Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automated classification of stellar spectra - I. Initial results with artificial neural networks

We have initiated a project to classify stellar spectra automatically from high-dispersion objective prism plates. The automated technique presented here is a simple backpropagation neural network, and is based on the visual classification work of Houk. The plate material (Houk's) is currently being digitized, and contains ≈ 105 stars down to V ≈ 11 at ≈ 2-A resolution from ≈ 3850 to 5150 A. For this first paper in the series we report on the results of 575 stars digitized from 6 plates. We find that even with the limited data set now in hand we can determine the temperature classification to better than 1.7 spectral subtypes from B3 to M4. Our current sample size provides insufficient training set material to generate luminosity and metallicity classifications. Our eventual aims in this project are (1) to create a large and homogeneous digital stellar spectral library; (2) to create a well-understood and robust automatic classification algorithm which can determine temperatures, luminosities and metallicities for a wide variety of spectral types; (3) to use these data, supplemented by deeper plate material, for the study of Galactic structure and chemical evolution; and (4) to find unusual or new classes of objects.
Inhibitory synaptic currents in rat cerebellar Purkinje cells: modulation by postsynaptic depolarization.

1. Synaptic currents were recorded in voltage‐clamped cerebellar Purkinje cells using the tight‐seal whole‐cell recording technique. Cells were dialysed with a CsCl solution and were held at ‐60 or ‐70 mV. Inhibitory interneurones (basket and stellate cells) were stimulated using an extracellular pipette positioned in the molecular layer. Blockers of excitatory glutamatergic synapses were included in the bath solution. 2. Evoked synaptic currents were observed after a latency of 3‐4 ms. The time course of synaptic currents could in most cases be fitted to a biexponential curve, with a rise time constant, tau on, of 1‐3 ms and a decay time constant, tau off, of 7‐13 ms. These currents were blocked by bicuculline. 3. The mean amplitude of evoked synaptic currents increased in discrete steps when the voltage applied to the stimulating pipette was increased. At each level, very prominent fluctuations of the amplitude were observed among trials. 4. Complex synaptic currents corresponding to repetitive activity of the presynaptic interneurone were occasionally observed, particularly with high intensity presynaptic stimulation. This repetitive activity could lead to bursts of synaptic currents lasting for several seconds. 5. Following a depolarizing voltage train in the postsynaptic Purkinje cell, the amplitude of evoked synaptic currents was first inhibited, and then potentiated. The inhibition was accompanied by a small but consistent increase in tau off and by no alteration in tau on. When using small intensity presynaptic stimuli, it was found that the probability of failures was greatly enhanced. The inhibitory phase lasted for about 1 min before giving way to potentiation. The potentiation returned to the control with a time to half‐decay of 12.9 +/‐ 0.9 min. 6. The present results give further evidence to a previously proposed hypothesis that the inhibition produced by Purkinje cell depolarization is mainly presynaptic. The longer lasting potentiation, on the other hand, has most probably a postsynaptic origin. Cerebellar Purkinje cells receive inhibitory GABAergic inputs from two classes of interneurones located in the molecular layer (reviewed in Palay & Chan‐Palay, 1974; Ito, 1984). Basket cells are closest to the Purkinje cell layer and address their inhibitory signal primarily to the soma and to the main dendrites. Stellate cells are more externally located and have contacts with the more distal part of the dendritic arborization of Purkinje cells. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Control of Human Telomere Length by TRF1 and TRF2

