Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
USE OF TWO-STAGE BIOLOGICAL PROCESS IN TREATING THIN FILM TRANSISTOR LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY WASTEWATER OF TETRAMETHYLAMMONIUM HYDROXIDE

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) is a newly discovered and cost-effective process to remove nitrogen compounds in wastewater treatment. The process is the anoxic oxidation of ammonium converting to nitrogen with nitrite as electron acceptor. However, many organic inhibitors and unknown niche of ANAMMOX are the challenges to apply ANAMMOX process to industrial wastewater treatment. In this study, two-stage bioprocess of anaerobic hydrolysis and anoxic ANAMMOX were performed for tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) wastewater treatment. In the first anaerobic hydrolysis process, the organic nitrogen from TMAH wastewater containing 110-250 mg L -1 (TMAH 600-2000 mg L -1 ) could be hydrolyzed into ammonium. A 95% hydrolysis efficiency of TMAH could be achieved in this process. In the second ANAMMOX process, the effluent from the first process with a total organic carbon (TOC)/NH4 + -N ratio of 0.10. 17 mg C mg -1 N is mixed with NO2 - (50-250 mg N L -1 ) as electron acceptor. The total inorganic nitrogen conversion was up to 90% under volumetric loading rate of 100-500 mg N L -1 d -1 . Consortia in the second bioreactor were detected with molecular biomonitoring of 16S rDNA during 401 d continuous culture. ANAMMOX clusters, Brocadia anammoxidans and Kuenenia stuttgartiensis, are identified in this study. Process evaluation and ecological study were conducted on the use of two-stage biological process in treating thin film transistor liquid crystal display wastewater.
The effects of ABCC2 G1249A polymorphism on the risk of resistance to antiepileptic drugs: a meta-analysis of the literature.

AIMS The G1249A variant of the multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (ABCC2) gene may be associated with the development of antiepileptic drug (AED) resistance. Although numerous studies have investigated the association between the G1249A variant and the risk of drug resistance in epilepsy, the results of these studies have been inconclusive. To assess the role of G1249A polymorphism in drug resistance in epilepsy, a meta-analysis was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS We systematically reviewed relevant studies retrieved by the PubMed and Embase. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated based on the date extracted from the studies to evaluate the strength of association. We also analyzed the heterogeneity and sensitivity of each report and the publication bias of the studies. RESULTS A total of 6 published studies, involving 2213 patients (1100 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and 1113 controls with drug-responsive epilepsy) were reviewed in the present meta-analysis. The overall results indicated that the variant genotypes were associated with a significantly decreased risk of AED resistance (AA vs. GG: OR=0.372, 95% CI=0.182-0.762; recessive model: OR=0.399, 95% CI=0.200-0.795) (fixed-effects model). A stratified analysis by ethnicity showed similar findings for Caucasians in an additive model (A vs. G: OR=0.700, 95% CI=0.494-0.992). CONCLUSIONS The meta-analysis suggests that the ABCC2 G1249A polymorphism is significantly associated with a decreased risk of AED resistance. However, further functional investigations are warranted to validate the association.
BOOK REVIEW FOR BULLETIN OF THE AMS

Eigenvalues, latent roots, proper values, characteristic values—four synonyms for a set of numbers that provide much useful information about a matrix or operator. A huge amount of research has been directed at the theory of eigenvalues (localization, perturbation, canonical forms, . . . ), at applications (ubiquitous), and at numerical computation. I would like to begin with a very selective description of some historical aspects of these topics, before moving on to pseudoeigenvalues, the subject of the book under review. Back in the 1930s, Frazer, Duncan, and Collar of the Aerodynamics Department of the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), England, were developing matrix methods for analyzing flutter (unwanted vibrations) in aircraft. This was the beginning of what became known as matrix structural analysis [9], and led to the authors’ book Elementary Matrices and Some Applications to Dynamics and Differential Equations, published in 1938 [10], which was “the first to employ matrices as an engineering tool” [2]. Olga Taussky worked in Frazer’s group at NPL during the Second World War, analyzing 6× 6 quadratic eigenvalue problems (QEPs) (λ2A2 + λA1 + A0)x = 0 arising in flutter analysis of supersonic aircraft [25]. Subsequently Peter Lancaster, working at the English Electric Company in the 1950s solved QEPs of dimension 2 to 20 [12]. Taussky (at Caltech) and Lancaster (at the University of Calgary) both went on to make fundamental contributions to matrix theory, and in particular to matrix eigenvalue problems [24], [17]. So aerodynamics provided the impetus for some significant work on the theory and computation of matrix eigenvalues. In those early days efficient and reliable numerical methods for solving eigenproblems were not available. Today they are, but aerodynamics and other areas of engineering continue to provide challenges concerning eigenvalues. The trend towards extreme designs, such as high speed trains [15], micro-electromechanical (MEMS) systems, and “superjumbo” jets such as the Airbus 380, make the analysis and computation of resonant frequencies of these structures difficult [21], [26]. Extreme designs often lead to eigenproblems with poor conditioning, while the physics of the systems leads to algebraic structure
Does loose fitting matter? predicting sensor performance in smart garments

