Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
dl-2-Haloacid Dehalogenase fromPseudomonas sp. 113 Is a New Class of Dehalogenase Catalyzing Hydrolytic Dehalogenation Not Involving Enzyme-Substrate Ester Intermediate*

dl-2-Haloacid dehalogenase fromPseudomonas sp. 113 (dl-DEX 113) catalyzes the hydrolytic dehalogenation of d- andl-2-haloalkanoic acids, producing the correspondingl- and d-2-hydroxyalkanoic acids, respectively. Every halidohydrolase studied so far (l-2-haloacid dehalogenase, haloalkane dehalogenase, and 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA dehalogenase) has an active site carboxylate group that attacks the substrate carbon atom bound to the halogen atom, leading to the formation of an ester intermediate. This is subsequently hydrolyzed, resulting in the incorporation of an oxygen atom of the solvent water molecule into the carboxylate group of the enzyme. In the present study, we analyzed the reaction mechanism of dl-DEX 113. When a single turnover reaction of dl-DEX 113 was carried out with a large excess of the enzyme in H2 18O with a 10 times smaller amount of the substrate, either d- or l-2-chloropropionate, the major product was found to be18O-labeled lactate by ionspray mass spectrometry. After a multiple turnover reaction in H2 18O, the enzyme was digested with trypsin or lysyl endopeptidase, and the molecular masses of the peptide fragments were measured with an ionspray mass spectrometer. No peptide fragments contained 18O. These results indicate that the H2 18O of the solvent directly attacks the α-carbon of 2-haloalkanoic acid to displace the halogen atom. This is the first example of an enzymatic hydrolytic dehalogenation that proceeds without producing an ester intermediate.
Performance measurement and the UK emergency ambulance service: Unintended consequences of the ambulance response time targets

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the performance measurement in the UK NHS ambulance service documenting various unintended consequences of the current performance framework and to suggest a future research agenda.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the literature on ambulance performance targets and documents several unintended consequences of the current performance system through an in‐depth case study analysis based on interviews with Trust staff and policy experts along with observation of performance review meetings in the chosen Trust. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from a local NHS research ethics committee.Findings – Significant unintended consequences of the ambulance performance targets based on response times have been systematically documented, which are likely to put the target under spotlight, especially that of the eight‐minute response. The current policy focus to reform the eight‐minute target by making it more stringent has the potential of jeopa.
The Responsible Economy

* In Praise of Common Sense 2. The Limits to Markets 3. Ecstasy Economics 4. The Role of Managers 5. Ethics, Incentives and Affordability 6. Justice 7. Globalisation 8. Labour Market Flexibility 9. On Booms and Busts 10. What Is to Be Done?
Exploring the gap difference in 2000-2009 PISA Test Scores between Argentina, Chile and Mexico

Student reading proficiency scores in the PISA 2000 study were, on average, equally poor in Argentina, Chile and Mexico. By contrast, important differences were observed in PISA 2009. In this paper, the 2000-2009 difference is decomposed into coefficient and covariate effects by applying Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition techniques. Decomposing the total gap into characteristic and coefficient effects showed striking country differences. In Argentina, both effects were moderate, had similar weight and negative sign. In Mexico these effects were moderate, similar in absolute value, and opposed in sign; and in Chile these effects were high, had similar value and positive sign. This paper seeks to examine potential factors of policy interest explaining divergences in trajectories between these countries.
In-place algorithms for the symmetric all-to-all exchange with MPI

The article presents two efficient in-place algorithms for the symmetric all-to-all exchange of the MPI_Alltoallv operation. The first algorithm performs a series of pairwise data exchanges similar to the existing algorithm used by MPICH, but with fewer consecutive communication steps and idle processes. The second algorithm uses hierarchical sets of processes that lead to a better locality of communication. Exploiting additionally available memory for performance improvements is described. Performance results for an InfiniBand cluster and an IBM Blue Gene/Q system demonstrate the performance benefits of the algorithms within a generic benchmark program and an FFT application.
The Effects of the Second Victim Phenomenon on Work-Related Outcomes: Connecting Self-Reported Caregiver Distress to Turnover Intentions and Absenteeism

