Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BIOTECHNOLOGICALLY RELEVANT ENZYMES AND PROTEINS Engineered amadoriase II exhibiting expanded substrate range

Amadori compounds are ubiquitous in vivo as well as in food and have been implicated in diabetic complications and aging. In recent years, fructosyl amine oxidases (FAOXs) which cleave Amadori products are gaining increasing attention. Until now, however, all FAOXs can only react with small glycated substrates (such as fructosyl amino acids or dipeptides), which has hindered the applications of this new class of enzymes in diagnosis, therapeutics, and detergents. In this study, Aspergillus fumigatus amadoriase II was engineered with the aim to expand its substrate range, using a heat-inducible autolytic vector and fructosyl–polylysine (3–13 lysines) as an intermediate-sized model substrate. After two rounds of directed evolution, a mutant (SII-82) was obtained that showed an 8.78-fold increase in the activity toward fructosyl–polylysine and which also performed several fold better than the wild-type on real gravy stains at concentrations of 10–100 μg/ml (parts per million). Mutational analyses revealed useful clues for altering the substratebinding pocket. This study suggests that it is possible to manipulate fructosyl amine oxidases to accommodate larger substrates, and that mutant SII-82 might serve as a template for further engineering.
Impact of National Food Security Mission on Pulse Crops in Maharashtra: An Empirical Assessment

India at present finds itself in the paradoxical situation: endemic mass-hunger coexisting with mounting foodgrain stocks. This is despite India having a laudable food security policy, which ensures availability of foodgrains to the common people at an affordable price with poor having access to food. However, the issues of poverty and sustainability in production still defeat the objectives of food security. In fact, the sluggish growth in area as well as production of majority of pulses and coarse cereals cultivated in India has led the country to pass through a complex type of situation. A number of earlier studies have also shown a sluggish and erratic growth in pulses and coarse cereal production, though most of the studies are area specific (Moorti et al., 1991; Bhatia, 1991). In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several studies raised concerns about a possible deceleration in the growth of foodgrain production, indicating a decline in the momentum of the green revolution and possible exhaustion of the potential of available technology (Alagh and Sharma, 1980; Desai and Namboodiri, 1983). Dantwala (1978) found that the high yielding variety technology brought about significant improvement in the productivity of cereal crops, but its overall effect on foodgrain production, especially when evaluated in per capita terms, was not significant. In view of the fact that earlier programmes relating to pulses sector hardly led to any improvement in pulses production of India, the National Development Council (NDC) in its 53rd meeting held on 29th May, 2007 resolved to launch a Food Security Mission for rice, wheat and pulses, especially for raising the production levels by 10 million tonnes for rice, 8 million tonnes for wheat and 2 million tonnes for pulses by the end of the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2011-12). In order to achieve these targets and operationalise the resolution taken by NDC, the ‘National Food Security Mission (NFSM)’ was launched in 2007-08 as a centrally sponsored scheme. The NFSM comprises three components, which include rice, wheat and pulses. The major causes of concerns with respect to pulse crops are the low yield levels, marginal lands devoted to pulse cultivation, stagnation in production technology, severe abiotic (climate-related) and biotic (insect, pest) stresses, volatility of prices and lack of effective procurement. These problems are noticed in all the states of
2-Factor Models in Credit and Energy Markets

