Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectral envelope estimation used for audio bandwidth extension based on RBF neural network

In this paper a new spectral envelope estimation method based on radial basis function (RBF) neural network is proposed for implementing a blind bandwidth extension method of audio signals. To make the sub-band envelope of high-frequency (HF) components accurately recovered, the RBF neural network is utilized to fit the relationship between low-frequency (LF) features and sub-band envelope of HF components. In addition, the fine structure of HF components which can guarantee the timber of the extended audio signal is reconstructed based on nonlinear dynamics. The objective and subjective test results indicate that the proposed method outperforms the reference methods.
Exercise capacity, daily activity, and severity of fatigue in term born young adults after neonatal respiratory failure

Little is known about long‐term effects of neonatal intensive care on exercise capacity, physical activity, and fatigue in term borns. We determined these outcomes in 57 young adults, treated for neonatal respiratory failure; 27 of them had congenital diaphragmatic hernia with lung hypoplasia (group 1) and 30 had normal lung development (group 2). Patients in group 2 were age‐matched, with similar gestational age and birth weight, and similar neonatal intensive care treatment as patients in group 1. All patients were born before the era of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, nitric oxide administration, and high frequency ventilation. Exercise capacity was measured by cycle ergometry, daily physical activity with an accelerometry‐based activity monitor, and fatigue by the fatigue severity scale. Median (range) VO 2peak in mL/kg/min was 35.4 (19.6–55.0) in group 1 and 37.6 (15.7–52.7) in group 2. There was a between‐group P‐value of 0.65 for exercise capacity. Daily activity and fatigue were also similar in both groups. So, residual lung hypoplasia did not play an important role in this cohort. There were no significant associations between exercise capacity and perinatal characteristics. Future studies need to elucidate whether exercise capacity is impaired in patients with more severe lung hypoplasia who nowadays survive.
Comparison of the Activities of Zanamivir, Oseltamivir, and RWJ-270201 against Clinical Isolates of Influenza Virus and Neuraminidase Inhibitor-Resistant Variants

ABSTRACT RWJ-270201 is a novel cyclopentane inhibitor of influenza A and B virus neuraminidases (NAs). We compared the ability of RWJ-270201 to inhibit NA activity of clinical influenza isolates and viruses with defined resistance mutations with that of zanamivir and oseltamivir carboxylate. In NA inhibition assays with influenza A viruses, the median 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of RWJ-270201 (approximately 0.34 nM) was comparable to that of oseltamivir carboxylate (0.45 nM) but lower than that of zanamivir (0.95 nM). For influenza B virus isolates, the IC50 of RWJ-270201 (1.36 nM) was comparable to that of zanamivir (2.7 nM) and less than that of oseltamivir carboxylate (8.5 nM). A zanamivir-resistant variant bearing a Glu119-to-Gly (Glu119→Gly) or Glu119→Ala substitution in an NA (N2) remained susceptible to RWJ-270201 and oseltamivir carboxylate. However, a zanamivir-selected variant with an Arg292→Lys substitution in an NA (N2) showed a moderate level of resistance to RWJ-270201 (IC50 = 30 nM) and zanamivir (IC50 = 20 nM) and a high level of resistance to oseltamivir carboxylate (IC50 > 3,000 nM). The zanamivir-resistant influenza B virus variant bearing an Arg152→Lys substitution was resistant to each NA inhibitor (IC50 = 100 to 750 nM). The oseltamivir-selected variant (N1) with the His274→Tyr substitution exhibited resistance to oseltamivir carboxylate (IC50= 400 nM) and to RWJ-270201 (IC50 = 40 nM) but retained full susceptibility to zanamivir (IC50 = 1.5 nM). Thus, drug-resistant variants with substitutions in framework residues 119 or 274 can retain susceptibility to other NA inhibitors, whereas replacement of functional residue 152 or 292 leads to variable levels of cross-resistance. We conclude that RWJ-270201 is a potent inhibitor of NAs of wild-type and some zanamivir-resistant or oseltamivir-resistant influenza A and B virus variants.
CueR (YbbI) of Escherichia coli is a MerR family regulator controlling expression of the copper exporter CopA

