Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross‐reactivity between human erythropoietin antibody and horse erythropoietin

Erythropoietin (EPO) is the primary hormone of erythropoiesis. Administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuEPO) to improve racing performance in the horse represents a new form of blood doping, which has been associated with increased mortality. While immunoassay kits have become plentiful, very few commercial hormone assays are made specifically for equine research. There is a strong degree of sequence homology reported for EPO among species, which has allowed antibodes designed for human EPO research to be used to determine EPO concentration in other species. The objective of the present study was to use Western blot analysis to determine whether the antibody to rhuEPO, provided in a commercial radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit, recognizes horse EPO. Western blot analysis of purified rhuEPO and horse plasma was conducted, using the polyclonal goat‐antihuman EPO antibody supplied in the Incstar EPO Trac RIA as the primary antibody. Immunoblot analysis revealed a major band at approximately 52 kDa for both rhuEPO and the horse plasma. Our results demonstrate that a human EPO antibody recognizes equine EPO. These findings show that the Incstar EPO Trac RIA hormone assay system can be used to measure equine EPO.
CTLA-4 Gene Haplotypes and the Risk of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection; a Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is increasing worldwide. Cytotoxic Tlymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) may play a role in the intensity of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between genetic variants of the CTLA-4 and HCV infection. METHODS Restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) was performed as the genotyping assay at four different positions (+49 A>G, -318 C>T, -1722 T>C, and - 1661 A>G). Haplotypes were analyzed using PHASE software. Sixty-five HCV patients and 65 healthy individuals as controls who were referred to the hepatitis clinic in Mashhad, Iran, were recruited. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood of participants. RESULTS In a dominant analysis model of the -1661 position (GG vs. AA+AG), the AA genotype was more common in controls than in patients (adjusted P = 0.0003; OR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.051 -0.42). The GCAT haplotype was also more prevalent in controls than in patients (adjusted P = 0.01; OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.20-0.81). Furthermore, the ACGT/ACGT diplotype was more common in controls than in patients (P = 0.0037; OR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.04-0.54). In addition, the ACGT/ACAT diplotype was more frequent in patients than controls (adjusted P =0.003; OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.37- 4.50). CONCLUSION Our results indicated that polymorphisms in CTLA-4 and certain haplotypes may affect the risk of HCV infection in our population, although a larger sample size may be required to confirm this association.
Aerobic treadmill plus Bobath walking training improves walking in subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of aerobic treadmill plus Bobath walking training in subacute stroke survivors compared with Bobath walking training alone. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Rehabilitation unit. Subjects: Fifty patients, first-time supratentorial stroke, stroke interval less than six weeks, Barthel Index (0 / 100) from 50 to 80, able to walk a minimum distance of 12 m with either intermittent help or stand-by while walking, cardiovascular stable, minimum 50 W in the bicycle ergometry, randomly allocated to two groups, A and B. Interventions: Group A 30 min of treadmill training, harness secured and minimally supported according to patients' needs, and 30 min of physiotherapy, every workday for six weeks, speed and inclination of the treadmill were adjusted to achieve a heart rate of HR: (Hrmax / HRrest)*0.6 / HRrest; in group B 60 min of daily physiotherapy for six weeks. Main outcome measures: Primary outcome variables were the absolute improvement of walking velocity (m/s) and capacity (m), secondary were gross motor function including walking ability (score out of 13) and walking quality (score out of 41), blindly assessed before and after the intervention, and at follow-up three months later. Results: Patients tolerated the aerobic training well with no side-effects, significantly greater improvement of walking velocity and capacity both at study end (p / 0.001 versus p / 0.002) and at follow-up (p < 0.001 versus p<0.001) in the experimental group. Between weeks 0 and 6, the experimental group improved walking speed and capacity by a mean of.31 m/s and 91 m, the control group by a mean of 0.16 m/s and 56 m. Between weeks 0 and 18, the experimental group improved walking speed and capacity by a mean of 0.36 m/s and 111 m, the control group by a mean of 0.15 m/s and 57 m. Gross motor function and walking quality did not differ at any time. Conclusions: Aerobic treadmill plus Bobath walking training in moderately affected stroke patients was better than Bobath walking training alone with respect to the improvement of walking velocity and capacity. The treatment approach is recommended in patients meeting the inclusion criteria. A multicentre trial should follow to strengthen the evidence.
On using the CAM concept for parametric curve extraction

