Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enzyme-induced Formation of Spheres from Cells and Envelopes of Escherichia coli

Normal and filamentous whole cells and isolated envelopes of Escherichia coli B were exposed to various enzymatic treatments to remove surface layers and to characterize the component(s) conferring rigidity in this organism. Modification of cell rigidity was determined by sphere formation in both whole cells and isolated envelopes. Enzymes capable of converting trypsinized normal or untreated filamentous whole cells and untreated envelopes to spheres included: lysozyme plus ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, clostridial phospholipase C, and phospholipase D from cabbage. These data suggest that there are at least two components essential for maintenance of cell rigidity in E. coli B. The first is the peptidoglycan (mucopeptide), which is susceptible to lysozyme. The second is a phospholipid which is either covalently linked to the mucopeptide or in close association with it. This phospholipase C-sensitive component is protected more completely in normal than in filamentous whole cells by a protein layer which is easily modified by trypsin treatment to allow enzymatically induced sphere formation to occur.
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

and other of (1) novel PET and MRI imaging methods to study early tissue changes at the cellular and molecular level, (2) functional imaging methods to study important relationships between mechanics, physiology and tissue microstructure, (3) rapid, comprehensive and quantitative MRI methods for early, low-cost, and precise detection of musculoskeletal disease.
Novel monoclonal antibodies that differentiate between the binding of pp60c-src or protein phosphatase 2A by polyomavirus middle T antigen

Fourteen pGEX plasmids that express defined regions of polyomavirus middle T antigen in bacteria have been constructed. These polypeptides have been used to generate 18 new monoclonal antibodies directed against the unique portion of middle T and to map the approximate position of the antibody recognition sites onto the protein sequence. All of the antibodies effectively immunoprecipitate middle T and the associated 60- and 35-kDa components of protein phosphatase 2A. Four of the antibodies, however, do not react with middle T when it is bound to pp60c-src. These four probably bind to amino acids 203 to 218 of the middle T protein sequence, which are encoded by the mRNA immediately 3' to the splice junction that creates the C-terminal unique region. This suggests that additional middle T sequences are required for middle T's interaction with pp60c-src than are needed for its binding to protein phosphatase 2A. The antibodies localize this extra region and provide a means of distinguishing between these two associations.
Antecedents and Outcomes of Service Recovery Satisfaction in Telecommunications in Croatia Along with the Role of Image and Perceived Switching Costs

Abstract The paper studies the effect of service recovery on the customer’s satisfaction as well as the outcomes of service recovery satisfaction, along with the moderating role of the image and perceived switching costs as exemplified by mobile telecommunications in Croatia. Using the concept of justice, the research shows that distributive, procedural and interaction justice lead to service recovery satisfaction, which consequently affects overall satisfaction and communication by word of mouth; these then strongly influence the customer’s intention to return as a customer. The role of service recovery satisfaction seen as a variable of mediator has been confirmed, but not the image and switching costs as moderators. The role of service recovery satisfaction seen as a variable of mediator has been confirmed, but not the image and switching costs as moderators.
The influence of host immunity on the arrest of circulating cancer cells, and its modification by neuraminidase

The patterns of initial tumour cell arrest of a methylcholanthrene‐induced fibrosarcoma and the Gardner lymphosarcoma were determined after injection of 125IudR‐labelled tumour cells into the systemic circulation of mice. Experiments were performed with normal mice, mice sensitized by bearing ascites or subcutaneous variants of these tumours and animals hyperimmunized with X‐irradiated tumour cells. Tumour‐bearing and hyperimmunized mice were shown to produce humoral and cell‐mediated tumour‐immune responses by membrane immunofluorescence tests and migration inhibition assays of peritoneal exudate cells. In normal mice more than 90% of injected fibrosarcoma cells became localized in the lungs whereas the lymphosarcoma cells were localized primarily in both liver and lungs. The fibrosarcoma cells showed a decreased localization in the lungs and a corresponding increase in the livers, lymphoid tissues and kidneys of sensitized mice. However, the lymphosarcoma cells showed greater localization in the lungs of tumour‐bearing and immunized mice compared with that in control animals. Prior treatment of both tumour types with Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase modified the pattern of cell arrest to some extent in both normal and tumour‐sensitized mice. The relevance of these expriements as a model of the haematogenous metastasis of cancer cells is discussed.
Transcriptional regulation of bone and joint remodeling by NFAT

