Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Timed non-transferrin bound iron determinations probe the origin of chelatable iron pools during deferiprone regimens and predict chelation response

Background Plasma non-transferrin bound iron refers to heterogeneous plasma iron species, not bound to transferrin, which appear in conditions of iron overload and ineffective erythropoiesis. The clinical utility of non-transferrin bound iron in predicting complications from iron overload, or response to chelation therapy remains unproven. We undertook carefully timed measurements of non-transferrin bound iron to explore the origin of chelatable iron and to predict clinical response to deferiprone. Design and Methods Non-transferrin bound iron levels were determined at baseline and after 1 week of chelation in 32 patients with thalassemia major receiving deferiprone alone, desferrioxamine alone, or a combination of the two chelators. Samples were taken at baseline, following a 2-week washout without chelation, and after 1 week of chelation, this last sample being taken 10 hours after the previous evening dose of deferiprone and, in those receiving desferrioxamine, 24 hours after cessation of the overnight subcutaneous infusion. Absolute or relative non-transferrin bound iron levels were related to transfusional iron loading rates, liver iron concentration, 24-hour urine iron and response to chelation therapy over the subsequent year. Results Changes in non-transferrin bound iron at week 1 were correlated positively with baseline liver iron, and inversely with transfusional iron loading rates, with deferiprone-containing regimens but not with desferrioxamine monotherapy. Changes in week 1 non-transferrin bound iron were also directly proportional to the plasma concentration of deferiprone-iron complexes and correlated significantly with urine iron excretion and with changes in liver iron concentration over the next 12 months. Conclusions The widely used assay chosen for this study detects both endogenous non-transferrin bound iron and the iron complexes of deferiprone. The week 1 increments reflect chelatable iron derived both from liver stores and from red cell catabolism. These increments correlate with urinary iron excretion and the change in liver iron concentration over the subsequent year thus predicting response to deferiprone-containing chelation regimes. This clinical study was registered at clinical.trials. gov with the number NCT00350662.
Perflubron Emulsion Improves Hepatic Microvascular Integrity and Mitochondrial Redox State After Hemorrhagic Shock

Hemorrhagic shock is associated with decreased systemic oxygen delivery, but also with impaired microvascular perfusion, which can result in diminished local oxygen availability even in the presence of adequate cardiac output after resuscitation. Beside surgical interventions to control blood loss, transfusion of stored packed red blood cells represents the current standard of care in the management of severe hemorrhagic shock. Because stored red blood cells are less deformable and show a higher O2 affinity that affects the O2 off-load to tissues, perfluorocarbon-based artificial oxygen carriers might improve local O2 delivery under these conditions. To test this, rats were subjected to hemorrhagic shock (1 h, mean arterial pressure [MAP] 30-35 mmHg) and were resuscitated with fresh whole blood, pentastarch, stored red blood cells, perflubron emulsion (2.7 and 5.4 g/kg body weight) together with pentastarch, or stored red blood cells together with 2.7 g/kg perflubron emulsion. Hepatic microcirculation, tissue oxygenation, and mitochondrial redox state were investigated by intravital microscopy. In addition, hepatocellular function and liver enzyme release were determined. After hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation with perflubron emulsion, volumetric sinusoidal blood flow was significantly increased compared with resuscitation with stored red blood cells. Furthermore, resuscitation with perflubron emulsion resulted in higher hepatic tissue PO2 and normalized mitochondrial redox potential, which was accompanied by lessened hepatocellular injury as well as improved liver function. These results indicate that, in this model of hemorrhagic shock, asanguineous fluid resuscitation with addition of perflubron emulsion is superior to stored blood or pentastarch alone with respect to increased local O2 availability on the cellular level. This effect is primarily due to improved restoration of hepatic microcirculatory integrity.
Design and analysis of multiphase DC-DC converters with coupled inductors

