Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Problems, solutions and information systems development

In this paper, we adapt Polya's (1957) work, which is based around solving mathematical problems to information systems development. We propose a generic reusable business object model based on general systems theory. We also show how these approaches can be integrated to provide a strategy for understanding business problems and developing integrated solutions within a given industrial sector. We also briefly discuss cognitive informatics and its relevance to understanding problems and solutions.
The plant defensin RsAFP2 induces cell wall stress, septin mislocalization and accumulation of ceramides in Candida albicans

The antifungal plant defensin RsAFP2 isolated from radish interacts with fungal glucosylceramides and induces apoptosis in Candida albicans. To further unravel the mechanism of RsAFP2 antifungal action and tolerance mechanisms, we screened a library of 2868 heterozygous C. albicans deletion mutants and identified 30 RsAFP2‐hypersensitive mutants. The most prominent group of RsAFP2 tolerance genes was involved in cell wall integrity and hyphal growth/septin ring formation. Consistent with these genetic data, we demonstrated that RsAFP2 interacts with the cell wall of C. albicans, which also contains glucosylceramides, and activates the cell wall integrity pathway. Moreover, we found that RsAFP2 induces mislocalization of septins and blocks the yeast‐to‐hypha transition in C. albicans. Increased ceramide levels have previously been shown to result in apoptosis and septin mislocalization. Therefore, ceramide levels in C. albicans membranes were analysed following RsAFP2 treatment and, as expected, increased accumulation of phytoC24‐ceramides in membranes of RsAFP2‐treated C. albicans cells was detected. This is the first report on the interaction of a plant defensin with glucosylceramides in the fungal cell wall, causing cell wall stress, and on the effects of a defensin on septin localization and ceramide accumulation.
Expression of S100 proteins in normal human tissues and common cancers using tissue microarrays: S100A6, S100A8, S100A9 and S100A11 are all overexpressed in common cancers

Aims : To survey the expression of members of the S100 family of calcium‐binding proteins in normal human tissues and common cancers using tissue microarrays. S100A6, S100A8, S100A9 and S100A11 have all been suggested to have potential roles in carcinogenesis and tumour progression but their expression has not been described in a wide range of human tissues and tumours.
Speech analysis in search of speakers with MFCC, PLP, Jitter and Shimmer

This document belongs to the implementation of a system of recognition of the bases on the Hidden Models of Markov HMM. Due to a system of recognition, we will use the techniques of parameterization which handles the mechanisms of the human ear Mel Frequency cepstral coefficient MFCC and Perceptual linear prediction PLP starting from the database TIMIT. We also used two indices Jitter and Shimmer since they show very precise information about the voice of the person.
An Enhanced MAC Backoff Algorithm for Heavy User Loaded WLANs

As average user load in wireless local area network (WLAN) becomes heavy, the fundamental CSMA#x002F;CA mechanism based on binary exponential backoff (BEB) in the 802.11 protocol is under stress. When a large number of users associate with WLAN, the network suffers from severe throughput deterioration and poor short-term fairness due to the inappropriate BEB algorithm. In this paper, we provide an enhanced backoff (EBO) algorithm to improve the performance of WLANs. Our main motivation is based on the observation that disjointing backoff intervals in different backoff stage can greatly reduce the collision probability. In EBO, the size of backoff interval increases by the initial value of contention window after an unsuccessful transmission, and backoff intervals in different backoff stage are disjoint. Meanwhile, to improve the short-term fairness, we slow down the decrement of contention window by resetting the contention window to initial value after T consecutive successful transmissions. Simulation results show that EBO improves the throughput and short-term fairness effectively comparing with BEB in heavy user loaded WLANs.
Determinants of force rise time during isometric contraction of frog muscle fibres

