Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of a new peroxide indicator reaction to the specific, automated determination of glucose with glucose oxidase.

We describe an automated, colorimetric determination of glucose in biological fluids that combines the specificity of glucose oxidase and of a new peroxide indicator reaction. In the presence of peroxidase, 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone oxidatively couples with N,N-dimethylaniline to form a stable, intensely colored, water-soluble indamine dye, the concentration of which is proportional to that of the third reactant, hydrogen peroxide. This reaction, used earlier to determine uric acid [Clin. Chem. 17, 1154 (1971)], is substantially less affected by negative interference of reducing substances than are previously described peroxide indicators. Results from use of AutoAnalyzers I and II and this method were compared with those from a manual spectrophotometric hexokinase/glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase procedure, and showed good correlation for specimens from patients. The automated methods are suitable for measuring glucose in serum, plasma from fluoride-or iodoacetate-preserved blood, urine (without ion-exchange pretreatment), or cerebrospinal fluid. They eliminate the problem of falsely high results caused by medication or reducing metabolites associated with uremia, in methods in which alkaline ferricyanide or copper—neocuproine is used.
A geological perspective on sea‐level rise and its impacts along the U.S. mid‐Atlantic coast

We evaluate paleo‐, historical, and future sea‐level rise along the U.S. mid‐Atlantic coast. The rate of relative sea‐level rise in New Jersey decreased from 3.5 ± 1.0 mm/yr at 7.5–6.5 ka, to 2.2 ± 0.8 mm/yr at 5.5–4.5 ka to a minimum of 0.9 ± 0.4 mm/yr at 3.3–2.3 ka. Relative sea level rose at a rate of 1.6 ± 0.1 mm/yr from 2.2 to 1.2 ka (750 Common Era [CE]) and 1.4 ± 0.1 mm/yr from 800 to 1800 CE. Geological and tide‐gauge data show that sea‐level rise was more rapid throughout the region since the Industrial Revolution (19th century = 2.7 ± 0.4 mm/yr; 20th century = 3.8 ± 0.2 mm/yr). There is a 95% probability that the 20th century rate of sea‐level rise was faster than it was in any century in the last 4.3 kyr. These records reflect global rise (∼1.7 ± 0.2 mm/yr since 1880 CE) and subsidence from glacio‐isostatic adjustment (∼1.3 ± 0.4 mm/yr) at bedrock locations (e.g., New York City). At coastal plain locations, the rate of rise is 0.3–1.3 mm/yr higher due to groundwater withdrawal and compaction. We construct 21st century relative sea‐level rise scenarios including global, regional, and local processes. We project a 22 cm rise at bedrock locations by 2030 (central scenario; low‐ and high‐end scenarios range of 16–38 cm), 40 cm by 2050 (range 28–65 cm), and 96 cm by 2100 (range 66–168 cm), with coastal plain locations having higher rises (3, 5–6, and 10–12 cm higher, respectively). By 2050 CE in the central scenario, a storm with a 10 year recurrence interval will exceed all historic storms at Atlantic City.
A Meta-analysis on the Efficacy of Preoperative Biliary Drainage for Tumors Causing Obstructive Jaundice

