Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CORRELATIONS AMONG ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY AND SERUM DRUG LEVEL IN MAJOR DEPRESSION: PREDICTION OF RESPONSIVENESS TO ANTIDEPRESSANT TREATMENT

Objective: To examine the correlations among electroencephalography and serum drug level parameters to predict the responsiveness to antidepressant treatment in patients with major depression. Methods: Subjects received sertraline, 50 mg daily, for four weeks. On the first day before the initiation of treatment, 1 hour and 3 hour afterwards oral sertraline ingestion, on the 7th day and on the 4th week of treatment, all patients underwent assessments using electroencephalography. One hour and 3 hours after oral ingestion of 50 mg oral sertraline, serum drug level was measured. Serum drug level measurement was repeated on the 7th day and on the 4th week of the treatment. Depression was rated using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) while anxiety was rated using Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS) obtained before treatment (at baseline), on the 7th day and on the 4th week of the treatment. Results: A significant decrease in theta activity at the 1st hour electroencephalography after single dose of sertraline ingestion was examined. A significant alpha decrease after 7 days of sertraline treatment and beta activity decrease after 4 weeks of sertraline treatment were observed on electroencephalography measures. Conclusion: These findings support that the use of electroencephalography measures have the value of predicting treatment outcome in depression. If these results will be replicated in other studies, usage of electroencephalography and serum drug levels may become a useful biomarker for predicting treatment outcome in major depressive disorder. Key words: electroencephalography, major depressive disorder, predictors of treatment response, serum drug level
Robust decentralized global asymptotic tracking control of a class of nonlinear mechanical systems

In this paper, a RISE type of tracking controllers for a class of nonlinear mechanical systems is proposed. The proposed chattering-free controller provides global asymptotic tracking in the presence of external disturbances. The proof of global asymptotic stability is based on a novel approach to the construction of a Lyapunov function which is parameterized by a time-varying function of reference and disturbance vector. The explicit conditions on the controller gains to ensure global asymptotic tracking are obtained. The simulation results on a system of three inverted pendulums interconnected by two springs illustrate the performances of the proposed controller.
Indole signalling and (micro)algal auxins decrease the virulence of Vibrio campbellii, a major pathogen of aquatic organisms

Vibrios belonging to the Harveyi clade are major pathogens of marine vertebrates and invertebrates, causing major losses in wild and cultured organisms. Despite their significant impact, the pathogenicity mechanisms of these bacteria are not yet completely understood. In this study, the impact of indole signalling on the virulence of Vibrio campbellii was investigated. Elevated indole levels significantly decreased motility, biofilm formation, exopolysaccharide production and virulence to crustacean hosts. Indole furthermore inhibited the three-channel quorum sensing system of V. campbellii, a regulatory mechanism that is required for full virulence of the pathogen. Further, indole signalling was found to interact with the stress sigma factor RpoS. Together with the observations that energy-consuming processes (motility and bioluminescence) are downregulated, and microarray-based transcriptomics demonstrating that indole decreases the expression of genes involved in energy and amino acid metabolism, the data suggest that indole is a starvation signal in V. campbellii. Finally, it was found that the auxins indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-acetamide, which were produced by various (micro)algae sharing the aquatic environment with V. campbellii, have a similar effect as observed for indole. Auxins might, therefore, have a significant impact on the interactions between vibrios, (micro)algae and higher organisms, with major ecological and practical implications.
Development of epoxy/BN composites with high thermal conductivity and sufficient dielectric breakdown strength partI - sample preparations and thermal conductivity

The aim of this research is to find a way to achieve the epoxy composites with both high thermal conductivity and acceptable dielectric breakdown (BD) strength. As high thermal conductivity, low permittivity and low thermal expansion coefficient of filler can endow composite with higher thermal conductivity, higher BD strength and lower thermal expansion coefficient respectively, BN (boron nitride) with high thermal conductivity, low permittivity and low thermal expansion coefficient was adopted as main filler in the research. Thermal conductivity was investigated in this part. The BD strength of samples will be discussed in Part II. Neat epoxy and other 25 kinds of epoxy/BN composites were prepared by a hot press method. Most of BN fillers were surface modified with silane coupling agent through ethanol/water reflux method to improve thermal conductivity. The values of 2.91 W/m·K, 3.95 W/m·K and 10.1 W/m·K as thermal conductivity were obtained for the composites that was single-loaded with h-BN(hexagonal boron nitride), c-BN (cubic boron nitride) or conglomerated h-BN, respectively. They were further improved to 5.26 W/m·K, 5.94 W/m·K and 12.3 W/m·K, respectively, by adding extra smaller A1N (aluminum nitride) to fill the voids in sample. Thermal conductivity of samples changes with the ratio of c-BN and h-BN when c-BN and h-BN were co-loaded. A value of 5.74 W/m·K as maximum was obtained at their ratio of 1 to 1 when total filler content is 80 wt%. A much higher value of 7.69 W/m·K was obtained by adding extra AIN. From the experiment data, it is concluded that the filler orientation in vertical direction of sample surface and the decrease of voids in sample are very important to obtain high thermal conductivity, and that the filler surface modification is also necessary to improve thermal conductivity especially for epoxy/c-BN composites, and addition of nano silica in small amount can also increase thermal conductivity if sample is prepared appropriately.
Symétrie des chocs touchant les régions canadiennes et choix d'un régime de change

