Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonrandom Association of IS6110 andMycobacterium tuberculosis: Implications for Molecular Epidemiological Studies

ABSTRACT IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism typing is now established as the primary typing method for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It has been assumed that the position of bands is random. Thus, the discrimination of the technique increases in proportion to the copy number. Two collections of M. tuberculosis were investigated to test this hypothesis. We identified 33 positions in isolates from a Tanzanian collection and 25 positions in isolates from a London, United Kingdom, collection where bands were significantly more likely to be present than would be expected by chance. These data suggest that band position is not random, and this possibility may have an impact on the interpretation of molecular epidemiological studies of M. tuberculosis.
Could 79 People Solarize the U.S. Electric Grid?

Although wealth inequality has many established negatives, this study investigates a potential positive, unprecedented wealth concentration makes it possible for solutions to large and seemingly intractable problems to be deployed by convincing a relatively small number of individuals to invest. In order to probe this potential outcome of inequality, this study quantifies the number of people necessary to radically reduce the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global climate destabilization from the U.S. electric grid, which is one of the largest sources of emissions. Specifically, this study determined that 1544 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology must be deployed to eliminate the use of fossil fuels on the U.S. electric grid, if PV is conservatively deployed as a function of population density. The results showed that only 79 American multi-billionaires would need to invest in PV. This investment would still leave each investor with a billion dollars of liquid assets as well as substantial long-term profits from PV. The analysis also concluded that 79 people is a conservative upper estimate of those that would need to be convinced of the usefulness of moving to a solar U.S. grid and that this estimate is likely to decrease further in the future.
Variable Block Carry Skip Logic using Reversible Gates

Reversible circuits have applications in digital signal processing, computer graphics, quantum computation and cryptography. In this paper, a generalized k*k reversible gate family is proposed and a 3*3 gate of the family is discussed. Inverter, AND, OR, NAND, NOR, and EXOR gates can be realized by this gate. Implementation of a full-adder circuit using two such 3*3 gates is given. This full-adder circuit contains only two reversible gates and produces no extra garbage outputs. The proposed full-adder circuit is efficient in terms of gate count, garbage outputs and quantum cost. A 4-bit carry skip adder is designed using this full-adder circuit and a variable block carry skip adder is discussed. Necessary equations required to evaluate these adder are presented.
Morphological and molecular discrimination of two closely related jellyfish species, Cyanea capillata and C. lamarckii (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa), from the northeast Atlantic

Detecting fluctuations in the species composition of bloom-forming jellyfish requires the ability to correctly identify each species in each developmental stage. We verified diagnostic morphological and molecular genetic characters to discriminate Cyanea lamarckii and Cyanea capillata from northern European waters. Intrusions in the subumbrellar muscle folds were present in all C. capillata > 80 mm r-diameter (between opposite rhopalia tips), but absent in C. lamarckii. Clearly visible wart-like papillae on the central exumbrella were present in all C. lamarckii > 10-80 mm r-diameter, but absent in C. capillata. Both morphological features were retained in formaldehyde-seawater (4%) preserved medusae which had shrunk by 12.8% (± 2.7%) after 1 year of preservation. Our molecular genetic analyses demonstrated that fragments of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear 18S rDNA clearly distinguished C. lamarckii from C. capillata, with intra- and inter-specific pairwise genetic distances of 0.0-1.5% and 15.5-17.0% (COI) and 0.0 and 0.2% (18S rDNA), respectively. The study revealed various bell colours in both species underlining that the identification based on the bell colours can result in misidentification. Our integrated taxonomic approach can help to correctly identify jellyfish species, which is fundamentally important for understanding the causes of jellyfish fluctuations and the development of jellyfish blooms.
Differences in portal flow rates of amino acids and liver composition between rats fed casein or lactalbumin

