Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust association of the LPA locus with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering response to statin treatment in a meta-analysis of 30 467 individuals from both randomized control trials and observational studies and association with coronary artery disease outcome during statin treatment

Objectives The LPA single-nucleotide polymorphism rs10455872 has been associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) lowering response to statins in several randomized control trials (RCTs) and is a known coronary artery disease (CAD) marker. However, it is unclear what residual risk of CAD this marker may have during statin treatment. Methods Using electronic medical records linked to the GoDARTS genotyped population, we identified over 8000 patients on statins in Tayside, Scotland. Results We replicated the findings of the RCTs, with the G allele of rs10455872 being associated with a 0.10 mmol/l per allele poorer reduction in LDLc in response to statin treatment, and conducted a meta-analysis with previously published RCTs (P=1.46×10−29, n=30 467). We showed an association between rs10455872 and CAD in statin-treated individuals and have replicated this finding in the Utrecht Cardiovascular Pharmacogenetics study (combined odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.17–1.68, P=4.5×10−5, n=8822) suggesting that statin treatment does not abrogate this well-established genetic risk for CAD. Furthermore, in a Cox proportional hazards model with LDLc measured time dependently, we demonstrated that the relationship between CAD and rs10455872 was independent of LDLc during statin treatment. Conclusion Individuals with the G allele of rs10455872, which represents approximately one in seven patients, have a higher risk of CAD than the majority of the population even after treatment with statins; and therefore represent a vulnerable group requiring an alternative medication in addition to statin treatment.
Physical activity, fitness and the metabolic syndrome in rural youths from Mozambique

Background: Except for North America and Europe, few studies have reported the association among physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in youths, especially for rural African youth. Aim: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of PA levels, CRF, MetS and its indicators, and examine the association between these variables in a school-aged sample of youth from rural Mozambique. Subjects and methods: The sample included 209 children and adolescents aged 7–15 years old from Calanga, a rural community in Mozambique. PA was estimated with a culturally-specific questionnaire. CRF was determined by 1-mile run test. Indicators of the MetS included fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index. A continuous metabolic risk score was computed. Results: Results showed high levels of PA and CRF and a low prevalence of MetS ( < 2%) among children and adolescents from Calanga. However, there was a moderately high prevalence of elevated blood pressure (81.8%) and triglycerides (18.7%), respectively. There were no significant associations between PA, CRF and MetS. Conclusion: Youths from Calanga are physically active and possess high CRF and their lifestyle may be a protective effect against MetS.
Fuzzy-Logic-Control Approach of a Modified Hill-Climbing Method for Maximum Power Point in Microgrid Standalone Photovoltaic System

A new fuzzy-logic controller for maximum power point tracking of photovoltaic (PV) systems is proposed. PV modeling is discussed. Conventional hill-climbing maximum power-point tracker structures and features are investigated. The new controller improves the hill-climbing search method by fuzzifying the rules of such techniques and eliminates their drawbacks. Fuzzy-logic-based hill climbing offers fast and accurate converging to the maximum operating point during steady-state and varying weather conditions compared to conventional hill climbing. Simulation and experimentation results are provided to demonstrate the validity of the proposed fuzzy-logic-based controller.
Spatially superposed M-ary QAM wireless communication system

We present a spatially superposed Mary-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) communication system that can provide efficient use of frequency resources and transmitted power. The system incorporates multiple conventional quaternary phase shift key (QPSK) modulators and combines their output signals spatially with a specially tailored antenna array to produce an M-ary QAM signal. Thus, it can operate on power amplifiers driven in the high efficiency region and relax the strict requirements for the hardware as compared to conventional M-ary QAM systems. The proposed system, however, is sensitive to superposition error. A novel antenna array system is presented that can minimize the superposition error.
An Ensemble Information Extraction Approach to the BioCreative CHEMDNER Task

