Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurotrophin signaling via Trks and p75.

This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of receptor-mediated signaling by the neurotrophins NGF, BDNF, NT3, and NT4/5. Two distinct receptor types have been distinguished, Trks and p75. The Trks are receptor tyrosine kinases that utilize a complex set of substrates and adapter proteins to activate defined secondary signaling cascades required for neurotrophin-promoted neuronal differentiation, plasticity, and survival. A specialized aspect of Trk/neurotrophin action in neurons is the requirement for retrograde signaling from the distal periphery to the cell body. p75 is a universal receptor for neurotrophins that is a member of the TNF receptor/Fas/CD40 superfamily. p75 appears to modify Trk signaling when the two receptor types are coexpressed. When expressed in the absence of Trks, p75 mediates responses to neurotrophins including promotion of apoptotic death. The mechanisms of p75 receptor signaling remain to be fully understood.
Chapter 2 Bacteria for Plant Growth Promotion and Disease Management

Soil is an excellent niche of growth of many microorganisms: protozoa, fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Some microorganisms are able to colonize soil surrounding plant roots, the rhizosphere, making them come under the influence of plant roots (Hiltner 1904; Kennedy 2005). These bacteria are named rhizobacteria. Rhizobacteria are rhizosphere competent bacteria able to multiply and colonize plant roots at all stages of plant growth, in the presence of a competing microflora (Antoun and Kloepper 2001) where they are in contact with other microorganisms. This condition is wildly encountered in natural, non-autoclaved soils. Generally, interactions between plants and microorganisms can be classified as pathogenic, saprophytic, and beneficial (Lynch 1990). Beneficial interactions involve plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), generally refers to a group of soil and rhizosphere free-living bacteria colonizing roots in a competitive environment and exerting a beneficial effect on plant growth (Kloepper and Schroth 1978; Lazarovits and Nowak 1997; Kloepper et al. 1989; Kloepper 2003; Bakker et al. 2007). However, numerous researchers tend to enlarge this restrictive definition of rhizobacteria as any root-colonizing bacteria and consider endophytic bacteria in symbiotic association: Rhizobia with legumes and the actinomycete Frankia associated with some phanerogams as PGPR genera. Among PGPRs are representatives of the following genera: Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Arthrobacter, Azoarcus, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Serratia, and Thiobacillus. Some of these genera such as Azoarcus spp. , Herbaspirillum, and Burkholderia include endophytic species.
Education Attainment and the Risk of HIV-1 Infections in Rural Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania, 1991–2005: A Reversed Association

Objective: Previous studies found educated individuals to have higher risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection in Africa. A reverse in this association was predicted. We investigated the change in this association from 1991 to 2005 in a rural population in Tanzania. Study Design: Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 1991(N = 1152, response rate 76.4%) and 2005 (N = 1528, 73.0%). Consenting individuals aged 15 to 44 years living in Oria village were interviewed and gave blood for HIV-1 testing. Results: Primary [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–20.0] and secondary/higher education (AOR, 4.5; 95% CI: 1.4–24.9) were associated with increased risk of HIV-1 infection in 1991. A reversed association was observed in 2005 where reduced odds of infection were associated with primary (AOR, 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2–0.8) and secondary/higher education (AOR, 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3–0.9). This was most pronounced among educated men. Corresponding reduction in risk behaviors were observed. Increased odds of reporting ever use of condom (AOR, 2.8; 95% CI: 1.1–7.3) and 70% reduction in reporting ≥2 sexual partners in the past year was observed among educated women. Educated men reported 60% reduction in the odds of reporting ≥2 sexual partners in the past month preceding the last survey. Conclusions: A reversed association between education attainment and HIV-1 infection was observed in this population between 1991 and 2005. Education seems to have an empowering role in women. Decreased risk among educated men may have an impact on HIV-1 transmission. Improving education sector in rural areas might be instrumental in the fight against the HIV epidemic.
Double-layer wire grid polarizer for improving extinction ratio

