Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical study of corrosion inhibition on copper in transformer oil

Addition of metal inhibitor to corrosive transformer oil was employed to prevent the formation of semi-conductive Cu2S on copper surface. The formation of impermeable layer is the key process, however, little attention were paid on this process. Here, we performed aging experiment with benzotriazole and benzimidazole type inhibitors on copper strips in corrosive transformer oil. The experiment shows that the N1 position required free coordinating site for the protective layer formation. And molecules with substituent in C2 position are sensitive to the effectiveness of inhibition. Also, DFT calculation was employed to investigate the molecular structure, electronic properties. It is found that none of EHOMO, ELUMO, energy gap and dipole moment is correlated to the structure-reactivity. However, the steric analysis shows strong impact on the impermeable layer formation, suggesting end-on orientation stacking model in the chemisorption process. Furthermore, we afforded inhibiting results by introducing free coordinating size like amino and thiol group at C2 position. These experiments and analysis results offered us deeper understanding to the process of suppression with inhibitor and theoretical guide for inhibitor design in transformer oil.
Ferlins: Regulators of Vesicle Fusion for Auditory Neurotransmission, Receptor Trafficking and Membrane Repair

Ferlins are a family of multiple C2 domain proteins with emerging roles in vesicle fusion and membrane trafficking. Ferlin mutations are associated with muscular dystrophy (dysferlin) and deafness (otoferlin) in humans, and infertility in Caenorhabditis elegans (Fer‐1) and Drosophila (misfire), demonstrating their importance for normal cellular functioning. Ferlins show ancient origins in eukaryotic evolution and are detected in all eukaryotic kingdoms, including unicellular eukaryotes and apicomplexian protists, suggesting origins in a common ancestor predating eukaryotic evolutionary branching. The characteristic feature of the ferlin family is their multiple tandem cytosolic C2 domains (five to seven C2 domains), the most of any protein family, and an extremely rare feature amongst eukaryotic proteins. Ferlins also bear a unique nested DysF domain and small conserved 60–70 residue ferlin‐specific sequences (Fer domains). Ferlins segregate into two subtypes based on the presence (type I ferlin) or absence (type II ferlin) of the DysF and FerA domains. Ferlins have diverse tissue‐specific and developmental expression patterns, with ferlin animal models united by pathologies arising from defects in vesicle fusion. Consistent with their proposed role in vesicle trafficking, ferlin interaction partners include cytoskeletal motors, other vesicle‐associated trafficking proteins and transmembrane receptors or channels. Herein we summarize the research history of the ferlins, an intriguing family of structurally conserved proteins with a preserved ancestral function as regulators of vesicle fusion and receptor trafficking.
Performance of ‘modified switch and examine’ diversity combiner over generalized gamma fading channels

Performance of a modified switch and examine combining (M-SEC) diversity receiver [1] with arbitrary number of branches is analyzed over independent generalized gamma fading channels. Expressions for the average output signal-to-noise ratio and amount of fading of the combiner output signal are obtained. The average bit error rate for non-coherent modulation schemes and the average Shannon channel capacity of multi-branch M-SEC receiver are derived in terms of Meijer's G-function. The obtained mathematical analysis is accompanied with numerical results to demonstrate the effects of fading and the number of diversity branches on the performance of the receiver. We have compared the performance of M-SEC with that of dual- and multi-branch switched diversity system. The results for a Rayleigh channel is obtained from the derived expressions and is presented as a special case of the generalized gamma fading model. Numerical results are verified through computer simulation results.
Annexin A2 facilitates endocytic trafficking of antisense oligonucleotides

