Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The temporal placement of interpolated movements in short-term motor memory .

Directional response biasing as a function of the recency of an interpolated act was examined on a lever device in a within-S design. The temporal occurrence of an interpolated act was systematically varied (5, 30, or 55 sec. after the criterion act) for three retention intervals (15, 40, and 65 sec.), and the location of the interpolated movement was held constant ± 40 deg. from the criterion position. Analysis of constant errors showed significant positive directional biasing for interpolated acts greater than criterion positions. Further analyses at the 40-and 65-sec. retention intervals supported a recency interpretation. As the retention interval increased, the positive constant error was maintained for interpolated acts with the same post-biasing interval, whereas constant error became increasingly negative as the post-biasing interval increased. Examination of variable error revealed a slight increase over time and no significant differences between directional conditions. The recency findings were discussed in terms of the view that reproduction of a criterion act is dependent on the relative decay states between the interpolated and criterion traces.
Certain dates may not provide a reliable estimate of gestational age

In 16-45% of pregnant women estimation of gestational age from menstrual history has been reported as unreliable due to irregular cycles or inability to remember the last menstrual period (Campbell et af . 1985; Hall & Carr-Hill 1985). Ultrasound is used to assess gestational age in these pregnancies and also, commonly, when a difference of 27-14 days between ultrasound and menstrual information is noted. In pregnancies where menstrual history seems reliable, or the difference is less, the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) is used. Use of corroborated evidence has also been advocated (Hall 1990). There is little information on how women who are able to give a date for their LMP arrive at that date or how accurate such timing is. Certainty of menstrual dates and their agreement with ultrasound measurements was investigated in women attending for routine antenatal booking.
Closure Objectives, Guidelines and Actual Outcomes

The paper outlines the closure objectives of some commonly referenced guidelines, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), some governments, and major companies, with particular reference to stability requirements of waste dumps and tailings structures. It considers what the term “stable landforms” (geotechnical and erosion resistance) could mean in these publications. It discusses how guidelines evolve, their practical status on mine sites and how they relate to legislation. The paper then considers “prescriptive” and “enabling” approaches to legislation and discusses how they can impact on setting and attaining closure objectives. The paper evaluates various legislative standards around the world and considers them as methods of attaining an acceptable final outcome for waste structures. Examples of mine waste landforms are used to illustrate the resulting outcomes of the objectives and guidelines. The author draws conclusions from some of the outcomes and suggests methods of economically improving the long-term stability performance of post-mining landforms.
NMR backbone dynamics studies of human PED/PEA‐15 outline protein functional sites

PED/PEA‐15 (phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes/phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes) is a ubiquitously expressed protein and a key regulator of cell growth and glucose metabolism. PED/PEA‐15 mediates both homotypic and heterotypic interactions and is constituted by an N‐terminal canonical death effector domain and a C‐terminal tail. In the present study, the backbone dynamics of PED/PEA‐15 via 15N R1 and R2 and steady‐state [1H]‐15N NOE measurements is reported. The dynamic parameters were analyzed using both Lipari–Szabo model‐free formalism and a reduced spectral density mapping approach. The results obtained define a polar and charged surface of the death effector domain characterized by internal motions in the micro‐ to millisecond timescale, which is crucial for the multiple heterotypic functional protein–protein interactions in which PED/PEA‐15 is involved. The present study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular basis of the PED/PEA‐15 functional interactions and provides a more detailed surface for the design and development of PED/PEA‐15 binders.
Risk Management in Ship Finance: A Marine Insurance Perspective

