Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interference in a homogeneous assay for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by lipoprotein X

Abstract Background: Homogeneous assays for cholesterol in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are currently in wide use for guideline-based diagnosis and monitoring of dyslipaemic or coronary conditions. In some sera from patients with impaired liver function, we measured implausibly low LDL concentrations using a sugar compound-based assay [LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), Roche Diagnostics]. We investigated whether an interfering factor, possibly associated with cholestasis, is consistently responsible for this disturbance. Methods: We compared results of the LDL-C assay in samples with implausible (n=158) and plausible (n=65) LDL concentrations with those of another assay based on two selective detergents (LDLD, Beckman Coulter) and with sequential density ultracentrifugation. We measured total bilirubin, triglycerides, bile acids and lipoprotein X (Lp X) concentrations in samples with the described disturbance and examined the effect of bile salt addition to normal samples. Results: The LDL-C assay was negatively biased compared to the LDLD assay (bias –0.63 mmol/L) and sequential density ultracentrifugation (bias –0.85 mmol/L) in samples with an implausible lipoprotein profile, but showed good method agreement in all other samples. The bile acid concentration did not correlate with the LDL bias, and addition of bile acids showed no interference with the LDL-C assay. The Lp X concentration correlated with the bias between the LDL-C and LDLD assays (R=0.66, p<0.0001); there was no interference with the LDLD assay, even at high Lp X concentrations. Conclusions: We conclude that the LDL-C assay is subject to interference by Lp X and can provide grossly negatively biased results in cholestatic conditions. In such patients, LDL measurement with an assay based on a different method should be performed. Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:667–71.
On identification and stabilization of nonlinear plants using fuzzy neural network

This paper is concerned with the stable tracking of a nonlinear plant using fuzzy clustering of ARMA models. The nonlinear input-output model is identified as fuzzy clusters of local ARMA models using a fuzzy neural net (FNN). It is thoroughly investigated whether the overall system can be made stable by stabilizing the individual linear subsystems. Two nonlinear systems have been taken and the controller is designed based on stabilizing each fuzzy region. The overall controller is determined by fuzzy blending of the individual controllers and it is shown that the systems are stable. Also, the overall system tracks a desired trajectory if all the individual subsystems track the same.
Interpersonal Living: A Skills/Contract Approach to Human Relations Training in Groups

Part One: Introduction and overviews. The basic concepts of the human relations training laboratory. The contract: an overview of the human relations training model. Part Two: Phase I: The skills of letting yourself be known. The skill of self-disclosure. Concreteness in communication. The expression of feeling and emotion. Part Three: Attending and listening. The communication of accurate empathic understanding. Genuineness and respect as communication skills. Part Four. Moving deeper: advanced accurate empathy (AEII). Moving deeper: confrontation. Immediacy: direct, mutual talk. Part Five: Phase II: The skills of effective group participation. Group-specific skills. Part Six: Putting it all together. The open group. Changing your interpersonal behaviour.
Secure Degrees of Freedom Region of the Two-User MISO Broadcast Channel With Alternating CSIT

The two user multiple-input single-output (MISO) broadcast channel with confidential messages (BCCM) is studied, in which the nature of channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT) from each user can be of the form <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I_{i}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$i=1,2$ </tex-math></inline-formula> where <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I_{1}, I_{2}\in \{\mathsf {P}, \mathsf {D}, \mathsf {N}\}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and the forms <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathsf {P}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathsf {D}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathsf {N}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> correspond to perfect and instantaneous, completely delayed, and no CSIT, respectively. Thus, the overall CSIT can alternate between nine possible states corresponding to all possible values of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I_{1}I_{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, with each state occurring for <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda _{I_{1}I_{2}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> fraction of the total duration. We assume that perfect and instantaneous CSI is available at the all receivers. The main contribution of this paper is to establish the secure degrees of freedom (s.d.o.f.) region of the MISO BCCM with alternating CSIT with the symmetry assumption, where <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda _{I_{1} I_{2}}=\lambda _{I_{2}I_{1}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The main technical contributions include developing 1) novel achievable schemes for MISO BCCM with alternating CSIT with security constraints, which also highlight the synergistic benefits of inter-state coding for secrecy; 2) new converse proofs via local statistical equivalence and channel enhancement; and 3) showing the interplay between various aspects of channel knowledge and their impact on s.d. o.f.
Probabilistic representation of 3D object shape by in-hand exploration

