Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A FVF based output capacitorless LDO regulator with wide load capacitance range

An output capacitorless low-dropout (LDO) regulator, which applies the proposed Dual Summed Miller Frequency Compensation (DSMFC) on Flipped Voltage Follower (FVF) structure with composite power transistor, is proposed. Validated by UMC 65nm CMOS process, the simulation results have shown that the proposed LDO regulator consumes only 13. 2μA at a 1.2V supply, with a dropout voltage of 200mV. At a total of 10pF compensation capacitance, it can support 0-50mA load current for a load capacitance range of 10pF-100nF at typical process and temperature whilst 10pF-10nF at worst condition. The proposed LDO regulator is able to recover in 0. 925μs at CL=50pF. The comparison results have shown that the maximum load capacitance is more than two orders of magnitude with respect to those of the FVF LDO counterparts at identical process, supply, quiescent power and compensation capacitance.
Association between antiretroviral therapy adherence and employment status: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objective To assess the association between the employment status of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods We searched the Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for studies reporting ART adherence and employment status published between January 1980 and September 2014. Information from a wide range of other sources, including the grey literature, was also analysed. Two independent reviewers extracted data on treatment adherence and study characteristics. Study data on the association between being employed and adhering to ART were pooled using a random-effects model. Between-study heterogeneity and sources of bias were evaluated. Findings The meta-analysis included 28 studies published between 1996 and 2014 that together involved 8743 HIV-infected individuals from 14 countries. The overall pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between being employed and adhering to ART was 1.27 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.04–1.55). The association was significant for studies from low-income countries (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.58–2.18) and high-income countries (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02–1.74) but not middle-income countries (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.62–1.42). In addition, studies published after 2011 and larger studies showed less association between employment and adherence than earlier and small studies, respectively. Conclusion Employed HIV-infected individuals, particularly those in low- and high-income countries, were more likely to adhere to ART than unemployed individuals. Further research is needed on the mechanisms by which employment and ART adherence affect each other and on whether employment-creation interventions can positively influence ART adherence, HIV disease progression and quality of life.
Ras-ERK MAPK Cascade Regulates GATA3 Stability and Th2 Differentiation through Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway*

Differentiation of naive CD4 T cells into Th2 cells requires protein expression of GATA3. Interleukin-4 induces STAT6 activation and subsequent GATA3 transcription. Little is known, however, on how T cell receptor-mediated signaling regulates GATA3 and Th2 cell differentiation. Here we demonstrated that T cell receptor-mediated activation of the Ras-ERK MAPK cascade stabilizes GATA3 protein in developing Th2 cells through the inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Mdm2 was associated with GATA3 and induced ubiquitination on GATA3, suggesting its role as a ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase for GATA3 ubiquitination. Thus, the Ras-ERK MAPK cascade controls GATA3 protein stability by a post-transcriptional mechanism and facilitates GATA3-mediated chromatin remodeling at Th2 cytokine gene loci leading to successful Th2 cell differentiation.
CXCL12 induces CaMKII synaptic localization and glutamate-induced hippocampal cell death

Cerebral ischemia is known to induce cell death through hypoxia and oxidative stress following reperfusion. However, cell death can spread beyond the ischemic core when toxic glutamate levels act on NMDA receptors of surrounding regions. Levels of CXCL12, a chemokine primarily released from glia, reportedly elevate following ischemia. Acute activation of its receptor, CXCR4, appears to serve a neuroprotective function while prolonged activation results in cell death and this cell death was reported to be dependent on the combined release of calcium from intracellular stores as well as calcium influx through NMDARs. Calcium influx through NMDA receptor channels leads to activation of CaMKII, and it has also been shown that intracellular calcium can be sufficient to activate CaMKII. Thus, it is of interest to determine if cell death following CXCL12 application is mediated by CaMKII; and further, if exposure to CXCL12 primes neurons for glutamate-induced toxicity thus increasing cell death. Here, it was confirmed that acute (30 min) delivery of CXCL12 is not detrimental, while sustained activation (3 hour) resulted in a significant increase in cell death compared to controls. In addition, both acute and sustained CXCL12 exposure induced translocation of CaMKII to synapses. Delivery of a strong excitatory stimulus (500 μM glu + 10 μM gly) following either acute or sustained CXCL12 application appeared to elevate susceptibility to glutamate-induced cell death. Interestingly, pre-exposure to CXCL12 also induced cell death following delivery of a more physiologically relevant concentration of glutamate (100 μM glu + 10 μM gly). Peptide inhibitors that act to block CaM or ATP binding to CaMKII both appeared to reduce CXCL12-induced increases in cell death. These v results suggest that both acute and sustained CXCR4 activation increase neuron susceptibility to excitotoxicity and this priming is at least partially mediated by CaMKII.
A Model of Entrepreneurial Capability Based on a Holistic Review of the Literature from Three Academic Domains