Smart sensing garments can extend the functionality of clothing beyond aesthetic and protective purposes. In contrast to skin-mounted sensors, garment-embedded sensor performance depends on fitting. In this work, we present a modeling and simulation approach to predict sensor performance in garments. We implemented a state-of-the-art particle-based model of fabrics to simulate the topology and drape of the garment. Based on the simulation, we introduce a method to extract and visualize maps for garment-embedded sensor performance metrics. We present performance maps for three basic modalities pertained to orientation, skin contact, and strain. Design parameters as garment fitting and material, and body proportion are analyzed regarding position specific sensor performance. To evaluate our model, we compared simulations to participant study data, confirming that our approach is suitable to plan sensor positioning and garment design before implementing garment prototypes.
Computer simulation of single-phase matrix converter operating as buck or boost rectifier

This paper presents work on modelling and simulation of single-phase matrix converter with buck or boost rectifier operation. Both buck or boost rectifier operation are implemented using the same topology. This is facilitated through proper switching control algorithm. The circuit behaviour is verified by MATLAB/Simulink simulation results. Selected experimental result are also presented to illustrate its potential in practical realisation.
Somatic spectrum of cancer‐associated single basepair substitutions in the TP53 gene is determined mainly by endogenous mechanisms of mutation and by selection

The spectrum of somatic TP53 single basepair substitutions detected in 955 cancers was compared with that of 2,224 different germline mutations in 279 different human genes (other than TP53), reported as the cause of inherited disease. This comparison reveals that, disregarding a relatively small subset (12%) of TP53 mutations that probably result from the action of exogenous mutagens, both the relative rates and the nearest‐neighbor spectra of single basepair substitutions are similar in the two datasets. This spectral resemblance suggests that a substantial proportion of cancer‐associated somatic TP53 mutations result from endogenous cellular mechanisms. The likelihood of clinical observation of a particular mutation type differs, however, between tumors and genetic diseases, when the chemical properties of the resulting amino acid substitutions are considered. Together with a sixfold higher observation likelihood for mutations at evolutionary conserved residues, this finding argues that selection is a critical factor in determining which TP53 mutations are found to be associated with human cancer. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Apoptosis regulating genes, bcl-2 and bax, and human telomerase reverse transcriptase messenger RNA expression in adrenal tumors: possible diagnostic and prognostic importance.

BACKGROUND Apoptosis-suppressing gene, bcl-2, and apoptosis-inducing gene, bax, are expressed in various tumors. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression is increased in many cancers. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether bcl-2 or bax gene expression differs between benign and malignant adrenal tumors, and whether hTERT gene expression correlates with the prognosis of patients with adrenal cancer. METHODS Expression of bcl-2 and bax from 52 adrenal surgical specimens was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Expression of hTERT was analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and expressed using the delta-delta threshold cycle method. RESULTS All normal adrenal tissues (n = 7) and benign adrenal tumors (n = 41) expressed bcl-2 and bax, whereas all adrenocortical cancers (n = 4) expressed bcl-2 but not bax. Expression of hTERT was increased in adrenocortical cancers compared with that in normal tissues (P <.05), cortical adenomas (n = 17) (P <.05), cortical hyperplasias (n = 4) (P <.05), and pheochromocytomas (n = 20) (P <.05). The one patient with an adrenocortical cancer without increased hTERT expression is alive with distant metastasis 5 years after adrenalectomy. The other 3 patients with adrenocortical cancer died 5 to 24 months after adrenalectomy. CONCLUSIONS Expression of bax gene appears to distinguish adrenal cancer from benign adrenal tumors. Gene expression of hTERT should be investigated as a prognostic marker in adrenal cortical cancers.
Structural diversity of amyloid fibril formed in human calcitonin as revealed by site‐directed 13C solid‐state NMR spectroscopy

