Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dipotassium trisodium triphosphate, K2Na3P3O10

The structure of the title compound, K2Na3P3O10, is characterized by open chains of three PO4 tetrahedra linked by single oxygen bridges. The P3O10 groups have crystallographic twofold symmetry, with the central P atom being located on the twofold rotation axis. One of the sodium ions lies on a centre of inversion, whereas all the remaining atoms are in general positions. The structure is isotypic with that of the high-temperature form of Na5P3O10 phase I.
MODELING OF THE COMPOSITION OF A SEMISOLID PROPOLIS PREPARATION, AND EVALUATION OF ITS QUALITY

The aim of the study was to select the optimal composition of semisolid using natural materials, and to evaluate the quality of such preparation. Investigation of rheological properties, evaluation of sensory characteristics, detection and identification of phenolic acids using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were performed. The results of the rheological investigations and the study of sensory properties were evaluated, and the optimal composition of the ointment was selected: olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, cholesterol, soft propolis extract, and substances that improved the sensory characteristics. The base of the ointment ensures the stability of the semisolid when the active component is soft propolis extract. The results of the quantitative study by highperformance liquid chromatography identified phenolic acids and determined their amounts and showed that the predominant phenolic acids in the propolis ointment were ferulic acid and coumaric acid. The modeled hydrophobic semisolid is a stable homogenous system with positive sensory characteristics. Rezumat Studiul si-a propus cercetarea unor formulări farmaceutice semisolide cu componente de origine naturală: ulei de masline, ceară de albine, unt de cacao, colesterol, extract de propolis. Au fost efectuate prin tehnici moderne, proprietăţile fizico-chimice ale acestui sistem. De asemenea, prin cromatografie de lichide de inaltă performanţă (HPLC) au fost identificate principalele principii active prezente in sistemul original, natural dezvoltat.
Contribution to chromium and nickel enrichment during cooking of foods in stainless steel utensils

Nickel ingestion can cause exacerbation of dermatitis in patients who are already nickel‐sensitive; Chromium (Cr VI) is the 2nd allergen, after nickel. However, stainless steel is widely used in home cookware. In this study, we determined nickel and chromium levels by atomic absorption spectrometry in 11 habitual menus cooked in different grades of stainless steel utensils. We noted a great difference in nickel and chromium intake depending on the menu, and a significant difference between the glass and stainless steel saucepans, but this was very low compared with the levels of nickel and chromium contained in the menus; mean intakes of these elements were under the tolerable daily intake (TDI) recommended by the World Health Organization. Hence, there is no advantage for nickel‐sensitive patients in switching to materials other than stainless steel, provided that this is of good quality.
Effect of fixation procedures on the fluorescence lifetimes of Aequorea victoria derived fluorescent proteins

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy can be used to study protein–protein interactions by Förster Resonance Energy Transfer or to perform lifetime‐based multiplexing. Fixation of samples with cells producing fluorescent fusion proteins is commonly used for preservation of samples and for staining with membrane impermeable reagents such as antibodies. However, the effect of fixation methods and mounting media on fluorescence lifetime is poorly documented so far. Here, we demonstrate that fixation by formaldehyde or methanol itself does not affect the lifetime of fluorescent proteins produced in cells but that several widely used mounting media decrease the fluorescence lifetime by up to 20%. It is shown that fixed cells producing Aequorea victoria derived fluorescent proteins mounted in Tris buffer have fluorescence lifetimes indistinguishable from values measured in living cells. Tris buffer also allows accurate Förster Resonance Energy Transfer quantification in fixed cells, as shown with an mTurquoise2‐SYFP2 fusion protein. Moreover, identical lifetime contrasts are measured in living and fixed cells mounted in Tris buffer after introducing a single plasmid expressing two lifetime variants of cyan fluorescent proteins, each targeted to different locations in the cell. Our findings will aid the preparation of fixed cells producing fluorescent proteins for reliable measurement of fluorescence lifetimes for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer determination, lifetime based multiplexing and for instrument calibration for standardization purposes.
Decentralized cognitive MAC protocol based on SARSA

