Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complex assembly mechanism and an RNA‐binding mode of the human p14‐SF3b155 spliceosomal protein complex identified by NMR solution structure and functional analyses

The spliceosomal protein p14, a component of the SF3b complex in the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP), is essential for the U2 snRNP to recognize the branch site adenosine. The elucidation of the dynamic process of the splicing machinery rearrangement awaited the solution structural information. We identified a suitable complex of human p14 and the SF3b155 fragment for the determination of its solution structure by NMR. In addition to the overall structure of the complex, which was recently reported in a crystallographic study (typical RNA recognition motif fold β1‐α1‐β2‐β3‐α2‐β4 of p14, and αA‐βA fold of the SF3b155 fragment), we identified three important features revealed by the NMR solution structure. First, the C‐terminal extension and the nuclear localization signal of p14 (α3 and α4 in the crystal structure, respectively) were dispensable for the complex formation. Second, the proline‐rich segment of SF3b155, following βA, closely approaches p14. Third, interestingly, the β1‐α1 loop and the α2‐β4 β‐hairpin form a positively charged groove. Extensive mutagenesis analyses revealed the functional relevance of the residues involved in the protein–protein interactions: two aromatic residues of SF3b155 (Phe408 and Tyr412) play crucial roles in the complex formation, and two hydrophobic residues (Val414 and Leu415) in SF3b 155 serve as an anchor for the complex formation, by cooperating with the aromatic residues. These findings clearly led to the conclusion that SFb155 binds to p14 with three contact points, involving Phe408, Tyr412, and Val414/Leu415. Furthermore, to dissect the interactions between p14 and the branch site RNA, we performed chemical‐shift‐perturbation experiments, not only for the main‐chain but also for the side‐chain resonances, for several p14‐SF3b155 complex constructs upon binding to RNA. These analyses identified a positively charged groove and the C‐terminal extension of p14 as RNA‐binding sites. Strikingly, an aromatic residue in the β1‐α1 loop, Tyr28, and a positively charged residue in the α2‐β4 β‐hairpin, Agr85, are critical for the RNA‐binding activity of the positively charged groove. The Tyr28Ala and Arg85Ala point mutants and a deletion mutant of the C‐terminal extension clearly revealed that their RNA binding activities were independent of each other. Collectively, this study provides details for the protein‐recognition mode of p14 and insight into the branch site recognition. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Foundations of Public Administration

This seminar is a required course in the doctoral program in public administration and policy, and is the only required course devoted exclusively to the study of public administration. As a result, this course is designed to provide an intellectual history of public administration, and lay the foundations for understanding the contemporary study of the field. This exploration will include critical analysis of the claims, assumptions, definitions, and values underpinning these key ideas. Finally, this course is built on the assumption that every student pursuing doctoral studies in public administration, regardless of area of specialization, should be knowledgeable about the intellectual history of the field, including the ideas, theories, practices, and debates fundamental to the evolution of the field from its inception to the present.
Robust adaptive tracking for time-varying uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown control coefficients

Presents a robust adaptive control approach for a class of time-varying uncertain nonlinear systems in the strict feedback form with completely unknown time-varying virtual control coefficients, uncertain time-varying parameters and unknown time-varying bounded disturbances. The proposed design method does not require any a priori knowledge of the unknown coefficients except for their bounds. It is proved that the proposed robust adaptive scheme can guarantee the global uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop system signals and disturbance attenuation.
Synthetic peptides representing epitopes of outer membrane protein F of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that elicit antibodies reactive with whole cells of heterologous immunotype strains of P. aeruginosa

By using the published amino acid sequence for mature outer membrane protein F of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a computer-assisted analysis was performed to identify sites with potential as surface-exposed, antigenic regions located throughout the length of the protein molecule. Synthetic peptides 13 to 15 amino acid residues in length were synthesized for 10 such regions. Mice were immunized with each of the 10 synthetic peptides conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of the antisera was performed by using each of the synthetic peptides as the ELISA antigen to verify that immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies capable of reacting with the peptide used as immunogen were elicited by each peptide. Each of the antipeptide antisera was screened for the presence of IgG antibodies that could bind to the surface of intact cells of strains representing the seven heterologous Fisher-Devlin immunotypes of P. aeruginosa by use of an ELISA with whole cells of the various strains as the ELISA antigen. Three peptides elicited antibodies capable of reacting with whole cells of all seven immunotype strains. Peptide 10, corresponding to amino acid residues 305 to 318, elicited whole-cell-reactive antibodies at high titers. Peptide 9, corresponding to amino acid residues 261 to 274, elicited whole-cell-reactive antibodies at more intermediate titers. Peptide 7, corresponding to amino acid residues 219 to 232, elicited such antibodies only at low titers. The carboxy-terminal portion of the mature protein appears to be the immunodominant portion. In particular, peptides 10 (NATAEGRAINRRVE) and 9 (TDAYNQKLSERRAN) appear to have potential for use as immunogens in a synthetic vaccine for immunoprophylaxis against infections caused by P. aeruginosa. Antisera from mice immunized with either peptide 9 or 10 mediated opsonophagocytic uptake by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes of wild-type cells of P. aeruginosa but exhibited no opsonic activity against a protein F-deficient mutant of P. aeruginosa.
Phosphorylation of vinculin in human platelets spreading on a solid surface

