Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Risk Communication for More Effective Epidemic Control in Taiwan

This article investigates how to more effectively conduct risk communication to increase the probability of successful control of an epidemic in Taiwan. The epidemic control of H1N1 in Taiwan in 2010 was studied. We used factor analysis and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) to obtain the total influence for each factor and to determine the critical factors among them. After being processed using proposed operational procedures, we obtained the critical factors and found that the government plays the key role in successful epidemic control. To reduce the resistance to efforts that seek to prevent pandemic crises, some necessary intervention activities, such as fairly and honorably exploring the complete relevant information and revealing the side effects of vaccines in a manner that is easily understood, were recommended. These could lead to an increase in immunizations among Taiwanese people by gaining their trust and commitment, thus achieving control of this epidemic.
Resolving the evolution of extant and extinct ruminants with high-throughput phylogenomics

The Pecorans (higher ruminants) are believed to have rapidly speciated in the Mid-Eocene, resulting in five distinct extant families: Antilocapridae, Giraffidae, Moschidae, Cervidae, and Bovidae. Due to the rapid radiation, the Pecoran phylogeny has proven difficult to resolve, and 11 of the 15 possible rooted phylogenies describing ancestral relationships among the Antilocapridae, Giraffidae, Cervidae, and Bovidae have each been argued as representations of the true phylogeny. Here we demonstrate that a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping platform designed for one species can be used to genotype ancient DNA from an extinct species and DNA from species diverged up to 29 million years ago and that the produced genotypes can be used to resolve the phylogeny for this rapidly radiated infraorder. We used a high-throughput assay with 54,693 SNP loci developed for Bos taurus taurus to rapidly genotype 678 individuals representing 61 Pecoran species. We produced a highly resolved phylogeny for this diverse group based upon 40,843 genome-wide SNP, which is five times as many informative characters as have previously been analyzed. We also establish a method to amplify and screen genomic information from extinct species, and place Bison priscus within the Bovidae. The quality of genotype calls and the placement of samples within a well-supported phylogeny may provide an important test for validating the fidelity and integrity of ancient samples. Finally, we constructed a phylogenomic network to accurately describe the relationships between 48 cattle breeds and facilitate inferences concerning the history of domestication and breed formation.
Investigation and evaluation of ultrasound reactor for reduction of fungi from sewage

The objective of the investigation was to study the application of ultrasound reactor technology (USRT) as a disinfectant for reduction of fungi from sewage effluent. Fungi are carbon heterotrophs that require preformed organic compounds as carbon sources. USRT is an attractive means to improve water quality because of the system simplicity and no production of toxic by-products. An ultrasound reactor produces strong cavitation in aqueous solution causing shock waves and reactive free radicals by the violent collapse of the cavitation bubble. These effects should contribute to the physical disruption of microbial structures and inactivation of organisms. There was significant reduction in fungal growth, with decreased fungal growth with increasing USRT. In this study, ultrasound irradiation at a frequency of 42 kHz was used to expose suspensions of fungi to evaluate the disinfection efficacy of the ultrasound reactor. Also, this study showed that in this system more than 99% reduction of sewage fungi was achieved after 60 min.
Identification of Redox-Active Cell-Surface Proteins by Mechanism-Based Kinetic Trapping

A number of thiol-dependent oxidoreductases are released from cells and act on the cell surface. Correspondingly, several cell-surface processes appear to depend on catalyzed thiol-disulfide exchange, including integrin activation and the fusion of viral particles with the host membrane. Tumor cells frequently increase the abundance of secreted and cell-surface forms of particular oxidoreductases, and evidence suggests that oxidoreductases released from tumor cells promote growth and contribute to the remodeling of the cellular microenvironment. Few cell-surface or membrane proteins that are targeted by extracellular redox enzymes have been identified. One major reason for this slow progress is the highly transient nature of thiol-disulfide exchange, making its detection by conventional techniques difficult or impossible. Here we describe the application of an activity-based proteomics approach, also known as "mechanism-based kinetic trapping," to identify individual cell-surface target proteins that engage in disulfide exchange with thiol-dependent oxidoreductases. Although we have applied this approach to thioredoxin-1, it should also be applicable to other members of the thioredoxin superfamily whose activity is based on the CXXC active-site motif.
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator trafficking modulates the barrier function of airway epithelial cell monolayers

