Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exchange of Guanine Nucleotides Between Tubulin and GTP‐Binding Proteins That Regulate Adenylate Cyclase: Cytoskeletal Modification of Neuronal Signal Transduction

Tubulin, the primary constituent of microtubules, is a GTP‐binding protein with structural similarities to other GTP‐binding proteins. Whereas microtubules have been implicated as modulators of the adenylate cyclase system, the mechanism of this regulation has been elusive. Tubulin, polymerized with the hydrolysis‐resistant GTP analog, 5′‐guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p], can promote inhibition of synaptic membrane adenylate cyclase which persists subsequent to washing. Tubulin with Gpp(NH)p bound was slightly less potent than free Gpp(NH)p in the inhibition of adenylate cyclase, but tubulin without nucleotide bound had no effect on the enzyme. A GTP‐binding protein from the rod outer segment (transducin), with Gpp(NH)p bound, was also without effect on adenylate cyclase. Tubulin (regardless of the nucleotide bound to it) did not alter the activity of the adenylate cyclase catalytic unit directly. When tubulin was polymerized with the hydrolysis‐resistant photoaffinity GTP analog, [32P]P3(4‐azidoanilido)‐P1‐5′‐GTP ([32P]AAGTP), and this protein was added to synaptic membranes, AAGTP was transferred from tubulin to the inhibitory GTP‐binding protein, Gi. This transfer was blocked by prior incubation of the membranes with Gpp(NH)p or covalent binding of AAGTP to tubulin prior to exposure of that tubulin to membranes. Incubation of membranes with Gpp(NH)p subsequent to incubation with tubulin‐AAGTP results in a decrease in AAGTP bound to Gi and a compensatory increase in AAGTP bound to the stimulatory GTP‐binding protein, Gs. Likewise, persistent inhibition of adenylate cyclase by tubulin‐Gpp(NH)p could be overridden by the inclusion of 100 μM Gpp(NH)p in the assay inhibition. Whereas Gpp(NH)p promotes persistent inhibition of synaptic membrane adenylate cyclase without incubation at elevated temperatures, tubulin [with AAGTP or Gpp(NH)p bound] requires 30 s incubation at 23°C to effect adenylate cyclase inhibition. Photoaffinity experiments yield parallel results. These data are consistent with synaptic membrane tubulin regulating neuronal adenylate cyclase by transferring GTP to Gi and, subsequently, to Gs.
Beam-tilted and wide beam antennas using hybrid electromagnetic band gap structures

A technique to tilt the beam to the specific direction and widening the beam width of a dipole antenna using controlling the position of via in electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures has been presented in this paper. In addition to the low profile structure, the proposed method tilts the beam in either H-plane or E-plane of the dipole. The tilt angle or beam width of the dipole antenna can be easily determined for fixed beam direction by fixing the EBG via location from the centre of the EBG. The maximum tilt angle of 34° and 29° is achieved in E-plane and H-plane respectively. A wide beam width of 153° is obtained for the wide beam antenna.
The use of megavoltage CT (MVCT) images for dose recomputations

Megavoltage CT (MVCT) images of patients are acquired daily on a helical tomotherapy unit (TomoTherapy, Inc., Madison, WI). While these images are used primarily for patient alignment, they can also be used to recalculate the treatment plan for the patient anatomy of the day. The use of MVCT images for dose computations requires a reliable CT number to electron density calibration curve. In this work, we tested the stability of the MVCT numbers by determining the variation of this calibration with spatial arrangement of the phantom, time and MVCT acquisition parameters. The two calibration curves that represent the largest variations were applied to six clinical MVCT images for recalculations to test for dosimetric uncertainties. Among the six cases tested, the largest difference in any of the dosimetric endpoints was 3.1% but more typically the dosimetric endpoints varied by less than 2%. Using an average CT to electron density calibration and a thorax phantom, a series of end-to-end tests were run. Using a rigid phantom, recalculated dose volume histograms (DVHs) were compared with plan DVHs. Using a deformed phantom, recalculated point dose variations were compared with measurements. The MVCT field of view is limited and the image space outside this field of view can be filled in with information from the planning kVCT. This merging technique was tested for a rigid phantom. Finally, the influence of the MVCT slice thickness on the dose recalculation was investigated. The dosimetric differences observed in all phantom tests were within the range of dosimetric uncertainties observed due to variations in the calibration curve. The use of MVCT images allows the assessment of daily dose distributions with an accuracy that is similar to that of the initial kVCT dose calculation.
Testing Evolutionary Theories of Aging