This thesis is divided in two main parts. Part A is focusing on assessing the ability of structural – form framework to predict the spreads and the prices in two different market regimes before and during the credit crisis. In Part B a 2 – factor model with local volatility for oil market is developed. For the first part three structural form models; Merton’s (1974), Leland – Toft (1996) and Longstaff – Schwartz (1995); were implemented using different assumptions for volatility and debt maturity (i) exogenous volatility and actual bond maturity, (ii) exogenous volatility and adjusted maturity, (iii) model determined volatility and actual bond maturity and (iv) model determined volatility and adjusted maturity. To our knowledge it is the first time that the model is calibrated against such four alternatives. Another novel feature of our work is the usage of historical implied volatility was used for equity. Results were in contrast with Lyden and Saraniti (2000) and Wei and Guo (1997) who argued that Merton’s model dominates Longstaff and Schwartz in predictive accuracy as Longstaff and Schwartz model revealed a very good performance. The encouraging results during the first period (January 1998 - April 2006) led to a very critical element of this research – the implementation of the Longstaff and Schwartz (1995) model on 2007 – 2008 bond data. The assumption of simple capital structure is relaxed and a composite implied volatility is calculated. Again the model indicated very good performance in all cases proving an average predicted over actual credit spread ratio of 57%. The second part of this research proposes a 2 – factor model with local volatility to price Oil Exotic Structures. The proposed approach utilizes the general multi – factor model framework and the interest ate modeling developments as described by Clewlow and Strickland (1999b) and Brigo and Mercurio (2006) respectively. The model has the flexibility to generate different local volatility surfaces depending on the calibrated data. Moreover the model allows different correlation surface. The model is used to price a number of exotic structures – barrier options, Target Redemption Notes and European and Bermudan Swaptions – that are common in the oil market. Based on the results it is clear that being able to capture the smile dynamics is very important not only for valuation reasons but also for risk management purposes. The model can be calibrated directly and match market traded instruments such us swaptions and monthly strip options.
Childcare Indivisibility and Maternal Employment

This paper examines whether offering afterschool care for 6to 13-year-old children has an impact on labor market outcomes among women in Chile with a randomized experiment. Effects on labor force participation and employment are found: program participation increases employment by 5% and participation by 7%. The program has stronger effects among women with young children who were ineligible for the program. At the same time, the program triggers the use of daycare for young (ineligible) children. The results are consistent with the indivisibility of childcare: all children must be eligible in order to break the childcare constraint.
Folliculogenesis and ovarian expression of mRNA encoding aromatase in anoestrous sheep after 5 days of glucose or glucosamine infusion or supplementary lupin feeding.

Improved nutrition increases ovulation rate in sheep and there is evidence that intra-ovarian pathways mediate responses to nutrition. An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of dietary energy on folliculogenesis. Anoestrous Merino ewes were fed a diet of wheat straw alone (control, n = 5), or wheat straw supplemented with lupins (500 g day(-1), n = 5). Other ewes were fed wheat straw and infused with glucose (50 mmol h(-1), n = 5) or with glucosamine (3.5 mmol h(-1), n = 5). Intravaginal progestagen sponges were inserted for 12 days, and nutritional treatments were started 5 days before sponge removal. At sponge removal, the ewes were injected with a regimen of GnRH pulses (500 ng every 4 h from 0 to 12 h; 250 ng every 2 h from 14 to 24 h; and 200 ng every 1 h from 25 to 36 h) to simulate normal follicular development. Thirty-six hours after sponge removal, the animals were killed and the ovaries were collected and stored at -80 degrees C. The ovaries were sectioned serially every 10 microm. Every 20th section was stained (to estimate number and diameter of follicles) and every 17-19th section was probed by in situ hybridization for P(450) aromatase. Data were analysed using ANOVA and chi-squared tests. There was an effect of treatment (P < 0.05) on the number of follicles 2-3, 3-4 and 6-7 mm in diameter. Aromatase-positive follicles (1.6-7.9 mm) were detected in 31 follicles from 15 ewes across all four groups. In ten animals, the largest follicle was aromatase-positive. The diameters of aromatase-positive follicles were larger (P = 0.004) in lupin fed compared with glucose-infused ewes (4.9 +/- 0.5, 3.6 +/- 0.7, 5.3 +/- 0.5 and 4.2 +/- 0.5 mm for control, glucose-infused, lupin-fed and glucosamine-infused groups, respectively). Treatment did not affect the plasma concentration of FSH when compared with controls, indicating that the energy supplements were modifying recruited (2-3 mm and 3-4 mm) and selected follicles (> 6 mm) directly. In conclusion, dietary energy can directly stimulate folliculogenesis in recruited and selected follicles, and this effect may be mediated by changes in systemic leptin concentrations and the hexosamine energy-sensing pathway in the follicle.
Immunization of Pension Funds and Sensitivity to Actuarial Assumptions

