significantly decreased and the desychronisation index of SRP1 (later evaluated in 8/12 patients) significantly increased after mobilization of the root with a dissector and in the late phase of intervertebral disc evacuation (P < 0.001), indicating conduction dysfunction related to surgical manipulation of the root. Conclusion. A good surgical outcome as shown by preserved Achilles tendon and H reflexes was related to the immediate return of H wave and SRP on stopping the harmful manipulation, and preservation of the H wave and SRP at the end of surgery. SRP monitoring brings up additional information concerning initial root injury and cumulative manipulative effects. The technique of dynamic nerve root retraction in posterior lumbar discectomy can therefore be made safer.
Failure of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy in experimental enterococcal endocarditis

To assess the potential efficacy of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) against serious enterococcal infections, we used a rat enterococcal endocarditis model comparing TMP-SMX therapy (500 mg of TMP plus 2,500 mg of SMX per kg of body weight per day given every 8 h by intragastric gavage) with intravenous ampicillin therapy (1,000 mg/kg per day). Despite concentrations of active drug in serum well in excess of the MIC and MBC, the mean residual vegetation bacterial titer in TMP-SMX-treated rats was similar to that in untreated controls (8.4 +/- 1.1 versus 8.6 +/- 1.3 log10 CFU/g) and significantly higher than that in the ampicillin-treated group (3.6 +/- 1.5 log10 CFU/g; P less than or equal to 0.001). This demonstrates discordance between in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of TMP-SMX in serious enterococcal infection.
Combined inverse-dynamics/passivity-based control for robots with elastic joints

We consider the global tracking control problem of robots with elastic joints. Even if joint elasticity introduces beneficial features for modern applications which require physically resilient and safer robots that can interact with the environment or humans, it challenges the achievable control performance. We propose a novel controller which combines the benefits of two approaches: the intrinsic robustness to model uncertainty from passivity-based control and the implementation efficiency of inverse-dynamics control schemes using a modern recursive algorithm. The novel controller is applied to an elastic-joint reconfigurable robotic arm using a recently proposed framework for on-the-fly control design. Simulation and experimental results validate our proposed approach.
Another Size Fits all? Public Value Management and Challenges for Institutional Design

Abstract The talk is of a new public value paradigm that is challenging the dominance of the new public management. In some quarters, however, public value is criticized as a reheated version of other public administration narratives. This article supplements the debate with an assessment of the ramifications of public value for institutional design in the public sector. It scans the literature for premises that might inform the structuring of public agencies. An institutional prescription is advanced and appraised. The article concludes that, while promising, public value's institutional project remains incomplete.
Crosshatching on a SiGe film grown on a Si(001) substrate studied by Raman mapping and atomic force microscopy

The morphology, stress, and composition distributions of the crosshatch pattern on a SiGe film grown on a Si(001) substrate using a low-temperature Si buffer are studied by atomic force and Raman microscopies. Crosshatching is not related to composition fluctuation regardless of the stress undulation associated with strain relaxation in the SiGe film. The crosshatch morphology arises from vertical lattice relaxation induced by piled-up misfit dislocations in the Si buffer layer and substrate. A model for crosshatch formation is proposed.
Globalization and the effects of changes in functional income distribution on aggregate demand in Germany

Germany has experienced a period of extreme nominal and real wage moderation since the mid‐1990s. Contrary to the expectations of liberal economists, this has failed to improve Germany’s mediocre economic performance. However, Germany is now running substantial current account surpluses. One possible explanation for Germany’s disappointing performance is found in Kaleckian theory, which highlights that the domestic demand effect of a decline in the wage share will typically be contractionary, whereas net exports will increase (Blecker 1989). The size of the foreign demand effect will critically depend on the degree of openness of the economy. This paper aims at estimating empirically the demand side of a Bhaduri and Marglin (1990) type model for Germany. The paper builds on the estimation strategy of Stockhammer, Onaran, and Ederer (2009) and Hein and Vogel (2008, 2009). The main contribution lies in a careful analysis of the effects of globalization. Since Germany is a large open economy by now it is a particularly interesting case study.
Almost global tracking control of a quadrotor UAV on SE(3)

