Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical Evaluation on Irregular Field Generated by Screening Current in High-Field REBCO Coil for Whole-Body MRI

In recent years, high-field magnets wound with REBCO tape and their applications to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have undergone considerable research and development. MRI coil systems require a highly accurate field in the imaging space. However, in REBCO coils, the irregular magnetic field generated by the screening current is induced by the radial component of the magnetic field in the REBCO tape, and may deteriorate the field quality both spatially and temporally. Therefore, a design process with consideration for the effect of the screening-current field is required for the reduction and correction of this field for a high-accuracy-field REBCO coil. In this study, the screening-current distribution in the REBCO tape and the irregular magnetic field were analyzed by using the simulation we developed for a REBCO model coil system for whole-body MRI. We additionally discuss the effect of the screening-current field in the REBCO coil based on the coil shape and arrangement to use it as feedback to the design stage.
Type‐2 diabetes and cognitive function in a non‐demented population

Objectives ‐ To study if type‐2 (non‐insulin‐dependent) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is associated with cognitive dysfunction independently of clinically diagnosed dementia in an elderly population. Material and methods ‐ Cognitive function was investigated with a brief neuropsychological test battery in a non‐demented elderly population consisting of 183 NIDDM (World Health Organization, 1985) patients and 732 non‐diabetic subjects. Results ‐ Patients with NIDDM were impaired in the Trail‐Making Test parts A and C, which may be a reflection of mildly affected frontal lobe/executive functions. Women with NIDDM performed better than non‐diabetic subjects in the Mini‐Mental State Examination. Conclusions ‐ We conclude that NIDDM per se is not associated with impaired memory in the elderly, and the minor defects observed in tests of frontal lobe/executive functions are unlikely to affect daily living. In the non‐demented population aged 69‐78 years, NIDDM does not carry a significant risk of cognitive dysfunction, when compared to the non‐diabetic subjects.
Sequence and environmental effects on the self-assembly of DNA oligomers possessing GxT2Gy segments.

It is well-known that DNA oligomers possessing contiguous guanine bases can assume non-Watson-Crick type structures through the formation of four-stranded species. The architecture of these four-stranded structures is highly dependent upon the sequence of the DNA and the conditions (e.g., buffer, pH, ionic strength, cations present, and temperature) under which the DNA is prepared. This lab has previously reported the self-assembly of DNA oligomers of sequence C4T4G4T1-4G4 into multistranded high molecular weight species [Dai, T. -Y. , Marotta, S. P., & Sheardy, R. D. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 3655-3662]. In order to further investigate the sequence and environmental effects on the self-assembly of DNA oligomers possessing GxT2Gy (where x = 1, 3, or 4 and y = 2-5) segments, the synthesis of a number of such oligomers was undertaken. DNA samples were prepared in standard phosphate buffer (10 mM phosphate, pH 7.0) and NaCl, KCl and/or MgCl2 added to different concentrations in order to evaluate the influence of the cations and their concentrations on the self-assembly of the DNA oligomers. The self-assembly of these oligomers was monitored by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism studies. Electrophoresis of the oligomers in either 100 mM K+ or 50 mM Na+ with 50 mM K+ indicated the formation of one or two molecular species for these oligomers. In contrast, electrophoresis of these oligomers in the presence of both 100 mM K+ and 20 mM Mg2+ give a ladder of multiple bands of high molecular weight indicative of multistanded DNA structure formation. The results presented here indicate that self-assembly into high molecular weight species is favored by the presence of Mg2+ as well as the presence of four or more bases in the terminal Gy segment. These results also suggest that the structure of telomeric DNA, which possesses similar sequences, may be quite unusual.
The 35th Sir Frederick Bartlett Lecture: Eye movements and attention in reading, scene perception, and visual search

Eye movements are now widely used to investigate cognitive processes during reading, scene perception, and visual search. In this article, research on the following topics is reviewed with respect to reading: (a) the perceptual span (or span of effective vision), (b) preview benefit, (c) eye movement control, and (d) models of eye movements. Related issues with respect to eye movements during scene perception and visual search are also reviewed. It is argued that research on eye movements during reading has been somewhat advanced over research on eye movements in scene perception and visual search and that some of the paradigms developed to study reading should be more widely adopted in the study of scene perception and visual search. Research dealing with “real-world” tasks and research utilizing the visual-world paradigm are also briefly discussed.
Structural bases for substrate recognition and activity in Meaban virus nucleoside‐2′‐O‐methyltransferase

