Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hexakis(acetonitrile-κN)ruthenium(II) bis(hexabromocarbadodecaborate) acetonitrile solvate

The title compound, [Ru(NCCH3)6](CH6B11Br6)2·CH3CN, consists of the ’naked’ ruthenium(II) cation surrounded by six acetonitrile molecules, each coordinated via the nitrogen atoms in a linear or nearly-linear fashion in a typical octahedral over-all arrangement. The cation is balanced by the two hexa-bromocarborane cage anionic fragments [CB11H6Br6]. Weak C—H⋯Br and B—H⋯Br interactions link neighboring anions.
An enhanced mixed norm error criterion adaptive filtering algorithm for sparse channel estimation

Mixed norm error (MNE) criterion has been successfully used to develop adaptive filtering algorithms. Recently, adaptive filter algorithms based on MNE has an excellent performance for system identification, including channel estimation. In this paper, an enhanced sparse mixed l2 and lp norm error criterion algorithm is proposed by the use of a soft parameter function to modify the basic cost function of l2 and lp algorithm to generate a desired zero attractor. The proposed sparse MNE algorithm can well explore the essential sparsity in multi-path wireless channel because of the designed zero attractor. The proposed sparse MNE algorithm is analyzed and mathematically derived in detail. Simulation examples are presented to verify its behavior via a sparse wireless multi-path channel. Additionally, we will also investigate the parameter affects on the proposed algorithm. The obtained results confirm that the excellent behavior of the proposed sparse MNE algorithm is achieved in terms of both convergence and steady-state error in comparison with the LMS/F, L2LP and their corresponding sparse algorithms.
Two-Year Evaluation of Borrelia burgdorferi Culture and Supplemental Tests for Definitive Diagnosis of Lyme Disease

ABSTRACT Lyme disease is usually diagnosed and treated based on clinical manifestations. However, laboratory testing is useful for patients with confusing presentations and for validation of disease in clinical studies. Although cultivation of Borrelia burgdorferi is definitive, prior investigations have shown that no single test is optimal for Lyme disease diagnosis. We applied high-volume blood culture, skin biopsy culture, PCR, and serodiagnosis to a cohort of patients with suspected Lyme disease acquired in Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. The study was performed to confirm the relative utility of culture and to identify laboratory testing algorithms that will supplement clinical diagnosis. Overall, 30 of 86 patients (35%) were culture positive, whereas an additional 15 of 84 (18%) were seropositive only (51% total sero- and culture positive), and PCR on skin biopsy identified 4 additional patients who were neither culture nor seropositive. Among 49 laboratory test-positive patients, the highest sensitivity (100%) for diagnosis was obtained when culture, skin PCR, and serologic tests were used, although serologic testing with skin PCR was almost as sensitive (92%). Plasma PCR was infrequently positive and provided no additional diagnostic value. Although culture is definitive and has a relatively high sensitivity, the results required a mean of 3.5 weeks to recovery. The combination of acute-phase serology and skin PCR was 75% sensitive, offering a practical and relatively rapid alternative for confirming clinical impression. The full battery of tests could be useful for patients with confusing clinical signs or for providing strong laboratory support for clinical studies of Lyme disease.
The Binding Protein BiP Attenuates Stress-Induced Cell Death in Soybean via Modulation of the N-Rich Protein-Mediated Signaling Pathway1[C][W][OA]

