Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Binding of the HIV-1 Nucleocapsid Protein to the Primer tRNA, inVitro, Is Essentially Not Specific (*)

The nucleocapsid protein NCp7 of human immunodeficiency virus, type 1, is a key component in the viral life cycle. Since, the first common step of all reported NCp7 activities corresponds to a nucleic acid-binding step, the NCp7 binding parameters to the natural primer tRNA3 were investigated. Using NCp7 intrinsic fluorescence, we found that (i) in 0.1 M NaCl, NCp7 bound noncooperatively to tRNA3 with a K = 3.2 × 106M association constant and a n = 6 binding site size, (ii) four ionic interactions were formed in the NCp7•tRNA3 complex, and (iii) nonelectrostatic factors provided about 60% of the binding energy. These binding parameters were not significantly altered when the natural tRNA3 was replaced by either an in vitro synthetic tRNA3 transcript, the heterologous yeast tRNA or the structurally unrelated 5 S RNA from Escherichia coli. Moreover, the environment of the intrinsic fluorescent reporters (Trp and Trp) was similar in the various complexes. Finally, experiments performed at low protein concentration provide no evidence of high affinity binding sites. Taken together, our data strongly suggested an essentially nonspecific binding of NCp7 to tRNA3 and thus did not seem to support a direct role of NCp7, per se, in the selection of tRNA3 from the pool of cellular tRNAs.
Influence of sodium bicarbonate on performance and hydration in lightweight rowing.

PURPOSE The effect of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion on prerace hydration status and on 2000 m ergometer performance in elite lightweight rowers was examined using a randomized, cross-over, double-blinded design. METHODS To simulate body mass (BM) management strategies common to lightweight rowing, oarsmen reduced BM by approx. 4% in the 24 h preceding the trials, and, in the 2 h before performance, undertook nutritional recovery consisting of mean 43.2 kJ/kg, 2.2 g of CHO per kilogram, 31.8 mg of Na+ per kilogram, 24.3 mL of H2O per kilogram, and NaHCO3 (0.3 g of NaHCO3 per kilogram BM) or placebo (PL; 0.15 g of corn flour per kilogram BM) at 70 to 90 min before racing. RESULTS At 25 min before performance, NaHCO3 had increased blood pH (7.48 ± 0.02 vs PL: 7.41 ± 0.03, P = .005) and bicarbonate concentrations (29.1 ± 1.8 vs PL: 23.9 ± 1.6 mmol/L, P < .001), whereas BM, urine specific gravity, and plasma volume changes were similar between trials. Rowing ergometer times were similar between trials (NaHCO3: 397.8 ± 12.6; PL: 398.6 ± 13.8 s, P = .417), whereas posttest bicarbonate (11.6 ± 2.3 vs 9.4 ± 1.8 mmol/L, P = .003) and lactate concentration increases (13.4 ± 1.7 vs 11.9 ± 1.9 mmol/L, P = .001) were greater with NaHCO3. CONCLUSION Sodium bicarbonate did not further enhance rehydration or performance in lightweight rowers when undertaking recommended post-weigh-in nutritional recovery strategies.
An active beacon-based target localization method for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles with particle filter

This paper proposes a method of searching for missing people in mountains by UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) based on beacon signals. This method alternately updates the distribution of estimated target position and unknown parameters by particle filtering, and determines the next best observation location based on the idea of the uncertainty sampling. We will show how this method can be integrated with both of the range-based and range-free localization algorithms, and demonstrate the efficiency of it in a simulation study.
Temperature-Sensitive Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis PT13a Expressing Essential Proteins of Psychrophilic Bacteria

