Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for the deliberate distortion of the Spanish Philippine colonial historical record in The Philippine Islands 1493–1898

Abstract The Philippine Islands 1493–1898 was a compilation of documents translated from the Spanish and edited by Emma H. Blair and James A. Robertson. The former was the brains behind the project. The editors received assistance from a reviewer, one James A. LeRoy, who introduced himself as an expert in Philippine matters. The personal correspondence amongst the three persons showed how The Philippine Islands 1493–1898 was constructed. Blair fully trusted LeRoy's knowledge and consulted him with doubts about translation. In turn, LeRoy advised Robertson to select documents for publication and warned him about unreliable Spanish, Filipino and English scholars. The correspondence helps to explain how The Philippine Islands 1493–1898 developed into a political tool in the service of the United States in order to explain the problems the Americans confronted in their new colony – a Spanish inheritance and the difficulties of training uneducated Filipinos for self-government.
Hybrid Dual and NPC Six-Phase Drive Systems

This paper presents two hybrid six-phase machine drive systems. The topologies are considered to be hybrid because two three-phase groups of the machine are fed by different types of converters. The purpose of these topologies is to be alternative configurations, being midway between the conventional six-leg two-level (2L) inverter, composed of 12 switches, and more complex structures, such as the six-leg three-level neutral point clamped (3L-NPC) inverter, composed of 24 switches and 12 clamping diodes, or the conventional 12-leg dual inverter, composed of 24 switches. One of the hybrid topologies is composed of 18 switches and the other is composed of 18 switches and 6 clamping diodes. A comparative study of harmonic distortion, semiconductor losses, and machine torque ripple is performed. Compared with the conventional 2L inverter, the proposed systems provide better performance in terms of harmonic distortion, overall semiconductor losses, and machine torque ripple and are less complex than dual and NPC inverters. Pulse width modulation (PWM) strategy is discussed and simulated. A modification in PWM strategy of the hybrid configurations is performed in order to obtain similar torque ripple to the cases when dual and 3L-NPC converters are used, even with lower number of semiconductor devices. Experimental results are also presented in order to validate the PWM strategy.
NADPH Oxidases NOX-1 and NOX-2 Require the Regulatory Subunit NOR-1 To Control Cell Differentiation and Growth in Neurospora crassa

ABSTRACT We have proposed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play essential roles in cell differentiation. Enzymes belonging to the NADPH oxidase (NOX) family produce superoxide in a regulated manner. We have identified three distinct NOX subfamilies in the fungal kingdom and have shown that NoxA is required for sexual cell differentiation in Aspergillus nidulans. Here we show that Neurospora crassa NOX-1 elimination results in complete female sterility, decreased asexual development, and reduction of hyphal growth. The lack of NOX-2 did not affect any of these processes but led instead to the production of sexual spores that failed to germinate, even in the presence of exogenous oxidants. The elimination of NOR-1, an ortholog of the mammalian Nox2 regulatory subunit gp67phox, also caused female sterility, the production of unviable sexual spores, and a decrease in asexual development and hyphal growth. These results indicate that NOR-1 is required for NOX-1 and NOX-2 functions at different developmental stages and establish a link between NOX-generated ROS and the regulation of growth. Indeed, NOX-1 was required for the increased asexual sporulation previously observed in mutants without catalase CAT-3. We also analyzed the function of the penta-EF calcium-binding domain protein PEF-1 in N. crassa. Deletion of pef-1 resulted in increased conidiation but, in contrast to what occurs in Dictyostelium discoideum, the mutation of this peflin did not suppress the phenotypes caused by the lack of NOX-1. Our results support the role of ROS as critical cell differentiation signals and highlight a novel role for ROS in regulation of fungal growth.
Bimanual skill development in pediatric below-elbow amputation: a multicenter, cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the following in children with unilateral below-elbow amputation: (1) development of bimanual functional skills, (2) development patterns relative to able-bodied children, and (3) the relationship between duration of prosthetic wear and bimanual functional performance. Sixty-nine children with unilateral below-elbow amputation, all less than ten years old, were assessed on 14 prosthesis-assisted bimanual ADL, including play, feeding, dressing, and hygiene activities, which have been studied previously in able-bodied children. Bimanual ADL skill development was not delayed in five of the 14 comparisons to previously published standards, but most development patterns had multimodal, nonmonotonic performance profiles. Duration of prosthetic wear and other factors previously believed to contribute to good prosthetic function were not well correlated to ADL skills (r less than .52). Although these children had no CNS dysfunction, it is apparent that below-elbow amputation impedes pediatric ADL skill development. The cause of these delays appears to be complex and is not expressed uniformly among all children; thus, the delays observed are not simply due to mechanical deficiencies of the prosthetic restoration.
Benzene oxidation coupled to sulfate reduction

