Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Partial glycosylation of antithrombin III asparagine-135 is caused by the serine in the third position of its N-glycosylation consensus sequence and is responsible for production of the beta-antithrombin III isoform with enhanced heparin affinity.

Two antithrombin III (ATIII) isoforms occur naturally in human plasma. The alpha-ATIII isoform has four N-linked oligosaccharides attached to asparagines 96, 135, 155, and 192. The beta-ATIII isoform lacks carbohydrate on asparagine-135 (N135), which is near the heparin binding site, and binds heparin with higher affinity than does alpha-ATIII. Two isoforms are also produced when the normal human ATIII cDNA sequence is expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells, and the recombinant beta' isoform similarly binds heparin with higher affinity than the recombinant alpha' isoform. Consensus sequences (CSs) of the ATIII N-glycosylation sites are N-X-S for 135 and N-X-T for 96, 155, and 192. On the basis of database and in vitro glycosylation studies suggesting that N-X-S CSs are utilized less efficiently than N-X-T CSs, we hypothesized that the beta-ATIII isoform might result from inefficient core glycosylation of the N135 N-X-S CS due to the presence of a serine, rather than a threonine, in the third position. ATIIIs with N-X-S, N-X-T, and N-X-A consensus sequences were expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells. In contrast to the N-X-S sequence, which expressed a mixture of alpha' and beta' molecules, the N-X-T variant produced alpha' exclusively, while the N-X-A variant produced beta' exclusively. Thus, serine in the third position of the N135 CS is responsible for its "partial" glycosylation and leads to production of beta-ATIII. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Involvement of endothelial ephrin-B2 in adhesion and transmigration of EphB-receptor-expressing monocytes

The vascular endothelium is a crucial interface that controls the recruitment of circulating leukocytes. Based on the luminal expression of the ephrin-B2 ligand by endothelial cells (ECs) and the expression of EphB receptors (EphBRs) by circulating monocytes, we hypothesized that EphBR-ephrinB interactions are involved in monocyte adhesion. Adhesion experiments with monocytic cells were performed on ECs that overexpressed either full-length ephrin-B2 or cytoplasmically truncated ephrin-B2 (ΔC-ephrin-B2). Atomic force microscopy confirmed similar adhesive strengths of EphBR-expressing J774 cells to ECs that either overexpressed full-length ephrin-B2 or truncated ΔC-ephrin-B2 (1-minute interaction). Yet, adhesion experiments under static or flow conditions for 30 minutes demonstrated the preferential adhesion of monocytic cells to ECs that overexpressed full-length ephrin-B2 but not to ΔC-ephrin-B2 or to ECs that had been mock transduced. Adhesion was blocked by ephrin-B2-specific and EphBR-specific antibodies. Correspondingly, adhesion of EphB4-receptor-overexpressing monocytes to ephrin-B2-positive ECs was further augmented. Trafficking experiments of cell-surface molecules revealed that, prior to internalization, the resulting EphB4-receptor–ephrin-B2 complex translocated from the luminal surface to inter-endothelial junctions. Lastly, full-length ephrin-B2 in ECs was also involved in monocyte transmigration. Collectively, our study identifies a role of EphBR-ephrinB interactions as a new step in the cascade of events leading to monocyte adhesion and transmigration through the vascular endothelium.
Harmonic Instability Assessment Using State-Space Modeling and Participation Analysis in Inverter-Fed Power Systems

This paper presents a harmonic instability analysis method using state-space modeling and participation analysis in the inverter-fed ac power systems. A full-order state-space model for the droop-controlled distributed generation (DG) inverter is built first, including the time delay of the digital control system, inner current and voltage control loops, and outer droop-based power control loop. Based on the DG inverter model, an overall state-space model of a two-inverter-fed system is established. The eigenvalue-based stability analysis is then presented to assess the influence of controller parameters on the harmonic instability of the power system. Moreover, the harmonic-frequency oscillation modes are identified, where participation analysis is presented to evaluate the contributions of different states to these modes and to further reveal how the system gives rise to harmonic instability. Based on the participation analysis, a reduced-order model for harmonic instability analysis is also proposed. The experimental results are presented for validating the theoretical analyses.
A novel video denoising algorithm in communication base station monitoring system

