Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Analysis Techniques of Jitter Enhancement Across High-Speed Interconnect Systems

Although it is well understood that a band-limited passive system can be a source of deterministic jitter, it is less obvious that the deterministic and random jitters generated by the clock or data source can be enhanced significantly by the passive channel. In this paper, modeling and simulation techniques to predict jitter enhancement across interconnect systems are presented. The conventional method of using SPICE to calculate output jitter is computationally expensive. Instead, the effect of channel on input jitter can be represented by jitter impulse response or jitter transfer function in time or frequency domains, respectively. These jitter characteristic functions can then be used to efficiently determine the increase in jitter as signal propagates across an interconnect system. The probability mass function of jitter impulse response can also be constructed to statistically predict the jitter enhancement at lower bit-error rate. Finally, the results form SPICE-based simulation and those obtained using the jitter characteristic functions are compared.
Does Quercetin Improve Cardiovascular Risk factors and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Quercetin has been distributed in a wide range of foods, but some of its known effects in vitro, are not proven in human studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was evaluation of the effects of quercetin intake on cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory biomarkers in women with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was carried out on 72 women for 10 weeks. Subjects were assigned to quercetin and placebo groups using a permutated block randomization of size two. Quercetin was given to participants as a 500 mg capsule daily. Biochemical variables were measured at baseline and at the end of the study, and changes were compared using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Compared with placebo, quercetin intake decreased systolic blood pressure significantly (−8.8 ± 9.3 vs. −3.5 ± 11.7, P = 0.04). Although changes in diastolic blood pressure between the groups was not significant (P = 0.19), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly decreased in both groups while changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and ratio of TG/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C were not significant between and within groups. Quercetin supplementation significantly reduced the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P = 0.01 and P < 0.0001, respectively); however, the mean changes in serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were not significant between the groups. Conclusions: Quercetin supplementation reduced systolic blood pressure significantly but had no effect on other cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory biomarkers. Considering the biological effects of quercetin in vitro, we need more studies with a stronger design and sample size with different doses of quercetin.
Purification and characterization of 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate:GalCer sulfotransferase from human renal cancer cells.

We have purified 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate:GalCer sulfotransferase [EC 2.8. 2.11] from a human renal cancer cell line SMKT-R3 through a combination of affinity chromatographies using galactosylsphingosine, 3',5'-bisphosphoadenosine and heparin as ligands. The purified sulfotransferase showed a specific activity of 1.2 mumol/min/mg, which is 300 times more than the highest activity among the enzyme preparations purified so far from other sources. Homogeneity of the purified sulfotransferase was supported by the facts that the enzyme preparation showed a single protein band with an apparent molecular mass of 54 kDa on reducing SDS-PAGE and that protein bands coincided with the enzyme activity on both native PAGE and nonreducing SDS-PAGE. GalCer was the best acceptor for the purified enzyme. LacCer, GalAAG, and GalDG were also good acceptors. GlcCer, Gg3Cer, Gg4Cer, Gb4Cer, and nLc4Cer did serve as acceptors although the relative activities were low. On the other hand, the enzyme could not act on Gb3Cer, which possesses alpha-galactoside at the nonreducing terminus. Neither galactose nor lactose served as an acceptor. These observations suggest that the sulfotransferase prefers beta-glycoside, especially beta-galactoside, at the nonreducing termini of sugar chains attached to a lipid moiety.
View-Invariant 3D Action Recognition Using Spatiotemporal Self-Similarities from Depth Camera

