Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RESPONSE SURFACE OPTIMIZATION OF BIOSURFACTANT PRODUCED BY Pseudomonas aeruginosa MA01 ISOLATED FROM SPOILED APPLES

A potent biosurfactant-producing bacterial strain isolated from spoiled apples was identified by 16S rRNA as Pseudomonas aeruginosa MA01. Compositional analysis revealed that the extracted biosurfactant was composed of high percentages of lipid (66%, w/w) and carbohydrate (32%, w/w). The surface tension of pure water decreased gradually with increasing biosurfactant concentration to 32.5 mN m−1 with critical micelle concentration (CMC) value of 10.1 mg L−1. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum of extracted biosurfactant confirmed the glycolipid nature of this natural product. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the biosynthesis medium for the production of MA01 biosurfactant. Nineteen carbon sources and 11 nitrogen sources were examined, with soybean oil and sodium nitrate being the most effective carbon and nitrogen sources on biosurfactant production, respectively. Among the organic nitrogen sources examined, yeast extract was necessary as a complementary nitrogen source for high production yield. Biosurfactant production at the optimum value of fermentation processing factor (15.68 g/L) was 29.5% higher than the biosurfactant concentration obtained before the RSM optimization (12.1 g/L). A central composite design algorithm was used to optimize the levels of key medium components, and it was concluded that two stages of optimization using RSM could increase biosurfactant production by 1.46 times, as compared to the values obtained before optimization.
The positive impact of structured teaching in the operating room

A survey of obstetric and gynaecology trainees in Australia found the trainee's opinion of the consultants' teaching ability for laparoscopic procedures and procedures dealing with complications as ‘poor’ in 21.2% and 23.4% of responses, respectively (Aust NZ J Obstet Gynaecol 2009; 49: 84). Surgical caseload per trainee is falling for a variety of reasons. Strategies need to be adopted to enhance the surgical learning experience of trainees in the operating room.
The jurisdictional delimitation in the Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law public enforcement regime: the inevitable overstepping of authority and the implications

Following the adoption of the Anti-Monopoly Law (AML) in 2007, China established a public enforcement regime that has three equal-ranking authorities. The legislative history of the AML suggests that this was a backward-looking compromise reached between the three central administrative agencies (the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC)), instead of a forward-looking design choice. This article focuses on the jurisdictional delimitation between the NDRC and the SAIC, a delimitation assigning the enforcement responsibilities based on whether an allegedly anticompetitive conduct is price related or not. This article first describes the jurisdictional delimitation as defined in the relevant legal documents. On that basis, it examines the legal and the economic rationales behind this delimitation. Subsequently, this article investigates to what extent this delimitation has been adhered to in practice, and there it identifies three problematic scenarios, which indicate the inevitability of the two agencies overstepping their respective authority in practice. This article finds that this delimitation is likely to induce the following problems: uncertainty on supplementary enforcement and follow-on civil actions, uncontrolled agency discretion, and distortive theories of harm. Therefore, it suggests that this jurisdictional delimitation should be removed.
Semiparametric Functional Temporal Process Regression of Prevalence Outcomes

We develop novel semiparametric methods for flexibly modeling a prevalence indicator process observed over follow-up time. The proposed methods are motivated by various settings arising in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and end-stage liver disease (ESLD). In Chapter 1, we consider the response Survival-Out-of-Hospital, defined as a temporal process taking the value 1 when the subject is currently alive and not hospitalized, and 0 otherwise. The semiparametric model we consider assumes multiplicative covariate effects and leaves unspecified the baseline probability of being alive-and-out-of-hospital. Asymptotic properties are derived, and simulation studies are performed. The proposed methods are applied to the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS), a prospective international ESRD study. In Chapter 2, we extend the methods from Chapter 1 to accommodate dependent censoring. We derive a modification of Inverse Probability of Censoring Weighting which offers improved stability and reduced computational burden relative to the traditional IPCW. We show that the regression estimator is asymptotically normal, and that the baseline probability function estimator converges to a Gaussian process. The methods are used to model the probability of being alive and active on the liver transplant waiting list, which can be dependently censored by liver transplantation. In Chapter 3, we jointly model prevalence conditional on survival, and the death hazard. A frailty is shared by the prevalence and hazard models, with the frailty effect scaled in the latter. We propose an iterative procedure for estimating the regression parameters by updating frailties from their implied estimating equations. The scale parameter and random effect variance are estimated by numerical integration. The algorithm is asymptotically equivalent to an EM algorithm which treats the frailty terms as missing data. We apply the methods to DOPPS data.
Interference between ground plane and bilog antenna and its effect on EMI measurement uncertainty

