Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiologic Assessment of Photoreceptor Function in Patients With Primary Open‐angle Glaucoma

Purpose: Electroretinograms to high‐intensity flashes were obtained to determine the extent of rod and cone photoreceptor and postreceptor dysfunction in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma. Methods: Full‐field flash electroretinograms were obtained using brief highintensity flashes. Dark‐adapted (rod‐dominated) and light‐adapted (cone‐dominated) electroretinogram responses were recorded to a “white” light as a function of flash intensity. The a‐wave data were fitted with a model based on photopigment transduction to obtain values for the parameters of log Rmax (the maximum response) and log S (sensitivity). Oscillatory potentials were measured to the cone‐dominated highintensity flashes. Standard clinical 30 Hz flicker electroretinogram responses were recorded using a Grass photostimulator. Results: Analysis of rod and cone a‐wave data showed that log Rmax and log S values were within the normal range in nearly all of the patients. For some patients, oscillatory potentials were delayed beyond the normal range. Conclusion: Our results provide little evidence for widespread photoreceptor abnormalities in primary open‐angle glaucoma.
Significant Differences in the Degradation of Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 by Human Serum and that of Other Species 1

Summary The acyclic C-terminal tri-peptide of oxytocin, H-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2, is not degraded upon incubation with human (male, female or pregnant female) plasma or serum for 1 hr at 37°. However, the sera of other species tested, including rat, chicken and carp, degrade this tripeptide 100%, 4% and 30 %, respectively, in 1 hr, as determined by quantitative amino acid analysis of released products. Among the species studied there seems to exist a correlation between the anatomic development of the pars intermedia and the ability of the serum to hy-drolyze H-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2, which has been proposed to be a MSH-release-in-hibiting factor. The only identified degradation products are Pro, Leu and H-Gly-NH2, with no detectable levels of H-Leu-Gly-NH2. The dipeptides H-Leu-Gly-NH2 and H-Pro-Leu-OH are each cleaved at similar rates in either human or rat serum, although the rate of hydrolysis of both peptides is lower in human than in rat. Thus, it does not appear that the dipeptide, H-Leu-Gly-NH2, can accumulate as one of the breakdown products of the tripeptide. The arylamidase present in rat serum has different characteristics from the enzyme in rat brain which can degrade H-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2. The authors wish to thank Drs. P. L. Hoffman and Abba Kastin for critical evaluation of the manuscript.
Influence of Functional Electrical Stimulation Training on Premotor and Motor Reaction Time

This study was designed to investigate the influence of functional electrical stimulation on the improvement of reaction time and its fractionated components during learning an horizontal arm-sweep task. 62 subjects participated and were divided into control, stimulation, and trial/stimulation groups. Functional electrical stimulation was an effective method of improving total reaction time and its central component, premotor time.
The modular structure of Escherichia coli threonyl‐tRNA synthetase as both an enzyme and a regulator of gene expression

In addition to its role in tRNA aminoacylation, Escherichia coli threonyl‐tRNA synthetase is a regulatory protein which binds a site, called the operator, located in the leader of its own mRNA and inhibits translational initiation by competing with ribosome binding. This work shows that the two essential steps of regulation, operator recognition and inhibition of ribosome binding, are performed by different domains of the protein. The catalytic and the C‐terminal domain of the protein are involved in binding the two anticodon arm‐like structures in the operator whereas the N‐terminal domain of the enzyme is responsible for the competition with the ribosome. This is the first demonstration of a modular structure for a translational repressor and is reminiscent of that of transcriptional regulators. The mimicry between the operator and tRNA, suspected on the basis of previous experiments, is further supported by the fact that identical regions of the synthetase recognize both the operator and the tRNA anticodon arm. Based on these results, and recent structural data, we have constructed a computer‐derived molecular model for the operator‐threonyl‐tRNA synthetase complex, which sheds light on several essential aspects of the regulatory mechanism.
Behaviour and ecology of the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte)