The problem of viewpoint changes is an important issue in the study of human action recognition. In this paper, we propose the use of spatial features in a spatiotemporal self-similarity matrix (SSM) based on action recognition that is robust in viewpoint changes from depth sequences. The spatial features represent a discriminative density of 3D point clouds in a 3D grid. We construct the spatiotemporal SSM for the spatial features that change along with frames. To obtain the spatiotemporal SSM, we compute the Euclidean distance of each spatial feature between two frames. The spatiotemporal SSM represents similarity of human action robust in viewpoint changes. Our proposed method is robust in viewpoint changes and various length of action sequence. This method is evaluated on ACTA2 dataset containing the multi-view RGBD human action data, and MSRAction3D dataset. In the experimental validation, the spatiotemporal SSM is a good solution for the problem of viewpoint changes in a depth sequence.
The cost-effectiveness of a quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND A quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV 6/11/16/18) vaccine has recently received regulatory approval in Taiwan for the prevention of cervical carcinoma, high-grade cervical dysplasia (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 [CIN 2/3]), low-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN 1), high-grade vulvar and vaginal dysplasia, and external genital warts. OBJECTIVE To examine the potential long-term epidemiologic and economic consequences of a quadrivalent HPV (6/11/16/18) vaccination program in Taiwan. METHODS A transmission dynamic model was used to estimate the long-term epidemiologic and economic consequences of quadrivalent HPV vaccination. Two vaccination strategies were evaluated in conjunction with current cervical cancer screening: 1) vaccination of 12-year-old girls and 2) vaccination of 12-year-old girls with a temporary 5-year catch-up vaccination of females aged 12-24 years (catch-up). RESULTS From an epidemiologic perspective, both vaccination strategies reduce the overall incidence of HPV 16/18-related cervical cancer relative to no vaccination by 91% during year 100 following vaccine introduction. Likewise, both vaccination strategies reduce the incidence of CIN 2/3, CIN 1, and genital warts by approximately 90%, 86%, and 94%, respectively, at this time point. However, the catch-up program consistently achieves greater benefit earlier than the 12-year-old program. The catch-up strategy is both more effective and efficient than the strategy that vaccinates 12-year-old girls only, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of New Taiwan dollars (NT$) 410,477 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. CONCLUSIONS The results from this model suggest that in Taiwan, prophylactic HPV 6/11/16/18 vaccination of females can: 1) substantially reduce genital warts, CIN, and cervical cancer; 2) improve quality of life and survival; and 3) be cost-effective when implemented as a vaccination strategy that includes a temporary catch-up program.
Technological Forecasting & Social Change Institutionalisation of markets: The case of personalised cancer medicine in the Netherlands

The article aims to understand the institutionalisation process of markets for innovative products. To pursue this study of market formation, we analysed the introduction of innovative personalised medicines products: Herceptin ® (trastuzumab) for breast cancer and Tarceva ® (erlotinib) for lung cancer, which were introduced successively in the Netherlands between 2000 and 2012. We apply the technological innovation system (TIS) approach to understand the development, implementation and di ﬀ usion of new markets, including new roles for users and producers, new forms of regulation and novel user practices regarding innovative health technologies. We show that market access became institutionalised as part of the technological innovation system of the ﬁ rst- mover personalised medicine, i.e. the market was formed, paving the way for the later personalised medicine products.
The virtual sphere and the women’s movement in post-reform Iran

The rapid development of Internet and communication technologies raises the question of what role these media and communication interfaces play in social and political movements and development in individual countries. Although activities in cyberspace, including blogging, participation in social networks and other facilities provided by the Internet for its users are a new phenomenon, they have profound effects on social and political relations in the communities involved. In the information era, Internet is an important part of social movements in democratic societies and local communities. When the government blocks other ways to mobilization, Internet may bring like-minded people together and help them to find support for action. Internet has provided a new space for social movements and the effect of the virtual activities of the users on the actions and, often on the lack of social movements is of high importance. Meanwhile, the Iranian women’s movement, like other social movements in contemporary Iran, realizes the impact and position of cyberspace and has made use of it. Many activists, for whom other ways for expressing their demands have been blocked, have entered this space and taken advantage of it for expressing their opinions and communicating information to other people. In fact, the dominant socio-political forces and the atmosphere of repression, and fear have led many Iranian women to use the virtual space to campaign for women’s empowerment and equal rights. They have realized that the Internet may inform the outside world of the movement’s goals and activities and facilitate maintaining contact with other members of the movement. In fact, the open space that provides a platform for sharing information and has given the chance to the Iranian women’s rights activists to perform their activities in a space with a decentralized structure where there is less pressure than there is in the real world. Campaigns formed following the cyberspace market boom indicate that cyberspace has indeed ushered in a new era in the history of the Iranian women’s movement. The present study provides an analysis of the role of the Internet in the activities of the women’s movement and explores the extent to which cyberspace has been assisting the women’s movement in achieving its objectives. By interviewing 50 active women inside Iran, the article investigates whether there has been successful interaction between cyberspace and the Iranian women’s social movement resulting from a dynamic adaptation between functions of social and political groups in the real world and the virtual world. It also examines how factors such as social participation, increasing awareness, changing beliefs, traditional views of women and social mobility have been affected by the application of the Internet, and whether cyberspace has been able to make women’s voices heard in Iran’s patriarchal society.
Design and evaluation of a compact antenna array for MIMO applications

A compact MIMO array suited for a PDA application at 1766 and 2450 MHz is presented. We chose a configuration which both maximizes the distance between the elements, and provides full polarization diversity. The performance of the array at 1766 MHz has been presented in terms of S-parameters, efficiency, calculated covariance and capacity. We conclude that the major difference between the proposed array and an ideal monopole reference array lies in the slightly lower radiation efficiency
Quantitative comparison of FBP, EM, and Bayesian reconstruction algorithms for the IndyPET scanner

