Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliable probabilistic checkpointing

Recently proposed probabilistic checkpointing has one drawback, naming aliasing. When analyzed, 64-bit signatures show negligible possibility of aliasing. But in practice, the shift-XOR signature generation function used with probabilistic checkpointing shows a high aliasing rate, which limits the practicality of probabilistic checkpointing. In this paper, two enhancements are considered to make probabilistic checkpointing more reliable. One is the signature generation function and the other is the recovery scheme. In the signature generation function part, we propose two signature generation functions: HALF for small block sizes (less than or equal to 256 bytes) and C-HALF(CRC combined HALF) for large block sizes (larger than 256 bytes), which have an aliasing probability similar to analytic results and small overhead. In the recovery scheme part, we propose a recovery scheme which ensures the safety of probabilistic checkpointing. To examine the correctness of previous checkpoints at recovery time, the proposed recovery scheme uses a spare node. We analyze the recovery scheme using a mathematical model. Also an optimal checkpoint interval is derived using the model.
Psychiatrists' and nonpsychiatrist physicians' reported use of the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVE Several studies of nonpsychiatrist physicians suggest that there are deficits in the knowledge and application of the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD). This research raises questions about the clinical utility of the MDD criteria. The goal of the present study was to determine psychiatrists' reported use of the DSM-IV criteria for MDD to diagnose depression and to compare their use to the use by nonpsychiatrist physicians. METHOD The subjects were 291 psychiatrists and 40 nonpsychiatrist physicians who attended a continuing medical education conference in 2006 or 2007 on the treatment and management of depression. Prior to a lecture, the subjects completed a questionnaire that included a question regarding how frequently the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for MDD are used when diagnosing depression. RESULTS Nearly one-quarter of the psychiatrists indicated that they usually did not use the DSM-IV MDD criteria when diagnosing depression, and nearly half of the nonpsychiatrist physicians indicated that they rarely used the DSM-IV MDD criteria to diagnose depression. CONCLUSIONS A substantial minority of psychiatrists and the majority of nonpsychiatrist physicians reported that they often do not use the DSM-IV MDD criteria when diagnosing depression. These findings raise questions about the clinical utility of the MDD criteria. These results, along with other studies demonstrating problems with recalling the MDD criteria, suggest that clinical utility should be considered in discussions of revising these criteria for DSM-V.
Lung function testing in children: importance of race and ethnic-specific reference equations

Marked differences in lung function occur between children of different racial and ethnic backgrounds even when all known confounders including socioeconomic circumstances have been taken into account. Use of ethnic-specific equations, such as those recently published by the Global Lung Function Initiative, help to minimize such differences, thereby improving the accuracy with which lung disease can be identified and treated during childhood, as well as enabling the true impact of adverse environmental or socioeconomic exposures to be assessed, irrespective of ethnic background. In future, incorporation of ancestry and, within emerging nations undergoing secular changes in anthropometry, sitting height, into normative equations may further improve the accuracy of predicting lung function and hence assessment of disease severity within any given individual.
Maximizing the Performance of 650-V p-GaN Gate HEMTs: Dynamic RON Characterization and Circuit Design Considerations

The systematic characterization of a 650-V/13-A enhancement-mode GaN power transistor with p-GaN gate is presented. Critical device parameters such as ON-resistance <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_{{\rm{ON}}}$</tex-math> </inline-formula> and threshold voltage <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{{\rm{TH}}}$</tex-math> </inline-formula> are evaluated under both static and dynamic (i.e., switching) operating conditions. The dynamic <italic>R</italic><sub>ON</sub> is found to exhibit different dependence on the gate drive voltage <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{{\rm{GS}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> from the static <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_{{\rm{ON}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>. While reasonably suppressed at higher <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{{\rm{GS}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> of 5 and 6 V, the degradation in dynamic <italic>R</italic><sub>ON</sub> is significantly larger at lower <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> $V_{{\rm{GS}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> of 3–4 V, which is attributed to the positive shift in <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{{\rm{TH}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> under switching operations. In addition to characterization of discrete devices, a custom-designed double-pulse test circuit with 400-V, 10-A test capability is built to evaluate the transient switching performance of the p-GaN gate power transistors. Optimal gate drive conditions are proposed to: 1) provide sufficient gate over-drive to minimize the impact of the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{{\rm{TH}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> shift on the dynamic <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_{{\rm{ON}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>; and 2) leave enough headroom to save the device from excessive gate stresses. Moreover, gate drive circuit design and board layout considerations are also discussed by taking into account the fast switching characteristics of GaN devices.
Modified Smith Predictor with DeMenthon-Horaud pose estimation algorithm for 3D dynamic visual servoing

