Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UNIVERSAL QUANTUM GATES

For classical circuits, both {AND, NOT} and the single-gate set {NAND} are universal. To nd universal sets of quantum gates, we use the quantum circuit model, in which each gate is represented by a 2 by 2 unitary matrix. Composition of gates is done by multiplying these matrices. The space of operations generated by a set of gates is a subgroup of the unitary group U (2) (or SU (2), ignoring global phase) as long as we can generate g−1 for each g ∈ G. Since the space of quantum gates is continuous rather than discrete, to exactly perform any operation requires an uncountably in nite set of gates; we call a set that can do this exactly universal. Otherwise, we use a weaker de nition in which the gates approximate an operation to arbitrary precision:
Media Violence Research and Youth Violence Data: Why Do They Conflict?

Objective: Contrary to media headlines and public perceptions, there is little evidence of a substantial link between exposure to violent interactive games and serious real-life violence or crime. Conclusion: Further research is needed on whether violent games may affect less dramatic but real concerns such as bullying, fighting, or attitudes and beliefs that support aggression, as well as how effects may vary by child characteristics and types of games. There is also a need for research on the potential benefits of violent games for some children and adults.
Relation between access blood flow and mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Access blood flow (Qa) measurement is a potentially important determinant of systemic hemodynamics in hemodialysis patients. High Qa may contribute to left ventricular dilation and high output heart failure. On the other hand, low Qa might lead to underdialysis, which is associated with adverse outcomes. METHODS In this retrospective study of incident chronic hemodialysis patients treated in three Canadian cities (Edmonton, Calgary, and Halifax), the hypothesis that extremes of Qa(low or high) would be associated with increased mortality was tested. The distribution of Qa was not Gaussian, and therefore Qa was log-transformed in analyses that treated it as a continuous variable. Qa was classified into categories defined by cutpoints of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 ml/min. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were performed to examine the relation between Qa and all-cause mortality. Patients were followed from the date of Qa measurement until death; follow-up was discontinued at loss to follow-up, kidney transplantation, or end of study. RESULTS Of 820 participants, those with lower levels of Qa tended to be older and to have more comorbidities. During the median follow-up period of 28 mo, 206 (25.1%) participants died and 101 (12.3%) patients received a kidney transplant. When only baseline measures of Qa were considered, there was significant association between Qa and mortality [hazard ratio (HR) per unit increase in logQa 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67, 0.97; adjusted HR per unit increase in logQa 0.90, 95% CI 0.72, 1.11]. The adjusted risk of mortality was similar between the different categories of baseline Qa before and after adjustment for demographic characteristics, comorbidity, and access type. In analyses that included all Qa measurements per patient as a time-varying covariate, the adjusted association between Qa and death remained nonsignificant, with no evidence of increased mortality at higher Qa (HR per unit increase in logQa 0.82, 95% CI 0.67, 1.01, P = 0.066). CONCLUSION The findings of this study do not suggest an increased risk of death at higher levels of Qa, Further studies would be needed to confirm an increased risk of death at lower Qa.
The DC1‐domain protein VACUOLELESS GAMETOPHYTES is essential for development of female and male gametophytes in Arabidopsis

In this work we identified VACUOLELESS GAMETOPHYTES (VLG) as a DC1 domain-containing protein present in the endomembrane system and essential for development of both female and male gametophytes. VLG was originally annotated as a gene coding for a protein of unknown function containing DC1 domains. DC1 domains are cysteine- and histidine-rich zinc finger domains found exclusively in the plant kingdom that have been named on the basis of similarity with the C1 domain present in protein kinase C (PKC). In Arabidopsis, both male and female gametophytes are characterized by the formation of a large vacuole early in development; this is absent in vlg mutant plants. As a consequence, development is arrested in embryo sacs and pollen grains at the first mitotic division. VLG is specifically located in multivesicular bodies or pre-vacuolar compartments, and our results suggest that vesicular fusion is affected in the mutants, disrupting vacuole formation. Supporting this idea, AtPVA12 - a member of the SNARE vesicle-associated protein family and previously related to a sterol-binding protein, was identified as a VLG interactor. A role for VLG is proposed mediating vesicular fusion in plants as part of the sterol trafficking machinery required for vacuole biogenesis in plants.
The Internet in Everyday Life

This article reports the findings of an ethnographic study of internet use conducted in Vancouver, Canada. Our goal was to examine how non-professional users interpret, `domesticate' (Silverstone, 1994) and creatively appropriate (Feenberg, 1999) the internet in order to integrate it into the relevance structures and activities of their everyday lives. We identify new cultural practices emerging on this basis and reflect on what these practices mean for the social shaping of the internet as a communication medium. The methods of data collection included ethnographic interviews, and `tours' of the home and computer space of 30 domestic users of the internet in different socio-biographical situations.
Contours in noise : A role for self-cuing ?

