Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘ER degradation’ of a mutant yeast plasma membrane protein by the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway

The yeast plasma membrane, uracil permease, undergoes ubiquitin‐dependent endocytosis and subsequent degradation in the vacuole via a process that does not involve the proteasome. Cell‐surface ubiquitination of this protein is mediated by the ubiquitin‐protein ligase Npi1p/Rsp5p and involves Lys63‐linked ubiquitin chains. This report describes the intracellular fate of a mutant form of uracil permease carrying a three amino acid insertion in a cytoplasmic loop. Most of this protein is not deployed beyond the ER, and is degraded by the 26S proteasome. Mutant permease degradation is almost unaffected in cells with impaired Npi1p/Rsp5p, but is dependent on the Ubc6p and Ubc7p ubiquitin‐conjugating enzymes, suggesting that proteolysis of the protein requires its prior ubiquitination. Overproduction of a derivative of ubiquitin with a modified Lys48 strongly impairs mutant permease degradation. This suggests that, like other proteasome substrates, mutant permease might be polyubiquitinated with Lys48‐linked ubiquitin chains. These findings provide an example of a yeast plasma membrane protein that is routed to the ‘ER degradation’ pathway, and highlight the versatility of the ubiquitin system. —Galan, J.‐M. , Cantegrit, B. , Garnier, C. , Namy, O. , Haguenauer‐Tsapis, R. ‘ER degradation’ of a mutant yeast plasma membrane protein by the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway. FASEB J. 12, 315–323 (1998)
Predictive value of venom‐specific IgE, IgG and IgG subclass antibodies in patients on immunotherapy with honey bee venom

Sixty‐seven patients with a history of severe systemic reactions following honey bee stings were treated by immunotherapy (IT) with honey bee venom. During maintenance therapy all were submitted to a sting challenge under clinical conditions. 15 developed mostly minor symptoms of a systemic reaction while 52 showed only a local swelling at the sting site. Phospholipase A2‐specific IgE, IgG and IgG subclass serum antibodies were estimated in samples obtained before IT and immediately before the challenge. Specific IgE decreased in reactors and in non‐reactors. There was no difference between the two groups at any time. Specific total IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 increased in both reactors and non‐reactors during IT. An early increase of specific IgG1, was observed while specific IgG4 remained elevated throughout the treatment. Specific total IgG was higher in reactors than non‐reactors before the challenge, specific IgG1 higher in reactors before treatment and specific IgG4 higher in reactors than non‐reactors both before treatment and before challenge. In the individual patient, no single antibody estimation or combination of various antibodies was predictive of the outcome of a sting challenge.
Passively  $Q$ -Switched Red Pr3+-Doped Fiber Laser With Graphene-Oxide Saturable Absorber

In this letter, a compact Q-switched red (635.7 nm) praseodymium (Pr3+)-doped fluorozirconate fiber laser using graphene-oxide (GO) as a saturable absorber (SA) is demonstrated experimentally. Furthermore, a silica fiber end coated with a dielectric film was employed to construct the compact resonator. The laser possesses a wide range of pulse repetition rate from 64.1 to 195.3 kHz and the minimum pulse duration of 554 ns. This is the first reported passively Q-switched laser, to the best of our knowledge, at visible region with a GO SA. The experimental results show that the GO can be a promising SA for visible pulsed lasers.
Impact of Halal and non-halal slaughtering on the microbiological characteristics of broiler chicken meat and sausages.

The halal (permissible) rules of slaughter are based on Islamic law. The animal has to be alive and healthy, a Muslim has to perform the slaughter in the appropriate ritual manner, and the animal's throat must be cut by a sharp knife severing the carotid artery, jugular vein and windpipe in a single swipe. Blood must be drained out of the carcass. The main objectives of this study were to compare between the quality characteristics of chicken slaughtered according to Islamic rules (halal) and those slaughtered according to non-Islamic rules (non-halal). Twenty hydroid strains of broiler chickens were used and their weights ranging between 1.5-1.75 kg, these chickens were divided into two groups; the first group were slaughtered according to Islamic rule, while according to non-Islamic rule. Sausage was prepared from both types of meat. Microbiological methods were used to analyze chicken meat as well as sausage. The results showed that coliforms were not detected in halal chicken meat, while the non-halal meat contained 3.0 x 103 c.f. u. /g. Moreover, the E. coli were found in relatively large number in non-halal meat (4.0 x 104 c.f.u./g) in contrast to halal meat which did not contain any E.coli cells. The halal meat sausage samples were not contaminated with either Coliforms, E. coli or Salmonella, while the non-halal meat sausage contained 15.0 x 105, 23.3 x 104 and 15.0 x 104 c.f. u. /g of Coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella, respectively. It is highly recommended to follow the Islamic rule in slaughtering poultry and to apply hazard analysis and food hygiene to reduce the risk of cross contamination with foodborne pathogens in poultry farms.
ANALISIS FAKTOR – FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI RETURN SAHAM (Kasus pada Perusahaan Manufaktur yang Go Public di BEI periode tahun 2005 - 2009)

