Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Schrödinger Semigroups

Let H = \L + V be a general Schrödinger operator on R" (v~> 1), where A is the Laplace differential operator and V is a potential function on which we assume minimal hypotheses of growth and regularity, and in particular allow V which are unbounded below. We give a general survey of the properties of e~, t > 0, and related mappings given in terms of solutions of initial value problems for the differential equation du/dt + Hu = 0. Among the subjects treated are L ̂ -properties of these maps, existence of continuous integral kernels for them, and regularity properties of eigenfunctions, including Harnack's inequality. CONTENTS A. Introduction Al. Overview A2. The class Kv A3. Literature on larger classes B. L ̂ -properties BI. L^-smoothing of semigroups B2. Sobolev estimates B3. Continuity and derivative estimates B4. Localization B5. Growth of L ̂ -semigroup norms as t -> oo B6. Weighted L-spaces B7. Integral kernels: General potentials B8. Integral kernels: Some special operators for some special potentials B9. Trace ideal properties BIO. Continuity in V Bl 1. Hypercontractive semigroups and all that B12. Some remarks on the case when H is unbounded below B13. The magnetic case C. Eigenfunctions CI. Harnack's inequality and subsolution estimates C2. Local estimates on v<p C3. Decay of eigenfunctions C4. Eigenfunctions and spectrum C5. Eigenfunction expansions Received by the editors March 4, 1982. 1980 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 81-02, 35-02; Secondary 47F05, 35P05. © 1982 American Mathematical Society 0273-0979/82/0000-0350/121.00
Genome-Wide Analysis of the Core DNA Replication Machinery in the Higher Plants Arabidopsis and Rice 1[W][OA]

Core DNA replication proteins mediate the initiation, elongation, and Okazaki fragment maturation functions of DNA replication. Although this process is generally conserved in eukaryotes, important differences in the molecular architecture of the DNA replication machine and the function of individual subunits have been reported in various model systems. We have combined genome-wide bioinformatic analyses of Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ) and rice ( Oryza sativa ) with published experimental data to provide a comprehensive view of the core DNA replication machinery in plants. Many components identiﬁed in this analysis have not been studied previously in plant systems, including the GINS (go ichi ni san) complex (PSF1, PSF2, PSF3, and SLD5), MCM8, MCM9, MCM10, NOC3, POLA2, POLA3, POLA4, POLD3, POLD4, and RNASEH2. Our results indicate that the core DNA replication machinery from plants is more similar to vertebrates than single-celled yeasts ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ), suggesting that animal models may be more relevant to plant systems. However, we also uncovered some important differences between plants and vertebrate machinery. For example, we did not identify geminin or RNASEH1 genes in plants. Our analyses also indicate that plants may be unique among eukaryotes in that they have multiple copies of numerous core DNA replication genes. This ﬁnding raises the question of whether specialized functions have evolved in some cases. This analysis establishes that the core DNA replication machinery is highly conserved across plant species and displays many features in common with other eukaryotes and some character-istics that are unique to plants.
Experimental Approach to Elucidating the Mechanism of Light-Independent Chlorophyll Biosynthesis in Greening Barley

Etiolated seedlings of angiosperms illuminated for a few hours and then returned to darkness continue to accumulate chlorophyll (Chl) a ([Popov and Dilova, 1969][1]; [Adamson et al., 1997][2], and refs. therein). In leaves of barley ( Hordeum vulgare ) seedlings and leaves of Tradescancia albiflora
Optimum bandwidth partitioning with analog-to-digital converter constraints

In certain communication channels, such as short copper twisted pairs, it is theoretically possible to perform transmission with very high spectral efficiency using a very wide bandwidth. However, current analog-to-digital converter (ADC) technology limits the allowable sampling rate and resolution, thus severely constraining the transmission speeds. This paper proposes the partitioning of the available bandwidth into multiple bands, each employing an independent ADC. The benefit of such a scheme is the reduction of the sampling rates of the ADCs. An increase in the dynamic range is allowed, thus offering the potential to realize very high spectral efficiencies. An analysis of transmission under ADC constraints is performed, where an expression for the achievable data rate is derived, based on an empirical rule for the tradeoff between the ADC sampling rate and resolution. A bandwidth-partitioning problem is formulated, where the objective is the maximization of the data rate, and the optimization parameters are the frequency-band assignments. Then, a practical example of transmission over category (CAT)-5 cable is considered. The possible impairment factors are outlined, and the essential system elements are described. Using the previously given algorithm, the optimum solution and the corresponding performance are given for two distinct scenarios. These scenarios serve to illustrate the bandwidth-partitioning procedure, and provide useful intuition regarding the application of the proposed method. In particular, it is deduced that it is best to have narrower bands in frequencies where the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is relatively high, and wider bands in frequencies where the SNR is relatively low.
Clinical Features of Metastatic Bone Disease and Risk of Skeletal Morbidity