In this paper, we propose a decentralized cognitive MAC protocol based on SARSA that allow secondary users to independently seek opportunistic spectrums without exchanging any control information among them. Due to sensing equipment constrains, dynamic spectrum access has become a major problem faced by the cognitive radio in an uncertain environment. Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP) is considered to be an effective way to solve this problem. Under a POMDP framework, the MAC protocol we proposed, which has a self-learning and online learning ability, does not require the channel state transition probability of the primary network, and can take full advantage of the past sensing and access experiences to optimize current channel access. The simulation results show that the proposed approach can effectively reduce the conflict probability between the second user (SU) and the primary user (PU), as well as SU and SU, and improve system throughput and spectrum efficiency.
Deficit of Kcnma1 mRNA expression in the dentate gyrus of epileptic rats

Epileptogenesis in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is determined by several factors including abnormalities in the expression and function of ion channels. Here, we report a long-lasting deficit in gene expression of Kcnma1 coding for the large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK, MaxiK) channel &agr;-subunits after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus. By using comparative real-time PCR, Taqman gene expression assays, and the delta-delta comparative threshold method we detected a significant reduction in Kcnma1 expression in microdissected dentate gyrus at different intervals after status epilepticus (24 h, 10 days, 1 month, and more than 2 months). BK channels are key regulators of neuronal excitability and transmitter release. Hence, defective Kcnma1 expression may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.
Protein Kinase D Interaction with TLR5 Is Required for Inflammatory Signaling in Response to Bacterial Flagellin1

Protein kinase D (PKD), also called protein kinase C (PKC)μ, is a serine-threonine kinase that is involved in diverse areas of cellular function such as lymphocyte signaling, oxidative stress, and protein secretion. After identifying a putative PKD phosphorylation site in the Toll/IL-1R domain of TLR5, we explored the role of this kinase in the interaction between human TLR5 and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli flagellin in human epithelial cell lines. We report several lines of evidence that implicate PKD in TLR5 signaling. First, PKD phosphorylated the TLR5-derived target peptide in vitro, and phosphorylation of the putative target serine 805 in HEK 293T cell-derived TLR5 was identified by mass spectrometry. Furthermore, mutation of serine 805 to alanine abrogated responses of transfected HEK 293T cells to flagellin. Second, TLR5 interacted with PKD in coimmunoprecipitation experiments, and this association was rapidly enhanced by flagellin treatment. Third, pharmacologic inhibition of PKC or PKD with Gö6976 resulted in reduced expression and secretion of IL-8 and prevented the flagellin-induced activation of p38 MAPK, but treatment with the PKC inhibitor Gö6983 had no significant effects on these phenotypes. Finally, involvement of PKD in the p38-mediated IL-8 response to flagellin was confirmed by small hairpin RNA-mediated gene silencing. Together, these results suggest that phosphorylation of TLR5 by PKD may be one of the proximal elements in the cellular response to flagellin, and that this event contributes to p38 MAPK activation and production of inflammatory cytokines in epithelial cells.
Neural Specific Expression of the m4 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Gene Is Mediated by a RE1/NRSE-type Silencing Element*

