Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM)

Spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) is a novel, magnetic memory technology that leverages the base platform established by an existing 100+nm node memory product called MRAM to enable a scalable nonvolatile memory solution for advanced process nodes. STT-MRAM features fast read and write times, small cell sizes of 6F2 and potentially even smaller, and compatibility with existing DRAM and SRAM architecture with relatively small associated cost added. STT-MRAM is essentially a magnetic multilayer resistive element cell that is fabricated as an additional metal layer on top of conventional CMOS access transistors. In this review we give an overview of the existing STT-MRAM technologies currently in research and development across the world, as well as some specific discussion of results obtained at Grandis and with our foundry partners. We will show that in-plane STT-MRAM technology, particularly the DMTJ design, is a mature technology that meets all conventional requirements for an STT-MRAM cell to be a nonvolatile solution matching DRAM and/or SRAM drive circuitry. Exciting recent developments in perpendicular STT-MRAM also indicate that this type of STT-MRAM technology may reach maturity faster than expected, allowing even smaller cell size and product introduction at smaller nodes.
Binary Toxin Production in Clostridium difficile Is Regulated by CdtR, a LytTR Family Response Regulator

ABSTRACT Clostridium difficile binary toxin (CDT) is an actin-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase that is produced by various C. difficile isolates, including the “hypervirulent” NAP1/027 epidemic strains. In contrast to the two major toxins from C. difficile, toxin A and toxin B, little is known about the role of CDT in virulence or how C. difficile regulates its production. In this study we have shown that in addition to the cdtA and cdtB toxin structural genes, a functional cdt locus contains a third gene, here designated cdtR, which is predicted to encode a response regulator. By introducing functional binary toxin genes into cdtR+ and cdtR-negative strains of C. difficile, it was established that the CdtR protein was required for optimal expression of binary toxin. Significantly increased expression of functional binary toxin was observed in the presence of a functional cdtR gene; an internal deletion within cdtR resulted in a reduction in binary toxin production to basal levels. Strains that did not carry intact cdtAB genes or cdtAB pseudogenes also did not have cdtR, with the entire cdt locus, or CdtLoc, being replaced by a conserved 68-bp sequence. These studies have shown for the first time that binary toxin production is subject to strict regulatory control by the response regulator CdtR, which is a member of the LytTR family of response regulators and is related to the AgrA protein from Staphylococcus aureus.
Identification of significant compounds of agarwood incense smoke different qualities using Z-Score

This paper presents the proposed Z-Score in identifying the significant chemical compounds of agarwood incense smoke. The technique is applied to commercial, low and high quality of agarwood samples and the extraction of the compounds were performed by gas chromatography - flame ion detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with solid phase microextraction (SPME) analysis. The Z-Score has successfully identified eight significant compounds in those qualities of agarwood smoke. They are β-maaliene, nor-ketoagarofuran, epoxybulnesene, 10-epi-γ-eudesmol, agarospirol, α-eudesmol, epi-α-bisabolol and rotundone. Among all, epoxybulnesene gave the highest abundant of 14.81%. The finding from this study showed that the chemical compounds for agarwood smoke is varied depending on their qualities. The identified compounds are useful for further study in agarwood smoke quality grading analysis.
Seismotectonics of the Nicaraguan Depression from Recent Seismicity

After 9 years without significant earthquakes’ occurrence in the Nicaraguan Depression, in the period 2014-2016 have occurred 2 events with magnitude bigger than 6 and several with magnitude bigger than 5 together with a lot of less magnitude events. In this work an analysis of spatial-temporal behaviour of every cluster has been provided, including epicentres’ relocation and time history analysis of slip in the focus for earthquake of April 10th, 2014. Additionally there have been determined the moment tensors of bigger earthquakes inside every cluster. The earthquakes held toward the centre of the depression align along NE-SW trending faults and show predominantly left lateral strike-slip movement, while the ones in the inner border align N-S and show a normal mechanism behaviour. Based in obtained results, summing the data of moment tensors of past earthquakes from global databases, and with the consideration of other evidences about geology and tectonics of the study area, it is provided a seismotectonic interpretation of those results as a proposal of a seismotectonic model for Nicaraguan Depression. The proposal includes Mmax estimations and criteria about the more probable foci of future middle size earthquakes in the Nicaraguan Depression. Seismotectonics of the Nicaraguan Depression from Recent Seismicity
Effects of Prior Intensive Versus Conventional Therapy and History of Glycemia on Cardiac Function in Type 1 Diabetes in the DCCT/EDIC