A contour formed of aligned Gabor patches is easily detected amidst a dense background of randomly oriented patches; the longer the string of aligned patches, the more easily the contour is detected (D. J. Field, A. Hayes, & R. F. Hess, 1993). Here we show that a short string of collinear elements acts as a cue pointing to other patches of similar orientation that lie along the path defined by the string. Cueing might increase the gain of similarly oriented elements in the vicinity and/or reduce the number of potential locations (uncertainty) that the observer monitors. To assess the strength of the contour cue, I measured sensitivity to contrast increments on a test patch placed at various offsets relative to the cueing contour. Noise density and the length of cueing contour were also manipulated. Signal detection theory analysis of the psychometric function provided estimates of the gain and uncertainty parameters associated with each condition. In the presence of noise, observers were best at detecting a contrast increment on a patch that was aligned with the cueing string. Gain estimates were high for the aligned condition but decreased with increasing offset from this position. Uncertainty estimates were invariant with offset at a given noise level but increased with increasing noise. Uncertainty also decreased significantly when the length of the cueing string was increased. The high gain for collinear test patches and the ability of the contour to reduce uncertainty at high noise densities is indeed similar to the effect of an explicit cue (e.g., Z.-L. Lu & B. A. Dosher, 1998), suggesting that one part of the contour cues other parts and contributes to the detectability of contours in noise.
Placental Alpha Microglobulin-1 Detection in Cervico-vaginal Secretions in the Diagnosis of Preterm Premature Rupture of The Membranes

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the value of detection of placental alpha macroglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) in cervicovaginal discharge as a diagnostic test for Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM) compared with traditional methods. Methods: A comparative study was conducted on 60 pregnant women 20-37 weeks of gestation in Cairo University Maternity Hospital, Egypt. PROM was evaluated using U/S, Ferning test, Nitrazine test, pooling, and PAMG-1 immunoassay. The studied women were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of PROM. Confirmed diagnosis of PROM was based an artificial gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and overall accuracy of the diagnostic tests were
Hypoxia: developments in basic science, physiology and clinical studies

Airway management is primarily designed to avoid hypoxia, yet hypoxia remains the main ultimate cause of anaesthetic‐related death and morbidity. Understanding some of the physiology of hypoxia is therefore essential as part of a ‘holistic’ approach to airway management. Furthermore, it is strategically important that national specialist societies dedicated to airway management do not only focus upon the technical aspects of airway management, but also embrace some of the relevant scientific questions. There has been a great deal of research into causation of hypoxia and the body’s natural protective mechanisms and responses to it. This enables us to think of ways in which we might manipulate the cellular and molecular responses to confer greater protection against hypoxia‐induced tissue injury. This article reviews some of those aspects.
Estimating Age: College Males Versus Convicted Male Child Sex Offenders

Two samples, male college students and convicted male child sex offenders, are compared on their abilities to accurately estimate the age group of a series of photographs of a sole female ranging in age from 11 to 29. Both samples tend to overestimate the age group of the subject photos, and no significant difference was found between college students and convicted child sex offenders in their ability to estimate the age of females. Both groups are compared demographically, and only limited differences were found. The implications are discussed in regard to theory and prevention of child sexual abuse.
Level of functioning in patients with borderline personality disorder. The Risskov-I study

Demographic and clinical variables in a cohort of patients with borderline personality disorder (n = 108) from an ongoing randomized outcome study – ‘The Risskov-I-Study’ – at The Clinic for Personality Disorders, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark are presented and compared with those from patients included in eleven previously published randomized outcome studies focusing exclusively on borderline patients. In these eleven studies the average drop-out rate among patients with intention to treat is 38%, which to some extent compromises the validity of the outcome data presented and calls for measures to reduce drop-out from borderline treatments. The level of disturbance in the Risskov-I population is comparable with that found in most of the existing outcome studies and confirms the general impression that borderline patients as a group tend to have low levels of functioning in several areas, including social functioning and underachievement in terms of education, employment etc. Problems relating to the group of patients included in existing studies and to difficulties in comparing patient characteristics and treatment outcome across studies are discussed.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: MR imaging of liver proton density fat fraction to assess hepatic steatosis.

