Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectral Profiling for the Simultaneous Observation of Four Distinct Fluorescent Proteins and Detection of Protein-Protein Interaction via Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer in Tobacco Leaf Nuclei1

The control of subcellular localization of proteins and their interaction with other partners in vivo are important parameters that provide clues to their function and regulation. The ability to simultaneously track multiple protein species with high resolution should provide a valuable assay system to study and characterize various types of posttranslational control pathways. In this work, we established the system and a method involving “spectral profiling” for the resolution of four different fluorescent protein tags in the same viewing field using digital imaging technology. With these techniques, we have (a) developed new derivatives of mGFP5, which is commonly used in the plant field, that are about three times brighter; (b) demonstrated that four spectrally distinct fluorescent proteins (cyan, green, yellow, and red) that are fused to a transcription factor could be stably expressed in nuclei and distinguished in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) mesophyll cells; and (c) shown that interaction between partners of a dimeric transcription factor can be detected by measuring fluorescence resonance energy transfer. These technologies should help one to study protein-protein interactions efficiently, especially for nuclear proteins under in vivo conditions.
Smart antenna beamforming algorithm for mobile communications with high speed moving sources

Low cost sliding window loaded sample matrix inversion (LSMI) smart antenna beamforming algorithm for mobile communication applications is presented. The algorithm consists of the vector inner and outer product operations. With each incoming snapshot it requires to update K vectors of size N, instead of K matrixes of size NtimesN in the counterpart, where K and N is a sliding window and antenna array size, respectively. It is shown that the algorithm can be easy implemented with fixed-point arithmetic, due to simple scaling rule. It is suitable also for highly parallel implementations with FPGAs or DSPs. The choice of K in finite precision environment is discussed.
Changes in arterial expression of fibrinolytic system proteins in atherogenesis.

Plasminogen activators (PAs) and their inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), have been implicated in modulation of luminal fibrinolysis and mural proteolysis contributing to atherogenesis. Expression of PAs/PAI-1 (normalized to extracted tissue protein) was delineated by assays of conditioned media and of extracts from walls of human arterial segments in culture. Arterial specimens (n = 39 from 26 subjects) were divided into four groups: normal (n = 14), fatty streak (n = 6), moderate atherosclerosis (mural thickening with < 70% lumen obstruction, n = 5), and severe atherosclerosis (mural thickening with > 70% lumen obstruction, n = 14). Paired samples from the same individual comprising a normal arterial segment and an atherosclerotic segment were evaluated also. A fourfold molar excess in PAI-1:t-PA was seen in conditioned media from samples with any evidence of atherosclerosis compared with normal specimens (normal 21 +/- 4, diseased 82 +/- 21, P < or = .05). Compared with normal pairs, the tissue content of PAI-1 (ng) was increased in fatty streak lesions (n = 3, normal 35 +/- 12, fatty streak 50 +/- 8, P < or = .05); stable to decreased in moderate atherosclerosis (n = 3, normal 34 +/- 3, moderate 22 +/- 7, P = .16); and increased in severe atherosclerosis (n = 6, normal 48 +/- 9, severe 85 +/- 19, P < or = .05). The tissue content of PAs (ng), though not increased in fatty streak lesions, was elevated in moderately and severely atherosclerotic segments (normal 0.7 +/- 0.2, moderate 1.6 +/- 0.1; normal 0.8 +/- 0.3, severe 2.1 +/- 0.3, P < or = .05 for each comparison). Atherogenesis is associated with decreased luminal fibrinolytic capacity that may exacerbate thrombosis. Decreased mural proteolysis in early atherogenesis may exacerbate matrix accumulation. Increased mural proteolysis later is associated with, and may potentiate, smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation.
A New Data-driven Roll Force and Roll Torque Model Based on FEM and Hybrid PSO-ELM for Hot Strip Rolling

In the control system of hot strip rolling, the prediction accuracy of roll force and roll torque model play a key role in the calculation of rolling schedule, which directly affects the thickness accuracy of strip and the stability of strip piercing in finishing rolling area. The commonly used methods for calculating roll force and roll torque are engineering method, energy method, finite element method (FEM), boundary element method and artificial intelligence method. Karman was the first researcher to use engineering method to study the rolling force. He put forward the Karman equation named by his name which was based on the assumed condition of the rolling process, mechanical equilibrium equation, the plastic equation, the contact arc equation and friction law. Orowan1) assumed that sliding occurs when the friction force between the roll and the strip is less than the shear strength of the strip material, and adhesion occurs when the friction force is equal to the shear strength of the material. On this basis, the differential equation of the rolling unit pressure distribution was established combining the plate compression study of L.Prandtl. Sims2) developed analytical expressions of pressure distribution, roll force and roll torque by avoiding most of the numerical integration in Orowan’s theory. Ford and Alexander3) proposed a widely used rolling force model based on the modified Orowan model. The principle of the energy method is to establish the A New Data-driven Roll Force and Roll Torque Model Based on FEM and Hybrid PSO-ELM for Hot Strip Rolling
Relationship of family environment and parental psychiatric diagnosis to impairment in ADHD.