We report on the Penn State team’s experience in the CHEMDNER chemical entity mention and the chemical document indexing tasks. Our approach devises a probabilistic framework that incorporates an ensemble of multiple information extractors to obtain high accuracy. The probabilistic framework can be configured to optimize for either precision, recall, or F-Measure based on the task requirement. The ensemble of extractors includes off the shelf chemical entity extractors, along with a version of ChemXSeer extractor that was trained and modified specifically for this task. Experiments on the training and development datasets obtain levels of recall as high as 89%, and f-measure of 73%, when optimizing for each measure respectively.
Spontaneous release of cysteine proteinases but not of pore-forming peptides by viable Entamoeba histolytica

SUMMARY Invasive properties of pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica have been postulated to depend on the secretion or release of cysteine proteinases and pore-forming peptides (amoebapores) by trophozoites. To establish whether such toxic molecules are released by viable trophozoites or upon cellular disintegration, amoebae were maintained in various culture media, and activities in supernatants were monitored over time in correlation to cellular integrity. By measuring the release of the cytoplasmic marker enzyme NADP+-alcohol dehydrogenase, it became apparent that release of amoebapore was accompanied by cellular disintegration. In contrast, considerable quantities of cysteine proteinases were found to be present in culture supernatants also when amoebae remained intact. Treatment of amoebae with concanavalin A, bacterial lipo-polysaccharides or the calcium ionophore A23187 did not result in amoebapore secretion suggesting that here target cell contact is required as an essential stimulus.
Fast precise point positioning: a system to provide corrections for single and multi-frequency navigation

Fast Precise Point Positioning (Fast-PPP) provides Global Navigation Satellite System corrections in real-time. Satellite orbits and clock corrections are shown to be accurate to a few centimeters and a few tenths of a nanosecond which, together with the determination of the fractional part of the ambiguities, enable global high-accuracy positioning with undifferenced Integer Ambiguity Resolution. The new global ionospheric model is shown to provide corrections accurate at the level of 1 Total Electron Content Unit over well-sounded areas and Differential Code Biases at the level of tenths of a nanosecond. These corrections are assessed with permanent receivers, treated as rovers, located at 100 to 800 kilometers from the reference stations of the ionospheric model. Fast-PPP achieves decimeter-level of accuracy after few minutes, several times faster than single- and dual-frequency ionospheric-free solutions, using a month of Global Positioning System data close to the last Solar Maximum and including equatorial rovers.
On a Class of Directed Graphs - With an Application to Traffic-Flow Problems

Let G be a directed graph such that even edge e of G is associated with a positive integer, called the index of e. Then G is called a network graph if, at every vertex v of G, the sum of the indices of the edges terminating at v is equal to that of the edges incident from v. This paper obtains several theorems giving necessary and sufficient conditions for v directed graph to be a network graph, and applies the results to solving some problems of smoothing traffic flow.
Three dimensional wavelet transform video compression

A new approach to vector quantizer (VQ) codebook design for video data compression is described. This is based on the notion that symmetries in the data, which are seldom captured exactly in any training dataset, are both important perceptually and can lead to a more robust and effective codebook. The idea is illustrated using a 3D wavelet transformed video sequence. After discussing the relevant symmetries, a codebook design method is presented, based on a modification of the Linde-Buzo-Gray (1980) algorithm. This is applied to various video sequences. Comparisons drawn with other work in the area demonstrate that the scheme has potential and is worthy of further investigation.
The structures of the galactose-containing sugar chains of ovalbumin.