1 The western corn rootworm (WCR) is a historic pest with a legacy of resistance and behavioural plasticity. Its behaviour and nutritional ecology are important to rootworm management. The success of the most effective and environmentally benign rootworm management method, annual crop rotation, was based on an understanding of rootworm behaviour and host–plant relationships. Enthusiastic adoption of crop rotation, provided excellent rootworm management, but also selected for behavioural resistance to this cultural control.
Observations of a tornadic supercell over Oxfordshire using a pair of Doppler radars

On 7 May 2012 between approximately 1500-1600 UTC (45pm BST) a small tornado was reported by a number of observers in Witney, Kidlington and Bicester in Oxfordshire (see White 2012; Jones 2012; many more details and photographs/videos can be found by searching the world wide web). The strong winds associated with this tornado led to damage of trees, roofs and streetlights. Damage site investigations, conducted by members of the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO: www.torro.org.uk), subsequently revealed a 17km-long track of intermittent damage to the north and west of Oxford (S. P. Culling, personal communication, 2012). In addition to the strong winds in the tornado itself, heavy precipitation and reasonably large hailstones (≈ 1-1.5cm diameter) were also reported. Thunder and lightning were also associated with this storm, and lightning strike locations, as detected by the Met Office Arrival Time Difference Network (figure 1), clearly show its progression throughout the afternoon as it tracked over the Cotswolds and Oxfordshire, and on into the home counties.
Load Sharing in Ship Microgrids Under Nonsinusoidal Conditions—Case Study

The paper is focused on the problem of load sharing between generators running in parallel in ship microgrids loaded by variable-speed drives with power converters. It is based on an experimental study of a number of real cases recorded on three ships. Chosen power quantities defined in the IEEE 1459-2010 standard are calculated, and their sharing between generators working in parallel in ship systems are assessed. Particularly, sharing of active, nonactive, and apparent power as well as active, reactive, and apparent power of voltage and current fundamental components is determined for various loads. The levels of voltage and current distortions as well as harmonic power flow are also assessed. The results are commented on in the wake of related provisions of ship classification societies rules. Finally, it has been determined that there are differences between sharing of various power components, which must not be neglected, particularly in the case of nonactive power and fundamental reactive power. Therefore, amendments to related ship classification societies rules are necessary.
EFFECT OF STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP PRACTICES ON PERFORMANCE OF YOUTH OWNED ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE IN DEVOLVED GOVERNMENT IN KENYA. A CASE OF THARAKA-NITHI COUNTY

Strategic leadership practice is paramount in leading 21st century organizations due to the unpredictable operating environment which is becoming more and more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. This study sought to examine the effect of strategic leadership practices on performance of youth owned economic enterprise in devolved government in Kenya. A case of Tharaka-Nithi County. More precisely, the study sought to examine the effect of determining strategic direction on performance of Youth owned economic enterprises. Data collection instruments were the survey questionnaires for quantitative data and interviews where guided for qualitative data. Data collection procedure was done through use of research assistants and drop-and-pick strategy was applied in the data collection. For the qualitative data, interviews were conducted by the researcher using face-to-face strategy. Data was processed using SPSS version guided by the specific research objectives and the research hypotheses. The study recommended for effective performance of effect of strategic leadership practices on performance of youth owned economic enterprise in devolved government in Kenya. A case of Tharaka-Nithi County. That the Training on importance of strategic leadership to be continuous and there should be incentive to those who practice strategic leadership. Whereas the researcher dealt with the above factor that affect strategic leadership practices on performance of youth owned economic enterprise in Tharaka-Nithi County there need to be more areas to be looked and relooked in Tharaka-Nithi County and in Kenya wholly and there is need to use other methods of study to see whether the same result can be realized. Key Words: Strategic Direction, Youth Owned Economic Enterprises, Tharaka-Nithi County
Reward for Innovative Activity of Employees as a Special Item of Financial Accounting of a Globally Oriented Company in the Conditions of the New Economy Formation

