Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three distinct quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases are expressed when Pseudomonas putida is grown on different alcohols

A bacterial strain that can utilize several kinds of alcohols as its sole carbon and energy sources was isolated from soil and tentatively identified as Pseudomonas putida HK5. Three distinct dye-linked alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs), each of which contained the prosthetic group pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), were formed in the soluble fractions of this strain grown on different alcohols. ADH I was formed most abundantly in the cells grown on ethanol and was similar to the quinoprotein ADH reported for P. putida (H. Görisch and M. Rupp, Antonie Leeuwenhoek 56:35-45, 1989) except for its isoelectric point. The other two ADHs, ADH IIB and ADH IIG, were formed separately in the cells grown on 1-butanol and 1,2-propanediol, respectively. Both of these enzymes contained heme c in addition to PQQ and functioned as quinohemoprotein dehydrogenases. Potassium ferricyanide was an available electron acceptor for ADHs IIB and IIG but not for ADH I. The molecular weights were estimated to be 69,000 for ADH IIB and 72,000 for ADH IIG, and both enzymes were shown to be monomers. Antibodies raised against each of the purified ADHs could distinguish the ADHs from one another. Immunoblot analysis showed that ADH I was detected in cells grown on each alcohol tested, but ethanol was the most effective inducer. ADH IIB was formed in the cells grown on alcohols of medium chain length and also on 1,3-butanediol. Induction of ADH IIG was restricted to 1,2-propanediol or glycerol, of which the former alcohol was more effective. These results from immunoblot analysis correlated well with the substrate specificities of the respective enzymes. Thus, three distinct quinoprotein ADHs were shown to be synthesized by a single bacterium under different growth conditions.
The red queen in organizational evolution

We propose that competitive success and failure evolve through an ecology of organizational learning. An organization facing competition is likely to engage in a search for ways to improve performance. When successful, this search results in learning that is likely to increase the organization's competitive strength, which in turn triggers learning in its rivals—consequently making them stronger competitors and so again triggering learning in the first organization. We elaborate the conditions under which this self-reinforcing process, known in evolutionary theory as the ‘Red Queen,’ is likely to be adaptive or maladaptive. Adaptive consequences are predicted only for recently experienced learning. Experience in the more distant past of an organization's life, by contrast, is predicted to backfire into a ‘competency trap. ’ We predict maladaptive consequences when organizations face many, varied cohorts of rivals. We empirically distinguish these effects using ecological models of competition. Estimates of organizational failure rales reveal a Red Queen among Illinois banks, and support our predictions.
Charge Storage in Pentacene/Polymethylmethacrylate Memory Devices

The electrical behavior of organic metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures incorporating a layer of self-assembled metallic nanoparticles is described. These have been based on thermally evaporated pentacene (semiconductor) and spin-coated polymethylmethacrylate (insulator). The MIS devices containing the nanoparticles exhibited significant hysteresis in their capacitance-versus-voltage and conductance-versus-voltage characteristics, which was attributed to the charging and discharging of the nanoparticles. The memory structure reported here offers a useful advance in the development of flexible organic memory structures.
Persimmon bezoars: a successful combined therapy.

BACKGROUND Persimmon phytobezoar, although an infrequent entity, is not rare in some countries. Because of their particular features, management of diospyrobezoars is difficult. A number of surgical, endoscopic, and pharmacologic treatments have been proposed with variable success. This is a description of our experience with 10 patients with a new combination therapy. METHODS Ten patients (7 men, 3 women; mean age 46.4 years) were treated with a new fragmentation technique consisting of a saw-like effect with a large polypectomy snare followed by administration of cellulase, cysteine, and metoclopramide. RESULTS Resolution was achieved in 8 patients. Complications (intestinal obstruction) developed in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS Our combined therapy is safe and highly efficacious but caution must be exercised because intestinal obstruction can occur if large fragments pass through the pylorus. A more extensive study is required to assess these clinical observations.
Joule heating effects on electroosmotic flow in insulator‐based dielectrophoresis

