Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Propofol Hemisuccinate Protects Neuronal Cells from Oxidative Injury

Abstract : Oxidative stress contributes to the neuronal death observed in neurodegenerative disorders and neurotrauma. Some antioxidants for CNS injuries, however, have yet to show mitigating effects in clinical trials, possibly due to the impermeability of antioxidants across the blood—brain barrier (BBB). Propofol (2,6‐diisopropylphenol), the active ingredient of a commonly used anesthetic, acts as an antioxidant, but it is insoluble in water. Therefore, we synthesized its water‐soluble prodrug, propofol hemisuccinate sodium salt (PHS), and tested for its protective efficacy in neuronal death caused by non‐receptor‐mediated, oxidative glutamate toxicity. Glutamate induces apoptotic death in rat cortical neurons and the mouse hippocampal cell line HT‐22 by blocking cystine uptake and causing the depletion of intracellular glutathione, resulting in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). PHS has minimal toxicity and protects both cortical neurons and HT‐22 cells from glutamate. The mechanism of protection is attributable to the antioxidative property of PHS because PHS decreases the ROS accumulation caused by glutamate. Furthermore, PHS protects HT‐22 cells from oxidative injury induced by homocysteic acid, buthionine sulfoximine, and hydrogen peroxide. For comparison, we also tested α‐tocopherol succinate (TS) and methylprednisolone succinate (MPS) in the glutamate assay. Although TS is protective against glutamate at lower concentrations than PHS, TS is toxic to HT‐22 cells. In contrast, MPS is nontoxic but also nonprotective against glutamate. Taken together, PHS, a water‐soluble prodrug of propofol, is a candidate drug to treat CNS injuries owing to its antioxidative properties, low toxicity, and permeability across the BBB.
Nucleotide sequence of the major outer membrane protein gene from Chlamydia trachomatis serovar H.

The gene encoding the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) from Chlamydia trachomatis, serovar H was isolated from a genomic library using the MOMP gene from serovar L2 as the probe (1) . The recombinant insert was subcloned into a plasmid vector (Bluescript), the gene localized by Southern blotting and the nucleotide sequence was determined by the dideoxy chain termination method. The H MOMP gene is 1193 bp long and encodes a polypeptide of 397 amino acids including a 22 amino acid leader sequence. This corresponds to a mature H MOMP of 40,672 daltons, in agreement with the molecular mass predicted by SDS-PAGE (2) . The H and L2 MOMP genes are 74% homologous at the nucleotide level and are 84% homologous in their protein sequences. The differences in the two sequences are clustered in four regions (435-483, 655-687, 906-952 and 1083-1194).
Adalimumab-induced lupus erythematosus in Crohn's disease patients previously treated with infliximab.

The efficacy and safety profile of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α agents has led to their increasing use in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Infectious complications and immunogenicity are the main drawbacks of these drugs. Among the latter, drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) has been reported among infliximab but not adalimumab-treated IBD patients. We read with interest the article by Sandborn and coworkers ( Gut 2007; 56 :1232–9), in which no cases of DILE among patients in the CLASSIC-I trial were reported, suggesting that this was less likely with adalimumab than infliximab. We would, however, like to report two cases that suggest that this optimistic viewpoint may not be justified. A 29-year-old woman, with a history of autoimmune aortitis and steroid-dependent ileocolonic Crohn’s disease, started adalimumab because of persistent disease activity despite subcutaneous methotrexate, which was also maintained. …
Maximum efficiency tracking in wireless power transfer for battery charger: Phase shift and frequency control

