Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Powerful Partners: Arabidopsis and Chemical Genomics

Chemical genomics (i.e. genomics scale chemical genetics) approaches capitalize on the ability of low molecular mass molecules to modify biological processes. Such molecules are used to modify the activity of a protein or a pathway in a manner that it is tunable and reversible. Bioactive chemicals resulting from forward or reverse chemical screens can be useful in understanding and dissecting complex biological processes due to the essentially limitless variation in structure and activities inherent in chemical space. A major advantage of this approach as a powerful addition to conventional plant genetics is the fact that chemical genomics can address loss-of-function lethality and redundancy. Furthermore, the ability of chemicals to be added at will and to act quickly can permit the study of processes that are highly dynamic such as endomembrane trafficking. An important aspect of utilizing small molecules effectively is to characterize bioactive chemicals in detail including an understanding of structure-activity relationships and the identification of active and inactive analogs. Bioactive chemicals can be useful as reagents to probe biological pathways directly. However, the identification of cognate targets and their pathways is also informative and can be achieved by screens for genetic resistance or hypersensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana or other organisms from which the results can be translated to plants. In addition, there are approaches utilizing “tagged” chemical libraries that possess reactive moieties permitting the immobilization of active compounds. This opens the possibility for biochemical purification of putative cognate targets. We will review approaches to screen for bioactive chemicals that affect biological processes in Arabidopsis and provide several examples of the power and challenges inherent in this new approach in plant biology.
Surface relaxation and oxygen adsorption behavior of different SiC polytypes: a first-principles study

The surface relaxations and oxygen adsorptions on C- and Si-terminated 3C-SiC(111) and 2H/4H/6H-SiC(0001) surfaces are systematically studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. First, the general surface relaxation trends of different SiC surfaces are explained using the electrostatic interaction and the calculation results of spin density distributions. In the second part of the present work, the relations between adsorption energies and stacking sequence are studied. We find that the adsorption energies of bridge, hollow-3 and T4 configurations on Si-terminated SiC surfaces increase with the increasing of the real number T(I), which is a translation of the polytypic sequence and quantifies the amount of ‘h’ character of the surface and of the deeper layers, while the energies of the on-top configurations on Si-terminated SiC surfaces and of all configurations on the C-terminated SiC surface seem to depend only on the stacking orientation of the topmost layer and not on the subsequent ones.
Comparison of radiation dose and image quality: 320-MDCT versus 64-MDCT coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare radiation dose and image quality of 320- and 64-MDCT angiography using prospective gating. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred seventy-four patients underwent 320-MDCT, and 95 patients underwent 64-MDCT. The scan parameters for 320-MDCT were 120 kVp, 400 mA, and gantry rotation of 350 milliseconds; the parameters for 64-MDCT were 120 kVp, 600 mA, and gantry rotation of 350 milliseconds. Effective dose (ED) was calculated from the dose-length product and a conversion factor (k = 0.014 mSv / mGy × cm). Two observers independently assessed image quality using a 3-point scale, where 3 denotes excellent quality and 1 denotes nondiagnostic quality, using a 16-segment model. Discrepancies were settled by consensus. RESULTS The ED was significantly lower in patients undergoing 320-MDCT angiography, with a median ED of 4.4 mSv (interquartile range [IQR], 3.4-6.2 mSv), compared with 64-MDCT angiography, with a median ED of 6.2 mSv (IQR, 5.5-6.9 mSv) (p = 0.0001). In patients with a heart rate of 65 beats/min or less (92%), the median radiation dose using 320-MDCT was 4.1 mSv (IQR, 3.2-6.1 mSv), and that for 64-MDCT angiography was 6.2 mSv (IQR, 5.8-6.9 mSv) (p = 0.0001). In patients with heart rate greater than 65 beats/min (8%), the median dose was higher with 320-MDCT (8.7 mSv; IQR, 5.9-14.3 mSv) than with 64-MDCT (5.8 mSv; IQR, 5.3-6.7 mSv) (p = 0.02). Segmental image quality was significantly better for 320-MDCT (excellent or good quality, 96.66%; nondiagnostic quality, 0.1%) than for 64-MDCT angiography (excellent or good quality, 86%; nondiagnostic quality, 3.33%) (all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Image quality was good for both 320- and 64-MDCT angiography. Overall radiation dose was significantly lower in 320-MDCT angiography when the heart rate was 65 beats/min or less. Every effort should be made to control heart rate to minimize radiation dose.
“It's good to talk”? the reform of joint consultation in British Telecom

Here the authors describe a series of changes to the structure and process of joint consultation introduced at British Telecom (BT) in the early 1990s. It describes and analyses the reasons for these changes and accounts for the largely hostile response from BT trade unions. The key claim is that management have refashioned joint consultation to better control and limit union activity in the firm and that the changes form part of a wider policy of union marginalisation at BT.
Monetary Policy Rules in the Pre-Emu Era: Is There a Common Rule?

