Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pore Residues Control the H and K Sensitivity of the Arabidopsis Potassium Channel AKT 3

The Arabidopsis phloem channel AKT3 is the founder of a subfamily of shaker -like plant potassium channels characterized by weak rectification, Ca 2 block, proton inhibition, and, as shown in this study, K sensitivity. In contrast to inward-rectifying, acid-activated K channels of the KAT1 family, extracellular acidification decreases AKT3 currents at the macroscopic and single-channel levels. Here, we show that two distinct sites within the outer mouth of the K -conducting pore provide the molecular basis for the pH sensitivity of this phloem channel. After generation of mutant channels and functional expression in Xenopus oocytes, we identified the His residue His-228, which is proximal to the K selectivity filter (GYGD) and the distal Ser residue Ser-271, to be involved in proton susceptibility. Mutations of these sites, H228D and S271E, drastically reduced the H and K sensitivity of AKT3. Although in K -free bath solutions outward K currents were abolished completely in wild-type AKT3, S271E as well as the AKT3-HDSE double mutant still mediated K efflux. We conclude that the pHand K -dependent properties of the AKT3 channel involve residues in the outer mouth of the pore. Both properties, H and K sensitivity, allow the fine-tuning of the phloem channel and thus seem to represent important elements in the control of membrane potential and sugar loading.
Relationship between Yeast Polyribosomes and Upf Proteins Required for Nonsense mRNA Decay*

In yeast, the accelerated rate of decay of nonsense mutant mRNAs, called nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, requires three proteins, Upf1p, Upf2p, and Upf3p. Single, double, and triple disruptions of the UPF genes had nearly identical effects on nonsense mRNA accumulation, suggesting that the encoded proteins function in a common pathway. We examined the distribution of epitope-tagged versions of Upf proteins by sucrose density gradient fractionation of soluble lysates and found that all three proteins co-distributed with 80 S ribosomal particles and polyribosomes. Treatment of lysates with RNase A caused a coincident collapse of polyribosomes and each Upf protein into fractions containing 80 S ribosomal particles, as expected for proteins that are associated with polyribosomes. Mutations in the cysteine-rich (zinc finger) and RNA helicase domains of Upf1p caused loss of function, but the mutant proteins remained polyribosome-associated. Density gradient profiles for Upf1p were unchanged in the absence of Upf3p, and although similar, were modestly shifted to fractions lighter than those containing polyribosomes in the absence of Upf2p. Upf2p shifted toward heavier polyribosome fractions in the absence of Upf1p and into fractions containing 80 S particles and lighter fractions in the absence of Upf3p. Our results suggest that the association of Upf2p with polyribosomes typically found in a wild-type strain depends on the presence and opposing effects of Upf1p and Upf3p.
Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Heterogeneous Anxiety Disorders

Evidence assessing the outcome of cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety is based on protocols specifically tailored for individual disorders. To date, there is little research that would assess a mode of delivery that is designed for routine service delivery in typical clinical settings, i.e. group cognitive behavioural therapy for unselected, mixed groups of anxiety disorders. The objective of this pilot study is to use program evaluation methods to assess the immediate and enduring improvements following a 12-week Anxiety Management Group. Group participants had any of 5 anxiety disorders and described related avoidance. The weekly 2-hour group sessions and daily homework tasks were guided by a participant handbook. Patients completed questionnaires at baseline and group completion (n = 70); a subset also provided 6-month follow-up data. The results from post-group scores on 2 self-report measures show immediate reductions equivalent to an effect size of eta = 0.73 (p < 0.001). The effect is maintained at 6-month follow-up. This program evaluation suggests that group cognitive behavioural therapy for heterogeneous anxiety disorders may be effective in a routine clinical setting. A more rigorous study of this heterogeneous format appears justified.
Trajectory generation in guided spaces using NTG algorithm and artificial neural networks