While there has been a noted variation in the ‘species’ of entrepreneur so that no single list of traits, characteristics or attributes is definitive, it is posited that to be an entrepreneur a certain amount of entrepreneurial capability is required. ‘Entrepreneurial capability’ is a concept developed to place some form of identity on the attributes that are needed to pursue an entrepreneurial career. The concept of entrepreneurial capability is linked to that of entrepreneurial capital, previously discussed by Erikson (2002) and Firkin (2003), but it provides greater depth and offers wider applicability. After reviewing the literature from the fields of economics, politics and the social sciences, the author proposes an ‘equation’ and a model for the factors that act as building blocks for an individual's entrepreneurial capability, which can be applied to nascent as well as experienced and serial entrepreneurs.
Sport-Specific Influences

This study prospectively examined sport-specific influences on the continued participation in soccer of male adolescent players reporting antisocial behavior symptoms. Respondents included223 12-to 16-year-old boys playing soccer inan organized league in Oslo, Norway. Low levels of quality in reported relationships with friends in soccer, as well as high levels of reported soccer aggression, significantly reduced soccer persistence among younger antisocial players. Among the older players, low soccer enjoyment and low perceived soccer competence significantly improved the prediction of withdrawal from soccer over and above the antisocial behavior main effect. The results suggest that players with antisocial behavior symptoms may wish to continue to play soccer, provided that they enjoy the activity, perceive themselves as competent in soccer, are able to control their socceraggression, and have a good relationship with their soccer friends.
Modelling Thirty-day Mortality in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in an Adult ICU

Variables predicting thirty-day outcome from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) were analysed using Cox regression structured for time-varying covariates. Over a three-year period, 1996–1998, consecutive patients with ARDS (bilateral chest X-ray opacities, PaO2/FiO2 ratio of <200 and an acute precipitating event) were identified using a prospective computerized data base in a university teaching hospital ICU. The cohort, 106 mechanically ventilated patients, was of mean (SD) age 63.5 (15.5) years and 37% were female. Primary lung injury occurred in 45% and 24% were postoperative. ICU-admission day APACHE II score was 25 (8); ARDS onset time from ICU admission was 1 day (median: range 0-16) and 30 day mortality was 41% (95% CI: 33%-51%). At ARDS onset, PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 92 (31), 81% had four-quadrant chest X-ray opacification and lung injury score was 2.75 (0.45). Average mechanical ventilator tidal volume was 10.3 ml/ predicted kg weight. Cox model mortality predictors (hazard ratio, 95% CI) were: APACHE II score, 1.15 (1.09-1.21); ARDS lag time (days), 0.72 (0.58-0.89); direct versus indirect injury, 2.89 (1.45-5.76); PaO2/FiO2 ratio, 0.98 (0.97-0.99); operative versus non-operative category, 0.24 (0.09-0.63). Time-varying effects were evident for PaO2/FiO2 ratio, operative versus non-operative category and ventilator tidal volume assessed as a categorical predictor with a cut-point of 8 ml/kg predicted weight (mean tidal volumes, 7.1 (1.9) vs 10.7 (1.6) ml/kg predicted weight). Thirty-day survival was improved for patients ventilated with lower tidal volumes. Survival predictors in ARDS were multifactorial and related to patient-injury-time interaction and level of mechanical ventilator tidal volume.
Wide distribution of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in burns patients in Iran

Antimicrobial resistance in carbapenem non-susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii (CNSAb) is a major public health concern globally. This study determined the antibiotic resistance and molecular epidemiology of CNSAb isolates from a referral burn center in Tehran, Iran. Sixty-nine CNSAb isolates were tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial agents using the E test methodology. Multiple locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and multiplex PCR were performed. PCR assays tested for ambler classes A, B, and D β-lactamases. Detection of ISAba1, characterization of integrons, and biofilm formation were investigated. Fifty-three (77%) isolates revealed XDR phenotypes. High prevalence of blaOXA-23-like (88%) and blaPER-1 (54%) were detected. ISAba1 was detected upstream of blaADC, blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA51-like genes in, 97, 42, and 26% of isolates, respectively. Thirty-one (45%) isolates were assigned to international clone (IC) variants. MLVA identified 56 distinct types with six clusters and 53 singleton genotypes. Forty previously known MLST sequence types forming 5 clonal complexes were identified. The Class 1 integron (class 1 integrons) gene was identified in 84% of the isolates. The most prevalent (33%) cassette combination was aacA4-catB8-aadA1. The IC variants were predominant in the A. baumannii lineage with the ability to form strong biofilms. The XDR-CNSAb from burned patients in Iran is resistant to various antimicrobials, including tigecycline. This study shows wide genetic diversity in CNSAb. Integrating the new Iranian A. baumannii IC variants into the epidemiologic clonal and susceptibility profile databases can help effective global control measures against the XDR-CNSAb pandemic.
Child's School Entry: A Stressful Event in the Lives of Fathers.

