Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost optimal sudden-death life testing

In sudden-death life testing, a group of m specimens is put on a test machine together and run until the d-th failure. The total cost of such a test is a function of m, of the expected test length, and the number G of such groups tested. For a Weibull model, new results here optimize m and G to minimize the variance of the estimate of a specified low fractile subject to a specified total test cost. Sudden-death testing reduces test time, and the resulting data from the lower tail of the distribution yield an estimate with less model error. The results are illustrated with a client application.
Identification of Residues of CXCR4 Critical for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coreceptor and Chemokine Receptor Activities*

CXCR4 is a G-coupled receptor for the stromal cell-derived factor (SDF-1) chemokine, and a CD4-associated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptor. These functions were studied in a panel of CXCR4 mutants bearing deletions in the NH2-terminal extracellular domain (NT) or substitutions in the NT, the extracellular loops (ECL), or the transmembrane domains (TMs). The coreceptor activity of CXCR4 was markedly impaired by mutations of two Tyr residues in NT (Y7A/Y12A) or at a single Asp residue in ECL2 (D193A), ECL3 (D262A), or TMII (D97N). These acidic residues could engage electrostatical interactions with basic residues of the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120, known to contribute to the selectivity for CXCR4. The ability of CXCR4 mutants to bind SDF-1 and mediate cell signal was consistent with the two-site model of chemokine-receptor interaction. Site I involved in SDF-1 binding but not signaling was located in NT with particular importance of Glu14 and/or Glu15 and Tyr21. Residues required for both SDF-1 binding and signaling, and thus probably part of site II, were identified in ECL2 (Asp187), TMII (Asp97), and TMVII (Glu288). The first residues (2-9) of NT also seem required for SDF-1 binding and signaling. A deletion in the third intracellular loop abolished signaling, probably by disrupting the coupling with G proteins. The identification of CXCR4 residues involved in the interaction with both SDF-1 and HIV-1 may account for the signaling activity of gp120 and has implications for the development of antiviral compounds.
Current and emerging infectious risks of blood transfusions.

THE BLOOD SUPPLY IN THE UNITED States and other developed countries has never been as safe as it is now. During the past several decades, there have been dramatic progressive reductions in the risk of transfusion-transmitted clinically significant blood-borne infections. This has been accomplished as a result of extensive research to characterize transfusiontransmitted pathogens, development of strategies to measure infection rates in blood donor and recipient populations, characterization of the dynamics of early viremia, and implementation of progressively more restrictive donor eligibility criteria and increasingly sensitive laboratory screening methods. In addition, regulatory oversight by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been strengthened, resulting in enhanced quality assurance programs in blood collection and transfusion facilities. Pathogen reduction methods, already successfully applied to pooled plasma derivatives (eg, albumin, clotting factor concentrates, immunoglobulin preparations) are now in development for cellular blood components and fresh-frozen plasma. If these methods are approved by the FDA and widely implemented, they could virtually eliminate the risk of transmission by transfusions of both known and emerging infectious agents in technologically advanced countries. This progress needs to be balanced against the continued emergence of potential new transfusiontransmissible pathogens and the disparity in blood safety in developing countries where resources are insufficient to enable basic infectious disease donor screening.
Peer review as an educational strategy to improve academic work: an interdisciplinary collaboration between communication disorders and nursing.

BACKGROUND The Communication Disorders and Nursing Programs conducted a pilot study to examine the value of peer review as an educational strategy to improve graduate student writing and understanding of course assignments. PARTICIPANTS Graduate students enrolled in a communication disorders diagnostic process course, a health policy course, or a philosophical foundations course (N=120). METHODS Students participated as a peer reviewer for their final assignment. The reviewer read the draft assignment and provided comments. Additionally, nursing students read their papers out loud to the peer reviewer. Students submitted their draft assignment to their professor. The nursing drafts were graded. Students revised and submitted the final assignment for a grade. Students completed a questionnaire at the end of the course to provide feedback about the value of peer review. RESULTS A 65% response rate was obtained. Students (89.9%) felt that the draft was helpful, the partner was helpful (70.9%), and 78.5% incorporated the suggestions of the peer reviewer. Overall, grades improved from the draft version to the final version for each assignment. CONCLUSION The pilot study showed that peer review was an effective educational strategy to improve student grades and conceptual understanding of the material.
Structural features of the terminal loop region of frog retinal rod outer segment disk membranes: I. Organization of lipid components

We have applied thin sectioning and freeze‐fracture techniques to investigate the terminal loop structure of photoreceptive disks in frog retinal rod outer segments. Our studies of this region demonstrate a highly curved terminal loop bilayer that is continuous with both lamellar bilayers of the disk, and equivalent to them in dimensions and staining properties. Rhodopsin, however, appears to be excluded from this region of high curvature.
Driver models to increase the potential of automotive active safety functions

This paper describes how the potential of some automotive active safety functions depend on the used driver model. It is shown that by including a more advanced driver model, it is possible to enhance the use of the signals from different sensor systems to let the active safety function intervene earlier and smoother so that the drivers are disturbed less, and the chance to avoid an accident increases.
Surviving multiple obligations through stimulation, autonomy, and variation.

