Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of altering the ATP/ADP ratio on pump-mediated Na/K and Na/Na exchanges in resealed human red blood cell ghosts

Resealed human red blood cell ghosts were prepared to contain a range of ADP concentrations at fixed ATP concentrations and vice versa. ATP/ADP ratios ranging from approximately 0.2 to 50 were set and maintained (for up to 45 min) in this system. ATP and ADP concentrations were controlled by the addition of either a phosphoarginine- or phosphocreatine-based regenerating system. Ouabain- sensitive unidirectional Na efflux was determined in the presence and absence of 15 mM external K as a function of the nucleotide composition. Na/K exchange was found to increase to saturation with ATP (K 1/2 approximately equal to 250 microM), whereas Na/Na exchange (measured in K-free solutions) was a saturating function of ADP (K 1/2 approximately equal to 350 microM). The elevation of ATP from approximately 100 to 1,800 microM did not appreciably affect Na/Na exchange. In the presence of external Na and a saturating concentration of external K, increasing the ADP concentration at constant ATP was found to decrease ouabain-sensitive Na/K exchange. The decreased Na/K exchange that still remained when the ADP/ATP ratio was high was stimulated by removal of external Na. Assuming that under normal substrate conditions the reaction cycle of the Na/K pump is rate- limited by the conformational change associated with the release of occluded K [E2 X (K) X ATP----E1 X ATP + K], increasing ADP inhibits the rate of these transformations by competition with ATP for the E2(K) form. A less likely alternative is that inhibition is due to competition with ATP at the high-affinity site (E1). The acceleration of the Na/K pump that occurs upon removing external Na at high levels of ADP evidently results from a shift in the forward direction of the transformation of the intermediates involved with the release of occluded Na from E1P X (Na). Thus, the nucleotide composition and the Na gradient can modulate the rate at which the Na/K pump operates.
A Multidimensional Analysis of Poverty in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

This paper sets out the reasoning behind the fuzzy set approach to poverty measurement as a means to address both vertical and horizontal vagueness of poverty. The linear approach of Cerioli and Zani and the totally fuzzy and relative approach of Cheli and Lemmi are discussed and applied to the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, using data from Census 96. The results indicate different experiences of poverty in the Eastern Cape. It is shown that the traditional money metric approach does not accurately identify the most deprived in society, indicating the importance of other non-metric dimensions in poverty measurement.
Improving multiple-CMP systems using token coherence

Improvements in semiconductor technology now enable chip multiprocessors (CMPs). As many future computer systems will use one or more CMPs and support shared memory, such systems will have caches that must be kept coherent. Coherence is a particular challenge for multiple-CMP (M-CMP) systems. One approach is to use a hierarchical protocol that explicitly separates the intra-CMP coherence protocol from the inter-CMP protocol, but couples them hierarchically to maintain coherence. However, hierarchical protocols are complex, leading to subtle, difficult-to-verify race conditions. Furthermore, most previous hierarchical protocols use directories at one or both levels, incurring indirections - and thus extra latency - for sharing misses, which are common in commercial workloads. In contrast, this paper exploits the separation of correctness substrate and performance policy in the recently-proposed token coherence protocol to develop the first M-CMP coherence protocol that is flat for correctness, but hierarchical for performance. Via model checking studies, we show that flat correctness eases verification. Via simulation with micro-benchmarks, we make new protocol variants more robust under contention. Finally, via simulation with commercial workloads on a commercial operating system, we show that new protocol variants can be 10-50% faster than a hierarchical directory protocol.
The mushroom bodies of Drosophila melanogaster: An immunocytological and golgi study of Kenyon cell organization in the calyces and lobes