We have shown that the open reading frame ybbI in the genomic sequence of Escherichia coli K‐12 encodes the regulator of expression of the copper‐exporting ATPase, CopA. In vivo studies showed that ybbI (designated cueR for copper export regulator gene) was required for copper tolerance during growth, that disruption of cueR caused loss of copA expression and that copA gene expression was regulated by cueR and by copper or silver ions. Expression of a lacZ reporter gene under the control of the copA promoter was approximately proportional to the concentration of cupric ions in the medium, but increased more rapidly in response to silver ion concentrations. The start of the copA transcript was located by primer extension mapping, and DNase I protection assays showed that the CueR protein binds in vitro to a dyad symmetrical sequence within a 19 bp spacer sequence in the copA promoter. CueR binding occurs in vitro in both the presence and the absence of RNA polymerase with or without copper ions present but, in the presence of CueR, RNA polymerase and copper ions, permanganate‐sensitive transcription complexes were formed. CueR is predicted to have an N‐terminal helix–turn–helix sequence and shows similarity to MerR family regulators.
Making Data Measurement Errors Transparent: The Case of the IMF

In 1950 Morgenstern pointed out that absolute precision and certainty are impossible in economic observations, but estimates are often hampered by a substantial degree of measurement error. Unlike the natural sciences, economists in general do not report measurement errors for the key concepts such as prices, value or production that it seeks to define, measure and explain. For most macroeconomic concepts two approaches are available: the Implicit Minimal Measurement Error and the Maximum Ratio. Studying different vintages of the IMF World Economic Outlook data base it was found that the estimates on average have an implicit minimal measurement error of 4.3% and maximum ratio of 17.9%. An agenda is proposed for removing disincentives (creating incentives) for stakeholders (academics, data collectors and producers) since reporting measurement error will result in better research, better policy and ultimately better data.
Improved electrical and thermal performance of ultra-thin RF LDMOS power transistors

We present the electrical and thermal performance of ultra-thin RF LDMOS devices. Following a proprietary process, we fabricated such devices with a thickness as reduced as 40/spl mu/m. This results in a reduction of the operating junction temperature, as demonstrated by infrared imaging experiments and three-dimensional finite-element-analysis simulations. As a result, the thermal resistance of our packaged devices reaches substantially lower values than industry standard. This allows for a higher power output and improved efficiency, as demonstrated by RF measurements.
An application of prospect theory on analysis of strategic voting: the effect of incumbency on reference point/

Prospect theory is one of the most influential decision making theories in social sciences. However, it has been ignored by the literature of strategic voting in which expected utility theory is widely preferred. In this study, I apply two claims of prospect theory, reference point dependency and loss aversion, on the analysis of strategic voting. The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of voter’s reference point on the probability that a voter casts strategic vote in election. Hypotheses are derived from a formal model which incorporates reference point and loss aversion into the analysis of strategic voting. The model predicts that voters, whose most preferred party or candidate is the incumbent, are more prone to vote strategically than voters, whose least preferred party or candidate is the incumbent. In addition to this, when the place of the incumbent in preference ranking of the voter in which, voter ranks parties/candidates in order of preference, increases; probability of strategic voting increases as well. To test these predictions, experiments were conducted with student and farmer subjects. Also, statistical analyses were done with survey data from the 2015 British Election Studies (BES) for the 2010 and the 2015 UK General Elections. Results from experiments and statistical analyses provide support for predictions of this study.
Heme-Protein Interactions in Horse Heart Myoglobin at Neutral pH and Exposed to Acid Investigated by Time-resolved Fluorescence in the Pico- to Nanosecond Time Range (*)

