Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Enhanced Ultraviolet-B Radiation on Algae and Cyanobacteria

Abstract This article provides an overview of existing literature on the ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation effects on algae and cyanobacteria. We report on the effects of UV-B radiation to the growth and development, biomass, sensitivity, photosynthetic pigments, UV-B absorbing compounds, photosynthesis, protein and DNA damage, enzyme activity, nitrogen fixation and assimilation of nitrogen, protective mechanisms of algae and cyanobacteria, the accommodation of algae and cyanobacteria to environmental stress, and the effects to ecology system. Many of the studies show the dramatic effects of UV-B radiation; but typically these studies were conducted under conditions with supplemental UV-B irradiance that was higher than would ever occur outside experimental conditions or natural condition. A few of the studies reviewed used experimental conditions and supplemental UV-B irradiance that approached realism. Enhanced UV-B generally decreased chlorophyll content, whereas it increased UV-B absorbing compounds in many algae. Decrease in photosynthesis, particularly at higher UV-B doses, was due to both direct (effect on photosystem) and indirect (decrease in pigments) effects. The decreases in chlorophyll pigments and photosynthesis resulted in lower biomass. However, algae and cyanobacteria have evolved various avoidance and repair mechanisms to protect themselves against the damaging effects of UV radiation to acclimate to enhanced UV-B radiation. The review points to areas where further studies on the relationships among nitrogenase, Rubisco, antioxidase activity, signal, antioxidants, and free radicals under enhanced UV-B are needed to quantify the effects of UV-B radiation on algae and cyanobacteria. These studies are needed in order to develop dose response functions that can facilitate development of dynamic simulation models for use in UV-B and other environmental impact assessments.
Public private partnership's growth empirics in India's infrastructure development

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) have now emerged as an alternative to the traditional mode of infrastructure provision both in India and rest of the world due to its proven potential to solve infrastructure inadequacies faster and cost-effectively. The paper analyses trends and patterns of various infrastructure sectors and regional distribution of PPPs at global, national and sub-national levels to identify to what extent PPPs have been able to curb infrastructure deficit. The growth empirics reveal that there has been a sharp increase in the number of PPP projects, and that these have contributed immensely to enhance regional and sectoral infrastructure availability. In addition, the paper has observed that PPP projects under the national highway category are way ahead in time and cost efficiency as compared to the non-PPP projects. However, these projects have tended to concentrate in certain sectors and regions, both globally and in the Indian context despite the incentives currently available to these endeavors. The present paper explores the possible reasons for this uneven growth in India. Probable reasons for this uneven growth factors like differences in political will across national and sub-national governments in promotion of infrastructure PPP policies and lack of effective functioning of governments’ various infrastructure executive departments including PPP nodal agencies for identifying, executing, coordinating various departments and in promotion of policies for hassle free and quick implementation and to redress the various differences. Financial assurances to the concessionaires on their investments, availability of land and other incentives like tax incentives, capital grant (Viability gap funding) and coordination by users and nature of project risks, degree of private sector risk management capacity are some the other important factors
The politics of exclusion: Engaging the voices of systems youths.

The Canadian child welfare system is responsible for protecting and providing for those who cannot live with their families of origin. While the system exists to assist those children and young people it brings under its auspices, I argue that the system is punitive and blatantly negates and ignores the very real needs of those who enter it. Using qualitative methods, this study concentrated on these youths’ relationships with their families, communities and the system. Utilizing critiques of the system and more recent arguments that focus on the responsibilization, exclusion and control of “anti-citizens”, it is argued that systems youths, replete with their reputations as deviant and troubling, do not receive the resources nor time to become “responsible” and self-governing and, as such, they cannot become full-fledged citizens in their communities. The life outcomes of systems youths are jeopardized, confirming that the system is punitive and exclusionary.
Demeclocycline as a contrast agent for detecting brain neoplasms using confocal microscopy

