Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PIGMENTATION AND TAXONOMY OF THE GENUS XANTHOMONAS

Starr, Mortimer P. (University of California, Davis), and William L. Stephens. Pigmentation and taxonomy of the genus Xanthomonas. J. Bacteriol. 87:293–302. 1964. —The colonies formed by phytopathogenic bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas are typically yellow in color. This chromogenesis stems from the presence in all yellow xanthomonads of a particular carotenoid pigment. This unique “Xanthomonas-carotenoid,” which has not been found in any yellow nonxanthomonad, is characterized herein to the extent required for its recognition by relatively simple screening procedures. In general, the occurrence of a carotenoid “alcohol” with absorption maxima at 418, 437, and 463 mμ (petroleum ether)—in a gram-negative, polarly-flagellated, oxidative, rod-shaped bacterium—would suggest placement of that microorganism in the genus Xanthomonas.
Development of on-line emission parameters processing research technique of polymer-MWCNT emitters

The technique of record and in situ processing of data about evolution of multiwall carbon nanotubes polymer (MWCNT-polymer) field emitters was developed. It includes multichannel data acquisition system of current, voltage, vacuum level and temperature and computer on-line processing of these data by program which was written on LabView. We gained time dependence of field enhancement factor, height and number of emission sites, slope-interception diagram and voltage-current characteristics derivative.
Genetic heterogeneity of oncogenic human papillomavirus type 5 (HPV5) and phylogeny of HPV5 variants associated with epidermodysplasia verruciformis

Variants of oncogenic human papillomavirus type 5 (HPV5), specifically associated with epidermodysplasia verruciformis, were recognized on the basis of the genetic heterogeneity of the E6 open reading frame (ORF). To further evaluate the genetic heterogeneity of HPV5, we sequenced the long control region (LCR), the E7 ORF, and the terminal parts of the E2 ORF of five previously characterized HPV5 variants and compared the data with the published HPV5a1 and HPV5b sequences. Alignment of the variants showed 140 (7.6%) variable nucleotides of 1,854 sequenced. Nucleotide substitution rates varied from 3.6% in the E7 ORF to 11% in the E6 ORF. By sequencing the variable region encompassing the LCR 3' part and the E6 ORF of isolates from six additional epidermodysplasia verruciformis patients, we identified three new variants and three already known variants, indicating the stability of HPV5 variants. This stability was further demonstrated by the identity of isolates obtained years later from benign and malignant lesions of three patients. Phylogenetic analysis of the 10 HPV5 variants distributed them into three groups, tentatively defining subtypes a, b, and c. The phylogenetic grouping shows no geographical dependence, a fact that may be related to the host restriction that characterizes HPV5 infections. No differences in the enhancer potential of the LCR or in the transactivating properties of the E2 protein assayed in vitro were observed among HPV5 variants. Whether HPV5 variants possess distinct biological properties in vivo remains to be determined.
HIV protease inhibitors: effects on viral maturation and physiologic function in macrophages

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the retrovirus believed to be the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), infects a variety of CD4+ cells, including lymphocytes and cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Encoded in the HIV genome are several precursor proteins that must undergo proteolytic cleavage to yield functional proteins. The gag precursor protein of HIV (p55) is cleaved by a virally encoded aspartate protease (HIV protease). Because cleavage of p55 is required for viral maturation and infectivity, inhibition of HIV protease is an attractive target for therapy designed to block the progression of HIV infection. Inhibitors of HIV protease from a variety of chemical classes have been synthesized and antiviral activity has been demonstrated in lymphocytes and cells from the monocyte/macrophage lineage. A few HIV protease inhibitors have progressed to the clinic and some have shown promise in early trials. There are, however, several important issues that will affect the development of a successful HIV protease inhibitor, including cell and tissue distribution and immunotoxicity. These issues are discussed, with an emphasis on the complexities posed by cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. J. Leukoc. Biol. 56: 374–380; 1994.
Major Constituents of Boswellia Carteri Resin Exhibit Cyclooxygenase Enzyme Inhibition and Antiproliferative Activity

