Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FreePDK: An Open-Source Variation-Aware Design Kit

This paper discusses an open source, variation aware Process Design Kit (PDK), based on Scalable CMOS design rules, down to 45 nm,for use in VLSI research, education and small businesses. This kit includes all the necessary layout design rules and extraction command decks to capture layout dependent systematic variation and perform statistical circuit analysis. The kit also includes a standard cell and pad library with the necessary support files to enable full chip place and route and verification for System on Chip designs. Test chips designed with this PDK are designed in such a way so that they can be fabricated by fabrication facilities allowing validation of the design rules so that the rules may be used in future multi-project runs and design contests.
Formulating the cognitive design problem of air traffic management

Evolutionary approaches to cognitive design in the air traffic management (ATM) system can be attributed with a history of delayed developments. This issue is well illustrated in the case of the flight progress strip where attempts to design a computer-based system to replace the paper strip have consistently been met with rejection. An alternative approach to cognitive design of air traffic management is needed and this paper proposes an approach centred on the formulation of cognitive design problems. The paper gives an account of how a cognitive design problem was formulated for a simulated ATM task performed by controller subjects in the laboratory. The problem is formulated in terms of two complimentary models. First, a model of the ATM domain describes the cognitive task environment of managing the simulated air traffic. Second, a model of the ATM worksystem describes the abstracted cognitive behaviours of the controllers and their tools in performing the traffic management task. Taken together, the models provide a statement of worksystem performance, and express the cognitive design problem for the simulated system. The use of the problem formulation in supporting cognitive design, including the design of computer-based flight strips, is discussed.
FAM20C Plays an Essential Role in the Formation of Murine Teeth*

Background: FAM20C is highly expressed in odontoblasts, ameloblasts, and cementoblasts. Results: Fam20C knock-out mice displayed severe defects in dentin, enamel, and cementum, along with remarkable down-regulation of differentiation markers of odontoblasts and ameloblasts. Conclusion: FAM20C is essential to the differentiation of tooth-formative cells and the formation of dentin, enamel, and cementum. Significance: These data provide strong evidence that FAM20C plays a critical role in tooth formation. FAM20C is highly expressed in bone and tooth. Previously, we showed that Fam20C conditional knock-out (KO) mice manifest hypophosphatemic rickets, which highlights the crucial roles of this molecule in promoting bone formation and mediating phosphate homeostasis. In this study, we characterized the dentin, enamel, and cementum of Sox2-Cre-mediated Fam20C KO mice. The KO mice exhibited small malformed teeth, severe enamel defects, very thin dentin, less cementum than normal, and overall hypomineralization in the dental mineralized tissues. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analyses revealed remarkable down-regulation of dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) and dentin sialophosphoprotein in odontoblasts, along with a sharply reduced expression of ameloblastin and amelotin in ameloblasts. Collectively, these data indicate that FAM20C is essential to the differentiation and mineralization of dental tissues through the regulation of molecules critical to the differentiation of tooth-formative cells.
Effects of HIV‐1 Nef on Retrograde Transport from the Plasma Membrane to the Endoplasmic Reticulum

HIV‐1 Nef protein down‐regulates several important immunoreceptors through interactions with components of the intracellular sorting machinery. Nef expression is also known to induce modifications of the endocytic pathway. Here, we analyzed the effects of Nef on retrograde transport, from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum using Shiga toxin B‐subunit (STxB). Nef expression inhibited access of STxB to the endoplasmic reticulum, but did not modify the surface expression level of STxB receptor, Gb3, nor its internalization rate as measured with a newly developed assay. Mutation of the myristoylation site or of a di‐leucine motif of Nef involved in the interaction with the clathrin adaptor complexes AP1 and AP2 abolished the inhibition of retrograde transport. In contrast, mutations of Nef motifs known to interact with PACS‐1, βCOP or a subunit of the v‐ATPase did not modify the inhibitory activity of Nef on retrograde transport. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that Nef was present in clusters located on endosomal or Golgi membranes together with internalized STxB. Furthermore, in strongly Nef‐expressing cells, STxB accumulated in endosomal structures that labeled with AP1. Our observations show that Nef perturbs retrograde transport between the early endosome and the endoplasmic reticulum. The potential transport steps targeted by Nef are discussed.
Predictors of placebo response in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: data from 2 randomized trials of osmotic-release oral system methylphenidate.

