Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxide–Nitride–Oxide Capacitor Reliability Under Heavy-Ion Irradiation

We investigate heavy ion irradiation effects on large area capacitors with an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) stack as dielectric. Despite the thickness of this stack (16.5 nm), we observe the onset of a leakage current after irradiation. We demonstrate that this leakage current is a truly DC current that flows through the ONO stack and decreases with time. Electrical stresses demonstrate that irradiation does not reduce the time-to-breakdown of these devices. Noticeably, capacitors with a 9-nm layer as dielectric and irradiated with the same ion specie and with the same fluence do not show any measurable leakage current.
Peroxiredoxin 4 Improves Insulin Biosynthesis and Glucose-induced Insulin Secretion in Insulin-secreting INS-1E Cells*

Background: Peroxiredoxin 4 facilitates de novo disulfide bond formation by metabolizing hydrogen peroxide. Results: Overexpression of peroxiredoxin 4 improved insulin synthesis and glucose-induced insulin secretion. Conclusion: Increasing the constitutively low expression of peroxiredoxin 4 enhances the ER folding capacity and improves β-cell function. Significance: Peroxiredoxin 4 contributes to the preservation of β-cell function under conditions of high insulin requirement. Oxidative folding of (pro)insulin is crucial for its assembly and biological function. This process takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is accomplished by protein disulfide isomerase and ER oxidoreductin 1β, generating stoichiometric amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as byproduct. During insulin resistance in the prediabetic state, increased insulin biosynthesis can overwhelm the ER antioxidative and folding capacity, causing an imbalance in the ER redox homeostasis and oxidative stress. Peroxiredoxin 4 (Prdx4), an ER-specific antioxidative peroxidase can utilize luminal H2O2 as driving force for reoxidizing protein disulfide isomerase family members, thus efficiently contributing to disulfide bond formation. Here, we examined the functional significance of Prdx4 on β-cell function with emphasis on insulin content and secretion during stimulation with nutrient secretagogues. Overexpression of Prdx4 in glucose-responsive insulin-secreting INS-1E cells significantly metabolized luminal H2O2 and improved the glucose-induced insulin secretion, which was accompanied by the enhanced proinsulin mRNA transcription and insulin content. This β-cell beneficial effect was also observed upon stimulation with the nutrient insulin secretagogue combination of leucine plus glutamine, indicating that the effect is not restricted to glucose. However, knockdown of Prdx4 had no impact on H2O2 metabolism or β-cell function due to the fact that Prdx4 expression is negligibly low in pancreatic β-cells. Moreover, we provide evidence that the constitutively low expression of Prdx4 is highly susceptible to hyperoxidation in the presence of high glucose. Overall, these data suggest an important role of Prdx4 in maintaining insulin levels and improving the ER folding capacity also under conditions of a high insulin requirement.
Botulinum toxin for diabetic neuropathic pain

Background: Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication in diabetes, with patients typically experiencing diverse sensory symptoms including dysesthesias in the feet and usually accompanied by sleep disturbance. There is still no comprehensive understanding of the underlying biologic processes responsible for diabetic neuropathic pain. Thus, the current symptomatic therapy remains unsatisfactory. Recent experimental evidence suggests that botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) may not only inhibit the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junctions, but also modulate afferent sensory fiber firing, thereby relieving neuropathic pain. Methods: A double-blind crossover trial of intradermal BoNT/A for diabetic neuropathic pain in 18 patients was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness. Results: We find significant reduction in visual analog scale (VAS) of pain by 0.83 ± 1.11 at 1 week, 2.22 ± 2.24 at 4 weeks, 2.33 ± 2.56 at 8 weeks, and 2.53 ± 2.48 at 12 weeks after injection in the BoNT/A group, as compared to the respective findings for a placebo group of 0.39 ± 1.18, −0.11 ± 2.04, 0.42 ± 1.62, and 0.53 ± 1.57 at the same timepoints (p < 0.05). Within the BoNT/A group, 44.4% of the participants experienced a reduction of VAS ≥3 within 3 months after injection, whereas there was no similar response in the placebo group. At the 4-week postinjection stage, improvement in sleep quality was measured using the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Conclusions: This pilot study found that botulinum toxin type A significantly reduced diabetic neuropathic pain and transiently improved sleep quality. Further large-scaled study is warranted.
Gate Leakage Mechanisms in AlGaN/GaN and AlInN/GaN HEMTs: Comparison and Modeling