Muscarinic receptor genes are members of the G-protein receptor superfamily that, with the inclusion of the odorant receptors, is believed to contain over a thousand members. Each member of this superfamily, which has been studied to date, appears to have a distinct pattern of expression, but little work has been done on the regulation of these complex expression patterns. We have recently isolated the rat m4 muscarinic receptor gene and identified a genomic 1520-nucleotide sequence that appeared capable of directing cell-specific expression (Wood, I. C., Roopra. A., Harrington, C., and Buckley, N. J. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 30933-30940). In the present study we have constructed a set of deletion promoter constructs to more closely define the DNA elements that are responsible for m4 gene expression. We have found that deletion of a RE1/NRSE silencer element between nucleotides −574 and −550, similar to that found in other neural specific genes, results in activation of reporter expression in non-m4-expressing cells. Gel mobility shift analysis has shown that a protein present in nonexpressing cells is capable of binding to this element and is probably the recently identified neural silencer, REST/NRSF. Of the constitutively active proximal promoter only a tandem Sp-1 site appears to recruit DNA binding proteins that are present in all cells tested. This represents the first report documenting the role of this silencer in regulating expression of a member of the G-protein receptor family.
When a better interface and easy navigation aren't enough: Examining the information architecture in a law enforcement agency

An information architecture that allows users to easily navigate through a system and quickly recover from mistakes is often defined as a highly usable system. But usability in systems design goes beyond a good interface and efficient navigation. In this article we describe two database systems in a law enforcement agency. One system is a legacy, text-based system with cumbersome navigation (RMS); the newer system is a graphical user interface with simplified navigation (CopNet). It is hypothesized that law enforcement users will evaluate CopNet higher than RMS, but experts of the older system will evaluate it higher than others will. We conducted two user studies. One study examined what users thought of RMS and CopNet, and compared RMS experts' evaluations with nonexperts. We found that all users evaluated CopNet as more effective, easier to use, and easier to navigate than RMS, and this was especially noticeable for users who were not experts with the older system. The second, follow-up study examined use behavior after CopNet was deployed some time later. The findings revealed that evaluations of CopNet were not associated with its use. If the newer system had a better interface and was easier to navigate than the older, legacy system, why were law enforcement personnel reluctant to switch? We discuss reasons why switching to a new system is difficult, especially for those who are most adept at using the older system. Implications for system design and usability are also discussed.
The Influence of IT Governance on Service Processes in Multi-Business Manufacturing Enterprises: Performance Impacts from Structures, Processes, and Relational Mechanisms

In the last 30 years, developing industrial services has emerged as a strategic imperative for most manufacturing firms. However, they struggle with the implementation of appropriate IT solutions. Being widely accepted as a strategic concept in the IT domain, IT governance (ITG) ensures effectiveness and efficiency in the usage of IT in multi-business firms. This paper aims to investigate the service performance impact of ITG. Doing so, the study takes the resource-based perspective, and integrates the economic theory of complementarities and the concept of relatedness. The proposed increase in service process performance is grounded in the generation of sustainable competitive advantage. The framework is investigated by using eight exploratory case studies in multi-business manufacturing organizations. The results suggest that ITG is positively related to service process performance through the mediators of IT relatedness and service process relatedness. Furthermore, ITG levers have been identified which might significantly increase service process performance.
Assessment of Endocarditis and Intracardiac Masses by TEE

Echocardiography, especially transesophageal echocardiograpy (TEE), provides excellent direct visualization of cardiac anatomy, enhancing sensitivity for diagnosis and identifying complications. TEE has been demonstrated to be more sensitive than transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in detecting small vegetations, intracardiac abscesses, and abnormalities of prosthetic valves in patients with IE. When clinical evidence of IE is present, TEE improves the sensitivity of the Duke criteria to diagnose definite IE. The 2003 update to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/American Society of Echocardiography Guidelines for the Application of Clinical Echocardiography emphasizes that TEE should be performed whenever the information provided by TTE is inadequate, when the TTE is negative but a high clinical index of suspicion remains, in patients with
Spoken document retrieval by translating recognition candidates into correct transcriptions