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an integral membrane glycoprotein which functions as an anion channel and influences diverse cellular processes. We studied its role in the development of epithelial tightness by expressing wild‐type (WT‐CFTR) or mutant (ΔF508‐CFTR) CFTR in human airway epithelial cell monolayers cultured at the air–liquid interface. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged WT or ΔF508 constructs were expressed in the CF bronchial cell line CFBE41o− using adenoviruses, and the results were compared with those obtained using CFBE41o− lines stably complemented with wild‐type or mutant CFTR. As predicted, GFP‐WT‐CFTR reached the apical membrane whereas GFP‐ΔF508‐CFTR was only detected intracellularly. Although CFTR expression would be expected to reduce transepithelial resistance (TER), expressing GFP‐CFTR significantly increased the TER of CFBE41o− monolayers whilst GFP‐ΔF508‐CFTR had no effect. Similar results were obtained with cell lines stably overexpressing ΔF508‐CFTR or WT‐CFTR. Preincubating ΔF508‐CFTR monolayers at 29°C reduced mannitol permeability and restored TER, and the effect on TER was reversible during temperature oscillations. Expression of GFP‐ΔF508‐CFTR or GFP‐WT‐CFTR in a cell line already containing endogenous WT‐CFTR (Calu‐3) did not alter TER. The CFTR‐ and temperature‐dependence of TER were not affected by the CFTR inhibitor CFTRinh172 or low‐chloride medium; therefore the effect of CFTR on barrier function was unrelated to its ion channel activity. Modulation of TER was blunted but not eliminated by genistein, implying the involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation and other mechanisms. Modulation of CFTR trafficking was correlated with an increase in tight junction depth. The results suggest that CFTR trafficking is required for the normal organisation and function of tight junctions. A reduction in barrier function caused by endoplasmic reticulum retention of ΔF508‐CFTR may contribute to fluid hyperabsorption in CF airways.
Breakdown characteristics of PCB paralleled traces injected by rectangular pulse

In the paper the breakdown characteristics of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) paralleled traces is investigated. Rectangular pulse with single pulse mode and repetition frequency pulse mode is injected directly to paralleled traces structure on PCB. To obtain desired pulse waveforms, a pulsed power generator is designed and set up which can output rectangular pulses with different pulse widths, pulse repetition frequency (PRF) and amplitudes. Experimental results show that the breakdown behavior between paralleled traces can be considered as “solid-gas” composite dielectric breakdown, and the breakdown characteristics are related to spacing of paralleled traces, pulse width, PRF and pulse duration, etc. Generally the breakdown voltage (Ubd) rises as trace spacing or pulse width increases and decreases as PRF or pulse duration increases. Overall, the research of susceptibility of PCB trace with conducted pulse injection could provide certain suggestions for PCB EMC design.
The hepatitis B virus X protein activates nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF‐AT) by a cyclosporin A‐sensitive pathway

The X gene product of the human hepatitis B virus (HBx) is a transcriptional activator of various viral and cellular genes. We recently have determined that the production of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) by HBV‐infected hepatocytes is transcriptionally up‐regulated by HBx, involving nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF‐AT)‐dependent activation of the TNF‐α gene promoter. Here we show that HBx activates NF‐AT by a cyclosporin A‐sensitive mechanism involving dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor. Luciferase gene expression assays demonstrated that HBx transactivates transcription through NF‐AT‐binding sites and activates a Gal4–NF‐AT chimeric protein. DNA–protein interaction assays revealed that HBx induces the formation of NF‐AT‐containing DNA‐binding complexes. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that HBx induces the nuclear translocation of NF‐AT, which can be blocked by the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A. Furthermore, immunoblot analysis showed that the HBx‐induced activation and translocation of NF‐AT are associated with its dephosphorylation. Thus, HBx may play a relevant role in the intrahepatic inflammatory processes by inducing locally the expression of cytokines that are regulated by NF‐AT.
Simulation of Quantum Computation: A deterministic event-based approach

