Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AN EFFICIENT DESIGN OF VLSI ARCHITECTURE FOR FAULT DETECTION USING ORTHOGONAL LATIN SQUARES ( OLS ) CODES

Error correction codes (ECCs) are commonly used to protect memories against errors. Among ECCs, orthogonal latin squares (OLS) codes have gained renewed interest for memory protection due to their modularity and the simplicity of the decoding algorithm that enables low delay implementations. An important issue is that when ECCs are used, the encoder and decoder circuits can also suffer errors. In this brief, a concurrent error detection technique for OLS codes encoders and syndrome computation is proposed and evaluated. The proposed method uses the properties of OLS codes to efficiently implement a parity prediction scheme that detects all errors that affect a single circuit node. The fault-secure property guarantees that the circuit gives the correct response, or signals the presence of a fault that provides an output in the error space. Faults are always detected, since there is an input that produces an output that identifies the presence of the fault. CED technique for OLS codes encoders and syndrome computation was proposed. The proposed technique took advantage of the properties of OLS codes to design a parity prediction scheme that could be efficiently implemented and detects all errors that affect a single circuit node. The technique was evaluated for different word sizes, which showed that for large words the overhead is small.
Automated, on‐line two‐dimensional nano liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for rapid analysis of complex protein digests

Evaluation of cellular processes and their changes at the level of protein expression and post‐translational modifications may allow identification of novel proteins and the mechanisms involved in pathogenic processes. However, the number of proteins and, after tryptic digestion, of peptides from a single cell can be tremendously high. Separation and analysis of such complex peptide mixtures can be performed using multidimensional separation techniques such as two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis or two‐dimensional‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (2‐D‐HPLC). The aim of this work was to establish a fully automated on‐line 2‐D‐HPLC separation method with column switching for the separation of complex tryptic digests. A model mixture of five proteins as well as a nuclear matrix protein sample were digested with trypsin and separated using a strong cation exchange (SCX) column in the first dimension and nano reversed phase in the second dimension. Separated peptides were detected using an ion trap mass spectrometer. The advantages of this new fully automated method are rapid sample loading, the possibility of injecting large volumes and no introduction of salt into the mass spectrometer. Furthermore, column switching allows the independent control and optimization of the two dimensions independently.
Characterization of Mycobacterium caprae Isolates from Europe by Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit Genotyping

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium caprae, a recently defined member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, causes tuberculosis among animals and, to a limited extent, in humans in several European countries. To characterize M. caprae in comparison with other Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members and to evaluate genotyping methods for this species, we analyzed 232 M. caprae isolates by mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit (MIRU) genotyping and by spoligotyping. The isolates originated from 128 distinct epidemiological settings in 10 countries, spanning a period of 25 years. We found 78 different MIRU patterns (53 unique types and 25 clusters with group sizes from 2 to 9) but only 17 spoligotypes, giving Hunter-Gaston discriminatory indices of 0.941 (MIRU typing) and 0.665 (spoligotyping). For a subset of 103 M. caprae isolates derived from outbreaks or endemic foci, MIRU genotyping and IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism were compared and shown to provide similar results. MIRU loci 4, 26, and 31 were most discriminant in M. caprae, followed by loci 10 and 16, a combination which is different than those reported to discriminate M. bovis best. M. caprae MIRU patterns together with published data were used for phylogenetic inference analysis employing the neighbor-joining method. M. caprae isolates were grouped together, closely related to the branches of classical M. bovis, M. pinnipedii, M. microti, and ancestral M. tuberculosis, but apart from modern M. tuberculosis. The analysis did not reflect geographic patterns indicative of origin or spread of M. caprae. Altogether, our data confirm M. caprae as a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.
Isolation of Bacillus subtilis genes transcribed in vitro and in vivo by a major sporulation-induced, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase

As a means of determining the function of sigma 29, a sporulation-essential sigma factor, we have isolated and begun to characterize genes that require sigma 29 for their expression. RNA transcribed in vitro from total Bacillus subtilis DNA by using sigma 29-containing RNA polymerase (E-sigma-29) was hybridized to a bank of B. subtilis DNA fragments that had been cloned into bacteriophage lambda. Approximately 0.25% of the cloned B. subtilis DNA fragments displayed detectable hybridization with our RNA probe. Five DNA fragments that had strong in vitro template activity for E-sigma-29 were selected for further study. The DNA fragments which contained in vitro sigma 29 promoter activity encoded RNAs that were synthesized by B. subtilis during sporulation. Mutant B. subtilis that failed to synthesize sigma 29 (spoIIA, spoIIE) made less RNA that could hybridize to these cloned DNAs than did a mutant (spoIIC) which did synthesize sigma 29 but was blocked at a similar stage in development. A detailed analysis of several of the cloned DNAs demonstrated that they encoded RNAs that were transcribed from approximately the same start site in vivo that E-sigma-29 initiated transcription in vitro. These particular transcripts were present only during the period of sigma-29 abundance (2 to 4 h after the onset of sporulation) in sporulating cells which carried a wild-type allele of the sigma-29 structural gene (spoIIG). We conclude that the isolation procedure used in this study identified genes that are transcribed by E-sigma 29, not only in vitro but also in vivo. Preliminary characterization of the cloned genes indicate that they encoded multiple overlapping RNAs which were each synthesized at unique times during growth or sporulation. This result implies that sigma 29 does not activate a unique population of genes with a novel function in sporulation but rather that it has a temporal role in spore gene control, transcribing those genes required to be active during its period of abundance regardless of their specific function.
Application of Spanish quality instruments about organ donation and tranplants validated in pilot hospitals in Santa Catarina.

