Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcript Levels of the Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 5A Gene Peak at Early G1 Phase of the Cell Cycle in the Dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii

ABSTRACT A cDNA encoding a eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) homolog in heterotrophic dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii (CceIF-5A) was isolated through random sequencing of a cDNA library. The predicted amino acid sequence possesses the 12 strictly conserved amino acids around lysine 52 (equivalent to lysine 50 or 51 in other eukaryotes). A single 1.2-kb band was detected in Northern blot analysis. In synchronized C. cohnii cells, the transcript level peaked at early G1 and decreased dramatically on the entry to S phase. Although this has not been previously reported, studies of budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and certain mammalian cell types suggest a role for eIF-5A in the G1/S transition of the eukaryotic cell cycle. Phylogenetic trees constructed with 26 other published eIF-5A sequences suggest that CceIF-5A, while falling within the eukaryotic branches, forms a lineage separate from those of the plants, animals, and archaebacteria. The posttranslational modification of eIF-5A by a transfer of a 4-aminobutyl moiety from spermidine to conserved lysine 50 or 51, forming amino acid hypusine, is the only demonstrated specific function of polyamines in cell proliferation. It has been suggested that polyamines stimulate population growth of bloom-forming dinoflagellates in the sea. We demonstrate here putrescine-stimulated cell proliferation. Furthermore, ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor d-difluoromethylornithine and the specific hypusination inhibitor N-guanyl-1,7-diaminoheptane exhibited inhibitory effects in two species of dinoflagellates. The possible links of polyamines and saxitoxin synthesis to the arginine cycle are also discussed.
The Effect Of Capital Structure On Profitability: An Empirical Analysis Of Listed Firms In Nigeria

This study investigates the influence of the capital structure on profitability of quoted companies in Nigeria. The study used secondary data from 1990 to 2004 collected from the selected Annual Report and Accounts of 50 non-financial quoted companies, and Fact Books published by the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The Pooled Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, Fixed Effect Model (FEM) and Random Effect Model (REM) were used in the analysis. The results indicate that profitability present a positive correlation with short-term debt and equity and an inverse correlation with long-term debt. Furthermore, the results show a negative association between the ratio of total debt to total assets and profitability. The result suggests that firms in Nigeria depend on external financing. In the Nigerian case, a high proportion (60%) of the debt is represented in short-term debt. The study suggests that companies should implement an effective and efficient credit policy, which will improve the performance level of the turnover and growth. Finally, the top echelon of company management should take interest in the issue of capital structure and constantly monitor its form and adaptability.
Extended verification of secure UAANET routing protocol

UAV Ad hoc Network (UAANET) is a wireless ad hoc network composed of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Ground Control Station (GCS). It requires an efficient and secure routing protocols to find accurate and secure route between nodes to exchange data traffics. There have been several secure routing proposals to ensure data authentication and integrity services of ad hoc routing protocols. However, most of them are vulnerable against wormhole attacks and therefore cannot be used for UAANET directly without amendment. The wormhole attack involves two attackers who perform a colluding attack. In this paper, we present a new UAANET secure routing protocol called SUAP (Secure Uav Ad hoc routing Protocol). It ensures message authentication and provides detection and prevention of wormhole attacks. SUAP is a reactive protocol using public key cryptography, hash chains and geographical leashes. We have carried out a formal verification analysis of SUAP security properties using the AVISPA tool, an automated model checker for the analysis of security features. We have also validated our security proposal through formal model checking using Simulink and Stateflow tools. Additionally, we use a hybrid experimental system (based on virtual machines and a virtual mesh framework) under a realistic UAANET scenario to evaluate SUAP routing performances and validate its security properties.
Chronic Aortic Counterpulsation with Latissimus Dorsi : Clinical Follow-Up . Cardiomyoplasty Comparison