Complete resection of brain tumors improves life expectancy and quality. Thus, there is a strong need for high-resolution detection and microscopically controlled removal of brain neoplasms. The goal of this study was to test demeclocycline as a contrast enhancer for the intraoperative detection of brain tumors. We have imaged benign and cancerous brain tumors using multimodal confocal microscopy. The tumors investigated included pituitary adenoma, meningiomas, glioblastomas, and metastatic brain cancers. Freshly excised brain tissues were stained in 0.75 mg ml−1 aqueous solution of demeclocyline. Reflectance images were acquired at 402 nm. Fluorescence signals were excited at 402 nm and registered between 500 and 540 nm. After imaging, histological sections were processed from the imaged specimens and compared to the optical images. Fluorescence images highlighted normal and cancerous brain cells, while reflectance images emphasized the morphology of connective tissue. The optical and histological images were in accordance with each other for all types of tumors investigated. Demeclocyline shows promise as a contrast agent for intraoperative detection of brain tumors.
Molecular phylogeny of Heteroplacidium, Placidium, and related catapyrenioid genera (Verrucariaceae, lichen-forming Ascomycota).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Verrucariaceae is a fascinating lineage of lichenized fungi for which generic and species delimitation is problematic due to the scarcity of discriminating morphological characters. Members of this family inhabit rocks, but they further colonize soils, barks, mosses, and other lichens. Our aim is to contribute to the DNA-based inference of the Verrucariaceae tree of life and to investigate characters that could be useful for proposing a more natural classification. We focused on catapyrenioid genera, which are often part of biological soil crusts, a cryptogam-dominated ecosystem contributing to soil formation and stabilization in arid environments. Understanding their evolution and taxonomy is essential to assess their roles in these fragile and important ecosystems. METHODS A multigene phylogeny of Verrucariaceae including catapyrenioid genera is presented. We further examined the phylogenetic relationships among members of Heteroplacidium and Placidium. The evolution of selected characters was inferred using the latter phylogeny. KEY RESULTS Anthracocarpon and Involucropyrenium were closely related to Endocarpon. Placidium comprised two monophyletic clades sister to Heteroplacidium. Inferred ancestral states of diagnostic characters revealed that the type of medulla and the pycnidia location were homoplasious within the Placidium clade. In contrast, the presence of rhizines was a synapomorphy for Clavascidium. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide new information on the usefulness of characters for delineating groups in Verrucariaceae. Taxonomic changes are proposed to reflect more natural groupings: Heteroplacidium podolepis is transferred to Placidium, and Clavascidium is recognized as a different genus. Eight new combinations are proposed for Clavascidium.
Association of dopamine transporter reduction with psychomotor impairment in methamphetamine abusers.

OBJECTIVE Methamphetamine is a popular and highly addictive drug of abuse that has raised concerns because it has been shown in laboratory animals to be neurotoxic to dopamine terminals. The authors evaluated if similar changes occur in humans and assessed if they were functionally significant. METHOD Positron emission tomography scans following administration of [(11)C]d-threo-methylphenidate (a dopamine transporter ligand) measured dopamine transporter levels (a marker of dopamine cell terminals) in the brains of 15 detoxified methamphetamine abusers and 18 comparison subjects. Neuropsychological tests were also performed to assess motor and cognitive function. RESULTS Methamphetamine abusers showed significant dopamine transporter reduction in the striatum (mean differences of 27.8% in the caudate and 21.1% in the putamen) relative to the comparison subjects; this reduction was evident even in abusers who had been detoxified for at least 11 months. Dopamine transporter reduction was associated with motor slowing and memory impairment. CONCLUSIONS These results provide evidence that methamphetamine at dose levels taken by human abusers of the drug leads to dopamine transporter reduction that is associated with motor and cognitive impairment. These results emphasize the urgency of alerting clinicians and the public of the long-term changes that methamphetamine can induce in the human brain.
A Comparative Usability Evaluation of Two Augmented Reality Learning Scenarios