Insulator‐based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) is an emerging technology that has been successfully used to manipulate a variety of particles in microfluidic devices. However, due to the locally amplified electric field around the in‐channel insulator, Joule heating often becomes an unavoidable issue that may disturb the electroosmotic flow and affect the particle motion. This work presents the first experimental study of Joule heating effects on electroosmotic flow in a typical iDEP device, e.g. a constriction microchannel, under DC‐biased AC voltages. A numerical model is also developed to simulate the observed flow pattern by solving the coupled electric, energy, and fluid equations in a simplified two‐dimensional geometry. It is observed that depending on the magnitude of the DC voltage, a pair of counter‐rotating fluid circulations can occur at either the downstream end alone or each end of the channel constriction. Moreover, the pair at the downstream end appears larger in size than that at the upstream end due to DC electroosmotic flow. These fluid circulations, which are reasonably simulated by the numerical model, form as a result of the action of the electric field on Joule heating‐induced fluid inhomogeneities in the constriction region.
A quantitative symmetry‐based analysis of hyperacute ischemic stroke lesions in noncontrast computed tomography

Purpose: Early identification of ischemic stroke plays a significant role in treatment and potential recovery of damaged brain tissue. In noncontrast CT (ncCT), the differences between ischemic changes and healthy tissue are usually very subtle during the hyperacute phase (< 8 h from the stroke onset). Therefore, visual comparison of both hemispheres is an important step in clinical assessment. A quantitative symmetry‐based analysis of texture features of ischemic lesions in noncontrast CT images may provide an important information for differentiation of ischemic and healthy brain tissue in this phase. Methods: One hundred thirty‐nine (139) ncCT scans of hyperacute ischemic stroke with follow‐up magnetic resonance diffusion‐weighted (MR‐DW) images were collected. The regions of stroke were identified in the MR‐DW images, which were spatially aligned to corresponding ncCT images. A state‐of‐the‐art symmetric diffeomorphic image registration was utilized for the alignment of CT and MR‐DW, for identification of individual brain hemispheres, and for localization of the region representing healthy tissue contralateral to the stroke cores. Texture analysis included extraction and classification of co‐occurrence and run‐length texture‐based image features in the regions of ischemic stroke and their contralateral regions. Results: The classification schemes achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic [Az] ≈ 0.82 for the whole dataset. There was no statistically significant difference in the performance of classifiers for the data sets with time between 2 and 8 hours from symptom onset. The performance of the classifiers did not depend on the size of the stroke regions. Conclusions: The results provide a set of optimal texture features which are suitable for distinguishing between hyperacute ischemic lesions and their corresponding contralateral brain tissue in noncontrast CT. This work is an initial step toward development of an automated decision support system for detection of hyperacute ischemic stroke lesions on noncontrast CT of the brain.
Global consumer innovativeness and consumer electronic product adoption

Purpose – Despite the importance of the diffusion of new products, there is not yet a single scale to measure consumer innovativeness and new product adoption behavior efficiently and effectively across countries. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between consumer innate innovativeness, vicarious innovativeness, domain specific innovativeness, the desire for unique consumer products, and the adoption of consumer electronic products across three countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, China, and Taiwan. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through a survey in Melbourne, Australia, Shanghai, China and Taipei, Taiwan. The conceptual model was tested using structural equation modeling. Findings – This study finds that domain specific innovativeness primarily influences the adoption of such products across the three countries. The study further suggests that vicarious innovativeness affects Australians ' new product adoption behavior. In contrast, the desire for uni.
How the TP53 Family Proteins TP63 and TP73 Contribute to Tumorigenesis: Regulators and Effectors

