Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Remote transfer of ultrastable frequency references via fiber networks.

Three distinct techniques exist for distributing an ultrastable frequency reference over optical fibers. For the distribution of a microwave frequency reference, an amplitude-modulated continuous wave (cw) laser can be used. Over kilometer-scale lengths this approach provides an instability at 1 s of approximately 3 x 10(-14) without stabilization of the fiber-induced noise and approximately 1 x 10(-14) with active noise cancellation. An optical frequency reference can be transferred by directly transmitting a stabilized cw laser over fiber and then disseminated to other optical and microwave regions using an optical frequency comb. This provides an instability at 1 s of 2 x 10(-14) without active noise cancellation and 3 x 10(-15) with active noise cancellation [Recent results reduce the instability at 1 s to 6 x 10(-18). ] Finally, microwave and optical frequency references can be simultaneously transmitted using an optical frequency comb, and we expect the optical transfer to be similar in performance to the cw optical frequency transfer. The instability at 1 s for transfer of a microwave frequency reference with the comb is approximately 3 x 10(-14) without active noise cancellation and <7 x 10(-15) with active stabilization. The comb can also distribute a microwave frequency reference with root-mean-square timing jitter below 16 fs integrated over the Nyquist bandwidth of the pulse train (approximately 50 MHz) when high-bandwidth active noise cancellation is employed, which is important for remote synchronization applications.
Neuropsychological deficits in tests of executive function in asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV-1 seropositive men

Synopsis There has been much debate about the exact nature and time of onset of the cognitive impairments associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Studies to date have not reached consistent conclusions. The present study comprised 22 asymptomatic and 18 symptomatic HIV-1 seropositive men, whose only risk factor for contraction of the virus was sexual intercourse, and 18 seronegative controls matched for age and IQ. Subjects were given computerized neuropsychological tests from the CANTAB battery, which assessed visuospatial memory, attention and executive function. Both the asymptomatic and the symptomatic HIV-1 seropositive subjects showed a selective pattern of deficits relative to the controls. In addition, the seropositive subjects were subtly but significantly impaired on tests of executive function but unimpaired on certain tests of visual memory. This finding supports an hypothesis that frontostriatal dysfunction occurs in HIV-1 infected individuals prior even to the expression of clinical symptoms.
Compensation of hysteresis nonlinearity for a piezoelectric actuator using a stop operator-based Prandtl-Ishlinskii model

Piezoelectric actuators exhibit limited tracking performance in precision control due to their inherent hysteresis nonlinearity. In this paper, the hysteresis behavior is described by a play operator-based Prandtl-Ishlinskii (PPI) model. And a corresponding stop operator-based Prandtl-Ishlinskii (SPI) model is utilized as a feedforward compensator for canceling the hysteresis effect in piezoelectric actuators. For this purpose, the two parameters describing the SPI model, the thresholds and the weights, are analytically derived from the PPI model, which constitutes a main contribution of the paper. As an illustration, the effectiveness of the compensator is demonstrated through simulation and experimental results attained with a piezoelectric micro-positioning stage. Both the simulation and experimental results show that the SPI model can serve as an effective feedforward hysteresis compensator and can thus enhance the tracking/positioning precision of the piezoelectric actuators.
The role of DNA methylation: a challenge for the DOHaD paradigm in going beyond the historical debate

A heritage of considerable research into such phenomena as parental imprinting and carcinogenesis is an almost axiomatic association of the DNA methylation epigenetic mark with the silencing of gene expression. However, the increasing technical resolution afforded by burgeoning -omics technologies reveals that a more elaborate interaction may exist between DNA methylation, within sub-regions of gene structure and/or specific dinucleotide sites, and levels of gene activity. Furthermore, seminal observations from the field of DOHaD, which clearly define the alignment of sequential epigenetic modifications and gene activity appear not to support a strictly causal relationship between DNA methylation and gene silencing. The temporal element implicit within DOHaD studies provides a useful framework within which to further explore the role of epigenetic mechanisms and in particular perhaps, to address the question of ‘deterministic intent’ when implicating the epigenetic regulation of gene activity in the manifestation of phenotype.
Role of NBC1 in apical and basolateral HCO3- permeabilities and transendothelial HCO3- fluxes in bovine corneal endothelium.

