Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The First Nucleotide Binding Domain of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Is a Site of Stable Nucleotide Interaction, whereas the Second Is a Site of Rapid Turnover*

As in other adenine nucleotide binding cassette (ABC) proteins the nucleotide binding domains of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) bind and hydrolyze ATP and in some manner regulate CFTR ion channel gating. Unlike some other ABC proteins, however, there are preliminary indications that the two domains of CFTR are nonequivalent in their nucleotide interactions (Szabo, K., Szakacs, G., Hegeds, T., and Sarkadi, B. (1999)J. Biol. Chem. 274, 12209–12212; Aleksandrov, L. , Mengos, A. , Chang, X. , Aleksandrov, A. , and Riordan, J. R. (2001)J. Biol. Chem. 276, 12918–12923). We have now characterized the interactions of the 8-azido-photoactive analogues of ATP, ADP, and 5′-adenyl-β,γ-imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) with the two domains of functional membrane-bound CFTR. The results show that the two domains appear to act independently in the binding and hydrolysis of 8-azido-ATP. At NBD1 binding does not require a divalent cation. This binding is followed by minimal Mg2+-dependent hydrolysis and retention of the hydrolysis product, 8-azido-ADP, but not as a vanadate stabilized post-hydrolysis transition state complex. In contrast, at NBD2, MgN3ATP is hydrolyzed as rapidly as it is bound and the nucleoside diphosphate hydrolysis product dissociates immediately. Confirming this characterization of NBD1 as a site of more stable nucleotide interaction and NBD2 as a site of fast turnover, the non-hydrolyzable N3AMP-PNP bound preferentially to NBD1. This demonstration of NBD2 as the rapid nucleotide turnover site is consistent with the strong effect on channel gating kinetics of inactivation of this domain by mutagenesis.
Where Are the Boundaries of Deliberation and Participation? A Transatlantic Debate

This article uses recent empirical results from a comparative Southern European study to show that the participatory practices commonly developed in this area are quite different from some of the common ideas related to deliberation in the English-speaking world. One of the main differences lies in the characteristics of the promoters, since most of them are top-down experiences organized by public authorities. The other main difference lies in the role played by equality concerns, which are quite marginal in most of these processes. In other aspects, like the role of participation professionals or the existence of important inequalities in the participation of different groups of citizens, the experiences developed in this area are not as different from what most of the comparative research has shown.
A probabilistic and timed verification approach of SysML state machine diagram

Timed-constrained and probabilistic verification approaches gain a great importance in system behavior validation. They enable the evaluation of system behavior according to the design requirements and ensure their correctness before any implementation. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic and timed verification framework of State Machine diagrams extended with time and probability features. The approach consists on mapping the extended State Machine diagram to its equivalent probabilistic timed automata that is expressed in PRISM language. To check the functional correctness of the system under test, the properties are expressed in PCTL temporal logic. We demonstrate the approach efficiency by analyzing performability properties on a Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) case study.
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Essential Oils from Five Selected Herbs

Eucalyptus bridgesiana, Cymbopogon martinii, Thymus vulgaris, Lindernia anagallis, and Pelargonium fragrans are five species of herbs used in Asia. Their essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS, and a total of 36 components were detected. The results of our study indicated that, except for the essential oil of P. fragrans, all of the essential oils demonstrated obvious antimicrobial activity against a broad range of microorganisms. The C. martinii essential oil, which is rich in geraniol, was the most effective antimicrobial additive. All of the essential oils demonstrated antioxidant activities on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, β-carotene/linoleic acid assay, and nitric oxide radical scavenging assay. Furthermore, the T. vulgaris essential oil, which possesses plentiful thymol, exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. For P. acnes-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the essential oils of P. aeruginosa, C. martinii, and T. vulgaris reduced the TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 secretion levels of THP-1 cells.
Use of exhaled nitric oxide measurements to guide treatment in chronic asthma.

