Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A model to predict and analyze protein-protein interaction types using electrostatic energies

Identification and analysis of types of protein-protein interactions (PPI) is an important problem in molecular biology because of their key role in many biological processes in living cells. We propose a model to predict and analyze protein interaction types using electrostatic energies as properties to distinguish between obligate and non-obligate interactions. Our prediction approach uses electrostatic energies for pairs of atoms and amino acids present in interfaces where the interaction occurs. Our results confirm that electrostatic energy is an important property to predict obligate and non obligate protein interaction types achieving accuracy of over 96% on two well known datasets. The classifiers used are support vector machines and linear dimensionality reduction.
Structure and function of peripiasmic chaperone‐like proteins involved in the biosynthesis of K88 and K99 fimbriae in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

The nucleotide sequence of faeE and fanE, two genes involved in the biosynthesis of K88 and K99 fimbriae, respectively, was determined and the amino acid sequence of the FaeE and FanE proteins was deduced. Immunobiotting of subcellular fractions with an anti‐serum raised against purified FaeE confirmed that FaeE is located in the periplasm. Indications were obtained that FaeE functions as a chaperone‐like protein, Its interaction with the fimbrial subunit (FaeG) in the periplasm stabilizes this polypeptide and prevents its degradation by the ceil‐envelope protease DegP. Furthermore, FaeE prevents the formation of FaeG multimers which cannot be incorporated into fimbriae. The reactions of the FaeE/FaeG dimers with a set of monoclonal antibodies directed against the various epitopes present on K88 fimbriae revealed that the fimbrial subunits associated with FaeE were present in a conformation resembling their native configuration. Indications about the domains in FaeG involved in the interaction with FaeE are discussed.
Legal Malpractice Litigation and the Duty to Report Misconduct

Lawyers participating in legal malpractice litigation sometimes encounter evidence of serious disciplinary rule violations. Whether, and how soon, those lawyers are required to report this information to grievance authorities is a question that has received little attention from courts and scholars, despite the fact that most states have mandatory reporting rules. The dilemma for lawyers serving as testifying experts is particularly troublesome because nonreporting may result not only in discipline, but testimonial impeachment. The better view is that an expert in a pending case ordinarily has no mandatory obligation to report misconduct. This conclusion is supported by an analysis of the narrowness of the reporting obligation, the exceptions to the rule, public policy considerations related to malpractice litigation and grievance procedures, and customary professional practices. However, after litigation ends, an expert (and other lawyers) may have a duty to call evidence of serious misconduct to the attention of disciplinary authorities.
Internet discussion forums: Maximizing choice in health-seeking behaviour during public health emergencies

This paper proposes a new approach to improving our understanding of the suitability of internet discussion forums for use by health information seekers. We consider in particular their potential use during public health emergencies when access to conventional experts and healthcare professionals may be constrained. We explore potential benefits and challenges of crowdsourcing information on health issues in online environments through the context of Computer Science theories of Collective Intelligence [1, 2], which explore how members of a group - particularly when networked by computer systems - can reach a better solution than an individual working alone. We ask if online discussion forums can provide the `clever mechanism' Surowiecki [3] proposed is necessary to harness such potential group wisdom, and help health information seekers to identify the best option or `maximized choice' from a set of less-than-ideal choices [4], thus adding value to information seeking during public health emergencies.
Risk, Uncertainty And The Agricultural Firm

This text is the first major survey of risk analysis from the perspective of the agricultural firms since Agricultural Decision Analysis by Anderson, Dillon, and Hardaker published in 1977. In addition to updating the traditional material from that text, this book includes the statistical foundations of decision making under risk and uncertainty. Adding to the material covered in Anderson, Dillon, and Hardaker, the text includes material on dynamic decision rules, the arbitrage pricing model, real options theory, and state-contingent production relationships. Risk, Uncertainty, and the Agricultural Firm provides a unique discussion of each application ia developing the theoretical basis for each model and presenting an empirical roadmap (or the i°nuts and boltsi±) of each model to facilitate the empirical application of each technique.
Impaired gluconeogenesis in a porcine model of paracetamol induced acute liver failure.