The! longEstanding! concept! of! risk! management! in! the! financial! sector! has! attracted! more! attention! after! the! financial! crisis! of! 2007–2008. In! the! context! of! ship! finance,! marine! insurance! has! proven! itself! to! be! an! effective! tool! to! transfer! certain! shipping! risks! to! insurers! who! are! not! directly! involved! in! the! ship! finance! projects. This! thesis! provides! original! suggestions! concerning! the! role! of! marine! insurance! in! ship! finance,! combining! a! financial! perspective,! an! insurance! perspective! and! a! legal! perspective. Marine! insurance! is! a! key! risk! management! technique! that! fits! into! the! general! risk! management! process! adopted! by! ship! financiers. However,! it! is! not! necessarily! the! most! appropriate! technique! in! every! particular! case! due! to! its! limitations! and! costs. As! a! result,! insurance! gaps! are! identified! to! assist! financiers! in! optimising! the! use! of! marine! insurance! and! to! help! insurers! to! spot! business! opportunities. Marine! insurance! is! a! contract! which! is! to! be! governed! by! and! construed! in! accordance! with! the! law. At! the! same! time,! marine! insurance! is! a! contract! rather! than! a! guarantee:! if! something! goes! wrong! in! the! ship! finance! package! and! there! is! a! marine! policy,! it! should! not! be! assumed! that! the! policy! represents! money! in! the! bank. Things! can! go! wrong! under! the! policy:! apart! from! the! legal! risks! relating! to! claims! under! the! policy,! the! law! itself! may! be! a! risk. In! the! context! of! ship! finance,! the! risk! transfer! is! not! the! only! role! of! marine! insurance. Other! roles! include,! inter&alia,! reducing! capital! costs,! improving! the! liquidity! of! shipowners! and! shipbuilders,! and! providing! peace! of! mind! for! ship! financiers. Nevertheless,! such! roles! can! only! be! created! and! sustained! if! the! insurance! contracts! are! carefully! drafted! and! the! legal! risks! are! properly! managed. The! intention! has! been! to! state! the! law! as! it! stands! on! October! 28,! 2017.
The research on the human-machine interface performance evaluation system for cannon

Performance evaluation of cannon human-machine interface is the key step during development and use of cannon. The establishment of performance evaluation indicators system is important to ensure scientific and rational performance evaluation. Considering the features of cannon human-machine interface, this paper analyzed the factors that impacted the interactive effectiveness, and then established the evaluation indicators system and the evaluation model. Through analysis and comparison, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method was chosen to be the evaluation method, and its specific steps were shown. In addition, take one type cannon human-machine interface as an example to evaluate. The evaluated results were back to the designers so as to be the reference of improving interface. The evaluation indicators system can also be applied to other weapons system evaluation.
Paradoxical effects of mineralocorticoids on the ion gated sodium channel in embryologically diverse cells.

PCR analysis and Western blotting revealed the expression of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MCR) and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) genes at the level of RNA, DNA, and protein in several leukemic cell lines, fibroblasts from human cornea, and epithelial cells from ocular tissues. Following immunofluorescence, the MCR appeared to be primarily nuclear whereas the ENaC was almost exclusively membrane-bound. Paradoxically, the MCR-specific antagonist ZK 91587 actually stimulated the multiplication of human erythroblastic leukemia cells, contrary to the inhibitory effect of the antagonist RU 26752 on the multiplication of corneal fibroblasts; both effects were opposed by aldosterone. In quantitative PCR, both basal and aldosterone-induced levels of ENaC were diminished by ZK 91587 in the corneal fibroblast, in contrast to the stimulation observed in the retinal pigmentary epithelium. Thus, contrary to the existing notions, (a) antimineralocorticoids can act both as agonists and antagonists, and (b) the receptor-mediated action of mineralocorticoids on the sodium channel is not restricted to the epithelial cell.
Duplex carotid sonography. Peak systolic velocity in quantifying internal carotid artery stenosis.