Objectives Second victim experiences can affect the well-being of healthcare providers and compromise patient safety. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between self-reported second victim–related distress to turnover intention and absenteeism. Organizational support was examined concurrently because it was hypothesized to explain the potential relationships between distress and work-related outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional, self-report survey (the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool) of nurses directly involved in patient care (N = 155) was analyzed by using hierarchical linear regression. The tool assesses organizational support, distress due to patient safety event involvement, and work-related outcomes. Results Second victim distress was significantly associated with turnover intentions (P < 0.001) and absenteeism (P < 0.001), while controlling for the effects of demographic variables. Organizational support fully mediated the distress–turnover intentions (P < 0.05) and distress-absenteeism (P < 0.05) relationships, which indicates that perceptions of organizational support may explain turnover intentions and absenteeism related to the second victim experience. Conclusions Involvement in patient safety events and the important role of organizational support in limiting caregiver event–related trauma have been acknowledged. This study is one of the first to connect second victim distress to work-related outcomes. This study reinforces the efforts health care organizations are making to develop resources to support their staff after patient safety events occur. This study broadens the understanding of the negative effects of a second victim experience and the need to support caregivers as they recover from adverse event involvement.
Demonstrating the Relationship Between School Nurse Workload and Student Outcomes

This article describes how one very large, diverse school district developed a Student Acuity Tool for School Nurse Assignment and used a logic model to successfully advocate for additional school nurse positions. The logic model included three student outcomes that were evaluated: provide medications and procedures safely and accurately, increase the number of students with a medical home, and increase the number of students with chronic illness that receive case management. Pairing a staffing formula with an evaluation plan that focuses on student outcomes and the priorities of the school district provides a strong case that school nurses are essential and that they contribute to student success.
Table-Based Direct Power Control: A Critical Review for Microgrid Applications

Direct power control (DPC) has increasingly gained attention in the last years as a robust and simple control scheme. Yet, the implications of some of the assumptions made by the original table-based DPC are not well explained in the literature. Here, a new formulation of DPC is presented, that allows to analyze the shortcomings of this kind of algorithms, mainly regarding the power limits in which table-based algorithms are valid. This is a key aspect for microgrid applications, as they require a wide range of possible active and reactive power setpoints in order to be able to control the system's voltage and frequency. A new table is then presented that allows to overcome those limitations. The proposed table is valid at any point of the inverter's power limits.
Axenic Culture of Schistosoma mansoni Sporocysts in Low O2 Environments

Recent successes in culturing intramolluscan larval stages of Schistosoma mansoni have relied on synxenic culture with a cell line (Bge) developed from embryos of a molluscan host Biomphalaria glabrata. To further facilitate progress toward control of schistosomiasis, a system for axenic in vitro culture of the parasite has now been developed. When culture media were preconditioned by Bge cells, sporocysts lived longer in vitro and produced more offspring. Because Bge-derived components could be protecting sporocysts from oxidative stress, axenic sporocysts were cultured at lowered O2 levels. In an hypoxic environment, S. mansoni sporocysts grew well and produced daughter sporocysts continuously under axenic conditions and in a medium completely lacking host molecules. Sporocyst production occurs independently of host influence.
HasB, the Serratia marcescens TonB Paralog, Is Specific to HasR

ABSTRACT Serratia marcescens possesses two functional TonB paralogs, TonBSm and HasB, for energizing TonB-dependent transport receptors (TBDT). Previous work had shown that HasB is specific to heme uptake in the natural host and in Escherichia coli expressing the S. marcescens TBDT receptor HasR, whereas the S. marcescens TonB and E. coli TonB proteins function equally well with various TBDT receptors for heme and siderophores. This has raised the question of the target of this specificity. HasB could be specific either to heme TBDT receptors or only to HasR. To resolve this question, we have cloned in E. coli another S. marcescens heme receptor, HemR, and we show here that this receptor is TonB dependent and does not work with HasB. This demonstrates that HasB is not dedicated to heme TBDT receptors but rather forms a specific pair with HasR. This is the first reported case of a specific TonB protein working with only one TBDT receptor in one given species. We discuss the occurrence, possible molecular mechanisms, and selective advantages of such dedicated TonB paralogs.
Monotherapy with the novel human anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody ABI793 in rhesus monkey renal transplantation model1

Background. This study assesses the safety and efficacy of the novel human anti-human CD154 monoclonal antibody ABI793 in rhesus monkeys. Methods. Outbred rhesus monkeys were used for renal transplantation from major histocompatibility complex-mismatched donors. Seven recipients were treated with ABI793, and six untreated recipients were used as controls. Graft function was monitored by urine output, serum creatinine, and renal biopsy. Phenotypic analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes and mixed lymphocyte reaction were performed before transplantation and periodically after transplantation. Anti-donor major histocompatibility complex class I antibody levels were measured at the time of sacrifice. Results. Monkeys in the treated group demonstrated prolonged graft survival compared with controls. One monkey was sacrificed because of a urine leak on postoperative day 13. Three monkeys were sacrificed because of acute rejection (days 44, 149, and 158). Two monkeys were sacrificed because of chronic active rejection (days 154 and 221). One monkey was sacrificed on day 139 without rejection to observe the effects of ABI793 in the absence of rejection. There were no obvious clinical side effects of ABI793, but microscopic thromboembolic changes were observed in two monkeys. Lymphocyte subsets remained unaltered in all monkeys. Mixed lymphocyte reaction showed nonspecific suppression 6 weeks after transplantation. The monkeys with chronic active rejection showed relatively strong alloantibody responses. Conclusions. ABI793 induces prolonged renal allograft survival in rhesus monkeys. Nevertheless, thromboembolic complications may occur and chronic allograft nephropathy may develop after anti-CD154 treatment is discontinued.
Maximum Lifetime Strategy for Target Monitoring With Controlled Node Mobility in Sensor Networks With Obstacles

