Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Symptoms of Persistent Behavior Problems in Children With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective:To investigate the effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in children on symptom ratings of behavior problems across the first-year postinjury. Setting:Emergency departments of 2 regional children's hospitals. Participants:Parents of 176 children with mTBI and 90 children with orthopedic injury aged 8 to 15 years. Design:Group comparisons of postinjury parent and teacher ratings of child behavior problems controlling for background factors. Main Measures:Child Behavior Checklist and Teacher's Report Form. Results:For younger but not older children in the sample, children with mTBI compared with children with orthopedic injury had higher postinjury ratings on the Child Behavior Checklist Total Behavior Problem scale (t264 = 3.34, P < .001) and higher rates of T-scores of 60 or more on this scale (odds ratio = 3.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-6.77; P = .008). For children with mTBI, hospitalization, motor vehicle accidents, loss of consciousness, and magnetic resonance imaging abnormality were associated with higher parent or teacher ratings. Conclusions:School-aged children with mTBI are at risk for persistent symptoms of behavior problems, especially if mTBI is more severe or occurs at a younger age. The findings justify monitoring of behavior long after injury and further research to identify risk factors for these symptoms and their association with clinical disorders.
Microscopical Image Analysis: Problems And Approaches *

This article reviews some of the problems which have been encountered in the application of automatic image analysis to problems in biology. Some of the questions involved in the actual formulation of such a problem for this approach are considered as well as the difficulties in the analysis due to lack of specific contrast in the image and to its complexity.
Genes Regulated by TorR, the Trimethylamine Oxide Response Regulator of Shewanella oneidensis

ABSTRACT The torECAD operon encoding the trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) respiratory system of Shewanella oneidensis is positively controlled by the TorS/TorR two-component system when TMAO is available. Activation of the tor operon occurs upon binding of the phosphorylated response regulator TorR to a single operator site containing the direct repeat nucleotide sequence TTCATAN4TTCATA. Here we show that the replacement of any nucleotide of one TTCATA hexamer prevented TorR binding in vitro, meaning that TorR specifically interacts with this DNA target. Identical direct repeat sequences were found in the promoter regions of torR and of the new gene torF (SO4694), and they allowed TorR binding to both promoters. Real-time PCR experiments revealed that torR is negatively autoregulated, whereas torF is strongly induced by TorR in response to TMAO. Transcription start site location and footprinting analysis indicate that the operator site at torR overlaps the promoter −10 box, whereas the operator site at torF is centered at −74 bp from the start site, in agreement with the opposite role of TorR in the regulation of the two genes. Since torF and torECAD are positively coregulated by TorR, we propose that the TorF protein plays a role related to TMAO respiration.
Electoral persistence and the quality of public policies: evidence from the dynamics of lawmaking in the Philippine House of Representatives, 1992-2016

ABSTRACT Can elections serve as vector of good public policy in fledgling democracies where electorally persistent elites circumvent institutional safeguards? Examining legislative productivity for each member of the Philippine House of Representatives from 1992 to 2016, we argue that while electoral persistence can be short-run welfare enhancing by inducing legislative attention on particularistic policies, it is ultimately electoral competition and the prospect of ouster that determine overall legislative behaviour. Using various measures of electoral competition, our panel estimates suggest that district incumbents who faced competitive elections, regardless of political pedigree, are more likely to work for the passage of their legislative proposals into legislation. The results lend credence to the disciplining effect of elections, even in precarious political settings where competition is between equally persistent political elites. Overall, incumbents who fought competitive elections are generally more likely to produce laws as a legislative preoccupation – a commitment they are likely to pursue even in the presence of institutional and political uncertainties.
Study of the characteristics of a streamer discharge in air based on a plasma chemical model

A detailed research on the streamer discharge local mechanism is necessary to enhance and develop the streamer theory. In the present paper, the characteristics of a streamer discharge in air at an atmospheric pressure are investigated using a hydrodynamic model based on plasma chemistry. Aside from continuity equations for electrons and ions, as well as Poisson's equation for the electric field, the model includes the electron mean energy density equation and the neutral particle density continuity equation. The electric field strength and the velocities of streamer propagations obtained from proposed model are in good agreement with experimental and simulation results in literature. The mean electron energy is nearly constant in the streamer channel, except for a peak value at the streamer tip. Although the mole fraction of oxygen is only about 0.2 in air, oxygen ions are the dominant charged particles in the streamer discharge. At the electrode surface, the charged particle densities significantly decrease in the direction of the electrode because of surface reactions.
Early Endosomal Antigen 1 (EEA1) Is an Obligate Scaffold for Angiotensin II-induced, PKC-α-dependent Akt Activation in Endosomes*

Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) activation/phosphorylation by angiotensin II (Ang II) is a critical signaling event in hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Conventional wisdom asserts that Akt activation occurs mainly in plasma membrane domains. Recent evidence that Akt activation may take place within intracellular compartments challenges this dogma. The spatial identity and mechanistic features of these putative signaling domains have not been defined. Using cell fractionation and fluorescence methods, we demonstrate that the early endosomal antigen-1 (EEA1)-positive endosomes are a major site of Ang II-induced Akt activation. Akt moves to and is activated in EEA1 endosomes. The expression of EEA1 is required for phosphorylation of Akt at both Thr-308 and Ser-473 as well as for phosphorylation of its downstream targets mTOR and S6 kinase, but not for Erk1/2 activation. Both Akt and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) interact with EEA1. We also found that PKC-α is required for organizing Ang II-induced, EEA1-dependent Akt phosphorylation in VSMC early endosomes. EEA1 expression enables PKC-α phosphorylation, which in turn regulates Akt upstream signaling kinases, PDK1 and p38 MAPK. Our results indicate that PKC-α is a necessary regulator of EEA1-dependent Akt signaling in early endosomes. Finally, EEA1 down-regulation or expression of a dominant negative mutant of PKC-α blunts Ang II-induced leucine incorporation in VSMCs. Thus, EEA1 serves a novel function as an obligate scaffold for Ang II-induced Akt activation in early endosomes.
Fuzzy Model Identification of a Biological Process Based on Input-Output Data Clustering

This paper deals with the application of fuzzy clustering techniques for the model identification of an enhanced FAMIMO biological wastewater treatment process from input-output data. This MIMO system is represented as a set of coupled MISO models of the Takagi-Sugeno type. A comparative study with two clustering algorithms for the construction of the fuzzy model is carried out. The Gustafson-Kessel (GK) algorithm and the so-called robust parallel competitive agglomerative (RPCA) algorithm are considered. From a biotechnological point of view, different simulation experiences were conducted integrating both continuous and batch modes in order to validate the obtained models. Results are reported and discussed
A Dual-Function DNA Vaccine Encoding Carcinoembryonic Antigen and CD40 Ligand Trimer Induces T Cell-Mediated Protective Immunity Against Colon Cancer in Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Transgenic Mice1

A carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA)-based DNA vaccine encoding both CEA and CD40 ligand trimer achieved effective tumor-protective immunity against murine colon carcinoma in CEA-transgenic mice by activating both naive T cells and dendritic cells. Peripheral T cell tolerance to CEA was broken in a prophylactic model by this novel, dual-function DNA vaccine, whose efficacy was further enhanced by boosts with a recombinant Ab-IL-2 fusion protein (huKS1/4-IL-2). These conclusions are supported by four lines of evidence. First, a lethal challenge of MC38-CEA-KS Ag murine colon carcinoma cells was for the first time completely rejected in 100% of experimental animals treated by oral gavage of this DNA vaccine carried by attenuated Salmonella typhimurium, followed by five boosts with huKS1/4-IL-2. Second, specific activation of dendritic cells was indicated by their marked up-regulation in expression of costimulatory molecules B7.1 (CD80), B7.2 (CD86), and ICAM-1. Third, a decisive increase over control values was observed in both MHC class I Ag-restricted cytotoxicity of CTLs from successfully vaccinated mice and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12. Fourth, activation of CTLs was augmented, as indicated by up-regulation of activity markers LFA-1, CD25, CD28, and CD69. Taken together, these results suggest that a dual-function DNA vaccine encoding CEA and CD40 ligand trimer combined with tumor-targeted IL-2 may be a promising strategy for the rational development of DNA-based cancer vaccines for future clinical applications.
Security Analysis of the Cryptographic Namespace Design in Next Generation Internet Architectures

Many Next Generation Internet architecture proposals introduce a cryptographic namespace to integrate security functionality into the network layer. They suggest to use the hash of a node's public key as its address - the so called self-certifying address. This tight coupling between the public key and the address, however, raises the vulnerability and misleadingly indicates a false sense of security. In this paper we discuss four problematic issues with self-certifying addresses. These are inflexibility in key change, misuse of old keys, problematic authentication and random key guess. In the end we briefly outline a different approach to integrate the private/public key principle with an locator/identifier-split architecture.
Step-By-Step Application of Econometrics in Finance. A Practical Guide for Postgraduate and Research Students.