A child's school entry, viewed as a normal transition point in the family life cycle, was considered as a source of stress for fathers. Forty fathers of children entering school were interviewed. Fathers' anxiety concerning school entrance, sadness about separation, and duration of sadness were assessed. Findings suggest that most fathers do experience some anxiety related to this event, and that their anxiety and sadness are related to the level of anxiety felt by their wives, their socioeconomic status, and their confidence that schooling would be a quality experience for their child. Mother work status was not related to any component of father stress.
The Critical Role of the 185–189-Loop in the Factor Xa Interaction with Na+ and Factor Va in the Prothrombinase Complex*

The S1 site (Asp189) of factor Xa (fXa) is located on a loop (residues 185–189) that contains three solvent-exposed charged residues (Asp185, Lys186, and Glu188) below the active-site pocket of the protease. To investigate the role of these residues in the catalytic function of fXa, we expressed three mutants of the protease in which the charges of these residues were neutralized by their substitutions with Ala (D185A, K186A, and E188A). Kinetic studies revealed that E188A has a normal catalytic activity toward small synthetic and natural substrates and inhibitors of fXa; however, the same activities were slightly (∼2-fold) and dramatically (∼20–50-fold) impaired for the D185A and K186A mutants, respectively. Further studies revealed that the affinity of D185A and K186A for interaction with Na+ has also been altered, with a modest impairment (∼2-fold) for the former and a dramatic impairment for the latter mutant. Both prothrombinase and direct binding studies indicated that K186A also has an ∼6-fold impaired affinity for factor Va. Interestingly, a saturating concentration of factor Va restored the catalytic defect of K186A in reactions with prothrombin and the recombinant tick anticoagulant peptide that is known to interact with the Na+ loop of fXa, but not with other substrates. These results suggest that factor Va interacts with 185–189-loop for fXa, which is energetically linked to the Na+-binding site of the protease.
On the reflex regulation of the cerebral blood flow and the cerebral vaso‐motor tone

IN previous papers [1932, 1933, 1934] we were able to show with several techniques (Stromuhr of Weese, Stromuhr of Rein, H iirthle's method) that, in dogs, the carotid sinus reflexes do not affect the cerebral vasomotor tone in an active way; indeed, lowering the carotid sinus pressure produces a passive increase of the cerebral blood supply which is due to the reflex increase of the general blood-pressure, while conversely increasing the pressure in the carotid sinus produces a passive decrease of the cerebral blood flow due to the reflex decrease of the general arterial bloodpressure. In the case of a fall of the carotid blood-pressure, the blood is diverted by means of the carotid sinus reflexes from the somatic and peripheral cephalic areas to the cerebral circulation, whose blood vessels do not participate actively in the carotid sinus reflexes. The blood flow to the central nervous system thus increases, while on the contrary the blood flow decreases, as a result of the reflex vaso-constriction, in the peripheral cephalic tissues (muscles and skin of the head) and in the somatic organs. The cerebral blood supply is thus passively dependent on the general arterial pressure, which is regulated by the carotid sinus and aorta reflexes. H. Rein [1929, 1931], on the other hand, contended that the cerebral vessels were collaborating actively in the changes of the cerebral blood flow induced by the carotid sinus reflexes. In his opinion, a decrease of pressure in the carotid sinus produces an increase of the cerebral blood flow not only in a passive way, by means of the increase of the general
Chinese Conflict Management Styles and Negotiation Behaviours

China has been one of the most important markets for western firms, but negotiating with the Chinese is quite a challenging task. Researchers have been investigating the distinctness in Chinese negotiation and conflict management styles, but have yet to provide solid evidence for it. An attempt is made in this study to illustrate how Chinese people approach conflicts, and thus how this affects their negotiation behaviours during business negotiation, which provides an empirical test of Chinese conflict management styles and their impact on negotiation outcomes. Results show that compromising and avoiding are the most preferred methods of conflict management in China, while accommodating and competing lead to more satisfaction during business negotiation. Managerial implications and future studies are then discussed.
Speaking English with a Japanese mind