Golgi impregnations reveal a variety of dendritic morphologies amongst Kenyon cells in the mushroom bodies of Drosophila melanogaster. Different morphological types of Kenyon cells contribute axon‐like processes to five divisions of the medial and vertical lobes. Four of these divisions have characteristic affinities to antibodies raised against aspartate, glutamate, and taurine. A newly described posterior subdivision of the medial lobe, here named the βc lobe with its vertical branch αc, comprises glutamatergic Kenyon cells that are probably homologous to glutamatergic Kenyon cells in the cockroach and honey bee, and are the last neurons to differentiate. The first neurons to differentiate, which supply the γ lobe, are equipped with clawed dendritic specializations and are the structural homologues of clawed class II Kenyon cells supplying the γ lobes in cockroaches and honey bees. Three intermediate divisions lie between the βc lobe and γ lobe. These are, from the back towards the front, the β lobe, the β′ lobe, and a narrow division between β′ and γ called the β″ lobe. The fused calyx of the Drosophila mushroom body is comparable to the double calyces of Hymenoptera, here exemplified by a basal taxon, Diprion pini. Further similarities between the hymenopteran calyces and those of Drosophila are suggested by the segregation of different types of Kenyon cell dendrites within the calyx neuropil. The organization of afferents from the antennal lobes also defines regions in the Drosophila calyx that may be homologous to the lip and basal ring regions of the honey bee calyces. As in honey bees, GABAergic processes densely invade Drosophila's calyces, which also contain a sparse but uniform distribution of octopaminergic elements. Microsc. Res. Tech. 62:151–169, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of serum leptin and tumor necrosis factor‐&agr; in malnutrition of male chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background Leptin is a protein mainly secreted by adipocytes, and the major function of leptin was its role in body weight regulation. It is suggested that increased levels of circulating leptin may contribute to anorexia in pathologic conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recent studies have provided evidence for a link between leptin and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor‐&agr; (TNF‐&agr;). This study aimed to explore the role of serum leptin in the malnutrition of COPD patients, and to observe the changes of serum leptin levels during acute exacerbation, also to investigate relationship between leptin and TNF‐&agr;. Methods Seventy‐two COPD patients and 34 control subjects participated in this study. Seventy‐two COPD patients were divided into 3 groups: group COPD IA (patients without malnutrition during acute exacerbation, n=25), group COPD IB (patients without malnutrition during stable disease, n=29), group COPD II (patients with malnutrition during stable disease, n=18). To eliminate the effect of sex differences, all patients and controls were male. Body mass index (BMI), percent ideal body weight (IBW%), triceps skin‐fold thickness (TSF), mid‐upper arm circumference (MAC), mid‐upper arm muscle circumference (MAMC), serum leptin and TNF‐&agr; levels, serum prealbumin (PA), serum transferrin (TF), serum albumin (Alb), total lymphocytes count (TLC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal inspiration pressure (MIP) and maximal expiration pressure (MEP) were measured in all participants. Leptin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. TNF‐&agr; levels were measured by ELISA. The between group difference and correlation of these parameters were analyzed. Results Serum leptin levels were significantly lower in group COPD II [(4.07 ± 3.42) ng/ml] than in group COPD IB [(9.72 ± 6.67) ng/ml] and controls [(8.21 ± 5.41) ng/ml] (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in serum leptin levels between group COPD IA [(10.82 ± 6.40) ng/ml], group COPD IB [(9.72 ± 6.67) ng/ml] and controls [(8.21 ± 5.41) ng/ml]. There was no statistically significant difference in serum TNF‐&agr; levels between group COPD II [(8.03 ± 3.37) pg/ml], group COPD IA [(8.90 ± 1.60) pg/ml], and group COPD IB [(7.25 ± 2.08) pg/ml]. There was no significant correlation between leptin and TNF‐&agr; in any group. Conclusions Leptin was not involved in anorexia and weight loss of COPD patients. There was no statistically significant difference in serum leptin levels between COPD patients during stable stage and acute exacerbation, and there was no significant correlation between TNF‐&agr; and leptin during the regulation of the energy balance in COPD patients.
Single-molecule chemical denaturation of riboswitches

