Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical evaluation of kinetic enzymatic fixed-time and integral analysis of serum triglycerides.

Serum triglycerides can be enzymatically determined by hydrolysis of triglycerides to glycerol and free fatty acids [ Clin. Chem. 19, 476 (1973)]. Enzyme integral (end-point) and fixed-time rate analyses of serum triglycerides by this procedure have been investigated with a centrifugal analyzer. We determined the precision of blank determinations, the contribution of normal serum alkaline phosphatase to total values, and the amount of endogenous glycerol in fasting serum samples and blood collection tubes. We also made a statistical analysis of enzymatic triglyceride values obtained for a healthy, fasting (12-16 h) population of men and women. The relative merits of both procedures are discussed.
Merging molecular imaging and RNA interference: Early experience in live animals

The rapid development of non‐invasive imaging techniques and imaging reporters coincided with the enthusiastic response that the introduction of RNA interference (RNAi) techniques created in the research community. Imaging in experimental animals provides quantitative or semi‐quantitative information regarding the biodistribution of small interfering RNAs and the levels of gene interference (i.e., knockdown of the target mRNA) in living animals. In this review we give a brief summary of the first imaging findings that have potential for accelerating the development and testing of new approaches that explore RNAi as a method for achieving loss‐of‐function effects in vivo and as a promising therapeutic tool. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 1113–1123, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Policy-based management approach for energy efficient cloud computing infrastructure

Cloud computing technology is gaining great popularity in our day due to the utilityoriented information technology services that it offers worldwide. Due to the pay-as-you-go elasticity that cloud computing technology facilitates, hosting pervasive applications has become possible from various ends such as consumer, scientific, and business domains. The technology of Cloud Computing facilitates a computing-as-a-service model where computing resources are made available as a utility service. However, although cloud computing technology returns great benefits in different aspects, data centers consume significant amounts of electricity in order to run, hence they require high operational costs and cause harmful outcomes to the environment such as carbon footprints and emissions. Therefore, we found it valuable to design a new cloud system model which contributes towards reducing the energy consumption of cloud datacenters, with consideration to the quality of service delivered. In this thesis, we have proposed a new cloud system model and architecture that is able to handle and manage a group of virtual machine migration heuristic algorithms proposed by other researchers. The proposed system model, User Profile Aware Policy Switching algorithm (UPAPS) framework has proven ability in managing a group of these heuristic algorithms by employing our proposed architectural components namely: the UPAPS algorithm and the User Service Profile (USP). The UPAPS algorithm together with the USP component contribute to the efficient management of heuristic algorithms and therefore have achieved the desired trade-off between energy consumption and quality of
Design of a Compact UWB Filter With High Selectivity and Superwide Stopband

This letter presents a design of compact ultra-wideband bandpass filter (BPF) with high selectivity and superwide stopband. Three resonant modes from the multiple-mode resonator (MMR) based on half-mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) structure and four resonant modes from a pair of electromagnetic bandgap loaded parallel-coupled lines can constitute a wideband performance. Superwide stopband can be achieved and two transmission zeros are realized on both sides of the passband to improve the filter selectivity. A prototype of the BPF operating from 3.1 to 10.4 GHz with an extremely broad stopband region from 10.7 to 24 GHz and a rejection level of 15 dB is demonstrated in the measured results.
Giant monolayer magnetization of Fe on MgO: A nearly ideal two-dimensional magnetic system.

Studies of the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of a model 3{ital d} ferromagnetic metal-ceramic interface system Fe/MgO(001) by the full-potential linearized augmented-plane-wave total-energy method are reported. Surprisingly, the electronic and magnetic properties of a monolayer of Fe on MgO(001) substrate (magnetic moment {ital M}=3.07{mu}{sub {ital B}}) are remarkably close to that of a free-standing Fe monolayer (with a giant moment {ital M}=3.10{mu}{sub {ital B}}), as a result of the lack of electronic interaction between Fe and MgO. (The charge transfer at the Fe/MgO interface is less than 0.05 {ital e}/atom and so any direct chemical interaction between Fe and MgO is unlikely.) Thus, this system might be an ideal two-dimensional system for studying other phenomena such as magnetic anisotropy, phase transitions, and critical behavior. For two layers of Fe on MgO, i.e., 2Fe/MgO(001), the top layer Fe({ital M}=2.96{mu}{sub {ital B}}) shows features close to that of a free bcc Fe(001) surface ({ital M}=2.96{mu}{sub {ital B}}). Significantly, the magnetic moment of the Fe layer that interfaces the MgO substrate ({ital M}=2.85{mu}{sub {ital B}}) is also largely enhanced from the subsurface moment (2.35{mu}{sub {ital B}}) in bcc Fe(001), again indicating an extremely weak effect from the MgO substrate.
3D structural analysis of protein O‐mannosyl kinase, POMK, a causative gene product of dystroglycanopathy

