Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Protein Non-Folding Problem: Amino Acid Determinants of Intrinsic Order and Disorder

To investigate the determinants of protein order and disorder, three primary and one derivative database of intrinsically disordered proteins were compiled. The segments in each primary database were characterized by one of the following: X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), or circular dichroism (CD). The derivative database was based on homology. The three primary disordered databases have a combined total of 157 proteins or segments of length.30 with 18,010 residues, while the derivative database contains 572 proteins from 32 families with 52,688 putatively disordered residues. For the four disordered databases, the amino acid compositions were compared with those from a database of ordered structure. Relative to the ordered protein, the intrinsically disordered segments in all four databases were significantly depleted in W, C, F, I, Y, V, L and N, significantly enriched in A, R, G, Q, S, P, E and K, and inconsistently different in H, M, T, and D, suggesting that the first set be called order-promoting and the second set disorder-promoting. Also, 265 amino acid properties were ranked by their ability to discriminate order and disorder and then pruned to remove the most highly correlated pairs. The 10 highest-ranking properties after pruning consisted of 2 residue contact scales, 4 hydrophobicity scales, 3 scales associated with. -sheets and one polarity scale. Using these 10 properties for comparisons of the 3 primary databases suggests that disorder in all 3 databases is very similar, but with those characterized by NMR and CD being the most similar, those by CD and X-ray being next, and those by NMR and X-ray being the least similar.
Thermal and viscoelastic property of epoxy-clay and hybrid inorganic-organic epoxy nanocomposites

The properties of nanostructured plastics are determined by complex relationships between the type and size of the nanoreinforcement, the interface and chemical interaction between the nanoreinforcement and the polymeric chain, along with macroscopic processing and microstructural effects. In this article, we investigated the thermal and viscoelastic property enhancement on crosslinked epoxy using two types of nanoreinforcement, namely, organoion exchange clay and polymerizable polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) macromers. Glass transitions of these nanocomposites were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Small-strain stress relaxation under uniaxial deformation was examined to provide insights into the time-dependent viscoelastic behavior of these nanocomposites. Since the size of the POSS macromer is comparable to the distance between molecular junctions, as we increase the amount of POSS macromers, the glass transition temperature Tg as observed by DSC, increases. However, for an epoxy network reinforced with clay, we did not observe any effect on the Tg due to the presence of clay reinforcements. In small-strain stress relaxation experiments, both types of reinforcement provided some enhancement in creep resistance, namely, the characteristic relaxation time, as determined using a stretched exponential relaxation function increased with the addition of reinforcements. However, due to different reinforcement mechanisms, enhancement in the instantaneous modulus was observed for clay-reinforced epoxies, while the instantaneous modulus was not effected in POSS–epoxy nanocomposites. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 1993–2001, 1999
Impact of Age on the Importance of Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressures for Stroke Risk: The MOnica, Risk, Genetics, Archiving, and Monograph (MORGAM) Project

This study investigates age-related shifts in the relative importance of systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures as predictors of stroke and whether these relations are influenced by other cardiovascular risk factors. Using 34 European cohorts from the MOnica, Risk, Genetics, Archiving, and Monograph (MORGAM) Project with baseline between 1982 and 1997, 68 551 subjects aged 19 to 78 years, without cardiovascular disease and not receiving antihypertensive treatment, were included. During a mean of 13.2 years of follow-up, stroke incidence was 2.8%. Stroke risk was analyzed using hazard ratios per 10-mm Hg/5-mm Hg increase in SBP/DBP by multivariate-adjusted Cox regressions, including SBP and DBP simultaneously. Because of nonlinearity, DBP was analyzed separately for DBP ≥71 mm Hg and DBP <71 mm Hg. Stroke risk was associated positively with SBP and DBP ≥71 mm Hg (SBP/DBP ≥71 mm Hg; hazard ratios: 1.15/1.06 [95% CI: 1.12–1.18/1.03–1.09]) and negatively with DBP <71 mm Hg (0.88[0.79–0.98]). The hazard ratio for DBP decreased with age (P<0.001) and was not influenced by other cardiovascular risk factors. Taking into account the age×DBP interaction, both SBP and DBP ≥71 mm Hg were significantly associated with stroke risk until age 62 years, but in subjects older than 46 years the superiority of SBP for stroke risk exceeded that of DBP ≥71 mm Hg and remained significant until age 78 years. DBP <71 mm Hg became significant at age 50 years with an inverse relation to stroke risk. In Europeans, stroke risk should be assessed by both SBP and DBP until age 62 years with increased focus on SBP from age 47 years. From age 62 years, emphasis should be on SBP without neglecting the potential harm of very low DBP.
Numeric Planning with Disjunctive Global Constraints via SMT

