Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A single MIU motif of MINDY‐1 recognizes K48‐linked polyubiquitin chains

The eight different types of ubiquitin (Ub) chains that can be formed play important roles in diverse cellular processes. Linkage‐selective recognition of Ub chains by Ub‐binding domain (UBD)‐containing proteins is central to coupling different Ub signals to specific cellular responses. The motif interacting with ubiquitin (MIU) is a small UBD that has been characterized for its binding to monoUb. The recently discovered deubiquitinase MINDY‐1/FAM63A contains a tandem MIU repeat (tMIU) that is highly selective at binding to K48‐linked polyUb. We here identify that this linkage‐selective binding is mediated by a single MIU motif (MIU2) in MINDY‐1. The crystal structure of MIU2 in complex with K48‐linked polyubiquitin chains reveals that MIU2 on its own binds to all three Ub moieties in an open conformation that can only be accommodated by K48‐linked triUb. The weak Ub binder MIU1 increases overall affinity of the tMIU for polyUb chains without affecting its linkage selectivity. Our analyses reveal new concepts for linkage selectivity and polyUb recognition by UBDs.
Interdisciplinary European Guidelines on Surgery of Severe Obesity

In 2005, for the first time in European history, an extraordinary expert panel named BSCG (Bariatric Scientific Collaborative Group), was appointed through joint effort of the major European scientific societies which are active in the field of obesity management. Societies that constituted this panel were: IFSO – International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity, IFSO-EC – International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity – European Chapter, EASO – European Association for Study of Obesity, ECOG – European Childhood Obesity Group, together with the IOTF (International Obesity Task Force) which was represented during the completion process by its representative. The BSCG was composed not only of the top officers representing the respective scientific societies (four acting presidents, two past presidents, one honorary president, two executive directors), but was balanced with the presence of many other key opinion leaders in the field of obesity. The BSCG composition allowed the coverage of key disciplines in comprehensive obesity management, as well as reflecting European geographical and ethnic diversity. This joint BSCG expert panel convened several meetings which were entirely focused on guidelines creation, during the past 2 years. There was a specific effort to develop clinical guidelines, which will reflect current knowledge, expertise and evidence based data on morbid obesity treatment.
Six-port direct digital receiver (SPDR) and standard direct receiver (SDR) results for QPSK modulation at high speeds

Comparative measurements on two direct down-conversion receivers are presented to investigate the performance of a six-port digital receiver (SPDR) with a standard direct receiver (SDR) using quadrature zero-IF mixers. The six-port prototype is fabricated in MHMIC format for a carrier frequency of 2.45GHz with QPSK digital modulation suitable for wireless local loop such as WLAN or MMDS systems. BER measurements on both receivers are presented in the presence of noise, adjacent channel and cochannel interference, local oscillator phase shift and sensitivity for 40 Mb/s data rate. MMIC design scheme of the six-port digital receiver can provide a robust, simple, low-cost design platform for use in mass-market communication systems for present and future multimedia broadband applications.
Better off without the euro? Evaluating monetary policy and macroeconomic performance for the u.k. and sweden

I compare macroeconomic performance, measured by the volatility of real GDP and inflation, for two of the countries that opted not to enter the EMU: the United Kingdom and Sweden. In particular, I am interested in finding out how much of the macroeconomic performance changes experienced by the U.K. and Sweden after 1999 is due to increased efficiency in the conduct of independent monetary policy. Eventually, the objective is to analyze whether or not further changes in macroeconomic volatility could have been attained if these two countries would have instead adopted the Euro starting January 1999.
The Guppy as a Conservation Model: Implications of Parasitism and Inbreeding for Reintroduction Success