This work presents a representation of 3D object shape using a probabilistic volumetric map derived from in-hand exploration. The exploratory procedure is based on contour following through the fingertip movements on the object surface. We first consider the simple case of having single hand exploration of a static object. The cumulative pose data provides a 3D point cloud that is quantized to the probabilistic volumetric map. For each voxel we have a probability distribution for the occupancy percentage. This is then extended to in-hand exploration of non-static objects. Since the object is moving during the in-hand exploration, and we also consider the use of the other hand for re-grasping, object pose has to be tracked. By keeping track of object motion we can register data to the initial pose to build a consistent object representation. An object centered representation is implemented using the computed object center of mass to define its frame of reference. Results are presented for in-hand exploration of both static and non-static objects that show that valid models can be obtained. The 3D object probabilistic representation can be used in several applications related with grasp generation tasks.
Análisis psicométrico del Inventario de Apoyo Familiar para Trabajadores

Psychometrical analysis of the spanish version of the "Inventory of Family Support for Workers". The aim of this paper is to test the psychometrical characteristics of a scale of social support for workers: the "Inventory of Family Support for Workers" (IFSW) by King, Mattimore, King and Adams (1995). This questionnaire has been translated from English into Spanish due to the lack of this type of instruments in this language. According to the theoretical construct, two main dimensions (subscales) compose this questionnaire: emotional and instrumental support. It has been applied to a Spanish sample of 250 workers, both men and women, who live into a dual-career family. In a similar way to the original authors, a very high reliability has been obtained for both the emotional support (alpha= .96, 29 items) and the instrumental support (alpha= .91, 11 items) subscales. In order to check the instrument validity data, the relationships between scores in both subscales and other psychological constructs theoretically related have been studied (work-family conflict, job satisfaction, job involvement and psychological well-being). Results confirm the "principal effect" hypothesis of social support on psychological well-being. The "specificity hypothesis" of social support is also supported.
Teacher Socialization through Career Crises.

This study examined the nature of teacher layoffs and their effects on the role enactment and coping strategies of teachers. Fourteen high school teachers, who were employed in a large urban school district plagued by declining enrollment, were interviewed. Each teacher had been "riffed" (reduction in force) and recalled at least once in the previous 10 years, and most had been laid off and recalled more than once. An analysis of the interviews indicated that four aspects of the riffing experience creating a perception of crisis among the teachers were: (1) the unpredictability of the phenomenon(2) the arbitrariness and instability; (3) the adaptational demands; and (4) the dehumanization of the situation. Several coping responses were evident in the teachers faced by the crises: (1) active problem-solving; (2) fatalism (acceptance); (3) disinvestment; (4) cognitive and affective responses such as cynicism, distrust, anger, blame, anxiety, and reevaluation; and (5) dysfunctional Rid denial responses including absenteeism, depression, alcohol consumption, and sleeplessness.
Effects of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and an Anti-IL-6 Monoclonal Antibody on Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes in Human Hepatocyte Culture

The cytokine-mediated suppression of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes by inflammatory disease and the relief of this suppression by successful disease treatment have recently become an issue in the development of drug interaction labels for new biological products. This study examined the effects of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) on drug-metabolizing enzymes in human hepatocyte culture and the abrogation of these effects by a monoclonal antibody directed against IL-6. Treatment of human hepatocytes with IL-6 (n = 9 donors) revealed pan-suppression of mRNA of 10 major cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, but with EC50 values that differed by isoenzyme. Some EC50 values were above the range of clinically relevant serum concentrations of IL-6. Marker activities for CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzyme were similarly suppressed by IL-6 in both freshly isolated and cryopreserved hepatocytes. IL-6 suppressed induction of CYP1A2 enzyme activity by omeprazole and CYP3A4 enzyme activity by rifampicin but only at supraphysiological concentrations of IL-6. Glycosylated and nonglycosylated IL-6 did not significantly differ in their ability to suppress CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzyme activity. A monoclonal antibody directed against IL-6 abolished or partially blocked IL-6-mediated suppression of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzyme activity, respectively. These data indicate that experimentation with IL-6 and anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibodies in human hepatocyte primary culture can quantitatively measure cytochrome P450 suppression and desuppression and determine EC50 values for IL-6 against individual cytochrome P450 isoenzymes. However, the complex biology of inflammatory disease may not allow for quantitative in vitro-in vivo extrapolation of these simple in vitro data.
Effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of PD 0200390, a novel ligand for the voltage-gated calcium channel alpha-2-delta subunit.