ABSTRACT Synthetic genes based on deduced amino acid sequences of the NAD-dependent DNA ligase (ligA) and CTP synthetase (pyrG) of psychrophilic bacteria were substituted for their native homologues in the genome of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis phage type 13a (PT13a). The resulting strains were rendered temperature sensitive (TS) and did not revert to temperature resistance at a detectable level. At permissive temperatures, TS strains grew like the parental strain in broth medium and in macrophage-like cells, but their growth was slowed or stopped when they were shifted to a restrictive temperature. When injected into BALB/c mice at the base of the tail, representing a cool site of the body, the strains with restrictive temperatures of 37, 38.5, and 39°C persisted for less than 1 day, 4 to 7 days, and 20 to 28 days, respectively. The wild-type strain persisted at the site of inoculation for at least 28 days. The wild-type strain, but not the TS strains, was also found in spleen-plus-liver homogenates within 1 day of inoculation of the tail and was detectable in these organs for at least 28 days. Intramuscular vaccination of White Leghorn chickens with the PT13a strain carrying the psychrophilic pyrG gene provided some protection against colonization of the reproductive tract and induced an anti-S. enterica antibody response.
Governance after the Glorious Revolution: evidence on the enforcement of property rights in Britain’s transport sector, 1690-1750

"Britain’s economic rise in the eighteenth century is often linked with the strong protection of property rights by Parliament. This view remains controversial because there have been few studies directly examining Parliament’s role in the enforcement of property rights and the political economy forces are not well understood. This paper provides micro-evidence in the context of Britain’s transport sector, where turnpike trusts were given rights to levy tolls subject to a cap. The toll caps were renegotiated in Parliament creating the potential for interest groups to lobby for lower tolls. Using novel data spanning from 1690 to 1750, I show that more than 83% of renegotiations either maintained or expanded toll caps, indicating that property rights designed by parliament were mostly secure. An econometric analysis also reveals under which conditions property rights in tolls were weakened in renegotiations. The odds were greater when local connections to the majority party and political competition were weaker. The odds of lower tolls were greater following elections, foreign wars, and bad harvests. The results enrich our understanding of governance after the Glorious Revolution and serve as a reminder that the enforcement of property rights is a politic-economic equilibrium. "
Who’s responsible here? US resident perceptions of food retailer social responsibility

Perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for prominent food retailers (Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Target, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Amazon.com) were analyzed through best-worst scaling methodology, which resulted in a relative ranking of perceived CSR for each retailer. Seemingly unrelated regression was used to investigate determinants of CSR rankings by the sample of 299 US residents. Of the retailers included in this analysis, Whole Foods was perceived to be the most socially responsible (37%), followed by Trader Joe’s (16%). Respondent characteristics, including gender, children in household, knowledge of retail food business practices, and familiarity with particular food retailers were determinants of the relative CSR rankings. Understanding relationships between demographics and perceptions of food retailers contributes to understanding consumer preferences and demands, which may inform firm decisions.
Incidence and outcomes of acute lung injury.

BACKGROUND Acute lung injury is a critical illness syndrome consisting of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates that are not attributed to left atrial hypertension. Despite recent advances in our understanding of the mechanism and treatment of acute lung injury, its incidence and outcomes in the United States have been unclear. METHODS We conducted a prospective, population-based, cohort study in 21 hospitals in and around King County, Washington, from April 1999 through July 2000, using a validated screening protocol to identify patients who met the consensus criteria for acute lung injury. RESULTS A total of 1113 King County residents undergoing mechanical ventilation met the criteria for acute lung injury and were 15 years of age or older. On the basis of this figure, the crude incidence of acute lung injury was 78.9 per 100,000 person-years and the age-adjusted incidence was 86.2 per 100,000 person-years. The in-hospital mortality rate was 38.5 percent. The incidence of acute lung injury increased with age from 16 per 100,000 person-years for those 15 through 19 years of age to 306 per 100,000 person-years for those 75 through 84 years of age. Mortality increased with age from 24 percent for patients 15 through 19 years of age to 60 percent for patients 85 years of age or older (P<0.001). We estimate that each year in the United States there are 190,600 cases of acute lung injury, which are associated with 74,500 deaths and 3.6 million hospital days. CONCLUSIONS Acute lung injury has a substantial impact on public health, with an incidence in the United States that is considerably higher than previous reports have suggested.
Determinants of endogenous fecal calcium in healthy women

