Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel techniques for low-noise microwave generation and transfer of spectral purity with optical frequency combs

Low phase noise microwave signals are of prime im-portance for a variety of applications, from radar and tele-communication to synchronization of large instruments (e.g. VLBI, FEL) and time-keeping primary frequency standards. By phase locking a self-references optical frequency comb (OFC) to a state-of-the-art ultra-stable laser, and photo-detection the train of pulses of the femtosecond laser that lies at the heart of the frequency comb, one establishes a phase coherent link between the optics and microwave. The photo-generated microwave signal's phase is a frequency down-converted copy of that of the ultra-stable laser with, in the ideal mathematics case a noise strongly reduced (-86dB for a transfer between a 200THz continuous laser and a 10GHz microwave signal). The excess noise that is inevita-bly added by the OFC-based transfer can be made very small by applying several techniques that I will be describing in this presentation.
Accelerating forex trading system through transaction log compression

In this paper, we propose the hardware architecture for high-speed transaction logging of forex trading system. In forex trading market, the trading volume of currencies is growing larger every year. In order to provide real-time processing of large volume and high availability service, we focused on the two types of the workload, where the bottleneck occurs, and conducted workload analysis. The bottleneck between the application server and the internal hard disk is caused by the overhead from storing the transaction logs, due to the bandwidth limitation of a hard disk. Our key idea is to suppress an overhead of the transaction logging through the compression of the transaction logs. Implementation result demonstrates the feasibility of our proposal for increasing the bandwidth through the log compression.
Laminin isoforms in endothelial and perivascular basement membranes

Laminins, one of the major functional components of basement membranes, are found underlying endothelium, and encasing pericytes and smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall. Depending on the type of blood vessel (capillary, venule, postcapillary venule, vein or artery) and their maturation state, both the endothelial and mural cell phenotype vary, with associated changes in laminin isoform expression. Laminins containing the α4 and α5 chains are the major isoforms found in the vessel wall, with the added contribution of laminin α2 in larger vessels. We here summarize current data on the precise localization of these laminin isoforms and their receptors in the different layers of the vessel wall, and their potential contribution to vascular homeostasis.
The Sidewalk Survey

Alcohol use is highly prevalent among U.S. college students, and alcohol-related problems are often considered the most serious public health threat on American college campuses. Although empirical examinations of college drinking have relied primarily on self-report measures, several investigators have implemented field studies to obtain objective measures of alcohol consumption (blood alcohol concentration) from students in ecologically valid settings. This article describes the methodology of breath-test field survey that is being conducted on the grounds of San Diego State University. Descriptive summaries of the data collected through spring 2003 are provided, and limitations to methodology are discussed.
Alterations in the Porcine Colon Microbiota Induced by the Gastrointestinal Nematode Trichuris suis

ABSTRACT Helminth parasites ensure their survival by regulating host immunity through mechanisms that dampen inflammation. These properties have recently been exploited therapeutically to treat human diseases. The biocomplexity of the intestinal lumen suggests that interactions between the parasite and the intestinal microbiota would also influence inflammation. In this study, we characterized the microbiota in the porcine proximal colon in response to Trichuris suis (whipworm) infection using 16S rRNA gene-based and whole-genome shotgun (WGS) sequencing. A 21-day T. suis infection in four pigs induced a significant change in the composition of the proximal colon microbiota compared to that of three parasite-naive pigs. Among the 15 phyla identified, the abundances of Proteobacteria and Deferribacteres were changed in infected pigs. The abundances of approximately 13% of genera were significantly altered by infection. Changes in relative abundances of Succinivibrio and Mucispirillum, for example, may relate to alterations in carbohydrate metabolism and niche disruptions in mucosal interfaces induced by parasitic infection, respectively. Of note, infection by T. suis led to a significant shift in the metabolic potential of the proximal colon microbiota, where 26% of all metabolic pathways identified were affected. Besides carbohydrate metabolism, lysine biosynthesis was repressed as well. A metabolomic analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the luminal contents showed a relative absence in infected pigs of cofactors for carbohydrate and lysine biosynthesis, as well as an accumulation of oleic acid, suggesting altered fatty acid absorption contributing to local inflammation. Our findings should facilitate development of strategies for parasitic control in pigs and humans.
Specific Tryptophan Substitution in Catalytic Sites of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase Allows Differentiation between Bound Substrate ATP and Product ADP in Steady-state Catalysis*