In this correspondence, a parallel algorithm, in order to extract parametric curves from a two-dimensional (2-D) image space, is proposed. It is based on the Hough transform (HT) and uses the content addressable memory (CAM) as the main processor. A set of simulated results for circular shape extraction are presented in order to demonstrate its merit. Hence, voting, thresholding, and three-dimensional (3-D) peak extraction are efficiently performed within the CAM. In addition, and in order to reduce the quantization errors, a weighted AT algorithm (WHT), which uses a weighted voting is proposed. Experimental results indicate that a real-time shape extraction for an image 256/spl times/256 can be achieved within a small amount of hardware. Therefore, CAM-based HT can be considered as a promising attraction for next generation pattern recognition platforms.
Effect of assay measurement error on parameter estimation in concentration–QTc interval modeling

Linear mixed‐effects models (LMEMs) of concentration–double‐delta QTc intervals (QTc intervals corrected for placebo and baseline effects) assume that the concentration measurement error is negligible, which is an incorrect assumption. Previous studies have shown in linear models that independent variable error can attenuate the slope estimate with a corresponding increase in the intercept. Monte Carlo simulation was used to examine the impact of assay measurement error (AME) on the parameter estimates of an LMEM and nonlinear MEM (NMEM) concentration–ddQTc interval model from a ‘typical’ thorough QT study. For the LMEM, the type I error rate was unaffected by assay measurement error. Significant slope attenuation ( > 10%) occurred when the AME exceeded > 40% independent of the sample size. Increasing AME also decreased the between‐subject variance of the slope, increased the residual variance, and had no effect on the between‐subject variance of the intercept. For a typical analytical assay having an assay measurement error of less than 15%, the relative bias in the estimates of the model parameters and variance components was less than 15% in all cases. The NMEM appeared to be more robust to AME error as most parameters were unaffected by measurement error. Monte Carlo simulation was then used to determine whether the simulation–extrapolation method of parameter bias correction could be applied to cases of large AME in LMEMs. For analytical assays with large AME ( > 30%), the simulation–extrapolation method could correct biased model parameter estimates to near‐unbiased levels. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of successful weight reduction under sibutramine therapy through genotyping of the G-protein beta3 subunit gene (GNB3) C825T polymorphism.

BACKGROUND Sibutramine, a centrally acting noradrenaline and serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, enhances satiety and is frequently used to support weight loss. However, a significant variability exists among individuals concerning the response to sibutramine. METHODS We genotyped 111 participants of a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial for the GNB3 C825T polymorphism and analysed associations of genotypes with treatment outcome. Patients undergoing a structured weight loss programme were treated with either placebo or 15 mg sibutramine daily for 54 weeks. RESULTS In the placebo group, the non-pharmacological programme alone resulted in a significantly greater weight loss in individuals with the GNB3 TT/TC genotypes as compared to individuals with the CC genotype (-7.1 +/- 1.2 vs. -2.7 +/- 1.5 kg, P = 0.031). Administration of 15 mg sibutramine was more effective in individuals with the CC genotype than in the subjects with the TT/TC genotypes (weight loss: 7.2 +/- 2.2 vs. 4.1 +/- 2.1 kg, P = 0.0013, sibutramine vs. placebo). In the CC genotype carriers, the odds ratio (OR) for a weight loss greater than 5% (sibutramine vs. placebo) was 6.6 (95% CI 1.8-25.6; P = 0.004) and for a weight loss greater than 10% was 9.6 (95% CI 1.7-53.8; P = 0.010). CONCLUSION Genotyping for the GNB3 C825T polymorphism is highly predictive for the identification of obese individuals who will benefit from sibutramine treatment.
Profiling of membrane proteins from human macrophages: Comparison of two approaches

Macrophages are involved in various important biological processes and their functions are tightly regulated. Hydrophobic proteins are difficult to analyse by 2‐DE because of their intrinsic tendency to self‐aggregate during the first dimension (IEF). We have compared two protocols for extracting, separating and identifying membrane proteins from human macrophages by MALDI‐TOF MS. The first protocol used protein extraction by solvent, followed by 2‐DE and allowed us to identify 10% membrane proteins among the proteins identified a being like the peroxisome‐activated receptor delta. The second method is based on solubilizing the membranes with Triton X‐100, separating the proteins by anion‐exchange chromatography followed by SDS‐PAGE. This method allowed us to identify 49 membrane proteins, including four integral membrane proteins, ten type I, two type II and one type III membrane proteins. Several receptors were identified, including integrin alpha‐3 and ephrin type A receptor 7. Interestingly, several proteins involved in macrophage functions were identified, such as integrin alpha‐X and macrophage mannose receptor. These findings show that techniques are available to identify membrane proteins, but that they require large quantities of cells which means that they are not suitable for the limiting amounts of precious samples available from clinical studies.
A simple correction for ties when censoring times depend on covariates