Changes in market rates of return affect both the assets and liabilities of a pension fund. If these assets and liabilities are in a proper relationship with each other, however, the pension fund can be irnmunized from the change in market rates of return. The cornerstone of the immunization strategy is management of the duration, or weighted average life, of the asset portfolio. This paper discusses some of the factors to be considered in immunizing a medium-sized pension fund, including whether immunization is in fact a desirable strategy. A pension fund is subject to risks on both the asset and liability sides of its balance sheet. Risks on the liability side relate to the probability that the amount of pension benefits actually payable (ex post) will differ from the amounts expected to be payable (ex ante) based on actuarial calculations. Initial assumptions about employee turnover rates, mortality rates, or salary scales may turn out to be incorrect. Risks on the asset side relate to the probability that assets available for making pension payments as they become due (ex post) will differ from the amounts expected to be available (ex ante). Initial assumptions about the rate of return to be earned on pension fund investments may turn out to be wrong (due either to superior or poor investment decisions by the fund administrator or to unexpected changes in marketwide rates of return). Also, the assumed level of operating costs (such as for actuarial, legal, developmental, financial, or administrative services) may turn out to be incorrect. These risks are not entirely independent, nor are they of equal importance. Some of the risks, such as unexpected changes in operating costs, are subject at least partially to the control of the fund administrator. Others, such as changes in market rates of return' affecting all investments, are related to Richard J. Keintz, Ph.D. and CPA, was the Deputy Commissioner of Insurance, State of Wisconsin, when the article was written. Currently he is Vice President-Director of Research, the CUNA Mutual Insurance Society, Inc., in Madison, Wisconsin. He was associated with Touche Ross and Company and later served on the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Clyde P. Stickney, DBA and CPA, is an Associate Professor of Accounting, Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College. He has served oIn the faculties of the University of Chicago and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The authors acknowledge the helpful and thought-provoking comments of Roman L. Weil and two anonymous reviewers. 1 The term "market rate of return'" is used instead of interest rate to reflect the fact that pension funds invest in several types of investments (common and preferred stock, real estate, and fixed dollar commitments) and not just fixed dollar commitments.
Expression and control of the natural autoreactive IgG repertoire in normal human serum

We have investigated the autoreactive repertoire expressed by serum IgG of healthy individuals of various age groups using a large panel of self antigens. Natural IgG autoantibodies against all self antigens of the panel were found in the purified IgG fraction of the serum of all donors that were tested. The mean binding activity to self antigens of IgG of pregnant women was higher than that of IgG purified from the serum of infants, young adults and aged individuals. No increase in IgG autoreactivity was observed with aging neither in the purified IgG fraction of serum nor in whole serum. Whereas autoantibody activity was easily detectable in purified IgG, it was low in serum. No difference was observed, however, between the binding activity of purified IgG and of IgG in serum in the case of foreign antigens nor in the case of anti‐thyroglobulin autoantibodies of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Purified IgM from normal serum bound to F(ab')2 fragments of autologous IgG in a dose‐dependent fashion and inhibited the binding of autologous IgG to self antigens. Our results thus indicate that autologous IgM contributes to regulate expression of the natural IgG autoreactive repertoire through V region‐dependent interactions, resulting in low levels of IgG autoreactivity in serum under physiological conditions.
Police Academy Socialization: Understanding the Lessons Learned in a Paramilitary-Bureaucratic Organization