Design and Analysis of Multiphase DC-DC Converters with Coupled Inductors. (May 2007) Meng Shi, B.Eng., Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Prasad Enjeti In this thesis, coupled inductors have been applied to multiphase DC-DC converters. Detailed analysis has been done to investigate the benefits of directly coupled inductors and inversely coupled inductors, compared to conventional uncoupled inductors. In general, coupled inductors for multiphase DC-DC converters have inherent benefits such as excellent current sharing characteristics, immunity to component tolerance and reduction in current control complexity. Specifically, by employing directly coupled inductors for multiphase DC-DC converters, overall current ripple can be effectively reduced, compared to that of uncoupled inductors. For inversely coupled inductors, phase current ripple can be reduced if operating points and coupling coefficients are carefully chosen. As for small-signal characteristics, inversely coupled inductors have the advantages of broadening the bandwidth of multiphase DC-DC converters and being more immune to load variation at low frequencies. On the other hand, directly coupled inductors have the benefit of low sensitivity to input variation at high frequencies. In addition, the proposed new structure for multiphase DC-DC converters has excellent current sharing performance and reduced current ripple. Computer simulations have been done and hardware prototypes have been built to validate the concepts.
Differentiated Human Midbrain-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells Express Excitatory Strychnine-Sensitive Glycine Receptors Containing α2β Subunits

Background Human fetal midbrain-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) may deliver a tissue source for drug screening and regenerative cell therapy to treat Parkinson’s disease. While glutamate and GABAA receptors play an important role in neurogenesis, the involvement of glycine receptors during human neurogenesis and dopaminergic differentiation as well as their molecular and functional characteristics in NPCs are largely unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we investigated NPCs in respect to their glycine receptor function and subunit expression using electrophysiology, calcium imaging, immunocytochemistry, and quantitative real-time PCR. Whole-cell recordings demonstrate the ability of NPCs to express functional strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors after differentiation for 3 weeks in vitro. Pharmacological and molecular analyses indicate a predominance of glycine receptor heteromers containing α2β subunits. Intracellular calcium measurements of differentiated NPCs suggest that glycine evokes depolarisations mediated by strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors and not by D-serine-sensitive excitatory glycine receptors. Culturing NPCs with additional glycine, the glycine-receptor antagonist strychnine, or the Na+-K+-Cl− co-transporter 1 (NKCC1)-inhibitor bumetanide did not significantly influence cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro. Conclusions/Significance These data indicate that NPCs derived from human fetal midbrain tissue acquire essential glycine receptor properties during neuronal maturation. However, glycine receptors seem to have a limited functional impact on neurogenesis and dopaminergic differentiation of NPCs in vitro.
JRPIT 41.1.QXP:Layout 1

This paper presents three methods for solving the problem of textual entailment, obtained from an equal number of text-to-text similarity metrics. The first method starts with the directional measure of text-to-text similarity presented in Corley and Mihalcea (2005), and integrates word sense disambiguation and several heuristics. The second method exploits the relations between the cosine directional measures of similarity as means to identify textual entailment. Finally, the third method relies on the directional variant of Levenshtein distance between two words. Each “word” in this method is a string consisting of all the words concatenated. In all these methods the decision about an entailment relation depends on the relation established between these measures of similarity. The methods are applied and evaluated on the whole set of text-hypothesis pairs included in the PASCAL RTE-1 development dataset (RTE-1, 2005). The corresponding accuracy and statistics are presented for each method.
Validation of the Spanish version of Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire: prevalence of symptoms in a tertiary care center in Mexico.

OBJECTIVES To develop and to validate the Spanish version of the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ). Describe the prevalence of symptoms associated with the presence of ureteral stent in a Spanish-speaking population. METHODS We developed and delivered the Spanish USSQ version to patients who underwent ureteral stent placement after endourological procedures. We determined the internal consistency and the instrument's sensitivity to change. Results of the patients were compared with a control group of healthy individuals. We analyzed the prevalence of symptoms in the six domains of the questionnaire and the overall quality of life. We compared the means of the results by gender to find significant differences in associated symptoms. RESULTS We obtained good internal consistency values of the instrument. Significant differences were obtained after sensitivity to change analysis in the scores of all domains except sexual performance. The correlation between the domains of urinary symptoms, pain, and general health was high. The analysis of specific symptoms showed important affection in all domains, being more significant in urinary symptoms and pain. The ureteral catheter also affected the daily life and work performance. There were no significant differences when comparing the symptoms by gender or age. CONCLUSIONS Spanish version of the USSQ is appropriate for assessing the symptoms associated with ureteral stent in the Spanish-speaking population. The ureteral catheter significantly affects the various aspects of life in this population.
Re-Purposing the “Empty Nest”

