Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Auto-regulation of Rab5 GEF activity in Rabex5 by allosteric structural changes, catalytic core dynamics and ubiquitin binding

Intracellular trafficking depends on the function of Rab GTPases, whose activation is regulated by guanine exchange factors (GEFs). The Rab5 GEF, Rabex5, was previously proposed to be auto-inhibited by its C-terminus. Here, we studied full-length Rabex5 and Rabaptin5 proteins as well as domain deletion Rabex5 mutants using hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. We generated a structural model of Rabex5, using chemical cross-linking mass spectrometry and integrative modeling techniques. By correlating structural changes with nucleotide exchange activity for each construct, we uncovered new auto-regulatory roles for the ubiquitin binding domains and the Linker connecting those domains to the catalytic core of Rabex5. We further provide evidence that enhanced dynamics in the catalytic core are linked to catalysis. Our results suggest a more complex auto-regulation mechanism than previously thought and imply that ubiquitin binding serves not only to position Rabex5 but to also control its Rab5 GEF activity through allosteric structural alterations.
Interaction between greenhouse grown chrysanthemum and Frankliniella occidentalis

Growers of floricultural crops are still dependent on chemical insecticides because of low consumer tolerance to damaged produce. More knowledge of natural interactions between insects and their host plants would allow insect pests to be controlled in a more environmentally friendly and effective way. This thesis analysed the system of biological interaction between the pest Frankliniella occidentalis (Western Flower Thrips) and its host plant Chrysanthemum x morifolium. Mathematical prediction models were developed to describe the growth and development processes of the plant and the insect population, on the assumption that there is a temperature-dependent interaction between flower growth and development and thrips population growth. An introductory study developed a method for linking flower growth and development that was used in subsequent studies. The second study aimed to predict growth responses of non-infested chrysanthemum flowers to temperature and irradiation, in order to distinguish between temperature and thrips effects on chrysanthemum flower size. Since F. occidentalis feeds on both flowers and leaves, a model constructed in the third study served as a prediction tool for food and habitat distribution for the thrips. By recording the final leaf length, leaf area distribution during the growing period could be re-constructed. The model was later included in the large population growth model as a leaf canopy model. The effect of three temperature regimes on early population growth of F.occidentalis was investigated in detail. The results showed that the observed rapid increase in population size could not be correlated with flower opening. The relative reproduction rate of F. occidentalis changed exponentially, probably depending on changes in population density and different reproductive strategies. Therefore, in a final model, population density played an important role during early population growth, whereas a decrease in food supply, in terms of damaged leaf area, controlled population decline at the end of the growth period. At lower temperatures (approx. 20˚C), the population decline could be simulated by simply manipulating food supply, while at higher temperatures (approx. 26˚C), the model underestimated population decline, indicating the need for a stress or migration factor in the system.
A Qualitative Case Study of Teacher-Student Micropolitical Interaction: The Strategies, Goals, and Consequences of Student Resistance.

This report examines part of a qualitative study on the micropolitical classroom strategies, goals, and consequences that occur among the students and a teacher in an elementary classroom. The paper focuses on the students' micropolitical strategies and goals, and the resulting consequences on their classroom teacher. Micropolitics describes the ways in which individuals attempt to influence others through both cooperative and conflictive strategies. Analysis of the data, gathered through participant observation and interviews, revealed two subcategories of student micropolitical influence: passive resistance and aggressive resistance. Passive resistance--repetition, interruption, topic changes, ignoring, and partial compliance--is less direct and less confrontational than aggressive resistance which includes overt protests and use of intermediaries. The goal of passive resistance is to delay, distract, modify, or prevent teacher initiated activities that students dislike but are not willing to risk punishment to prevent; aggressive resistance is used without regard to the risks of punishment. While student resistance can provide feedback to help teachers better meet student needs, aggressive resistance can cause teachers to feel professional incompetence, personal discouragement, job dissatisfaction, and fatigue. Findings suggest that teachers should be prepared to operate in a dynamic and highly micropolitical classroom. Teachers should also be aware of how their actions reinforce certain student micropolitical behaviors, develop a deep awareness of their own political strategies and goals, and understand how their strategies and goals affect students and influence teaching and learning. Recommendations for university teacher education programs include providing opportunities for teacher. , both preservice and inservice, to develop micropolitical knowledge and to confront their own micropolitical behavior and analyze that of others. (Ccntains 39 references.) (ND)
Demand Growth Versus Market Share Gains: Decomposing World Manufacturing Import Growth