In mammals, the p53 family comprises two additional members, p63 and p73 (hereafter referred to as TP53, TP63, and TP73, respectively). The usage of two alternative promoters produces protein variants either with (transactivating [TA] isoforms) or without (ΔN isoforms) the N‐terminal transactivation domain (TAD). In general, the TA proteins exert TP53‐like tumor‐suppressive activities through their ability to activate a common set of target genes. The ΔN proteins can act as dominant‐negative inhibitors of the transcriptionally active family members. Additionally, they possess intrinsic‐specific biological activities due to the presence of alternative TADs, and as a result of engaging a different set of regulators. This review summarizes the current understanding of upstream regulators and downstream effectors of the TP53 family proteins, with particular emphasis on those that are relevant for their role in tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we highlight the existence of networks and cross‐talks among the TP53 family members, their modulators, as well as the transcriptional targets.
Effectiveness of the Community Treatment Order in streamlining psychiatric services

Background The implementation of the Community Treatment Order (CTO) has created controversy surrounding its beneficence. Aims The study aims at examining the effectiveness of the CTO in reducing the rate and duration of revolving door admissions for patients who were made subject to this Order. Method All patients who were made subject to CTO between November 2008 and August 2009 in South Essex were involved in the study where patients acted as their own control through comparing their pre-CTO, during CTO and post-CTO's admission rate and duration. Results There was a significant reduction in the rate and duration of admissions in the period during and post-CTO state. Conclusions The CTO proved to be effective in reducing revolving door admissions and it has a beneficial carryover effect in the post-CTO state.
Nuclear expression of p53, p21 and cyclin D1 is increased in bronchioloalveolar carcinoma

The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine, using immunohistochemistry, the level of expression of the cell cycle factors p53, p21 and cyclin D1 in a group of bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (BACs), and to compare these data to relevant published data for lung carcinoma; (2) to determine if higher expression rates for these factors in BAC were associated statistically with advanced clinical stage, greater tumour size, tobacco abuse, and/or BAC subtype; (3) to seek, using Fisher's exact t‐test and paired data groups, any significant associations within the expression data for p53, p21 and cyclin D1.
Poor Families Striving to Save in Matched Children’s Savings Accounts: Findings from a Randomized Experimental Design in Uganda

This study examines participants’ savings in children’s savings accounts (CSAs) set up for AIDS-orphaned children ages 10–15 in Uganda. Using a cluster-randomized experimental design, we examine the extent to which families participating in a CSA program report more savings than their counterparts not participating in the program, explore the extent to which families who participate in the CSA program report using formal financial institutions compared with families who do not have a CSA, and consider whether families participating in the CSA program bring new money into the CSA or whether they reshuffle existing household assets. We find that participating in a CSA increased families’ likelihood to report having saved money. However, our results show no intervention effect either on the amount of self-reported savings or on the likelihood of using formal financial institutions. Further research is needed to understand whether use of a CSA helps families generate new wealth.
Small-area bends and beamsplitters for lowindex-contrast waveguides.

We explore the use of air trenches to achieve compact high efficiency 90 degrees waveguide bends and beamsplitters for waveguide material systems that have low refractive index and low refractive index contrast between the core and clad materials. For a single air interface, simulation results show that the optical efficiency of a waveguide bend can be increased from 78.4% to 99.2% by simply decreasing the bend angle from 90 degrees to 60 degrees . This can be explained by the angular spectrum of the waveguide mode optical field. For 90 degrees bends we use a micro-genetic algorithm (GA) with a 2-D finite difference time domain (FDTD) method to rigorously design high efficiency waveguide bends composed of multiple air trenches. Simulation results show an optical efficiency of 97.2% for an optimized bend composed of three air trenches. Similarly, a single air trench can be designed to function as a 90 degrees beamsplitter with 98.5% total efficiency.
Sustainable solutions for last mile Internet access in developing countries : critical success factors