Viral methyltransferases are involved in the mRNA capping process, resulting in the transfer of a methyl group from S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine to capped RNA. Two groups of methyltransferases (MTases) are known: (guanine‐N7)‐methyltransferases (N7MTases), adding a methyl group onto the N7 atom of guanine, and (nucleoside‐2′‐O‐)‐methyltransferases (2′OMTases), adding a methyl group to a ribose hydroxyl. We have expressed and purified two constructs of Meaban virus (MV; genus Flavivirus) NS5 protein MTase domain (residues 1–265 and 1–293, respectively). We report here the three‐dimensional structure of the shorter MTase construct in complex with the cofactor S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine, at 2.9 Å resolution. Inspection of the refined crystal structure, which highlights structural conservation of specific active site residues, together with sequence analysis and structural comparison with Dengue virus 2′OMTase, suggests that the crystallized enzyme belongs to the 2′OMTase subgroup. Enzymatic assays show that the short MV MTase construct is inactive, but the longer construct expressed can transfer a methyl group to the ribose 2′O atom of a short GpppAC5 substrate. West Nile virus MTase domain has been recently shown to display both N7 and 2′O MTase activity on a capped RNA substrate comprising the 5′‐terminal 190 nt of the West Nile virus genome. The lack of N7 MTase activity here reported for MV MTase may be related either to the small size of the capped RNA substrate, to its sequence, or to different structural properties of the C‐terminal regions of West Nile virus and MV MTase‐domains.
Progression and Remission of Renal Disease in the Lupus Nephritis Collaborative Study

OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical course of severe lupus nephritis and to identify the risk factors for progression to renal failure among patients treated with prednisone and short-term courses of low-dose oral cyclophosphamide. DESIGN Ancillary analyses of data from the Lupus Nephritis Collaborative Study (LNCS). SETTING University hospital medical centers (14). PATIENTS The 86 patients who participated in the LNCS (mean follow-up, 136 weeks [2.6 years]) and a subgroup of 63 patients with follow-up of more than 48 weeks (mean follow-up, 160 weeks [3.1 years]). MEASUREMENTS Initial clinical and pathologic features, response to therapy within 48 weeks, and subsequent clinical events, including development of renal failure. MAIN RESULTS Renal failure developed in 18 patients (21%). An observed elevation in serum creatinine concentration was the only initial feature predictive of subsequent renal failure. Mean (+/- SD) initial serum creatinine levels were higher in patients who subsequently developed renal failure (244 +/- 134 mumol/L [2.76 +/- 1.52 mg/dL] compared with 163 +/- 103 mumol/L [1.85 +/- 1.17 mg/dL]; P = 0.007). The risk for renal failure was higher among patients with initial serum creatinine levels greater than 106 mumol/L (1.2 mg/dL) (29% compared with 6.5%; P = 0.014). Response to therapy (defined as resolution of initial serum creatinine elevations within 48 weeks) refined the prognosis based on initial serum creatinine determinations. The risk for subsequent renal failure was higher among patients who failed to respond to therapy within 48 weeks (30% compared with 0%; P = 0.015). By comparison, 9% of patients with normal initial serum creatinine levels progressed to renal failure after 48 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Initial serum creatinine levels and responses to initial therapy with prednisone and short-term cyclophosphamide, as used in the LNCS, can guide further therapy. Patients with normal initial serum creatinine levels or resolution of initial serum creatinine elevations within 48 weeks have a low risk for renal failure and may not require long-term treatment with cyclophosphamide.
How open innovation processes vary between urban and remote environments: slow innovators, market-sourced information and frequency of interaction