In contrast to half-wave dipoles, Bilog antennas are more popular among test engineers due to their broadband properties - it is not necessary to change them during the measurement. On the other hand they bring additional errors into measurement, so there are more uncertainty sources and the entire uncertainty is larger. The effect of ground plane on Bilog antenna directivity pattern and consequently the effect of their interference to measurement uncertainty are not measurable. To examine this influence the numerical simulation has been used. The uncertainty contribution is expressed as maximal difference between antenna factors of Bilog and half-wave dipole antenna respectively at same angle of incidence. From the analysis it is evident that though ground plane presence influences the directivity pattern of Bilog, its entire effect is not so significant on the uncertainty. It is mainly influenced by the Bilog directivity pattern errors (the difference from dipole one) by itself. As it results from the analysis, using Bilog antenna is more suitable for larger measuring distance to get lower uncertainties.
Transformation and destabilization of graphene oxide in reducing aqueous solutions containing sulfide

The colloidal stability of carbon nanomaterials is a key factor controlling their fate and bioavailability in natural aquatic systems. The authors report that graphene oxide nanoparticles could be destabilized in reducing aqueous solutions containing a low concentration (0.5 mM) of sulfide, a naturally occurring reductant. Spectroscopic characterization using combined X‐ray photoelectron, Fourier‐transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, and Raman analyses revealed that the surface oxygen‐containing groups (mainly epoxy groups) of graphene oxide were significantly reduced after reacting with sodium sulfide. The destabilization of graphene oxide was likely caused by the enhanced surface hydrophobicity of the reduced graphene oxide, whereas electrostatic repulsion played a minimal role. Solution pH was found to affect both the deoxygenation process and the aggregation behavior of graphene oxide. Coexisting humic acid reduced the reaction efficiency and stabilized graphene oxide through steric hindrance. These findings suggest for the first time that the colloidal behavior of carbon nanomaterials might change drastically when they enter natural reducing environments containing sulfide such as anaerobic aquifers and sediments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:2647–2653. © 2014 SETAC
Temperature-Stable Piezoelectric MEMS Resonators Using Integrated Ovens and Simple Resistive Feedback Circuits

This paper reports on the design and demonstration of a miniaturized and integrated heater that enables low power ovenization and temperature stability for piezoelectric MEMS resonators. The low power ovenization is implemented by an integrated symmetric oven platform and high thermal-resistance supporting structures. The temperature compensation circuit is formed by a modified Wheatstone bridge with an on-chip dummy resistor and a constant resistance feedback loop is used to stabilize the resonator center frequency over temperature. Through the use of the integrated heater and the simple feedback circuit, we were able to reduce the resonator’s intrinsic frequency instability to 100 ppm (from over 2700 ppm) over a temperature range of −35 °C to + 85 °C. Compared with the state of the art, this paper constitutes a fundamental step forward in the demonstration of temperature stable oscillators with a focus on improving resonator temperature stability with very low power consumption. [2016-0182]
An LDMOS hot carrier model for circuit reliability simulation

In this paper we present a model that can be used to calculate hot carrier degradation in LDMOS devices within a circuit reliability simulation environment. The model is suitable for both nLDMOS and pLDMOS devices. We show experimental evidence on the applicability of this model over a broad range of VGS and VDS biases as well as temperature.
The rational design of biomimetic skin barrier lipid formulations using biophysical methods

The focus of this communication was to study phospholipid‐structured emulsions whose phase behaviour is modified with monoalkyl fatty amphiphiles. Ideally, these systems would mimic key physical and structural attributes observed in human stratum corneum (SC) so that they better alleviate xerotic skin conditions.
Connections and Collaborations of Local Water Management Organizations of Utah

ABSTRACT Fragmented water governance arrangements complicate sustainable water management in the western U.S. where local water management organizations (LWMOs), including municipalities and irrigation groups, directly manage water conveyance systems. LWMOs make critical decisions that determine water delivery and management, but have traditionally not collaborated with one another. Our research examines the ways in which LWMOs are increasingly interconnected within a context of widespread urbanization. We draw on three years of qualitative research on LWMOs in Utah, including interviews and in-depth qualitative case studies, to analyze the conditions under which collaborations between LWMOs emerge, or have not yet occurred. Our findings indicate that historically fragmented LWMOs are engaging in cooperative efforts based on their extensive water infrastructure connections. LWMOs did not transform cooperative efforts into collaborations unless such a collaboration protected internal interests. LWMOs engaged in collaborations primarily to reduce their liabilities in the instance of infrastructure failure.
Seasonal variations in [3H]citalopram platelet binding between healthy controls and violent offenders in Finland

