Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel risk assessment method for landfill slope failure: Case study application for Bhalswa Dumpsite, India

Rapid population growth of major urban centres in many developing countries has created massive landfills with extraordinary heights and steep side-slopes, which are frequently surrounded by illegal low-income residential settlements developed too close to landfills. These extraordinary landfills are facing high risks of catastrophic failure with potentially large numbers of fatalities. This study presents a novel method for risk assessment of landfill slope failure, using probabilistic analysis of potential failure scenarios and associated fatalities. The conceptual framework of the method includes selecting appropriate statistical distributions for the municipal solid waste (MSW) material shear strength and rheological properties for potential failure scenario analysis. The MSW material properties for a given scenario is then used to analyse the probability of slope failure and the resulting run-out length to calculate the potential risk of fatalities. In comparison with existing methods, which are solely based on the probability of slope failure, this method provides a more accurate estimate of the risk of fatalities associated with a given landfill slope failure. The application of the new risk assessment method is demonstrated with a case study for a landfill located within a heavily populated area of New Delhi, India.
Regulation of cardiovascular cell function by hydrogen sulfide (H2S)

Since the discovery of endogenously‐produced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in various tissues, there has been an explosion of interest in H2S as a biological mediator alongside other gaseous mediators, nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. The identification of enzyme‐regulated H2S synthetic pathways in the cardiovascular system has led to a number of studies examining specific regulatory actions of H2S. We review evidence showing that endogenously‐generated and exogenously‐administered H2S exerts a wide range of actions in vascular and myocardial cells including vasodilator/vasoconstrictor effects via modification of the smooth muscle tone, induction of apoptosis and anti‐proliferative responses in the smooth muscle cells, angiogenic actions, effects relevant to inflammation and shock, and cytoprotection in models of myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion injury. Several molecular mechanisms of action of H2S have been described. These include interactions of H2S with NO, redox regulation of multiple signaling proteins and regulation of KATP channel opening. The gaps in our current understanding of precise mechanisms, the absence of selective pharmacological tools and the limited availability of H2S measurement techniques for living tissues, leave many questions about physiological and pathophysiological roles of H2S unanswered at present. Nevertheless, this area of investigation is advancing rapidly. We believe H2S holds promise as an endogenous mediator controlling a wide range of cardiovascular cell functions and integrated responses under both physiological and pathological conditions and may be amenable to therapeutic manipulation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
F-band frequency octupler in 0.13-μm SiGe:C BiCMOS with 2 mW output power

This paper presents design, implementation and measurement results of a high performance F-band frequency octupler (multiplier by eight) implemented in a 0.13-μm SiGe:C BiCMOS process. The multiplier cascades three Gilbert squarers with tuned loads. The realized chip incorporates an active balun together with a Limiting Amplifier (LA) at the input of the multiplier and a 140 GHz differential Power Amplifier (PA) designed to improve output balance. Full operational bandwidth of 20 GHz and maximum output power of 3 dBm is achieved for input power as low as -23 dBm while consuming 178 mW of DC power. The output power can be adjusted from -5 to 3 dBm. Suppression of undesired harmonic tones within the covered band is also adjustable and can be better than 25 dB. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first demonstration of this approach applied in this frequency range.
[Concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in serum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

