Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of biologically active human clotting factor IX in Drosophila S2 cells: γ‐carboxylation of a human vitamin K‐dependent protein by the insect enzyme

The Drosophila γ‐glutamyl carboxylase (dγC) has substrate recognition properties similar to that of the vertebrate γ–carboxylase (γC), and its carboxylated product yield, in vitro, was shown to be more than that obtained with the human enzyme. However, whether the Drosophila enzyme is able to γ‐carboxylate the human vitamin K‐dependent (VKD) proteins, such as the human coagulation factor IX (hFIX), as synthesized in cultured Drosophila cells was not known. To examine this possibility, the Drosophila Schnider (S2) cell line was transfected with a metallothionein promoter‐regulated hFIX‐expressing plasmid. After induction with copper ion, expression efficiency of the active hFIX was analyzed by performing enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assey (ELISA) and coagulation test on the culture supernatant of the transfected S2 cells during 72 h of postinduction. In comparison with Chinese hamster ovary cell line, S2 cells showed higher (∼12‐fold) expression level of the hFIX. The γ‐carboxylation of the Drosophila‐derived hFIX was confirmed by evaluation of the expressed protein, after being precipitated with barium citrate. The biological activity of the S2 cell‐derived hFIX indicated the capability of S2 cells to fulfill the required γ‐carboxylation of the expressed hFIX. Coexpression of the human γ–glutamyl carboxylases (hγC) was also shown to improve both expression and γ‐carboxylation of the hFIX. This is the first in vivo data to describe the ability of the dγC to recognize the human‐based propeptide as substrate, which is an essential step for production of biologically active γ‐carboxylated VKD proteins. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2012
Freshly isolated astrocytes from rat hippocampus show two distinct current patterns and different [K(+)](o) uptake capabilities.

Whether astrocytes predominantly express ohmic K(+) channels in vivo, and how expression of different K(+) channels affects [K(+)](o) homeostasis in the CNS have been long-standing questions for how astrocytes function. In the present study, we have addressed some of these questions in glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP(+)], freshly isolated astrocytes (FIAs) from CA1 and CA3 regions of P7-15 rat hippocampus. As isolated, these astrocytes were uncoupled allowing a higher resolution of electrophysiological study. FIAs showed two distinct ion current profiles, with neither showing a purely linear I-V relationship. One population of astrocytes had a combined expression of outward potassium currents (I(Ka), I(Kd)) and inward sodium currents (I(Na)). We term these outwardly rectifying astrocytes (ORA). Another population of astrocytes is characterized by a relatively symmetric potassium current pattern, comprising outward I(Kdr), I(Ka), and abundant inward potassium currents (I(Kin)), and a larger membrane capacitance (C(m)) and more negative resting membrane potential (RMP) than ORAs. We term these variably rectifying astrocytes (VRA). The I(Kin) in 70% of the VRAs was essentially insensitive to Cs(+), while I(Kin) in the remaining 30% of VRAs was sensitive. The I(Ka) of VRAs was most sensitive to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), while I(Kdr) of ORAs was more sensitive to tetraethylammonium (TEA). ORAs and VRAs occurred approximately equally in FIAs isolated from the CA1 region (52% ORAs versus 48% VRAs), but ORAs were enriched in FIAs isolated from the CA3 region (71% ORAs versus 29% VRAs), suggesting an anatomical segregation of these two types of astrocytes within the hippocampus. VRAs, but not ORAs, showed robust inward currents in response to an increase in extracellular K(+) from 5 to 10 mM. As VRAs showed a similar current pattern and other passive membrane properties (e.g., RMP, R(in)) to "passive astrocytes"in situ (i.e., these showing linear I-V curves), such passive astrocytes possibly represent VRAs influenced by extensive gap-junction coupling in situ. Thus, our data suggest that, at least in CA1 and CA3 regions from P7-15 rats, there are two classes of GFAP(+) astrocytes which possess different K(+) currents. Only VRAs seem suited to uptake of extracellular K(+) via I(Kin) channels at physiological membrane potentials and increases of [K(+)](o). ORAs show abundant outward potassium currents with more depolarized RMP. Thus VRAs and ORAs may cooperate in vivo for uptake and release of K(+), respectively.
pH dependencies of the Tetrahymena ribozyme reveal an unconventional origin of an apparent pKa.