BACKGROUND International guidelines for the treatment of asthma recommend adjusting the dose of inhaled corticosteroids on the basis of symptoms, bronchodilator requirements, and the results of pulmonary-function tests. Measurements of the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) constitute a noninvasive marker that may be a useful alternative for the adjustment of inhaled-corticosteroid treatment. METHODS In a single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 97 patients with asthma who had been regularly receiving treatment with inhaled corticosteroids to have their corticosteroid dose adjusted, in a stepwise fashion, on the basis of either FE(NO) measurements or an algorithm based on conventional guidelines. After the optimal dose was determined (phase 1), patients were followed up for 12 months (phase 2). The primary outcome was the frequency of exacerbations of asthma; the secondary outcome was the mean daily dose of inhaled corticosteroid. RESULTS Forty-six patients in the FE(NO) group and 48 in the group whose asthma was treated according to conventional guidelines (the control group) completed the study. The final mean daily doses of fluticasone, the inhaled corticosteroid that was used, were 370 microg per day for the FE(NO) group (95 percent confidence interval, 263 to 477) and 641 microg per day for the control group (95 percent confidence interval, 526 to 756; P=0.003), a difference of 270 microg per day (95 percent confidence interval, 112 to 430). The rates of exacerbation were 0.49 episode per patient per year in the FE(NO) group (95 percent confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.78) and 0.90 in the control group (95 percent confidence interval, 0.31 to 1.49), representing a nonsignificant reduction of 45.6 percent (95 percent confidence interval for mean difference, -78.6 percent to 54.5 percent) in the FE(NO) group. There were no significant differences in other markers of asthma control, use of oral prednisone, pulmonary function, or levels of airway inflammation (sputum eosinophils). CONCLUSIONS With the use of FE(NO) measurements, maintenance doses of inhaled corticosteroids may be significantly reduced without compromising asthma control.
Investigation on Mechanism of Creep Corrosion of Immersion Silver Finished Printed Circuit Board by Clay Tests

This paper studies the creep corrosion of immersion silver (ImAg) finished printed circuit board (PCB) under high sulfur environments. Clays containing sulfur were heated with water to simulate high sulfur environment and to drive creep corrosion on ImAg finished pads. Except the silver sulfide film formed on ImAg finish, creep corrosion began by growth of dendrites on pad edges, which was caused by galvanic corrosion. Copper sulfide and silver sulfide were the main components of creep corrosion products. The different coverage extent of ImAg finish on pad edges caused different reaction speed, the morphology and the creep distance of corrosion products, and different content of copper sulfide and silver sulfide in corrosion products. The impact of creep corrosion products on surface insulation resistance (SIR) was measured. Weibull distribution with two parameters was used to analyze the length of dendrites and to quantitatively evaluate the corrosion resistance of ImAg finish. The methods to improve the reliability of ImAg finished PCB was also discussed in the paper.
Gamete donation from couple to couple in the new French law.

In practice, the partners or spouses of gamete donors are frequently asked permission for the donation. The new French law on bioethics of 29 July 1994 requires that: a) the donor should be one of a couple that has already procreated and b) the written consent of the partner or spouse is obtained. These conditions lead not only to several practical problems in the organisation of donor insemination but also reject a large part of the potential donor population. The two basic qualities demanded of the donors, e.g., paternity and stable relationship, are analyzed. It is proposed that only fatherhood should serve as an exclusionary criterion for sperm donation. The donor need not be a part of a couple at the moment of the donation but if he has a partner at that time her opinion should be heard.
Using the theoretical domains framework to identify barriers and enablers to pediatric asthma management in primary care settings

