Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A multisite, randomized controlled trial for children with sexual abuse-related PTSD symptoms.

OBJECTIVE To examine the differential efficacy of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and child-centered therapy for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related emotional and behavioral problems in children who have suffered sexual abuse. METHOD Two hundred twenty-nine 8- to 14-year-old children and their primary caretakers were randomly assigned to the above alternative treatments. These children had significant symptoms of PTSD, with 89% meeting full DSM-IV PTSD diagnostic criteria. More than 90% of these children had experienced traumatic events in addition to sexual abuse. RESULTS A series analyses of covariance indicated that children assigned to TF-CBT, compared to those assigned to child-centered therapy, demonstrated significantly more improvement with regard to PTSD, depression, behavior problems, shame, and abuse-related attributions. Similarly, parents assigned to TF-CBT showed greater improvement with respect to their own self-reported levels of depression, abuse-specific distress, support of the child, and effective parenting practices. CONCLUSIONS This study adds to the growing evidence supporting the efficacy of TF-CBT with children suffering PTSD as a result of sexual abuse and suggests the efficacy of this treatment for children who have experienced multiple traumas.
Acute renal failure requiring dialysis after percutaneous coronary interventions

Acute renal failure requiring dialysis is a rare but serious complication after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), associated with high in‐hospital mortality and poor long‐term survival. We have analyzed the incidence, resource utilization, short‐ and long‐term outcomes, and predictors of dialysis after percutaneous coronary interventions. We studied 51 consecutive patients who were not on dialysis on admission and developed acute renal failure that required in‐hospital dialysis after PCI in comparison to the 7,690 patients who did not require dialysis after PCI. Patients who required dialysis were older, with a higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes, prior bypass surgery, chronic renal failure, and a significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction. Despite similar angiographic success, these patients had a higher incidence of in‐hospital mortality (27.5% vs. 1.0%, P < 0.0001), non–Q‐wave myocardial infarction (45.7% vs. 14.6%, P < 0.0001), vascular and bleeding complications, and longer hospitalization. At 1‐year follow‐up, mortality (54.5% vs. 6.4%, P < 0.0001), myocardial infarction (4.5% vs. 1.6%, P = 0.006), and event‐free survival (38.6% vs. 72.0%, P < 0.0001) were significantly worse in patients who required dialysis compared to patients who did not. Multivariate analysis revealed in‐hospital dialysis and an increase in baseline serum creatinine levels as the most important predictors of in‐hospital and long‐term mortality. Thus, acute renal failure that requires dialysis after percutaneous coronary interventions is associated with very high in‐hospital and 1‐year mortality rates and a dramatic increase in hospital resource utilization. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;52:409–416. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Drug product immobilization in recycled polyethylene/polypropylene reclaimed from municipal solid waste: experimental and numerical assessment

ABSTRACT Recently, there has been a growing interest in identifying suitable routes for the disposal of pharmaceutical wastes. This study investigates the potential of matrix materials composed of recycled polyethylene/polypropylene reclaimed from municipal solid wastes at immobilizing pharmaceutical solid wastes. Diclofenac (DF) drug product was embedded in boards of recycled plastic material, and leaching in water was assessed at various temperatures. DF concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and revealed a maximum leachable fraction of 4% under accelerated conditions of 70°C, and less than 0.3% following 39 days of exposure at 20°C. The Ensemble Kalman Filter was employed to characterize the leaching behavior of DF. The filter verified the occurrence of leaching through diffusion, and was successful in predicting the leaching behavior of DF at 50°C and 70°C.
The Performance Comparison of Two Kinds of Decoders in Brain-Machine Interface

The brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) can establish direct communications between living brain tissue and external devices, and be applied to rehabilitate motors for disabled subjects. Considering a decoder is a key component in BMIs system, in this paper, two kinds of decoders based on the Wiener and Kalman filter are developed, and a comparison is performed to select a decoder with better performance. According to the comparison result, the performance of Kalman filter based decoder is better than that of the Winner filter based decoder.
Resource Modeling for a Joint Resource Management in Cognitive Radio

