Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Microcosmic Structural Analysis of Recording Coating on Inkjet Printing Media

Preparation of recording coating on inkjet printing (RC-IJP) media was proposed. The microstructure and roughness of RC-IJP was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). The surface infiltration process of RC-IJP was studied by a liquid infiltration instrument. The distribution of C, O and Si composites on recording coating surface is analyzed by energy dispersive spectrum (EDS). The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the nanoscale silica could be dissolved uniformly in water. Finally, the print color is shown clearly by the preparative recording coating.
Language discourses and identity construction in a multilingual South African primary school

This article offers a critical analysis of institutional discourse(s) about English, analysing what discourses dominate, how and why particular discourses come to dominate, and the extent to which these discourses remain endorsed. Furthermore, the paper considers the relationship between language, identity and power relations, specifically how learners are socialised into different identity positions. Discourse is understood as a ‘general mode of semiosis’ (Blommaert 2005, 2) and conceptualised as a socially situated construct. In this paper the view that discourse is reflective of and constitutes a particular social context and social practices, is considered to be critical. Institutional discourses suggest that ‘good’ proficiency in English is privileged above all else. The value attached to linguistic competence in English renders some learners ‘successful’ and others ‘unsuccessful’. This means that competence in English as the Language of Learning and Teaching is seen to be equivalent to a more favourable position of identity. Those who possess this kind of competence are privileged and engender more authority in relation to other learners.
B cells: a rational target in alloantibody‐mediated solid organ transplantation rejection

Abstract: Loss of allografts over time remains a barrier to achieving successful outcomes in solid organ transplantation. Although the role of donor‐specific alloantibody‐mediated mechanisms in hyperacute rejection is well known, research and management of early and late post‐transplant rejection have traditionally focused on T cell‐mediated mechanisms. However, available agents that affect T‐cell pathways have minimal impact on long‐term graft survival, suggesting that other effector mechanisms are involved. A growing body of evidence now supports a role for alloantibody‐mediated mechanisms in early and late graft rejection, which can significantly impact on long‐term graft survival. The important role of B cells in generating and perpetuating alloantibody production provides a rationale for B‐cell depletion therapy as an approach to prevent or reduce alloantibody formation before transplantation and to treat or prevent early and late alloantibody‐mediated rejection. The use of monoclonal antibodies that directly target B cells, in combination with standard alloantibody‐depleting therapies and/or immunosuppression, has been investigated in several small non‐controlled studies. Promising results suggest that this strategy warrants further investigation in larger controlled studies.
INFLUENZA A VIRUSES ISOLATED FROM MIGRATING DUCKS IN OKLAHOMA 1

Nine type A influenza viruses were isolated from migrating and wintering ducks in Oklahoma in 1976-77. Antigenic classification of the viruses isolated revealed three different subtypes: Havl Nav2, Hws Nl, and Hav6 N2. Transmission of influenza viruses from the wild ducks to sentinel birds (McGraw mallards) on the same lakes was not detected.
A new CdZnTe-based gamma camera for high resolution pinhole SPECT

We have developed and tested a pixelated detector for pinhole SPECT. The 80/spl times/80 detector has a pixel size of 2.5/spl times/2.5 mm/sup 2/ and incorporates the room-temperature solid-state semiconductor CdZnTe which offers direct charge conversion and good stopping power for radionuclides used for small animal SPECT. To optimize low energy photon detection, the detector is operated at a temperature of 15/spl plusmn/1/spl deg/C, and has been designed to minimize absorption losses for photons entering the active detector material. The CdZnTe detector demonstrates good uniformity, spatial resolution and energy resolution. Transmission images obtained with an /sup 125/I point source demonstrate its low-energy performance, while dual isotope images were obtained using /sup 99m/Tc and /sup 201/Tl. The detector therefore offers good performance for high-resolution small animal SPECT.
A Review of Affecting Factors on Sexual Satisfaction in Women