Endogenous fecal calcium (EFC) excretion was measured in 518 studies in 191 normal perimenopausal women, most studied two to three times over a 15 year period. EFC averaged 102 + 25 mg/day. Absorption fraction was simultaneously determined by both double‐isotope and balance methods. EFC was found to vary inversely with absorption fraction, and the observed relationship was used to calculate the total amount of calcium (TIC) entering the gut from endogenous sources. TIC averaged 140 + 34 mg/day and was found to be correlated with a number of intake and body size variables. Phosphorus intake was the most strongly correlated of all the variables (r = 0.404; P < 0.0001), each increment of 0.1 g phosphorus intake being associated with an increase in TIC of 6 mg. Lean body mass was the best correlated of the body size variables, with TIC rising by 1.6 mg/day for every kg lean mass. There were also small but significant correlations with protein and energy intakes, the latter suggesting that some of the variation of TIC is related to the amount of food consumed. Caffeine, previously reported as elevating TIC, did not exhibit a significant relationship in this study.
K-Band BiCMOS based near-field biomedical dielectric sensor for Detection of fat and calcium in blood

This paper presents a K-band BiCMOS dielectric biomedical sensor for discrimination of fat and calcium in blood. Open ended microstrip line, referred as open-stub, is used as the sensing element and is embedded in a Colpitts oscillator. The impedance seen by the oscillator core at this node is capacitive and varies with the permittivity of the medium on top of the stub. As the resonant frequency of the oscillator scales in accordance with the capacitance of this stub, the permittivity data is translated into output frequency of the oscillator. The sensor chip was fabricated in standard 0.25 μm SiGe:C BiCMOS technology and has a size of 0.6 mm2, while consuming approx. 15 mW power from a 3.3 V supply. First measurements were performed by detecting concentration of water in glucose solution. Following this, varied concentrations of fat and calcium were measured using water and blood as the host material in binary mixture. This sensor is proposed as a building block for non-invasive investigations and plaque characterization.
Transport of Metal-binding Peptides by HMT1, A Fission Yeast ABC-type Vacuolar Membrane Protein (*)

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe hmt1 gene encodes an ABC (ATP-binding cassette)-type protein essential for Cd2+ tolerance. Immunoblot analysis of subcellular fractions indicates that the native HMT1 polypeptide is associated with the vacuolar membrane. Vacuolar membrane vesicles were purified from strains that hyperproduce, or are deficient in, the HMT1 protein. In vitro transport of radiolabeled substrates by these vesicles indicates that HMT1 is an ATP-dependent transporter of phytochelatins, the metal-chelating peptides involved in heavy metal tolerance of plants and certain fungi. Vacuolar vesicles containing HMT1 are capable of taking up both apo-phytochelatins and phytochelatin-Cd2+ complexes. HMT1 activity is sensitive to antibodies directed against this protein and to vanadate, but not to inhibitors affecting the vacuolar proton ATPase or ionophores that abolish the pH gradient across the vacuolar membrane. Vacuolar uptake of Cd2+ and of a glutathione conjugate were also observed, but are not attributable to HMT1. These studies highlight the importance of the yeast vacuole in detoxification of xenobiotics.
Opioid antagonist impedes exposure.

Exposure is a rapid and effective treatment for simple phobias. This study tested the assumption that endorphin release may be involved in exposure to a feared situation. Thirty spider-phobic Ss underwent exposure to 17 phobic-related, graded performance tasks. Half the Ss were randomly assigned to naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, and half to a placebo. Measures of heart rate, blood pressure, self-efficacy, anxiety, and cognitions were obtained during treatment. Six of the 15 Ss in the naltrexone group dropped out after the 10th step in the treatment compared with 1 of the 15 Ss in the placebo group, chi 2(1, N = 30) = 4.7, p = . 03. The naltrexone group took significantly longer to complete the first 10 steps (the last step that included all Ss) compared with the placebo group, F(9, 252) = 2.17, p = . 024. Maximum heart rate and anxiety were significantly greater at Step 10 in the naltrexone group, but no differences were found for self-efficacy or cognitions. The study provides further evidence that the endogenous opioid system may be involved in the process of exposure.
Spatiotemporal loss of K+ transport proteins in the developing cochlear lateral wall of guinea pigs with hereditary deafness

