Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Red blood cells free α‐haemoglobin pool: a biomarker to monitor the β‐thalassemia intermedia variability. The ALPHAPOOL study

The severity of β‐thalassaemia (β‐thal) intermedia is mainly correlated to the degree of imbalanced α/non α‐globin chain synthesis. The phenotypic diversity of β‐thal depends on this imbalance and reflects all possible combinations of α‐ and β‐globin genotypes, levels of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) and co‐inheritance of other modulating factors. This study aimed to demonstrate the validity of a new surrogate of α/non α‐globin biosynthetic ratio by measuring the soluble α‐Hb pool in lysed red blood cells. Our results confirm that the α‐Hb pool measurement allows a good discrimination between β‐thal intermedia patients, controls and α‐thal patients (P < 0·003). Receiver operator characteristic analyses revealed an area under the curve of 0·978 for the α‐Hb pool measurement at a threshold of 120 ng free α‐Hb/mg of total Hb/ml of haemolysate (ppm) with a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 100%, respectively, to discriminate between β‐thal and not β‐thal subjects. Significant correlations were observed between the α‐Hb pool and biological parameters of β‐thal, the most significant association being observed with red cell hexokinase activity. This study indicates that the α‐Hb pool could be a new marker for assistance in diagnostic orientation of β‐thal intermedia patients and may be clinically useful for monitoring the evolution of the disequilibrium of globin synthesis in response to treatments.
Dynamic power and layer selection for scalable video streaming in femtocell networks

Femtocells have emerged as a promising solution for increasing network capacity to cope with the exponential growth of mobile video traffic. However, the randomness of wireless channel and cross-tier interference may cause frequent interruption or fluctuation of video playback, which is challenging for wireless video streaming. In this paper, we consider a femtocell scalable video streaming system in which the femto base station purchases interference quota and provides scalable video streaming service to mobile user under dynamic channel conditions and interference price. We propose a dynamic power and layer selection strategy for maximizing the long-term weighted sum of video quality and cost subject to a constraint on playback smoothness (i.e., interruption and fluctuation). In addition, the proposed algorithm does not require any priori knowledge of the channel dynamics, and is capable of operating online with the currently available information. We also conduct simulations to show the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Multiwavelength Transit Observations of the Candidate Disintegrating Planetesimals Orbiting WD 1145+017

We present multiwavelength, ground-based follow-up photometry of the white dwarf WD 1145+017, which has recently been suggested to be orbited by up to six or more short-period, low-mass, disintegrating planetesimals. We detect nine significant dips in flux of between 10% and 30% of the stellar flux in our ∼32 hr of photometry, suggesting that WD 1145+017 is indeed being orbited by multiple, short-period objects. Through fits to the asymmetric transits that we observe, we confirm that the transit egress is usually longer than the ingress, and that the transit duration is longer than expected for a solid body at these short periods, all suggesting that these objects have cometary tails streaming behind them. The precise orbital periods of the planetesimals are unclear, but at least one object, and likely more, have orbital periods of ∼4.5 hr. We are otherwise unable to confirm the specific periods that have been reported, bringing into question the long-term stability of these periods. Our high-precision photometry also displays low-amplitude variations, suggesting that dusty material is consistently passing in front of the white dwarf, either from discarded material from these disintegrating planetesimals or from the detected dusty debris disk. We compare the transit depths in the V- and R-bands of our multiwavelength photometry, and find no significant difference; therefore, for likely compositions, the radius of single-size particles in the cometary tails streaming behind the planetesimals must be ∼0.15 μm or larger, or ∼0.06 μm or smaller, with 2σ confidence.
Phospholamban and cardiac contractility

