Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Aberrant Sequence in a Connexin46 Mutant Underlies Congenital Cataracts*

An increasing number of diseases have been mapped to genes coding for ion channel proteins, including the gap junction proteins, connexins. Here, we report on the identification of an amino acid sequence underlying the behavior of a non-functional mutant connexin46 (CX46) associated with congenital cataracts. The mutant protein, CX46fs380, is 31 amino acids longer than CX46 and contains 87 aberrant amino acids in its C terminus. When expressed in mammalian cells, the mutant CX46 was not found at gap junctional plaques, but it showed extensive co-localization with markers for ERGIC and Golgi. The severe reductions in function and formation of gap junctional plaques were transferred to other connexins by creating chimeras containing the last third (or more) of the aberrant C terminus of the CX46 mutant. This sequence also impaired trafficking of a CD8 chimera. Site-directed mutagenesis of a diphenylalanine restored appositional membrane localization and function. These results suggest a novel mechanism in which a mutation causes disease by generating a motif that leads to retention within the synthetic/secretory pathway.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF CIRCUMNUCLEAR HEMOPROTEIDS (HAEMOSPORIDA: HAEMOPROTEIDAE) OF SYLVIID BIRDS, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF HAEMOPROTEUS PARABELOPOLSKYI SP. NOV

Haemoproteus spp. , with circumnuclear gametocytes and tentatively belonging to Haemoproteus belopolskyi, are widespread and prevalent in warblers belonging to the Sylviidae, with numerous mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) lineages detected among them.We sampled the hemoproteids from 6 species of warblers adjacent to the Baltic Sea. Parasites were identified to species based on morphology of their gametocytes, and a segment of the parasite's cyt b gene was sequenced. Sixteen mitochondrial cyt b lineages of hemoproteids with circumnuclear gametocytes were recorded. Two clades of lineages (clade A in species of Acrocephalus and Hippolais and clade B in species of Sylvia) with sequence divergence between their lineages >5% are distinguished in the phylogenetic tree. Within the clades A and B, the genetic distance between the lineages is ≤3.9 and ≤2.8%, respectively. We compared the morphology of gametocytes of 3 lineages (hHIICT1, hMW1, and hSYAT2) in detail. The lineages hHIICT1 and hMW1 (clade A) belong to the morphospecies H. belopolskyi. Parasites of the lineage hSYAT2 (clade B) are described as a new species Haemoproteus parabelopolskyi, which can be readily distinguished from H. belopolskyi by the significantly smaller nuclei of its macrogametocytes. Lineages closely related to H. belopolskyi and H. parabelopolskyi are identified. The sequence divergence between lineages of these 2 morphospecies ranges between 5.3 and 8.1%. It seems probable that avian Haemoproteus spp. with a genetic differentiation of ≥5% in mitochondrial cyt b gene might be morphologically differentiated at the stage of gametocytes. This study establishes the value of both PCR and morphology in identification of avian hemoproteids.
Robust D-stabilization with minimization of the ‛∞-guaranteed cost for uncertain discrete-time systems with multiple delays in the state

In this paper, a convex optimization problem for the stabilization of uncertain discrete-time system with multiple delays in the states is proposed. The presented conditions are sufficient for design robust state feedback gains such that the closed-loop system i) has eigenvalues located inside a circular region of the complex plane, called D(α,r)-region, with center in (−α,0) and radius r; and ii) achieves an ‛∞ guaranteed cost between an exogenous input and the output signals. It is possible to design robust controllers that feedback only the current state or also their past values. Numerical examples are provide to compare the proposed conditions with some literature results.
Lactic acid bacteria isolated from poultry protect the intestinal epithelial cells of chickens from in vitro wheat germ agglutinin-induced cytotoxicity

ABSTRACT Poultry fed on wheat-based diets regularly ingest wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) that has toxic effects in vitro on intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) obtained from 14-d-old broilers. Cytotoxicity and the potential role of 14 intestinal bacterial strains in the removal of bound lectins in epithelial cell cultures were investigated. Cytotoxicity was dependent on time and lectin concentration; the lethal dose (LD50) was 8.36 µg/ml for IEC exposed for 2 h to WGA. Complementary sugars to WGA were detected on the surface of one Enterococcus and 9 Lactobacillus strains isolated from poultry. These strains were evaluated as a lectin removal tool for cytotoxicity prevention. Incubation of lactic acid bacteria with WGA before IEC–lectin interaction caused a substantial reduction in the percentage of cell deaths. The protection was attributed to the amount of lectin bound to the bacterial surfaces and was strain-dependent. L. salivarius LET 201 and L. reuteri LET 210 were more efficient than the other lactic acid bacteria assayed. These results provide a basis for the development of probiotic supplements or cell-wall preparations of selected lactic acid bacteria intended to avoid harmful effects of a natural constituent of the grain in wheat-based diets.
Ligand-bound Structures Provide Atomic Snapshots for the Catalytic Mechanism of d-Amino Acid Deacylase*