The L-21 ScaI ribozyme derived from the Tetrahymena thermophila pre-rRNA group I intron catalyzes a site-specific endonucleolytic cleavage of RNA, DNA, and chimeric RNA/DNA oligonucleotides: CCCUCUA5 + G-->CCCUCU + GA5. The pH-rate dependence was determined for the reaction of the E.G complex with the oligonucleotide substrate d(CCCUC)r(U)d(A5) [(kcat/Km)S conditions]. Although it was shown that the pH dependence is not affected by specific buffers, there is inhibition by specific monovalent cations. The intrinsic pH-rate dependence is log-linear with slope 1 below pH 7, displays an apparent pKa of 7.6, remains nearly level until pH 8.5, and then begins to fall. Two models to explain the apparent pKa were ruled out: (1) the pKa represents loss of a proton from the nucleophilic 3' OH of G, and (2) the pKa arises from a change in rate-limiting step from a pH-dependent to a pH-independent step. In addition, these models, or others involving a single titration, cannot account for the decrease in activity at high pH. A third, unconventional, model is consistent with all of the data. It involves inactivation of the ribozyme by any of several independent titrations of groups with pKa values considerably higher than the apparent pKa of 7.6. The data are consistent with loss of catalytic function upon release of a proton from any one of 19 independent sites with pKa = 9.4 (the unperturbed pKa of N1 of G and N3 of U in solution). Independent experiments investigating the effect of pH on different reaction steps supported this model and suggested the identity of some of the required protons. This mechanism of inactivation is expected to generally affect the behavior of RNAs at pH values removed from the pKa of the titrating bases.
Throughput Performance Evaluation of Video/Voice Traffic in IPv4/IPv6 Networks

This paper presents a study of throughput performance of voice and video traffic based on simulative and analytical methods in IPv4/IPv6 networks. This research aims to find out what Internet protocol performs better in terms of throughput under congested circumstances in IPv4/IPv6 networks. In doing so three different network loads in both scenarios are considered. In the context of network load, the importance of varying network load is realized while configuring and simulating the network models. For instance, a medium network load, high network load then a worst possible network load are considered to understand the impact on the performance of throughput in IPv4/IPv6 networks. The network topology scenarios are partially meshed on the implication with a small ISP domain as this is an ideal choice of IP domain corresponded to a realistic network topology. Two network models are defined which allow us to compare the obtained results. In addition, IPv4 network model is used and extended in terms of configuring IPv6 network model as. The simulation has been carried out using Optimized Network Engineering Tool (OPNET). This paper shows that analytical and simulative approaches produce same results in terms of throughput performance for video/voice traffic. From Internet Protocol performance perspective, IPv6 experiences more throughput than IPv4. General Terms Performance evaluation of Computer Networks and Communications.
Relationship between Handedness and the Geometry of the Branches of the Aortic Arch

Handedness is the most obvious behavioural asymmetry in humans. Asymmetrical regional cerebral blood volume changes, particularly in the left premotor and parietal regions, occur contra-lateral to hand dominance during mental and motor activity. While a potential link between hemispheric and anatomical lateralisation has been investigated, research into the influence of asymmetrical vascular geometry is severely lacking. This study explores the relationship between handedness and the geometry of the arterial branches of the aortic arch, analysing potential asymmetries between the left common carotid (LC) and the combined right common carotid and brachiocephalic trunk (RC-BT complex) of left-handed and right-handed individuals. Selected geometric parameters of the vessels were measured, including minimum, mean, and maximum diameters, length, angle deviation, mean artery angle, and calculated resistance to blood flow. A revised version of the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory classified a sample of 71 participants, aged 21 to 96, into relevant handedness categories (left-handed = 8; right-handed = 62). An in-depth analysis of computed tomography angiography scans with RadiAnt DICOM Viewer (64-bit) imaging software was conducted. The findings confirm that right-handed individuals had dominant LC arteries (21.57% increased flow) that are presumably responsible for the higher metabolic demand of the left hemisphere of the brain (5.7%) in such individuals. Conversely, left-handed individuals had dominant RC-BT complex arteries (61.57% increased flow) that are responsible for a higher metabolic demand of the right hemisphere (16.21%). This difference was particularly evident in the geometric parameters of minimum and maximum arterial diameters, and calculated resistance to blood flow. Measurements of right-handers' alternate arterial branching patterns showed a significant increase in overall blood flow resistance in both vessels, with a particular increase in RC-BT complex resistance. Therefore, despite the branching abnormality, a handedness-related bias was still evident. The findings concur with existing hemodynamic studies of the carotid arteries.
Improved Spectral Efficiency Through Multiuser MIMO Across Small Cells

