Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amino acid pharmacology of mammalian central neurones grown in tissue culture.

1. Spinal and cerebellar‐brainstem areas of fetal mouse were dissociated and grown in tissue culture until large enough to permit stable intracellular recording. 2. The tissue‐cultured neurones, growing as a monolayer and accessible under direct vision using phase contrast optics, allowed precise placement of intracellular recording and extracellular ionophoretic pipettes. 3. Ionophoresis of GABA and glutamate revealed a non‐uniform distribution of responses over the cell surface, with a lack of spatial coincidence in sensitivity between the two. GABA inhibited and glutamate excited all cells tested. 4. GABA responses evoked at the cell body and on nearby process membrane were almost uniformly hyperpolarizing, while those at some peripheral process membrane were either hyperpolarizing, depolarizing or a combination of both events. All responses were associated with an increase in membrane slope conductance. 5. Membrane polarization showed that all hyperpolarizing events extrapolated to about the same inversion potential, which averaged about 9 mV more negative than resting potential (n = 95 cells). The depolarizing phases of responses evoked at peripheral membranes extrapolated to about 0 mV (n = 5 cells). 6. The hyperpolarization and increase in membrane conductance of GABA responses at the cell body were dependent on Cl‐ ions and the inversion potential of the response was dependent on the Cl‐ ion concentration gradient. The inversion potentials of GABA, glycine and beta‐alanine responses were identical. 7. When matched in magnitude for evoked conductance increase, glycine responses decayed more rapidly than GABA. Glycine and beta‐alanine voltage responses both decayed faster than GABA responses of comparable size. 8. In about half the cells tested sustained or rapidly repeated application of GABA and glycine transformed hyperpolarizing responses into depolarizations which were associated with a maintained conductance increase. Results from conditioning‐test experiments with pairs of GABA and glycine responses suggest that the reversal of response polarity is due to a rapid redistribution of Cl‐ ions. 9. The limiting slope of log‐log dose‐response curves for GABA‐induced conductance averaged about 2, while those for glutamate‐induced depolarizations averaged about 1. The results suggest that two molecules of GABA and one molecule of glutamate participate in the respective post‐synaptic responses. 10. The observation indicate that mammalian C.N. S. tissue grown in culture is a suitable model to study C.N. S. membrane pharmacology with increasing precision.
Effects of yeast-derived β-glucans on blood cholesterol and macrophage functionality

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of two different yeast-derived β-glucans on macrophage functionality and blood cholesterol levels in mice. After establishing their ability to act as a strong stimulator of macrophages, we measured the capacities of the glucans to lower blood cholesterol. Our results showed that consumption of diets containing yeast-derived β-glucan indicated a dose-dependent decrease in plasma cholesterol levels, with Betamune having a significantly stronger effect than WGP (Whole Glucan Particles). In hypercholesterolemic subjects, the cholesterol- and triglycerides-lowering effects of Betamune were again significantly stronger. The results of this investigation demonstrated that highly purified yeast-derived β-glucans modify plasma cholesterol levels and other indicators associated with artherogenic progression in mice. The fact that these glucans also strongly stimulated both monocytes and macrophages supports the hypothesis that there could be a macrophage-cholesterol (metabolism) axis involvement in these outcomes.
Macroevolutionary Trends: New Perspectives on the Roles of Adaptation and Incidental Effect

Trends, long-term directional tendencies in evolution, are traditionally interpreted as selected for and adaptive. Alternatively, trends may be unselected effects of characters and processes within species: the effect hypothesis. Thus adaptations of organisms, varying among species, were selected for immediate fitness, but they may also incidentally determine different speciation and extinction rates and trends.
60-GHz LTCC dielectric resonator antenna array

A novel integrated dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) array, which permits the realization of wide impedance bandwidth as well as high and stable radiation gain, has been realized in LTCC technologies for V-band applications. Thanks to the relative high working frequencies, not only the feeding network, but also the dielectric resonator can be designed and fabricated using the same LTCC material of Ferro A6-M with εr = 5.9±0.002 at 60 GHz. The proposed 4 × 4 antenna array achieves a broad bandwidth of 24.9% and a gain up to 17.9 dBi.
Valuing and representing information: the paradox of undervaluing information and overvaluing information producers