d-tyrosyl-tRNATyr deacylase (DTD) is an editing enzyme that removes d-amino acids from mischarged tRNAs. We describe an in-depth analysis of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum DTD here. Our data provide structural insights into DTD complexes with adenosine and d-amino acids. Bound adenosine is proximal to the DTD catalysis site, and it represents the authentic terminal adenosine of charged tRNA. DTD-bound d-amino acids cluster at three different subsites within the overall active site pocket. These subsites, called transition, active, and exit subsites allow docking, re-orientation, chiral selection, catalysis, and exit of the free d-amino acid from DTD. Our studies reveal variable modes of d-amino acid recognition by DTDs, suggesting an inherent plasticity that can accommodate all d- amino acids. An in-depth analysis of native, ADP-bound, and d- amino acid-complexed DTD structures provide the first atomic snapshots of ligand recognition and subsequent catalysis by this enzyme family. We have mapped sites for the deacylation reaction and mark possible routes for entry and egress of all substrates and products. We have also performed structure-based inhibitor discovery and tested lead compounds against the malaria parasite P. falciparum using growth inhibition assays. Our studies provide a comprehensive structural basis for the catalytic mechanism of DTD enzymes and have implications for inhibition of this enzyme in P. falciparum as a route to inhibiting the parasite.
Challenges facing gender mainstreaming in the Kenya prisons service

The study was carried out in the prisons department in the Central Region of Kenya. Central region has got 15 prisons; 4 women prisons and 11male prisons (KPS 2015). All prisons in the Central Region of Kenya were covered. All the top and middle level management employees of these prisons were used as the respondents. This study was conducted through a descriptive research design. The study population consisted of all prisoners and prison personnel in Central Region Prisons. The unit of analysis was 129 senior and middle level managers of the Central Region Prisons. Questionnaires and interview schedules were the methods used to collect data. The study indicated that HRM policies in Kenya prisons service hinder gender mainstreaming. It has also revealed that there is a need for more budgetary allocation in order to educate officers on the issues of gender mainstreaming. An interview was conducted to Key informants who are aware of Kenya prisons service gender mainstreaming. These key informants are part of the criminal justice system where Kenya Prisons Service is a partner. From the interview, it was found that 6 respondents were from judiciary department, 2 from probation department and 4 from Police department. The interview revealed that all the key informants were aware of gender mainstreaming in prisons. It further revealed that the Police department, Probation department and Judiciary are not actively involved in gender mainstreaming in the Kenya Prisons Service. However, it was noted that all the key informants are aware that gender mainstreaming in the Kenya Prisons Service is not effective. The Kenya Prisons Service should take measures to ensure that HRM policies on gender mainstreaming are gender sensitive as stipulated in the gender policy 2011. The Kenya Prisons Service should avail adequate and timely finances in their budget and also review their budgeting policies that affect gender mainstreaming. This will enhance the mainstreaming of gender through trainings and avail material resources for creating awareness on gender mainstreaming in the whole department. Advocacy and education should alsobe conducted to all prison officers to integrate gender issues in their work so as to address all known cultural issues that hinder effective gender mainstreaming.
Substrate Integrated Waveguide Filters: Practical Aspects and Design Considerations

In the current literature, the majority of research work reported on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) filters has focused on the development of physical topologies as well as design and realization techniques for filter specifications and electrical parameters. The practical and successful implementation of SIW filters requires special consideration of mechanical and thermal properties during the design and processing stages. These properties include the effects of ambient operating environment, average, and peak power-handling capabilities as well as design and production economics, including labor costs, skilled labor availability, mass-production issues, and projected production delivery rates [1]. Bandpass filters are more concerned with those practical aspects as their in-band and out-of-band performance are much more sensitive than other types of filters to those mechanical and thermal issues.
Food webs in the ocean: who eats whom and how much?

Over 100 food webs have been published for marine ecosystems to describe the transfer of food energy from its source in plants, through herbivores, to carnivores and higher order predators. The webs suggest that the lengths of the chains that form food webs are typically short (3–4 links), and that ecosystems with long food chains may be less stable than those with shorter food chains. Stomach contents have been the primary means for determining what marine organisms eat. More recently developed techniques include faecal analysis and fatty acid signatures from blood or fat samples. Consumption has been estimated from the volume of food found in stomachs, from the feeding rates of captive individuals and from bio-energetic modelling. Consumption of marine organisms, expressed as a percentage of an individual’s body weight per day, ranges from about 4–15% for zooplankton, to 1–4% for cephalopods, 1–2% for fish, 3–5% for marine mammals and 15–20% for sea birds. Immature age classes consume about twice as much (per unit of body weight) as do mature individuals. Furthermore, consumption is not constant throughout the year, but varies with seasonal periods of growth and reproduction. Most groups of species consume 3–10 times more than they produce, and export or pass up the food web about 70–95% of their production. Marine organisms tend to be larger at successive trophic levels and are limited in the sizes of food they can consume. Humans are one of the fewspecies that can prey upon almost any level of the food chain and any size of prey. Food web analysis and estimates of consumption are essential for understanding which ecosystems can support additional species, and which may be less stable and susceptible to species loss through the synergistic effects of fishing or culling. They are also critical tools for understanding changes in ecosystem dynamics as highlighted by a case study from the eastern Bering Sea.
Effects of personal values and perceived values on e-book adoption