Dans la presente etude, les auteurs tentent de verifier si le principal avantage du taux de change flexible entre le Canada et les Etats-Unis, qui est de permettre un ajustement rapide du taux de change reel apres un choc asymetrique, se manifeste autant sur le plan regional que sur le plan national. Pour ce faire, ils essaient de determiner si les chocs subis par les differentes regions canadiennes ont une composante commune significative et surtout si celle-ci est plus importante que la composante commune aux chocs subis par les Etats-Unis. Dans une premiere etape, ils identifient dans les diverses regions canadiennes et aux Etats-Unis les chocs de demande reels et monetaires ainsi que les chocs d'offre, en imposant certaines restrictions aux effets que ces chocs peuvent avoir a long terme sur le niveau de la production, des prix et des encaisses reelles. Dans une deuxieme etape, a partir de l'estimation d'un modele d'espace d'etat, les auteurs identifient, pour chacune des regions ainsi que pour les chocs reels d'offre et de demande examines separement, une composante commune a l'ensemble des regions canadiennes, une composante commune aux chocs americains et une composante specifique a chaque region. De facon generale, les resultats montrent que tous les types de chocs touchant les regions canadiennes sont statistiquement relies a la composante commune canadienne des chocs et que, dans plusieurs cas, celle-ci depasse en importance la composante specifique. De plus, la composante commune canadienne est toujours beaucoup plus importante que la composante commune aux chocs americains.
Real-time measurement of glucose concentration using position sensing detector

This study develops a high-precision, non-destructive measurement technique based on a PSD for determining the glucose concentration of a liquid solution from its refractive index. The optical metrology system is employed to measure the refractive indexes of samples with known glucose concentrations ranging from 10 ~ 100 g/l. By applying regressional analysis to the experimental results, an analytical expression is derived to describe the linear relationship between the refractive index and the glucose concentration. As the glucose concentration 50 g/l is applied, the error between the measured value of the refractive index and the analytically derived value is just 0.0004437627. An excellent agreement is observed between the experimentally determined values of the glucose concentration and the analytically predicted results.
N,N′-Bis[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide

In the title molecule, C21H13F6N3O2, the pyridine ring forms dihedral angles of 1.7 (1) and 5.2 (1)° with the two benzene rings. In the crystal structure, intermolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π⋯π interactions [centroid–centroid distance of 3.628 (3) Å between aromatic rings] link molecules into stacks along the c axis. The two trifluoromethyl groups are each rotationally disordered between two orientations, with occupancy ratios of 0.58 (1):0.42 (1) and 0.55 (1):0.45 (1).
Data privacy

Data privacy studies methods, tools, and theory to avoid the disclosure of sensitive information. Its origin is in statistics with the goal to ensure the confidentiality of data gathered from census and questionnaires. The topic was latter introduced in computer science and more particularly in data mining, where due to the large amount of data currently available, has attracted the interest of researchers, practitioners, and companies. In this paper we will review the main topics related to data privacy and privacy‐enhancing technologies.
The Antibiotic Activity of Violacein, Prodigiosin, and Phthiocol

in their action on trimethylamine oxide, whereas 4 were able to produce trimethylamine. Single strains of E. carnegieana and E. nimipressuralis had the property of reducing trimethylamine oxide. All of the Erwinia cultures, except E. carnegieana and E. nimipressuralis, failed to grow or remain viable under the conditions of the Eijkman test (glucose was substituted for lactose in the medium employed). These two Eijkman survivors, which were also trimethylamine-positive, are like Shigella alkalescens, S. dispar, and S. sonnei in respect to the Eijkman test and trimethylamine oxide reduction. With E. carotovora and E. aroideae, however, no correlation exists between the trimethylamine-positive strains and the ability to withstand the conditions of the Eijkman test. No comparative studies have been made between trimethylamine-positive and trimethylamine-negative strains of the latter two species. Nevertheless, the faculty to macerate carrot tissue is maintained by negative and positive isolates of both species. The existence of strains in the soft-rot group that have the power of reducing trimethylamine oxide preclude the use of the test in distinguishing these species from members of the genus Aerobacter.
Tumor-initiating cells are not enriched in cisplatin-surviving BRCA1;p53-deficient mammary tumor cells in vivo