AIM To investigate glucose homeostasis and in particular gluconeogenesis in a large animal model of acute liver failure (ALF). METHODS Six pigs with paracetamol induced ALF under general anaesthesia were studied over 25 h. Plasma samples were withdrawn every five hours from a central vein. Three animals were used as controls and were maintained under anaesthesia only. Using (1)H NMR spectroscopy we identified most gluconeogenic amino acids along with lactate and pyruvate in the animal plasma samples. RESULTS No significant changes were observed in the concentrations of the amino acids studied in the animals maintained under anaesthesia only. If we look at the ALF animals, we observed a statistically significant rise of lactate (P < 0.003) and pyruvate (P < 0.018) at the end of the experiments. We also observed statistically significant rises in the concentrations of alanine (P < 0.002), glycine (P < 0.005), threonine (P < 0.048), tyrosine (P < 0.000), phenylalanine (P < 0.000) and isoleucine (P < 0.01). Valine levels decreased significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our pig model of ALF is characterized by an altered gluconeogenetic capacity, an impaired tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and a glycolytic state.
Modeling and simulation of ion-sensor systems

This document+ presents several methods of potentiometric ion-selective sensors modeling for simulation of ion-sensor systems in environmental water measurements. Hardware-software co-design of systems like these requires models sufficiently simple and accurate for on-line simulation of a chemo-electrical measuring circuit which operates on the base of calibration-measurement or data-fusion methods. The proposed sensor models have been characterized by means of lab measurements and a complexity-accuracy trade-off has been discussed. The most accurate and yet moderately complex models are recommended for further application in the sensor-system design in one of European projects.
Role of hypoxia and autophagy in MDA‐MB‐231 invasiveness

Survival strategies adopted by tumor cells in response to a hypoxic stress include activation of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) and autophagy. However, the importance and the function of each molecular response is not well defined. In the present study, we investigated invasiveness, migration, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity, and cell survival of MDA‐MB‐231 cells under normoxia, hypoxia, and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Moreover, to assess the importance of hypoxia and autophagy on the parameters studied, cells were either left untreated or treated with Chetomin (a selective inhibitor of HIF‐1α) or trifluoperazine (TFP, an activator of autophagy). We found that hypoxia and H/R stimulated invasiveness and migration of MDA‐MB‐231 cells with an increased MMP‐2 activity. Chetomin and TFP differently regulated the cellular behavior under the oxygenation conditions studied. In fact, Chetomin was most effective in inhibiting cell invasion, MMPs activity, and cell survival under hypoxia but not normoxia or H/R. By contrast, TFP inhibition of cell invasion, migration, and cell survival was independent from oxygenation conditions. TFP‐induced autophagy was inhibited by light chain protein 3 (LC3) silencing or 3‐methyladenine (3MA) treatment. In fact, LC3‐silenced cells were able to invade in the presence of TFP without any GATE16 processing and p62 degradation. Immunofluorescence assay showed that LC3 silencing inhibited TFP‐induced autophagosome formation. However, we also showed that both TPF treatment and LC3 silencing caused cytoskeleton impairments suggesting a possible interaction between LC3 and cytoskeleton components. In conclusion, our study shows that hypoxia and autophagy by acting on common (HIF‐1α) or separate (MMPs, cytoskeleton) targets differently regulate cell invasion, MMPs activity, and survival. J. Cell. Physiol. 223: 359–368, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of the In Vivo Functions of Mrp3

Multidrug resistance protein 3 (MRP3) is an ATP-binding cassette transporter that is able to confer resistance to anticancer agents such as etoposide and to transport lipophilic anions such as bile acids and glucuronides. These capabilities, along with the induction of the MRP3 protein on hepatocyte sinusoidal membranes in cholestasis and the expression of MRP3 in enterocytes, have led to the hypotheses that MRP3 may function in the body to protect normal tissues from etoposide, to protect cholestatic hepatocytes from endobiotics, and to facilitate bile-acid reclamation from the gut. To elucidate the role of Mrp3 in these processes, the Mrp3 gene (Abcc3) was disrupted by homologous recombination. Homozygous null animals were healthy and physically indistinguishable from wild-type mice. Mrp3–/– mice did not exhibit enhanced lethality to etoposide phosphate, although an analysis of transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells indicated that the potency of murine Mrp3 toward etoposide (∼2.0- to 2.5-fold) is comparable with that of human MRP3. After induction of cholestasis by bile duct ligation, Mrp3–/– mice had 1.5-fold higher levels of liver bile acids and 3.1-fold lower levels of serum bilirubin glucuronide compared with ligated wild-type mice, whereas significant differences were not observed between the respective sham-operated mice. Bile acid excretion, pool size, and fractional turnover rates were similar in Mrp3–/– and wild-type mice. We conclude that Mrp3 functions as an alternative route for the export of bile acids and glucuronides from cholestatic hepatocytes, that the pump does not play a major role in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids and that the lack of chemosensitivity is probably attributable to functional redundancy with other pumps.
Use and complications of operative control of arterial inflow in combat casualties with traumatic lower-extremity amputations caused by improvised explosive devices

