Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Serologic Markers for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosis

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic intestinal disorders where, in genetically susceptible hosts, an intestinal microorganism triggers an over-reactive immune response. Antibodies against luminal antigens are specifically associated with Crohn’s disease (CD). In addition to the previously described antibodies antineutrophil cytoplasmic (auto)antibodies (ANCA), anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), OmpC, I2 and CBir1 Flagellin, new anti-glycan antibodies were recently added to the armamentarium of serologic markers in IBD. Glycans are sugars associated with proteins, abundant on many living cells. The anti-glycan antibodies are directed against laminaribioside, chitobioside, mannobioside and mannan residues and are designated anti-laminaribioside carbohydrate antibodies (ALCA), anti-chitobioside carbohydrate antibodies (ACCA), anti-mannobioside carbohydrate antibodies (AMCA) and gASCA, respectively. Anti-laminarin IgA (Anti-L), and anti-chitin IgA (Anti-C) are new members of this family. Laminarin and chitobioside are capable of stimulating the innate immune system, thus the finding of antibodies against these glycans suggests a connection between the adaptive and innate arms of the immune response in CD patients. The contribution of serologic markers, specifically the anti-glycan antibodies, to IBD diagnosis may be in differentiating IBD from other gastrointestinal diseases, and between CD and ulcerative colitis (UC), in better classifying undetermined colitis and for decision-making prior to proctocolectmy in UC patients. The anti-glycan antibodies are specifically important in ASCA-negative CD patients. Correlation between serologic markers and genetic variations may contribute to reclassifying IBD into new and more homogeneous subclasses. Their significance in diagnosing populations at risk, such as unaffected relatives of IBD patients and CD patients prior to diagnosis, is under current investigation.
40-gb/s EA modulators with wide temperature operation and negative chirp

Broad bandwidth external modulators are widely used in optical fiber networks to avoid the chirp associated with the direct modulation of laser diode sources. For transmission application beyond 10 Gb/s, electroabsorption modulators (EAMs) offer many advantages such as low drive voltage, low chirp characteristics, small size, and added functionality through integration with a distributed feedback laser. In this letter, we present static and dynamic characterization of an EAM demonstrating the possibility to have with the same device uncooled operation at 40 Gb/s and negative chirp at low negative bias. These features are attractive for cost reduction in short link applications and for long-haul transmission. All the measurements are performed at 40 Gb/s from room temperature up to 60/spl deg/C demonstrating a negative chirp behavior for the stand-alone modulator over the entire temperature range.
Role of Platelets and Fibrin in the Healing Sequence: An In Vivo Study of Angiogenesis and Collagen Synthesis

The signals that initiate repair are poorly characterized. These studies investigate the capacity of platelets and fibrin to initiate angiogenesis, fibroplasia, collagen synthesis and monocyte migration in the rabbit cornea assay. Methods: Autologous platelets and platelet-free fibrin were isolated from rabbit blood. Released and control platelet preparations and autologous and commercial fibrin were implanted in rabbit corneas. Results: Thrombin-released platelets produced angiogenesis and opacification. Histology showed fibroplasia, corneal thickening, and neovascularization. Collagen synthesis was elevated to twice control levels in thrombin-activitated platelet preparations. Various control platelet preparations produced no angiogenesis, no opacification, and no histologic change. All fibrin injections elicited a cellular exudate from the limbal vessels, followed by angiogenesis and corneal opacification. Histology showed a mononuclear infiltrate with neovascularization and fibroplasia. Control injections of rabbit skin collagen and fibroblasts produced no response.
A single mutation in Escherichia coli ribonuclease II inactivates the enzyme without affecting RNA binding

Exoribonuclease II (RNase II), encoded by the rnb gene, is a ubiquitous enzyme that is responsible for 90% of the hydrolytic activity in Escherichia coli crude extracts. The E. coli strain SK4803, carrying the mutant allele rnb296, has been widely used in the study of the role of RNase II. We determined the DNA sequence of rnb296 and cloned this mutant gene in an expression vector. Only a point mutation in the coding sequence of the gene was detected, which results in the single substitution of aspartate 209 for asparagine. The mutant and the wild‐type RNase II enzymes were purified, and their 3′ to 5′ exoribonucleolytic activity, as well as their RNA binding capability, were characterized. We also studied the metal dependency of the exoribonuclease activity of RNase II. The results obtained demonstrated that aspartate 209 is absolutely essential for RNA hydrolysis, but is not required for substrate binding. This is the first evidence of an acidic residue that is essential for the activity of RNase II‐like enzymes. The possible involvement of this residue in metal binding at the active site of the enzyme is discussed. These results are particularly relevant at this time given that no structural or mutational analysis has been performed for any protein of the RNR family of exoribonucleases.
Image Enhancement By Using Homomorphic Filtering Model

