Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The conserved carboxy terminal region of HIV-1 gp120 is recognized by seronegative HIV-exposed people.

OBJECTIVE To screen HIV-positive, long-term exposed seronegative and low-risk individuals for the presence of antibodies against regions of HIV-1 gp120 that share some degree of homology with HLA. METHODS Sera were obtained from 63 HIV-1-infected subjects [52 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stage 2 and 11 stages 3/4], 32 HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) subjects and from 24 low-risk HIV-1 seronegative individuals. They were tested by a peptide-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for reactivity against peptides derived from the HIV-1 gp120 C-terminal region that contain regions of MHC sequence/structural similarity. Ten randomly selected sera from each group were also screened for anti-class I antibodies. RESULTS Thirty per cent of the long-term HIV-1-exposed seronegative individuals had antibodies against the conserved C-terminal region (C5) of HIV-1 gp120. However, sera from HEU individuals showed no reactivity against other peptides derived from the C2 region of gp120, also an HLA homologous region. Anti-C terminal gp120 antibodies were mainly of IgM subclass, although IgG-specific antibodies were also present. In addition, 70% of HEU individuals had antibodies to HLA class I molecules compared with 15% of HIV-positive patients (restricted to only those HIV-positive patients with anti C-terminal antibodies). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that antibody responses against the C-terminal region of HIV gp120 and HLA class I may represent markers of apparent natural protection against HIV-1 infection.
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) Binds to the Catalytic Domain of the Cell Surface Receptor, Membrane Type 1-Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (MT1-MMP)*

It has been proposed that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), in stoichiometric concentrations, serves as an intermediate in progelatinase A activation by binding to activated membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MT1-MMP) on the plasma membrane. An MT1-MMP-independent cell surface receptor for TIMP-2 has also been postulated. To clarify TIMP-2 binding, we have performed 125I-TIMP-2 binding studies on transfected COS-1 cells and endothelial cells. Specific receptors for TIMP-2 were identified on COS-1 cells transfected with MT1-MMP cDNA, but not on vector-transfected cells. Treatment of MT1-MMP transfected COS-1 cells with a hydroxamic acid inhibitor of MMPs, CT-1746, but not an inactive stereoisomer, CT-1915, produced dose-dependent inhibition of specific TIMP-2 binding comparable with that noted with excess unlabeled TIMP-2. This result suggests that TIMP-2 binds to the zinc catalytic site of MT1-MMP. As demonstrated by the limited competition for binding of C-terminal deleted TIMP-2, the C-terminal domain of TIMP-2 participates in binding to MT1-MMP. Cross-linking studies followed by immunoprecipitation using antibodies to MT1-MMP were employed to identify 125I-TIMP-2·MT1-MMP complexes in MT1-MMP-transfected COS-1 cell membrane extracts. TIMP-2 receptors were also identified on concanavalin A-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells; inhibition of TIMP-2 binding with CT-1746 was demonstrated.
Broadband Microwave Photonic Sub-Harmonic Downconverter with Phase Shifting Ability

A microwave photonic signal processor that is capable of simultaneously realizing sub-harmonic frequency down conversion and IF signal phase shifting operation is presented. The IF signal generated by the frequency down conversion process is obtained by the beating of the second-order local oscillator (LO) sideband with the fundamental RF signal sideband at the photodetector. The phase of the IF signal can be tuned continuously from 0° to 360° by controlling the optical phase of the RF signal sideband. The optical carrier is eliminated at the signal processor output to achieve high conversion efficiency mixing operation. The signal processor can be designed to have a very wide bandwidth as it only involves optical components. Experimental results are presented that demonstrate frequency down conversion with > 8.8 dB conversion efficiency over 6 to 40 GHz RF signal bandwidth and 0.05 to 10 GHz IF signal bandwidth, and a continuous 0° to 360° phase shift on the output IF signal.
Peak Dynamic Power Estimation of FPGA-mapped Digital Designs