Background: Sex is a complex, important and sensitive issue in human being and interwoven with the whole of human existence. Given the serious changes in attitude, function and behavior in sex, the need to address sexual function, especially sexual satisfaction, is felt completely. Sexual satisfaction has a very important role in creating marital satisfaction and any defect in sexual satisfaction is significantly associated with risky sexual behaviors, serious mental illness, social crimes and ultimately divorce. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore affecting factors on sexual satisfaction in women based on an overview in scientific database. Methods: In this narrative review the researchers searched MEDLINE database, Google Scholar and Science Direct as well as Persian database like Scientific Information Database with search terms of sexual satisfaction and sexual function, restricted to English/ Persian language, during the 20 years ago. Then those articles written by renowned experts were selected. In this regard, 57 articles have been reviewed, which 30 articles related to this research have been extracted. Results: The findings were divided in to four categories including: Demographic factors, Pathophysiological factors, Psychological factors and Sociocultural factors. Conclusions: Sexuality, especially sexual intimacy is sophisticated and yet elegant affair that the other persons has different definitions and different functions. Discrepancies in the results of the studies show that analysis of factors affecting sexual satisfaction regardless of the women’s’ sociocultural context, religious beliefs, and personal attitudes is undoubtedly inefficient, unscientific and irrational.
Bioluminescent Reporters for Rapid Mechanism of Action Assessment in Tuberculosis Drug Discovery

ABSTRACT The tuberculosis (TB) drug discovery pipeline is fueled by compounds identified in whole-cell screens against the causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Phenotypic screening enables the selection of molecules that inhibit essential cellular functions in live, intact bacilli grown under a chosen in vitro condition. However, deducing the mechanism of action (MOA), which is important to avoid promiscuous targets, often requires significant biological resources in a lengthy process that risks decoupling medicinal chemistry and biology efforts. Therefore, there is a need to develop methods enabling rapid MOA assessment of putative “actives” for triage decisions. Here, we describe a modified version of a bioluminescence reporter assay that allows nondestructive detection of compounds targeting either of two macromolecular processes in M. tuberculosis: cell wall biosynthesis or maintenance of DNA integrity. Coupling the luxCDABE operon from Photorhabdus luminescens to mycobacterial promoters driving expression of the iniBAC operon (PiniB-LUX) or the DNA damage-inducible genes, recA (PrecA-LUX) or radA (PradA-LUX), provided quantitative detection in real time of compounds triggering expression of any of these promoters over an extended 10- to 12-day incubation. Testing against known anti-TB agents confirmed the specificity of each reporter in registering the MOA of the applied antibiotic in M. tuberculosis, independent of bactericidal or bacteriostatic activity. Moreover, profiles obtained for experimental compounds indicated the potential to infer complex MOAs in which multiple cellular processes are disrupted. These results demonstrate the utility of the reporters for early triage of compounds based on the provisional MOA and suggest their application to investigate polypharmacology in known and experimental anti-TB agents.
Interferon‐γ Gene (T874A and G2109A) Polymorphisms Are Associated With Microscopy‐positive Tuberculosis

Genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis includes several unknown yet different loci each contributing to a small extent. Intronic polymorphisms within the interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) gene IFNG T+874A and IFNG G+2109A correlate with the IFN‐γ production in vitro, and the frequency of potential high IFN‐γ producers was previously reported by others to be lower in patients than in controls from Sicily. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between polymorphisms in the IFN‐γ gene and predisposition to tuberculosis. We analysed two IFNG SNPs (T+874A and G+2109A) in patients (n = 253) hospitalized in Rijeka (Croatia) and controls (n = 519) from the same area. One‐fifth of the controls were healthy contacts of the diseased, and the rest were blood donors. IFNG alleles, their predicted haplotypes or genotypes were not associated with disease susceptibility. Thus, we could not reproduce results from Sicilian case‐control study. However, T/T+874 (possible high IFN‐γ producer) and +874A/A (putative low producer) genotypes were associated with microscopically positive–negative forms of disease. Haplotypes (T+874A and G+2109A) based on a prediction by software phase and subsequent genotype analysis corroborated these findings. Patients had significantly higher frequency of genotypes without T at +874 (AA/AA; AA/AG and AG/AG) in microscopy‐ or bacterial culture‐positive groups compared with their negative counterparts. These data suggest an association with disease severity rather than susceptibility to tuberculosis in Croatian Caucasian population.
Antithrombotic potency of hirudin is increased in nonhuman primates by fibrin targeting.