Orchestration of the multiple enzymes engaged in O‐mannose glycan synthesis provides a matriglycan on α‐dystroglycan (α‐DG) which attracts extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as laminin. Aberrant O‐mannosylation of α‐DG leads to severe congenital muscular dystrophies due to detachment of ECM proteins from the basal membrane. Phosphorylation at C6‐position of O‐mannose catalyzed by protein O‐mannosyl kinase (POMK) is a crucial step in the biosynthetic pathway of O‐mannose glycan. Several mis‐sense mutations of the POMK catalytic domain are known to cause a severe congenital muscular dystrophy, Walker–Warburg syndrome. Due to the low sequence similarity with other typical kinases, structure–activity relationships of this enzyme remain unclear. Here, we report the crystal structures of the POMK catalytic domain in the absence and presence of an ATP analogue and O‐mannosylated glycopeptide. The POMK catalytic domain shows a typical protein kinase fold consisting of N‐ and C‐lobes. Mannose residue binds to POMK mainly via the hydroxyl group at C2‐position, differentiating from other monosaccharide residues. Intriguingly, the two amino acid residues K92 and D228, interacting with the triphosphate group of ATP, are donated from atypical positions in the primary structure. Mutations in this protein causing muscular dystrophies can now be rationalized.
CFD Analysis of an Avionic Module for Evaluating Power Distribution as a Thermal Management Measure for a Double-sided PCB

Thermal design aspects of an avionic module including fully populated PCBs housed in a sealed enclosure have been studied by means of computational fluid dynamics. Effect of power distribution between the sides of a double-sided PCB on the case temperature of surface-mounted components has been investigated within a proposed simulation strategy. Simulation-based guidelines have been developed for thermal design of avionic modules, regarding preferable power configuration on a double-sided PCB, representing an alternative approach to thermal management, as compared to introducing additional cooling devices.
Single-Layer Wideband Circularly Polarized Patch Antennas for Q-Band Applications

In this communication, dual-fed wideband circularly polarized (CP) patch antennas based on the single-layer printed circuit board (PCB) process and the substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology are proposed. Firstly, a patch antenna fed by an SIW coupler is developed to achieve a measured 3 dB axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth of 21% (from 38 GHz to 47 GHz). Then, by introducing second-order inductive windows, an improved CP patch antenna is developed. The measured results show that the 1 dB gain bandwidth is expanded from 3 GHz to 9 GHz while the overlapped bandwidth of AR and reflect coefficient is maintained. Finally, a 2 × 2 CP array is developed with a dual-polarized patch array. By carefully selecting the resonant frequency of the patches, a wide gain bandwidth is achieved. Moreover, by compensating the major error that deteriorates the AR bandwidth with a specially-designed coupler, the measured 3 dB AR bandwidth reaches as wide as 22.8%. The measured peak gain is 12.35 dBi.
Platelet autoantibodies and lupus‐associated thrombocytopenia

Summary. To characterize the antigenic targets of anti‐platelet antibodies (APA) found in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐associated thrombocytopenia, 48 patients with immune thrombocytopenia and SLE were compared with 20 patients with SLE who had never been thrombocytopenic. Both cases and controls were tested for circulating APA by an indirect platelet suspension immunofluorescence assay (PSIIFT) and by indirect monoclonal antibody specific immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA). A direct platelet suspension immunofluorescence assay (PSIFT) was also used for antibodies bound to platelets in vivo in thrombocytopenic patients; 13 of them with high titres of platelets‐bound APA were investigated by direct and indirect MAIPA and platelet eluate analysis. Circulating APA were detected by PSIIFT in 88% of cases and 55% of controls (P = 0·0066) and platelet‐bound antibodies were detected by PSIFT in 90% of cases. Indirect MAIPA detected specific APA (mainly directed against GpIIbIIIa) in 36% of cases and only 5% of the controls (P = 0·0076). Nine out of the 13 fully investigated thrombocytopenic patients (69%) had a positive direct MAIPA and/or APA detected in platelet eluates. In conclusion, the production of specific anti‐platelet autoantibodies, mainly directed against GpIIb/IIIa, and their binding to platelet membrane plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE‐associated thrombocytopenia.
Identifying HIV prevention service needs of African American men who have sex with men: an application of spatial analysis techniques to service planning.