PURPOSE Professionals in academic health centers (AMCs) face multiple obligations, such as those from research, teaching and clinical care. The purpose of this study is to explore and develop an understanding about how well findings generated from two previous studies about the influence of multiple obligations on health care personnel fit those within health care associated with academic institutions. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A total of 11 professionals engaged in teaching, research, and clinical work were interviewed. Data from the open-ended interactive interviews were transcribed and compared with findings from the two previous studies, using modified analytic induction. FINDINGS Work at an AMC can entail balancing three tasks: research, education, and clinical care. These tasks as well as the different employers associated with them can be a source of conflict. For a group of committed professionals, these conflicts were accepted and balanced as long as they experienced stimulus, autonomy, and variation. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS Modified analytic induction, an uncommon analysis method, is useful for comparing findings from previous studies in another context and with different subjects. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Stimulation, autonomy, and variation could play a vital role as driving factors in coping and dealing with the unavoidable presence of multiple obligations in today's health care systems. ORIGINALITY/VALUE Although AMCs combine clinical care, research, and teaching, the intersection of all three has in contrast not been investigated so thoroughly at the individual level.
Single-Event Effects in a W-Band (75-110 GHz) Radar Down-Conversion Mixer Implemented in 90 nm, 300 GHz SiGe HBT Technology

This paper investigates single-event effects in a W-Band (75-110 GHz) SiGe HBT down-conversion mixer intended for use in a space-based remote sensing radar system. Transient pulse propagation to the output of the mixer as a linear time variant system is analyzed theoretically. This study facilitates the understanding of transient propagation in RF receivers. Device- and circuit-level simulations were conducted to verify the results of the proposed theory. A two photon absorption laser was used to induce transients on different SiGe HBTs within the circuit to assess the impact of SETs on performance. This study shows that significant transients can be produced at the output of the mixer, which can potentially corrupt the received data or received pulse of the radar. It is shown that a differential double-balanced structure can effectively eliminate some of the transients at the output of the mixer. To the authors' best knowledge this is the first study of single event transients conducted on a millimeter-wave SiGe circuit.
Electrophysiologic changes with incremental exercise in obstructive sleep apnea

In patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), intermittent apnea and hypopnea might cause different adaptations in inspiratory and peripheral muscles. In this study we aimed to determine the changes that occur in muscle activation characteristics during incremental exercise testing in patients with severe OSA. Surface electromyography of inspiratory muscles and knee extensors was performed.
Datos no estructurados no textuales: desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías

Resumen Cuando una persona recibe estimulos sensoriales de tipo visual o auditivo reacciona realizando una asociacion y reconocimiento en forma natural, como consecuencia de la informacion que los estimulos le brindan. Durante los ultimos anos, el avance de los medios digitales y la proliferacion de su uso ha generado la necesidad del desarrollo de herramientas que permitan la eficiente representacion, procesamiento y administracion (acceso y recuperacion) de informacion de contenido multimedial. En este contexto, la informacion almacenada principalmente en forma de audio, imagen y video se ha convertido en la principal materia prima utilizada por los sistemas computacionales para la transmision de informacion en forma rapida y eficiente, principialmente aquella relacionada con la toma de decisiones y la resolucion de problemas de indole general. Dadas sus particularidades, dicha informacion es catalogada como informacion no estructurada y su administracion y manipulacion requiere de la definicion de nuevos procesos y metodos que faciliten y agilicen el uso de la misma. Esta propuesta de trabajo establece los lineamientos a seguir con la intencion de redefinir nuevas tecnoloǵias para el procesamiento de informacion no estructurada que permita la incorporacion de la misma en procesos generales de resolucion de problemas o toma de decisiones.
Nosocomial Spread of Ceftazidime-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Producing a Novel Class A β-Lactamase, GES-3, in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Japan

