Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of 18F-fluoro-4-thia-palmitate as a PET probe for myocardial fatty acid oxidation: effects of hypoxia and composition of exogenous fatty acids.

UNLABELLED Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is the predominant energy-producing pathway in the healthy heart. Abnormalities in FAO are associated with many ischemic and nonischemic disease states. The aim of the present study was to further validate 16-[(18)F]-fluoro-4-thia-palmitate ((18)F-FTP) as a metabolically trapped FAO probe in the isolated perfused rat heart model by examining both the effects of hypoxia and the effects of changes in exogenous fatty acid availability. METHODS Hearts were excised from Sprague-Dawley rats and perfused in the Langendorff mode with Krebs-Henseleit solution under the following conditions: palmitate at 0.4 mmol/L with 95% oxygen, palmitate at 0.4 mmol/L with 35% oxygen, palmitate at 0.2 mmol/L plus oleate at 0.2 mmol/L with 95% oxygen, and palmitate at 0.2 mmol/L plus oleate at 0.2 mmol/L with 35% oxygen. Hearts were paced at 270 beats per minute, and the rate of left ventricular pressure change (LV dP/dt) was monitored. (18)F-FTP in the perfusion medium was administered for 20 min, and this step was followed by a 20-min washout period without tracer in the perfusion medium. (18)F kinetics in the whole heart were monitored externally, and the time-activity curves were analyzed to determine the fractional trapping rate for (18)F-FTP (FTR(FTP)). A "lumped constant" (LC) was defined as the ratio of FTR(FTP) to the fractional rate of oxidation of fatty acid in the perfusion medium. RESULTS The kinetic data for (18)F-FTP demonstrated metabolic trapping of (18)F radioactivity that was insensitive to changes in the mixture of fatty acids in the perfusion medium but that was sensitive to the inhibition of mitochondrial FAO by hypoxia. LV dP/dt was reduced 47%-67% in hypoxic hearts relative to hearts with normal oxygenation (controls). FAO rates for palmitate and oleate were similar in group 3 (palmitate alone) and group 4 (palmitate and oleate). FAO was decreased 70%-76% with hypoxia, whereas FTR(FTP) was reduced 86%-88%, demonstrating hypersensitivity of a change in (18)F-FTP retention to FAO inhibition by oxygen deprivation. The (18)F-FTP LC was approximately 2 in myocardium with normal oxygenation and fell to 1.0-1.2 in hypoxic myocardium. CONCLUSION The results confirm (18)F-FTP to be a metabolically trapped palmitate analog that is capable of indicating rates of myocardial oxidation of exogenous long-chain fatty acids. The heterogeneous nature of fatty acids in plasma does not alter the quantitative analysis of (18)F-FTP kinetics. However, the decreased LC value in hypoxic myocardium suggests the need to develop an understanding of the relationship of (18)F-FTP processing to natural fatty acids at key limiting transport and metabolism processes, analogous to previous studies examining the LC values for radiolabeled deoxyglucose tracers used to estimate the glucose metabolic rate.
An Investigation of the Role of Business Analysts in IS Development

Business analysis has developed since the early 1990s as an IS discipline that is concerned with understanding business problems, defining requirements and evaluating relevant solutions. However, this discipline has had limited recognition within the academic community and little research has been conducted into the practices and standards employed by business analysts. This paper reports on a study into business analysis that considered the activities conducted and the outcomes experienced on IS projects. Senior business analysts were interviewed in order to gain insights into the business analyst role and the techniques and approaches applied when conducting this work. The Context, Content, Process, Outcomes framework was adopted as a basis for developing the interview questions. The data collected was analysed using the template analysis technique and the template was based upon this framework. Additional themes concerning aspects of business analysis that may contribute to IS success emerged during data analysis. These included the key business analysis activities and the skills business analysts require to perform these activities. The organisational attitude was also identified as a key factor in enabling the use and contribution of business analysis.
A Coarse-Grained Parallel Variable-Complexity Multidisciplinary Optimization Paradigm

