Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fully integrated ultra-low-power asynchronously driven step-down DC-DC converter

This paper proposes a fully integrated asynchronous step-down switched capacitor DC-DC conversion structure. The circuit uses a fully digital asynchronous state machine as the heart of the control circuitry. To minimize the switching losses, the asynchronous controller scales the switching frequency of the converter according to the load. It also turns on additional parallel switches when needed. This circuit regulates load voltages from 300mV to 1.1V derived from a 1.2V input voltage. A total of 350pF on chip capacitance was implemented to support a maximum of 250µW load power, while providing efficiencies up to 80%. The circuit validating the proposed concepts was implemented in 0. 13µm CMOS technology.
Enhancement of the Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity of Low-Fucose IgG1 Is Independent of FcγRIIIa Functional Polymorphism

Purpose: The most common polymorphic variant of Fcγ receptor type IIIa (FcγRIIIa), FcγRIIIa-158F, has been associated with inferior clinical responses to anti-CD20 chimeric IgG1 rituximab compared with FcγRIIIa-158V. As we previously found that removal of fucose residues from the oligosaccharides of human IgG1 results in enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, we compared the effects of the FcγRIIIa gene (FCGR3A) polymorphism on normal and low-fucose versions of rituximab on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Experimental Design: The polymorphism at position 158 of FcγRIIIa was determined for the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 20 healthy donors. The PBMCs were then used as effector cells to compare the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of rituximab and a low-fucose version, KM3065. The contributions of the different cell types within the PBMC to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity were examined. Results: We found KM3065-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity was increased 10 to 100-fold compared with rituximab for each of the 20 donors. In contrast to rituximab, KM3065 antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity enhancement was similar for both FCGR3A alleles and thus independent of genotype. In addition, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of both KM3065 and rituximab requires natural killer cells but not monocytes nor polymorphonuclear cells. The antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of each of the 20 donors correlated with the natural killer cell numbers present in the PBMCs. Importantly, using KM3065, the ADCC mediated by effector cells bearing the lower affinity variant FcγRIIIa-158F was significantly increased compared with rituximab-mediated ADCC using effector cells bearing the higher affinity FcγRIIIa-158V receptors. Conclusions: The use of low-fucose antibodies might improve the therapeutic effects of anti-CD20 therapy for all patients independent of FcγRIIIa phenotype beyond that currently seen with even the most responsive patients.
An analysis of the electromagnetic waves propagating inside rooms in which people exist

Electromagnetic waves propagating inside rooms in which people exist have been analysed. A human body is one of the obstacles which disturb propagation of electromagnetic waves. Analysing electromagnetic waves propagating through space where people exist is very important these days in that indoor wireless communication technologies have become widespread. In this paper, considering a spread of people in a room, electromagnetic waves propagating inside the room, which is enclosed with concrete walls, have been analysed by using not only the FVTD method but also experimental measurements. The results show that people's existence affects distribution of the electric field strengths inside a room.
Effects of telmisartan therapy on metabolic profiles and serum high molecular weight (HMW)-adiponectin level in Japanese male hypertensive subjects with abdominal obesity.

AIM Telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), was reported to have partial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) activity in vitro. Also, adipocyte-derived protein adiponectin, especially its high molecular weight (HMW) form, has been reported to have beneficial effects on insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. We investigated the effects of 3-month telmisartan therapy on various metabolic parameters, including serum HMW adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in male hypertensive subjects with abdominal obesity. METHODS This study included 19 Japanese male hypertensive subjects, aged 51.2+/-7.6 (mean+/-SD) years, and body mass index 27.7+/-4.1 kg/m(2). In these subjects, 14 were naive to telmisartan treatment (40.0+/-15.7 mg daily), and 5 were changed from other ARBs to telmisartan. Serum HMW adiponectin concentration was assayed using HMW-selective ELISA kit. RESULTS In all 19 subjects, systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP) decreased from 153/98 to 134/85 mmHg (p<0.001 for both). Serum HMW-adiponectin level increased from 2.06+/-0.81 to 2.40+/-0.96 microg/mL (+16.4%, p=0.017). Body weight, glucose, insulin, lipids and hs-CRP did not change during the study period, and there were no adverse effects in any subject. In the newly administered group (n=14), the results were almost the same: BP decreased from 155/98 to 134/84 mmHg (p=0.0015 for both), and serum HMW-adiponectin level increased from 2.07+/-0.68 to 2.39+/-0.99 microg/mL (+15.5%, p=0.089). CONCLUSION These data suggest that telmisartan therapy is efficient for controlling BP, and may exert beneficial effects on HMW adiponectin in male hypertensive subjects with abdominal obesity.
Carcinoma-associated fucosylated antigens are markers of the epithelial state and can contribute to cell adhesion through CLEC17A (Prolectin)