The physiological and molecular processes that specify life span await complete elucidation, despite numerous theories of the evolutionary origins of aging. Aging is considered to be nonadaptive, a product of decreasing natural selection with age.1 The pleiotropy theory proposes that aging results from the late-life detrimental effects of alleles selected via beneficial effects in early life.1 Furthermore, life history theory predicts that a trade-off may occur between extensions in longevity and reductions in early life traits such as fecundity.2 Evidence for this theory has been provided by the correlated responses observed in laboratory selection experiments in Drosophila. For example, populations selected for increased longevity have decreased fecundity,3 and populations selected for increased stress resistance have increased longevity and decreased fecundity.4 These previous studies, however, are associative. Pleiotropy, which implicates the multiple effects of a single gene, has yet to be rigorously tested. Although many genes contribute to life span, the recent identification of single genes of major effect in Caenorhabditis elegans allows this theory of aging to be re-examined. As a model organism, C. elegans provides an experimental system well suited to testing evolutionary theories of aging. Reproducing as facultative, self-fertilizing hermaphrodites, isogenic populations of C. elegans can be maintained without inbreeding depression of fitness traits.5 Multiple genetic pathways determine the life span of C. elegans.6 In particular, an insulin-like signaling pathway has been identified that has several components with demonstrable effects on life span.7 This pathway provides a defined molecular and mechanistic basis to examine potential tradeoffs between longevity and life history traits. We have used a mutation of the C. elegans age-1 gene (encoding a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in the insulin-like signal pathway), which exhibits markedly increased mean and maximum life span with little or no apparent cost under standard (20°C) culturing conditions.8 Direct comparisons of competitive fitness were made in mixed populations of wild-type and mutant genotypes.9 Changes in allele frequency across generations were assessed by utilizing the altered development at 27°C of mutants to a morphologically distinct (dauer) larval stage. Under conditions of environmental stress (cyclical starvation) a life history trade-off was apparent.9 These findings support the pleiotropy theory of aging.
Hypermutation of the MYC gene in diffuse large cell lymphomas with translocations involving band 8q24

The sequence of the exon 1/intron 1 boundary region of the MYC gene was determined in two diffuse large cell lymphomas (DLCL), one with t(8;14) (q24;q32) and the other with t(8;22) (q24;q11). Both tumors had multiple mutations in this region. Also, both tumors had mutations in the protein binding site in intron I, which is a frequent target for mutational inactivation in endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (eBL). The translocations at 8q24, and multiple mutations in the exon 1/intron 1 boundary region, are reminiscent of similar findings in eBL. The same underlying oncogenic event that occurs in most eBLs is thus found in some DLCLs. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
‘I chained him to protect him from the spirits.’ What are the challenges for psychiatrists in India?

Approximately 20% of the adult Indian population are affected by a psychiatric disorder that requires intervention from a mental health professional (Math & Srinivasaraju, 2010). In spite of this, the provision of mental healthcare is poor. Therefore, to learn more, between July and August 2014 I undertook a 4-week elective at the Psychiatry Department of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. The Psychiatry Department was founded in 1952. It has a total of 332 beds, with nearly 20 000 patients admitted per year and an attendance of nearly 100 000 annually at the out-patient department.
Bone demineralization after renal transplantation: contribution of secondary hyperparathyroidism manifested by hypercalcaemia.