Abstract Geographic research on firm-level innovation is generally premised on the idea of open innovation, suggesting that innovation occurs more readily in urban settings or clusters, which generate local buzz and allow access to external actors. However, a growing body of evidence demonstrates that firms also introduce first-to-market innovations in remote locations. In this exploratory paper, building upon work by Philip McCann, we outline a conceptual framework that connects innovators (differentiated by information source and frequency of interaction with interlocutors) and location (distance from a metropolitan area): slow innovators, relying on non-market-sourced information and infrequent contacts, will be overrepresented in isolated locations. Fast innovators, relying on market-sourced information and frequent interactions, will locate closer to cities. Our results confirm this. Our interpretation of these results – slow innovators are more reliant on technological information which loses value more slowly than faster decaying market-oriented information – requires further investigation.
In Vivo antimalarial activity of aqueous extracts from Kenyan medicinal plants and their Chloroquine (CQ) potentiation effects against a blood‐induced CQ‐resistant rodent parasite in mice

Hot water extracts from eight medicinal plants representing five families, used for malaria treatment in Kenya were screened for their in vivo antimalarial activity in mice against a chloroquine (CQ) resistant Plasmodium berghei NK65, either alone or in combination with CQ. Extracts of three plants, Toddalia asiatica (root bark), Rhamnus prinoides (leaves and root bark) and Vernonia lasiopus (root bark) showed high chemosuppression in the range 51%–75%. Maytenus acuminata, M. heterophylla, M. senegalensis and Rhamnus staddo had moderate activities of 33%–49% parasitaemia suppression in the root bark and/or leaf extracts, while Withania somnifera (root bark) had a non‐significant suppression (21%). In combination with CQ, extracts of V. lasiopus (all parts), leaf extracts of M. senegalensis, R. prinoides and T. asiatica as well as root barks of M. heterophylla, R. staddo and T. asiatica had improved parasitaemia suppression in the range 38%–66%, indicating synergistic interactions. Remarkable parasitaemia suppression by the extracts, either alone or in combination with CQ resulted into longer survival of mice relative to the controls, in some cases by more than 2 weeks. Plants, which showed significant antimalarial activity including V. lasiopus, T. asiatica and R. prinoides, should further be evaluated in the search for novel agents against drug‐resistant malaria. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accuracy of Cochlear Implant Recipients on Pitch Perception, Melody Recognition, and Speech Reception in Noise

Objective: The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the accuracy of cochlear implant recipients who use different types of devices and signal processing strategies on pitch ranking as a function of size of interval and frequency range and (b) to examine the relations between this pitch perception measure and demographic variables, melody recognition, and speech reception in background noise. Design: One hundred fourteen cochlear implant users and 21 normal-hearing adults were tested on a pitch discrimination task (pitch ranking) that required them to determine direction of pitch change as a function of base frequency and interval size. Three groups were tested: (a) long electrode cochlear implant users (N = 101); (b) short electrode users that received acoustic plus electrical stimulation (A+E) (N = 13); and (c) a normal-hearing (NH) comparison group (N = 21). Pitch ranking was tested at standard frequencies of 131 to 1048 Hz, and the size of the pitch-change intervals ranged from 1 to 4 semitones. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was fit to predict pitch ranking and to determine if group differences exist as a function of base frequency and interval size. Overall significance effects were measured with Chi-square tests and individual effects were measured with t-tests. Pitch ranking accuracy was correlated with demographic measures (age at time of testing, length of profound deafness, months of implant use), frequency difference limens, familiar melody recognition, and two measures of speech reception in noise. Results: The long electrode recipients performed significantly poorer on pitch discrimination than the NH and A+E group. The A+E users performed similarly to the NH listeners as a function of interval size in the lower base frequency range, but their pitch discrimination scores deteriorated slightly in the higher frequency range. The long electrode recipients, although less accurate than participants in the NH and A+E groups, tended to perform with greater accuracy within the higher frequency range. There were statistically significant correlations between pitch ranking and familiar melody recognition as well as with pure-tone frequency difference limens at 200 and 400 Hz. Conclusions: Low-frequency acoustic hearing improves pitch discrimination as compared with traditional, electric-only cochlear implants. These findings have implications for musical tasks such as familiar melody recognition.
Elimination of Tritium-Labelled Hyaluronic Acid from Normal and Osteoarthritic Rabbit Knee Joints