Summary: Osteoporosis and arthritis are highly prevalent diseases and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. These diseases result from aberrant tissue remodeling leading to weak, fracture‐prone bones or painful, dysfunctional joints. The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factor family controls diverse biologic processes in vertebrates. Here, we review the scientific evidence that links NFAT‐regulated gene transcription to bone and joint pathology. A particular emphasis is placed on the role of NFATs in bone resorption and formation by osteoclasts and osteoblasts, respectively. In addition, emerging data that connect NFATs with cartilage biology, angiogenesis, nociception, and neurogenic inflammation are explored. The goal of this article is to highlight the importance of tissue remodeling in musculoskeletal disease and situate NFAT‐driven cellular responses within this context to inspire future research endeavors.
Productivity and returns to resources in the beef enterprise on Victorian farms in the South-West Farm Monitor Project

Productivity change and real returns to resources are measured for a sample of farms in south-west Victoria that produce beef. A stochastic frontier production model is estimated from which annual production frontiers and individual farm technical inefficiencies are calculated during the survey period from 1995-96 to 2004-05. Results suggest that best-practice beef producers in this region (those operating on the production frontier) modestly improved their productivity during the period. Technically inefficient farms seem to be achieving productivity increases lower than their top-performing counterparts and are on average falling behind the productivity levels of the latter. A single factoral terms of trade index is also estimated for each farm as a measure of the real returns to resources used in the beef enterprise. The mean annual index increased substantially after declining during the first year of the survey period. This measure showed much greater volatility than the productivity measure, principally because of fluctuations in beef prices.
A 62 mV 0.13 $\mu$ m CMOS Standard-Cell-Based Design Technique Using Schmitt-Trigger Logic

Supply voltage reduction beyond the minimum energy per operation point is advantageous for supply voltage constrained applications, but is limited by the degradation of on-to-off current ratios with decreasing supply. In this work, we show that the effective on-to-off ratio can be considerably improved by the use of Schmitt Trigger structures, which effectively reduce the leakage from the gate output node and thereby stabilize the output level. A method for applying this concept to general logic is presented. Design rules concerning transistor sizing, gate selection and layout necessary to further minimize the required supply voltage are outlined and applied to the design of a chip implementing 8 × 8 bit multipliers as test structures. The only custom design step is the creation of the Schmitt Trigger standard-cell library, otherwise a regular digital tool chain is used. The multipliers exhibit full functionality down to supply voltages of 84 mV-62 mV, depending on the area overhead invested. No process or post-silicon tuning like body biasing is used. At the minimum possible supply voltage of 62 mV, a power consumption of 17.9 nW at an operation frequency of 5.2 kHz is measured for an 8 × 8 bit multiplier.
Aerosols containing Legionella pneumophila generated by shower heads and hot-water faucets

Shower heads and hot-water faucets containing Legionella pneumophila were evaluated for aerosolization of the organism with a multistage cascade impaction air sampler. Air was collected above two shower doors and from the same rooms approximately 3 ft (91 cm) from the shower doors while the hot water was running. Low numbers (3 to 5 CFU/15 ft3 [0.43 m3] of air) of L. pneumophila were recovered above both shower doors, but none was recovered from the air in either room outside the shower door. Approximately 90% (7 of 8 CFU) of the L. pneumophila recovered were trapped in aerosol particles between 1 and 5 micron in diameter. Air was collected 1 to 3 ft (30 to 91 cm) from 14 sinks while the hot water was running. Low numbers (1 to 5 CFU/15 ft3 of air) were recovered from 6 of 19 air samples obtained. Approximately 50% (6 of 13 CFU) of the organisms recovered were trapped in aerosol particles between 1 and 8 microns in diameter. Shower heads and hot-water taps containing L. pneumophila can aerosolize low numbers of the organism during routine use. The aerosol particle size is small enough to penetrate to the lower human respiratory system. Thus, these sites may be implicated as a means of transmission of L. pneumophila from potable water to the patient.
Anti-Corruption and the Role of Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations

(CCs) are taken together in this brief because their roles regarding anti-corruption measures often overlap. CCs and BAs have the general characteristic of working groups and are not usually governing bodies or umbrella organizations. This means that they cannot make decisions on behalf of their members, nor can they enforce compliance amongst their members. Members are free to decide which recommendations or commitments to accept and put into practice. Often businesses and corporations leave their October 2006 Volume 5 No.1
Imperfect beginnings: incoming residents vary in their ability to interpret basic electrocardiogram findings.

