Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Screening for human T-cell leukemia-lymphoma virus.

To the Editor. — The human T-cell leukemia-lymphoma virus (HTLV) has been noted to be extremely prevalent in several populations, including southeastern blacks. 1 Interestingly, the four cases of Blayney et al include three patients who worked in health-related professions: case 1 "worked as a hospital nursing and dietetic aide," case 2 "worked in the supply department of a hospital," and case 3 "worked as a medical assistant. " As a physician who trained and worked in the southeast for more than 15 years, I would like to make the following observation: southern blacks work in hospitals in numbers far out of proportion to their population in any given town. Could there be a connection in this observation relating to cases 1, 2, and 3? Should populations of all races working in hospitals be screened for HTLV?
Amyloid precursor protein cooperates with c-KIT mutation/overexpression to regulate cell apoptosis in AML1-ETO-positive leukemia via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

It has been reported that amyloid precursor protein (APP) promotes cell proliferation and metastasis in various types of solid cancers. In our previous study, we showed that APP is highly expressed and regulates leukemia cell migration in AML1‑ETO-positive (AE) leukemia. Whether APP is involved in the regulation of AE leukemia cell proliferation or apoptosis is unclear. In the present study we focused on the correlation of APP with c-KIT mutation/overexpression and cell proliferation and apoptosis in AE leukemia. APP and c-KIT expression detected by quantitative real-time (qPCR) method, and c-KIT mutations screened using PCR in bone marrow cells from 65 patients with AE leukemia before their first chemotherapy, were simultaneously assessed. Furthermore, the Kasumi-1 cell line was chosen as the cell model, and the APP gene was knocked down using siRNA technology. The correlation of cell cycle distribution and apoptosis and c-Kit expression with APP expression levels, as well as the regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by APP were analyzed in the Kasumi-1 cell line. The results showed that peripheral white blood cell counts (P=0.008) and bone marrow cellularity (P=0.031), but not bone marrow blasts, were correlated with APP expression. Moreover, the patients with APP high expression had a significantly higher incidence of c-KIT mutations (P<0.001) and increased levels of c-KIT expression (P=0.001) and poorer disease outcome. In the Kasumi-1 cell line, as compared with the wild-type and negative control cells, cell apoptosis, both early (P<0.001) and late (P<0.001), was significantly increased when the APP gene was knocked down, concomitant with reduced levels of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increased levels of caspase-3 and -9, however, no apparent change was observed in the cell cycle distribution (P>0.05). Moreover, the knockdown of APP markedly decreased c-KIT expression at both the transcription (as evidenced by qPCR analysis) and translation (as confirmed by CD117 assay and western blot analysis) levels, as well as p-AKT and its downstream targets including NF-κB, p53 and Bcl-2. In conclusion, APP may cooperate with c-KIT mutation/overexpression in the regulation of cell apoptosis but not proliferation in AE leukemia via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Effects of Spatial Correlation on MIMO Adaptive Antenna System With Optimum Combining

In this paper, we investigate the effects of the spatial fading correlation on the performance of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) adaptive antenna system with optimum combining (OC) in the presence of multiple cochannel interferers over a correlated Rayleigh fading channel. Based on the Khatri's distribution functions of quadratic forms in complex Gaussian random matrices, we develop a unified determinant representation of those joint eigenvalue distributions. Taking into account the spatial correlation among the antenna elements at the transmitter or receiver, we derive the closed-form formulas for the probability density function and outage probability of the maximum output signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) in an interference-limited MIMO-OC system. Furthermore, the average output SIR and error probability are also investigated. From numerical examples, we show that a new theoretical approach gives a simple and accurate way to assess the performance of the MIMO-OC system over arbitrarily correlated fading channels
On the complexity of time table and multi-commodity flow problems

A very primitive version of Gotlieb's timetable problem is shown to be NP-complete, and therefore all the common timetable problems are NP-complete. A polynomial time algorithm, in case all teachers are binary, is shown. The theorem that a meeting function always exists if all teachers and classes have no time constraints is proved. The multi-commodity integral flow problem is shown to be NP-complete even if the number of commodities is two. This is true both in the directed and undirected cases. Finally, the two commodity real flow problem in undirected graphs is shown to be solvable in polynomial time. The time bound is O(|v|2|E|).
Periodicity Locomotion Control Based on Central Pattern Generator