Current and future mobile network access technologies increasingly rely on multiantenna transmission techniques and on cell miniaturization to achieve orders-of-magnitude gains in capacity. In this paper, we propose and evaluate the idea of multiuser multiple-input-multiple-input-based (MU-MIMO) cell reassignments. Dense small-cell deployments make it possible to pair user equipment units (UEs), which were originally assigned to different cells, enabling multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) and resulting in performance improvements to both UEs. We discuss how such pairings can be accomplished, and we assess the potential gains in the resulting spectral efficiency and MU-MIMO usage. These are assessed through both discussion of performance bounds and detailed system-level simulation in a realistic outdoor small-cell scenario.
THE OFFSET CRASH TEST - A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TEST METHODS

This research will discuss the issue of how the currently used frontal crash tests correlate to actual accidents. The following data will be presented in relation to this: 1. Results of offset crash tests now being conducted, and results of vehicle-to-vehicle crash tests, especially results of crash tests in which the vehicles have different weights. 2. Why do such differences occur? 3. Differences between the results of tests with moving deformable barriers (MDB) which are being studied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and results of vehicle-to-vehicle crash tests. 4. Results of modifications to test methods The following aspects of the above mentioned issues will be discussed: 1. Important items and information to be considered in studying crash test methods to be used in the future. 2. Information which needs to be taken into consideration in developing cars in the future.
Influence of diet on the experimental infection of pigs with Brachyspira pilosicoli

The effects of five different diets on the experimental infection of pigs with a Danish field isolate of Brachyspira pilosicoli were investigated. The diets tested were a pelleted and a non-pelleted standard diet based on wheat and barley, the standard diet supplemented with 2 per cent lactic acid, a fermented liquid feed and a diet based on cooked rice. Two trials were conducted, each with six groups of six pigs; in each, two of the groups were fed the standard diet. One of these groups and the other four groups were challenged after two weeks on the diets and euthanased four weeks later. The clinical signs of B pilosicoli infection varied from loose stools to watery, mucoid diarrhoea. The group fed the rice diet excreted B pilosicoli in their faeces for a significantly shorter period than the group fed the standard diet (P<0.01), and fewer of them excreted the organism (P<0.05). All the pigs fed the pelleted diet excreted B pilosicoli in their faeces, and significantly more of them showed clinical signs of disease than the pigs fed the standard diet (P<0.05). The fermented liquid feed and the diet containing lactic acid had no significant effect on the excretion of B pilosicoli or on the numbers of pigs showing clinical signs of disease.
Treatment for Tuberculosis Infection With 3 Months of Isoniazid and Rifapentine in New York City Health Department Clinics.

