Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clustering of disease features within 512 multicase rheumatoid arthritis families.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether specific rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease features demonstrate the presence of significant familial clustering. METHODS We studied 1,097 individuals with RA from 512 multicase families enrolled in the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium. All patients were interviewed and examined to collect standardized information about demographic and clinical characteristics. Affected individuals also underwent radiography of the hands and wrists and were genotyped for the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope. Familial clustering of disease features was assessed using contingency table analysis and Pearson correlation coefficients. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were used to account for other characteristics that might influence familial clustering, such as disease duration, sex, and age at diagnosis. RESULTS Several disease characteristics exhibited significant familial clustering, including seropositivity (multivariate odds ratio [OR] 4.3, P < 0.0001), nodules (OR 2.3, P < 0.0001), and age at RA diagnosis (multivariate regression coefficient [beta] 0.44, P < 0.0001). Other characteristics demonstrated statistically significant but modest degrees of familial clustering (Joint Alignment and Motion score, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, and year of RA diagnosis) or modest but nonsignificant familial clustering (other extraarticular manifestations, other autoimmune diseases). CONCLUSION The clustering of certain disease characteristics implicates specific genetic or nongenetic causes. These results highlight the importance of considering disease phenotype in future genetic and epidemiologic studies of RA.
Live cell imaging of plants.

Live cell imaging is an essential approach for studying the structure, dynamics, and functions of cells in a living plant under normal or stressed growth conditions. The tiny flowering plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, provides an ideal system to apply various live microscopy techniques. Its small size allows fluorescent light to penetrate the tissues, and its plantlets contain different cell types with different ploidy levels and differentiation stages. Its 2C nucleus contains only five pairs of chromosomes in which heterochromatin domains are organized as chromocenters, and these domains are easily resolved under the microscope. In addition, the availability of powerful genetic tools facilitates the investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying various cellular phenomena. In designing live imaging experiments, one must keep in mind that plants sense light, temperature, osmolarity, humidity, gravity, and nutrition. In addition, plants also have strong circadian rhythms of physiological behavior and gene expression. Moreover, plant tissues are normally thick (having multiple cell layers), and can have strong autofluorescence, especially in green leaves. Therefore, optimized culturing and imaging conditions are essential for successful live cell studies in plants. This article discusses the general experimental considerations and design for live plant imaging studies.
Improved Subthreshold Swing and Short Channel Effect in FDSOI n-Channel Negative Capacitance Field Effect Transistors

Negative capacitance (NC) FETs with channel lengths from 30 nm to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$50~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, gated with ferroelectric hafnium zirconium oxide are fabricated on fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) substrates. Enhanced capacitance due to NC, hysteresis-free operation, and improved subthreshold slope are observed. The NC effect leads to enhancement of drain current for small voltage operation. In addition, improved short channel performance is demonstrated owing to the reverse drain induced barrier lowering characteristics of the NC operation.
Evaluating preservation medium for the storage of DNA in African lion Panthera leo faecal samples

Lion faecal samples, collected in the field between 1 hour to 1 week after defecation were preserved in three different media (ethanol, ASL buffer and Two-step storage). The aim was to determine which faecal DNA field preservation method best enhances PCR amplification success. Samples stored in ethanol showed a significantly higher amplification success of microsatellite loci than samples stored in the other two media. In contrast, amplification success of a mitochondrial locus was similar among the samples stored in the three types of media. We reviewed twelve previous studies that employed different media for the storage of faeces, although patterns of success were not fully consistent among different media, ethanol storage was scored highest in the majority of these tests.
Cardiovascular reactivity and the course of immune response to an acute psychological stressor.

&NA; This study evaluated the temporal nature of cellular immune responses, as well as the effects of cardiovascular reactivity on immune responses after exposure to an acute psychological stressor. Lymphocyte subsets and lymphocyte proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin were assessed at baseline and at 5 and 21 minutes after stressor onset in the experimental group and at the same time points in a nonstressor control group. By 5 minutes after stressor onset, the number of CD8 suppressor/cytotoxic T and CD16/56 natural killer cells increased and proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin decreased. These changes were maintained at 21 minutes. Those subjects showing the greatest cardiovascular reactivity had the largest immune alterations. These data did not indicate that gender significantly moderated immune responses. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that sympathetic activation mediates stressor‐induced quantitative alterations of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and nonspecific mitogen stimulated proliferation.
Packet loss rate prediction using a universal indicator of traffic