INTRODUCTION The need of increasing the number of notifications of potential and actual donors is a worldwide problem. There is still much loss of donors, which can be avoided. OBJECTIVE To use instruments adapted from the Model of Quality Management of the Spanish National Organization of Transplants in pilot hospitals in Brazil. METHODS This was a quantitative research developed in three large hospitals in Santa Catarina, The option by the three institutions is related to the number of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and the number of potential donors notifications Central Catchment Notification and Distribution of Organs and Tissues of State (CNCDO-SC). Data collection was performed in medical records from deceased patients in the units of critical patients using two validated instruments, period of three months, in two steps as directed by ONT. RESULTS In one of the hospitals, there was a higher percentage of losses due to maintenance problems (17.6%), family refusal (64.3%) and escapes (16.7%), and there also was a lower real effectuation index (29.4%). In 70.3%, losses due to maintenance were associated with irreversible cardiac arrest and hemodynamic instability. Family refusal was associated in 48.4% with the fact that the family was against donation and ample desire to keep the body integrate. CONCLUSION Information obtained allows the manager to administer these data and therefore to implement actions of improvement, increasing the number of donator of organs and tissues.
Guidelines for developing, translating, and validating a questionnaire in perioperative and pain medicine

The task of developing a new questionnaire or translating an existing questionnaire into a different language might be overwhelming. The greatest challenge perhaps is to come up with a questionnaire that is psychometrically sound, and is efficient and effective for use in research and clinical settings. This article provides guidelines for the development and translation of questionnaires for application in medical fields, with a special emphasis on perioperative and pain medicine. We provide a framework to guide researchers through the various stages of questionnaire development and translation. To ensure that the questionnaires are psychometrically sound, we present a number of statistical methods to assess the reliability and validity of the questionnaires.
Comparative study of human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells differing in their resistance to doxorubicin: effect of ionizing radiation on apoptosis and TGF-beta production.

AIM The aim of the study was to investigate the survival and growth of human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells with different sensitivity to doxorubicin and production of transforming growth factor beta-(TGF-beta) in dependence on the dose- and duration of X-ray in order to check if the cross-resistance to doxorubicin and radiation effects exists. METHODS Determination of cell number and valiability using trypan blue (0.1% (w/v)) exclusion method, Western blot analysis of p53 protein expression, biological testing of TGF-beta activity, lectinocytochemical analysis for apoptosis quantitative estimation in unirradiated and irradiated cells of both sublines of MCF-7 cells--sensitive (MCF-7(wt)) and resistant (MCF-7(DOX/R)) to doxorubicin. RESULTS It was found that doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells were also more refractory to X-radiation-dependent growth inhibition. There were revealed different effects of distinct doses of X-ray on p53 protein expression by cells of both sublines. The level of production of TGF-beta was compared in non-irradiated MCF-7 cells and in these cells exposed to X-radiation. It was shown that X-radiation increased TGF-beta activity in the conditioned medium of the irradiated cells of both doxorubicin-sensitive and -resistant lines. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study suggest that the biological effects of X-radiation on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells can be at least partly mediated by TGF-beta. Taking into account that TGF-beta is a potent natural immunosupressor, one may consider that an increased activity of this cytokine can intensify negative effects of X-radiation.
Performance evaluation of bloom filter size in map-side and reduce-side bloom joins

Map Reduce (MP) Is an efficient programming model for processing big data. However, MR has some limitations in performing the join operation. Recent researches have been made to alleviate this problem, such as Bloom join. The idea of the Bloom join lies in constructing a Bloom filter to remove redundant records before performing the join operation. The size of the constructed filter is very critical and it should be chosen in a good manner. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of the Bloom filter size for two Bloom join algorithms, Map-side Bloom join and Reduce-side Bloom join. In our methodology, we constructed multiple Bloom filters with different sizes for two static input datasets. Our experimental results show that it is not always the best solution to construct a small or a large filter size to produce a good performance, it should be constructed based on the size of the input datasets. Also, the results show that tuning the Bloom filter size causes major effects on the join performance. Furthermore, the results show that it is recommended to choose small sizes of the Bloom filter, small enough to produce neglected false positive rate, in the implementation of the two algorithms when there is a concern about the memory. On the other hand, small to medium sizes of the Bloom filter in the Reduce-side join produce smaller elapsed time compared to the Map-side join, while large sizes produce larger elapsed time.
Optimizing Gas Sensors Based on Quantum Cascade Lasers and Photonic Bandgap Hollow Waveguides

