Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A First-Order Tree-Structured DAC With Reduced Signal-Band Noise

A mismatch-shaping tree-structured digital-to-analog converter (DAC) utilizes several layers of switching blocks to spectrally shape the DAC circuit errors. A first-order mismatch-shaping DAC using un-dithered switching sequences for the switching blocks results in spurious tones in the DAC noise. The unwanted tones can be eliminated from the DAC noise by employing white dither sequences to randomly select two types of short root symbols to be placed in the switching sequences. Dithered switching sequences, unfortunately, result in a higher noise floor in the DAC noise, in comparison with un-dithered switching sequences. In this brief, we propose an improved first-order sequencing logic to eliminate unwanted tones while causing only a modest increase in the in-band noise floor at a very modest hardware cost. Our mismatch-shaping sequencing logic is based on the scheme using a white dither sequence to randomly select each symbol between two specific types of long root symbols. Alternatively, our scheme can be viewed as using a high-pass dither sequence to randomly select the short root symbols. An analytical formula for the power-spectral density of the proposed switching sequence is presented to show its improvement over the prior first-order switching sequence. It is also shown from numerical simulations that the proposed switching sequence improves the signal-to-noise plus distortion ratio by more than 5 dB for a sigma-delta modulator with static DAC-element errors chosen from a Gaussian distribution with a standard deviation of 1%
On Minimizing Energy Cost in Internet-Scale Systems With Dynamic Data

With the tremendous growth of cloud computing and Internet-scale online services, massive geographically distributed infrastructures have been deployed to meet the increasing demand, resulting in significant monetary expenditure and environmental pollution caused by energy consumption. In this paper, we investigate how to minimize the long-term energy cost of dynamic Internet-scale systems by fully exploiting the energy efficiency in geographic diversity and variation over time. To this end, we formulate a stochastic optimization problem by considering the fundamental uncertainties of Internet-scale systems, such as the dynamic data. We develop a dynamic request mapping algorithm to solve the formulated problem, which balances the tradeoff between energy cost and delay performance. Our designed algorithm makes real-time decisions based on current queue backlogs and system states, and does not require any knowledge of stochastic job arrivals and service rates caused by dynamic data queries. We formally prove the optimality of our approach. Extensive trace-driven simulations verify our theoretical analysis and demonstrate that our algorithm outperforms the baseline strategies with respect to system cost, queue backlogs, and delay.
Progesterone-Receptive β-Endorphin and Dynorphin B Neurons in the Arcuate Nucleus Project to Regions of High Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neuron Density in the Ovine Preoptic Area

Progesterone inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion through interneuronal systems located in the mediobasal hypothalamus in ewes. Endogenous opioid peptides are implicated in this inhibition of GnRH secretion. The distributions of endogenous opioid peptides are known to overlap with progesterone receptors (PR) in the arcuate nucleus. We investigated whether PR is expressed by β-endorphin and dynorphin B neurons in the arcuate nucleus and if a subset of double-labeled cells projects to the preoptic area where most GnRH neurons are detected. Injection of a retrograde tracer, Fluorogold, into the rostral preoptic area was performed in ovariectomized ewes pretreated with estrogen and progesterone. Brain sections were processed using double immunocytochemistry. Only brains of ewes with an injection site encompassing at least 80 GnRH neurons were processed for PR and then either β-endorphin or dynorphin B immunocytochemistry. Antigen retrieval is essential for PR detection but causes Fluorogold to fade. Thus, quantitative analysis was performed on photographs taken before and after antigen retrieval. We found that 25–30% of PR-containing neurons, 20% of β-endorphin cells and 22% of dynorphin B neurons in the arcuate nucleus project toward the preoptic area. From the PR/β-endorphin double-labeled cells that represent 25 and 36% of PR and β-endorphin cells, respectively, 35% were labeled with Fluorogold. From the PR/dynorphin B double-labeled cells that account for 39 and 62% of PR and dynorphin B neurons, respectively, 26% contained Fluorogold. These data strongly support the hypothesis that progesterone acts in the arcuate nucleus through β-endorphin and dynorphin B neurons to affect preoptic area GnRH neurons.
AT 1 receptor mRNA antisense normalizes enhanced cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in rats with chronic heart failure

