Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[The DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-ΚB in patients with severe pneumonia and the intervention effects of Xuebijing injection].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of nuclear factor-ΚB (NF-ΚB) in severe pneumonia and observe the effects of Xuebijing injection in its treatment. METHODS Thirty hospitalized patients with severe pneumonia were divided into the routine therapy group (n=14) and Xuebijing therapy group (n=16) in whom with Xuebijing injection 100 ml was given once daily for 7 days besides routine therapies, according to the random numeral. The DNA binding activity of NF-ΚB in human monocytes was detected before and 3 days and 7 days after administration, the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined, and the changes in coagulatory and fibrinolytic parameters were assayed at the same time. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluationII (APACHEII) score was also recorded. Ten healthy volunteers served as the healthy control group. RESULTS The DNA binding activities of NF-ΚB, the contents of TNF-α, PCT, CRP, fibrinogen (Fib), D-dimer in hospitalized subjects with severe pneumonia were higher before treatment than those in healthy control group, while the prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) were significantly lower (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the routine therapy group, the DNA binding activity of NF-ΚB (grey level) at the 7 days (66.60±36.23 vs. 79.90±39.11) was notably decreased in Xuebijing therapy group; the levels of TNF-α (ng/L, 25.81±11.67 vs. 33.78±13.36), PCT (μg/L, 1.91±1.09 vs. 2.96±1.80), CRP (mg/L, 20.01±7.21 vs. 26.59±10.66), Fib (g/L, 4.02±1.26 vs. 5.09±1.43), D-dimer (mg/L, 0.24±0.06 vs. 0.31±0.11) were significantly lower in Xuebijing therapy group, and APACHEII score (15.81±3.47 vs. 17.93±3.05) was obviously lowered (all P<0.05). There was statistical difference of the TT (s) between two groups at 3 days (15.68±1.89 vs. 14.65±1.33,P<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between NF-ΚB DNA binding activity and the levels of TNF-α (r(1)=0.373, r(2)=0.362, r(3)=0.419), PCT (r (1)=0.800, r(2)=0.716, r(3)=0.920) or CRP (r(1)=0.368, r(2)=0.441, r(3)=0.366, all P<0.05) before and 3 days and 7 days after the treatment. CONCLUSION NF-ΚB activation and coagulopathy were observed in patients with severe pneumonia, and NF-ΚB was involved in the process of inflammatory response. Inflammatory response was partly alleviated by Xuebijing injection. These effects of Xuebijing injection may be mediated by inhibition of the activation of NF-ΚB and its anticoagulation property.
Speech analysis using instantaneous frequency deviation

In this paper, our aim is to derive a phase spectrum representation computed via the short-time Fourier transform. Specifically, we are interested in developing a narrow-band speech representation – employing 20-40 ms analysis windows. Furthermore, this representation should be as physically meaningful as the magnitude spectrum. To achieve these ends, we concentrate on instantaneous frequency (IF) derived from the phase spectrum. In doing so, we introduce the IF deviation spectrum, and show that this spectrum exhibits pitch and formant structure similar to the magnitude spectrum. Lastly we demonstrate the advantages of the proposed IF deviation spectrum over the IF distribution spectrum proposed earlier in the literature.
Sex Differences in the mRNA, Protein, and Functional Expression of Organic Anion Transporter (Oat) 1, Oat3, and Organic Cation Transporter (Oct) 2 in Rabbit Renal Proximal Tubules

