Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability of protease in organic solvent: Structural identification by solid‐state NMR of lyophilized papain before and after 1‐propanol treatment and the corresponding enzymatic activities

Lyophilized enzyme powder is often used in organic solvents. However, the enzymatic activity decreases during the reaction process. In the present study, the relation between structural stability and enzymatic activity in an organic solvent was investigated. 13C cross‐polarization magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the secondary structure of lyophilized papain in the solid‐state. Deconvolution of the peaks of the backbone carbonyl carbons suggested that the proportion of β‐sheet conformation increased after lyophilization from a phosphate buffer solution. The esterification of N‐benzyloxycarbonyl phenylalanylalanine amide was attempted using the lyophilized papain as a catalyst in anhydrous 1‐propanol. The yield of ester was 46.1% after 48 h at 50°C, but this reaction slowed remarkably after 48 h. When the lyophilized papain was suspended in anhydrous 1‐propanol for 7 days without the substrate, the proportion of β‐sheet conformation was further increased and the suspended papain had no activity. These results suggest that the increase in β‐sheet conformation caused inactivation of papain. The increase in β‐sheet conformation caused by both lyophilization and suspension in propanol was found, which was related to a decrease in enzymatic activity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A framework for managing airport grasslands and birds amidst conflicting priorities

A framework for managing airport grasslands and birds amidst conflicting priorities BRADLEY F. BLACKWELL,* THOMAS W. SEAMANS, PAIGE M. SCHMIDT, TRAVIS L. DEVAULT, JERROLD L. BELANT, MARK J. WHITTINGHAM, JAMES A. MARTIN & ESTEBAN FERNANDEZ-JURICIC USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center, Ohio Field Station, 6100 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH, 44870, USA US Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 9014 East 21st Street, Tulsa, OK, 74129, USA Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA School of Biology, Newcastle University, Ridley Building, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, Lilly Hall G-302, 915 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
Using d–q Transformation to Vary the Switching Frequency for Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drive Systems

The switching frequency is one of the most important control parameters of the dc/ac inverter. In most motor drives for transportation, it is set as a constant value at some specific torque or speed. The variable switching frequency pulse width modulation (VSFPWM), which changes the switching frequency cycle to cycle based on a current ripple prediction method, has been proposed in previous literatures and realized in resistance- inductance (RL) loads and induction motors (IMs). It proves effective to increase the overall system efficiency and improve electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance. However, the previous current ripple prediction method encounters difficulty in dealing with more complex motors, e.g., interior permanent magnet (IPM) motors, which is widely used in electric vehicles. As a result, the benefits of VSFPWM cannot be fully utilized for IPM drive systems. This paper proposed a new current ripple prediction method using the d-q transformation instead of the conventional Thevenin equivalent circuit method and successfully implemented VSFPWM to IPM drives. Simulation and experiments on a 400-V IPM test bench validated the effectiveness of the method, which will vary the switching frequency from cycle to cycle in order to 1) restrain the three-phase current ripples; 2) increase the overall system efficiency; and 3) enhance the system electromagnetic capability (EMC).
Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Anesthesia and Radiographic Context

Objective: As a primary objective, this study purports to develop guidelines to better care for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly regarding these children's preparation for anesthesia and radiologic procedures. Methods: Using a Delphi method with an online distribution of questionnaire, guidelines for caring for children with ASD were created. Twenty-one participants were included in the expert panel. These participants were working with children with ASD in several anesthesia and radiology departments in Sweden. A list of items was created from a previous survey and the literature. In the first round, the items with <60% agreement were discarded. Items were merged, and a new list was created. Two more similar rounds were performed. In the last 2 rounds, 21 participants responded, and 80% agreement was considered to be consensus. Results: The final guidelines consisted of 14 items and a checklist of 16 factors. The 5 areas covered by the items and the checklist were as follows: planning involving parents/guardians, features in the environment, and use of time, communication, and the health care professionals. The organization was important in making it possible for the health care professional to care for the individual child according to the child's needs. It was important to involve the parents/guardians to obtain knowledge about the functioning of the child. Conclusion: A caring encounter involving a child with ASD in the anesthesia and radiology contexts requires advance planning, catered specifically to the individual needs of each child. To accomplish this, general knowledge regarding ASD and ASD's particular manifestation in the child entrusted to their care is required from the health care workers. The organization needs to have structures in place to facilitate this process.
Intracellular processing of the Newcastle disease virus fusion glycoprotein

