Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of the Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome 1 Gene in Familial and Sporadic Prostate Cancer

The Nijmegen breakage syndrome 1 (NBS1) gene, which participates in DNA double strand break repair, has been postulated to be a susceptibility factor for a number of cancers, including prostate cancer. Numerous mutations have been identified in NBS1, including the founder mutation 657del5. In this study, a number of analyses were done to determine whether mutations in NBS1 are associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer. The frequency of the 657del5 mutation in both familial prostate cancer cases (1,819 affected men among 909 families) and sporadic prostate cancer cases (1,218 affected men) collected from five centers participating in the International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics were compared with that found in 697 normal controls. Seven individuals were identified to carry the mutation among the 3,037 cases screened: four in the familial group (three from one family and one from another) and three in the sporadic cases. The carrier frequency was 0.22% (2 of 909) for the probands and 0.25% (3 of 1,218) for the sporadic cases of prostate cancer. The 657del5 mutation was not detected in either the 293 unaffected members of the prostate cancer families or in the 697 control samples tested. The entire NBS1 gene was also sequenced in 20 of the youngest affected individuals from the Finnish group of familial cases to identify the presence of possible mutations in this high-risk group. One rare (D95N) and one common (E185Q) missense alteration was identified. More detailed analyses of the E185Q polymorphism, along with a third rare variant (R215W), failed to show an association with prostate cancer. Because the 657del5 mutation was absent from the control population, we are unable to determine if this alteration predisposes to prostate cancer. However, our data does suggest that mutations within NBS1, and in particular, 657del5, do not significantly contribute to the overall prostate cancer burden within our patient samples. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(5):935–8)
Prediction of failure initiation in polypropylene with glass beads

The effect of glass bead content and residual stresses on failure initiation in isotactic polypropylene composites has been investigated by finite element analysis for the cases of interfacial debonding, plastic yielding, and cavitation. Residual thermal stresses are demonstrated to have a large effect on global failure initiation stress. Yielding and cavitation occur at higher global stresses than debonding. Modeling results, as well as previous experimental data, support debonding as the initial failure mechanism.
A Conceptual Framework of Analytical CRM in Big Data Age

Traditionally, analytical CRM (A-CRM) mainly relies on the use of structured data from a data warehouse where data are extracted, transformed, loaded from operation systems such as ERP, SCM or operational CRM. In recent years of rising big data trend, recognized shifts in E-commerce have taken place from internet-enable commerce (I-commerce), to mobile commerce (M-commerce), and now to ubiquitous commerce (U-commerce). As theses paradigm shifts imply that ubiquitous computing improves considerably companies’ access to information by allowing them to acquire information at anytime, anywhere. Give this changes on data collection shifts due to ubiquitous computing, however, current A-CRM framework in literature seems not too matched to this change. There is only a handful studies published on CRM in ubiquitous computing environment fitting what big data age requires. Consequently, the objective of this study attempts to propose a conceptual framework of A-CRM. Built by conceptual framework approach, this framework provides valuable directions, definitions and guidelines to practitioners preparing the successful big data marketing in big data age.
Effect of Loading Rate on Fracture Energy of High‐Strength Concrete

