Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Probabilistic Approach of Designing Driving Circuits for Strings of High-Brightness Light Emitting Diodes

Often, high brightness LEDs (HB-LED) are connected in series to create strings. According to their data sheets, the HB-LEDs have a variation in their forward voltage drop. This forward voltage variation may create a non-uniform illumination if the strings are connected in parallel. This paper proposes a probabilistic approach for modeling the forward voltage drop across the HB-LEDs and determining the value of the resistance needed in each string to control the current. The results of this paper show that when the probabilistic models are used, the value of the added balancing resistance is reduced compared to when using standard worst case models.
Transcriptomics in cancer diagnostics: developments in technology, clinical research and commercialization

Transcriptomic technologies are evolving to diagnose cancer earlier and more accurately to provide greater predictive and prognostic utility to oncologists and patients. Digital techniques such as RNA sequencing are replacing still-imaging techniques to provide more detailed analysis of the transcriptome and aberrant expression that causes oncogenesis, while companion diagnostics are developing to determine the likely effectiveness of targeted treatments. This article examines recent advancements in molecular profiling research and technology as applied to cancer diagnosis, clinical applications and predictions for the future of personalized medicine in oncology.
Occurrence and Metabolic Activity of Organisms Under the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica, at Station J9

Seawater samples below the Ross Ice Shelf were collected through an access hole at J9, approximately 400 kilometers from the Ross Sea, Antarctica. The 237-meter water column had sparse populations of bacteria (8.7 x 106 to 1.2 x 107 per liter), microplankters (102 to 103 per cubic meter), and zooplankters (10 to 20 per cubic meter) at the depths studied. Microbial biomass estimates from cellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate measurements were very low (10 to 150 nanograms of carbon per liter), comparable with values for the abyssal ocean. Microbial populations assimilated tritiated D-glucose, thymidine, uridine, and adenosine triphosphate at extremely low rates, comparable with deep-sea heterotrophic populations. Sediment samples had 107 to 108 bacteria per gram (dry weight), which were metabolically active as shown by respiration of uniformly labeled D-[14C]glucose. From this study it cannot be determined whether these organisms in the water column and sediments constitute a functioning food web.
Analysis of Development Performance Using a Development Index Based on Factor Analysis (Old Title- Constructing Multideminsional Indexes of Economic Structure and Development)

Development involves changes in social, economic and institutional structures. Quantifying development requires a large array of variables with different characteristics often highly correlated. A factor analysis approach using inferential decisions based on computed standard errors is proposed. The significant factors are used to construct sub-indexes of structural characteristics and a new development index (DI). The properties of DI are analysed and contrasted with more traditional measures, real per capita income (RIPC) and the Human Development Index (HDI). The methodology is applied to data on 45 variables for 97 countries for 1995-2004. DI is found to have stronger discriminating power.
DriveSafe and DriveAware Assessment Tools Are a Measure of Driving-Related Function and Predicts Self-Reported Restriction for Older Drivers

Safety concerns together with aging of the driving population has prompted research into clinic-based driving assessments. This study investigates the relationship between the DriveSafe and DriveAware assessments and restriction of driving. Community-dwelling adults aged more than 75 (n = 380) were recruited in New South Wales, Australia. Questionnaires were administered to assess driving habits and functional assessments to assess driving-related function. Self-reported restriction was prevalent in this cross-sectional sample (62%) and was related to DriveSafe scores and personal circumstances but not DriveAware scores. DriveSafe scores were correlated with better performance on the Trail-Making Test (TMT; β = −2.94, p < .0001) and better contrast sensitivity (β = 48.70, p < .0001). Awareness was associated with better performance on the TMT (β = 0.08, p < .0001). Our data suggest that DriveSafe and DriveAware are sensitive to deficits in vision and cognition, and drivers with worse DriveSafe scores self-report restricting their driving.
Establishing Acceptance Criteria for Cell-Mediated-Immunity Assays Using Frozen Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Stored under Optimal and Suboptimal Conditions