The fusion glycoprotein (Fo) of Newcastle disease virus is cleaved at an intracellular site (Nagai et al., Virology 69:523-538, 1976) into F1 and F2. This result was confirmed by comparing the transit time of the fusion protein to the cell surface with the time course of cleavage of Fo. The time required for cleavage of half of the pulse-labeled Fo protein is ca. 40 min faster than the half time of the transit of the fusion protein to the cell surface. To determine the cell compartment in which cleavage occurs, use was made of inhibitors which block glycoprotein migration at specific points and posttranslational modifications known to occur in specific cell membranes. Cleavage of Fo is inhibited by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone; thus, cleavage does not occur in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Monensin blocks the incorporation of Newcastle disease virus glycoproteins into virions and blocks the cleavage of the fusion glycoprotein. However, Fo cannot be radioactively labeled with [3H] fucose, whereas F1 is readily labeled. These results argue that cleavage occurs in the trans Golgi membranes or in a cell compartment occupied by glycoproteins quite soon after their transit through the trans Golgi membranes. The implications of the results presented for the transit times of the fusion protein between subcellular organelles are discussed.
Dynamic aspects of colicin N translocation through the Escherichia coli outer membrane

Colicin N is a bacteriocin that kills sensitive Escherichia coli cells. After binding to the cell surface-exposed receptor, a short period exists when a significant number of the cell-associated colicin N molecules are sensitive to external enzymes. Two colicin N populations are discriminated by proteases: the susceptible pool bound to OmpF porin on the cell surface and another population corresponding to protease-inaccessible colicin N. During translocation, colicin N reaches the periplasmic space and proteolytic cleavage of the colicin occurs only when the outer membrane barrier is permeabilized.
Assessing advanced locomotor recovery after total hip arthroplasty with the timed stair test

