Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insights into Escherichia coli RNA polymerase structure from a combination of x-ray and electron crystallography.

Our goal is to understand the mechanism of transcription and its regulation. Determining structures of RNA polymerase and transcription complexes is an essential step. Because of their large size and complexity, determination of these structures will require a combination of electron microscopy, biophysical methods, and biochemical methods to identify functionally and structurally relevant subassemblies and domains and x-ray crystallography to determine high-resolution structures of RNA polymerase components and accessory factors. We recently solved the 2.5-A crystal structure of the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase alpha subunit N-terminal domain, which is the first high-resolution structure of a core component required for RNA polymerase assembly and basal transcription. This structure, combined with a new 19-A resolution structure determined by cryo-electron microscopy of helical crystals of E. coli core RNAP embedded in vitreous ice, leads to a model for the organization of the RNAP subunits.
Cognitive Ability and Variation in Selection Task Performance

Individual differences in performance on a variety of selection tasks were examined in three studies employing over 800 participants. Nondeontic tasks were solved disproportionately by individuals of higher cognitive ability. In contrast, responses on two deontic tasks that have shown robust performance facilitation—the Drinking-age Problem and the Sears Problem—were unrelated to cognitive ability. Performance on deontic and nondeontic tasks was consistently associated. Individuals in the correct/correct cell of the bivariate performance matrix were over-represented. That is, individuals giving the modal response on a nondeontic task (P and Q) were significantly less likely to give the modal response on a deontic task (P and not-Q) than were individuals who made the non-modal P and not-Q selection on nondeontic problems. The implications of the results are discussed within the heuristic-analytic framework of Evans (1996; Evans & Over, 1996) and the optimal data selection model of Oaksford and Chater (1994).
A Framework for Assessing the Relationship between Information Technology Investments and Firm Performance

Abstract: There have been several attempts in the past to assess the impact of information technology on firm performance that have yielded conflicting results. Researchers have been unable to conclude that IT spending by an organization results in increases in key performance indicators. Two major recent studies have attempted to address the issue by putting greater emphasis on the theoretical underpinnings of the solution to the problem, although they chose different theoretical frameworks. The present study extends that work to yield a framework that shows the relationship between firm performance and both IT and corporate investments. The data used to validate the framework exceeds that used in previous analyses in both quality and quantity, thereby permitting appropriate statistical analyses. A large database consisting of over 2,000 observations of 624 firms was constructed, using data provided by the International Data Corporation, Standard & Poor’s Compustat, and Moody’s. This allowed us to pose the following research questions: (a) Can the relationship between sets of investment measures and firm performance be demonstrated (as opposed to individual measures)? (b) How are IT investments related to a firm’s market value, market share, sales, and assets? and (c) Is there a difference in the effect of computer capital and noncomputer capital? Seven measures of firm performance were initially incorporated as outputs in the framework, related to sales, assets, and market value. Similarly, seven input measures of IT and corporate investments were initially included. Two output measures and one input were eventually eliminated to formulate a refined framework with strong explanatory power. After careful editing, canonical analyses were performed, resulting in several important findings. Both IT and corporate investments have a strong positive relationship with sales, assets, and equity, but not with net income. Spending on IS staff and staff training is positively correlated with firm performance, even more so than computer capital.
Release and Lubricating Properties of Amniotic Surfactants and the Very Hydrophobic Surfaces of the Amnion, Chorion, and Their Interface

