Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of platelet aminophospholipid externalization reveals fatty acids as molecular determinants that regulate coagulation

Aminophospholipid (APL) trafficking across the plasma membrane is a key event in cell activation, apoptosis, and aging and is required for clearance of dying cells and coagulation. Currently the phospholipid molecular species externalized are unknown. Using a lipidomic method, we show that thrombin, collagen, or ionophore-activated human platelets externalize two phosphatidylserines (PSs) and five phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs). Four percent of the total cellular PE/PS pool (∼300 ng/2 × 108 cells, thrombin), is externalized via calcium mobilization and protease-activated receptors-1 and -4, and 48% is contained in microparticles. Apoptosis and energy depletion (aging) externalized the same APLs in a calcium-dependent manner, and all stimuli externalized oxidized phospholipids, termed hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-PEs. Transmembrane protein-16F (TMEM-16F), the protein mutated in Scott syndrome, was required for PE/PS externalization during thrombin activation and energy depletion, but not apoptosis. Platelet-specific APLs optimally supported tissue factor-dependent coagulation in human plasma, vs. APL with longer or shorter fatty acyl chains. This finding demonstrates fatty acids as molecular determinants of APL that regulate hemostasis. Thus, the molecular species of externalized APL during platelet activation, apoptosis, and energy depletion were characterized, and their ability to support coagulation revealed. The findings have therapeutic implications for bleeding disorders and transfusion therapy. The assay could be applied to other cell events characterized by APL externalization, including cell division and vesiculation.
Design and Optimization of Rectangular Microstrip Antenna for UWB Applications

A novel rectangular microstrip antenna for ultrawideband applications is proposed. The ultrawide frequency response is achieved by determining the dimensions of the radiating patch of antenna . The simulated reflection coefficient is smaller than -10 dB for fractional bandwidth greater than 20%. The fractional bandwidth is further enhanced by providing improvements in the proposed design. Besides a directive radiation pattern, high efficiency and a constant gain is achieved in the operating bandwidth.
Test Result of a Full-Size  ${\rm Nb}_{3}{\rm Sn}$ Conductor Developed for the ITER TF Coils

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) developed ITER TF Nb3Sn conductors that fulfill ITER requirements and has commenced fabricating the conductors to be used in the ITER TF coils. As a qualification of conductor fabrication, two full-size conductor samples, named as JATF4, were prepared and tested by the SULTAN facility at CRPP in Switzerland. Temperature sensors and voltage taps were attached on the three meter-long conductor samples to measure the current sharing temperature (Tcs). Measurements were performed at the beginning of the testing campaign, during cyclic test, and at the end of the campaign following a warm up and cool down. The Tcs values electrically assessed by the agreed procedure at outer magnetic fields of 10.78 T initially were 6.5 K and 6.2 K, and then 6.1 K and 6.0 K at the end of the campaign for each conductor, respectively. These results demonstrate that the conductors have a sufficient Tcs margin to satisfy the ITER TF conductor criterion of 5.7 K, and conductor fabrication is qualified. Details of the test results are presented and discussed.
Shape-based interpolation

Extensions to a shape-based interpolation method in which pixels that share a boundary edge (one inside and the other outside the object) are considered to be at a distance between adjacent pixel centers are proposed. Using such an initialization for distance calculations, a generalization of the chamfer distance calculation is developed. The generalization allows the simultaneous calculation of distances within the object and its background by two consecutive chamfering processes. The performances of a number of variants of the methods are evaluated. It is shown that the shape-based interpolation using a near-optimal 3*3 distance and modified cubic spline between-slice interpolation has superior properties to previously proposed methods for estimating object locations in missing slices in tomographic radiology. <<ETX>>
1Mb 0.41 µm2 2T-2R cell nonvolatile TCAM with two-bit encoding and clocked self-referenced sensing

This work demonstrates the first fabricated nonvolatile TCAM using 2-transistor/2-resistive-storage (2T-2R) cells to achieve >10x smaller cell size than SRAM-based TCAMs at the same technology node. The test chip was designed and fabricated in IBM 90nm CMOS technology and mushroom phase-change memory (PCM) process. To ensure reliable search operation with such compact cells, two enabling techniques were developed and implemented in hardware: 1) two-bit encoding, and 2) a clocked self-referenced sensing scheme (CSRSS). The 1Mb chip demonstrates reliable low voltage search operation (VDDmin~750mV) and a match delay of 1.9 ns under nominal operating conditions.
Coronaviridae: Second Report1

