Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
6-Pyruvoyltetrahydropterin Synthase Paralogs Replace the Folate Synthesis Enzyme Dihydroneopterin Aldolase in Diverse Bacteria

ABSTRACT Dihydroneopterin aldolase (FolB) catalyzes conversion of dihydroneopterin to 6-hydroxymethyldihydropterin (HMDHP) in the classical folate biosynthesis pathway. However, folB genes are missing from the genomes of certain bacteria from the phyla Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes, and Spirochaetes. Almost all of these folB-deficient genomes contain an unusual paralog of the tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis enzyme 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) in which a glutamate residue replaces or accompanies the catalytic cysteine. A similar PTPS paralog from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is known to form HMDHP from dihydroneopterin triphosphate in vitro and has been proposed to provide a bypass to the FolB step in vivo. Bacterial genes encoding PTPS-like proteins with active-site glutamate, cysteine, or both residues were accordingly tested together with the P. falciparum gene for complementation of the Escherichia coli folB mutation. The P. falciparum sequence and bacterial sequences with glutamate or glutamate plus cysteine were active; those with cysteine alone were not. These results demonstrate that PTPS paralogs with an active-site glutamate (designated PTPS-III proteins) can functionally replace FolB in vivo. Recombinant bacterial PTPS-III proteins, like the P. falciparum enzyme, mediated conversion of dihydroneopterin triphosphate to HMDHP, but other PTPS proteins did not. Neither PTPS-III nor other PTPS proteins exhibited significant dihydroneopterin aldolase activity. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that PTPS-III proteins may have arisen independently in various PTPS lineages. Consistent with this possibility, merely introducing a glutamate residue into the active site of a PTPS protein conferred incipient activity in the growth complementation assay, and replacing glutamate with alanine in a PTPS-III protein abolished complementation.
Megakaryocyte chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in children

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent and the clinical implications of mixed chimerism in megakaryocytes after stem cell transplantation (SCT). Polymerase chain reaction analyzing allele length polymorphisms was used to determine the origin of immunomagnetically isolated megakaryocytes and leukocyte subpopulations after SCT in 13 children. Eleven were unselected consecutive cases while two were included due to known leukocyte mixed chimerism. Recipient DNA was detected in the megakaryocytes in six out of the 11 cases at levels between 1 and 100%. Coinciding mixed chimerism in the leukocyte populations was detected in two of the 11 cases. Of the two selected cases with known leukocyte mixed chimerism, two boys with aplastic anemia and Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome had 1–5 and 70% recipient megakaryocytes, respectively. Although the four relapses or deaths, within the 13 months of observation, were restricted to patients with multilineage or isolated megakaryocyte (n = 1) mixed chimerism, it was not possible to link any other apparent clinical problems, except a prolonged thrombocytopenia in one case, to the mixed chimerism in this limited study group.
Particle-Initiated Breakdown Characteristics of Conical Insulator in N2 GAS and N2/02 Mixture under DC Voltage

Particle-initiated breakdown characteristics of conical spacers were investigated experimentally in N2 and 79% N2/21% 02 gas mixture to provide fundamental parameters determining the breakdown voltage of a dielectric spacer contaminated by metallic particles. Experimental results show that the breakdown voltage of a particle-contaminated spacer increases with the value of |90-¿|, while in contrary that of the clean spacer decreases with the value of |90-¿| in the region of ¿ of 0|90-¿|60 degrees where the spacer angle ¿ is defined as the angle between the spacer surface and the anode plane electrode. With a given spacer the breakdown voltage reveals the minimum value (MBDV) when a particle was placed very near the anode in N2/02 mixture, and on or very near the electrodes in N2 gas. At the particle conditions giving the MBDV, the corona stabilization effect is less effective. The MBDV decreases with decreasing in the gas pressure and the wire particle diameter. The critical particle length beyond which the breakdown voltage is lowered by the particle depends on the spacer shape. Analysis of the MBDV to include a minimum electric field necessary for discharge propagation along the spacer surface and the effect of the field enhancements due to particle on a cylindrical spacer shows fairly good agreement with the experimental results.
A Review of Eeg Sensors used for Data Acquisition