AIMS To investigate the pharmacokinetics and safety of PD 0200390 in healthy subjects and subjects with renal impairment (RI) and to examine the relationship between oral and renal PD 0200390 clearance and estimated creatinine clearance (CLcr). METHODS In this open-label study, 26 subjects were categorized into four groups based on renal function: no RI (CLcr >80 ml min(-1); n= 6); mild RI (CLcr 51 to < or =80 ml min(-1); n= 6); moderate RI (CLcr >30 to 50 ml min(-1); n= 6); and severe RI (CLcr < or =30 ml min(-1); n= 8). Subjects received a single, oral dose of PD 0200390 25 mg. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from plasma and urine concentration-time data. RESULTS PD 0200390 was rapidly absorbed; mean time to maximum plasma concentration was 1.66-3.24 h. Mean half-life in subjects with normal renal function was 5.36 h, and increased with worsening RI. Oral (CL/F) and renal (CL(R)) clearance rates decreased with deteriorating renal function, whereas area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)) values increased by 56, 117 and 436% in subjects with mild, moderate and severe RI, respectively, indicating increased PD 0200390 exposure. Regression analysis demonstrated that CL/F and CL(R) correlated with CLcr (r= 0.953 and 0.961, respectively). PD 0200390 was well tolerated in subjects with mild, moderate or no RI. The most common adverse events were somnolence, dizziness and headache; these occurred with greatest intensity in the severe RI group. CONCLUSIONS PD 0200390 pharmacokinetic parameters (CL/F, CL(R) and AUC(0-infinity)) vary predictably with decreases in renal function; therefore dose adjustment may be required in individuals with RI.
On the Impact of Forward Markets on Investments in Oligopolistic Markets with Reference to Electricity

Allaz and Vila made the seminal contribution that forward contracts mitigate market power on the spot market. This result is widely quoted and elaborated in studies of restructured power markets, where generators can potentially exploit the special characteristics of this industry in order to extract higher prices. Allaz-Vila established their result under the assumption that the production capacities of the players are infinite. We show that the Allaz-Vila result does not hold when capacities are endogenous and constraining generation. Specifically, a forward market can enhance or mitigate market power when capacities are endogenous and demand is unknown at the time of investment. We also show that forward markets do not mitigate market power when capacities are endogenous and demand is known at the time of investment. Our results complement other work that shows that forward markets systematically enhance market power in some symmetric capacity-constrained markets.
A Guide to Critical Thinking for Maryland Social Scientists: A Summary Report of Ideas and Resources.

ABSTRACT Designed for community college social science instructors, this compilation of materials provides an overview of the literature on critical thinking. Following introductory comments, ideas are presented concerning the importance of teaching critical thinking, the conflicting opinions about the essence of critical thinking, the pros and cons of teaching critical thinking, problems in defining the concept, and seven steps involved in critical evaluative thinking. The next sections focus on: (1) seven considerations in deciding what to teach; (2) the components of critical thinking (i.e., understanding, analyzing and evaluating a secondary source; developing criteria to evaluate evidence; evaluating a primary source; and writing papers which require the creation of arguments and the evaluation of evidence); (3) ways to develop or reinforce students' disposition toward effective thinking; (4) the attitudes or characteristics of critical thinkers; (5) ways in which instructors can help students become better critical thinkers; (6) the assessment-oi-thining skills; and (7) ideas on initiating critical thinking instruction. Next, 13 examples are provided, illustrating class projects or individual assignments used by social science instructors to develop critical thinking skills. 250 references. (MDB)
Examining Academic Performance of Polynesian Student-Athletes Using the Theory of Planned Behavior

Examining Academic Performance of Polynesian Student-Athletes Using the Theory of Planned Behavior Sierra Keung Department of Recreation Management, BYU Master of Science This study used Ajzen’s (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explore Polynesian student-athletes’ motivation to improve academic performance (AP), while participating in Division I (D1) college football. Specifically, this study examined how attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control influence motivation to achieve a higher GPA. Furthermore, ethnic identity, family obligation and cultural values were examined as potential contributors to subjective norms. The sample consisted of 70 Polynesian football studentathletes at 10 U.S. D1 universities. A modified TPB questionnaire was used to assess the TPB variables (attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) as contributors to Polynesian football student-athletes academic, athletic, and career motivation toward achieving a higher GPA. A factor analysis indicated family obligation and cultural values were contributors to subjective norm. Further, a stepwise regression analysis indicated subjective norm was a consistent predictor of academic, athletic, and career motivation. Positive relationships were also found between perceived behavioral control and athletic motivation, as well as, attitude and academic motivation. Although AP was not predicted in this study, findings highlight the impact of Polynesian football student-athletes perceived social pressure from family and culture on their academic, athletic, and career motivations. Findings provide implications for advisors, administrators, and scholars.
Exact calculation of amplitudes and frequency of RC-oscillator with quadrature outputs