In this paper we present a controller which achieves uniform almost global asymptotic stability of the tracking error dynamics for a quadrotor on SE(3). By considering the tracking control of a quadrotor UAV on SE(3) we avoid singularities of Euler angles and ambiguity of quaternions and by explicitly taking into account the constraint of non-zero total thrust in our controller design, we do not achieve a local result but almost global asymptotic stability of the tracking controller. Second, we consider the position tracking error in the body-frame of the reference UAV. As a result, contrary to most existing tracking controllers, our control action becomes independent of the definition of the inertial frame. We illustrate by simulations that even in the presence of small disturbances and sampled, delayed, and noisy measurements the controller achieves stable tracking error dynamics for which errors converge to some region near the origin.
Landscape valuation and planning

Landscape provides amenities and supports recreational, residential and productive activities. It appears both as an economic resource and as a local public good. Landscape economics uses both public economics and spatial economics concepts, but draws some specificity due to the social and cultural dimensions of landscapes. Moreover, it emphasises the role of the enforcement of property rights' devices on landscape dynamics. The latter is crucial for policy makers who have to deal with various topics such as urban sprawl, agriculture policy, territorial governance and local development. This editorial provides a concise introduction to the economic analysis of landscapes and the main research issues in this field. It thus establishes some background for the seven papers that make up this special issue on landscape valuation and planning.
Media Convergence/Management Change: The Evolving Workflow for Visual Journalists

This article, based on a national survey of photo editors and Web directors from news organizations publishing, both online and in hard copy, examines the differences in workflow of visual journalists. An evolution in how news photographs are used and in the aesthetic and technical handling is occurring as newspapers embrace new media publishing. As a result, newspapers and news organizations are creating different operating systems within the field of photo editing and Web production. This article was done in conjunction with Kenny Irby, Visual Journalism Group Leader, The Poynter Institute for Media Studies.
Are 16-month-ahead forecasts useful? A directional analysis of Japanese GDP forecasts

Past literature casts doubt on the ability of long-term macroeconomic forecasts to predict the direction of change. We re-examine this issue using the Japanese GDP forecast data of 37 institutions, and find that their 16-month-ahead forecasts contain valuable information on whether the growth rate accelerates or not. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley l Sons, Ltd.
Post-Saddam Iraq: deconstructing a regime, reconstructing a nation

The reconstruction of Iraq, following its invasion and occupation by the USA and its allies in 2003, presents a challenge to the consensus view of post-war reconstruction that has emerged in the wake of the Cold War, in that in Iraq reconstruction is being seen as integral to a military strategy and external strategic interest. Iraq itself also presents a very different context in terms of its human and economic development, resources and recent history compared with other nations that have been the subject of reconstruction interventions. This paper draws on four key tenets of post-war reconstruction: understanding the context (historical, cultural, regional); developing a shared national vision of the future; developing collaborative governance; and inducing development as a framework for analysing the nature of the reconstruction attempted in Iraq. It traces the difficulties of effecting a peaceful transition to the failure to understand the implications of attempting to impose a pre-determined plan in the fragile conditions of Iraq, post-Saddam. Nevertheless, despite these many mistakes, the paper concludes by suggesting that a way forward can still be found.
Using international surveys of achievement and literacy: a view from the outside

The paper reports on experience of using three international surveys of learning achievement or functional literacy: TIMSS, PISA and IALS. The continued development of new surveys means that it is all the more important for users to share their knowledge of the sources. A range of issues are considered of which the most important are (i) the robustness of results to the method used for aggregating the answers for each individual into a single score; (ii) the methods that can be used for presenting summary statistics; and (iii) the need to systematically compare the basic results of the different surveys.