Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engineering of Functional Replication Protein A Homologs Based on Insights into the Evolution of Oligonucleotide/ Oligosaccharide-Binding Folds

ABSTRACT The bacterial single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) and the archaeal/eukaryotic functional homolog, replication protein A (RPA), are essential for most aspects of DNA metabolism. Structural analyses of the architecture of SSB and RPA suggest that they are composed of different combinations of a module called the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB) fold. Members of the domains Bacteria and Eukarya, in general, contain one type of SSB or RPA. In contrast, organisms in the archaeal domain have different RPAs made up of different organizations of OB folds. Interestingly, the euryarchaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans harbors multiple functional RPAs named MacRPA1 (for M. acetivorans RPA 1), MacRPA2, and MacRPA3. Comparison of MacRPA1 with related proteins in the publicly available databases suggested that intramolecular homologous recombination might play an important role in generating some of the diversity of OB folds in archaeal cells. On the basis of this information, from a four-OB-fold-containing RPA, we engineered chimeric modules to create three-OB-fold-containing RPAs to mimic a novel form of RPA found in Methanococcoides burtonii and Methanosaeta thermophila. We further created two RPAs that mimicked the RPAs in Methanocaldococcus jannaschii and Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus through fusions of modules from MacRPA1 and M. thermautotrophicus RPA. Functional studies of these engineered proteins suggested that fusion and shuffling of OB folds can lead to well-folded polypeptides with most of the known properties of SSB and RPAs. On the basis of these results, different models that attempt to explain how intramolecular and intermolecular homologous recombination can generate novel forms of SSB or RPAs are proposed.
Effects of Low- vs. High-Load Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy in Well-Trained Men

Abstract Schoenfeld, BJ, Peterson, MD, Ogborn, D, Contreras, B, and Sonmez, GT. Effects of low- vs. high-load resistance training on muscle strength and hypertrophy in well-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 29(10): 2954–2963, 2015—The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of low- versus high-load resistance training (RT) on muscular adaptations in well-trained subjects. Eighteen young men experienced in RT were matched according to baseline strength and then randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups: a low-load RT routine (LL) where 25–35 repetitions were performed per set per exercise (n = 9) or a high-load RT routine (HL) where 8–12 repetitions were performed per set per exercise (n = 9). During each session, subjects in both groups performed 3 sets of 7 different exercises representing all major muscles. Training was performed 3 times per week on nonconsecutive days, for a total of 8 weeks. Both HL and LL conditions produced significant increases in thickness of the elbow flexors (5.3 vs. 8.6%, respectively), elbow extensors (6.0 vs. 5.2%, respectively), and quadriceps femoris (9.3 vs. 9.5%, respectively), with no significant differences noted between groups. Improvements in back squat strength were significantly greater for HL compared with LL (19.6 vs. 8.8%, respectively), and there was a trend for greater increases in 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press (6.5 vs. 2.0%, respectively). Upper body muscle endurance (assessed by the bench press at 50% 1RM to failure) improved to a greater extent in LL compared with HL (16.6 vs. −1.2%, respectively). These findings indicate that both HL and LL training to failure can elicit significant increases in muscle hypertrophy among well-trained young men; however, HL training is superior for maximizing strength adaptations.
Coarse-to-fine registration for infrared and visible images of power grid

We present a novel approach to register the visible and infrared power grid images in this paper. This method is based on the coarse-to-fine structure for infrared and visible registration. First, we obtain the feature points of multi-modality images based on the experience. Second, the similarity geometric transformation model is employed to register the multi-modality images coarsely. At last, fine-grained model is built to correct the deviation of coarse registration. The experiment section shows the good performance of our proposed coarse-to-fine method for visible and infrared power grid images.
The Impact of Program Participation on Rural Household Income: Evidence from China’s Whole Village Poverty Alleviation Program