Sex differences in transport of the organic anion (OA) substrate p-aminohippurate (PAH) and the organic cation (OC) substrate tetraethylammonium (TEA) have been recognized for some time. In the rat kidney, androgens up-regulate and estrogens down-regulate PAH and TEA transport, which correlate with similar changes in mRNA and protein expression for the renal basolateral membrane transporters organic anion transporter (Oat) 1 and organic cation transporter (Oct) 2. However, these sex differences are not readily demonstrated in other species. The present study characterizes the kinetics of basolateral membrane PAH, estrone sulfate (ES), and TEA uptake in renal proximal tubule (RPT) suspensions isolated from female and male rabbits to compare functional expression of transport with mRNA and protein expression for rbOat1, rbOat3, and rbOct2. Although rbOat1-rbOat3 mRNA expression exhibited developmental differences, no sex differences in mRNA levels were observed. Oat1 and Oat3 protein expression in RPT suspensions also was similar between adult female and male rabbits. In contrast, rbOct1 and rbOct2 mRNA levels did not show developmental differences, but rbOct2 mRNA expression was greater in adult male than female rabbits. However, the sex difference in rbOct2 mRNA level did not translate to rbOct2 protein expression. Importantly, functional expression of Oat1, Oat3, and Oct2 transport as measured by kinetics (Jmax and Kt) of PAH, ES, and TEA uptake was similar between adult male and female rabbits, and correlated with rbOat1, rbOat3, and rbOct2 protein expression. Thus, unlike rodents, rabbit renal OA and OC transport does not exhibit sex differences, pointing to the need for caution in extrapolating transport-related sex differences between species.
Performance Comparison of Linear and Decision Feedback Equalizers in Flat and Frequency Selective Fading Channel

In this paper we have studied channel models (flat fading and frequency selective fading channels) estimation, adaptive equalization, and demodulation. The technique involves the optimization of the overall impulse response of the transmit and receive filters and effectively reduces the channel to one which is flat fading. This example showed the relative performance of linear and decision feedback equalizers in both frequency-flat and frequency- selective fading channels. It showed how a one-tap equalizer is sufficient to compensate for a frequency-flat channel, but that a frequency-selective channel requires an equalizer with multiple taps. Finally, it showed that a decision feedback equalizer is superior to a linear equalizer in a frequency- selective channel. Computer simulation results show that this equalization method works for channels with small delay spreads
Factorized All-Pass Based IIR Adaptive Notch Filters

This paper introduces a new family of infinite impulse response adaptive notch filters that forms multiple notches using a second-order factorization of an all-pass transfer function. The new orthogonal realization is amenable for adaptive filtering to obtain the unknown frequencies of interest. Two new adaptive filtering algorithms are presented that can achieve fast convergence at low computational cost. Local convergence analysis for the new algorithms is performed, and a detailed discussion of their properties is provided. The new all-pass based notch realization introduces a different compromise between bias and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) when compared with realizations previously reported in the literature. Specifically, it achieves lower bias than other approaches at low SNR. This property is particularly attractive for the estimation and tracking of multiple sinusoids. Furthermore, the bias can be made arbitrarily small or can be accurately estimated and compensated for. Extensive computer simulations are provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed adaptive notch filters in terms of bias, speed of convergence, and tracking capability.
A Linear Program for System-Level Control of Regional PHEV Charging Stations

This paper studies dynamic control of a system of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) charging stations. A finite horizon stochastic program is presented. Based upon the 15-min updated period of the electricity market price, the objective function is to maximize profit, which is the revenue benefit from selling back to the grid and the charging of the vehicles minus the cost of buying electricity from the grid. The state variables in each 15-min time period consist of the total wind purchased from the system, solar power generation at each charging station, total demand at each station, and nodal market price at stations' location. A stochastic program is formulated, and the mean value problem as a deterministic linear program is solved. Potential strategies are presented to provide insight into the behavior of the system.
Multitemporal Level- $1\beta$ Products: Definitions, Interpretation, and Applications

In this paper, we present a new framework for the fusion, representation, and analysis of multitemporal synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. It leads to the definition of a new class of products representing an intermediate level between the classic Level-1 and Level-2 products. The proposed Level-1β products are particularly oriented toward nonexpert users. In fact, their principal characteristics are the interpretability and the suitability to be processed with standard algorithms. The main innovation of this paper is the design of a suitable RGB representation of data aiming to enhance the information content of the time-series. The physical rationale of the products is presented through examples, in which we show their robustness with respect to sensor, acquisition mode, and geographic area. A discussion about the suitability of the proposed products with Sentinel-1 imagery is also provided, showing the full compatibility with data acquired by the new European Space Agency sensor. Finally, we propose two applications based on the use of Kohonen's self-organizing maps dealing with classification problems.
The Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, a disorder with many faces

The Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDSs) comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases, characterized by fragility of the soft connective tissues and widespread manifestations in skin, ligaments, joints, blood vessels and internal organs. The clinical spectrum varies from mild skin and joint hyperlaxity to severe physical disability and life‐threatening vascular complications. The current Villefranche classification recognizes six subtypes, most of which are linked to mutations in genes encoding fibrillar collagens or enzymes involved in post‐translational modification of these proteins. Mutations in type V and type III collagen cause classic or vascular EDS respectively, while mutations involving the processing of type I collagen are involved in the kyphoscoliosis, arthrochalasis and dermatosparaxis type of EDS. Establishing the correct EDS subtype has important implications for genetic counseling and management and is supported by specific biochemical and molecular investigations. Over the last years, several new EDS variants have been characterized which call for a refinement of the Villefranche classification. Moreover, the study of these diseases has brought new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of EDS by implicating genetic defects in the biosynthesis of other extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, such as proteoglycans and tenascin‐X, or genetic defects in molecules involved in intracellular trafficking, secretion and assembly of ECM proteins.
Returns Acquiring and HRRP Imaging for Radar Ship Target Recognition

Target recognition is one of the must trends of the sea surveillance radar, and the accuracy of target recognition is dependent on the radar's acquiring capabiLity of target electromagnetic signature. Firstly, according to the low-resolution pulse mode of the sea surveillance radar, this paper studies a new technique of single-channel hard sampLing and multi-channel soft extracting to provide versatile return data simultaneously for the target detection, display and coarse-classification. Many statistic features such as silk afterglow, notch, bounce and twist can be extracted from high-precision return sequences, which can be used for coarse target classification. A field programmable gate array (FPGA) algorithm of intermediate frequency (IF) direct sampLing and high resolution range profile (HRRP) imaging is also proposed in the paper aiming at the wide-band imaging mode of the sea surveillance radar. The scatter centers distribution features can be extracted from HRRP image to evaluate the length and width of the target. AssembLing the two working modes, a method of the informational radar display & control terminal (IRDACT) is performed, which can improve the recognition capabiLity of the sea surveillance radar.
Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences for the four variable domains of the major outer membrane proteins of the 15 Chlamydia trachomatis serovars

The amino acid sequences of major outer membrane proteins (MOMPs) from Chlamydia trachomatis serovars A, B, C, L1, and L2 are predominantly conserved but have four variable domains (VDs) in which major neutralizing and serotyping antigenic determinants are located. Because these MOMP VDs are primarily responsible for antigenic differences between serovars and are associated with important immunological and biological properties, we undertook studies focused on defining these sequences within the MOMPs of all 15 C. trachomatis serovars. We used oligonucleotide primer extension sequencing of MOMP mRNA to determine the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the four MOMP VDs of the 15 C. trachomatis serovars. Comparative amino acid sequence homologies of all four domains separated the serovars into three groups: group 1, serovars B, Ba, D, E, L1, and L2; group 2, serovars G and F; and group 3, serovars A, C, H, I, J, K, and L3. Hydrophilicity and charge values for each domain were determined. The MOMP VDs of given serovars with the greatest total hydrophilicity and charge values were found to be the location of antigenic determinants recognized by MOMP-specific monoclonal antibodies. These findings should be useful for predicting MOMP antigenic determinants and testing the antigenic properties of these VDs by using synthetic peptides corresponding to each MOMP VD. The potential usefulness of the VD sequence information is discussed in relation to the development of defined synthetic peptides and oligonucleotides that may be used to develop new serological and diagnostic assays for C. trachomatis infections.
Fluphenazine-resistant Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants defective in the cell division cycle