Personal values distinguish individuals from others and affect how individuals perceive values of technologies. However, the relationships between personal values and perceived values are unclear to explain individuals' adoption of technologies. E-books changing the publishing industry with a high adoption rate in a global market are used as the area of investigation. The study proposed a new framework to examine the relationships between five personal values (hedonism, stimulation, self-direction, power, and achievement) and three perceived values of e-books (functional value, emotional value, and social value), and their effects on individuals' intentions to use e-books. The results show that people who attach more importance to "power" have a concern about the success in their lives and pay more attention to social and functional values of e-books. People who attach more importance to "achievement" are more concerned with enjoying life, exciting life, and freedom life while people who put a high value on "self-direction" are more concerned with exciting life and enjoying life. People who attach more importance to "hedonism" pay more attention to emotional value of e-books and ones who put a high value on "stimulation" pay more attention to the social value of e-books. In addition, people tend to use e-books when they perceived functional and emotional values of e-books. The study extends knowledge in information technology adoption and provides guidance for creating e-book values to target different customer segmentation.
Quantifying the impacts of horizontal and vertical equity in transit route planning

ABSTRACT Equity refers to a fair sharing of costs or resources. Horizontal equity concerns distribution among individuals or groups with the same necessities, whereas vertical equity should be considered in situations with different levels of needs. This paper deals with transit service, looking at how to make it equitable from a spatial and social point of view. Traditionally equity has been neglected in transit planning, being in the best cases an afterthought during service provision. Hence, we propose a methodology to plan and design public transport routes, which meets the needs of communities fostering equitable accessibility. In this paper we put forward a method to incorporate horizontal and vertical equity goals in a Transit Network Design Problem. We study how the costs of the system change with the attained level of equity and found that higher overall costs may be born if more equitable service provision has to be pursued.
Diffusion tensor imaging: a colorful collage or a clinical tool?

Detection of anisotropic Brownian motion of water molecules along structurally oriented tissue forms the basis of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). [1,2] Over the past two decades, it has evolved as one of the most powerful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tools to study microstructural alterations occurring in the brain. These techniques have been perfected by Pierpaoli and Baser[2] and several other investigators since then. [3,4]
Detecting cell-adhesive sites in extracellular matrix using force spectroscopy mapping

The cell microenvironment is composed of extracellular matrix (ECM), which contains specific binding sites that allow the cell to adhere to its surroundings. Cells employ focal adhesion proteins, which must be able to resist a variety of forces to bind to ECM. Current techniques for detecting the spatial arrangement of these adhesions, however, have limited resolution and those that detect adhesive forces lack sufficient spatial characterization or resolution. Using a unique application of force spectroscopy, we demonstrate here the ability to determine local changes in the adhesive property of a fibronectin substrate down to the resolution of the fibronectin antibody-functionalized tip diameter, ∼ 20 nm. To verify the detection capabilities of force spectroscopy mapping (FSM), changes in loading rate and temperature were used to alter the bond dynamics and change the adhesion force. Microcontact printing was also used to pattern fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated fibronectin in order to mimic the discontinuous adhesion domains of native ECM. Fluorescent detection was used to identify the pattern while FSM was used to map cell adhesion sites in registry with the initial fluorescent image. The results show that FSM can be used to detect the adhesion domains at high resolution and may subsequently be applied to native ECM with randomly distributed cell adhesion sites.
Role of PEX5 ubiquitination in maintaining peroxisome dynamics and homeostasis

ABSTRACT Peroxisomes are essential and dynamic organelles that allow cells to rapidly adapt and cope with changing environments and/or physiological conditions by modulation of both peroxisome biogenesis and turnover. Peroxisome biogenesis involves the assembly of peroxisome membranes and the import of peroxisomal matrix proteins. The latter depends on the receptor, PEX5, which recognizes peroxisomal matrix proteins in the cytosol directly or indirectly, and transports them to the peroxisomal lumen. In this review, we discuss the role of PEX5 ubiquitination in both peroxisome biogenesis and turnover, specifically in PEX5 receptor recycling, stability and abundance, as well as its role in pexophagy (autophagic degradation of peroxisomes).
The impact of phonological complexity on past tense inflection in children with Grammatical-SLI