Surface hydrophobicity of 17 fresh human chorioamnionic membranes was measured as the contact angle (Θ) subtended when a drop of saline is placed upon any nonwettable surface. The contact angle averaged 75.5 ± 4. 2º and 76.8 ± 5. 6º on the epithelial surfaces of the amnion and chorion, respectively. The interface proved to be particularly hydrophobic, averaging 108.2 ± 8. 7º on the amnionic side and 121.7 ± 4. 2ºon the chorionic side, especially when compared with 108º for Teflon. High surface hydrophobicity implies good boundary (solid-to-solid) lubrication, good release from neighboring tissues, and water repellency, which is a possible factor enabling the chorioamnionic membrane to retain amniotic fluid. Good release (68 to 71%) and boundary lubrication (coefficient of kinetic friction=0.24 ± 0.072) were obtained from oriented monolayers of the phospholipid extracted from samples of human amniotic fluid obtained from term patients by amniocentesis. These results support the concept that the amnionic and chorionic membrane surfaces exhibit good release and boundary lubrication probably imparted by adsorbed surfactant.
Huntingtin-interacting Protein 1 (Hip1) and Hip1-related Protein (Hip1R) Bind the Conserved Sequence of Clathrin Light Chains and Thereby Influence Clathrin Assembly in Vitro and Actin Distribution in Vivo*

Clathrin heavy and light chains form triskelia, which assemble into polyhedral coats of membrane vesicles that mediate transport for endocytosis and organelle biogenesis. Light chain subunits regulate clathrin assembly in vitro by suppressing spontaneous self-assembly of the heavy chains. The residues that play this regulatory role are at the N terminus of a conserved 22-amino acid sequence that is shared by all vertebrate light chains. Here we show that these regulatory residues and others in the conserved sequence mediate light chain interaction with Hip1 and Hip1R. These related proteins were previously found to be enriched in clathrin-coated vesicles and to promote clathrin assembly in vitro. We demonstrate Hip1R binding preference for light chains associated with clathrin heavy chain and show that Hip1R stimulation of clathrin assembly in vitro is blocked by mutations in the conserved sequence of light chains that abolish interaction with Hip1 and Hip1R. In vivo overexpression of a fragment of clathrin light chain comprising the Hip1R-binding region affected cellular actin distribution. Together these results suggest that the roles of Hip1 and Hip1R in affecting clathrin assembly and actin distribution are mediated by their interaction with the conserved sequence of clathrin light chains.
Correction: A Genome-Wide Investigation of SNPs and CNVs in Schizophrenia

The authors declare the following competing interest, which should have been declared at the time of publication. Pamela L. St. Jean, Pierandrea Muglia, and Clyde Francks are full-time employees of GlaxoSmithKline, a pharmaceutical company that is developing treatments for schizophrenia and that has filed patent applications for SNPs related to schizophrenia (United States Patent Applications 20080176239 and 20080176240, and International Application No.: PCT/EP2008/050477).
Anatomical variations of the thyroid gland: possible surgical implications.

INTRODUCTION The organogenesis of the thyroid gland in humans is often disturbed, leading to a variety of morphological variations of the gland, such as hypoplasia, ectopy, hemiagenesis and agenesis. As the morphological variations are usually diagnosed incidentally during examination for other thyroid gland diseases, the true incidence is therefore uncertain. METHODS This study was structured to investigate the gross anatomical features of the thyroid gland in 105 (88 male and 17 female) cadavers from the coastal belt of southern India, an endemic goitre region. RESULTS The pyramidal lobe was present in 61 (58 percent) male cadavers, and 52 (49.5 percent) cadavers showed the presence of the levator glandulae thyroideae. 33 percent of the specimens studied showed agenesis of the isthmus. However, the accessory thyroid tissue was found in only one cadaver. CONCLUSION This study highlights the various developmental anomalies of the thyroid gland, which forms a cornerstone to safe and effective surgery.
Ion transport by heart mitochondria. XX. Factors affecting passive osmotic swelling of isolated mitochondria.

