Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The katE gene, which encodes the catalase HPII of Mycobacterium avium

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium‐Mycobacterium intracellular disease is a prevalent opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). These pathogens are generally resistant to isoniazid (INH), a powerful antituberculosis drug. It is now generally accepted that the INH susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis results from the transformation of the drug into a toxic derivative, as a result of the action of the enzyme catalase‐peroxidase (HPI), encoded by the katG gene. It has been speculated that the presence of a second catalase (HPII) in some mycobacterial species, but lacking in M. tuberculosis, may impair the action of INH. In this report, the nucleotide sequence of the M. avium katE gene, encoding catalase HPII, is described. This enzyme shows strong similarity to Escherichia coli catalase HPII and eukaryotic catalases. All amino acids previously postulated as participating directly in catalysis by liver catalase and most of the amino acids binding the prosthetic group are conserved in M. avium catalase HPII. The enzyme is expressed in E. coli and is inhibited by 3‐amino ‐l,2,4 triazole (AT). Furthermore, Southern blot hybridizations and polymerase chain reaction experiments demonstrate the distribution of katE gene in several mycobacterial species.
Switching Time Extraction of CMOS Gates using Time-Resolved Emission (TRE)

The picosecond imaging for circuit analysis (PICA) technique, based on the collection of near-infrared (NIR) light emitted by hot-carriers in the transistor channel, has shown to be an invaluable method for measuring timing information and detecting faults in modern VLSI circuits. The optical waveforms obtained with this technique allow measuring propagation delays, signal skews and other time-dependent information in a non-invasive and very effective way. In this paper, we present an innovative methodology, with experimental confirmation, for extracting the switching time (slew rate) of a gate by means of time-resolved optical measurements (using PICA) and optical simulations based on a luminescence model in a SPICE simulator. The method represents a valuable extension of the set of PICA measurements for both circuit testing and improving hardware-model correlation, and thus process yield and reliability
Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sanliurfa: epidemiologic and clinical features of the last four years (1997–2000)

Background Sanliurfa is located in south‐east Anatolia, the region with the largest focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Turkey. The present study was designed to determine the epidemiological and clinical patterns of cases of CL in the Sanliurfa area over a period of 4 years (1997–2000).
Lymphocyte Homing and Ig Secretion in the Murine Mammary Gland

In mice the majority of the immunoglobulins (Ig) in milk belongs to the IgA class. Prior to its transepithelial transportation into the milk, dimeric IgA (dIgA) is bound to the transmembrane form of the secretory component or polymeric Ig receptor (SC/pIgR). The latter is synthesized in the epithelial cells lining the ducts and alveoli of the mammary gland. A candidate for playing the role of adhesion molecule to primed lymphocytes present in the murine mammary gland might be the mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule‐1 (MAdCAM‐1). We studied the correlation between the levels of IgA in colostrum and milk, the number of IgA producing plasma cells in the mammary gland and the expression of MAdCAM‐1 in mammary gland endothelial cells during pregnancy and lactation. The relation between the IgA levels in the milk and the expression levels of pIgR in mammary gland epithelial cells was also investigated. We found that the expression of MAdCAM‐1 and pIgR starts in early–mid pregnancy; the number of IgA‐producing plasma cells and the IgA concentration in milk increase from early lactation onwards. The MAdCAM‐1 expression declines during lactation whereas the pIgR levels and IgA‐producing plasma cell numbers rise until the end of lactation. Because the MAdCAM‐1 level starts to rise several days before the rise of the IgA‐producing plasma cell level, MAdCAM‐1 cannot be the rate determining factor governing extravasation of primed B cells to the mammary gland. We also conclude that the pIgR is present in sufficient amounts to enable increasing S‐IgA secretion into the milk during lactation.
Flexible functional split in 5G networks

5G networks are expected to support various applications with diverse requirements in terms of latency, data rates and traffic volume. Cloud-RAN and densely deployed small cells are two of the tools at disposal of Mobile Network Operators to cope with such challenges. In order to mitigate the fronthaul requirements imposed by the Cloud-RAN architecture, several functional splits, each characterized by a different demarcation point between the centralized and the distributed units, have emerged. However, the selection of the appropriate centralization level (i.e., the functional split) still remains a challenging task, since a number of parameters have to be considered in order to make such a decision. In this paper, a virtual network embedding (VNE) algorithm is proposed to flexibly select the appropriate functional split. The VNE is formulated as an Integer Linear Programming problem whose objective is to minimize the intercell interference and the fronthaul bandwidth utilization by dynamically selecting the appropriate functional split. Finally, a scalable VNE heuristic is also proposed.
Trayectorias educacionales e inserción laboral en la enseñanza media técnico profesional

