Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autopsy Findings in Botulinum Toxin Poisoning

Abstract: In the United States, foodborne botulism is most commonly associated with home‐canned food products. Between 1950 and 2005, 405 separate outbreaks of botulism were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Approximately 8% of these outbreaks were attributed to commercially produced canned food products. Overall, 5–10% of persons ingesting botulinum toxin die. Few reports exist pertaining to autopsy findings in cases of foodborne botulism. Here, we report the autopsy findings of a man who died after a prolonged illness caused by botulinum toxin exposure likely attributable to a commercially prepared food source. Despite extensive testing, our histopathologic findings were nonspecific. We therefore conclude that the forensic pathologist must become familiar with the neurotoxicity syndrome associated with this illness. Maintaining vigilance for botulism by carefully reviewing the decedent’s clinical history will aid in the early identification and control of outbreaks, either foodborne or terrorism‐related.
Metal/graphene contact as a performance Killer of ultra-high mobility graphene analysis of intrinsic mobility and contact resistance

Graphene with a high carrier mobility of more than 10,000 cm2/Vs on SiO2 has attracted much attention as a promising candidate of future high-speed transistor materials. The contact resistance (RC) between graphene and metal electrodes is crucially important for achieving potentially high performance of graphene from both physics and practical viewpoints. This paper discusses metal/graphene contact properties by separating from the intrinsic conduction of graphene.
Treatment of suicide attempters. A descriptive study.

Treatment patterns and their determinants were examined in suicide attempters coming to an emergency room. Only a small proportion required medical hospitalization. Forty-four percent were admitted to psychiatric hospitals and 38% referred for outpatient treatment. On follow-up of a sample of outpatient referrals, only half came for their first appointment. Comparisons of treatment groups indicated that the decision to hospitalize was independent of social factors but was strongly related to relevant clinical criteria reflecting severity and suicidal risk. Choice of facility for hospitalization was related to some nonclinical factors. Reasons for outpatient nonattendance were less clear and its reduction presents a major therapeutic challenge.
Analysis of black carbon and carbon monoxide observed over the Indian Ocean: Implications for emissions and photochemistry

[1] Air from South Asia carries heavy loadings of organic and light-absorbing aerosol but low concentrations of ozone. We investigate ambient pollutant concentrations measured during the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX), and we estimate emissions to determine the origin, magnitude, and impacts of air pollution from South Asia and to understand better the uncertainty in emission inventories. In India, the preponderance of motorcycles with small, two-stroke engines and the practice of adulterating gasoline with kerosene lead to high CO emission factors; for 1999, we estimate release of 15 Tg yr−1 from fossil fuel use and 40 Tg yr−1 from biomass burning. With the addition of isoprene oxidation, the total CO emissions were 67 Tg yr−1 from India and 87 Tg(CO) yr−1 from all of South Asia. These values indicate a somewhat larger contribution from fossil fuels but slightly lower overall emissions when compared to prior emission inventories. Two-stroke engines also exhibit high emission factors for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and particulate organic matter but produce only modest amounts of NOx. Near sources in India, VOC to NOx ratios appear too high for efficient O3 formation, although other factors probably contribute to observed low O3 mixing ratios. An inventory based on source characteristics and known emission factors for black carbon (BC) from South Asia yields 0.7 Tg yr−1 (upper limit of about 1.0 Tg yr−1) with biomass burning as the dominant source. We can test this inventory with measurements of ambient CO and BC—ship, island, and aircraft observations of air from South Asia all show a positive correlation between CO and BC (r2 = 0.71–0.81). Such strong correlations have also been observed over North America and Europe, but with a lower BC/CO slope. Ambient concentrations indicate high BC emission from South Asia: 2–3 Tg(BC) yr−1. This disagreement with emission inventories demonstrates the need for direct measurements from sources in India.
Body composition in Prader-Willi syndrome compared with nonsyndromal obesity: Relationship to physical activity and growth hormone function.

OBJECTIVE To study the relationship of fat mass, extracellular-to-intracellular-water ratio, and bone mineral density with growth hormone function and physical activity in Prader-Willi syndrome. STUDY DESIGN There were 17 patients with PWS (10 women, ages 7.5-19.8 years) and 17 obese control patients, matched for gender and bone age. FM and extracellular-to-intracellular-water ratio were measured by bromide-deuterium dilution, BMD by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, GH function by fasted serum insulin-like growth factor-I concentration, and physical activity by doubly-labeled water in combination with basal metabolic rate by a ventilated hood. RESULTS The PWS group had a similar fat mass, but a lower fat-free mass, whereas the extracellular-to-intracellular-water ratio was higher compared with the control group (0.87 +/- 0.07 l/l and 0.80 +/- 0.06 l/l, respectively [P <.01]). Fat mass was inversely related with PA in the PWS group, whereas IGF-I was positively correlated with FFM, ICW, and BMD of the limbs. BMD tended to be lower in patients with PWS. CONCLUSIONS In children and adolescents with PWS, adiposity is associated with a reduced fat-free mass and extracellular-to-intracellular-water ratio is increased. Both findings are related to GH function and physical activity. BMD, especially in the limbs, tends to be reduced in patients with PWS and is related to GH function.
Riemannian Optimization for Skip-Gram Negative Sampling

