Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of intein homing endonuclease II encoded in DNA polymerase gene from hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakaraensis strain KOD1

Proteinsplicingisa posttranslational process involving precise excision of anintervening protein domain, termed an intein. An inteinoften exhibits site-speciﬁc endonuclease activity, whichrecognizes and cleaves the DNA sequence lacking itscoding DNA sequence. The recognition sequences areusually asymmetrical and 12- to 40-bp long.
Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring by Means of near Infrared Spectroscopy: Methods for Improving the Reliability of the Calibration Models

The feasibility of using near infrared reflection spectroscopy for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring is discussed. Spectra were obtained using a diode-array spectrometer with a fiberoptic measuring head with a wavelength ranging from 800 nm to 1350 nm. Calibration was performed using partial least-squares regression and radial basis function networks. The results of different methods used to evaluate the quality of the recorded spectra in order to improve the reliability of the calibration models, are presented.
Fecal calprotectin levels predict colorectal inflammation among patients with chronic diarrhea referred for colonoscopy

OBJECTIVE:Chronic diarrhea is a relatively common condition with multiple diverse etiologies. Stool testing may serve as a diagnostic aid to discriminate the presence or absence of organic pathology, such as colorectal inflammation. Calprotectin (a leukocyte-derived protein) and hemoglobin can be measured quantitatively from stool and represent candidate inflammation biomarkers. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the screening performance of fecal calprotectin and fecal hemoglobin among colonoscopy referral patients with chronic diarrhea of unknown origin or chronic colitis of unknown activity.METHODS:All subjects were identified prospectively and each submitted a single stool sample before purgation. Fecal calprotectin (PhiCal; Nycomed Pharma, Oslo, Norway) and fecal hemoglobin (HemoQuant; Mayo Medical Laboratories, Rochester, MN) assays were performed in separate laboratories by masked technicians. Colonoscopic and histological findings served as criterion standards for establishing the presence or absence of colorectal inflammation.RESULTS:Among 110 subjects who provided complete fecal assay data, 29 (26%) had and 81 (74%) did not have colorectal inflammation. Increased fecal calprotectin levels were significantly (p = 0.0001) associated with the presence of colorectal inflammation, whereas fecal hemoglobin levels were not (p = 0.61). Direct comparison of the fecal assays revealed that calprotectin was a more sensitive biomarker for colorectal inflammation at all specificity levels (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:In this study of colonoscopy referral patients, colorectal inflammation was reflected by fecal calprotectin but not by fecal hemoglobin levels. Assay of fecal calprotectin holds promise as a triage tool to identify inflammatory causes of chronic diarrhea.
Classification de questions par traduction

RESUME. Dans cet article, nous nous interessons a la classification de questions pour un systeme de questions-reponses en francais. Faisant le constat d’un manque de corpus annote en francais, nous nous interrogeons sur la possibilite d’exploiter les corpus anglais existants, en utilisant des traducteurs automatiques. Nous avons mene une serie d’experiences en faisant varier le sens de traduction des corpus et les attributs fournis au classifieur. Les resultats montrent qu’il est possible de s’approcher des performances monolingues en traduisant le corpus d’apprentissage.
EFFECTS OF 3D SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY ON REGIONAL AND TELESEISMIC SIGNALS FROM UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS

Recent events have reaffirmed the importance of near-source rough surface topography for the generation of complex seismic signals observed at regional and teleseismic distances. Complex reflections from the irregular 3D surface scatter into both horizontally and vertically propagating wave fields, producing directionally dependent focusing and defocusing of P and S wave fields, conversion of P-to-Rg high frequency energy, and generating complex signal codas, complicating robust event discrimination and precise estimation of burial depth (and hence yield). Quantifying these effects requires numerical methods capable of accurately accounting for the 3D interactions with a rough surface. We are applying two distinct finite difference methods with which we have extensive experience to quantitatively determine the effects of near-source rough topography on seismic waves from shallow underground nuclear explosions, using high-resolution topography models for the North Korea test site and exploring the effects of precise emplacement location relative to the topography. Preliminary work indicates that the very complexity of the wave field that complicates waveform interpretation holds the key to event quantification if the topographic effects are accurately modeled. High-resolution near-source models are being coupled to regional and teleseismic propagators using two methods; representation theorem and embedded slowness array calculations, and comparisons will be made with available recordings from regional arrays and broadband stations and teleseismic International Monitoring System (IMS) arrays. The goal is to develop fundamental understanding of the effects of surface topography and guidelines for how resulting waveform complexity can be exploited for precise emplacement location determination, improved yield estimation, and understanding of regional discriminant behavior.
Artificial neural networks in neurosurgery