Despite the great importance and final success of the convergence process that led to the establishment of the European Monetary Union, there is no clear agreement regarding the monetary policy pursued in the member countries during the convergence process. This paper contributes to the literature with an empirical analysis of the period from 1993 to 1998 that encompasses eleven EMU countries. In particular, Taylor type interest rate rules are estimated with monthly national data to find that, despite certain similarities and exceptions, the rule followed by each country is distinct and differs substantially from the standard Taylor rule. However, for most countries, the parameter estimates reflect the principles proclaimed by the monetary policy authorities and, in addition, it is shown that in most cases the estimated rules reproduce the policy setting quite closely. JEL Classification: E58, F41
Metabolic fuel kinetics in fish: swimming, hypoxia and muscle membranes

ABSTRACT Muscle performance depends on the supply of metabolic fuels and disposal of end-products. Using circulating metabolite concentrations to infer changes in fluxes is highly unreliable because the relationship between these parameters varies greatly with physiological state. Quantifying fuel kinetics directly is therefore crucial to the understanding of muscle metabolism. This review focuses on how carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids are provided to fish muscles during hypoxia and swimming. Both stresses force white muscle to produce lactate at higher rates than it can be processed by aerobic tissues. However, lactate accumulation is minimized because disposal is also strongly stimulated. Exogenous supply shows that trout have a much higher capacity to metabolize lactate than observed during hypoxia or intense swimming. The low density of monocarboxylate transporters and their lack of upregulation with exercise explain the phenomenon of white muscle lactate retention. This tissue operates as a quasi-closed system, where glycogen stores act as an ‘energy spring’ that alternates between explosive power release during swimming and slow recoil from lactate in situ during recovery. To cope with exogenous glucose, trout can completely suppress hepatic production and boost glucose disposal. Without these responses, glycemia would increase four times faster and reach dangerous levels. The capacity of salmonids for glucoregulation is therefore much better than presently described in the literature. Instead of albumin-bound fatty acids, fish use lipoproteins to shuttle energy from adipose tissue to working muscles during prolonged exercise. Proteins may play an important role in fueling muscle work in fish, but their exact contribution is yet to be established. The membrane pacemaker theory of metabolism accurately predicts general properties of muscle membranes such as unsaturation, but it does not explain allometric patterns of specific fatty acids. Investigations of metabolic fuel kinetics carried out in fish to date have demonstrated that these ectotherms use several unique strategies to orchestrate energy supply to working muscles and to survive hypoxia. Summary: Recent measurements of in vivo substrate kinetics, metabolite transporters and membrane properties greatly improve the understanding of metabolic fuel utilization in fish muscle.
Epidemiology of Diabetes—Status of a Pandemic and Issues Around Metabolic Surgery

The number of people with diabetes worldwide has more than doubled during the past 20 years. One of the most worrying features of this rapid increase is the emergence of type 2 diabetes in children, adolescents, and young adults. Although the role of traditional risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as genetic, lifestyle, and behavioral risk factors, has been given attention, recent research has focused on identifying the contributions of epigenetic mechanisms and the effect of the intrauterine environment. Epidemiological data predict an inexorable and unsustainable increase in global health expenditure attributable to diabetes, so disease prevention should be given high priority. An integrated approach is needed to prevent type 2 diabetes and must recognize its heterogeneity. Future research needs to be directed at improved understanding of the potential role of determinants, such as the maternal environment and other early life factors, as well as changing trends in global demography, to help shape disease prevention programs. Equally important is a better understanding of the role of metabolic surgery in helping to address the management both of persons with type 2 diabetes and of those persons in the community who are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, particularly in emerging nations where the diabetes epidemic is in full flight.
Human Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Module-containing Mucin-like Hormone Receptor 3 Is a New Member of the EGF-TM7 Family That Recognizes a Ligand on Human Macrophages and Activated Neutrophils*