The molecular chaperone binding protein (BiP) participates in the constitutive function of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and protects the cell against stresses. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanism by which BiP protects plant cells from stress-induced cell death. We found that enhanced expression of BiP in soybean (Glycine max) attenuated ER stress- and osmotic stress-mediated cell death. Ectopic expression of BiP in transgenic lines attenuated the leaf necrotic lesions that are caused by the ER stress inducer tunicamycin and also maintained shoot turgidity upon polyethylene glycol-induced dehydration. BiP-mediated attenuation of stress-induced cell death was confirmed by the decreased percentage of dead cell, the reduced induction of the senescence-associated marker gene GmCystP, and reduced DNA fragmentation in BiP-overexpressing lines. These phenotypes were accompanied by a delay in the induction of the cell death marker genes N-RICH PROTEIN-A (NRP-A), NRP-B, and GmNAC6, which are involved in transducing a cell death signal generated by ER stress and osmotic stress through the NRP-mediated signaling pathway. The prosurvival effect of BiP was associated with modulation of the ER stress- and osmotic stress-induced NRP-mediated cell death signaling, as determined in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) lines with enhanced (sense) and suppressed (antisense) BiP levels. Enhanced expression of BiP prevented NRP- and NAC6-mediated chlorosis and the appearance of senescence-associated markers, whereas silencing of endogenous BiP accelerated the onset of leaf senescence mediated by NRPs and GmNAC6. Collectively, these results implicate BiP as a negative regulator of the stress-induced NRP-mediated cell death response.
Direct Colorimetric Assay for Rapid Detection of Rifampin-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ABSTRACT The colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was standardized for direct detection of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum samples. The sensitivity and specificity of the direct MTT assay matched those of the standard indirect susceptibility assay on 7H10 medium, and interpretable results were obtained for 98.5% of the samples within 2 weeks. Traditional methods of in vitro drug susceptibility testing are time consuming and laborious. Susceptibility tests on clinical isolates require 6 to 9 weeks, and tests conducted directly on smear-positive samples take about 3 weeks (International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, The public health service national tuberculosis reference laboratory and the national laboratory network. Minimum requirements, role and operation in a low-income country, Paris, France, 1998, and P. T. Kent and G. P. Kubica, Public health mycobacteriology. A guide for the level III laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga., 1985). More-rapid methods are available but are very expensive for routine use under program conditions in countries with high levels of tuberculosis endemicity.
Inpatient management of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Does choice of insulin regimen really matter?

Objective: To assess inpatient management of non-critically ill type 2 diabetics with different insulin regimen. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all non-critically ill type 2 diabetic patients more than 18 years of age in medical department of civil hospital Karachi and Dow University of Health Sciences from January 2011 to December 2012. We collected the data from case records in data collection sheets that fulfill the inclusion criteria and divided the study subjects into three groups according to insulin regimen they received. Results: A total of 416 patients were analyzed out of which 220 were male. Subjects were divided into three groups according to insulin regimen they received. Majority were put on sliding scale of insulin (44.7%), while 33.1% and 22.1% subjects received basal bolus and pre-mixed insulin regimen respectively. Patients treated with basal bolus regimen had greater improvement in glycaemic control with short duration of hospital stay as compared to other two groups. The mean hyperglycaemic events were higher in sliding scale group while mean hypoglycaemic events were higher in basal bolus group. Conclusion: In non-critically ill type 2 diabetic patients the basal bolus regimen is superior to sliding and pre-mixed insulin regimen. Sliding scale should be discouraged in non-critically ill type 2 diabetic patients.
A 0.026mm2 5.3mW 32-to-2000MHz digital fractional-N phase locked-loop using a phase-interpolating phase-to-digital converter

Recent innovations in semiconductor processes have accelerated the transition from analog circuits to their digital counterparts, with digital PLLs (DPLLs) being an example of this trend [1]. All-digital or fully synthesizable approaches, which exploit the merits of advanced processes, suffer from poor noise performance and high power consumption [2]. On the other hand, hybrid approaches, which employ analog components such as digital-to-analog converters (DACs), digital-to-time converters, phase interpolators (PIs) and regulators, have the typical difficulties associated with analog circuits, such as low output resistance, small voltage headroom and large variation. In this paper, we propose a highly digital architecture for a DPLL - one which minimizes the design effort typically required for analog circuits. The power and area-consuming circuits in prior works are replaced by power and area-efficient circuits with competitive performance. For example, a conventional time-to-digital converter (TDC) usually occupies considerable chip area in order to maximize input dynamic range with precise resolution [1]. Instead, in this work, a time-windowed phase-to-digital converter using interpolated DCO phases as a phase reference is adopted. In addition, conventional synchronous counters in the feedback path drastically increase the power consumption. Furthermore, retiming of data from the TDC is unavoidable due to the meta-stability of the sampling flip-flops [1]. The proposed divider scheme, which is composed of a multi-modulus frequency divider and a dead-zone-free phase and frequency detector (PFD), eliminates the need for a synchronous counter and retiming circuits. A calibration-free ΔΣ modulator (DSM) noise canceller is also included.
Catalytic Mechanism of S-type Phycobiliprotein Lyase