OBJECTIVE To find potential correlates of placebo response in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and gain insights into why placebo response may be high in clinical trials. METHOD Post hoc analysis of placebo data from 2 randomized controlled trials of osmotic-release oral system (OROS) methylphenidate in adults with ADHD defined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diseases, Fourth Edition: the Long-Acting Methylphenidate in Adults with ADHD (LAMDA-I) study (2005-2006, 5 weeks, n = 95) and the LAMDA-II study (2008-2009, 13 weeks, n = 97). The primary efficacy measure was the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale-observer rated, short version (CAARS:O-SV). Predictors of CAARS:O-SV change were assessed using a random-intercepts model with demographic and disease-related parameters as independent variables. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using the CAARS self-report (CAARS:S-S) and a categorical response criterion (improvement of > 30% in CAARS:O-SV), and in subjects who completed the study. RESULTS In LAMDA-I, mean ± SD change in CAARS:O-SV was -7.6 ± 9.9 with placebo and -11.9 ± 10.6 with OROS methylphenidate. Higher baseline CAARS score (P = .007) and lower educational achievement (P = .014) were significantly associated with greater improvement in placebo-treated subjects. In LAMDA-II, mean ± SD change in CAARS:O-SV was -10.4 ± 11.0 and -14.1 ± 10.7 in subjects receiving placebo and OROS methylphenidate, respectively. Variables significantly associated with greater placebo response were higher baseline CAARS:O-SV (P = .019), shorter time since ADHD diagnosis (P < .045), and younger age (P = .014). None of the sensitivity analyses challenged the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Possible predictors of placebo response in adults with ADHD include higher severity of ADHD symptoms, younger age, shorter time since diagnosis, and lower educational level.
A miniature high-power pos driven BY A 300 kV Tesla-charged PFL generator

A pulsed power generator based on a high-voltage Tesla transformer charging a 3.8 Ω/53 ns water-filled pulse forming line (PFL) to 300 kV has been developed at Loughborough University as a training tool for pulsed-power students. The generator uses all forms of insulation specific to pulsed power technology - liquid (oil and water), gas (SF6) and vacuum, a series of fast voltage and current sensors, and is able to produce multi-GW pulses on a simple x-ray diode load.
EMC techniques for a complex project: Karoo Array Telescope

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is to be the most sensitive radio astronomy receiver ever constructed. The Karoo Array Telescope (KAT) region, part of an SKA bidding site in South Africa, has been proclaimed a radio quiet zone. This paper describes several contributions our group has made to the strategies used in the management of environmental RFI and self-generated emissions. Additionally, we are interested in the hardening of telescopes against lightning.
Quality of life, health satisfaction and family impact on caregivers of children with developmental delays.

OBJECTIVE To study the quality of life, health satisfaction and family impact on caregivers of children with developmental delays in Taiwan. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS The caregivers of children with diagnoses of developmental delays recruited from a teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. METHODS The main caregivers of 48 male and 22 female children with developmental delays were recruited. WHOQOL-BREF for health-related quality of life (HRQOL), PedsQL-Health Satisfaction for health satisfaction, PedsQL-Family Impact Module and Impact on Family Scale for family impact were evaluated. The correlation of caregivers' HRQOL, health satisfaction and family impact were also studied. RESULTS Caregivers in nuclear families had higher health satisfaction scores (78.2 for nuclear families vs. 66.9 for extended families, P < 0.05) when assessed by the PedQL-Health Satisfaction questionnaire. Children's age was negatively correlated with family impact, including parent (-0.272, P = 0.023), family (-0.262, P = 0.029) and total scores (-0.281, P = 0.018) as assessed using the PedsQL-Family Impact Module. CONCLUSION A negative relation between impact of burden and child's age suggests that family members gradually adapt to the delayed developmental status in their children as they grow. Caregivers in nuclear families having higher health satisfaction than those in extended families may be due to Chinese cultural effects.
An IgG1 titre to the F1 and V antigens correlates with protection against plague in the mouse model