The basic theory of video denoising is firstly systematically studied. Non-local means spatial domain filter method and its advantages compared to other traditional methods are discussed in detail. On this basis, taking the issue of temporal domain denoising into account, a novel spatio-temporal combination method for video denoising is proposed. What is more, adaptive filter strength is introduced to present a modified spatio-temporal combination method. Experiments show that both algorithms have achieved good results.
Poverty, Food Insecurity, and Obesity Among Urban and Rural Populations

Poverty, Food Insecurity, and Obesity Among Urban and Rural Populations by Tameka Ivory Walls MS, Mississippi Valley State University, 2002 BS, Mississippi Valley State University, 1999 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University February 2017
Identiﬁcation and Characterization of a Monofunctional Glycosyltransferase from Staphylococcus aureus

A gene ( mgt ) encoding a monofunctional glycosyltransferase (MGT) from Staphylococcus aureus has been identiﬁed. This ﬁrst reported gram-positive MGT shared signiﬁcant homology with several MGTs from gram-negative bacteria and the N-terminal glycosyltransferase domain of class A high-molecular-mass peni-cillin-binding proteins from different species. S. aureus MGT contained an N-terminal hydrophobic domain perhaps involved with membrane association. It was expressed in Escherichia coli cells as a truncated protein lacking the hydrophobic domain and puriﬁed to homogeneity. Analysis by circular dichroism revealed that secondary structural elements of puriﬁed truncated S. aureus MGT were consistent with predicted structural elements, indicating that the protein might exhibit the expected folding. In addition, puriﬁed S. aureus MGT catalyzed incorporation of UDP- N -acetylglucosamine into peptidoglycan, proving that it was enzymatically active. MGT activity was inhibited by moenomycin A, and the reaction product was sensitive to lysozyme treatment. Moreover, a protein matching the calculated molecular weight of S. aureus MGT was identiﬁed from an S. aureus cell lysate using antibodies developed against puriﬁed MGT. Taken together, our results suggest that this enzyme is natively present in S.
Two-enzyme systems for glycolipid and polyglycerolphosphate lipoteichoic acid synthesis in Listeria monocytogenes

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is an important cell wall polymer in Gram‐positive bacteria and often consists a polyglycerolphosphate backbone chain that is linked to the membrane by a glycolipid. In Listeria monocytogenes this glycolipid is Gal‐Glc‐DAG or Gal‐Ptd‐6Glc‐DAG. Using a bioinformatics approach, we have identified L. monocytogenes genes predicted to be involved in glycolipid (lmo2555 and lmo2554) and LTA backbone (lmo0644 and lmo0927) synthesis. LTA and glycolipid analysis of wild‐type and mutant strains confirmed the function of Lmo2555 and Lmo2554 as glycosyltransferases required for the formation of Glc‐DAG and Gal‐Glc‐DAG. Deletion of a third gene, lmo2553, located in the same operon resulted in the production of LTA with an altered structure. lmo0927 and lmo0644 encode proteins with high similarity to the staphylococcal LTA synthase LtaS, which is responsible for polyglycerolphosphate backbone synthesis. We show that both proteins are involved in LTA synthesis. Our data support a model whereby Lmo0644 acts as an LTA primase LtaP and transfers the initial glycerolphosphate onto the glycolipid anchor, and Lmo0927 functions as LTA synthase LtaS, which extends the glycerolphosphate backbone chain. Inactivation of LtaS leads to severe growth and cell division defects, underscoring the pivotal role of LTA in this Gram‐positive pathogen.
Distinguishing between Chronic and Transient Poverty in Mozambique

