Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Applicability of Fade Mitigation Techniques to Mobile DVB-S2/RCS Satellite Systems: Accent on Railway Scenario

This paper addresses the applicability of fade mitigation techniques (FMTs) to mobile DVB-S2/RCS based broadband interactive satellite systems. Emphasis is put on the railway scenario, where quite a few pilot projects and demonstration initiatives have already been launched and even (pre-) commercial activities have already commenced. A useful methodology to transform rain fading statistics from a fixed to a mobile satellite communication system is described. Particular attention is paid to the second order rain fading statistics and, specifically, to the rain fade slope, whose accurate knowledge is essential to the design and performance of the FMT control loop. The FMT control loop margin required due to mobility is estimated in line-of-sight (LOS) conditions for different train speeds and rain attenuation levels. In addition, the impact of non-LOS effects, such as long blockages due to tunnels, on the performance of FMT control loop is examined and the possible use of short-term rain fade prediction methods is analyzed. Numerical results obtained through computer simulations are provided and useful conclusions are drawn.
The Metal Permease ZupT from Escherichia coli Is a Transporter with a Broad Substrate Spectrum

ABSTRACT The Escherichia coli zupT (formerly ygiE) gene encodes a cytoplasmic membrane protein (ZupT) related to members of the eukaryotic ZIP family of divalent metal ion transporters. Previously, ZupT was shown to be responsible for uptake of zinc. In this study, we show that ZupT is a divalent metal cation transporter of broad substrate specificity. An E. coli strain with a disruption in all known iron uptake systems could grow in the presence of chelators only if zupT was expressed. Heterologous expression of Arabidopsis thaliana ZIP1 could also alleviate iron deficiency in this E. coli strain, as could expression of indigenous mntH or feoABC. Transport studies with intact cells showed that ZupT facilitates uptake of 55Fe2+ similarly to uptake of MntH or Feo. Other divalent cations were also taken up by ZupT, as shown using 57Co2+. Expression of zupT rendered E. coli cells hypersensitive to Co2+ and sensitive to Mn2+. ZupT did not appear to be metal regulated: expression of a Φ(zupT-lacZ) operon fusion indicated that zupT is expressed constitutively at a low level.
Impact of hospital-associated hyponatremia on selected outcomes.

BACKGROUND Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder encountered in hospitalized patients. METHODS We evaluated whether hospital-associated hyponatremia has an independent effect on all-cause mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and patient disposition. This cohort study included all adult hospitalizations at an academic medical center occurring between 2000-2007 for which an admission serum sodium concentration ([Na(+)]) was available (N = 53 236). We examined community-acquired hyponatremia (admission serum [Na(+)], <138 mEq/L [to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 1.0]), hospital-aggravated hyponatremia (community-acquired hyponatremia complicated by worsening in serum [Na(+)]), and hospital-acquired hyponatremia (nadir serum [Na(+)], <138 mEq/L with a normal admission serum [Na(+)]). The independent associations of these hyponatremic presentations with in-hospital mortality, LOS, and patient disposition were evaluated using generalized estimating equations adjusted for age, sex, race, admission service, and Deyo-Charlson Comorbidity Index score. RESULTS Community-acquired hyponatremia occurred in 37.9% of hospitalizations and was associated with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-1.69) for in-hospital mortality and 1.12 (95% CI, 1.08-1.17) for discharge to a short- or long-term care facility and a 14% (95% CI, 11%-16%) adjusted increase in LOS. Hospital-acquired hyponatremia developed in 38.2% of hospitalizations longer than 1 day in which initial serum [Na(+)] was 138 to 142 mEq/L. Hospital-acquired hyponatremia was associated with adjusted ORs of 1.66 (95% CI, 1.39-1.98) for in-hospital mortality and 1.64 (95% CI, 1.55-1.74) for discharge to a facility and a 64% (95% CI, 60%-68%) adjusted increase in LOS. The strength of these associations tended to increase with hyponatremia severity. CONCLUSIONS Hospital-associated hyponatremia is a common occurrence. All forms of hyponatremia are independently associated with in-hospital mortality and heightened resource consumption.
Whisker formation on matte Sn influencing of high humidity