Objective: To assess advanced locomotor performance with the timed stair test (TST) and to determine if the level of performance of a group of women one year after hip replacement changed with the functional demands of the tasks. Design: Comparison of the performance of two groups of women. Setting: General community. Participants: A convenient sample including 18 women who had had a total hip replacement 11 months earlier (patients) and 15 healthy age-matched women (comparison group). Main outcome measures: Three tests were administered: the 10-m walk test, the unloaded TST and the loaded TST (10 kg). The duration of each test was recorded and transformed into speed and the level of performance was assessed by calculating percentage deficit using corresponding values from the comparison group. The TST is made of four subtasks: (1) standing up and walking, (2) ascending stairs, (3) turning and descending stairs, (4) walking back, turning and sitting down. Results: Significant differences in performance were found for all three tests with the patients showing a slower performance. The percentage deficits increased significantly from the less difficult (walking: 18%) to the more difficult conditions (unloaded TST: 23% and loaded TST: 28%), with the greatest deficits found during stair descent. Strong correlations were also found between walking deficits and TST deficits (loaded: r = 0.82; unloaded: r = 0.88). Conclusions: By combining mobility, walking and stair activities, the TST can be used to assess various components of advanced locomotor performance. The progressive level of difficulty of the TST subtasks as well as the addition of a load make it useful to detect subtle locomotor disabilities.
Endotoxemia causes ileal mucosal acidosis in the absence of mucosal hypoxia in a normodynamic porcine model of septic shock.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the hypothesis that splanchnic ischemia and mucosal hypoxia are responsible for lipopolysaccharide-induced intramucosal acidosis in pigs. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, unblinded study. SETTING Surgical research laboratory at a large, university-affiliated medical center. SUBJECTS Anesthetized, mechanically ventilated swine. INTERVENTIONS Pigs were infused with lactated Ringer's solution (12 mL/kg/hr) and, starting at 30 mins, 25-mL boluses of dextran-70 (maximum 15 mL/kg/hr) to maintain cardiac output at 90% to 110% of the baseline value for each pig. Ileal mucosal hydrogen ion concentration was measured tonometrically. A segment of distal ileum was exteriorized, opened, and placed on a platform to permit measurement of mucosal PO2, using an array of Clark-type microelectrodes and a computerized data acquisition and analysis system. Mucosal perfusion was measured using laser-Doppler flowmetry. The control group (n = 4) received no further interventions. Pigs in the lipopolysaccharide group (n = 6) were infused with 150 micrograms/kg of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide over 60 mins. To assess the effect of mucosal acidosis on mucosal PO2 in nonendotoxemic animals, intramucosal hydrogen ion concentration, mucosal PO2, and mucosal perfusion were measured in pigs rendered hypercarbic through deliberate hypoventilation (hypercarbia group; n = 4). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Infusion of lipopolysaccharide resulted in a significant increase in intramucosal hydrogen ion concentration. However, in the lipopolysaccharide group, mucosal perfusion did not change significantly and mucosal PO2 increased significantly. In the hypercarbia group, hypercarbia was associated with significant increases in both intramucosal hydrogen ion concentration and mucosal PO2. CONCLUSIONS Mucosal hypoxia is not responsible for lipopolysaccharide-induced mucosal acidosis in this normodynamic pig model of septic shock. A rightward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve (the Bohr effect) can explain the increase in mucosal oxygenation observed in endotoxemic pigs.
Assay of locus-specific genetic load implicates rare Toll-like receptor 4 mutations in meningococcal susceptibility

As the central component of the human endotoxin sensor, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) functions in the early detection and response to Gram-negative infection. We therefore examined a large collection of patients with meningococcal sepsis, comparing the frequency of rare TLR4 coding changes to those in an ethnically matched control population. TLR2 sequences were also acquired and compared. Total nucleotide variation at TLR4 and TLR2 loci was assayed by using a novel computational method. A total of 3.01 megabases of coding sequence was captured at these loci from white subjects with or without meningococcal disease. Authentic mutations were found and high-quality, bidirectional coverage was measured across the coding region by using mutationseeker, a program specifically designed to assay locus-specific genetic load. Using a method that obviates the confounding effect of linkage disequilibrium, we observed that rare heterozygous missense mutations of TLR4 contribute to the development of systemic meningococcal disease among white populations of the southern United Kingdom (P = 0.02; odds ratio 8.2). When results from all white populations were pooled, an overwhelmingly significant excess of such mutations was observed among individuals with disease (P = 2 × 10−6; odds ratio 27.0). The common white TLR4 variant (TLR4B), synonymous TLR4 substitutions, and variant TLR2 alleles were not significantly over-represented among patients with systemic meningococcal infections. No single variant of TLR4 was significantly over-represented in the meningococcal population. Collectively, however, rare TLR4 coding variants were markedly over-represented. Sensing via TLR4 probably contributes to the early containment of meningococcal infection, and sensing defects create increased risk of disease.
Effect of Metabolic Syndrome on Sexual Function in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women

