Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Order parameters , , and of aligned nematic liquid-crystalline polymer as determined by numerical simulation of electron paramagnetic resonance spectra.

High rank order parameters may comprise substantial information about molecular orientational distribution of liquid-crystalline materials. There are few experimental procedures targeted at the determination of high rank order parameters. We suggest a procedure for the determination of order parameters of a spin probe by numerical simulation of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. The procedure is based on revealing the molecular orientation axis of a spin probe. Order parameters , , and of the spin probe in aligned liquid-crystalline polymer have been measured by the suggested procedure. It was shown that the procedure gives more reliable and complete characteristics of molecular order than does polarized UV-visible spectroscopy.
Preferred versus Nonpreferred Treatment, and Self-Control Training versus Determination Raising as Treatments of Obesity: A Pilot Study

Of 12 overweight women half received 10 wk. of self-control training and the rest received an equal period aimed at increasing determination to lose weight. Half of each treatment group had expressed a preference for the type of treatment they received and half for the other type of treatment. Both groups lost a statistically significant amount of weight, and at a 3-mo. follow-up there was still a significant weight loss. Follow-up at 6 mo. on 9 of the 12 original subjects indicated both groups regained much of their lost weight. There was no evidence that either type of treatment or receiving one's preferred type of treatment was related to weight loss.
Lowest effective 131I activity for thyroid remnant ablation of differentiated thyroid cancer patients

Summary Aim: A theoretical dosimetry-based model was applied to estimate the lowest effective radioiodine activity for thyroid remnant ablation of low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Patients, methods: The model is based on the distribution of the absorbed (radiation) dose per administered radioiodine activity and the absorbed dose threshold of 300 Gy for thyroid remnants, the level believed to destroy most thyroid remnants. For this purpose, 124I PET/CT images of 49 thyroid-ectomised patients were retrospectively analysed to measure the distribution of the (average) absorbed doses to thyroid remnant per administered 131I activity. The fraction of thyroid remnants that received at least 300 Gy was determined for standard activities between 0.37 and 5.55 GBq. The lower activity was considered to be equally effective to that obtained with higher activity if the (absolute) fraction difference was below 5%. Results: A total of 62 thyroid remnants were included. The medians and ranges (in parentheses) for the absorbed dose per unit 131I activity were 359 Gy/GBq (34 to 1825 Gy/ GBq). The fractions of thyroid remnants receiving more than 300 Gy at different therapy activities (within parentheses) were 60% (1.11 GBq), 76% (1.85 GBq), 79% (2.22 GBq), and 81–82% for activities between 2.59 and 3.70 GBq. The therapy activity of 1.11 GBq is considerably less effective than that of 1.85 or 2.22 GBq; therapy activities were equally effective in the range between 2.22 to 3.70 GBq. Conclusion: On the basis of the model and the patients' data included, the lowest effective therapy activity appears to be approximately 2.2 GBq to ablate thyroid remnants. The results of this study may help to guide the design of prospective clinical studies.
Simultaneous Bayesian correction of slab boundary artifacts and bias field for high resolution ex vivo MRI

Multi-slab MRI overcomes some of the hardware limitations of today's clinical scanners (e.g., memory size), enabling the acquisition of ultra-high resolution ex vivo MRI of the whole human brain with high SNR efficiency. However, multi-slab MRI suffers from slab boundary artifacts (SBA) that can greatly bias subsequent analyses. Since SBA heavily interplays with the bias field (BF) present in MRI, we propose a Bayesian method that corrects for SBA and BF simultaneously. The method, which combines a probabilistic brain atlas with an Expectation Maximization inference algorithm, is shown to outperform state-of-the-art SBA and BF correction techniques - even when used in combination.
West Virginia Secondary Agriculture Teachers' Estimates of Magazine Article Readability and Reading Grade Levels of Eleventh Grade Agricultural Education Students