Intensive diabetes therapy reduces the prevalence of coronary calcification and progression of atherosclerosis and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study. The effects of intensive therapy on measures of cardiac function and structure and their association with glycemia have not been explored in type 1 diabetes (T1DM). We assess whether intensive treatment compared with conventional treatment during the DCCT led to differences in these parameters during EDIC. After 6.5 years of intensive versus conventional therapy in the DCCT, and 15 years of additional follow-up in EDIC, left ventricular (LV) indices were measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in 1,017 of the 1,371 members of the DCCT cohort. There were no differences between the DCCT intensive versus conventional treatment in end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), LV mass, ejection fraction, LV mass/EDV, or aortic distensibility (AD). Mean DCCT/EDIC HbA1c over time was associated with EDV, SV, CO, LV mass, LV mass/EDV, and AD. These associations persisted after adjustment for CVD risk factors. Cardiac function and remodeling in T1DM assessed by CMR in the EDIC cohort was associated with prior glycemic exposure, but there was no effect of intensive versus conventional treatment during the DCCT on cardiac parameters.
Patient Knowledge and Expectations for Functional Recovery After Stroke

Stein J, Shafqat S, Doherty D, Frates EP, Furie KL: Patient knowledge and expectations for functional recovery after stroke. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2003;82:591–596. ObjectiveUnderstanding the causes and outcomes of stroke is important for stroke survivors and may affect their success in rehabilitation and their risk of recurrent stroke; therefore, this study was performed to assess the knowledge and expectation of functional recovery in stroke patients undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation. DesignSurvey study of 50 consecutive stroke patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation at a single urban rehabilitation hospital. ResultsForty-six percent of participants were able to correctly identify whether they had sustained a cerebral infarct or hemorrhage. Rehabilitation length of stay was, on average, 1 wk longer than anticipated by patients. Patients overestimated their functional abilities on initial assessment and at discharge compared with staff assessments, with some improvement in accuracy for discharge predictions. Ninety-four percent of participants expected to be discharged home, and most achieved this goal. Although no participant anticipated discharge to a nursing home, 10% of patients were discharged to this location. ConclusionsKnowledge of stroke and its treatment was limited, and expectations for recovery tended to exceed actual accomplishments. There are significant areas of opportunity for enhanced educational efforts for stroke patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation.
The Characteristics of Marine Fog Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador

A workshop on Metocean Monitoring and Forecasting for the Newfoundland & Labrador Offshore held 22-24 September 2014, identified reduced visibility in fog and high seas as being the most significant metocean issues affecting operations in this area. The recommendations of this Workshop helped in forming the workscope of a multi-phase Metocean Research and Development Project which is currently ongoing. The area offshore Newfoundland & Labrador has one of the highest frequency of fog worldwide (Dorman et al., 2017). The fog usually covers a large area and can persist for days.
Plasma and urinary melatonin in male infants during the first 12 months of life

Testosterone (T) and LH secretions during the first 3 months of life are well documented. In view to investigate possible changes of melatonin (MEL) secretion during this period, 26 normal male infants aged 15 days to 12 months were studied. MEL was measured by radio-immunoassay in blood samples taken at 5.a. m and in 24 hours urine samples collected during the same day. Additionally, plasma T and urinary T and LH were measured. Plasma MEL was undetectable or low up to 3 months of age, and increased later with individual values ranging from 0.4 to 6.5 nmol/l. The trend of variation of T and LH was opposite to that of melatonin. During these two periods, urinary native melatonin mean concentrations were 0.13 and 0.08 nmol/kg/24 hours respectively, without significant difference. These data demonstrate that plasma MEL is low at the time of post natal T and LH rise in male infants and increases later when testicular activity falls.
Chemo-mechanical pushing of proteins along single-stranded DNA