ABSTRACT Telomere length in human cells is controlled by a homeostasis mechanism that involves telomerase and the negative regulator of telomere length, TRF1 (TTAGGG repeat binding factor 1). Here we report that TRF2, a TRF1-related protein previously implicated in protection of chromosome ends, is a second negative regulator of telomere length. Overexpression of TRF2 results in the progressive shortening of telomere length, similar to the phenotype observed with TRF1. However, while induction of TRF1 could be maintained over more than 300 population doublings and resulted in stable, short telomeres, the expression of exogenous TRF2 was extinguished and the telomeres eventually regained their original length. Consistent with their role in measuring telomere length, indirect immunofluorescence indicated that both TRF1 and TRF2 bind to duplex telomeric DNA in vivo and are more abundant on telomeres with long TTAGGG repeat tracts. Neither TRF1 nor TRF2 affected the expression level of telomerase. Furthermore, the presence of TRF1 or TRF2 on a short linear telomerase substrate did not inhibit the enzymatic activity of telomerase in vitro. These findings are consistent with the recently proposed t loop model of telomere length homeostasis in which telomerase-dependent telomere elongation is blocked by sequestration of the 3′ telomere terminus in TRF1- and TRF2-induced telomeric loops.
Multisystemic Treatment of Serious Behaviour Problems in Youth: Sustainability of Effectiveness Two Years after Intake.

BACKGROUND Multisystemic Treatment (MST) is an intensive home- and community based intervention for youths with serious behaviour problems. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of MST compared to 'regular services' (RS) two years after intake to treatment. In particular, our goals were to investigate whether MST was successful at preventing placement out of home, and to examine reductions in behaviour problems in multi-informant assessments. METHOD Participants were 75 adolescents who were randomly assigned to MST or Regular Child Welfare Services (RS) at 3 sites across Norway. Data were gathered from youths, caregivers and teachers. RESULTS MST was more effective than RS in reducing out of home placement and behavioural problems. DISCUSSION The sustainability of treatment effects was evident, supporting the MST approach to the treatment of serious behavioural problems in youth. Site differences and the moderating effects of age and gender are discussed.
Complementation of the growth defect of an RNPA49 mutant of Escherichia coli by overexpression of arginine tRNACCG

We previously found that overexpression of arginine tRNACCG from Brevibacterium albidum complements the rnpA49 mutation, which is responsible for the thermosensitivity of Escherichia coli RNase P function. In this present work, we show that the E. coli homologue tRNA also complements the same mutation, but other tRNAs do not. These results suggest that the rnpA49 mutation causes a major cellular defect in an RNase P reaction to generate the mature arginine tRNACCG.
Demand-Side Management ICT for Dynamic Wireless EV Charging

Dynamic wireless charging of electric vehicles (EVs) aims at increasing EV range and reducing battery size and associated costs. Moreover, it minimizes the need for recharging stops, thus increasing travel comfort. As electrification of transport ultimately targets CO2 emissions reduction, increased utilization of renewable energy sources is likely to provide the means for reaching the decarbonization objectives. Demand-side management (DSM) enables the increased penetration of intermittent power sources by providing techniques that ensure grid stability. While complete frameworks for DSM deployment in static charging have been designed, these approaches must be re-evaluated with focus on the operational requirements for dynamic EV charging. In this paper, a review of DSM methods targeting static charging is made and one particular case of DSM is simulated in a dynamic charging environment in order to reveal critical aspects towards deployment.
Stronger Suppression of Plasma Cholesterol and Enhancement of the Fecal Excretion of Steroids by a Buckwheat Protein Product than by a Soy Protein Isolate in Rats Fed on a Cholesterol-free Diet

We investigated the effects of a buckwheat protein product (BWP), soy protein isolate (SPI) and casein on the plasma cholesterol level and fecal steroid excretion in rats fed on a cholesterol-free diet. The consumption of BWP suppressed plasma cholesterol by enhancing the fecal excretion of both neutral and acidic steroids. These effects of BWP were stronger than those of SPI.
Oxidative Stress Induces ADAM 9 Protein Expression in Human Prostate Cancer Cells

The ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family is a group of transmembrane proteins containing cell adhesive and proteolytic functional domains. Microarray analysis detected elevated ADAM9 during the transition of human LNCaP prostate cancer cells from an androgen-dependent to an androgen-independent and metastatic state. Using a prostate tissue array (N = 200), the levels of ADAM9 protein expression were also elevated in malignant as compared with benign prostate tissues. ADAM9 protein expression was found in 43% of benign glands with light staining and 87% of malignant glands with increasing intensity of staining. We found that ADAM9 mRNA and protein expressions were elevated on exposure of human prostate cancer cells to stress conditions such as cell crowding, hypoxia, and hydrogen peroxide. We uncovered an ADAM9-like protein, which is predominantly induced together with the ADAM9 protein by a brief exposure of prostate cancer cells to hydrogen peroxide. Induction of ADAM9 protein in LNCaP or C4-2 cells can be completely abrogated by the administration of an antioxidant, ebselen, or genetic transfer of a hydrogen peroxide degradative enzyme, catalase, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a common mediator. The induction of ADAM9 by stress can be inhibited by both actinomycin D and cycloheximide through increased gene transcription and protein synthesis. In conclusion, intracellular ROS and/or hydrogen peroxide, generated by cell stress, regulate ADAM9 expression. ADAM9 could be responsible for supporting prostate cancer cell survival and progression. By decreasing ADAM9 expression, we observed apoptotic cell death in prostate cancer cells. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(19): 9519-26)
Combined therapy with renin-angiotensin system and calcium channel blockers in type 2 diabetic hypertensive patients with proteinuria: effects on soluble TWEAK, PTX3, and flow-mediated dilation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Soluble TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) concentrations have been associated with endothelial function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study tested the hypothesis that the improvement in endothelial function after initiation of angiotensin II receptor blocker (valsartan), calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) therapy, or a combination of both is directly linked to the normalization of sTWEAK and PTX3. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS One-hundred-eight diabetic CKD stage I patients with hypertension (56% men, 46.7+/-5.3 years) were allocated to a 12-week intervention with amlodipine (10 mg/d), valsartan (160 mg/d), or their combination. Plasma levels of sTWEAK, PTX3, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were studied during the interventions. RESULTS All treatment strategies effectively increased FMD and reduced proteinuria, confirming a more prone reduction with the combined therapy. These improvements were followed by significant PTX3 reductions. Valsartan alone and in combination with amlodipine achieved significant incremental raises in sTWEAK plasma levels. More importantly, the changes observed in sTWEAK (beta=0.25, P=0.006) or PTX3 (beta=-0.24, P=0.007) plasma levels were independently associated with the improvement in ultrasonographically measured FMD. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that treatment with antihypertensive drugs improves FMD and normalizes proteinuria, PTX3, and sTWEAK in diabetic CKD stage I patients with hypertension. The improvement in FMD was independently associated with PTX3 and sTWEAK normalization. Two surrogate biomarkers of endothelial function are therefore identified with potential as therapeutic targets. The study was registered in clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00921570.
The human JC polyomavirus (JCPyV): virological background and clinical implications

JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) was the first of now 12 PyVs detected in humans, when in 1964, PyV particles were revealed by electron microscopy in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) tissues. JCPyV infection is common in 35–70% of the general population, and the virus thereafter persists in the renourinary tract. One third of healthy adults asymptomatically shed JCPyV at approximately 50 000 copies/mL urine. PML is rare having an incidence of <0.3 per 100 000 person years in the general population. This increased to 2.4 per 1000 person years in HIV‐AIDS patients without combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Recently, PML emerged in multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab to 2.13 cases per 1000 patients. Natalizumab blocks α4‐integrin‐dependent lymphocyte homing to the brain suggesting that not the overall cellular immunodeficiency but local failure of brain immune surveillance is a pivotal factor for PML. Recovering JCPyV‐specific immune control, e.g., by starting cART or discontinuing natalizumab, significantly improves PML survival, but is challenged by the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Important steps of PML pathogenesis are undefined, and antiviral therapies are lacking. New clues might come from molecular and functional profiling of JCPyV and PML pathology and comparison with other replicative pathologies such as granule cell neuronopathy and (meningo‐)encephalitis, and non‐replicative JCPyV pathology possibly contributing to some malignancies. Given the increasing number of immunologically vulnerable patients, a critical reappraisal of JCPyV infection, replication and disease seems warranted.
Homozygous SMN1 deletions in unaffected family members and modification of the phenotype by SMN2