Over the last three decades, our knowledge and understanding of the role of phospholamban and its modulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function has advanced significantly. Phospholamban is a key regulator of cardiac contractility and modulates SR Ca2+ sequestration by inhibiting the SR Ca2+ -ATPase (SERCA) in its dephosphorylated state. Upon phosphorylation, which is mediated through β-adrenergic stimulation, the inhibitory effect of phospholamban on the function of SERCA is relieved. This review summarizes recent advances that have been made towards understanding the modulation of SR Ca2+-sequestration by phospholamban through the generation and characterization of genetically altered animal models. It also discusses the role of phospholamban in human heart failure and recent attempts to restore SR function in experimentally induced and human heart failure, which may be translated into future therapeutic approaches in the treatment of this disease.
The part played by the lungs in the oxidative processes of the body

IN a series of four papers in the Archives de Physiologie Normale et Pathologique, Bohr and Henriques, in 1897, put forward evidence which they believed indicated that the seat of the oxidations was not confined to the tissues, but that a variable amount of the combustive processes were carried out in the lungs; according to them, the lungs receive from the tissues some metabolic products in an imperfectly oxidised condition, and the complete conversion of these bodies into the final end-products is only achieved in the lungs themselves, as these products are carried through them in the blood. Bohr and Henriques based their view on the observation that the amount of carbon dioxide carried away from the lungs by the expired air was much greater than the amount of that gas which was carried to the lungs by the venous blood (2). Similar relations applied to the oxygen absorptions, the discrepancy amounting to from 0 to 66 0/0 of the total amrount. Of somewhat less importance, but yielding similar indications, were the facts that the respiratory quotients as determined in the air and blood simultaneously were different(4), and further that on occlusion of the aorta at the arch, so that the greater part of the body was served by the circutlation of blood through small collaterals, the total respiratory exchange was not depressed so much as would be expected on the assumption that the oxidative changes were exclusively confined to the tissues (). These results have been criticised by Zun tz and Hagemann (5) and by Loewy and Zuntz(6), who doubt whether the blood-samples collected really were representative ones. Some of the experiments of Bohr and Henriqtles have been repeated by Rulot and Cuvelier(7): quite recently Puetter(8) has attempted to prove from experiments on man that much of the oxidative processes may occur in the lungs: these
State-of-the-art large area CVD MoS2 based RF electronics

In this work we demonstrate state-of-the-art large area monolayer CVD M0S2 based RF transistors on both flexible and Si substrates. We report the highest RF performance (fT ∼ 5.9GHz and fmax ∼ 3.3GHz) among flexible MoS2 based thin film transistors. Our embedded gate CVD MoS2 transistors on CMOS compatible Si substrates shows record fT∼ 20GHz, fmax ∼ 11.4GHz, and saturation velocity vsat ∼ 1.88∗106 cm/s. We also present the design of MoS2 based RF circuits (GHz amplifier and flexible wireless AM receiver).
Young People With Intellectual Disabilities , Internet Use and Identification Processes

Although research on young people’s identification processes on the Internet is a growing field, few studies illustrate conditions for young people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Previous studies have shown that young people with ID are worried about being marginalized, and that many in fact are lonelier than other young people. Internet and social networking sites might be of vital importance as a space for exploring alternative and less stigmatized identities. This article reports findings from individual interviews with 27 young people with ID in Sweden. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using a thematic content analysis. A prominent finding concerned the informants being well aware of both risks and opportunities using Internet and Social Networking Sites. Consequently, the more they interacted with nondisabled peers, the more they experienced negative consequences of Internet use. These circumstances rather lead to downsizing than upsizing Internet use, and less participation on Social Networking Sites. The experiences of the informants are discussed in a conceptual framework of social identity, participation, and emancipation. We recommend that social work practitioners reflect upon the ways that support can be arranged in order to empower young people with ID to participate on the Internet.
Multidose streptozotocin induction of diabetes in BALB/cBy mice induces a T cell proliferation defect in thymocytes which is reversible by interleukin-4.