Duplex ultrasonography combining high‐resolution imaging and Doppler spectrum analysis was performed in 92 consecutive patients (total, 180 vessels) and compared with the findings of conventional arteriography. All duplex studies were categorized into four groups based upon the maximum internal carotid artery (ICA) velocity: group 1: less than 125 cm/sec; group 2: 125 to 224 cm/sec; group 3: greater than 225 cm/sec; and group 4: no flow. Sensitivities and specificities were highest when peak ICA velocity was used as one of several criteria in quantifying the degree of ICA stenosis. These additional criteria were: (1) the presence of extensive sonographically visible plaque within the ICA; (2) an abnormal spectral waveform with elevated diastolic velocity (greater than 100 cm/sec); (3) resistive pattern ("externalization") of the common carotid artery (CCA) waveform; and (4) the ratio of the right CCA peak velocity to the left of less than 0.7 or greater than 1.3. The overall accuracy for the combined groups using all criteria was 94%.
10-GHz wide tuning-range linear voltage-controlled oscillator

The current high-growth nature of digital communications demands higher speed serial communication circuits. Present day technologies barely manage to keep up with this demand, and new techniques are required to ensure that serial communication can continnue to expand and grow. The goal of this work is to optimize the performance of an essential building block of serial communication circuits, namely, the phase-locked loop (PLL), so that it can cope with today's high-speed communication. Due to its popularity, the optimization has targeted the charge-pump-based implementqation of the phase-locked loop. This goal is achieved by researching, designing, and evaluating high speed serial communication circuits. Research has involved an in-depth study of the state of the art in high-speed serial communication circuits ; high-speed, controlled oscillators, and CMOS technology. An LC, voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is designed in 0.18-micron, mixed-signal, 6-metal-2-poly, CMOS process. A novel tuning technique is employed to tune its output frequency. Simulation results shows that it provides quadrature and differential outputs, operates with 10 GHz center frequency, 600-MHz tuning range centered around its center frequency, and phase noise of -95 dBc/Hz at 1-MHz offset from the fundamental harmonic of its output, and draws 10 ,A of DC current from a single 1.8-V power supply. Also, it exhibits a good linearity throughout its tuning range. The new tuning technique increases the tuning range of the VCO to 6% of its center frequency compared to the 1-to-2% typical value. As its locking performance depends on the characteristic of the employed VCO and to demonstrate the effect of optimizing the tuning range of the VCO, a charge-pump PLL is designed. Simulation results shows that the PLL acquisition range is 300 MHz compared to a maximum value of 100 MHz when a conventional LC VCO is employed. Also, as a measure of its tracking range, the maximum frequency slew rate of its input has improved by 40%.
Alternatively activated macrophages actively inhibit proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes and CD4+ T cells in vitro

We compared the immunological functions of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)‐induced, classically activated macrophages (caMΦ) and of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4)‐ and glucocorticoid‐induced, alternatively activated macrophages (aaMΦ) in a human co‐culture system in vitro. Proliferation of peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) or CD4+ T cells mediated by optimal doses of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or concanavalin A (Con A) was only marginally influenced by caMΦ, but was strongly inhibited by aaMΦ. The degree of lymphocyte proliferation sustained in the presence of caMΦ was gradually reduced in a dose‐dependent fashion by the addition of aaMΦ. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that expression of costimulatory molecules such as CD11a, CD40, CD54, CD58, CD80 and CD86 did not vary significantly between caMΦ and aaMΦ and was low for CD58, CD80 and CD86. As shown by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis, IL‐10 was expressed in caMΦ, aaMΦ and control macrophages; the level of expression of IL‐10 was slightly enhanced in aaMΦ. Neither neutralizing anti‐IL‐10 antibodies, indomethacin nor NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (NMMLA) was able to reverse aaMΦ‐mediated inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation. Of several agents interfering with various second messenger pathways, cAMP and the Ca2+‐ionophor A23187 inhibited differentiation of cultured human monocytes into phenotypically mature aaMΦ expressing MS‐1 high molecular weight protein (MS‐1‐HMWP) and RM 3/1 antigen, and prevented the suppressive action of aaMΦ on lymphocyte proliferation. In conclusion, these results show that aaMΦ actively inhibit mitogen‐mediated proliferation of PBL and CD4+ T cells independently of the expression of costimulatory molecules and of IL‐10, NO or prostaglandin synthesis, and that inhibition of phenotypic differentiation of aaMΦ is paralleled by a lack of functional maturation. Thus, fully matured aaMΦ may be functional in down‐regulating CD4+ T‐cell‐mediated immune reactions by an as yet unknown mechanism.
Gene Sequences Clustering and Identifying Functional Domain Using a Suffix Tree Algorithm