Monthly binding densities (Bmax) of [3H]citalopram to the platelet serotonin transporter (SERT) was measured longitudinally over 1 year in a control group of 18 healthy Finnish male volunteers. Single platelet samples were also analysed from 33 men who were incarcerated for violent crimes during the same calendar year. A statistically significant seasonal variation in SERT Bmax was observed in both data sets, and bi‐monthly floating averages for SERT Bmax were calculated and then fit to an annual sinusoidal curve for both groups. The Bmax for platelet [3H]citalopram binding showed a statistically significant (p = 0.001) seasonal variance between a winter (January–February) maximum of 1590 fmol/mg protein and a summer (July–August) minimum of 1216 fmol/mg protein for the control group, with an R2 of 70% for the annual sinusoidal curve fit. A statistically significant (p = 0.007) seasonal variance was also observed between a winter (January–February) maximum of 1980 fmol/mg protein and an autumnal (August–September) minimum of 1234 fmol/mg protein for the violent offenders, again with an R2 of 70% for the annual sinusoidal curve fit. This observation lends additional support to the idea that violent human behavior and impulsivity may be directly linked to values of SERT Bmax, which can be affected by various psychoactive drugs and also varies with the natural change of seasons. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrins regulate centrosome integrity and astrocyte polarization following a wound

In response to a wound, astrocytes in culture extend microtubule‐rich processes and polarize, orienting their centrosomes and Golgi apparatus woundside. β1 Integrin null astrocytes fail to extend processes toward the wound, and are disoriented, and often migrate away orthogonal, to the wound. The centrosome is unusually fragmented in β1 integrin null astrocytes. Expression of a β1 integrin cDNA in the null background yields cells with intact centrosomes that polarize and extend processes normally. Fragmented centrosomes rapidly assemble following integrin ligation and cell attachment. However, several experiments indicated that cell adhesion is not necessary. For example, astrocytes in suspension expressing a chimeric β1 subunit that can be activated by an antibody assemble centrosomes suggesting that β1 activation is sufficient to cause centrosome assembly in the absence of cell adhesion. siRNA knockdown of PCM1, a major centrosomal protein, inhibits cell polarization, consistent with the notion that centrosomes are necessary for polarity and that integrins regulate polarity via centrosome integrity. Screening inhibitors of molecules downstream of integrins indicate that neither FAK nor ILK is involved in regulation of centrosome integrity. In contrast, blebbistatin, a specific inhibitor of non‐muscle myosin II (NMII), mimics the response of β1 integrin null astrocytes by disrupting centrosome integrity and cell polarization. Blebbistatin also inhibits integrin‐mediated centrosome assembly in astrocytes attaching to fibronectin, consistent with the hypothesis that NMII functions downstream of integrins in regulating centrosome integrity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 73: 333–353, 2013.
Rigorous investigation of RF breakdown effects in high power microstrip passive circuits

This work presents a new rigorous investigation of corona effects in microstrip components. To carry out the investigation, a new software tool has been developed. The new tool first calculates the electromagnetic fields in complex microstrip structures using a Volume Integral Equation (VIE) formulation. Novel numerical techniques have been incorporated in the VIE to increase the accuracy during the computation of the electromagnetic fields. This includes novel techniques introduced to treat the singularities of the Green's functions. Once the electromagnetic fields are computed accurately, corona effects in the relevant structures are investigated. For this, a numerical solution of the free electron density continuity equation has been implemented. The new software developed has been used, for the first time, in the study of corona effects in the neighborhood of coaxial to microstrip transitions, containing flat ribbons. Numerical results are validated through measurements, showing the accuracy of the developed models.
A nuclear factor induced by hypoxia via de novo protein synthesis binds to the human erythropoietin gene enhancer at a site required for transcriptional activation

We have identified a 50-nucleotide enhancer from the human erythropoietin gene 3'-flanking sequence which can mediate a sevenfold transcriptional induction in response to hypoxia when cloned 3' to a simian virus 40 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene and transiently expressed in Hep3B cells. Nucleotides (nt) 1 to 33 of this sequence mediate sevenfold induction of reporter gene expression when present in two tandem copies compared with threefold induction when present in a single copy, suggesting that nt 34 to 50 bind a factor which amplifies the induction signal. DNase I footprinting demonstrated binding of a constitutive nuclear factor to nt 26 to 48. Mutagenesis studies revealed that nt 4 to 12 and 19 to 23 are essential for induction, as substitutions at either site eliminated hypoxia-induced expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays identified a nuclear factor which bound to a probe spanning nt 1 to 18 but not to a probe containing a mutation which eliminated enhancer function. Factor binding was induced by hypoxia, and its induction was sensitive to cycloheximide treatment. We have thus defined a functionally tripartite, 50-nt hypoxia-inducible enhancer which binds several nuclear factors, one of which is induced by hypoxia via de novo protein synthesis.
Addressing Social Dilemmas with Mascots, Information, and Graphics