Structural studies of the sugar moieties of ovalbumin glycopeptides I and II were performed by using endo- fi-N-acetylglucosaminidase H. The oligosaccharide fraction liberated from glycopeptide I by the enzyme action consisted almost exclusively of a single compo- nent, whereas that from glycopeptide II was a mixture of two major components. These two components were successfully separated by concanavalin A-Sepharose column chromatography. The structures of these three oligosaccharides were determined by the combination of sequential exoglycosidase digestion, methylation analysis, acetolysis, and Smith degradation. Based on the results, the whole structure of the glycopeptide I was elucidated as Mane1 ---f G(Mancu1 + 3)Mancwl + 6[Gal/31-+ 4GlcNAcfil+ 4(GlcNAcPl+ 2)Manal-+ 3]- (GlcNAcfil --, 4)Manpl + 4GlcNAc/31 -+ 4GlcNAc -+ Asn. Glycopeptide II was shown to be a mixture of two major glycopeptides; Mancvl -+ 3Manal --+ 6[Galfll + 4GlcNAc/? l + 4(GlcNAc/? l + 2)Mancul + 3](GlcNAc/31 -+ 4)Man/31+ 4GlcNAcfil+ 4GlcNAc + Asn and Mancvl -+ G(Mana1 + 3)Mancul+ 6[GlcNAc/~? l + 4(GlcNA$l + 2)Mancul -+ 3](GlcNAc/il ---f 4)Manfil --+ 4GlcNAcPl -+ 4GlcNAc + Asn. The extreme resistance of the P-N- acetylglucosamine residue, linked at the C-4 position of the /%mannosyl residue, to periodate oxidation was observed, and the possible shielding effect by neigh- boring N-acetylglucosamine was discussed. Recent development of the techniques to study the heter- osaccharide chains have elucidated the structures of aspara- gine-linked sugar chains of many glycoproteins. Although several exceptional cases were reported, most of the established structures of asparagine-linked sugar chains can be classified into two major groups. The sugar chains, which fall into the so-called “high mannose type,” have a general structure of (Mann),,Mar$l ---f 4GlcNAc,81 + 4GlcNAc. Our recent studies of the structures of the sugar chains of ovalbumin (1) and thyroglobulin (2) indicated that Mann1 + 6(Mannl 3)Mancul 6(Mancul 3)ManBl -+ 4GlcNAc,B -+ 4GlcNAc + Asn may occur as a common core structure of the high mannose-type sugar chains. Another group, which is called “hetero type,” has a common core structure; Manal + 6(Mancul+ 3)Manpl-+ 4GlcNAc,Bl + 4GlcNAc -+ Asn, to which from two to four side chains composed of sialic acid, galactose, and N-acetylglucosamine
Systemic Bcl‐2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide in combination with cisplatin cures EBV+ nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenografts in SCID mice

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is causally linked to Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), and the EBV oncoprotein, latent membrane protein 1 (LMP‐1), is expressed in the majority of NPCs. LMP‐1 upregulates antiapoptotic genes, including bcl‐2, and Bcl‐2 protein is overexpressed in NPC. Given the antiapoptotic and chemoprotective effects of Bcl‐2, it represents a rational therapeutic target in NPC. We have investigated the antitumor and chemosensitizing effects of the Bcl‐2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide G3139 (oblimersen, Genasense) in NPC. For these studies, we used the C666‐1 line, a stably infected NPC‐derived line that co‐expresses LMP‐1 and Bcl‐2. We have shown that G3139 treatment of C666‐1 in vitro caused sequence‐dependent suppression of Bcl‐2 protein, inhibition of cell growth and enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin (CDDP), as measured by increased antiproliferative and apoptotic effects. In vivo, G3139 treatment (25 mg/kg every 3 days × 5 doses) delayed engraftment and significantly inhibited growth of established C666‐1 xenografts in SCID mice compared to control oligo‐treated animals. However, G3139 alone did not prevent engraftment or cure established tumors in any animals. In contrast, G3139 treatment (25 mg/kg every 3 days × 5 starting on day 7) in combination with CDDP (8 mg/kg on day 14) completely abrogated tumor engraftment in 80% of animals compared to CDDP (0%) or CDDP + control oligo (0%). When treatment was delayed until tumor was established, G3139 in combination with CDDP significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to CDDP or CDDP + control oligo, and cured 69% animals with established tumors. No animals treated with G3139, CDDP or CDDP + control oligo were cured. Tumor burden and response to treatment correlated with EBV DNA load in serum, measured by real‐time PCR. Western blots of tumor extracts obtained during oligo treatment showed that Bcl‐2 levels were significantly decreased in G3139‐treated animals. Our studies have demonstrated that the Bcl‐2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, G3139, has proapoptotic effects in C666‐1, and in combination with CDDP, is curative in C666‐1 NPC xenograft tumors in vivo. The sequence‐dependency of these effects is consistent with an antisense mechanism. These studies suggest that Bcl‐2 may represent a biologically relevant target for the development of novel combinatorial therapies for NPC. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A New Model for the Etching Characteristics of Corners Formed by Si{111} Planes on Si{110} Wafer Surface