The epidermal growth factor (EGF)-TM7 subgroup of G-protein-coupled receptors is composed predominantly of leukocyte-restricted glycoproteins defined by their unique hybrid structure, in which extracellular EGF-like domains are coupled to a seven-span transmembrane moiety via a mucin-like stalk. The EGF-TM7 group comprises mouse F4/80, human EGF module-containing mucin-like hormone receptor (EMR) 1, human EMR2, and human and mouse CD97, the genes for which map to human chromosome 19p13 and the syntenic regions of the mouse genome. In this study we describe the cloning and characterization of EMR3, a novel human EGF-TM7 molecule, and show the existence of its cellular ligand. The EMR3 gene maps closely to the existing members of the EGF-TM7 family on human chromosome 19p13.1 and, in common with other EGF-TM7 genes, is capable of generating different protein isoforms through alternative splicing. Two alternative splice forms have been isolated: one encoding a 652-amino acid cell surface protein consisting of two EGF-like domains, a mucin stalk, and a putative G-protein-coupled receptor domain and the other encoding a truncated soluble form containing only two EGF-like domains. As with other members of the EGF-TM7 family, EMR3 mRNA displays a predominantly leukocyte-restricted expression pattern, with highest levels in neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. Through the use of soluble EMR3 multivalent probes we have shown the presence of a ligand at the surface of monocyte-derived macrophages and activated human neutrophils. These interactions suggest a potential role for EMR3 in myeloid-myeloid interactions during immune and inflammatory responses.
A Signaling Theory of Unemployment

This paper presents a signaling explanation for unemployment. The basic idea is that employment at an unskilled job may be regarded as a bad signal. Therefore, good workers who are more likely to qualify for employment at a skilled job in the future are better off being unemployed than accepting an unskilled job. We present conditions under which all equilibria satisfying the Cho-Kreps intuitive criterion involve unemployment. However, there always exist budget balancing wage subsidies and taxes that eliminate unemployment. Also, for any unemployment equilibrium, either there always exists a set of Pareto improving wage taxes and subsidies, or we give conditions under which there exists a set of Pareto improving wage taxes and subsidies.
Effects of Ingesting Protein in Combination With Carbohydrate During Exercise on Endurance Performance: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Stearns, RL, Emmanuel, H, Volek, JS, and Casa, DJ. Effects of ingesting protein in combination with carbohydrate during exercise on endurance performance: a systematic review with meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 24(8): 2192-2202, 2010-Coingestion of protein with carbohydrate has been shown to enhance muscle recovery, particularly after intense bouts of exercise. However, performance benefits of ingesting a protein-carbohydrate drink during exercise remains unclear. Therefore, we used a systematic review with meta-analysis to examine the influence of protein ingestion during exercise on subsequent endurance performance. Eleven qualifying studies were included that contained 3 time-trial and 8 time-to-exhaustion cycling protocols. Only 3 of these studies controlled for caloric content and contained an isocaloric trial. Of the 11, 4 reported significant differences between a control and protein trial; however, none of these were isocaloric studies. The 3 time-trial protocols showed no significant improvement with protein. The meta-analysis of the time-trial studies revealed no significant overall effect (p = 0.73), whereas meta-analysis of time-to-exhaustion studies revealed a significant effect (p = 0.008). Of the time-to-exhaustion trials, the isocaloric studies found no significant effect (p = 0.71), whereas the isocarbohydrate studies revealed a significant effect (p = 0.05). The average percent improvement with ingestion of protein was 9.0%. The isocarbohydrate studies reported an improvement of 10.5%, whereas the isocaloric studies revealed a 3.4% improvement. We conclude that compared to carbohydrate alone, coingestion of protein and carbohydrate during exercise demonstrated an ergogenic effect on endurance performance when assessed by time to exhaustion and also where supplements were matched for carbohydrate (isocarbohydrate). Thus, the ergogenic effect of protein seen in isocarbohydrate studies may be because of a generic effect of adding calories (fuel) as opposed to a unique benefit of protein. Further research is warranted before a clear conclusion can be drawn.
Going for the Gold: Property Rights and Athletic Effort in Transitional Economies

This paper presents evidence consistent with an incentive-based theory of Olympic medal winning effort. As a result of a fundamental change in property rights regimes, the overall number of medals won by athletes from the former Soviet Bloc in Albertville and Barcelona was considerably below their medal totals in previous Winter and Summer Olympic Games. A reduction in the ability to appropriate the returns to medal winning led to a reduction in the supply of athletic effort during the 1992 Olympics. Copyright 1993 by WWZ and Helbing & Lichtenhahn Verlag AG
Information-Adjusted Noise Model: Evidence of Inefficiency on the Australian Stock Market

We describe the interaction between noise traders and information traders. We do not assume that information traders are error-free. Instead information traders make mistakes leading to under-reaction and over-reaction. Information traders may even add to pricing errors in the market. These interactions are captured in our information-adjusted noise model. We test our model using data from the Australian Stock Exchange. This market has a continuous information disclosure regime that allows us to determine when information is released to the market. We present evidence consistent with the notion that the market is often informationlly inefficient.
Selective Reconstitution and Recovery of Functional γ-Secretase Complex on Budded Baculovirus Particles*[boxs]