The portal appearance rates and net rates of amino acids’ absorption were studied in rats fed semi-synthetic diets containing either casein or lactalbumin (CAS and LA, respectively) as the only protein sources. Rats were pre-adapted to the experimental diets for 5 days prior to the absorption studies. Rats fed the LA diet had higher (p < 0.05) portal vein concentrations of free essential amino acids than those fed the CAS diet at 0, 60, 105 and 150 min after feeding. Portal and arterial concentrations of arginine, leucine, tryptophan, lysine and methionine were higher (p < 0.05) in rats fed LA at most time points tested, while concentrations of tyrosine were higher (p < 0.05) in CAS fed rats. When portal flow rates were compared, values for arginine, threonine, alanine, leucine, tryptophan and lysine were higher (p < 0.05) in LA at most time points tested, while proline, tyrosine and valine were higher (p < 0.05) for CAS fed rats after 60 and 105 min feeding. Portal blood flow varied (p < 0.05) with time in rats fed protein-free or LA diets, and was higher (p < 0.05) than that of CAS at 105 min. Intestinal net rates of absorption of tyrosine, valine, leucine and lysine were higher (p < 0.05) for LA fed rats as compared to those fed CAS at most time points tested, while alanine and proline net rates were higher (p < 0.05) for CAS fed rats at 60, 105 and 150 min. Amounts of protein in stomach contents of rats fed the CAS diet were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those in LA fed rats at 60, 105 and 150 min after feeding. The relative liver weight of the rats fed the CAS diet was lower (p < 0.05) than that of animals fed the LA diet. Lower (p < 0.05) liver glycogen and lipid contents were determined in rats fed CAS diet respect to LA or protein-free fed rats. Results indicate that dietary and plasma amino acids profile are only partially related, and that under normal feeding conditions amino acids from CAS and LA are absorbed at different rates, which is likely to affect liver composition and metabolism.
Current dietary supplement use of Australian military veterans of Middle East operations

Abstract Objective To assess patterns and levels of dietary supplement use among Australian Defence Forces, previously deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations. Design A cross-sectional study. Participants of a large survey self-completed questions about dietary supplement use, health status, personal and job-related characteristics, and lifestyle factors. Frequency of current use of supplements was assessed in three categories (bodybuilding, energy and weight loss). Setting Middle East Area of Operations post-deployment health survey. Subjects Current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel (n 14 032) who deployed to the Middle East between 2001 and 2009. Results Bodybuilding supplements were used by 17·5 % of participants, energy supplements by 24·5 % and weight-loss supplements by 7·6 %. Overall, 32·3 % of participants used any of these supplements. Bodybuilding and energy supplements were more often used by men, younger persons and those in the Army, while weight-loss supplements were more commonly used by women and Navy personnel. Supplements in all three categories were more commonly used by persons in lower ranks, active service and combat roles. Users of bodybuilding supplements had healthier lifestyles and better health status, while users of energy and weight-loss supplements had less healthy lifestyles and poorer mental and physical health status. Overall, 11·7 % of participants used supplements containing caffeine and 3·6 % used a creatine-containing product. Conclusions Use of dietary supplements among Australian Defence Force personnel is common, and patterned by lifestyle factors and health status.
Design methodology for a low-frequency current-starved voltage-controlled oscillator with a frequency divider

This paper presents a design methodology for a low-frequency oscillator which consists of a current-starved (CS) voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a frequency divider. The frequency divider is used to reduce frequency in an area efficient manner; achieving this by scaling up the sizes of VCO components is impractical for low frequency applications. We derive a model for the effective capacitance of a CSVCO so that design tradeoffs between area, power, and phase noise can be readily explored. The methodology supports optimization over these performance metrics, with adjustable weighting factors that emphasize their relative importance. Design examples in 0. 5μm CMOS technology with 3.3 V supply are presented.
The simple ultrastructure of the maize kinetochore fits a two-domain model

Light microscope observations suggest there are two discrete biochemical domains in the plant kinetochore, an inner domain containing structural proteins, and an outer domain containing proteins involved in motility. We analyzed the ultrastructure of maize meiotic kinetochores following high pressure freezing and freeze substitution, a method that provides excellent sample preservation. Data from meiosis II support previous descriptions of plant kinetochores as diffuse, nearly invisible domains, sometimes nesting in a cup of darkly staining chromatin. The ultrastructure is similar in meiosis I but there are two sister kinetochores that each protrude away from the chromosome and form their own distinct kinetochore fibers. Microtubules terminate within kinetochores where their ends are splayed in a cone-shaped configuration suggestive of microtubule disassembly. We could not detect any significant substructure within the kinetochore proper. We suggest that the diffuse structure classically defined as the kinetochore represents only the outer domain of a two-domain organelle. The inner domain, known to contain chromatin-binding proteins, probably extends into the electron-dense chromatin of the primary constriction.
Research on computer aided design of customized insoles

This paper put forward a framework of computer aided design system of customized insoles. We build a three dimensional model of the foot and insoles via scanning technology. Biomedical parameters were got by pressure distribution system Xsensor and gait analysis system Footscan. Then we get the boundary conditions of customized foot and insoles. The results of design show that the pressure in the customized insoles was reduced compared with which on the former insoles.
Strain differences in the dose–response relationship for morphine self-administration and impulsive choice between Lewis and Fischer 344 rats