Villagers’ participation in poverty alleviation programs has received considerable attention, especially with regard to the poor. However, not much is known about the welfare effect of villagers’ program participation. This paper analyzes the impact of villagers’ program participation on their incomes. We used household data from 529 villagers in China’s Whole Village Poverty Alleviation Program. We focused on two types of program participation—discussion and voting. Using the propensity score matching approach, we estimate the impact of rural households’ program participation on their income. The results show that the education and the political career of the household head determine program participation. Households participating in discussion and voting have a positive and significant effect on household income. Richer households benefit more from the program. However, the poor receive less benefits. We conclude that broadening villager’s participation can boost the effectiveness of China’s poverty alleviation program.
Inverse Correlation Between Cardiac Injury and Cardiac Anxiety: A Potential Role for Communication

Objective:General anxiety in cardiac patients is associated with worsened cardiac course. An acute coronary syndrome (ACS) might evoke specific cardiac anxiety. We explored the characteristics associated with cardiac anxiety in ACS patients. Methods:We assessed cardiac anxiety in 237 patients admitted with ACS using the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire and gathered information on sociodemographic, psychological, and cardiac disease characteristics. Univariate, multivariate logistic, and linear regression analyses were used to determine which characteristics were associated with cardiac anxiety. Results:Cardiac anxiety was not associated with sociodemographic variables. More severe cardiac injury, as indicated by ST-elevated myocardial infarction and troponin level, was associated with less cardiac anxiety. Psychological variables (depressive symptoms, agoraphobic cognitions, avoidance behavior) were associated with more cardiac anxiety. Discussion:Cardiac anxiety in ACS patients is associated with more psychological distress but lower severity of cardiac injury as indicated by ST-elevated myocardial infarction and troponin level. Two explanations seem likely for this latter finding. First, anxious persons might seek help earlier, thus being diagnosed more often with minor cardiac pathology. Second, cardiac anxiety might partly be caused by diagnostic uncertainty. Future research should focus on communication strategies to reassure patients more efficiently.
Trends in blood lipid levels, blood pressure, alcohol and smoking habits from 1985 to 2002: results from INTERGENE and GOT-MONICA

Background Favourable trends in cardiovascular disease have been observed in Sweden. The aim of this study was to study secular trends in a variety of cardiovascular risk factors. Methods Total-, low-density (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) serum cholesterol; serum triglycerides; systolic and diastolic blood pressure; self-reported smoking and alcohol consumption were studied in repeated cross-sectional surveys. Data from four population-based samples in Göteborg, Sweden were used—WHO MONICA project 1985, 1990 and 1995, and INTERGENE 2002. A total of 2931 females and 2691 males aged 25–64 consisting of 1021–1624 randomly selected subjects at each survey period participated. Results Serum cholesterol levels showed downward trends but the decline in both total- and LDL-cholesterol seems to be levelling off from 1995 and onwards. No significant changes were observed in serum triglyceride, HDL-serum cholesterol or blood pressure levels. The majority of the participants had higher total- and LDL-serum cholesterol levels than currently recommended. Antihypertensive medical treatment increased in women and the oldest men. The prevalence of smoking decreased from 39 to 25% in women and 35 to 20% in men respectively from 1985–2002. In contrast, the prevalence of subjects consuming strong beer and wine, respectively, at least once a week almost doubled from 1990–2002. Conclusions Cardiovascular risk factor patterns change continuously and need to be monitored. The favourable trends in LDL-serum cholesterol and smoking in the Göteborg surveys were paralleled by less favourable trends in being overweight and alcohol consumption.
Why Measurement Matters for Measuring Patient Vision Outcomes

