Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
β‐Turn propensities as paradigms for the analysis of structural motifs to engineer protein stability

The thermodynamic stability of a protein provides an experimental metric for the relationship of protein sequence and native structure. We have investigated an approach based on an analysis of the structural database for stability engineering of an immunoglobulin variable domain. The most frequently occurring residues in specific positions of β‐turn motifs were predicted to increase the folding stability of mutants that were constructed by site‐directed mutagenesis. Even in positions in which different residues are conserved in immunoglobulin sequences, the predictions were confirmed. Frequently, mutants with increased β‐turn propensities display increased folding cooperativities, suggesting pronounced effects on the unfolded state independent of the expected effect on conformational entropy. We conclude that structural motifs with predominantly local interactions can serve as templates with which patterns of sequence preferences can be extracted from the database of protein structures. Such preferences can predict the stability effects of mutations for protein engineering and design.
Security analysis of SERVE 1 A Security Analysis of the Secure Electronic Registration and Voting Experiment ( SERVE )

Security analysis of SERVE 2 Executive Summary This report is a review and critique of computer and communication security issues in the SERVE voting system (Secure Electronic Registration and Voting Experiment), an Internet-based voting system being built for the U.S. Department of Defense's FVAP (Federal Voting Assistance Program). The program's web site is http://www.serveusa. gov/. While the system is called an experiment, it is going to be used to count real votes in the upcoming general elections. The authors are members of SPRG (the Security Peer Review Group), a panel of experts in computerized election security that was assembled by FVAP to help evaluate SERVE. Our task was to identify potential vulnerabilities the system might have to various kinds of cyber-attack, to evaluate the degrees of risk they represent to the integrity of an election, and to make recommendations about how to mitigate or eliminate those risks. The SERVE system is planned for deployment in the 2004 primary and general elections, and will allow the eligible voters first to register to vote in their home districts, and then to vote, entirely electronically via the Internet, from anywhere in the world. Besides being restricted to overseas voters and military personnel, SERVE is currently limited to people who vote in one of 50 counties in the seven states and Washington) that are participating. The program is expected to handle up to 100,000 votes over the course of the year, including both the primaries and the general election. (By comparison, approximately 100 million votes were cast in the 2000 general election.) The eventual goal of SERVE is to support the entire population of eligible overseas citizens plus military personnel and their dependents. This population is estimated to number about 6 million, so the 2004 SERVE deployment must be judged as a prototype for a very large possible future system. Our conclusions are summarized as follows: a) DRE (direct recording electronic) voting systems have been widely criticized elsewhere for various deficiencies and security vulnerabilities: that their software is totally closed and proprietary; that the software undergoes insufficient scrutiny during qualification and certification; that they are especially vulnerable to various forms of insider (programmer) attacks; and that DREs have no voter-verified audit trails (paper or otherwise) that could largely circumvent these problems and improve voter confidence. All of these criticisms, which we endorse, apply directly to SERVE as well. b) But in addition, because SERVE is …
Effect of an increase in gravity on the power output and the rebound of the body in human running

SUMMARY The effect of an increase in gravity on the mechanics of running has been studied by using a force platform fixed to the floor of an aircraft undergoing flight profiles, resulting in a simulated gravity of 1.3 g. The power spent to maintain the motion of the centre of mass of the body is ∼1.3 times greater than on Earth, due to a similar increase of both the power spent against gravity and to sustain the forward speed changes. This indicates that the average vertical displacement per unit distance and the average direction of the push are unchanged. The increase in power is mainly due to an increase in step frequency rather than to an increase in the work done at each step. The increase in step frequency in turn is mainly due to a decreased duration of the effective aerial phase (when the vertical force is less than body weight), rather than an increase in the stiffness of the bouncing system. The maximal speed where step frequency can match the resonant frequency of the bouncing system is increased by ∼5 km h–1 at 1.3 g. These results suggest a similar running mechanics at higher gravity, maintained at the expense of greater energy expenditure.
Numerical chromosome variation and mitotic segregation defects in the adult brain of teleost fish

Teleost fish are distinguished by their enormous potential for the generation of new cells in both the intact and the injured adult brain. Here, we present evidence that these cells are a genetic mosaic caused by somatic genomic alteration. Metaphase chromosome spreads from whole brains of the teleost Apteronotus leptorhynchus revealed an euploid complement of 22 chromosomes in only 22% of the cells examined. The rate of aneuploidy is substantially higher in brain cells than in liver cells, as shown by both metaphase chromosome spreads and flow cytometric analysis. Among the aneuploid cells in the brain, approximately 84% had fewer, and the remaining 16% more, than 22 chromosomes. Typically, multiple chromosomes were lost or gained. The aneuploidy is putatively caused by segregation defects during mitotic division. Labeling of condensed chromosomes of M‐phase cells by phosphorylated histone‐H3 revealed laggards, anaphase bridges, and micronuclei, all three of which indicate displaced mitotic chromosomes. Quantitative analysis has shown that in the entire brain on average 14% of all phosphorylated histone‐H3‐labeled cells exhibit such signs of segregation defects. Together with the recent discovery of aneuploidy in the adult mammalian brain, the results of the present investigation suggest that the loss or gain of chromosomes might provide a mechanism to regulate gene expression during development of new cells in the adult vertebrate brain. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007.
Epidemiology of drowning in Isfahan province, center of Iran

