Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for diabetes, but not for cardiovascular disease, are associated with family history of Type 2 diabetes in subjects from central Mexico

Background: Independent of obesity, family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (FHT2DM) is another important risk factor for developing diabetes. Aim: To establish the association among FHT2DM, risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in subjects from central Mexico. Subjects and methods: Clinical and biochemical studies were performed in 383 first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes and 270 subjects unrelated to patients with type 2 diabetes—all subjects were from the city of Puebla in central Mexico. Logistic regressions were used to assess the association between FHT2DM and metabolic parameters. Cardiovascular risk was classified by dyslipidemia and the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). Results: FHT2DM was associated with risk factors for diabetes, such as increased fasting insulin levels (OR = 1.731, 95% CI = 1.041–2.877), decreased insulin sensitivity (OR = 1.951, 95% CI = 1.236–3.080) and pre-diabetes (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.14–2.33). FHT2DH was not associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as dyslipidemia (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.70–1.79) and FRS (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.40–1.36) when adjusted for gender, age, smoking and obesity. Conclusion: Diabetic risk factors, but not cardiovascular disease risk factors, are associated with a positive family history of diabetes in subjects from central Mexico, independent of the presence of obesity.
In situ SEM indentation experiments: Instruments, methodology, and applications

The purpose of this article is to present the design and capabilities of two in situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) indentation instruments covering a large load range from μN to N. The capabilities and advantages of in situ SEM indentation are illustrated by two applications: indentation of a thin film and a nanowire. All the experiments were performed on electrodeposited cobalt, whose outstanding magnetic properties make it a candidate material for MEMS and NEMS devices. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Depth recording capabilities of planar high-density microelectrode arrays

We use a planar, CMOS-based microelectrode array (MEA) featuring 3,150 metal electrodes per mm2 and 126 recording channels to record spatially highly resolved extracellular action potentials (EAPs) from Purkinje cells (PCs) in acute cerebellar slices. An Independent-Component-Analysis-based (ICA) spike sorter is used to reveal EAPs of single cells at subcellular resolution. Those EAPs are then used to set up a compartment model of a PC. The model is used to make and finetune estimations of the distance between MEA surface and PC soma. This distance is estimated using the amplitude-independent part of the shape of the EAPs obtained from recordings. The estimation shows that, in our preparations, we can record from PCs with the center of their soma at approximately 35 µm and 90 µm vertical distance to the chip surface.
A Method to Improve the Lining Images Quality in Complex Tunnel Scenes

The lining image collected by the tunnel detection equipment will be degraded by the uneven gray distribution of the collected image due to the restriction of the site environment and hardware resources of the tunnel. In serious cases, the whole image is dim and fuzzy, and the disease feature information cannot be identified from the image background. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes an image adaptive smoothing and image high frequency edge preserving optimization algorithm for tunnel lining environment. Compared with the traditional image preprocessing and image denoising algorithm, this algorithm improves the problem of the disease gray feature information jumping and information loss in the tunnel lining image due to the imbalance of gray level and the noise interference, and ensures the effectiveness of the original image interested in the disease target area information. Compared with a large number of experimental data, the improved algorithm has a great improvement in convergence speed and image quality.
Impacts of gate structure on dynamic threshold SOI nMOSFETs

The effects of different substrate-contact structures (T-gate and H-gate) dynamic threshold voltage silicon-on-insulator (SOI) nMOSFETs (DTMOS) have been investigated. It is found that H-gate structure devices have higher driving current than T-gate under DTMOS-mode operation. This is because H-gate SOI devices have larger body effect factor (/spl gamma/), inducing a lager reduction of threshold voltage. Besides, it is found that drain-induced-barrier-lowering (DIBL) is dramatically reduced for both T-gate and H-gate structure devices when devices are operated under DTMOS-mode.
A randomized trial of amodiaquine and artesunate alone and in combination for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children from Burkina Faso