This paper decomposes manufacturing import growth rates in a selected set of large industrial and developing countries (five industrial and eight developing) and measures the relative contributions of domestic demand and market share changes for two separate periods 1991/92 - 2001/02 and 2001/02 - 2007/08. It also shows the shares of imports both from the rest of the world and from developing countries for aggregate and three-digit manufacturing sectors. Import growth is much higher during the 2000s driven by higher demand growth rates. While market share changes explain most of the growth during the 1990s, its contribution is relatively smaller during the 2000s. Imports from developing countries have grown much faster both in industrial and developing country markets driven primarily by market share changes. However, more than half of market share gains by developing countries are caused by the exports of China, which accounts for more than 70 percent of market share gains of developing countries in the sample countries during the 2000s. Despite rapid growth, developing countries' share in the gross absorption of the sample countries is still low and can expand substantially even if demand growth is much lower in the near future.
Closing Questions in Qualitative Research: Results of a Web-Based Survey.

BACKGROUND Scarce and differing reasons for including closing questions in qualitative research exist, but how data generated from these questions are used remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to understand if and how researchers use closing questions in qualitative research; specifically, the research questions: (a) "Why do qualitative researchers include or exclude closing questions during interviews? "; and (b) "How do qualitative researchers use data from closing questions? " METHODS A qualitative descriptive design using a single, asynchronous, web-based, investigator-designed survey containing 14 items was used to collect data. Convenience and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Codes were developed from the qualitative data. Subcategories were derived from similar codes, and these subcategories were further scrutinized and were used to create broad categories. RESULTS The number of respondents per question ranged from 76 to 99; most identified nursing and sociology as their academic disciplines, lived in the United States, and involved in qualitative research for 1 to 10 years. Data, the interview, the interviewee, and the interviewer were broad categories to emerge as reasons for including closing questions. Only one respondent reported a reason for excluding closing questions. The uses of closing question data were described in four broad categories: analysis; data; the interview guide; and inquiry. DISCUSSION Researchers frequently included closing questions in qualitative studies. The reasons for including these questions and how data are used varies and support for closing questions is limited in previously published literature. One unique reason, adding "new breath" to the interview, emerged. Study findings can aid qualitative researchers in deciding whether to include closing questions.
Embryonic ontogeny of three species of Horned Frogs, with a review of early development in Ceratophryidae

Horned Frogs of the family Ceratophryidae are conspicuous anurans represented by three endemic South American genera. Most ceratophryids inhabit semiarid environments, but three species of Ceratophrys occupy tropical or temperate humid areas. Several morphological and behavioral characters of larvae and adults are conserved across the family. Based on examination of specimens and accounts in the literature, the embryonic development of C. ornata, C. cranwelli, and the monotypic genus Chacophrys are described and compared with that of species of Lepidobatrachus. Ceratophryid embryos share a suite of morphological features and heterochronic shifts during development. Most features, such as gill structure, ciliation, early hatching, and precocious differentiation of the gut and hind limbs, are shared by all the species regardless the differences in the habitats that occupy. This is consistent with previous observations of some adult characters, and likely supports the hypothesis of an early diversification of ceratophryids in semiarid environments. Other embryonic features, such as the morphology and ontogeny of the oral disc and digestive tract, are correlated with larval feeding habits and vary within the family. The evolutionary and ecological significance of some conserved characters (e.g., gastrulation pattern, Type‐A adhesive glands) and other taxon‐specific features (e.g., nasal appendix) remain to be explored in the group.
Quality of Life Among Informal Caregivers of Patients With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

