Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tobacco‐specific nitrosamines in smokeless tobacco products marketed in India

Smokeless tobacco products are a known cause of oral cancer in India. Carcinogenic tobacco‐specific nitrosamines in these products are believed to be at least partially responsible for cancer induction, but there have been no recent analyses of their amounts. We quantified levels of 4 tobacco‐specific nitrosamines, N′‐nitrosonornicotine (NNN), N′‐nitrosoanatabine (NAT), N′‐nitrosoanabasine (NAB) and 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK), in 32 products marketed currently in India. Levels of nitrate, nitrite and nicotine were also determined. The highest levels of tobacco‐specific nitrosamines were found in certain brands of khaini, zarda and other smokeless tobacco products. Concentrations of NNN and NNK in these products ranged from 1.74–76.9 and 0.08–28.4 μg/g, respectively. Levels of tobacco‐specific nitrosamines in gutka were generally somewhat lower than in these products, but still considerably higher than nitrosamine levels in food. Tobacco‐specific nitrosamines were rarely detected in supari, which does not contain tobacco, or in tooth powders. The results of our study demonstrate that exposure to substantial amounts of carcinogenic tobacco‐specific nitrosamines through use of smokeless tobacco products remains a major problem in India. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Fail-Silent Reconfigurable Superscalar Processor

We propose a reconfigurable superscalar processor with two modes of operation: In safety mode the two pipelines run in lock step, executing the same instruction sequence, thus allowing to detect hardware failures. In performance mode different instruction streams are executed in parallel, just like in a standard superscalar processor. Considering that many embedded applications comprise a mixture of safety-critical and non safety-critical functions, the ability to dynamically switch between the two modes allows an efficient utilization of the duplicated pipeline. To complement the error detection enabled by the duplicated pipeline, non-duplicated components such as the register file are secured by parity. A systematic failure analysis shows that the proposed implementation can indeed detect all single faults in safety mode and that the ability to switch modes does not compromise the fail safe property. These encouraging results are finally confirmed by extensive fault injection experiments.
Microwave-Assisted Rapid Extracellular Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Carom Seed (Trachyspermum copticum) Extract and in Vitro Studies

Microwave-assisted rapid extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out by using carom seed (Trachyspermum copticum) extract as the reducing agent. The reaction mixture containing AgNO3 and carom seed extract when exposed to microwave irradiation resulted in reducing silver ions to bio-functionalized silver nanoparticles of size 6- 50 nm. The AgNP were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Themogravimetric analysis (TGA) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are used to understand the possible mechanism of biosynthesis. In this study, we have also investigated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of bio-functionalized AgNP. The antibacterial activity is investigated by measuring the zone of inhibition and antioxidant study is done using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) method.
Mixed-integer linear programming framework for max-min power control with single-stage interference cancellation

We consider a wireless network comprising a number of mutually-interfering links. We study the transmit power control problem that determines the egalitarian signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio under a novel setup. Namely, we assume that the receivers have multiuser detection capability, which enables decoding and cancellation of the interference, when it is strong enough. Determining the interference terms that can be cancelled is a combinatorial problem, which is intertwined with the power control problem. We propose a mixed-integer linear programming framework that jointly solves these problems optimally, using off-the-shelf algorithms. We illustrate with a simulation result the merit of the novel approach against the conventional one that precludes interference cancellation.
Road pricing vs. peak-avoidance rewards: A comparison of two Dutch studies

The aim of this paper is comparing two congestion management schemes – road-pricing and peak avoidance rewarding and their impacts on changing commuter behaviour based on two very different Dutch studies. The road-pricing study is stated-preference based whereas rewarding was investigated in the context of a longitudinal field experiment. Given the substantial differences in data sources and analytical techniques applied beforehand, the comparison is conducted at an indicative level. In line with psychological theory, rewarding seems to be more effective in diverting commuting trips from the peak period. In both cases the most popular alternative to peak-driving is off-peak driving. Most of the change in behaviour is attributed to introducing the new measure, whereas the impact of different price/reward levels is marginally decreasing in sensitivity and effectiveness. The short and long run implications of these findings on the implementation policy of both measures are further discussed.
Cellular properties of principal neurons in the rat entorhinal cortex. I. The lateral entorhinal cortex

The lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) provides a major cortical input to the hippocampal formation, equaling that of the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). To understand the functional contributions made by LEC, basic knowledge of individual neurons, in the context of the intrinsic network, is needed. The aim of this study is to compare physiological and morphological properties of principal neurons in different LEC layers in postnatal rats. Using in vitro whole cell current‐clamp recordings from up to four post hoc morphologically identified neurons simultaneously, we established that principal neurons show layer specific physiological and morphological properties, similar to those reported previously in adults. Principal neurons in L(ayer) I, LII, and LIII have the majority of their dendrites and axonal collaterals alone in superficial layers. LV contains mainly pyramidal neurons with dendrites and axons extending throughout all layers. A minority of LV and all principal neurons in LVI are neurons with dendrites confined to deep layers and axons in superficial and deep layers. Physiologically, input resistances and time constants of LII neurons are lower and shorter, respectively, than those observed in LV neurons. Fifty‐four percent of LII neurons have sag potentials, resonance properties, and rebounds at the offset of hyperpolarizing current injection, whereas LIII and LVI neurons do not have any of these. LV neurons show prominent spike‐frequency adaptation and a decrease in spike amplitudes in response to strong depolarization. Despite the well‐developed interlaminar communication in LEC, the laminar differences in the biophysical and morphological properties of neurons suggest that their in vivo firing patterns and functions differ, similar to what is known for neurons in different MEC layers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of common dermatophytes (Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton) using polymerase chain reactions

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting detected DNA polymorphisms among frequently isolated species and strains of the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. The patterns generated by this DNA‐based method permitted species and strains to be identified. The conventional methods to identify dermatophytes rely on the expression of characteristic morphological features, as well as several physiological properties. Identification is often delayed or problematic because isolates may be slow to form conidia or produce atypical microscopic structures or colony appearances. Using non‐specific primers such as (AC)10, (GTG)5, M13 core sequence and AP3, characteristic PCR profiles were generated for 17 species. Intraspecies variables were also observed for four of six varieties of T. mentagrophytes, whereas no detectable DNA variability was found within the three varieties of T. tonsurans. Comparing species‐specific PCR fingerprints of clinical isolates with those of type strains, species could be identified by their PCR fingerprints, even if they could not be identified by the accepted phenotypic characteristics.
130nm InP DHBTs with ft >0.52THz and fmax >1.1THz

We report results from a 130nm Indium Phosphide (InP) double heterojunction bipolar transistor (DHBT) technology. A 0.13×2µm<sup>2</sup> transistor exhibits a current gain cutoff frequency ft >520GHz, with a simultaneous extrapolated power gain cutoff frequency f<inf>max</inf>>1.1THz. The HBTs exhibit these RF figures-of-merit while maintaining a common-emitter breakdown voltage BV<inf>CEO</inf>=3.5V (J<inf>E</inf>=10µA/µm<sup>2</sup>). Additionally, scaling of the emitter junction length to 2µm enables high device performance at low total power levels. Transistors in the InGaAs/InP material system have demonstrated the highest reported transistor RF figures-of-merit. Previous published results include strained-InGaAs channel high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with f<inf>max</inf> of >1THz [1,2], and InP DHBTs with f<inf>max</inf> >800GHz [3]. High bandwidth DHBTs have applications in a number of RF and mixed-signal applications due to their high power handling and high levels of integration relative to HEMTs. The HBTs reported in this work are designed for transceiver applications at the lower end of the THz frequency band [0.3–3 THz].
Practical scalability assesment for parallel scientific numerical applications

The concept of scalability analysis of numerical parallel applications has been revisited, with the specific goals defined for the performance estimation of research applications. A series of Community Climate Model System (CCSM) numerical simulations were used to test the several MPI implementations, determine optimal use of the system resources, and their scalability. The scaling capacity and model throughput performance metrics for $N$ cores showed a log-linear behavior approximated by a power fit in the form of $C(N)=bN^a$, where $a$ and $b$ are two empirical constants. Different metrics yielded identical power coefficients ($a$), but different dimensionality coefficients ($b$). This model was consistent except for the large numbers of N. The power fit approach appears to be very useful for scalability estimates, especially when no serial testing is possible. Scalability analysis of additional scientific application has been conducted in the similar way to validate the robustness of the power fit approach.
Pathogenesis of Yersinia pestis Infection in BALB/c Mice: Effects on Host Macrophages and Neutrophils

