Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of Kaposin (Open Reading Frame K12) as a Human Herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus) Transforming Gene

The recently identified human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8, or Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) has been implicated in the etiology of both Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion (body cavity-based) lymphoma (PEL) (Y. Chang et al., Science 266:1865-1869, 1994; P. S. Moore et al., J. Virol. 70:549-558, 1996). An important feature of the association of HHV-8 with these malignancies is the expression of an abundant, latency-associated 0.7-kb transcript, T0. 7 (W. Zhong et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:6641-6646, 1996). T0.7 is found in all stages in nearly all KS tumors of different epidemiologic origin, including AIDS-associated, African endemic, and classical KS (K. A. Staskus et al., J. Virol. 71:715-719, 1997), as well as in a body cavity-based lymphoma-derived cell line, BCBL-1, that is latently infected with HHV-8 (R. Renne et al., Nat. Med. 2:342-346, 1996). T0.7 encodes a unique HHV-8 open reading frame, K12, also known as kaposin. In this study, we report that the kaposin gene induced tumorigenic transformation. Constructs with kaposin expressed either from its endogenous promoter or from a heterologous promoter induced focal transformation upon transfection into Rat-3 cells. All transformed Rat-3 cell lines containing kaposin sequences produced high-grade, highly vascular, undifferentiated sarcomas upon subcutaneous injection of athymic nu/nu mice. Tumor-derived cell lines expressed kaposin mRNA, suggesting a role in the maintenance of the transformed phenotype. Furthermore, kaposin protein was detected in transformed and tumor-derived cells by immunofluorescence and localized to the cytoplasm. More importantly, expression of kaposin protein was also detected in the PEL cell lines BCBL-1 and KS-1. These findings demonstrate the oncogenic potential of kaposin and suggest its possible role in the development of KS and other HHV-8-associated malignancies.
Direct determination of bromide, nitrate, and iodide in saline matrixes using electrostatic ion chromatography with an electrolyte as eluent

A new ion chromatographic method that is applicable to the direct determination of UV-absorbing inorganic anions in saline matrixes is described. An octadecylsilica column modified with a zwitterionic surfactant (3-(N,N-dimethylmyristylammonio)propanesulfonate) is used as the stationary phase, and an electrolytic solution is used as the eluent. Under these conditions, the matrix species (such as chloride and sulfate) are only retained weakly and show little or no interference. It is proposed that a binary electrical double layer (EDL) is established by retention of the eluent cations on the negatively charged (sulfonate) functional groups of the zwitterionic surfactant (forming a cation-EDL) and by retention of eluent anions on the positively charged (quaternary ammonium) functional groups of the zwitterionic surfactant (forming an anion-EDL). Sample anions are able to distribute into the cation-EDL and to form ion pairs with the EDL cations, while at the same time experiencing repulsion from the anion-ED.
Formulation design and optimization of mouth dissolve tablets of nimesulide using vacuum drying technique

The purpose of this research was to develop mouth dissolve tablets of nimesulide. Granules containing nimesulide, camphor, crospovidone, and lactose were prepared by wet granulation technique. Camphor was sublimed from the dried granules by exposure to vacuum. The porous granules were then compressed. Alternatively, tablets were first prepared percentage friability, wetting time, and disintegration time. In the investigation, a 32 full factorial design was used to investigate the joint influence of 2 formulation variables: amount of camphor and crospovidone. The results of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that for obtaining a rapidly disintegrating dosage form, tablets should be prepared using an optimum concentration of camphor and a higher percentage of crospovidone. A contour plot is also presented to graphically represent the effect of the independent variables on the disintegration time and percentage friability. A checkpoint batch was also prepared to prove the validity of the evolved mathematical model. Sublimation of camphor from tablets resulted in superior tablets as compared with the tablets prepared from granules that were exposed to vacuum. The systematic formulation approach helped in understanding the effect of formulation processing variables.
Multi-frequency polarimetric target detection in FM-based passive radar