Optometrists, by definition, care deeply about measurement. This brief review article considers the essential features of measurement that make many optometric instruments so useful and how patient-centered survey instruments such as vision-related quality of life questionnaires, can be analyzed using contemporary psychometric methods, so that they also conform to these essential features of measurement. These features include unidimensionality, hierarchical order, and equal interval scaling. Optometrists demand these features because they need to make meaningful comparisons both between patients and over time. Questionnaires about visual function or health-related quality of life, typically involve a series of rating scale type items that are added up to produce a total raw score. Yet total raw scores, which are ordinal, do not exhibit the essential properties of measurement. The Rasch Model, developed by Georg Rasch in 1956, converts ordinal-level raw score data into interval measures that demonstrate the essential features of measurement. Under the Rasch model any obtained score (response) is conceptualized as the difference between the amount of a trait reflected in an item, i.e., how “hard” the item is, and the ability of the person responding to the item. The Rasch model estimates the log odds probability (logit) for any response by any person. Logits are equal interval, representing equal amounts of the construct being measured across the entire range of the construct. Logits define the hierarchical order of items, how hard or easy items are, and the Rasch model specifies that this order of items must be invariant for all persons, that is, must be unidimensional. There are numerous software packages available for applying the Rasch model, all provide methods for evaluating how well data demonstrate unidimensionality, hierarchical order, and equal interval scaling. These can be used in the development, assessment or revision of questionnaires to optimize measurement.
Economic globalization: role of inward and outward FDI with economic growth - evidence from Malaysia

When a nation that links itself to the global market, this means that the nation would embark itself in the path towards globalization. Global markets offer greater opportunity for domestic firms to tap into larger markets around the world. This translates the possibility of having more access to more capital flow, technology, cheaper imports, and larger exports. One of the ways a domestic firm gets foreign capital, would be through Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). This study aims to look at Malaysia’s inward and outward FDI and determine their relationship with economic growth. Annual data covers over the period of 1984 to 2013 and tested based on the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The results show that there is a positive long-run relationship between inward FDI with economic growth. It was noted that outward FDI have an indirect relationship with economic growth. There is unidirectional granger causality between them as well as between inward and outward FD
A SUPRAMASSIVE MAGNETAR CENTRAL ENGINE FOR GRB 130603B

We show that the peculiar early optical emission and, in particular, the X-ray afterglow emission of the short-duration burst GRB 130603B can be explained by continuous energy injection into the blastwave from a supramassive magnetar central engine. The observed energetics and temporal/spectral properties of the late infrared bump (i.e., the “kilonova”) are also found to be consistent with emission from the ejecta launched during a neutron star (NS)–NS merger and powered by a magnetar central engine. The isotropic-equivalent kinetic energies of both the gamma-ray burst (GRB) blastwave and the kilonova are approximately Ek ∼ 1051 erg, consistent with being powered by a near-isotropic magnetar wind. However, this relatively small value requires that most of the initial rotational energy of the magnetar (∼a few × 1052 erg) is carried away by gravitational wave radiation. Our results suggest that (1) the progenitor of GRB 130603B was a NS–NS binary system, the merger product of which would have been a supramassive NS that lasted for about ∼1000 s; (2) the equation of state of the nuclear matter should be stiff enough to allow the survival of a long-lived supramassive NS; thus this suggested that the detection of the bright electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave triggers without short GRB associations is promising in the upcoming Advanced LIGO/VIRGO era.
Excitatory Local Connections of Superficial Neurons in Rat Auditory Cortex

The mammalian cerebral cortex consists of multiple areas specialized for processing information for many different sensory modalities. Although the basic structure is similar for each cortical area, specialized neural connections likely mediate unique information processing requirements. Relative to primary visual (V1) and somatosensory (S1) cortices, little is known about the intrinsic connectivity of primary auditory cortex (A1). To better understand the flow of information from the thalamus to and through rat A1, we made use of a rapid, high-throughput screening method exploiting laser-induced uncaging of glutamate to construct excitatory input maps of individual neurons. We found that excitatory inputs to layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons were similar to those in V1 and S1; these cells received strong excitation primarily from layers 2–4. Both anatomical and physiological observations, however, indicate that inputs and outputs of layer 4 excitatory neurons in A1 contrast with those in V1 and S1. Layer 2/3 pyramids in A1 have substantial axonal arbors in layer 4, and photostimulation demonstrates that these pyramids can connect to layer 4 excitatory neurons. Furthermore, most or all of these layer 4 excitatory neurons project out of the local cortical circuit. Unlike S1 and V1, where feedback to layer 4 is mediated exclusively by indirect local circuits involving layer 2/3 projections to deep layers and deep feedback to layer 4, layer 4 of A1 integrates thalamic and strong layer 4 recurrent excitatory input with relatively direct feedback from layer 2/3 and provides direct cortical output.
Molecular Characterization of Somatic Alterations in Dukes’ B and C Colorectal Cancers by Targeted Sequencing

