Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synaptophysin: molecular organization and mRNA expression as determined from cloned cDNA.

Synaptophysin is a major glycoprotein of Mr approximately 38,000 (in deglycosylated form: Mr approximately 34,000) characteristic of a certain class of small (30‐80 nm diameter) neurosecretory vesicles, including presynaptic vesicles, but also vesicles of various neuroendocrine cells of both neuronal and epithelial phenotype. Using synaptophysin‐specific antibodies we have isolated cDNA clones from rat nervous tissue libraries, which identify an approximately 2.5‐kb mRNA in rat and human cells, including neuroendocrine tumours, that contains a reading frame for a polypeptide of 307 amino acids with a total mol. wt of 33 312. The deduced amino acid sequence, which was partly confirmed by comparison with sequences of two tryptic peptides obtained from purified synaptophysin, revealed four hydrophobic regions of 24 amino acids each, which are characterized, according to conformation prediction analyses, by marked alpha‐helicity. The sequence shows a single potential N‐glycosylation site, which is assigned to the vesicle interior, and a carboxy‐terminal tail of 89 amino acids which contains glycine‐rich tetrapeptide repeats, the epitope of monoclonal antibody SY38, and a number of collagenase‐sensitive sites accessible on the surface of the intact vesicles. These features suggest that the polypeptide spans the vesicle membrane four times, with both N and C termini located on the outer, i.e. cytoplasmic, surface of the vesicles.
Waveform distortion impact of TCSC in FCL mode on transmission line protection

This paper presents the impact of waveform distortion of Thyristor-Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC) operating as a Fault Current Limiter (FCL) on transmission line distance protection. Although the poor waveform and the high valve stress of TCSC in inductive boost mode is less attractive for steady state operation, it is more desirable for limiting the fault current by increasing the inductance of the line higher than the parallel combination of the capacitor and the reactor. This mode of TCSC operation is accompanied by high current distortion which can seriously affect the commercial distance relay functionality not suitably designed for such circumstances. Simulation results show the extent of waveform distortion. A real relay widely applied in power systems is used for testing. The results indicate poor behavior of the relay when TCSC operates as a FCL.
[Effects of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with dexmedetomidine and sufentanil on postoperative cognition in elderly patients after spine surgery].

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with dexmedetomidine and sufentanil on early postoperative cognition in elderly patients after spine surgery. METHODS One hundred fifty-two patients aged more than 60 yr with ASA I-III undergoing elective spine surgery were randomly assigned into two groups: Group S received PCIA with only sufentanil (n=77); Group D received PCIA with dexmedetomidine and sufentanil (n=75). The severity of pain at rest and upon movement was measured at 1, 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery using the 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS). Delirium was assessed daily within three days after surgery via the confusion assessment method. Cognitive function was measured at the day before surgery and at one week after surgery using a battery of neuropsychologic tests including Digit Span (forward and backward) subtests and Visual Retention and Paired Associate Verbal Learning subtests of Wechsler Memory Scale, Stroop Color Word Interference Test, Digit Symbol Substitution subtest of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (DSST) and Trail Making Test (Part A). RESULTS The NRS scores at rest and upon movement at 6 to 48 h after surgery were lower in Group D than those in Group S (P<0.05). Postoperative delirium (POD) was present in 8 (10.4%) patients in Group S and 3 (4.0%) patients in Group D (χ2=4.206, P>0.05). Two patients with POD in Group S were treated with risperidone. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) was present in 15 (19.5%) patients in Group S and 6 (8.0%) patients in Group D (χ2=4.206, P<0.05). Compared with the preoperative baselines, the scores of Digit Span backward, Visual Retention and DSST were significantly lower (3.7±1.3 vs 4.1±1.1, 7.7±2.0 vs 8.8±1.8, 25.2±7.8 vs 28.2±7.6; t=2.132, 3.585, 2.427, respectively, P<0.05) and the time to complete Stroop test was significantly longer in Group S (56.9±14.8 vs 50.2±14.7, t=-2.822, P<0.05), while only the score of Digit Span backward was significantly lower in Group D (3.6±1.2 vs 4.0±1.2, t=2.144, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Dexmedetomidine combined with sufentanil in postoperative PCIA can result in superior analgesia and improve early postoperative cognitive function.
Activity of murein hydrolases in synchronized cultures of Escherichia coli

