Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hemi‐methylated oriC DNA binding activity found in non‐specific acid phosphatase

The lacZ–hobH fusion clone, containing an Escherichia coli DNA segment located at 92 min on the chromosomal map, was screened as a producer of E. coli oriC hemi‐methylated binding activity. We have purified the protein encoded by this locus to near homogeneity. The protein corresponds to the monomeric form of a non‐specific acid phosphatase (NAP) whose gene has been designated aphA. oriC DNA footprinting experiments showed protection of hemi‐methylated probe by partially purified NAP, but not by purified preparations. Yet, gel retardation experiments with an oriC oligonucleotide demonstrated DNA binding activity of purified NAP in the presence of Mg2+. This experiment also showed an increased affinity of the protein for the hemi‐methylated probe compared with the fully or unmethylated form. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed the existence of discrete NAP foci at mid‐cell in cells with two nucleoids, but at cell poles in those with one nucleoid.
Design and Finite Element Analysis of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with Novel Rotor Type

Permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) has several advantages such as simple structure, high efficiency and Brushless etc, it has obtained widespread application. There are high harmonic contents in the traditional PMSM air gap magnetic field. They will affect the performance of the PMSM. A new rotor structure is presented in this paper. The rotor slot interval changes according to the sine law. We did finite element analysis to the PMSM with new rotor and traditional PMSM by the software ANSYS. The results show that the fundamental content in the air gap magnetic field of the new rotor is high while the High-order harmonic contents is small, the utilization rate of the magnets in the new rotor structure PMSM is high, the new PMSM has a strong overload capacity. So the performance of the new structure PMSM is improved greatly.
My approach to the immunogenetics of haematopoietic stem cell transplant matching

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is now viewed as an effective treatment modality for a wide and varied number of diseases including both malignant and non-malignant haematological diseases, bone marrow failures, inherited immunodeficiencies and congenital metabolic disorders. This review will discuss the immunogenetic factors that play an influential role in the successful outcome of HSCT, most importantly the human leucocyte antigens (HLAs). Advances in HLA typing techniques enabling the definition of HLA types at the allele level have made it possible to investigate the impact of mismatching at individual HLA loci on HSCT outcome. Such studies have informed the strategy used for selection of both related and unrelated donors. This strategy, including the histocompatibility and immunogenetics laboratory testing required, is discussed in the context of published data, guidelines and recommendations.
Evaluation of motor learning by fNIRS signal analysis using a general linear model

People can learn how to use a new tool with repeated practice. It has been suggested that such motor learning is closely related to specific changes in brain activity in humans. Here, we used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a non-invasive neuroimaging technology, and examined whether it can detect learning-related activity. Subjects performed a cursor-tracking movement task with rotational transformation. Although fNIRS is easy to use, has little restraint, and can be employed during motor tasks, artifacts such as scalp blood flow contaminate the signal. Therefore, to analyze fNIRS signals (oxygenated hemoglobin), we applied a model-based approach in which scalp blood flow and learning-related behavioral changes were integrated into the design matrix of a general linear model (GLM). By doing so, we were able to examine the validity of the analysis. Group analysis indicated that a decrease in behavioral errors was accompanied by a decrease in inferior frontal gyrus activity. In contrast, significantly negative t-values were observed in superior frontal areas. For the scalp blood-flow component, significant activity was observed in almost all fNIRS channels. Since it is expected that scalp blood flow distributes uniformly and widely, this result indicates that the scalp blood-flow component was factored out correctly. These results show the potential of model-based GLM analysis for fNIRS to evaluate brain activity related to motor learning.
Statistical Test of Energy Saving Due to Voltage Reduction

A number of utilities have conducted field tests of the effect of distribution voltage reductions on energy consumption. The tests have been interpreted as giving mixed results. This paper reviews eight tests and statistically analyzes the results. These tests consistently support significant energy savings as a result of voltage reduction. Percent energy savings for each 1% reduction in voltage average 0.76%, 0.99%, and 0.41% for residential, commercial, and industrial class loads, respectively.
A Probabilitistic Theory of Interactive Systems

