Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D status in relation to one-year risk of recurrent falling in older men and women.

BACKGROUND Falls frequently occur in the elderly and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to prospectively investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and risk of recurrent falling in older men and women. DESIGN This was a prospective cohort study. SETTING An age- and sex-stratified random sample of the Dutch older population was determined. SUBJECTS Subjects included 1231 men and women (aged 65 yr and older) participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. MEASUREMENTS Baseline serum 25(OH)D was determined by a competitive protein binding assay. During 1 yr, falls were prospectively recorded by means of a fall calendar. RESULTS Low 25(OH)D (<10 ng/ml) was associated with an increased risk of falling. After adjustment for age, sex, education level, region, season, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol intake, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.78 (1.06-2.99) for subjects who experienced two falls or more as compared with those who did not fall or fell once and 2.23 (1.17-4.25) for subjects who fell three or more times as compared with those who fell two times or less. There was a statistically significant effect modification by age, and stratified analyses (<75 and > or = 75 yr) showed that the associations were particularly strong in the younger age group; the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 5.21 (2.03-13.40) for two falls or more and 4.96 (1.52-16.23) for three falls or more. CONCLUSIONS Poor vitamin D status is independently associated with an increased risk of falling in the elderly, particularly in those aged 65-75 yr.
Magnetoelectric Dipole Antennas With Dual Open-Ended Slot Excitation

Designs of novel magnetoelectric dipole antennas excited by dual open-ended slots for both single and dual linear polarizations are presented in this paper. The antenna can be interpreted as a dual complementary source that exhibits lower profile and higher gain while maintaining excellent radiation characteristics of the original ME dipole, including wideband, low back radiation, and high polarization purity. In addition, high isolation is obtained in the dual polarization design. All the above characteristics show that the proposed antennas can be regarded as potential candidates for various wireless applications. Prototypes are fabricated and measured to confirm the simulation results.
Establishment of a European network for the surveillance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, MRSA and penicillin-resistant pneumococci.

Sir, P. D. O. Davies pleaded in a recent issue of this journal (Davies, 1996) for the establishment of a centralised reference database of Mycobacterium tuberculosis fingerprints in order to document multiple drug-resistant (MDR) strains. Newly emerging strains having fingerprints matching known MDR strains could then be identified at an early stage and appropriate measures to contain such strains could be taken. We fully agree with this view and would like to add that such a centralised database is already being set up. Since 1994 the European Union has financially supported a project, A Concerted Action on TB Epidemiology, in which about 20 European laboratories are participating and which aims to build a centralised international M. tuberculosis fingerprint database. This database, based in Bilthoven, now contains DNA fingerprints of over 5000 M. tuberculosis strains from 30 different countries and is freely available on CD-ROM. Further information on this project can be accessed via the internet (http:// info.rivm.nl/caontb/).
A stable switched visual servoing with supervisory control

Sensory information provided by the camera mounted on robotic end effector enable visual guidance and visual feedback. In a large workspace interaction of more than one camera can ensure that image based visual servoing (IBVS) does not fail. A master camera monitors the scene and helps the system overcome the chances of failure of IBVS. A region around the target where IBVS will not fail is identified and a robot end effector with an eye in hand camera is guided to this region assuring asymptotic stability of the system. Simulation studies are carried out and the efficiency of the system is ensured. The supervisory control scheme proposed in this paper works satisfactorily for targets which are initially not visible for the robot in a large workspace.
Nonlinear microwave properties of superconducting Nb microstrip resonators.