This paper presents the preliminary results of nonlinear trajectory generation (NTG) using artificial neural networks (ANNs) as analytical data approximators. NTG framework designed at Caltech by Mark Milam et al. (2003) solves constrained nonlinear dynamic optimization problems in real time. A successful application of NTG on real-life problems with sampled data depends upon an accurate approximation scheme. Such an approximator is desired to have a compact architecture, a minimum number of design parameters, and a smooth continuously-differentiable input/output mapping. ANNs as universal approximators are known to possess these features, thus considered here as appropriate candidates for this task. The proposed cooperation of NTG and ANN is illustrated on an optimal control problem of generating realtime low observable trajectories for unmanned air vehicles in the presence of multiple radars
Streamflow distribution of non–point source nitrogen export from urban‐rural catchments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Nitrogen (N) export from urban and urbanizing watersheds is a major contributor to water quality degradation and eutrophication of receiving water bodies. Methods to reduce N exports using best management practices (BMP) have targeted both source reduction and hydrologic flow path retention. Stream restoration is a BMP targeted to multiple purposes but includes increasing flow path retention to improve water quality. As restorations are typically most effective at lower discharge rates with longer residence times, distribution of N load by stream discharge is a significant influence on catchment nitrogen retention. We explore impacts of urbanization on magnitude and export flow distribution of nitrogen along an urban‐rural gradient in a set of catchments studied by the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES). We test the hypotheses that N export magnitude increases and cumulative N export shifts to higher, less frequent discharge with catchment urbanization. We find that increasing development in watersheds is associated with shifts in nitrogen export toward higher discharge, while total magnitude of export does not show as strong a trend. Forested reference, low‐density suburban, and agricultural catchments export most of the total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate (NO3−) loads at relatively low flows. More urbanized sites export TN and NO3− at higher and less frequent flows. The greatest annual loads of nitrogen are from less developed agricultural and low‐density residential (suburban/exurban) areas; the latter is the most rapidly growing land use in expanding metropolitan areas. A simple statistical model relating export distribution metrics to impervious surface area is then used to extrapolate parameters of the N export distribution across the Gwynns Falls watershed in Baltimore County. This spatial extrapolation has potential applications as a tool for predictive mapping of variations in export distribution and targeting stream channel restoration efforts at the watershed scale.
Inhale to survive, cycle or die? Carbon monoxide and cellular proliferation

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and carbon monoxide (CO) modulate inflammation, proliferation/cell cycle and survival in a host of pathophysiological situations by reestablishing homeostasis. While several target genes and signaling pathways have now been elucidated that participate in HO-1/CO mediated protection, the events that occur in response to HO-1/CO under cellular stressors remain poorly understood particularly as they relate to therapeutic effects. Clearly there are differences among cell and tissue types driven by variations in basal gene expression profiles and more importantly under different activation states. In these instances where HO-1/CO mediate cytoprotection and restore homeostasis, critical regulatory and signaling mechanisms are in place to efficiently direct the cellular response. We propose that the HO-1 system acts as a biosensor for the cell. A fascinating aspect of the pleiotropic effects of the HO-1 system and the metabolic products involves the concept that its functional response befits the circumstances in which it finds itself whether prophylactically or therapeutically so as to ensure continued survival. This aspect of HO-1 and specifically the cellular response to CO as it relates to cell cycle and proliferation will be discussed in detail in this perspective.
A role for overdominant selection in phenylketonuria? Evidence from molecular data

To date, the reason is unknown for the high prevalence of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) mutations causing phenylketonuria (PKU) in extant European populations. However, molecular genetic data generated over the last decade suggest that the concomitant excess of (unaffected) PKU carriers is at least in part the result of overdominant selection (“heterozygous advantage”). Such selection would have acted upon several different mutations in different historical populations. The exact nature of the underlying selective mechanism is unknown; its elucidation requires further investigation. Hum Mutat 21:394–397, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Compact Ultra-Wideband In-Phase Multilayer Power Divider

A novel compact ultra-wideband (UWB) in-phase multilayer slotline power divider with high isolation is presented as a complement in slotline power divider field. The new structure proposed in this paper overcomes the shortcoming that power divider based on slotline almost cannot obtain high isolation between output ports. Based on the equivalent-circuit of microstrip-to-slotline transition and the method of odd-mode and even-mode analysis, the designing expressions of the proposed compact power divider have been obtained. The simulated and measured results have shown good agreement, and both of which have also shown that all the ports of the novel compact in-phase power divider have good impedance matching, and shown high isolation between the output ports over the band 3.4 GHz-12 GHz.
Effects of economic conditions and other factors on hotel sale prices

Purpose This study aims to examine previously identified hotel automated valuation models (AVMs) using a more extensive and updated sample of hotel sale transaction data, introduce economic conditions as a new determinant for hotel market value and test the moderating role of economic conditions on the relationship between the previously identified indicators and market value, operationalized as sale transaction price. Design/methodology/approach This study performs simple and multiple regression analyses to examine the proposed relationships. The sample period is from 2000 to 2012, because the economy prior to 2000 is likely to have been a less-relevant economic environment for the contemporary business world. Findings As hypothesized, there is an insignificant main effect of economic conditions on hotel sale prices. A moderating role of economic conditions on the relationship between average daily rate (and net operating income) and market value was found, while no moderating effect was found for occupancy rate and hotel size. Results also find certain support for AVMs previously presented in the literature, as described herein. Originality/value This study attempts to make contributions to the existing lodging and real estate literature by investigating a main effect of economic conditions on hotel sale prices and a moderating role of economic conditions on the relationship between various hotel performance indicators and hotel sale prices. In addition, this study operationalizes a relatively extensive (large base sample size of 2,441 hotel sale transactions) and recent (since 2000) database compared to previous studies.
The role of spirituality in the psychological adjustment to cancer: A test of the transactional model of stress and coping

