Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth Phase-Dependent Variation in Protein Composition of the Escherichia coli Nucleoid

ABSTRACT The genome DNA of Escherichia coli is associated with about 10 DNA-binding structural proteins, altogether forming the nucleoid. The nucleoid proteins play some functional roles, besides their structural roles, in the global regulation of such essential DNA functions as replication, recombination, and transcription. Using a quantitative Western blot method, we have performed for the first time a systematic determination of the intracellular concentrations of 12 species of the nucleoid protein in E. coli W3110, including CbpA (curved DNA-binding protein A), CbpB (curved DNA-binding protein B, also known as Rob [right origin binding protein]), DnaA (DNA-binding protein A), Dps (DNA-binding protein from starved cells), Fis (factor for inversion stimulation), Hfq (host factor for phage Qβ), H-NS (histone-like nucleoid structuring protein), HU (heat-unstable nucleoid protein), IciA (inhibitor of chromosome initiation A), IHF (integration host factor), Lrp (leucine-responsive regulatory protein), and StpA (suppressor oftd mutant phenotype A). Intracellular protein levels reach a maximum at the growing phase for nine proteins, CbpB (Rob), DnaA, Fis, Hfq, H-NS, HU, IciA, Lrp, and StpA, which may play regulatory roles in DNA replication and/or transcription of the growth-related genes. In descending order, the level of accumulation, calculated in monomers, in growing E. coli cells is Fis, Hfq, HU, StpA, H-NS, IHF*, CbpB (Rob), Dps*, Lrp, DnaA, IciA, and CbpA* (stars represent the stationary-phase proteins). The order of abundance, in descending order, in the early stationary phase is Dps*, IHF*, HU, Hfq, H-NS, StpA, CbpB (Rob), DnaA, Lrp, IciA, CbpA, and Fis, while that in the late stationary phase is Dps*, IHF*, Hfq, HU, CbpA*, StpA, H-NS, CbpB (Rob), DnaA, Lrp, IciA, and Fis. Thus, the major protein components of the nucleoid change from Fis and HU in the growing phase to Dps in the stationary phase. The curved DNA-binding protein, CbpA, appears only in the late stationary phase. These changes in the composition of nucleoid-associated proteins in the stationary phase are accompanied by compaction of the genome DNA and silencing of the genome functions.
The financial gains from adding farmland to an international investment portfolio

Executive Summary. In the past twenty years there has been a significant shift in personal investment as baby boomers start preparing for retirement. Mutual funds have become the choice investment vehicles because they are very easy for individuals to manage. Diversification allows investors to achieve broad-based exposure through various types of investment vehicles. Asset allocation has become very important as a means of achieving good financial performance in an investment portfolio. Choosing the right mix of geographic, industry and sector, and asset types is of key importance in achieving the targeted financial performance over an investment horizon, Real estate represents a significant percentage of world asset value and has been an important component of investment portfolios. This paper examines whether investors can improve their portfolios by adding farmland to the mix.
A multi-level pressure-sensing two-handed interface with finger-mounted pressure sensors

This paper proposes separating a pressure sensor off from an input device and attaching it directly onto a user's finger to allow the user to input pressure values into a computer with various devices and various places. This proposal solves the problem of requiring an individual pressure sensor for each pressure-sensing input device because we've attached a sensor to not a device which is pushed but rather a finger which pushes it. As an instance, we developed a multi-level pressure-sensing two-handed user interface by measuring the positions and pressure values of both the user's hands. The user can manipulate a screen object with the dominant hand and assist it by adjusting the position and the intensity of pressure of the dominant hand and non-dominant hand. We developed some GUI functions: cursor aura for expanding the sphere of its influence, non-dominant hand cursor for picking up a hidden window, and pressure-sensing keyboard input to add arousal to text. The advantages of our system are; (1) a user can use a favorite device and add pressure value, and (2) a user can enter a multi-level value by pressing heavily or lightly without looking at user's hands.
Mycobacterium marinum Epididymoorchitis: Case Report and Literature Review

Mycobacterium marinum is the most frequent non-tuberculous Mycobacterium in humans. We report the first ever described case of epididymoorchitis resulting from hematogenous spread of M. marinum from hand oligoarthritis. This was initially mistaken for rheumatoid disease and methylprednisolone-induced immunosuppression led to hematogenous spread of infection to the testis and epididymis.
Structural adjustment programmes

