Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Substrate Distortion and the Catalytic Reaction Mechanism of 5-Carboxyvanillate Decarboxylase

5-Carboxyvanillate decarboxylase (LigW) catalyzes the conversion of 5-carboxyvanillate to vanillate in the biochemical pathway for the degradation of lignin. This enzyme was shown to require Mn2+ for catalytic activity and the kinetic constants for the decarboxylation of 5-carboxyvanillate by the enzymes from Sphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6 (kcat = 2.2 s–1 and kcat/Km = 4.0 × 104 M–1 s–1) and Novosphingobium aromaticivorans (kcat = 27 s–1 and kcat/Km = 1.1 × 105 M–1 s–1) were determined. The three-dimensional structures of both enzymes were determined in the presence and absence of ligands bound in the active site. The structure of LigW from N. aromaticivorans, bound with the substrate analogue, 5-nitrovanillate (Kd = 5.0 nM), was determined to a resolution of 1.07 Å. The structure of this complex shows a remarkable enzyme-induced distortion of the nitro-substituent out of the plane of the phenyl ring by approximately 23°. A chemical reaction mechanism for the decarboxylation of 5-carboxyvanillate by LigW was proposed on the basis of the high resolution X-ray structures determined in the presence ligands bound in the active site, mutation of active site residues, and the magnitude of the product isotope effect determined in a mixture of H2O and D2O. In the proposed reaction mechanism the enzyme facilitates the transfer of a proton to C5 of the substrate prior to the decarboxylation step.
Five-Level Waveguide Correlation Unit for Astrophysical Polarimetric Measurements

Recent astrophysical measurements require an accurate evaluation of the correlation product between very weakly correlated signals. Waveguide correlation units represent a very appealing solution for these applications because of their stability and low-loss features. A new waveguide correlation unit architecture is discussed in this paper. It extends over five levels in the E-plane and integrates hybrid couplers, filters, a phase shifter, matched loads and various matched transitions. All the aspects concerning the analysis, design, and manufacturing procedures are described, focusing on the reduction of the spurious correlation terms (systematic errors). An aluminum Ka-band prototype has been designed and experimentally tested. The device exhibits spurious correlation parameters of the order of -30 dB, in a 10% frequency band, in good agreement with the predicted data. Thanks to this feature, the presented architecture is suitable for high-performance correlation polarimeters, where very high sensitivity to the relevant signal, as well as very high rejection of both the unpolarized component of the radiation under test and the instrument noise, are required
Communicating the Uncertainty of Harms and Benefits of Medical Interventions

Background. There is growing interest in shared medical decision making among patients, physicians, and policy makers. This requires patients to interpret increasing amounts of medical information, much of which is uncertain. Little is known about the optimal approaches to or outcomes of communicating uncertainty about the risks and benefits of treatments. Methods. The authors reviewed the literature on various issues related to uncertainty in decision making: conceptualizing uncertainty, identifying its potential sources, assessing uncertainty, potential methods of communicating uncertainty, potential outcomes of communicating uncertainty, and current practices and recommendations by expert groups on communicating uncertainty. Results. There are multiple sources of uncertainty in most medical decisions. There are conceptual differences in how researchers define uncertainty and its sources, as well as in its measurement. The few studies that have assessed alternate means of communicating uncertainty dealt mostly with presenting uncertainty about probabilities. Both patients' and physicians' interpretation of and responses to uncertainty may depend on their personal characteristics and values and may be affected by the manner in which uncertainty is communicated. Conclusions. Research has not yet identified best practices for communicating uncertainty to patients about harms and benefits of treatment. More conceptual, qualitative, and quantitative studies are needed to explore fundamental questions about how people process, interpret, and respond to various types of uncertainty inherent in clinical decisions.
Genetic Variations in the TP53 Pathway in Native Americans Strongly Suggest Adaptation to the High Altitudes of the Andes