The joint exploitation of polarimetric and frequency diversity is considered in this paper as a way to improve the target detection capability in a FM radio-based passive radar. We resort to a Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test (GLRT) approach and derive a fully adaptive multi-frequency polarimetric detector that optimally combines the signals simultaneously received at different carrier frequencies by differently polarized surveillance antennas. The application of the proposed detection scheme to recorded live data demonstrates the effectiveness of the multi-frequency polarimetric operation in typical scenarios, besides the expected improvement due to non-coherent integration of target echoes received on multiple channels. In particular, it is shown to provide remarkable target discrimination capability against interfering sources as well as increased robustness with respect to the time-varying characteristics of the exploited signals of opportunity.
Working-time flexibility and autonomy: A European perspective on time adequacy

This study examines the effect of working-time flexibility and autonomy on time adequacy, using the 2010 European Working Conditions Survey. It addresses gender differences and institutional contexts in the UK, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands, and reveals that time arrangements have gendered meanings. While working-time flexibility and autonomy are positively related to time adequacy for women, for men they tend to imply overtime and work intensification. Furthermore, working-time regimes also shape time arrangements. In the UK, employees have time adequacy primarily when they work fixed hours, while in the Netherlands, employees profit most from working-time autonomy. Moreover, unlike in Germany and the UK, men and women in the Netherlands and Sweden benefit more equally from working-time flexibility and autonomy.
Antigenic characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes and its application to serotyping of clinical isolates

Antigenic analysis of the four serotypes of Cryptococcus neoformans was carried out by slide agglutination with reciprocal adsorption methods. With this procedure the antigenic patterns of the serotypes were established. Serotypes A and D had antigenic factors 1, 2, 3, 7 and 1, 2, 3, 8, respectively. Serotypes B and C were found to have antigenic factors 1, 2, 4, 5 and 1, 4, 6, respectively. Factor sera, prepared according to the antigenic patterns demonstrated by adsorption studies, proved to be useful for rapidly and accurately identifying C. neoformans serotypes. Some patterns similar to those of the C. neoformans serotypes were observed in five other Cryptococcus species and two Candida species. The proton magnetic resonance spectra of polysaccharides from the C. neoformans serotypes correlated well with their antigenic characteristics. Phenol oxidase test reactions and growth at 37 degrees C were useful criteria for determining which yeasts should be chosen for clinical application of factor sera for serotyping of C. neoformans. Sixty-two Japanese isolates of C. neoformans were serotyped. Fifty-eight of these isolates were serotype A, three were serotype A-D, and one was serotype D.
Liver Enzymes and Incident Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—We sought to examine the association between plasma concentrations of liver enzymes γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alanine transaminase (ALT) and incident diabetes, prospectively. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We conducted a case-cohort analysis of data from participants mainly aged 35–65 years in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition–Potsdam Study. The analytic sample included 787 participants with incident diabetes and 2,224 participants without diabetes. RESULTS—Concentrations of GGT and ALT were significantly associated with incident diabetes after extensive adjustment. Compared with participants in the lowest quintile of GGT, the adjusted hazard ratios for increasing quintiles were 1.13 (95% CI 0.66–1.93), 1.67 (1.01–2.77), 2.77 (1.71–4.49), and 2.67 (1.63–4.37), respectively (P for linear trend <0.001). Compared with participants in the lowest quintile of ALT, the adjusted hazard ratios for incident diabetes were 0.93 (0.56–1.53) for quintile 2, 1.28 (0.83–1.96) for quintile 3, 1.35 (0.88–2.07) for quintile 4, and 1.93 (1.27–2.92) for quintile 5 (P for linear trend = 0.002). The magnitude of the associations were higher among men than women for GGT (P = 0.004) but did not differ significantly between men and women for ALT (P = 0.307). CONCLUSIONS—Concentrations of GGT and ALT were significant predictors of incident diabetes in this study, even at concentrations still considered to be within the normal range.
An acute exercise session increases self-efficacy in sedentary endometrial cancer survivors and controls.

