Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minimal membrane docking requirements revealed by reconstitution of Rab GTPase-dependent membrane fusion from purified components

Rab GTPases and their effectors mediate docking, the initial contact of intracellular membranes preceding bilayer fusion. However, it has been unclear whether Rab proteins and effectors are sufficient for intermembrane interactions. We have recently reported reconstituted membrane fusion that requires yeast vacuolar SNAREs, lipids, and the homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS)/class C Vps complex, an effector and guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the yeast vacuolar Rab GTPase Ypt7p. We now report reconstitution of lysis-free membrane fusion that requires purified GTP-bound Ypt7p, HOPS complex, vacuolar SNAREs, ATP hydrolysis, and the SNARE disassembly catalysts Sec17p and Sec18p. We use this reconstituted system to show that SNAREs and Sec17p/Sec18p, and Ypt7p and the HOPS complex, are required for stable intermembrane interactions and that the three vacuolar Q-SNAREs are sufficient for these interactions.
Localisation of partial discharges sources using acoustic transducers arrays

This paper concerns the issue of the partial discharge (PD) sources location using acoustic emission transducer arrays technique and the high resolution direction of arrival estimation technology. In addition to the theoretical assumptions of both techniques, the simulation result, in which an uniform linear array (ULA) was used for registration of the acoustic emission signals generated by defects in power transformer insulation system were shown. To estimate the direction of arrival (DOA) of acoustic signals, that propagate from the discharge-generating defect to the transducer array installed on transformer tank, Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm was chosen. With the ability to locate multisource discharges (even at very low signal-tonoise ratio – SNR), the adopted solution has advantages over conventional techniques.
Channel correlations and capacity metrics in MIMO dual-polarized Rayleigh and Ricean channels

This communication highlights the impact of channel correlations, including cross-correlation terms, on various relevant metrics, namely the squared channel Frobenius norm and as well as capacity metrics, directly linked with the channel covariance matrix. Using the developed metrics, lie compare various antenna configurations, with a focus on multi-polarized systems. Several orthogonal schemes, such as horizontal-vertical and slant schemes, are investigated, and analytical expressions are presented.
cDNA Cloning and Expression of a Novel UDP-N-acetyl-d-galactosamine:PolypeptideN-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase*

The cDNA for a fourth member of the mammalian UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase family, termed ppGaNTase-T4, has been cloned from a murine spleen cDNA library and expressed transiently in COS7 cells as a secreted functional enzyme. Degenerate primers, based upon regions that are conserved among the known mammalian members of the enzyme family (ppGaNTase-T1, -T2, and -T3) and three Caenorhabditis elegans homologues (ppGaNTase-TA, -TB, and -TC), were used in polymerase chain reactions to identify and clone this new isoform. Substrate preferences for recombinant murine ppGaNTase-T1 and ppGaNTase-T4 isozymes were readily distinguished. ppGaNTase-T1 glycosylated a broader range of synthetic peptide substrates; in contrast, the ppGaNTase-T4 preferentially glycosylated a single substrate among the panel of 11 peptides tested. Using Northern blot analysis, a ppGaNTase-T4 message of 5.5 kilobases was detectable in murine embryonic tissues, as well as the adult sublingual gland, stomach, colon, small intestine, lung, cervix, and uterus with lower levels detected in kidney, liver, heart, brain, spleen, and ovary. Thus, the pattern of expression for ppGaNTase-T4 is more restricted than for the three previously reported isoforms of the enzyme. The variation in expression patterns and substrate specificities of the ppGaNTase enzyme family suggests that differential expression of these isoenzymes may be responsible for the cell-specific repertoire of mucin-type oligosaccharides on cell-surface and secretedO-linked glycoproteins.
Soluble Adenylyl Cyclase in Vascular Endothelium: Gene Expression Control of Epithelial Sodium Channel-&agr;, Na+/K+-ATPase-&agr;/&bgr;, and Mineralocorticoid Receptor