We proposed a polarizer which has high extinction ratio for the terahertz light. The polarizer has a double-layer wire grid for improving the extinction ratio. A space between these wire grid layers is set to be approximately one-hundredth of the wavelength of interest in order to eliminate the harmful Fabry-Perot interference. We fabricated the double-layer wire grid polarizer and measured transmittance of the fabricated polarizer. Comparing the transmittances of the fabricated polarizer and that of a polarizer with a space that is comparable to the wavelength of interest, we confirmed that the Fabry-Perot interference was eliminated. The extinction ratio of the fabricated polarizer was on the order of 104 for range from 0.3 to 1.7 THz.
Global Warming and effects on the Arctic Fox

We predict the effect of global warming on the arctic fox, the only endemic terrestrial predatory mammals in the arctic region. We emphasize the difference between coastal and inland arctic fox populations. Inland foxes rely on peak abundance of lemming prey to sustain viable populations. In the short-term, warmer winters result in missed lemming peak years and reduced opportunities for successful arctic fox breeding. In the long-term, however, warmer climate will increase plant productivity and more herbivore prey for competitive dominant predators moving in from the south. The red fox has already intruded the arctic region and caused a retreat of the southern limit of arctic fox distribution range. Coastal arctic foxes, which rely on the richer and temporally stable marine subsidies, will be less prone to climate-induced resource limitations. Indeed, arctic islands, becoming protected from southern species invasions as the extent of sea ice is decreasing, may become the last refuges for coastal populations of arctic foxes.
Bistatic human micro-Doppler signatures for classification of indoor activities

This paper presents the analysis of human micro- Doppler signatures collected by a bistatic radar system to classify different indoor activities. Tools for automatic classification of different activities will enable the implementation and deployment of systems for monitoring life patterns of people and identifying fall events or anomalies which may be related to early signs of deteriorating physical health or cognitive capabilities. The preliminary results presented here show that the information within the micro-Doppler signatures can be successfully exploited for automatic classification, with accuracy up to 98%, and that the multi-perspective view on the target provided by bistatic data can contribute to enhance the overall system performance.
Coordinate expression of the Porphyromonas gingivalis lysine-specific gingipain proteinase, Kgp, arginine-specific gingipain proteinase, RgpA, and the heme/hemoglobin receptor, HmuR

Abstract Heme utilization in Porphyromonas gingivalis requires the participation of an outer membrane hemin/hemoglobin receptor, HmuR, the lysine-specific gingipain proteinase (Kgp) and arginine-specific gingipain proteinase (Rgp). In this study, the expression of hmuR, kgp and rgpA genes in response to growth with different heme sources was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunoassay. Coordinate regulation of hmuR, kgp and rgpA gene expression was evaluated through utilization of P. gingivalis hmuR and kgp mutants or by selective inactivation of proteinases with Kgp- and Rgp-specific inhibitors. We observed that expression of the kgp and rgpA genes was not tightly regulated by heme, but rather by the growth phase. In contrast, expression of the hmuR gene was negatively regulated by heme, while growth of P. gingivalis with human serum resulted in increased hmuR expression. A P. gingivalis kgp isogenic mutant demonstrated significantly increased hmuR gene expression, and inactivation of Kgp and Rgp activity by specific inhibitors up-regulated hmuR gene transcription. Moreover, inactivation of Kgp up-regulated rgpA transcription. Finally, a P. gingivalis hmuR mutant exhibited repressed kgp gene expression and lysine-specific proteinase activity. Collectively, these results indicate that kgp, rgpA and hmuR gene transcription is coordinately regulated and may facilitate greater efficiency of heme utilization in P. gingivalis.
A Failed neo-Britain: Demography and the Labour Question in Colonial Zimbabwe c. 1890-1948

Cecil John Rhodes, Southern Rhodesia‟s founding father, and early settlers envisaged the creation of a country that mirrored the image of Britain in terms of its demographic composition and good economic health. Because of this, the colony invested in attracting „good quality‟ settlers from Britain, and tried to shut the door on settlers from a „bad class‟. Against this backdrop, this paper argues that this dream never materialised as the exclusionist approach to immigration shut out many potential candidates from other destinations. Indeed, on the economic front labour shortage was endemic and the colony was never able to acquire adequate labour in the period under review.
Deaf women: experiences and perceptions of healthcare system access.