Vinculin is a cytoskeletal protein believed to be involved in linking microfilaments to the cell membrane. it is a substrate for the Ca2+ ‐ and phospholipid‐dependent protein kinase C. We show here that when human platelets attach and spread on a solid surface, the α isoforms of vinculin become phosphorylated at serine and/or threonine residues. Phosphorylation is dependent on adhesion to a surface, since suspended, unattached platelets can produce filopodia but no phosphorylation of vinculin. Phosphorylation is also dependent on actin polymerization, as it does not occur when platelets had been pretreated with cytochalasin B. Most likely, protien kinase C is responsible for the phosphorylation of vinculin, since phosphorylation also occurs when platelets are treated with a phorbol ester, which activates protein kinase C, and is blocked by treatment with a staurosporine derivative which inhibits this enzyme. These results suggest that phosphorylation plays a role in anchoring vinculin at sites of microfilament‐membrane interaction. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Manno(Rhamno)Biose-Containing Capsular Polysaccharides of Klebsiella pneumoniae Enhance Opsono-Stimulation of Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

We tested the relationship between the capsular and the O-antigen structures and the ability of bacteria to trigger respiratory burst in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). Capsulated and non-capsulated variants as well as capsule-switched derivatives of Klebsiella serotypes bearing or lacking manno(rhamno)biose repeats in their capsular polysaccharides and expressing either mannose-rich or mannose-poor O antigens were tested for their ability to induce respiratory burst and survive in human PMNL. Luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) was measured to quantify respiratory burst. Intracellular survival was quantified by determining the viable counts of intracellular bacteria. K serotypes and the capsule-switched derivative lacking manno(rhamno)biose induced significantly lower CL than those expressing manno(rhamno)biose. Manno(rhamno)biose-lacking serotypes survived in the cells significantly better than serotypes expressing these repeats. C1q depletion did not affect CL induced by the manno(rhamno)biose-containing serotype, whereas factor B depletion revealed a significantly reduced CL. Likewise, EGTA in the presence of Mg2+ significantly decreased CL, but the values were higher than those induced by the bacterium opsonized with factor B-depleted serum. In the presence of EGTA, Mg2+-treated factor B-depleted serum revealed a significant reduction in the CL response compared with the responses induced by opsonization with factor B-depleted serum alone. These results indicate, in addition to the alternative pathway, a manno(rhamno)biose pattern recognition of Klebsiella by PMNL probably by the complement lectin pathway.
Using a Tolerance-based Surrogate Method for Computer Resources Saving in Optimization

This paper presents a very simple surrogate optimization method a Tolerance-based Surrogate Method. A surrogate optimization in general is essential to more and more frequently used optimization in the development process of new technologies. Fitness functions of such systems are often costly, therefore keeping a number of evaluations of the fitness functions at minimum is of a great importance in order to save computer and time resources, i.e. the overall cost of design. Unlike other complex surrogate optimization methods, the tolerance-based surrogate method does not require excessive computational resources, is easy to implement, and is flexible for all types of optimization algorithms. Behaviour of the tolerance-based surrogate method is demonstrated on several modified benchmark problems. Afterwards, our method is verified on a real-world time-demanding optimization task.
Multispectral Radiometric Analysis of Façades to Detect Pathologies from Active and Passive Remote Sensing