BACKGROUND: Drowning is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. We studied drowning deaths in Isfahan province, focusing on the activity victims were involved in and the setting of the incident. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was done on all drowning deaths referred to Legal Medicine Organization of Isfahan province over a period of 5 years from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2006. RESULTS: During these 5 years, 355 persons suffered fatal drowning in Isfahan province. The annual incidence rate was 1.6 per 100000 population (2.6 & 0.4 for males and females, respectively). Mean age was 21.99 ± 14.86 and M/F ratio was 6.5:1. Most victims were 15-24 and 5-14 years of age (172 and 62 decedents, 3.0 and 1.8 per 100000 popula-tion/year, respectively). Most incidents occurred in natural settings, of which rivers, canals, lakes and ponds were the most common sites, respectively. The most frequently connected activity was swimming and wading, followed by accidental fall into water. The manner of death was found as following: 85.1% accidental, 1.7% suicidal, 0.3% homicidal and 12.9% undetermined. CONCLUSIONS: Although the drowning related mortality in Isfahan province is comparable to developed countries, effective prevention of drowning with better programming and policies might reduce its rate.
Improvement of subsynchronous torsional damping using VSC HVDC

This paper presents a study of SSTI related to VSC HVDC. The study was conducted with well established methods, which have been used in the design of SSDC and evaluation of SSTI in classic HVDC. Identical control systems for VSC HVDC as in the real plant are included in the study. The paper will show how the VSC and its control contribute to the electrical damping on subsynchronous oscillations. Different operation modes, load levels, control modes and AC network conditions have been considered in the study.
Heat-Shock Mediated Overexpression of HNF1β Mutations Has Differential Effects on Gene Expression in the Xenopus Pronephric Kidney

The transcription factor HNF1B, encoded by the TCF2 gene, plays an important role in the organogenesis of vertebrates. In humans, heterozygous mutations of HNF1B are associated with several diseases, such as pancreatic β-cell dysfunction leading to maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY5), defective kidney development, disturbed liver function, pancreas atrophy, and malformations of the genital tract. The African claw frog Xenopus laevis is an excellent model to study the processes involved in embryogenesis and organogenesis, as it can be manipulated easily with a series of methods. In the present study, we overexpressed HNF1β mutants in the developing Xenopus embryo to assess their roles during organogenesis, particularly in the developing pronephric kidney. Towards this goal, we developed a heat-shock inducible binary Cre/loxP system with activator and effector strains. Heat-shock activation of the mutant HNF1B variants P328L329del and A263insGG resulted in malformations of various organs and the affected larvae developed large edemas. Defects in the pronephros were primarily confined to malformed proximal tubules. Furthermore, the expression of the proximal tubule marker genes tmem27 and slc3a1, both involved in amino acid transport, was affected. Both P328L329del and A263insGG downregulated expression of slc3a1. In addition, P328L329del reduced tmem27 expression while A263insGG overexpression decreased expression of the chloride channel clcnk and the transcription factor pax2. Overexpression of two mutant HNF1B derivatives resulted in distinct phenotypes reflected by either a reduction or an enlargement of pronephros size. The expression of selected pronephric marker genes was differentially affected upon overexpression of HNF1B mutations. Based on our findings, we postulate that HNF1B mutations influence gene regulation upon overexpression in specific and distinct manners. Furthermore, our study demonstrates that the newly established Cre/loxP system for Xenopus embryos is an attractive alternative to examine the gene regulatory potential of transcription factors in developing pronephric kidney as exemplified here for HNF1B.
Behavioral Disinhibition Can Foster Intentions to Healthy Lifestyle Change by Overcoming Commitment to Past Behavior

To curb the trend towards obesity and unhealthy living, people may need to change their entire lifestyle to a healthier alternative, something that is frequently perceived to be problematic. The present research, using a large, representative community sample, hypothesized and found that a key factor responsible for why people do not intend to change lifestyles is a sense of commitment to past behavior. However we also found that the contribution of commitment was attenuated for individuals with a stronger tendency for behavioral disinhibition thus underscoring the “bright side” of this individual difference characteristic that traditionally has been mainly associated with impulsive and indulging behavior. Overall, the present findings add to our understanding of factors inhibiting and promoting healthy behavior change.
Differences of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Expression between Left and Right Ventricles in Response to Nandrolone Decanoate and/or Swimming Training in Mice

