Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Important Changes in Biochemical Properties and Function of Mutated LLP12 Domain of HIV‐1 gp41

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp41 possesses an unusually long and conserved cytoplasmic region. Mutations in the LLP12 domain in this region have been shown to significantly affect viral competence. It is likely that the impaired infectivity of this mutated virus involves certain biochemical aspects of the peptide LLP12. To test our assumptions, some important biochemical properties and functions of LLP12 domain were studied. The recombinant peptide LLP12 (LLP12 domain on gp41, including LLP1 and LLP2 domains) was prepared via bacterial expression system. Biochemical analysis directly demonstrated its multimeric potential and membrane‐binding ability. Several arginine residues in this domain were observed to be extremely highly conserved. Interestingly, the LLP12 mutants constructed by substitution of these arginine residues with alanine (separate mutations in LLP1 or LLP2 or both) showed apparent decreases in their multimeric potential and membrane‐binding ability. Comparing our results with independent data on human immunodeficiency virus from other researchers, it appears that both the multimeric state and the membrane affinity of the LLP12 domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp41 could be involved in viral competence and in the mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env‐mediated cell fusion.
Structure-function correlation of tight junctional impairment after intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholestasis in rat liver.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Tight junctions, the only barrier between blood and bile, are crucial in bile formation. The aim of this study was to correlate changes in morphology and permeability by comparing structural parameters with marker secretion into normal and cholestatic rat bile. METHODS Cholestasis was induced by bile duct ligation of 5 and 21 days of ethinylestradiol administration. Quantitated structural parameters induced junctional length, strand number, junctional depth, and spacing of junctional particles. Junctional permeability was probed with horseradish peroxidase and dextrans of increasing sizes. RESULTS Junctional length was decreased slightly by ethinylestradiol (-16% after 21 days) but increased by ligation (77%). Mean strand number decreased from 4.6 to 3.7 after 21 days of ethinylestradiol and 3.4 after ligation associated with increased junctional depth. The proportions of morphologically horseradish peroxidase-positive junctions increased from 4% to 15% after 21 days of ethinylestradiol and to 56% after ligation. Horseradish peroxidase secretion was increased twofold by ethinylestradiol and 6.5-fold by ligation, paralleled by an increase of dextran size selectivity from 70,000 to 79,000 daltons after ethinylestradiol and to 266,000 daltons after ligation. CONCLUSIONS Impairment of junctional integrity is paralleled with the degree of cholestasis, whereas correlation of morphological and physiological alterations shows a close structure-function relationship.
Simulation methodology for large-bandwidth Track-and-hold microwave circuit

A step-by-step simulation methodology for large-bandwidth Track-and-hold (T/H) microwave circuit is proposed. A T/H circuit is characterized accurately under the Cadence© environment. With the consideration of a specific windowing function, linearity simulation analysis could be done effectively. Moreover, the use of an input frequency generation function, in accordance with theoretical calculation, allows to treat the entire input bandwidth (BW). A simulated switched emitter follower (SEF) structure in a 0.13-μm SiGe BiCMOS technology with 24 GHz effective bandwidth and a 4 GS/s clock illustrates our methodology.
The Impact of Bias Conditions on Self-Heating in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

The thermal response of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors directly correlates with the overall performance and reliability of these devices. In general, a hot spot develops near the drain end of the gate electrode during power dissipation. The device channel temperature was examined via micro-Raman spectroscopy under various bias conditions where power dissipation levels were identical. Under these bias conditions, difference in internal states (sheet carrier density and electric held distribution) within the device alters the heat generation profile across the channel. High Vds conditions lead to significantly higher channel temperature compared to that for low Vds conditions although the power dissipation is kept constant. Experimental results show ~13°C deviation between Vds = 45 V and Vds = 7 V cases when the power dissipation is 4.5 W/mm. This suggests that bias conditions may have a relatively signihcant impact on device reliability and that this effect must be considered when building thermal models of devices under operation or undergoing accelerated life testing.
Non-resonant elements with a simplified radiofrequency system for handset devices

Recent trends in handset antenna design are oriented to maximize the contribution of the ground plane to the radiation process. The challenge of these techniques mainly relies on the complexity of the radiofrequency system (combination of inductors, capacitors, and transmission lines) required to satisfy bandwidth and efficiency specifications. With the aim of simplifying this radiofrequency system, this paper proposes a new solution capable of minimizing the number of reactive components. The results demonstrate that the number of reactive elements can be reduced in a factor around three with respect to previous solutions while the electromagnetic performance is enhanced. Based on the proposed architecture, hepta-band operation for allocating eight communications standards GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS, LTE2100, LTE2300, LTE2500 is achieved by means of two non-resonant elements of 5 mm × 5 mm × 5 mm and a radiofrequency system composed by only five reactive components.
Agent-based learning model for assessing strategic generation investments in electricity markets