Augmented Reality (AR) systems are featuring novel interaction techniques which are mainly driven by the possibilities to manipulate specific real objects. The interaction components have to be tested with users as early as possible in the development cycle in order to avoid usability problems. This paper reports on a comparative analysis of the usability evaluation results for two AR-based learning scenarios. The purpose of the evaluation was twofold: (a) getting an early feedback from users on the first version of the software, and (b) comparing the usability of two learning scenarios developed onto the same AR platform. The comparison has been performed between both quantitative and qualitative measures collected during a
Activation of murine macrophages by Neisseria meningitidis and IFN‐γ in vitro: distinct roles of class A scavenger and Toll‐like pattern recognition receptors in selective modulation of surface phenotype

Innate and adaptive immune activation of macrophages (Mφ) by microorganisms and antigen‐activated lymphoid cells, respectively, plays an important role in host defense and immunopathology. Antigen‐presenting cells express a range of pattern recognition receptors including the class A types I and II scavenger receptors (SR‐A) and Toll‐like receptors (TLR). Recognition of microbial products by SR‐A and TLR controls uptake, killing, altered gene expression, and the adaptive immune response; however, the contribution of each receptor and interplay with cytokine stimuli such as interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) are not defined. We used Neisseria meningitidis (NM), a potent activator of innate immunity, and IFN‐γ, a protoypic T helper cell type 1 proinflammatory cytokine, to compare surface antigens, secretion of mediators, and receptor functions in elicited peritoneal Mφ from wild‐type and genetically modified mouse strains. We show that these stimuli regulate major histocompatibility complex type II (MHC‐II) and costimulatory molecules differentially, as well as expression of the mannose receptor and of Mφ receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO), a distinct SR‐A, which provides a selective marker for innate activation. In combination, NM inhibited up‐regulation of MHC‐II by IFN‐γ while priming enhanced release of tumor necrosis factor α and nitric oxide. The SR‐A contributes to phagocytosis of the organisms but not to their ability to induce CD80, CD86, and MARCO or to inhibit MHC‐II. Conversely, studies with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐deficient organisms and/or TLR‐4 mutant mice showed that LPS and TLR‐4 are at least partially required to induce CD80, CD86, and MARCO, but LPS is not required to inhibit MHC‐II. These studies provide an experimental model and identify surface markers for analysis of innate and acquired immune activation of Mφ.
Stroke Incidence on the East Coast of Australia: The North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study (NEMESIS)

Background and Purpose Community-based stroke incidence studies are the most accurate way of explaining mortality trends and developing public health policy. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of stroke in a geographically defined region of Melbourne, Australia. Methods All suspected strokes occurring in a population of 133 816 residents in suburbs north and east of Melbourne, Australia, during a 12-month period of 1996 and 1997 were found and assessed. Multiple overlapping sources were used to ascertain cases, and standard definitions and criteria for stroke and case fatality were used. Results A total of 381 strokes occurred among 353 people during the study period, 276 (72%) of which were first-ever-in-a-lifetime strokes. The crude annual incidence rate (first-ever strokes) was 206 (95% CI, 182 to 231) per 100 000 per year overall, 195 (95% CI, 161 to 229) for males, and 217 (95% CI, 182 to 252) for females. The corresponding rates adjusted to the “world” population were 100 (95% CI, 80 to 119) overall, 113 (95% CI, 92 to 134) for males, and 89 (95% CI, 70 to 107) for females. The 28-day case fatality rate for first-ever strokes was 20% (95% CI, 16% to 25%). Conclusions The incidence rate of stroke in our population-based study is similar to that of many European studies but is significantly higher than that observed on the west coast of Australia.
Identification of an Erythroid Active Element in the Transferrin Receptor Gene*