We demonstrate that locally connected networks of machines that have primitive learning capabilities can be used to perform a deterministic, event-based simulation of quantum computation. We present simulation results for basic quantum operations such as the Hadamard and the controlled-NOT gate, and for seven-qubit quantum networks that implement Shor’s numbering factoring algorithm.
Simultaneous Administration of Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐1 and Darbepoetin Alfa Protects the Rat Myocardium Against Myocardial Infarction and Enhances Angiogenesis

Recent studies have shown that insulin growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) and either erythropoietin (EPO) or the long‐acting EPO analog Darbepoetin alfa (DA) protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and myocardial infarction (MI). The present study examined the cardioprotective effect of simultaneous treatments with IGF‐1 and DA in these models of cardiac injury. Rats were subjected to I/R or MI and were treated with IGF‐1, DA, and a combination of IGF‐1 and DA, or vehicle treatment. IGF‐1 and DA treatments imparted similar protective effect by reducing infarct size. Moreover, these treatments led to improvement of cardiac function after I/R or MI compared to vehicle. In the reperfused heart, apoptosis was reduced with either or both IGF‐1 and DA treatments as measured by reduced TUNEL staining and caspase‐3 activity. In addition, after MI, treatment with IGF‐1 or DA significantly induced angiogenesis. This angiogenic effect was enhanced significantly when IGF‐1 and DA were given simultaneously compared to vehicle or either agents alone. These data indicate simultaneous pharmacological treatments with IGF‐1 and DA protect the heart against I/R and MI injuries. This protection results in reduced infarct size and improved cardiac function. Moreover, this treatment reduces apoptosis and enhances angiogenesis in the ischemic heart.
Chimerism in piglets developed from aggregated cloned embryos

Porcine chimeras are valuable in the study of pluripotency, embryogenesis and development. It would be meaningful to generate chimeric piglets from somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos. In this study, two cell lines expressing the fluorescent markers enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and tdTomato were used as donor cells to produce reconstructed embryos. Chimeric embryos were generated by aggregating two EGFP‐cell derived embryos with two tdTomato‐cell derived embryos at the 4‐cell stage, and embryo transfer was performed when the aggregated embryos developed into blastocysts. Live porcine chimeras were successfully born and chimerism was observed by their skin color, gene integration, microsatellite loci composition and fluorescent protein expression. The chimeric piglets were largely composed of EGFP‐expressing cells, and this phenomenon was possibly due to the hyper‐methylation of the promoter of the tdTomato gene. In addition, the expression levels of tumorigenicity‐related genes were altered after tdTomato transfection in bladder cancer cells. The results show that chimeric pigs can be produced by aggregating cloned embryos and that the developmental capability of the cloned embryo in the subsequent chimeric development could be affected by the growth characteristics of its donor cell.
The Association Between Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection and the Development of Childhood Asthma: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background: The relation between early respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and later emergence of episodes of wheezing/asthma remains a subject of debate. We carried out a systematic review of studies of the association between RSV infection in the first 36 months of life and the subsequent development of asthma/bronchial hyperreactivity. Methods: A literature search for original studies on RSV respiratory infection published in English or Spanish over the last 21 years was conducted in the bibliographic databases Medline, Embase, and Índice Médico Español, and in the Cochrane library. Articles were included if they described original studies of confirmed RSV infection in children under 3 years of age, and had defined outcome variables. The methodologic quality of articles included in the review was evaluated according to the Hadorn criteria. Results: The review included 12 original articles that respond to the research question. The studies evaluated showed that RSV lower respiratory tract infection is associated with an increased risk for subsequent development of asthma/recurrent wheezing, and that this association becomes progressively smaller with increasing age. Conclusion: On the basis of this systematic review of the literature, it can be concluded that a significant association exists between RSV infection in childhood and the long-term development of subsequent episodes of recurrent wheezing or asthma. However, the methodologic quality of the articles evaluated is limited, and hence additional studies are needed, ideally, with specific therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing RSV replication.
Effect of Quercetin and Its Conjugated Metabolite on the Hydrogen Peroxide-induced Intracellular Production of Reactive Oxygen Species in Mouse Fibroblasts