Dynamic aortomyoplasty is an alternative technique to heart transplantation. The goal of our study was to evaluate the benefits of aortic counterpulsation obtained by dynamic aortomyoplasty in patients with heart failure refractory to pharmacological treatment and contraindications to heart transplant or cardiomyoplasty. In this study we compared preoperative and postoperative data of selected patients submitted who were treated with dynamic thoracic aortomyoplasty. This surgical technique wrap the right latissimus dorsi muscle flap around the ascending aorta. This muscle flap was electrically stimulated during diastole, following a muscle-conditioning protocol, to obtain diastolic augmentation. At twelve months follow-up period we evaluated, invasively and noninvasively, the hemodynamic and clinical effects of aortomyoplasty. We observed a significant decrease in the number of hospitalizations (p<0.001), NYHA functional class (p<0.001), left atrial diameter (p<0.05), wedge pressure (p<0.05), left ventricular diameter (p<0.05) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (p<0.05); and a significant increase in the 6-minute walking test (p<0.001), cardiac index (p<0.01), noninvasive evaluation of diastolic augmentation (p=0.01), left ventricular shortening fraction (p<0.05), and radioisotopic left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.05). We also found a non significant decrease in peak oxygen consumption (p=0.05). This nine patients operated with aortomyoplasty was compared with sixteen patients treated with cardiomyoplasty at twelve months of follow-up. Dynamic biologic assistance with latissimus dorsi in heart failure, either aortomyoplasty or cardiomyoplasty in selected patients with severe heart failure, resulted in an important improvement of hemodynamic parameters, heart functional data and clinical functional, without significant differences between the results of both techniques.
A transmission line overload control program based on wide area information

When taking emergency control measures to eliminate the overload circuits, it is necessary to ensure the normal lines of power system won't overload. Therefore, it's necessary to analyze the security of the normal lines when take measures to eliminate overload. Based on the analysis of traditional methods of eliminating overload lines, this paper proposes an new overload control scheme based on wide area information, which can in parallel analyzing the impact of the normal line's redundancy on the regulated quantity of matching units, then the analysis results are sent to the control center, which finally determines the regulated quantity. It can ensure the normal lines won't overload when eliminating overload, and also can improve the computing speed of the whole control process. Therefore, it's very conducive to ensure the power system operating in a safe and stable state. Finally, simulation experiments verify the program is fast and reasonable.
Structural Basis for the Interaction between Yeast Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA) Complex Components Sgf11 and Sus1*

Sus1 is a central component of the yeast gene gating machinery, the process by which actively transcribing genes such as GAL1 become associated with nuclear pore complexes. Sus1 is a component of both the SAGA transcriptional co-activator complex and the TREX-2 complex that binds to nuclear pore complexes. TREX-2 contains two Sus1 chains that have an articulated helical hairpin fold, enabling them to wrap around an extended α-helix in Sac3, following a helical hydrophobic stripe. In SAGA, Sus1 binds to Sgf11 and has been proposed to provide a link between SAGA and TREX-2. We present here the crystal structure of the complex between Sus1 and the N-terminal region of Sgf11 that forms an extended α-helix around which Sus1 wraps in a manner that shares some similarities with the Sus1-Sac3 interface in TREX-2. However, the Sus1-binding site on Sgf11 is somewhat shorter than on Sac3 and is based on a narrower hydrophobic stripe. Engineered mutants that disrupt the Sgf11-Sus1 interaction in vitro confirm the importance of the hydrophobic helical stripe in molecular recognition. Helix α1 of the Sus1-articulated hairpin does not bind directly to Sgf11 and adopts a wide range of conformations within and between crystal forms, consistent with the presence of a flexible hinge and also with results from previous extensive mutagenesis studies (Klöckner, C., Schneider, M., Lutz, S., Jani, D., Kressler, D., Stewart, M., Hurt, E., and Köhler, A. (2009) J. Biol. Chem. 284, 12049–12056). A single Sus1 molecule cannot bind Sgf11 and Sac3 simultaneously and this, combined with the structure of the Sus1-Sgf11 complex, indicates that Sus1 forms separate subcomplexes within SAGA and TREX-2.
Characterization Methods for Ultrathin Wafer and Die Quality: A Review