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 plays an important role in the remodeling of left ventricles (LVs) and right ventricles (RVs). We investigated the differences of MMP-2 expression between LV and RV in response to nandrolone decanoate (ND), swimming training (ST), and combined ND and ST (NS) in mice, based on their structural, functional, and biochemical characteristics. Methods: Totally 28 male C57B1 mice (6 weeks old; 20–23 g) were divided into four groups, including the control (n = 7), ND (n = 6), ST (n = 8), and NS (n = 7) groups. After respective treatments for 8 weeks, echocardiographic examination was used to assess the cardiac structure and function. Van Gieson stain was used to examine the fibrosis of LV and RV in response to different treatments, and Western blotting analysis was performed to explore different MMP-2 expressions between LV and RV in response to ND and/or ST. Analysis of variance was used for comparing the four groups. Results: At 8 weeks, right ventricular dimension/body weight in the ND group was larger than the other three groups (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) according to the echocardiographic examination. Fibrosis induced by ND administration was increased more in RV (2.59%) than that in LV (2.21%). MMP-2 expression of the ND group in RV was significantly greater than the control and NS groups in RV and the corresponding ND group in LV. Conclusion: The experimental data support the hypothesis that ND administration induces greater MMP-2 expression increase in RV compared to LV, leading to consequent RV dilation.
Black Holes and Wormholes in 2+1 Dimensions

Vacuum Einstein theory in three spacetime dimensions is locally trivial, but admits many solutions that are globally different, particularly if there is a negative cosmological constant. The classical theory of such locally “anti-de Sitter” spaces is treated in an elementary way, using visualizable models. Among the objects discussed are black holes, spaces with multiple black holes, their horizon structure, closed universes, and the topologies that are possible.
Stability of miR-126 in Urine and Its Potential as a Biomarker for Renal Endothelial Injury with Diabetic Nephropathy

Background. The purpose of the present study was to assess the feasibility of using miR-126 in the urine as a biomarker for diabetic nephropathy. Methods. miRNAs were extracted from the urine samples of T2DM patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN; n = 92), T2DM without DN (n = 86), and 85 healthy volunteers using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time polymerase chain reaction) analysis. Stability of urinary miR-126 and factors that affected the stability were assessed. A subgroup analysis was also carried out to compare the urinary miR-126 level in T2DM patients well controlled by the treatment versus those who were not well controlled. Results. Urinary miR-126 was stable when the urine samples were kept at room temperature for extended period of time, 4°C, −20°C, and −80°C for up to 12 hours or subjected to 10 freeze-and-thaw cycle. Urinary miR-126 was significantly higher in T2DM patients with DN (5.76 ± 0.33 versus 3.25 ± 0.45 in T2DM patients without DN). Successful treatment significantly reduced urinary miR-126 in T2DM patients with DN to 3.89 ± 0.52 (P < 0.05). Conclusion. miR-126 in the urine is stable and it could be used as a biomarker of DN and to monitor the treatment response.
Inferences Drawn from a Risk Assessment Compared Directly with a Randomized Trial of a Home Drinking Water Intervention

Risk assessments and intervention trials have been used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to estimate drinking water health risks. Seldom are both methods used concurrently. Between 2001 and 2003, illness data from a trial were collected simultaneously with exposure data, providing a unique opportunity to compare direct risk estimates of waterborne disease from the intervention trial with indirect estimates from a risk assessment. Comparing the group with water treatment (active) with that without water treatment (sham), the estimated annual attributable disease rate (cases per 10,000 persons per year) from the trial provided no evidence of a significantly elevated drinking water risk [attributable risk = −365 cases/year, sham minus active; 95% confidence interval (CI), −2,555 to 1,825]. The predicted mean rate of disease per 10,000 persons per person-year from the risk assessment was 13.9 (2.5, 97.5 percentiles: 1.6, 37.7) assuming 4 log removal due to viral disinfection and 5.5 (2.5, 97.5 percentiles: 1.4, 19.2) assuming 6 log removal. Risk assessments are important under conditions of low risk when estimates are difficult to attain from trials. In particular, this assessment pointed toward the importance of attaining site-specific treatment data and the clear need for a better understanding of viral removal by disinfection. Trials provide direct risk estimates, and the upper confidence limit estimates, even if not statistically significant, are informative about possible upper estimates of likely risk. These differences suggest that conclusions about waterborne disease risk may be strengthened by the joint use of these two approaches.
CFD-based evaluation of current-carrying capacity of power cables installed in free air