Significance Cellular processes take place in dynamic, crowded environments. Single-stranded DNA binding (SSB) proteins are ubiquitous in cells, serving to protect the transient single-stranded (ss)DNA formed during DNA replication, recombination, and repair and recruit numerous other proteins to the ssDNA. SSBs must be displaced or otherwise moved in order for DNA to be replicated or repaired. The motor protein activity of ssDNA translocases could serve in this capacity to facilitate directional movement of SSBs along ssDNA. In this work, we show that high-affinity SSBs can be moved directionally along ssDNA and eventually displaced via the ATP-driven action of ssDNA translocases. This process occurs via nonspecific chemo-mechanical pushing of the SSB along the ssDNA in the direction of translocation. Single-stranded (ss)DNA binding (SSB) proteins bind with high affinity to ssDNA generated during DNA replication, recombination, and repair; however, these SSBs must eventually be displaced from or reorganized along the ssDNA. One potential mechanism for reorganization is for an ssDNA translocase (ATP-dependent motor) to push the SSB along ssDNA. Here we use single molecule total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to detect such pushing events. When Cy5-labeled Escherichia coli (Ec) SSB is bound to surface-immobilized 3′-Cy3–labeled ssDNA, a fluctuating FRET signal is observed, consistent with random diffusion of SSB along the ssDNA. Addition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1, a 5′ to 3′ ssDNA translocase, results in the appearance of isolated, irregularly spaced saw-tooth FRET spikes only in the presence of ATP. These FRET spikes result from translocase-induced directional (5′ to 3′) pushing of the SSB toward the 3′ ssDNA end, followed by displacement of the SSB from the DNA end. Similar ATP-dependent pushing events, but in the opposite (3′ to 5′) direction, are observed with EcRep and EcUvrD (both 3′ to 5′ ssDNA translocases). Simulations indicate that these events reflect active pushing by the translocase. The ability of translocases to chemo-mechanically push heterologous SSB proteins along ssDNA provides a potential mechanism for reorganization and clearance of tightly bound SSBs from ssDNA.
Cancer Therapy : Clinical Interleukin-6 as a Therapeutic Target in Human Ovarian Cancer

Purpose: We investigated whether inhibition of interleukin 6 (IL-6) has therapeutic activity in ovarian cancer via abrogation of a tumor-promoting cytokine network. Experimental Design:We combined preclinical and in silico experiments with a phase 2 clinical trial of the anti-IL-6 antibody siltuximab in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Results: Automated immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays from 221 ovarian cancer cases showed that intensity of IL-6 staining in malignant cells significantly associated with poor prognosis. Treatment of ovarian cancer cells with siltuximab reduced constitutive cytokine and chemokine production and also inhibited IL-6 signaling, tumor growth, the tumor-associated macrophage infiltrate and angiogenesis in IL-6–producing intraperitoneal ovarian cancer xenografts. In the clinical trial, the primary endpoint was response rate as assessed by combined RECIST and CA125 criteria. One patient of eighteen evaluable had a partial response, while seven others had periods of disease stabilization. In patients treated for 6 months, there was a significant decline in plasma levels of IL-6–regulated CCL2, CXCL12, and VEGF. Gene expression levels of factors that were reduced by siltuximab treatment in the patients significantly correlated with high IL-6 pathway gene expression and macrophage markers in microarray analyses of ovarian cancer biopsies. Conclusion: IL-6 stimulates inflammatory cytokine production, tumor angiogenesis, and the tumor macrophage infiltrate in ovarian cancer and these actions can be inhibited by a neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibody in preclinical and clinical studies. Clin Cancer Res; 17(18); 6083–96. 2011 AACR.
Nutritional State during COPD Exacerbation: Clinical and Prognostic Implications

