Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural Basis for the Interconversion of Maltodextrins by MalQ, the Amylomaltase of Escherichia coli*

Background: Amylomaltase MalQ catalyzes the transglycosylation of maltose and maltodextrins in E. coli. Results: Three different x-ray structures and the product equilibrium concentrations for different substrates were determined. Conclusion: MalQ undergoes major conformational changes during catalysis, and its product spectrum depends on substrate chain length. Significance: Novel insights into the MalQ mechanism and its key role for maltose metabolism in E. coli were obtained. Amylomaltase MalQ is essential for the metabolism of maltose and maltodextrins in Escherichia coli. It catalyzes transglycosylation/disproportionation reactions in which glycosyl or dextrinyl units are transferred among linear maltodextrins of various lengths. To elucidate the molecular basis of transglycosylation by MalQ, we have determined three crystal structures of this enzyme, i.e. the apo-form, its complex with maltose, and an inhibitor complex with the transition state analog acarviosine-glucose-acarbose, at resolutions down to 2.1 Å. MalQ represents the first example of a mesophilic bacterial amylomaltase with known structure and exhibits an N-terminal extension of about 140 residues, in contrast with previously described thermophilic enzymes. This moiety seems unique to amylomaltases from Enterobacteriaceae and folds into two distinct subdomains that associate with different parts of the catalytic core. Intriguingly, the three MalQ crystal structures appear to correspond to distinct states of this enzyme, revealing considerable conformational changes during the catalytic cycle. In particular, the inhibitor complex highlights the requirement of both a 3-OH group and a 4-OH group (or α1–4-glycosidic bond) at the acceptor subsite +1 for the catalytically competent orientation of the acid/base catalyst Glu-496. Using an HPLC-based MalQ enzyme assay, we could demonstrate that the equilibrium concentration of maltodextrin products depends on the length of the initial substrate; with increasing numbers of glycosidic bonds, less glucose is formed. Thus, both structural and enzymatic data are consistent with the extremely low hydrolysis rates observed for amylomaltases and underline the importance of MalQ for the metabolism of maltodextrins in E. coli.
In vivo changes in central and peripheral insulin sensitivity in a large animal model of obesity.

Obesity disrupts homeostatic energy balance circuits leading to insulin resistance. Here we examined in vivo peripheral and central insulin sensitivity, and whether central insensitivity in terms of the voluntary food intake (VFI) response occurs within the hypothalamus or at blood-brain transfer level, during obesity and after subsequent weight loss. Sheep with intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) cannulae were fed complete diet for 40 wk ad libitum (obese group) or at control level (controls). Thereafter, obese sheep were food restricted (slimmers) and controls fed ad libitum (fatteners) for 16 wk. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measured total body fat, insulin analyses in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assessed blood-brain transfer, i.v. glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) measured peripheral insulin sensitivity, and VFI responses to icv insulin assessed intrahypothalamic sensitivity. Insulinemia was higher in obese than controls; plasma insulin correlated with DEXA body fat and CSF insulin. Insulinemia was higher in fatteners than slimmers but ratio of CSF to plasma insulin correlated only in fatteners. Plasma glucose baseline and area under the curve were higher during GTT and ITT in obese than controls and during ITT in fatteners than slimmers. GTT and ITT glucose area under the curve correlated with DEXA body fat. VFI decreased after i.c. v. insulin, with response magnitude correlating negatively with DEXA body fat. Overall, insulin resistance developed first in the periphery and then within the brain, thereafter correlating with adiposity; central resistance in terms of VFI response resulted from intrahypothalamic insensitivity rather than impaired blood-brain transfer; modest weight loss improved peripheral but not central insulin sensitivity and induced central hypoinsulinemia.
The complexity of neighbourhood relations in a multiethnic social housing project in Copenhagen