Corneal transparency and hydration control are dependent on HCO(3)(-) transport properties of the corneal endothelium. Recent work (13) suggested the presence of an apical 1Na(+)-3HCO(3)(-) cotransporter (NBC1) in addition to a basolateral 1Na(+)-2HCO(3)(-) cotransporter. We examined whether the NBC1 cotransporter contributes significantly to basolateral or apical HCO(3)(-) permeability and whether the cotransporter participates in transendothelial net HCO(3)(-) flux in cultured bovine corneal endothelium. NBC1 protein expression was reduced using small interfering RNA (siRNA). Immunoblot analysis showed that 5-15 nM siRNA decreased NBC1 expression by 80-95%, 4 days posttransfection. Apical and basolateral HCO(3)(-) permeabilities were determined by measuring the rate of pH(i) change when HCO(3)(-) was removed from the bath under constant pH or constant CO(2) conditions. Using either protocol, we found that cultures treated with NBC1 siRNA had sixfold lower basolateral HCO(3)(-) permeability than untreated or siCONTROL siRNA-treated cells. Apical HCO(3)(-) permeability was unaffected by NBC1 siRNA treatment. Net non-steady-state HCO(3)(-) flux was 0.707 +/- 0.009 mM.min(-1). cm(2) in the basolateral-to-apical direction and increased to 1.74 +/- 0.15 when cells were stimulated with 2 muM forskolin. Treatment with 5 nM siRNA decreased basolateral-to-apical flux by 67%, whereas apical-to-basolateral flux was unaffected, significantly decreasing net HCO(3)(-) flux to 0.236 +/- 0.002. NBC1 siRNA treatment or 100 muM ouabain also eliminated steady-state HCO(3)(-) flux, as measured by apical compartment alkalinization. Collectively, reduced basolateral HCO(3)(-) permeability, basolateral-to-apical fluxes, and net HCO(3)(-) flux as a result of reduced expression of NBC1 indicate that NBC1 plays a key role in transendothelial HCO(3)(-) flux and is functional only at the basolateral membrane.
Honest signalling during prey–predator interactions in the lizard Anolis cristatellus


Current theory on the evolution of pursuit-deterrent signals predicts that it may be advantageous for the prey to communicate to the predator its alertness and its ability to escape an attack. I tested these predictions by staging predator-prey encounters between A. cristatellus lizards and a model of one of its predators under natural conditions. Results supported the use of pushup displays as pursuit-deterrent signals. The intensity of signals, measured as the number of pushups given during predation episodes, was significantly positively correlated with individual physiological condition measured as endurance capacity. Because endurance capacity can be a critical aspect limiting the ability of A. cristatellus to escape a predatory attack, pushup displays can potentially communicate an individual's ability to escape an attack and, therefore, can be categorized as honest signals. Furthermore, because pushup displays are widely used during anoline social interactions, predation pressure and sexual selection may simultaneously favour the evolution of honest communication to allow both the predator and the potential mate or male rival to assess individual quality using the same signal. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Purification and characterization of a novel cold‐adapted phytase from Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain JMUY14 isolated from Antarctic