Force–velocity (F–V) relationships were determined for single frog muscle fibres during the rise of tetanic contraction. F–V curves obtained using isotonic shortening early in a tetanic contraction were different from those obtained at equivalent times with isovelocity shortening, apparently because changing activation early in the contraction leads, in isovelocity experiments, to changing force and changing series elastic extension. F–V curves obtained with isotonic and with isovelocity shortening are similar if the shortening velocity in the isovelocity trials is corrected for series elastic extension. There is a progressive shift in the scaling of force–velocity curves along the force axis during the course of the tetanic rise, reflecting increasing fibre activation. The time taken for F–V curves to reach the steady‐state position was quite variable, ranging from about 50 ms after the onset of contraction (1–3°C) to well over 100 ms in different fibres. The muscle force at a fixed, moderately high shortening velocity relative to the force at this velocity during the tetanic plateau was taken as a measure of muscle activation. The reference velocity used was 60% of the maximum shortening velocity (Vmax) at the tetanic plateau. The estimated value of the fractional activation at 40 ms after the onset of contraction was used as a measure of the rate of activation. The rate of rise of isometric tension in different fibres was correlated with the rate of fibre activation and with Vmax during the plateau of the tetanus. Together differences in rate of activation and in Vmax accounted for 60–80% of the fibre‐to‐fibre variability in the rate of rise of isometric tension, depending on the measure of the force rise time used. There was not a significant correlation between the rate of fibre activation and Vmax. The steady‐state F–V characteristics and the rate at which these characteristics are achieved early in contraction are seemingly independent. A simulation study based on F–V properties and series compliance in frog muscle fibres indicates that if muscle activation were instantaneous, the time taken for force to rise to 50% of the plateau value would be about 60% shorter than that actually measured from living fibres. Thus about 60% of the force rise time is a consequence of the time course of activation processes and about 40% represents time taken to stretch series compliance by activated contractile material.
Hepatitis C Among Blood Donors In A Teaching Hospital In North Central Nigeria

Background:A regional monitoring system for Hepatitis C virus infection could provide a crucial tool for revealing changes in the pattern of the disease in the community. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection among blood donors in our blood transfusion service department. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 1241 donors over a period of 17 months (March 2012- July 2013) was carried out. Data collected was analyzed with SPSS version 19. Prevalence of Hepatitis C was expressed in percentages. Associations of Hepatitis C infection with socio-demography, haematocrit and donor type were checked with Chi-square. Results: The 1241 donors were made up of 1158 (93.3%) males and 83 (6.7%) females. Ninety-eight percent (1216) were replacement donors while 2% (25) were voluntary donors. The overall prevalence of Hepatitis C infection was 4.1% (n=51). Hepatitis C infection was significantly high 1.7% (n=21) in donors aged 30-41 years. Hepatitis C seropositivity was more in males 46 (3.7%), blood group O Rhesus positive 3.3% (n=41), and in donors with haematocrit between 43-50%, 31 (2.5%). Family replacement donors had Hepatitis C infection rate of 50 (4.0%) while voluntary donor accounted for 1 (0.1%). Conclusion: The risk of acquiring Hepatitis C infection is high if blood is not screened for Hepatitis C antibody in the study centre. This risk can be reduced by using more sensitive methods for Hepatitis C screening.
Immunohistochemical markers of prolonged survival in small cell carcinoma of the lung. An immunohistochemical study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of a variety of cell surface and cytoplasmic antigens in small cell carcinoma of the lung with long-term survival (greater than 2 years). DESIGN Using immunohistochemical analysis of small cell carcinomas, the tissue expression of corticotropin, bcl-2, p-glycoprotein, cathepsin B, cathepsin D, CD44, carcinoembryonic antigen, collagenase IV, Leu-7, neu oncoprotein, p53, S100, and synaptophysin was assessed. RESULTS Compared with the control group of short-term survivors, tumors from prolonged survivors were unique in their relative absence of staining for cathepsin B (0/13 vs 3/13 [23%], P = .037), cathepsin D (5/13 [38%] vs 13/15 [87%], P = 0.006), carcinoembryonic antigen (5/13 [38%] vs 11/15 [73%], P = .047), and neu oncoprotein (5/13 [38%] vs 14/15 [93%], P = .0014). A variety of histologic characteristics were also compared, and none were shown to be associated with differences in survival in this study. CONCLUSIONS Negative immunohistochemical staining for cathepsin B, cathepsin D, carcinoembryonic antigen, and neu oncoprotein is associated with prolonged survival in small cell carcinoma of the lung. Evaluation of these antigens should be considered in future attempts to stratify patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung for prognostic or therapeutic purposes, as this study is limited by the small size of the study group and the large number of clinical and pathologic variables.
Dendritic Ca2+ accumulations and metabotropic glutamate receptor activation associated with an n‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor‐independent long‐term potentiation in hippocampal CA1 neurons