In the present study, bending losses in conventional hollow waveguides (internally Ag/AgI coated) and in photonic bandgap (PBG) hollow waveguides (HWG) are compared based on studies via FT-IR spectroscopy and quantum cascade lasers (QCL). To date, literature on bending losses in hollow waveguides focuses on conventional HWG structures (e.g., silica structural tube with internal Ag/AgI coating), whereas the results discussed here compare relative bending losses in novel photonic bandgap waveguides, a new type of HWG progressively more integrated in gas sensors, versus conventional HWGs for the first time. Photonic bandgap waveguides are expected to exhibit lower polarization-dependent relative bending losses due to radiation propagation via omnidirectional reflection, in contrast to conventional HWGs. Accordingly, photonic bandgap waveguides offer superior flexibility and robustness against bending losses in coiled configurations rendering them promising structures for next-generation miniaturized QCL-based HWG gas sensors.
The effect of the environment on participation of children and youth with disabilities: a scoping review

Abstract Objective: The study’s purpose was to identify and synthesize research evidence regarding the effect of the environment on community participation of children with disabilities. Methods: A scoping review of peer-reviewed studies published from 1990 to 2011 was performed. Two independent reviewers selected studies based on a systematic procedure. Inclusion criteria for studies were: participants with a disability, aged 5–21 years, whose environment was examined in relation to participation in out-of-school activities. Data were organized and synthesized based on environmental domains within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): Natural Environment/Products and Technology; Support and Relationships; Attitudes; and Services, Systems and Policies. Results: Searching identified 1232 articles and 31 met the inclusion criteria. Each domain of the environment within the ICF influenced participation as a facilitator and/or barrier. The most common facilitators involved social support of family and friends and geographic location. The most common barriers included attitudes, physical environment, transportation, policies and the lack of support from staff and service providers. Conclusions: Knowledge derived from this review can assist practitioners in addressing the specific environmental domains that influence children's participation. Such awareness can also foster new research questions and assist policy makers in identifying the factors influencing participation. Implications for Rehabilitation All domains of the environment, suggested by the ICF, have an influence on children’s participation. Evidence regarding the effect of the environment on participation is focused primarily on children with physical disabilities; more studies are needed involving various health conditions and age groups. Practitioners and decision-makers can focus attention on specific aspects of the environment, e.g. attitudinal challenges and social support, in order to foster inclusion and participation-based communities.
Retinal pathway origins of the pattern electroretinogram (PERG).

PURPOSE To determine retinal pathway origins of pattern electroretinogram (PERG) in macaque monkeys using pharmacologic dissections, uniform-field flashes, and PERG simulations. METHODS Transient (2 Hz, 4 reversals/s) and steady state (8.3 Hz, 16.6 reversals/s) PERGs and uniform-field ERGs were recorded before and after intravitreal injections of L-AP4 (not APB) (2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid, 1.6-2.0 mM), to prevent ON pathway responses; PDA (cis-2,3-piperidinedicarboxylic acid, 3.3-3.8 mM), to block activity of hyperpolarizing second- and all third-order retinal neurons; and TTX (tetrodotoxin, 6 μM), to block Na+-dependent spiking. PERGs were also recorded from macaques with advanced unilateral experimental glaucoma, and were simulated by averaging ON and OFF responses to uniform-field flashes. RESULTS For 2-Hz stimulation, L-AP4 reduced both negative- and positive-going (N95 and P50) amplitudes in transient PERGs, and their counterparts, N2 and P1 in simulations, to half-amplitude. PDA eliminated N95 and N2, but increased P50 and P1 amplitudes, in that it enhanced b-waves. As previously reported, severe experimental glaucoma or TTX eliminated photopic negative responses, N95, and N2; glaucoma eliminated P50 and reduced P1 amplitude; TTX reduced P50 and hardly altered P1. For 8.3-Hz stimulation, L-AP4 eliminated the steady state PERG and reduced simulated PERG amplitude, whereas PDA enhanced both responses. TTX reduced PERG amplitude to less than half; simulations were less reduced. Blockade of all postreceptoral activity eliminated transient and steady state PERGs, but left small residual P1 in simulations. CONCLUSIONS Transient PERG receives nearly equal amplitude contributions from ON and OFF pathways. N95 reflects spiking activity of ganglion cells; P50 reflects nonspiking activity as well. Steady state PERG, in contrast, reflects mainly spike-related ON pathway activity.
A Comparison of Four Indirect Methods of Assessing Utility Values in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives:Utility scores can be assessed indirectly using preference-based instruments and used as weightings for quality-adjusted life years in economic analyses. It is not clear whether available instruments yield similar results or what domains of health are contributing to the overall score in a sample of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Subjects:Our study included 313 individuals with rheumatologist-confirmed RA. Measures:A self-completed survey that permitted scoring of 4 indirect utility instruments (the Health Utilities Index Mark 2 and 3 (HUI-2 and HUI-3), the EuroQoL (EQ-5D), and the Short Form 6D (SF-6D) was the basis of our study. Results:Mean (standard deviation) global utility scores were 0.63 (0.24) for the SF-6D, 0.66 (0.13) for the EQ-5D, 0.71 (0.19) for the HUI-2, and 0.53 (0.29) for the HUI-3 (P = 0.02 by repeated-measures analysis of variance). The intraclass correlation across all the indices was 0.67 (95% confidence interval 0.62–0.71). Bland-Altman plots revealed that agreement among instruments was poor at lower utility values. In this elderly RA sample, all of the global utilities mostly measured functional ability and pain. Conclusions:There are significant differences in utilities obtained from different indirect methods. Agreement among the instruments was moderate but poorer at lower utilities. It is unlikely that these utility values, if used as the weightings for quality-adjusted life years, would result in comparable estimates.
Maternal ADHD Symptoms, Personality, and Parenting Stress: Differences Between Mothers of Children With ADHD and Mothers of Comparison Children