In a multimedia environment, prediction of the quality of service plays an important role in formulating traffic control functions. We discuss a new approach in predicting the packet (or cell) loss rate as the quality of service of interest. While the approach does not rely on an assumption of a statistical model for the traffic patterns, it closely approximates the actual cell loss rate in a multimedia environment. To do this, first, we identify a set of traffic parameters, as the traffic indicator, that can describe the behavior of short-term, long-term or self-similar traffic patterns. Then, we approximate the cell loss rate in terms of the indicator parameters using a neural network system which consists of a linear combination of a number of sigmoidal functions.
A Generalized Predictive control for T-type power inverters with output LC filter

In this paper a Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy is proposed for a T-type power converter used for standalone applications. The proposal uses a Generalized Predictive control (GPC) strategy, a fast Space Vector Modulation (SVM) scheme and includes a dc-link capacitors voltage balancing approach. The GPC strategy proposed for the T-type converter involves developing a system of dynamic equations for the output LC filter and load. Then, they are transformed to a Controlled Auto-Regressive and Moving-Average (CARIMA) model in order to obtain a sequence of control signals, so that a cost function is optimized. A computationally efficient fast SVM is used to provide the reference output voltages. Additionally, a dc-link capacitor voltage balancing approach is included in order to ensure proper work of the T-Type power converter. The system performance is analyzed by means of simulation results.
Analysis of biliary drainage in the caudate lobe of the liver: comparison of three-dimensional CT cholangiography and rotating cine cholangiography.

PURPOSE To evaluate the bile duct anatomy of the caudate lobe without disease involvement with use of three-dimensional (3D) cholangiography and to compare the usefulness of this technique with that of rotating cine cholangiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 12 patients with obstructive jaundice but without lesions at the hepatic hilum who underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, serial examination was performed with cine cholangiography and helical computed tomography (CT). From helical CT scans, 3D cholangiograms were reconstructed. Cine and 3D cholangiograms were evaluated and compared simultaneously. RESULTS In the 12 patients, 40 branches of the caudate lobe were detected with 3D cholangiography (mean, 3.3 branches per patient), while 31 were detected with cine cholangiography (mean, 2.6 branches per patient). The difference in detection rate was significant (P < .01). Nine (23%) of 40 branches were detected with 3D cholangiography alone, and all 31 branches detected with cine cholangiography were also detected with 3D cholangiography. CONCLUSION 3D cholangiography was superior to cine cholangiography in assessment of bile duct anatomy of the caudate lobe of the liver because 3D cholangiography eliminated the overlap of different branches of the bile duct.
Practical Considerations for Measuring Hydrogen Concentrations in Groundwater

Several practical considerations for measuring concentra tions of dissolved molecular hydrogen (H2) in groundwater, including (1) sampling methods, (2) pumping methods, and (3) effects of well casing materials were evaluated. Three different sampling methodologies (a downhole sampler, a gas-stripping method, and a diffusion sampler) were compared. The downhole sampler and gas-stripping methods gave similar results when applied to the same wells. The diffusion sampler, on the other hand, appeared to overestimate H2 concentrations relative to the downhole sampler. Of these methods, the gas-stripping method is better suited to field conditions because it is faster (∼30 min for a single analysis as opposed to 2 h for the downhole sampler or 8 h for the diffusion sampler), the analysis is easier (less sample manipulation is required), and the data computations are more straightforward (H2 concentrations need not be corrected for water sample volume). Measurement of H2 using the gas-stripping method can be affe.
Design of a dual band equatorial helix antenna for TTC of satellites

This paper presents the design process of a dual band equatorial helix antenna for TTC applications in satellites. A moment method code named MONURBS [1] has been used to design the helix antenna and the network feeding. The design process, geometrical and electrical models and comparisons between the predicted and measured values are presented.
‘A Low Risk Is Still a Risk’: Exploring Women’s Attitudes towards Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Susceptibility in Order to Target Disease Prevention

