Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Pyridine Dinucleotides in Regulating the Permeability of the Mitochondrial Outer Membrane*

Both NADH and NADPH reduce the permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane to ADP. This is specific for the outer membrane and uncorrelated with the respiratory control ratio. This could result in a 7-fold difference between the concentration of ADP in the intermembrane space and that in the external environment (at 5 μM ADP). In both cases the permeability declines by a factor of 5, but NADH is more potent: KD = 86 μM for NADH versus 580 μM for NADPH. The lower apparent affinity for NADPH is partly explained by Mg2+-NADPH being the active species, and under our conditions only 30% of the NADPH is in this form. The corrected KD is 184 μM. Free NADH has the same charge as the Mg2+-NADPH complex, and thus both likely bind to the same site. The ability of NADH and NADPH to induce the closure of reconstituted VDAC channels is consistent with VDAC being the main pathway for metabolite flow across the outer membrane. Oncotic pressure, effective at inducing VDAC closure, also decreases the outer membrane permeability. Thus, in the presence of cytosolic colloidal osmotic pressure NAD(P)H may inhibit mitochondrial catabolic pathways and divert reducing equivalents to anabolic pathways.
Analysis of Test Driven Development on sentiment and coding activities in GitHub repositories

This paper studies the relationship between Test Driven Development (TDD), productivity and developer sentiment in order to assess the impact of TDD on software development. We used a set of 256572 Java repositories archived from GitHub in September 2015 and made available through the Boa language and infrastructure. This research found that of these repositories, 9537 could be classified as using the TDD methodology. After obtaining these repositories we compared them to an equivalently sized set of control repositories. In general those repositories practicing TDD had fewer commits and a faster median rate of committing than did their control counterparts. We also found that TDD repositories generally contained fewer bug fixing commits. Finally, sentiment analysis was performed on both sets of repositories and it was determined that TDD repositories have a significantly (p-value 3.857e-12) more positive sentiment in comparison to the control repositories.
SDN framework for connectivity services

The momentum around Software-defined Networking (SDN) is increasing. It has become clear that the network architecture needs to evolve to be able to provide current and next generation networking services, both from a performance and implementation point of view. However, most of the current SDN research has looked to specificities of SDN and few have looked from a full stack perspective. Although the former are essential, also the latter perspective needs to be taken into account. In this sense, our work proposes a complete and modular SDN framework targeted at connectivity services. This framework allows the creation and management of network connectivity services over an OpenFlow based network, with mechanisms of fault-management, as well as the optimal usage of the infrastructure. The performance results obtained from the SDN framework evaluation in a real environment show that the three different scenarios, service activation, link loss, and reaction to a new link, are dynamically supported with fast reaction to the network changes.
Analytical modelling of the network traffic performance

Interconnection network modeling is an important field in order to study and understand interconnection network behaviour and its significance in telecommunication applications and distributed systems. In this paper, we show an analytical model that represents interconnection networks. The model accepts as inputs the network load consisting of the network topology, routing, and the communication pattern of the application. Any topology of any size and different parameters for the router are supported. The model outputs the latency behaviour of the interconnection network for each channel on each link. The accuracy of the model is shown by comparison with network simulation. The model is useful to study the latency/load curve of communication patterns, to calculate average network delays to identify hot-spots in the network and to perform network analysis and design.
IRF-1 gene variations influence IgE regulation and atopy.

RATIONALE The development of atopic diseases is characterized by skewed immune responses to common allergens. Only recently, interferons have been identified to play a crucial role in these mechanisms. OBJECTIVES Because interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 is critical for interferon expression, we tested the hypotheses that genetic changes in this essential transcription factor may have consequences for the development of atopy. METHODS The IRF-1 gene locus was resequenced in 80 human chromosomes. Association and haplotype analyses were performed in a cross-sectional study population of German children from Dresden (n = 1,940), and results were replicated in a second population sample from Munich (n = 1,159), both part of the ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood) phase II. Promoter polymorphism effects were studied using electrophoretic mobility shift assay and colorimetric binding assays. Allele-specific IRF-1 gene expression was studied in vitro using luciferase reporter assays, whereas we assessed ex vivo expression of IRF-1 by real-time polymerase chain reaction and IFN-gamma protein by Luminex technology (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA). Statistical analyses were performed using SAS/Genetics (SAS 9.1.3; SAS Institute, Cary, NC). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS By resequencing, 49 polymorphisms were identified within the IRF-1 gene. Four blocks containing 11 polymorphisms were significantly associated with atopy, total IgE levels, or specific IgE levels in both populations (P < 0.05). Two polymorphisms changed transcription factor binding of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and EGR1 (early growth response 1) to the IRF-1 promoter, altered gene expression in vitro (P = 0.0004), and altered IRF-1 mRNA and IFN-gamma protein expression ex vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that functionally relevant IRF-1 polymorphisms influence atopy risk, potentially by altering transcription factor binding, IRF-1 gene expression, and IFN-gamma regulation.
ESTROGEN RECEPTORS IN RAT BONE: THEIR INTERACTION WITH ESTROGEN RECEPTOR MODULATORS