Dose–response studies are thought to be a valuable tool to predict the most genetically drug-vulnerable individuals. However, dose–response curves for morphine self-administration have not yet been examined and nor strain differences might be evident. Therefore, this study aimed to define the dose–response curve for morphine self-administration (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) in Lewis (LEW) rats and their histocompatible Fischer-344 (F344) rats. In addition, impulsivity has been suggested as one of the genetic factors contributing most to the initiation of drug use. Therefore, the impulsive choice of both rat strains in the presence or absence of the same morphine doses was also analysed. LEW rats self-administered significantly more morphine whatever the dose tested and they exhibited greater basal impulsive choice compared with F344 rats. The F344 strain showed a preference for the dose of 0.5 mg/kg, while any of the doses used had a differential reinforcing effect in the LEW strain. The basal pattern of strain differences in impulsive choice was not affected by morphine administration. These data suggest that the LEW strain has a highly drug-vulnerable phenotype and they point to the strength of impulsivity as a pre-existing behavioural trait that might make this rat strain more vulnerable to the reinforcing effects of drugs and, therefore, to develop addiction.
A new approach to model the adoption of e-health

This paper presents a new model to understand the reasons why individuals would use new ICT (information and communication technologies) to perform a change in their lifestyle (i.e. an e-health application). Achieving a lifestyle change by the use of ICT is a multifold issue that can be broadly addressed by analyzing the individual's attitude towards both their willingness to change a health behavior and to do so by the use of ICT. Our work has been to develop a model that explains the different stages the user is at both in terms of the perception of healthcare and the use of technology to perform any change. Moreover, we have designed and implemented a set of questionnaires that assist us in placing the user at a stage in each of the paths in order to understand what personalized information needs to be provided according to the stage the user is at. This model proposes a general framework and it may be applied to the conception, design and evaluation of any e-health application. It allows enhancing the user modeling process by taking into account both health behavior aspects as well as technological, which up to this moment have not been taken into account and may be part of the explanation of some e-health application under utilization
Tobacco Use Treatment in Primary Care Patients with Psychiatric Illness

The prevalence of smoking is higher in patients with psychiatric illness compared with the general population. Smoking causes chronic illnesses, which lead to premature mortality in those with psychiatric illness, is associated with greater burden of psychiatric symptoms, and contributes to the social isolation experienced by individuals with psychiatric disorders. Most patients with a psychiatric illness present initially to primary care rather than specialty care settings, and some patients receive care exclusively in the primary care setting. Therefore, family physicians and other primary care clinicians have an important role in the recognition and treatment of tobacco use disorders in patients with psychiatric illnesses. In this article we review common myths associated with smoking and psychiatric illness, techniques for implementing evidence-based tobacco use treatments, the evidence base for tobacco use treatment for patients with specific psychiatric diagnoses, and factors to consider when treating tobacco use disorders in patients with psychiatric illness.
Topological deep learning algorithm with visual impression

We present in this paper a novel approach for training a topological deep neural network with visual impression. We show that by combing denoising auto-encoder model and contractive auto-encoder with Hessian regularization model, we can achieve a deterministic auto-encoder aiming for robustness to small variations of the input. We exploit the tangent propagation algorithm to show how our algorithm can capture the manifold structure of the visual impression and build a topological atlas of charts. Finally, we show that by using the learned features to initialize a deep network, we achieve superior classification with relatively smaller parameters than some other models.
A Service Evaluation of a 1-Year Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Programme for Women with Borderline Personality Disorder in a Low Secure Unit

Background: Previous studies about the effectiveness of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder have had promising results. However, no previous studies have examined its effectiveness when delivered in low secure inpatient services for women. Aims: To evaluate clinical outcomes during and after a 1-year period of admission within a low secure unit for women offering a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programme. Method: A naturalistic, within subjects study of clinical data collected as part of routine practice was conducted. Participants were18 consecutively admitted women who met the diagnostic criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder and had completed at least 1 year of treatment. Measures covered: risk behaviours; self-reported symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder, and current mood and symptom experience; staff reports of clinical problems, needs and social functioning. Scores were compared between admission and at 6 months and 1 year. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement on all 13 measures over the year's treatment. Most improvement was demonstrated between admission and 6 months. Conclusions: Engagement in1-year's treatment was associated with significant reduction in risk behaviours and both staff-rated and self-rated outcome measures. Some significant questions remain about which elements of the programme are most effective but the results are encouraging.
Variable probability based bidirectional RRT algorithm for UAV path planning