The Ca2+- and bicarbonate-activated soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) has been identified recently as an important mediator of aldosterone signaling in the kidney. Nuclear sAC has been reported to stimulate cAMP response element–binding protein 1 phosphorylation via protein kinase A, suggesting an alternative cAMP pathway in the nucleus. In this study, we analyzed the sAC as a potential modulator of endothelial stiffness in the vascular endothelium. We determined the contribution of sAC to cAMP response element–mediated transcriptional activation in vascular endothelial cells and kidney collecting duct cells. Inhibition of sAC by the specific inhibitor KH7 significantly reduced cAMP response element–mediated promoter activity and affected cAMP response element–binding protein 1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, KH7 and anti-sAC small interfering RNA significantly decreased mRNA and protein levels of epithelial sodium channel-&agr; and Na+/K+-ATPase-&agr;. Using atomic force microscopy, a nano-technique that measures stiffness and deformability of living cells, we detected significant endothelial cell softening after sAC inhibition. Our results suggest that the sAC is a regulator of gene expression involved in aldosterone signaling and an important regulator of endothelial stiffness. Additional studies are warranted to investigate the protective action of sAC inhibitors in humans for potential clinical use.
Overeducation and earnings within an occupation: controlling for occupational heterogeneity of nurses

Using data from the 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, the role of occupational heterogeneity in the standard overeducation–required–undereducation (ORU) earnings function introduced by Duncan and Hoffman [1981. The incidence and wage effects of overeducation. Economics of Education Review 1, no. 1: 75–86] is examined. The occupational category of nursing is subdivided into numerous (as many as 267) minor occupational categories in estimating the level of required education. If occupation heterogeneity impacts the ORU earnings function, the effects are likely small as estimates of the ORU earnings functions of nurses are similar to estimates found in other standard multi-occupation studies. Subdividing nursing into minor occupational categories has a tremendous impact on the measured incidences of overeducation, particularly as the number of occupational categories increases from 17 to 39. The results are analogous to findings in the literature which show that varying the measurement of required education has a sizeable impact on incidence levels and little impact on the ORU earnings functions.
International trade and migrant networks: Is It really about qualifications?

Personal characteristics of migrants could help to strengthen the impact of migrant networks on bilateral trade. While most of the attention has been focused on immigrants’ educational attainment, this paper focuses on the relevance of the tasks carried out by migrants. Our empirical results confirm that the existence of a large number of foreign-born workers with managerial duties is critical to explain the reduction of transaction costs caused by migrant networks.
Humor in Romantic Contexts: Do Men Participate and Women Evaluate?

Several lines of research illustrate that humor plays a pivotal role in relationship initiation. The current article applies sexual selection theory to argue that humor production is a fitness indicator, allowing men to transmit information tacitly about their underlying qualities. And whereas prior research has emphasized women’s appreciation of humor as a signal of interest, the focus here is on how women evaluate prospective suitors’ humorous offerings. Two studies, including an ecologically valid study of online dating advertisements, provided evidence for men’s production and women’s evaluation of humor in romantic contexts. A third study revealed that women’s evaluations of potential mates’ humor are predictive of their romantic interest. Moreover, this article shows that preferences for and perceptions of humor are associated with preferences for and perceptions of intelligence and warmth, consistent with the argument that one function of humor is as a fitness indicator that provides information about underlying mate quality.
Revisión del concepto de calidad del servicio y sus modelos de medición

En este trabajo se revisan las diferentes conceptualizaciones sobre el servicio y los modelos mas reconocidos para la evaluacion de la percepcion de la calidad del servicio aparecidos en los ultimos anos. Se ofrece una breve descripcion de dichos modelos, sus caracteristicas mas significativas, sus objetivos y sus diferencias. Los estudios sobre la evolucion historica de la gestion, la calidad y el marketing de servicios, ya enfocados en la evaluacion de la calidad del servicio, se agrupan alrededor de dos escuelas: la escuela norteamericana, liderada por Parasuraman, Zeithaml y Berry, y la escuela nordica, liderada por Gronroos. Aqui se tomaran estas tendencias como elementos de base para realizar un seguimiento al constructo calidad percibida, partiendo de los conceptos de servicio y calidad del servicio[1].
Can tourists easily choose a low carbon footprint vacation?