A calculation of exact frequency and amplitudes in an RC-oscillator with quadrature outputs is given. The oscillator includes two multivibrators synchronized by the cross-coupling comparators measuring the voltages at the timing capacitors and providing coupling currents in the collector resistors of the multivibrators. It is shown that the outputs are in quadrature only when both multivibrators are symmetric (yet the parameters of one multivibrator may be different from the parameters of another). The theoretical results are confirmed by simulation.
Automatic Stochastic Tagging of Natural Language Texts

Five language and tagset independent stochastic taggers, handling morphological and contextual information, are presented and tested in corpora of seven European languages (Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian and Spanish), using two sets of grammatical tags; a small set containing the eleven main grammatical classes and a large set of grammatical categories common to all languages. The unknown words are tagged using an experimentally proven stochastic hypothesis that links the stochastic behavior of the unknown words with that of the less probable known words. A fully automatic training and tagging program has been implemented on an IBM PC-compatible 80386-based computer. Measurements of error rate, time response, and memory requirements have shown that the taggers' performance is satisfactory, even though a small training text is available. The error rate is improved when new texts are used to update the stochastic model parameters.
The Long‐term Impact and Rehabilitation of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A 50‐Year Follow‐Up Case Study

Despite significant advances in the understanding of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI)–related sequelae, members of the medical community working with adult survivors often do not appreciate the impact of “latent” effects of these injuries. To assess deficits and facilitate intervention, the interactions among the nature of the TBI, the individual's developmental course, and the history of community response must be understood. This case study discusses the lifelong challenges faced by a 56-year-old individual who sustained a TBI at age 5. His case highlights the importance of developmental stage consideration, remote evaluation/intervention, and collaboration with mental health professionals.
Glycosylated Triterpenoids as Endosomal Escape Enhancers in Targeted Tumor Therapies

Protein-based targeted toxins play an increasingly important role in targeted tumor therapies. In spite of their high intrinsic toxicity, their efficacy in animal models is low. A major reason for this is the limited entry of the toxin into the cytosol of the target cell, which is required to mediate the fatal effect. Target receptor bound and internalized toxins are mostly either recycled back to the cell surface or lysosomally degraded. This might explain why no antibody-targeted protein toxin has been approved for tumor therapeutic applications by the authorities to date although more than 500 targeted toxins have been developed within the last decades. To overcome the problem of insufficient endosomal escape, a number of strategies that make use of diverse chemicals, cell-penetrating or fusogenic peptides, and light-induced techniques were designed to weaken the membrane integrity of endosomes. This review focuses on glycosylated triterpenoids as endosomal escape enhancers and throws light on their structure, the mechanism of action, and on their efficacy in cell culture and animal models. Obstacles, challenges, opportunities, and future prospects are discussed.
Design of an agile all-photonic network

"Agile All-Photonic Networks" (AAPN) is the theme of a Canadian research collaboration. An AAPN is a wavelengthdivision- multiplexed network that consists of several overlaid stars formed by edge nodes that aggregate traffic, interconnected by bufferless optical core nodes that perform fast switching in order to provide bandwidth allocation in sub-wavelength granularity. Specific issues addressed in this context are (a) efficient bandwidth allocation, (b) routing of MPLS flows over the AAPN, (c) allocation of protection paths, and (d) development of a demonstration prototype. This paper high-light research results and design choices related to these issues.
In situ observations of velocity changes in response to tidal deformation from analysis of the high‐frequency ambient wavefield

We report systematic seismic velocity variations in response to tidal deformation. Measurements are made on correlation functions of the ambient seismic wavefield at 2–8 Hz recorded by a dense array at the site of the Piñon Flat Observatory, Southern California. The key observation is the dependence of the response on the component of wave motion and coda lapse time τ. Measurements on the vertical correlation component indicate reduced wave speeds during periods of volumetric compression, whereas data from horizontal components show the opposite behavior, compatible with previous observations. These effects are amplified by the directional sensitivities of the different surface wave types constituting the early coda of vertical and horizontal correlation components to the anisotropic behavior of the compliant layer. The decrease of the velocity (volumetric) strain sensitivity Sθ with τ indicates that this response is constrained to shallow depths. The observed velocity dependence on strain implies nonlinear behavior, but conclusions regarding elasticity are more ambiguous. The anisotropic response is possibly associated with inelastic dilatancy of the unconsolidated, low‐velocity material above the granitic basement. However, equal polarity of vertical component velocity changes and deformation in the vertical direction indicate that a nonlinear Poisson effect is similarly compatible with the observed response pattern. Peak relative velocity changes at small τ are 0.03%, which translates into an absolute velocity strain sensitivity of Sθ≈5 × 103 and a stress sensitivity of 0.5 MPa−1. The potentially evolving velocity strain sensitivity of crustal and fault zone materials can be studied with the method introduced here.