The diversity of the five single nucleotide polymorphisms located in genes of the TP53 pathway (TP53, rs1042522; MDM2, rs2279744; MDM4, rs1563828; USP7, rs1529916; and LIF, rs929271) were studied in a total of 282 individuals belonging to Quechua, Aymara, Chivay, Cabanaconde, Yanke, Taquile, Amantani, Anapia, Uros, Guarani Ñandeva, and Guarani Kaiowá populations, characterized as Native American or as having a high level (> 90%) of Native American ancestry. In addition, published data pertaining to 100 persons from five other Native American populations (Surui, Karitiana, Maya, Pima, and Piapoco) were analyzed. The populations were classified as living in high altitude (≥ 2,500 m) or in lowlands (< 2,500 m). Our analyses revealed that alleles USP7-G, LIF-T, and MDM2-T showed significant evidence that they were selected for in relation to harsh environmental variables related to high altitudes. Our results show for the first time that alleles of classical TP53 network genes have been evolutionary co-opted for the successful human colonization of the Andes.
Mainstreaming populist discourse: the race-conscious legacy of neo-populist parties in Australia and Italy

Curran examines the political legacy of far-right neo-populist parties in Australia and Italy. She argues that assessments of their ‘success’ need to extend beyond the electoral decline or organizational implosion of the parties themselves. An important measure of their impact is the influence they have exerted on mainstream political discourse and styles of communication. That they have been successful in having such an impact is well illustrated in the politically expedient adoption of race-conscious, anti-immigration and anti-asylum policies in Australia and Italy. Curran examines the influence of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party and Umberto Bossi’s Lega Nord (Northern League) on the mainstreaming of populist discourse in these two countries. She focuses on some of the populist themes and styles embraced by the Australian political leader John Howard and his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi, and she concludes that, regardless of their political fragility or outright demise, these far-right neo-populist parties have been successful in injecting populist themes and prejudices into the mainstream political discourse in their respective countries.
Performance Comparison of MIMO Techniques for Optical Wireless Communications in Indoor Environments

In this paper, we compare the performance of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) techniques applied to indoor optical wireless communications (OWC) assuming line-ofsight (LOS) channel conditions. Specifically, several 4 × 4 setups with different transmitter spacings and different positions of the receiver array are considered. The following MIMO algorithms are considered: Repetition Coding (RC), Spatial Multiplexing (SMP) and Spatial Modulation (SM). Particularly, we develop a framework to analytically approximate the bit error ratios (BERs) of these schemes and verify the theoretical bounds by simulations. The results show that due to diversity gains, RC is robust to various transmitter-receiver alignments. However, as RC does not provide spatial multiplexing gains, it requires large signal constellation sizes to enable high spectral efficiencies. In contrast, SMP enables high data rates by exploiting multiplexing gains. In order to provide these gains, SMP needs sufficiently low channel correlation. SM is a combined MIMO and digital modulation technique. We show that SM is more robust to high channel correlation compared to SMP, while enabling larger spectral efficiency compared to RC. Moreover, we investigate the effect of induced power imbalance between the multiple transmitters. It is found that power imbalance can substantially improve the performance of both SMP and SM as it reduces channel correlation. In this context, we also show that blocking some of the links is an acceptable method to reduce channel correlation. Even though the blocking diminishes the received energy, it outweighs this degradation by providing improved channel conditions for SMP and SM. For example, blocking 4 of the 16 links of the 4 × 4 setup improves the BER performance of SMP by more than 20 dB, while the effective signal to noise ratio (SNR) is reduced by about 2 dB due to the blocking. Therefore, MIMO techniques can provide gains even under LOS conditions which provide only little channel differences.
Automated Counting of Bacterial Colony Forming Units on Agar Plates