ObjectiveTo review the effectiveness of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) in patients with obstructive jaundice resulting from tumors. Summary Background DataThis was a systematic review, including a meta-analysis, of randomized controlled trials and comparative cohort studies conducted worldwide and published between 1966 and September 2001, classified on methodologic strength and subdivided into level 1 (randomized controlled trials) and level 2 (comparative cohort studies). MethodsComparison was made of PBD versus no PBD in jaundiced patients undergoing resection of a tumor. Outcome measures were in-hospital death rate, overall complications resulting from the treatment modality (drainage- and surgery-related complications), and hospital stay. Effect sizes were calculated and combined in meta-analyses. Relative differences (%) were calculated to compare effects on outcome measures. ResultsFive randomized controlled studies comprising 302 patients met the inclusion criteria for level 1 studies, and 18 cohort studies comprising 2,853 patients met the criteria for level 2 studies. Meta-analysis of level 1 studies showed no difference in the overall death rate between patients who had PBD and those who had surgery without PBD. The overall complication rate, however, was significantly adversely affected by PBD compared with surgery without PBD. At level 2, there was no difference in the death rate between the two treatment modalities. The overall complication rate, however, was significantly adversely affected by PBD compared with surgery without PBD. If PBD had been without complications, then complications would be in favor of drainage based on level 1 studies, and no difference based on level 2 studies. Further, PBD was not able to reduce the length of postoperative hospital stay compared with surgery without PBD; instead, it prolonged the stay. ConclusionsThis meta-analysis shows that PBD with current standards for patients with obstructive jaundice resulting from tumors carries no benefit and should not be performed routinely. The potential benefit of PBD in terms of postoperative rates of death and complications does not outweigh the disadvantage of the drainage procedure. Only if PBD-related complications could be reduced by 27% and consequently diminish hospital stay could PBD be beneficial. Further randomized controlled trials with improved PBD techniques are necessary.
Analysis of distributed power allocation in wireless networks under multiplicative noise and interference uncertainty

In this paper, the problem of power allocation in a wireless network is studied with a distributed perspective by taking into account multiple-access interference in the communication channel, non-uniform quantization and floating-point operations. These three effects can be characterized by multiplicative uncertainty models in the forward and feedback paths of a closed-loop power control strategy. The quality of service (QoS) in the wireless data transmission is evaluated with respect to signal to interference-noise ratio (SINR) after the estimation process, where the uplink channel (active users to base station) is addressed by its implications with respect to battery consumption. The multiplicative uncertainty terms are modeled by a stochastic framework, and the mean-square small gain theorem is employed to evaluate robust stability. Two inequalities are then derived to check internal stability with respect to the norms of the multiplicative uncertainty terms, and sensitivity and complementary sensitivity transfer functions of the closed-loop system. As a case study we considered an LQG controller in each active user for power allocation, whose structure allows to derive simplified inequalities to evaluate robust stability.
Retracted article: Retinal photoreceptors targeting SA-g-AA coated multilamellar liposomes carrier system for cytotoxicity and cellular uptake evaluation

We, the Editor and Publisher of the Journal of Liposome Research, have retracted the following article: E.R. Anishiya Chella Daisy, Naresh Kumar Rajendran, Murugaraj Jeyaraj, Andy Ramu, Mariappan Rajan (2021). Retinal photoreceptors targeting SA-g-AA coated multilamellar liposomes carrier system for cytotoxicity and cellular uptake evaluation. Journal of Liposome Research, 31: 2, 203–216, DOI: 10.1080/08982104.2020. 1768111 After publication of this article, concerns about duplication of part of Figure 3B in Figure 3A were brought to the attention of the Editor and Publisher. The authors were contacted and while they did provide a replacement image, they were unable to provide the replacement image or the original images in a format that satisfies our requirements to confirm its authenticity. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.
Prevalence of DSM-IV Major Depression Among Spanish University Students

Objective: The authors' purpose in this study was to estimate prevalence and correlates of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), major depressive episodes (MDEs) among Spanish university students. Participants and Methods: In October and November 2004, interviewers administered a screening tool to a sample of 554 students aged 18-34 years (65.9% women). Results: The prevalence of MDEs was 8.7% (95% confidence interval = 6.5%-11.3%). The most common symptoms were depressed mood (81.3%) and altered sleep (79.2%). MDEs were more prevalent among women than men (p < .05). The mean number of previous episodes of depression among currently depressed students with previous episodes was 2.2 (SD = 1.4). Of depressed students, 0.6% had considered suicide and 0.2% had attempted suicide. Conclusions: Depression was highly prevalent among university students. The results suggest the need to develop some type of program or service for university students with the aim of preventing depression and improving their adaptation to university life.
Military firefighters: a gaze at the health and the violence related to work