Spinal muscular atrophy is a common autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder caused by the homozygous loss of the SMN1 gene. The absence of the SMN1 gene has been shown to occur in all types of SMA, childhood and adult forms. In rare cases, asymptomatic family members have also been found with homozygous mutations in the SMN1 gene, suggesting a role for phenotypic modifiers. We describe three unrelated asymptomatic individuals, with family histories of SMA, who were shown to have the homozygous SMN1 deletion. Quantitative studies indicated that the three individuals all had increased SMN2 copy numbers. These cases not only support the role of SMN2 in modifying the phenotype, but our data also demonstrate that expression levels consistent with five copies of the SMN2 genes maybe enough to compensate for the absence of the SMN1 gene. Lastly, in cases similar to the ones described, the measurement of the SMN2 gene copy number may provide valuable prognostic information. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Agreement-Based Resource Management

One of the criteria for the Grid infrastructure is the ability to share resources with nontrivial qualities of service. However, sharing resources in Grids is complicated in that is requires the ability bridge the differing policy requirements of the resource owners to create a consistent cross-organizational policy domain that delivers the necessary capability to the end user while respecting the policy requirements of the resource owner. Further complicating the management of Grid resources is the need to coordinate resource usage, the diversity of resource types and the variety of different management modes that may be used. We present a unifying resource management framework in which we can address these issues. The fundamental underlying concept in this framework is the representation of various resource management activities in terms of an agreement. Agreements abstract local management policy by representing an underlying resource strictly in terms of policy terms which it is willing to assert, and in doing so provides the basis for building a variety of alternative Grid resource management strategies. We introduce the concepts of agreement based resource management. We present a general agreement model and examine current resource management systems in the context of this model. We then discuss how agreement based resource management is being used as the basis for standards activities and next generation resource management services.
A Function Estimation Approach to Sequential Learning with Neural Networks

In this paper, we investigate the problem of optimal sequential learning, viewed as a problem of estimating an underlying function sequentially rather than estimating a set of parameters of the neural network. First, we arrive at a suboptimal solution to the sequential estimate that can be mapped by a growing gaussian radial basis function (GaRBF) network. This network adds hidden units for each observation. The function space approach in which the estimates are represented as vectors in a function space is used in developing a growth criterion to limit its growth. A simplification of the criterion leads to two joint criteria on the distance of the present pattern and the existing unit centers in the input space and on the approximation error of the network for the given observation to be satisfied together. This network is similar to the resource allocating network (RAN) (Platt 1991a) and hence RAN can be interpreted from a function space approach to sequential learning. Second, we present an enhancement to the RAN. The RAN either allocates a new unit based on the novelty of an observation or adapts the network parameters by the LMS algorithm. The function space interpretation of the RAN lends itself to an enhancement of the RAN in which the extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm is used in place of the LMS algorithm. The performance of the RAN and the enhanced network are compared in the experimental tasks of function approximation and time-series prediction demonstrating the superior performance of the enhanced network with fewer number of hidden units. The approach adopted here has led us toward the minimal network required for a sequential learning problem.
Observer based tracking control of flexible manipulator

In this paper, a stepping control based on extended state observer (ESO) based is developed to track the trajectory of a two link flexible manipulator. The link is flexible and coupled making the system sensitive to uncertainties, while the controller design requires exact information of the system modeling. To avoid these issues, an ESO is introduced to estimates the uncertainties as well as the system state vector. The back stepping controller is then studied uses the states estimated by ESO. Stability of this nonlinear coupled two-link system is then achieved using Lyapunov-based methods. At last, the simulation results are given to demonstrate the performance of the designed control scheme.
PENGARUH PEMANFAATAN PERPUSTAKAAN SEKOLAH TERHADAP PRESTASI BELAJAR PESERTA DIDIK DI SMK PRATIDINA MAKASSAR