Problems in the study of some previous studies showed inconsistent results, this research was conducted to re-examine the influence of fundamental factors consisting of return on assets (ROA), debt to equity ratio (DER), earnings per share (EPS), and price to book value (PBV) together and partial effect on Stock Return manufacturing companies in Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2005-2009. The sample size used in this study was of 114 manufacturing companies went public on the Stock Exchange with the determination of the sample using purposive sampling. The type of data using secondary data using documentation. Return on assets (ROA) has no significant effect on stock return manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Debt to equity ratio (DER) has a significant influence on stock return manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Earning per Share (EPS) has no significant effect on stock return manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Price to book value (PBV) has a significant influence on stock return manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Taken together (simultaneously) return on assets, debt to equity ratio, earnings per share and price to book value has a significant influence on stock return manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Keywords: Return on Assets, Debt To Equity Ratio, Earning Per Share, Price To Book Value and Stock Return
Initiation of protein association in tofu formation by metal ions

Magnesium and calcium ions are important factors in making tofu. However, the molecular role of these ions remains unclear in tofu formation. We have previously shown that magnesium chloride concentration-dependent produced silken tofu-like (SP) and regular tofu-like (RP) precipitates, but was an inconsequential factor for the retention of tofu. We investigated in this present study, the effect of various metal chlorides on the metal chloride concentration-dependent changes in tofu formation. These changes occurred in a similar manner to that of the magnesium ion, in which SP formation was followed by RP formation. It is interesting that the midpoint concentration for the formation of SP and RP represented a good correlation with the stability constant of EDTA. This correlation demonstrated the possibility that metal ions would interact with the carboxyl groups of soy proteins. We consider from these results that metal ions were the initiators of protein association in tofu formation.
Epidemiological characteristics of peripheral artery disease: retrospective study.

UNLABELLED Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common condition. Over the past 20 years the risk factors for PAD have changed. AIMS To identify the regional characteristics of the patients with PAD and the sex- and urban/rural-related differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective study on patients admitted to the Iasi "St. Spiridon' University Hospital in the interval 2007-2012. The dataset was prepared for t student analysis in in view of determining statistical significance. RESULTS Of the 361,248 patients admitted to the 20 units of the hospital, 2,623 patients were diagnosed with advanced stages of PAD (Leriche--Fontain III and IV). Significant statistical differences were found between men and women, and between rural and urban men (p = 0.001). 20.5% of the patients underwent amputations. CONCLUSIONS This is one of the first studies that has identified urban/rural differences. The characteristics specific to PAD patients from North-Eastern Romania are presented.
Characterization of the Inhibitory Action of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A on the Release of Several Transmitters from Rat Cerebrocortical Synaptosomes

Abstract: Under optimised conditions for intoxication, botulinum neurotoxin type A was shown to inhibit ∼90% of Ca2+‐dependent K+‐evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine, [3H]noradrenaline, and [3H]dopamine from rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes; cholinergic terminals were most susceptible. In each case, the dose‐response curve for the neurotoxin was extended, with about 50% of evoked release being inhibited at ∼10 nM whereas 200 nM was required for the maximal blockade. This may suggest some heterogeneity in the release process. The action of the toxin was time and temperature dependent and appeared to involve binding and sequestration steps prior to blockade of release. The neurotoxin failed to exert any effect on synaptosomal integrity or on Ca2+‐independent release of the transmitters tested; it produced only minimal changes in neurotransmitter uptake although small secondary effects were detected with cholinergic terminals. Blockade by the neurotoxin of Ca2+‐dependent resting release of transmitter was apparent; Sr2+, Ba2+, or high concentrations of Ca2+ restored the resting release of 3H‐catecholamine but not [3H]acetylcholine. Interestingly, none of the latter conditions or 4‐aminopyridine could reverse the toxin‐induced blockade of evoked release. This lack of specificity in its action on synaptosomes. and other published findings, lead to the conclusion that toxin‐sensitive component(s) exist in all nerve terminals that are concerned with transmitter release.
Stock and Bond Pricing with Liquidity Risk