The objective of this study was to identify an immunological correlate of protection for a two‐component subunit vaccine for plague, using a mouse model. The components of the vaccine are the F1 and V antigens of the plague‐causing organism, Yersinia pestis, which are coadsorbed to alhydrogel and administered intramuscularly. The optimum molar ratio of the subunits was determined by keeping the dose‐level of either subunit constant whilst varying the other and observing the effect on specific antibody titre. A two‐fold molar excess of F1 to V, achieved by immunizing with 10 μg of each antigen, resulted in optimum antibody titres. The dose of vaccine required to protect against an upper and lower subcutaneous challenge with Y. pestis was determined by administering doses in the range 10 μg F1 + 10 μg V to 0.01 μg F1 + 0.01 μg V in a two‐dose regimen. For animals immunized at the 1‐μg dose level or higher with F1 + V, an increase in specific IgG1 titre was observed over the 8 months post‐boost and they were fully protected against a subcutaneous challenge with 105 colony‐forming units (CFU) virulent Y. pestis at this time point. However, immunization with 5 μg or more of each subunit was required to achieve protection against challenge with 107 CFU Y. pestis. A new finding of this study is that the combined titre of the IgG1 subclass, developed to F1 plus V, correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with protection. The titres of IgG1 in vaccinated mice which correlated with 90%, 50% and 10% protection have been determined and provide a useful model to predict vaccine efficacy in man.
Fostering Sustainable Economic development through Public Sector Innovation: What is the missing link?

Innovation is synonymous to development! Unlike in the developing economies, innovation has been widely used as an engine of economic growth to boost developed economies. The present study investigates the nexus between economic development and public sector innovation in the developing countries, especially in Africa. The study reviews the literature on relationship between innovation and economic development in order to develop a concpetual framework for public sector in the developing countries. In addition to this, the study has policy implications especially for government, policy makers and public sector practitioners towards improving the living standard of the citizens. The study concludes by stating measures that can be used to improve economic development through public sector innovation. The paper recommends for further empirical study to corroborate the findings in the present study on the role of public sector innovation in fostering sustainable economic development.
Predictive factors for short-term visual outcome after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection for diabetic macular oedema: an optical coherence tomography study

Aim: To evaluate the predictive factors for visual outcome after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection to treat refractory diabetic macular oedema (DME). Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with DME who met the following inclusion criteria was performed: clinically significant diabetic macular oedema, receipt of a 4 mg/0.1 ml intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the macula performed up to 10 days before injection. All patients received a full ophthalmic examination including best-corrected Snellen visual acuity (VA). The main outcome measure was the mean change in vision 3 months after injection. Results: Data from 73 eyes of 59 patients were analysed. After a mean follow-up of 324 days, the mean change in vision was −0.075 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) units, with 27.3% improving ⩾3 lines, 6.8% declining ⩾3 lines and 60.2% remaining stable within 1 line of baseline vision. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate generalised estimating equations on the basis of data from 52 eyes of 42 patients. Factors associated with an improvement in vision 3 months after injection were worse baseline VA (−0.27 logMAR units/unit increase in baseline VA, p = 0.002) and presence of subretinal fluid (−0.17 logMAR units, p = 0.06). The presence of cystoid macular oedema negatively affected the visual outcome (0.15 logMAR units, p = 0.03). In addition, the presence of an epiretinal membrane (ERM) was associated with less visual improvement. ERM modified the effect of baseline VA as demonstrated by a significant interaction between these two variables (0.34 logMAR units/unit increase in baseline VA, p = 0.04). Conclusions: OCT factors and baseline VA can be useful in predicting the outcomes of VA 3 months after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in patients with refractory DME.
SURVEILLANCE STUDY OF BACTERAEMIC EPISODES IN FEBRILE NEUTROPENIC CHILDREN

