Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cloning of a Novel Arylamidase Gene from Paracoccus sp. Strain FLN-7 That Hydrolyzes Amide Pesticides

ABSTRACT The bacterial isolate Paracoccus sp. strain FLN-7 hydrolyzes amide pesticides such as diflubenzuron, propanil, chlorpropham, and dimethoate through amide bond cleavage. A gene, ampA, encoding a novel arylamidase that catalyzes the amide bond cleavage in the amide pesticides was cloned from the strain. ampA contains a 1,395-bp open reading frame that encodes a 465-amino-acid protein. AmpA was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 and homogenously purified using Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography. AmpA is a homodimer with an isoelectric point of 5.4. AmpA displays maximum enzymatic activity at 40°C and a pH of between 7.5 and 8.0, and it is very stable at pHs ranging from 5.5 to 10.0 and at temperatures up to 50°C. AmpA efficiently hydrolyzes a variety of secondary amine compounds such as propanil, 4-acetaminophenol, propham, chlorpropham, dimethoate, and omethoate. The most suitable substrate is propanil, with Km and k cat values of 29.5 μM and 49.2 s−1, respectively. The benzoylurea insecticides (diflubenzuron and hexaflumuron) are also hydrolyzed but at low efficiencies. No cofactor is needed for the hydrolysis activity. AmpA shares low identities with reported arylamidases (less than 23%), forms a distinct lineage from closely related arylamidases in the phylogenetic tree, and has different biochemical characteristics and catalytic kinetics with related arylamidases. The results in the present study suggest that AmpA is a good candidate for the study of the mechanism for amide pesticide hydrolysis, genetic engineering of amide herbicide-resistant crops, and bioremediation of amide pesticide-contaminated environments.
Distribution of mRNAs encoding CRF receptors in brain and pituitary of rat and mouse

Two G protein‐coupled receptors have been identified that bind corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) and urocortin (UCN) with high affinity. Hybridization histochemical methods were used to shed light on controversies concerning their localization in rat brain, and to provide normative distributional data in mouse, the standard model for genetic manipulation in mammals. The distribution of CRF‐R1 mRNA in mouse was found to be fundamentally similar to that in rat, with expression predominating in the cerebral cortex, sensory relay nuclei, and in the cerebellum and its major afferents. Pronounced species differences in distribution were few, although more subtle variations in the relative strength of R1 expression were seen in several forebrain regions. CRF‐R2 mRNA displayed comparable expression in rat and mouse brain, distinct from, and more restricted than that of CRF‐R1. Major neuronal sites of CRF‐R2 expression included aspects of the olfactory bulb, lateral septal nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, medial and posterior cortical nuclei of the amygdala, ventral hippocampus, mesencephalic raphe nuclei, and novel localizations in the nucleus of the solitary tract and area postrema. Several sites of expression in the limbic forebrain were found to overlap partially with ones of androgen receptor expression. In pituitary, rat and mouse displayed CRF‐R1 mRNA signal continuously over the intermediate lobe and over a subset of cells in the anterior lobe, whereas CRF‐R2 transcripts were expressed mainly in the posterior lobe. The distinctive expression pattern of CRF‐R2 mRNA identifies additional putative central sites of action for CRF and/or UCN. Constitutive expression of CRF‐R2 mRNA in the nucleus of the solitary tract, and stress‐inducible expression of CRF‐R1 transcripts in the paraventricular nucleus may provide a basis for understanding documented effects of CRF‐related peptides at a loci shown previously to lack a capacity for CRF‐R expression or CRF binding. Other such “mismatches” remain to be reconciled. J. Comp. Neurol. 428:191–212, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ATR Affecting Cell Radiosensitivity Is Dependent on Homologous Recombination Repair but Independent of Nonhomologous End Joining

ATR is one of the most important checkpoint proteins in mammalian cells responding to DNA damage. Cells defective in normal ATR activity are sensitive to ionizing radiation (IR). The mechanism by which ATR protects the cells from IR-induced killing remains unclear. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by IR are critical lesions for cell survival. Two major DNA DSB repair pathways exist in mammalian cells: homologous recombination repair (HRR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). We show that the doxycycline (dox)-induced ATR kinase dead (ATRkd) cells have the similar inductions and rejoining rates of DNA DSBs compared with cells without dox induction, although the dox-induced ATRkd cells are more sensitive to IR and have the deficient S and G2 checkpoints. We also show that the dox-induced ATRkd cells have a lower HRR efficiency compared with the cells without dox induction. These results indicate that the effects of ATR on cell radiosensitivity are independent of NHEJ but are linked to HRR that may be affected by the deficient S and G2 checkpoints.
Evaluating the Effects of Entrepreneurship Edutainment in Egypt: Randomized Controlled Trial Baseline Report, September 2015

This report presents the baseline analysis of the impact evaluation of a youth entrepreneurship reality TV show called El Mashrou3 in Egypt. The research aims to provide insights into the effects of so called 'edutainment' interventions on enterprise development outcomes for youth. This baseline report provides descriptive statistics on the study sample and balance tests between the treatment and control group.
HLA-DQ alpha allele and genotype frequencies in various human populations, determined by using enzymatic amplification and oligonucleotide probes.