Zhu, Guo-Qing, Lie Gao, Yifan Li, Kaushik P. Patel, Irving H. Zucker, and Wei Wang. AT1 receptor mRNA antisense normalizes enhanced cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in rats with chronic heart failure. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 287: H1828–H1835, 2004; 10.1152/ajpheart.01245. 2003. —Previous studies showed that the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) is enhanced in dogs and rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) and that central ANG II type 1 receptors (AT1R) are involved in this augmented reflex. The aim of this study was to determine whether intracerebroventricular administration and microinjection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeted to AT1R mRNA would attenuate the enhanced CSAR and decrease resting renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in rats with coronary ligation-induced CHF. The CSAR was elicited by application of bradykinin to the epicardial surface of the left ventricle. Reflex responses to epicardial administration of bradykinin were enhanced in rats with CHF. The response to bradykinin was determined every 50 min after intracerebroventricular administration (lateral ventricle) or microinjection (into paraventricular nucleus) of antisense or scrambled oligonucleotides to AT1R mRNA. AT1R mRNA and protein levels in the paraventricular nucleus were significantly reduced 5 h after administration of antisense. Antisense significantly decreased resting RSNA and normalized the enhanced CSAR responses to bradykinin in rats with CHF. Scrambled oligonucleotides did not alter resting RSNA or the enhanced responses to bradykinin in rats with CHF. No significant effects were found in sham-operated rats after administration of either antisense or scrambled oligonucleotides. These results strongly suggest that central AT1R mRNA antisense reduces expression of AT1R protein and normalizes the augmentation of this excitatory sympathetic reflex and that genetic manipulation of protein expression can be used to normalize the sympathetic enhancement in CHF.
Pig peripheral blood mononuclear cells are directly associated with the thrombotic microangiopathy that complicates the induction of chimerism in pig‐to‐baboon xenotransplantation

The infusion of large numbers of porcine cells into primates in order to induce specific immunologic tolerance by mixed hematopoietic chimerism, results in thrombotic microangiopathy that can be fatal. For this reason, it is important to study in vitro the interaction of primate endothelial cells with pig cells. We show that pig peripheral blood mononuclear cells (p‐PBMC) activate human endothelial cells (hECs) through direct contact. Thus, when endothelial cells are cultured in the presence of p‐PBMC, overexpression of VCAM‐1 and E‐selectin adhesion molecules occurs within 3 h of culture and continues for at least 9 h. The co‐culture of p‐PBMC and hECs also results in an important adhesion of human platelets to both types of cell. Thus, viewed with the microscope, platelets aggregate above the endothelial cells and also around the pig cells. We present data that suggest that the presence of p‐PBMC may be more important with regard to the increase of platelet adhesion to the endothelial cells than the activation alone of the cells. Our results also show that p‐PBMC, and not the activated endothelia or the culture supernatant of activated hECs, are able to activate the coagulation cascade because they are able to generate thrombin when added to defibrinated human plasma. Overall, these findings suggest that p‐PBMC are of primary importance for the development of the thrombotic disorders that occur in primates transplanted with pig progenitor cells.
Hydrodynamics of prey capture in sharks: effects of substrate

In suction feeding, a volume of water is drawn into the mouth of a predator. Previous studies of suction feeding in fishes have shown that significant fluid velocities are confined to a region within one mouth width from the mouth. Therefore, the predator must be relatively close to the prey to ensure capture success. Here, theoretical modelling is combined with empirical data to unravel the mechanism behind feeding on a substrate. First, we approached the problem theoretically by combining the stream functions of two sinks. Computational fluid dynamics modelling is then applied to make quantitative predictions regarding the effects of substrate proximity on the feeding hydrodynamics of a benthic shark. An oblique circular cylinder and a shark head model were used. To test the models, we used digital particle image velocimetry to record fluid flow around the mouth of white-spotted bamboo sharks, Chiloscyllium plagiosum, during suction feeding on the substrate and in the water column. Empirical results confirmed the modelling predictions: the length of the flow field can be doubled due to passive substrate effects during prey capture. Feeding near a substrate extends the distance over which suction is effective and a predator strike can be effective further from the prey.
P2CySeMoL: Predictive, Probabilistic Cyber Security Modeling Language