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the necessity and to develop practical recommendations for establishing a reward for innovative activity of employees as a special item of financial accounting of a globally oriented company in the conditions of the new economy formation. The theoretical and methodological foundation of this research is the modern scientific concept of new economy, the concept of innovations, and the concept of a globally oriented company. The methodology of the work is based on the use of the systemic and problem approaches – in particular, the method of analysis of causal connections, the method of RESUMEN: El propósito del artículo es corroborar la necesidad y desarrollar recomendaciones prácticas para establecer una recompensa por la actividad innovadora de los empleados como un elemento especial de la contabilidad financiera de una empresa de orientación global en las condiciones de la nueva formación de la economía. La base teórica y metodológica de esta investigación es el concepto científico moderno de la nueva economía, el concepto de innovaciones y el concepto de una empresa con orientación global. La metodología del trabajo se basa en el uso de enfoques sistémicos y problemáticos, en particular, el método de structural and functional analysis, induction, deduction, systematization, and the method of information visualization. The authors distinguish the reasons for the necessity for establishing the reward for innovative activity of employees as a special item in financial accounting of a globally oriented company in the conditions of the new economy formation and offer the detailed practical recommendations for modernizing international standards of financial accounting in view of the necessity for reflecting the reward for employees’ innovative activity.
Exploratory and Confirmatory Gene Expression Profiling of mac1Δ*

Exploratory outlier identification methods and confirmatory gene expression studies showed induction of the iron regulon in Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking Mac1p, a copper-responsive transcription factor. The Aft1p/Aft2p binding motif was the most discriminating motif between up- and down-regulated genes, and we identified new genes potentially regulated by Aft1p/Aft2p. In addition, multiple genes encoding proteins containing Fe-S clusters were down-regulated suggesting metabolic reorganization to conserve iron in mac1Δ. Null mutants of each of the differentially expressed genes were characterized for copper- or iron-related phenotypes. New or additional support for a role in copper and iron homeostasis is provided in this study for the gene products of AKR1, MRS4, PCA1, SSU1, TIS11, YBR047W, YHL035C, YHR045W, YLR047C, YLR126C, and YTP1.
Caracterización de espacios de calidad y algoritmos evolutivos en problemas de optimización con codificación real

Esta tesis doctoral propone un procedimiento de caracterizacion formal de algoritmos evolutivos y espacios de calidad en problemas de optimizacion con codificacion real. La principal motivacion para el desarrollo de este tema ha sido la constatacion de que el gran auge experimentado en la aplicacion de los algoritmos evolutivos en problemas reales cada vez mas complejos ha implicado el desarrollo de nuevas tecnicas mas avanzadas y con mejores resultados pero, sin embargo, este gran nivel de actividad no ha venido acompanado de un analisis formal de dichas tecnicas. En consecuencia, actualmente los usuarios de algoritmos evolutivos no expertos en el campo poseen gran cantidad de opciones y variantes de los mismos, pero carecen de informacion objetiva sobre el ambito de aplicacion de cada una de ellos. En este trabajo se ha llevado a cabo una primera aproximacion al desarrollo de un procedimiento de caracterizacion formal destinado a los disenadores de algoritmos evolutivos para que, a la hora de presentar sus trabajos a la comunidad cientifica, utilicen una metodologia comun que posibilite la caracterizacion practica del algoritmo desde un punto de vista totalmente objetivo y con conclusiones que sean facilmente utilizables por parte de los usuarios.
Sistema de pruebas de servicios REST mediante análisis de esquemas inferidos