A yeast producing a cold‐adapted phytase was isolated from Antarctic deep‐sea sediment and identified as a Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain JMUY14 of basidiomycetous yeasts. It was cultured in fermentation optimized by a response surface methodology based on the Box–Behnken design. The maximum activity of phytase reached 205.447 U ml−1, which was close to the predicted value of 201.948 U ml−1 and approximately 3.4 times higher than its initial activity. The extracellular phytase was purified by 15.2‐fold to homogeneity with a specific activity of 31,635 U mg−1 by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, and a combination of DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow, SP Sepharose Fast Flow, and Sephadex G‐100. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 63 kDa and its pI was 4.33. Its optimal temperature and pH were 50 °C and 5.0, respectively. Its activity was 85% at 37 °C, and showed good stability at pH 3.0∼7.0. When compared with mesophilic counterparts, the phytase not only exhibited a higher activity during 20∼30 °C but also had a low Km (247 µM) and high kcat (1394 s−1). The phytase activity was slightly stimulated in the presence of Mg2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, K+, Na+, Ca2+, EDTA, and EGTA and moderately inhibited by Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ag+, PMSF, SDS, and phenylgloxal hydrate. It was resistant to both pepsin and trypsin. Since the phytase produced by the R. mucilaginosa JMUY14 showed a high specific activity, good pH stability, strong protease resistance, and high activity at low temperature, it has great potential for feed applications, especially in aquaculture.
rhBMP-2 Release from Injectable Poly(DL-Lactic-co-glycolic Acid)/Calcium-Phosphate Cement Composites

Background: In bone tissue engineering, poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles are frequently used as a delivery vehicle for bioactive molecules. Calcium phosphate cement is an injectable, osteoconductive, and degradable bone cement that sets in situ. The objective of this study was to create an injectable composite based on calcium phosphate cement embedded with PLGA microparticles for sustained delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). Methods: 125 I-labeled rhBMP-2 was incorporated in PLGA microparticles. PLGA microparticle/calcium-phosphate cement composites were prepared in a ratio of 30:70 by weight. Material properties were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, microcomputed tomography, and mechanical testing. Release kinetics of rhBMP-2 from PLGA/calcium-phosphate cement disks and PLGA microparticles alone were determined in vitro in two buffer solutions (pH 7.4 and pH 4.0) for up to twenty-eight days.Results: The entrapment yield of rhBMP-2 in PLGA microparticles was a mean (and standard deviation) of 79% ± 8%. Analysis showed spherical PLGA microparticles (average size, 17.2 ±1.3 &mgr;m) distributed homogeneously throughout the nanoporous disks. The average compressive strength was significantly lower (p < 0.001) for PLGA and calcium-phosphate cement composite scaffolds than for calcium-phosphate cement scaffolds alone (6.4 ± 0.6 MPa compared with 38.6 ± 2.6 MPa, respectively). Average rhBMP-2 loading was 5.0 ± 0.4 &mgr;g per 75-mm 3 disk. Release of rhBMP-2 was limited for all formulations. At pH 7.4, 3.1% ± 0.1% of the rhBMP-2 was released from the PLGA/calcium-phosphate cement disks and 18.0% ± 1.9% was released from the PLGA microparticles alone after twenty-eight days. At pH 4.0, PLGA/calcium-phosphate cement disks revealed more release of rhBMP-2 than did PLGA microparticles alone (14.5% ± 6.3% compared with 5.4% ± 0.7%) by day 28.Conclusions: These results indicate that preparation of a PLGA/calcium-phosphate cement composite for the delivery of rhBMP-2 is feasible and that the release of rhBMP-2 is dependent on the composite composition and nanostructure as well as the pH of the release medium.Clinical Relevance: An osteoconductive and osteoinductive rhBMP-2-loaded PLGA/calcium-phosphate cement composite may potentially result in an injectable bone-graft substitute for the regeneration of bone in ectopic or orthotopic sites.
Oxidative stress and its association with cardiovascular disease in chronic renal failure patients

