Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural changes in Escherichia coli infected with a phi X174 type bacteriophage.

Summary The coliphage α 3, which is morphologically similar to φX174, was shown by acridine orange staining to contain single-stranded DNA. Its infective process was studied by the electron microscopy of thin sections of Escherichia coli infected at high multiplicity. The latent period was found to be about 13 min. but no obvious structural changes were visible in host cells until 10 min. after infection, when the plasma membrane began to retract from the poles. At 14 min. intracellular phage was detected and bulges appeared on the cells at their midpoint. At 21 min. many cells were in the form of spheroplasts and others were beginning to lyse. Spheroplasts formed by phage infection lysed differently from those produced by penicillin.
Differential modulation of NR1‐NR2A and NR1‐NR2B subtypes of NMDA receptor by PDZ domain‐containing proteins

The PSD‐95/Dlg/ZO‐1 (PDZ) domain‐containing proteins MALS and PSD‐95 localize to post‐synaptic densities and bind the COOH‐termini of NR2 subunits of the NMDA receptor. The effects of MALS‐2 and PSD‐95 on the channel activity of NMDA receptors were compared using the Xenopus oocyte expression system. Both MALS‐2 and PSD‐95 increased the current response of the NR1‐NR2B receptor to l‐glutamate. In contrast, the current response of the NR1‐NR2A receptor was increased by PSD‐95 but not by MALS‐2. MALS‐2 had no effect either on the potentiation of NR1‐NR2A or NR1‐NR2B channel activity by protein kinase C, or on Src‐mediated potentiation of NR1‐NR2A activity, whereas PSD‐95 almost completely inhibited the effects of these protein kinases. Construction of chimeras of MALS‐2 and PSD‐95 revealed that the first two PDZ domains and two NH2‐terminal cysteine residues are essential for the inhibitory effects of PSD‐95 on protein kinase C‐mediated potentiation of NR1‐NR2A and NR1‐NR2B channel activity, respectively. The second of the three PDZ domains of PSD‐95 was required for its inhibition of Src‐mediated potentiation of NR1‐NR2A activity. These results indicate that the NR1‐NR2A and NR1‐NR2B receptors are modulated differentially by MALS‐2 and PSD‐95, and that similar regulatory effects of PSD‐95 on these receptors are achieved by distinct mechanisms.
Gamma Knife surgery for hypothalamic hamartomas and epilepsy: patient selection and outcomes.

OBJECT The authors present outcomes obtained in patients who underwent Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) at 1 institution as part of a multimodal treatment of refractory epilepsy caused by hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs). METHODS Between 2003 and 2010, 19 patients with HH underwent GKS. Eight patients had follow-up for less than 1 year, and 1 patient was lost to follow-up. The 10 remaining patients (mean age 15.1 years, range 5.7-29.3 years) had a mean follow-up of 43 months (range 18-81 months) and are the focus of this report. Five patients had undergone a total of 6 prior surgeries: 1 transcallosal resection of the HH, 2 endoscopic transventricular resections of the HH, 2 temporal lobectomies, and 1 arachnoid cyst evacuation. In an institutional review board-approved study, postoperative complications and long-term outcome measures were monitored prospectively with the use of a proprietary database. Seven patients harbored Delalande Type II lesions; the remainder harbored Type III or IV lesions. Seizure frequency ranged from 1-2 monthly to as many as 100 gelastic seizures daily. The mean lesion volume was 695 mm(3) (range 169-3000 mm(3), median 265 mm(3)). The mean/median dose directed to the 50% isodose line was 18 Gy (range 16-20 Gy). The mean maximum point dose to the optic chiasm was 7.5 Gy (range 5-10 Gy). Three patients underwent additional resection 14.5, 21, and 32 months after GKS. RESULTS Of the 10 patients included in this study, 6 are seizure free (2 after they underwent additional surgery), 1 has a 50%-90% reduction in seizure frequency, 2 have a 50% reduction in seizure frequency, and 1 has observed no change in seizure frequency. Overall quality of life, based on data obtained from follow-up telephone conversations and/or surveys, improved in 9 patients and was due to improvements in seizure control (9 patients), short-term memory loss (3 patients), and behavioral symptoms (5 patients); in 1 patient, quality of life remains minimally affected. Incidences of morbidity were all temporary and included poikilothermia (1 patient), increased depression (1 patient), weight gain/increased appetite (2 patients), and anxiety (1 patient) after GKS. CONCLUSIONS Of the approximately 150 patients at Barrow Neurological Institute who have undergone treatment for HH, the authors have reserved GKS for treatment of small HHs located distal from radiosensitive structures in patients with high cognitive function and a stable clinical picture, which allows time for the effects of radiosurgery to occur without further deterioration. The lack of significant morbidity and the clinical outcomes achieved in this study demonstrated a low risk of GKS for HH with results comparable to those of previous series.
Simultaneous Permittivity and Permeability Characteristics of Magnetically Biased Thin Ferrite Disk Using Rectangular Waveguide