Consider a mobile sensor network that is used to monitor a moving target in a field with obstacles. In this paper, an efficient relocation technique that simultaneously maximizes the network lifetime is proposed. The main sources of energy consumption in the network are sensing, communication, and movement of the sensors. To account for this energy consumption, a graph is constructed with edges that are weighted based on the remaining energy of each sensor. This graph is subsequently employed to address the lifetime maximization problem by solving a sequence of shortest path problems. The proposed technique determines a near-optimal relocation strategy for the sensors as well as an energy-efficient route to transfer information from the target to destination. This near-optimal solution is calculated in every time instant using the information obtained through the previous time step. It is shown that by choosing appropriate parameters, sensors' locations and the communication route from target to destination can be arbitrarily close to their corresponding optimal choices at each time instant. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Sectoral Volatility, Development, and Governance: A Case Study of Pakistan

Development of overall economy of any country largely depends upon the characteristics of different prominent sectors such as agriculture, industry, services, etc. Sharp structural change in prominent sectors are experienced by the Pakistan’s economy during the last four decades, in which industrial and service sector have exhibited an extra ordinary rate of growth, while the agricultural sector did not shown that rate of growth which was experienced during the time of green revolution. Due to these structural changes in the prominent sectors volatility of growth rate has been experienced by the economy. To the extent that most of the recent volatility in growth rate of GDP can be attributed to the increasing share of the some volatility of the some prominent sectors, the analysis of their volatility can be useful in providing some enlightenment on the factors behind this phenomenon and its implications for the formulation of the policy in the future. The main objective of this study is to use a time series analysis to analyse the actual cause of the volatility in the output/growth rate of output of the Pakistan’s economy. The technical characteristics of the volatility of the different sectors will be analysed and then an effort will be made to estimate the impact of sectoral volatility on the volatility of the growth rate of the Pakistan’s economy. Specific questions which will be addressed in the course of study will include: What are the main characteristics of the structure of the Pakistan’s economy? What is the nature of volatility of the different economic sectors? Does sectoral volatility explains relative changes in the growth rate? In other words, is sectoral volatility biased or neutral? How the volatility in the different sectors of Pakistan’s economy is correlated with each other? To what extent do volatility in growth rate is associated with the Volatility of the growth rates of the sectors under analysis? What are the main implications of the volatility parameters for the Pakistan’s policy problem, and for the achievement of stable growth rate? Does instability in political structure affect volatility of growth rate of output?
Fatigue in Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease

This descriptive, correlational study examined fatigue and potential biological and behavioral correlates in adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease. Sixty adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease completed the Brief Fatigue Inventory, Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory–Short Form, Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) fatigue short form and measures of pain, sleep quality, anxiety, depressive mood, stress, disease severity, and quality of life. Blood samples were obtained for hemoglobin and cytokines. Fatigue scores were mostly moderate in severity. Fatigue interfered to a moderate degree with daily activities and correlated significantly with pain, sleep quality, state and trait anxiety, depressive mood, stress, and quality of life. Fatigue was correlated with hemoglobin on the PROMIS measure. Fatigue was not correlated with cytokines or age, nor differed by disease severity. Fatigue was common in these adolescents and young adults, interfered with daily activities such as school, work and exercise, and significantly correlated with several potentially modifiable factors. As life expectancy increases in sickle cell disease, research is needed to test interventions to reduce fatigue.
Annexin A5 is involved in migration and invasion of oral carcinoma

Annexin A5 is a Ca2+-binding protein which is involved in membrane organization and dynamics. As recent data suggest a role of annexin A5 in cancer we aimed to gain more insight into the biological function of endogenous annexin A5 and assessed its possible influence on proliferation and invasion capacity. We down-regulated annexin A5 by RNA interference in HaCaT keratinocytes, squamous carcinoma cell line A431 as well as in a primary cell culture of a human oral carcinoma. Hereby, we detected reduced migration and invasion capacity of HaCaT cells which was even stronger in the oral carcinoma. To determine target genes of annexin A5 we used a metastasis specific microarray. Thereby, genes implicated in cell motility including S100A4, TIMP-3, and RHOC were observed to be regulated. These deregulations were confirmed by RT-PCR or western blots, respectively. These observations suggest that the invasion capacity, a main characteristic of tumors, is at least partially regulated by annexin A5 in oral carcinoma.
The Heston model with term structure