In this article, a method to generate the periodical gait of a walking robot from the point of view of neurophysiologic is proposed. The neuraxon's nonlinear oscillation model, i.e. simplified Hodgkin-Huxley model is adopted. An octopod like robot's CPG (central pattern generator) consists of eight neuron oscillators, each of them is responsible to control the motion of an individual leg. The commands for oscillators are generated by high-level control system, which is responsible to generate some periodical motion modes and regulate switching between the modes by setting and tuning up parameters instead of controlling all details. The simulation results show that the designed central pattern generator model can generate V shape wave gait which satisfies the phasic demand, besides, the validity to control the periodical motion based on the central pattern generator is proved
Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Sedation and Analgesia Regimens During Fracture Manipulation in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Objective: To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis, from a hospital's perspective, of 4 procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) regimens to facilitate forearm fracture manipulation in the pediatric emergency department (ED): deep sedation with ketamine/midazolam (K/M) administration, propofol/fentanyl administration, fentanyl/midazolam (F/M) administration, and axillary block. Design/Methods: We constructed a decision analytic model using relevant probabilities from published studies of pediatric patients who underwent fracture manipulation in the EDs. Total costs were calculated by assessing ED resource utilization associated with uncomplicated PSA and with PSA complicated by adverse events. Costs of consumable equipment were considered to be fixed. Total sedation time, personnel time, and drug costs were considered variable. We assumed that all PSA regimens provided effective relief from procedural distress. Failure rates for axillary block were estimated based on reports in the literature. When patients experienced emesis, recovery agitation, respiratory depression, lidocaine toxicity, or regional block failure, we assumed that the patients would require 1 additional hour of ED stay. Sensitivity analyses of all key variables in the model were performed to identify those that may result in a change in the preferred option. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to assess model robustness. Results: Under baseline assumptions, the propofol/fentanyl regimen was the most cost-effective choice (expected cost, US $84.06), followed by axillary block (US $88.18), K/M (US $105.32), and F/M (US $159.79), respectively. Varying the fixed and variable costs by 50% to 200% of their baseline values did not alter the ranking. When ketamine and propofol were administered without adjunctive midazolam and fentanyl, respectively, propofol remained the optimum choice. With total PSA time as the outcome measure, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were US $8.1 and US $24.9 per hour of ED time saved, for propofol/fentanyl versus axillary block and for axillary block versus K/M, respectively. Conclusions: Among PSA regimens during forearm fracture manipulation in the pediatric ED, propofol/fentanyl is the most cost-effective regimen followed by axillary block, K/M, and F/M.
Factors Influencing the Hospitalization Costs of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

This study aims to research the factors influencing the hospitalization costs of patients with type 2 diabetes, so as to provide some references for reducing their economic burden. Based on the Hospital Information System of a 3A grade hospital in China, we analyzed 2970 cases with type 2 diabetes during 2005-2012. Both the number of inpatients and the hospitalization costs had increased in the study period. Using multiple linear regression analysis, we found that patients in Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance had higher costs than those in New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme. We also found hospitalization costs to be higher in male patients and older patients, patients who stayed more days at hospital and who had surgeries, patients who had at least 1 complication, and patients whose admission status was emergency. After standardizing the regression coefficients, we found that the hospital stay, the forms of payment, and presence of complications were the first 3 factors influencing hospitalization costs in our study. In conclusion, the hospitalization costs of patients with type 2 diabetes could be influenced by age, gender, forms of payment, hospital stay, admission status, complications, and surgery. Medical workers in the studied region should take actions to reduce the duration of hospital stay for diabetic patients and prevent relevant complications. What is more, medical insurance needs further improvement.
MADS-box genes active in developing pollen cones of Norway spruce (Picea abies) are homologous to the B-class floral homeotic genes in angiosperms.