We prospectively studied the type, frequency and outcome of infections in 513 patients with 762 consecutive episodes of febrile neutropenia (FN) over a five‐year period between 1995 and 1999 in a single paediatric oncology unit. The findings were then compared with a similar study carried out in our unit between 1990 and 1994. The types of bacterial isolates and sensitivity patterns were also studied to identify trends and to gauge the suitability of antibiotics chosen for empirical therapy. Bacteraemia was documented in 35.4% of FN episodes, although 70% of patients did not have an obvious site of sepsis. The majority of isolates (61.9%) were Gram‐negative bacteria, a consistent finding throughout the study period. Resistance to ceftazidime, amikacin and imipenem among Gram‐negative bacteria was 26.3%, 21.2% and 0.7%, respectively. Methicillin resistance among Gram‐positive bacteria was 26.3%, while no vancomycin‐resistant bacteria were encountered. There were 36 sepsis‐related deaths. Factors associated with a fatal outome were prolonged capillary refill time, hypotension, fever above 39°C and pneumonia. Rapid neutrophil recovery was associated with a good prognosis. A change to our current choice of empirical antibiotics for FN, comprising ceftazidime/ceftriaxone and amikacin appears necessary because of the relatively high resistance rates found.
Self-Control and Demand for Preventive Health: Evidence from Hypertension in India

Abstract Self-control problems constitute a potential explanation for the underinvestment in preventive health in low-income countries. Behavioral economics offers a tool to solve such problems: commitment devices. We conduct a field experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of different types of theoretically motivated commitment contracts in increasing preventive doctor visits by hypertensive patients in rural India. Despite achieving high take-up of such contracts in some treatment arms, we find no effects on actual doctor visits or individual health outcomes. A substantial number of individuals pay for commitment but fail to follow through on the doctor visit, losing money without experiencing health benefits. We develop and structurally estimate a prespecified model of consumer behavior under present bias with varying levels of naiveté. The results are consistent with a large share of individuals being partially naive about their own self-control problems: sophisticated enough to demand some commitment but overly optimistic about whether a given level of commitment is sufficiently strong to be effective. The results suggest that commitment devices may in practice be welfare diminishing, at least in some contexts, and serve as a cautionary tale about their role in health care.
Skin compatibility and efficacy of a cosmetic skin care regimen with licochalcone A and 4‐t‐butylcyclohexanol in patients with rosacea subtype I

Patients with rosacea often show facial sensitivity to cosmetics or skin care products that can influence the severity of symptoms and exacerbate erythema and inflammation. Nevertheless, special skin care is necessary to address cosmetic concerns and reduce the potential side‐effects of topical or oral treatment of the disease. Appropriate skin care should comprise gentle cleansing, effective moisturization, soothing actives, UV protection and concealing pigments to help neutralize the appearance of redness.
Assessing the Efficiency of Investment Fund Management Using Quantile Risk Measures

The aim of the research is to compare the efficiency of managing selected Polish investment funds in various phases ofstock marketcondition. The Value at Risk (VaR)and Conditional Valueat Risk (CVaR) is used to construct efficiency ratios of fund management. Those funds investing in financial instruments have the most stable expected rate of return and the lowest risk, in all the analysed periods which made them highly effective. The article also discusses the alternative methods to VaRandCVa Restimation which are used in the study. It is noted VaR and CVaR estimates obtained using backtesting and using APARCH models give similar results.
Eps8 decreases chemosensitivity and affects survival of cervical cancer patients