The etching characteristics of concave and convex corners formed in a microstructure by the intersection of {111} planes in wet anisotropic etchant are exactly opposite to each other. The convex corners are severely attacked by anisotropic Fetchant, while the concave corners remain unaffected. In this paper, we present a new model which explains the root cause of the initiation and advancement of undercutting phenomenon at convex corners and its absence at concave corners on {110} silicon wafers. This contrary etching characteristics of convex and concave corners is explained by utilizing the role of dangling bond in etching process and the etching behavior of the tangent plane at the convex corner. The silicon atoms at the convex edge/ridge belong to a high etch rate tangent plane as compared to {111} sidewalls, which leads to the initiation of undercutting at the convex corner. On the other hand, all the bonds of silicon atoms pertaining to concave edges/ridge are engaged with neighboring atoms and consequently contain no dangling bond, thus resulting in no-undercutting at concave edges/corners.
Contribution of enteric infection, altered intestinal barrier function, and maternal malnutrition to infant malnutrition in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND Malnourished children are at increased risk for death due to diarrhea. Our goal was to determine the contribution of specific enteric infections to malnutrition-associated diarrhea and to determine the role of enteric infections in the development of malnutrition. METHODS Children from an urban slum in Bangladesh were followed for the first year of life by every-other-day home visits. Enteropathogens were identified in diarrheal and monthly surveillance stools; intestinal barrier function was measured by serum endocab antibodies; and nutritional status was measured by anthropometry. RESULTS Diarrhea occurred 4.69 ± 0.19 times per child per year, with the most common infections caused by enteric protozoa (amebiasis, cryptosporidiosis, and giardiasis), rotavirus, astrovirus, and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Malnutrition was present in 16.3% of children at birth and 42.4% at 12 months of age. Children malnourished at birth had increased Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium, and ETEC infections and more severe diarrhea. Children who became malnourished by 12 months of age were more likely to have prolonged diarrhea, intestinal barrier dysfunction, a mother without education, and low family expenditure. CONCLUSIONS Prospective observation of infants in an urban slum demonstrated that diarrheal diseases were associated with the development of malnutrition that was in turn linked to intestinal barrier disruption and that diarrhea was more severe in already malnourished children. The enteric protozoa were unexpectedly important causes of diarrhea in this setting. This study demonstrates the complex interrelationship of malnutrition and diarrhea in infants in low-income settings and points to the potential for infectious disease interventions in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition.
Importance of frequency-dependent grain boundary scattering in nanocrystalline silicon and silicon–germanium thermoelectrics

Nanocrystalline silicon and silicon–germanium alloys are promising thermoelectric (TE) materials that have achieved substantially improved figure of merits compared to their bulk counterparts. This enhancement is typically attributed to a reduction in lattice thermal conductivity by phonon scattering at grain boundaries. However, further improvements are difficult to achieve because grain boundary scattering is poorly understood, with recent experimental observations suggesting that the phonon transmissivity may depend on phonon frequency rather than being constant as in the commonly used gray model. Here, we examine the impact of frequency-dependent grain boundary scattering in nanocrystalline silicon and silicon–germanium alloys in a realistic 3D geometry using frequency-dependent variance-reduced Monte Carlo simulations. We find that the grain boundary may not be as effective as predicted by the gray model in scattering certain phonons, with a substantial amount of heat being carried by low frequency phonons with mean free paths longer than the grain size. Our result will help guide the design of more efficient TEs.
Central &bgr;-adrenergic modulation of cognitive flexibility