This paper presents an attractive position-based visual servoing approach for camera-in-hand robotic systerns. The major contribution of this work is in devising an elegant and pragmatic approach for 3D visual tracking, which yielded good target tracking performance. It differs from the other known techniques, in its approach for image interpretation and the introduction of a Smith-like predictor control structure to overcome the inherent multi-rate time delayed nature of the visual servoing system. A complete description is made of the proposed MSP-DH visual servoing system. Experiments on the target tracking performance on XY planar motion using an AdeptOne robotic system are presented to illustrate the controller performance. In addition, experimental results have clearly shown the capability of the MSP-DH visual servoing system in performing 3D-dynamic visual servoing.
Integrated genome and transcriptome sequencing identifies a noncoding mutation in the genome replication factor DONSON as the cause of microcephaly-micromelia syndrome

While next-generation sequencing has accelerated the discovery of human disease genes, progress has been largely limited to the “low hanging fruit” of mutations with obvious exonic coding or canonical splice site impact. In contrast, the lack of high-throughput, unbiased approaches for functional assessment of most noncoding variants has bottlenecked gene discovery. We report the integration of transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), which surveys all mRNAs to reveal functional impacts of variants at the transcription level, into the gene discovery framework for a unique human disease, microcephaly-micromelia syndrome (MMS). MMS is an autosomal recessive condition described thus far in only a single First Nations population and causes intrauterine growth restriction, severe microcephaly, craniofacial anomalies, skeletal dysplasia, and neonatal lethality. Linkage analysis of affected families, including a very large pedigree, identified a single locus on Chromosome 21 linked to the disease (LOD > 9). Comprehensive genome sequencing did not reveal any pathogenic coding or canonical splicing mutations within the linkage region but identified several nonconserved noncoding variants. RNA-seq analysis detected aberrant splicing in DONSON due to one of these noncoding variants, showing a causative role for DONSON disruption in MMS. We show that DONSON is expressed in progenitor cells of embryonic human brain and other proliferating tissues, is co-expressed with components of the DNA replication machinery, and that Donson is essential for early embryonic development in mice as well, suggesting an essential conserved role for DONSON in the cell cycle. Our results demonstrate the utility of integrating transcriptomics into the study of human genetic disease when DNA sequencing alone is not sufficient to reveal the underlying pathogenic mutation.
Spectral and luminescent properties of ZnO–SiO2 core–shell nanoparticles with size-selected ZnO cores