The Peak Dynamic Power Estimation (PDPE) problem involves finding input vector pairs that cause maximum power dissipation (maximum toggles) in circuits. The PDPE problem is essential for analyzing the reliability and performance of digital circuits prior to fabrication. This paper proposes a methodology for solving the PDPE problem on circuits mapped onto Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). An FPGAmapped circuit comprises of a collection of Look Up Tables (LUTs) connected by interconnects. Hence, the input to the proposed algorithm is an LUT-level netlist (similar to gate-level netlists that are generated in the ASIC design flow). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such technique reported in the literature for the PDPE on LUT-level netists. The proposed methodology was experimented on the LUT-level netlists of ISCAS’85 combinational benchmark circuits. A maximum toggle estimate improvement of 32.05% is observed when compared to a random estimation method on the same. The paper also presents interesting observations on the non-correlation between optimizations at the gate level and the LUT level netlists. These suggest that low-power design techniques applied at higher levels of design abstractions need not necessarily result in a design that is power aware at the LUT level.
A Real-Time Method to Evaluate the Nasal Deposition and Clearance of Acetone in the Human Volunteer

Nasal dosimetry models have become increasingly quantitative as insights into tissue deposition/clearance and computational fluid dynamics have become available. Validation of these models requires sufficient experimental data. However, investigations into respiratory deposition, particularly in human volunteers, have been historically limited due to methodological limitations. To overcome this, a method for evaluating the nasal wash-in, wash-out phenomena of a highly water-soluble compound in human volunteers was developed and characterized. This methodology was assessed using controlled human inhalation exposures to uniformly labeled [13 C]acetone at approximately 1 ppm concentration for 30 min under different breathing maneuvers (inhale nose/exhale nose; inhale nose/exhale mouth; inhale mouth/exhale nose). A small-diameter air-sampling probe inserted in the nasopharyngeal cavity of the volunteer was connected directly to an ion-trap mass spectrometer capable of sampling every 0.8 s. A second ion-trap mass spectrometer simultaneously sampled from the volunteer's exhaled breath stream via a breath-inlet device interface. Together, the two mass spectrometers provided real-time appraisal of the [13 C]acetone concentrations in the nasopharyngeal region and in the exhaled breath stream before, during, and after the different breathing maneuvers. The breathing cycle (depth and frequency) and heart rate were concurrently monitored throughout the exposure using a heart-rate monitor and a human plethysmograph to differentiate inhalation and exhalation. Graphical overlay of the plethysmography results with the mass spectrometer measurements show clear quantifiable differences in [13 C]acetone levels at the nasal probe as a function of breathing maneuvers. Breath-by-breath analyses of [13 C]acetone concentrations indicate that between 40 and 75% of the compound is absorbed upon inhalation and nearly all of that absorbed is released back into the breath stream during exhalation.
Augmentation of bone healing of nonunion fracture using stem cell based tissue engineering in a dog: a case report.