Modem aerospace vehicle design requires the interac tion of multiple disciplines, traditionally processed in a sequential order. Multidisciplinary optimization (MDO), a formal methodology for the integration of these disci plines, is evolving toward methods capable of replacing the traditional sequential methodology of aerospace vehi cle design by concurrent algorithms, with both an overall gain in product performance and a decrease in design time. A parallel MDO paradigm using variable-complexity modeling and multipoint response surface approxima tions is presented here for the particular instance of the design of a high-speed civil transport (HSCT). This para digm interleaves the disciplines at one level of complexity and processes them hierarchically at another level of complexity, achieving parallelism within disciplines rather than across disciplines. A master-slave paradigm manages a coarse-grained parallelism of the analysis and optimization codes required by the disciplines showing reasonable speedups and efficiencies on an Intel Paragon.
Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in random samples of a normal population

Nose, throat and finger carriage of Staphylococcus aureus was investigated in a series of random samples from a normal European population. No evidence for a seasonal trend in carriage was found but the intersample variation between successive random samples was obtained. The mean nasal carrier rate was 29 % with a standard deviation of 7 %. No association was found between nasal or throat carriage of staphylococci and stay in hospital or antibiotic therapy but respondents with penicillin-resistant staphylococci in the nose had skin infections more frequently than those with penicillin-sensitive strains. Evidence was obtained for a family, perhaps genetic, ‘predisposition’ to carry staphylococci in the nose.
A new methodology for parameter estimation of synchronous generator from disturbance measurements

A new framework to estimate dynamic parameters of synchronous generator is proposed in this paper. The methodology does not require special tests but uses disturbance data collected from the system without disconnecting the generator from the grid. It requires measurements that are easily available, more precisely, the 3-phi currents and voltages, the field voltage and the mechanical rotor speed. The estimation of mechanical and electrical parameters are decoupled offering more robustness to the estimation algorithm. In order to achieve robustness with respect to the initial parameter guesses, the DAEpsilas (Differential-Algebraic Equations) which model the generator are replaced by a constrained minimization problem that overcomes singular problems of the algebraic equations. Finally, the rotor angle is not measured but calculated as a byproduct of the proposed methodology.
Synergistic interaction between histone deacetylase and topoisomerase II inhibitors is mediated through topoisomerase IIbeta.

BACKGROUND DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors and poisons are among the most efficacious drugs for the treatment of cancer. Sensitivity of cancer cells to the cytotoxic effects of topoisomerase II targeting agents is thought to depend on the expression of the topoisomerase IIalpha isoform, and drug resistance is often associated with loss or mutation of topoisomerase IIalpha. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are a novel class of compounds that potentiate the antitumor effects of topoisomerase II-targeting agents. METHODS The interaction between HDACi and topoisomerase II-targeting agents in cancer cells was evaluated as a function of topoisomerase IIalpha and topoisomerase IIbeta expression. Topoisomerase II isoforms were selectively depleted using small interfering RNA and antisense. Drug-induced formation of cleavable complexes involving topoisomerase IIalpha and topoisomerase IIbeta was evaluated by trapped-in-agarose DNA immunostaining and band depletion assays in the presence and absence of HDACi. RESULTS Preexposure to HDACi increased the cytotoxicity of topoisomerase II poisons. This was associated with a down-regulation of topoisomerase IIalpha expression but had no effects on topoisomerase IIbeta. In the setting of HDACi-induced chromatin decondensation and topoisomerase IIalpha depletion, topoisomerase II poison cytotoxicity was mediated through topoisomerase IIbeta cleavable complex formation. The HDACi-induced sensitization was also observed in cells with target-specific resistance to topoisomerase II poisons. CONCLUSIONS The recruitment of topoisomerase IIbeta as a target may overcome primary or emergent drug resistance to topoisomerase II-targeting agents and hence may broaden the applicability of this important class of anticancer agents.
A highly efficient retroviral vector allows detection of the transforming activity of the human c-fps/fes proto-oncogene