ABSTRACT The enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay is a powerful tool for measuring antigen-specific cellular immune responses. The ability to use frozen peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) facilitates testing samples in multicenter clinical trials; however, unreliable ELISPOT responses may result if samples are not handled properly. Exposure of frozen PBMC to suboptimal storage temperature (−20°C) or repeated cycling between more optimal storage temperatures (less than −130°C and −70°C) reduced the quality of frozen PBMC, as assessed by cell viability and functional ELISPOT response measures. Cell viability as assessed by trypan blue dye exclusion was reduced, and the percentage of apoptotic cells, as determined by the Guava Nexin assay, was significantly increased after these events. The functional gamma interferon ELISPOT responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) mitogen, a CD4 T-cell-specific antigen (varicella-zoster virus), and a CD8 T-cell-specific antigen (pool containing known cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and influenza virus peptides) were all significantly reduced after suboptimal storage events. However, for a given suboptimal storage event, the magnitude of the reduction varied between individuals and even among aliquots within an individual bleed, indicating the need for sample-specific acceptance criteria (AC). The percent viable or percent apoptotic cells after thaw, as well as the functional ELISPOT response to PHA, were all effective when applied with limits as AC for separating samples damaged during storage from valid control samples. Although all three AC measures could be effectively applied, the apoptosis AC limit applied was best for separating samples that could respond to antigenic stimulation from samples that could not effectively respond.
Vapor pressures, aqueous solubilities, and Henry's law constants of some brominated flame retardants

The subcooled liquid vapor pressures (P°L,25s) and aqueous solubilities (Sw,25s) were determined and Henry's law constants (H25s) were estimated for a number of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) at 25°C. The established methods of the gas chromatography‐retention time and generator column techniques were used to experimentally determine P 0L,25 and Sw,25 for hexabromobenzene and a series of brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) congeners. The H25 was estimated as the ratio of P 0L,25 to the subcooled liquid aqueous solubility. Values of P 0L,25 obtained ranged from 0.000000282 Pa (BDE‐190) to 0.259 Pa (BDE‐3); Sw,25 ranged from 0.00000087 g/L (BDE‐153 and BDE‐154) to 0.00013 g/L (BDE‐15); and H25 ranged from 0.0074 Pa m3/mol (BDE‐183) to 21 Pa m3/mol (BDE‐15). An increase in the bromine content of polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners resulted in significant decreases of P 0L,25 , Sw,25, and H25. A simple four‐compartment equilibrium distribution model suggested that the majority of BFRs being released into the environment would reside in soil and sediment and have localized distributions. The model also suggested that lower brominated congeners tend to be somewhat more mobile. Degradative debromination reactions that yield these congeners would mobilize them environmentally, and ultimately affect the fate and distribution of BFRs.
Assessing education’s contribution to productivity using firm-level evidence

There is plenty of individual-level evidence, based on the estimation of Mincerian equations, showing that better-educated individuals earn more. This is usually interpreted as a proof that education raises labour productivity. Some macroeconomists, analysing cross-country time series, also support the idea that the continuous expansion of education has contributed positively to growth. Surprisingly, most economists with an interest in human capital have neglected the level of the firm to study the education-productivity-wage nexus. And the few published works considering firm-level evidence are lacking a proper strategy to cope with the endogeneity problem inherent to the estimation of production and wage functions. This paper taps into a rich, firm-level, Belgian panel database that contains information on productivity, labour cost and the workforce’s educational attainment. It aims at providing estimates of the causal effect of education on productivity and wage/labour costs. Therefore, it exclusively resorts to within firm changes to deal with time-invariant heterogeneity bias. What is more, it addresses the risk of simultaneity bias (endogeneity of firms’ education-mix choices in the short run) using the structural approach suggested by Ackerberg, Caves & Frazer (2006), alongside more traditional system-generalized method of moments (GMM) methods (Blundell & Bond, 1998) where lagged values of labour inputs are used as instruments. Results suggest that human capital, in particular larger shares of university-educated workers inside firms, translate into significantly higher firm-level labour productivity, and that labour costs are relatively well aligned on education-driven labour productivity differences. In other words, we find evidence that the Mincerian relationship between education and individual wages is driven by a strong positive link between education and firm-level productivity.
Complications of Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Incidence and Predictors