The gate leakage mechanisms in AlInN/GaN and AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are compared using temperature-dependent gate current-voltage (IG-VG) characteristics. The reverse bias gate current of AlInN/GaN HEMTs is decomposed into three distinct components, which are thermionic emission (TE), Poole-Frenkel (PF) emission, and Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling. The electric field across the barrier in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs is not sufficient to support FN tunneling. Hence, only TE and PF emission is observed in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. In both sets of devices, however, an additional trap-assisted tunneling component of current is observed at low reverse bias. A model to describe the experimental IG-VG characteristics is proposed and the procedure to extract the associated parameters is described. The model follows the experimental gate leakage current closely over a wide range of bias and temperature for both AlGaN/GaN and AlInN/GaN HEMTs.
Individualism and Corruption: A Cross‐Country Analysis

While the role of cultural norms in determining corruption is well-explored in the empirical literature, the relationship between a specific aspect of culture, that is, individualism versus collectivism, and corruption is rather unexplored. This paper investigates the relationship between individualism/collectivism and corruption in a large cross-section of countries. To establish causality, the paper uses an index of historical prevalence of infectious diseases and a measure of genetic distance between the population in a country from that in the United States to instrument the individualism/collectivism variable. We find that more individualistic countries have lower levels of corruption (perception). This relationship is robust to the inclusion of a rich set of control variables and to the use of alternative measures of corruption.
Inspiratory flow resistive loading improves respiratory muscle function and endurance capacity in recreational runners

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of inspiratory flow resistive loading (IFRL) on respiratory muscle function, exercise performance and cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses to exercise. Twenty‐four recreational road runners (12 male) were randomly assigned from each gender into an IFRL group (n=8) and sham‐IFRL group (n=8), which performed IFRL for 6 weeks, or a control group (n=8). Strength (+43.9%Δ), endurance (+26.6%Δ), maximum power output (+41.9%Δ) and work capacity (+38.5%Δ) of the inspiratory muscles were significantly increased (P<0.05) at rest following the study period in IFRL group only. In addition, ventilation (−25.7%Δ), oxygen consumption (−13.3%Δ), breathing frequency (−11.9%Δ), tidal volume (−16.0%Δ), heart rate (HR) (−13.1%Δ), blood lactate concentration (−38.9%Δ) and the perceptual response (−33.5%Δ) to constant workload exercise were significantly attenuated (P<0.05), concomitant with a significant improvement (P<0.05) in endurance exercise capacity (+16.4%Δ) during a treadmill run set at 80% in IFRL group only. These data suggest that IFRL can alter breathing mechanics, attenuate the oxygen cost, ventilation, HR, blood lactate and the perceptual response during constant workload exercise and improve endurance exercise performance in recreational runners.
It takes two: how Eurosceptic public opinion and party divisions influence party positions