This paper proposes an ad hoc retrieval method for spoken documents that uses a statistical translation technique. After transcribing the spoken documents by using a Large-Vocabulary Continuous Speech Recognition (LVCSR) decoder, a text-based ad hoc retrieval method can be directly applied to the transcribed documents. However, recognition errors will signi cantly degrade the retrieval performance. In particular, because words that are Out-Of-Vocabulary (OOV) for the recognition dictionary of the LVCSR decoder will not appear in the transcribed text, a query constructed from such words will never match any document in the target collection. To address such problems, the proposed method aims to ll the gap between the automatically transcribed text and the correctly transcribed text by using a statistical translation technique. Experimental evaluation shows that the proposed method performs better than the baseline ad hoc retrieval method using only the transcribed text, especially for retrieval tasks with relatively small target documents.
A survey of tensor methods

Matrix decompositions have always been at the heart of signal, circuit and system theory. In particular, the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) has been an important tool. There is currently a shift of paradigm in the algebraic foundations of these fields. Quite recently, Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) has been shown to outperform SVD at a number of tasks. Increasing research efforts are spent on the study and application of decompositions of higher-order tensors or multi-way arrays. This paper is a partial survey on tensor generalizations of the SVD and their applications. We also touch on Nonnegative Tensor Factorizations.
Automatic extraction of building elevation contours based on LIDAR data

This paper presents a boundary extraction method of contour approximation for facade building based on 3D laser point cloud data. The method generates grids with a certain density according to the view projection of point cloud data at first. Then, detect the outline of grids through the mark and finally describe the actual contours of buildings with boundary feature for further. The experimental results show that the algorithm does not need other auxiliary data, and describes the inside and outside contours of the building more quickly and stably, especially in the complex urban environment without being influenced by the sampling frequency and the density of point clouds. The extraction accuracy of building boundary can be up to 90% or more.
Rupture Resemblance Score (RRS): toward risk stratification of unruptured intracranial aneurysms using hemodynamic–morphological discriminants

Objective We have previously developed three logistic regression models for discriminating intracranial aneurysm rupture status from 119 aneurysms based on hemodynamic–morphological parameters. In this study we exploit their use as a tool for predicting the risk of rupture of aneurysms with a defined Rupture Resemblance Score (RRS). Methods We collected three-dimensional images of 85 consecutive aneurysms, applied the three regression models and compared model performance at predicting rupture status against anecdotal metrics (aneurysm size and aspect ratio). We then reinterpreted the model-predicted probability as RRS, where the higher the score the closer the resemblance to previously known rupture components, and applied the RRS prospectively to four unruptured aneurysms with borderline treatment decisions. Results All three models yielded excellent sensitivity (0.78–0.83) and specificity (0.78–0.84) at a cutoff score of 50%, whereas aneurysm size and aspect ratio showed poor sensitivities (0.28 and 0.33, respectively). Lowering the cutoff score to 30% improved sensitivity to 0.90. The RRS identified most of the ruptured aneurysms and also some unruptured ones that closely resembled ruptured aneurysms hemodynamically and/or morphologically. The prospective application of the RRS to unruptured aneurysms shows that it could provide additional insights for treatment decisions. Conclusions Previous regression models based on hemodynamic–morphological parameters are able to discriminate rupture in a new cohort in the same population. A higher probability of rupture is associated with larger size ratio, lower normalized wall shear stress and higher oscillatory shear index. The RRS could potentially stratify rupture risk and assist in treatment decision-making for unruptured aneurysms.
Fast derivatives of rigid body dynamics for control, optimization and estimation