Highly reduced sediments from San Diego Bay, Calif. , that were incubated under strictly anaerobic conditions metabolized benzene within 55 days when they were exposed initially to 1 (mu)M benzene. The rate of benzene metabolism increased as benzene was added back to the benzene-adapted sediments. When a [(sup14)C]benzene tracer was included with the benzene added to benzene-adapted sediments, 92% of the added radioactivity was recovered as (sup14)CO(inf2). Molybdate, an inhibitor of sulfate reduction, inhibited benzene uptake and production of (sup14)CO(inf2) from [(sup14)C]benzene. Benzene metabolism stopped when the sediments became sulfate depleted, and benzene uptake resumed when sulfate was added again. The stoichiometry of benzene uptake and sulfate reduction was consistent with the hypothesis that sulfate was the principal electron acceptor for benzene oxidation. Isotope trapping experiments performed with [(sup14)C]benzene revealed that there was no production of such potential extracellular intermediates of benzene oxidation as phenol, benzoate, p-hydroxybenzoate, cyclohexane, catechol, and acetate. The results demonstrate that benzene can be oxidized in the absence of O(inf2), with sulfate serving as the electron acceptor, and suggest that some sulfate reducers are capable of completely oxidizing benzene to carbon dioxide without the production of extracellular intermediates. Although anaerobic benzene oxidation coupled to chelated Fe(III) has been documented previously, the study reported here provides the first example of a natural sediment compound that can serve as an electron acceptor for anaerobic benzene oxidation.
Preventing a Cardiovascular Disease Epidemic among Indigenous Populations through Lifestyle Changes

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the driving force behind the discrepancy in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous groups in many countries. Preceding CVD many indigenous groups exhibit a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors, including overweight-obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. In turn, modifiable lifestyle risk factors contribute to the development of this cluster of cardiometabolic conditions. Modifiable lifestyle risk factors include, but are not limited to, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking. Notably, these metabolic and lifestyle risk factors are relatively simple to monitor and track. The current review will look at modifiable cardiometabolic (overweight-obesity, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure) and lifestyle (physical inactivity, poor nutrition, risky alcohol behavior, and cigarette smoking) risk factors among indigenous populations from Australia (Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders), New Zealand (Māori) and the United States (Native Americans). Discussion will focus on the causal relationship between modifiable lifestyle risk factors and cardiometabolic outcomes, as well as, simple measurements for tracking these risk factors.
IMRT utilization in Ontario: qualitative deployment evaluation.

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to describe a jurisdiction-wide implementation and evaluation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in Ontario, Canada, highlighting innovative strategies and lessons learned. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH To obtain an accurate provincial representation, six cancer centres were chosen (based on their IMRT utilization, geography, population, academic affiliation and size) for an in-depth evaluation. At each cancer centre semi-structured, key informant interviews were conducted with senior administrators. An electronic survey, consisting of 40 questions, was also developed and distributed to all cancer centres in Ontario. FINDINGS In total, 21 respondents participated in the interviews and a total of 266 electronic surveys were returned. Funding allocation, guidelines and utilization targets, expert coaching and educational activities were identified as effective implementation strategies. The implementation allowed for hands-on training, an exchange of knowledge and expertise and the sharing of responsibility. Future implementation initiatives could be improved by creating stronger avenues for clear, continuing and comprehensive communication at all stages to increase awareness, garner support and encourage participation and encouraging expert-based coaching. IMRT utilization for has increased without affecting wait times or safety (from fiscal year 2008/2009 to 2012/2013 absolute increased change: prostate 46, thyroid 36, head and neck 29, sarcoma 30, and CNS 32 per cent). ORIGINALITY/VALUE This multifaceted, jurisdiction-wide approach has been successful in implementing guideline recommended IMRT into standard practice. The expert based coaching initiative, in particular presents a novel training approach for those who are implementing complex techniques. This paper will be of interest to those exploring ways to fund, implement and sustain complex and evolving technologies.
Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Adolescent Males

There is limited knowledge about the unique relations between adolescent reactive and proactive aggression and later psychosocial adjustment in early adulthood. Accordingly, this study prospectively examined associations between adolescent (mean age = 16) reactive and proactive aggression and psychopathic features, antisocial behavior, negative emotionality, and substance use measured 10 years later in early adulthood (mean age = 26). Study questions were examined in a longitudinal sample of 335 adolescent males. Path analyses indicate that after controlling for the stability of the outcome and the overlap between the two subtypes of aggression, reactive aggression is uniquely associated with negative emotionality, specifically anxiety, in adulthood. In contrast, proactive aggression is uniquely associated with measures of adult psychopathic features and antisocial behavior in adulthood. Both reactive and proactive aggression uniquely predicted substance use in adulthood, but the substances varied by subtype of aggression. Implications for findings are discussed.
Approximate Count and Queue Objects in Transactional Memory