A 4-year-old, intact male crossbreed dog, weighing 27 kg, was referred for the treatment of a nonun- ion fracture. The radiographs revealed displacement of the radius and ulna bone fracture fragment and a sclerotic fracture end of the radius. Autologous adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) were isolated and expanded ex vivo in a culture. The ADSCs (3.2 × 107 cells) were seeded on a composition scaffold made from hydroxyapatite (HA) and chitosan (CH) fibers. The seeded scaffold with ADSCs was placed on the fracture site and the bone fracture was stabilized. A sample of seeded scaffold with ADSCs was taken to evaluate the extent of cell attachment and morphology on the scaffold using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM showed that ADSCs adhered to the scaffold well and many bone nodules formed from the bone matrix secreted by ADSCs. Three months after surgery, the nonunion had successfully healed with no complications. The application of a composition scaffold of HA and CH containing ADSCs can be used to treat a nonunion fracture by augmenting bone healing and may decrease the risk of surgical failure of nonunion fractures.
An adaptive-duration version of the PVT accurately tracks changes in psychomotor vigilance induced by sleep restriction.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) is a widely used assay of behavioral alertness sensitive to the effects of sleep loss and circadian misalignment. The standard 10-minute duration of the PVT is often considered impractical for operational or clinical environments. Therefore, we developed and validated an adaptive-duration version of the PVT (PVT-A) that stops sampling once it has gathered enough information to correctly classify PVT performance. DESIGN Repeated-measures experiments involving 10-minute PVT assessments every 2 hours across both acute total sleep deprivation (TSD) and 5 days of chronic partial sleep deprivation (PSD). SETTING Controlled laboratory environment. PARTICIPANTS Seventy-four healthy subjects (34 women), aged 22 to 45 years. INTERVENTIONS A TSD experiment involving 33 hours awake (n = 31 subjects), and a PSD experiment involving 5 nights of 4 hours time in bed (n = 43 subjects). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The PVT-A algorithm was trained with 527 TSD test bouts and validated with 880 PSD test bouts. Based on our primary outcome measure "number of lapses (response times ≥ 500 ms) plus false starts (premature responses or response times < 100 ms)," 10-minute PVT performance was classified into high (≤ 5 lapses and false starts), medium (> 5 and ≤ 16 lapses and false starts), or low (> 16 lapses and false starts). The decision threshold for PVT-A termination was set so that at least 95% of training data-set tests were classified correctly and no test was classified incorrectly across 2 performance categories (i.e., high as low or low as high), resulting in an average test duration of 6.0 minutes (SD 2.4 min). In the validation data set, 95.7% of test bouts were correctly classified, and there were no incorrect classifications across 2 categories. Agreement corrected for chance was excellent (κ = 0.92). Across the 3 performance categories, sensitivity averaged 93.7% (range 87.2%-100%), and specificity averaged 96.8% (range 91.6%-99.9%). Test duration averaged 6.4 minutes (SD 1.7 min), with a minimum of 27 seconds. CONCLUSIONS We developed and validated a highly accurate, sensitive, and specific adaptive-duration version of the 10-minute PVT. Test duration of the adaptive PVT averaged less than 6.5 minutes, with 60 tests (4.3%) terminating after less than 2 minutes, increasing the practicability of the test in operational and clinical settings. The adaptive-duration strategy may be superior to a simple reduction of PVT duration in which the fixed test duration may be too short to identify subjects with moderate impairment (showing deficits only later during the test) but unnecessarily long for those who are either fully alert or severely impaired.
Theory-based interventions for contraception.

BACKGROUND The explicit use of theory in research helps expand the knowledge base. Theories and models have been used extensively in HIV-prevention research and in interventions for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The health behavior field uses many theories or models of change. However, educational interventions addressing contraception often have no stated theoretical base. OBJECTIVES Review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that tested a theoretical approach to inform contraceptive choice; encourage contraceptive use; or promote adherence to, or continuation of, a contraceptive regimen. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched computerized databases for trials that tested a theory-based intervention for improving contraceptive use (MEDLINE, POPLINE, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ICTRP). We also wrote to researchers to find other trials. SELECTION CRITERIA Trials tested a theory-based intervention for improving contraceptive use. We excluded trials focused on high-risk groups and preventing sexually transmitted infections or HIV. Interventions addressed the use of one or more contraceptive methods for contraception. The reports provided evidence that the intervention was based on a specific theory or model. The primary outcomes were pregnancy, contraceptive choice, initiating or changing contraceptive use, contraceptive regimen adherence, and contraception continuation. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The primary author evaluated abstracts for eligibility. Two authors extracted data from included studies. We calculated the odds ratio for dichotomous outcomes. No meta-analysis was conducted due to intervention differences. MAIN RESULTS Fourteen RCTs met our inclusion criteria. In 2 of 10 trials with pregnancy or birth data, a theory-based group showed better results. Four of 10 trials with contraceptive use data (other than condoms) showed better outcomes in an experimental group. For condom use, a theory-based group had favorable results in three of eight trials. Social Cognitive Theory was the main theoretical basis for five trials, of which three showed positive results. Two based on other social cognition models had favorable results, as did two of four focused on motivational interviewing. Thirteen trials provided multiple sessions or contacts. Of seven effective interventions, five targeted adolescents, including four with group sessions. Three effective trials had individual sessions. Seven trials were rated as having high or moderate quality; three of those had favorable results. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Family planning researchers and practitioners could adapt the effective interventions. Reproductive health needs high-quality research on behavior change, especially for clinical and low-resource settings. More thorough use of single theories would help, as would better reporting on research design and intervention implementation.
Validating functional equivalence of re‐engineered programs via control path, result, and data flow comparison

