Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of flexibility control for ATP access of hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 helicase couples adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding and hydrolysis to polynucleotide unwinding. Understanding the regulation mechanism of ATP binding will facilitate targeting of the ATP-binding site for potential therapeutic development for hepatitis C. T324, an amino acid residue connecting domains 1 and 2 of NS3 helicase, has been suggested as part of a flexible hinge for opening of the ATP-binding cleft, although the detailed mechanism remains largely unclear. We used computational simulation to examine the mutational effect of T324 on the dynamics of the ATP-binding site. A mutant model, T324A, of the NS3 helicase apo structure was created and energy was minimized. Molecular dynamics simulation was conducted for both wild type and the T324A mutant apo structures to compare their differences. For the mutant structure, histogram analysis of pairwise distances between residues in domains 1 and 2 (E291-Q460, K210-R464 and R467-T212) showed that separation between the two domains was reduced by ∼10% and the standard deviation by ∼33%. Root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) analysis demonstrated that residues in close proximity to residue 324 have at least 30% RMSF value reductions in the mutant structure. Solvent RMSF analysis showed that more water molecules were trapped near D290 and H293 in domain 1 to form an extensive interaction network constraining cleft opening. We also demonstrated that the T324A mutation established a new atomic interaction with V331, revealing that an atomic interaction cascade from T324 to residues in domains 1 and 2 controls the flexibility of the ATP-binding cleft.
The impact of restaurant patrons’ flow experience on SNS satisfaction and offline purchase intentions

Purpose It is important for restaurants’ social networking sites (SNSs) to provide a flow experience because it encourages positive brand responses and attracts consumers. However, there is a paucity of research on SNS flow experience in the restaurant industry, and more importantly, most of the research is focused only on online behavior. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how SNS flow antecedents (skill, challenge, telepresence and time distortion) influence overall flow, SNS satisfaction and offline restaurant purchase intentions. In addition, this study examined the mediating role of SNS satisfaction between flow and offline purchase intentions. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was carried out to examine the patron’s flow experiences. 517 valid responses were analyzed to test hypotheses using structural equation model. Findings The results indicated that four antecedents of SNS flow positively influenced overall flow. Specifically, time distortion was the most influential antecedent. Overall flow positively influenced SNS satisfaction and offline purchase intentions. Furthermore, SNS satisfaction acted as a mediator between overall flow and offline purchase intentions. Practical implications The findings provide not only new insights for restaurant managers to implement SNS marketing but also several strategies to encourage consumer’s flow on restaurant SNS. Originality/value This study investigated the theoretical framework of flow experience more in depth than previous research as dealing with four dimensions of SNS flow antecedents: skill, challenge, telepresence and time distortion.
Quality of life of patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a disease with a high disease burden. Few studies have assessed quality of life (QoL) of RRP patients. This study compares QoL of these patients with controls. Associations between QoL and sociodemographic and illness‐related factors are examined, as is uptake of psychosocial care and speech therapy.
Person-blame versus system-blame explanations of school discipline conflict.

Most current research on discipline problems and practical popular solutions focus on individual students, teachers or administrators as the prime "cause" of the problem. It is possible to interpret and resolve discipline problems focusing on system "causes. " This dissertation explores the implications of these alternative points of view and concludes that the system-blame orientation is equally plausible, more just, more efficient and less oppressive. These conclusions are based on a review of the research on school discipline (Chapter 2), statistical patterns of discipline conflict over a two year period in one urban desegregated junior high school (Chapter 3), extensive observations of the school disciplinary and classroom interactions (Chapter 4), and a brief historical explanation for the predominance of person-blame explanations and solutions (Chapter 5) . The concluding chapter contains recommendations for system-oriented solutions to school discipline problems. While the majority of research on school discipline is "objective" in the methods employed, they are used to investigate questions with hidden ideological and political commitments. For example, if a researcher only asks "what are the characteristics of individuals involved in discipline problems? ", the conclusions will say very little about systemcauses, no matter how objective and sophisticated the methodology. Virtually every person-blame research question and empirical finding can be reinterpreted from an equally plausible system-blame viewpoint. The study of discipline problems in one urban desegregated junior high school provided an opportunity to develop appropriate diagnostic questions and methods. The first set of data consisted of all the written anecdotal and official records kept by the assistant principals in charge of discipline during the first semester of 1972 and 1973. The roughly 1,000 recorded incidents each semester were coded into nine neutral (neither person or system-blame) categories. Frequencies of occurrence of each type were tabulated by such variables as sex, race, track, day of the week, teacher, grade, etc. High frequency associations were interpreted as
Blood Group Antigen Expression in Dysplasia: and Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate

Blood group antigens have been implicated as markers in oncogenesis; however, studies of blood group antigen expression in the prostate have yielded conflicting data. This study examined the expression of A, B, H, X, and Lewis antigens in 30 prostates removed for adenocarcinoma, by utilizing monoclonal antibodies, Ulex europaeus agglutin I (for H type-2 chains), and the secretor status. A, B, and Ulex staining of the normal prostate most commonly demonstrated strong staining of 5–15% of cells. Staining of central and peripheral zones was similar, and nodules of hyperplasia showed no difference in staining. Antibodies to Lea, Leb, and X showed no staining or only pale staining of less than 10% of the normal prostatic epithelial cells. Ulex staining of intermediate and high-grade areas of tumor showed a diffuse staining pattern that was consistently greater than that of the normal glands. In contrast, low-grade tumors stained similarly to normal glands with Ulex. In 15 of 16 cases of dysplasia, Ulex staining was increased over normal and was similar to the adjacent carcinoma. A, B, Lea, Leb, and X antigens were negative in adenocarcinoma and dysplasia. This study supports the hypothesis that dysplasia represents a premalignant lesion; it further suggests that concomitant with malignant transformation, a disturbance occurs in enzyme activity. The result is augmentation of H type-2 expression in dysplasia and less-differentiated adenocarcinomas, and a loss of A, B, Lea, and Leb expression in dysplasia and all carcinomas.
Do markets learn to rationally expect US interest rates? An anchoring approach

ABSTRACT We propose an augmented and dynamic forecast anchoring model to examine whether a group of rational forecasters coexists with or emerges besides a group of forecasters employing heuristic rules. This model is consistent with the economically rational expectations theory. Using experts’ 3-month and 10-year Treasury bill rate survey expectations at short and long horizons, we find that aggregate expectations fail to exhibit a learning process towards rationality. While forecasters essentially anchor their judgements to heuristics, a small proportion of agents rationally forecast the short-term interest rate, possibly due to Federal Reserve’s transparency practice in the conduct of monetary policy and forward guidance at the zero lower bound.
A Measurement Invariance Examination of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale in a Southern Sample

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale in a large sample of youth from the Southern United States. The authors aimed to determine (a) if the established six-factor Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale structure could be replicated in this Southern sample and (b) if scores were associated with measurement invariance across African American and Caucasian youth representative of youth from this region of the United States. The established six-factor model evidenced the best fit in comparison to one-, two-, and five-factor models in the total sample (N = 12,695), as well as in the African American (n = 4,906) and Caucasian (n = 6,667) subsamples. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis also supported measurement invariance across African American and Caucasian youth at the levels of equal factor structure and equal factor loadings. Noninvariant item intercepts were identified, however, indicating differential functioning for a subset of items. Clinical and measurement implications of these findings are discussed and new norms are presented.
Influences on Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors in Tamil Immigrant Women 50 Years Old and Over

Objective To investigate, using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework, the incentives and barriers to breast cancer screening in a recent immigrant group, older Tamil women from Sri Lanka. Method Tamil women who had had a mammogram and Tamil women who had never had a mammogram were compared on the following variables: socio-demographics, personal risk estimates for breast cancer, risk-reduction expectancies, beliefs and knowledge about breast cancer and screening recommendations, and acculturation. Results Groups differed significantly in terms of education, years living in North America, acculturation, and beliefs/knowledge about breast cancer. When education and acculturation were controlled, perceived barriers to mammography were most predictive of mammography utilization. Discussion Results are discussed with a view to developing culture-appropriate educational campaigns.
Effectiveness of the extended mean-variance model using fuzzy approach for portfolio selection in Malaysian stock market / Zulkifli Mohamed ...[et al.]

Purpose of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of the extended mean-variance model using fuzzy approach in maximizing portfolio diversification benefit in the Malaysian stock market. 10 types of portfolios involving 300 listed companies in Bursa Malaysia from 1998 to 2009 were used as a sample for the extended model testing. Linear programming optimization tool was used to derive efficient portfolios. Portfolio superiority then been measured by using the efficient frontier index (EFI). Empirical evidence revealed that the extended meanvariance model is able to maximize portfolio’s diversification benefit in the Malaysian stock market compared to the conventional mean-variance and the VBS fuzzy models. The result provides on how the Malaysian investors could improve on their investment strategy. This study is perhaps one of the first to address portfolio diversification benefit using the extended mean-variance model in the Malaysian stock market.
Identification of a ClpC ATPase required for stress tolerance and in vivo survival of Listeria monocytogenes