Combining artesunate (AR) with existing antimalarial drugs may improve cure rates, delay emergence of resistance and reduce parasite clearance time. In order to investigate the latter, we conducted a randomized clinical trial testing the AR plus amodiaquine (AQ) combination for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Burkina Faso. Children aged 1–15 years were randomly assigned to either AQ (10 mg/kg) or AR (4 mg/kg first day then half dose) or AQ + AR (AQAR) as a single daily dose under supervision for three consecutive days for all groups. Follow‐up lasted 28 days. Primary endpoints were parasite and fever clearance time. Eighty‐seven children were evaluated: 27 received AQ, 27 AR and 33 AQAR. Using an intention to treat analysis, fever clearance time was similar in the three groups. However, it was significantly faster in the AR (1.21 days; P = 0.02) and AQAR groups (1.19 days; P < 0.01) than in the AQ group (1.46 days) when excluding other concomitant causes of fever. Parasite clearance time was faster in AR (1.13 days; P = 0.008) and AQAR groups (1.13 days; P < 0.01) than in the AQ group (1.6 days). All children cleared their parasites by day 14, including the child with Late Parasitological Failure (LPF) at day 7 after rescue treatment. Only one child (4%) from the AR group and one (4%) from the AQ group presented with asymptomatic parasitaemia at day 7 and day 21, respectively (LPF). Gametocyte carriage was not detectable in any group during follow‐up nor was any adverse reaction observed. While resistance to first‐line treatment (chloroquine) is already established in the country, AQ and AR used alone or in combination therapy proved highly efficacious in our study. Burkina Faso stands in a very good situation for an internationally recommended switch to AR‐containing combination as first‐line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. Including AQ in this regimen seems the best option.
The TLR4-TRIF Pathway Protects against H5N1 Influenza Virus Infection

ABSTRACT Prestimulation of the TLR4 pathway with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) protects mice from lethal infection with H5N1 influenza virus. Here, we reveal that the TLR4-TRIF pathway is required for this protective effect by using mice whose TLR4-related molecules were knocked out. Microarray analysis of primary mouse lung culture cells that were LPS pretreated and infected with an H5N1 virus indicated that TLR3 mRNA was upregulated. Primary lung culture cells of TLR3 knockout mice showed no response to LPS pretreatment against H5N1 virus infection, suggesting that TLR3 is also involved in the preventive effect of LPS. Our data suggest that the TLR4-TRIF axis has an important role in stimulating protective innate immunity against H5N1 influenza A virus infection and that TLR3 signaling is involved in this pathway.
Fluorescentnucleic acid baseanalogues

The use of fluorescent nucleic acid base analogues is becoming increasingly important in the fields of biology, biochemistry and biophysical chemistry as well as in the field of DNA nanotechnology. The advantage of being able to incorporate a fluorescent probe molecule close to the site of examination in the nucleic acid-containing system of interest with merely a minimal perturbation to the natural structure makes fluorescent base analogues highly attractive. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing novel candidates in this group of fluorophores for utilization in various investigations. This review describes the different classes of fluorophores that can be used for studying nucleic acid-containing systems, with an emphasis on choosing the right kind of probe for the system under investigation. It describes the characteristics of the large group of base analogues that has an emission that is sensitive to the surrounding microenvironment and gives examples of investigations in which this group of molecules has been used so far. Furthermore, the characterization and use of fluorescent base analogues that are virtually insensitive to changes in their microenvironment are described in detail. This group of base analogues can be used in several fluorescence investigations of nucleic acids, especially in fluorescence anisotropy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements. Finally, the development and characterization of the first nucleic base analogue FRET pair, tC–tCnitro, and its possible future uses are discussed.
A low phase noise Ku band push-push oscillator using slot ring resonator