The paper tests the liquidity linkage between the stock and Treasury bond markets and its implications for asset pricing. We find that liquidity has a cross-market effect, which we attribute to trading activity across markets. We show that stock returns contain not only an illiquidity premium of the stock market as has been documented in the literature, but also an illiquidity premium of the bond market. A difference of 10 percentage points in the exposure to bond illiquidity risk between two stocks translates into a difference of 7 to 9 percent in their expected returns per year. Bond returns also contain an illiquidity premium of both the stock and bond markets. We document that the illiquidity of the stock market and/or unexpected shock to the bond market illiquidity dominate the momentum factor in the Carhart's (1997) four-factor model. We introduce a five-factor model. Finally, we test the cross-market liquidity effect within an arbitrage-free affine joint stock and bond pricing model with stock and bond market liquidity included in the vector of state variables, and find support for the model. Under the model's restrictions, a 10 percentage points change in the stock illiquidity leads to 1.4% change in the risk free rate per year. Overall, the paper contributes to the integration between stock and bond markets.
THE EFFECT OF AUDITORS’ ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING ON AUDIT FEES, COST OF DEBT AND NET COMPLIANCE BENEFIT

OF DISSERTATION THE EFFECT OF AUDITORS’ ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING ON AUDIT FEES, COST OF DEBT AND NET COMPLIANCE BENEFIT In this study, I use Section 404(b) of the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act as an exogenous shock to examine the effect of auditors’ assessment of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) on audit fees, cost of debt, and net value of compliance between 2002 and 2010. Using firms themselves as their own control, this study conducts firm-fixed effects analyses to explore the close causal effect of SOX 404(b) on compliance costs (proxied by audit fees), compliance benefit (proxied by cost of debt) and net compliance benefit (proxied by Tobin’s q). Through analyzing how SOX 404(b) affects firms’ compliance cost, compliance benefit, and net compliance benefit, the results suggest that SOX 404(b) decreases firms’ cost of debt, but also imposes compliance costs. Overall, SOX 404(b) increases firm value premium by around 8.63%. The study also examines whether the 2007 reforms have achieved their purpose by comparing audit fees before and after the 2007 reforms.
Transaction Costs and Reputation-Based Trust in Biotech Alliances

Reputation-based trust, reflecting the time-dependency of trust, influences inter-firm alliances. A literature review resulted in hypotheses which were tested in an empirical study based on a quantitative analysis and in-depth interviews with firms in the bio tech sector of human health in the Netherlands. In high dynamic markets firms use reputation-based trust as an informal coordination mechanism for alliances. However, it does not reduce the necessity of contracts. Reputation results in a decline of overall transaction costs of alliances. Reputation-based trust reduces the uncertainty between alliance partners and the frequency of interaction. It does not result in an increase of asset specific investments.
Executives’ Fringe Benefits in Langkawi Hotels

An important element of human resources, compensation is an effective tool to attract and retain skilled employees. Despite its crucial importance the literature concerning executive compensation in the hotel industry is very few especially those focusing on fringe benefits. To fill the gap in the hotel human resources literature, this study assessed the level of fringe benefits provided to executives in the hotel industry. The purpose of this empirical study was to gain information regarding executives’ compensation in the industry. Stratified random sampling technique was used to ensure that the findings represented hotels of various star-ratings. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed to the ratio of 6:3:4 to three-, four- and five-star hotels and 104 were returned. The findings revealed that there is a statistically significant difference in the fringe benefits given between three -, four - and five-star hotels, and the star rating of hotels positively correlates with the level of fringe benefits provided to hotel executives.
Role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in galactosamine hepatitis: Mechanism of adherence to hepatic endothelial cells

To investigate the role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in galactosamine‐induced hepatic injury, we injected rats intraperitoneally with antiserum against rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes to deplete circulating neutrophils, then administered galactosamine plus lipopolysaccharide. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the hepatic sinusoids were increased after administration of galactosamine plus lipopolysaccharide, whereas pretreatment with the antiserum decreased the number of circulating leukocytes and reduced the mortality and the severity of hepatic injury. Serum collected 1 hr after galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide treatment enhanced in vitro polymorphonuclear leukocyte adherence to hepatic endothelial cells and induced leukocyte superoxide production. Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 expression on hepatic endothelial cells was also enhanced after stimulation with the serum. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte adhesion was partially inhibited by an antibody against tumor necrosis factor‐α but not by superoxide dismutase. These results suggest that polymorphonuclear leukocytes play an important role in galactosamine‐induced hepatic injury and that the accumulation and activation of leukocytes, as well as the enhanced expression of adhesion molecules on hepatic endothelial cells, can be induced by biologically active mediators such as tumor necrosis factor‐α. In addition, prostaglandins E1 and E2 lessened the enhanced adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and thus contributed to protection against hepatic injury. (Hepatology 1994;20:1548–1556).
Redundant disk arrays: Reliable, parallel secondary storage. Ph.D. Thesis