We present measurements of the nonlinear surface impedance [ital Z][sub [ital S]]=[ital R][sub [ital S]]+[ital iX][sub [ital S]] of thin-film Nb micro- strip resonators. We demonstrate correlation between material properties of the films and the occurrence of nonlinearity. The nonlinearity is characterized using a dimensionless parameter [ital r]=[Delta][ital R][sub [ital S]]([ital P])/[Delta][ital X][sub [ital S]]([ital P]). We make a short survey of the mechanisms of nonlinear electrodynamics of superconductors and demonstrate that our experimental results are best accounted for by the vortex penetration into the grains.
A synthetic Escherichia coli system identifies a conserved origin tethering factor in Actinobacteria

In eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity is essential for numerous biological processes. In some bacterial species, the chromosome origins have been identified as molecular markers of cell polarity and polar chromosome anchoring factors have been identified, for example in Caulobacter crescentus. Although speculated, polar chromosome tethering factors have not been identified for Actinobacteria, to date. Here, using a minimal synthetic Escherichia coli system, biochemical and in vivo experiments, we provide evidence that Corynebacterium glutamicum cells tether the chromosome origins at the cell poles through direct physical interactions between the ParB–parS chromosomal centromere and the apical growth determinant DivIVA. The interaction between ParB and DivIVA proteins was also shown for other members of the Actinobacteria phylum, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptomyces coelicolor.
Deactivation of cholera toxin by ganglioside.

cholerae leads to the profuse secretory activity seen in choleraic diarrhea. Lipidcontaining extracts of various tissues were found to inhibit the activity of cholera toxin; the highest amounts of the inhibitory factor were found in brain. The inhibitor has properties similar to those of gangliosides. The effect of cholera toxin on intestinal loops of rabbits and epididymal fat cells of rats was neutralized by purified ganglioside. The results suggested that fixation to gangliosides may play a role in the binding of cholera toxin to cell membranes.
In vitro cytogenetic evaluation of the particular combination of flurbiprofen and roxithromycin

Abstract Flurbiprofen (FLB) (anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug) and roxithromycin (RXM) (antibiotic) were widely used in world wide. This study deals with investigation of genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress effects of a particular combination of these drugs in human cultured lymphocytes. Also, DNA damaging-protective effects of combination of these drugs were analyzed on plasmid DNA. Human lymphocytes were treated with different concentrations (FLB + RXM; 10 μg/mL + 25 μg/mL, 15 μg/mL + 50 μg/mL, and 20 μg/mL + 100 μg/mL) of the drugs following by study of their genotoxic and cytotoxic effects by analysis of cytokinesis-block micronucleus test and nuclear division index, respectively. The effect of the combination in aspect of anti-oxidative and DNA damaging activity was evaluated on Pet-22b plasmid. According to our results, the combination of FLB and RXM did not show a notable genotoxic effect on cells. Although each of the substances had been shown as a cytotoxic agent by previous researchers, in this research, the combination of these drugs did not exhibit any adverse effect on cell division. FLB had DNA protection effect against H2O2 while in combination with RXM had not the same effect on the plasmid.
Molecular identification and corrosion behaviour of manganese oxidizers on orthodontic wires

In the present study manganese oxidizing bacteria (MOB) were isolated and identified using molecular techniques (16S rRNA gene sequencing) and the electrochemical behaviour of these isolates on orthodontic wires was studied by employing polarization and impedance techniques. Staphylococcus aureus (EF516983), Bacillus pumilus (EF516984), Planococcus rifitioensis (EF516985), Lysinibacillus boronitolerans (EF516986), B. fusiformis (EF516987), L. boronitolerans (EF516988) and B. thuringiensis (EF516989) were identified as manganese oxidizers in orthodontic appliances. It is interesting to note that ten control samples did not have any manganese oxidizers. It reveals that stainless steel enhances the proliferation of manganese oxidizers and accelerates the corrosion of orthodontic wires. Since manganese is toxic to human beings and causes enhancement of nervous disorder, an in-depth study is needed in future.
On-line study of growth kinetics of single hyphae of Aspergillus oryzae in a flow-through cell.