To clarify the antioxidative role of quercetin metabolites in cellular oxidative stress, we measured the inhibitory effects of the quercetin aglycon and quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucuronide (Q3GA), which is one of the quercetin metabolites in the blood after an intake of quercetin-rich food, on the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species in mouse fibroblast 3T3 cultured cells. When the cells were exposed to H2O2 in the presence of quercetin or Q3GA, Q3GA was found to be less effective than quercetin. In the case of a pretreatment with quercetin or Q3GA before the exposure, Q3GA, but not the quercetin aglycon, exerted an inhibitory effect, although its cellular uptake was unlikely. The quercetin aglycon appeared to fail in its antioxidative effect due to metabolic conversion into isorhamnetin conjugates, with substantial oxidative degradation resulting from the pretreatment. It is, therefore, suggested that quercetin metabolites take part in the protection of intracellular oxidative stress induced by the extraneous attack of H2O2.
Multidimensionality of Locus of Control and Self-Esteem

Fish and Kacabenick ( 1971) and Ryckman and Sherman ( 1973) investigated the relationship between Rotter's (1966) unidimensional, locus of control construct and selfesteem in college students. In both studies, students with higher self-esteem tended to be more internally oriented. Since recent research (Reid & Ware, 1973) has indicated that the locus of control construct is multidimensional rather than unidimensional, a newly devised measure by Levenson (1974) was used to examine the relationship between the various dimensions of locus of control tapped by her measure and self-esteem. Levenson's scale has three separate components: ( a ) a Personal Scale which assesses an individual's perceived personal control over events; ( b ) a Powerful-others Scale which measures the degree to which others control the person's reinforcers; and ( c ) a Chance Scale which measures the extent to which an individual believes his reinforcers occur randomly. It was expected that people with higher self-esteem would tend to be internally or~ented across all three dimensions. Levenson's scale and Janis and Field's (1959) Feelrngs of Inadequacy Scale were administered to 141 women in introductory psychology to check the correlations. The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Crowne & Marlowe, 1960) was also given. The data yielded small but significant correlations for all three locus of control dimensions and self-esteem, as expected. The partial rs with the minor effects of social desirability held consrant were as follows: Personal Control ( r = -.20, p < ,025). Powerful-others ( s = -.26. p < ,005 ) , and Chance ( r = -.16, p < .05 ) . The partial r for I-E scores summed across the three dimensions and self-esteem was -. 30 ( p < ,005). For Personal Control, the mean was 36.01 ( S D = 5.76); for Powerful-others, the mean was 34.52 ( S D = 5.76); and for Chance, the mean was 32.80 ( S D = 5.34). The selfesteem mean was 63.83 ( S D = 14.04). Thus, female students with higher self-esteem tended to see themselves as exercising more personal control over events, as being more free from control by powerful others, and as living in environments where their reinforcers occur in a more highly predictable fashion than did students with lower self-esteem. These results support earlier findings about the relacionship between I-E and self-esteem and show, further, that locus of control as a tripartite (Levenson) construct is significantly associated with self-esteem.
Current distribution characteristic of a quasi-isotropic CFRP panel