Abstract: This research deals with the sensitivity of several types of performance‐designed high‐strength concrete to the loading rate. Variations in the composition of the concrete produce the desired performance, for instance having null shrinkage or being able to be pumped at elevated heights without segregation, but they also produce variations in the fracture properties that are reported in this paper. We performed tests at five loading rates spanning six orders of magnitude in the displacement rate, from 1.74 × 10−5 mm s−1 to 17.4 mm s−1. Load‐displacement curves show that their peak is higher as the displacement rate increases, whereas the corresponding displacement is almost constant. Fracture energy also increases, but only for loading rates higher than 0.01 mm s−1. We use a formula based on a cohesive law with a viscous term [Anales de Mecánica de la Fractura 25 (2008) 793–797] to study the results. The correlation of the formula to the experimental results is good and it allows us to obtain the theoretical value for the fracture energy under strictly static conditions. In addition, both the fracture energy and the characteristic length of the concretes used in the study diminish as the compressive strength of their aggregates increases.
Wearable audio-feedback system for gait rehabilitation in subjects with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological disorder, associated with movement impairments. Recent studies have shown that auxiliary cueing in the form of video, audio, or haptic feedback can improve the gait performance in PD patients. We have developed a new platform to support gait rehabilitation in PD patients based on a wearable system able to produce real-time feedback to the user in a comfortable and effective way. Using a set of custom wearable inertial sensors, with advanced on-board processing capabilities, our application employs a smartphone to analyze in real time the patient's gait and to return an appropriate real time audio bio-feedback (ABF) message to the user to correct and improve gait performance. The main advantages of the system are mobility and unobtrusiveness: it can be comfortably worn and carried by the patient with no range restrictions, giving the possibility to monitor and rehabilitate the patient in real-life scenarios, both indoors and outdoors.
The role of prediction algorithms in the MavHome smart home architecture

The goal of the MavHome project is to create a home that acts as a rational agent. The agent seeks to maximize inhabitant comfort and minimize operation cost. To achieve these goals, the agent must be able to predict the mobility patterns and device usages of the inhabitants. We introduce the MavHome project and its underlying architecture. The role of prediction algorithms within the architecture is discussed, and three prediction algorithms that are central to home operations are presented. We demonstrate the effectiveness of these algorithms on synthetic and/or actual smart home data.
How hospitalized children and parents perceive nurses and hospital amenities

A qualitative descriptive design using an interview guide approach was adopted to investigate the patient-nurse relationship and paediatric ward amenities from the perspective of parents and hospitalised children in Poland. The study included 26 parents or caregivers of hospitalised children (between 13 months and 15 years old) and 22 children (from 10 to 16 years old). Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the recorded verbal data. Data from patients’ transcripts were coded and classified in terms of topics on the patient-nurse relationship and hospital care. We identified five main topics. 1. Nurse qualities; 2. Nurse verbal behaviour; 3. Nurse tone of voice and non-verbal behaviour; 4. Hospital amenities; 5. Parents’ expectations towards nurses. Our study contributes to increased understanding of parents’ and children’s experiences of paediatric hospital care.
Time-Delay Estimation of Chirp Signals in the Fractional Fourier Domain

A new time-delay estimator is presented in this paper. It is evaluated based on the delay property of the fractional Fourier transform with less computation and is suitable for chirp signals. The statistical analysis in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and estimation accuracy for this estimation is also studied. The proposed method for the time delay yields a variance which is theoretically equal to the Cramer-Rao lower bound. The validity of this estimation method is demonstrated via simulations.
Longitudinal study of a School based HIV/AIDS early prevention program for Mexican Adolescents

Abstract A quasi-experimental study is reported with four measurement occasions to evaluate longer-term effects of a life-skills and HIV/AIDS school-based prevention program. Trained teachers administered the program promoting precursors of safer sex behavior to 2064 Mexican high-school students at an age before most were sexually active. The variables included in the study (knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention, attitudes towards use of condoms, subjective norms, intentions to use condoms and life skills as decision-making skills, partner communication and individual responsibility) have been reported as precursors of protective sexual behavior. The results demonstrate the stability of training effects and a positive impact on these precursors over 1 year of follow-up.
Glutamine Transport and Mitochondrial Metabolism in Cancer Cell Growth