The liberalization of electricity markets has significantly changed the perspective of the power generation business. Nowadays, generation companies pursue economic goals due their investment decisions are based on expectations of profitability and the risk of their alternatives. These expectations are difficult to predict because they depend upon various factors that are highly uncertain, including both exogenous uncertainties — such as variations of demand and endogenous uncertainties — such as the behavior of competing generation agents. This paper proposes a numerical tool that financially evaluates investment alternatives of generation companies based on a novel adaptive learning technique that links the generation agents' experiences under the current situation considering their expectations of profitability and risk. In this model, the Agent-based Computational Economics approach has been applied. This method represents generation agents through autonomous and heterogeneous entities pursuing economic goals and interacting through computer models.
Performance of the census UNIVAC system

In June of 1948 the National Bureau of Standards acting on behalf of the Bureau of the Census contracted with the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation for a UNIVAC System. This UNIVAC System, now generally known as the Census UNIVAC System, was accepted on March 30, 1951, and since that time has been devoted almost exclusively to tabulating results of the 1950 Census of Population and Housing.
Two-Stage Optimization Method for Energy Loss Minimization in Microgrid Based on Smart Power Management Scheme of PHEVs

Utilizing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is growing fast and booming nowadays. These vehicles, as portable loads and energy sources, may be connected to standard sockets at home. As a result, those extra electrical loads, grid to vehicle, generations, and vehicle to grid, have several impacts on distribution networks, e.g., network energy loss. This paper presents a two-stage optimization method to minimize the energy loss of microgrid with different penetration levels of PHEVs. In the first stage, a novel convex quadratic objective function for active power management of PHEVs is proposed, and daily required energy of PHEVs is calculated based on stochastic model of PHEV owners' behavior. It is supposed that PHEVs can be employed as distributed capacitors. Therefore, reactive power of PHEVs is specified in the second stage. Afterward, the proposed methodology is applied to a realistic distribution network. It will be illustrated that network energy loss is likely to rise considerably in the case of increasing penetration level of PHEVs without smart charging strategy; in order to minimize network energy loss, a smart management scheme will have to be considered. Also, the significant impact of PHEVs' active and reactive power management on energy loss reduction will be demonstrated.
The evolution of movements and behaviour at boundaries in different landscapes: a common arena experiment with butterflies

As landscapes change, mobility patterns of species may alter. Different mechanistic scenarios may, however, lead to particular patterns. Here, we tested conflicting predictions from two hypotheses on butterfly movements in relation to habitat fragmentation. According to the resource distribution hypothesis, butterflies in more fragmented landscapes would have higher levels of mobility as resources are more scattered. However, these butterflies could have lower levels of mobility as they experience ‘hard’ habitat boundaries more frequently (i.e. higher crossing costs) compared with butterflies in landscapes with continuous habitat; i.e. the behaviour–at–boundaries hypothesis. We studied movements, habitat boundary crossing and habitat preference of laboratory–reared individuals of Pararge aegeria that originated from woodland and agricultural landscapes, by using an experimental landscape as a common environment (outdoor cages) to test the predictions, taking into account sexual differences and weather. Woodland butterflies covered longer distances, were more prone to cross open–shade boundaries, travelled more frequently between woodland parts of the cages and were more at flight than agricultural butterflies. Our results support the behaviour–at–boundaries hypothesis, with ‘softer’ boundaries for woodland landscapes. Because the butterflies were reared in a common environment, the observed behavioural differences rely on heritable variation between populations from woodland and agricultural landscapes.
Mental Disorders in Obese Patients with and without Metabolic Syndrome

Objective: The authors sought to evaluate lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in patients affected by metabolic syndrome compared with patients affected by central obesity alone. Methods: One hundred eighty-six (63.5%) patients affected by central obesity and 107 (36.5%) affected by metabolic syndrome according to ICF criteria were interviewed by means of SCID I and SCID II. Results: Axis I and axis II lifetime prevalence were respectively 53.8% and 30.1% among patients with central obesity, 50.5% and 28% among patients with metabolic syndrome, differences which were not significant. No statistically significant differences were found between groups as far as each single axis I and II diagnostic category was considered. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is not associated with a higher risk of mental disorders compared to central obesity alone.
Adaptive Selection: An Analysis of Critiquing and Preference-Based Feedback in Conversational Recommender Systems

E-commerce recommender systems help consumers to locate products within a complex product-space. Conversational recommender systems engage the user in a multicycle session, suggesting one or more products during each cycle, and using the feedback to inform the suggestions for the next cycle. By combining user feedback over several cycles, the system obtains a clear picture of the product the user wishes to purchase. As demonstrated under several experimental conditions, the performance of recommender systems is dramatically improved by the technique of adaptive selection, which employs critiquing and preference-based feedback, and emphasizes product diversity rather than similarity as a selection constraint.
Computation of the Stiffness Matrix in Robotic Structures Using Finite Element Analysis TR-CIM-1005 September 2010