A temperature regulating method of a humidifier regulates a temperature of water vapor ejected therefrom according to a surrounding temperature. A cool humidification mode is added to a humidification mode of the humidifier, and a temperature of a humidifying tub is detected upon being shifted into the cool humidification mode by a user. Thus, the detected temperature is compared with a temperature preset for performing the cool humidification mode to turn off the heater when the temperature of the humidifying tub is higher than the preset temperature and, turn on the heater otherwise, thereby regulating the temperature of the water vapor ejected from an ejecting slit of the humidifier according to the surrounding temperature thereof.
Activation of Gene Expression by a Novel DNA Structural Transmission Mechanism That Requires Supercoiling-induced DNA Duplex Destabilization in an Upstream Activating Sequence*

We have previously demonstrated that integration host factor (IHF)-mediated activation of transcription from theilvPG promoter of Escherichia colirequires a supercoiled DNA template and occurs in the absence of specific interactions between IHF and RNA polymerase. In this report, we describe a novel, supercoiling-dependent, DNA structural transmission mechanism for this activation. We provide theoretical evidence for a supercoiling-induced DNA duplex destabilized (SIDD) structure in the A + T-rich, ilvPG regulatory region between base pair positions +1 and −160. We show that the region of this SIDD sequence immediately upstream of an IHF binding site centered at base pair position −92 is, in fact, destabilized by superhelical stress and that this duplex destabilization is inhibited by IHF binding. Thus, in the presence of IHF, the negative superhelical twist normally absorbed by this DNA structure in the promoter distal half of the SIDD sequence is transferred to the downstream portion of the SIDD sequence containing the ilvPG promoter site. This IHF-mediated translocation of superhelical energy facilitates duplex destabilization in the −10 region of the downstream ilvPG promoter and activates transcription by increasing the rate of open complex formation.
Analyzing Persistent Impact of Cybercrime on the Societal Level: Evidence for Individual Security Behavior

Cybercrime has evolved into a serious global problem with considerable social and economic impact. Avoidance, one form of individual security behavior, can lead to longlasting negative outcomes on the societal level, but is rarely studied. While avoidance effects are difficult to study for recent innovations, theoretical models and data exist for established online services. Building on a parsimonious research model, we study the persistence of aggregate avoidance effects towards the use of online services along with protection behavior using a longitudinal approach. We use structural equation modelling in a secondary analysis of three representative pan-European surveys, conducted in 2012-2014. We find that cybercrime experience increases perceived risk and ultimately leads to avoidance of online banking, online shopping, and unknown websites. It also has a direct impact on two forms of protection behavior, namely: changing security settings and using different passwords. Trend analyses show that these effects are persistent over time.
Multimedia-application-driven instruction set architecture simulation

This paper presents an application-driven architecture-design approach. VLIW architectures and instruction set simulation were chosen to fulfill multimedia domain requirements and to implement an efficient Hw-Sw co-design tool. Innovative approaches such as pipeline status modeling, simulation cache, and simulation oriented Hw description have been described. The performance of simulation tests for two validation case studies (TI TMS320C62x and ST200) are reported.
Recent Advances in Heart Rate Variability Signal Processing and Interpretation