BACKGROUND Black men who have sex with men (MSM) are a priority population for HIV prevention. METHOD We applied spatial analysis techniques to map the availability of HIV prevention services to young black MSM in Chicago to guide prevention planning. GIS was used to map characteristics of ZIP codes in Chicago. Choropleth maps and descriptive statistics were used to visualize and analyze the data. RESULTS Areas where young black MSM reside typically have low HIV service densities. HIV service density also corresponds poorly to some ZIP codes in which young black MSM who report high rates of unprotected sexual behavior reside. CONCLUSION Spatial analysis can show whether services are located near specific populations of interest. Data from multiple sources can be integrated to explore relationships among characteristics of geographic zones.
Budgetary and accounting experience in public sector- comparative case study

During the last decade the public sector has been affected by the introduction of significant reforms in the public accounting system in the international context. During the reform process different countries have put into practice numerous intermediate variants between the extremes of cash and accrual budgeting and accounting. The reasons for the different national systems may be due to the culture, the historical background or the structural elements of these countries. Also the specific objectives and the principal users of the financial reporting, the financial resource suppliers and the influence of public accounting regulatory bodies imply different national accounting systems. In the Western democracies there are two main broad styles of public management: Anglo-American and European Continental types. The paper presents the United Kingdom accrual accounting model adopted in the public institutions (an Anglo-Saxon country) by comparison with the Romanian one (a Continental European country). In this paper there will be taken into account some case studies of two public institutions: one from United Kingdom and the other from Romania. The paper tries to emphasize the differences and the similarities between the two countries accounting systems as well as the lessons learned from the United Kingdom accounting system regarding the implementation of the accrual accounting in public sector.
Two new sesquiterpene lactones from Sarcandra glabra

Two new sesquiterpene lactones (1) and (2), along with three known sesquiterpenes, atractylenolide β (3), chloranthalactone E (4), and ( − )-istanbulin A (5), were isolated from the whole plant of Sarcandra glabra. The structures of two new compounds were established as 8β,9α-dihydroxyeudesman-4(15),7(11)-dien-8α,12-olide (1) and 8β,9α-dihydroxylindan-4(5),7 (11)-dien-8α,12-olide (2) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Compound 3 was isolated from this genus for the first time.
A New Hybrid ARQ-FEC Scheme For Wireless ATM Networks DOI: 10.14209/jcis.2005.23

Wired ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) networks are designed taking into account an optical link in the physical layer. The main problem to implement a wireless ATM network is the fact that its radio link bit error rate is high and variable, demanding the use of an additional error control mechanism. The usual techniques for error control are ARQ (Automatic Repeat Request) and FEC (Forward Error Correction). ARQ works better than FEC if the channel bit error rate is low, and is worse if it is high, thus indicating that hybrid ARQ-FEC techniques can improve the radio link performance. A new hybrid ARQ-FEC scheme with multiple FEC states is proposed in this paper. The performance of the proposed scheme is compared with non-adaptive ARQ and FEC schemes, which have similar complexities, and with an ideal adaptive FEC scheme. It is shown that the proposed scheme works better than the non-adaptive schemes, and that the hybrid and the ideal adaptive FEC schemes have similar performances. Moreover, the hybrid scheme does not require an estimate of the bit error rate in the channel, leading to a less complex implementation.
Performance Evaluation for Knowledge Transfer Organizations: Best European Practices and a Conceptual Framework

The importance of Knowledge Transfer Organizations (KTOs) for boosting innovative performance both at regional and firm level has been highlighted by literature and empirical research (Kodama, 2008; Laranja, 2009; Muller & Zenker, 2001; Muscio, 2010; Tether T Reisman, 2005). Their mission is to be providers of knowledge intensive services to firms-receivers in the different phases of their innovation process (Howells, 2006) as well as to be part of a Knowledge Transfer (KT) infrastructure which promotes and facilitates networking activities between companies and public or private research institutions. Due to the increasing diffusion of KTOs operating in a regional innovation system and the variety of services provided, performance evaluation of these organizations is becoming paramount from different viewpoints. First, a measurement system by which different actors may gather performance information could help to overcome one of the main difficulties of creating a market for technological knowledge (Arora et al., 2001; Arora & Gambardella, 2010; Decter et al., 2007; Dosi et al., 2006; Lichtenthaler & Ernst, 2007), which is information asymmetry. Second, from the demand side, firms-receivers require a univocal method to compare and evaluate the offer of the different KTOs. Third, even KTOs need a performance measurement system on which they can rely to define their product/service portfolio and craft their competitive strategy at regional, national and international level. Finally, also local and regional institutions need to assess KTOs in order to define innovation policies and to allocate resources effectively. Despite the increasing need for measuring the effectiveness of KTOs, a still limited effort has been made by research to develop a performance measurement system based on a robust methodological framework. Approaches implemented by institutions and KTO associations like the IASP (International Association of Science Parks) or the European BIC Network, are based on multiple measures encompassing financial and economic metrics (for example the amount of investment made, the turnover generated, return on asset and return on equity), output indicators of the technology transfer process (for example the number of collaborative research agreements stipulated, the number of licenses executed or the number of spin-offs established) and input measures (such as physical space available, amount of
Quality assurance testing of transoesophageal echocardiography probes