Manual counting of bacterial colony forming units (CFUs) on agar plates is laborious and error-prone. We therefore implemented a colony counting system with a novel segmentation algorithm to discriminate bacterial colonies from blood and other agar plates. A colony counter hardware was designed and a novel segmentation algorithm was written in MATLAB. In brief, pre-processing with Top-Hat-filtering to obtain a uniform background was followed by the segmentation step, during which the colony images were extracted from the blood agar and individual colonies were separated. A Bayes classifier was then applied to count the final number of bacterial colonies as some of the colonies could still be concatenated to form larger groups. To assess accuracy and performance of the colony counter, we tested automated colony counting of different agar plates with known CFU numbers of S. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and M. catarrhalis and showed excellent performance.
Parametric second- and fourth-order shelving filters for audio applications

In this paper, we develop a parametric recursive second-order lowpass/highpass shelving filters and fourth-order bandpass shelving filters. These filters allow a better frequency selectivity for audio equalization as compared to the well-known first-order lowpass/highpass shelving filters and second-order peak filters. In the parametric structures, the cut-off frequencies and the gain factors can be set independently. We derive the filter designs for the discrete-time implementation. Furthermore, we apply a technique for the implementation of delay-free loops which is necessary to yield the exact inverse filter to realize symmetric boost and cut of a frequency band.
Utility-Based Cache Partitioning: A Low-Overhead, High-Performance, Runtime Mechanism to Partition Shared Caches

This paper investigates the problem of partitioning a shared cache between multiple concurrently executing applications. The commonly used LRU policy implicitly partitions a shared cache on a demand basis, giving more cache resources to the application that has a high demand and fewer cache resources to the application that has a low demand. However, a higher demand for cache resources does not always correlate with a higher performance from additional cache resources. It is beneficial for performance to invest cache resources in the application that benefits more from the cache resources rather than in the application that has more demand for the cache resources. This paper proposes utility-based cache partitioning (UCP), a low-overhead, runtime mechanism that partitions a shared cache between multiple applications depending on the reduction in cache misses that each application is likely to obtain for a given amount of cache resources. The proposed mechanism monitors each application at runtime using a novel, cost-effective, hardware circuit that requires less than 2kB of storage. The information collected by the monitoring circuits is used by a partitioning algorithm to decide the amount of cache resources allocated to each application. Our evaluation, with 20 multiprogrammed workloads, shows that UCP improves performance of a dual-core system by up to 23% and on average 11% over LRU-based cache partitioning
An anion channel in guinea pig gallbladder epithelial cells is highly permeable to HCO(-)(3).

In guinea pig gallbladder epithelium, a secretion of fluid, secondary to an electrogenic secretion of Cl(-) and HCO(-)(3), is elicited in the presence of a high intracellular concentration of adenosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of secretagogues on the activity of anionic channels in isolated epithelial cells using the patch-clamp technique and measuring the electrical potential difference of the cellular membrane (pd(cm)). In cell-attached configuration, with the microelectrode filled with a solution of N-methylglucamine-Cl, or in inside-out configuration (symmetrical solution), it was possible to demonstrate the presence of an 18-pS Cl(-) channel with linear current/voltage (I/V) relationship and voltage independence; this channel is not activated by cAMP (cell-attached configuration). In inside-out configuration (symmetrical solution), another anionic channel with a conductance of 2.8 pS, voltage independence, and a linear I/V relationship was also identified. This channel was stimulated by cAMP (cell-attached configuration) and by PKA + ATP + cAMP (inside-out configuration). The channel was inhibited by NPPB (10(-5) M), but not by other anionic inhibitors. Measurements of the pd(cm) value suggested that in isolated cells, as in whole tissue, cAMP activates conductance for both Cl(-) and HCO(-)(3). The selectivity of the channel was gluconate < SO(2-)(4) < Cl(-) < Br(-) < I(-) < HCO(-)(3) < SCN(-) and the P(HCO(3))/P(Cl) was 2.6. Some features of the channel resemble those of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel and RT-PCR performed on mRNA from isolated epithelial cells detected the presence of a CFTR homologue mRNA. The results obtained indicate that this channel is responsible for the HCO(-)(3) conductance activated by cAMP.
Rolled‐out Wordles: A Heuristic Method for Overlap Removal of 2D Data Representatives