Estrogen receptors (ER) were studied in rat bone cytosol using immunoprecipitation, and Western blot technique. Ligand specificity of bone ER was studied using various known modulators of ER. Competitive experiments were performed under exchange conditions in bone tissue obtained from one day old rats. ER α and β subtypes were identified using immunoblotting experiments compared with that of ovarian and uterine tissues. In competitive binding assay, maximum inhibition in specific 3H-E2 binding was shown by E2 followed by tamoxifen and diethylstilbestrol. 7-Hydroxycentchroman and 85/287 also inhibited specific 3H-E2 binding but were less potent as compared to tamoxifen and diethylstilbestrol. However, 85/287 was less effective (81%) as compared to 7-hydroxycentchroman. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cytosol and Western blot analysis revealed the presence of 55 kD and 66 kD ER immunoreactive bands corresponding to α and β subtypes, respectively, in bone as well as in uterus. Interestingly, the concentration of 55 kD ER was 3-fold higher than that of 66 kD ER. Ovarian cytosol revealed the presence of a 55 kD band only in Western blot analysis. These studies suggest the action of estrogens/ER modulators on osteoblasts which contain a limited number of classical α as well as β sub types of ER that are known to be structurally different in their hormone-binding domains.
Optimal Control Theory for Multi-resolution Problems in Computer Vision - Application to Optical-flow Estimation

This paper is concerned with the multi-resolution issue used in many computer vision applications. Such approaches are very popular to optimize a cost function that, in most of the situations, has been linearized for mathematical facility reasons. In general, a multi-resolution setup consists in a redefinition of the problem at a different resolution level where the mathematical assumptions (usually linearity) hold. Following a coarseto-fine strategy, a usual process consists in 1) optimizing the large scales and 2) use this result as an initial condition for the estimation at finer scales. Such process is repeated until the plain image resolution. One of the main drawbacks of such downscaling approach is its incapacity to correct the eventual errors that have been made at larger scales. These latter are indeed propagated along the scales and disturb the final result. In this paper, we suggest a new formulation of the multi-resolution setup where we exploit some smoothing techniques issued from optimal control theory and in particular variational data assimilation. The time is here artificial and is related to the various scales we are dealing with. Following a consistent mathematical framework, we define an original downscaling/upscaling technique to perform the multi-resolution. We validate this approach by defining a simple optical flow estimation technique based on Lucas-Kanade. Experimental results on synthetic data demonstrate the efficiency of this new methodology.
Shape retrieval using improved Arc-Height Function

Local boundary information plays an important role in shape description. In this paper, an improved Arc-Height Function is presented for shape description and retrieval. The Improved Arc-Height is independent of centroid distance (CD) and can capture local boundary information very accurately. And an effective fusion strategy is utilized to integrate Fourier features derived from the improved Arc-Height with the ones derived from the CD for shape retrieval. The similarity of two shapes is determined under the Euclidean distance of their corresponding Fourier features. And the experiment results conducted on the MPEG-7 CE-1 Set B contour shape database and Swedish leaf database indicate that the improved method is superior to the other Fourier descriptors including the Arc-Height Radius Complex function, CD, complex coordinates, and farthest point distance.
Uniform rotorcraft guidelines for quantitative risk assessment

Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) is an effective element of the Safety Risk Management process that augments qualitative methods used in the past. QRA is based on Life Data Analysis [1] and can accurately predict future risk by analyzing the risk without corrective action (uncorrected risk), and then analyzing the risk with specific mitigating actions implemented (corrected risk). Before 2013, there was no uniformity among QRA limits or guidelines in the rotorcraft industry. A benchmarking activity was initiated to document the basis of established QRA risk guidelines in use or recommended by helicopter and engine manufacturers, regulatory authorities, and academia. Benchmarking is a focused process that enables changes that can lead to improvements in products, processes, and services. The anticipated outcome is a comparison of the performance level and best practices of numerous organizations in managing processes and procedures, which can improve the standard of operational excellence. The benchmarking process resulted in the significant milestone of industry/government agreement on uniform definitions and risk guidelines (numerical parameters) for all rotorcraft and for engines installed on multi engine rotorcraft. The new guidelines were adopted by consensus of the group and have been promulgated by incorporation into the FAA Rotorcraft Risk Analysis Handbook for application in the rotary wing aircraft industry. This work can serve as a model for other safety critical fields where standardized Quantitative Risk definitions and guidelines are needed.
General-purpose sliding-mode controller for DC/DC converter applications

A general-purpose sliding-mode controller is described, which can be applied to most DC-DC power converter topologies. It has the same circuit complexity as standard current-mode controllers, but provides extreme robustness and speed of response against supply, load, and parameter variations. Moreover, contrary to other sliding-mode techniques, the proposed solution features constant switching frequency in the steady state, synchronization to external triggers, and absence of steady-state errors in the output voltage. <<ETX>>
Stress, coping, and adjustment in children with a chronic disease: a review of the literature.