A combination of three approaches is proposed here to validate the functional equivalence of re‐engineered programs. These are: control path comparison; data result comparison; and data flow comparison. Two of the three approaches are based on the theory of program slicing. The third approach is based on the theory of data invariance, i.e. the same input must produce the same output. Together, these techniques can provide a cost effective regression test environment for large scale re‐engineering projects.
Remote sensing data assimilation in environmental models

Passive remote sensing is limited in that a two dimensional image is used to sense a three dimensional world. Multiple images over time add a fourth dimension, but time is under sampled with most remote sensing systems. Physical models of time varying environmental processes can be used to address the time and three dimensional aspect of the environment, but standalone models become inaccurate over time. Data assimilation is the term used to describe the continual input of new data into an executing model to keep the model aligned with reality. Some results and aspects of the Ensemble Kalman Filter data assimilation technique are described for two potential applications: water quality modeling and wildland fire modeling.
Antenna optimization using a hybrid evolutionary programming method

The fundamentals of a hybridization approach for a class of EA called evolutionary programming (EP) that has recently been applied to circuit optimization problems is explained. Easier implementation and self-adaptation mechanism are some of the advantages of EP compared to other type EA such as the genetic algorithm (GA). However, the hybridization method explained in this paper is equivalently applicable to all other paradigms of EA.
Multi-Sensor Prognostics using an Unsupervised Health Index based on LSTM Encoder-Decoder

Many approaches for estimation of Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of a machine, using its operational sensor data, make assumptions about how a system degrades or a fault evolves, e.g., exponential degradation. However, in many domains degradation may not follow a pattern. We propose a Long Short Term Memory based Encoder-Decoder (LSTM-ED) scheme to obtain an unsupervised health index (HI) for a system using multi-sensor time-series data. LSTM-ED is trained to reconstruct the time-series corresponding to healthy state of a system. The reconstruction error is used to compute HI which is then used for RUL estimation. We evaluate our approach on publicly available Turbofan Engine and Milling Machine datasets. We also present results on a real-world industry dataset from a pulverizer mill where we find significant correlation between LSTM-ED based HI and maintenance costs.
A high gain pattern reconfigurable antenna with simple structure

This paper presents a high gain pattern reconfigurable antenna with simple structure. The pattern reconfiguration is achieved by switching the feeding direction of the series-fed array antenna, and a few PIN diodes and divider is used in order to change the feeding direction. The antenna has corresponding three patterns with gains of 14.5 dBi, 17.0 dBi and 16.7 dBi. Compared to conventional reconfigurable antennas, the proposed antenna has simple structure and low profile, and can be expanded easily for higher gain.
Multilayer Polyelectrolyte Films Functionalized by Insertion of Defensin: a New Approach to Protection of Implants from Bacterial Colonization

ABSTRACT Infection of implanted materials by bacteria constitutes one of the most serious complications following prosthetic surgery. In the present study, we developed a new strategy based on the insertion of an antimicrobial peptide (defensin from Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes) into polyelectrolyte multilayer films built by the alternate deposition of polyanions and polycations. Quartz crystal microbalance and streaming potential measurements were used to follow step by step the construction of the multilayer films and embedding of the defensin within the films. Antimicrobial assays were performed with two strains: Micrococcus luteus (a gram-positive bacterium) and Escherichia coli D22 (a gram-negative bacterium). The inhibition of E. coli D22 growth at the surface of defensin-functionalized films was found to be 98% when 10 antimicrobial peptide layers were inserted in the film architecture. Noticeably, the biofunctionalization could be achieved only when positively charged poly(l-lysine) was the outermost layer of the film. On the basis of the results of bacterial adhesion experiments observed by confocal or electron microscopy, these observations could result from the close interaction of the bacteria with the positively charged ends of the films, which allows defensin to interact with the bacterial membrane structure. These results open new possibilities for the use of such easily built and functionalized architectures onto any type of implantable biomaterial. The modified surfaces are active against microbial infection and represent a novel means of local host protection.
Refractive-index-profile determinations by using Lloyd's mirage.