This article examines the nature of coexistence in a multiethnic social housing project in Copenhagen, focusing on neighbourhood relations between majority Danes and ethnic minorities. Despite the general assumption that ethnic majorities and minorities have no neighbourhood relations, this case study reveals multifarious ways of relationship-making. Whereas the residents tended to emphasise separation between ethnic groups, their everyday practices indicated coexistence. These contrasts reflect the residents’ affirmations and contestations of the public national discourse about immigration, social integration and urban life. The variety of neighbourhood practices illustrates a complex social reality characterised by contrasts and ambivalences that represent different orders of identification and interaction and constitute coexisting tendencies of boundary maintenance and conviviality.
Second-order theories for extensional vibrations of piezoelectric crystal plates and strips

An infinite system of two-dimensional (2-D) equations for piezoelectric plates with general symmetry and faces in contact with vacuum is derived from the 3-D equations of linear piezoelectricity in a manner similar to that of previous work, in which an infinite system of 2-D equations for plates with electroded faces was derived. By using a new truncation procedure, second-order equations for piezoelectric plates with faces in contact with either vacuums or electrodes are extracted from the aforementioned infinite systems of equations, respectively. The second-order equations for plates with or without electrodes are shown to predict accurate dispersion curves by comparing to the corresponding curves from the 3-D equations in a range up to the cut-off frequencies of the first symmetric thickness-stretch and the second symmetric thickness-shear modes without introducing any correction factors. Furthermore, a system of 1-D second-order equations for strips with rectangular cross section is deduced from the 2-D second-order equations by averaging variables across the narrow width of the plate. The present 1-D equations are used to study the extensional vibrations of barium titanate strips of finite length and narrow rectangular cross section. Predicted frequency spectra are compared with previously calculated results and experimental data.
Relationships Among Attitudes, Behavioral Intentions, and Behavior

In a recent meta-analysis of attitude-behavior research, the authors of this article found a strong overall attitude-behavior relationship (r = .79) when methodological artifacts are eliminated. The trend in A-B research, however, is to conceive of behavioral intentions (BI) as a mediator between attitudes (A) and behaviors (B). In this study, it is hypothesized that (a) A-BI correlation would be higher than A-B correlation, (b) BI-B correlation would be higher than A-B correlation, (c) A-BI correlation would be higher than BI-B correlation, (d) the variation in BI-B correlations would be greater than that of A-BI, and (e) attitudinal relevance would affect the magnitude of the A-BI correlation. A series of meta-analyses, integrating the findings of 92 A-BI correlations (N = 16,785) and 47 B-BI correlations (N = 10,203) that deal with 19 specified categories and a variety of miscellaneous topics was performed. The results were consistent with all five hypotheses. The theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.
Identification of Aeromonas Species Isolated from Freshwater Fish with the Microplate Hybridization Method

Aeromonas isolates were obtained from the intestinal tracts of six species of cultured freshwater fish and identified on the basis of their genotypic and phenotypic characters. The microplate hybridization method could differentiate type strains of Aeromonas species and related bacteria. DNA-DNA hybridization analysis showed that 65 aeromonad isolates were 72 to 100% related with either Aeromonas caviae, Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas jandaei, Aeromonas sobria, or Aeromonas veronii. As many as 48% of the genotypically identified A. caviae, A. hydrophila, and A. sobria isolates differed from the type strains of corresponding species in one to three phenotypic characters. These results strongly suggest that not all aeromonad isolates from freshwater fish could be identified correctly on the basis of only the phenotypic characters, indicating the usefulness of the microplate hybridization method for the identification of aeromonads.
Language Attitudes of Teachers Scale (Lats)

This article examines the attitudes of 191 regular classroom teachers from three states toward children who are limited in their English proficiency (LEP). The 13-item Language Attitudes of Teachers Scale (LATS) was developed to investigate teachers' attitudes about linguistic diversity among their students. A principal components analysis produced three factors tentatively labeled Language Politics, LEP Intolerance, and Language Support. Internal consistency estimates of reliability (coefficient alpha) yielded . 81 for the scale and ranged from . 60 to . 72 for the three subscales. A single item measuring respondents' attitudes about having an LEP child in the classroom correlated -. 62 with the total LATS, providing modest support for construct validity.
Low-Income African American Fathers' Involvement in Children's Lives: Implications for Practitioners