The concept that cancer is a metabolic disease is now well acknowledged: many cancer cell types rely mostly on glucose and some amino acids, especially glutamine for energy supply. These findings were corroborated by overexpression of plasma membrane nutrient transporters, such as the glucose transporters (GLUTs) and some amino acid transporters such as ASCT2, LAT1, and ATB0,+, which became promising targets for pharmacological intervention. On the basis of their sodium-dependent transport modes, ASCT2 and ATB0+ have the capacity to sustain glutamine need of cancer cells; while LAT1, which is sodium independent will have the role of providing cancer cells with some amino acids with plausible signaling roles. According to the metabolic reprogramming of many types of cancer cells, glucose is mainly catabolized by aerobic glycolysis in tumors, while the fate of Glutamine is completed at mitochondrial level where the enzyme Glutaminase converts Glutamine to Glutamate. Glutamine rewiring in cancer cells is heterogeneous. For example, Glutamate is converted to α-Ketoglutarate giving rise to a truncated form of Krebs cycle. This reprogrammed pathway leads to the production of ATP mainly at substrate level and regeneration of reducing equivalents needed for cells growth, redox balance, and metabolic energy. Few studies on hypothetical mitochondrial transporter for Glutamine are reported and indirect evidences suggested its presence. Pharmacological compounds able to inhibit Glutamine metabolism may represent novel drugs for cancer treatments. Interestingly, well acknowledged targets for drugs are the Glutamine transporters of plasma membrane and the key enzyme Glutaminase.
On the Partitioning of Syntax and Semantics For Hybrid Systems Tools

Interchange formats are notoriously difficult to finish. That is, once one is developed, it is highly nontrivial to prove (or disprove) generality, and difficult at best to gain acceptance from all major players in the application domain. This paper addresses such a problem for hybrid systems, but not from the perspective of a tool interchange format, but rather that of tool availability in a toolbox. Through the paper we explain why we think this is a good approach for hybrid systems, and we also analyze the domain of hybrid systems to discern the semantic partitions that can be formed to yield a classification of tools based on their semantics. These discoveries give us the foundation upon which to build semantic capabilities, and to guarantee operational interaction between tools based on matched operational semantics.
Preservativity logic: An analogue of interpretability logic for constructive theories

In this paper we study the modal behavior of Σ‐preservativity, an extension of provability which is equivalent to interpretability for classical superarithmetical theories. We explain the connection between the principles of this logic and some well‐known properties of HA, like the disjunction property and its admissible rules. We show that the intuitionistic modal logic given by the preservativity principles of HA known so far, is complete with respect to a certain class of frames.
Search Based Testing of Embedded Systems Implemented in IEC 61131-3: An Industrial Case Study

This paper presents a case study of search-based test generation for embedded system software units developed using the Function Block Diagrams (FBDs), a graphical language in the IEC 61131-3 standard aimed at programmable logic controllers (PLCs). We consider 279 different components from the train control software developed by Bombardier Transportation, a major rail vehicle manufacturer. The software is compiled into C code with a particular structure. We use a modified hill climbing algorithm for generating test data to maximize MC/DC coverage for assignments with logical expressions in the C code, while retaining the semantics of the original FBD implementation. An experimental evaluation for comparing the effectiveness (coverage rate) and the efficiency (required number of executions) of hill climbing algorithm with random testing is presented. The results show that random testing performs well for most units under test, while around 30% of the artifacts significantly benefit from the hill climbing algorithm. Structural properties of the units that affect the performance of hill climbing and random testing are also discussed.
Assessment and Revision of Clinical Pharmacy Practice Internet Web Sites

Background: Health care professionals, trainees, and patients use the Internet extensively. Editable Web sites may contain inaccurate, incomplete, and/or outdated information that may mislead the public’s perception of the topic. Objective: To evaluate the editable, online descriptions of clinical pharmacy and pharmacist and attempt to improve their accuracy. Methods: The authors identified key areas within clinical pharmacy to evaluate for accuracy and appropriateness on the Internet. Current descriptions that were reviewed on public domain Web sites included: (1) clinical pharmacy and the clinical pharmacist, (2) pharmacy education, (3) clinical pharmacy and development and provision for reimbursement, (4) clinical pharmacists and advanced specialty certifications/training opportunities, (5) pharmacists and advocacy, and (6) clinical pharmacists and interdisciplinary/interprofessional content. The authors assessed each content area to determine accuracy and prioritized the need for updating, when applicable, to achieve consistency in descriptions and relevancy. The authors found that Wikipedia, a public domain that allows users to update, was consistently the most common Web site produced in search results. Results: The authors’ evaluation resulted in the creation or revision of 14 Wikipedia Web pages. However, rejection of 3 proposed newly created Web pages affected the authors’ ability to address identified content areas with deficiencies and/or inaccuracies. Conclusions: Through assessing and updating editable Web sites, the authors strengthened the online representation of clinical pharmacy in a clear, cohesive, and accurate manner. However, ongoing assessments of the Internet are continually needed to ensure accuracy and appropriateness.
Draft 1 Role of STARD 4 and NPC 1 in intracellular sterol transport