The term “empty nest” commonly refers to the period following the launching of children in the family life cycle (Carter & McGoldrick, 2005; Lachman, 2004). For some parents, however, the launching of adult children into adulthood is accompanied by a period of emotional distress and identity conflict expressed in a constellation of symptoms known as “empty nest syndrome” (ENS) (Mitchell & Lovegreen, 2009). Symptoms of ENS may include depression, guilt, role confusion, anxiety, and stress (Bouchard, 2014; Grover & Dang, 2013); these effects can affect either parent regardless of gender (Hagen & DeVries, 2004; Mitchell & Lovegreen, 2009). While some have challenged the validity of ENS in the literature, citing issues of ageism and sexism (Oliver, 1982; Raup & Myers, 1989), many researchers endorse ENS as a clinically significant phenomenon affecting some family systems (Bouchard, 2014; Carter & McGoldrick, 2005; Lachman, 2004). Contemporary family research suggests the prevalence and severity of ENS have declined in recent years, even in cross-cultural and mixed gender samples (Bouchard, 2014; Mitchell & Lovegreen, 2009). In fact, several studies support the idea that the empty nest is actually a positive developmental experience for most parents, often characterized by reconnection with partners, improved self-care, and increased freedom to engage in desired activities (Bouchard, 2014; Grover & Dang, 2013). When considering
Sample Size and Statistical Power Calculation in Genetic Association Studies

A sample size with sufficient statistical power is critical to the success of genetic association studies to detect causal genes of human complex diseases. Genome-wide association studies require much larger sample sizes to achieve an adequate statistical power. We estimated the statistical power with increasing numbers of markers analyzed and compared the sample sizes that were required in case-control studies and case-parent studies. We computed the effective sample size and statistical power using Genetic Power Calculator. An analysis using a larger number of markers requires a larger sample size. Testing a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker requires 248 cases, while testing 500,000 SNPs and 1 million markers requires 1,206 cases and 1,255 cases, respectively, under the assumption of an odds ratio of 2, 5% disease prevalence, 5% minor allele frequency, complete linkage disequilibrium (LD), 1:1 case/control ratio, and a 5% error rate in an allelic test. Under a dominant model, a smaller sample size is required to achieve 80% power than other genetic models. We found that a much lower sample size was required with a strong effect size, common SNP, and increased LD. In addition, studying a common disease in a case-control study of a 1:4 case-control ratio is one way to achieve higher statistical power. We also found that case-parent studies require more samples than case-control studies. Although we have not covered all plausible cases in study design, the estimates of sample size and statistical power computed under various assumptions in this study may be useful to determine the sample size in designing a population-based genetic association study.
Perception based video anticipation generation

기대효과란 일반적으로 이차원 애니메이션에서 많이 사용된 강조 기법이다. 보편적으로 이차원 애니메이션에서의 모션은 기대 효과(Anticipation)와 행동(Action), 그리고 반작용(Reaction)으로 이루어진다. 기대효과는 행동을 위한 준비 단계이고 반작용은 행동으로 인한 결과를 나타낸다. 그림 1 에서 보듯이 기대효과는 화살이 앞으로 나가는 행동에 필요한 부가 행동, 즉 활을 당기는 행동에 해당한다. 이런 기대 효과는 주요 행동이 있기 전에 발생하므로 수용자의 관심을 끌어 다음 행동을 예상할 수 있게 만든다 [1]. 만약 모션에 있어 기대효과가 없으면 모션의 역동성과 집중성이 떨어질 수 밖에 없다. 이런 기대효과를 비디오의 집중점을 기반으로 표현하여, 영상의 집중성과 역동성을 높일 수 있다. 본 논문에선 기대효과를 주기 위해 이미지와 모션의 집중점을 기반으로 한 이미지 제어를 통해 영상의 집중성을 높이려고 한다. 기존의 여러 연구에선 이미지의 집중점을 찾는 CSF (Contrast sensitivity function) 함수를 사용하여, 외부영역에 대한 정보를 줄여주는 LOD 기법들이 사용되었다 [2,3,4,5]. 하지만 이런 결과들은 사용자의 주의를 임의적으로 강제하는 경향이 있어서 자연스러운 영상표현을 해칠 가능성이 있다. 따라서 임의적인 주의 강제가 아닌, 기대효과를 통한 사용자 예측을 통한 집중성 강화를 통해 좀 더 나은 결과를 기대할 수 있다.
Oxymatrine Induces Liver Injury through JNK Signalling Pathway Mediated by TNF‐α In Vivo