The skeleton is the most common organ to be affected by metastatic cancer and the site of disease that produces the greatest morbidity. Skeletal morbidity includes pain that requires radiotherapy, hypercalcemia, pathologic fracture, and spinal cord or nerve root compression. From randomized trials in advanced cancer, it can be seen that one of these major skeletal events occurs on average every 3 to 6 months. Additionally, metastatic disease may remain confined to the skeleton with the decline in quality of life and eventual death almost entirely due to skeletal complications and their treatment. The prognosis of metastatic bone disease is dependent on the primary site, with breast and prostate cancers associated with a survival measured in years compared with lung cancer, where the average survival is only a matter of months. Additionally, the presence of extraosseous disease and the extent and tempo of the bone disease are powerful predictors of outcome. The latter is best estimated by measurement of bone-specific markers, and recent studies have shown a strong correlation between the rate of bone resorption and clinical outcome, both in terms of skeletal morbidity and progression of the underlying disease or death. Our improved understanding of prognostic and predictive factors may enable delivery of a more personalized treatment for the individual patient and a more cost-effective use of health care resources.
Bioactivity Guided Fractionation of Leaves Extract of Nyctanthes arbor tristis (Harshringar) against P falciparum

Background Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Harshringar, Night Jasmine) has been traditionally used in Ayurveda, Unani and other systems of medicine in India. The juice of its leaves has been used by various tribal populations of India in treatment of fevers resembling malaria. Aim of the study This work reports the antiplasmodial activity guided fractionation of Harshringar leaves extract. Methodology Crude ethanolic Harshringar leaves extract and its RPHPLC purified fractions were studied for antiplasmodial potency against 3D7 (CQ sensitive) and Dd2 (CQ resistant) strains of P.falciparum and subsequently subjected to bioassay guided fractionation using reverse phase chromatography to pursue the isolation of active fractions. Principal Findings Harshringar crude leaves extract and some of its RPHPLC purified fractions exhibited promising antiplasmodial potency against 3D7 and Dd2 strains of P.falciparum. Conclusions The present study has provided scientific validity to the traditional use of leaves extract of Harshringar against malaria leading to the conclusion that this plant holds promise with respect to antimalarial phytotherapy. This is the first scientific report of antiplasmodial activity of RPHPLC fractions of Harshringar leaves extract against P.falciparum strains.
Alcohol drinking habits, alcohol dehydrogenase genotypes and risk of acute coronary syndrome

Aims: The risk of myocardial infarction is lower among light-to-moderate drinkers compared with abstainers. Results from some previous studies, but not all, suggest that this association is modified by variations in genes coding for alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). We aimed to test this hypothesis, including alcohol as both the amount of alcohol and the frequency of drinking. Methods: we conducted a nested case-cohort study within the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health study, including 1,645 men (770 incident cases of acute coronary syndrome from 1993—1997 through 2004 and 875 randomly selected controls). Results: Higher alcohol intake (measured as amount or drinking frequency) was associated with lower risk of acute coronary syndrome; however, there was no evidence that these finding were modified by ADH1B or ADH1C genotypes. Conclusions: The importance of functional variation in alcohol dehydrogenase for the association between alcohol drinking habits and the risk of developing acute coronary syndrome, if any, is very limited.
Methyltransferase-Defective Avian Metapneumovirus Vaccines Provide Complete Protection against Challenge with the Homologous Colorado Strain and the Heterologous Minnesota Strain

ABSTRACT Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), also known as avian pneumovirus or turkey rhinotracheitis virus, is the causative agent of turkey rhinotracheitis and is associated with swollen head syndrome in chickens. Since its discovery in the 1970s, aMPV has been recognized as an economically important pathogen in the poultry industry worldwide. The conserved region VI (CR VI) of the large (L) polymerase proteins of paramyxoviruses catalyzes methyltransferase (MTase) activities that typically methylate viral mRNAs at guanine N-7 (G-N-7) and ribose 2′-O positions. In this study, we generated a panel of recombinant aMPV (raMPV) Colorado strains carrying mutations in the S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) binding site in the CR VI of L protein. These recombinant viruses were specifically defective in ribose 2′-O, but not G-N-7 methylation and were genetically stable and highly attenuated in cell culture and viral replication in the upper and lower respiratory tracts of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) young turkeys. Importantly, turkeys vaccinated with these MTase-defective raMPVs triggered a high level of neutralizing antibody and were completely protected from challenge with homologous aMPV Colorado strain and heterologous aMPV Minnesota strain. Collectively, our results indicate (i) that aMPV lacking 2′-O methylation is highly attenuated in vitro and in vivo and (ii) that inhibition of mRNA cap MTase can serve as a novel target to rationally design live attenuated vaccines for aMPV and perhaps other paramyxoviruses. IMPORTANCE Paramyxoviruses include many economically and agriculturally important viruses such as avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), human pathogens such as human respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, human parainfluenza virus type 3, and measles virus, and highly lethal emerging pathogens such as Nipah virus and Hendra virus. For many of them, there is no effective vaccine or antiviral drug. These viruses share common strategies for viral gene expression and replication. During transcription, paramyxoviruses produce capped, methylated, and polyadenylated mRNAs. Using aMPV as a model, we found that viral ribose 2′-O methyltransferase (MTase) is a novel approach to rationally attenuate the virus for vaccine purpose. Recombinant aMPV (raMPV) lacking 2′-O MTase were not only highly attenuated in turkeys but also provided complete protection against the challenge of homologous and heterologous aMPV strains. This novel approach can be applicable to other animal and human paramyxoviruses for rationally designing live attenuated vaccines.
Reduction of pattern-effect in high-speed XGM-based all-optical switches using two-cascaded SOAs