In Transactional Memory each shared object can be accessed by concurrent transactions which may result to object access conflicts and aborts. Opacity is a precise consistency property which maps a concurrent execution to a legal sequential execution that preserves the real time order of events. However, having precise consistency may result in a large rate of aborts especially in systems that have frequent memory updates. In real applications, there are systems that do not require precise consistency especially when the data is not sensitive. As a means for relaxing consistency, we use the notion of K-opacity where transactions are allowed to read one of the K most recent written values to the objects (and not the latest value only). This increases the throughput and reduces the abort rate by reducing the chance of conflicts. In this paper we apply the K-opacity concept to read/write, count and queue objects, which are common objects used in typical concurrent programs. We use the technique of writer lists to keep track of the transactions and the data being written to the system, in order to control the error rate and to prevent error propagation. We illustrate with an experimental analysis the positive impact of our approach on performance, where higher opacity relaxation (higher values of K) increases the throughput and decreases the aborts rate significantly.
Genetic and immunological characterization of the microsporidian Septata intestinalis Cali, Kotler and Orenstein, 1993: reclassification to Encephalitozoon intestinalis

SUMMARY Th relationships between the Encephalitozoon-like Septata intestinalis and other microsporidia that occur in humans, notably Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon hellem, is insufficiently documented using morphological descriptions alone. To assess mutual relationships, we have examined other phenotypic as well as genetic aspects of S. intestinalis, obtained both from tissue culture and clinical specimens, in comparison with a number of other microsporidia. Phenotypic characterization was performed by analysis of the protein composition and antigenic structure of various microsporidian spores by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The genetic characterization consisted of the determination of the sequence of the S. intestinalis rrs gene encoding the small subunit ribosomal RNA (srRNA), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of amplified rrs genes and establishment of the degree of sequence identity between rrs genes of various microsporidian species. The unique sequence of rrs of S. intestinalis as well as the distinct RFLP and SDS-PAGE profiles indicate that S. intestinalis is clearly different from other human microsporidian species. However, its rrs gene shared about 90% sequence identity with rrs of both Encephalitozoon spp. , E. cuniculi and E. hellem. This is remarkably higher than the about 70% identity observed between rrs of microsporidian species which belong to different genera and thus suggests that S. intestinalis should be regarded as a species of the genus Encephalitozoon. Western blots revealed a marked cross-reactivity between S. intestinalis and both species of Encephalitozoon which also stresses the close relationship between these organisms. It is concluded that S. intestinalis is so closely related to E. cuniculi, the type species of Encephalitozoon, that it should be reclassified as Encephalitozoon intestinalis.
Effector Recognition by the Small GTP-binding Proteins Ras and Ral*

The Ral effector protein RLIP76 (also called RIP/RalBP1) binds to Ral·GTP via a region that shares no sequence homology with the Ras-binding domains of the Ser/Thr kinase c-Raf-1 and the Ral-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors. Whereas the Ras-binding domains have a similar ubiquitin-like structure, the Ral-binding domain of RLIP was predicted to comprise a coiled-coil region. In order to obtain more information about the specificity and the structural mode of the interaction between Ral and RLIP, we have performed a sequence space and a mutational analysis. The sequence space analysis of a comprehensive nonredundant assembly of Ras-like proteins strongly indicated that positions 36 and 37 in the core of the effector region are tree-determinant positions for all subfamilies of Ras-like proteins and dictate the specificity of the interaction of these GTPases with their effector proteins. Indeed, we could convert the specific interaction with Ras effectors and RLIP by mutating these residues in Ras and Ral. We therefore conclude that positions 36 and 37 are critical for the discrimination between Ras and Ral effectors and that, despite the absence of sequence homology between the Ral-binding and the Ras-binding domains, their mode of interaction is most probably similar.
Preservation and enumeration of endothelial progenitor and endothelial cells from peripheral blood for clinical trials.