Most multiple gene sequence alignment methods rely on conventions regarding the score of a multiple alignment by pairwise alignment. Therefore, as the number of sequences increases, the runtime of sequencing expands exponentially In order to solve the problem, this paper presents a multiple sequence alignment method using a linear-time suffix tree algorithm to cluster similar sequences at one time without pairwise alignment. After searching for common subsequences, cross-matching common subsequences were generated, and sometimes inexact matching was found. So, a procedure aimed at masking the inexact cross-matching pairs was suggested here. In addition, BLAST was combined with a clustering tool in order to annotate the clusters generated by suffix tree clustering. The performance of the proposed system, CLAGen, was successfully evaluated with 42 gene sequences in a TCA cycle (a citrate cycle) of bacteria, identifying 11 clusters
QM/MM nonadiabatic dynamics simulations on photoinduced Wolff rearrangements of 1,2,3-thiadiazole.

The photoinduced rearrangement reaction mechanism of 1,2,3-thiadiazole remains experimentally elusive. Two possible mechanisms have been proposed to date. The first is a stepwise mechanism via a thiocarbene intermediate; the second is an excited-state concerted rearrangement mechanism. Herein we have adopted both the electronic structure calculations and nonadiabatic dynamics simulations to study the photoinduced rearrangement reactions of 1,2,3-thiadiazole in the S2, S1, and S0 states in solution. On the basis of QM(CASPT2)/MM [quantum mechanics(complete active space self-consistent field second-order perturbation theory)/molecular mechanics] calculations, we have found that (1) the thiocarbene intermediate is not stable; thus, the stepwise mechanism should be unfavorable; (2) the excited-state decay from the S2 via S1 to S0 state is ultrafast and completed within ca. 200 fs; therefore, both the S2 and S1 states should not have a long enough time for the excited-state rearrangements. Instead, we have computationally proposed a modified photoinduced rearrangement mechanism. Upon irradiation, the S2 state is first populated (114.0 kcal/mol), followed by an ultrafast S2 → S1 → S0 excited-state decay along the S-N bond fission, which eventually leads to a very "hot" intermediate with the S-N bond broken (18.3 kcal/mol). Then, thermal rearrangements to thioketene, thiirene, and ethynethiol occur in a concerted asynchronous way. This mechanistic scenario has been verified by full-dimensional trajectory-based nonadiabatic dynamics simulations at the QM(CASPT2)/MM level. Finally, our present computational work provides experimentally interesting mechanistic insights into the photoinduced rearrangement reactions of cyclic and acyclic diazo compounds.
THE EFFECT OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS ON QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

This prospective, randomized study investigates the effect of two immunosuppressive treatment regimens on quality of life after renal transplantation. At 3 months after transplantation, patients treated with cyclosporine (CsA) and prednisone (Pred) were allocated to either withdrawal of Pred (n=60) or to conversion of CsA to azathioprine (Aza) (Aza-Pred, n=60). Quality of life was evaluated just before randomization, and at 6 and 12 months after transplantation using the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), the Affect Balance Scale (ABS), the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), measures of satisfaction with several domains of life experience, and a population-specific physical symptoms questionnaire. In both groups, the overall SIP score as well as the scores on its physical and psychosocial dimensions improved continuously after transplantation, reaching levels that are comparable to those found in the general population. The occurrence of acute or chronic rejection had a significantly negative effect on SIP and CES-D scores. Intention-to-treat analysis showed no differences between groups for scores on SIP, ABS, CES-D, and satisfaction measures. Exclusion of 41 patients who did not strictly adhere to their originally designated therapy showed a tendency for better psychosocial SIP scores in CsA patients (P=0.05), which mainly resulted from a difference on the category of social interaction (P=0.01). This difference occurred despite a similar rejection rate and worse renal function in CsA-treated patients. Shortly after steroid withdrawal, a high proportion of CsA patients complained of stiff or painful muscles (CsA: 74%, Aza-Pred: 36%; P=0.002). Our data indicate that if successfully completed, CsA monotherapy from 3 months after transplantation may lead to a higher degree of psychosocial well-being as compared with conversion from CsA-Pred to Aza-Pred. It seems likely that this advantage is related to the withdrawal of Pred.
Insight into the molecular basis of pathogen abundance: Group A Streptococcus inhibitor of complement inhibits bacterial adherence and internalization into human cells