Further experience has confirmed our earlier recommendation that coronaviruses appear to form a quite closely related group. Firm evidence on the nucleic acids of several indicates that they have a single, large molecular weight, single-stranded RNA genome which carries a covalently attached poly(A) sequence at the 3'-terminus. Consistent with this result, the early reports of the presence of a viral particle polymerase have not been con­ firmed. The viruses are presumably positively stranded; the genomic RNA has been shown to be infectious, although it has not as yet been shown to code for viral polypeptides in a cell-free system. The position with the viral poly­ peptides is confusing; different numbers and molecular weights are found when the same viruses are studied in different laboratories and when different viruses are studied in the same laboratories. High and low molecular weight polypeptides can apparently be produced during extraction and separation. However, the internal polypeptide associated with the RNA seems to be of molecular weight about 50,000 in all cases which have been adequately studied. The lipids of only one virus have been examined. More work is needed on the polypeptides and their antigenic and biochemical character­ istics. New viruses, which seem to have typical coronavirus morphology, have been recognized and tentatively added to the group, but further information is needed about their structure. There is still not enough evidence to justify subdividing the group. References included in the review by M c I ntosh [1] and in the report by T yrrell et al. [2] are not repeated in this report.
Performance of transient elastography for the staging of liver fibrosis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Transient elastography has been studied in a multitude of liver diseases for the staging of liver fibrosis with variable results. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the overall performance of transient elastography for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and to analyze factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy. METHODS Literature databases and international conference abstracts were searched. Inclusion criteria were as follows: evaluation of transient elastography, liver biopsy as reference, and assessment of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). The meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model for the AUROC, summary receiver operating curve techniques, as well as meta-regression approaches. RESULTS Fifty studies were included in the analysis. The mean AUROC for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis, severe fibrosis, and cirrhosis were 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.86), 0.89 (95% CI, 0.88-0.91), and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.93-0.95), respectively. For the diagnosis of significant fibrosis a significant reduction of heterogeneity of the AUROC was found when differentiating between the underlying liver diseases (P < .001). Other factors influencing the AUROC were the scoring system used and the country in which the study was performed. Age, body mass index, and biopsy quality did not have a significant effect on the AUROC. CONCLUSIONS Transient elastography can be performed with excellent diagnostic accuracy and independent of the underlying liver disease for the diagnosis of cirrhosis. However, for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis, a high variation of the AUROC was found that is dependent on the underlying liver disease.
Na+-K+-ATPase properties in rat heart and skeletal muscle 3 mo after coronary artery ligation.

This study was designed to determine whether chronic heart failure (CHF) results in changes in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase properties in heart and skeletal muscles of different fiber-type composition. Adult rats were randomly assigned to a control (Con; n = 8) or CHF (n = 8) group. CHF was induced by ligation of the left main coronary artery. Examination of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity (means +/- SE) 12 wk after the ligation measured, using the 3-O-methylfluorescein phosphatase assay (3-O-MFPase), indicated higher (P < 0.05) levels in soleus (Sol) (250 +/- 13 vs. 179 +/- 18 nmol.mg protein(-1). h(-1)) and lower (P < 0.05) levels in diaphragm (Dia) (200 +/- 12 vs. 272 +/- 27 nmol.mg protein(-1). h(-1)) and left ventricle (LV) (760 +/- 62 vs. 992 +/- 16 nmol.mg protein(-1). h(-1)) in CHF compared with Con, respectively. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase protein content, measured by the [(3)H]ouabain binding technique, was higher (P < 0.05) in white gastrocnemius (WG) (166 +/- 12 vs. 135 +/- 7.6 pmol/g wet wt) and lower (P < 0.05) in Sol (193 +/- 20 vs. 260 +/- 8.6 pmol/g wet wt) and LV (159 +/- 10 vs. 221 +/- 10 pmol/g wet wt) in CHF compared with Con, respectively. Isoform content in CHF, measured by Western blot techniques, showed both increases (WG; P < 0.05) and decreases (Sol; P < 0.05) in alpha(1). For alpha(2), only increases [red gastrocnemius (RG), Sol, and Dia; P < 0.05] occurred. The beta(2)-isoform was decreased (LV, Sol, RG, and WG; P < 0.05) in CHF, whereas the beta(1) was both increased (WG and Dia; P < 0.05) and decreased (Sol and LV; P < 0.05). For beta(3), decreases (P < 0.05) in RG were observed in CHF, whereas no differences were found in Sol and WG between CHF and Con. It is concluded that CHF results in alterations in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase that are muscle specific and property specific. Although decreases in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase content would appear to explain the lower 3-O-MFPase in the LV, such does not appear to be the case in skeletal muscles where a dissociation between these properties was observed.
DHAP in combination with rituximab vs DHAP alone as salvage treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a matched-pair analysis