BACKGROUND Proximal traumatic lower-extremity amputation has become the signature injury of the war in Afghanistan. Casualties present in extremis and often require immediate operative control of arterial inflow to prevent exsanguination. This study evaluated the use of this strategy and its complications. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of case notes of UK service personnel, identified from the UK Joint Theatre Trauma Registry, who sustained traumatic lower-extremity amputation requiring suprainguinal vascular control, following improvised explosive device injury in Afghanistan, between July 2008 and December 2010. RESULTS Fifty-one casualties were identified with a median Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 30. In 10 casualties, control was obtained via an extraperitoneal approach, and in 41, control was obtained via midline laparotomy and intraperitoneal (IP) approach. The most commonly controlled vessel in extraperitoneal control was the external iliac artery, and in IP control, the common iliac artery. Within the 41 patients who had IP control, 13 also required a therapeutic laparotomy, and 9 patients had bilateral injuries at the level of the proximal femur or higher. One patient, who had undergone IP control, experienced an injury to the common iliac vein, which was repaired. There were no other immediate complications recorded, and 39 casualties survived to discharge. CONCLUSION This is the first study to characterize the methods of proximal control in high wartime lower-extremity amputees. Although some casualties will have abdominal injuries that necessitate laparotomy, the majority in our study did not; however, in the critically ill casualty, rapid proximal control is required. Novel methods of temporary hemorrhage control may reduce the need for, and burden of, cavity surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic study, level III; prognostic study, level IV.
Gender Differences in "Social Portraits" Reflected in MySpace Profiles

The internet has brought about an entirely new method of self-presentation in such online social networking Web sites as MySpace in which individuals create profiles that reflect their identity. This cyber social tool provides a new site of analysis to examine the extent of patterns of gendered identity in which females tend to turn to others for validation in contrast to males, who are more apt to maintain their individuality and whose relationships are more of an extension of their already-complete selves. In this study of 51 female and 49 male MySpace profiles, males were less apt to mention their significant other in the "About Me" section: 43% mentioned their significant other 0 times compared to 16% of females, and 14% of males mentioned their significant other between 2 and 10 times compared to 37% of females (p = 0.003). In the "Interests" section, the majority of males (67%) did not mention their significant other at all compared to 47% of females, and 33% mentioned her between 1 and 5 times compared to 53% of females (p = 0.05). These results reveal that online data sources manifest identity formation consistent with traditional gender roles in which females are dependent on others for their sense of self.
Valuation of Household Production at Market Prices and Estimation of Production Functions

This paper estimates household production functions directly, considers their characteristics, and compares them with previous indirectly estimated functions. Interviews with 135 Missoula, Montana, area married-couple households provided the data. The results suggest that endogeneity and a previous lack of output and capital data which led to the use of the indirect methodology are not insurmountable problems. The results tend to confirm the feasibility of directly measuring household outputs since the production function results are reasonable. Directly estimated household production functions offer the possibilities for estimation of short-term household output changes and testing hypotheses about households' economic behavior. Copyright 1996 by The International Association for Research in Income and Wealth.
Network embeddedness and local firms' strategic upgrading in the Global Manufacturing Network

The Global Manufacturing Network (GMN) is an innovative manufacturing system that has super manufacturing and servicing capabilities, and provides a platform for local firms in developing countries to acquire knowledge and capabilities. In this paper, after the literature reviews of the GMN and network embeddedness, the exploratory work suggests that Chinese local manufacturing firms can acquire knowledge and capabilities by embedding themselves into the GMN. There are four stages through which manufacturing firms embed themselves into the GMN and upgrade their strategies, which are penetration based on low-cost manufacturing, network embedding and evolving, accumulating knowledge and capabilities, and strategic upgrading.
Corporate architectures for sustainability

While there exists a growing literature on corporate “green” strategies, there is a research gap about which corporate architectures and organizational change processes enable “green” strategies. This article addresses the research gap in an interdisciplinary manner by focusing on two questions: What conditions characterize ecological and humanly sustainable corporations? What alternative architectures can generate and institutionalize corporate sustainability? Three alternative architectures for sustainability are treated and three research propositions are identified to further future empirical research on specific architectures that link organization design and corporate sustainability.
An Array of Coherent Sources Based on Novel Dual-Loop PLL Infrastructure