Murein hydrolase activities were analyzed in synchronized cultures of Escherichia coli B/r. Cell wall-bound murein hydrolase activities, including the penicillin-sensitive endopeptidase, increased discontinuously during the cell cycle and showed maximum activity at a cell age of 30 to 35 min (generation time, 43 min). Maximum activity was observed at the same time that the rate of cell wall synthesis reached its maximum. These oscillations depended on the termination of replication: no increase in hydrolase activity was found if deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis was inhibited at an early time in the life cycle. In contrast, the activity of another murein hydrolase that was not tightly bound to the membrane (transglycosylase) increased exponentially with time, even when deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis was inhibited.
Molecular dynamics simulation of the phosphorylation‐induced conformational changes of a tau peptide fragment

Aggregation of the microtubule associated protein tau (MAPT) within neurons of the brain is the leading cause of tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease. MAPT is a phospho‐protein that is selectively phosphorylated by a number of kinases in vivo to perform its biological function. However, it may become pathogenically hyperphosphorylated, causing aggregation into paired helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles. The phosphorylation induced conformational change on a peptide of MAPT (htau225−250) was investigated by performing molecular dynamics simulations with different phosphorylation patterns of the peptide (pThr231 and/or pSer235) in different simulation conditions to determine the effect of ionic strength and phosphate charge. All phosphorylation patterns were found to disrupt a nascent terminal β‐sheet pattern (226VAVVR230 and 244QTAPVP249), replacing it with a range of structures. The double pThr231/pSer235 phosphorylation pattern at experimental ionic strength resulted in the best agreement with NMR structural characterization, with the observation of a transient α‐helix (239AKSRLQT245). PPII helical conformations were only found sporadically throughout the simulations. Proteins 2014; 82:1907–1923. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preoperative Functional Mapping for Rolandic Brain Tumor Surgery: Comparison of Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Direct Cortical Stimulation

BACKGROUND:Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is the only noninvasive method for presurgical stimulation mapping of cortical function. Recent technical advancements have significantly increased the focality and usability of the method. OBJECTIVE:To compare the accuracy of a 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging-navigated TMS system (nTMS) with the gold standard of direct cortical stimulation (DCS). METHODS:The primary motor areas of 20 patients with rolandic tumors were mapped preoperatively with nTMS at 110% of the individual resting motor threshold. Intraoperative DCS was available from 17 patients. The stimulus locations eliciting the largest electromyographic response in the target muscles (“hotspots”) were determined for both methods. RESULTS:The nTMS and DCS hotspots were located on the same gyrus in all cases. The mean ± SEM distance between the nTMS and DCS hotspots was 7.83 ± 1.18 mm for the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle (n = 15) and 7.07 ± 0.88 mm for the tibialis anterior muscle (n = 8). When a low number of DCS stimulations was performed, the distance between the nTMS and DCS hotspots increased substantially (r = −0.86 for APB). After the exclusion of the cases with < 15 DCS APB responses, the mean ± SEM distance between the hotspots was only 4.70 ± 1.09 mm for APB (n = 8). CONCLUSION:Peritumoral mapping of the motor cortex by nTMS agreed well with the gold standard of DCS. Thus, nTMS is a reliable tool for preoperative mapping of motor function.
Herpes simplex virus gene products: the accessories reflect her lifestyle well

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) genomic DNA contains at least 74 distinct genes. A set of 40 genes, termed the ‘core genes’, is commonly found in all herpesviruses; their products include four capsid proteins, six DNA replication proteins, seven DNA packaging/cleavage proteins, four envelope glycoproteins, as well as several others. Although approximately half of the HSV genes are not essential for replication in cell cultures, all accessory gene products are predicted to play indispensable roles for viral replication and dissemination in vivo. Intensive studies have been undertaken to elucidate the functions and roles of HSV gene products, and we are now able to address, at least partially, the biological aspects of all HSV encoded proteins. This article is a brief summary of our present knowledge of the functions and roles of HSV gene products with special attention focused on UL14, UL34, UL51, UL56 and US3, all of which are thought to be involved in HSV egress. Furthermore, efforts are discussed to generate replication‐competent HSV lacking a single or multiple accessory gene(s) for potential use in gene therapy or as anti‐cancer therapeutics. Finally, specific HSV gene products are being explored as therapeutic agents. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of speaker sex from isolated, voiceless fricatives.