Aromatic gum from Boswellia carteri (olibanum oleogum) has long been used in Egyptian traditional medicine. Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzyme inhibitory assay guided purification of the extracts of this resin resulted in five bioactive compounds, 3α-O-acetyl-8,24-dien-tirucallic acid (1), verticilla-4(20),7,11-triene (2), cembrene A (3), incensole acetate (4), and incensole (5). The pure isolates were investigated for their inhibitory effects on COX-1 and −2 enzymes and human tumor cell lines Hep-G2, MCF-7 and RAW 264.7. Compounds 1–5 inhibited COX-2 enzyme by 39.0, 32.7, 60.0, 46.3, and 49.8%, respectively. Furthermore, compound 2 showed an inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) at 9 μg/mL against Hep-G2 tumor cell line. This is the first report of COX-1 and -2 enzyme and tumor cell proliferation inhibitory effects of compounds 1 and 2.
Economy-wide impacts of climate change: a joint analysis for sea level rise and tourism

While climate change impacts on human life have well defined and different origins, the interactions among the diverse impacts are not yet fully understood. Their final effects, however, especially those involving social-economic responses, are likely to play an important role. This paper is one of the first attempts to disentangle and highlight the role of these interactions. It focuses on the economic assessment of two specific climate change impacts: sea-level rise and changes in tourism flows. By using a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model the two impacts categories are first analysed separately and then jointly. Considered separately, in 2050, the forecasted 25 cm. of sea level rise imply a GDP loss ranging from (−) 0.1% in South East Asia to almost no loss in Canada, while redistribution of tourism flows – which in terms of arrivals favours Western Europe, Japan, Korea and Canada and penalises all the other world regions – triggers GDP losses ranging from (−) 0.5% in Small Island States to (−) 0.0004% in Canada. GDP gainers are Australia, New Zealand, Western Europe, Middle East and South Asia. The impact of sea level rise and tourism were simulated jointly and the results compared with those of the two disjoint simulations. From a qualitative point of view, the joint effects are similar to the outcomes of the disjoint exercises; from a quantitative perspective, however, impact interaction does play a significant role. In six cases out of 16 there is a detectable (higher than 2% and peaking to 70%) difference between the sum of the outcomes in the disjoint simulation and the outcomes of the joint simulations. Moreover, the relative contribution of each single impact category has been disentangled from the final result. In the case under scrutiny, demand shocks induced by changes in tourism flows outweigh the supply-side shock induced by the loss of coastal land.
Malonyl CoA, Long Chain Fatty Acyl CoA and Insulin Resistance in Skeletal Muscle

Malonyl CoA is an inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1), the enzyme that regulates the transfer of long chain fatty acyl CoA into mitochondria. By virtue of this effect, it is thought to play a key role in regulating fatty acid oxidation. Thus, when the supply of glucose to muscle is increased, malonyl CoA levels increase in keeping with a decreased need for fatty acid oxidation, and fatty acids are preferentially esterified to form diaglycerol and triglycerides. In contrast, during exercise, when the need for fatty acid oxidation is increased, malonyl CoA levels fall. Changes in glucose supply regulate malonyl CoA by modulating the concentration of cytosolic citrate, an allosteric activator of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), the rate-limiting enzyme for malonyl CoA formation and a precursor of its substrate cytosolic acetyl CoA. Conversely, exercise lowers the concentration of malonyl CoA, by activating an AMP-activated protein kinase, which phosphorylates and inhibits ACC. A number of reports have linked sustained increases in the concentration of malonyl CoA in muscle to insulin resistance. In this paper, we review these reports, as well as the notion that changes in malonyl CoA contribute to the increases in long chain fatty acyl CoA, (LCFA CoA), diacylglycerol and triglyceride content and changes in protein kinase C activity and distribution observed in insulin-resistant muscle. We also review the implications of the malonyl CoA/LCFA CoA hypothesis to two other proposed mechanisms for insulin resistance, the glucose-fatty acid cycle and the hexosamine theory.
Red blood cell aggregation, aggregate strength and oxygen transport potential of blood are abnormal in both homozygous sickle cell anemia and sickle-hemoglobin C disease