Abstract Do parties respond to voters’ preferences on European integration in elections to the European Parliament (EP)? Following recent research that shows political party responsiveness to Eurosceptic attitudes during EP elections is conditioned by party characteristics, this article seeks to understand how party unity on European integration affects party responsiveness to Euroscepticism. It argues that when Eurosceptic attitudes among voters are high and the parties are divided in their position on European integration, parties will be more responsive to voters and take a more Eurosceptic position. To test the theoretical expectations, the study uses data from the Chapel Hill Expert Survey, the Euromanifestos Project, and European Election Study for 1989–2009 for over 120 parties across 20 European Union member states. The findings have important implications for understanding the nature of democratic representation in the European Union.
Testosterone substitution of hypogonadal men prevents the age-dependent increases in body mass index, body fat and leptin seen in healthy ageing men: results of a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION In healthy men, body weight and total fat content increase with advancing age, while serum testosterone levels decrease. In order to elucidate whether a causal relationship between these phenomena exists, we investigated the influence of testosterone or human chorionic gonadotrophin substitution on body mass index (BMI), total fat mass and serum leptin in testosterone-treated and untreated hypogonadal patients in comparison with ageing eugonadal men. METHODS In a cross-sectional study, the inter-relationships of body weight, total fat mass, serum sex hormones and leptin were analysed in untreated hypogonadal men (n=24; age 19-65 years), treated hypogonadal men (n=61; age 20-67 years) and healthy eugonadal men (n=60; age 24-78 years). Total fat mass was assessed by bioimpedance measurement. Univariate and multiple linear regression analysis was used to detect possible differences. RESULTS In eugonadal men, serum testosterone levels decreased with advancing age (correlation coefficients: r=-0.71; P<0.0001), while BMI (r=0.39; P=0.002), total fat content (r=0.51; P<0.0001) and leptin (r=0.48; P<0.0001) increased significantly. In untreated hypogonadal patients, an increase in BMI (r=0.50; P=0.013) and total fat mass (r=0.41; P=0.044) was also observed with advancing age. However, in substituted hypogonadal patients, no age-dependent change in BMI (r=0.067; P=0.606), body fat content (r=-0.083; P=0.522), serum testosterone (r=-0,071; P=0.59) or serum leptin (r=-0.23; P=0.176) was found. CONCLUSION Since testosterone-substituted older hypogonadal men show BMI and fat mass similar to those of younger eugonadal men and since non-treated hypogonadal men are similar to normal ageing men, testosterone appears to be an important factor contributing to these changes. Thus ageing men should benefit from testosterone substitution as far as body composition is concerned.
Modeling Cell Survival after Photon Irradiation Based on Double-Strand Break Clustering in Megabase Pair Chromatin Loops

A new, simple mechanistic dose-response model for cell survival after photon irradiation is presented. Its ingredients are motivated by the concept of giant loops, which constitute a level of chromatin organization on a megabase pair length scale. Double-strand breaks (DSBs) that are induced within different loop domains of the DNA are assumed to be processed independently by the cell's repair mechanism. The model distinguishes between two classes of damage, characterized by either a single DSB or multiple DSBs within a single loop. Different repair fidelities are associated with these two damage classes from which lethality of damages and consequently the survival probability of cells is derived. Given the giant loop chromatin organization and the assumption of two damage classes represent the main pillars of this new approach, we propose to call it the Giant LOop Binary LEsion (GLOBLE) approach. In this paper, we discuss the motivation and the formulation of the model as well as some basic implications. First applications to experimental data obtained with 250 kV X-rays exhibit that the model is able to reveal important features of the dose-response curves describing cell survival. These comprise a linear-quadratic behavior at lower doses and a transition to a straight dose-response relationship at high doses. We establish relationships to the parameters α and β of the linear-quadratic model and discuss possible generalizations. When expressed in terms of the linear-quadratic model, we demonstrate that our new model predicts an intrinsic anticorrelation between β and α, in line with an analysis of a large set of experimental data that is based on survival curves for more than 150 cell lines.
Sedentary yam-based cropping systems in West Africa: Benefits of the use of herbaceous cover-crop legumes and rotation—lessons and challenges

ABSTRACT New farming technologies such as improved fallow of herbaceous legumes have been developed over the last 20 years as alternatives to traditional yam cropping systems in areas where shifting cultivation is no more possible. One aim of this research was to analyze actual adoption by smallholders of such a technology and influencing factors in the Southern Guinea Savannah in Benin (West Africa). On the other hand, a second objective was to measure agronomic and economic performances of the innovative yam-based cropping systems in comparison with the usual ones under producers’ natural and socioeconomic circumstances in order to discuss the technology potential for large scale adoption. Smallholders with limited land access now develop as usual cropping systems a one-year fallow of Andropogonon gayanus–yam rotation or a maize–yam rotation. Innovative sedentary yam-based systems consist of an Aeschynomene histrix intercropped with maize–yam rotation or a Mucuna pruriens intercropped with maize–yam rotation. Factors potentially affecting adoption were included in a polynomial logit model. Agronomic and economic performances were assessed by the multiple regression and net present value of the 4-years double rotation. Ranking matrix was used to highlight constraints that may impede adoption. Benefits, lessons, and challenges are discussed in this article.
Intracellular Translocation and Stability of Apolipoprotein B Are Inversely Proportional to the Length of the Nascent Polypeptide*

