Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural Identification of 2′- and 3′-O-Acetyl-ADP-ribose as Novel Metabolites Derived from the Sir2 Family of β-NAD+-dependent Histone/Protein Deacetylases* 210

The Sir2 (silentinformation regulator 2) family of histone/protein deacetylases has been implicated in a wide range of biological activities, including gene silencing, life-span extension, and chromosomal stability. Their dependence on β-NAD+ for activity is unique among the known classes of histone/protein deacetylase. Sir2 enzymes have been shown to couple substrate deacetylation and β-NAD+ cleavage to the formation of O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, a newly described metabolite. To gain a better understanding of the catalytic mechanism and of the biological implications of producing this molecule, we have performed a detailed enzymatic and structural characterization ofO-acetyl-ADP-ribose. Through the use of mass spectrometry, rapid quenching techniques, and NMR structural analyses, 2′-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose and 3′-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose were found to be the solution products produced by the Sir2 family of enzymes. Rapid quenching approaches under single-turnover conditions identified 2′-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose as the enzymatic product, whereas 3′-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose was formed by intramolecular transesterification after enzymatic release into bulk solvent, where 2′- and 3′-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose exist in equilibrium (48:52). In addition to 1H and 13C chemical shift assignments for each regioisomer, heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation spectroscopy was used to assign unambiguously the position of the acetyl group. These findings are highly significant, because they differ from the previous conclusion, which suggested that 1′-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose was the solution product of the reaction. Possible mechanisms for the generation of 2′-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose are discussed.
Demand Prediction of Emergency Supplies under Fuzzy and Missing Partial Data

An accurate demand prediction of emergency supplies according to disaster information and historical data is an important research subject in emergency rescue. This study aims at improving supplies demand prediction accuracy under partial data fuzziness and missing. The main contributions of this study are summarized as follows. (1) In view that it is difficult for the turning point of the whitenization weight function to determine fuzzy data, two computational formulas solving “core” of fuzzy interval grey numbers were proposed, and the obtained “core” replaced primary fuzzy information so as to reach the goal of transforming uncertain information into certain information. (2) For partial data missing, the improved grey k-nearest neighbor (GKNN) algorithm was put forward based on grey relation degree and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm. Weights were introduced in the filling and logic test conditions were added after filling so that filling results were of higher truthfulness and accuracy. (3) The preprocessed data are input into the improved algorithm based on the genetic algorithm and BP neural networks (GABP) to obtain the demand prediction model. Finally the calculation presents that the prediction accuracy and its stability are improved at the five-group comparative tests of calculated examples of actual disasters. The experiments indicated that the supplies demand prediction model under data fuzziness and missing proposed in this study was of higher prediction accuracy.
Edge Exclusion Tests for Improper Complex Gaussian Graphical Model Selection

We consider the problem of inferring the conditional independence graph (CIG) of improper complex-valued Gaussian vectors. A <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$p$</tex-math></inline-formula>-variate improper complex Gaussian graphical model associated with an undirected graph with <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$p$</tex-math></inline-formula> vertices is defined as the family of improper complex Gaussian distributions that obey the conditional independence restrictions implied by the edge set of the graph. For real random vectors, considerable body of paper exists where one first tests for exclusion of each edge from the saturated model, and then infers the CIG. Prior work on proper complex Gaussian graphical models is sparse, while that on improper complex Gaussian graphical models is non-existent. In this paper, we propose and analyze a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) based edge exclusion test statistic for improper complex Gaussian graphical models. The null distribution of the test statistic is specified explicitly to allow analytical calculation of the test threshold. An alternative computationally fast version of the GLRT statistic is also derived. Simulation examples are presented to illustrate the proposed statistic.
International standards for symphysis-fundal height based on serial measurements from the Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project: prospective cohort study in eight countries