To date, single-molecule RNA science has been developed almost exclusively around the effect of metal ions as folding promoters and stabilizers of the RNA structure. Here, we introduce a novel strategy that combines single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and chemical denaturation to observe and manipulate RNA dynamics. We demonstrate that the competing interplay between metal ions and denaturant agents provides a platform to extract information that otherwise will remain hidden with current methods. Using the adenine-sensing riboswitch aptamer as a model, we provide strong evidence for a rate-limiting folding step of the aptamer domain being modulated through ligand binding, a feature that is important for regulation of the controlled gene. In the absence of ligand, the rate-determining step is dominated by the formation of long-range key tertiary contacts between peripheral stem-loop elements. In contrast, when the adenine ligand interacts with partially folded messenger RNAs, the aptamer requires specifically bound Mg2+ ions, as those observed in the crystal structure, to progress further towards the native form. Moreover, despite that the ligand-free and ligand-bound states are indistinguishable by FRET, their different stability against urea-induced denaturation allowed us to discriminate them, even when they coexist within a single FRET trajectory; a feature not accessible by existing methods.
On scale independence for querying big data

To make query answering feasible in big datasets, practitioners have been looking into the notion of scale independence of queries. Intuitively, such queries require only a relatively small subset of the data, whose size is determined by the query and access methods rather than the size of the dataset itself. This paper aims to formalize this notion and study its properties. We start by defining what it means to be scale-independent, and provide matching upper and lower bounds for checking scale independence, for queries in various languages, and for combined and data complexity. Since the complexity turns out to be rather high, and since scale-independent queries cannot be captured syntactically, we develop sufficient conditions for scale independence. We formulate them based on access schemas, which combine indexing and constraints together with bounds on the sizes of retrieved data sets. We then study two variations of scale-independent query answering, inspired by existing practical systems. One concerns incremental query answering: we check when query answers can be maintained in response to updates scale-independently. The other explores scale-independent query rewriting using views.
Measuring The E-commerce Customer Service Life Cycle

ABSTRACT This paper describes the preliminary conceptual development of an instrument to measure the ability of an e-commerce site to meet the service aspects of the Customer Service Life Cycle (CSLC) through the use of information technology (IT). In light of the emergence of e-commerce, there is a pressing need for the evaluation of IT-supported services from a customer service perspective. The CSLC purports to be a source of competitive advantage through the differentiation of service offerings (Ives and Learmonth 1984). The CSLC framework can also serve as a basis for the strategic development of interorganizational IT applications. While the CSLC has been discussed in the information systems literature since 1984, little empirical work has been done to develop measures of its constructs of interest 1. INTRODUCTION Ives and Learmonth first proposed the Customer Service Life Cycle (CSLC) in 1984 as a framework for applying information technology (IT) to externally oriented, customer-focused applications. The CSLC is based primarily on the extant knowledge that customers follow a "birth to death" cycle when dealing with a supplier's product or service. Broadly, a customer first establishes a need and characteristics of a product or service. She then acquires the product, possesses it and at some point returns, disposes or otherwise discontinues ownership. A visual depiction of the CSLC is shown in Figure 1 (Ives and Mason 1990). Ives and Learmonth posited that IT could provide the necessary tools and infrastructure for a company to serve its customers across the breadth of the life cycle. IT can be applied to the role of assisting customers identify the right products, managing purchased products or speeding the return of an item. Amazon.com, for example, uses collaborative filtering to recommend books of potential interest to a customer. These may well be products that the customer never before perceived a need for until presented with the targeted choice. The vast majority of e-commerce sites provide electronic "shopping carts" to assist the customer in managing the order process and then determining payment. Symantec's anti-virus software maintains contact with a customer's computer to assure both the software and the library of virus definitions are up to date to assure maximum protection. Symantec automatically notifies the customer when either the software or the virus definitions have upgrades available.
Topology Optimization for Micro Rotational Mirror Design and Safe Manufacturing