English-speaking children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI) variably produce inflected and bare stem forms in obligatory past tense contexts. Researchers have not reached consensus as to whether the underlying deficit is morphosyntactic or morphophonological in nature. The Computational Grammatical Complexity (CGC) Hypothesis takes a different tack: it hypothesizes that for children with a particular form of SLI, Grammatical-SLI, the deficit is in representing linguistic structural complexity in at least three components of the computational grammatical system – syntax, morphology and phonology. Deficits in all these components are predicted to impact on regular past tense formation. The impact of syntactic and morphological complexity on G-SLI children's realization of tense has been tested previously. Here we complete the picture by considering phonological effects on their production of regular past tense inflection. Using a past tense elicitation task where we manipulate the phonological complexity of the inflected verb end, we show that, as predicted, verb-end phonological complexity impacts on suffixation: G-SLI children are less likely to suffix stems when the inflected form ends in a consonant cluster. Typically developing controls show no such effect. The results of this study highlight the need to consider the independent contributions of language components to impaired and normal performance.
Differences in performance of screening instruments for problem drinking among blacks, whites and Hispanics in an emergency room population.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of a number of standard screening instruments for alcohol dependence and harmful drinking/abuse by ethnicity (black, Hispanic and white) and by ethnicity and gender in an emergency room setting. METHOD A probability sample of patients (N = 1,429) was breath analyzed and interviewed at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California. Sensitivity and specificity were analyzed among current drinkers (n = 857) for the CAGE, Brief MAST, AUDIT, TWEAK, RAPS and other items against combined ICD- 10 or DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence and separately for alcohol dependence or harmful drinking or abuse. RESULTS Screening measures were not found to perform equally well by ethnicity or gender, with lower sensitivity found for women compared to men. Consistency in sensitivity of measures was found to vary considerably across ethnic and gender groups, with some measures (most notably the RAPS and the AUDIT) showing consistently high sensitivity across subgroups. None of the instruments performed nearly as well for identifying alcohol dependence or harmful drinking or abuse combined as for alcohol dependence alone. CONCLUSIONS Analyses suggest that, while the RAPS may hold promise for identifying problem drinkers across ethnic and gender subgroups, it and other screening instruments currently in use require additional evaluation in a variety of settings to determine their usefulness for identifying those who could benefit from a brief intervention or referral for problem drinking.
Polyadenylation accelerates degradation of chloroplast mRNA.

The expression of chloroplast genes is regulated by several mechanisms, one of which is the modulation of RNA stability. To understand how this regulatory step is controlled during chloroplast development, we have begun to define the mechanism of plastid mRNA degradation. We show here that the degradation petD mRNA involves endonucleolytic cleavage at specific sites upstream of the 3′ stem‐loop structure. The endonucleolytic petD cleavage products can be polyadenylated in vitro, and similar polyadenylated RNA products are detectable in vivo. PCR analysis of the psbA and psaA‐psaB‐rps14 operons revealed other polyadenylated endonucleolytic cleavage products, indicating that poly(A) addition appears to be an integral modification during chloroplast mRNA degradation. Polyadenylation promotes efficient degradation of the cleaved petD RNAs by a 3′‐5′ exoribonuclease. Furthermore, polyadenylation also plays an important role in the degradation of the petD mRNA 3′ end. Although the 3′ end stem‐loop is usually resistant to nucleases, adenylation renders the secondary structure susceptible to the 3′‐5′ exoribonuclease. Analysis of 3′ ends confirms that polyadenylation occurs in vivo, and reveals that the extent of adenylation increases during the degradation of plastid mRNA in the dark. Based on these results, we propose a novel mechanism for polyadenylation in the regulation of plastid mRNA degradation.
The Contribution of Foreign Real Estate Investment to Housing Price Growth in Australian Capital Cities

This paper models the effects of foreign investment in real estate on housing prices in Australia. We use a variety of panel data models that account for cross-sectional heterogeneity across Australian cities and find that increases in investment are significant predictors of rises in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Residential Property Price Index. Our results are generally robust and suggest that increases in foreign investment account for between 20% and 30% of the rise in housing prices between 2004 and 2014 in Sydney and Melbourne. In other capital cities the effects appear to be negligible. Some policy implications of our findings are discussed.
Skid steering mobile robot modeling and control

In this paper, a reduced order model of dynamic and drive models augmentation of a skid steering mobile robot is presented. Moreover, a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) controller augmented with a feed-forward part is designed for controlling this reduced order model. The controller is simple in terms of design and implementation in comparison with complex nonlinear control schemes that are usually designed for this system. Moreover, it provides good performance for the plant comparable with a nonlinear controller based on the inverse dynamics which depends on the availability of an accurate model describing the system. Simulation results are included.