graphy makes use of sensors to capture time varying magnitude of electric fields originating from the brain. These fields result from synchronous activities of billions of neurons present in the brain. These fields are measured from scalp through sensors using different techniques developed over the time so that measurement can be precise, which in turn relies on direct and low resistance contact between the sensor and scalp. Recent advancement in EEG monitoring devices has extended its usage into the domains of lifestyle and entertainment. This paper discusses all such techniques used for the acquisition of EEG signal with the help of various sensors available such as wet electrodes, dry electrodes, wireless EEG system etc.
An ASIC for SiPM/MPPC readout

We have developed an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) suitable for the readout of up to 64 silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) or multi-pixel photon counters (MPPCs). The ASIC can be used with SiPMs/MPPCs and scintillators for energy spectroscopy and timing of ionizing radiation and provides important functionality for SiPMs: The preamplifier input potential can be programmed to adjust the bias voltage for the SiPMs connected to the input. The input charge range is relatively large (−20 pC to 55 pC) and the input noise can be as low as 1 fC. The ASIC triggers, if one of the input signals exceeds the threshold voltage, and the signal amplitude can be sampled. For all readout channels the ASIC delivers the signal amplitude, i.e., photon energy, and the time between the trigger and the sample. The ASIC has a programmable register to configure digital-to-analog converters for the preamplifier input potentials, the trigger thresholds, the internal bias setting and other functionality. Many ASICs can be combined for the readout of multiple arrays of SiPMs/MPPCs. The preamplifier input is designed for capacitive load of up to 300 pF and a dark current of up to 10 μA. We have produced and tested the ASIC connected to MPPCs and LYSO scintillators. The article describes the functionality of the ASIC and shows energy spectra measured with radioactive sources.
Segmentation et mise en correspondance en imagerie cardiaque multimodale conduites par un modèle anatomique bi-cavités du coeur

L'imagerie cardiaque multimodale permet d'apprehender l'anatomie et les differents aspects fonctionnels du coeur, avec une precision croissante. Cette connaissance est essentielle dans le cadre de l'etude des pathologies ischemiques. Nous nous interessons en premier lieu a l'extraction automatique de l'anatomie cardiaque a partir d'images par resonance magnetique. Notre approche de segmentation s'appuie sur l'utilisation d'un gabarit deformable elastique compose d'un modele topologique et geometrique volumique des deux ventricules du coeur et d'un modele mecanique de deformation elastique. Le gabarit deformable evolue sous l'action d'un champ de forces issu de l'image. Un modele physique de regularisation des interfaces du modele propose. Nous montrons ensuite que la prise en compte de la non-linearite geometrique consistant a deplacer le domaine de maniere incrementale, et l'introduction d'une contrainte de champ nul dans l'algorithme de minimisation permettent d'ameliorer significativement la converence du modele. Les performances de ces methodes sont illustrees sur des cas de simulation et sur 10 cas cliniques. Dans une seconde partie, nous nous attaquons au probleme de la mise en correspondance d'images cardiaques multimodalite. Une methode de recalage affine modele/image basee sur un critere a optimiser a la fois geometrique et iconique est presentee. Cette technique est utilisee efficacement comme initiation du modele deformable pour la segmentation. Enfin, nous presentons une strategie de mise en correspondance de donnees cardiaques permettant de combiner des informations de morphologie (imagerie par resonance magnetique), de metabolisme (tomographie par emission de positions) et d'activite electromagnetique (magnetocardiographie), et d'obtenir des modeles 3-D anatomo-fonctionnels individualises du coeur. De tels outils pourront etre exploites avantageusement en recherche clinique pour l'evaluation de l'etat fonctionnel du myocarde ischemique.
The internal struggle between the wish to die and the wish to live: a risk factor for suicide.

