Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability Analyses of a VFT Park Using a Sequential Continuation Scheme and the Limit Cycle Method

A new procedure to determine the stability of a steady-state solution based on a sequential continuation scheme, Floquet theory and the limit cycle method is presented in this paper. The continuation scheme relies on an efficient predictor-corrector scheme, where the correction is accomplished through the limit cycle method. Furthermore, a comprehensive variable frequency transformer (VFT) Park model is proposed to study the stability of asynchronous links. The VFT Park allows the simulation of multiunit VFTs operated in parallel in order to increase the power transfer between two electric power networks. Each VFT unit consists of a wound-rotor asynchronous machine, a dc motor, and a control system, which provides power transfer regulation using power and speed controllers. The steady-state operating point of a VFT Park consisting of three 100-MW VFT units is computed with the limit cycle method for a set of heterogeneous operating scenarios. Stability diagrams are reported for changes of the VFT parameters, power transfer, and frequency on both sides of the asynchronous link. Even though the VFT is operated within its rated power transfer limits, simulation results reveal that a VFT may become unstable not only for changes of power transfer but also for variations of frequency.
An Empirical Study of the Development of the Financial Agency and the Economic Growth

The relationship between the development of financial agency and economic growth has been heatedly discussed in recent years.The present thesis,based on the data collected from each quarter between 1993 and 2005,does a co-integration and empirical analysis of the relationship between the development of financial agency and economic growth of China.And the conclusion of the thesis is that the economic growth is the one-way cause of the development of the financial agency.
The relationship between specific RET proto-oncogene mutations and disease phenotype in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. International RET mutation consortium analysis.

OBJECTIVE Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) is an autosomal dominant disorder. The 3 recognized subtypes include MEN 2A, characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma (pheo), and hyperparathyroidism (HPT); MEN 2B, by MTC, pheo, and characteristic stigmata; and familial MTC (FMTC), by the presence of MTC only. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between specific mutations and the presence of certain disease features in MEN 2 which could help in clinical decision making. DESIGN Correlative survey study of 477 MEN 2 families. SETTING Eighteen tertiary referral centers worldwide. PATIENTS A total of 477 independent MEN 2 families. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Association between the position and type of germline mutation in the RET proto-oncogene and the presence or absence of MTC, pheo, HPT, and/or other features in a family. RESULTS There is a statistically significant association between the presence of any mutation at a specific position (codon 634) and the presence of pheo and HPT. The presence of a specific mutation, CGC at codon 634, has yet to be associated with FMTC. Conversely, mutations at codons 768 and 804 are thus far seen only with FMTC, while codon 918 mutation is MEN 2B--specific. Rare families with both MEN 2 and Hirschsprung disease were found to have MEN 2-specific codon mutations. Patients with Hirschsprung disease presenting with such mutations should be monitored for the possible development of MEN 2 tumors. CONCLUSIONS This consortium analysis suggests that genotype-phenotype correlations do exist and, if made reliably absolute, could prove useful in the future in clinical management with respect to screening, surveillance, and prophylaxis, as well as provide insight into the genetic effects of particular mutations.
Necrotizing Fasciitis

&NA; Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but life‐threatening soft‐tissue infection characterized by rapidly spreading inflammation and subsequent necrosis of the fascial planes and surrounding tissue. Infection typically follows trauma, although the inciting insult may be as minor as a scrape or an insect bite. Often caused by toxinproducing, virulent bacteria such as group A streptococcus and associated with severe systemic toxicity, necrotizing fasciitis is rapidly fatal unless diagnosed promptly and treated aggressively. Necrotizing fasciitis is often initially misdiagnosed as a more benign soft‐tissue infection. The single most important variable influencing mortality is time to surgical débridement. Thus, a high degree of clinical suspicion is necessary to avert potentially disastrous consequences. Orthopaedic surgeons are often the first to evaluate patients with necrotizing fasciitis and as such must be aware of the presentation and management of this disease. Timely diagnosis, broad‐spectrum antibiotic therapy, and aggressive surgical débridement of affected tissue are keys to the treatment of this serious, often life‐threatening infection.
Rescaling Retinal Size into Perceived Size: Evidence for an Occipital and Parietal Bottleneck