Abstract The swelling of isolated bovine heart and rat liver mitochondria has been compared in various suspending media in the absence of a source of metabolic energy. It is concluded that mitochondria will swell under these conditions in the presence of a permeant anion and a permeant cation, provided that the internal pH is not restrictive. Mitochondria show a high selectivity for cation penetration in the absence of energy, but almost no selectivity in the presence of respiration or of exogenous ATP. It is concluded that no monovalent cations penetrate the mitochondrion by simple diffusion in the absence of energy, but that an exchange diffusion system permits Na+ to be exchanged for internal H+. Lipid-soluble amines, such as NH3, can penetrate the mitochondrion and, in the presence of reagents that acidify the interior, such as free acetic acid or the protonated form of an uncoupler, can generate a cation (NH4+). The combination of NH4+ plus an uncoupler, therefore, represents a means of allowing cation accumulation in the matrix which is equivalent to the presence of the valinomycin-K+ or the gramicidin-Na+ complex. Certain anions, such as nitrate, appear to diffuse into the mitochondrion at neutral pH when cation penetration is induced by one of the above mechanisms. Bovine heart mitochondria show little, if any, tendency to admit substrate anions by the specific exchange diffusion systems found in rat liver mitochondria. All anions tested, however, are able to penetrate the bovine heart mitochondrion in the presence of a penetrating cation by a pH-dependent mechanism. This pathway for anion penetration can also be demonstrated in liver mitochondria at high pH, but it is not as striking as in the heart mitochondria in the range of pH 7.2 to 7.5. Uncoupled mitochondria swollen in the ammonium salts of nitrate, trichloracetate, fumarate, succinate, or malate can be contracted by either exogenous ATP or respiratory substrate as previously described for NH4Cl.
Massage Therapy for the Orthopaedic Patient: A Review

The effectiveness of massage therapy for the orthopaedic patient has not been documented; thus, a review of the published literature was warranted. A considerable proportion of the population experience orthopaedic problems, and many use massage therapy. A review and analysis of the literature between January 1973 and June 2003 yielded tentative results. It appears that massage therapy may be effective for orthopaedic patients with low back problems and potentially beneficial for patients with other orthopaedic problems. Massage therapy appears to be safe, to have high patient satisfaction, and to reduce pain and dysfunction.
Association of risperidone treatment response with a polymorphism in the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effect of the 102-T/C polymorphism in the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene on risperidone efficacy. METHOD One hundred Han Chinese patients with acutely exacerbated schizophrenia were given risperidone for up to 42 days. The patients were genotyped for 5-HT(2A) polymorphisms. Psychopathology was measured biweekly with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale while the patients were taking risperidone. Generalized estimating equation methods were used to analyze the effects of treatment duration, T/C genotypes, and other prognostic factors on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale performance. RESULTS Patients with the C/C genotype had lower total scores, negative subscale scores, and general psychopathology scores but not positive subscale scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale than patients with the 102-T/C genotype. Patients with the T/C and T/T genotypes had comparable total and subscale scores. The number of previous hospitalizations and the dose of risperidone also affected Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total scores. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that variations in the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene may influence individual responses to risperidone.
Age Changes in the Occlusal Pattern of Deciduous Dentition

The occlusal patterns of 2,500 children, 2 to 6 years of age, were examined. A straight, terminal plane relationship predominated at all ages. The termination patterns seemed to change with age, and this was caused by mesial migration of the mandibular arch and by mesial mandibular shift.
Gauge based collision detection mechanism for a new three-degree-of-freedom flexible robot

This paper analyzes the possibility of carrying out the collision detection as a first step towards the position/force control of three-degree-of-freedom flexible arm by using gauges placed at some distance of the tip (where contact is expected) in such way that they can easily stand the impact. Simulated results over a prototype three-degree-of-freedom flexible arm are presented.
Point mutations of the BCL‐6 gene in Burkitt's lymphoma

BCL‐6 codes for a transcription factor implicated in chromosomal translocations of diffuse large cell lymphomas. Recent evidence indicates that BCL‐6 may also be altered by mutations of its 5′ non‐coding regions. In this study we have investigated the distribution of BCL‐6 5′ mutations among 35 Burkitt's lymphoma cases representative of the epidemiologic variants of the disease. Mutations were detected in 6/21 (28.6%) sporadic Burkitt's lymphomas and 7/14 (50%) endemic Burkitt's lymphomas. These data expand the spectrum of B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas associated with BCL‐6 5′ mutations and have implications for the pathogenesis, histogenesis and clinical monitoring of Burkitt's lymphoma.
ENDOTHELIN B RECEPTORS PRESERVE RENAL BLOOD FLOW IN A NORMOTENSIVE MODEL OF ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED ACUTE KIDNEY DYSFUNCTION