Thymic T cell function in streptozotocin-treated (STZ) diabetic mice has been examined. STZ administration suppresses thymic T cell proliferation in response to mitogen stimulation in vitro. Secretion of IL-4 was dramatically reduced; however, secretion of IL-2 or IFN-gamma was not significantly inhibited. RT-PCR analysis of thymocyte RNA revealed that levels of IL-4 mRNA were dramatically decreased in STZ-treated mice. Levels of mRNA encoding IFN-gamma were similar, but the appearance was delayed in thymocytes derived from STZ-treated mice, implying differential regulation of IL-4 and IFN-gamma. Defective thymocyte proliferation was partially restored by exposure to IL-2 in vitro; however, IL-4 completely reversed the STZ-induced defect. Administration in vivo of IL-4 before STZ treatment reversed the STZ-induced thymocyte proliferation defect and prevented both pancreatic islet destruction and hyperglycemia. Thymocyte cell surface differentiation markers were not appreciably different from control mice. Collectively these experiments suggest that STZ treatment of mice reduces expression of IL-4 which is associated with development of autoimmune diabetes.
Endogenous 5‐HT inhibits firing activity of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons during conditioned fear stress‐induced freezing behavior through stimulating 5‐HT1A receptors

This study examines the activity of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons during conditioned fear stress (CFS)‐induced freezing behavior in unanesthetized, unrestrained rats. The firing frequency of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons was significantly decreased when conditioned rats exhibited freezing behavior. Firing frequency returned to the baseline after freezing behavior disappeared. The selective 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT)1A antagonists, N‐[2‐[4‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐piperazinyl]ethyl]‐N‐(2‐pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide (WAY‐100635), and N‐tert‐butyl‐3‐[4‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)piperazine‐1‐yl]‐2‐phenylpropamide (WAY‐100135) and 5‐HT depletion with parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) completely abolished the decrease in firing frequency during CFS‐induced freezing behavior. These results suggested that endogenous 5‐HT inhibited the firing activity of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons during CFS‐induced freezing behavior mainly through stimulating 5‐HT1A receptors. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ubiquitination of exposed glycoproteins by SCFFBXO27 directs damaged lysosomes for autophagy

Significance Although lysosomes play a crucial role in autophagy, damaged lysosomes are eliminated by autophagy. The molecular mechanisms that recognize lysosomal damage in cells remain poorly understood, but ubiquitination is a known prerequisite for directing autophagic machinery to damaged lysosomes. FBXO27, a substrate-recognition subunit of the SCF (SKP1/CUL1/F-box protein) ubiquitin ligase complex, localizes to the cytosolic surface of endomembranes and binds glycoproteins. This paper reports that SCFFBXO27 ubiquitinates exposed glycoproteins normally sequestered on the lumenal surface of lysosomes following lysosomal damage, resulting in accelerated recruitment of autophagic machinery. Ubiquitination functions as a signal to recruit autophagic machinery to damaged organelles and induce their clearance. Here, we report the characterization of FBXO27, a glycoprotein-specific F-box protein that is part of the SCF (SKP1/CUL1/F-box protein) ubiquitin ligase complex, and demonstrate that SCFFBXO27 ubiquitinates glycoproteins in damaged lysosomes to regulate autophagic machinery recruitment. Unlike F-box proteins in other SCF complexes, FBXO27 is subject to N-myristoylation, which localizes it to membranes, allowing it to accumulate rapidly around damaged lysosomes. We also screened for proteins that are ubiquitinated upon lysosomal damage, and identified two SNARE proteins, VAMP3 and VAMP7, and five lysosomal proteins, LAMP1, LAMP2, GNS, PSAP, and TMEM192. Ubiquitination of all glycoproteins identified in this screen increased upon FBXO27 overexpression. We found that the lysosomal protein LAMP2, which is ubiquitinated preferentially on lysosomal damage, enhances autophagic machinery recruitment to damaged lysosomes. Thus, we propose that SCFFBXO27 ubiquitinates glycoproteins exposed upon lysosomal damage to induce lysophagy.
8‐Plex quantitation of changes in cerebrospinal fluid protein expression in subjects undergoing intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for Alzheimer's disease