Using image analysis the growth kinetics of the single hyphae of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae has been determined on-line in a flow-through cell at different glucose concentrations in the range from 26 mg L-1 to 20 g L-1. The tip extension rate of the individual hyphae can be described with saturation type kinetics with respect to the length of the hyphae. The maximum tip extension rate is constant for all hyphae measured at the same glucose concentration, whereas the saturation constant for the hyphae varies significantly between the hyphae even within the same hyphal element. When apical branching occurs, it is observed that the tip extension rate decreases temporarily. The number of branches formed on a hypha is proportional to the length of the hypha that exceeds a certain minimum length required to support the growth of a new branch. The observed kinetics has been used to simulate the outgrowth of a hyphal element from a single spore using a Monte Carlo simulation technique. The simulations shows that the observed kinetics for the individual hyphae result in an experimentally verified growth pattern with exponential growth in both total hyphal length and number of tips.
A speech encryption algorithm based on blind source separation

We present a novel speech encryption algorithm based on blind source separation (BSS). Our approach integrates a modified time domain scrambling scheme with an amplitude scrambling method which masks the speech signal with a random noise by specific mixing. The resulting system can securely encrypt the speech files for the purpose of storing speech messages and transmitting them over the Internet. There are two major advantages associated with this system. The first advantage is that it makes the encrypted speech sound like white noise. The second advantage is that it does not impose any restriction on the key space. Our system is systematically evaluated, and it shows a high level of security with excellent audio quality.
J-Logic: Logical Foundations for JSON Querying

We propose a logical framework, based on Datalog, to study the foundations of querying JSON data. The main feature of our approach, which we call J-Logic, is the emphasis on paths. Paths are sequences of keys and are used to access the tree structure of nested JSON objects. J-Logic also features "packing" as a means to generate a new key from a path or subpath. J-Logic with recursion is computationally complete, but many queries can be expressed without recursion, such as deep equality. We give a necessary condition for queries to be expressible without recursion. Most of our results focus on the deterministic nature of JSON objects as partial functions from keys to values. Predicates defined by J-Logic programs may not properly describe objects, however. Nevertheless we show that every object-to-object transformation in J-Logic can be defined using only objects in intermediate results. Moreover we show that it is decidable whether a positive, nonrecursive J-Logic program always returns an object when given objects as inputs. Regarding packing, we show that packing is unnecessary if the output does not require new keys. Finally, we show the decidability of query containment for positive, nonrecursive J-Logic programs.
Four-dimensional dose distributions of step-and-shoot IMRT delivered with real-time tumor tracking for patients with irregular breathing: constant dose rate vs dose rate regulation.

PURPOSE Dose-rate-regulated tracking (DRRT) is a tumor tracking strategy that programs the MLC to track the tumor under regular breathing and adapts to breathing irregularities during delivery using dose rate regulation. Constant-dose-rate tracking (CDRT) is a strategy that dynamically repositions the beam to account for intrafractional 3D target motion according to real-time information of target location obtained from an independent position monitoring system. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the differences in the effectiveness and delivery accuracy between these two tracking methods in the presence of breathing irregularities. METHODS Step-and-shoot IMRT plans optimized at a reference phase were extended to remaining phases to generate 10-phased 4D-IMRT plans using segment aperture morphing (SAM) algorithm, where both tumor displacement and deformation were considered. A SAM-based 4D plan has been demonstrated to provide better plan quality than plans not considering target deformation. However, delivering such a plan requires preprogramming of the MLC aperture sequence. Deliveries of the 4D plans using DRRT and CDRT tracking approaches were simulated assuming the breathing period is either shorter or longer than the planning day, for 4 IMRT cases: two lung and two pancreatic cases with maximum GTV centroid motion greater than 1 cm were selected. In DRRT, dose rate was regulated to speed up or slow down delivery as needed such that each planned segment is delivered at the planned breathing phase. In CDRT, MLC is separately controlled to follow the tumor motion, but dose rate was kept constant. In addition to breathing period change, effect of breathing amplitude variation on target and critical tissue dose distribution is also evaluated. RESULTS Delivery of preprogrammed 4D plans by the CDRT method resulted in an average of 5% increase in target dose and noticeable increase in organs at risk (OAR) dose when patient breathing is either 10% faster or slower than the planning day. In contrast, DRRT method showed less than 1% reduction in target dose and no noticeable change in OAR dose under the same breathing period irregularities. When ±20% variation of target motion amplitude was present as breathing irregularity, the two delivery methods show compatible plan quality if the dose distribution of CDRT delivery is renormalized. CONCLUSIONS Delivery of 4D-IMRT treatment plans, stemmed from 3D step-and-shoot IMRT and preprogrammed using SAM algorithm, is simulated for two dynamic MLC-based real-time tumor tracking strategies: with and without dose-rate regulation. Comparison of cumulative dose distribution indicates that the preprogrammed 4D plan is more accurately and efficiently conformed using the DRRT strategy, as it compensates the interplay between patient breathing irregularity and tracking delivery without compromising the segment-weight modulation.
Structure of the Small Dictyostelium discoideum Myosin Light Chain MlcB Provides Insights into MyoB IQ Motif Recognition*