BACKGROUND Completion of treatment for tuberculosis infection (TBI) with 9 months of self-administered daily isoniazid (9H) has historically been low (<50%) among New York City (NYC) Health Department tuberculosis clinic patients. Treatment of TBI with 3 months of once-weekly isoniazid and rifapentine (3HP) administered under directly observed therapy (DOT) might increase treatment acceptance and completion. METHODS The study population included patients diagnosed with TBI at 2 NYC Health Department tuberculosis clinics from January 2013 through November 2013. Treatment acceptance and completion with 3HP were compared with historical estimates. Treatment outcomes, side effects, and reasons for refusing 3HP were described. RESULTS Among 631 patients eligible for TBI treatment, 503 (80%) were offered 3HP; 302 (60%) accepted, 92 (18%) chose other treatment, and 109 (22%) refused treatment. The most common reason for refusing 3HP was the clinic-based DOT requirement. Forty (13%) patients treated with 3HP experienced side effects--9 were restarted on 3HP, 18 switched treatment regimens, and 13 discontinued. Although treatment acceptance did not differ from historical estimates (78% vs 79%, P = .75), treatment completion increased significantly (65% vs 34%, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of 3HP in 2 NYC Health Department tuberculosis clinics increased TBI treatment completion by 31 percentage points compared with historical estimates. More flexible DOT options may improve acceptance of 3HP. Wider use of 3HP may substantially improve TBI treatment completion in NYC and advance progress toward tuberculosis elimination.
Predictability of El Ni\~no as a Nonlinear Stochastic Limit Cycle

The El Ni\~no phenomenon, synonymously El Ni\~no-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is an anomalous climatic oscillation in the Equatorial Pacific that occurs once every 3-8 years. It affects the earth's climate on a global scale. Whether it is a cyclic or a sporadic event, or whether its apparently random behaviour can be explained by stochastic dynamics have remained matters of debate. Herein ENSO is viewed, unconventionally, as a two-dimensional dynamical system on a desktop. The main features of ENSO: irregularity, interannual variability, and the asymmetry between El Ni\~no and La Ni\~na are captured, simply, comprehensibly, quickly and cheaply, in a nonlinear stochastic limit cycle paradigm. Its predictability for ENSO compares remarkably well with that of the best state-of-the-art complex models from the European and American meteorological centres. Additionally, for the first time, by analyzing subsurface Equatorial Pacific data since 1960, this model finds that long-term variations are not caused by ENSO itself, but by external sources.
Analytical Bounds on the Critical Density for Percolation in Wireless Multi-Hop Networks

In this paper we develop analytical bounds on the critical density for percolation in wireless multi- hop networks, but in contrast to other studies, under a random connection model and with nodes Poissonly distributed in the plane $\mathbb{R}^2$. The establishment of a direct connection between any two nodes follows a random connection model satisfying some intuitively reasonable conditions, i.e. rotational and translational invariance, non- increasing monotonicity and integral boundedness. It is well known that under the above network model and connection model there exists a critical density below which almost surely a fixed but arbitrary node is connected (via single or multi-hop path) to finite number of other nodes only, and above which the node is connected to an infinite number of other nodes with a positive probability. In this paper we investigate the bounds on the critical density. The result is compared with the existing results under a specific connection model, i.e. the unit disk communication model, and it is shown that our method generates bounds close to the known ones. The result provides valuable insight into the design of large- scale wireless multi-hop networks.
Network-Oblivious Algorithms

The design of algorithms that can run unchanged yet efficiently on a variety of machines characterized by different degrees of parallelism and communication capabilities is a highly desirable goal. We propose a framework for network-obliviousness based on a model of computation where the only parameter is the problem's input size. Algorithms are then evaluated on a model with two parameters, capturing parallelism and granularity of communication. We show that, for a wide class of network-oblivious algorithms, optimality in the latter model implies optimality in a block-variant of the decomposable BSP model, which effectively describes a wide and significant class of parallel platforms. We illustrate our framework by providing optimal network-oblivious algorithms for a few key problems, and also establish some negative results.
Determinants of Capital Structurein Non-Financial Companies

In this paper, we evaluate firm-, industry- and country-specific factors determining a firm's capital structure. The empirical validity of several capital structure theories has been ambiguous so far. We shed light on the main drivers of leverage and depict differences in industry and country characteristics. Using a short panel data set with a large cross-section, we are able to show that firm size, industry leverage, industry growth and tax shield positively affect leverage ratios, while profitability and liquidity have negative impacts. Moreover, our model is an improvement over Rajan and Zingales' (1995) four-factor core model in terms of explaining data variation. The results are robust against different panel estimators, decompositions and over time.
A study of a weight-adjusted aprotinin dosing schedule during cardiac surgery.