Skip-Gram Negative Sampling (SGNS) word embedding model, well known by its implementation in “word2vec” software, is usually optimized by stochastic gradient descent. However, the optimization of SGNS objective can be viewed as a problem of searching for a good matrix with the low-rank constraint. The most standard way to solve this type of problems is to apply Riemannian optimization framework to optimize the SGNS objective over the manifold of required low-rank matrices. In this paper, we propose an algorithm that optimizes SGNS objective using Riemannian optimization and demonstrates its superiority over popular competitors, such as the original method to train SGNS and SVD over SPPMI matrix.
Validation of network simulation model with emulation using example malware

Under the Cyber Army Modeling and Simulation (CyAMS) program, a model validation was conducted using data from an emulated network for malware propagation to compare against the CyAMS finite state representation of network nodes and processes using behavioral simulation. During the validation process, the finite state machine model was effective in identifying important caveats in the emulation tests. Once the experimental parameters were correctly defined, the CyAMS model and the emulated networks showed similar outcomes. The simulation in this case utilized at most 3 CPU cores, whereas the emulation approach required roughly 2,000 real computers and 14,800 virtual machines. The results highlight the possibility that simulation methods can be as effective as emulation test beds in selected cases. Further, simulation results can be an effective tool to verify the goals of emulation based experiments in some cases. Results demonstrated that several orders of magnitude of less computing resources are required for a simulation compared to emulation for this particular test case.
Integration of Global Regulation of Two Aromatic-Responsive σ54-Dependent Systems: a Common Phenotype by Different Mechanisms

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas-derived regulators DmpR and XylR are structurally and mechanistically related σ54-dependent activators that control transcription of genes involved in catabolism of aromatic compounds. The binding of distinct sets of aromatic effectors to these regulatory proteins results in release of a repressive interdomain interaction and consequently allows the activators to promote transcription from their cognate target promoters. The DmpR-controlled Po promoter region and the XylR-controlled Pu promoter region are also similar, although homology is limited to three discrete DNA signatures for binding σ54 RNA polymerase, the integration host factor, and the regulator. These common properties allow cross-regulation of Pu and Po by DmpR and XylR in response to appropriate aromatic effectors. In vivo, transcription of both the DmpR/Po and XylR/Pu regulatory circuits is subject to dominant global regulation, which results in repression of transcription during growth in rich media. Here, we comparatively assess the contribution of (p)ppGpp, the FtsH protease, and a component of an alternative phosphoenolpyruvate-sugar phosphotransferase system, which have been independently implicated in mediating this level of regulation. Further, by exploiting the cross-regulatory abilities of these two circuits, we identify the target component(s) that are intercepted in each case. The results show that (i) contrary to previous speculation, FtsH is not universally required for transcription of σ54-dependent systems; (ii) the two factors found to impact the XylR/Pu regulatory circuit do not intercept the DmpR/Po circuit; and (iii) (p)ppGpp impacts the DmpR/Po system to a greater extent than the XylR/Pu system in both the native Pseudomonas putida and a heterologous Escherichia coli host. The data demonstrate that, despite the similarities of the specific regulatory circuits, the host global regulatory network latches onto and dominates over these specific circuits by exploiting their different properties. The mechanistic implications of how each of the host factors exerts its action are discussed.
Human-robot haptic joint actions is an equal control-sharing approach possible?

This paper proposes a speculative model and control framework for human-robot haptic joint (i.e. collaborative) actions in which the roles human and robot partners play as leaders or followers is not predetermined prior to tasks execution. In this proposed scheme, role switching is made by a homotopy: that is, a time-variant, continuous or setvalue, weighting interpolation function between the two extreme (leader of follower) behaviors for each individual. The role of each individual is changeable anytime with any plausible dynamic all along task execution. The formalism allows arbitrary functions for each partner's leader and follower control laws. We discuss strengths, weaknesses and perspectives of such an approach.
The Amateur in the Operating Room: History and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