Tryptophan was specifically inserted as the residue immediately preceding the P-loop sequence in F1-ATPase catalytic sites. The mutant enzyme (βF148W) showed normal enzymatic characteristics. The fluorescence responses of β-tryptophan 148 enabled us to differentiate between nucleoside di- and triphosphate bound in catalytic sites; MgADP quenched at 350 nm, whereas MgAMPPNP and MgADP·BeFx complex enhanced the fluorescence at 325 nm. With MgATP, both effects were seen simultaneously. This allowed analysis of bound catalytic site nucleotides directly under steady-state MgATP hydrolysis conditions. At mM concentration of MgATP (Vmax conditions) one of the three catalytic sites was filled with substrate MgATP and the other two sites were filled with product MgADP. A model for F1-ATPase steady-state turnover is presented that encompasses these findings. Given the structural similarity of the P-loop in nucleotide-binding proteins, this approach may prove widely useful.
Biological Effect of Bee Propolis : A Review

For centuries bee propolis (bee resin) has been used in traditional medicine. It is a natural product derived from plant resins composed by bees. It has anticancer, anti-tumor antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-ulcer and antifungal properties. It is also contains hepatoprotective, cardioprotective and antihypertensive activities, as well as some properties that helps in controlling blood glucose and modulates the metabolism of blood lipids. In recent years, propolis has attracted much attention as a valuable or potential substance used in medicine and cosmetic products. Therefore, it is now widely used in food and beverages with the assertion that it can preserve or improve human health. The chemical components of propolis are quite complex. More than 300 compounds including polyphenols, phenolic aldehydes, sequiterpene quinines, coumarins, amino acids, steroids and inorganic compounds have been identified in propolis samples. The content depends on the collecting time, location and plant source. As a result, biological activities of propolis gathered at various times and from different phytogeographical areas which vary greatly. In this review, the therapeutic efficacy of propolis in treating diseases caused by microorganisms is described. Some concepts about propolis and its use in medicine is presented.
NEUROPHYSIOLOGY: Hypocretin/orexin depolarizes and decreases potassium conductance in locus coeruleus neurons

Recent studies demonstrated that noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) neurons are a particularly strong target of the novel neuropeptide, hypocretin (orexin). The present study sought to elucidate the action of hypocretin-B (HCRT) on LC neurons recorded intracellularly in rat brain slices. Bath (1.0 ìM) or local puff application (50±100 ìM in pipette) of HCRT depolarized LC neurons in rat brain slices and increased their spontaneous discharge rate. Depolarization evoked by HCRT was persistent in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 ìM) and Co2 (1 mM), indicating that HCRT directly activated LC neurons, and that its effect on the postsynaptic cell was not due to activation of TTX-sensitive sodium channels or Co2sensitive calcium channels. The apparent input resistance was signi®cantly increased in the majority of LC neurons during the HCRT-evoked depolarization. Moreover, the HCRT-evoked depolarization was decreased in amplitude with hyperpolarization of membrane. The present results indicate that decreased potassium conductance is involved in the effect of HCRT on LC neurons. NeuroReport 11:1755±1758 & 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Enrichment of Marrow Hemopoietic Progenitor Cells using a Blood Cell Processor

A total of 93 bone marrows (BM) from normal donors and patients were processed using the IBM-COBE 2991 blood cell washer to produce a concentrated buffy coat (BC) for either bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or cryopreservation for subsequent autologous BMT. The reduction in volume was 73.3 ± 8.5% and nucleated blood cells (NBC) recovery was 87.1 ± 9.1% of original marrow. Red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) contamination was reduced 64.5 ± 10.9% and 41.2 ± 24.1%, respectively. Clonogenic activity indicated that the NBC fraction was highly enriched in hematopoietic progenitor cells (> 100%) as assessed in vitro (CFU-GM). Results were not affected by diagnosis, initial marrow volume or cell count of the BM suspension. We conclude that this is a simple and reproducible method using blood bank, facilities and permits BC preparation from BM without significant loss of hematopoietic progenitor cells.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF REPETITIONS AND SELECTED PERCENTAGES OF ONE REPETITION MAXIMUM IN FREE WEIGHT EXERCISES IN TRAINED AND UNTRAINED MEN