A study was designed to investigate the ability of listeners to identify speaker sex from isolated productions of /f/, /θ/, /s/, and /∫/. Nine females and nine males recorded the four fricatives in isolation. The stimuli were randomized and presented via loudspeaker to 10 listeners for sex identifications. The results indicated that the listeners could identify the sex of the speakers from the isolated productions of /s/ and /∫/, but could not from the /f/ and /θ/ productions. Subsequent spectrographic analysis of the /s/ and /∫/ stimuli revealed that the female spectra tended generally to be higher in frequency than the male.
The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award: A prescription for quality improvement and international competition

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is described. It was created to encourage quality improvement throughout the United States. In the three years since its inception it has become the de facto standard for quality excellence. The goals of the award, the application process, the award criteria, the award winners, and the 1990 IEEE conference on challenging the quality awards are described. <<ETX>>
Efficacy of Tocilizumab in Two Patients with anti-TNF-alpha Refractory Uveitis

Purpose: To report on two patients with refractory uveitis treated with tocilizumab; a new humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R). Design: Retrospective interventional case series. Methods: Both patients received a monthly infusion of tocilizumab 8 mg/kg; associated with corticosteroids. Outcome measures were visual acuity and central retinal thickness evaluated with optical coherence tomography. Results: An improvement in visual acuity and a decrease in macular edema were observed in these two patients. Conclusions: Tocilizumab seems to be a promising treatment in refractory uveitis. A prospective study is needed to evaluate the role of this new agent in the management of refractory uveitis.
In vitro and in vivo characterization of disulfide bond use in myocilin complex formation.

PURPOSE Myocilin forms large complexes in aqueous humor. Part of this complex formation is due to myocilin-myocilin protein non-covalent interactions within the leucine zipper. However, additional covalent interactions also exist. We investigated the role of these covalent interactions in disulfide bond formation within myocilin. METHODS Human aqueous humor was separated by denatured/non-reduced SDS-PAGE followed by Western blot analysis with myocilin specific antibodies. In part two of the study, site-directed mutagenesis was used to selectively mutate one, two, three, four, and all five cysteine residues in the mature myocilin protein expressed in an in vitro system. Products were immunoprecipitated with a hemagglutinin polyclonal antibody following in vitro transcription/translation and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. In part three of the study, glaucoma associated myocilin mutations Arg82Cys and Cys433Arg were created and complex formation analyzed in trabecular meshwork cells. RESULTS Human aqueous humor showed myocilin in several distinct large complexes in non-reduced SDS-PAGE gels, indicating disulfide bonds occur. Similarly, in vitro expressed myocilin also produced large complexes. Mutation of all five cysteines (within the mature myocilin protein) eliminated this large complex formation. A combination of cysteine to alanine substitutions at amino acids 185, 245, and 433 had the most influence on myocilin complex formation under non-reducing conditions, however individual substitutions at each of the five cysteine amino acids had little influence on myocilin complexes. In trabecular meshwork cells, Arg82Cys was secreted but formed different sized complexes than wild type myocilin. Cys433Arg was not secreted and remained intracellular in a pattern that differed from wild type myocilin and Arg82Cys. CONCLUSIONS Myocilin complexes present in human aqueous humor are in part due to disulfide bond formation between cysteine amino acids. Glaucoma associated mutations that affect the number of cysteine residues may alter covalent interactions.
The terminal regions of adenovirus and minute virus of mice DNAs are preferentially associated with the nuclear matrix in infected cells

