Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RNase H cleavage of RNA hybridized to oligonucleotides containing methylphosphonate, phosphorothioate and phosphodiester bonds

Three types of 14-mer oligonucleotides were hybridized to human ,B-globin pre-mRNA and the resultant duplexes were tested for susceptibility to cleavage by RNase H from E.coli or from HeLa cell nuclear extract. The oligonucleotides contained normal deoxynucleotides, phosphorothioate analogs alternating with normal deoxynucleotides, or one to six methylphosphonate deoxynucleosides. Duplexes formed with deoxyoligonucleotides or phosphorothioate analogs were susceptible to cleavage by RNase H from both sources, whereas a duplex formed with an oligonucleotide containing six methylphosphonate deoxynucleosides alternating with normal deoxynucleotides was resistant. Susceptibility to cleavage by RNase H increased parallel to a reduction in the number of methylphosphonate residues in the oligonucleotide. Stability of the oligonucleotides in the nuclear extract from HeLa cells was also tested. Whereas deoxyoligonucleotides were rapidly degraded, oligonucleotides containing alternating methylphosphonate residues remained unchanged after 70 minutes of incubation. Other oligonucleotides exhibited intermediate stability.
Sub-surface Diffuse Fluorescence Tomography : System Development and Feasibility Studies

Sub-surface tomography with diffuse light has been investigated with a non-contact approach to characterize the performance of optical absorption and fluorescence imaging. Using both simulations and experimental studies, the reconstructed images of local sub-surface heterogeneities was demonstrated, using diffusion properties characteristic of near-infrared light in mammalian tissue. The results indicate that the recovery of target size and fluorophore concentration is not linear when changes in depth occur, whereas the mean position of the object for experimental fluorescent and absorber targets is accurate to approximately 1mm when located within the first 10 mm below the surface. Improvements in the linearity of the response with depth appear to remain challenging and may ultimately limit this tomographic imaging approach to detection rather than characterization applications. However, increases in tissue curvature and/or the addition of prior information are expected to improve the linearity of the response. The potential for this type of imaging technique to serve as a surgical guide is highlighted.
Adjudication: Type-I and Type-II Errors

Adjudicative procedures meant at establishing truth about facts on defendants’ behavior are naturally prone to errors: defendants can be found guilty/liable when they truly were not (type-I errors) or they can be acquitted when they should have been convicted (type-II errors). These errors alter the incentives of defendants to comply with norms. We review the literature with a particular focus on type-I errors.
Processor reconfiguration through instruction-set metamorphosis

The processor reconfiguration through instruction-set metamorphosis (PRISM) general-purpose architecture, which speeds up computationally intensive tasks by augmenting the core processor's functionality with new operations, is described. The PRISM approach adapts the configuration and fundamental operations of a core processing system to the computationally intensive portions of a targeted application. PRISM-1, an initial prototype system, is described, and experimental results that demonstrate the benefits of the PRISM concept are presented. <<ETX>>
Competing Hypotheses Influence in Computer-Mediated Group Communication : A Test of Two The Impact of Anonymity on Perceptions of Source Credibility and

can be found at: Communication Research Additional services and information for http://crx.sagepub. com/cgi/alerts Email Alerts: http://crx.sagepub. com/subscriptions Subscriptions: http://www.sagepub. com/journalsReprints.nav Reprints: http://www.sagepub. com/journalsPermissions.nav Permissions: http://crx.sagepub. com/cgi/content/refs/34/1/100 SAGE Journals Online and HighWire Press platforms): (this article cites 34 articles hosted on the Citations
Hospital and physician prices and treatment choice in labor and delivery

We study the eect of changing the price dierential for cesarean versus vaginal deliveries paid by commercial insurers to hospitals and physicians on cesarean rates. Using eight years of claims data containing negotiated prices, we exploit within-hospital-physician-group price variation arising from contract renegotiations over time. We
Robustness study of MBAC algorithms