We measured the steady state and time-resolved emission intensity decay of horse heart myoglobin at various pH values from neutral to pH 4.42. The steady state intensity was reversibly increased with the decreasing pH, almost doubling at pH 4.5. Frequency domain data for emission decay were analyzed separately for each pH and simultaneously by global analyses. The results indicated the presence of four lifetime components, conserved throughout the pH titrations at 40, 116, 1363, and 4822 ps, respectively. The titration affected only their fractional intensities. Assignments of the lifetimes were based on the Förster theory of radiationless dipole-dipole interaction and the atomic coordinates of the system. We assigned the two shorter lifetimes to Trp-14 and Trp-7, respectively, in the presence of normal hemes. The 1363-ps lifetime was assigned to Trp-7 with inverted hemes (i.e. rotated 180° around the α--meso axis of the porphyrin ring). The 4822-ns lifetime was assigned to reversibly heme-dissociated myoglobin. Lorentzian lifetime distributions were narrow for the lifetimes at 40, 116, and 4822 ps, indicating a homogeneous protein structure. Instead the lifetime at 1363 ns had a broad, pH-independent distribution consistent with small angle wobblings of inverted hemes inside the heme pocket. These analyses revealed the presence of three species originating from heme-protein interactions: the native form of crystalline myoglobin, the conformation with disordered hemes, and the reversibly dissociated heme-free myoglobin. There was increased heme inversion and heme dissociability at lower pH, consistent with the titration of the proximal and distal histidines inside the heme pocket.
Investigation of the effect of FK506 (tacrolimus) and cyclosporin on gingival overgrowth following paediatric liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION Gingival overgrowth associated with immunosuppression following liver transplantation is a commonly recognized clinical problem. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of gingival overgrowth in a group of children post liver transplantation and to compare gingival overgrowth in children receiving FK506 with those receiving cyclosporin. METHODS Seventy-nine children (aged 15-196 months) undergoing liver transplantation at Birmingham Children's Hospital between October 1998 and October 2000 were studied. Gingival overgrowth was assessed in a blinded fashion and scored in a previously validated manner. Gingival overgrowth scores of the patients on each immunosuppressant drug were then compared. RESULTS Fifty-two patients were treated with cyclosporin and 27 treated with tacrolimus. Eighteen children were also receiving nifedipine (also known to cause gingival overgrowth) and were considered separately. Of the 41 children receiving cyclosporin alone, 26 exhibited gingival overgrowth compared to zero of 20 patients receiving tacrolimus alone. Those children treated with immunosuppression plus nifedipine developed gingival overgrowth, however, this was much less marked in the tacrolimus group. CONCLUSION Tacrolimus, unlike cyclosporin, is not associated with gingival overgrowth when used for immunosuppression following liver transplantation in children, and may be the drug of choice for children.
[Expression of Foxp3 in CD4+CD25high Treg cells of neonatal cord blood].

AIM To investigate the amount of CD4+CD25high Treg cells and the expression of Foxp3 in neonatal cord blood, and to analyze the expression of Treg cells in neonates. METHODS The mononuclear cells from cord blood or peripheral blood were isolated from neonatal cord blood (n=15) or healthy adult's peripheral blood (n=12) by density gradient centrifugation. Then they were stained with fluorescence labeled monoclonal antibodies for cell surface and intracellular protein. The amount of CD4+CD25high Treg cells and intercellular transcription factor Foxp3 were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS The amount of CD4+CD25high Treg cells in CD3+CD4+ T cells in cord blood was significantly higher than that in adult's peripheral blood (3.86%+/-1.63% vs 0.87%+/-0.74%, P<0.01), whereas the expression of Foxp3 in CD4+CD25high Treg cells in cord blood was markedly lower than in adult's blood (23.21%+/-8.9% vs 71.3%+/-11.6%, P<0.01). CONCLUSION The low expression of Foxp3 in CD4+CD25high Treg cells in cord blood suggests Treg cells in neonates are not mature in suppression.
Depression and body composition among older adults