Information's increasing importance in contemporary societies raises questions concerning laymen's valuation of information and of professionals producing information. The main hypotheses were: (a) potential sellers will underestimate information's value compared to that of material goods; (b) when potential buyers' involvement is high (that is high investment and high risk), sellers will demand even lower prices for information; (c) some important current functions and meanings of information are not assimilated in social representations of information; (d) by contrast, participants must overvalue the remuneration of professionals producing pure information (invention) compared to those who apply this information to produce material goods. An experimental study confirmed hypotheses (a) and (b). A second study to investigate the structure of information's social representations showed that the representation's central core is mainly composed of categories referring to traditional media, functions and technologies; contemporary functions and technologies are less frequent or absent. A third experimental study confirmed hypothesis (d).
Assessment of Information Security Maturity: An Exploration Study of Malaysian Public Service Organizations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the basis factors involved in the information security management systems of Malaysian public service (MPS) organizations. Therefore, it proposes an empirical analysis which was conducted to identify the antecedents of the information security maturity (ISM) of an organization; and to clarify the relationship between ISM and the social and technical factors identified.Design/methodology/approach – This study uses quantitative approach, convenience sampling and the required data collected from 970 key players' managers in information security, in a total of 722 government agencies, through a self‐administrated survey. Research adopted the Wallace et al. process to develop and validate the study's instrument.Findings – The paper provides empirical insights and reveals a number of underlying dimensions of social factors and one technical factor. The risk management was found to be the formal coping mechanism adopted in the MPS organizations and is the leading.
UNC-Utah NA-MIC DTI framework: atlas based fiber tract analysis with application to a study of nicotine smoking addiction

Purpose: The UNC-Utah NA-MIC DTI framework represents a coherent, open source, atlas fiber tract based DTI analysis framework that addresses the lack of a standardized fiber tract based DTI analysis workflow in the field. Most steps utilize graphical user interfaces (GUI) to simplify interaction and provide an extensive DTI analysis framework for non-technical researchers/investigators. Data: We illustrate the use of our framework on a 54 directional DWI neuroimaging study contrasting 15 Smokers and 14 Controls. Method(s): At the heart of the framework is a set of tools anchored around the multi-purpose image analysis platform 3D-Slicer. Several workflow steps are handled via external modules called from Slicer in order to provide an integrated approach. Our workflow starts with conversion from DICOM, followed by thorough automatic and interactive quality control (QC), which is a must for a good DTI study. Our framework is centered around a DTI atlas that is either provided as a template or computed directly as an unbiased average atlas from the study data via deformable atlas building. Fiber tracts are defined via interactive tractography and clustering on that atlas. DTI fiber profiles are extracted automatically using the atlas mapping information. These tract parameter profiles are then analyzed using our statistics toolbox (FADTTS). The statistical results are then mapped back on to the fiber bundles and visualized with 3D Slicer. Results: This framework provides a coherent set of tools for DTI quality control and analysis. Conclusions: This framework will provide the field with a uniform process for DTI quality control and analysis.
Metabolism Simultaneous Disruption of Glutathione and Thioredoxin Enhancement of Carboplatin-Mediated Lung Cancer Cell Killing

Purpose:Cancer cells (relative to normal cells) show increased steady-state levels of hydroperoxides that are compensated by increased glucose and hydroperoxide metabolism. The current study determined whether inhibitors of glucose and hydroperoxide metabolism could induce chemoradiosensitization by enhancing oxidative stress in lung cancer cells. Experimental Design: A549 and NCI-H292 human lung carcinoma cells were treated with 2-deoxy-dglucose (2DG) combined with carboplatin þ ionizing radiation (IR). Lung cancer cells were further sensitized with inhibitors of glutathione (GSH)and thioredoxin (Trx)-dependent metabolism [buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and auranofin, respectively] in vitro and in vivo. Results:When 2DGwas combined with carboplatinþ IR, clonogenic cell killing was enhanced in A549 and NCI-H292 cells, and this combination was more effective than paclitaxelþ carboplatinþ IR. The thiol antioxidant (N-acetylcysteine, NAC) was capable of protecting cancer cells from 2DG þ carboplatin -induced cell killing. Simultaneous treatment of cancer cells with BSO and auranofin, at doses that were not toxic as single agents, also enhanced lung cancer cell killing and sensitivity to 2DG þ carboplatin. This treatment combination also increased oxidation of both GSH and Trx, which were inhibited by NAC. Mice treated with auranofin þ BSO showed no alterations in circulating leukocytes or red blood cells. Xenograft lung tumor growth in mice was more effectively inhibited by treatment with auranofin þ BSO þ carboplatin than animals treated with carboplatin or auranofin þ BSO alone. Conclusions: These results show in vitro and in vivo that simultaneous inhibition of GSH and Trx metabolism can effectively inhibit lung cancer cell growth and induce chemosensitization by a mechanism that involves thiol-mediated oxidative stress. Clin Cancer Res; 17(19); 6206–17. 2011 AACR.
Gender and Well-Being around the World: Some Insights from the Economics of Happiness