The reproductive organs of conifers, the pollen cones and seed cones, differ in morphology from the angiosperm flower in several fundamental respects. In this report we present evidence to suggest that the two plant groups, in spite of these morphological differences and the long evolutionary distance between them, share important features in regulating the development of the reproductive organs. We present the cloning of three genes, DAL11, DAL12, and DAL13, from Norway spruce, all of which are related to the angiosperm B-class of homeotic genes. The B-class genes determine the identities of petals and stamens. They are members of a family of MADS-box genes, which also includes C-class genes that act to determine the identity of carpels and, in concert with B genes specify stamens in the angiosperm flower. Phylogenetic analyses and the presence of B-class specific C-terminal motifs in the DAL protein sequences imply homology to the B-class genes. Specific expression of all three genes in developing pollen cones suggests that the genes are involved in one aspect of B function, the regulation of development of the pollen-bearing organs. The different temporal and spatial expression patterns of the three DAL genes in the developing pollen cones indicate that the genes have attained at least in part distinct functions. The DAL11, DAL12, and 13 expression patterns in the pollen cone partly overlap with that of the previously identified DAL2 gene, which is structurally and functionally related to the angiosperm C-class genes. This result supports the hypothesis that an interaction between B- and C-type genes is required for male organ development in conifers like in the angiosperms. Taken together, our data suggests that central components in the regulatory mechanisms for reproductive organ development are conserved between conifers and angiosperms and, thus, among all seed plants.
Particle filter applied to a manipulator with two flexible links

Traditional methods estimate and control the manipulator end-pointpsilas position indirectly by using the models of its kinematics and jointspsila measurements. If the measurement of end-point is available directly, and use extended Kalman filtering to estimate the state vector of the model dynamically, we can obtain more accurate value about the end-pointpsilas position than the traditional method. But extended Kalman filtering has linearization error, and the noise must be Gaussian. Particle filtering is applicable for strong nonlinear and non-Gasussian system. Itpsilas no need to linearize the model, and can get the approximate optimal estimation value based on the physical model. This paper first introduces the dynamic model of a planar manipulator with two flexible links and particle filtering algorithm. Then the Particle filtering is applied to estimate the state vector of manipulator model when jointspsila angles and end-pointpsila position are observations. Under the same non-Gaussian simulation environment, the comparisons between particle filtering and extended Kalman filtering about estimation accuracy of the end-pointpsilas position indicate that the former have the better performance.
An integrated audio and active noise control headset

This paper presents an integrated approach in designing a noise reduction headset for audio and communication applications. Conventional passive headsets give good attenuation of ambient noise in the upper frequency range, while most of these devices fail below 500 Hz. Unlike the feedforward method, the adaptive feedback active noise control technique provides more accurate noise cancellation since the microphone is placed inside the ear-cup of the headset. Furthermore, the system uses a single microphone per ear cup, thus producing a more compact, lower power consumption, cheaper solution and ease of integration with existing audio and communication devices to form an integrated feedback active noise control headset. Simulation results have been conducted to show that the integrated approach can remove the disturbing noise and, at the same time, allow the desired speech or audio signal to pass through without cancellation.
Modeling electrode place discrimination in cochlear implants: Analysis of the influence of electrode array insertion depth

Cochlear implants provide functional hearing to people who are profoundly deaf or hearing impaired by replacing the function of missing inner hair cells with an array of stimulating electrodes. Previous studies developed a modeling framework for predicting the optimal number of electrodes, as well as the optimal locations and usage probabilities of electrodes, from an information theoretic perspective. However, the information theoretic method does not quantify the performance of electrode place discrimination. In this paper, we apply a so-called `extreme-learning machine' to the cochlear implant model to calculate the electrode classification error rates. We also investigate the locations along the electrode array where errors are most likely to occur. We conclude based on our model that i) the classification error rate increases with increasing number of electrodes and the classification errors occur predominantly between adjacent electrodes, ii) by inserting the electrode array deeper into the cochlea, more electrode locations can be distinguished and the electrodes for which most errors occur are determined by the distance and spiral twirling angle between adjacent electrodes.
Calponin and Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling in Differentiated Vascular Smooth Muscle*

Contraction of smooth muscle cells is generally assumed to require Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of the 20-kDa myosin light chains. However, we report here that in the absence of extracellular calcium, phenylephrine induces a contraction of freshly isolated ferret aorta cells in the absence of increases in intracellular ionized calcium or light chain phosphorylation levels but in the presence of activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. A protein at 36 kDa co-immunoprecipitated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase and was identified as the actin-binding protein, calponin, by immunoblot. An overlay assay further confirmed an interaction between the kinase and calponin, even though the kinase did not phosphorylate calponin in vitro. Calponin also co-immunoprecipitated from smooth muscle cells with protein kinase C-ε. High resolution digital confocal studies indicated that calponin redistributes to the cell membrane during phenylephrine stimulation at a time when mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase C-ε are targeted to the plasmalemma. These results suggest a role for calponin as a signaling molecule, possibly an adapter protein, linking the targeting of mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase C-ε to the surface membrane.
Feasibility of Using Individual Differences in Emotionality as Predictors of Job Performance