Touray, Almamy Sustainable Solutions for Last Mile Internet Access in Developing Countries: Critical Success Factors Jyvaskyla: University of Jyvaskyla, 2015, 64 p. (+ included articles) (Jyvaskyla Studies in Computing ISSN 1456-5390; 214) ISBN 978-951-39-6220-3 (nid.) ISBN 978-951-39-6221-0 (PDF) Finnish summary Diss. The Internet is a tremendous, undisputed force for economic growth and social change. However, access to this vital technology in Africa is progressing slowly compared to other regions of the world. For instance, the Internet penetration rate at individual level in Africa in 2014 was just 19%. This figure was far less than the world’s average penetration rates of 40%. In addition, the 2014 household Internet penetration rate in Africa was about 11%, a figure which was also far less than the world average of about 44%. These statistics demonstrate a major obstacle in terms of Internet use on the continent. Thus, this dissertation’s primary objective is to develop frameworks that could increase understanding of key elements of Internet diffusion and adoption in Africa. This will be achieved by identifying critical success factors (CSFs) of sustainable solutions for last mile Internet access on the continent. In order to attain the primary objective, a number of secondary objectives are outlined in the form of research questions that fit the individual needs of the six papers that make up this dissertation. A triangulated research design is employed that consists of a systematic literature review, a case study and a survey method. Three data analysis techniques are used: structural equation modeling, descriptive statistics and open and nonhierarchical coding. The dissertation focuses on Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and users as two important entities in Internet dispensation. The results reveal six critical success factors impeding last mile Internet access in Africa. They include trust, facilitators, accessibility, infrastructure, behavioral intention and awareness. The identified CSFs are further expressed in terms of fourteen dimensions: ISPs’ service deliverability, cyberphobia, ISPs’ benevolence toward Internet users, ISPs, ICT policy makers, cost, income, Internet Exchange Points, undersea fiber optic connection, adequate electricity, privacy, security, user perception and required local content. The six CSFs and the fourteen dimensions help to develop a generalized Internet diffusion framework (GIDF). In addition, four frameworks are proposed. Cumulatively, the proposed frameworks could be used as tools for ICT policy makers and ISPs in their efforts to enhance Internet diffusion and adoption in developing countries. They can also serve as basis for future researchers in developing more comprehensive Internet adoption and diffusion frameworks.
Acute cerebral infarction after pyrethroid ingestion

hypobetalipoproteinemia: early neurological, hematological, and ocular manifestations in two affected twins responding to vitamin supplementation. Curr Opin Pediatr 2009; 21: 824–827. 4 KaydenHJ, TraberMG. Absorption, lipoprotein transport, and regulation of plasma concentrations of vitamin E in humans. J Lipid Res 1993; 34: 343–358. 5 Muller DPR. Vitamin E and neurological function. Mol Nutr Food Res 2010; 54: 710–718.
Structures of two molluscan hemocyanin genes: Significance for gene evolution

We present here the description of genes coding for molluscan hemocyanins. Two distantly related mollusks, Haliotis tuberculata and Octopus dofleini, were studied. The typical architecture of a molluscan hemocyanin subunit, which is a string of seven or eight globular functional units (FUs, designated a to h, about 50 kDa each), is reflected by the gene organization: a series of eight structurally related coding regions in Haliotis, corresponding to FU-a to FU-h, with seven highly variable linker introns of 174 to 3,198 bp length (all in phase 1). In Octopus seven coding regions (FU-a to FU-g) are found, separated by phase 1 introns varying in length from 100 bp to 910 bp. Both genes exhibit typical signal (export) sequences, and in both cases these are interrupted by an additional intron. Each gene also contains an intron between signal peptide and FU-a and in the 3′ untranslated region. Of special relevance for evolutionary considerations are introns interrupting those regions that encode a discrete functional unit. We found that five of the eight FUs in Haliotis each are encoded by a single exon, whereas FU-f, FU-g, and FU-a are encoded by two, three and four exons, respectively. Similarly, in Octopus four of the FUs each correspond to an uninterrupted exon, whereas FU-b, FU-e, and FU-f each contain a single intron. Although the positioning of the introns between FUs is highly conserved in the two mollusks, the introns within FUs show no relationship either in location nor phase. It is proposed that the introns between FUs were generated as the eight-unit polypeptide evolved from a monomeric precursor, and that the internal introns have been added later. A hypothesis for evolution of the ring-like quaternary structure of molluscan hemocyanins is presented.
Passenger accidents and injuries reported during 3 years on a cruise ship.