Even as community policing has emerged as the dominant paradigm, research indicates that police agencies continue to be highly militaristic and bureaucratic in structure and culture. This article reports findings from an observational study of recruit training at a police academy that had introduced a new curriculum emphasizing community policing and problem solving. The article explores the socialization that takes place there to see how the tension between traditional and community policing is resolved.The authors found that despite the philosophical emphasis on community policing and its themes of decentralization and flexibility, the most salient lessons learned in police training were those that reinforced the paramilitary structure and culture.
Role of Interferon in Homologous and Heterologous Rotavirus Infection in the Intestines and Extraintestinal Organs of Suckling Mice

ABSTRACT Recent studies demonstrated that viremia and extraintestinal rotavirus infection are common in acutely infected humans and animals, while systemic diseases appear to be rare. Intraperitoneal infection of newborn mice with rhesus rotavirus (RRV) results in biliary atresia (BA), and this condition is influenced by the host interferon response. We studied orally inoculated 5-day-old suckling mice that were deficient in interferon (IFN) signaling to evaluate the role of interferon on the outcome of local and systemic infection after enteric inoculation. We found that systemic replication of RRV, but not murine rotavirus strain EC, was greatly enhanced in IFN-α/β and IFN-γ receptor double-knockout (KO) or STAT1 KO mice but not in mice deficient in B- or T-cell immunity. The enhanced replication of RRV was associated with a lethal hepatitis, pancreatitis, and BA, while no systemic disease was observed in strain EC-infected interferon-deficient mice. In IFN-α/β receptor KO mice the extraintestinal infection and systemic disease were only moderately increased, while RRV infection was not augmented and systemic disease was not present in IFN-γ receptor KO mice. The increase of systemic infection in IFN-deficient mice was also observed during simian strain SA11 infection but not following bovine NCDV, porcine OSU, or murine strain EW infection. Our data indicate that the requirements for the interferon system to inhibit intestinal and extraintestinal viral replication in suckling mice vary among different heterologous and homologous rotavirus strains, and this variation is associated with lethal systemic disease.
IGF-I and relation to growth in infancy and early childhood in very-low-birth-weight infants and term born infants

Background In very-low-birth-weight infants IGF-I plays an important role in postnatal growth restriction and is probably also involved in growth restriction in childhood. We compared IGF-I and its relation to growth in early childhood in very-low-birth-weight infants and term appropriate for gestational age born infants. Methods We included 41 very-low-birth-weight and 64 term infants. Anthropometry was performed at all visits to the outpatient clinic. IGF-I and insulin were measured in blood samples taken at 6 months and 2 years corrected age (very-low-birth-weight children) and at 3 months, 1 and 2 years (term children). Results Over the first 2 years of life growth parameters are lower in very-low-birth-weight children compared to term children, but the difference in length decreases significantly. During the first 2 years of life IGF-I is higher in very-low-birth-weight children compared to term children. In both groups there is a significant relationship between IGF-I and (change in) length and weight over the first 2 years of life and between insulin and change in total body fat. Conclusions Considering the relation of IGF-I to growth and the decrease in difference in length, higher IGF-I levels in very-low-birth-weight infants in early childhood probably have an important role in catch-up growth in length.
Epidemiology of Guillain‐Barré syndrome

From 1969 through 1972, a nationwide search for cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Israel revealed 89 patients. The average annual age-adjusted incidence was 0.75 per 105 persons. Overall incidence of the syndrome was similar in Jewish groups of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Arabs had a lower overall incidence than Jews (0.46 per 105 persons), perhaps attributable to fewer Arabs at risk in older age groups. Peaks of incidence occurred among individuals over 60 and under 4 years of age when all cases were combined. No clear seasonal or geographic clustering of GBS was evident in Israel during the 4 years of this study. The incidence of GBS in the present study agrees with previous population-based estimates.
The epidemic of SIDS in Norway 1967-93: changing effects of risk factors