We point out that the conventional methods for ties correction may be seriously biased when censoring times depend on covariates. A simple modification to the Efron correction method is suggested which works remarkably well in simulation studies. The method corresponds closely to breaking ties by random ordering. The modified correction method is easy to implement and computationally no more demanding than the Efron correction. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Game Theory Analysis of Bidding for A Construction Contract

The authors are concerned with a bidding problem. There are two companies (P1 and P2) bidding for a highway construction project. In order to be more competitive, P1 considers buying a new gravel pit near the construction site. The basic cost of the pit is known to both companies. However, there is also an additional, hidden, cost (C) known only to P1. P2 is uncertain whether the hidden cost is C = 0 or C = x. P1 plans to bid for the job, but has to decide whether to buy the gravel pit. P2, not having a complete knowledge about C, thus not knowing the strategy choice of P1, has to decide if to bid for the job. In effect we have two payoff matrices, one for the additional cost C = 0, and the other one for C = x. If the probability of P2 bidding for the project can be estimated by propagating intelligence information through a Bayesian Belief Network, the best strategy for P1 can be readily determined. Otherwise, the solution calls for changing this game of incomplete information (players may or may not know some information about the other players, e.g., their “type,” their strategies, payoffs) into a game of imperfect information (players are simply unaware of the actions chosen by other players). This is achieved by introducing an additional “Nature” node which for this problem determines with some probability “p” the additional cost C= 0 (thus, C = x with probability 1-p). The solution of this game turns out to depend on the probability “p”. For some values of p the game is solved with pure strategies, whereas for other values the game is in equilibrium when the players randomly mix their strategies.
A New Construction of Golay Complementary Sets of Non-Power-of-Two Length Based on Boolean Functions

Golay complementary sets have found many applications in communications, e.g., they have been proposed to control the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals. The relationship between Golay complementary sets and generalized Reed-Muller codes have been proposed to construct Golay complementary sets of length $2^m$ based on generalized Boolean functions. However, the number of used subcarriers is usually non-power-of-two in practical wireless OFDM-based communication systems. In this paper, a new construction of Golay complementary sets of length not equal to $2^m$ based on generalized Boolean functions is proposed. The constructed Golay complementary sets exist for various lengths not equal to $2^m$ and have PAPRs upper bounded by the set size.
The evolving field of induced pluripotency: Recent progress and future challenges

The derivation of patient‐specific pluripotent cell lines through the introduction of a few transcription factors into somatic cells has opened new avenues for the study and treatment of human disorders. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their derivatives offer a unique platform for disease modeling, drug discovery and toxicology, as well as an invaluable source of cells for regenerative therapies. Here, we provide an overview of the various strategies currently available for iPSC generation, highlighting recent advances and discussing some of the challenges faced in harnessing the true potential of iPSCs for biomedical research and therapeutic applications. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 267–275, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Energy Industry in the Czech Republic: On the Way to the Internet of Things

This article describes and discusses research into the perspectives for deploying the IoT (Internet of Things) within the Czech energy industry. Our conclusions are based on empirical research performed among 50 energy-industry experts in 2016 and 2017. This was two-stage research in which we held interviews with these experts in order to select the set of the most acceptable IoT technologies for deployment in the energy industry, and then used the TOPSIS method to select the most suitable technologies among them for deployment in the Czech environment. For use in determining the most suitable technologies, we also defined—with the help of the mentioned experts—individual selection parameters and weightings for them, enabling us to apply the TOPSIS method to the selected set of technologies. Our result was the selection of the SIGFOX IoT technology.
Broadband High Directivity Multibeam Emission Through Transformation Optics-Enabled Metamaterial Lenses