We present a new design procedure for a functional MEMS design and, simultaneously, for safe manufacturing. In order to verify our approach we chose a 2.5 D compliant rotational mirror as an example, which is fabricated in single crystal silicon. The design of this compliant mechanism is based on structural topology optimization [1] with subsequent modification by parameter optimization with a pseudo-rigid-body mode analysis [2]. The fabricated compliant mechanism has a linear input at the load point, which is pushed by a piezoelectric actuator, and a rotational output at the mirror section. This single crystal silicon mechanism achieves a rotational angle of 5° with a stationary rotational center at low frequency up to 50 Hz.
Performance evaluation of the MESH-DQDC protocol

In this work, we focus on a WLANs mesh, i.e., an ad hoc, IEEE 802.11-based network whose nodes are either user devices or access points providing access to the mesh network or to the Internet. By relying on some work about IEEE 802.11 MAC analysis, we consider mesh-DQDC protocol and present an analytical model of the MAC scheme, through which we show that the protocol achieves high throughput both in regular and in very fragmented mesh topologies when compared to the standard 802.11 solution. Also the proposed analytical model is validated through OMNet ++ simulator.
Origin of outer rings in lunar multi-ringed basins - Evidence from morphology and ring spacing

The reported investigation has the objective to examine both the morphology and morphometry of several of the freshest lunar basins including Orientale, Imbrium, Nectaris, Crisium, and Humorum, and to compare the characteristics of their three most prominent rings to features in smaller craters. On the basis of comparisons it is concluded that the outer basin ring forms within the region where significant structural uplift of the basin rim is to be expected. Therefore the formation of the outer ring scarp may be closely associated with structural uplift of the inner portion of the crater rim flank. According to a model suggested for the origin of the outer two rings, the cratering event formed two inner rings, a central peak ring, and an uplifted crater rim crest, with deposition of ejecta during the process.
Data center energy consumption simulator from the servers to their cooling system

Efficient energy use has become a worldwide issue for designing and managing the datacenters. Behavioral modeling is a massive task and essential for researching and building our datacenter energy management system (part of a project called Energetic-FUI, France). This paper presents a general expression in the development of our Datacenter Workload Energy Simulation tool (DCWES) using Matlab/Simulink. All modules of the DCWES tool have been converted to Modelica and Java formats to integrate into the Energetic-FUI software.
Intense Pulsed Light: What Works, What's New, What's Next

Intense pulsed light technology has revolutionized the noninvasive treatment of a whole variety of cutaneous cosmetic problems. Today's machines are safer, more diverse, less painful, and readily available. Intense pulsed lights can be used to treat vascular and pigmented lesions and are used for facial rejuvenation and the removal of unwanted hair. Newer, less powerful home-device intense pulsed light sources will not replace those used in a physician's office but will augment the use of today's more powerful medical office systems.
Suk-Sam-Bai: The Quality of Life Perceptions Among Middle-Aged Women Living With a Disability in Isaan, Thailand