The addition of rituximab to chemotherapy in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been shown to improve outcome in first-line therapy. However, in patients with relapsed or refractory disease, the value of adding rituximab to salvage chemotherapy is less clearly defined. This study performed a matched-pair analysis of patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL by comparing the combination of dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine and cisplatin (DHAP) with rituximab to DHAP alone. Sixty-seven patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL were collected from two prospective phase II trials from Germany and Italy. Twenty-three patient pairs treated with either DHAP in combination with rituximab or DHAP alone could be analysed after matching for important prognostic factors. The addition of rituximab to the DHAP regimen led to higher complete and similar overall remission rates. However, differences with regard to complete remission rates failed to reach statistical significance, thereby necessitating further evaluation of the role of combined immunochemotherapy in this patient population.
Characterisation of rice anther proteins expressed at the young microspore stage

In combination with two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) protein mapping and mass spectrometry analysis, the pattern of gene expression in specific tissues at a specific stage can be displayed and characterised. We used this approach for rice (Oryza sativa L. cultivar Doongara) to display and assign identity to proteins in the anthers at the young microspore stage. Over 4000 anther proteins in the pI range of 4–11 and molecular mass range of 6–122 kDa were reproducibly resolved after silver staining, representing about 10% of the estimated total genomic output of rice. Two hundred and seventy‐three protein spots have been extracted either from polyninylidene diffluoride membrane blots or from colloidal Coomassie blue stained 2‐DE gels and analysed by N‐terminal sequencing, Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry (MS) analysis or tandem MS sequencing. This enabled identification of 53 anther protein spots representing 43 different proteins. Using the publicly available rice expressed sequence tag (EST) database at the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, a further 37 protein spots were matched to ESTs. After BLAST searching with these ESTs, we were able to predict the identity of 22 of these protein spots. Proteome reference maps of rice anthers have been constructed according to the SWISS‐2DPAGE standards and are available for public access at http://semele.anu. edu.au/2d/2d.html.
Exploring barriers and facilitators to the clinical use of virtual reality for post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect assessment

Abstract Background: Hemineglect, defined as a failure to attend to the contralesional side of space, is a prevalent and disabling post-stroke deficit. Conventional hemineglect assessments lack sensitivity as they contain mainly non-functional tasks performed in near-extrapersonal space, using static, two-dimensional methods. This is of concern given that hemineglect is a strong predictor for functional deterioration, limited post-stroke recovery, and difficulty in community reintegration. With the emerging field of virtual reality, several virtual tools have been proposed and have reported better sensitivity in neglect-related deficits detection than conventional methods. However, these and future virtual reality-based tools are yet to be implemented in clinical practice. Objectives: The present study aimed to explore the barriers/facilitators perceived by clinicians in the use of virtual reality for hemineglect assessment; and to identify features of an optimal virtual assessment. Methods: A qualitative descriptive process, in the form of focus groups, self-administered questionnaire and individual interviews was used. Results: Two focus groups (n = 11 clinicians) were conducted and experts in the field (n = 3) were individually interviewed. Several barriers and facilitators, including personal, institutional, client suitability, and equipment factors, were identified. Clinicians and experts in the field reported numerous features for the virtual tool optimization. Conclusion: Factors identified through this study lay the foundation for the development of a knowledge translation initiative towards an implementation of a virtual assessment for hemineglect. Addressing the identified barriers/facilitators during implementation and incorporating the optimal features in the design of the virtual assessment could assist and promote its eventual adoption in clinical settings. Implications for rehabilitation A multimodal and active knowledge translation intervention built on the presently identified modifiable factors is suggested to be implemented to support the clinical integration of a virtual reality-based assessment for post-stroke hemineglect. To amplify application and usefulness of a virtual-reality based tool in the assessment of post-stroke hemineglect, optimal features identified in the present study should be incorporated in the design of such technology.
Improving physical functional status in patients with fibromyalgia: a brief cognitive behavioral intervention.

OBJECTIVE Sustained improvement in physical functional status was the primary goal of a brief, 6 session cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol for fibromyalgia (FM). METHODS One hundred forty-five patients with FM were randomly assigned to either (1) standard medical care that included pharmacological management of symptoms and suggestions for aerobic fitness, or (2) the same standard medical treatment plus 6 sessions of CBT aimed at improving physical functioning. Outcome measures included the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 Physical Component Score and McGill ratings of pain. Outcomes were treated dichotomously using a preestablished criterion for clinically significant success based upon the reliability of change index from baseline to one year posttreatment. RESULTS Twenty-five percent of the patients receiving CBT were able to achieve clinically meaningful levels of longterm improvement in physical functioning, whereas only 12% of the patients receiving standard care achieved the same level of improvement. There were no lasting differences on pain ratings between groups. CONCLUSION Lasting improvements in physical functioning have been among the most difficult outcomes to obtain in studies of FM. These data suggest that the inclusion of CBT to a standard medical regimen for FM can favorably influence physical functioning in a subset of patients.
Supporting the Front Line: The Development of a Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Model in Primary Health Care