We have studied the relationship between the length of apolipoprotein B (apoB) and its intracellular translocation and stability using McArdle RH7777 (McA-RH7777) cells expressing recombinant human apoB variants, ranging in size from B15 to B100. The translocational status of apoB was assessed based on trypsin sensitivity of apoB using isolated microsomes as well as permeabilized cells. In isolated microsomes, shorter apoB variants (≤B48) were 75–100% resistant to exogenous trypsin digestion, whereas apoB variants larger than B48 were less than 40% trypsin-resistant. Experiments with hepatic microsomes isolated from rat or transgenic mice expressing human B48 and B100 also confirmed the high trypsin accessibility of B100 compared with B48. In permeabilized cells, apoB variants shorter than B48 were relatively resistant to exogenous trypsin (percentage of trypsin-resistant apoB greater than 70%) in contrast to recombinant human B72 and B100, which were only 55 and 42% trypsin-resistant, respectively. The trypsin sensitivity of human B100 was comparable with that of endogenous rat B100 in McA-RH7777 cells as well as endogenous B100 in HepG2 cells (percentages of trypsin-resistant cells were as follows: for human B100 construct, 42 ± 7.5%; for endogenous McA-RH7777 B100, 52 ± 2.9%; and for endogenous HepG2 B100, 46 ± 6.3%). Overall, an inverse correlation between the length of apoB and its resistance to exogenous trypsin was evident irrespective of the model system examined. An inverse relationship was also observed between the size of apoB and its co-translational resistance to proteasomal degradation. Truncated apoB constructs were relatively insensitive to proteasome inhibition by MG132 co-translationally (during the pulse) compared with the full-length B100, which was highly sensitive (apoB recovered in the presence of MG132 as a percentage of control was as follows: B15, 127%; B29, 94%; B48, 110%; B72, 140%; B100, 282%). Post-translationally (over a 2-h chase), a similar inverse relationship was found, with B100 being the least stable in comparison with truncated apoB variants. In summary, as the size of the nascent apoB chain increases, there appears to be a greater cytosolic exposure of the polypeptide, leading to a higher sensitivity to proteasomal degradation.
Burkitt Lymphoma Arising in Organ Transplant Recipients: A Clinicopathologic Study of Five Cases

We report five cases of Burkitt lymphoma arising in organ transplant recipients. There were four men and one woman with a mean age of 35 years. All were solid organ recipients with three renal, one liver, and one double lung transplantation. The time interval between organ transplantation and lymphoma averaged 4.5 years. Patients typically presented with high-stage disease with generalized lymphadenopathy and bone marrow involvement. Histology showed classic Burkitt lymphoma or atypical variant/Burkitt-like morphology. C-MYC rearrangement, including three cases with immunoglobulin heavy chain and two cases with lambda light chain, and Epstein-Barr virus were detected in all the cases. Additional chromosomal abnormalities were present in two of three cases and p53 mutation was found in one of three cases. Aberrant genotype and phenotype were frequently encountered, including minor monoclonal or oligoclonal T-cell populations and undetectable surface immunoglobulin light chain expression. Four patients received antilymphoma regimens, with combination chemotherapy (three patients) and/or Rituximab (three patients), in addition to reduction of immunosuppression. All four patients achieved complete remission. We conclude that posttransplant Burkitt lymphoma represents a characteristic clinicopathologic entity and occurs later after transplantation. Genotypic and phenotypic aberrations are often present. Rituximab may be an effective alternative to conventional combination chemotherapy in the treatment of a posttransplant Burkitt lymphoma.
Effect of ply thickness on transverse crack initiation in CFRP cross-ply laminates under fatigue loading