In this paper, a novel array of coherent sources based on dual-loop phase-locked loop (PLL) is proposed. An advanced low-cost frequency and phase control technique for a group of PLLs is presented. A novel dual-loop PLL infrastructure consists of a conventional PLL loop and a microcontroller-unit-controlled phase-detector-array loop, which achieves real-time calibration on both frequency and phase by reducing the effect of component aging and environmental issues. This technique has its advantages of building a phased transmitter array. For the purpose of demonstration, a four-element phased array has been designed and implemented by using commercially available components at S-band. Near-perfect local oscillator (LO) beamforming performance and array pattern self-compensation realization are presented and analyzed. Due to analog continuous phase control and individual programmable transmit frequency, the dual-loop PLL-based coherent-source array in this paper offers considerable practical advantages when implementing beamforming, as compared to other beamforming techniques.
The effects of climate policy on environmental expenditure and investment: evidence from Sweden

This study provides new evidence on the determinants of environmental expenditure and investment. In particular, it investigates how environmental expenditure and investment of Swedish industrial firms responded to climate policies, such as the European Union's Emission Trading System (EU ETS) and the Swedish CO2 tax, directed to mitigate air pollution. Overall, an important conclusion of this analysis is that climate policies, both on the national and international levels, were highly relevant motivations for firm environmental expenditure. However, the findings do not support the expectations that the EU ETS and the Swedish CO2 tax encouraged investment in air pollution abatement.
Hermsprong, or, Man as he is not

Robert Bage's Hermsprong satirizes English society of the 1790s targeting, in particular, corrupt clergymen, grasping lawyers and wicked aristocrats. The protagonist, a European raised among Native Americans, visits Europe and is dismayed by what he encounters. While such satire might seem conventional enough, Hermsprong is distinguished from other political novels of the period by its comedy, and it is a measure of Bage's success that he won the admiration of writers as different in political outlook as Mary Wollstonecraft and Sir Walter Scott. Indeed, Hermsprong is built around debate, and celebrates the pleasures of the lively exchange of ideas. This Broadview edition contains extensive primary source appendices including material by William Godwin, Benjamin Franklin, Pierre de Charlevoix, and Voltaire.
A Comparative Study of Consumers' Green Practice Orientation in India and the United States: A Study from the Restaurant Industry

ABSTRACT By considering differences in culture and economic conditions in two different countries, India and the United States, this study investigates the psychological factors (consumers' attitudes, behavioral intentions, and involvement) in relation to Green practices (GP) in the restaurant industry as measured by three concerns (health, social, and environmental). Next, the study examines how these factors affect consumers' willingness to pay for GP. Results from principal component analyses and multinomial logistic regressions with data from India (n = 196) and the United States (n = 200) (collected from customers at two comparable commercial restaurants in each country) show that there is a clear difference in consumers' attitudes, behavioral intentions, and involvement in GP and the relationship of these factors to the consumers' willingness to pay. The findings of this study showed that consumers in the United States have a higher degree of involvement in environmentally and socially responsible practices in restaurants, which have the most significant effect on consumers' willingness to pay up to 10% or higher on menu prices for GP. In contrast, consumers in India have a higher degree of involvement in health and visibility than consumers in the United States, which is the major driver of their willingness to pay more than 10% or higher on menu prices for GP.
Finger Assessing Stakeholders ’ Interests in Postal Security

The events of October 2010, where terrorists managed to get explosive devices onboard of three passenger aircrafts and two air freighters, demonstrated weaknesses of the international air cargo and airmail security. Ever since, postal security has gained interest among policymakers and authorities. This study augments the limited body of academic literature on the topic by demarcating areas of postal security, identifying relevant stakeholders in each area, and investigating why these stakeholders engage in postal security. Research is based on a case study on Swiss Post’s mail service. Keywords—Dangerous goods, mail bombs, postal security, supply chain security, theft of mail, trafficking.
Vietnamese Aging and Marital Sexual Behavior in Comparative Perspective

This study examines marital sexual activity in relation to age and its significance for marital relationships in Vietnam with particular attention to older persons. Results are compared with Thailand and the US. Two regional surveys provide the first quantitative assessment of marital sex in Vietnam. As elsewhere, marital sexual activity declines with age. At older ages, substantial proportions of married Vietnamese are sexually inactive. Levels of activity among older Vietnamese and Thais are remarkably similar and substantially lower than in the US. Contrary to US studies, the frequency of sexual activity shows little relationship to marital satisfaction and harmony in Vietnam. Possible explanations for these differences are discussed in terms of biases in the data, differences in health and living arrangements, and societal, cultural and normative contexts. We speculate that a main reason underlying the differences is a lesser societal emphasis on sex in general and on the importance of sexual and physical intimacy in marital relationships in Vietnam and Thailand than in the US.