Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intriguing climatic shifts in a 90 kyr old lake record from northern Russia

A 22 m long sediment core from Lake Yamozero on the Timan Ridge in northern Russia has provided evidence of intriguing climatic shifts during the last glacial cycle. An overall shallowing of the lake is reflected in the lower part of the cores, where pollen indicates a transition from glacial steppe vegetation to interstadial shrub‐tundra. These beds are capped by a well‐defined layer of compact clay deposited in relatively deep water, where pollen shows surrounding spruce forests and warmer‐than‐present summer temperatures. The most conservative interpretation is that this unit represents the last interglacial period. However, a series of Optical Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dates suggests that it corresponds with the Early Weichselian Odderade interstadial (MIS 5a). This would imply that the Odderade interstadial was just as warm as a normal interglacial in this continental part of northern Europe. If correct, then pollen analysis, as a correlation tool, is less straightforward and the definition of an interglacial is more complex than previously thought. We discuss the validity and possible systematic errors of the OSL dates on which this age model is based, but conclude they really indicate a MIS 5a age for the warm period. Above the clay is an unconformity, most likely reflecting a period of subaerial exposure implying dry conditions. Deposition of silt under fluctuating cold climates in the Middle Weichselian continued until a second gap in the record at c. 40 kyr BP. The lake basin started to fill up again around 18 kyr BP.
A Mixed-Loop CMOS Analog GFSK Modulator With Tunable Modulation Index

A new low-power analog Gaussian frequency-shift keying (GFSK) modulator is proposed and implemented in 0.18-CMOS process based on an analog computer implementation of the FM differential equation. The mixed-loop modulation approach is proposed to achieve high data rate and stable carrier frequency. The core of the GFSK modulator is a tunable harmonic oscillator consisting of two Gm-C integrators, whose center frequency can be adjusted by using the on-chip tunable phase-locked-loop (PLL) technique. A simple nonlinear resistor is used to maintain the constant output amplitude. The modulator operates at the center frequency of 2 MHz with the 0.1-0.55 tunable modulation index at 1-Mbps data rate. The modulator draws about 1.8 mA from the 1.8-V power supply and could achieve 2-Mbps data rate with the total harmonic distortion less than 3%.
An NMA‐guided path planning approach for computing large‐amplitude conformational changes in proteins

This paper presents a new method for computing macromolecular motions based on the combination of path planning algorithms, originating from robotics research, and elastic network normal mode analysis. The low‐frequency normal modes are regarded as the collective degrees of freedom of the molecule. Geometric path planning algorithms are used to explore these collective degrees of freedom in order to find possible large‐amplitude conformational changes. To overcome the limits of the harmonic approximation, which is valid in the vicinity of the minimum energy structure, and to get larger conformational changes, normal mode calculations are iterated during the exploration. Initial results show the efficiency of our method, which requires a small number of normal mode calculations to compute large‐amplitude conformational transitions in proteins. A detailed analysis is presented for the computed transition between the open and closed structures of adenylate kinase. This transition, important for its biological function, involves large‐amplitude domain motions. The obtained motion correlates well with results presented in related works. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of Human Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Effector Functions by the Homophilic Carcinoembryonic Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 Interactions1

Efficient antitumor immune response requires the coordinated function of integrated immune components, but is finally exerted by the differentiated effector tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). TIL cells comprise, therefore, an exciting platform for adoptive cell transfer (ACT) in cancer. In this study, we show that the inhibitory carcinoembryonic Ag cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) protein is found on virtually all human TIL cells following preparation protocols of ACT treatment for melanoma. We further demonstrate that the CEACAM1 homophilic interactions inhibit the TIL effector functions, such as specific killing and IFN-γ release. These results suggest that CEACAM1 may impair in vivo the antitumor response of the differentiated TIL. Importantly, CEACAM1 is commonly expressed by melanoma and its presence is associated with poor prognosis. Remarkably, the prolonged coincubation of reactive TIL cells with their melanoma targets results in increased functional CEACAM1 expression by the surviving tumor cells. This mechanism might be used by melanoma cells in vivo to evade ongoing destruction by tumor-reactive lymphocytes. Finally, CEACAM1-mediated inhibition may hinder in many cases the efficacy of TIL ACT treatment of melanoma. We show that the intensity of CEACAM1 expression on TIL cells constantly increases during ex vivo expansion. The implications of CEACAM1-mediated inhibition of TIL cells on the optimization of current ACT protocols and on the development of future immunotherapeutic modalities are discussed.
Distributed Energy Resources Impact on Distribution System Reliability Under Load Transfer Restrictions