BACKGROUND Renal transplantation patients often present signs and symptoms of bone disease. METHODS In a cross-sectional study, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to examine bone mineralization in kidney transplantation patients. The contribution of secondary hyperparathyroidism manifested by hypercalcaemia was assessed. Twenty transplantation patients with long-standing (> 6 months) hypercalcaemia (> 2.6 Ca mmol/l) after transplantation, 21 normocalcaemic transplantation patients, and 20 healthy controls were examined. RESULTS Bone mass density (BMD) was significantly less in the hypercalcaemic (1.00 +/- 0.1 g/cm2) and in the normocalcaemic groups (1.11 +/- 0.15 g/cm2) compared to the healthy controls (1.17 +/- 0.11 g/cm2). Decreased bone mineralization was evident shortly after transplantation and may well have been present before surgery. Females had less BMD compared to males and their BMD decreased further with age. CONCLUSION Kidney transplantation patients with persistent hypercalcaemia comprise a risk group with regard to bone demineralization.
The impact of continuous Medicaid enrollment on diagnosis, treatment, and survival in six surgical cancers.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of Medicaid enrollment on the diagnosis, treatment, and survival of six surgically relevant cancers among poor and underserved Californians. DATA SOURCES California Cancer Registry (CCR), California's Patient Discharge Database (PDD), and state Medicaid enrollment files between 2002 and 2008. STUDY DESIGN We linked clinical and administrative records to differentiate patients continuously enrolled in Medicaid from those receiving coverage at the time of their cancer diagnosis. We developed multivariate logistic regression models to predict death within 1 year for each cancer after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS All incident cases of six cancers (colon, esophageal, lung, pancreas, stomach, and ovarian) were identified from CCR. CCR records were linked to hospitalizations (PDD) and monthly Medicaid enrollment. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Continuous enrollment in Medicaid for at least 6 months prior to diagnosis improves survival in three surgically relevant cancers. Discontinuous Medicaid patients have higher stage tumors, undergo fewer definitive operations, and are more likely to die even after risk adjustment. CONCLUSIONS Expansion of continuous insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act is likely to improve both access and clinical outcomes for cancer patients in California.
Phytoremediation Potential of Native Plants Growing on a Heavy Metals Contaminated Soil of Copper mine in Iran

— A research project dealing with the phytoremediation of a soil polluted by some heavy metals is currently running. The case study is represented by a mining area in Hamedan province in the central west part of Iran. The potential of phytoextraction and phytostabilization of plants was evaluated considering the concentration of heavy metals in the plant tissues and also the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the translocation factor (TF). Also the several established criteria were applied to define hyperaccumulator plants in the studied area. Results showed that none of the collected plant species were suitable for phytoextraction of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn, but among the plants, Euphorbia macroclada was the most efficient in phytostabilization of Cu and Fe, while, Ziziphora clinopodioides, Cousinia sp. and Chenopodium botrys were the most suitable for phytostabilization of Zn and Chondrila juncea and Stipa barbata had the potential for phytostabilization of Mn. Using the most common criterion, Euphorbia macroclada and Verbascum speciosum were Fe hyperaccumulator plants. Present study showed that native plant species growing on contaminated sites may have the potential for phytoremediation.
In Vitro Comparison of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam to Traditional Beta-Lactams and Ceftolozane-Tazobactam as an Alternative to Combination Antimicrobial Therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT Guidelines for the treatment of sepsis, febrile neutropenia, and hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa include empirical regimens incorporating two antibiotics from different classes with activity against P. aeruginosa for select at-risk patients to increase the likelihood that the organism will be susceptible to at least one agent. The activity against P. aeruginosa and the rates of cross-resistance of ceftolozane-tazobactam were compared to those of the β-lactam comparators cefepime, ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam, and meropenem alone and cumulatively with ciprofloxacin or tobramycin. Nonurine P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from adult inpatients at 44 geographically diverse U.S. hospitals. MICs were determined using reference broth microdilution methods. Of the 1,257 isolates collected, 29% were from patients in intensive care units and 39% were from respiratory sites. The overall rate of susceptibility to ceftolozane-tazobactam was high at 97%, whereas it was 72 to 76% for cefepime, ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam, and meropenem. The rate of nonsusceptibility to all four comparator β-lactams was 11%; of the isolates nonsusceptible to the four comparator β-lactams, 80% remained susceptible to ceftolozane-tazobactam. Among the isolates nonsusceptible to the tested β-lactam comparators, less than half were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. By comparison, approximately 80% of the β-lactam-nonsusceptible isolates were susceptible to tobramycin, for overall cumulative susceptibility rates of 94 to 95%, nearly 10% higher than that of the ciprofloxacin–β-lactam combinations and approaching that of ceftolozane-tazobactam as a single agent. The rates of susceptibility to ceftolozane-tazobactam were consistently high, with little observable cross-resistance. Ceftolozane-tazobactam monotherapy performed at or above the level of commonly utilized combination therapies on the basis of in vitro susceptibilities. Ceftolozane-tazobactam should be considered for use in patients at high risk for resistant P. aeruginosa infection and as an alternative to empirical combination therapy, especially for patients unable to tolerate aminoglycosides.
MEG demonstrates a supra-additive response to facial and vocal emotion in the right superior temporal sulcus