Despite global progress in research, improved screening and refined treatment strategies, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains as the third most common malignancy. As each type of cancer is different and exhibits unique alteration patterns, identifying and characterizing gene alterations in CRC that may serve as biomarkers might help to improve diagnosis, prognosis and predict potential response to therapy. With the emergence of next generation sequencing technologies (NGS), it is now possible to extensively and rapidly identify the gene profile of individual tumors. In this study, we aimed to identify actionable somatic alterations in Dukes’ B and C in CRC via NGS. Targeted sequencing of 409 cancer-related genes using the Ion AmpliseqTM Comprehensive Cancer Panel was performed on genomic DNA obtained from paired fresh frozen tissues, cancer and normal, of Dukes’ B (n = 10) and Dukes’ C (n = 9) CRC. The sequencing results were analyzed using Torrent Suite, annotated using ANNOVAR and validated using Sanger sequencing. A total of 141 somatic non-synonymous sequence variations were identified in 86 genes. Among these, 64 variants (45%) were predicted to be deleterious, 38 variants (27%) possibly deleterious while the other 39 variants (28%) have low or neutral protein impact. Seventeen genes have alterations with frequencies of ≥10% in the patient cohort and with 14 overlapped genes in both Dukes’ B and C. The adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC) was the most frequently altered gene in both groups (n = 6 in Dukes’ B and C). In addition, TP53 was more frequently altered in Dukes’ C (n = 7) compared to Dukes’ B (n = 4). Ten variants in APC, namely p.R283∗, p.N778fs, p.R805∗, p.Y935fs, p.E941fs, p.E1057∗, p.I1401fs, p.Q1378∗, p.E1379∗, and p.A1485fs were predicted to be driver variants. APC remains as the most frequently altered gene in the intermediate stages of CRC. Wnt signaling pathway is the major affected pathway followed by P53, RAS, TGF-β, and PI3K signaling. We reported the alteration profiles in each of the patient which has the potential to affect the clinical decision. We believe that this study will add further to the understanding of CRC molecular landscape.
Fatigue Mechanisms Determining Exercise Performance Muscle K , Na , and Cl disturbances and Na-K pump inactivation : implications for fatigue

Michael J. McKenna, Jens Bangsbo, and Jean-Marc Renaud Muscle, Ions and Exercise Group, School of Human Movement, Recreation and Performance, Centre for Ageing, Rehabilitation, Exercise and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Parametric Methods for Quantification of 18F-FAZA Kinetics in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

18F-fluoroazomycinarabinoside (18F-FAZA) is a hypoxia-specific PET tracer. In future clinical applications of hypoxia imaging, such as early response monitoring or radiation therapy dose painting, accurate quantification of tracer uptake at the voxel level will be required. The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of parametric methods for the quantification of 18F-FAZA studies. Methods: Dynamic 70-min 18F-FAZA scans were obtained from 9 non–small cell lung cancer patients. Arterial blood samples, collected at 7 time points, were used for preprocessing an image-derived input function derived from volumes of interest (VOIs) defined within the ascending aorta. Time–activity curves derived from various tumor VOIs were fitted using nonlinear regression analysis (NLR) to a reversible 2-tissue-compartment model, providing volumes of distribution (VT) as an outcome measure. Next, parametric images were generated by use of both Logan graphic analysis with various linear regression start times and spectral analysis with multiple sets of basis functions. The previously defined tumor VOIs were projected onto these parametric images, and the resulting VT were compared with those obtained from NLR. In addition, the results were compared with tumor-to-blood ratios (SUVr), which are more easily obtainable. Results: The highest correlations and correspondence with NLR-derived VT were found for Logan graphic analysis with a start time of 30 min after injection (R2, 0.88; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.93) and for spectral analysis–derived VT with a set of 30 basis functions with exponents ranging from 0.0175 to 1.9 (R2, 0.79; ICC, 0.81). SUVr yielded similar correlations but showed significant bias at high VT (R2, 0.85; ICC, 0.80). Conclusion: Both Logan graphic analysis and spectral analysis yielded VT that showed high correlations with nonlinear regression analysis–derived VT. SUVr showed bias at high VT.
Short term effect of captopril on microalbuminuria induced by exercise in normotensive diabetics.