Recent evidence suggests that red cell aggregation and the ratio of hematocrit to blood viscosity, an index of the oxygen transport potential of blood, might considerably modulate blood flow dynamics in the microcirculation. The findings of this study indicate that patients with sickle cell disease and those with sickle cell hemoglobin C disease have low ratios of hematocrit to blood viscosity as compared to normal controls. This may play a role in tissue hypoxia and clinical status of these patients. Background Recent evidence suggests that red blood cell aggregation and the ratio of hematocrit to blood viscosity (HVR), an index of the oxygen transport potential of blood, might considerably modulate blood flow dynamics in the microcirculation. It thus seems likely that these factors could play a role in sickle cell disease. Design and Methods We compared red blood cell aggregation characteristics, blood viscosity and HVR at different shear rates between sickle cell anemia and sickle cell hemoglobin C disease (SCC) patients, sickle cell trait carriers (AS) and control individuals (AA). Results Blood viscosity determined at high shear rate was lower in sickle cell anemia (n=21) than in AA (n=52), AS (n=33) or SCC (n=21), and was markedly increased in both SCC and AS. Despite differences in blood viscosity, both sickle cell anemia and SCC had similar low HVR values compared to both AA and AS. Sickle cell anemia (n=21) and SCC (n=19) subjects had a lower red blood cell aggregation index and longer time for red blood cell aggregates formation than AA (n=16) and AS (n=15), and a 2 to 3 fold greater shear rate required to disperse red blood cell aggregates. Conclusions The low HVR levels found in sickle cell anemia and SCC indicates a comparable low oxygen transport potential of blood in both genotypes. Red blood cell aggregation properties are likely to be involved in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease: the increased shear forces needed to disperse red blood cell aggregates may disturb blood flow, especially at the microcirculatory level, since red blood cell are only able to pass through narrow capillaries as single cells rather than as aggregates.
žMOGIŠKŲJŲ IŠTEKLIŲ VADYBOs VERTĖ žINIOMIs GRINDžIAMOJE VIsuOMENĖJE

While building knowledge-based society and economy, particular importance in human resources management falls on the value of human resources and management expertise. The article analyses the features of human resources management competences in terms of completing human resources management functions in practice with a view to advantages of human resources management approaches compared with traditional approaches to human resources management. Upon research on personnel management functions and competencies associated with the study of theoretical and empirical research, the article analyzes the human resources management activities, and the distribution of functions between management, as well as and the designated human resources (personnel) managers and directors. Approaches to human resources management competencies are given, the human resources (personnel) management competence structure, personnel managers profiles, along with roles and functions in practice are described. Based on the empirical results of the Lithuanian organizations, leaders’ competences are evaluated, including their impact on employees and organizations to succeed. The value of human resources management features, and human resources management factors determining the level of development are identified.
The Physical Education Predisposition Scale: Preliminary development and validation