When representing 2D data points with spacious objects such as labels, overlap can occur. We present a simple algorithm which modifies the (Mani‐) Wordle idea with scan‐line based techniques to allow a better placement. We give an introduction to common placement techniques from different fields and compare our method to these techniques w.r. t. euclidean displacement, changes in orthogonal ordering as well as shape and size preservation. Especially in dense scenarios our method preserves the overall shape better than known techniques and allows a good trade‐off between the other measures. Applications on real world data are given and discussed.
Pulmonary parenchymal infiltrates in a patient with CD20‐positive multiple myeloma

Abstract: A 53‐yr‐old woman developed a dry cough after the completion of multi‐agent chemotherapy. The biopsy specimens showed diffuse infiltrates with multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive staining in MM cells with surface CD20, surface CD38, and cytoplasmic IgG. This report represents the first reported case of pulmonary parenchymal infiltrates in a patient with CD20‐positive MM.
Learning and Individual Differences: Process, Trait and Content Determinants

Intelligence and Human Resources - Past, Present and Future Individual Differences in Learning and Memory - Psychometrics and the Single Case Minding Our P's and Q's - On Finding Relationships Between Learning and Intelligence Investigating the Paths Between Working Memory, Intelligence, Knowledge and Complex Problem Solving Performances via Brunswik-Symmetry Intelligence and Visual and Auditory Information Processing Individual Differences in Priming - the Roles of Implicit Facilitation From Prior Processing Learning, Automaticity and Attention - an Individual Differences Approach The Structure of Ability Profile Patterns - a Multidimensional Scaling Perspective on the Structure of Intellect Investigating Theoretical Propositions Regarding Mental Abilities - Their Structure, Growth and Influence Exploiting the Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off Personality and Skill - a Cognitive-Adaptive Framework Measuring and Understanding G - Experimental and Correlational Approaches Individual Differences in Motivational Mechanisms - Traits and Skills Mining on the No-Man's Land Between Intelligence and Personality Sensory Processes Within the Structure of Human Cognitive Abilities Searching for Determinants of Superior Performance in Complex Domains Individual Differences in Reasoning and the Heuristics and Biases Debate Learner Profiles - Valuing Individual Differences Within Classroom Communities Traits and Knowlegde as Determinants of Learning and Individual Differences - Putting it all Together.
Coping with depression, anxiety, and stress: a cross-sectional study among Malaysian Students in a public university

Depression, anxiety, and stress start at an early developmental stage of anadolescent. They increase the vulnerability of students, increase thesusceptibilityto minor and sometimes severe mental illnesses. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress, coping strategies and other factors among first-year undergraduates. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 675 students of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) using cluster sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used consisting of socio-demographic, environmental and socio-economic questions, DASS-21 and Brief-COPE inventory. The Majority of respondents were female, aged 20-21, Malay and Muslim. The majority of respondent’s parents had a diploma/university education, worked in government, father earned RM 2,500 or less and mothers had no monthly income. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 32.1%, 64.6%,and 29.2% respectively. Factors associated with depression were gender, age, study major, parent’s education and occupation. Anxiety was associated with study major and parent’s education. Stress was associated with mother’s income, parent’s education and occupation. Mental implications on psychological morbidity and effect student’s health, development, education attainment and quality of life. More attention is needed in developing more support services, intervention strategies, screening and creating more awareness.
Fast animation of debris flow with mixed adaptive grid refinement