Allele and genotype frequencies at the HLA-DQ alpha locus have been determined by the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and nonradioactive oligonucleotide probes. The probes define six alleles and 21 genotypes in a dot-blot format. A total of over 1,400 individuals from 11 populations has been typed by two different laboratories using this method. In contrast to some variable-number-of-tandem-repeat markers that have been used for identity determination, DQ alpha genotype frequencies do not deviate significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all populations studied. The distribution of alleles varies significantly between most of these populations. In Caucasians, the allele frequencies range from 4.3% to 28.5%. In this population, the power of discrimination is . 94, and, for paternity determination, the power of exclusion is . 642. These population data will allow the use of the HLA-DQ alpha marker in paternity determination, the analysis of individual identity in forensic samples, and anthropological studies.
Improving access of smallholders to agricultural services in Sub-Saharan Africa: Farmer cooperation and the role of the donor community

Successful cooperation among smallholders requires a close match between their existing experience and financial capacity and the types of cooperation required by any joint activity. It is often built on previous cooperative experience. A common-sense observation, but one frequently overlooked by many donors in practice, is that the demands one places on farmer groups should not exceed their current group management skills. This paper highlights the characteristics of successful farmer cooperation as well as some of the common mistakes made in trying to promote farmer groups. The analysis indicates that though groups have a role to play, group approaches do not provide an easy institutional response to the new pressures facing smallholders in a liberalised economy. Nor should farmer cooperation be viewed as a panacea for the development of rural areas.
Brain activation studies on visual-vestibular and ocular motor interaction.

Despite their different sensorimotor functions, saccades, pursuit eye movements, small-field optokinetic nystagmus and visual motion stimulation with the eyes stationary evoke a common complex pattern of activation in various cortical, basal ganglia, brain-stem and cerebellar areas. On closer inspection, however, typical subregions can be delineated that allow differentiation of adjacent but separate loci for specific functions (e.g. the separation of the two parallel corticocortical systems to control saccades and pursuit in the cortical eye fields). It is becoming increasingly clear that stimulation of one sensory system affects other sensory systems, and generally this is via an inhibitory reciprocal mode of interaction. For example, vestibular stimulation deactivates the visual cortex and visual stimulation deactivates the vestibular cortex.
Value of Energy Storage for Grid Applications (Report Summary) (Presentation)

This analysis evaluates several operational benefits of electricity storage, including load-leveling, spinning contingency reserves, and regulation reserves. Storage devices were simulated in a utility system in the western United States, and the operational costs of generation was compared to the same system without the added storage. This operational value of storage was estimated for devices of various sizes, providing different services, and with several sensitivities to fuel price and other factors. Overall, the results followed previous analyses that demonstrate relatively low value for load-leveling but greater value for provision of reserve services. The value was estimated by taking the difference in operational costs between cases with and without energy storage and represents the operational cost savings from deploying storage by a traditional vertically integrated utility. The analysis also estimated the potential revenues derived from a merchant storage plant in a restructured market, based on marginal system prices. Due to suppression of on-/off-peak price differentials and incomplete capture of system benefits (such as the cost of power plant starts), the revenue obtained by storage in a market setting appears to be substantially less than the net benefit provided to the system. This demonstrates some of the additional challenges for storage deployedmore » in restructured energy markets. « less
Implementing strategic collaborative quality management in healthcare sector

The limited success of Total Quality Management (TQM) in Iranian healthcare organisations led the researcher to search for a more viable solution, and therefore the concept of Strategic Collaborative Quality Management (SCQM) was created. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the SCQM model. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) was conducted at a public hospital for a period of 2.5 years to implement and evaluate the SCQM model. This study shows that SCQM provides a number of advantages over traditional TQM methods. These include improving the satisfaction of employees, clients, and suppliers and improving organisational productivity. SCQM application resulted in a cultural change in the hospital with improved communication, teamwork, and attitude towards continuous improvement. Employees’ morale, commitment, and satisfaction were improved. Consequently patient care was improved. These improvements were associated with top management active support, employee commitment and involvement, education and training, customer focus, supplier relations, and use of appropriate quality management methods.
Porcine somatotropin improves growth in finishing pigs without altering calpain 3 (p94) or alpha-actin mRNA abundance and has a differential effect on calpastatin transcription products.