UNLABELLED Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by the progressive destruction of the extracellular matrix of the lung. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, especially tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), play a central role in the lung remodeling in COPD. Their concentrations in the sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage are considered as a sign of the local inflammation in COPD patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate of the MMP-9 and TIMP-1 serum concentration in COPD patients with respect to the correlation with a systemic inflammatory process. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty six COPD patients (29 male and 7 female) were enrolled into the study. Age-matched, healthy 15 subjects (11 male and 4 female) were selected as a control group. Serum levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and CRP were measured. The pre- and post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio were determined. The Spearman correlation was performed. RESULTS The serum MMP-9 concentration was significantly higher in the COPD patients than that in the control group (COPD: 194.8 +/- 129.1 ng x ml(-1); control subjects: 11.7 +/- 2.1 ng x ml(-1); p < 0.001). The serum concentration of CRP was significantly higher in the COPD patients than that in the control group (COPD: 14.3 +/- 6.3 ng x ml(-1); control subjects: 6.2 +/- 2.8 ng x ml(-1); p < 0.001). There was statistically significant correlation between the MMP-9 concentration and the CRP level in the serum of patients with COPD (p < 0.01; r = 0.45). There were no significant differences in the serum TIMP-1 concentrations between the control group and COPD patients. There was statistically significant, negative correlation between the FEV1 % of predicted value and the MMP-9 concentration (p = 0.03; r = -0.43). CONCLUSIONS MMP-9 may play an important role in the systemic inflammatory process in COPD. The serum concentrations of MMP-9 correlate with the stage of COPD.
N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase V Expression Levels Regulate Cadherin-associated Homotypic Cell-Cell Adhesion and Intracellular Signaling Pathways*

A common glycan alteration in transformed cells and human tumors is the highly elevated levels of N-linked β(1,6)glycans caused by increased transcription of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V). Here, we define the involvement of GnT-V in modulation of homotypic cell-cell adhesion in human fibrosarcoma HT1080 and mouse NIH3T3 cells. Increased GnT-V expression resulted in a significant decrease in the rates of calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. Reduced cell-cell adhesion was blocked by function-blocking antibody against N-cadherin and abrogated by pre-treatment of cells with swainsonine, demonstrating the involvement of N-cadherin in the cell-cell adhesion and that changes in N-linked β(1,6)glycan expression are responsible for the reduction in rates of adhesion, although this reduction could be mediated by the altered N-linked glycosylation of glycoproteins other than N-cadherin. Overexpression of GnT-V had no effect on the levels of cell surface expression of N-cadherin; however, it did cause a marked enhancement of both β(1,6) branching and poly-N-acetyllactosamine expression on N-cadherin. GnT-V overexpression resulted in decreased N-cadherin clustering on the cell surface induced by anti-N-cadherin antibody and affected the outside-in signal transduction pathway of ERK mediated by N-cadherin. Overexpression of GnT-V sensitized stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of catenins by growth factors and expression of v-src, which is consistent with its reduction of cell-cell adhesion. In vitro, GnT-V-overexpressing cells showed increased motility concomitant with increased phosphorylation of catenins. Moreover, GnT-V-deficient embryo fibroblasts from GnT-V homozygous null mice (GnT-V-/-) express N-cadherin and showed significantly increased levels of N-cadherin-based cell-cell adhesion compared with those from GnT-V+/- mice. These levels of adhesion were inhibited significantly by transient expression of GnT-V, confirming the hypothesis that levels of GnT-V can regulate cadherin-associated homotypic cell-cell adhesion. Aberrant N-linked β(1,6) branching that occurs during oncogenesis can, therefore, lessen cell-cell adhesion, contributing to increased cellular motility and invasiveness.
A 10-Bit 200-MS/s digitally-calibrated pipelined ADC using switching opamps

A 10-bit 200-MS/s pipelined ADC was fabricated using a 90 nm CMOS technology. Switching opamps are used to save power. They are designed for high speed and fast turn-on time. Digital background calibration is used to correct the conversion error caused by the low dc gain of the opamps. The ADC consumes 26 mW from a 1.1 V supply. Its measured DNL and INL are +0.98/−0.81 LSB and +1.4/−1.5 LSB respectively. Its measured SNDR and SFDR are 55 dB and 67.2 dB respectively. The chip active area is 0.69 mm2.
Protecting our Khmer daughters: ghosts of the past, uncertain futures, and the human papillomavirus vaccine