The aim of this dissertation is to provide foundations for the specification and development of interactive systems in consideration of probabilistic effects. We develop a theory of probabilistic and interactive systems based on probability theory and the Focus theory for interactive systems. The notions of composition, specification and properties thereof like realizability are adapted to the probabilistic case. We discuss the interaction of nondeterministic and probabilistic systems as well as provide the framework for their integration. The thesis finishes with the formalization of various description techniques and of activities during the development of software systems using probabilistic models.
Gaming technology helps troops learn language

DARPA is sponsoring the Tactical Language Project as part of its training superiority program, nicknamed DARWARS. As part of the project, scientists at the University of Southern California Center for Research in Technology for Education (CARTE) are creating an interactive, video game-based program designed to teach troops on post-war missions how to communicate in Levantine Arabic. In parallel development, the researchers are creating a second tutor for Iraqi Arabic. All a user needs is headphones, a computer with a good graphics card, and about 80 hours to use the program, which has two parts: an interactive game based on the popular unreal tournament and an interactive tutorial.
Secular trends in reported portion size of food and beverages consumed by Irish adults

The present analysis aimed to investigate the changes in the reported portion sizes (PS) of foods and beverages commonly consumed by Irish adults (18–64 years) from the North South Ireland Food Consumption Survey (NSIFCS) (1997–2001) and the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS) (2008–10). Food PS, which are defined as the weight of food (g) consumed per eating occasion, were calculated for comparable foods and beverages in two nationally representative cross-sectional Irish food consumption surveys and were published in NSIFCS and NANS. Repeated measure mixed model analysis compared reported food PS at the total population level as well as subdivided by sex, age, BMI and social class. A total of thirteen commonly consumed foods were examined. The analysis demonstrated that PS significantly increased for five foods (‘white sliced bread’, ‘brown/wholemeal breads’, ‘all meat, cooked’, ‘poultry, roasted’ and ‘milk’), significantly decreased for three (‘potatoes’, ‘chips/wedges’ and ‘ham, sliced’) and did not significantly change for five foods (‘processed potato products’, ‘bacon/ham’, ‘cheese’, ‘yogurt’ and ‘butter/spreads’) between the NSIFCS and the NANS. The present study demonstrates that there was considerable variation in the trends in reported food PS over this period.
Fractionated Irradiation Leads to Restoration of Drug Sensitivity in MDR Cells that Correlates with Down-regulation of P-gp and DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Activity

Abstract Ryu, J. S. , Um, J. H. , Kang, C. D. , Bae, J. H. , Kim, D. U. , Lee, Y. J., Kim, D. W. , Chung, B. S. and Kim, S. H. Fractionated Irradiation Leads to Restoration of Drug Sensitivity in MDR Cells that Correlates with Down-regulation of P-gp and DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Activity. Radiat. Res. 162, 527–535 (2004). We showed that the drug sensitivity of multidrug-resistant (MDR) cells could be enhanced by fractionated irradiation. The molecular changes associated with fractionated radiation-induced chemosensitization were characterized. Irradiated cells of the multidrug-resistant CEM/MDR sublines (CEM/ MDR/IR1, 2 and 3) showed a loss of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and concurrent reduction of Ku DNA binding and DNA-PK activities with decreased level of Ku70/80 and increased level of DNA-PKcs, and these changes were followed by an increased susceptibility to anticancer drugs. These irradiated MDR cells also exhibited the reduction of other chemoresistance-related proteins, including BCL2, NF-κB, EGFR, MDM2 and Ku70/80, and the suppression of HIF-1α expression induced by hypoxia. In contrast, fractionated irradiation increased the levels of these proteins and induced drug resistance in the parental drug-sensitive CEM cells. These results suggest that the chemoresistance-related proteins are differentially modulated in drug-sensitive and MDR cells by fractionated irradiation, and the optimized treatment with fractionated radiation could lead to new chemoradiotherapeutic strategies to treat multidrug-resistant tumors.
Availability of safety net providers and access to care of uninsured persons.