Since the traditional rapidly-exploring random tree connect (RRT-connect) algorithm cannot be applied to the problem of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) path planning directly, a variable probability based bidirectional RRT algorithm (VPB-RRT) is proposed. The restriction of the turning angle of UAV is joined in the process of generating random points of the programming algorithm, which makes the performance of the track satisfy the conditions for flight. By using this algorithm to identify the probability though rasterizing the planning space and importing the concept of coverage rate, track has been made to satisfy the respects of online time and accuracy of UAV path planning. Compared with the A* algorithm, traditional RRT algorithm and RRT-connect algorithm, the results show that VPB-RRT fully satisfies the requirements of online UAV path planning which with shorter time and higher accuracy.
FM‐AFM constant height imaging and force curves: high resolution study of DNA‐tip interactions

Interaction of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip with the sample can be invasive for soft samples. Frequency Modulation (FM) AFM is gentler because it allows scanning in the non‐contact regime where only attractive forces exist between the tip and the sample, and there is no sample compression. Recently, FM‐AFM was used to resolve the atomic structure of single molecules of pentacene and of carbon nanotubes. We are testing similar FM‐AFM‐based approaches to study biological samples. We present FM‐AFM experiments on dsDNA deposited on 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified mica in ultra high vacuum. With flexible samples such as DNA, the substrate flatness is a sub‐molecular resolution limiting factor. Non‐contact topographic images of DNA show variations that have the periodicity of the right handed helix of B‐form DNA – this is an unexpected result as dehydrated DNA is thought to assume the A‐form structure. Frequency shift maps at constant height allow working in the non‐monotonic frequency shift range, show a rich contrast that changes significantly with the tip‐sample separation, and show 0.2 to 0.4 nm size details on DNA. Frequency shift versus distance curves acquired on DNA molecules and converted in force curves show that for small molecules (height < 2.5 nm), there is a contribution to the interaction force from the substrate when the tip is on top of the molecules. Our data shine a new light on dehydrated and adsorbed DNA behavior. They show a longer tip‐sample interaction distance. These experiments may have an impact on nanotechnological DNA applications in non‐physiological environments such as DNA based nanoelectronics and nanotemplating. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevention of malrotation deformity in femoral shaft fracture.

OBJECTIVE To confirm the need to check anteversion (AV) of the intact femur to prevent malrotation deformity following intramedullary nailing in femoral shaft fracture. DESIGN Prospective. RESULTS Four patients out of forty-two (forty-three nailings) developed malrotation deformity of more than 15 degrees after femoral nailing. In the second part of the study, distal fragments of the fractured femurs were rotated 13.8 degrees on average to match with the rotational alignment of the intact femur. The malrotation deformity was controlled to less than 5 degrees in all cases. Closed reduction along the longitudinal axis of the femur was performed and was acceptable in forty-two cases (thirty-four cases in Part 1 of the study and eight cases in Part 2) prior to nailing. The coefficient of correlation between preoperative and postoperative AVs was 0.73 in these cases. CONCLUSION Because true neutral rotation of the distal fragment alone is not accurate in preventing malrotation deformity of the femur following intramedullary nailing, we recommend measuring AV in both intact and fractured femurs and correcting rotational malalignment if it exists at the time of femoral nailing. Rotational alignment did not change significantly unless we failed to externally reduce the fracture due to a flexion deformity of the proximal fragment.
Treatment of chronic phantom limb pain using a trauma-focused psychological approach.

BACKGROUND Chronic phantom limb pain (PLP) is a disabling chronic pain syndrome for which regular pain treatment is seldom effective. Pain memories resulting from long-lasting preamputation pain or pain flashbacks, which are part of a traumatic memory, are reported to be powerful elicitors of PLP. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether a psychological treatment directed at processing the emotional and somatosensory memories associated with amputation reduces PLP. METHODS Ten consecutive participants (six men and four women) with chronic PLP after leg amputation were treated with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Pain intensity was assessed during a two-week period before and after treatment (mean number of sessions = 5.9), and at short- (three months) and long-term (mean 2.8 years) follow-up. RESULTS Multivariate ANOVA for repeated measures revealed an overall time effect (F[2, 8]=6.7; P<0.02) for pain intensity. Pairwise comparison showed a significant decrease in mean pain score before and after treatment (P=0.00), which was maintained three months later. All but two participants improved and four were considered to be completely pain free at three months follow-up. Of the six participants available at long-term follow-up (mean 2.8 years), three were pain free and two had reduced pain intensity. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results suggest that, following a psychological intervention focused on trauma or pain-related memories, substantial long-term reduction of chronic PLP can be achieved. However, larger outcome studies are required.