During the past decade, advances in processor and memory technology have given rise to increases in computational performance that far outstrip increases in the performance of secondary storage technology. Coupled with emerging small-disk technology, disk arrays provide the cost, volume, and capacity of current disk subsystems but, by leveraging parallelism, many times their performance. Unfortunately, arrays of small disks may have much higher failure rates than the single large disks they replace. Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) use simple redundancy schemes to provide high data reliability. This dissertation investigates the data encoding, performance, and reliability of redundant disk arrays. Organizing redundant data into a disk array is treated as a coding problem in this dissertation. Among alternatives examined, codes as simple as parity are shown to effectively correct single, self-identifying disk failures. The performance advantages of striping data across multiple disks are reviewed in this dissertation. For large transfers this parallelism reduces response time. Striping data also automatically distributes independent, small accesses across disks to increase throughput. This dissertation evaluates the performance lost to the maintenance of redundant data. This loss is negligible for large transfers but can be significant for small writes because of increases in aggregate disk service time. Because disk arrays include redundancy to protect against the high failure rates caused by large numbers of disk components, it is crucial that disk failures be characterized. This dissertation provides evidence that disk lifetimes can be modeled as exponential random variables. Building on an exponential model for disk lifetimes, this dissertation presents analytic models for disk-array lifetime, evaluates these against event-driven simulation, and applies them to an example redundant disk array. These models incorporate the effects of independent and dependent disk failures (shared support hardware) as well as the effects of on-line spare disks. For the example redundant disk array, these models show that a 10% overhead for an N + 1-parity encoding plus a 10% overhead for on-line spares can provide higher reliability than the 100% overhead of conventional mirrored disks.
Normative reputation and the costs of compliance

In this paper, the role of normative reputation in reducing the costs of complying with norms will be explored. In previous simulations (Conte & Castelfranchi 1995), in contrast to a traditional view of norms as means for increasing co-ordination among agents, the effects of normative and non-normative strategies in the control of aggression among agents in a common environment was confronted. Normative strategies were found to reduce aggression to a much greater extent than non-normative strategies, and also to afford the highest average strength and the lowest polarisation of strength among the agents. The present study explores the effects of the interaction between populations following different criteria for aggression control. In such a situation the normative agents alone bear the cost of norms, due to their less aggressive behaviour, while other agents benefit from their presence. Equity is then restored by raising the cost of aggression through the introduction of agents' reputation. This allows normative agents to avoid respecting the cheaters' private property, and to impose a price for transgression. The relevance of knowledge communication is then emphasised by allowing neighbour normative agents to communicate. In particular, the spreading of agents' reputation via communication allows normative agents to co-operate without deliberation at the expense of non-normative agents, thereby redistributing the costs of normative strategies.
Wide Range of Viral Load in Healthy African Green Monkeys Naturally Infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT The distribution and levels of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in tissues and plasma were assessed in naturally infected African green monkeys (AGM) of the vervet subspecies (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) by limiting-dilution coculture, quantitative PCR for viral DNA and RNA, and in situ hybridization for SIV expression in tissues. A wide range of SIV RNA levels in plasma was observed among these animals (<1,000 to 800,000 copies per ml), and the levels appeared to be stable over long periods of time. The relative numbers of SIV-expressing cells in tissues of two monkeys correlated with the extent of plasma viremia. SIV expression was observed in lymphoid tissues and was not associated with immunopathology. Virus-expressing cells were observed in the lamina propria and lymphoid tissue of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as within alveolar macrophages in the lung tissue of one AGM. The range of plasma viremia in naturally infected AGM was greater than that reported in naturally infected sooty mangabeys. However, the degree of viremia in some AGM was similar to that observed during progression to AIDS in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. Therefore, containment of viremia is an unlikely explanation for the lack of pathogenicity of SIVagm in its natural host species, AGM.
Monitoring Spatiotemporal Surface Soil Moisture Variations During Dry Seasons in Central America With Multisensor Cascade Data Fusion

Soil moisture is a critical element in the hydrological cycle, which is intimately tied to agriculture production, ecosystem integrity, and hydrological cycle. Point measurements of soil moisture samples are laborious, costly, and inefficient. Remote sensing technologies are capable of conducting soil moisture mapping at the regional scale. The advanced microwave scanning radiometer on earth observing system (AMSR-E) provides global surface soil moisture (SSM) products with the spatial resolution of 25 km which is not sufficient enough to meet the demand for various local-scale applications. This study refines AMSR-E SSM data with normalized multiband drought index (NMDI) derived from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to provide fused SSM product with finer spatial resolution that can be up to 1 km. Practical implementation of this data fusion method was carried out in Central America Isthmus region to generate the SSM maps with the spatial resolution of 1 km during the dry seasons in 2010 and 2011 for various agricultural applications. The calibration and validation of the SSM maps based on the fused images of AMSR-E and MODIS yielded satisfactory agreement with in situ ground truth data pattern wise.