OBJECTIVE To understand how proximity to safety net clinics and hospitals affects a variety of measures of access to care and service use by uninsured persons. DATA SOURCES The 1998-1999 Community Tracking Study household survey, administered primarily by telephone survey to households in 60 randomly selected communities, linked to data on community health centers, other free clinics, and safety net hospitals. STUDY DESIGN Instrumental variable estimation of multivariate regression models of several measures of access to care (having a usual source of care, unmet or delayed medical care needs, ambulatory service use, and overnight hospital stays) against endogenous measures of distances to the nearest community health center and safety net hospital, controlling for characteristics of uninsured persons and other area characteristics that are related to access to care. The models are estimated with data from a nationally representative sample of uninsured people. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Shorter distances to the nearest safety net providers increase access to care for uninsured persons. Failure to account for the endogeneity of distance to safety net providers on access to care generally leads to finding little or no safety net effects on access. CONCLUSIONS Closer proximity to the safety net increases access to care for uninsured persons. However, the improvements in access to care are relatively small compared with similar measures of access to care for insured persons. Modest expansion of the safety net is unlikely to provide a full substitute for insurance coverage expansions.
Sonoran Propolis and Some of its Chemical Constituents Inhibit in vitro Growth of Giardia lamblia Trophozoites

Abstract Propolis is a cereus resin with a complex chemical composition that possesses a wide range of biological activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-Giardia lamblia activity of Sonoran propolis collected from three different areas of Sonoran Desert in northwestern Mexico (Caborca, Pueblo de Alamos, and Ures) and some of its chemical constituents. Additionally, we also analyzed the seasonal effect on the anti-G. lamblia activity of propolis. G. lamblia trophozoite cultures were treated with different concentrations of Sonoran propolis or chemical compounds during 48 h cell proliferation and cell viability were determined. Ures propolis showed the highest inhibitory activity against G. lamblia (IC50 63.8 ± 7.1 µg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner (Ures > Pueblo de Alamos > Caborca). Season had a significant effect on the in vitro anti-G. lamblia activity of Ures propolis. Summer propolis showed the highest inhibitory effect on the G. lamblia trophozoite growth (IC50 23.8 ± 2.3 µg/mL), followed by propolis collected during winter (IC50 59.2 ± 34.7 µg/mL), spring (IC50 102.5 ± 15.3 µg/mL), and autumn (IC50 125.0 ± 3.1 µg/mL). Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an Ures propolis exclusive constituent, had the highest growth-inhibitory activity towards G. lamblia [IC50 63.1 ± 0.9 µg/mL (222.1 ± 3.2 µM)]. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing that caffeic acid phenethyl ester possesses antiparasitic activity against G. lamblia. Naringenin [IC50 125.7 ± 20.7 µg/mL (461.8 ± 76.3 µM)], hesperetin [IC50 149.6 ± 24.8 µg/mL (494.9 ± 82.2 µM)], and pinocembrin [IC50 174.4 ± 26.0 µg/mL (680.6 ± 101.7 µM)] showed weak anti-G. lamblia activity. On the other hand, chrysin and rutin did not show significant antiparasitic activity. In conclusion, our results suggest that Sonoran propolis and some of its chemical constituents had inhibitory effects on the in vitro growth of G. lamblia trophozoites.
Dynamic Electromyographic Analysis of Trunk Musculature in Professional Golfers

Using dynamic surface electrode electromyography, we evaluated muscle activity in 13 male professional golfers during the golf swing. Surface electrodes were used to record the level of muscle activity in the right abdominal oblique, left abdominal oblique, right glu teus maximus, left gluteus maximus, right erector spi nae, left erector spinae, upper rectus abdominis, and lower rectus abdominis muscles during the golfer's swing. These signals were synchronized electronically with photographic images of the various phases of the golf swing; the images were recorded in slow motion through motion picture photography. The golf swing was divided into five phases: take away, forward swing, acceleration, early follow-through, and late fol low-through. Despite individual differences among the subjects' swings, we observed reproducible patterns of trunk muscle activity throughout all phases of the golf swing. Our findings demonstrate the importance of the trunk muscles in stabilizing and controlling the loading response for maximal power and accuracy in the golf er's swing. This study provides a basis for developing a rehabilitation program for golfers that stresses strengthening of the trunk muscles and coordination exercises.
Relaying techniques for enhancing the physical layer secrecy in cooperative networks with multiple eavesdroppers