Genetic deafness is one of the most common human genetic birth defects. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying human hereditary deafness, deaf animal strains have proved to be invaluable models. The German waltzing guinea pig is a new strain of animals with unidentified gene mutation(s), displaying recessively inherited cochleovestibular impairment. Histological investigations of the homozygous animals (gw/gw) revealed a collapse of the endolymphatic compartment and malformation of stria vascularis. RT‐PCR showed a significant reduction in expression of the strial intermediate cell‐specific gene Dct and the tight‐junction gene Cldn11 in the embryonic day (E)40 and adult gw/gw cochlear lateral wall. Immunohistochemical analysis of the gw/gw cochlea showed loss of the tight junction protein CLDN11 in strial basal cells from E40, loss of the potassium channel subunit KCNJ10 in strial intermediate cells from E50, and loss of the Na–K–Cl cotransporter SLC12A2 in strial marginal cells from E50. In addition, a temporary loss of the gap junction protein GJB2 (connexin 26) between fibrocytes in the spiral ligament of the E50 gw/gw cochlea was observed. The barrier composed of tight junctions between strial basal cells was disrupted in the gw/gw cochlea as indicated by a biotin tracer permeability assay. In conclusion, spatiotemporal loss of K+ transport proteins in the cochlear lateral wall is caused by malformation of the stria vascularis in the developing German waltzing guinea pig inner ear. This new animal strain may serve as a good model for studying human genetic deafness due to disruption of inner ear ion homeostasis.
Neonatal head circumference, neonatal weight, and risk of hayfever, asthma and eczema in a large cohort of adolescents from Sheffield, England

Background Neonatal physical characteristics, including head circumference and birth weight, have been hypothesized to be markers of in utero thymic development. Greater head circumference and lower birth weight have been linked in previous studies to subsequent development of asthma, and greater birth weight has been associated with subsequent development of eczema.
Cooperative Effect of Two Surface Amino Acid Mutations (Q252L and E170K) in Glucose Dehydrogenase from Bacillus megaterium IWG3 on Stabilization of Its Oligomeric State

ABSTRACT A thermostable glucose dehydrogenase (GlcDH) mutant of Bacillus megaterium IWG3 harboring the Q252L substitution (Y. Makino, S. Negoro, I. Urabe, and H. Okada, J. Biol. Chem. 264:6381-6385, 1989) is stable at pH values above 9, but only in the presence of 2 M NaCl. Another GlcDH mutant exhibiting increased stability at an alkaline pH in the absence of NaCl has been isolated previously (S.-H. Baik, T. Ide, H. Yoshida, O. Kagami, and S. Harayama, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 61:329-335, 2003). This mutant had two amino acid substitutions, Q252L and E170K. In the present study, we characterized three GlcDH mutants harboring the substitutions Q252L, E170K, and Q252L/E170K under low-salt conditions. The GlcDH mutant harboring two substitutions, Q252L/E170K, was stable, but mutants harboring a single substitution, either Q252L or E170K, were unstable at an alkaline pH. Gel filtration chromatography analyses demonstrated that the oligomeric state of the Q252/E170K enzyme was stable, while the tetramers of the enzymes harboring a single substitution (Q252L or E170K) dissociated into dimers at an alkaline pH. These results indicated that the Q252L and E170K substitutions synergistically strengthened the interaction at the dimer-dimer interface. The crystal structure of the E170K/Q252L mutant, determined at 2.0-Å resolution, showed that residues 170 and 252 are located in a hydrophobic cavity at the subunit-subunit interface. We concluded that these residues in the wild-type enzyme have thermodynamically unfavorable effects, while the Q252L and E170K substitutions increase the subunit-subunit interactions by stabilizing the hydrophobic cavity.
Fast and slow spindles during the sleep slow oscillation: disparate coalescence and engagement in memory processing.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Thalamo-cortical spindles driven by the up-state of neocortical slow (< 1 Hz) oscillations (SOs) represent a candidate mechanism of memory consolidation during sleep. We examined interactions between SOs and spindles in human slow wave sleep, focusing on the presumed existence of 2 kinds of spindles, i.e., slow frontocortical and fast centro-parietal spindles. DESIGN Two experiments were performed in healthy humans (24.5 ± 0.9 y) investigating undisturbed sleep (Experiment I) and the effects of prior learning (word paired associates) vs. non-learning (Experiment II) on multichannel EEG recordings during sleep. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Only fast spindles (12-15 Hz) were synchronized to the depolarizing SO up-state. Slow spindles (9-12 Hz) occurred preferentially at the transition into the SO down-state, i.e., during waning depolarization. Slow spindles also revealed a higher probability to follow rather than precede fast spindles. For sequences of individual SOs, fast spindle activity was largest for "initial" SOs, whereas SO amplitude and slow spindle activity were largest for succeeding SOs. Prior learning enhanced this pattern. CONCLUSIONS The finding that fast and slow spindles occur at different times of the SO cycle points to disparate generating mechanisms for the 2 kinds of spindles. The reported temporal relationships during SO sequences suggest that fast spindles, driven by the SO up-state feed back to enhance the likelihood of succeeding SOs together with slow spindles. By enforcing such SO-spindle cycles, particularly after prior learning, fast spindles possibly play a key role in sleep-dependent memory processing.
A 3-D packaging concept for cost effective packaging of MEMS and ASIC on wafer level