This paper tackles a key issue arising from the United Nations World Tourism Organization call for consumers to take climate change into consideration when making travel decisions. Some people genuinely want to comply with this request. However, they face the “perplexity of environmental information”, a series of informational barriers to decision-making. Can they assess their travel's climate change impacts easily? Studies were conducted with 261 potential travellers in Australia and Slovenia. Results from an empirical study on using carbon footprint calculators suggest that they cannot: tourists are unfamiliar with carbon calculators and, if alerted to their existence, find them difficult to use and have doubts about their credibility. They are also not good at estimating, without assistance from a carbon calculator, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by different components of their vacation. Tourism industry and public policy makers interested in environmentally sustainable tourism need to develop improved ways of providing tourists with trustworthy and user-friendly information about the carbon footprint implications of their vacation decisions. In so doing they can empower tourists who want to consider environmental issues when planning their vacation to actually do so.
An experimental assessment of Casimir force effect in micro-electromechanical systems

An experimental setup is proposed in order to evaluate the effect of Casimir forces between two parallel plates, separated by a sub-micron gap. The results of the performed tests are critically evaluated by comparison with theoretical predictions, account taken of some peculiar features of Casimir forces for finite thickness silicon slabs. The obtained results suggest that Casimir forces could play an important role for micro and nano devices.
Model of Process and Calculation of Energy for a Heat Generation of a Welded Joint at Ultrasonic Welding Polymeric Thermoplastic Materials

In article results calculation of energy the ultrasonic vibrations disseminated in a welding zone of thermoplastic materials in view of reflecting and passing properties of borders welded materials, support and the working tool of oscillatory system are presented. Dependence of time necessary for bonding of materials, in view of properties, thickness, amplitude, frequency of ultrasonic welding is certain. The found criterion definition quantity of energy injected in a welding zone and time of ultrasonic influence is recommended to be used for management of ultrasonic welding process and for formation of qualitative welded connection thermoplastic materials.
Change in Quality of Life for Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome following Referral to a Gastroenterologist: A Cohort Study

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic functional condition, considerably reduces quality of life (QoL) and referral to gastroenterology is common. Until now, however, the impact of seeing a gastroenterologist for IBS on patients’ QoL and utility has not been assessed. Methods Patients referred with “probable IBS” to the Nottingham Treatment Centre between October 2012 and March 2014 were invited to complete a QoL questionnaire (EuroQol–5 Dimension) before their first appointment. Patients with confirmed IBS who completed this baseline assessment were sent follow-up questionnaires three and twelve months later. Global QoL and utility were measured at each time point and change from baseline calculated. Paired t-tests analysed the significance of any change. Results Of 205 invited patients, 69 were eligible and recruited. Response at three and twelve months was 45% and 17% respectively. Median global QoL at baseline was 67.5 (Interquartile range [IQR] 50.0 to 80.0), with a mean increase of 3.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] -5.38 to 11.88) three months later and a mean decrease of -1.82 (95% CI -16.01 to 12.38) after one year. The median utility at baseline was 0.76 (IQR 0.69 to 0.80), with a mean increase of 0.06 (95%CI -0.01 to 0.14) at three months and no change, 0.00 (-0.16 to 0.16), after one year. Conclusion Patients experienced a small but not statistically significant increase in QoL and utility three months after seeing a gastroenterologist for IBS, which was not maintained. Gastroenterology referral does not appear to appreciably improve Qol for most people with IBS.
Cloning and expression of alkane hydroxylase-1 from Alcanivorax borkumensis in Escherichia coli