The phycobilin:cysteine 84-phycobiliprotein lyase, CpcS1, catalyzes phycocyanobilin (PCB) and phycoerythrobilin (PEB) attachment at nearly all cysteine 82 binding sites (consensus numbering) of phycoerythrin, phycoerythrocyanin, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin (Zhao, K. H., Su, P., Tu, J. M., Wang, X., Liu, H., Plöscher, M., Eichacker, L., Yang, B., Zhou, M., and Scheer, H. (2007) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 104, 14300–14305). We now show that CpcS1 binds PCB and PEB rapidly with bi-exponential kinetics (38/119 and 12/8300 ms, respectively). Chromophore binding to the lyase is reversible and much faster than the spontaneous, but low fidelity chromophore addition to the apo-protein in the absence of the lyase. This indicates kinetic control by the enzyme, which then transfers the chromophore to the apo-protein in a slow (tens of minutes) but stereo- and regioselectively corrects the reaction. This mode of action is reminiscent of chaperones but does not require ATP. The amino acid residues Arg-18 and Arg-149 of the lyase are essential for chromophore attachment in vitro and in Escherichia coli, mutations of His-21, His-22, Trp-75, Trp-140, and Arg-147 result in reduced activity (<30% of wild type in vitro). Mutants R147Q and W69M were active but had reduced capacity for PCB binding; additionally, with W69M there was loss of fidelity in chromophore attachment. Imidazole is a non-competitive inhibitor, supporting a bilin-binding function of histidine. Evidence was obtained that CpcS1 also catalyzes exchange of C-β84-bound PCB in biliproteins by PEB.
Subcellular localization of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy- and 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoyl-coenzyme A ligase(s) in rat liver.

Liver peroxisomes from both rat and humans have previously been shown to contain enzymes that catalyze the oxidative cleavage of the C27-steroid side chain in the formation of bile acids. It has not been clear, however, whether the initial step, formation of the CoA-esters of the 5 beta-cholestanoic acids, also occurs in these organelles. In the present work the subcellular localization of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoyl-CoA (THCA-CoA) ligase (THCA-CoA synthetase) and of 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoyl-CoA (DHCA-CoA) ligase in rat liver has been investigated. Main subcellular fractions and peroxisome-rich density gradient fractions from rat liver were incubated with THCA or DHCA, CoA, ATP, and Mg2+. Formation of THCA-CoA and DHCA-CoA was determined after high pressure liquid chromatography of the incubation extracts. The microsomal fraction contained the highest specific (and also relative specific) activity both for the formation of THCA-CoA and DHCA-CoA. The rates of THCA-CoA formation were further increased from 124-159 nmol/mg.hr-1 in crude microsomal fractions to 184-220 nmol/mg.hr-1 when studied in purified rough endoplasmic reticulum fractions. Formation of THCA-CoA in peroxisomal fractions prepared in Nycodenz density gradients could be accounted for by a small contamination (3-7%) by microsomal protein. The distribution of THCA-CoA ligase was different from that of palmitoyl-CoA ligase that was found to be localized also to the peroxisomal fractions.
Isolation and molecular characterization of a novel broad‐host‐range plasmid from Bordetella bronchiseptica with sequence similarities to plasmids from Gram‐positive organisms

