Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic regulation of type III secretion gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Type III secretion‐mediated cytotoxicity is one of the key virulence mechanisms of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Prior data from several laboratories have established that metabolism is a key factor in the regulation of type III secretion gene expression in P. aeruginosa. Here we use a fluorescence‐activated cell sorter (FACS)‐based approach to investigate expression of type III secretion genes at a single‐cell level. The data demonstrate that the metabolic state regulates the percentage of cells that are able to induce type III secretion gene expression under inducing conditions. We also present evidence that this regulation is the result of an effect of the growth conditions on the ability of P. aeruginosa to assemble a functional type III secretion apparatus. Preliminary data suggest that the metabolite that controls type III secretion gene expression is derived from acetyl‐CoA and that this regulation may, in part, be mediated by changes in the intracellular concentration of cyclic‐AMP.
Distributional Effects of FDI: How the Interaction of FDI and Economic Policy Affects Poor Households in Bolivia

This paper provides a computable general equilibrium analysis of the medium to long-run impact of FDI inflows on poverty and income distribution in Bolivia. The CGE analysis addresses several important transmission channels which have been neglected in the empirical literature by (i) investigating the impact of FDI inflows on incomes of urban and rural households; (ii) taking into account informal activities; and (iii) differentiating between various segments of the urban workforce, whereas previous studies are typically confined to the dichotomy between white-collar and blue-collar workers in manufacturing industries. The simulation results suggest that FDI inflows add to Bolivia's investment ratio, enhance economic growth, and reduce poverty. However, the income distribution typically becomes more unequal. In particular, FDI widens income disparities between urban and rural areas Our results point to two levers through which the Bolivian government may promote growth-enhancing and poverty-alleviating effects of FDI. First, it seems important to overcome labor market segmentation. Second, complementary public investment in infrastructure may help remove bottlenecks in the absorptive capacity of the economy that tend to limit productive employment of the poor. Yet, simulated policy reforms or alternative productivity scenarios are hardly effective in reducing the divide between urban and rural areas.
[Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large tumors].

AIM OF THE STUDY To analyze indications and results of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large tumors (> 6 cm). METHODS It is a retrospective study including patients between January 1994 and December 2003 operated on for large adrenal lesions > or =6 cm. The size was given by the pathologist. All the patients had a flank transperitoneal approach. Analysed Parameters were: operative difficulties; operative time; conversion rate; postoperative morbidity, follow-up and histologic data. RESULTS Fourteen patients (10 female and 4 male) were included. Mean age at the time of the diagnosis was 52 years (range: 17-79). Mean size of the lesions was 7 cm (range: 6-10 cm). Mean operative time was 132 mn (range: 120-240 mn). None of the patients experienced surgical complications. Two conversions were needed (for vena cava attachments in one case and because of a retrocava localization in the other case). Three patients had morbidity: one intraperitoneal hemorrhage occurring at the second postoperative day and needing laparotomy; one left pneumopathy; and one case of neuralgia due to a port insertion. Mean hospital stay was 4,5 days. Histologic data showed: five ganglioneuromas, three pheochromocytomas, three adenomas, two adrenocortical carcinomas, and one postpancreatitis cytosteatonecrosis. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is feasible for large lesions > or =6 cm when no evidence of malignity is demonstrated neither by the preoperative imaging study nor by the surgical exploration.
An approach to level design using procedural content generation and difficulty curves

Level design is an art which consists of creating the combination of challenge, competition, and interaction that players call fun and involves a careful and deliberate development of the game space. When working with procedural content generation, it is necessary to review how the game designer sets the change in difficulty throughout the different levels. In this paper we present a procedural level generator that can be used for different games and is based on a genetic algorithm. We define a fitness function that does not depend on the game or content type. This function calculates the difference between the difficulty curve defined by the designer and the difficulty curve calculated for the candidate content, so the best content is the one whose difficulty curve best fits the desired curve. To design our generator, we rely on the concept of flow, theories of fun and game design.
On the design of compact broadband gap-coupled microstrip patch antenna with PBG

This paper presents the design of compact broadband gap-coupled microstrip antenna with photonic band gap. The single patch microstrip antenna and gap-coupled microstrip antenna have been designed and fabricated on /spl epsiv//sub F/ = 2.2 with 1.588 mm substrate thickness. The gap-coupled microstrip antenna consists the number of parasitic elements which are gap-coupled to driven patch. The measured center frequency of the gap-coupled and patch antenna is 2.568 GHz and 2.483 GHz respectively. The impedance bandwidth of gap-coupled antenna has been observed 4 times greater than microstrip patch antenna at VSWR 2:1. The photonic band gap (PBG) has been applied to suppress the surface wave propagating on substrate which improves the radiation pattern and bandwidth.
H∞ filtering of network-based systems with random delays