The spatial and temporal context of an object influence its perceived size. Two visual illusions illustrate this nicely: the size adaptation effect and the Ebbinghaus illusion. Whereas size adaptation affects size rescaling of a target circle via a previously presented, differently sized adaptor circle, the Ebbinghaus illusion alters perceived size by virtue of surrounding circles. In the classical Ebbinghaus setting, the surrounding circles are shown simultaneously with the target. However, size underestimation persists when the surrounding circles precede the target. Such a temporal separation of inducer and target circles in both illusions permits the comparison of BOLD signals elicited by two displays that, although objectively identical, elicit different percepts. The current study combined both illusions in a factorial design to identify a presumed common central mechanism involved in rescaling retinal into perceived size. At the behavioral level, combining both illusions did not affect perceived size further. At the neural level, however, this combination induced functional activation beyond that induced by either illusion separately: An underadditive activation pattern was found within left lingual gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus, and right superior parietal cortex. These findings provide direct behavioral and functional evidence for the presence of a neural bottleneck in rescaling retinal into perceived size, a process vital for visual perception.
ASSOCIATION OF SURGICALLY ACQUIRED MOTOR AND LANGUAGE DEFICITS ON OVERALL SURVIVAL AFTER RESECTION OF GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME

OBJECTIVEBalancing the benefits of extensive tumor resection with the consequence of potential postoperative deficits remains a challenge in malignant astrocytoma surgery. Although studies have suggested that increasing extent of resection may benefit survival, the effect of new postoperative deficits on survival remains unclear. We set out to determine whether new-onset postoperative motor or speech deficits were associated with survival in our institutional experience with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed records of all patients (age range, 18–70 years; Karnofsky Performance Scale score, 80–100) who had undergone GBM resection between 1996 and 2006 at a single institution. Survival was compared between patients who had experienced surgically acquired motor or language deficits versus those who did not experience these deficits. RESULTSThree hundred six consecutive patients (age, 54 ± 11 years; median Karnofsky Performance Scale score, 80) underwent primary GBM resection. Nineteen patients (6%) developed surgically acquired motor deficits and 15 (5%) developed surgically acquired language deficits. Median survival was decreased in patients who acquired language deficits (9.6 months; P < 0.05) or motor deficits (9.0 months; P < 0.05) versus patients without surgically acquired deficits (12.8 months). Two-year survival was 8% and 0% for patients with surgically acquired motor or language deficits, respectively, versus 23% for patients without new-onset deficits. CONCLUSIONIn our experience, the development of new perioperative motor or language deficits was associated with decreased overall survival despite similar extent of resection and adjuvant therapy. Although it is well known that surgically induced neurological deficits affect quality of life, our results suggest that these surgical morbidities may also affect survival. Care should be taken to avoid surgically induced deficits in the management of GBM.
Generation of reactive oxygen species in whole blood from patients with acute falciparum malaria

Malaria infection is commonly associated with an increased proliferation of both blood stream and tissue phagocytes. These cells have been shown to be involved primarily in non specific defence mechanisms against parasite multiplication (Allison & Clark 1977). Secondarily they may also be involved in antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (Celada, Cruchard & Perrin 1983, Khusmith & Druilhe 1983). The role of spleen and liver macrophages was suggested as early as 1937 by Taliaferro and Mulligan (1937) on the basis of histopathological findings in humans and since then has been confirmed in experimental models (Shear, Nussenzweig & Bianco 1979, Brinkmann et al. 1984). More recently it has been demonstrated that the phagocytic cells may damage the intraerythrocytic parasites by their production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which could directly act at the intraerythrocytic level on the parasite (Allison & Eugui 1982, 1983, Clark & Hunt 1983, Cox 1983, Dockrell & Playfair 1983, Ockkenhouse & Shear 1984, Wozencraft et al. 1984). Furthermore Brinkmann et al. (1984) have also shown in mice that the capacity of splenic macrophages to produce Oz-. metabolites could be related to the outcome of the disease. However most of these previous findings were obtained in experimental models in which parasite load was usually higher than that observed in human malaria. The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of ROS production by human circulating phagocytic cells during acute and severe forms of malaria, in an attempt to determine: (1) whether these highly reactive molecules could be involved in the host defence mechanisms and (2) whether this determination could be useful in the evaluation of the severity of the disease and the observed pathological findings.
Common Transitional and First-year Experiences of Newly Appointed Community College Deans: A Qualitative Analysis