The main purpose of the study is to identify household characteristics which can 1) distinguish between the chronic poor and transient poor and 2) be feasibly implemented as targeting criterion in poverty interventions. Data for this study was drawn from Mozambique‘s 2008/09 Household Budget Survey and consisted of 10,832 observations. This study fills a gap in the literature by structurally determining the impact of common shocks (drought, floods and cyclones, agricultural pests, illness, death, and theft) on 1) food expenditures at the household level and 2) poverty rates at the national level. The results of the study indicate that shocks are one of the key determinants of household food expenditures. The expected impact of shocks in aggregate increases the national poverty rate by 9%. However, the impact of specific shocks on household food expenditures varies across regions and households. Further, the variables which are strongly correlated with chronic poverty differ from the variables strongly correlated with transient poverty. These results suggest the need to both more rapidly identify and enroll households exposed to shocks in short-term social protection programs and continue to improve methods targeting the chronic poor in long-term programs.
Designing of Data Link Layer for Virtual Bus Architecture

This paper presents a new data link layer design for the virtual bus architecture. The virtual bus architecture is a hierarchical access network offering a broadcast capability for data and signalling. We illustrate a multiple access protocol (MAP) with generic frame procedure (GFP) for transmitting IP network protocol datagram over SDH/SONET. The protocol adds multiterminal access capability to an inherently point-to-point link. This is a novel method for transmitting MAP with GFP. It enables the design of seamless networking environments using SDH/SONET as the transmission medium for metropolitan area network. The new frame mapping protocol is known as virtual bus transport (VBT).
Daily Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity in Survivors of Childhood Malignancy

Changes in body composition, in particular the onset of obesity, may result from reductions in total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) as a consequence of relative physical inactivity. Children previously treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) become obese, yet the mechanism remains undefined. TDEE and physical activity levels [PAL = TDEE/basal metabolic rate(BMR)] were measured in 34 long-term survivors of ALL and compared with results from 21 survivors of other malignancies and 32 healthy sibling control subjects using the flex-heart rate technique. Body composition was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The median TDEE was reduced in the ALL group(150 kJ·kg d-1) compared with other malignancies and controls(207 and 185 kJ·kg d-1, respectively, p < 0.01). This reduction was accounted for mainly by a relative decrease in the PAL of the ALL group (1.24) compared with both other malignancies and controls (1.58 and 1.47, respectively, p < 0.01). TDEE and PAL were correlated with percentage body fat (r = -0.39, p < 0.001 and r = -0.24, p < 0.05, respectively). Obesity in survivors of ALL may, in part, be explained by a reduction in TDEE as a consequence of reduced PAL. The cause of such reduction is uncertain.
Live attenuated vaccine for hepatitis A.

The successful development of hepatitis B vaccines has stimulated interest in the active immunoprophylaxis of type A hepatitis. The development of hepatitis A vaccines has been simplified by the ability to propagate HAV in tissue culture systems and the availability of animal model systems, including the chimpanzee and certain species of marmosets in which to evaluate safety and efficacy of candidate vaccines. Both inactivated and live, attenuated hepatitis A vaccines are possible, but the limited replicative ability of HAV in tissue culture makes the former impractical at present. However, HAV appears to be rapidly attenuated by serial passage in tissue culture and such attenuated strains are candidates for a live, attenuated vaccine similar to the Sabin polio vaccine. The HM-175 strain of HAV, recovered from the stool of a patient with type A hepatitis in Melbourne, Australia, was isolated directly in primary African green monkey kidney (AGMK), a cell substrate suitable for vaccine development. This strain has been serially passaged over 20 times in AGMK. The parent strain (stool extract) and virus at tissue culture passages 10 and 20 were evaluated for infectivity and virulence in seronegative chimpanzees. The parent strain produced evidence of liver damage (elevated liver enzymes) at all dilutions of infectious virus tested. In contrast, tissue culture-passaged virus was fully infectious for chimpanzees, but did not produce biochemical evidence of hepatitis. Similarly, hepatitis A viral antigen could not be detected in liver biopsies and little or no viral antigen could be detected in acute phase stool samples. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Leaf gas films of Spartina anglica enhance rhizome and root oxygen during tidal submergence.