Measurement based admission control (MBAC) has long been recognized as an important method for providing stochastic service guarantees. The main work in the literature has mostly been on finding optimal MBAC algorithms that maximize network utilization. On the other hand, a critical issue for MBAC, which is the robustness of an MBAC algorithm in meeting the required quality of service (QoS) under changing traffic conditions, has long been overlooked and few results are available. In this paper, we investigate the robustness of MBAC in meeting the QoS target. Specifically we evaluate three representative MBAC algorithms and show their weaknesses and strengths through comparisons with an ideal admission controller.
Single Pathogen Challenge with Agents of the Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in cattle; costing the dairy and beef industries millions of dollars annually, despite the use of vaccines and antibiotics. BRDC is caused by one or more of several viruses (bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine herpes type 1 also known as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, and bovine viral diarrhea virus), which predispose animals to infection with one or more bacteria. These include: Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, Mycoplasma bovis, and Histophilus somni. Some cattle appear to be more resistant to BRDC than others. We hypothesize that appropriate immune responses to these pathogens are subject to genetic control. To determine which genes are involved in the immune response to each of these pathogens it was first necessary to experimentally induce infection separately with each pathogen to document clinical and pathological responses in animals from which tissues were harvested for subsequent RNA sequencing. Herein these infections and animal responses are described.
The Self-Reflection and Insight Scale: A new measure of private self-consciousness

Private self-consciousness and the subordinate constructs of self-reflection and insight are key factors in the self-regulatory process underpinning the creation of behavior change, both in clinical practice with clinical populations, and in performance enhancing coaching with nonclinical populations. This paper reports the construction and validation of the SelfReflection and Insight Scale (SRIS) which is designed to be an advance on the Private SelfConsciousnes Scale (PrSCS; Fenigstein, Scheier, & Buss, 1975). Previous work has found the PrSCS to comprise two factors, self-reflection and internal state awareness. In a series of studies two separate factor analyses found the SRIS comprised two separate factors labeled Self-Reflection (SRIS-SR) and Insight (SRIS-IN). “Need for self-reflection” and “engagement in self-reflection” loaded on the same factor. Test-retest reliability over a 7-week period was . 77 (SRIS-SR) and . 78 (SRIS-IN). The PrSCS correlated positively with the SRIS-SR and negatively with the SRIS-IN. The SRIS-SR correlated positively with anxiety and stress, but not with depression and alexithymia. The SRIS-IN was negatively correlated with depression, anxiety, stress and alexithymia, and positively correlated with cognitive flexibility and self-regulation. Individuals who had kept diaries had higher SRIS-SR scores but lower SRISIN scores than did those who had not kept diaries. Implications of these findings for models of self-regulation and goal attainment are discussed.
Gene-drive into insect populations with age and spatial structure: a theoretical assessment

The potential benefits and risks of genetically engineered gene‐drive systems for replacing wild pest strains with more benign strains must be assessed prior to any field releases. We develop a computer simulation model to assess the feasibility of using engineered underdominance constructs to drive transgenes into age‐ and spatially structured mosquito populations. Our practical criterion for success is the achievement of a transgene frequency of at least 0.80 within 3 years of release. The impacts of a number of parameters that may affect the success of gene‐drive, such as the release area, release age, density‐dependent larval survival, fitness cost of the engineered genes, and migration probability of adults, are examined. Results show that patchy release generally requires the release of fewer engineered insects to achieve success than central release. When the fitness cost is very low, central release covering 25% of the total area can be more effective than a completely uniform release over the whole area. This study demonstrates that to determine the best method of spatial release, and the total number of engineered insects that must be released, it is important to take into account the age and sex of the released insects and spatial structure of the population.
Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Children: A Qualitative Study of Community Perceptions and Recommendations in Burkina Faso and Mali

Background Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in children (IPTc) is a highly efficacious method of malaria control where malaria transmission is highly seasonal. However, no studies published to date have examined community perceptions of IPTc. Methods A qualitative study was undertaken in parallel with a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of IPTc conducted in Mali and Burkina Faso in 2008–2009 to assess community perceptions of and recommendations for IPTc. Caregivers and community health workers (CHWs) were purposively sampled. Seventy-two in-depth individual interviews and 23 focus group discussions were conducted. Findings Widespread perceptions of health benefits for children led to enthusiasm for the trial and for IPTc specifically. Trust in and respect for those providing the tablets and a sense of obligation to the community to participate in sanctioned activities favoured initial adoption. IPTc fits in well with existing understandings of childhood illness. Participants did not express concerns about the specific drugs used for IPTc or about providing tablets to children without symptoms of malaria. There was no evidence that IPTc was perceived as a substitute for bed net usage, nor did it inhibit care seeking. Participants recommended that distribution be “closer to the population”, but expressed concern over caregivers' ability to administer tablets at home. Conclusions The trial context mediated perceptions of IPTc. Nonetheless, the results indicate that community perceptions of IPTc in the settings studied were largely favourable and that the delivery strategy rather than the tablets themselves presented the main areas of concern for caregivers and CHWs. The study identifies a number of key questions to consider in planning an IPTc distribution strategy. Single-dose formulations could increase the success of IPTc implementation, as could integration of IPTc within a package of activities, such as bed net distribution and free curative care, for which demand is already high.
Dormancy activation mechanism of tracheal stem cells