We identified a new chromosomal locus involved in the virulence of the facultative intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. This locus displays the same genetic organization as that of the clpC/mecB locus of Bacillus subtilis. It contains a thermoregulated operon of four genes, whose transcription is upregulated at 42°C. The last gene of this operon is clpC, which encodes a protein of 826 amino acid residues, identified as a ClpC ATPase, sharing a strong peptide sequence identity (78%) with ClpC/MecB of B. subtilis. Tn917 insertions inactivating the entire operon, or only clpC, gave mutants highly susceptible to stress, including iron limitation, elevated temperatures and high osmolarity. The virulence of these mutants was severely impaired in the mouse. A clpC insertional mutant was also restricted in its capacity to grow in bone‐marrow‐derived macrophages. These results demonstrate that the ClpC ATPase of L. monocytogenes is a general stress protein involved in intracellular growth and in vivo survival of this pathogen in host tissues.
Hybrid PWM-Resonant Converter for Electric Vehicle On-Board Battery Chargers

A novel hybrid pulse-width-modulation resonant converter is presented in this paper for electric vehicle (EV) 3.3-kW on-board battery chargers (OBCs). While the proposed converter has all the benefits of the earlier developed hybrid converters for OBCs, the proposed converter has fewer components and achieves much lower voltage stress in the rectifying diodes compared to the earlier hybrid converters. As a result, it is possible to employ superior diodes such as Schottky barrier diodes below 300 V featuring low forward-voltage drop and better reverse-recovery for EV 3.3-kW OBC applications. In addition, the proposed converter achieves much better transformer utilization compared to the earlier hybrid converters. Due to this, the proposed converter can achieve more optimal efficiency over the overall battery charging profile. The effectiveness of the proposed converter has been verified with the experimental results under an output voltage range of 250-420-V dc at 3.3 kW.
Wage differentials associated with race between 2002 and 2014 in Brazil: evidence from a quantile decomposition

ABSTRACT Throughout the 2000s Brazil went through a great phase of economic development. The present study seeks to investigate whether this movement was accompanied by a reduction in inequality in the labor market, measured here by the wage gap between whites and non-whites. To do so, three cohorts of time (2002-2004, 2007-2009 and 2012-2014) were analyzed using the microdata of the National Household Sampling Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Amostragem Domiciliar - Pnad). The applied method is the counterfactual Oaxaca-Blinder along with the Recentered Influence Function Regression (RIF-Regression) so that the main determinants of wage inequalities can be detailed throughout the salary distribution. Our results showed that wage gap (totals, due to observed factors and discrimination) are higher in the higher quantiles of the distribution, that is, in professions or activities with higher wages. The results also point that the wage gap between the groups decreased during the analyzed period, which was mainly due to observable characteristics, especially educational levels. However, discrimination decreased only between the first and second triennium and in low magnitude. Apart from that, the main determinants of racial wage gap are returns related to education, experience and professions considered unregulated (self-employment and informal workers).
Treatment of refractory ascites with an automated low‐flow ascites pump in patients with cirrhosis

Refractory ascites (RA) is a frequent complication of cirrhosis, requiring large volume paracentesis or placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS). The automated low‐flow ascites pump (alfapump, Sequana Medical AG, Zurich, Switzerland) is an innovative treatment option for patients with RA.
Vascular Access in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis in Libya