Recent studies in the oncology literature have shown that spirituality, defined as the combination of existential and religious well-being (RWB), is related to both emotional well-being and quality of life. Indeed, spirituality may be particularly important in coping with the potential life threat of the disease. Based on Frankl’s (1963) existential theory, in this study, we examined whether the relations between spirituality and emotional well-being are moderated by degree of perceived life threat (PLT). In addition, in this study, we examined the relative importance of religious versus existential well-being in relation to psychological adjustment. Patients diagnosed with various types of cancer (N = 95) completed questionnaires assessing spirituality, PLT, quality of life, and distress. Contrary to theoretical predictions, spirituality was associated with less distress and better quality of life regardless of PLT. Interestingly, existential but not RWB accounted for a major portion of the variance in these outcomes. Taken together, these findings suggest that spirituality, particularly the existential component, may be associated with reduced symptoms of distress in cancer patients regardless of life threat.
Uptake of intact zinc‐ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid from soil is dependent on plant species and complex concentration

Pot experiments were conducted with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.), and white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) to determine the nature of Zn mobilization, uptake, and root‐shoot transport from a Zn‐contaminated soil in the presence of increasing concentrations of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA; 0.0–3.4 mmole/kg soil). Increasing EDTA concentrations lead to a greater proportion of soil‐solution Zn being detected as the ZnEDTA complex. However, a significant increase in the concentration of soil‐solution Zn was only observed after the addition of 3.4 mmole EDTA/kg soil. At this application rate, regardless of the plant species, 97 ± 9% (± SD) of the increase in soil‐solution Zn could be accounted for by chelation/desorption, and 89 ± 9% of total Zn in solution was measured as ZnEDTA. Although the complex was detected in the xylem exudate of B. juncea after 0.34 mmole EDTA/kg soil had been added, ZnEDTA was only found in the xylem exudate of the other plant species following the highest application rate of EDTA. In this case, the accumulation of Zn and the concentration of ZnEDTA in the xylem sap of B. juncea were significantly greater than those of H. vulgare and S. tuberosum. Measurements of plant transpiration following the addition of EDTA indicated that B. juncea experienced greater physiological stress in the presence of high concentrations of EDTA. It was therefore concluded that two different mechanisms of ZnEDTA uptake existed for these plant species. Based on a review of the literature, it was hypothesized that uptake of ZnEDTA by B. juncea occurred only after physiological damage to its root system, whereas uptake by H. vulgare and S. tuberosum was via an apoplastic pathway (passive extracellular transport into the xylem).
Movement disturbances of the lumbar spine and abnormal back muscle electromyographic findings in recurrent low back pain.

STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional analysis was done of patients with recurrent low back pain referring to the lower limbs. OBJECTIVES To analyze dynamic radiographs of forward and backward bending of the lumbar back and to determine, using routine neurophysiologic measurements, the functional state of the lower nerve roots in patients with recurrent low back pain radiating to the lower limbs. METHODS Clinical and neurophysiologic studies showed eight of the 108 patients with low back pain to have ventral root impingement at either L5 or S1 level. The remaining 100 patients, 56 women and 44 men (mean age, 37.6 years; range, 17-62 years), made up the study group for continuing investigation. History of low back pain ranged from 4 months to 20 years. RESULTS Disturbed intervertebral movement was found in 51 of 100 patients. Twenty-seven percent had L5 or L4 anterolisthetic hypermobility, and 35% had L4 or L3 vertebral retrolisthesis. Vaguely delineated radiating sensations in the lower limbs were common (62%). Back muscle electromyographs were mostly (86%) normal in patients whose low back pain was localized. Conversely, almost three-fourths of those experiencing radiating or referred pain had abnormal electromyographs, consistent with a mild degree of axonal damage in the posterior branch of the lumbar nerve root innervating the medial paraspinal muscles. This finding was most common among patients with retrolisthesis and simultaneous degenerative changes. CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of low back pain should include tests for degenerative retrolisthesis, especially in patients experiencing radiating sensations with no evidence of root impingement, because abnormal electromyographic findings showing denervation of the paraspinal muscles was most common in patients with degenerative retrolisthesis. To improve the functional support of the lumbar region, rehabilitation should be directed to the medial back muscles because they provide the most effective support for intervertebral motion and because mild disturbances appear to be associated with their innervation in recurrent low back pain.
Estimating the Profit Efficiency of Contract and Non-Contract Rice Farms in Taiwan -- A Meta-Frontier and A Cross-Frontier Appraoch Applications