ABSTRACT We were interested in how low-income African American fathers of 12-year-old children in families identified as high risk viewed their role as father. Four focus group discussions involving 19 fathers were conducted. We had four key questions: (1) what the men perceived as the children's needs, (2) how they met those needs, (3) what motivated them to be involved, and (4) what barriers they faced. The fathers emphasized the children's need for love and support, and were concerned about materialism, violence, and promiscuity as they struggled to instill “good” values. They described the challenges of raising children in dangerous environments, and concerns about their daughters and their sexuality. Some men found it difficult to be a parent figure without being the biological father or by not living with the child. Many of their views on parenting were similar to those reported elsewhere by white as well as middle class men. Implications for practitioners are included.
Legionella pneumophila infection is enhanced in a RacH-null mutant of Dictyostelium

Recently we reported that Dictyostelium cells ingest Legionella pneumophila by macropinocytosis, whereas other bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium avium, Neisseria meningitidis or Salmonella typhimurium, are taken up by phagocytosis.1 In contrast to phagocytosis, macropinocytosis is partially inhibited by PI3K or PTEN inactivation, whereas both processes are sensitive to PLC inhibition. Independently from reduced uptake, L. pneumophila proliferates more efficiently in PI3K-null than in wild type cells. PI3K inactivation also neutralizes resistance to infection conferred by constitutively expressing the endo-lysosomal iron transporter Nramp1. We have shown this to be due to altered recruitment of the V-H+ ATPase, but not Nramp1, in the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) early during infection.1 As further evidence for impaired LCV acidification we examine here the effects of disrupting the small G protein RacH on Legionella infection.
Effects of different measurement scales on the variability and predictive validity of the “two-component” model of the theory of planned behavior in the exercise domain

Limited measurement variability may reduce the ability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict desirable health behaviors. The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of five different measurement scales on the variability and predictive validity of the TPB in the exercise domain. A secondary purpose was to test the utility of the “two-component” TPB model (i.e., affective and instrumental attitudes, injunctive and descriptive norms, and perceived control and self-efficacy). We randomly assigned 422 undergraduate students to complete one of the five measurement scales. Results showed that the four experimental scales significantly increased the variability in most TPB measures but did not improve the model's predictive validity. Moreover, support was found for the “two-component” model for attitude and subjective norm but not for perceived behavioral control. It was concluded that the standard 7-point scale is still the optimal measurement scale for the TPB and that the “two-component” model is superior to the traditional model in the exercise domain.
The Roscommon Family Study. I. Methods, diagnosis of probands, and risk of schizophrenia in relatives.

OBJECTIVES We sought to examine, in a rural county in the West of Ireland, the degree of familial relationship between schizophrenia and other nonaffective psychoses and affective illness (AI). DESIGN A case-controlled epidemiologic family study using DSM-III-R criteria. PARTICIPANTS This study included three proband groups: (1) all cases with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia from the Roscommon County Case Register born from 1930 onward (n = 285); (2) a random sample of cases from the register with a clinical diagnosis of severe AI (n = 99); and (3) a matched, random sample of Roscommon residents ascertained from the electoral register (n = 150). Face-to-face structured interviews were conducted with 86% of traceable, living relatives (n = 1, 753) and 88% of traceable, living probands (n = 415). RESULTS In interviewed relatives, the lifetime risks (+/- SE) for schizophrenia, as a function of the "blind" proband diagnosis, were as follows: schizophrenia, 6.5% +/- 1.6%; schizoaffective disorder, 6.8% +/- 2.5%; schizotypal personality disorder, 6.9% +/- 3.9%; other nonaffective psychoses, 5.1% +/- 2.4%; psychotic AI, 2.8% +/- 1.2%; nonpsychotic AI, 0.6% +/- 0.6%; and control, 0.5% +/- 0.3%. Individuals with schizophrenia reproduced at a rate about one quarter that of controls and the risk for schizophrenia in parents of probands was much less than that found in siblings. CONCLUSIONS These results support the following hypotheses: (1) in the West of Ireland, as in other populations, schizophrenia is a strongly familial disorder; (2) schizophrenia shares a familial predisposition with a spectrum of clinical syndromes that includes schizoaffective disorder, other nonaffective psychoses, schizotypal personality disorder, and probably psychotic AI, but not nonpsychotic AI; and (3) the diminished reproductive rates associated with schizophrenia have a large impact on the pattern of risk of illness in relatives.
Transfer RNA-methylating enzymes in mammary carcinoma cells.