Secondary vocational educational represents around 45% of students who graduate from secondary schools in Chile. This study provides empirical evidence about the educational trajectories and labor market insertion of the complete cohort of students that attended 10th grade in the year 2003. We use administrative data which allows for following individual students through secondary education, higher education and into the labor market. The paper addresses the choice between vocational and general secondary education, learning outcomes in the 10th grade Simce Standardized Test and the University Entry Test, the dropout rate in secondary education, entry to higher education, the dropout versus graduation rates in higher education institutions, labor market participation and labor earnings
A fully programmable MFG with a new analog programmable current mirror for slop tuning of membership functions

In this paper, a fully programmable membership function generator (MFG) is proposed. This MFG is capable of generating triangular, trapezoidal, and both S-shaped and Z-shaped membership functions simultaneously. Utilizing a differential pair as an analog switch leads to relax the design of fuzzy systems control part. This MFG has the ability of adapting itself with various fuzzy controllers which produce different control voltage ranges. Unlike the available reported literatures, this MFG uses a new analog programmable current mirror (APCM) instead of digitally programmable current mirrors to adjust the slops of membership functions. Extensive time domain simulations have been carried out using Hspice (Level 49) to validate the effective performance of the proposed MFG.
A 56-Gb/s PAM4 Wireline Transceiver Using a 32-Way Time-Interleaved SAR ADC in 16-nm FinFET

A 56-Gb/s PAM4 wireline transceiver testchip is implemented in 16-nm FinFET. The current mode logic transmitter incorporates an auxiliary current injection at the output nodes to maintain PAM4 amplitude linearity. The ADC-based receiver incorporates hybrid analog and digital equalizations. The analog equalization is performed using two identical stages of continuous time linear equalizer, each having a constant of ~0-dB dc-gain and a maximum peaking of ~7 dB peaking at 14 GHz. A 28-GSample/s 32-way time-interleaved SAR ADC converts the equalized analog signal into digital domain for further equalization using digital signal processing. The transceiver achieves <1e-8 bit error rate over a backplane channel with 31-dB loss at 14-GHz and 3.5-mVrms additional crosstalk, using a fixed ~10-dB TX equalization and an adaptive hybrid RX equalization, with the DSP configured to have a 24-tap feed forward equalizer and a 1-tap decision feedback equalizer. The transceiver consumes 550-mW power at 56 Gb/s, excluding the power of the on-chip configurable DSP that cannot be accurately measured as it is implemented as part of a larger test structure.
The NOTCH signaling pathway: role in the pathogenesis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and implication for therapy

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL) is characterized by aberrant activation of NOTCH1 in over 60% of T-ALL cases. The high prevalence of activating NOTCH1 mutations highlights the critical role of NOTCH signaling in the pathogenesis of this disease and has prompted the development of therapeutic approaches targeting the NOTCH signaling pathway. Small molecule gamma secretase inhibitors (GSIs) can effectively inhibit oncogenic NOTCH1 and are in clinical testing for the treatment of T-ALL. Treatment with GSIs and glucocorticoids are strongly synergistic and may overcome the gastrointestinal toxicity associated with systemic inhibition of the NOTCH pathway. In addition, emerging new anti-NOTCH1 therapies include selective inhibition of NOTCH1 with anti-NOTCH1 antibodies and stapled peptides targeting the NOTCH transcriptional complex in the nucleus.
Bilateral vestibular deafferentation impairs performance in a spatial forced alternation task in rats

Converging behavioral, electrophysiological, and neurochemical data suggest that lesions to the peripheral vestibular system result in impairment of the hippocampus. Nonetheless, relatively few studies have examined the hippocampus or behavior related to it, over a long period of time following the lesion, to determine if any recovery takes place. Here we used the spatial forced alternation task in a T maze, which is sensitive to the integrity of the hippocampus, to evaluate learning and memory in rats at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 5 months following bilateral vestibular deafferentation (BVD) or sham surgery. BVD rats made significantly fewer correct choices at all time points when compared with the sham controls. However, the percentage correct choice for BVD rats was at chance level at 3 weeks postop, and was significantly above chance at 5 months postop. These results add to the evidence that BVD causes a long‐term impairment of hippocampal function and spatial learning and memory, but suggest that some recovery of function might take place over the long term. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interaction between neuropeptide Y (NPY) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in NPY‐mediated neuroprotection against excitotoxicity: a role for microglia