Hemoglobin synthesis consumes most of the iron that is taken up by cells from plasma transferrin, and this process requires very high expression of transferrin receptors (TfR) at the membranes of erythroid cells. Studies in our and other laboratories indicate that a dramatic increase in TfR levels during erythroid differentiation occurs at the transcriptional level. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of the TfR in terms of its promoter activity and DNA-protein binding in murine erythroleukemia cells. Reporter gene assays revealed that the TfR promoter activity was stimulated 6–8-fold in murine erythroleukemia cells induced to differentiate into hemoglobin-synthesizing cells by either Me2SO orN,N′-hexamethylene-bis-acetamide. A minimal region (−118 to +14) was required for the differentiation-induced promoter activity. Mutation of either an Ets-binding site or an activator protein-1/cyclic AMP-response element-like motif within this region, but not disruption of the adjacent GC-rich/specificity protein-1 sequence, inhibited the inducible promoter activity. Electrophoresis mobility shift assays suggest that the cyclic AMP-response element-binding proteins/activating transcription factor-like factors and Ets-like factors bind constitutively to this bipartite element. Upon induction of differentiation, a shift in the pattern of the cyclic AMP-response element-binding protein/activating transcription factor-like binding factors was observed. Our data indicate that the TfR gene promoter contains an erythroid active element that stimulates the receptor gene transcription upon induction of hemoglobin synthesis.
O PROFISSIONAL DE CONTABILIDADE E O MECANISMO DE DENÚNCIA EM UM CONTEXTO DE LAC E DE NOCLAR: ANÁLISE COMPARATIVA DE ESTUDOS INTERNACIONAIS E NACIONAIS

No atual contexto de combate à corrupção, ponderando que o profissional de contabilidade é considerado como um ator chave no combate à fraude e à corrupção (TAYLOR; THOMAS, 2012), buscou-se avaliar os estágios de desenvolvimento de estudos acadêmicos internacionais e nacionais (estado da arte) sobre a possibilidade de denúncia, como mecanismo de combate à fraude e à corrupção, por profissional de contabilidade. Para tanto, se utilizou de revisão de literatura para a coleta de dados no Portal Capes e na base SPELL, buscando-se pelos termos “denunciante” e “contador” e utilizando-se análise comparativa para avaliação. Os resultados indicaram que a discussão, iniciada há quase 30 anos atrás no âmbito internacional, se desenvolveu em um processo evolutivo, transpassando várias questões do tema enquanto que os trabalhos nacionais se apresentaram incipientes, indicando oportunidade para estudos mais aprofundados e abrangentes, sendo destacados os seguintes pontos: a atuação das representações de classe; o desenvolvimento legal e dos mecanismos de proteção ao denunciante; o fortalecimento de conceitos éticos na formação profissional, a diferença entre gêneros, assim como, o desenvolvimento dos conceitos de sigilo e confidencialidade. Este estudo mostra-se relevante ao discutir o papel da contabilidade no combate à corrupção, com especial ênfase na figura do profissional contábil em relação à denúncia sobre fraude e corrupção. As conclusões indicam oportunidade para discussões necessárias ao desenvolvimento teórico e prático do campo quanto à possibilidade de denúncia por profissionais de contabilidade, tais como a abrangência do conceito de sigilo e confidencialidade.Palavras-Chave: Confidencialidade. Denúncia. Lei Anticorrupção. Profissional Contábil.
Long-term toxicity of naturally occurring asbestos in male Fischer 344 rats

ABSTRACT Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) fibers are found in geologic deposits that may be disturbed by mining, earthworks, or natural processes, resulting in adverse health risks to exposed individuals. The toxicities of Libby amphibole and NOA samples including Sumas Mountain chrysotile (SM), El Dorado tremolite (ED), and Ontario ferroactinolite cleavage fragments (ON) were compared in male Fischer 344 (F344) rats 15 mo after exposure. Rat-respirable fractions of LA and SM displayed greater mean lengths and aspect ratios than ED and ON. After a single intratracheal (IT) instillation (0.5 or 1.5 mg/rat), persistent changes in ventilatory parameters and a significant increase in lung resistance at baseline and after methacholine aerosol dosing were found only in rats exposed to 1.5 mg SM. High-dose ED significantly elevated bronchoalveolar lavage lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and protein levels, while high-dose SM increased γ-glutamyl transferase and LDH activities. A moderate degree of lung interstitial fibrosis after exposure to 1.5 mg SM persisted 15 mo after exposure, unchanged from previous findings at 3 mo. LA induced mild fibrosis, while ED and ON produced minimal and no apparent fibrosis, respectively. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma was observed 15 mo after exposure to LA or ED. Data demonstrated that SM, given by bolus IT dosing on an equivalent mass basis, induced greater pulmonary function deficits, airway hyperresponsiveness, and interstitial fibrosis than other NOA, although unlike LA and ED, no apparent evidence for carcinogenicity was found. All NOA samples except ON cleavage fragments produced some degree of long-term toxicity.
Mannose-Binding Lectin Augments the Uptake of Lipid A, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli by Kupffer Cells through Increased Cell Surface Expression of Scavenger Receptor A1