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) effectively analyze non-linear data sets. The aimed was A review of the relevant published articles that focused on the application of ANNs as a tool for assisting clinical decision-making in neurosurgery. A literature review of all full publications in English biomedical journals (1993–2013) was undertaken. The strategy included a combination of key words ‘artificial neural networks’, ‘prognostic’, ‘brain’, ‘tumor tracking’, ‘head’, ‘tumor’, ‘spine’, ‘classification’ and ‘back pain’ in the title and abstract of the manuscripts using the PubMed search engine. The major findings are summarized, with a focus on the application of ANNs for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Finally, the future of ANNs in neurosurgery is explored. A total of 1093 citations were identified and screened. In all, 57 citations were found to be relevant. Of these, 50 articles were eligible for inclusion in this review. The synthesis of the data showed several applications of ANN in neurosurgery, including: (1) diagnosis and assessment of disease progression in low back pain, brain tumours and primary epilepsy; (2) enhancing clinically relevant information extraction from radiographic images, intracranial pressure processing, low back pain and real-time tumour tracking; (3) outcome prediction in epilepsy, brain metastases, lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar disc herniation, childhood hydrocephalus, trauma mortality, and the occurrence of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage; (4) the use in the biomechanical assessments of spinal disease. ANNs can be effectively employed for diagnosis, prognosis and outcome prediction in neurosurgery.
Studies on the Role of Macrophages in Experimental Candidosis in Mice/Studien über die Bedeutung von Makrophagen bei der experimentellen Candidose der Maus

Summary: Mice with either a stimulated, or depressed reticuloendothelial system were used to study the role of macrophages in resistance to experimental Candida albicans infection. Macrophage depleted mice were prepared by intravenous silica inoculation, whereas macrophage stimulation was achieved by BCG vaccination. Activity of RES was assessed by a carbon clerance test and antibody response to sheep red blood cells and to lipopolysaccharide. The pre‐treatment of mice with silica greatly increased their susceptibility to Calbicans infection. However, BCG vaccination provided a high degree of resistance to Calbicans infection. It is concluded that macrophages as effector limb of cell mediated immuity, play a very significant role in the host's resistance to candidiasis.
Hearing Impairment and the Amelioration of Avoidable Medical Error: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

OBJECTIVES Hearing loss contributes to suboptimal medical treatment. We investigated the nature and magnitude of potential health-care harm of hearing loss alone on a patient's understanding of medical consultations, investigations, and treatments of health conditions unrelated to their hearing loss. METHODS A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based design of a convenience sample of students with hearing loss, registered with the institutional disability support service in 8 Irish and 15 UK third-level institutions. Content analysis of open-ended item responses identified and coded emergent themes. Closed-ended questionnaire items recorded demographic and clinically relevant characteristics. RESULTS Ninety-five responses were received and analyzed. Fifty-six (58.9%) indicated "yes" to mishearing a physician/nurse in a hospital. Approximately 60.7% identified this in relation to consultation content; 33.9% mishearing; and 21.4% misinterpreting what was said, including diagnosis, guidelines and advice, and matters relating to medications. Approximately 22.3% indicated physician/nurse-patient communication failures; 19.6% identified failure to initiate/maintain eye contact, turning away from the patient, speaking while wearing surgical masks, excluding the possibility of lip reading. Approximately 7.1% identified speaking in too low a volume or too fast. Concerning common words misheard or misinterpreted, 23.2% identified phonological similarity such as similar sounding words and numbers, 7.4% discrimination of unvoiced consonants. Similar findings emerged in GP clinics. CONCLUSIONS Most hearing-impaired students experienced difficulty in understanding health-care professionals in a hospital and general practice setting. This underscores the importance for health-care providers to identify hearing-impaired patients and to augment communication using visual aids, a quite environment and optimizing lip reading communication.
Laryngeal cancer risk associated with smoking and alcohol consumption is modified by genetic polymorphisms in ERCC5, ERCC6 and RAD23B but not by polymorphisms in five other nucleotide excision repair genes