A new broadband two- and three-dimensional, polarization independent coordinate transformation is introduced that is capable of mapping the radiation from an embedded omnidirectional source into any desired number of highly directive beams pointed in arbitrary directions. This transformation requires anisotropic materials, yet is spatially invariant and thereby can be readily implemented by currently existing metamaterial technologies. Moreover, the performance of the transformation is not sensitive to small material parameter variations, thus enabling a broad operational bandwidth. To validate the concept, a broadband 3-D coordinate transformation metamaterial lens fed by a simple monopole antenna was designed, fabricated and characterized, achieving a quad-beam radiation pattern over a 1.26:1 bandwidth with approximately 6-dB realized gain improvement in the $H$-plane. In addition, the near-field coupling between the monopole and the lens was carefully tuned to accomplish a remarkable 70% broadening of the impedance bandwidth compared to the monopole antenna operating alone. It is also shown from the field simulations that the realized metamaterial lens provides both near-field and far-field 3-D collimating effects.
Anchoring universities into (un)expected realities: the engagement role of universities in Asia and Africa. SUEUAA Thematic Paper Series, TPS 101/18

To respond effectively to (un)expected realities (effects of climate change, environmental degradation, war and migration, accelerated urbanization), universities in Asia and Africa are called upon to accomplish their third mission by getting more involved in local municipalities and addressing city-level challenges. However, universities are not always prepared for this third mission, and policies reveal different levels of preparedness. Through a thematic rhetorical analysis of a wide range of policies, this paper argues that university policy discourses build on different, and oftentimes competing, approaches to university engagement. A detailed analysis of policies in six cities (Dar es Salaam, Duhok, Harare, Johanesburgh, Manila, and Sanandaj) reveals how HEIs align with (un)expected social realities and work with local municipalities. While university-city partnerships exist in all six contexts, policies oftentimes remain broad in scope and provide little guidance to support resilience and appropriate local sustainable plans. Building on the experience accumulated by various stakeholders in the six cities, the paper makes a series of recommendations for policy change which has implications for a growing number of HEIs and city stakeholders confronted with similar challenges in their respective locales.
Simulation of the population dynamics and social structure of the Virunga mountain gorillas

An agent‐based model was developed to simulate the growth rate, age structure, and social system of the endangered mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the Virunga Volcanoes region. The model was used to compare two types of data: 1) estimates of the overall population size, age structure, and social structure, as measured by six censuses of the entire region that were conducted in 1971–2000; and 2) information about birth rates, mortality rates, dispersal patterns, and other life history events, as measured from three to five habituated research groups since 1967. On the basis of the research‐group data, the “base simulation” predicted a higher growth rate than that observed from the census data (3% vs. 1%). This was as expected, because the research groups have indeed grown faster than the overall population. Additional simulations suggested that the research groups primarily have a lower mortality rate, rather than higher birth rates, compared to the overall population. Predictions from the base simulation generally fell within the range of census values for the average group size, the percentage of multimale groups, and the distribution of females among groups. However, other discrepancies predicted from the research‐group data were a higher percentage of adult males than observed, an overestimation of the number of multimale groups with more than two silverbacks, and an overestimated number of groups with only two or three members. Possible causes for such discrepancies include inaccuracies in the census techniques used, and/or limitations with the long‐term demographic data set obtained from only a few research groups of a long‐lived species. In particular, estimates of mortality and male dispersal obtained from the research groups may not be representative of the entire population. Our final simulation addressed these discrepancies, and provided a better basis for further studies on the complex relationships among individual life history events, group composition, population age structure, and growth rate patterns. Am. J. Primatol. 63:201–223, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Automated electron‐density sampling reveals widespread conformational polymorphism in proteins

Although proteins populate large structural ensembles, X‐ray diffraction data are traditionally interpreted using a single model. To search for evidence of alternate conformers, we developed a program, Ringer, which systematically samples electron density around the dihedral angles of protein side chains. In a diverse set of 402 structures, Ringer identified weak, nonrandom electron‐density features that suggest of the presence of hidden, lowly populated conformations for >18% of uniquely modeled residues. Although these peaks occur at electron‐density levels traditionally regarded as noise, statistically significant (P < 10−5) enrichment of peaks at successive rotameric χ angles validates the assignment of these features as unmodeled conformations. Weak electron density corresponding to alternate rotamers also was detected in an accurate electron density map free of model bias. Ringer analysis of the high‐resolution structures of free and peptide‐bound calmodulin identified shifts in ensembles and connected the alternate conformations to ligand recognition. These results show that the signal in high‐resolution electron density maps extends below the traditional 1 σ cutoff, and crystalline proteins are more polymorphic than current crystallographic models. Ringer provides an objective, systematic method to identify previously undiscovered alternate conformations that can mediate protein folding and function.