The oncoprotein Eps8 facilitates proliferation in fibroblasts and colon cancer cells. However, its role in human cervical cancer is unclear. By immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting, aberrant Eps8 expression was observed in cervical carcinoma compared with normal cervical epithelial cells. Clinicopathologic analysis of 45 patients indicated that Eps8 expression was associated with parametrium invasion and lymph node metastasis, two major poor prognostic factors for early-stage cervical cancer. Kaplan-Meier analysis of cervical cancer specimens also indicated an inverse relationship between the level of Eps8 and the patients' survival rate. Using small interfering RNA of eps8, we observed reduced proliferation and tumorigenesis in Eps8-attenuated HeLa and SiHa cells cultured in dishes or inoculated in mice. Furthermore, diminished Eps8 impeded G1-phase progression in HeLa and SiHa cells that might be attributable to reduced expression of cyclins D1, D3, and E, elevated accumulation of p53 and its downstream target p21Waf1/Cip1, and suppressed hyperphosphorylation of retinoblastoma. Alteration of these cell cycle–related proteins could be reversed by ectopic Eps8, implicating that the effect of Eps8 on the mentioned cell cycle modulators was specific. Notably, the augmented expression of p53 by diminished Eps8 was at least due to its decreased turnover rate. Concurrent with p53 up-regulation and the decrement of Src and AKT activity, Eps8-attenuated HeLa and SiHa cells exhibited increased chemosensitivity to cisplatin and paclitaxel. Together, our findings implicate the involvement of Eps8 in chemoresistance and show its importance in prognosis of cervical cancer patients. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(6):1376–85]
Distinct Response Kinetics of Gamma Interferon and Interleukin-4 in Bovine Tuberculosis

ABSTRACT This study shows that gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) cytokine responses are produced by peripheral blood cells in cattle infected with Mycobacterium bovis. The different kinetics of the IFN-γ and IL-4 responses to bovine tuberculin and to ESAT-6 following experimental intratracheal infection with M. bovis are described. An early increase in IFN-γ was observed that was maintained throughout the period studied. In contrast, the IL-4 response was delayed and confined to a peak of activity lasting 6 to 8 weeks. Interestingly, an experimental challenge of cattle with a lower dose of M. bovis which did not result in the development of lesions, positive DTH skin test, or substantial IFN-γ responses nevertheless generated strong specific IL-4 responses. Investigation of naturally infected M. bovis field reactors showed increased IFN-γ and IL-4 responses compared to uninfected cattle and that both of these cytokines were equally able to differentiate infected from uninfected animals. The magnitude of theM. bovis-induced IL-4 responses were found to be similar to the antigen-specific IL-4 responses of cattle infected with the parasitic nematode Onchocerca ochengi, further supporting the presence of this type 2 cytokine in bovine tuberculosis.
Cell dissociation experiments reveal that positional information operates in the chicken frontonasal mass

In this study we examined the role of cell–cell affinity in patterning the avian frontonasal mass—the facial prominence that forms the prenasal cartilage and premaxillary bone. Reconstituted cell pellets derived from undifferentiated, frontonasal mass mesenchyme were recombined with facial epithelium and grafted to host embryos to continue development. We determined that the cells reestablished a recognizable frontonasal mass pattern and were able to induce egg teeth in overlying ectoderm. Further analysis revealed there were region‐specific differences in the cartilage patterns such that central recombinations were more likely to form a straight cartilage rod, whereas lateral mesenchyme pellets were more likely to form complex, branched cartilage patterns. The basis for the pattern differences was that central mesenchyme cells showed preferential clustering in the cartilage condensations in the center of the graft, whereas lateral cells were spread throughout as determined by dye labeling and quail chicken chimeras. The disruption of cell contacts temporarily delayed onset of gene expression but by 48 h both Msx2 and Dlx5 were expressed. Msx2, in particular, had very clear edges to the expression domains and often the pattern of expression correlated with type of cartilage morphology. Together, these data suggest that an important patterning mechanism in the face is the ability of mesenchymal cells to sort out according to position and that Msx2 may help repress chondrogenic potential in the lateral frontonasal mass. genesis 44:105–114, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.