Wind and solar power are well known intermittent power sources with high availability uncertainties. Hence, whenever they are integrated to distribution systems, these power sources can increase significantly the complexity of system operation. This paper presents an impact analysis of distributed energy resources integration on distribution systems, focusing mainly on reliability aspects. Therefore, an interesting algorithm to correctly determine the amount of capacity that may be transferred to other feeders is presented and discussed, taken into consideration the presence of distributed generation. The methodology is tested in a typical Brazilian distribution system, assuming the integration of a diesel-based combined heat and power unit, wind turbines, and solar panels. The results provide general insights regarding the benefits of applying distributed generation to alleviate load transfer restrictions.
A comparison of the interaural time sensitivity of neurons in the inferior colliculus and thalamus of the unanesthetized rabbit

The localization of low-frequency sounds (less than 3 kHz) along the azimuth involves comparing the ongoing difference in the time of arrival of a sound at the two ears. Information about interaural time differences (ITDs) is derived from an initial comparison performed in the superior olivary complex. However, little is known about which aspects of this information are transformed as it ascends the brainstem. To address this issue, we compared the ITD sensitivity of neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) and auditory thalamus, successive stations in the auditory pathway. We found ITD sensitivity in the IC and thalamus to be similar in several respects. At both levels, the large majority of neurons responded maximally to ITDs within the range that a rabbit would normally encounter (+/- 300 microseconds) and preferred ipsilateral delays, delays that would be created by sounds in the contralateral sound field. The range of frequencies over which ITD sensitivity was expressed was also similar in the midbrain and thalamus. Several differences were also apparent. In comparison to IC neurons, neurons in the thalamus responded over more restricted ranges of ITD, responded at lower rates, and, in response to monaural stimulation, showed an increased influence of inhibition. Finally, a greater proportion of thalamic units had characteristic delays corresponding to intermediate discharge rates. The preservation of a bias for ipsilateral delays from IC to thalamus suggests that a representation of contralateral azimuths is present at both levels. Similarities between the two levels suggest that information about ITDs is faithfully transmitted from midbrain to thalamus. Differences in ITD sensitivity, such as the sharper tuning for ITDs, suggest that the thalamus is not a simple relay. Enhanced sensitivity to ITDs should translate to better-defined azimuthal receptive fields, and therefore may be a step toward achieving an optimal representation of azimuth within the auditory pathway.
Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, a new subterranean loach from Iraqi Kurdistan (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae).

Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, new species, is described from subterranean waters in the Little Zab River drainage in Iraqi Kurdistan. After the discovery of E. smithi in 1976, E. proudlovei is the second troglomorphic nemacheilid loach found in the Middle East and the second species placed in Eidinemacheilus. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei is distinguished from E. smithi by having 8+8 or 8+7 branched caudal-fin rays, no adipose keel on the caudal peduncle, enlarged jaws and a fully developed head canal system. It furthers differs substantially in its DNA barcode (>8% K2P distance) from all other nemacheilid loaches in the Middle East, Europe and Western India.
Meiosis in Hansenula holstii and H. wingei.