ABSTRACT Klebsiella pneumoniae strain KG525, which showed high-level resistance to broad-spectrum cephalosporins, was isolated from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a Japanese hospital in March 2002. The ceftazidime resistance of strain KG525 was transferable to Escherichia coli CSH-2 by conjugation. Cloning and sequence analysis revealed that production of a novel extended-spectrum class A β-lactamase (pI 7.0), designated GES-3, which had two amino acid substitutions of M62T and E104K on the basis of the sequence of GES-1, was responsible for resistance in strain KG525 and its transconjugant. The blaGES-3 gene was located as the first gene cassette in a class 1 integron that also contained an aacA1-orfG fused gene cassette and one unique cassette that has not been described in other class 1 integrons and ended with a truncated 3′ conserved segment by insertion of IS26. Another five ceftazidime-resistant K. pneumoniae strains, strains KG914, KG1116, KG545, KG502, and KG827, which were isolated from different neonates during a 1-year period in the same NICU where strain KG525 had been isolated, were also positive for GES-type β-lactamase genes by PCR. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR analyses displayed genetic relatedness among the six K. pneumoniae strains. Southern hybridization analysis with a GES-type β-lactamase gene-specific probe showed that the locations of blaGES were multiple and diverse among the six strains. These findings suggest that within the NICU setting genetically related K. pneumoniae strains carrying the blaGES gene were ambushed with genetic rearrangements that caused the multiplication and translocation of the blaGES gene.
Non-viral nanovectors for gene delivery: factors that govern successful therapeutics

Importance of the field: Gene therapy is regarded as one of the most promising therapeutic approaches, as it has the potential to treat disorders by correcting malformations at the nucleic acids. Areas covered in this review: Some of the most recent developments in the process of plasmid DNA vector design and formulation are reviewed with a special focus on: different formulations of nanovectors and a summary of successful cases reported; requirements for systemic administration; and functionalization of the nanocarriers by use of targeting entities. What the reader will gain: An understanding of the different physiological barriers and a comprehensive review of the recent strategies used to overcome these obstacles. Particular attention is given to formulations for intravenous administration, colloidal stability properties and different targeting entities used. Take home message: Overall, vector formulation must take into account the administration route and inherent physiological barriers. Critical parameters for the success of pDNA nanovectors are: particles size, colloidal stability of the formulation and interaction between the carrier and plasmid DNA. Highly relevant is the fact that this interaction should be balanced to offer protection to degradation as well as allow dissociation of the therapeutic nucleic acid for obtaining maximal activity.
Ultrasensitive and towards single molecule SERS: general discussion.

Javier Aizpurua, Heike Arnolds, Jeremy Baumberg, Ian Bruzas, Rohit Chikkaraddy, Malama Chisanga, Paul Dawson, Volker Deckert, Ines Delfino, Bart de Nijs, Giuliana Di Martino, Joshua Edel, Holly Fleming, Sylwester Gawinkowski, Fabrizio Giorgis, Roy Goodacre, Duncan Graham, Mike Hardy, Christian Heck, Sebastian Heeg, Kevin Hewitt, Lauren Jamieson, Alex Keeler, Agata Królikowska, Christian Kuttner, Nathalie Lidgi-Guigui, Carin Lightner, John Lombardi, Sumeet Mahajan, Natalia Mart́ın Sabanés, Jean-Francois Masson, Niclas Sven Mueller, Howbeer Muhamadali, Kei Murakoshi, Jürgen Popp, Marc Porter, Stephanie Reich, George Schatz, Zhong-Qun Tian, Ashish Tripathi, Richard Van Duyne, Xinping Wang, Alastair Wark, Katherine (Kallie) Willets and Marjorie Willner
Incentivos y comportamiento: una aplicación a las empresas burgalesas

Este trabajo se integra dentro del marco investigador de la Nueva Economia Institucional y con el objetivo de realizar un analisis de la estructura de incentivos de la empresa burgalesa que pudiera conducir a aportar ciertas sugerencias sobre las pautas de diseno y comportamiento de las mismas en el logro de la maxima actuacion de sus participes. Tras establecer los principios de investigacion, se propone un modelo de analisis de la estructura de incentivos y evaluacion del comportamiento de los agentes, describiendo sus componentes junto con las relaciones e interdependencias a modo de hipotesis de trabajo, para, en ultimo lugar, proyectar los resultados obtenidos.
Clock mutant mice with Jcl/ICR background shows an impaired learning ability in water maze, but not in passive avoidance, at the beginning of dark phase

ABSTRACT We observed the learning ability in Clock mutant mice with Jcl/ICR background (Clockj), a mice model of evening‐type individuals, in the early part of dark phase. In order to estimate the learning ability, Morris water maze (WM) and passive avoidance (PA) test were performed. Release of acetylcholine, 5 hydroxytryptophan (5‐HT) and dopamine (DA) in hippocampus was measured by in vivo microdialysis method. Clockj showed the impaired learning ability in the WM, but not in PA test. Hippocampal acetylcholine release was significantly attenuated in the Clockj in comparison to the wild‐type mice. Neither 5‐HT nor DA in the hippocampus was affected by the Clock mutation. Clock, an essential gene controlling circadian rhythm, may have an important role on the spatial learning and hippocampal cholinergic function, at least, at the beginning of the dark phase.
Associations between witnessing parental domestic violence and experiencing depressive symptoms in Filipino adolescents.