A lo largo de los ultimos anos, el paradigma de la arquitectura orientada a servicios ha tenido una gran expansion gracias a la expansion de las tecnologias web e internet. Las ventajas de esta arquitectura se basan en ofrecer disenos modulares con poco acoplamiento entre si, lo que permite la creacion eficiente y sistematica de sistemas distribuidos. Para que este tipo de arquitectura sea posible, es necesario dotar a los servicios de interfaces de interconexion que permitan encapsular los servicios al mismo tiempo que faciliten el uso de los mismos. Existen varias tecnologias para definir estos interfaces. Entre ellas, los servicios REST, o REpresentional State Transfer, estan logrando cada vez mas aceptacion. Esto se debe principalmente a su capacidad de escalabilidad y la uniformidad de sus interfaces, que permite una mayor separacion entre los consumidores y los servicios. De hecho, companias como Yahoo, Google o Twitter definen interfaces REST de acceso a sus servicios, ya se para consultar mapas (GoogleMaps), imagenes (Flickr) o el correo, permitiendo a terceros desarrollar clientes para sus servicios sin tener que involucrarse en su produccion.
State Policy Options for Building Assets

States continue to play an important role in helping lowand moderate-resource families save and build wealth. They have been innovators in assets policy, whether on their own or through the forces of “devolution,” in which federal funds and decision-making authority are shifting from the federal to the state level. These initiatives and experiments— these “laboratories of democracy”—have inspired and informed other states as well as policymakers at the national level.
Higher frequency of dementia in older HIV-1 individuals

Background: Antiretroviral therapy has improved survival for HIV-1-infected individuals. The neuroepidemiologic implications of HIV-1 in an aging population are not well known, particularly the prevalence of HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Methods: The authors report a baseline cross-sectional analysis of 202 HIV-1-seropositive individuals enrolled into one of two groups of the Hawaii Aging with HIV Cohort: older (50 or more years old, n = 106) and younger (20 to 39 years old, n = 96). Neuropsychological, neurologic, medical, and laboratory data were obtained at enrollment. Participant cognitive status was classified (research case definitions) using American Academy of Neurology (1991) criteria in a consensus conference of physicians and neuropsychologists. Results: HAD was more frequent in older (25.2%) compared to younger (13.7%) individuals (p = 0.041) corresponding to an OR of 2.13 (95% CI: 1.02 to 4.44) for the older compared to the younger group. After adjusting for education, race, substance dependence, antiretroviral medication status, viral load, CD4 lymphocyte count, and Beck Depression Inventory score, the odds of having HAD among individuals in the older group was 3.26 (1.32 to 8.07) times that of the younger group. Conclusions: Older age is associated with increased HAD in this HIV-1 cohort. Underlying mechanisms are unclear but do not appear related to duration of HIV-1 infection.
Glutathione S-transferase M null homozygosity and risk of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with sun exposure: a possible gene-environment interaction for autoimmunity.

OBJECTIVE Multiple genetic factors modulate predisposition to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 catalyze metabolic pathways for the excretion of reactive oxygen species that may be generated by cellular oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. We hypothesized that risk of SLE associated with occupational sun exposure is modulated by GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genotypes. METHODS DNA samples and occupational history were collected from 243 cases and 298 controls in the Carolina Lupus Study, a population based case-control study of patients with recently diagnosed SLE. RESULTS There was no independent association between SLE and presence of the homozygous null GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotype, the homozygous Val/Val or heterozygous Val/Ile GSTP1 genotype, or occupational sunlight exposure. The prevalence of Ro autoantibodies was significantly increased among Caucasians with the GSTM1 null genotype (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0, 6.8), but was somewhat weaker among African-Americans (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.7, 3.5). In the combined analysis of occupational sunlight exposure and GSTM1 genotype, the effect of sun exposure among Caucasians varied depending on GSTM1 genotype. There was a 3-fold increased risk (OR 3.1, 95% CI 0.9, 10.8) of SLE associated with 24 or more months' occupational sun exposure among Caucasians with the GSTM1 null genotype, but sun exposure was not associated with risk among GSTM1 positive Caucasians (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3, 1.5). The interaction was statistically significant (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that GSTM1 homozygous null genotype may modify the effect of occupational sun exposure on the risk of SLE in caucasians.
Study on Sensing Properties of a Temperature-Independent High Pressure Sensor Base on Tapered FBG