The purpose of this study was to identify the main causes for whisker growth and to establish its mechanism, while at the same time identifying test conditions that can be used for an industry wide acceptance test for whisker formation, since this test has never been established. In order to understand the influence of humidity and corrosion on whisker growth the E4 (Freescale Semiconductor, Infineon, STMicroelectronics and Philips) started an extensive design of experiments (DoE). Parameters in this DoE include: plating, solderpaste, flux, substrate material, preconditioning and condensation. This paper presents the outcome of this DoE and furthermore give an update on the previously reported and ongoing experiments to discover the main factors influencing whisker growth.
A spectrin-like protein in retinal rod outer segments.

Biochemical and immunochemical studies indicate that rod outer segments (ROS) of bovine photoreceptor cells contain a Mr 240,000 polypeptide related to the alpha-subunit of red blood cell (RBC) spectrin. With the use of sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis in conjunction with the immunoblotting technique, monoclonal antibody 4B2 was found to bind to a Mr 240,000 polypeptide in ROS that is distinct from the prominent Mr 220,000 concanavalin A binding glycoprotein. The Mr 240,000 polypeptide is highly susceptible to degradation by endogenous proteases. It does not appear to be an integral membrane protein but is tightly membrane associated since it can be partially extracted from ROS membranes with urea in the absence of detergent. The 4B2 antibody cross-reacted with RBC ghosts and bovine brain microsomal membranes. Radioimmune assays and immunoblotting analysis of purified bovine RBC spectrin further revealed that the 4B2 antibody predominantly labeled the alpha-chain of RBC spectrin having an apparent molecular weight of 240,000. Polyclonal anti-spectrin antibody that bound to both the alpha- and beta-chain of RBC spectrin predominantly labeled a Mr 240,000 polypeptide of ROS membranes. Two faintly labeled bands in the molecular weight range of 210,000-220,000 were also observed. These components may represent variants of the beta-chain of spectrin that are weakly cross-reacting or present in smaller quantities than the alpha-chain. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Interspecific competition during transmission of two sympatric malaria parasite species to the mosquito vector

The role of species interactions in structuring parasite communities remains controversial. Here, we show that interspecific competition between two avian malaria parasite species, Plasmodium gallinaceum and P. juxtanucleare, occurs as a result of interference during parasite fertilization within the bloodmeal of the mosquito. The significant reduction in the transmission success of P. gallinaceum to mosquitoes, due to the co–infecting P. juxtanucleare, is predicted to have compromised its colonization of regions occupied by P. juxtanucleare and, thus, may have contributed to the restricted global distribution of P. gallinaceum. Such interspecies interactions may occur between human malaria parasites and, thus, impact upon parasite species epidemiology, especially in regions of seasonal transmission.
Can fire safety in hotels be improved? Results from the survey of a panel of experts in Spain.

BACKGROUND The hotel industry is an important driver of the European labour market with over 250,000 hotels employing some 2 million people. In Spain, 240 workers were injured by fires in hotels from 2004 to 2008. Fire is considered to be the most important risk in the hotel industry, but the lack of an EU-wide data recording system for hotels makes it difficult to give exact figures for fire events. OBJECTIVE We analysed the state of fire prevention systems in hotels in Spain with the aim of proposing strategies to improve fire safety. METHODS A 10-item questionnaire was administered from 2007 to 2009 to 15 Spanish experts in fire safety. The questions were measured using a Likert scale and classified into 4 sections: current state of installations, influence of establishment characteristics, application of regulations and priority ranking of actions. Descriptive statistics summarized the data and t-tests evaluated the agreement foreach statement in the questionnaire. RESULTS The statistical analysis showed homogeneity in the responses by the experts in all four categories: current state of fire safety installations, influence of establishment characteristics, application of regulations, and priority of actions. There was consensus among the experts over the necessity to improve the enforcement of regulations and also regarding the existence of an association between the hotel category (in Spain they are ranked using a 1 to 5 "star" rating system) and the level of fire safety; hotels with a higher category had higher levels of safety. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to identify ways to apply fire safety standards to older hotels so that they comply with new regulations, to standardize regulations for different regions and countries, to improve the maintenance of installations and equipment, to increase the effectiveness of inspections conducted by government bodies, and to raise the general awareness of stakeholders involved in hotel fire prevention.
The Influence of Temperature and Speed of Injection on the Distribution of a Solution Containing Bupivacaine and Methylene Blue in a Spinal Canal Model