Laryngeal cancer is known to be associated with smoking and high alcohol consumption. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) plays a key role in repairing DNA damage induced by these exposures and might affect laryngeal cancer susceptibility. In a population‐based case‐control study including 248 cases and 647 controls, the association of laryngeal cancer with 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 8 NER genes (XPC, XPA, ERCC1, ERCC2, ERCC4, ERCC5, ERCC6 and RAD23B) was analyzed with respect to smoking and alcohol exposure. For genotyping, sequence specific hybridization probes were used. Data were evaluated by conditional logistic regression analysis, stratified for age and gender, and adjusted for smoking, alcohol consumption and education. Pro‐carriers of ERCC6 Arg1230Pro showed a decreased risk for laryngeal cancer (OR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.34–0.85), strongest in heavy smokers and high alcohol consumers. ERCC5 Asp1104His was associated with risk in heavy smokers (OR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.1–2.5). Val‐carriers of RAD23B Ala249Val had an increased cancer risk in heavy smokers (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.5) and high alcohol consumers (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.4). The combined effect of smoking and alcohol intake affected risk, at high exposure level, for ERCC6 1230Pro carriers (OR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.22–0.98) and RAD23B 249Val carriers (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.3–4.9). When tested for gene–gene interaction, presence of 3 risk alleles in the XPC‐RAD23B complex increased the risk 2.1‐fold. SNPs in the other genes did not show a significant association with laryngeal cancer risk. We conclude that common genetic variations in NER genes can significantly modify laryngeal cancer risk. © 2009 UICC
Adaptive distributed MPPT algorithm for photovoltaic systems

Fast change of the irradiance conditions entails failure of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm in a photovoltaic system (PVS). In this paper it is proposed the combination of a modified Perturb and Observe (P&O) distributed MPPT and an adaptive algorithm. The MPPT has been tested in case of hard mismatch conditions through simulation showing high performance in terms of efficiency.
Long-Term Management of Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent disease associated with longterm exposure to toxic gases and particles, mostly related to cigarette smoking. Even though there have been significant advances in the understanding and management of COPD, the disease may be largely preventable, but it remains marginally treatable. The disease pursues a long course with remissions and exacerbations, each exacerbation causing further decline in the condition. Hence the management has to be planned for a long period of term.
Hormonal Effects on the Brain

Summary: Changes in seizure frequency over the course of the menstrual cycle (i.e., catamenial epilepsy) have long been documented. Ovarian steroid hormones have a number of important short‐ and long‐term effects on the brain that may con‐ tribute to this phenomenon. In particular, estrogen induces structural and functional changes in hippocampal neurons which may contribute significantly to increasing seizure susceptibility. This article reviews the mechanisms of action of steroid hormones on the basis of findings in animal models, with particular emphasis on the effects of estrogen on the hippocampus.
Laparoscopic‐Assisted Right Lobe Donor Hepatectomy

The major impediment to a wider application of living donor hepatectomy, particularly of the right lobe, is its associated morbidity. The recent interest in a minimally invasive approach to liver surgery has raised the possibility of applying these techniques to living donor right lobectomy. Herein, we report the first case of a laparoscopic, hand‐assisted living donor right hepatic lobectomy. We describe the technical aspects of the procedure, and discuss the rationale for considering this option. We propose that the procedure, as described, did not increase the operative risks of the procedure; instead, it decreased potential morbidity. We caution that this procedure should only be considered for select donors, and that only surgical teams familiar with both living donor hepatectomy and laparoscopic liver surgery should entertain this possibility.
Preamble Generation using Genetic Algorithm for MIMO Wireless LAN System