ABSTRACT The pathogenesis of infection with Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, was examined following subcutaneous infection of BALB/c mice with a fully virulent strain expressing green fluorescent protein. Plate culturing, flow cytometry, and laser confocal microscopy of spleen homogenates throughout infection revealed three discernible stages of infection. The early phase was characterized by the presence of a small number of intracellular bacteria mostly within CD11b+ macrophages and Ly-6G+ neutrophils. These bacteria were not viable, as determined by plate culturing of spleen homogenates, until day 2 postinfection. Between days 2 and 4 postinfection, a plateau phase was observed, with bacterial burdens of 103 to 104 CFU per spleen. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that there was even distribution of Y. pestis within both CD11b+ macrophage and Ly-6G+ neutrophil populations on day 2 postinfection. However, from day 3 postinfection onward, intracellular bacteria were observed exclusively within splenic CD11b+ macrophages. The late phase of infection, between days 4 and 5 postinfection, was characterized by a rapid increase in bacterial numbers, as well as escape of bacteria into the extracellular compartment. Annexin V staining of spleens indicated that a large proportion of splenic neutrophils underwent rapid apoptosis on days 1 and 2 postinfection. Fewer macrophages underwent apoptosis during the same period. Our data suggest that during the early stages of Y. pestis infection, splenic neutrophils are responsible for limiting the growth of Y. pestis and that splenic macrophages provide safe intracellular shelters within which Y. pestis is able to grow and escape during the later stages of infection. This macrophage compliance can be overcome in vitro by stimulation with a combination of gamma interferon and tumor necrosis factor alpha.
On Analyzing Quasi-Cyclic LDPC Codes Over Modified Welch–Costas-Coded Optical CDMA System

A modified Welch-Costas (MWC) code family for the spectral-amplitude-coding (SAC) optical code-division multiple-access (OCDMA) system is proposed. On utilizing the property of the MWC codes, more compact coder/decoders can be realized via waveguide and fiber gratings. This system has a superior performance as compared to the previous Walsh-Hadamard-coded OCDMA system. In addition, we propose a new class of quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check (QC-LDPC) codes to improve the transmission performance over the MWC-coded OCDMA system when the data rate is high. Simulation results show that the coding gain of the proposed QC-LDPC codes is larger than that of the Reed-Solomon codes, and the performance of the MWC-coded OCDMA system can be greatly improved by these QC-LDPC codes when data rate is 2.5 Gb/s.
Specific Interrelationship of Combined Psychopharmacotherapy and Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Mentally Ill Patients

The advisability of combined psychopharmacology and psychotherapy in the treatment of mental disorders is now convincingly proven [1,2, 3]. Russian psychiatrists also stress the importance of psychotherapy in the treatment of psychoses [4, 5, 6]. This is based on the concept that psychopharmacology, because of its direct influence on basic biochemical and pathophysiological aberrations, produces sedative, thymostabilizing, and disinhibiting effects, but does not affect personality structures and attitudes, which mediate the patient's social functioning and are relatively independent of psychopathological structures [7]. At the same time, the ever-growing development of rehabilitation in psychiatry and the concept of psychiatry as a dynamic system of medical, psychological, and social components directed at restoration of personal status [4] make necessary comprehensive and deeper study of the problem of the interaction of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy in the treatment of endogenous psychoses.
MRC-Based Relay Precoding for Cooperative AF Multi-Antenna Relay Networks with CSI

This paper investigates linear precoding designs for a cooperative amplify-and-forward (AF) network with a multi-antenna relay having complete channel state information (CSI). The focus is on both orthogonal AF (OAF) and non-orthogonal AF (NAF) protocols. The precoders at the relay are derived based on the maximum ratio combining (MRC) scheme, followed by an optimal power amplification factor to maximize the end-to-end achievable rate. For OAF, it is a concave optimization problem and the closed-form solution can be obtained using Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions. However, the optimization problem for NAF is non-convex and getting globally optimal solution in closed-form is more challenging. Our approach is to investigate the achievable rate in different sub-domains of the channel matrix to upper-bound the original problem by a convex optimization problem. It is then shown that the optimal solution to the power amplification factor of the original optimization problem can be obtained in closed-form. The optimal MRC-based relay precoding vector is then established. Numerical results reveal that the proposed system achieves significant end-to-end rate gains over the conventional dual-hop AF multi-antenna as well as cooperative AF single-antenna systems.
Research in Cognition and Strategy: Reflections on Two Decades of Progress and a Look to the Future