Abstract: Ex situ conservation is of increasing importance to prevent the extinction of endangered animals in the wild. Despite low success rates of reintroduction programs few researchers have investigated empirically the efficacy of captive breeding regimes for the release of captive‐bred vertebrates. We used guppies (Poecilia reticulata) from two populations in Trinidad to compare different conservation breeding regimes. The upper Aripo population was chosen for its small effective population size (Ne≈ 100) and genetic isolation, which makes it representative of many endangered natural populations. By contrast, the lower Aripo population is a genetically diverse, much larger population (Ne≈ 2400). We examined three captive‐breeding regimes: (1) inbreeding fish crossed with their full siblings, (2) minimized inbreeding, no consanguineous matings, and (3) control fish crossed at random. We kept pedigree records for all regimes so that we could calculate inbreeding coefficients over four generations. The body size and fertility of guppies was significantly reduced due to inbreeding depression. The genetic load of sterile equivalents was particularly high for the lower Aripo population. Body size also declined due to breeding conditions in the captive environment. After four generations in captivity, the fish were released into a mesocosm in Trinidad. Captive‐bred guppies were extremely susceptible to gyrodactylid parasites (58% survival rate) compared with their wild counterparts (96% survival). A reduced level of immunogenetic variation due to inbreeding and lack of exposure to natural parasites may have rendered captive‐bred individuals more prone to infectious disease. The threat of disease outbreak is particularly high when naive captive‐bred hosts are released in wild populations. Susceptible, captive‐bred hosts could facilitate the transmission of parasites throughout the wild population, thus initiating an epidemic. This risk could potentially be reduced by prior exposure to parasites before release and gradual release of captive‐bred individuals.
Human Papillomavirus Seropositivity and Subsequent Risk of HIV Acquisition in Rural South African Women

Objective This study aimed to provide a population-based estimate of human papillomavirus (HPV) seropositivity for women in a rural African context and to evaluate the impact of HPV serostatus on subsequent acquisition of HIV outside a clinical setting. Design A random sample of women participating in a longitudinal, population-based HIV survey combined with a case-control study. Methods Blood samples of women participating in a single round of population-based HIV surveillance (N = 1049) in a rural South African population were used to measure vaccine-preventable HPV seropositivity (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) in the general population in 2010. Using results from the repeat HIV surveys, a case-control analysis was then performed comparing HPV sero-status in samples taken from HIV sero-converting women (prior to infection with HIV) against samples from HIV-uninfected, sexually-active controls matched 1:1 according to 5-year age band (377:377). Unconditional multivariable logistic regression with multiple imputations was used to control for sociodemographic and behavioral variables associated with HIV acquisition. Results Human papillomavirus seropositivity in the population-based sample of women was 20.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.3–23.4), and HIV prevalence was 27.6% (95% CI, 24.9–30.4). In the case-control analysis, allowing for variables known to be associated with HIV incidence, HPV seropositivity was associated with nearly 2.5 times the odds of subsequent acquisition of HIV (adjusted odds ratio, 2.33 [95% CI, 1.61–3.39]; P < 0.001). Conclusions These results suggest that HPV vaccination before or soon after sexual debut could lower HIV infection risk. Randomized trials that quantify the impact of HPV vaccination in girls on the risk of acquiring HIV are urgently required.
PRACTICAL METHODS FOR THE CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION PROCESSING SPEED

The rate at which individuals are capable of processing information is considered a sensitive indicator of brain dysfunction, particularly among clinical populations whose neurocognitive impairments generally are considered relatively mild in nature. Assessment of information processing speed often is confounded, however, by comorbid impairments in other constructs of neurocognition, including attentional capacity, visuospatial perception, language, immediate memory, and motor speed/coordination. This investigation examined the effect of controlling for various potential confounders on the strength of associations among several potential measures of information processing speed. Participants were 64 patients diagnosed with clinically definite multiple sclerosis. Analysis indicated consistent significant and positive associations among measures of processing speed, which generally persisted despite simultaneous statistical control of potential confounding factors. Results imply that examined confounding variables are similarly related to the measures of processing speed. Therefore, any of the measures of information processing speed considered in this study may be used as a proxy for the more direct measure of this construct derived from the Sternberg Memory Scanning Test.
Ex vivo gene delivery of IL-1Ra and soluble TNF receptor confers a distal synergistic therapeutic effect in antigen-induced arthritis.