Chemically modified antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) designed to mediate site-specific cleavage of RNA by RNase H1 are used as research tools and as therapeutics. ASOs modified with phosphorothioate (PS) linkages enter cells via endocytotic pathways. The mechanisms by which PS-ASOs are released from membrane-enclosed endocytotic organelles to reach target RNAs remain largely unknown. We recently found that annexin A2 (ANXA2) co-localizes with PS-ASOs in late endosomes (LEs) and enhances ASO activity. Here, we show that co-localization of ANXA2 with PS-ASO is not dependent on their direct interactions or mediated by ANXA2 partner protein S100A10. Instead, ANXA2 accompanies the transport of PS-ASOs to LEs, as ANXA2/PS-ASO co-localization was observed inside LEs. Although ANXA2 appears not to affect levels of PS-ASO internalization, ANXA2 reduction caused significant accumulation of ASOs in early endosomes (EEs) and reduced localization in LEs and decreased PS-ASO activity. Importantly, the kinetics of PS-ASO activity upon free uptake show that target mRNA reduction occurs at least 4 hrs after PS-ASOs exit from EEs and is coincident with release from LEs. Taken together, our results indicate that ANXA2 facilitates PS-ASO trafficking from early to late endosomes where it may also contribute to PS-ASO release.
Listening for Recovery: The Vocational Success of People Living with Mental Illness

Background. Mental health occupational therapists work with some individuals who want employment but who are not successful at finding or keeping a job. Purpose. The purpose of this qualitative study was to suggest factors contributing to vocational success. Method. The investigators interviewed 8 participants who were recovering from psychosis. The interview texts were coded and analyzed for emerging themes. Results. Three themes emerged that describe how the participants achieved vocational success: self-assessing their mental health regularly, actively working to maintain and improve their mental health, and striving to feel connected to others at work. The results are consistent with previous studies that found that a positive fit between a worker and the workplace is linked to the worker feeling connected to and valued by the workplace. Practice Implications. This study suggests that supporting the ways individuals assess and promote their own mental health and recovery will contribute to their success at work. Occupational therapists are urged to help people find workplaces where they feel encouraged and comfortable as this appears to be an important factor in vocational success.
A 200mA 93% Peak Efficiency Single-Inductor Dual-Output DC-DC Buck Converter

A single-inductor dual-output DC-DC buck converter is presented. The inductor, which is external, provides two independent output voltages ranging from 1.2V to the power supply with a maximum total output current of 200mA. The supply can range from 2.6 to 5V. The converter is fabricated in a 0.35mum p-substrate CMOS technology. Measurement results demonstrate that a peak power efficiency as high as 93.3% can be achieved and the efficiency is always >62.5%.
Sensitive chair: a force sensing chair with multimodal real-time feedback via agent

Motivation -- The paper presents an alternative prevention system for Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) in visual display terminal (VDT) workers. The system integrates an ergonomically adjustable chair with a computer program that provides multimodal real-time feedback through an agent. Research approach -- A user study was conducted to test the use of the sensitive chair in a natural work environment. Data regarding user satisfaction, awareness provided by the system, and actions taken in response to system were gathered. Findings/Design -- Findings of the user study show that the participants were positive about the sensitive chair and that they became much more aware of their sitting posture. Take away message -- The use of sensors and an agent to give real-time feedback about an adequate sitting posture was positively evaluated and has a strong effect on the awareness of sitting posture in VDT workers.
Severe obesity, gestational weight gain, and adverse birth outcomes.

BACKGROUND The 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee to Reevaluate Gestational Weight Gain Guidelines concluded that there were too few data to inform weight-gain guidelines by obesity severity. Therefore, the committee recommended a single range, 5-9 kg at term, for all obese women. OBJECTIVE We explored associations between gestational weight gain and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births, large-for-gestational-age (LGA) births, spontaneous preterm births (sPTBs), and medically indicated preterm births (iPTBs) among obese women who were stratified by severity of obesity. DESIGN We studied a cohort of singleton, live-born infants without congenital anomalies born to obesity class 1 (prepregnancy body mass index [BMI (in kg/m(2))]: 30-34.9; n = 3254), class 2 (BMI: 35-39.9; n = 1451), and class 3 (BMI: > or =40; n = 845) mothers. We defined the adequacy of gestational weight gain as the ratio of observed weight gain to IOM-recommended gestational weight gain. RESULTS The prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain declined, and weight loss increased, as obesity became more severe. Generally, weight loss was associated with an elevated risk of SGA, iPTB, and sPTB, and a high weight gain tended to increase the risk of LGA and iPTB. Weight gains associated with probabilities of SGA and LGA of < or =10% and a minimal risk of iPTB and sPTB were as follows: 9.1-13.5 kg (obesity class 1), 5.0-9 kg (obesity class 2), 2.2 to <5.0 kg (obesity class 3 white women), and <2.2 kg (obesity class 3 black women). CONCLUSION These data suggest that the range of gestational weight gain to balance risks of SGA, LGA, sPTB, and iPTB may vary by severity of obesity.
Noninvasive measurement of scleral stiffness and tangent modulus in porcine eyes.