Published: 10 April 2017 A number of techniques have been proposed in the literature to deal with the illumination induced appearance variations ranging from simple image enhancement techniques, such as histogram equalization or gamma intensity correction. In this paper we proposed a homomorphic filtering model or the logarithmic total variation model to enhance non uniform illumination in real experimental image. This model will be enhancing the brightness in high frequency and in low frequency. We improved the image by using the output resulted from our proposed model as input again to this model, the final enhanced image is de-noised from all unwanted details and the edge will be enhanced in all direction. Some fidelity parameters is applied and we obtain an acceptable results.
The prospects of phosphorene as an anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries: a fundamental study

To completely understand lithium adsorption, diffusion, and capacity on the surface of phosphorene and, therefore, the prospects of phosphorene as an anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), we carried out density-functional-theory calculations and studied the lithium adsorption energy landscape, the lithium diffusion mobility, the lithium intercalation, and the lithium capacity of phosphorene. We also carried out, for the very first time, experimental measurement of the lithium capacity of phosphorene. Our calculations show that the lithium diffusion mobility along the zigzag direction in the valley of phosphorene was about 7 to 11 orders of magnitude faster than that along the other directions, indicating its ultrafast and anisotropic diffusivity. The lithium intercalation in phosphorene was studied by considering various Li n P16 configurations (n = 1–16) including single-side and double-side adsorptions. We found that phosphorene could accommodate up to a ratio of one Li per P atom (i.e. Li16P16). In particular, we found that, even at a high Li concentration (e.g. x = 1 in Li x P), there was no lithium clustering, and the structure of phosphorene (when fractured) is reversible during lithium intercalation. The theoretical value of the lithium capacity for a monolayer phosphorene is predicted to be above 433 mAh g−1, depending on whether Li atoms are adsorbed on the single side or the double side of phosphorene. Our experimental measurement of the lithium capacity for few-layer phosphorene networks shows a reversible stable value of ∼453 mAh g−1 even after 50 cycles. Our results clearly show that phosphorene, compared to graphene and other two-dimensional materials, has great promise as a novel anode material for high-performance LIBs.
Analysis of reset time for a novel three-phase three-level ZVZCS DC-DC converter using phase-shift PWM strategy

The paper presents an analysis about the reset time of the primary current for a novel three-phase three-level ZVZCS DC-DC converter using phase-shift PWM strategy. The analysis shows the presence of the ZVS turn-on condition at outer switches of Branches A, B and C, ZVZCS turn-on and turn-off conditions at inner switches of the branches. For ZCS turn-off conditions at inner switches, DC blocking capacitors also affects resetting of the primary current directly and validates the consistency between simulation results using MATLABR and experimental results, which exhibits good agreement. The converter has maximum efficiency of 93.50% at 5.6 kW.
Pedogenesis-Terrain Links in Zero-Order Watersheds after Chaparral to Grass Vegetation Conversion

Four decades after conversion from chaparral to grass, zero-order watersheds were compared to identify differences in topography and its relation to soil characteristics. Three watersheds of each vegetation type were topographically mapped and sampled at random points for depth to weathered bedrock and soil water content. Stepwise regression was used to explain spatial variability in terms of terrain variables. In chaparral watersheds, convex slopes result in widespread infiltration and significantly higher storage of water on the slopes. Topography of watersheds converted to grass is more concave, resulting in higher upslope contributing areas. This favors water convergence in the subsurface and results in significantly lower soil water content in grass watersheds. In chaparral watersheds, upslope average slope gradient best explains variability in depth to weathered bedrock. In contrast, slope gradient best explains depth to weathered bedrock in grass watersheds, suggesting that the uniform plant distribution localizes erosional processes. Soil water content is explained by depth to weathered bedrock and slope aspect in both vegetation types; however, a positive relation with profile curvature is the third indicator in chaparral watersheds, compared with an inverse relation with upslope average slope gradient in grass watersheds. The result is that grass watersheds drain water downslope, creating similar processes and forms in watersheds of various sizes. For both depth to weathered bedrock and soil water content, prediction using the regression models is only successful in grass watersheds. Thus terrain variables may be ineffective predictors of soil characteristics in shrublands where a dense canopy hides a nonuniform erosional environment.
Formation of Biotinylated Alkylthiolate Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold

The formation of mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) from novel biotinylated alkylthiols (BAT) and diluent triethyleneglycol (TEG) alkylthiols on gold has been accomplished using aqueous solvents. We compare the effects of aqueous and ethanolic solvents on the binding performance of mixed SAMs and the integrity of monolayers formed. We use cyclic voltammetry (CV) and fluorescence microscopy to characterize the films. Comparison of fluorescence data between solution mixtures of alkylthiols in various concentrations of ethanol and water solvent indicates that functional SAMs may be formed at ethanolic solvent compositions as low as 2% in water. In addition, CV data indicate that SAMs adsorbed from aqueous solution form faster and have fewer defects than those formed using ethanol.
Implementation of buffered Super-Junction LDMOS in a 0.18um BCD process

We experimentally demonstrate a Super-Junction LDMOS transistor in a 0.18 µm BCD technology. The buffered Super-Junction structure is implemented by the use of existing N- and P-drift layer, which are optimized for conventional 20V to 30V LDMOS transistors. The breakdown voltage and the specific on-resistance of the fabricated Super-Junction LDMOS are 98.6 V and 1.01 mΩ⋅cm2, respectively. The TLP measurement results show fairly good electrical SOA characteristics up to 78V for all gate voltages.
Structure and copy number of gene clusters related to the pap P-adhesin operon of uropathogenic Escherichia coli

The structurally related pap and prs operons of the uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolate J96 encode a P and an F adhesin that mediate bacterial attachment to the human P blood group antigen and the Forssman antigen, respectively. Using probes prepared from different segments of the pap operon, Southern blot hybridizations were performed to characterize pap-related sequences of 30 E. coli clinical isolates expressing different adhesin phenotypes. Gene clusters encoding P and F adhesins displayed no restriction site polymorphism in sequences homologous to the papH, papC, and papD genes that encode proteins essential to the transport and polymerization of the subunits of the P-pilus adhesin. In contrast, pap-related genetic elements associated with a null phenotype either lacked homology to the papH, papC, and papD genes or displayed a restriction site polymorphism in this region. Sequences within and surrounding the J96 papG and prsG adhesin genes that determine the binding specificities to the P and F antigens, respectively, were not conserved. However, gene clusters encoding different binding specificities could not be distinguished based on such restriction site polymorphisms. The majority of clinical isolates had more than one copy of pap-related sequences that involved gene clusters similar to the J96 pap operon, as well as genetic elements that were related only to a part of this operon. The implications of this unexpected copy number polymorphism with respect to possible recombination events involving pap-related sequences are discussed.
Inpatient medication history verification by pharmacy students.

PURPOSE The ability of pharmacy students to improve the accuracy of patients' medication histories was studied. METHODS This prospective study was conducted between January and April 2007 at a 424-bed community teaching hospital. Pharmacy students were assigned one or two patients daily admitted to the inpatient internal medicine service and were required to perform a thorough medication history for each. Patients were included in the study if a medication history was performed and recorded on the medication reconciliation form. Students were instructed to obtain medication histories by interviewing the patient, a family member, or both and calling the patient's community pharmacy to verify all medications. If there were any discrepancies between these sources of information and the initial medication reconciliation form, the information was reconfirmed with the patient. Any information obtained by the students that had not already been documented on the medication reconciliation record was updated in the patient's chart. RESULTS A total of 326 charts were included in this analysis. Student-obtained medication histories resulted in the addition of previously undocumented prescription medications to 175 charts (53.7%) and nonprescription medications or natural products to 167 charts (51.2%). Calling the patients' community pharmacy helped to identify omissions or discrepancies approximately 75% of the time. Overall, the students improved the accuracy of medication histories for 220 (67%) of the 326 patients. CONCLUSION Pharmacy students' participation in obtaining medication histories improved the completeness and accuracy of patient medication records.
Achieving Equity through Reducing Variability in Accepting Deceased Donor Kidney Offers.