Fibril formation in human calcitonin (hCT) from aqueous solution at pH 4.1 was examined and compared with those at pH 3.3 and 7.5 corresponding to three different net charges by means of site‐directed 13C solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. Notably, the observed 13C chemical shifts and lineshapes of the 13C CP/MAS spectra differed substantially among fibrils prepared at different pHs. It was found that antiparallel β‐sheet structures were formed at pH 7.5 and 4.1 in the central core regions. In the C‐terminal region, random coils were formed at both pH 7.5 and 4.1, although the random coil region at pH 4.1 was larger than that at pH 7.5. Fibrillation kinetics analyzed by a two‐step autocatalytic reaction mechanism showed that the rate constants k1 and k2 for nucleation and maturation reactions of the fibril formation, respectively, were separately determined and the values correlated well with the net positive charges of Lys18 and His20 rather than the existence of a negative charge of Asp15. Further, an attempt was made to assess interatomic distances between amide nitrogen and carbonyl carbon of neighboring chains of 13C, 15N‐labeled hCT and a model pentapeptide by 13C REDOR measurements by taking into account its dipolar interaction analyzed by the 3 spin system proposed previously. A unique chain packing of the antiparallel β‐sheets was proposed as a dominant fibril structure, although the possibility of a contribution of chain packing consisting of sliding one or two residues perpendicular to the fibril direction cannot be ruled out. In addition, it appears that the phenyl rings of Phe16 are aligned on the same side of the β‐sheet and make the β‐sheet stable by forming π–π interactions between the β‐strands. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nitric oxide of genetic variants is associated with alcohol-induced osteonecrosis risk of the femoral head in a Han population

Purpose: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a disease in which cell death in the bone occurs. This study investigated the association the tagging SNPs (tSNPs) genetic variants for the NOS3 gene associated with alcohol-induced ONFH in a Han Chinese population. Methods: A total of 209 alcohol-induced ONFH patients and 300 controls were recruited in this case-control study. We genotyped 4 tSNPs in the NOS3 and evaluated their association with alcohol-induced ONFH using the χ2 test and genetic model analysis. Results: From the association test using the logistic regression model, The minor allele “T” frequency of rs3918184 showed a significant risk effect on alcohol-induced ONFH (P = 0.026, OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.04-1.95) and the genotype “G/G” of rs743506 showed an increased risk (P = 0.034, OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.05-5.79). Additionally, haplotype analysis revealed that the rs743506, rs743507 have tight linked. Conclusion: These results suggested that the minor allele of rs3918184, rs743506 (T and G, respectively) contributes to an increase in the risk of alcohol-induced ONFH in the Chinese Han populations. And subsequently the NOS3 gene polymorphism with the pathogenesis of the alcohol-induced ONFH needed to be validation in a large sample.
Regulation of fibroblast activity by keratinocytes, TGF-β and IL-1α Dedicated to my daughters Astrid and Matilda Örebro Studies in Medicine 133 ANITA KOSKELA VON SYDOW Regulation of fibroblast activity by keratinocytes, TGF-β and IL-1α