CONSIDER TWO LECTURERS. The first had access to state-of-the-art knowledge. This historian could draw upon complex interpretations of human behavior, sophisticated models of the manner in which different social groups form visions of reality, and well-defined methodologies for analyzing evidence. The lecture was part of a great collective enterprise in which the efforts of generations of scholars had been systematically combined to produce a greater understanding of the past. The second lecturer operated almost entirely in isolation. Except for chance encounters with folk beliefs about the subject, this historian had few resources to work with and, of necessity, had to base the presentation on knowledge that would have been unremarkable fifty years earlier. In comparison with the first lecture, the second was marked by a relatively simplistic understanding of human interactions, little sensitivity to the manner in which different groups experience the world, and a cursory and very impressionistic consideration of the evidence. There are few historians who would not prefer to be in the situation of the first lecturer. Yet these were two aspects of the same lecture, and this strange juxtaposition of such dissimilar forms of knowledge occurs daily in history classrooms at virtually every college and university in the United States. Behind every act of teaching there are two different forms of knowledge: knowledge of the subject matter, and knowledge of how it may be taught and learned. Just as every act of researching the past depends on an understanding of the historical period, the secondary literature on the subject, and relevant methodologies, so every act of teaching history rests upon knowledge of the challenges posed by a particular subject matter, access to collective notions about how students learn, and an understanding of specific strategies to make teaching more effective. But the manner in which these two forms of knowledge are generated could not be more different, for the transition from amateur to expert that occurred long ago in the realm of research has not yet been completed in that of teaching. The goal of this article is to examine efforts to bridge the chasm between these
Factors controlling the expression of mouse mammary tumour virus.

Mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) is associated with mammary carcinomas in susceptible mouse strains (Nandi & McGrath, 1973; Bentvelzen, 1974). The virus is transmitted exogenously as an infectious agent through the milk of infected mice from mother to offspring (Bittner, 1936) or through the germ line as endogenous proviral loci (Varmus et al., 1972; Cohen & Varmus, 1979, 1980; Groner & Hynes, 1980). Although the mammary gland is the major site of expression of the virus, certain other organs and cell types are now known to express MMTV but at lower levels (reviewed in Salmons & Gunzburg, 1987). It has long been known that the expression of this retrovirus is controlled by pregnancy hormones (reviewed by Ringold, 1983). The regulation of MMTV expression by glucocorticoids (McGrath, 1971; Dickson et al., 1974; Fine et al., 1974; Parks et al., 1974; Ringold et al., 1975) aroused much interest and consequently MMTV became one of the best studied hormoneregulated genes. However, despite the huge volume of literature concerning glucocorticoid regulation, it should be stressed that such hormones are not the only factors that control the expression of MMTV. More recently, progress has been made in elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of some of the other factors involved in the control of MMTV expression. Of particular interest are negative regulatory elements (NREs), factors which specifically bind to NREs and the regulatory mechanisms involved in specifying lymphocyte specific expression. Such regulatory mechanisms are of interest with respect to the tissue specificity of expression shown by MMTV, the life cycle of the virus, its role in mammary tumorigenesis and its possible involvement in lymphomagenesis.
Amino Terminal Pro–B-Type Natriuretic Peptide, Secondary Stroke Prevention, and Choice of Antithrombotic Therapy

Background and Purpose— Because of its association with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, we hypothesized that amino terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) would identify a subgroup of patients from the Warfarin–Aspirin Recurrent Stroke Study, diagnosed with inferred noncardioembolic ischemic strokes, where anticoagulation would be more effective than antiplatelet agents in reducing risk of subsequent events. Methods— NT-proBNP was measured in stored serum collected at baseline from participants enrolled in Warfarin–Aspirin Recurrent Stroke Study, a previously reported randomized trial. Relative effectiveness of warfarin and aspirin in preventing recurrent ischemic stroke or death over 2 years was compared based on NT-proBNP concentrations. Results— About 95% of 1028 patients with assays had NT-proBNP below 750 pg/mL, and among them, no evidence for treatment effect modification was evident. For 49 patients with NT-proBNP >750 pg/mL, the 2-year rate of events per 100 person-years was 45.9 for the aspirin group and 16.6 for the warfarin group, whereas for 979 patients with NT-proBNP ⩽750 pg/mL, rates were similar for both treatments. For those with NT-proBNP >750 pg/mL, the hazard ratio was 0.30 (95% confidence interval: 0.12–0.84; P=0.021) significantly favoring warfarin over aspirin. A formal test for interaction of NT-proBNP with treatment was significant (P=0.01). Conclusions— For secondary stroke prevention, elevated NT-proBNP concentrations may identify a subgroup of ischemic stroke patients without known atrial fibrillation, about 5% based on the current study, who may benefit more from anticoagulants than antiplatelet agents. Clinical Trial Registration— This trial was not registered because enrollment began before 2005.
Covalent capture of kinase-specific phosphopeptides reveals Cdk1-cyclin B substrates