Background: Population breast cancer screening programs by mammography are offered to women based on age. It has been suggested that a screening program based on genetic risk profile could be more effective by targeting interventions at those at higher genetic risk. This study explores women’s attitudes towards genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility in order to target breast cancer prevention. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using 4 focus groups with 26 women aged 42–73 years. Women were selected irrespective of personal or family history of breast cancer. Discussions were audiotaped and content analyzed. Results: The results show that in general women are positive towards a breast cancer screening program based on genetic risk profile, provided that in the low-risk group, though less frequent, women are still offered mammography screening (i.e. right to screening (a)). Other themes that women addressed were: (b) value of the genetic risk information (e.g. possibilities for cancer prevention at younger ages, less screening burden for low-risk women), (c) personal autonomy (e.g. free choice to undergo testing), (d) dealing with test results (e.g. burden of risk, motivation to reduce the risk), (e) discrimination, and (f) financial aspects and priority (e.g. with respect to other health care programs). Conclusion: These results suggest that women currently offered breast cancer screening based on age have a positive attitude towards population susceptibility screening for breast cancer, but also identified issues that need to be discussed and studied further, especially if women in the low-risk group were no longer to be offered mammography screening.
Clinical progression in Parkinson disease and the neurobiology of axons

Despite tremendous growth in recent years in our knowledge of the molecular basis of Parkinson disease (PD) and the molecular pathways of cell injury and death, we remain without therapies that forestall disease progression. Although there are many possible explanations for this lack of success, one is that experimental therapeutics to date have not adequately focused on an important component of the disease process, that of axon degeneration. It remains unknown what neuronal compartment, either the soma or the axon, is involved at disease onset, although some have proposed that it is the axons and their terminals that take the initial brunt of injury. Nevertheless, this concept has not been formally incorporated into many of the current theories of disease pathogenesis, and it has not achieved a wide consensus. More importantly, in view of growing evidence that the molecular mechanisms of axon degeneration are separate and distinct from the canonical pathways of programmed cell death that mediate soma destruction, the possibility of early involvement of axons in PD has not been adequately emphasized as a rationale to explore the neurobiology of axons for novel therapeutic targets. We propose that ongoing degeneration of axons, not cell bodies, is the primary determinant of clinically apparent progression of disease, and that future experimental therapeutics intended to forestall disease progression will benefit from a new focus on the distinct mechanisms of axon degeneration. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:715–725
THE CONCEPT OF GOD, HUMAN, AND DEITY BASED ON KADA TO MINAA IN FUNERAL CEREMONY – RAMBU SOLO’: IDEATIONAL MEANING ANALYSIS

Applying transitivity system to identify the ideational meaning on kada to minaa narration is what the researcher does in this thesis. This research aims to reveal the concept of God, human, and deity in kada to minaa narration realised by elaborating Transitivity Analysis. The data are all clauses in kada to minaanarration in Singgi'. In analysing the data, the researcher applies Immediate Constituent Analysis (ICA) method to categorise the elements based on transitivity, and referential methodto figure out the representation of participant, reference of processes, and the context in circumstantial. The results show that several ideational meanings reveal the concept of God, human, and deity. God is defined as the one whom human worships and praises to and who has authority and power over human. Human is a creature who lives in the world, works hard, and always worship to God through funerals. While deity is the one who lives in heaven and who delivers blessing from God. Besides, the researcher also infers that the concept of God, human, and deity as a whole stating that God is the creator, while human is the blessed creature, and deity is the death souls from human.
The Rad50 hook domain regulates DNA damage signaling and tumorigenesis

The Mre11 complex (Mre11, Rad50, and Nbs1) is central to the DNA damage response (DDR). Rad50 contains a conserved Zn2+-dependent homodimerization interface, the Rad50 hook domain. Petrini and colleagues analyze mutants with reduced hook domain function to delineate hook-dependent Mre11 complex functions. A Rad50 mutant partially defective for dimerization was found to hyperactivate DDR signaling. Heterozygous Rad50 mutant mice exhibit severe ATM-dependent hydrocephalus and tumorigenesis defects. The data reveal a previously unrecognized influence of the Rad50 hook domain on DDR signaling, tissue homeostasis, and tumorigenesis.
Alz Memory – um aplicativo móvel para treino de memória em pacientes com Alzheimer

The Alzheimer’s disease is a dementia characterized by cognitive decline, whose main characteristic is memory decline in the first stage of it. It is known that Alzheimer’s does not have a cure, but there are treatments as the memory training to retard the advance of memory loss. This article aims to present the Alz Memory, a game developed for Alzheimer’s patients to memory training in order to minimize the effects of the disease on the memory. To develop the application were used: HTML5 language, style sheet language in CSS3, JavaScript, JQuery library and PhoneGap framework. The results of the preliminary evaluation of usability have identified aspects as the ease of use, size of letters and images, application functionality, navigation, user control, colors and motivation for the use of other technologies which were considered important to the development of the game are good.
An Optically Tunable Cavity-Backed Slot Antenna