This paper presents a maximum efficiency point tracking algorithm for Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) to match the load impedance to that of the source impedance. Conventionally, the load is considered only resistive in the literature. In most of the applications the battery is the end load and the equivalent circuit of battery consists of resistive and reactive elements. Therefore, to improve the overall efficiency of the system, load impedance has to be matched with source impedance. In this paper, a maximum efficiency power tracking (MEPT) algorithm is presented to match source impedance to load impedance. Proposed algorithm varies both frequency and phase shift of the inverter output voltage to minimize input power, whereas output power is kept constant by a dc-dc converter. Battery voltage and current regulation are maintained by the output side dc-dc converter. A brief mathematical analysis is provided to verify the proposed concept. Further, a laboratory prototype with a power rating of 600W is developed, and results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the concept.
Link prediction in weighted network based on reliable routes by machine learning approach

In data mining, link prediction for the networks is one of the areas of greatest interest today. Research achievements of link prediction problem can be applied in many fields such as study genetically transferred diseases, online marketing, e-commerce services, discover the structure of criminal networks, friend request in social networks … However, most of researchers focused on predicting the existence of links in previous studies of link prediction. The predicting weight of links has not been heavily researched. In this paper, we introduce an effective solution for weighted network. We propose a novel learning-based approach to weight prediction. Our approach presents the Topological Similarity Score (TSS) feature combined by six indices (CN, AA, RA, rWCN, rWAA, rWRA) to compute the similarity scores between nodes. We propose to utilize Support Vector Regression (SVR) with TSS feature to predict weights. All experiments were conducted on five data sets: Cel, USAir, Lesmis, ReHall, Netscience. Experimental results show that our approach can increase the weight prediction correlation coefficient by 70% over and reduce the error by 17%, compared to the baseline approach.
A research on typing methods for interactive Digital Television Applications

It has been several years now since we started to experience a change in traditional television services. Recently, the digitalization of these services has improved the usage of the available electromagnetic spectrum, increased the quality of the service and increased the number of channels. The next step in this evolution is the transformation of traditional television into a fully interactive service. This change allows users to run applications on the television, similar to those of mobile phones or computers. Nevertheless, the main interaction device delivered with televisions and set-top-boxes is still the traditional remote control. This device is suitable to perform certain actions such as move a pointer or select something, but it has not been designed to carry out more complex actions such as writing text. In this paper we present the main outcomes of a project aimed at researching typing methods for interactive digital television services. During the project we have carried out several experiments with real users, who had to use different typing methods and devices that may be suitable for interactive digital television applications.
In vitro Evaluation of Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole from Fixed-Dose Combination Generic Drugs using Spectrophotometry: Comparison of Flow-Through Cell and USP Paddle Methods

Purpose: To develop a first-order derivative spectrophotometric method for the determination of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) from fixed-dose combination generic products using a flow-through cell technique. Methods: Absorbance measurement was achieved at 247.8 and 257.9 nm for trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, respectively. USP Apparatus 4 with 22.6 mm cells, laminar flow at 16 ml/min, and 0.1 N HCl at 37 °C as dissolution medium, were used. Dissolution profiles were compared with modeldependent and independent methods. Results: All the products met the pharmacopeial dissolution criterion (Q ≥ 70 %, at 60 min), except SMX in two products (SC 400 mg and SB1 800 mg) using the flow-through cell (53.62 and 49.74 % dissolved, respectively). Using both USP apparatuses, significant differences in mean dissolution time and dissolution efficiency values were found (p < 0.05). All products were in line with Weibull’s kinetics and significant differences in derived parameters (Td) values were found (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Determination of TMP and SMX by derivative spectrophotometry can easily be employed for dissolution studies using the flow-through cell technique. However, it would be necessary to determine correlation with in-vivo test results in order to assure safe interchangeability. Keywords: Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole, Flow-through cell method, First-order derivative spectrophotometry, Fixed-dose combination generic drugs
The MiaA tRNA Modification Enzyme Is Necessary for Robust RpoS Expression in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT The stationary phase/general stress response sigma factor RpoS (σS) is necessary for adaptation and restoration of homeostasis in stationary phase. As a physiological consequence, its levels are tightly regulated at least at two levels. Multiple small regulatory RNA molecules modulate its translation, in a manner that is dependent on the RNA chaperone Hfq and the rpoS 5′ untranslated region. ClpXP and the RssB adaptor protein degrade RpoS, unless it is protected by an anti-adaptor. We here find that, in addition to these posttranscriptional levels of regulation, tRNA modification also affects the steady-state levels of RpoS. We screened mutants of several RNA modification enzymes for an effect on RpoS expression and identified the miaA gene, encoding a tRNA isopentenyltransferase, as necessary for full expression of both an rpoS750-lacZ translational fusion and the RpoS protein. This effect is independent of rpoS, the regulatory RNAs, and RpoS degradation. RpoD steady-state levels were not significantly different in the absence of MiaA, suggesting that this is an RpoS-specific effect. The rpoS coding sequence is significantly enriched for leu codons that use MiaA-modified tRNAs, compared to rpoD and many other genes. Dependence on MiaA may therefore provide yet another way for RpoS levels to respond to growth conditions.
Modeling Coordination in Offshore Software Development