PURPOSE We investigated an indentation technique to measure the scleral stiffness and tangent modulus of porcine eyes. METHODS The scleral load-displacement responses were measured with a universal testing machine as a function of IOP in 15 porcine eyes ex vivo using a 5-mm diameter cylindrical flat-punch indenter. The scleral radius of curvature and scleral thickness were measured using a DSLR camera (Alpha 900) and a camera-mounted stereomicroscope (M205C), respectively. The relationships between scleral stiffness, tangent modulus, and IOP were examined. RESULTS The mean local scleral radius of curvature and scleral thickness were 7.86 ± 0.49 and 1.03 ± 0.14 mm, respectively. The average scleral stiffness and scleral tangent modulus of porcine eyes were 0.13 ± 0.02 N/mm and 0.20 ± 0.04 MPa at 15 mm Hg, respectively. The scleral stiffness and scleral tangent modulus were correlated positively with IOP (scleral stiffness, 0.989 < r < 0.999, P < 0.001; scleral tangent modulus, 0.989 < r < 0.999, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The scleral indentation technique can provide a noninvasive approach to measure scleral stiffness and tangent modulus.
The Notch-effector HRT1 gene plays a role in glomerular development and patterning of the Xenopus pronephros anlagen

Notch signaling has been shown to play a role in cell fate decisions in the Xenopus pronephros anlagen. Here, we show that the Xenopus Hairy-related transcription factor (HRT) gene XHRT1, and the Hairy/Enhancer of split (HES) genes Xhairy1, Xhairy2b, esr9 and esr10, have distinct restricted dynamic expression patterns during pronephros development, and that their expression is regulated by Notch. XHRT1, which is the earliest and strongest gene expressed in the pronephric region, is initially transcribed predominantly in the forming glomus, where it is downregulated by antisense morpholino oligonucleotide inhibition of xWT1. Later, it is activated in the most dorsoanterior part of the pronephros anlagen that gives rise to the proximal tubules. In agreement with this dynamic expression profile, we found that early activation of Notch favors glomus, whereas only later activation promotes proximal tubule formation. We show that, among the bHLH-O factors tested, only XHRT1 efficiently inhibits distal tubule and duct formation, and that only its translational inhibition causes a reduction of the expression of proximal tubule and glomus markers. Using domain swap experiments, we found that the XHRT1 C-terminal region is crucial for its activity. Together, our results provide evidence that XHRT1 plays an important role in glomerular development and early proximodistal patterning that is distinct from those of the other pronephric bHLH repressors.
Smart Sensory Furniture Based on WSN for Ambient Assisted Living

Ubiquitous computing has been defined as “machines that fit the human environment instead of forcing humans to enter theirs. ” An example of this type of approach is “Smart Sensory Furniture” (SSF) Project. SSF is an ambient assisted living system that allows inferring a potential dangerous action of an elderly person living alone at home. This inference is obtained by a specific sensory layer with sensor nodes fixed into furniture and a reasoning layer embedded in a PC that learns from the users’ behavioral patterns and advices when the system detects unusual patterns. This paper aims to explain the SSF sensory layer, which is a distributed signal processing system in a network of sensing objects massively distributed, physically coupled, wirelessly networked, and energy limited. A complete set of experimental test has been carried out. The results show the level of accuracy for each type of sensors and potential use. Finally, the power consumption was experimentally measured and the results show the low maintenance requirements of this solution. The complete system design is described and discussed, including the node mesh details, as well as the type of sensors and actuators and other aspects, such as integration issues and solutions.
Surface Coil Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A surface coil is used as a receiver in a crossed-coil arrangement with a conventional circumferential transmitter coil in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The improved signal-to-noise ratio for objects close to the coil, compared with a conventional circumferential saddle-shaped receiver coil, permits higher resolution imaging of relatively superficial structures such as the orbit, neck, chest wall, and lumbar spine. Index Terms: Nuclear magnetic resonance—Nuclear magnetic resonance, techniques.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD5-encoded DNA repair protein contains DNA helicase and zinc-binding sequence motifs and affects the stability of simple repetitive sequences in the genome