Resistance exercise intensity is commonly prescribed as a percent of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). However, the relationship between percent 1RM and the number of repetitions allowed remains poorly studied, especially using free weight exercises. The purpose of this study was to determine the maximal number of repetitions that trained (T) and untrained (UT) men can perform during free weight exercises at various percentages of 1RM. Eight T and 8 UT men were tested for 1RM strength. Then, subjects performed 1 set to failure at 60, 80, and 90% of 1RM in the back squat, bench press, and arm curl in a randomized, balanced design. There was a significant (p < 0.05) intensity × exercise interaction. More repetitions were performed during the back squat than the bench press or arm curl at 60% 1RM for T and UT. At 80 and 90% 1RM, there were significant differences between the back squat and other exercises; however, differences were much less pronounced. No differences in number of repetitions performed at a given exercise intensity were noted between T and UT (except during bench press at 90% 1RM). In conclusion, the number of repetitions performed at a given percent of 1RM is influenced by the amount of muscle mass used during the exercise, as more repetitions can be performed during the back squat than either the bench press or arm curl. Training status of the individual has a minimal impact on the number of repetitions performed at relative exercise intensity.
[Cardiovascular risk factors in the fishing environment of Cartagena and Castellon].

BACKGROUND To know the prevalence of the Cardiovascular Risking Factors in a fishing environment, with activity in the shallow-sea. METHOD Transversal descriptive study spanning from December 1992 to March 1993 carried out in the Maritime Health Department of the Sea Social Institute, in the provincials administration center of Castellon and Cartagena (Murcia). And enquire has been done with 562 seaman belonging to the fishing profession, 346 of them being from Cartagena and 216 from Castellon. When they attended the compulsory medical checking previous to the embarking. RESULTS An assessment of the Cardiovascular Risking. FACTORS Smoking dependence, high blood pressure, hipercholesterol, hipertriglicedics, diabetes and obesity, depending on the origin station and the type of fishing net. The 65.6% and the 24.3% of the sampling are smokers and hipertensers respectively, and the 35.3% present figures above 240 Mgrs of cholesterol. Having Cartagena in caparison with Castellon higher frequencies, (p < 0.001) of high blood pressure and hipercholesterol. The hipertriglicedics alone is associated, (p < 0.01) with the different fishing modalities, being the trawling kind fishmen the one who to present the highest frequencies. Only the 14.5% of the sampling is free from the so-called big risking factors and the 5.7% present the three of them associated (smoking dependence, hipercholesterol and high blood pressure). CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of the cardiovascular risking factors found, make necessary the organization of a prevention campaign in order to diminish the risks related to the isquimic cardiopathy and cerebrovascular illness, and this may be influenced by bad eating habits and other social an environmental factors which are common to seamen.
A Robust Protocol to Map Binding Sites of the 14-3-3 Interactome: Cdc25C Requires Phosphorylation of Both S216 and S263 to bind 14-3-3*