Bathing hippocampal slices in the potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA), while stimulating the Schafer collaterals at a low frequency, induces Ca2+ ‐dependent, N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor‐independent long‐term potentiation of synaptic transmission (LTPk) in CA1 neurons. We have combined ratio imaging of fura‐2 and mag‐fura‐5 in hippocampal CA1 neurons with intracellular and field recordings to evaluate postsynaptic Ca2+ changes that occur in the induction of LTPk. Test stimuli were applied at 0.05 Hz to stratum radiatum in the presence of the NMDA receptor antagonists D, L‐2‐amino‐5‐phosphonovaleric acid (100μM) or MK‐801 (10μM). During TEA exposure (15–25 mM; 10 min), cells fired prolonged action potentials both spontaneously and in response to test stimuli resulting in transient, micromolar Ca2+ accumulations in both somata and dendrites. The initial EPSP slope, measured 60 min after TEA wash‐out, was potentiated to approximately 200% of control. The Ca2+ channel blocker nimodipine (10 μM) greatly reduced Ca2+ transients in both magnitude and duration and prevented LTPk induction. Pretreatment of slices with compounds that block metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)‐stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis, L‐2‐amino‐3‐phosphonopropionic acid (L‐AP3, 50‐200 μM) or L‐aspartate‐β‐hydroxamate (50–100 μM), as well as protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors (sphingosine, 20 μM; RO‐31‐8220, 0.2 μM; or calphostin C, 2 μM) also blocked LTPk. Ca2+ transients were unaffected by L‐AP3 or RO‐31‐8220. These findings suggest that Ca2+ influx through voltage‐gated channels and co‐activation of PKC by mGluRs are both necessary for induction of LTPk. Activation of mGluRs must also occur in NMDA receptor‐dependent induction paradigms, but is possibly of lesser importance owing to the much greater gating of Ca2+ directly into the dendritic spines. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Indflydelse i vidensarbejdet - kan man få for meget af det gode?

Indflydelse i vidensarbejdet kan man få for meget af det gode? Increasingly, it is reported that well-educated knowledge workers suffer from seious work-related stress. This appears to be a paradox, because the group of knowledge workers should not be at serious risk of developing stress according to the often used job-strain model (demand-control model). Knowledge work is typically characterized by high decision latitude. The article illustrates how the concept of stress has been historically associated with heterogeneous networks of interests, and that it is being reconstructed continuously. The strength of the stress concept can be attributed partly to its indeterminate and imprecise character that makes it possible to use stress within several different and sometimes contradictory societal contexts. It is arued that the job-strain model is developed within a narrower network of interests. It represents a compromise between productive and occupational health and safety interests. The model is developed as a job-design model that promotes higher decision latitude for industry workers. It shows that high influence reduces jobstrain by increasing workplace learning and the feeling of mastery in active jobs. Thereby, producitiity can be maintained with an 'acceptable' level of stress. The article argues that the model primarily operates with control within rather than control over work. Knowledge workers typically have control within their jobs. However, they might not have high control over job demards. Because of the high demands and the high control within work, knowledge work is usually categorized as an active job. Knowledge workers are thereby excluded from serious stress according to the job-strain model. In the article, it is argued that it is difffficult to redefine the decision latitude dimession. It is further argued taht at high levels of demands and influence the model is misleading. There is evidence that at high levels, influence becomes a demand. Thereby, the demand and control dimensions conflate. It is concluded that knowledge workers need a job-design model that suggests other alternatives than increased influence within work, and it is important that stress is not left as an individual coping problem.
Proopiomelanocortin, prolactin and growth hormone messenger ribonucleic acid levels in the fetal sheep pituitary during late gestation.