Abstract The H∞ filtering problem is studied for a class of network-based systems with random network-induced delays in discrete-time domain. The considered random delay between the sensor and the filter may be longer than one sampling period and is modeled as a Markov chain. The filtering error system is modeled as a Markovian switched time-delay system and by using a properly constructed Lyapunov function, sufficient conditions for the existence of the H∞ filters are presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Convex optimization problem is also formulated to design the desired H∞ filter which guarantees the stochastic stability and an optimal H∞ disturbance attenuation level for the filtering error system. An illustrative example is finally given to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The effect of norepinephrine versus epinephrine on myocardial hemodynamics during CPR.

Alpha-adrenergic agonists improve myocardial blood flow during CPR by increasing aortic diastolic pressure. Adrenergic agonists with beta-2 properties may enhance peripheral vasodilation and may prove less beneficial during CPR. The purpose of this study was to compare epinephrine (E), an alpha-1,2; beta-1,2 agonist, versus norepinephrine, an alpha-1,2; beta-1 agonist, on myocardial hemodynamics during CPR. Twenty swine were instrumented for pressure, arterial and coronary sinus oxygen content (CAO2 and CCSO2, respectively), and myocardial blood flow measurements using tracer microspheres. CAO2, CCSO2, myocardial blood flow, myocardial oxygen delivery (MDO2) and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), extraction ratio, and aortic diastolic pressure were determined during normal sinus rhythm and during CPR following a ten-minute arrest. After three minutes of CPR, the animals were allocated to receive either norepinephrine 0.08 mg/kg (n = 5), norepinephrine 0.12 mg/kg (n = 5), norepinephrine 0.16 mg/kg (n = 5), or epinephrine 0.20 mg/kg (n = 5). One minute after drug administration, all hemodynamic parameters were again determined. Three and one half minutes after drug administration defibrillation was attempted. A Newman-Keuls multiple comparison procedure was used to compare differences following drug administration. During CPR, aortic diastolic pressure averaged less than 13 mm Hg, and myocardial blood flow averaged less than 6 mL/min/100 g. All doses of norepinephrine and epinephrine improved all hemodynamic parameters over those seen during CPR. The two highest doses of norepinephrine significantly improved extraction ratio compared with norepinephrine 0.08 mg/kg (P = .04). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Research on mock attack testing for SQL injection vulnerability in multi-defense level web applications

The testing methods for hunting vulnerabilities in web applications can be mainly classified into two categories: white box testing and black box testing. This paper focuses on the research on black box testing for the SQL injection vulnerability. Through the combination of fuzzy test and mock attack testing, a new testing method for hunting SQL injection is proposed, in which the injection parameters can be divided into several sets of equivalence classes according to the defined multi-defense levels of testee web systems. By injecting the most representative parameters selected from each equivalence classes, the mock attack testing for hunting SQL injection can be very effective and low cost. Experimental result shows that this method can achieve desirable result for SQLI mock attack testing in real web applications.
Leveraging an Electronic Health Record-Linked Biorepository to Generate a Metformin Pharmacogenomics Hypothesis

Metformin is a first-line antihyperglycemic agent commonly prescribed in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but whose pharmacogenomics are not clearly understood. Further, due to accumulating evidence highlighting the potential for metformin in cancer prevention and treatment efforts it is imperative to understand molecular mechanisms of metformin. In this electronic health record(EHR)-based study we explore the potential association of the flavin-containing monooxygenase(FMO)-5 gene, a biologically plausible biotransformer of metformin, and modifying glycemic response to metformin treatment. Using a cohort of 258 T2DM patients who had new metformin exposure, existing genetic data, and longitudinal electronic health records, we compared genetic variation within FMO5 to change in glycemic response. Gene-level and SNP-level analysis identified marginally significant associations for FMO5 variation, representing an EHR-driven pharmacogenetics hypothesis for a potential novel mechanism for metformin biotransformation. However, functional validation of this EHR-based hypothesis is necessary to ascertain its clinical and biological significance.
On IEEE 802.15.6 IR-UWB receivers - simulations for DBPSK modulation