Modern proteomic techniques have identified hundreds of proteins that bind 14-3-3s, the most widespread eukaryotic phosphoserine/threonine sensors, but accurate prediction of the target phospho-sites is difficult. Here we describe a systematic approach using synthetic peptides that tests large numbers of potential binding sites in parallel for human 14-3-3. By profiling the sequence requirements for three diverse 14-3-3 binding sites (from IRS-1, IRSp53 and GIT2), we have generated enhanced bioinformatics tools to score sites and allow more tractable testing by co-immunoprecipitation. This approach has allowed us to identify two additional sites other than Ser216 in the widely studied cell division cycle (Cdc) protein 25C, whose function depends on 14-3-3 binding. These Ser247 and Ser263 sites in human Cdc25C, which were not predicted by the existing Scansite search, are conserved across species and flank the nuclear localization region. Furthermore, we found strong interactions between 14-3-3 and peptides with the sequence Rxx[S/T]xR typical for PKC sites, and which is as abundant as the canonical Rxx[S/T]xP motif in the proteome. Two such sites are required for 14-3-3 binding in the polarity protein Numb. A recent survey of >200 reported sites identified only a handful containing this motif, suggesting that it is currently under-appreciated as a candidate binding site. This approach allows one to rapidly map 14-3-3 binding sites and has revealed alternate motifs.
Application of cyanoacrylate adhesive (Krazy Glue) in critical cardiac injuries.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY Although small lacerations of the myocardium may be repaired easily using conventional methods, larger tears or ruptures, especially if they occur in infarcted myocardial tissue, may create formidable technical challenges. Described is a method for applying sutureless pericardial patches for control of hemorrhage. METHODS A sutureless pericardial patch was glued to the myocardium with commercially available household cyanoacrylate (Krazy Glue) in seven patients. RESULTS No patient in this series developed any evidence of mediastinal infection as a result of this technique. Six patients were discharged home without any long-term sequelae noted. One patient developed reinfarction and died of arrhythmia two weeks following surgery. Autopsy revealed that the laceration had healed and that the patch was closely adherent. Bacteriology studies revealed that different brands of cyanoacrylate are not only bacterium-free but also exhibit a bactericidal effect. CONCLUSIONS Sutureless pericardial patches fastened to the myocardium with cyanoacrylate glue to control hemorrhage under critical situations were easy to apply, safe and effective in this series of patients.
Adaptive fuzzy actuator failure compensation for a class of nonlinear systems

This paper proposes a direct adaptive fuzzy control scheme for actuator failure compensation of a class of multi-input single-output (MISO) nonlinear systems. The proposed controller assumes a proportional actuation scheme which allows transforming the MISO system with uncertain actuator failures to an uncertain SISO system for which a fuzzy logic system is used for designing the control input signal to be distributed among redundant actuators. The parameter update laws for the fuzzy controller are derived using a gradient descent type algorithm that minimizes a quadratic cost function of the control error. Closed-loop system stability and tracking requirements are proved using Lyapunov stability theory and a piecewise analysis to deal with parameter jumps due to abrupt failures. A simulation study is carried out to show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Comparative Study on Esterase Isozyme Patterns between the Larvae of Bactrocera papayae and Bactrocera carambolae (Diptera:Tephritidae)

Asian papaya fruit fly, Bactrocera papayae Drew & Hancock and carambola fruit fly, Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hanckock (Diptera: Tephritidae) are the major agricultural pests, especially fruits and vegetables, in Malaysia. A vertical type polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic technique was used for the first time to compare the esterase isozyme banding patterns between the larvae of Bactrocera papayae and B. carambolae. Two esterase isozymes, EST-1, EST-2 were detected and their relative mobility values were 0.61 and 0.46, respectively. In both species, EST-1 and EST-2 bands present in larvae. The thickness and the staining degree of bands varied in both species; and EST-2 was comparatively thicker than the EST-1 band. There was no difference in the esterase isozyme patterns of larvae of these two Bactrocera species. So, the results prove that the larvae of the two Bactrocera species have similar non-specific esterase isozyme band patterns in the same polyacrylamide gel.
ECDC guidelines for the surveillance of invasive mosquitoes in Europe.

The report consists of three parts. The first part addresses strategic issues and steps to be taken by the stakeholders for the decision-making process, depending on the aim and scope of surveillance, its organisation and management. Three likely scenarios have been identified: no established IMS (but with risk of introduction and establishment), locally established IMS, widely established IMS. The second part details all operational issues and steps to be implemented, i.e. key and optional procedures for mosquito collection, identification of IMS, collection of population and environmental parameters, pathogen screening, data management and analysis, and strategies for data dissemination and mapping. The third part provides models to estimate the cost of surveillance activities and suggestions to evaluate the surveillance process.
Function of a Chemotaxis-Like Signal Transduction Pathway in Modulating Motility, Cell Clumping, and Cell Length in the Alphaproteobacterium Azospirillum brasilense