The World Bank's structural adjustment programmes have gained prominence in recent years but have failed to live up to expectations. The literature on these programmes contains empirical evaluation and description of the policy experience in aid‐receiving countries. This article offers an analytical framework for evaluating them. The framework also helps in evaluating the empirical research on the programmes reported in the literature. The programmes failed not because they were market‐orientated or performance‐driven but because of logical inconsistency of their assumptions and conditions in the real world.
Dependence Calibration and Portfolio Fit with Factor-based Time Changes

The paper explores the fit properties of a class of multivariate Levy processes, which are characterized as time-changed correlated Brownian motions. The time-change has a common and an idiosyncratic component, to re ect the properties of trade, which it represents. The resulting process may provide Variance-Gamma, Normal-Inverse- Gaussian or Generalized-Hyperbolic margins. A non-pairwise calibration to a portfolio of ten US daily stock returns over the period 2009-2013 shows that fit of the Hyperbolic specification is very good, in terms of marginal distributions and overall correlation matrix. It succeeds in explaining the return distribution of both long-only and long- short random portfolios better than competing models do. Their tail behavior is well captured also by the Variance-Gamma specification.
Antimicrobial Activity of Cultivable Endophytic Fungi Associated with Hancornia Speciosa Gomes Bark

Introduction: In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial potential of cultivable endophytic fungi associated with Hancornia speciosa Gomes stem bark. Methods and Materials: Plant samples were collected in rainy (July 2010) and dry (January 2011) seasons. In total, 116 endophytic fungi strains were isolated from 90 fragments (64.4% frequency of colonization). Higher fungi frequency was observed in the rainy season (84.4%). The strains were grouped into 14 species; the most frequent were Phoma cava (13.8%), Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (12.1%), and Lasiodiplodia theobromae (11.2%). Fungal diversity was similar in both the seasons. Among the 116 strains, 39 (33.6%) showed antimicrobial activity in preliminary screening. The ten most active isolates were subjected to semi-solid fermentation using rice or corn as substrates. Methanolic extracts were obtained from each fermentation medium and the minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum microbicide concentrations (MMC) were determined. Results: The best antimicrobial results (MIC < 100 µg/mL) were observed for fungi strains grown in rice medium: Aspergillus niger FHS061 against Proteus mirabilis (MIC = 19 µg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 39 µg/mL). These strains also showed good results when cultivated in corn medium against P. mirabilis (MIC = 78 µg/mL). Conclusion: Thus, the stem bark of H. speciosa harbors diverse endophytic fungi with antimicrobial potential.
The future of old industrial regions in a carbon-constrained world

Even if a global agreement is achieved on climate change issues, it is likely that national policies will continue to differ. Consequently, the competitiveness of some industries could be affected and the so-called ‘carbon leakage’ effect might occur. This effect is more likely for those industries with a risk of relocation. Most of the studies that examine the carbon leakage phenomenon look at implications at the national or supra-national level, and neglect the important fact that some of the key industries affected are highly concentrated in the old industrial regions (OIRs). From a regional perspective, it is clear that these areas are affected more severely by climate policies. Using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, the impacts for one of the most vulnerable sectors – the iron and steel (IS) sector in the European OIR of the Basque Country (BC) – are first examined. The analysis is then replicated for the OIR of the North RhineWestphalia (NRW) region in Germany. The results show that although total effects may be diluted from a national perspective, the economic impact at the regional level may be quite large and may significantly reduce regional gross domestic product (GDP). This has broader implications for the OIRs and suggests a need to further explore policy insights for economic development and adaptation in them.
Identification of Granger Causality between Gene Sets

Wiener and Granger have introduced an intuitive concept of causality (Granger causality) between two variables which is based on the idea that an effect never occurs before its cause. Later, Geweke generalized this concept to a multivariate Granger causality, i.e. n variables Granger-cause another variable. Although Granger causality is not "effective causality" in the Aristothelic sense, this concept is useful to infer directionality and information flow in observational data. Granger causality is usually identified by using VAR (Vector Autoregressive) models due to their simplicity. In the last few years, several VAR-based models were presented in order to model gene regulatory networks. Here, we generalize the multivariate Granger causality concept in order to identify Granger causalities between sets of gene expressions, i.e. whether a set of n genes Granger-causes another set of m genes, aiming at identifying the flow of information between gene networks (or pathways). The concept of Granger causality for sets of variables is presented. Moreover, a method for its identification with a bootstrap test is proposed. This method is applied in simulated and also in actual biological gene expression data in order to model regulatory networks. This concept may be useful for the understanding of the complete information flow from one network or pathway to the other, mainly in regulatory networks. Linking this concept to graph theory, sink and source can be generalized to node sets. Moreover, hub and centrality for sets of genes can be defined based on total information flow. Another application is in annotation, when the functionality of a set of genes is unknown, but this set is Granger-caused by another set of genes which is well studied. Therefore, this information may be useful to infer or construct some hypothesis about the unknown set of genes.
Trenched sinker LDMOSFET (TS-LDMOS) structure for high power amplifier application above 2 GHz