The neuroprotective effect of neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor activation was investigated in organotypic mouse hippocampal slice cultures exposed to the glutamate receptor agonist α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA). Exposure of 2‐week‐old slice cultures, derived from 7‐day‐old C57BL/6 mice, to 8 µm AMPA, for 24 h, induced degeneration of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cells, as measured by cellular uptake of propidium iodide (PI). A significant neuroprotection, with a reduction of PI uptake in CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cell layers, was observed after incubation with a Y2 receptor agonist [NPY(13‐36), 300 nm]. This effect was sensitive to the presence of the selective Y2 receptor antagonist (BIIE0246, 1 µm), but was not affected by addition of TrkB‐Fc or by a neutralizing antibody against brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Moreover, addition of a Y1 receptor antagonist (BIBP3226, 1 µm) or a NPY‐neutralizing antibody helped to disclose a neuroprotective role of endogenous NPY in CA1 region. Cultures exposed to 8 µm AMPA for 24 h, displayed, as measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, a significant increase in BDNF. In such cultures there was an up‐regulation of neuronal TrkB immunoreactivity, as well as the presence of BDNF‐immunoreactive microglial cells at sites of injury. Thus, an increase of AMPA‐receptor mediated neurodegeneration, in the mouse hippocampus, was prevented by neuroprotective pathways activated by NPY receptors (Y1 and Y2), which can be affected by BDNF released by microglia and neurons.
Deterministic annealing for clustering: Tutorial and computational aspects

The deterministic annealing (DA) method, used for the solution of several nonconvex problems, offers the ability to avoid shallow local minima of a given cost surface and the ability to minimize the cost function even when there are many local minima. The method is established in a probabilistic framework through basic information-theoretic techniques such as maximum entropy and random coding. It arises naturally in the context of statistical mechanics by the emulation of a physical process whereby a solid is slowly cooled and at zero temperature assumes its minimum energy configuration. In this paper, we first present some background material on the DA method and its connections to statistical physics and rate-distortion theory. A computational complexity analysis is then presented for a given temperature schedule. The case study focuses on the geometric cooling law T(t) = ρT (t-1); 0 <; ρ <; 1, where T(t) is the temperature at time t.
Are ‘nudges’ getting a fair shot? Joint versus separate evaluation

Abstract The most effective behavioral policies are often also the most contentious. Psychologically informed interventions that promote non-deliberative behaviors (‘nudges’) are often more effective than ‘traditional’ policies (like informational and educational campaigns) that target more deliberative processes. Yet, precisely because of their deliberative nature, people are often said to prefer the latter over the former. In contrast, we provide evidence that people's preferences regarding nudges are malleable and influenced by the method of evaluation – whether the policy alternatives are evaluated separately or jointly. We show that while people exhibit a strong preference for more traditional public policies in joint evaluation, this preference is significantly attenuated in separate evaluation. We find that people perceive nudges as less paternalistic when judged on their own merits, that they are more likely to endorse nudges in separate than in joint evaluation, and that, provided with relative effectiveness information, people are willing to endorse nudges even in joint evaluation. We discuss the implications of these findings for researchers, policy-makers, and the general public.
Outcome of treatment in children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND Children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-positive ALL) have a poor prognosis, and there is no consensus on the optimal treatment for this variant of ALL. METHODS We reviewed the medical records of patients with Ph-positive ALL who were treated with intensive chemotherapy, with or without bone marrow transplantation, by 10 study groups or large single institutions from 1986 to 1996. Data on 326 children and young adults, who ranged in age from 0.4 to 19.9 years (median, 8.1), were analyzed to determine the rate of complete remission and the probability of event-free, disease-free and overall survival according to standard prognostic factors and type of treatment. RESULTS The 267 patients who achieved a complete remission after induction chemotherapy (82 percent) were stratified into three subgroups according to the age and leukocyte count at the time of diagnosis: those with the best prognosis (a leukocyte count of less than 50,000 per cubic millimeter and an age of less than 10 years; 95 patients); those with an intermediate prognosis (intermediate-risk features; 92 patients); and those with the worst prognosis (a leukocyte count of more than 100,000 per cubic millimeter; 80 patients). The estimates of disease-free survival at five years (+/-SE) were 49+/-5 percent) for patients with the best prognosis), 30+/-5 percent (for those with an intermediate prognosis), and 20+/-5 percent (for those with the worst prognosis) (P<0.001 for the overall comparison). We also found that transplantation of bone marrow from an HLA-matched related donor offered significantly greater benefit than intensive chemotherapy alone in terms of protecting patients from relapse or other adverse events (relative risk, 0.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.2 to 0.5; P<0.001). This finding was consistent in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS Unlike the usual type of all, Ph-positive ALL is associated with a poor prognosis. Nevertheless, in some patients with favorable prognosis features, the disease can be be controlled by intensive chemotherapy. Transplantation of bone marrow from an HLA-matched related donor is superior to other types of transplantation and to intensive chemotherapy alone in prolonging initial complete remissions.
Cardiovascular disease risk in adolescent smokers: evidence of a `smoker lifestyle'

