Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
STUDIES ON THE MODE OF ACTION OF DIPHTHERIA TOXIN

When diphtheria toxin and NAD are added to soluble fractions containing aminoacyl transfer enzymes isolated from rabbit reticulocytes or from HeLa cells, free nicotinamide is released and, simultaneously, an inactive ADP ribose derivative of transferase II is formed. The reaction is reversible, and in the presence of excess nicotinamide, toxin catalyzes the restoration of aminoacyl transfer activity in intoxicated preparations. In living cultures of HeLa cells, the internal NAD concentration is sufficiently high to account for the rapid conversion, catalyzed by a few toxin molecules located in the cell membrane, of the entire cell content of free transferase II to its inactive ADP ribose derivative. Completely inactive ammonium sulfate fractions containing soluble proteins isolated from cells that have been exposed for several hours to excess toxin, can be reactivated to full aminoacyl transfer activity by addition of nicotinamide together with diphtheria toxin. Transferase II appears to be a highly specific substrate for the toxin-stimulated splitting of NAD and thus far no other protein acceptor for the ADP ribose moiety has been found.
A modified iterative set-point optimization strategy with application to batch chromatography

This paper is concerned with on-line set-point optimization in the presence of model-plant mismatch. An iterative gradient-modification optimization strategy which was derived from the integrated system optimization and parameter estimation technique (ISOPE) is introduced. The method requires the computation of the gradient of the plant mapping in each iteration. A new approach to the gradient computation which takes the influence of measurement errors and the number of additional set-point perturbations into account is proposed. The handling of process-dependent constraints in the optimization is also considered. The potential of the iterative optimization strategy is illustrated by an application to batch chromatography.
Sampling and Cost-Sharing: Approximation Algorithms for Stochastic Optimization Problems

We consider two- and multistage versions of stochastic combinatorial optimization problems with recourse: in this framework, the instance for the combinatorial optimization problem is drawn from a known probability distribution $\pi$ and is only revealed to the algorithm over two (or multiple) stages. At each stage, on receiving some more information about the instance, the algorithm is allowed to build some partial solution. Since the costs of elements increase with each passing stage, there is a natural tension between waiting for later stages, to gain more information about the instance, and purchasing elements in earlier stages, to take advantages of lower costs. We provide approximation algorithms for stochastic combinatorial optimization problems (such as the Steiner tree problem, the Steiner network problem, and the vertex cover problem) by means of a simple sampling-based algorithm. In every stage, our algorithm samples the probability distribution of the requirements and constructs a partial solution to serve the resulting sample. We show that if one can construct cost-sharing functions associated with the algorithms used to construct these partial solutions, then this strategy results in provable approximation guarantees for the overall stochastic optimization problem. We also extend this approach to provide an approximation algorithm for the stochastic version of the uncapacitated facility location problem, a problem that does not fit into the simpler framework of our main model.
Vision based in-motion detection of dynamic obstacles for autonomous robot navigation

Autonomous robot navigation in unstructured and dynamic environments requires detection and estimation of the trajectories of moving obstacles so as to perform collision free navigation. This problem is further compounded by the need to detect and track moving objects while the robot is in motion. This poses the challenge of detecting and tracking moving obstacles from a moving observer as against the detection and tracking of moving objects from a stationary observer. In this paper, we propose a method for in-motion detection in dynamic environment. This method is computationally simpler in comparison with the motion recovery achieved from the optical flow based methods. Additionally, the proposed technique has better time response and overcomes the computational overload associated with the use of geometric modelling techniques. It is also robust to low level intensity variations and shadow effects.
An Examination of Digital Forensic Models

Law enforcement is in a perpetual race with criminals in the application of digital technologies, and requires the development of tools to systematically search digital devices for pertinent evidence. Another part of this race, and perhaps more crucial, is the development of a methodology in digital forensics that encompasses the forensic analysis of all genres of digital crime scene investigations. This paper explores the development of the digital forensics process, compares and contrasts four particular forensic methodologies, and finally proposes an
Non-specific effect of measles vaccination on overall child mortality in an area of rural India with high vaccination coverage: a population-based case-control study.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether vaccination against measles in a population with sustained high vaccination coverage and relatively low child mortality reduces overall child mortality. METHODS In April and May 2000, a population-based, case-control study was conducted at Ballabgarh (an area in rural northern India). Eligible cases were 330 children born between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1998 who died aged 12-59 months. A programme was used to match 320 controls for age, sex, family size, and area of residence from a birth cohort of 15 578 born during the same time period. FINDINGS The analysis used 318 matched pairs and suggested that children aged 12-59 months who did not receive measles vaccination in infancy were three times more likely to die than those vaccinated against measles. Children from lower caste households who were not vaccinated in infancy had the highest risk of mortality (odds ratio, 8.9). A 27% increase in child mortality was attributable to failure to vaccinate against measles in the study population. CONCLUSION Measles vaccine seems to have a non-specific reducing effect on overall child mortality in this population. If true, children in lower castes may reap the greatest gains in survival. The findings should be interpreted with caution because the nutritional status of the children was not recorded and may be a residual confounder. "All-cause mortality" is a potentially useful epidemiological endpoint for future vaccine trials.
Human Models of Central Sensitization Assessed by Nociceptive Withdrawal Reflexes and Reflex Receptive Fields