SUMMARY: Diploid isolates of Hansenula holstii Wick, and H. wingei Wick. usually produce two or three ascospores per ascus. An unusual nuclear event during meiosis might account for less than the expected number of four. When acridine orange or Feulgen staining was used, meiosis in both species followed the pattern established in higher plants and animals. Deoxyribonuclease treatment destroyed nuclear staining material. Six chromosomes were seen during prophase I. Three bivalents seen during metaphase I divided and moved to two poles with loss of distinct chromosomes for the remainder of meiosis. When only two or three spores were formed in an ascus, apparently normal nuclei, not enclosed in spore walls, were pushed against the ascus wall. The haploid (n) chromosome count in both H. holstii and H. wingei was shown to be three.
Assessing risk in ERP projects: identify and prioritize the factors

Various figures have stated that ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems have become one of the largest IT investments in recent years. The implementation of ERP system, however, is not an easy task. Previous research reports unusually high failure in ERP projects, sometimes jeopardizing the core operation of the implementing organization. The most famous case is FoxMeyer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Further, ERP systems appear to present unique ongoing risks due to its uniqueness. In this study, we used a Delphi method to identify potential ERP projects risk factors, and constructed an AHP‐based framework to analyze and then prioritized the ERP projects risk factors. The result reveals that some important risk factors deserve more attention during the implementation of ERP projects.
Resonance characteristics analysis of paralleled inverters based on Resonance Stability Margin

With increasing penetration of renewable energy sources into modern power systems, multi-parallel inverters are commonly employed in the interface to the utility grid, giving rise to potential resonance problems. Firstly, 2-parallel inverters equivalent circuit model is established based on its control. In order to decouple inverter output current, the components characteristics of inverter output are analyzed in different frequencies, and one of 2-parallel inverter output current under condition of synchronized and asynchronized carriers are worked out. An idea “Resonance Stability Margin” is raised to investigate and evaluate resonance characteristics, variables that represent the stability of the system are found in control system of single inverter, and are used to record when the system achieves the same closed-loop dominant pole position or open-loop phase margin under different conditions. Values of those variables recorded indirectly reflect the degree of resonance in the paralleled inverters system. Experimental results validate the developed resonance characteristics and the proposed resonance stability margin.
Sample size requirements for estimating intraclass correlations with desired precision

A method is developed to calculate the approximate number of subjects required to obtain an exact confidence interval of desired width for certain types of intraclass correlations in one‐way and two‐way ANOVA models. The sample size approximation is shown to be very accurate. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preservice elementary teacher's attitudes toward gay and lesbian parenting.

This preliminary investigation assessed preservice elementary teacher's attitudes toward homosexual parents and their children. The study populations included 195 college students enrolled in an elementary school health methods course at a large northeastern university. A 51-item " and Lesbian Parenting Questionnaire" was used for data collection purposes. Reliability estimates for the scales were: attitudes toward lesbians and gay men (alpha = .90), comfort toward gay and lesbian families (alpha = .92), and knowledge about homosexuality (alpha = .52). Most respondents agreed gay men: were not disgusting, should be allowed to teach, were not perverted, and should not overcome their feelings of homosexuality. Most respondents disagreed lesbians cannot fit into society or were sick. Nearly all agreed female homosexuality should not be a basis for job discrimination. Females were significantly (p < .001) more comfortable with gay or lesbian parents and their children than were males. Females had significantly (p < .01) more favorable attitudes toward gay fathers than did male respondents. Respondents with stronger religious attitudes had significantly (p < .01) more negative attitudes toward lesbian parents than respondents with weaker religious attitudes.
Characterization of Two Cryptic Helicobacter pylori Plasmids: a Putative Source for Horizontal Gene Transfer and Gene Shuffling