An influential neural model of face perception suggests that the posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS) is sensitive to those aspects of faces that produce transient visual changes, including facial expression. Other researchers note that recognition of expression involves multiple sensory modalities and suggest that the STS also may respond to crossmodal facial signals that change transiently. Indeed, many studies of audiovisual (AV) speech perception show STS involvement in AV speech integration. Here we examine whether these findings extend to AV emotion. We used magnetoencephalography to measure the neural responses of participants as they viewed and heard emotionally congruent fear and minimally congruent neutral face and voice stimuli. We demonstrate significant supra-additive responses (i.e., where AV > [unimodal auditory + unimodal visual]) in the posterior STS within the first 250 ms for emotionally congruent AV stimuli. These findings show a role for the STS in processing crossmodal emotive signals.
The fundamental properties of SiN/sub x/:H that determine its passivating qualities

Structural properties of SiN/sub x/:H layers deposited with N/sub 2/+SiH/sub 4/ and NH/sub 3/+SiH/sub 4/ are related to the passivation properties. It is shown that the Si-N bond density in the layers is an important parameter for the passivation of mc-Si solar cells. The best bulk and thermally most stable surface passivation is observed for Si-N bond densities around 1.1/spl middot/10/sup 23/ cm/sup -3/. Lower bond densities result in a more open structure and will probably lead to H/sub 2/ formation during annealing. These H/sub 2/ molecules do not contribute to the passivation but will effuse from the layers into the ambient. Higher Si-N bond densities will result in too dense layers with a lower diffusivity of H and less bulk passivation during short anneals like contact firing. This explains why the bulk passivating properties of SiN/sup x/:H layers does not depend on the initial H concentration in those layers.
Measuring Software Engineering Maturity: A Rasch Calibration

This paper describes how software development process naturally evolves. Items taken from an early version of the SEI's CMM questionnaire are shown to make up a linear scale that describes how software development and management practices are introduced in a software production organization. Analysis of this scale shows that when software practices are inadequately or incompletely implemented, they are re®ned in several iterations. This observation implies that such repetitive re®nements of software practices can be estimated and that it may be possible to correct inadequate or incomplete initial implementations and shorten the cycle between re®nement steps and thus accelerate the software process evolution.
Análisis del papel de las TI en la Gestión del Conocimiento y del Capital Intelectual.

Esta comunicacion considera los principios basicos de la Gestion del Conocimiento (GC) y de la Gestion del Capital Intelectual (GCI), y propone una clasificacion de modelos de medicion del Capital Intelectual (CI) en funcion del tipo del CI, de los indicadores de medicion, de las principales aportaciones y limitaciones de cada modelo, asi como del enfoque de gestion que puede establecerse con cada unos de ellos.
Psychological Well‐Being of the Breast Reconstruction Patient: A Pilot Study