Although many breast cancers respond to chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, lack of tumor eradication is a central clinical problem preceding the development of drug resistant tumors. Using the K14cre;Brca1F5-13/F5-13;p53F2-10/F2-10mouse model for hereditary breast cancer, we have previously studied responses of mammary tumors generated in to clinically relevant anti-cancer drugs, including cisplatin. The BRCA1- and p53-deficient tumors generated in this model are hypersensitive to cisplatin and never become resistant to this agent due to the large, irreversible deletion in Brca1. We show here that even dose-dense treatment with a maximum tolerated dose of cisplatin does not result in complete tumor eradication. To explain this result we have addressed the hypothesis that the lack of eradication of drug-sensitive tumors is due to increased in vivo chemotherapy resistance of tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Using the CD24 and CD49f cell surface markers which detect normal mouse mammary stem cells, we have identified tumor-initiating cells in BRCA1- and p53-deficient tumors. In addition to the "OLE_LINK14">Lin-/CD24+/CD49f+ subpopulation, we show that a larger population of Lin-/CD24+/CD49f- cells also has tumor-initiating capability in at least two serial orthotopic transplantations, suggesting that these are not more differentiated transit-amplifying cells. However, we did not find an enrichment of TICs in cisplatin-treated tumor remnants. We conclude that in this model the tolerance of the cisplatin-surviving cells cannot be attributed to special biochemical defense mechanisms of TICs.
Stability of discrete-time switched systems with admissible edge-dependent switching signals

ABSTRACT The problem of stability is studied in this paper for a class of discrete-time switched systems with unstable subsystems. Two new definitions of slow switching and fast switching on the basis of admissible edge-dependent average dwell time are proposed, respectively. Some conditions are established by using multiple Lyapunov function method to guarantee the global uniform exponential stability of discrete-time switched systems. Finally, a numerical example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed results.
On Communism and the Nation -Notes from the History of the Colonial Question in the Portuguese Communist Party

This article analyzes the positions adopted by the Portuguese Communist Party in relation to the colonial question. Before doing so, however, the article discusses the general problem of the national question in the history of the PCP, addressing some topics that are important for a discussion of communist historiography. This discussion is part of a larger debate concerning the analytical identification between nation and culture, on the one hand, and between politics and power, on the other. In dealing with these dichotomies, some topics are presented for discussion, relating to studies on both the Portuguese Empire and the Leninist theory of imperialism.
Accelerating and increasing nano-scaled pore formation on electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) fibers

Abstract Porous fibers are advantageous for filtration systems, drug delivery systems, and in the field of tissue engineering, in comparison to their non-porous counterparts. In this study, we developed a facile technique including two steps to generate poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) porous fibers with a controllable pore size. An electrospinning technique was employed to obtain five types of PHBV/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-blended fibers (PHBV:PEO = 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, 5:5) with PEO as the porogen. PEO was leached out by simulated body fluid (SBF) and water, respectively. The pore morphology and calcium deposition of the resulting fibers were compared to those formed on film through the SEM-EDX analysis. It was revealed that pore size and number increased with increasing PEO percentage in the fiber or film. The pore size on the films (at micrometer scale) was much larger than that of nanofibers, which was in the range of 70–120 nm. The simultaneous removal of PEO and deposition of calcium phosphate through SBF buffer enhanced synergistically both the pore formation and mineral deposition. The different phase separation mechanisms explain the different pore morphologies in the film and the nanofibers. The cellular experimental results show that fibers with nanometer-scale pores and minerals can enhance the proliferation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
Vγ9Vδ2 TCR‐activation by phosphorylated antigens requires butyrophilin 3 A1 (BTN3A1) and additional genes on human chromosome 6

Pyrophosphorylated metabolites of isoprenoid‐biosynthesis (phosphoantigens, PAgs) activate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells during infections and trigger antitumor activity. This activation depends on expression of butyrophilin 3 A1 (BTN3A1) by antigen‐presenting cells. This report defines the minimal genetic requirements for activation of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells by PAgs and mAb 20.1. We compared PAg‐presentation by BTN3A1‐transduced CHO hamster cells with that of CHO cells containing the complete human chromosome 6 (Chr6). BTN3A1 expression alone was sufficient for activation of Vγ9Vδ2 T‐cell receptor transductants by mAb 20.1. , while activation by PAgs also required the presence of Chr6. We take this finding as evidence that gene(s) on Chr6 in addition to BTN3A1 are mandatory for PAg‐mediated activation of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. This observation is important for the design of animal models for PAg‐mediated immune responses and provokes speculations about the analogy between genes controlling PAg presentation and MHC‐localized genes controlling peptide‐antigen presentation.
Gaucher's disease type 1: assessment of bone involvement by CT and scintigraphy.