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for the majority of deaths in chronic renal failure (CRF). Oxidative stress plays a key role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and CVD, which is promoted by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impaired antioxidant enzymes. These ROS react with nitric oxide (NO) to produce cytotoxic reactive nitrogen species that cause oxidative injury to the endothelium. This study evaluated biomarkers of oxidative stress, NOx (total NO2 and NO3), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme in normal control and CRF patients as case group and correlated their association with CVD. This cross sectional study involved 173 CRF patients on different modes of treatment (hemodialysis, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and predialysis). Of these, 74 had CVD. The control group consisted of 33 healthy subjects who had no history of CRF and CVD. Both NOx and SOD levels were significantly lower (P<0.05, P<0.001, respectively) in the case group. Comparing between CRF patients with and without CVD, SOD level was found to be significantly lower in CRF patients with CVD (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed significant association of CVD event with age, male gender, diabetes, SOD level, and lipid profile in CRF patients. Oxidative stress occurs in the CRF patients with or without CVD. This study found that NOx and SOD levels were reduced in all CRF patients with or without CVD. However, it was noted that the levels of these biomarkers of oxidative stress were significantly lower in CRF patients with CVD compared with CRF patients without CVD. Therefore, these oxidative stress markers maybe contributing factors in the pathogenesis of CVD in patients with CRF.
The SNM1/Pso2 family of ICL repair nucleases: From yeast to man

Efficient interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair in yeast depends on the Pso2/Snm1 protein. Pso2 is a member of the highly conserved metallo‐β‐lactamase structural family of nucleases. Mammalian cells possess three SNM1/Pso2 related proteins, SNM1A, SNM1B/Apollo, and SNM1C/Artemis. Evidence that SNM1A and SNM1B contribute to ICL repair is mounting, whereas Artemis appears to primarily contribute to non‐ICL repair pathways, particularly some double‐strand break repair events. Yeast Pso2 and all three mammalian SNM1‐family proteins have been shown to possess nuclease activity. Here, we review the biochemical, genetic, and cellular evidence for the SNM1 family as DNA repair factors, focusing on ICL repair. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Empirical Investigation of Efficient Market Hypothesis in Vietnam Stock Market

This research examines the efficiency of Vietnam stock market at weak form level by using daily and weekly observations of market index and eight selected stocks of real estate and seafood processing companies for the period from 2007 to 2010. Parametric and nonparametric tests including auto correlation test, run test, variance ratio test, regression test, ARCH, GARCH (1,1) have been employed in this study. The results from all tests fail to support the hypothesis of weak form efficiency with the daily data, even in case, returns are adjusted for thin trading. However, with weekly data, the results obtained from run test and autocorrelation test do not completely reject the hypothesis of weak form efficiency while the result given from variance ratio test fully provides the evidence against a random walk. Besides that, the findings of no clear calendar effect by examining the day of week effect also give the evidence that even if the anomalies existed in the sample period, the practitioners who implement strategies to take advantage of anomalous behavior can cause the anomalies to disappear.
Binary search trees, rectangles and patterns

The topic of this thesis is the classical problem of searching for a sequence of keys in a binary search tree (BST), allowing the re-arrangement of the tree after every search. Our current understanding of the power and limitations of this model is incomplete, despite decades of research. The proven guarantees for the best known algorithms are far from the conjectured ones. We cannot efficiently compute an optimal sequence of rotations for serving a sequence of queries (even approximately and even with advance knowledge of the input), but we also cannot show this problem to be difficult. Sleator and Tarjan conjectured in 1983 that a simple online strategy for tree re-arrangement is as good, up to a constant factor, as the theoretical optimum, for every input. This is the famous dynamic optimality conjecture. In this thesis we make the following contributions to the topic. • We define in various ways the computational models in which BST algorithms are described and analyzed. We clarify some of the assumptions that are made in the literature (often implicitly), and survey known results about the BST model. (§ 2) • We generalize Splay, a popular BST algorithm that has several proven efficiencyproperties, and define a set of sufficient (and, in a limited sense, necessary) criteria that guarantee the efficient behavior of a BST algorithm. The results give new insights into the behavior and efficiency of Splay (a topic that is generally considered intriguing).
International Leptospirosis Society: objectives and achievements.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of increasing global importance. It has a considerable public health and economic impact. Primarily, leptospirosis is an occupational disease affecting many labourers (e.g. rice field workers, [cattle]farmers, sugarcane cutters, fishermen, meatand sewer workers) in their productive age. Apart from the costs of treatment, this generates economic losses by a decreased income both at the personal and national level. Leptospirosis also is a disease of animals affecting many domestic and farm animals. There is an enormous economic impact on the international trade of animals and semen. Economic losses are also caused by cost for treatment and control and by reduced milk yields and reproductive failures.
The Margin-Volatility Relationship: A Test Based on Extreme Price Movements