PURPOSE To review the literature on the consequences of having a chronic disease on the child's functioning in daily life. METHOD A wide search of the literature resulted in the location of around 200 empirical studies with a focus on chronically ill children. This body of literature is discussed in three parts: (1) the academic and psychosocial adjustment of chronically ill children, (2) the ways chronically ill children cope with disease-related stress and other stressors, and (3) the effectiveness of coping strategies. RESULTS Children with a chronic disease do not show lower school performance despite higher absence rates (an exception is epilepsy). Their self-concept is similar to that of healthy children. However, they show more behaviour problems, especially internalizing problems such as depression and social withdrawal. The authors could not find evidence for the claim that children with a chronic disease are more frequently confronted with stress than their healthy peers. Children with a chronic disease use a variety of coping strategies to deal with various disease-related and common stressors. The coping strategies they use in relation to common stressors appear to be similar to those of healthy children. CONCLUSION Incidences of maladjustment vary across studies and different chronic diseases. Most studies on coping lack situational sensitivity, which makes it impossible to compare results. Findings on the effectiveness of these children's coping strategies are still scarce and inconclusive. Recommendations for future research on coping with chronic disease in childhood are given.
Creative Scientific Ability Test (C-SAT): A New Measure of Scientific Creativity

The assessment of creativity has been a controversial issue in the studies of creativity. Contrary to old paradigms, contemporary researchers support the use of domain-specific tests to measure creativity. The purpose of this study was to investigate some psychometric properties of the Creative Scientific Ability Test (C-SAT), a domain-specific test of scientific creativity. The C-SAT was developed based on the Scientific Discovery as Dual Search model and pioneering works on divergent thinking. The test is composed of five subtests and measures fluency, flexibility and creativity and hypothesis generation, hypothesis testing and evidence evaluation in five areas of science. In the study, the C-SAT was administered to 288 sixth grade students in a city in the mid part of Turkey. Factor validity analysis revealed the presence of one component and concurrent validity analysis showed that mathematically talented students scored significantly higher on the C-SAT than did average students. Reliability values of the C-SAT ranged from good (.85) to excellent (.96) and all of the item discrimination correlations were medium or large. Research findings show that the C-SAT can be used as an objective measure of scientific creativity.
Development of a generic decision-support tool for identifying potentially invasive aquatic taxa: AS-ISK

Electronic decision-support tools are now an essential component of government strate gies to battle non-native species, with taxon-specific, paper-based risk analysis schemes often being replaced by taxon-generic tools. This study reports on the development of a decision-support tool for aquatic species, the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK), which replaces five taxon-specific toolkits for amphibians, freshwater and marine fish and invertebrates (FISK, MFISK, FI-ISK, MI-ISK, Amph-ISK). Adapted from Pheloung et al.’s. Weed Risk Assessment (WRA), the “-ISK” toolkits were also “self-automated workbooks” in Excel® VisualBasic® architecture of the ’WRA. In creating AS-ISK, we incorporated the conceptual approach (questions and guidance) of the generic risk screening module of the European Non-native Species in Aquaculture Risk Analysis Scheme (ENSARS) into a single “turnkey application” that was based on the Excel® VisualBasic® architecture used by the WRA and its “-ISK” derivatives. Applicable to virtually all climatic zones and all aquatic plants and animals regardless of ecosystem (marine, fresh, brackish water), AS-ISK comprises 49 basic questions on the taxon’s biogeographical and historical traits and its biological and ecological interactions. In compliance with the “minimum requirements” for use with the new EU Regulation on invasive alien species of EU concern, AS-ISK in cludes a preamble of background information on the species as well as questions on its potential socio-economic impacts and those on ecosystem services, and an additional section (six questions) for the assessor to predict how forecasted changes in climate are likely to influence the risks of introduction, establishment, dispersal and impact of a species.
Pilot Aided Channel Estimation for a 2×2 MIMO DVB-T2 System in High Speed Mobile Environment

The combination between a two dimensional (2D) filter with a non-rectangular spectrum and the 3- points diagonal averaging method is proposed in this paper as a channel estimation method for a 2×2 MIMO DVB-T2 system. The 3-points diagonal averaging method can shorten the distance between reference pilot along frequency direction before interpolation; consequently, it will optimize the performance of an interpolation filter. The two stages implementation of a 2D nonrectangular filter is also proposed in this paper to reduce the complexity of the channel estimation method. Simulation results show the robustness of the proposed method in very high speed mobile environment.
Recruitment of the Adaptor Protein 2 Complex by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 Envelope Protein Is Necessary for High Levels of Virus Release