This paper describes a novel encoding for sequential numeric planning into the problem of determining the satisﬁability of a logical theory T. We introduce a novel technique, orthogonal to existing work aiming at producing more succinct encodings that enables the theory solver to roll up an unbounded yet ﬁnite number of instances of an action into a single plan step, greatly reducing the horizon at which T models valid plans. The technique is then extended to deal with problems featuring disjunctive global constraints, in which the state space becomes a non-convex n dimensional polytope. In order to empirically evaluate the encoding, we build a planner, SPRINGROLL, around a state–of–the–art off– the–shelf SMT solver. Experiments on a diverse set of domains are ﬁnally reported, and results show the generality and efﬁciency of the approach.
Perceptions of How the Transition From Home Life to College Life Affects Type 1 Diabetes Management

An estimated 7,700 freshmen with type 1 diabetes enter college every year (1). Challenges that arise with regard to diabetes self-management increase the need to support this population during the transition from home life to college life. Management of diabetes is important not only to prevent physical complications resulting from high blood glucose levels, but also to address psychological issues. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), people with type 1 diabetes are more likely than those without diabetes to experience depression, which can cause disruptions in sleep behavior, difficulty concentrating, and a decrease in energy (2). Students suffering from these symptoms may have a hard time maintaining high academic performance. Forms of support for these students include emotional support, assistance from medical professionals, and available campus resources. First-year college students must learn how to cope with new academic challenges and the psychosocial expectations of higher education (3). Developing psychosocial identity involves living up to social expectations, identifying one’s purpose, and maintaining stability through hormonal changes (4). The ADA’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2017 (5) recommends that “diabetes self-management education and support should address psychosocial issues, since emotional well-being is associated with positive diabetes outcomes. ” This emphasis on support of psychosocial well-being points to the importance of providing assistance to first-year college students with diabetes as they enter a crucial milestone in the development of psychosocial identity. The potential vulnerabilities inherent in teens’ transition to adulthood elicit the need for both pediatric and adult health care teams to be involved in the provision of support and assistance with resources (5). Students’ ability to cope with their diagnosis of diabetes and self-management while going to school has been the focus of many research studies (6–13). However, there is a dearth of literature focusing specifically on young adults moving …
External Quality Assessment of Molecular Detection of Ebola Virus in China

In 2014, Ebola hemorrhagic fever broke out in West Africa. As contact between China and West Africa is frequent, the possibility that Ebola virus would enter China was high. Thus, an external assessment of the quality of Ebola virus detection was organized by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories in China. Virus-like particles encapsulating known sequences of epidemic strains of Ebola virus from 2014 were prepared as positive quality controls. The sample panel, which was composed of seven positive and three negative samples, was dispatched to 19 laboratories participating in this assessment of Ebola virus detection. Accurate detection was reported at 14 of the 19 participating laboratories, with a sensitivity of 91.43% and a specificity of 100%. Four participants (21.05%) reported false-negative results and were classified as “acceptable. ” One participant (5.26%) did not detect any positive samples and was thus classified as “improvable. ” Based on the results returned, the ability to detect weakly positive Ebola specimens should be improved. Furthermore, commercial assays and the standard primers offered by the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were found to be most accurate and dependable for Ebola detection. A two-target detection approach is recommended for Ebola screening; this approach could reduce the probability of false-negative results. Additionally, standardization of operations and punctual adjustment of instruments are necessary for the control and prevention of Ebola virus.
Secure Positioning of Mobile Terminals with Simplex Radio Communication