This paper re-examines the margin-volatility relationship in the U.S. stock market. In previous studies volatility has been measured by the variance of asset returns. Equity markets instability has, however, often been related to extreme price movements like stock market booms and crashes. These events indeed prompted the existing margin regulation. Using extreme value theory, I propose a new measure for volatility based on the tail index which reflects the weight of extremes in the distribution of asset returns. The tail index avoids many shortcomings of the variance. Statistical regressions show that there is no significant relationship between margin requirement and volatility and also no significant relationship between change in margin requirement and change in volatility.
Keratocan and Lumican Regulate Neutrophil Infiltration and Corneal Clarity in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Keratitis by Direct Interaction with CXCL1*

Keratocan and lumican are keratan-sulfate proteoglycans (KSPG), which have a critical role in maintaining corneal clarity. To determine whether these KSPGs have a role in corneal inflammation, we examined Kera–/– and Lum–/– mice in a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced keratitis in which wild-type mice develop increased corneal thickness and haze due to neutrophil infiltration to the corneal stroma. Corneal thickness increases caused by LPS mice were significantly lower in Kera–/– and Lum–/– than wild-type mice. Further, LPS-injected Lum–/– mice had elevated corneal haze levels compared with that of Kera–/– and wild-type. At 24 h post-injection, total enhanced green fluorescent protein-positive bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells in chimeric mice was significantly lower in Kera–/– mice and Lum–/– mice compared with wild-type mice. Neutrophil infiltration was inhibited in Kera–/– and Lum–/– mice at 6 and 24 h post-stimulation, with Lum–/– corneas having the most profound defect in neutrophil migration. Reconstitution of keratocan and lumican expression in corneas of Kera–/– and Lum–/– mice using adeno-keratocan and adeno-lumican viral vectors, respectively, resulted in normal neutrophil infiltration in response to LPS. Immunoprecipitation/Western blot analysis showed that lumican and keratocan core proteins bind the CXC chemokine KC during a corneal inflammatory response, indicating that corneal KSPGs mediate neutrophil recruitment to the cornea by regulating chemokine gradient formation. Together, these data support a significant role for lumican and keratocan in a corneal inflammatory response with respect to edema, corneal clarity, and cellular infiltration.
The bone tissue responses to prehydrated and collagenated cortico-cancellous porcine bone grafts: a study in rabbit maxillary defects.

BACKGROUND Bone substitutes should have osteoconductive properties and be completely replaced with new bone with time. Adding collagen gel to prehydrated and collagenated porcine bone (PCPB) particles results in a sticky and moldable material which facilitates clinical handling. However, the possible influence of the gel on the bone tissue response is not known. PURPOSE The objective of the study was to evaluate the bone tissue responses to PCPB graft with or without collagen gel and to evaluate the resorption/degradation properties of the biomaterials. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fourteen rabbits were used in the study. Bilateral bone defects, 5 x 8 x 3 mm, were created in the maxilla and filled with PCPB + collagen gel (test) or with PCPB only (control) and covered with a collagen membrane. Animals were killed after 2 (n = 3), 4 (n = 3), and 8 weeks (n = 8) for histological and morphometrical evaluations. RESULTS There were no differences between test and control defects. Both materials showed bone formation directly on the particles by typical osteoblastic seams. The bone area increased with time (2-8 weeks) for both sides, from 16.2% (control) and 19.2% (test) to 42.7 and 43.8%, respectively. The PCPB, whether mixed with collagen gel or not, was resorbed by osteoclasts as well as part of remodeling with the formation of osteons within the particles. Morphometry showed a decrease of PCPB area from 19.4% (control) and 23.8% (test) after 2 weeks to 3.7 and 9.3% after 8 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Mixing collagen gel and PCPB to facilitate the clinical handling does not influence the bone tissue responses to the material, which exhibited osteoconductive properties and was resorbed with time.