Streptococcal inhibitor of complement (Sic) is a secreted protein made predominantly by serotype M1 Group A Streptococcus (GAS), which contributes to persistence in the mammalian upper respiratory tract and epidemics of human disease. Unexpectedly, an isogenic sic-negative mutant adhered to human epithelial cells significantly better than the wild-type parental strain. Purified Sic inhibited the adherence of a sic negative serotype M1 mutant and of non-Sic-producing GAS strains to human epithelial cells. Sic was rapidly internalized by human epithelial cells, inducing cell flattening and loss of microvilli. Ezrin and moesin, human proteins that functionally link the cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane, were identified as Sic-binding proteins by affinity chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis. Sic colocalized with ezrin inside epithelial cells and bound to the F-actin-binding site region located in the carboxyl terminus of ezrin and moesin. Synthetic peptides corresponding to two regions of Sic had GAS adherence-inhibitory activity equivalent to mature Sic and inhibited binding of Sic to ezrin. In addition, the sic mutant was phagocytosed and killed by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes significantly better than the wild-type strain, and Sic colocalized with ezrin in discrete regions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The data suggest that binding of Sic to ezrin alters cellular processes critical for efficient GAS contact, internalization, and killing. Sic enhances bacterial survival by enabling the pathogen to avoid the intracellular environment. This process contributes to the abundance of M1 GAS in human infections and their ability to cause epidemics.
Active Schools: Skelmersdale (AS:Sk) : intervention approaches to promote primary school physical activity in a high deprivation community

Participation in physical activity (PA) during childhood, particularly PA of a moderate to vigorous intensity, is important for many aspects of physical and psychological health. Numerous barriers can prevent children from engaging in PA during their free time. Therefore, schools are important settings for providing children with opportunities to engage in health enhancing PA. There is a need for school-based PA strategies which can be ‘self-sustained’ by schools. The main aim of this thesis was to explore intervention approaches which had no or limited financial cost and were implemented by existing school staff structures with the aim of promoting primary school PA in a low socio-economic status community. Chapter 4 (Study 1) established that PA levels were low and school-based PA strategies are warranted. Furthermore, the use of multilevel analyses established a range of child- and school-level factors which predict PA participation during segmented school time. Initially, single-component school-based PA strategies were implemented in Chapter 5 (Study 2). Implementation challenges related to space within the school environment, and competing demands of teachers and other members of staff, such as timetable constraints and other additional responsibilities. The active classroom break and daily Born To Move video interventions indicated positive effects on levels of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST). Adaptations to the intervention strategies outlined in Chapter 5 (Study 2) were made based on the study findings. They were then combined with four other school-based PA strategies in Chapter 6 (Study 3) in order to implement and evaluate a pilot multi-component school-based PA clustered randomised controlled trial. The Active Schools: 5 Skelmersdale (AS:Sk) multi-component intervention had a significant effect on school day ST (significantly less for intervention children by nine minutes per day compared to control group). Chapter 7 (Study 4) explored how the AS:Sk intervention was implemented in participating schools. Implementation differed between schools and study findings advocate school-based PA strategies that are flexible and adaptable in nature. This thesis contributes to the understanding of feasible and acceptable PA strategies in the school setting. Future research is needed to establish school-based strategies that are effective at increasing MVPA levels.