Journal: Biochemistry and Cell Biology Manuscript ID bcb-2015-0154.R1 Manuscript Type: Invited Review Date Submitted by the Author: 19-Jan-2016 Complete List of Authors: Maxfield, Frederick; Weill Cornell Medical College, Biochemistry Iaea, David; Weill Cornell Medical College, Pipalia, Nina; Weill Cornell Medical College, Biochemistry Keyword: Cholesterol, STARD4, lipoproteins, Niemann-Pick C, lipid transport proteins
An Equation-Based Circuit Model and Its Generation Tool for 3-D IC Power Delivery Networks With an Emphasis on Coupling Effect

In this paper, a methodology to characterize the electrical behaviors of power delivery networks (PDNs) in 3-D integrated circuits is presented. An automation tool is developed to effectively construct SPICE compatible equivalent circuit models of target PDNs. The core of the tool consists of three equation-based algorithms, which not only model the planar PDN and through-silicon vias in detail, but also the interactions between them through the silicon surface. Simulation results from the proposed SPICE model are in close agreement with the ones obtained from the full-wave simulator up to 40 GHz with more than 100 times speedup.
Polarized Trafficking of AQP2 Revealed in Three Dimensional Epithelial Culture

In renal collecting duct (CD) principal cells (PCs), vasopressin (VP) acts through its receptor, V2R, to increase intracellular cAMP leading to phosphorylation and apical membrane accumulation of the water channel aquaporin 2 (AQP2). The trafficking and function of basolaterally located AQP2 is, however, poorly understood. Here we report the successful application of a 3-dimensional Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial model to study polarized AQP2 trafficking. This model recapitulates the luminal architecture of the CD and bi-polarized distribution of AQP2 as seen in kidney. Without stimulation, AQP2 is located in the subapical and basolateral regions. Treatment with VP, forskolin (FK), or 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)-2′-O-methyladenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate monosodium hydrate (CPT-cAMP) leads to translocation of cytosolic AQP2 to the apical membrane, but not to the basolateral membrane. Treating cells with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (mβCD) to acutely block endocytosis causes accumulation of AQP2 on the basolateral membrane, but not on the apical membrane. Our data suggest that AQP2 may traffic differently at the apical and basolateral domains in this 3D epithelial model. In addition, application of a panel of phosphorylation specific AQP2 antibodies reveals the polarized, subcellular localization of differentially phosphorylated AQP2 at S256, S261, S264 and S269 in the 3D culture model, which is consistent with observations made in the CDs of VP treated animals, suggesting the preservation of phosphorylation dependent regulatory mechanism of AQP2 trafficking in this model. Therefore we have established a 3D culture model for the study of trafficking and regulation of both the apical and basolaterally targeted AQP2. The new model will enable further characterization of the complex mechanism regulating bi-polarized trafficking of AQP2 in vitro.
Shotgun Protein Sequencing