The purpose of this project is to extend the Heston model in order to incorporate the term structure (TS) of the implied volatility surface. This includes implementing a TS within the Heston model and its calibration to a set of market instruments. The TS Heston model with piecewise constant parameters is implemented to match the TS and the COS pricing method is used for fast option pricing. We calibrate the model to the EUR/USD and USD/JPY market data and historic data is also used to test the robustness of the model. Then the model with calibrated parameters are used to price exotic options by means of Monte Carlo simulation with a new control variate we propose. Finally we also propose the COS method for pricing discrete barrier options as future research directions.
Pessimism or Optimism: A Justification to Voluntary Contributions Toward Environmental Quality

This article analyses the determinants of voluntary contribution to environmental quality by introducing the perception of environmental risk. We consider individuals who are aware both of the impact of their voluntary contributions and of the quality of the current environment on the future quality of environment. Their preferences are represented by the RDU model. We distinguish three kinds of effect: environmental quality, wealth and risk perception. The first effects are not always sufficient to explain agents' implication in the improvement of environmental quality.
The Anatomy of the Resource Curse: Predatory Investment in Africa's Extractive Industries

Abstract : With more than 20 countries possessing bountiful oil and mineral deposits, Africa is home to more resource-rich states than any other region in the world. Yet, living conditions for most citizens remain dismal as a result of inequitable distribution of resource revenues. Sub-Saharan Africa s top five petroleum producers rank among the bottom third in the world in terms of child mortality. The continent s two largest producers Angola and Nigeria rank among the bottom ten countries in this category.1 Natural resource wealth is also strongly associated with undemocratic and illegitimate governance. Roughly 70 percent of the world s resource-rich states are categorized as autocracies. This pattern is not a coincidence. The steady flow of natural resource revenues funds the patronage and security structures these governments rely on to remain in power without popular support. Nearly without exception, Africa s resource-rich states also exhibit high levels of public sector corruption. States heavily reliant on the export of oil and minerals, moreover, face a greater risk of civil conflict than their resource-poor counterparts. These patterns need not be the norm. If accountably governed, natural resource wealth could be a boon to a society, enabling valuable investments in infrastructure, human capital, social services, and other public goods. With their technical expertise and financial resources, international corporations can be a vital component in the resource management equation in Africa by helping a country get its resources to the market and recovering a higher return for the public than would otherwise be the case. Yet, too often, such collaborations are not at all beneficial. Unscrupulous investors eager to turn a quick profit have found Africa s resource-rich governments to be attractive targets.
Uni-dimensional planar almost periodic structures analysis to decompose central arbitrary located source in spectral domain

In this paper, we present an efficient new modal analysis which is needed to evaluate a 1-D periodic phased array planar structure excited by arbitrary located sources. The latest requires an accurate study that permits to analyze the modal input impedance in one unit cell with the proper current density appeared on the metal part including the source domain. The formulation that is proposed to solve the problem allows to study all neighbouring elements in a periodic environment. One numerical method is used for modeling the proposed structure: the moment method MoM.
Dynamic state prediction based on Auto-Regressive (AR) Model using PMU data

This paper presents a dynamic state prediction method based on an Auto-Regressive Model (AR model) using PMU data. In recent years, state prediction has played a key role in improving power system performance and reliability. When load is increased linearly at a constant power factor, it is proved in this paper that the bus voltages are quadratic and the AR model for predicting the next voltage is based on three prior estimates. This logic is then tested on the IEEE-118 bus system. The test results demonstrate that under morning load pick-up, economic dispatch, line opening and generator oscillations, the proposed method is correct and gives valid predictions. Furthermore, based on the error in quadratic fit, it is advocated that this method could be applied to detect abnormal conditions in the transmission systems. Theoretical analysis and results show that the proposed method based on AR model has great potential in predicting power system states.
Error probability analysis of FFH/MFSK receivers over frequency-selective Rician-fading channels with partial-band-noise jamming

An optimum maximum-likelihood (ML) receiver structure for a fast frequency-hopped M-ary frequency-shift keying system over frequency-selective Rician-fading channels against partial-band-noise jamming and additive white Gaussian noise is proposed. In addition, we propose two suboptimum ML receivers and derive their corresponding analytical bit-error rate expressions.