BACKGROUND The authors investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and healthcare experiences of Deaf women. METHODS Interviews with 45 deaf women who participated in focus groups in American Sign Language were translated, transcribed, and analyzed. Deaf women's understanding of women's health issues, knowledge of health vocabulary in both English and American Sign Language, common health concerns among Deaf women, and issues of access to information, including pathways and barriers, were examined. As a qualitative study, the results of this investigation are limited and should be viewed as exploratory. RESULTS A lack of health knowledge was evident, including little understanding of the meaning or value of cancer screening, mammography, or Pap smears; purposes of prescribed medications, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT); or necessity for other medical or surgical interventions. Negative experiences and avoidance or nonuse of health services were reported, largely due to the lack of a common language with healthcare providers. Insensitive behaviors were also described. Positive experiences and increased access to health information were reported with practitioners who used qualified interpreters. Providers who demonstrated minimal signing skills, a willingness to use paper and pen, and sensitivity to improving communication were appreciated. CONCLUSIONS Deaf women have unique cultural and linguistic issues that affect healthcare experiences. Improved access to health information may be achieved with specialized resource materials, improved prevention and targeted intervention strategies, and self-advocacy skills development. Healthcare providers must be trained to become more effective communicators with Deaf patients and to use qualified interpreters to assure access to healthcare for Deaf women.
The effect of spiritual care on spiritual health of patients with cardiac ischemia

Background: Spiritual well-being (SWB) of patients with cardiovascular diseases particularly in those admitted in coronary care unit (CCU) is threatened due to disease crisis. Therefore, implementing spiritual care is necessary for them. This study aimed to determine the effect of spiritual care program on SWB of patients with cardiac ischemia admitted in CCU in Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Materials and Methods: In a single blind randomized clinical trial, 64 ischemic patients in CCU were randomly divided into test and control groups. Spiritual care program included supportive presence, rituals and using supportive systems for 3 days. Spiritual Well-being Questionnaire were completed before and after the intervention for the both groups. Findings: Mean scores of SWB had no significant difference between the two groups before the intervention (p = 0.84). Mean score of existence dimension (p < 0.001) and mean total score of SWB (p < 0.001) in the test group showed a significant difference comparing before and after the intervention; however, it was not significant in the control group (p = 0.17). Mean existence dimension (p = 0.01) and mean total score SWB (p = 0.01) had a significant difference between test and control groups after the intervention; however, there was no significant difference in mean score of religious dimension between the two groups after the intervention (p = 0.25). Conclusions: The spiritual care program promoted the SWB of ischemic patients in existence dimension and overall score, and nurses can use these programs to promote patients’ SWB.
Glottal Source Estimation from Coded Telephone Speech Using a Deep Neural Network

In speech analysis, the information about the glottal source is obtained from speech by using glottal inverse ﬁltering (GIF). The accuracy of state-of-the-art GIF methods is sufﬁciently high when the input speech signal is of high-quality (i.e., with little noise or reverberation). However, in realistic conditions, particularly when GIF is computed from coded telephone speech, the accuracy of GIF methods deteriorates severely. To robustly estimate the glottal source under coded condition, a deep neural network (DNN)-based method is proposed. The proposed method utilizes a DNN to map the speech features extracted from the coded speech to the glottal ﬂow waveform estimated from the corresponding clean speech. To generate the coded telephone speech, adaptive multi-rate (AMR) codec is utilized which is a widely used speech compression method. The proposed glottal source estimation method is compared with two existing GIF methods, closed phase covariance analysis (CP) and iterative adaptive inverse ﬁltering (IAIF). The results indicate that the proposed DNN-based method is capable of estimating glottal ﬂow waveforms from coded telephone speech with a considerably better accuracy in comparison to CP and IAIF.
Selective neurotoxic damage to the hippocampal formation impairs performance of the transverse patterning and location memory tasks in rhesus macaques