Terminal fucosylated motifs of glycoproteins and glycolipid chains are often altered in cancer cells. We investigated the link between fucosylation changes and critical steps in cancer progression: epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and lymph node metastasis. Using mammary cell lines, we demonstrate that during EMT, expression of some fucosylated antigens (e.g.: Lewis Y) is decreased as a result of repression of the fucosyltransferase genes FUT1 and FUT3. Moreover, we identify the fucose-binding bacterial lectin BC2L-C-Nt as a specific probe for the epithelial state. Prolectin (CLEC17A), a human lectin found on lymph node B cells, shares ligand specificities with BC2L-C-Nt. It binds preferentially to epithelial rather than to mesenchymal cells, and microfluidic experiments showed that prolectin behaves as a cell adhesion molecule for epithelial cells. Comparison of paired primary tumors/lymph node metastases revealed an increase of prolectin staining in metastasis and high FUT1 and FUT3 mRNA expression was associated with poor prognosis. Our data suggest that tumor cells invading the lymph nodes and expressing fucosylated motifs associated with the epithelial state could use prolectin as a colonization factor.
Lung-Stage Protein Profile and Antigenic Relationship Between Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum

The protein profile and antigenic properties of lung-stage larvae of Ascaris lumbricoides and A. suum were studied using 2-dimensional electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis, respectively. The protein profiles of the 2 parasites were identical except for the presence of only 1 major protein spot specific for each. There was a complete cross-reactivity between the 2 parasites at the immunological level, and no specific antigen was recognized using specific antibody raised against the 2 parasites in rabbits.
ß-Galactosidase Repression in Escherichia coli B 23 Using Minimal Concentrations of Glucose and Sucrose

The synthesis of metabolic enzymes for poor carbon sources are repressed in the presence of glucose. It was investigated whether Escherichia coli cultured in various concentrations of glucose and sucrose would undergo β-galactosidase repression from the lac operon and to what extent. Cells were initially grown in 0.2% glycerol prior to the addition of one of the following nutrients: 0.08% glucose, 0.06% glucose, 0.05% glucose, 0.045% glucose, 0.08% sucrose, 0.06% sucrose, 0.05% sucrose and 0.045% sucrose. The data acquired indicates that glucose is more effective at catabolite repression than equal concentrations of sucrose as seen by a slowed induction rate compared to the glycerol control. No significant differences in repression were observed within the tested concentration range for either sugar suggesting that either the assay was not sensitive enough to differentiate between subtle changes in enzyme activity or that it may function in a discontinuous manner instead of a continuous trend, with all tested concentrations falling above a certain threshold value.
How phonological context affects comprehension: The case of assimilated nasals and stops

Four forced-choice identification tasks examined the recognition of words containing sounds that have undergone the process of nasal place assimilation (‘phone box’: /n/→[m]) or stop place assimilation (‘cat box’: /t/→[p]). Identification scores and response times were measured for words ending in unassimilated or assimilated coronal consonants, which were either presented in isolation or within a carrier sentence that provided the triggering phonological context for place assimilation (i.e., where the word-final coronal consonant is followed by a word-initial labial sound). Identification scores showed that the presence of the context had a positive influence on listeners’ correct identification of the assimilated forms. Furthermore, this effect was comparable across nasal and stop consonants. However, response time measures showed that phonological context speeded the recognition of assimilated nasals but not assimilated stops. This finding is consistent with the idea that compensation for assimilation involves distinct processing mechanisms for nasals versus stop consonants.
Regulatory role of endogenous interleukin-10 in cutaneous inflammatory response of murine wound healing.

This study investigated the role of endogenous interleukin (IL)-10 in cutaneous wound healing. Both IL-10 mRNA and protein were detectable in murine incised wounds for 10 days after injury. The IL-10 protein level peaked 3 h after incision, returned to the normal level by 24 h, but increased again to another peak at 72 h. In situ hybridization studies and immunostaining revealed that epidermal cells and infiltrating mononuclear cells were the major source of IL-10. Neutralizing antibody studies demonstrated that IL-10 inhibited the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages toward the site of injury. IL-10 also inhibited overexpression of C-C chemokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) in vivo. These results suggest that IL-10 may play an important regulatory role in the phase-specific infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages as well as the cytokine production in the inflammatory response of cutaneous wound healing.
The Gezer Calendar