The sensing properties with strain and temperature of tapered FBG had been researched both theoretically and experimentally. Based on tapered FBG and thin-wall strain cylinder structure, a novel temperature-independent high pressure sensor was fabricated and investigated. The tapered FBG performed as a chirped grating, whose bandwidth and reflection power broadened and increased when the pressure applied on it. Moreover, the bandwidth and the reflection power were temperature-independent. So the value of the strain can be obtained by detecting the reflection power. This method effectively solved the cross-sensitivity problem. The experiment results indicated that this sensor provided a measurement range of 0~40MPa with a sensitivity of 0.04&#956;w/MPa, low cost and good application prospect.
CUCURBIT YELLOW STUNTING DISORDER VIRUS - A NEW THREAT TO CUCURBITS IN LEBANON

Virus diseases are the major cause of economic losses in commercial cucurbit production in Lebanon. Besides mosaic inducing viruses, which have been noted for several years, greenhouse-grown cucumber and melon were often observed with severe yellowing symptoms that started as interveinal mottle on the older leaves and developed into severe yellowing symptoms as the leaves became older. The incidence, in fall crops reached up to 100% in several locations along the Lebanese coast. The presence of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder Crinivirus (CYSDV) was confirmed by the following tests: transmission by Bemisia tabaci to cucumber, melon and squash but not to lettuce or to Physalis floridana; presence in infected plants of two dsRNAs of about 8 and 9 kbp similar to those reported for criniviruses; observation of a few flexuous particles in leaf dip preparations; cytological alterations observed in infected plants, typical for Crinivirus and Closterovirus infections; and amplification by RT-PCR, using CYSDV-specific primers, of a DNA fragment that showed 99% nucleotide sequence identity with that of a CYSDV isolate from Spain. This is the first report of CYSDV in Lebanon.
Comorbidity of interstitial cystitis with other unexplained clinical conditions.

PURPOSE The aims of this review are 1) to consider the hypothesis that interstitial cystitis (IC) is not a single disease entity in all patients by reviewing the evidence for the presence of IC subtypes and for the comorbidity of various unexplained clinical conditions in some patients with IC, and 2) to describe recent results obtained in humans and in cats with severe feline IC (FIC) that suggest the presence of an underlying neuroendocrine abnormality. MATERIALS AND METHODS The IC literature concerning comorbidity with other disorders was reviewed and these findings were compared with those of investigators studying the comorbid disorders and comparable data on cats with FIC. RESULTS A significant overlap of symptoms exists among a number of unexplained clinical conditions and a common stress response pattern of increased sympathetic nervous system function in the absence of comparable activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis occurs in a subset of patients with many of these conditions. A comparable pattern exists in cats with FIC, which also includes increased corticotropin releasing factor activity and decreased adrenocortical reserve. CONCLUSIONS Further investigation of the stress response system of patients with IC seems merited, which may provide novel approaches to therapy in some patients.
HETEROCARYOSIS-LIKE PHENOMENON IN BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Ikeda, Y. (University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan) and T. Iijima. Heterocaryosis-like phenomenon in Bacillus subtilis. J. Bacteriol. 83:1025–1028. 1962. —When a mixture of methionine-dependent, histidine-dependent, streptomycin-resistant cells and tryptophan-dependent, streptomycin-sensitive cells of Bacillus subtilis K is plated on minimal medium supplemented with asparagine and streptomycin, tiny colonies consisting of both component cells and X-type cells appear at a frequency of about 10−6. Because the X-type cell segregates persistently both components and X-type, even after spore formation, it is considered to be a heterocaryon or a syncaryon possessing two kinds of genomes in a common cytoplasm.