rad5 (rev2) mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are sensitive to UV light and other DNA-damaging agents, and RAD5 is in the RAD6 epistasis group of DNA repair genes. To unambiguously define the function of RAD5, we have cloned the RAD5 gene, determined the effects of the rad5 deletion mutation on DNA repair, DNA damage-induced mutagenesis, and other cellular processes, and analyzed the sequence of RAD5-encoded protein. Our genetic studies indicate that RAD5 functions primarily with RAD18 in error-free postreplication repair. We also show that RAD5 affects the rate of instability of poly(GT) repeat sequences. Genomic poly(GT) sequences normally change length at a rate of about 10(-4); this rate is approximately 10-fold lower in the rad5 deletion mutant than in the corresponding isogenic wild-type strain. RAD5 encodes a protein of 1,169 amino acids of M(r) 134,000, and it contains several interesting sequence motifs. All seven conserved domains found associated with DNA helicases are present in RAD5. RAD5 also contains a cysteine-rich sequence motif that resembles the corresponding sequences found in 11 other proteins, including those encoded by the DNA repair gene RAD18 and the RAG1 gene required for immunoglobin gene arrangement. A leucine zipper motif preceded by a basic region is also present in RAD5. The cysteine-rich region may coordinate the binding of zinc; this region and the basic segment might constitute distinct DNA-binding domains in RAD5. Possible roles of RAD5 putative ATPase/DNA helicase activity in DNA repair and in the maintenance of wild-type rates of instability of simple repetitive sequences are discussed.
Pre-existing cognitive impairment and post-operative cognitive dysfunction: should we be talking the same language?

Changes in cognition are known to follow anesthesia and surgery in older individuals (Evered et al., 2011). Although survival per se was the prime outcome in the 19th and early 20th centuries for invasive procedures, a link was none-the-less observed with adverse cognitive outcomes as far back as 1887 (Savage, 1887). Historical reports of “insanity” or “weak mindedness” after anesthesia appeared within 40 years of the first anesthetic having been administered and anecdotal and retrospective reports have implicated anesthesia ever since. However, it was not until the 1970s that these observations received any sound scientific evaluation, when clinicians became aware of cognitive changes following cardiac surgery. It was assumed that the cardiopulmonary bypass (heart lung machine) must have been the main culprit because it was this factor which so greatly distinguished cardiac surgery from non-cardiac surgery (Shaw et al., 1987). This long held belief entered surgical folklore and was the basis for many publications endeavoring to identify particular aspects of the heart lung machine responsible for this cognitive decline.
Observer-Independent Method for Microstructural Parcellation of Cerebral Cortex: A Quantitative Approach to Cytoarchitectonics

We describe a new, observer-independent procedure for identifying boundaries between cortical areas. The method is useful for images obtained from sections which provide microstructural information on the cortical laminar pattern, e.g., Nissl-, myelin-, or immunohistochemically stained sections or receptor autoradiographs. The laminar pattern is represented by profile curves extending from the cortical surface to the white matter boundary. These profiles are constructed from digitized images. Digitization is based on the grey level index (Nissl) or densitometry (myelin, immunohistochemistry, receptor autoradiography). The shapes of neighboring profiles are compared by calculating their distances according to feature vectors extracted from the profiles. Profiles derived from a homogeneous area can be expected to be similar in shape and hence show low distance values between each other. Maximum distances can be found between profiles which lie on opposite sides of a structural boundary. The Mahalanobis distance was found to be more sensitive and to yield greater spatial resolution than other distance measures such as the Euclidean distance. Cell-stained sections of the human neocortex were analyzed. The method not only verified boundaries which had been defined by visual inspection, it also revealed new ones which had not been detected visually. The procedure offers an important supplement to the traditional methods based on visual inspection which, for the first time, is based on quantitative data and therefore offers a new level of reproducibility and observer independence. Anatomical atlases based on this procedure thus provide a new tool for the interpretation of structural data obtained from functional imaging techniques.
Molecular Characterization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Spread by Neonates Transferred From Primary Obstetrics Clinics to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Korea