Intra-articular expression of antagonists of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in arthritic rabbit knee and mouse ankle joints by direct adenoviral-mediated intraarticular delivery results in amelioration of disease pathology in both the treated and contralateral untreated joints. Previous experiments suggest that direct adenoviral infection of resident antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and subsequent traveling of these cells to other sites of inflammation and lymph nodes might be responsible for this "contralateral effect. " To determine whether genetic modification of APCs is required for the contralateral effect, we have used an ex vivo approach utilizing genetically modified fibroblasts to express IL-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-1Ra) and soluble TNF-alpha receptor (sTNFR) locally in arthritic joints. Retroviral vectors carrying IL-1Ra, sTNFR-Ig, or both genes together were used to stably infect autologous rabbit fibroblasts that were then injected intra-articularly into arthritic rabbit knee joints. The intra-articular delivery of either IL-1Ra- or sTNFR-Ig-expressing fibroblasts was antiinflammatory and chondro-protective in both the injected and noninjected contralateral joints. In addition, we demonstrate that the co-delivery of both antagonists in combination results in a synergistic effect in disease amelioration in both the treated and nontreated joints. These ex vivo results suggest that trafficking of vector-modified inflammatory cells is not the main mechanism responsible for the observed distal spread of the therapeutic effect. Moreover, the results demonstrate that local, ex vivo gene therapy for arthritis could be effective in blocking pathologies within untreated, distant arthritic joints.
Identification of Novel Oxidized Protein Substrates and Physiological Partners of the Mitochondrial ATP-dependent Lon-like Protease Pim1*

ATP-dependent proteases are currently emerging as key regulators of mitochondrial functions. Among these proteolytic systems, Pim1, a Lon-like serine protease in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is involved in the control of selective protein turnover in the mitochondrial matrix. In the absence of Pim1, yeast cells have been shown to accumulate electron-dense inclusion bodies in the matrix space, to lose integrity of mitochondrial genome, and to be respiration-deficient. Because of the severity of phenotypes associated with the depletion of Pim1, this protease appears to be an essential component of the protein quality control machinery in mitochondria and to exert crucial functions during the biogenesis of this organelle. Nevertheless, its physiological substrates and partners are not fully characterized. Therefore, we used the combination of different proteomic techniques to assess the nature of oxidized protein substrates and physiological partners of Pim1 protease under non-repressing growth conditions. The results presented here supply evidence that Pim1-mediated proteolysis is required for elimination of oxidatively damaged proteins in mitochondria.
Four methods of measuring tidal volume during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation

Objective:Assess the accuracy of four different methods of measuring tidal volume during simulated high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. Design:In vitro study. Setting:Research laboratory. Subjects:Three differential pressure pneumotachometers, a modified Pitot tube, an ultrasound flowmeter, and an adult hot wire anemometer. Interventions:Each device was placed in series with a Sensormedics 3100B high-frequency ventilator and an 8.0-mm endotracheal tube attached to a 48.9-L plethysmograph. Inspiratory/expiratory ratio was fixed at 1:1 and mean airway pressure at 10 cm H2O. Tidal volumes were calculated at each combination of frequency (f: 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 Hz) and pressure amplitude (ΔP: 30, 60, 90 cm H2O) by digital integration of the sampled flow signals from each device and compared with those calculated from pressure changes within the plethysmograph. The protocol was repeated after incorporation of frequency-specific calibrations to the flow-measuring algorithm of each device. The hot wire anemometer was further evaluated at Fio2 of 1.0, 37°C, 80% humidity, mean airway pressure of 20 cm H2O, and an inspiratory/expiratory ratio of 1:2. Measurements and Main Results:Tidal volumes were 36–305 mL. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated that each device exhibited systematic bias before frequency-specific adjustment. After frequency-specific adjustment of the flow-measuring algorithm, the two most accurate and precise devices were the Hans Rudolph pneumotachometer, which exhibited a mean error of 0.2% (95% confidence interval, −3.0% to 3.4%), and the hot wire anemometer, which had a mean error of −1.1% (95% confidence interval, −5.5% to 3.3%). The hot wire anemometer remained accurate at Fio2 1.0, 37°C, 80% humidity, mean airway pressure of 20 cm H2O, and an inspiratory/expiratory ratio of 1:2. Conclusions:Tidal volume can be measured during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation using a variety of techniques. Frequency-specific calibration improves the accuracy and precision of tidal volume measurements. Hot wire anemometry exhibits stable performance characteristics across the range of temperature, humidity, Fio2, and inspiratory/expiratory ratios encountered clinically, has a small deadspace, is unaffected by mean airway pressure, and is therefore suitable for clinical applications.
Anonymous M+1-st price auction using ring signature