Enzymes with hydroxylating activity on alkanes have potential application as biotransformation catalysts in chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Genome of Alcanivorax borkumensis, a marine bacterium with hydrocarbon dissimilation activity, contains at least two P450 monooxygenases and two nonheme monooxygenases, AlkB1 and AlkB2, respectively. Presumably, all these enzymes possess alkane hydroxylating activity. Both AlkB1 and AlkB2 are membrane proteins. Two accessory proteins, rubredoxin and rubredoxin reductase, supply the reducing equivalent from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced (NADPH to hydroxylases. Rubredoxin reductase catalyses the reduction of rubredoxin by oxidation of NADPH, and rubredoxin transfers the electrons to the alkane hydroxylase to complete the hydroxylation reaction. Here, we sought to investigate the expression of alkB1 gene in Escherichia coli. Therefore, we amplified alkB1 gene from A. borkumensis genome by polymerase chain reaction and cloned it in the expression vector pET26 upstream of His-tag sequence. Predisposed BL21 (DE3) cells were transformed by the recombinant vector. At last, expression of recombinant enzyme was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Regarding the potential ability of this enzyme in hydroxylation of long-chained alkanes, the application of it would be studied in petroleum downstream industries.
The Research of Applying Wireless Sensor Networks to Intelligent Transportation System(ITS) Based On IEEE 802.15.4

The intelligent transportation system (ITS) is envisioned by linking existing and emerging technologies of computers, wireless radio communications systems and sophisticated sensors to be used in vehicles and roads. IEEE 802.15. 4 is a new standard designed for low rate wireless personal area networks (LR_WPANs) with a focus on enabling wireless sensor networks for vehicular, residential, commercial and industrial applications. This standard is characterized for its simplicity, low data rate, low power consumption and low cost in networks. The release of IEEE 802.15. 4 is anticipated to make a significant contribution to the application of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to ITS. In this article we first give a brief description of IEEE 802.15. 4 standard and the characteristic of 802.15. 4 for WSNs, then present a few application scenarios in vehicles and roads to show the potential applicability to which the new standard can be used to enable WSNs in ITS
Explaining Gender Wage Differentials: Findings from a Random Effects Model

In this paper we evaluate the extent to which the gender wage gap in the Finnish manufacturing sector is attributable to within-job wage differentials, sex differences in individual qualifications, and disproportionate concentration of women in lower-paying firms and lower-paying jobs within firms. We use matched employer-employee data to compare wage differentials between similarly qualified female and male workers who are doing the same job for the same employer. Our modelling approach employs a nested random effects specification to account for the hierarchical grouped structure of the underlying data. White-collar women are found to earn 22% less on average than their male counterparts do. Among blue-collar workers, women? s mean wage is 16% lower than men? s mean wage. The major part of the gender wage gap of white-collar workers results from sex segregation among jobs within firms. By contrast, most of the gap of blue-collar workers is attributable to sex segregation among firms. Unexplained within-job wage differentials account for a quarter of the overall gap of white-collar workers and one-fifth of the overall gap of blue-collar workers.
Sulindac suppresses nuclear factor-kappaB activation and RANTES gene and protein expression in endometrial stromal cells from women with endometriosis.

CONTEXT The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway is a critical mediator of RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) gene regulation and therefore represents a potential target for therapy of endometriosis-associated symptoms. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the antiinflammatory drug sulindac on NF-kappaB activation, NF-kappaB-mediated gene expression, RANTES gene and protein expression in endometrial stromal cells isolated from women with endometriosis, and unaffected controls. DESIGN This was a clinical experimental study. SETTING The study was conducted at a university hospital. RESULTS The inflammatory response in endometriosis is augmented by a 5-fold increased TNFalpha-induced RANTES secretion from ectopic endometriotic stromal cells, compared with normal endometrial stromal cells (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis revealed basal activation of NF-kappaB in endometriotic cells, which could be suppressed by sulindac. EMSAs showed that sulindac dramatically decreased NF-kappaB activation and diminished TNFalpha and IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB DNA binding activity. Sulindac pretreatment resulted in a significant decrease in TNFalpha-induced luciferase activity of NF-kappaB response element and -477 bp RANTES promoter constructs in normal and endometriotic stromal cells. The addition of sulindac to IL-1beta- and TNFalpha-treated endometriotic stromal cells also resulted in a 4-fold inhibition of RANTES protein secretion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated that sulindac exerts strong antiinflammatory effects by suppression of NF-kappaB translocation, inhibition of NF-kappaB-mediated gene transcription, RANTES gene expression, and protein secretion in normal and endometriotic stromal cells. These results suggest that drugs targeting the NF-kappaB pathway may be beneficial in the treatment of endometriosis-associated symptoms.
Exact, Fast and Flexible L1 Cache Configuration Simulation for Embedded Systems