A method is presented for the experimental determination of refractive-index profiles for planar media of monotonically decreasing refractive index, such as those used for optical waveguides. The technique is based on a generalization of the classical experiment of Lloyd's mirror, involving the interference pattern formed by a point source and its mirage, i.e., its reflection in such a graded planar medium.
Adherence of Plasmodium falciparum to Chondroitin Sulfate A in the Human Placenta

Women are particularly susceptible to malaria during first and second pregnancies, even though they may have developed immunity over years of residence in endemic areas. Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells (IRBCs) were obtained from human placentas. These IRBCs bound to purified chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) but not to other extracellular matrix proteins or to other known IRBC receptors. IRBCs from nonpregnant donors did not bind to CSA. Placental IRBCs adhered to sections of fresh-frozen human placenta with an anatomic distribution similar to that of naturally infected placentas, and this adhesion was competitively inhibited by purified CSA. Thus, adhesion to CSA appears to select for a subpopulation of parasites that causes maternal malaria.
A Correlation Inequality Involving Stable Set and Chromatic Polynomials

Abstract Suppose each vertex of a graph G is chosen with probability p , these choices being independent. Let A ( G , p ) be the probability that no two chosen vertices are adjacent. This is essentially the clique polynomial of the complement of G which has been extensively studied in a variety of incarnations. We use the Ahlswede-Daykin Theorem to prove that, for all G , and all positive integers λ, P ( G , λ)/λ n ≤ A ( G , λ −1 ) λ , where P ( G , λ) is the chromatic polynomial of G .
Monte Carlo simulation of the mechanical relaxation of a self-assembled monolayer.

Monte Carlo calculations have been used to study the mechanical relaxation of a monolayer of CH 3 (CH 2 ) 15 SH admolecules on a gold substrate when subjected to indentation caused by a nanometer-scale force-microscope tip. An almost elastic response is observed to forces that compress the monolayer by about 25% of its original thickness. Jump to contact on approach of the tip is signaled by an abrupt change in the mean molecular tilt, and the subsequent compression leads to very substantial but reversible changes in the conformations of the molecules. Comparison is made with results obtained by interfacial-force microscopy
Modeling discrete choice behavior based on explicit information integration and its application to the route choice problem

This paper describes a two-stage framework for modeling discrete choice behavior in the presence of new information. The procedure is based on explicit information integration at the first stage and a decision process based on the integrated information at the second stage. The applicability of the approach is demonstrated with the modeling of human route choice decisions in transportation networks when updated online traffic information is available to drivers.
Calcium metabolism and mental disorder

This is an uncertain, neglected and misunderstood corner of organic psychiatry. Calcium disturbances are clinically the concern of physicians interested in bone diseases, in malabsorption or nutritional deficiencies, and opinions vary on whether such illnesses are accompanied by emotional and behavioural disorder: at least psychiatrists are not usually called in. Parathyroid disease is generally granted to have frequent psychiatric accompaniments (e.g. see Granville-Grossman, 1971) but is very rare in the psychiatric clinic, and possibly under-diagnosed there. Laboratory aids tend to be underused or inadequately applied. Total plasma calcium as a screening test cannot be understood without at least a plasma protein measurement as well; but serum phosphate, parathormone and plasma 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol levels, urinary calcium and magnesium, and Ca45, may all have roles in fuller investigation (Nordin, 1976).