BACKGROUND Inhibition of thrombin by either the indirect thrombin inhibitor heparin or by more potent direct thrombin inhibitors such as hirudin reduces thrombus formation after arterial injury. The present study was designed to determine if a fibrin-specific thrombin inhibitor could, by local thrombin inhibition, prevent thrombosis more effectively. METHODS AND RESULTS We first studied antithrombotic potency in vitro, comparing fibrin-targeted hirudin (recombinant hirudin covalently linked to the Fab' fragment of the anti-fibrin monoclonal antibody 59D8) to recombinant hirudin in baboon plasma. Fibrin-targeted hirudin was nine times more effective than recombinant hirudin in inhibiting fibrin deposition on experimental clot surfaces in baboon plasma (P < .01). The potency of fibrin-targeted hirudin was then compared with that of recombinant hirudin in a baboon model of thrombus formation. 111In-labeled platelet deposition was measured in a synthetic graft segment of an extracorporeal arteriovenous shunt in control animals and in animals receiving either fibrin-targeted hirudin or hirudin. In these experiments, fibrin-targeted hirudin was 10-fold more potent than hirudin in inhibiting platelet deposition and thrombus formation (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that targeting a thrombin inhibitors such as hirudin to an epitope present in thrombi results in increased antithrombotic potency.
Aktuelle Herausforderungen und Gestaltungsoptionen für moderne IT-Organisationen

[Zielsetzung / Abgrenzung] Die 'Schreckensherrschaft der EDV-Abteilung ist vorbei' - so der Titel eines Zeitungsartikels. Bereits vor einigen Jahren prophezeite Nicolas Carr 'the End of Corporate Computing'. Haben wir diesen Zeitpunkt inzwischen erreicht? Haben neue Technologien und Entwicklungen wie Cloud Computing die 'klassische' IT-Abteilung verdrangt? Oder sind neue Organisationskonzepte erforderlich, um den aktuellen Herausforderungen zu begegnen? In den folgenden Ausfuhrungen werden diese Fragestellungen naher untersucht. Das Ziel besteht darin, Gestaltungspielraume fur die Organisation eines IT-Bereichs aufzuzeigen, und zu prufen, inwieweit die jeweiligen Handlungsoptionen zur Bewaltigung der kommenden Anforderungen beitragen konnen. Die Untersuchung ist dabei zweistufig aufgebaut. Zunachst werden die aktuell bereits wahrnehmbaren Veranderungen beleuchtet, die auf IT-Organisationen einwirken. Diese sind entweder extern motiviert (z.B. technologische Veranderungen) oder entwickeln sich innerhalb des IT-Bereichs. Die Uberlegungen fokussieren sich auf neue Herausforderungen, die sich in den letzten Jahren herauskristallisiert haben. Im zweiten Schritt werden Gestaltungsparameter auf den Ebenen Positionierung der IT, Prozesse und Organisation, Technologie und Architektur sowie Mitarbeiter und Fuhrung dargelegt und jeweils unterschiedliche Auspragungen diskutiert. Dabei steht immer die Frage im Vordergrund, welche der neuen Anforderungen damit adressiert werden konnen. Die Uberlegungen beziehen sich auf die Gestaltung einer Unternehmens-IT (IT-Abteilung, ITBereich, Shared Service Center), die IT-Services fur unternehmensinterne Kunden (z.B. Fachabteilungen) bereitstellt. Auch wenn sich viele Uberlegungen auf extern operierende ITProvider ubertragen lassen, werden diese aufgrund der grundsatzlichen Unterschiede in der unternehmerischen Ausrichtung in den weiteren Ausfuhrungen ausgeklammert.
Cloning and Characterization of the Signal Transduction of Four Splice Variants of the Human Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide Receptor