With the rapid spread of various mobile terminals in our society, the importance of secure positioning is growing for wireless networks in adversarial settings. Recently, several authors have proposed a secure positioning mechanism of mobile terminals which is based on the geometric property of wireless node placement, and on the postulate of modern physics that a propagation speed of information never exceeds the velocity of light. In particular, they utilize the measurements of the round-trip time of radio signal propagation and bidirectional communication for variants of the challenge-and-response. In this paper, we propose a novel means to construct the above mechanism by use of unidirectional communication instead of bidirectional communication. Our proposal is based on the assumption that a mobile terminal incorporates a high-precision inner clock in a tamper-resistant protected area. In positioning, the mobile terminal uses its inner clock and the time and location information broadcasted by radio from trusted stations. Our proposal has a major advantage in protecting the location privacy of mobile terminal users, because the mobile terminal need not provide any information to the trusted stations through positioning procedures. Besides, our proposal is free from the positioning error due to claimant's processing-time fluctuations in the challenge-and-response, and is well-suited for mobile terminals in the open air, or on the move at high speed, in terms of practical usage. We analyze the security, the functionality, and the feasibility of our proposal in comparison to previous proposals.
Effects of multielectrode renal denervation on elevated sympathetic nerve activity and insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of renal denervation (RDN) on sympathetic nerve activity and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: Seventeen patients fulfilled at least four of five criteria for metabolic syndrome and under stable use of at least two antihypertensive drugs were randomized in 3 : 1 ratio to RDN (n = 13, 12 men, age: 58 ± 7 years) and control groups (n = 4, three men, age: 60 ± 5 years) and followed up for 3 months. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) at rest and during standard 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was assessed. Results: In the RDN group, office and average 24-h blood pressures reduced by 16 ± 21/10 ± 11 mmHg (P = 0.01/0.007) and 14 ± 16/5 ± 8 mmHg (P = 0.008/0.03) respectively; waist circumference reduced by 3.1 ± 3.6 cm (P = 0.008); and resting MSNA reduced from 55 ± 9 bursts per minute to 46 ± 8 bursts per minute (P = 0.0008) at month 3 post-RDN. During OGTT, although blunted MSNA responses were noted at baseline throughout the 120-min test, improved MSNA responses with burst frequency increased to 52 ± 8 bursts per minute (P < 0.001 vs. the resting MSNA, n = 13) at 30 min and to 54 ± 8 bursts per minute (P = 0.004 vs. the resting MSNA, n = 10) at 120 min and were observed at month 3 post-RDN. No such improvements were observed in the controls. No significant change was observed in the HOMA-IR in both groups at month 3. Conclusion: In this pilot study of patients with metabolic syndrome and associated hypertension, RDN reduced elevated sympathetic nerve activity and restored the normal neural response to oral glucose loading.
Antivaccination activists on the world wide web

Aims: To determine the likelihood of finding an antivaccination site on the world wide web and to characterise their explicit claims and rhetorical appeals. Methods: Using “vaccination” and “immunisation”, examining the first 10 sites displayed on seven leading search engines. Detailed examination of content of 100 antivaccination sites found on Google. Results: 43% of websites were antivaccination (all of the first 10 on Google). Main rhetorical appeals involve themes of the scientific veracity of antivaccination argument; rapport with parents seeking to protect their children from harm; and alleged collusion between doctors, the pharmaceutical industry, and government to deny vaccine harm. Conclusions: There is a high probability that parents will encounter elaborate antivaccination material on the world wide web. Factual refutational strategies alone are unlikely to counter the highly rhetorical appeals that shape these sites.
Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP): a versatile technique for detection of micro‐organisms

Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) amplifies DNA with high specificity, efficiency and rapidity under isothermal conditions by using a DNA polymerase with high displacement strand activity and a set of specifically designed primers to amplify targeted DNA strands. Following its first discovery by Notomi et al. ( Nucleic Acids Res 28: E63), LAMP was further developed over the years which involved the combination of this technique with other molecular approaches, such as reverse transcription and multiplex amplification for the detection of infectious diseases caused by micro‐organisms in humans, livestock and plants. In this review, available types of LAMP techniques will be discussed together with their applications in detection of various micro‐organisms. Up to date, there are varieties of LAMP detection methods available including colorimetric and fluorescent detection, real‐time monitoring using turbidity metre and detection using lateral flow device which will also be highlighted in this review. Apart from that, commercialization of LAMP technique had also been reported such as lyophilized form of LAMP reagents kit and LAMP primer sets for detection of pathogenic micro‐organisms. On top of that, advantages and limitations of this molecular detection method are also described together with its future potential as a diagnostic method for infectious disease.
Sonographic and clinical pattern of extracranial and cranial giant cell arteritis

Objectives: The aim of our study was to describe the sonographic pattern and clinical manifestations of extracranial (i.e. carotid and proximal arm arteries) and cranial arterial involvement in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Methods: One hundred and ten consecutive patients with an established diagnosis of GCA between January 2002 and June 2010 were identified retrospectively from a database. All patients underwent colour duplex sonography (CDS) of the superficial temporal, carotid, and proximal arm arteries at the time of diagnosis. Circumferential, homogeneous, hypoechogenic wall thickening was regarded as a typical sign for GCA. Sonographic and clinical characteristics of patients with and without extracranial vessel involvement were compared. Results: Extracranial GCA was observed in 59 of 110 subjects (53.6%). The axillary artery (48.2%) was most frequently affected and bilateral vessel involvement was present in almost all patients (94.8%). Compared to patients with cranial GCA, patients with extracranial GCA were significantly younger, frequently did not meet the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for classification of cranial GCA, exhibited a lower rate of permanent visual impairment, and were diagnosed later after onset of clinical symptoms (all p < 0.01). With increasing age, a continuous shift from GCA with extracranial arterial involvement to cranial GCA was observed. Conclusion: Using CDS, extracranial GCA is a common finding, most frequently observed in the axillary arteries. The clinical pattern of GCA with extracranial arterial involvement differs from that of cranial GCA.
Fibronectin Is Essential for Reparative Cardiac Progenitor Cell Response After Myocardial Infarction