Objectives: Recent investigations have reported an association between depression and geriatric syndromes associated with low body mass, including frailty and osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between depression and body composition among older adults. Methods: Data were from a case-cohort study (n = 98) of adults aged 60 and older nested within the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) Study. Lifetime depression syndrome was assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). Body composition (total and central lean and fat mass) was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The association between depression and body composition was evaluated using linear regression with bootstrap standard errors. Results: Overall, there was no association between depression and total fat or total lean body mass. Among women, depression was associated with reduced central fat (B = −3.6 kg, p < 0.06) and lean (B = −3.3 kg, p < 0.04) mass adjusting for age, race, smoking status, and physical activity. Depression was unrelated to total or central fat or lean mass among men. Conclusions: Depression is associated with significantly lower central fat and lean mass among older women. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that depression and frailty are interrelated in later life, particularly among women.
Trans-regulation of Histone Deacetylase Activities through Acetylation*

HDAC1 and -2 are highly conserved enzymes and often coexist in the same coregulator complexes. Understanding the regulation of histone deacetylase activities is extremely important because these enzymes play key roles in epigenetic regulation in normal and cancer cells. We previously showed that HDAC1 is required for glucocorticoid receptor-mediated transcription activation and that its activity is regulated through acetylation by p300 during the induction cycle. Here, we showed that HDAC2 is also required for glucocorticoid receptor-mediated gene activation. HDAC2, however, is regulated through a different mechanism from that of HDAC1. HDAC2 is not acetylated by p300, although 5 of 6 acetylated lysine residues in HDAC1 are also present in HDAC2. More importantly, the activity of HDAC2 is inhibited by acetylated HDAC1. Additionally, we showed that acetylated HDAC1 can trans-regulate HDAC2 through heterodimerization. Thus, this study uncovered fundamental differences between HDAC1 and HDAC2. It also unveiled a new mechanism of collaborative regulation by HDAC1/2 containing coregulator complexes.
Understanding Farmers’ Behavior towards Sustainable Practices and Their Perceptions of Risk

Farmers, as the first link in the agri-food value chain, are key in assuring its sustainability. Farmers’ behavior and attitudes towards implementing sustainable farm practices is influenced by their perceptions of risk affecting the farm and their household, either directly or indirectly. In this study, we elicit farmers’ perceived risk perception and preferences and test their robustness and validity using a sample of Greek smallholder farmers since they represent the majority of Greek holdings. Results suggest that farmers exhibit risk aversion in most situations of farm-level decision making. In many situations, farmers will prefer on-farm environmental sustainability strategies over other risk mitigation strategies. More specifically, higher age, higher education, farm size, proportion of rented land, and the existence of a farm succession plan reveal an increase in farmers’ preference for on-farm environmentally sustainable strategies and suggest reduced incentives towards implementing other on-farm or off-farm solutions.
Capacitance measurement techniques in MOEMS angular vertical comb-drive actuators

This paper presents three novel techniques for the measurement of capacitance variation in high-frequency operation of angular comb-drive structures, with applications including optical projection micro-mirrors. The first technique uses a lock-in amplifier in order to measure the impedance of the comb structure by superimposing a test signal having a frequency that is at least one order of magnitude higher than the micro-mirror resonant frequency. The second measurement setup uses a digitizing oscilloscope to measure the capacitance from the instantaneous voltage and current in the comb structure. The third setup consists of a micro probe controlled by a high-resolution positioner in order to tilt the mirror to a desired angle. This allows for static capacitance measurement at different mirror deflection using a high precision LCR meter. The measurement results from the different setups were found to be in agreement with each other. The results were further verified against analytical and numerical modelling.
Reproduction of audio-visual interactive events in virtual ancient Greek spaces

This paper presents a novel methodology that fully integrates auralization, visualization and navigation techniques for producing interactive virtual spaces and events. This methodology is mainly addressed, but not limited to, to the subjective evaluation of the acoustical analysis and simulation of spaces. In this work, the proposed methodology is demonstrated with two typical open and closed ancient Greek spaces. The motivation for using such spaces is the ancient Greek’s experience and achievements on the construction of Theatres and Cultural places. The goal is the virtual reproduction of the atmosphere of the events occurred in these spaces. The acoustic navigation and auralization is performed in real time using modern acoustic, computer-based simulation methods, while real-time visualization techniques allow accurate navigation and listener positioning in the virtual space. A number of acoustical and visualization optimizations are proposed, focusing mainly on the real-time performance of the implemented software platform and the audio-visual authenticity of the reproduced virtual spaces.
Red blood cell profile of elite olympic distance triathletes. A three-year follow-up.