ABSTRACT The envelope (Env) protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) and the HIV-1 Vpu protein stimulate the release of retroviral particles from human cells that restrict virus production, an activity that we call the enhancement of virus release (EVR). We have previously shown that two separate domains in the HIV-2 envelope protein are required for this activity: a glycine-tyrosine-x-x-hydrophobic (GYxxθ) motif in the cytoplasmic tail and an unmapped region in the ectodomain of the protein. We here report that the cellular partner of the GYxxθ motif is the adaptor protein complex AP-2. The mutation of this motif or the depletion of AP-2 by RNA interference abrogated EVR activity and changed the cellular distribution of the Env from a predominantly punctate pattern to a more diffuse distribution. Since the L domain of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) contains a Yxxθ motif that interacts with AP-2, we used both wild-type and L domain-defective particles of HIV-1 and EIAV to examine whether the HIV-2 Env EVR function was analogous to L domain activity. We observed that the production of all particles was stimulated by HIV-2 Env or Vpu, suggesting that the L domain and EVR activities play independent roles in the release of retroviruses. Interestingly, we found that the cytoplasmic tail of the murine leukemia virus (MLV) Env could functionally substitute for the HIV-2 Env tail, but it did so in a manner that did not require a Yxxθ motif or AP-2. The cellular distribution of the chimeric HIV-2/MLV Env was significantly less punctate than the wild-type Env, although confocal analysis revealed an overlap in the steady-state locations of the two proteins. Taken together, these data suggest that the essential GYxxθ motif in the HIV-2 Env tail recruits AP-2 in order to direct Env to a cellular pathway or location that is necessary for its ability to enhance virus release but that an alternate mechanism provided by the MLV Env tail can functionally substitute.
A Fast Settling Low Dropout Linear Regulator with Single Miller Compensation Capacitor

A 1.8-V, 150-mA fast settling low dropout linear regulator (LDO) with single Miller compensation capacitor is presented. By utilizing the digital-controlled dynamic bias circuit to track the output current, the proposed LDO provides fast settling time for the output capacitors with low and high equivalent series resistance (ESR). The proposed LDO has been fabricated in a 0.35-um 2P4M CMOS technology, and the active chip area is 480 um times675 um. The measurement results show the settling time of 4us can be achieved with 0.5% error for full load-current changes for both multilayer ceramic and electrolytic 1-uF output capacitors. Furthermore, the line and load regulations are 0.127%N and 40ppm/mA, respectively. The dropout voltage is 190mV in 150mA output current. The measured quiescent current is 45uA in 5V supply voltage without output current
Hybrid approach to multivessel coronary artery disease: a commentary.

Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) intends to combine the advantages of both minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Thus, HCR is a sternal-sparing, off-pump, minimally invasive, hand-sewn left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to left anterior descending (LAD) bypass graft though a 4–6 cm anterolateral minithoracotomy with PCI to non-LAD lesions, in order to achieve a functional complete revascularization. HCR should, in theory, provide the perfect revascularization: stents replace the need for the saphenous vein graft (SVG), and MIDCAB provides a minimally invasive approach to reduce surgical morbidity.
Newton-Raphson TCSC model for power flow solution of practical power networks

The thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) is one of the most effective flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices. It offers smooth and flexible control of the line impedance with much faster response compared to the traditional control devices. While numerous studies concerning the utilization of these devices, have been carried out so far, most of the research has focused on issues such as transient stability improvement, sub-synchronous resonance (SSR) mitigation, damping of power swings, voltage collapse, etc. In his paper, the modeling of TCSC for power flow studies has been discussed and presented in detail. The Newton-Raphson AC power flow method was used to perform the above studies. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been tested for IEEE-30 bus systems. It has also been observed that the proposed algorithm can be applied to larger systems and do not suffer with computational difficulties.
Demographic characteristics and the frequency of heavy drinking as predictors of self-reported drinking problems.

Summary The distribution of both heavy drinking and drinking problems are well known from several previous studies. Not surprisingly, drinking problems are more prevalent among the demographic groups where heavy drinking is also more prevalent. This well-known conjunction, however, does little to determine whether some groups are more likely than others to experience drinking problems when we control for the amount of alcohol consumed. Here, this question is punned through a multiple regression analysis in which the dependent variable is a score on a drinking problem scale and the independent variables are: the frequency of heavy drinking occasions, sex, age, marital status, region, urbanicity, income, and education. The results indicate that none of these demographic variables had a strong association with the reported problem level.