Cognitive radio characterizes an ambient aware and software-defined radio system that is capable to autonomously and intelligently adjust the system parameters. It has the potential to optimize the usage of all relevant resources for service- driven wireless communications. We identify four types of resources; these are the radio, the computing, and the radio and user application resources. This paper presents their modeling, including several models for each resource type. The modeling serves as the basis for a joint resource management in a cognitive radio system that may eventually trade-off one resource (type) against the other(s). Two approaches for such a management are presented: a distributed-cooperative and a centralized- integrated. We finally discuss the applicability and utility of the proposed models, and the potentials of a joint resource management in cognitive radio in terms of user satisfaction and revenues.
Separation and Properties of Two Kinds of Simian Virus 40 Late Transcription Complexes

Simian virus 40 (SV40) transcription complexes were labeled in cells with 3-min pulses of [3H]uridine 48 h after infection and were extracted from nuclei in isotonic buffer or in a buffer containing Sarkosyl. In sucrose gradients, the labeled complexes sedimented faster than both free RNA and most SV40 nucleoproteins. Most of the pulse-labeled nascent RNA hybridized to the entire late region of SV40, remained bound to viral DNA in Cs2SO4 gradients, and ranged in size from a few nucleotides to about 5,000 nucleotides, with a peak at about 700. In contrast, the SV40-associated RNA polymerase activity in the same preparations sedimented near the major peak of SV40 nucleoproteins and was clearly separated from the transcription complexes bearing pulse-labeled nascent RNA. The two kinds of transcription complexes were released from isolated nuclei at different rates. Complexes bearing pulse-labeled RNA were released immediately when the nuclei were agitated in a Dounce homogenizer in isotonic buffer, whereas most of the complexes bearing RNA polymerase active in vitro were released more slowly, during subsequent incubation of the nuclei at 0°C. Since the complexes bearing pulse-labeled nascent RNA were virtually inactive in vitro, the blocked complexes described by Laub et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77:3297-3301, 1980) probably account for almost all the SV40-associated RNA polymerase activity studied previously by many investigators. New procedures must be developed to preserve the activity of the pulse-labeled complexes if the many advantages of the SV40 system for studying transcription by nucleoprotein complexes in vitro are to be realized fully.
An optimal resource allocation technique for spectrum sharing MIMO wireless relay network

We investigate a weighted sum rate maximization and rate balancing problem for a spectrum sharing multiple input multiple output (MIMO) based wireless relay network. The aim is to maximize the sum rate of the wireless relay network whilst ensuring the interference leakage to the primary user terminals during two time slots are below a specific value. We solve this problem by asymmetrically allocating the power to different time slots and using the principle of MAC-BC duality. The algorithm in its dual form has been solved using sub-gradient methods. The simulation results demonstrate the convergence of the algorithm and the simultaneous satisfaction of maximum power and the interference constraints.
Characterization of a Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin which is toxic to insects in three orders.