In this issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology , Huml et al. ([1][1]) report an important analysis of the outcomes for all offers of deceased donor kidneys to transplant centers in the United States over a 5-year period. From May of 2007 to July of 2012, over 7 million
Options for Securing RTP Sessions

The Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) is used in a large number of different application domains and environments. This heterogeneity implies that different security mechanisms are needed to provide services such as confidentiality, integrity, and source authentication of RTP and RTP Control Protocol (RTCP) packets suitable for the various environments. The range of solutions makes it difficult for RTP-based application developers to pick the most suitable mechanism. This document provides an overview of a number of security solutions for RTP and gives guidance for developers on how to choose the appropriate security mechanism.
Distributed Continuous-Time Optimization: Nonuniform Gradient Gains, Finite-Time Convergence, and Convex Constraint Set

In this paper, a distributed optimization problem with general differentiable convex objective functions is studied for continuous-time multi-agent systems with single-integrator dynamics. The objective is for multiple agents to cooperatively optimize a team objective function formed by a sum of local objective functions with only local interaction and information while explicitly taking into account nonuniform gradient gains, finite-time convergence, and a common convex constraint set. First, a distributed nonsmooth algorithm is introduced for a special class of convex objective functions that have a quadratic-like form. It is shown that all agents reach a consensus in finite time while minimizing the team objective function asymptotically. Second, a distributed algorithm is presented for general differentiable convex objective functions, in which the interaction gains of each agent can be self-adjusted based on local states. A corresponding condition is then given to guarantee that all agents reach a consensus in finite time while minimizing the team objective function asymptotically. Third, a distributed optimization algorithm with state-dependent gradient gains is given for general differentiable convex objective functions. It is shown that the distributed continuous-time optimization problem can be solved even though the gradient gains are not identical. Fourth, a distributed tracking algorithm combined with a distributed estimation algorithm is given for general differentiable convex objective functions. It is shown that all agents reach a consensus while minimizing the team objective function in finite time. Fifth, as an extension of the previous results, a distributed constrained optimization algorithm with nonuniform gradient gains and a distributed constrained finite-time optimization algorithm are given. It is shown that both algorithms can be used to solve a distributed continuous-time optimization problem with a common convex constraint set. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the obtained theoretical results.
Home Food Environment of Older Adults Transitioning From Hospital to Home

Only anecdotal information is known about foods available in the home of hospital-discharged older adults. This study describes the home food environment of this population and examines associations between health/nutrition risk factors and ability to shop and prepare meals. Data were collected from 512 hospital-discharged older adults residing in 6 U.S. states; food available within the home was assessed. Most households had a variety of food present; however, 20% of households lacked fresh fruit, 15% lacked fresh vegetables, and 35% had no fresh meat. About 35% of participants reported an inability to both prepare meals and shop for food. Among those unable to do both activities, the prevalence of depressive symptoms, food-related anxiety, and poor self-rated health was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those able to do both activities. Homebound older adults may face additional challenges to recuperation from illness based on inability to prepare meals, regardless of availability of food following hospital discharge.
Strategic Planning in Nonprofit Organizations: A Content Analysis of Best Practices

The external environments in which organizations operate continue to be complex in terms of the nature and magnitude of opportunities and threats that keep emerging from them. Many organizations including those in the nonprofit sector have found it necessary to develop capabilities that can enable them take advantage of the opportunities that the environment present as well as tackle the challenges that come alongside these opportunities. Competition for the scarce resources as well as stricter requirements by government and funding organization have made it necessary for nonprofits to develop plans that will enable them tackle some of these challenges. Despite the known benefits of strategic planning to nonprofit organizations, many in the sector have not fully embraced the culture of strategic planning. This is mainly because planning is expensive and time consuming. Many nonprofits also lack planning capacities. This problem is made worse by the fact that there are many planning models that any organization can adopt. There is therefore need for the development of a best practice and a user friendly model that can simplify the planning process, especially for small nonprofits that lack the abundant resources necessary for effective planning. This study through content analysis, sought to develop a strategic planning model that can be implemented by small nonprofit organizations so as to simplify the planning process. This qualitative study utilized a content analysis approach to analyze and synthesize existing literature on strategic planning models for nonprofit organizations with the aim of developing a best practice model. For academicians and policy makers, this study sought to highlight planning issues and challenges in the nonprofit sector with the aim of developing solutions to such
Micro programmable built-in self repair for SRAMs

A built-in self-repair (BISR) machine is herewith proposed, able to test at speed and repair embedded static random access memories. Unlike the common approach to blow laser-fuse registers, here the repair operation is completely accomplished by the BISR machine, with no external intervene. The information related to the repair operation is stored into an on-chip FLASH memory. The machine is user programmable, since it can test memories of different capacity, architecture and aspect ratio, with up to four test algorithms and two test flows. An "industrial" test flow is intended for production; while, in case of failure, a more complex "screening flow" allows to distinguish whether the unsuccessful repair operation is due to exceeded redundancy capacity or to faulty FLASH programming. This system is aimed to enhance test diagnostic capability and to improve production yield of devices which it is connected to, by-passing the actual losses in time and resources of currently used laser-fuse approach.