The half-life of [3H]hyaluronic acid in rabbit knee joints was estimated using two methods: (i) by following the [3H]hyaluronan content of the synovial fluid after intra-articular injection and (ii) by following the 3H2O radioactivity of plasma after intra-articular injection of [3H]hyaluronan. For normal rabbits we obtained a half-life of 15.8 hours (method I) and 17.5 +/- 1.0 hours (mean +/- SEM, method II), respectively. The second method was used to estimate the kinetics of the hyaluronan elimination from normal, sham-operated, as well as from osteoarthritic rabbit knee joints (Colombo model of osteoarthritis). Four weeks after injury, during the developing phase of osteoarthritis, the half-life of hyaluronan rose significantly to 23.5 +/- 2.1 hours and returned to normal levels (17.4 +/- 2.7 hours) 12 weeks after the operation (osteoarthritis developed). At the stage of developed osteoarthritis, the clearance rates were considerably higher than in normal rabbits.
Multi camera person tracking applying a graph-cuts based foreground segmentation in a homography framework

Reliable tracking of objects is an inevitable prerequisite for automated video surveillance systems. As most object detection methods, which are based on machine learning, require adequate data for the application scenario, foreground segmentation is a popular method to find possible regions of interest. These usually require a specific learning phase and adaptation over time. In this work we will present a novel approach based on graph cuts, which outperforms most standard algorithms. It is commonly agreed that occlusions can only be resolved in multi camera environments. Applying multi layer homography will enable us to robustly detect and track objects applying only foreground data, resulting in a high tracking performance.
The fission yeast gamma-tubulin complex is required in G(1) phase and is a component of the spindle assembly checkpoint.

Microtubule polymerization is initiated from the microtubule organizing centre (MTOC), which contains the gamma-tubulin complex. We have identified fission yeast Alp4 and Alp6, which are homologues of the gamma-tubulin-interacting proteins Sc.Spc97/Hs.Gcp2 and Sc. Spc98/Hs.Gcp3, respectively. The size of the fission yeast gamma-tubulin complex is large (>2000 kDa), comparable to that in metazoans. Both Alp4 and Alp6 localize to the spindle pole body (SPB) and also to the equatorial MTOC. Temperature-sensitive (ts) alp4 and alp6 mutants show two types of microtubular defects. First, monopolar mitotic spindles form. Secondly, abnormally long cytoplasmic microtubules appear that do not stop at the cell tips and are still associated with the SPB. Alp4 function is required in G(1) phase and ts mutants become lethal before S-phase. alp4 and alp6 mutants are hypersensitive to the microtubule- destabilizing drug thiabendazole (TBZ) and show a lethal 'cut' phenotype in its presence. Furthermore, alp4mad2 double mutants show an exaggerated multiple septation phenotype in TBZ. These results indicate that Alp4 and Alp6 may play a crucial role in the spindle pole-mediated checkpoint pathway.
Ctr2 regulates biogenesis of a cleaved form of mammalian Ctr1 metal transporter lacking the copper- and cisplatin-binding ecto-domain

Significance Copper is essential for normal growth and development because it serves roles in catalysis, signaling, and structure. Cells acquire copper through the copper transporter 1 (Ctr1) protein, a copper transporter that localizes to the cell membrane and intracellular vesicles. Both copper and the anticancer drug cisplatin are imported by Ctr1 by virtue of an extracellular domain rich in metal-binding amino acids. In this report we demonstrate that a protein structurally related to Ctr1, called Ctr2, plays a role in the generation or stability of a truncated form of Ctr1 lacking a large portion of the extracellular domain. Retention of this domain in mice or cells lacking Ctr2 enhances copper and cisplatin uptake, thereby establishing Ctr2 as a regulator of Ctr1 function. Copper is an essential catalytic cofactor for enzymatic activities that drive a range of metabolic biochemistry including mitochondrial electron transport, iron mobilization, and peptide hormone maturation. Copper dysregulation is associated with fatal infantile disease, liver, and cardiac dysfunction, neuropathy, and anemia. Here we report that mammals regulate systemic copper acquisition and intracellular mobilization via cleavage of the copper-binding ecto-domain of the copper transporter 1 (Ctr1). Although full-length Ctr1 is critical to drive efficient copper import across the plasma membrane, cleavage of the ecto-domain is required for Ctr1 to mobilize endosomal copper stores. The biogenesis of the truncated form of Ctr1 requires the structurally related, previously enigmatic copper transporter 2 (Ctr2). Ctr2−/− mice are defective in accumulation of truncated Ctr1 and exhibit increased tissue copper levels, and X-ray fluorescence microscopy demonstrates that copper accumulates as intracellular foci. These studies identify a key regulatory mechanism for mammalian copper transport through Ctr2-dependent accumulation of a Ctr1 variant lacking the copper- and cisplatin-binding ecto-domain.
A Microbial TLR2 Agonist Imparts Macrophage-Activating Ability to Apolipoprotein A-11