We report here the first Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin which is toxic to insects from three insect orders (Diptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera). An oligonucleotide probe based on the delta-endotoxin N-terminal sequence was used to detect the gene. A 23-kb BamHI fragment containing the intact gene was identified and cloned from Bt strain YBT-226 plasmid DNA into the vector pBluescript II. Through a series of DNA manipulations the size of this fragment was reduced and the gene sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence gave a predicted molecular mass of 137 kDa and was identical to a cry1Ba protein from Bt subsp. thuringiensis HD-2, which is now designated as Cry1Ba1 under a new classification scheme. This protein also showed 81.6% similarity with the Cry1B protein (Cry1Bb1) from Bt strain EG 5847. When the YBT-226 cry1Ba1 gene was expressed in an acrystalliferous Bt subsp. israelensis strain it produced irregular bipyramidal crystals during sporulation, which reacted specifically with anti-Cry1Ba antiserum. Bioassays using these crystals after purification resulted in significant mortality at low to moderate concentrations to larvae of the house fly (Musca domestica, Diptera), cottonwood leaf beetle (Chrysomela scripta, Coleoptera), and tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta, Lepidoptera). This broad-spectrum toxicity was not dependent on presolubilization. In assays with insect cell lines not derived from midgut cells, the soluble toxin killed CH1t (Manduca sexta cells) but was inactive against CF1 (Choristoneura fumiferana cells), Aa(s) (Aedes aegypti), and C2 (Culex quinquefasciatus) mosquito cells.
Critical success factors for Lean Six Sigma in SMEs (small and medium enterprises)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify and list critical success factors (CSFs) of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) framework affecting and influencing quality, operational and financial performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It also intends to guide researchers and practitioners in selecting appropriate set of CSFs for empirical studies, developing frameworks and to ensure effective implementation experience of LSS. Design/methodology/approach – It systematically reviews literature on CSFs and Indian experience regarding LSS. It uses exploratory approach for data collection and documents various studies depicting both manufacturing and service experiences by using time tested statistical tools to prioritize CSFs, which critically influence LSS implementation. Findings – The study guides and facilitates researchers and practitioners in using the most appropriate set of CSFs for empirical studies and in developing/modifying/reviewing application frameworks. It also guides implementation experi.
Dual-band fan-beam array antenna for GSM900, DECT and 3G wireless applications

In this contribution, a fan-beam antenna employing a non-parasitic reflector in a grounded manner is introduced. A fan-beam antenna is achieved by 12 elements conventional planar triangular monopole array antenna. This concept is performed by combining planar monopole antenna as an array and non-parasitic reflector. The dual-band antenna is designed for 820–1050 MHz and 1700–2200 MHz input impedance matching bandwidth when simulated. The antenna has broad band input impedance band width, good radiation patterns, very good front to back ratio, good cross polar ratio and proper peak gains in GSM900, DECT, 3G, 4G bands. This type of antenna can be constructed easily, cheaply as well as being light weight for installation.
Phenolic compounds prevent the oligomerization of α‐synuclein and reduce synaptic toxicity

Lewy bodies, mainly composed of α‐synuclein (αS), are pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Epidemiological studies showed that green tea consumption or habitual intake of phenolic compounds reduced Parkinson's disease risk. We previously reported that phenolic compounds inhibited αS fibrillation and destabilized preformed αS fibrils. Cumulative evidence suggests that low‐order αS oligomers are neurotoxic and critical species in the pathogenesis of α‐synucleinopathies. To develop disease modifying therapies for α‐synucleinopathies, we examined effects of phenolic compounds (myricetin (Myr), curcumin, rosmarinic acid (RA), nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and ferulic acid) on αS oligomerization. Using methods such as photo‐induced cross‐linking of unmodified proteins, circular dichroism spectroscopy, the electron microscope, and the atomic force microscope, we showed that Myr and RA inhibited αS oligomerization and secondary structure conversion. The nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed that Myr directly bound to the N‐terminal region of αS, whereas direct binding of RA to monomeric αS was not detected. Electrophysiological assays for long‐term potentiation in mouse hippocampal slices revealed that Myr and RA ameliorated αS synaptic toxicity by inhibition of αS oligomerization. These results suggest that Myr and RA prevent the αS aggregation process, reducing the neurotoxicity of αS oligomers.
A feel for the template: zinc finger protein transcription factors and chromatin.