OBJECTIVE Family environmental factors as well as parental attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) status have shown associations with variability in ADHD. The purpose of the present study was to examine the links among family environment, parental psychiatric diagnosis, and child impairment within a sample of ADHD-affected sibling pairs (ASPs) ages 5 to 18 years. METHOD Parents in 220 ASP families completed a measure of family functioning, the Family Environment Scale. Children's impairment was measured by clinical ratings of global functioning and by maternal ratings of behavior. RESULTS Parents of children with ADHD rate their families as higher in conflict and lower in achievement and organization than normative samples. High family conflict is significantly associated with impairment in ADHD ASPs accounting for approximately 40% of the sibling similarity in impairment. Parental psychiatric diagnosis revealed no significant direct link to sibling impairment, but rather a significant indirect link to impairment mediated by family conflict. Direct associations with parental diagnosis depend on birth order of the ASP members despite the comparable mean impairment scores for older and younger ADHD siblings. CONCLUSIONS There are strong links between impairment in children with ADHD and family environment. Different processes and mechanisms may contribute to impairment in different children in the same family.
A Recognition Algorithm Based on NAPS Kernel Hyper-Sphere Support Vector Machine

First of all, This paper introduces the construction of NAPS kernel. Then a recognition algorithm which combines the NAPS kernel with general hyper-plane SVM as well as its application to speaker identification is studied, and the problem encountered is given. To overcome the problem, an algorithm based on the NAPS kernel hyper-sphere SVM is proposed and is applied to speaker identification. Experiments and theoretical analysis show that the algorithm proposed is effective.
A multimedia 32 b RISC microprocessor with 16 Mb DRAM

This 32 b microprocessor with on-chip 2 MB DRAM is for multimedia applications that require a low-power embedded microprocessor and large memory. Using a typical 0.45 /spl mu/m DRAM process, double-metal CMOS technology, this chip integrates 17 M transistors in 19.9/spl times/7.7 mm/sup 2/. It consists of a 32 b RISC CPU, a 32 b/spl times/16 b multiply accumulator (MAC), a 2 MB DRAM, a 2 kB cache, an external bus interface unit (BIU), and control units. The CPU, DRAM, cache and BIU are connected with a single 128 b internal bus. At 66 MHz, the bus transfers a 128 b data line between the CPU and the cache in one cycle, and between CPU and DRAM in 5 cycles. The external bus is 16 b wide and operates at 16.67 MHz.
Did hardening occur among smokers in England from 2000 to 2010?

Aims To assess trends in the prevalence of ‘hardcore’ smoking in England between 2000 and 2010, and to examine associations between hardcore smoking and socio-demographic variables. Design Secondary analysis of data from the United Kingdom's General Lifestyle Survey (GLF) and the Health Survey for England (HSE). Setting Households in England. Participants Self-reported adult current smokers resident in England aged 26 years and over. Measurements Hardcore smokers were defined in three ways: smokers who do not want to quit (D1), those who ‘usually’ smoke their first cigarette of the day within 30 minutes of waking (D2) and a combination of D1 and D2, termed D3. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore associations between these variables and calendar year, age, sex and socio-economic status, and P-values for trends in odds were calculated. Findings The odds of smokers being defined as hardcore according to D3 increased over time in both the GLF (P < 0.001) and HSE (P = 0.04), even after adjusting for risk factors. Higher dependence (D2) was noted in men [odds ratio (OR): 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–1.24], those of 50–59 years (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.80–2.09) and smokers in lower occupational groups (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: (1.97–2.26). Lack of motivation to quit (D1) increased with age and was more likely in men. Conclusions The proportion of smokers in England with both low motivation to quit and high dependence appears to have increased between 2000 and 2010, independently of risk factors, suggesting that ‘hardening’ may be occurring in this smoker population.
Fractionation of Membrane Components from Tachyzoite Forms ofToxoplasma gondii: Differential Recognition by Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG Present in Sera from Patients with Acute or Chronic Toxoplasmosis