OBJECTIVE--To investigate whether captopril has any effect on microalbuminuria induced by exercise in normotensive diabetic patients with early stage nephropathy. DESIGN--Randomised, double blind, crossover trial. SETTING--Outpatient department. PATIENTS--22 diabetics with stage II nephropathy (urinary albumin excretion rate less than 20 micrograms/min; 15 with type I diabetes and seven with type II), 32 patients with stage III nephropathy (urinary albumin excretion rate 20-200 micrograms/min; 14 with type I diabetes and 18 with type II), and 10 normal subjects. INTERVENTIONS--Four exercise tests on a cycle ergometer: the first two under basal conditions and the third and fourth after subjects had received captopril (two 25 mg doses in 24 hours) or placebo (two tablets in 24 hours). END POINT--Exercised until 90% of maximum heart rate achieved. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Mean urinary excretion one hour after the first two exercise tests was 21 micrograms/min in normal subjects, 101 micrograms/min in diabetic patients with stage II nephropathy, and 333 micrograms/min in those with stage III nephropathy. Similar results were obtained after placebo. After captopril the urinary excretion rate one hour after exercise was significantly decreased in diabetics with stage II (36 micrograms/min) and stage III (107 micrograms/min) disease compared with placebo but not in normal subjects. Systolic and diastolic pressures were similar in the three groups after placebo and captopril had been given. CONCLUSIONS--Captopril significantly reduces microalbuminuria induced by exercise in normotensive diabetics without affecting systemic blood pressure. Captopril may reduce renal intracapillary pressure.
Acculturation is associated with higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk-factors among Chinese immigrants in Australia: Evidence from a large population-based cohort

Background Acculturation is associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-factors among immigrants in Western countries. Little is known about acculturation effects on CVD risks among Chinese immigrants, one of the fastest growing populations in Western countries. In this study, we aim to examine the association between acculturation and CVD risk-factors among Chinese immigrants, Australia’s third-largest foreign-born group. Methods We accessed a subsample of Chinese immigrants (n = 3220) within the 45-and-Up Study (2006–2009). Poisson regression model with a robust error variance examined the association between acculturation and CVD risk-factors, and prevalence ratios were reported, adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics. Indicators of acculturation included age at migration, length of Australian residence and language spoken at home. The outcomes were self-reported CVD diagnosis and six risk-factors (hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity). Results Mean age of Chinese participants was 58.9-years (SD = 10.7) and 55.5% were women. Chinese migrating to Australia aged <18 years were significantly more likely to report diabetes (prevalence ratio = 1.71; p < 0.01), overweight/obesity (prevalence ratio = 1.49; p < 0.001) and ≥ 3 CVD risk-factors (prevalence ratio = 1.47; p < 0.05) compared with those who migrated after 18-years-old. Chinese immigrants who lived in Australia for ≥ 30 years were significantly more likely to have diabetes (prevalence ratio = 1.84; p < 0.01) and ≥ 3 CVD risk-factors (prevalence ratio = 1.84; p < 0.01). There were no significant differences by language spoken at home. The association between indicators of acculturation and CVD risk-factors appeared to differ by sex. Conclusion Greater acculturation was associated with adverse CVD risk-factors among Chinese immigrants in Australia.