An fls1 mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which did not grow in the presence of 30 micrograms of fluphenazine per ml, was isolated. Mutants that were resistant to 90 micrograms of fluphenazine per ml and temperature sensitive for growth were obtained from the fls1 mutant. One fluphenazine-resistance mutation, fsr1, was located near the his7 locus on chromosome II. Growth of the fsr1 mutants at 35 degrees C was arrested after nuclear division. The other group of fluphenazine-resistant mutants, carrying fsr2 mutations, showed Ca2+-dependent growth at 35 degrees C. Growth of the fsr2 mutants at 35 degrees C was arrested at the G2 stage of the cell cycle in Ca2+-poor medium.
Kepler-9: A System of Multiple Planets Transiting a Sun-Like Star, Confirmed by Timing Variations

Extra Exoplanet? A planet is said to transit its star if it can be seen to pass in front of the star; 19% of the known extrasolar planets are transiting planets. A lone planet will transit in an exactly periodic manner; if other planets are present, however, variations in transit duration are expected because of gravitational interactions. Holman et al. (p. 51, published online 26 August; see the cover; see the Perspective by Laughlin) report timing variations in the transits of two exoplanets detected by the Kepler space telescope. The planets have masses similar to that of Saturn and transit the same Sun-like star. A third planet several times the mass of Earth may also transit the star in an interior orbit. Two Saturn-size planets show variations in the times they take to transit their star due to gravitational interaction. The Kepler spacecraft is monitoring more than 150,000 stars for evidence of planets transiting those stars. We report the detection of two Saturn-size planets that transit the same Sun-like star, based on 7 months of Kepler observations. Their 19.2- and 38.9-day periods are presently increasing and decreasing at respective average rates of 4 and 39 minutes per orbit; in addition, the transit times of the inner body display an alternating variation of smaller amplitude. These signatures are characteristic of gravitational interaction of two planets near a 2:1 orbital resonance. Six radial-velocity observations show that these two planets are the most massive objects orbiting close to the star and substantially improve the estimates of their masses. After removing the signal of the two confirmed giant planets, we identified an additional transiting super-Earth–size planet candidate with a period of 1.6 days.
A Hybrid Approach for Chinese Named Entity Recognition in Music Domain

The amount of music information available on the Web is rapidly increasing. There is a pressing need for music information extraction. To extract useful information from natural language text, we must recognize music named entities first. This paper introduces a hybrid method to identify the Chinese named entities in music domain. Recently, machine learning approaches are frequently used to solve Name Entity Recognition (NER). So our method uses a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) as the underlying method. Since HMM has innate weaknesses, we incorporate it with rule-based method for pre-processing and post-processing. The combination of machine learning method and rule-based method results in a high precision recognition. And we improve both training and recognizing process of HMM for Music Named Entity Recognition (MNER). In this paper, a novel and convenient Musical Name Entity (MNE) tagging method to generate training data is proposed, which makes HMM method practically usable. In addition, we present an effective method of unknown words tagging in recognition. The experimental results show that our framework brings significant improvements for solving MNER.
Crossover Second Toe: Demographics, Etiology, and Radiographic Assessment

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the demographics, etiology, and radiographic findings associated with a crossover second toe deformity. Methods: Patients treated operatively for a crossover second toe deformity between 2001 and 2006 were identified. Charts were reviewed for clinical information, and radiographs were examined for pertinent angular measurements. Results: Of 169 patients in the study, 146 (86%) were women. The mean age at surgery was 59 (range 33 to 87) years. The most common complaints of preoperative pain were at the second (156 patients) and first (35 patients) metatarsophalangeal joints (several patients had more than one area of pain). A positive drawer sign was noted in 112 patients. The mean second and third metatarsophalangeal joint angles were −3 degrees and 6 degrees, respectively. There was a significant association of hallux valgus with first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis (p < 0.01). The relative length of the second metatarsal averaged 0.2 mm less than the first metatarsal. Conclusions: Crossover second toe deformity had a peak incidence in women over the age of 50 years. There was an increased incidence of both hallux valgus and first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritis in the patient cohort. A positive drawer sign was a reliable and consistent physical examination finding. The most reliable radiographic indicator of a second crossover toe was medial angular deviation of the second metatarsophalangeal joint in relationship to the third metatarsophalangeal joint angle, although the angle was not necessarily a negative value. There was no correlation between a crossover second toe deformity and second metatarsal length, medial cortex thickness or shaft thickness, the 1–2 intermetatarsal angle, metatarsus adductus, metatarsus primus elevatus, or pes planus.
The E-loop Is Involved in Hydrogen Peroxide Formation by the NADPH Oxidase Nox4*