Objective: Mothers raising a child with ADHD can experience high parenting stress. We evaluated if mothers’ personality traits and own ADHD symptoms could also affect parenting stress. Method: 430 biological mothers from the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (MTA mothers) and 237 of a local normative comparison group (LNCG mothers) were evaluated at baseline. Interactions were tested between mothers’ group and maternal personality/ADHD symptoms related to parenting stress. Results: Compared to LNCG, MTA mothers had higher parenting stress, self-reported ADHD, neuroticism, and lower conscientiousness and agreeableness. When personality and ADHD were evaluated together, ADHD symptoms interacted with mothers’ group: high maternal ADHD was positively associated with parenting stress for LNCG but not MTA mothers. Conclusion: Personality traits or ADHD characteristics do not appear operative for the high parenting stress of mothers of a child with ADHD. However, high maternal ADHD or low conscientiousness are associated with stress levels similar to raising a child with ADHD.
Identification of the Binding Partners for Flightless I, A Novel Protein Bridging the Leucine-rich Repeat and the Gelsolin Superfamilies*

Flightless-I (fliI) is a novel member of the gelsolin family that is important for actin organization duringDrosophila embryogenesis and myogenesis.Drosophila fliI and the human homolog FLI both contain the classic gelsolin 6-fold segmental repeats and an amino-terminal extension of 16 tandem leucine-rich repeats (LRR). LRR repeats form amphipathic β-α structural units that mediate protein-protein interactions. Although there are close to 100 known LRR domain-containing proteins, only a few binding pairs have been identified. In this paper, we used biochemical and genetic approaches to identify proteins that interact with human FLI. In vitrosynthesized FLI bound to actin-Sepharose and binding was reduced by competition with excess soluble actin. Actin binding was mediated through the gelsolin-like domain and not the LRR domain. Although the FLI LRR module is most closely related to the LRR domains of Ras-interactive proteins, FLI does not associate with Ras, selected Ras effectors, or other Ras-related small GTPases. Two-hybrid screens using FLI LRR as bait identified a novel LRR binding partner. The 0.65-kilobase pair (kb) clone from the screen survived additional rounds of stringent two-hybrid pairwise assays, establishing a specific interaction. Binding to FLI LRR was corroborated by co-immunoprecipitation with FLI LRR. The translated sequence of the FLI LRR associated protein (FLAP) encodes a novel protein not represented in the data base. Northern blot analyses revealed four FLAP messages of approximately 2.7, 2.9, 3.3, and 5.1 kb, which are differentially expressed in the tissues tested. Skeletal and cardiac muscles are particularly rich in the 3.3-kb FLAP message, and the FLI message as well. Full-length FLAP clones were isolated from a mouse skeletal muscle cDNA library. They have an open reading frame which encodes for a protein containing 626 amino acids. Sequence analyses predict that the FLAP protein is rich in α-helices and contains stretches of dimeric coiled coil in its middle region and COOH terminus. The identification of actin and FLAP as the binding ligands for the gelsolin-like domain and the LRR domain, respectively, suggests that FLI may link the actin cytoskeleton to other modules implicated in intermolecular recognition and structural organization.