This monograph is the result of work carried out between October 2007 and October 2010 at the Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University (Denmark), supported by The Danish Research Council for Technology and Production Sciences (FTP). Five months of this period, between September 2009 and February 2010, were carried out at the University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital (Switzerland) as part of an ongoing collaboration between these two institutions. This stay abroad was supported through an EliteForsk travel stipend, granted by the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Heart Rate Variations in an Elite Futsal Player after Twelve Years of Maximum Performance

Compare cardiovascular responses and adaptations of a professional futsal player both at rest and in action over an uninterrupted twelve-year period. Cross-over case study. Data analysis was performed by descriptive analysis, which results are expressed as percentages (percentiles) and mean ± standard deviation (SD). The study was conducted between 1999 and 2012 sport seasons. Laboratory tests (Electrocardiogram and echocardiography, maximum stress test) and field test (competitive and training games). The VO2 max of our athlete decreased from 57.8 to 52.7 ml/kg/min however the anaerobic threshold significantly improved, as it increased from 80.4% to 92% of his heart rate maximum (HRmax). The athlete’s HRmax changed from 194 bpm in 1999 to 176 bpm in 2012 and his mean heart rate (MHR) from 168.1 ± 13 bpm to 142 ± 13 bpm. In 1999 the athlete’s performance was 170 bpm 57.8% of time in 1999 to not have this HR at any time in 2012. Comparative analysis indicated that intensity variability over a decade is < 10%, as it was 86.5% in 1999 and 80.6% in 2012. Conclusions: Age is the main factor causing heart rate variability in team sports players since maximum heart rate decreases with age. Using heart rate as an indicator of work intensity involves using relative values of percentage of work intensity with respect to their maximum heart rate.
Social problem-solving plus psychoeducation for adults with personality disorder

Background Social problem-solving therapy may be relevant in the treatment of personality disorder, although assessments of its effectiveness are uncommon. Aims To determine the effectiveness of a problem-solving intervention for adults with personality disorder in the community under conditions resembling routine clinical practice. Method Participants were randomly allocated to brief psychoeducation plus 16 problem-solving group sessions (n=87) or to waiting-list control (n=89). Primary outcome was comparison of scores on the Social Problem Solving Inventory and the Social Functioning Questionnaire between intervention and control arms at the conclusion of treatment, on average at 24 weeks after randomisation. Results In intention-to-treat analysis, those allocated to intervention showed significantly better problem-solving skills (P < 0.001), higher overall social functioning (P=0.031) and lower anger expression (P=0.039) compared with controls. No significant differences were found on use of services during the intervention period. Conclusions Problem-solving plus psychoeducation has potential as a preliminary intervention for adults with personality disorder.
A new PUCCH resource mapping method in interband TDD carrier aggregation systems

In order to support a higher peak data rate, carrier aggregation (CA) is implemented into Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) systems to provide sufficient bandwidth for data transmission. In Time Division Duplexing (TDD) CA systems, aggregation of Component Carriers (CCs) with different TDD configurations is necessary due to the coexistence with legacy TDD systems. To achieve the peak data rate of Secondary Cell (SCell) in case of cross-carrier scheduling, the Physical Downlink Shared CHannel (PDSCH) hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing of SCell should follow its own PDSCH HARQ timing. Meanwhile, Primary Cell (PCell) still uses its own PDSCH HARQ timing. However, using different PDSCH HARQ timing between PCell and SCell may lead to Physical Uplink Control CHannel (PUCCH) resource mapping collision, which sacrifices downlink (DL) peak data rate and increases transmission latency for the reason of PDSCH HARQ feedback failure. In this paper, a new implicit PUCCH resource mapping method is proposed to avoid PUCCH collision in inter-band TDD CA systems. ENB and user equipment (UE) re-allocate PUCCH resources for each DL subframe on SCell. By using this proposal, PUCCH collision for cross-carrier scheduling in TDD CA systems can be completely eliminated without introducing significant PUCCH overhead increase.
Genome-wide Studies of CCCTC-binding Factor (CTCF) and Cohesin Provide Insight into Chromatin Structure and Regulation*