In vitro reconstitution of functions of membrane proteins is often hampered by aggregation, misfolding, or lack of post-translational modifications of the proteins attributable to overexpression. To overcome this technical obstacle, we have developed a method to express multimeric integral membrane proteins in extracellular (budded) baculovirus particles that are released from Sf9 cells co-infected with multiple transmembrane proteins. We applied this method to the reconstitution of γ-secretase, a membrane protease complex that catalyzes the intramembrane cleavage of β-amyloid precursor protein to release Aβ peptides, the major component of amyloid deposits in Alzheimer brains as well as of Notch. When we co-infected Sf9 cells with human presenilin 1 (PS1), nicastrin, APH-1a, and PEN-2, a high-molecular-weight membrane protein complex that contained PS1 exclusively in its fragment form associated with three other cofactor proteins was reconstituted and recovered in a highly γ-secretase-active state in budded virus particles, whereas nonfunctional PS1 holoproteins massively contaminated the parental Sf9 cell membranes. The relative γ-secretase activity (per molar PS1 fragments) was concentrated by ∼2.5 fold in budded virus particles compared with that in Sf9 membranes. The budded baculovirus system will facilitate structural and functional analyses of γ-secretase, as well as screening of its binding molecules or inhibitors, and will also provide a versatile methodology for the characterization of a variety of membrane protein complexes.
Perceived Effectiveness of Professional Development Programs of Teachers at Higher Education Level

The major purpose of the study was to assess the perceived effectiveness of professional development programs of teachers at higher educational level. The objectives of the study were: to assess university level teachers’ opinion about effectiveness of professional development training with reference to quality teaching, to measure university level teachers’ opinion about the effectiveness of the content applicability in classroom settings in taught professional development programs, to find out the effectiveness of professional development programs in leading to tackle with students related problems in classroom, to assess the effectiveness of professional development in introducing innovative teaching strategies. Data for the study was collected from teachers of Public Sector University. Major findings of the study were that university teachers were not satisfied with the effectiveness of content of professional development programs. The respondents were not satisfied with the professional development programs with reference to classroom related problems of students; follow-up of training, innovative teaching strategies and reflective practice aspects of professional development programs. On the basis of present study we recommended that the content of the professional development programs may be designed to address daily classroom problems of students, providing practical training in innovative teaching strategies, using innovative teaching strategies that are helpful in effective teaching and proper follow-up of every professional development program may be made mandatory through implementation of rules. In current era reflective practice is an important component of effective teaching. Therefore it is suggested that special programs may be design for training of university teachers in doing reflective practice. The result of the study may lead to redesigning of professional development courses of teachers. Keywords: Professional developments, university teachers, effectiveness, reflective practice, follow up
Biomechanical analyses of the performance of Paralympians: from foundation to elite level

A biomechanical analysis of sports performance provides an objective method of determining performance of a particular sporting technique. In particular, it aims to add to the understanding of the mechanisms influencing performance, characterization of athletes and provide insights into injury predisposition. While the performance in sport of able-bodied athletes is well recognized in the literature, less information and understanding are known on the complexity, constraints and demands placed on the body of an individual with a disability. This article provides a dialogue that outlines scientific issues of the performance analysis of multi-level athletes with a disability, including Paralympians. Four integrated themes are explored, the first of which focuses on how biomechanics can contribute to the understanding of sports performance in athletes with a disability and how it may be used as an evidence-based tool. This latter point questions the potential for a possible cultural shift led by the emergence of user-friendly instruments. The second theme briefly discusses the role of reliability of sports performance and addresses the debate of two-dimensional and three-dimensional analyses. The third theme addresses key biomechanical parameters and provides guidance to clinicians and coaches on the approaches adopted using the biomechanical/sports performance analysis for an athlete with a disability starting out, to the emerging and elite Paralympian. For completeness of this discourse, the final theme is based on the controversial issues on the role of assisted devices, and the inclusion of Paralympians into able-bodied sport. All combined, this dialogue highlights the intricate relationship between biomechanics and training of individuals with a disability. Furthermore, it illustrates the complexity of modern training of athletes, which can only lead to a better appreciation of the performances to be delivered in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Clinical relevance Biomechanical analysis can play a fundamental role in optimizing the performance of an athlete with a disability. Clinicians should be aware and understand the mechanisms that may influence performance and have an appreciation of the factors that may predispose such athletes to injury.