This review of cognition in strategic management research takes as its starting point the appreciation of the seminal paper – “Competitive Groups as Cognitive Communities: The Case of Scottish Knitwear Manufacturers” – by Porac, Thomas and Baden-Fuller on cognitive categorization of competition published in the Journal of Management Studies only 20 years ago. In this paper, I reflect on the context in which their paper emerged, the impact it has had, and the future paths that research on cognition in strategy might take. In doing so, I highlight the challenges associated with establishing cognition as a legitimate factor in strategic management (alongside the traditional explanations of capabilities and incentives) and of showing the causal relationship between cognition and strategic outcomes. Subsequent work in cognition explored the dynamic relationship between cognition, capabilities and incentives and, in process models of framing, linked cognition with political action. Rather than managerial cognition becoming its own independent field, cognitive concepts have diffused throughout work in many different managerial fields, leading to a proliferation of terms, concepts and approaches. I conclude by exploring some of the paths that research in cognition and strategy is taking in the present day – particularly those involving studies of the construction of markets and categories, each of which are themes that the work by Porac, Thomas and Baden-Fuller brought to our attention.
Influence of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and 25-hydroxyvitamin D on blood pressure in apparently healthy subjects

Background There are no studies that relate BsmI polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and with vitamin D to blood pressure (BP). Objective To analyze if this polymorphism and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25OHD3) influence BP in a population of healthy subjects. Design Transversal study on healthy population. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the association of BP with several clinical and biochemical data. Setting Industrial employees, blood donors, and army cadets from Lleida, Spain were recruited in October 2001. Individuals A total of 590 apparently healthy subjects (260 males and 330 females). Measurements Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were determined as the mean of three measurements. We also included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), serum levels of creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone (by two-site chemiluminometric assay), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (by radioimmunoassay) and BsmI genotype. Results Since gender was strongly associated with both SBP and DBP, a separate analysis was performed for men and women. In males, SBP was associated with BMI, 25OHD3 (β: 0.37, P < 0.000) and genotype (β: –4.1, P < 0.001); and DBP with 25OHD3 (β: 0.19, P < 0.008) and age. SBP was higher in men with bb genotype than in the other genotypes (P < 0.006). Moreover, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between 25OHD3 and both SBP (r: 0.53, P < 0.002) and DBP (r: 0.48, P < 0.005) in men with genotype BB. In women, neither 25OHD3 nor genotype were associated with BP levels. Conclusions BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene influences BP in healthy men. A positive relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and BP is present only in men with the BB genotype.
Improved Neural Processing Efficiency in a Chronic Aphasia Patient Following Melodic Intonation Therapy: A Neuropsychological and Functional MRI Study

Melodic intonation therapy (MIT) is a treatment program for the rehabilitation of aphasic patients with speech production disorders. We report a case of severe chronic non-fluent aphasia unresponsive to several years of conventional therapy that showed a marked improvement following intensive 9-day training on the Japanese version of MIT (MIT-J). The purpose of this study was to verify the efficacy of MIT-J by functional assessment and examine associated changes in neural processing by functional magnetic resonance imaging. MIT improved language output and auditory comprehension, and decreased the response time for picture naming. Following MIT-J, an area of the right hemisphere was less activated on correct naming trials than compared with before training but similarly activated on incorrect trials. These results suggest that the aphasic symptoms of our patient were improved by increased neural processing efficiency and a concomitant decrease in cognitive load.
Carotenoid content of pandanus fruit cultivars and other foods of the Republic of Kiribati

Abstract Background Kiribati, a remote atoll island country of the Pacific, has serious problems of vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Thus, it is important to identify locally grown acceptable foods that might be promoted to alleviate this problem. Pandanus fruit (Pandanus tectorius) is a well-liked indigenous Kiribati food with many cultivars that have orange/yellow flesh, indicative of carotenoid content. Few have been previously analysed. Aim This study was conducted to identify cultivars of pandanus and other foods that could be promoted to alleviate VAD in Kiribati. Method Ethnography was used to select foods and assess acceptability factors. Pandanus and other foods were analysed for β- and α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene and total carotenoids using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results Of the nine pandanus cultivars investigated there was a great range of provitamin A carotenoid levels (from 62 to 19 086 μg β-carotene/100 g), generally with higher levels in those more deeply coloured. Seven pandanus cultivars, one giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis) cultivar and native fig (Ficus tinctoria) had significant provitamin A carotenoid content, meeting all or half of estimated daily vitamin A requirements within normal consumption patterns. Analyses in different laboratories confirmed high carotenoid levels in pandanus but showed that there are still questions as to how high the levels might be, owing to variation arising from different handling/preparation/analytical techniques. Conclusions These carotenoid-rich acceptable foods should be promoted for alleviating VAD in Kiribati and possibly other Pacific contexts where these foods are important. Further research in the Pacific is needed to identify additional indigenous foods with potential health benefits.