BACKGROUND Self-efficacy can be affected by mastery experiences and somatic sensations. A novel exercise experience and associated sensations may impact self-efficacy and subsequent behaviors. We investigated the effect of a single exercise session on self-efficacy for sedentary endometrial cancer survivors compared with sedentary women of a similar age, but with no cancer history. METHODS Twenty survivors and 19 controls completed an exercise session performed as a submaximal cycle ergometry test. Sensations and efficacy were measured before and after exercise. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed. Regression models were used to determine predictors of self-efficacy and subsequent exercise. RESULTS Self-efficacy increased for both survivors and controls, but survivors had a higher rate of increase, and the change predicted subsequent exercise. The association between exercise-related somatic sensations and self-efficacy differed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS A novel exercise experience had a larger effect on self-efficacy and subsequent exercise activity for endometrial cancer survivors than controls. Somatic sensations experienced during exercise may differ for survivors, which may be related to the experience of having cancer. Understanding factors affecting confidence in novel exercise experiences for populations with specific cancer histories is of the utmost importance in the adoption of exercise behaviors.
Morphing billboards: an image-based appearance model for hand tracking

We present a novel approach to image-based rendering of articulated objects which gives reliable estimates of the object's shape and shading in new, previously unseen poses. The main idea is to combine a kinematic 3D model with a novel extension to billboard rendering in combination with a computationally lightweight axis-aligned morphing technique. The result is both visually appealing and accurate with respect to resolving texture, shading and elastic deformation of the articulated object. We show experimentally that our lightweight morphing technique allows the formulation of bias-free pixel-wise objective functions that improve upon static texturing. Using synthetic, ground-truth labelled data, we demonstrate that the proposed function is highly robust against image blur, occlusion, cluttered or skin-coloured background and exhibits significantly less local optima than the state of the art. In addition, we apply our method to real camera images and show several examples constructed from synthetic and real hand images.
GF(2n)-Linear Tests versus GF(2)-Linear Tests

A small-biased distribution of bit sequences is defined as one withstanding GF(2)-linear tests for randomness, which are linear combinations of the bits themselves. We consider linear combinations over larger fields, specifically, GF(2 n ) for n that divides the length of the bit sequence. Indeed, this means that we partition the bits to blocks of length n and treat each block as the representation of a field element. Various properties of the resulting field element can then be tested. We show that the latter GF(2 n )-linear tests are at least as powerful as the GF(2)-linear tests. This holds even for a very limited final test of the resulting field element (e.g., checking only the first bit). This is shown constructively in the sense that we show for each linear combination over GF(2), an explicit linear combination over GF(2 n ) whose first bit (for instance) has the same bias. One corollary of the above is that the generator producing a random geometric series over GF(2 n ), namely (a,b) 7! (a i · b) `=0, is ` 2n-biased.
N-[3-(Benzyldimethylazaniumyl)propyl]-N′,N′,N′′,N′′-tetramethylguanidinium bis(tetraphenylborate)

In the crystal structure of the title salt, C17H32N4 2+·2C24H20B−, the C—N bond lengths in the CN3 unit of the guanidinium ion are 1.323 (4), 1.336 (5) and 1.337 (5) Å, indicating partial double-bond character in each. The C atom of this unit is bonded to the three N atoms in a nearly ideal trigonal–planar geometry [N—C—N angles = 117.7 (4), 120.9 (3) and 121.4 (3)°] and the positive charge is delocalized in the CN3 plane. The bonds between the N atoms and the terminal C-methyl groups of the guanidinium moiety all have values close to a typical single bond [1.452 (5)–1.484 (6) Å]. In the crystal, C—H⋯π interactions are present between guanidinium H atoms and the phenyl rings of both tetraphenylborate ions. This leads to the formation of a two-dimensional supramolecular pattern along the ab plane.
Using acausal shaping techniques to reduce robot vibration