This article aims to reflect about the worker health and work-related violence from the movement played by military firefighters in the state of Rio de Janeiro in 2011. The qualitative research, developed through the records of public events of the category, uses content analysis technique for processing and interpretation of the material. Results show that the workers demand decent working conditions. The violation of such right can be considered a form of violence in the workplace and negatively impact the health, life and the very occupation of the worker at stake.
A New Multi-Dimensional Transform for Digital Signal Processing Using Generalized Association Schemes

Abstract : Our research focused on the development of a multi-dimensional discrete transform using a new algebra of multi-dimensional arrays. The proposed transform for the n-dimensional can compute en block the transforms of a family of (n-1) dimensional arrays. Also, the number of multiplications is relatively low. The definition of the transform (for the 3-dimensional case) uses the concept of an inverse pair for a pair of 3-dimensional arrays. We have developed methods to compute such inverse pairs and it has been shown there is an abundant supplies of such pairs which could then profitably be used to define various types of 3-dimensional transforms. We have also investigated the properties of the ternary algebra associated with the 3-dimensional arrays. Further, the multi-dimensional approach has been used by us to the representation of uncertain information in conjunction with the Dempster-Schafer theory. It has been shown how to compute the information regarding the probability of occurrences of the variables as certain matrix products. Digital signal processing, Transforms, Multi-dimensional arrays.
ICA-based Action Recognition for Human-computer Interaction in Disturbed Backgrounds

In this paper, we propose an independent component analysis (ICA) based scheme for action recognition. The proposed method does not require the feature design or modeling process, and it is computationally very fast for real-time applications. Experimental results show that it is robust on disturbed backgrounds where both foreground and background objects are moving simultaneously in the scene. The experiments also reveal that the proposed method is very effective for human-computer interaction.
Cell therapy for the diseased liver: from stem cell biology to novel models for hepatotropic human pathogens

It has long been known that hepatocytes possess the potential to replicate through many cell generations because regeneration can be achieved in rodents after serial two-thirds hepatectomy. It has taken considerable time and effort to harness this potential, with liver regeneration models involving hepatocyte transplantation developing over the past 15 years. This review will describe the experiments that have established the models and methodology for liver repopulation, and the use of cells other than adult hepatocytes in liver repopulation, including hepatic cell lines and hematopoietic, cord blood, hepatic and embryonic stem cells. Emphasis will be placed on the characteristics of the models and how they can influence the outcome of the experiments. Finally, an account of the development of murine models that are competent to accept human hepatocytes is provided. In these models, liver deficiencies are induced in immunodeficient mice, where healthy human cells have a selective advantage. These mice with humanized livers provide a powerful new experimental tool for the study of human hepatotropic pathogens.
A Shoelace Antenna for the Application of Collision Avoidance for the Blind Person

A shoelace antenna for the application of collision avoidance for the blind person is proposed for the first time. A thin flexible metal wire is used to fabricate the antenna, which can run along with the shoelace without destroying the shoe or adding extra big structures. According to the investigations, to put the feeding probe at the bottom of the cross point is better than the locations around the string bowknot. To make the shoelace tighter or looser will influence the performance with an affordable variation. The effect of the biological tissues has been taken into account during the performance evaluation of the antenna. The measured fractional bandwidth is 11% with a resonance of 2.43 GHz in the ISM Band. The main lobe of the antenna points to the upper front direction with an angle of about 20°, which is suitable for the detecting of the anterior obstacles when walking. The measured results indicate reasonable performance for the shoelace antenna to serve as a tool for the blind person.
Applicability of a different estimation equation of glomerular filtration rate in Turkey