ABSTRACT Tachyzoite forms of Toxoplasma gondii were subjected to a sequential organic solvent extraction, which allows fractionation of membrane components according to their degrees of hydrophobicity, yielding three fractions named F1 (most hydrophobic) to F3 (least hydrophobic). Fractions F2 (80.85% specificity and 86.95% sensitivity) and F3 (89.36% specificity and 93.61% sensitivity) gave the best results, being preferentially recognized by immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG in sera from patients with acute and chronic toxoplasmosis, respectively. Improved scores of specificity (100%) and sensitivity (100%) were achieved when a secondary antibody against human IgG1 instead of total IgG was employed to measure the reactivity of IgG antibodies with the F3 fraction. To purify tachyzoite antigens recognized by human IgM or IgG antibodies, the F2 or F3 fraction was loaded onto an octyl-Sepharose column and eluted with a propan-1-ol gradient. The main antigen(s) recognized by IgM or IgG eluted in a single peak from the octyl-Sepharose resin loaded with either F2 (30 to 50% propan-1-ol) or F3 (15 to 35% propan-1-ol), respectively. These semipurified fractions gave improved scores when used to detect T. gondii-specific IgM (95.7% specificity and 81.8% sensitivity) or IgG (100% specificity and 93.75% sensitivity) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Further biochemical and immunological analyses of antigens partially purified from F2 and F3 indicate that glycoinositolphospholipids are preferentially recognized by IgM, whereas proteins of approximately 30 to 40 kDa are recognized by IgG, elicited duringT. gondii infection in humans.
Approach to the Active Patient with Chronic Anterior Knee Pain

Abstract The diagnosis and management of chronic anterior knee pain in the active individual can be frustrating for both the patient and physician. Pain may be a result of a single traumatic event or, more commonly, repetitive overuse. “Anterior knee pain,” “patellofemoral pain syndrome,” and “chondromalacia” are terms that are often used interchangeably to describe multiple conditions that occur in the same anatomic region but that can have significantly different etiologies. Potential pain sources include connective or soft tissue irritation, intra-articular cartilage damage, mechanical irritation, nerve-mediated abnormalities, systemic conditions, or psychosocial issues. Patients with anterior knee pain often report pain during weightbearing activities that involve significant knee flexion, such as squatting, running, jumping, and walking up stairs. A detailed history and thorough physical examination can improve the differential diagnosis. Plain radiographs (anteroposterior, anteroposterior flexion, lateral, and axial views) can be ordered in severe or recalcitrant cases. Treatment is typically nonoperative and includes activity modification, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, supervised physical therapy, orthotics, and footwear adjustment. Patients should be informed that it may take several months for symptoms to resolve. It is important for patients to be aware of and avoid aggravating activities that can cause symptom recurrence. Patients who are unresponsive to conservative treatment, or those who have an underlying systemic condition, should be referred to an orthopedic surgeon or an appropriate medical specialist.
The Effect of Positive Psychotherapy on the Meaning of Life in Patients with Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Aim: Cancer, as a social phenomenon, disrupts the daily functions and social activities of a person and changes his ability to perform roles and responsibilities and reach the meaning of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of positive psychotherapy on understanding the meaning of life in patients with cancer. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial study. Sixty-one patients with cancer were selected by convenience sampling method and were assigned randomly into two positive psychotherapeutic (n = 30) and control (n = 31) groups. Positive psychotherapy included eight 90-min sessions held weekly in group form. The life attitude profile-Gary Reker was completed before and after the intervention. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference between the mean scores of meaning of life and all its dimensions (purposes, existential vacuum, death acceptance, goal seeking, coherence and responsibility choice) before intervention, but there was a significant difference between the two groups after intervention (P < 0.05). Also in the control group, the mean score was reduced after the intervention. Conclusion: The positive psychotherapy is effective in increasing the level of meaningful life, enjoyable and committed life of people with cancer. Therefore, based on the results of this study, health-care managers can plan to train and increase the empowerment of nurses in providing these interventions to patients in need.
Functional Status of Older Adults with Dementia at the End of Life: Is there Still Anything to do?

Aims: There is a lack of data on physical functional status near death of patients with different types of dementia that can contribute to decisions about what kind of care is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the course of functional status along with the documented reasons for death in participants with dementia who had regularly been followed at a geriatric outpatient unit. Setting and Design: A retrospective observational cohort study was done using the database of a geriatric outpatient clinic. Subjects and Methods: Sociodemographic and medical records of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia, mixed dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)/Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) who had received routine care in a geriatrics outpatient setting for a minimum of 12 months before death were analyzed. Scores for activities of daily living and documented probable causes of death were recorded. Results: Of the 258 participants, 111 (42 female and 69 male) were included in this study. AD was the leading cause of dementia (51.8%). The median duration of survival with dementia was 4 years. The leading causes of death were cardiovascular disease (CVD) (27.0%) and dementia (27.0%) followed by infections (21.6%) and stroke (10.8%). Disability was the highest in patients with DLB/PDD. Conclusions: This study found relatively shorter survival after the diagnosis of dementia when compared to other populations. CVD still appeared as a major cause of that in this particular disease. Most debilitating type of dementia was DLB/PDD.
SoK: Tools for Game Theoretic Models of Security for Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies have garnered much attention in recent years, both from the academic community and industry. One interesting aspect of cryptocurrencies is their explicit consideration of incentives at the protocol level. Understanding how to incorporate this into the models used to design cryptocurrencies has motivated a large body of work, yet many open problems still exist and current systems rarely deal with incentive related problems well. This issue arises due to the gap between Cryptography and Distributed Systems security, which deals with traditional security problems that ignore the explicit consideration of incentives, and Game Theory, which deals best with situations involving incentives. With this work, we aim to offer a systematization of the work that relates to this problem, considering papers that blend Game Theory with Cryptography or Distributed systems and discussing how they can be related. This gives an overview of the available tools, and we look at their (potential) use in practice, in the context of existing blockchain based systems that have been proposed or implemented.
Word Usage Similarity Estimation with Sentence Representations and Automatic Substitutes