Two-cascaded bulk semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) with different bandgaps are proposed as a high-speed all-optical switch based on cross-gain-modulation (XGM) to mitigate the pattern-effect inflicted by a carrier-lifetime-related long-lived gain recovery tail. We numerically analyze the ultrafast gain dynamics in such setup excited by 100 Gbit/s pseudorandom return-to-zero control signal over broad spectral region. The simulation results indicate that the pattern-effect in a SOA in which control pulses is localized in gain region can be reduced by a concatenated SOA in which control pulses is situated in absorption region. This compensation principle is always valid even when bit-rate is beyond 100 Gbit/s, as long as intraband transitions are utilized as XGM mechanism.
What Is Treatment Evaluation Research? What Is its Relationship to the Goals of Audiological Rehabilitation? Who Are the Stakeholders of this Type of Research?

&NA; Three topics related to treatment evaluation research in audiological rehabilitation are discussed. First, the International Classification of Impairments, Activities and Participation (ICIDH‐2) (World Health Organization, 1999) is described and proposed as a general conceptual framework for the design of intervention and research activities in audiological rehabilitation. Second, the three main domains of treatment evaluation research (efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency) are briefly outlined. Third, the various consumers of treatment evaluation research in audiological rehabilitation are identified. Also, the domains of treatment evaluation research that are of interest to each of these consumer groups are presented. An analysis of the main interests of each group of stakeholders suggests that, at present, evaluative research in audiological rehabilitation does not adequately meet the needs of all stakeholders. Nevertheless, the future of evaluative research in audiological rehabilitation is promising, for several reasons: 1) research related to audiological rehabilitation is being actively pursued especially in the areas of treatment efficacy and treatment effectiveness; 2) the audiological rehabilitation community should be able to adapt its endeavors to the proposed conceptual framework of health conditions fairly easily (ICIDH‐2; World Health Organization, 1999); 3) the research needs of the primary stakeholders of audiological rehabilitation are known; and 4) there is a keen interest within the professional community to develop this area of research. All of these conditions are propitious for setting the research agenda of treatment evaluation research in audiological rehabilitation for the next several years.
Determining content for a simulation-based curriculum in pediatric emergency medicine: results from a national Delphi process.

OBJECTIVES By the end of residency training, pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) residents are expected to have developed the confidence and abilities required to manage acutely ill children. Acquisition of competence requires exposure and/or supplemental formal education for critical and noncritical medical clinical presentations. Simulation can provide experiential learning and can improve trainees' knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The primary objective of this project was to identify the content for a simulation-based national curriculum for PEM training. METHODS We recruited participants for the Delphi study by contacting current PEM program directors and immediate past program directors as well as simulation experts at all of the Canadian PEM fellowship sites. We determined the appropriate core content for the Delphi study by combining the PEM core content requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). Using the Delphi method, we achieved consensus amongst the national group of PEM and simulation experts. The participants completed a three-round Delphi (using a four-point Likert scale). RESULTS Response rates for the Delphi were 85% for the first round and 77% for second and third rounds. From the initial 224 topics, 53 were eliminated (scored <2). Eighty-five topics scored between 2 and 3, and 87 scored between 3 and 4. The 48 topics, which were scored between 3.5 and 4.0, were labeled as "key curriculum topics. " CONCLUSION We have iteratively identified a consensus for the content of a national simulation-based curriculum.
Effects of Palm Kernel Expellers on Productive Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and White Blood Cells of Lactating Sows