In this paper, a push-push oscillator using a slot ring resonator based on "double-sided topology" is presented. This push-push oscillator is composed of two active sub-circuits arranged on the obverse side of substrate and a slot ring resonator arranged on the reverse side. By making the most of double-sided circuit topology, the ring resonator can be loosely coupled with two active sub-circuits, and be used as common resonator. A method of resonance stabilizing is proposed on the slot ring resonator to make the two active sub-circuits, and be used as a common resonator. A method of resonance stabilizing is proposed on the slot ring resonator to make the two active circuits oscillate in stable out of phase mode. Then the push-push oscillations can be exactly achieved, and satisfactory oscillating performances are obtained. At the desired second harmonic frequency (2f/sub 0/) of 16.0 GHz, the output power +10.0 dBm is measured with low phase noise of -121.3 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency and -121.3 dBc/Hz at 100 KHz offset frequency. The measured suppression of the undesired signals such as the fundamental oscillating signal (f/sub 0/), the third harmonic signal (3f/sub 0/) and the fourth harmonic signal (f/sub 0/) are -37.5 dBc, -40.0 dBc and -42.2 dBc, respectively. To our knowledge, these results are comparable or better than the oscillators at X-band and Ku-band published in recent years.
Self-Defense or Undermining the Self? Exploring the Possibilities and Limitations of a Novel Anti-Rape Technology

Despite decades of feminist-inspired law reforms, rape remains highly prevalent. While many continue to fight for broad cultural and institutional changes, some argue that more immediate interventions are required. Self-defense techniques represent a key strategy of resistance to rape, and empirical evidence suggests that women’s active resistance may hold a number of positive benefits. In this essay, we compare the aims and objectives of a novel anti-rape technology, known as the Rape-aXe, with traditional self-defense techniques, focusing upon the potential for both to resist individual acts of sexual aggression and, more broadly, end gendered sexual violence.
You-Are-Here Maps: Creating Spatial Awareness through Map-like Representations

Spatial awareness and knowledge about one’s location in an environment is a necessity for successful orientation, wayfinding, and navigation activities. Although familiar environments allow us the luxury of unguided success in reaching our destinations, unfamiliar or partially familiar environments require the use of external spatial information in mostly maplike or verbal form. We are living in times where mobile location-based services become omnipresent, be it stand-alone systems such as TomTom or Garmin, or the more recent generic navigation services now being offered by Google and others. We are also living in times where spatial information is available in a much wider array of formats, currency, and fidelity. Hence, it is time to rethink how to provide spatial information for orientation and wayfinding from the perspective of creating spatial awareness. We see a recent development that researchers and observant journalists are becoming concerned about the negative effects of overdependence on (and even blind trust in) navigation services. Illustratively, an article entitled “Switch your device on and your brain off” compared users of mobile navigation devices to mindless zombies who simply follow instructions (Hillenbrand, 2009). In a similar vein, Brooks (2007) wrote that he quickly attached to his navigation device, and was soon unable to get anywhere without “her. ” The scientific community (Péruch & Wilson, 2004; Parush, Ahuvia, & Erev, 2007; Bakdash, Linkenauger, & Proffitt, 2008) has begun studying these issues, and contends that while navigation devices can make it easier to navigate from an origin to a destination, people are less likely to
Parp‐1 genetic ablation in Ela–myc mice unveils novel roles for Parp‐1 in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis and is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer‐related death in developed countries. The inhibition of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (Parp‐1), the major protein responsible for poly(ADP‐ribosy)lation in response to DNA damage, has emerged as a promising treatment for several tumour types. Here we aimed to elucidate the involvement of Parp‐1 in pancreatic tumour progression. We assessed Parp‐1 protein expression in normal, preneoplastic and pancreatic tumour samples from humans and from K‐Ras‐ and c‐myc‐driven mouse models of pancreatic cancer. Parp‐1 was highly expressed in acinar cells in normal and cancer tissues. In contrast, ductal cells expressed very low or undetectable levels of this protein, both in a normal and in a tumour context. The Parp‐1 expression pattern was similar in human and mouse samples, thereby validating the use of animal models for further studies. To determine the in vivo effects of Parp‐1 depletion on pancreatic cancer progression, Ela–myc‐driven pancreatic tumour development was analysed in a Parp‐1 knock‐out background. Loss of Parp‐1 resulted in increased tumour necrosis and decreased proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Interestingly, Ela–myc:Parp‐1−/− mice displayed fewer ductal tumours than their Ela–myc:Parp‐1+/+ counterparts, suggesting that Parp‐1 participates in promoting acinar‐to‐ductal metaplasia, a key event in pancreatic cancer initiation. Moreover, impaired macrophage recruitment can be responsible for the ADM blockade found in the Ela–myc:Parp‐1−/− mice. Finally, molecular analysis revealed that Parp‐1 modulates ADM downstream of the Stat3–MMP7 axis and is also involved in transcriptional up‐regulation of the MDM2, VEGFR1 and MMP28 cancer‐related genes. In conclusion, the expression pattern of Parp‐1 in normal and cancer tissue and the in vivo functional effects of Parp‐1 depletion point to a novel role for this protein in pancreatic carcinogenesis and shed light into the clinical use of Parp‐1 inhibitors. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
onitoring B usiness P rocess R edesign in ERP I mplementation P roje cts