This paper presents the Predictive, Probabilistic Cyber Security Modeling Language (P $^{2}$ CySeMoL), an attack graph tool that can be used to estimate the cyber security of enterprise architectures. P $^{2}$ CySeMoL includes theory on how attacks and defenses relate quantitatively; thus, users must only model their assets and how these are connected in order to enable calculations. The performance of PCySeMoL enables quick calculations of large object models. It has been validated on both a component level and a system level using literature, domain experts, surveys, observations, experiments and case studies.
Low serum brain derived neurotrophic factor in non-suicidal out-patients with depression: Relation to depression scores

Context: Low brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. The relation between BDNF and severity of depression has been investigated. Aims: In this study, we aimed to measured serum BDNF levels in never-treated non-suicidal out-patients with depression and relate this to the severity of depression. Settings and Design: This study was conducted in an out-patient setting in a tertiary care psychiatric hospital on consenting depressed patients. Materials and Methods: Forty three (19 females) antidepressant-naive out-patients with depression, aged between 18 and 55 years and 24 (13 females) age-matched healthy volunteers gave consent for the study. Serum BDNF levels were assayed by using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method on morning serum samples before starting treatment. These were compared between patients and controls using independent sample t-test. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the association between baseline BDNF and Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS). Results: Serum BDNF was significantly lower in patients with depression (mean±standard deviation (SD)=18.59±4.9 ng/ml) than in healthy volunteers (mean±SD=23.6±5.6 ng/ml; P=0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between the HDRS total scores and BDNF levels (P=0.04), indicating that more severely depressed patients had lower BDNF scores. Conclusions: Serum BDNF level is lower in non-suicidal out-patients with depression. The inverse correlation between ratings of depression and BDNF levels suggests possible relationship between depression, (role of illness on) BDNF levels and neuroplasticity thereof.
Effects of fixation on RNA extraction and amplification from laser capture microdissected tissue

One of the key end points for understanding the molecular basis of carcinogenesis is the quantitation of gene expression in specific cell populations. Microdissection techniques allow extraction of morphologically distinct cells for molecular analysis. A recent advance in microdissection uses the PixCell laser capture microdissection (LCM) system, which allows for precise removal of pure cell populations from morphologically preserved tissue sections. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal fixation protocol for analyzing RNA from tissue samples using LCM. Optimal fixation must provide acceptable morphology, allow proper laser capture of selected cells, and preserve the integrity of mRNA. We evaluated the effects of both cross‐linking and precipitive‐type fixatives on frozen and paraffin‐embedded mouse liver tissue. For assessment of the quality of the mRNA in LCM samples generated from various fixed tissues, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR)–amplified mouse liver β2‐microglobulin mRNA was detected with ethidium bromide. We also examined mouse glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate‐dehydrogenase by using the fluorogenic TaqMan system for real‐time quantitative detection of RT‐PCR products. Frozen tissues yielded more RT‐PCR product than did paraffin‐embedded tissues. In both frozen and paraffin‐embedded tissues, differences were observed between the fixatives. Precipitive fixatives, such as ethanol and acetone, consistently produced more RT‐PCR amplification product than did cross‐linking fixatives such as formalin. Optimal fixation protocols for LCM analysis will facilitate the examination of gene expression in specific cell populations, accelerating investigations of the molecular differences responsible for the phenotypic changes observed during carcinogenesis. Mol. Carcinog. 25:86–91, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Consensus-based droop control synthesis for multiple DICs in isolated micro-grids