Background Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a common, chronic neurological condition that severely affects individuals by causing a range of disabling symptoms, frequently at a time around the peak of their careers. Subsequently, individuals with DCM often become dependent on informal care arrangements. The significant economic contribution of informal care and its burden on care providers are becoming increasingly recognized. Objective This study aimed to measure the quality of life of DCM informal caregivers and provide preliminary insight into possible contributing factors. Methods Carers of individuals with DCM completed a Web-based survey hosted by Myelopathy.org, an international DCM charity. Carer quality of life was assessed in the form of caregiver happiness and 7 dimensions of carer burden using the Care-Related Quality of Life (CarerQol) instrument. The relationships between patient disease severity, patient pain, and carer quality of life were investigated. Differences in carer quality of life were assessed across patient and carer demographic groups, including between UK and US carers. Results DCM caregivers experienced substantial burden as a result of their caregiving (mean CarerQol-7D=64.1; 95% CI 58.8-69.5) and low happiness (mean CarerQol-VAS [Visual Analog Scale]=6.3; 95% CI 5.7-6.9). Burden was high and happiness was low in DCM carers when compared with a large, mixed-disease study of adult informal carers where CarerQol-7D was 79.1 and CarerQol-VAS was 7.1. No significant relationship was found between DCM carer quality of life and patient disease severity and pain scores. DCM carer quality of life appeared uniform across all patient and carer demographic groups. Conclusions Caring for individuals with DCM is associated with reduced quality of life in the form of significant burden and reduced happiness. Reductions appear greater in DCM than in other diseases investigated. However, no simple relationship was identified between individual patient or carer factors and carer quality of life.
The heavy metal leaching property and cementitious material preparation by treating municipal solid waste incineration fly ash through the molten salt process

This research investigated the heavy metal leaching property and cementitious material preparation by treating municipal solid waste incineration fly ash through the molten salt process. The results indicated that the heavy metal thermal evaporation of fly ash in the molten salt was related to molten salt composition, heat treatment temperature and atmosphere. After treatment with sodium chloride molten salts (contains 10–50 wt% calcium chloride) from 900°C to 1000°C for 2 h, the leaching concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, zinc and other heavy metals in fly ash were decreased more than 90% and they could fully meet with the landfill standard. Moreover, after molten salt treatment, the weight fraction of fly ash was reduced by 50 wt% than the original one, and the fly ash has been changed as a kind of cementitious material, which has excellent cementitious property. The X-ray diffraction result indicated that the main crystal mineral composition of cementitious materials obtained was alite, belite, alinite and calcium sulphate.
UWB and MEMS Based Indoor Navigation

Thanks to its physical characteristics, Ultra-wideband (UWB) is one of the most promising technologies for indoor pedestrian navigation. UWB radio localisation systems however experience multipath phenomena that decrease the precision and the reliability of the user's location. To cope with complex indoor environments, UWB radio signals are coupled with inertial measurements from Micro Electro Mechanical Sensors (MEMS) in an extended Kalman filter. Improved performances of the filter are presented and compared with reference trajectories and with pure inertial solutions. Only specific selection methods enable this improvement by detecting and removing outliers in the raw localisation data.
OILS AS PENETRATION ENHANCERS FOR IMPROVED TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY: A REVIEW

Transdermal drug delivery system is the most suitable system for delivering the drugs with shorter half-life and poor solubility. It improves the drug safety and therapeutic efficacy as the drug delivery through it occurs in a controlled manner. Interpretation of the biochemical composition and barrier function exerted by the stratum corneum has lead for the exploration of different sources for improving the percutaneous absorption. Skin is the suitable site for drug administration for local and systemic actions. Penetration enhancement is an improving technology that leads to the increase in the count of drugs for TDDS. The present review reports the role of Natural oils in enhancing the permeation of drugs through skin because of possessing different features like natural origin, favorable penetration enhancement and partitioning action in the skin by the oils. Various natural oils, their classification and influence as penetration enhancers were discussed in this study.
Complex Effects of Putative DRP-1 Inhibitors on Stress Responses in Mouse Heart and Rat Cardiomyoblasts