A 2.6kb plasmid, named pBBR1, was isolated from Bordetella bronchiseptica S87. After insertion of an antibiotic resistance marker, this plasmid could be transferred into Escherichia coli, Bordetella pertussis, B. bronchiseptica, Vibrio cholerae, Rhizobium meliloti, and Pseudomonas putida by transformation or conjugation. Conjugation was possible only when the IncP group transfer functions were provided in trans. As shown by incompatibility testing, pBBR1 does not belong to the broad‐host‐range IncP, IncQ or IncW groups. DNA sequence analysis revealed two open reading frames: one was called Rep, involved in replication of the plasmid, and the other, called Mob, was involved in mobilization. Both the amino‐termtnal region of Mob and its promoter region show sequence similarities to Mob/Pre proteins from plasmids of Gram‐positive bacteria. In spite of these sequence similarities, pBBR1 does not replicate via the rolling‐circle mechanism commonly used by small Gram‐positive plasmids. We therefore speculate that pBBR1 may combine a mobilization mechanism of Gram‐positive organisms with a replication mechanism of Gram‐negative organisms. Determination of the plasmid copy number in E. coli and B. pertussis indicated that pBBR1 has a rather high copy number, which, in conjunction with its small size and broad host range, renders it paricularly interesting for studies of broad‐host‐range replicons and for the development of new cloning vectors for a wide range of Gram‐negative bacteria.
Addressing the Needs of 21st-Century Teachers Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners.

Preparing mainstream classroom teachers to work with culturally and linguistically diverse learners is a growing concern in education as more and more schools host increasing numbers of students whose primary language is not English. Unfortunately, significant numbers of teachers have had little preparation for working with these diverse learners and feel ill equipped to support their academic development. This mixed-methods case study explores the longitudinal impact of a professional-development program designed to increase teachers’ knowledge of second language acquisition and of appropriate instructional practices for supporting English language learners (ELLs). Findings suggest that participation in the program had a positive effect on participants’ knowledge of language and literacy acquisition, their ability to plan and manage instruction for ELLs, their understanding of appropriate assessment for ELLs, and their classroom practice. A year later, though focal participants claimed maintenance, these effects were only marginally present in their classroom practice.
UDP-galactofuranose Precursor Required for Formation of the Lipopolysaccharide O Antigen of Klebsiella pneumoniae Serotype O1 Is Synthesized by the Product of the rfbDKPO1 Gene*

The O-side-chain polysaccharide in the lipopolysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae O1 is based on a backbone structure of repeat units of [→3)-β-D-Galf-(1→3)-α-D-Galp-(1→]; this structure is termed D-galactan I. The rfb (O-antigen biosynthesis) gene cluster directs the synthesis of D-galactan I and consists of six genes termed rfbA-FKPO1. In this paper we show that rfbDKPO1 encodes a UDP-galactopyranose mutase (NAD(P)H-requiring) (EC 5.4.99.9), which forms uridine 5′-(trihydrogen diphosphate) P′-α-D-galactofuranosyl ester (UDP-Galf), the biosynthetic precursor of galactofuranosyl residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of rfbDKPO1 shows 85% and 37.5% identity to the rfbDKPO8 gene of K. pneumoniae serotype O8 and the glf gene of Escherichia coli, respectively. The molecular mass of the purified RfbDKPO1 enzyme is 45 kDa as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, while gel filtration revealed a molecular mass of 92 kDa, suggesting a dimeric structure for the native protein. The rfbDKPO1 gene product interconverts uridine 5′-(trihydrogen diphosphate) P′-α-D-galactopyranosyl ester (UDP-Galp) and UDP-Galf Unlike Glf, RfbDKPO1 showed a requirement for NADH or NADPH, which could not be replaced by NAD or NADP. RfbDKPO1 was used to synthesize milligram quantities of UDP-Galf, allowing this compound to be purified and fully characterized in an intact form for the first time. The structure of UDP-Galf was proven by NMR spectroscopy.
Behavioral Finance Beyond the Markets: A Real-Time Case Study of Russia's Military Resurgence

Socionomic theory proposes that social mood manifests across the spectrum of social behavior, from the movements of stock market indexes to the leaders we elect to the songs we choose to hear and even to changes in the social propensity toward peace or war. This case study tracks a real-time socionomic analysis of the Russian Trading System Index and Russia's military resurgence from 2007 to 2016. It illustrates the utility of the theory for anticipating the character of social actions that express swings in social mood.
Quantifying Changes in EEG Complexity Induced by Photic Stimulation