We have constructed an efficient new retroviral vector containing strong promoting elements derived from the Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) long terminal repeat (LTR) and have used the vector to demonstrate that overexpression of human c-fps/fes can transform established mouse cells. When a c-fps/fes cDNA was cloned into the vector, this viral DNA and the recovered virus induced very high levels of the c-fps/fes product NCP92 and tumorigenic transformation of NIH 3T3 cells. Compared with an isogenic vector under control of a Moloney MuLV-derived LTR, the vector driven by the F-MuLV LTR induced 3- to 10-times-higher levels of expression of c-fps/fes, a higher level of phosphotyrosine in cellular proteins, and a virus whose transforming activity was 2 orders of magnitude greater. We conclude (i) that normal c-fps/fes can induce morphologic transformation and that its transforming activity is a function of the level of expression of NCP92 and (ii) that the vector based on the F-MuLV LTR is more efficient than the vector driven by a Moloney MuLV LTR in inducing high levels of expression and measurable biological activity.
Language Independent Speaker Identification

Automatic speaker identification (ASI) and Automatic speaker verification (ASV) are probably the most natural and economical methods for solving the problems of unauthorized use of computer and communications systems and multilevel access control. This paper presents a method for speaker identification, independent of language spoken. This paper uses combination of both, pitch frequency and speaker specific vocal tract information to separate one speaker from other. The identification process goes through future extraction, spectral analysis, Welch analysis and pitch detection or estimating fundamental frequency using harmonic product spectrum (HPS) algorithm [3]. The speaker specific vocal tract information is mainly represented by mel-frequency cepstrum coefficients(MFCCs) [5]. The proposed method uses MFCCs as additional features along with pitch histograms (histogram of pitch frequency values), since these two are complementary features, they give better identification [4].
DEGENERATE PARABOLIC OPERATORS OF KOLMOGOROV TYPE WITH A GEOMETRIC CONTROL CONDITION

We consider Kolmogorov-type equations on a rectangle domain (x, v) ∈ Ω = T × (−1, 1), that combine diffusion in variable v and transport in variable x at speed v γ , γ ∈ N ∗ , with Dirichlet boundary conditions in v. We study the null controllability of this equation with a distributed control as source term, localized on a subset ω of Ω. When the control acts on a horizontal strip ω = T × (a, b) with 0 0w henγ =1 , and only in large time T> T min > 0w henγ = 2 (see (K. Beauchard, Math. Control Signals Syst. 26 (2014) 145-176)). In this article, we prove that, when γ> 3, the system is not null controllable (whatever T is) in this configuration. This is due to the diffusion weakening produced by the first order term. When the control acts on a vertical strip ω = ω1 × (−1, 1) with ω1 ⊂ T, we investigate the null controllability on a toy model, where (∂x ,x ∈ T )i s replaced by (i(−Δ) 1/2 ,x ∈ Ω1), and Ω1 is an open subset of R N.A s the original system, this toy model satisfies the controllability properties listed above. We prove that, for γ =1 , 2 and for appropriate domains (Ω1 ,ω 1), then null controllability does not hold (whatever T> 0 is), when the control acts on a vertical strip ω = ω1 × (−1, 1) with ω1 ⊂ Ω1. Thus, a geometric control condition is required for the null controllability of this toy model. This indicates that a geometric control condition may be necessary for the original model too.
Photometric redshifts in the SWIRE Survey