Introduction In response to an ultrasound imaging issue with transoesophageal echocardiography probes, a testing protocol was developed to check features pertinent to the operation of these probes. The imaging problem was detected in multiple probes of the same make and model. Methods Over a two-year period, a series of 26 probes of this model were tested at acceptance, then three to six months later before being replaced due to a defect. A range of visual, mechanical and electrical tests were performed. Image tests comprised low-contrast penetration measurements and a comparison of phantom images at regular intervals to highlight artefacts in both B-mode and colour Doppler imaging. Results Of the 26 defective probes replaced, 7 suffered mechanical/electrical problems, 5 of which prevented imaging results being obtained. Low-contrast penetration reduction of greater than 5% occurred in 14 probes. B-mode artefacts were observed on 12 probes and Doppler noise artefacts on 6 probes. No faults were found on five probes. The manufacturer addressed the imaging problem identified and of the seven subsequent probes supplied, only one suffered an imaging fault. Conclusions The implementation of a quality assurance protocol for transoesophageal echocardiography probes resulted in cost savings on replacements/repairs. When provided with the evidence gathered, the manufacturer supplied 23 probes under warranty or as loan equipment. The regular testing of the probes substantially reduced the impact of downtime and poor diagnosis from this equipment on the clinical service.
An assessment of Total Quality Management in the financial services of United Kingdom and Brazil : a framework for implementation is proposed employing Quality Function Deployment

There is currently worldwide interest in the implementation and effectiveness of the quality management movement in financial service organisations. Especially the effect Total Quality Management (TQM) has upon transforming an industry which is in a state of considerable structural change, and in which the competition is intense. The first stage of the research involves the assessment of the status of TQM in banking organisations in the UK and Brazilian financial services sector. A questionnaire was used to investigate the perception of branch managers concerning the implementation and majors issues of TQM within the financial services industry in the UK and Brazil. Structured interviews with senior managers in charge of planning and developing the quality initiatives in the organisations surveyed were performed to investigate the strategies and models of the TQM implementation. The collection of data in this study was conducted in two parts: (1) In 1995 the fieldwork in the UK was carried out this involved a survey questionnaire with branch managers of fifteen 11igh Street financial service organisations and a set of interviews within two of the organisations urveyed. (2) In 1996 the Brazilian fieldwork was carried out. This involved the survey questionnaire with branch managers of ten High Street financial service organisations and a set of interviews within seven of those organisations urveyed. The analysis of the data obtained enable the identification of the current approaches to the implementation of TQM; the effects of TQM in the financial services sector in the UK and Brazil; and the current strategies applied and conceptual methods used for implementing TQM in those organisations. The second stage of the research presents the development of a TQM implementation framework employing the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology. This has been designed to assist in the selection and formulation of the most comprehensive TQM implementation approach for a banking organisations in both countries. The framework was designed as a proposal document to be used by quality practitioners, top managers of organisations and quality management researchers who are implementing TQM.
An Effective and Efficient Inference Control System for Relational Database Queries

Protecting confidential information in relational databases while ensuring availability of public information at the same time is a demanding task. Unwanted information flows due to the reasoning capabilities of database users require sophisticated inference control mechanisms, since access control is in general not sufficient to guarantee the preservation of confidentiality. The policy-driven approach of Controlled Query Evaluation (CQE) turned out to be an effective means for controlling inferences in databases that can be modeled in a logical framework. It uses a censor function to determine whether or not the honest answer to a user query enables the user to disclose confidential information which is declared in form of a confidentiality policy. In doing so, CQE also takes answers to previous queries and the user’s background knowledge about the inner workings of the mechanism into account. Relational databases are usually modeled using first-order logic. In this context, the decision problem to be solved by the CQE censor becomes undecidable in general because the censor basically performs theorem proving over an ever growing user log. In this thesis, we develop a stateless CQE mechanism that does not need to maintain such a user log but still reaches the declarative goals of inference control. This feature comes at the price of several restrictions for the database administrator who declares the schema of the database, the security administrator who declares the information to be kept confidential, and the database user who sends queries to the database. We first investigate a scenario with quite restricted possibilities for expressing queries and confidentiality policies and propose an efficient stateless CQE mechanism. Due to the assumed restrictions, the censor function of this mechanism reduces to a simple pattern matching. Based on this case, we systematically enhance the proposed query and policy languages and investigate the respective effects on confidentiality. We suitably adapt the stateless CQE mechanism to these enhancements and formally prove the preservation of confidentiality. Finally, we develop efficient algorithmic implementations of stateless CQE, thereby showing that inference control in relational databases is feasible for actual relational database management systems under suitable restrictions.