An 8‐plex version of an isobaric reagent for the quantitation of proteins using shotgun methods is presented. The 8‐plex version of the reagent relies on amine‐labeling chemistry of peptides similar to 4‐plex reagents. MS/MS reporter ions at 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, and 121 m/z are used to quantify protein expression. This technology which was first applied to a test mixture consisting of eight proteins and resulted in accurate quantitation, has the potential to increase throughput of analysis for quantitative shotgun proteomics experiments when compared to 2‐ and 4‐plex methods. The technology was subsequently applied to a longitudinal study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins from subjects undergoing intravenous Ig treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Results from this study identify a number of protein expression changes that occur in CSF after 3 and 6 months of treatment compared to a baseline and compared to a drug washout period. A visualization tool was developed for this dataset and is presented. The tool can aid in the identification of key peptides and measurements. One conclusion aided by the visualization tool is that there are differences in considering peptide‐based observations versus protein‐based observations from quantitative shotgun proteomics studies.
Promoting Positive Psychology Using Social Networking Sites: A Study of New College Entrants on Facebook

This study explores the potential of promoting college students’ positive psychological development using popular online social networks. Online social networks have dramatically changed the ways college students manage their social relationships. Social network activities, such as checking Facebook posts dominates students’ Internet time and has the potential to assist students’ positive development. Positive psychology is a scientific study of how ordinary individuals can apply their strength effectively when facing objective difficulties and how this capability can be cultivated with certain approaches. A positive message delivery approach was designed for a group of new college entrants. A series of positive messages was edited by university counselors and delivered by students to their Facebook social groups. Responses from each posted positive messages were collected and analyzed by researchers. The responses indicated that: (1) relationships of individual engagement and social influence in this study can partially explain the observed student behavior; (2) using class-based social groups can promote a positive atmosphere to enhance strong-tie relationships in both the physical and virtual environments, and (3) promoting student’s positive attitudes can substantially impact adolescents’ future developments, and many positive attitudes can be cultivated by emotional events and social influence.
A State-of-Charge Estimation Method Based on an Adaptive Proportional-Integral Observer

Lithium-ion batteries play an important role in electric vehicles. Accurate and robust estimation of their state-of-charge is crucial for the efficient and safe operation of electric vehicles. To improve the accuracy and robustness of the estimation approach, an adaptive PI observer aim for state-of-charge estimation and parameters update simultaneously is proposed. Lyapunov stability analysis is employed to guarantee the stability of the observer. Meanwhile, a Thevenin equivalent-circuit model is established in Matlab/Simulink® to verify the algorithm. Finally, the proposed method is validated by experiment results with urban dynamometer driving schedules. The results show that the proposed estimation using this adaptive PI observer is more accurate and robust than that using EKF or non-adaptive PI observer.
A study on the intelligent method for detection of computer viruses

This paper makes a virus detection study based on the D-S theory of evidence, which applies to two types of classifiers, support vector machines and probabilistic neural networks to detect the virus. Then, the D-S theory of evidence is used to combine the contribution of each individual classifier to obtain the final decision. The experiment tests and result analyses demonstrate that it is efficient for unknown viruses and variant viruses to improve accuracy rate of integration virus detector by using D-S theory to create the isomeric classifier.
A short-open de-embedding technique for s-domain modeling of planar circuits