Physical layer security has recently attracted considerable attention in the context of information‐theoretic point of view. In this paper, we investigate relay selection schemes for security‐constrained half‐duplex cooperative wireless networks with multiple eavesdroppers, which have the ability to cooperate to overhear the source transmission. The proposed techniques select a trusted decode‐and‐forward relay to assist the source transmission and maximize the achievable secure rate for different eavesdropper policies (cooperation or not); for the two cases, we assume that the channel is always available. In addition, a jamming method that selects two relay nodes to create an intentional interference at both phases of the decode‐and‐forward protocol to confound the eavesdropper nodes is also considered. Both the source–destination and source–eavesdroppers links are taken into account in the proposed analysis. Secrecy rate and secrecy outage probability are the two performance metrics that are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed schemes while asymptotic approximations of the secrecy outage probability are also derived. Simulation and analytical results demonstrate the performance improvement of the proposed schemes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of passive heating on central blood volume and ventricular dimensions in humans

Mixed findings regarding the effects of whole‐body heat stress on central blood volume have been reported. This study evaluated the hypothesis that heat stress reduces central blood volume and alters blood volume distribution. Ten healthy experimental and seven healthy time control (i.e. non‐heat stressed) subjects participated in this protocol. Changes in regional blood volume during heat stress and time control were estimated using technetium‐99m labelled autologous red blood cells and gamma camera imaging. Whole‐body heating increased internal temperature (> 1.0°C), cutaneous vascular conductance (approximately fivefold), and heart rate (52 ± 2 to 93 ± 4 beats min−1), while reducing central venous pressure (5.5 ± 07 to 0.2 ± 0.6 mmHg) accompanied by minor decreases in mean arterial pressure (all P < 0.05). The heat stress reduced the blood volume of the heart (18 ± 2%), heart plus central vasculature (17 ± 2%), thorax (14 ± 2%), inferior vena cava (23 ± 2%) and liver (23 ± 2%) (all P≤ 0.005 relative to time control subjects). Radionuclide multiple‐gated acquisition assessment revealed that heat stress did not significantly change left ventricular end‐diastolic volume, while ventricular end‐systolic volume was reduced by 24 ± 6% of pre‐heat stress levels (P < 0.001 relative to time control subjects). Thus, heat stress increased left ventricular ejection fraction from 60 ± 1% to 68 ± 2% (P= 0.02). We conclude that heat stress shifts blood volume from thoracic and splanchnic regions presumably to aid in heat dissipation, while simultaneously increasing heart rate and ejection fraction.
Interlobar Artery Resistive Index predicts Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Syndrome in Cirrhotic Patients with Acute Decompensation

Abstract Introduction Patients with acutely decompensated (AD) cirrhosis are at risk for developing acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) syndrome. This syndrome is associated with a high short-term mortality rate. The aim of our study was to identify reliable early predictors of developing ACLF in cirrhotic patients with AD. Patients and Methods We assessed 84 cirrhotic patients admitted for AD without ACLF on admission. We performed routine blood testing and detailed ultrasound Doppler studies of systemic arteries and mayor abdominal veins and arteries. We also calculated liver-specific and intensive care unit predictive scores. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was calculated for all variables that were significantly different between patients who developed ACLF and those who did not. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, as well as diagnostic accuracy predicting the short-term development of ACLF were determined. Results of the 84 patients, 23 developed ACLF whereas 61 did not. In the univariate analysis, serum levels of creatinine and urea, prothrombin time ratio, MELD score, portal vein and femoral artery flow velocity as well as the renal and interlobar artery resistive indices (RI) were associated with the short-term development of ACLF. However, only interlobar artery RI had independent predictive value in the multivariate analysis. The AUROC value for RI of the interlobar arteries was 0.9971. Conclusion On the first day of admission, ultrasound measurement of the RI of the interlobar arteries recognizes with high predictive accuracy those cirrhotic patients admitted with AD who will develop ACLF during hospital admission.
MoS 2 Dual-Gate MOSFET With Atomic-Layer-Deposited Al 2 O 3 as Top-Gate Dielectric