The aim was to investigate the role of endothelin 1 receptor subtypes in the early renal response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during normotensive endotoxemia with acute kidney dysfunction. Endotoxemia was induced in thiobutabarbital-anesthetized rats (n = 9 per group) by infusion of LPS (dosage, 1 mg/kg per hour i.v.). The study groups (1) sham-saline, (2) LPS-saline, (3) LPS-BQ123, (4) LPS-BQ788 and (5) LPS-BQ123 + BQ788 received isotonic saline, the ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123 (dosage, 30 nmol/kg per minute i.v.), and/or the ETB receptor antagonist BQ-788 (dosage, 30 nmol/kg per minute i.v.) before and during 2 h of LPS infusion. Renal clearance measurements, renal blood flow (RBF), and cortical and outer medullary perfusion (laser-Doppler flowmetry) and oxygen tension (Clark-type microelectrodes) were analyzed throughout. Before LPS administration, there were no significant differences between groups in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), RBF, or in cortical (CLDF) and outer medullary perfusion. However, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was elevated in LPS-BQ788 group compared with LPS-BQ123 + BQ788 group (P < 0.05). In saline-treated rats, endotoxin induced an approximate 35% reduction in GFR (P < 0.05), without significant effects on MAP, RBF, or on CLDF and cortical PO2. In addition, LPS increased outer medullary perfusion and PO2 (P < 0.05). The fractional urinary excretion rates of sodium, potassium, and water were not significantly different in LPS-saline group compared with sham-saline group. Neither selective nor combined ETA and ETB receptor blockade improved GFR. In BQ-788-infused rats, endotoxin produced marked reductions in RBF (−18% ± 4% [P < 0.05]) and CLDF (−18% ± 2% [P < 0.05]). Similarly, endotoxin decreased RBF (−14% ± 3% [P < 0.05]) and CLDF (−10% ± 2% [P < 0.05]) in LPS-BQ123 + BQ788 group. Endotoxin reduced MAP (−22% ± 4% [P < 0.05]) in BQ-123-treated rats but did not significantly influence MAP in other groups. We conclude that in early normotensive endotoxemia, ETB receptors exert a renal vasodilator influence and contribute to maintain normal RBF.
Can the Ni classification of vessels predict neoplasia? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

The Ni classification of vascular change from 2011 is well documented for evaluating pharyngeal and laryngeal lesions, primarily focusing on cancer. In the planning of surgery it may be more relevant to differentiate neoplasia from non‐neoplasia. We aimed to evaluate the ability of the Ni classification to predict laryngeal or hypopharyngeal neoplasia and to investigate if a changed cutoff value would support the recent European Laryngological Society (ELS) proposal of perpendicular vascular changes as indicative of neoplasia.
Socioecological correlates of clinical signs in two communities of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at Gombe National Park, Tanzania

Disease and other health hazards pose serious threats to the persistence of wild ape populations. The total chimpanzee population at Gombe National Park, Tanzania, has declined from an estimated 120 to 150 individuals in the 1960's to around 100 individuals by the end of 2013, with death associated with observable signs of disease as the leading cause of mortality. In 2004, we began a non‐invasive health‐monitoring program in the two habituated communities in the park (Kasekela and Mitumba) with the aim of understanding the prevalence of health issues in the population, and identifying the presence and impacts of various pathogens. Here we present prospectively collected data on clinical signs (observable changes in health) in the chimpanzees of the Kasekela (n = 81) and Mitumba (n = 32) communities over an 8‐year period (2005–2012). First, we take a population approach and analyze prevalence of clinical signs in five different categories: gastrointestinal system (diarrhea), body condition (estimated weight loss), respiratory system (coughing, sneezing etc.), wounds/lameness, and dermatologic issues by year, month, and community membership. Mean monthly prevalence of each clinical sign per community varied, but typically affected <10% of observed individuals. Secondly, we analyze the presence of clinical signs in these categories as they relate to individual demographic and social factors (age, sex, and dominance rank) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz) infection status. Adults have higher odds of being observed with diarrhea, loss of body condition, and wounds or lameness when compared to immatures, while males have a higher probability of being observed with wounds or lameness than females. In contrast, signs of respiratory illness appear not to be related to chimpanzee‐specific factors and skin abnormalities are very rare. For a subset of known‐rank individuals, dominance rank predicts the probability of wounding/lameness in adult males, but does not predict any adverse clinical signs in adult females. Instead, adult females with SIVcpz infection are more likely to be observed with diarrhea, a finding that warrants further investigation. Comparable data are needed from other sites to determine whether the prevalence of clinical signs we observe are relatively high or low, as well as to more fully understand the factors influencing health of wild apes at both the population and individual level. Am. J. Primatol. 80:e22562, 2018. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of Plasmapheresis on the Removal of Tobramycin