"Je crois done que c'est par un itineraire a travers le Galaad primitif au Sud du Zerqa que la tradition israelite se repr6sentait le retour du Patriarche. A l'4poque patriarcale, le Nord de la Transjordanie, Basan, 6tait occup6 par des sidentaires, qui se seraient opposes a un passage de nomades; plus au Sud, le massif boise du 'APlfin tait evite par les caravanes. Le prudent Jacob a contourn6 ces deux obstacles et a choisi un acc's plus nieridional vers la vallie du Jourdain. "
An Empirical Study of IT-enabled Enterprise Risk Management and Organizational Resilience

Contemporary organizations are increasingly challenged by the expanding variety of risks and threats posed by turbulent and complex business environments. This paper addresses the importance of organizations having the ability to cope with risks and uncertainties by exploring IT-enabled enterprise risk management (ERM) capability as a means of achieving organizational resilience. Based on the synthesis of prior risk management theoretical frameworks, we posit that information technology is a key enabler of enterprise risk management capability that integrate risk management into enterprise-wide business processes, with organizational commitment as a complementary enabler. By examining the relationship of IT-enabled ERM capability and organizational resilience under the moderating effect of business network structure strength, this study provides insights on how to ensure continued survival of organizations in today’s volatile operating climate where risks extend beyond the organizational boundaries. Empirical findings from a survey of 185 organizations in Singapore show that IT assets and organizational commitment play significant roles in building up IT-enabled ERM capabilities. Organizational resilience is also found to be strongly impacted by the organization’s IT-enabled ERM capabilities, while the firm’s business network structure strength negatively moderates this relationship to a small extent. Managerial implications stemming from the empirical findings are discussed and directions for future research on enterprise risk management as a burgeoning research area for IS researchers are also offered.
Evaluation of ART Scores for Repeated Transarterial Chemoembolization in Japanese Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recommended as a first-line therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients ineligible for curative therapy and without portal invasion. The Assessment for Retreatment with TACE (ART) scoring system was recently proposed for identifying patients who would not show sufficient survival benefit from repeated TACE. We reevaluated the performance of ART in HCC patients treated in Japan, where selective TACE is commonly used. Methods: Between 2000 and 2013, 988 patients with HCC underwent TACE at Kinki University Hospital, and 627 received ≥2 sessions of TACE. Seventy-six patients who underwent ≥2 TACE sessions within 90 days were investigated for their performance of the ART score in the context of overall survival (OS). Results: Only 12% (76/627) of patients underwent ≥2 TACE sessions within 90 days. Of those, 52 patients showed a low ART score (0-1.5), and 24 had a high ART score (≥2.5); the median OS was 20.2 and 37.6 months, respectively (p = 0.8207). Conclusion: The ART scoring system did not demonstrate a sufficiently predictive impact on OS among the patients who underwent ≥2 TACE sessions within 90 days. Application of the ART score should be carefully considered because differences in TACE procedures and post-TACE treatment can affect the results while evaluating OS.
Optical conductivity of superconducting K 0.8 Fe 2-y Se 2 single crystals: Evidence for a Josephson-coupled phase

The optical properties of the iron-chalcogenide superconductor K{0.8}Fe{2-y}Se2, with a critical temperature Tc = 31 K, have been measured over a wide frequency range in the a-b planes above and below Tc. The conductivity is incoherent at room temperature, but becomes coherent (Drude-like) at T ~ Tc; however, R_\Box ~ 64 k-Ohm, well above the threshold for the superconductor-insulator transition at R_\Box = h/4e^2 ~ 6.9 k-Ohm. Below Tc, the superfluid density \rho_{s0} ~ 48 x 10^3 cm^{-2} places this material on the scaling line \rho_{s0}/8 ~ 4.4 \sigma_{dc} Tc, but in a region associated with Josephson coupling, suggesting this material is inhomogeneous and constitutes a Josephson phase.
Molecular regulation of progesterone synthesis in the bovine corpus luteum

In bovine luteal cells, progesterone can directly affect its own synthesis by increasing the activity of 3β-HSD. The effect of progesterone on its own secretion coincides with increased expression of the genes for 3β- HSD, StAR, and cytochrome P450scc. Therefore, progesterone regulates its own synthesis by affecting the activity of the enzymes that take part in luteal steroidogenesis, and also by affecting the expression of the genes for these enzymes. The aims of this study were: (a) to determine whether progesterone affects the expression of the gene for its own receptor, thereby affecting its own synthesis; and (b) to determine whether oxytocin and noradrena - line affect the expression of the genes for the oxytocin receptor (OT-R), the progesterone receptor (P4-R), and the β 2 receptor (β 2 -R), thereby regulating luteal steroidogenesis. Two populations of luteal cells were used in the present study: from 6 th -10 th and 11 th -16 th days of the estrous cycle, which were isolated from luteum (CL)
Duck Hepatitis B Virus Virion Secretion Requires a Double-Stranded DNA Genome