OBJECTIVE This study attempted to assess whether an index of the difference between the wish to die and the wish to live constitutes a risk factor for suicide. METHOD A study group of 5,814 patients, including 44 who committed suicide (0.8%), were recruited from a psychiatric outpatient clinic. Structured diagnostic interviews and clinician ratings of the wish to live and wish to die were conducted. The outcome variable was the occurrence of suicide, as indicated on death certificates. RESULTS A dichotomized index score of the difference between the wish to live and the wish to die yielded a hazard ratio of 6.51 for suicide. This index contributed a unique risk for suicide after the authors controlled for age, psychiatric hospitalization, suicide attempts, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and unemployment status. CONCLUSIONS The difference between the wish to die versus the wish to live is a unique risk factor for suicide.
SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF PHOSPHORUS FRACTIONS IN SURFICIAL SEDIMENTS ALONG THE RIVER NILE , EGYPT : ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

In Egypt, the River Nile receives great quantities of agricultural, industrial, municipal and domestic wastes. Monitoring of phosphorus fractions and their speciation in the Nile sediments was the main objective of the present study. The work aimed also to assess possible chemical pollution and perceiving pollution sources along the Nile. Surface sediment samples were collected from 20 sites along the River Nile and its northern branches. The samples were analyzed for their chemical and physical characterization. Phosphorus fractionation was carried out using seven-step sequential extraction technique. Results of the phosphorus partitioning in the examined sediments decreased in the order HCl-P> residual P> NaHCO3-IP> NaOH-IP> NaOH-OP> NaHCO3-OP> H2O-P. Phosphorus bound to water-soluble, NaHCO3 and NaOH are readily available to the biosystem, especially higher plants. While P connected to the HCl and residual fraction are more strongly held into the sediment components and, therefore, unavailable to the biosystem. Results also showed that P speciation is controlled by its source and geochemical behavior and the degree of pollution. The major part of P is hosted in the HCl extractable fraction followed by residual fraction, reflecting their natural association in the primary Ca-apatite and secondary Feand Al-
Méthodes et outils pour utilisateurs, développeurs et traducteurs de logiciels en contexte multilingue

Dans cette these, nous nous interessons d'abord a ce qui peut etre fait pour aider un utilisateur de l'informatique telle qu'elle est aujourd'hui. Nous avons construit un outil, SANDOH, qui identifie les plages homogenes en langue et codage dans un document eventuellement heterogene. Nous pouvons alors transcoder le document en fonction des ressources disponibles, de facon qu'il devienne visualisable. Un autre outil, TRADOH, permet d'obtenir une traduction dans sa langue, par mise en œuvre automatique d'un ou plusieurs systemes de TA disponibles en local ou a distance, avec composition eventuelle. Tout n'etant pas possible du cote utilisateur, nous avons ensuite travaille sur l'amelioration des techniques de programmation de logiciels multilingues. Nous introduisons l'outil GetAMsg, une generalisation de GETTEXT de GNU, qui permet de traiter les messages avec variables et variantes. Un message est decrit dans une syntaxe tres simple comme un "automate de messages" (AdM), ou automate fini controle sans boucle. La librairie GetAMsg peut etre utilisee depuis de nombreux langages de programmation usuels. Enfin, nous avons mis au point une methodologie de traduction d'un catalogue de messages GetAMsg d'une langue dans une autre. Nous generons en langue source une instance du message pour chaque "cas de figure" possible en langue cible, le faisons traduire (automatiquement ou manuellement), et factorisons les resultats obtenus en un AdM en langue cible. Nous avons aussi commence a etudier une nouvelle approche, consistant a representer un AdM par un graphe UNL.
A Neuroscientific Method for Assessing Effectiveness of Digital vs. Print Ads Using Biometric Techniques to Measure Cross-Media Ad Experience and Recall

