Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-speed and low-power static frequency divider and decision circuit with 0.5-µm-emitter-width InP HBTs

A static frequency divider and decision circuit have been designed and fabricated in a 290-GHz-fT InP HBT technology. The static frequency divider operates up to 70 GHz with core power consumption as low as 19.6 mW. The decision circuit, realized with a parallel-clock structure, achieves error-free operation up to 50 Gbps with power consumption of 142 mW. Both speed/power ratios are among the highest in over-50-GHz applications. These results demonstrate the suitability of this technology for high-speed and low-power applications.
Molecular cloning and characterization of the nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae 2019 rfaE gene required for lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis

The lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is an important factor in pathogenesis and virulence. In an attempt to elucidate the genes involved in LOS biosynthesis, we have cloned the rfaE gene from NTHi 2019 by complementing a Salmonella typhimurium rfaE mutant strain with an NTHi 2019 plasmid library. The rfaE mutant synthesizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS) lacking heptose, and the rfaE gene is postulated to be involved in ADP-heptose synthesis. Retransformation with the plasmid containing 4 kb of NTHi DNA isolated from a reconstituted mutant into rfaE mutants gave wild-type LPS phenotypes. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis confirmed the conversion of the rfaE mutant LPS to a wild-type LPS phenotype. Sequence analysis of a 2.4-kb BglII fragment revealed two open reading frames. One open reading frame encodes the RfaE protein with a molecular weight of 37.6 kDa, which was confirmed by in vitro transcription and translation, and the other encodes a polypeptide highly homologous to the Escherichia coli HtrB protein. These two genes are transcribed from the same promoter region into opposite directions. Primer extension analysis of the rfaE gene revealed a single transcription start site at 37 bp upstream of the predicted translation start site. The upstream promoter region contained a sequence (TA AAAT) homologous to the -10 region of the bacterial sigma 70-dependent promoters at an appropriate distance (7 bp), but not sequence resembling the consensus sequence of the -35 region was found. These studies demonstrate the ability to use complementation of defined LPS defects in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae to identify LOS synthesis genes in NTHi.
Adoption Factors of Mobile Services

As more and more mobile services become available everyday, consumers are choosing different services based on their preferences. Exploring and understanding this phenomenon is critical. This paper presents a framework for defining the adoption factors of mobile services. The framework builds upon current approaches to explain adoption factors. A survey instrument was utilized for data collection. Two different types of service were compared through the study. The findings were confirming the literature for an already adopted service and indicating that usefulness and attitude are direct factors influencing consumer satisfaction. On the other hand, usefulness and external influence were found to be direct; and personalization, image, content, mobility, enjoyment as indirect determinants of consumerâ€™s attitude towards using new mobile services.
Hemoglobin concentration and cognitive impairment in the renal REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study.

BACKGROUND There is growing interest in determining the degree of anemia, which is clinically significant. The goal of this study was to determine the association between hemoglobin concentration and cognitive impairment in a large sample of U.S. adults. METHODS We used cross-sectional data from 19,701 adults participating in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke study. Cognitive impairment was defined as a score of 4 or less on the six-item screener. Hemoglobin was analyzed in 1 g/dL increments relative to the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold (<13 g/dL for men and <12 g/dL for women). RESULTS The mean hemoglobin concentration was 13.7 ± 1.5 g/dL. The prevalence of cognitive impairment increased from 4.3% among individuals with a hemoglobin >3 g/dL above the WHO threshold to 16.8% for those with a hemoglobin ≥2 g/dL below the WHO threshold. After adjustment for demographics, chronic health conditions, health status, and inflammation, the association between reduced hemoglobin and cognitive impairment was attenuated and no longer significant, including among those with hemoglobin ≥2 g/dL below the WHO threshold (odds ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval = 0.94-2.04). A test for linear trend was of borderline significance (p value = .06). For 94% of the sample within 2 g/dL of the WHO threshold, there was no relationship between hemoglobin concentration and the odds of cognitive impairment. The associations did not differ by sex and race. CONCLUSIONS Within a large sample of community-dwelling adults, there was no significant association between hemoglobin concentration and cognitive impairment after multivariable adjustment.
Treatment of Elderly Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