Ultrathin silicon die is a key enabler for high performance semiconductor devices and ultrathin packaging. The quality of ultrathin wafers and dies has a significant influence on packaging assembly yield and device reliability. The key quality characteristics of ultrathin wafers and dies are bow/warpage, total thickness variation (TTV), subsurface damage (SSD), surface roughness, and mechanical strength. Wafer and die bow/warpage cause handling and processing problems in manufacturing processes, and induce defects during various packaging assembly processes that eventually lead to device reliability issues. The wafer TTV requirement is becoming more stringent for new generations of thin and 3-D packages. SSD, surface roughness, and dicing defects have adverse effects on die mechanical strength and reliability. Therefore, characterization methods are needed for these quality characteristics to control the manufacturing processes for ultrathin wafers and dies to ensure good device performance and reliability. The following ultrathin wafer and die characterization techniques are discussed in this paper: noncontact bow/warp/TTV measurement, materialographic analysis with optical and electron microscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, scanning infrared depolarization, optical profilometry, atomic force microscopy, and uniaxial/biaxial bending tests.
Rapid and Ultrasensitive Hydrogen Sensing: From Single Nanowires to Carbon Nanotubes

Author(s): Li, Xiaowei | Advisor(s): Penner, Reginald M | Abstract: Nanoscale devices take many advantages, including low power consumption for energy sav- ing, highly miniaturized structures for portable equipment and tiny amount of materials needed for manufacturing purposes, particularly considering rare metals. Nano-devices have exhibited significant potentials for wide industrial applications, for example, chemical and biological sensing, nano-electronics, environment and health monitoring etc. In this disser- tation, two types of H2 sensors are discussed, they are based on single metal nanowires and metal nanoparticles-decorated carbon nanotube (CNT) ropes respectively.Single nanowire H2 sensors are fabricated by applying the methods of lithographically patterned nanowire electrodepositon (LPNE). Single palladium (Pd) nanowires with the dimension of 40 nm (height) × 100 nm (width) × 50 μm (length) are electrodeposited within LPNE templates and electrically isolated by metal contacts. Then platinum (Pt) layers are electrodeposited onto single Pd nanowires (Pd@Pt nanowires) to catalytically enhance the H2 sensing performance. The Pt layer coverage thickness is altered as average 0.1 monolayer (ML), 1 ML and 10 ML. For each coverage, the Pd@Pt nanowire sensors are evaluated at five different working temperatures, Pd@Pt sensors exhibited lowest detection at 500 ppm H2 exposure. Both response and recovery behaviors of Pd@Pt sensors are accelerated at higher temperature, yet the drawback is deterioration of sensitivity and detection limit.A type of more advanced H2 sensors based on semiconducting CNT ropes are developed, in order to enhance the H2 sensing performance for rapid response/ recovery and wider detec- tion range. CNT ropes deposition are achieved by applying processes of dielectrophoresis in aqueous solution containing suspended CNTs. Single CNT ropes are electrical isolated at the length of 50 μm, and employed as the electrode for electrodepositing Pd nanoparticles of four coulombic loadings. Bare CNT ropes show no response to H2/ air exposures, however the sensitivity to H2 is very strongly enhanced. Pd–CNT sensors are capable of detecting H2 mixture in a very wide range between 10 ppm to 4 vol% at room temperature. The influence of Pd nanoparticle diameter to H2 sensing is also evaluated.
Copula-Based Simultaneous Approach to Multivariate Alternative Choice and Quantity Choice

This paper aims to examine correlations in shopping situations. First, there is a certain amount of correlation between alternative choices. Specifically, the alternatives from different categories but from a same brand might be purchased together. Second, alternative choice and quantity choice could be correlated each other. A consumer tends to purchase tooth paste with large amount, but hand cream with small amount. Third, quantity choices could be correlated each other. The purchased quantity of fabric softener should depend on the purchased quantity of laundry detergent. To explain these correlations, the model must deal with multivariate incidence and quantity outcomes. Therefore, we developed a new copula-based approach to simultaneously deal with them, so that it could directly control and capture the correlations. Also, we found that if the copula function is a multivariate-FGM copula, then the likelihood is closed form that is easy to estimate. We apply this model to IRI scanner panel data and estimate the model by using Bayesian method. In this data set, we could find strong dependencies between alternative choices, between alternative choice and quantity choice, and between quantity choices. In addition, more efficient promotion strategy of two products from a same brand but different categories is drawn from our model.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the myostatin (MSTN) and muscle creatine kinase (CKM) genes are not associated with elite endurance performance