This book is designed to provide an overview, an explanation and application of econometrical financial models to various investment vehicles. I have used a step-by- step approach to help the postgraduate and research students to understand how to relate the various investment vehicles with financial econometrics. The aim of this practical guide is to facilitate the life of the postgraduate and research students to craft and navigate successfully their financial career. I have used basic mathematics and equations in order to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. The reading of the articles should be combined with EViews 6 users guide II.
Frequency Locator Polynomial for Wideband Sparse Spectrum Sensing With Multichannel Subsampling

BigBand is a technique for wideband spectrum sensing (WSS) that can capture gigahertz of sparse spectrum in real time by using shifted multiple channels without sampling the signal at GS/s. In this paper, we focus on enforcing BigBand with the proposed improved algorithm, namely, AD-BigBand, for efficient and robust computation. AD-BigBand converts the nonlinear process (locating frequency and computing the spectrum value) of sparse WSS into two steps of solving linear equations. In particular, we define an <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$r$</tex-math> </inline-formula>-degree frequency locator polynomial to rapidly locate nonzero frequencies. The computing complexity of the proposed method decreases from <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$O(K{\log ^2}K ({{{n\log K} \over K}})^{\log K})$</tex-math></inline-formula> of shifted sampling based BigBand to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$O(K{\log ^2}K)$</tex-math></inline-formula>, where the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$</tex-math></inline-formula>-sparse signals of bandwitdth <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$</tex-math></inline-formula> are subsampled with arithmetic time-shifted sensing channels. We implement AD-BigBand on a commercial four-channel acquisition card. Experimental results show that AD-BigBand improves the WSS capabilities and exhibits higher processing speed and lower error spectrum construction rate than BigBand, especially in the case of relative low signal-to-noise ratio.
An Exploratory Study into Automated Real-Time Categorisation of Engineering E-Mail

For large, spatially and temporally distributed engineering projects, e-mail is a central means for the discussion of engineering work and sharing of digital assets that define the product and its production process. The importance of communication and the value of its content for resolving issues post facto are universally accepted. More recently, the potential value of its content to predict events, issues and states a priori has been explored with some success. However, while in the former context (post facto) trends and patterns can be established through iteration and refinement over time, for prediction, heuristics need to be established in advance and closer to real-time analysis becomes necessary due to the critical and very often short timescales. It is this challenge of making predictions from the content of e-mail that is considered in this paper. In particular, the paper deals with engineering e-mail and the ability to automatically predict its purpose from its content rather than relying solely on the subject line. The work builds upon previous studies by the authors concerning the characterisation of the content of e-mail: what they are about, why they were sent and how the content is expressed. The paper summarises the previous work and looks at the potential of identifying the purpose of e-mail through the use of Naive Bayes and an adapted Latent Semantic Analysis approach. While the techniques have only been applied to an initial exploratory study of 98 e-mails, the results suggest the potential for automated real-time categorisation of engineering e-mails through achieving an accuracy of 66%. Such a capability would both support prioritisation of e-mail for engineers and macro level characterisation of project e-mail dynamics. The latter provides the opportunity for real-time analysis of an engineering projects status and correspondingly, modes of management intervention.
Analysis of the Determinant Factors of the Historical Development of Air Transport: An Empirical Application to Turkey

Abstract The aim of this study was to empirically examine the development of air transport in Turkey in the period between 1980 and 2015. The study intended, within its scope, to determine the developments experienced in air transport in Turkey and the probable causes of the structural changes. Moreover, it was aimed at highlighting the years in which the structural changes in air transport were realized. In line with this objective, the one-break Zivot Anderews (1992) unit root test, the two-break Clemente-Montañés-Reyes (1998) unit root test, and the one-break and two-break LM were applied to the domestic and international air transport data of the 1980-2015 period. The results of the study show that there were substantial economic and political developments both at home and abroad in the years that the significant structural breaks that affect air transport took place.
Gastrointestinal dysfunctions as a risk factor for sleep disorders in children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder: A retrospective cohort study

Sleep disorders often co-occur with autism spectrum disorder. They further exacerbate autism spectrum disorder symptoms and interfere with children’s and parental quality of life. This study examines whether gastrointestinal dysfunctions increase the odds of having sleep disorders in 610 children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder, aged 2–18 years, from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange research program. The adjusted odds ratio for sleep disorder among those with gastrointestinal dysfunctions compared to those without was 1.74 (95% confidence interval: 1.22–2.48). In addition, the odds of having multiple sleep disorder symptoms among children with gastrointestinal dysfunctions, adjusted for age, gender, behavioral problems, bed wetting, current and past supplements, and current and past medications for autism spectrum disorder symptoms were 1.75 (95% confidence interval: 1.10–2.79) compared to children without gastrointestinal dysfunctions. Early detection and treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunctions in autism spectrum disorder may be means to reduce prevalence and severity of sleep problems and improve quality of life and developmental outcomes in this population.
Influence of mild infections on iron status parameters in women of reproductive age