The purpose of this study was to monitor general and individual changes in hematological variables during long-term endurance training, detraining and altitude training in elite Olympic distance triathletes. Over a period of three years, a total of 102 blood samples were collected in eleven (7-male and 4 female) elite Olympic distance triathletes (mean +/- SD; age = 26.4 +/- 5.1 yr; VO(2) max = 67.9 +/- 6.6 ml/min/kg) for determination of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), red blood cell count (RBC), Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCHC), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and plasma ferritin. The data were pooled and divided into three periods; off-season, training season and race season. Blood samples obtained before and after altitude training were analyzed separately. Of all measured variables only RBC showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) during the race season compared to the training season. Hematological values below the lower limit of the normal range were found in 46 % of the athletes during the off-season. This percentage increased from 55 % during the training season to 72 % of the athletes during the race season. Hemoglobin and ferritin values were most frequently below the normal range. There was a weak correlation between Hb levels and VO(2) max obtained during maximal cycling (r = 0.084) and running (r = 0.137) tests. Unlike training at 1500 m and 1850 m, training at an altitude of 2600 m for three weeks showed significant increases in Hb (+ 10 %; p < 0.05), Hct (+ 11 %; p < 0.05) and MCV (+ 5 %; p < 0.05). Long-term endurance training does not largely alter hematological status. However, regular screening of hematological variables is desirable as many athletes have values near or below the lower limit of the normal range. The data obtained from altitude training suggest that a minimum altitude (>2000 m) is necessary to alter hematological status.
Discovery of a Compact Radio Component in the Center of Supernova 1986J

Very-long-baseline interferometry observations have revealed a bright, compact radio component near the center of the expanding shell of supernova 1986J. The component, not present in earlier images, has an inverted radio spectrum different from that of the shell. Such an inversion has not been seen in the spectrum of any other supernova. The new component is likely radio emission associated either with accretion onto a black hole or with the nebula formed around an energetic young neutron star in the center of SN 1986J, which would directly link either a black hole or a neutron star to a modern supernova.
The role of illness representations in coping and health of patients treated for breast cancer

Objective: The present study examined the relation of cognitive and emotional representations of illness specified by the Common Sense Model of Illness Cognition (Handbook of Psychology and Health: Social Psychological Aspects of Health. Earlbaum, Hillsdale: New York, 1984; 219–252) with the coping strategies and perceived health of patients who were treated for breast cancer.
Metabolism of Tenofovir and Didanosine in Quiescent or Stimulated Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Objective. As tenofovir disoproxil fumarate substantially increases plasma concentrations of didanosine in patients with human immunodeficiency virus‐1 infection, we sought to determine whether tenofovir and didanosine showed a similar intracellular interaction in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
MPC-based power management strategy for a series hybrid electric tracked bulldozer

In this brief, a model predictive control (MPC) is developed for the first time to solve the optimal energy management problem in tracked bulldozers equipped with advanced series hybrid powertrains. Hybrid bulldozers use two distinct power sources for propulsion, and their complex powertrain architecture requires the coordination of all subsystems to achieve target performances in terms of fuel economy, exhaust emissions. This method is applied to a series hybrid electric vehicle, using a linearized model in state space formulation and a linear MPC algorithm, based on Quadratic Programming (QP), to find a feasible suboptimal solution. The MPC solution is then compared with the dynamic programming algorithm, which requires the entire driving profile to be known priori, guarantees the optimality and is used here as the benchmark solution. The effect of the parameters of the MPC (length of prediction horizon) is also investigated. The results from comparing the MPC solution and the rule-based control strategy indicate that there is an approximately 5.2%improvement in fuel economy.