Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the Assignment of Rv0241c to Fatty Acid Synthase Type II of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ABSTRACT The fatty acid synthase type II enzymatic complex of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (FAS-II Mt ) catalyzes an essential metabolic pathway involved in the biosynthesis of major envelope lipids, mycolic acids. The partner proteins of this singular FAS-II system represent relevant targets for antituberculous drug design. Two heterodimers of the hydratase 2 protein family, HadAB and HadBC, were shown to be involved in the (3R)-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydration (HAD) step of FAS-II Mt cycles. Recently, an additional member of this family, Rv0241c, was proposed to have the same function, based on the heterologous complementation of a HAD mutant of the yeast mitochondrial FAS-II system. In the present work, Rv0241c was able to complement a HAD mutant in the Escherichia coli model but not a dehydratase-isomerase deficient mutant. However, an enzymatic study of the purified protein demonstrated that Rv0241c possesses a broad chain length specificity for the substrate, unlike FAS-II Mt enzymes. Most importantly, Rv0241c exhibited a strict dependence on the coenzyme A (CoA) as opposed to AcpM, the natural acyl carrier protein bearing the chains elongated by FAS-II Mt . The deletion of Rv0241c showed that this gene is not essential to M. tuberculosis survival in vitro. The resulting mutant did not display any change in the mycolic acid profile. This demonstrates that Rv0241c is a trans-2-enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase that does not belong to FAS-II Mt . The relevance of a heterologous complementation strategy to identifying proteins of such a system is questioned.
OVERCOMING FINANCIAL FRICTIONS WITH THE FRIEDMAN RULE

A general equilibrium model with financial frictions in which individuals may encounter unobservable investment opportunities is developed along the lines of Kiyotaki and Moore (2012). I study efficiency properties induced by money and monetary policy when financial frictions prevent optimal equilibrium allocations. By providing closed-form solutions to all prices, allocations, welfare, and, especially, the distribution of individuals with respect to assets, I show that the Friedman rule achieves maximal social welfare, independent of how tight the financial constraints may be. The same level of welfare would be induced by an omniscient central planner able to verify who has an investment opportunity.
Diagnostic performance of dual-energy CT for the detection of traumatic bone marrow lesions in the ankle: comparison with MR imaging.

PURPOSE To evaluate prospectively the performance of noncalcium images reconstructed from dual-energy (DE) computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of bone marrow lesions in patients with acute ankle joint trauma in comparison with magnetic resonance (MR) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study had local ethics board approval, and written informed consent was obtained. Thirty consecutive patients (15 women; mean age, 34 years±11.8 [standard deviation]) underwent dual-source DE CT (80 kVp and 140 kVp with tin filter) and MR imaging within 1 day following acute ankle trauma. DE CT data were postprocessed by using a three-material decomposition algorithm for generating noncalcium images. MR and noncalcium images were graded by two blinded, independent readers using a four-point system (1=distinct bone marrow lesion, 4=no lesion); CT numbers in noncalcium images were calculated by a third reader. MR imaging interpretations served as the reference standard. RESULTS Interreader agreement for qualitative grading of DE CT images was substantial (κ=0.66). The respective sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of DE CT for depicting distinct bone marrow lesions for both readers were 90.0% each, 80.5% and 81.6%, 25.4% and 26.5%, and 99.1% each. In regions without abnormality, CT numbers in noncalcium images gradually increased from proximal to distal location (P<.001). Significant differences in CT numbers were found in regions positive for bone marrow lesions compared with those that were negative (P<.001). CT numbers for the diagnosis of distinct bone marrow lesions according to MR imaging revealed areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.973, 0.813, and 0.758 for ankle mortise, talar dome, and talar body/head, respectively. CONCLUSION Compared with MR images, distinct traumatic bone marrow lesions of the ankle joint can be diagnosed on noncalcium images reconstructed from DE CT with high sensitivity and excellent negative predictive value, but with moderate specificity and low positive predictive value.
Financial constraints, investment efficiency and corporate governance: Empirical evidence from China

This paper focuses on the relationship between financial constraints, corporate governance and investment efficiency in China over the 2007-2011 period. In order to identify the existence of financial constraints, we grouped these companies according to their size, dividend payout and the KZ index. A model was estimated: financial constraints index model to examine the effect of investment efficiency on firms' financial constraints and to estimate the sensitivity of investments to cash flow. The study confirms that the financial constraints are positively and significantly associated with the sensitivity of investment to cash flow. We found that corporate governance and ownership have significant effects on firms' investment decisions. The results suggest that information asymmetry theory cannot fully explain the financial constraints and investment cash flow sensitivity in our country, so the corporate governance is an important determinant in explaining them.
Factors Predictive of Concomitant Injuries Among Children and Adolescents Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery

Background: The timing of treatment for pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries remains controversial. The risks of delaying reconstruction and the differences between age groups are poorly defined. Purpose: To investigate factors that contribute to the prevalence and severity of concomitant chondral and meniscal injuries among patients aged 14 to 19 years versus those aged ≤14 years at the time of ACL reconstruction. The hypothesis was that concomitant injuries would be more prevalent in older versus younger subjects. Also, a delay in surgery would be predictive of the presence and severity of concomitant knee injuries requiring additional operative procedures. Study Methods: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All subjects who underwent primary ACL reconstruction at a single tertiary pediatric hospital between 2005 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The location, severity, and treatment of all concomitant knee injuries were recorded. Chi-square tests were used to compare the prevalence of chondral and meniscal injuries in the older (age, 14-19 years; n = 165) versus younger (age, ≤14 years; n = 66) cohorts. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to the presence of a concomitant injury that required additional treatment. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to explore the relation between time to surgery and meniscal injury severity. Results: There was a significant relationship between time to surgery and the development of an irreparable meniscal injury (P < .05 for all) in both the younger and older groups. Time to surgery correlated with severity of chondral injury in the younger cohort (P = .0343) but not in the older cohort (P = .8877). In the younger cohort, only a delay in surgery >3 months (odds ratio [OR] = 4.8; 95% CI, 1.7-14.4; P = .0027) was significantly predictive of the presence of an injury that required additional operative procedures. In the older patients, a return to activity before surgery (OR = 3.8; 95% CI, 1.52-11.9; P = .0034) and obesity (OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-7.4; P = .0381) were significantly predictive of an injury that required additional operative procedures. Conclusion: Compared with younger subjects, the prevalence of concomitant knee injuries as well as the need for additional operative procedures was greater among older subjects. A delay to surgery correlated with increased severity of injury among both older and younger populations. A delay in surgery >3 months was the strongest predictor of the development of a concomitant injury in the younger cohort. A return to activity and obesity were significantly related to the presence of a concomitant knee injury in the older cohort.
Simplified Optimum Control Method for Monoinverter Dual Parallel PMSM Drive

This paper proposes a simplified optimum control strategy for a monoinverter dual parallel (MIDP) permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). With reference to the parallel PMSM unified model, two different auxiliary conditions are investigated. The first minimizes the supplied inverter current, and the second maximizes the motor's efficiency. Their formal expressions are derived by the introduction of three new normalized variables, linked to the load conditions. Thus, the optimum tracking considerations are general, and the parameters are independent. Simplified closed analytical forms are found for the optimum tracking, independently under steady-state and transient conditions. The selection of the best solution is then found via a parameter independent look-up table, and imposed through a closed-loop control diagram. The proposed control is compared to the present state of the art via experiments on a 1400-W MIDP PMSM test bench, showing an equivalent performance, with a lower computational burden.
The Effects of Dimensional Analysis on the Medication Dosage Calculation Abilities of Nursing Students

Although much has been written about the serious problem of medication errors resulting from inadequate medication calculation abilities of nurses, the dilemma still persists. This quast-experimental study examined whether the use of dimentional analysis would improve the medication dosage calculation abilities of nursing students. The findings of the study support the use of dimentional analysis is an effective problem solving method to assist nursing students in developing the mathematical and conceptual skills to accurately caiculate medication dosages and ensure the safe administration of medication
Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation reduces sympathetic preponderance in patients with tinnitus

Abstract Conclusion: Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) might offer a targeted, patient-friendly, and low-cost therapeutic tool for tinnitus patients with sympathovagal imbalance. Objectives: Conventionally, VNS has been performed to treat severe epilepsy and depression with an electrode implanted to the cervical trunk of vagus nerve. This study investigated the acute effects of tVNS on autonomic nervous system (ANS) imbalance, which often occurs in patients with tinnitus-triggered stress. Methods: This study retrospectively analysed records of 97 patients who had undergone ANS function testing by heart rate variability (HRV) measurement immediately before and after a 15–60 min tVNS stimulation. Results: The pre-treatment HRV recording showed sympathetic preponderance/reduced parasympathetic activity in about three quarters (73%) of patients. Active tVNS significantly increased variability of R-R intervals in 75% of patients and HRV age was decreased in 70% of patients. Either the variability of R-R intervals was increased or the HRV age decreased in 90% of the patients. These results indicate that tVNS can induce a shift in ANS function from sympathetic preponderance towards parasympathetic predominance. tVNS caused no major morbidity, and heart rate monitoring during the tVNS treatment showed no cardiac or circulatory effects (e.g. bradycardia) in any of the patients.
Initial mobility behaviors of people with visual impairment in a virtual environment using a mixed methods design