We quantitatively compare filtered backprojection (FBP), expectation-maximization (EM), and Bayesian reconstruction algorithms as applied to the IndyPET scanner-a dedicated research scanner which has been developed for small and intermediate field of view imaging applications. In contrast to previous approaches that rely on Monte Carlo simulations, a key feature of our investigation is the use of an empirical system kernel determined from scans of line source phantoms. This kernel is incorporated into the forward model of the EM and Bayesian algorithms to achieve resolution recovery. Three data sets are used, data collected on the IndyPET scanner using a bar phantom and a Hoffman three-dimensional brain phantom, and simulated data containing a hot lesion added to a uniform background. Reconstruction quality is analyzed quantitatively in terms of bias-variance measures (bar phantom) and mean square error (lesion phantom). We observe that without use of the empirical system kernel, the FBP, EM, and Bayesian algorithms give similar performance. However, with the inclusion of the empirical kernel, the iterative algorithms provide superior reconstructions compared with FBP, both in terms of visual quality and quantitative measures. Furthermore, Bayesian methods outperform EM. We conclude that significant improvements in reconstruction quality can be realized by combining accurate models of the system response with Bayesian reconstruction algorithms.
Importance of Real-Time Assays To Distinguish Multidrug Efflux Pump-Inhibiting and Outer Membrane-Destabilizing Activities in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT The constitutively expressed AcrAB multidrug efflux system of Escherichia coli shows a high degree of homology with the normally silent AcrEF system. Exposure of a strain with acrAB deleted to antibiotic selection pressure frequently leads to the insertion sequence-mediated activation of the homologous AcrEF system. In this study, we used strains constitutively expressing either AcrAB or AcrEF from their normal chromosomal locations to resolve a controversy about whether phenylalanylarginine β-naphthylamide (PAβN) inhibits the activities of AcrAB and AcrEF and/or acts synergistically with antibiotics by destabilizing the outer membrane permeability barrier. Real-time efflux assays allowed a clear distinction between the efflux pump-inhibiting activity of PAβN and the outer membrane-destabilizing action of polymyxin B nonapeptide (PMXBN). When added in equal amounts, PAβN, but not PMXBN, strongly inhibited the efflux activities of both AcrAB and AcrEF pumps. In contrast, when outer membrane destabilization was assessed by the nitrocefin hydrolysis assay, PMXBN exerted a much greater damaging effect than PAβN. Strong action of PAβN in inhibiting efflux activity compared to its weak action in destabilizing the outer membrane permeability barrier suggests that PAβN acts mainly by inhibiting efflux pumps. We concluded that at low concentrations, PAβN acts specifically as an inhibitor of both AcrAB and AcrEF efflux pumps; however, at high concentrations, PAβN in the efflux-proficient background not only inhibits efflux pump activity but also destabilizes the membrane. The effects of PAβN on membrane integrity are compounded in cells unable to extrude PAβN. IMPORTANCE The increase in multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens at an alarming rate has accelerated the need for implementation of better antimicrobial stewardship, discovery of new antibiotics, and deeper understanding of the mechanism of drug resistance. The work carried out in this study highlights the importance of employing real-time fluorescence-based assays in differentiating multidrug efflux-inhibitory and outer membrane-destabilizing activities of antibacterial compounds.
Household costs of mental health care in Ghana.

BACKGROUND In Ghana, the prevalence of mental illness is about 13% and most patients are seen on out-patient basis. The economic burden of mental health care to patients and their families is, largely, unknown. AIMS The aim of this study was to estimate the direct and indirect costs of mental illness to patients and their families and also to describe the intangible costs associated with mental illness. METHODS Cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected at the Psychiatric Unit of Ho Municipal Hospital, in the city of Ho, Ghana, from patients with mental illnesses and their households. Direct costs were estimated as medical cost and non-medical cost. Indirect costs were estimated for reported lost time/days by patients and their families. Sensitivity analysis was performed by varying uncertain parameters. Intangible costs was described using the Likert scale to measure the effect of mental illness on patients and their households in the areas of functional limitation, fear, emotional suffering, social relationship, stigmatisation/discrimination and leisure time. RESULTS The total household cost of mental healthcare for the three month period was estimated as USD34,518.27 (average of USD180.72 per household), with direct and indirect cost making up 26% and 74% respectively. The average monthly household cost was estimated as USD60.24 as compared to the average reported household monthly income of USD184.48. Indirect cost was sensitive to the choice of wage rate used (i.e. local versus national rate). About 64% and 72% of patients and their households respectively were affected emotionally as a result of mental illness. DISCUSSION Productivity losses due to caregiving and lost employment were the major contributors to the cost of mental illness to patients and households, constituting more than two-thirds of total costs. Cost of drugs was the highest contributor to the direct cost of mental illness. There is the possibility of over (or under) estimation of the cost due to recall challenges of patients and household. It is important to note that this study presents costs to households whose mentally ill member sought care from the facility -- some patients seek care from outside health facilities. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS AND USE Expanding financial access to mental health care for households - through improved coverage under the National Health Insurance Scheme - and improving delivery of mental health care services in Ghana through close-to-client strategies could ease the economic burden of mental health to many households.
The Study of Relationship between Women Teachers' Career Barriers and Organizational Silence: Viewpoint of Women and Men Teachers.