Abstract : In this report, the feasibility of using knowledge about emotions and emotionality to improve personnel management practices and increase the understanding and prediction of performance and other organizational outcomes is addressed. The report is divided into several sections. First, the definitions of emotions and emotionality are discussed. Second, existing literature dealing with emotions and emotionality in work settings is reviewed. Third, the authors develop a model of how individual differences in emotional expression, combined with organizational, occupational and job demands, influence the way individuals react to triggering stimuli that set off emotions and affect job behaviors and performance. Fourth, the methods used to measure emotions and emotionality are discussed and a variety of self-report measures are reviewed. Fifth, the authors summarize their view that it is indeed feasible for measures of emotion and emotionality to show incremental validity in predicting job behaviors, performance and other work outcomes. Finally, the authors discuss a number of applied reasons for studying emotionality in organizations.
A bidding strategy for advance resource reservation in sequential ascending auctions

Grid computing is a newly emerging technology that enables users to share a large number of computing resources distributed over a network. Due to that grid, computational resources are not storable, the advance reservation of these resources is necessary for users to request resources from multiple scheduling systems at a specific time. Meanwhile, auction is an appropriate mechanism to reach an economically efficient allocation of goods, services, resources, etc. In this paper, we use auction-based scheduling method for resource reservation. We propose a variant version of traditional ascending auction for automatic resource reservation. And we introduce a novel heuristic strategy to guide agents on participating actions, we also compare our bidding strategies with several other different bidding strategies for the computational resource reservation in homogenous and heterogeneous scenarios. The experimental results show that our heuristic bidding strategy outperforms those methods in both cases.
Epstein Barr Virus detection and latent membrane protein 1 in oral hairy leukoplakia in HIV+ Venezuelan patients.

PURPOSE To determine the prevalence of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) in oral hairy leukoplakia lesions (OHL) in HIV+ Venezuelan patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD In this case study, we evaluated 21 HIV+ adult patients with clinically present OHL lesions, 11 who were undergoing antiretroviral therapy, 10 who were not undergoing therapy and 10 HIV-negative adult patients with hyperkeratotic oral mucosal lesions. All of the subjects were assessed at the Infectious Disease Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Central University of Venezuela, and were clinically examined to detect oral mucosal lesions with the confirmed histopathologic diagnosis. Nested-PCR was used to determine the EBV infection and the latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Of the subjects, 16/21 (76%) of the HIV+/AIDS patients tested positive for EBV, whereas 5/10 (50%) of the HIV-negative subjects tested positive for EBV. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, a higher EBV prevalence was observed in HIV-positive patients when compared to HIV-negative patients without oral hairy leukoplakia, confirming the etiologic role in this entity. The LMP-1 in OHL patients who were both HIV+ and EBV+ was highly expressed (60%) at the epithelial basal cells. No association between the alcohol and tobacco consumption was observed among the EBV-positive cases.
The Use of Nanoparticles to Control Oral Biofilm Formation

Nanoparticles are normally considered to be of a size no greater than 100 nm, and the exploitation of their unique attributes to combat infection has increased markedly over the past decade. The potential of nanoparticles to control the formation of biofilms within the oral cavity, as a function of their biocidal, anti-adhesive, and delivery capabilities, is now coming under close scrutiny. Possible uses as constituents of prosthetic device coatings, as topically applied agents, and within dental materials are being explored. The latest insights into the application of nanoparticles in the control of oral infections, including their use in photodynamic therapy, will be discussed in this review. In particular, the use of nanoparticulate silver, copper, zinc, silicon, and their oxides will be considered in relation to their effects on bacterial populations. The recent interest in the applications of nanoparticulate polymers and calcium phosphates will also be assessed. Particular attention will be paid to the toxicity issues surrounding the potential impact of nanoparticles on oral and other tissues.