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is one of the most important determinants of elite endurance performance. VO2max is determined by a whole range of genetic and environmental factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in muscle myostatin (MSTN) and creatine kinase (CKM) genes are candidates for VO2max and skeletal muscle performance phenotypes. Common MSTN (rs3791783, rs11681628 and rs7570532) and CKM (rs344816, rs10410448, rs432979, rs1133190, rs7260359, rs7260463 and rs4884) SNPs, selected from HapMap CEU data in order to tag the genetic variability of the proteins, were genotyped in 316 male Caucasian elite endurance athletes and 304 sedentary controls from the Genathlete study. Association with elite endurance performance was determined by logistic regression analysis. The P‐value for statistical significance was set at <0.01. None of the SNPs or haplotypes showed a significant association with elite endurance status. We conclude that common variants of MSTN and CKM genes do not play a role in attaining high‐level endurance performance in Caucasian populations.
O-Glycosylated MUC2 Monomer and Dimer from LS 174T Cells Are Water-soluble, whereas Larger MUC2 Species Formed Early during Biosynthesis Are Insoluble and Contain Nonreducible Intermolecular Bonds*

The MUC2 mucin is the major gel-forming mucin in the small and large intestine. Due to its sequence similarities with the von Willebrand factor, it has been suggested to dimerize in the endoplasmic reticulum and polymerize in the trans-Golgi network. Using an O-glycosylation-sensitive MUC2 antiserum, a dimerization has been shown to occur in the endoplasmic reticulum of LS 174T cells (Asker, N., Axelsson, M. A. B., Olofsson, S.-O., and Hansson, G. C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 18857–18863). Using an antiserum immunoprecipitating O-glycosylated MUC2 mucin, monomers and dimers were shown to occur in soluble form in the lysate of LS 174T cells. The amount of O-glycosylated dimer was small, and no larger species were found even after long chase periods. However, most of the labeled MUC2 mucin was found in pelleted debris of the cell lysate. This insoluble MUC2 mucin was recovered by immunoprecipitation after reduction of disulfide bonds. Analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis revealed two bands, of which the smaller migrated as the O-glycosylated monomer and the larger migrated as the O-glycosylated dimer of the cell lysis supernatant. Mucins insoluble in 6 m guanidinium chloride could also be obtained from LS 174T cells. Such mucins have earlier been found in the small intestine (Carlstedt, I., Herrmann, A., Karlsson, H., Sheehan, J., Fransson, L.-Å., and Hansson, G. C. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 18771–18781). Reduction of the mucins followed by purification by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation and analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis revealed two bands reacting with an anti-MUC2 tandem repeat antibody after deglycosylation. These bands migrated identically to the bands shown by metabolic labeling, and they could also be separated by rate zonal ultracentrifugation. These results suggest that the MUC2 mucin is forming nonreducible intermolecular bonds early in biosynthesis, but after initial O-glycosylation.
Nondestructive Online In Vitro Monitoring of Pre-Osteoblast Cell Proliferation Within Microporous Polymer Scaffolds

We present a system for the online, in vitro, nondestructive monitoring of tissue growth within microporous polymer scaffolds. The system is based on measuring the admittance of the sample over a frequency range of 10-200 MHz using an open-ended coaxial probe and impedance analyzer. The sample admittance is related to the sample complex permittivity (CP) by a quasi-static model of the probe's aperture admittance. A modified effective medium approximation is then used to relate the CP to the cell volume fraction. The change of cell volume fraction is used as a measure of tissue growth inside the scaffold. The system detected relative cell concentration differences between microporous polymer scaffolds seeded with 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, and 0.6 x 106 pre-osteoblast cells. In addition, the pre-osteoblast proliferation within 56 scaffolds over 14 days was recorded by the system and a concurrent DNA assay. Both techniques produced cell proliferation curves that corresponded to those found in literature. Thus, our data confirmed that the new system can assess relative cell concentration differences in microporous scaffolds enabling online nondestructive tissue growth monitoring.
Generating capacity adequacy associated with wind energy