Alternative splicing of two exons of the rat pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptor gene generates four major splice variants that are differentially expressed in specific tissues and variably coupled to intracellular second messengers. To evaluate the potential implications of these findings in human physiology, the human PACAP receptor gene was cloned. Alternative splicing about two exons of the gene allowed for four major splice variants that were subsequently identified on cDNA cloning. Each of the four splice variant cDNAs (null, SV-1, SV-2, and SV-3) was stably expressed in NIH/3T3 cells at similar receptor densities. For each splice variant, PACAP (both PACAP-38 and PACAP-27) had similar affinity and potency for stimulating either adenylate cyclase or phospholipase C. However, each receptor splice variant differed in their ligand-stimulated maximal response (efficacy) for total inositol phosphate accumulation with the SV-2 showing the greatest efficacy, followed by the null, SV-1, and SV-3 splice variants. Therefore, unlike the rat, PACAP binds and stimulates signal transduction with nearly equal affinity and potency for each of the receptor splice variants although with varying efficacy for the stimulation of phospholipase C. These results suggest a novel and potentially important mechanism for a single hormone to not only couple to dual signal transduction cascades but also elicit tissue-specific differential activation of phospholipase C in humans.
Musique et dyslexie : vers une rééducation cognitivo-musicale intermodalitaire des « troubles dys »

Il existe dans la litterature neuroscientifique recente des arguments de plus en plus fournis pour justifier l’utilisation d’un entrainement musical comme outil therapeutique a part entiere au sein de l’arsenal dont disposent deja les orthophonistes pour traiter les enfants souffrant de dyslexie. Parmi ces travaux, on peut citer (1) des arguments directs, issus d’etudes de l’effet de la musique sur les troubles a l’origine de la dyslexie et de l’etude des performances de dyslexiques musiciens, et (2) des arguments indirects, comme les multiples preuves d’un effet de l’entrainement musical sur la psychophysiologie de la perception du langage, ou encore la mise en evidence repetee d’un effet de la pratique musicale sur l’organisation des faisceaux d’associations hemispheriques gauches, ceux-la memes dont la structure est alteree chez les dyslexiques. Parmi les diverses hypotheses sous-jacentes a cet effet de la musique, l’une d’entre elles est que la pratique reguliere de la musique pourrait contribuer a renforcer les memes connexions qui ont ete retrouvees anormalement sous-developpees dans les etudes d’imagerie cerebrale chez les dyslexiques. Partant de cette hypothese, nous avons mis au point un protocole therapeutique dit « cognitivo-musical » base sur le principe de l’intermodalite, c’est-a-dire visant autant que possible a solliciter de facon conjointe et simultanee les systemes sensoriels (visuel, auditif, somesthesique) et moteur en utilisant des exercices musicaux. Deux etudes distinctes sont presentees, chez deux groupes d’enfants dyslexiques, l’une realisant un entrainement de ce type concentre sur 18 heures en trois jours successifs, l’autre ou ces memes 18 heures, ont ete etalees sur 6 semaines. Les deux etudes montrent des ameliorations significatives de certaines variables non entrainees, linguistiques et non linguistiques. Dans la premiere etude, il est demontre que seulement 3 jours d’entrainement musical intensif suffisent pour modifier le deficit des dyslexiques dans des tâches de perception auditive des composantes temporelles de la parole. La seconde montre des ameliorations en attention auditive, conscience phonologique (fusion syllabique), vitesse de lecture et en repetition de pseudo-mots, par comparaison entre les mesures prises avant et apres les 6 semaines d’entrainement, alors qu’aucune amelioration n’est significative sur deux periodes non entrainees. Bien que ces resultats restent preliminaires, ils incitent fortement a poursuivre les recherches pour determiner dans quelle mesure la pratique de la musique doit ou non faire partie de maniere systematique de l’arsenal therapeutique dans les diverses formes de dyslexie, et de la pratique pedagogique dans les ecoles primaires.
The IclR-Type Transcriptional Repressor LtbR Regulates the Expression of Leucine and Tryptophan Biosynthesis Genes in the Amino Acid Producer Corynebacterium glutamicum