The demographics of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is marked by a growing number of patients aged 65 and over, which is in line with global projections for other cancer types. In developed countries, more than half of new SCCHN cases are diagnosed in older people, and in 15 years from now, the proportion is expected to rise by more than 10%. Still, a high-level evidence-based consensus to guide the clinical decision process is strikingly lacking. The available data from retrospective studies and subset analyses of prospective trials suffer from a considerable underrepresentation of senior participants. The situation is even more challenging in the recurrent and/or metastatic setting, where usually only palliative measures are employed. Nevertheless, it is becoming clear that, if treated irrespective of chronological age, fit elderly patients in a good general condition and with a low burden of comorbidities may derive a similar survival advantage as their younger counterparts. Despite that, undertreatment represents a widespread phenomenon and, together with competing non-cancer mortality, is suggested to be an important cause of the worse treatment outcomes observed in this population. Due to physiological changes in drug metabolism occurring with advancing age, the major concerns relate to chemotherapy administration. In locally advanced SCCHN, concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients over 70 years remains a point of controversy owing to its possibly higher toxicity and questionable benefit. However, accumulating evidence suggests that it should, indeed, be considered in selected cases when biological age is taken into account. Results from a randomized trial conducted in lung cancer showed that treatment selection based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) significantly reduced toxicity. However, a CGA is time-consuming and not necessary for all patients. To overcome this hurdle, geriatric screening tools have been introduced to decide who needs such a full evaluation. Among the various screening instruments, G8 and Flemish version of the Triage Risk Screening Tool were prospectively verified and found to have prognostic value. We, therefore, conclude that also in SCCHN, the application of elderly specific prospective trials and integration of clinical practice-oriented assessment tools and predictive models should be promoted.
Design of fractional order PI controller for MIMO system using relay feedback

This paper proposes a relay feedback based design of fractional order PI controller for 2-by-2 MIMO system. The studies are performed on a Wood and Berry (WB) distillation column. The fractional order PI controller scheme was compared with integer order PI controller. The controller parameters of fractional-order PI controller and integer order PI controller were obtained using Relay feedback test. The closed loop simulation studies were performed for both the set point tracking and load disturbance rejection. The work also includes robustness studies of the proposed scheme. The performance was measured by using Integral of Time and Absolute Error (ITAE). The advantages of proposed scheme are highlighted.
ALGORITHMS AND RANDOMNESS

CONTENTS Introduction 389 1. Algorithmic Definition of Randomness: Infinite Case 390 1.1. From finite chains to infinite sequences 390 1.2. Three properties of a random sequence 391 1.3. Typical sequences: definition 392 1.4. Chaotic sequences: equivalent definitions 393 1.5. Random sequences: definition 395 1.6. Stochastic sequences: attempts at a definition 396 1.7. Computable distributions and other generalizations 399 2. Algorithmic Definition of Randomness: Finite Case 400 2.
Extracellular Calcium Modulates Actions of Orthosteric and Allosteric Ligands on Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1α*

Background: Extracellular Ca2+ alters mGluR1α activity but by an unknown mechanism. Results: Mutations in predicted Ca2+-binding sites modulated the potency of both orthosteric and allosteric modulators. Conclusion: Ca2+ binding exerts multiple types of effects on mGluR1α. Significance: Improved knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the actions of Ca2+ on mGluR1α activity could facilitate development of isoform-selective drugs and/or suggest ways to tune the actions of available drugs. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α (mGluR1α), a member of the family C G protein-coupled receptors, is emerging as a potential drug target for various disorders, including chronic neuronal degenerative diseases. In addition to being activated by glutamate, mGluR1α is also modulated by extracellular Ca2+. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Moreover, it has long been challenging to develop receptor-specific agonists due to homologies within the mGluR family, and the Ca2+-binding site(s) on mGluR1α may provide an opportunity for receptor-selective targeting by therapeutics. In the present study, we show that our previously predicted Ca2+-binding site in the hinge region of mGluR1α is adjacent to the site where orthosteric agonists and antagonists bind on the extracellular domain of the receptor. Moreover, we found that extracellular Ca2+ enhanced mGluR1α-mediated intracellular Ca2+ responses evoked by the orthosteric agonist l-quisqualate. Conversely, extracellular Ca2+ diminished the inhibitory effect of the mGluR1α orthosteric antagonist (S)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine. In addition, selective positive (Ro 67-4853) and negative (7-(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxylate ethyl ester) allosteric modulators of mGluR1α potentiated and inhibited responses to extracellular Ca2+, respectively, in a manner similar to their effects on the response of mGluR1α to glutamate. Mutations at residues predicted to be involved in Ca2+ binding, including E325I, had significant effects on the modulation of responses to the orthosteric agonist l-quisqualate and the allosteric modulator Ro 67-4853 by extracellular Ca2+. These studies reveal that binding of extracellular Ca2+ to the predicted Ca2+-binding site in the extracellular domain of mGluR1α modulates not only glutamate-evoked signaling but also the actions of both orthosteric ligands and allosteric modulators on mGluR1α.
Treatment with the Fusion Inhibitor Enfuvirtide Influences the Appearance of Mutations in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Regulatory Protein Rev