In contrast to the NADPH oxidases Nox1 and Nox2, which generate superoxide (O2̇̄), Nox4 produces hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). We constructed chimeric proteins and mutants to address the protein region that specifies which reactive oxygen species is produced. Reactive oxygen species were measured with luminol/horseradish peroxidase and Amplex Red for H2O2 versus L-012 and cytochrome c for O2̇̄. The third extracytosolic loop (E-loop) of Nox4 is 28 amino acids longer than that of Nox1 or Nox2. Deletion of E-loop amino acids only present in Nox4 or exchange of the two cysteines in these stretches switched Nox4 from H2O2 to O2̇̄ generation while preserving expression and intracellular localization. In the presence of an NO donor, the O2̇̄-producing Nox4 mutants, but not wild-type Nox4, generated peroxynitrite, excluding artifacts of the detection system as the apparent origin of O2̇̄. In Cos7 cells, in which Nox4 partially localizes to the plasma membrane, an antibody directed against the E-loop decreased H2O2 but increased O2̇̄ formation by Nox4 without affecting Nox1-dependent O2̇̄ formation. The E-loop of Nox4 but not Nox1 and Nox2 contains a highly conserved histidine that could serve as a source for protons to accelerate spontaneous dismutation of superoxide to form H2O2. Mutation of this but not of four other conserved histidines also switched Nox4 from H2O2 to O2̇̄ formation. Thus, H2O2 formation is an intrinsic property of Nox4 that involves its E-loop. The structure of the E-loop may hinder O2̇̄ egress and/or provide a source for protons, allowing dismutation to form H2O2.
Comprehensive Analysis for the Consecutively-Cascaded Single-Helix Long-Period Fiber Gratings With Opposite Helicities

Characteristics- and polarization-dependences of the transmission spectrum for a consecutively cascaded single-helix long-period fiber gratings with opposite helicities (CC-SHLPGs-OH) have been comprehensively analyzed for the first time. It has been found that the TE/TM cladding mode produced in the first single-helix long-period fiber grating (SHLPG) will largely affect the mode couplings in the later SHLPG, and as a result, a tunable flat-top band-rejection filter could be obtained once if the resonant wavelengths and the coupling strengths of the two SHLPGs are suitably selected. As a concept-proof example, measurements for a flat-top band-rejection filter have been experimentally presented. Moreover, it has been found that the proposed CC-SHLPGs-OH will exhibit a strong polarization-dependence spectrum as well as an enhanced circular dichroism (CD) especially at the vicinity of the dip wavelength. By making use of this kind of CD characteristics, one can easily produce a polarization converter which enables to turn the left-circular-polarization light to right-circular-polarization one and vice versa.
Cutaneous wound healing in the sea cucumber, Thyone briareus

Wound healing in the integument of the sea cucumber, Thyone briareus, was studied for up to 50 days after inflicting wide excisional wounds and for 14 days after producing incisional wounds. Rapid re‐epithelialization of the wound was effected by the migration of epidermal cells and pigment cells from the periphery of the wound margin. This occurred without apparent evidence of concomitant mitotic activity. Dermal wound healing was completed by the fourteenth day in the incision wounds but occurred very slowly in the broad excision wounds. Morula cells seem to be involved in both epidermal and dermal wound healing, although their precise role is unknown. In excisional wounds the integument was never completely restored to its normal appearance during 50 days of observation.