In this paper, a novel rectangular waveguide-based technique to accurately characterize linear and resonant microwave materials is presented. The proposed method resolves major challenges associated with phase ambiguities and guess parameters that have appeared in waveguide techniques reported thus far and establishes new, accurate formulations for simultaneous calculations of complex permittivity and permeability of microwave materials and systems under tests. It is shown that the proposed method works very accurately by presenting results obtained for linear materials of reasonable thickness and resonant non-reciprocal microwave systems. In doing so, the permittivity fluctuation is observed by such first research due to the ferromagnetic resonance of ferrites; here it is attributed to an induced voltage from the uniform flow of angular momentum in excited ferrites and this phenomenon is deemed as a distinct source of voltage from excited ferrite at room temperature for technologies.
A GATE Simulation Study of the Siemens Biograph DUO PET/CT System

This is a GATE-simulation study of the Siemens Biograph DUO PET/CT system. It reports effects of changes in the thickness of the employed Lutetium Oxyorthosilicate(LSO) detectors. The PET/CT, a human body phantom and a cylindrical F-18 FDG source were simulated. Validation measurements were conducted. The results indicate that LSO thickness increase degrades spatial resolution, improves relative energy resolution from 9.0% to 11.3% and increases signal-to-noise-ratio from 0.81 to 1.17. Thicker LSO crystals present greater axial sensitivity so as the detection efficiency of PET would be significantly enhanced.
Translation and Validation of a Chinese Version of the Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire in Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors

Background: Self-efficacy is a significant factor influencing stroke survivors’ participation in self-care and outcomes. The Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ) is a stroke-specific measure of stroke survivors’ self-efficacy in performing daily functional activities and self-management. However, there has been no Chinese version of the questionnaire. Objective: The current study aims to examine the reliability and validity of a translated Chinese version of SSEQ (SSEQ-C). Methods: The English version of SSEQ has been translated into Chinese. A descriptive study was conducted. A convenience sample of 135 Chinese stroke survivors (mean age 58.9, SD 9.75) was recruited from three community centers and a stroke support group. Eligible participants completed the SSEQ-C, and the Chinese versions of General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL). Thirty of the participants completed the questionnaires at baseline and 4 weeks afterwards. Results: SSEQ-C had a high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α 0.92). Test–retest reliability was satisfactory with the intraclass correlation coefficient of the total scale 0.52. Positive correlations were found between the total scores of SSEQ-C, GSES, FAI, and SSQOL (Spearman’s ρ: 0.48–0.68, p < 0.01), suggesting acceptable convergent validity. Principal component analysis suggested a two-factor model, namely “Live with new challenges” and “Activity and exercise engagement” in contrast to the single-factor model for the original questionnaire. Conclusion: The results suggest SSEQ-C is a reliable and valid tool for measuring Chinese community-dwelling stroke survivors’ self-efficacy in managing post-stroke condition. More studies are warranted to confirm the two-factor model of the questionnaire.
Contractile protein synthesis rates in vivo in the rat jejunum: modulating role of adrenalectomy and thyroidectomy on ethanol‐induced changes