Anita Koskela von Sydow (2016): Regulation of fibroblast activity by keratinocytes, TGF-β and IL-1α -studies in twoand three dimensional in vitro models. Örebro Studies in Medicine 133. Dysregulated wound healing is commonly associated with excessive fibrosis. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is characteristically overexpressed in fibrotic diseases and stimulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in dermal fibroblasts. Reepithelialisation and epidermal wound coverage counteract excessive scar formation. We have previously shown that interleukin-1α (IL-1α) derived from keratinocytes conteracts TGF-β-stimulated CTGF-expression. The aim of this thesis was to further explore the effects of keratinocytes and IL-1α on gene and protein expression, as well as pathways, in TGF-β stimulated fibroblasts. Fibroblasts were studied in vitro by conventional two dimensional cell culture models and in a three dimensional keratinocyte-fibroblast organotypic skin culture model. The results showed that IL-1 suppresses basal and TGF-β-induced CTGF mRNA and protein, involving a possible TAK1 mechanism. Keratinocytes regulate the expression of fibroblast genes important for the turnover of the extracellular matrix. Most of the genes analysed (11/13) were regulated by TGF-β and counter regulated by keratinocytes. The overall results support a view that keratinocytes regulate fibroblasts to act catabolically (anti-fibrotic) on the extracellular matrix. Transcriptional microarray and gene set enrichment analysis showed that antagonizing effects of IL-1α on TGF-β were much more prominent than the synergistic effects. The most confident of these pathways was the interferon signaling, which were inhibited by TGF-β and activated by IL-1α. A proteomics study confirmed that IL-1α preferentially conteracts TGF-β effects. Six new fibroblast proteins involved in synthesis/regulation were identified, being regulated by TGF-β and antagonized by IL-1α. Pathway analysis confirmed counter-regulation of interferon signaling by the two cytokines. These findings have implications for understanding the role of fibroblasts for inflammatory responses and development of fibrosis in the skin.
BRCA1 mutations in Taiwanese with epithelial ovarian carcinoma and sporadic primary serous peritoneal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Germline BRCA1 mutations of sporadic ovarian cancers are presumed to be rare events, except among specific populations. To date, the status of germline BRCA1 mutations in Taiwanese with primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma (PEOC) is still unknown. In this study, we tried to answer part of this question. METHODS Sixty-four patients documented with PEOC, four patients with family history of breast and/or ovary cancer syndrome and five patients with sporadic primary serous peritoneal carcinoma (PSPC) were enrolled in this retrospective study from January 1994 through June 1999. At the same time, 50 normal healthy Taiwanese without family history were enrolled in this study. Germline DNA from these patients was screened for mutations in the BRCA1 gene using polymerase chain reaction-based single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis (PCR-SSCP). Shifting DNA bands were sequenced. RESULTS One of the 64 patients with PEOC (1.6%) exhibited germline BRCA1 heterozygous mutation which was exon11 single-base substitution at nucleotide1047 (CAG to TAG). One of the five patients with PSPC (20%) exhibited an exon11 single-base substitution at nucleotide 914 (TCT to TCC) with resultant silent mutation. One of the normal healthy Taiwanese (2%) was found to have an exon 2 single-base substitution at nucleotide 152 (A-->C) which was also a silent mutation. No mutations of BRCA1 were detected in four patients with a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS Based on this study, it was very difficult to obtain precise data to prove the value of applying genetic testing of BRCA1 mutations in Taiwanese patients with sporadic epithelial ovarian cancers or sporadic PSPC and even with a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer because of its rare event and because of the too small number of cases available in this study.
Rotigotine Transdermal Patch Does Not Make Parkinson Disease Patients Sleepy During Daytime