Objectives. The FDA approved the first human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in 2006. Research into parental decision-making and concerns about HPV vaccination highlights questions about parenting and parents' role in the crafting of their daughters' future sexuality. In contrast to much of this literature, we explore narratives from interviews with Cambodian mothers of HPV vaccine-age eligible daughters who experienced genocide and came to the USA as refugees. Design. We conducted in-depth, in-person interviews with 25 Cambodian mothers of HPV vaccine-age eligible daughters. Interviews were conducted in Khmer and translated into English for analysis. We followed standard qualitative analysis techniques including iterative data review, multiple coders, and ‘member checking. ’ Five members of the research team reviewed all transcripts and two members independently coded each transcript for concepts and themes. Results. Interview narratives highlight the presence of the past alongside desires for protection from uncertain futures. We turn to Quesada and colleagues' concept structural vulnerability to outline the constraints posed by these women's positionalities as genocide survivors when faced with making decisions in an area with which they have little direct knowledge or background: cervical cancer prevention. Conclusion. Our study sheds light on the prioritization of various protective health practices, including but not exclusive to HPV vaccination, for Khmer mothers, as well as the rationalities informing decision-making regarding their daughters' health.
Perbandingan Model Black Scholes dan Brennan Schwartz untuk Menentukan Harga American Option

Option adalah kontrak yang memberikan hak kepada pemegang kontrak itu untuk call (membeli) atau put (menjual) suatu underlying asset (aset dasar) dengan exercise price/strike price (harga tertentu) sebelum atau saat expiration date (jangka waktu tertentu). Ada dua macam gaya melakukan exercise, yaitu European Option dan American Option. American option lebih berharga dari pada European option. Proses mendapatkan nilai pada American option termasuk free boundary value problem. Untuk menentukan harga American option digunakan model Black Scholes dan Brennan Schwart. Model tersebut diperoleh dengan menggunakan metode beda hingga. Metode beda hingga yang digunakan adalah metode eksplisit. Dari kedua model tersebut akan dibandingkan berdasarkan kestabilan, akurasi, dan konvergensi. Berdasarkan hasil perbandingannya, berdasarkan kestabilan, kedua model tersebut stabil, berdasarkan akurasi model pendiskritan langsung lebih akurat sampai 94:68%, sedangkan berdasrkan konvergensi model Brennan Schwartz lebih cepat konvergen.
Predictors of joint damage in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis treated with high-dose methotrexate with or without concomitant infliximab: results from the ASPIRE trial.

OBJECTIVE To identify disease characteristics leading to progression of joint damage in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with methotrexate (MTX) versus those treated with infliximab plus MTX. METHODS Patients who had not previously been treated with MTX with active RA were randomly assigned to receive escalating doses of MTX up to 20 mg/week plus placebo or infliximab at weeks 0, 2, and 6, and every 8 weeks thereafter through week 46. Radiographic joint damage was assessed using the modified Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS). The relationship between disease activity measures at baseline and week 14, as well as those averaged over time, were examined in relation to the change in SHS from baseline through week 54. RESULTS C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and swollen joint count were associated with greater joint damage progression in the MTX-only group, while none of these parameters was associated with progression in the infliximab plus MTX group. Mean changes in SHS among patients in the highest CRP (> or = 3 mg/dl) and ESR (> or = 52 mm/hour) tertiles in the MTX-only group were 5.62 and 5.89, respectively, compared with 0.73 and 1.12 in the infliximab plus MTX group (P < 0.001). Patients with greater joint damage at baseline (SHS > or = 10.5) showed less progression with infliximab plus MTX compared with MTX alone (-0.39 versus 4.11; P < 0.001). Patients receiving MTX alone who had persistently active disease at week 14 showed greater radiographic progression of joint damage than those taking MTX plus infliximab. CONCLUSION High CRP level, high ESR, or persistent disease activity was associated with greater radiographic progression in the group taking MTX alone, while little radiographic progression was seen in patients receiving both MTX and infliximab, regardless of the abnormal levels of these traditional predictors.
Identification and Active Expression of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Gene Encoding 5-Phospho-α-D-ribose-1-diphosphate: Decaprenyl-phosphate 5-Phosphoribosyltransferase, the First Enzyme Committed to Decaprenylphosphoryl-D-arabinose Synthesis*