The interaction of viral genomes with the cellular nuclear matrix was studied by using adenovirus-infected HeLa cells and minute virus of mice (MVM)-infected A-9 cells. Adenovirus DNA was associated with the nuclear matrix both early and late in infection, the tightest interaction being with DNA fragments that contain the covalently bound 5'-terminal protein. Replicative forms of MVM DNA were also found to be exclusively matrix associated during the first 16 to 20 h of infection; at later times viral DNA species accumulated in the soluble nuclear fraction at different rates, suggesting a saturation of nuclear matrix-binding sites. MVM DNA fragments enriched in the matrix fraction were also derived from the terminal regions of the viral genome. However, only the subset of fragments which possess a covalently bound 5'-terminal protein (i.e., DNA fragments in which the 5' palindromic DNA sequences are in the extended duplex rather than the hairpin conformation) were matrix associated. These observations suggest that the DNA-matrix interactions are, at least in part, mediated by the viral terminal proteins. Since these proteins have previously been shown to be intimately involved in viral DNA replication, our results further indicate that an association with the nuclear matrix may be important for viral genome replication and possibly also for efficient gene transcription.
Land-use change dynamics at cadastral parcel level in Albania : an object-oriented geo-database approach 1 2 3 4 5

4 5 Louisa J.M. Jansen , Giancarlo Carrai , Massimiliano Petri c a Land/natural resources consultant, Via Girolamo Dandini 21, 00154 Rome, Italy. E-mail: louisa.jansen@tin.it, Tel. : +39-065757719. 6 7 b Managing director, SVALTEC S.r. l. , Via del Campofiore 106, 50136 Florence, Italy. E-mail: gc.carrai@svaltec.it, Tel. /Fax: +39-0556236003. 8 9 c University of Pisa, Department of Civil Engineering, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56126 Pisa, Italy. E-mail: m.petri@ing.unipi. it, Tel. : +39-050553502, Fax: +39-050553495. 10 11
A DSM-IV Axis I Comorbidity Study of Males (n = 120) with Paraphilias and Paraphilia-Related Disorders

One hundred and twenty consecutively evaluated outpatient males with paraphilias (PAs; n = 88, including 60 sex offenders) and paraphilia-related disorders (PRDs; n = 32) were systematically assessed for certain developmental variables and DSM-IV-defined Axis I comorbidity. In comparison with the PRDs, the PA group was statistically significantly more likely to self-report a higher incidence of (but not sexual) abuse, fewer years of completed education, a higher prevalence of school-associated learning and behavioral problems, more psychiatric/substance abuse hospitalizations, and increased employment-related disability as well as more lifetime contact with the criminal justice system. In both groups, the most prevalent Axis I disorders were mood disorders (71.6%), especially early onset dysthymic disorder (55%) and major depression (39%). Anxiety disorders (38.3%), especially social phobia (21.6%), and psychoactive substance abuse (40.8%), especially alcohol abuse (30%), were reported as well. Cocaine abuse was statistically significantly associated with PA males (p = .03). There was a statistically significant correlation between the lifetime prevalence of Axis I nonsexual diagnoses and hypersexual diagnoses (PAs and PRDs). The prevalence of retrospectively diagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was 35.8%, the third most prevalent Axis I disorder. ADHD (p = .01), especially ADHD-combined subtype (p = .009), was statistically significantly associated with PA status. ADHD was statistically significantly associated with conduct disorder, and both of these Axis I disorders were associated with the propensity for multiple PAs and a higher likelihood of incarceration. When the diagnosis of ADHD was controlled, the differences reported above between PAs and PRDs either became statistically nonsignificant or remained as only statistical trends. Thus, ADHD and its associated developmental sequellae and Axis I comorbidities was the single most common nonsexual Axis I diagnosis that statistically significantly distinguished males with socially deviant sexual arousal (PAs) from a nonparaphilic hypersexual comparison group (PRDs). Sex offender paraphiliacs were more likely to be diagnosed with conduct disorder, alcohol abuse, cocaine abuse, and generalized anxiety disorder. The prevalence of any ADHD in the sex offender paraphiliacs was 43.3%, and nearly 25% of offenders were diagnosed with ADHD-combined subtype.
Enriching preschool classrooms and home visits with evidence‐based programming: sustained benefits for low‐income children