Aims: To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients hospitalized for exacerbation and to evaluate its clinical and prognostic influence on the exacerbation. Subjects/Methods: The subjects were 78 consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe COPD who were admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of exacerbation. Nutritional status was assessed by means of body mass index (BMI), bioelectric impedance analysis and levels of plasmatic albumin. Previous spirometry, 6-min walk test, severity of the exacerbation, days of hospitalization and readmission in the following 3 months were also evaluated. Results: Malnutrition [BMI <20 or fat-free mass (FFM) index ≤16] occurred in 38% of patients, while in 40% the involuntary weight loss revealed a malnutrition risk and in 18% patients the plasmatic albumin levels were <3 g/dl. FFM was correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity and distance walked in 6 min. Number of days of hospitalization were related to FFM, muscle mass, BMI and albumin. The patients readmitted in the following 3 months had less FFM than the patients who were not readmitted. Conclusions: The high prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized COPD patients is related to their lung function and exercise tolerance. Moreover, nutritional parameters during exacerbation are related to length of hospitalization and readmission.
Hypothalamic Melanocortin Receptors and Chronic Regulation of Arterial Pressure and Renal Function

Abstract—This study examined control of cardiovascular and renal function during chronic melanocortin-3/4 receptor (MC3/4-R) activation or inhibition. Arterial and venous catheters were implanted in Sprague-Dawley rats for measurements of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) 24 h/d and for intravenous infusions, and the lateral ventricle was cannulated for chronic intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions. In experiment 1, after a 5-day control period, rats were administered the MC3/4-R agonist MTII (n=7, 10 ng/h ICV) or 0.9% saline (n=6, ICV) for 14 days, followed by a 5-day recovery period. In experiment 2, after a 5-day control period, rats were administered the MC3/4-R antagonist SHU-9119 (n=7, 1 nmol/h ICV) or 0.9% saline vehicle (n=7, ICV), or pair-fed during SHU-9119 infusion (n=5, 1 nmol/h ICV) for 12 days, followed by a 5-day recovery period. MC4-R activation transiently decreased food intake from 23±1 to 10±2 g/d. Despite the hypophagia, MC3/4-R activation increased MAP by 7±1 mm Hg. MC3/4-R inhibition for 12 days increased food intake from 21±1 to 35±4 g/d, decreased HR by 53±11 bpm, and caused no change in MAP despite the marked weight gain. In rats that were pair-fed to prevent increased food intake, MC3/4-R inhibition further decreased HR (−87±9 bpm), whereas MAP was unchanged. Thus, chronic hypothalamic MC3/4-R activation raises arterial pressure despite decreased food intake, whereas MC3/4-R inhibition causes marked weight gain without raising arterial pressure. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that an intact hypothalamic MC3/4-R may be necessary for excess weight gain to raise arterial pressure.
Job Insecurity

We examine the relationship between job security and productivity in a fixed wage worker­firm relationship facing match quality uncertainty. The worker’s action affects both learning and current productivity. The firm, seeing worker behavior and outcomes, makes a firing decision. As bad news accrues, the firm cannot commit to retain the worker. This creates perverse incentives: the worker strat egically slows learning, harming productivity. We fully characterize the unique equilibrium in our continuous time game. Consistent with some evidence in organizational psychology, the relationship between job insecurity and productivity is U shaped: a worker is least productive when his job is moderately secure. (JEL J23, J24, J63, M51)
Human Neuroscience