Female sexual dysfunction is a prevalent and multidimensional disorder related to many biological, psychological, and social determinants. The authors assessed the effect of one of the many factors affect sexual function—metabolic syndrome—on female sexual function. They equally divided 400 women participants among 4 groups: (a) premenopausal with metabolic syndrome, (b) premenopausal without metabolic syndrome, (c) postmenopausal with metabolic syndrome, and (d) postmenopausal without metabolic syndrome. The authors used the Female Sexual Function Index to assess women's sexual function. Female sexual dysfunction was found more often in both pre- and postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (p =.001). Overall Female Sexual Function Index score and satisfaction, pain, and desire domain scores independently of the menopause status showed statistically significant differences across women with metabolic syndrome in comparison with participants with no metabolic syndrome (p <.05). The authors also evaluated the associations among 5 components of metabolic syndrome and Female Sexual Function Index scores. Higher fasting glucose levels were significantly associated with the Female Sexual Function Index score (p <.05). This study shows that sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in pre- and postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.
CO2 reduction to acetate in mixtures of ultrasmall (Cu)n,(Ag)m bimetallic nanoparticles

Significance Efficient reduction of carbon dioxide to useful fuels and chemicals is an important research goal in artificial photosynthesis. Significant progress has been made for the C1 products, CO and HCOO−. We report here a procedure based on the use of ultrasmall, monodispersed Cu and Ag bimetallic nanoparticles on thin, electrochemically polymerized poly-Fe(vbpy)3(PF6)2 films. They reduce CO2 to acetate at pH 7 in aqueous HCO3− solutions at relatively high efficiencies with significant rate enhancements with added benzotriazole. In the sequence of clusters, the most efficient results for acetate production were obtained in films of (Cu)2,(Ag)3 with a faradaic efficiency of 21.2% for acetate from CO2 at −1.33 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.5 M KHCO3 with 8 ppm of added benzotriazole at 0 °C. Monodispersed mixtures of 6-nm Cu and Ag nanoparticles were prepared by electrochemical reduction on electrochemically polymerized poly-Fe(vbpy)3(PF6)2 film electrodes on glassy carbon. Conversion of the complex to poly-Fe(vbpy)2(CN)2 followed by surface binding of salts of the cations and electrochemical reduction gave a mixture of chemically distinct clusters on the surface, (Cu)m,(Ag)n|polymer|glassy carbon electrode (GCE), as shown by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. A (Cu)2,(Ag)3|(80-monolayer-poly-Fe(vbpy)32+|GCE electrode at −1.33 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in 0.5 M KHCO3, with 8 ppm added benzotriazole (BTA) at 0 °C, gave acetate with a faradaic efficiency of 21.2%.
Infrared spectroscopic near-field mapping of single nanotransistors

We demonstrate the application of scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) for infrared (IR) spectroscopic material recognition in state-of-the-art semiconductor devices. In particular, we employ s-SNOM for imaging of industrial CMOS transistors with a resolution better than 20 nm, which allows for the first time IR spectroscopic recognition of amorphous SiO2 and Si3N4 components in a single transistor device. The experimentally recorded near-field spectral signature of amorphous SiO2 shows excellent agreement with model calculations based on literature dielectric values, verifying that the characteristic near-field contrasts of SiO2 stem from a phonon–polariton resonant near-field interaction between the probing tip and the SiO2 nanostructures. Local material recognition by s-SNOM in combination with its capabilities of contact-free and non-invasive conductivity- and strain-mapping makes IR near-field microscopy a versatile metrology technique for nanoscale material characterization and semiconductor device analysis with application potential in research and development, failure analysis and reverse engineering.
A Factor Linking Floral Organ Identity and Growth Revealed by Characterization of the Tomato Mutant unfinished flower development (ufd)