PURPOSE To evaluate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-estimated proton density fat fraction (PDFF) for assessing hepatic steatosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by using centrally scored histopathologic validation as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospectively designed, cross-sectional, internal review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant study was conducted in 77 patients who had NAFLD and liver biopsy. MR imaging-PDFF was estimated from magnitude-based low flip angle multiecho gradient-recalled echo images after T2* correction and multifrequency fat modeling. Histopathologic scoring was obtained by consensus of the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Clinical Research Network Pathology Committee. Spearman correlation, additivity and variance stabilization for regression for exploring the effect of a number of potential confounders, and receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed. RESULTS Liver MR imaging-PDFF was systematically higher, with higher histologic steatosis grade (P < .001), and was significantly correlated with histologic steatosis grade (ρ = 0.69, P < .001). The correlation was not confounded by age, sex, lobular inflammation, hepatocellular ballooning, NASH diagnosis, fibrosis, or magnetic field strength (P = .65). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.989 (95% confidence interval: 0.968, 1.000) for distinguishing patients with steatosis grade 0 (n = 5) from those with grade 1 or higher (n = 72), 0.825 (95% confidence interval: 0.734, 0.915) to distinguish those with grade 1 or lower (n = 31) from those with grade 2 or higher (n = 46), and 0.893 (95% confidence interval: 0.809, 0.977) to distinguish those with grade 2 or lower (n = 58) from those with grade 3 (n = 19). CONCLUSION MR imaging-PDFF showed promise for assessment of hepatic steatosis grade in patients with NAFLD. For validation, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed.
Entrepreneurial alertness and new venture performance: Facilitating roles of networking capability

An ability to act upon an entrepreneurial opportunity is a major driver of new venture success. However, scholarly knowledge is limited on how and when entrepreneur alertness to entrepreneurial opportunities drives new venture success. This article addresses this gap arguing that variations in new venture performance are a function of levels of entrepreneurial alertness and networking capabilities. Using primary data gathered from 203 new ventures operating in a sub-Saharan African economy, Ghana, we find that increases in the levels of entrepreneurial alertness are related to increases in new venture performance. Additionally, we find that, under conditions of increased use of social and business networking capabilities, the potency of entrepreneurial alertness as a driver of new venture success is amplified. Theoretical, managerial and policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Notch1 Impairs Endothelial Progenitor Cell Bioactivity in Preeclampsia

Aberrant vasculature and endothelial dysfunction on both the maternal and the fetal side are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, a hypertensive complication during pregnancy. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have the capacity for endothelial repair. The Dll4/Notch signaling pathway suppresses the functions of EPCs in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Notch1 was found to be one of the specific receptors for ligands of the Delta 4 and play critical roles in angiogenesis. However, the roles of Notch1 with regard to EPCs and preeclampsia have yet to be completely characterized. The aim of this study is to determine whether Notch1 also has a negative influence on the regulation of EPC activity. Accordingly, we analyzed the differences between the preeclampsia group and the control group in terms of the number of EPCs and colony-forming units (CFUs) and their Notch1 expressions. The influence of the Notch1 signaling pathway on functions of EPCs was determined by repeating the assays in the presence of Notch1 downregulation. The number of EPCs and CFUs was significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia compared to healthy controls. Additionally, there was a notable increase in Notch1 expression in EPCs of patients with preeclampsia compared to controls. The downregulation of Notch1 promoted the proliferation, differentiation, migration, and adhesion of EPCs and the ability to form human umbilical vein endothelial cell tubes. These findings suggested that decrease and dysfunction of EPCs may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Inhibition of Notch1, which promoted EPC-mediated angiogenesis in vitro, may be an alternative therapeutic approach to promoting vasculogenesis in patients with preeclampsia.
Impact des doses sublétales de fénitrothion sur l\'ovogenèse et la capacité de ponte du criquet pèlerin Schistocera gregaria (Orthoptera : Acrididae)

Le criquet pelerin est un grand ravageur des cultures sous sa forme gregaire. Le principal facteur de sa gregarisation est son grand pouvoir de reproduction. L\'objectif de cette etude est d\'evaluer l\'impact des doses subletales de fenitrothion sur la maturite sexuelle, la capacite de ponte et la descendance de Schistocera gregaria . Sur des imagos âges de 5 jours en cage, les doses subletales de fenitrothion de 0,01g/l par effet de contact et 0,09 g/l par effet d\'ingestion ont ete appliquees a l\'aide d\'un pulverisateur a main une fois par jour pendant 3 jours de suite. Le suivi de la maturite sexuelle s\'est fait par une dissection des ovaires sous loupe binoculaire et une etude histologique. Les resultats revelent que les traitements aux doses subletales de fenitrothion n\'ont pas d\'effet remarquable sur la maturite sexuelle des criquets traites. Par contre, leurs descendants restent steriles avec des ovaires atrophies de coloration orangee. Les coupes histologiques des ovaires revelent que les ovocytes sont reduits (8,5±0,04 mm a 0,187±0,02 mm) et bloques en previtellogenese. Ces resultats sont encourageants quant a leur utilisation dans la mise en place d\'un programme de lutte integree contre le criquet pelerin. Desert locust is a great destroyer of the cultures in its gregarious form. The principal factor of gregariousation is its great capacity for reproduction. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of sublethal doses of fenitrothion on sexual maturity, capacity of laying and the descendance of Schistocera gregaria . Sublethal doses of fenitrothion were applied using a pulverizer to 3 times during 3 days to 5 days old imagos; 0,01g/l by contact effect and 0,09g/ l by ingestion effect. The follow-up of sexual maturity was done by a dissection of ovaries under binocular magnifying glass and the histological treatments. The results show that the treatments with sublethal doses of fenitrothion haven\'t remarquable effect on sexual maturity of the treated locusts. As for their descendants, they remain sterile; with orange\'s atrophied ovaries. The histology of ovaries shows that the ovocytes reduced (8,5 ± 0,04 at 0,187±0,02mm) and are blocked in previtellogenis. These results are encouraging as for their use in the planning of an integrated campaign against desert locust. Keywords : Desert locust-fenitrothion-sublethal doses-ovogenesis-histology. Sciences & Nature Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 177-189
New insight on the charge trapping mechanisms of SiN-based memory by atomistic simulations and electrical modeling