Decaprenylphosphoryl-d-arabinose, the lipid donor of mycobacterial d-arabinofuranosyl residues, is synthesized from phosphoribose diphosphate rather than from a sugar nucleotide. The first committed step in the process is the transfer of a 5-phosphoribosyl residue from phosphoribose diphosphate to decaprenyl phosphate to form decaprenylphosphoryl-5-phosphoribose via a 5-phospho-α-d-ribose-1-diphosphate:decaprenyl-phosphate 5-phospho-ribosyltransferase. A candidate for the gene encoding this enzyme (Rv3806c) was identified in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily via its homology to one of four genes responsible for d-arabinosylation of nodulation factor in Azorhizobium caulinodans. The resulting protein was predicted to contain eight or nine transmembrane domains. The gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and membranes from the expression strain of E. coli but not from a control strain of E. coli were shown to convert phosphoribose diphosphate and decaprenyl phosphate into decaprenylphosphoryl-5-phosphoribose. Neither UDP-galactose nor GDP-mannose was active as a sugar donor. The enzyme favored polyprenyl phosphate with 50–60 carbon atoms, was unable to use C-20 polyprenyl phosphate, and used C-75 polyprenyl phosphate less efficiently than C-50 or C-60. It requires CHAPS detergent and Mg2+ for activity. The Rv3806c gene encoding 5-phospho-α-d-ribose-1-diphosphate:decaprenyl-phosphate 5-phosphoribosyltransferase is known to be essential for the growth of M. tuberculosis, and the tuberculosis drug ethambutol inhibits other steps in arabinan biosynthesis. Thus the Rv3806c-encoded enzyme appears to be a good target for the development of new tuberculosis drugs.
Mixture Generalized Linear Models for Multiple Interval Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci in Experimental Crosses

Summary Quantitative trait loci mapping in experimental organisms is of great scientific and economic importance. There has been a rapid advancement in statistical methods for quantitative trait loci mapping. Various methods for normally distributed traits have been well established. Some of them have also been adapted for other types of traits such as binary, count, and categorical traits. In this article, we consider a unified mixture generalized linear model (GLIM) for multiple interval mapping in experimental crosses. The multiple interval mapping approach was proposed by Kao, Zeng, and Teasdale (1999, Genetics152, 1203–1216) for normally distributed traits. However, its application to nonnormally distributed traits has been hindered largely by the lack of an efficient computation algorithm and an appropriate mapping procedure. In this article, an effective expectation–maximization algorithm for the computation of the mixture GLIM and an epistasis‐effect‐adjusted multiple interval mapping procedure is developed. A real data set, Radiata Pine data, is analyzed and the data structure is used in simulation studies to demonstrate the desirable features of the developed method.
Stressful Life Events and Minor Psychiatric Disorders: An Estimate of the Population Attributable Fraction in a Brazilian Community-Based Study

Objective: A population-based survey was conducted in Pelotas, southern Brazil, to assess the specific and the combined contribution of life events and socioeconomic factors on the overall prevalence of minor psychiatric disorders (MPD). Methods: The study covered a representative sample of the population aged fifteen years or older living in the urban area of the city. Using multi-stage sampling, a total of thirty census tracts and 600 households were selected. A standardized questionnaire assessed the presence of MPD (using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire—SRQ-20), the occurrence of life events (death of a relative, a relative with a chronic disease, loss of employment, divorce, migration, accident, and robbery/assault), and socioeconomic factors. Results: The prevalence of MPD was 22.7 percent (17.9% males and 26.5% females) and increased with age. Significant linear relationships with education and income were observed: the less education and income, the higher the prevalence of MPD. All life events, except migration and accident, were positively associated with MPD. People who experienced divorce in the last year had a prevalence of MPD three times higher than those who had not. The likelihood of MPD increased linearly with the number of life events. The highest proportion of Population Attributable Fraction for any life events was 24 percent. Conclusions: These data suggest that life events can explain a substantial proportion of MPD and with socioeconomic factors may be related to the onset of MPD.
Anti‐DNA antibody derived from a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient forms histone–DNA–anti‐DNA complexes that bind to rat glomeruli in vivo