A plan for a 600 Mbps data rate with 20 m of propagation distance has been achieved in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless LAN (WLAN) system by using a group layered space-time (GLST) algorithm. We report our design of preamble sequences that use a genetic algorithm (GA) for these WLAN systems. The design optimizes both the low peak to average power ratio (PAPR) and produces better autocorrelation characteristics. The GA can a calculate solution of high fitness. The computer simulations for MIMO WLAN systems show the effectiveness of our preamble.
Electrothermal Combined Optimization on Notch in Air-Cooled High-Speed Permanent-Magnet Generator

A 30 kVA, 96000 r/min, air-cooled high-speed permanent-magnet generator (HSPMG) is investigated in this paper. Considering effects on both the magnetic circuit and heat transfer paths comprehensively, the stator slot notch in this HSPMG is optimized. First, using the time-stepping finite-element method, the transient electromagnetic fields of HSPMG are numerically calculated, and the electromagnetic losses in different components are obtained. Then, after the determination of other mechanical losses in such a machine, a 3-D fluid-thermal coupling calculation model is established, and the working temperature distribution in the HSPMG is studied. Thus, the electromagnetic-fluid-thermal coupling analysis method on the HSPMG is proposed, and the use of the influences of machine notch height on machine magnetic circuit and cooling air flowing path are investigated. Meanwhile, both the electromagnetic performance and the temperature distribution in HSPMG with different stator notch height are studied, and a series of analytical equations is deduced to describe the variations of machine performances with stator notch. Using the proposed unbalance relative weighting method, the notch height is optimized to enhance the performance of HSPMG. The obtained conclusion could provide reference for HSPMG electromagnetic calculation, cooling system design, and optimization design.
A compact tri-band bandpass filter using multi-mode stub-loaded resonator

In this paper, a compact tri-band bandpass filter has been designed with three passbands which are located at 0.92, 2.08 and 3.59 GHz. The stub-loaded technique has been used to attain the triple passband bandpass filter and the open stubs have been coupled with each other to minimize the circuit size. The designed filter has tolerable passband insertion losses of 0.41, 1.39, and 1.97 dB respectively with the respective return losses of above 27.7, 12.3, and 16.2 dB.
Direct Inhibition of Type 5 Adenylyl Cyclase Prevents Myocardial Apoptosis without Functional Deterioration*

Adenylyl cyclase, a major target enzyme of β-adrenergic receptor signals, is potently and directly inhibited by P-site inhibitors, classic inhibitors of this enzyme, when the enzyme catalytic activity is high. Unlike β-adrenergic receptor antagonists, this is a non- or uncompetitive inhibition with respect to ATP. We have examined whether we can utilize this enzymatic property to regulate the effects of β-adrenergic receptor stimulation differentially. After screening multiple new and classic compounds, we found that some compounds, including 1R,4R-3-(6-aminopurin-9-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid hydroxyamide, potently inhibited type 5 adenylyl cyclase, the major cardiac isoform, but not other isoforms. In normal mouse cardiac myocytes, contraction induced by low β-adrenergic receptor stimulation was poorly inhibited with this compound, but the induction of cardiac myocyte apoptosis by high β-adrenergic receptor stimulation was effectively prevented by type 5 adenylyl cyclase inhibitors. In contrast, when cardiac myocytes from type 5 adenylyl cyclase knock-out mice were examined, β-adrenergic stimulation poorly induced apoptosis. Our data suggest that the inhibition of β-adrenergic signaling at the level of the type 5 adenylyl cyclase isoform by P-site inhibitors may serve as an effective method to prevent cardiac myocyte apoptosis induced by excessive β-adrenergic stimulation without deleterious effect on cardiac myocyte contraction.
International Union of Pharmacology. LXIV. Estrogen Receptors