Nowadays marketers can convey advertising on newspapers by means of several media, ranging from printed advertising presented via different paper formats to websites formats via internet. However, it is not clear, which medium is the most effective in terms of information memory or reading behavior. This paper presents a study of advertisements in one newspaper presented for participants in three media formats; a) website format (via internet, using a desktop pc), b) paper format and c) digital format (a pdf version using a tablet device. Response to the very same news and advertising were measured using eye tracker, EEG brain scanner and memory test.
Quantitative imaging and analysis of SMCC-7721 cells Using AFAM

This paper presents a method for the quantitative imaging and analysis of SMCC-7721 cells using an atomic force acoustic microscope (AFAM). In this work, an AFAM was used to study the surface, intracellular structure and elasticity mapping of SMCC-7721 cells, and both topographic and acoustic images of the cells were obtained. In the experiment, the SMCC-7721 cells were treated with 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA), and untreated and treated with Thymidine (TdR). The imaging results were compared and analyzed. The quantitative analysis result indicates that the AFAM is a useful tool to measure the surface, intracellular structure and the elasticity property of the cells.
A REVIEW OF ENTREPRENEURIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AMONG STUDENTS AT A SOUTH AFRICAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

Entrepreneurship are regarded as a key element in fostering economic growth and job creation. However, growth of a country? s economy rely on developing future leaders with the right skills and knowledge to be entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial knowledge and skills are key attributes for students if they consider self-employment. In South Africa entrepreneurship is common in higher education, however young individuals in South Africa urgently need to be trained, educated and equipped with the necessary entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to foster an entrepreneurial activity in their complex environment. The purpose of this paper is to determine students at a South African HEI perception of their level of entrepreneurial knowledge and skills. A descriptive research design approach was followed. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data from a convenience sample of 338 students at a South African public HEI situated in the Gauteng Province. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability and validity analysis and a one-sample t-test. The findings infer that at this specific HEI, students feel they have the necessary knowledge and skills to be entrepreneurial. This study contributes by implementing initiatives to equip students with the knowledge and skills they may lack in becoming active individuals in economic growth.
Aryl hydroxylation of the herbicide diclofop by a wheat cytochrome p-450 monooxygenase : substrate specificity and physiological activity.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Etoile de Choisy) microsomes catalyzed the cytochrome P-450-dependent oxidation of the herbicide diclofop to three hydroxy-diclofop isomers. Hydroxylation was predominant at carbon 4, with migration of chlorine to carbon 5 (67%) and carbon 3 (25%). The 2,4-dichloro-5-hydroxy isomer was identified as a minor reaction product (8%). Substrate-specificity studies showed that the activity was not inhibited or was weakly inhibited by a range of xenobiotic or physiological cytochrome P-450 substrates, with the exception of lauric acid. Wheat microsomes also catalyze the metabolism of the herbicides chlorsulfuron, chlortoluron, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and of the model substrate ethoxycoumarin, as well as the hydroxylation of the endogenous substrates cinnamic and lauric acids. Treatments of wheat seedlings with phenobarbital or the safener naphthalic acid anhydride enhanced the cytochrome P-450 content of the microsomes and all related activities except that of cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase, which was reduced. The stimulation patterns of diclofop aryl hydroxylase and lauric acid hydroxylase were similar, in contrast with the other activities tested. Lauric acid inhibited competitively (K(i) = 9 mum) the oxidation of diclofop and reciprocally. The similarity of diclofop aryl hydroxylase and lauric acid hydroxylase was further investigated by alternative substrate kinetics, autocatalytic inactivation, and computer-aided molecular modelisation studies, and the results suggest that both reactions are catalyzed by the same cytochrome P-450 isozyme.
Functional inactivation of the conserved Sem1p in yeast by intrabodies