Abstract The main aim of this study was to develop and test psychometrically the Physical Education Predisposition Scale, to assess secondary school students' cost–benefit assessment of physical education (PE) participation (PE attitude affective and attitude cognitive) and self-perceptions (PE perceived competence and self-efficacy). Secondary aims were to explore how the two variables were related, and to investigate age and gender differences. Altogether, 315 Year 8 and 9 students (aged 12–14 years) from four North West England schools completed the Physical Education Predisposition Scale. Principal components analysis revealed the presence of a simple two-factor solution explaining 60.7% of the variance. Factor 1 (labelled Perceived PE Worth) reflected attitude affective and attitude cognitive (α = 0.91), and factor 2 (Perceived PE Ability) represented perceived competence and self-efficacy (α = 0.89). Significant positive correlations were observed between the factors (r = 0.67 to 0.71, P < 0.001). Boys scored significantly higher than girls on Perceived PE Worth (P < 0.001) and Perceived PE Ability (P = 0.02). Similarly, Year 8 students scored significantly higher than Year 9 students on Perceived PE Worth (P = 0.005) and Perceived PE Ability (P < 0.001). Our results support the potential of the Physical Education Predisposition Scale as a concise measurement tool for use in the PE setting, for both teachers and researchers.
Relationship of Underlying Abnormalities in Rectal Sensitivity and Compliance to Distension with Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Background/Aims: Abnormalities in rectal physiology play an important role in the genesis of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, their relationship to symptoms is unclear. Our aim was to investigate the association of abnormalities in rectal sensitivity and compliance to specific symptoms in IBS. Methods: Fifty-six IBS patients and 14 healthy controls participated in this study. The intensities of individual IBS symptoms in the past 4 weeks were scored on a graded 5-point Likert scale. Using a barostat, isobaric rectal distensions were performed before and after a meal. Results: Rectal hypersensitivity and hypocompliance in the fasting state were observed in 68 and 52% of IBS patients, respectively. Postprandial hypersensitivity of the rectum was significantly more prevalent in the diarrhea-predominant IBS (D-IBS) group compared to the constipation-predominant IBS (C-IBS) group. The D-IBS group showed a significant postprandial decrease in rectal compliance, but the C-IBS group did not. A significant correlation was observed between a sense of incomplete evacuation and increased bowel movements with postprandial rectal hypersensitivity or hypocompliance. Conclusion: A sense of incomplete evacuation and increased bowel movements are related to postprandial abnormalities in rectal sensitivity and compliance to distension. The other IBS symptoms do not seem to predict such abnormalities.
Pressure and obstacles to the employment of paid managers in voluntary sports clubs and federations in Germany

Abstract Do voluntary sports clubs and federations express a need to increase paid management, and how can this be explained? In Germany the discussion to date has been confronted with a puzzle for a long time, namely the contradiction between the often reported pressure to occupationalize on the one hand and the empirical unimportance of paid work – at least in sports clubs – on the other hand. One important difference to other countries, for instance Great Britain, is that in Germany there is no governmental pressure on the clubs – in contrast to the federations – to occupationalize. Unlike other research, our aim was not to explain the existing degree of paid management, but the expressed need for an increase. In order to systemize and complement often mentioned explaining variables from the literature, we drew on three theoretical perspectives: economic theory, contingency theory and new institutionalism of organizations theory. The empirical data was gathered through a written questionnaire, which was sent out to a large, however non-probability sample of sports associations. The response rate was 57%, which corresponds to 531 questionnaires. Surprisingly, only part of the respondents agreed fully with the statement “we need more paid managers”. One important result is that the need for more paid managers in sports clubs does not decline proportionally to the number of paid managers already employed, but even increases. In order to check the relative explanatory power of the different theories applied and respective variables, a stepwise multiple regression analysis was carried out. Out of 13 variables, seven remained in the equation, among them benefits and costs of paid managers, the desired role of a paid managing director as cultural indicator, the co-operation with business and government, as well as the increased requirements of the work. With these variables, all theories proved to be helpful in explaining the need for more paid managers. In broad areas of sports associations, to date there seems to be no pressure to employ more paid managers, in the sense of an acute threat to the organization, but only a chance which the organization can take or leave. Occupationalization is less hindered – as often assumed – by the presence of a traditional culture of voluntarism than by the absence of a culture of paid management. Occupationalization is, nevertheless, a success story. Once started, it stimulates a need for continuation.
Androgen deprivation and high-dose radiotherapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer patients with less than five regional and/or distant metastases