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to apply a theory-based approach to identify barriers and enablers to implementing the Alberta Primary Care Asthma Pediatric Pathway (PCAPP) into clinical practice. Phase 1 included an assessment of assumptions underlying the intervention from the perspectives of the developers. Phase 2 determined the perceived barriers and enablers for: 1) primary care physicians' prescribing practices, 2) allied health care professionals' provision of asthma education to parents, and 3) children and parents' adherence to their treatment plans. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 35 individuals who reside in Alberta, Canada. Phase 1 included three developers. Phase 2 included 11 primary care physicians, 10 allied health care professionals, and 11 parents of children with asthma. Phase 2 interviews were based on the 14 domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Transcribed interviews were analyzed using a directed content analysis. Key assumptions by the developers about the intervention, and beliefs by others about the barriers and enablers of the targeted behaviors were identified. Results: Eight TDF domains mapped onto the assumptions of the pathway as described by the intervention developers. Interviews with health care professionals and parents identified nine TDF domains that influenced the targeted behaviors: knowledge, skills, beliefs about capabilities, social/professional role and identity, beliefs about consequences, environmental context and resources, behavioral regulation, social influences, and emotions. Conclusions: Barriers and enablers perceived by health care professionals and parents that influenced asthma management will inform the optimization of the PCAPP prior to its evaluation.
Proptosis as First Presentation of Graves' Disease

Graves' disease is usually diagnosed as a syndrome of clinical and biochemical features including ophthalmopathy (TAO); the latter occurring in up to 50% of patients with the syndrome. The incidence of TAO is higher in females than in males, as with the parent syndrome (16:2.9 cases per 100 000 people annually). Onset is later in males, who also tend to have more severe cases and poorer prognosis. A 34 year-old male patient initially presented at the Eye Clinic with a three-month history of right-sided proptosis. Main findings were right proptosis of 3 mm, with no lid retraction or lag, nor impairment of vision. He was subsequently referred to the Endocrinology Clinic; there he was diagnosed with Graves' disease and placed on antithyroid medication. Ocular manifestations may be the first signs of Graves' disease, as occurred with this patient.
First Plasma Wave Observations at Uranus

Radio emissions from Uranus were detected by the Voyager 2 plasma wave instrument about 5 days before closest approach at frequencies of 31.1 and 56.2 kilohertz. About 10 hours before closest approach the bow shock was identified by an abrupt broadband burst of electrostatic turbulence at a radial distance of 23.5 Uranus radii. Once Voyager was inside the magnetosphere, strong whistler-mode hiss and chorus emissions were observed at radial distances less than about 8 Uranus radii, in the same region where the energetic particle instruments detected intense fluxes of energetic electrons. Various other plasma waves were also observed in this same region. At the ring plane crossing, the plasma wave instrument detected a large number of impulsive events that are interpreted as impacts of micrometer-sized dust particles on the spacecraft. The maximum impact rate was about 30 to 50 impacts per second, and the north-south thickness of the impact region was about 4000 kilometers.
A comparative assessment of Goan natural solar salt and its adequacy in iodine content and nutritive value

Salt production has been a traditional occupation in Goa. Goa has been exporting salt to several African and Arabian countries during the post-medieval period and presently, has only sixteen active salterns. This salt is consumed as well as used for various commercial purposes by the local Goan population. However, today a myth exists that our natural salt is devoid of iodine. Hence a majority of the local communities of Goa are now shifting from their centuries old practice of using natural salt to refined salt available in the markets. Therefore, inorder to probe the contentions of this myth we have sampled salt from five solar salterns in different localities of North of Goa viz. Ribandar, Batim in Tiswadi; Agarwaddo in Pernem, Nerul and Arpora in Bardez taluka for a comparative study of iodine and bacterial load. SEM-EDS studies on salt quality show the presence of various trace elements. The iodine content and the stability of natural salt is comparable to the commercial brands of refined salts available in the market. Most importantly, bacterial pathogens have been below detectable limits. We, therefore, infer that salts produced from the solar salterns of Goa, besides including various micronutrients is sufficient in iodine content. Of all the samples studied, Arpora salt is comparatively of the best quality.
A 12-36GHz PHEMT MMIC balanced frequency tripler