BACKGROUND Growing up in poverty undermines healthy development, producing disparities in the cognitive and social-emotional skills that support early learning and mental health. Preschool and home-visiting interventions for low-income children have the potential to build early cognitive and social-emotional skills, reducing the disparities in school readiness that perpetuate the cycle of poverty. However, longitudinal research suggests that the gains low-income children make during preschool interventions often fade at school entry and disappear by early elementary school. METHODS In an effort to improve the benefits for low-income children, the REDI program enriched Head Start preschool classrooms (study one) and home visits (study two) with evidence-based programming, documenting positive intervention effects in two randomized trials. In this study, REDI participants were followed longitudinally, to evaluate the sustained impact of the classroom and home-visiting enrichments 3 years later, when children were in second grade. The combined sample included 556 children (55% European American, 25% African American, 19% Latino; 49% male): 288 children received the classroom intervention, 105 children received the classroom intervention plus the home-visiting intervention, and 173 children received usual practice Head Start. RESULTS The classroom intervention led to sustained benefits in social-emotional skills, improving second grade classroom participation, student-teacher relationships, social competence, and peer relations. The coordinated home-visiting intervention produced additional benefits in child mental health (perceived social competence and peer relations) and cognitive skills (reading skills, academic performance). Significant effects ranged from 25% to 48% of a standard deviation, representing important effects of small to moderate magnitude relative to usual practice Head Start. CONCLUSIONS Preschool classroom and home-visiting programs for low-income children can be improved with the use of evidence-based programming, reducing disparities and promoting complementary benefits that sustain in elementary school.
Reliability and validity of a fitness assessment for epidemiological studies.

A pilot study was conducted to investigate the applicability of the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (CAFT) for use in epidemiological studies. Thirty subjects ranging in age from 18 to 65 were evaluated for cardiorespiratory fitness on four separate visits. Protocols used included maximal treadmill testing, maximal step testing, and the CAFT. Results from these evaluations suggested that (a) habituation to the CAFT was negligible; (b) prediction of VO2max from the CAFT in fit subjects remains a problem and further equation development for this group may be necessary; (c) maximal step-test protocols do not result in unequivocal VO2max determinations and may lead to misclassification of fitness level; and (d) although the CAFT correlates highly to treadmill VO2max (r = 0.90), a relatively large standard error may result in as high as a 13% error in estimating VO2max and may lead to problems in classifying fitness in some populations (e.g., older unfit).
Leadership Strategies for Integration of ICT in Kuwait Schools: Perceptions, Practices and Possibilities

Several researchers have emphasized the significant role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in advancing the process of teaching and learning at schools. Therefore, a number of countries started to introduce ICT resources in all levels. Similarly, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Education (MoE) has recently mandated that all school staff meet certain standards to ensure that they have the ability to use ICT resources in their schools. However, the literature indicates that the integration of ICT in the classroom does not only rest in the hands of teachers; school principals also play a vital role in determining the success or failure of ICT use in the teaching process. This study sought to document the impact of Kuwaiti secondary school principals on their teachers’ attitude toward ICT embedding in classroom teaching. The multiple case studies approach was employed to access data from three secondary schools in Kuwait. Both open ended questionnaires and focus group interviews with 15 teachers were used to collect the data. The data analysis showed that all participating teachers recognized the impact that their principals’ leadership practices had on ICT embedding. They highlighted the effectiveness of the principals’ stimulation and encouragement of ICT embedding, which resulted in a change to the teaching practices, making them more ICT related. The study revealed that school principals in Kuwait had less autonomy, authority, and opportunity to adopt unique practices and behaviours in leading their schools. Therefore, the study recommends that the MoE revisit its regulations, specifically, those related to the school principals’ roles and responsibilities. Keywords: Kuwait, leadership practices, ICT embedding, qualitative, ICT