ABSTRACT Hepatitis B virus assembly begins with the packaging of an RNA pregenome into intracellular nucleocapsids, with subsequent reverse transcription within these nucleocapsids converting the RNA into a characteristic, partially double-stranded DNA, which, alone, is found in enveloped extracellular virions as the viral genome. Using a synchronized replication system for the duck hepatitis B virus, together with a stringent two-step assay for virion secretion, we demonstrate that this selective genome secretion results from an intrinsic secretion competence gained only by the nucleocapsids at the late stage of reverse transcription.
Premotor Parkinson's disease: Clinical features and detection strategies

In many areas of medicine, the focus has shifted from treating existing disease to screening and prevention. The technology to screen for Parkinson's disease (PD) already exists. The current challenge is to define the appropriate use of predictive testing for PD. Imaging technologies currently offer the highest degree of accuracy for identifying premotor PD, but they are expensive as screening tools. Efficiency is greatly enhanced by combining imaging with a prescreening test, such as olfactory testing. This two‐step process has the potential to greatly reduce costs while retaining diagnostic accuracy. Ultimately, the role of preclinical detection of PD will be determined by the ability of emerging therapies to influence clinical outcomes. As such, implementation of large‐scale screening strategies awaits the arrival of clearly safe and effective therapies that address the underlying pathogenesis of PD. Current research to evaluate efficient screening methods and to understand the clinical and physiological features of “premotor” PD will lay the foundation for the screening and prevention strategies of the future. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Therapeutic abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy

Late therapeutic abortion represents termination of pregnancy in the second trimester, before the moment of reaching fetal viability, with the purpose of protecting the mother’s health. The techniques for terminating a pregnancy in the second trimester can be classified as surgical ones (cervical dilation followed by uterine evacuation and laparotomy with hysterotomy or hysterectomy) and medical ones (intravenous oxytocin solution, intraamniotic hyperosmotic solution, prostaglandins and intraamniotic, extraovular, parenteral, oral and vaginal analogues of prostaglandins, just as sensitizers of the myometrium before applying prostaglandins and various combinations of the above mentioned). Prostaglandins are preferentially used nowadays to terminate second trimester pregnancy because of the drawbacks presented by the other surgical and medical methods (used in this purpose), such as limited efficiency and/or their severe complications. This study is intended to extend the existent experience regarding the intravaginal misoprostol for second trimester therapeutic abortion induction. This prospective clinic study selected 20 pregnant women, with a gestational age of 15 to 27 weeks who have been checked in the Clinic of Obstetrics-Gynecology of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, for therapeutic abortion induction. The 20 pregnant women received in PVF a 200μg misoprostol tablet each 12 hours, respecting strictly the protocol developed by the authors. Our results demonstrate clearly that in the conditions of therapeutic correction/counteraction of the complications associated to pregnancies that must be terminated in the second trimester, the rate of abortion in the first 24 hours from the intravaginal misoprostol application (following the protocol developed by the authors) can become 100%, while the average duration of the abortion induced in the same manner drops to under 12 hours. Our observations indicate a rate of complete abortion of 60%, which reduced significantly the rate of postabortum curettage, in the same time opening new perspectives to fetal transplantation and noninvasive investigation of the amniotic fluid. Keywords—induced abortion, intravaginal misoprostol, second trimester abortion.
Assessment of Mehlich3 and Ammonium Bicarbonate‐DTPA Extraction for Simultaneous Measurement of Fifteen Elements in Soils

Few existing extractions such as Mehlich3 and ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA (ABDTPA) can be used as a multi‐element soil test. A multi‐element extraction is attractive to scientists and soil testing laboratories because it eliminates the need for multiple extractions and allows simultaneous measurement of elements by using the Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP). The objective of this study was to evaluate Mehlich3 and ABDTPA for simultaneous measurement of 15 elements in 30 acidic and 20 alkaline U.S. soils from 21 states. Widely‐accepted, and conventional soil tests (Bray1 and Olsen for phosphorus (P); NH4OAc for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na); diluted HCl and DTPA for aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were employed for the evaluation. Single and multiple regression analysis were applied to investigate the relationship between Mehlich3 or ABDTPA and the respective soil test. The results can be summarized: 1) Mehlich3 provided a good measurement for labile P in all soils while ABDTPA provided reliable results for alkaline soils; 2) Mehlich3 was a suitable extract for Ca, Mg, K, and Na for all soils while ABDTPA could not be used for Ca; 3) Mehlich3 or ABDTPA was an appropriate extract for Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in all soils. The fact that most soils investigated had trace amounts of Co, and Cr hindered their evaluation. Accordingly, Mehlich3 extraction could be recommended for simultaneous measurement of at least 13 elements in soils.