We present the SWIRE Photometric Redshift Catalogue 1 025 119 redshifts of unprecedented reliability and of accuracy comparable with or better than previous work. Our methodology is based on fixed galaxy and quasi-stellar object templates applied to data at 0.36–4.5 μm, and on a set of four infrared emission templates fitted to infrared excess data at 3.6–170 μm. The galaxy templates are initially empirical, but are given greater physical validity by fitting star formation histories to them, which also allows us to estimate stellar masses. The code involves two passes through the data, to try to optimize recognition of active galactic nucleus (AGN) dust tori. A few carefully justified priors are used and are the key to supression of outliers. Extinction, A_V , is allowed as a free parameter. The full reduced χ^2_ν (z) distribution is given for each source, so the full error distribution can be used, and aliases investigated. We use a set of 5982 spectroscopic redshifts, taken from the literature and from our own spectroscopic surveys, to analyse the performance of our method as a function of the number of photometric bands used in the solution and the reduced χ^2_ν . For seven photometric bands (5 optical + 3.6, 4.5 μm), the rms value of (z_(phot)−z_(spec)/(1 +z_(spec) is 3.5 per cent, and the percentage of catastrophic outliers [defined as >15 per cent error in (1 +z)], is ∼1 per cent. These rms values are comparable with the best achieved in other studies, and the outlier fraction is significantly better. The inclusion of the 3.6- and 4.5-μm IRAC bands is crucial in supression of outliers. We discuss the redshift distributions at 3.6 and 24 μm. In individual fields, structure in the redshift distribution corresponds to clusters which can be seen in the spectroscopic redshift distribution, so the photometric redshifts are a powerful tool for large-scale structure studies. 10 per cent of sources in the SWIRE photometric redshift catalogue have z > 2, and 4 per cent have z > 3, so this catalogue is a huge resource for high-redshift galaxies. A key parameter for understanding the evolutionary status of infrared galaxies is L_(ir)/L_(opt) . For cirrus galaxies this is a measure of the mean extinction in the interstellar medium of the galaxy. There is a population of ultraluminous galaxies with cool dust and we have shown SEDs for some of the reliable examples. For starbursts, we estimate the specific star formation rate, φ_*/M_* . Although the very highest values of this ratio tend to be associated with Arp220 starbursts, by no means all ultraluminous galaxies are. We discuss an interesting population of galaxies with elliptical-like spectral energy distributions in the optical and luminous starbursts in the infrared. For dust tori around type 1 AGN, L_(tor)/L_(opt) is a measure of the torus covering factor and we deduce a mean covering factor of 40 per cent. Our infrared templates also allow us to estimate dust masses for all galaxies with an infrared excess.
Efficient time series simulation of distribution systems with voltage regulation and PV penetration

This paper presents an approach for solving the time-series simulation (TSS) for three-phase unbalanced distribution systems with voltage regulator control and photovoltaic (PV) generation. Efficient time-series simulation approach based on Lagrange polynomial approximation is developed to decrease the execution time and enhance the convergence characteristics. The formulation is developed to find efficient initial values for voltage magnitudes and phase angles corresponding to load variations during the day. These initial values of voltage magnitudes and phase angles are calculated from the variations of reactive and active powers, respectively. The predicted values are updated using forward/backward sweep power-flow engine. A line drop compensator (LDC) is used to regulate the voltage by modelling the drop of transmission line from the transformer to the load center. In addition, the effect of PV penetration on tap setting, to regulate the voltage magnitude, is investigated. The developed TSS technique with voltage regulator and PV generation are validated using the standard three-phase unbalanced IEEE 123-node. The developed technique is compared with the traditional method that uses the previous voltage magnitudes and phase angles as initial values. The obtained results prove the effectiveness of the developed TSS in reducing both of the number of iterations and execution time compared to the traditional method.
Crystal structure of di-μ-hydroxido-bis{[N,N′-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)pentane-2,4-diiminato(1–)]zinc}

The title compound, [Zn2(C21H25N2)2(OH)2], is a binuclear zinc complex formed by two bidentate β-diketiminate (nacnac) ligands and two μ-hydroxide O atoms, bridging two mononuclear units into a centrosymmetric dimeric unit. Each Zn2+ cation is coordinated by two N-donor atoms from the nacnac ligand and two O-donor atoms of hydroxide anions to give a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment. The Zn—O bond lengths are 1.9643 (13) and 2.0022 (14) Å, and the two Zn—N bond lengths are 1.9696 (14) and 1.9823 (14) Å. The distance between the two Zn2+ cations in the dimer is 2.9420 (4) Å. Although hydroxide groups are present in the complex, no classical hydrogen-bonding interations are observed because of the bulky β-diketiminate ligands.
A Developmental Switch in Transcription Factor Isoforms During Spermatogenesis Controlled by Alternative Messenger RNA 3'-End Formation1