Abstract We aimed to investigate the performance of various creatinine based glomerular filtration rate estimation equations that were widely used in clinical practice in Turkey and calculate a correction coefficient to obtain a better estimate using the isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS)-traceable Modification of the Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. This cross-sectional study included adult (>18 years) outpatients and in patients with chronic kidney disease as well as healthy volunteers. Iohexol clearance was measured and the precisions and bias of the various estimation equations were calculated. A correction coefficient for the IDMS-traceable MDRD was also calculated. A total of 229 (113 male/116 female; mean age 53.9 ± 14.4 years) subjects were examined. A median iohexol clearance of 39.21 mL/min/1.73 m2 (range: 6.01–168.47 mL/min/1.73 m2) was found. Bias and random error for the IDMS-traceable MDRD equation were 11.33 ± 8.97 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 14.21 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. MDRD formula seems to provide the best estimates. To obtain the best agreement with iohexol clearance, a correction factor of 0.804 must be introduced to IDMS-traceable MDRD equation for our study population.
Specific Residues of PB2 and PA Influenza Virus Polymerase Subunits Confer the Ability for RNA Polymerase II Degradation and Virus Pathogenicity in Mice

ABSTRACT Influenza virus transcription requires functional coupling with cellular transcription for the cap-snatching process. Despite this fact, RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) is degraded during infection in a process triggered by the viral polymerase. Reassortant viruses from the A/PR/8/34 (PR8) strain that induce (hvPR8) or do not induce (lvPR8) RNAP II degradation led to the identification of PA and PB2 subunits as responsible for the degradation process. Three changes in the PB2 sequence (I105M, N456D, and I504V) and two in PA (Q193H and I550L) differentiate PA and PB2 of lvPR8 from those of hvPR8. Using recombinant viruses, we observed that changes at position 504 of PB2, together with 550 of PA, confer the ability on lvPR8 for RNAP II degradation and, conversely, abolish hvPR8 degradation capacity. Since hvPR8 is more pathogenic than lvPR8 in mice, we tested the potential contribution of RNAP II degradation in a distant viral strain, the 2009 pandemic A/California/04/09 (CAL) virus, whose PA and PB2 subunits are of avian origin. As in the hvPR8 virus, mutations at positions 504 of PB2 and 550 of PA in CAL virus abolished its RNAP II degradation capacity. Moreover, in an in vivo model, the CAL-infected mice lost more body weight, and 75% lethality was observed in this situation compared with 100% survival in mutant-CAL- or mock-infected animals. These results confirm the involvement of specific PB2 and PA residues in RNAP II degradation, which correlates with pathogenicity in mice of viruses containing human or avian polymerase PB2 and PA subunits. IMPORTANCE The influenza virus polymerase induces the degradation of RNAP II, which probably cooperates to avoid the antiviral response. Here, we have characterized two specific residues located in the PA and PB2 polymerase subunits that mediate this degradation in different influenza viruses. Moreover, a clear correlation between RNAP II degradation and in vivo pathogenicity in mice was observed, indicating that the degradative process constitutes a viral pathogenicity factor.
Inductive linkage identification on building blocks of different sizes and types

The goal of linkage identification is to obtain the dependencies among decision variables. Such information or knowledge can be applied to design crossover operators and/or the encoding schemes in genetic and evolutionary methods. Thus, promising sub-solutions to the problem will be disrupted less likely, and successful convergence may be achieved more likely. To obtain linkage information, a linkage identification technique, called Inductive Linkage Identification (ILI), was proposed recently. ILI was established upon the mechanism of perturbation and the idea of decision tree learning. By constructing a decision tree according to decision variables and fitness difference values, the interdependent variables will be determined by the adopted decision tree learning algorithm. In this article, we aim to acquire a better understanding on the characteristics of ILI, especially its behaviour under problems composed of different-sized and different-type building blocks (BBs) which are not overlapped. Experiments showed that ILI can efficiently handle BBs of different sizes and is insensitive to BB types. Our experimental observations indicate the flexibility and the applicability of ILI on various elementary BB types that are commonly adopted in related experiments.
Hydrophobic surfactant proteins in lung function and disease.