Abstract Acute ethanol toxicity has many deleterious effects on the gastrointestinal tract and, in particular, inhibits small intestinal protein synthesis. The mechanism(s) of the ethanol‐induced inhibition of protein synthesis are unknown. This study was designed to investigate the role of adrenal and thyroid hormones on the ethanol‐induced inhibition of whole jejunal protein synthesis in adrenalectomised and thyroidectomised male Wistar rats. Acute ethanol dosage significantly reduced protein synthesis in all subcellular protein fractions of the whole jejunum, in sham‐thyroidectomized, thyroidectomized, sham‐ardrenalectomized and adrenalectomized rats. Synthesis rates relative to RNA and DNA were also highly significantly reduced in all treatment groups in ethanol‐dosed rats. However in most protein fractions the inhibition of protein synthesis was greater in thyroidectomized compared to sham‐thyroidectomized rats, whereas the reverse was true in adrenalectomized rats. Neither adrenalectomy or thyroidectomy completely abolished ethanol‐induced inhibition in protein synthesis, suggesting that ethanol or its metabolites, e.g. acetaldehyde, acts directly on the tissue. However, the ethanol‐induced inhibition of protein synthesis was greater in thyroidectomized rats demonstrating that contractile and non‐contractile proteins synthesis in the jejunum is under control of complex regulatory processes.
Regulation of Human Thioredoxin Reductase Expression and Activity by 3′-Untranslated Region Selenocysteine Insertion Sequence and mRNA Instability Elements*

Thioredoxin reductases function in regulating cellular redox and function through their substrate, thioredoxin, in the proper folding of enzymes and redox regulation of transcription factor activity. These enzymes are overexpressed in certain tumors and cancer cells and down-regulated in apoptosis and may play a role in regulating cell growth. Mammalian thioredoxin reductases contain a selenocysteine residue, encoded by a UGA codon, as the penultimate carboxyl-terminal amino acid. This amino acid has been proposed to carry reducing equivalents from the active site to substrates. We report expression of a wild-type thioredoxin reductase selenoenzyme, a cysteine mutant enzyme, and the UGA-terminated protein in mammalian cells and overexpression of the cysteine mutant and UGA-terminated proteins in the baculovirus insect cell system. We show that substitution of cysteine for selenocysteine decreases enzyme activity for thioredoxin by 2 orders magnitude, and that termination at the UGA codon abolishes activity. We further demonstrate the presence of a functional selenocysteine insertion sequence element that is highly active but only moderately responsive to selenium supplementation. Finally, we show that thioredoxin reductase mRNA levels are down-regulated by other sequences in the 3′-untranslated region, which contains multiple AU-rich instability elements. These sequences are found in a number of cytokine and proto-oncogene mRNAs and have been shown to confer rapid mRNA turnover.
Short Term Load Forecasting for Uttarakhand using neural network and time series models

Accurate Load Forecasting is crucial in Power System operation and planning both for Regulated and De-regulated electricity markets. Short Term Load Fore-casting (STLF) is a tough job to handle because of the nonlinear behaviors of the electrical loads, climatic conditions. There is always a need for the sophisticated methods for STLF due to its complexity. This paper presented three models with neural network for both hour basis and day ahead prediction. The past load data as well as the weather data were collected and clustering technique is used for cleansing the data. The whole purified data is divided into three modules: Training data, Testing data and Validation data. The three NN models proposed were trained and tested by using the corresponding datasets. The presented models predicted the electric load, both daily and hourly, with high accuracy. The models proposed in this paper have been simulated using data obtained from State Load Dispatch Centre, Dehradun for the duration August 2011 to March 2013. The models are tested, results are compared with the actual load and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) will be calculated.
Comparison of Topical Travoprost Eye Drops Given Once Daily and Timolol 0.5% Given Twice Daily in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension

PurposeThis 9-month study compared the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy and safety of once-daily travoprost ophthalmic solutions (0.0015% and 0.004%) with twice-daily timolol 0.5%. Patients and MethodsThis study was conducted using a double-masked, randomized, parallel-group design; adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (IOP between 24 and 36 mm Hg, inclusive at 9 am and between 21 and 36 mm Hg, inclusive, at 11 am and 4 pm on two eligibility visits after an appropriate washout of previous treatments). In both eyes, the travoprost vehicle (placebo) was instilled at 9 am and travoprost (0.0015% or 0.004%) was instilled at 9 pm, or timolol 0.5% was instilled at both times. The primary efficacy variable was mean IOP measured at 9 am, 11 am, and 4 pm at baseline and follow-up visits. ResultsFive hundred seventy-three patients were randomized to the study treatments. Mean IOP, which was combined across study visits, was lower with travoprost 0.004% than with timolol 0.5% at 9 am (P = 0.0246), 11 am (P = 0.0039), and 4 pm (P = 0.0004). Intraocular pressure was lower with travoprost 0.004% than with travoprost 0.0015% at 11 am (P = 0.0314), the time of peak drug activity. Mean IOP was consistently lower with travoprost 0.0015% than with timolol 0.5%. Mean IOP reductions from baseline were significantly (P ≦ 0.0001) greater with travoprost 0.004% (8.0–8.9 mm Hg) than with timolol 0.5% (6.3–7.9 mm Hg). The most frequent related adverse events were hyperemia, pruritus, discomfort, pain, and iris pigmentation changes. The local tolerance was better in the timolol group compared with patients receiving travoprost. There were no serious unexpected treatment-related adverse events in any group. ConclusionsTravoprost 0.004% reduced diurnal mean intraocular pressure significantly more than timolol 0.5%. Both concentrations of travoprost were well tolerated and safe for use in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Monthly Administration of DarbepoetinAlpha in Saudi Hemodialysis Patients:is it a Practical Regimen?

Aim: In this study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of conversion of stable hemodialysis patients from the current short-acting r-HuEPO (EPO beta) to the long-acting darbepoetin. Method: The study included 12 months of darbepoetin administration. The mean initial conversion ratio was 350 IU of short acting r-HuEPO to 1 microgram of darbepoetin. We adjusted the dose of darbepoetin to maintain hemoglobin levels between 11-12 g/dL. The study was carried out on 2 consecutive phases of 12 weeks each. Success with the extended dosing interval was defined as maintenance of mean hemoglobin >10.0 g/dl during each phase. Result: There were 26 patients who fulfilled the entry criteria. Their mean age was 47.0 ± 17.13 years, and the mean duration on hemodialysis was 55.8 ± 14.0 months. The mean weekly dose increased from 28.75 ± 4.2 μg in the biweekly frequency of dosing to 38.5±3.9 μg after switching to the monthly protocol. The hemoglobin levels were maintained at therapeutic range without statistically significant change throughout the study; the mean hemoglobin levels was 10.81± . 86 g/L at start of the study and 10.86 ± . 76 g/L at the end of 6 months. Continuing the darbepoetin in 12 patients for one year disclosed no significant change of the conversion ratio of the drug, and the mean of hemoglobin levels remained within the targeted limits. Conclusion: Darbepoetin alpha is effective and safe for the treatment of anemia in hemodialysis patients even at monthly dose intervals and for long-term. With the the above mentioned conversion ratio and current prices, darbepoetin seems more expensive than the short acting erythropoetin beta by 15%, 58 % for the biweekly and monthly doses respectively. However, the longer dosing intervals are certainly much better convenience to patients and care takers in comparison with the currently used short acting ESAs.
Peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin: A population‐based study on incidence, survival and risk factors