Animating debris flow is one of the most challenging tasks in computer graphics, because of its complex dynamic mechanism and the interaction between flows and solids in so large scale region. The difficulty focuses on how to resolve the contradiction between lower computational load and higher request of animating quality. A highly effective method of modeling and animating of debris flow with adaptive grid is presented. First, the debris flow is modeled as Bingham plastic fluid with view‐dependent adaptive grid that is adopted to model the flow volume, and the boundless grids can cover the large scale region of debris flow. Then the mixed grids are built for confluent flows, and the two‐way coupling interaction between flows and environment is considered. After extracting the debris flow surface, adaptive surface tension combining wave particles equation is used to enhance the details and sprays are generated by particles considering the interaction between two fluid volumes. Finally, different dynamic realistic scenes with debris flow are successfully animating at interactive rates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of ezetimibe monotherapy on the concentration of lipoprotein subfractions in patients with primary dyslipidaemia

ABSTRACT Background: Recent studies suggest that the distribution of lipoprotein subfractions is an independent predictor of vascular events. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of ezetimibe (a selective cholesterol transport inhibitor) on the concentrations of lipoprotein subfractions in patients with primary dyslipidaemia. Materials and methods: Patients (n = 50) with primary dyslipidaemias were recruited. The concentrations of the individual lipoprotein subfractions were measured using the Lipoprint system at baseline and after 16 weeks of treatment. Results: Ezetimibe reduced total, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‑C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‑C) values as well as apolipoprotein B concentrations. Subfractionation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins showed that the reduction in LDL‑C values was due to a fall in the concentrations of all LDL subfractions. However, a more pronounced trend towards a decrease in the concentrations of dense LDL subfractions was observed. Patients with triglyceride values >1.7 mmol/L had significantly greater reductions in the concentrations of small, dense LDL particles compared with those with normal triglyceride levels (49 vs. 19%, respectively; p < 0.05). Ezetimibe decreased the concentrations of HDL‑C mainly due to a fall in the concentration of dense HDL subfractions. Conclusion: Ezetimibe can favourably affect the distribution of LDL subfractions, especially in patients with elevated triglyceride values. Further studies are needed to clarify the significance of the ezetimibe-induced reduction in the concentrations of dense HDL particles.
Conformation of the Bax C‐terminus regulates subcellular location and cell death

Bax, a pro‐apoptotic member of the Bcl‐2 family, translocates from the cytosol to the mitochondria during programmed cell death. We report here that both gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function mutations can be achieved by altering a single amino acid in the Bax hydrophobic C‐terminus. The properly mutated C‐terminus of Bax can target a non‐relevant protein to the mitochondria, showing that specific conformations of this domain alone allow mitochondrial docking. These data along with N‐terminus epitope exposure experiments suggest that the C‐ and the N‐termini interact and that upon triggering of apoptosis, Bax changes conformation, exposing these two domains to insert into the mitochondria and regulate the cell death machinery.
Nucleolar GTPase NOG-1 Regulates Development, Fat Storage, and Longevity through Insulin/IGF Signaling in C. elegans

NOG1 is a nucleolar GTPase that is critical for 60S ribosome biogenesis. Recently, NOG1 was identified as one of the downstream regulators of target of rapamycin (TOR) in yeast. It is reported that TOR is involved in regulating lifespan and fat storage in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we show that the nog1 ortholog (T07A9.9: nog-1) in C. elegans regulates growth, development, lifespan, and fat metabolism. A green fluorescence protein (GFP) promoter assay revealed ubiquitous expression of C. elegans nog-1 from the early embryonic to the adult stage. Furthermore, the GFP-tagged NOG-1 protein is localized to the nucleus, whereas the aberrant NOG-1 protein is concentrated in the nucleolus. Functional studies of NOG-1 in C. elegans further revealed that nog-1 knockdown resulted in smaller broodsize, slower growth, increased life span, and more fat storage. Moreover, nog-1 over-expression resulted in decreased life span. Taken together, our data suggest that nog-1 in C. elegans may be an important player in regulating life span and fat storage via the insulin/IGF pathway.