Deposition of silica shells onto ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in dimethyl sulfoxide was found to be an efficient tool for terminating the growth of ZnO NPs during thermal treatment and producing stable core–shell ZnO NPs with core sizes of 3.5–5.8 nm. The core–shell ZnO–SiO2 NPs emit two photoluminescence (PL) bands centred at ∼370 and ∼550 nm originating from the direct radiative electron–hole recombination and defect-mediated electron–hole recombination, respectively. An increase of the ZnO NP size from 3.5 to 5.8 nm is accompanied by a decrease of the intensity of the defect PL band and growth of its radiative life-time from 0.78 to 1.49 μs. FTIR spectroscopy reveals no size dependence of the FTIR-active spectral features of ZnO–SiO2 NPs in the ZnO core size range of 3.5–5.8 nm, while in the Raman spectra a shift of the LO frequency from 577 cm−1 for the 3.5 nm ZnO core to 573 cm−1 for the 5.8 nm core is observed, which can indicate a larger compressive stress in smaller ZnO cores induced by the SiO2 shell. Simultaneous hydrolysis of zinc(II) acetate and tetraethyl orthosilicate also results in the formation of ZnO–SiO2 NPs with the ZnO core size varying from 3.1 to 3.8 nm. However, unlike the case of the SiO2 shell deposition onto the pre-formed ZnO NPs, individual core–shell NPs are not formed but loosely aggregated constellations of ZnO–SiO2 NPs with a size of 20–30 nm are. The variation of the synthetic procedures in the latter method proposed here allows the size of both the ZnO core and SiO2 host particles to be tuned.
Multiple distributed Generators for Distribution feeder Voltage support

Inclusion of voltage support distributed generation (VSDG) can reinforce the feeder voltage of distribution networks, especially in rural/remote areas where voltage dip and frequent blackouts are significant concerns for power utilities. However, installation of multiple distributed generators within a distribution grid system may introduce technical problems in network operation and control, including control interaction and/or voltage instability. This paper addresses the network issues that may occur during multiple VSDG inclusion in the network and presents analytical models and solutions to develop design criteria of VSDG installation in the networks. Voltage sensitivity of lines is investigated and the effect of DG real (P) and reactive (Q) power injections with Q priority is developed for optimal use of VSDG in correcting the network voltage. Interaction among VSDG controllers has been explored and a generalized model is presented to analyze this interaction between any number of VSDGs in the network. The model is tested on a sample VSDG system and test results are presented. The issue of which VSDG must be started recognizing the costs of starting is addressed using an inverse definite minimum time (IDMT) model. A prioritization and coordination scheme for start discrimination of multiple VSDGs is proposed which avoids hunting between multiple generators.
Peripheral Blood Markers of Oxidative Stress in Parkinson’s Disease

Oxidative stress and generation of reactive oxygen species are believed to be implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Erythrocyte activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, the blood glutathione system, and plasma levels of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in 80 PD patients. These biochemical parameters were also measured in 29 age-matched controls. Patients with PD had significantly higher red blood corpuscle (RBC) activity of SOD. The mean RBC activity of catalase in PD patients did not differ significantly from those of controls. RBC catalase activity was significantly lower in advanced cases of PD compared to early cases. Oxidized glutathione was significantly higher in RBCs of PD patients, although there were no changes in total glutathione and reduced glutathione compared to controls. TBARS content was increased in patients with PD. Levodopa therapy, age and duration of illness did not significantly influence the measured parameters. Our study supports the previous hypothesis that oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. Perspectives for treatment of PD in the future could include antioxidant therapy.
The Development of Fluorescence Imaging Systems for Clinical Applications - Part I, Broad-Field Fluorescence Imaging

This article proposed a novel classification on fluorescence imaging for clinical applications, and presented a camera-based instrument to verify the functions by an animal mode. The imaging technologies of fluorescence currently are developed in biological medicine included broad-field fluorescence imaging, point-probe fluorescence imaging, and cross-sectional endoluminal fluorescence imaging respectively. This periodical's editor introduced broad-field fluorescence imaging's latest developments in technology in this issue, and illustrated a photo retouching system for decreasing the fluorescence signal-to-noise ratio in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for skin cancer. The animal test also verified that this camera-based instrument still could capture the red fluorescence under a low-dosed light sensitive drug and the scope of distribution of melanoma cells in the vein could clearly be observed.
Identification and Quantification of Toxic Chemicals by Use of Escherichia coli Carryinglux Genes Fused to Stress Promoters