The objective of this study was to determine whether the improvements in growth and efficiency of gain achieved by recombinant porcine somatotropin (pST) are associated with altered expression of the p94, calpastatin, or alpha-actin genes in porcine longissimus (LD) muscle. Forty-eight barrows (initial 64.2 to 67.4 kg BW) were assigned to four treatments (n = 12) arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial in a randomized complete block design. Factors were duration of treatment (3 or 6 wk) and pST administration (0 or 3 mg x pig(-1) x d(-1)). Plasma samples were obtained 24 h after the first pST injection and at the end of the each treatment period for assays of selected variables. The LD samples were obtained at 3 and 6 wk of pST treatment. Northern blot analysis of calpastatin expression in LD muscle revealed three distinct transcription products of approximately 8.5 (CPST I), 5.5 (CPST II), and 2.5 (CPST III) kb; CPST II was reduced (P < .02) 33 and 61% by pST at 3 and 6 wk, respectively, whereas CPST I and III were not influenced (P > .12). Neither alpha-actin nor p94 was responsive to pST injection. As expected, pST resulted in higher (50%, P < .02) plasma insulin within 24 h and one- and twofold higher (P < .01) concentrations at 3 and 6 wk, respectively. Glucose was increased (P < .01) at 3 (15%) and 6 (10%) wk, whereas urea nitrogen was reduced (32 to 36%, P < .01). The efficacy of pST was evident in that ADG was improved (P < .01) 11 to 13% independent of time. Likewise, feed intake was reduced (P < .01) 10 to 11% and gain: feed improved (P < .01) approximately 26% for pigs receiving pST independent of time. These data indicate that the enhanced muscle growth achieved by pST is not associated with altered expression of p94 or alpha-actin, or an increase in the abundance of any calpastatin transcription product.
Output synchronization of Lur'e-type nonlinear systems in the presence of input disturbances

This paper deals with the output synchronization problem of a network of Lur'e-type nonlinear systems under exogenous disturbances that are different from node to node and introduce a source of heterogeneity in the network. The Lur'e-type nonlinear systems we consider possess the properties of incremental output-feedback passivity and input-to-state stability relative to a set. Based on these properties, we propose a distributed controller which is a combination of adaptive laws to cope with the shortage of passivity and internal models to attenuate the net effect of disturbances on synchronization error. By the input-to-state stability of the Lur'e-type systems, the proposed controller guarantees boundedness of the closed-loop solutions and synchronization of the outputs of the nonlinear systems. Finally, a computer simulation of a network of Chua's circuits is given to demonstrate the validity of the proposed result.
The DNA binding and oligomerization domain of MCM1 is sufficient for its interaction with other regulatory proteins.

The MCM1 gene encodes an essential DNA binding protein that, in cooperation with the transactivators alpha 1 and STE12 and the repressor alpha 2, confers mating specificity to haploid yeast cells. We show that the amino‐terminal third of the MCM1 protein is sufficient for the physical interaction with these factors. A strain expressing just 98 amino acids encompassing the oligomerization and DNA binding domains of MCM1 is viable and mating competent. This motif exhibits considerable similarity to a domain of the mammalian transcription factor SRF. A 98 amino acid hybrid gene coding for the MCM1 DNA binding domain and SRF dimerization domain is sufficient for viability but not for the expression of mating type specific genes. In vitro binding studies suggest that a region of approximately 50 amino acids of MCM1 is essential for providing contacts with alpha 1, alpha 2 and STE12.
Sustained‐release Madopar HBS® compared with standard Madopar® in the long‐term treatment of de novo parkinsonian patients

In this Danish‐Norwegian randomized double‐blind parallel‐group multicentre study, we compared the therapeutic response of slow‐release Madopar HBS® to standard Madopar® in 134 de novo patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease during a 5‐year period. The drugs were dosed according to the individual need of the patients. The Webster, NUDS, UPDRS and Hoehn & Yahr scales were used for evaluation of symptoms. Addition of a morning dose of standard Madopar 62.5 mg was allowed after 6 months. Bromocriptine could be administered but not Selegiline. Sixty‐five patients got Madopar HBS and 69 standard Madopar. Surprisingly, no differences were found as to the mean daily levodopa dose, the mean number of daily doses or the use of and doses of bromocriptine. Unexpectedly, we found a trend towards a more frequent use of a morning dose of standard Madopar in the group treated with the standard formulation. No differences were observed in the occurrence of motor fluctuations or dyskinesia, the incidence of which was relatively low. Sustained‐release Madopar (HBS) thus proved to be as effective as standard Madopar in the long‐term treatment of de novo parkinsonian patients, but the drug showed no advantage in postponing or reducing the long‐term levodopa treatment problems.
The Role of Information in the Application for Merit-Based Scholarships: Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment

If information asymmetries prevent talented students of non-academic backgrounds from applying for merit-based aid, the full potential of qualified youth will not be unfolded and social selectivity is likely to corroborate. This paper analyzes whether information asymmetries exist and decrease students' likelihood to apply for merit-based scholarships. In a randomized field experiment, I expose more than 5,000 German students either to general information on federally funded scholarships or additionally to tailored information on details of the application process, conveyed by a similar role model. Both treatments reduced information asymmetries significantly. The role model treatment did significantly increase non-academic and male students' application probabilities for federally funded merit-based scholarships. Providing only general information on the scholarship system triggered participants' own information search for alternative funding sources and increased application rates for other, not federally funded scholarships.
Turbo Receiver with ICI-Aware Dual-List Detection for Mobile MIMO-OFDM Systems

This paper presents a turbo receiver using the proposed ICI-aware Dual-List (IDL) MIMO detection method that can efficiently detect signals deteriorated by both inter-carrier interference (ICI) and inter-antenna interference (IAI). These two interferences often occur simultaneously in mobile multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication systems. The IDL detector enhances ICI mitigation and avoids the notorious error propagation problem encountered in conventional interference mitigation/cancellation schemes. In addition, this study proposes three techniques to reduce the required computational complexity by 99.63% in complex additions, 99.69% in complex multiplications, and 67.25% in comparison operations. Simulation results confirm the theoretical upper bound and also show that the bit error rate performance of the receiver in high-mobility channels is comparable to that of a maximum-likelihood MIMO-OFDM receiver in stationary channels, i.e., the ICI-free scenario.
Exchange rate coordination in Asia under regional currency basket systems

In this paper, I examine to what extent Asian exchange rates are coordinated around a synthetic Asian Currency Unit (ACU) defined as a basket of Asian currencies. Using a VAR model, the results provide some evidence of stabilization among Asian exchange rates around the ACU. Although the US dollar remains the dominant anchor within the region, these countries have allowed for more exchange rate flexibility against the US dollar since 2006, with the aim to adopt a basket peg in which Asian currencies have gained an increasing role. The empirical results also suggest that the official adoption of an undisclosed currency basket by the Chinese authorities in July 2005 has been an important factor in the decision of Asian countries to shift toward a de facto currency basket system.
HB Ube-2 (α68[E-17]ASN→ASP): The Second Instance in Japan

A hemoglobinopathy survey was conducted in the Takamatsu district of Kagawa Prefecture between January 1979 and October 1980. A total of 15,957 blood specimens from computer identified individuals was examined (1). This paper describes the structural and functional characterization of one of the variants detected by this survey.
Dynamic compact thermal modeling of package-on-package by thermal resistor-capacitor ladder

Package-on-package (PoP) has become a popular package for high performance SoC in mobile world in recent years as it occupies less area on printed circuit board by stacking DRAM on top of the package of SoC. However, this 3D package makes the thermal coupling effect between SoC and DRAM more prominent. Hence, a sophisticated thermal analysis including transient behavior would be beneficial to avoid unexpected performance suffering from throttling and maximize the power budgeting for SoC and DRAM.Transient thermal analysis conducted with commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool was time-consuming and laborious especially when the analysis scope ranged from PoP to full handheld device. For this reason, the dynamic compact thermal model (DCTM) would be the preferred methodology. In this work, the generic DCTM of PoP was proposed and developed based on a simplified grounded resistor-capacitor network as known as Cauer RC ladder. The particle swarm optimization algorithm was adopted to extract relevant parameters of RC ladder model. Comparing with the majority of conventional approach which used 2-rung or 3rung RC ladder model for package level thermal modeling, a RC model with 6-rung ladder was utilized in order to comprehend the thermal characteristic from package to full system level which was targeting to describe the thermal behavior of SoC inside a handheld device. Once the adequate number of rungs for Cauer RC ladder was identified from the single-heat-source cases, the next step was to extend its coverage to the multiple-heat-sources analysis for PoP which has both self-heating effect of two packages and thermal coupling effect between top and bottom packages. The thermal coupling effect was modeled by the thermal crosstalk and two individual RC ladders were used for the self-heating and thermal coupling effect respectively. After that, the principle of superposition was applied to combine the results and complete a full dynamic compact thermal modeling for PoP. Under the same boundary condition with CFD model, the proposed DCTM was demonstrated to be power-waveform independent and was applicable for diverse power profiles of PoP from various user scenarios and thermal throttling with satisfying accuracy.