COMMON TRANSITIONAL AND FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCES OF NEWLY APPOINTED COMMUNITY COLLEGE DEANS by JoBeph B. Olson The purpose of this qualitative research study was to identify common transitional and first year experiences of newly appointed community college deans. A population of deans from the states of North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas was identified. Through the use of qualitative research techniques, personalized accounts were collected from a sample of eleven deans. Through a qualitative analysis of these personalized accounts, thirteen themes were developed. These themes identified common issues and backgrounds encountered and shared by the eleven deans. These themes reveal that: (1), prior community college administrative experience was a prerequisite to the deanship, (2) there were no commonalities in staff reporting patterns, (3) external candidates have the advantage in terms of job appointments, (4) the new dean's effectiveness is not restricted by his/her area of supervision, (5‘j minority participation at the administrative level is not increasing, (6) career preparation within a community college is the moBt helpful experience, (7) academic preparedness related to a community college component is helpful, (8) new deans were prepared to move up within one college component area, (9) new deans encounter increased responsibility, (10) career planning is integral to career progression, (11) new deans encounter personal challenges, (12) there is resistance to changes employed by new deans, (13) and that the new dean should expect some period of adjustment in the new position, but personal confidence outweighs frustrations which may be encountered. From the findings, the researcher reached several conclusions, First, it appears that new deans encounter very little transitional difficulty. Secondly, community college search processes seem to be effective. Thirdly, it is extraordinary for a dean's position to be filled by a non­ community college administrator. Further, an initial deanship commonly takes place in the area where the incumbent is moBt experienced. Women are gaining ground in college administrative positions. Lastly, new deans enjoy the challenge of the deanship, and careful career planning is important.
Low-on-resistance strain-controlled LDMOS transistors for 0.25-μm power ICs

We have developed a new 12 V LDMOS transistor for 0.25 μm power ICs, which is designed from the viewpoint of mechanical stress to reduce on-resistance. A critically low resistance substrate has been developed to reduce the resistance from the surface source to the backside of the transistor, avoiding compressive stress due to high boron doping in the substrate. A buried-polysilicon sinker is utilized to apply tensile stress to the channel and the offset-drain region. The existing mechanical stress distribution is confirmed by two-dimensional UV-Raman spectroscopy. The transconductance of the LDMOS transistor is increased by 12% owing to the tensile stress and the total on-resistance is reduced by 16% owing to the channel and source resistance reduction, which directly leads to a higher efficiency of analog power circuits.
Early development of medaka Oryzias latipes muscles as revealed by transgenic approaches using embryonic and larval types of myosin heavy chain genes

We cloned three full‐length cDNAs encoding myosin heavy chains (MYHs) previously found to be expressed in embryos or larvae of medaka Oryzias latipes. Based on cDNA sequence information, the three medaka MYH genes, mMYHemb1, mMYHL1 and mMYHL2, were localized on the chromosomes. In vivo promoter assay using the gene encoding green or red fluorescent protein and linked to the 5′‐flanking region of mMYH demonstrated that the transcripts of fast‐type mMYHemb1, first expressed in embryos but belonging to the adult type in phylogenetic analysis, were located in the horizontal myoseptum. On the other hand, embryonic fast‐type mMYHL1 and mMYHL2 were expressed in the whole myotomes. Interestingly, cells expressing mMYHemb1 were localized together with engrailed, and cyclopamine, which blocks hedgehog signaling, inhibited mMYHemb1 expression as well as the formation of the horizontal myoseptum, suggesting that muscle pioneer cells express mMYHemb1 as a key protein in the formation of the horizontal myoseptum. Developmental Dynamics 239:1807–1817, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Screening Emergency Room Patients with Atypical Chest Pain for Depression and Panic Disorder

In response to recent reports relating atypical chest pain to normal coronary arteries and to various types of psychopathology, we developed a pilot study to investigate 1) the prevalence of depression and panic disorder among patients presenting to an emergency room with atypical chest pain, and 2) what the likelihood is of an emergency room physician recognizing the psychosocial factor. Of forty-nine subjects screened, 39 percent scored positively for depressive syndrome on the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression rating scale, 43 percent met criteria for panic attack and 16 percent met criteria for panic disorder by DSM-III. Although thirty subjects (61%) screened positively for depression or panic attack, only one received a psychiatric diagnosis of any kind. This pilot study suggests: 1) that the relationship between chest pain and psychopathology in emergency room patients deserves further rigorous study; 2) that depression and panic attacks in association with atypical chest pain may be underdiagnosed by the emergency room physician; and 3) that self-report screening measures as an aid to diagnosis in this population need to be more closely investigated.
Homothallic mating type switching generates lethal chromosome breaks in rad52 strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In homothallic cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a or alpha mating type information at the mating type locus (MAT) is replaced by the transposition of the opposite mating type allele from HML alpha or HMRa. The rad52-1 mutation, which reduces mitotic and abolishes meiotic recombination, also affects homothallic switching (Malone and Esposito, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77:503-507, 1980). We have found that both HO rad52 MATa and HO rad52 MAT alpha cells die. This lethality is suppressed by mutations that substantially reduce but do not eliminate homothallic conversions. These mutations map at or near the MAT locus (MAT alpha inc, MATa-inc, MATa stk1) or are unlinked to MAT (HO-1 and swi1). These results suggest that the switching event itself is involved in the lethality. With the exception of swi1, HO rad52 strains carrying one of the above mutations cannot convert mating type at all. MAT alpha rad52 HO swi1 strains apparently can switch MAT alpha to MATa. However, when we analyzed these a maters, we found that few, if any, of them were bona fide MATa cells. These a-like cells were instead either deleted for part of chromosome III distal to and including MAT or had lost the entire third chromosome. Approximately 30% of the time, an a-like cell could be repaired to a normal MATa genotype if the cell was mated to a RAD52 MAT alpha-inc strain. The effects of rad52 were also studied in mata/MAT alpha-inc rad52/rad52 ho/HO diploids. When this diploid attempted to switch mata to MATa, an unstable broken chromosome was generated in nearly every cell. These studies suggest that homothallic switching involves the formation of a double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid break or a structure which is labile in rad52 cells and results in a broken chromosome. We propose that the production of a double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid break is the lethal event in rad52 HO cells.
A bZIP Protein, VIP1, Is a Regulator of Osmosensory Signaling in Arabidopsis1[W]