Objective To create international symphysis-fundal height standards derived from pregnancies of healthy women with good maternal and perinatal outcomes. Design Prospective longitudinal observational study. Setting Eight geographically diverse urban regions in Brazil, China, India, Italy, Kenya, Oman, United Kingdom, and United States. Participants Healthy, well nourished pregnant women enrolled into the Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study component of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project at 9-14 weeks’ gestation, and followed up until birth. Main outcome measures Symphysis-fundal height was measured every five weeks from 14 weeks’ gestation until birth using standardised methods and dedicated research staff who were blinded to the symphysis-fundal height measurements by turning the tape measure so that numbers were not visible during examination. The best fitting curve was selected using second degree fractional polynomials and further modelled in a multilevel framework to account for the longitudinal design of the study. Results Of 13 108 women screened in the first trimester, 4607 (35.1%) met the study entry criteria. Of the eligible women, 4321 (93.8%) had pregnancies without major complications and delivered live singletons without congenital malformations. The median number of symphysis-fundal height measurements was 5.0 (range 1-7); 3976 (92.0%) women had four or more measurements. Symphysis-fundal height measurements increased almost linearly with gestational age; data were used to determine fitted 3rd, 50th, and 97th centile curves, which showed excellent agreement with observed values. Conclusions This study presents international standards to measure symphysis-fundal height as a first level screening tool for fetal growth disturbances.
Lumbosacral Movement in the Sit‐and-Reach and in Cailliet's Protective‐Hamstring Stretch

Study Design This study analyzed movement characteristics of subjects as they performed two different hamstring stretching activities. Objectives The study determined if there were differences in lumbosacral movement as the subjects performed the two stretches. Summary of Background Data Cailliet contends that his protective hamstring stretch is less apt to be stressful to the structures of the spine than is a more commonly done sit-and-reach stretching activity. No previous biomechanical investigation has tested his contention. Methods Lumbosacral movement was measured with an Ady-Hall lumbar monitor as 40 university students (20 males, 20 females) performed a popular sit-and-reach test and a sit-and-reach test that subscribed to Cailliet's protective hamstring stretch protocol. Results Lumbosacral movement was almost identical in the two stretching activities. Conclusions If lumbosacral movement is the only criterion to consider in evaluating the safety of these two stretching activities, it makes little difference which activity is chosen. If moment of inertia were the dependent variable rather than lumbosacral movement, possibly one activity may be less stressful to the structures of the spine than the other.
Dorsal and anal pterygiophore interdigitation patterns in four species of Morone (Teleostei, Percichthyidae) : an aid to larval identification

The diagnostic potential of dorsal and anal pterygiophore interdigitation patterns was examined in larval stages of Morone saxatilis, ~· chrysops, ~· americana and~· mississippiensis. The number and position of pterygiophores relative to interneural spaces 1-6 and 10-13 and interhaemal spaces 12-15 as well as total number of dorsal and anal pterygiophores are characters useful in delimiting larvae of American Morone species. Interdigitation patterns useful in separating~· mississippiensis and M. americana larvae were not found, however these two species may not co-occur.
Testing the Pecking Order Theory and the Signaling Theory for Farm Businesses

Numerous empirical studies in the finance field have tested many theories for firmsi¦ capital structure. Under the assumption of asymmetric information, the pecking order theory proposes the financing order for farm businesses, which implies a negative relationship between their cash flow and leverage. Meanwhile, the signaling theory suggests a farms' financing strategy, meaning high quality farms prefer to facilitate their capital rising by sending diverse signals to potential lenders. Could these capital structure theories be applied for farm businesses? This paper tests the applicability of the pecking order theory and the signaling theory for farm businesses. The results show that farm businesses not only follow the pecking order theory but also the signaling theory. In addition, unlike corporate firms who can choose high leverage as financing signals, farm businesses mainly depend on their large size and good historical operation records to facilitate investment financing.
Lysis of Bacillus subtilis Cells by Glycerol and Sucrose Esters of Fatty Acids

The lytic action of glycerol and sucrose esters of fatty acids with different carbon chain lengths on the exponentially growing cells of Bacillus subtilis 168 was investigated. Of each series of esters, glycerol dodecanoate and sucrose hexadecanoate were the most active. Lysis at 1 h after the addition of 0.1 mM glycerol dodecanoate or 20 μg of sucrose hexadecanoate per ml was 81 or 79%, respectively, as evaluated by the reduction in optical density. During this treatment a great loss of viability occurred that preceded lysis. The results that were obtained suggest that autolysis is induced by these esters. The esters caused morphological changes in the cells, but a seeming adaptation of the cells to esters was seen.
Med9/Cse2 and Gal11 Modules Are Required for Transcriptional Repression of Distinct Group of Genes*