ERP implementation success is influenced by a large number of factors, which most of the times are difficult to measure objectively. Adequate Business Process Redesign (BPR) is one of the most cited critical success factors in ERP implementation projects, and one of the most critical ones for the their satisfactory outcome. This study attempts to define a set of metrics for monitoring BPR within ERP implementation projects by using the Goals/Questions/Metrics method. The results of this work are twofold. First, a literature review on the BPR topic as related with ERP implementation projects is presented. And second, a Goals/Questions/Metrics preliminary plan to monitor and control BPR within ERP implementation projects is proposed.
Transcriptional autoregulation of the bone related CBFA1/RUNX2 gene

The runt related transcription factor CBFA1 (AML3/PEBP2αA/RUNX2) regulates expression of several bone‐ and cartilage‐related genes and is required for bone formation in vivo. The gene regulatory mechanisms that control activation and repression of CBFA1 gene transcription during osteoblast differentiation and skeletal development are essential for proper execution of the osteogenic program. We have therefore defined functional contributions of 5′ regulatory sequences conserved in rat, mouse and human CBFA1 genes to transcription. Deletion analysis reveals that 0.6 kB of the bone‐related rat or mouse CBFA1 promoter (P1, MASNS protein isoform) is sufficient to confer transcriptional activation, and that there are multiple promoter domains which positively and negatively regulate transcription. Progressive deletion of promoter segments between nt −351 and −92 causes a striking 30‐ to 100‐fold combined decrease in promoter activity. Additionally, 5′ UTR sequences repress reporter gene transcription 2‐ to 3‐fold. Our data demonstrate that CBFA1 is a principal DNA binding protein interacting with the 5′ region of the CBFA1 gene in osseous cells, that there are at least three CBFA1 recognition motifs in the rat CBFA1 promoter, and that there are three tandemly repeated CBFA1 sites within the 5′ UTR. We find that forced expression of CBFA1 protein downregulates CBFA1 promoter activity and that a single CBFA1 site is sufficient for transcriptional autosuppression. Thus, our data indicate that the CBFA1 gene is autoregulated in part by negative feedback on its own promoter to stringently control CBFA1 gene expression and function during bone formation. J. Cell. Physiol. 184:341–350, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Internal Jugular Vein and Carotid Artery Anatomic Relation as Determined by Ultrasonography