Pulmonary surfactants consist of phospholipids and the hydrophobic proteins surfactant protein B and surfactant protein C. These surfactants keep the alveoli in the lung open to the atmosphere. Mutations in the genes encoding these proteins cause a variety of pulmonary syndromes. The pulmonary diseases associated with some of these mutations exemplify the consequences of the accumulation of misfolded proteins in tissue.
Single-Channel Speech Enhancement Using Double Spectrum

Single-channel speech enhancement is often formulated in the Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) domain. As an alternative, several previous studies have reported advantages of speech processing using pitch-synchronous analysis and filtering in the modulation transform domain. We propose to use the Double Spectrum (DS) obtained by combining pitchsynchronous transform followed by modulation transform. The linearity and sparseness properties of DS domain are beneficial for single-channel speech enhancement. The effectiveness of the proposed DS-based speech enhancement is demonstrated by comparing it with STFT-based and modulation-based benchmarks. In contrast to the benchmark methods, the proposed method does not exploit any statistical information nor does it use temporal smoothing. The proposed method leads to an improvement of 0.3 PESQ on average for babble noise.
A Review of Some Semi-Supervised Learning Methods

n recent years the use of data-mining techniques as well as smart algorithms has become common. Several tasks, formerly done at the expense of significant amounts of time and money, can be performed by means of these techniques and algorithms. On the other hand, many of our sources are textual ones. During all these years, there have been different classifications with varying approaches for this task. It is noteworthy that the possibility of automatization of these classifications relies on new texts. This paper deals with basic concepts, concerning data-mining and text-mining, reviewing some semi-supervised learning methods. It also gives a review some common algorithms in this area and finally presents the summary and conclusion.
Social search behavior in a social Q&A service: Goals, strategies, and outcomes

Recent advancements in social technologies allow information seekers to reach out to a larger, more distributed group of people online when searching for information. In this study, people's question‐asking behavior using a social Q&A service is conceptualized as social search behavior. We are particularly interested in investigating social search goals, strategies, tactics, informational outcomes, and social outcomes. We collected a total of 406 questions posted on Yahoo! Answers by 78 participants over one week. Interviews based on those questions and answers they received were conducted and content‐analyzed. We identify five distinct search strategies and 15 tactics positioned on a continuum of two different dimensions in terms of answer quantity and answer quality. Pursuit of quantity or quality is influenced by five categories of goals identified in this study. The goals and associated strategies and tactics also influence people's perceived informational outcomes and social outcomes. Contributions of this study to the social search research community and implications for practitioners in the area of social Q&A services are discussed.
APCs Expressing High Levels of Programmed Death Ligand 2 Sustain the Development of CD4 T Cell Memory

The role APCs play in the transition of T cells from effector to memory remains largely undefined. This is likely due to the low frequency at which long-lived T cells arise, which hinders analysis of the events involved in memory development. In this study, we used TCR transgenic T cells to increase the frequency of long-lived T cells and developed a transfer model suitable for defining the contribution of APCs to the development of CD4 T cell memory. Accordingly, naive TCR transgenic T cells were stimulated in vitro with Ag presented by different types of APCs and transferred into MHC class II-deficient mice for parking, and the hosts were later analyzed for long-lived T cell frequency or challenged with suboptimal dose of Ag, and the long-lived cells-driven memory responses were measured. The findings indicate that B cells and CD8α+ dendritic cells sustained elevated frequencies of long-lived T cells that yielded rapid and robust memory responses upon rechallenge with suboptimal dose of Ag. Furthermore, both types of APCs had significant programmed death (PD) ligand 2 expression prior to Ag stimulation, which was maintained at a high level during presentation of Ag to T cells. Blockade of PD ligand 2 interaction with its receptor PD-1 nullified the development of memory responses. These previously unrecognized findings suggest that targeting specific APCs for Ag presentation during vaccination could prove effective against microbial infections.