Gas films on hydrophobic surfaces of leaves of some wetland plants can improve O(2) and CO(2) exchange when completely submerged during floods. Here we investigated the in situ aeration of rhizomes of cordgrass (Spartina anglica) during natural tidal submergence, with focus on the role of leaf gas films on underwater gas exchange. Underwater net photosynthesis was also studied in controlled laboratory experiments. In field experiments, O(2) microelectrodes were inserted into rhizomes and pO(2) measured throughout two tidal submergence events; one during daylight and one during night-time. Plants had leaf gas films intact or removed. Rhizome pO(2) dropped significantly during complete submergence and most severely during night. Leaf gas films: (1) enhanced underwater photosynthesis and pO(2) in rhizomes remained above 10 kPa during submergence in light; and (2) facilitated O(2) entry from the water into leaves so that rhizome pO(2) was about 5 kPa during darkness. This study is the first in situ demonstration of the beneficial effects of leaf gas films on internal aeration in a submerged wetland plant. Leaf gas films likely contribute to submergence tolerance of S. anglica and this feature is expected to also benefit other wetland plant species when submerged.
Effects of enrollment in medicaid versus the state children's health insurance program on kindergarten children's untreated dental caries.

OBJECTIVES We compared levels of untreated dental caries in children enrolled in public insurance programs with those in nonenrolled children to determine the impact of public dental insurance and the type of plan (Medicaid vs State Children's Health Insurance Program [SCHIP]) on untreated dental caries in children. METHODS Dental health outcomes were obtained through a calibrated oral screening of kindergarten children (enrolled in the 2000-2001 school year). We obtained eligibility and claims data for children enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP who were eligible for dental services during 1999 to 2000. We developed logistic regression models to compare children's likelihood and extent of untreated dental caries according to enrollment. RESULTS Children enrolled in Medicaid or SCHIP were 1.7 times (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.65, 1.77) more likely to have untreated dental caries than were nonenrolled children. SCHIP-enrolled children were significantly less likely to have untreated dental caries than were Medicaid-enrolled children (odds ratio [OR]=0.74; 95% CI=0.67, 0.82). According to a 2-part regression model, children enrolled in Medicaid or SCHIP have 17% more untreated dental caries than do nonenrolled children, whereas those in SCHIP had 16% fewer untreated dental caries than did those in Medicaid. CONCLUSIONS Untreated tooth decay continues to be a significant problem for children with public insurance coverage. Children who participated in a separate SCHIP program had fewer untreated dental caries than did children enrolled in Medicaid.
Structural characterization of MepB from Staphylococcus aureus reveals homology to endonucleases

The MepRAB operon in Staphylococcus aureus has been identified to play a role in drug resistance. Although the functions of MepA and MepR are known, little information is available on the function of MepB. Here we report the X‐ray structure of MepB to 2.1 Å revealing its structural similarity to the PD‐(D/E)XK family of endonucleases. We further show that MepB binds DNA and RNA, with a higher affinity towards RNA and single stranded DNA than towards double stranded DNA. Notably, the PD‐(D/E)XK catalytic active site residues are not conserved in MepB. MepB's association with a drug resistance operon suggests that it plays a role in responding to antimicrobials. This role is likely carried out through MepB's interactions with nucleic acids.
Exchange rate pass-through in the Asian countries: does inflation volatility matter?

ABSTRACT This paper presents a nonlinear relationship between exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) and inflation volatility. Through the lens of a threshold framework, we uncover a clear evidence of near to one ERPT to consumer prices once inflation volatility crosses a threshold level of 4.17. Clearly, there are significant differences in the degree of ERPT between the high and low inflation volatility in the inflation targeting (IT) and non-IT Asian countries.
Potassium channel openers attenuate atrioventricular block by bupivacaine in isolated hearts.