A wide body of research explores gender differences in welfare outcomes, and their implications for economic development. We aim to contribute to this work by looking at differences in reported well-being (happiness) across genders around the world. We examine differences across genders within countries, comparing age, income, education, and urban versus rural cohorts, and explore how those same within country differences vary in countries of different development levels. Our findings, based also on previous research on well-being more generally, highlight some consistent patterns across genders, with women typically happier than men in the world as a whole, with the exception of the poorest sample of countries. We also find substantial differences in the standard relationships between key variables - such as marriage - and happiness when we take differences in gender rights into account. Our research also suggests that cross-gender differences in well-being are affected by the same empirical and methodological factors that drive the paradoxes underlying the income and happiness debates more generally, with norms and expectations playing an important mediating role. Women's happiness seems to fall - at least in the short-term - when there are changes/improvements in gender rights, in keeping with our more general findings on the drops in reported well-being that are often associated with the process of acquiring agency.
Trauma, Drugs and Violence Among Juvenile Offenders

Abstract Trauma typically occurs when one experiences a situation where life has been threatened or lost. If the trauma is not resolved, negative residual effects may result in alcohol and drug use, involvement in violent activities as well as the development of mental health problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Findings from a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded study examining the link between trauma, drug use and violence among youth are presented. Results from interviews with 414 juveniles remanded to the Office of Children and Family Services (formerly New York State Division For Youth) for assault, sexual assault, robbery or homicide, document the trauma experienced by these youth, as well as how it correlated with their drug usage and participation in violent, illegal activities. Discussion of these findings, their implications for understanding and intervening, and recommendations for future research are highlighted.
Role of bacterial proteases in pseudomonal and serratial keratitis

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens can cause refractory keratitis resulting in corneal perforation and blindness. These bacteria produce various kinds of proteases. In addition to pseudomonal elastase (LasB) and alkaline protease, LasA protease and protease IV have recently been found to be more important virulence factors of P. aeruginosa. S. marcescens produces a cysteine protease in addition to metalloproteases. These bacterial proteases have a number of biological activities, such as degradation of tissue constituents and host defense-oriented proteins, as well as activation of zymogens (Hageman factor, prekallikrein and pro-matrix metalloproteinases) through limited proteolysis. In this article, the properties of these bacterial proteases are reviewed and the pathogenic roles of these proteases in pseudomonal keratitis are discussed.
Attributes of Quality of Accommodation Facilities and Room Capacity Utilization of 3-5 Star Hotels in Nairobi, Kenya

There are specific quality requirements usually established in accordance with standards at either government or private levels for hotel accommodation facilities. One of these basic requirements is high quality of accommodation facilities which supposed to anchor room capacity utilisation of 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. The attributes of quality of accommodation facilities comprised of room flooring, decorations, bed and beddings, lightings and heating, comfort of bedroom, cleanliness, comfort of bathroom, towels, furniture and furnishings, toiletries and amenities, space and ventilation of the rooms. However, hotels with more accommodation quality attributes are likely to attract higher and better room capacity utilisation. Therefore, the study sought to examine the relationship between quality of accommodation facilities and room capacity utilisation of 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. The study hypothesized that there is no significant relationship between quality of accommodation facilities and room capacity utilisation of 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. The target population involved all the 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. A census of hotel general manager and front office managers consisting of 62 respondents was conducted through stratification of all the hotels. Questionnaire was used as instruments for data collection with 91.9% response rate and the data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine variable characteristics while Pearson correlation was used to establish the pattern of relationship and association of the variables. Also, linear regression analysis was involved to determine the level of significant and test hypothesis. The Pearson correlation result (r=-0.513, p=0.000) indicated that quality of accommodation facilities had a strong positive relationship and association with room capacity utilisation. The regression analysis coefficient R=0.791 and adjusted squared coefficient R 2 =0.523 were recorded which implied that the study variables explained 52.3% of the variations of room capacity utilisation. The regression model revealed comfort of bedroom, comfort of bathroom, cleanliness and furniture, fittings/furnishings as the four attributes of quality of accommodation facilities that were significant variable predictors of room capacity utilisation. The null hypothesis was rejected as there is significant relationship between quality of accommodation facilities and room capacity utilisation. The study concluded that an improvement in quality of accommodation facilities will cause positive significant changes in room capacity utilisation. The study recommends improvement on comfort of bedroom, comfort of bathroom, cleanliness as well as furniture, fittings/furnishings for better room capacity utilisation of 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya.
Effects of wafer-level packaging on millimetre-wave antennas