Abstract Background. Substantial survival may be observed with oligometastatic prostate cancer. Combining androgen deprivation (AD) and high-dose external beam radiotherapy (RT) to isolated regional or distant lesions may be proposed for these patients and the outcome of this strategy is the purpose of the present report. Material and methods. From 2003 to 2010, 50 prostate cancer patients were diagnosed with synchronous (n = 7) or metachronous (n = 43) oligometastases (OM). Among the relapsing patients, the recurrence occurred after radical prostatectomy in 33 patients and curative RT (± AD) in 10 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 63 years (range, 48–82). All patients underwent a bone scan and 18F-choline or 11C-acetate PET-CT at the time of diagnosis or relapse, showing regional and/or distant nodal and bone and/or visceral metastases in 33 and 17 patients, respectively. The median delivered effective dose was 64 Gy. All but one patient received neo-adjuvant and concomitant AD. Results. After a median follow-up of 31 months (range, 9–89) the three-year biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS), clinical failure-free survival, and overall survival rates were 54.5%, 58.6% and 92%, respectively. No grade 3 toxicity was observed. Improved bRFS was found to be significantly associated with the number of OM. The three-year bRFS was 66.5% versus 36.4% for patients with 1 and > 1 OMs (p = 0.031). A normalised total dose (NTD in 2 Gy/fraction, alpha/beta = 2 Gy) above 64 Gy was also correlated with a better three-year bRFS compared to lower doses: 65% vs. 41.8%, respectively (p = 0.005). On multivariate analysis, only the NTD > 64 Gy retained statistical significance (HR: 0.37, 95% CI 0.15–0.93). Conclusion. Oligometastatic patients may be successfully treated with short AD and high-dose irradiation to the metastatic lesions. High dose improves bRFS. Such a treatment strategy may hypothetically succeed to prolong the failure-free interval between two consecutive AD courses.
Children's Ability to Recognize Emotions From Partial and Complete Facial Expressions

ABSTRACT The authors investigated children's ability to recognize emotions from the information available in the lower, middle, or upper face. School-age children were shown partial or complete facial expressions and asked to say whether they corresponded to a given emotion (anger, fear, surprise, or disgust). The results indicate that 5-year-olds were able to recognize fear, anger, and surprise from partial facial expressions. Fear was better recognized from the information located in the upper face than those located in the lower face. A similar pattern of results was found for anger, but only in girls. Recognition improved between 5 and 10 years old for surprise and anger, but not for fear and disgust.
Evaluation of a Toric Implantable Collamer Lens After Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in Treatment of Early-Stage Keratoconus: 3-Year Follow-up

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the predictability, efficacy, safety, and stability in patients who received a toric implantable collamer lens (TICL) after collagen crosslinking in early-stage keratoconus. Methods: This prospective interventional case series study was conducted at the Alexandria Main University hospitals, University of Alexandria, Egypt. Sixteen eyes underwent implantation of a TICL (STAAR Surgical Inc) after crosslinking. The mean spherical refraction was −5.98 ± 4.39 diopters (D) (range, −0.50 to −14.50 D), and the mean cylinder was −4.91 ± 1.51 D (range, −2.50 to −7.75 D). Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), manifest and cycloplegic refraction, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), vault, intraocular pressure, and endothelial cell count (using specular microscopy) were evaluated during a 3-year follow-up. Results: The mean Snellen decimal CDVA improved from 0.56 ± 0.13 (range, 0.40–0.80) preoperatively to 0.89 ± 0.17 (range, 0.60–1.20) at 3 years of the follow-up (P < 0.0001). The mean UDVA also improved significantly from 0.63 ± 0.14 before ICL implantation to 0.88 ± 0.18 after 3 years of the follow-up (P < 0.001). At 3 years, the mean spherical and cylindrical manifest refractions were 0.00 ± 0.18 D and −0.05 ± 0.14 D, respectively. At the end of the follow-up, the vault was 509.75 ± 141.47 &mgr;m (range, 320–900) and the intraocular pressure was 11.94 ± 1.12 mm Hg. No complications occurred during the surgical procedures. No eye needed explantation or repositioning of the TICL. The endothelial cell count loss after 3 years was −8.98%. Conclusions: Correction of spherical and cylindrical refractive errors in keratoconic eyes by TICL implantation 12 months after crosslinking gave significantly promising outcomes, particularly in the astigmatic component of refraction.