A 26‐year‐old man with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura resulting in respiratory and renal failure was treated with plasmapheresis (PP). Coexisting pulmonary infiltrates were empirically treated as pneumonia with various antibiotics, including vancomycin and tobramycin. The half‐life of tobramycin was 6.93 hours. During PP the half‐life of tobramycin decreased to 4.47 hours as determined by three random levels. The fraction eliminated due to PP was 35.5% and the fraction cleared by PP was 10.9%. We conclude that PP contributed significantly to the total clearance of tobramycin. The need for supplemental doses must be evaluated in each patient based on post‐PP serum concentrations.
Valuation of housing index derivatives

This study analyzes the valuation of housing index derivatives traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). Specifically, to circumvent the nontradability of housing indices, we propose and implement an equilibrium valuation framework. Assuming a mean‐reverting aggregate dividend process and a utility function characterized by constant relative risk aversion, we show that the value of a housing index derivative depends only on parameters characterizing the underlying housing index, the endogenized interest rate and their correlation. We also analytically and numerically examine risk premiums for the CME futures and options and obtain three important findings. First, risk premiums are significant for all contracts with maturities longer than one year. Second, the expected growth rate of the underlying index is the key determinant for risk premiums. Third, risk premiums can be positive or negative, depending on whether the expected growth rate of the underlying index is higher or lower than the risk‐free yield‐to‐maturity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 30:660–688, 2010
Determination of variants in the 3′‐region of the Tyrosinase gene requires locus specific amplification

Mutations in the Tyrosinase gene (TYR, 11q14–q21) cause oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1). The 3′‐region of the TYR shows 98.55% sequence identity with a pseudogene, known as Tyrosinase‐Like Gene (TYRL, 11p11.2–cen). A large number of publicly available nucleotide variants of TYR in this region are same as the bases present in the identical locations in the pseudogene. PCR amplification of these regions using primers with sequences common to both loci may result in coamplification of TYR and TYRL, and may lead to misinterpretation of the results. We have resolved this potential problem using locus‐specific amplification conditions that could be used to identify unequivocally mutations and SNPs in exon 4 and exon 5 of TYR and proximal flanking sequences. Hum Mutat 26(1), 53–58, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
No confirmed case of human papillomavirus DNA-negative cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or invasive primary cancer of the uterine cervix among 511 patients.

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to analyze the prevalence and peculiarities of high-grade cervical neoplasias that are not associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. STUDY DESIGN Four hundred nineteen women with a first-time diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 and 92 women with cervical cancer were examined prospectively with a commercially available HPV DNA test. Negative samples were re-tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with general and type-specific primers while the corresponding histology specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Of the 511 cases examined, 14 were HPV DNA negative on initial analysis. Of these, 7 were found not to be high-grade cervical neoplasia on histologic review, 3 cases were found to contain high-risk HPV types by PCR, and 2 samples were found to be inadequate for analysis. The 2 remaining HPV-negative cases were FIGO stage III and IV tumors. Immunohistochemistry was consistent with a primary adenocarcinoma of the ovary in 1 case and a primary bladder tumor in the other, although a primary cancer of the cervix could not be ruled out completely. CONCLUSION After exclusion of inadequate samples and erroneous diagnoses, HPV DNA was associated with all confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 and primary cervical cancers.