Controlling and minimizing coordination costs has been shown to be an important factor to reduce overall project performance in distributed software development. In this research-in-progress paper we investigate the effects of software complexity, software integration, distributed labor division policies, learning effects on software coordination costs. Drawing from data collected on 130 software construction cycles in 34 large projects of a leading offshore development firm, we first present our analysis on how coordination costs relate to team organization factors and complexity of evolving software. We base our analytic model of coordination costs in offshore software development on these empirical relationships, and give an overview of our modeling approach. We apply our model of software coordination costs to develop resource allocation policies in the projects we studied. We consider both waterfall and iterative software development methodologies and also tandem and parallel integration schemes. Our modeling approach helps managers to develop a dynamic coordination policy to aid iterative software development in distributed development environments.
Expression and function of a human initiator tRNA gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We showed previously that the human initiator tRNA gene, in the context of its own 5'- and 3'-flanking sequences, was not expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we show that switching its 5'-flanking sequence with that of a yeast arginine tRNA gene allows its functional expression in yeast cells. The human initiator tRNA coding sequence was either cloned downstream of the yeast arginine tRNA gene, with various lengths of intergenic spacer separating them, or linked directly to the 5'-flanking sequence of the yeast arginine tRNA coding sequence. The human initiator tRNA made in yeast cells can be aminoacylated with methionine, and it was clearly separated from the yeast initiator and elongator methionine tRNAs by RPC-5 column chromatography. It was also functional in yeast cells. Expression of the human initiator tRNA in transformants of a slow-growing mutant yeast strain, in which three of the four endogenous initiator tRNA genes had been inactivated by gene disruption, resulted in enhancement of the growth rate. The degree of growth rate enhancement correlated with the steady-state levels of human tRNA in the transformants. Besides providing a possible assay for in vivo function of mutant human initiator tRNAs, this work represents the only example of the functional expression of a vertebrate RNA polymerase III-transcribed gene in yeast cells.
RhoA-GDP Regulates RhoB Protein Stability

RhoA plays a significant role in actin stress fibers formation. However, silencing RhoA alone or RhoA and RhoC did not completely suppress the stress fibers suggesting a residual “Rho-like” activity. RhoB, the third member of the Rho subclass, is a shortlived protein barely detectable in basal conditions. In various cell types, the silencing of RhoA induced a strong up-regulation of both total and active RhoB protein levels that were rescued by re-expressing RhoA and related to an enhanced half-life of the protein. The RhoA-dependent regulation of RhoB does not depend on the activity of RhoA but is mediated by its GDP-bound form. The stabilization of RhoB was not dependent on isoprenoid biosynthesis, Rho kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 mitogen-activated kinase, or phosphatidylinositol 3′-OH kinase pathways but required RhoGDIα. The forced expression of RhoGDIα increased RhoB half-life, whereas its knock-down antagonized the induction of RhoB following RhoA silencing. Moreover, a RhoA mutant (RhoAR68E) unable to bind RhoGDIα was significantly less efficient as compared with wild-type RhoA in reversing RhoB up-regulation upon RhoA silencing. These results suggest that, in basal conditions, RhoGDIα is rate-limiting and the suppression of RhoA makes it available to stabilize RhoB. Our results highlight RhoGDIα-dependent cross-talks that regulate the stability of RhoGTPases.
PVDF based artificial canal lateral line for underwater detection