The purpose of the study is to reveal the relationship between women teachers’ career barriers and their organizational silence, and also whether career barriers predict their silence. * Study group is comprised of 522 teachers working at elementary and high schools in central districts of Mersin. In this descriptive study, data were collected through “Women Employees Career Barriers Scale” (WECBS) and “Organizational Silence Scale” (OSS). It is understood according to research results that there is a medium level relationship between women teachers’ career barriers and their organizational silence. Furthermore, women teachers’ career barriers are a significant predictor on dimensions of organizational silence.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide modulates proinflammatory mediator synthesis in osteoarthritic and rheumatoid synovial cells.

OBJECTIVE Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has demonstrated beneficial effects in several murine models of immune-mediated inflammation by inhibiting both the inflammatory and the autoimmune components of the disease. We investigate its potential to modulate the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines by human synovial cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Fresh suspensions of synovial tissue cells (STC) or cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were obtained from patients with RA or osteoarthritis (OA). The effects of VIP on basal or tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated production of CCL2 (MCP-1, monocyte chemotactic protein 1), CXCL8 [interleukin (IL)-8], IL-6 and TNF-alpha were studied by specific ELISAs (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays). The mRNAs for CCL2, CXCL8 and IL-6 in FLS were analysed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS VIP at 10 nm down-regulated chemokine production by STC and FLS from RA and OA patients. VIP also down-regulated the expression of mRNAs for CCL2, CXCL8 and IL-6. The effects of VIP were more clearly detected in RA samples and after stimulation with TNF-alpha. CONCLUSION Our observations confirm that the proposed anti-inflammatory actions of VIP in murine models also apply to human synovial cells ex vivo. Further studies are encouraged to evaluate the use of VIP as a potential therapy for chronic inflammatory joint diseases.
A low-noise gain-enhanced readout amplifier for induced molecular electronic signals

This paper reports a low-noise readout circuit for label-free, mobile detection of protein-ligand interactions. It is based on a new sensing technique where the surface charge of an electrode is altered due to the dipole moment of nearby biomolecules. We propose a low-noise readout circuit to measure the sub-nA signals. Using a chopped low-noise integrating preamplifier and a resistive transimpedance amplifier, the gain of the proposed circuit is 1.7 GΩ with an input-referred noise of 82 fARMS over a 10 Hz bandwidth. We demonstrate that the designed amplifier can capture the induced molecular electronic signature of Trypsin with a 50×50 μm2 sensing electrode.
Sj-FABPc fatty-acid-binding protein of the human blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum: structural and functional characterization and unusual solvent exposure of a portal-proximal tryptophan residue.

Sj-FABPc of the blood fluke of humans, Schistosoma japonicum, is a member of the FABP/P2/CRBP/CRABP family of beta-barrel cytosolic fatty-acid-binding and retinoid-binding proteins. Sj-FABPc has at least eight different variants encoded by a single-copy polymorphic gene. In fluorescence-based assays, recombinant Sj-FABPc was found to bind 11-(dansylamino)undecanoic acid (DAUDA), inducing a shift in peak fluorescence emission from 543 to 493 nm. A similar spectral change was observed in dansyl-amino-octanoic acid (in which the dansyl fluorophore is attached at the alpha-carbon rather than the omega-carbon of DAUDA), indicating that the ligand enters entirely into the binding site. Sj-FABPc also bound the naturally fluorescent cis-parinaric acid, as well as oleic acid and arachidonic acid, by competition, but not all-trans-retinol. Dissociation constants were, for cis-parinaric acid, K(d)=2.5+/-0.1 microM (mean+/-S.E.M.) and an apparent stoichiometry consistent with one binding site per molecule of Sj-FABPc and, for oleic acid, K(i) approximately 80 nM. A deletion mutant from which alpha-II was absent failed to bind ligand. Sj-FABPc modelled well to known structures of the protein family; an unusually solvent-exposed Trp side chain was evident adjacent to the presumptive portal through which ligand is thought to enter and leave. Intrinsic fluorescence analyses of Sj-FABPc and of the deletion mutant (from which Trp-27 is absent) confirmed the unusual disposition of this side chain. Virtually all members of the FABP/P2/CRBP/CRABP protein family have prominent hydrophobic side chains in this position, with the exception of liver FABP and ileal FABP, which instead have charged side chains. Liver FABP is known to be distinct from other members of the protein family in that it does not seem to contact membranes to collect and deposit its ligand. It is therefore postulated that the unusually positioned apolar side chains in Sj-FABPc and others in the family are important in interactions with membranes or other cellular components.