Accurate markers and molecular mechanisms of stem cell dormancy and activation are poorly understood. In this study, the anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil, was used to selectively kill proliferating cells of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell line. This method can enrich and purify stem cell population. The dormant versus active status of stem cells was determined by phosphorylation of RNAp II Ser2. The surviving stem cells were cultured to form stem cell spheres expressing stem cell markers and transplanted into nude mice to form a teratoma. The results demonstrated the properties of stem cells and potential for multi-directional differentiation. Bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction showed that demethylation of the Sox2 promoter by 5-FU resulted in Sox2 expression in the dormant stem cells. This study shows that the dormancy and activation of HBE stem cells is closely related to epigenetic modification.
An new explanation of pulse compression based on time-frequency distribution

Herein is proposed an easier understanding of pulse compression based on time-frequency distribution. The pulse compression can be achieved by time compressing or frequency compressing, which corresponds to matched filtering and Stretch processing respectively. In the processing mixing is utilized to convert the signal into a time point or a frequency point, and Fourier transforming collects the energy together. A new method, correlating in frequency domain realizing stretch processing, has been proposed to refine the theory of pulse compression. The understanding will provide reference for any other signal's pulse compression.
INVARIANT SETS FOR SWITCHED DISCRETE TIME SYSTEMS SUBJECT TO BOUNDED DISTURBANCES

Abstract This paper addresses invariant set computation for discrete-time switched systems subject to bounded disturbances. Specifically, we show how to compute the maximal robust switched invariant set C ∞ S , which we define to be the set of states which can be made robust invariant by an appropriate switching law. Furthermore it is demonstrated how the maximal robust reachable set K ∞ S (Ω) can be computed, i.e., all states which can be robustly steered into the target set Ω by an appropriate switching law. We also show how these sets may be used to obtain a minimum time controller for switched systems, i.e., a controller which robustly steers the state into a given target set in minimal time.
Modified multidelay adaptive filter for acoustic echo cancellation

In this paper a partial knowledge of measurement noise is incorporated into the multidelay frequency domain adaptive filtering scheme to improve its performance in colored measurement noise scenarios. The proposed algorithm is obtained by minimizing a BLUE criterion function using the stochastic gradient method and then switching over to the frequency domain to reduce the computational complexity. The performance of the algorithm in the situations of colored measurement noise is demonstrated by means of simulations using stationary as well as speech signals.
Hippocampal long‐term depression as an index of spatial working memory

Long‐term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, is a cellular model for the neural basis of learning and memory, but few studies have investigated the contribution of long‐term depression (LTD), a counterpart of LTP. To address the possible relationship between hippocampal LTD and spatial performance, the spatial cognitive ability of a rat was assessed in a spontaneous alternation test and, thereafter, LTD in response to low‐frequency burst stimulation (LFBS) was monitored in the dentate gyrus of the same rat under anaesthesia. To enhance a divergence in the ability for spatial performance, some of the animals received fimbria–fornix (FF) transection 14 days before the experiments. LTD was reliably induced by application of LFBS to the medial perforant path of intact rats, while no apparent LTD was elicited in rats with FF lesions. The behavioural parameters of spatial memory showed a significant correlation with the magnitude of LTD. We found no evidence that the cognitive ability correlated with other electrophysiological parameters, e.g. basal synaptic responses, stimulus intensity to produce half‐maximal responses, paired‐pulse facilitation or paired‐pulse depression. These results suggest that the magnitude of LTD in the dentate gyrus serves as a reliable index of spatial cognitive ability, providing insights into the functional significance of hippocampal LTD.
Anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis Load Is Similar in Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women Reporting Anal Sex

Background Anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) is frequently diagnosed in men who have sex with men (MSM) and in women, but it is unknown whether these infections are comparable in clinical impact and transmission potential. Quantifying bacterial load and identifying determinants associated with high bacterial load could provide more insight. Methods We selected a convenience sample of MSM who reported anal sex (n = 90) and women with concurrent urogenital/anorectal chlamydia who reported anal sex (n = 51) or did not report anal sex (n = 61) from the South Limburg Public Health Service’s STI unit. Bacterial load (Chlamydia/ml) was quantified for all samples and log transformed for analyses. Samples with an unquantifiable human leukocyte antigen (n = 9) were excluded from analyses, as they were deemed inadequately sampled. Results The mean log anorectal chlamydia load (3.50) was similar for MSM and women who reported having anal sex (3.80, P = 0.21). The anorectal chlamydia load was significantly higher in these groups than in women who did not report having anal sex (2.76, P = 0.001). Detectable load values ranged from 1.81–6.32 chlamydia/ml for MSM, 1.74–7.33 chlamydia/ml for women who reported having anal sex and 1.84–6.31 chlamydia/ml for women who did not report having anal sex. Symptoms and several other determinants were not associated with anorectal chlamydia load. Conclusions Women who did not report anal sex had lower anorectal loads, but they were within a similar range to the other two groups. Anorectal chlamydia load was comparable between MSM and women who reported anal sex, suggesting similar transmission potential.
Experimental Assessment of the Roles of Linear Plasmids lp25 and lp28-1 of Borrelia burgdorferi throughout the Infectious Cycle