A method for generating shaped command inputs which reduce endpoint vibration is presented. The technique applies to both open- and closed-loop systems. The Draper Laboratory's Space Shuttle remote manipulator system nonlinear simulator is used to verify the substantial reduction of residual vibration. In addition, the shaped inputs have been designed to closely approximate the time-optimal input, therefore only a small move time penalty is incurred. <<ETX>>
High Loading Dose of Atorvastatin for the Prevention of Serum Creatinine and Cystatin C-Based Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of high-dose atorvastatin on the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous intervention and observe the incidence of cystatin C (CyC)-based CIN. A total of 496 patients with ACS were randomly assigned to either the control group (247 patients receiving conventional dose atorvastatin 10 mg daily from 1 day before to 3 days after contrast administration) or the high-dose atorvastatin group (249 patients receiving atorvastatin 40 mg daily for the same perioperative period). The baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were similar. The primary end point of serum creatinine (SCr)-based CIN occurred in 31 patients in the control group and 16 patients in the high-dose atorvastatin group (12.6% vs 6.4%; P = .02). Cystatin C–based CIN developed in 90 patients in the control group and 46 patients in the high-dose atorvastatin group (36.4% vs 18.5%; P < .001). A multivariable analysis revealed that high-dose atorvastatin was independently associated with a decreased risk of CIN. Our study demonstrated that prophylactic treatment with high-dose atorvastatin reduced the risk of both SCr and CyC-based CIN and suggested that CyC was a more reliable marker for early diagnosis of CIN compared with SCr.
The Effect of Secondary Markets on Equity‐Linked Life Insurance with Surrender Guarantees

Many equity‐linked life insurance products offer the possibility to surrender policies prematurely. Secondary markets for policies with surrender guarantees influence both policyholders and insurers. We show that secondary markets lead to a gap in policy value between insurer and policyholder. Insurers increase premiums to adjust for higher surrender rates of customers and optimized surrender behavior by investors acquiring the policies on secondary markets. Hence, the existence of secondary markets is not necessarily profitable for the primary policyholders. The result depends on the demand for and the supply of the contracts brought to the secondary markets.
Association of anticytomegalovirus seropositivity with more severe joint destruction and more frequent joint surgery in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Expansion of autoreactive CD4+CD28(null) T cells is associated with extraarticular disease manifestations, including rheumatoid vasculitis, and it has recently been demonstrated that expansion of these T cells is associated with anticytomegalovirus (anti-CMV) seropositivity. This study was undertaken to investigate a possible link between latent CMV infection and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS In a retrospective analysis, anti-CMV antibodies and clinical, serologic, and radiologic parameters of joint destruction were examined in 202 RA patients and 272 healthy controls. In addition, frequencies of CD4+CD28(null) T cells; concentrations of the cytokines monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interferon-α (IFNα), and IFN-inducible protein 10; and anti-CMV-specific T cell responses were analyzed in RA patients. RESULTS Overall, no significant difference in the frequency of anti-CMV seropositivity between RA patients and healthy controls was observed. Among individuals older than age 55 years, however, anti-CMV IgG antibodies were significantly more frequent in RA patients than controls (65.3% and 54.7%, respectively; P = 0.05). Anti-CMV seropositivity in RA patients was associated with an increased frequency of CD4+CD28(null) T cells and increased serum concentrations of MCP-1. The frequency of anti-CMV-specific CD4+ T cells producing IFNγ was increased in RA patients compared to controls. Most importantly, anti-CMV-seropositive RA patients showed radiographic evidence of more advanced joint destruction and had increased frequencies of joint-related surgical procedures, indicating more severe joint disease. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that latent CMV infection aggravates the clinical course of RA and is associated with increased frequencies of CD4+CD28(null) T cells and of CMV-specific IFNγ-secreting CD4+ T cells.
Disturbed surround inhibition in focal hand dystonia