Intrabody technology was applied to characterize the function and intracellular localization of a highly conserved Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sem1 protein. DSS1, the mammalian homologue of Sem1p, is functionally conserved between yeast and mammalian cells, and in mammalian cells physically interacts with the strong tumour supressor BRCA2. Yeast and the generated intrabodies are thus expected to offer a useful system for studies on Sem1p/DSS1 function. Sem1p‐specific antibody isolated from a phage display library was expressed intracellularily and targeted to either the cytosol or the nucleus of yeast cells. Analysis of the applicability of different antibody fragments as intrabodies showed that the Fab intrabody was expressed most efficiently. Expression of nuclear‐targeted anti‐Sem1p Fab intrabodies inhibited the growth of the Σ1278b yeast strain in a manner similar to deletion of the SEM1 gene. This indicates that the Fab intrabodies interact in vivo with Sem1p and result in inactivation of Sem1p. Localization of the Fab intrabody with or without the nuclear localization signal to the nucleus in Sem1p‐dependent manner suggests that Sem1p mediates the nuclear transport of the intrabody without any targeting signal. Our results suggest that Sem1p function in yeast cells is in part manifested in the nucleus. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Channel estimation and signal detection for MC-CDMA in multipath fading channels

We consider a multicarrier code-division multiple access (MC-CDMA) system over multipath fading channels. We first develop a model for such a system. Then, we propose the channel estimation based on least square (LS) algorithm and linear interpolation in frequency domain. For signal detection, different detection algorithms are introduced including maximum ratio combining (MRC), minimum mean square error (MMSE), parallel interference cancellation (PIC), and interference cancellation based on expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. Performances of these different algorithms are illustrated by numerical results in a system with 512 subcarriers and 5 MHz bandwidth at 2.5 GHz over some of ITU channel models. Our simulation results demonstrate that with MMSE algorithm significant performance gain is achieved compared to that with MRC algorithm. The system performance can be further improved by PIC and EM algorithms.
Study on robust stability inverse problem for linear systems

Most of traditional robust problems focus on developing a robust controller to stabilize the dynamic system when system parameters perturb in certain bounded range. However, this paper studies the robust inverse problem, that is to say studying robust stability's inverse problem (RSIP) for linear systems. In other words, it needs to find at least a stable system parameters' perturbation space (SSPPS) for any given stable controller. A robust stability's inverse theorem is proposed for linear systems, and SSPPS of stable controllers can be determined by inverse theorem. SSPPS is investigated by inverse theorem when system parameters appear perturbations. Numerical example and results are shown correctness and effectiveness of robust stability's inverse theorem.
Waste Not, Want Not: A Case Study on Food Waste in Restaurants of Lahore, Pakistan

ABSTRACT Recently, there is growing focus on quantifying food waste problem and analyzing its causes due to an imminent challenge: feed nine billion people by 2050. Among developing countries, we focus on Pakistan which has the sixth largest population in the world and faces serious issues of food insecurity and malnourishment. Astoundingly, despite the gravity of the situation the available research on the issue is almost non-existent. Here, in this first-of-its-kind study for Pakistan we attempt to measure the quantum of food wastage and study its underlying reasons across restaurants in the country’s second largest urban center, Lahore, which is also popularly designated as “the culinary capital of Pakistan”. Segmenting restaurants according to the niche markets they target—as high-end, medium-end, and low-end—and using actual measures of daily wastage, we find overproduction and liability concerns as the prime reasons of excess food preparation and its improper disposal.
The role of quality control circles on new product development: A case study of Thailand

Abstract The quality control circle (QCC) is a well-known quality management tool, and it has been widely adopted in the manufacturing industry. However, there is a lack of literature on the relationship between the role of QCC practices and new product development (NPD). This study investigates how a firm’s achievement of new product introduction is related to the adoption and QCC experience sharing within a firm and with customers/suppliers. Survey data from 1,381 Thai manufacturing firms were collected and used to examine the research hypotheses using logistic regression analysis. The findings show that the firms that operate a QCC, disseminate QCC experiences across departments within the firm, and share QCC experiences with customers and suppliers are more likely to introduce a new product by packaging redesign and by significantly improving existing products. Sharing knowledge and experience of QCC groups facilitates the creation of innovative ideas, which influences the success of NPD. It provides new empirical evidence and extends the body of knowledge related to QCCs, quality management, knowledge sharing, and new product development.