Eukaryotic genomes are organized into higher order chromatin architectures by protein-mediated long-range interactions in the nucleus. CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), a sequence-specific transcription factor, serves as a chromatin organizer in building this complex chromatin structure by linking chromosomal domains. Recent genome-wide studies mapping the binding sites of CTCF and its interacting partner, cohesin, using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with deep sequencing (ChIP-seq) revealded that CTCF globally co-localizes with cohesin. This partnership between CTCF and cohesin is emerging as a novel and perhaps pivotal aspect of gene regulatory mechanisms, in addition to playing a role in the organization of higher order chromatin architecture.
Specificity and Dynamics of Effector and Memory CD8 T Cell Responses in Human Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Infection

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is transferred to humans by ticks. The virus causes tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) with symptoms such as meningitis and meningoencephalitis. About one third of the patients suffer from long-lasting sequelae after clearance of the infection. Studies of the immune response during TBEV-infection are essential to the understanding of host responses to TBEV-infection and for the development of therapeutics. Here, we studied in detail the primary CD8 T cell response to TBEV in patients with acute TBE. Peripheral blood CD8 T cells mounted a considerable response to TBEV-infection as assessed by Ki67 and CD38 co-expression. These activated cells showed a CD45RA-CCR7-CD127- phenotype at day 7 after hospitalization, phenotypically defining them as effector cells. An immunodominant HLA-A2-restricted TBEV epitope was identified and utilized to study the characteristics and temporal dynamics of the antigen-specific response. The functional profile of TBEV-specific CD8 T cells was dominated by variants of mono-functional cells as the effector response matured. Antigen-specific CD8 T cells predominantly displayed a distinct Eomes+Ki67+T-bet+ effector phenotype at the peak of the response, which transitioned to an Eomes-Ki67-T-bet+ phenotype as the infection resolved and memory was established. These transcription factors thus characterize and discriminate stages of the antigen-specific T cell response during acute TBEV-infection. Altogether, CD8 T cells responded strongly to acute TBEV infection and passed through an effector phase, prior to gradual differentiation into memory cells with distinct transcription factor expression-patterns throughout the different phases.
Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid–Induced Angiogenesis in Rat Mesentery Is Increased by Lactate in the Presence or Absence of Glucose

Angiogenesis may be an important mechanism behind the functional deterioration of the peritoneum leading to ultrafiltration failure in peritoneal dialysis. The present study was designed to compare the angiogenic properties of lactate-, bicarbonate-, and pyruvate-buffered fluids, evaluated separately with and without glucose. Five different fluids (lactate and bicarbonate with and without 2.5% glucose and pyruvate without glucose) were studied for 5 weeks of twice-daily injections in rats. The respective buffers (40 mmol/l) were adjusted to pH 7.2, and sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium were present at standard concentrations. The mesenteric window model, based on observation of the translucent peritoneal sections of the small intestine mesentery, was used for immunohistochemical imaging of microvessels (RECA-1 antigen) and macrophages (ED1 and ED2 antigens). All fluids induced angiogenesis as compared with untreated controls. The lactate-buffered fluids induced larger vascularized zones than did their bicarbonate- and pyruvate-buffered counterparts. Angiogenesis was accompanied by a local recruitment of ED1 macrophages from blood. Addition of glucose to the lactate- and bicarbonate-buffered fluids did not seem to alter their pro-angiogenic properties. In conclusion, intraperitoneal exposure to lactate buffer, compared with bicarbonate, stimulates angiogenesis in the presence or absence of glucose.
Control strategy of the lower-limb exoskeleton based on the EMG signals

Exoskeleton of lower extremity, as a kind of wearable robot, can help people who have walking problems and offer rehabilitation training. In this work, through the analysis of human walking, the mechanical structure of an exoskeleton system was studied. By judging the user's intended movement with the measured pressure of the feet, the exoskeleton system works to assist the user. Then, surface EMG signal, directly reflecting the motion of muscles and joints, was collected during the action of standing up and sitting down on a chair. Finally, a kind of data algorithm was proposed to processing the signal. A control strategy is presented to control the Lower-Limb Exoskeleton based on the EMG signal. Future work will concentrate on developing a more reliable Exoskeleton System involved in EMG signals.
Nursing Facility and Home and Community Based Service Need Criteria in the United States