&NA; Midlife represents a time of shifting roles and biopsychosociocultural change for women. Physical disabilities compound the effect of such on daily life and quality of life. The objective of this study was to explore how middle-aged women with disabilities in Isaan perceived their current quality of life. A qualitative method was applied. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and observations. Sixteen disabled women were recruited through purposive and theoretical sampling. Qualitative data were analyzed using both thematic and content analysis. Triangulation was used to ensure data rigor. “Suk-Sam-Bai” was a term frequently used by disabled women in this study to define their quality of life. Life experiences, goals, and achievements lead to experiences of gain, maintenance, and loss in three interrelated aspects that include: fluctuations in physical capacity and health, maintaining gender role, and a caring and supportive environment. These three aspects impact on an individual's personal perception of Suk-Sam-Bai. Study findings indicate that gender and culture play significant roles in the lives of disabled women in Isaan culture. Based on study findings, providing gendercultural sensitive nursing care is essential to delivering comprehensive and effective healthcare to women with disabilities.
Posterior malleolar fracture is often associated with spiral tibial diaphyseal fracture: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND It is known that posterior malleolar fracture is often associated with tibial diaphyseal fractures. However, in literature there are very few studies on tibial shaft fractures with respect to posterior malleolus fragment. We hypothesized that the incidence of posterior malleolar fracture is higher than in previous studies. METHODS A total of 74 closed tibial shaft fractures were treated with intramedullary nailing in Turku University Central Hospital between January 1994 and December 1998. There were 55 men and 19 women, with a mean age of 39 years (range, 16 to 58 years). Two cases were excluded and 72 tibial shaft fractures were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS Posterior malleolar fracture was observed in 18 cases (25.0%). Only 10 were observed preoperatively in plain films, seven were detected postoperatively and one was not detected at all during the treatment. Retrospectively, all 18 posterior malleolar fractures were detectable in preoperative plain films. CONCLUSION A fracture of the posterior malleolus was involved in every fourth tibial diaphyseal fracture. The fractures of the posterior malleolus were always detected in preoperative plain films and should be suspected, especially in cases of low-energy spiral distal tibial diaphyseal fractures. We recommend additional plain films to be taken at the ankle region to better visualize these fractures.
Performance Characterisation and Evaluation of WRF Model on Cloud and HPC Architectures

Weather forecasting is a computationally intensiveproblem to handle as well as an important application problemwhere Cloud Computing can play a key transformational role.Traditionally the problem of handling such workloads havebeen considered mainly on High Performance Computing (HPC)architectures owing to their tightly-coupled nature and promisingspeed-up gains. However, with modern day Cloud platforms offeringa scalable service infrastructure, current HPC domain expertscontinue to deliberate on the usage of Cloud Computing platformsas an alternate cost effective and efficient way of procuring justin time computing. At the same time, there are a variety offactors to be considered before HPC workloads such as weatherforecasting can be moved to a Cloud infrastructure. In this paper,we have studied the performance characteristics of WeatherResearch and Forecasting (WRF) algorithm on three differentcomputing architectures. The architectures include two publicdomain Cloud service providers and a virtual machine (VM)based setup. Through detailed experiments, we have performeda rigorous comparative analysis of the performance of WRF ineach of these architectures and in that process we have identifiedthe strengths and weaknesses of each architecture for such HPCworkloads. We believe our work of comparing across 3 differentarchitectures is the first of its kind and could be seen as a pilotreference useful to domain experts and system administratorswho are considering to employ Cloud Computing for specificHPC problems.
From Simulation to Testbench Using the FMI-Standard

The power demand in 14V automotive power nets has increased continuously in the last years. New approaches for energy and power management systems are essential in order to ensure a safe and efficient operation of the power supply. This paper describes a method, how to export the physical models of a power net system simulation to a test bench using the FMI standard. For this purpose, an existing test bench is adapted in its architecture and converted to a real-time system that is scalable by the new PXImc-technology. Finally the method is validated by two simple models.
Harmful Effect of Cherry Leaf Spot(Blumeriellajaapii)on Sour Cherry and Influence on Fruit Yield

The experiment was carried out in 2007-2012 in a sour cherry orchard with three cultivars – ‘Oblachinska’, ‘Schattenmorelle’ and ‘Heiman Ruby’- established in the region of the town of Hisar. In 2007 the control of cherryleafspot( Blumeriellajaapii ) was conducted at improper time and inaccurate rates. That induced leaf defoliation in August. In the next vegetation periods (2008-2012) the control of cherry leaf spot was carried out by applying fungicides at definite rates at the most critical time for the host-pathogen system. During the next years (2009-2012) the trees of ‘Oblachinska’ cultivar yielded normally – 1300 kg/dekar, while the trees of the other two cultivars started improving their health status and the yield gradually increased, reaching up to 1600 kg/dekar(da) for ‘Heiman Ruby’ and 1100 kg/da for ‘Schattenmorelle’.