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is known to be a highly reliable tool for structural analysis, but this is usually conducted offline. Online use of FEA is usually out of the question because it is highly demanding in terms of computing time. We show in this report how the Cartesian stiffness matrix of robotic structures of a certain class can be computed online with FEA support. The procedure is based on an extension of the concept of generalized spring that is capable of handling anisotropic linearly elastic structures. In this way, FEA is conducted offline, to compute the Cartesian stiffness matrix of a structural part of a complex shape. This matrix is then used to update the posture-dependent Cartesian stiffness matrix of the overall structure. As an illustrative example, the procedure is applied to a Schönflies motion generator that features two parallelogram linkages fabricated of carbon fiber. In order to illustrate the online feasibility of the computation involved, the root-mean square value of the eigenvalues of a dimensionless factor of the stiffness matrix is plotted along a standard trajectory adopted by the industry.
Time Domain Approach for Listening Enhancement in Noisy Environments

Algorithms for Near-end Listening Enhancement (NELE) improve the intelligibility of speech, played back in a noisy environment, by adaptively ﬁltering the speech signal and taking into account the current background noise characteristics. This contribution proposes a time-domain approach for NELE which is based on linear prediction (LP). LP coefﬁcients of speech and noise are estimated by a normalized least mean squares algorithm and are used to adapt time-domain ﬁlters which enhance the speech signal. The computational cost of this approach is comparable to reference algorithms in the frequency domain, but its latency is extremely low. Simulations show that signiﬁcant improvements in terms of the Speech Intelligibility Index can be achieved.
Calcium-induced conidiation in Penicillium cyclopium: calcium triggers cytosolic alkalinization at the hyphal tip

Addition of Ca2+ (1 to 10 mM) to submerged cultures of Penicillium cyclopium induces conidiation. Ca2+ induced an increase in cytosolic pH from approximately 7.00 to > 7.60 in less than 10 min, as determined with the fluorescent pH probe fluorescein. Measurement of the H(+)-ATPase activity in total membrane fractions did not show any stable activation in vivo as a result of Ca2+ treatment. By fluorescence ratio imaging microscopy, it was observed that vegetative hyphae exhibit a tip-to-base pH gradient, with the tip being more acidic. Ca2+ caused this gradient to dissipate within 10 min. The effect of several agents that are supposed to cause internal acidification, by different means, on conidiation was tested. Concentrations of these agents that did not significantly affect growth but inhibited Ca(2+)-induced conidiation also prevented the intracellular alkalinization observed after exposure to the cation. Calcium channel blockers (lanthanum, cobalt, verapamil, and nifedipine) were not able to inhibit Ca(2+)-induced conidiation, although their effect on calcium uptake was not evaluated. However, the combined results point towards externally bound Ca2+ as the primary agent of conidiation induction, causing changes in plasma membrane function which disrupt the pH gradient observed during apical growth.
The importance of convective transport.

BACKGROUND Despite technological advances in dialysis equipment and modalities, survival, morbidity, and quality of life of hemodialysis patients are still severely affected by acute intradialytic and long-term complications, possibly related to the treatment itself. Convective treatments, such as high-flux hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, and hemofiltration are increasingly suggested as further improvements over standard diffusive hemodialysis. The membranes used for these techniques are high-flux semisynthetic and synthetic membranes. Characteristics of these membranes are high permeability, which allows convective removal of water and electrolytes and higher clearance of middle and large molecular weight solutes, and high biocompatibility, which minimizes the "inflammatory response" secondary to interactions between blood and the artificial material of the hemodialysis system. METHODS With the specific aim of verifying the superiority of convective treatments in reducing morbidity and mortality, we performed a review of the published literature. RESULTS Some epidemiological studies suggest that convective treatments reduce morbidity and mortality among dialysis patients. However, the results of the published prospective randomized controlled trials are conflicting. Moreover, since convective treatments are usually performed with synthetic biocompatible membranes, it is hard to separate the effect of convection from the effect of biocompatibility. CONCLUSIONS To finally assess the effect of high-flux membranes on morbidity and mortality, the results of two randomized, controlled clinical trials (HEMO study and MPO study) specifically designed with this aim are needed.
Metastatic melanoma: chemotherapy to biochemotherapy.