Disturbances in surround inhibition could account for various movement disorders. Here we test the functional operation of surround inhibition in focal hand dystonia. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was set to be triggered by self‐initiated voluntary flexion of the index finger. During this movement, motor‐evoked potential amplitudes from the little finger muscle were significantly suppressed in healthy subjects but enhanced in dystonia patients. This result supports the idea that disturbed surround inhibition is a principal pathophysiological mechanism of dystonia. Ann Neurol 2004;56:595–599
Robust Approach for Disparity Map Estimation Based on Multilevel Decomposition

A novel approach for dense disparity map (DM) estimation is designed. The proposed frameworks include together processing of stereo pairs using the following blocks: CIEL*a*b* color space conversion, stereo matching via multilevel scheme, employing Normalized Cross-Correlation or Structural Similarity Index Measure, color segmentation by k-means on a*b* color plane, and adaptive post-filtering. The Bad Matching Pixels and Structural Similarity Index Measure criteria are applied in order to compare the performance of the proposed approach against state-of-the-art techniques. Two designed frameworks appear outperform existing state-of-the-art techniques in terms of objective criteria as well as in subjective visual perception.
Probabilistic reliability assessment of North American Electric Power Systems

This paper summarizes the results of the first mandatory NERC wide probabilistic reliability assessment that was completed in 2012. The main purpose of the assessment is to complement NERC's 2012 long-term reliability assessment (LTRA) by providing additional probabilistic metrics such as the expected unserved energy (EUE) and the loss of load expectation expressed in terms of hours per year (LOLH). The reliability of 26 assessment areas was examined in 11 individual evaluations which varied in scope from large interconnected systems such as the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) to relatively smaller systems for example Manitoba Hydro. These individual assessments were then combined into NERC's 2012 ProbA for the entire NERC footprint. The reliability indices for the third (2014) and the fifth (2016) years from the 2012 LTRA were calculated and reported for each assessment area. The assumptions, methodologies and models used in the 2012 ProbA are briefly described. Suggestions are also made for the improvement in the future NERC wide probabilistic reliability assessment.
An extraordinarily inaccurate assay for free testosterone is still with us.

Perusing the November 2000 issue of JCE&M, I noted an article in which one of the outcome measures was serum free testosterone (1). The method used to measure serum free testosterone, a direct RIA that purports to, but does not, measure the free testosterone concentration is one whose use I decried in a letter to the editor published more than 3 yr ago (2). Not long after, Vermeulen et al. (3) published a side-by-side experimental comparison of methods for determining the concentration of free testosterone in serum. Those experiments conclusively show that the direct RIA of free testosterone is seriously inaccurate, underestimating its concentration by many-fold. To my knowledge, there are no data that contradict these conclusions. Hence, I was surprised to find that the direct assay method not only was still being used for investigative purposes, but also was being published in what is among the foremost endocrine journals in the world. To see how pervasive this situation was, I undertook to examine the frequency with which those publishing in the journal were using this methodology.
Familial Risk and Sibling Mentalization: Links With Preschoolers’ Internalizing Problems

The current study explored whether older sibling mentalization moderated the relationship between familial risk for internalizing symptoms and the development of future internalizing problems in the younger siblings, referred to as target children. Data were collected on 397 older siblings at Time 1 (T1) when target children were newborn and their older siblings were on average 2.61 years old (SD = .75). Target children were on average 1.60 years old at Time 2 (T2). Internalizing problems were assessed via mother and partner reports. Familial risk was operationalized as the average of all older siblings’ level of internalizing problems. Older sibling mentalization, indexed by internal state talk and reasoning, was observed and coded during a sibling pretend-play interaction at T2. Results revealed a significant interaction between familial risk of internalizing problems and older siblings’ mentalizing abilities, showing that familial risk was related to target children’s internalizing problems in the absence of sibling mentalization. Familial risk was not associated with target children’s internalizing problems when siblings demonstrated mentalizing abilities. Findings support the need to consider sibling mentalization as a protective factor for children’s internalizing problems.