Oxymatrine (OMT) is a traditional Chinese medicine monomer and has been used for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis and many other diseases. We aimed to investigate whether OMT could induce hepatotoxicity in mice and explored the preliminary mechanisms of toxic effects. Twenty‐four Institute for Cancer Research male mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, 40, 160 and 320 mg/kg OMT‐treated group. OMT was orally administered once daily for 7 days. The OMT‐treated group exhibited an improved liver index and increase in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase,augmented liver histological injury, elevated levels of malondialdehyde and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) accompanied by the activation of caspase‐9/‐8/‐3, up‐regulated expressions of tumour necrosis factor receptor l (TNFR1), TNF receptor‐associated structure domain (TRADD) and phosphorylation of stress‐activated protein kinase/c‐jun N‐terminal protein kinases (p‐SAPK/JNK). Altogether, these results suggest that OMT at a dose of 320 mg/kg leads to liver damage and is related to the activation of JNK signalling pathway mediated by TNF‐α in the liver of mice.
Lack of cell cycle checkpoints in human cleavage stage embryos revealed by a clonal pattern of chromosomal mosaicism analysed by sequential multicolour FISH

Multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis of interphase nuclei in cleavage stage human embryos has highlighted a high incidence of postzygotic chromosomal mosaicism, including both aneuploid and ploidy mosaicism. Indeed, some embryos appear to have a chaotic chromosomal complement in a majority of nuclei, suggesting that cell cycle checkpoints may not operate in early cleavage. Most of these studies, however, have only analysed a limited number of chromosomes (3–5), making it difficult to distinguish FISH artefacts from true aneuploidy. We now report analysis of 11 chromosomes in five sequential hybridisations with standard combinations of two or three probes and minimal loss of hybridisation efficiency. Analysis of a series of arrested human embryos revealed a generally consistent pattern of hybridisation on which was superimposed frequent deletion of one or both chromosomes of a specific pair in two or more nuclei indicating a clonal origin and continued cleavage following chromosome loss. With a binucleate cell in a predominantly triploid XXX embryo, the two nuclei remained attached during preparation and the chaotic diploid/triphoid status of every chromosome analysed was the same for each nucleus. Furthermore, in each hybridisation the signals were distributed as a mirror-image about the plane of attachment, indicating premature decondensation during anaphase consistent with a lack of checkpoint control.
Bringing in the Excluded? Aesthetic labour, skills and training in the 'new' economy

Abstract Debates about the nature of work, employment and skill formation in the 'new' economy have, to date, neglected the norton of 'aesthetic labour'. Identification by us of this 'new' form of labour provides the basis to review some of the implications in relation to skill acquisition and usage, current training provision and social exclusion as it effects an area of the economy that is predicted to have massive jobs growth. Thus, the article briefly reports on a pilot 'aesthetic skills' training programme developed within the Glasgow milieu to address some of these concems. Despite some concerns about social control, we consider the role of such dedicated training in improving the employabllity of the long-tenn unemployed and conclude that provision of this type has a role in addressing social exclusion in the labour market.
High accuracy jitter measurement using cyclic pulse width modulation structure