This paper presents a radiometric study to recognize pathologies in facades of historical buildings by using two different remote sensing technologies covering part of the visible and very near infrared spectrum (530–905 nm). Building materials deteriorate over the years due to different extrinsic and intrinsic agents, so assessing these affections in a non-invasive way is crucial to help preserve them since in many cases they are valuable and some have been declared monuments of cultural interest. For the investigation, passive and active remote acquisition systems were applied operating at different wavelengths. A 6-band Mini-MCA multispectral camera (530–801 nm) and a FARO Focus3D terrestrial laser scanner (905 nm) were used with the dual purpose of detecting different materials and damages on building facades as well as determining which acquisition system and spectral range is more suitable for this kind of studies. The laser scan points were used as base to create orthoimages, the input of the two different classification processes performed. The set of all orthoimages from both sensors was classified under supervision. Furthermore, orthoimages from each individual sensor were automatically classified to compare results from each sensor with the reference supervised classification. Higher overall accuracy with the FARO Focus3D, 74.39%, was obtained with respect to the Mini MCA6, 66.04%. Finally, after applying the radiometric calibration, a minimum improvement of 24% in the image classification results was obtained in terms of overall accuracy.
Haemodynamic and renal effects of endothelin receptor antagonism in patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and ET receptor blockade has shown renoprotective effects in animals. We examined the haemodynamic and renal effects of an ET receptor antagonist, TAK-044, in patients with CKD. METHODS Seven patients with CKD (mean arterial pressure 103 mmHg; mean plasma creatinine 3.5 mg/dl) received three 15 min intravenous infusions, each separated by at least 7 days, of either placebo or TAK-044 (100 or 750 mg) in a randomized, double blind crossover study. Systemic and renal haemodynamics, and plasma immunoreactive ET-1, big ET-1 and C-terminal fragment concentrations, were determined before and after the infusions of placebo and drugs. RESULTS Compared with placebo, TAK-044 reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) (100 mg: 7.4 +/- 1.9 mmHg, 750 mg: 8.4 +/- 2.3 mmHg, P < 0.01) and systemic vascular resistance index (100 mg: 650 +/- 140 dyne.s.cm(-5). m(-2), 750 mg: 829 +/- 141 dyne.s. cm(-5). m(-2), P < 0.01) at both doses. TAK-044 increased cardiac index and heart rate to a similar degree at both doses. With regards to renal haemodynamics, TAK-044 had no significant effect on the glomerular filtration rate at either dose but tended to increase renal plasma flow (100 mg: 9.6 +/- 5.0 ml/min, 750 mg: 25.3 +/- 19.5 ml/min) and decreased the effective filtration fraction (100 mg: 3.6 +/- 1.1%, 750 mg: 4.7 +/- 1.7%, P < 0.01), in a dose-dependent manner. TAK-044 had no significant effect on sodium or lithium clearance, or on fractional excretion of sodium and lithium. Plasma ET-1 concentrations rose more than two-fold after 750 mg TAK-044 while big ET-1 and C-terminal fragment concentrations were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest an important role for ET-1 in controlling systemic and renal haemodynamics in patients with CKD. The antihypertensive and potentially renoprotective actions of ET receptor antagonists shown in this study may prove useful in slowing the progression of CKD. Clinical trials are now needed to address these key questions for CKD.
A study of the position of the mandibular foramen in the adult human mandible

Eighty dry, adult human mandibles of East Indian ethnic origin and bilateral eruption of third molar teeth were examined to measure the location of the mandibular foramen. The position of the foramen was found to be variable. However, the foramen was predominantly located at the anteroposterior midpoint of the ramus halfway between the mandibular notch and the lower surface of the mandible and two thirds of the way down a line joining the coronoid process to the angle of the mandible. In the majority of the mandibles studied the foramen was located below the occlusal surfaces of the molar teeth. It is concluded that the marked variability in the position of the mandibular foramen may be responsible for an occasional failure to block the inferior alveolar nerve.
Morphology and molecular data reveal invasion of cryptic golden tegus (Tupinambis cryptus Murphy et al., 2016) in Florida

Golden tegus (Tupinambis teguixin sensu lato) are native to South America but have established a reproducing population in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Recent work divided the golden tegu into four distinct species, leaving the specific identity of golden tegus in Florida unknown. We used morphometric and mitochondrial data to determine the species identity and likely area of geographic origin for a specimen of golden tegu collected in Miami-Dade County. Our results confirm that cryptic golden tegus (Tupinambis cryptus) are at least one of the species established in Florida. Their geographic origin is likely mainland Guyana or Venezuela. The presence of T. teguixin in Florida remains possible, based on other specimens of ambiguous scalation. Further study is needed to determine the identity and origin of these populations.
Electronic ballast with a photovoltaic battery energy storage system

This work presents a novel solar energy application to an illumination system that connects a photovoltaic (PV) array, battery energy storage system (BESS) and load by combining a class-E resonant inverter with a fluorescent lamp. Without a power converter between the BESS and electronic ballast stage, no power processing loss occurs between these components; therefore, the developed system reduced power losses. The proposed topology is very simple and requires a single active power switch. Carefully selected circuit parameters enable the active power switch to be driven directly by BESS and operated at zero-voltage switching, yielding high circuit efficiency. A prototype circuit that is designed for a PL-27W compact fluorescent lamp is constructed and tested to verify the theoretical predictions. The measured efficiency of the electronic ballast is as high as 94.33%. Experimental results show the functionality of the overall system and prove it to be an effective solution for numerous photovoltaic applications.
Haptic BCI Paradigm based on Somatosensory Evoked Potential