Introduction: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation by catheter ablation is an increasingly used strategy to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). Complication rates from AF ablation reported in different case series vary widely. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 641 consecutive ablation procedures to assess complication rates, temporal trends, and clinical predictors of adverse outcomes.
TAFI deficiency promotes liver damage in murine models of liver failure through defective down-regulation of hepatic inflammation

Summary Emerging evidence indicates that various haemostatic components can regulate the progression of liver disease. Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) possesses anti-inflammatory properties besides its anti-fibrinolytic function. Here, we investigated the contribution of TAFI to the progression of disease in murine models of chronic and acute liver failure. Chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) administration induced liver damage and fibrosis both in TAFI knockout (TAFI−/−) mice and wild-type controls. Smooth muscle actin-α (α-SMA) content of liver tissue was significantly increased after 1 and 3 weeks, and pro-collagen α1 expression was significantly increased after 3 and 6 weeks in TAFI−/− mice. TAFI−/− mice showed significantly elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) after 3 weeks of CCL4. Neutrophil influx was significantly increased in TAFI−/− mice after 6 weeks of CCL4. No difference in hepatic fibrin deposition between TAFI−/− and wild-types was observed. After acetaminophen intoxication, necrosis was significantly increased in TAFI−/− mice at 24 hours (h) after injection. AST and ALT levels were decreased at 2 and 6 h after acetaminophen injection in TAFI−/− mice, but were significantly higher in the TAFI−/− mice at 24 h. Similarly, hepatic fibrin deposition was decreased at 6 h in TAFI−/− mice, but was comparable to wild-types at 24 h after injection. In conclusion, TAFI deficiency results in accelerated fibrogenesis and increased liver damage in murine models of chronic and acute liver disease, which may be related to increased inflammation.
Neuropsychological performance, psychiatric symptoms, and everyday cognitive failures in Bosnian ex-servicemen with posttraumatic stress disorder

A previous study of ours (Koso & Hansen, 2006) indicated remarkably large decrements in neuropsychological functioning in Bosnian war veterans with posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). The present study assessed attention (Sustained Attention to Response Task), executive function (Trail Making Test), and memory (Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test) in an additional group of veterans with (n = 45) or without (n = 34) PTSD. Replicating our prior study, sizeable performance decrements were observed. Furthermore, multivariate analyses revealed that (a) good verbal IQ partly buffered against the harmful effect of PTSD on more fluid cognitive functions, (b) cognitive impairment was related to PTSD symptom severity (Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale scores) and to (c) difficulties in everyday cognitive functioning (Cognitive Failures Questionnaire scores).
Origin and Fate of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cells Coexpressing the Inhibitory NK Cell Receptor Ly49G2 1