AIMS Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are markers of vascular repair. Increased numbers of circulating endothelial cells (ECs) are associated with endothelial damage. MATERIALS & METHODS We enumerated EPC-EC by using Enrichment kit with addition of anti-human CD146-PE/Cy7 from peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) isolated either by red blood cell (RBC) lysing solution or by Ficoll centrifugation, and from fresh and preserved samples. PBMCs were quantified by flow cytometry. RESULTS RBC lysis yielded higher percentage of PBMC (p = 0.0242) and higher numbers of PBMC/ml (p = 0.0039) than Ficoll. Absolute numbers of CD34(+)CD133(+)VEGFR2(+) and CD146(+)CD34(+)VEGFR2(+) were higher (p = 0.0117 for both), when isolated by RBC lysis than by Ficoll, when no difference in other subsets was found. Cryopreservation at -160°C and -80°C and short-term preservation at room temperature decreased EPC-EC. CONCLUSIONS Our data support use of fresh samples and isolation of PBMC from human blood by RBC lysis for enumeration of EPC and EC.
Critical success factors in implementing an e-rostering system in a healthcare organisation

Effective and efficient staff scheduling has always been a challenging issue, especially in health service organisations. Both the extremes of staff shortage and overage have an adverse impact on the performance of healthcare organisations. In this case, an electronic and systematic staff scheduling (e-rostering) system is the often seen as the best solution. Unless an organisation has an effective implementation of such a system, possible cost savings, efficiency, and benefits could be minimal. This study is aimed to research key success factors for the successful effective implementation of an electronic rostering system, especially at healthcare organisations. A case study research method was used to evaluate critical success factors for effectively implementing an e-rostering system. The data were collected through interviews and observations. The findings indicate that technical support, an effective policy, leadership, clear goals and objectives, gradual change, evidence of the advantages of the new system, senior management support, and effective communication are the critical success factors in implementing an e-rostering system in healthcare organisations. Prior to this study, no such factors were grounded in the current context, so this research would help in bridging the gap towards effective implementation of an e-rostering system in the healthcare sector. This research also suggests future studies in different cultures and contexts.
Micro Shear-Stress Sensor for Separation Detection During Flight of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using a Strain Gauge

A micro shear-stress sensor (MiSS) for real-time detection of flow separation in unmanned aerial vehicles was presented. The direct method was selected for the MiSS, and movement of its floating element was measured using a simple and highly reliable piezoresistive scheme. To realize the MiSS, a polysilicon strain gauge of the piezoresistor type with a very low temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) and high gauge factor was first developed. These two characteristics were adjusted by varying the boron concentration during fabrication. The strain gauge was also designed to evaluate the effect of size (width) on these characteristics. The TCR was almost zero and the gauge factor was 32 at a boron concentration of 1.5×1019 cm-3. The characteristics were unaffected by its width (in the tens of micrometer range). The MiSS was designed and fabricated using the developed polysilicon strain gauge, and its performance was evaluated using a NACA0012 airfoil section in a wind tunnel. At a 0 ° angle of attack (AOA), the resistance of MiSS increased with the flow. At a 20 ° AOA, the resistance did not change owing to detachment of the flow caused by separation. In the real-time separation detection test, the resistance of MiSS decreased as soon as separation occurred. Hence, the separation detection ability of the developed MiSS using a polysilicon strain gauge was verified.
Comparison of treatment response patterns following scaling and root planing in smokers and non-smokers with untreated adult periodontitis.

The present study was conducted to compare short-term treatment response patterns following scaling and root planing in smoking and non-smoking Chinese patients with untreated adult periodontitis. Thirteen smokers and twelve periodontally matched non-smokers with untreated advanced adult periodontitis were evaluated prior to and at one, three, and six months after scaling and root planing. Probing depths (PD), probing attachment level (PAL) and gingival height (GH) were assessed at clinically healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis sites. PD and PAL were measured using electronic Florida pocket and disk probes, respectively. Non-smokers consistently showed significant gingival shrinkage in gingivitis sites, whereas smokers had no significant change in GH. In periodontitis sites, both groups exhibited significant decreases in PD (p < 0.001) at one month, and a greater reduction of PD was found in non-smokers than in smokers (p < 0.05), the difference being most notable at three months (2.4 +/- 0.2 mm vs. 1.1 +/- 0.3 mm, p < 0.001). Non-smokers showed a consistent gain of attachment in periodontitis sites from 0.5 +/- 0.2 mm at one month (p < 0.05) to 1.2 +/- 0.3 mm at six months (p < 0.001), whereas no significant gain of attachment was found in smokers until six months (0.5 +/- 0.2 mm; p < 0.05). Overall, the reduction of PD positively correlated with baseline PD in both smokers (p < 0.01) and non-smokers (p < 0.001), but when only the sites with an initial PD > or = 5 mm were considered, such a significant correlation was found only in non-smokers (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was also found between the change in PAL and baseline PD solely in non-smokers (p < 0.05). This study indicates that smokers have different treatment response patterns and healing dynamics compared to non-smokers following scaling and root planing, suggesting that for smoking patients a more intensive treatment regimen is needed for a better treatment outcome and reduced risk for further periodontal disease progression.