OVER the past 30 years, heart rate variability (HRV) has become a central topic in physiological signal analysis, serving as a vital noninvasive indicator of cardiovascular and autonomic system function, with direct connections to respiratory, central nervous and metabolic dynamics. A Medline search reveals more than 8000 papers on different aspects of HRV during this period, covering physiological modeling and interpretation, diagnostic tools in major pathological states such as ischemia and myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and other pathologies involving autonomic and central nervous systems, in ambulatory patient monitoring, in intensive care unit and anesthesia level measurement, in sports and space medicine, as well as for the detection of stress level and environmental effects. Nearly a decade ago, the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology took the initiative of supporting a Task Force which issued a seminal paper: “Heart rate variability: standards of measurement, physiological interpretation and clinical use” (Circulation 1996;93:1043–1065). The fact that this paper is the third most cited in Circulation suggests that HRV is not only an interesting and reliable quantitative approach to physiological analysis, but also a widely used clinical tool. In fact, practically all 24h-Holter elctrocardiogram (ECG) recording systems have their own modules for the calculation of long and short-term HRV parameters both in time and in frequency domains. The same is true for the surveillance of critical patients in intensive and coronary care units where objective indicators of HRV may contribute to a better treatment. Applications to ECG diagnostic equipment are increasing in recent years for cardiovascular diagnosis, as well as for assessing therapeutic effects. Further, fetal ECG monitoring systems are incorporating HRV as a measure of fetal distress for better surveillance in the perinatal period. Various applications are also being proposed in the post-partum period, as well as for monitoring ECG and heart rate characteristics in the early months of life, especially in those considered at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Autonomic parameters are also considered clinically useful in many neurological disorders such as in dementias, in Parkinson’s disease, in multiple sclerosis, as well as for a better detection of sleep stages and sleep disordered breathing. There is increasing interest in using HRV during renal dialysis for the prevention of hypotensive episodes. However, a major challenge is to demonstrate the utility and clinical implications of specific measures of HRV in diagnosis and monitoring so that such measures become part of routine patient care.
HIGHMASS—HIGH H i MASS, H i-RICH GALAXIES AT Z ∼ 0: COMBINED H i AND H2 OBSERVATIONS

We present resolved and CO observations of three galaxies from the HIghMass sample, a sample of -massive ( ), gas-rich ( in the top 5% for their M*) galaxies identified in the ALFALFA survey. Despite their high gas fractions, these are not low-surface-brightness galaxies and have typical specific star formation rates (SFR ) for their stellar masses. The three galaxies have normal SFRs for their masses, but unusually short star formation efficiency scale lengths, indicating that the star formation bottleneck in these galaxies is in the conversion of to , not in converting to stars. In addition, their dark matter spin parameters (λ) are above average, but not exceptionally high, suggesting that their star formation has been suppressed over cosmic time but is now becoming active, in agreement with prior Hα observations.
Towards multiprocessor sensor nodes

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) software is typically organized as a set of modules and depending on the application only necessary modules are selected, compiled and installed on a sensor node. This software flexibility is currently not matched by available hardware platforms. A sensor node always provides the same single microcontroller regardless of application requirements; efficiency is limited by the need to support the worst-case processing demands of the system. We argue that the central processing unit can be replaced by a number of less capable, interconnected and more specialized microcontrollers focused on specific tasks. Thus, unutilised processing hardware can easily be removed from the platform. This paper presents the results of an early experimental study into the benefits of using a multiprocessor sensor node architecture. The study shows that the desired hardware configuration flexibility can be achieved with relatively low overheads while supporting established sensor node programming concepts.
Domain motions of glucosamine‐6P synthase: Comparison of the anisotropic displacements in the crystals and the catalytic hinge‐bending rotation

Glucosamine‐6‐phosphate synthase channels ammonia over 18 Å from glutamine at the glutaminase site to fructose‐6P at the synthase site. We have modeled the anisotropic displacements of the glutaminase and synthase domains from the two crystallized states, the enzyme in complex with fructose‐6P or in complex with glucose‐6P and a glutamine affinity analog, using TLS (rigid‐body motion in terms of translation, libration, and screw motions) refinement implemented in REFMAC. The domains displacements in the crystal lattices are compared to the movement of the glutaminase domain relative to the synthase domain that occurs during the catalytic cycle upon glutamine binding, which was visualized by comparing the two structures. This movement was analyzed by the program DYNDOM as a 22.8° rotation around an effective hinge axis running approximately parallel to helix 300–317 of the synthase domain, the glutaminase loop that covers the glutaminase site upon glutamine binding acting as the mechanical hinge.
WWOX, the common chromosomal fragile site, FRA16D, cancer gene