The task of autonomous power sharing in a micro-grid is usually achieved by decentralized droop control on individual interface power converters, which may suffer from the dependence on output line impedances. Inaccurate reactive power sharing will occur under strongly non-uniform line impedances. Due to inherently distributed and heterogeneous nature of the micro-grid, it becomes an ideal platform for applications of consensus control algorithms. In this paper, the consensus-based droop control with sparse communication network is proposed to overcome the drawback of existing droop control methods. In particular, when line impedances of the power grid are either lossy with the uniform R/X ratio or even pure resistive, the consensus droop control is still an effective method for autonomous real and reactive power sharing. In addition, closed-loop system stability of the proposed consensus-based droop control method can be ensured} by the energy function approach under certain conditions. Real-time simulations of two micro-grid systems are studied to validate the feasibility of the proposed consensus-based droop control method.
Diversity of cellular receptors and functions for the lysophospholipid growth factors lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine 1‐phosphate

The lysophospholipid (LPL) mediators lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) are generated by enzymatic cleavage of stores of glycerophospholipids and sphingomyelin, respectively, in membranes of stimulated cells. LPLs are albumin bound, distributed widely in mammalian tissues, and increased in concentration by physiological activation of platelets and some other cells, tissue injury, inflammation, and neoplasia. The principal effects of LPA and S1P are growth related, including induction of cellular proliferation, alterations in differentiation and survival, and suppression of apoptosis. LPA and S1P also evoke cellular effector functions, which are dependent on cytoskeletal responses such as contraction, secretion, adhesion, and chemotaxis. The extracellular mediator activities of LPLs are transduced by subfamilies of G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), of which the most completely characterized are those encoded by the endothelial differentiation genes (edgs). One homology cluster composed of Edg‐1, ‐3, and ‐5 recognizes and responds to S1P, and the other cluster of Edg‐2 and ‐4 is dedicated to LPA. Edg proteins are developmentally regulated and differ in tissue distribution, but couple similarly to multiple types of G‐proteins to signal through ras and mitogen‐activated protein kinase, rho, phospholipase C, and several protein tyrosine kinases. Numerous interactions between glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids are observed in their biosynthetic and signaling pathways. Many of the cellular effects of LPA and S1P are attributable to modifications in the content and/or activity of a major functional protein. Examples are increases in nuclear levels of transcription factors that regulate the serum response element, suppression of death caspase activities in apoptosis, and elevation of membrane content of heparin binding–epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor, which serves as an autocrine and juxtacrine stimulus of proliferation. These ubiquitous LPL mediators of cellular growth, differentiation, and activities thus act directly through complex subfamilies of GPCRs and by regulating expression of biologically critical proteins. —Goetzl, E. J., An, S. Diversity of cellular receptors and functions for the lysophospholipid growth factors lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine 1‐phosphate. FASEB J. 12, 1589–1598 (1998)
Validation fo Multivariate Response Trace-driven Simulation Models

A procedure is developed by using Rotelling's one-sample T^2 test to test the validity of a multivariate response trace-driven simulation model that represents an observable system. The vali- dity of the simulation model is tested with respect to the mean behavior under a given experimental frame. A procedure for cost-risk analysis for the one-sample T^2 test is developed. By using this procedure, a trade-off analysis can be performed and judgement decisions can be made as to what data collection budget to allocate, what data collection method to use, how many paired observations to collect on the model and system re- sponse variables, and what model builder's risk to choose for test- ing the validity under a satisfactory model user's risk. The procedure for validation and the cost-risk analysis are illustrated for a trace-driven simulation model that represents a time-sharing computer system with two performance measures of interest.
[Rebound tonometry vs Goldmann vs Neumotonometer].