ABSTRACT Many Helicobacter pylori isolates carry cryptic plasmids of extremely variable size. In this study we analyzed two H. pylori plasmids, pHel4 and pHel5, from H. pylori strains P8 and P29, respectively. Plasmid pHel4 consists of 10,970 bp, constituting 15 putative open reading frames (ORFs), whereas pHel5 consists of 18,291 bp, constituting 17 ORFs. The findings that both plasmids encode a conserved RepA protein and that both have an origin of replication containing an iteron place them in the group of theta plasmids. In pHel4, the products of the overlapping orf4C, orf4D, orf4E, and orf4F sequences are homologous to MobA, MobB, MobC, and MobD, encoded by colicinogenic plasmids, suggesting that pHel4 might be mobilizable. A further putative operon consists of orf4B and orf4A, the products of which are homologous to microcin C7 (MccC7) biosynthesis and secretion proteins MccB and MccC, respectively. Plasmid pHel5 carries putative genes encoding proteins with homology to an endonuclease and gene products of an H. pylori chromosomal plasticity zone. Both plasmids contain repeat sequences, such as the previously identified R2 repeat, which are considered preferred recombination sites. In pHel4, a new repeat sequence (R4 repeat), which seems to act as a hot spot for site-specific recombination, was identified. All H. pylori plasmids characterized so far have a modular structure. We suggest a model that explains the existing plasmids by insertions and deletions of genetic elements at the repeat sequences. A genetic exchange between plasmids and the bacterial chromosome, combined with plasmid mobilization, might add a novel mechanism to explain the high genetic macrodiversity within the H. pylori population.
Functional Hierarchical Models for Identifying Genes with Different Time‐Course Expression Profiles

Summary Time‐course studies of gene expression are essential in biomedical research to understand biological phenomena that evolve in a temporal fashion. We introduce a functional hierarchical model for detecting temporally differentially expressed (TDE) genes between two experimental conditions for cross‐sectional designs, where the gene expression profiles are treated as functional data and modeled by basis function expansions. A Monte Carlo EM algorithm was developed for estimating both the gene‐specific parameters and the hyperparameters in the second level of modeling. We use a direct posterior probability approach to bound the rate of false discovery at a pre‐specified level and evaluate the methods by simulations and application to microarray time‐course gene expression data on Caenorhabditis elegans developmental processes. Simulation results suggested that the procedure performs better than the two‐way ANOVA in identifying TDE genes, resulting in both higher sensitivity and specificity. Genes identified from the C. elegans developmental data set show clear patterns of changes between the two experimental conditions.
1‐13C glucose magnetic resonance spectroscopy of pediatric and adult brain disorders

With protocols designed for use in a clinical environment we investigated the feasibility and diagnostic potential of 13C MRS after 1‐13C labeled glucose infusion. 13C MRS brain examinations were performed in 27 subjects (17 children and pediatric patients, six adult patients, and four adult controls), using a standard 1.5 T clinical MR scanner. 1‐13C glucose, 99% enriched (20% w/v) was administered intravenously (690 or 210 mg/kg body weight) or orally (730 mg/kg). Cerebral 13C‐enrichment patterns and time courses were compared. 1‐13C glucose appeared in brain spectra within 2.5–15 min, with ensuing enrichment of its metabolites. No complications were encountered. When data obtained in patients were compared with controls, striking abnormalities in hepatic encephalopathy and in premature brain were observed, consistent with reduced cerebral glucose metabolism. Abnormalities in the 13C enrichment pattern were also observed in pediatric patients with leukodystrophies and mitochondrial disorders. In this preliminary survey, we conclude that 13C MRS in combination with glucose infusion is safe and efficient and provides new insights into the pathophysiology of brain disorders. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abbreviations used: Ala alanine ALD adrenoleukodystrophy Asp aspartate CACH childhood ataxia with diffuse central nervous system hypomyelination Glc glucose Gln glutamine Glu glutamate, HE, hepatic encephalopathy HCO3− bicarbonate i.v. intravenous Lac lactate mI myo‐inositol NAA N‐acetylaspartate TCA tricarboxylic acid.
Reduction of grating lobes for slot antenna array at 60 GHz using multilayer spatial angular filter