Background: MlcB is a MyoB-specific light chain. Results: MlcB adopts a unique fold among EF-hand calcium-binding proteins and binds the MyoB IQ motif via a hydrophobic surface that is maintained in the holo state. Conclusion: The MlcB structure and mode of IQ recognition is unique among myosin light chains. Significance: ApoMlcB structure provides a basis for MyoB IQ-motif recognition. Dictyostelium discoideum MyoB is a class I myosin involved in the formation and retraction of membrane projections, cortical tension generation, membrane recycling, and phagosome maturation. The MyoB-specific, single-lobe EF-hand light chain MlcB binds the sole IQ motif of MyoB with submicromolar affinity in the absence and presence of Ca2+. However, the structural features of this novel myosin light chain and its interaction with its cognate IQ motif remain uncharacterized. Here, we describe the NMR-derived solution structure of apoMlcB, which displays a globular four-helix bundle. Helix 1 adopts a unique orientation when compared with the apo states of the EF-hand calcium-binding proteins calmodulin, S100B, and calbindin D9k. NMR-based chemical shift perturbation mapping identified a hydrophobic MyoB IQ binding surface that involves amino acid residues in helices I and IV and the functional N-terminal Ca2+ binding loop, a site that appears to be maintained when MlcB adopts the holo state. Complementary mutagenesis and binding studies indicated that residues Ile-701, Phe-705, and Trp-708 of the MyoB IQ motif are critical for recognition of MlcB, which together allowed the generation of a structural model of the apoMlcB-MyoB IQ complex. We conclude that the mode of IQ motif recognition by the novel single-lobe MlcB differs considerably from that of stereotypical bilobal light chains such as calmodulin.
Association of age and gender with risk for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background Age and gender associated risks for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) at the population level are largely uncharacterized. Design Nationwide, population (26,724,165 person-years) based eight-year registry-study in Finland. Methods Gender- and age-associated frequency and incidence of NSTEMI were studied using a nationwide, population based registry of hospital admissions in patients aged ≥30 years during 2001–2008. Patients with NSTEMI as primary (88%), secondary (10%) or tertiary (2%) discharge diagnosis were included. Data was collected nationwide from all 22 hospitals with a coronary angiolaboratory. Results The study period included 48,584 NSTEMI admissions of which 55.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 54.6–56.0%) were of men and 44.7% (CI 44.1–45.3%) were of women, with age-adjusted relative risk of 1.86 (CI 1.60–2.16, p < 0.0001) for male gender. Female patients were significantly older than males (77.8 SD 10.2 vs. 70.2 SD 11.9 years, p < 0.0001). Standardized incidence rate of NSTEMI was 20.6 (CI 20.4–20.8)/10,000 person-years overall, 28.7 (CI 28.3–29.0)/10,000 in men and 15.0 (CI 14.7–15.2)/10,000 in women. Men had a 2.36-fold (CI 2.23–2.49; p < 0.0001) age-adjusted relative risk for NSTEMI compared with women, with highest risk difference in population under 40 years of age (relative risk 4.48; CI 3.10–6.48, p < 0.0001). Incidence increased with age by an estimated gender-adjusted increase rate of 61% (CI 59–62%; p < 0.0001) per five-year increase in age. Conclusions Men have a 2.4-fold overall risk for NSTEMI compared with women, with highest relative risk in young adults. Incidence rate of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction increases by an estimated 61% per five-year increase in age.
Microprocessor silicon debug based on failure propagation tracing

As the complexity of microprocessors increases, the design and bring-up times have significantly increased, negatively impacting the time-to-market (TTM) requirements. In this paper, a backtracing methodology for identifying the root cause of functional failures on the UltraSPARCtrade family of processors is presented. Data provided by a scan dump analysis methodology is linked not only to the design database but also to the failing test in order to isolate one or several candidates for further analysis
[The dynamic changes in endogenous hydrogen sulfide pathway at the early stage of pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary flow in rats].