The yeast Mediator is composed of two subcomplexes, Rgr1 and Srb4, known to be required for diverse aspects of transcriptional regulation; however, their structural and functional organizations have not yet been deciphered in detail. Biochemical analyses designed to determine the subunit composition of the Rgr1 subcomplex revealed that the regulator-interacting subcomplex has a modular structure and is composed of the Gal11, Med9/Cse2, and Med10/Nut2 modules. Genome-wide gene expression and Northern analyses performed in the presence or absence of the various Mediator modules revealed a distinct requirement for the Gal11, Med9/Cse2, and Med10/Nut2 modules in transcriptional repression as well as activation. GST pull-down analysis revealed that the transcriptional repressor Tup1 binds to distinct but overlapping regions of the Gal11 module that were shown previously to be transcriptional activator binding sites. These data suggest that competition between transcriptional activators and repressors for a common binding site in the Mediator and distinct conformational changes in the Mediator induced by repressor binding may underlie the mechanism of transcriptional repression in eukaryotes.
Using morphemes in language modeling and automatic speech recognition of Amharic

Abstract This paper presents morpheme-based language models developed for Amharic (a morphologically rich Semitic language) and their application to a speech recognition task. A substantial reduction in the out of vocabulary rate has been observed as a result of using subwords or morphemes. Thus a severe problem of morphologically rich languages has been addressed. Moreover, lower perplexity values have been obtained with morpheme-based language models than with word-based models. However, when comparing the quality based on the probability assigned to the test sets, word-based models seem to fare better. We have studied the utility of morpheme-based language models in speech recognition systems and found that the performance of a relatively small vocabulary (5k) speech recognition system improved significantly as a result of using morphemes as language modeling and dictionary units. However, as the size of the vocabulary increases (20k or more) the morpheme-based systems suffer from acoustic confusability and did not achieve a significant improvement over a word-based system with an equivalent vocabulary size even with the use of higher order (quadrogram) n-gram language models.
A Fourier Space Time-stepping Approach Applied to Problems in Finance by Julian Lippa

We study the use of a Fourier Space Time-stepping (FST) approach in solving partial integro-differential equations (PIDE) to value contingent claims arising from various financial problems. Under a jump diffusion stochastic model for the underlying asset, a derivation of the FST method is presented to solve the corresponding PIDE. Illustration of the solution method is provided for valuing singleand multi-asset European options under jump diffusion models. The valuation of a Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) variable annuity is formulated as a stochastic optimal control problem. We show how the payment of incentive fees inherent in a hedge fund manager’s compensation can be formulated as a path-dependent contingent claim. The financial pricing problems are numerically evaluated using the FST method and results are discussed qualitatively.
Distribution and Three‐Dimensional Structure of Intercellular Junctions in Canine Myocardium

Electrotonic coupling of cardiac myocytes at gap junctions may influence patterns of conduction in myocardium. To delineate the three-dimensional structure and distribution of intercellular junctions, we analyzed serial ultrathin sections of canine myocardium with transmission electron microscopy and disaggregated myocytes with scanning electron microscopy. Morphometric analysis of left ventricular myocardium sectioned in three orthogonal planes revealed that 80percent; of total gap junctional membrane occurred in large, ribbon-like gap junctions oriented transversely at cell end processes. The remaining 20percent; of gap junctional membrane was contained in small gap junctions located within plicate segments (interdigitating regions of cell-to-cell adhesion) of intercalated disks. In serial ultrathin sections, all gap junctions were contiguous with plicate segments. Thus, true "lateral" gap junctions do not exist in working ventricular myocytes and would not likely be able to withstand shear forces created by laterally sliding cells. Examination of serial plastic sections with light microscopy revealed complex overlapping of myocytes such that individual myocytes were connected at intercalated disks to an average of 9.1 ±2.2 other myocytes. These observations provide an improved understanding of the extent and distribution of cell junctions and should facilitate experimental and model studies of conduction in myocardium.
Induction of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐specific T cells by needle stick injury in the absence of HCV‐viraemia