CD8+ T cells that coexpress the inhibitory NK cell receptor, Ly49G2 (G2), are present in immunologically naive C57BL/6 mice but display Ags found on memory T cells. To assess how G2+CD8+ cells relate to bona fide memory cells, we examined the origin and fate of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-induced G2+CD8+ cells. During early (day 4) acute LCMV infection, both G2+ and G2−CD8+ T cell subsets underwent an attrition in number and displayed an activation (CD69high1B11highCD62Llow) phenotype. By day 8, both subsets synthesized IFN-γ in response to immunodominant LCMV peptides, though the expansion of G2+ cells was less than that of G2− cells. Adoptive transfer experiments with purified G2− or G2+CD8+ cells from naive mice indicated that the LCMV-specific G2+ subset was derived from a pre-existing G2+ population and not generated from G2− cells responding to LCMV infection. Their participation in the LCMV-specific T cell response increased with age, reflecting an increase in the size of the pre-existing G2+ pool. Following establishment of stable LCMV memory, the proportion of CD8+ cells coexpressing G2 was reduced in comparison to naive controls, presumably due to displacement by G2− LCMV-specific memory cells. LCMV-specific G2+ cells were present in the memory pool, but at low frequencies, and they did not exhibit the typical phenotypic changes of reactivation during secondary challenge. We suggest that G2+CD8+ cells represent a cell lineage distinct from bona fide memory T cells, but that they can participate in an acute virus-specific T cell response.
Are nurses prepared for retirement?

AIM This study explored various factors and income sources that registered nurses believe are important in retirement planning. BACKGROUND In many countries worldwide, many registered nurses are approaching retirement age. This raises concerns related to the level of preparedness of retiring nurses. METHODS A mail-out questionnaire was sent to 200 randomly selected nurses aged 45 and older. SPSS descriptors were used to outline the data. Multiple t-tests were conducted to test for significant differences between selected responses by staff nurses and a group of nurse managers, educators and researchers. RESULTS Of 124 respondents, 71% planned to retire by age 60. Only 24% had done a large amount of planning. The top four planning strategies identified were related to keeping healthy and active, both physically and mentally; a major financial planning strategy ranked fifth. Work pensions, a government pension and a personal savings plan were ranked as the top three retirement income sources. No significant differences were found between the staff nurse and manager groups on any of the items. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGERS/CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that managers' preparation for retirement is no different from that of staff nurses. All nurses may need to focus more on financial preparation, and begin the process early in their careers if they are to have a comfortable and healthy retirement. Nurse managers are in a position to advocate with senior management for early and comprehensive pre-retirement education for all nurses and to promote educational sessions among their staff. Managers may find the content of this paper helpful as they work with nurses to help them better prepare for retirement. This exploratory study adds to the limited amount of research available on the topic.
Evolution and neural networks/spl minus/protein secondary structure prediction above 71% accuracy

Some 30,000 protein sequences are known. For 1,000 the structure is experimentally solved. Another 4,000 can be modeled by homology. For the remaining 25,000 sequences, the tertiary structure (3D) cannot be predicted generally from the sequence. A reduction of the problem is the projection of 3D structure onto a one-dimensional string of secondary structure assignments. Predictions in three states rate between 36% (random) and 88% (homology modeling) accuracy. Here, we present an improvement of a neural network system using information about evolutionary conservation. The method achieves a sustained overall accuracy of 71.4%. A test on 45 new proteins confirms the estimated accuracy. Of practical importance is the definition of a reliability index at each residue position: e.g. about 40% of the predicted residues have an expected accuracy of 88%. The method has been made publicly available by an automatic e-mail server. <<ETX>>
Temperature-Dependent Fumigant Activity of Essential Oils Against Twospotted Spider Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae)

ABSTRACT Fumigant activity of 34 commercial essential oils was assessed on female adults and eggs of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) at three temperatures (5, 15, and 25°C). Common thyme, cinnamon, and lemongrass oils were equally effective on twospotted spider mite adults showing 85.8–100% mortality at 5 and 10 µl/liter air at 25°C. At a lower temperature of 15°C, lemongrass and peppermint resulted in ≥90% mortality of adults at 10 µl/liter air. Only lemongrass was relatively active at 5 µl/liter air, at 15°C. At 5°C, lemongrass and peppermint caused significantly higher adult mortality than controls but only at 10 µl/liter air. Common thyme oil showed the highest ovicidal activity at 5 µl/liter air at 25°C. Among the main components of common thyme and lemongrass oils, citral was lethal to twospotted spider mite adults at all tested temperatures. Carvacrol, thymol, and citral caused the same inhibitory effects on the hatch of twospotted spider mite eggs at 25°C. However, citral was more active than other compounds to twospotted spider mite eggs at 15°C. Therefore, we conclude that citral has the best potential for development as a fumigant against twospotted spider mite on agricultural products harvested late in the growing season.
How efficient is it to communicate customer knowledge with the aid of audio-visual metaphors?