Since target applications running on an embedded processor are much limited in embedded systems, we can optimize its cache configuration based on the number of sets, block size, and associativities. An extremely fast cache configuration simulation method, CRCB (Configuration Reduction approach by the Cache Behavior), has been recently proposed which can calculate cache hit/miss counts accurately for possible cache configurations when the three parameters above are changed. The CRCB method assumes LRU-based (Least Recently Used-based) cache but many recent processors use FIFO-based (First In First Out-based) cache or PLRU-based (Pseudo LRU-based) cache due to its hardware cost. In this paper, we propose exact and fast L1 cache configuration simulation algorithms for embedded applications that use PLRU or FIFO as a cache replacement policy. Firstly, we prove that the CRCB method can be applied not only to LRU but also to other cache replacement policies including FIFO and PLRU. Secondly, we prove several properties for FIFO- and PLRU-based caches and we propose associated cache simulation algorithms which can simulate simultaneously more than one cache configurations with different cache associativities accurately for FIFO or PLRU. Finally, many experimental results demonstrate that our cache configuration simulation algorithms obtain accurate cache hit/miss counts and run up to 249 times faster than a conventional cache simulator.
Swimming Against the Tide: Connecting Low-Income Women to Living Wage Jobs

ABSTRACT Survival analysis and qualitative data are used to explore outcomes for 399 women in a job training and educational program geared to help women replace welfare or poverty-rate jobs with living wage jobs. While prior research has focused on aggregate findings and limited outcomes, this study looks at the program context and the participant characteristics which relate to incremental as well as ultimate employment goals. The paper shows why a focus on multiple, sequential outcomes is necessary to accurately evaluate Human Capital Development (HCD) model effectiveness, the long-term effectiveness of welfare reform, and the ultimate goal of helping families escape poverty.
Reconstructing Urban Politics

In urban governance, some responsibility for services and planning may lie with private entities. Residents challenging public policies may find recourse not from elected officials but from quasi-public agencies. This article examines contestation over a hospital expansion plan in Athens, Georgia. Using archival accounts and interviews, the author investigates the responses of the local state and the hospital to neighborhood-based activism and the success of residents in restructuring the hospital’s decision-making process. The scale of contestation and negotiation differed from that of the city government. This case illustrates newstructures and scales of negotiation and accountability in quasi-public urban governance.
Reconstruction of Building Footprints using Spaceborne TOMOSAR Point Clouds

This paper presents an approach that automatically (but parametrically) reconstructs 2-D/3-D building footprints using 3-D synthetic aperture radar (SAR) tomography (TomoSAR) point clouds. These point clouds are generated by processing SAR image stacks via SAR tomographic inversion. The proposed approach reconstructs the building outline by exploiting both the roof and facade points. Initial building footprints are derived by applying the alpha shapes method on pre-segmented point clusters of individual buildings. A recursive angular deviation based refinement is then carried out to obtain refined/smoothed 2-D polygonal boundaries. A robust fusion framework then fuses the information pertaining to building facades to the smoothed polygons. Afterwards, a rectilinear building identification procedure is adopted and constraints are added to yield geometrically correct and visually aesthetic building shapes. The proposed approach is illustrated and validated using TomoSAR point clouds generated from a stack of TerraSAR-X high-resolution spotlight images from ascending orbit covering approximately 1.5 km2 area in the city of Berlin, Germany.