Many algorithms for control, optimization and estimation in robotics depend on derivatives of the underlying system dynamics, e.g. to compute linearizations or gradient directions. However, we show that when dealing with Rigid Body Dynamics, these derivatives are difficult to derive analytically and to implement efficiently. To overcome this issue, we extend the modelling tool “RobCoGen” to be compatible with Auto Differentiation. Additionally, we propose how to automatically obtain the derivatives and generate highly efficient source code. Finally, we demonstrate an example application using Trajectory Optimization to underline the potential gain of using these derivatives in a control setting.
Visual perception elicited by electrical stimulation of retina in blind humans.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of bypassing damaged photoreceptors and electrically stimulating the remaining viable retinal layers to provide limited visual input to patients who are blind because of severe photoreceptor degeneration. METHODS In the operating room with the patient under local anesthesia, focal electrical stimulation of the retinal surface with brief biphasic pulses was performed using small probes inserted through the sclera. The procedure was performed in five subjects who had little or no light perception. Three subjects had retinitis pigmentosa, one had age-related macular degeneration, and one had unspecified retinal degeneration from birth. RESULTS Stimulation elicited visual perception of a spot of light (phosphene). Subjects who previously had useful vision accurately localized the phosphenes according to the retinal area stimulated. Two subjects could track the movement of the stimulating electrode by reporting movement of the elicited phosphene, and could perceive two simultaneous phosphenes on independent stimulation with two electrodes. In a resolution test, one of the subjects with no light perception in his left eye resolved phosphenes at 1.75 degrees center-to-center distance (ie, 4/200 OS visual acuity). CONCLUSIONS Local electrical stimulation of the retinal surface in patients blind from outer retinal disease results in focal light perception that seems to arise from the stimulated area. Such findings in an acute experiment warrant further research into the possibility of prolonged retinal stimulation, improved resolution, and ultimately, an intraocular visual prosthesis.
Multiview Human Synthesis From a Singleview

We use deep generative models to synthesize multiview images given a single view. The generation process is done in two stages: in the first stage, we train a variational auto-encoder (VAE) [10] to synthesize a new view of the input image; in the second stage, we use a generative adversarial network (GAN) [5] to generate details on the output of the first stage. We evaluate our results using both qualitative and quantitative methods. One potential application is generating multiview images for e-Commerce products.
USB Snooping Made Easy: Crosstalk Leakage Attacks on USB Hubs

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is the most prominent interface for connecting peripheral devices to computers. USB-connected input devices, such as keyboards, cardswipers and fingerprint readers, often send sensitive information to the computer. As such information is only sent along the communication path from the device to the computer, it was hitherto thought to be protected from potentially compromised devices outside this path. We have tested over 50 different computers and external hubs and found that over 90% of them suffer from a crosstalk leakage effect that allows malicious peripheral devices located off the communication path to capture and observe sensitive USB traffic. We also show that in many cases this crosstalk leakage can be observed on the USB power lines, thus defeating a common USB isolation countermeasure of using a charge-only USB cable which physically disconnects the USB data lines. Demonstrating the attack’s low costs and ease of concealment, we modify a novelty USB lamp to implement an off-path attack which captures and exfiltrates USB traffic when connected to a vulnerable internal or a external USB hub.
Caenorhabditis elegans POT-1 and POT-2 Repress Telomere Maintenance Pathways

Telomeres are composed of simple tandem DNA repeats that protect the ends of linear chromosomes from replicative erosion or inappropriate DNA damage response mechanisms. The mammalian Protection Of Telomeres (POT1) protein interacts with single-stranded telomeric DNA and can exert positive and negative effects on telomere length. Of four distinct POT1 homologs in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, deficiency for POT-1 or POT-2 resulted in progressive telomere elongation that occurred because both proteins negatively regulate telomerase. We created a POT-1::mCherry fusion protein that forms discrete foci at C. elegans telomeres, independent of POT-2, allowing for live analysis of telomere dynamics. Transgenic pot-1::mCherry repressed telomerase in pot-1 mutants. Animals deficient for pot-1, but not pot-2, displayed mildly enhanced telomere erosion rates in the absence of the telomerase reverse transcriptase, trt-1. However, trt-1; pot-1 double mutants exhibited delayed senescence in comparison to trt-1 animals, and senescence was further delayed in trt-1; pot-2; pot-1 triple mutants, some of which survived robustly in the absence of telomerase. Our results indicate that POT-1 and POT-2 play independent roles in suppressing a telomerase-independent telomere maintenance pathway but may function together to repress telomerase.