We investigated roles of scavenger receptor A (SR-A) and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in the uptake of endotoxin and bacteria by Kupffer cells. When [3H]lipid A was injected into retro-orbital plexus of mice, significantly less accumulation of lipid A in the liver was observed in SR-A-deficient mice and wild-type mice coinjected with fucoidan or acetylated low-density lipoprotein, which are known ligands for SR-A. Isolated Kupffer cells were able to take up [3H]lipid A in a time-dependent manner. The amount of lipid A associated with nonadherent Kupffer cells derived from SR-A-deficient mice was reduced by ∼80% when compared with wild-type cells, indicating an important role of SR-A in endotoxin uptake by Kupffer cells. The lipid A uptake by Kupffer cells was significantly enhanced in the presence of rMBL. Coincubation of fucoidan with [3H]lipid A significantly inhibited the basal and the MBL-stimulated uptake of lipid A by Kupffer cells. Preincubation of MBL with Kupffer cells also increased the uptake of lipid A. These results indicate that MBL augments the SR-A-mediated uptake of lipid A by Kupffer cells. Consistently, the exposure of MBL to Kupffer cells increased cell surface SR-A expression. The phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by Kupffer cells was also enhanced by preincubation of MBL with the cells. In addition, MBL bound to lipid A, LPS, and S. aureus, and precipitated S. aureus. This study demonstrates important roles of SR-A and MBL in the uptake of endotoxin and bacteria by Kupffer cells.
Inactivation of Adhesion and Invasion of Food-Borne Listeria monocytogenes by Bacteriocin-Producing Bifidobacterium Strains of Human Origin

ABSTRACT Three bacteriocin-producing bifidobacterial isolates from newborns were identified as Bifidobacterium thermacidophilum (two strains) and B. thermophilum (one strain). This study was undertaken to evaluate the ability of these strains to compete with food-borne Listeria monocytogenes for adhesion and invasion sites on Caco-2 and HT-29 cells. The bifidobacteria adhered at levels ranging from 4% to 10% of the CFU added, but none of the bifidobacteria were able to invade cells. The abilities of Listeria to adhere to and to invade cells varied widely depending on the strain tested. Three groups of Listeria were identified based on invasiveness: weakly invasive, moderately invasive, and highly invasive strains. One strain from each group was tested in competition with bifidobacteria. B. thermacidophilum RBL70 was the most effective in blocking invasion of Listeria, and the decreases in invasion ranged from 38% to 90%. For all three bifidobacterial strains, contact between the cell monolayer and the bifidobacteria for 1 h before exposure to Listeria increased the degree of inhibition. Finally, visualization of competition for adhesion sites on cells by fluorescent in situ hybridization suggested that the two bacteria tended to adhere in close proximity.
Mutational analysis of the gag-pol junction of Moloney murine leukemia virus: requirements for expression of the gag-pol fusion protein

The gag-pol polyprotein of the murine and feline leukemia viruses is expressed by translational readthrough of a UAG terminator codon at the 3' end of the gag gene. To explore the cis-acting sequence requirements for the readthrough event in vivo, we generated a library of mutants of the Moloney murine leukemia virus with point mutations near the terminator codon and tested the mutant viral DNAs for the ability to direct synthesis of the gag-pol fusion protein and formation of infectious virus. The analysis showed that sequences 3' to the terminator are necessary and sufficient for the process. The results do not support a role for one proposed stem-loop structure that includes the terminator but are consistent with the involvement of another stem-loop 3' to the terminator. One mutant, containing two compensatory changes in this stem structure, was temperature sensitive for replication and for formation of the gag-pol protein. The results suggest that RNA sequence and structure are critical determinants of translational readthrough in vivo.