Decreased efficiency at the beginning of residency training likely results in preventable harm for patients, a phenomenon known as the “July Effect. ” Postgraduate year (PGY)21 residents enter training with a variety of clinical skills and experiences, and concerns exist regarding their preparation to enter graduate medical education (GME). Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation is a core clinical skill that residents must have on the first day of training to manage patients, recognize emergencies, and develop evidencebased and cost-effective treatment plans. We assessed incoming PGY-1 residents’ ability to interpret common ECG findings as part of a rigorous “boot camp” experience.
Key frames extraction using graph modularity clustering for efficient video summarization

Keyframe extraction is one of the basic procedures relating to video retrieval and summary. It consists on presenting an abstract of the video with the most representative frames. This paper presents an efficient keyframe extraction approach based on local description and graph modularity clustering. The first step is to generate a set of candidate keyframes using a windowing rule in order to reduce the data to be examined. After that, detect interest points in these set of images. Then compute repeatability between each two images belonging to the candidate set and stocks these values in a matrix that we called repeatability matrix. Finally, the repeatability matrix is modelled by an oriented graph and we will select keyframes using graph modularity clustering principle. The experiments showed that this method succeeds in extracting keyframes while preserving the salient content of the video. Further, we found good values in term of precision, PSNR and compression rate.
Structure-activity relationship of natural flavonoids in hydroxyl radical-scavenging effects.

AIM To study the relationship between the structure and hydroxyl radical (*OH)-scavenging activity of twelve natural flavonoids. METHODS The hydroxyl radical-generating chemiluminescence system with ascorbate-CuSO4-yeast-H2O2 was used to determine the hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity of twelve natural flavonoids. RESULTS Guercetin, heliosin, hyperoside, kaempferol, baicalin, corylifolin, lysionotin, matteucinol, corylifolinin, and genistein could effectively scavenge. OH and inhibit the chemiluminescence of the system. The IC50 values (95 % confidence limits) of the flavonoids were 12.1 (9.9-14.5) g/L, 15.8(14.0-19.2) g/L, 19.5 (16.8-27.4) g/L, 20.1 (13.6-29.0) g/L, 34.6 (28.4-43.4) g/L, 66.8 (63.2-74.4) g/L, 187 (147-235) g/L, 211 (165-284) g/L, 262 (190-346) g/L, and 708 (498-994) g/L, respectively; whereas nobilelin and corylifolin-Ac could not scavenge *OH. CONCLUSION (1) Phenolic hydroxyls in flavonoids were the main active groups capable of scavenging *OH; (2) Hydroxyl groups in ring B and A were important *OH-scavenging active groups; (3) The ortho-dihydroxyl groups in ring A and/or B could greatly enhance the *OH-scavenging activity of the rings; (4) Comparing the IC50 values of guercetin, heliosin, hyperoside, baicalin, lysionotin, and matteucinol, it was suggested that the hydroxyl groups on 3',4' position of ring B possessed high *OH-scavenging activity and the scavenging activity of hydroxyl groups in ring B was higher than that of hydroxyl groups in ring A. The hydroxyl group or glucoside on 3 position of ring C of the above mentioned 6 flavonoids was also related to the. OH-scavenging ability. (5) The structural types of flavonoids themselves could influence their *OH-scavenging activity.
Local treatment of empyema in children: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

The aim of the study is to systematically evaluate data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of using intrapleural fibrinolytic agents in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusions or empyema in children. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched in July 2009. Four RCTs, involving 194 children, were included. In two RCTs, intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment was compared with normal saline. One of these RCTs showed a significantly reduced hospital stay in those treated with urokinase compared with those treated with normal saline. Otherwise, no fibrinolytic agent had an effect on any other outcome. Two RCTs that compared fibrinolytic treatment with video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) revealed no benefit of VATS.
Strategic study of forest development policy : a model for balancing demand and supply of forest resources in China.