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with gastric cancer. The aim of the current study was to provide reliable population‐based data on the incidence, risk factors and prognosis of PC of gastric origin. All patients diagnosed with gastric cancer in the area of the Eindhoven Cancer Registry between 1995 and 2011 were included. Incidence and survival were computed and risk factors for peritoneal carcinomatosis were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. In total, 5,220 patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer, of whom 2,029 (39%) presented with metastatic disease. PC was present in 706 patients (14%) of whom 491 patients (9%) had PC as the only metastatic site. Younger age (<60 years), female gender, advanced T‐ and N‐stage, primary tumor of signet ring cells or linitis plastica and primary tumors covering multiple anatomical locations of the stomach were all associated with a higher odds ratios of developing PC. Median survival of patients without metastases was 14 months, but only 4 months for patients with PC. PC is a frequent condition in patients presenting with gastric cancer, especially in younger patients with advanced tumor stages. Given the detrimental influence of PC on survival, efforts should be undertaken to further explore the promising results that were obtained in preventing or treating this condition with multimodality strategies.
Modeling spatial aspects of cellular CDMA/SDMA systems

The probability density functions (PDFs) describing various physical aspects of hybrid cellular code division multiple-access/space-division multiple-access (CDMA/SDMA) networks are derived. All mobile users are considered to be surrounded by a Gaussian bell shape of scattering elements, and a general rule of thumb for the standard deviation of the scattering elements is proposed. Second, in order to describe the distribution of mobile users in the cell, a general PDF describing mobile user distributions is proposed. Using the mentioned distribution a general PDF for the angle-of-arrival (AOA) of signals at the CDMA base station is derived.
THE ROLE OF GEOGRAPHIC DISTANCE IN ACQUISITION TARGET SELECTION

How does the geographic distance between potential acquiring and target firms affect acquisition strategy? Although popular discussions suggest that distance may be critically important to strategy, formal research on acquisition-based growth has paid little attention to spatial factors. This study examines how the distance between acquiring and target firms influences target selection, exploring conditions under which acquirers exhibit a greater preference for geographically proximate targets and when they are willing to seek more distant targets. Studying 2,476 domestic acquisitions by 847 US chemical manufacturing firms founded after 1979, we find that acquiring firms preferred geographically proximate targets, and that this preference was stronger when firms implemented related acquisitions or when target firms were larger than acquirers. By contrast, we found no evidence that firms with greater prior acquisition experience were less sensitive to distance. The results suggest that acquisition managers perceive greater costs for implementing geographically distant acquisitions, particularly when acquisitions would involve greater post acquisition integration effort. In turn, the study shows that distance has long-standing effects on firm strategy that experience does not overcome.
Booster Vaccinations: Can Immunologic Memory Outpace Disease Pathogenesis?

Almost all current vaccines work by the induction of antibodies in serum or on the mucosa to block adherence of pathogens to epithelial cells or interfere with microbial invasion of the bloodstream. However, antibody levels usually decline after vaccination to undetectable amounts if further vaccination does not occur. Persistence of vaccine-induced antibodies usually goes well beyond the time when they should have decayed to undetectable levels because of ongoing “natural” boosting or other immunologic mechanisms. The production of memory B and T cells is of clear importance, but the likelihood that a memory response will be fast enough in the absence of a protective circulating antibody level likely depends on the pace of pathogenesis of a specific organism. This concept is discussed with regard to Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis; hepatitis A and B; diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; rotavirus; and human papilloma virus. With infectious diseases for which the pace of pathogenesis is less rapid, some individuals will contract infection before the memory response is fully activated and implemented. With infectious diseases for which the pace of pathogenesis is slow, immune memory should be sufficient to prevent disease.
Ultrasharp Fano Resonances Based on the Circular Cavity Optimized by a Metallic Nanodisk

A compact structure is proposed to achieve double ultrasharp Fano profiles, which comprises with a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) bus waveguide coupled with a circular cavity and groove resonator. Simulation results show that this two sharp Fano profiles both originate from the interference between the circular cavity and the groove resonator. To optimize the Fano profiles, we introduce a metallic nanodisk in the middle of the circular cavity. The peak of the double Fano resonances can be independently tuned within a certain range by changing the radius of the nanodisk. We can utilize these characteristics to design devices with high performance, such as a highly efficient nanosensor with a sensitivity of ~1450 nm/RIU and a figure of merit (FOM) about ~3.51 × 10 4 and a switch with an on/off contrast ratio of about 91 dB. Our structures may have promising applications in nanosensors, switches, and slow-light devices.