Abstract Spermatogeniccells elaborate a highly specialized differentiation program that is mediated in part by germ cell-enriched transcription factors. This includes a novel member of the sterol response element-binding factor family, SREBF2_v1/SREBP2gc. Somatic SREBFs are predominantly synthesized as precursor proteins and are critical regulators of cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis. In contrast, SREBF2_v1 bypasses the precursor pathway and has been directly implicated in spermatogenic cell-specific gene expression. During spermatogenesis, SREBF2 precursor transcripts predominate in premeiotic stages, while SREBF2_v1 is highly upregulated specifically in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. In the present study, we demonstrate thatSrebf2_v1mRNAs are present in the testis of several mammalian species, including humans. The basis for the stage-dependent transition in SREBF2 isoforms was also investigated. A 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE)-PCR analysis of the rat and human revealed thatSrebf2_v1transcripts are generated by alternative pre-mRNA cleavage/polyadenylation. This involves the use of an intronic, A(A/U)UAAA-independent poly(A) signal within intron 7 of theSrebf2gene. Developmentally regulated competition between germ cell factors that control RNA splicing and pre-mRNA cleavage/polyadenylation may underlie this process. These results define an important role for alternative polyadenylation in male germ cell gene expression and development by controlling a stage-dependent switch in transcription factor structure and function during spermatogenesis. TheSrebf2gene thus provides a useful model to explore the role of alternative polyadenylation in regulating stage-dependent functions of important protein regulators in spermatogenic cells.
A new correction factor for use in tracer estimations of plasma fatty acid oxidation.

The purpose of this study was to acquire a new correction factor for use in tracer estimations of plasma fatty acid oxidation that would fully account for label fixation during the infusion of fatty acid tracers. Thus volunteers were infused with 13C-labeled fatty acids and [1-14C]acetate in the basal state, during hyperinsulinemia-hyperglycemia (clamp), and during 1 h of cycling exercise. The fractional recovery of acetate label (i.e., the acetate correction factor) was 0.56 +/- 0.02, 0.50 +/- 0.03, and 0.80 +/- 0.03 in the basal state and during the clamp and exercise, respectively. Isotopically determined plasma fatty acid oxidation rates (mumol.kg-1.min-1) were 1.7 +/- 0.2, 0.8 +/- 0.2, and 6.4 +/- 0.5 (no correction); 2.1 +/- 0.2, 1.0 +/- 0.2, and 6.7 +/- 0.5 (bicarbonate correction); and 3.1 +/- 0.2, 1.5 +/- 0.2, and 8.2 +/- 0.4 (acetate correction). We conclude that use of the acetate correction factor in place of the bicarbonate correction factor should improve the accuracy of isotopic measurements of plasma fatty acid oxidation, because it accounts for label fixation that might occur at any step between the entrance of labeled acetyl-CoA into the tricarboxylic acid cycle until the recovery of label in breath CO2.
Violence in municipal care of older people in Sweden as perceived by registered nurses.

AIMS The main aim was to describe registered nurses' perceptions of violence and threats, as well as their access to prevention measures and routines for handling violent behaviour in municipal care of older people. Another aim was to compare nurses' perceptions working solely in dementia care with those working in general elder care where older people have diverse diagnoses. BACKGROUND Violence is often reported in care of older people. The development of dementia units and the implementation of reform have changed care of older people. Dementia disorders have been shown to be a predisposing factor to violence. DESIGN A non-experimental, descriptive design with a survey research approach was used. The setting was 60 special types of housing with subunits in a large town. The response rate was 62% (n = 213). Forty-five per cent (n = 95) of the nurses worked in dementia care and 55% (118) in general elder care. METHOD A questionnaire. Results. Nurses had experienced a high degree indirect threats (dementia care, 45%; general elder care, 51%), direct threats of violent acts (dementia care, 35%; general elder care, 44%) and violent acts (dementia care, 41%; general elder care, 43%). Nurses had witnessed violence and threats towards staff (dementia care, 49%; general elder care, 38%). Even care receivers (dementia care, 20%; general elder care, 19%) were subjected to violence and threats. No statistical differences were found between groups. The nurses in dementia care had more access to education in managing violence and threats, as well as routines for handling violence and a door with a lock to their working unit. CONCLUSION Violence occurred frequently in municipal care of older people without any difference between dementia care and general elder care. Nurses in dementia care were more often offered education on how to manage violence and had routines for when violence occurs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Municipal authorities should increase staff education for handling violence and creating safety routines. Violence needs to be taken seriously with a 'zero tolerance' attitude.