The wind is a highly variable energy source and behaves far differently than conventional energy sources. This paper presents a methodology for capacity adequacy evaluation of power systems including wind energy. The results and discussions on two representative systems containing both conventional generation units and wind energy conversion systems (WECS) are presented. A Monte Carlo simulation approach is used to conduct the analysis. The hourly wind speeds are simulated using an autoregressive moving average time-series model. A wide range of studies were conducted on two different sized reliability test systems. The studies show that the contribution of a WECS to the reliability performance of a generation system can be quantified and is highly dependent on the wind site conditions. A WECS can make a significant reliability contribution given a reasonably high wind speed. Wind energy independence also has a significant positive impact on the reliability contribution of multiple WECS.
Early-Life Socioeconomic Status and Mortality at Three Life Course Stages

Using the 1957–2011 data from 10,317 participants in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, I examine how socioeconomic status (SES) at age 18 affects all-cause mortality between ages 18 and 72. Integrating fundamental cause theory, gender relations theory, and a life course perspective, I evaluate the cumulative advantage (CA) and age-as-leveler processes as well as gender differences in these processes. Findings indicate that higher early-life SES at age 18 is related to lower mortality over the life course, and the effect of early-life SES is not explained by socioeconomic achievement and health behaviors in adulthood. Consistent with the CA model, early-life SES generates increasing within-cohort inequality with age, and this CA process is stronger for women than men. Results also show that unequal selection by SES obscures the CA process and creates an illusion of the age-as-leveler process. This study calls for a lifelong gendered approach to socioeconomic health disparities.
Distribution and cluster analysis of predicted intrinsically disordered protein Pfam domains

The Pfam database groups regions of proteins by how well hidden Markov models (HMMs) can be trained to recognize similarities among them. Conservation pressure is probably in play here. The Pfam seed training set includes sequence and structure information, being drawn largely from the PDB. A long standing hypothesis among intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) investigators has held that conservation pressures are also at play in the evolution of different kinds of intrinsic disorder, but we find that predicted intrinsic disorder (PID) is not always conserved across Pfam domains. Here we analyze distributions and clusters of PID regions in 193024 members of the version 23.0 Pfam seed database. To include the maximum information available for proteins that remain unfolded in solution, we employ the 10 linearly independent Kidera factors1–3 for the amino acids, combined with PONDR4 predictions of disorder tendency, to transform the sequences of these Pfam members into an 11 column matrix where the number of rows is the length of each Pfam region. Cluster analyses of the set of all regions, including those that are folded, show 6 groupings of domains. Cluster analyses of domains with mean VSL2b scores greater than 0.5 (half predicted disorder or more) show at least 3 separated groups. It is hypothesized that grouping sets into shorter sequences with more uniform length will reveal more information about intrinsic disorder and lead to more finely structured and perhaps more accurate predictions. HMMs could be trained to include this information.
Explicating the Mechanism of BOP Ventures: An Architectural Innovation Perspective

This paper investigated the precise mechanism adopted by some firms to enter and sustain in challenging, non-remunerative and fragmented markets like the Bottom of the Pyramid. Contrary to the received wisdom of a predominantly philanthropic orientation coupled with moderate profits, this paper argued that such ventures were motivated to revisit the cost structures of the venturing firms in an effort to become cost competitive in the conventional markets. To substantiate the above argument, a content analysis was performed on the published cases of firms operating at the Bottom of the Pyramid. The analysis revealed the adopted mechanisms and the possibly accrued economic benefits as a consequence of the choice of the mechanism, the same being reported in this paper.