The M+1-st price auction is a style of auction in which the highest M bidders win and pay a uniform price, determined by the M+1-st price. This paper proposes an anonymous M+1-st price auction scheme based on ring signature and homomorphic encryption. It offers the security of bidding price and public verifiability. Meanwhile, both the anonymity of normal bidders and the non-repudiation of malicious bidders are achieved in the scheme.
LOUSE-BORNE BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN LICE (PHTHIRAPTERA) OF RODENTS AND CATTLE FROM EGYPT

We collected 1,023 lice, representing 5 species, from rats and domestic cattle throughout 13 governorates in Egypt and tested these lice for Anaplasma marginale, Bartonella spp. , Brucella spp. , Borrelia recurrentis, Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, and Rickettsia spp. by PCR amplification and sequencing. Five different louse-borne bacterial agents were detected in lice from rodents or cattle, including “Bartonella rattimassiliensis”, “B. phoceensis”, and Bartonella sp. near Bartonella tribocorum, Coxiella burnetii, and Rickettsia typhi. More lice from governorates bordering the Mediterranean and Red Seas contained pathogens. Our data indicate that lice of urban and domestic animals harbor pathogenic or potentially pathogenic bacterial agents throughout Egypt.
Immediate and delayed recall of a small-scale spatial array

The study examined people's spatial memory of a small-scale array of objects. Earlier work has primarily relied on short-retention intervals, and to date it is not known whether performance is affected by longer intervals between learning and recall. In the present investigation, university students studied seven target objects. Recall was tested immediately after learning and after an interval of seven days. Performance was found to be similar in the immediate and delayed conditions, and the results suggested that recall was facilitated by egocentric and intrinsic cues. The findings are discussed with reference to recent investigations that have shown task parameters can influence spatial recall.
Increased Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness is Associated With Angiographic Thrombus Burden in the Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

We aimed to evaluate the relation among epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness, angiographic presence of thrombus, and the no-reflow in the patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The study population consisted of 229 patients. The EAT thickness and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly higher in the patients with coronary thrombus than in those without coronary thrombus (6.1 ± 1.1 vs 5.1 ± 1.3 mm, P < .001 and 3.4 ± 0.9 vs 2.5 ± 0.7, P < .001, respectively) and in the patients with no-reflow compared to patients with reflow. The EAT thickness was found to be correlated positively with the degree of the thrombus burden, NLR, and waist circumference and negatively with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that EAT thickness and NLR independently predicted coronary thrombus formation and no-reflow. We have suggested that EAT can play an important role in the pathophysiology of coronary thrombus formation and the no-reflow.
Addressing Media Stigma for People Experiencing Mental Illness Using an Entertainment-Education Strategy