Though the sample size is small and limited to Caucasian women, the results of this study are promising with respect to a positive adjustment following breast cancer and breast reconstruction. The individuals in this group were functioning very well psychologically. These women were relatively free of anxiety and depression. They employed useful means of coping and held appropriate attributions with respect to their own health. A limitation of the study was the lack of a control group, and the principal investigator is currently conducting another study that employs a control group as well as comparisons with women who have undergone mastectomy without reconstruction and lumpectomy. Continued research regarding psychological well-being of women with breast cancer in general and women who undergo reconstruction specifically is recommended.
Atypical DNA recognition mechanism used by the EspR virulence regulator of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires the ESX‐1 secretion system for full virulence. EspR plays a key role in ESX‐1 regulation via direct binding and transcriptional activation of the espACD operon. Here, we describe the crystal structures of EspR, a C‐terminally truncated form, EspRΔ10, as well as an EspR–DNA complex. EspR forms a dimer with each monomer containing an N‐terminal helix–turn–helix DNA binding motif and an atypical C‐terminal dimerization domain. Structural studies combined with footprinting experiments, atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamic simulations allow us to propose a model in which a dimer of EspR dimers is the minimal functional unit with two subunits binding two consecutive major grooves. The other two DNA binding domains are thus free to form higher‐order oligomers and to bridge distant DNA sites in a cooperative way. These features are reminiscent of nucleoid‐associated proteins and suggest a more general regulatory role for EspR than was previously suspected.
Evaluation of Features for Author Name Disambiguation Using Linear Support Vector Machines

Author name disambiguation allows to distinguish between two or more authors sharing the same name. In a previous paper, we have proposed a name disambiguation framework in which for each author name in each article we build a context consisting of classification codes, bibliographic references, co-authors, etc. Then, by pair wise comparison of contexts, we have been grouping contributions likely referring to the same people. In this paper we examine which elements of the context are most effective in author name disambiguation. We employ linear Support Vector Machines (SVM) to find the most influential features.
Phenolic Compounds from Limonium pruinosum

A new phenolic compound, 6′-O-sulfonyl-salidroside (1), together with fifteen known compounds, were isolated from the all parts of Limonium pruinosum. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR experiments including 1D TOCSY, DQF-COSY, HSQC and HMBC spectroscopy, as well as ESIMS analysis. The antioxidant activity of the extracts and all isolated compounds was evaluated by DPPH test.
Multipulse AC–DC Converters for Improving Power Quality: A Review

Three-phase multipulse AC-DC converters (MPC) are developed for improving power quality to reduce harmonics in AC mains and ripples in DC output. This paper deals with the multipulse AC-DC converter configurations, state of art, their performance, power quality aspects, components selection considerations, latest trends, future developments, and potential applications. It is targeted to provide broad perspective on multipulse converter technology to the researchers, engineers, and designers dealing with them. A classified list of more than 250 research publications on the subject is also given for quick reference.
Maximal number of pre-synaptic ribbons are formed in cochlear region corresponding to middle frequency in mice

Abstract Objective: To investigate whether there are more quantitative pre-synaptic ribbons formed in the cochlear region corresponding to middle-frequency in cochlea of mice. Methods: Counts of pre-synaptic ribbons were performed using immunostaining and laser confocal microscopy. Hearing thresholds and function of ribbon synapses were estimated by auditory brain response (ABR) and compound action potential (CAP). Cochlear mapping has been achieved to match the frequencies and corresponding regions along the cochlear spiral. Results: The number of pre-synaptic ribbons in per inner hair cell (IHC) has been found to increase gradually from the base turn, the maximal quantity appeared at the region of 50–70% from the apex. Next, ABR thresholds showed that there was the lowest ABR threshold in the frequency around 8–16 kHz, corresponding to the region of 50–70% from the apex according to the cochlear mapping. Further, CAP amplitudes were estimated, and the maximal value identified at the same frequency (8–16 kHz). Conclusions: Maximal number of pre-synaptic ribbons is formed in the cochlear region of middle frequency in mice, coupling with the lowest ABR threshold and highest CAP amplitudes. Our study shows that the middle frequency (8–16 kHz) could be the most sensitive region to sound stimuli in mice.