Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlation between the promoter basal core and precore mutations and HBsAg quantification in French blood donors infected with hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) basal core promoter (BCP) and precore (PC) mutations, HBV viral load and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) quantitation were screened to assess correlations between these HBV markers in asymptomatic chronic hepatitis B carriers in France. From January 2006 to July 2007, 200 sera were collected from patients who were discovered to be HBsAg‐positive when they volunteered to give blood. Direct sequencing of precore/core gene was used to detect A1762T/G1764A mutations in the BCP and G1896A in the PC region. HBV viral load and HBsAg were quantified with two commercials assays. The prevalence of the BCP and PC mixed/mutants were 37% and 60% respectively (P = 0.0001). HBV DNA level and HBsAg titer were significantly lower in subjects harboring the mixed/mutant PC virus compared to those infected by the wild phenotype. No significant difference was observed in HBV viral loads of blood donors infected by wild or mixed/mutant BCP viruses. Mutant or mixed PC virus was associated with male gender, HBeAb‐positive status and HBV/D and HBV/E genotypes. BCP mutations were associated with age, and both HBV/A‐HBV/E genotypes.The genetic properties of HBV in this cohort showed that most of the blood donors had a negative HBeAg serological status and harbored the PC mutant phenotype in combination with low levels of both HBV DNA and HBsAg. As the study was conducted in healthy subjects who could be considered as asmptomatic carriers, these results suggest a possible protective effect of the G1896A mutation against severe liver lesions. J. Med. Virol. 87:529–535, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nck Recruitment to the TCR Required for ZAP70 Activation during Thymic Development

The adaptor protein Nck is inducibly recruited through its SH3.1 domain to a proline-rich sequence (PRS) in CD3ε after TCR engagement. However, experiments with a knockin mutant bearing an 8-aa replacement of the PRS have indicated that Nck binding to the TCR is constitutive, and that it promotes the degradation of the TCR in preselection double-positive (DP) CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. To clarify these discrepancies, we have generated a new knockin mouse line (KI-PRS) bearing a conservative mutation in the PRS resulting from the replacement of the two central prolines. Thymocytes of KI-PRS mice are partly arrested at each step at which pre-TCR or TCR signaling is required. The mutation prevents the trigger-dependent inducible recruitment of endogenous Nck to the TCR but does not impair TCR degradation. However, KI-PRS preselection DP thymocytes show impaired tyrosine phosphorylation of CD3ζ, as well as impaired recruitment of ZAP70 to the TCR and impaired ZAP70 activation. Our results indicate that Nck is recruited to the TCR in an inducible manner in DP thymocytes, and that this recruitment is required for the activation of early TCR-dependent events. Differences in the extent of PRS mutation could explain the phenotypic differences in both knockin mice.
Successful Enterprise Resource Planning for Large Chinese Construction Companies

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is successfully implemented in the manufacturing industry. It provides efficient sharing of business information across internal departments, external vendors and suppliers. In the past few years, a lot of researchers attempted to extend the application of ERP to other business sectors like the construction industry, and recommended ways to implement the system successfully. Nevertheless, much of the studies were related to the desired system features only. None of them investigated the impact of human-related factors especially when applying the system in Chinese enterprises. This paper examines the impact of human-related and system-related factors affecting the successful implementation of an ERP system in a large Chinese construction company. Results show that human-related factors are more important. Administrators and users of the system were interviewed to identify methods to deal with the cultural clash embedded in ERP system and Chinese business culture.
Generation of PGS/PCL Blend Nanofibrous Scaffolds Mimicking Corneal Stroma Structure

Morphological studies of aligned nanofibers scaffolds made of poly(glycerol sebacate)(PGS)/ poly(e-caprolactone)(PCL) blends for application as corneal tissue scaffolds are presented. Parallel conductive bars are used as ground electrode to generate unidirectional nanofibers. Scaffolds have fibers diameter in the range of 550‐300nm. The structural stability and wettability, especially the in vitro degradation rate, of the electrospun scaffolds can be controlled by regulating the blended ratio of the polymers. The results indicate that PGS/PCL nanofiber scaffolds can be considered as ideal candidates for corneal tissue engineering scaffolds. The particular motivation for this work is to engineer a tissue-like construct that will mimic the stromal tissue of the cornea.
Constructal Design of Y-Shaped Conductive Pathways for Cooling a Heat-Generating Body