Situational stressors and anxiety impede performance on creativity tests requiring cognitive flexibility. Preliminary research revealed better performance on a task requiring cognitive flexibility, the anagram task, after propranolol (&bgr;-adrenergic antagonist) than after ephedrine (&bgr;-adrenergic agonist). However, propranolol and ephedrine have both peripheral and central &bgr;-adrenergic effects. In order to determine whether noradrenergic modulation of cognitive flexibility is a centrally or peripherally mediated phenomenon, we compared the effects of propranolol (peripheral and central &bgr;-blocker), nadolol (peripheral &bgr;-blocker), and placebo on anagram task performance. Solution latency scores for each subject were compared across the drug conditions. Anagram solution latency scores after propranolol were significantly lower than after nadolol. This suggests a centrally mediated modulatory influence of the noradrenergic system on cognitive flexibility.
Management Research on Multinational Corporations: A Methodological Critique

In the context of burgeoning research on multinational corporations (MNCs), this paper addresses the issue of the representativeness of databases of MNCs in Ireland. It identifies some important deficiencies in existing databases much used by scholars in the field. Drawing on the international literature, it finds that this problem also characterises research on MNCs in many other countries. In the Irish context, we find that the extant empirical research has generally excluded two key categories of MNCs, namely, (a) foreign MNCs which are not grant-aided by the main industrial promotions agencies and (b) Irish-owned MNCs. The paper outlines our experience in identifying and addressing these deficiencies and describes the methods that might be employed in more precisely defining the MNC population in Ireland. More generally the paper reviews some of the issues and obstacles confronting scholars investigating the MNC sector in Ireland and abroad.
Cdk‐inhibitors and exit from quiescence in primitive haematopoietic cell subsets

Prolonged quiescence of haematopoietic stem cells has been proposed to support durable haematopoiesis through clonal succession. Genetic experiments in mice have implicated the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor (cdki) p21Waf1 in sustaining stem cell quiescence, and the cdki p27Kip1 in inhibiting the expansion of more mature progenitor cells. The expression of these inhibitory proteins in human haematopoietic stem cell candidates has not hitherto been studied. We describe a rare subpopulation (3 × 10−7 umbilical cord mononuclear cells) of lineage‐negative cells that exhibited sustained resistance over months to cytokine‐induced cycling, and characterized the expression of p21Waf1 and p27Kip1 proteins in these cells. Whereas p27Kip1 was uniformly expressed in these cells, the expression of p21Waf1 in this population and in lineage‐negative CD34+ cells was variable. For this rare subset of cells exhibiting prolonged quiescence, p21Waf1 may be dispensable and p27Kip1 necessary for growth arrest.
Hardware Trojans in asynchronous FIFO-buffers: From clock domain crossing perspective

System on chip (SoC) contains multiple intellectual properties (IPs) that work in different clock domains. Several of those IPs may even have multiple clock domains within itself and provided to SoC designers as hard IPs. Different clock domain crossing (CDC) techniques are used to communicate among different clock domains. First In First Out (FIFO) buffers are part of several CDC circuits. This research explores the possible security vulnerabilities of such SoCs in the event of compromised security in FIFO buffers. We investigated few catastrophic possibilities of hardware Trojans in FIFO buffers and discussed its potential consequences. Testing the design using random bit generation showed that the triggering probabilities of such Trojans are less than 8/1000. Our synthesis results show that majority of these Trojans require minimal area and frequency overhead, in the range of . 8% and 1%, respectively, if FIFO occupies 10% space of the IP.