Three milliliters of a solution containing 4.81 mg bupivacaine base and 0.029 mg methylene blue per milliliter (BMB) was injected in the middle of a vertically mounted spinal canal model containing 0.9% NaCl at 37°C. The BMB solution injected was either equilibrated to 37°C (Exp. I) or to 22°C (Exp. II). Each experiment was conducted eight times, four times with a high speed of injection (± 0.6 ml/sec) and four times with a slow speed of injection (0.05 ml/sec). The density of the BMB solution was determined at 37°C and at 22°C and found to be, respectively, slightly hypobaric and slightly hyperbaric relative to the 0.9% NaCl solution of 37°C. Three minutes after completion of the injection, nine 1-ml samples were drawn simultaneously from the site of injection and from eight sampling sites situated equally above and below the site of injection at 5-cm intervals, which were subsequently analyzed for methylene blue concentrations. Injection of the BMB solution equilibrated to 37°C resulted in a distribution directed mainly upward, whereas injection of the BMB solution equilibrated to 22°C showed distribution in a mainly downward direction. Variation in methylene blue concentrations was large, and no definite differences based on different speeds of injection were observed. It is concluded that small differences in baricity result in largely different distribution patterns that could explain the variability in sensory levels of blockade when using an isobaric solution for spinal anesthesia.
Neuroprotection by (Endo)Cannabinoids in Glaucoma and Retinal Neurodegenerative Diseases

Background: Emerging neuroprotective strategies are being explored to preserve the retina from degeneration, that occurs in eye pathologies like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa. Incidentally, neuroprotection of retina is a defending mechanism designed to prevent or delay neuronal cell death, and to maintain neural function following an initial insult, thus avoiding loss of vision. Methods: Numerous studies have investigated potential neuroprotective properties of plant-derived phytocannabinoids, as well as of their endogenous counterparts collectively termed endocannabinoids (eCBs), in several degenerative diseases of the retina. eCBs are a group of neuromodulators that, mainly by activating G protein-coupled type-1 and type-2 cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2) receptors, trigger multiple signal transduction cascades that modulate central and peripheral cell functions. A fine balance between biosynthetic and degrading enzymes that control the right concentration of eCBs has been shown to provide neuroprotection in traumatic, ischemic, inflammatory and neurotoxic damage of the brain. Results: Since the existence of eCBs and their binding receptors was documented in the retina of numerous species (from fishes to primates), their involvement in the visual processing has been demonstrated, more recently with a focus on retinal neurodegeneration and neuroprotection. Conclusion: The aim of this review is to present a modern view of the endocannabinoid system, in order to discuss in a better perspective available data from preclinical studies on the use of eCBs as new neuroprotective agents, potentially useful to prevent glaucoma and retinal neurodegenerative diseases.
Rapid determination of syringyl: Guaiacyl ratios using FT‐Raman spectroscopy

Lignin composition in relation to its basic phenylpropanoid units, particularly the syringyl to guaiacyl (S/G) ratio, is an important property for biomass characterization and varies greatly as a function of species, genotype and environment. A rapid screening method is highly desirable to assess lignin composition in a large number of samples. We have developed a nondestructive and label‐free Fourier transform Raman (FT‐Raman) spectroscopic method that is capable of rapidly and reliably measuring the S/G ratio with minimal sample preparation. A variety of feedstocks, including hardwood (Eucalyptus globulus), softwood (Pinus radiata), herbaceous plants (Zea mays, Panicum virgatum, and Sorghum bicolor), and a model dicot (Arabidopsis thaliana) were measured using this technique and the corresponding S/G ratio was calculated after spectral deconvolution based on the S and G bands identified using a known library of model compounds. The results obtained using this technique were successfully validated by pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (pyro‐GC/MS). This technique holds significant promise in the rapid screening of engineered feedstocks as part of a comprehensive screening methodology that is correlated with biomass recalcitrance. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:647–656. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increase of inflammatory markers after indoor renovation activities: The LISA birth cohort study