New trenched sinker LDMOSFET structure is proposed for the application of high power RF amplifier. By adopting low temperature deep trench technology, the sinker area can be shrunk down more than 70% compared with the conventional diffusion type. The RF performance of proposed device with channel width of 5 mm showed a small signal gain of 19.3 dB at 2 GHz and 14.8 dB at 3 GHz, and maximum peak power of 30 dBm at V/sub DD/ of 26 V. Furthermore, the trench sinker (or guard), that is applied to suppress the coupling between inductors, also showed a excellent blocking performance at frequency range from 0.5 GHz to 20 GHz.
MRI for development of disease‐modifying osteoarthritis drugs

MRI has advantages as an imaging modality for drug development through its potential to provide information regarding localized morphological parameters, in addition to metrics of the structural and molecular state of cartilage. These metrics have the potential to provide earlier indications of pathology and may progress more rapidly than radiographic measures. These combined scans of localized morphology and matrix parameters will most likely provide a fuller assessment of cartilage state and will improve the cost and practicality of an overall evaluation of cartilage status by MRI. In the first part of this review, the relevant parameters are presented in terms of the information content they might provide in the drug development process. In the second part, applications of the MRI parameters in preclinical and clinical drug development are presented. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phospholipaise A2 and arachidonic acid‐mediated mechanism of neuroexocytosis: a possible target of botidinum neurotoxin A other then SNAP‐25

The vesicular neuroexocytosis process consists of two important steps: fusion of transmitter‐loaded vesicles at release sites on the presynaptic nerve terminal membrane; followed by the release of transmitter molecules into the synaptic cleft. We previously reported that in nerve growth factor (NGF)‐differentiated PC12 cells, arachidonic acid (AA) release is associated with acetylcholine (ACh) release, botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) inhibits both processes and AA itself or a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activator can cause ACh release in BoNT/A‐poisoned cells in which SNAP‐25 has supposedly been hydrolyzed. In the present study, we examined the roles of two endogenous intraterminal components in neuroexocytosis: the membrane fusogenic agent AA; and the vesicle fusion protein SNAP‐25. A PLA2 activator, mastoparan, was used to induce the release of AA and ACh from NGF‐differentiated PC12 cells. Release depended upon the mastoparan concentration, as well as Ca2+ influx via the neuronal‐type voltage‐sensitive Ca2+ channels. Release of ACh followed a rise in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration; the increased Ca2+ activated PLA2 and, thereby, increased the AA level. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy confirmed that mastoparan‐induced ACh and AA release were not due to simple diffusion through damaged plasma membranes. Treatment of PC12 cells with appropriate antisense oligonucleotides blocked SNAP‐25 expression, as judged by Western blot protein analysis with a specific monoclonal antibody. Despite apparent elimination of SNAP‐25, treatment of differentiated PC12 cells with mastoparan and high (80 mM) K+ induced ACh exocytosis. The results support the conclusion that PLA2 and AA have important roles in neuroexocytosis that are independent of SNAP‐25. Both PLA2 and AA have been shown to be involved in actin cytoskeletal organization related to vesicle fusion and exocytosis. This mechanism may be an alternative target of BoNT/A other than SNAP‐25.
NEW INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS

This article aims to highlight which are the most commonly used investment strategies of transnational companies in the current period. The classic strategies are analysed, such as acquisitions and mergers, but also the modern strategies, such as licensing or execution by contract. An analysis is also performed on the matrix generated by the motivations of transnational corporations (TNC) to make foreign investment, the determinants that contribute to adopting the financing decision (investing), namely the strategy adopted so that TNC receive the best investment options. An analysis is also provided concerning the way in which the investment flows have evolved after the economic - financial crisis. The investors’ favourite destinations are followed, the most attractive areas, but also the strategies adopted. A brief analysis is also performed on how the major companies have entered the Romanian market.
Production-inventory control of closed-loop supply chain based on switched system with Markov jumping parameters

This paper is concerned with the problem of H∞ control for a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) system with Markov jumping parameters. Firstly, the influence of the deteriorate rate to the stock level is take into consideration, which is used to determine the switching rule for the supply chain system. Then, a switched system model with Markov jumping parameters is constructed in view of the characteristics of the production-inventory CLSC system. Lastly, robust H∞ controllers are designed such that the stability as well as the H∞ performance can be guaranteed.
Maternal and early postnatal malnutrition and transmitter amines in rat brain