Gross chromosomal rearrangements and aneuploidy are among the most common somatic genomic abnormalities that occur during cancer initiation and progression, in particular in human solid tumor carcinogenesis. The loss of large chromosomal regions as consequence of gross rearrangements (e.g. deletions, monosomies, unbalanced translocations and mitotic recombination) have been traditionally associated with the existence of tumor suppressor genes within the areas affected by the loss of genetic material. The long arm of chromosome 16 was identified as being frequently associated with structural abnormalities in multiple neoplasias, that led us to focus attention on the detailed genetic dissection of this region resulting in the cloning of the putative tumor suppressor gene, WWOX (WW domain containing Oxidoreductase). Interestingly, the WWOX gene resides in the very same region as that of the common chromosomal fragile site 16D (FRA16D). The WWOX gene encodes a protein that contains two WW domains, involved in protein-protein interactions, and a short chain dehydrogenase (SDR) domain, possibly involved in sex-steroid metabolism. We have identified the WWOX WW domain ligand as the PPXY motif confirming the biochemical activity of this domain. WWOX normally resides in the Golgi and we will demonstrate that Golgi localization requires an intact SDR. Inactivation of the WWOX gene during tumorigenesis can occur by homozygous deletions and possibly mutation, however, aberrantly spliced forms of WWOX mRNA have been observed even when one allele is still intact. The aberrantly spliced mRNAs have deletions of the exons that encode the SDR and these WWOX protein isoforms display abnormal intracellular localization to the nucleus possibly functioning as dominant negative inhibitors of full length WWOX. Thus, generation of aberrant transcripts of WWOX may represent a novel mechanism to functionally inactivate WWOX without genomic alteration of the remaining allele. In this article we will review the cloning and identification of WWOX as the target of FRA16D. In addition, we will discuss the possible biochemical functions of WWOX and present evidence that ectopic WWOX expression inhibits tumor growth.
Specificity of Virus-Induced Resistance to Transplantation of Polyoma and SV 40 Tumors in Adult Hamsters.∗

Summary Specificity of the transplantation resistance phenomenon was tested by using only 10 tissue cultured polyoma, SV 40, and F. Sa. No. 3 B hamster tumor cells in sufficiently large numbers of adult hamsters to yield definitive results. Pre-treatment with polyoma virus regularly produced resistance to transplantation of polyoma tumor cells but not of F. Sa. No. 3 B tumor cells; there was evidence of some resistance to SV 40 tumor cells in only 2 of 4 tests. Pre-treatment with SV 40 virus regularly produced resistance to SV 40 tumor cells, although in some tests of a lower order than in the polyoma virus vs polyoma tumor system, but not to F. Sa. No. 3 B cells; there was evidence of some resistance to polyoma tumor cells in only 2 of 4 tests. Pretreatment with adenoviruses, types 12 and 7A, herpesvirus and poliovirus type 1 produced no resistance against any of the 3 tumors tested. Reovirus, type 3, and vesicular stomatitis virus (Indiana strain) propagated in mouse embryo tissue culture, the same cells in which the polyoma virus was grown, produced no resistance against the polyoma tumor cells. The progeny of 10 polyoma hamster tumor cells which formed large tumors in occasional, polyoma-immune adult hamsters, nevertheless, were shown to possess the distinctive, cellular antigen. A sensitive test failed to reveal any cytotoxic antibody in the serum of polyoma-immune hamsters that resisted transplantation of polyoma tumor cells.
Digestion/Absorption/Malabsorption Metabolic Characteristics of the Faecal Microflora in Humans from Three Age Groups

Background: Little is known about the influence of the ageing process on the bacterial metabolism. The aim of this work was to study the inter-individual variation and the influence of age on metabolic characteristics of the faecal microflora from persons of three age groups. Methods: Nine enzyme activities and 11 metabolites were analysed in faecal samples of 21 elderly persons (69-89 years of age), 15 adults (30-46 years of age) and 14 children (3-15 years of age). Results: They provide a pattern of the faecal microflora metabolism in a French population aged between 3 and 89 years. They showed large interindividual differences in the three groups. Although the enzyme activities were not significantly different between groups, glycolytic activities appeared less variable in adults than in elderly persons and children. The major metabolites (acetate, propionate, butyrate and L-lactate) resulting from carbohydrate fermentation were similar in the three groups. Samples from elderly persons were characterized by higher D/L lactate ratio and higher concentrations of metabolites resulting from protein fermentation (ammonia, valerate, iso-butyrate and iso-valerate). Conclusion: The data showed significant differences between elderly persons and younger adults and children, but the major metabolic characteristics of the faecal microflora were not greatly altered by the ageing process.
Fibrinolytic activity and haemagglutination inhibition immunoassays.