ABSTRACT Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease in humans, has an unusual genome composed of a linear chromosome and up to 21 extrachromosomal elements. Experimental data suggest that two of these elements, linear plasmids lp25 and lp28-1, play essential roles for infectivity in mice. In this study, we prove the essential natures of these two plasmids by selectively displacing lp25 or lp28-1 in an infectious wild-type clone with incompatible shuttle vectors derived from the native plasmids, rendering the respective transformants noninfectious to mice. Conversely, restoration of plasmid lp25 or lp28-1 in noninfectious clones that naturally lack the corresponding plasmid reestablished infectivity in mice. This approach establishes the ability to manipulate the plasmid content of strains by eliminating or introducing entire plasmids in B. burgdorferi and will be valuable in assessing the roles of plasmids even in unsequenced B. burgdorferi strains.
Contesting and Resisting Environmental Gentrification: Responses to New Paradoxes and Challenges for Urban Environmental Justice

This paper analyzes environmental gentrification (EG), or the exclusion, marginalization, and displacement of long-term residents associated with sustainability planning or green developments and amenities, such as smart growth, public park renovations, and healthy food stores. We consider how activists, communities, and urban planners address these unjust processes and outcomes associated with EG and how these strategies compare to those used by environmental justice (EJ) activists. Our evaluation of relevant literature indicates several similarities with EJ resistance tactics, including collective neighborhood action, community organizing, and direct tactics. We also identify several different strategies enabled by certain urban environmental conditions, such as leveraging environmental policies and taking an active role in neighborhood redevelopment planning processes, collaborating with ‘gentrifiers,’ and creating complementary policies to manage displacement and exclusion. Our analysis indicates a need for more research on how activists can better assert the social and political dimensions of sustainability and their right to the city, and how green and sustainable cities can achieve justice and equity.
Using Greenfoot and a Moon Scenario to teach Java programming in CS1

In this paper we describe a novel concept for teaching introductory Java programming to post-secondary students in their first year of higher education. The concept includes labs and a capstone project all linked together and all utilizing the Java-based Greenfoot programming environment. The concept is designed with two goals in mind: to improve the students experience in their first computer programming course by making it more entertaining; and to increase retention in the diploma or degree programs by peaking the student's interest early in their studies. This is accomplished through a Going to the Moon scenario we have designed and implemented into the Greenfoot programming environment.
Influence of the cosmological expansion on small systems

The effect of the large-scale cosmological expansion on small systems is studied in the light of modern cosmological models of large-scale structure. We identify certain assumptions of earlier works which render them unrealistic regarding these cosmological models. The question is reanalyzed by dropping these assumptions to conclude that a given small system can experience either an expansion or a contraction of cosmological origin.
Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Mediated Immunoregulation: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells found in connective tissues that can differentiate into bone, cartilage, and adipose tissue. Interestingly, they can regulate immune responses in a paracrine way and allogeneic MSCs do not elicit immune response. These properties have encouraged a number of clinical trials in a broad range of regenerative therapies. Although these trials were first focused on their differentiation properties, in the last years, the immunosuppressive features have gained most of the attention. In this review, we will summarize the up-to-date knowledge about the immunosuppressive mechanisms of MSCs in vivo and in vitro and the most promising approaches in clinical investigation.
Noise suppression in training data for improving generalization

Multilayer feedforward neural networks are trained using the error backpropagation (BP) algorithm. This algorithm minimizes the error between outputs of a neural network (NN) and training data. Hence, in the case of noisy training data, a trained network memorizes noisy outputs for given inputs. Such learning is called rote memorization learning (RML). In this paper we propose error correcting memorization learning (CML). It can suppress noise in training data. In order to evaluate generalization ability of CML, it is compared with the projection learning (PL) criterion. It is theoretically proved that although CML merely suppresses noise in training data, it provides the same generalization as PL under some necessary and sufficient condition.