We have measured the relative levels of proopiomelanocortin (POMC), prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the anterior and neurointermediate lobes of the fetal pituitary during the last 2-3 weeks of gestation. The mean POMC mRNA/18S RNA ratio in the fetal anterior pituitary was significantly greater (p < 0.02) at 130-136 days (0.90 +/- 0.08; N = 9) than at 141-143 days of gestation (0.67 +/- 0.07; N = 6). In contrast, the mean PRL mRNA/18S RNA ratio increased significantly (p < 0.02) between 130 and 136 days (0.31 +/- 0.05; N = 9) when compared with 141-143 days of gestation (0.58 +/- 0.10; N = 6). There was no significant difference, however, between the mean GH mRNA/18S RNA ratio in fetal anterior pituitaries at 130-136 days (0.95 +/- 0.04; N = 9) when compared with 141-143 days of gestation (1.08 +/- 0.14; N = 6). The POMC mRNA/18S RNA ratio in the neurointermediate lobes was seven-, five- and tenfold higher than anterior pituitaries at 130-134, 135-136 and 141-143 days of gestation, respectively. We hypothesize that elevated circulating cortisol levels after 140 days of gestation act in the slow time domain (i.e. over days) to suppress POMC gene expression and that the increase in fetal pituitary PRL mRNA levels may be a consequence of oestrogen stimulation in late gestation.
Search effort degrades search output but improves task outcome

We analyzed how effort in searching is associated with search output and task outcome. In a field study, we examined how students' search effort for an assigned learning task was associated with precision and relative recall, and how this was associated to the quality of learning outcome. The study subjects were 41 medical students writing essays for a class in medicine. Searching in Medline was part of their assignment. The data comprised students' search logs in Medline, their assessment of the usefulness of references retrieved, a questionnaire concerning the search process, and evaluation scores of the essays given by the teachers. Pearson correlation was calculated for answering the research questions. Finally, a path model for predicting task outcome was built. We found that effort in the search process degraded precision but improved task outcome. There were two major mechanisms reducing precision while enhancing task outcome. Effort in expanding Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms within search sessions and effort in assessing and exploring documents in the result list between the sessions degraded precision, but led to better task outcome. Thus, human effort compensated bad retrieval results on the way to good task outcome. Findings suggest that traditional effectiveness measures in information retrieval should be complemented with evaluation measures for search process and outcome.
A multiple copy approach for delivering messages under deadline constraints

A scheme to minimize the expected recovery cost incurred by a distributed real-time system as a result of messages failing to meet their deadline is proposed. The scheme is intended for distributed systems with point-to-point interconnection topology. The goal of minimizing the expected cost is achieved by sending multiple copies of a message through disjoint routes, thus increasing the probability of successful message delivery within the deadline. The number of copies of each message to be sent is determined by optimizing the tradeoff between the increase in the message traffic due to additional copies and the decrease in the probability of a message missing its deadline. The objective used to determine the optimal number of copies is formalized, and a numerical example is presented, showing that reductions of more than 70% can be achieved at low to moderate loads. At high loads the reductions are in the range of 10-40%. <<ETX>>
Identification and Characterization of the Sodium-binding Site of Activated Protein C*