Purpose A native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) represents the optimal form of Vascular Access (VA) for patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). In Libya there are several barriers to AVF creation including lack of adequate preparation for dialysis and surgical services. We aimed to conduct the first comprehensive study of VA utilisation in HD patients in Libya. Methods A prospective observational study included all adult patients receiving HD treatment in 25 HD facilities in Libya from May 2009 to Nov 2011. Researchers gathered data regarding VA through interviews with staff and patients as well as medical records. Patients with definitive VA were re-interviewed after 1 year. Results At baseline the majority of patients (91.9%; n=1573) were using permanent VA in the form of AVF or arteriovenous graft. Patients with permanent VA were more likely to be male and less likely to be diabetic than those with CVCs. Most patients had commenced HD using a temporary CVC (91.8%). VA-related complications were: thrombosis (46.7%), aneurysm (22.6%), infection (11.5%) and haemorrhage (10.2%). Incident VA thrombosis was reported by 14.7% in 1 year. Independent risk factors for incident thrombosis were female gender and diabetes. Hospitalisation for VA related complications was reported by 31.4%. Conclusions Few patients in Libya initiate HD with definitive VA, but most achieve it thereafter. Improved dialysis preparation and increased provision of surgical services are required to increase the proportion of patients initiating HD with definitive VA and should be a priority in rebuilding health services in Libya after the recent conflict.
Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Interpersonal Psychotherapy in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Practice guidelines have recommended cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) as the treatment of choice for major depression disorder (MDD). However, whether one therapy is better than the other remains inconclusive. The aim of this study was to compare the treatment efficacy of the two treatment approaches for MDD. Methods: Using the terms “cognitive behavior therapy or cognitive therapy or CBT or CT or cognitive behavioral therapy” and “interpersonal psychotherapy or IPT,” we systematically searched PubMed, Psyclnfo and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases up to February 2017. The language was restricted to be English and Chinese. Therapeutic outcomes, characteristics, and research quality were then extracted and analyzed independently. In accessing the included studies, we followed the criteria suggested by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Results: Data for 946 patients from 10 randomized controlled trials were included in the study. Methodological quality was not optimal in most trials. Meta-analysis showed a mean difference (MD) of −1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−2.49, −0.12) (P < 0.05) in favor of CBT according to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and however, we did not found any statistically significant difference between CBT and IPT on the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression (HRSD) (MD −0.90, 95% CI [−2.18, 0.38]). Subgroup analyses for the studies in which patients were treated only by psychotherapy (MD −1.26, 95% CI [−2.78, 0.35]) and for those which offered more sessions of therapies (MD −0.82, 95% CI [−2.23, 0.59]) showed there was no significant difference between CBT and IPT according to BDI. Conclusions: Differences in treatment efficacy seem to vary according to different outcome measures. CBT shows an advantage over IPT for MDD according to BDI, and there is no significant difference between the two according to HRSD. These results should be interpreted with caution.
An In Vitro Study of the Photodynamic Effectiveness of GO-Ag Nanocomposites against Human Breast Cancer Cells

Graphene-based materials have garnered significant attention because of their versatile bioapplications and extraordinary properties. Graphene oxide (GO) is an extremely oxidized form of graphene accompanied by the functional groups of oxygen on its surface. GO is an outstanding platform on which to pacify silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), which gives rise to the graphene oxide-silver nanoparticle (GO-Ag) nanocomposite. In this experimental study, the toxicity of graphene oxide-silver (GO-Ag) nanocomposites was assessed in an in vitro human breast cancer model to optimize the parameters of photodynamic therapy. GO-Ag was prepared using the hydrothermal method, and characterization was done by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-rays Analysis (EDAX), atomic force microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The experiments were done both with laser exposure, as well as in darkness, to examine the phototoxicity and cytotoxicity of the nanocomposites. The cytotoxicity of the GO-Ag was confirmed via a methyl-thiazole-tetrazolium (MTT) assay and intracellular reactive oxygen species production analysis. The phototoxic effect explored the dose-dependent decrease in the cell viability, as well as provoked cell death via apoptosis. An enormously significant escalation of 1O2 in the samples when exposed to daylight was perceived. Statistical analysis was performed on the experimental results to confirm the worth and clarity of the results, with p-values < 0.05 selected as significant. These outcomes suggest that GO-Ag nanocomposites could serve as potential candidates for targeted breast cancer therapy.
The chromosome 9q genes TGFBR1, TSC1, and ZNF189 are rarely mutated in bladder cancer

This study assessed a series of bladder tumours and bladder tumour cell lines for sequence variation in the Krüppel‐like zinc finger gene ZNF189, the tuberous sclerosis complex gene 1 (TSC1), and the TGF beta receptor type I (TGFBR1). All three genes have been mapped to 9q regions commonly deleted in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Mutation analysis of the coding sequence of these genes revealed several variant bands that were shown to represent polymorphisms. Mutation analysis of the ZNF189 gene in bladder cancer cell lines identified one amino acid substitution (lysine→isoleucine) at position 323 in exon 4. For the TSC1 gene, two mutations were identified in two out of 27 independent cell lines. Both mutations result in a truncated protein. Furthermore, one out of 36 bladder tumours had a frameshift mutation in exon 7 of the TSC1 gene. No tumour‐specific mutations were found in the TGFBR1 gene. The length of the polyalanine tract present in exon 1 of the TGFBR1 gene was also investigated. It has been suggested that the allele with six alanines (6A) is more frequent in patients with bladder and other cancers, so bladder cancer patients were compared with normal controls. In both groups, the percentage of heterozygotes was 17%. These data do not support a role for the 6A allele in bladder cancer susceptibility. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.