Summary Objectives: This study aims to characterize EEG complexity, measured as the prediction error resulting from nonlinear prediction, in healthy humans during photic stimulation. Methods: EEGs were recorded from 15 subjects with eyes closed (EC) and eyes open (EO), during the baseline condition and during stroboscopic photic stimulation (PS) at 5, 10, and 15 Hz. The mean squared prediction error (MSPE) resulting from nearest neighbor local linear prediction was taken as complexity index. Complexity maps were generated interpolating the MSPE index over a schematic scalp representation. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that: i) EEG shows good predictability in all conditions and seems to be well explained by a linear stochastic process; ii) the complexity is lower with EC than with EO and increases significantly during PS, to a lesser extent during 10 Hz stimulation; iii) significant differences of EEG complexity are detectable between anterior-central and posterior scalp regions. Conclusions: Changes in EEG complexity during PS can be successfully assessed using nonlinear prediction. The observed modifications in the patterns of complexity seem to reflect neurophysiological behaviors and suggest future applicability of the method in clinical settings.
Optimal time allocation for dynamic-TDMA-based wireless powered communication networks

In this paper, we consider a wireless communication network with a hybrid access point (HAP) and a set of wireless users with energy harvesting capabilities. The HAP is assumed to have two antennas: one for transferring wireless energy in the downlink and one for receiving wireless information in the uplink. Without fixed energy sources, users first have to harvest energy from the wireless signals broadcast by the HAP, and then using the harvested energy to transmit their individual information to the HAP through dynamic-time-division-multiple-access (D-TDMA). We investigate the optimal time allocation to maximize the throughput of the proposed system subject to a total time constant. The formulated throughput maximization problem is proved to be a convex optimization problem. By using convex optimization techniques, the optimal time allocation strategy is obtained in closed-form expression. We show that the optimal time allocation can be obtained with linear complexity. It is then shown by simulations that the total throughput of the network increases with the number of users. It is also shown by simulations that the users with low SNR should be scheduled to transmit first.
Air Pollution, Social Deprivation, and Mortality: A Multilevel Cohort Study

Background: It is becoming increasingly evident that exposure to air pollution and its adverse effects are not equitably distributed. Our goal was to investigate the role of social deprivation in explaining the effect of neighborhood differences in level of air pollution fine particulates (PM2.5) on mortality when the indicators of social deprivation are measured at both individual level and at neighborhood level. Methods: All inhabitants registered in Oslo, Norway on 1 January 1992 in the age group 50–74 years (n = 105,359) constitute the study base. We used an air dispersion model (AirQUIS) to estimate levels of exposure in the period 1992–1995 in all 470 administrative neighborhoods. These data were linked to Census, educational, and death registries. Deaths were recorded in the period 1992–1998. Main Results: PM2.5 was associated with most neighborhood-level indicators of deprivation, as was most clearly seen for type of dwelling and ownership of dwelling. The effect of PM2.5 on mortality was to some extent explained by these indicators independently of the corresponding individual-level indicators. Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest that socially deprived neighborhoods have higher exposure to air pollution. Deprivation at both the individual and neighborhood level is associated with air pollution, accounting for some of the excess mortality associated with air pollution in these neighborhoods.
Extrinsic rewards in family businesses: Perspectives of nonfamily employees

The rewards employees receive in exchange for their labour play an important role in influencing their levels of job satisfaction and organisational commitment, and ultimately in retaining their services. The issues surrounding rewards are, however, complex in the field of family business. The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of selected extrinsic rewards, namely, compensation, promotion opportunities and job security, on the levels of job satisfaction and ultimately on the levels of organisational commitment of nonfamily employees working in family businesses. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the hypothesised relationships, and the results show that compensation and job security are significantly and positively related to job satisfaction. Job satisfaction was found to be significantly and positively related to organisational commitment and also found to act as a mediator between these extrinsic rewards and organisational commitment. Establishing the perspectives that nonfamily employees have of the rewards given to them by the family businesses in which they work, provides family business owners with valuable insights into attracting and retaining this valuable stakeholder group.