Activated protein C (APC) requires both Ca2+ and Na+ for its optimal catalytic function. In contrast to the Ca2+-binding sites, the Na+-binding site(s) of APC has not been identified. Based on a recent study with thrombin, the 221–225 loop is predicted to be a potential Na+-binding site in APC. The sequence of this loop is not conserved in trypsin. We engineered a Gla domainless form of protein C (GDPC) in which the 221–225 loop was replaced with the corresponding loop of trypsin. We found that activated GDPC (aGDPC) required Na+ (or other alkali cations) for its amidolytic activity with dissociation constant (K d (app)) = 44.1 ± 8.6 mm. In the presence of Ca2+, however, the requirement for Na+ by aGDPC was eliminated, and Na+ stimulated the cleavage rate 5–6-fold withK d (app) = 2.3 ± 0.3 mm. Both cations were required for efficient factor Va inactivation by aGDPC. In the presence of Ca2+, the catalytic function of the mutant was independent of Na+. Unlike aGDPC, the mutant did not discriminate among monovalent cations. We conclude that the 221–225 loop is a Na+-binding site in APC and that an allosteric link between the Na+ and Ca2+ binding loops modulates the structure and function of this anticoagulant enzyme.
Mind the Gap

The unmet needs of biomedical and clinical research are highlighted by reference to drug-induced liver injury (DILI), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its severe form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Examples in these areas highlight the major limitations of animal models with respect to predicting, examining and managing these clinically significant forms of liver injury. The way in which these knowledge gaps are being bridged by studies involving the use of human tissues and primary cells are described.
Bioética nas atividades com plantas geneticamente modificadas: contribuição ao código de ética das manipulações genéticas

Os autores destacam neste trabalho a importância, especialmente em paises como o Brasil onde a biotecnologia na agricultura e bastante desenvolvida, do fortalecimento da infra-estrutura institucional e do arcabouco regulatorio para o exercicio da bioetica e da biosseguranca nas atividades com plantas geneticamente modificadas. Observam que embora as questoes de bioetica envolvendo pesquisas de engenharia genetica com seres humanos e animais, como, entre outras, as relativas a clonagem e celulas tronco, sejam mais conhecidas e debatidas. Existem, da mesma forma, importantes questoes de bioetica envolvendo a modificacao genetica de plantas e atividades correlatas que devem ser consideradas e aprofundadas na elaboracao do futuro Codigo de Etica das Manipulacoes Geneticas pela Comissao Tecnica Nacional de Biosseguranca (CTNBio), com ampla consulta aos diversos segmentos da sociedade brasileira.
Implications of early apoptosis of infected cells as an important host defense.

Apoptosis is widely recognized as being a host defense against viral infections, since viruses require live cells. There has been increasing acceptance of the view that apoptosis is also a defense against other intracellular pathogens and even against pathogens that adhere to host cells. An implication of apoptosis being a host defense is a need to reassess to what extent the cell death at infection sites may constitute a protective host response. A concept stressed here is that infected cells are a hazard to other cells and to the individual, so the benefits of early apoptosis are emphasized. Therefore, promoting the survival of infected cells, even though still functional, may carry risks. A further consideration is the possibility that the apoptotic stimulus of nutrient restriction may be acting in infection-induced anorexia to promote apoptosis of infected cells, thereby serving as a non-specific host defense.
Antibiotic penetration in the respiratory tract and implications for the selection of antimicrobial therapy

There has been an increasing amount of information published recently about the ability of different antimicrobial agents to penetrate specific areas of the lung. Initially, whole lung concentrations were reported, but this methodology has been refined so that levels are now measured in potential sites of infection, such as the bronchial mucosa, epithelial lining fluid, and alveolar macrophages, as well as in sputum. Distinct differences in the ability to concentrate in these sites have been shown among β-lactams, quinolones, and macrolides. Considerable intracellular concentration of quinolones and macrolides, but not β-lactams, occurs. This intracellular accumulation has been used for the treatment of atypical mycobacteria. The potential effects of high antibiotic levels on cellular function have also been investigated. The clinical relevance of these findings for the choice of antimicrobial agent, dosage, formulation (eg, liposomal), and route of administration (eg, nebulized) are increasingly being explored.
Low-cost implementation of bird's-eye view system for camera-on-vehicle

Many papers concentrate on the 3*3 perspective transformation matrix calculation of bird's view system, but few discussed for the whole system implementation. In this paper, a low-cost bird's-eye view system is proposed, which adopts an elaborate software/hardware cooperative system structure. It can be applied to all kinds of vision-based system in vehicles directly as a ready-made module.