ABSTRACT The transcriptional regulator Cg1486 of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 is a member of the IclR protein family and belongs to the conserved set of regulatory proteins in corynebacteria. A defined deletion in the cg1486 gene, now designated ltbR (leucine and tryptophan biosynthesis regulator), led to the mutant strain C. glutamicum IB1486. According to whole-genome expression analysis by DNA microarray hybridizations, transcription of the leuB and leuCD genes encoding enzymes of the leucine biosynthesis pathway was enhanced in C. glutamicum IB1486 compared with the wild-type strain. Moreover, the genes of the trpEGDCFBA operon involved in tryptophan biosynthesis of C. glutamicum showed an enhanced expression in the cg1486 mutant strain. Bioinformatics pattern searches in the upstream regions of the differentially expressed genes revealed the common 12-bp motif CA(T/C)ATAGTG(A/G)GA that is located downstream of the −10 region of the mapped promoter sequences. DNA band shift assays with a streptavidin-tagged LtbR protein demonstrated the specific binding of the purified protein to 40-mers containing the 12-bp motif localized in front of leuB, leuC, and trpE, thereby confirming the direct regulatory role of LtbR in the expression of the leucine and tryptophan biosynthesis pathway genes of C. glutamicum. Genes homologous with ltbR were detected upstream of the leuCD genes in almost all sequenced genomes of bacteria belonging to the taxonomic class Actinobacteria. The ltbR-like genes of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium jeikeium, Mycobacterium bovis, and Bifidobacterium longum were cloned and shown to complement the deregulation of leuB, leuCD, and trpE gene expression in C. glutamicum IB1486.
The oncogene c-Myc coordinates regulation of metabolic networks to enable rapid cell cycle entry

The c-myc proto-oncogene is rapidly activated by serum and regulates genes involved in metabolism and cell cycle progression. This gene is thereby uniquely poised to coordinate both the metabolic and cell cycle regulatory events required for cell cycle entry. However, this function of Myc has not been evaluated. Using a rat fibroblast model of isogenic cell lines, myc-/-, myc+/-, myc+/+ and myc-/- cells with an inducible c-myc transgene (mycER), we show that the Myc protein programs cells to utilize both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis to drive cell cycle progression. We demonstrate this coordinate regulation of metabolic networks is essential, as specific inhibitors of these pathways block Myc-induced proliferation. Metabolic events temporally correlated with cell cycle entry include increased oxygen consumption, mitochondrial function, pyruvate and lactate production, and ATP generation. Treatment of normal cells with inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation recapitulates the myc-/- phenotype, resulting in impaired cell cycle entry and reduced metabolism. Combined with a kinetic expression profiling analysis of genes linked to mitochondrial function, our study indicates that Myc’s ability to coordinately regulate the mitochondrial metabolic network transcriptome is required for rapid cell cycle entry. This function of Myc may underlie the pervasive presence of Myc in many human cancers.
Testability of floating gate defects in sequential circuits

The logic detectability conditions of floating gate (FG) defects in sequential circuits are considered. It has been found that a FG defective sequential circuit may be able to memorize one or two logic states depending on the values of the defect parameters. I/sub DDQ/ testing may detect a large class of floating gate defects including some defective transistors located in logically untestable branches. Good agreement is observed between the theoretical and simulated results with experimental measurements performed on a typical scan path cell designed intentionally with floating gate defects.
The cytoskeleton and motor proteins of human schistosomes and their roles in surface maintenance and host–parasite interactions

Schistosomes are parasitic blood flukes, responsible for significant human disease in tropical and developing nations. Here we review information on the organization of the cytoskeleton and associated motor proteins of schistosomes, with particular reference to the organization of the syncytial tegument, a unique cellular adaptation of these and other neodermatan flatworms. Extensive EST databases show that the molecular constituents of the cytoskeleton and associated molecular systems are likely to be similar to those of other eukaryotes, although there are potentially some molecules unique to schistosomes and platyhelminths. The biology of some components, particular those contributing to host–parasite interactions as well as chemotherapy and immunotherapy are discussed. Unresolved questions in relation to the structure and function of the tegument relate to dynamic organization of the syncytial layer. BioEssays 26:752–765, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.