This paper applies constructal design to obtain numerically the configuration that facilitates the access of the heat that flows through Y-shaped pathways of a high-conductivity material embedded within a square-shaped heat-generating medium of low-conductivity to cooling this finite-size volume. The objective is to minimize the maximal excess of temperature of the whole system, i.e., the hot spots, independent of where they are located. The total volume and the volume of the material of high thermal conductivity are fixed. Results show that there is no universal optimal geometry for the Y-shaped pathways for every value of high conductivity investigated here. For small values of high thermal conductivity material the best shape presented a well defined format of Y. However, for larger values of high thermal conductivity the best geometry tends to a V-shaped (i.e., the length of stem is suppressed and the bifurcated branches penetrates deeply the heat-generating body towards the superior corners). A comparison between the Y-shaped pathway configuration with a simpler I-shaped blade and with X-shaped configuration was also performed. For constant values of area fraction occupied with a high-conductivity material and the ratio between the high thermal conductivity material and low conductivity of the heat-generating body (φ = 0.1 and = 100) the Y-shaped pathways performed 46% and 13% better when compared to I-shaped and X-shaped pathway configuration, respectively. The best thermal performance is obtained when the highest temperatures (hot spots) are better distributed in the temperature field, i.e., according to the constructal principle of optimal distribution of imperfections.
A Novel Approach for Measuring Electrical Impedance Tomography for Local Tissue with Artificial Intelligent Algorithm

This paper proposes a novel approach for measuring Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) of a living tissue in a human body. EIT is a non-invasive technique to measure two or three-dimensional impedance for medical diagnosis involving several diseases. To measure the impedance value electrodes are connected to the skin of the patient and an image of the conductivity or permittivity of living tissue is deduced from surface electrodes. The determination of local impedance parameters can be carried out using an equivalent circuit model. However, the estimation of inner tissue impedance distribution using impedance measurements on a global tissue from various directions is an inverse problem. Hence it is necessary to solve the inverse problem of calculating mathematical values for current and potential from conducting surfaces. This paper proposes a novel algorithm that can be successfully used for estimating parameters. The proposed novel hybrid model is a combination of an artificial intelligence based gradient free optimization technique and numerical integration. This ameliorates the achievement of spatial resolution of equivalent circuit model to the closest accuracy. We address the issue of initial parameter estimation and spatial resolution accuracy of an electrode structure by using an arrangement called “divided electrode” for measurement of bio-impedance in a cross section of a local tissue. A. S. Pandya, A. Arimoto, Ankur Agarwal & Y. Kinouchi International Journal of Biometrics and Bioinformatics, (IJBB), Volume (3): Issue (5) 67
Gradient Polymer Layers by “Grafting To” Approach

A new method for the preparation of ultrathin tethered polymer layers with gradually changing thickness was developed utilizing the grafting to approach. The grafting procedure allowed translation of the tempermature gradient created in a heating stage into a gradient of polymer chain grafting density. The gradient tethered polymer layers demonstrated gradual changes in wetting properties and morphology transition from pinned micelles to a brush regime along the substrate.
A scheduling algorithm for revenue maximisation for cluster-based Internet services

This paper proposes a new priority scheduling algorithm to maximise site revenue of session-based multi-tier Internet services in a multicluster environment. This research is part of a larger study in support of large-scale online trading systems and, as a result, this case study is chosen as a demonstrator for the techniques presented in this paper. The trading system is partitioned into a number of operations (trade, query etc.), which by their very nature are divided into orders of importance in terms of transactional response. The algorithm in this paper is based on Mean Value Analysis (MVA), which is used for the calculation of performance metrics concerning the queuing networks and workload allocation decision support in the multicluster. In addition to this, the priority assignment is based on combination of three attributes of any given request: (i) the sender class; (ii) the operation and, (Hi) the status of the user's portfolio (i.e.number of items in the user's portfolio). A discrete event simulator has been developed to evaluate the performance of the priority scheduling scheme with different combinations of request attributes in various experimental scenarios. Our study aims to develop a dynamic scheduling policy, which takes into account real-time system parameters and optimises the site revenue. Although our priority scheduling algorithm is designed for an online trading system, it can be applied to most e-Commerce systems in which differentiated services are required.
Extended Switched-Boost DC-DC Converters Adopting Switched-Capacitor/Switched-Inductor Cells for High Step-up Conversion