A 2 × 2 planar slot antenna array is designed at 60 GHz. The slots are excited by a printed corporative feeding network based on the ridge gap waveguide (RGW) technology. Such a network, requires more than a full wavelength spacing between the slots, which cause excitation of undesired grating lobes. In order to reduce the grating lobes level, multilayer dielectric superstrates are placed above the slot antenna array. The multilayer superstrates act as a spatial angular filter, which filters out antenna radiation except in the main beam region. In the case of placing the 2×2 array elements, 1. 1λ apart, numerical results show that the grating lobes are significantly reduced outside the ± 26° range.
Transport of Preproteins by the Accessory Sec System Requires a Specific Domain Adjacent to the Signal Peptide

ABSTRACT The accessory Sec (SecA2/Y2) systems of streptococci and staphylococci are dedicated to the transport of large serine-rich repeat (SRR) glycoproteins to the bacterial cell surface. The means by which the glycosylated preproteins are selectively recognized by the accessory Sec system have not been fully characterized. In Streptococcus gordonii, the SRR glycoprotein GspB has a 90-residue amino-terminal signal sequence that is essential for transport by SecA2/Y2 but is not sufficient to mediate the transport of heterologous proteins by this specialized transporter. We now report that a preprotein must remain at least partially unfolded prior to transport by the accessory Sec system. In addition, a region of approximately 20 residues from the amino-terminal end of mature GspB (the accessory Sec transport or AST domain) is essential for SecA2/Y2-dependent transport. The replacement of several AST domain residues with glycine strongly interferes with export, which suggests that a helical conformation may be important. Analysis of GspB variants with alterations in the AST domain, in combination with the results with a SecY2 variant, indicates that the AST domain is essential both for targeting to the SecA2/Y2 translocase and for initiating translocation through the SecY2 channel. The combined results suggest a unique mechanism that ensures the transport of a single substrate by the SecA2/Y2 system.
Discrimination Between Internal Faults and Other Disturbances in Transformer Using the Support Vector Machine-Based Protection Scheme

This paper presents a new differential protection scheme based on support vector machine (SVM), which provides effective discrimination between internal faults in a power transformer with the other disturbances, such as various types of inrush currents and overexcitation conditions. The feature extraction is carried out using wavelet transform, which later, is given as input to the SVM classifier. Numerous simulation cases consisting of internal faults and other disturbances have been simulated with varying fault and system parameters for an existing power transformer of Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd. (GETCO), Gujarat, India, using the PSCAD/EMTDC software package. The performance of the developed algorithm has been tested over a simulation data set of 5442 cases and the overall fault discrimination accuracy of more than 99% is achieved. It has also been observed that the SVM classifier gives highly promising results for CT saturation, different connection type, and various ratings of the transformer, even though it is trained only once for a single rating and connection of a transformer. At the end, a comparative evaluation of the proposed scheme is also carried out with other existing/proposed methods where it has been observed that the proposed method provides superior results.
Types of degradation modes of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) in dependenc on epitaxial design and buffer quality

DC-Step-Stress tests have been applied on wafers as a fast AlGaN/GaN HEMTs robustness screening method with different epitaxial designs. The results showed three types of early degradation which are permanent and are dependent on epitaxial design and GaN buffer quality. The criterion of critical voltage is defined for the onset of degradation when a subthreshold drain current and/or gate leakage current increase significantly in a step source-drain voltage during stress test. It has been found that AlGaN/GaN HEMT devices with GaN cap show higher critical source-drain voltages as compared to non-capped devices. Devices with low Al concentration in the AlGaN barrier layer also show higher critical source-drain voltages. Superior stability and robustness performance have been achieved from devices with AlGaN backbarrier epitaxial design grown on n-type silicon carbide substrate. It is found that high electric field under the gate at the drain side is the main cause of degradation. Consequently careful epitaxial design to reduce high electric field is required. It is also shown that epitaxial buffer quality and growth process have a great impact on device robustness.