In recent years, CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) is widely used in the structures of aircrafts, automobiles, wind turbines and rockets because of its qualities of high mechanical strength, low weight, fatigue resistance and dimensional stability. However, these structures are often at risk of being struck by lightning. Hence, it is necessary to clarify the current distribution of CFRPs in order to research the generation mechanisms of breakdowns and malfunctions of electronic system near the CFRP due to a lightning stroke. In this study, current distribution characteristic of a CFRP panel is clarified by experimental and analytical investigations. The current distribution measurements and simulations for a CFRP panel are compared with those for a same-sized aluminum panel. The knowledge of these current distribution characteristics would be very useful for designing the CFRP structures of aircrafts, automobiles, wind turbines, rockets, etc. in the future.
Smart Antennas at Handsets for the 3G Wideband CDMA Systems and Adaptive Low-Power Rake Combining Schemes

Smart antenna technology is a promising means to overcome signal impairments in wireless personal communications. When spatial signal processing achieved through smart antennas is combined with temporal signal processing, the space-time processing can mitigate interference and multipath to yield higher network capacity, coverage, and quality. In this dissertation, we propose a dual smart antenna system incorporated into handsets for the third generation wireless personal communication systems in which the two antennas are separated by a quarter wavelength (3.5 cm). We examine the effectiveness of a dual smart antenna system with diversity and adaptive combining schemes and propose a new combining scheme called hybrid combining. The proposed hybrid combiner combines diversity combiner and adaptive combiner outputs using maximal ratio combining (MRC). Since these diversity combining and adaptive combining schemes exhibit somewhat opposite and complementary characteristics, the proposed hybrid combining scheme aims to exploit the advantages of the two schemes. To model dual antenna signals, we consider three channel models: loosely correlated fading channel model (LCFCM), spatially correlated fading channel model (SCFCM), and envelope correlated fading channel model (ECFCM). Each antenna signal is assumed to have independent Rayleigh fading in the LCFCM. In the SCFCM, each antenna signal is subject to the same Rayleigh fading, but is different in the phase due to a non-zero angle of arrival (AOA). The LCFCM and the SCFCM are useful to evaluate the upper and the lower bounds of the system performance. To model the actual channel of dual antenna signals lying in between these two channel models, the ECFCM is considered. In this model, two Rayleigh fading antenna signals for each multipath are assumed to have an envelope correlation and a phase difference due to a non-zero AOA. To obtain the channel profile, we adopted not only the geometrically based single bounce (GBSB) circular and elliptical models, but also the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) channel model. In this dissertation, we also propose a new generalized selection combining (GSC) method called minimum selection GSC (MS-GSC) and an adaptive rake combining scheme to reduce the power consumption of mobile rake receivers. The proposed MS-GSC selects a minimum number of branches as long as the combined SNR is maintained larger than a given threshold. The proposed adaptive rake combining scheme which dynamically determines the threshold values is applicable to the three GSC methods: the absolute threshold GSC, the normalized threshold GSC, and the proposed MS-GSC. Through simulation, we estimated the effectiveness of the proposed scheme for a mobile rake receiver for a wideband CDMA system. We also suggest a new power control strategy to maximize the benefit of the proposed adaptive scheme.
cDNA nucleotide sequence encoding the ZPC protein of Australian hydromyine rodents: a novel sequence of the putative sperm-combining site within the family Muridae

This comparative study of the cDNA sequence of the zona pellucida C (ZPC) glycoprotein in murid rodents focuses on the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of the putative sperm-combining site. We ask the question: Has divergence evolved in the nucleotide sequence of ZPC in the murid rodents of Australia? Using RT-PCR and (RACE) PCR, the complete cDNA coding region of ZPC in the Australian hydromyine rodents Notomys alexis and Pseudomys australis, and a partial cDNA sequence from a third hydromyine rodent, Hydromys chrysogaster, has been determined. Comparison between the cDNA sequences of the hydromyine rodents reveals that the level of amino acid sequence identity between N. alexis and P. australis is 96%, whereas that between the two species of hydromyine rodents and M. musculus and R. norvegicus is 88% and 87% respectively. Despite being reproductively isolated from each other, the three species of hydromyine rodents have a 100% level of amino acid sequence identity at the putative sperm-combining site. This finding does not support the view that this site is under positive selective pressure. The sequence data obtained in this study may have important conservation implications for the dissemination of immunocontraception directed against M. musculus using ZPC antibodies.