Floral organogenesis requires coordinated interactions between genes specifying floral organ identity and those regulating growth and size of developing floral organs. With the aim to isolate regulatory genes linking both developmental processes (i.e., floral organ identity and growth) in the tomato model species, a novel mutant altered in the formation of floral organs was further characterized. Under normal growth conditions, floral organ primordia of mutant plants were correctly initiated, however, they were unable to complete their development impeding the formation of mature and fertile flowers. Thus, the growth of floral buds was blocked at an early stage of development; therefore, we named this mutant as unfinished flower development (ufd). Genetic analysis performed in a segregating population of 543 plants showed that the abnormal phenotype was controlled by a single recessive mutation. Global gene expression analysis confirmed that several MADS-box genes regulating floral identity as well as other genes participating in cell division and different hormonal pathways were affected in their expression patterns in ufd mutant plants. Moreover, ufd mutant inflorescences showed higher hormone contents, particularly ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and strigol compared to wild type. Such results indicate that UFD may have a key function as positive regulator of the development of floral primordia once they have been initiated in the four floral whorls. This function should be performed by affecting the expression of floral organ identity and growth genes, together with hormonal signaling pathways.
Regional cerebral blood flow during light sleep – a H215O‐PET study

This is the first report on the distribution of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes during stage‐1 sleep or somnolence. Two hypotheses were tested: (A) that rCBF differed between the awake relaxed state and stage‐1 sleep, (B) that hypnagogic hallucinations frequently experienced at sleep onset would be accompanied by measurable changes in rCBF using positron emission tomography (PET). Eight subjects were PET‐scanned with 15O‐labeled water injection in three conditions: awake, stage‐1 sleep with reportable experiences and stage‐1 sleep without reportable experiences. Electroencephalography (EEG) was performed continuously during the experiment. Sleep interviews were performed after each scan. The EEG was scored blindly to determine sleep stage. The sleep interviews revealed a substantial increase in how unrealistic and how leaping the thoughts were during stage‐1 sleep. During sleep there was a relative flow increase in the occipital lobes and a relative flow decrease in the bilateral cerebellum, the bilateral posterior parietal cortex, the right premotor cortex and the left thalamus. Hypnagogic experiences seemed not to be associated with any relative flow changes. The topography of the occipital activation during stage‐1 sleep supports a hypothesis of this state being a state of imagery. The rCBF decreases in premotor cortex, thalamus and cerebellum could be indicative of a general decline in preparedness for goal directed action during stage‐1 sleep. Stage‐1 sleep seems more similar to other forms of altered awareness, for example, relaxation meditation than to deeper sleep stages. We are of the opinion that stage‐1 sleep represents the dreaming state of wakefulness, while rapid eye movement (REM) sleep reflects the dreaming state of the unaware, sleeping brain.
Impact of co-firing a traditional Peruvian biomass cookstove with biogas on emissions and combustion efficiency

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the impact of co-firing a traditional Peruvian biomass cookstove with biogas on emissions and on combustion efficiency. The impact of using a fan to increase the airflow into the combustion zone with was also assessed. The cookstove was tested (1) without co-firing and without the fan, (2) with co-firing and without the fan, (3) without co-firing and with the fan and (4) with co-firing and with the fan. Time-resolved measurements of the concentrations of CO, CO2 and particulate matter were measured during each test. These data were used with measurement of the temperature of the water in the cooking pot and with measurement of the mass of water that evaporated during the test to calculate various cookstove performance parameters. Results obtained in this study indicate that using a fan and co-firing the cookstove with biogas improves performance. Compared to the baseline, (2), (3), and (4) reduced CO emissions by 32%, 35%, and 58%, respectively. Particulate emissions were reduced by 33%, 39%, and 71%, and the modified combustion efficiency increased by 1.3%, 1.1%, and 2.8%, respectively. These results suggest that relatively simple modifications significantly improve indoor air quality in homes where these stoves are used and reduce the impact use of this stove has on the environment.
Assessment of Organisation Satisfaction with the Electronic Tax System in Vietnam

This study aims to investigate organisation satisfaction with the electronic tax (e-tax) system. By using the partial least squares structural equation modelling method to analyse a data survey of 230 small and medium enterprises, the findings illustrate that the service quality of the e-tax system has no impact on both organisation satisfaction and organisation complaints. In comparison, information quality has a direct effect on organisation satisfaction, and organisation expectation has a significant impact on both organisation complaints and organisation satisfaction. The results provide some recommendations for improving the e-tax system.