OBJECTIVES We examined the association between 2 important public health problems in the developing world: parental domestic violence and depressive symptoms during adolescence. METHODS Data on depressive symptoms and witnessing of domestic violence were obtained during private face-to-face interviews conducted in 2002 with 2051 Filipino adolescents 17-19 years of age. RESULTS Symptoms of depression were common; 11% of young men and 19% of young women reported wishing that they were dead occasionally or most of the time, and nearly half of all respondents recalled parental domestic violence. Female adolescents had significantly higher scores than male adolescents on a 12-item index of depressive symptoms. Both male and female adolescents who had witnessed parental domestic violence reported more depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Filipino adolescents who have witnessed parental domestic violence are significantly more likely to report depressive symptoms.
EMI Filter Volume Minimization of a Three-Phase, Three-Level T-Type PWM Converter System

In this study, the power density of a two-stage, i.e., <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${LCLCL}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter for a 10 kW three-phase, T-type three-level, boost-type PWM rectifier system is optimized concerning construction volume. It is found that reasonable boundary conditions limit or define most component values and only few degrees of freedom are remaining. In this context, the ratio of the first filter stage's common to differential mode inductance, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k_{\text{L}} = L_{\text{cm,1}} / L_{\text{dm,1}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, is identified to particularly affect the total filter volume. For given switching frequency and DC-link voltage of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{\text{s}} = {48}\ \text{kHz}$</tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\text{dc}} = {700}\ \text{V}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, a flat minimum of the overall filter volume results for <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$10 < k_{\text{L}} < 40$</tex-math></inline-formula>. The boxed volume of the filter realized for <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k_{\text{L}} = 18$</tex-math></inline-formula> is <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$763\ \text{cm}^3$</tex-math></inline-formula> (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> $46.6\ \text{in}^3$</tex-math></inline-formula>), which corresponds to a filter power density of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$13.1\ \text{kW / dm}^3$</tex-math></inline-formula> (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$215\ \text{W / in}^3$</tex-math></inline-formula>). Measurements of conducted EMI confirm that the rectifier system complies with the considered limits of conducted EMI (CISPR 11, class A).
Unilateral Corneal Lattice Dystrophy

Purpose. To report three cases of seemingly unilateral dystrophy indistinguishable from type I classic lattice corneal dystrophy. Methods. Case study of three patients. Three patients, a 31-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, and a 41-year-old man had multiple lattice lesions in one eye and an apparently healthy fellow eye. Two of these patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty because of poor vision. Results. Histopathologic examination of the excised corneal button of patient 2 showed amyloid deposits consistent with lattice. In the third patient, lattice lesions were noted in the other eye nearly 13 years after he was first examined. Conclusions. Lattice corneal dystrophy is rarely unilateral. Lattice, even in unilateral cases, may cause significant vision loss to warrant penetrating keratoplasty. Lattice lesions may develop in the fellow eye many years later. This possibility should be explained to all patients with apparently unilateral lattice corneal dystrophy.
Uso de convertidores boost en sistemas de seguimiento del punto de máxima potencia de sistemas fotovoltaicos autónomos.

Este trabajo muestra el funcionamiento de un sistema de seguimiento del punto de maxima potencia para sistemas fotovoltaicos autonomos. El seguimiento se implemento para un conjunto de dos paneles fotovoltaicos de 80Wp conectados en paralelo, acoplados a un sistema de baterias de 24V por medio de un convertidor boost. La utilizacion en el trabajo de un convertidor conmutado de alta frecuencia se debe a que el mismo puede modificar el punto de trabajo del conjunto de paneles fotovoltaicos en funcion de una senal modulada de entrada. Las caracteristicas de este convertidor permiten la determinacion de la curva I-V del conjunto de Paneles y utilizando una logica de control, realizar la busqueda del punto de maxima potencia. Para la estrategia de busqueda se opto por la implementacion del algoritmo “Perturbar y Observar” (P&O), utilizandose en el desarrollo final un microcontrolador PIC de 32 bits. El armado de un banco de monitoreo del sistema, permite mostrar las caracteristicas de estos convertidores.
Analytical Model for the Electron-Injection Statistics During Programming of Nanoscale nand Flash Memories

We present a detailed analytical modeling for the constant-current Fowler-Nordheim program operation of NAND flash memories, able to describe both the average transient of the cell threshold voltage and its statistical spread due to the granular nature of the electron current flowing through the cell tunnel oxide. We analytically investigate the electron-injection process, highlighting that the steepness of the tunneling current versus floating-gate voltage characteristics and the control-gate to floating-gate capacitance give the field feedback factor, determining the average number of injected electrons at which the injection process becomes sub-Poissonian. Finally, we show that cell scaling will reduce the achievable accuracy of the program algorithm, due to the reduction in the number of electrons controlling cell state.