Visual impairment (VI) can result from many different ocular diseases and is defined as the poor functioning of the visual system. To describe the extent of VI, clinical measures of visual function are used, which include visual acuity (VA), visual field (VF) and contrast sensitivity (CS). When there is a reduction in any of these visual functions, safe and efficient mobility is one such activity that may be compromised. While there is currently no cure for VI-causing retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma, gene therapy is gaining traction as a possible treatment. Preliminary results have shown that patients have performed significantly better on mobility tasks, such as the navigation of an obstacle course, post-treatment. Interestingly, visual function measures have not always shown such significant improvement. It is therefore important to develop a standardized obstacle course that can assess therapy efficacy, as the drawbacks of current physical orientation and mobility obstacle courses include high cost of set-up, potential dangers to participants and the fact that performance may reflect non-visual abilities such as physical fitness. To address these concerns, we have investigated the use of a virtual obstacle course in people with visual impairment. Here we report the initial behaviors and strategies of people with visual impairment as they navigate through four obstacle tasks using a virtual reality headset.
Shielding Effectiveness of Protective Metallic Wire Meshes: EM Modeling and Validation

An effective-layer model is proposed to predict the EM shielding performances of metallic wire grids typically used as protective layers in carbon fiber-reinforced composite laminates for aeronautical applications. The model is valid over a wide frequency range and it takes into account the field penetration through the grating. The shielding performance of the wire grid is estimated by means of the average shielding effectiveness, which represents the response of the material to an incident plane wave having both transverse-magnetic and transverse-electric polarizations. The proposed model is validated by comparison with experimental data, which demonstrates its validity over a wide frequency range, up to 18 GHz.
In Pursuit of Time: Business Plan Sequencing, Duration and Intraentrainment Effects on New Venture Viability

In this study, we examine three under-explored dimensions of the temporal relationship between formal written business plans and the achievement of new venture viability. First, we theorize and investigate the effects of plan sequencing; arguing that a business plan written early on in new venture development increases the prospects of venture viability. Second, we examine plan duration effects, and argue that there is a curvilinear relationship between spending time on a plan and achieving venture viability. Finally, we investigate plan intraentrainment effects (synchronization with other gestation activities). We theorize that if plans are synchronized with other gestation activities, venture viability is more likely. Using longitudinal data and controlling for truncation and endogeneity issues, we find that it is beneficial to plan early but that this is contingent on how long a founder spent on a plan and whether or not a plan is intraentrained with other gestation activities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The agreement of point-of-care and standard laboratory electrolyte and glucose analysis in critically ill patients in a sub-Saharan tertiary teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND The critically ill patient undergoes rapid changes in the internal milieu requiring quick intervention. Point of care testing has been shown to be valuable in the early diagnosis and management of such patients. OBJECTIVE This study determined the agreement between I-STAT Abbot point of care testing with standard laboratory testing in the analysis of electrolytes and glucose concentrations in critically ill patients. METHODS The study was performed in a Sub-Saharan Tertiary Teaching Hospital in critically ill patients. Electrolyte and glucose analysis were measured with I-STAT Abbot Analyzer unit with parallel blood specimens (n = 30) tested in the laboratory on an ion-selective electrode, SFRI analyzer ISE 6000. RESULTS There was no significant difference in mean sodium, potassium, chloride and glucose between I-STAT POCT and standard laboratory measurements. The agreement between POCT and laboratory glucose was good p(c) = 0.967, mean difference of 0.79 and 95% limit of agreement from -3.83 to +5.107 mmol/L, p = 0.733. Bicarbonate was moderate (p) = 0.637, mean difference of 1.95 and 95% limit of agreement from -4.294 to +0.394 mmol/L, p = 0.101. There was moderate agreement for sodium (p(c)) = 0.32, mean difference of 5.8 and 95% limit of agreement from -0.378 to +11.98 mmol/L, p = 0.064. Agreement for potassium was moderate (p(c)) = 0.439, mean difference of 0.15 and limit of agreement from -0.401 to +0.701 mmol/L, p = 0.588. There was, however, a significant difference in mean chloride, and BUN values; chloride (p(c)) = 0.0796, mean difference of 13.8 and 95% limit of agreement from -7.55 to + 20.015 mmol/L. Blood urea nitrogen (p(c)) = 0.064, mean difference of 18.55 and 95% limit of agreement from -30.126 to +6.974 mmol/L. CONCLUSION The mean sodium, potassium, glucose and bicarbonate were comparable with moderate to good agreement between I-STAT POCT and ISE 6000 Analyzer. Though, the mean BUN and chloride levels between the analytical methods differ significantly.
Awareness of cardiovascular disease in eastern Saudi Arabia