LEVELS of serotonin and norepinephrine during development of brain in different species of animals have been measured as they have different phases of development. Thus KARKI et al. (1962) observed that these two amine levels reached adult values at the time of birth in guinea pig as this animal is born with a completely developed brain, whereas rat had lower levels because of its immature development of brain at birth. SHOEMAKER & WURTMAN (1973) have studied the effect of malnutrition in rats on the metabolism of catecholamines and found that the concentrations were not altered but the total amounts were low because of the low brain weight. ENWONWU & WORTHINGTON (1974) reported that malnutrition of 3 to 7 weeks duration in weanling animals resulted in a significant increase in brain histamine levels in rats and guinea pigs. SOBOTKA et al. (1974) have found that the 5-HIAA level is increased in malnourished animals. STERN et al. (1975) reported increased levels of serotonin, 5-HIAA and norepinephrine in malnourished rats at all stages of brain development. In this paper are reported the levels of transmitter amines in brain at different stages of development in the rat and the effect of protein-calorie restriction on these levels.
Does Green Pay Off

Executive Summary.This study provides some comparison data on Energy Star and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified buildings versus non-Energy Star or non-LEED-certified office property in the United States using the CoStar database. These results are promising for the benefits of investment in sustainable real estate, energy savings, and for the green movement now sweeping our society. The payoff from wise green investment is easy to justify even if it is based on purely profit motivations.
P-glycoprotein in the Developing Human Brain: A Review of the Effects of Ontogeny on the Safety of Opioids in Neonates

Abstract: The human blood brain barrier is responsible for maintaining brain homeostasis and protecting against potentially toxic substances. The ATP-binding cassette drug efflux protein, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a key player in actively extruding a wide range of xenobiotics such as opioids from the brain. Because the blood brain barrier is structurally and functionally immature in neonates, opioids may have a greater penetration to the central nervous system. This may influence the efficacy and safety of opioids in the newborn. Understanding the extent of P-gp's expression in the brain in the embryo, fetus, and newborn will facilitate rational opioid use during pregnancy and the neonatal period. This review aims to summarize the current evidence that associates the ontogeny of P-gp and the susceptibility to opioid-induced adverse respiratory effects in neonates. To date, evidence suggests that the expression of P-gp in the human brain is low at birth, contributing to increased susceptibility.
Simple Analytics of Productive Consumption

Productive consumption adds to utility and income at the same time. The shadow price of a productive good is equal to its money price less its marginal product. As more of the good is consumed, its shadow price rises because of diminishing productivity, and the consumer's full income also rises because the marginal product is positive. This paper uses a simple method to derive the comparative statics of the demand system when shadow prices and full income are endogenous. The direction of the overall bias induced by endogenous prices and income is found to be determinate. We demonstrate that the demand for productive goods tends to be relatively unresponsive to exogenous changes in prices and income. We also show that labor supply will be relatively unresponsive to wage and unearned income if market work causes fatigue.
Pieces of a Puzzle: Linking Government Performance, Citizen Satisfaction, and Trust

This article presents a basic conceptual framework for investigating the relations among government performance, citizen satisfaction, and trust. It then reviews results from a number of previous empirical studies by the author and other investigators that shed light on specific linkages suggested by the framework. It also indicates gaps in knowledge and, thus, promising areas for future research on the question of how citizens respond to good or bad government performance. Implications for public management, including the need for more citizen-driven measures of government performance, are discussed.
Characteristics of Students Who Reenroll after Serving a Disciplinary Suspension

The purpose of this study was to examine if students who reenroll following a disciplinary suspension had significant common characteristics. Gender, GPA at time of suspension, class status at time of suspension, type of violation(s) that resulted in suspension, number of disciplinary incidents prior to suspension, and length of suspension were the characteristics we examined. Results indicate that students who reenroll are more likely to be male, have a higher GPA than those who do not reenroll, and not be charged with minor conduct violations. Results also indicate that men are three times more likely to reenroll than women.
Three-Dimensional Streamer Modeling in Atmospheric Pressure Air

A 3-D streamer model that incorporates photoionization phenomena in atmospheric pressure air has been developed. It is applied to both point-plane and plane-plane electrode configurations in order to examine phenomena that have no cylindrical symmetry. The role of spontaneously distributed plasma spots in the propagation path of a streamer in discharge branching is then analyzed. Streamer advancement that ignites from a sharp point electrode is also presented in a full 3-D simulation. Images of the electron density evolution in the interelectrode space for the aforementioned configurations when the plasma spots interact with the streamer head are presented.