There is a growing pressure on antenna designers to provide ever increasing operating bandwidth, efficiency, and flexibility. Emerging communications standards are requiring operation over wide frequency ranges, often with multiple, separated bands of operation. This communication proposes and demonstrates an optically tunable cavity backed slot antenna. Through the incorporation of four silicon bridging pieces and a fiber coupled laser, the operating frequency can be tuned between 4.2 and 6 GHz. Antenna efficiency has been measured and ranges between 36% and 62% depending upon the combination of frequency and tuning state, with the gain taking values between 4.3 and 6.9 dBi. An effective fabrication process for the incorporation of silicon into the antenna has been described, as well as methods for effectively simulating the optically generated conductivity. Simulations and measurements show good agreement, and several proposed improvements are proposed for this novel and flexible tuning technology.
Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment Secondary to a Lipoma

Many causes of suprascapular nerve entrapment have been described including a small spinoglenoid notch, a tight ligament, boney spurs, and ganglion cysts. In the current patient, suprascapular nerve entrapment was caused by a lipoma in the suprascapular notch. The patient presented with painful shoulder motion that could have been attributed to rotator cuff and acromioclavicular joint disease. However, magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography were consistent with suprascapular nerve entrapment. Treatment of the rotator cuff disease and excision of the lipoma led to resolution of the patient’s symptoms. This case is presented as an unusual cause of suprascapular nerve entrapment with a review of its course and anatomy.
Negative immunomagnetic purging of peripheral blood stem cell harvests from breast carcinoma patients reduces tumor cell contamination while not affecting hematopoietic recovery

Because tumor contamination of hematopoietic stem cell grafts may influence the outcome in breast carcinoma (BC) patients undergoing high dose chemotherapy (HDC), several ex vivo procedures for the purging of autologous harvests have been investigated. The authors studied the presence of epithelial tumor cells and the growth of hematopoietic progenitors in peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collections from patients with metastatic breast carcinoma before and after a purging procedure performed by a negative immunomagnetic BC cell separation.
Including image charge effects in the molecular dynamics simulations of molecules on metal surfaces

Combinatorial bio‐techniques have demonstrated that proteins can be good and even selective binders for several inorganic surfaces, including metals. However, the understanding of the basic physical mechanisms that govern such interactions did not keep up with the success in these experiments. The comprehension of such mechanisms would greatly benefit from the computational investigation of the problem. Because of the complexity of the system, classical molecular dynamics simulations based on an atomistic description appear to be the best compromise between reliability and feasibility. For proteins interacting with metal surfaces, however, methodological improvements with respect to standard Molecular Dynamics (MD) of proteins are needed, since the polarization of the metal induced by the protein (and the surrounding water) is not generally negligible. In this article, we present a simple approach to introduce metal polarization effects (often termed image effects) in MD simulations by exploiting standard features of bio‐oriented MD codes such as the widely used GROMACS and NAMD. Tests to show the reliability of the proposed methods are presented, and the results for a model application showing the importance of image effects are also discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
A peak power reduction method for multicarrier transmission

We developed a method to reduce peak to average power-ratio (PAR) of multicarrier signals. The method enlarged the quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) constellation size at a number of tones so that several signal points represent the same information. It chose a signal point among equivalent signal points that minimized PAR. This method achieved more than 4 dB PAR reduction when 64 QAM was used to represent 16 QAM constellation in a 64-subcarrier system. Also we could trade the PAR reduction for complexity and power increase by changing the size of the extended constellation.
A Solvable One-Dimensional Model of a Diffusion Inventory System

We analyse the optimal ordering policy for impulse control of a one-product inventory system subject to a demand modelised by a diffusion process. The purpose is to minimize the expected discounted cost that includes a fixed set-up cost and linear costs of purchase, storage and shortage. The optimal cost is explicitly obtained as the smoothest solution of a Quasi-Variational Inequality derived from the optimal principle of Dynamic Programming. The optimal s, S policy is determined as the unique solution of a system of algebraic equations.
Are Syndicates the Killer App of Equity Crowdfunding?

Information asymmetry presents a challenge to equity crowdfunding just as in other markets for equity capital. Investors are less likely to finance startups when it is difficult to assess quality. Syndicates reduce market failures caused by information asymmetry by shifting the focal investment activities of the crowd from startups to lead investors. Syndicates align the incentives of issuers, lead investors, and follow-on investors by providing incentives for lead investors to conduct due diligence, monitor progress, and exploit their reputation. Preliminary evidence foreshadows a meaningful role for syndicates in the allocation of capital to early-stage ventures.