Evaluation of current-carrying capacity of power cables and selection of cross-sectional area of their conductors are mainly performed in accordance with requirements of EN, IEC or IEEE standards. However, these standards do not provide all methods of cables installation and location which occur in practice. Thus, in some cases, performance of advanced modeling of various thermal phenomena, affecting power cables current-carrying capacity, is necessary. This paper presents the impact of solar radiation, wind direction and power cable line geographical direction on current-carrying capacity of power cables. The advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been employed to calculate this capacity. Results of simulations and calculations indicate that the above mentioned factors cannot be omitted during selection of power cables to be installed in free air. The result presented in this paper can be treated as supplementary information to the requirements included in international standards.
Accessory mandibular foramina: Prevalence, embryological basis and surgical implications

Conclusion: In the current study, the incidence rate of the accessory mandibular foramina was 16.4%. The morphological knowledge of these foramina is important as they transmit the branches of the nerves which supply the roots of the teeth. The local anaesthetic drug which is given in this region may fail if these nerves or their branches pass through the accessory foramina. B.V. MurliManju, latha V. PraBhu, M.D. PraMeela, C. MohaMMeD ashraf, ashWin KrishnaMurthy, C. Ganesh KuMar a na to m y
When to use the combined sensory index

A recently developed electrodiagnostic technique, the combined sensory index (CSI), has been recommended for its greater sensitivity in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The CSI requires a greater number of procedures and therefore involves greater time, cost, and patient discomfort than does conventional electrodiagnostic testing. The CSI is composed of three commonly used electrodiagnostic techniques. There is a close correlation between the components of the CSI, and in most cases, all three components of the CSI are in agreement. We performed a study to develop and validate an algorithm that could be used to identify subsets of patients with CTS in whom CSI testing is particularly useful. Subjects were consecutive outpatient veterans referred by a heterogeneous group of specialists and generalists for electrodiagnostic evaluation of paresthesias in a median distribution with nocturnal exacerbation of symptoms. The CSI served as our gold standard. Using our simple algorithm, we found that in approximately 95% of cases, it was unnecessary to perform the CSI. This management strategy improves patient comfort and reduces electrodiagnostic cost while identifying the minority of patients for whom the CSI is indicated. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1078–1082, 2001
Telling All of the Story

Abstract This study examined the effects of different parent residency arrangements on the growth of competence and self-esteem in Australian primary school-aged children. It employed a matched sample of 136 non-clinical, single parent children of both genders resident with parents of both genders matched with children from two parent families. Data measuring children's competence and self-esteem were gathered on a range of dependent measures. Comparisons in performance of the single and two parent children were analysed in three ways: (1) family type; (2) family type and child gender, and (3) family type, child gender and parent residency group. The third analysis revealed that there were subtle but important differences in performance between and within each parent residency group not revealed by the other two analyses.
Accumulation of a differentiation regulator specifies transit amplifying division number in an adult stem cell lineage

A key feature of many adult stem cell lineages is that stem cell daughters destined for differentiation undergo several transit amplifying (TA) divisions before initiating terminal differentiation, allowing few and infrequently dividing stem cells to produce many differentiated progeny. Although the number of progenitor divisions profoundly affects tissue (re)generation, and failure to control these divisions may contribute to cancer, the mechanisms that limit TA proliferation are not well understood. Here, we use a model stem cell lineage, the Drosophila male germ line, to investigate the mechanism that counts the number of TA divisions. The Drosophila Bag of Marbles (Bam) protein is required for male germ cells to cease spermatogonial TA divisions and initiate spermatocyte differentiation [McKearin DM, et al. (1990) Genes Dev 4:2242–2251]. Contrary to models involving dilution of a differentiation repressor, our results suggest that the switch from proliferation to terminal differentiation is triggered by accumulation of Bam protein to a critical threshold in TA cells and that the number of TA divisions is set by the timing of Bam accumulation with respect to the rate of cell cycle progression.
Environmental Pollution and Health Risks of Residents Living Near Ewekoro Cement Factory, Ewekoro, Nigeria

— Generally the natural environment is made up of air, water and soil. The release of emission of industrial waste into anyone of the components of the environment causes pollution. Industrial pollution significantly threatens the inherent right of people, to the enjoyment of a safe and secure environment. The aim of this paper is to assess the effect of environmental pollution and health risks of residents living near Ewekoro cement factory. The research made use of IKONOS imagery for Geographical Information System (GIS) to buffer and extract buildings that are less than 1km to the factory, within 1km to 5km and above 5km to the factory. Also questionnaire was used to elicit information on the socio-economic factors, effect of environmental pollution on residents and measures adopted to control industrial pollution on the residents. Findings show that most buildings that fall between less than 1km and 1km to 5km to the factory have high health risk in the study area. The study recommended total relocation for the residents of the study area to reduce health risk problems.