There is concern about indoor air quality as a possible cause for health impairment. Exposure to indoor renovation activities has been shown to be associated with airway symptoms and allergic manifestations in children. The aim of this study is to analyse immune markers responsible for disease development in relation to renovation activities. Within the LISAplus (Life style Immune System Allergy) birth cohort study, blood samples of 6‐yr‐old children were analysed for concentration of the inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)‐8, IL‐6, tumour necrosis factor‐α, MCP‐1 and IL‐10. Data on indoor renovation activities (painting, flooring, new furniture) were assessed with a questionnaire filled in by the parents. Data on cytokine blood concentrations and exposure variables were available for 250 children. Increased levels of IL‐8 and MCP‐1 in children’s blood were related to renovation activities. In particular, new floor covering was associated with increased inflammatory markers. Among floor covering materials only wall‐to‐wall carpets were associated with elevated IL‐8 and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein‐1 (MCP‐1) levels. No association between the single renovation activities painting and furnishing and blood concentration of inflammatory markers has been found. Our data shows that IL‐8 and MCP‐1 may be suitable markers for monitoring inflammatory reactions in relation with renovation activities. Among renovation activities floor covering seems to induce the strongest inflammatory reactions.
Variable Expressions of Staphylococcus aureus Bicomponent Leucotoxins Semiquantified by Competitive Reverse Transcription-PCR

ABSTRACT A competitive reverse transcription-PCR method was developed for the semiquantitation of the expression of genes encoding bicomponent leucotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus, e.g., Panton-Valentine leucocidin (lukPV), gamma-hemolysin (hlgA and hlgCB), and LukE-LukD (lukED). The optimization procedure included RNA preparation; reverse transcription; the use of various amounts of enzymes, antisense primer, and RNA; and the final amplification chain reaction. Reproducible results were obtained, with sensitivity for detection of cDNA within the range of 1 mRNA/104 CFU to 102 mRNA/CFU, depending on the gene. Both specific mRNAs were more significantly expressed at the late-exponential phase of growth. Expression was about 100-fold higher in yeast extract-Casamino Acids-pyruvate medium than in heart infusion medium. Expression of the widely distributed gamma-hemolysin locus in the NTCC 8178 strain was around 10-fold diminished compared with that in the ATCC 49775 strain. Because of the lower level of hlgA expression, the corresponding protein, which is generally not abundant in culture supernatant, should be investigated for its contribution to the leucotoxin-associated virulence. The agr, sar, and agr sar mutant strains revealed a great dependence with regard to leucotoxin expression on the global regulatory system inS. aureus, except that expression of hlgA was not affected in the agr mutant.
Blind Identification of Thermal Models and Power Sources From Thermal Measurements

The ability to sense the temperatures and power consumption of various key components of a chip is central to the operation of modern integrated circuits, such as processors. While modern chips often include a number of embedded thermal sensors, they lack the ability to sense power at fine granularity. This paper proposes a new direction to simultaneously identify the thermal models and the fine-grain power consumption of a chip from just the measurements of the thermal sensors and the total power consumption. Our identification technique is blind as it does not require design knowledge of the thermal-power model to identify the power sources. We investigate the main challenges in blind identification, which are the permutation and scaling ambiguities, and propose novel techniques to resolve these ambiguities. We implement our technique and apply it in three contexts. First, we implement it within a controlled simulation environment, which enables us to verify its accuracy and analyze its sensitivity to relevant issues, such as measurement noise and number of available training samples. Second, we apply it on a real multi-core CPU + GPU processor-based system, where we show the ability to identify the runtime power consumption of the individual cores using just the total power measurement and the measurements of the embedded thermal sensors under different workloads. Third, we apply it for non-invasive power sensing of chips by inverting the temperatures measured using an external infrared imaging camera. We show that our technique consistently improves the modeling and sensing accuracy of integrated circuits.
The effect of aging on migration, proliferation, and collagen expression of tenocytes in response to ciprofloxacin