Trade liberalization and globalization have placed significant pressures on farmers and processors including more stringent quality control and product varieties. Small family farms in land-locked countries are particularly vulnerable unless proper institutional arrangement is available to assist their transition from subsistence farming to market-driven production. A meta-frontier methodology of Battese et al (2004) is adopted to estimate simultaneously the efficiencies and the technological gaps for productions under different technologies relative to the potential technology available as a whole as well. Another approach that is based on Cummins et al (1999) is also applied to estimate the cross-frontier profit efficiency. The result indicates that an average contract farm is 20 percent more efficient than an average non-contract farm in a comparable operating environment. Although contract farming has potential to improve the profit of smallholders, it is not a sufficient condition for such improvement. The empirical resulst also found that the contract technology does not dominate the non-contract rice farmers’ technology and vice verse. However, the fact that the contract frontier dominates the non-contract frontier has been founded.
Increased Labour Supply, Foreign Investment and Welfare in the presence of Productive Public Infrastructure

This paper focuses on the impact of an exogenous increase in the supply of labour on foreign investment, public infrastructure and welfare. By making use of a simple general equilibrium model this paper shows that increased supply of labour increases the provision of public infrastructure and hence the domestic wage rate. An increase in the supply of labour leads to an unambiguous increase in foreign investment if public infrastructure is more (or equally) labour intensive as compared to the final good. The size of the increase in wage rate and public infrastructure is affected by the size of the fixed cost associated with infrastructure production. An increase in the supply of labour leads to a larger increase in welfare as long as the public infrastructure is productive and its production involves some fixed cost.
Eldercare responsibilities, interrole conflict, and employee absence: a daily study.

A model was developed specifying that the number of hours employees spend providing care to or interacting with elderly parents predicts conflict between the roles of employee and caregiver. Interrole conflict was subsequently expected to predict partial absence from work (e.g., arriving late). Seventeen employed eldercare providers completed a daily questionnaire for 20 work days. The data were standardized and pooled, and the proposed model was tested by using structural equation modeling. The proposed model provided a good fit to the data. A competing model that added the direct effects of hours of interacting with and hours of providing care to parents on partial absence provided a significantly better fit. The potential impact of the findings on employees and organizations is discussed.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices: What Every Cardiac Nurse Should Know

Patients with end-stage heart failure are increasingly being treated with implantation of a long-term ventricular assist device. As the use of these devices has grown, health care providers have been faced with managing clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeding in this population. Gastrointestinal bleeding is not uncommon and is reported to occur in 13% to 44% of patients treated with ventricular assist devices. Interestingly, because patients with ventricular assist devices are housed on units accustomed to managing the device, cardiac nurses are often asked about the management of gastrointestinal bleeding. This article describes the possible causes of, the array of diagnostic procedures for, and treatments for this complication. It is critical to develop an understanding of this topic so cardiac nurses can partner with other subspecialty groups to manage this population.
Thrombospondin-1 Modulates Actin Filament Remodeling and Cell Motility in Mouse Mammary Tumor cells in Vitro

It is well established that the secretion of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) by activated stromal cells and its accumulation in the tumor microenvironment during dysplasia inhibits primary tumor growth through inhibition of angiogenesis. This inhibitory function of TSP-1 is actuated either by inhibiting MMP9 activation and the release of VEGF from extracellular matrix or by an interaction with CD36 on the surface of endothelial cells resulting in an increase in apoptosis. In contrast, several published articles have also shown that as tumor cells become more invasive and enter the early stage of carcinoma, they up-regulate TSP-1 expression, which may promote invasion and migration. In our in vivo studies using the polyoma middle T antigen (PyT) transgenic mouse model of breast cancer, we observed that the absence of TSP-1 significantly increased the growth of primary tumors, but delayed metastasis to the lungs. In this study, we propose a mechanism for the promigratory function of TSP-1 in mouse mammary tumor cells in vitro. We demonstrate the correlations between expression of TSP-1 and its receptor integrin α3β1, which is considered a promigratory protein in cancer cells. In addition we propose that binding of TSP-1 to integrin α3β1 is important for mediating actin filament polymerization and therefore, cell motility. These findings can help explain the dual functionality of TSP-1 in cancer progression.
Puccinia chunjii, a close relative of the cereal stem rusts revealed by molecular phylogeny and morphological study

A rust specimen with macroscopic similarities to the cereal stem rusts was collected on Elymus sp. from Gansu province, China. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and COI DNA sequences indicated the fungus was closely related but distinct as a strongly supported sister taxon to the Puccinia graminis species complex. Microscopic examination revealed diagnostic teliospore characteristics, differentiating it from P. graminis and other morphologically similar rusts. Herein, we designate a name for this new lineage, Puccinia chunjii sp. nov.