ABSTRACT The luxCDABE bioluminescence genes of the Vibrio fischeri lux system have been used as a reporter system for different stress and regulatory promoters of Escherichia coli. Selected E. coli strains carryinglux genes fused to different promoters were exposed to various toxic chemicals, and the recorded luminescence was used for the characterization of the biologic signature of each compound. Analysis of these data with the aid of a proper algorithm allowed quantitative and qualitative assessment of toxic chemicals. Of the 25 tested chemicals, 23 were identified by this novel strategy in a 3-h procedure. This system can also be adapted for the identification of simple mixtures of toxic agents when the biologic signatures of the individual compounds are known. This biologic recognition strategy also provides a tool for evaluating the degree of similarity between the modes of action of different toxic agents.
Pharmacokinetic Effects of Coadministration of Lersivirine with Raltegravir or Maraviroc in Healthy Subjects

ABSTRACT Lersivirine (UK-453,061) is a new nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor currently being developed as a treatment for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. Lersivirine shows potent activity against wild-type and clinically relevant drug-resistant strains. Previous studies have demonstrated that lersivirine is metabolized by glucuronidation via UGT2B7 and by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Lersivirine is also a weak inducer of the CYP3A4 enzyme. Therefore, coadministered lersivirine could potentially affect the pharmacokinetics of maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist metabolized by CYP3A4, and raltegravir, an integrase inhibitor metabolized by glucuronidation. Two open-label studies assessed the pharmacokinetics of raltegravir and of maraviroc when they were coadministered with lersivirine and the pharmacokinetics of lersivirine when it was coadministered with raltegravir. Minor, clinically nonsignificant effects on the pharmacokinetics of raltegravir coadministered with lersivirine were observed at steady state for raltegravir, with estimated mean changes of −15%, −29%, and +25% in the area under the concentration-time profile from time zero to the end of the dosing interval (AUCtau), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), and concentration observed 12 h postdose (C12), respectively. There were no clinically relevant effects of steady-state raltegravir on lersivirine AUCtau, Cmax, or concentration observed 24 h postdose (C24) (estimated mean changes of −2 to +5%). Coadministration of lersivirine at steady state with maraviroc resulted in no clinically relevant effects on maraviroc AUCtau, Cmax, or C12 (estimated mean changes of +3.4 to +8.6%). Lersivirine appeared to be generally well tolerated in these studies and appears to be suitable for coadministration with raltegravir or maraviroc without the need for dose modification.
Rapid on‐site separation of As(III) and As(V) in waters using a disposable thiol‐modified sand cartridge

The rapid redox transformation of arsenic (As) species in waters presents a great environmental challenge in the accurate determination of its concentration and toxicity. The motivation of the present study was therefore to develop a method for rapid on‐site separation of As(V) and As(III) in various aqueous matrices. The authors synthesized a thiol‐modified sand (T‐sand) that selectively removed As(III) but did not adsorb As(V). The novel application of this T‐sand in a disposable cartridge was able to successfully separate As(V) (37–970 µg L−1) and As(III) (not detected to 488 µg L−1) in 23 groundwater samples collected in areas with naturally occurring As. The As speciation results determined with T‐sand separation in the field were consistent with those obtained using high‐performance liquid chromatography–atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Furthermore, the T‐sand cartridge was applicable in a wide variety of matrices, including groundwater, leachants of the toxicity‐characteristic leaching procedure, and extracts from the California waste extraction test; sequential extraction test; and in vitro gastrointestinal extraction. This easy‐to‐use separation method is especially suitable for routine field monitoring of As speciation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1692–1696. © 2014 SETAC
In Vitro and Clinical Investigation of the Relationship Between CCR5 Receptor Occupancy and Anti‐HIV Activity of Aplaviroc