ACKNOLWEDGEMENTS This research was supported by funding from the National Science Foundation for the North East Water Resources Network (NEWRnet) (grant #IIA-1330406) and from the Center for Behavioral and Experimental Agri-environmental Research (CBEAR), which is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. We are grateful for comments received during the 2015 Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association Annual Meeting and the 2015 Behavioral and Experimental Economists of the Mid-Atlantic Conference. Authors listed in alphabetical order.
[Value of cervical plain radiography in unconscious trauma patient].

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of cervical spine standard radiographs, performed in emergency, and compared with entire cervical helical CT with multiplanar reconstructions as reference. STUDY DESIGN Open prospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a six months prospective study including all patients over 15 years of age and unconscious (Glasgow Coma Scale < or = 12). Each patient underwent standard radiographs as well as helical CT of the entire cervical spine. Three senior surgeons and one senior radiologist evaluated the standard radiographs quality. The interpretation was performed by 7 different groups of judges. Two radiologists interpreted the helical CT. For each group, the sensibility, the specificity and the count of correct diagnosis for the standard radiographs were evaluated. The results of the correct diagnosis of each group were then compared to determine the most performant group. RESULTS Fifty-one patients were included. Helical CT diagnosed spine injuries in 11 patients. The quality of standard radiographs was poor with less than 10% judged correct and 90% of the C7-D1 junction not visible. In the best group (radiologist), the sensibility was 50%, the specificity was 85% and the count of correct diagnosis was 78%. For the correct diagnosis, senior radiologist was significantly better than anaesthetist students, radiologist students and emergency physicians. CONCLUSION The diagnostic value of standard radiographs was weak whatever the physician. Therefore, helical CT of the entire cervical spine is absolutely necessary and must be performed during the initial evaluation, if the haemodynamic conditions are required.
Episodic phrenic‐inhibitory vagus nerve stimulation paradoxically induces phrenic long‐term facilitation in rats

All respiratory long‐term facilitation (LTF) is induced by inspiratory‐excitatory stimulation, suggesting that LTF needs inspiratory augmentation and is the result of a Hebbian mechanism (coincident pre‐ and post‐synaptic activity strengthens synapses). The present study examined the long‐term effects of episodic inspiratory‐inhibitory vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on phrenic nerve activity. We hypothesized that episodic VNS would induce phrenic long‐term depression. The results are compared with those obtained following serotonin receptor antagonism or episodic carotid sinus nerve stimulation (CSNS). Integrated phrenic neurograms were measured before, during and after three episodes of 5 min VNS (50 Hz, 0.1 ms), each separated by a 5 min interval, at a low (˜50 μA), medium (˜200 μA) or high (˜500 μA) stimulus intensity in anaesthetized, vagotomized, neuromuscularly blocked and artificially ventilated rats. Medium‐ and high‐intensity VNS eliminated rhythmic phrenic activity during VNS, while low‐intensity VNS only reduced phrenic burst frequency. At 60 min post‐VNS, phrenic amplitude was higher than baseline (35 ± 5 % above baseline, mean ± S.E.M., P < 0.05) in the high‐intensity group but not in the low‐ (‐4 ± 4 %) or medium‐intensity groups (‐10 ± 15 %), or in the high‐intensity with methysergide group (4 mg kg−1, I.P.) (‐11 ± 5 %). These data, which are inconsistent with our hypothesis, indicate that phrenic‐inhibitory VNS induces a serotonin‐dependent phrenic LTF similar to that induced by phrenic‐excitatory CSNS (33 ± 7 %) and may require activation of high‐threshold afferent fibres. These data also suggest that the synapses on phrenic motoneurons do not use the Hebbian mechanism in this LTF, as these motoneurons were suppressed during VNS.
Sport activity and cultural integration of international students in Universiti Putra Malaysia

The aim of the study is to examine sport participation as a vehicle for cultural integration of international students at University Putra Malaysia (UPM). A total of 199 subjects were selected for the study. The Sport and Cultural Identity Scale (SCIS) developed by Allen (2010) was used to collect data. The instruments consist of 20 items measuring cultural maintenance and adaptation of to multicultural environment through sport. Even though the results show that sport participation among international students in UPM does not affect either their cultural maintenance or adaption to a multicultural environment, the mean score for the cultural adaptation is higher than the mean score for cultural maintenance with suggests that the subjects perceived opportunities for adapting a multicultural environment through sport were more important than for the cultural maintenance through sport.