Teknik penarikan sampel dalam penelitian ini menggunakan teknik purposive sampling yakni dengan menentukan sampel dengan memilih peserta didik yang masuk penilaian sepuluh besar setiap kelas XII A, XII B, XII C, XII D. Instrumen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini menggunakan nilai raport, pedoman observasi, angket, dan catatan dokumentasi. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi linier sederhana. Analisis pengembangan indikator dalam penelitian ini untuk mengetahui ada tidaknya pengaruh pemanfaatan perpustakaan terhadap prestasi belajar peserta didik SMK Pratidina Makassar, dikembangkan untuk mengetahui pemanfaatan perpustakaan berpengaruh positif atau tidak terhadap prestasi belajar peserta didik. Hasil penghitungan besarnya koefisien atau volume awal adalah sebesar 28,680 bernilai positif. Sedangkan untuk peningkatan setiap pemanfaatan perpustakaan diperoleh nilai konstanta sebesar 0,703. Nilai prestasi belajar peserta didik melalui penghitungan rumus regresi linier sederhana sebesar 29,138 tersebut menunjukkan bahwa semakin tinggi frekuensi pemanfaatan perpustakaan maka semakin tinggi peningkatan prestasi belajar peserta didik. Untuk mengetahui besarnya pengaruh pemanfaatan perpustakaan terhadap prestasi belajar, digunakan angka R square (angka korelasi yang dikuadratkan). Angka R square disebut juga Koefisien Diterminasi (KD) besarnya angka Koefisien Diterminasi dalam penghitungan di atas ialah sebesar 0,677 atau sama dengan 67,7%. Angka tersebut mempunyai arti bahwa besarnya pengaruh pemanfaatan perpustakaan terhadap prestasi belajar sebesar 67,7% sedangkan sisanya, yaitu 32,3% (100%-67,7%) di pengaruhi oleh variabel lain. Berdasarkan tabel interpretasi tingkat pengaruh yakni berada pada kategori cukup tinggi. Didasarkan pada hasil penghitungan diperoleh angka signifikansi sebesar 0,000. Angka 0,000 < 0,05. Oleh karena itu, H0 ditolak dan H1 diterima. Artinya ada hubungan linier antara variabel pemanfaatan perpustakaan dengan prestasi belajar. Oleh karena terdapat hubungan linier antara kedua variabel maka frekuensi pemanfaatan perpustakaan memengaruhi prestasi belajar peserta didik di SMK Pratidina Makassar.
The prevalence of persistent pain after nonsurgical root canal treatment.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence of persistent pain of neuropathic origin after nonsurgical root canal treatment and to determine its characteristics, location, and severity utilizing a self-reported validated postal survey. METHOD AND MATERIALS A modified version of the Self-Administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) survey was mailed to 2,338 adult subjects who received a single-tooth nonsurgical root canal treatment at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry Postgraduate Endodontics Clinic over a 4-year period. Two-hundred and fifty (10.7%) completed surveys were returned. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation to determine correlations between the S-LANSS scores and variables of interest, and t tests for group comparisons of the S-LANSS score were performed. Statistical significance was determined at P<. 05. RESULTS The prevalence of persistent pain of neuropathic origin among respondents after receiving single-tooth nonsurgical root canal treatment was 7% with the average pain reported as 7.2 on a visual analogue scale (where 0 is no pain and 10 is pain as severe as it could be). Neuropathic pain was more common in middle-aged (mean 50.6 years of age) individuals with no sex predilection and occurred more frequently in the mandibular arch without any differences attributable to the number of canals treated. Also, the majority of subjects most frequently endorsed their pain experiences as abnormal sensitivity to touch and pain when the area is pressed or rubbed. CONCLUSION Dental providers need to recognize and understand the differences between nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Understanding these concepts will assist in preventing inappropriate, irreversible, and unnecessary interventions.
Kvalitativna metodologija u društvenim znanostima

ma komunizma, ali koji govore i o svim opasnostima industrijskog razvoja i postmodernog drustva. Upravo je na ovom primjeru moguce vidjeti i aktualnost i vrijednost, ali i javnu neprepoznatljivost i neoperabilnost takve analize. Bez namjere da Crkvu svedemo primarno na njenu drustvenu dimenziju, nasuprot onoj eshatolosko-spasenjskoj, moramo ipak ustvrditi da u mjeri svoga drustvenog ozbiljenja Crkva ne može biti posteđena ovdje i ovako izrecenih sudova.