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of palm kernel expellers on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, and changes in white blood cells (WBC) of lactating sows. A total of 14 sows (200±12 kg of average body weight [BW]; 2.5 of average parity) were used and moved from gestation room to farrowing room on d 109 of gestation. Sows were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments were a diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON added with 20% of palm kernel expellers (PKE). Sows were fed the treatments for 28 days (weaning) after farrowing. Blood was collected from each sow and 4 randomly selected piglets from each sow before farrowing or on d 3, 7, or 14 of lactation. Sows were fed respective treatments containing 0.2% chromic oxide from d 15 to 21 of lactation. Fecal samples were collected daily for the last 3 days after the 4-d adjustment period. Measurements were performances and WBC changes of sows and litter, nutrient digestibility of sows, and daily diarrhea of litter. Sows fed PKE had greater average daily feed intake (7.38 vs 7.10 kg/d; p<0.05) and lost less BW (−6.85 vs −8.54 kg; p<0.05) and backfat depth (−0.42 vs −0.71 mm; p<0.05) than those fed CON. However, there were no differences on digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy and weaning to estrus interval of sows fed either CON or PKE. Piglets from sows fed PKE gained more BW (203 vs 181 g/d; p = 0.08) and had less frequency of diarrhea (6.80 vs 8.56%; p = 0.07) than those from sows fed CON. On the other hand, no difference was found on preweaning mortality of piglets from sows fed either CON or PKE. Sows fed PKE had lower number of WBC (9.57 vs 11.82 ×103/μL; p = 0.09) before farrowing than those fed CON, but no difference on d 3 and 7. Similarly, piglets from sows fed PKE had also lower number of WBC (7.86 vs 9.80 ×103/μL; p<0.05) on d 14 of lactation than those from sows fed CON, but no difference on d 3 and 7. In conclusion, addition of 20% palm kernel expellers to lactation diet based on corn and soybean meal had no negative effects on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, and WBC changes of lactating sows.
Prophylactic and Therapeutic Modulation of Innate and Adaptive Immunity Against Mucosal Infection of Herpes Simplex Virus

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are the most common cause of genital ulceration in humans worldwide. Typically, HSV-1 and 2 infections via mucosal route result in a lifelong latent infection after peripheral replication in mucosal tissues, thereby providing potential transmission to neighbor hosts in response to reactivation. To break the transmission cycle, immunoprophylactics and therapeutic strategies must be focused on prevention of infection or reduction of infectivity at mucosal sites. Currently, our understanding of the immune responses against mucosal infection of HSV remains intricate and involves a balance between innate signaling pathways and the adaptive immune responses. Numerous studies have demonstrated that HSV mucosal infection induces type I interferons (IFN) via recognition of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and activates multiple immune cell populations, including NK cells, conventional dendritic cells (DCs), and plasmacytoid DCs. This innate immune response is required not only for the early control of viral replication at mucosal sites, but also for establishing adaptive immune responses against HSV antigens. Although the contribution of humoral immune response is controversial, CD4+ Th1 T cells producing IFN-γ are believed to play an important role in eradicating virus from the hosts. In addition, the recent experimental successes of immunoprophylactic and therapeutic compounds that enhance resistance and/or reduce viral burden at mucosal sites have accumulated. This review focuses on attempts to modulate innate and adaptive immunity against HSV mucosal infection for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. Notably, cells involved in innate immune regulations appear to shape adaptive immune responses. Thus, we summarized the current evidence of various immune mediators in response to mucosal HSV infection, focusing on the importance of innate immune responses.
Downregulation of topoisomerase I in differentiating human intestinal epithelial cells

To better understand the increased sensitivity of proliferating intestinal epithelial cells to topoisomerase I (topo I) poisons, we examined differentiation of a human intestinal cell line (Caco‐2) in the presence of camptothecin (CPT) and its analogs irinotecan (CPT‐11) and topotecan (TPT). The prodrug CPT‐11 exerts its antitumor activity after transformation to SN‐38. We show that cleavable complex formation in vivo (on genomic DNA) induced by CPT or SN‐38 is 4‐ to 7‐fold reduced in fully differentiated cells relative to undifferentiated cells. TPT‐induced cleavable complexes, however, are reduced by 30‐fold. In contrast, CPT‐11‐driven cleavable complexes did not change during cell differentiation. In general, cytotoxicity closely paralleled cleavable complex formation, as attested to by the four‐ to 6‐fold decrease in cytotoxicity in fully differentiated cells treated with CPT and SN‐38 compared with proliferating cells. Topo I activity and polypeptide levels decreased 4‐fold over the course of differentiation. This reduction occurs as Caco‐2 cells approach G1 and simultaneously differentiate. In contrast, human diploid fibroblasts do not show a reduction in topo I when entering G1; therefore, topo I downregulation is a differentiation‐specific event in the Caco‐2 cell line. Cleavable complex formation and cytotoxicity induced by CPT and SN‐38 correlate with topo I level and activity in cells at different stages in their differentiation. Thus, high target levels correspond closely with drug sensitivity and since proliferating cells contain larger amounts of topo I, we conclude that epithelial crypt cells probably succumb to chemotherapy involving topo I poisons. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.