ABSTRACT The gp41-encoding sequence of the env gene contains in two separate regions the Rev-responsive elements (RRE) and the alternative open reading frame of the second exon of the regulatory protein Rev. The binding of Rev to the RRE allows the transport of unspliced/singly spliced viral mRNAs out of the nucleus, an essential step in the life cycle of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). In this study, we have investigated whether the fusion-inhibitor enfuvirtide (ENF) can induce mutations in Rev and if these mutations correlate with the classical ENF resistance gp41 mutations and with viremia and CD4 cell count. Specific Rev mutations were positively associated with ENF treatment and significantly correlated with classical ENF resistance gp41 mutations. In particular, a cluster was observed for the Rev mutations E57A (E57Arev) and N86Srev with the ENF resistance gp41 mutations Q40H (Q40Hgp41) and L45Mgp41. In addition, the presence at week 48 of the E57Arev correlates with a significant viremia increase from baseline to week 48 and with a CD4 cell count loss from baseline to week 48. By modeling the RRE structure, we found that the Q40gp41 and L45gp41 codons form complementary base pairs in a region of the RRE involved in Rev binding. The conformation of this Rev-binding site is disrupted when Q40Hgp41 and L45Mgp41 occur alone while it is restored when both mutations are present. In conclusion, our study shows that ENF pressure may also affect both Rev and RRE structures and can provide an excellent example of compensatory evolution. This highlights the multiple roles of ENF (and perhaps other entry inhibitors) in modulating the correct interplay between the different HIV-1 genes and proteins during the HIV-1 life cycle.
Offloading mobile data from cellular networks through peer-to-peer WiFi communication: A subscribe-and-send architecture

Currently cellular networks do not have sufficient capacity to accommodate the exponential growth of mobile data requirements. Data can be delivered between mobile terminals through peer-to-peer WiFi communications (e.g. WiFi direct), but contacts between mobile terminals are frequently disrupted because of the user mobility. In this paper, we propose a Sub-scribe-and-Send architecture and an opportunistic forwarding protocol for it called HPRO. Under Subscribe-and-Send, a user subscribes contents on the Content Service Provider (CSP) but does not download the subscribed contents. Some users who have these contents deliver them to the subscribers through WiFi opportunistic peer-to-peer communications. Numerical simulations provide a robust evaluation of the forwarding performance and the traffic offloading performance of Subscribe-and-Send and HPRO.
Self-organised recruitment in a heteregeneous swarm

In this paper, we present a heterogeneous recruitment system which allows aerial robots to recruit groups of wheeled robots. The system is novel because it is self-organized, is based only on simple probabilistic rules and relies only on local communication. Our approach is inspired by the aggregation behavior of cockroaches. The system allows aerial robots to recruit wheeled robot groups of different sizes in parallel. Although governed by probabilistic rules, we show that our system stabilises to a steady state distribution of wheeled robots that corresponds to the desired sizes of recruited groups. The system can also handle perturbations as robots enter and leave the system during execution—robots are redistributed accordingly and the system will once again stabilise. The system also displays sensible behaviour when there are not enough wheeled robots to satisfy the recruitment quotas. We conduct experiments based on physically embodied simulation of the robots to demonstrate these properties of the system, and to explore the scalability of our system.
Predictors of change in college freshmen and sophomore cognitions of alcohol expectancies

This dissertation examined predictors of change in college freshmen and sophomore cognitions of alcohol expectancies through secondary analyses of data collected in a randomized brief motivational interview (BMI) intervention for at-risk college drinkers (N=1067). Positive and negative alcohol expectancies were assessed at 6 time points over a 2 year period. Information on the selected predictors, which include demographic, peer and family influence, alcohol use and problem, and other drug use variables, was collected at baseline. Change in alcohol expectancies over time was evaluated using linear mixed effects regression and hierarchical modeling procedures. Results indicated that positive and negative alcohol expectancies developed differently, yet aligned with established trends in alcohol use within this population. Positive expectancies were observed to increase over the first 6 months of the study which coincides with a time period associated with elevated college drinking; entry into college or the start of the academic year. During this same period, negative expectancies decreased significantly. Further, in addition to randomlyassigned treatment condition, change in positive alcohol expectancies was moderated by race and alcohol-related problems. Non-Whites and students experiencing a low level of problems at baseline maintained healthier (lower levels) positive alcohol expectancies throughout the study. Treatment effects on change in positive alcohol expectancies were moderated by gender, class year and binge frequency. Across all levels of predictors, students that did not receive the intervention exhibited greater gains in positive alcohol expectancies. Positive effects did not extend beyond 1 year follow-up. Negative alcohol expectancies were moderated by treatment, gender, cigarette and marijuana use. Students that received the intervention exhibited greater reductions in negative alcohol expectancies from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Males and females exhibited similar reductions in negative expectancies over the course of the study with little evidence indicating that mean differences at each time point were stastistically significant. Finally, students that reported frequent use of cigarettes and marijuana at baseline maintainted the lowest levels of negative alcohol expectancies over time. The effects of treatment were not conditional on any predictors. These findings support the BMI employed in this study as an effective strategy for facilitating healthier cognitions related to alcohol use. Future studies examining the longitudinal mediation effects of alcohol expectancies on alcohol use by college students could extend current findings. Motivational interventions are only effective if they produce changes in the way people think about problem behavior that precipitates actual behavior change.
Computation Of Common Mode Radiation Due To Asymmetric Coupling On Printed Circuit Boards