Aplaviroc (GW873140) binds specifically to human cellular CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and demonstrates potent anti‐human immunodeficiency virus activity in vitro in the subnanomolar range. In vitro studies show that aplaviroc selectively inhibits the binding of a particular monoclonal antibody, 45531, to CCR5. Based on this observation, a flow cytometry—based assay was developed to determine percentage CCR5 receptor occupancy (RO). CCR5 receptor occupancy was aplaviroc concentration—dependent and related to anti‐human immunodeficiency virus activity in vitro. In the clinical setting, CCR5 receptor occupancy in peripheral blood was >98% in all subjects within 2 to 3 hours of dosing, which is consistent with the peak plasma concentrations of drug. Longitudinal analysis in the drug washout period revealed the time to 50% CCR5 receptor occupancy averaged >100 hours, in both human immunodeficiency virus—positive and human immunodeficiency virus—negative subjects, substantially longer than the plasma pharmacokinetic half‐life of 3 hours. The duration of CCR5 receptor occupancy appeared to be dose‐dependent and associated with antiviral activity as measured by plasma human immunodeficiency virus RNA nadir following 10 days of multiple dose administration. These data demonstrate that the analysis of CCR5 receptor occupancy, in addition to conventional plasma‐based pharmacokinetic measures, provides an informative tool to assist in evaluating the pharmacodynamic and antiviral effects of cellular CC chemokine receptor antagonists.
Polymorphisms in dopamine receptor DRD1 and DRD2 genes and psychopathological and extrapyramidal symptoms in patients on long‐term antipsychotic treatment

DRD1 and DRD2 receptor gene variants have been associated with clinical aspects of schizophrenia; however only specific features were analyzed in different samples. To assess the complex interaction between genetic and clinical factors, we studied the possible cross‐interactions between DRD1 and DRD2 dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms, symptomatology of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders, and the occurrence of treatment induced side effects taking into consideration possible clinical confounding variables. One hundred thirty one outpatients in stable remission meeting the DSMIV criteria for schizophrenia spectrum disorders and receiving long‐term maintenance therapy with haloperidol, fluphenazine, zuclopenthixole, or risperidone were genotyped for DRD1 A‐48G, DRD2 Ins‐141CDel, and DRD2 Ser311Cys polymorphisms. Psychopathological symptoms were assessed with the positive and negative syndrome scale for schizophrenia (PANSS). Extrapyramidal side effects were assessed with the Simpson–Angus extrapyramidal side effects scale (EPS), the Barnes Akathisia scale (BARS), and the abnormal involuntary movement scale (AIMS). Drug dosage was included as covariant because it was associated with the severity of symptomatology, akathisia, and parkinsonism. No association was observed for DRD1 and DRD2 polymorphisms and extrapyramidal side effects, or with the other clinical variables considered. Our study suggests that DRD1 and DRD2 variants are not liability factors for tardive dyskinesia. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Accumulation in Pasture Soil from Repeated Poultry Litter Application

Poultry litter (PL) is a traditionally inexpensive and effective fertilizer to improve soil quality and agricultural productivity. However, over application to soil has raised concern because excess nutrients in runoff could accelerate the eutrophication of fresh water. In this work, we determined the contents of total phosphorus (P), Mehlich 3 extracted P, total nitrogen (N), ammonium (NH4)‐N, and nitrate (NO3)‐N, in pasture soils receiving annual poultry litter applications of 0, 2.27, 2.27, 3.63, and 1.36 Mg/ha/ yr, respectively, for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. Samples were collected from three soil depths (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm) of the Hartsells series (fine‐loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic, Typic Hapludults) on a 3–8% slope in the Sand Mountain region of north Alabama. PL application increased levels of total P, Mehlich‐3 extractable P, and total N significantly. However, the change in NH4‐N and NO3‐N contents by the PL application was not statistically significant. Correlation analysis indicated that the contents of total P, Mehlich 3 extracted P, and total N were more related to cumulative amounts of poultry litter applied than the years of application or annual application rates alone. This observation suggested that N and P from poultry litter accumulated in soil. Predicting the build‐up based on the cumulative amounts of PL application, rather than isolated factors (i.e., application year or rate), would improve the accuracy of evaluating long‐term impacts of poultry litter application on soil nutrient levels.