For high-speed circuit testing, traditional ways are not enough in measuring the clock jitter. The probe's loading effect would distort the tested clock signal and change the measurement result. Even some BIST techniques can release this problem. There is still a conflict between the circuit area and the timing resolution in the existing BIST techniques. The cyclic pulse width modulation structure is used to release this problem. The hardware overhead problem is released and the demanded resolution also can be reached. Furthermore, the effect of the PVTL is also released. The simulation result is based on TSMC 0.25/spl mu/m CMOS process. The selectable resolution is from 9ps to 20ps and the area is 0.039mm/sup 2/.
Genetic determinants of bone mass

Purpose of reviewThis review examines recent advances in the analysis of genetic determinants of bone mass. It addresses both human and animal linkage studies as well as genetic manipulations in animals, inbred mouse models, and candidate gene analyses. Recent findingsRecent studies have implicated novel regulatory pathways in bone biology including both the neuroendocrine system and metabolic pathways linked to lipid metabolism. Variations in the lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), part of the Wnt-frizzled pathway, were independently identified by linkage in high and low bone mass families. Subsequently, other high bone mass syndromes have been shown to have mutations in this gene. Neural studies have shown the skeletal regulatory activity of leptin and neuropeptide Y receptors via the hypothalamus. Subsequently, the β-adrenergic pathway has been implicated, with important changes in bone mass. The lipoxygenase 12/15 pathway, identified through inbred mouse models and through pharmacologic studies with specific inhibitors, has also been shown to have important effects on bone mass. These studies exemplify the value of genetic models both to identify and then confirm pathways by mutational study and pharmacologic interventions. Continuing candidate gene studies often performed with multiple loci complement such discoveries. However, these studies have not focused on the clinical endpoint of fracture and few have included large enough groups to engender confidence in the associations reported, as such studies may require thousands of individuals. Interestingly, results often differ by ethnicity, age, or gender. A small proportion have examined whether relevant genes influence response to treatment. SummaryThe combinations of human and animal genetic linkage studies have advanced understanding of the regulation of bone mass. Studies ranging from linkage to pharmacology provide optimism for new targets and treatments for osteoporosis.
Bacteriophage Treatment of a Severe Escherichia coli Respiratory Infection in Broiler Chickens

Abstract SUMMARY. A bacteriophage to a serotype 02, nonmotile Escherichia coli was isolated from municipal waste treatment facilities and poultry processing plants. A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of multiple vs. single intramuscular (i.m.) injections of bacteriophage to treat a severe E. coli respiratory infection. The birds were challenged at 7 days of age by injection of 6 × 104 colony-forming units (cfu) of E. coli into the thoracic air sac followed by an i.m. injection into the thigh with either heat-killed or active bacteriophage. There were 16 treatments with three replicate pens of 10 birds. There were four control treatments, which included untreated birds, birds injected with either heat-killed or active bacteriophage, and birds challenged only with E. coli. In the remaining treatments, birds were injected with heat-killed or active bacteriophage either once immediately after E. coli challenge or immediately after challenge and at 8 and 9 days of age, once at 8 days of age or at 8, 9, and 10 days of age, and once at 9 days of age or at 9, 10, and 11 days of age. Mortality was significantly decreased from 57% to 13% in the birds given a single i.m. injection of bacteriophage immediately after E. coli challenge, and there was complete recovery in birds treated immediately after challenge and at 8 and 9 days of age, which was a significant improvement from the single injection treatment. There was a significant reduction in mortality from 57% to 10% in the birds treated with bacteriophage once at 8 days of age and those birds treated at 8, 9, and 10 days of age, with no difference between single or multiple treatments. The mortality in the single or multiple phage treated birds that started at 9 days of age was reduced from 57% to 28% and 27%, respectively, but was not statistically different from the control. These data suggest that bacteriophage can be an effective treatment when administered early in this experimental E. coli respiratory disease and that early multiple treatments are better than a single treatment. The efficacy of bacteriophage treatment diminishes as it is delayed, with no difference between single or multiple treatments. Bacteriophage may provide an effective alternative to antibiotics, but like antibiotic therapy, the effectiveness of phage to rescue animals decreases the longer treatment is delayed in the disease process.