The activities of specific enzymes for the methylation of tRNA in mammary carcinomas of the C3H mouse and the Fischer rat were compared with those in normal mammary gland. The activities of several of these enzymes were markedly increased above normal values, resulting in an alteration in the enzyme activity profile characteristic of the normal cell. Although the amount of methylase activity in normal mammary tissues is proportional to the cellular content of tRNA, the elevated methylase activities of the carcinoma cells were associated with reduced tRNA contents. The extracts from the carcinomas formed an additional methylated base, 7-methylguanine, which was not formed by normal mammary extracts with an exogenous tRNA substrate. Several other normal tissues can methylate tRNA in the N 7-guanine position, however, suggesting that the genetic information for guanine 7-methylase has been activated in the neoplastic mammary cells.
Essential Oil Blend Containing Capsaicin, Carvacrol, and Cinnamaldehyde in Broiler Production Performance and Intestinal Morphometrics

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of supplementing broiler starter diet with different levels of an essential oil blend (EOB) containing capsaicin, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on the performance of broilers. A total of 300 day-old straight-run Cobb broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three treatments after 7-day group brooding following a completely randomized design (CRD). Birds assigned in treatment 1 were given starter basal diet while those in treatments 2 and 3 were given starter basal diet with 400 mg/kg antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) and 150 mg/kg EOB, respectively, until the 28th day. Basal finisher feed were given for all the treatments until harvest. Following 37 d feeding, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, dressing percentage, livability and jejunal villi height were determined. Results showed no significant differences (P>0.05) in growth performance. However, villi height and crypt depth was significantly lower for birds fed EOB. Keywords—Broiler, capsaicin, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, essential oil.
Variant parametric types: A flexible subtyping scheme for generics

We develop the mechanism of variant parametric types as a means to enhance synergy between parametric and inclusion polymorphism in object-oriented programming languages. Variant parametric types are used to control both the subtyping between different instantiations of one generic class and the accessibility of their fields and methods. On one hand, one parametric class can be used to derive covariant types, contravariant types, and bivariant types (generally called variant parametric types) by attaching a variance annotation to a type argument. On the other hand, the type system prohibits certain method/field accesses, according to variance annotations, when these accesses may otherwise make the program unsafe. By exploiting variant parametric types, a programmer can write generic code abstractions that work on a wide range of parametric types in a safe manner. For instance, a method that only reads the elements of a container of numbers can be easily modified so as to accept containers of integers, floating-point numbers, or any subtype of the number type.Technical subtleties in typing for the proposed mechanism are addressed in terms of an intuitive correspondence between variant parametric and bounded existential types. Then, for a rigorous argument of correctness of the proposed typing rules, we extend Featherweight GJ---an existing formal core calculus for Java with generics---with variant parametric types and prove type soundness.
On-line stator fault diagnosis in low voltage induction motors

If the induction motor voltage is high enough, it is possible to detect insulation degradation by means of partial discharge monitoring before a stator fault occurs. By contrast, in low voltage induction motors, the on-line stator fault diagnosis relies on the detection of inter-turn short circuits. This paper presents and analyses some of these techniques. Diagnostic techniques based on negative-sequence current, sequence impedances and current signature analysis are described.
Beta-Catenin Mutation Does Not Seem to Have an Effect on the Tumorigenesis of Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcomas

Involvement of the Wnt signal transduction pathway has been shown in different pediatric embryonal tumors, such as hepatoblastoma, nephroblastoma, pancreatoblastoma, and medulloblastoma. There are few data available on the status of beta-catenin in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), another pediatric embryonal tumor. The aims of this study were 1st to verify the status of the exon 3 of CTNNB1 and 2nd to assess the usefulness of beta-catenin immunostaining in a small series of 8 embryonal RMS, 3 alveolar RMS, and 1 sclerosing RMS (SRMS). Sequence analysis revealed no mutations in the exon 3 of CTNNB1 in all the tumors studied. All RMS showed a cytoplasmic beta-catenin staining with cytoplasmic membrane reinforcement and no nuclear delocalization. We conclude that there is no evidence of beta-catenin mutation in the genesis of rhabdomyosarcoma and that beta-catenin does not represent a useful immunomarker to help distinguish between embryonal RMS and alveolar RMS.
Increase in IFNγ−IL-2+ Cells in Recent Human CD4 T Cell Responses to 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza

Human CD4 T cell recall responses to influenza virus are strongly biased towards Type 1 cytokines, producing IFNγ, IL-2 and TNFα. We have now examined the effector phenotypes of CD4 T cells in more detail, particularly focusing on differences between recent versus long-term, multiply-boosted responses. Peptides spanning the proteome of temporally distinct influenza viruses were distributed into pools enriched for cross-reactivity to different influenza strains, and used to stimulate antigen-specific CD4 T cells representing recent or long-term memory. In the general population, peptides unique to the long-circulating influenza A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1) induced Th1-like responses biased toward the expression of IFNγ+TNFα+ CD4 T cells. In contrast, peptide pools enriched for non-cross-reactive peptides of the pandemic influenza A/California/04/09 (H1N1) induced more IFNγ−IL-2+TNFα+ T cells, similar to the IFNγ−IL-2+ non-polarized, primed precursor T cells (Thpp) that are a predominant response to protein vaccination. These results were confirmed in a second study that compared samples taken before the 2009 pandemic to samples taken one month after PCR-confirmed A/California/04/09 infection. There were striking increases in influenza-specific TNFα+, IFNγ+, and IL-2+ cells in the post-infection samples. Importantly, peptides enriched for non-cross-reactive A/California/04/09 specificities induced a higher proportion of Thpp-like IFNγ−IL-2+TNFα+ CD4 T cells than peptide pools cross-reactive with previous influenza strains, which induced more Th1 (IFNγ+TNFα+) responses. These IFNγ−IL-2+TNFα+ CD4 T cells may be an important target population for vaccination regimens, as these cells are induced upon infection, may have high proliferative potential, and may play a role in providing future effector cells during subsequent infections.
Diagnosis of Enterovirus Infection by Genus-Specific PCR and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays

ABSTRACT PCR for the diagnosis of enterovirus infections is resource intensive but is increasingly used due to wide availability. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) that detect heterotypical antibodies against enterovirus immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, and IgG were compared with reverse transcription-PCR by using primers specific to the 5′ untranslated regions of 60 enterovirus species. The ELISAs were less sensitive than the PCR, and only the ELISA for IgM was highly specific. When retrospective diagnosis is important or when specimens are unsuitable for PCR, the ELISA has a limited role if PCR is not available.
Checkmate? The role of gender stereotypes in the ultimate intellectual sport.

Women are surprisingly underrepresented in the chess world, representing less that 5% of registered tournament players worldwide and only 1% of the world's grand masters. In this paper it is argued that gender stereotypes are mainly responsible for the underperformance of women in chess. Forty-two male–female pairs, matched for ability, played two chess games via Internet. When players were unaware of the sex of opponent (control condition), females played approximately as well as males. When the gender stereotype was activated (experimental condition), women showed a drastic performance drop, but only when they were aware that they were playing against a male opponent. When they (falsely) believed to be playing against a woman, they performed as well as their male opponents. In addition, our findings suggest that women show lower chess-specific self-esteem and a weaker promotion focus, which are predictive of poorer chess performance. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.