Usage similarity estimation addresses the semantic proximity of word instances in different contexts. We apply contextualized (ELMo and BERT) word and sentence embeddings to this task, and propose supervised models that leverage these representations for prediction. Our models are further assisted by lexical substitute annotations automatically assigned to word instances by context2vec, a neural model that relies on a bidirectional LSTM. We perform an extensive comparison of existing word and sentence representations on benchmark datasets addressing both graded and binary similarity.The best performing models outperform previous methods in both settings.
Anti-inflammatory effects of contralateral administration of the kappa-opioid agonist U-50,488H in rats with unilaterally induced adjuvant arthritis.

OBJECTIVE The effect of repeated contralateral treatment with the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U-50,488H {trans-(+/-)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl]-benzene acetamide methanesulphonate} was investigated in rats with unilaterally induced adjuvant arthritis. METHODS Arthritis was induced by injection of Mycobacterium butyricum into the right hindpaw. Inflammatory parameters, nociceptive behaviour and cartilage turnover were evaluated up to 21 days after induction of arthritis. RESULTS Contralateral treatment with 0.3 mg U-50,488H into the left hindpaw twice per week reduced the hindpaw oedema, ankle joint inflammation, pain behaviour to mechanical stimuli and severity score of inflammation in the hindpaws of both sides as well as the systemic spread of inflammation to other areas, e.g. tail and/or forepaws, compared with saline-treated animals. Moreover, a significant decrease in the levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein was found in animals treated with U-50,488H, suggesting reduction of cartilage damage. The anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of U-50,488H were abolished by administration of the peripheral opioid receptor antagonist naloxone methiodide. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report demonstrating that repeated contralateral administration of a kappa-opioid receptor agonist diminishes the development of a symmetrical joint disorder.
Public Daycare Noncompliance with Prescribed Lunch Menus and Dietary Guidelines

Objective: In Brazil, menus for public child daycare centers (PDC) must be planned by a nutritionist in order to meet the infants’ nutritional needs and to conform to dietary recommendations. Failure to follow them may jeopardize the infants’ health and growth. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the compliance of actually served lunch menus with the prescribed menus, according to age (7- to 12-month-olds and 13- to 24-month-olds) and whether prescribed and served menus followed the recommended dietary guidelines. Methods: Five PDCs were randomly selected for observation, out of 14 existing in the city of Concordia, Brazil. Data collection was carried out during 6 consecutive weeks in September (fall/winter menus) and October (spring/summer menus) in order to cover the menus representative of the entire year. Results: Of 60 lunches recorded, only 20% of them matched the prescribed ones entirely; none of the lunches served to infants aged 7–12 months did so. Fourteen food items were prescribed 157 times throughout the year. Omission (number of times on menu but not served) was the most frequent form of noncompliance in the younger group: 62.4% (98/157). Foods more frequently omitted by the cooks were beef, pork, chicken, and lentils. Compliance with dietary guidelines was higher in the prescribed menus and in those actually served to the 13- to 24-month-old age group. Conclusions: Infants in the 7- to 12-month-old group may be more vulnerable to nutritional inadequacies because menus served to them were less compliant with the prescribed menus. Dietetics professionals should improve the variety of foods on the menus as well as supervise their execution.
Contrast Enhancement of Medical X-Ray Image Using Morphological Operators with Optimal Structuring Element

To guide surgical and medical treatment X-ray images have been used by physicians in every modern healthcare organization and hospitals. Doctor's evaluation process and disease identification in the area of skeletal system can be performed in a faster and efficient way with the help of X-ray imaging technique as they can depict bone structure painlessly. This paper presents an efficient contrast enhancement technique using morphological operators which will help to visualize important bone segments and soft tissues more clearly. Top-hat and Bottom-hat transform are utilized to enhance the image where gradient magnitude value is calculated for automatically selecting the structuring element (SE) size. Experimental evaluation on different x-ray imaging databases shows the effectiveness of our method which also produces comparatively better output against some existing image enhancement techniques.