The shift in customer role from a source of revenue to a source of innovation has resulted in an increased demand for a direct interaction with customers, via more advanced and real-time solutions. This may drive organisations to complement Electronic Customer Knowledge Management Systems (E-CKMS) with new interactive multimodal metaphors. There is little known about CKM empirical studies, which investigated whether multimodal metaphors as part of a CKM interface can outperform the text with graphics only metaphors. Thus, this paper describes an investigation about the role of multimodal interaction in improving E-CKMS efficiency compared to text with graphics only metaphors. The examination of this hypothesis was carried out empirically on two E-CKMS experimental platforms (text with graphics only and multimodal) designed for this study. Two independent groups of users (n=20 for each group) evaluated the two interface versions of E-CKMS. Results suggested that the multimodal CKM interface was more efficient than the text with graphics only interface.
On the Physiology of the Formation of Nodules on Legume Roots.

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Endothelin‐1 Kinetics in Plasma, Urine, and Blister Fluid in Burn Patients

Endothelin-1, a peptide isolated from vascular endothelial cells, facilitates the constriction of vascular smooth muscle and various pharmacological actions including vasodilation, the proliferation of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, and the stimulation of arachidonic acid metabolism. In this study, plasma, urine, and blister fluid endothelin-1 concentrations were determined in burn patients and changes in vasoactive substances derived from endothelial cells secondary to burns were investigated. Plasma endothelin-1 concentrations in burn patients were significantly lower than those in healthy individuals at rest. However, extremely high blister fluid endothelin-1 concentrations were observed within 30 hours of a burn. The amounts of endothelin-1 excreted in urine by burn patients over 24 hours also were higher than those in healthy individuals. The finding of high concentrations of endothelin-1 in blister fluids suggests that endothelin-1 is produced at wound regions in burn victims. Clinically, it appears that endothelin-1 is involved in circulation at the wound surface or in the healing of burns.
Comparison of antibiotic administration in conjunction with supportive measures versus supportive measures alone for treatment of dairy cows with clinical mastitis.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether antibiotic and supportive treatment would improve outcome for dairy cows with naturally developing clinical mastitis, compared with supportive treatment alone. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS 124 cows in one herd with 172 episodes of clinical mastitis. PROCEDURE Cows were examined at the onset of clinical mastitis, assigned a severity score, and randomly assigned to receive antibiotic (intramammary administration of cephapirin, i.v. administration of oxytetracycline, or both) and supportive treatment (administration of oxytocin, stripping of affected glands, and, in severely affected cows, administration of flunixin meglumine or fluids) or supportive treatment alone. Treatment was continued until 24 hours after signs of clinical mastitis resolved (clinical cure). Milk samples from affected glands were submitted for bacterial culture before initial treatment and every 2 weeks thereafter until the causative organism was no longer isolated (bacteriologic cure). RESULTS When mastitis was caused by Streptococcus spp or coliform bacteria, clinical cure rate by the tenth milking was significantly higher if antibiotics were used. Bacteriologic cure rate at 14 days was significantly higher when antibiotics were used, particularly if mastitis was caused by Streptococcus spp. Cows receiving antibiotics developed fewer subsequent episodes of clinical mastitis during the 60 days after the initial episode of mastitis and had less severe clinical disease than cows that did not. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Results suggest that, in herds in which mastitis is often caused by environmental bacteria, antibiotic and supportive treatment may result in a better outcome for cows with clinical mastitis than supportive treatment alone.