The effect of ply thickness on the formation of first transverse crack caused in cross-ply carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates was evaluated under fatigue loading. In addition, the initiation process of the transverse crack was observed with an atomic force microscopy (AFM) in detail. The formation of the first transverse crack was evaluated quantitatively with the power law between the transverse crack density growth rate and the normalized energy release rate range associated with transverse crack formation. The analytical results showed good agreement with the experimental results. Moreover, from the analytical results with the cross-ply [0/90 6 ] s and [0 2 /90 12 ] s laminates, it was shown that the fatigue life to the formation of the first transverse crack in [0/90 6 ] s is approximately 100 times longer than that in [0 2 /90 12 ] s . Furthermore, as the results observed the process of the transverse crack initiation with AFM, it was cleared that matrix resins around fibers were uplifted on the laminate edge surface due to cyclic loading. The observation results indicate that the micro cracks are initiated at the interface between fiber and matrix resin by the stress concentration due to the uplift of matrix resins, that the micro cracks grow to the thickness direction in 90° plies with concatenating the interfacial cracks and that the transverse crack is formed finally.
The Epoch-Greedy Algorithm for Multi-armed Bandits with Side Information

We present Epoch-Greedy, an algorithm for multi-armed bandits with observable side information. Epoch-Greedy has the following properties: No knowledge of a time horizon $T$ is necessary. The regret incurred by Epoch-Greedy is controlled by a sample complexity bound for a hypothesis class. The regret scales as $O(T^{2/3} S^{1/3})$ or better (sometimes, much better). Here $S$ is the complexity term in a sample complexity bound for standard supervised learning.
Validity of self‐reports of hand eczema

The validity of questionnaire answers with respect to hand eczema was investigated. Car mechanics, dentists and office workers answered a questionnaire on the occurrence of hand eczema on any occasion during the past 12 months. “Yes”‐responders and a random sample of “no”‐responders were subsequently interviewed and examined by a dermatologist. 10.0% of the car mechanics, 12.0% of the dentists and 12.5% of the office workers were found to have hand eczema despite previous “no”‐answers. In the same populations, 81%, 94% and 80% of the “yes”‐answers were confirmed at the clinical examination. Considering false‐negative and false‐positive answers, the sensitivity was 53–59% and the specificity 96–99% in the 3 groups. The 1‐year prevalence changed from self‐reported 15% to estimated 21% in the car mechanics, from 15% to 24% in the dentists and from 15% to 23% in the office workers. It is concluded that self‐reported 1‐year prevalence of hand eczema considerably underestimates the true prevalence.
Knowledge and willingness of prenatal women in Enugu Southeastern Nigeria to use in labour non-pharmacological pain reliefs.

BACKGROUND Nigerian parturients desire, but experience unsatisfactory pain relief as labour analgesia is underutilised and unpopular among skilled-birth attendants. OBJECTIVES To assess pregnant women's knowledge and willingness to use non-pharmacological labour pain reliefs. METHODS Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, a pre-tested, structured questionnaire was interviewer administered to a convenient sample of 245 prenatal women at a specialist maternity hospital in Enugu. RESULTS Majority (68.6%) of the women knew, but 31.4% were unaware that non-pharmacological labour pain reliefs exist in the study facility. Only 34.7% were able to identify at least four such methods, 21.2% could elicit two (each) advantages and disadvantages, and 0% to 28.3% had perceived self-efficacy of how to use each method. The leading four methods identified were breathing exercises (51.8%), massage (36.7), position changes (32.2%), and relaxation techniques (26.5%). Majority (59.6%) of the women expressed willingness to use non-pharmacological pain strategies in future labour, which is associated with increased knowledge of the methods, and parity (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Pregnant women had limited knowledge of, but majority expressed willingness to use in labour non-pharmacological pain reliefs. Nurses/midwives should give adequate childbirth information and preparation on labour pain reliefs to antenatal women to inform their choices and effective use during labour.