AIM To explore the time-dependent changes of endogenous hydrogen sulfide system at the early stage of pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary flow in rats. METHODS Eighty male SD rats, whose weight ranged 140 - 160 g, were randomly divided into control group (n = 40) and shunt group (n = 40). Rats in shunt group were subjected to an abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava shunt to create an animal model of high pulmonary flow. After 1 d, 3 d, 1 week, 4 week and 8 weeks of experiment, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) of each rat, the H2S of rat lung tissue and CSEmRNA of rat lung tissue were evaluated, respectively. RESULTS SPAP increased significantly as compared with those in control group in 1 week and 8 weeks of experiment. In contrast to control group, the H2S of rat lung tissue increased significantly on 3 d and in 4 weeks, respectively. Meanwhile, in contrast to control group, relative amount of CSE mRNA of lung tissues elevated significantly on 3 d and in 4 weeks, respectively. Moreover, SPAP and the H2S of rat lung tissue, the CSE mRNA of rat lung tissue correlated negatively in 1 week, 4 weeks and 8 weeks of experiment. CONCLUSION Animal model of rats with high pulmonary blood flow exhibited pulmonary hypertension. Lung tissue H2S and CSE mRNA of rats exhibited double peaks within 8 weeks. These results revealed that endogenous H2S system might be relevant with the development of pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow, and probably, it played a protective role in the regulation of pulmonary hypertension, especially, at its early stage.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION GRADES II AND III MENINGIOMAS ARE RARE IN THE CRANIAL BASE AND SPINE

OBJECTIVEThis study was undertaken to assess a possible relationship between the tumor location and the incidence of World Health Organization (WHO) Grades II and III meningiomas. METHODSA retrospective review of 794 consecutive patients who underwent meningioma resection between January 1991 and March 2004 was conducted. Among these, 47 patients (5.9%) with WHO Grade II meningiomas and 16 patients (2%) with Grade III meningiomas were further analyzed. Tumor location was assessed using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans and/or operative reports. Histological grading was done according to the WHO 2000 Classification scheme. RESULTSWHO Grade II tumors were found in eight out of 289 (2.8%) cranial base meningiomas and in zero spinal meningiomas, compared with 39 out of 429 (9.1%) non-cranial base meningiomas. Grade III histology was encountered in two (0.7%) cranial base tumors and in one out of 76 (1.3%) spinal tumors, compared with 13 (3%) non-cranial base tumors. The combined incidence of Grades II and III meningiomas was significantly lower in the cranial base (3.5%) and spinal (1.3%) locations compared with non-cranial base locations (12.1%) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONWHO Grades II and III meningiomas occur far less frequently in the cranial base and spinal locations. Tumors arising from these locations may have different mechanisms of tumorigenesis and/or progression compared with meningiomas arising from other (non-cranial base) regions.
Interaction mode between catalytic and regulatory subunits in glucosidase II involved in ER glycoprotein quality control

The glycoside hydrolase family 31 (GH31) α‐glucosidases play vital roles in catabolic and regulated degradation, including the α‐subunit of glucosidase II (GIIα), which catalyzes trimming of the terminal glucose residues of N‐glycan in glycoprotein processing coupled with quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Among the known GH31 enzymes, only GIIα functions with its binding partner, regulatory β‐subunit (GIIβ), which harbors a lectin domain for substrate recognition. Although the structural data have been reported for GIIα and the GIIβ lectin domain, the interaction mode between GIIα and GIIβ remains unknown. Here, we determined the structure of a complex formed between GIIα and the GIIα‐binding domain of GIIβ, thereby providing a structural basis underlying the functional extension of this unique GH31 enzyme.