This paper presents a de-embedding technique specifically designed to obtain a state-space model of an arbitrarily shaped boxed microstrip circuit via the state-space integral-equation algorithm. This method is based on a short-open calibration technique formulated in the domain of the Laplace variable s. Three examples demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method.
Adenine deaminase and adenine utilization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Compared with other purine salvage and nitrogen catabolism enzymatic activities, adenine deaminase (adenine aminohydrolase [AAH]; EC 3.5.4.2) activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is uniquely regulated. AAH specific activity is not induced by adenine and is reduced sevenfold when cells are cultivated in medium containing proline in place of ammonium as the sole nitrogen source. Exogenous adenine enters metabolic pathways primarily via the function of either AAH or adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT; EC 2.4.2.7). Exogenous adenosine cannot normally be utilized as a purine source. Strains efficiently utilized adenosine or inosine when grown in pH 4.5 medium containing Triton X-100. A recessive mutation permitting utilization of adenosine or inosine in standard media was isolated. In both situations, growth of purine auxotrophs required either AAH or APRT activity. With medium containing either ammonium or proline as a nitrogen source, minimum doubling times of purine auxotrophs deficient in either APRT or AAH were measured. In proline-based medium, AAH and APRT permitted equal utilization of exogenous adenine. In ammonium-based medium, the absence of APRT increased the minimum doubling time by 50%. Similar experiments using sufficient exogenous histidine to feedback inhibit histidine biosynthesis failed to affect the growth rates of adenine auxotrophs blocked in AAH or APRT, indicating that the histidine-biosynthetic pathway does not play a significant role in adenine utilization. The gene that encodes AAH in S. cerevisiae was isolated by complementation using yeast strain XD1-1, which is deficient in AAH, APRT, and purine synthesis. A 1.36-kb EcoRI-SphI fragment was demonstrated to contain the structural gene for AAH by expressing this DNA in Escherichia coli under control of the trp promoter-operator. Northern (RNA) studies using the AAH-, APRT-, and CDC3-coding regions indicated that AAH regulation was not mediated at the level of transcription or mRNA degradation.
Optimum load of WPT system analyzed by S-parameters

In this paper, the transfer efficiency of WPT system is calculated by using S-parameters if a WPT system is equivalent to a 2-ports lossy network. The optimum source and load impedances are deduced from the conjugated matching conditions for the maximum transfer efficiency of WPT system. The approach is applied to analyze the effects of different transmitting/receiving elements, different load on the transfer efficiency of WPT system. It is found that the method is very general and practical to deal with different WPT systems because the S-parameter can be obtained easily by the measurement or by the numerical simulation.
OAM-Based Multitarget Detection: From Theory to Experiment

The vortex electromagnetic (EM) wave, which carries orbital angular momentum (OAM), is exploited to multitarget detection applications. The detection model in the squint mode is derived first. The elevation and azimuth angles of the targets are estimated by the fast Fourier transform method and validated by the simulation. Subsequently, proof-of-concept experiments are performed to validate the principle of the proposed OAM-based target detection technique. The signal processing method for the real-world data obtained from the experiments is proposed to identify the positions of the targets. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed detection method and indicate that the vortex EM wave can readily be applied to detect multiple targets simultaneously. The work and results show the new applications of the vortex EM wave as well as the development of the novel radar detection technology.
Fellowship Colonoscopy Training and Preparedness for Independent Gastroenterology Practice

Goals: To objectively assess when gastroenterology (GI) fellows achieve technical competency to perform colonoscopy independently. Background: New guidelines to assess the procedural competency of GI fellows in training have been developed. Although comprehensive, they do not account for the quality metrics to which independently practicing gastroenterologists are held. Study: We performed a prospective study examining consecutive colonoscopies performed by GI fellows from November 2013 through March 2014 at an academic medical center. Using a brief postprocedure questionnaire and the online medical record, we measured rates of independent fellow cecal intubation rate (CIR), insertion time to the cecum (cecal IT), and independent polypectomy rate. Our secondary outcomes were adenoma detection rate and polyp detection rate. Results: A total of 898 colonoscopies performed by 10 GI fellows were analyzed. In the multivariate analysis, CIR [odds ratio (OR)=1.29, P=0.012], cecal IT (&bgr;-coefficient=0.19, P=0.006), and rates of unassisted independent snare polypectomy (OR=1.36, P<0.001) all improved significantly with increased number of procedures performed (OR and &bgr;-coefficient per 100 colonoscopies performed). After performing 500 colonoscopies, fellows achieved a mean CIR>90%, cecal IT between 7 and 10 minutes, and independent polypectomy rate of 90% with further improvement in cecal IT to <7 minutes, and independent snare polypectomy of >95% after 700 cases. Conclusions: Current procedural recommendations for fellowship training may underestimate the technical skill necessary for independent GI practice upon completion of fellowship. Technical proficiency in snare polypectomy may lag behind proficiency in cecal intubation.