There is increasing epidemiologic evidence implying a role for chronic infection in atherosclerosis and that microbial TLR agonists may contribute to this disease. Mycoplasma arthritidis is an agent of acute and chronic inflammatory disease in rodents, and has been used extensively as a model for defining the mechanisms involved in arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. We have purified a 28-kDa, apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1)-like TLR2-dependent macrophage-activating moiety from a culture of a virulent strain of M. arthritidis. ApoA-1 similarly isolated from uninoculated mycoplasma medium was without bioactivity. The activity of the mycoplasma-derived molecule was resistant to heat and to digestion with proteinase K, but was susceptible to alkaline hydrolysis and H2O2 oxidation. Infrared profiles of normal apoA-1 and that derived from mycoplasma were distinct. Unlike the activity of other mycoplasmal TLR2 agonists such as macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2, activity of the M. arthritidis-derived 28-kDa component was dependent upon CD14, a coreceptor for LPS. Finally, we showed that bioactive lipopeptides prepared from M. arthritidis grown in serum-free medium and also from a 41-kDa known bioactive lipoprotein of M. arthritidis, avidly bound to purified apoA-1 that separated out by SDS-PAGE, induced TNF-α and IL-12p40 both in vitro and in vivo. ApoA-1 is a key functional component of the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol complex by scavenging and removing unwanted lipids. Our finding that this molecule can acquire macrophage-activating properties from microbial TLR2-dependent agonists suggests a novel mechanism whereby some microbial agents might reverse the protective role of apoA-1, thus contributing to the genesis of atherosclerosis.
The Impact of UCITS IV Directive on European Mutual Funds Performance

In this paper we examine the impact of UCITS IV Directive on the performance of European mutual funds. In a sample of 1435 Equity funds from December 2001 to December 2013, we empirically investigate the effects of economies of scale on the relation between size and performance. Using Chen et al. (2004) portfolio approach with various benchmark factors models, we find significant performance improvements according to UCITS IV periods. Using panel regressions with multilevel models, we find that European funds seem to benefit from gains related to size and not face to diseconomies of scale. Nonetheless, some specific characteristics of European fund family structure burden performance. Despite the intention from regulators to provide costless and favorable environment, European fund families are highly diversified and constituted by large number of low-sized members to achieve overall positive spillover effects.
Soluble form of P-selectin in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND P-selectin, an integral membrane glycoprotein of platelets and endothelial cells, is rapidly redistributed to the cell surface after cellular activation. The soluble form of P-selectin has been shown to be present in people with normal circulation. The purpose of the present study was therefore to examine the soluble form of P-selectin in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS Whole blood was obtained from nine patients with AMI and from 10 volunteers who made up the control group. Plasma concentrations of the soluble form of P-selectin were examined with a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS Plasma P-selectin levels in control volunteers were 178 +/- 44 ng/ml. In patients with AMI, plasma P-selectin levels on days 1, 2 and 3 were 743 +/- 374, 627 +/- 267, and 588 +/- 223 ng/ml, respectively (P < 0.001)--significantly higher than the levels in the control volunteers. CONCLUSION Plasma concentrations of the soluble form of P-selectin were markedly higher in patients with AMI, suggesting the activation of platelets, or endothelial cells, or both. Thus, quantitative measurements of plasma P-selectin concentrations may help to assess the pathophysiology of inflammatory reactions in patients with AMI.