Background Cannulation of the internal jugular vein (IJV) is associated with a 95% success rate when external landmarks are used. Anatomic variability has been implicated as the cause for difficulty in cannulation without ultrasound. In contrast to an IJV located lateral to the carotid artery (CA), an IJV overlying the CA may result in CA puncture. The authors' purpose in this study was to examine, using ultrasound, the anatomic relation of the IJV and CA as viewed from the perspective of a cannulating needle. Methods Ultrasound imaging was used in 1,136 patients to examine the relation between the IJV and CA. A 7.5-MHz transducer was placed in the direction of a cannulating needle on the right neck at the apex of the angle formed by the division of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. A Polaroid(R) photograph of the image was later scored by three blinded investigators according to the percentage of the CA overlaid by the IJV (0 to 4). Results Of the 1,136 Polaroid(R) photographs of the ultrasound images, 1,009 were suitable for scoring. Fifty-four percent of all patients received a score of 4, which indicated that the IJV overlies more than 75% of the CA in an imaging plane positioned in the direction of a cannulating needle. Patients older than 60 yr were more likely to have this anatomy than patients younger than 60 yr (P < 0.05). None of the other patient characteristics recorded were predictive of this anatomic relation. Conclusions In a majority of patients, the IJV is not lateral to the CA in an ultrasound imaging plane positioned in the direction of a cannulating needle. Instead, the IJV overlies the CA in 54% of patients overall, predisposing these patients to CA puncture if the cannulating needle traverses the IJV.
Making Spatial Trade-Offs Using Multiobjective H2 Synthesis

In feedback control design, the Bode sensitivity integral dictates that trade-offs must be made frequency-wise. For multiple-in-multiple-out (MIMO) systems, trade-offs can also be made spatially (element-wise). To do this using ‘norm based’ control methods, such as H2 or H∞, one can only change weights on the inputs and the outputs of the systems. This way, it is not possible to exploit all spatial design freedom, e.g. it is not possible the put a lot of weight on one particular element of the transfer function matrix. To exploit all spatial design freedom, multiobjective methods can be employed. In the first part of this report, we discuss a multiobjective H2 synthesis method, which uses a vector valued performance criterion. This criterion is handled using the notion of Pareto optimality. Using this, the multiobjective problem is converted into a ‘simultaneous model matching problem’ by using the Youla parametrisation. Finally, a closed form expression is formulated to calculate one (out of many) Pareto optimal compensator. Second, we show that a H2 optimal control problem can be formulated by giving a frequency domain interpretation to the ‘classical’ LQG optimal control problem. Then, given a SISO system, it is shown that this method of multiobjective control synthesis is capable of trading off competing objectives. Then, this method is extended to MIMO systems, so spatial design freedom can be studied. First, we show that it is possible for a system with a non-minimum-phase zero (NMPhZ) to shift the effect of the NMPhZ from one output to another output. Then, the multiobjective problem is formulated for a 2 × 2 system, with one (real) NMPhZ. Four objectives can be distinguished: from each input to each output, which can be traded off against each other. Spatial design freedom is depicted by a curve of all Pareto optimal compensators. This curve shows that the output in which the zero is most present, is more restricted in bandwidth (resulting in a higher minimal 2-norm). Moreover, it can be seen that decoupling of the system decreases performance of the other loops mostly in the direction which the NMPhZ is present. Subsequently, a similar multiobjective problem is formulated for a 2×2 modal MIMO system, which is is not fundamentally restricted in bandwidth, but restricted due to robustness specifications. The curve of Pareto optimal compensators shows that both outputs are equally restricted and that the cost of decoupling is equal in both outputs. Conclusively, it can be said, that multiobjective control synthesis can be used to make spatial trade-offs. However, we were unable to apply this methodology to more realistic systems. Thus, the implementation need some improvements.
Are Aphasic Patients Who Fail the GOAT in PTA? A Modified Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test for Persons with Aphasia

Because the Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test (GOAT) requires oral or written response, it risks misclassifying as amnestic aphasic patients who are not, in fact, amnestic. To correct for possible classification errors due to anomia, a modified multiple-choice format of the GOAT (AGOAT) was developed. The average GOAT score of 10 control nonaphasic head-injured patients suggested that an AGOAT score of 90 corresponds to the standard GOAT cutoff of 75 for resolution of posttraumatic amnesia (PTA). Using this criterion, 8 of 15 aphasic head-injured patients who technically were classified as amnestic on the GOAT were classified as nonamnestic on the AGOAT.