Abscisic acid is a stress-related phytohormone that has roles in dehydration and rehydration. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), two genes that inactivate abscisic acid, CYP707A1 and CYP707A3, are rapidly up-regulated upon rehydration. The factors that regulate CYP707A1/3 are not well characterized. We expressed a bZIP protein, VIP1, as a green fluorescent protein fusion protein in Arabidopsis and found that the nuclear localization of VIP1 was enhanced within 10 min after rehydration. A yeast one-hybrid assay revealed that the amino-terminal region of VIP1 has transcriptional activation potential. In a transient reporter assay using Arabidopsis protoplasts, VIP1 enhanced the promoter activities of CYP707A1/3. In gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses, VIP1 directly bound to DNA fragments of the CYP707A1/3 promoters. Transgenic plants expressing VIP1-green fluorescent protein were found to overexpress CYP707A1/3 mRNAs. The time course of nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling of VIP1 was consistent with the time courses of the expression of CYP707A1/3. These results suggest that VIP1 functions as a regulator of osmosensory signaling in Arabidopsis.
Rates and Determinants of Virologic and Immunological Response to HAART Resumption After Treatment Interruption in HIV-1 Clinical Practice

Objective:To describe CD4 and HIV RNA changes during treatment resumption (TR) after treatment interruption (TI) compared with response to first highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and to investigate predictors. Methods:Using Concerted Action on SeroConversion to AIDS and Death in Europe (CASCADE) data, we identified subjects who interrupted first HAART, not initiated during primary infection. We estimated rate of CD4 change during TR and time from TR to HIV RNA <500 copies per milliliter and subsequent rebound and factors associated with these outcomes. Results:Of 281 persons treated for median 18.4 months before interrupting, 259 resumed HAART. CD4 increases in the first 3 months on HAART were similar pre-TI and post-TI but after 3 months were significantly higher during pre-TI HAART, with median +106 and +172 cells per microliter at 3 and 18 months, respectively, during initial HAART compared with +99 and +142 cells per microliter during post-TI HAART, respectively. Subjects with lower CD4 counts at TI, aged older than 40 years, and those resuming the same HAART as their pre-TI regimen had lower CD4 increases during the first 3 months of TR. The majority (86%) of individuals reinitiating therapy achieved HIV RNA <500 copies per milliliter. Conclusions:Immune reconstitution after TI is generally poorer than after first HAART, particularly for patients aged older than 40 years at TI and those with poorer immunological responses to pre-TI HAART. Reinitiation of the same HAART regimen as pre-TI also seems to have unfavorable outcomes.
Cisplatin-gemcitabine combination in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II study.

PURPOSE The nucleoside analog, gemcitabine, has shown activity as a single agent in the treatment of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Its combination with cisplatin in preclinical models suggested synergy between the two drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity of the cisplatin-gemcitabine combination in advanced NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-eight consecutive previously untreated NSCLC patients entered the trial from January to June 1994. The median age was 60 years (range, 37 to 70) and performance status (PS) was 0 or 1; 22 patients had unresectable stage III disease (21 stage IIIB and one stage IIIA) and 26 had stage IV disease. Gemcitabine 1 g/m2 was administered weekly (days 1, 8, and 15) followed by a 1-week rest and cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 2 of each 28-day cycle. Survival and response were determined in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle in all enrolled patients. RESULTS Of 48 assessable patients, one (stage IV) had a complete response (CR) and 25 achieved a partial response (PR). The overall response rate was 54% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40% to 68%). Thrombocytopenia was the main side effect, with 52% of patients experiencing grade III to IV toxicity, which was usually short-lived and responsible for the omission of gemcitabine administration on day 15 in 50% of chemotherapy courses. The median survival time was 61.5 weeks (95% CI, 40 to 71). CONCLUSION The combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin induced a high response rate in both stage IIIB and IV NSCLC, with modest side effects. The regimen deserves further careful evaluation in a phase III prospective randomized trial.