This paper proposes a family of switched-boost dc–dc converters for the high stepup voltage conversion applications, such as renewable energy power generation, uninterruptible power supply, and automobile high-intensity discharge headlamps. Compared with other dc–dc converters, the proposed switched-boost converter, which combines the traditional switched-boost network with the switched-capacitor/switched-inductor cells, has the following features: higher output voltage gain, a fewer passive components such as inductors and capacitors, and lower voltage stress across the output diode and power switches. Another advantage of the proposed topology is its expandability. If a higher voltage conversion ratio is required, additional cells can be easily cascaded by adding one inductor and three diodes. The structure, operating principle analysis, parameter design, and comparison with other dc–dc converters are also analyzed. Finally, both simulations and experimental results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter.
Unexpected nanoscale phase separation in sputterdeposited Ni-25 at.%Al thin films

Thin films of nominal composition Ni-25at. %Al, sputter deposited from a target of the intermetallic compound Ni 3 Al on unheated substrates, exhibit an unexpected phase separation, in contrast with other intermetallic-forming systems such as Ti-Al which are deposited as compositionally homogeneous amorphous films under similar conditions. Precipitates of a novel tetragonal phase, a few nanometres in size, were formed in the matrix consisting of a fcc Ni-rich Ni(Al) phase and a hcp Ni-rich Ni(Al) phase. Ni-Al films of the same composition deposited on heated substrates exhibited the formation of a single, chemically long-range-ordered Ni 3 Al phase with the L1 2 structure, the thermodynamically stable phase for this composition.
Cellulose microfibrils from potato tuber cells: Processing and characterization of starch–cellulose microfibril composites

The ultrastructure and morphology of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber cells were investigated by optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopies. After removal of starch granules, pectins and hemicelluloses were solubilized under alkaline conditions. The alkaline insoluble residue consisted mainly of primary cell wall cellulose, which can be disintegrated under shearing to produce a homogenized microfibril suspension, as reported in a previous work.40 Composite materials were processed from this potato cellulose microfibril suspension, gelatinized potato starch as a matrix and glycerol as a plasticizer. After blending and casting, films were obtained by water evaporation. The mechanical properties and water absorption behavior of the resulting films were investigated, and differences were observed depending on the glycerol, cellulose microfibrils, and relative humidity content. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 2080–2092, 2000
Interneurons and oligodendrocyte progenitors form a structured synaptic network in the developing neocortex

NG2 cells, oligodendrocyte progenitors, receive a major synaptic input from interneurons in the developing neocortex. It is presumed that these precursors integrate cortical networks where they act as sensors of neuronal activity. We show that NG2 cells of the developing somatosensory cortex form a transient and structured synaptic network with interneurons that follows its own rules of connectivity. Fast-spiking interneurons, highly connected to NG2 cells, target proximal subcellular domains containing GABAA receptors with γ2 subunits. Conversely, non-fast-spiking interneurons, poorly connected with these progenitors, target distal sites lacking this subunit. In the network, interneuron-NG2 cell connectivity maps exhibit a local spatial arrangement reflecting innervation only by the nearest interneurons. This microcircuit architecture shows a connectivity peak at PN10, coinciding with a switch to massive oligodendrocyte differentiation. Hence, GABAergic innervation of NG2 cells is temporally and spatially regulated from the subcellular to the network level in coordination with the onset of oligodendrogenesis. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.06953. 001
Nanomechanics and the Viscoelastic Behavior of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymers

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ix LIST OF FIGURES xiii LIST OF TABLES xix CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND 8 Structure of Carbon Nanotubes 11 Methods of Nanotube Fabrication 17 Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes 22 Modulus 22 Strength 24 Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymers 28 Issues related to the fabrication of NRPs 28 Nanotube dispersion with the polymer 29 Nanotube orientation 29 Load transfer across the nanotube-polymer interface 31 Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymers 35 Elastic behavior 35 Viscoelastic behavior 41 Other properties 46
Two-Mode Models of Self-Regulation as a Tool for Conceptualizing Effects of the Serotonin System in Normal Behavior and Diverse Disorders