A major problem confronting forestry in China is the conflict between the increasing demand for and short supply of forest products. Despite an immense effort on tree plantation during the last forty years, the shortage of forest resources has been more acute than ever. The problems are deeply rooted in the nation's economic system, which functions efficiently neither in controlling overcutting, nor rationalising resource utility, nor creating producers' incentives. Specifically, certain features of China's forestry economy are discussed in connection with demand and supply. This study also discusses the possibility of deepening the concepts of the demand and supply theory and improving the system dynamics methodology. Based on these discussions, a systematic model of policy on wood products Supply and Demand, and Forest Resource Development, SD-FRED, has been developed using the system dynamics methodology in conjunction with other techniques, to provide long-term trends of production and consumption and to formulate strategic scenarios for sustainable forest development in China. SD-FRED focuses on the following issues: demand and supply of forest products; sustainable use of natural resources; lead times in production and the effect of various policy changes and structural adjustment on forest development. It contains about 210 variables, some of which are lagged. They are related by 230 equations, some of these are non-linear and valid only within a specified range of values for the variables. The total model has 35 phases, 3 development schemes are formulated based on the sensitivity analysis of 8 sets of selected policies. The results of running this model indicate that: 1. The problem of supply and demand for wood products is much more persistent than current thinking acknowledges, and much less amenable to straightforward solutions. Several practical choices and programmes are evaluated in this study to increase public understanding of causes of demand-supply imbalance. 2. The study implies that the development of contemporary forestry in China is a sophisticated social process which relates to many macroeconomic and institutional aspects; a fundamental way out for China's forestry lies in reforming the current policies. Of those policies, three are critical: (1) investment policy; (2) pricing policy; and (3) management system. The study also finds that, given China's current situation, wood imports play a significant and imperative role in meeting the country's increasing wood demand and in saving the domestic resources for the future sustainable development. 3. A system dynamics model, connected with other mathematical methods, such as econometric models, linear programming, and costbenefit analysis, is ideal for the analysis of social system which is characterised by multiple phase, nonlinear, diversified feedback and complicated time-varied system.
Application of the McDonald criteria in Latin America

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is based on neurological symptoms and signs, alongside evidence of dissemination of central nervous system (CNS) lesions in space and time. In the absence of a sensitive and specific diagnostic test, diagnostic criteria are needed for diagnosing MS. The caveat to the application of the McDonald criteria is that alternative diagnoses must be excluded. The prevalence, clinical phenotype and the differential diagnosis of MS may have variations in different populations, especially in Latin America (LATAM). Considering that MS diagnostic criteria were developed with data gathered largely from adult Caucasian European and North American populations, their applicability and accuracy in ethnical/genetic diverse populations may be affected. There are scarce data in our region about the reliability of MS criteria.
Financial Capacity, Reliquification, and Production in an Economy with Long-Term Financial Arrangements

This paper characterizes a multi-period production economy in which borrowers and lenders enter long-term financial contracts. A key feature is that aggregate production and borrowers' capacity to absorb debt -- their "financial capacity" - are jointly determined endogenous variables, in the spirit of Gurley and Shaw (1955) Expectations of future economic conditions govern financial capacity, which in turn influences current capacity utilization. Further, disturbances in the present may persist into the future by influencing borrowers' net asset positions. Finally, borrowers may substitute future for current production by preserving their assets in hard times, behavior akin to reliquification as described in Eckstein and Sinai (1986).
Effects of taspine on proliferation and apoptosis by regulating caspase‐3 expression and the ratio of Bax/Bcl‐2 in A431 cells

Taspine is an active component isolated from Radix et Rhizoma Leonticis. It has been shown that taspine can inhibit tumour angiogenesis. However, how it inhibits the proliferation of, and induces apoptosis in, A431 cells is unknown. The study investigated the effects of taspine on the proliferation and apoptosis in the A431 cell line using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), western blotting (WB) and real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Changes in microstructure, cell cycle and protein expressions of caspase‐3, cleaved caspase‐3, cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), Bcl‐2 and Bax were observed after treatment of A431 cells with taspine. Taspine could inhibit the growth of, and induce apoptosis in, A431 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. The cell cycle was significantly stopped at S phase. Nuclear karyopyknosis, chromatin agglutination and typical apoptotic bodies were found in A431 cells. There was a decrease in the expression of Bcl‐2, whereas the expression of caspase‐3, cleaved caspase‐3, CDK2, CDK4 and Bax increased. These data demonstrated that taspine can inhibit the proliferation of, and induce apoptosis in, A431 cells by activating caspase‐3 expression and up‐regulating the ratio of Bax/Bcl‐2 in A431 cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing end-user awareness of social engineering and phishing

Social engineering is a significant problem involving technical and non­technical ploys in order to acquire information from unsuspecting users. This paper presents an assessment of user awareness of such methods in the form of email phishing attacks. Our experiment used a web­based survey, which presented a mix of 20 legitimate and illegitimate emails, and asked participants to classify them and explain the rationale for their decisions. This assessment shows that the 179 participants were 36% successful in identifying legitimate emails, versus 45% successful in spotting illegitimate ones. Additionally, in many cases, the participants who identified illegitimate emails correctly could not provide convincing reasons for their selections.