A novel configuration of balanced frequency InGaAs pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) tripler is proposed. A resonant LC filter is used to eliminate the fundamental frequency and a phase delay line is employed to suppress the second harmonic. The separation of the independent phase shifters makes the tripler more compact and flexible. The conversion loss of the tripler operating from 12 to 36GHz is less than 9.4dB at 9-dBm input power. As compared to the third-harmonic frequency, the fundamental frequency is suppressed more than 21.4dB while for the second harmonic is more than 22.3dB at 36GHz
COHERENCE PROPERTIES OF THE ODD HARMONICS OF THE RADIATION FROM SASE FEL WITH PLANAR UNDULATOR

We present analysis of coherence properties of odd harmonics radiated from a SASE FEL with planar undulator. Nonlinear mechanism of harmonic generation is under study. Temporal and space correlation functions, coherence time and degree of transverse coherence are calculated by means of numerical simulations with the code FAST. Similarity techniques have been used to derive general coherence properties of the radiation from optimized x-ray FEL operating in the saturation regime.
Urocortin Expression in Rat Brain: Evidence Against a Pervasive Relationship of Urocortin‐Containing Projections With Targets Bearing Type 2 CRF Receptors

Histochemical and axonal transport methods were used to clarify the central organization of cells and fibers that express urocortin (UCN), a recently discovered corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF)‐related neuropeptide, which has been proposed as an endogenous ligand for type 2 CRF receptors (CRF‐R2). Neurons that display both UCN mRNA and peptide expression were found to be centered in the Edinger‐Westphal (EW), lateral superior olivary (LSO), and supraoptic nuclei; lower levels of expression are seen in certain cranial nerve and spinal motoneurons and in small populations of neurons in the forebrain. Additional sites of UCN mRNA and peptide expression detected only in colchicine‐treated rats are considered to be minor ones. UCN‐immunoreactive projections in brain are predominantly descending and largely consistent with central projections attributed to the EW and LSO, targeting principally accessory optic, precerebellar, and auditory structures, as well as the spinal intermediate gray. Although neither the EW nor LSO are known to project to the forebrain, UCN‐ir neurons in the EW were identified that project to the lateral septal nucleus, which houses a prominent UCN‐ir terminal field. Although substantial UCN‐ir projections were observed to several brainstem cell groups that express CRF‐R2, including the dorsal raphe and interpeduncular nuclei and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), most prominent seats of CRF‐R2 expression were found to contain inputs immunopositive for piscine urotensin I, but not rat UCN. The results define a central UCN system whose organization suggests a principal involvement in motor control and sensorimotor integration; its participation in stress‐related mechanisms would appear to derive principally by virtue of projections to the spinal intermediolateral column, the NTS, and the paraventricular nucleus. Several observations, including the lack of a pervasive relationship of UCN‐ir projections with CRF‐R2‐expressing targets, support the existence of still additional CRF‐related peptides in mammalian brain. J. Comp. Neurol. 415:285–312, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fissured Fibrous Cap of Vulnerable Carotid Plaques and Symptomaticity: Are They Correlated? Preliminary Results by Using Multi-Detector-Row CT Angiography

Purpose: Carotid artery plaque with a disrupted fibrous cap is characterized by a higher tendency to rupture, resulting in a higher rate of transitory ischemic attack and stroke. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether there is a statistically significant correlation between the presence of fissured fibrous cap (FFC) (assessed by using multi-detector-row CT angiography (MDCTA)) and ipsilateral symptomaticity. Material and Methods: 147 patients (105 males, 42 females; mean age 63 years, range 37–84) with a stenosis of at least 50% or a plaque alteration at sonography were retrospectively studied, yielding a total of 294 carotid arteries, by using a multi-detector-row CT (MDCT) scanner. A search for detection of FFC and a correlation with previously registered data about patients’ symptomaticity by using statistical assessment were performed. Each examination was assessed independently by two readers and interobserver agreement was calculated. Results: Among the 147 patients included in the study group, 15 were excluded because of inadequate quality images. In the 132 remaining patients, for a total of 264 carotids assessed, 30 FFCs were detected by using MDCTA and overall there were 36 symptomatic patients (12 ipsilateral symptomatic patients with FFC). A statistical correlation between the presence of FFC and symptomaticity (p = 0.0032) was found. The κ value between readers was 0.781. Conclusions: MDCT may depict FFC and the results of our study suggest that FFC may be used as an indicator for prediction of potential cerebrovascular pathology. The interobserver agreement obtained was good.
High performance atomic-layer-deposited LaLuO3/Ge-on-insulator p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor with thermally grown GeO2 as interfacial passivation layer