Rationale: Adoptive transfer of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) has entered clinical application, despite limited mechanistic understanding of the endogenous response after myocardial infarction (MI). Extracellular matrix undergoes dramatic changes after MI and therefore might be linked to CPC-mediated repair. Objective: To demonstrate the significance of fibronectin (Fn), a component of the extracellular matrix, for induction of the endogenous CPC response to MI. Methods and Results: This report shows that presence of CPCs correlates with the expression of Fn during cardiac development and after MI. In vivo, genetic conditional ablation of Fn blunts CPC response measured 7 days after MI through reduced proliferation and diminished survival. Attenuated vasculogenesis and cardiogenesis during recovery were evident at the end of a 12-week follow-up period. Impaired CPC-dependent reparative remodeling ultimately leads to continuous decline of cardiac function in Fn knockout animals. In vitro, Fn protects and induces proliferation of CPCs via &bgr;1-integrin-focal adhesion kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3-Pim1 independent of Akt. Conclusions: Fn is essential for endogenous CPC expansion and repair required for stabilization of cardiac function after MI.
The Effects of Silanized Ultrafine Silica on the Curing Characteristics, Tensile Properties, and Morphological Study of Natural Rubber Compounds

The curing characteristics, tensile properties, and morphological of untreated and silanized ultrafine silica filled natural rubber with bis[(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)tetra sulfide] (Si-69) were studied. The results show the scorch time and cure time of silanized silica was shorter as compared to untreated silica at the same filler loading. On tensile properties, the presence of Si-69 had improved the tensile strength, elongation at break, tensile modulus and hardness of ultrafine silica after silanized silica show higher values compared to untreated silica. The scanning electron microscopy study indicated that silanized silica has better filler-rubber interaction compared to untreated silica.
The Neural Network Pushdown Automaton: Model, Stack and Learning Simulations

In order for neural networks to learn complex languages or grammars, they must have sufficient computational power or resources to recognize or generate such languages. Though many approaches have been discussed, one ob- vious approach to enhancing the processing power of a recurrent neural network is to couple it with an external stack memory - in effect creating a neural network pushdown automata (NNPDA). This paper discusses in detail this NNPDA - its construction, how it can be trained and how useful symbolic information can be extracted from the trained network. In order to couple the external stack to the neural network, an optimization method is developed which uses an error function that connects the learning of the state automaton of the neural network to the learning of the operation of the external stack. To minimize the error function using gradient descent learning, an analog stack is designed such that the action and storage of information in the stack are continuous. One interpretation of a continuous stack is the probabilistic storage of and action on data. After training on sample strings of an unknown source grammar, a quantization procedure extracts from the analog stack and neural network a discrete pushdown automata (PDA). Simulations show that in learning deterministic context-free grammars - the balanced parenthesis language, 1*n0*n, and the deterministic Palindrome - the extracted PDA is correct in the sense that it can correctly recognize unseen strings of arbitrary length. In addition, the extracted PDAs can be shown to be identical or equivalent to the PDAs of the source grammars which were used to generate the training strings.
Resonance in Long Distance Radial Transmission Lines with Static var Compensation, Part II: Supersynchronous Limit

Having developed the background for understanding and analysing the resonance phenanenon-in shunt reactance canpensated transmission line in Part I, this paper proceeds to prove that a supersynchronous resonance frequency limit exists. Based on the model of equal length line sections, this limit occurs at the power angle of 1800. The mathematical framework for analysing resonant frequencies for unequal line sections has also been developed and the numerical results show that the. supersynchronous limit may even occur at power angles less than 180°.
Perspectives on the History of Glass Composition

The 100th anniversary of The American Ceramic Society corresponds approximately with the 100th anniversary of what might be considered the start of the age of glass science, i.e., the publication, in Germany, in 1886, of the catalog of Schott und Genossen, containing 44 optical glass compositions. The American Ceramic Society centennial seems, accordingly, to be an appropriate occasion to examine the history of glass composition that both preceded and followed the seminal work of Schott and to survey some of the major discoveries and changes in glass composition as well as the reasons that led to them. Although it is certainly of interest to consider a more complete history of the glass industry, we have opted to attempt the more modest task just described. The history of glass structure theories is considered, particularly with regard to the effects of composition on structure, and how these relate to glass properties. The article then continues with a discussion of recent special glasses and concludes with a description of lightguide glasses, the discovery of which has changed the nature of glass science and the glass industry.