BACKGROUND Single-agent or combination chemotherapy regimens have not impacted the short median survival of patients with metastatic melanoma, and complete or durable responses are rare. Biologic response modifiers (interferon and interleukin-2) have produced durable remissions in a small cohort of patients, and phase II trials of biochemotherapy suggest more benefit. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the status of the current treatments of metastatic melanoma focusing on biochemotherapy. RESULTS Regimens include both sequential and concurrent approaches for inpatient and outpatient treatment settings. Overall response rates in phase II trials are 40% to 60% with complete responses of 10% to 20% and median survivals in the 11- to 12-month range. Modifications of concurrent biochemotherapy regimens have maintained efficacy and reduced toxicity. Small phase III trials suggest a survival advantage of biochemotherapy (P=.05). CONCLUSIONS Biochemotherapy remains a promising new treatment for metastatic melanoma. A large Intergroup trial E3695 comparing concurrent biochemotherapy to combination chemotherapy alone is powered to answer important survival questions.
Investigations of induced currents in human bodies due to exposure to EMF from low voltage appliances

Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF) due to low and medium voltages are normally low. But with the wide spread and increase in the use of electrical energy, the potential for exposure has increased considerably. Exposure to man made electrical appliances generally ranges from 15 V/m up to 100 V/m for electric fields and from 0.1 ? T to more than 30 ? T for magnetic field. Our main topic in this research is to investigate the effect of electric field and magnetic fields at power frequency and analysis of the interaction between these fields and the living organisms. Since the wavelength of the ELF electric and magnetic field is sufficiently greater than greater than the dimensions of the biological object, so the electric and magnetic fields can be independently treated. This paper fa concerned with the calculation methods of electric fields, magnetic fields and currents induced in the human body due to these fields, The developed technique can decide the most accurate method for calculations and the degree of precision . This research investigated the degree of danger due to the induced currents from both magnetic and electric fields individually on his own. It was concluded that the induced currents due to the electric fields are normally insignificant to be considered in calculations and the main concern will be induced currents due to the magnetic fields. In the range of 10 -100 mA/m induced currents biological effects have been established, but these induced current densities from short-term exposure (few hours) may cause minor transient effects on health.
Health trends among drug users attending needle exchange programmes in Switzerland (1994–2000)

Abstract As a part of an assessment of the Swiss drug harm-reduction policy, cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 1994, 1996 and 2000 among attenders of all needle exchange programmes (NEP) in Switzerland to assess changes in specific aspects of their health related to drug use. Data were gathered in each NEP over one week, using a questionnaire completed partly with an interviewer and partly self administered. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic characteristics, drug consumption, risk, prevention behaviour and state of health. Over a 6-year period (1994–2000), the average age of NEP attenders rose by 4 years. The prevalence of reported HIV remained fairly stable at around 10%. Reported level of Hepatitis C prevalence was high (59%). Incidence of used injection equipment sharing during the last 6 months was low and stable (9% in 1994, 12% in 2000); however, other forms of risk behaviour linked to intravenous drug use, such as sharing spoons, cotton or water, were more frequently reported. The HIV epidemic among NEP attenders seems to be contained, but this is not the case with Hepatitis C, and more attention should be paid to its prevention.
A railway safety and security concept for low-power mixed-criticality systems

Mixed-criticality cyber physical system provides great advantages in terms of cost, dependability, scalability and competitiveness. However, especially due to shared resources, the certification of these kind of systems is still challenging. Furthermore if the power management is integrated in the system, compliance with safety and security is even more complex. This paper presents the safety concept of a railway signalling use-case, considering a mixed-criticality object controller which includes a power management approach. The paper presents a proposal of using degraded modes and a safety/security analysis of low power techniques. The concept has been positively assessed by an independent certification body.
Estimation of Raindrop Size Distribution Parameter with TRMM Precipitation Radar #

Properties of a raindrop size distribution (DSD) parameter estimated from TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) measurements are examined. The DSD parameter, called “ ” which is equivalent to the estimate of “a” in the radar reflectivity (Z) – rail rate (R) relation, Z = aR, shows a clear contrast between over land and over ocean. It also has a clear correlation with rain-top height and lightning activity derived from TRMM LIS measurement. Moreover, the seasonal variations of “a” over South India and Singapore show good correlations with ground-based disdrometer measurements. These results suggest that provides a means of global mapping of DSD.
A voting and predictive Neural Network system for use in a new artificial Larynx

A new artificial Larynx is currently under development at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. This device uses dynamic tongue movement from a palatometer system to infer what the user is trying to say. Feature selection algorithms extract information from the palatometer data and are then used as input to a Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Network. This paper deals with improving the success rate of the Neural Networks by using a voting system as well as a word prediction system. By using a voting system unknown non-rejected input words were correctly identified 93.5% of the time, while the system has a rejection rate of 17.36%. A set of grammar rules were developed for the word set and this improved the number of correct unknown, non-rejected words to 94.14% but increased the rejection rate to 17.74%.