Objective: To estimate the awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and their determinants in a screening campaign in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: All national residents in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia aged 30 years and above, were invited to participate in a screening campaign for the early detection of diabetes and hypertension at more than 300 examination posts throughout the eastern province. A pre-structured questionnaire was designed to collect data on age, gender, marital status, education level, occupation, lifestyle habits, and history of heart attack, angina, arterial disease, stroke, and transient ischemic attack. Weight, height, blood pressure, and glucose concentration were measured. Results: Out of 197,681 participants, 5372 (2.7%) were aware of a history of a CVD. The prevalence correlated well with age. It was higher in women, widows, and subjects with lower level of education. More than 75% of affected subjects had two or more risk factors. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of those with a history of CVD had multiple risk factors, necessitating an effective, focused policy for the prevention and treatment. Increased effort is required to promote an awareness of cardiac disease and also probably target primary care providers involved in the screening process.
DNA repair gene polymorphisms do not predict response to radiotherapy-based multimodality treatment of patients with rectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND : A number of association studies have been carried out to investigate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair genes and response to radiotherapy-based multimodality treatment of patients with rectal cancer. However, their conclusions were inconsistent. The objective of the present study was to assess the role of DNA repair gene genetic polymorphisms in predicting genetic biomarkers of the response in rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Studies were retrieved by searching the PubMed database, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ISI Web of Knowledge. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms and the response in rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation by checking odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Data were extracted from 5 clinical studies for this meta-analysis. The results showed that XRCC1 RS25487, XRCC1 RS179978, XRCC3 RS861539, ERCC1 RS11615 and ERCC2 RS13181 were not associated with the response in the radiotherapy-based multimodality treatment of patients with rectal cancer (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that DNA repair gene common genetic polymorphisms are not significantly correlated with the radiotherapy-based multimodality treatment in rectal cancer patients.
Involvement of interleukin‐1β mediated nuclear factor κB signalling pathways to down‐regulate prostate‐specific antigen and cell proliferation in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

Involvement of NF‐κB (nuclear factor κB) mediated by IL‐1β (interleukin‐1β) on cell proliferation and PSA (prostate‐specific antigen) production of LNCaP prostate cell lines and the possible cross‐talk with Akt (also known as protein kinase B) signalling pathway has been investigated. NF‐κB and Akt were analysed by Western blotting from LNCaP cells treated by IL‐1β before proliferation and PSA production were measured. IL‐1β inhibited proliferation and decreased PSA production. The Akt pathway was not sensitive, whereas NF‐κB phosphorylation occurred as a result of treatment. PSA production and proliferation of LNCaP cells were down‐regulated by NF‐κB mediated by IL‐1β promoting anti‐apoptotic signalling and co‐suppressor factors of PSA expression. IL‐1β through NF‐κB activation provides a rationale for therapeutic approaches in the anticancer treatment of prostate.
The impact of later trading hours for hotels (public houses) on breath alcohol levels of apprehended impaired drivers.

AIM To examine the impact of extended trading permits (ETPs) for licensed hotels in Perth, Western Australia on impaired driver breath alcohol levels (BALs) between July 1993 and June 1997. DESIGN Forty-three hotels obtained ETPs allowing later closing hours and 130 maintained standard closing time (controls). Impaired driver BALs were linked to 'last place of drinking' hotels. Before and after period BALs of drivers who last drank at ETP or non-ETP hotels were compared by time of day of apprehension and sex, controlling for age. FINDINGS Impaired female drivers apprehended between 10.01 p.m. and 12 midnight (before closing time) had significantly lower BALs after drinking at ETP hotels. Male drivers aged 18-25 years and apprehended between 12.01 and 2.00 a.m. after drinking at ETP hotels had significantly higher BALs than drivers who drank at non-ETP hotels. CONCLUSIONS At peak times for alcohol-related offences, late trading is associated with higher BALs among those drinkers most at risk of alcohol-related harm.
Aggregate Reallocation Shocks, Occupational Employment and Distance

A unique general equilibrium model featuring many occupations and aggregate shocks is created to study occupational employment dynamics by imposing a correlated TFP structure across occupations along with distance between occupations. Productivity processes across occupations are correlated with similar occupations experiencing similar fluctuations. Mobility frictions and the correlated-productivity structure produce a systematic relationship between occupational employment correlations and occupational distance that does not arise when productivity processes are independent. Using employment data and measures of task-distance between occupations from the U.S. economy, a negative relationship between the correlation of occupational employment and task-distance separating occupation-pairs is uncovered.