The serotonin system is a collection of neural pathways whose overall level of functioning (from low to high) relates to diverse kinds of psychological and behavioral variability. Individual differences in serotonergic function are important both in personality and in vulnerability to psychological disorders. These disorders range widely—from impulsive aggression to depression. One way to understand such diverse reflections of differences in serotonergic function is by viewing serotonergic function through the lens of two-mode (or dual-process) models of self-regulation. Such theories posit a lower-order system that responds quickly to associative cues of the moment and a higher-order system that responds reflectively and planfully. Low serotonergic function appears to enhance influence of the lower-order system. This often yields impulsive reactivity. Why, then, does low serotonergic function also relate to depression, which is characterized by lethargy and unresponsiveness? The answer must be that ascendance of the lower system interacts with other factors. One hypothesis is that low serotonergic function plus high sensitivity to incentives yields vulnerability to impulsive approach, whereas low serotonergic function plus low incentive sensitivity yields vulnerability to depression. Conceptualizing serotonergic function this way helps integrate information pertaining to very different disorders into a coherent picture.
Unsupervised object category discovery via information bottleneck method

We present a novel approach to automatically discover object categories from a collection of unlabeled images. This is achieved by the Information Bottleneck method, which finds the optimal partitioning of the image collection by maximally preserving the relevant information with respect to the latent semantic residing in the image contents. In this method, the images are modeled by the Bag-of-Words representation, which naturally transforms each image into a visual document composed of visual words. Then the sIB algorithm is adopted to learn the object patterns by maximizing the semantic correlations between the images and their constructive visual words. Extensive experimental results on 15 benchmark image datasets show that the Information Bottleneck method is a promising technique for discovering the hidden semantic of images, and is superior to the state-of-the-art unsupervised object category discovery methods.
Traffic-and-interference aware base station switching for green cellular networks

Base station (BS) sleeping in cellular networks has emerged as a promising solution for more energy efficient communications, concomitant with lowering the network carbon footprint. Switching off specific BS entirely however, can lead to coverage holes and severe performance degradation. To avoid coverage holes, the transmit power of neighbouring BS must be commensurately increased, which can cause higher interference to other cell users. Recently a BS-RS (relay station) switching model has been proposed where the BS changes operating mode to a RS during off-peak periods rather than being completely turned off. This paper presents a traffic-aware and traffic-and-interference aware switching strategy for both the BS sleeping and BS-RS switching paradigms, which dynamically establishes the conditions for a BS to alter its working mode. The switching is based upon a dynamic traffic threshold allied with the received BS interference level. Analysis corroborates both new algorithms significantly improve network energy efficiency, while upholding the requisite quality of service provision.
Association of the CHRNA5-A3-B4 Gene Cluster With Heaviness of Smoking: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Variation in the CHRNA5-A3-B4 gene cluster is a promising candidate region for smoking behavior and has been linked to multiple smoking-related phenotypes (e.g., nicotine dependence) and diseases (e.g., lung cancer). Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs16969968 in CHRNA5 and rs1051730 in CHRNA3, have generated particular interest. Methods: We evaluated the published evidence for association between rs16969968 (k = 27 samples) and rs1051730 (k = 44 samples) SNPs with heaviness of smoking using meta-analytic techniques. We explored which SNP provided a stronger genetic signal and investigated study-level characteristics (i.e., ancestry, disease state) to establish whether the strength of association differed across populations. We additionally tested for small study bias and explored the impact of year of publication. Results and Conclusions: Meta-analysis indicated compelling evidence of an association between the rs1051730/rs16966968 variants and daily cigarette consumption (fixed effects: B = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.77, 1.06, p < .001; random effects: B = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.81, 1.22, p < .001), equivalent to a per-allele effect of approximately 1 cigarette/day. SNP rs1051730 was found to provide a stronger signal than rs16966968 in stratified analyses (pdiff = .028), although this difference was only qualitatively observed in the subset of samples that provided data on both SNPs. While the functional relevance of rs1051730 is unknown, it may be a strong tagging SNP for functional haplotypes in this region.
"was That Your Mother on the Phone?": Classifying Interpersonal Relationships between Dialog Participants with Lexical and Acoustic Properties

Understanding interpersonal relationships provides important context in understanding spoken communication. In addition to increasing knowledge of the social indicators in spoken communication, the automatic recognition of interpersonal relationships has an application in providing structure to social networks. This paper presents exploratory work on the challenging problem of distinguishing family from friends in spontaneous dialogs drawn from the CALLHOME English corpus. We find both acoustic/prosodic and lexical features useful in classifying these relationships. In binary classification experiments, we achieve accuracy of 10.71% absolute improvement over chance (50%) assignment. Index Terms: speech understanding, interpersonal relationships, information extraction