We demonstrate atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) high-k dielectric integration on 2-D layer-structured molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) crystals and MoS2 dual-gate n-channel MOSFETs with ALD Al2O3 as the gate dielectric. Our C–V study of MOSFET structures shows good interface between 2-D MoS2 crystal and ALD Al2O3. Maximum drain currents using back gates and top gates are measured to be 7.07 and 6.42 mA/mm, respectively, at Vds = 2 V with a channel width of 3 μm, a channel length of 9 μm, and a top-gate length of 3 μm. We achieve the highest field-effect mobility of electrons using back-gate control to be 517 cm/V · s. The highest current on/off ratio is over 10.
A retrospective study of outcome of Mohs’ micrographic surgery for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma using formalin fixed sections

The surgical management of recurrent or large squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can be challenging as tumours often extend beyond visible margins. Micrographic surgery is a potentially effective method of ensuring complete clearance of tumour. A retrospective study of all cases of SCC treated by micrographic surgery in this department between 1986 and 1996 has been done. Sixty‐one patients were treated using a formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue technique with a median follow‐up of 4 years. In two cases there was local recurrence and in three others metastasis to local lymph nodes. The overall cure rate was 92% (56 of 61), which compares favourably with published series using chemosurgery and frozen tissue techniques. The results show that this technique of micrographic surgery is a satisfactory and cost‐effective alternative to conventional frozen section techniques in the treatment of SCC. The formalin‐fixed tissue method has the advantage of providing high‐quality permanent histological sections using existing conventional pathology services.
Physisorption of gases, with special reference to the evaluation of surface area and pore size distribution (IUPAC Technical Report)

Abstract Gas adsorption is an important tool for the characterisation of porous solids and fine powders. Major advances in recent years have made it necessary to update the 1985 IUPAC manual on Reporting Physisorption Data for Gas/Solid Systems. The aims of the present document are to clarify and standardise the presentation, nomenclature and methodology associated with the application of physisorption for surface area assessment and pore size analysis and to draw attention to remaining problems in the interpretation of physisorption data.
Serum‐soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product levels in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Objectives – Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. There is evidence that oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of the neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS. Data from the literature suggests that the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) participates in pathological conditions, including oxidative stress and neurodegeneration.
Neuroendocrine tumors of the gallbladder: twelve cases in a single institution.

BACKGROUND/AIMS We report a single center experience of 12 cases with neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the gallbladder. METHODOLOGY Twelve patients were diagnosed with gallbladder NET between July 1998 and February 2008 and assessed according to the WHO histological classification. Six patients underwent surgical resection and 6 patients underwent nonsurgical treatment. RESULTS There was one well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), 6 poorly differentiated NECs, and 5 mixed exocrine-endocrine carcinomas. All poorly differentiated NECs were small cell carcinomas; four patients had distant metastases at the time of diagnosis; and underwent chemotherapy. All five patients with mixed exocrine-endocrine carcinomas underwent operative treatments. The group with mixed exocrine-endocrine carcinomas and the group with poorly differentiated NECs didn't show a significant difference in overall survival (9.3 months vs. 8.0 months, respectively; p = 0.997). A patient with well-differentiated NEC had portal vein invasion and underwent aggressive curative surgery, but liver metastasis occurred after 1 month and she survived for 9.9 months. CONCLUSION NECs of the gallbladder are very aggressive tumors showing poor survival outcomes against current treatments. Further understanding on the clinical and pathologic characteristics of these NETs seems to be necessary to find more effective treatment modalities.