A cost-effective antenna package suitable for mass production mm-wave applications is investigated. Different packaging material that can be possibly used in mm-wave antennas are presented and compared. Moreover, this study investigates different methods of packaging millimetre-wave (60 GHz) MEMS antennas. The paper first introduces the custom needs for optimum operation of the MEMS antenna and then examines the current available enabling technologies for packaging. The sensitivity of the antenna's reflection coefficient, gain and radiation efficiency to the packaging environment is investigated through EM simulations.
MOBILE MICROROBOTICS PRINCIPLES AND MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES

A new emerging field has recently appeared in the microand nano-technologies: the untethered, submillimeter, microor nano-sized robots, which present potential applications in biomedical diagnosis, targeted drug delivery or micro-electro-mechanical parts microassembly. Microrobotics is the field of miniature robotics and is that branch of robotics, which deals with the study and application of miniature ones like mobile robots of micrometre scale. This article presents an microrobotics perspective on the microfabrication and micromanipulation work that performed.
Development of the digital model of the jewellery production process for resource optimisation and prediction

ABSTRACT Smart manufacturing is becoming one of the core tendencies in manufacturing nowadays. In the conventional production process mode, the varieties in the production process, manpower processing time, and production scheduling lead to a big challenge in production process management. In order to keep pace with the rapid technology development and market demand diversification, digital and intelligent transformation became extremely essential for manufacturing industries. It is able to evaluate and manage the production process performance in a timely and scientific manner. With the digital model, the production efficiency can be improved and the resources management can be optimised based on the prediction. In this study, the traditional labour-intensive jewellery manufacturing is used and analysed to evaluate its digital model for the resource optimisation and prediction. By evaluating the production process by functional groups separately with the manpower level classification, the digital model could provide an automatic and efficient solution to its production process management system and logistic flow. It eliminates the unnecessary time-consuming working process and enhances the working process efficiency, which is capable of optimising the entire production efficiency as well as performing the resource prediction.
Non‐classical 21‐hydroxylase deficiency in children: association of adrenocorticotropic hormone‐stimulated 17‐hydroxyprogesterone with the risk of compound heterozygosity with severe mutations

Aim: To investigate the association between levels of 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OHP) and the risk of being compound heterozygous for severe mutations in children with non‐classical 21‐hydroxylase deficiency (NC21OHD). Methods: In 86 Spanish NC21OHD children (75 families) an analysis of the 21‐hydroxylase (21‐OH) gene was performed by CYP21B‐specific polymerase chain reaction amplification, allele‐specific oligonucleotide hybridization and Southern blotting. Familial analysis established how the alleles segregated, and allowed the selection of 21‐OH‐genotyped normal and carrier children, which proved useful in determining a more precise definition of the cut‐off for diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses were performed to determine the potential value of 17‐OHP in predicting compound heterozygosity for severe mutations. Results: Thirty‐four of the 86 children (39%) were found to carry one severe 21‐OH mutation (7.3% deletions or conversions, 2.7% 655G, 2.7% Q318X, 1.3% I172N, 1.3% R356W, and 3.3% double microconversions or small conversions involving single exons). The predominant mutation was V281L (56.7%). P453S and P30L were less frequent (3.3 and 2%). No patient showed two severe mutations. The degree of enzymic deficiency, as measured by basal or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)‐stimulated 17‐OHP levels in fully genotyped patients, but not clinical severity (age and number of symptoms at diagnosis), was found to be significantly greater in children with the severe/mild genotype. ROC curve analyses revealed a strong association between ACTH‐17‐OHP and genotype (area under the curve 0.908, SE 0.057).
Structural Insights into Ca2+-dependent Regulation of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors by CaBP1*

Calcium-binding protein 1 (CaBP1), a neuron-specific member of the calmodulin (CaM) superfamily, modulates Ca2+-dependent activity of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (InsP3Rs). Here we present NMR structures of CaBP1 in both Mg2+-bound and Ca2+-bound states and their structural interaction with InsP3Rs. CaBP1 contains four EF-hands in two separate domains. The N-domain consists of EF1 and EF2 in a closed conformation with Mg2+ bound at EF1. The C-domain binds Ca2+ at EF3 and EF4, and exhibits a Ca2+-induced closed to open transition like that of CaM. The Ca2+-bound C-domain contains exposed hydrophobic residues (Leu132, His134, Ile141, Ile144, and Val148) that may account for selective binding to InsP3Rs. Isothermal titration calorimetry analysis reveals a Ca2+-induced binding of the CaBP1 C-domain to the N-terminal region of InsP3R (residues 1-587), whereas CaM and the CaBP1 N-domain did not show appreciable binding. CaBP1 binding to InsP3Rs requires both the suppressor and ligand-binding core domains, but has no effect on InsP3 binding to the receptor. We propose that CaBP1 may regulate Ca2+-dependent activity of InsP3Rs by promoting structural contacts between the suppressor and core domains.