ABSTRACT A chemotaxis signal transduction pathway (hereafter called Che1) has been previously identified in the alphaproteobacterium Azospirillum brasilense. Previous experiments have demonstrated that although mutants lacking CheB and/or CheR homologs from this pathway are defective in chemotaxis, a mutant in which the entire chemotaxis pathway has been mutated displayed a chemotaxis phenotype mostly similar to that of the parent strain, suggesting that the primary function of this Che1 pathway is not the control of motility behavior. Here, we report that mutants carrying defined mutations in the cheA1 (strain AB101) and the cheY1 (strain AB102) genes and a newly constructed mutant lacking the entire operon [Δ(cheA1-cheR1)::Cm] (strain AB103) were defective, but not null, for chemotaxis and aerotaxis and had a minor defect in swimming pattern. We found that mutations in genes of the Che1 pathway affected the cell length of actively growing cells but not their growth rate. Cells of a mutant lacking functional cheB1 and cheR1 genes (strain BS104) were significantly longer than wild-type cells, whereas cells of mutants impaired in the cheA1 or cheY1 genes, as well as a mutant lacking a functional Che1 pathway, were significantly shorter than wild-type cells. Both the modest chemotaxis defects and the observed differences in cell length could be complemented by expressing the wild-type genes from a plasmid. In addition, under conditions of high aeration, cells of mutants lacking functional cheA1 or cheY1 genes or the Che1 operon formed clumps due to cell-to-cell aggregation, whereas the mutant lacking functional CheB1 and CheR1 (BS104) clumped poorly, if at all. Further analysis suggested that the nature of the exopolysaccharide produced, rather than the amount, may be involved in this behavior. Interestingly, mutants that displayed clumping behavior (lacking cheA1 or cheY1 genes or the Che1 operon) also flocculated earlier and quantitatively more than the wild-type cells, whereas the mutant lacking both CheB1 and CheR1 was delayed in flocculation. We propose that the Che1 chemotaxis-like pathway modulates the cell length as well as clumping behavior, suggesting a link between these two processes. Our data are consistent with a model in which the function of the Che1 pathway in regulating these cellular functions directly affects flocculation, a cellular differentiation process initiated under conditions of nutritional imbalance.
Hepatitis B e‐antigen negative chronic hepatitis B

These special populations of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with viral replication were branded as ‘antiHBe-positive’ or ‘HBeAg-negative’ chronic hepatitis B (e-CHB). The molecular basis of HBeAg-negative HBV infection was identified: a guanine (G) to adenine (A) change at nucleotide 1896 (G1896A), creates a novel translational stop codon (at precore codon 28) leading to premature termination of the translation of the precore protein and absence of HBeAg secretion. 5 Subsequently, other mutations in the precore or basal core promoter (BCP) region which downregulate or abolish HBeAg production have also been described. 6
BEDSIDE ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS OF SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY DISSECTION COMPLICATING ACUTE AORTIC DISSECTION

, Abstract—Background: A timely diagnosis of aortic dissection is associated with lower mortality. The use of emergent bedside ultrasound has been described to diagnose aortic dissection. However, there is limited literature regarding the use of bedside ultrasound to identify superior mesenteric artery dissection, a known high-risk feature of aortic dissection. Objective: Our aim was to present a case of superior mesenteric artery dissection identified by bedside ultrasound and review the utility of bedside ultrasound in the diagnosis of aortic emergencies. Case Report: We report a case of superior mesenteric artery dissection found on emergent bedside ultrasound in a 46-year-old male complaining of abdominal pain with a history of cocaine abuse and prior aortic dissection. Bedside ultrasound in the emergency department revealed an intimal flap in the descending aorta with extension into the superior mesenteric artery prompting early surgical consultation before computed tomography because of concern for acutemesenteric ischemia. Conclusion: Superior mesenteric artery dissection is a highrisk feature of aortic dissection and can be identified with emergent bedside ultrasound. 2013 Elsevier Inc.