Quinolone‐induced tendinopathy or tendon rupture tends to be age‐related. However, the synergistic effects of quinolone and aging on tenocytes remained to be explored. Tenocytes intrinsic to rat Achilles tendon from two age groups (young: 2 months; and near senescent (old): 24 months) were treated with ciprofloxacin. Tenocyte migration and proliferation were assessed by transwell filter migration assay and MTT (3‐[4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, respectively. Messenger RNA and protein expressions of types I and III collagen were determined by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Transwell filter migration assay revealed that ciprofloxacin inhibited tenocytes migration, which became more significant in old tenocytes (p < 0.05). The results of MTT assay revealed that tenocytes proliferation decreased after ciprofloxacin treatment (p < 0.05), which also became more significant in old tenocytes. The results of RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that mRNA and protein expressions of type I collagen remained unchanged in either young or old tenocytes with ciprofloxacin treatment, whereas the expressions of type III collagen were down‐regulated by ciprofloxacin, which was more significant in old tenocytes. In conclusion, aging potentiated the ciprofloxacin‐mediated inhibition of migration, proliferation, and expression of type III collagen of tenocytes. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:764–768, 2012
Participation of rat liver cytochrome P450 2E1 in the activation of N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosodiethylamine to products genotoxic in an acetyltransferase-overexpressing Salmonella typhimurium strain (NM2009).

The possible roles of cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes in the metabolic activation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) by rat liver microsomes have been examined in a system containing the bacterial tester strain Salmonella typhimurium NM2009, a newly developed strain showing high O-acetyltransfer activities. The DNA-damaging activity could be determined by measuring expression of the umu gene in a plasmid containing the fused umuC-lacZ gene construct in the bacteria. The following lines of evidence support the view that both NDMA and NDEA are principally oxidized to reactive products by P450 2E1 in rat liver microsomes. First, NDMA and NDEA were activated by rat liver microsomes in a protein- and substrate-dependent manner and the former chemical was more active than the latter; both activities were induced in rats treated with P450 2E1 inducers such as ethanol, acetone and isoniazid and by starvation. Second, activation of NDMA and NDEA were both inhibited significantly by antibodies raised against rat P450 2E1 and by P450 2E1 inhibitors such as diethyldithiocarbamate and 4-methylpyrazole in rat liver microsomes. Finally, in reconstituted monooxygenase systems containing purified rat P450 enzymes, P450 2E1 gave the highest rates of the activation of both NDMA and NDEA; the addition of rabbit cytochrome b5 to the system caused about a 1.5-fold increase in both reactions. In separate experiments we also found that N-nitrosomethylacethoxymethylamine, a compound that reacts with DNA after ester cleavage, is more genotoxic in S.typhimurium NM2009 than in S.typhimurium NM2000, a strain that is defective in O-acetyltransferase activity. Part of the pathway involved in the activation of nitrosamines is suggested to be acetylation of alkyldiazohydroxides formed by P450 or acetylesterase, because the genotoxic activity of N-nitrosomethylacethoxymethylamine in S.typhimurium NM2009 could be inhibited by the O-acetyltransferase inhibitor pentachlorophenol. These results indicate that NDMA and NDEA are oxidized to gentoxoic products by rat liver microsomes and that a P450 2E1 enzyme plays a major role in the activation of these two potent carcinogens. The activation pathway of N-nitrosodialkylamines through acetylation by O-acetyltransferase has been proposed. This simple bacterial system for measuring genotoxicity should facilitate studies on the activation of N-nitroso alkylamines.