Common mode radiation often is the predominant contribution to the overall radiation from printed circuit boards. Since the return paths for common{mode currents are via displacement current, the proximity of the printed transmission lines to nearby metal objects become important. It is shown that common mode currents are due to the asymmetry of the printed structures , and therefore, an eeective reduction of the overall radiation will be obtained by designing symmetrically printed circuits.
On packet concatenation with QoS support for wireless local area networks

Wireless networks are becoming increasingly popular in the world of telecommunications. IEEE 802.11 standard provides reliable data delivery in wireless LANs. The cost for such reliability is the overhead related to the data transmission at the link layer. In this paper, the application of a packet concatenation algorithm at the IP layer is proposed to the purpose of overhead reduction together with increase of fairness in medium access at the link layer. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated through simulations as well as real experiments. Results underline significant performance enhancements deriving from the use of the proposed packet concatenation algorithm in wireless LANs.
How safe is nuclear power? A statistical study suggests less than expected

ABSTRACT After the Fukushima disaster, the authors analyzed all past core-melt accidents and estimated a failure rate of 1 per 3704 reactor years. This rate indicates that more than one such accident could occur somewhere in the world within the next decade. The authors also analyzed the role that learning from past accidents can play over time. This analysis showed few or no learning effects occurring, depending on the database used. Because the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has no publicly available list of nuclear accidents, the authors used data compiled by the Guardian newspaper and the energy researcher Benjamin Sovacool. The results suggest that there are likely to be more severe nuclear accidents than have been expected and support Charles Perrow’s “normal accidents” theory that nuclear power reactors cannot be operated without major accidents. However, a more detailed analysis of nuclear accident probabilities needs more transparency from the IAEA. Public support for nuclear power cannot currently be based on full knowledge simply because important information is not available.
The study of gene–environment interactions in psychiatry: limited gains at a substantial cost?

There is an ever-increasing body of literature examining gene–environment interactions in psychiatry, reflecting a widespread belief that such studies will aid identification of novel risk factors for disease, increase understanding about underlying pathological mechanisms, and aid identification of high-risk groups for targeted interventions. In this article we discuss to what extent studies of gene–environment interactions are likely to lead to any such benefits in the future.
Fragment-based design for the development of N-domain-selective angiotensin-1-converting enzyme inhibitors

ACE (angiotensin-1-converting enzyme) is a zinc metallopeptidase that plays a prominent role in blood pressure regulation and electrolyte homeostasis. ACE consists of two homologous domains that despite similarities of sequence and topology display differences in substrate processing and inhibitor binding. The design of inhibitors that selectively inhibit the N-domain (N-selective) could be useful in treating conditions of tissue injury and fibrosis due to build-up of N-domain-specific substrate Ac-SDKP (N-acetyl-Ser–Asp–Lys–Pro). Using a receptor-based SHOP (scaffold hopping) approach with N-selective inhibitor RXP407, a shortlist of scaffolds that consisted of modified RXP407 backbones with novel chemotypes was generated. These scaffolds were selected on the basis of enhanced predicted interaction energies with N-domain residues that differed from their C-domain counterparts. One scaffold was synthesized and inhibitory binding tested using a fluorogenic ACE assay. A molecule incorporating a tetrazole moiety in the P2 position (compound 33RE) displayed potent inhibition (Ki=11.21±0.74 nM) and was 927-fold more selective for the N-domain than the C-domain. A crystal structure of compound 33RE in complex with the N-domain revealed its mode of binding through aromatic stacking with His388 and a direct hydrogen bond with the hydroxy group of the N-domain specific Tyr369. This work further elucidates the molecular basis for N-domainselective inhibition and assists in the design of novel N-selective ACE inhibitors that could be employed in treatment of fibrosis disorders.