ABSTRACT: Japanese who speak English are likely to express themselves using a style and vocabulary originating in Japanese. The sequence of information expressed in Japanese differs from the usual sequence in English. Words and phrases in English and Japanese do not exactly match each other in meaning. Social concepts differ. These differences can cause unexpected misunderstanding. Fortunately, with the increasing number of non-Japanese learning the Japanese language and the great expansion of English learning in Japan, these problems may be on the decline.
A Longitudinal Test of Social Control Theory and Delinquency

Recent longitudinal research suggests that cross-sectional studies have exaggerated the importance of Hirschi's social control theory. This longitudinal research, however, suffers from one or more of the following problems: (a) measures of questionable validity and/or reliability; (b) misspecified causal models, including models that omit important variables and fail to examine the reciprocal and contemporaneous effects between variables; and (c) the failure to consider certain methodological problems peculiar to panel analysis, such as autocorrelation. Most of these problems reduce the likelihood of finding a causal effect from social control to delinquency, and so make the findings of the longitudinal studies suspect. This article uses data from the first two waves of the National Youth Survey to overcome these problems, and provide a more accurate estimate of the effect of social control on delinquency.
Birth outcomes in women who have taken leflunomide during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE In preclinical reproductive studies, leflunomide was found to be embryotoxic and teratogenic. Women treated with leflunomide are advised to avoid pregnancy; those who become pregnant are advised to reduce fetal exposure through a cholestyramine drug elimination procedure. The present study was undertaken to investigate pregnancy outcomes in women who received leflunomide and were treated with cholestyramine during pregnancy. METHODS Sixty-four pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with leflunomide during pregnancy (95.3% of whom received cholestyramine), 108 pregnant women with RA not treated with leflunomide, and 78 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in a prospective cohort study between 1999 and 2009. Information was collected via interview of the mothers, review of medical records, and specialized physical examination of infants. RESULTS There were no significant differences in the overall rate of major structural defects in the exposed group (3 of 56 live births [5.4%]) relative to either comparison group (each 4.2%)(P = 0.13). The rate was similar to the 3-4% expected in the general population. There was no specific pattern of major or minor anomalies. Infants in both the leflunomide-exposed and non-leflunomide-exposed RA groups were born smaller and earlier relative to infants of healthy mothers; however, after adjustment for confounding factors, there were no significant differences between the leflunomide-exposed and non-leflunomide-exposed RA groups. CONCLUSION Although the sample size is small, these data do not support the notion that there is a substantial increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to leflunomide exposure among women who undergo cholestyramine elimination procedure early in pregnancy. These findings can provide some reassurance to women who inadvertently become pregnant while taking leflunomide and undergo the washout procedure.
Adjuvants in the Driver’s Seat: How Magnitude, Type, Fine Specificity and Longevity of Immune Responses Are Driven by Distinct Classes of Immune Potentiators

The mechanism by which vaccine adjuvants enhance immune responses has historically been considered to be the creation of an antigen depot. From here, the antigen is slowly released and provided to immune cells over an extended period of time. This “depot” was formed by associating the antigen with substances able to persist at the injection site, such as aluminum salts or emulsions. The identification of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) has greatly advanced our understanding of how adjuvants work beyond the simple concept of extended antigen release and has accelerated the development of novel adjuvants. This review focuses on the mode of action of different adjuvant classes in regards to the stimulation of specific immune cell subsets, the biasing of immune responses towards cellular or humoral immune response, the ability to mediate epitope spreading and the induction of persistent immunological memory. A better understanding of how particular adjuvants mediate their biological effects will eventually allow them to be selected for specific vaccines in a targeted and rational manner.
‘When I meet them I talk to them’: the challenges of diversity for preservice teacher education

The homogeneity that once represented Irish society will soon be represented only in the annals of history. The influx of people of diverse nationalities, together with the increasing presence of children with physical and intellectual disabilities, and children coming from a range of non-traditional backgrounds will make our classrooms increasingly diverse over time. Together with the great opportunities that this diversity presents come a number of challenges. A major challenge lies in the preparation of our future teachers to meet the needs of and provide equitable learning opportunities for children in our classrooms. This study examines preservice teachers’ exposure to and beliefs about diversity. Two instruments were administered to 286 preservice teachers (the Prior Experiences Related to Diversity, and the Personal and Professional Beliefs about Diversity Scale). The findings indicate that preservice teachers’ exposure to diversity is very limited, in particular their exposure to members of the Travelling community, and refugees and asylum-seekers. High levels of tolerance and support were expressed toward religious, cultural, sexual and language diversity. Most evident was limited understanding of the roles played by gender in contributing to inequity in society and the importance of gender equitable practices in educational contexts. Another finding of concern was the contrasting ways in which ethnic disparities in academic achievement were attributed, with members of the Travelling community being viewed less positively than those from other ethnic groups.