Enhancement-mode p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) on germanium-on-insulator substrate is fabricated with atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) LaLuO3 as gate dielectric. Significant improvement in both on-state current and effective hole mobility has been observed for devices with thermal GeO2 passivation. The negative threshold voltage (VT) shift in devices with GeO2 interfacial layer (IL) further demonstrates the effectiveness of surface passivation. Results from low temperature mobility characterization show that phonon scattering is the dominant scattering mechanism at a large inversion charge, indicating good interface quality. The combination of higher-k LaLuO3 and ultrathin GeO2 IL is a promising solution to the tradeoff between the aggressive equivalent oxide thickness scaling and good interface quality.
Effects of Actinomycete Secondary Metabolites on Sediment Microbial Communities

ABSTRACT Marine sediments harbor complex microbial communities that remain poorly studied relative to other biomes such as seawater. Moreover, bacteria in these communities produce antibiotics and other bioactive secondary metabolites, yet little is known about how these compounds affect microbial community structure. In this study, we used next-generation amplicon sequencing to assess native microbial community composition in shallow tropical marine sediments. The results revealed complex communities comprised of largely uncultured taxa, with considerable spatial heterogeneity and known antibiotic producers comprising only a small fraction of the total diversity. Organic extracts from cultured strains of the sediment-dwelling actinomycete genus Salinispora were then used in mesocosm studies to address how secondary metabolites shape sediment community composition. We identified predatory bacteria and other taxa that were consistently reduced in the extract-treated mesocosms, suggesting that they may be the targets of allelopathic interactions. We tested related taxa for extract sensitivity and found general agreement with the culture-independent results. Conversely, several taxa were enriched in the extract-treated mesocosms, suggesting that some bacteria benefited from the interactions. The results provide evidence that bacterial secondary metabolites can have complex and significant effects on sediment microbial communities. IMPORTANCE Ocean sediments represent one of Earth's largest and most poorly studied biomes. These habitats are characterized by complex microbial communities where competition for space and nutrients can be intense. This study addressed the hypothesis that secondary metabolites produced by the sediment-inhabiting actinomycete Salinispora arenicola affect community composition and thus mediate interactions among competing microbes. Next-generation amplicon sequencing of mesocosm experiments revealed complex communities that shifted following exposure to S. arenicola extracts. The results reveal that certain predatory bacteria were consistently less abundant following exposure to extracts, suggesting that microbial metabolites mediate competitive interactions. Other taxa increased in relative abundance, suggesting a benefit from the extracts themselves or the resulting changes in the community. This study takes a first step toward assessing the impacts of bacterial metabolites on sediment microbial communities. The results provide insight into how low-abundance organisms may help structure microbial communities in ocean sediments.
A haplotype map of the human genome The International HapMap Consortium

Inherited genetic variation has a critical but as yet largely uncharacterized role in human disease. Here we report a public database of common variation in the human genome: more than one million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for which accurate and complete genotypes have been obtained in 269 DNA samples from four populations, including ten 500-kilobase regions in which essentially all information about common DNA variation has been extracted. These data document the generality of recombination hotspots, a block-like structure of linkage disequilibrium and low haplotype diversity, leading to substantial correlations of SNPs with many of their neighbours. We show how the HapMap resource can guide the design and analysis of genetic association studies, shed light on structural variation and recombination, and identify loci that may have been subject to natural selection during human evolution.