In 2002, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was the first in defining regulations for ultra wideband (UWB) communications followed by Europe and Japan some years later. Focusing on impulse radio (IR) UWB, in 2007 was the time for the first published standard targeting in personal area networks, released by the IEEE. The second IEEE released standard including UWB definitions is targeted for wireless body area networks (WBAN) and was published in 2012. As the wireless communications has been and will be passing through almost any levels in society, the natural step with WBAN is using it in different medical, healthcare and wellbeing applications. The arguments for these are related to the modern lifestyle, in which people have increasingly more free time and are more interested in taking care of their health and wellbeing. Another challenge is the population composition, i.e., aging in developed countries which call for new solutions and procedures, particularly from cost wise. In this paper, we are evaluating UWB receivers based on the IEEE 802.15. 6 physical layer definitions and capable of detecting differentially encoded modulation. The evaluation is performed using two different WBAN channel models.
Henri Lefebvre and the Production of Music Streaming Spaces

This paper demonstrates how Henri Lefebvre's influential theory of the "production of space" can help generate a more critical understanding of transformations in digital music, and in particular, the emergence of data-driven and cloud-based music streaming services. Lefebvre distinguished between "social space" and what he calls "abstract space" - the space of capitalism. Music streaming services such as Spotify, Deezer, and Pandora, can be understood as the latest stage in the ongoing struggle to transform the "social space" of P2P file-sharing into "abstract space. " By giving careful consideration to perceived, conceived and lived processes in the production of space - what Lefebvre called the "trialectics of space" - this paper illuminates the different ways music streaming services and their listeners produce new spaces of music consumption, helping us in turn to develop a more robust critique of abstract space in general.
Photonic Frequency Measurement and Signal Separation for Pulsed/CW Microwave Signals

A novel photonic approach to simultaneously implement frequency measurement and signal separation is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) microwave signals. In this approach, a light wave is externally modulated with carrier suppressed by a pulsed or CW microwave signal to be measured, and then sent to two optical complementary filters to perform frequency-to-amplitude mapping. The outputs of the two filters are detected by low-speed photodetectors, low-frequency alternating currency (AC) electronic component and direct current (DC) one being generated. The carrier frequency of the pulsed microwave signal can be estimated by monitoring the power of the AC component, while the frequency of the CW microwave signal is discriminated from the power of the DC component, with the frequency measurement and the signal separation simultaneously realized. In proof-of-concept experiments, within the frequency range from 5 to 20 GHz, measurement errors less than ±0.1, ±0.11 , or ±0.13 GHz are achieved for a pulsed signal with pulse repetition frequency of 0.25, 0.5, or 1 MHz, whereas the errors less than ±0.08 GHz are derived for a CW signal.
Making Space for Wellbeing: Using Guided Meditation in Leadership Education.

Leaders often find themselves encumbered by many challenges. Because of these hurdles, leaders may lose sight of their holistic wellbeing. Wellbeing is a combination of the quality and cumulative effects of work, life, health, relationships, and community. Leaders with higher levels of wellbeing are likely to be more effective, productive, and foster quality relationships with followers. This practice paper details a guided meditation methodology that creates a safe space for leaders to remove mental distractions, reflect on their current state of wellbeing, and develop increased levels of self-awareness. Results to date indicate learners have responded positively to the guided meditation process and have sustained the practice of introspection. Recommendations and implications are discussed.
Unimpaired Spatial Working Memory Following Mammillothalamic Tract Damage in Rats: Implications for the Neuroanatomy of Memory

2012 Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to sincerely thank Associate Professor John Dyrample-Alford for his invaluable knowledge, time and supervision throughout this project. Thank you for giving me a sound research methodology to build on in future endeavours. I would also like to acknowledge Dr Juan Canales for being my associate supervisor. I would also like to thank the animal technicians, Neroli Harris, Silvana de Freitas Costa and Emma Crichton, for their assistance and the great care they provided to the animals. Thanks also to Glenn Lewis for building and maintaining the testing equipment necessary for this work. Thank you to Bruce Harland for taking the time to teach me the various techniques needed for this work, and for having an empathetic ear when things went wrong. A very special thank you to James O " Leary and Rachel Cotter for your continued friendship and support throughout, it would have been much harder without you two around. Thank you also to the past and present students of the animal lab for making it such a great environment to work in. Thank you to my family and friends for your continued love and support, for listening to all my frustrations, and for pretending to be interested when I talked about my research. Finally, I would like to thank the University of Canterbury for kindly awarding me a master " s scholarship which allowed me to focus on my research.
Studies with bioengineered Nisin peptides highlight the broad‐spectrum potency of Nisin V