Dynamin-related protein-1 (DRP-1)-dependent mitochondrial fission may influence cardiac tolerance to ischemic or oxidative stress, presenting a potential “cardioprotective” target. Effects of dynamin inhibitors [mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (MDIVI-1) and dynasore] on injury, mitochondrial function, and signaling proteins were assessed in distinct models: ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) in mouse hearts and oxidative stress in rat H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Hearts exhibited substantial cell death [approx. 40 IU lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) efflux] and dysfunction (approx. 40 mmHg diastolic pressure, approx. 40% contractile recovery) following 25 minutes’ ischemia. Pretreatment with 1 μM MDIVI-1 reduced dysfunction (30 mmHg diastolic pressure, approx. 55% recovery) and delayed without reducing overall cell death, whereas 5 μM MDIVI-1 reduced overall death at the same time paradoxically exaggerating dysfunction. Postischemic expression of mitochondrial DRP-1 and phospho-activation of ERK1/2 were reduced by MDIVI-1. Conversely, 1 μM dynasore worsened cell death and reduced nonmitochondrial DRP-1. Postischemic respiratory fluxes were unaltered by MDIVI-1, although a 50% fall in complex-I flux control ratio was reversed. In H9c2 myoblasts stressed with 400 μM H2O2, treatment with 50 μM MDIVI-1 preserved metabolic (MTT assay) and mitochondrial (basal respiration) function without influencing survival. This was associated with differential signaling responses, including reduced early versus increased late phospho-activation of ERK1/2, increased phospho-activation of protein kinase B (AKT), and differential changes in determinants of autophagy [reduced microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3b (LC3B-II/I) vs. increased Parkinson juvenile disease protein 2 (Parkin)] and apoptosis [reduced poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage vs. increased BCL2-associated X (BAX)/B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2)]. These data show MDIVI-1 (not dynasore) confers some benefit during I-R/oxidative stress. However, despite mitochondrial and metabolic preservation, MDIVI-1 exerts mixed effects on cell death versus dysfunction, potentially reflecting differential changes in survival kinase, autophagy, and apoptosis pathways. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Inhibition of mitochondrial fission is a novel approach to still elusive cardioprotection. Assessing effects of fission inhibitors on responses to ischemic or oxidative stress in hearts and cardiomyoblasts reveals mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (MDIVI-1) and dynasore induce complex effects and limited cardioprotection. This includes differential impacts on death and dysfunction, survival kinases, and determinants of autophagy and apoptosis. Although highlighting the interconnectedness of fission and these key processes, results suggest MDIVI-1 and dynasore may be of limited value in the quest for effective cardioprotection.
Reflective Teaching and the Portfolio Approach in Early Childhood Staff Development.

Recognizing that reflective practice is an important approach for professional and staff development, this paper discusses the use of the teaching portfolio approach to improving reflection and reflective practices among early childhood education staff. The teaching portfolio approach involves collecting evidence of best practices; developing a framework of core competencies and professional values; encouraging a system of collegiality, collaborative and peer learning; and recognizing and rewarding reflective innovative practices. The paper discusses the results of three surveys of tertiary institution staff to determine authentic evidences that would be useful for demonstrating their competence and professionalism as educators. The survey results are then used as a base to discuss materials tc e collected in the teaching portfolio to substantiate the early childhood education teacher's experience, compet=e, development, and professional achievements. Finally, the paper discusses Li-le: i:ramework cf core &7)jectives and values for a portfolio approach as outlined by the Staff and Educai. :Lonai Development Association of the United Kingdom. Issues in implementing this portfolio approach are also considered. (JPB) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** REFLECTIVE TEACHING AND THE PORTFOLIO APPROACH IN EARLY CHILDHOOD STAFF DEVELOPMENT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) XThis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. SeokHoon Seng and Tan Oon Seng National Institute of Education Nanyang Technological University Singapore PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Paper presented at the ERA-AARE Joint Conference Educational Research: Building New Partnerships. Educational Research Association of Singapore and the Australian Association for Research in Education BEST COPY AVAI LAB 25 29 November 1996 Singapore
A Brief History of Mitochondrial Pathologies

The history of “mitochondrial pathologies”, namely genetic pathologies affecting mitochondrial metabolism because of mutations in nuclear DNA-encoded genes for proteins active inside mitochondria or mutations in mitochondrial DNA-encoded genes, began in 1988. In that year, two different groups of researchers discovered, respectively, large-scale single deletions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in muscle biopsies from patients with “mitochondrial myopathies” and a point mutation in the mtDNA gene for subunit 4 of NADH dehydrogenase (MTND4), associated with maternally inherited Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Henceforth, a novel conceptual “mitochondrial genetics”, separate from mendelian genetics, arose, based on three features of mtDNA: (1) polyplasmy; (2) maternal inheritance; and (3) mitotic segregation. Diagnosis of mtDNA-related diseases became possible through genetic analysis and experimental approaches involving histochemical staining of muscle or brain sections, single-fiber polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of mtDNA, and the creation of patient-derived “cybrid” (cytoplasmic hybrid) immortal fibroblast cell lines. The availability of the above-mentioned techniques along with the novel sensitivity of clinicians to such disorders led to the characterization of a constantly growing number of pathologies. Here is traced a brief historical perspective on the discovery of autonomous pathogenic mtDNA mutations and on the related mendelian pathology altering mtDNA integrity.