In light of the introduction of the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners Through the Medicare Benefits Schedule by the Australian Government in late 2006, information obtained by the Inner South East Primary Mental Health and Early Intervention Team (PMHT) in Victoria regarding the types of mental illness commonly seen by the service, may be of interest to mental health workers. PMHTs were established in Victoria in 2002 to develop a more inclusive mental health service and to strengthen the partnership between specialist services and primary care providers (for a recent review of collaborative models see Craven and Bland).
Serodiagnosis of La Crosse virus infections in humans by detection of immunoglobulin M class antibodies

Sera from 92 humans with illnesses clinically compatible with those caused by California serogroup virus infections were tested for antibody to La Crosse (LAC) virus by using the immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC ELISA), the IgG ELISA, and the hemagglutination inhibition (HI), complement fixation and serum dilution-plaque reduction neutralization tests. On the reported day of onset of illness in 18 individuals, 94% had IgM antibody, 50% had neutralization antibody, 33% had HI antibody, and 11% had IgG antibody. Neutralization, HI, and IgG antibody prevalence rates increased thereafter, whereas IgM antibody prevalence remained high (92% 2 or more weeks after the onset of illness). It was concluded that the MAC ELISA is a sensitive test for the presence of antibody to LAC virus. The sensitivity of the MAC ELISA and the rapidity with which it can be performed appear to provide a powerful tool for the clinically relevant serodiagnosis of LAC virus infections in humans.
A theory and implementation of sequential hardware equivalence

A theory of sequential hardware equivalence is presented. This theory includes the notions of gate-level model (GLM), hardware finite state machine (HFSM), quotient machine, state equivalence ( approximately ), alignability, resetability, essential resetability, isomorphism, and sequential hardware equivalence. The theory is motivated by (1) the observation that it is impossible to control the initial state of a machine when it is powered on and (2) the desire to decide equivalence of two designs based solely on their netlists and logic device models, without knowledge of intended initial states or intended environments. Algorithms based upon a binary decision diagram (BDD) implementation of predicate calculus over Boolean domains are presented. This calculus is employed to calculate properties of hardware designs. Experimental results based upon these algorithms as implemented in the MCC sequential equivalence tool (SET) are presented. >
A systematic review of asthma and health literacy: a cultural-ethnic perspective in Canada.

BACKGROUND Asthma is one of the most common inflammatory lung diseases and its prevalence and incidence have increased in many developed and developing countries. Asthma places a heavy burden on healthcare expenditures and productivity, which in turn diminishes the quality of life of the individuals involved as well as their families. The goal of improving a patient's knowledge about asthma management should include the enhancement of the individual's skills with the hopeful outcome of improving how the individual manages the condition. However, when health professionals prepare a training program, they are faced with the challenging cosmopolitan reality of individuals with different ethnic backgrounds. METHODS In order to find links between asthma and health literacy in a cultural/ethnicity perspective, we performed a systematic review of all publications on the topic of asthma, health, and literacy among cultural groups from 1980 to 2006 using the Internet and journals: Medline (Ovid), ERIC, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Google, Google Scholar, Sociological Abstracts, and Anthropology Plus. Key words included the following: "asthma," "culture," "ethnicity," "literacy," "health," "health literacy," "health beliefs," "adults," "disease management," "chronic condition," "ethnocultural groups," "minority groups," and "newcomers/immigrants. " RESULTS More than 650 articles were initially identified in our review; 65 met our inclusion criteria. From these, we examined the factors related to asthma and literacy/health literacy with a cultural lens. All of these are categorized and summarized below. We chose what we considered to be the most relevant and important articles/documents in the research literature to date. Because many of the studies were qualitative, a formal meta-analytic review was not undertaken. We found that current asthma management techniques - including patient education - are not culturally sensitive, linguistically sensitive, or relevant, which creates further difficulties for ethnocultural communities and minority groups in many Western countries. In this systematic review, several themes were identified, including: approaches to language limitation and cultural barriers; the recognition of healthcare system bias (in terms of culturally competent care); and relationship-building to facilitate participatory decision-making by both provider and patient. This review provides further understanding and considerations regarding the beliefs and perspectives of care providers and populations in relation to health and illness, literacy and health literacy, and their association with asthma among ethnocultural communities. CONCLUSIONS There is an urgent need to better define the impact of cultural and ethnic issues in the management of asthma in Canada. Appropriately designed studies should better define the barriers in the optimal delivery of asthma care influenced by these parameters.