Nisin A is the most thoroughly investigated member of the lantibiotic family of antimicrobial peptides. In addition to a long history of safe use as a food antimicrobial, its activity against multi‐drug resistant pathogens has resulted in a renewed interest in applying nisin as a chemotherapeutic to treat bacterial infections. The wealth of Nisin‐related information that has been generated has also led to the development of the biotechnological capacity to engineer novel Nisin variants with a view to improving the function and physicochemical properties of this already potent peptide. However, the identification of bioengineered Nisin derivatives with enhanced antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive targets is a recent event. In this study, we created stable producers of the most promising derivatives of Nisin A generated to date [M21V (hereafter Nisin V) and K22T (hereafter Nisin T)] and assessed their potency against a range of drug‐resistant clinical, veterinary and food pathogens. Nisin T exhibited increased activity against all veterinary isolates, including streptococci and staphylococci, and against a number of multi‐drug resistant clinical isolates including MRSA, but not vancomycin‐resistant enterococci. In contrast, Nisin V displayed increased potency against all targets tested including hVISA strains and the hyper‐virulent Clostridium difficile ribotype 027 and against important food pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. Significantly, this enhanced activity was validated in a model food system against L. monocytogenes. We conclude that Nisin V possesses significant potential as a novel preservative or chemotherapeutic compound.
Parsimonious dictionary learning

Sparse modeling of signals has recently received a lot of attention. Often, a linear under-determined generative model for the signals of interest is proposed and a sparsity constraint imposed on the representation. When the generative model is not given, choosing an appropriate generative model is important, so that the given class of signals has approximate sparse representations. In this paper we introduce a new scheme for dictionary learning and impose an additional constraint to reduce the dictionary size. Small dictionaries are desired for coding applications and more likely to “work” with suboptimal algorithms such as Basis Pursuit. Another benefit of small dictionaries is their faster implementation, e.g. a reduced number of multiplication/addition in each matrix vector multiplication, which is the bottleneck in sparse approximation algorithms.
Discovery of a Series of Acridinones as Mechanism-Based Tubulin Assembly Inhibitors with Anticancer Activity

Microtubules play critical roles in vital cell processes, including cell growth, division, and migration. Microtubule-targeting small molecules are chemotherapeutic agents that are widely used in the treatment of cancer. Many of these compounds are structurally complex natural products (e.g., paclitaxel, vinblastine, and vincristine) with multiple stereogenic centers. Because of the scarcity of their natural sources and the difficulty of their partial or total synthesis, as well as problems related to their bioavailability, toxicity, and resistance, there is an urgent need for novel microtubule binding agents that are effective for treating cancer but do not have these disadvantages. In the present work, our lead discovery effort toward less structurally complex synthetic compounds led to the discovery of a series of acridinones inspired by the structure of podophyllotoxin, a natural product with important microtubule assembly inhibitory activity, as novel mechanism-based tubulin assembly inhibitors with potent anticancer properties and low toxicity. The compounds were evaluated in vitro by wound healing assays employing the metastatic and triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Four compounds with IC50 values between 0.294 and 1.7 μM were identified. These compounds showed selective cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 and DU-145 cancer cell lines and promoted cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and apoptosis. Consistent with molecular modeling results, the acridinones inhibited tubulin assembly in in vitro polymerization assays with IC50 values between 0.9 and 13 μM. Their binding to the colchicine-binding site of tubulin was confirmed through competitive assays.
Effective Macroscopic Dynamics of Stochastic Partial Differential Equations in Perforated Domains

An effective macroscopic model for a stochastic microscopic system is derived. The original microscopic system is modeled by a stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) defined on a domain perforated with small holes or heterogeneities. The homogenized effective model is still an SPDE but defined on a unified domain without holes. The solutions of the microscopic model are shown to converge to those of the effective macroscopic model in probability distribution as the size of holes diminishes to zero. Moreover, the long time effectivity of the macroscopic system, in the sense of convergence in probability distribution, and the effectivity of the macroscopic system, in the sense of convergence in energy, are also proved.
Screening for depression in high-risk groups: prospective cohort study in general practice

Background Currently only about half of the people who have major depressive disorder are detected during regular health care. Screening in high-risk groups might be a possible solution. Aims To evaluate the effectiveness of selective screening for major depressive disorder in three high-risk groups in primary care: people with mental health problems, people with unexplained somatic complaints and people who frequently attend their general practitioner. Method Prospective cohort study among 2005 people in high-risk groups in three health centres in The Netherlands. Results Of the 2005 people identified, 1687 were invited for screening and of these 780 participated. Screening disclosed 71 people with major depressive disorder: 36 (50.7%) already received treatment, 14 (19.7%) refused treatment and 4 individuals did not show up for an appointment. As a final result of the screening, 17 individuals (1% of 1687) started treatment for major depressive disorder. Conclusions Screening for depression in high-risk populations does not seem to be effective, mainly because of the low rates of treatment initiation, even if treatment is freely and easily accessible.