Our purpose was to test if pinacidil and bimakalim (EMD 52692 or SR 44866), which are ATP-sensitive K+ (K+ATP) channel openers, can attenuate bupivacaine-induced atrioventricular (AV) block. Bupivacaine-induced AV block was studied in 24 isolated guinea pig hearts with or without either pinacidil or bimakalim. Hearts were perfused at 55 mm Hg with a modified Krebs' perfusate. Variables monitored were: heart rate, AV conduction time, left ventricular pressure, coronary flow, and myocardial oxygen extraction. Bupivacaine was infused at a constant concentration of 4 microM to induce first degree AV block and 15-25 microM to induce second degree heart block. During a stable AV block (e.g., first degree, 2:1, 3:2, or 4:3), K+ channel openers, pinacidil (up to 30 microM) or bimakalim (up to 2 microM) were added to perfusate containing bupivacaine. The effects of K+ channel openers were also examined in the presence of the selective K+ATP channel blocker, glibenclamide (2.2 microM). On the average, 4 microM bupivacaine prolonged AV conduction by 53%, and decreased heart rate by 13%, left ventricular pressure by 26%, coronary flow by 6%, and percent oxygen extraction by 7%. In the presence of bupivacaine, pinacidil and bimakalim additionally decreased left ventricular pressure and oxygen extraction, markedly increased coronary flow, and attenuated the prolongation of AV conduction by 20% with no further change in heart rate. The beneficial effect of bimakalim on AV block was reversed by glibenclamide. Second degree AV block produced by higher doses of bupivacaine was converted to first degree AV block by either pinacidil or bimakalim in 6 of 8 and 7 of 8 hearts, respectively. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Teams as Superstars: Effort and Risk Taking in Rank-Order Tournaments for Women and Men

This article analyzes top-level basketball competitions and measures the effect of superstar presence on effort provision in rank-order tournaments. I extend the previous literature to team competitions for male and female teams, as well as different institutional settings over a long period of time. In addition, I analyze risk-taking behavior in the context of superstar effects. The results of the empirical analysis suggests that the level of superstar dominance is crucial for the observed effects. While there is an significant and sizeable effort reducing superstar effect, less (little) dominance by the superstar seems to be result in a positive peer effects.
Impact of job satisfaction on employee performance: An empirical study of autonomous Medical Institutions of Pakistan

In Pakistan, the doctor’s profession is considered gorgeous and dignified because it is directly related to the lives of human beings. In Pakistani society, there is a general inclination that in government hospitals, the patients are not properly treated by the doctors. The purpose of this study is to find out factors that influence level of job satisfaction among the workforce of autonomous medical institutions of Pakistan and its effects on performance. The sample of the study is comprised of 200 doctors, nurses, administrative and accounts staff working in autonomous medical institutions in Punjab. 250 Questionnaires were distributed out of which 200 were received back and used for analysis. SPSS is used for data analysis statistically. It is concluded from study that facets such as: pay, promotion, job safety and security, working conditions, job autonomy, relationship with co-workers, relationship with supervisor and nature of work; affect the job satisfaction and performance. Key words: Job satisfaction, performance, facets, Pakistan, doctors, medical.
A Novel Promoter Element Containing Multiple Overlapping Xenobiotic and Hypoxia Response Elements Mediates Induction of Cytochrome P4502S1 by Both Dioxin and Hypoxia*

Cytochrome P4502S1 (CYP2S1) is expressed at high levels in epithelial tissues and is inducible by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin) via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Transcriptional initiation of mouse Cyp2s1 was found to occur at three regions, ∼198, 102, and 22 nucleotides from the translational initiation codon. Approximately 400 nucleotides upstream of its translational initiation codon, mouse Cyp2s1 contains three overlapping xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE) sequences, which make a major contribution toward dioxin inducibility. Each XRE sequence in this trimeric XRE can bind the AHR/aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) dimer in a dioxin-dependent fashion in vitro and can mediate dioxin-dependent transcription. Cyp2s1 is also markedly inducible by hypoxia. Induction is dependent on hypoxiainducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and is mediated in large part by three overlapping hypoxia response elements (HREs) embedded within the trimeric XRE segment. Although each HRE within this segment can bind HIF-1α/ARNT in vitro, the most 3′ HRE contributes the most toward hypoxia inducibility. AHR/ARNT and HIF-1α/ARNT dimers bind to the region containing the trimeric XRE segment of the endogenous Cyp2s1 gene in vivo in a dioxin-dependent fashion and hypoxia-dependent fashion, respectively. These observations identify a novel regulatory cassette that mediates changes in Cyp2s1 expression.
The Rhombic Flap

The Limberg rhombic flap is one of the best techniques for covering a skin defect that is not amenable to straight-line closure. It is a simple, versatile technique that requires only the correct placement of a rhombic donor flap for its execution. An easy method is presented for planning the design of a rhombic flap to take full advantage of all its possibilities.