Concentrations of fibrinogen-fibrin break-down products (b.d.p.), above 10 ug/ml of serum (+EACA), estimated by haemagglutination inhibition immuno assays, were seldom found in healthy people. In 51 patients with coronary sclerosis and in 31 with other atherosclerotic diseases the amounts were in the lower part of normal range. The mean concentration in 16 patients with metastatic carcinoma was 86.7 and in 16 with hepatic cirrhosis 21.1 ug/ml. 93 patients with other diseases were examined. Huge amounts might be found even when fibrinolytic activity in the blood was very low. Several experiments indicate that b.d. p. also are formed extravascularly and presumably also by other proteases than plasmin. Short-term stimulation of fibrinolytic activity with nicotinic acid (41 patients), venous stasis (35 pts.) and physical exertion (21 pts.), and long-term stimulation with male hormones (5 pts.), metformin (4 pts.), clofibrate (3 pts.), tolazamid (4 pts.) and ethyloestranol + diguanides (11 pts.) was not followed by in vivo increase in b.d. p.
Modulation of barnacle (Balanus amphitrite Darwin) cyprid settlement behavior by sulfobetaine and carboxybetaine methacrylate polymer coatings

Zwitterionic polymers such as poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (polySBMA) and poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate) (polyCBMA) have demonstrated impressive fouling-resistance against proteins and mammalian cells. In this paper, the effects of these surface chemistries on the settlement and behavior of an ubiquitous fouling organism, the cypris larva of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite (=Amphibalanus amphitrite), were studied in the laboratory. Conventional settlement assays and behavioral analysis of cyprids using Noldus Ethovision 3.1 demonstrated significant differences in settlement and behavior on different surfaces. Cyprids did not settle on the polySBMA or polyCBMA surfaces over the course of the assay, whereas settlement on glass occurred within expected limits. Individual components of cyprid behavior were shown to differ significantly between glass, polySBMA and polyCBMA. Cyprids also responded differently to the two zwitterionic surfaces. On polySBMA, cyprids were unwilling or unable to settle, whereas on polyCBMA cyprids did not attempt exploration and left the surface quickly. In neither case was toxicity observed. It is concluded that a zwitterionic approach to fouling-resistant surface development has considerable potential in marine applications.
A robust collaborative recommendation algorithm based on k-distance and Tukey M-estimator

The existing collaborative recommendation algorithms have lower robustness against shilling attacks. With this problem in mind, in this paper we propose a robust collaborative recommendation algorithm based on k-distance and Tukey M-estimator. Firstly, we propose a k-distance-based method to compute user suspicion degree (USD). The reliable neighbor model can be constructed through incorporating the user suspicion degree into user neighbor model. The influence of attack profiles on the recommendation results is reduced through adjusting similarities among users. Then, Tukey M-estimator is introduced to construct robust matrix factorization model, which can realize the robust estimation of user feature matrix and item feature matrix and reduce the influence of attack profiles on item feature matrix. Finally, a robust collaborative recommendation algorithm is devised by combining the reliable neighbor model and robust matrix factorization model. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing methods in terms of both recommendation accuracy and robustness.
A scalable video-on-demand system using multi-batch buffering

This paper describes performance degradation problems during interaction handling in several batched and centralized-buffer VoD systems. A new system, called multi-batch buffer (MBB) system is proposed. It attempts to solve these problems by employing scalable buffering techniques in the buffers of the local servers and the set-top boxes (STBs). We have performed extensive simulation for the analysis and performance evaluation of our proposed VoD system. The simulation results demonstrate that our VoD system is very scalable and outperforms related state-of-the-art VoD systems.