We describe a method for rapid identification of protein kinase substrates. Cdk1 was engineered to accept an ATP analog that allows it to uniquely label its substrates with a bio-orthogonal phosphate analog tag. A highly specific, covalent capture-and-release methodology was developed for rapid purification of tagged peptides derived from labeled substrate proteins. Application of this approach to the discovery of Cdk1-cyclin B substrates yielded identification of >70 substrates and phosphorylation sites. Many of these sites are known to be phosphorylated in vivo, but most of the proteins have not been characterized as Cdk1-cyclin B substrates. This approach has the potential to expand our understanding of kinase–substrate connections in signaling networks.
Schweizerische Netzmodelle für den Strassen- und Schienenverkehr

Fur die Nachfrageberechnung und Schatzung der Auswirkungen von Angebotsveranderungen sind Netzmodelle eine entscheidende Grundlage. Neben der Berechnungen von Routenwahlveranderungen sind diese Modelle auch eine wesentliche Grundlage fur die Berechnung von anderen Nachfragereaktionen bzw. Modellschritten wie Zielwahl- oder Verkehrsmittelwahl. In diesem Aufsatz werden die Aktualisierung und Weiterentwicklung von schweizerischen Strassen- und Schienennetzmodellen beschrieben. Neben einer verbesserten Abbildung des Verkehrsangebotes, wurden hier auch neue Umlegungsmethoden angewendet und die Kalibration der Quell-Ziel-Matrizen durchgefuhrt. Die Parameter fur das Routenwahlmodell wurde auf Grundlage der Stated Preference Befragungen geschatzt. Daruber hinaus sind die Grundlagen fur die Erstellung eines neuen und detaillierteren Strassenmodells kurz dargestellt.
Synchronized Zero-Crossing-Based Self-Tuning Capacitor Time-Constant Estimator for Low-Power Digitally Controlled DC–DC Converters

A hardware efficient method and system for estimating the time constant and measuring the current of the output capacitors in digitally controlled switch-mode power supplies is introduced. The estimator emulates the equivalent RC circuit of the output capacitor with a much smaller version, placed in parallel, and adjusts its own resistance until the two circuits have the same time constant. The adjustment is based on a novel zero voltage crossing detection method and on synchronization with the digital pulse-width modulator operation. The effectiveness of the new estimator is verified with a 5 V to 1 V/5 A, 500-kHz buck converter prototype utilizing an optimal response controller. The experimental results show accuracy within a few tens of nanoseconds in the detection of capacitor zero-current crossing points, corresponding to a smaller than a 1.5% error in the time constant estimation, and, compared to an imperfectly tuned system, about 40% smaller voltage deviation during transients.
Quasi-active power factor correction using transformer-assisted driving voltage

This paper presents a novel simple input current shaper based on a quasi-active power factor correction (PFC) scheme. In this method high power factor and low harmonic content are achieved by providing an auxiliary PFC circuit with a driving voltage derived from a third winding of the transformer of a DC-DC flyback converter. It eliminates the use of active switch and control circuit for PFC. Operating principles, analysis, and simulation results of the proposed method are presented.
Finite element modeling on thermal fatigue of BGA solder joints with multiple voids

The electronics industry strives for miniaturization and diversification of functionality while the demand for reliability of electronic components strongly increases. The manufacturing process induces voids in lead-free solder joints which influence its mechanical behavior and hence the failure resistivity of these interconnections. But even though many investigations have been done in this field, it still remains unsettled whether voids enhance or hinder the joints' reliability. Recent advances include strain experiments and finite-element-analysis for low void quantities. It has been shown that the position and size of voids are the most influential parameters in that matter. In this work a parameterized finite element model is presented and used to analyze the change in stress and strain distributions in the solder joints with different void configurations. Based on the extracted accumulated creep strain per temperature cycle joints with voids are compared to the respective void free state. It will be shown that voids have the potential to heavily reduce the fatigue life of BGA solder joints.
Bismuth dimercaptopropanol (BisBAL) inhibits the expression of extracellular polysaccharides and proteins by Brevundimonas diminuta: Implications for membrane microfiltration

A 2:1 molar ratio preparation of bismuth with a lipophilic dithiol (3‐dimercapto‐1‐propanol, BAL) significantly reduced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) expression by Brevundimonas diminuta in suspended cultures at levels just below the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Total polysaccharides and proteins secreted by B. diminuta decreased by approximately 95% over a 5‐day period when exposed to the bismuth‐BAL chelate (BisBAL) at near MIC (12 µM). Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) suggested that a possible mechanism of biofilm disruption by BisBAL is the inhibition of carbohydrate O‐acetylation. FTIR also revealed extensive homology between EPS samples with and without BisBAL treatment, with proteins, polysaccharides, and peptides varying predominantly only in the amount expressed. EPS secretion decreased following BisBAL treatment as verified by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Without BisBAL treatment, a slime‐like EPS matrix secreted by B. diminuta resulted in biofouling and inefficient hydrodynamic backwashing of microfiltration membranes. Bioeng. 2008;99: 634–643. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.