Cave fish have developed lateral lines, including superficial lateral lines and canal lateral lines, which help themselves detecting preys/predators, communicating and other underwater activities by sensing both minute water motions and pressure gradients. The lateral line system of cave fish, Sinocyclocheilus Macrophthalmus, which live in the karst caves, Guangxi, China, has been characterized in our previous research. In this paper, a novel artificial canal neuromast arrays using PVDF based dynamic flow sensors is proposed. As the artificial canal lateral line (ACLL) is manufactured by soft PDMS and PVDF materials, it can deform freely and fit on complex surfaces. The ACLL device is characterized using a vibrating dipole source with a diameter of 10 mm, and it demonstrates a maximum detectable distance of 96 cm, in the case that the dipole source vibrates with an amplitude of 0.3 mm at a frequency of 100 Hz. The limit of detectable pressure variation of each sensor unit is 3.1 Pa. The ACLL device can be used to track the location of the dipole source.
An automatic system for multiple human tracking and actions recognition in office environment

This paper presents an automatic system that detects humans, tracks to maintain knowledge of up to 2 human objects' whereabouts in an office environment and recognizes their simple actions (such as walking, sitting down, getting up, squatting down and standing up, in both lateral and frontal views) in color video for activities logging. The detection, tracking and human motion classifications are automatic and suitable for use in smart room/office environment.
Modeling and control of a step-down composite DC-DC converter

A step-down composite DC-DC architecture is introduced, which can lead to reduced semiconductor voltage and current stresses and improved efficiency in applications that require operation over a wide range of conversion ratios. The step-down composite architecture, which consists of a series-input, parallel-output connection of a regulating buck stage and a number of unregulated fixed conversion ratio (DCX) stages, enables the use of lower-voltage semiconductors. The paper is focused on modeling and control of the composite converter. Modes of operation and closed loop voltage regulation are verified on a 1 kW, 48 V prototype with an input voltage range of 48-to-192 V.
A Fundamental Ethical Approach to Nursing: some proposals for ethics education

The purpose of this article is to explore a fundamental ethical approach to nursing and to suggest some proposals, based on this approach, for nursing ethics education. The major point is that the kind of nursing ethics education that is given reflects the theory that is held of nursing. Three components of a fundamental ethical view on nursing are analysed more deeply: (1) nursing considered as moral practice; (2) the intersubjective character of nursing; and (3) moral perception. It is argued that the fundamental ethical view on nursing goes together with a virtue ethics approach. Suggestions are made for the ethics education of nurses. In particular, three implications are considered: (1) an attitude versus action-orientated ethics education; (2) an integral versus rationalistic ethics education; and (3) a contextual model of ethics education. It will also be shown that the European philosophical background offers some original ideas for this endeavour.
Optical orthogonal codes: Design, analysis, and applications

An optical orthogonal code (OOC) is a family of (0,1) sequences with good auto- and cross-correlation properties, i.e the autocorrelation of each sequence exhibits the `thumbtack' shape and the cross correlation between any two sequences remains low throughout. The use of optical orthogonal codes enables a large number of asynchronous users to transmit information efficiently and reliably. The thumbtack-shaped autocorrelation facilitates the detection of the desired signal, and low-profile cross correlation reduces interference from unwanted signals. Theoretical upper and lower bounds on the maximum possible size of OOCs are derived. Methods for the design and analysis of OOCs, using tools from projective geometry, the greedy algorithm, iterative constructions, algebraic coding theory, block design, and various other combinational disciplines, are discussed
Modelling for on-line partial discharge monitoring on MV cables by using a modified Universal Line Model