Histone can mediate the binding of both free DNA and DNA complexed to anti‐DNA antibody to the glomerular capillary wall. We tested whether preformed histone–DNA–anti‐DNA immune complexes (IC) could bind to the glomerular capillary wall. The immune complex, generated with anti‐DNA antibody derived from an SLE patient and excess of 125I‐DNA followed by digestion with DNase, was mixed with histones. The complex containing 4 μg DNA was injected via the aorta into the left kidney of rats. At 15 min, 1.3% of the histone–DNA–anti‐DNA antibody complex bound (measured as 125I‐DNA), when histone was omitted less than 0.1% of the DNA–anti‐DNA antibody complex bound. By immunofluorescence human immunoglobulins and histones, representing the IC, could be observed in a capillary pattern; but no complement deposition was detected. Electron microscopy revealed discrete, electron dense deposits in a subendothelial, subepithelial and mesangial localization at 15 min. These results provide direct evidence that antibodies from serum of SLE patients can form soluble histone–DNA–anti‐DNA immune complexes that bind to the glomerular capillary wall in vivo
Local cortical thinning links to resting-state disconnectivity in major depressive disorder

Background Local structural and metabolic as well as inter-regional connectivity abnormalities have been implicated in the neuropathology of major depressive disorder (MDD). How local tissue properties affect intrinsic functional connectivity is, however, unclear. Using a cross-sectional, multi-modal imaging approach, we investigated the relationship between local cortical tissue abnormalities and intrinsic resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in MDD. Method A total of 20 MDD in-patients and 20 healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T for structural and functional imaging. Whole-brain cortical thickness was calculated and compared between groups. Regions with reduced cortical thickness defined seeds for subsequent whole-brain RSFC analyses. Contributions of structural tissue abnormalities on inter-regional RSFC were explicitly investigated. Results Lower cortical thickness was observed in MDD in the right dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (PFC), superior temporal gyrus/temporal pole, middle-posterior cingulate cortex, and dorsolateral PFC. No differences in local fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations were observed. Lower thickness in patients' dorsomedial PFC further directly and selectively affected its RSFC with the precuneus, which was unaffected by symptom severity. No effects of cortical thickness in other regions showing abnormal thickness were observed to influence functional connectivity. Conclusions Abnormal cortical thickness in the dorsomedial PFC in MDD patients was observed to selectively and directly affect its intrinsic connectivity with the precuneus in MDD patients independent of depression severity, thereby marking a potential vulnerability for maladaptive mood regulation. Future studies should include an unmedicated sample and replicate findings using independent component analysis to test for morphometric effects on network integrity.
Cluster head selection for CCB-MAC protocol by implementing high priority algorithm in VANET

VANET is a field of technology through which road accidents can be reduced which leads to the reduction of the death rate. For this purpose, different protocols were proposed to improve the VANET network for safety messages, priority messages, and application based schemes, but MAC (Medium Access Control) is a branch where fewer researchers explored the literature. We proposed a VANET lane model for reducing the delay of the packets using high priority algorithm for cluster selection to transmit the safety messages rapidly. Therefore, cooperative clustering based MAC is one of the fields for broadcasting the safety messages to reduce the delay of transmission at the time of emergency. Cooperation is carried out using the cluster member node as a cooperative node for transmission of safety messages from source to destination without affecting the overall transmission of the network.