Estrogen receptors (ERs[1][1]) are ligand-activated transcription factors that belong to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. In the late 1950s, the existence of a receptor molecule that could bind 17β-estradiol was demonstrated by Jensen and Jacobsen ([Jensen and Jordan, 2003][2]). The first
Organic compounds from plant extracts and their effect on soil phosphorus availability

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of organic compounds from plant extracts of six species and phosphate fertilization on soil phosphorus availability. Pots of 30 cm height and 5 cm diameter were fi lled with Typic Hapludox. Each pot constituted a plot of a completely randomized design, in a 7x2 factorial arrangement, with four replicates. Aqueous extracts of black oat ( Avena strigosa ), radish ( Raphanus sativus ), corn ( Zea mays ), millet ( Pennisetum glaucum ), soybean ( Glycine max ), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ), and water, as control, were added in each plot, with or without soluble phosphate fertilization. After seven days of incubation, soil samples were taken from soil layers at various depths, and labile, moderately labile and nonlabile P fractions in the soil were analysed. Plant extracts led to an accumulation of inorganic phosphorus in labile and moderately labile fractions, mainly in the soil surface layer (0-5 cm). Radish, with a higher amount of malic acid and higher P content than other species, was the most effi cient in increasing soil P availability. Compostos orgânicos de extratos de plantas e seus efeitos na disponibilidade de fosforo no solo Resumo - O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de compostos orgânicos de extratos de plantas de seis especies e da fertilizacao fosfatada na disponibilidade de fosforo no solo. Tubos de 30 cm de altura e 5 cm de diâmetro foram preenchidos com Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo. Cada tubo constituiu uma parcela, em delineamento completamente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 7x2, com quatro repeticoes. Extratos liquidos de aveia-preta ( Avena strigosa ), nabo forrageiro ( Raphanus sativus ), milho ( Zea mays ), milheto ( Pennisetum glaucum ), soja ( Glycine max ), sorgo forrageiro ( Sorghum bicolor ) e agua (testemunha) foram aplicados em cada parcela, com ou sem fertilizacao com fosfato soluvel. Apos sete dias de incubacao, amostras de solo foram coletadas em varias profundidades, e foram analisadas as formas labil, moderadamente labil e nao labil de fosforo no solo. Houve acumulo de fosforo inorgânico nas fracoes labil e moderadamente labil do solo, como consequencia da adicao dos extratos de plantas, principalmente na camada superfi cial (0-5 cm). O nabo forrageiro, com maior concentracao de acido malico e maior conteudo de P no tecido do que outras especies, foi o mais efi ciente em incrementar a disponibilidade de P no solo. Termos para indexacao: Raphanus sativus , culturas de cobertura, rotacao de culturas, fosforo labil, acido orgânico de baixa massa molecular, fracionamento de fosforo.
Purification, primary structures, and antibacterial activities of β-defensins, a new family of antimicrobial peptides from bovine neutrophils.

Abstract A new family of cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides from bovine neutrophils was isolated and characterized. Thirteen structurally homologous peptides were purified to homogeneity from a granule-rich cytoplasmic fraction of purified blood neutrophils. The complete sequences of the peptides were determined by a combination of enzymatic digestion, Edman degradation, and additional biochemical characterization of the carboxyl termini. The peptides are characterized by a highly cationic 38-42-residue chain which includes 6 invariantly spaced cysteines which form three disulfides. They share a highly conserved consensus sequence which is also found in a recently described epithelial antimicrobial peptide from bovine trachea. The in vitro antibacterial activities of the 13 neutrophil peptides, determined in assays using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as test organisms, demonstrated that each peptide possessed antimicrobial activity, and that several were as active as the most potent neutrophil defensin, rabbit NP-1. Though the structural and functional attributes of the bovine neutrophil peptides are similar to those of defensins, the two peptide families are distinguished by their unique consensus sequences and additionally by differing tridisulfide motifs. We therefore propose that this new defensin-like antimicrobial peptide family be named beta-defensins.