Monkeys with neurotoxic (ibotenic acid) damage to the hippocampal formation and unoperated controls were trained on two sets of transverse patterning problems (A+/B−, B+/C−, C+/A−, and D+/E−, E+/F−, F+/D−) and a delayed nonmatching‐to‐location paradigm (DNML) with delays of 10s, 30s, 120s, and 600s. Hippocampal lesions produced a size‐ and area‐dependent impairment on transverse patterning. Damage largely limited to the right hippocampus in one subject had no effect on performance on the task. Of the remaining four subjects, two with hippocampal damage greater than 40% bilaterally were unable to solve the two transverse patterning sets, but could solve the linear set of discriminations (A+/B−, B+/C−, C+/X−). The two remaining operated animals were impaired in acquisition of both sets, but were eventually able to solve one of the two transverse patterning discrimination sets. All five operated monkeys were impaired relative to normal controls on DNML, but not on the standard delayed nonmatching‐to‐sample (DNMS) version with trial‐unique objects. The results confirm our previous findings (Alvarado et al., Hippocampus 12:421–433, 2002) using aspiration lesions of the hippocampal formation and strengthen the view that the hippocampal formation is critical for object and spatial relational memory. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of printed periodic structures on a grounded substrate: a new Brillouin dispersion diagram

In this work, the dispersion and radiation properties of bound and leaky modes on one-dimensional printed periodic structures (printed on a grounded dielectric slab) are investigated. It is shown that a new type of Brillouin diagram can be constructed to account for the different types of physical leakage, namely leakage into one or more surface waves or also simultaneously into space. This new Brillouin diagram provides physical insight into the behavior of the modes on one-dimensional periodic structures, and it also allows for a simple and convenient way to determine the paths of integration for the space harmonics, which arise in a spectral-domain moment-method solution of such structures. Numerical results are provided that show the advantage of using the new Brillouin diagram in explaining the leakage and stopband behavior for these kinds of periodic structures.
Transforming growth factor-β is required for vasculogenic mimicry formation in glioma cell line U251MG

Both vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) are positively correlated with malignancy in glioma. Accordingly, we supposed that TGFβ might be related with VM, and aimed to detect whether TGFβ could influence VM formation in two glioma cell lines U251MG and SHG44, which were different in malignancy. We found that the VM-positive U251MG had a significantly higher TGFβ expression than the VM-negative SHG44. Downregulating TGFβ in U251MG by RNAi technology resulted in a significantly impaired VM formation, which could be rescued by rhTGFβ. However, adding rhTGFβ could not induce VM in SHG44. To investigate the possible mechanism, we detected the changes of some VM-related genes including EphA2, VE-cadherin, MMP-2, MMP-9, MT1-MMP and LAMC2 by RT-PCR and found that MT1-MMP transcript was affected by TGFβ expression. Gelatin zymography showed a declined MMP-2 activity in the TGFβ-inhibited cells. Further studies showed that MT1-MMP inhibition impaired VM formation in U251MG. Moreover, TGFβ induced MT1-MMP expression and VM formation in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicated us that TGFβ was required for VM formation in U251MG. MT1-MMP was correlated with TGFβ-induced VM formation. Thus, TGFβ might be a potential target for VM inhibition in glioma.
GENETIC ANALYSIS OF REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS IN BALI CATTLE MAINTAINED ON RANGE UNDER ARTIFICIALLY AND NATURALLY BRED