Things become even more complicated when two very different tasks are learned in sequence. For example, in sequential adaptation to visuomotor rotation and inertial load perturbations, Krakauer et al. (1999) reported lack of interference and attributed the results to task differences in sensory channels and error coding which precluded confl ict in corrective motor adjustments. On the other hand, these two tasks were found to interfere with each other giving rise to the kinematic-parameter hypothesis that predicts interference when the perturbations are based on the same kinematic parameter, e.g. hand position (Flanagan et al., 1999; Tong et al., 2002). A later study disputed this hypothesis by showing partial interference between velocity-dependent and position-dependent force fi elds, supporting the opposing motor adjustments hypothesis (Bays et al., 2005). To date, these results still cast ambiguity as for the roots of interference. It is now generally accepted that the central nervous system represents the series of transformations between sensory signals and motor commands during movement generation as internal models (Kawato, 1999; Wolpert and Ghahramani, 2000). Observation of the patterns of interactions in sequential adaptations provides a window to understand how multiple internal models may be generated and interact with each other. This is particularly important because prior history of learning has been shown to infl uence adaptation
Avian exposure and risk of lung cancer in women in Missouri: population based case-control study

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association, previously reported in three European studies, between ownership of pet birds and the risk of lung cancer. Design: A population based case-control study with a structured questionnaire administered by telephone. Setting: Missouri, a midwestern state in the United States with a population of about 5 million. Subjects: All newly diagnosed cases of primary lung cancer in women aged 30–84 years in Missouri from 1 January 1993 to 31 January 1994 reported to the state cancer registry were invited to participate (n = 652); and 629 population based controls. Main outcome measures: Odds ratios were computed in relation to whether or not the study subject ever kept pet birds, the type of bird kept, and several measures of intensity or duration of exposure. Odds ratios were adjusted for smoking. Results: The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the development of lung cancer associated with keeping pet birds was 0.84 (0.65 to 1.09). The results were similar for the type of pet bird kept, the number of birds kept, the location of the bird in the house, and the duration of ownership. Conclusion: The keeping of pet birds carries no excess risk for the development of lung cancer. Key messages A population based case-control study of lung cancer among women in Missouri was conducted with detailed questions about the duration of bird ownership, the number and type of birds owned, and where in the home the birds were kept The study in Missouri was larger than previously conducted studies and had extensive information on other risk factors for lung cancer No excess risk was found with any measure of exposure to birds The association previously reported may not be due intrinsically to birds
MicroRNA-145: a potent tumour suppressor that regulates multiple cellular pathways

MicroRNAs are endogenous, small (18–25 nucleotides) non‐coding RNAs, which regulate genes expression by directly binding to the 3′‐untranslated regions of the target messenger RNAs. Emerging evidence shows that alteration of microRNAs is involved in cancer development. MicroRNA‐145 is commonly down‐regulated in many types of cancer, regulating various cellular processes, such as the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis and invasion, by targeting multiple oncogenes. This review aims to summarize the recent published literature on the role of microRNA‐145 in regulating tumourigenesis and progression, and explore its potential for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Factors Influencing The Six-Month Mortality Rate In Patients With A Hip Fracture

Abstract Background There are several potential risk factors in patients with a hip fracture for a higher rate of mortality that include: comorbid disorders, poor general health, age, male gender, poor mobility prior to injury, type of fracture, poor cognitive status, place of residence. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of potential risk factors for six-month mortality in hip fracture patients. Methods The study included all patients with a hip fracture older than 65 who had been admitted to the Clinic for orthopaedic surgery during one year. One hundred and ninety-two patients were included in the study. Results Six months after admission due to a hip fracture, 48 patients had died (6-month mortality rate was 25%). The deceased were statistically older than the patients who had survived. Univariate regression analysis indicated that six variables had a significant effect on hip fracture patients’ survival: age, mobility prior to the fracture, poor cognitive status, activity of daily living, comorbidities and the place where they had fallen. Multivariate regression modelling showed that the following factors were independently associated with mortality at 6 months post fracture: poor cognitive status, poor mobility prior to the fracture, comorbid disease. Conclusion Poor cognitive status appeared to be the strongest mortality predictor. The employment of brief tests for cognitive status evaluation would enable orthopaedists to have good criteria for the choice of treatment for each patient screened.