This study examines the effects of Entertainment-Education strategy on knowledge acquisition about schizophrenia and stigma reduction, using pretest posttest control group and 2 X 3 (advocate's perspective X message style) between-subjects factorial design. Participants watched an accurate and empathetic movie portrayal of schizophrenia, followed by an educational trailer. Participants (N= 165) were randomly assigned to one of eight conditions (six manipulated conditions, control, a group who watched a trailer prior to the movie). Results showed that viewing an accurate and empathetic movie portrayal increased knowledge. The educational trailer increased not only knowledge acquisition but influenced stigma reduction. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that entertainment and educational value of the movie mediated stigma reduction. Implications of this study to the mental health research and the design of Entertainment-Education contents are discussed.
Genetic association study of RNF8 and BRDT variants with non-obstructive azoospermia in the Chinese Han population

Abstract Increasing evidence indicates that polymorphisms in genes relevant to spermatogenesis might modulate the efficiency of reproduction in men. Ring finger protein 8 (RNF8) and bromodomain testis-specific (BRDT) are two candidate genes associated with spermatogenesis. Here, we considered potential associations of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in RNF8 and BRDT genes in Chinese patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). We analyzed 361 men with NOA and 368 fertile controls by using Sequenom iplex technology. Our data did not reveal any variants associated with NOA susceptibility. However, we observed that rs104669 and rs195432 of RNF8 were in strong linkage disequilibrium. Haplotype analysis of the two SNPs indicated that the haplotype AC reduced the risk of NOA and the haplotype TC significantly evaluated the risk of NOA. Moreover, the RNF8 variants rs195432 (C/A p = 0.030), rs195434 (T/C p = 0.025), and rs2284922 (T/C p = 0.034) were correlated with the smaller testis volume.
Clinical and Histopathological Diagnosis of Glomus Tumor

Background. Glomus tumors are relatively uncommon subcentimeteric benign perivascular neoplasms usually located on the fingers. With their blue-red color and common subungual location, they are commonly confused for vascular or melanocytic lesions. To date there is no comprehensive review of an institutional experience with glomus tumors. Methods. A 14-year retrospective review of all cases within University of California, Los Angeles, with either a clinical or pathological diagnosis of glomus tumor was performed. Data obtained included demographic information, tumor description, pathological diagnoses, immunohistochemical studies, radiographic and treatment information, and clinical course. Rates of concordance between clinical and pathological diagnoses and an evaluation of overlap with other entities were assessed. Results. Clinical diagnosis of glomus tumor showed concordance with a histopathological diagnosis (45.4% of cases). The most common alternate clinical diagnoses included lipoma, cyst, or angioma. A pathological diagnosis of glomus tumor was most common in the fourth to seventh decades of life. The most common presentation was a subcentimeter lesion on the digit. Deep-seated tumors had a strikingly increased risk for malignancy (33%). Radiological studies were not relied on frequently (18.2% of cases). Immunohistochemical analysis showed diffuse αSMA and MSA expression in nearly all cases (99% and 95%, respectively), with focal to diffuse CD34 immunostaining in 32% of cases. Discussion. Our study illustrates trends in the clinical versus pathologic diagnoses of glomus tumor, common competing diagnoses, a difference in demographics than is commonly reported (older age groups most commonly affected), and important differences in the use adjunctive diagnostic tools including radiology and immunohistochemistry.
The Extent of Applying E-Human Resources in Jordan From the Perspective of Human Resource Managers Within Commercial Banks in Jordan

The current research study aimed to understand the extent of which E-HRM is applied within the commercial banks in Jordan from the perspective of Human Resource Managers in Jordan. Four variables were chosen to be influential on the degree of applying the E-HRM practices and approaches within the commercial banks in Jordan which are (management support, degree of awareness, IT infrastructure, and the current HRM approaches adopted). A questionnaire was adopted as the tool of the study in order to collect the needed data. 400 questionnaires were distributed on the sample of the study and 313 questionnaires were retrieved from the respondent which were properly filled and can be statistically processed. The results of the study indicated that all the four variables have influence on the implementation of the E-HRM within the commercial banks in Jordan. According to the respondents the most influential variables were the degree of awareness of the E-HRM among managers and HRM officers which can help one way or another in supporting the implementation process of the E-HRM within the commercial banks in Jordan.