Despite significant advances in the identification of known proteins, the analysis of unknown proteins by MS/MS still remains a challenging open problem. Although Klaus Biemann recognized the potential of MS/MS for sequencing of unknown proteins in the 1980s, low throughput Edman degradation followed by cloning still remains the main method to sequence unknown proteins. The automated interpretation of MS/MS spectra has been limited by a focus on individual spectra and has not capitalized on the information contained in spectra of overlapping peptides. Indeed the powerful shotgun DNA sequencing strategies have not been extended to automated protein sequencing. We demonstrate, for the first time, the feasibility of automated shotgun protein sequencing of protein mixtures by utilizing MS/MS spectra of overlapping and possibly modified peptides generated via multiple proteases of different specificities. We validate this approach by generating highly accurate de novo reconstructions of multiple regions of various proteins in western diamondback rattlesnake venom. We further argue that shotgun protein sequencing has the potential to overcome the limitations of current protein sequencing approaches and thus catalyze the otherwise impractical applications of proteomics methodologies in studies of unknown proteins.
Nutrition of Preterm Infants After Hospital Discharge

Growth failure in preterm infants remains extremely common despite advances in neonatal care. Many, or even a majority, leave the hospital with weights below the 10th centile for age. Because of this, the possibility of nutritional interventions to improve postdischarge growth has been considered. A variety of interventions have been tested in randomized controlled trials in formula-fed infants. Although the studies vary in design and in the intervention used, on balance the evidence supports the use of fortified formulas in formula-fed preterm infants after hospital discharge. Specially designed postdischarge formulas and preterm infant formulas seem equally efficacious. The situation for infants fed human milk is much less clear. Although the postdischarge growth in human milk–fed infants is not as good as in formula-fed infants, no interventions have been examined in human milk–fed infants in a randomized study, to our knowledge. We are unaware of any evidence that any of the commonly proposed nutritional interventions in human milk–fed infants after hospital discharge are either safe or efficacious. In the absence of such evidence, it seems prudent to avoid untested interventions in this population and to concentrate our efforts on the encouragement of breast-feeding after hospital discharge.
A Velocity k‐Space Analysis of Flow Effects in Echo‐Planar and Spiral Imaging

A velocity k‐space formalism facilitates the analysis of flow effects for imaging sequences involving time‐varying gradients such as echo‐planar and spiral. For each sequence, the velocity k‐space trajectory can be represented by kv (k)r; that is, its velocity‐frequency (kr) position as a function of spatial‐frequency (kr) position. In an echo‐planar sequence, kr is discontinuous and asymmetric. However, in a spiral sequence, kr is smoothly varying, circularly symmetric, and small near the kr origin. To compare the effects of these trajectory differences, simulated images were generated by computing the k‐space values for an in‐plane vessel with parabolic flow. Whereas the resulting echo‐planar images demonstrate distortions and ghosting that depend on the vessel orientation, the spiral images exhibit minimal artifacts.
CRACK GROWTH MORPHOLOGY AND MICROSTRUCTURAL CHANGES IN 316 STAINLESS STEEL UNDER CREEP‐FATIGUE CYCLING

— A study into microstructural effects and crack growth behaviour of AISI type 316 stainless steel under creep-fatigue conditions at 550°C within the high strain ranges of 0.9–2.5%, including a 60min hold time, was undertaken on a high-temperature reverse-bending rig. Throughout the tests, surface cracks on both the tensile-hold and the compressive-hold sides were monitored by means of a plastic-strip replication technique. Additional investigations were conducted on failed specimens to examine the crack morphology in the depth direction, and to examine the function of oxidation; also to study changes of fracture surface morphology, changes in dislocation structures and precipitate configurations corresponding to the different strain ranges. These detailed analyses revealed that the predominantly intergranular long cracks on the tensile-hold side and transgranular short cracks on the compressive-hold side are dominant aspects of the investigation. The dislocation structures under creep-fatigue conditions are strain-range dependent, with a clearly defined cell structure at the higher strain ranges and dense dislocation tangles at lower strain ranges. The large reduction in creep-fatigue endurance can be attributed to early crack growth and grain boundary cracking caused by stress relaxation, oxidation, precipitation and, most importantly, the coalescence of the many minor surface short cracks.