Dear Editor: We would like to congratulate Dr. López-Caballero C, Contreras I, Muñoz-Negrete FJ, Rebolleda G, Cabrejas L and Marcelo P, for their article «Rebound tonometry in clinical practice. Comparison with applanation tonometry» (1). In this study they compared the pressure obtained with Goldmann’s tonometer to Icare®’s tonometer in a population of 68 patients and they concluded that this tonometer can be applied in clinical practice taking into account it overestimates Intraocular Pressure (IOP) compared to the applanation tonometer. We conducted a study at our Unit, which was presented at the 2nd Congress of the Spanish Glaucoma Association (2007), where we compared three types of tonometry: Applanation-Goldmann, ReboundICare® and Air, to evaluate their reproducibility and precision in 57 patients (114 eyes). The intertonometer correlation found in our study (ICare® vs. Goldmann 0.867, Icare® vs. Air 0.838, Air vs. Goldmann 0.864), as well as interobserver and intraobserver correlation (0.82, 0.73), are similar to that proven in the study and other literature (1-3). We have verified in our own series that the actual calculation formula for IOP proposed by LopezCaballero C and cols. is extraordinarily useful (actual IOP = 2.48 + 0.69 ICare® IOP) and should be added to the tonometer’s instruction manual. Thus, the conclusions of our study reinforce the findings of the authors of the paper who came to similar conclusions: in nearly 85% of their cases the Icare® tonometer overestimates Goldmann’s tonometry, reaching almost 90% in our study. However, it should be clarified that this overestimate in our experience, is much greater in the highest IOPs. Thus, if we divide the population studied into tiers by IOP we could state that in the range up to 20 mmHg it overestimates IOP in 3 mmHg, between 20 and 26 mmHg it overestimates about 6 mmHg, but in the range above 26 mmHg it overestimates 10 mmHg, with a few occasional cases of glaucoma patients where IOP was overestimated up to 15 mmHg (fig. 1). The same is true of the intraobserver variability —several measurements of the same patient taken by the same physician— and interobserver variability —where incidentally we should mention that some doctors have great difficulties with the learning curve—. Thus, at IOP levels of up to 20 mmHg these mean variabilities are not greater than 2-3 mmHg, but in patients with IOL equal to or greater than 26 mmHg, variability generally reaches 5-6 mmHg. In this regard, Icare® presents a different behavior than the pneumatonometer: while the former overestimates IOP in high ocular pressures, the second underestimates it. In our experience, we conclude that it is still far more useful, practical and reproducible at the practice to use the Air tonometer for screening rather than the Icare® one, as this is not very useful to follow-up glaucomatous patients either.
Penicillin Assay and Its Control Chart Analysis

Various modifications of the original Oxford cylinder plate method for assaying penicillin are now widely used. This paper gives the method used by the Food and Drug Administration for obtaining estimates of the potency and the error of the assay. It also gives a statistical method of controlling some of the variable factors that affect a long series of assays over a period of time, such as are conducted in any control laboratory. Comparisons are given of the results of penicillin assays of different laboratories on the same lot of penicillin. It is desired to give the complete method here including the mathematical derivation of the method and the charts, although a short preliminary summary of the application of the charts in estimating the potency and the error of the assay has been given elsewhere (Knudsen, 1945). The method used by the Food and Drug Administration3 utilizes 20 X 100 mm petri dishes into which are poured 21 ml of yeast beef agar. After the agar has hardened, the covered plates may be used at once or stored for several days in the refrigerator. The test organism is Staphylococcus aureus (F.D.A. 209-P), which is maintained on agar slants. On the day preceding the assay the culture is transferred from the agar slant to the yeast beef broth. The next day this 16to 24-hour broth culture is added to melted nutrient agar, thoroughly mixed, and 4 ml added to each of the plates containing the uninoculated base agar. The glass covers of the inoculated plates are now replaced by porcelain covers to prevent the accumulation of water by condensation. Four cylinders are then placed at specified intervals on each plate by dropping them through the openings of a cylinder guide (Oswald and Randall, 1945). Blotter or filter paper discs may be used. One cylinder on each plate is filled with a solution containing 1 unit per ml of standard penicillin and another with 0.25 units per ml standard penicillin. The remaining two cylinders on each plate are filled with the unknowvn in estimated dilutions, respectively, of 1.0 unit per ml and 0.2S units per ml. Thus