BACKGROUND The objective was to register and analyze data from all passenger injuries reported to the medical centre of a cruise ship with a median passenger load of 719 per day during a three-year period, and to determine high risk areas, equipment, and behaviour. METHODS All reported passenger injuries were registered at first visit. An injury was 'serious' if it led to hospitalization ashore or if full recovery was not expected within two weeks. RESULTS During 3 years, 663 injuries (62.7% women) were reported aboard; 12.5% were classified as serious. The victims' median age was 72 (range: 1-97) years. The incidence rate was 0.8 injuries per 1000 passenger-days. Most victims (65.3%) suffered injuries aboard, 3.6% on tenders, and 31.1% ashore. The most common accident locations aboard were cabins (20.1%) and bathrooms (13.4), and ashore, streets (29.6%) and buses (16.1%). Slips/trips/falls caused 44.8% of injuries aboard and 69.4% ashore (p < 0.001). The most frequently injured body part was the lower extremity (43.0%), and open wounds the most common injury type (41.6%). More wounds and fractures/dislocations occurred ashore than aboard (p < 0.05). Only 2% were hospitalized in port, while 5% were referred to specialists in local ports and returned to the ship. There were no helicopter evacuations or ship diversions. CONCLUSIONS Passenger injuries contribute considerably to the workload of the medical team aboard. A well-equipped, competent medical staff will effectively treat most injuries aboard and thus reduce the number of costly and inconvenient helicopter evacuations, ship diversions, port referrals, and medical disembarkations.
Intermolecular Complementation between Two Varicella-Zoster Virus pORF30 Terminase Domains Essential for DNA Encapsidation

ABSTRACT The herpesviral terminase complex is part of the intricate machinery that delivers a single viral genome into empty preformed capsids (encapsidation). The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) terminase components (pORF25, pORF30, and pORF45/42) have not been studied as extensively as those of herpes simplex virus 1 and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). In this study, VZV bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) were generated with small (Δ30S), medium (Δ30M), and large (Δ30L) ORF30 internal deletions. In addition, we isolated recombinant viruses with specific alanine substitutions in the putative zinc finger motif (30-ZF3A) or in a conserved region (region IX) with predicted structural similarity to the human topoisomerase I core subdomains I and II (30-IXAla, 30-620A, and 30-622A). Recombinant viruses replicated in an ORF30-complementing cell line (ARPE30) but failed to replicate in noncomplementing ARPE19 and MeWo cells. Transmission electron microscopy of 30-IXAla-, 30-620A-, and 30-622A-infected ARPE19 cells revealed only empty VZV capsids. Southern analysis showed that cells infected with parental VZV (VZVLUC) or a repaired virus (30R) contained DNA termini, whereas cells infected with Δ30L, 30-IXAla, 30-620A, or 30-622A contained little or no processed viral DNA. These results demonstrated that pORF30, specifically amino acids 619 to 624 (region IX), was required for DNA encapsidation. A luciferase-based assay was employed to assess potential intermolecular complementation between the zinc finger domain and conserved region IX. Complementation between 30-ZF3A and 30-IXAla provided evidence that distinct pORF30 domains can function independently. The results suggest that pORF30 may exist as a multimer or participate in higher-order assemblies during viral DNA encapsidation. IMPORTANCE Antivirals with novel mechanisms of action are sought as additional therapeutic options to treat human herpesvirus infections. Proteins involved in the viral DNA encapsidation process have become promising antiviral targets. For example, letermovir is a small-molecule drug targeting HCMV terminase that is currently in phase III clinical trials. It is important to define the structural and functional characteristics of proteins that make up viral terminase complexes to identify or design additional terminase-specific compounds. The VZV ORF30 mutants described in this study represent the first VZV terminase mutants reported to date. Targeted mutations confirmed the importance of a conserved zinc finger domain found in all herpesvirus ORF30 terminase homologs but also identified a novel, highly conserved region (region IX) essential for terminase function. Homology modeling suggested that the structure of region IX is present in all human herpesviruses and thus represents a potential structurally conserved antiviral target.