Background The risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after occupational exposure is low with seroconversion rates between 0 and 5%. However, factors associated with natural resistance against HCV after needle stick injury are poorly defined. HCV‐specific T‐cell responses have been described in cross‐sectional studies of exposed HCV‐seronegative individuals.
Adherence to leg ulcer lifestyle advice: qualitative and quantitative outcomes associated with a nurse-led intervention.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES Examining the (experienced) changes associated with a nursing intervention to enhance adherence to leg ulcer lifestyle advice. BACKGROUND Few interventions to enhance adherence to leg ulcer treatment are developed and tested. DESIGN Qualitative evaluation approach and pre-post-test design were used. METHOD Twenty-six patients with venous ulcers in a community care setting participated. Data were collected by means of interviews and participant observation. Frequency and duration of wearing compression, leg exercising and leg elevation, activity level, pain and ulcer size were registered at baseline, after the end of the intervention and three months later. Inductive content analysis and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used. RESULTS Knowledge about leg ulcer advice increased. The education contributed to more consciously following of the advice. The rationale of the advice and its association with healing or recurrence remained often unclear. More patients performed exercises after the intervention and at follow-up. Patients often looked out onto a 'new' perspective where enhancement of quality of life and even healing might be attainable. Some patients regained independence after learning how to apply and remove compression garments themselves. The frequency of exercising and the duration of exercises increased significantly. Step counts had not altered significantly. Patients not elevating the legs at baseline elevated the legs more and for a longer period of time after the intervention. This effect on leg elevation decreased after three months. No significant changes were reported on hours wearing compression. CONCLUSIONS The perceived changes suggest that the intervention holds a promise for current home care. Combining qualitative and quantitative research assisted to determine the possible effects of the intervention, increasing the potential for a meaningful randomised trial in the future. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Education about leg ulcer advice should be incorporated in nursing practice. Further testing of the intervention is recommended.
Recognition of core and flanking amino acids of MHC class II‐bound peptides by the T cell receptor

CD4 T cells recognize peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. Most MHC class II molecules have four binding pockets occupied by amino acids 1, 4, 6, and 9 of the minimal peptide epitope, while the residues at positions 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 are available to interact with the T cell receptor (TCR). In addition MHC class II bound peptides have flanking residues situated outside of this peptide core. Here we demonstrate that the flanking residues of the conalbumin peptide bound to I‐Ak have no effect on recognition by the D10 TCR. To study therole of peptide flanks for recognition by a second TCR, we determined the MHC and TCR contacting amino acids of the I‐Ab bound Eα peptide. The Eα peptide is shown to bind I‐Ab using four alanines as anchor residues. TCR recognition of Eα peptides with altered flanking residues again suggested that, in general, no specific interactions occurred with the peptide flanks. However, using an HLA‐DM‐mediated technique to measure peptide binding to MHC class II molecules, we found that the peptide flanking residues contribute substantially to MHC binding.
Acute Intermittent Porphyria Presenting with Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome, Accompanied by Prolonged Vasoconstriction

A 20-year-old Japanese woman had an attack of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed symmetrical lesions in the cerebrum and cerebellar hemisphere, corresponding to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Our administration of heme arginate gradually improved the clinical condition associated with AIP and the level of metabolite of nitric oxide (NO), which is a vascular dilator. Repeated MRI and magnetic resonance angiography revealed exacerbated PRES, part of which showed a small infarction, accompanied by progressive vasoconstriction. These findings suggest that the recovery of NO by heme replacement alone is insufficient for preventing brain damage during an AIP attack.
Prevalence and Mortality of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Diabetes

The purpose of this study was to investigate if insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) predispose to the development of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and modify the prognosis. The study includes 832 AMI patients consecutively hospitalized over a 3-yr period. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus among the AMI patients was 9.7% and is significantly higher than in an age-matched population, where it is 6.1% (P < 0.001). The prevalence of diabetes was higher for women than for men (14.9% versus 7.6%). The risk of AMI was found to be twice as high among IDDM than among nondiabetic patients (P < 0.001). Men with NIDDM were not found to have a significantly higher risk of AMI (P > 0.1), but the risk of AMI in women with NIDDM was approximately doubled (P < 0.01). During the first month following AMI the mortality rate for nondiabetic patients was 20.2% compared with 42.0% for diabetic patients (P < 0.001). Insulin treatment in NIDDM was associated with a reduced mortality rate compared with treatment with oral agents (P < 0.05). The mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with poor metabolic control compared with patients in good control, whether before AMI or at the time of hospitalization. Diabetic patients had a higher risk of developing cardiogenic shock and conduction disorders than nondiabetic patients. We conclude that diabetes mellitus disposes to AMI and that the mortality rate of AMI is significantly increased among diabetic patients. Poor metabolic regulation of the diabetes may aggravate the prognosis for AMI.