Transcription factors and chromatin collaborate in bringing the eukaryotic genome to life. An important, and poorly understood, aspect of this collaboration involves targeting the regulators to correct binding sites in vivo. An implicit and insufficiently tested assumption in the field has been that chromatin simply obstructs most sites and leaves only a few functionally relevant ones accessible. The major class of transcription factors in all metazoa, zinc finger proteins (ZFPs), can bind to chromatin in vitro (as clearly shown for Spl, GATA-1 and -4, and the nuclear hormone receptors, for example). Data on the accessibility of DNA within heterochromatin to nonhistone regulators (E.A. Sekinger and D.S. Gross. 2001. Mol. Cell 105: 403-414; C. Jolly et al. 2002. J. Cell. Biol. 156: 775-781) and the ability of the basal transcription machinery to reside within highly condensed chromatin (most recently, R. Christova and T. Oelgeschlaeger. 2002. Nat. Cell Biol. 4: 79-82) further weaken the argument that chromatin acts as an across-the-board deterrent to ZFP binding. These proteins, however, do not bind promiscuously in vivo, and recent data on human cells (C.E. Horak et al. 2002. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99: 2924-2929) confirm earlier data on budding yeast (B. Ren et al. 2000. Science (Washington, D.C.), 290: 2306-2309) that primary DNA sequence, i.e., density of binding sites per unit DNA length, is not the primary determinant of where a ZFP transcription factor will bind in vivo. This article reviews these data and uses ZFP transcription factors as a model system to compare in vitro binding to chromatin by transcription factors with their in vivo behavior in gene regulation. DNA binding domain structure, nonrandom nucleoprotein organization of chromatin at target promoters, and cooperativity of regulator action may all contribute to target site selection in vivo.
Enhancing the reliability of single-phase CHB-based grid-connected photovoltaic energy systems

This paper presents a single-phase Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) inverter for photovoltaic (PV) applications. The adopted control strategy allows the independent control of each dc-link voltage, enabling the tracking of the maximum power point (MPP) of each solar panel. Based on the presented mathematical analysis, the stable operation boundaries of the inverter under unbalanced operation conditions, without any additional controller is explored. A novel reactive power controller is also proposed that enhances the operating range of the CHB inverter. The proposed reactive power controller enables the inverter to operate under unbalanced solar panel conditions, i.e. the worst case, when one panel becomes completely shaded. Performance of the CHB inverter and the corresponding controllers are evaluated based on the digital time domain simulation studies in the PSCAD/EMTDC environment.
Interaction of Yersinia pestis with Macrophages: Limitations in YopJ-Dependent Apoptosis

ABSTRACT The enteropathogenic Yersinia strains are known to downregulate signaling pathways in macrophages by effectors of the type III secretion system, in which YopJ/YopP plays a crucial role. The adverse effects of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, were examined by infecting J774A.1 cells, RAW264.7 cells, and primary murine macrophages with the EV76 strain and with the fully virulent Kimberley53 strain. Y. pestis exerts YopJ-dependent suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and thus resembles enteropathogenic Yersinia. However, Y. pestis is less able to activate caspases, to suppress NF-κB activation, and to induce apoptosis in macrophages than the high-virulence Y. enterocolitica WA O:8 strain. These differences appear to be related to lower efficiency of YopJ effector translocation by Y. pestis. The efficiencies of effector translocation and of apoptosis induction can be enhanced either by using a high bacterial load in a synchronized infection or by overexpressing exogenous YopJ in Y. pestis. Replacing YopJ with the homologous Y. enterocolitica effector YopP can further enhance these effects. Overexpression of YopP in a yopJ-deleted Y. pestis background leads to rapid and effective translocation into target cells, providing Y. pestis with the high cytotoxic potential of Y. enterocolitica WA O:8. We suggest that the relative inferiority of Y. pestis in triggering cell death in macrophages may be advantageous for its in vivo propagation in the early stages of infection.
Interactive Effects of Apolipoprotein E4 and Diabetes Risk on Later Myelinating White Matter Regions in Neurologically Healthy Older Aged Adults