ABSTRACT Over the past two decades states have expanded the delivery of long term care from institutions to the home and community. Although state Medicaid need criteria for the home and community based services (HCBS) waiver program must be equivalent to those for nursing facility (NF) criteria, other screening procedures for these services are not specified. This study examined variations in need criteria, methods for determining need, and assessment forms for NF and HCBS across the states, and identified whether these procedures were more stringent for HCBS than for NFs. The NF minimum need criteria was most often (31 states) based on a combination of nursing, medical, functional, or other psychosocial criteria, 10 states used nursing criteria, and 10 states used limitations in functional activities criteria. The method used for determining need for NF was based on explicit criteria in 25 states, point systems in seven states, and 19 states used guidelines that allowed for judgment by those conducting the assessment. The average length of a NF assessment form was six and one-half pages, which was four pages shorter than the average HCBS form. Within some states the HCBS waivers have higher need criteria, more comprehensive need determination, and longer assessment forms than NFs. Wide variability in screening procedures creates potential inequities to LTC services across the states. Within states, more restrictive screening procedures for HCBS than for NF may limit access to community based long term care.
Cigarette affordability in Europe

Objective To analyze trends in excise taxes, real price and the affordability of cigarettes in Europe, and to examine the impact of EU wide tax policies on new member states. Design We use a sample of 37 European countries with data from 2004 to 2010. 27 countries are EU member states of which 12 joined in 2004 or 2007 (new members), while 10 non-EU countries are included as a comparison. Data is sourced from the European Commission and the Economist Intelligence Unit. Results The excise tax burden increased in all new member states between 2004 and 2010 while remaining relatively unchanged in existing member states. In 2010, the excise tax burden was higher in new (mean 63.8%) than in existing member states (mean 59.4%). Although cigarettes were significant cheaper in new member states the difference in affordability was narrower between the two groups. Excise taxes and prices rose aggressively in new member states while the increases in existing member states were smaller. While cigarettes became less affordable in most EU member states there was little difference between new and existing member states. The average annual percentage change in per-capita cigarette consumption was negative in all existing member states and in 9 of 12 new member states between 2004 and 2010, indicating declining per-capita cigarette consumption. Conclusions Joining the EU results in significant increases in excise taxes and prices, and declines in affordability. Additionally, the structure of taxes, specifically the high excise tax floor resulted in higher taxes and prices.
On a patent analysis method for identifying the core technologies of metro in china

The purpose of this paper is to identify the core technologies in metro field by analyzing the overall structure of technologies and interactions among of them, which is beneficial to grasp technological trend and advance of metro field in China. For this study, the metro patent data were collected (1986-2015) from patent information analyzing system. And then, we built a complex patent network with their co-occurrence relationship of international patent classification (IPC) information. Considering the node importance depending on its original importance and importance contribution to other nodes and complex patent network's features, we improved the node importance contribution correlation matrix (NICCM) method to calculate node importance in overall network structure.
A less constraint concurrency control and consistency maintaince in collaborative CAD system

One difference between real-time CSCW systems and traditional distributed systems is that the former one needs to provide a natural, free and fast interface for multi-user interaction. However, typical multi-user interaction methods in 3D CAD systems apply strict consistency maintenance, such as lock mechanism and floor control which result in a stagnant and unnatural interface. This article proposes a semantic-based operational transformation (OT), which is similar to the traditional OT form, to support less constraint multi-user interaction and to achieve consistency in collaborative CAD editing (co-CAD) systems. Major technical contributions of this article include: a 3D semantic priority to select operations from waiting list, an OT strategy to decide OT direction, OT rules and a kernel OT function for co-CAD systems.
An innovative GPS trajectory data based model for geographic recommendation service

Geographic services based on GPS trajectory data, such as location prediction and recommender services, have received increasing attention because of their potential social and commercial benefits. In this study, a Geographic Service Recommender Model (GSRM) is proposed, which loosely comprises three essential steps. Firstly, location sequences are obtained through a clustering operation on GPS locations. To improve efficiency, a programming model with a distributed algorithm is employed to accelerate the clustering. Secondly, in order to mine spatial and temporal information from the cluster trajectory, an algorithm (MiningMP) is designed. Last but not least, the next possible location to which the user will travel is predicted. An integrated framework of GSRM could then be constructed and provide the appropriate geographic recommendation service by considering location sequences as well as other related semantic information. Experiments were conducted based on real GPS trajectories from Microsoft Research Asia (182 users within a period of five years). The experimental results clearly demonstrate that our proposed GSRM model is effective and efficient at predicting locations and can provide users with personalized smart recommendation services in the following possible position with excellent performance in scalability, adaptability, and quality of service.
Prosodic Variation and Audience Response

While variation in speakers' voices has been well studied for short stretches of speech, such as clauses and sentences, less work has been reported on the prosody of longer periods of speech of different types. This paper describes some aspects of prosodic style of speakers during an entire narrative in a convenational discourse and relates the style to the amount of response received from the listeners. Since neither "discourse mode" nor "prosody" are well-defined concepts, their meaning for this paper will be briefly outlined.