Heterogeneous integration bridges the gap between nanoelectronics and its derived applications. Currently MEMS and their signal conditioning ASICs are produced and packaged at different industry sectors (different fabs). To reduce costs and enhance yield and performance at the same time this quite expensive way of packaging has to be modified. This paper presents a different packaging concept. It uses standard redistribution layer technology (RDL) to package thinned chips on a full wafer substrate e.g. thinned ASIC chips on a MEMS wafer. For this approach no Through Silicon Vias (TSV) are needed. Standard chips can be used without redesign. Only Known Good Dies (KGDs) are packaged with the cost benefit of wafer level technology. At the starting point for this type of packaging both ASIC and MEMS chips are still parts of full wafers. The wafer with the larger sized chips (e.g. MEMS chips) is used as a substrate for the further process steps. The wafer with the smaller sized chips (e.g. ASIC chips) is thinned down on wafer level to a thickness of 10µm to 40µm and diced. These thinned chips are glued onto the base wafer with a polymer layer (BCB from Dow Chemical). The polymer has been deposited and structured before gluing the next chip on top. After placement of the thinned chips the wafer is again coated with BCB to embed the chips. This polymer layer is photostructured to open contact pads on the base chips as well as on the embedded chips. The next step is the built-up of metal routing. Here a semi-additive process is used, which means electroplating on a sputter seed layer of TiW/Cu. This metal layer is followed by another polymer layer for passivation and acting as a solder mask. Then Under Bump Metallization (UBM) is applied again by electroplating. Finally Balling is done either by Ball Placement or by Solder Paste Printing. Now the wafer is diced and the full ASIC-MEMS package can be flip chiped onto a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The technology will be demonstrated by the project RESTLES (Reliable System Level Integration of Stacked Chips on MEMS). RESTLES will integrate technologies like silicon MEMS, ASIC, wafer thinning, chip stacking and flip chip to one packaged chip stack at die scale. The influence of the heterogeneous stack on performance and control mechanisms to eliminate parasitic effects will be investigated.
The Effect of Threat of Job Loss on Entrepreneurial Intentions and Gestation Actions

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of impending layoff on employees’ entrepreneurial intention and gestation actions in Kenya. Results from a sample of 394 employees drawn from three Kenyan firms facing possibility of retrenchment show that an impending layoff adversely affected individual’s entrepreneurial intention both directly and indirectly, with the indirect negative effect being mediated by entrepreneurial self‐efficacy and gestation actions. The results highlight the importance of cultivating employees’ positive perceptions about themselves and helping them view the layoff exercise as an opportunity to turn a new page.