The overall cable insulation condition can be monitored continuously by the implementation of an on-line partial discharge (PD-OL) monitoring system. It can both detect and locate the sources of PDs and also assess the insulation condition by using past data. The utilization of an accurate electromagnetic transient model is crucial for the accuracy of the system. Therefore, the well known Universal Line Model (ULM) is chosen to be used for the modelling of PDs propagation through underground medium voltage (MV) cables. For that purpose the ULM is properly modified in order to be able to take into account the PDs occurring among the two terminals of a cable section. The proposed approach also indicates the way that frequency dependent cable terminations can be included as well as the time varying noise existent at the points of measurements.
Mesure de la viscosité - Viscosimètres et rhéomètres

Afin de choisir au mieux la methode appropriee a la mesure de la viscosite, il est necessaire de definir la nature de la mesure et les grandeurs que l’utilisateur cherche a determiner. Dans une premiere partie, seront donc exposees ces differentes grandeurs : la viscosite de cisaillement seule, la viscosite elongationnelle seule, l’elasticite, etc. D’autres parametres entrent egalement en jeu, comme la necessite d’une mesure normalisee, le cout d’investissement et/ou de fonctionnement ou la precision requise. Dans une deuxieme partie, une description sera faite de quelques appareils commerciaux, tels que les viscosimetres capillaires, les rheometres bases sur ecoulement oscillatoire, les viscosimetres et rheometres rotatifs.
COMMENT Five patients with atrial myxomas and a septicaemia ( all in adults ) are recorded in the literature

Three children with left atrial myxomas are described. All suffered major arterial occlusion with consequent permanent morbidity before the diagnosis was made and the tumour removed. Each child had had previous small embolic phenomena. In two, the diagnosis was made by ultrasound. In any child who has had an arterial embolus without obvious cause, a left atrial myxoma should be considered and looked . for by an ultrasonic mitral echogram.
Equivalent circuit representation of left-handed media in coplanar waveguide technology

The left handed (LH) behavior of different types of artificial periodic structures is currently an attractive research subject. Different types of the so-called 'metamaterials' have been recently proposed, and among them, several technologies that could be used as frequency selective transmission lines. In this paper, an equivalent circuit for LH frequency selective metamaterials based on split ring resonators (SRRs) and periodically shortcircuited coplanar waveguide is analyzed. Results obtained from the equivalent circuit response of a unit cell and a multiple stage structure are successfully compared with those obtained from a commercial full-wave simulator and from manufactured prototypes, thus allowing their potential use within iterative optimization procedures.
Open crack depth evaluation using eddy current methods and GMR detection

In this paper the eddy current nondestructive method is used to determine the depth of linear cracks that were machined on aluminum plates. To improve this method a constant field probe was used to produce linear eddy currents launched across the crack. The tangential to plate magnetic field components perpendicular and parallel to the applied field were measured by a giant magneto-resistor sensor at different frequencies to devise one method for crack's depth measurement.
Discovering Ontologies from Performance Systems

There is much diversity in the approaches taken to ontological engineering. A common theme that unites them all is the considerable effort associated with developing and validating ontologies. As a result many approaches include in their goals the ability to reuse and share all or parts of other ontologies as one way of reducing the cost of development. This paper describes an alternative where the goal is not to build large-scale common ontologies but to generate domain-specific ontologies for the purpose of modelling and explaining knowledge that we have acquired without the need for significant analysis or structuring. This paper describes a knowledge acquisition technique, known as ripple-down rules (RDR), that was designed to alleviate the problems contributing to the KA bottleneck and the maintenance of large knowledge based systems. Recently RDR have been combined with Formal Concept Analysis to allow an abstraction hierarchy of concepts contained in the assertional rule-base to be automatically generated and displayed as a concept lattice. Using this technique, higher-level concepts can be made explicit. This paper looks at this work and assesses its value as an ontological representation and suggests that an alternative to engineering ontologies is to discover them.