This study assessed the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors in 119 adolescent smokers, compared to an age-matched sample of non-smokers. Participants were assessed for body mass index (BMI), relative body fat, systolic/diastolic/mean arterial blood pressure, total serum cholesterol, aerobic fitness, family (parents or siblings) smoking habits and history of cardiovascular disease. The results showed that BMI and relative body fat were significantly increased, while aerobic fitness was significantly decreased in smokers. Male smokers further demonstrated increased diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure. Smokers also showed increased prevalence for family smoking habits and cardiovascular disease history. Prevalence rates for all other cardiovascular disease risk factors were increased in smokers, but the differences between groups did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that the studied adolescent smokers demonstrated a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life, compared to their non-smoking counterparts.
Randomized Controlled Trial to Dismantle Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy (ERRT) for Trauma-Related Nightmares

Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary dismantling study of exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy (ERRT) for nightmares. Method: Participants (N = 70) were randomized to 1 of 2 conditions: ERRT with nightmare exposure and rescripting (full protocol; EX) or ERRT without nightmare exposure and rescripting (NEX). Participants completed follow-ups at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months posttreatment. Results: Both conditions yielded statistically significant improvements with medium to large effect sizes on primary outcomes related to nightmares (i.e., nights with nightmares, nightmares per week, and nightmare severity). Both conditions also yielded statistically significant improvements on secondary outcomes with medium to large effect sizes on fear of sleep, sleep quality, insomnia severity, daytime sleepiness, posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity, and depression severity. The conditions did not differ at any time point. Conclusions: Findings indicate that ERRT with and without nightmare exposure and rescripting can significantly alleviate nightmares and related distress. The addition of nightmare exposure and rescription did not contribute incrementally to outcomes in this sample. It is possible that the dose of exposure was not sufficient to result in group differences or that the treatment components included in both conditions (i.e., psychoeducation about trauma, nightmares, and sleep; sleep habit modification; and relaxation training) may adequately treat factors that maintain nightmares for some individuals. Theoretical implications of findings are discussed. The reduction of symptoms of other conditions following this brief intervention provides further evidence for the primary role of nightmares and sleep disturbances posttrauma.
Sinusoidal current shaping in variable-speed distributed generating units with low-resolution position sensors

The paper deals with a fast and reliable algorithm for position and speed estimation using low-resolution position sensors in PMSM driven boost-rectifier for distributed generating units. The proposed algorithm does not require a high performance control platform making it suitable for industrial implementation. Different solutions have been analyzed considering also the available peripherals in mixed-signal Digital Signal Processors and Microcontrollers.
Mechanical stress and nitric oxide influence leukotriene production in cartilage.

Nitric oxide (NO) and leukotrienes regulate a variety of processes in joint tissues and are frequently elevated in arthritis. Mechanical stress can induce biochemical and functional changes in cartilage that may influence mediator production. To investigate the relationship between mechanical stress and the production of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) and NO, explants of porcine articular cartilage were subjected to mechanical compression for 1 h followed by 23 h recovery in the presence or absence of the NOS2 inhibitor 1400W. Dynamic compression significantly increased LTB(4) and LOX protein production in the presence of 1400W. The induced LTB(4) was functional as evidenced by its ability to promote chemotaxis of RBL-2H3 cells expressing the LTB(4) receptor. Increased LOX protein but not LTB(4) occurred in response to compression alone. These findings provide a direct link between mechanical stress and inflammation in cartilage and may have implications in the pathogenesis and treatment of arthritis.
The Danish natural real rate of interest and secular stagnation

This paper discusses the natural real rate, why and how it reflects the stance of monetary policy, and what can happen if it turns negative; make monetary policy ineffective, which in a situation with a negative output gap can lead to a long period of low growth secular stagnation. Denmark as a fixed exchange rate regime vís-a-vís the euro and consequently has tied its policy rate to the policy rate in the euro zone. But it can still be interesting to analyse the stance of monetary policy and use it as input in policy recommendations for fiscal policy and other economic policies. Using this as motivation, the natural real rate is estimated using Danish data applying a model for the small-open economy. I find evidence for very low and perhaps negative levels of the natural real rate for Denmark and stronger evidence for a negative trend. It is argued that the negative levels can be expected to be temporary and that imported monetary policy from the ECB already is or will be stimulative in the future as the natural real rate increases. Low levels of the natural rate can remain in the near future leaving an elevated probability of cyclical factors pushing the natural real rate down and hence ending up in the lower bound for monetary policy rate again. The Danish Natural Real Rate of Interest and Secular Stagnation Jesper Pedersen∗ Danmarks Nationalbank