Time trends on the association of maternal age, birth order, and marital status with the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and non-SIDS deaths in Norway were analysed: 2356 postperinatal SIDS deaths and 4069 postperinatal non-SIDS deaths were ascertained during 1967–93. The SIDS incidence was 1.25 per 1000 in 1967, reached a peak of 2.69 in 1988, and fell to 1.22 in 1990 after the initiation of an intervention programme to avoid prone sleeping. In the entire period, young maternal age, high birth order, and unmarried motherhood were associated with SIDS. The adverse effects of young maternal age and high birth order increased continuously with time. From 1967–71 to 1990–93, the relative risk for maternal age < 20 yearsv maternal age 25–29 changed from 2.5 (95% confidence interval 2.0 to 3.2) to 7.0 (95% CI 4.2 to 11.9) (p < 0.0001), and for birth order 4+ v birth order 1 from 3.2 (95% CI 2.5 to 4.2) to 14.4 (95% CI 8.3 to 24.9) (p < 0.0001). Effects on non-SIDS deaths were far weaker and no secular trends were observed. The strong association of young maternal age, high birth order, and marital status in SIDS, but not in non-SIDS, provides evidence that SIDS is an epidemiological entity. The increasing effects of young maternal age and high birth order, which continued after the sudden drop in the SIDS rate in 1990, suggest that further efforts to prevent SIDS should be aimed particularly at identifying causal mechanisms in high risk groups.
Folate depletion impairs DNA excision repair in the colon of the rat

Background/Aims—Diminished folate status appears to promote colonic carcinogenesis by, as of yet, undefined mechanisms. Impaired DNA repair plays a significant role in the evolution of many colon cancers. Since folate is essential for thede novo synthesis of nucleotides and since folate depletion has previously been associated with excessive DNA strand breaks, it was hypothesised that folate depletion may impair DNA repair. Studies were therefore performed to examine whether folate depletion affects the two major categories of DNA repair. Methods—Study 1: eight weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on diets containing either 0 or 8 mg folate/kg diet with 1% succinylsulphathiazole for four weeks. After viable colonocytes had been harvested, DNA excision repair was evaluated by a single cell gel electrophoresis assay. Study 2: eighteen animals were fed on similar diets for five weeks. Also in study 2, 18 additional rats were fed on the same defined diet without succinylsulphathiazole for 15 weeks. Weekly injections with the procarcinogen, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (20 mg base/kg), were administered to the latter group of animals. Five microsatellite loci from different chromosomes were investigated for instability in hepatic and colonic DNA. Results—In study 1, a significantly retarded rate of DNA excision repair was observed in the folate deficient colonocytes compared with controls (p<0.05). In study 2, there was no evidence of instability at the five microsatellite loci associated with either short or long term folate depletion. Conclusions—Folate deficiency impairs DNA excision repair in rat colonic mucosa; a similar degree of deficiency, even when administered in conjunction with a colonic carcinogen, did not produce evidence of a widespread defect in mismatch repair.
Highly Potent Oligostilbene sbLOX-1 Inhibitor from Gnetum macrostachyum

Isolated oligostilbenes from G. macrostachyum exhibited sbLOX-1 inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.14–11.91 μM. Of these oligostilbenoids, 12 (IC0 0.14±0.01 μM), 10 (IC0 0.33±0.11 μM), 11 (IC50 0.49±0.05 μM) and 7 (IC50 1.03 ± 0.43 μM) were more active than nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) (P < 0.05) which was the positive control. The enzyme kinetic analysis revealed that 7 and 11 inhibited sbLOX-1 noncompetitively with K i values of 11.2 and 71.4 nM. Compound 10 inhibited sbLOX-1 through mixed-competitive mechanisms (K i = 13.8 nM and K' i 56.7 nM). Moreover, 12 was an uncompetitive inhibitor with a K i value of 0.8 nM. The inhibitory activity of oligostilbenes did not result from the antioxidant property, as demonstrated by DPPH and 13-HPOD scavenging assays. These compounds also showed ferric reducing capabilities, but had no effect in a Fe3+-bound sbLOX-1 model, as indicated by UV spectrophotometric and CD spectroscopic studies.