Possession of the apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) allele and diabetes risk are independently related to reduced white matter (WM) integrity that may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The purpose of this study is to examine the interactive effects of APOE4 and diabetes risk on later myelinating WM regions among healthy elderly individuals at risk of AD. A sample of 107 healthy elderly (80 APOE4−/27 APOE4+) individuals underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging/diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Data were prepared using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics, and a priori regions of interest (ROIs) were extracted from T1-based WM parcellations. Regions of interest included later myelinating frontal/temporal/parietal WM regions and control regions measured by fractional anisotropy (FA). There were no APOE group differences in DTI for any ROI. Within the APOE4 group, we found negative relationships between hemoglobin A1c/fasting glucose and APOE4 on FA for all later myelinating WM regions but not for early/middle myelinating control regions. Results also showed APOE4/diabetes risk interactions for WM underlying supramarginal, superior temporal, precuneus, superior parietal, and superior frontal regions. Results suggest interactive effects of APOE4 and diabetes risk on later myelinating WM regions, which supports preclinical detection of AD among this particularly susceptible subgroup.
Investigating the influence of semiconductor device voltage drops on harmonic and reactive current compensation with cascaded multilevel inverters

Cascaded multilevel inverter is a superior option for static var compensators and active power filters, especially in high voltage and/or high power applications due to its modular structure and distributed voltage stress and switching losses among switching devices. The influence of semiconductor device on-state voltage drops on the harmonic current and reactive power compensation in a cascaded multilevel inverter is studied in this paper. It has been found that device voltage drops may cause severe distortions to the output voltage of the cascaded multilevel inverter. It greatly deteriorates the compensation performance. In this paper, analysis, simulation and experiments were conducted to study the influence of the device voltage drops on a cascaded multilevel inverter based harmonic current and reactive power compensator. Based on the analysis of the steady-state waveforms in frequency domain, a technique to reduce the influence of device voltage drops is proposed and verified by simulation results.
The Determinants of Employee Ownership Plan Implementation in EU Countries – the Quest for Economic Democracy: a First Look at the Evidence

Abstract Background and purpose: Kelso’s quest to identify the economic counterpart of political democracy and, as a corollary, his concern about the nature of the economic system’s organisation needed to support the institutions of a politically free society, contributed two important terms: economic power and democracy. Following Kelso’s reasoning, my research study aims to understand the determinants of the implementation of economic democracy, measured by the incidence of employee share ownership plans, within European Union countries. Methodology: Setting out with the theory of one of the founding fathers of employee stock ownership plans, I perform a cross-country analysis spanning five years (2008-2012) to explain the incidence level of employee ownership by independent variables operationalizing the political, legal, socio-educational and economic structures of twenty European Union countries. Using secondary data from the European Federation of Employee Share Ownership, I explain the determinants’ pertinence, while accounting for severe data limitations. Results: I report a strong correlation between employee ownership incidence and the index of economic freedom. However, the labour market’s freedom, the trustworthiness of and confidence in financial markets and the quality of secondary and tertiary education do not deliver clear-cut results. Conclusion: Further research should comprehensively scrutinise country-specific factors regarding corporate governance issues and cross-cultural controls. Employee ownership researchers should consider this field of research to understand why countries that are so-called employee ownership champions are experiencing widening income inequality.
Role of NADPH Oxidase in Formation and Function of Multinucleated Giant Cells

Macrophages play essential roles in a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes. One of the unique features of these phagocytic leukocytes is their ability to fuse, forming multinucleated giant cells. Multinucleated giant cells are important mediators of tissue remodeling and repair and are also responsible for removal or sequestration of foreign material, intracellular bacteria and non-phagocytosable pathogens, such as parasites and fungi. Depending on the tissue where fusion occurs and the inflammatory insult, multinucleated giant cells assume distinctly different phenotypes. Nevertheless, the ultimate outcome is the formation of large cells that can resorb bone tissue (osteoclasts) or foreign material and pathogens (giant cells) extracellularly. While progress has been made in recent years, the mechanisms and factors involved in macrophage fusion are still not fully understood. In addition to cytokines and a number of adhesion proteins and receptors, it is becoming increasingly clear that NADPH oxidase-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) also play an important role in macrophage fusion. In this review, we provide an overview of macrophage multinucleation, with a specific focus on the role of NADPH oxidases and ROS in macrophage fusion and in the function of multinucleated giant cells. In addition, we provide an updated overview of the role of these cells in inflammation and various autoimmune diseases.