ObjectivesTo assess quantitatively the influence of rotigotine transdermal patch on daytime sleepiness, the most common adverse event by non-ergot dopamine agonists (DAs), in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. MethodsAn open-label study enrolled PD patients with unsatisfactory control of motor symptoms. Treatment with rotigotine transdermal patch was titrated to optimal dose (4–8 mg/24 hours) over 2 to 4 weeks. Primary outcome was Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for daytime sleepiness. Secondary outcomes included Hoehn&Yahr stage, time spent with dyskinesia, Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I) of motor symptoms, adverse events, and compliance. ResultsThe subjects were 31 PD patients (age 72 ± 8, Hoehn &Yahr stage 2.7 ± 0.9, mean ± SD). The ESS did not increase after rotigotine treatment (7.2 ± 4.9 before treatment, 6.2 ± 4.0 with 4 mg/24 hour, and 8.1 ± 6.4 with 8 mg/24 hour). The CGI-I score improved after treatment; responder rate reached 88.9% with 8 mg/24 hours. No patients showed worsening in other secondary outcomes. In 13 patients treated with equivalent doses of rotigotine switched from other DAs (pramipexole, ropinirole, and cabergoline), ESS did not increase after treatment (10.0 ± 4.6 before and 8.6 ± 4.5 after treatment) and decreased without worsening of CGI-I in 54% patients. Other secondary outcomes did not worsen after treatment. ConclusionsTwenty four-hour transdermal delivery of rotigotine at doses up to 8 mg/24 hours does not worsen the daytime sleepiness in PD patients and often improves it when switched from other non-ergot DAs. This is achieved together with satisfactory improvement in motor symptoms, demonstrating that this new modality of non-ergot DA is well tolerated and beneficial in PD patients.
Local Spatial and Temporal Factors Influencing Population and Societal Vulnerability to Natural Disasters

The identification of societal vulnerable counties and regions and the factors contributing to social vulnerability are crucial for effective disaster risk management. Significant advances have been made in the study of social vulnerability over the past two decades, but we still know little regarding China's societal vulnerability profiles, especially at the county level. This study investigates the county‐level spatial and temporal patterns in social vulnerability in China from 1980 to 2010. Based on China's four most recent population censuses of 2,361 counties and their corresponding socioeconomic data, a social vulnerability index for each county was created using factor analysis. Exploratory spatial data analysis, including global and local autocorrelations, was applied to reveal the spatial patterns of county‐level social vulnerability. The results demonstrate that the dynamic characteristics of China's county‐level social vulnerability are notably distinct, and the dominant contributors to societal vulnerability for all of the years studied were rural character, development (urbanization), and economic status. The spatial clustering patterns of social vulnerability to natural disasters in China exhibited a gathering–scattering–gathering pattern over time. Further investigations indicate that many counties in the eastern coastal area of China are experiencing a detectable increase in social vulnerability, whereas the societal vulnerability of many counties in the western and northern areas of China has significantly decreased over the past three decades. These findings will provide policymakers with a sound scientific basis for disaster prevention and mitigation decisions.
Neonatal drug therapy: The first frontier of therapeutics for children

Knowledge about the safe and effective use of medicines in neonates has increased substantially but has resulted in few label changes. Drugs developed for use in adults are reshaped and tailored to specific neonatal indications. However, the use of drugs in neonates should not only mirror adult pharmacotherapy, but should be driven by their own specific needs. Therefore, building collaborative networks may assist to develop a newborn‐driven research agenda addressing their clinical needs and diseases.
BLOOD PRESSURE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Abstract. Blood pressure (BP) levels were recorded in 2 223 male and 2 205 female children and adolescents ranging in age from 7 to 18 years. In addition, 521 male adults (soldiers) ranging in age from 21 to 25 years were included in the study. Children and adolescents who participated in the survey were selected at random from the Elementary and High Schools. The results of the study showed that a gradual increase occurred in the systolic, as well as in the diastolic component of blood pressure from 7 to 18 years of age. By contrast, there was no increase with age in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the young male adult subjects, who had BP measurements comparable to those observed in children. A child was characterized as hypertensive according to the criteria outlined by Master et al. Children with BP between the 90th and the 95th percentile were considered as suspect hypertensive, whereas those with BP exceeding the 95th percentile were considered definitely hypertensive. The overall incidence of hypertension in children in this survey was 3.1%.
Exploring and comparing the best "direct methods" for the efficient training of MLP-networks

It is well known that the main difficulties of the algorithms based on backpropagation are the susceptibility to local minima and the slow adaptivity to the patterns during the training. In this paper, we present a class of algorithms, which overcome the above difficulties by utilizing some "direct" numerical methods for the computation of the matrices of weights. In particular, we investigate the performances of the FBFBK-LSB (least-squares backpropagation) algorithms and iterative conjugate gradient singular-value decomposition (ICGSVD), respectively, introduced by Barmann and Biegler-Konig (1993) and by the authors. Numerical results on several benchmark problems show a major reliability and/or efficiency of our algorithm ICGSVD.