The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic analysis including heritability and further phenotypicand genetic trends of reproductive traits in Bali cattle. Reproductive traits studied were age at firstcalving (AFC), calving interval (CI) and pregnancy rate (PR). Data of reproductive traits were collectedfrom Breeding Centre of Bali Cattle, Denpasar-Bali at the year period of 2000-2007. To evaluate thegenetic analysis, heritability were estimated using the Mixed Model Least Squares and MaximumLikelihood procedure. The phenotypic and genetic trends were calculated using regression equation.Estimation of heritability for AFC, CI and PR were 0.22, 0.41 and 0.40, respectively. The phenotypictrend of AFC, CI and PR decreased at an average rate of 1.70 month, 10.4 days and 0.75% per year,respectively. The same pattern was showed for genetic trends for AFC, CI and PR decreased at 0.38month, 4.25 days and 0.30% per year respectively in the same period. The heritability of reproductiontraits in Bali cattle were considered as moderate to high (0.22-0.41) which means that the selectionprogram will be more effective and efficient in improving the genetic merits in Bali cattle.
Human and animal togavirus antibodies in congenitally deformed infants

The cord bloods of 30 congenitally malformed infants, born consecutively at the Worcester Royal Infirmary, were screened for serological evidence of infection with Border disease and bovine virus diarrhoea viruses as well as for the presence of rubella‐, cytomegalovirus‐, and measles‐specific IgM. Despite Border disease and bovine virus diarrhoea being endemic among sheep and cattle in counties bordering Wales, none of the cord blood samples contained antibodies to Border disease or bovine virus diarrhoea viruses. No rubella‐, measles‐, or cytomegalovirus‐specific IgM was detected. When the total immunoglobulins were estimated, 15 of the malformed infants had elevated levels, but in a control group of 35 infants born in the same unit, none showed significantly elevated immunoglobulin levels.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial disease prevalence and risk factors: a changing epidemiology.

BACKGROUND Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are important human pathogens, yet little is known about disease prevalence in the United States. Reports suggest prevalence has increased, particularly in women, but population-based data to substantiate this are lacking. We sought to estimate NTM disease prevalence in Oregon, and describe disease by site, species, and patient demographic characteristics. METHODS We contacted laboratories that performed mycobacterial cultures on Oregon residents in 2005-2006. For each isolate, we obtained source, collection date, species, and patient demographics. We used the microbiologic component of the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America's pulmonary NTM disease criteria to define cases of pulmonary NTM, and patients with isolates from a normally sterile site were classified as having extrapulmonary disease. RESULTS We identified 933 patients with > or =1 NTM isolate. Of these, 527 (56%) met the case definition (annualized prevalence, 7.2 cases per 100,000 persons). Pulmonary cases predominated (5.6 cases per 100,000 persons), followed by skin/soft-tissue cases (0.9 cases per 100,000 persons). Mycobacterium avium complex was the most common species identified in pulmonary cases (4.7 cases per 100,000 persons). Pulmonary disease prevalence was significantly higher in women (6.4 cases per 100,000 persons) than men (4.7 cases per 100,000 persons) and was highest in persons aged >50 years (15.5 cases per 100,000 persons). CONCLUSIONS NTM are frequently isolated from Oregon residents; more than one-half of all isolates likely represent true disease. Pulmonary NTM is most common among elderly women, and M. avium causes most disease. Future efforts to monitor disease trends should be undertaken, and efforts made to validate the use of the ATS/IDSA microbiologic criteria alone to predict pulmonary NTM disease.
A review of current practices in breast conservation surgery in the UK.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to assess whether surgeons in the UK were practising wide excision consistent with current guidelines and current evidence. PATIENTS AND METHODS Questionnaires were sent to 200 breast surgeons throughout the UK to determine current practices in breast conserving surgery. RESULTS When performing a wide excision for invasive cancer, 61% of respondents always remove full thickness of breast tissue and 37% usually do. Of surgeons, 60% rarely use specimen X-ray for palpable lesions. However, 91% always take specimen X-rays in impalpable lesions, but 9% do not always take specimen X-rays for impalpable lesions. In 93% of units, the pathologist always reports the distance to the nearest margin. For both invasive and in situ cancer, there is a wide variation in what is considered an adequate radial margin. There is wide variation in the practice of re-excision. Of surgeons, 50% indicated that they wish wider margins in the presence of an extensive in situ component and 39% wish wider margins in younger women. CONCLUSIONS The results show a large variation in practice with many surgeons not treating patients in accordance with current guidelines and evidence.