The effectiveness of CT and technetium-99m sulfur colloid (99mTc SC) bone-marrow scans in determining the extent and severity of skeletal involvement in 23 patients with type 1 Gaucher's disease was compared with the effectiveness of conventional radiographic techniques and technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (99mTc MDP) bone scintigrams. Density measurements obtained by CT proved sensitive in differentiating normal marrow (-50 to -120 H). Scintigrams with the sulfur colloid nuclide demonstrated three distinct patterns of uptake: peripheral expansion of normal marrow (profile B), greater marrow expansion with patchy areas lacking uptake (profile C), and greater loss of uptake with retention of the nuclide in other reticuloendothelial organs and circulation (profile D). CT scans provided greater sensitivity in resolving the extent of marrow involvement in affected areas, while the 99mTc SC scintigrams were more effective in overall assessment of the severity of bone-marrow involvement. Both conventional radiographic techniques and 99mTc MDP bone scans were useful primarily as screening procedures or for evaluating specific involved areas. 99mTc MDP scans were useful in evaluating regional defects (i.e., ischemic necrosis) in certain cases, but no consistent patterns were observed. CT and 99mTc SC scans are useful for determining the extent and severity of Gaucher's disease involvement of bone marrow.
CAUSAL DIRECTIONALITY BETWEEN MOBILE PHONE DEPENDENCY AND MOBILE PHONE USE AMONG KOREAN ADOLESCENTS

As adolescents using mobile phone rapidly increase, the associated problems are also reported, one of which is mobile phone dependency. While several cross-sectional studies revealed the associations between mobile phone use and mobile phone dependency, little is known about the causal directions between the two variables. To examine the causality, this study developed and empirically tested a series of autoregressive cross-lagged models where prior mobile phone dependency predicts both subsequent mobile phone dependency and mobile phone use, and vice versa, using longitudinal data. The data of 1,148 adolescent mobile phone users from Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey of Grade 4 students who were followed for 6 years (2010-2015) were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results suggested that prior mobile phone dependency predicted subsequent mobile phone use, while prior mobile phone use didn’t predict subsequent mobile phone dependency. Empirical evidence was found for mobile phone dependency as a causal precedence to mobile phone use.
Rational Design of Amyloid Binding Agents Based on the Molecular Rotor Motif

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive function and constitutes the most common and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. [1] Genetic and clinical evidence supports the hypothesis that accumulation of amyloid deposits in the brain plays an important role in the pathology of the disease. This event is associated with perturbations of biological functions in the surrounding tissue leading to neuronal cell death, thus contributing to the disease process. The deposits are comprised primarily of amyloid (Aβ) peptides, a 39–43 amino acid sequence that self aggregates into a fibrillar β-pleated sheet motif. While the exact three-dimensional structure of the aggregated Aβ peptides is not known, a model structure that sustains the property of aggregation has been proposed. [2] This creates opportunities for in vivo imaging of amyloid deposits that can not only help evaluate the time course and evolution of the disease, but can also allow the timely monitoring of therapeutic treatments. [3]
Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain LCT-PA220, Which Was Selected after Space Flight by Using Biolog’s Powerful Carbon Source Utilization Technology

ABSTRACT To explore the changes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in space flight, we present the draft genome sequence of P. aeruginosa strain LCT-PA220, which originated from a P. aeruginosa strain, ATCC 27853, that traveled on the Shenzhou-VIII spacecraft.
News Media Tracking of Tobacco Control: A Review of Sampling Methodologies

ABSTRACT News media tracking can be used to understand the content of news coverage and quantify its influence on public opinion and the social environment. We hypothesize that a parsimonious sampling of public health news coverage can gather statistically equivalent information to capture a census of coverage. We tested two general approaches to sampling. First, we randomly selected articles within a timeframe. Second, we randomly selected dates during 2000. None of these strategies showed a substantial deviation from the 2000 census of articles. We conclude that sampling coverage can produce estimates statistically equivalent to a census. Researchers should utilize coverage sampling.
Baja movilidad social en Bolivia: Causas y consecuencias para el desarrollo

El presente documento investiga la movilidad social en Bolivia y discute sus implicaciones en la reduccion de la pobreza y crecimiento economico de largo plazo. Regresiones con base en la informacion de las encuestas de hogares muestran que la movilidad social es muy baja en Bolivia, inclusive con respecto a estandares latinoamericanos. Esto se debe principalmente a un sistema inadecuado de educacion publica, a la elevada corrupcion, a una conformacion selectiva de parejas y a una insuficiente migracion rural-urbana.Como consecuencia de ello, la pobreza tiende a ser persistente en el tiempo. Mas aun, una baja movilidad social implica tanto un uso ineficiente del talento innato como pobres incentivos para el trabajo y el estudio, lo que impide que la economia boliviana alcance su tasa de crecimiento potencial.