UNLABELLED Aprotinin is effective during cardiac surgery for reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements, but it is expensive. Aprotinin is usually administered to adults according to a fixed protocol regardless of the patient's weight. We previously developed a weight-based dosing protocol for aprotinin. The purpose of this prospective observational study was to determine aprotinin levels in four patient groups (n = 10 each) using the new weight-based aprotinin dosing schedule that should achieve concentrations over 100, 150, 200, and 250 kallikrein inhibitory units/mL compared with full-dose aprotinin regimen (n = 10) by a simple functional aprotinin assay. There was no difference in patient demographic or surgical variables among groups. There was less within patient variation in plasma aprotinin concentrations over time in the new weight-based aprotinin dosing schedule groups compared with the full-dose aprotinin regimen group (P < 0.02 for all comparisons). The mean plasma aprotinin concentration achieved with the new weight-based aprotinin dosing schedule was similar to the desired concentrations, but we were unable to reduce between-patient variability in aprotinin concentrations. IMPLICATIONS The current dosing schedule for aprotinin results in a large variation in aprotinin plasma concentrations between patients and a large variation within each patient over time. A new weight-based dosing schedule reduced variation of aprotinin concentration over time, but was unable to reduce between-patient variability in aprotinin concentration.
Oxygen‐Deficient Hematite Nanorods as High‐Performance and Novel Negative Electrodes for Flexible Asymmetric Supercapacitors

Oxygen-deficient α-Fe2 O3 nanorods with outstanding capacitive performance are developed and demonstrated as novel negative electrodes for flexible asymmetric supercapacitors. The asymmetric-supercapacitor device based on the oxygen-deficient α-Fe2 O3 nanorod negative electrode and a MnO2 positive electrode achieves a maximum energy density of 0.41 mW·h/cm(3) ; it is also capable of charging a mobile phone and powering a light-emitting diode indicator.
Association between human cytomegalovirus infection and histone acetylation level in various histological types of glioma

At present, glioma is the most common intracranial tumor and accounts for 40–60% of intracranial tumors. Glioma is highly anaplastic and demonstrates invasive growth. Although considerable progression has been achieved in the treatment of malignant glioma, the prognosis of this disease remains poor. Over the previous decade, several studies have confirmed that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) enhances the growth or survival of tumors. This is likely to occur through mechanisms distinct from those of classic tumor viruses, which express transforming viral oncoproteins in the majority of tumor cells. The immediate-early 2 protein (IE86; 86 kDa) of HCMV is a key regulator for viral replication and host cell proliferation. The present study aimed to identify the association between the acetylation level and HCMV IE86 expression in various histological types of glioma. Tissue samples were obtained from 60 patients with glioma, consisting of 25 patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), 16 patients with anaplastic glioma and 19 patients with low-grade glioma, in addition to 9 tissue samples obtained from the normal cortex, which were used as the control. The in situ protein expression of IE86, which is encoded by the IE2 gene, activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5), P300, acetyl-histone H3K9 and acetyl-histone H3K14 was detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels of ATF5, IE2 and P300 were measured by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction in GBM, anaplastic glioma, low-grade glioma and normal cortex tissue specimens. The protein levels of ATF5, IE86, P300, acetyl-histone H3K9 and acetyl-histone H3K14 were assessed by western blot analysis in high-grade glioma, low-grade glioma and normal cortex tissues. Analysis of the expression of the proteins revealed that the excessive expression of the HCMV IE86 protein is associated with the malignancy degree and acetylation level in glioma. IE86 expression is also associated with ATF5, which is an anti-apoptotic protein that is highly expressed in malignant glioma, but not in normal brain tissues. The expression level of IE86 may demonstrate considerable importance for the evaluation of the malignancy degree of human gliomas and extensive application in diagnostic and therapeutic medicine.