In this paper, we have studied the charge trapping mechanisms of nitride-based non-volatile memories. The impact of different silicon-nitride (SiN) compositions (standard, std, and Si-rich) on the device characteristics has been investigated through material characterizations, electrical measurements, atomistic and electrical simulations. We found that the different physical nature of the dominant defects in the two SiN compositions is at the origin of the different device electrical behaviors. In particular, we argue that the different electron occupation number of the defect states of the two SiN materials explains the observed faster erasing speed and charge loss rate of Si-rich SiN devices, with respect to std SiN devices, in spite of comparable programming behavior. A simple trap model is proposed to improve state of the art simulators of SiN based memories.
Comparison of phenotypic expression with genotypic transformation by using cloned, selectable markers

The frequency of phenotypic expression of the herpes simplex virus type 1 tk and Escherichia coli gpt genes was compared with the frequency of genotypic transformation after calcium phosphate-mediated DNA transfection of a number of tk- and hprt- cell lines. In three of the five lines tested, the frequency of phenotypic expression was at most 10-fold higher than that of genotypic transformation as indicated by frequency of HAT resistance. The remaining two lines showed phenotypic responses which were 50- to 100-fold greater than the genotypic responses. The data indicate that the efficiency of DNA-mediated transformation with some cell lines can be limited by events after the uptake and expression of transfected DNA.
Targeted therapies in pancreatic cancer: Promises and failures

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an incidence rate nearly equal to its mortality rate. The poor prognosis of the disease can be explained by the absence of effective biomarkers for screening and early detection, together with the aggressive behavior and resistance to the currently available chemotherapy. The therapeutic failure can also be attributed to the inter‐/intratumor genetic heterogeneity and the abundance of tumor stroma that occupies the majority of the tumor mass. Gemcitabine is used in the treatment of PDAC; however, the response rate is less than 12%. A recent phase III trial revealed that the combination of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin could be an option for the treatment of metastatic PDAC patients with good performance status, although these approaches can result in high toxicity level. Further investigations are required to develop innovative anticancer agents that either improve gemcitabine activity, within novel combinatorial approaches or acts with a better efficacy than gemcitabine. The aim of the current review is to give an overview of preclinical and clinical studies targeting key dysregulated signaling pathways in PDAC.
Different patterns of cerebral activation in genuine and malingered cognitive effort during performance on the Word Memory Test

Primary objective: The Word Memory Test (WMT) is a popular symptom validity test in which individuals are required to remember and recall semantically-related word pairs. Research shows successful WMT completion employs a wide neural network which is involved in tasks requiring high cognitive effort. The primary purpose of this study was to replicate earlier fMRI findings using a larger sample and extend previous findings by including male and female subjects. The second purpose was to investigate the neural networks involved during intentional malingering on the WMT. Research design: For all trials, a time-series ANCOVA design was implemented using SPM5 software. Methods and procedures: Ten subjects (five male and five female) underwent fMRI imaging while completing the WMT in full-effort and simulated poor effort conditions. Main outcome and results: Full-effort trials found activation peaks in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, superior parietal lobe, anterior cingulate, bilateral lingual cortices and anterior insula/frontal operculum, supporting earlier findings. Simulated poor effort trials had similar foci of activation, with additional peak strength in surrounding cortical regions identified previously as relevant to simulated malingering. No sex differences were observed in either condition. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the neural underpinnings of WMT performance in normal and simulated performance.
DC motor speed control methods using MATLAB/Simulink and their integration into undergraduate electric machinery courses

This paper describes the MATLAB/Simulink realization of the DC motor speed control methods, namely field resistance, armature voltage and armature resistance control methods, and feedback control system for DC motor drives. These simulation models are developed as a part of a software laboratory to support and enhance undergraduate electric machinery courses at Nigde University, Nigde, Turkey. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 15: 347–354, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20151