Objective - To investigate the effects of mild infections on iron status parameters. Design - A prospective observational study. Setting - A population of female nurse students in Norway. Subjects - 33 women with self-reported episodes of infection and 33 women without infections but with comparable s-ferritin at baseline. Main outcome measures - Change from baseline in haemoglobin, s-iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation, s-ferritin, e-protoporphyrin and s-transferrin receptor on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56 after onset of illness, compared to changes in non-infected subjects tested in parallel. Results - In febrile illness, such as influenza, there was a significant rise in s-ferritin that could take more than a month to normalise. S-ferritin increased significantly when CRP rose above 20 mg/L, but a normal CRP could not preclude falsely high s-ferritin values due to infection. S-iron and transferrin saturation fell below normal range in a substantial proportion of cases in the symptomatic stage, even in infections without a febrile response, such as the common cold, but was normalised within a week after onset of infection. Conclusion - For more than a month after febrile illness such as influenza, s-ferritin is not a reliable measure for ruling out iron deficiency in women of reproductive age.
Enantioselective inhibition of d‐serine transport by (S)‐ketamine

Patients with major depressive disorder receiving racemic ketamine, (R,S)‐ketamine, experience transient increases in Clinician‐Administered Dissociative States Scale scores and a coincident drop in plasma d‐serine levels. The results suggest that (R,S)‐ketamine produces an immediate, concentration‐dependent pharmacological effect on d‐serine plasma concentrations. One potential source of this effect is (R,S)‐ketamine‐induced inhibition of the transporter ASCT2, which regulates intracellular d‐serine concentrations. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by examining the effect of (S)‐ and (R)‐ketamine on ASCT2‐mediated transport of d‐serine in PC‐12 and 1321N1 cells and primary neuronal cells in culture.
Complete Genome Sequences of Six Copper-Resistant Xanthomonas Strains Causing Bacterial Spot of Solaneous Plants, Belonging to X. gardneri, X. euvesicatoria, and X. vesicatoria, Using Long-Read Technology

ABSTRACT Xanthomonas vesicatoria, Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, and Xanthomonas gardneri cause bacterial spot disease. Copper has been applied since the 1920s as part of integrated management programs. The first copper-resistant strains were reported some decades later. Here, we fully sequenced six Xanthomonas strains pathogenic to tomato and/or pepper and having a copper-resistant phenotype.
Model Predictive Direct Torque Control for PMSM with Duty Cycle Optimization

This paper presents an improved model predictive direct torque control (MPDTC) with duty cycle optimization for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The conventional direct torque control (DTC) or MPDTC achieves good dynamic and steady state performance by selecting an appropriate voltage vector. However, there is only one voltage vector in one control period, hence the ideal performance of torque can't be achieved due to the limited number of voltage vectors. In this paper, the concept of duty cycle is applied to MPDTC for PMSM. This method allocates a fraction of one control period for a nonzero voltage vector and the rest of the time for a zero voltage vector. A nonzero voltage vector is selected by minimizing a cost function and its duration time is achieved by the errors minimization of torque and stator flux. Simulation and experimental results show that, the proposed MPDTC with duty cycle control achieves adequate steady state torque performance without affecting the dynamic response, compared with the traditional DTC and conventional MPDTC.
Focus small to find big – the microbeam story

Abstract Purpose: Even though the first ultraviolet microbeam was described by S. Tschachotin back in 1912, the development of sophisticated micro-irradiation facilities only began to flourish in the late 1980s. In this article, we highlight significant microbeam experiments, describe the latest microbeam irradiator configurations and critical discoveries made by using the microbeam apparatus. Materials and methods: Modern radiological microbeams facilities are capable of producing a beam size of a few micrometers, or even tens of nanometers in size, and can deposit radiation with high precision within a cellular target. In the past three decades, a variety of microbeams has been developed to deliver a range of radiations including charged particles, X-rays, and electrons. Despite the original intention for their development to measure the effects of a single radiation track, the ability to target radiation with microbeams at sub-cellular targets has been extensively used to investigate radiation-induced biological responses within cells. Results: Studies conducted using microbeams to target specific cells in a tissue have elucidated bystander responses, and further studies have shown reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) play critical roles in the process. The radiation-induced abscopal effect, which has a profound impact on cancer radiotherapy, further reaffirmed the importance of bystander effects. Finally, by targeting sub-cellular compartments with a microbeam, we have reported cytoplasmic-specific biological responses. Despite the common dogma that nuclear DNA is the primary target for radiation-induced cell death and carcinogenesis, studies conducted using microbeam suggested that targeted cytoplasmic irradiation induces mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular stress, and genomic instability. A more recent development in microbeam technology includes application of mouse models to visualize in vivo DNA double-strand breaks. Conclusions: Microbeams are making important contributions towards our understanding of radiation responses in cells and tissue models.