Objective. To investigate the characteristics and origins of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from neonatal patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital from local and primary care obstetrics clinics. Design. Molecular typing study. Setting. A 1,278-bed tertiary care hospital (Samsung Medical Center) and 2 primary obstetrics clinics in Seoul, Korea. Patients. The genotypic characteristics of 12 MRSA samples isolated from 11 neonatal patients transferred from 2 primary care obstetrics clinics to a tertiary care hospital were investigated by means of multilocus sequence typing, spa (staphylococcal protein A) typing, and SCCmec typing. Ten MRSA strains isolated from workers and environments in the associated obstetrics clinics were also investigated. Results. Although the antibiograms of isolates from 2 obstetrics clinics differed, no strain showed multidrug resistance to antimicrobials. Multilocus sequence typing analysis showed that all 22 MRSA isolates analyzed in this study had sequence type 1 (with the allelic profile 1-1-1-1-1-1-1), sequence type 493 (62-1-1-1-1-1-1), or a novel sequence type (25-1-1-1-1-1-1) and that all belonged to a single clonal complex (clonal complex 1). Moreover, they all contained SCCmec type IVA and the identical spa type (UJEBKBP). These genotypic characteristics are similar to those of typical community-associated MRSA strains rather than the hospital-acquired MRSA strains common in Korea. Conclusion. The findings of this study suggest that community-acquired MRSA strains can spread in primary care clinics and be imported into tertiary care settings.
SILENCING OF FAS, FAS-ASSOCIATED VIA DEATH DOMAIN, OR CASPASE 3 DIFFERENTIALLY AFFECTS LUNG INFLAMMATION, APOPTOSIS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF TRAUMA-INDUCED SEPTIC ACUTE LUNG INJURY

ABSTRACT Activation of Fas signaling is a potentially important pathophysiological mechanism in the development of septic acute lung injury (ALI). However, so far the optimal targets within this signaling cascade remain elusive. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that in vivo gene silencing of Fas, Fas-associated via death domain (FADD), or caspase 3 by intratracheal administration of small interfering RNA would ameliorate ALI in a clinically relevant double-hit mouse model of trauma induced septic lung injury. Male C57Bl/6 mice received small interfering (Fas, FADD, caspase 3) or control RNA 24 h before and 12 h after blunt chest trauma or sham procedures. Polymicrobial sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture 24 h after chest trauma. Twelve or 24 h later, lung tissue, plasma, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were harvested. During ALI, lung apoptosis (active caspase 3 Western blotting, TUNEL staining) was substantially increased when compared with sham. Silencing of caspase 3 or FADD both markedly reduced pulmonary apoptosis. Fas– and FADD–small interfering RNA administration substantially decreased lung cytokine concentration, whereas caspase 3 silencing did not reduce lung inflammation. In addition, Fas silencing markedly decreased lung neutrophil infiltration. Interestingly, only in response to caspase 3 silencing, ALI-induced lung epithelial barrier dysfunction was substantially improved, and histological appearance was beneficially affected. Taken together, downstream inhibition of lung apoptosis via caspase 3 silencing proved to be superior in mitigating ALI when compared with upstream inhibition of apoptosis via Fas or FADD silencing, even in the presence of additional anti-inflammatory effects. This indicates a major pathophysiological role of lung apoptosis and suggests the importance of other than Fas-driven apoptotic pathways in trauma-induced septic ALI.