Abstract. A new concept and an on-line prototype of haptic BCI paradigmare presented. Our main goal is to de-velop a new, alternative and low cost par-adigm, with open-source hardware andsoftware components. We also report re-sults obtained with the novel dry EEGelectrodes based signal acquisition systemby g.tec, which further improves experi-mental comfort. We addressthe followingpoints: a novel application of the BCI; anew methodological approach used com-pared to earlier projects; a new beneﬁtfor potential users of a BCI; the approachworking online/in real-time; developmentof a novel stimuli delivery hardware andsoftware. The results with ﬁve healthysubjects and discussion of future devel-opments conclude this submission. 1. IntroductionThe state of the art BCI relies mostly on visualand imagery paradigms [1], which require longertraining or good vision from the subjects. Manylate stage ALS suﬀering patients have weaker orlost sight. Thus, as the the alternative BCI solu-tions, the auditory [2] or haptic (somatosensory)modalities [3, 4] are proposed in order to enhancebrain-computer interfacing comfort or to boost in-formation transfer rate (ITR). A concept of so-matosensory (haptic) modality creates a very in-teresting possibility to target tactile sensory do-main, which is not as demanding as vision duringoperation of machinery or visual computer appli-cations. A potential somatosensory BCI paradigmis thus less mentally demanding. The ﬁrst suc-cessful trial to utilize responses to somatosensorystimuli utilized steady-state ones [3] with lower
Treatment response and prognosis of patients after recurrence of esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND Although radical operation and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy improve survival in patients with advanced esophageal cancer, more than half of these patients have recurrence. The aim of this study was to explore treatment responses and prognostic factors in patients with recurrent esophageal cancer. METHODS The operative specimens from 258 patients undergoing radical esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma between 1990 and 1999 were analyzed. Depth of tumor invasion, and the extent and location of lymph node metastases were determined. Postoperative recurrence was identified from positive findings on successive 3-month examinations of tumor markers, 6-month examinations of ultrasonography, and annual computed tomography. Of 258 patients, 95 had recurrence by the end of 2000 (mean follow-up was 22 months, range, 2-113). Of those 95 patients, 76 received nonsurgical treatment, 7 received operative intervention, and 12 received no treatment. Clinicopathologic features of recurrent tumors were analyzed to determine prognostic values. Serum anti-p53 antibodies (S-p53-Abs), serum C-reactive protein concentration (S-CRP), and albumin concentration were also analyzed. RESULTS The main recurrent patterns were nodal (n = 45) and organ (n = 35). Of the nonsurgical treatment group, 47 patients received chemoradiotherapy; 17, chemotherapy; and 12, radiotherapy. Overall clinical response was observed in 26 of 76 patients (34%). Treatment response was significantly associated with the type of recurrence, history of perioperative adjuvant therapy, time of recurrence, number of recurrent tumors, albumin concentration, S-CRP, and S-p53-Abs. Multivariate analysis suggested that S-p53-Abs and S-CRP were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION The status of S-p53-Abs and S-CRP may predict response and outcome of patients with recurrence of esophageal cancer after radical operation.
IMPLEMENTATION OF GAMIFICATION STRATEGIES FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF DIGITAL COMPETENCES

Transforming the learning process through strategies and tools dedicated to reinforcing experiences, producing commitment, unifying tasks and being fun and persuasive will generate changes in the particular needs of the educational context. In fact, gamification is presented as one of the catalysts of educational potential based on the application of play elements affecting motivation and knowledge apprehension. This research aims to deepen in the suitability of incorporating gamification on the learning process for que acquisition of digital skills. Thus, in this research is examined the disposition of gamification within the global framework of references to digital skills [1] organized into 7 areas and subdivided into 26 competencies: browsing, searching and filtering data, information and digital content; evaluating data, information and digital content; managing data, information and digital content; Interacting through digital technologies; sharing through digital technologies; engaging in citizenship through digital technologies; collaborating through digital technologies; netiquette; managing digital identity; developing digital content; integrating and re-elaborating digital content; copyright and licenses; programming; protecting devices, protecting personal data and privacy; protecting health and well-being; protecting the environment; solving technical problems; identifying needs and technological responses; creatively using digital technologies and identifying digital competence gaps; computational thinking; Operating specialized digital technologies for a particular field; Interpreting and manipulating data, information and digital content for a particular field. The methodology used is based on the application of a questionnaire to 50 experts in educational technologies from Europe and Latin America, obtaining as a result that there is greater convenience in the implementation of gamification for the development of the following digital competencies: collaborating through digital technologies, managing digital identity, programming, engaging in citizenship through digital technologies, sharing through digital technologies and protecting health and well-being. In conclusion, it is evident that the use of gamification for the development of digital competencies is mainly focused on the areas of safety, communication and collaboration. It is therefore recommended to formalize designs of gamification interfaces that address these issues.